Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Firework: Big Data Sharing and Processing in Collaborative Edge Environment

Cloud computing, arguably, has become the de facto computing platform for the big data processing by researchers and practitioners for the last decade, and enabled different stakeholders to discover valuable information from large scale data. At the same time, in the decade, we have witnessed the fast growing deployment of billions of sensors and actuators in multiple applications domains, such as transportation, manufacturing, connected/wearable health care, smart city and so on, stimulating the emerging of Edge Computing (a.k.a., fog computing, cloudlet). However, data, as the core of both cloud computing and edge computing, is still owned by each stakeholder and rarely shared due to privacy concern and formidable cost of data transportation, which significantly limits Internet of Things (IoT) applications that need data input from multiple stakeholders (e.g., video analytics collects data from cameras owned by police department, transportation department, retailer stores, etc.). In this paper, we envision that in the era of IoT the demand of distributed big data sharing and processing applications will dramatically increase since the data producing and consuming are pushed to the edge of the network. Data processing in collaborative edge environment needs to fuse data owned by multiple stakeholders, while keeping the computation within stakeholders' data facilities. To attack this challenge, we propose a new computing paradigm, Firework, which is designed for big data processing in collaborative edge environment (CEE). Firework fuses geographically distributed data by creating virtual shared data views that are exposed to end users via predefined interfaces by data owners. The interfaces are provided in the form of a set of datasets and a set of functions, where the functions are privacy preserved and bound to the datasets. Firework targets to share data while ensuring data privacy and integrity for stakeholders. By pushing the data processing as close as to data sources, Firework also aims to avoid data movement from the edge of the network to the cloud and improve the response latency.
Transcriptional Regulation of Biomass-degrading Enzymes in the Filamentous Fungus Trichoderma reesei*

The filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei produces and secretes profuse quantities of enzymes that act synergistically to degrade cellulase and related biomass components. We partially sequenced over 5100 random T. reesei cDNA clones. Among the sequences whose predicted gene products had significant similarity to known proteins, 12 were identified that encode previously unknown enzymes that likely function in biomass degradation. Microarrays were used to query the expression levels of each of the sequences under different conditions known to induce cellulolytic enzyme synthesis. Most of the genes encoding known and putative biomass-degrading enzymes were transcriptionally co-regulated. Moreover, despite the fact that several of these enzymes are not thought to degrade cellulase directly, they were coordinately overexpressed in a cellulase overproducing strain. A variety of additional sequences whose function could not be ascribed using the limited sequence available displayed analogous behavior and may also play a role in biomass degradation or in the synthesis of biomass-degrading enzymes. Sequences exhibiting additional regulatory patterns were observed that might reflect roles in regulation of cellulase biosynthesis. However, genes whose products are involved in protein processing and secretion were not highly regulated during cellulase induction.
Cross-Validation and Minimum Generation Error based Decision Tree Pruning for HMM-based Speech Synthesis

This paper presents a decision tree pruning method for the model clustering of HMM-based parametric speech synthesis by cross-validation (CV) under the minimum generation error (MGE) criterion. Decision-tree-based model clustering is an important component in the training process of an HMM based speech synthesis system. Conventionally, the maximum likelihood (ML) criterion is employed to choose the optimal contextual question from the question set for each tree node split and the minimum description length (MDL) principle is introduced as the stopping criterion to prevent building overly large tree models. Nevertheless, the MDL criterion is derived based on an asymptotic assumption and is problematic in theory when the size of the training data set is not large enough. Besides, inconsistency exists between the MDL criterion and the aim of speech synthesis. Therefore, a minimum cross generation error (MCGE) based decision tree pruning method for HMM-based speech synthesis is proposed in this paper. The initial decision tree is trained by MDL clustering with a factor estimated using the MCGE criterion by cross-validation. Then the decision tree size is tuned by backing-off or splitting each leaf node iteratively to minimize a cross generation error, which is defined to present the sum of generation errors calculated for all training sentences using cross-validation. Objective and subjective evaluation results show that the proposed method outperforms the conventional MDL-based model clustering method significantly.
A Temporal White Noise Analysis for Extracting the Impulse Response Function of the Human Electroretinogram

Purpose We introduce a method for determining the impulse response function (IRF) of the ERG derived from responses to temporal white noise (TWN) stimuli. Methods This white noise ERG (wnERG) was recorded in participants with normal trichromatic vision to full-field (Ganzfeld) and 39.3° diameter focal stimuli at mesopic and photopic mean luminances and at different TWN contrasts. The IRF was obtained by cross-correlating the TWN stimulus with the wnERG. Results We show that wnERG recordings are highly repeatable, with good signal-to-noise ratio, and do not lead to blink artifacts. The wnERG resembles a flash ERG waveform with an initial negativity (N1) followed by a positivity (P1), with amplitudes that are linearly related to stimulus contrast. These N1 and N1-P1 components showed commonalties in implicit times with the a- and b-waves of flash ERGs. There was a clear transition from rod- to cone-driven wnERGs at ∼1 photopic cd.m−2. We infer that oscillatory potentials found with the flash ERG, but not the wnERG, may reflect retinal nonlinearities due to the compression of energy into a short time period during a stimulus flash. Conclusion The wnERG provides a new approach to study the physiology of the retina using a stimulation method with adaptation and contrast conditions similar to natural scenes to allow for independent variation of stimulus strength and mean luminance, which is not possible with the conventional flash ERG. Translational Relevance The white noise ERG methodology will be of benefit for clinical studies and animal models in the evaluation of hypotheses related to cellular redundancy to understand the effects of disease on specific visual pathways.
Gender differences in plantar loading during three soccer-specific tasks

Objective: Examine the effect of gender on plantar loading during three football-specific tasks. Design: Thirty-four athletes (17 men, 17 women) ran an agility course five times while wearing the Nike Vitoria hard ground cleat. Plantar loading data were recorded during a side cut, a cross-over cut and a forward acceleration task using Pedar-X insoles. Setting: Controlled laboratory study. Participants: No history of lower extremity injury in the past 6 months, no previous foot or ankle surgery, not currently wearing foot orthotics and play a cleated sport at least two times per week. Main outcome measurements: Contact area, maximum force and the force-time integral (FTI) in the medial and lateral midfoot, medial, middle and lateral forefoot as well as the hallux. A univariate ANCOVA (α = 0.05) was performed on each dependent variable (covariate was course speed). Results: Significant gender differences existed in the force and force-time integral beneath the lateral midfoot and forefoot during the cross-over cut task as well as in the middle forefoot during the side cut task with the men demonstrating an increased force. No significant differences existed in the loading on the medial side of the foot during any tasks. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that the increase in plantar loading on the lateral portion of the midfoot and forefoot in men could be one possible explanation for the increased incidence of fifth metatarsal stress fractures in men. Gender differences in loading patterns need to be considered when comparing different movements as well as different footwear conditions.
M2e-Displaying Virus-Like Particles with Associated RNA Promote T Helper 1 Type Adaptive Immunity against Influenza A

The ectodomain of influenza A matrix protein 2 (M2e) is a candidate for a universal influenza A vaccine. We used recombinant Hepatitis B core antigen to produce virus-like particles presenting M2e (M2e-VLPs). We produced the VLPs with and without entrapped nucleic acids and compared their immunogenicity and protective efficacy. Immunization of BALB/c mice with M2e-VLPs containing nucleic acids induced a stronger, Th1-biased antibody response compared to particles lacking nucleic acids. The former also induced a stronger M2e-specific CD4+ T cell response, as determined by ELISPOT. Mice vaccinated with alum-adjuvanted M2e-VLPs containing the nucleic acid-binding domain were better protected against influenza A virus challenge than mice vaccinated with similar particles lacking this domain, as deduced from the loss in body weight following challenge with X47 (H3N2) or PR/8 virus. Challenge of mice that had been immunized with M2e-VLPs with or without nucleic acids displayed significantly lower mortality, morbidity and lung virus titers than control-immunized groups. We conclude that nucleic acids present in M2e-VLPs correlate with improved immune protection.
Structural motif of polyglutamine amyloid fibrils discerned with mixed-isotope infrared spectroscopy

Significance Expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) tracts in proteins are associated with many neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington disease. The structure and dynamics of polyQ peptides are difficult to study due to the homogenous nature of the sequence and their high propensity to aggregate into amyloid fibrils. In this manuscript, we study mixtures of isotope-labeled peptides with 2D IR spectroscopy to resolve the structure of individual monomers within the polyQ. These results, in combination with spectra calculated from molecular-dynamics simulations, determine the dominant structure of polyQ fibrils consists of stacked β-hairpins. Polyglutamine (polyQ) sequences are found in a variety of proteins, and mutational expansion of the polyQ tract is associated with many neurodegenerative diseases. We study the amyloid fibril structure and aggregation kinetics of K2Q24K2W, a model polyQ sequence. Two structures have been proposed for amyloid fibrils formed by polyQ peptides. By forming fibrils composed of both 12C and 13C monomers, made possible by protein expression in Escherichia coli, we can restrict vibrational delocalization to measure 2D IR spectra of individual monomers within the fibrils. The spectra are consistent with a β-turn structure in which each monomer forms an antiparallel hairpin and donates two strands to a single β-sheet. Calculated spectra from atomistic molecular-dynamics simulations of the two proposed structures confirm the assignment. No spectroscopically distinct intermediates are observed in rapid-scan 2D IR kinetics measurements, suggesting that aggregation is highly cooperative. Although 2D IR spectroscopy has advantages over linear techniques, the isotope-mixing strategy will also be useful with standard Fourier transform IR spectroscopy.
Capabilities of GaN Schottky Multipliers for LO Power Generation at Millimeter-Wave Bands

Gallium Nitride (GaN) is a very promising material for either electronic and optoelectronic devices because of its high breakdown field, and peak and saturated electron drift velocity. Hence, despite of its lower electron mobility, GaN Schottky diodes might represent a good alternative to GaAs Schottky diodes for LO power generation at millimetre-wave bands due to a much better power handling capabilities. Results from numerical simulations for a 200 GHz doubler predict a ~25 % lower conversion efficiency for GaN Schottky multipliers when compared to GaAs Schottky multipliers. However, higher power handling capabilities, an order of magnitude higher than GaAs with same anode sizes, are predicted for GaN diodes.
Nivolumab in the treatment of malignant melanoma: review of the literature

Nivolumab was developed as a monoclonal antibody against programmed death receptor-1, an immune checkpoint inhibitor which negatively regulates T-cell proliferation and activation. Intravenous administration of nivolumab was approved for the treatment of unresectable malignant melanoma in 2014 in Japan. When advanced melanoma patients were treated with nivolumab, median overall survival became longer. Overall survival rate was significantly better in nivolumab-treated melanoma patients than dacarbazine-treated melanoma patients. Nivolumab had an acceptable long-term tolerability profile, with 22% of patients experiencing grade 3 or 4 adverse events related to the drug. Therefore, nivolumab can become an alternative therapy for advanced malignant melanoma.
Increased augmentation index in patients with cystic fibrosis

Increased large artery stiffness occurs in a range of inflammatory conditions indicating an ageing of the vasculature and additionally being an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events. We determined large artery parameters in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). 50 clinically stable adult patients with CF (mean±sd age 28.0±8.2 yrs) and 26 controls matched for age, sex and body mass index were studied. Central aortic blood pressure, augmentation index (AIx) and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) were determined using applanation tonometry. Lung function, diabetic status and C-reactive protein (CRP) were also determined. Mean±sd AIx was greater in patients than controls, 8.5±11.1% and -1.8±13.1%, respectively (p<0.001), while PWV was similar. Although AIx was greatest in the sub-group with CF-related diabetes (CFRD), it was also increased in the non-CFRD sub-group when compared with controls. In patients, AIx was related to log10 CRP (r = 0.33) and forced vital capacity (r = -0.34; both p<0.05), and CRP remained predictive in multiple regression. AIx is increased in adults with CF, in the presence of a normal blood pressure and independent of diabetic status. AIx was related to the systemic inflammatory status. These findings have implications for management and require further exploration so that cardiovascular health can be maintained.
Surgical treatment of diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis of the knee.

OBJECTIVE To compare the roles of open synovectomy and arthroscopic synovectomy in the treatment of diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis (D-PVNS). METHODS Forty-seven patients suffered from D-PVNS of knee joint who underwent surgical treatment with complete follow-up data from March 1994 to October 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were divided into two groups as open synovectomy group (n=17) and arthroscopic synovectomy group (n=30) according to the surgical procedure. Routine radiation therapy was applied in both groups after the surgery. The mean follow-up period wa s(15.7 ± 16.3) months (range:10-30 month). The range of motion, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score and Lysholm score before the surgery and at the final follow-up were compared respectively. RESULTS Recurrence was noted in 8 patients (17.0%), among whom 3 were from the open synovectomy group and 5 from the arthroscopic synovectomy group, resulting a recurrence rate of 17.6% and 16.7%, respectively, in these two groups (P>0.05). The range of motion,IKDC score, and Lysholm score at final follow-up and before the operation were (97.5 ± 14.3)℃ vs.(69.7 ± 12.6)℃, (74.5 ±6.1) vs. (38.6 ± 5.4) scores, and (77.5 ± 5.8) vs. (42.4 ± 4.6)scores, respectively, in the open synovectomy group,and were (128.6 ± 13.9)℃ vs. (64.9 ± 13.2)℃, (87.4 ± 6.7) vs. (37.2 ± 4.9)scores, and (86.2 ± 6.2) vs. (41.9 ± 5.3) cores, respectively, in the arthroscopic synovectomy group (all P<0.05). Obviously,the range of motion,IKDC score, and Lysholm score at the final follow-up were significantly superior to the pre-operative findings, and were also significantly better in the arthroscopic synovectomy group than in the open synovectomy group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Open synovetomy and arthroscopic synovetomy have similar recurrent rates in treating D-PVNS of the knee joint, while the latter has better postoperative range of motion and functional scores. Thus, arthroscopic synovectomy is a better option for the surgical treatment of D-PVNS.
Zoogeography of Intertidal Communities in the West Indian Ocean as Determined by Ocean Circulation Systems: Patterns from the Tetraclita Barnacles

The Indian Ocean is the least known ocean in the world with the biogeography of marine species in the West Indian Ocean (WIO) understudied. The hydrography of WIO is characterized by four distinct oceanographic systems and there were few glacial refugia formations in the WIO during the Pleistocene. We used the widely distributed intertidal barnacle Tetraclita to test the hypothesis that the distribution and connectivity of intertidal animals in the WIO are determined by the major oceanographic regime but less influenced by historical events such as Pleistocene glaciations. Tetraclita were studied from 32 locations in the WIO. The diversity and distribution of Tetraclita species in the Indian Ocean were examined based on morphological examination and sequence divergence of two mitochondrial genes (12S rDNA and COI) and one nuclear gene (histone 3, H3). Divergence in DNA sequences revealed the presence of seven evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) of Tetraclita in WIO, with most of them recognized as valid species. The distribution of these ESUs is closely tied to the major oceanographic circulation systems. T. rufotincta is distributed in the Monsoonal Gyre. T. ehsani is present in the Gulf of Oman and NW India. Tetraclita sp. nov. is associated with the Hydrochemical Front at 10°S latitude. T. reni is confined to southern Madagascan and Mauritian waters, influenced by the West Wind Drift. The endemic T. achituvi is restricted to the Red Sea. Tetraclita serrata consists of two ESUs (based on mtDNA analysis) along the east to west coast of South Africa. The two ESUs could not be distinguished from morphological analysis and nuclear H3 sequences. Our results support that intertidal species in the West Indian Ocean are associated with each of the major oceanographic circulation systems which determine gene flow. Geographical distribution is, however, less influenced by the geological history of the region.
Reasoning about RoboCup Soccer Narratives

This paper presents an approach for learning to translate simple narratives, i.e., texts (sequences of sentences) describing dynamic systems, into coherent sequences of events without the need for labeled training data. Our approach incorporates domain knowledge in the form of preconditions and effects of events, and we show that it outperforms state-of-the-art supervised learning systems on the task of reconstructing RoboCup soccer games from their commentaries.
Effective NL Paraphrasing of Ontologies on the Semantic Web

In this paper, we present an algorithm that provides natural language (NL) paraphrases for OWL Ontologies on the Semantic Web. Our goal is to ensure both fluency (readability) and accuracy of the output, in terms of preserving the meaning conveyed by its description logic formalism. The approach described is a generic domain-independent one, and is completely automated. We describe details about the algorithm and follow it up with a subjective evaluation (pilot study) of our approach using real world ontologies comparing it with current tools that provide similar functionality. 1 Motivation and Goals With the advent of OWL, and its subset OWL-DL, semantic web content is backed by a precisely-defined Description Logic (DL). This property means that the meaning of semantic web content will always be clear and potentially useful to an intelligent agent, or reasoner-equipped software application. However, concept definitions (OWL Classes) are specified in the language of logic, requiring humans to understand this logical language in order to decipher the meaning of concepts. For end users of semantic web enabled applications, this may pose a usability problem in many important circumstances, effectively creating a barrier for entry into the semantic web. To remove this barrier, we have designed and implemented a procedure for generating near-Natural Language (NL) paraphrases (in English) of OWL concept definitions that preserve the semantics of the DL description. These paraphrases can be presented to the user either in addition to or instead of the logical class definitions. By presenting the class names and English definitions, designers can keep users in an environment of entirely natural language-based interaction, while not losing the semantic rigor and precision that OWL provides. For a procedure such as ours to be widely useful, it has to be not only robust but also domain-independent, able to work with a large number of the concepts and ontologies available. A domain-independent solution is desirable because it can immediately make use of the numerous OWL
ON THE RADIUS OF INJECTIVITY OF NULL HYPERSURFACES.

We investigate the regularity of past (future) boundaries of points in regular, Einstein vacuum spacetimes. We provide conditions, expressed in terms of a space-like foliation and which imply, in particular, uniform bounds for the curvature tensor, sufficient to ensure the local nondegeneracy of these boundaries. More precisely we provide a uniform lower bound on the radius of injectivity of the null boundaries of the causal past (future) sets . Such lower bounds are essential in understanding the causal structure and the related propagation properties of solutions to the Einstein equations. They are particularly important in construction of an effective Kirchoff-Sobolev type parametrix for solutions of wave equations on . Such parametrices are used by the authors in a forthcoming paper to prove a large data break-down criterion for solutions of the Einstein vacuum equations