Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Framework for Dynamic Constraint Reasoning using Procedural Constraints

Many complex real-world decision problems, such as planning, contain an underlying constraint reasoning problem. The feasibility of a solution candidate then depends on the consistency of the associated constraint problem instance. The underlying constraint problems are invariably dynamic, as higher level decisions result in variables, values, and constraints being added and removed. In real-world reasoning applications, constraints may be arbitrarily complex, variables may have continuous domains, and neither variables nor values may be effectively enumerable beforehand. Such applications, therefore, present a number of significant challenges for a dynamic constraint reasoning mechanism. In this paper, we introduce a general framework for representing and reasoning about dynamic constraint networks arising from complex real-world applications. It is based on the use of procedures to represent and effectively reason about general constraints. The framework can handle arbitrary changes to the network, including the addition and deletion of variables and values. It can reason with real-valued variables, and utilize special-purpose reasoning methods, such as arithmetic problem solving, in the form of procedures. The resulting framework is based on a sound theoretical foundation, which guarantees termination and correctness.
Video Compression Based on Adaptive Multidimensional Vector Matrix DCT

The traditional multi-dimensional vector matrix discrete cosine transform compression adopts video frame segmentation of fixed block size. In fact, the texture complexities of image in different regions are usually very different, so transformation adaptively with proper block size, not only further improves the compression performance, but also gets better improvement in subject evaluation. A three-dimensional variable block size video images segmentation method is proposed by using gradient edge detection operator as image activity criterion, and implement variable block size multi-dimensional vector matrix transform coding, experimental results show that the proposed method gets better performance than H. 264, and the quality of the reconstructed images is improved in subject evaluation. It is very efficient for low Bit Rate video compression.
Derivation of the Turbulent Time Scales and Velocity Variances from LES Spectral Data: Application in a Lagrangian Stochastic Dispersion Model

Turbulent time scales and velocity variances for a convective boundary layer are derived from large eddy simulation spectral data. Spectral peak frequencies obtained from LES data are used directly in expressions that allow establishing such times scales and velocity variances. These turbulent parameters were compared with those provided by experimental turbulence data. The comparison employing a stochastic dispersion model and observed concentration data shows that both parameterizations reproduce adequately the contaminant dispersion process in a convective boundary layer.
Multi-contact walking pattern generation based on model preview control of 3D COM accelerations

We present a multi-contact walking pattern generator based on preview-control of the 3D acceleration of the center of mass (COM). A key point in the design of our algorithm is the calculation of contact-stability constraints. Thanks to a mathematical observation on the algebraic nature of the frictional wrench cone, we show that the 3D volume of feasible COM accelerations is always an upward-pointing cone. We reduce its computation to a convex hull of (dual) 2D points, for which optimal C(n log n) algorithms are readily available. This reformulation brings a significant speedup compared to previous methods, which allows us to compute time-varying contact-stability criteria fast enough for the control loop. Next, we propose a conservative trajectory-wide contact-stability criterion, which can be derived from COM-acceleration volumes at marginal cost and directly applied in a model-predictive controller. We finally implement this pipeline and exemplify it with the HRP-4 humanoid model in multi-contact dynamically walking scenarios.
A managed protocol for treatment of deceased potential donors reduces the incidence of cardiac arrest before organ explant

Objective To assess the effect of the application of a managed protocol for the maintenance care of deceased potential multiple organ donors at two hospitals. Methods A before (Phase 1)/after (Phase 2) study conducted at two general hospitals, which included consecutively potential donors admitted to two intensive care units. In Phase 1 (16 months), the data were collected retrospectively, and the maintenance care measures of the potential donors were instituted by the intensivists. In Phase 2 (12 months), the data collection was prospective, and a managed protocol was used for maintenance care. The two phases were compared in terms of their demographic variables, physiological variables at diagnosis of brain death and the end of the process, time to performance of brain death confirmatory test and end of the process, adherence to bundles of maintenance care essential measures, losses due to cardiac arrest, family refusal, contraindications, and the conversion rate of potential into actual donors. Student's t- and chi-square tests were used, and p-value < 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results A total of 42 potential donors were identified (18 in Phase 1 and 24 in Phase 2). The time interval between the first clinical assessment and the recovery decreased in Phase 2 (Phase 1: 35.0±15.5 hours versus Phase 2: 24.6±6.2 hours; p = 0.023). Adherence increased to 10 out of the 19 essential items of maintenance care, and losses due to cardiac arrest also decreased in Phase 2 (Phase 1: 27.8 versus 0% in Phase 2; p = 0.006), while the convertion rate increased (Phase 1: 44.4 versus 75% in Phase 2; p = 0.044). The losses due to family refusal and medical contraindication did not vary. Conclusion The adoption of a managed protocol focused on the application of essential measures for the care of potential deceased donors might reduce the loss of potential donors due to cardiac arrest.
PROGRESSIVE RETINAL NONPERFUSION IN ISCHEMIC CENTRAL RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION

Background: Serial wide-field fluorescein angiography was performed on eyes with preproliferative (ischemic) central retinal vein occlusion to evaluate retinal perfusion. Methods: Serial wide-field fluorescein angiography was performed on 12 preproliferative central retinal vein occlusion eyes in the 3-year Rubeosis Anti-VEGF (RAVE) trial using the Staurenghi lens (Ocular Staurenghi 230SLO Retina Lens) with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope (Heidelberg HRA Spectralis). “Disk area” was defined anatomically for each eye. Results: Mean total field of gradable retina was 290 disk areas (range, 178–452). All eyes demonstrated extensive areas of retinal nonperfusion; at baseline, mean area of retinal perfusion was 106 disk areas (range, 37–129), correlating with a mean of 46.5% perfused retinal area (range, 19.1–56.4%). The area of retinal nonperfusion increased in all eyes with a mean loss of approximately 8.1% of perfused retinal area per year (range, 4.3–12.4%), which corresponded to a mean 15-disk areas (range, 12–35) of retina evolving from perfused to nonperfused annually. The extent of baseline and final nonperfusion was not significantly different between eyes that developed neovascularization and eyes that did not. Conclusion: In this population of severe central retinal vein occlusion eyes, profound retinal nonperfusion was observed with wide-field fluorescein angiography at baseline and the extent of nonperfusion progressed while undergoing anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy.
Action reconginiton using human pose

In this paper, we present a novel method for recognizing human actions in videos. The method applies the human pose based features to describe actions and models the conditional probability relationship between feature sequences and actions using hidden conditional random field (HCRF). Given a video, limb masks are extracted by clustering image features in human region. Limb masks are helpful to reduce the interference from background and partially address the “double-counting” problem during the pose estimation. Then, the extracted pose sequence is smoothed using the kalman smooth to remove the noise and make the pose sequence consistent. Multiple kinds of feature sequences based on poses are extracted to describe the information of actions from different views. We train one HCRF for each feature sequence and combine the confidence from different HCRFs to improve the recognition accuracy. Experiments on the benchmark dataset show different features have their own advantages in action recognition and combine them can reach a good result.
Body Image Distortion and Exposure to Extreme Body Types: Contingent Adaptation and Cross Adaptation for Self and Other

Body size misperception is common amongst the general public and is a core component of eating disorders and related conditions. While perennial media exposure to the “thin ideal” has been blamed for this misperception, relatively little research has examined visual adaptation as a potential mechanism. We examined the extent to which the bodies of “self” and “other” are processed by common or separate mechanisms in young women. Using a contingent adaptation paradigm, experiment 1 gave participants prolonged exposure to images both of the self and of another female that had been distorted in opposite directions (e.g., expanded other/contracted self), and assessed the aftereffects using test images both of the self and other. The directions of the resulting perceptual biases were contingent on the test stimulus, establishing at least some separation between the mechanisms encoding these body types. Experiment 2 used a cross adaptation paradigm to further investigate the extent to which these mechanisms are independent. Participants were adapted either to expanded or to contracted images of their own body or that of another female. While adaptation effects were largest when adapting and testing with the same body type, confirming the separation of mechanisms reported in experiment 1, substantial misperceptions were also demonstrated for cross adaptation conditions, demonstrating a degree of overlap in the encoding of self and other. In addition, the evidence of misperception of one's own body following exposure to “thin” and to “fat” others demonstrates the viability of visual adaptation as a model of body image disturbance both for those who underestimate and those who overestimate their own size.
Chronic myeloid leukemia: Global impact from a local laboratory

1. Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The poster child of the bench-to-bedside paradigm, CML is unique because the BCR-ABL chimeric gene is found in every case. This means that every CML patient has a recognizable molecular target for diagnosis and monitoring as well as a protein target for inhibition. The use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in CML has led to a revolutionary change in the natural history of the disease, and the development of imatinib and the TKIs that followed is now the roadmap for targeted therapy programs for other tumors. 2. The Max Foundation. Established in 1997 in memory of a young CML patient, this group is dedicated to facilitating access for the world’s most neglected populations to treatment for CML and other malignancies. The Max Foundation entered into a partnership with Novartis in 2001 to facilitate access to imatinib for CML patients in 80 lowand middleincome countries. More than 49,000 CML patients have gained access to imatinib, with 30,000 currently on active treatment. 3. Novartis. Maker of the first TKI, imatinib, and one of the second-generation TKIs, nilotinib, Novartis was the first pharmaceutical company to partner with the Max Foundation to deliver therapy to CML patients. 4. Cepheid. This company is the maker of a cartridgebased, automated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system that allows the rapid quantification of molecular targets with a minimal amount of technician hands-on time. A quantitative reverse transcription– polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for BCRABL was Cepheid’s first cancer test. 5. Our laboratory. We have been involved in molecular diagnostics and minimal residual disease detection for nearly 3 decades, and we have a long history of performing BCR-ABL monitoring for several large CML trials predating the TKI era. (The laboratory team members have done all the hard work; I have provided the espressos and the occasional comic relief. In addition to Bret Helton and Jordan Smith, Lan Beppu has been the laboratory point person with the Max Foundation from the beginning of our relationship a decade ago. Amy Paguirigan led the early development of the spot PCR methodology, and Olga Sala performed the feasibility study with Australia.)
The Influence of Conjugated Polymer Side Chain Manipulation on the Efficiency and Stability of Polymer Solar Cells

The stability of polymer solar cells (PSCs) can be influenced by the introduction of particular moieties on the conjugated polymer side chains. In this study, two series of donor-acceptor copolymers, based on bis(thienyl)dialkoxybenzene donor and benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (BT) or thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole (TzTz) acceptor units, were selected toward effective device scalability by roll-coating. The influence of the partial exchange (5% or 10%) of the solubilizing 2-hexyldecyloxy by alternative 2-phenylethoxy groups on efficiency and stability was investigated. With an increasing 2-phenylethoxy ratio, a decrease in solar cell efficiency was observed for the BT-based series, whereas the efficiencies for the devices based on the TzTz polymers remained approximately the same. The photochemical degradation rate for PSCs based on the TzTz polymers decreased with an increasing 2-phenylethoxy ratio. Lifetime studies under constant sun irradiance showed a diminishing initial degradation rate for the BT-based devices upon including the alternative side chains, whereas the (more stable) TzTz-based devices degraded at a faster rate from the start of the experiment upon partly exchanging the side chains. No clear trends in the degradation behavior, linked to the copolymer structural changes, could be established at this point, evidencing the complex interplay of events determining PSCs’ lifetime.
Multiple heterogeneous data ferry trajectory planning in wireless sensor networks

This paper investigates two new groups of trajectory optimization problems which stem from networked multi-robotic systems. In particular, we study how to efficiently collect data from stationary sensor nodes using multiple robotic vehicles such as data ferries under different circumstance. The first group includes two new problems which aim to find the tours and the paths, respectively, of k robot vehicles with different mobilization conditions to collect data from ground sensor nodes with minimum latency. The second group consists of one new problem whose goal is to determine the quality tours of k robot vehicles with different speeds, where each of which follows its corresponding tour to repeatedly collect data from stationary sensors. We prove the three problems are NP-hard and propose constant factor approximation strategies for them. Through a simulation, an analytical study is conducted to evaluate the average performance of our core contribution.
Modeling and Simulation of Seven-Level Cascaded H-Bridge Inverter Based Shunt Active Power Filter for Single-Phase Distribution System

In this paper, a single-phase Seven-Level cascaded H-Bridge (CHB) based Shunt Active Power Filter (SHAPF) based on simple controller is proposed. Synchronous Reference Frame theory (SRF) is used for reference source current extraction and to generate gating pulses for the SHAPF. The main aim of the CHB is to eliminate harmonics, improve power factor and reactive power compensation of the single-phase distribution system. The proposed control algorithm has two components, converting the load current into stationary reference frame coordinates and estimation of peak amplitude of load currents. Hence, a simple and reliable controller with ease of implementation was developed. The algorithm for single-phase SHAPF is aiming to perform with accurate tracking performance under step changes in load currents and to provide good dynamic compensation. In this paper, SRF-PLL with Inverse-Park transformation is adopted for generating quadrature component of current. The performance of the control algorithm is tested and evaluated using MATLAB/Simulink.
Circuits and techniques for high-resolution measurement of on-chip power supply noise

This paper presents a technique for characterizing the statistical properties and spectrum of power supply noise using only two on-chip low-throughput samplers. The samplers utilize a voltage-controlled oscillator to perform high-resolution analog-to-digital conversion with minimal hardware. The measurement system is implemented in a 0.13-/spl mu/m process along with a high-speed link transceiver. Measured results from this chip validate the accuracy of the measurement system and elucidate several aspects of power supply noise, including its cyclostationary nature.
Microstructural Inhomogeneity of Electrical Conductivity in Subcutaneous Fat Tissue

Microscopic peculiarities stemming from a temperature increase in subcutaneous adipose tissue (sWAT) after applying a radio-frequency (RF) current, must be strongly dependent on the type of sWAT. This effect is connected with different electrical conductivities of pathways inside (triglycerides in adipocytes) and outside (extra-cellular matrix) the cells and to the different weighting of these pathways in hypertrophic and hyperplastic types of sWAT. The application of the RF current to hypertrophic sWAT, which normally has a strongly developed extracellular matrix with high concentrations of hyaluronan and collagen in a peri-cellular space of adipocytes, can produce, micro-structurally, a highly inhomogeneous temperature distribution, characterized by strong temperature gradients between the peri-cellular sheath of the extra-cellular matrix around the hypertrophic adipocytes and their volumes. In addition to normal temperature effects, which are generally considered in body contouring, these temperature gradients can produce thermo-mechanical stresses on the cells’ surfaces. Whereas these stresses are relatively small under normal conditions and cannot cause any direct fracturing or damage of the cell structure, these stresses can, under some supportive conditions, be theoretically increased by several orders of magnitude, causing the thermo-mechanical cell damage. This effect cannot be realized in sWAT of normal or hyperplastic types where the peri-cellular structures are under-developed. It is concluded that the results of RF application in body contouring procedures must be strongly dependent on the morphological structure of sWAT.
Glass Shooter: Exploring First-Person Shooter Game Control with Google Glass

Smart Glasses offer the opportunity to use head mounted sensors, such as gyroscope and accelerometers, to enable new types of game interaction. To better understand game play experience on Smart Glasses, we recruited 24 participants to play four current games on Google Glass that uses different interaction methods, including gyroscope, voice, touchpad, and in-air gesture. Study results showed that participants were concerned with comfort and social acceptance. Also, their favorite input method was gyroscope, and their favorite game type was First-Person Shooter (FPS) game. Hence, we implemented a FPS game on Google Glass using gyroscope for changing the viewport, and divide FPS controls into four categories: (a)Viewport Control, (b)Aim Control, (c)Fire Control, (d) Move Control. We implemented multiple control method in each category to evaluate and explore glass game control design.
The DEAD Box RNA Helicase VBH-1 Is a New Player in the Stress Response in C. elegans

For several years, DEAD box RNA helicase Vasa (DDX4) has been used as a bona fide germline marker in different organisms. C. elegans VBH-1 is a close homolog of the Vasa protein, which plays an important role in gametogenesis, germ cell survival and embryonic development. Here, we show that VBH-1 protects nematodes from heat shock and oxidative stress. Using the germline-defective mutant glp-4(bn2) we found that a potential somatic expression of vbh-1 might be important for stress survival. We also show that the VBH-1 paralog LAF-1 is important for stress survival, although this protein is not redundant with its counterpart. Furthermore, we observed that the mRNAs of the heat shock proteins hsp-1 and sip-1 are downregulated when vbh-1 or laf-1 are silenced. Previously, we reported that in C. elegans, VBH-1 was primarily expressed in P granules of germ cells and in the cytoplasm of all blastomeres. Here we show that during stress, VBH-1 co-localizes with CGH-1 in large aggregates in the gonad core and oocytes; however, VBH-1 aggregates do not overlap with CGH-1 foci in early embryos under the same conditions. These data demonstrate that, in addition to the previously described role for this protein in the germline, VBH-1 plays an important role during the stress response in C. elegans through the potential direct or indirect regulation of stress response mRNAs.
Complex Impacts of PI3K/AKT Inhibitors to Androgen Receptor Gene Expression in Prostate Cancer Cells

Background Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the first-line treatment to metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). However, sustained expression and function of the androgen receptor (AR) gene contribute to the progression of castration resistant prostate cancers (CRPC). Additionally, tumors can adapt the PI3K/AKT survival pathway to escape ADT. Co-targeting AR and PI3K/AKT signaling has been proposed to be a more effective therapeutic means for CRPC patients. Many clinical trials are ongoing to test whether PI3K/AKT inhibitors are beneficial to PCa patients. However whether these inhibitors have any impacts on the expressions of full length AR (AR-FL) and its splice variant (AR-V7) remains unclear. Methods Four human prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP, LNCaP95, VCaP and 22Rv1) with different genetic backgrounds were treated with five PI3K/AKT inhibitors (LY294002, Wortmannin, BKM120, AKTi and AZD5363) and or AKT siRNA. AR and AR-V7 protein and mRNA levels were measured by immunoblotting and real-time PCR assays. AR gene transcription initiation, alternative RNA splicing and AR mRNA degradation rates were also determined. Results PI3K/AKT inhibitors had various impacts on AR protein expressions primarily through alterations of AR gene transcription initiation and RNA splicing. However, these effects remained unchanged in the presence RNA silencing of the AKT genes. Conclusion PI3K/AKT inhibitors have off-target effects on AR gene expression in prostate cancer cells, which shall be considered when applying these inhibitors to PCa patients, particularly patients under ADT treatment.
Pashto Sentiment Analysis Using Lexical Features

Individuals use various platforms to express their opinion regarding products, services, political situations and other events. Knowing the opinion of people is very important for the concerned individuals and organizations in order to devise future strategies according to the wishes of people. The present research study focuses on extraction of opinion from digital-born Pashto text. The study involved the creation of multiple state-of-the-art classifiers by adapting methodology of message level task using sentiment analysis of Tweets'. In addition to this, word-sentiment lexicons with tokenization of sentences and translation of existing English lexicons were generated. The findings show that lexical features based Pashto sentiment analysis extracts sentiments with a high accuracy.