Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dendrimeric β-cyclodextrin/Gd(III) chelate supramolecular host-guest adducts as high-relaxivity MRI probes.

We have synthesized a new macromolecular architecture, (PAMAM)-CD8 , which consists of eight β-cyclodextrin units (β-CD) attached to a generation 1 poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer through a disulfide bond, which can be cleaved under reducing conditions. This system shows a pronounced hosting capability towards Gd(III) chelates functionalized with hydrophobic groups, thus leading to well-defined supramolecular adducts. (1)H NMR relaxometric investigations were carried out to follow the formation of adducts with three Gd(III) chelates based on the ligand architectures of 6-amino-6-methylperhydro-1,4-diazepinetetraacetic acid (AAZTA) or 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) suitably functionalized with benzyl or adamantyl (Ad) pendant groups. In particular, the ditopic complex composed of two AAZTA chelating units connected to a central aromatic ring that bears an adamantyl group showed a strong affinity (ca. 10(6) M(-1)) for the CD units of the dendrimer, which is two orders of magnitude higher than toward human serum albumin (HSA). Remarkable relaxivity enhancements (i.e., up to 71% at 1 T and 25 °C) were observed upon the formation of the macromolecular host-guest adducts due to a decrease in the molecular tumbling rate and fast water-exchange. Reduction experiments and competition studies between the paramagnetic dendrimer and HSA were carried out by relaxometric techniques. The results show that the metal complexes are not displaced by the protein, thus suggesting that this novel macromolecular probe is potentially suitable for applications in vivo.
An ILMI approach to guaranteed cost controllers with a full order observer

This paper presents a design scheme of a full order observer-based guaranteed cost controller for uncertain linear systems, in which all state variables cannot be measured. The perturbations are assumed to be described by structural uncertainties. An iterative linear matrix inequality (ILMI) approach is used to design the observer-based controller. A numerical example is given to illustrate the proposed method.
Novel Meiosis-Specific Isoform of Mammalian SMC1

ABSTRACT Structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) proteins fulfill pivotal roles in chromosome dynamics. In yeast, the SMC1-SMC3 heterodimer is required for meiotic sister chromatid cohesion and DNA recombination. Little is known, however, about mammalian SMC proteins in meiotic cells. We have identified a novel SMC protein (SMC1β), which—except for a unique, basic, DNA binding C-terminal motif—is highly homologous to SMC1 (which may now be called SMC1α) and is not present in the yeast genome. SMC1β is specifically expressed in testes and coimmunoprecipitates with SMC3 from testis nuclear extracts, but not from a variety of somatic cells. This establishes for mammalian cells the concept of cell-type- and tissue-specific SMC protein isoforms. Analysis of testis sections and chromosome spreads of various stages of meiosis revealed localization of SMC1β along the axial elements of synaptonemal complexes in prophase I. Most SMC1β dissociates from the chromosome arms in late-pachytene-diplotene cells. However, SMC1β, but not SMC1α, remains chromatin associated at the centromeres up to metaphase II. Thus, SMC1β and not SMC1α is likely involved in maintaining cohesion between sister centromeres until anaphase II.
SPEAKER SEGMENTATION , DETECTION AND TRACKING IN MULTI-SPEAKER LONG AUDIO RECORDINGS

In this paper we present an approach for speaker identification or detection and tracking in a task where the audio stream contains speech of several speakers. The approach is based on a system that performs an audio segmentation followed by speaker change detection and a speaker clustering and speaker verification. We analyze different clustering methods all based on a hierarchical classification technique. The experiments were conducted on a broadcast news data in Galician. The results show the potential of using a priori speaker models for some speakers involved in the conversation.
Managing project contexts : Interaction history as a resource

The paper deals with exploiting the potential of interaction histories for managing multiple project contexts in both traditional and smart environments. Mapping interaction histories to specific projects is proposed as a way to make interaction histories a useful resource for supporting continuous, coordinated work on a set of projects over time and distributing resources across contexts and devices. The proposed approach is illustrated with a simple example of using project-specific interaction histories for synchronizing work between a personal computer and a mobile device. Implications of the proposed approach to design of smart environments are discussed.
Coalition-based energy efficient offloading strategy for immersive collaborative applications in Femto-Cloud

Computation offloading has already shown itself to be successful for enabling resource-intensive applications on mobile devices. However, in view of immersive applications, the offloaded tasks could be duplicate when multiple users are in the same environment. In this paper, we consider the scenario that multiple mobile users offload duplicated computation tasks to a set of nearby Femto-Cloud called Small Cell cloud enhanced e-NodeB (SCceNB), and share the computation results among them. Our goal is to find an optimal offloading and sharing strategy to minimize the overall energy consumption at the mobile terminal side. To this end, we propose a cooperative call graph to model the problem. Based on the derived call graph, we present a distributed algorithm that combines notions from 0-1 programming and coalitional game to solve it, while considering the delay constraint for each mobile user as well as the computation ability and memory constraints of each SCceNB. Simulation results show that our proposal can reduce energy consumption up to 39.73%, 34.37%, and 19.54% compared to the “total offloading” scheme, the “no offloading” scheme, and the “optimal offloading without sharing” scheme, respectively.
A quality of service driven concurrency framework for object‐based middleware

Threads play a key role in object‐based middleware platforms. Implementers of such platforms can select either kernel or user‐level threads, but neither of these options are ideal. In this paper we introduce Application Scheduler Contexts (ASCs) which flexibly combine both types of thread and thereby attempt to exploit the advantages of each. Multiple ASCs can co‐exist, each with their own concurrency semantics and scheduling policy. ASCs also support quality of service (QoS) configurability, and define their own QoS schema. We show how ASCs can be efficiently implemented and how they can usefully be exploited in middleware environments. We also provide a quantitative evaluation that demonstrates the feasibility of the ASC concept in performance terms. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Behaviour-based map representation for a sonar-based mobile robot by statistical methods

Many conventional methods for map generation by mobile robots have tried to reconstruct 3-D geometric representation of the environment, which are time-consuming, error-prone, and necessary to transform the map into the information available for the given task. This paper proposes a method to acquire a statistical map representation robust to sensor noise and directly usable for navigation task. The robot is equipped with a ring of ultrasonic ranging sensors and a collision avoidance behaviour is embedded in it. First, the mobile robot explores in the environment in order to store a set of sequences of sonar data, and the principle component analysis is applied to reduce the dimensionality of the sonar data. As a result, each sequence of sonar data can be described as a score pattern of principal components. Next, these patterns are classified into typical local structures of the environment in order for the robot to discriminate them. Finally, a graph representation of the environment is constructed in which nodes and arcs correspond to these local structures and the transition probabilities between them, respectively. The validity of the method is shown by computer simulations and real robot experiments.
Chinese whispers. Semiotically mediating between idea and program

The relation of aesthetics and computation has intrigued researchers, artists, and philosophers throughout the history of Western mind. In a long-range project, compArt, we take computer art as a case to explore and create sites for learning, art, and programming. We set up situations for students to gain insight into the algorithmic fabric of certain classes of graphic art. An indicator of the students' comprehension is the reformulation of hidden algorithms. An easy exercise is to use tools of a GUI to generate replicas. A greater challenge is a precise symbolic description of classes of graphics. We use the children's play of Chinese whispers as an interface metaphor for the description of data flow. The user is not required to know anything about data flow when he sets up a communication structure between agents and thus creates a total algorithmic behavior from local semantics. We bridge the gap between vague idea and precise formalism by semiotic embedding.
Advancement in Multilevel VSI for stand-alone solar PV system

Multilevel inverter units for stand-alone solar photovoltaic systems are gaining popularity in the present industrial environment. The number of switching devices, total harmonic distortion, number of output levels and number of sources are the governing factors in a multilevel inverter topology. The classical multilevel inverter topologies produce a considerable amount of switching losses due to handful number of switching devices as the number of output levels is increased. Therefore to overcome these drawbacks a multilevel inverter topology to maximize the number of output levels with reduced number of switching devices is opted. The staircase output voltages representing the total number of levels are obtained by the additive and subtractive combination of asymmetrically arranged voltage sources thereby reducing the total number of DC sources required. The reduction of THD and switching losses is done by selecting the suitable PWM technique with low switching frequency. Unlike in the central MPPT architecture, the distributed MPPT architecture is employed for the extraction of maximum power. A multilevel inverter for stand-alone solar PV system incorporating the features like reduced number of switches, reduced number of sources and maximizing the number of output levels with distributed MPPT architecture is designed. By this a better performance compared to the conventional methodology can be attain. The multilevel voltage source inverter with/without distributed MPPT and comparative analysis of the three types of Multicarrier Sinusoidal PWM techniques at low/high carrier wave frequency is modeled and simulation results have been taken. The simulation of the Multilevel VSI for stand-alone solar PV system is done using MATLAB R2014a software.
3D interaction using mobile device on 3D environments with large screen

There are growing needs for the 3D environment. The 3D devices, such like 3D television, have already started to be sold in markets to the general public. In other words, it means that 3D environment is becoming accustomed to everything. In the same manner, the ways for the 3D manipulation are also getting more important, and there are lots of ways for the 3D manipulation on large screen, which has been used so far, such like 6DOF tracking devices. The problem, however, is that they require high cost, and appropriate place with good environment should be prepared. In this paper, another easier and cheaper way for the 3D manipulation is introduced. The method which is introduced is a way using a mobile device instead of the expensive trackers. Using the method that this paper shows, it is expected that this method is accustomed to everybody and can be used easily.
Mobile communication and ethics: implications of everyday actions on social order

Of the many opportunities and affordances that mobile technologies bring to our day-to-day lives, the ability to cheat physical separation and remain accessible to each other—in an instant—also brings pressure to bear on well-established social conventions as to how we should act when we are engaged with others in shared spaces. In this paper we explore some ethical dimensions of mobile communication by considering the manner in which individuals in everyday contexts balance interpretations of emergent social conventions with personal desires to connect in the moment. As we later discuss, the decisions made in response to a ringing mobile phone or flashing text message emerge from consequential versus deontological ethical frames used to determine what to do versus what we ought to do. This is particularly true in western and North American cultural contexts from which our data are collected. Using Goffman's dramaturgy, we suggest that these conflicts occurring on an individual level provide evidence of social structure, and are simultaneously entwined with our less obvious ruminations on the maintenance of social order.
Differences in Gene Expression Profiles between Early and Late Isolates in Monospecies Achromobacter Biofilm

Bacteria of genus Achromobacter are emerging pathogens in cystic fibrosis (CF) capable of biofilm formation and development of antimicrobial resistance. Evolutionary adaptions in the transition from primary to chronic infection were assessed by transcriptomic analysis of successive isolates of Achromobacter xylosoxidans from a single CF patient. Several efflux pump systems targeting antimicrobial agents were upregulated during the course of the disease, whereas all genes related to motility were downregulated. Genes annotated to subsystems of sulfur metabolism, protein metabolism and potassium metabolism exhibited the strongest upregulation. K+ channel genes were hyperexpressed, and a putative sulfite oxidase was more than 1500 times upregulated. The transcriptome patterns indicated a pivotal role of sulfur metabolism and electrical signalling in Achromobacter biofilms during late stage CF lung disease.
Relationship between operations strategy and size in engineering consulting firms

The relationship between strategy and firm size has been broadly considered and studied in strategic management literature. However, this topic has not been paid as much attention in the operations management field in manufacturing studies. The aim of this study is to analyse the relationship between operations strategy and firm size in a sample of engineering consulting firms. According to the results, there is a significant relationship between operations strategy and size in consulting engineering firms. In this context, small firms tend to follow customer‐oriented operations strategies, medium sized firms tend to follow process‐oriented operations strategies and larger firms tend to follow service‐oriented operations strategies.
A Built-In Self-Repair Scheme for 3-D RAMs With Interdie Redundancy

3-D integration using through silicon via is an emerging technology for integrated circuit designs. Random access memory (RAM) is one good candidate for the application of 3-D integration technology. However, yield will be a key challenge for the volume production of 3-D RAMs. In this paper, we present yield-enhancement techniques for 3-D RAMs. An interdie redundancy scheme is proposed to improve the yield of 3-D RAMs. Three stacking flows with respect to different bonding technologies for 3-D RAMs with interdie redundancy are proposed as well. Finally, a built-in self-repair (BISR) scheme is proposed to perform the repair of 3-D RAMs with interdie redundancies. The BISR circuits in two stacked dies can work together to allocate interdie redundancies. Simulation results show that the proposed yield-enhancement techniques can effectively improve the yield of 3-D RAMs.
Non-linear dimension reduction with tangent bundle approximation

The problem of non-linear dimension reduction is relevant to many different areas of knowledge. While the linear case can be solved by variations of PCA, the non-linear case is more complex. Recent advances incorporate geometrical information by estimating a manifold that approximates the data. The paper follows that trend and tackles some limitations of existing approaches -arbitrary topology and curvature of the manifold, unknown intrinsic dimension and, for mixture models, unknown number of mixture components. An algorithm, designated TBA (tangent bundle approximation), is presented that addresses the enumerated difficulties and is faster than existing methods, in datasets of a few thousand points. The motivation behind TBA is to perform motion tracking in video sequences, but the algorithm can be applied in a wide class of problems. The paper starts with a brief review of related work and then describes the TBA approach in detail. The algorithm is then subjected to comparative evaluation.
Group difference in psychosocial development of undergraduate students.

GROUP DIFFERENCES IN PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS Charles L. Pride January 29, 2007 The purpose of this dissertation is to examine group differences in psychosocial development by affiliation, gender, and race of undergraduate students. The design was causal-comparative. The independent variables were gender (female/male), race (Black/White), and affiliation (Greek/non-Greek). The dependent variables were the three subscales obtained from the Student Developmental Task Lifestyle Assessment for Purpose (PUR), Autonomy (AUT), and Mature Interpersonal Relationships (MIR). The Student Developmental Task and Lifestyle Assessment (SDTLA) was used in this study. The research sites included Eastern Kentucky University, Murray State University and Western Kentucky University. Seven hypotheses were tested by a MANOV A design. The major finding was the significance of race and affiliation on Autonomy and Purpose. In particular, the disordinal interaction upon affiliated Black students was significant.
Tumorigenic Potential of Olfactory Bulb-Derived Human Adult Neural Stem Cells Associates with Activation of TERT and NOTCH1

Background Multipotent neural stem cells (NSCs) have been isolated from neurogenic regions of the adult brain. Reportedly, these cells can be expanded in vitro under prolonged mitogen stimulation without propensity to transform. However, the constitutive activation of the cellular machinery required to bypass apoptosis and senescence places these cells at risk for malignant transformation. Methodology/Principal Findings Using serum-free medium supplemented with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), we established clonally derived NS/progenitor cell (NS/PC) cultures from the olfactory bulb (OB) of five adult patients. The NS/PC cultures obtained from one OB specimen lost growth factor dependence and neuronal differentiation at early passage. These cells developed glioblastoma tumors upon xenografting in immunosuppressed mice. The remaining NS/PC cultures were propagated either as floating neurospheres or as adherent monolayers with mainteinance of growth factor dependence and multipotentiality at late passage. These cells were engrafted onto the CNS of immunosuppressed rodents. Overall, the grafted NS/PCs homed in the host parenchyma showing ramified morphology and neuronal marker expression. However, a group of animals transplanted with NS/PCs obtained from an adherent culture developed fast growing tumors histologically resembling neuroesthesioblastoma. Cytogenetic and molecular analyses showed that the NS/PC undergo chromosomal changes with repeated in vitro passages under mitogen stimulation, and that up-regulation of hTERT and NOTCH1 associates with in vivo tumorigenicity. Conclusions/Significance Using culturing techniques described in current literature, NS/PCs arise from the OB of adult patients which in vivo either integrate in the CNS parenchyma showing neuron-like features or initiate tumor formation. Extensive xenografting studies on each human derived NS cell line appear mandatory before any use of these cells in the clinical setting.
Towards Knowledge Discovery in Software Repositories to Support Refactoring Jörg Rech Fraunhofer IESE

Software repositories are typically used to store code together with additional information. These repositories are a valuable source to train knowledge discovery algorithms to detect code smells and other qualitative defects. In this paper we present a lightweight framework to detect previously unknown knowledge from software reposit ories to support refactoring. The results will be usable by software reengineers in the process of inspection and quality asses sment of legacy systems.
Theoretical aspects of autism: biomarkers—a review

Autism is dramatically increasing in incidence and is now considered an epidemic. There are no objective means to diagnose the disorder. Diagnosis is made subjectively, based on the perceived behavior of the subject. This review presents an approach toward development of an objective measure of autism. Covering the literature from 1943 to the present in the PubMed and Ovid Medline databases, this review summarizes evidence of hormones, metabolites, amino acids, and other biomarkers present in significantly different quantities in autistic subjects compared to age- and sex-matched controls. These differences can be measured in the gastrointestinal, immunologic, neurologic, and toxicologic systems of the body, with some biomarkers showing ubiquitous application. In addition, there are unifying concepts, i.e., increased vulnerability to oxidative stress, immune glutamatergic dysfunction, and pineal gland malfunction. The variances of the biomarkers from the norm present the opportunity to create biomarker arrays that when properly developed and analyzed could result in an objective diagnosis with a ranking of the severity of autism for each subject. The contribution of each biomarker to the overall diagnosis could be calculated, thus providing a profile pattern unique to the individual. This profile could consequently provide information for therapeutic interventions on an individual basis.
Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency Anemia Using Image Processing Techniques

This study aims to implement an image processing algorithm for detection of both red and blue stained blood cells to help in diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia in a more effective and efficient way. Our approach allows us to obtain the exact number of each stained blood cells. The algorithm also calculates the percentage of blue and red stained cells in the given specimen image sample. This information is vital in detecting the disease and determining its severity. Although the algorithm is designed in such a manner to provide flexibility regarding the selection of either a particular region or a whole given image sample, the calculations are done for the desired region only. Images of villi cells taken from the small intestine of humans were used.