Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interaction Order and Beyond: A Field Analysis of Body Culture Within Fitness Gyms

This article addresses keep-fit culture not as a collection of commercial images or as the product of broader cultural values, but as a set of situated body practices, that is practices taking place within specific institutions where these images and values are reinterpreted in locally prescribed ways and, to some extent, filtered. Relying on fieldwork, fitness gyms are revealed to be experienced as places with their own rules, pleasures and identity games. The ideal of the fit body is shown to be filtered from its wider, typically gender- and class-specific charges, transformed into a pure instrument of training, a machine which does not bear resemblance to the organic body of the changing rooms, an objectified utility which is beyond any social role specification. Social roles and their body requirements are both important for individual clients' structural chances to join the gym and locally neutralized or reduced to tension-release mechanisms. Similarly, the cultural ideals of a fit and toned body contribute to the legitimation of the gym; yet the actual capacity to train is less the result of the direct grip of culture, than the outcome of clients' adjustment to playing a particular game of involvement with and detachment from the mechanistic and abstract exercise body. Body definitions are not simply imposed on clients, but continuously negotiated and transformed.
Online detection of insulation degradation in inverter fed drive systems based on high frequency current sampling

The electrical part of modern drive systems usually consists of different components like power electronics, cabling, windings. Each of these components is usually operated at or near its rated values. In addition, high dynamic operation, overload cycles, as well as the fast switching of the power devices puts additional stress on all drive components. As a consequence overall reliability is reduced. Especially in security critical applications a continuous monitoring of the different components is thus necessary. In order to detect possible defects in an early stage or to enable prediction of a developing fault very sensitive measurement and evaluation methods are essential. In this paper a new method is proposed to monitor the state of different drive components like windings insulation, cabling and power electronics very accurately. The method is based on the current sensors available in the inverter in combination with a high frequency sampling. Each change in the switching state of the inverter leads to a transient voltage excitation of the electrical system consisting of power electronics, cabling, machine windings, leading to a step response of the machine current. Assuming a sufficient high sampling rate of the current, the characteristic features of the step response like eigenfrequency, damping rate and steady state value can be calculated and compared. Each of these characteristic values is influenced by the inductances, capacitances and resistances of the system. If for example the inter-turn insulation deteriorates the capacitance changes before the actual breakdown leading to a change in the mentioned characteristic values. Measurement results are presented to verify the applicability to detect changes in the phase winding capacity.
Usp18 deficient mammary epithelial cells create an antitumour environment driven by hypersensitivity to IFN-λ and elevated secretion of Cxcl10

The theory of cancer immunoediting refers to mechanisms by which the immune system can suppress or promote tumour progression. A major challenge for the development of novel cancer immunotherapies is to find ways to exploit the immune system's antitumour activity while concomitantly reducing its protumour activity. Using the PyVmT model of mammary tumourigenesis, we show that lack of the Usp18 gene significantly inhibits tumour growth by creating a tumour‐suppressive microenvironment. Generation of this antitumour environment is driven by elevated secretion of the potent T‐cell chemoattractant Cxcl10 by Usp18 deficient mammary epithelial cells (MECs), which leads to recruitment of Th1 subtype CD4+ T cells. Furthermore, we show that Cxcl10 upregulation in MECs is promoted by interferon‐λ and that Usp18 is a novel inhibitor of interferon‐λ signalling. Knockdown of the interferon‐λ specific receptor subunit IL‐28R1 in Usp18 deficient MECs dramatically enhances tumour growth. Taken together, our data suggest that targeting Usp18 may be a viable approach to boost antitumour immunity while suppressing the protumour activity of the immune system.
Exponential Stabilization of a Class of Stochastic System With Markovian Jump Parameters and Mode-Dependent Mixed Time-Delays

In this technical note, the globally exponential stabilization problem is investigated for a general class of stochastic systems with both Markovian jumping parameters and mixed time-delays. The mixed mode-dependent time-delays consist of both discrete and distributed delays. We aim to design a memoryless state feedback controller such that the closed-loop system is stochastically exponentially stable in the mean square sense. First, by introducing a new Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional that accounts for the mode-dependent mixed delays, stochastic analysis is conducted in order to derive a criterion for the exponential stabilizability problem. Then, a variation of such a criterion is developed to facilitate the controller design by using the linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach. Finally, it is shown that the desired state feedback controller can be characterized explicitly in terms of the solution to a set of LMIs. Numerical simulation is carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Fast structure-preserving image retargeting

Several different methods have been proposed for image/video retargeting while retaining the content. However, they sometimes produce some artifacts, such as ridge or structure twist. In this paper, we present a structure-preserving image resizing technique for the image retargeting applications. Based on the warping-based retargeting technique proposed by Wolf et al.[13], we propose an efficient and adaptive image resizing algorithm that preserves the content and image structure as best as possible. We first downsample the size of the original image by using bilinear interpolation. In order to preserve the content, we introduce the structure constraints derived from the line detection into the large linear system. Then, the mapping matrices are enlarged to the original size by joint-bilateral upsampling and the resized image can be produced to preserve the content and structure as best as possible. Most of the computation is on the low-resolution layer and therefore it can be very efficient. From our experiments, the proposed method can provide resized images with higher image quality and faster speed than that in [13].
Unbalanced distribution of materials: the art of giving rise to hepatocytes from liver stem/progenitor cells

Liver stem/progenitor cells (LSPCs) are able to duplicate themselves and differentiate into each type of cells in the liver, including mature hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. Understanding how to accurately control the hepatic differentiation of LSPCs is a challenge in many fields from preclinical to clinical treatments. This review summarizes the recent advances made to control the hepatic differentiation of LSPCs over the last few decades. The hepatic differentiation of LSPCs is a gradual process consisting of three main steps: initiation, progression and accomplishment. The unbalanced distribution of the affecting materials in each step results in the hepatic maturation of LSPCs. As the innovative and creative works for generating hepatocytes with full functions from LSPCs are gradually accumulated, LSPC therapies will soon be a new choice for treating liver diseases.
In Vivo and In Vitro Analysis of Age-Associated Changes and Somatic Cellular Senescence in Renal Epithelial Cells

Acute kidney injury is a major clinical problem and advanced age is associated with ineffective renal regeneration and poor functional outcome. Data from kidney injury models suggest that a loss of tubular epithelial proliferation contributes to a decrease in renal repair capacity with aging, but aging can also lead to a higher severity of inflammation and damage which may influence repair. In this study we tested intrinsic age-dependent changes in tubular epithelial proliferation in young and old mice, by injecting low-dose lead acetate as a non-injurious mitogen. In parallel, we explored in vitro techniques of studying cellular senescence in primary tubular epithelial cells (PTEC). Lead acetate induced tubular epithelial proliferation at a significantly higher rate in young as compared to old mice. Old kidneys showed significantly more senescence as demonstrated by increased p16INK4a, senescence associated β-galactosidase, and γH2AX+/Ki-67− cells. This was paralleled in old kidneys by a higher number of Cyclin D1 positive tubular cells. This finding was corroborated by a positive correlation between Cyclin D1 positivity and age in human renal biopsies. When tubular cells were isolated from mouse kidneys they rapidly lost their age-associated differences under culture conditions. However, senescence was readily induced in PTEC by γ-irradiation representing a future model for study of cellular senescence in the renal epithelium. Together, our data indicate that the tubular epithelium of aged kidney has an intrinsically reduced proliferative capacity probably due to a higher load of senescent cells. Moreover, stress induced models of cellular senescence are preferable for study of the renal epithelium in vitro. Finally, the positive correlation of Cyclin D1 with age and cellular senescence in PTEC needs further evaluation as to a functional role of renal epithelial aging.
Sinus culture poorly predicts resident microbiota

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an inflammatory disorder of the paranasal sinuses in which bacteria are implicated. Culture‐based assays are commonly used in clinical and research practice; however, culture conditions may not accurately detect the full range of microorganisms present in a sample. The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of clinical culture of CRS specimens compared with DNA‐based molecular techniques.
Validation of Two‐Dimensional Methods for Left Atrial Volume Measurement: A Comparison of Echocardiography with Cardiac Computed Tomography

Left atrial volume (LAVol) is an important predictor of cardiovascular outcomes. Different formulas are applied to calculate LAVol using two‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2DTTE) with variable reference values. The objective of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of methods to calculate LAVol by 2DTTE or cardiac computed tomography (CT).
Derivative Choices of Retail Investors: Evidence from Germany

During the last few years, retail derivative markets have observed a strong growth in a number of financial retail markets around the world. Using a unique data set, we confront in this paper several lines of arguments that have been provided to explain the observed popularity of the instrument with data from the German secondary market. We analyze a number of determinants that are likely to affect the derivative choices of retail investors. We further analyze the performance of retail derivatives chosen by retail investors and propose a new sentiment measure to analyze the information content of the observed choices for the underlying asset. Our results support previous studies that argue that an increase in the need for specifying the characteristics of financial products and consequently an increase in retail investors’ search costs contribute to the observed popularity of retail derivatives. However, the observed pattern in derivative choices also supports other studies that argue that the retail demand for derivatives is driven by systematic deviations of retail investors from rational behaviour. Our analysis of the performance of the products chosen by retail investors further reveals that the trading behaviour that is likely to underlie the observed derivative choices results in a performance loss compared to a more diversified portfolio. We conclude that retail derivative markets emphasize the importance of situational and investor specific factors for retail investors’ portfolio choices that might counteract the welfare improving potential of this instrument.
Precise position estimation of autonomous vehicle based on map-matching

Localization of ego-vehicle is one of the most important technologies for autonomous driving. GNSS/INS systems, which integrate GNSS position and inertial measurement, are very useful for autonomous driving, since the system always estimate smooth and real-time measurement. However, there was a problem that the system produces significant drift after long GNSS signal outage. Therefore, we propose a localization method using both GNSS/INS and lane marker detection. In this system, drift error of GNSS/INS measurement is compensated by lane marker measurement. From some experiments, it was confirmed that robust and smooth localization can be achieved by using this system.
A Rule-Based Chinese Sentiment Mining System with Self-Expanding Dictionary - Taking TripAdvisor as an Example

With the wide adoption of social networks, people are accustomed to post their ideas and thinking via these platforms. Tweets or comments online usually come with individual sentiment, which are time consuming to be analyzed by human labor. This study encapsulates a prototype Chinese sentiment mining system and takes a global hotel reviewing website TripAdvisor as the evaluation sample. The proposed sentiment mining model is compared with logistic regression and support vector machine models based on their performances. This proposed model outperforms LR and SVM in all datasets in terms of classification accuracy and F-measure. An additional module embedded in proposed system enables expansion of novel or undefined terms to the dictionary referred (NTUSD). With this Word2Vec-based module, the system further improves accuracy while reduces both type I and type II error for at least 5%.
Alternating maximization algorithm for the broadcast beamforming

Semidefinite relaxation (SDR) is a powerful approach to solve nonconvex optimization problems involving rank condition. However its performance becomes unacceptable for certain cases. In this paper, a nonconvex equivalent formulation without the rank condition is presented for the broadcast beamforming problem. This new formulation is exploited to obtain an alternating optimization method which is shown to converge to the local optimum rank one solution. Proposed method opens up new possibilities in different applications. Simulations show that the new method is very effective and can attain global optimum especially when the number of users is low.
Modulating retro-reflector lasercom systems at the Naval Research Laboratory

Free space optical (FSO) communication has enjoyed a renewal of interest driven by increasing data rate requirements and the crowding of the RF spectrum, affecting both commercial and military sectors. Military communications must also deal with intentional or unintentional jamming, as well as frequency allocation restrictions, neither of which affects FSO. The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has been conducting research on FSO communications since 1998 with an emphasis on tactical applications. NRL's FSO research has covered propagation studies in the maritime domain, component development, and systems demonstrations. NRL has developed both conventional laser communications systems and retro-reflecting systems for small platforms. This paper reviews some of the retro-reflecting work, discusses applications of FSO in the areas of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and describes future directions.
Rab40C is a novel Varp-binding protein that promotes proteasomal degradation of Varp in melanocytes

ABSTRACT Varp (VPS9-ankyrin repeat protein) was originally identified as an activator of small GTPase Rab21 through its VPS9 domain, but it has subsequently been shown to function as a Rab32/38 effector through its first ANKR1 domain. Although these functions of Varp are important for melanogenesis, Varp contains a second ANKR2 domain, whose function remained completely unknown. Here we identified Rab40C, an atypical Rab containing a SOCS box that recruits a ubiquitin ligase complex, as a novel ANKR2-binding protein and investigated its involvement in melanogenic enzyme trafficking in melanocytes. The results showed that overexpression of Rab40C in melanocytes caused a dramatic reduction in melanogenic enzyme Tyrp1 signals by promoting proteasomal degradation of Varp in a SOCS-box-dependent manner and that knockdown of Rab40C in melanocytes caused an increase in the amount of Varp. Intriguingly, Rab40C knockdown also caused a dramatic reduction in Tyrp1 signals, the same as Varp overexpression did. These findings indicated that Rab40C is a previously unexpected regulator of Tyrp1 trafficking in melanocytes through controlling the proteasomal degradation of Varp.
Structure and Organization of the DrosophilaCholinergic Locus*

The Drosophila cholinergic locus is composed of two distinct genetic functions: choline acetyltransferase (ChAT; EC 2.3.1.6), the enzyme catalyzing biosynthesis of neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh), and the vesicular ACh transporter (VAChT), the synaptic vesicle membrane protein which pumps transmitter into vesicles. Both genes share a common first exon and the remainder of the VAChT gene contains a single coding exon residing entirely within the first intron of ChAT. RNase protection analysis indicates that all Drosophila VAChT specific transcripts contain the shared first exon and suggests common transcriptional control for ChAT and VAChT. Similar types of genomic organization have been evolutionarily conserved for cholinergic loci in nematodes and vertebrates, and may operate to ensure coordinate expression of these functionally related genes in the same cells. The relative levels of Drosophila ChAT and VAChT mRNA differ, however, in different tissues or in Cha mutants, indicating that independent regulation of ChAT and VAChT transcripts may occur post-transcriptionally. The predictedDrosophila VAChT protein is composed of 578 amino acids and contains 12 conserved putative transmembrane domains. Full-length VAChT cDNA is 7.2 kilobase long and has unusually long 5′- and 3′-untranslated regions (UTR). The 5′-UTR contains a GTG ChAT translational initiation codon along with three other potential ATG initiation codons. These features of the VAChT 5′-UTR region suggest that a ribosome scanning model may not be used for VAChT translation initiation.
Relationship between Liver Mitochondrial Respiration and Proton Leak in Low and High RFI Steers from Two Lineages of RFI Angus Bulls

The objective of this research is to evaluate liver mitochondrial oxygen consumption and proton leak kinetics in progeny from two lineages of Angus bulls with high and low residual feed intake (RFI). Two Angus bulls were selected based on results from a genetic test for RFI and were used as sires. Eight offspring at 10-11 months of age from each sire were housed in individual pens for 70–105 days following a diet adaptation period of 14 days. Progeny of the low RFI sire had 0.57 kg/d (P = 0.05) lower average RFI than progeny of the high RFI sire. There was no difference in dry matter intake between low and high RFI steers, but low RFI steers gained more body weight (P = 0.02) and tended to have higher average daily gains (P = 0.07). State 3 and State 4 respiration, RCR, and proton leak did not differ between high and low RFI steers (P = 0.96, P = 0.81, P = 0.93, and P = 0.88, resp.). Therefore, the increase in bodyweight gain which distinguished the low RFI steers from the high RFI steers may be associated with other metabolic mechanisms that are not associated with liver mitochondrial respiration and proton leak kinetics.
Sympathetic nonnoradrenergic cutaneous vasoconstriction in women is associated with reproductive hormone status.

We tested whether a nonnoradrenergic component of reflex vasoconstriction of skin blood flow (SkBF) is sensitive to female reproductive hormones. Six women taking oral contraceptives underwent whole-body cooling during high-hormone (HH) and low-hormone (LH) phases of oral contraceptive use. SkBF was monitored by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) at sites treated by intradermal injection of yohimbine-propranolol (5 mM and 1 mM; YOPR) to block the effects of norepinephrine (NE) or at saline (Sal) control sites. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was measured with the use of the Penaz method. Cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC = LDF/mean arterial pressure) was expressed as a percentage of baseline. Whole body skin temperature was decreased from 34 to 31 degrees C in HH and LH. In both HH and LH, CVC at Sal-treated sites was reduced during cooling (CVC = 53.1 +/- 8.6% and 54.4 +/- 4.2%, both P < 0.05). In HH, CVC at YOPR sites was reduced during cooling (78.8 +/- 3.6%, P < 0.05). In contrast, CVC at YOPR sites was not reduced significantly during cooling in LH (CVC = 95.9 +/- 2.8%, P > 0.05). Across phases, CVC at YOPR sites during cooling was significantly different (P < 0.05). After cooling, the effects of NE at YOPR sites were completely blocked. These data indicate that a nonnoradrenergic mechanism of reflex cutaneous vasoconstriction is present in women and is associated with reproductive hormone status.
Time-varying modifying factor fuzzy controller based on an exact fast simulated annealing

By continuing the control surfaces of the time-varying modifying factor analytic expression method, a new algorithm is constructed to improve the properties of the fuzzy controller obviously. The algorithm has two merits: (a) Static error is erased by fuzzy method (b) operation speed is fast. The excellent quality control and rapid response real time system can be realized together. Furthermore, the exact fast simulated annealing improved by us is applied to optimize the fuzzy controller automatically. The self-optimizing fuzzy system made by the two methods shows fine performances in simulating experiments.
Exploiting pitfalls in software-defined networking implementation

The centralised control provided by Software- Defined Networking allows an increase in network security as all traffic can be vetted before leaving the attachment switch. Nevertheless, as in any complex system, there are implementation and policy compromises which lead to security vulnerabilities. This paper exploits such vulnerabilities to implement a suite of attacks, consisting of Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) cache poisoning, Man in the Middle, a firewall and access control bypassing port scan called a Phantom Host Scan, and a Distributed Denial of Service attack called a Phantom Storm which induces the participation of legitimate hosts. These attacks were successfully implemented in a Floodlight controlled network.
Adaptive amplifier module technique to support cognitive RF architectures

A new adaptive amplifier is introduced that is capable of significant performance improvements over conventional approaches for a variety of demanding radio frequency (RF) applications (e.g., cognitive radio, radar, and electronic warfare). To dramatically improve size, weight, power, and cost (SWAP-C) of this new device, the module relies on the indigenous compute and scheduling capabilities of the host system. For example, in the case of cognitive radar [1], the scheduler would signal the adaptive amplifier module (AAM) with the nature of the signals to be transmitted and the optimal control voltage and tuning network profiles. In this manner, “intelligent adaption” is for the first time extended into the basic analog front-end subsystems.