Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A systems theoretic approach to behavioural modeling and simulation of analog functional blocks

Analog simulation methodologies for the generation of macromodels of analog functional blocks, as reported in literature, are of limited use in practical circuit simulation due to frequent accuracy and efficiency problems. In this paper, a new approach to model the behaviour of nonlinear functional blocks is proposed. The approach is based upon the principles of systems theory. The outlined methodology supports the mapping of models from component into behavioural level. The nonlinearity of complex analog modules is reflected efficiently while the electrical signals are maintained.
Older Men With Low Serum Estradiol and High Serum SHBG Have an Increased Risk of Fractures

Osteoporosis‐related fractures constitute a major health concern not only in women but also in men. To study the predictive role of serum sex steroids for fracture risk in men, serum sex steroids were analyzed by the specific gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry technique at baseline in older men (n = 2639; mean, 75 yr of age) of the prospective population‐based MrOS Sweden cohort. Fractures occurring after baseline were validated (average follow‐up of 3.3 yr). The incidence for having at least one validated fracture after baseline was 20.9/1000 person‐years. Estradiol (E2; hazard ratio [HR] per SD decrease, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.22–1.49), free estradiol (fE2; HR per SD decrease, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.28–1.55), testosterone (T; HR per SD decrease, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.16–1.39), and free testosterone (fT; HR per SD decrease, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.21–1.44) were all inversely, whereas sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG; HR per SD increase, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.22–1.63) was directly related to fracture risk. Multivariable proportional hazards regression models, adjusted for age, suggested that fE2 and SHBG (p < 0.001), but not fT, were independently associated with fracture risk. Further subanalyses of fracture type showed that fE2 was inversely associated with clinical vertebral fractures (HR per SD decrease, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.36–1.80), nonvertebral osteoporosis fractures (HR per SD decrease, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.23–1.65), and hip fractures (HR per SD decrease, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.18–1.76). The inverse relation between serum E2 and fracture risk was nonlinear with a strong relation <16 pg/ml for E2 and 0.3 pg/ml for fE2. In conclusion, older Swedish men with low serum E2 and high SHBG levels have an increased risk of fractures.
TOP-SURF: a visual words toolkit

TOP-SURF is an image descriptor that combines interest points with visual words, resulting in a high performance yet compact descriptor that is designed with a wide range of content-based image retrieval applications in mind. TOP-SURF offers the flexibility to vary descriptor size and supports very fast image matching. In addition to the source code for the visual word extraction and comparisons, we also provide a high level API and very large pre-computed codebooks targeting web image content for both research and teaching purposes.
Adaptive estimation of state of charge for lithium-ion batteries

State of charge (SoC) estimation is a fundamental challenge in designing battery management systems. An adaptive SoC estimator, named as the AdaptSoC, is developed in this paper. It is able to estimate the SoC when the model parameters are unknown, through joint SoC and parameter estimation. Design of the AdaptSoC builds up on (1) a reduced complexity battery model that is developed from the well-known single particle model (SPM) and, (2) joint local observability/identifiability analysis of the SoC and the unknown model parameters. Shown to be strongly observable, the SoC is estimated jointly with the parameters by the AdaptSoC using the iterated extended Kalman filter (IEKF). Simulation and experimental results exhibit the effectiveness of the AdaptSoC.
Increased replication of human cytomegalovirus in retinal pigment epithelial cells by valproic acid depends on histone deacetylase inhibition.

PURPOSE Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication depends on different cellular pathways, including histone acetylation and extracellular-signal regulated kinases 1 and 2 (Erk 1/2). In the present study, the influence of therapeutic valproic acid (VPA) concentrations was investigated on HCMV replication in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. METHODS HCMV antigen expression and replication were detected by immunostaining, real-time RT-PCR, and determination of virus titers. Histone acetylation and Erk 1/2 phosphorylation were detected by Western blot. RESULTS Pretreatment with VPA < or =1 mM enhanced HCMV antigen expression and replication by up to ninefold. In addition to histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition, VPA stimulated Erk 1/2 phosphorylation in RPE cells. Investigation of six VPA derivatives revealed that S-2-pentyl-4-pentynoic acid was the only derivative that induced histone hyperacetylation, indicating HDAC inhibition, in the observed concentrations < or =1 mM and that increased HCMV antigen expression. Other derivatives did not enhance HCMV replication in the tested concentrations, although some were found to induce Erk 1/2 phosphorylation. The mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD98059 inhibited VPA-induced Erk 1/2 phosphorylation but did not affect VPA-induced increased HCMV replication. In addition, the structurally nonrelated HDACI trichostatin A enhanced HCMV replication but did not affect Erk 1/2 phosphorylation in RPE cells. CONCLUSIONS The data demonstrate that VPA stimulates HCMV replication by HDAC inhibition independent of Erk 1/2 phosphorylation in therapeutic concentrations in RPE cells. Therefore, patients at risk of HCMV retinitis who are treated with VPA or other HDAC inhibitors should be carefully monitored.
A New Method for Building Probabilistic Ontology (Prob-Ont)

During the past years, ontologies are widely used for representing knowledge of complex domains. Despite that the ontologies classical ontologies have become standard for representing knowledge; however, they are not able to represent and reason with uncertainty which is one of the characteristics of the world that must be handled. Probabilistic Ontologies have come to remedy this defect. This paper is part of this framework in which the authors have proposed a new method of probabilistic ontology construction, named Prob-Ont, by integrating uncertainty to elements of OWL ontology especially to instances and/or relations. As a case study, the authors have constructed a probabilistic ontology for the domain of scientific documentation system dblp.
Preparation and characterization of a temperature-sensitive lignin-based Hydrogel

A novel class of hydrogel was prepared by graft copolymerization of acetic acid lignin (AAL) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) in the presence of N,N'-Methylenebisacrylamide (MBAAm) as the crosslinker and H2O2 as the initiator. The impact of AAL content on the hydrogel properties were investigated in terms of their swelling behavior, thermal behavior, and interior morphology. The data showed that these newly synthesized hydrogels were temperature-sensitive. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves demonstrated that the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the lignin-based hydrogels was approximately 31°C. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data revealed that the temperature of rapid decomposition of all the hydrogel samples was within a narrow range of 400 to 410°C. Furthermore, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that the pore size of the hydrogel increased with increasing the AAL content.
Associations among nurse and certified nursing assistant hours per resident per day and adherence to guidelines for treating nursing home-acquired pneumonia.

BACKGROUND Nursing home (NH)-acquired pneumonia (NHAP) causes excessive mortality, hospitalization, and functional decline, partly because many NH residents do not receive appropriate care. Care structures like nurse/resident staffing ratios can impede or abet quality care. This study examines the relationship between nurse/resident staffing ratios, turnover, and adherence to evidence-based guidelines for treating NHAP. METHODS A prospective, chart-review study was conducted among residents of 16 NHs in three states with > or = 2 signs and symptoms of NHAP during the 2004--2005 influenza season. NH medical records were reviewed concurrently for functional status, comorbidity, NHAP severity, and guideline adherence. Ratio of licensed nurse and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) hours per resident per day (hrpd) and ratio of newly hired nursing staff/year to current nursing staff were provided by Directors of Nursing. Associations among guideline adherence, nurse and CNA hrpd, and turnover were assessed using multiple regression to adjust for case mix, facility characteristics, and clustering of residents in facilities. RESULTS Mid (1.7-2.0) and high (> 2.0) CNA hrpd were significantly associated with better pneumococcal and influenza vaccination rates. More than 1.2 licensed nurse hrpd was significantly associated with appropriate hospitalization (odds ratio [OR] 12.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.5-43.8) and guideline-recommended antibiotics (OR 3.8; 95% CI, 1.7-8.7). A > 70% turnover was inversely related to timely physician notification (OR 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2-0.7) and appropriate hospitalization (OR 0.09; 95% CI, 0.05-0.26). CONCLUSIONS NHAP treatment guideline adherence is associated with nurse and CNA hrpd and stability. An NH's ability to implement evidence-based care may depend on adequate staffing ratios and stability.
The Glymphatic Hypothesis of Glaucoma: A Unifying Concept Incorporating Vascular, Biomechanical, and Biochemical Aspects of the Disease

The pathophysiology of primary open-angle glaucoma is still largely unknown, although a joint contribution of vascular, biomechanical, and biochemical factors is widely acknowledged. Since glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, exploring its underlying pathophysiological mechanisms is extremely important and challenging. Evidence from recent studies appears supportive of the hypothesis that a “glymphatic system” exists in the eye and optic nerve, analogous to the described “glymphatic system” in the brain. As discussed in the present paper, elucidation of a glymphatic clearance pathway in the eye could provide a new unifying hypothesis of glaucoma that can incorporate many aspects of the vascular, biomechanical, and biochemical theories of the disease. It should be stressed, however, that the few research data currently available cannot be considered as proof of the existence of an “ocular glymphatic system” and that much more studies are needed to validate this possibility. Even though nothing conclusive can yet be said, the recent reports suggesting a paravascular transport system in the eye and optic nerve are encouraging and, if confirmed, may offer new perspectives for the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this devastating disorder.
Real-World Buffer Overflow Protection for Userspace and Kernelspace

Despite having been around for more than 25 years, buffer overflow attacks are still a major security threat for deployed software. Existing techniques for buffer overflow detection provide partial protection at best as they detect limited cases, suffer from many false positives, require source code access, or introduce large performance overheads. Moreover, none of these techniques are easily applicable to the operating system kernel. This paper presents a practical security environment for buffer overflow detection in userspace and kernelspace code. Our techniques build upon dynamic information flow tracking (DIFT) and prevent the attacker from overwriting pointers in the application or operating system. Unlike previous work, our technique does not have false positives on unmodified binaries, protects both data and control pointers, and allows for practical hardware support. Moreover, it is applicable to the kernel and provides robust detection of buffer overflows and user/kernel pointer dereferences. Using a full system prototype of a Linux workstation (hardware and software), we demonstrate our security approach in practice and discuss the major challenges for robust buffer overflow protection in real-world software.
Between-domain cognitive dispersion and functional abilities in older adults

Objective: Within-person variability in cognitive performance is related to neurological integrity, but the association with functional abilities is less clear. The primary aim of this study was to examine the association between cognitive dispersion, or within-person variability, and everyday multitasking and the way in which these variables may influence performance on a naturalistic assessment of functional abilities. Method: Participants were 156 community-dwelling adults, age 50 or older. Cognitive dispersion was calculated by measuring within-person variability in cognitive domains, established through principal components analysis. Path analysis was used to determine the independent contribution of cognitive dispersion to functional ability, mediated by multitasking. Results: Results of the path analysis revealed that the number of subtasks interweaved (i.e., multitasked) mediated the association between cognitive dispersion and task sequencing and accuracy. Although increased multitasking was associated with worse task performance in the path model, secondary analyses revealed that for individuals with low cognitive dispersion, increased multitasking was associated with better task performance, whereas for those with higher levels of dispersion multitasking was negatively correlated with task performance. Conclusion: These results suggest that cognitive dispersion between domains may be a useful indicator of multitasking and daily living skills among older adults.
Active inference for retrieval in camera networks

We address the problem of searching camera network videos to retrieve frames containing specified individuals. We show the benefit of utilizing a learned probabilistic model that captures dependencies among the cameras. In addition, we develop an active inference framework that can request human input at inference time, directing human attention to the portions of the videos whose correct annotation would provide the biggest performance improvements. Our primary contribution is to show that by mapping video frames in a camera network onto a graphical model, we can apply collective classification and active inference algorithms to significantly increase the performance of the retrieval system, while minimizing the number of human annotations required.
An experimental study on engineering behaviour of lime and bagasse fibre reinforced expansive soils

: This investigation exhibits a series of laboratory tests conducted to evaluate the influences of bagasse fibre and hydrated lime addition on the engineering properties and swelling behaviour of stabilised expansive soils. Bagasse fibre is industrial waste by-product left after crushing of sugar-cane for juice extraction, used in this study as a reinforcing component for expansive soil stabilisation. The expansive soils used in this investigation were collected from Queensland, Australia. Varying proportions of randomly distributed bagasse fibre of 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0% were added to expansive soil and lime-treated expansive soil to investigate the influences of bagasse fibre on the engineering characteristics of stabilised soil. Results of California bearing capacity (CBR), swell potential and one-dimensional consolidation tests after various curing time are presented and discussed in detail. The findings of this experimental investigation indicate that expansive soil reinforcement, blended with bagasse fibre and lime leads to a significant increase in the compressive strength and the bearing capacity of expansive soil. Meanwhile, the swell potential and compressibility of stabilised expansive soils decreased with increasing lime and bagasse fibre contents. RÉSUMÉ: la canne à sucre pour l'extraction du jus, a été utilisé dans cette étude comme composant de renforcement pour la stabilisation du sol expansif. Les sols expansifs utilisés dans cette étude ont été recueillis auprès du Queensland, en Australie. Des proportions variables de fibres de bagasse distribuées au hasard de 0,5%, 1,0% et 2,0% ont été ajoutées aux sols expansifs et au sol expansé traité à la chaux pour étudier les influences de la fibre de bagasse sur les caractéristiques techniques du sol stabilisé. Les résultats de la capacité portante de la Californie, du potentiel de gonflement et des essais de consolidation unidimensionnelle après divers temps de durcissement sont présentés et discutés en détail. Les résultats de cette étude expérimentale indiquent que le renforcement du sol expansif, mélangé à la fibre de bagasse et à la chaux, entraîne une augmentation significative de la résistance à la compression et de la capacité portante du sol expansif. Pendant ce temps, le potentiel de gonflement et la compressibilité des sols expansifs stabilisés ont diminué avec l'augmentation de la teneur en fibre de chaux et de bagasse.
Lameness prediction in Karan Fries cross-bred cows using decision tree models

Decision tree algorithms were used to develop predictive models for lameness based on percent of body weight distribution to individual legs of Karan Fries cross bred cows. To develop prediction model, 589 Karan Fries cows data were recorded for the health status (lame or healthy) as target variable and other non-genetic variables such as percent of body weight distributed to individual legs (using load cell platform), parity (1 to 10), status of pregnancy (<;90days, 91-180days, >181days and non-pregnant), status of lactation (<;60days, 61-120days, >121days and dry), and daily milk yield were used as input variable. The predictive models were optimized based on classification of health status as well as average square error (ASE) to predict lameness in cows. The performance of both the models were evaluated based on accuracy rate, sensitivity, specificity, misclassification rate and average square error under different data partition schemes(60:40, 70:30 and 80:20). This study reveals that decision tree model optimized for average square error (ASE) with 80:20 data partition scheme had minimum average square error (ASE) (0.146) and maximum sensitivity (79.67%) to predict the lame cow as lame.
Preparation of a Microspherical Silver-Reduced Graphene Oxide-Bismuth Vanadate Composite and Evaluation of Its Photocatalytic Activity

A novel Ag-reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) (AgGB) ternary composite was successfully synthesized via a one-step method. The prepared composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area measurement, Raman scattering spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible diffuse-reflection spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS). The results showed that bulk monoclinic needle-like BiVO4 and Ag nanoparticles with a diameter of approximately 40 nm formed microspheres (diameter, 5–8 μm) with a uniform size distribution that could be loaded on rGO sheets to facilitate the transport of electrons photogenerated in BiVO4, thereby reducing the rate of recombination of photogenerated charge carriers in the coupled AgGB composite system. Ag nanoparticles were dispersed on the surface of the rGO sheets, which exhibited a localized surface plasmon resonance phenomenon and enhanced visible light absorption. The removal efficiency of rhodamine B dye by AgGB (80.2%) was much higher than that of pure BiVO4 (51.6%) and rGO-BiVO4 (58.3%) under visible light irradiation. Recycle experiments showed that the AgGB composite still presented significant photocatalytic activity after five successive cycles. Finally, we propose a possible pathway and mechanism for the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B dye using the composite photocatalyst under visible light irradiation.
Augmented Reality Scouting for Interactive 3D Reconstruction

This paper presents a first prototype of an interactive 3D reconstruction system for modeling urban scenes. An augmented reality scout is a person who is equipped with an ultra-mobile PC, an attached USB camera and a GPS receiver. The scout is exploring the urban environment and delivers a sequence of 2D images. These images are annotated with according GPS data and used iteratively as input for a 3D reconstruction engine which generates the 3D models on-the-fly. This turns modeling into an interactive and collaborative task
Determining appropriate first contact distance : trade-offs in human-robot interaction experiment design

Robots are increasingly working in close proximity to and in collaboration with people. Yet much is still unknown about the best behaviors for robots to use in interactions with humans. For example, in approaching someone for help, is there an optimal distance from a candidate person at which the robot should attempt to initiate contact? What distance is neither so far away as to risk not getting the person’s attention nor so close that the person has already committed to passing the robot? Experiments that attempt to answer such questions must balance tensions. In this paper, we argue for relatively lowcost, rapid turnaround experiments achieved by carrying out experiments “in the wild” in partially controlled ways using Wizard of Oz robot control with on-board sensing. We present the trade-offs of such experiments and illustrate the approach with a set of experiments we are carrying out to determine an appropriate distance for initial contact.
Beyond the Perception and the Obvious: What Sex Offender Registries Really Tell Us and Why

This work examines the sex offender registries in 49 states in terms of the public information they offer from a social construction and social reality standpoint. Social construction is the dominant perspective for the information given about sex offenders to the point where the market for public information may be failing in this regard. This failure could indeed be caused by how difficult it is for a society to look at such acts, focusing on the offender instead. Oregon and West Virginia emerge as registries higher on social construction and reality than others, though none emerges as clearly the most “informative. ” Third-party dissemination of information is explored.
CO2-Forced Climate and Vegetation Instability During Late Paleozoic Deglaciation

The late Paleozoic deglaciation is the vegetated Earth's only recorded icehouse-to-greenhouse transition, yet the climate dynamics remain enigmatic. By using the stable isotopic compositions of soil-formed minerals, fossil-plant matter, and shallow-water brachiopods, we estimated atmospheric partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) and tropical marine surface temperatures during this climate transition. Comparison to southern Gondwanan glacial records documents covariance between inferred shifts in pCO2, temperature, and ice volume consistent with greenhouse gas forcing of climate. Major restructuring of paleotropical flora in western Euramerica occurred in step with climate and pCO2 shifts, illustrating the biotic impact associated with past CO2-forced turnover to a permanent ice-free world.
Electrophoresis as a Useful Tool in Studying the Quality of Meat Products

At present, ready-to-cook and pre-cooked foods are installed in life. Regarding meat market, sous vide processing appears to be an interesting option for offering different kinds of beef products for consumption. It consists of the cooking/pasteurization process to a raw material packaged in a heat-stable vacuum container. The products are stored at 0-3 °C and are able to be re-heated and consumed even after 5 weeks (Vaudagna et al., 2002). Besides the enhancement of shelf life, several other advantages have been associated to sous vide processing, such as increased flavour profile, increased tenderness and nutritional loss reduction (Church & Parsons, 2000; Vaudagna et al., 2002).