Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combinatorial constructions of low-density parity-check codes for iterative decoding

This paper introduces several new combinatorial constructions of low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes, in contrast to the prevalent practice of using long, random-like codes. The proposed codes are well structured, and unlike random codes can lend themselves to a very low-complexity implementation. Constructions of regular Gallager codes based on cyclic difference families, cycle-invariant difference sets, and affine 1-configurations are introduced. Several constructions of difference families used for code design are presented, as well as bounds on the minimal distance of the codes based on the concept of a generalized Pasch configuration.
Cognitive and neural processes in non-clinical auditory hallucinations.

BACKGROUND The nosological status of auditory hallucinations in non-clinical samples is unclear. AIMS To investigate the functional neural basis of non-clinical hallucinations. METHOD After selection from 1206 people, 68 participants of high, medium and low hallucination proneness completed a task designed to elicit verbal hallucinatory phenomena under conditions of stimulus degradation. Eight subjects who reported hearing a voice when none was present repeated the task during functional imaging. RESULTS During the signal detection task, the high hallucination-prone participants reported a voice to be present when it was not (false alarms) significantly more often than the average or low participants (P<0.03, d.f.=2). On functional magnetic resonance imaging, patterns of activation during these false alarms showed activation in the superior and middle temporal cortex (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Auditory hallucinatory experiences reported in non-clinical samples appear to be mediated by similar patterns of cerebral activation as found during hallucinations in schizophrenia.
FlhA provides the adaptor for coordinated delivery of late flagella building blocks to the type III secretion system

Flagella are the bacterial organelles of motility and can play important roles in pathogenesis. Flagella biosynthesis requires the coordinated export of huge protein amounts from the cytosol to the nascent flagellar structure at the cell surface and employs a type III secretion system (T3SS). Here we show that the integral membrane protein FlhA from the gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis acts as an adaptor for late export substrates at the T3SS. The major filament protein (flagellin) and the filament-cap protein (FliD) bind to the FlhA cytoplasmic domain (FlhA-C) only in complex with their cognate chaperones (FliS and FliT). To understand the molecular details of these interactions we determined the FlhA-C crystal structure at 2.3 Å resolution. FlhA-C consists of an N-terminal linker region, three subdomains with a novel fold, and a disordered region essential for the adaptor function. We show that the export protein FliJ associates with the linker region and modulates the binding properties of FlhA-C. While the interaction of FliD/FliT is enhanced, flagellin/FliS is not affected. FliJ also keeps FliT associated with FlhA-C and excess of FliT inhibits binding of FliD/FliT, suggesting that empty FliT chaperones stay associated with FliJ after export of FliD. Taken together, these results allow to propose a model that explains how the T3SS may switch from the stoichiometric export of FliD to the high-throughput secretion of flagellin.
Antioxidants and K + channel agonists versus hydrogen therapy during ex vivo lung perfusion 1 † Knowingly repeating an incorrect and inef ﬁ cient analysis is ﬂ awed logic

Several studies have con ﬁ rmed the role of hydrogen to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROSs) and to protect against ischaemic reperfusion injury (IRI) in the lung and the heart [1 – 4]. In a study, where rabbit lungs were exposed to ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP), the infusion of H 2 S signi ﬁ cantly reduced ROS activity within the grafts [4]. This resulted in a signi ﬁ cant decrease of lipid peroxi- dation, epithelial apoptosis, airway smooth muscle cell (ASMC) proliferation and (interleukin) IL8 production [3, 4]. On the other hand, graft physiological parameters were improved in response to 2% hydrogen inhalation, while the graft is exposed to EVLP [1, 2]. During graft ischaemia and cold preservation, Na + /K + adenosine 5 ’ -tripho-sphatase is inhibited, leading to increased Na + intracellular in ﬂ ux and K + extracel- lular ef ﬂ ux. The inhibited activity of K + channels leads to the failure to re-establish cell membrane hyperpolarization, leading to sustained cell membrane depolar- ization, impaired mitochondrial activity, enhanced activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen and Xanthine oxidases, leading to a signi ﬁ cant increase in ROS production [5]. ROS stimulate ASMC proliferation, which may contribute to the development of pulmonary hypertension, and prime graft in ﬂ ammasomes. The drop of the intracellular K + levels activates the primed in ﬂ ammasomes to activate caspase 1, which activates pro-IL1 β and pro-IL18. While IL1 β stimulates ASMC proliferation, both cytokines Elaboration article describing the rationale for the checklist item but also highlighting many methodological considerations when developing or validat- ing a clinical prediction model [2].
Processing continuous join queries in sensor networks: a filtering approach

While join processing in wireless sensor networks has received a lot of attention recently, current solutions do not work well for continuous queries. In those networks however, continuous queries are the rule. To minimize the communication costs of join processing, it is important to not ship non-joining tuples. In order to know which tuples do not join, prior work has proposed a precomputation step. For continuous queries however, repeating the precomputation for each execution is unnecessary and leaves aside that data tends to be temporally correlated. In this paper, we present a filtering approach for the processing of continuous join queries. We propose to keep the filters and to maintain them. The problems are determining the sizes of the filters and deciding which filters to update. Simplistic approaches result in bad performance. We show how to compute solutions that are optimal. Experiments on real-world sensor data indicate that our method performs close to a theoretical optimum and consistently outperforms state-of-the-art join approaches.
Beyond the Bridge

Using an actionable research approach, researchers and practitioners can collaborate in research to inform advocacy for and development of interventions that seek to reduce inequality in educational outcomes. This process was used at an elite public university to examine the limitations of a summer bridge program and inform the development of an intervention model that provided comprehensive academic and social support for underrepresented students enrolled in engineering and, after a pilot test, other programs at the Midwest University (MU). This article discusses the process leading to the Engineering Academy bridge program, summarizes the research on the pilot test, and describes how the results were used by administrators to advocate for the continuation of the Engineering Academy. Currently, support from the National Science Foundation and MU’s general fund is being used to adapt the intervention for biology, math, and other fields at MU’s College of Liberal Arts.
Complexity management for composable real-time systems

Embedded real-time systems are becoming increasingly complex due to ever increasing size and functionality so that complexity management is of growing importance, especially in dependable hard real-time systems development, where errors caused by complexity can have fatal consequences. This paper systematically characterizes different kinds of complexity: system-level complexity, component interface complexity, and component implementation complexity. The effects of the different kinds of complexity are described and it is explained why minimizing system-level complexity should be a principal goal of any distributed embedded real-time systems architecture. The concept of system-level components is introduced as a solution to the problem of system-level complexity during the integration process
Interactive generalized penetration depth computation for rigid and articulated models using object norm

We present a novel, real-time algorithm to accurately approximate the generalized penetration depth (PDg) between two overlapping rigid or articulated models. Given the high complexity of computing PDg, our algorithm approximates PDg based on iterative, constrained optimization on the contact space, defined by the overlapping objects. The main ingredient of our algorithm is a novel and general formulation of distance metric, the object norm, in a configuration space for articulated models, and a compact closed-form solution for it. Then, we perform constrained optimization, by linearizing the contact constraint, and minimizing the object norm under such a constraint. In practice, our algorithm can compute locally optimal PDg for rigid or articulated models consisting of tens of thousands of triangles in tens of milliseconds. We also suggest three applications using PDg computation: retraction-based motion planning, physically-based animation, and data-driven grasping.
Semantic representation for copyright metadata of user-generated content in folksonomies

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to investigate some general features of folksonomies and user‐generated content with copyright issues, and to present semantic representation for folksonomies using a tag ontology that can be used to represent tagging data at a semantic level using Semantic Web technologies.Design/methodology/approach – An exploratory study is described that features current social tagging methods and copyright metadata. In particular, a tag ontology is extended for representing copyright metadata across different platforms.Findings – The main finding is that Social Semantic Cloud of Tags can improve the expressive knowledge representation of folksonomies and that this ontology can aid in describing copyright metadata using some extended properties.Originality/value – The paper gives a valuable insight into representing folksonomies with Semantic Web technologies that enable the representation, exchange, and reuse of tagging data, and provides a way to reduce the risk of copyright.
Exploring quadrangulations

We present a framework for exploring topologically unique quadrangulations of an input shape. First, the input shape is segmented into surface patches. Second, different topologies are enumerated and explored in each patch. This is realized by an efficient subdivision-based quadrangulation algorithm that can exhaustively enumerate all mesh topologies within a patch. To help users navigate the potentially huge collection of variations, we propose tools to preview and arrange the results. Furthermore, the requirement that all patches need to be jointly quadrangulatable is formulated as a linear integer program. Finally, we apply the framework to shape-space exploration, remeshing, and design to underline the importance of topology exploration.
Peekquence : Visual Analytics for Event Sequence Data

Exploring event sequences in big data is challenging. Though many mining algorithms have been developed to derive the most frequently occurring and the most meaningful sequential patterns, it is yet difficult to make sense of the results. To tackle the problem, we introduce a visual analytics approach, Peekquence. In this paper, we describe the design of Peekquence, which aims to increase the interpretability of machine learning-based sequence mining algorithms.
Androstenetriol immunomodulation improves survival in a severe trauma hemorrhage shock model.

BACKGROUND Traumatic shock activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) to mediate a cascade of defensive mechanisms that often include overwhelming inflammatory response and immunosuppression, which may lead to multiple organ failure. Androstenetriol (5 androstene, 3beta, 7beta, 17beta triol-AET) is a metabolite of dehydroepiandrosterone that markedly up regulates host immune response, prevents immune suppression, modulates inflammation and improves survival after lethal infections by pathogens and lethal radiation. HYPOTHESIS AET-induced immune modulation will improve survival in a conscious rodent model of traumatic shock. METHODS A relevant traumatic shock rodent model that applies to both combat and civilian sectors was used. After creation of a midline laparotomy (soft tissue trauma), animals were hemorrhaged to a mean arterial pressure of 35-40 mm Hg. Resuscitation was initiated sixty minutes later with crystalloid fluid and packed red blood cells and animals were observed for two days. In a randomized and blinded fashion, AET or vehicle was administered subcutaneously at the beginning of resuscitation. RESULTS In the vehicle group 5 out of 16 animals survived, (31%). In contrast, 9 out of 13 animals who received AET survived (69%), (Fisher Exact Test p < 0.05). Survival in the AET treatment group was associated with reduced levels of IL-6, IL-10, and IL-18, and enhanced IFN-gamma and IL-2 levels. CONCLUSION : The results indicate that AET provides a significant protective effect and improves survival in a clinically relevant model of traumatic hemorrhagic shock. AET protective effects are associated with an elevation of Th1 and reduction of Th2 cytokines.
Waveguide Approach to Modeling of the Ionosphere Radiochannel

A rigorous solution of the model problem of the transfer function construction of a stationary HF ionosphere radio channel formed by the receiving-transfer antenna-feeder paths and sphere-layer regular isotropic Earth-ionosphere waveguide is represented. A waveguide representation of electromagnetic field of HF signal was used in the form of a mormal wave series
Gathering Requirements for Software Configuration from the Crowd

Today's complex software systems consist of several components that interact in complex ways to provide services to users. In doing so, these systems go through continuous assessment of their context and configure themselves accordingly to keep user satisfaction high. A popular approach to design adaptive software systems is to perform variability modelling, for instance adopting a feature-based approach. Features describe key components and characteristics of a system, which can take different values and be combined in different ways to obtain a system behavior that can best satisfy the needs of different users, who may use the software in different contexts. These design-time models should be complemented by rules that help in deciding when to switch from one valid system configuration to a different one to fit changing user needs or preferences.Eliciting information necessary to build suitable feature models, as well as rules for dynamic reconfigurations that cover relevant scenarios is not an easy task when considering dynamic adaptation in presence of high variability in user profiles. We are experiencing this issue in a project which aims at developing dynamically personalisable software, and specifically a dynamically configurable feedback gathering tool.In this vision paper we propose to use crowdsourcing to elicit knowledge about reconfiguration requirements for dynamically adaptive systems. The proposed approach rests on a two-stage process, which involves the contribution from the crowd of potential system users, as well as from domain experts.
Objects in Action: An Approach for Combining Action Understanding and Object Perception

Analysis of videos of human-object interactions involves understanding human movements, locating and recognizing objects and observing the effects of human movements on those objects. While each of these can be conducted independently, recognition improves when interactions between these elements are considered. Motivated by psychological studies of human perception, we present a Bayesian approach which unifies the inference processes involved in object classification and localization, action understanding and perception of object reaction. Traditional approaches for object classification and action understanding have relied on shape features and movement analysis respectively. By placing object classification and localization in a video interpretation framework, we can localize and classify objects which are either hard to localize due to clutter or hard to recognize due to lack of discriminative features. Similarly, by applying context on human movements from the objects on which these movements impinge and the effects of these movements, we can segment and recognize actions which are either too subtle to perceive or too hard to recognize using motion features alone.
Enabling Distributed Knowledge Management: Managerial and Technological Implications

In this paper we show that the typical architecture of current KM systems reflects an objectivistic epistemology and a traditional managerial control paradigm. We argue that such an objectivistic epistemology is inconsistent with many theories on the nature of knowledge, in which subjectivity and sociality are taken as essential features of knowledge creation and sharing. We show that adopting such a new epistemological view has dramatic consequences at an architectural, managerial and technological level.
Analytical Bethe ansatz for the open AdS/CFT SU(1|1) spin chain

We prove an inversion identity for the open AdS/CFT SU(1|1) quantum spin chain which is exact for finite size. We use this identity, together with an analytic ansatz, to determine the eigenvalues of the transfer matrix and the corresponding Bethe ansatz equations. We also solve the closed chain by algebraic Bethe ansatz.
Peers at work: Economic real-effort experiments in the presence of virtual co-workers

Traditionally, experimental economics uses controlled and incentivized field and lab experiments to analyze economic behavior. However, investigating peer effects in the classic settings is challenging due to the reflection problem: Who is influencing whom? To overcome this, we enlarge the methodological toolbox of these experiments by means of Virtual Reality. After introducing and validating a real-effort sorting task, we embed a virtual agent as peer of a human subject, who independently performs an identical sorting task. We conducted two experiments investigating (a) the subject's productivity adjustment due to peer effects and (b) the incentive effects on competition. Our results indicate a great potential for Virtual-Reality-based economic experiments.
Profile of Past and Current Clinical Trials Involving Endothelin Receptor Antagonists: The Novel “-Sentan” Class of Drug

Since its initial characterization in 1988, over 18,236 papers, including 2,485 reviews, have been published in the endothelin (ET) field. Over this period, several generations of selective and mixed (dual) ET receptor antagonists (ERAs), from peptidic backbones to orally active potent (subnanomolar) small molecular compounds, have been developed. These agents have been studied in many experimental animal models of various pathological conditions (cardiovascular, respiratory, and neuro-immunological). Continued basic research has led to a better understanding of the complex interactions between the ET axis and other biologic systems in human pathophysiology. The first clinical trial involved patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension and led to approval of bosentan (Tracleer) for use in the United States and Europe in 2002. Since then, bosentan, the only currently approved dual (mixed) ERA, has been used in numerous other clinical trials. In addition, more selective ETA receptor antagonists (ambrisentan, atrasentan, avosentan, clazosentan, darusentan, and sitaxsentan) are undergoing clinical trials. Here we outline the ERAs undergoing development and summarize the standing of completed and ongoing trials at the time of the Ninth International Conference on Endothelin and even thereafter. This review is intended to provide a useful reference for those interested in the current state of clinical trials involving ERAs, and to identify lessons that might apply to the design of future trials.
Long-term File Activity and Inter-Reference Patterns

Author(s): Long, DDE; Miller, EL; Gibson, LT | Abstract: We compare and contract long-term file system activity for different Unix environments for periods of 120 to 280 days. Our focus is on finding common long-term activity trends and reference patterns. Our analysis shows that 90% of all files are not used after initial creation, those that are used are normally short-lived, and that if a file is not used in some manner the day after it is created, it will probably never be used. Additionally, we find approximately 1% of all files are used daily. This information allows us to more accurately predict the files which are never used. These files can be compressed or moved to tertiary storage enabling either more users per disk or larger user disk quotas.
Punk Dress in the Workplace

Individuals who identify with punk subculture negotiate between aesthetic expression of their subcultural identity and the role they believe they are expected to play at work. Men and women, aged 26 - 45 years, in a wide range of professions were interviewed and asked questions related to their workplace dress. They were asked to bring to the interview a display of how they dress to express both their punk and workplace identities. Interviewees reported a balancing act of blending in and standing out, taking into consideration viewer interpretations and subsequent outcomes. Efforts to wear “appropriate” dress included accommodations such as modifying one's punk appearance by conceding to dress codes and using perceived non-confrontational aesthetic choices with punk cues subtly coded to appear conventional. Dress features were selectively revealing or concealing punk symbols as interviewees strive to push the boundaries of workplace appropriateness for satisfying aesthetic self-expression.