Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Photochemical processing of aqueous atmospheric brown carbon

Abstract. Atmospheric brown carbon (BrC) is a collective term for light absorbing organic compounds in the atmosphere. While the identification of BrC and its formation mechanisms is currently a central effort in the community, little is known about the atmospheric removal processes of aerosol BrC. As a result, we report on a series of laboratory studies of photochemical processing of BrC in the aqueous phase, by direct photolysis and OH oxidation. Solutions of ammonium sulfate mixed with glyoxal (GLYAS) or methylglyoxal (MGAS) are used as surrogates for a class of secondary BrC mediated by imine intermediates. Three nitrophenol species, namely 4-nitrophenol, 5-nitroguaiacol and 4-nitrocatechol, were investigated as a class of water-soluble BrC originating from biomass burning. Photochemical processing induced significant changes in the absorptive properties of BrC. The imine-mediated BrC solutions exhibited rapid photo-bleaching with both direct photolysis and OH oxidation, with atmospheric half-lives of minutes to a few hours. The nitrophenol species exhibited photo-enhancement in the visible range during direct photolysis and the onset of OH oxidation, but rapid photo-bleaching was induced by further OH exposure on an atmospheric timescale of an hour or less. To illustrate the atmospheric relevance of this work, we also performed direct photolysis experiments on water-soluble organic carbon extracted from biofuel combustion samples and observed rapid changes in the optical properties of these samples as well. Overall, these experiments indicate that atmospheric models need to incorporate representations of atmospheric processing of BrC species to accurately model their radiative impacts.
Maxillofacial sarcomas: a ugandan epidemiological survey

We reviewed the case notes of 203 patients who were treated for sarcomas of the oral and maxillofacial region over a period of 5 years. There were 98 male cases (mean age 31.4 ± 12.8 years) and 105 female cases (mean age 29.3 ± 10.4). Kaposi’s sarcoma accounted for 82.8% cases, and rhabdomyosarcoma 6.9% followed by osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma at 2.5% each. Except for Kaposi’s sarcoma, surgery in combination with radiotherapy and/or chemothe- rapy was the main stay of treatment. Survival data was not available for most of our patients.
Dose-dependent regulation of target gene expression and cell proliferation by c-Myc levels

The proto-oncogene c-myc encodes a basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper transcription factor (c-Myc). c-Myc plays a crucial role in cell growth and proliferation. Here, we examined how expression of c-Myc target genes and cell proliferation depend on variation of c-Myc protein levels. We show that proliferation rates, the number of cells in S-phase, and cell size increased in a dose-dependent manner in response to increasing c-Myc levels. Likewise, the mRNA levels of c-Myc responsive genes steadily increased with rising c-Myc levels. Strikingly, steady-state mRNA levels of c-Myc target genes did not saturate even at highest c-Myc concentrations. These characteristics predestine c-Myc levels as a cellular rheostat for the control and fine-tuning of cell proliferation and growth rates.
Moving Relays in Heterogeneous Cellular Networks—A Coverage Performance Analysis

A large number of today's cellular users are vehicular, i.e., traveling in public transports. To improve the weak received signal of vehicular users and to mitigate vehicle penetration loss, researchers have recently proposed the use of moving relays (MRs). People in vehicles can use these MRs that are mounted on top of public transports for better communication. Recent research on MRs, however, is mainly limited to providing performance analysis of vehicular users. The effect of these relays on current heterogeneous cellular networks has yet to be studied. In this paper, we develop a system model for a downlink heterogeneous cellular network, which includes MRs. We derive the coverage probability of macro users, vehicular users, and the overall network. We also show that, in addition to providing better coverage to vehicular users, MRs can also enhance coverage of nonvehicular boundary users with the help of cooperative communication.
Software model checking for distributed systems with selector-based, non-blocking communication

Many modern software systems are implemented as client/server architectures, where a server handles multiple clients concurrently. Testing does not cover the outcomes of all possible thread and communication schedules reliably. Software model checking, on the other hand, covers all possible outcomes but is often limited to subsets of commonly used protocols and libraries. Earlier work in cache-based software model checking handles implementations using socket-based TCP/IP networking, with one thread per client connection using blocking input/output. Recently, servers using non-blocking, selector-based input/output have become prevalent. This paper describes our work extending the Java PathFinder extension net-iocache to such software, and the application of our tool to modern server software.
On comparing and combining intra-speaker variability compensation and unsupervised model adaptation in speaker verification

In this paper an unsupervised intra-speaker variability compensation method, ISVC, and unsupervised model adaptation are tested to address the problem of limited enrolling data in text-dependent speaker verification. In contrast to model adaptation methods, ISVC is memoryless with respect to previous verification attempts. As shown here, unsupervised model adaptation can lead to substantial improvements in EER but is highly dependent on the sequence of client/impostor verification events. In adverse scenarios, unsupervised model adaptation might even provide reductions in verification accuracy when compared with the baseline system. In those cases, ISVC may outperform adaptation schemes. It is worth emphasizing that ISVC and unsupervised model adaptation are compatible and the combination of both methods always improves the performance of model adaptation. The combination of both schemes can lead to improvements in EER as high as 34%.
A study on region-based recognition of 3D faces with expression variations

In this paper, we propose the application of masks as a means to mitigate expression-distortions on 3D faces and to enhance their recognition performance. Masking becomes necessary to de-emphasize the face regions that deform under expression. We have conducted experiments with various masks, namely, ellipse-shaped binary masks, Gaussian, super-Gaussian and raised-cosine masks. The design issues of the masks, such as the mask size, the centre, the support region, the decay rate of the tails, etc. are studied and adjusted with respect to their recognition performances. We show first that warping the depth values of corresponding face points onto the same spatial coordinates while obtaining the 2D depth images is beneficial, and second, that proper masking can add several percentage points to the recognition performance.
Dynamic Protocol Recovery

Dynamic protocol recovery tries to recover a component's sequencing constraints by means of dynamic analysis. This problem has been tackled by several automaton learning approaches in the past. These approaches are based on the sequence of component method invocations only. We introduce a new dynamic protocol recovery technique based on object process graphs. These graphs contain information about loops and the context in which methods are being called. We describe the transformation of a set of these graphs to a protocol automaton. The additional input, compared to the sole sequence of method calls, results in a more detailed protocol. In a case study, we compare the resulting protocol automata of our approach to those of several existing automaton learning approaches.
SENSEI: Software evolution service integration

Software evolution tools mostly implement a single technique to assist in achieving a specific objective. Overhauling, renovating, or migrating large and complex legacy software systems require the proper combination of several different techniques appropriate for each subtask. Since few tools are built for interoperability, the setup of a toolchain supporting a given software evolution process is an elaborate, time-consuming, error-prone, and redundant endeavor, which yields brittle and inflexible toolchains with little to no reusability. This paper presents SENSEI, an approach to enable the implementation of an integration framework for software evolution tools using component-based, service-oriented, and model-driven methods, to ease toolchain creation and enable agile execution of software evolution projects. It will be evaluated by implementing and using it to build the toolchains supporting two software evolution projects, and having practitioners assess its usefulness.
Effective AL-FEC with LDGM for interactive video over DSL

Interactive video, due to the need to maintain synchronization, has strict latency requirements. Video streaming to residential users is also constrained by the error bursts that are a feature of Digital Subscriber Link (DSL) access. This paper examines the video response to unlicensed Low-Density Generator Matrix (LDGM) channel codes that combine reduced computational latency and small block sizes with reasonable recovery properties. The paper demonstrates that up to 4 dB gain in video quality is achievable with LDGM Forward Error Correction (FEC) at the Application Layer (AL).
Interleukin-6 Induced “Acute” Phenotypic Microenvironment Promotes Th1 Anti-Tumor Immunity in Cryo-Thermal Therapy Revealed By Shotgun and Parallel Reaction Monitoring Proteomics

Cryo-thermal therapy has been emerged as a promising novel therapeutic strategy for advanced breast cancer, triggering higher incidence of tumor regression and enhanced remission of metastasis than routine treatments. To better understand its anti-tumor mechanism, we utilized a spontaneous metastatic mouse model and quantitative proteomics to compare N-glycoproteome changes in 94 serum samples with and without treatment. We quantified 231 highly confident N-glycosylated proteins using iTRAQ shotgun proteomics. Among them, 53 showed significantly discriminated regulatory patterns over the time course, in which the acute phase response emerged as the most enhanced pathway. The anti-tumor feature of the acute response was further investigated using parallel reaction monitoring target proteomics and flow cytometry on 23 of the 53 significant proteins. We found that cryo-thermal therapy reset the tumor chronic inflammation to an “acute” phenotype, with up-regulation of acute phase proteins including IL-6 as a key regulator. The IL-6 mediated “acute” phenotype transformed IL-4 and Treg-promoting ICOSL expression to Th1-promoting IFN-γ and IL-12 production, augmented complement system activation and CD86+MHCII+ dendritic cells maturation and enhanced the proliferation of Th1 memory cells. In addition, we found an increased production of tumor progression and metastatic inhibitory proteins under such “acute” environment, favoring the anti-metastatic effect. Moreover, cryo-thermal on tumors induced the strongest “acute” response compared to cryo/hyperthermia alone or cryo-thermal on healthy tissues, accompanying by the most pronounced anti-tumor immunological effect. In summary, we demonstrated that cryo-thermal therapy induced, IL-6 mediated “acute” microenvironment shifted the tumor chronic microenvironment from Th2 immunosuppressive and pro-tumorigenic to Th1 immunostimulatory and tumoricidal state. Moreover, the magnitude of “acute” and “danger” signals play a key role in determining the efficacy of anti-tumor activity.
Implementation of new medical techniques: Experience from the Swedish randomized controlled trial on fetal ECG during labor

Background. In a large Swedish multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) on intra partum fetal monitoring with automatic analysis of fetal ECG waveform (STAN) in combination with cardiotocography (CTG) (4966 parturients, 300 obstetricians and midwives managing the patients), interim analysis revealed protocol violations. By a post hoc analysis of the results over time, factors affecting the acceptance of the new technique were analyzed. Methods. The rates of primary and secondary outcome measures (fetal outcome, operative deliveries) were compared in the two study groups (CTG + ST and CTG only). Changes over time were statistically evaluated using a test for homogeneity between the two periods. Results. After retraining, the CTG + ST group showed the lowest rates of operative delivery for fetal distress, fetal blood sampling and admissions to neonatal intensive care unit. Operative deliveries (p = 0.02) and the number of fetal blood sampling decreased significantly over time (p = 0.001). Conclusions. Training and education probably predisposed the clinicians to a change and reinforced it when it occurred as a result of increased personal experience. The audit and feedback together with the influence of opinion leaders and inter-collegial interactions seem to have been of importance for the successively increasing acceptance of the new method during the RCT.
HEREDITARY ATAXIA, PHOTOMYOCLONUS, SKELETAL DEFORMITIES AND LIPOMA

An account is given of a form of hereditary, cerebellar ataxia and photomyoclonus. Eight cases from 5 generations were affected. The disease seemed to be transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait. The age at onset usually varied between 35 to 40 years. The symptoms and signs consisted of a cerebellar ataxia, dysarthria and intention tremor. There was no nystagmus. All patients exhibited photomyoclonus and were extremely sensitive to photic stimuli. Other signs were dementia, kyphosis, pes cavus and lipoma localized in the nape of the neck, shoulders and back. Two patients had a partial syndrome with photomyoclonus and skeletal deformities. None of the patients suffered from epilepsy. In one case, histopathological examinations revealed atrophy within the cerebellar cortex, dentate nucleus and the posterior columns of the spinal cord. It is concluded that this syndrome belongs to a group of hereditary ataxias and myoclonus, and differs from myoclonic cerebellar dyssynergia (Ramsay Hunt) and also from a variety of familial myoclonus and ataxia (Gilbert et al. 1963).
Wogonin inhibits multiple myeloma-stimulated angiogenesis via c-Myc/VHL/HIF-1α signaling axis

Angiogenesis is associated with the progression of multiple myeloma (MM). Wogonin is an active mono-flavonoid with remarkable antitumor activity. However, its impact on MM-stimulated angiogenesis remains largely unknown. Here, we demonstrated that wogonin decreased expression and secretion of pro-angiogenic factors in MM cells via c-Myc/HIF-1α signaling axis, reducing MM-stimulated angiogenesis and MM cell proliferation in vivo. Overexpression of c-Myc in MM cells disrupted the balance between VHL SUMOylation and ubiquitination, and thus inhibited proteasome-mediated HIF-1α degradation. Impaired function of VHL ubiquitination complex in c-Myc-overexpressing cells was fully reversed by wogonin treatment via increasing HIF-1α-VHL interaction and promoting HIF-1α degradation. Collectively, our in vitro and in vivo studies reveal for the first time that wogonin represses MM-stimulated angiogenesis and tumor progression via c-Myc/VHL/HIF-1α signaling axis.
A Comparison of Two Fitting Functions for Sacadic Pulse Component Mathematical Modelling

An accepted model for the saccade signal of ocular motor neurons comprises two components in the form of a pulse and a step. In this contribution, an assessment of two fitting functions for the saccadic pulse component is made, in order to obtain a reduced set of descriptors that could be used for the early diagnosis of ataxia. Results show that both models have achieved to describe the waveform of the saccadic pulse signal, revealing higher performance of Gauss series over the gamma function.
Is high-resolution ultrasonography suitable for the detection of temporomandibular joint involvement in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis?

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to determine the potential of high-resolution ultrasonography for the detection of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) changes in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). METHODS We investigated prospectively 20 children (17 female and 3 male; mean age 11.06 years, standard deviation 3.43 years) with TMJ disorders caused by JIA, over a period of 16 months. Using a 12 MHz array transducer, four images in each TMJ (160 images) were acquired. Each image was analysed with regard to five different aspects (condylar erosion, thickness of the condylar disc, synovial thickness, joint effusion and enlargement of the intra-articular space). RESULTS Diagnosis of JIA was ensured for every child and involvement of the TMJ was proven by MRI. Overall 287 changes (35.9%) were detected by using high-resolution ultrasonography. On 124 images (77.5%) condylar erosions were diagnosed; on 55 images (34.4%) synovial thickness was abnormal; on 48 images (30%) we could see higher thickness of the condylar disc; on 40 images (25%) irregularities of the bony surface were detected; and on 20 images (12.5%) we found joint effusion. CONCLUSION High-resolution ultrasonography could be a sufficient diagnostic method, especially for the detection of condylar involvement in children with JIA, even if not all parts of the TMJ are visible for ultrasonography. High-resolution ultrasonography is a valuable tool in particular situations: (i) when MRI examination is not available; (ii) when children fear MRI examination; (iii) in more advanced stages of JIA; and (iv) for monitoring the progression of TMJ involvement and response of therapy.
Understanding eye movements in face recognition with hidden Markov model

In this paper we propose a hidden Markov model (HMM)- based method to analyze eye movement data. We conducted a simple face recognition task and recorded eye movements and performance of the participants. We used a variational Bayesian framework for Gaussian mixture models to estimate the distribution of fixation locations and modeled the fixation and transition data using HMMs. We showed that using HMMs, we can describe individuals’ eye movement strategies with both fixation locations and transition probabilities. By clustering these HMMs, we found that the strategies can be categorized into two subgroups; one was more holistic and the other was more analytical. Furthermore, we found that correct and wrong recognitions were associated with distinctive eye movement strategies. The difference between these strategies lied in their transition probabilities.
Droplet manipulation and microparticle sampling on perforated microfilter membranes

This paper describes droplet manipulation and microparticle sampling where droplets driven by the electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) principle are transported on perforated microfilter membranes and pick up microparticles in their path. Three designs of microfilter membranes that have different hole shapes (rounded rectangle versus circle holes), sizes (⩾6 µm) and opening area ratios (5, 9 and 20%) are microfabricated and tested along with a commercial membrane (rounded rectangle holes of 60 µm × 128 µm, 17% opening area ratio). All the tested perforated membranes are embedded with a linear array of electrodes for EWOD actuation. Reversible EWOD actuations and droplet transportations are successfully achieved on the perforated filter membranes. Particle sampling is examined against glass particles (8 µm diameter and ∼14° contact angle) and polystyrene particles (8 µm diameter and ∼66° contact angle). It is demonstrated that as droplets are moved on the microfilter surfaces by EWOD actuation, they efficiently pick up the microparticles in their path, showing high sampling efficiencies: over 95% for the glass particles and over 85% for the polystyrene particles. This particle sampling method uses a small liquid volume (microliters or smaller) and has the capability of fully automatic handling. Thus, it is expected to be highly compatible and easily integrated with lab-on-a-chip systems for follow-up biological and chemical analyses.
Backdoors in Planning and Scheduling Problems

A backdoor is a set of assignments to a problem that yield the rest of the problem polynomially determinable. Backdoors have been shown to have interesting relationships with problem hardness, backbones and other properties. We show deeper insight into the relationship between back-doors and backbones than has previously been shown. The effect of no-good clause learning on backdoors is also discussed. The aim of this work is to ﬁnd ways to exploit backdoors to solve problems more efﬁciently.
Undetermined Convolutive Blind Source Separation

This paper presents a blind source separation process for convolutive mixtures of audio sources. Here undetermined condition that is few microphones than sources has been considered as a mixing model. By an expectation– maximization (EM) algorithm the separation operation is performed in the frequency domain. The T-F masking separation is made use which is a powerful approach for the separation of underdetermined mixtures, especially for the separation of single-channel mixtures. Even under reverberant conditions the process enables to attain a good separation. From the experimental results, separated signals SDR values of speech mixtures is obtained in the range of 7.5dB while for music mixtures in the range of 2.9dB. It can be concluded from these values that separation of speech mixtures is better than music mixtures. General Terms Blind Source Separation, Convolutive mixing
Biotic and Abiotic Soil Properties Influence Survival of Listeria monocytogenes in Soil

Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne pathogen responsible for the potentially fatal disease listeriosis and terrestrial ecosystems have been hypothesized to be its natural reservoir. Therefore, identifying the key edaphic factors that influence its survival in soil is critical. We measured the survival of L. monocytogenes in a set of 100 soil samples belonging to the French Soil Quality Monitoring Network. This soil collection is meant to be representative of the pedology and land use of the whole French territory. The population of L. monocytogenes in inoculated microcosms was enumerated by plate count after 7, 14 and 84 days of incubation. Analysis of survival profiles showed that L. monocytogenes was able to survive up to 84 days in 71% of the soils tested, in the other soils (29%) only a short-term survival (up to 7 to 14 days) was observed. Using variance partitioning techniques, we showed that about 65% of the short-term survival ratio of L. monocytogenes in soils was explained by the soil chemical properties, amongst which the basic cation saturation ratio seems to be the main driver. On the other hand, while explaining a lower amount of survival ratio variance (11%), soil texture and especially clay content was the main driver of long-term survival of L. monocytogenes in soils. In order to assess the effect of the endogenous soils microbiota on L. monocytogenes survival, sterilized versus non-sterilized soils microcosms were compared in a subset of 9 soils. We found that the endogenous soil microbiota could limit L. monocytogenes survival especially when soil pH was greater than 7, whereas in acidic soils, survival ratios in sterilized and unsterilized microcosms were not statistically different. These results point out the critical role played by both the endogenous microbiota and the soil physic-chemical properties in determining the survival of L. monocytogenes in soils.