Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
C Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche CAMEO : a novel Context-Aware MiddlEware for Opportunistic Mobile Social Networks

Mobile systems are characterized by several dynamic components like users’ mobility, devices’ interoperability and interactions among users and their devices. In this scenario context-awareness and the emerging concept of social-awareness become a fundamental requirement to develop optimized systems and applications. In this paper we focus on a novel category of pervasive and mobile systems designed to implement new services and applications that improve users’ social interactions through the use of mobile devices. Specifically, we present CAMEO, a light-weight context-aware middleware platform designed to support the development of real-time Mobile Social Networks (MSN). MSN extend the paradigm of Online Social Networks with additional interaction opportunities generated by users’ mobility and opportunistic wireless communications. MSN are aimed at creating new and on-demand virtual social networks among mobile users which share interests, habits and needs by providing owngenerated contents and without requiring a stable Internet connection. CAMEO provides to MSN applications a set of optimized services for the collection and elaboration of multidimensional context information in addition to efficient opportunistic communication protocols. A prototype of CAMEO has been implemented on Android platform.
SMORE: A Cold Data Object Store for SMR Drives (Extended Version)

Shingled magnetic recording (SMR) increases the capacity of magnetic hard drives, but it requires that each zone of a disk be written sequentially and erased in bulk. This makes SMR a good fit for workloads dominated by large data objects with limited churn. To explore this possibility, we have developed SMORE, an object storage system designed to reliably and efficiently store large, seldom-changing data objects on an array of host-managed or host-aware SMR disks. SMORE uses a log-structured approach to accommodate the constraint that all writes to an SMR drive must be sequential within large shingled zones. It stripes data across zones on separate disks, using erasure coding to protect against drive failure. A separate garbage collection thread reclaims space by migrating live data out of the emptiest zones so that they can be trimmed and reused. An index stored on flash and backed up to the SMR drives maps object identifiers to on-disk locations. SMORE interleaves log records with object data within SMR zones to enable index recovery after a system crash (or failure of the flash device) without any additional logging mechanism. SMORE achieves full disk bandwidth when ingesting data---with a variety of object sizes---and when reading large objects. Read performance declines for smaller object sizes where inter- object seek time dominates. With a worst-case pattern of random deletions, SMORE has a write amplification (not counting RAID parity) of less than 2.0 at 80% occupancy. By taking an index snapshot every two hours, SMORE recovers from crashes in less than a minute. More frequent snapshots allow faster recovery.
Development of CRTEIL and CETRIZ, Cre-loxP-Based Systems, Which Allow Change of Expression of Red to Green or Green to Red Fluorescence upon Transfection with a Cre-Expression Vector

We developed Cre-loxP-based systems, termed CRTEIL and CETRIZ, which allow gene switching in a noninvasive manner. Single transfection with pCRTEIL resulted in predominant expression of red fluorescence. Cotransfection with pCRTEIL and Cre-expression plasmid (pCAG/NCre) caused switching from red to green fluorescence. Similarly, cotransfection with pCETRIZ and pCAG/NCre resulted in change of green to red fluorescence. These noninvasive systems will be useful in cell lineage analysis, since descendants of cells exhibiting newly activated gene expression can be continuously monitored in noninvasive fashion.
A Fast Algorithm for Contrast Restoration of Weather Degraded Images

Images of outdoor scenes captured in bad weather suffer from poor contrast. Under bad weather conditions, the light reaching a camera is severely scattered by the atmosphere. The resulting decay in contrast varies across the scene and is exponential in the depths of scene points. Since traditional space invariant image processing techniques are not sufficient to remove weather effects from images, we present a physics-based model that describes the appearances of scenes in uniform bad weather conditions. Changes in intensities of scene points under different weather conditions provide simple constraints to detect depth discontinuities in the scene and also to compute scene structure. Our weather removal algorithm does not require any a priori scene structure, distributions of scene reflectances, or detailed knowledge about the particular weather condition. This method can be applied to gray scale, RGB color, multi spectral and IR images.
Tree-structured parallel regeneration for multiple data losses in distributed storage systems based on erasure codes

To reduce the time required to complete the regeneration process of erasure codes, we propose a Tree-structured Parallel Regeneration (TPR) scheme for multiple data losses in distributed storage systems. Under the scheme, two algorithms are proposed for the construction of multiple regeneration trees, namely the edge-disjoint algorithm and edge-sharing algorithm. The edge-disjoint algorithm constructs multiple independent trees, and is simple and appropriate for environments where newcomers and their providers are distributed over a large area and have few intersections. The edge-sharing algorithm constructs multiple trees that compete to utilize the bandwidth, and make a better utilization of the bandwidth, although it needs to measure the available bandwidth and deal with the bandwidth changes; it is therefore difficult to implement in practical systems. The parallel regeneration for multiple data losses of TPR primarily includes two optimizations: firstly, transferring the data through the bandwidth optimized-paths in a pipeline manner; secondly, executing data regeneration over multiple trees in parallel. To evaluate the proposal, we implement an event-based simulator and make a detailed comparison with some popular regeneration methods. The quantitative comparison results show that the use of TPR employing either the edge-disjoint algorithm or edge-sharing algorithm reduces the regeneration time significantly.
A Neutral Model of Transcriptome Evolution

Microarray technologies allow the identification of large numbers of expression differences within and between species. Although environmental and physiological stimuli are clearly responsible for changes in the expression levels of many genes, it is not known whether the majority of changes of gene expression fixed during evolution between species and between various tissues within a species are caused by Darwinian selection or by stochastic processes. We find the following: (1) expression differences between species accumulate approximately linearly with time; (2) gene expression variation among individuals within a species correlates positively with expression divergence between species; (3) rates of expression divergence between species do not differ significantly between intact genes and expressed pseudogenes; (4) expression differences between brain regions within a species have accumulated approximately linearly with time since these regions emerged during evolution. These results suggest that the majority of expression differences observed between species are selectively neutral or nearly neutral and likely to be of little or no functional significance. Therefore, the identification of gene expression differences between species fixed by selection should be based on null hypotheses assuming functional neutrality. Furthermore, it may be possible to apply a molecular clock based on expression differences to infer the evolutionary history of tissues.
Synthesis of a unknown inputs proportional integral observer for TS fuzzy models

In this paper, synthesis conditions of a proportional integral observer for a Takagi-Sugeno (TS) fuzzy models subject to unknown inputs and unmeasurable decision variables are established. These unknown inputs affect both state and output of the system. The synthesis of this observer is based on hypothesis that the unknown inputs are under the polynomials form with bounded norm of their kth derivatives. The Lyapunov theory and L2-gain technique are used to develop the stability conditions of such observers in LMIs formulation. A numerical example is proposed to validate the proposed design conditions.
An Overview of Evolutionary

Computation This chapter gives an overview of EC in order to establish the background context for the visual-ization work carried out in this thesis. For a more complete understanding of the eld of EC see The precise origin of EC is diicult to deene, a number of authors are commonly cited Bremermann, 1962 see Fogel, 1998a for a more complete discussion. Three diierent forms of EC Algorithms GAs". Each w as developed independently during the 1960s and early 1970s: EPs were proposed by L a wrence Fogel, Alvin Owens and Michael Walsh whilst examining the use of simulated evolution as an approach for developing artiicial intelligence Fogel et al., 1966. ESs were created by Ingo Rechenberg and Hans-Paul Schwefel at the Technical University of Berlin as experimental optimum-parameter seeking procedures and numerical optimization
The expression of cytokine and cytokine receptor genes in long‐term bone marrow culture in congenital and acquired bone marrow hypoplasias

Summary. A number of cytokines have been shown to have stimulatory activity on multipotent haematopoietic precursors. These include kit ligand (KL), interleukins (IL) 1, 3 and 6 and granulocyte macrophage‐colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF). Using reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction method (RT/PCR) we have examined the expression of these cytokines, the c‐kit and IL‐6 receptors, in long‐term bone marrow culture (LTC) adherent layer cells in human bone marrow hypoplasia syndromes.
MODELING AND VISUALIZATION OF SYNTHETIC GENETIC CIRCUITS

The iBioSim tool is being developed to facilitate the construction and simulation of synthetic genetic circuits. In this project, we have created a user interface that is similar to those used to construct schematic diagrams which are familiar to electrical engineers. Promoters, chemical species, and biological relationships can be placed visually on a schematic diagram. Another enhancement was the creation of a new simulation visualization tool which allows the user to associate chemical species with color schemes, opacity, and cell size. This tool allows the user to see the cells behavior as if through a microscope.
Measurement of Personality Stability in Infants and Young Adults Under Emotional Stimuli Using a Brain Functional Reaction Method

Objective: We abstracted the relationship between parents′ nurturing attitudes toward their children and the child’s personality stability in a psychological way, and evaluated and quantified the relationship between the intensity degrees of brain functional responses to emotional stimuli and the mental stabilities of infants and young adults in a physiological way. Methods: Children’s personality stability and parents’ nurturing attitudes were measured using psychological methods, and brain functions of the children were measured using EEG and MEG under resting and under emotional stimuli. Results: Our results in the psychological findings showed that nurturing attitudes influenced the personality stability of the infant, but personality stability in adolescence was no longer affected by the parent’s nurturing attitudes. Our results in physiological findings showed that the brain fimctional activity on the occipital area under pleasant stimuli was provoked if the personality of the young adult were.
The Power of Not Asking : How Do Generic Drug Substitution Laws Affect Patient ’ s Demand for Generic Drugs ? 1

Substituting generic for brand drugs whenever possible has been proposed as an effective way to control prescription drug expenditure growth in the United States. This work investigates whether mandatory switching and presumed consent laws are effective in increasing generic drug use. The analysis uses plausibly exogenous changes in states’ drug substitution policies for identification. The Difference-in-Difference regression results indicate that mandatory switching laws have little effect. However, presumed consent laws, whereby the pharmacists could assume patients’ consent to switch to generic drugs, reduce consumers’ probability of purchasing brand drugs by 4.1 percentage points. We construct and estimate a bounded rationality model to explain why presumed consent laws work. In the model, consumers in states with presumed consent laws incur a cost when asking pharmacists for brand drugs. We find that presumed consent laws’ effect in decreasing brand drug use is equivalent to increasing the brand drug price by 3 dollars. The average marginal effect of the policy is to reduce the probability of purchasing brand drugs by 6 and 11 percent. A welfare calculation indicates that consumers’ surplus loss exceeds the insurances’ gain by 7.5 dollars per person per purchase when states switch from explicit to presumed consent laws. 1We would like to thank Fabian Lange, Erin Strumpf and Robert Clark for their continued guidance and support during this project. We thank seminar participants at McGill University and HEC Montreal for helpful suggestions. 2Ph.D. Candidate, McGill University, yan.song@mail.mcgill. ca. 3Post-doctoral fellow, Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, University of Southern California, douglas.barthold@usc.edu
On the use of Different Methodologies in Cognitive Neuropsychology: Drink Deep and from Several Sources

Cognitive neuropsychology has championed the use of single-case research design. Recently, however, case series designs that employ multiple single cases have been increasingly utilized to address theoretical issues using data from neuropsychological populations. In this paper, we examine these methodologies, focusing on a number of points in particular. First we discuss the use of dissociations and associations, often thought of as a defining feature of cognitive neuropsychology, and argue that they are better viewed as part of a spectrum of methods that aim to explain and predict behaviour. We also raise issues regarding case series design in particular, arguing that selection of an appropriate sample, including controlling degree of homogeneity, is critical and constrains the theoretical claims that can be made on the basis of the data. We discuss the possible interpretation of “outliers” in a case series, suggesting that while they may reflect “noise” caused by variability in performance due to factors that are not of relevance to the theoretical claims, they may also reflect the presence of patterns that are critical to test, refine, and potentially falsify our theories. The role of case series in treatment research is also raised, in light of the fact that, despite their status as gold standard, randomized controlled trials cannot provide answers to many crucial theoretical and clinical questions. Finally, we stress the importance of converging evidence: We propose that it is conclusions informed by multiple sources of evidence that are likely to best inform theory and stand the test of time.
Genetic and biochemical biomarkers in the macrophyte Bidens laevis L. Exposed to a commercial formulation of endosulfan

Previous studies in the wetland macrophyte Bidens laevis L have demonstrated that the insecticide endosulfan induces a high frequency of somatic chromosome aberrations in anaphase–telophase (CAAT) but no DNA changes as determined by the single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assay. Thus, cytogenetic biomarkers appear to be more sensitive to the toxic effects of the insecticide than the DNA molecule in the studied species. For this reason, the goals of this study were to use cytogenetic biomarkers—CAAT and abnormal metaphase—and defense biomarkers such as the activity of the antioxidant enzymes—guaiacol peroxidases (POD), glutathione reductase, and microsomal and cytosolic (m‐ and c‐) glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST)—to evaluate in B. laevis effects caused by a commercial formulation of endosulfan. The frequency of CAAT was increased at 5, 10, 50, and 100 μg/L endosulfan with respect to the negative controls by 3.1, 2.5, 2.5, and 3.2‐fold, respectively while the frequency of abnormal metaphases was also increased at the same concentrations by 3.5, 2.8, 3.2, and 11.3‐fold, respectively. In addition to these aneugenic effects, other abnormalities such as C‐mitosis and chromosome clumping were observed at 10 μg/L endosulfan. On the other hand, POD induction at 0.02, 0.5, 5, and 10 μg/L and m‐GST inhibition at 0.5, 10, and 50 μg/L in plants exposed during 24 h to endosulfan were observed but all of these responses were highly variable. In conclusion, only cytogenetic biomarkers like CAAT in B. laevis can serve potentially as early warning systems to detect environmentally relevant concentrations of endosulfan in aquatic ecosystems. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 29: 1063–1071, 2014.
Internet of Things and the Open Source Approach Towards Smart Cultural Objects

The topics of smart things and Internet of Things (IoT) is a recent technological trend that has many application fields, particularly in terms of Information and Communication technologies (ICT)-enabled benefits for society (e.g., smart cities, mobility, active and healthy ageing). The term IoT refers to a world-wide network of interconnected objects uniquely addressable based on standard communication protocols. The paper is a report on the work in progress in implementing IoT topics in order to create a smart cultural object as a physical object (e.g., a piece of a museum collection) transformed in a virtual object capable of sensing and processing capabilities and source and recipient of different web-based information. The project design and its steps together with the description of the first phases consisting in choosing technologies as part of the open source hardware and software environment to realize the smart cultural object are described.
Parameter consistency and quadratically constrained errors-in-variables least-squares identification

In this article, we investigate the consistency of parameter estimates obtained from least-squares identification with a quadratic parameter constraint. For generality, we consider infinite impulse-response systems with coloured input and output noise. In the case of finite data, we show that there always exists a possibly indefinite quadratic constraint depending on the noise realisation that results in a constrained optimisation problem that yields the true parameters of the system when a persistency condition is satisfied. When the noise covariance matrix is known to within a scalar multiple, we prove that solutions of the quadratically constrained least-squares (QCLs) estimator with a semidefinite constraint matrix are both unbiased and consistent in the sense that the averaged problem and limiting problem produce, respectively, unbiased and true (with probability 1) estimators. In addition, we provide numerical results that illustrate these properties of the QCLS estimator.
Estimation of Camera Positions over Long Image Sequences

In this paper, we present an iterative algorithm that computes the camera path of long image sequences. It consists in applying successive bundle adjustment phases on di erent segments of the image sequence. The local models thus obtained are merged together into a common reference frame. The procedure is then repeated on a new grouping of the cameras, until the reconstruction error has reached a given error tolerance. The main objective is to ensure the scalability of the reconstruction and the good convergence of the bundle adjustment process by imposing a limit on the number of views for which the structure and motion parameters have to be simultaneously optimized. Error accumulation is also prevented by exploiting the presence of loopbacks and intersections in the camera path. We show results obtained over di erent camera paths, in particular a spiral path and snake-like path.
Magnetically responsive yeast cells: methods of preparation and applications

Magnetically modified yeast cells represent an interesting type of biocomposite material, applicable in various areas of bioanalysis, biotechnology and environmental technology. In this review, typical examples of magnetic modifications of yeast cells of the genera Saccharomyces, Kluyveromyces, Rhodotorula and Yarrowia are presented, as well as their possible applications as biocatalysts, active part of biosensors and biosorbents for the separation of organic xenobiotics, heavy metal ions and radionuclides. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional Analysis of Antigen 43 in Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Reveals a Role in Long-Term Persistence in the Urinary Tract

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli is the primary cause of urinary tract infection (UTI) in the developed world. The major factors associated with the virulence of uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) are fimbrial adhesins, which mediate specific attachment to host receptors and trigger innate host responses. Another group of adhesins is represented by the autotransporter subgroup of proteins. The best characterized of these proteins, antigen 43 (Ag43), is a self-recognizing adhesin that is associated with cell aggregation and biofilm formation in E. coli K-12. The sequenced genome of prototype UPEC strain CFT073 contains two variant Ag43-encoding genes located on pathogenicity islands. The biological significance of both of these genes and their role in UPEC pathogenesis have not been investigated previously. Here we performed a detailed molecular characterization analysis of Ag43a (c3655) and Ag43b (c1273) from UPEC CFT073. Expression of Ag43a and Ag43b in a K-12 background revealed that they possess different functional properties. Ag43a produced a strong aggregation phenotype and promoted significant biofilm growth. Deletion mutants and strains constitutively expressing Ag43a and Ag43b were also constructed using CFT073. When these mutants were analyzed in a mouse model of UTI, Ag43a (but not Ag43b) promoted long-term persistence in the urinary bladder. Our findings demonstrate that Ag43a contributes to UPEC disease pathogenesis and reveal that there are pathogenicity-adapted variants of Ag43 with distinct virulence-related functions.
Bermain dan hubungan rakan sebaya dalam perkembangan kanak-kanak

Bermain adalah satu sifat semulajadi kanak-kanak, khususnya kanak-kanak dalam lingkungan umur 4 dan 5 tahun. Pada peringkat ini, sebahagian besar daripada aktiviti bermain melibatkan rakan-rakan sebaya yang terdapat di kawasan tempat tinggal ataupun di pusat-pusat didikan/asuhan kanak-kanak. Kajian-kajian telah menunjukan bermain menyumbang kepada pelbagai aspek perkembangan kanak-kanak, sama ada dari aspek fizikal/motor,sosial,kognitif; dan juga emosi.Tujuan kertas kerja ini ialah untuk membincang tingkahlaku bermain dan hubungan rakan sebaya di kalangan kanak-kanak di sebuah prasekolah. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa kanak-kanak menunjukkan kecenderungan memilih rakan-rakan tertentu untuk bermain. Perkara yang hendak ditonjolkan di dalam kertas kerja ini ialah terdapat kanak-kanak yang menerima penilaian yang negatif oleh kanak-kanak lain, yang mana mereka ini tidak dipilih sebagai rakan untuk bermain. Keadaan seperti ini boleh menjejaskan perkembangan yang sihat dan boleh meninggalkan kesan negatif ke atas penyesuaian sosial dan emosi mereka selanjutnya. Ibubapa, guru-guru di prasekolah, ataupun orang dewasa lain yang berkenaan seharusnya memainkan peranan dengan mengambil langkah-langkah tertentu untuk mempastikan peluang-peluang disediakan bagi membantu kanak-kanak yang mengalami masalah bermain dan berinteraksi dengan rakan-rakan sebaya.