Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trellis Coded Generalized Spatial Modulation

In this paper, a novel trellis coded generalized spatial modulation (TCGSM) scheme is presented and analyzed. Similar to that of the traditional generalized spatial modulation (GSM), a subset of the entire transmit antennas is selected for transmission at each time slot. Nevertheless, in the proposed TCGSM scheme, the bits in the spatial domain are first coded by the trellis encoder before antenna selection. The purpose is to combat the correlation of the MIMO channel and hence improve the system performance. We give the detailed system model as well as the trellis encoding/decoding algorithm for the proposed scheme. The performance of the scheme is evaluated through both theoretical analysis and simulations. The results indicate that the proposed scheme is spectral efficient and robust against the channel correlation.
ANML: A language for describing networks

This paper presents a modelling language designed to satisfy the requirements for describing large and complex networks. The language is called ANML ("animal") which stands for ANother Modelling Language. ANML supports hierarchical modelling, reuse and validation. Schemas are used to define component types and constraints, databases act as repositories for reusable components and models define specific scenarios. We give an overview of ANML's properties and provide examples of its use for describing networks.
Particularly Interesting Cysteine- and Histidine-Rich Protein in Cardiac Development and Remodeling

Integrin-mediated cell-extracellular matrix interaction plays key roles in tissue morphogenesis and integrity. The Lin11-Isl-1-Mec-3 (LIM) domain-only particularly interesting cysteine- and histidine-rich (PINCH) protein functions as an adaptor essential for the assembly and function of the focal adhesion complex that links integrin signaling to the cytoskeleton and other intracellular signaling pathways and regulates diverse cellular processes such as cell adhesion, migration, growth, differentiation, and survival. Recent biochemical and genetic studies have greatly advanced our knowledge surrounding the molecular interactions and functions of each component of the focal adhesion complex and revealed a requirement for PINCH in early embryogenesis, in morphogenesis of the neural crest and cardiac outflow, and in myocardial growth and remodeling. In this review article, we will provide an overview of the current knowledge of the molecular interactions of PINCH with other components of focal adhesions, highlighting recent discoveries of the in vivo role of PINCH and discuss its potential implication for human heart disease.
Tissue culture on a chip: Developmental biology applications of self‐organized capillary networks in microfluidic devices

Organ culture systems are used to elucidate the mechanisms of pattern formation in developmental biology. Various organ culture techniques have been used, but the lack of microcirculation in such cultures impedes the long‐term maintenance of larger tissues. Recent advances in microfluidic devices now enable us to utilize self‐organized perfusable capillary networks in organ cultures. In this review, we will overview past approaches to organ culture and current technical advances in microfluidic devices, and discuss possible applications of microfluidics towards the study of developmental biology.
Projective Reconstruction from Incomplete Trajectories by Global and Local Constraints

The paper deals with projective shape and motion reconstruction by subspace iterations. A prerequisite of factorization-style algorithms is that all feature points need be observed in all images, a condition which is hardly realistic in real videos. We therefore address the problem of estimating structure and motion considering missing features. The proposed algorithm does not require initialization and uniformly handles all available data. The computed solution is global in the sense that it does not merge partial solutions incrementally or hierarchically. The global cost due to the factorization is further amended by local constraints to regularize and stabilize the estimations. It is shown how both costs can be jointly minimized in the presence of unobserved points. By synthetic and real image sequences with up to $60\%$ missing data we demonstrate that our algorithm is accurate and reliable.
Effects of age and long-term endurance training on VO2 kinetics.

PURPOSE This study examined the effects of age and training status on the pulmonary oxygen uptake (VO2p) kinetics of untrained and chronically trained young, middle-age, and older groups of men. METHODS Breath-by-breath VO2p and near-infrared spectroscopy-derived muscle deoxygenation ([HHb]) were monitored continuously in young (20-39 yr) trained (YT, n = 8) and untrained (YuT, n = 8), middle-age (40-59 yr) trained (MT, n = 9) and untrained (MuT, n = 9), and older (60-85 yr) trained (OT, n = 9) and untrained (OuT, n = 8) men. On-transient VO2p and [HHb] responses to cycling exercise at 80% of the estimated lactate threshold (three repeats) were modeled as monoexponential. Data were scaled to a relative percentage of the response (0%-100%), the signals time aligned, and the individual [HHb]-to-VO2p ratio was calculated as the average [HHb]/VO2 during the 20- to 120-s period after exercise onset. RESULTS The time constant for the adjustment of phase II pulmonary VO2 (τVO2p) was larger in OuT (42.0 ± 11.3 s) compared with that in YT (17.0 ± 7.5 s), MT (18.1 ± 5.3 s), OT (19.8 ± 5.4 s), YuT (25.7 ± 6.6 s), and MuT (24.4 ± 7.4 s) (P < 0.05). Similarly, the [HHb]/VO2 ratio was larger than 1.0 in OuT (1.30 ± 0.13, P < 0.05) and this value was larger than that observed in YT (1.01 ± 0.07), MT (1.04 ± 0.05), OT (1.04 ± 0.04), YuT (1.05 ± 0.03), and MuT (1.02 ± 0.09) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study showed that the slower VO2kinetics typically observed in older individuals can be prevented by long-term endurance training interventions. Although the role of O2 delivery relative to peripheral use cannot be elucidated from the current measures, the absence of age-related slowing of VO2 kinetics seems to be partly related to a preservation of the matching of O2 delivery to O2 utilization in chronically trained older individuals, as suggested by the reduction in the [HHb]/VO2 ratio.
The Effect of Low-Quantity Cr Addition on the Corrosion Behaviour of Dual-Phase High Carbon Steel

Industrial application of high carbon low alloy steel with the dual-phase structure of martensite and austenite has increased drastically in recent years. Due to its excellent compression strength and its high abrasion resistance, this grade of steel has used as a high performance cutting tool and in press machinery applications. By increasing the usage of more corrosive media in industrial practice and increasing the demand for reducing the production cost, it is crucial to understand the effect of the small addition of Cr on the corrosion behaviour of this grade of steel. In this study, this effect was investigated using Secondary Electron Microscopy (SEM) and in-situ Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) in the sodium chloride solution. Also, the corrosion rate was measured using the Tafel polarisation curve. It has been found that the small addition of Cr increased the stability of retained austenite, thus improving its corrosion resistance and reducing its corrosion rate. This effect has been acquired through in-situ high resolution topography images in which the samples were submerged in a corrosive solution. It has been demonstrated that the corrosion rate was reduced when the stability of austenite enhanced.
Dark chocolate consumption improves leukocyte adhesion factors and vascular function in overweight men

Flavanol‐enriched chocolate consumption increases endothelium‐dependent vasodilation. Most research so far has focused on flow‐mediated dilation (FMD) only;the effects on other factors relevant to endothelial health, such as inflammation and leukocyte adhesion, have hardly been addressed. We investigated whether consumption of regular dark chocolate also affects other markers of endothelial health, and whether chocolate enrichment with flavanols has additional benefits. In a randomized double‐blind crossover study, the effects of acute and of 4 wk daily consumption of high flavanol chocolate (HFC) and normal flavanol chocolate (NFC) on FMD, augmentation index (AIX), leukocyte count, plasma cytokines, and leukocyte cell surface molecules in overweight men (age 45–70 yr) were investigated. Sensory profiles and motivation scores to eat chocolate were also collected. Findings showed that a 4 wk chocolate intake increased FMD by 1%, which was paralleled by a decreased AIX of 1%, decreased leukocyte cell count, decreased plasma sICAM1 and sICAM3, and decreased leukocyte adhesion marker expression (P<0.05 for time effect), with no difference between HFC and NFC consumption. Flavanol enrichment did affect taste and negatively affected motivation to consume chocolate. This study provides new insights on how chocolate affects endothelial health by demonstrating that chocolate consumption, besides improving vascular function, also lowers the adherence capacity of leukocytes in the circulation. —Esser, D. , Mars, M. , Oosterink, E. , Stalmach, A. , Müller, M. , Afman, L.A. Dark chocolate consumption improves leukocyte adhesion factors and vascular function in overweight men. FASEB J. 28, 1464–1473 (2014). www.fasebj. org
Investigation on Viscoelastic-Creep Behavior of the Phase-Field Crystal Method

The phase-field crystal (PFC) method is a promising computational model with atomistic resolution and diffusive time-scale. In this study, we investigated the viscoelastic-creep behavior exhibited by the PFC model. We considered a one-dimensional crystal subjected to step changes in pressure and studied the time-dependent strain response from the system. The parametric study shows that the PFC model predicts the materials with higher density to exhibit higher stiffness and lower damping capacity while an increase in temperature results in lower stiffness and damping capacity. These predictions agree with experimental observations and show promising capability of the PFC method to model viscoelastic phenomena.
Taming Membranes: Functional Immobilization of Biological Membranes in Hydrogels

Single molecule studies on membrane proteins embedded in their native environment are hampered by the intrinsic difficulty of immobilizing elastic and sensitive biological membranes without interfering with protein activity. Here, we present hydrogels composed of nano-scaled fibers as a generally applicable tool to immobilize biological membrane vesicles of various size and lipid composition. Importantly, membrane proteins immobilized in the hydrogel as well as soluble proteins are fully active. The triggered opening of the mechanosensitive channel of large conductance (MscL) reconstituted in giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) was followed in time on single GUVs. Thus, kinetic studies of vectorial transport processes across biological membranes can be assessed on single, hydrogel immobilized, GUVs. Furthermore, protein translocation activity by the membrane embedded protein conducting channel of bacteria, SecYEG, in association with the soluble motor protein SecA was quantitatively assessed in bulk and at the single vesicle level in the hydrogel. This technique provides a new way to investigate membrane proteins in their native environment at the single molecule level by means of fluorescence microscopy.
Long-term Follow-up Assessing Renal Angiomyolipoma Treatment Patterns, Morbidity, and Mortality: An Observational Study in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Patients in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND Long-term data from patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)-associated renal angiomyolipoma (angiomyolipoma) are limited. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective observational study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS Adult patients with TSC treated at the University Medical Center Utrecht (the Netherlands) from January 1990 through April 2012. PREDICTORS Patient age and angiomyolipoma stage, based on computed tomography lesion count, size, and impact on renal anatomy, with higher stage representing higher angiomyolipoma burden. Patients in stages 3 or higher were considered at high risk for hemorrhage and candidates for selective arterial embolization. OUTCOMES Kidney-related outcomes included hypertension, anemia, decreased kidney function, dialysis, kidney transplantation, nephrectomy, kidney-related blood transfusions, and mortality. Observed mortality was compared to the Dutch National Bureau of Statistics using standardized mortality ratio. RESULTS Median follow-up was 15.8 years, of which staging was available for 5.4 years. Of 351 patients with TSC, 244 (69.5%) had confirmed angiomyolipoma; 144 (59.0%) reached stage 3 or higher. Age and angiomyolipoma stage were positively correlated: median age in the none-detected stage was 36.8 years, increasing to 43.6 years for stage 6. Embolization was performed in 117 patients; 57 had 2 or more embolization procedures. Higher stage was associated with hypertension, anemia, decreased kidney function, and transfusion. Hypertension, anemia, and decreased kidney function were more common in patients who underwent selective arterial embolization. 7 patients required dialysis, 7 received a kidney transplant, and 16 underwent nephrectomy. 29 deaths were recorded, most commonly related to renal complications (n=9[31%]). Mortality was significantly higher in the study cohort versus the general population (standardized mortality ratio, 4.8; 95% CI, 3.4-6.9). LIMITATIONS Duration of follow-up with staging was too short to observe stage progression in most patients. CONCLUSIONS Despite the use of preventive selective arterial embolization, patients with TSC exhibit clinically significant kidney disease and excess mortality, largely because of kidney-related complications.
Plate impact shock experiments and numerical modeling of lightweight adobe masonry material

In this contribution, we summarize and extend the experimental and numerical investigation of the shock response of lightweight adobe masonry, previously published in [C. Sauer et al., J. Dyn. Behav. Mater. (submitted)]. It is demonstrated that inverse planar plate impact (PPI) experiments are feasible for lightweight adobe. From the obtained free surface velocity time curves, a linear shock velocity vs. particle velocity relation is derived within the measured range of particle velocities. Numerical simulations of these curves show that the employed homogenous numerical model is capable of properly treating the shock response of this porous, inhomogeneous, and low-strength material. This numerical model is then applied to the example of the ballistic impact of steel spheres on targets consisting of one lightweight adobe brick. The experimentally obtained penetration craters are properly reproduced by the simulated target damage. Moreover, we find good agreement of the measured and simulated residual velocities within the presented range of impact velocities.
End-of-life care in U.S. nursing homes: nursing homes with special programs and trained staff for hospice or palliative/end-of-life care.

BACKGROUND The degree to which nursing homes have internal programs for hospice and palliative care is unknown. We used self-reported data from the 2004 National Nursing Home Survey (NNHS) to estimate the prevalence of special programs and (specially) trained staff (SPTS) for hospice or palliative/end-of-life care in U.S. nursing homes. Factors associated with the presence of SPTS for hospice or palliative/end-of-life care were identified. METHODS We merged 2004 NNHS data for 1174 nursing homes to county-level data from the 2004 Area Resource File and to Nursing Home 2004 Online Survey, Certification, and Reporting data. chi(2) tests and logistic regression models were applied. RESULTS Twenty-seven percent of U.S. nursing homes reported (internal) SPTS for hospice or palliative/end-of-life care. After controlling for covariates, we found nonprofit status, being in the southern region of the United States, having an administrator certified by the American College of Health Care Administrators, contracting with an outside hospice provider, and having other specialty programs to be associated with a greater likelihood of nursing homes having SPTS for hospice or palliative/end-of-life care. The largest effects were observed for nursing homes with programs for behavioral problems (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.59; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.40, 5.37) and for pain management (AOR 5.92; 95% CI 4.09, 8.57). CONCLUSION The presence of internal SPTS for hospice or palliative/end-of-life care is prevalent in U.S. nursing homes, and may be preceded by hospice contracting and/or the implementation of specialty programs that assist nursing homes in developing the expertise needed to establish their own palliative care programs.
Thrombin-independent contribution of tissue factor to inflammation and cardiac hypertrophy in a mouse model of sickle cell disease.

To the editor: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is caused by a single nucleotide mutation in the β-globin gene resulting in abnormal hemoglobin polymerization and formation of sickle red blood cells. Although vaso-occlusive crises and hemolytic anemia are the primary pathologies, SCD is also associated
Analysing Java identifier names

Identifier names are the principal means of recording and communicating ideas in source code and are a significant source of information for software developers and maintainers, and the tools that support their work. This research aims to increase understanding of identifier name content types - words, abbreviations, etc. - and phrasal structures - noun phrases, verb phrases, etc. - by improving techniques for the analysis of identifier names. The techniques and knowledge acquired can be applied to improve program comprehension tools that support internal code quality, concept location, traceability and model extraction. Previous detailed investigations of identifier names have focused on method names, and the content and structure of Java class and reference (field, parameter, and variable) names are less well understood. I developed improved algorithms to tokenise names, and trained part-of-speech tagger models on identifier names to support the analysis of class and reference names in a corpus of 60 open source Java projects. I confirm that developers structure the majority of names according to identifier naming conventions, and use phrasal structures reported in the literature. I also show that developers use a wider variety of content types and phrasal structures than previously understood. Unusually structured class names are largely project-specific naming conventions, but could indicate design issues. Analysis of phrasal reference names showed that developers most often use the phrasal structures described in the literature and used to support the extraction of information from names, but also choose unexpected phrasal structures, and complex, multi-phrasal, names. Using Nominal - software I created to evaluate adherence to naming conventions - I found developers tend to follow naming conventions, but that adherence to published conventions varies between projects because developers also establish new conventions for the use of typography, content types and phrasal structure to support their work: particularly to distinguish the roles of Java field names.
Methodology for Clustering High-Resolution Spatiotemporal Solar Resource Data

In this report, we introduce a methodology to achieve multiple levels of spatial resolution reduction of solar resource data, with minimal impact on data variability, for use in energy systems modeling. The selection of an appropriate clustering algorithm, parameter selection including cluster size, methods of temporal data segmentation, and methods of cluster evaluation are explored in the context of a repeatable process. In describing this process, we illustrate the steps in creating a reduced resolution, but still viable, dataset to support energy systems modeling, e.g. capacity expansion or production cost modeling. This process is demonstrated through the use of a solar resource dataset; however, the methods are applicable to other resource data represented through spatiotemporal grids, including wind data. In addition to energy modeling, the techniques demonstrated in this paper can be used in a novel top-down approach to assess renewable resources within many other contexts that leverage variability in resource data but require reduction in spatial resolution to accommodate modeling or computing constraints.
Prosthetic Control by an EEG-based Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)

The real-time analyses of oscillatory EEG components during right and left hand movement imagination allows the control of an electric device. Such a system, called brain-computer interface (BCI), can be used e.g. by patients who are totally paralyzed (e.g. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) to communicate with their environment. The paper demonstrates a system that utilizes the EEG for the control of a hand prosthesis.
Congestion estimation for hexagonal routing

Interconnect planning is an important issue in VLSI designs. Routing congestion is an important problem during placement. This paper presents a novel approach to estimating the routing congestion on the hexagonal model with bounded-length detours. It is the first probabilistic estimation work on hexagonal topologies. A combinatorial estimation algorithm is presented. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.
Exercise enhances whole-body cholesterol turnover in mice.

PURPOSE Regular exercise reduces cardiovascular risk in humans by reducing cholesterol levels, but the underlying mechanisms have not been fully explored. Exercise might provoke changes in cholesterol and bile acid metabolism and thereby reduce cardiovascular risk. We examined whether voluntary wheel running in mice modulates cholesterol and bile acid metabolism. METHODS Male mice (10 wk old) were randomly assigned to have access to a voluntary running wheel for 2 wk (RUN group) or remained sedentary (SED group). Running wheel activity was recorded daily. In a first experiment, fecal sterol outputs, fecal bile acid profiles, plasma parameters, and expression levels of genes involved in cholesterol and bile acid metabolism were determined. In a second experiment, bile flow, biliary bile acid profile, and biliary secretion rates of cholesterol, phospholipids, and bile acids were determined. RESULTS The RUN group ran an average of 10 km.d and displayed lower plasma cholesterol compared with SED (P = 0.030). Fecal bile acid loss was induced by approximately 30% in running mice compared with SED (P = 0.0012). A approximately 30% increase in fecal cholesterol output in RUN (P = 0.014) was consistent with changes in parameters of cholesterol absorption, such as reduced plasma plant sterol-cholesterol ratio (P = 0.044) and decreased jejunal expression of Npc1l1 (P = 0.013). Supportive of an increased cholesterol synthesis to compensate for fecal sterol loss were increased hepatic mRNA levels of HMGCoA reductase (P = 0.006) and an increased plasma lathosterol-cholesterol ratio (P = 0.0011) in RUN. CONCLUSIONS Voluntary wheel running increased cholesterol turnover in healthy mice owing to an increased fecal bile acid excretion and a decreased intestinal cholesterol absorption. Enhanced cholesterol turnover may contribute to the established reduction of cardiovascular risk induced by regular exercise.
Computational lambda-calculus and monads

The lambda -calculus is considered a useful mathematical tool in the study of programming languages. However, if one uses beta eta -conversion to prove equivalence of programs, then a gross simplification is introduced. The author gives a calculus based on a categorical semantics for computations, which provides a correct basis for proving equivalence of programs, independent from any specific computational model. <<ETX>>