Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Shape Optimization of Multistage Depressed Collectors by Parallel Evolutionary Algorithm

In this paper a novel parallel meta-heuristic algorithm called MeTEO is presented, applied to the shape optimization of multistage depressed collectors, simulated by means of a Finite Element collector and electron gun simulator, COLLGUN, which uses the Constructive Solid Geometry for the description of the device shape. METEO is a hybrid algorithm composed by three different heuristics: FSO (Flock of Starlings Optimization), PSO (Particle Swarm Optimization), and BCA (Bacterial Chemotaxis Algorithm); it performs the optimization using both the topological and the metric rules and offers a natural parallel implementation that allows speeding up the whole process of optimization by the fitness modification (FM).
Computational Identification of Ciona intestinalis MicroRNAs

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are conserved non-coding small RNAs with potent post-transcriptional gene regulatory functions. Recent computational approaches and sequencing of small RNAs had indicated the existence of about 80 Ciona intestinalis miRNAs, although it was not clear whether other miRNA genes were present in the genome. We undertook an alternative computational approach to look for Ciona miRNAs. Conserved non-coding sequences from the C. intestinalis genome were extracted and computationally folded to identify putative hairpin-like structures. After applying additional criteria, we obtained 458 miRNA candidates whose sequences were used to design a custom microarray. Over 100 of our predicted hairpins were identified in this array when probed with RNA from various Ciona stages. We also compared our predictions to recently deposited sequences of Ciona small RNAs and report that 170 of our predicted hairpins are represented in this data set. Altogether, about 250 of our 458 predicted miRNAs were represented in either our array data or the small-RNA sequence database. These results suggest that Ciona has a large number of genomically encoded miRNAs that play an important role in modulating gene activity in developing embryos and adults.
Design Optimization of a Portable Thermophoretic Precipitator Nanoparticle Sampler

Researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) are developing methods for characterizing diesel particulate matter in mines. Introduction of novel engine and exhaust aftertreatment technologies in underground mines is changing the nature of diesel emissions, and metrics alternative to the traditional mass-based measurements are being investigated with respect to their ability to capture changes in the properties of diesel aerosols. The emphasis is given to metrics based on measurement of number and surface area concentrations, but analysis of collected particles using electron microscopy (EM) is also employed for detailed particle characterization. To collect samples for EM analysis at remote workplaces, including mining and manufacturing facilities, NIOSH is developing portable particle samplers capable of collecting airborne nano-scale particles. This paper describes the design, construction, and testing of a prototype thermophoretic precipitator (TP) particle sampler optimized for collection of particles in the size range of 1–300 nm. The device comprises heated and cooled metal plates separated by a 0.8 mm channel through which aerosol is drawn by a pump. It weighs about 2 kg, has a total footprint of 27 × 22 cm, and the collection plate size is approximately 4 × 8 cm. Low power consumption and enhanced portability were achieved by using moderate flow rates (50–150 cm3/min) and temperature gradients (10–50 K/mm with ΔT between 8 K and 40 K). The collection efficiency of the prototype, measured with a condensation particle counter using laboratory-generated polydisperse submicrometer NaCl aerosols, ranged from 14–99%, depending on temperature gradient and flow rate. Analysis of transmission electron microscopy images of samples collected with the TP confirmed that the size distributions of collected particles determined using EM are in good agreement with those determined using a Fast Mobility Particle Sizer. Copyright 2012 American Association for Aerosol Research
Lithic Technology: Measures Of Production, Use And Curation

Part I. Introduction, Background and Review: 1. An introduction to stone tool life history and technological organization William Andrefsky, Jr 2. Lithic reduction, its measurement, and implications: comments on the volume Michael J. Shott and Margaret C. Nelson Part II. Production, Reduction and Retouch: 3. Comparing and synthesizing unifacial stone tool reduction indices Metin I. Eren and Mary E. Prendergast 4. Exploring retouch on bifaces: unpacking production, resharpening, and hammer type Jennifer Wilson and William Andrefsky, Jr 5. The construction of morphological diversity: a study of Mousterian implement retouching at Combe Grenal Peter Hiscock and Chris Clarkson 6. Reduction and retouch as independent measures of intensity Brooke Blades 7. Perforation with stone tools and retouch intensity: a Neolithic case study Colin Patrick Quinn, William Andrefsky, Jr, Ian Kuijt and Bill Finlayson 8. Exploring the dart and arrow dilemma: retouch indices as functional determinants Cheryl Harper and William Andrefsky, Jr Part III. New Perspectives on Lithic Raw Material and Technology: 9. Projectile point provisioning strategies and human land use William Andrefsky, Jr 10. The role of lithic raw material availability and quality in determining tool kit size, tool function, and degree of retouch: a case study from Skink Rockshelter (46NI445), West Virginia Douglas H. MacDonald 11. Raw material and retouched flakes Andrew P. Bradbury, Philip J. Carr and D. Randall Cooper Part IV. Evolutionary Approaches to Lithic Technologies: 12. Lithic technological organization in an evolutionary framework: examples from North America's Pacific Northwest region Anna Marie Prentiss and David S. Clarke 13. Changing reduction intensity, settlement, and subsistence in Wardaman Country, Northern Australia Chris Clarkson 14. Lithic core reduction techniques: modeling expected diversity Nathan B. Goodale, Ian Kuijt, Shane J. Macfarlan, Curtis Osterhoudt and Bill Finlayson.
Research on Medical Image Fusion Based on Orthogonal Wavelet Packets Transformation Combined with 2v-SVM

This paper presents a novel medical image fusion algorithm which imports 2v-SVM -an adaptive SVM learning algorithm to medical image fusion. We combine it with orthogonal wavelet packets to generate a new image fusion rule, which intelligently constructs the "good and bad features-classifier" for improving image fusion. Then we construct a new sort of linear weighted fusion arithmetic operator, which retains the remarkable features and eliminates the redundant information of the two images. We respectively fuse two pairs of images: CT> MRI images and MRI, PET images effectively and obtain good visual effects and quality of fused image. The experiments prove that the proposed algorithm resolve the deficiencies of existing algorithms in characteristics representation and acceptance or rejection of information and provide an advanced method to medical image fusion.
Perceptual Evaluation of Psychovisual Rate-Distortion Enhancement in Video Coding

Psychovisual rate-distortion optimization (Psy-RD) has been used in the industrial video coding practice as a tool to improve perceptual video quality. It has earned significant popularity through the wide spread of the open source x264 video encoders, where the Psy-RD option is employed by default. Nevertheless, little work has been dedicated to validate the impact of Psy-RD optimization on perceptual quality, so as to provide meaningful guidance on the practical usage and future development of the idea. In this work, we build a database that contains Psy-RD encoded video sequences at different strength and bitrates. A subjective user study is then conducted to evaluate and compare the quality of the Psy-RD encoded videos. We observe that there is considerable agreement between subjects’ opinions on the test video sequences. Unfortunately, the impact of Psy-RD optimization on video quality does not appear to be encouraging. Somewhat surprisingly, the perceptual quality gain of Psy-RD ON versus Psy-RD OFF cases is negative on average. Our results suggest that Psy-RD optimization should be used with caution. Further investigations show that most state-of-the-art full-reference objective quality models correlate well with the subjective experiment results overall. But in terms of the paired comparison between Psy-RD ON and OFF cases, the false alarm rates are moderately high.
Identification and analysis of gene clusters in biological data

In this work, a methodology for constructing and analysing gene clusters based on gene expression data is proposed. This approach uses data mining algorithms and machine learning methods to discover relationships between genes associated to biological knowledge and regulatory activities for expression experiments conducted under particular conditions of interest. Such gene groups were constructed based on a similarity matrix defined from nonlinear relationships given by a constructed kernel on each data type. Once groups were formed, representative transcription factor binding sites were searched in each cluster in order to categorize them and to find patterns and relationships between genes and transcription factor binding sites. Accordingly, interesting transcription factor binding sites related to gene expression experimental conditions were detected. This confirmed common gene regulation of known binding sites.
The Blockchain Phenomenon – The Disruptive Potential of Distributed Consensus Architectures

Blockchain technology is disrupting society by enabling new kinds of disintermediated digital platforms. Furthermore, it is also providing efficiency gains on top of old existing structures by removing the need for actively intermediated data-synchronization and concurrency control. Due to this dual effect, blockchain technology has the potential to impact all sectors and layers of society, in a multitude of combined ways. While there is a lot of hype around the concept of blockchains, the phenomenon itself has remained ambiguous and misconceptions have emerged about the capabilities and the potential of blockchain technology. Drawing from ETLA’s participation in blockchain research in 2014–2016, this paper aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding on blockchain technology, its true possibilities, and its potential larger societal implications. It offers a holistic view of the key concepts and the basic principles, and the tools and the framework to understand the ongoing discussion, to critically evaluate different viewpoints, and to delve deeper in a constructed manner
Childhood-onset dysthymic disorder. Clinical features and prospective naturalistic outcome.

OBJECTIVES To characterize the clinical presentation, course, and outcome of childhood-onset dysthymic disorder and assess the predictive validity of this diagnosis. DESIGN As part of a longitudinal prospective study, school-age, clinically referred youngsters (n = 55) whose first depression was dysthymic disorder and a comparison group of youngsters (n = 60) whose first affective episode was major depressive disorder (MDD) were repeatedly examined during a 3- to 12-year interval. The diagnoses were based on DSM-III criteria. RESULTS Dysthymic disorder was associated with earlier age at onset than MDD, similarly frequent symptoms of affective dysregulation, but low rates of anhedonia and neurovegetative symptoms and greater overall risk of any subsequent affective disorder. The affective disorders that dysthymic children developed, including first-episode MDD (76%) and bipolar disorder (13%), far outnumbered nonaffective conditions. After the first episode of MDD, the clinical course of the initially dysthymic youths was similar to the course of the comparison patients with regard to rates of recurrent major depression, bipolar disorder, and certain nonaffective disorders. CONCLUSIONS Childhood-onset dysthymic disorder is an early marker of recurrent affective illness. Although on long-term follow-up, dysthymic disorder and MDD are associated with similar rates of certain outcomes, there exist sufficient differences to warrant diagnosis of each disorder. Dysthymic children who have subsequent mood disorders are most likely first to have an episode of MDD, and that episode appears to be the "gateway" to recurrent affective illness. The interval between the onset of dysthymia and the first major depression provides a window of opportunity for intervention and possible prevention of later episodes.
On the $\mathcal{H}_2$ norm and iterative model order reduction of linear switched systems

A new definition of the $\mathcal{H}_2$ norm for linear switched systems is introduced. It is based on appropriately defined time-domain kernels, or equivalently, on infinite controllability and observability Gramian matrices. Furthermore, an extension of the iterative rational Krylov algorithm to the class of linear switched systems is proposed.
A novel distributed covert channel in HTTP

In this paper, we propose a novel distributed covert channel in HTTP. Different from traditional covert channels in HTTP, the channel deploys multiple HTTP clients to dilute steganographic features. In a proper multiple-to-multiple transmission model based on the modulation of URLs, the channel is efficient and reliable. With a Poisson request generator, simulating behaviors of normal HTTP visitors, the covert traffic has a legitimate HTTP appearance that helps it be undetectable. The transmission experiments prove that the channel is error free and has a high transmission rate. The results of the undetectability experiment show that the channel is adjustable. By adjusting a certain parameter, the channel can trade off two different features, the transmission rate and the undetectability, which can meet different demands in practical applications. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crouching variation revealed

The term ‘phenotypic capacitance’ was introduced nearly 15 years ago to describe the strain‐specific effects of impairing Hsp90, a molecular chaperone, in the fly Drosophila melanogaster (Rutherford & Lindquist ). In one genetic background, Hsp90 depletion caused deformed eyes, whereas in other genetic backgrounds, the wings or abdomens or other aspects of morphology were affected. Hsp90 was therefore viewed as acting like a capacitor, allowing genetic differences to build up and to be released at a later time. In the years since, it has been debated whether capacitance is a laboratory curiosity or a major force in evolution. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Takahashi ( ) presents evidence, from high‐resolution morphometric analysis of fly wings, that a large number of other capacitors exist in D. melanogaster, and that the variation they reveal can be quite subtle. His results advance our understanding of capacitance and contribute to a new view of its role in evolutionary adaptation.
Deep Learning with Dynamic Spiking Neurons and Fixed Feedback Weights

Recent work in computer science has shown the power of deep learning driven by the backpropagation algorithm in networks of artificial neurons. But real neurons in the brain are different from most of these artificial ones in at least three crucial ways: they emit spikes rather than graded outputs, their inputs and outputs are related dynamically rather than by piecewise-smooth functions, and they have no known way to coordinate arrays of synapses in separate forward and feedback pathways so that they change simultaneously and identically, as they do in backpropagation. Given these differences, it is unlikely that current deep learning algorithms can operate in the brain, but we that show these problems can be solved by two simple devices: learning rules can approximate dynamic input-output relations with piecewise-smooth functions, and a variation on the feedback alignment algorithm can train deep networks without having to coordinate forward and feedback synapses. Our results also show that deep spiking networks learn much better if each neuron computes an intracellular teaching signal that reflects that cell’s nonlinearity. With this mechanism, networks of spiking neurons show useful learning in synapses at least nine layers upstream from the output cells and perform well compared to other spiking networks in the literature on the MNIST digit recognition task.
Lateral association and elongation of vimentin intermediate filament proteins: A time-resolved light-scattering study

Significance The hierarchical assembly pathway of the cytoskeletal protein vimentin may be responsible for the astonishing mechanical properties of the emerging filaments, such as high flexibility and extensibility, and thus play a key role in cellular mechanics. A two-step assembly mechanism, involving a lateral and a subsequent elongational step, has been established; however, the elongational step could not be followed in solution. Here, we show direct in situ observation and modeling of the elongation reaction of the filaments on the relevant length and time scales, using time-resolved, multiangle static and dynamic light scattering. We thus achieve sufficient spatio-temporal resolution without the need of labeling, staining, or adsorption to substrates. Vimentin intermediate filaments (IFs) are part of a family of proteins that constitute one of the three filament systems in the cytoskeleton, a major contributor to cell mechanics. One property that distinguishes IFs from the other cytoskeletal filament types, actin filaments and microtubules, is their highly hierarchical assembly pathway, where a lateral association step is followed by elongation. Here we present an innovative technique to follow the elongation reaction in solution and in situ by time-resolved static and dynamic light scattering, thereby precisely capturing the relevant time and length scales of seconds to minutes and 60–600 nm, respectively. We apply a quantitative model to our data and succeed in consistently describing the entire set of data, including particle mass, radius of gyration, and hydrodynamic radius during longitudinal association.
Synergetic Workspace Tracking Control for 4-DOF Robot Manipulator

This paper presents a tracking control for robot manipulators based on synergetic control theory. The purpose is to design a smooth controller that is able to track the desired trajectories in the workspace quickly and precisely in a finite time. This control strategy consists of three main steps. First, a manifold is constructed based on a nonlinear exponential term and the tracking error to ensure a precise tracking in precise time. Second, a controller is designed to drive the tracking error to exponentially approach the manifold. Finally, the control law is derived by solving the evolution constraint equation. Using the Lyapunov function, the stability of the error dynamics is proved. The proposed synergetic controller is tested experimentally on a 4-DOF manipulator. All the experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed controller. Good tracking is obtained in both joint space and workspace.
Association of testosterone levels with socio-demographic characteristics in a sample of Ugandan men.

BACKGROUND Testosterone, a male reproductive hormone, affects several physiological processes, such as sperm production, energy, strength, sexual behavior, sleep and the general well being of men. Normal levels of testosterone are necessary to effect these physiological processes. The objective of this study was to study the association between testosterone levels in a sample of Ugandan men with socio-demographic characteristics, and compare the testosterone levels of Ugandan men with that of men in other countries. METHODS Eighty men were enrolled from the medical campus at Makerere University. Blood samples were drawn from 7.00 - 8.00 a.m. and total testosterone was measured using radioimmunoassay. The free and bioavailable testosterone was calculated after measuring sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin in the blood samples. Self-administered questionnaires were used to obtain socio-demographic characteristics of the subjects. Biometric measurements including weight, height and waist circumference were also recorded. RESULTS Serum testosterone levels of Ugandan men were within the normal physiological ranges. Married participants and those with dependents had lower testosterone than unmarried participants and those without dependents respectively. Sexually active participants had lower testosterone levels than those who were not sexually active. CONCLUSION Testosterone levels were lower in association with several socio-demographic characteristics including being married, having dependents, and daily coital frequency. Further research is warranted into the relationship between testosterone levels and contributory sexual behavior that may be important in understanding the spread of HIV/AIDS, given its high prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa.
Serologic Response to Treatment in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Negative Syphilis Patients Using Automated Serological Tests: Proposals for New Guidelines

Background Automated analyzer-based nontreponemal serological tests for syphilis (STS) have been used for several decades. Objective In this study, we evaluated serological responses to treatment and proposed clinical guidelines for automated STS. Methods This retrospective cohort study analyzed human immunodeficiency virus-negative syphilis patients who were diagnosed with automated rapid plasma reagin (auto RPR) tests as a nontreponemal STS, and who also received the fluorescent treponemal antibody-absorption test as a confirmatory test. The ratio of auto RPR values after treatment against those at baseline was defined as the auto RPR ratio for the analysis of the serological response to treatment. The cutoff value for reliable seroreversion prediction was assessed with receiver-operating-characteristic curves. Results Overall, 89.7% of participants (78/87) seroreverted and 10.3% of participants (9/87) remained serofast during the two-year follow-up period. We were unable to describe trends in the changes among auto RPR values within six months after treatment because of high variation. All of the patients who had an auto RPR ratio ≥1.0 after six months continuously had positive serologic results during their 24-month follow-up and were classified as a serofast group. The receiver-operating-characteristic curves revealed a 25% reduction in auto RPR values nine months after treatment and predicted seroreversion with a sensitivity of 96.2% and a specificity of 100%. Conclusion The most important primary checkpoint for syphilis treatment response is an increase in automated nontreponemal STS six months after treatment. Thus, we recommend monitoring the treatment response with an auto RPR.
An Event Window Based Load Monitoring Technique for Smart Meters

The data collected by smart meters contain a lot of useful information. One potential use of the data is to track the energy consumptions and operating statuses of major home appliances. The results will enable homeowners to make sound decisions on how to save energy and how to participate in demand response programs. This paper presents a new method to breakdown the total power demand measured by a smart meter to those used by individual appliances. A unique feature of the proposed method is that it utilizes diverse signatures associated with the entire operating window of an appliance for identification. As a result, appliances with complicated middle process can be tracked. A novel appliance registration device and scheme is also proposed to automate the creation of appliance signature database and to eliminate the need of massive training before identification. The software and system have been developed and deployed to real houses in order to verify the proposed method.