Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A study of the energy saving and capacity improvement potential of power control in multi-hop wireless networks

This study investigates the potential of using transmission power control in wireless packet networks with differing number of hops between source and destination. Here we exploit the benefits of power control in the context of multi-hop wireless ad hoc type networks with a distributed media access control. For our investigations we choose several general ad hoc network topologies and studied the effect of power control with respect to energy consumption and network capacity. We show that power control largely improves the network capacity and energy savings in all investigated scenarios, and that utilizing a greater number of intermediate hops between base source and destination improves the energy savings, but often causes a tradeoff in capacity, depending on the network topology scenarios.
Non‐Rigid Puzzles

Shape correspondence is a fundamental problem in computer graphics and vision, with applications in various problems including animation, texture mapping, robotic vision, medical imaging, archaeology and many more. In settings where the shapes are allowed to undergo non‐rigid deformations and only partial views are available, the problem becomes very challenging. To this end, we present a non‐rigid multi‐part shape matching algorithm. We assume to be given a reference shape and its multiple parts undergoing a non‐rigid deformation. Each of these query parts can be additionally contaminated by clutter, may overlap with other parts, and there might be missing parts or redundant ones. Our method simultaneously solves for the segmentation of the reference model, and for a dense correspondence to (subsets of) the parts. Experimental results on synthetic as well as real scans demonstrate the effectiveness of our method in dealing with this challenging matching scenario.
Statistical Phrase-Based Post-Editing

We propose to use a statistical phrasebased machine translation system in a post-editing task: the system takes as input raw machine translation output (from a commercial rule-based MT system), and produces post-edited target-language text. We report on experiments that were performed on data collected in precisely such a setting: pairs of raw MT output and their manually post-edited versions. In our evaluation, the output of our automatic post-editing (APE) system is not only better quality than the rule-based MT (both in terms of the BLEU and TER metrics), it is also better than the output of a stateof-the-art phrase-based MT system used in standalone translation mode. These results indicate that automatic post-editing constitutes a simple and efcient way of combining rule-based and statistical MT technologies.
Minimizing Test Suites with Unfoldings of Multithreaded Programs

This article focuses on computing minimal test suites for multithreaded programs. Based on previous work on test case generation for multithreaded programs using unfoldings, this article shows how this unfolding can be used to generate minimal test suites covering all local states of the program. Generating such minimal test suites is shown to be NP-complete in the size of the unfolding. We propose an SMT encoding for this problem and two methods based on heuristics which only approximate the solution, but scale better in practice. Finally, we apply our methods to compute the minimal test suites for several benchmarks.
Using a Hybrid Neural System to Reveal Regulation of Neuronal Network Activity by an Intrinsic Current

The generation of rhythmic patterns by neuronal networks is a complex phenomenon, relying on the interaction of numerous intrinsic and synaptic currents, as well as modulatory agents. To investigate the functional contribution of an individual ionic current to rhythmic pattern generation in a network, we constructed a hybrid system composed of a silicon model neuron and a heart interneuron from the heartbeat timing network of the medicinal leech. When the model neuron and a heart interneuron are connected by inhibitory synapses, they produce rhythmic activity similar to that observed in the heartbeat network. We focused our studies on investigating the functional role of the hyperpolarization-activated inward current (Ih) on the rhythmic bursts produced by the network. By introducing changes in both the model and the heart interneuron, we showed that Ih determines both the period of rhythmic bursts and the balance of activity between the two sides of the network, because the amount and the activation/deactivation time constant of Ih determines the length of time that a neuron spends in the inhibited phase of its burst cycle. Moreover, we demonstrated that the model neuron is an effective replacement for a heart interneuron and that changes made in the model can accurately mimic similar changes made in the living system. Finally, we used a previously developed mathematical model (Hill et al. 2001) of two mutually inhibitory interneurons to corroborate these findings. Our results demonstrated that this hybrid system technique is advantageous for investigating neuronal properties that are inaccessible with traditional techniques.
Microcalorimetric studies of the growth of sulfate-reducing bacteria: energetics of Desulfovibrio vulgaris growth

The metabolism of Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough grown on medium containing lactate or pyruvate plus a high concentration of sulfate (36 mM) was studied. Molecular growth yields were 6.7 +/- 1.3 and 10.1 +/- 1.7 g/mol for lactate and pyruvate, respectively. Under conditions in which the energy source was the sole growth-limiting factor, we observed the formation of 0.5 mol of hydrogen per mol of lactate and 0.1 mol of hydrogen per mol of pyruvate. The determination of metabolic end products revealed that D. vulgaris produced, in addition to normal end products (acetic acid, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide) and molecular hydrogen, 2 and 5% of ethanol per mol of lactate and pyruvate, respectively. Power-time curves of growth of D. vulgaris on lactate and pyruvate were obtained, by the microcalorimetric Tian-Calvet apparatus. The enthalpies (delta Hmet) associated with the oxidation of these substrates and calculated from growth thermograms were -36.36 +/- 5 and -70.22 +/- 3 kJ/mol of lactate and pyruvate, respectively. These experimental values were in agreement with the homologous values assessed from the theoretical equations of D. vulgaris metabolism of both lactate and pyruvate. The hydrogen production by this sulfate reducer constitutes an efficient regulatory system of electrons, from energy source through the pathway of sulfate reduction. This hydrogen value may thus facilitate interactions between this strain and other environmental microflora, especially metagenic bacteria.
Hesperidin prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxicity in rats

Abstract Context: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major trigger of septic shock resulting in multiple organ damage through excessive stimulation of the host’s immune cells resulting in the release of cytokines. Previous studies have shown that hesperidin has several beneficial properties against inflammation and oxidative stress. Objective: The influence of hesperidin on endotoxemia, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and oxidative stress was investigated using a murine model of sepsis. Materials and methods: Rats were pretreated for 15 d with three doses (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg) of hesperidin prior to LPS administration. Afterwards, the levels of biomarkers of endotoxemia, endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress were assessed. Reverse transcriptase PCR technique was used to assess the expression of hepatic proinflammatory cytokines. Results: Hesperidin pretreatment significantly (p < 0.05) reduced circulating endotoxin, as well as the levels of bactericidal permeability increasing protein and procalcitonin, and the associated endothelial dysfunction by reducing the levels of plasma soluble intercellular adhesion molecules 1 and inducible nitric oxide (iNO) synthase. There was also down-regulation of the expression of gene for interleukin 1α, interleukin 1β, interleukin 1 receptor, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) in the liver of rats treated with LPS as a result of hesperidin pretreatment. Hesperidin also showed anti-oxidative properties through the significant (p < 0.05) reduction of NO, hydroperoxides, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and increase of glutathione, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase in the organs. Conclusion: Different doses of hesperidin can prevent endotoxemia-induced oxidative stress as well as inflammatory and endothelial perturbation in rats when administered for as few as 15 d before exposure to endotoxin.
Failure-aware Runtime Verification of Distributed Systems

Prior runtime-verification approaches for distributed systems are limited as they do not account for network failures and they assume that system messages are received in the order they are sent. To overcome these limitations, we present an online algorithm for verifying observed system behavior at runtime with respect to specifications written in the real-time logic MTL that efficiently handles out-of-order message deliveries and operates in the presence of failures. Our algorithm uses a three-valued semantics for MTL, where the third truth value models knowledge gaps, and it resolves knowledge gaps as it propagates Boolean values through the formula structure. We establish the algorithm's soundness and provide completeness guarantees. We also show that it supports distributed system monitoring, where multiple monitors cooperate and exchange their observations and conclusions.
The gender dimension of social change : the contribution of dynamic research to the study of women's life courses

Part I Introduction: Women and social change, Elisabetta Ruspini Survey designs for longitudinal research, Elisabetta Ruspini. Part II The issues: The role of education on postponement of maternity in Britain, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden, Siv Gustafsson, Eiko Kenjoh, and Cecile Wetzels The financial consequences of relationship dissolution for women in Western Europe, Caroline Dewilde Women's incomes over a synthetic lifetime, Heather Joshi, Hugh Davies Fixed-term contracts and unemployment at the beginning of the employment career in Germany: does gender matter? , Karin Kurz Women and self-employment - the case of television production workers in Britain, Shirley Dex, Colin Smith Gender wage differentials in Britain and, Japan Yayoi Sugihashi, Angela Dale Longitudinal analysis and the constitution of the concept of gender Jane Elliott. Part III Data sources: Concluding comments, Elisabetta Ruspini, Angela Dale. Appendix: Description and characteristics of longitudinal data sets used in the book, Elisabetta Ruspini.
Effect of childhood obesity prevention programmes on blood lipids: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

We aimed to assess the effects of childhood obesity prevention programmes on blood lipids in high‐income countries. We searched MEDLINE®, Embase, PsychInfo, CINAHL®, clinicaltrials.gov, and the Cochrane Library up to 22 April 2013 for relevant randomized controlled trials, quasi‐experimental studies and natural experiments published in English. Studies were included if they implemented diet and/or physical activity intervention(s) with ≥1 year follow‐up (or ≥6 months for school‐based intervention studies) in 2–18‐year‐olds, and were excluded if they targeted only overweight/obese children, or those with a pre‐existing medical condition. Seventeen studies were finally included. For total cholesterol, the pooled intervention effect was −0.97 mg dL−1 [95% confidence interval (CI): −3.26, 1.32; P = 0.408]; for low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), −6.06 mg dL−1 (95% CI: −11.09, −1.02; P = 0.018); for high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), 1.87 mg dL−1 (95% CI: 0.39, 3.34; P = 0.013); and for triglycerides, −1.95 mg dL−1 (95% CI: −4.94, 1.04; P = 0.202). Most interventions (70%) showed similar significant or no effects on adiposity‐ and lipids outcomes: 15% interventions improved both adiposity‐ and lipids outcomes; 55% had no significant effects on either. Childhood obesity prevention programmes had a significant desirable effect on LDL‐C and HDL‐C. Two‐thirds of interventions showed similar significant or no effects in adiposity‐ and lipids outcomes. Assessing lipids outcomes provide additional useful information on obesity prevention programme benefits.
The Concept of Activity in Soviet Psychology

"Essays, poems, songs, folkloric anecdotes and photographs celebrating the myth of Mao. The editor supplies an insightful, and cohesing introduction". -- Reference & Research Book News "(A) highly entertaining and informative collection of translations of official, admiring, tacky, but sometimes also highly critical writings, and illustrations of objects, all featuring Mao. A must-have book for everybody interested in contemporary China, Mao, and his legacy now and in the future". -- China Information
Normative Adductor Squeeze Test Values in Elite Junior Rugby Union Players

Objective:To establish normative adductor squeeze test (AST) values in elite junior rugby union players and investigate if differences existed between field position units and categorizations. Design:Cross-sectional study. Setting:National underage screening camp. Participants:One hundred four healthy players attending an under-19 and under-18 national musculoskeletal and fitness screening camp. Players had no history of surgery, no self-reported history of groin or pelvic pain in either limb and no other lower limb injury in the past 3 months, and no pain reported during the testing procedure. Main Outcome Measures:The AST in 3 positions of hip flexion (0, 45, and 90 degrees), position unit, and categorizations. Results:The highest AST values were observed at 45 degrees of hip flexion in all field position categories. No differences were observed between position units and categorizations. Conclusions:Normative AST values in an elite junior rugby union population were established in this investigation. Clinically, the sports medicine professional may use these results in making decisions on the management of both symptomatic and asymptomatic players.
Human body posture recognition using MPEG-7 descriptors

This paper presents a novel approach to human body posture recognition based on the MPEG-7 contour-based shape descriptor and the widely used projection histogram. A combination of them was used to recognize the main posture and the view of a human based on the binary object mask obtained by the segmentation process. The recognition is treated as a typical pattern recognition task and is carried out through a hierarchy of classifiers. Therefore various structures both hierachical and non-hierarchical, in combination with different classifiers, are compared to each other with respect to recognition performance and computational complexity. Based on this an optimal system design with recognition rates of 95.59% for the main posture, 77.84% for the view and 79.77% in combination is achieved.
STATISTICAL APPROACHES TO AUTOMATED GENE IDENTIFICATION WITHOUT TEACHER ∗

Overview of statistical methods of gene identification are made. Particular attention is given to the methods which need not a training set of already known genes. After analysis several statistical approaches are proposed for computational exon identification in whole genomes. For several genomes an optimal window length for averaging GC-content function and calculating codon frequencies has been found. Self-training procedure based on clustering in multidimensional codon frequencies space is proposed. ∗Institut des Hautes Etudes Scientifiques Preprint. IHES M/01/34. Online-version: http://www.ihes. fr/PREPRINTS/M01/Resu/resu-M01-34.html, e-mail of corresponding author: gorban@icm.krasn. ru, auranic@online.ru
A Soft Voice Activity Detection Using GARCH Filter and Variance Gamma Distribution

This paper presents a robust algorithm for a voice activity detector (VAD) based on generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) filter, variance gamma distribution (VGD), and adaptive threshold function. GARCH models are new statistical methods that are used especially in economic time series. There is a consensus that speech signals exhibit variances that change through time. GARCH models are a popular choice to model these changing variances. A speech signal is assumed to have a VGD because the VGD has heavier tails than the Gaussian distribution (GD). The distribution of noise signal is assumed to be Gaussian. In proposed method, heteroscedasticity will be modeled by GARCH, and then the parameters of the distributions will be estimated recursively. Finally, hard detection is the result of comparing a multiple observation likelihood ratio test (MOLRT) with an adaptive threshold function. The simulation results show that the proposed VAD is able to operate down to -5 dB and in nonstationary environments
A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial on the Efficacy of Cortical Direct Current Stimulation for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in the neurorehabilitation of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: Thirty-four AD patients were randomly assigned to three groups: anodal, cathodal, and sham tDCS. Stimulation was applied over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for 25 min at 2 mA, daily for 10 days. Each patient was submitted to the following psychometric assessments: mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Wechsler adult intelligence scale-third edition at base line, at the end of the 10th sessions and then at 1 and 2 months after the end of the sessions. Motor cortical excitability and the P300 event-related potential were assessed at baseline and after the last tDCS session. Results: Significant treatment group × time interactions were observed for the MMSE and performance IQ of the WAIS. Post hoc comparisons showed that both anodal and cathodal tDCS (ctDCS) improved MMSE in contrast to sham tDCS. Whereas, this was only true for ctDCS in the performance IQ. Remarkably, tDCS also reduced the P300 latency, but had no effect on motor cortex excitability. Conclusion: Our findings reveal that repeated sessions of tDCS could not only improve cognitive function but also reduce the P300 latency, which is known to be pathologically increased in AD.
A statistical model for near-synonym choice

We present an unsupervised statistical method for automatic choice of near-synonyms when the context is given. The method uses the Web as a corpus to compute scores based on mutual information. Our evaluation experiments show that this method performs better than two previous methods on the same task. We also describe experiments in using supervised learning for this task. We present an application to an intelligent thesaurus. This work is also useful in machine translation and natural language generation.
Ventilation heterogeneity in children with well controlled asthma with normal spirometry indicates residual airways disease

Background: In adults with asthma, ventilation heterogeneity, independent of inflammation, has been hypothesised to be associated with airway remodelling. Bronchial biopsy in preschool children with wheeze demonstrates early structural changes. Ventilation heterogeneity is sensitive to airway disease in other paediatric respiratory conditions such as cystic fibrosis, so may be sensitive to early airway disease in asthma. An observational study was performed in which it was hypothesised that ventilation heterogeneity (lung clearance index (LCI) and phase III slope indices (Scond and Sacin)) were more sensitive than conventional measurements (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and exhaled nitric oxide (Feno)) for detecting residual airways disease in children with well controlled asthma. Methods: In 31 children with asthma of mean age 10.6 years (range 5–15), FEV1, LCI, Scond and Sacin were measured at two separate visits, before and after blinded salbutamol or placebo, with Feno measured once. 29 healthy volunteers of mean age 11.2 years (range 5–16) completed measurements at one visit only. Results: Baseline mean (SD) LCI was significantly higher in children with asthma than in controls (6.69 (0.91) vs 6.24 (0.47), p = 0.02). There were no significant differences in FEV1 or median Feno. Following salbutamol there was a small significant change in mean (SD) FEV1 (from −1.26 (1.25) to −0.93 (0.23), p = 0.03) but not in LCI, Scond or Sacin. Importantly, LCI remained significantly higher after bronchodilator in children with asthma than in controls (6.64 (0.69), p = 0.01). Conclusion: This study identifies the presence of residual ventilation heterogeneity in children with well controlled asthma and normal FEV1. The role of LCI in measuring early airway disease in children with asthma requires further exploration, possibly as a surrogate of structural remodelling.
Asthma with bronchial hypersecretion: expression of mucins and toll-like receptors in sputum and blood

Asthma with bronchial hypersecretion is a type of asthma that is poorly studied. Its pathogenesis is not well understood, but is probably related to innate impaired immunity, particularly with toll-like receptors (TLRs) and secretory mucins (MUC). Objectives 1) Define the clinical and inflammatory phenotype of asthma with bronchial hypersecretion of mucus. 2) Compare the type of mucin present in induced sputum (IS) of patients with and without bronchial hypersecretion. 3) Determine the expression of TLRs in IS and blood of asthmatics with and without bronchial hypersecretion. Materials and methods Cross-sectional study which included 43 non-smoking asthmatic patients without bronchiectasis, 19 with bronchiectasis, and 24 without bronchial hypersecretion. All patients underwent the following: IS, spirometry, fractional exhaled nitric oxide, prick test, total immunoglobulin E (IgE), and blood albumin. Analysis of mucins was determined by ELISA and expression of TLR2 and TLR4 by flow cytometry. The level of asthma control was determined by the Asthma Control Test (ACT) questionnaire and quality of life was assessed by the reduced version of the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (mini-AQLQ). Results Asthmatics with bronchial hypersecretion were significantly older (62.6 years vs 48.5 years; p=0.02); had greater severity (persistent severe asthma 94.7% vs 29.2%; p=0.000); a higher proportion of nasal polyposis (36.8% vs 8.3%; p=0.022); less control of asthma (73.7% vs 8.3%; p=0,000); a higher proportion of asthma with negative prick test (68.4% vs 16.6%; p=0.001), and lower levels of IgE (113.4 IU/mL vs 448 IU/mL; p=0.007), compared with asthmatics without bronchial hypersecretion. Significant differences were observed neither in the expression of TLRs 2 and 4 in inflammatory cells of IS or peripheral blood, nor in the expression of mucins between both groups. Conclusion Asthma patients with bronchial hypersecretion have more severe and uncontrolled disease, with poor quality of life as well as a non-allergic inflammatory phenotype. Within the mechanisms involving these differences, it does not appear that mucins and TLRs play an important role.