Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electronic structure and optical properties of heterogeneous nanocrystals : theory and modeling

The main objective of this work is to give a description of the electronic structure and optical properties of semiconductor quantum dots (nanocrystals) containing heterojunctions, i.e. nano-junctions between two semiconductors. These nanostructures have interesting optical properties which are very promising for applications in photonics and photovoltaics. The theoretical description of the effects of the interface demands special attention. We start describing the calculations of the electronic structure of bulk semiconductors using semi-empirical tight-binding, and we show how to apply this technique to semiconductor quantum dots. We develop expressions to connect the discrete levels of energy in a quantum dot and the transitions in optical absorption spectra. The bulk tight-binding parameters are used for the calculation of the electronic structure of quantum dots of single compounds, analyzing the effect of the size variation of the quantum dots. The effectiveness of this method is demonstrated, in particular we obtain good values for the bandgap versus size compared to experiments. We apply this method to calculate the electronic structure of PbSe/CdSe core/shell quantum dots, after an analysis of the different types of interfaces that can appear in this system, and we discuss the issues related to the determination of the band offsets. The results of these calculations validate the assumption of the role of the shell as a potential barrier for the electron and the hole. The electronic structures are used in the last chapter to simulate the absorption spectra of PbSe, CdSe and PbSe/CdSe quantum dots. We give theoretical support to recent experiments in transient absorption spectroscopy, revealing groups of new transitions originated by photo-induced intraband absorption. Our calculations shed light on the nature of these optical transitions which can be of interest for applications in photonics.
Performance Analysis of MT Evaluation Measures and Test Suites

Many measures have been proposed for machine translation evaluation (MTE) while little research has been done on the performance of MTE methods. This paper is an effort for MTE performance analysis. A general frame is proposed for the description of the MTE measure and the test suite, including whether the automatic measure is consistent with human evaluation, whether different results from various measures or test suites are consistent, whether the content of the test suite is suitable for performance evaluation, the degree of difficulty of the test suite and its influence on the MTE, the relationship of MTE result significance and the size of the test suite, etc. For a better clarification of the frame, several experiment results are analyzed relating human evaluation, BLEU evaluation, and typological MTE. A visualization method is introduced for better presentation of the results. The study aims for aid in construction of test suite and method selection in MTE practice. Keywords—Machine translation, natural language processing, visualization.
Identification and Characterization of Circular RNAs as a New Class of Putative Biomarkers in Diabetes Retinopathy.

Purpose To reveal the expression profile and clinical significance of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods Circular RNA microarrays were performed to identify DR-related circRNAs. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment and KEGG analysis was performed to determine the biologic modules and signaling pathway. TargetScan and miRana program was used to predict circRNA/miRNA interaction. Quantitative PCR assays were performed to detect circRNA expression pattern in clinical samples. Ki67 staining, Transwell, tube formation, and spheroid sprouting assays were performed to investigate the role and mechanism of circRNA in endothelial angiogenic function. Results A total of 529 circRNAs were aberrantly expressed in diabetic retinas. The host genes of differentially expressed circRNAs were targeted to ATP binding (biologic process); extracellular exosome (cellular component); and intracellular signal transduction (molecular function). Circ_0005015 was verified to be upregulated in the plasma, vitreous sample, and fibrovascular membranes of DR patients. Circ_0005015 facilitated retinal endothelial angiogenic function via regulating endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation. Circ_0005015 acted as miR-519d-3p sponge to inhibit miR-519d-3p activity, leading to increased MMP-2, XIAP, and STAT3 expression. Conclusions circRNAs are involved in DR pathogenesis, and thus serve as potential biomarkers of DR diagnosis.
On formulas for decoding binary cyclic codes

We address the problem of the algebraic decoding of any cyclic code up to the true minimum distance. For this, we use the classical formulation of the problem, which is to find the error locator polynomial in terms of the syndromes of the received word. This is usually done with the Berlekamp-Massey algorithm in the case of BCH codes and related codes, but for the general case, there is no generic algorithm to decode cyclic codes. Even in the case of the quadratic residue codes, which are good codes with a very strong algebraic structure, there is no available general decoding algorithm. For this particular case of quadratic residue codes, several authors have worked out, by hand, formulas for the coefficients of the locator polynomial in terms of the syndromes, using the Newton identities. This work has to be done for each particular quadratic residue code, and is more and more difficult as the length is growing. Furthermore, it is error-prone. We propose to automate these computations, using elimination theory and Grobner bases. We prove that, by computing appropriate Grobner bases, one automatically recovers formulas for the coefficients of the locator polynomial, in terms of the syndromes.
A method for determinism in short time series, and its application to stationary EEG

A novel method for detecting determinism in short time series is developed and applied to investigate determinism in stationary electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings. This method is based on the observation that the trajectory of a time series generated from a differentiable dynamical system behaves smoothly in an embedded state space. The angles between two successive tangent vectors in the trajectory reconstructed from the time series is calculated as a function of time. The irregularity of the angle variations obtained from the time series is estimated using second-order difference plots, and compared with that of the corresponding surrogate data. Using this method, we demonstrate that scalp EEG recordings from normal subjects do not exhibit a low-dimensional deterministic structure. This method can be useful for analyzing determinism in short time series, such as those from physiological recordings.
Entity coherence for descriptive text structuring

Although entity coherence, i.e. the coherence that arises from certain patterns of references to entities, is of attested importance for characterising a descriptive text structure, whether and how current formal models of entity coherence such as Centering Theory can be used for the purposes of natural language generation remains unclear. This thesis investigates this issue and sets out to explore which of the many formulations of Centering best suits text structuring. In doing this, we assume text structuring to be a search task where different orderings of propositions are evaluated according to scores assigned by a metric. The main question behind this study is how to choose a metric of entity coherence among many alternatives as the only guidance to the text structuring component of a system that produces descriptions of objects. Different ways of defining metrics of entity coherence using Centering’s notions are discussed and a general corpus-based methodology is introduced to identify which of these metrics constitute the most promising candidates for search-based text structuring before the actual generation of the descriptive structure takes place. The performance of a large set of metrics is estimated empirically in a series of computational experiments using two kinds of data: (i) a reliably annotated corpus representing the genre of interest and (ii) data derived from an existing natural language generation system and ordered according to the instructions of a domain expert. A final experiment supplements our main methodology by automatically evaluating the best scoring orderings of some of the best performing metrics in comparison to an upper bound defined by orderings produced by multiple experts on additional application-specific data and a lower bound defined by a random baseline. The main findings are summarised as follows: In general, the simplest metric of entity coherence constitutes a very robust baseline for both datasets. However, when the metrics are modified according to an additional constraint on entity coherence, then the baseline is beaten in domain (ii). The employed modification is supported by the subsidiary evaluation which renders all employed metrics superior to the random baseline and helps identify the metric which overall constitutes the most suitable candidate (among the ones investigated) for search-based descriptive text structuring in domain (ii). This thesis provides substantial insight into the role of entity coherence as a descriptive text structuring constraint. Viewing Centering from an NLG perspective raises a series of interesting challenges that the thesis identifies and attempts to investigate to a certain extent. The general evaluation methodology and the results of the empirical studies are useful for any subsequent attempt to generate a descriptive text structure in the context of an application that makes use of the notion of entity coherence as modelled by Centering.
Tactile input and empathy modulate the perception of ambiguous biological motion

Evidence has shown that task-irrelevant auditory cues can bias perceptual decisions regarding directional information associated with biological motion, as indicated in perceptual tasks using point-light walkers (PLWs) (Brooks et al., 2007). In the current study, we extended the investigation of cross-modal influences to the tactile domain by asking how tactile input resolves perceptual ambiguity in visual apparent motion, and how empathy plays a role in this cross-modal interaction. In Experiment 1, we simulated the tactile feedback on the observers' fingertips when the (upright or inverted) PLWs (comprised of either all red or all green dots) were walking (leftwards or rightwards). The temporal periods between tactile events and critical visual events (the PLW's feet hitting the ground) were manipulated so that the tap could lead, synchronize, or lag the visual foot-hitting-ground event. We found that the temporal structures between tactile (feedback) and visual (hitting) events systematically biases the directional perception for upright PLWs, making either leftwards or rightwards more dominant. However, this effect was absent for inverted PLWs. In Experiment 2, we examined how empathy modulates cross-modal capture. Instead of giving tactile feedback on participants' fingertips, we gave taps on their ankles and presented the PLWs with motion directions of approaching (facing toward observer)/receding (facing away from observer) to resemble normal walking postures. With the same temporal structure, we found that individuals with higher empathy were more subject to perceptual bias in the presence of tactile feedback. Taken together, our findings showed that task-irrelevant tactile input can resolve the otherwise ambiguous perception of the direction of biological motion, and this cross-modal bias was mediated by higher level social-cognitive factors, including empathy.
Performance of differential modulation under rf impairments

Coherent detection requires exact knowledge of the channel state information, which is often a challenging task in demanding practical applications. Based on this, non-coherent detection of differentially modulated signals can be considered as an alternative method. The present paper investigates the effects of in-phase/quadrature-phase imbalance (IQI), which are known to degrade the performance of wireless communication systems. Specifically, we evaluate the effects of IQI on the bit error rate (BER) performance of differential quadrature phase shift keying (dQPSK) for ideal receiver (RX) with transmitter (TX) IQI, ideal TX with RX IQI and joint TX/RX IQI. Explicit analytic expressions are derived for the BER of both single-carrier and multi-carrier systems suffering from IQI at the TX and/or RX. Extensive Monte-Carlo simulation as well as offered analytic results show that realistic TX/RX IQI values can degrade the corresponding BER by over 30%. Likewise, it is shown that the detrimental effects of IQI are more considerable on DQPSK than on QPSK.
Monoamines in glioblastoma: complex biology with therapeutic potential

Glioblastoma (GBM) is characterized by extremely poor prognoses, despite the use of gross surgical resection, alkylating chemotherapeutic agents, and radiotherapy. Evidence increasingly highlights the role of the tumor microenvironment in enabling this aggressive phenotype. Despite this interest, the role of neurotransmitters, brain-specific messengers underlying synaptic transmission, remains murky. These signaling molecules influence a complex network of molecular pathways and cellular behaviors in many CNS-resident cells, including neural stem cells and progenitor cells, neurons, and glia cells. Critically, available data convincingly demonstrate that neurotransmitters can influence proliferation, quiescence, and differentiation status of these cells. This ability to affect progenitors and glia-GBM-initiating cells-and their availability in the CNS strongly support the notion that neurotransmitters participate in the onset and progression of GBM. This review will focus on dopamine and serotonin, as studies indicate they contribute to gliomagenesis. Particular attention will be paid to how these neurotransmitters and their receptors can be utilized as novel therapeutic targets. Overall, this review will analyze the complex biology governing the interaction of GBM with neurotransmitter signaling and highlight how this interplay shapes the aggressive nature of GBM.
Automatic Memory Reductions for RTL Model Verification

We present several techniques for automatically reducing memories in RTL designs. This includes a new memory abstraction algorithm that allows us to greatly reduce the size of memories and a technique based on-term rewriting that further improves the abstraction. In contrast to previously proposed methods for abstracting memories of RTL designs, our methods are general - e.g., they allow us to arbitrarily and directly compare memories - and they are sound and complete - e.g., there are no false positives or negatives. In addition, the combination of our techniques allows us to automatically verify RTL pipelined machine designs beyond the reach of current state-of-the-art methods, as our experimental results show
Domain Swapping and Gene Shuffling Identify Sequences Required for Induction of an Avr-Dependent Hypersensitive Response by the Tomato Cf-4 and Cf-9 Proteins

The tomato Cf-4 and Cf-9 genes confer resistance to infection by the biotrophic leaf mold pathogen Cladosporium. Their protein products induce a hypersensitive response (HR) upon recognition of the fungus-encoded Avr4 and Avr9 peptides. Cf-4 and Cf-9 share >91% sequence identity and are distinguished by sequences in their N-terminal domains A and B, their N-terminal leucine-rich repeats (LRRs) in domain C1, and their LRR copy number (25 and 27 LRRs, respectively). Analysis of Cf-4/Cf-9 chimeras, using several different bioassays, has identified sequences in Cf-4 and Cf-9 that are required for the Avr-dependent HR in tobacco and tomato. A 10–amino acid deletion within Cf-4 domain B relative to Cf-9 was required for full Avr4-dependent induction of an HR in most chimeras analyzed. Additional sequences required for Cf-4 function are located in LRRs 11 and 12, a region that contains only eight of the 67 amino acids that distinguish it from Cf-9. One chimera, with 25 LRRs that retained LRR 11 of Cf-4, induced an attenuated Avr4-dependent HR. The substitution of Cf-9 N-terminal LRRs 1 to 9 with the corresponding sequences from Cf-4 resulted in attenuation of the Avr9-induced HR, as did substitution of amino acid A433 in LRR 15. The amino acids L457 and K511 in Cf-9 LRRs 16 and 18 are essential for induction of the Avr9-dependent HR. Therefore, important sequence determinants of Cf-9 function are located in LRRs 10 to 18. This region contains 15 of the 67 amino acids that distinguish it from Cf-4, in addition to two extra LRRs. Our results demonstrate that sequence variation within the central LRRs of domain C1 and variation in LRR copy number in Cf-4 and Cf-9 play a major role in determining recognition specificity in these proteins.
MRTF‐A and STAT3 promote MDA‐MB‐231 cell migration via hypermethylating BRSM1

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide which is closely related to metastasis. But the exact molecular mechanism of metastasis is still not fully understood. We now report that both MRTF‐A and STAT3 play important roles in migration of MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells. Moreover, MRTF‐A and STAT3 synergistically increased MDA‐MB‐231 cell migration by promoting the expression of migration markers urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (uPA) and osteopontin (OPN) and inhibiting the expression of breast cancer metastasis suppressor 1 (BRMS1). Luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that MRTF‐A and STAT3 do not affect transcription of the BRMS1 promoter. Instead, we identified a newly molecular mechanism by which MRTF‐A and STAT3 synergistically controlled MDA‐MB‐231 cell migration by recruiting DNMT1 to hypermethylate the promoter of BRMS1 and thus affect the expression of BRMS1. Interestingly, physical interaction between MRTF‐A and STAT3 synergistically promotes the transactivity of DNMT1 by binding to the GAS element within the DNMT1 promoter. Our data thus provide important and novel insights into the roles of MRTF‐A and STAT3 in regulating MDA‐MB‐231 cell migration. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(3):202–217, 2015
Adaptive QoS aware binding of persistent multimedia objects

The heterogeneity of distributed multimedia systems in terms of hardware, operating systems, programming languages, data formats, compression formats, available resources, and QoS requirements imposes severe problems. The purpose of the middleware platform is to provide interoperability and portability of distributed system services and applications. However, today's middleware platforms, like CORBA and TINA-DPE, do not solve all these problems. For example, automated control of interface compatibility and quality of service (QoS) support are still important research topics. This is especially true in the context of multimedia database systems (MMDBS) in distributed systems, because interface type and QoS depends on the result of queries and cannot be determined in advance. We show how the temporal object oriented data model, TOOMM, and the formal model for bindings MBS can be utilized in a heterogeneous distributed system to: (1) solve compatibility issues, (2) find agreeable levels of QoS, and (3) automatically adapt the flexible multimedia object request broker (ORB) MULTE-ORB, to application requirements and available resources.
A model of saccade generation based on parallel processing and competitive inhibition

During active vision, the eyes continually scan the visual environment using saccadic scanning movements. This target article presents an information processing model for the control of these movements, with some close parallels to established physiological processes in the oculomotor system. Two separate pathways are concerned with the spatial and the temporal programming of the movement. In the temporal pathway there is spatially distributed coding and the saccade target is selected from a “salience map. ” Both pathways descend through a hierarchy of levels, the lower ones operating automatically. Visual onsets have automatic access to the eye control system via the lower levels. Various centres in each pathway are interconnected via reciprocal inhibition. The model accounts for a number of well-established phenomena in target-elicited saccades: the gap effect, express saccades, the remote distractor effect, and the global effect. High-level control of the pathways in tasks such as visual search and reading is discussed; it operates through spatial selection and search selection, which generally combine in an automated way. The model is examined in relation to data from patients with unilateral neglect.
Comparable Attenuation of Sympathetic Nervous System Activity in Obese Subjects with Normal Glucose Tolerance, Impaired Glucose Tolerance, and Treatment Naïve Type 2 Diabetes following Equivalent Weight Loss

Background and Purpose: Elevated sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity is a characteristic of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) that contributes to target organ damage and cardiovascular risk. In this study we examined whether baseline metabolic status influences the degree of sympathoinhibition attained following equivalent dietary weight loss. Methods: Un-medicated obese individuals categorized as normal glucose tolerant (NGT, n = 15), impaired glucose tolerant (IGT, n = 24), and newly-diagnosed T2D (n = 15) consumed a hypocaloric diet (29% fat, 23% protein, 45% carbohydrate) for 4-months. The three groups were matched for baseline age (56 ± 1 years), body mass index (BMI, 32.9 ± 0.7 kg/m2), and gender. Clinical measurements included whole-body norepinephrine kinetics, muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA, by microneurography), spontaneous cardiac baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), and oral glucose tolerance test. Results: Weight loss averaged −7.5 ± 0.8, −8.1 ± 0.5, and −8.0 ± 0.9% of body weight in NGT, IGT, and T2D groups, respectively. T2D subjects had significantly greater reductions in fasting glucose, 2-h glucose and glucose area under the curve (AUC0−120) compared to NGT and IGT (group effect, P <0.001). Insulinogenic index decreased in IGT and NGT groups and increased in T2D (group × time, P = 0.04). The magnitude of reduction in MSNA (−7 ± 3, −8 ± 4, −15 ± 4 burst/100 hb, respectively) and whole-body norepinephrine spillover rate (−28 ± 8, −18 ± 6, and −25 ± 7%, respectively), time effect both P <0.001, did not differ between groups. After adjustment for age and change in body weight, Δ insulin AUC0−120 was independently associated with reduction in arterial norepinephrine concentration, whilst Δ LDL-cholesterol and improvement in BRS were independently associated with decrease in MSNA. Conclusions: Equivalent weight loss through hypocaloric diet is accompanied by similar sympathoinhibition in matched obese subjects with different baseline glucose tolerance. Attenuation of hyperinsulinemia and hyperlipidemia, rather than glycemic indices, is associated with reduction in SNS activity following weight loss intervention.