Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance of Wireless Sensor Network Simulators using Ad-hoc On Demand Distance Vector ( AODV ) Protocol

Simulation in wireless networks is very important before the real time implementation of any project. For this purpose Design Engineers and Research community first simulate the networks design and then go for the implementation of any project. These will help to build new theories and hypothesis. Right from the invention of Wireless networks a number of simulators are available and up gradation, enhancement in characteristics is being done for the Network simulators. Few examples of these Simulators available are NS-2, NS-3, SWAN, JIST, OPNET, GloMoSim etc. The crucial decision for selecting the simulator depends upon its evaluating characteristics such as speed of evaluation, Memory usage for running the simulator, utilization of the CPU cycles and Scalability by simulating a routing protocol. Therefore it becomes important to choose the simulator accordingly depending upon the project.
Camera Pose and Focal Length Estimation Using Regularized Distance Constraints

Camera pose and intrinsic parameters estimation from n 2D-to-3D point correspondences is a known problem in computer vision and photogrammetry. Depending on the set of unknown parameters, the problem is called Perspective-n-Point (PnP) when only absolute camera pose is unknown or PnPf when focal length is unknown as well. Projection error functions are highly non-convex in focal length, so before methods for PnPf were published, the only choice was to do exhaustive search not suitable for real-time applications. The EPnP method was extended to PnPf problem in [4], we refer to this method as UPnPf. RPnP inspired the authors of [5] to propose a method GPnPf+GN for PnPf problem. They use angle constraints to build specific polynomial system and solve it, then they use nonlinear refinement with Gauss-Newton algorithm. It gave superior results to [4] both in speed and accuracy in general case, and was more accurate in planar case, although UPnPf [4] was faster. This paper is devoted to a method for PnPf problem for arbitrary amount of points, more or equal to 6. We consider both planar and nonplanar cases. We fix the space of the search as a linear combination of several right singular vectors of the least squares system matrix. We use linear programming techniques to find feasible solutions faster. Then we do nonlinear refinement with Levenberg-Marquardt. The barycentric representation of 3D points allows to express n 3D points pi as a frame-independent linear combination of 4 basis points c j:
Building robust real-time game AI: simplifying & automating integral process steps in multi-platform design

Digital games are part of our culture and have gained significant attention over the last decade. The growing capabilities of home computers, gaming consoles and mobile phones allow current games to visualise 3D virtual worlds, photo-realistic characters and the inclusion of complex physical simulations. The growing computational power of those devices enables the usage of complex algorithms while visualising data. Therefore, opportunities arise for developers of interactive products such as digital games which introduce new, challenging and exciting elements to the next generation of highly interactive software systems. Two of those challenges, which current systems do not address adequately, are design support for creating Intelligent Virtual Agents and more believable non-player characters for immersive game-play. We start in this thesis by addressing the agent design support first and then extend the research, addressing the second challenge. The main contributions of this thesis are: - The POSH-SHARP system is a framework for the development of game agents. The platform is modular, extendable, offers multi-platform support and advanced software development features such as behaviour inspection and behaviour versioning. The framework additionally integrates an advanced information exchange mechanism supporting loose behaviour coupling. - The Agile behaviour design methodology integrates agile software development and agent design. To guide users, the approach presents a work-flow for agent design and guiding heuristics for their development. - The action selection augmentation ERGo introduces a "white-box" solution to altering existing agent frameworks, making their agents less deterministic. It augments selected behaviours with a bio-mimetic memory to track and adjust their activation over time. With the new approach to agent design, the development of "deepagent" behaviour for digital adversaries and advanced tools supporting their design is given. Such mechanisms should enable developers to build robust non-player characters that act more human-like in an efficient and robust manner. Within this thesis, different strategies are identified to support the design of agents in a more robust manner and to guide developers. These discussed mechanisms are then evolved to develop and design Intelligent Virtual Agents. Because humans are still the best measurement for human-likeness, the evolutionary cycle involves feedback given by human players.
The true logic of the world is in the calculus of probabilities

Based on methods of structural convergence we provide a unifying view of local-global convergence, fitting to model theory and analysis. The general approach outlined here provides a possibility to extend the theory of local-global convergence to graphs with unbounded degrees. As an application, we extend previous results on continuous clustering of local convergent sequences and prove the existence of modeling quasi-limits for local-global convergent sequences of nowhere dense graphs. The true logic of the world is in the calculus of probabilities
Edge channels for the fractional quantum Hall effect.

Extension du concept de canal de bord a l'effet Hall quantique fractionnaire et calcul de la contribution a la conductance d'un canal de bord transmis adiabatiquement. La formule de Landauer obtenue explique les recentes observations d'une conductivite de Hall fractionnaire quantique a une valeur independante des proprietes massiques du materiau teste
Is Delayed Weightbearing After Matrix-Associated Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation in the Knee Associated With Better Outcomes? A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: Proper rehabilitation after matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) is essential to restore a patient’s normal function without overloading the repair site. Purpose: To evaluate the current literature to assess clinical outcomes of MACI in the knee based on postoperative rehabilitation protocols, namely, the time to return to full weightbearing (WB). Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: A systematic review was performed to locate studies of level 1 evidence comparing the outcomes of patients who underwent MACI with a 6-week, 8-week, or 10/11-week time period to return to full WB. Patient-reported outcomes assessed included the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Tegner activity scale, Short Form Health Survey–36 (SF-36), and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain frequency and severity. Results: Seven studies met the inclusion criteria, including a total of 136 patients (138 lesions) who underwent MACI. Treatment failure had occurred in 0.0% of patients in the 6-week group, 7.5% in the 8-week group, and 8.3% in the 10/11-week group at a mean follow-up of 2.5 years (P = .46). KOOS, SF-36, and VAS scores in each group improved significantly from preoperatively to follow-up (P < .001). Conclusion: Patients undergoing MACI in the knee can be expected to experience improvement in clinical outcomes with the rehabilitation protocols outlined in this work. No significant differences were seen in failure rates based on the time to return to full WB.
Illness in Canadian travellers and migrants from Brazil: CanTravNet surveillance data, 2013-2016.

Background In light of the 2016 summer Olympic games it is anticipated that Canadian practitioners will require information about common illnesses that may affect travellers returning from Brazil. Objective To identify the demographic and travel correlates of illness among recent Canadian travellers and migrants from Brazil attending a network of travel health clinics across Canada. Methods Data was analyzed on returned Canadian travellers and migrants presenting to a CanTravNet site for care of an illness between June 2013 and June 2016. Results During the study period, 7,707 ill travellers and migrants presented to a CanTravNet site and 89 (0.01%) acquired their illness in Brazil. Tourists were most well represented (n=45, 50.6%), followed by those travelling to "visit friends and relatives" (n=14, 15.7%). The median age was 37 years (range <1-78 years), 49 travellers were men (55.1%) and 40 were women (44.9%). Of the 40 women, 26 (65%) were of childbearing age. Nine percent (n=8) of travellers were diagnosed with arboviruses including dengue (n=6), chikungunya (n=1) and Zika virus (n=1), while another 14.6% (n=13) presented for care of non-specific viral syndrome (n=7), non-specific febrile illness (n=1), peripheral neuropathy (n=1) and non-specific rash (n=4), which are four syndromes that may be indicative of Zika virus infection. Ill returned travellers to Brazil were more likely to present for care of arboviral or Zika-like illness than other ill returned travellers to South America (23.6 per 100 travellers versus 10.5 per 100 travellers, respectively [p=0.0024]). Interpretation An epidemiologic approach to illness among returned Canadian travellers to Brazil can inform Canadian practitioners encountering both prospective and returned travellers to the Olympic games. Analysis showed that vector-borne illnesses such as dengue are common and even in this small group of travellers, both chikungunya and Zika virus were represented. It is extremely important to educate travellers about mosquito-avoidance measures in advance of travel to Brazil.
Mentalizing in Practice

I will need this entire chapter to explicate the concept of mentalizing (Fonagy, 1991), but we can get started with the idea of attending to states of mind in oneself and others – in Peter Fonagy’s apt phrase, holding mind in mind. I had been working intellectually with this concept for many months before I noticed how it was influencing the way I was conducting psychotherapy with traumatized patients. I remember the session in which theory and practice came together in my mind:
αE‐catenin is a candidate tumor suppressor for the development of E‐cadherin‐expressing lobular‐type breast cancer

Although mutational inactivation of E‐cadherin (CDH1) is the main driver of invasive lobular breast cancer (ILC), approximately 10–15% of all ILCs retain membrane‐localized E‐cadherin despite the presence of an apparent non‐cohesive and invasive lobular growth pattern. Given that ILC is dependent on constitutive actomyosin contraction for tumor development and progression, we used a combination of cell systems and in vivo experiments to investigate the consequences of α‐catenin (CTNNA1) loss in the regulation of anchorage independence of non‐invasive breast carcinoma. We found that inactivating somatic CTNNA1 mutations in human breast cancer correlated with lobular and mixed ducto‐lobular phenotypes. Further, inducible loss of α‐catenin in mouse and human E‐cadherin‐expressing breast cancer cells led to atypical localization of E‐cadherin, a rounded cell morphology, and anoikis resistance. Pharmacological inhibition experiments subsequently revealed that, similar to E‐cadherin‐mutant ILC, anoikis resistance induced by α‐catenin loss was dependent on Rho/Rock‐dependent actomyosin contractility. Finally, using a transplantation‐based conditional mouse model, we demonstrate that inducible inactivation of α‐catenin instigates acquisition of lobular features and invasive behavior. We therefore suggest that α‐catenin represents a bona fide tumor suppressor for the development of lobular‐type breast cancer and as such provides an alternative event to E‐cadherin inactivation, adherens junction (AJ) dysfunction, and subsequent constitutive actomyosin contraction. © 2018 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Therapies for mobility disability in persons with multiple sclerosis

ABSTRACT Introduction: Mobility disability is one of the most widespread and impactful consequences of multiple sclerosis (MS). Disease modifying drugs (DMDs) may delay the progression of disability over time; however, there is minimal evidence supporting the efficacy of DMDs for reversing mobility disability or restoring ambulatory function in persons with MS. Areas covered: This review outlines symptomatic pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapeutic approaches that target mobility disability with the goal of restoring and improving walking function. First, the efficacy of dalfampridine, currently the only Food and Drug Administration approved symptomatic pharmacologic agent that improves walking in persons with MS is described. Next, a review of the efficacy of non-pharmacologic therapies for improving walking, including exercise training, physical therapy, and gait training is given. Last, guidance on future research on mobility in MS is provided by emphasizing the importance of combinatory treatment approaches that include multiple intervention modalities, as the best treatment plan likely involves a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach. Expert commentary: There has been an increased effort to develop symptom-specific treatments in MS that directly target mobility disability; however, more research is needed to determine the efficacy of these rehabilitative strategies alone and together for improving walking in persons with MS.
Preparation and Usage of Xhosa Lexicographical Data for a Multilingual, Federated Environment

The South African linguistic landscape is characterised by multilingualism and the inﬂuence between their eleven ofﬁcial and some local languages. Unfortunately, for most of the languages the amount and quality of available lexicographical data is suboptimal, even though its availability is essential for all educational institutions and for the development of state-of-the-art language technology. In this paper we present a new source of lexicographical data for Xhosa, a language spoken by more than eight million speakers. For its utilisation in a multilingual and federated environment it is modelled using a dedicated OWL ontology for Bantu languages and possesses all features that are currently considered integral for the promotion of resource reuse as well as long-term usage. In the future, the introduced ontology may be used for other Bantu languages as well and may ease their combination to achieve more extensive, multilingual data stocks.
Is general practice identification of prior cardiovascular disease at the time of CVD risk assessment accurate and does it matter?

AIMS To determine the accuracy of general practice recording of prior cardiovascular disease (CVD) at the time of CVD risk assessment and whether recording impacts on CVD management. METHODS Prior CVD status entered at the time of a first CVD risk assessment from 2002-2015 was compared to prior ischaemic CVD hospitalisations from national datasets using anonymous linkage with an encrypted National Health Index identifier. Clinical factors associated with inaccurate recording of prior events were identified using multivariable logistic regression. The impact of recording accuracy was assessed by the dispensing of CVD preventive medications in the six months after first CVD risk assessment. RESULTS Among 454,369 people aged 35-74 years who had CVD risk assessments, 30,924 (6.8%) had previously been admitted with ischaemic CVD. Of these people, only 61% were recorded as having prior CVD during risk assessment, with better recording for coronary and stroke events than for peripheral vascular procedures. Inaccurate primary care recording was more likely for younger people (<55 years), women, Māori, Pacific, Indian and Asian ethnic groups whereas smokers and people with diabetes were more likely to have prior CVD correctly identified. Over more than a decade, the odds of inaccurate recording during risk assessment increased [OR 1.09 (95% CIs 1.08-1.10)]. If prior CVD was entered at the time of risk assessment then dispensing of blood pressure-lowering, lipid-lowering, antiplatelet/anticoagulant medications, separately or together, was higher (86%, 85%, 83% and 69%, respectively) than if not recorded (70%, 60%, 60% and 43%). CONCLUSIONS Overall, 39% of people with prior CVD hospitalisations were not recorded as having prior CVD when their CVD risk was first assessed in general practice. This was associated with inequities in evidence-based risk management. System-based measures are required for robust data sharing at the time of clinical decision making.
Picophytoplankton in Freshwater Ecosystems: The Importance of Small-Sized Phototrophs

Abstract About 40 years have passed since the discovery of picophytoplankton; the present knowledge of the taxonomy physiology and ecology of these tiny photoautotrophic cells offers new perspectives on the importance of the microbial contribution to global biogeochemical cycles and food webs. This review focuses on the relationships among the components of picophytoplankton (picocyanobacteria and the picoplanktic eukaryotes) and biotic and abiotic environmental factors. The dynamics of picophytoplankton in aquatic ecosystems are strictly dependent upon basin size and trophy, temperature, and nutrient and light limitation, but they are also regulated by grazing and viral-induced lysis. The review considers: the pros and cons of the molecular approach to the study of the taxonomy of freshwater Synechococcus spp. ; the importance of ecological aspects in understanding the puzzle of picophytoplankton phylogeny (genotype vs ecotype); and the role of biotic vs abiotic interactions in controlling picophytoplankton dynamics. Biotic, top-down control mechanisms are reviewed as well as knowledge of other biological interactions.
Container-Based Virtualization for Heterogeneous HPC Clouds: Insights from the EU H2020 CloudLightning Project

Building and successfully deploying applications on high-end heterogeneous resources such as GPUs, MICs or FPGAs, and typically with several library dependencies, is a complex task. Modern containerization provides a lightweight virtualization environment which can help solve some of these complex deployment and execution issues. By using containers, the software can be packaged with all the dependencies and tested in a single environment and deployable on heterogeneous architectures, easily. In this paper, we present our experiences with the container-based virtualized solutions that we developed for the use case applications in the EU H2020 project CloudLightning. We present specifics on their management and orchestration with specific software on the heterogeneous resources of our test-bed. The use cases include a Genomics application targeting FPGA-based DFEs, an Upscaling application for reservoir modeling, a ray tracing application targeting the MIC (Intel Xeon Phi co-processor), and a BLAS application with libraries, optimized for both CPU and GPU. An overview of the CloudLightning project and how the use case applications have been developed to be used as cloud services in the self-organizing, self-managing cloud technology, is also included.
Power consumption of multicore digital signal processor: Theoretical analysis and real applications

This paper presents the power consumption measurement performed on the multi-core digital signal processor. The selected processor TMS320C6678 from Texas Instruments is suitable for high performance computing, and it is based on very long instruction word architecture. Each core consists of 8 functional units, but the processor's instruction packets do not require specific operations for all functional units at every CPU cycle. Both theoretical and real-world applications are proposed in the paper and the measurement results show, how power consumption can be affected by using different functional units, as well as the different types of instructions. A model of power consumption on this platform has been proposed for a particular instruction setup.
Learning Representations of Spatial Displacement through Sensorimotor Prediction

Robots act in their environment through sequences of continuous motor commands. Because of the dimensionality of the motor space, as well as the infinite possible combinations of successive motor commands, agents need compact representations that capture the structure of the resulting displacements. In the case of an autonomous agent with no a priori knowledge about its sensorimotor apparatus, this compression has to be learned. We propose to use Recurrent Neural Networks to encode motor sequences into a compact representation, which is used to predict the consequence of motor sequences in term of sensory changes. We show that sensory prediction can successfully guide the compression of motor sequences into representations that are organized topologically in term of spatial displacement.
Does Gold Act as a Hedge or a Safe Haven for Stocks?

This study deals with the issue whether gold actually exhibits the function of a hedge or a safe haven as often referred to in the media and academia. In order to test the Baur and Lucey [2010] hypotheses, we contribute to the existing literature by the augmentation of their model to a smooth transition regression (STR) using an exponential transition function which splits the regression model into two extreme regimes. One accounts for periods in which stock returns are on average and therefore allows to test whether gold acts as a hedge for stocks, the other one accounts for periods characterized by extreme market conditions where the volatility of the stock returns is high. The latter state enables us to test whether gold can be regarded as a safe haven for stocks. The study includes a broad set of 18 individual markets as well as five regional indices and covers a sample period running from January 1970 to March 2012 on a monthly frequency. Overall, our fi ndings show that gold serves as a hedge and a safe haven. However, this ability seems to be market-specific. In addition, by applying a portfolio analysis we also show that our findings are useful for investors.
Comparison of Fuzzy Algorithms on Images

Image segmentation is a process by which an image is partitioned into regions with similar features. Many approaches have been proposed for image segmentation, but generally we use Fuzzy C-Means method, because it gives better results for large class of images. However, using this method is not suitable for images with noise and it is a lengthy process in terms of duration when compared with other method. For this reason, many other methods have been proposed to improve the shortcomings of image segmentation using fuzzy C-Means. Techniques like Credibilistic Fuzzy C-Means overcomes the problem of noise persisted using FCM. Intuitionistic Fuzzy C-Means introduces the concept of non-membership for a cluster. Krishnapuram and Keller [1] suggested usage of Possibilistic CMeans clustering which relaxes the column constraint of FCM so that membership matrix better reflects the typicality of particular data point in a cluster and noise could be avoided. We perform a comparison of these clustering algorithms on the basis of execution time and validity function for each algorithm applied on different kind of images taken in consideration.