Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Relativistic Quantum Theory of Gravity

A relativistic quantum theory of gravity is proposed in which the gravitational interaction between particles is represented by distanceand velocity-dependent potentials. The Poincaré invariance, the cluster separability, and the causality of this approach are established. The Hamiltonian for interacting massive particles and photons is formulated within the c−2 approximation. The classical limit of this theory reproduces well-known relativistic gravitational effects, including the anomalous precession of the Mercury’s perihelion, the light bending by the Sun’s gravity, the radar echo delay, the gravitational time dilation, and the red shift.
Accurate Eye Localization under Large Illumination and Expression Variations with Enhanced Pictorial Model

As the first step in a face normalization procedure, accurate eye localization technique has the fundamental importance for the performance of face recognition systems. One of the most classical methods to address this is the pictorial model where the appearance model and shape constraints are optimized together. However, under extreme illumination changes and large expression variations, the simple Gaussian appearance model and the localization-based shape constraints used in the pictorial model are not capable to handle the complex appearance and structural changes appeared in the given face image. In this paper, we enhanced the pictorial model by combining the strength of illumination preprocessing, robust image descriptors, probabilistic SVM and an improved structural model which are invariant to scale, rotation and other transforms. Experimental results on CAS-PEAL dataset demonstrated that the proposed model can accurately localize eyes in spite of large illumination and expression variations in face images.
QUANTUM DOT OPTO-ELECTRONIC DEVICES

▪ Abstract Highly strained semiconductors grow epitaxially on mismatched substrates in the Stranski-Krastanow growth mode, wherein islands are formed after a few monolayers of layer-by-layer growth. Elastic relaxation on the facet edges, renormalization of the surface energy of the facets, and interaction between neighboring islands via the substrate are the driving forces for self-organized growth. The dimensions of the defect-free islands are of the order λB, the de Broglie wavelength, and provide three-dimensional quantum confinement of carriers. Self-organized In(Ga)As/GaAs quantum dots, or quantum boxes, are grown by molecular beam expitaxy (MBE) or metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) on GaAs, InP, and other substrates and are being incorporated in microelectronic and opto-electronic devices. The use of strain to produce self-organized quantum dots has now become a well-accepted approach and is widely used in III–V semiconductors and other material systems. Much progress has been made in the ar.
Hybrid Particle Swarm Algorithm for Solving Multidimensional Knapsack Problem

In order to effectively solve combinatorial optimization problems, the Estimation of Distribution Algorithm (EDA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) combine to form a new ED-PSO hybrid algorithm, the algorithm can effectively apply global statistical information and global optimal solution to the solution space search. This algorithm is used to solve the Multidimensional Knapsack Problem (MKP). Experimental results show that when solving multidimensional knapsack problem, ED-PSO algorithm is superior to traditional PSO algorithm, and also better than many heuristic intelligent algorithm. Meanwhile, ED-PSO algorithm uses fewer parameters, and therefore easier to be implemented, and run more stable. Streszczenie. W artykule przedstawiono wykorzystanie algorytmu hybrydowego ED-PSO do rozwiązania wielowymiarowego problem Knapsacka (ang. MKP). Zastosowano tu optymalizacje roju cząstek (ang. PSO) oraz algorytmu estymacji EDA. Wyniki eksperymentalne pokazują, ze w przypadku MKP proponowany algorytm wykazuje znacznie lepsze mozliwości niz klasyczny PSO. Dodatkowo ED-PSO ma mniej parametrow, przez co jest latwiejszy w implementacji. (Hybrydowy algorytm roju cząstek w rozwiązywaniu wielowymiarowego problemu Knapsacka).
Long-Haul Transmission of PS-QPSK at 100 Gb/s Using Digital Backpropagation

We experimentally investigate the generation and long-haul transmission of polarization-switched quadrature phase shift keying (PS-QPSK) at an uncoded datarate of 112 Gbit/s (37.4 GBd). In what is the first demonstration of nonlinearity compensation for PS-QPSK, digital backpropagation is applied in order to evaluate performance improvements. We find that, even at this high symbol rate, the maximum transmission distance of this format can be increased by 20% by employing digital backpropagation.
Multi-response Analysis of Chemical Assisted Ultrasonic Machining of UL-752 and BS-476 Glass by GRA approach

This paper is developed an innovative process of chemical assisted ultrasonic machining of polycarbonate bullet proof UL-752 and acrylic heat resistant BG-476 glass and conducted an investigational to optimize the machining parameters associated with multiple performance characteristics using Grey relational analysis. Machining of polycarbonate bullet proof UL-752 and acrylic heat resistant BS-476 glass are difficult process via conventional machining, however, it can be easily machined by Ultrasonic machining. Carefully selected parameters gives the optimum results. In this experimental work input parameters abrasive slurry concentration, type of abrasive, power rate, grit size of abrasive particles, hydro-fluoride acid concentration and tool material are selected. The effect of input parameters viz material removal rate, tool wear rate and surface roughness are investigate. Grey relational analysis and analysis of variance are performed to optimize the input parameters and better output results. In PBPG UL-752, increment in material removal rate by 80%, tool wear rate by 50% and surface roughness by 40%. In other hand, in AHRG BS-476, increment in material removal rate by 70%, tool wear rate by 30% and surface roughness by 25%.
Design and analysis of 10 port router for network on chip (NoC)

Network on chip is an emerging technology which provides data reliability and high speed with less power consumption. With the technological advancements a large number of devices can be integrated into a single chip. So the communication between these devices becomes vital. The network on chip (NoC) router is used for such communication. This paper focuses on the design analysis of 10 port router. The delay (2.571ns) and power (80.98mW) is minimized by using crossbar switch. The proposed architecture of 10 port router is simulated and synthesized in Xilinx ISE 14.4 software.
Improved eye center location system in low-resolution images

The position of the eyes contains many valuable information, which is used in a wide range of applications such as face recognition or eye tracking. However, most commercial eye-gaze trackers are often expensive and require the user to be equipped with a head mounted device which is inconvenient and unattractive. In order to locate eye centers solely on appearance, several methods have been proposed in the literature, but these methods often fail to accurately locate the eye centers in low-resolution images taken from a simple webcam. Therefore, we propose an improved system for accurate and robust eye center location by combining variance projection and ellipse fitting. First we utilize variance projection to detect the candidate region of the eyes. In this step, for eyeglass wearers, we proposed a method to remove the disruption of the glasses. Then least squares ellipse fitting is used to locate the accurate eye center. In this paper, we extensively test our system for its accuracy and robustness to changes in illumination, head pose and eye rotation. We demonstrate that our system outperforms conventional ones.
Tea, Coffee, and Milk Consumption and Colorectal Cancer Risk

Background Data regarding the effects of tea, coffee, and milk on the risk of colorectal cancer are inconsistent. We investigated associations of tea, coffee, and milk consumption with colorectal cancer risk and attempted to determine if these exposures were differentially associated with the risks of proximal colon, distal colon, and rectal cancers. Methods Data from 854 incident cases and 948 controls were analyzed in a case-control study of colorectal cancer in Western Australia during 2005–07. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the associations of black tea (with and without milk), green tea, herbal tea, hot coffee, iced coffee, and milk with colorectal cancer. Results Consumption of 1 or more cups of herbal tea per week was associated with a significantly decreased risk of distal colon cancer (adjusted odds ratio, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.16–0.82; PTrend = 0.044), and consumption of 1 or more cups of iced coffee per week was associated with increased risk of rectal cancer (adjusted odds ratio, 1.52; 95% CI, 0.91–2.54; PTrend = 0.004). Neither herbal tea nor iced coffee was associated with the risk of proximal colon cancer. Hot coffee was associated with a possible increased risk of distal colon cancer. Black tea (with or without milk), green tea, decaffeinated coffee, and milk were not significantly associated with colorectal cancer risk. Conclusions Consumption of herbal tea was associated with reduced risk of distal colon cancer, and consumption of iced coffee was associated with increased rectal cancer risk.
Frequency plot and relevance plot to enhance visual data exploration

We present two techniques aiming at exploring databases through multivariate visualizations. Both techniques intend to deal with the problem caused by the limited amount of elements that can be presented simultaneously in traditional visual exploration procedures. The first technique, the Frequency Plot, combines data frequency with interactive filtering to identify clusters and trends in subsets of the database. Thus, graphical elements (lines, pixels, icons, or graphical marks) are color differentiated proportionally to how frequent the value being represented is, while interactive filtering allows the selection of interesting partitions of the database. The second technique, the Relevance Plot, corresponds to assigning different levels of color distinguishably to visual elements according to their relevance to a user's specified data properties set, which can be chosen visually and dynamically.
Relationship of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha with muscle mass and muscle strength in elderly men and women: the Health ABC Study.

BACKGROUND A decline in muscle mass and muscle strength characterizes normal aging. As clinical and animal studies show a relationship between higher cytokine levels and low muscle mass, the aim of this study was to investigate whether markers of inflammation are associated with muscle mass and strength in well-functioning elderly persons. METHODS We used baseline data (1997-1998) of the Health, Aging, and Body Composition (Health ABC) Study on 3075 black and white men and women aged 70-79 years. Midthigh muscle cross-sectional area (computed tomography), appendicular muscle mass (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), isokinetic knee extensor strength (KinCom), and isometric grip strength were measured. Plasma levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS Higher cytokine levels were generally associated with lower muscle mass and lower muscle strength. The most consistent relationship across the gender and race groups was observed for IL-6 and grip strength: per SD increase in IL-6, grip strength was 1.1 to 2.4 kg lower (p <.05) after adjustment for age, clinic site, health status, medications, physical activity, smoking, height, and body fat. An overall measure of elevated cytokine level was created by combining the levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha. With the exception of white men, elderly persons having high levels of IL-6 (>1.80 pg/ml) as well as high levels of TNF-alpha (>3.20 pg/ml) had a smaller muscle area, less appendicular muscle mass, a lower knee extensor strength, and a lower grip strength compared to those with low levels of both cytokines. CONCLUSIONS Higher plasma concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-alpha are associated with lower muscle mass and lower muscle strength in well-functioning older men and women. Higher cytokine levels, as often observed in healthy older persons, may contribute to the loss of muscle mass and strength that accompanies aging.
A Spatial-Epistemic Logic and Tool for Reasoning about Security Protocols

Reasoning about security properties involves reasoning about where the knowledge of the several principals of a system is located, and how it evolves over time. Building on this observation, we introduce a framework for security protocol analysis based on dynamic spatial logic specifications. Our underlying computational model is a variant of the applied pi-calculus, while specifications are expressed in a dynamic spatial logic extended with an epistemic operator. We formally present the syntax and semantics of the model and logic, and discuss the expressiveness of the approach. We also prove that general attackers may be determined for any finite protocol in our framework, and discuss how this result may be used to reason about security properties of open systems. We also present a model-checking algorithm for our logic, which has been implemented as an extension to the SLMC system. This paper is intended for presentation/publication.
Protocol for Short- and Longer-term Spatial Learning and Memory in Mice

Studies on the role of the hippocampus in higher cognitive functions such as spatial learning and memory in rodents are reliant upon robust and objective behavioral tests. This protocol describes one such test—the active place avoidance (APA) task. This behavioral task involves the mouse continuously integrating visual cues to orientate itself within a rotating arena in order to actively avoid a shock zone, the location of which remains constant relative to the room. This protocol details the step-by-step procedures for a novel paradigm of the hippocampal-dependent APA task, measuring acquisition of spatial learning during a single 20-min trial (i.e., short-term memory), with spatial memory encoding and retrieval (i.e., long-term memory) assessed by trials conducted over consecutive days. Using the APA task, cognitive flexibility can be assessed using the reversal learning paradigm, as this increases the cognitive load required for efficient performance in the task. In addition to a detailed experimental protocol, this paper also describes the range of its possible applications, the expected key results, as well as the analytical methods to assess the data, and the pitfalls/troubleshooting measures. The protocol described herein is highly robust and produces replicable results, thus presenting an important paradigm that enables the assessment of subtle short-term changes in spatial learning and memory, such as those observed for many experimental interventions.
Novel function for beta 1 integrins in keratinocyte cell-cell interactions

We have examined the expression, localization, and function of beta 1 integrins on cultured human epidermal keratinocytes using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against the beta 1, alpha 2, alpha 3, and alpha 5 integrin subunits. The beta 1 polypeptide, common to all class 1 integrins, was localized primarily in areas of cell-cell contacts of cultured keratinocytes, as were alpha 2 and alpha 3 polypeptides, suggesting a possible role in cell-cell adhesion for these integrin polypeptides. In contrast, the fibronectin receptor alpha 5 subunit showed no such accumulations in regions of cell-cell contact but was more diffusely distributed in the keratinocyte plasma membrane, consistent with the absence of fibronectin at cell-cell contact sites. Colonies of cultured keratinocytes could be dissociated by treatment with monoclonal antibody specific to the beta 1 polypeptide. Such dissociation of cell-cell contacts also occurred under conditions where the monoclonal antibody had no effect on cell-substrate adhesion. Therefore, beta 1 integrin-dependent cell-cell adhesion can be inhibited without affecting other cell-adhesive interactions. Antibody treatment of keratinocytes maintained in either low (0.15 mM) or high (1.2 mM) CaCl2 also resulted in the loss of organization of intracellular F-actin filaments and beta 1 integrins, even when the anti-beta 1 monoclonal antibody had no dissociating effect on keratinocyte colonies at the higher calcium concentration. Our results indicate that beta 1 integrins play roles in the maintenance of cell- cell contacts between keratinocytes and in the organization of intracellular microfilaments. They suggest that in epithelial cells integrins can function in cell-cell interactions as well as in cell- substrate adhesion.
Processor Speed Control With Thermal Constraints

We consider the problem of adjusting speeds of multiple computer processors, sharing the same thermal environment, such as a chip or multichip package. We assume that the speed of each processor (and associated variables such as power supply voltage) can be controlled, and we model the dissipated power of a processor as a positive and strictly increasing convex function of the speed. We show that the problem of processor speed control subject to thermal constraints for the environment is a convex optimization problem. We present an efficient infeasible-start primal-dual interior-point method for solving the problem. We also present a distributed method, using dual decomposition. Both of these approaches can be interpreted as nonlinear static control laws, which adjust the processor speeds based on the measured temperatures in the system. We give numerical examples to illustrate performance of the algorithms.
Novel Zinc(II) Complexes [Zn(atc-Et)2] and [Zn(atc-Ph)2]: In Vitro and in Vivo Antiproliferative Studies

Cisplatin and its derivatives are the main metallodrugs used in cancer therapy. However, low selectivity, toxicity and drug resistance are associated with their use. The zinc(II) (ZnII) thiosemicarbazone complexes [Zn(atc-Et)2] (1) and [Zn(atc-Ph)2] (2) (atc-R: monovalent anion of 2-acetylpyridine N4-R-thiosemicarbazone) were synthesized and fully characterized in the solid state and in solution via elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy, conductometry and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The cytotoxicity of these complexes was evaluated in the HepG2, HeLa, MDA-MB-231, K-562, DU 145 and MRC-5 cancer cell lines. The strongest antiproliferative results were observed in MDA-MB-231 and HepG2 cells, in which these complexes displayed significant selective toxicity (3.1 and 3.6, respectively) compared with their effects on normal MRC-5 cells. In vivo studies were performed using an alternative model (Artemia salina L.) to assure the safety of these complexes, and the results were confirmed using a conventional model (BALB/c mice). Finally, tests of oral bioavailability showed maximum plasma concentrations of 3029.50 µg/L and 1191.95 µg/L for complexes 1 and 2, respectively. According to all obtained results, both compounds could be considered as prospective antiproliferative agents that warrant further research.
Combination of 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes with flow cytometry for analyzing mixed microbial populations

Fluorescent oligonucleotide hybridization probes were used to label bacterial cells for analysis by flow cytometry. The probes, complementary to short sequence elements within the 16S rRNA common to phylogenetically coherent assemblages of microorganisms, were labeled with tetramethylrhodamine and hybridized to suspensions of fixed cells. Flow cytometry was used to resolve individual target and nontarget bacteria (1 to 5 microns) via probe-conferred fluorescence. Target cells were quantified in an excess of nontarget cells. The intensity of fluorescence was increased additively by the combined use of two or three fluorescent probes complementary to different regions of the same 16S rRNA.
Eye movements of patients with tunnel vision while walking.

PURPOSE To determine how severe peripheral field loss (PFL) affects the dispersion of eye movements relative to the head in patients walking in real environments. This information should help to define the visual field and clearance requirements for head-mounted mobility visual aids. METHODS Eye positions relative to the head were recorded in five patients with retinitis pigmentosa who had less than 15 degrees of visual field and in three normally sighted people, each walking in varied environments for more than 30 minutes. The eye-position recorder was made portable by modifying a head-mounted system (ISCAN, Burlington, MA). Custom data processing was implemented, to reject unreliable data. Sample standard deviations of eye position (dispersion) were compared across subject groups and environments. RESULTS The patients with PFL exhibited narrower horizontal eye-position dispersions than did the normally sighted subjects (9.4 degrees vs. 14.2 degrees , P < 0.0001), and the vertical dispersions of patients with PFL were smaller when they were walking indoors than when walking outdoors (8.2 degrees vs. 10.3 degrees ; P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS When walking, the patients with PFL did not increase their scanning eye movements to compensate for missing peripheral vision information. Their horizontal scanning was actually reduced, possibly because of lack of peripheral stimulation. The results suggest that a field of view as wide as 40 degrees may be needed for closed (immersive) head-mounted mobility aids, whereas a much narrower display, perhaps as narrow as 20 degrees , may be sufficient with an open design.
Work-in-progress: fixed priority scheduling of real-time flows with arbitrary deadlines on SMART NoCs

Although SMART NoC, as an emerging dynamically reconfigurable NoC architecture, is able to improve the communication efficiency significantly when scheduling real-time flows, it introduces uncertainty due to the nondeterministic latency. In this regard, we first study the schedulability of a set of arbitrary-deadline flows with given priorities. Based on schedulability analysis, an efficient priority assignment algorithm is proposed to minimize deadline misses. To our best knowledge, this is the first work of arbitrary-deadline flow scheduling on SMART NoC, which involves sophisticated computation of the worst case traversal time.
Why All Researchers Should Report Effect Sizes and Their Confidence Intervals: Paving the Way for Meta–Analysis and Evidence–Based Management Practices

The growing body of empirical entrepreneurship studies and the advent of meta–analytic methodologies create new opportunities to develop evidence–based management practices. To support research on evidence–based practices, empirical studies should report meta–analysis relevant information, such as standardized effect–size measures and their confidence intervals. The corresponding changes in reporting practices are simple and straight forward—yet they promise strong contributions to the systematic accumulation of entrepreneurship knowledge over time.