Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sustainable Offloading in Mobile Cloud Computing

Mobile Cloud Computing (MCC) has been extensively explored to be applied as a vital tool to enhance the capabilities of mobile devices, increasing computing power, expanding storage capacity, and prolonging battery life. Offloading works as the fundamental feature that enables MCC to relieve task load and extend data storage through an accessible cloud resource pool. Several initiatives have drawn attention to delivering MCC-supported energy-oriented offloading as a method to cope with a lately steep increase in the number of rich mobile applications and the enduring limitations of battery technologies. However, MCC offloading relieves only the burden of energy consumption of mobile devices; performance concerns about Cloud resources, in most cases, are not considered when dynamically allocating them for dealing with mobile tasks. The application context of MCC, encompassing urban computing, aggravates the situation with very large-scale scenarios, posing as a challenge for achieving greener solutions in the scope of Cloud resources. Thus, this article gathers and analyzes recent energy-aware offloading protocols and architectures, as well as scheduling and balancing algorithms employed toward Cloud green computing. This survey provides a comparison among system architectures by identifying their most notable advantages and disadvantages. The existing enabling frameworks are categorized and compared based on the stage of the task offloading process and resource management types, describing current open challenges and future research directions.
Automatic Offset Detection in GPS Time Series by Change Point Approach

This paper deals with the problem of automatic detection of offsets in GPS time series, which is of interest both in active volcanic and tectonic areas, where they often signal either the opening of eruptive fissures or seismic and aseismic dislocations. The problem is tackled by using the Change Point Detection (CPD) approach. Results show that CPD algorithms are suitable both in off-line and on-line frameworks. In particular, we show that CPD algorithms could contribute to the implementation of a warning system of volcanic intrusive activity.
Infection Strategies Deployed by Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium acuminatum, and Rhizopus stolonifer as a Function of Tomato Fruit Ripening Stage

Worldwide, 20–25% of all harvested fruit and vegetables are lost annually in the field and throughout the postharvest supply chain due to rotting by fungal pathogens. Most postharvest pathogens exhibit necrotrophic or saprotrophic lifestyles, resulting in decomposition of the host tissues and loss of marketable commodities. Necrotrophic fungi can readily infect ripe fruit leading to the rapid establishment of disease symptoms. However, these pathogens generally fail to infect unripe fruit or remain quiescent until host conditions stimulate a successful infection. Previous research on infections of fruit has mainly been focused on the host’s genetic and physicochemical factors that inhibit or promote disease. Here, we investigated if fruit pathogens can modify their own infection strategies in response to the ripening stage of the host. To test this hypothesis, we profiled global gene expression of three fungal pathogens that display necrotrophic behavior—Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium acuminatum, and Rhizopus stolonifer—during interactions with unripe and ripe tomato fruit. We assembled and functionally annotated the transcriptomes of F. acuminatum and R. stolonifer as no genomic resources were available. Then, we conducted differential gene expression analysis to compare each pathogen during inoculations versus in vitro conditions. Through characterizing patterns of overrepresented pathogenicity and virulence functions (e.g., phytotoxin production, cell wall degradation, and proteolysis) among the differentially expressed genes, we were able to determine shared strategies among the three fungi during infections of compatible (ripe) and incompatible (unripe) fruit tissues. Though each pathogen’s strategy differed in the details, interactions with unripe fruit were commonly characterized by an emphasis on the degradation of cell wall components, particularly pectin, while colonization of ripe fruit featured more heavily redox processes, proteolysis, metabolism of simple sugars, and chitin biosynthesis. Furthermore, we determined that the three fungi were unable to infect fruit from the non-ripening (nor) tomato mutant, confirming that to cause disease, these pathogens require the host tissues to undergo specific ripening processes. By enabling a better understanding of fungal necrotrophic infection strategies, we move closer to generating accurate models of fruit diseases and the development of early detection tools and effective management strategies.
Effective Visual Place Recognition Using Multi-Sequence Maps

Visual place recognition is a challenging task, especially in outdoor environments as the scenes naturally change their appearance. In this letter, we propose a method for visual place recognition that is able to deal with seasonal changes, different weather condition as well as illumination changes. Our approach localizes the robot in a map, which is represented by multiple image sequences collected in the past at different points in time. Our approach is also able to localize a vehicle in a map generated from Google Street View images. Due to the deployment of an efficient hashing-based image retrieval strategy for finding potential matches in combination with informed search in a data association graph, our approach robustly localizes a robot and quickly relocalizes if it is getting lost. Our experiments suggest that our algorithm is an effective matching approach to align the currently obtained images with multiple trajectories for online operation.
The Graded Fate of Unattended Stimulus Representations in Visuospatial Working Memory

As in visual perception, information can be selected for prioritized processing at the expense of unattended representations in visual working memory (VWM). However, what is not clear is whether and how this prioritization degrades the unattended representations. We addressed two hypotheses. First, the representational quality of unattended items could be degraded as a function of the spatial distance to attended information in VWM. Second, the strength with which an item is bound to its location is degraded as a function of the spatial distance to attended information in VWM. To disentangle these possibilities, we designed an experiment in which participants performed a continuous production task in which they memorized a visual array with colored discs, one of which was spatially retro-cued, informing the target location of an impending probe that was to be recalled (Experiment 1). We systematically varied the spatial distance between the cued and probed locations and obtained model-based estimates of the representational quality and binding strengths at varying cue-probe distances. Although the representational quality of the unattended representations remained unaffected by the cue-probe distance, spatially graded binding strengths were observed, as reflected in more spatial confusions at smaller cue-probe distances. These graded binding strengths were further replicated with a model-free approach in a categorical version of the production task in which stimuli and responses consisted of easily discriminable colors (Experiment 2). These results demonstrate that unattended representations are prone to spatial confusions due to spatial degradation of binding strengths in WM, even though they are stored with the same representational quality.
A Business Card Reader Application for iOS devices based on Tesseract

As the accessibility of high-resolution smartphone camera has increased and an improved computational speed, it is now convenient to build Business Card Readers on mobile phones. The project aims to design and develop a Business Card Reader (BCR) Application for iOS devices, using an open-source OCR Engine – Tesseract. The system accuracy was tested and evaluated using a dataset of 55 digital business cards obtained from an online repository. The accuracy result of the system was up to 74% in terms of both text recognition and data detection. A comparative analysis was carried out against a commercial business card reader application and our application performed vastly reasonable.
Tracking and Comparing Self-Determined Motivation in Elite Youth Soccer: Influence of Developmental Activities, Age, and Skill

Purpose: Our aim was to determine if self-determined motivation (SDM) in elite, men’s soccer changes over time and differs as a function of age, skill-grouping, and engagement in soccer play and practice. We tested predictions from the Developmental Model of Sport Participation (DMSP) regarding relations between practice and play and SDM among both elite and non-elite samples. Methods: Elite youth soccer players in the United Kingdom (n = 31; from the Under 13/U13 and U15 years age groups) completed practice history and motivation questionnaires at time 1 (T1) and ∼2 years later (T2: now U15 and U17 years). Non-elite players (n = 32; from U15 and U17 years) completed the same questionnaires at T2 only. Results: For the elite groups, global SDM decreased over time for the current U17 group (from U15), but no change was seen for the current U15 group (from U13). Age group differences at T2 mirrored these data, with U17 players showing lower global SDM and higher controlled motivation than U15 elites. The non-elite players did not show age group differences, but elites scored higher for global SDM and autonomous motivation than non-elites. The recent hours accumulated in practice negatively correlated with global SDM in elite and non-elite groups, but play was unrelated to measures of motivation. Conclusion: Differences in SDM as a function of age and skill point toward the dynamic nature of these motivations over time, likely a result of proximity to external rewards related to professional status. Although high volumes of practice are related to lower global SDM in both skill groups, the absence of any relations between SDM and soccer play does not support a key prediction related to the DMSP.
Ultrasound Probe Bandwidth Enhancement Combined with Non-Stationary Compression Filters to Improve Image Quality

Resolution Enhancement Compression (REC)is a pulse compression technique that can provide significant improvements in terms of imaging quality over Classical Pulsed (CP)ultrasonic imaging techniques, by employing frequency and amplitude modulated transmitted signals. However, as it was shown in [1] and [2] the REC compression can be partially impaired by such propagation phenomena as tissue attenuation effect and probe's spatial impulse response. In our previous work [1], we showed how REC can be adapted to compensate for the tissue attenuation effect. Here, a technique that allows compensating the spatial impulse response on REC imaging is proposed (I-REC). The core principle of the method consists in spatially adapting the REC compression filters. Applied to conventional focused imaging, the I-REC performance was compared to the one of conventional REC (without spatial impulse response compensation)and CP. The experimental results show the importance of taking into account the spatial impulse response of the probe. Indeed, I-REC enhanced the axial resolution by 51 % compared to the conventional technique, against an enhancement of only 34% between REC and CP. The contrast-to-noise ratio was enhanced by 20% in comparison to REC, when I-REC was used.
A XY Transporting and Nanopositioning Piezoelectric Robot Operated by Leg Rowing Mechanism

A piezoelectric robot with four parallel legs operating in rowing mechanism was presented and tested. The driving feet of the legs moved in a triangular trajectory, and a pair of legs on the same axis operated like rowing to move the robot step-by-step through the static friction forces between the driving feet and platform. A kinematic model with respect to the motion of the piezoelectric legs was established based on the Timoshenko beam theory and Galerkin procedure, which was used to design and optimize the structure of the robot. A prototype was fabricated and its experimental system was established. The motion trajectory of one driving foot was measured, which agreed well with the calculated results using the kinematic model in terms of both magnitudes and trajectory. A nanopositioning ability was achieved with a resolution of 16 nm. The experiment results showed that the output speed was linearly related to the voltages of the excitation signals, and motions along any directions could be achieved by changing the applied voltages. The prototype achieved maximum output speeds of 584 and 614 μm/s along the X and Y axes, respectively, under voltage of 400 Vp-p and frequency of 100 Hz. Furthermore, a carrying capacity of 25 kg was achieved. The proposed piezoelectric robot could be used to transport heavy devices with nanopositioning accuracy.
The Frog Xenopus as a Model to Study Joubert Syndrome: The Case of a Human Patient With Compound Heterozygous Variants in PIBF1

Joubert syndrome (JS) is a congenital autosomal-recessive or—in rare cases–X-linked inherited disease. The diagnostic hallmark of the so-called molar tooth sign describes the morphological manifestation of the mid- and hind-brain in axial brain scans. Affected individuals show delayed development, intellectual disability, ataxia, hyperpnea, sleep apnea, abnormal eye, and tongue movements as well as hypotonia. At the cellular level, JS is associated with the compromised biogenesis of sensory cilia, which identifies JS as a member of the large group of ciliopathies. Here we report on the identification of novel compound heterozygous variants (p.Y503C and p.Q485*) in the centrosomal gene PIBF1 in a patient with JS via trio whole exome sequencing. We have studied the underlying disease mechanism in the frog Xenopus, which offers fast assessment of cilia functions in a number of embryological contexts. Morpholino oligomer (MO) mediated knockdown of the orthologous Xenopus pibf1 gene resulted in defective mucociliary clearance in the larval epidermis, due to reduced cilia numbers and motility on multiciliated cells. To functionally assess patient alleles, mutations were analyzed in the larval skin: the p.Q485* nonsense mutation resulted in a disturbed localization of PIBF1 to the ciliary base. This mutant failed to rescue the ciliation phenotype following knockdown of endogenous pibf1. In contrast, the missense variant p.Y503C resulted in attenuated rescue capacity compared to the wild type allele. Based on these results, we conclude that in the case of this patient, JS is the result of a pathogenic combination of an amorphic and a hypomorphic PIBF1 allele. Our study underscores the versatility of the Xenopus model to study ciliopathies such as JS in a rapid and cost-effective manner, which should render this animal model attractive for future studies of human ciliopathies.
Quality of Transmission Aware Optical Networking Using Enhanced Gaussian Noise Model

We present a new joint routing, wavelength, and power allocation method for optical network planning. The introduced gradient-based convex optimization approach has a lower computational complexity, compared to common linear programming techniques, suitable for both static as well as time-critical dynamic network planning with fast convergence requirement. The proposed scheme takes physical-layer impairments into account, using the enhanced Gaussian noise nonlinear model. In contrast to methods exploiting the theoretical full link spectrum utilization assumption (fully occupied fiber-optic C-band spectrum), we focus on maximizing the network achievable rate and minimum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) margin of networks with partial spectrum utilization in their links, relevant to the majority of empirical metro network scenarios. According to numerical results, the network achievable rate can be improved around 17% by performing power optimization over the individual launch power of network lightpaths compared to optimizing a single flat (equal) launch power for all the lightpaths. Moreover, the minimum SNR margin of the simulated network is improved by about 2.3 dB. Finally, it is observed that maximizing the network minimum SNR margin needs the launch power of each lightpath to be proportional to the total nonlinear interference noise efficiency influencing the lightpath.
Influence of Combined AC–DC Voltages on Breakdown Characteristics of Epoxy Resin in LN2

In a dc superconducting cable system, the ripple waves contained lots of ac components that can superimpose dc voltage and current and are widely applied in rectifiers and other power electronic devices, which threaten the reliability and safety of a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) insulation system. In this paper, the partial discharge (PD) characteristics of the epoxy resin are studied with different ac/dc proportions in liquid nitrogen and room temperature. The results show that the PD inception electric field and breakdown strength of the epoxy resin increase as the dc component increases in both liquid nitrogen and room temperature. According to the phase-resolved PD distribution obtained in the inception stage, PDs show different behaviors at a higher dc component. The mean and total PD amplitude decrease as the dc component increases in both the inception stage and prebreakdown stage; they depend on the electric field modified by space charges. Compared with the PD characteristics in room temperature, they are weaker in liquid nitrogen, indicating the PD detection of insulation materials should be enhanced to eliminate the latent destruction in the HTS system. The results establish the foundation for diagnosis and assessment of insulation materials in liquid nitrogen with combined ac–dc voltages.
Pharmacogenetics of FSH Action in the Male

Male infertility is a major contributor to couple infertility, however in most cases it remains “idiopathic” and putative treatment regimens are lacking. This leads to a scenario in which intra-cytoplasmic spermatozoa injection (ICSI) is widely used in idiopathic male infertility, though the treatment burden is high for the couple and it entails considerable costs and risks. Given the crucial role of the Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) for spermatogenesis, FSH has been used empirically to improve semen parameters, but the response to FSH varied strongly among treated infertile men. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within FSH ligand/receptor genes (FSHB/FSHR), significantly influencing reproductive parameters in men, represent promising candidates to serve as pharmacogenetic markers to improve prediction of response to FSH. Consequently, several FSH-based pharmacogenetic studies have been conducted within the last years with unfortunately wide divergence concerning selection criteria, treatment and primary endpoints. In this review we therefore outline the current knowledge on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the FSH and FSH receptor genes and their putative functional effects. We compile and critically assess the previously performed pharmacogenetic studies in the male and propose a putative strategy that might allow identifying patients who could benefit from FSH treatment.
Dl-3-n-Butylphthalide Exerts Dopaminergic Neuroprotection Through Inhibition of Neuroinflammation

Microglia-mediated neuroinflammation contributes to multiple neurodegenerative disorders, including PD. Therefore, the regulation of microglial activation probably has the therapeutic potential. This study is aimed to determine whether NBP could suppress microglial activation and protect dopaminergic neurons from excessive neuroinflammation. In the present study, MPTP-induced PD model was established to explore the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effect of NBP. We assessed motor deficits, dopaminergic neurodegeneration and microglial activation in PD mice. In vitro, the anti-inflammatory activity of NBP was confirmed by cell viability assay of SH-SY5Y cells after being treated with conditioned medium from LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells and from 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium iodide (MPP+)-stimulated BV-2 cells. The expression of pro-inflammatory molecules was determined by RT-PCR, Western Blot and ELISA assay. The generation of NO and ROS were also assessed. The involvement of signaling pathways such as MAPK, NF-κB, and PI3k/Akt were further investigated by Western Blot and immunofluorescence assay. The neuroprotective effect of NBP was demonstrated in vivo as shown by the improvement of dopaminergic neurodegeneration, motor deficits and microglial activation in MPTP-induced mouse model of PD. The expression of pro-inflammatory mediators was also reduced by NBP administration. In vitro, NBP also protected dopaminergic neurons from neurotoxicity induced by activated microglia. NBP pretreatment not only reduced pro-inflammatory molecules, but also suppressed NO release and ROS generation in BV-2 cells. Further mechanism research suggested that the inactivation of MAPK, NF-κB and PI3K/Akt may involve in anti-neuroinflammation role of NBP. In conclusion, our results revealed that NBP exerted dopaminergic neuroprotection through inhibition of microglia-mediated neuroinflammation, suggesting the promising therapeutic effect of NBP for PD.
THE INFLUENCE OF THE WAXY WHEAT FLOUR ON THE CAKE`S STALING

Nowadays the use of waxy wheat in bread and pastry technologies, is gaining interest in view of extending the shelf-life of flour products, avoiding the use of additives. The obtained results shows the expediency of using waxy wheat flour, starch of which does not contain amylose, for the stabilization of the cake`s quality during its storage. The influence of the mass fraction of non-amylose wheat flour on the physico-chemical and sensory characteristics of finished products were studied. Quality parameters like moisture content, rheological characteristics of the crumb, microbial and sensory analysis of developed products were evaluated during 7 days of storage period. It is found that replacement of bakery wheat flour with traditional starch content for the waxy wheat flour has the positive influence on the cake`s staling process. These samples were characterized with lower decrease of moisture loss, less reduction of the amount of bound water in cake`s crumb and higher organoleptic quality at the end of the shelf-life without adding of synthetic improvers.
Risk Taking Runners Slow More in the Marathon

Much research has explored the physiological, energetic, environmental, and psychological factors that influence pacing in endurance events. Although this research has generally neglected the role of psychological variation across individuals, recent studies have hinted at its importance. Here we conducted an online survey of over 1,300 marathon runners, testing whether any of five psychological constructs – competitiveness, goal achievement, risk taking in pace (RTP), domain-specific risk taking, and willingness to suffer in the marathon – predicted slowing in runners’ most recent marathons. Analyses revealed that RTP – the extent to which runners agreed that they began the marathon at a pace that was so fast that it would jeopardize their capacity to maintain this pace throughout the event – was a robust predictor of marathon slowing. RTP proved a substantial predictor even in regression models controlling for the other psychological constructs, training, experience, and other known pacing correlates. This result suggests that marathoners consider trade-offs when making pacing decisions, and that individuals vary in their pacing decision making.