Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Providing Enhanced Functionality for Data Store Clients

Data stores are typically accessed using a clientserver paradigm wherein the client runs as part of an application process which is trying to access the data store. This paper presents the design and implementation of enhanced data store clients having the capability of caching data for reducing the latency for data accesses, encryption for providing confidentiality before sending data to the server, and compression for reducing the size of data sent to the server. We support multiple approaches for caching data as well as multiple different types of caches. We also present a Universal Data Store Manager (UDSM) which allows an application to access multiple different data stores and provides a common interface to each data store. The UDSM provides both synchronous and asynchronous interfaces to each data store that it supports. An asynchronous interface allows an application program to access a data store and continue execution before receiving a response from the data store. The UDSM also can monitor the performance of different data stores. A workload generator allows users to easily determine and compare the performance of different data stores. The paper examines the key design issues in developing both the enhanced data store clients and the UDSM. It also looks at important issues in implementing client-side caching. The enhanced data store clients and UDSM are used to determine the performance of different data stores and to quantify the performance gains that can be achieved via caching.
Binding of JNK/SAPK to MEKK1 Is Regulated by Phosphorylation*

We sought to characterize the role of upstream kinases in the regulation of the MAP3 kinase MEKK1 and the potential impact on signaling to MAP kinase cascades. We find that the MAP4 kinase PAK1 phosphorylates the amino terminus of MEKK1 on serine 67. We show that serine 67 lies in a D domain, which binds to the c-Jun-NH2-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinases (JNK/SAPK). Serine 67 is constitutively phosphorylated in resting 293 cells, but is dephosphorylated following exposure to stress stimuli such as anisomycin and UV irradiation. Phosphorylation of this site inhibits binding of JNK/SAPK to MEKK1. Thus, we propose a mechanism by which the MEKK1-dependent JNK/SAPK pathway is negatively regulated by PAK through phosphorylation of serine 67.
Discriminative Middle-Level Parts Mining for Object Detection

SUMMARY Middle-level parts have attracted great attention in the computer vision community, acting as discriminative elements for objects. In this paper we propose an unsupervised approach to mine discriminative parts for object detection. This work features three aspects. First, we introduce an unsupervised, exemplar-based training process for part detection. We generate initial parts by selective search and then train part detectors by exemplar SVM. Second, a part selection model based on consistency and distinctiveness is constructed to select e ﬀ ective parts from the candidate pool. Third, we combine discriminative part mining with the deformable part model (DPM) for object detection. The proposed method is evaluated on the PASCAL VOC2007 and VOC2010 datasets. The experimental results demons-trate the e ﬀ ectiveness of our method for object detection.
TIELT: A Testbed for Gaming Environments

Many AI researchers want to test the utility of their systems in complex task environments defined by (e.g., real-time strategy) gaming simulators and/or simulators of computer-generated forces. Also, many developers of commercial and military gaming simulators seek behaviors that can be supported by these systems. However, these integrations require great effort. We will demonstrate the late Alpha version of TIELT, a testbed designed to fill these needs.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Ostomy Complication Severity Index

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of a new instrument to measure incidence and severity of ostomy complications early in the postoperative period. SUBJECTS AND SETTINGS: 71 participants were enrolled, most were men (52%), white (96%), and married or partnered (55%). The mean age of participants was 57 ± 15.09 years (mean ± SD). Fifty-two participants (84%) experienced at least 1 ostomy complication in the 60-day postoperative period. The research setting was 3 acute care settings within a large healthcare system in the Midwestern United States. INSTRUMENT: We developed an evidence-based conceptual model to guide development and evaluation of a new instrument, the Pittman Ostomy Complication Severity Index (OCSI). The OCSI format includes Likert-like scale with 9 individual items scored 0 to 3 and a total score computed by summing the individual items. Higher scores indicate more severe ostomy complications. METHOD: This study consisted of 2 phases: (1) an expert review, conducted to establish content validity; and (2) a prospective, longitudinal study design, to examine psychometric properties of the instrument. A convenience sample of 71 adult patients who underwent surgery to create a new fecal ostomy was recruited from 3 hospitals. Descriptive analyses, content validity indices, interrater reliability testing, and construct validity testing were employed. RESULTS: Common complications included leakage (60%), peristomal moisture–associated dermatitis (50%), stomal pain (42%), retraction (39%), and bleeding (32%). The OCSI demonstrated acceptable evidence of content validity index (CVI = 0.9) and interrater reliability for individual items (k = 0.71-1.0), as well as almost perfect agreement for total scores among raters (ICC = 0.991, P ⩽ .001). Construct validity of the OCSI was supported by significant correlations among variables in the conceptual model (complications, risk factors, stoma care self-efficacy, and ostomy adjustment). CONCLUSION: OCSI demonstrated acceptable validity and reliability and can be used to assess incidence and severity of ostomy complications in the early postoperative period. We found the OCSI to be brief, easy-to-use, and clinically practical. It can be used to (a) identify priority areas for nursing intervention related to the ostomy, (b) determine appropriate interventions to prevent or treat complications, and (c) evaluate the effects of nursing interventions designed to improve outcomes for patients with ostomies.
Inhibition of Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 by bromthymol blue

Bromthymol blue, at a concentration of 0.1% in tryptose-glucose broth, inhibited growth of 98.4% of Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 isolates but only 0.8% of E. coli non-O157:H7 isolates after an overnight incubation at 44.5 degrees C, but not 35 degrees C. The inhibition was dependent on temperature, density of inoculum, bromthymol blue concentration, time of incubation, and composition of the medium. Compared with serologic typing, the inhibition had sensitivity, specificity, predictive values of the positive and negative tests, and overall agreement between the two tests of 98.4, 99.2, 98.4, 99.2, and 98.9%, respectively. The inhibition could be useful as a presumptive test to identify E. coli isolates of serotype O157:H7, especially in laboratories that do not have serotyping capabilities.
Crystal Structures and RNA-binding Properties of the RNA Recognition Motifs of Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein L*

Background: hnRNP L is a multifunctional RNA-binding protein implicated in alternative splicing regulation, etc. Results: RRM1 and RRM34 of hnRNP L adopt nearly typical RRM topology and use β-sheets to bind RNA. Conclusion: hnRNP L RRM34 facilitates the target RNA with appropriate in-between distance to form a loop. Significance: RNA looping suggests a general mechanism for alternative splicing regulators possessing position-dependent dual roles. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein L (hnRNP L) is an abundant RNA-binding protein implicated in many bioprocesses, including pre-mRNA processing, mRNA export of intronless genes, internal ribosomal entry site-mediated translation, and chromatin modification. It contains four RNA recognition motifs (RRMs) that bind with CA repeats or CA-rich elements. In this study, surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy assays revealed that all four RRM domains contribute to RNA binding. Furthermore, we elucidated the crystal structures of hnRNP L RRM1 and RRM34 at 2.0 and 1.8 Å, respectively. These RRMs all adopt the typical β1α1β2β3α2β4 topology, except for an unusual fifth β-strand in RRM3. RRM3 and RRM4 interact intimately with each other mainly through helical surfaces, leading the two β-sheets to face opposite directions. Structure-based mutations and surface plasmon resonance assay results suggested that the β-sheets of RRM1 and RRM34 are accessible for RNA binding. FRET-based gel shift assays (FRET-EMSA) and steady-state FRET assays, together with cross-linking and dynamic light scattering assays, demonstrated that hnRNP L RRM34 facilitates RNA looping when binding to two appropriately separated binding sites within the same target pre-mRNA. EMSA and isothermal titration calorimetry binding studies with in vivo target RNA suggested that hnRNP L-mediated RNA looping may occur in vivo. Our study provides a mechanistic explanation for the dual functions of hnRNP L in alternative splicing regulation as an activator or repressor.
Centennial-scale fluctuations and regional complexity characterize Pacific salmon population dynamics over the past five centuries

Observational data from the past century have highlighted the importance of interdecadal modes of variability in fish population dynamics, but how these patterns of variation fit into a broader temporal and spatial context remains largely unknown. We analyzed time series of stable nitrogen isotopes from the sediments of 20 sockeye salmon nursery lakes across western Alaska to characterize temporal and spatial patterns in salmon abundance over the past ∼500 y. Although some stocks varied on interdecadal time scales (30- to 80-y cycles), centennial-scale variation, undetectable in modern-day catch records and survey data, has dominated salmon population dynamics over the past 500 y. Before 1900, variation in abundance was clearly not synchronous among stocks, and the only temporal signal common to lake sediment records from this region was the onset of commercial fishing in the late 1800s. Thus, historical changes in climate did not synchronize stock dynamics over centennial time scales, emphasizing that ecosystem complexity can produce a diversity of ecological responses to regional climate forcing. Our results show that marine fish populations may alternate between naturally driven periods of high and low abundance over time scales of decades to centuries and suggest that management models that assume time-invariant productivity or carrying capacity parameters may be poor representations of the biological reality in these systems.
Impact of sarcopenia, sedentarism and risk of falls in older people’s health self-perception

Abstract Introduction: Sarcopenia, often associated with sedentarism, increases the risk of falls in older people, which may contribute to poorer health. Objective: This study sought to verify the impact of sarcopenia, sedentary lifestyle and risk of falls in older people’s health self-perception. Method: This was an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach. The sample included 317 older people from the municipality of Cruz Alta, who underwent an assessment with specific instruments to evaluate the presence of risk of falls (Downton and Timed Up and Go - TUG) and sarcopenia (Manual Hold Force - MHF and Circumference of the Calf - CP). They were also subjected to the International Physical Activity (IPAQ) and the Self-perception of Health questionnaires. Association between variables was performed using the Pearson chi-square test, with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: In respect to TUG, 202 (63.7%) older people presented an average risk of falls, and only 27 (8.5%) presented a high risk of falls. However, Downton showed that a hundred older people (31.5%) were at risk of falling. Sarcopenia as evaluated via CP and MHF was observed in 4.7% (15) and 31.9% older people, respectively. Regarding IPAQ, 161 (50.8%) participants were classified as active, while 156 (49.2%) were classified as inactive. In regards to self-perceived health, 159 (50.2%) older people evaluated their health condition as average or poor. Conclusion: Results suggest that older people’s negative health self-perception is directly associated with predisposing factors for falls, such as sarcopenia and physical inactivity, as well as the presence of risk of falls (as evaluated by instruments that take into account risk factors and individual physical conditions).
Test Generation for CMP Designs

Full-chip simulation of multicore designs is an important element in the design verification cycle of a Chip Multiprocessor (CMP). Random tests are typically applied to the Multiprocessor (MP) in order to stimulate unexercised states of the machine. Completely random MP tests generally provide inadequate coverage, especially as the core count increases. In this paper the MP test program coverage is estimated by simulating the tests on a simple software model of the cache coherence protocol. Furthermore, equations are extrapolated to predict coverage as a function of core count based on constraints on addresses and test size. Finally a unique technique is introduced to expand the random component of MP tests while providing 100% cache line state transition coverage.
Selection and Sorting in the “Restore” Model

We consider the classical selection and sorting problems in a model where the initial permutation of the input has to be restored after completing thecomputation. Such algorithms are useful for designing space-efficient algorithms, when one encounters subproblems that have to be solved by subroutines. It is important that these subroutines leave the array in its original state after they finish so that the computation can be properly resumed. Algorithms in this model can also be relevant for saving communication time, in case the data is distributed among several machines and would need to be copied to further machines for execution of the subroutine. Although the requirement of the restoration is stringent compared to the classicalversions of the problems, this model is more relaxed than a read-only memory where the input elements are not allowed to be moved within the input array. We first show that for a sequence of n integers, selection (finding the median or more generally the k-th smallest element for a given k) can be done in O(n) time using O(lg n) words1 of extra space in this model. In contrast, no linear-time selection algorithm is known that uses polylogarithmic space in the read-only memory model. For sorting n integers in this model, we first present an O(nlg n)-time algorithm using O(lg n) words of extra space that outputs (in a write only tape) the given sequence in sorted order while restoring the order of the original input in the input tape. When the universe size U is polynomial in n, we give a faster O(n)-time algorithm (analogous to radix sort) that uses O(nε) words of extra space for an arbitrarily small constant ε > 0. More generally, we show how to match the time bound of any word-RAM integer sorting algorithms using O(nε) words of extra space. In sharp contrast, there is an Ω (n2/S)-time lower bound for integer sorting using O(S) bits of space in the read-only memory model. Extension of our results to arbitrary input types beyond integers is not possible: for “indivisible” input elements, we can prove the same Ω (n2/S) lower bound for sorting in our model. We also describe space-efficient algorithms to count the number of inversions in a given sequence in this model. En route, we develop linear-time in-place algorithms to extract leading bits of the input array and to compress and decompress strings with low entropy; these techniques may be of independent interest.
Pulsed Power Generation Techniques

This paper describes the evolution of high voltage pulsed-power (HVPP) technology from its inception to the present state, particularly focusing on its applicability and effectiveness for a variety of industrial applications. HVPP techniques that have been reported are discussed, highlighting advantages and disadvantages. A detailed analysis of four modern techniques that are based on capacitive energy compression elements, is presented in relation to their limitations and suitability for live-stock control. A novel HVPP technique, which is based on the Marx generator principle and capable of producing output waveforms of varying shapes/power/durations, is also proposed to overcome the limitations of existing HVPP techniques
Immunologic memory in cutaneous leishmaniasis

Leishmania major infections induce solid immunity to reinfection. Experimental studies in mice indicate that the CD4+ T cells responsible for this immunity include two populations: parasite‐dependent T effector cells and parasite‐independent central memory T (Tcm) cells. While there currently is no vaccine for leishmaniasis, the existence of a long‐lived population of Tcm cells that does not require the continued presence of live parasites suggests that a vaccine that expands these cells might be efficacious.
Neurodevelopmental influences on the immune system reflecting brain pathology

A number of studies have shown that early life events can affect the development of the nervous system, contributing to particular individual differences in later vulnerability to different forms of psychosocial stress related to the environment and lifestyle.Neuropeptides, chemokines (CKs), neurotrophins (NTs) belong to the chemical microenvironment of the cells of the central nervous system (CNS). This paper reviews research performed in our and other laboratories indicating that mass spectrometry should play a significant role in future studies of the structures of proteins/peptides in neuroscience. These applications include peptide metabolism associated with normal and impaired neurone/immune function. Detailed information about peptide/protein processing in the CNS may be studied by using the lymphocyte as a model reflecting different chemical modifications of peptides/proteins related to various psychosomatic disturbances reflecting disorders of environment and lifestyle.
Automation of systems enabling search on stored video data

In the European project SMASH mass-market storage systems for domestic use are under study. Besides the storage technology that is developed in this project, the related objective of user-friendly browsing/query of video data is studied as well. Key issues in developing a user-friendly system are (1) minimizing the user-intervention in preparatory steps (extraction and storage of representative information needed for browsing/query), (2) providing an acceptable representation of the stored video content in view of a higher automation level, (3) the possibility for performing these steps directly on the incoming stream at storage time, and (4) parameter-robustness of algorithms used for these steps. This paper proposes and validate novel approaches for automation of mentioned preparatory phases. A detection method for abrupt shot changes is proposed, using locally computed threshold based on a statistical model for frame-to-frame differences. For the extraction of representative frames (key frames) an approach is presented which distributes a given number of key frames over the sequence depending on content changes in a temporal segment of the sequence. A multimedia database is introduced, able to automatically store all bibliographic information about a recorded video as well as a visual representation of the content without any manual intervention from the user.
A fiber-optic current sensor with frequency-codified output for high-voltage systems

The authors present a frequency-output fiber-optic current sensor for high-power systems. The sensor exploits the magnetostriction of the ferromagnetic core of a standard current transformer, which is interrogated by a length of single-mode fiber coiled onto it and a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The deformation of the core due to the magnetic field generated by the current produces a frequency-modulated output signal. The current is obtained from the frequency features of the optical signal, and so the sensor avoids certain shortcomings of other fiber optic current sensors such as light power fluctuations, phase drift, and polarization sensitivity.
Speech Pattern Discovery using Audio-Visual Fusion and Canonical Correlation Analysis

In this paper, we address the problem of automatic discovery of speech patterns using audio-visual information fusion. Unlike those previous studies based on single audio modality, our work not only uses the acoustic information, but also takes into account the visual features extracted from the mouth region. To improve the effectiveness of the use of multimodal information, several audio-visual fusion strategies, including feature concatenation, similarity weighting and decision fusion, are utilized. Speciﬁcally, our decision fusion approach retains the reliable patterns discovered in the audio and visual modalities. Moreover, we use canonical correlation analysis (CCA) to address the issue of temporal asynchrony between audio and visual speech modalities and unbounded dynamic time warping (UDTW) is adopted to search for the speech patterns through audio and visual similarity matrices calculated on the aligned audio and visual sequence. Experiments on an audio-visual corpus show that, for the ﬁrst time, speech pattern discovery can be improved by the use of visual information. The decision fusion approach shows superior performance compared with standard feature concatenation and similarity weighting. CCA-based audio-visual synchronization plays an important role in the performance improvement.
Pseudo-Gabor wavelet for face recognition

Abstract. An efficient face-recognition algorithm is proposed, which not only possesses the advantages of linear subspace analysis approaches—such as low computational complexity—but also has the advantage of a high recognition performance with the wavelet-based algorithms. Based on the linearity of Gabor-wavelet transformation and some basic assumptions on face images, we can extract pseudo-Gabor features from the face images without performing any complex Gabor-wavelet transformations. The computational complexity can therefore be reduced while a high recognition performance is still maintained by using the principal component analysis (PCA) method. The proposed algorithm is evaluated based on the Yale database, the Caltech database, the ORL database, the AR database, and the Facial Recognition Technology database, and is compared with several different face recognition methods such as PCA, Gabor wavelets plus PCA, kernel PCA, locality preserving projection, and dual-tree complex wavelet transformation plus PCA. Experiments show that consistent and promising results are obtained.