Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Applications of Geometric Algorithms to Reduce Interference in Wireless Mesh Network

In wireless mesh networks such as WLAN (IEEE 802.11s) or WMAN (IEEE 802.11), each node should help to relay packets of neighboring nodes toward gateway using multi-hop routing mechanisms. Wireless mesh networks usually intensively deploy mesh nodes to deal with the problem of dead spot communication. However, the higher density of nodes deployed, the higher radio interference occurred. This causes significant degradation of system performance. In this paper, we first convert network problems into geometry problems in graph theory, and then solve the interference problem by geometric algorithms. We first define line intersection in a graph to reflect radio interference problem in a wireless mesh network. We then use plan sweep algorithm to find intersection lines, if any; employ Voronoi diagram algorithm to delimit the regions among nodes; use Delaunay Triangulation algorithm to reconstruct the graph in order to minimize the interference among nodes. Finally, we use standard deviation to prune off those longer links (higher interference links) to have a further enhancement. The proposed hybrid solution is proved to be able to significantly reduce interference in a wireless mesh network in O(n log n) time complexity.
Command following using an input reconstruction approach

The idea we explore in this paper is whether we can use input reconstruction methods for control problems. In input reconstruction problems, the outputs of a dynamical system are known, and the objective is to reconstruct the inputs to the system that caused the measured outputs. Command following problems can be viewed from a similar perspective. The desired outputs of the system are known and the control inputs that would yield those desired outputs have to be determined. In that sense, by implicitly assuming that a control input exists such that the output of the system will be equal to the desired output, one can use input reconstruction to determine the corresponding control inputs by pretending that the the desired outputs are the actual outputs of the system. With this end in view we explore a few control schemes based on the filter-based approach to input reconstruction and demonstrate the efficacy of these methods with illustrative numerical examples.
An empirical research of probability of default measure model based on Chinese stock market high frequency data

This paper introduce the option theory Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model KMV model into the measure of default risk make full use of market information and historical data on the base of modern corporate finance and option pricing theory this paper made the “transplant treatment”. Experimental results show that KMV model can serve as an ideal measuring instrument in the default risk what more KMV model based on option pricing is completely feasible to default risk measuring in chances commercial bank.
Mutual Coupling Reduction Between Very Closely Spaced Patch Antennas Using Low-Profile Folded Split-Ring Resonators (FSRRs)

This letter presents an efficient technique to reduce the mutual coupling between two 5.2-GHz probe-fed patch antennas in an array format. Two different designs of folded split-ring resonators (FSRRs), composed of single and double rows, etched into the ground plane are proposed for more reduction of the mutual coupling and spacing between antennas. Parametric studies show that by carefully adjusting the basic design parameters, and so equivalent capacitance and inductance of the FSRRs, a reduction of more than 30 dB in the mutual coupling between two antennas with a very close distance of about 0.039 λ0 (edge-to-edge distance) and 0.27 λ0 (center-to-center distance) can be obtained. Measured S21 of the array in the first and second designs of the FSRRs are about -56 and -45 dB, respectively. The features including very small occupied area, high performance, and noncomplex structure make the proposed FSRRs more useful for various related applications.
Artifact analysis and reconstruction improvement in helical cardiac cone beam CT

With the introduction of cone beam (CB) scanners, cardiac volumetric computed tomography (CT) imaging has the potential to become a noninvasive imaging tool in clinical routine for the diagnosis of various heart diseases. Heart rate adaptive reconstruction schemes enable the reconstruction of high-resolution volumetric data sets of the heart. Artifacts, caused by strong heart rate variations, high heart rates and obesity, decrease the image quality and the diagnostic value of the images. The image quality suffers from streak artifacts if suboptimal scan and reconstruction parameters are chosen, demanding improved gating techniques. In this paper, an artifact analysis is carried out which addresses the artifacts due to the gating when using a three-dimensional CB cardiac reconstruction technique. An automatic and patient specific cardiac weighting technique is presented in order to improve the image quality. Based on the properties of the reconstruction algorithm, several assessment techniques are introduced which enable the quantitative determination of the cycle-to-cycle transition smoothness and phase homogeneity of the image reconstruction. Projection data of four patients were acquired using a 16-slice CBCT system in low pitch helical mode with parallel electrocardiogram recording. For each patient, image results are presented and discussed in combination with the assessment criteria.
Innovative Video Feedback on Jump Landing Improves Landing Technique in Males

Abstract Video feedback may be a powerful tool to change biomechanical landing patterns associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk. This study investigated the effect of video feedback on drop vertical jump (DVJ) landing strategies in team sport athletes. 59 athletes were assigned to a video feedback (VI) or control (CTRL) group. A pretest, 2 training sessions and a posttest were conducted. In both training sessions, video feedback, consisting of a video of the athlete’s contour superimposed onto an expert’s contour performing the DVJ landing task, was provided to the VI group; the CTRL group did not receive feedback. Outcomes included: kinematics and kinetics at peak knee valgus/varus moment during pre- and posttest and percentage overlap of expert and athlete during the training sessions. At posttest, males in the VI group showed greater hip flexion angles (p=0.001) and range of motion (p<0.001), smaller vertical ground reaction force, and smaller ankle dorsiflexion moment (p<0.001) compared to pretest. At posttest, males in the VI group demonstrated smaller vertical ground reaction force (p=0.031) and ankle dorsiflexion moment (p=0.001) compared to males in the CTRL group. The VI group increased percentage overlap with the expert during training sessions and from start of the first to the end of the second training session (p<0.001). Overall, video feedback was effective to modify landing strategies favorably in males. While females imitated the expert model, their landing strategy did not change significantly. While Females may need additional (verbal) feedback to benefit from video feedback.
An exploration of teacher stress when using ICT in technology-rich classrooms

This thesis examines stress experienced by teachers whilst using ICT in the classroom. This study approaches this problem from the point of view of a model called the `Teacher-Technology Environment Interaction Model' of classroom technostress. The study also argues that job complexity is an important concept in understanding environmental stressors. The thesis reports on an empirical investigation conducted in London, which set out to: record and analyse teachers' technostress, investigate the nature of technostress, and whether forms of job complexity impact on stress. Two different studies were carried out. In the first, a survey about the technology and stress in the classroom was used and responses obtained from 136 teachers. This data was analysed using descriptive and correlational statistics. In the second study, nine teachers participated in a classroom investigation, in which approximately 32 hours of teaching activities were observed. Three types of data were collected in the classroom investigation: observation and videoing of the teachers in the classroom; recordings of their Galvanic Skin Resistance (GSR) taken whilst teaching; and interviews after the session. A thematic analysis was carried out using categories partly derived from theory and partly from the data itself. Additionally, four case studies were constructed to provide more detailed descriptions of technostress. The main results of this study were to clearly demonstrate the existence of technostress in the classroom; to describe the relationship between age, attitude towards technology, and amount of use and technostress; to describe the chief causes, symptoms, and coping strategies; to relate the causes to forms of complexity; and to provide evidence for the usefulness of the `Teacher-Technology Environment interaction model of Classroom Technostress'. The thesis concludes by arguing for the value of an approach based on an examination of technostress to complement other approaches for looking at the implementation of technology in the classroom.
Apheresis donors and platelet function: inherent platelet responsiveness influences platelet quality

BACKGROUND: Process‐induced platelet (PLT) activation occurs with all production methods, including apheresis. Recent studies have highlighted the range and consistence of interindividual variation in the PLT response, but little is known about the contribution of a donors' inherent PLT responsiveness to the activation state of the apheresis PLTs or the effect of frequent apheresis on donors' PLTs.
Indexing & Searching of Image Data in Multimedia Databases Using Axial Projection

— This paper introduces and studies new indexing techniques for content-based queries in images databases. Indexing is the key to providing sophisticated, accurate and fast searches for queries in image data. This research describes a new indexing approach, which depends on linear modeling of signals, using bases for modeling. A basis is a set of chosen images, and modeling an image is a least-squares approximation of the image as a linear combination of the basis images. The coefficients of the basis images are taken together to serve as index for that image. The paper describes the implementation of the indexing scheme, and presents the findings of our extensive evaluation that was conducted to optimize (1) the choice of the basis matrix ( B ), and (2) the size of the index A ( N ). Furthermore, we compare the performance of our indexing scheme with other schemes. Our results show that our scheme has significantly higher performance.
Human macrovascular endothelial cells: Optimization of culture conditions

SummaryThe purpose of this study is to identify optimal culture conditions to support the proliferation of human macrovascular endothelial cells. Two cell lines were employed: human saphenous vein endothelial cells (HSVEC) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The influence of basal nutrient media (14 types), fetal bovine serum (FBS), and mitogens (three types) were investigated in relation to cell proliferation. Additionally, a variety of extracellular matrix (ECM) substrate-coated culture dishes were also tested. The most effective nutrient medium in augmenting cell proliferation was MCDB 131. Compared to the more commonly used M199 medium, MCDB 131 resulted in a 2.3-fold increase in cell proliferation. Media containing 20% FBS increased cell proliferation 7.5-fold compared to serum-free media. Among the mitogens tested, heparin (50 μg/ml) and endothelial cell growth supplement (ECGS) (50μg/ml) significantly improved cell proliferation. Epithelial growth factor (EGF) provided no improvement in cell proliferation. There were no statistical differences in cell proliferation or morphology when endothelial cells were grown on uncoated culture plates compared to plates coated with ECM proteins: fibronectin, laminin, gelatin, or collagen types I and IV. The culture environment yielding maximal HSVEC and HUVEC proliferation is MCDB 131 nutrient medium supplemented with 2 mM glutamine, 20% FBS, 50 μg/ml heparin, and 50 μg/ml ECGS. The ECM substrate-coated culture dishes offer no advantage.
Network for Activation of Human Endothelial Cells by Oxidized Phospholipids: A Critical Role of Heme Oxygenase 1

Rationale: Oxidized palmitoyl arachidonyl phosphatidylcholine (Ox-PAPC) accumulates in atherosclerotic lesions, is proatherogenic, and influences the expression of more than 1000 genes in endothelial cells. Objective: To elucidate the major pathways involved in Ox-PAPC action, we conducted a systems analysis of endothelial cell gene expression after exposure to Ox-PAPC. Methods and Results: We used the variable responses of primary endothelial cells from 149 individuals exposed to Ox-PAPC to construct a network that consisted of 11 groups of genes, or modules. Modules were enriched for a broad range of Gene Ontology pathways, some of which have not been identified previously as major Ox-PAPC targets. Further validating our method of network construction, modules were consistent with relationships established by cell biology studies of Ox-PAPC effects on endothelial cells. This network provides novel hypotheses about molecular interactions, as well as candidate molecular regulators of inflammation and atherosclerosis. We validated several hypotheses based on network connections and genomic association. Our network analysis predicted that the hub gene CHAC1 (cation transport regulator homolog 1) was regulated by the ATF4 (activating transcription factor 4) arm of the unfolded protein response pathway, and here we showed that ATF4 directly activates an element in the CHAC1 promoter. We showed that variation in basal levels of heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1) contribute to the response to Ox-PAPC, consistent with its position as a hub in our network. We also identified G-protein–coupled receptor 39 (GPR39) as a regulator of HMOX1 levels and showed that it modulates the promoter activity of HMOX1. We further showed that OKL38/OSGN1 (oxidative stress–induced growth inhibitor), the hub gene in the blue module, is a key regulator of both inflammatory and antiinflammatory molecules. Conclusions: Our systems genetics approach has provided a broad view of the pathways involved in the response of endothelial cells to Ox-PAPC and also identified novel regulatory mechanisms.
Cross-Corpora Unsupervised Learning of Trajectories in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Patients with developmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), present with symptoms that change with time even if the named diagnosis remains fixed. For example, language impairments may present as delayed speech in a toddler and difficulty reading in a school-age child. Characterizing these trajectories is important for early treatment. However, deriving these trajectories from observational sources is challenging: electronic health records only reflect observations of patients at irregular intervals and only record what factors are clinically relevant at the time of observation. Meanwhile, caretakers discuss daily developments and concerns on social media. In this work, we present a fully unsupervised approach for learning disease trajectories from incomplete medical records and social media posts, including cases in which we have only a single observation of each patient. In particular, we use a dynamic topic model approach which embeds each disease trajectory as a path in RD. A Polya-gamma augmentation scheme is used to efficiently perform inference as well as incorporate multiple data sources. We learn disease trajectories from the electronic health records of 13,435 patients with ASD and the forum posts of 13,743 caretakers of children with ASD, deriving interesting clinical insights as well as good predictions.
The Impact of Footnote Transparency on Managerial Discretion : Evidence from FAS 132 R Pension Disclosure

This paper finds that footnote transparency is effective at disciplining managerial discretion and that the market will use information provided in footnotes to assess firm value. After the introduction of FAS132R, firms used less discretion in setting pension assumptions, and the distribution of discretion across firms was reduced. The primary driver of changes in pension expense resulting from the increased transparency is the discount rate assumption. Firms were able to offset increases in pension expense by lowering the assumed compensation rate, which was unaffected by FAS132R. I also find that the market responded to the new disclosures. Stock returns are more highly associated with pension expense in the post-FAS132R period, which is consistent with an improvement in the overall quality of pension expense. Moreover, firms experienced a negative abnormal return if they revealed a high use of discretion in their first FAS132R disclosure, which is consistent with the market being able to discriminate the quality of pension expense across firms. The size and funded status of the pension plan impacted how firms responded to the increased disclosure requirements. * Harvard Business School, jnaughton@hbs.edu.
3D Acquisition of Occluded Surfaces from Scattering in Participating Media

Most vision-based 3D acquisition methods including both passive and active methods have a limitation in that cameras must be able to observe the surface to be measured. If this is not possible, that is to say, if the surface is occluded, most of the methods cannot acquire the surface shape. In this paper, we present a method that can acquire the 3D points on the occluded surfaces. The main idea is to observe the scattering of reflected light in a participating medium instead of observing only the reflected light. We place the target in a participating medium, specifically a liquid tank filled with a participating medium, and irradiate a laser beam on it. Even if the reflecting point is occluded, our method can acquire the 3D position of occluded reflecting points from the scattering. Experimental results showed that our method can measure 3D reflecting points on several objects even if the objects are completely occluded.
Species Abundance and Diversity of Burkholderia cepacia Complex in the Environment

ABSTRACT Despite considerable interest in studying Burkholderia cepacia complex in the environment, we still do not have efficient methods to detect, isolate, and screen large numbers of B. cepacia isolates. To better describe the ecology and diversity of B. cepacia complex, a colony hybridization assay was developed to detect specifically all species of the complex based on polymorphism of the variable V3 region of the 16S rRNA sequence. The sensitivity of the assay was dramatically enhanced by using a probe consisting of three repeats of a B. cepacia complex-specific probe, each separated by a phosphoramidite spacer. In addition, a duplex PCR targeting B. cepacia complex-specific recA and 16S rRNA sequences was developed to enable a fast and reliable diagnostic assay for members of the complex. When applied to maize rhizosphere samples, colony hybridization results were in good agreement with those of most-probable-number duplex PCR, both indicating a >100-fold fluctuation of abundance between individual plants. Using restriction analysis of recA for a total of 285 confirmed isolates of the B. cepacia complex, up to seven B. cepacia complex species were identified; however, their diversity and abundance were not evenly distributed among individual plants, and several allelic variants were commonly found from the same rhizosphere sample. These results indicate that not only complex communities of B. cepacia complex species and closely related strains of the same species may coexist at high population levels but also species composition and abundance may dramatically vary between individual plants.
Automatic Algorithm Transformation for Efficient Multi-Snapshot Analytics on Temporal Graphs

Analytical graph algorithms commonly compute metrics for a graph at one point in time. In practice it is often also of interest how metrics change over time, e.g., to find trends. For this purpose, algorithms must be executed for multiple graph snapshots. We present Single Algorithm Multiple Snapshots (SAMS), a novel approach to execute algorithms concurrently for multiple graph snapshots. SAMS automatically transforms graph algorithms to leverage similarities between the analyzed graph snapshots. The automatic transformation interleaves algorithm executions on multiple snapshots, synergistically shares their graph accesses and traversals, and optimizes the algorithm's data layout. Thus, SAMS can amortize the cost of random data accesses and improve memory bandwidth utilization---two main cost factors in graph analytics. We extensively evaluate SAMS using six well-known algorithms and multiple synthetic as well as real-world graph datasets. Our measurements show that in multi-snapshot analyses, SAMS offers runtime improvements of up to two orders of magnitude over traditional snapshot-at-a-time execution.
Respiratory Uncoupling Lowers Blood Pressure Through a Leptin-Dependent Mechanism in Genetically Obese Mice

Insulin resistance is commonly associated with hypertension, a condition that causes vascular disease in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes. The mechanisms linking hypertension and insulin resistance are poorly understood. To determine whether respiratory uncoupling can prevent insulin resistance-related hypertension, we crossed transgenic mice expressing uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in skeletal muscle with lethal yellow (Ay/a) mice, genetically obese animals known to have elevated blood pressure. Despite increased food intake, UCP-Ay/a mice weighed less than their Ay/a littermates. The metabolic rate was higher in UCP-Ay/a mice than in Ay/a mice and did not impair their ability to alter oxygen consumption in response to temperature changes, an adaptation involving sympathetic nervous system activity. Compared with their nontransgenic littermates, UCP-Ay/a mice had lower fasting insulin, glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels and were more insulin sensitive. Blood pressure, serum leptin, and urinary catecholamine levels were also lower in uncoupled mice. Independent of sympathetic nervous system activity, low-dose peripheral leptin infusion increased blood pressure in UCP-Ay/a mice but not in their Ay/a littermates. These data indicate that skeletal muscle respiratory uncoupling reverses insulin resistance and lowers blood pressure in genetic obesity without affecting thermoregulation. The data also suggest that uncoupling could decrease the risk of atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes.
Modified Fuzzy Kohonen Clustering Network for image segmentation

This study derives a new interpretation for Fuzzy Kohonen Neural Network in parameter m. Derivation of new algorithm is accomplished by adaptive m. The learning rate in each iteration is effected by updating m ascending or descending. This yields automatic control to distribution of learning rate in the neighborhood of all data nodes at each iteration. This experiment evaluates the modified FKCN algorithm in terms of ability of segmentation of different regions in the image. Both the analytical and experimental data reported indicates that the choice of m in the range.