Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Random Access Zipper: Simple, Purely-Functional Sequences

We introduce the Random Access Zipper (RAZ), a simple, purely-functional data structure for editable sequences. A RAZ combines the structure of a zipper with that of a tree: like a zipper, edits at the cursor require constant time; by leveraging tree structure, relocating the edit cursor in the sequence requires logarithmic time. While existing data structures provide these time bounds, none do so with the same simplicity and brevity of code as the RAZ. The simplicity of the RAZ provides the opportunity for more programmers to extend the structure to their own needs, and we provide some suggestions for how to do so.
Mining Software Change History in an Industrial Environment

Version control systems are among the type of repositories that are frequently explored as sources of software change history. They can be mined to identify associations between software module modifications. This information is useful to support software modification activities, indicating to software engineers which modules are usually modified together during software maintenance or evolution. Previous works published on the subject focused on mining associations from open source software projects. This article presents the use of association mining in an industrial environment. The study was set up as a formal experiment and studied 18 systems developed in a large Brazilian beverage company. The results show that the precision of the rules obtained in this environment are even higher than its counterpart obtained in open source projects. This suggests that this approach is very useful in this type of environment.
Deconvolution of in vivo ultrasound images

In an ultrasound image, the influence of the pulse and attenuation should be removed from the picture in order to display a more consistent and uniform image. The author describes an algorithm to remove the influence of the attenuated pulse on the image. The algorithm takes into account the varying pulse, noise in the acquired signal, and the changing reflectivity in the tissue. Both one- and two-dimensional processing can be implemented. The algorithm relies on prior knowledge of the pulse and of the covariance of the noise and the reflections. Algorithms to estimate these factors are given. Examples of 1-D deconvoluted pictures of phantom data and in vivo data are given. They show, especially for the phantom data, an increased contrast and resolution. <<ETX>>
Facing off with Scylla and Charybdis: a comparison of scalar, partial, and the novel possibility of approximate measurement invariance

Measurement invariance (MI) is a pre-requisite for comparing latent variable scores across groups. The current paper introduces the concept of approximate MI building on the work of Muthén and Asparouhov and their application of Bayesian Structural Equation Modeling (BSEM) in the software Mplus. They showed that with BSEM exact zeros constraints can be replaced with approximate zeros to allow for minimal steps away from strict MI, still yielding a well-fitting model. This new opportunity enables researchers to make explicit trade-offs between the degree of MI on the one hand, and the degree of model fit on the other. Throughout the paper we discuss the topic of approximate MI, followed by an empirical illustration where the test for MI fails, but where allowing for approximate MI results in a well-fitting model. Using simulated data, we investigate in which situations approximate MI can be applied and when it leads to unbiased results. Both our empirical illustration and the simulation study show approximate MI outperforms full or partial MI In detecting/recovering the true latent mean difference when there are (many) small differences in the intercepts and factor loadings across groups. In the discussion we provide a step-by-step guide in which situation what type of MI is preferred. Our paper provides a first step in the new research area of (partial) approximate MI and shows that it can be a good alternative when strict MI leads to a badly fitting model and when partial MI cannot be applied.
Arabidopsis Photorespiratory Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase Activity Requires the Mitochondrial Accumulation of Ferredoxin-Dependent Glutamate Synthase[W]

The dual affinity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase for O2 and CO2 results in the net loss of fixed carbon and energy in a process termed photorespiration. The photorespiratory cycle is complex and occurs in three organelles, chloroplasts, peroxisomes, and mitochondria, which necessitates multiple steps to transport metabolic intermediates. Genetic analysis has identified a number of mutants exhibiting photorespiratory chlorosis at ambient CO2, including several with defects in mitochondrial serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) activity. One class of mutants deficient in SHMT1 activity affects SHM1, which encodes the mitochondrial SHMT required for photorespiration. In this work, we describe a second class of SHMT1-deficient mutants defective in a distinct gene, GLU1, which encodes Ferredoxin-dependent Glutamate Synthase (Fd-GOGAT). Fd-GOGAT is a chloroplastic enzyme responsible for the reassimilation of photorespiratory ammonia as well as for primary nitrogen assimilation. We show that Fd-GOGAT is dual targeted to the mitochondria and the chloroplasts. In the mitochondria, Fd-GOGAT interacts physically with SHMT1, and this interaction is necessary for photorespiratory SHMT activity. The requirement of protein–protein interactions and complex formation for photorespiratory SHMT activity demonstrates more complicated regulation of this crucial high flux pathway than anticipated.
MT-AMP: A Model Transformation for Embedded Software

MDA is an approach to software development based on the design and transformation of models. In the MDA approach, models are the core artifacts throughout the software development lifecycle, and thus a key role is played by model transformations. Nevertheless, most MDA initiatives are dedicated, i.e., the platform features are implicitly employed in the transformation rules. As the aspects associated with the platform are not separated from the transformation rules, for each selected platform there must be a corresponding model transformation. This makes the model transformation development easier, although the model transformation becomes limited to a specific platform, once the platform features are strongly associated with the transformation rules. An open challenge consists of how to create transformation rules independently of the platform features. This paper presents a model transformation, called MT-AMP, particularly applied to embedded software development based on PI-MT Method. In addition, it allows the use of the model transformation to different RTOS-based platforms by means of Platform Models explicitly defined. As a result, the MT-AMP provides independence between the model transformation rules and the platform features.
Are Carbohydrate-Deficient Transferrin Assays Useful for the Detection of Recurrent 'Binge Drinking' in Children with an Alcohol Intoxication in the Emergency Department?

AIMS The aim of this study was to evaluate different carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) assays for the detection of recurrent excessive alcohol abuse in adolescents prior to acute alcohol intoxication. METHODS Data on drinking behaviour and CDT levels of adolescents (13-18 years) registered at the outpatient clinic for youth and alcohol at three major district general hospitals in the Netherlands were retrospectively collected. CDT and disialotransferrin (DST) levels of binge-drinking teenagers were compared with non-binge-drinking teenagers. RESULTS In total 198 samples were collected for the N Latex CDT method (N = 83), no differences were found in mean CDT levels for binge versus non-binge drinkers (P = 0.8). The Helander HPLC (N = 78) showed significantly higher values for binge drinkers than for non-binge drinkers (mean 1.20%DST, SD 0.28 and mean 1.01%DST, SD 0.31, respectively (P = 0.01)). The Recipe ClinRep method (N = 37) also showed significantly higher values for binge drinkers (mean 1.17%DST, SD 0.36 and mean 0.89%DST, SD 0.34, respectively (P = 0.03)). CONCLUSION With the Helander HPLC method and the Recipe ClinRep assay higher levels are measured in binge drinkers than in non-binge drinkers.
Joint Sensor Selection and Multihop Routing for Distributed Estimation in Ad-hoc Wireless Sensor Networks

This paper considers the problem of power-efficient distributed estimation of vector parameters related to localized phenomena so that both sensor selection and routing structure in a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) are jointly optimized to obtain the best possible estimation performance at a given querying node, for a given total power budget. First, we formulate our problem as an optimization problem and show that it is an NP-Hard problem. Then, we design two algorithms: a Fixed-Tree Relaxation-Based Algorithm (FTRA) and a very efficient Iterative Distributed Algorithm (IDA) to optimize the sensor selection and routing structure. We also provide a lower bound for our optimization problem and show that our IDA provides a performance that is close to this bound, and it is substantially superior to the previous approaches presented in the literature. An important result from our work is the fact that because of the interplay between communication cost and estimation gain when fusing measurements from different sensors, the traditional Shortest Path Tree (SPT) routing structure, widely used in practice, is no longer optimal. To be specific, our routing structure provides a better trade-off between the overall power efficiency and estimation accuracy. Comparing to more conventional sensor selection and fixed routing algorithms, our proposed algorithms yield a significant amount of energy saving for the same estimation accuracy.
3D Analysis of Coke Microstructure Using μ-X-ray CT(Steelmaking)

The performance of coke in blast furnace (BF) used to prefer a high strength and low reactivity, generally. One of the reasons is in the importance of the gas and liquid permeability in BF, which are related to the stable operation of BF. On the other hand, the energy saving on the BF will contribute the decrease of CO2 emission, because the proportion of CO2 emission in the iron making field is quite large. To decrease the reducing agent ratio the reaction efficiency in the BF should increase more and more. It is recognized that the reactivity and the strength of coke contradict each other. The high reactivity coke generally has a low strength. To overcome the contradiction, we are going to use the catalytic effect on the coke gasification. Therefore, it is important to clarify the mechanism of coke gasification concerning to the coke microstructure and porosity. In this study, the coke gasification were analyzed using μ-X-ray CT. The optimum conditions for the image processing of the data from the μ-X-ray CT were obtained through the comparison with the cross section of the coke embedded in the resin. Nondestructive observation became possible. It was found that the relatively larger structure (carbon and pore: ~0.5 mm) were almost the same between the μ-X-ray CT and the cross section of the sample embedded in resin, but smaller structure could not observed appropriately. The problems (ex.: existence of iron catalysts, difference of thickness for X-ray absorption, etc.) to get a proper image by μ-X-ray CT still remained.
Direct evidence that the mouse sex‐determining gene Sry is expressed in the somatic cells of male fetal gonads and in the germ cell line in the adult testis

Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis shows that Sry mRNA is expressed in male fetal urogenital ridges from 12.5 day p.c. embryos, but not in enriched populations of primordial germ cells from the same embryos, indicating that Sry is expressed in the somatic cells of the embryonal gonad at the time of testis determination. We also show that, in the adult male mouse testis, Sry mRNA is expressed at high levels in meiotic and postmeiotic germ cells and, at much lower levels, also in Sertoli cells. Treatment with cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) analogs of cultured Sertoli cells from postnatal testis completely abolishes Sry mRNA expression. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Robust channel estimation scheme for the TDS-OFDM based digital television terrestrial broadcasting system

As an effective technique for combating multipath fading and for high-bit-rate transmission over wireless channels, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is extensively used in modern digital television terrestrial broadcasting (DTTB) systems to support high performance bandwidth-efficient multimedia services. In practical DTTB system, there always exists phase noise caused by the fluctuation of the receiver and transmitter oscillators. Therefore, we should consider the effects of phase noise when designing the channel estimation scheme for the DTTB system. In this paper, we propose a robust channel estimation scheme for the time domain synchronous OFDM (TDS-OFDM) based DTTB system with phase noise. The system performance studies under different channel situation are used to verify the efficiency of the proposed scheme.
Photoactivation of Akt1/GSK3β Isoform‐Specific Signaling Axis Promotes Pancreatic β‐Cell Regeneration

Promotion of insulin‐secreting β‐cell regeneration in patients with diabetes is a promising approach for diabetes therapy, which can contribute to rescue the uncontrolled hyperglycemia. Low‐power laser irradiation (LPLI) has been demonstrated to regulate multiple physiological processes both in vitro and in vivo through activation of various signaling pathways. In the present study, we showed that LPLI promoted β‐cell replication and cell cycle progression through activation of Akt1/GSK3β isoform‐specific signaling axis. Inhibition of PI3‐K/Akt or GSK3 with specific inhibitors dramatically reduced or increased LPLI‐induced β‐cell replication, revealing Akt/GSK3 signaling axis was involved in β‐cell replication and survival upon LPLI treatment. Furthermore, the results of shRNA‐mediated knock down of Akt/GSK3 isoforms revealed that Akt1/GSK3β isoform‐specific signaling axis regulated β‐cell replication and survival in response to LPLI, but not Akt2/GSK3α. The mechanism by which LPLI promoted β‐cell replication through Akt1/GSK3β signaling axis involved activation of β‐catenin and down‐regulation of p21. Taken together, these observations suggest that Akt1/GSK3β isoform signaling axis play a key role in β‐cell replication and survival induced by LPLI. Moreover, our findings suggest that activation of Akt1/GSK3β isoform signaling axis by LPLI may provide guidance in practical applications for β‐cell regenerative therapies. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 1741–1754, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The ALMA detection of CO rotational line emission in AGB stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Context. Low- and intermediate-mass stars lose most of their stellar mass at the end of their lives on the asymptotic giant branch (AGB). Determining gas and dust mass-loss rates (MLRs) is important in quantifying the contribution of evolved stars to the enrichment of the interstellar medium. Aims. This study attempts to spectrally resolve CO thermal line emission in a small sample of AGB stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Methods. The Atacama Large Millimeter Array was used to observe two OH/IR stars and four carbon stars in the LMC in the CO J = 2−1 line. Results. We present the first measurement of expansion velocities in extragalactic carbon stars. All four C stars are detected and wind expansion velocities and stellar velocities are directly measured. Mass-loss rates are derived from modelling the spectral energy distribution and Spitzer/IRS spectrum with the DUSTY code. The derived gas-to-dust ratios allow the predicted velocities to agree with the observed gas-to-dust ratios. The expansion velocities and MLRs are compared to a Galactic sample of well-studied relatively low MLRs stars supplemented with extreme C stars with properties that are more similar to the LMC targets. Gas MLRs derived from a simple formula are significantly smaller than those derived from dust modelling, indicating an order of magnitude underestimate of the estimated CO abundance, time-variable mass loss, or that the CO intensities in LMC stars are lower than predicted by the formula derived for Galactic objects. This could be related to a stronger interstellar radiation field in the LMC. Conclusions. Although the LMC sample is small and the comparison to Galactic stars is non-trivial because of uncertainties in their distances (hence luminosities), it appears that for C stars the wind expansion velocities in the LMC are lower than in the solar neighbourhood, while the MLRs appear to be similar. This is in agreement with dynamical dust-driven wind models.
Impact of Toceranib/Piroxicam/Cyclophosphamide Maintenance Therapy on Outcome of Dogs with Appendicular Osteosarcoma following Amputation and Carboplatin Chemotherapy: A Multi-Institutional Study

Background We hypothesized that the addition of toceranib to metronomic cyclophosphamide/piroxicam therapy would significantly improve disease-free interval (DFI) and overall survival (OS) in dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma (OSA) following amputation and carboplatin chemotherapy. Methods and Findings This was a randomized, prospective clinical trial in which dogs with OSA free of gross metastatic disease (n = 126) received carboplatin chemotherapy (4 doses) following amputation. On study entry, dogs were randomized to receive piroxicam/cyclophosphamide with or without toceranib (n = 63 each) after completing chemotherapy. Patient demographics were not significantly different between both groups. During or immediately following carboplatin chemotherapy, 32 dogs (n = 13 toceranib; n = 19 control) developed metastatic disease, and 13 dogs left the study due to other medical conditions or owner preference. Following carboplatin chemotherapy, 81 dogs (n = 46 toceranib; n = 35 control) received the metronomic treatment; 35 dogs (n = 20 toceranib; n = 15 control) developed metastatic disease during the maintenance therapy, and 26 dogs left the study due to other medical conditions or owner preference. Nine toceranib-treated and 11 control dogs completed the study without evidence of metastatic disease 1-year following amputation. Toceranib-treated dogs experienced more episodes of diarrhea, neutropenia and weight loss than control dogs, although these toxicities were low-grade and typically resolved with supportive care. More toceranib-treated dogs (n = 8) were removed from the study for therapy-associated adverse events compared to control dogs (n = 1). The median DFI for control and toceranib treated dogs was 215 and 233 days, respectively (p = 0.274); the median OS for control and toceranib treated dogs was 242 and 318 days, respectively (p = 0.08). The one year survival rate for control dogs was 35% compared to 38% for dogs receiving toceranib. Conclusions The addition of toceranib to metronomic piroxicam/cyclophosphamide therapy following amputation and carboplatin chemotherapy did not improve median DFI, OS or the 1-year survival rate in dogs with OSA.
Thermal Transport in Semiconductor Nanowires

Since the late 1990’s semiconductor NWs research is in expansion because of the huge num‐ ber of potential applications of these one dimensional structures. This research effort is giv‐ en expression as a vast number of research articles. Semiconductor NWs are the building blocks of advanced nanodevices; e. g. field effect transistors, interconnects, heterostructured devices, as vertically oriented nanoscale laser diodes and HBTs, thermoelectric converters, photovoltaic devices, and sensors [1-5].
Value Withdrawal Explanation in CSP

This work is devoted to constraint solving motivated by the debugging of constraint logic programs a la GNU-Prolog. The paper focuses only on the constraints. In this framework, constraint solving amounts to domain reduction. A computation is formalized by a chaotic iteration. The computed result is described as a closure. This model is well suited to the design of debugging notions and tools, for example failure explanations or error diagnosis. In this paper we detail an application of the model to an explanation of a value withdrawal in a domain. Some other works have already shown the interest of such a notion of explanation not only for failure analysis.
CARS-AD: a context-aware recommender system to decide about implicit or explicit authentication in ubihealth

Mobile devices using traditional authentication processes are vulnerable and inadequate. New approaches must be considered for solving this problem: environmental characteristics, device limitations and information obtained from sensors. This paper presents a recommendation system approach for information systems based on user behavior and information context in which the users are located. The recommendation system has been defined and deployed through filtering processes (content-based, collaborative and hybrid). The behavior is defined by the events and the actions that comprise the user activities. The experimental results indicate: (i) a more dynamic and autonomic mechanism for authenticating users in a pervasive mobile environment, and (ii) an efficiency improvement in detecting anomalies on authentication by using a similarity model and space-time permutation.
Model-based On-board Monitoring for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract Monitoring of lithium-ion batteries is a challenging task due to the nonlinear behavior, especially on-board a vehicle. In this article, a model-based monitoring method for an automotive battery pack is presented based on a linear parameter-varying model. The model is obtained by system identification using cell measurement data and extended to the battery pack. It is shown how such a model can be used either for cell temperature monitoring or for monitoring of the state of health of the battery. Results are demonstrated using driving cycle measurements from a battery pack for hybrid vehicles.
Multi-target pitch tracking of vibrato sources in noise using the GM-PHD filter

Probabilistic approaches to tracking often use single-source Bayesian models; applying these to multi-source tasks is problematic. We apply a principled multi-object tracking implementation, the Gaussian mixture probability hypothesis density filter, to track multiple sources having fixed pitch plus vibrato. We demonstrate high-quality ltering in a synthetic experiment, and nd improved tracking using a richer feature set which captures underlying dynamics. Our implementation is available as open-source Python code.