Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automatic circuit tuning using unsupervised learning procedures

This work describes a novel technique for automating the post-fabrication circuit tuning process. A training set that characterizes the behavior of the circuit under test is first constructed. The data in this set consists of input measurement vectors with no output attributes, and is clustered via unsupervised learning algorithm in order to explore its underlying structure and correlations. The generated clusters are efficiently labeled and directly utilized in circuit tuning by calculating the value(s) of the tuning parameter(s). Three prominent and fundamentally different unsupervised learning algorithms, namely, the self-organizing map, the Gaussian mixture model, and the fuzzy C-means algorithm are tried and their performance is compared. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed technique provides a robust and efficient circuit tuning approach
In Vivo Ultrasound Molecular Imaging of Inflammatory Thrombosis in Arteries With Cyclic Arg-Gly-Asp–Modified Microbubbles Targeted to Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa

ObjectiveUltrasound molecular imaging has the potential to detect activated platelets, thus identifying atherosclerotic plaque instability before onset of serious clinical events. However, it has not been well defined in inflammatory arterial thrombosis. We hypothesized that microbubbles (MBs) target glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GP IIb/IIIa) could achieve a noninvasive in vivo detection of inflammatory thrombosis in large arteries through contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEU) imaging. Materials and MethodsLipid shell–based gas-filled MBs were modified covalently with a cyclic Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide (MB-cRGD) targeted to activated GP IIb/IIIa or a negative control peptide (MB-CON) via thiol-maleimide coupling. Adherence of MB-cRGD and MB-CON to GP IIb/IIIa was determined in vitro by using a parallel plate flow chamber at variable shear stress (0.5–8 dynes/cm2). Inflammatory platelet thrombosis was induced by periadvential application of arachidonic acid (AA) to one of the bilateral carotids of C57BL/6 mice (n = 20) and confirmed through intravital fluorescence microscopy. Attachment of MBs was determined in vivo with CEU imaging of bilateral carotids in the AA application mice with (n = 10) or without (n = 10) pretreatment of GP IIb/IIIa antagonist. The expression of integrin GP IIb/IIIa was assessed through immunohistochemistry. ResultsMicrobubble-cRGD but not MB-CON had excellent affinity to GP IIb/IIIa under all shear stress conditions. Successful inflammatory platelet activation and thrombosis in AA application carotids were noted through intravital fluorescence microscopy. Contrast video intensity from adhered MB-cRGD in the thrombi was significantly higher than that from MB-CON (P < 0.05). Video intensity of MB-cRGD in the thrombi was suppressed significantly by preblocking with GP IIb/IIIa antagonist (P < 0.05) but not for MB-CON. Immunohistochemical finding demonstrates that expression of integrin GP IIb/IIIa in the thrombi was abundant; it was inhibited significantly through pretreatment with GP IIb/IIIa antagonist (P < 0.05). ConclusionsCyclic RGD–modified MBs targeted to GP IIb/IIIa with CEU are capable of detecting inflammation-activated platelets and thrombosis in large arteries, thus providing a potential tool for identification of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques.
Expert Knowledge for Modeling Functional Health from Sensor Data

Summary Background: ICT based solutions are increasingly introduced for active and healthy ageing. In this context continuous monitoring of older adults with domestic sensor systems has been suggested to provide important information about their functional health. However, there is not yet a solid model for the interpretation of the sensor data. Objectives: The aim of our study is to define a set of predictors of functional health that can be measured with domestic sensors and to determine thresholds that identify relevant changes in these predictors. Methods: On the basis of literature we develop a model that relates functional health predictors to features derived from sensor data. The parameters of this model are determined on the basis of a study among health experts (n = 38). The use of the full model is illustrated with three cases. Results: We identified 25 predictors and their attributes. For 12 of them that can be measured with passive infrared motion sensors we determined their parameters: the attribute thresholds and the urgency thresholds. Conclusions: With the parametrized predictors in the model, domestic sensors can be deployed to assess functional health in a standardized way. Three case examples showed how the model can be used as a screening instrument for functional decline.
Title : Fostering Team Creativity in Virtual Worlds Year : 2014 Version : Final

This article addresses the potential of virtual worlds as a platform for creative team collaboration. The proliferation of geographically distributed teams, striving towards innovative results, calls for ICT that support team creativity. Three-dimensional virtual worlds represent such an emergent and rapidly developing collaboration tool. A systematic literature review was conducted to reveal the affordances of virtual worlds contributing towards team creativity. The results of the literature review reveal eight proposed affordances relevant for virtual worlds to foster team level creativity. Avatars (1) allow the team members to express themselves and their insights and point out information to others. Changing the users’ frame of reference (2) embraces the virtual world’s potential as a context for creative action. Perceived feeling of co-presence (3) within the team members, and user’s own experience of immersion (4), contributes towards engaging creative team collaboration. Multimodality (5) and rich visual information (6) facilitate communication between team members. Finally, virtual worlds allow teams to modify the collaboration environment to simulate a new kind of reality (7), and offer a selection of supporting tools (8) that can be utilized in the creative collaboration. Departures for further research efforts and insights for practitioners engaged in virtual world collaboration are presented.
Sparse representation based acoustic rangefinders: from sensor platforms to mobile devices

Acoustic rangerfinders are a promising technology for accurate proximity detection, a critical requirement for many emerging mobile computing applications. While state-of-the-art systems deliver robust ranging performance, the computational intensiveness of their detection mechanism expedites the energy depletion of the associated devices that are typically powered by batteries. The contribution of this article is fourfold. First, it outlines the common factors that are important for ranging. Second, it presents a review of acoustic rangers and identifies their potential problems. Third, it explores the design of an information processing framework based on sparse representation that could potentially address existing challenges, especially for mobile devices. Finally, it presents μ-BeepBeep: a low energy acoustic ranging service for mobile devices, and empirically evaluates its benefits.
Contextual Object Detection With Spatial Context Prototypes

Contextual information is widely exploited in state-of-the-art object detection systems, most of which utilize pre-defined spatial relationships (e.g., above, below, next to, etc.). However, we observe that the spatial arrangement manifests heterogeneous statistical distributions for different object class pairs, which suggests mining class-specified prototypes of spatial contexts in a data-driven manner. This paper proposes a novel contrast K-Means clustering algorithm for automatically discovering spatial context prototypes to beyond the pre-defined spatial relationship representation in literature. Based on the learned prototypes, we further construct the spatial context features by using a simple localized soft assignment quantization method. Besides, considering the large number of real object categories that might lead to overcomplicated spatial context features, we propose a feature refinement method based on the number of context occurrences and K-L divergence to efficiently reduce the complexity of our contextual model. The experiment results on PASCAL VOC dataset and SUN 09 dataset demonstrate that our method can effectively capture meaningful spatial context prototypes as well as most contributing contextual features for different object class pairs and thus boost recognition performance on object detection task.
Nucleotide Sequence of the Na+/H+ Exchanger-8 in Patients With Congenital Sodium Diarrhea

ABSTRACT Sodium absorption by the intestine is mediated by brush border Na+/H+ exchangers, which include the NHE3 and NHE8 isoforms. We demonstrated a maturational decrease in NHE8 and increase in NHE3 in mouse intestine mRNA abundance and brush border membrane protein abundance, indicating a developmental switch of isoforms. Congenital sodium diarrhea is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by polyhydramnios, hyponatremia, metabolic acidosis, and diarrhea with a high sodium content. Previous studies using intestinal brush border membrane vesicles from patients with this disorder have demonstrated a decrease in Na+/H+ exchanger activity. Because some patients with congenital sodium diarrhea improve with age and knowing the developmental switch from NHE8 to NHE3, NHE8 may be a candidate gene for this disorder. We sequenced NHE8 from 5 patients with this disorder and found no disease-causing homozygous mutations. Although brush border membrane Na+/H+ exchange activity may be decreased, exonic mutations in NHE8 cannot account for this disorder in these subjects.
Using simulation to verify life history relations indicated by time series analysis

Time series analysis of population abundance is not based on assumptions about the dynamics of populations, but sometimes the results can be interpreted biologically. At other times the results are difficult to interpret. To better understand the results of a time series analysis of a walleye fish population, as it related to the walleye's life history, I compared a time series analysis of walleye field data with a time series analysis of simulated data from a population dynamics model. In the simulations, the nature of the time lags could be identified by changing model parameters. The simulations indicated that a partial autocorrelation coefficient (PAC) at lag 1 would result from density dependence, that a PAC at lag 5 would result from the time required for maturation, and that a negative sign at lag 5 would result from high larval survival. The simulation results help in the interpretation of the PACs obtained in the time series analysis of field data.
Interrogation flexible et coopérative d'une BD par abstraction conceptuelle hiérarchique

RESUME. L' interrogation des bases de donnees (BD) necessite une connaissance precise et detaillee des donnees et de leur organisation. L’interrogation flexible tente de rendre l’interrogation classiques des BD plus souple pour les utilisateurs. Plusieurs approches d’interrogation flexible ont ete proposees dans la litterature. Nous proposons, dans ce papier, une approche flexible et cooperative, basee sur les notions de Hierarchie d’Abstraction de Type (HAT). Les apports de notre approche concernent (1) la prise en compte de la dependance des criteres de recherche d'une requete, (2) la determination des causes de l’absence de reponses avant d’executer une requete et (3) la proposition de reponses les plus proches possibles des donnees recherchees au lieu de reponses vides.
The metabolism of C9 in normal subjects and in patients with autoimmune disease

The metabolism of the ninth component of complement (C9) was studied in eight healthy subjects and nine patients with autoimmune disease, including seven with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and one each with mesangial IgA nephropathy and mixed essential cryoglobulinaemia. In normal subjects the metabolic parameters (mean ± s.d.) were: fractional catabolic rate (FCR): 2.92 ± 0.36%/h, plasma half‐life (T1/2): 42.5 ± 6.7 h, and extravascular/intravascular distribution ratio (EV/IV): 0.56 ± 0.12. In patients the FCR was 3.38 ± 0.70%/h, the T1/2 was 37.6 ± 10.2 h, and the EV/IV was 0.55 ± 0.19. Patients with reduced total serum haemolytic activity (i.e. CH50 < 68% of normal human serum (NHS), n = 7) had significantly higher FCR (3.57 ± 0.67%/h) and shorter T1/2 (33.5 ± 6.8 h) than the control group (both P < 0.05). The plasma concentration of the terminal complement complex (i.e. soluble TCC or SC5b‐9) was higher in patients (median (range): 515 (300–1879 μg/l)) than in normal subjects (313 (229–402 μg/l); P < 0.01) and showed a positive correlation with the FCR of C9 (r = 0.61, P < 0.01). Plasma C9 production rate was also greater in patients (0.11 ± 0.05 mg/kg per h) compared with control subjects (0.07 ± 0.03 mg/kg per h, P < 0.05), and was associated with a higher C9 concentration in patients’ sera (76 ± 13 mg/lversus 61 ± 14 mg/lP < 0.05). These results demonstrate that C9 is rapidly metabolized in normal humans and that hypercatabolism occurs in patients with autoimmune disease and complement activation. This was despite the presence of normal or elevated serum C9 levels and normal compartmental distribution.
A Model for Web Services Data in Support of Web Service Composition and Optimization

Automatic Web services composition has attracted much attention in recent years with the focus on control flow specification. Data mismatch between WSs is often considered as an orthogonal problem that can be solved using XML data model and query languages, e.g., XQuery . We argue that Web services composition and data manipulation should be considered holistically such that further optimization on Web service composition becomes possible. In this work, we define a model, called WS-data model, for composing WSs with focus on their data exchanges. We propose several operators that can be used to compose WSs and manipulate the generated data. Properties of these operators are discussed and an example is given to show how these properties can be utilized to identify a more efficient way for realizing a complex task expressed using a WS-data expression.
Resonant charging and stopping power of slow channelling atoms in a crystalline metal

Fast moving ions travel great distances along channels between low-index crystallographic planes, slowing through collisions with electrons, until finally they hit a host atom initiating a cascade of atomic displacements. Statistical penetration ranges of incident particles are reliably used in ion-implantation technologies, but a full, necessarily quantum-mechanical, description of the stopping of slow, heavy ions is challenging and the results of experimental investigations are not fully understood. Using a self-consistent model of the electronic structure of a metal, and explicit treatment of atomic structure, we find by direct simulation a resonant accumulation of charge on a channelling ion analogous to the Okorokov effect but originating in electronic excitation between delocalized and localized valence states on the channelling ion and its transient host neighbours, stimulated by the time-periodic potential experienced by the channelling ion. The charge resonance reduces the electronic stopping power on the channelling ion. These are surprising and interesting new chemical aspects of channelling, which cannot be predicted within the standard framework of ions travelling through homogeneous electron gases or by considering either ion or target in isolation.
Distinct Functional Constraints Partition Sequence Conservation in a cis-Regulatory Element

Different functional constraints contribute to different evolutionary rates across genomes. To understand why some sequences evolve faster than others in a single cis-regulatory locus, we investigated function and evolutionary dynamics of the promoter of the Caenorhabditis elegans unc-47 gene. We found that this promoter consists of two distinct domains. The proximal promoter is conserved and is largely sufficient to direct appropriate spatial expression. The distal promoter displays little if any conservation between several closely related nematodes. Despite this divergence, sequences from all species confer robustness of expression, arguing that this function does not require substantial sequence conservation. We showed that even unrelated sequences have the ability to promote robust expression. A prominent feature shared by all of these robustness-promoting sequences is an AT-enriched nucleotide composition consistent with nucleosome depletion. Because general sequence composition can be maintained despite sequence turnover, our results explain how different functional constraints can lead to vastly disparate rates of sequence divergence within a promoter.
Allele frequency for c.335 A>C polymorphisms in porcine ghrelin/obestatin prepropeptide gene and association analysis with performance traits in various pig breeds

The allelic frequency of c.335A>C polymorphisms in the porcine ghrelin/obestatin prepropeptide (GHRL) gene was surveyed among six pig breeds and two subspecies of wild boars. The c.335C was the most frequent allele in Berkshire, Landrace, Large White, Yorkshire, and Clawn miniature pigs and Ryukyu wild boars (Sus scrofa riukiuanus), whereas c.335A was the most frequent allele in Duroc and Meishan pigs and Japanese wild boars (S. s. leucomystax). The association of c.335A>C with performance traits was analyzed in Duroc, Landrace, Large White, and (Landrace × Large White) × Duroc (LWD) cross-bred pigs. No associations between c.335A>C genotype and average daily weight gain, backfat thickness, or intramuscular fat were detected. However, an association was observed between loin eye muscle area (EMA) and c.335A>C genotype in Duroc gilts. The AA genotype group had larger EMA than the AC genotype group in Duroc gilts; however, this association was not significant in Duroc boars and barrows or the other pig populations investigated. These results demonstrate that GHRL c.335A>C is not a major quantitative trait loci candidate on pig chromosome 13 affecting fat deposition.
Modeling Dynamic Systems for Multi-Step Prediction with Recurrent Neural Networks

This thesis investigates the applicability of Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) and Deep Learning methods for multi-step prediction of robotic systems. The unmodeled dynamics and simplifying assumptions in classic modeling methods result in models that yield rapidly diverging predictions when the model is used in an iterative fashion, i.e., for multi-step prediction. However, the effect of the unmodeled dynamics can be captured by collecting datasets of the system. Deep Learning provides a strong set of tools to extract patterns from data, however, large datasets are commonly required for the methods to work well. Collecting a large amount of data from a robotic system can be a cumbersome and expensive approach. In this work, Deep Learning methods, particularly RNNs, are studied and employed for the purpose of learning models of two aerial vehicles from experimental data. The feasibility of employing RNNs is first studied to learn a model of a quadrotor based on a simulated dataset, which yields a Multi Layer Fully Connected (MLFC) architecture. Models can be learned for multi-step prediction, recovering excellent predictions over 500 timesteps in the presence of simulated disturbances to the robot and noise on the measurements. To learn models from experimental data, the RNN state initialization problem is defined and formulated. It is shown that the RNN state initialization problem can be addressed by creating and training an initialization network jointly with the multi-step prediction network, and the combination can be used in a black-box modeling approach such that the model produces predictions which are immediately accurate. The RNN based black-box methods are trained on an experimental dataset gathered from a quadrotor and a publicly available helicopter dataset. The quadrotor dataset, which encompasses approximately 4
Sprout density for the production of organic mini-cabbage from mother plant regrowth

EnglishThe method of producing organic mini-cabbages from regrowth of mother-plant was initiated at the Unidade de Referencia em Agroecologia of the Incaper in 2013, possibly acting as an efficient alternative for the obtainment of cabbages with a more adequate average weight for the desires of the modern consumer. The aim of this study was to define sprout density in the mother plant, which allows better productivity and commercial standards for organic mini-cabbages. The experiment was developed during the period from September to November 2015, using the F1 Shinsei hybrid, in a design with randomized blocks, with five replications. Sprout density was determined following thinning, constituting the following treatments: two, three, four, five and six sprouts per plant. Best management of sprouts was the technique with four sprouts per plant, since it allowed greater productivity (52,997kg ha-1) and a greater number of commercial heads, together with a commercial standard of heads with average weight (414g) and median diameter (8.8cm) adequate for the standards demanded by the consumer. Key words: Brassica oleracea; var. capitata; organic cultivation; mini-vegetables; plant density portuguesA tecnica de producao de mini-repolhos orgânicos por rebrota da planta-mae foi iniciada na Unidade de Referencia em Agroecologia do Incaper, no ano de 2013, podendo ser uma alternativa eficiente para obtencao de repolhos com peso medio mais apropriado ao desejo do consumidor moderno. O objetivo deste trabalho foi definir a densidade de brotos da planta-mae, que permita melhor produtividade e padrao comercial de mini-repolhos orgânicos. O experimento foi desenvolvido no periodo de setembro a novembro de 2015, utilizando-se o hibrido F1 Shinsei, no delineamento de blocos casualizados, com cinco repeticoes. As densidades de brotos foram estabelecidas apos desbastes, constituindo os seguintes tratamentos: dois, tres, quatro, cinco e seis brotos por planta. O melhor manejo de rebrotas foi a conducao com quatro brotos por planta, pois permitiu maior produtividade (52.997kg ha-1) e maior numero de cabecas comerciais, aliados a um padrao comercial de cabecas com peso medio (414g) e diâmetro medio (8,8cm) adequados aos padroes exigidos pelo consumidor. Palavras-chave: Brassica oleracea; var. capitata; cultivo orgânico; mini-hortalicas; densidade de plantas
Evaluating Educational Videos using Bayesian Knowledge Tracing and Big Data

Along with the advent of MOOCs and other online learning platforms such as Khan Academy, the role of online education has continued to grow in relation to that of traditional on-campus instruction. Rather than tackle the problem of evaluating large educational units such as entire online courses, this paper approaches a smaller problem: exploring a framework for evaluating more granular educational units, in this case, short educational videos. We have chosen to leverage an adaptation of traditional Bayesian Knowledge Tracing (BKT), intended to incorporate the usage of video content in addition to assessment activity. By exploring the change in predictive error when alternately including or omitting video activity, we suggest a metric for determining the relevance of videos to associated assessments. To validate our hypothesis and demonstrate the application of our proposed methods we use data obtained from both the popular Khan Academy website and two MOOCs offered by Stanford University in the summer of 2014.