Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hemodynamic Adaptations to Regular Exercise in People With Spinal Cord Injury

Objective To investigate the real-time cardiovascular response to the progressive overload exercise in different levels of spinal cord injury (SCI), and to find out whether regular exercise has effect on these cardiovascular responses. Methods The study enrolled 8 able-bodied individuals in the control group plus 15 SCI subjects who were divided into two groups by their neurological level of injury: high-level SCI group (T6 or above) and low-level SCI group (T7 or below). Also, subjects were divided into exercise group and non-exercise group by usual exercise habits. We instructed the subjects to perform exercises using arm ergometer according to the protocol and checked plethysmograph for the real time assessment of blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac output. Results Six subjects were included in high-level SCI group (3 cervical, 3 thoracic injuries), 9 subjects in low-level SCI group (9 thoracic injuries), and 8 able-bodied individuals in control group. During arm ergometer-graded exercise, mean arterial pressure (MAP) was significantly lower in high-level SCI subjects of non-exercise group, compared with high-level SCI subjects of exercise group. In addition, HR was significantly higher in low-level SCI group compared with control group. Conclusion There are significant differences in mean arterial pressure of high-level SCI group according to usual exercise habits. We discovered that even in non-athlete high-level SCI, regular exercise can bring cardiac modulation through blood pressure control.
Performance Evaluation of Super Performance Evaluation of Super Performance Evaluation of Super Performance Evaluation of Super----Resolution Resolution Resolution Resolution Reconstruction Algorithms Reconstruction Algorithms Reconstruction Algorithms Reconstruction Algorithms Based On Based On Bas

Super Resolution based Reconstruction of images produces a High Resolution (HR) image from multiple Low Resolution (LR) images by estimating the motion parameters and shifts in the LR images. The problem can be divided into two parts: an image registration part in which the motion parameters and shift between different frames of the same scene are estimated and the reconstruction part in which an HR image is reconstructed from the registered images. In this paper, we consider the second part of the problem: The reconstruction step. We have compared six different reconstruction algorithms which are Bi-Cubic Interpolation method, Iterated Back Projection (IBP) algorithm, Points onto Convex Sets (POCS), Robust Super-Resolution (RSR), Structured-Adaptive Normalized Convolution (SANC) and Populis-Gerchberg (PG) approach. The results are compared using Histogram Comparison Index (HCI) based on BHATTACHARYYA [23] distance which is a popular metric for color images comparisons. From an experimental evaluation, we find that SANC, POCS and Bi-Cubic Interpolation methods produce convincing results both under high and low magnification compared to other methods. On the other hand, PG algorithm and RSR degrade image quality on higher magnification.
Towards a Multilingual Future: The Ecology of Language at a University in Eastern Ukraine

In Ukraine, the Russian and Ukrainian languages have historically alternated in policy and practice in their official status and social prestige. As in many areas of the world, English is emerging in Ukraine as a language of economic value, social prestige, and education though it is not a language of wider communication. The goal of the research was to explore the ecology of language at a university which is implementing English as a medium of instruction in all subjects for multiple groups of students in Dnipropetrovs&rsquok, Ukraine. Ethnographic fieldwork was conducted over the 2010-2011 academic year to answer the following questions: 1) What are the discourses about English language instruction at the university? 2) What is the day-to-day reality of English language instruction at the university? 3) How are English and English-language classroom practices situated in or reflective of the larger language ecology of the university? and 4) How is English language education practically and discursively connected with: Ukrainian language policy, international education policy, and goals of economic development or integration, especially integration with the European Union? Data were interpreted through the lenses of ethnography of communication, discourse analysis, and Conversation Analysis (CA). It was found that English is a source of prestige and achievement for the university, and is an attempt to recruit students by offering a &ldquoEuropean&rdquo level of education. Using English as a medium of instruction poses the challenge of finding teachers and textbooks and requires adjustments to classroom management, but also affords opportunities to learn academic content and language. Russian is the predominant native language used to support learning in EFL and English-medium classes. Ukrainian appears to be most prevalent in the written domains of use regardless of the medium of instruction, and in formal spoken situations. Russian was a predominant spoken language. English occupies spaces that Russian or Ukrainian do not, but is not seen as a threat to Russian or Ukrainian because it is a foreign language. Additional languages are used in and out of class in more limited ways, but are seen as equally important as English, Russian and Ukrainian for securing an economic future. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Education First Advisor Nancy H. Hornberger This dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn. edu/edissertations/756
Performance Enhancement of AES AlgorithmUsing Dynamic Partial Reconfiguration

This work reports Partial Reconfiguration (PR) by which FPGA can dynamically reconfigure. The concept of self-reconfiguration is tried to explain under the control of embedded microprocessor like microblaze. Here PR could be useful to reduce area requirements and upsurge systems versatility. Partial Reconfiguration is supported on high end FPGAs like Sparten III, Virtex series. Today cryptographic algorithms are not safe also embedded cryptographic hardware is costly. Hence to make it cost effective and to provide more secureness reconfigurable hardware such as FPGA can be used. In this project AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) algorithm has been selected for PR implementation to achieve the goal of secureness in cryptography. This work gives briefings about the method of hardware implementation for AES encryption algorithm with Dynamic Partial Reconfigurable keys. This implementation could be a good solution to preserve confidentiality and convenience to the information in the numeric communication.
Scenarios , Strategies and the Strategy Process

The purpose of strategy is to create a good fit between the characteristics of the organisation for which the strategy is designed and the business environment. The strategist needs to consider both parts of the equation. This task needs to be carried out in a situation which is uncertain and ambiguious. The higher the uncertainty and the more dynamic the situation, the more problematic is the idea of 'the best strategy'. What seems best today may be far from ideal tomorrow. The key to success becomes the ongoing process of strategic evaluation and action. The uncertain business environment can be studied by means of the scenario technique. Uncertainty means that there are multiple equally plausible futures to be reckoned with. This is captured in a number of scenarios. Vygotsky's theory of proximal development helps to understand the critical parameters for a successful scenario project. Scenarios have been popular for a long time. However, in most cases the analysis stops at the boundary of the organisation, and it is left to the manager to use his/her intuition to develop conclusions relating to their meaning for the organisation. In this paper a methodology is presented which allows the manager to be more explicit about the specific strategic characteristics of the organisation itself. It is suggested that for every surviving organisation a 'business idea' can be formulated which explains its ongoing success. It is suggested that a 'business idea' needs to clarify three drivers for success: • how 'rent' is created • how 'rent' is appropriated by the organisation by deploying 'distinctive competencies' • how rent and 'distinctive competencies' are employed to create growth. By bringing together the 'business idea' and scenarios the success formula of the organisation can be tested in various plausible futures. In this way its power and its robustness can be evaluated. In a changing processual world the purpose is not to come to a final yes/no decision on strategy, but to keep working on the proposed 'business idea' by using the scenario testbed, trying to improve its effectiveness. While strategic actions are taken the 'business idea' and the scenarios evolve, keeping the strategic question on the agenda. The process is compared with an ongoing learning loop, which stays with the organisation during its entire
Microfabricated Implantable Parylene-Based Wireless Passive Intraocular Pressure Sensors

This paper presents an implantable parylene-based wireless pressure sensor for biomedical pressure sensing applications specifically designed for continuous intraocular pressure (IOP) monitoring in glaucoma patients. It has an electrical LC tank resonant circuit formed by an integrated capacitor and an inductor coil to facilitate passive wireless sensing using an external interrogating coil connected to a readout unit. Two surface-micromachined sensor designs incorporating variable capacitor and variable capacitor/inductor resonant circuits have been implemented to realize the pressure-sensitive components. The sensor is monolithically microfabricated by exploiting parylene as a biocompatible structural material in a suitable form factor for minimally invasive intraocular implantation. Pressure responses of the microsensor have been characterized to demonstrate its high pressure sensitivity ( > 7000 ppm/mmHg) in both sensor designs, which confirms the feasibility of pressure sensing with smaller than 1 mmHg of resolution for practical biomedical applications. A six-month animal study verifies the in vivo bioefficacy and biostability of the implant in the intraocular environment with no surgical or postoperative complications. Preliminary ex vivo experimental results verify the IOP sensing feasibility of such device. This sensor will ultimately be implanted at the pars plana or on the iris of the eye to fulfill continuous, convenient, direct, and faithful IOP monitoring. [2008-0111].
Sparsity-Tolerated Algorithm with Missing Value Recovering in User-based Collaborative Filtering Recommendation ⋆

Personalized recommendation plays an important role in both e-commerce area and information filtering area. The neighborhood based collaborative filtering algorithm has already been used successfully. However, with the overwhelming explosion of Internet content, the problem of data sparsity has become more and more severe. The effect of data sparsity problem lies in both similarity computation and prediction generation, but very few works focus on the latter. This paper presents a hierarchy k-nearest neighbor collaborative filtering algorithm. It fills in the missing value by constructing multiple layers of nearest neighbors for users to generate better prediction. Experiments validated that the algorithm proposed in this paper achieved higher prediction accuracy with extreme sparse data.
A requirements-based approach for representing micro-business patterns

Patterns aid in the development of software for micro-businesses. However, capturing recurring concepts in good representations for the purpose of requirements engineering is challenging. Such representations need to be intuitive enough so that non-technical people such as micro-business owners can understand them. At the same time, the representations have to be technical enough so that software developers can use them for software design and development. In this paper, we propose a requirements-based approach for representing micro-business patterns. We describe pattern emergence from observation and analysis. We list down and specify both the functional and nonfunctional requirements of the micro-business in a table and then represent the workflows using diagrams. We use a combination of a business process modeling notation, softgoal interdependency graphs, and our own customized symbols. Four real-world micro-business cases are discussed in the paper in order to see both the strengths and weaknesses of our approach.
Accurately determining log and bark volumes of saw logs using high-resolution laser scan data

Accurately determining the volume of logs and bark is crucial to estimating the total expected value recovery from a log. Knowing the correct size and volume of a log helps to determine which processing method, if any, should be used on a given log. However, applying volume estimation methods consistently can be difficult. Errors in log measurement and oddly shaped logs can make log and residue volume estimates inaccurate. Laser log scanning systems consistently measure the surface points on a log to accuracies of 0.01 inch and finer. Using the measurement data from a laser scanning system and traditional volume equations, or using volume measurements directly from the laser scanning systems, provides highly accurate volume calculations. Such volume measurements are comparable to those obtained using water immersion and displacement methods.
The nature of the X-ray transient SAX J1711.6-3808

SAX J1711.6-3808 is an X-ray transient in the Galactic bulge that was active from January through May of 2001 and whose maximum 1–200 keV luminosity was measured to be $5\times 10^{-9}$ erg cm -2 s -1 which is less than ~25% of the Eddington limit, if placed at a distance equal to that of the galactic center. We study the X-ray data that were taken of this moderately bright transient with instruments on BeppoSAX and RXTE. The spectrum shows two interesting features on top of a Comptonized continuum commonly observed in low-state X-ray binaries: a broad emission feature peaking at 7 keV and extending from 4 to 9 keV, and a soft excess with a color temperature below 1 keV which reveals itself only during one week of data. High time-resolution analysis of 412 ksec worth of data fails to show bursts, coherent or high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations. Given the dynamic range of the flux measurements, this would be unusual if a neutron star were present. SAX J1711.6-3808 appears likely to contain a black hole. No quiescent optical counterpart could be identified in archival data within the 5´´-radius XMM error circle, but the limits are not very constraining because of heavy extinction ($A_{ V}=16$).
Prospects of Regional Cooperation in Trade, Investment and Finance in Asia: An Empirical Analysis on Bimstec Countries and Japan

The seven-nation Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multisectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand is emerging as one of the major subregional groups in Asia. Japan is the second largest trading partner for BIMSTEC countries. The paper discusses prospects for strengthening BIMSTEC countries and Japan’s cooperation and integration in trade, investment, and finance. It analyzes the trends and patterns of bilateral and subregional economic cooperation in Asia as well as BIMSTEC-Japan trade. It examines empirically whether BIMSTEC-Japan economic cooperation will increase intraregional trade using a gravity model. Japan-BIMSTEC cooperation will increase intraregional trade but not uniformly for all countries. The potential losses on trade for some countries will be compensated by gains in other areas, such as, stepped up resource transfer, foreign direct investment flows, technology transfer, and market access to services. The paper also presents the need for and possible areas of economic cooperation and integration in investment and finance.
Multifactorial monitoring of training load in elite rugby sevens players: cortisol/cortisone ratio as a valid tool of training load monitoring

The effectiveness of selected physiological and perceptual measures for monitoring training load and fatigue was studied in 16 male elite rugby sevens players during a 6-week intense training block (IT) and 2-week tapering (TAP). Daily training load (TL) and strain (TS) as well as weekly total score of fatigue (TSF) were quantified respectively by the session-rating of perceived exertion (RPE) method and an 8-item questionnaire. Also, testing was performed and 24 h urinary cortisol (C), cortisone (Cn), adrenaline (A) and noradrenalin (NA) excretion was measured before (T0) and after the IT (T1) and after the TAP (T2). The TL, TS and TSF increased during the IT and decreased during the TAP, in conjunction with a significant drop and improvement, respectively, of performance standards during the two periods. At T1, C and Cn levels increased while A and NA levels decreased, resulting in a higher C/Cn ratio and lower A/NA ratio, respectively. At T2, both C/Cn and A/NA returned to baseline values. The changes in C/Cn ratio, after the 6-week IT, were more closely related to mean TL, TS and TSF (r=0.75-0.76 vs. r=0.48-0.58, p<0.01) and to changes in the majority of performance measures than to A/NA ratio. Only the changes in C/Cn ratio after the 2-week TAP were related to mean TL, TS and TSF (r=0.61-0.68, p<0.01). The changes in hormone levels, training strain and performance standards reflected the physical and mental stressors of training, with complete recovery, as indicated by physiological homeostasis, achieved after an appropriate tapering period.
Coral-Associated Bacteria and Their Role in the Biogeochemical Cycling of Sulfur

ABSTRACT Marine bacteria play a central role in the degradation of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) to dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and acrylic acid, DMS being critical to cloud formation and thereby cooling effects on the climate. High concentrations of DMSP and DMS have been reported in scleractinian coral tissues although, to date, there have been no investigations into the influence of these organic sulfur compounds on coral-associated bacteria. Two coral species, Montipora aequituberculata and Acropora millepora, were sampled and their bacterial communities were characterized by both culture-dependent and molecular techniques. Four genera, Roseobacter, Spongiobacter, Vibrio, and Alteromonas, which were isolated on media with either DMSP or DMS as the sole carbon source, comprised the majority of clones retrieved from coral mucus and tissue 16S rRNA gene clone libraries. Clones affiliated with Roseobacter sp. constituted 28% of the M. aequituberculata tissue libraries, while 59% of the clones from the A. millepora libraries were affiliated with sequences related to the Spongiobacter genus. Vibrio spp. were commonly isolated from DMS and acrylic acid enrichments and were also present in 16S rRNA gene libraries from coral mucus, suggesting that under “normal” environmental conditions, they are a natural component of coral-associated communities. Genes homologous to dddD, and dddL, previously implicated in DMSP degradation, were also characterized from isolated strains, confirming that bacteria associated with corals have the potential to metabolize this sulfur compound when present in coral tissues. Our results demonstrate that DMSP, DMS, and acrylic acid potentially act as nutrient sources for coral-associated bacteria and that these sulfur compounds are likely to play a role in structuring bacterial communities in corals, with important consequences for the health of both corals and coral reef ecosystems.
A bilateral remote user authentication scheme that preserves user anonymity

Summary Smart card-based authentication is one of the most widely used and practical solutions to remote user authentication. Compared to other authentication schemes, our proposed scheme aims to provide more functionalities and to resist well-known attacks. These crucial merits include (1) a user can freely choose and change his passwords; (2) our scheme provides mutual authentication between a server and a user; (3) it achieves user anonymity; (4) a server and a user can generate authenticated sessions keys. Moreover, our scheme can resist replay attacks, forgery attacks, insider attacks, reflection attacks, and parallel session attacks. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hybrid Modeling and Diagnosis in the Real World: A Case Study

Abstract : Applying model-based diagnosis techniques to systems that exhibit hybrid behavior presents an interesting set of challenges that mostly revolve around interactions of the continuous and discrete components of the system. In many real world systems, the overall physical plant is inherently continuous, but system control is performed by a supervisory controller that imposes discrete switching behaviors by reconfiguring the system components, or switching controllers. In this paper, we present a case study of an aircraft fuel system, and discuss methodologies for building system models for online tracking of system behavior and performing fault isolation and identification. Empirical studies are performed on detection and isolation for a set of pump and pipe failures.
A new approach to configurable dynamic scheduling in clusters based on single system image technologies

Clusters are now considered as an alternative to parallel machines to execute workloads made up of sequential and/or parallel applications. For efficient application execution on clusters, dynamic global process scheduling is of prime importance. Different dynamic scheduling policies that have been studied for distributed systems or parallel machines may be used in clusters. The choice of a particular policy depends on the kind of workload to be executed. In a cluster, it is thus highly desirable to implement a configurable global scheduler to be able to adapt the dynamic scheduling policy to the workload characteristics, to take benefit of all cluster resources and to cope with node shutdown and reboot. In this paper, we present the architecture of the global scheduler and the process management mechanisms of Kerrighed, a single system image operating system designed for high performance computing on clusters. Kerrighed provides a development framework allowing to easily implement dynamic scheduling policies without kernel modification. In Kerrighed, the global scheduling policy can be dynamically changed while applications execute on the cluster Kerrighed's process management mechanisms allow to easily deploy parallel applications in the cluster and to efficiently migrate or checkpoint processes, including processes sharing memory. Kerrighed has been implemented as a set of modules extending Linux kernel. Preliminary performance results are presented.