Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deterministic blind identification in antenna array processing

The estimation of directions of arrival is formulated as the decomposition of a 3-way array into a sum of rank-one terms. However, a low-rank tensor approximation does not always exist. We propose an optimization technique based on differentiable angular constraints on the factors, ensuring the existence of the low-rank tensor decomposition. The efficiency of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated via numerical simulations, and compared to Cramér-Rao bounds.
Dynamic analysis of a single link flexible manipulator using Lagrangian-assumed modes approach

In the present work, a dynamic model of a single link flexible manipulator is obtained using the Lagrangian-assumed modes method. Two equations are obtained which need to be recursively solved. First equation gives the relationship between the joint torque and the joint variable. The second equation is a differential equation that is used to find out the elastic displacement of the link. This differential equation is different from the standard Euler-Bernoulli beam equation and is non-linear. The effect of joint variable on the elastic displacement is considered. An analytical approach is given to obtain the solution of the differential equation. The response of the single link flexible manipulator system is obtained under a step torque input. Validation of the mathematical model is also done.
Understanding and Exploiting Object Interaction Landscapes

Interactions play a key role in understanding objects and scenes for both virtual and real-world agents. We introduce a new general representation for proximal interactions among physical objects that is agnostic to the type of objects or interaction involved. The representation is based on tracking particles on one of the participating objects and then observing them with sensors appropriately placed in the interaction volume or on the interaction surfaces. We show how to factorize these interaction descriptors and project them into a particular participating object so as to obtain a new functional descriptor for that object, its interaction landscape, capturing its observed use in a spatiotemporal framework. Interaction landscapes are independent of the particular interaction and capture subtle dynamic effects in how objects move and behave when in functional use. Our method relates objects based on their function, establishes correspondences between shapes based on functional key points and regions, and retrieves peer and partner objects with respect to an interaction.
Sex Effects on Smoking Cue Perception in Non-Smokers, Smokers, and Ex-Smokers: A Pilot Study

Introduction Recent neuroimaging research suggests sex-related brain differences in smoking addiction. In the present pilot study, we assessed gender-related differences in brain activation in response to cigarette-related video cues, investigating non-smokers, smokers, and ex-smokers. Methods First, we compared 29 females (28.6 ± 5.3) vs. 23 males (31.5 ± 6.4), regardless of current smoking status to assess global gender-related effects. Second, we performed a post hoc analysis of non-smokers (9 females and 8 males), smokers (10 females and 8 males), and ex-smokers (10 females and 7 males). Participants performed a block-design functional magnetic resonance imaging paradigm contrasting smoking with control cue video exposures. Data analyses included task-related general linear model, voxel-based morphometry of gray matter (GM), and tract-based spatial statistics of white matter (WM). Results First, the global effect regardless of current smoking status revealed higher activation in the bilateral superior frontal gyrus and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) for females compared to males. Second, the analysis according to current smoking status demonstrated higher activation in female vs. male smokers vs. non-smokers in the superior frontal gyrus, anterior and posterior cingulate cortex, and precuneus, and higher activation in female vs. male ex-smokers vs. non-smokers in the right precentral gyrus, in the right insula and ACC. No structural differences were found in GM or WM. Conclusion The current study identifies gender-related brain functional differences in smokers and ex-smokers compared to non-smokers. The current work can be considered as a starting point for future investigations into gender differences in brain responses to cigarette-related cues.
Digital Eversion of a Hollow Structure: An Application in Virtual Colonography

A new methodology is presented for digital eversion of a hollow structure. The digital eversion is advantageous for better visualization of a larger portion of the inner surface with preservation of geometric relationship and without time-consuming navigation. Together with other techniques, digital eversion may help improve screening, diagnosis, surgical planning, and medical education. Two eversion algorithms are proposed and evaluated in numerical simulation to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach.
Annexin B1 from Taenia solium metacestodes is a newly characterized member of the annexin family

Abstract We previously reported cloning of the Taenia solium annexin B1 gene from a metacestode cDNA expression library and demonstrated that it acts as a protective antigen for effective vaccine development against cysticercosis. In the present study we produced recombinant annexin B1 and antiserum against the protein to investigate its structural and functional properties. Western blotting of metacestode fractions indicated that T. solium annexin B1, similar to vertebrate annexins, associates with acid phospholipids in the presence of Ca2+. This property was confirmed by the recognition of apoptotic cells by labeled annexin B1. CD spectroscopy results demonstrated that α-helices are the main secondary structures of the protein. Ca2+ binding increases the α-helix content and causes significant thermal stabilization with a melting temperature increase of approximately 10°C. Functional Ca2+-dependent phospholipid binding sites of annexin B1 were investigated using mutant proteins. By changing a conserved acidic amino acid residue that putatively combines Ca2+ in each domain of annexin B1 singly or in combination, we found that Ca2+ binding in the first domain is more important than that at the other Ca2+ binding sites. Annexin B1 is a metacestode stage-specific antigen, with the protein being mainly localized in the teguments and surrounding cyst wall of T. solium metacestodes, suggesting a role in the parasite-host interaction.
Communication-Aware Supernode Shape

In this paper we revisit the supernode-shape selection problem, that has been widely discussed in bibliography. In general, the selection of the supernode transformation greatly affects the parallel execution time of the transformed algorithm. Since the minimization of the overall parallel execution time via an appropriate supernode transformation is very difficult to accomplish, researchers have focused on scheduling-aware supernode transformations that maximize parallelism during the execution. In this paper we argue that the communication volume of the transformed algorithm is an important criterion, and its minimization should be given high priority. For this reason we define the metric of the per process communication volume and propose a method to minimize this metric by selecting a communication-aware supernode shape. Our approach is equivalent to defining a proper Cartesian process grid with MPI_Cart_Create, which means that it can be incorporated in applications in a straightforward manner. Our experimental results illustrate that by selecting the tile shape with the proposed method, the total parallel execution time is significantly reduced due to the minimization of the communication volume, despite the fact that a few more parallel execution steps are required.
Development of bi- and multicomponent fibres for tissue engineering by electrospinning

This project investigated the possibility of tailoring the crystallinity of electrospun fibres (crystallinity studies), and the electrospinning of bi- and multicomponent scaffolds of PLLA. During the crystallinity studies, the effects of various electrospinning process parameters on the crystallinity of electrospun poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) fibres were investigated. It was observed that the electrospun fibres had crystallinities between 23 and 46% while that for the as-received granule was 37%, suggesting that the crystallinity of electrospun fibres can be controlled by optimizing the electrospinning process. These results showed that the degree of crystallinity of the electrospun fibres decreased with increasing the polymer solution concentration. Furthermore, an optimum electrospinning voltage at which the maximum degree of crystallinity can be obtained was observed. Finally, bi-component scaffolds based on PLLA and gelatin were electrospun. Multicomponent scaffolds based on PLLA, gelatin and hydroxyapatite (HA) were electrospun followed by electrospraying of the HA phase. Blending gelatin with PLLA resulted in an approximate 50% decrease in fibre diameter. Biocompatibility studies revealed that all scaffolds permitted cell attachment with best results observed on the PLLAGel-HA scaffolds. This was attributed to the exposed HA particles on the surface of the PLLAGel-HA scaffolds which promoted better binding with integrins for osteoconductivity.
A Nonlinear Dynamic Approach Reveals a Long-Term Stroke Effect on Cerebral Blood Flow Regulation at Multiple Time Scales

Cerebral autoregulation (CA) is an important vascular control mechanism responsible for relatively stable cerebral blood flow despite changes of systemic blood pressure (BP). Impaired CA may leave brain tissue unprotected against potentially harmful effects of BP fluctuations. It is generally accepted that CA is less effective or even inactive at frequencies >∼0.1 Hz. Without any physiological foundation, this concept is based on studies that quantified the coupling between BP and cerebral blood flow velocity (BFV) using transfer function analysis. This traditional analysis assumes stationary oscillations with constant amplitude and period, and may be unreliable or even invalid for analysis of nonstationary BP and BFV signals. In this study we propose a novel computational tool for CA assessment that is based on nonlinear dynamic theory without the assumption of stationary signals. Using this method, we studied BP and BFV recordings collected from 39 patients with chronic ischemic infarctions and 40 age-matched non-stroke subjects during baseline resting conditions. The active CA function in non-stroke subjects was associated with an advanced phase in BFV oscillations compared to BP oscillations at frequencies from ∼0.02 to 0.38 Hz. The phase shift was reduced in stroke patients even at > = 6 months after stroke, and the reduction was consistent at all tested frequencies and in both stroke and non-stroke hemispheres. These results provide strong evidence that CA may be active in a much wider frequency region than previously believed and that the altered multiscale CA in different vascular territories following stroke may have important clinical implications for post-stroke recovery. Moreover, the stroke effects on multiscale cerebral blood flow regulation could not be detected by transfer function analysis, suggesting that nonlinear approaches without the assumption of stationarity are more sensitive for the assessment of the coupling of nonstationary physiological signals.
Genomic events contributing to the high prevalence of amantadine-resistant influenza A/H3N2

Background The prevalence of amantadine-resistant influenza A/H3N2 viruses (belonging to the N-lineage), possessing an S31N mutation in the M2 protein and S193F and D225N substitutions in their HA1 subunit, has significantly increased worldwide since 2005. The aim of this study was to clarify the genomic events contributing to the evolution and continuity of the N-lineage amantadine-resistant viruses. Methods The full genome sequence of A/H3N2 isolates, including both amantadine-resistant and amantadine-sensitive viruses, collected in Japan between 2006 and 2008, was determined and phylogenetically compared with isolates obtained from the database. Results On the basis of the full genome sequence analysis, the N-lineage could be further divided into three genetically related clades: N1 (A/Wisconsin/67/2005-like amantadine-resistant viruses from years 2005–2007), N2 (amantadine-sensitive viruses from 2007) and N3 (A/Brisbane/10/2007-like amantadine-resistant viruses from 2007 and 2008). The 2006/2007 season showed cocirculation of antigenic variants of amantadine-resistant viruses of clades N1 and N3 in addition to the N2-sensitive viruses. In the 2007/2008 season, the clade N3 amantadine-resistant lineage dominated and replaced other strains. Phylogenetic analysis of each individual segment suggested that N2 and N3 were generated from two independent reassortment events involving clade N1 viruses and pre-N- lineage strains. Conclusions Our data show that several reassortment events have contributed to the evolution of amantadine-resistant A/H3N2 strains and, consequently, to the successful spread of this lineage. Although amantadine resistance is caused by single amino acid mutations in the M2 protein, genome-wide adjustment involving multiple genes appears to be necessary to obtain efficient replication and transmission of resistant viruses. Such adjustments are attainable through reassortment of segments among different virus lineages.
Towards simulation of organizational norms

Unlike social norms, which are the unplanned, unexpected result of the interactions among human individuals, organizational norms are stipulated by the organization with the purpose of constraining the behavior of organizational actors in the context of business processes. We propose a simple conceptual model of organizations and organizational norms as an extension of the metamodel of the Agent-Object-Relationship (AOR) simulation language. In our approach an organization is modeled as an institutional agent with organizational units and human actors as subagents that participate in business processes involving other agents, which are possibly affiliated with other organizations. For simplicity, we consider only the most basic form of behavior, which is reactive behavior described in the form of reaction rules, and the most basic types of organizational norms, which are rights and duties defined for organizational positions and roles.
An Application of the Aumann-Shapley Prices for Cost Allocation in Transportation Problems

The Aumann-Shapley A-S prices are axiomatically determined on certain classes of piecewise continuously differentiable cost functions. One of these classes consists of all cost functions derived from the transportation problems and some of their generalizations. These prices are used here to allocate costs among destinations in a way that each destination will pay its “real part” in the total transportation costs. An economic transportation model is presented in which the A-S prices are compatible with consumer demands. Finally an algorithm is provided to calculate both the optimal solution and the associated A-S prices for transportation problems.
Colloidal optical waveguides with integrated local light sources built by capillary force assembly

Colloidal waveguide fabrication based on the convective assisted capillary force assembly technique and their optical properties is presented in this work. A large variety in shape of colloidal waveguides is built with their own integrated local light sources. It is highlighted that these structures exhibit propagation of the visible light at the micrometric scale. Finally, the onset of the integration of a colloidal emitter on a classical photonic system is developed using a stamping method.
STRATEGIES FOR THE HIJIORI LONG TERM FLOW TEST

This paper describes analyses being performed to aid in the development of operation strategies for the Long Term Flow Test at the Hijiori Hot Dry Rock reservoir, Japan. Testing has shown that the reservoir is dominated by flow in natural fractures that connect the reservoir to the far-field. When the injection flow is doubled, the production flow rate stays approximately constant. Also, during operation, the production downhole pressures are sub-hydrostatic. The challenge is to design an operating strategy that provides adequate production within these constraints. GEOCRACK is being used to predict reservoir performance and guide in the design. HIJIORI TEST DATA -15w West I
Electrospun fibers containing cationic quaternary ammonium derivatives with antibacterial activity: Electrospun quaternized polysulfone fibers with antimicrobial activity

Solutions processable of cationic ionomers have received widespread attention for their promising roles as exchange membranes, antibacterial coatings, and dialysis membranes. Therefore, the solutions of the polysulfone ionomers, with a tunable density of quaternary ammonium functional groups, were processed by electrospinning to create new fibrous materials that can modulate membrane properties. The relationship between processable solution properties and morphological aspects was assessed. Thus, results have shown that the morphology of fibers formed, with different forms and dimensions, could be attributed to the combined effects of the polymer solutions concentration, thermodynamic quality of the used solvents, and implicitly, the cumulative effects of electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding or association phenomena. The antibacterial activity of PSFQ fibers against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria has indicated potential for biomedical use.
Evidence That Processes Other Than Gluconeogenesis May Influence the Ratio of Deuterium on the Fifth and Third Carbons of Glucose

OBJECTIVE—The deuterated water method uses the ratio of deuterium on carbons 5 and 2 (C5/C2) or 3 and 2 (C3/C2) to estimate the fraction of glucose derived from gluconeogenesis. The current studies determined whether C3 and C5 glucose enrichment is influenced by processes other than gluconeogenesis. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Six nondiabetic subjects were infused with [3,5-2H2]glucose and insulin while glucose was clamped at ∼5 mmol/l; the C5-to-C3 ratio was measured in the in UDP-glucose pool using nuclear magnetic resonance and the acetaminophen glucuronide method. RESULTS—Whereas the C5-to-C3 ratio of the infusate was 1.07, the ratio in UDP-glucose was <1.0 in all subjects both before (0.75 ± 0.07) and during (0.67 ± 0.05) the insulin infusion. CONCLUSIONS—These data indicate that the deuterium on C5 of glucose is lost more rapidly relative to the deuterium on C3. The decrease in the C5-to-C3 ratio could result from exchange of the lower three carbons of fructose-6-phosphate with unlabeled three-carbon precursors via the transaldolase reaction and/or selective retention of the C3 deuterium at the level of triosephosphate isomerase due to a kinetic isotope effect. After ingestion of 2H2O, these processes would increase the enrichment of C5 and decrease the enrichment of C3, respectively, with the former causing an overestimation of gluconeogenesis using the C2-to-C5 ratio and the latter an underestimation using the C3-to-C2 ratio. Future studies will be required to determine whether the impact of these processes on the measurement of gluconeogenesis differs among the disease states being evaluated (e.g., diabetes or obesity).
THE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH RESEARCH PROGRAM FINAL REPORT : ASSESSMENT OF SEASONAL AND RACIAL VARIATION IN VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY OF NEWBORNS AND THEIR MOTHERS

A. Nature of the research problem Adequate vitamin D is essential for normal human growth and development; insufficient vitamin D compromises long term health, and increases the risk of chronic disease. In recent years, reports in the medical literature have indicated that vitamin D deficiency in the US is widespread and rising. In humans, vitamin D is derived primarily through the effect of solar ultraviolet light B radiation on 7-dehydrocholesterol in skin. Vitamin D can also be obtained from oily fish, eggs, and fortified foods like milk.
Swiprosin-1 Is a Novel Actin Bundling Protein That Regulates Cell Spreading and Migration

Protein functions are often revealed by their localization to specialized cellular sites. Recent reports demonstrated that swiprosin-1 is found together with actin and actin-binding proteins in the cytoskeleton fraction of human mast cells and NK-like cells. However, direct evidence of whether swiprosin-1 regulates actin dynamics is currently lacking. We found that swiprosin-1 localizes to microvilli-like membrane protrusions and lamellipodia and exhibits actin-binding activity. Overexpression of swiprosin-1 enhanced lamellipodia formation and cell spreading. In contrast, swiprosin-1 knockdown showed reduced cell spreading and migration. Swiprosin-1 induced actin bundling in the presence of Ca2+, and deletion of the EF-hand motifs partially reduced bundling activity. Swiprosin-1 dimerized in the presence of Ca2+ via its coiled-coil domain, and a lysine (Lys)-rich region in the coiled-coil domain was essential for regulation of actin bundling. Consistent with these observations, mutations of the EF-hand motifs and coiled-coil region significantly reduced cell spreading and lamellipodia formation. We provide new evidence of how swiprosin-1 influences cytoskeleton reorganization and cell spreading.
A proxy-assisted adaptation framework for object video multicasting

Video multicast is a challenging problem due to the heterogeneous and best-effort nature of the Internet. In this paper, we present a novel video multicast framework that exploits the potential of object scalability offered by MPEG-4. Specifically, we introduce the concept of object transmission proxy (OTP), which filters incoming streams using object-based bandwidth adaptation to meet dynamic network conditions. Multiple OPTs can form an overlay network that interconnects diverse multicast islands with semi-uniform demands within each single island. We concur with the wisdom that an application best knows the utility of its data. Hence, the bandwidth-adaptation algorithm for the OTPs adaptively allocates bandwidth among video objects according to their respective utilities and then performs application-level filtering based on an effective stream classification and packetization scheme. Extensive simulation results demonstrate that our framework has substantial performance improvement over conventional bandwidth-adaptation schemes. It is particularly suitable for object-based video multicasting where the objects are of different importance.
Events Extraction and Aggregation for Open Source Intelligence: From Text to Knowledge

Due to the considerable increase of freely available data, the discovery of relevant information from textual content is a critical challenge. The work presented here takes part in ongoing researches to develop a global knowledge gathering system. It aims at building knowledge sheets summarizing all the pieces of information we know about events extracted from text. For this sake, we define a global process bringing together different methods and components from multiple domains of research.