Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parameter estimation in distributed hydrological modelling: comparison of global and local optimisation techniques

Much research has been spent in the last three decades in developing more effective and efficient automatic calibration procedures and in demonstrating their applicability to hydrological problems. Several problems have emerged when applying these procedures to calibration of conceptual rainfall–runoff and groundwater (GW) models, such as computational time, large number of calibration parameters, parameter identifiability, model response surface complexity, handling of multiple objectives and parameter equifinality. All these are expected to be much more severe for more complex models, for which comprehensive calibration studies have not so far been conducted. The scope of this paper is to investigate the performance of a global and a local optimisation technique, respectively, the Shuffled Complex Evolution algorithm and the gradient-based Gauss–Marquard–Levenberg algorithm, in calibration of physically based distributed models of different complexity. The models considered are a steady-state GW model, a transient GW model and a fully integrated model of the same catchment. The calibration is conducted in a multi-objective framework where two different aspects of the model response, the simulated runoff and the groundwater elevation are aggregated and simultaneously optimised. Different aggregated objective functions are used to give different weights to the calibration criteria. The results of the calibration procedures are compared in terms of effectiveness and efficiency and demonstrate the different performance of the methods. Moreover, a combination of the global and local techniques is investigated as an attempt to exploit the advantages of both procedures, while overcoming their drawbacks.
Low-Complexity Encoding in Block-Based Hybrid Video Codecs by Moving Motion Estimation to Decoder Side

In this paper the authors present an approach to provide efficient low-complexity encoding for the block-based video coding scheme. The authors present a method based on removing the most time-consuming task, that is motion estimation, from the encoder. Instead the decoder will perform motion prediction based on the available decoded frame and send the predicted motion vectors to the encoder. The results presented are based on a modified H.264 implementation. The results show that this approach can provide rather good coding efficiency even for relatively high network delays.
Listener Strategies in the Perception of Dysarthric Speech: A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Speech Language Therapy, Department of Communication Disorders, University of Canterbury

When listeners are presented with stimuli from multiple speakers versus single speakers in a perception experiment, decreased speech recognition accuracy and increased response time results. These findings have been demonstrated in studies that have employed normal (Creelman, 1957; Mullennix & Pisoni, 1990; Nygaard & Pisoni, 1998) and accented speech (Bradlow & Bent, 2008). It is thought that perceptual normalisation processes are, in part, responsible for this perceptual cost (Bladon, Henton, & Pickering, 1984; Johnson, 2009; Magnuson & Nusbaum, 2007; Mullennix, Pisoni, & Martin, 1989). Interestingly, studies are yet to examine whether these same findings occur when listeners encounter dysarthric speech – a naturally degraded speech signal associated with neurological disorder or disease. It has also been found that when listeners are exposed to multiple speakers with dysarthria, they generally adapt to the dysarthric signal over time; resulting in an improved ability to decipher the signal (Liss, Spitzer, Caviness, & Adler, 2002; Tjaden & Liss, 1995a). However, the rate of this adaption when listeners are exposed to a single speaker is yet to be examined. This study aimed to determine: (1) whether the intelligibility of dysarthric speech (in this case, hypokinetic dysarthria associated with Parkinson‘s disease) varied across single versus multi-speaker conditions; and (2) whether intelligibility increased over time when a listener was exposed to a single speaker with dysarthria. To answer these questions, sixty young healthy listeners were randomly allocated to one of four experimental conditions, one multiple speaker and three single speaker conditions. Each listener transcribed 60 three to five word phrases over one session and the results were examined for percent words correct. Contrary to expectations, there was no significant difference in percent intelligibility scores of the listener group who transcribed in a multi-speaker versus transcriptions from the single speaker listener conditions. In addition, perceptual learning effects across the rating period were identified for two out of the three single speaker listener groups only. The absence of significant findings in the multi-speaker versus single speaker transcripts may be explained by further analysis of within speaker variability. Acoustic analysis of the speakers may also shed light on the reduced perceptual learning that occurred in one of the single speaker groups. Greater numbers of speakers and experimental phrases would be beneficial in expanding trends seen in intelligibility of the single speaker groups.
Chromium occurrence and function in biological systems.

An extensive review of the biogeochemistry of chromium is presented. Topics dealt with in detail include: the chemistry of chromium, its occurrence in nature, chromium's interactions with proteins, nucleic acids, bacteria, yeasts and red blood cells, the biochemical aspects of low-chromium states, the effects of chromium on life span, growth, and survival, the mode and site of action in biological systems, the metabolism (including absorption, distribution, excretion, and toxicology) the effects of chromium's chemical form on biological activity, chromium nutrition in man, and the effects of chromium supplementation in man). 265 references, 12 figures, 8 tables.
Effect of a high-intensity weight-bearing exercise program on radiologic damage progression of the large joints in subgroups of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether a high-intensity exercise program accelerates the rate of radiologic damage of the large joints in predefined subgroups of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS The data of 277 participants in a 2-year randomized controlled trial, comparing the effects of high-intensity exercises with usual care, were used. Linear regression analysis was used to test which predefined variables at baseline (age, disease duration, disease activity, physical capacity, functional ability, joint damage) modified the effect of high-intensity exercise on the progression of radiologic damage of the large joints over 24 months. RESULTS Baseline radiologic joint damage was the only variable associated with the effect of high-intensity exercise on joint damage progression in large joints. In a subgroup of 218 patients with no or little joint damage (defined as Larsen score < or = 5; 80% of our study population) the proportions of patients with an increase in joint damage were similar for the exercise and usual-care group (35% versus 36%, risk ratio [RR] 1.0 [0.7-1.4]; P = not significant), whereas, in a subgroup of 59 patients who already had extensive damage of large joints (defined as Larsen score >5) the proportion was significantly higher in the exercise group (85% versus 48%, RR 1.8 [1.2-2.6]; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION High-intensity weight-bearing exercises appear to accelerate joint damage progression in patients with preexisting extensive damage. Patients with extensive large joint damage should, therefore, be advised to refrain from activities excessively loading the damaged joints.
Cloning of genes responsible for acetic acid resistance in Acetobacter aceti

Five acetic acid-sensitive mutants of Acetobacter aceti subsp. aceti no. 1023 were isolated by mutagenesis with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. Three recombinant plasmids that complemented the mutations were isolated from a gene bank of the chromosome DNA of the parental strain constructed in Escherichia coli by using cosmid vector pMVC1. One of these plasmids (pAR1611), carrying about a 30-kilobase-pair (kb) fragment that conferred acetic acid resistance to all five mutants, was further analyzed. Subcloning experiments indicated that a 8.3-kb fragment was sufficient to complement all five mutations. To identify the mutation loci and genes involved in acetic acid resistance, insertional inactivation was performed by insertion of the kanamycin resistance gene derived from E. coli plasmid pACYC177 into the cloned 8.3-kb fragment and successive integration into the chromosome of the parental strain. The results suggested that three genes, designated aarA, aarB, and aarC, were responsible for expression of acetic acid resistance. Gene products of these genes were detected by means of overproduction in E. coli by use of the lac promoter. The amino acid sequence of the aarA gene product deduced from the nucleotide sequence was significantly similar to those of the citrate synthases (CSs) of E. coli and other bacteria. The A. aceti mutants defective in the aarA gene were found to lack CS activity, which was restored by introduction of a plasmid containing the aarA gene. A mutation in the CS gene of E. coli was also complemented by the aarA gene. These results indicate that aarA is the CS gene.
Everyday Cognitive Functioning in Cardiac Patients: Relationships Between Self-report, Report of a Significant Other and Cognitive Test Performance

ABSTRACT Candidates for cardiac bypass surgery often experience cognitive decline. Such decline is likely to affect their everyday cognitive functioning. The aim of the present study was to compare cardiac patients' ratings of their everyday cognitive functioning against significant others' ratings and selected neuropsychological tests. Sixty-nine patients completed a battery of standardised cognitive tests. Patients and significant others also completed the Everyday Function Questionnaire independently of each other. Patient and significant other ratings of patients' everyday cognitive difficulties were found to be similar. Despite the similarities in ratings of difficulties, some everyday cognitive tasks were attributed to different processes. Patients' and significant others' ratings were most closely associated with the neuropsychological test of visual memory. Tests of the patients' verbal memory and fluency were only related to significant others' ratings. Test scores of attention and planning were largely unrelated to ratings by either patients or their significant others.
HIPERMA: A high performance and reconfigurable processor for SAR applications

In this paper, a high performance and reconfigurable MAC Array (HIPERMA) processor is designed for Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems. HIPERMA is composed of many coarse-grained reconfigurable units and can be configured to finish the algorithms based on matrix multiplication level. The processor maintains the performance of ASIC devices and flexibility of DSP, and also has inherent advantages over FPGA in terms of delay, area and configuration time. The measurement result shows it has a peak performance up to 20,000 MMACS based on SMIC 0.18 urn six-metal CMOS process.
The repertoire of serum IgM in normal mice is largely independent of external antigenic contact

Antigen-free (AGF) and germ-free (GF) mice, although essentially free of serum IgG, maintain normal levels of circulating IgM. Using a quantitative immunoblot assay, we have now analyzed the repertoire of serum IgM from AGF, GF, and specific pathogen-free (SPF) BALB/c mice, on large panels of natural antigens from homologous tissues and bacteria. The reactivity profiles were very similar in the three groups of mice. Multiparametric statistic evaluation of the data showed that BALB/c animals, SPF, GF, and AGF mice constitute an homogeneous group with similar immunoreactivity profiles when compared to C57BL/6. Differences between immunoreactivity profiles of GF and AGF mice were observed, but were not statistically significant. These results suggest that the serum IgM repertoire of normal mice is strictly regulated and selected by endogenous ligands.
College Student Receptiveness to Various Alcohol Treatment Options

Objective: Heavy episodic drinking remains a significant problem on college campuses. Although most interventions for college students are behavioral, pharmacological treatments, such as naltrexone, could provide additional options. Participants: The authors evaluated receptivity to various alcohol treatment options in a general population of college student drinkers (N = 2,084), assessed in 2005. Methods: The authors asked participants to indicate which of 8 treatment options (ie, self-help book, self-help computer program, self-help group, group therapy, individual therapy, monthly injection, targeted oral medication, or daily oral medication) they would be willing to consider if they were going to cut down on or stop drinking. Results: Over 50% of drinkers expressed receptiveness to self-help options or psychotherapy options, and over 25% of drinkers expressed receptiveness to medication options. Conclusions: Increasing treatment options for students interested in reducing or stopping drinking by offering pharmacological interventions such as naltrexone could provide an important unmet need among college students.
TRANSFERRING SELECTED SOFTWARE ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES TO THE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE DOMAIN

Quality criteria such as high reliability or proper diagnosability play an increasing role during the entire lifecycle of automotive and commercial vehicles. Therefore, setting up and adjusting appropriate defect detection and prevention mechanisms is a key element to assure such quality attributes. One challenge is to systematically select, combine, and balance defect detection and prevention mechanisms in order to guarantee a certain quality level under various constraints such as cost limitations. This article presents an approach for transferring selected software engineering principles to the commercial vehicle domain in the context of a continuous quality improvement paradigm. Additionally, the article gives recommendations on how to apply these software engineering principles in practice. Finally, lessons learned about the application of the software engineering principles in the commercial vehicle domain and related work are sketched.
The Significance of Electroencephalographs Abnormality in Behaviour-Problem Children

The study of 200 problem children, 100 with abnormal EEG. tracings and 100 with normal records showed: 1. There was a high correlation between abnormal EEG.s and developmental delay, poor control of impulses, poor motor co-ordination and inadequate social adaptation. 2. Relations between EEG. tracings and thumb sucking, nail biting, hearing deficit, hostility, lying, stealing, percepto-motor disturbance and hyperactivity were significant. 3. The locations of abnormal EEG. records in the temporal lobe and subcortical regions and the diffuse type stand out as the overwhelming majority compared to other locations and types of EEG. The significance of these areas in the C.N. S. integrative function and particularly in behaviour, is well established. 4. Some of the signs and symptoms may be interpreted as direct consequences of developmental immaturity in the C.N. S. (e.g. thumb sucking, poor motor co-ordination, percepto-motor co-ordination disturbance, hyperactivity etc.), while others such as inadequate social adaptation, hostility, stealing, lying are the result of poor integrative ability of a C.N. S. handicapped by dysfunction, which is minimal as revealed by EEG. record. Four nosological groups and nine signs and symptoms were statistically significant out of ten nosological groups and sixty signs and symptoms respectively. In view of this result it could be assumed that the majority of cases are not the result of predisposed C.N. S. but possibly due to various environmental influences.
Cyclotronic Ion Resonance Therapy and Arthralgia

A total of 143 patients suffering various musculoskeletal disorders including rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis, osteoporosis, and post-surgical discomfort were subjected to ELF magnetic treatments using the Seqex device. A clear trend in pain reduction was observed over the 10 treatment regimen as well as a stabilization of relevant lab tests, including cholesterol level and blood pressure. Improvements were also noted in posturometric footboard tests. An additional 20 patients with various neuromuscular difficulties were treated with Seqex as well as magentic “concentrators” for periods ranging from 3 to 10 treatments. Similar improvements in pain reduction were observed in this smaller group.
Construct Validity of the MMPI–2 Restructured Clinical (RC) Scales: Reply to Rouse, Greene, Butcher, Nichols, and Williams

Rouse, Greene, Butcher, Nichols, and Williams (2008) repeat two claims about the MMPI–2 Restructured (RC) scales. One asserts that the correlations of RC scales with parent Clinical scales are modest compared to the correlations with other existing MMPI–2 scales. In response, we reiterate that the RC scales were not meant to emulate the divergent and overlapping content of the Clinical scales. Instead, each represents a distinctive Clinical scale component. Although individually focused, the RC scales span collectively a wide range of content and used as multivariate predictors, account for most of the variance of each Clinical scale. Rouse et al. also claim that most RC scales are redundant with existing MMPI–2 scales, which they propose as substitutes (“proxies”). However, our analyses of Rouse et al.'s database and of our own data show that several of their proposed proxies are far less mutually distinguishable than are the RC scale counterparts. Furthermore, several Clinical scales are more successfully, and none are less successfully, accounted for by RC scales than by proxies. In response to Rouse et al.'s neglect of a body of empirical findings supporting the construct validity of the RC scales, we also review the relevant research literature.
SERUM FERRITIN IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH HBA1C

Diabetes mellitus (DM) type 2 is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting more than 135 million people in the world. The etiology of the disease is not fully understood, but recently subclinical hemochromatosis has been considered as one of the probable causes of DM. This study was carried out to examine the relationship between serum ferritin as a marker of iron overload with DM and HbA1c. This study was conducted on 97 patients with type 2 DM who were referred to Zanjan Diabetes Clinic. Ninety-four normal age-matched individuals were included in the study as the control group. Ferritin, hemoglobin, HbA1c, and fasting blood sugar were measured in blood samples. Exclusion criteria included anemia, or any other disease or drug that could affect ferritin levels. Results were analyzed statistically by Chi-square test, t-test and Pearson regression coefficient test. One hundred ninety-one cases including 97 diabetics (37 males and 60 females) and 94 normal individuals were studied. There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding age, hemoglobin and body mass index. Mean serum ferritin was significantly higher in diabetics than in the control group (101±73 mg/ml vs. 43.5+42 mg/ml, p
Thermal effects on through-silicon via (TSV) signal integrity

The thermal effect on through-silicon via (TSV) noise coupling and S21 of TSV channel were measured in both frequency and time domain from corresponding TSV based passive chips. These measurement results are analyzed using the temperature-dependent TSV lumped model to TSV channel and shows good correlation with measurement. Under the hundreds-of-MHz frequency range, increasing temperature decreases the S21 of TSV channel, but over that frequency range, increasing temperature increases the S21. These phenomena are explained from the model which thermal dependence of the materials is applied.
Implementing PacketEconomy: Distributed money‐based QoS in OMNET++

In this work we examine how quality of service (QoS) can be achieved in a real network by allowing packets to coordinate using fiat money in a market economy for router queue positions. In this context we implement and evaluate the PacketEconomy mechanism in the discrete‐event simulator OMNET++, using the standard INET library for simulating Internet Protocol version 6 networks and evaluate throughput, end‐to‐end delay, and packet drop rates. Additionally, we examine whether the flows have a game‐theoretic incentive to participate in the market economy, while covering both Transmission Control Protocol– and User Datagram Protocol–based flows in multiple different cases. The mechanism achieves QoS by allowing packets with different QoS requirements waiting to be served in router queues to mutually trade positions by exchanging money. Notably, each flow can independently and selfishly define the ask and bid prices of its packets. In this manner, packets can coordinate to be able to self‐regulate their packet‐specific access to shared network resources. The results are promising and show that the innovative PacketEconomy mechanism provides robust, effective, and fine‐grained QoS while maintaining end‐user control for both rate‐ and window‐based flows.