nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Network Function Virtualization: State of the Art and Research Challenges
Venue: IEEE Communications Surveys Tutorials

Network function virtualization (NFV) has drawn significant attention from both industry and academia as an important shift in telecommunication service provisioning. By decoupling network functions (NFs) from the physical devices on which they run, NFV has the potential to lead to significant reductions in operating expenses (OPEX) and capital expenses (CAPEX) and facilitate the deployment of new services with increased agility and faster time to value. The NFV paradigm is still in its infancy and there is a large spectrum of opportunities for the research community to develop new architectures, systems and applications, and to evaluate alternatives and trade offs in developing technologies for its successful deployment. In this paper, after discussing NFV and its relationship with complementary fields of software defined networking (SDN) and cloud computing, we survey the state of the art in NFV, and identify promising research directions in this area. We also overview key NFV projects, standardization efforts, early implementations, use cases, and commercial products.
Nitrate and Inhibition of Ruminal Methanogenesis: Microbial Ecology, Obstacles, and Opportunities for Lowering Methane Emissions from Ruminant Livestock
Venue: Front. Microbiol.

Ruminal methane production is among the main targets for greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation for the animal agriculture industry. Many compounds have been evaluated for their efficacy to suppress enteric methane production by ruminal microorganisms. Of these, nitrate as an alternative hydrogen sink has been among the most promising, but it suffers from variability in efficacy for reasons that are not understood. The accumulation of nitrite, which is poisonous when absorbed into the animal's circulation, is also variable and poorly understood. This review identifies large gaps in our knowledge of rumen microbial ecology that handicap the further development and safety of nitrate as a dietary additive. Three main bacterial species have been associated historically with ruminal nitrate reduction, namely Wolinella succinogenes, Veillonella parvula, and Selenomonas ruminantium, but others almost certainly exist in the largely uncultivated ruminal microbiota. Indications are strong that ciliate protozoa can reduce nitrate, but the significance of their role relative to bacteria is not known. The metabolic fate of the reduced nitrate has not been studied in detail. It is important to be sure that nitrate metabolism and efforts to enhance rates of nitrite reduction do not lead to the evolution of the much more potent GHG, nitrous oxide. The relative importance of direct inhibition of archaeal methanogenic enzymes by nitrite or the efficiency of capture of hydrogen by nitrate reduction in lowering methane production is also not known, nor are nitrite effects on other members of the microbiota. How effective would combining mitigation methods be, based on our understanding of the effects of nitrate and nitrite on the microbiome? Answering these fundamental microbiological questions is essential in assessing the potential of dietary nitrate to limit methane emissions from ruminant livestock.
Asymmetric N,N' ethylene bridged azole based compounds: Two way control of the energetic properties of compounds

Reactions of various energetic pyrazole, triazole and tetrazole salts with 1 (2 bromoethyl) 5 aminotetrazole, in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst, resulted in new asymmetric N,N' ethylene bridged azole based energetic compounds having diversified functionalities and properties. The availability of the aminotetrazole moiety for conversion to nitroimino(tetrazole) provides a route for further modifying energetic properties. All the compounds were thoroughly characterized by IR, NMR [1H, 13C{1H} 15N] elemental analyses, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) Some were also further characterized using single crystal X ray diffraction studies. Impact and friction sensitivities were measured and heats of formation and detonation performances were calculated. Results show that combination of different energetic heterocycles broadens options for the design of desirable energetic compounds.
(De )legitimizing medical professional discourses: evaluations from foreign English teachers in Japan

Utilizing Donal Carbaugh's work on Cultural Discourse Analysis, this study explores the intersection of language, intercultural, and health communication within the context of globalization by focusing upon foreign language teachers as migrant workers. As part of a larger study interviewing 49 migrant workers in Japan, this study focuses upon 10 specific individual accounts of Assistant English Language Teachers' (ALTs) medical encounters and interactions with Japanese medical providers (JMPs) in Japan to uncover: (a) discursive practices ALTs use to (de) legitimize JMPs and (b) cultural assumptions ALTs expect of JMPs. In particular, three ways are uncovered wherein terms of talk between ALTs and JMPs influenced perceptions and conceptions of medical interaction in Japan. First, place was rendered meaningful by ALTs by using two interrelated terms: 'back home' and 'here. Such demarcations operated to (de) legitimize the medical professional's practices, procedures, and credibility. Second, construals of 'good' and 'bad' providers are highlighted as ALTs attempted to make sense of their medical interactions. Finally, the relationship between ALTs' conception of space and place are considered in light of ALTs' provider construals. Theoretical, practical, and future implications are discussed.
$L_{1} Minimization Algorithms for Sparse Signal Reconstruction Based on a Projection Neural Network
Venue: IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems

This paper presents several L1 minimization algorithms for sparse signal reconstruction based on a continuous time projection neural network (PNN) First, a one layer projection neural network is designed based on a projection operator and a projection matrix. The stability and global convergence of the proposed neural network are proved. Then, based on a discrete time version of the PNN, several L1 minimization algorithms for sparse signal reconstruction are developed and analyzed. Experimental results based on random Gaussian sparse signals show the effectiveness and performance of the proposed algorithms. Moreover, experimental results based on two face image databases are presented that reveal the influence of sparsity to the recognition rate. The algorithms are shown to be robust to the amplitude and sparsity level of signals as well as efficient with high convergence rate compared with several existing L1 minimization algorithms.
Mining Pixels: Weakly Supervised Semantic Segmentation Using Image Labels
Venue: ArXiv

We consider the task of learning a classifier for semantic segmentation using weak supervision, in this case, image labels specifying the objects within the image. Our method uses deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and adopts an Expectation Maximization (EM) based approach maintaining the uncertainty on pixel labels. We focus on the following three crucial aspects of the EM based approach: (i) initialization; (ii) latent posterior estimation (E step) and (iii) the parameter update (M step) We show that saliency and attention maps provide good cues to learn an initialization model and allows us to skip the bad local maximum to which EM methods are otherwise traditionally prone. In order to update the parameters, we propose minimizing the combination of the standard softmax loss and the KL divergence between the true latent posterior and the likelihood given by the CNN. We argue that this combination is more robust to wrong predictions made by the expectation step of the EM method. We support this argument with empirical and visual results. We additionally incorporate an approximate intersection over union (IoU) term into the loss function for better parameter estimation. Extensive experiments and discussions show that: (i) our method is very simple and intuitive; (ii) requires only image level labels; and (iii) consistently outperforms other weakly/semi supervised state of the art methods with a very high margin on the PASCAL VOC 2012 dataset.
Weathering and precipitation after meteorite impact of Ni, Cr, Fe, Ca and Mn in K T boundary clays from Stevns Klint

Ni, Cr, Fe, Ca and Mn K edge XANES and EXAFS spectra were measured on K T boundary clays from Stevns Klint in Denmark. According to XANES spectra and EXAFS analyses, the local structures of Ni, Cr and Fe in K T boundary clays is similar to Ni(OH)2, Cr2O3 and FeOOH, respectively. It is assumed that the Ni, Cr and Fe elements in impact related glasses is changing into stable hydrate and oxide by the weathering and diagenesis at the surface of the Earth. Ca in K T boundary clays maintains the diopside like structure. Local structure of Ca in K T clays seems to keep information on the condition at meteorite impact. Mn has a local structure like MnCO3 with divalent state. It is assumed that the origin on low abundant of Mn in the Fe group element in K T clays was the consumption by life activity and the diffusion to other parts.
Preoperative predictors for outcomes after total hip replacement in patients with osteoarthritis: a systematic review
Venue: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

BackgroundThis systematic review examines which patient related factors influence functional and clinical outcomes after total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsWe performed a systematic review according to the PRISMA guidelines. We searched databases and trial registries for prospective studies including OA patients who underwent primary THA. Studies with preoperative measurements on predictors, with at least 1 year follow up were included. Risk of bias and confounding was assessed for two domains: follow up rate and looking at independent effects.ResultsThirty five studies were included (138,039 patients) Only nine studies (29 had low risk of bias for all domains thus suggesting an overall low quality of evidence. Studies were heterogeneous in the predictors tested and in the observed directions of the associations. Overall, preoperative function (13 studies (37 2 with low risk of bias) and radiological OA (6 studies (17 1 with low risk of bias) were predictors with the most consistent findings. Worse preoperative function and more severe radiological OA were associated with larger postoperative improvement. However, these patients never reached the level of postoperative functioning as patients with better preoperative function or less severe radiological OA. For age, gender, comorbidity, pain and quality of life the results of studies were conflicting. For BMI, some studies (n 5, 2 with low risk of bias) found worse outcomes for patients with higher BMI. However, substantial improvement was still achieved regardless of their BMI.ConclusionThere is not enough evidence to draw succinct conclusions on preoperative predictors for postoperative outcome in THA, as results of studies are conflicting and the methodological quality is low. Results suggest to focus on preoperative function and radiological osteoarthritis to decide when THA will be most effective. The present mapping of current evidence on the relationship between patient related factors and outcomes provides better information compared to individual studies and may help to set patient expectations before surgery. In addition, these findings may contribute to discussions on how to achieve the best possible postoperative outcome for specific patient groups.
Validation of the HOOS, JR: A Short form Hip Replacement Survey
Venue: Clinical orthopaedics and related research

BackgroundPatient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly in demand for outcomes evaluation by hospitals, administrators, and policymakers. However, assessing total hip arthroplasty (THA) through such instruments is challenging because most existing measures of hip health are lengthy and/or proprietary.purposesThe objective of this study was to derive a patient relevant short form survey based on the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) focusing specifically on outcomes after THA.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated patients with hip osteoarthritis who underwent primary unilateral THA and who had completed preoperative and 2 year postoperative PROMs using our hospital's hip replacement registry. The 2 year followup in this population was 81% (4308 of 5351 patients) Of these, 2371 completed every item on the HOOS before surgery and at 2 years, making them eligible for the formal item reduction analysis. Through semistructured interviews with 30 patients, we identified items in the HOOS deemed qualitatively most important to patients with hip osteoarthritis. The original HOOS has 40 items, the four quality of life items were excluded a priori, five were excluded for being redundant, and one was excluded based on patient relevance surveys. The remaining 30 items were evaluated using Rasch modeling to yield a final six item HOOS, Joint Replacement (HOOS, JR) representing a single construct of "hip health." We calculated HOOS, JR scores for the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) cohort and validated this new score for internal consistency, external validity (versus HOOS and WOMAC domains) responsiveness to THA, and floor and ceiling effects. Additional external validation was performed using calculated HOOS, JR scores in collaboration with the Function and Outcomes Research for Comparative Effectiveness in Total Joint Replacement (FORCE TJR) nationally representative joint replacement registry (n 910).ResultsThe resulting six item PROM (HOOS, JR) retained items only from the pain and activities of daily living domains. It showed high internal consistency (Person Separation Index, 0.86 [HSS] 0.87 [FORCE] moderate to excellent external validity against other hip surveys (Spearman's correlation coefficient, 0.60 0.94) very high responsiveness (standardized response means, 2.03 [95% CI, 1.84 2.22] [FORCE] and 2.38 [95% CI, 2.27 2.49] [HSS] and favorable floor (0.6% 1.9% and ceiling (37% 46% effects. External validity was highest for the HOOS pain (Spearman's correlation coefficient, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.86 0.89] [HSS] and 0.87 [95% CI, 0.84 0.90] [FORCE] and HOOS activities of daily living (Spearman's correlation coefficient, 0.94 [95% CI, 0.93 0.95] [HSS] and 0.94 [95% CI, 0.93 0.96] [FORCE] domains in the HSS validation cohort and the FORCE TJR cohort.ConclusionsThe HOOS, JR provides a valid, reliable, and responsive measure of hip health for patients undergoing THA. This short form PROM is patient relevant and efficient.
Trunnionosis in total hip arthroplasty: a review
Venue: Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Trunnionosis is defined as wear of the femoral head neck interface and has recently been acknowledged as a growing cause of total hip arthroplasty failure. Some studies have reported that it accounts for up to 3 of all revisions. The exact cause of trunnionosis is currently unknown; however, postulated etiologies include modular junction wear, corrosion damage, and metal ion release. Additionally, implant design and trunnion geometries may contribute to the progression of component failure. In order to aid in our understanding of this phenomenon, our aim was to present the current literature on (1) the effect of femoral head size on trunnionosis, (2) the effect of trunnion design on trunnionosis, (3) localized biological reactions associated with trunnionosis, and (4) gross trunnion failures. It is hoped that this will encourage further research and interest aimed at minimizing this complication.
Generation of 2N 1 scroll existence in new three dimensional chaos systems.
Venue: Chaos

We propose a systematic methodology for creating 2N 1 scroll chaotic attractors from a simple three dimensional system, which is named as the translation chaotic system. It satisfies the condition a12a21 0, while the Chua system satisfies a12a21 0. In this paper, we also propose a successful (an effective) design and an analytical approach for constructing 2N 1 scrolls, the translation transformation principle. Also, the dynamics properties of the system are studied in detail. MATLAB simulation results show very sophisticated dynamical behaviors and unique chaotic behaviors of the system. It provides a new approach for 2N 1 scroll attractors. Finally, to explore the potential use in technological applications, a novel block circuit diagram is also designed for the hardware implementation of 1 3 5 and 7 scroll attractors via switching the switches. Translation chaotic system has the merit of convenience and high sensitivity to initial values, emerging potentials in future engineering chaos design.
Riboswitch Scanner: an efficient pHMM based web server to detect riboswitches in genomic sequences
Venue: Bioinform.

UNLABELLED Riboswitches are non coding RNA located in the 5' untranslated regions where they bind a target metabolite used to specify the riboswitch class and control the expression of associated genes. Accurate identification of riboswitches is the first step towards understanding their regulatory and functional roles in the cell. In this article, we describe a new web application named Riboswitch Scanner which provides an automated pipeline for pHMM based detection of riboswitches in partial as well as complete genomic sequences rapidly, with high sensitivity and specificity. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION Riboswitch Scanner can be freely accessed on the web at http:/service.iiserkol.ac.in/~riboscan/ CONTACT mukherjee.sumit89@gmail.com SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Systematic, Evidence Based Review of Exercise, Physical Activity, and Physical Fitness Effects on Cognition in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis
Venue: Neuropsychology Review

Cognitive dysfunction is highly prevalent, disabling, and poorly managed in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) Recent evidence suggests that exercise might have beneficial effects on cognition in this population. The current systematic, evidence based review examined the existing literature on exercise, physical activity, and physical fitness effects on cognition in MS to accurately describe the current status of the field, offer recommendations for clinicians, and identify study specific and participant specific characteristics for providing future direction for ongoing MS research. We performed an open dated search of Medline, PsychInfo, and CINAHL in December 2015. The search strategy involved using the terms 'exercise' OR 'physical activity' OR 'physical fitness' OR 'aerobic' OR 'resistance' OR 'balance' OR 'walking' OR 'yoga' OR 'training' OR 'rehabilitation' AND 'multiple sclerosis' Articles were eliminated from the systematic review if it was a review article, theoretical paper, or textbook chapter; did not involve persons with MS; involved only persons with pediatric onset MS; did not involve neuropsychological outcomes; did not include empirical data to evaluate outcomes; involved pharmacological interventions; or was not available in English. The selected articles were first classified as examining exercise, physical activity, or physical fitness, and were then randomly assigned to 2 independent reviewers who rated each article for level of evidence based on American Academy of Neurology criteria. Reviewers further completed a table to characterize important elements of each study (i.e. intervention characteristics) the cognitive domain(s) that were targeted, participant specific characteristics, outcome measures, and study results. The present review resulted in 26 studies on the effects of exercise, physical activity, and physical fitness on cognition in persons with MS. This included 1 Class I study, 3 Class II studies, 8 Class III studies, and 14 Class IV studies. Of the 26 total studies, 6 were randomized controlled trials. Overall, there is conflicting evidence for the effects of exercise on cognition in MS, and overall positive, but not definitive evidence for the effects of physical activity and physical fitness, respectively, on cognition in this population. Collectively, there is insufficient well designed research to definitively conclude that exercise, physical activity, and physical fitness are effective for improving cognition in MS. This is based, in part, on methodological issues of Class I and II studies, such as inclusion of cognition as a secondary outcome (35 of reviewed studies) poorly developed exercise interventions, and paucity of research that included cognitively impaired MS samples. However, promising evidence from Class III and Class IV studies may be useful for informing the development of better intervention research.
Safety and Cost Assessment of Connected and Automated Vehicles

As the automobile industry transitions to partial vehicle automation, newer crash avoidance technologies are beginning to appear more frequently in non luxury vehicles such as the Honda Accord and Mazda CX 9. The availability of Forward Collision Warning (FCW) Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) technologies could reach 95% of the registered vehicle fleet anywhere between the years 2032 and 2048 (HLDI, 2014a) This paper estimates the costs and benefits of large scale deployment of BSM, LDW, and FCW crash avoidance systems within the light duty vehicle fleet. Two estimates are made to provide insight on current trends and technology potential. First, an upper bound of relevant crashes that potentially could be avoided or made less severe by the three technologies is estimated, assuming 100% technology effectiveness. Next, a lower bound in crash reduction is estimated using current changes in observed insurance collision claim frequency and severity (average loss payment per claim) in motor vehicles with these technologies. After these estimates are made, an annualized cost to equip each vehicle with the technologies enables a cost benefit analysis for the lower bound and upper bound estimates.
Automated and Connected Vehicles: Summary of the 9th University Transportation Centers Spotlight Conference

Connected vehicle (CV) and automated vehicle (AV) technologies are being developed, tested, and deployed by a variety of private companies and public agencies. CVs and AVs may improve safety, reduce emissions, and improve the efficiency and reliability of the transportation system. The Transportation Research Board hosted a conference entitled Automated and Connected Vehicles in Washington, D.C. in November 2015. The meeting was the ninth in a series of Spotlight Conferences funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, which sponsors the University Transportation Centers Program. Speakers highlighted research, testing, and deployment activities under way at the national, state, and local levels. Other speakers provided perspectives from the insurance industry, self driving technology and mapping companies, and carsharing businesses. This report summarizes the opening session, four plenary sessions, and reports from breakout discussion groups.
Test method for coupling attenuation of screened twisted pair cable based on mixed mode S parameters
Venue: 2016 Asia Pacific International Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility (APEMC)

Coupling attenuation is used to describe the EMC performance of screened twisted pair cables. Coupling attenuation of a screened twisted pair cable can be measured with absorbing clamp method. The measurement result is affected by the performance of the balanced to unbalanced transformer (balun) It is not easy for a balun to meet the requirement specified in IEC 62153 4 5 within the frequency range from 30MHz to 1GHz. Mixed mode S parameters method is proposed in this paper. Its feasibility is analyzed and verified by experiment.