Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling and Analyzing the Coexistence of Licensed-Assisted Access LTE and Wi-Fi

Licensed-assisted access (LAA) is a feature of Long-Term Evolution (LTE) which enables operation in the unlicensed spectrum. LAA guarantees fair coexistence with Wi-Fi by implementing the listen- before-talk (LBT) mechanism. In this paper, we leverage stochastic geometry to characterize key performance metrics of neighboring LAA and Wi-Fi networks. Our analysis is focused on a single unlicensed frequency band, where the locations for coexisting LTE eNodeBs (eNBs) and Wi-Fi access points (APs) are modeled as two independent homogeneous Poisson point processes (PPPs). Based on an analytical modeling of the channel access procedure, we have derived the medium access probability (MAP), the signal-to- interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) distribution, the density of successful transmissions (DST), and the data rate distribution for both LAA and Wi-Fi. We show that compared to the baseline scenario where Wi-Fi coexists with an additional Wi-Fi network, LAA can improve the DST and data rate performance of Wi-Fi by adopting more sensitive clear channel assessment thresholds and/or larger contention window sizes. Meanwhile, LAA is demonstrated to achieve acceptable data rate performance despite using LBT.
New Inverse Kinematics Algorithms Combining Closed Form Solutions with Nonlinear Optimization for Highly Redundant Robotic Systems

This paper presents inverse position kinematics algorithms with real time capability for Justin, a robotic system with high redundancy and many degrees of freedom. The combination of closed form solutions for parts of the kinematic chain embedded in a nonlinear equation solver is shown to be advantageous. The algorithms are evaluated with the DLR service robot Justin both in simulation and reality. Calculation times of 1 ms are achieved, including various optimization criteria for redundancy resolution. In case only a single arm with 7 DoF is considered, fast calculation time of 250 s is reached. With inclusion of an iterative step, reachability can be shown in more than 99% of the calculations regardless of the initial guess. The problem of weighting in multi-criteria optimization problems remains, though in the chosen approach the tool tip position is never compromised by other criteria due to the partially closed form solution. The presented algorithm can be applied to inverse position kinematics for all manipulators with serial or tree structure and redundant joints in case closed form solutions are available for parts of the kinematic chain.
Speaking the Unspeakable: The Ethics of Dual Relationships in Counselling and Psychotherapy

Introduction and Overview. Dual Relationships in Counselling and Psychotherapy. Sexual Dual Relationships. Non-sexual Dual Relationships. Roles and Boundaries in Dual and Multiple Role Relationships. Dual Relationships and Relational Ethics. Client and Practitioner Dual and Multiple Relationships. Client Experiences and Perceptions of Being in Dual and Multiple Role Relationships. Practitioner Experiences and Perceptions of Being in Dual and Multiple Role Relationships. Developing a Relational Ethic for Complex Relationships. Concluding Comments. Questions for Assessing Dual or Multiple Role Relationships in Counselling and Psychotherapy. Appendix 1: Guidelines on Ethical Decision-making. Appendix 2: Useful Contacts.
Effect of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor/Calcium Antagonist Combination Therapy on Renal Function in Hypertensive Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: Chikushi Anti-Hypertension Trial - Benidipine and Perindopril

Background Appropriate blood pressure control suppresses progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). If an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor is ineffective, adding a calcium antagonist is recommended. We compared the long-term effect of two ACE inhibitor/calcium antagonist combinations on renal function in hypertensive patients with CKD. Methods Patients who failed to achieve the target blood pressure (systolic/diastolic: < 130/80 mm Hg) with perindopril monotherapy were randomized to either combined therapy with perindopril and the L-type calcium antagonist amlodipine (group A) or perindopril and the T/L type calcium antagonist benidipine (group B). The primary endpoint was the change of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) after 2 years. Eligible patients had a systolic pressure ≥ 130 mm Hg and/or diastolic pressure ≥ 80 mm Hg and CKD (urine protein (+) or higher, eGFR < 60 min/mL/1.73 m2). Results After excluding 38 patients achieving the target blood pressure with perindopril monotherapy, 121 patients were analyzed (62 in group A and 59 in group B). Blood pressure decreased significantly in both groups, but there was no significant change of the eGFR. However, among patients with diabetes, eGFR unchanged in group B (n = 37, 59.1 ± 15.1 vs. 61.2 ± 27.9, P = 0.273), whereas decreased significantly in group A (n = 31, 57.3 ± 16.0 vs. 53.7 ± 16.7, P = 0.005). Conclusions In hypertensive patients with diabetic nephropathy, combined therapy with an ACE inhibitor and T/L type calcium antagonist may prevent deterioration of renal function more effectively than an ACE inhibitor/L type calcium antagonist combination.
Exacting Social Events for Tweets Using a Factor Graph

Social events are events that occur between people where at least one person is aware of the other and of the event taking place. Extracting social events can play an important role in a wide range of applications, such as the construction of social network. In this paper, we introduce the task of social event extraction for tweets, an important source of fresh events. One main challenge is the lack of information in a single tweet, which is rooted in the short and noise-prone nature of tweets. We propose to collectively extract social events from multiple similar tweets using a novel factor graph, to harvest the redundance in tweets, i.e., the repeated occurrences of a social event in several tweets. We evaluate our method on a human annotated data set, and show that it outperforms all baselines, with an absolute gain of 21% in F1.
Feedback Micro-engineering in EER-Tutor

Although existing educational systems are based on various learning theories, these theories are rarely used when developing feedback. Our research is based on the theory of learning from performance errors, which suggests that feedback should provide long and short-term learning advantages through revision of faulty knowledge in the context of learners' errors. We hypothesized that principled, theory-based feedback would have a positive impact on learning. To test the hypothesis we performed an experiment with EER-Tutor, an intelligent tutoring system that teaches database design. The results of the study support our hypothesis: the students who learned from theory-based feedback had a higher learning rate than their peers. We conclude that learning theories should be used to formulate design guidelines for effective feedback.
An asynchronous distributed power allocation scheme for sum-rate maximization on cognitive GMACs

This paper considers an asynchronous distributed power allocation scheme for sum-rate-maximization under cognitive Gaussian multiple access channels (GMACs), where primary users and secondary users may communicate under mutual interference with the Gaussian noise. Formulating the problem as a standard nonconvex quadratically constrained quadratic problem (QCQP) provides a simple distributed method to find a solution using iterative Jacobian method instead of using centralized schemes. A totally asynchronous distributed power allocation for sum-rate maximization on cognitive GMACs is suggested. Simulation results show that this distributed algorithm for power allocation converges to a fixed point and the solution achieves almost the same performance as exhaustive search.
FcɛRI-mediated mast cell degranulation requires calcium-independent microtubule-dependent translocation of granules to the plasma membrane

The aggregation of high affinity IgE receptors (Fcɛ receptor I [FcɛRI]) on mast cells is potent stimulus for the release of inflammatory and allergic mediators from cytoplasmic granules. However, the molecular mechanism of degranulation has not yet been established. It is still unclear how FcɛRI-mediated signal transduction ultimately regulates the reorganization of the cytoskeleton and how these events lead to degranulation. Here, we show that FcɛRI stimulation triggers the formation of microtubules in a manner independent of calcium. Drugs affecting microtubule dynamics effectively suppressed the FcɛRI-mediated translocation of granules to the plasma membrane and degranulation. Furthermore, the translocation of granules to the plasma membrane occurred in a calcium-independent manner, but the release of mediators and granule–plasma membrane fusion were completely dependent on calcium. Thus, the degranulation process can be dissected into two events: the calcium-independent microtubule-dependent translocation of granules to the plasma membrane and calcium-dependent membrane fusion and exocytosis. Finally, we show that the Fyn/Gab2/RhoA (but not Lyn/SLP-76) signaling pathway plays a critical role in the calcium-independent microtubule-dependent pathway.
Distinct Susceptibilities of Corneal Pseudomonas aeruginosa Clinical Isolates to Neutrophil Extracellular Trap-Mediated Immunity

ABSTRACT Ocular bacterial keratitis, often associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial infection, commonly occurs in contact lens wearers and may lead to vision impairment. In this study, we analyzed the contribution of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) to the mediation of protection during ocular keratitis. Both invasive and cytotoxic P. aeruginosa clinical isolates induced NET release by neutrophils. NETs carried the characteristic histone proteins, elastase, lysozyme, myeloperoxidase, and metabolic enzymes. While the invasive P. aeruginosa strains PAO1 (serogroup O5) and 6294 (serogroup O6) were trapped by NETs, the cytotoxic P. aeruginosa strains 6077, 6206 (serogroup O11), and PA14 (serogroup 010) were less sensitive to NET capture. The mechanism of escape by the cytotoxic strains from adhesion to NETs involved the shedding of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) that outcompeted the cytotoxic P. aeruginosa strains for NET binding. When ocular infection was caused by an invasive strain in vivo, NETs were released at the ocular surface to capture bacteria, limiting their spread. Treatment with MNase I had a dose-dependent effect, with low doses of MNase speeding up bacterial clearance and high doses of MNase having toxic consequences. Cumulatively, our data suggest that NET-mediated immunity is a two-step process. Initially, pathogens attach to NET fragments; subsequently, upon nuclease activity, active serine proteases, which proteolytically degrade NET-associated proteins and promote DNase activity, are released. Therefore, a balance between NET production and NET degradation is needed to achieve maximal NET immunity.
Physical Layer Security in Large-Scale Millimeter Wave Ad Hoc Networks

Wireless networks with directional antennas, like millimeter wave (mmWave) networks, have enhanced security. For a large scale mmWave ad hoc network in which eavesdroppers are randomly located, however, eavesdroppers can still intercept the confidential messages, since they may reside in the signal beam. This paper explores the potential of physical layer security in the mmWave ad hoc networks. Specifically, we characterize the impact of mmWave channel characteristics and large antenna arrays on the secrecy performance. We also characterize the impact of artificial noise in this networks. Our results reveal that in the low transmit power regime, the use of low mmWave frequency achieves better secrecy performance, when increasing transmit power, a transition from low mmWave frequency to high mmWave frequency is demanded for obtaining more secrecy rate. Eavesdroppers can intercept more information by using wide beam pattern. Furthermore, the use of artificial noise may be unable to enhance the secrecy rate for the case of low node density.
Extent of Structural Asymmetry in Homodimeric Proteins: Prevalence and Relevance

Most homodimeric proteins have symmetric structure. Although symmetry is known to confer structural and functional advantage, asymmetric organization is also observed. Using a non-redundant dataset of 223 high-resolution crystal structures of biologically relevant homodimers, we address questions on the prevalence and significance of asymmetry. We used two measures to quantify global and interface asymmetry, and assess the correlation of several molecular and structural parameters with asymmetry. We have identified rare cases (11/223) of biologically relevant homodimers with pronounced global asymmetry. Asymmetry serves as a means to bring about 2∶1 binding between the homodimer and another molecule; it also enables cellular signalling arising from asymmetric macromolecular ligands such as DNA. Analysis of these cases reveals two possible mechanisms by which possible infinite array formation is prevented. In case of homodimers associating via non-topologically equivalent surfaces in their tertiary structures, ligand-dependent mechanisms are used. For stable dimers binding via large surfaces, ligand-dependent structural change regulates polymerisation/depolymerisation; for unstable dimers binding via smaller surfaces that are not evolutionarily well conserved, dimerisation occurs only in the presence of the ligand. In case of homodimers associating via interaction surfaces with parts of the surfaces topologically equivalent in the tertiary structures, steric hindrance serves as the preventive mechanism of infinite array. We also find that homodimers exhibiting grossly symmetric organization rarely exhibit either perfect local symmetry or high local asymmetry. Binding of small ligands at the interface does not cause any significant variation in interface asymmetry. However, identification of biologically relevant interface asymmetry in grossly symmetric homodimers is confounded by the presence of similar small magnitude changes caused due to artefacts of crystallisation. Our study provides new insights regarding accommodation of asymmetry in homodimers.
Paraoxonase 1 activity in subchronic low‐level inorganic arsenic exposure through drinking water

Epidemiological evidences indicate close association between inorganic arsenic exposure via drinking water and cardiovascular diseases. While the exact mechanism of this arsenic‐mediated increase in cardiovascular risk factors remains enigmatic, epidemiological studies indicate a role for paraoxonase 1 (PON1) in cardiovascular diseases. To investigate the association between inorganic arsenic exposure and cardiovascular diseases, rats were exposed to sodium arsenite (trivalent; 50, 100, and 150 ppm As) and sodium arsenate (pentavalent; 100, 150, and 200 ppm As) in their drinking water for 12 weeks. PON1 activity towards paraoxon (PONase) and phenylacetate (AREase) in plasma, lipoproteins, hepatic, and brain microsomal fractions were determined. Inhibition of PONase and AREase in plasma and HDL characterized the effects of the two arsenicals. While the trivalent arsenite inhibited PONase by 33% (plasma) and 46% (HDL), respectively, the pentavalent arsenate inhibited the enzyme by 41 and 34%, respectively. AREase activity was inhibited by 52 and 48% by arsenite, whereas the inhibition amounted to 72 and 67%, respectively by arsenate. The pattern of inhibition in plasma and HDL indicates that arsenite induced a dose‐dependent inhibition of PONase whereas arsenate induced a dose‐dependent inhibition of AREase. In the VLDL + LDL, arsenate inhibited PONase and AREase while arsenite inhibited PONase. In the hepatic and brain microsomal fractions, only the PONase enzyme was inhibited by the two arsenicals. The inhibition was more pronounced in the hepatic microsomes where a 70% inhibition was observed at the highest dose of pentavalent arsenic. Microsomal cholesterol was increased by the two arsenicals resulting in increased cholesterol/phospholipid ratios. Our findings indicate that decreased PON1 activity observed in arsenic exposure may be an incipient biochemical event in the cardiovascular effects of arsenic. Modulation of PON1 activity by arsenic may also be mediated through changes in membrane fluidity brought about by changes in the concentration of cholesterol in the microsomes. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 154–162, 2016.
Wavelet Reconstruction of Nonuniformly Sampled Signals

For the reconstruction of a nonuniformly sampled signal based on its noisy observations, we propose a level dependent l1 penalized wavelet reconstruction method. The LARS/Lasso algorithm is applied to solve the Lasso problem. The data adaptive choice of the regularization parameters is based on the AIC and the degrees of freedom is estimated by the number of nonzero elements in the Lasso solution. Simulation results conducted on some commonly used 1_D test signals illustrate that the proposed method possesses good empirical properties.
Brain volume reductions in medication-naive patients with schizophrenia in relation to intelligence quotient

Background Global brain abnormalities such as brain volume loss and grey- and white-matter deficits are consistently reported in first-episode schizophrenia patients and may already be detectable in the very early stages of the illness. Whether these changes are dependent on medication use or related to intelligence quotient (IQ) is still debated. Method Magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained for 20 medication-naive patients with first-episode schizophrenia and 26 matched healthy subjects. Volume measures of total brain grey and white matter, third and lateral ventricles and cortical thickness/surface were obtained. Differences between the groups were investigated, taking into account the effect of intelligence. Results Medication-naive patients showed statistically significant reductions in whole-brain volume and cerebral grey- and white-matter volume together with lateral ventricle enlargement compared to healthy subjects. IQ was significantly lower in patients compared to controls and was positively associated with brain and white-matter volume in the whole group. No significant differences in cortical thickness were found between the groups but medication-naive patients had a significantly smaller surface in the left superior temporal pole, Heschl's gyrus and insula compared to controls. Conclusions Our findings suggest that brain volume loss is present at illness onset, and can be explained by the reduced surface of the temporal and insular cortex. These abnormalities are not related to medication, but IQ.
Creation of the Sinister : Biological Contributions to Left-handedness

We live in a right-handed world. Left-handedness has been, and in some cases still is, considered an inconvenience, a bad habit, or a symbol of the "sinister". Studies still attempt to link left-handers with socially undesirable behaviors, such as psychosis or criminal activity. The social implications of these stigmas are immense. "Left-handers may be one of the last unorganized minorities in our society, with no collective power and no real sense of common identity," says Stanley Coren (1992).
Maternal Smoking During Pregnancy Predicts Adult Offspring Cardiovascular Risk Factors – Evidence from a Community-Based Large Birth Cohort Study

Background Maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with offspring obesity. However, little is known about whether maternal smoking in pregnancy predicts other offspring cardiovascular risk factors including waist circumference (WC), waist-hip-ratio (WHR), pulse rate (PR), systolic (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Methods We studied a sub-sample of 2038 (50% males) young adults who were born in Brisbane, Australia to investigate the prospective association of maternal smoking during pregnancy with young adult cardiovascular risk factors. We compared offspring mean BMI, WC, WHR, SBP, DBP and PR and the risk of being overweight and obese at 21 years by three mutually exclusive categories of maternal smoking status defined as never smoked, smoked before and/or after pregnancy but not in pregnancy or smoked during pregnancy and other times. Results Offspring of mothers who smoked during pregnancy had greater mean BMI, WC, WHR and PR and they were at greater risk of being obese at 21 years compared to offspring of those mothers who never smoked. The mean of these risk factors among those adult offspring whose mothers stopped smoking during pregnancy, but who then smoked at other times in the child's life, were similar to those mothers who never smoked. These results were independent of a range of potential confounding factors. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest a prospective association of maternal smoking during pregnancy and offspring obesity as well as PR in adulthood, and reinforce the need to persuade pregnant women not to smoke.
A hospital-based twin register of the heritability of DSM-IV unipolar depression.

OBJECTIVES To estimate the contribution of genes and shared family environment to the liability to DSM-IV major depression and to examine the influence of certain proband characteristics on twin concordance. METHODS We studied 177 probands with major depressive disorder ascertained via the Maudsley Hospital Twin Register (London, England) and their same-sex co-twins. Diagnostic assessments were carried out blind to zygosity and information on the other member of the twin pair. Probandwise concordances were used to compute correlations in liability, and model fitting was performed using maximum likelihood procedures. RESULTS The probandwise concordance was 46% in monozygotic (n = 68) and 20% in dizygotic (n = 109) twins, a statistically highly significant difference. There was no evidence of a sex difference in heritability or of shared environmental effects. Depending on the assumed population risks for DSM-IV, major depression estimates of heritability were between 48% and 75%. A duration of longest episode of less than 13 months, multiple episodes, and an endogenous rather than neurotic pattern of symptoms as established by the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, in the proband were associated with a trend toward a higher monozygotic-dizygotic concordance ratio. Using log-linear analysis, only the association between duration of episodes and monozygotic-dizygotic concordance ratio was significant. CONCLUSIONS Liability to DSM-IV major depression has a substantial heritable component, and there is no evidence of an effect of shared family environment. Some proband characteristics, especially shorter duration of episodes, may be associated with a larger degree of genetic determination.
Latent variable modelling of user interaction in image retrieval

Cette these etudie les modeles a variables latentes sur les interactions utilisateur avec l'objectif d'ameliorer la recherche d'images. Les historiques de recherche, appeles query logs, ou l'interaction entre les utilisateurs et le systeme de recherche est enregistree, contiennent souvent les indications d'intention sous la forme de jugements de pertinence donnes sur les documents dans le contexte d'une recherche. Selon la nature du systeme de recherche et de l'interaction qu'il permet, ces jugements peuvent etre explicites ou implicites, et, une fois agrege un grand nombre des recherches effectuees par de nombreux utilisateurs, ils peuvent etre exploites pour ameliorer divers aspects du systeme de recherche. Cette these propose un modele des historiques de recherche, le Modele de Pertinence Utilisateur, ou les jugements de pertinence sont issus d'un processus generatif par lequel l'utilisateur juge (soit implicitement soit explicitement) un document comme pertinent s'il partage un degre de recouvrement avec la requete en termes de concepts, et non pertinent dans le cas contraire.