Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A context adaptive bit-plane coder with maximum-likelihood-based stochastic bit-reshuffling technique for scalable video coding

In this paper, we propose a context adaptive bit-plane coding (CABIC) with a stochastic bit reshuffling (SBR) scheme to deliver higher coding efficiency and better subjective quality for fine granular scalable (FGS) video coding. Traditional bit-plane coding in FGS algorithm suffers from poor coding efficiency and subjective quality. To improve coding efficiency, our CABIC constructs context models based on both the energy distribution in a block and the spatial correlations in the adjacent blocks. Moreover, it exploits the context across bit-planes to save side information. To improve subjective quality, our SBR reorders the coefficient bits by their estimated rate-distortion performance. Particularly, we model transform coefficients with Laplacian distributions and incorporate them into the context probability models for content-aware parameter estimation. Moreover, our SBR is implemented with a dynamic priority management that uses a low-complexity dynamic memory organization. Experimental results show that our CABIC improves the PSNR by 0.5~1.0 dB at medium and high bit rates. While maintaining similar or even higher coding efficiency, our SBR improves the subjective quality
C-Routing: An adaptive hierarchical NoC routing methodology

Deterministic routing algorithms are easier to design and implement in NoC but these fail to adapt to congestion. Table based adaptive routing solutions are not scalable. As the number of nodes increases, the area required for routing table becomes a penalty. In this paper, we propose a new hierarchical cluster based adaptive routing called ‘C-Routing’ in 2-D Mesh NoC. The solution reduces routing table size and provides deadlock freedom without use of virtual channels while ensuring livelock free routing. Routers in our method use intelligent routing to route information between the processing elements ensuring the correctness, deadlock freeness, and congestion handling. This method has been evaluated against other adaptive algorithms such as PROM, and Q-Routing etc. Results show that the proposed method performs better for given traffic patterns. C-routing uses adaptivity to avoid congestion by uniform distribution of traffic among the cores by sending flits over two different paths to the destination.
Mount Meager, a glaciated volcano in a changing cryosphere : hazards and risk challenges

Mount Meager est un complexe volcanique glaciaire en British Columbia (Canada). Il est connu pour ses glissements de terrain, dont celui de 2010 etant le plus grand glissement de terrain historique au Canada. Dans cette these, nous avons etudie les processus d'instabilites du volcan Mont Meager ainsi que les effets de la deglaciation en cours. Nous avons utilise une approche pluridisciplinaire, integrant la cartographie geologique, geomorphologique et structurelle, du terrain et de la teledetection, pour caracteriser l'activite glaciaire et les glissements de terrain au Mount Meager. Nous avons utilise la photogrammetrie Structure from Motion (SfM) et la technologie Lidar pour produire des modeles numeriques de terrain, et techniques InSAR pour surveiller le mouvement et la deformation des pentes du volcan. Nous avons applique la technique SfM a des photographies aeriennes historiques pour documenter les activites des glaciers et des glissements de terrain au Mount Meager. Nous avons discute un modele de croissance et d'erosion d'un volcan en periode glaciaire et interglaciaire, ainsi que la valeur scientifique et de vulgarisation de la reconstruction topographique 3D. Nous avons decrit les depots de glissement de terrain de 2010 a Mount Meager pour interpreter la dynamique de leur mise en place. Le glissement de terrain de 2010 s'est divise en phases riches en eau et pauvres en eau, ayant des distances d'ecoulement differentes et des depots distincts. Nous avons analyse des photographies aeriennes historiques remontant a 1948, afin de documenter la deformation de la pente avant l'effondrement de 2010. Le glacier situe a proximite du pied de la pente a recule durant les annees precedents la rupture. Cette effondrement a evolue en quatre sous-effondrements, impliquant toute la sequence volcanique et le socle. Nous avons estime 6 × 106 m3 d'eau dans la pente, ce qui a permis la separation de la phase frontale riche en eau. Le volume total d'effondrement est 53 ± 3.8 × 106 m3. Nous avons identifie 27 grands (>5×105 m2) flancs instables au Mount Meager et calcule a ~1.3 km3 de recession des glaciers depuis 1987. Le flanc ouest de Plinth Peak et de la vallee de Devastation Creek se sont deplaces de -34±10 mm -36±10 mm, respectivement, dans un periode de 24 jours pendant l'ete 2016. L’effondrement de ces flancs pourrait avoir un impact important sur les infrastructures et les communautes en aval du volcan. La decompression resultant de l'edifice volcanique apres l'effondrement du flanc ouest de Plinth Peak affecterait le champ de contrainte a une profondeur de 6 km et jusqu'a 4 MPa. Cette decompression soudaine pourrait mener des eruptions hydrothermales et magmatiques. Un important glissement de terrain pourrait donc avoir joue un role dans le declenchement de l'eruption de 2360 cal BP.
A Performance Study of Clustering Web Application Servers with Distributed JVM

A Distributed Java Virtual Machine (DJVM) is a cluster-wide set of extended JVMs that enables parallel execution of a multithreaded Java application. It has proven effectiveness for scaling scientific applications. However, leveraging DJVMs to cluster real-life web applications with commercial server workloads has not been well studied. This paper presents a new generic clustering approach based on DJVMs that promote user transparency and global object sharing for web application servers. We port Apache Tomcat to our JESSICA2 DJVM and study the performance of a wide range of web applications running on the server. Our experimental results show that this approach can scale better than the traditional clustering approach, particularly for cache-centric web applications.
Generalized support varieties for finite group schemes

We construct two families of refinements of the (projectivized) support variety of a finite dimensional module $M$ for a finite group scheme $G$. For an arbitrary finite group scheme, we associate a family of {\it non maximal rank varieties} $\Gamma^j(G)_M$, $1\leq j \leq p-1$, to a $kG$-module $M$. For $G$ infinitesimal, we construct a finer family of locally closed subvarieties $V^{\ul a}(G)_M$ of the variety of one parameter subgroups of $G$ for any partition $\ul a$ of $\dim M$. For an arbitrary finite group scheme $G$, a $kG$-module $M$ of constant rank, and a cohomology class $\zeta$ in $\HHH^1(G,M)$ we introduce the {\it zero locus} $Z(\zeta) \subset \Pi(G)$. We show that $Z(\zeta)$ is a closed subvariety, and relate it to the non-maximal rank varieties. We also extend the construction of $Z(\zeta)$ to an arbitrary extension class $\zeta \in \Ext^n_G(M,N)$ whenever $M$ and $N$ are $kG$-modules of constant Jordan type.
Another beneficial effect of rituximab on refractory and relapsing thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: the role of interleukin-12 suppression?

To the Editor: We read with great interest the recent contribution by Dr. Froissart and colleagues (1). They reported patients with severe thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura who responded poorly to therapeutic plasma exchange but who responded favorably to rituximab. They speculated that rituximab may decrease the production of anti-ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin-13 like motifs: von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease) antibodies, thus increasing ADAMTS13 activity. However, we suggest another possible and important mechanism of rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, in the treatment of resistant or relapsing acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. According to a previous study by Kakishita (2), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome after bone marrow transplantation could be predicted at an early stage by any increase in plasma interleukin-12 (IL-12), which is the T-helper cell-associated cytokine. Takatsuka et al (3) also showed that IL-12 significantly increased in the patients with thrombotic microangiopathy after bone marrow transplantation ( p < .05), whereas those without microangiopathy did not show an increase in IL-12. Recently and decisively, Saadoun et al (4) demonstrated that complete responders of rituximab exhibited an expansion of regulatory T-cells accompanied with decreased production of IL-12 (p = .02), indicating that response to B-cell depletion induced by rituximab effectively normalizes the disturbance in cytokine homeostasis. Therefore, although not studied yet extensively, it is possible that rituximab may play a crucial role by suppressing IL-12 production as well as eliminating autoantibody-secreting B-cells against ADAMTS13 in the treatment of resistant or relapsing thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. However, further studies are necessary to elucidate the exact role and signaling transduction pathway of IL-12 during the disease process. The duration of rituximab treatment and combination with plasmapheresis plus corticosteroids also should be further evaluated in the future. Dr. Shin is the corresponding author. The authors have not disclosed any potential conflicts of interest.
Absence of Mitochondrial Superoxide Dismutase Results in a Murine Hemolytic Anemia Responsive to Therapy with a Catalytic Antioxidant

Manganese superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) is a critical component of the mitochondrial pathway for detoxification of O2 −, and targeted disruption of this locus leads to embryonic or neonatal lethality in mice. To follow the effects of SOD2 deficiency in cells over a longer time course, we created hematopoietic chimeras in which all blood cells are derived from fetal liver stem cells of Sod2 knockout, heterozygous, or wild-type littermates. Stem cells of each genotype efficiently rescued hematopoiesis and allowed long-term survival of lethally irradiated host animals. Peripheral blood analysis of leukocyte populations revealed no differences in reconstitution kinetics of T cells, B cells, or myeloid cells when comparing Sod2 +/+, Sod2 −/−, and Sod2 +/− fetal liver recipients. However, animals receiving Sod2 −/− cells were persistently anemic, with findings suggestive of a hemolytic process. Loss of SOD2 in erythroid progenitor cells results in enhanced protein oxidative damage, altered membrane deformation, and reduced survival of red cells. Treatment of anemic animals with Euk-8, a catalytic antioxidant with both SOD and catalase activities, significantly corrected this oxidative stress–induced condition. Such therapy may prove useful in treatment of human disorders such as sideroblastic anemia, which SOD2 deficiency most closely resembles.
Mosquitoes of the Anopheles maculipennis group (Diptera: Culicidae) in Romania, with the discovery and formal recognition of a new species based on molecular and morphological evidence.

Mosquitoes of the Anopheles maculipennis group were collected in five districts of Romania (Constant,a, Giurgiu, Ilfov, Mehedint,i and Suceava) between March 2000 and June 2003. Two hundred and ninety-seven specimens were identified by molecular methods. Nuclear rDNA ITS2 sequences of 178 specimens were compared with GenBank sequences for nine known Palaearctic species of the group, and 119 specimens were identified using an ITS2 PCR-RFLP assay developed during the study. Five genetically distinct species of the group were identified: A. atroparvus van Thiel, A. maculipennis Meigen, A. melanoon Hackett and A. messeae Falleroni and a previously unrecognized species. The new species, herein formally described and named A. daciae sp. n. , was collected in the Black Sea coastal region and plains adjacent to the Danube River in southern Romania. Anopheles daciae is most similar to and sympatric with A. messeae. It is contrasted with A. messeae and characterized on the basis of unique nuclear ITS2 and mitochondrial COI DNA sequences and morphological characters of the eggs. The larval, pupal and adults stages of the two species were also compared, but no reliable characters were found to distinguish them. It seems likely that A. daciae is more widespread in eastern Europe and the Balkan States, and could be responsible for malaria transmission in these regions that is currently attributed to A. messeae. Anopheles melanoon is reported from Romania for the first time.
Measurement setup for the analysis of broadband frequency-modulated signals

Extreme linear broadband radio frequency chirp generation is of fundamental interest, e.g. for high-resolution radar systems. The chirp linearity is essential for the accuracy of radar measurements. A linearity analysis is presented in this paper. The developed measurement setup is discussed and measurement results are shown. The results are compared with commercially available measurement equipment. An analysis bandwidth of at least 5.4 GHz in the frequency range between 8 GHz and 13.5 GHz is demonstrated, whereby the concept and setup are not limited to this frequency range. Furthermore, outperforming time-resolution and state of the art low-noise behavior are demonstrated.
Evaluation of a Side-By-Side Full-Scale Biofiltration Conversion in a Nutrient-Limited Environment

Evaluation of a Side-By-Side Full-Scale Biofiltration Conversion in a Nutrient-Limited Environment by Stetson S. Bassett, Master of Science Utah State University, 2018 Major Professor: Dr. David K. Stevens Department: Civil and Environmental Engineering In the last few decades, biological filtration, or biofiltration, has proven to be a promising practice within the water industry. Though biofiltration treatment plants are becoming more prevalent, the operational practices required to convert to and maintain biologically active filters are still not well understood, especially in carbon-limited environments. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the water quality and operational trends of a side-by-side full-scale biofiltration conversion and to determine the impact of pre-chlorination elimination on filter performance. Four of twelve filters at the Quail Creek Water Treatment Plant, located in Hurricane, Utah, were used to test the plant’s ability to operate in biological mode. One acted as a control and ran similar to the other eight filters in the treatment plant. The other three were converted to biofilters by quenching the influent chlorine residual with thiosulfate. Of the three biofilters, one was a standard biofilter (i.e. no pre-chlorination, non-chlorinated backwash), the second had chlorinated backwash, and the third had nitrogen and phosphorus supplementation with non-chlorinated backwash. The experimental conversion lasted one year, resulting in a recommendation to convert all the filters to biologically active, but without nutrient enhancement. The influent water was found to be low in organic carbon (total organic carbon < 2 mg/L and carboxylic acids < 50 μg-C/L), which resulted in small differences among filters in adenosine
Effectiveness of Influenza Vaccine during Pregnancy in Preventing Hospitalizations and Outpatient Visits for Respiratory Illness in Pregnant Women and Their Infants

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends influenza vaccination for women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during the influenza season. We analyzed hospital admissions with principal diagnoses of influenza or pneumonia and influenza-like illness (ILI) outpatient visits to study the effectiveness of influenza vaccine during pregnancy in protecting women and infants from influenza-related morbidity. Estimates of influenza vaccine effectiveness across five flu seasons (Fall 1997 to Spring 2002) were calculated using Cox proportional hazards models for women and infant study populations in Kaiser Permanente Northern California. Outpatient utilization outcomes included physician visits with a diagnosis of upper respiratory infection, pharyngitis, otitis media, asthma, bronchial asthma, viral infection, pneumonia, fever, cough, or wheezing associated with respiratory illness. Inpatient outcomes included hospitalizations with principal diagnoses of influenza or pneumonia. Women who received influenza vaccine during pregnancy had the same risk for ILI visits compared with unvaccinated women, adjusting for women's age and week of delivery. When asthma visits were excluded from the outcome measure, we also found no difference in the risk of outpatient visits for vaccinated and unvaccinated women. Hospital admissions for influenza or pneumonia for women in the study population were quite rare and no women died of respiratory illness during pregnancy. Infants born to women who received influenza vaccination had the same risks for influenza or pneumonia admissions compared with infants born to unvaccinated women, adjusting for infant's gender, gestational age, week of birth, and birth facility. Maternal influenza vaccination was also not a significant determinant of risk of ILI (excluding otitis media) outpatient visits for infants, nor did it significantly affect the risk of otitis media visits. Influenza vaccination during pregnancy did not significantly affect the risk of cesarean section, adjusting for the woman's age. It also did not affect the risk of preterm delivery. Although the immunogenicity of influenza vaccination in pregnancy in mother and infant has been well documented, in this study, we were unable to demonstrate the effectiveness of influenza vaccination with data for hospital admissions and physician visits. One possible interpretation of these findings is that typical influenza surveillance measures based on utilization data are not reliable in distinguishing influenza from other respiratory illness. Hospitalizations for respiratory illness were uncommon in both vaccinees and nonvaccinees.
Image processing of seismic attributes for automatic fault extraction

Along with horizon picking, fault identification and interpretation is one of the key components for successful seismic data interpretation. Significant effort has been invested in accelerating seismic fault interpretation over the past three decades. Seismic amplitude data exhibiting good resolution and a high signal-to-noise ratio are key to identifying structural discontinuities using coherence or other edge-detection attributes, which in turn serve as inputs for automatic fault extraction using image processing or machine learning techniques. Because seismic data exhibit not only structural reflectors but also seismic noise, we have developed a fault attribute workflow that contains footprint suppression, structure-oriented filtering, attribute computation, “unconformity” suppression, and our new iterative energy-weighted directional Laplacian of a Gaussian (LoG) operator. In general, tracking faults that exhibit a finite offset through a suite of conformal reflectors is relatively easy. Instead, we evaluate the effectiveness of this workflow by tracking faults through an incoherent mass-transport deposit, where the low-frequency contribution of multispectral coherence provides a good fault image. Multispectral coherence also reduces the “stair-step” fault artifacts seen on broadband data. Application of statistical filtering can preserve the discontinuity’s boundaries and reject incoherent backgrounds. Finally, iterative application of an energy-weighted directional LoG operator provides improved fault image by sharpening low-coherence anomalies perpendicular and smoothing low-coherence anomalies parallel to fault surfaces, while at the same time attenuating locally nonplanar anomalies.
GraphDice: A System for Exploring Multivariate Social Networks

Social networks collected by historians or sociologists typically have a large number of actors and edge attributes. Applying social network analysis (SNA) algorithms to these networks produces additional attributes such as degree, centrality, and clustering coefficients. Understanding the effects of this plethora of attributes is one of the main challenges of multivariate SNA. We present the design of GraphDice, a multivariate network visualization system for exploring the attribute space of edges and actors. GraphDice builds upon the ScatterDice system for its main multidimensional navigation paradigm, and extends it with novel mechanisms to support network exploration in general and SNA tasks in particular. Novel mechanisms include visualization of attributes of interval type and projection of numerical edge attributes to node attributes. We show how these extensions to the original ScatterDice system allow to support complex visual analysis tasks on networks with hundreds of actors and up to 30 attributes, while providing a simple and consistent interface for interacting with network data.
Dystroglycan is involved in laminin‐1‐stimulated motility of Müller glial cells: Combined velocity and directionality analysis

We investigate the role of dystroglycan, a major laminin‐1 receptor and central member of the dystrophin–glycoprotein complex, in the laminin‐1 induced motility of cultured Müller glial cells. Binding of laminin‐1 to dystroglycan was prevented by IIH6, a function‐blocking monoclonal antibody against α‐dystroglycan. As an alternative means of inhibition, we used heparin to mask the dystroglycan binding site of the laminin‐1, known to overlap with heparin binding sites. Cell motility was characterized in a two‐dimensional motility assay based on computer‐controlled videomicroscopy and statistical analysis of cellular trajectories. We obtained data on both the cell velocity and the diffusion index, a measure of direction‐changing frequency. Both means of inhibition of dystroglycan function led to a significant decrease in the ability of laminin‐1 to stimulate cell migration. At the same time, dystroglycan function does not appear to be involved in laminin‐1‐dependent increase in process dynamism and direction‐changing activity. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adult Attachment Dimensions and College Student Distress

The present investigation examined dispositional hope as a psychological strength that mediates the associations between adult attachment dimensions and seven commonly assessed college student psychological symptoms, as measured by the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms–62 (CCAPS-62): depression, eating concerns, substance use, generalized anxiety, hostility, social anxiety, and academic distress. Structural equation modeling of data obtained from students at a large Midwestern university (N = 2,644) revealed that (a) adult attachment dimensions were positively associated with CCAPS-62 domains and negatively associated with hope, (b) hope was negatively associated with all seven CCAPS-62 domains with the exception of substance use, and (c) hope mediated the associations between attachment dimensions and all seven CCAPS-62 psychological symptoms, with the exception of substance use. Findings suggest that addressing adult attachment-driven automatic views of self and others may have important implications for hopeful thinking as well as for counseling intervention and prevention of college student psychological distress.