Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AnyTraffic Routing Algorithm for Label-Based Forwarding

The high capacity provided by packet-switched networks is supporting the proliferation of bandwidth intensive multimedia applications which require multicasting capability. As a consequence on today's networks, unicast and multicast traffic compete for shared resources where a router must maintain both unicast and multicast forwarding states. Pursuing a forwarding state reduction, in this paper we introduce the novel concept of AnyTraffic data group which consists of a group of nodes receiving both unicast and multicast traffic over the same single minimum-cost network entity. A novel heuristic algorithm is specifically defined to accommodate such data group and has been compared with the standard shortest path (SP) algorithm - the optimal case for unicast routing - and a classical Steiner tree (ST) heuristic algorithm - the optimal case for multicast routing. Exhaustive experiments have been performed to validate the proposed algorithm.
UvA-DARE (Digital Academic Repository) A quantitative comparison of automated cleaning techniques for web scraped image data of 'Smart Cities'

This paper implements and compares four automated image cleaning techniques through the ResNet-34 Convolutional Neural Network, motivated by the need to reduce manual cleaning efforts of large image datasets. For each of these techniques, the relation with the literature on automated image cleaning is identified. Each of the four techniques uses a specific criterion to identify and remove unwanted images from datasets. The criteria range from identifying images with text, through identifying images with a specific size or tonal distribution, up to identifying images with a specific training loss value. In order to evaluate the four cleaning techniques, ResNet-34 was trained with web scraped images corresponding to 15 object classes of ‘Smart Cities’, and accuracy results were obtained through testing on the CalTech 256 dataset subset. The results show that manual cleaning outperforms automated cleaning techniques on all four criteria. However, analysis reveals that the individual automated techniques or a combination thereof can initially be deployed on large datasets before manual verification to reduce workload and increase dataset stability.
Evaluation of Bacterial Contamination of Miswak Toothbrushes in Different Storage Environments: An Experimental Study

Materials and methods:24 Participants kept miswak toothbrushes in the bathroom and room for one month. Thioglycolate was left in the liquids by cutting 1/3 of the miswak hairs, and incubation was provided for microorganisms. Precise identification of microorganisms is achieved with VITEK® 2 Compact. The periodontal health of the participants was evaluated at the beginning and end of the study by assessing the bleeding on their plaque, gingival indices, sulcus depths, and probing values. Results: Seventeen (70.80%) participants were female and 7 (29.20%) were male. Half of the participants kept their toothbrushes in the bathroom, and the other half in their room. Lactobacillus spp. was found in 29.2% of toothbrushes, with an average count of 2.43±1.71x102 CFU/ml. Streptococcus mutans were found in 88.3% of toothbrushes, with an average count of 4.05±1.64x102 CFU/ml. Of the toothbrushes tested, 25.0% had Candida albicans with an average count of 3.18±1.47x102 CFU/ml. Lactobacillus spp. was in 29.90% of Miswak toothbrushes, S. mutans was found in 83.30%, and C. albicans in 25%. No significant difference was observed in periodontal index values. Conclusion:84% of miswak toothbrushes are contaminated with persistent bacteria in the first month of use, regardless of storage method. Storing miswak toothbrushes in a humid environment results in higher rates of S. mutans bacterial contamination and survival. Surprisingly, colonization and survival of Lactobacillus spp. and C. albicans were higher in miswak toothbrushes stored at room temperature. It should be replaced with Miswak toothbrushes every month instead of the previously suggested three months.
Hedgehog and retinoic acid signaling cooperate to promote motoneurogenesis in zebrafish

The precise requirements of Hedgehog (Hh) pathway activity in vertebrate central nervous system development remain unclear, particularly in organisms with both maternally and zygotically derived signaling. Here we describe the motoneural phenotype of zebrafish that lack maternal and zygotic contributions of the Hh signaling transducer Smoothened (MZsmo mutants) and therefore are completely devoid of ligand-dependent pathway activation. Some functional primary motoneurons (PMNs) persist in the absence of Hh signaling, and we find that their induction requires both basal Gli transcription factor activity and retinoic acid (RA) signaling. We also provide evidence that RA pathway activation can modulate Gli function in a Hh ligand-independent manner. These findings support a model in which Hh and RA signaling cooperate to promote PMN cell fates in zebrafish.
Diversity and Metabolic Potentials of Subsurface Crustal Microorganisms from the Western Flank of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Deep-sea oceanic crust constitutes the largest region of the earth’s surface. Accumulating evidence suggests that unique microbial communities are supported by iron cycling processes, particularly in the young (<10 million-year old), cool (<25°C) subsurface oceanic crust. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the microbial abundance, diversity, and metabolic potentials in the sediment-buried crust from “North Pond” on western flank of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Three lithologic units along basement Hole U1383C were found, which typically hosted ∼104 cells cm-3 of basaltic rock, with higher cell densities occurring between 115 and 145 m below seafloor. Similar bacterial community structures, which are dominated by Gammaproteobacterial and Sphingobacterial species closely related to iron oxidizers, were detected regardless of variations in sampling depth. The metabolic potentials of the crust microbiota were assayed by metagenomic analysis of two basalt enrichments which showed similar bacterial structure with the original sample. Genes coding for energy metabolism involved in hydrocarbon degradation, dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium, denitrification and hydrogen oxidation were identified. Compared with other marine environments, the metagenomes from the basalt-hosted environments were enriched in pathways for Fe3+ uptake, siderophore synthesis and uptake, and Fe transport, suggesting that iron metabolism is an important energy production and conservation mechanism in this system. Overall, we provide evidence that the North Pond crustal biosphere is dominated by unique bacterial groups with the potential for iron-related biogeochemical cycles.
Serotonin modulation of cortical neurons and networks

The serotonergic pathways originating in the dorsal and median raphe nuclei (DR and MnR, respectively) are critically involved in cortical function. Serotonin (5-HT), acting on postsynaptic and presynaptic receptors, is involved in cognition, mood, impulse control and motor functions by (1) modulating the activity of different neuronal types, and (2) varying the release of other neurotransmitters, such as glutamate, GABA, acetylcholine and dopamine. Also, 5-HT seems to play an important role in cortical development. Of all cortical regions, the frontal lobe is the area most enriched in serotonergic axons and 5-HT receptors. 5-HT and selective receptor agonists modulate the excitability of cortical neurons and their discharge rate through the activation of several receptor subtypes, of which the 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT2A, and 5-HT3 subtypes play a major role. Little is known, however, on the role of other excitatory receptors moderately expressed in cortical areas, such as 5-HT2C, 5-HT4, 5-HT6, and 5-HT7. In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors are key players and exert opposite effects on the activity of pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). The activation of 5-HT1A receptors in mPFC hyperpolarizes pyramidal neurons whereas that of 5-HT2A receptors results in neuronal depolarization, reduction of the afterhyperpolarization and increase of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) and of discharge rate. 5-HT can also stimulate excitatory (5-HT2A and 5-HT3) and inhibitory (5-HT1A) receptors in GABA interneurons to modulate synaptic GABA inputs onto pyramidal neurons. Likewise, the pharmacological manipulation of various 5-HT receptors alters oscillatory activity in PFC, suggesting that 5-HT is also involved in the control of cortical network activity. A better understanding of the actions of 5-HT in PFC may help to develop treatments for mood and cognitive disorders associated with an abnormal function of the frontal lobe.
Enterolobium contortisiliquum Trypsin Inhibitor (EcTI), a Plant Proteinase Inhibitor, Decreases in Vitro Cell Adhesion and Invasion by Inhibition of Src Protein-Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) Signaling Pathways*

Background: The effect of Enterolobium contortisiliquum trypsin inhibitor (EcTI) on the adhesion, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells. Results: EcTI inhibited adhesion, migration, and cell invasion and decreased Src-FAK signaling. Conclusion: EcTI inhibits the invasion of gastric cancer cells through alterations in integrin-dependent cell signaling pathways. Significance: Inhibition of invadopodia formation may be an attractive approach for cancer therapy. Tumor cell invasion is vital for cancer progression and metastasis. Adhesion, migration, and degradation of the extracellular matrix are important events involved in the establishment of cancer cells at a new site, and therefore molecular targets are sought to inhibit such processes. The effect of a plant proteinase inhibitor, Enterolobium contortisiliquum trypsin inhibitor (EcTI), on the adhesion, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells was the focus of this study. EcTI showed no effect on the proliferation of gastric cancer cells or fibroblasts but inhibited the adhesion, migration, and cell invasion of gastric cancer cells; however, EcTI had no effect upon the adhesion of fibroblasts. EcTI was shown to decrease the expression and disrupt the cellular organization of molecules involved in the formation and maturation of invadopodia, such as integrin β1, cortactin, neuronal Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein, membrane type 1 metalloprotease, and metalloproteinase-2. Moreover, gastric cancer cells treated with EcTI presented a significant decrease in intracellular phosphorylated Src and focal adhesion kinase, integrin-dependent cell signaling components. Together, these results indicate that EcTI inhibits the invasion of gastric cancer cells through alterations in integrin-dependent cell signaling pathways.
Photo Sharing in the Arab Gulf: Expressing the Collective and Autonomous Selves

Current research demonstrates that when people engage in social photo sharing, they are mindful of how audiences perceive and interact with their photos. We extend this vein of inquiry to focus on photo sharing in the context of the Arab Gulf. We provide insight into how this activity is practiced in a region governed by strict adherence to cultural norms and Islamic traditions that dictate how to "appropriately" share content in digital settings. In particular, we look at the relationship between photo sharing and its effects on identity and self-presentation. To understand how Saudi and Qatari participants represent themselves through photo sharing applications, we conducted 42 face-to-face interviews. Our results reveal that Arab Gulf users engage in photo sharing practices that construct a collective self, distinct from an autonomous self. This collective self often trumps the autonomous self in shaping photo sharing practices.
Photorealistic rendering for Augmented Reality: A global illumination and BRDF solution

This paper presents a solution for the photorealistic rendering of synthetic objects into dynamic real scenes, in Augmented Reality applications. In order to achieve this goal, an Image Based Lighting approach is used, where environment maps with different levels of glossiness are generated for each virtual object in the scene at every frame. Due to this, illumination effects, such as color bleeding and specular reflections, can be simulated for virtual objects in a consistent way. A unifying sampling method for the spherical harmonics transformation pass is also used. It is independent of map format and does not need to apply different weights for each sample. The developed technique is combined with an extended version of Lafortune Spatial BRDF, featuring Fresnel effect and an innovative tangent rotation parameterization. The solution is evaluated in various Augmented Reality case studies, where other features like shadowing and lens effects are also exploited.
Simultaneous measurement of gastric emptying of a solid meal by ultrasound and by scintigraphy

Objective:Although ultrasonic imaging may represent a valid alternative to scintigraphy for measurement of gastric emptying, most studies comparing the two methods have been carried out with liquid meals. The aim of this study was to compare scintigraphic and ultrasonographic measurements of gastric emptying of a solid meal in healthy subjects and in patients with possible delay in emptying.Methods:Nineteen subjects were studied: five controls, six patients with gastroesophageal reflux, and eight patients with dysmotility-like dyspepsia. Gastric emptying was measured by both scintigraphy and ultrasonography after ingestion of an 800-calorie solid, realistic meal containing 99mTc-labeled chicken liver. Scintigraphic measurements were made every 15 min for 6 h, and ultrasonic imaging of antral sections was undertaken every 15 min for the first 1 h and every 30 min thereafter. Total emptying times were calculated independently using the two methods, and the emptying patterns recorded by the two methods were compared.Results:Maximal antral dilation occurred 30 min (range 0–90 min) after the end of the meal and persisted until 96 ± 42 min, by which time gastric radioactivity had decreased from its maximum by 43%± 23%. From this time on, the antral cross-sectional area returned toward the basal value, declining faster than the gastric counts recorded by scintigraphy. Total emptying times measured by ultrasound and by scintigraphy were in good agreement in all subjects, with a mean difference of only 4.5 min (limits of agreement, −17.1 to 21.6 min). Conclusion:Ultrasonographic measurement of antral cross-sectional area provides a valid alternative to scintigraphy for the measurement of total gastric emptying of a solid meal. It is less reliable if other parameters of gastric emptying such as T1/2 are required.
Shallow Networks for High-accuracy Road Object-detection

The ability to automatically detect other vehicles on the road is vital to the safety of partially-autonomous and fully-autonomous vehicles. Most of the high-accuracy techniques for this task are based on R-CNN or one of its faster variants. In the research community, much emphasis has been applied to using 3D vision or complex R-CNN variants to achieve higher accuracy. However, are there more straightforward modifications that could deliver higher accuracy? Yes. We show that increasing input image resolution (i.e. upsampling) offers up to 12 percentage-points higher accuracy compared to an off-the-shelf baseline. We also find situations where earlier/shallower layers of CNN provide higher accuracy than later/deeper layers. We further show that shallow models and upsampled images yield competitive accuracy. Our findings contrast with the current trend towards deeper and larger models to achieve high accuracy in domain specific detection tasks.
Characterization of full-scale carbon contactors for siloxane removal from biogas using online Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

In this study, online Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy has been used to generate the first comprehensive characterization of full-scale carbon contactors for siloxane removal from biogas. Using FTIR, two clear operational regions within the exhaustion cycle were evidenced: an initial period of pseudo-steady state where the outlet siloxane concentration was consistently below the proposed siloxane limits; and a second period characterized by a progressive rise in outlet siloxane concentration during and after breakthrough. Due to the sharp breakthrough front identified, existing detection methods (which comprise field sampling coupled with laboratory-based chromatographic determination) are insufficiently responsive to define breakthrough, thus carbon contactors currently remain in service while providing limited protection to the combined heat and power engine. Integration of the exhaustion cycle to breakthrough identified average specific media capacities of 8.5–21.5 gsiloxane , which are lower than that has been reported for vapour phase granular activated carbon (GAC). Further speciation of the biogas phase identified co-separation of organic compounds (alkanes and aromatics), which will inevitably reduce siloxane capacity. However, comparison of the five full-scale contactors identified that greater media capacity was accessible through operating contactors at velocities sufficient to diminish axial dispersion effects. In addition to enabling significant insight into gas phase GAC contactors, the use of FTIR for online control of GAC for siloxane removal is also presented.
Probabilistic Analysis of a Parallel Algorithm for Finding Maximal Independent Sets

We consider a natural parallel version of the classical greedy algorithm for finding a maximal independent set in a graph. This version was studied in Coppersmith, Raghavan, and Tompa* and they conjecture there that its expected running time on random graphs of arbitrary edge density of 0 (log n). We prove that conjecture.
Alterations in adult hippocampal neurogenesis, aberrant protein s-nitrosylation, and associated spatial memory loss in streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus type 2 mice

Objective(s): Epidemiological and biochemical studies conducted over the past two decades have established a strong link between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the exact mechanisms through which aberrations in insulin signaling associated with T2DM contribute to cognitive decline are not yet known. Materials and Methods: In an effort to explore possible molecular links between T2DM and AD, the present study investigated the status of neurodegeneration, adult hippocampal neurogenesis, and nitrosative stress induced protein S-nitrosylation in streptozotocin (STZ) induced mice models of T2DM. Morris water maze task and subsequent histological and immunohistochemical assessment were conducted. Expression of neurogenesis markers (Ki67, DCX, and NeuN) and APP 770 was determined by qRT-PCR. Results: A significant decline in spatial learning and reference memory was observed with consequent neurodegeneration in brain cortex and hippocampus in the diabetic group as compared to the control group. A subsequent increase in expression of APP 770 was also observed in T2DM brain regions. Moreover, a significant decrease in transcriptional expression of Ki67, DCX, and NeuN was also evident in T2DM brain regions, which indicated possible aberrations in adult hippocampal neurogenesis in T2DM. Furthermore, an increased immunohistochemical signal for S-nitrosylation was also observed in T2DM, which also suggested its potential contribution in T2DM associated neuronal deterioration. Conclusion: It is suggested that these identified aberrations in the diabetic brain may communally increase the susceptibility of developing AD in patients with T2DM. Further studies of the underlying molecular mechanisms may help to strategize a combination therapy for these debilitating disorders.
On Hamiltonian potentials with cuartic polynomial normal variational equations

Here we find the complete family of two degree of freedom classical Hamiltonians with invariant plane $\Gamma=\{q_2=p_2=0\}$ whose normal variational equation around integral curves in $\Gamma$ is a generically a Hill-Schr\"odinger equation with cuartic polynomial potential. In particular, these Hamiltonian form a family of non-integrable Hamiltonians through rational first integrals.
Parsing to Stanford Dependencies: Trade-offs between Speed and Accuracy

We investigate a number of approaches to generating Stanford Dependencies, a widely used semantically-oriented dependency representation. We examine algorithms specifically designed for dependency parsing (Nivre, Nivre Eager, Covington, Eisner, and RelEx) as well as dependencies extracted from constituent parse trees created by phrase structure parsers (Charniak, Charniak-Johnson, Bikel, Berkeley and Stanford). We found that constituent parsers systematically outperform algorithms designed specifically for dependency parsing. The most accurate method for generating dependencies is the Charniak-Johnson reranking parser, with 89% (labeled) attachment F1 score. The fastest methods are Nivre, Nivre Eager, and Covington, used with a linear classifier to make local parsing decisions, which can parse the entire Penn Treebank development set (section 22) in less than 10 seconds on an Intel Xeon E5520. However, this speed comes with a substantial drop in F1 score (about 76% for labeled attachment) compared to competing methods. By tuning how much of the search space is explored by the Charniak-Johnson parser, we are able to arrive at a balanced configuration that is both fast and nearly as good as the most accurate approaches.
Partial Differential Equations Fitness optimization in a cell division model

We consider a size structured cell population model where a mother cell gives birth to two cells. We know that the asymptotic behavior of the density of cells is given by the solution to an eigenproblem. The eigenvector gives the asymptotic shape and the eigenvalue gives the exponential growth rate and so the Maltusian parameter. The Maltusian parameter depends on the division rule for the mother, i.e., symmetric (the two daughter cells have the same size) or asymmetric. We give some example where the symmetrical division is not the best ﬁtted division, i.e., the Maltusian parameter is not optimal. To cite this article: P. Michel, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 341 (2005). 