Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Embedded PVDF Film Sensor for In-Situ Monitoring of Structural Integrity of Laminated Composites

The application of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film as an acoustic emission (AE) sensor appears to be very practical. A commercially available PVDF film sensor was employed to detect AE due to fatigue crack growth in the single-lap joints of graphite/epoxy laminates. Although the signal-to-noise ratio is not as high as those measured by PZT sensors, the result showed that the location of crack front could be predicted by the linear location of AE signals detected by the PVDF sensors. Since the composite materials usually produce very energetic AE signals, the extremely cost-effective form of PVDF film sensors can be permanently mounted on composite structures for structural health monitoring as disposable ones. The film sensors are expected to be eventually embedded in composite structures provided the current limit of use temperature can be increased.
Automatic classification of heartbeats

We report improvement in the detection of a class of heart arrhythmias based on electrocardiogram signals (ECG). The detection is performed using a 4 dimensional feature vector obtained by applying an iterative feature selection method used in conjunction with artificial neural networks. The feature set includes the pre-RR interval, which is a primary measure that cardiologists use in a clinical setting. A transformation applied to the pre-RR interval reduced the false positive rate. Our solution as opposed to existing literature does not rely on high-dimensional features such as wavelets, signal amplitudes which do not have direct relationship to heart function and difficult to interpret. Also we avoid obtaining patient specific labeled recordings. Furthermore, we propose semi-parametric classifiers as opposed to restrictive parametric linear discriminant analysis and its variants, which are a mainstay in ECG classification. Extensive experiments from the MIT-BIH databases demonstrate superior performance by our methods.
Code smells in highly configurable software

Modern software systems are increasingly configurable. Conditional compilation based on C preprocessor directives (i. e., #ifdefs) is a popular variability mechanism to implement this configurability in source code. Although C preprocessor usage has been subject to repeated criticism, with regard to variability implementation, there is no thorough understanding of which patterns are particularly harmful. Specifically, we lack empirical evidence of how frequently reputedly bad patterns occur in practice and which negative effect they have. For object-oriented software, in contrast, code smells are commonly used to describe source code that exhibits known design flaws, which negatively affect understandability or changeability. Established code smells, however, have no notion of variability. Consequently, they cannot characterize flawed patterns of variability implementation. The goal of my research is therefore to create a catalog of variability-aware code smells. I will collect empirical proof of how frequently these smells occur and what their negative impact is on understandability, changeability, and fault-proneness of affected code. Moreover, I will develop techniques to detect variability-aware code smells automatically and reliably.
Two Is Bigger (and Better) Than One: the Wikipedia Bitaxonomy Project

We present WiBi, an approach to the automatic creation of a bitaxonomy for Wikipedia, that is, an integrated taxonomy of Wikipage pages and categories. We leverage the information available in either one of the taxonomies to reinforce the creation of the other taxonomy. Our experiments show higher quality and coverage than state-of-the-art resources like DBpedia, YAGO, MENTA, WikiNet and WikiTaxonomy. WiBi is available at http://wibitaxonomy.org.
Microaneurysm detection in retinal images using an ensemble classifier

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is one of the leading causes of blindness amongst the working age population. The presence of microaneurysms (MA) in retinal images is a pathognomonic sign of DR. In this work we have presented a novel combination of algorithms applied to a public dataset for automated detection of MA in colour fundus images of the retina. The proposed technique first detects an initial set of candidates using a Gaussian Matched filter and then classifies the initial set of candidates in order to reduce the number of false positives. A Random Forest ensemble classifier using a set of 79 features (the most common features used within literature) was used for classification. Our proposed algorithm was evaluated on a subset of 20 images from the MESSIDOR dataset. We show that the use of the Random Forest classifier with the 79 features improves the sensitivity of the detection, compared to using a K-Nearest Neighbours classifier that has been proposed in other techniques. In addition, the Random Forest is capable of ranking features according to their importance. We have ranked the 79 features according to their importance. This ranking provides an insight into the most important features that are necessary for discriminating true MA candidates from spurious objects. Eccentricity, aspect ratio and moments are found to be among the important features.
Luminescence studies on the sediments laid down by the December 2004 tsunami event : Prospects for the dating of palaeo tsunamis and for the estimation of sediment fluxes

Genetic transformation of Terminalia chebula Retz. was carried out using Agrobacterium tumefaciens train C-58. Explants such as cotyledon, hypocotyl, excised mature zygotic embryo, cotyledonary node, in vitro leaf and shoot were used for genetic transformation. Different experimental methods were followed for infecting the explants. Cotyledon and hypocotyl explants showed swelling response on MS basal medium subsequent to genetic transformation. About 32.5 ± 2.5% cultures showed swelling response when 8–12 d in vitro pre-cultured cotyledon explants were used. Swelling response was not observed in non-transformed control cotyledon explants. Callus induction was observed in one of the swollen cotyledon explants infected with the bacterial suspension grown on media containing 0.1 mM acetosyringone. Callus initiation was not observed in cotyledon explants without co-cultivation, which were kept as control. The transformed callus was subjected to nopaline assay using paper electrophoresis. The analysis indicated the transformed nature of the callus with the presence of nopaline and its absence in non-transformed control callus. Transformed callus grown on fresh MS basal medium showed more than two-fold increase in the growth after four weeks of culture compared to normal control callus. Normally no growth was observed in untransformed control callus. The transformed callus was analysed for the presence of tannins using thin layer chromatography, which indicated the presence of tannic acid in the transformed callus. Genetic transformation of T. chebula and detection of tannin in transformed callus are reported here. This can be used to study the tannin biosynthetic pathway using biochemical and molecular approach.
Countering kernel rootkits with lightweight hook protection

Kernel rootkits have posed serious security threats due to their stealthy manner. To hide their presence and activities, many rootkits hijack control flows by modifying control data or hooks in the kernel space. A critical step towards eliminating rootkits is to protect such hooks from being hijacked. However, it remains a challenge because there exist a large number of widely-scattered kernel hooks and many of them could be dynamically allocated from kernel heap and co-located together with other kernel data. In addition, there is a lack of flexible commodity hardware support, leading to the socalled protection granularity gap -- kernel hook protection requires byte-level granularity but commodity hardware only provides page level protection. To address the above challenges, in this paper, we present HookSafe, a hypervisor-based lightweight system that can protect thousands of kernel hooks in a guest OS from being hijacked. One key observation behind our approach is that a kernel hook, once initialized, may be frequently "read"-accessed, but rarely write"-accessed. As such, we can relocate those kernel hooks to a dedicated page-aligned memory space and then regulate accesses to them with hardware-based page-level protection. We have developed a prototype of HookSafe and used it to protect more than 5,900 kernel hooks in a Linux guest. Our experiments with nine real-world rootkits show that HookSafe can effectively defeat their attempts to hijack kernel hooks. We also show that HookSafe achieves such a large-scale protection with a small overhead (e.g., around 6% slowdown in performance benchmarks).
Bromocriptine Reverses P‐Glycoprotein‐mediated Multidrug Resistance in Tumor Cells

One of the most important causes of anticancer treatment failure is the development of multidrug resistance (MDR). The main characteristics of tumor cells displaying the MDR phenomena are cross‐resistance to structurally unrelated cytotoxic drugs having different mechanisms of action and the overexpression of the MDR1 gene, which encodes a transmembrane glycoprotein named P‐ glycoprotein (P‐gp). This study evaluated whether bromocriptine, a D2 dopaminergic receptor agonist, influenced anticancer drug cytotoxicity and P‐gp activity in a P‐gp‐expressing cell line compared to a non‐expressing subline. The Ki values for P‐gp of cyclosporine and verapamil were 1.09 and 540 μM, respectively, and that of bromocriptine was 6.52 μM in a calcein‐AM efflux assay using porcine kidney epithelial LLC‐PK1 and L‐MDR1 cells, overexpressing human P‐gp. Bromocriptine at 10 μM reduced the IC50 of doxorubicin (DXR) in K562‐DXR from 9000 to 270 ng/ml and that of vincristine (VCR) in K562‐VCR from 700 to 0.30 ng/ml, whereas the IC50 values of DXR and VCR in the K562 subline were only marginally affected by these drugs. Bromocriptine restored the anticancer effect of DXR, VCR, vinblastine, vinorelbine and etoposide on MDR‐tumor cells overexpressing P‐gp. These observations suggest that bromocriptine has the potential to reverse tumor MDR involving the efflux protein P‐gp in the clinical situation.
On the Design and Development of a Novel Real-Time Transaction Price Estimation System

In global open economy, transaction price estimation is an important issue in finance under stock price fluctuation. However, the transaction price is depend on the investors’ expect price which is difficult to be captured in used and implemented models for transaction price estimation. Therefore, this paper proposes the Transaction Price Estimation Model (TPEM) and designs a novel Real-time Transaction Price Estimation System (RTPES) which adopts the TPEM based on the efficient market hypothesis to estimate the investors’ expect price. In experiments, the simulation results show that the average accuracy of TPEM is 99.37%. This approach is feasible for stock investment decision-making.
Polymer microfluidic device replacing fluids using only capillary force

A novel polymer microfluidic device for self-wash using only capillary force is presented. A liquid filled in a reaction chamber is replaced by another liquid with no external actuation. All the fluidic actuations in the device is pre-programmed about time and sequence, and accomplished by capillary force naturally. Careful design is necessary for exact actions. The fluidic conduits were designed by the newly derived theoretical equations about the capillary stop pressure and flow time. Simulations using CFD-ACE+ were conducted to check the validity of theory and the performance of the chip. These analytic results were consistent with experimental ones. The chip was made of polymers for the purpose of single use and low price. It was fabricated by sealing the hot-embossed PMMA substrate with a PET film. For simpler fabrication, the chip was of a single height. The embossing master was produced from a nickel-electroplating on a SU8-patterned Ni-plate followed by CMP. The contact angles of liquids on substrates were manipulated through the mixing of surfactants, and the temporal variations were monitored for a more exact design. The real actuation steps in experiment revealed the stable performance of selfwash, and coincided well with the designed ones. The presented microfluidic method can be applicable to other LOCs of special purposes through simple modification. For example, array or serial types would be possible for multiple selfwashes.
Thapsigargin induces biphasic fragmentation of mitochondria through calcium‐mediated mitochondrial fission and apoptosis

Mitochondrial fission and fusion are the main components mediating the dynamic change of mitochondrial morphology observed in living cells. While many protein factors directly participating in mitochondrial dynamics have been identified, upstream signals that regulate mitochondrial morphology are not well understood. In this study, we tested the role of intracellular Ca2+ in regulating mitochondrial morphology. We found that treating cells with the ER Ca2+‐ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin (TG) induced two phases of mitochondrial fragmentation. The initial fragmentation of mitochondria occurs rapidly within minutes dependent on an increase in intracellular Ca2+ levels, and Ca2+ influx into mitochondria is necessary for inducing mitochondrial fragmentation. The initial mitochondrial fragmentation is a transient event, as tubular mitochondrial morphology was restored as the Ca2+ level decreased. We were able to block the TG‐induced mitochondrial fragmentation by inhibiting mitochondrial fission proteins DLP1/Drp1 or hFis1, suggesting that increased mitochondrial Ca2+ acts upstream to activate the cellular mitochondrial fission machinery. We also found that prolonged incubation with TG induced the second phase of mitochondrial fragmentation, which was non‐reversible and led to cell death as reported previously. These results suggest that Ca2+ is involved in controlling mitochondrial morphology via intra‐mitochondrial Ca2+ signaling as well as the apoptotic process. J. Cell. Physiol. 212: 498–508, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Credal model averaging of logistic regression for modeling the distribution of marmot burrows

Bayesian model averaging (BMA) weights the inferences produced by a set of competing models, using as weights the models posterior probabilities. An open problem of BMA is how to set the prior probability of the models. Credal model averaging (CMA) is a credal ensemble of Bayesian models, which generalizes BMA by substituting the single prior over the models by a set of priors. The base models of the ensemble are learned in a Bayesian fashion. We use CMA to ensemble base classi ers which are Bayesian logistic regressors, characterized by di erent sets of covariates. CMA returns indeterminate classi cations when the classi cation is prior-dependent, namely when the most probable class depends on the prior probability assigned to the di erent models. We apply CMA for modelling the presence and absence of marmot burrows in an Alpine valley in Italy and show that it compares favorably to BMA.
High resolution dopant profiling in the SEM, image widths and surface band-bending

To study the mechanisms of dopant contrast in secondary electron (SE) imaging in the SEM, we have measured the image widths of a series of thin p-doped layers in Si, from 1 nm upwards. We have used computer modelling to simulate the effects of surface band-bending due to a realistic density of surface states on the Si, and we have also calculated the magnitude of the external patch fields. We have found a good correlation between the intensity widths and slopes of experimentally measured SE images of thin p-doped layers and the calculated widths and slopes of the energy distributions across these layers at a depth of 5–10 nm below the surface. This is consistent with the mean escape depth of SEs in Si being about 7 nm. We conclude that doping contrast in the SEM is mainly a function of bulk built-in voltages modified by surface band-bending effects within about 5–10 nm of the surface.
Smart Specs: Voice assisted text reading system for visually impaired persons using TTS method

According to the World Health Organization, out of 7.4 billion population around 285 million people are estimated to be visually impaired worldwide. It is observed that they are still finding it difficult to roll their day today life and it is important to take necessary measure with the emerging technologies to help them to live the current world irrespective of their impairments. In the motive of supporting them We have proposed a smart spec for the blind persons which can perform text detection thereby produce a voice output. This can help the visually impaired persons to read any printed text in vocal form. A specs inbuilt camera is used to capture the text image from the printed text and the captured image is analyzed using Tesseract-Optical Character recognition (OCR). The detected text is then converted into speech using a compact open source software speech synthesizer, eSpeak. Finally, the synthesized speech is produced by the headphone by TTS method. In this project Raspberry Pi is the main target for the implementation, as it provides an interface between camera, sensors, and image processing results, while also performing functions to manipulate peripheral units (Keyboard, USB etc.,).
Left Ventricular Function in a Large Cohort of Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum Patients

Objective Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the mineralization and fragmentation of elastic fibers in the skin, retina, and vascular walls. While there is no doubt that peripheral arterial disease is associated with PXE, several other cardiac complications have been linked with PXE, mainly based on case reports. It remains unclear, whether cardiac systolic or diastolic function impairment is a common complication of PXE. Methods This study conducted systematic assessment of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function via standard echocardiography and two-dimensional strain imaging, in a large cohort of asymptomatic PXE patients (n = 75) and matched healthy controls (n = 30). Results PXE and controls did not differ in terms of any of the diastolic parameters tested: E-wave (82±17 cm/s vs. 82±13 cm/s, p = 0.890), E deceleration time (191.7±55.6 ms vs. 190.0±35.9 ms, p = 0.879), and E/Em ratio (7.1±2.3 vs. 7.0±1.8, p = 0.829). In addition, no significant differences were observed between PXE and control in terms of left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction, as well as global, basal, mid, and apex longitudinal strains. Conclusions These findings revealed that preclinical cardiac dysfunction is uncommon in a large population of asymptomatic PXE patients.
Consistent Viral Evolutionary Changes Associated with the Progression of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection

ABSTRACT To understand the high variability of the asymptomatic interval between primary human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection and the development of AIDS, we studied the evolution of the C2-V5 region of the HIV-1 env gene and of T-cell subsets in nine men with a moderate or slow rate of disease progression. They were monitored from the time of seroconversion for a period of 6 to 12 years until the development of advanced disease in seven men. Based on the analysis of viral divergence from the founder strain, viral population diversity within sequential time points, and the outgrowth of viruses capable of utilizing the CXCR4 receptor (X4 viruses), the existence of three distinct phases within the asymptomatic interval is suggested: an early phase of variable duration during which linear increases (∼1% per year) in both divergence and diversity were observed; an intermediate phase lasting an average of 1.8 years, characterized by a continued increase in divergence but with stabilization or decline in diversity; and a late phase characterized by a slowdown or stabilization of divergence and continued stability or decline in diversity. X4 variants emerged around the time of the early- to intermediate-phase transition and then achieved peak representation and began a decline around the transition between the intermediate and late phases. The late-phase transition was also associated with failure of T-cell homeostasis (defined by a downward inflection in CD3+ T cells) and decline of CD4+ T cells to ≤200 cells/μl. The strength of these temporal associations between viral divergence and diversity, viral coreceptor specificity, and T-cell homeostasis and subset composition supports the concept that the phases described represent a consistent pattern of viral evolution during the course of HIV-1 infection in moderate progressors. Recognition of this pattern may help explain previous conflicting data on the relationship between viral evolution and disease progression and may provide a useful framework for evaluating immune damage and recovery in untreated and treated HIV-1 infections.
Cdc42 Regulates Cofilin during the Establishment of Neuronal Polarity

The establishment of polarity is an essential process in early neuronal development. Although a number of molecules controlling neuronal polarity have been identified, genetic evidence about their physiological roles in this process is mostly lacking. We analyzed the consequences of loss of Cdc42, a central regulator of polarity in multiple systems, on the polarization of mammalian neurons. Genetic ablation of Cdc42 in the brain led to multiple abnormalities, including striking defects in the formation of axonal tracts. Neurons from the Cdc42 null animals sprouted neurites but had a strongly suppressed ability to form axons both in vivo and in culture. This was accompanied by disrupted cytoskeletal organization, enlargement of the growth cones, and inhibition of filopodial dynamics. Axon formation in the knock-out neurons was rescued by manipulation of the actin cytoskeleton, indicating that the effects of Cdc42 ablation are exerted through modulation of actin dynamics. In addition, the knock-outs showed a specific increase in the phosphorylation (inactivation) of the Cdc42 effector cofilin. Furthermore, the active, nonphosphorylated form of cofilin was enriched in the axonal growth cones of wild-type, but not of mutant, neurons. Importantly, cofilin knockdown resulted in polarity defects quantitatively analogous to the ones seen after Cdc42 ablation. We conclude that Cdc42 is a key regulator of axon specification, and that cofilin is a physiological downstream effector of Cdc42 in this process.