Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Survivability Modeling and Resource Planning for Self-Repairing Reconfigurable Device Fabrics

A resilient system design problem is formulated as the quantification of uncommitted reconfigurable resources required for a system of components to survive its lifetime within mission availability specifications. We show that this survivability metric can be calculated according to the residual functionality obtained from pools of dynamically configurable elements constituting the amorphous resource pool (ARP). The ARP is depleted based on the failure rate to replenish the functionality lost in a reconfigurable fabric due to the occurrence of permanent faults during the mission lifetime. While genetic algorithms are selected for the reparation method, any probabilistic or deterministic active repair strategy is covered without loss of generality. Parameters of this model are correlated with reliability specifications of Xilinx Virtex-4 field programmable gate array devices, which are then utilized for MCNC benchmark circuits along with a realistic space mission. Calculation of the spare fabric resources which must be budgeted for a mission, maximum mission lifetime, and repair policy parameters are realized using the proposed probabilistic survivability model for soft computing-based repair strategies.
Endogenous Ouabain: Recent Advances and Controversies

In this brief article, we summarize recent reports about endogenous ouabain (EO), a cardiotonic steroid hormone. This includes analysis of mammalian EO, the discovery of EO isomers, regulation of intracellular signaling by EO, and the roles of EO in hypertension, pregnancy, and heart and kidney diseases. Novel ouabain-resistant mice that elucidate the key roles of α2 Na+ pumps and their cardiotonic steroid-binding site are also discussed. EO was first identified in human plasma 25 years ago.1,2 Despite confirmation in humans and other mammals with mass spectrometry (MS; Figure; Figures S1–S6 in the online-only Data Supplement), nuclear magnetic resonance, and combined liquid chromatography (LC)–immunology methods,3–6 human EO has remained controversial.7 New analytic studies and related findings should allay skepticism. For example, employment of multistage MS (MS–MS and MS–MS–MS) to examine the effects of pregnancy and of central angiotensin (Ang) II infusion on EO in rat plasma led to the discovery of 2 novel EO isomers.8,9 Isomer 1 has MS–MS and MS–MS–MS product ion spectra indistinguishable from those of EO, but is slightly more polar than EO; it binds to the antibody used in our radioimmunoassay. Isomer 2 is slightly less polar than EO, has a distinct MS–MS–MS spectrum, and cross reacts weakly in our radioimmunoassay. The primary structural difference(s) between EO and these isomers may involve the steroid nucleus. Importantly, neither isomer was previously described or is detectable in commercial (plant) ouabain.8,9 Figure. Endogenous ouabain determined by liquid chromatography (LC)–mass spectrometry (MS)–MS in plasma from patients with cardiomyopathy. A , Capillary LC–MS–MS product ion chromatogram for a plasma extract from a patient with cardiomyopathy. The ion current peaks represent positively charged molecular product ions with an M+Li+/z ratio equivalent to the lithiated aglycone of ouabagenin …
Product construction of affine codes

Binary matrix codes with restricted row and column weights are a desirable method of coded modulation for power line communication. In this work, we construct such matrix codes that are obtained as products of affine codes - cosets of binary linear codes. Additionally, the constructions have the property that they are systematic. Subsequently, we generalize our construction to irregular product of affine codes, where the component codes are affine codes of different rates.
Domain Adaptation for Dependency Parsing via Self-Training

This paper presents a successful approach for domain adaptation of a dependency parser via self-training. We improve parsing accuracy for out-of-domain texts with a self-training approach that uses confidence-based methods to select additional training samples. We compare two confidence-based methods: The first method uses the parse score of the employed parser to measure the confidence into a parse tree. The second method calculates the score differences between the best tree and alternative trees. With these methods, we were able to improve the labeled accuracy score by 1.6 percentage points on texts from a chemical domain and by 0.6 on average on texts of three web domains. Our improvements on the chemical texts of 1.5% UAS is substantially higher than improvements reported in previous work of 0.5% UAS. For the three web domains, no positive results for self-training have been reported before.
Regulated overexpression of CDR1 in Candida albicans confers multidrug resistance.

OBJECTIVES Information on the function of Candida albicans ATP-binding cassette (ABC) membrane transporter Cdr1p has come from studying the effect of gene inactivation in C. albicans and from heterologous Cdr1p expression in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These approaches, however, give only an indirect indication of Cdr1p function in C. albicans itself. The objective of this study was to determine Cdr1p function in C. albicans by induced overexpression of Cdr1p in a C. albicans CDR1-deleted strain. METHODS The C. albicans CDR1 open reading frame was fused to the C. albicans HEX1 promoter and used to complement a CDR1-null mutant to create strain FL3. The effect of inducing the FL3 HEX1 promoter, by growth on medium containing N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) as the carbon source, on CDR1 expression and drug susceptibility was determined. RESULTS C. albicans FL3 cells grown on medium containing GlcNAc overexpressed CDR1 mRNA and a 170 kDa plasma membrane protein that reacted with anti-Cdr1p antibodies. Overexpression of Cdr1p in C. albicans FL3 conferred resistance to structurally unrelated chemicals such as terbinafine, brefeldin A, cerulenin and nigericin as well as to azole antifungal agents, but not resistance to polyene antibiotics. FK506, ascomycin and ciclosporin A chemosensitized FL3 to fluconazole. FL3 cells grown on GlcNAc effluxed 5.3 times as much Cdr1p substrate rhodamine 6G, over a 10 min period, as FL3 cells grown on glucose, and this rhodamine 6G efflux was inhibited by including fluconazole in the assay. CONCLUSION This study provides the first direct demonstration of Cdr1p pump activity in C. albicans.
Characteristics and Ophthalmic Manifestations of the Classic Dengue Fever Epidemic in Singapore (2005–2006)

PurposeThe aim of this study was to report the characteristics and ophthalmic manifestations associated with dengue fever (DF) in the 2005–2006 DF epidemic in Singapore. MethodsA retrospective case series. ResultsEleven patients (7 males, 4 females) who were 14 to 40 years old (mean age, 27.3 years) with visual complaints occurring 1 to 2 weeks after the onset of DF underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination. The presenting visual acuity (VA) ranged from 6/6 to counting fingers. Five patients had bilateral eye involvement. Ophthalmic findings included retinal hemorrhages (15 eyes), cotton wool spots (15 eyes), retinal pigment epithelium alterations (5 eyes), optic disc swelling (3 eyes), foveolitis (3 eyes), and hyperemia (2 eyes). Impaired color vision was noted in 12 eyes. Visual field defects were noted in 13 eyes; 4 of these eyes were asymptomatic. Fundus fluorescein angiography was done in 9 patients; the findings include choroidal hyperfluorescence (9 eyes), blocked fluorescence (8 eyes), and capillary nonperfusion (1 eye). In 2 eyes, it was normal. Electrophysiology confirmed optic neuropathy in 3 eyes and maculopathy in 1 eye. The follow-up ranged from 12 days to 12 months. The VA at the last follow-up ranged from no light perception to 6/6. Visual field abnormalities were noted in 5 eyes despite a normal VA. ConclusionsDengue fever is associated with a wide spectrum of ophthalmic manifestations. Rarely, ophthalmic complications in DF can result in permanent visual impairment. Further work can be done to elucidate the relationship between systemic and ocular manifestations of DF.
Essential Requirement of CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Proteins in Embryogenesis

ABSTRACT The CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins C/EBPα and C/EBPβ are related transcription factors that are important for the function of various organs in the postnatal mouse. Gene replacement and tissue culture experiments have suggested partial redundancy of both transcription factors. Here we show that mouse embryos deficient of both C/EBPα and C/EBPβ (C/EBPαβ−/−) die between embryonic day 10 (E10) and E11 and display defective placentas. In situ hybridization revealed that C/EBPα and C/EBPβ are coexpressed in the chorionic plate at E9.5 and later in the trophoblasts of the labyrinthine layer. In C/EBPαβ−/− placentas, allantoic blood vessels invaded the chorion; however, vessel expansion and development of the labyrinthine layer was impaired. Furthermore, a single copy of either C/EBPα in the absence of C/EBPβ or C/EBPβ in the absence of C/EBPα is sufficient to complete development, suggesting complementation of these C/EBPs during embryogenesis. A single copy of C/EBPα in the absence of C/EBPβ, however, fails to rescue survival after birth, suggesting haploinsufficiency of C/EBPα in newborns. Our data thus reveal novel essential, redundant, and dosage dependent functions of C/EBPs.
Visualizing and Classifying Odors Using a Similar-ity Matrix

The Lorentzian model is an analytic expression that describes the time response of electronic nose sensors. We show how this model can be utilized to calculate a normalized similarity index between any two measurements. The set of similarity indices is then used for two purposes: visualization of the data, and classification of new samples. The visualization is carried out using graph drawing tools, and the results are shown to bear some desired properties. The classification is done using a majority-decision type algorithm, and is demonstrated to have very low error rate.
The Scale of Homogeneity in the Las Campanas Redshift Survey

We analyze the Las Campanas Redshift Survey using the integrated conditional density (or density of neighbors) in volume-limited subsamples up to unprecedented scales (200 Mpc h-1) in order to determine without ambiguity the behavior of the density field. We find that the survey is well described by a fractal up to 20-30 Mpc h-1 but flattens toward homogeneity at larger scales. Although the data are still insufficient to establish with high significance the expected homogeneous behavior, and therefore to rule out a fractal trend to larger scales, a fit with a cold dark matter-like spectrum with high normalization well represents the data.
Discussion of the paper by Kou , Zhou and Wong

We congratulate Samuel Kou, Qing Zhou and Wing Wong (referred subsequently as KZW) for this beautifully written paper, which opens a new direction in Monte Carlo computation. This discussion has two parts. First, we describe a very closely related method, multicanonical sampling (MCS), and report a simulation example that compares the Equi-Energy (EE) sampler with MCS. Over all, we found the two algorithms to be of comparable e ciency for the simulation problem considered. In the second part, we develop some additional convergence results for the EE sampler.
Suboptimal JPDA for tracking in the presence of clutter and missed detections

A new heuristic for data association on multi-target tracking systems is presented. The algorithm is based on the existing JPDA (Joint Probabilistic Data Association) algorithm, more specifically, on the Suboptimal JPDA approximation. However, compared to Suboptimal JPDA, the presented method exhibits a significant improvement on tracking performance for scenarios in the presence of clutter and missed detections, at negligible increase of computation cost. In fact, it approaches the performance of the classic JPDA, requiring, however, drastically lower computational resources. It is also be shown that the proposed method is more robust with respect to trajectory crossings than the original Suboptimal JPDA.
Video search re-ranking via multi-graph propagation

This paper1 is concerned with the problem of multimodal fusion in video search. First, we employ an object-sensitive approach to query analysis to improve the baseline result of text-based video search. Then, we propose a PageRank-like graph-based approach to text-based search result re-ranking. To better exploit the underlying relationship between video shots, the proposed re-ranking scheme simultaneously leverages textual relevancy, semantic concept relevancy, and low-level-feature-based visual similarity. In this PageRank-like scheme, we construct a set of graphs with the video shots as vertexes, and the conceptual and visual similarity between video shots as "hyperlinks". A modified topic-sensitive PageRank algorithm is then applied on these graphs to propagate the relevance scores through all related video shots. Experimental results verify the effectiveness of the graph-based propagation approach combined with the object-sensitive query analysis approach, which brings significant improvement to the baseline of text-based video search. Our experimental analysis also indicates that the proposed re-ranking method is highly generic and independent of different query classes, training data, and human interference.
Efficient Algorithms for Finding Richer Subgroup Descriptions in Numeric and Nominal Data

Subgroup discovery systems are concerned with finding interesting patterns in labeled data. How these systems deal with numeric and nominal data has a large impact on the quality of their results. In this paper, we consider two ways to extend the standard pattern language of subgroup discovery: using conditions that test for interval membership for numeric attributes, and value set membership for nominal attributes. We assume a greedy search setting, that is, iteratively refining a given subgroup, with respect to a (convex) quality measure. For numeric attributes, we propose an algorithm that finds the optimal interval in linear (rather than quadratic) time, with respect to the number of examples and split points. Similarly, for nominal attributes, we show that finding the optimal set of values can be achieved in linear (rather than exponential) time, with respect to the number of examples and the size of the domain of the attribute. These algorithms operate by only considering subgroup refinements that lie on a convex hull in ROC space, thus significantly narrowing down the search space. We further provide efficient algorithms specifically for the popular Weighted Relative Accuracy quality measure, taking advantage of some of its properties. Our algorithms are shown to perform well in practice, and furthermore provide additional expressive power leading to higher-quality results.
Paeoniflorin Protects against Ischemia-Induced Brain Damages in Rats via Inhibiting MAPKs/NF-κB-Mediated Inflammatory Responses

Paeoniflorin (PF), the principal component of Paeoniae Radix prescribed in traditional Chinese medicine, has been reported to exhibit many pharmacological effects including protection against ischemic injury. However, the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of PF on cerebral ischemia are still under investigation. The present study showed that PF treatment for 14 days could significantly inhibit transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO)-induced over-activation of astrocytes and microglia, and prevented up-regulations of pro-inflamamtory mediators (TNFα, IL-1β, iNOS, COX2 and 5-LOX) in plasma and brain. Further study demonstrated that chronic treatment with PF suppressed the activations of JNK and p38 MAPK, but enhanced ERK activation. And PF could reverse ischemia-induced activation of NF-κB signaling pathway. Moreover, our in vitro study revealed that PF treatment protected against TNFα-induced cell apoptosis and neuronal loss. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that PF produces a delayed protection in the ischemia-injured rats via inhibiting MAPKs/NF-κB mediated peripheral and cerebral inflammatory response. Our study reveals that PF might be a potential neuroprotective agent for stroke.
Stability Control of Active Compressed Rods with Shape Memory Polymers

In structural systems, applied compressive force fields cause second-order effects that may not only influence the buckling behavior, but also enhance the internal stress and the deformation field in the structure. Specifically, slender and thin-walled structural elements subjected to compressive force fields may experience buckling instability, which may affect their service life. In the case of imperfection-sensitive systems, loading and geometric imperfections may drastically affect the buckling response and reduce the buckling resistance. This behavior may be positively influenced by a structural adaptation to bending effects. In this connection, an attempt is made to use the potentials of the adaptive systems to influence the second-order as well as the buckling response of the slender compression elements by means of the actuator components. To this end, the stability control problem of adaptive slender rods with embedded Shape Memory Polymer (SMP) actuators is theoretically treated. The main goal of this investigation was to explore the possibility of minimizing the end deflection of a cantilever rod under eccentrically applied force via actuation of an SMP fiber. First, the stability theory of spatial rods is outlined, and the non-linear governing equations of straight rods are derived. The specific case treated is the problem of a cantilever rod with a single eccentric SMP fiber under eccentrically applied end compressive force. Numerical calculations were carried out with the help of the Runge-Kutta method. It is shown that the response of the rod can be effectively controlled by the appropriate action of the SMP actuator. Specifically, the goal of minimizing the end deflection of the eccentrically loaded cantilever rod through the action of the SMP actuator is achieved. In carrying out the computations, the second-order effects arising from the action of SMP fiber as well as the axial force were taken into consideration. Moreover, the follower action of the SMP force was considered.
Comparison of Inhibitory Mold Agar to Sabouraud Dextrose Agar as a Primary Medium for Isolation of Fungi

ABSTRACT Clinical specimens cultured on two selective fungal media, inhibitory mold agar (IMA) and Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA), were compared with respect to recovery of fungi. Of the 840 fungal isolates recovered, 69.3% grew on both IMA and SDA; 24.9% grew only on IMA; and 5.8% grew only on SDA, showing that IMA is superior (P = 0.003).
Realism, Instrumentalism, and the Intentional Stance

One of Dennett’s principal arguments for on instrumentolistic construal of intentionol ottributions (e.g., ottributions of belief, etc.) is that such attributions ore environment relative. I argue that one can and should odopt a realist perspective toword such ottributions, but accommodate their environmental relativity by treoting intentional properties as relational properties. By doing so one acquires a useful perspective on experimental cognitive psychology; in particular, one con overcome the temptation to treat ecological accounts ond information processing accounts OS incompatible alternatives and come to see them OS mutually supportive. Treating intentional properties OS relotionol may be counter-intuitive, but I provide exomples of how other sciences have had to treat what seem to be intrinsic properties as relotionol.
Lateral genetic transfer: open issues

Lateral genetic transfer (LGT) is an important adaptive force in evolution, contributing to metabolic, physiological and ecological innovation in most prokaryotes and some eukaryotes. Genomic sequences and other data have begun to illuminate the processes, mechanisms, quantitative extent and impact of LGT in diverse organisms, populations, taxa and environments; deep questions are being posed, and the provisional answers sometimes challenge existing paradigms. At the same time, there is an enhanced appreciation of the imperfections, biases and blind spots in the data and in analytical approaches. Here we identify and consider significant open questions concerning the role of LGT in genome evolution.
UV dose-dependent caspase activation in a corneal epithelial cell line

Purpose. To characterize the UVB radiation-dependent patterns of caspase activation and cell death in SV 40 immortalized corneal epithelial cells. Methods. Cell death in immortalized human corneal epithelial cells (T-HCEC) was induced by exposure to low (50mJ/cm 2) and high (450mJ/cm 2) doses of UVB. Cell death morphology was examined by fluorescence microscopy using the cell death marker propidium iodide (PI). Apoptosis of T-HCEC was analyzed by DNA fragmentation assays, and enzyme activity was measured for caspase 3 and 9 by fluorophotometry. Changes in mitochondrial inner membrane potential were measured by flow cytometry using the fluorescent marker, rhodamine 123. Redistribution of cytochrome c, the upstream trigger of caspase 9, was measured in the cytosol fraction of T-HCEC following irradiation. Results. PI staining revealed a fragmented staining pattern of the nucleus consistent with apoptosis in detached cells irradiated with low-dose UVB, while cells receiving high dose UVB demonstrated round, well bordered staining of the nucleus. Flow cytometry revealed irreversible mitochondrial damage in the high dose group shown by decreased levels of rhodamine 123 fluorescence. Cells in the low-dose group had intact mitochondrial inner membrane potential, increased cytosolic cytochrome c, and showed a significantly higher rate of DNA fragmentation and caspase activation than the high dose group. Conclusion. Low dose UVB caused cytochrome c redistribution, caspase activation and apoptosis of corneal epithelial cells, which was not observed at high irradiation levels of UVB.
Cryogenic coefficient of thermal expansion measurements of type 440 and 630 stainless steel

The Dark Energy Camera is now installed on the Blanco 4m telescope at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile. The camera is cooled to 170K using a closed loop two-phase liquid nitrogen system. A submerged centrifugal pump is used to circulate the liquid from the base of the telescope to the camera in the prime focus cage. As part of the pump maintenance schedule, the rotor shaft bearings are periodically replaced. Common bearing and shaft materials are type 440 and 630 (17–4 PH) stainless steel. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the materials used is needed to predict the shaft and bearing housing dimensional changes at the 77K pump operating temperature. The thermal expansion from room temperature to 77K of type 440 and 630 stainless steel is presented . Measurements are performed using the ASTM E228 standard with a quartz push-rod dilatometer test stand. Aluminum 6061–T6 is used to calibrate the test stand.
QualBoa: Reusability-aware Recommendations of Source Code Components

Contemporary software development processes involve finding reusable software components from online repositories and integrating them to the source code, both to reduce development time and to ensure that the final software project is of high quality. Although several systems have been designed to automate this procedure by recommending components that cover the desired functionality, the reusability of these components is usually not assessed by these systems. In this work, we present QualBoa, a recommendation system for source code components that covers both the functional and the quality aspects of software component reuse. Upon retrieving components, QualBoa provides a ranking that involves not only functional matching to the query, but also a reusability score based on configurable thresholds of source code metrics. The evaluation of QualBoa indicates that it can be effective for recommending reusable source code.