Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phase II monitoring of covariance stationary autocorrelated processes

Statistical process control charts are intended to assist operators in detecting process changes. If a process change does occur, the control chart should detect the change quickly. Owing to the recent advancements in data retrieval and storage technologies, today's industrial processes are becoming increasingly autocorrelated. As a result, in this paper we investigate a process‐monitoring tool for autocorrelated processes that quickly responds to process mean shifts regardless of the magnitude of the change, while supplying useful diagnostic information upon signaling. A likelihood ratio approach was used to develop a phase II control chart for a permanent step change in the mean of an ARMA (p, q) (autoregressive‐moving average) process. Monte Carlo simulation was used to evaluate the average run length (ARL) performance of this chart relative to that of the more recently proposed ARMA chart. Results indicate that the proposed chart responds more quickly to process mean shifts, relative to the ARMA chart, while supplying useful diagnostic information, including the maximum likelihood estimates of the time and the magnitude of the process shift. These crucial change point diagnostics can greatly enhance the special cause investigation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Phylogeography of Orangutan Foamy Viruses Supports the Theory of Ancient Repopulation of Sumatra

ABSTRACT Phylogenetic analysis of foamy virus sequences obtained from Bornean and Sumatran orangutans showed a distinct clustering pattern. One subcluster was represented by both Bornean and Sumatran orangutan simian foamy viruses (SFV). Combined analysis of host mitochondrial DNA and SFV phylogeny provided evidence for the hypothesis of the repopulation of Sumatra by orangutans from Borneo.
Toward Blind Scheduling in Mobile Media Cloud: Fairness, Simplicity, and Asymptotic Optimality

Recent advances in mobile media cloud (MMC) make it possible for users to enjoy the multimedia applications at anytime and anywhere. Most existing scheduling algorithms for MMC assume that the system parameters, such as user demand rate and server service time, are known to the scheduler. However, this assumption is invalid in many practical scenarios. In this paper, we consider a blind scenario where the above system parameters are unavailable. We aim at developing a blind scheduling algorithm (BSA) that performs well across magnitudes of fairness, simplicity and asymptotic optimality for a relatively general MMC. Specifically, the blind scheduling is first formulated as a finite time horizon optimization problem and fairness is required to be maintained at each time point with a given probability from the scheduler. Next, BSA routes the new users to the media service provider (MSP) whose weighted idle time is the longest, then assigns the available MSPs according to the fairness on the idle time. Importantly, we demonstrate that BSA is asymptotically optimal in the Halfin-Whitt heavy traffic (HWHT) regime. The asymptotic optimality is in the sense that the scheduling asymptotically and stochastically minimizes the steady-state waiting time of all the users. Our analysis also shows that in the HWHT regime the heterogeneous MSP system outperforms its homogeneous MSP counterpart in terms of the user waiting time. Moreover, we apply BSA to the program recommendation system and investigate its property.
Real-Time Hand Grasp Recognition Using Weakly Supervised Two-Stage Convolutional Neural Networks for Understanding Manipulation Actions

Understanding human hand usage is one of the richest information source to recognize human manipulation actions. Since humans use various tools during actions, grasp recognition gives important cues to figure out humans' intention and tasks. Earlier studies analyzed grasps with positions of hand joints by attaching sensors, but since these types of sensors prevent humans from naturally conducting actions, visual approaches have been focused in recent years. Convolutional neural networks require a vast annotated dataset, but, to our knowledge, no human grasping dataset includes ground truth of hand regions. In this paper, we propose a grasp recognition method only with image-level labels by the weakly supervised learning framework. In addition, we split the grasp recognition process into two stages that are hand localization and grasp classification so as to speed up. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms existing methods and can perform in real-time.
Clinical considerations in study designs that use cotinine as a biomarker

Subjects enrolled in studies are not always screened for routine habits such as smoking. Personal history is not always reliable and therefore an objective biomarker is necessary to screen for smokers. The objectives of this article were to review the metabolism of nicotine and other metabolic considerations associated with smoking; to review some of the routine methods used to assess exposure to nicotine-containing products; to revisit cotinine breakpoints utilized to distinguish smokers from non-smokers during screening for clinical trials; to assess the utility of screening questions regarding smoking practices; and to recommend standards for clinical pharmacology studies. The results indicated that cotinine levels serve as a useful biomarker of tobacco exposure; racial issues may be clinically relevant in determining smoking status; cessation of smoking should occur at least 14 days prior to the start of the study; adverse effects from nicotine withdrawal such as craving, hunger and weight gain may persist for more than 6 months; potential metabolic interactions via cytochrome P2A6 and P1A2 need to be considered when designing a study; and the use of a single calibrator as a breakpoint is acceptable if a categorical outcome such as 'smoker' versus 'non-smoker' is desired. Nicotine from food products is not expected to impact assay sensitivity or to be clinically relevant; a serum cotinine concentration of 10 ng ml−1 be employed as a breakpoint for non-smokers versus smokers; other non-invasive alternatives are collection of urine, saliva, or hair (with suggested breakpoints of 200 ng ml−1, 5 ng ml−1 and 0.3 ng mg−1, respectively; screening questions be accompanied by testing for cotinine; and the inclusion of smokers in studies should be considered once the impact of smoking on the targeted population is understood.
Co‐Culture of Neurons and Microglia

Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, have been implicated in numerous neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases. Activation of microglia by a variety of stimuli induces the release of factors, including pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species, that contribute to modulating neuro‐inflammation and oxidative stress, two crucial processes linked to disorders of the central nervous system. The in vitro techniques described here will provide a set of protocols for the isolation and plating of primary cerebellar granule neurons, primary cortical microglia from a mixed glia culture, and methods for co‐culturing both cell types. These methods allow the study of how microglia and the factors they release in this shared environment mediate the effects of toxicants on neuronal function and survival. The protocols presented here allow for flexibility in experimental design, the study of numerous toxicological endpoints, and the opportunity to explore neuroprotective strategies. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Surface plasmon-enhanced two-photon fluorescence microscopy for live cell membrane imaging

A surface plasmon-enhanced two-photon total-internal-reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscope has been developed to provide the fluorescent images of living cell membranes. The proposed microscope with the helps of surface plasmons (SPs) not only provides brighter fluorescent images based on the mechanism of local electromagnetic field enhancement, but also reduces photobleaching due to having shorter fluorophore lifetime. In comparison with one-photon TIRF, the two-photon TIRF can achieve higher signal-to-noise ratio cell membrane imaging due its smaller excitation volume and lower scattering. Combining with the SP enhancement and two-photon excitation TIRF, the microscope has demonstrated the brighter and more contrast fluorescence membrane images of living monkey kidney COS-7 fibroblasts transfected with an EYFP-MEM or EGFP-WOX1 construct.
Virtual Network Function Orchestration with Scylla

Network Function Virtualization promises to reduce the cost to deploy and to operate large networks by migrating various network functions from dedicated hardware appliances to software instances running on general purpose networking and computing platforms. In this paper we demonstrate Scylla a Programmable Network Fabric architecture for Enterprise WLANs. The framework supports basic Virtual Network Function lifecycle management functionalities such as instantiation, monitoring, and migration. We release the entire platform under a permissive license for academic use.
Sessile Serrated Adenomas: How to Detect, Characterize and Resect

Serrated polyps are important contributors to the burden of colorectal cancers (CRC). These lesions were once considered to have no malignant potential, but currently up to 30% of all CRC are recognized to arise from the serrated neoplasia pathway. The primary premalignant lesions are sessile serrated adenomas/polyps (SSA/Ps), although traditional serrated adenomas are relatively uncommon. Compared to conventional adenomas, SSA/Ps are morphologically subtle with indistinct borders, may be difficult to detect endoscopically, are more prevalent than previously thought, are associated with synchronous and metachronous advanced neoplasia, and have a higher risk of incomplete resection. Although many lesions remain “dormant,” progressive disease is associated with the development of dysplasia and more rapid progression to CRC. As a result, SSA/Ps are strongly implicated in the development of interval cancers. These factors represent unique challenges that require a meticulous approach to their management. In this review, we summarize the contemporary literature on the characterization, detection and resection of SSA/Ps.
Target fragmentation of Au and Th by 2.6 GeV protons.

Target residues from the reaction of 2.6 GeV protons with gold and thorium nuclei have been studied with radiochemical techniques. Chemical separations were used to enhance the sensitivity for detecting target residues in the near-target region. These data are compared to a new empirical parametrization of the mass and charge yields of fragmentation, or spallation, products based on a comprehensive analysis of data in the literature. Data include results from both projectile and target fragmentation studies. The new near-target residues provide significant new insight into the variation of the cross sections of products near in mass to the target (or projectile). The results of this study and the empirical description are compared to the internuclear-cascade model of these reactions.
Measurements of a compact surface wave launcher array with application to single frequency beam steering leaky wave antennas

Surface wave launchers have been used to feed leaky wave antennae. We present here for the first time measured results of a two element CPW-fed surface wave launcher array. It was shown at 22 GHz that this array can beam steer the surface wave 40deg. Array fabrication, measurement set-up and signal processing will also be described in the paper.
The use of EEG modifications due to motor imagery for brain-computer interfaces

The opening of a communication channel between brain and computer [brain-computer interface (BCI)] is possible by using changes in electroencephalogram (EEG) power spectra related to the imagination of movements. In this paper, we present results obtained by recording EEG during an upper limb motor imagery task in a total of 18 subjects by using low-resolution surface Laplacian, different linear and quadratic classifiers, as well as a variable number of scalp electrodes, from 2 to 26. The results (variable correct classification rate of mental imagery between 75% and 95%) suggest that it is possible to recognize quite reliably ongoing mental movement imagery for BCI applications.
Inverse Gaussian shared frailty models based on reversed hazard rate

Frailty models are used in the survival analysis to account for the unobserved heterogeneity in individual risks to disease and death. To analyze the bivariate data on related survival times, the shared frailty models were suggested. In this paper, we introduce the shared inverse Gaussian frailty model based on the reversed hazard rate with the three baseline distributions, namely, log-logistic distribution, the inverse Weibull distribution and the generalized Weibull distribution. We introduce the Bayesian estimation procedure using the Markov Chain Monte Carlo technique to estimate the parameters involved in the model. We present a simulation study and show that the estimates of the parameters are very close to true values of the parameters. We apply the proposed models to the Australian twin data set and suggest a better model from the proposed eight models for Australian twin data set.
Electric potential near a tip of a local discharge on a conductive film

To develop a propagation model of a local discharge on a wet polluted insulator, the authors have examined characteristics of the local discharge on an electrolytic solution simulating the wet polluted insulator surface. The local discharge was propagated on the solution under the impulse voltage. A shape of a contacting surface between the local discharge and the solution has been already obtained by the authors. By using the contacting surface, an electric potential near a tip of the local discharge on a conductive film of 1 mm in thickness was calculated. Furthermore, the potential was measured with a probe. The calculated values and the measured values of the electric potential agreed well regardless of the propagation length of the local discharge, the width of the conductive film, the resistivity of the conductive film, the peak value of the applied voltage and the applied voltage waveform.
Active and Reactive Power Control Strategy for Grid-Connected Six-Phase Generator by using Multi-Modular Matrix Converters

This paper proposes an active and reactive power control strategy based on predictive control approaches applied to gridconnected renewable energy systems. To accomplish this a multi-modular matrix converter topologies are used in combination with a simple but efficient grid synchronization strategy. The theoretical performance analysis is performed considering a six-phase wind energy generator system interconnected with the grid. Results based on a MATLAB/Simulink simulation environment are discussed and the most relevant characteristics of the proposed control technique are highlighted considering the total harmonic distortion and the mean squared error as a parameters of performance.
Variability in the Region Downstream of the blaCMY-2 β-Lactamase Gene in Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica Plasmids

ABSTRACT We used sequencing and PCR mapping to investigate the regions flanking the blaCMY-2 β-lactamase gene carried by plasmids from Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica. Results revealed genetic heterogeneity in the region downstream from blaCMY-2 and identified a putative transposable element bearing blaCMY-2.
Modeling and Control of the Twisted String Actuation System

The innovative actuation concept presented in this paper allows the implementation of powerful, simple, compact, and light-weight tendon-based driving systems, using as actuators small-size dc motors characterized by high speed and low torque. Due to its properties, this actuation system is very well suited for implementation in highly integrated robotic devices. The basic working principle of this novel actuation system is introduced, and the constitutive equations of the system are given, together with their experimental validation. Driven by the necessity of controlling the actuation force in the robotic hand, the problem of tracking a desired force profile is tackled. With the aim of guaranteeing a high level of robustness against disturbances, a control algorithm based on a second-order sliding manifold has first been evaluated by means of simulations and then validated by experiments. The results obtained with this simple and compact actuation system demonstrate its suitability for use in robotic devices such as robotic hands.
Follow the Leader? Zur Verteilung von Aufmerksamkeit in digitalen Öffentlichkeiten

Der vorliegende Beitrag befasst sich mit den Mechanismen der Ungleichverteilung von Aufmerksamkeit in sozialen Medien am Fallbeispiel des Twitter-Diskurses rund um die UN-Konferenz fur nachhaltige Entwicklung in Rio 2012, kurz Rio+20. Ungleichheit wird aus einer offentlichkeitstheoretischen Perspektive diskutiert und anschliesend werden mithilfe von Georg Francks „Okonomie der Aufmerksamkeit“ Kategorien fur die Untersuchung verschiedener Typen computervermittelter Kommunikationsplattformen entwickelt. Fur das Fallbeispiel wird in einem ersten Schritt gezeigt, dass die Aufmerksamkeit, die den beteiligten TwitternutzerInnen zuteilwird, grob ungleich verteilt ist. Anschliesend werden jene sozialen und technischen Mechanismen beleuchtet, die diese Ungleichverteilung (mit-)bedingen. Der Autor argumentiert schlieslich, dass Letztere nicht nur eine konkrete Ausformung der Kommunikationsstrukturen ist, sondern vielmehr eines der grundlegenden Funktionsprinzipien sozialer Medien dieses Typs darstellt.
A New Antifouling Bioassay Monitoring Brown Algal Spore Swimming Behaviour in the Presence of Echinoderm Extracts

Epibiosis, the colonization of biogenic surfaces by epibiotic organisms such as bacteria, filamentous algae, and sessile invertebrates, poses a major threat to the fitness and survival of macroorganisms which could potentially be fouled. Fouling of artificial submerged structures can also cause severe economic problems, making the need for refined bioassays to determine the efficacy of potential antifouling compounds even more important. The aim of this study was to use the distinct swimming behaviour of zoospores of the fouling brown alga Hincksia irregularis to develop a new laboratory antifouling bioassay to test the effect of marine natural products. Spores were exposed to different concentrations of aqueous and organic extracts from body walls of sympatric echinoderms (Asteroidea: Luidia clathrata, Astropecten articulatus; Ophiuroidea: Astrocyclus caecilia). Computer-assisted motion analysis was used to distinguish between the straight and fast swimming movements of undisturbed spores (controls) and the helical and erratic swimming patterns of chemically irritated spores, using the quantitative parameters rate of direction change (RCD) and swimming speed (SPD). The ratio RCD/SPD of spore swimming paths at extract treatments compared to controls can be used to quantify the detrimental effect of echinoderm extracts. Echinoderm extracts had significant effects on spore swimming behaviour at concentrations three orders of magnitude lower than that present naturally in the echinoderm body walls (mg extract/dry weight echinoderm body wall). Comparative studies on spore settlement and germination under similar treatment conditions show that changes in spore swimming behaviour reflect decreased fitness and survivourship of algal spores. It is suggested that this bioassay can be used to screen potential antifouling extracts and compounds at very low concentrations, making this assay particularly suitable for detection of concentration dependent effects and for bioassay-guided fractionation of extracts to identify active compounds.
Globus pallidus degeneration and clinicopathological features of Huntington disease

Numerous studies have focused on striatal neurodegeneration in Huntington disease (HD). In comparison, the globus pallidus (GP), a main striatal output nucleus, has received less focus in HD research. This study characterizes the pattern of neurodegeneration in 3 subdivisions of the human GP, and its relation to clinical symptomatology.
Tissue-Specific Differences in the Development of Insulin Resistance in a Mouse Model for Type 1 Diabetes

Although insulin resistance is known to underlie type 2 diabetes, its role in the development of type 1 diabetes has been gaining increasing interest. In a model of type 1 diabetes, the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse, we found that insulin resistance driven by lipid- and glucose-independent mechanisms is already present in the liver of prediabetic mice. Hepatic insulin resistance is associated with a transient rise in mitochondrial respiration followed by increased production of lipid peroxides and c-Jun N-terminal kinase activity. At the onset of diabetes, increased adipose tissue lipolysis promotes myocellular diacylglycerol accumulation. This is paralleled by increased myocellular protein kinase C θ activity and serum fetuin A levels. Muscle mitochondrial oxidative capacity is unchanged at the onset but decreases at later stages of diabetes. In conclusion, hepatic and muscle insulin resistance manifest at different stages and involve distinct cellular mechanisms during the development of diabetes in the NOD mouse.
The Tec Kinases Itk and Rlk Regulate NKT Cell Maturation, Cytokine Production, and Survival1

The Tec kinases Itk and Rlk are required for efficient positive selection of conventional CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the thymus. In contrast, recent studies have shown that these Tec kinases are dispensable for the development of CD8+ T cells with characteristics of innate T cells. These findings raise questions about the potential role of Itk and Rlk in NKT cell development, because NKT cells represent a subset of innate T cells. To address this issue, we examined invariant NKT cells in Itk−/− and Itk/Rlk−/− mice. We find, as has been reported previously, that Itk−/− mice have reduced numbers of NKT cells with a predominantly immature phenotype. We further show that this defect is greatly exacerbated in the absence of both Itk and Rlk, leading to a 7-fold reduction in invariant NKT cell numbers in the thymus of Itk/Rlk−/− mice and a more severe block in NKT cell maturation. Splenic Itk−/− and Itk/Rlk−/− NKT cells are also functionally defective, because they produce little to no cytokine following in vivo activation. Tec kinase-deficient NKT cells also show enhanced cell death in the spleen. These defects correlate with greatly diminished expression of CD122, the IL-2R/IL-15R β-chain, and impaired expression of the T-box transcription factor, T-bet. These data indicate that the Tec kinases Itk and Rlk provide important signals for terminal maturation, efficient cytokine production, and peripheral survival of NKT cells.