Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Toward a unified routing framework for delay-tolerant networking

Routing in Delay-/Disruption-Tolerant Networking (DTN) has long been recognized as a challenging research topic. The difficulty lies in the fact that link intermittency and network partitioning, possibly coupled with long delays, prevent the use of Internet solutions based on an up-to-date comprehensive knowledge of network topology, as communicated by routing protocols. In the literature on DTN routing, there is a dichotomy between solutions designed for deterministic (e.g., space flight) networks, such as Contact Graph Routing (CGR), and the wide variety of protocols designed for opportunistic terrestrial networks. After a discussion of the origin and motivations of this duality, the paper presents an opportunistic extension of CGR (OCGR). The aim is to try to resolve the DTN routing dichotomy by providing a unified approach suitable for all DTN environments.
RAPIDware : Component-Based Development of Adaptive and Dependable Middleware

Society depends increasingly on cyberinfrastructure for some of its most important functions. However, today’s cyberinfrastructure is brittle and insecure, due in large part to the quality of the underlying software. A robust cyberinfrastructure must be able to adapt to changing conditions and protect itself from component failures and security attacks. Moreover, the design of such software systems should be grounded in rigorous software engineering techniques to assure their integrity and security under extreme conditions. This paper overviews the RAPIDware project, which investigates the design of high-assurance adaptive middleware, a critical step toward a robust cyberinfrastructure. Contributions of the project are reviewed, and experimental case studies are described.
Sparse representation and least squares-based classification in face recognition

In this paper we present a novel approach to face recognition. We propose an adaptation and extension to the state-of-the-art methods in face recognition, such as sparse representation-based classification and its extensions. Effectively, our method combines the sparsity-based approaches with additional least-squares steps and exhitbits robustness to outliers achieving significant performance improvement with little additional cost. This approach also mitigates the need for a large number of training images since it proves robust to varying number of training samples.
Large dicliques in a directed inhomogeneous random graph

Our main interest in this paper is the large dicliques in a directed inhomogeneous random graph model G(n,α, Φ) on n vertices, which has power-law out/in-degree distributions with scaling exponent α>0 and community structures involved in the homophyly matrix Φ. We show that there is a major difference in the size of the largest diclique ω d (G(n,α, Φ)) between the case α<2 and α>2 with an intermediate result for α=2. In addition, we show that a simple algorithm with high probability finds a large diclique of size ω d (G(n,α, Φ)) in a polynomial time. Our simulation results reveal that the connections between different subcommunities are essential for the formation of large clusters in the networks.
Problem-solving therapy and supportive therapy in older adults with major depression and executive dysfunction: effect on disability.

CONTEXT Older patients with depression and executive dysfunction represent a population with significant disability and a high likelihood of failing pharmacotherapy. OBJECTIVES To examine whether problem-solving therapy (PST) reduces disability more than does supportive therapy (ST) in older patients with depression and executive dysfunction and whether this effect is mediated by improvement in depressive symptoms. DESIGN Randomized controlled trial. SETTING Weill Cornell Medical College and University of California at San Francisco. PARTICIPANTS Adults (aged >59 years) with major depression and executive dysfunction recruited between December 2002 and November 2007 and followed up for 36 weeks. Intervention Twelve sessions of PST modified for older depressed adults with executive impairment or ST. Main Outcome Measure Disability as quantified using the 12-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II. RESULTS Of 653 individuals referred to this study, 221 met the inclusion criteria and were randomized to receive PST or ST. Both PST and ST led to comparable improvement in disability in the first 6 weeks of treatment, but a more prominent reduction was noted in PST participants at weeks 9 and 12. The difference between PST and ST was greater in patients with greater cognitive impairment and more previous episodes. Reduction in disability paralleled reduction in depressive symptoms. The therapeutic advantage of PST over ST in reducing depression was, in part, due to greater reduction in disability by PST. Although disability increased during the 24 weeks after the end of treatment, the advantage of PST over ST was retained. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that PST is more effective than ST in reducing disability in older patients with major depression and executive dysfunction, and its benefits were retained after the end of treatment. The clinical value of this finding is that PST may be a treatment alternative in an older patient population likely to be resistant to pharmacotherapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00052091.
UNDERSTANDING HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES AND WATER FLUXES LINKING WETLAND PONDS AND GROUNDWATER IN THE PRAIRIE POTHOLE REGION

ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . iii DEDICATION. iv CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 1 1. 1. Background for the study . 1 1. 2. Research hypothesis . 6 1. 3. Research goal and objectives . 6 1. 4. Thesis outline . 7 1. 5. Terms and definitions . 8 CHAPTER 2: QUANTIFYING WETLAND WATER BALANCES . 12 2. 1. Abstract . 12 2. 2. Introduction . 13 2. 3. Study Site and Field Methods . 16 2. 3. 1. The study site . 16 2. 3. 2. Hydrological measurements . 20 2. 3. 3. Water sampling and isotope analysis . 21 2. 3. 4. Archived data . 21 2. 4. Wetland water and isotope mass balance model . 22 2. 4. 1. Model Development . 22 2. 4. 2. Stable isotope composition of ambient atmospheric water vapour . 27 2. 4. 3 Sensitivity analyses . 28 2. 4. 4. Model application to SDNWA . 29 2. 4. 5. Model comparison with the Hydrocalculator model . 30 2. 5. Results . 30 2. 5. 1. Stable isotope characteristics of Prairie wetland ponds . 30 2. 5. 2. Model sensitivity . 33 2. 5. 3. Model application to SDNWA . 36 2. 5. 4. Model comparison with the Hydrocalculator model . 38 2. 6. Discussion. 39 2. 6. 1. Stable isotope characteristics of Prairie wetland ponds . 39 2. 6. 2. Model sensitivity . 40 2. 6. 3. Model application to SDNWA . 41 2. 6. 4. Model comparison with field observations in the prairies . 42 2. 6. 5. Model comparison with the Hydrocalculator model . 43 2. 6. 6. Model limitations . 44 2. 7. Conclusions . 45
Proinflammatory Markers in Prediction of Posttraumatic Psychological Symptoms: A Prospective Cohort Study

Introduction. Posttraumatic psychopathology (PTP) describes the spectrum of conditions that can complicate the recovery from commonly occurring musculoskeletal trauma. There is a clear association with the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA), and we wished to examine the predictive value of proinflammatory markers of the HPAA and of the GABA, which acts as an inhibitory regulator. Methods. Levels of proinflammatory markers and GABA were measured in 84 patients who had suffered musculoskeletal injuries requiring hospitalisation. PTP was assessed by the use of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) at presentation and again at two- and six-month reviews. Results. Significant psychological disturbance was noted in 39% of patients at two months and falling back to 18% by six months. There was no correlation between any of the markers tested at presentation and PTP at follow-up. Discussion. The HPAA response to trauma and the development of PTP are extremely complex. It is unlikely that a simple blood assay will provide significant predictive information, while incident specific information and patient perception are of more practical use.
Exploration of adaptive beaconing for efficient intervehicle safety communication

In the future intervehicle communication will make driving safer, easier, and more comfortable. As a cornerstone of the system, vehicles need to be aware of other vehicles in the vicinity. This cooperative awareness is achieved by beaconing, the exchange of periodic single-hop broadcast messages that include data on the status of a vehicle. While the concept of beaconing has been developed in the first phase of research on VANETs, recent studies have revealed limitations with respect to network performance. Obviously, the frequency of beacon messages directly translates into accuracy of cooperative awareness and thus traffic safety. There is an indisputable trade-off between required bandwidth and achieved accuracy. In this work we analyze this trade-off from different perspectives considering the consequences for safety applications. As a solution to the problem of overloading the channel, we propose to control the offered load by adjusting the beacon frequency dynamically to the current traffic situation while maintaining appropriate accuracy. To find an optimal adaptation, we elaborate on several options that arise when determining the beacon frequency. As a result, we propose situation-adaptive beaconing. It depends on the vehicle's own movement and the movement of surrounding vehicles, macroscopic aspects like the current vehicle density, or microscopic aspects.
A Novel Immunomodulatory Hemocyanin from the Limpet Fissurella latimarginata Promotes Potent Anti-Tumor Activity in Melanoma

Hemocyanins, the huge oxygen-transporting glycoproteins of some mollusks, are used as immunomodulatory proteins with proven anti-cancer properties. The biodiversity of hemocyanins has promoted interest in identifying new anti-cancer candidates with improved immunological properties. Hemocyanins promote Th1 responses without known side effects, which make them ideal for long-term sustained treatment of cancer. In this study, we evaluated a novel hemocyanin from the limpet/gastropod Fissurella latimarginata (FLH). This protein has the typical hollow, cylindrical structure of other known hemocyanins, such as the keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) and the Concholepas hemocyanin (CCH). FLH, like the KLH isoforms, is composed of a single type of polypeptide with exposed N- and O-linked oligosaccharides. However, its immunogenicity was significantly greater than that of KLH and CCH, as FLH induced a stronger humoral immune response and had more potent anti-tumor activity, delaying tumor growth and increasing the survival of mice challenged with B16F10 melanoma cells, in prophylactic and therapeutic settings. Additionally, FLH-treated mice demonstrated increased IFN-γ production and higher numbers of tumor-infiltrating CD4+ lymphocytes. Furthermore, in vitro assays demonstrated that FLH, but not CCH or KLH, stimulated the rapid production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-12, IL-23 and TNF-α) by dendritic cells, triggering a pro-inflammatory milieu that may explain its enhanced immunological activity. Moreover, this effect was abolished when deglycosylated FLH was used, suggesting that carbohydrates play a crucial role in the innate immune recognition of this protein. Altogether, our data demonstrate that FLH possesses increased anti-tumor activity in part because it activates a more potent innate immune response in comparison to other known hemocyanins. In conclusion, FLH is a potential new marine adjuvant for immunization and possible cancer immunotherapy.
Sand wave dynamics: Bedform analysis and dredging strategy design for South Channel, Melbourne, Australia

The study into sand wave dynamics in South Channel has commenced after large dune forms were observed in monitoring campaigns following the channel deepening project of the Port of Melbourne. The project involved deepening of the harbour berths and channels, but more importantly, it involved the deepening of South Channel in Port Phillip Bay. South Channel, the main shipping channel, crosses the bay over a distance of ≈20km. The growth of bedforms at various locations in South Channel now threatens to impede marine traffic. The dimensions and migration rate of the bedforms in the channel are remarkable, especially in the harsh flow conditions in the narrow channel. Therefore, the bedforms in South Channel cannot be given an obvious classification. The first part of this thesis studies the hypothesis that the bedforms in South Channel can be classified as tidal sand waves. Tidal sand waves are large-scale bedforms generated by recirculating flow cells that drive sediment to the top of a crest, and are commonly observed on shallow coastal seas such as the North Sea. The second part of the thesis explores different dredging strategies for tidal sand wave fields and these are assessed for the case of South Channel. The classification analysis follows two different directions. First, the dimensions of sand waves found globally are compared to the dimensions found in South Channel. Secondly, the flow conditions in the channel are compared to the tidal sand wave flow regime as defined in literature. This bedform issue in the channel properly illustrates the necessity of an evaluation of the current, and alternative, channel maintenance strategies. A numerical model in Delft3D software is used to assess the different strategies. Though the results of the model are promising, they cannot be applied straightforwardly to assess the navigability of South Channel for the various strategies. A probabilistic approach is applied to combine the insights from the numerical model and the survey data to produce the probability of breaching the maintained depth for the different strategies.
A GPR18‐based signalling system regulates IOP in murine eye

GPR18 is a recently deorphaned lipid receptor that is activated by the endogenous lipid N‐arachidonoyl glycine (NAGly) as well the behaviourally inactive atypical cannabinoid, abnormal cannabidiol (Abn‐CBD). The presence and/or function of any GPR18‐based ocular signalling system remain essentially unstudied. The objectives of this research are: (i) to determine the disposition of GPR18 receptors and ligands in anterior murine eye, (ii) examine the effect of GPR18 activation on intraocular pressure (IOP) in a murine model, including knockout mice for CB1, CB2 and GPR55.
Saving the world wide web from vulnerable JavaScript

JavaScript is the most popular client-side scripting language for Web applications. Exploitable JavaScript code exposes end users to integrity and confidentiality violations. Client-side vulnerabilities can cost an enterprise money and reputation, and cause serious damage to innocent users of the Web application. In spite of all this, recent research in the area of information-flow security has focused more on other languages that are more suitable for server-side programming, such as Java. Static analysis of JavaScript code is very challenging due to the dynamic nature of the language. This paper presents Actarus, a novel, product-quality static taint analysis for JavaScript that scales to large programs and soundly models all the JavaScript constructs with the exception of reflective calls. This paper discusses the experimental results obtained by running Actarus on a collection of 9,726 Web pages obtained by crawling the 50 most visited Web sites worldwide as well as 19 other popular Web sites. The results expose 526 vulnerabilities in 11 sites. Those vulnerabilities, if exploited, can allow malicious JavaScript code execution.
Structure-function relationship of Na,K-ATPase.

In animal cells, the major ionmotive ATPase is the ouabain-inhibitable sodium pump, a membrane-bound enzyme that couples the free energy contained within the ATP molecule to the translocation of N a + and K + across the plasma membrane. The enzyme consists of a heterodimer of an a and {3 subunit (Figure la), which constitutes the minimal functional unit able to hydrolyze ATP and to undergo E1-E2 transition (Figure Ib), a conformational change characteristic of the P-type ATPase (57). Na+,K+ -coupled transport has evolved in higher eukaryotes (vertebrate and invertebrate) to accomplish functions specific to these multicellular organisms (64). Ubiquitous distribu­ tion of Na,K-ATPase in all cells insures the primary control of cell volume and the maintenance of the gradients of Na+ and K+ across the cell mem­ brane. Asymmetric distribution of Na,K-ATPase to the basolateral membrane of epithelial cells allows the vectorial trahsport of salt and water from one side of the cell layer (as occurs in the kidn, ey and the intestine), thereby con­ trolling the extracellular volume and the osmotic balance between the in­ traand extracellular compartments. In excitable cells, the Na+ and K+
CNTFET-RFB: An Error Correction Implementation for Multi-valued CNTFET Logic

This paper presents a solution for fault-tolerance in logic circuits comprised of Carbon Nanotube FETs (CNTFETs). This work builds on a recently proposed method for error-correction called Restorative Feedback (RFB). The RFB method is a variant of Triple-Modular Redundancy (TMR) that utilizes the fault masking capabilities of the Muller C element to provide added protection against transient faults caused by electronic noise. A novel design is proposed for implementing a ternary C element. We also show the ability of RFB method to suppress internal transient noise in CNTFET multi-valued logic (MVL) circuits.
FACeTOR: cost-driven exploration of faceted query results

Faceted navigation is being increasingly employed as an effective technique for exploring large query results on structured databases. This technique of mitigating information-overload leverages metadata of the query results to provide users with facet conditions that can be used to progressively refine the user's query and filter the query results. However, the number of facet conditions can be quite large, thereby increasing the burden on the user. We present the FACeTOR system that proposes a cost-based approach to faceted navigation. At each step of the navigation, the user is presented with a subset of all possible facet conditions that are selected such that the overall expected navigation cost is minimized and every result is guaranteed to be reachable by a facet condition. We prove that the problem of selecting the optimal facet conditions at each navigation step is NP-Hard, and subsequently present two intuitive heuristics employed by FACeTOR. Our user study at Amazon Mechanical Turk shows that FACeTOR reduces the user navigation time compared to the cutting edge commercial and academic faceted search algorithms. The user study also confirms the validity of our cost model. We also present the results of an extensive experimental evaluation on the performance of the proposed approach using two real datasets. FACeTOR is available at http://db.cse. buffalo.edu/facetor/.
On evaluating synthesised visual speech

Abstract This paper describes issues relating to the subjective evalu-ation of synthesised visual speech. Two approaches to synthe-sis are compared: a text-driven synthesiser and a speech-drivensynthesiser. Both synthesisers are trained using the same dataand both use the same model for rendering the synthesised vi-sual speech. Naturalness is used as a performance metric, andthe naturalness of real visual speech re-rendered on the samemodel is used as a benchmark. The naturalness of the text-driven synthesiser is signiﬁcantly better than the speech-drivensynthesiser, but neither synthesiser can yet achieve the natu-ralness of real visual speech. The impact of likely sources oferror apparent in the synthesised visual speech is investigated.Similar forms of error are introduced into real visual speechsequences and the degradation in naturalness is measured usingthe same naturalness ratings used to evaluate the performance ofthe synthesisers. We ﬁnd that the overall perception of sentence-level utterances is severely degraded when only a small regionof an otherwise perfect rendering of the visual sequence is in-correct. For example, if the visual gesture for only a singlesyllable in an utterance is incorrect, the overall naturalness ofthis real sequence is rated lower than the text-based synthesiser.Index Terms: evaluation, visual speech synthesis, active ap-pearance models
Bayesian dialogue system for the Let's Go Spoken Dialogue Challenge

This paper describes how Bayesian updates of dialogue state can be used to build a bus information spoken dialogue system. The resulting system was deployed as part of the 2010 Spoken Dialogue Challenge. The purpose of this paper is to describe the system, and provide both simulated and human evaluations of its performance. In control tests by human users, the success rate of the system was 24.5% higher than the baseline Lets Go! system.
Impact of two types of La Niña on boreal autumn rainfall around Southeast Asia and Australia

Abstract The distinct influences of eastern Pacific (EP) and central Pacific (CP) La Niña on rainfall anomalies over Southeast Asia and Australia in boreal autumn (September to November) are explored in this study. Composite results reveal that CP La Niña gives rise to significant and severe flooding over Southeast Asia and Australia, whereas EP La Niña fails to exert any evident impacts on rainfall over this region. This difference can be attributed to the distinct features of cooling sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) between EP and CP La Niña. With a more westward location and stronger intensity of the negative SSTAs during CP La Niña autumn, the highest and lowest SLP anomalies are substantially enhanced and shift westwards too, further causing intense easterly winds over the western Pacific and westerly anomalies over the Indian Ocean driven by this SLP gradient. Subsequently, robust low-level convergence and high-level divergence is observed over the Maritime Continent and Australia, resulting in significant above-normal rainfall anomalies in those regions. In contrast, weak and eastern Pacific–confined cooling SSTAs during EP La Niña produce correspondingly weak low-level convergence over the Maritime Continent conditions that make it hard for significant rainfall anomalies to arise.
Control of Agent Swarms Using Generalized Centroidal Cyclic Pursuit Laws

One of the major tasks in swarm intelligence is to design decentralized but homogenoeus strategies to enable controlling the behaviour of swarms of agents. It has been shown in the literature that the point of convergence and motion of a swarm of autonomous mobile agents can be controlled by using cyclic pursuit laws. In cyclic pursuit, there exists a predefined cyclic connection between agents and each agent pursues the next agent in the cycle. In this paper we generalize this idea to a case where an agent pursues a point which is the weighted average of the positions of the remaining agents. This point correspond to a particular pursuit sequence. Using this concept of centroidal cyclic pursuit, the behavior of the agents is analyzed such that, by suitably selecting the agents' gain, the rendezvous point of the agents can be controlled, directed linear motion of the agents can be achieved, and the trajectories of the agents can be changed by switching between the pursuit sequences keeping some of the behaviors of the agents invariant. Simulation experiments are given to support the analytical proofs.