Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cluster-based OLSR extensions to reduce control overhead in mobile ad hoc networks

Proactive routing protocols for Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) traditionally fail to scale up to large networks, since they generate a big amount of routing overhead. Based on OLSR, a proactive solution specifically designed for dense ad hoc networks, we develop a low overhead protocol called Clustered OLSR (C-OLSR). C-OLSR assumes that somehow the network is partitioned into clusters, and restricts the propagation of topology control messages inside every cluster. The generation and forwarding of inter-cluster topology information is based on the use of Multipoint Relays (MPRs) at the level of clusters. Through a simulation study, we show that C-OLSR outperforms OLSR both in terms of overhead generation and achievable throughput.
The Topology of Semantic Knowledge

Studies of the graph of dictionary definitions (DD) (Picard et al., 2009; Levary et al., 2012) have revealed strong semantic coherence of local topological structures. The techniques used in these papers are simple and the main results are found by understanding the structure of cycles in the directed graph (where words point to definitions). Based on our earlier work (Levary et al., 2012), we study a different class of word definitions, namely those of the Free Association (FA) dataset (Nelson et al., 2004). These are responses by subjects to a cue word, which are then summarized by a directed, free association graph. We find that the structure of this network is quite different from both the Wordnet and the dictionary networks. This difference can be explained by the very nature of free association as compared to the more “logical” construction of dictionaries. It thus sheds some (quantitative) light on the psychology of free association. In NLP, semantic groups or clusters are interesting for various applications such as word sense disambiguation. The FA graph is tighter than the DD graph, because of the large number of triangles. This also makes drift of meaning quite measurable so that FA graphs provide a quantitative measure of the semantic coherence of small groups of words.
Preschoolers benefit from visually salient speech cues.

PURPOSE This study explored visual speech influence in preschoolers using 3 developmentally appropriate tasks that vary in perceptual difficulty and task demands. They also examined developmental differences in the ability to use visually salient speech cues and visual phonological knowledge. METHOD Twelve adults and 27 typically developing 3- and 4-year-old children completed 3 audiovisual (AV) speech integration tasks: matching, discrimination, and recognition. The authors compared AV benefit for visually salient and less visually salient speech discrimination contrasts and assessed the visual saliency of consonant confusions in auditory-only and AV word recognition. RESULTS Four-year-olds and adults demonstrated visual influence on all measures. Three-year-olds demonstrated visual influence on speech discrimination and recognition measures. All groups demonstrated greater AV benefit for the visually salient discrimination contrasts. AV recognition benefit in 4-year-olds and adults depended on the visual saliency of speech sounds. CONCLUSIONS Preschoolers can demonstrate AV speech integration. Their AV benefit results from efficient use of visually salient speech cues. Four-year-olds, but not 3-year-olds, used visual phonological knowledge to take advantage of visually salient speech cues, suggesting possible developmental differences in the mechanisms of AV benefit.
A Class of Channels Resulting in Ill-Convergence for CMA in Decision Feedback Equalizers

This paper analyzes the convergence of the constant modulus algorithm (CMA) in a decision feedback equalizer using only a feedback filter. Several works had already observed that the CMA presented a better performance than decision directed algorithm in the adaptation of the decision feedback equalizer, but theoretical analysis always showed to be difficult specially due to the analytical difficulties presented by the constant modulus criterion. In this paper, we surmount such obstacle by using a recent result concerning the CM analysis, first obtained in a linear finite impulse response context with the objective of comparing its solutions to the ones obtained through the Wiener criterion. The theoretical analysis presented here confirms the robustness of the CMA when applied to the adaptation of the decision feedback equalizer and also defines a class of channels for which the algorithm will suffer from ill-convergence when initialized at the origin.
Experimental analysis of gene assembly with TopDown one-step real-time gene synthesis

Herein we present a simple, cost-effective TopDown (TD) gene synthesis method that eliminates the interference between the polymerase chain reactions (PCR) assembly and amplification in one-step gene synthesis. The method involves two key steps: (i) design of outer primers and assembly oligonucleotide set with a melting temperature difference of >10°C and (ii) utilization of annealing temperatures to selectively control the efficiencies of oligonucleotide assembly and full-length template amplification. In addition, we have combined the proposed method with real-time PCR to analyze the step-wise efficiency and the kinetics of the gene synthesis process. Gel electrophoresis results are compared with real-time fluorescence signals to investigate the effects of oligonucleotide concentration, outer primer concentration, stringency of annealing temperature, and number of PCR cycles. Analysis of the experimental results has led to insights into the gene synthesis process. We further discuss the conditions for preventing the formation of spurious DNA products. The TD real-time gene synthesis method provides a simple and efficient method for assembling fairly long DNA sequence, and aids in optimizing gene synthesis conditions. To our knowledge, this is the first report that utilizes real-time PCR for gene synthesis.
Paraoxonase 2 Gene (Cys311-Ser) Polymorphism and the Risk of Coronary Artery Disease

Background: Human paraoxonase-2(PON2) which is exclusively intracellular possesses unique properities that distinguish it from PON1 and PON3. Recently, it was demonstrated that PON2 protects against atherosclerosis by preventing LDL oxidation. Emerging evidences have proposed that genetic variations in the PON2 gene may be associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). Objectives: To investigate the relationship between a common PON2 gene (Cys311-Ser) polymorphism and the presence and extent of CAD. Methods: The study comprised 112 patients recruited from those undergoing coronary angiography for suspected CAD, who were divided according to the presence or absence of CAD into 2 groups Group I including 62 patients with CAD and Group II including 50 patients proved to have normal coronaries. All the subjects included in the study were genotyped for the (Cys311-Ser) polymorphism of PON2 gene using RCR-RFLP. Results: The frequency of Cys allele was significantly higher in group I compared to Group II (77.4% vs. 56% respectively, P 311 Cys allele [OR 5.67, CI (1.99 - 14.77), P
Curvature-induced expulsion of actomyosin bundles during cytokinetic ring contraction

Many eukaryotes assemble a ring-shaped actomyosin network that contracts to drive cytokinesis. Unlike actomyosin in sarcomeres, which cycles through contraction and relaxation, the cytokinetic ring disassembles during contraction through an unknown mechanism. Here we find in Schizosaccharomyces japonicus and Schizosaccharomyces pombe that, during actomyosin ring contraction, actin filaments associated with actomyosin rings are expelled as micron-scale bundles containing multiple actomyosin ring proteins. Using functional isolated actomyosin rings we show that expulsion of actin bundles does not require continuous presence of cytoplasm. Strikingly, mechanical compression of actomyosin rings results in expulsion of bundles predominantly at regions of high curvature. Our work unprecedentedly reveals that the increased curvature of the ring itself promotes its disassembly. It is likely that such a curvature-induced mechanism may operate in disassembly of other contractile networks. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.21383. 001
Sex differences in risk of lung cancer: Expression of genes in the PAH bioactivation pathway in relation to smoking and bulky DNA adducts

It is controversial whether women have a higher lung cancer susceptibility compared to men. We previously reported higher levels of smoking‐related bulky DNA adducts in female lungs. In a pilot study (27 cases), we also found a higher level of female lung cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) gene expression. In the present extended study we report on the pulmonary expression of several genes involved in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon bioactivation in relation to sex, smoking and DNA adducts. CYP1A1, CYP1B1, aryl hydrocarbon receptor and microsomal epoxide hydrolase gene expression was measured by quantitative real‐time reverse transcriptase‐PCR in 121 normal lung tissue samples. The expression of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 was significantly higher among current smokers compared to ex‐smokers and never‐smokers. Among current smokers, females had a 3.9‐fold higher median level of CYP1A1 compared to males (p = 0.011). CYP1B1 expression was not related to sex. Lung DNA adducts (measured by 32P‐postlabeling) were highly significantly related to CYP1A1 (p < 0.0001) irrespective of smoking‐status. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that CYP1A1 plays a significant role in lung DNA adduct formation and support a higher susceptibility to lung cancer among females. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Distinct Structural Domains Confer cAMP Sensitivity and ATP Dependence to the Na/H Exchanger NHE3 Isoform (*)

Agents known to increase cAMP levels in renal and intestinal epithelia decrease sodium absorption by inhibiting NHE3, an isoform of the Na/H exchanger expressed at high levels in apical membranes of these cells. In contrast, the ubiquitous, housekeeping isoform of the exchanger (NHE1) is stimulated by cAMP in some cell types. Optimal activity of NHE3 as well as NHE1 requires the presence of ATP. To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms of ATP dependence and cAMP regulation of NHE3, a series of mutations were constructed by progressively truncating segments of the C-terminal cytoplasmic domain of the transporter at amino acid positions 684, 638, and 579 (named NHE3Δ684, NHE3Δ638, and NHE3Δ579). In addition, chimeric antiporters were constructed with the N-terminal transmembrane domain of NHE3 linked to the entire cytoplasmic region of NHE1 (chimera NHE3/1) or vice versa (chimera NHE1/3). These constructs were heterologously expressed in antiport-deficient Chinese hamster ovary cells, and their activities were assessed by fluorimetric measurements of intracellular pH and by radioisotope determinations of Na influx. Forskolin, which directly stimulates adenylate cyclase, inhibited NHE3 as well as NHE1/3, but not NHE3/1, suggesting that the cytoplasmic domain of NHE3 was sufficient to confer sensitivity to inhibition by cAMP. Forskolin also inhibited the truncated mutant NHE3Δ684 to an extent similar to that for wild type NHE3. However, the inhibitory effect was greatly reduced in NHE3Δ638 and more profound truncations (NHE3Δ579) obliterated the effect of forskolin. These findings suggest that a region found between amino acids 579 and 684 is essential for the cAMP response of NHE3. In contrast, comparable ATP dependence was observed in all exchanger constructs examined. These observations indicate that ATP dependence is conferred by a region of the molecule in or adjacent to the transmembrane domain, which is most conserved between isoforms. It is concluded that different sites, and therefore different mechanisms, underlie inhibition of NHE3 by cAMP and by depletion of ATP.
Fixed versus free-floating stretcher mechanism in rowing ergometers: Mechanical aspects

Abstract The mechanical responses (i.e. external contact forces and external power) of 25 elite rowers to a race-pace rowing protocol were investigated on the traditional fixed stretcher mechanism and the more recently introduced free-floating stretcher mechanism rowing ergometers. Using a Rowperfect rowing ergometer for both conditions, external contact forces at the handle, stretcher and sliding seat, as well as the displacements of the handle and stretcher, were recorded. The external power was calculated as the product of the force and velocity data from both the handle and stretcher. Significant differences (P < 0.05) between the two conditions for each mechanical parameter were observed. The fixed condition showed larger maximum values for forces and external power and average power throughout the rowing cycle. Moreover, rowing with the fixed mechanism generated higher inertial forces during the transition between the propulsion and recovery phases, especially at the catch of the cycle. The results suggest that: (i) muscular coordination may differ according to the stretcher mechanism used, which could have an impact on the physiological adaptations of muscles; and (ii) the free-floating mechanism may induce lower catch and maximum values for net joint forces and net joint moments that could decrease the risk of injury.
Influence of bias voltage on structural and optical properties of TiNx thin films

In the present work, Ti thin films were deposited on Si substrate using DC sputtering technique. Indigenous hot cathode arc discharge plasma system was used for nitriding over these samples, where the plasma parameters and work piece can be controlled independently. A mixture of H2 and N2 gases (in the ratio of 80:20) was supplied into the plasma chamber. The effect of bias voltage on the crystal structure, morphology and optical properties was investigated by employing various physical techniques such as X-ray Diffraction, Atomic Force Microscopy and UV-Vis spectrometry. It was found that bias voltage affects largely the crystal structure and band gap which in turn is responsible for the modifications in optical properties of the deposited films.
Premature Ventricular Complexes and the Risk of Incident Stroke: The Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (ARIC) Study

Background and Purpose— Premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) on a 2-minute electrocardiogram are a common, largely asymptomatic finding associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease and death. They may reflect atherosclerosis or other pathogenic pathways that predispose to arrhythmias and stroke. Methods— We conducted a prospective evaluation of the Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities Study cohort (n=14 783) of middle-aged men and women to assess whether the presence of PVCs at study baseline (1987 to 1989) influenced the risk of incident stroke through December 31, 2004. Results— PVCs were seen in 6.1% of the participants at baseline, and 729 (4.9%) had incident stroke. The unadjusted cumulative proportion of incident stroke in individuals with any PVC was 6.6% compared with 4.1% in those without PVC. The unadjusted hazard ratio of incident stroke in individuals with any PVC compared with those without any PVCs was 1.71 (95% CI, 1.33 to 2.20). Among individuals without hypertension and diabetes at baseline, PVCs were independently associated with incident stroke (hazard ratio: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.14 to 2.59). Among those with either diabetes or hypertension, the presence of any PVCs did not increase the risk of stroke. The association was stronger for noncarotid embolic stroke than for thrombotic stroke and its magnitude increased with higher frequency of PVCs. Conclusions— Frequent PVCs are associated with risk of incident stroke in participants free of hypertension and diabetes. This suggests that PVCs may contribute to atrioventricular remodeling or may be a risk marker for incident stroke, particularly embolic stroke.
Modular approach for continuous cell-level balancing to improve performance of large battery packs

Energy storage systems require battery cell balancing circuits to avoid divergence of cell state of charge (SOC). A modular approach based on distributed continuous cell-level control is presented that extends the balancing function to higher level pack performance objectives such as improving power capability and increasing pack lifetime. This is achieved by adding DC-DC converters in parallel with cells and using state estimation and control to autonomously bias individual cell SOC and SOC range, forcing healthier cells to be cycled deeper than weaker cells. The result is a pack with improved degradation characteristics and extended lifetime. The modular architecture and control concepts are developed and hardware results are demonstrated for a 91.2 Wh battery pack consisting of four series li-ion battery cells and four dual active bridge (DAB) bypass DC-DC converters.
Deriving a Bilingual Lexicon for Cross-Language Information Retrieval

In this paper we describe a systematic approach to derive a bilingual lexicon automatically from parallel corpora. Following this approach, a lexicon was derived from the English and Dutch version of the Agenda 21 corpus. With the lexicon and a part of the corpus that was not used to derive the lexicon, a bilingual retrieval environment was build. Recall and precision of monolingual (Dutch) retrieval was compared to recall and precision of bilingual (Dutch-to-English) retrieval. An experiment was conducted with the help of eight naive users who formulated queries and judged the relevance of retrieved fragments. The experiment shows 78% precision and 51% relative recall of monolingual retrieval, against 67% precision and 82% relative recall of bilingual retrieval.
Flexural and impact studies on stitched self-reinforced polypropylene composites

Self-reinforced composite (SRC) has gained significant interest due to its lightweight and good recyclability. In the present work, SRCs were prepared from woven polypropylene tapes. The woven tapes were further stitched by lock stitch and its effects on flexural and impact properties of the composites were studied. Flexural and impact results show that stitching parameters such as stitches per inch, sewing yarn count and the direction of stitching have a significant effect on the improvement of mechanical properties compared with the control sample (unstitched sample) without stitching. The morphological studies were carried out using optical microscopy and failure mechanism was analysed.
The transmission of vibration through gloves: effects of push force, vibration magnitude and inter-subject variability

The extent to which a glove modifies the risks from hand-transmitted vibration is quantified in ISO 10819:1996 by a measure of glove transmissibility determined with one vibration magnitude, one contact force with a handle and only three subjects. This study was designed to investigate systematically the vibration transmissibility of four ‘anti-vibration’ gloves over the frequency range 16–1600 Hz with 12 subjects, at six magnitudes of vibration (0.25–8.0 ms−2 r.m.s.) and with six push forces (5 N to 80 N). The four gloves showed different transmissibility characteristics that were not greatly affected by vibration magnitude but highly dependent on push force. In all conditions, the variability in transmissibility between subjects was as great as the variability between gloves. It is concluded that a standardised test of glove dynamic performance should include a wide range of hands and a range of forces representative of those occurring in work with vibratory tools. Statement of Relevance: The transmission of vibration through anti-vibration gloves is highly dependent on the push force between the hand and a handle and also highly dependent on the hand that is inside the glove. The influence of neither factor is well reflected in ISO 10819:1996, the current standard for anti-vibration gloves.
Injury Matters: On Female-Perpetrated Sex Crimes

Despite the importance of studying sexual assaults perpetrated by women, the field knows very little about female sexual offenders’ (FSOs) use of violence or physical injury resulting from these assaults. This study draws more than 20 years of National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) data reported to police (1992-2014) to identify factors that distinguish between female perpetrated incidents of sexual assault that result in severe, minor, or no physical victim injuries above and beyond the sexual assault itself. Using a multinomial logistic regression model (MNLM), 15,928 incidents of FSO-perpetrated sexual assault were analyzed from the NIBRS. The results showed that the extent of victim injuries sustained during the sexual assault incidents was associated with a number of factors, including the presence of a female victim, the age of victim, a greater number of offenders, and the presence of weapons. In particular, incidents that resulted in major victim injuries were significantly associated with alcohol and drug use by the perpetrator. In general, incidents with young children were at increased risk of a sexual assault resulting in a major or minor victim injury. Although further investigation is needed to continue to better understand female sexual offending behaviors, these findings suggest that certain incident characteristics increase the likelihood of the assault to involve the use of violence by an FSO against her victims.
Assessment of Surface Urban Heat Islands over Three Megacities in East Asia Using Land Surface Temperature Data Retrieved from COMS

Abstract: Surface urban heat island (SUHI) impacts control the exchange of sensible heat and latent heat between land and atmosphere and can worsen extreme climate events, such as heat waves. This study assessed SUHIs over three megacities (Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing) in East Asia using one-year (April 2011–March 2012) land surface temperature (LST) data retrieved from the Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite (COMS). The spatio-temporal variations of SUHI and the relationship between SUHI and vegetation activity were analyzed using hourly cloud-free LST data. In general, the LST was higher in low latitudes, low altitudes, urban areas and dry regions compared to high latitudes, high altitudes, rural areas and vegetated areas. In particular, the LST over the three megacities was always higher than that in the surrounding rural areas. The SUHI showed a maximum intensity (10–13 °C) at noon during the summer, irrespective of the geographic location of the city, but weak intensities (4–7 °C) were observed during other times and seasons. In general, the SUHI intensity over the three megacities showed strong seasonal (diurnal) variations during the daytime (summer) and weak seasonal (diurnal) variations during the nighttime (other seasons). As a result, the temporal variation pattern of SUHIs was quite different from that of urban heat islands, and the SUHIs showed a distinct maximum at noon of the summer months and weak intensities during the nighttime of all seasons. The patterns of seasonal and diurnal variations of the SUHIs were clearly dependent on the geographic environment of cities. In addition, the intensity of SUHIs showed a strong
Deep Residual Text Detection Network for Scene Text

Scene text detection is a challenging problem in computer vision. In this paper, we propose a novel text detection network based on prevalent object detection frameworks. In order to obtain stronger semantic feature, we adopt ResNet as feature extraction layers and exploit multi-level feature by combining hierarchical convolutional networks. A vertical proposal mechanism is utilized to avoid proposal classification, while regression layer remains working to improve localization accuracy. Our approach evaluated on ICDAR2013 dataset achieves 0.91 F-measure, which outperforms previous state-of-the-art results in scene text detection.