Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Walking Intent-Based Movement Control for JAIST Active Robotic Walker

This paper presents a novel interactive control for our assistive robotic walker, the JAIST Active Robotic Walker (JARoW), developed for elderly people in need of assistance. The aim of our research is to recognize characteristics of the user's gait and to generate the movement of JARoW accordingly. Specifically, the proposed control enables JARoW to accurately generate the direction and velocity of its movement in a way that corresponds to the user's variable walking behaviors. The algorithm and implementation of the control are explained in detail, and the effectiveness and usability of JARoW are verified through extensive experiments in everyday environments.
Impact of Isoniazid Resistance-Conferring Mutations on the Clinical Presentation of Isoniazid Monoresistant Tuberculosis

Background Specific isoniazid (INH) resistance conferring mutations have been shown to impact the likelihood of tuberculosis (TB) transmission. However, their role in the clinical presentation and outcomes of TB has not been evaluated. Methods We included all cases of culture-confirmed, INH monoresistant tuberculosis reported to the San Francisco Department of Public Health Tuberculosis Control Section from October 1992 through October 2005. For cases with stored culture isolates, we used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and gene sequencing to identify INH resistance-conferring mutations, and compared genotypic and phenotypic characteristics. Results Among 101 consecutive cases of INH monoresistant TB in San Francisco 19 (19%) had isolates with a katG mutation other than S315T; 38 (38%) had isolates with the katG S315T mutation, 29 (29%) had isolates with a inhA-15;c-t promoter mutation, and 15 (15%) had isolates with other mutations. The katG S315T mutation was independently associated with high-level INH resistance (risk ratio [RR] 1.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07–2.27), and the inhA-15;c-t promoter mutation was inversely associated with high-level INH resistance (RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.21–0.89). However, specific INH resistance-conferring mutations were not associated with the clinical severity or outcomes of INH monoresistant TB cases. Conclusion These data suggest that INH resistance-conferring mutations do not impact the clinical presentation of TB.
The prognostic value of the stem-like group in colorectal cancer using a panel of immunohistochemistry markers

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the Western world. It is becoming increasingly clear that CRC is a diverse disease, as exemplified by the identification of subgroups of CRC tumours that are driven by distinct biology. Recently, a number of studies have begun to define panels of diagnostically relevant markers to align patients into individual subgroups in an attempt to give information on prognosis and treatment response. We examined the immunohistochemical expression profile of 18 markers, each representing a putative role in cancer development, in 493 primary colorectal carcinomas using tissue microarrays. Through unsupervised clustering in stage II cancers, we identified two cluster groups that are broadly defined by inflammatory or immune-related factors (CD3, CD8, COX-2 and FOXP3) and stem-like factors (CD44, LGR5, SOX2, OCT4). The expression of the stem-like group markers was associated with a significantly worse prognosis compared to cases with lower expression. In addition, patients classified in the stem-like subgroup displayed a trend towards a benefit from adjuvant treatment. The biologically relevant and poor prognostic stem-like group could also be identified in early stage I cancers, suggesting a potential opportunity for the identification of aggressive tumors at a very early stage of the disease.
Telecooperation and Telepresence: Technical challenges of a government distributed between Bonn and Berlin

The decision of the German Parliament to relocate the seat of Parliament and Government from Bonn to Berlin is a major challenge and opportunity for information and communication technology. Only by employing the very latest technology will it be possible to implement Parliament's decision for a workable and efficient government distributed between Berlin and Bonn. The paper outlines the fundamental problems arising for cooperation among governmental bodies as a result of spatial separation. It discusses trends and prospects for support through new information and communication technologies and also introduces the POLIKOM research program by which the German government wishes to contribute to resolving the problems.
Retinal Image Enhancement Using Robust Inverse Diffusion Equation and Self-Similarity Filtering

As a common ocular complication for diabetic patients, diabetic retinopathy has become an important public health problem in the world. Early diagnosis and early treatment with the help of fundus imaging technology is an effective control method. In this paper, a robust inverse diffusion equation combining a self-similarity filtering is presented to detect and evaluate diabetic retinopathy using retinal image enhancement. A flux corrected transport technique is used to control diffusion flux adaptively, which eliminates overshoots inherent in the Laplacian operation. Feature preserving denoising by the self-similarity filtering ensures a robust enhancement of noisy and blurry retinal images. Experimental results demonstrate that this algorithm can enhance important details of retinal image data effectively, affording an opportunity for better medical interpretation and subsequent processing.
Melanopsin Tristability for Sustained and Broadband Phototransduction Highlights

Highlights d IpRGCs produce a persistent response that integrates light over minutes d Long-wavelength light acutely decreases the persistent response of ipRGCs d The intrinsic photosensitivity of ipRGCs exhibits chromatic integration d Photoequilibration of melanopsin among three states accounts for these properties In Brief Mammals sense light with melanopsin to regulate diverse aspects of physiology. Emanuel and Do report that melanopsin cells display exceptional integration over time and wavelength because melanopsin, unlike other opsins, possesses two silent states that photoequilibrate with a signaling state. SUMMARY Mammals rely upon three ocular photoreceptors to sense light: rods, cones, and intrinsically photo-sensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). Rods and cones resolve details in the visual scene. Conversely, ipRGCs integrate over time and space, primarily to support ''non-image'' vision. The integrative mechanisms of ipRGCs are enigmatic, particularly since these cells use a phototransduction motif that allows invertebrates like Drosophila to parse light with exceptional temporal resolution. Here, we provide evidence for a single mechanism that allows ipRGCs to integrate over both time and wavelength. Light distributes the visual pigment, melanopsin, across three states, two silent and one signaling. Photoequi-libration among states maintains pigment availability for sustained signaling, stability of the signaling state permits minutes-long temporal summation, and modest spectral separation of the silent states promotes uniform activation across wavelengths. By broadening the tuning of ipRGCs in both temporal and chromatic domains, melanopsin tristability produces signal integration for physiology and behavior.
Herschel observations and a model for IRAS 08572+3915: a candidate for the most luminous infrared galaxy in the local (z < 0.2) Universe

We present Herschel photometry and spectroscopy, carried out as part of the Herschel ultraluminous infrared galaxy (ULIRG) survey, and a model for the infrared to submillimetre emission of the ULIRG IRAS 08572+3915. This source shows one of the deepest known silicate absorption features and no polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emission. The model suggests that this object is powered by an active galactic nucleus (AGN) with a fairly smooth torus viewed almost edge-on and a very young starburst. According to our model, the AGN contributes about 90 per cent of the total luminosity of 1.1 × 10 13 L� , which is about a factor of 5 higher than previous estimates. The large correction of the luminosity is due to the anisotropy of the emission of the best-fitting torus. Similar corrections may be necessary for other local and high-z analogues. This correction implies that IRAS 08572+3915 at a redshift of 0.058 35 may be the nearest hyperluminous infrared galaxy and probably the most luminous infrared galaxy in the local ( z< 0.2) Universe. IRAS 08572+3915 shows a low ratio of [C II] to IR luminosity (log L[C II]/LIR < −3.8) and a [O I]63µ mt o [CII]158µm line ratio of about 1 that supports the model presented in this Letter.
Multiple Skill Deficits in Depression

This study involves the description of the presence or absence of several theoretically relevant skill deficits in 35 cases of depression. Until recently, most research and theory about depression has been based on the assumption that this is a homogeneous disorder with one determinant common to all incidences. Theories proposed by Beck (1967), Lewinsohn (1974), Seligman (Abramson, Seligman & Teasdale, 1978), and Rehm (1977) are examples of unitary theories. It is argued that a comprehensive account of depression must involve a multivariate theory such as that proposed by Staats and Heiby (1985). The case study involves a preliminary uncontrolled test of the hypothesis that there exist several skills deficits that may determine depression. The findings suggest support for the possibility that the following skill deficits deserve further investigation for their role in depression aetiology and treatment: logical errors including misattributions, poor self-control skills, poor social skills in terms of excessive aggression and deficit assertiveness, and inadequate hedonic capacity in terms of deficit positive interests and excessive negative interests (anhedonia). Suggestions for future research are offered.
Description of Timing Problems Using Petri Nets for Level-Independent Timing Veri cation

We present a new model to detect timing problems by both, simulation and static timing veriication. Furthermore , this Petri-net based model allows to check timing constraints and requirements on higher levels of abstraction. This results in the ability to use a level and application independent Petri-net simulator, and in the new concept of static level-independent timing veriication. Level-independent timing veriication is the application of static methods to detect timing problems independently of the level of abstraction.
Exploring alternative designs for sociotechnical systems

Sociotechnial systems (STSs) consist of a complex interplay of technical components, humans, and organizations. As other types of systems, STSs need to evolve in response to changing requirements and operational environments. Evolving STSs is a complex activity, which requires reconfiguration of technical components as well as rerouting of interactions among human and social actors. Moreover, reconfiguration has to respect participant autonomy, while coping with conflicting goals and noncooperation in identifying a configuration that minimizes changes relative to the current configuration. In this paper, we present a framework that supports design and evolution of STSs. The framework includes (i) the DEST language for modeling STSs as goal-oriented actors that interact via social commitments; (ii) techniques for building a network of interactions that fulfills participant requirements; and (iii) techniques for evolving an existing STS while minimizing change. We encode the design and evolution of STSs as an automated planning problem.
An Evaluation-Driven Decision Procedure for G3i

It is well known that G3i, the sequent calculus for intuitionistic propositional logic where weakening and contraction are absorbed into the rules, is not terminating. Indeed, due to the contraction in the rule for left implication, the naïve goal-oriented proof-search strategy, consisting in applying the rules of the calculus bottom up until possible, can generate branches of infinite length. The usual solution to this problem is to support the proof-search procedure with a loop checking mechanism that prevents the generation of infinite branches by storing and analyzing some information regarding the branch under development. In this article, we propose a new technique based on evaluation functions. An evaluation function is a lightweight computational mechanism that, analyzing only the current goal of the proof search, allows one to drive the application of rules to guarantee termination and to avoid useless backtracking. We describe an evaluation-driven proof-search procedure that given a sequent σ returns either a G3i-derivation of σ or a countermodel for σ. We prove that such a procedure is terminating and correct, and that the depth of the G3i-trees generated during proof search is quadratic in the size of σ. Finally, we discuss the overhead time introduced by evaluation functions in the proof-search procedure.
Molecular Characterization of a Recombinant Manganese Superoxide Dismutase from Lactococcus lactis M4

A superoxide dismutase (SOD) gene of Lactococcus lactis M4 was cloned and expressed in a prokaryotic system. Sequence analysis revealed an open reading frame of 621 bp which codes for 206 amino acid residues. Expression of sodA under T7 promoter exhibited a specific activity of 4967 U/mg when induced with 1 mM of isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside. The recombinant SOD was purified to homogeneity by immobilised metal affinity chromatography and Superose 12 gel filtration chromatography. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blot analyses of the recombinant SOD detected a molecular mass of approximately 27 kDa. However, the SOD was in dimer form as revealed by gel filtration chromatography. The purified recombinant enzyme had a pI of 4.5 and exhibited maximal activity at 25°C and pH 7.2. It was stable up to 45°C. The insensitivity of this lactococcal SOD to cyanide and hydrogen peroxide established that it was a MnSOD. Although it has 98% homology to SOD of L. lactis IL1403, this is the first elucidated structure of lactococcal SOD revealing active sites containing the catalytic manganese coordinated by four ligands (H-27, H-82, D-168, and H-172).
A traffic-balanced routing scheme for heat balance in 3D networks-on-chip

Network-on-Chip (NoC) tackles the architectural scalability and interconnect problems in many-core architectures. Multiple layers are stacked together using through silicon vias (TSV) and establish inter-die connectivity in the 3D integration technology. In 3D NoC, the congestion problem and the thermal problem are the major issues. Once the congestion problem occurs, the performance of 3D NoC rapidly degrades such as increasing transmission latency, extra power consumption, higher temperature and imbalanced traffic among different logic layers. In addition, the effect of high temperature also increases transmission latency, leakage power, and cooling cost. In this paper, we propose an advanced temporary relay routing (ATRR) algorithm to achieve three goals: (1) collecting the information of congestion and throttling to balance traffic; (2) reducing path diversities (PD) to improve the average latency; (3) adjusting routing paths to dissipate heat in 3D NoC. Simulation results show that our proposed scheme can improve average latency as well as approach better heat balance.
Analysis of active queue management

Active Queue Management (AQM) is intended to achieve high link utilization with a low queuing delay. Recent studies show that RED, one of the most well-known AQMs, is difficult to configure and does not provide significant performance gains given the complexity required for proper configuration. Recent variants of RED, such as Adaptive-RED are designed to provide more robust RED performance under a wider-range of traffic conditions but have not yet been evaluated. This paper presents a router queue behavior model (a queue law) for TCP-dropping and TCP-marking control systems, and uses the queue law to illustrate the impact of TCP traffic on the load and queue behavior of congested routers. Through queue law analysis and simulation, this paper confirms that RED-like AQM techniques that employ packet dropping do not significantly improve performance over that of drop-tail queue management. However, when AQM techniques use Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) as a method to notify TCP sources of congestion rather than packet drops, the performance gains of AQM in terms of goodput and delay can be significant over that of drop-tail queue management.
Prevention approaches in a preclinical canine model of Alzheimer’s disease: benefits and challenges

Aged dogs spontaneously develop many features of human aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) including cognitive decline and neuropathology. In this review, we discuss age-dependent learning tasks, memory tasks, and functional measures that can be used in aged dogs for sensitive treatment outcome measures. Neuropathology that is linked to cognitive decline is described along with examples of treatment studies that show reduced neuropathology in aging dogs (dietary manipulations, behavioral enrichment, immunotherapy, and statins). Studies in canine show that multi-targeted approaches may be more beneficial than single pathway manipulations (e.g., antioxidants combined with behavioral enrichment). Aging canine studies show good predictive validity for human clinical trials outcomes (e.g., immunotherapy) and several interventions tested in dogs strongly support a prevention approach (e.g., immunotherapy and statins). Further, dogs are ideally suited for prevention studies as they the age because onset of cognitive decline and neuropathology strongly support longitudinal interventions that can be completed within a 3–5 year period. Disadvantages to using the canine model are that they lengthy, use labor-intensive comprehensive cognitive testing, and involve costly housing (almost as high as that of non-human primates). However, overall, using the dog as a preclinical model for testing preventive approaches for AD may complement work in rodents and non-human primates.
Adaptive backstepping control for a permanent magnet synchronous motor drive using RNN uncertainty observer

In this paper an adaptive backstepping control system is proposed to control the rotor position of a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive using recurrent neural network (RNN). First, the field-oriented mechanism is applied to formulate the dynamic equation of the PMSM servo drive. Then, an adaptive backstepping approach is proposed to compensate the uncertainties in the motion control system. With the proposed adaptive backstepping control system, the rotor position of the PMSM drive possesses the advantages of good transient control performance and robustness to uncertainties for the tracking of periodic reference trajectories. Moreover, to further increase the robustness of the PMSM drive, a RNN uncertainty observer is proposed to estimate the required lumped uncertainty in the adaptive backstepping control system. In addition, an on-line parameter training methodology, which is derived using the gradient descent method, is proposed to increase the learning capability of the RNN. The effectiveness of the proposed control scheme is verified by experimental results.
Vision-Based Behavior Acquisition For A Shooting Robot By Using A Reinforcement Learning

We propose a method which acquires a purposive behavior for a mobile robot to shoot a ball into the goal by using a vision-based reinforcement learning. A mobile robot (an agent) does not need to know any parameters of the 3-D environment or its kinematics/dynamics. Information about the changes of the environment is only the image captured from a single TV camera mounted on the robot. An action-value function in terms of state is to be learned. Image positions of a ball and a goal are used as a state variable which shows the effect of an action previously taken. After the learning process, the robot tries to carry a ball near the goal and to shoot it. Both computer simulation and real robot experiments are shown, and discussion on the role of vision in the context of the vision-based reinforcement learning is given.
Towards Utility-driven Anonymization of Transactions

Publishing person-specific transactions in an anonymous form is increasingly required by organizations. Recent approaches ensure that potentially identifying information (e.g., a set of diagnosis codes) cannot be used to link published transactions to persons' identities, but all are limited in application because they incorporate coarse privacy requirements (e.g., protecting a certain set of m diagnosis codes requires protecting all m-sized sets), do not integrate utility requirements, and tend to explore a small portion of the solution space. In this paper, we propose a more general framework for anonymizing transactional data under specific privacy and utility requirements. We model such requirements as constraints, investigate how these constraints can be specified, and propose COAT (COnstraint-based Anonymization of Transactions), an algorithm that anonymizes transactions using a flexible hierarchy-free generalization scheme to meet the specified constraints. Experiments with benchmark datasets verify that COAT significantly outperforms the current state-of-the-art algorithm in terms of data utility, while being comparable in terms of efficiency. The effectiveness of our approach is also demonstrated in a real-world scenario, which requires disseminating a private, patient-specific transactional dataset in a way that preserves both privacy and utility in intended studies.
Modeling the Effect of Clipping and Power Amplifier NonLinearities on OFDM Systems

The high Peak to Average power Ration (PAR) levels of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) signals forces to the utilization of linear power amplifiers. However, linear amplifiers have low power efficiency which is problematic considering that battery life is a critical resource in mobile systems; also linear amplifiers have a clipping effect when considered as a limiter. Amplifier nonlinearities affect drastically the performance of OFDM systems. In this paper, the effects of Clipping and amplifier nonlinearities are modeled in an OFDM system. We showed that the distortion due to these effects is highly related to the dynamic range it self rather than the clipping level or the saturation level of the nonlinear amplifier. Computer simulations of the OFDM system using Matlab are completely matched with the deduced model in terms of OFDM signal quality metrics such as BER, ACPR and EVM.
MDA refinements along middleware-specific concern-dimensions

Over the last decades, middleware has become an integral part in the development of distributed enterprise systems. Nevertheless, currently existing software engineering methods continue to have a strong focus on functional requirements, ignoring more or less nonfunctional concerns, such as middleware-specific concerns, which have to be addressed sooner or later when designing and implementing distributed systems. Following an MDA approach to software development, the Enterprise Fondue method proposes a hierarchy of UML profiles as a means for addressing middleware-specific concerns at different MDA-levels of abstraction, along with model transformations to incrementally refine existing design models according to the proposed profiles. Tool support is provided through the Parallax framework, which assists developers in the Enterprise Fondue refinement process and enables them to modularize middleware-specific crosscutting concerns into aspect-promoting Eclipse plug-ins.