Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Hyper-Heuristic method for MAX-SAT

In this paper, we are interested in the Maximum Satisfiability Problem (MAX-SAT) which is an optimization variant of the Boolean satisfiability problem (SAT). SAT is of a central importance in various areas of computer science, including theoretical computer science, algorithmic, artificial intelligence, hardware design and verification. Formally, given a set of m clauses C = {C1;C2 . Cm} involving a set of n Boolean variables X = {X1;X2 . Xn} where a clause is a disjunction of literals and a literal is a variable or its negation, the SAT problem [1] is to decide whether an assignment of truth values to the variables of X exists or not such that all the clauses of C are simultaneously satisfied. Given a propositional formula F expressed in conjunctive normal form (CNF), the MAX-SAT problem consists in finding a variable truth assignment that maximizes the number of satisfied clauses of F . MAX-SAT is NP-Hard even when each clause has no more than two literals, while SAT with two literals per clause can be solved in polynomial time. In this work, we investigate a hyper-heuristic approach for MAX-SAT. A hyper-heuristic is a high-level method that incorporates a set of low-level heuristics to handle classes of problems rather than solving one problem. The hyper-heuristic method allows to select automatically during the search process the heuristic that should be applied for finding good quality solutions and in this way avoid search stagnation. The low-level heuristics can be either constructive or perturbative heuristics. The constructive hyper-heuristics use a set of constructive heuristics that start with an empty solution and try to complete it at each step while the perturbative hyper-heuristics start with a complete initial solution and try to find better ones by improving it. In general, a hyper-heuristic works as follow: Given an instance of a problem, the high level method uses a selection criterion or a choice function strategy to choose the adequate low-level heuristic at any given time during the search. In this work, we develop a hyper-heuristic for the MAX-SAT problem. The proposed approach performs a hybrid selection strategy that makes a balance between a choice function and randomness. These two components of the selection strategy of the proposed hyper-heuristic are controlled by using a walk probability wp as it is done in a classical stochastic local search.
SPRINT-SELF: Social-Based Routing and Selfish Node Detection in Opportunistic Networks

Since mobile devices nowadays have become ubiquitous, several types of networks formed over such devices have been proposed. One such approach is represented by opportunistic networking, which is based on a store-carry-and-forward paradigm, where nodes store data and carry it until they reach a suitable node for forwarding. The problem in such networks is how to decide what the next hop will be, since nodes do not have a global view of the network. We propose using the social network information of a node when performing routing, since a node is more likely to encounter members of its own social community than other nodes. In addition, we approximate a node’s contact as a Poisson distribution and show that we can predict its future behavior based on the contact history. Furthermore, since opportunistic network nodes may be selfish, we improve our solution by adding a selfish node detection and avoidance mechanism, which can help reduce the number of unnecessary messages sent in the network, and thus avoid congestion and decrease battery consumption. We show that our algorithm outperforms existing solutions such as BUBBLE Rap and Epidemic in terms of delivery cost and hit rate, as well as the rate of congestion introduced in the network, by testing in various realistic scenarios.
Best facilitated cortical activation during different stepping, treadmill, and robot-assisted walking training paradigms and speeds: A functional near-infrared spectroscopy neuroimaging study.

BACKGROUND Robot-assisted and treadmill-gait training are promising neurorehabilitation techniques, with advantages over conventional gait training, but the neural substrates underpinning locomotor control remain unknown particularly during different gait training modes and speeds. OBJECTIVE The present optical imaging study compared cortical activities during conventional stepping walking (SW), treadmill walking (TW), and robot-assisted walking (RW) at different speeds. METHODS Fourteen healthy subjects (6 women, mean age 30.06, years ± 4.53) completed three walking training modes (SW, TW, and RW) at various speeds (self-selected, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 km/h). A functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) system determined cerebral hemodynamic changes associated with cortical locomotor network areas in the primary sensorimotor cortex (SMC), premotor cortex (PMC), supplementary motor area (SMA), prefrontal cortex (PFC), and sensory association cortex (SAC). RESULTS There was increased cortical activation in the SMC, PMC, and SMA during different walking training modes. More global locomotor network activation was observed during RW than TW or SW. As walking speed increased, multiple locomotor network activations were observed, and increased activation power spectrum. CONCLUSIONS This is the first empirical evidence highlighting the neural substrates mediating dynamic locomotion for different gait training modes and speeds. Fast, robot-assisted gait training best facilitated cortical activation associated with locomotor control.
Patient-Controlled versus Nurse-Administered Sedation With Propofol During Colonoscopy. A Prospective Randomized Trial

OBJECTIVES:Patient-controlled sedation (PCS) with propofol, is well tolerated and reduces recovery time and staff required during endoscopic interventions. “Who” administers the drug proves economically crucial. With the aim of maintaining safety, medical quality, and patient satisfaction, this study investigates PCS versus nurse-administered propofol sedation (NAPS) in a cohort of consecutive patients.METHODS:One hundred and fourteen patients, aged 22–90 yr, undergoing only colonoscopy participated in this prospective randomized trial. Patients were randomly assigned to either PCS or NAPS. If patients declined randomization for different reasons of reluctance to PCS they were assigned to a standard nurse-sedated control group. All patients received pethidine presedation for analgesia. Visual analogue scales followed patient anxiety level, tolerability, pain, and satisfaction, and endoscopist's assessment of the procedure.RESULTS:Given the choice, 35% of the patients who were rather younger and more anxious declined randomization to PCS. The mean total dose of propofol needed in this group was higher, but the patients had a tendency to rate the global tolerance and the pain of the examination as less comfortable compared to the two randomized groups. Self-administration of propofol created a significantly different drug profile and higher medication costs. With regard to the safety parameters there was no difference between PCS and NAPS. In their global assessments, the patients and endoscopists tended to prefer NAPS.CONCLUSIONS:Individual patient characteristics and attitudes toward self-control are crucial for PCS. While being a viable option for patients who are able and willing to handle, this technique is not applicable in a considerable portion of everyday patients.
Comparative Estimation of Trajectory based Tracking System and Impact of Subsequent on Projectile Course in 3-D Utilizing Motion Technique

There are various approaches to estimate the trajectory based tracking system and subsequent brunt point of a projectile course. The mainly methods are more accurate and require a lot of input data, but some others methods are fairly trivial and less accurate. It will investigate a video demonstrating a projectile flying through the air, and before the shot will achieve its goal, the framework will show on screen the staying of its course including its arrival area. In first stage, will fabricate a framework that recognizes question and following article in mid-air, compute the 3-D position vector of protest. It will predicts its residual course in 3-D utilizing a Projectile Motion Theory and outline its anticipated course on 2-d unique picture and anticipated way super forcing on the video. The system is automatically analyzing long-shot using trajectory-based object tracking method from a given sequence of video. The accuracy of a long-shot in a game is mostly dependent on the object throwing angle and the velocity at which the object is to be thrown. The given system detects and tracks the object in a long-shot sequence by exploiting the trajectory information of the object. The object motion characteristics are used to determine the object trajectory. The trajectories are generated a set of object candidates in each and every frame. The specifically in object sports, very accurate technological solutions identify in presence. The particular deficiency of these systems is the need of mosaic and extravagant hardware which is not economical for less familiar provincial/traditional sports events. The object locations verified by the tracking results are then used to estimate the object throwing angle and the throwing velocity. The rate of error of object tracking in the video is minimized by using trajectory-based object tracking which occurs due to occlusion and merging of the object image with other objects in the frame, distortion of the object image due to object and camera motion and the presence of many moving objects in the foreground and background in the video. The system continues capturing the object throughout its entire flight and makes adjustments to its predicted course if necessary.
Social visibility and percept differentiation dimensions of brand intangible value and its effects

Marketers provide brand intangible value to obtain price premium and brand loyalty. Along two novel dimensions of social visibility and perceived differentiation, we classified brand intangible value into four types: conformity value, role value, self-identity value and experiential value. Empirical studies verify the existence of these four brand intangible values, and they are significantly affected by perceived quality. Further analysis show that role value, self-identity value, experiential value significantly impact customer satisfaction, but the linkage between conformity value and customer satisfaction is weak.
Prosodic preservation in Landau‐Kleffner syndrome: a case report

Landau‐Kleffner syndrome (LKS) is a rare acquired condition of auditory verbal agnosia and convulsive disorder in children. It has been proposed that there is a functional relationship between electrical disturbance and the speech defect. Prosody or the melody of language, as described by Monrad‐Krohn (1947), is one aspect of non‐verbal communication which is distributed bilaterally in the brain. Prosodic parameters of expression and perception in one 7.5‐y‐ear‐old child were tested to see if they were preserved as a means of communication. The child was observed during video‐electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring over a 48‐h‐our period. MI utterances were recorded and subject to analysis for the salience and variation of acoustic correlates of prosody. Prosodic comprehension was measured using specific perceptual tasks previously presented to normal children between the ages of 5.5 and 8.5. Despite being unable to meaningfully use or perceive phonemes, the child was able to use variations in fundamental frequency, duration and intensity of utterances, to convey both emotional and propositional intent. Similarly, the child was able to discriminate prosodic contours of a male adult voice to an age equivalent to 5.5 to 6.5 years. This argues in favour of the notion for educating such children not only through the visual channel but also through the auditory channel.
Hierarchical Node Replication Attacks Detection in Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are composed of numerous low-cost, low-power sensor nodes communicating at short distance through wireless links. Sensors are densely deployed to collect and transmit data of the physical world to one or few destinations called the sinks. Because of open deployment in hostile environment and the use of low-cost materials, powerful adversaries could capture them to extract sensitive information (encryption keys, identities, addresses, etc.). When nodes may be compromised, “beyond cryptography” algorithmic solutions must be envisaged to complement the cryptographic solutions. This paper addresses the problem of nodes replication; that is, an adversary captures one or several nodes and inserts duplicated nodes at any location in the network. If no specific detection mechanisms are established, the attacker could lead many insidious attacks. In this work, we first introduce a new hierarchical distributed algorithm for detecting node replication attacks using a Bloom filter mechanism and a cluster head selection (see also Znaidi et al. (2009)). We present a theoretical discussion on the bounds of our algorithm. We also perform extensive simulations of our algorithm for random topologies, and we compare those results with other proposals of the literature. Finally, we show the effectiveness of our algorithm and its energy efficiency.
eview alcium signaling in closely related protozoan groups ( Alveolata ) : on-parasitic ciliates ( Paramecium , Tetrahymena ) vs . parasitic Apicomplexa Plasmodium , Toxoplasma )

The importance of Ca2+-signaling for many subcellular processes is well established in higher eukaryotes, whereas information about protozoa is restricted. Recent genome analyses have stimulated such work also with Alveolates, such as ciliates (Paramecium, Tetrahymena) and their pathogenic close relatives, the Apicomplexa (Plasmodium, Toxoplasma). Here we compare Ca2+ signaling in the two closely related groups. Acidic Ca2+ stores have been characterized in detail in Apicomplexa, but hardly in ciliates. Two-pore channels engaged in Ca2+-release from acidic stores in higher eukaryotes have not been stingently characterized in either group. Both groups are endowed with plasma membraneand endoplasmic reticulum-type Ca2+-ATPases (PMCA, SERCA), respectively. Only recently was it possible to identify in Paramecium a number of homologs of ryanodine and inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate receptors (RyR, IP3R) and to localize them to widely different organelles participating in vesicle trafficking. For Apicomplexa, phys-
A Cross-sectional Study of the Relationship of Serum Folic Acid, Vitamin B 12 , Zinc, Magnesium with Semen Parameters in Infertile Couples in Hong Kong

Jennifer SM MAK MBChB, MRCOG Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong Alice YK WONG MBBS, FRCOG, FHKCOG, FHKAM (O&G) Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong Jackie YY WONG PGA (ART), BAppSc (MLS), AIBMS Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong Pak-Kwan HUI MBBS, FRCPath, FHKCPath, FHKAM (Pathology) Department of Pathology, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hospital Authority, Hong Kong
A Functional Subnetwork Approach to Designing Synthetic Nervous Systems That Control Legged Robot Locomotion

A dynamical model of an animal’s nervous system, or synthetic nervous system (SNS), is a potentially transformational control method. Due to increasingly detailed data on the connectivity and dynamics of both mammalian and insect nervous systems, controlling a legged robot with an SNS is largely a problem of parameter tuning. Our approach to this problem is to design functional subnetworks that perform specific operations, and then assemble them into larger models of the nervous system. In this paper, we present networks that perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, differentiation, and integration of incoming signals. Parameters are set within each subnetwork to produce the desired output by utilizing the operating range of neural activity, R, the gain of the operation, k, and bounds based on biological values. The assembly of large networks from functional subnetworks underpins our recent results with MantisBot.
Fractalkine Expression in the Rhesus Monkey Brain During Lentivirus Infection and Its Control by 6-Chloro-2',3'-Dideoxyguanosine

Existing data concerning the role of the &dgr;-chemokine fractalkine (CX3CL1) and its receptor (CX3CR1) in lentivirus-induced encephalitis are limited and controversial. We explored, by quantitative in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, the cell-specific changes of CX3CL1 and CX3CR1 in rhesus macaque brain during simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection and antiretroviral treatment. Neuronal expression of CX3CL1 was significantly reduced in cortex and striatum of AIDS-diseased monkeys as compared with uninfected and asymptomatic SIV-infected monkeys. CX3CL1 mRNA was increased in some endothelial cells and newly induced in astrocytes and macrophages focally in areas of SIV burden and inflammatory infiltrates. In most CX3CL1-positive astrocytes and macrophages, the transcription factor NF-&kgr;B was translocated to the nucleus. CX3CR1 was upregulated in scattered, nodule, and giant cell-forming microglia/macrophages and mononuclear infiltrates close to CX3CL1-induced cells in the brain. Treatment of AIDS monkeys with the central nervous system-permeant 6-chloro-2&vprime;,3&vprime;-dideoxyguanosine fully reversed SIV burden, productive inflammation, nuclear NF-&kgr;B translocation as well as focal induction of CX3CL1 in astrocytes and macrophages and downregulation in neurons. In contrast, diffuse CX3CR1-positive microgliosis and GFAP-positive astrogliosis were partially reversed by 6-chloro-2&vprime;,3&vprime;-dideoxyguanosine. Thus, focally induced CX3CL1 may be a target for therapeutic intervention to limit ongoing inflammatory infiltration into brain in lentivirus infection.
THE QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF PHYLOGENETIC CONSTRAINTS IN COMPARATIVE ANALYSES: SEXUAL DIMORPHISM IN BODY WEIGHT AMONG PRIMATES

We have presented a formal model for the quantitative analysis of phylogenetic and specific effects on the distribution of trait values among species. Total trait values are divided into phylogenetic values, inherited from an ancestral species, and specific values, the result of independent evolution. This allows a quantitative assessment of the strength of the phylogenetic inertia, or burden, displayed by a character in a lineage, so that questions concerning the relative importance of phylogenetic constraints in evolution can be answered. The separation of phylogenetic from specific effects proposed here also allows phylogenetic factors to be explicitly included in cross‐species comparative analyses of adaptation. This solves a long‐standing problem in evolutionary comparative studies. Only species' specific values can provide information concerning the independent evolution of characters in a set of related species. Therefore, only correlations among specific values for traits may be used as evidence for adaptation in cross‐species comparative analyses.
Solvability of the Regulator Equation: L2-space Approach

Abstract An alternative proof of solvability of the differential equation that is a part of the Regulator Equation which arises from the solution of the Output Regulation Problem is presented. The proof uses the standard Hilbert-space based theory of solutions of elliptic partial differential equations for the case of the linear Output Regulation Problem. In the nonlinear case, a sequence of linear equations is defined so that their solution converges to the solution of the nonlinear problem. This is proved using the Banach Contraction Theorem.
Olfactory impairment in familial ataxias

The main clinical manifestations of the spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) result from the involvement of the cerebellum and its connections. Cerebellar activity has been consistently observed in functional imaging studies of olfaction, but the anatomical pathways responsible for this connection have not yet been elucidated. Previous studies have demonstrated olfactory deficit in SCA2, Friedreich's ataxia and in small groups of ataxia of diverse aetiology. The authors used a validated version of the 16-item smell identification test from Sniffin' Sticks (SS-16) was used to evaluate 37 patients with genetically determined autosomal dominant ataxia, and 31 with familial ataxia of unknown genetic basis. This data was also compared with results in 106 Parkinson's disease patients and 218 healthy controls. The SS-16 score was significantly lower in ataxia than in the control group (p<0.001, 95% CI for β=0.55 to 1.90) and significantly higher in ataxia than in Parkinson's disease (p<0.001, 95% CI for β=−4.58 to −3.00) when adjusted for age (p=0.001, 95% CI for β=−0.05 to −0.01), gender (p=0.19) and history of tobacco use (p=0.41). When adjusted for general cognitive function, no significant difference was found between the ataxia and control groups. This study confirms previous findings of mild hyposmia in ataxia, and further suggests this may be due to general cognitive deficits rather than specific olfactory problems.
A formal specification of the RT-Middleware data transfer protocol

The RT-Middleware framework, which is used on both robotic and non-robotic systems in Japan, uses “DataPorts” to provide one-way, flow-based data communication. These ports are built upon a custom protocol which is in turn built on top of a Remote Procedure Call mechanism and a set of data buffers. The protocol is used to transfer data according to a set of communication policies specified by a system integrator. It forms the major foundation of systems built in the framework. Therefore, in order to have confidence in systems built using RT-Middleware we require confidence that this protocol is correct and will transfer the data to destinations as expected. This paper describes a formal specification of the RT-Middleware DataPort protocol, and verification of the correctness of this specification. The specification is written using the TLA+ formal specification language, and verification is performed using model checking. We describe the specification itself and present an example of the model-checking. We demonstrate that the protocol behaves as described in its informal specification, absent external errors. The presence of a formal specification increases confidence in the correctness of the software, and also provides an unambiguous description of expected behaviour when creating additional implementations.
Using the ICF to code and analyse women's disability narratives

Purpose. This article describes the use of the World Health Organization's (WHO) International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a conceptual framework for processing and analyzing the narratives of 50 community-dwelling women with a spinal cord injury. The women were participants in a federally-funded study of stress and coping over the life course. Method. The paper describes the development of a coding scheme and data reduction techniques used to process qualitative data. Results. The initial results of three phases of data analysis are then presented: (i) the construction of matrices to display data so as to permit pattern finding; (ii) the mapping of specific ICF codes to text to produce a more finely grained analysis of environment-related stressors, and (iii) a thematic analysis of text depicting the dynamics of person-environment interaction. Conclusions. Of potential value to the further elaboration of the ICF is a fleshing out of the personal factors component of the ICF and the provision of a context-driven, process view of person-environment interaction. It is hoped that this article will stimulate continued discussion of person-level factors. The concept of coupling suggests also a need to focus research attention on the bi-directional and ever evolving linkages connecting person to environment.