Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Magic Potion: Incorporating New Development Paradigms through Metaprogramming

Software environments are typically based on a single programming paradigm, such as ontologies, functions, objects, or concurrency. This can limit what developers can represent and how elegant their solutions can be, so today's applications usually involve mixing and matching languages, platforms, and paradigms. However, cross-mapping multiple paradigms and platforms generates an impedance mismatch that increases a solution's complexity. Metaprogramming supports a lightweight process to incorporate different programming paradigms in a single development environment that's suitable for small development teams.
Abductive Plan Recognition and Diagnosis: A Comprehensive Empirical Evaluation

While it has been realized for quite some time within AI that abduction is a general model of explanation for a variety of tasks, there have been no empirical investigations into the practical feasibility of a general, logic-based abductive approach to explanation. In this paper we present extensive empirical results on applying a general abductive system, Ac-cel, to moderately complex problems in plan recognition and diagnosis. In plan recognition , Accel has been tested on 50 short narrative texts, inferring characters' plans from actions described in a text. In medical diagnosis , Accel has diagnosed 50 real-world patient cases involving brain damage due to stroke (previously addressed by set-covering methods). Accel also uses abduction to accomplish model-based diagnosis of logic circuits (a full adder) and continuous dynamic systems (a temperature controller and the water balance system of the human kidney). The results indicate that general purpose abduction is an eective and ecient mechanism for solving problems in plan recognition and diagnosis.
Snapshot query-based debugging

Object-oriented programs, when executed, produce a complex webs of objects and references between them, generally referred to as object graphs. These object graphs are difficult to design correctly and even more difficult to debug if incorrect. Unfortunately, very subtle bugs in object-oriented programs are directly caused by object graph topologies. Snapshot query-based debuggers let programmers examine object graph snapshots of programs in detail using a specially designed query language. This provides users with an ability to debug and examine their programs in great detail at the time when the memory snapshot is taken.
Modeling and control of DAB applied in a PV based DC microgrid

With the increasing penetration of renewable power sources and impending increase in the number of appliances that run on DC power, it makes a lot sense to develop DC microgrid and DC supply systems, especially in rural areas. This paper discusses the control and utilization of bi-directional DC-DC converter for DC micro grids, highlights the advantages of the topology for voltage control, and propose a unique load sharing strategy without using current sensor. A simple approach for small signal modeling and controller design of boost converter for PV application is also presented. The completely automated control for DC microgrids is verified by using MATLAB/ SIMULINK simulation.
Predictive Risk Factors for Refracture after Percutaneous Vertebroplasty

Objective To identify risk factors for developing a vertebral refracture after percutaneous vertebroplasty. Method A retrospective analysis of 60 patients who had undergone percutaneous vertebroplasty between January 2008 and April 2010 was conducted. All patients were observed for a 1 year follow-up period, and fracture was defined when it was both clinically reported and radiographically confirmed. Twenty-seven patients with a refractured vertebra and 33 patients without a refracture were included. Of the 60 patients, 20 presented with a refracture from a cemented vertebra, whereas the remaining 40 patients did not. Clinical, imaging and procedure-related factors for each group were analyzed by the Fisher's exact, chi-square, and the Mann-Whitney U-tests. Results Local kyphotic angle and sagittal index were significant as a result of researching various risk factors related to vertebral refracture (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively) and refracture from a cemented vertebra itself (p=0.004, p<0.001, respectively). Other factors were not significant. Conclusion Patients who had a high preoperative local kyphotic angle and a high sagittal index required a close follow-up and attention.
Virtual currency gets real

Virtual currency is what you use to pay for a virtual tractor for your virtual farm or for a healing elixir for your avatar. But the market for digital scrip is expanding, leading some to speculate that virtual currencies will one day grow so large that they'll have a big effect on real-world economies. Opinions are split about whether that will be a good thing or a bad thing.
Performance evaluation of MAC backoff algorithm in Narrowband PLC

This paper investigates the backoff algorithm for Narrowband Power Line Communications (PLC) Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol. Specifically, the paper considered the MAC designed by Yitran and implemented within its Differential Code Shift Keying (DCSK) technology. In this algorithm width of the contention window is calculated based on the estimated number of active nodes in the network. Further the performance of the algorithms were evaluated under different saturated throughput conditions and varying number of active nodes, in a fully meshed network. Comparison were also made between the simulated and the polynomial backoff algorithm's dynamic characteristics. Simulation results show that the algorithm under investigation has an excellent performance under the saturated throughput, although its dynamic characteristic can be further improved.
Comparative mapping of human chromosome 13 genes in the pig shows a similar gene arrangement

and Implications Previous comparative mapping between the human and pig genomes suggested complete conservation of human chromosome 13 (HSA13) to pig chromosome 11 (SSC11). The objectives of this study were comparative gene mapping of pig homologs of HSA13 genes and an examination of gene order within this conserved synteny group by physical assignment of each locus. A detailed HSA13 to SSC11 comparison was chosen since the comparative gene map is not well developed for these chromosomes and a rearranged gene order within conserved synteny groups was observed from the comparison between human chromosome 13 and bovine chromosome 12. Pig sequence tagged sites (STSs) for six HSA13 genes were developed and physically mapped using a somatic cell hybrid panel (SCHP) to SSC11 with 85Ð100% concordance. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) mapping also was applied to determine the gene order within each subchromosomal region. Results from this study increase the comparative information available on SSC11 and suggest the same gene order among examined loci on SSC11 and HSA13.
Thalidomide versus bortezomib based regimens as first‐line therapy for patients with multiple myeloma: A systematic review

Thalidomide (T) or bortezomib (B) in combination with melphalan plus prednisone (MP) is superior to MP as first line therapy for previously untreated myeloma. However, direct head‐to‐head comparison of Melphalan, Prednisone plus Bortezomib (MPB) versus Melphalan, Prednisone plus Thalidomide (MPT) is lacking. We performed an indirect meta‐analysis to assess the treatment effects of MPB versus MPT via common comparator MP using the systematic review and meta‐analytical techniques. A comprehensive literature search (MEDLINE and gray literature) was undertaken. Systematic review was performed as per the Cochrane Collaboration recommendations. Initial search yielded 1,013 citations, of which six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) enrolling 2,798 patients met the inclusion criteria. Comparison of MPT versus MP (five RCTs) showed no survival difference [hazard ratio (HR) 0.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64–1.05] but a statistically significant difference in event‐free survival favoring MPT (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.56–0.77) without excessive treatment‐related mortality [risk ratio (RR) 1.11, 95% CI 0.64–1.92]. Comparison of MPB vs. MP (one RCT) showed a statistically significant benefit for survival (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.51–0.84) and event‐free survival (HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.37–0.63) without difference in treatment‐related mortality (RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.11–1.63) with MPB. The indirect comparison of MPB versus MPT showed no difference between MPB versus MPT for all outcomes but a significant benefit for complete response (RR 2.34, 95% CI 1.12–4.90), and grade III/IV adverse events (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.38–0.73) favoring MPB. There is an uncertainty about definitive superiority of one type of regimen over the other. Therefore, direct head‐to‐head comparison between these competing regimens is warranted. Am. J. Hematol. , 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vitro screening for chemokine antagonists

Background: Chemokines play an important role in host defense coordinating the migration of immune cells. They do this by activating G-protein-coupled receptors and these proteins have attracted a huge investment in research and development by the pharmaceutical industry with the promise of new therapeutics for treating inflammatory diseases. Objective: Here, we provide a brief perspective of the in vitro assays that have been used in drug discovery for identifying potent and specific chemokine receptor antagonists. We outline the complexity of the chemokine system, give a historical perspective on the in vitro assays and types of assays used at different stages of discovery, followed by several examples of successes and failures in the clinic. Conclusion: We discuss the rationale for continuing, after several failures, targeting chemokine receptors and how screening may change with the increasing evidence of dimerization of chemokine receptors.
Terahertz polarizing beam splitter based on copper grating on polyimide substrate

A terahertz polarizing beam splitter, based on a copper grating on polyimide (PI) substrate, was fabricated by the way of laser induced and non-electrolytic plating. The good polarization characteristics of the splitter in the range of 0°-180°polarization are verified experimentally using backward wave oscillator at fixed frequency of 300GHz, and the insertion losses of 0.13dB and 0.32dB are measured for the transmitted and reflected beams, respectively. The broadband transmission of TM wave of the splitter was also measured by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, and the extinction ratio larger than 22dB is obtained in the frequency range of 0.2-1.5THz. The experiment results are in good agreement with finite element simulation results.
[Usefulness of color Doppler ultrasonography in diagnosis of retinal detachment].

PURPOSE Possibility of visualising the vessels within retinal detachment. MATERIAL AND METHOD Examinations were performed using "Color Doppler" and "Power Doppler" methods on 46 eyes with linear hyperechogenic lesions within vitreous body found in US B-mode examination. RESULTS The results show the possibilities of Doppler examination in visualising branches of the central retinal artery within the detached retina. The presence of vessels in the membranous proliferations was not found. CONCLUSION Color Doppler ultrasonography can be used in localising the position of retina, especially when proliferative lesions and detachment coexist.
Magnetic refrigeration: a promising new technology for energy saving

Magnetic refrigeration is an emerging, environment-friendly technology based on a magnetic solid that acts as a refrigerant by magnetocaloric effect. The reference cycle for magnetic refrigeration is AMR (Active Magnetic Regenerative refrigeration). In this paper, attention is directed towards the near-room-temperature range. We compare the energetic performance of a commercial R134a refrigeration plant to that of a magnetic refrigerator working with an AMR cycle. The comparison is carried out by means of a mathematical model. In these simulations, we consider different solid magnetic refrigerants, namely, Gd, Gd0.95Dy0. 05, Gd0.9Tb0. 1,Gd5Si2Ge2, MnAs0.9Sb0. 1, and MnAs0.95Sb0. 05. We compared two different geometries of the regenerator: a porous medium and a flat plate. In the former, the Coefficient of Performance (COP) of the AMR cycle is better than that of the vapour compression plant only in the low mass flow-rate range. Whereas in a flat plate regenerator, the COP of the AMR cycle is better than that of the vapour compression plant only in the high mass flow-rate range.
A Guideline to Family-Wide Comparative State-of-the-Art Quantitative RT-PCR Analysis Exemplified with a Brassicaceae Cross-Species Seed Germination Case Study[W][OA]

Developmental processes like seed germination are characterized by massive transcriptome changes. This study compares seed transcriptome data sets of different Brassicaceae to identify stable expressed reference genes for cross-species quantitative RT-PCR normalization. A workflow is presented for improving RNA quality, quantitative RT-PCR performance, and normalization when analyzing expression changes across species. Comparative biology includes the comparison of transcriptome and quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) data sets in a range of species to detect evolutionarily conserved and divergent processes. Transcript abundance analysis of target genes by qRT-PCR requires a highly accurate and robust workflow. This includes reference genes with high expression stability (i.e., low intersample transcript abundance variation) for correct target gene normalization. Cross-species qRT-PCR for proper comparative transcript quantification requires reference genes suitable for different species. We addressed this issue using tissue-specific transcriptome data sets of germinating Lepidium sativum seeds to identify new candidate reference genes. We investigated their expression stability in germinating seeds of L. sativum and Arabidopsis thaliana by qRT-PCR, combined with in silico analysis of Arabidopsis and Brassica napus microarray data sets. This revealed that reference gene expression stability is higher for a given developmental process between distinct species than for distinct developmental processes within a given single species. The identified superior cross-species reference genes may be used for family-wide comparative qRT-PCR analysis of Brassicaceae seed germination. Furthermore, using germinating seeds, we exemplify optimization of the qRT-PCR workflow for challenging tissues regarding RNA quality, transcript stability, and tissue abundance. Our work therefore can serve as a guideline for moving beyond Arabidopsis by establishing high-quality cross-species qRT-PCR.
Task priority grasping and locomotion control of modular robot

This paper presents modular robots for grasping manipulation with locomotion capability. At the beginning, a brief overview on hyper-redundant and modular grasping approach is given. The innovations of this research lie in two points. Firstly, different grasping modes are integrated based on modular approach. Then manipulation capability of robotic arms and flexible locomotion mobility of mobile robots are combined in our current project. Furthermore, the approach in the paper is not only considering manipulation and mobility in modular robots but also, the exploitation of a task priority based approach introduced to manage the trade-off between these two functionalities. Related kinematics of our approach is present systematically. A rational simulation is also given to confirm the idea. In the end a conclusion is given and future work is outlined.
Towards Visual Data Mining

ÐNever before in history has data been generated at such high volumes as it is today. Exploring and analyzing the vast volumes of data is becoming increasingly difficult. Information visualization and visual data mining can help to deal with the flood of information. The advantage of visual data exploration is that the user is directly involved in the data mining process. There are a large number of information visualization techniques which have been developed over the last decade to support the exploration of large data sets. In this paper, we propose a classification of information visualization and visual data mining techniques which is based on the data type to be visualized, the visualization technique, and the interaction and distortion technique. We exemplify the classification using a few examples, most of them referring to techniques and systems presented in this special section. Index TermsÐInformation visualization, visual data mining, visual data exploration, classification.
Studying the Global Spreading Influence and Local Connections of Users in Online Social Networks

In online social networks (OSNs), highly-connected users are generally more capable to trigger viral diffusion. However, recent research demonstrates that ordinary users who only have a few connections can also cause large-scale diffusion. In this paper, we study the relation between the global spreading influence and the local connections of users to theoretically explain this phenomenon. We focus on two fundamental but important measures of local connections: degree and assortativity. Degree counts the number of connections of individual users, assortativity measures the connection patterns between users. To measure the global spreading influence of users, we adopt k-shell which assigns a coreness ks to each user. We find that, coreness ks shows a power-law dependence on the average degree ‹dk› of users on shell ks: ks ∞ ‹dk›β, with 0.5
Optimal path planning for vehicles under navigation relayed by multiple stations

The navigation relayed by multiple stations (NRMS) is an advanced cooperative navigation technology which relies on multiple different stations to sequentially guide a vehicle to its destination. This paper addresses the optimal path planning problem for the vehicle navigated by the NRMS technology (OPP-V-NRMS) which is a challenging hierarchical mixed-variable constrained optimization problem involving two coupling levels. To solve OPP-V-NRMS, we present two decoupling methods: the accurate method and the approximation method. The accurate method performs path planning for all possible arrangements, which is accurate but time-consuming. The approximation method only selects a few arrangements for path planning, which achieves a better tradeoff between solution quality and computational cost. In both decoupling methods, a differential evolution based (DE-based) path planning algorithm is proposed for path planning. Comparative experiments show that both methods can find a feasible and high-quality path for the vehicle while the approximation method brings about much lower computational cost.
Concurrent Imaging of Synaptic Vesicle Recycling and Calcium Dynamics

Synaptic transmission involves the calcium dependent release of neurotransmitter from synaptic vesicles. Genetically encoded optical probes emitting different wavelengths of fluorescent light in response to neuronal activity offer a powerful approach to understand the spatial and temporal relationship of calcium dynamics to the release of neurotransmitter in defined neuronal populations. To simultaneously image synaptic vesicle recycling and changes in cytosolic calcium, we developed a red-shifted reporter of vesicle recycling based on a vesicular glutamate transporter, VGLUT1-mOrange2 (VGLUT1-mOr2), and a presynaptically localized green calcium indicator, synaptophysin-GCaMP3 (SyGCaMP3) with a large dynamic range. The fluorescence of VGLUT1-mOr2 is quenched by the low pH of synaptic vesicles. Exocytosis upon electrical stimulation exposes the luminal mOr2 to the neutral extracellular pH and relieves fluorescence quenching. Reacidification of the vesicle upon endocytosis again reduces fluorescence intensity. Changes in fluorescence intensity thus monitor synaptic vesicle exo- and endocytosis, as demonstrated previously for the green VGLUT1-pHluorin. To monitor changes in calcium, we fused the synaptic vesicle protein synaptophysin to the recently improved calcium indicator GCaMP3. SyGCaMP3 is targeted to presynaptic varicosities, and exhibits changes in fluorescence in response to electrical stimulation consistent with changes in calcium concentration. Using real time imaging of both reporters expressed in the same synapses, we determine the time course of changes in VGLUT1 recycling in relation to changes in presynaptic calcium concentration. Inhibition of P/Q- and N-type calcium channels reduces calcium levels, as well as the rate of synaptic vesicle exocytosis and the fraction of vesicles released.
Understanding the Continuous Use of Fitness Trackers: A Thematic Analysis

Abstract as diabetes, obesity and hypertension. Despite these health-related benefits, perceived costs such as privacy concerns play a crucial role for the persistent success of fitness trackers. To understand which factors influence the continuous use of fitness trackers and investigate the particular role of privacy concerns in this tension field, we conducted 16 semi-structured interviews. Based on a rigorous iterative thematic analysis, where we constantly match our codes with literature, we develop a thematic map that identifies three main user determinants (Perceived Benefit, Perceived Privacy and Perceived Deficiency) and 12 sub-themes. Our findings propose a new theoretical construct (Perceived Relativity), a newly detected tracking motive (Social Tracking) and provides the prerequisites for user agreements to health data collection. By this means, we enable researchers to uncover and visualize user perceptions concerning fitness trackers and provide practitioners with workable suggestions for ensuring their continuous use.
Online Adaptive Statistical Compressed Sensing of Gaussian Mixture Models

A framework of online adaptive statistical compressed sensing is introduced for signals following a mixture model. The scheme first uses non-adaptive measurements, from which an online decoding scheme estimates the model selection. As soon as a candidate model has been selected, an optimal sensing scheme for the selected model continues to apply. The final signal reconstruction is calculated from the ensemble of both the non-adaptive and the adaptive measurements. For signals generated from a Gaussian mixture model, the online adaptive sensing algorithm is given and its performance is analyzed. On both synthetic and real image data, the proposed adaptive scheme considerably reduces the average reconstruction error with respect to standard statistical compressed sensing that uses fully random measurements, at a marginally increased computational complexity.
An update on xylan synthesis.

Plant cell walls are complex structural frameworks that affect cell shape and differentiation, and that protect the plant cell against environmental conditions (Scheller and Ulvskov, 2010). One of the major components of the wall is the hemicellulosic polysaccharide xylan, which is composed of a linear β-(1,4)-linked D-xylosyl (Xyl) backbone with various sidebranches. The latter include α-(1,2)-linked glucuronic acid (GlcAs), or α-(1,2)-linked 4-O-methyl-glucuronic acid residues (MeGlcA), and α-arabinofuranose (Araf) depending on tissues and species (Faik, 2010).