Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Higher Order Finite Difference Preconditioned Scheme: A Multithreaded Approach

New parallel computational techniques are introduced for the parallelization of explicit finite difference approximate inverse methods, using higher order approximation schemes, based on Portable Operating System Interface for UniX (POSIX) Threads, for multicore systems. Parallelization of the Optimized Banded Generalized Approximate Inverse Finite Element Matrix algorithm is achieved based on the concept of the "fish bone" approach with the use of a thread pool pattern. Theoretical estimates on speedups and efficiency are also presented. Finally, numerical results for the performance of the POBGAIFEM algorithm as well as the loop level and functional level parallelized Explicit Preconditioned Bi-conjugate Gradient Gradient-STAB method for solving two dimensional boundary value problems on multicore computer systems are presented.
Support Vector Regression Based GARCH Model with Application to Forecasting Volatility of Financial Returns

In recent years, support vector regression (SVR), a novel neural network (NN) technique, has been successfully used for financial forecasting. This paper deals with the application of SVR in volatility forecasting. Based on a recurrent SVR, a GARCH method is proposed and is compared with a moving average (MA), a recurrent NN and a parametric GACH in terms of their ability to forecast financial markets volatility. The real data in this study uses British Pound-US Dollar (GBP) daily exchange rates from July 2, 2003 to June 30, 2005 and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) daily composite index from July 3, 2003 to June 30, 2005. The experiment shows that, under both varying and fixed forecasting schemes, the SVR-based GARCH outperforms the MA, the recurrent NN and the parametric GARCH based on the criteria of mean absolute error (MAE) and directional accuracy (DA). No structured way being available to choose the free parameters of SVR, the sensitivity of performance is also examined to the free parameters.
Ppn2, a novel Zn2+-dependent polyphosphatase in the acidocalcisome-like yeast vacuole

ABSTRACT Acidocalcisome-like organelles are found in all kingdoms of life. Many of their functions, such as the accumulation and storage of metal ions, nitrogen and phosphate, the activation of blood clotting and inflammation, depend on the controlled synthesis and turnover of polyphosphate (polyP), a polymer of inorganic phosphate linked by phosphoric anhydride bonds. The exploration of the role of acidocalcisomes in metabolism and physiology requires the manipulation of polyP turnover, yet the complete set of proteins responsible for this turnover is unknown. Here, we identify a novel type of polyphosphatase operating in the acidocalcisome-like vacuoles of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which we called Ppn2. Ppn2 belongs to the PPP-superfamily of metallophosphatases, is activated by Zn2+ ions and exclusively shows endopolyphosphatase activity. It is sorted to vacuoles via the multivesicular body pathway. Together with Ppn1, Ppn2 is responsible for a substantial fraction of polyphosphatase activity that is necessary to mobilize polyP stores, for example in response to phosphate scarcity. This finding opens the way to manipulating polyP metabolism more profoundly and deciphering its roles in phosphate and energy homeostasis, as well as in signaling. Highlighted Article: Characterization of a novel yeast Zn2+-dependent endopolyphosphatase Ppn2 is presented. Together with Ppn1, Ppn2 provides the major vacuolar polyphosphatase activity of yeast, which supports growth under phosphate starvation.
Relative depth estimation with an uncalibrated camera for image refocus

Built-in post refocus applications begin to appear in cameras of new phone models. Most of them rely on dual or even customized cameras. In this paper, we proposed a solution of post refocus using a single uncalibrated cellphone camera. The input is a short video clip with minor camera movement, which is commonly caused by nature shaking of hand. After using feature matching to find a reference plane, the parallax of multiple frames will be revised based on the transformation of reference plane and a factorization method is used to recover the relative depth map. Finally, plausible refocus images can be obtained according to the relative depth map. Our solution has no reliance on any specialized lens and can generate adjustable refocus effect, in both focal depth and the degree of out-of-focus.
Systemic Administration of Polymeric Nanoparticle-Encapsulated Curcumin (NanoCurc) Blocks Tumor Growth and Metastases in Preclinical Models of Pancreatic Cancer

Curcumin or diferuloylmethane is a yellow polyphenol extracted from the rhizome of turmeric (Curcuma longa). A large volume (several hundreds) of published reports has established the anticancer and chemopreventative properties of curcumin in preclinical models of every known major cancer type. Nevertheless, the clinical translation of curcumin has been significantly hampered due to its poor systemic bioavailability, which mandates that patients consume up to 8 to 10 g of the free drug orally each day to achieve detectable levels in circulation. We have engineered a polymeric nanoparticle encapsulated curcumin formulation (NanoCurc) that shows remarkably higher systemic bioavailability in plasma and tissues compared with free curcumin upon parenteral administration. In xenograft models of human pancreatic cancer established in athymic mice, administration of parenteral NanoCurc significantly inhibits primary tumor growth in both subcutaneous and orthotopic settings. The combination of parenteral NanoCurc with gemcitabine results in enhanced tumor growth inhibition versus either single agent, suggesting an additive therapeutic influence in vivo. Furthermore, this combination completely abrogates systemic metastases in orthotopic pancreatic cancer xenograft models. Tumor growth inhibition is accompanied by significant reduction in activation of nuclear factor-κB, as well as significant reduction in expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and cyclin D1, in xenografts treated with NanoCurc and gemcitabine. NanoCurc is a promising new formulation that is able to overcome a major impediment for the clinical translation of curcumin to cancer patients by improving systemic bioavailability, and by extension, therapeutic efficacy. Mol Cancer Ther; 9(8); 2255–64. ©2010 AACR.
Lognormal Lorenz and normal receiver operating characteristic curves as mirror images

The Lorenz curve for assessing economic inequality depicts the relation between two cumulative distribution functions (CDFs), one for the distribution of incomes or wealth and the other for their first-moment distribution. By contrast, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for evaluating diagnostic systems depicts the relation between the complements of two CDFs, one for the distribution noise and the other for the distribution of signal plus noise. We demonstrate that the lognormal model of the Lorenz curve, which is often adopted to model the distribution of income and wealth, is a mirror image of the equal-variance normal model of the ROC curve, which is a fundamental model for evaluating diagnostic systems. The relationship between these two models extends the potential application of each. For example, the lognormal Lorenz curve can be used to evaluate diagnostic systems derived from equal-variance normal distributions.
Linear predicted two-pass hexagonal algorithm with parallel implementation for motion estimation

This paper presents a paralleled two-pass hexagonal (TPA) algorithm constituted by linear hashtable motion estimation algorithm (LHMEA) and hexagonal search (HEXBS) for motion estimation. In the TPA, motion vectors (MV) are generated from the first-pass LHMEA and are used as predictors for second-pass HEXBS motion estimation, which only searches a small number of macroblocks (MBs). We introduced hashtable into video processing and completed parallel implementation. We propose and evaluate parallel implementations of the LHMEA of TPA on clusters of workstations for real time video compression. It discusses how parallel video coding on load balanced multiprocessor systems can help, especially on motion estimation. The effect of load balancing for improved performance is discussed. The performance of the algorithm is evaluated by using standard video sequences and the results are compared to current algorithms
Can Caregiving Experiences be Understood Using an Attachment Framework in Early Psychosis

This thesis is presented in three parts with an overall focus on caregiving relationships and responses in early psychosis. Part one presents a systematic review of the literature examining the efficacy of family interventions within early psychosis. The evidence reviewed suggests that family interventions can improve symptoms and general functioning in service users and may enhance relatives’ overall experience of caregiving. However, there was equivocal evidence for relapse reduction or changes in the family environment. Further research is required to establish the key therapeutic components of family interventions that are most effective for whom. Part two is an empirical paper examining the role of caregiver attachment style on caregiving behaviours, attitudes and responses. The data suggests that attachment theory can contribute to our understanding of caregiving experiences, particularly caregiver distress, although further research is recommended. Finally, part three presents a critical appraisal of the investigation presented in the empirical paper. Consideration is given to a number of conceptual and methodological issues pertinent to this study and to caregiving and attachment research in general. The appraisal concludes with some personal reflections on the experience of conducting the project.
Single operator, multiple robots: An eye movement based theoretic model of operator situation awareness

For a single operator to effectively control multiple robots, operator situation awareness is a critical component of the human-robot system. There are three levels of situation awareness: perception, comprehension, and projection into the future [1]. We focus on the perception level to develop a theoretic model of the perceptual-cognitive processes underlying situation awareness. Eye movement measures were developed as indicators of cognitive processing and these measures were used to account for operator situation awareness on a supervisory control task. The eye movement based model emphasizes the importance of visual scanning and attention allocation as the cognitive processes that lead to operator situation awareness and the model lays the groundwork for real-time prediction of operator situation awareness.
Spatially coupled quasi-cyclic quantum LDPC codes

For designing low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes for quantum error-correction, we desire to satisfy the conflicting requirements below simultaneously. 1) The row weights of parity-check “should be large”: The minimum distances are bounded above by the minimum row weights of parity-check matrices of constituent classical codes. Small minimum distance tends to result in poor decoding performance at the error-floor region. 2) The row weights of parity-check matrices “should not be large”: The performance of the sum-product decoding algorithm at the water-fall region is degraded as the row weight increases. Recently, Kudekar et al. showed spatially-coupled (SC) LDPC codes exhibit capacity-achieving performance for classical channels. SC LDPC codes have both large row weight and capacity-achieving error-floor and water-fall performance. In this paper, we propose a new class of quantum LDPC codes based on spatially coupled quasi-cyclic LDPC codes. The performance outperforms that of quantum “non-coupled” quasi-cyclic LDPC codes.
Implementation and Operational Research: The Impact of Option B+ on the Antenatal PMTCT Cascade in Lilongwe, Malawi

Objective:In 2011, Malawi implemented Option B+ (B+), lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) for pregnant and breastfeeding women. We aimed to describe changes in service uptake and outcomes along the antenatal prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) cascade post-B+ implementation. Design:Pre/post study using routinely collected program data from 2 large Lilongwe-based health centers. Methods:We compared the testing of HIV-infected pregnant women at antenatal care, enrollment into PMTCT services, receipt of ART, and 6-month ART outcomes pre-B+ (October 2009–March 2011) and post-B+ (October 2011–March 2013). Results:A total of 13,926 (pre) and 14,532 (post) women presented to antenatal care. Post-B+, a smaller proportion were HIV-tested (99.3% vs. 87.7% post-B+; P < 0.0001). There were 1654 (pre) and 1535 (post) HIV-infected women identified, with a larger proportion already known to be HIV-infected (18.1% vs. 41.2% post-B+; P < 0.0001) and on ART post-B+ (18.7% vs. 30.2% post-B+; P < 0.0001). A significantly greater proportion enrolled into the PMTCT program (68.3% vs. 92.6% post-B+; P < 0.0001) and was retained through delivery post-B+ (51.1% vs. 65% post-B+; P < 0.0001). Among those not on ART at enrollment, there was no change in the proportion newly initiating ART/antiretrovirals (79% vs. 81.9% post-B+; P = 0.11), although median days to initiation of ART decreased [48 days (19, 130) vs. 0 days (0, 15.5) post-B+; P < 0.0001]. Among those newly initiating ART, a smaller proportion was alive on ART 6 months after initiation (89.3% vs. 78.8% post-B+; P = 0.0004). Conclusions:Although several improvements in PMTCT program performance were noted with implementation of B+, challenges remain at several critical steps along the cascade requiring innovative solutions to ensure an AIDS-free generation.
Vitamin A Deprivation Affects the Progression of the Spermatogenic Wave and Initial Formation of the Blood-testis Barrier, Resulting in Irreversible Testicular Degeneration in Mice

Abstract The blood testis-barrier (BTB) is essential for maintaining homeostasis in the seminiferous epithelium. Although many studies have reported that vitamin A (VA) is required for the maintenance of spermatogenesis, the relationships between the BTB, spermatogenesis and VA have not been elucidated. In this study, we analyzed BTB assembly and spermatogenesis in the testes of mice fed the VA-deficient (VAD) diet from the prepubertal period to adulthood. During the prepubertal period, no changes were observed in the initiation and progression of the first spermatogenic wave in mice fed the VAD diet. However, the numbers of preleptotene/leptotene spermatocytes derived from the second spermatogenic wave onwards were decreased, and initial BTB formation was also delayed, as evidenced by the decreased expression of mRNAs encoding BTB components and VA signaling molecules. From 60 days postpartum, mice fed the VAD diet exhibited apoptosis of germ cells, arrest of meiosis, disruption of the BTB, and dramatically decreased testis size. Furthermore, vacuolization and calcification were observed in the seminiferous epithelium of adult mice fed the VAD diet. Re-initiation of spermatogenesis by VA replenishment in adult mice fed the VAD diet rescued BTB assembly after when the second spermatogenic wave initiated from the arrested spermatogonia reached the preleptotene/leptotene spermatocytes. These results suggested that BTB integrity was regulated by VA metabolism with meiotic progression and that the impermeable BTB was required for persistent spermatogenesis rather than meiotic initiation. In conclusion, consumption of the VAD diet led to critical defects in spermatogenesis progression and altered the dynamics of BTB assembly.
An iterative algorithm for joint demodulation in multicarrier CDMA systems

A multiuser demodulation algorithm for the uplink of an asynchronous multicarrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA) based wireless communication system is derived. The estimation of the multipath channel parameters and the symbol detection are incorporated in a joint demodulation scheme which employs a space-alternating generalized expectation-maximization (SAGE) algorithm for the iterative maximization of the log-likelihood function. Two different approaches to initialize the parameter estimates are presented based on the transmission of preambles as well as on a blind acquisition scheme. The performance of the algorithm is investigated in Monte Carlo simulations. The bit-error rates indicate that the scheme is robust in near-far situations as opposed to conventional demodulation and is thus particularly suited for systems without a tight power control.
Technological Advancements and Applications in Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks : Research Trends

Multicast routing is an effective way to establish the group communication when the same message or the same stream of data needs to be sent to multiple receivers. Multicast routing has attracted a lot of attention in group oriented computing due to supporting data transmission from a single source node to multiple destinations concurrently. The advantage of multicast routing lies in its capability of reducing the communication cost and saving the network resources by sending only one copy of the message over the shared link leading to different destinations. Generally speaking, this survey classifies the multicast routing protocols into four categories based on the underlying routing structure: tree-based, mesh-based, hybrid, and stateless multicast routing protocols. This survey summarizes the well-known most recent protocols of each category and compares their objectives, performances, advantages, and disadvantages. This survey study helps us to choose the best multicasting protocol for each network application with respect to the requirements of application.
Facial expression recognition using image orientation field in limited regions and MLP neural network

In this paper, a novel approach for facial expression is introduced by using face orientation field concept. This method is not sensitive to the obstacles such as hair, eyeglasses and surrounding illumination. The computational tools of this paper have been used in previous studies for fingerprint recognition systems. However, we have adopted them for facial expression recognition. The features which extracted from orientation field are applied to the MLP neural network and this network select facial expression among six universal expressions. The presented method, have been tested on the JAFFE database and reached the average accuracy of 90.33% in recognition of facial expressions.
Scalable Security for High Performance

Petabyte scale, high-performance parallel file systems oft en hold sensitive data and thus require security, but authentication and authorization have the potent ial to reduce performance dramatically because of the high number of clients and devices, data distribution across both clients and devices, and bursty and demanding workloads. Existing security protocols perf orm poorly in these environments because they do not scale well—the number of security operations is s trongly tied to the number of devices and requests. To address these issues, we developed Maat, a secu rity protocol designed to provide strong, scalable security in petabyte-scale parallel file systems. Maat introduces three new techniques: xtended capabilities, automatic revocation , andsecure delegation , all of which act to limit the number of cryptographic operations as the number of devices and requests b comes large. Extended capabilities allow a single capability to authorize I/O for any number of client s to any number of files, greatly limiting the number of capabilities needed. Automatic revocation us es short capabilities lifetimes to allow simple capability expiration to act as a global revocation and r enews non-revoked capabilities in batches, reducing the number of cryptographic operations required. Secure delegation allows clients to securely act on behalf of a group to open files and distribute access, re ducing the number of operations for large, joint computations. Experiments on the Maat prototype we im ple ented in the Ceph high-performance storage system show an overhead of as little as 6-7% over inse cure operation for high performance workloads. By implementing strong authentication and authoriz ation without a large performance penalty, Maat enables secure access to high-performance petabyte-s cale storage.
Optical sky brightness at Dome A, Antarctica, from the Nigel experiment

Nigel is a fiber-fed UV/visible grating spectrograph with a thermoelectrically-cooled 256×1024 pixel CCD camera, designed to measure the twilight and night sky brightness from 300nm to 850 nm. Nigel has three pairs of fibers, each with a field-of-view with an angular diameter of 25 degrees, pointing in three fixed positions towards the sky. The bare fibers are exposed to the sky with no additional optics. The instrument was deployed at Dome A, Antarctica in January 2009 as part of the PLATO (PLATeau Observatory) robotic observatory. During the 2009 winter, Nigel made approximately six months of continuous observations of the sky, with typically 104 deadtime between exposures. The resulting spectra provide quantitative information on the sky brightness, the auroral contribution, and the water vapour content of the atmosphere. We present details of the design, construction and calibration of the Nigel spectrometer, as well some sample spectra from a preliminary analysis.
IRMA : Integrated Routing and MAC Scheduling in Multi-hop Wireless Mesh Networks

This paper presents an integrated routing and MAC scheduling algorithm (IRMA) 1 for improving system performance in multihop wireless mesh networks. The IRMA approach is motivated by the fact that conventional contention-base d MAC protocols such as 802.11 do not perform well in combination with independent ad hoc routing protocols such as DSR, DSDV or AODV due to interactions between neighboring nodes in the network. In IRMA, a centralized algorithm is used to allocate resources to each flow based on traffic flow specifications and the network compatibility graph based on a generalizedn-hop interference model. Joint routing and MAC eliminates contention between radio nodes and assigns traffic flows to alternate pat hs based on actual traffic demand, thereby providing significant increases in network capacity. Two alternative algorithmsare described and evaluated using ns-2 simulations: 1) Link Sch eduling with Min Hop Routing (IRMA-MH) which uses real-time flow information to select paths and to set up complete endto-end TDMA schedules; 2) Link Scheduling with BandwidthAware Routing (IRMA-BR) which uses local information about available MAC bandwidth to route around congested areas. Simulation results for both schemes are presented, showing up to 300% improvement in network throughput when compared with baseline 802.11-based multihop networks with indepen dent routing.
Control of autonomous underactuated surface vehicle in the presence of environmental disturbances

This paper presents an output feedback design for a class of underactuated surface vehicles. Besides a standard controller, based on VFO (Vector Field Orientation) method, it consists of ESO (Extended State Observer) which estimates disturbances affecting the system and a partial dynamics decoupling. The estimates are used in a control loop to prevent the impact of environmental forces. The effectiveness of this method is verified with simulation tests.