Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microserver architecture with high-speed interconnected network

This paper deals with the structure and features of ETRI's low-power, highly integrated microservers. The microserver is a 19-inch rack-mountable, replacing the existing two rack systems by integrating 64 servers, Ethernet switches, network switches and management servers in a 5U chassis. Compared to traditional rackmount servers, power consumption is reduced by more than 50% and density is more than 10 times higher. In particular, modular network switches offer more than 10 times bandwidth and lower transmission latency than Ethernet.
Structure and function of human triceps surae muscle and tendon in aging

Stenroth, Lauri Structure and function of human triceps surae muscle and tendon in aging Jyväskylä: University of Jyväskylä, 2016, 87 p. (Studies in Sport, Physical Education and Health ISSN 0356-1070; 242) ISBN 978-951-39-6714-7 (nid.) ISBN 978-951-39-6715-4 (PDF) Aging is associated with loss of muscle mass leading to impairments in muscle function, such as loss of muscle strength or power. These impairments may eventually lead to physical disabilities. Although loss of muscle mass has a major role in age-related loss of muscle function, there is a disproportionate loss of muscle strength and power with aging suggesting that other factors are also involved. These other factors may include age-related modifications in muscle architecture and tendon mechanical properties, factors that have a significant effect on muscle function. Currently there is no consensus about age-related changes in muscle architecture or tendon mechanical properties, or their role in age-related impairments of physical function. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to examine associations between aging and muscle architecture, tendon mechanical properties and muscle-tendon function during walking in the human triceps surae muscle by comparing healthy young and older adults. Associations between tests of physical function and triceps surae muscletendon properties were also investigated in older adults. The results suggested only modest effects of aging on triceps surae muscle architecture and Achilles tendon mechanical properties. However, inter-individual differences in triceps surae muscle architecture and Achilles tendon stiffness explained variance in 6minute walk test and in timed “up-and-go” –test in older adults. Muscle-tendon function was found to be dependent on walking speed in older adults, with no significant differences between young and older adults when compared at matched walking speed. These results suggest that the commonly observed age-related slowing of preferred walking speed may represent an attempt to compensate for loss of muscle strength in triceps surae muscle. In conclusion, the results of the current thesis suggest that aging may be related to changes in triceps surae muscle architecture and Achilles tendon mechanical properties. However, these changes seem to be part of an adaptation process that helps to maintain muscle function despite declines in muscle mass and strength with aging.
Muscle aponeurosis area in hypertrophied and normal muscle

for powerand sprint-type sport performance1, and changes in morphologic and architectural characteristics have been observed in exercise-induced muscle hypertrophy2. Based on the model described by Maxwell et al3, muscle fiber enlargement in pennate muscle must accompany an increase in pennation angle when muscle length, fiber length, and fiber number remain constant. Many studies have reported muscle enlargement, including increases in the cross-sectional area (CSA) of individual muscle fibers as well as increases in the fascicle pennation angle.4-8 On the other hand, HenrikssonLarsen et al9 showed that fiber angulation of the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle was independent of fiber size. Similarly, Rutherford and Jones7 did not find any increase in fascicle angle within hypertrophied muscle after resistance training, although the measurement includes low repeatability. Greater pennation angles make it possible to arrange more contractile material within a limited area.10 However, greater pennation angles are disadvantageous for force transmission from muscle fibers to tendon owing to the decreased component of fiber force to the line of pull of the muscle.2,5 Supposing a change in the area where muscle fibers attach, eg, the muscle aponeurosis, a discrepancy between changes in the pennation angle and muscle fiber hypertrophy (and/or hyperplasia) would occur, enabling an increase in the physiological CSA without an increase in pennation angle. On the other hand, indirect and direct evidence for hyperplasia has been shown in studies of human bodybuilders11 and animal models12. Results from animal studies show that de novo fiber formation is the major mechanism contributing to exerciseinduced increases in muscle fiber number.13 As the formation of new fibers in the interstitial area of muscle occurs, additional area in the aponeurosis for the fibers may be needed. However, previous studies have not focused on aponeurosis area and its adaptation to hypertrophy. The purpose of the present study was to measure deep muscle aponeurosis in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and compare the morphological characteristics of deep muscle aponeurosis in resistance-trained athletes with those in untrained students. Finally, we investigate the relationship between muscle mass and aponeurosis area.
Electroacupuncture and moxibustion promote regeneration of injured sciatic nerve through Schwann cell proliferation and nerve growth factor secretion

Using electroacupuncture and moxibustion to treat peripheral nerve injury is highly efficient with low side effects. However, the electroacupuncture- and moxibustion-based mechanisms underlying nerve repair are still unclear. Here, in vivo and in vitro experiments uncovered one mechanism through which electroacupuncture and moxibustion affect regeneration after peripheral nerve injury. We first established rat models of sciatic nerve injury using neurotomy. Rats were treated with electroacupuncture or moxibustion at acupoints Huantiao (GB30) and Zusanli (ST36). Each treatment lasted 15 minutes, and treatments were given six times a week for 4 consecutive weeks. Behavioral testing was used to determine the sciatic functional index. We used electrophysiological detection to measure sciatic nerve conduction velocity and performed hematoxylin-eosin staining to determine any changes in the gastrocnemius muscle. We used immunohistochemistry to observe changes in the expression of S100—a specific marker for Schwann cells—and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect serum level of nerve growth factor. Results showed that compared with the model-only group, sciatic functional index, recovery rate of conduction velocity, diameter recovery of the gastrocnemius muscle fibers, number of S100-immunoreactive cells, and level of nerve growth factor were greater in the electroacupuncture and moxibustion groups. The efficacy did not differ between treatment groups. The serum from treated rats was collected and used to stimulate Schwann cells cultured in vitro. Results showed that the viability of Schwann cells was much higher in the treatment groups than in the model group at 3 and 5 days after treatment. These findings indicate that electroacupuncture and moxibustion promoted nerve regeneration and functional recovery; its mechanism might be associated with the enhancement of Schwann cell proliferation and upregulation of nerve growth factor.
Further delineation of the MECP2 duplication syndrome phenotype in 59 French male patients, with a particular focus on morphological and neurological features

The Xq28 duplication involving the MECP2 gene (MECP2 duplication) has been mainly described in male patients with severe developmental delay (DD) associated with spasticity, stereotypic movements and recurrent infections. Nevertheless, only a few series have been published. We aimed to better describe the phenotype of this condition, with a focus on morphological and neurological features. Through a national collaborative study, we report a large French series of 59 affected males with interstitial MECP2 duplication. Most of the patients (93%) shared similar facial features, which evolved with age (midface hypoplasia, narrow and prominent nasal bridge, thick lower lip, large prominent ears), thick hair, livedo of the limbs, tapered fingers, small feet and vasomotor troubles. Early hypotonia and global DD were constant, with 21% of patients unable to walk. In patients able to stand, lower limbs weakness and spasticity led to a singular standing habitus: flexion of the knees, broad-based stance with pseudo-ataxic gait. Scoliosis was frequent (53%), such as divergent strabismus (76%) and hypermetropia (54%), stereotypic movements (89%), without obvious social withdrawal and decreased pain sensitivity (78%). Most of the patients did not develop expressive language, 35% saying few words. Epilepsy was frequent (59%), with a mean onset around 7.4 years of age, and often (62%) drug-resistant. Other medical issues were frequent: constipation (78%), and recurrent infections (89%), mainly lung. We delineate the clinical phenotype of MECP2 duplication syndrome in a large series of 59 males. Pulmonary hypertension appeared as a cause of early death in these patients, advocating its screening early in life.
Tnfrsf12a-Mediated Atherosclerosis Signaling and Inflammatory Response as a Common Protection Mechanism of Shuxuening Injection Against Both Myocardial and Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injuries

Shuxuening injection (SXNI) is a widely prescribed herbal medicine of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGB) for cerebral and cardiovascular diseases in China. However, its curative effects on ischemic stroke and heart diseases and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Taking an integrated approach of RNA-seq and network pharmacology analysis, we compared transcriptome profiles of brain and heart ischemia reperfusion injury in C57BL/6J mice to identify common and differential target genes by SXNI. Models for myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI) by ligating left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) for 30 min ischemia and 24 h reperfusion and cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury (CIRI) by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 90 min ischemia and 24 h reperfusion were employed to identify the common mechanisms of SXNI on both cerebral and myocardial ischemia reperfusion. In the CIRI model, ischemic infarct volume was markedly decreased after pre-treatment with SXNI at 0.5, 2.5, and 12.5 mL/kg. In the MIRI model, pre-treatment with SXNI at 2.5 and 12.5 mL/kg improved cardiac function and coronary blood flow and decreased myocardial infarction area. Besides, SXNI at 2.5 mL/kg also markedly reduced the levels of LDH, AST, CK-MB, and CK in serum. RNA-seq analysis identified 329 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in brain and 94 DEGs in heart after SXNI treatment in CIRI or MIRI models, respectively. Core analysis by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) revealed that atherosclerosis signaling and inflammatory response were top-ranked in the target profiles for both CIRI and MIRI after pre-treatment with SXNI. Specifically, Tnfrsf12a was recognized as an important common target, and was regulated by SXNI in CIRI and MIRI. In conclusion, our study showed that SXNI effectively protects brain and heart from I/R injuries via a common Tnfrsf12a-mediated pathway involving atherosclerosis signaling and inflammatory response. It provides a novel knowledge of active ingredients of Ginkgo biloba on cardio-cerebral vascular diseases in future clinical application.
Enabling Ultra-Reliable and Low-Latency Communications through Unlicensed Spectrum

In this article, we aim to address the question of how to exploit the unlicensed spectrum to achieve URLLC. Potential URLLC PHY mechanisms are reviewed and then compared via simulations to demonstrate their potential benefits to URLLC. Although a number of important PHY techniques help with URLLC, the PHY layer exhibits an intrinsic trade-off between latency and reliability, posed by limited and unstable wireless channels. We then explore MAC mechanisms and discuss multi-channel strategies for achieving low-latency LTE unlicensed band access. We demonstrate, via simulations, that the periods without access to the unlicensed band can be substantially reduced by maintaining channel access processes on multiple unlicensed channels, choosing the channels intelligently, and implementing RTS/CTS.
Identification of associations between genotypes and longitudinal phenotypes via temporally-constrained group sparse canonical correlation analysis

Motivation: Neuroimaging genetics identifies the relationships between genetic variants (i.e., the single nucleotide polymorphisms) and brain imaging data to reveal the associations from genotypes to phenotypes. So far, most existing machine‐learning approaches are widely used to detect the effective associations between genetic variants and brain imaging data at one time‐point. However, those associations are based on static phenotypes and ignore the temporal dynamics of the phenotypical changes. The phenotypes across multiple time‐points may exhibit temporal patterns that can be used to facilitate the understanding of the degenerative process. In this article, we propose a novel temporally constrained group sparse canonical correlation analysis (TGSCCA) framework to identify genetic associations with longitudinal phenotypic markers. Results: The proposed TGSCCA method is able to capture the temporal changes in brain from longitudinal phenotypes by incorporating the fused penalty, which requires that the differences between two consecutive canonical weight vectors from adjacent time‐points should be small. A new efficient optimization algorithm is designed to solve the objective function. Furthermore, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithm on both synthetic and real data (i.e., the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative cohort, including progressive mild cognitive impairment, stable MCI and Normal Control participants). In comparison with conventional SCCA, our proposed method can achieve strong associations and discover phenotypic biomarkers across multiple time‐points to guide disease‐progressive interpretation. Availability and implementation: The Matlab code is available at https://sourceforge.net/projects/ibrain‐cn/files/. Contact: dqzhang@nuaa.edu. cn or shenli@iu.edu
Location-Aware Energy-Efficient Workload Allocation in Geo Distributed Cloud Environment

The proliferation of cloud computing relied on the virtualization of the compute and storage resources and provisioning them dynamically according to users’ needs on a pay-per-use model. Massive cloud providers have geo-distributed cloud data centers to ensure service reliability, availability and satisfy user’s need. Therefore, cloud management systems are necessary to increase the profit of cloud providers and to improve the quality-of service demanded by users. This paper focuses on an energy-efficient method to solve the problem of allocating data-intensive workloads in geographically distributed data centers. The workload’s tasks are characterized by large data transfer times than their execution times. The problem formulated as a nonlinear programming optimization problem. Then, to find an optimal solution to the problem, meta-heuristic genetic algorithm is proposed. The designed heuristic takes into account the cost of the data transfer time from the storage location to the compute servers as well as the workload makespan on the available hosts. Extensive simulations using the CloudSim simulator are conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the proposed allocation method and how it performs with respect to other methods in the literature. Our results show significant enhancements in energy consumption while respecting the user’s QoS.
Identification of microRNA clusters cooperatively acting on epithelial to mesenchymal transition in triple negative breast cancer

MicroRNAs play important roles in many biological processes. Their aberrant expression can have oncogenic or tumor suppressor function directly participating to carcinogenesis, malignant transformation, invasiveness and metastasis. Indeed, miRNA profiles can distinguish not only between normal and cancerous tissue but they can also successfully classify different subtypes of a particular cancer. Here, we focus on a particular class of transcripts encoding polycistronic miRNA genes that yields multiple miRNA components. We describe clustered MiRNA Master Regulator Analysis (ClustMMRA), a fully redesigned release of the MMRA computational pipeline (MiRNA Master Regulator Analysis), developed to search for clustered miRNAs potentially driving cancer molecular subtyping. Genomically clustered miRNAs are frequently co-expressed to target different components of pro-tumorigenic signalling pathways. By applying ClustMMRA to breast cancer patient data, we identified key miRNA clusters driving the phenotype of different tumor subgroups. The pipeline was applied to two independent breast cancer datasets, providing statistically concordant results between the two analysis. We validated in cell lines the miR-199/miR-214 as a novel cluster of miRNAs promoting the triple negative subtype phenotype through its control of proliferation and EMT.
Effectiveness of endurance exercise training in patients with coronary artery disease: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Background: Exercise interventions apparently reduce the risks of and prevent coronary artery disease (CAD). Developing an exercise intervention for patients with CAD is a rapidly expanding focus worldwide. The results of previous studies are inconsistent and difficult to interpret across various types of exercise programme. Aim: This study aimed to update prior systemic reviews and meta-analyses in order to determine the overall effects of endurance exercise training on patients with CAD. Methods: The databases (PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE and Cochrane Library) were searched for the interventions published between January 1, 2000, and May 31, 2015. Comprehensive meta-analysis software was used to evaluate the heterogeneity of the selected studies and to calculate mean differences (MDs) while considering effect size. Results: A total of 18 studies with 1286 participants were included. Endurance exercise interventions at a moderate to high training intensity significantly reduced resting systolic blood pressure (MD: −3.8 mmHg, p = 0.01) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD: −5.5 mg/dL, p = 0.02), and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD: 3.8 mg/dL, p < 0.001). There were also significant positive changes in peak oxygen consumption (MD: 3.47 mL/kg/min, p < 0.001) and left ventricular ejection fraction (MD: 2.6%, p = 0.03) after the interventions. Subgroup analysis results revealed that exercise interventions of 60–90 minutes per week with a programme duration of >12 weeks had beneficial effects on functional capacity, cardiac function and a number of cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusions: Endurance exercise training has a positive effect on major modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and functional capacity. Nurses can develop endurance exercise recommendations for incorporation into care plans of clinically stable CAD patients following an acute cardiac event or revascularisation procedure.
Improving Interactions between a Power-Assist Robot System and Its Human User in Horizontal Transfer of Objects Using a Novel Adaptive Control Method

Power assist systems are usually used for rehabilitation, healthcare, and so forth. This paper puts emphasis on the use of power assist systems for object transfer and thus brings a novelty in the power-assist applications. However, the interactions between the systems and the human users are usually not satisfactory because human features are not included in the control design. In this paper, we present the development of a 1-DOF power assist system for horizontal transfer of objects. We included human features such as weight perception in the system dynamics and control. We then simulated the system using MATLAB/Simulink for transferring objects with it and (i) determined the optimum maneuverability conditions for object transfer, (ii) determined psychophysical relationships between actual and perceived weights, and (iii) analyzed load forces and motion features. We then used the findings to design a novel adaptive control scheme to improve the interactions between the user and the system. We implemented the novel control (simulated the system again using the novel control), the subjects evaluated the system, and the results showed that the novel control reduced the excessive load forces and accelerations and thus improved the human-system interactions in terms of maneuverability, safety, and so forth. Finally, we proposed to use the findings to develop power assist systems for manipulating heavy objects in industries that may improve interactions between the systems and the users.
Depth upsampling methods for high resolution depth map

A depth camera measures depth information of the object using a structured light or a time-of-flight method. However, those methods have a problem that the resolution of the depth map is small. This problem affects a generation of high-quality three-dimensional (3D) video contents. In this paper, five different upsampling methods for the high-resolution depth map acquisition are introduced and analyzed. Each algorithm has its own characteristics for generation of the high-resolution depth map. Therefore, this paper compares and analyzes those properties. After analyzing advantages and disadvantages of upsampling methods, we also apply depth refinement algorithms to the upsampled depth map for acquiring the high-quality depth map.
Translation of Relational and Non-relational Databases into RDF with xR2RML

With the growing amount of data being continuously produced, it is crucial to come up with solutions to expose data from ever more heterogeneous databases (e.g. NoSQL systems) as linked data. In this paper we present xR2RML, a language designed to describe the mapping of various types of databases to RDF. xR2RML flexibly adapts to heterogeneous query languages and data models while remaining free from any specific language or syntax. It extends R2RML, the W3C recommendation for the mapping of relational databases to RDF, and relies on RML for the handling of various data representation formats. We analyse data models of several modern databases as well as the format in which query results are returned, and we show that xR2RML can translate any data element within such results into RDF, relying on existing languages such as XPath and JSONPath if needed. We illustrate some features of xR2RML such as the generation of RDF collections and containers, and the ability to deal with mixed content.