Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pointing in Dialogue

A new approach based on experiments aiming at the integration of content originating from pointing plus definite descriptions (objects called “CDs”) in dialogue is presented. We develop it against the background of the early semiotic positions of Wittgenstein, Peirce, and Quine, the intentionalism of Kaplan, Neo-Peirce-Wittgenstein-Quine approaches and “mixed” points of view. Our experimental data show that pointing gestures are polysemous and polymorphic entities. Polysemy of CDs is due to their different functions, pointing to objects (“object demonstration”) and pointing to regions (“restrictor demonstration”), polymorphism originates from different positions wrt the utterance. Gesture information and expression meaning are integrated into a syntax-semantics interface using constraint-based syntax and typelogical semantics. Finally, it is shown that an underspecification account for the syntax-semantic interface can be set up along the lines of Logical Description Grammars. 1 Overview and Introduction Ch. (1) deals with constraints of pointing gestures and introduces the “ ”-notation for gesture strokes. (2) overviews Peircian to post-Kaplan approaches on demonstration and reference. (3) describes gesture experiments. (4) is on “object demonstration” and “restrictor demonstration”. The set-up of the interface combining constraintbased grammar and type-logics for the integration of multimodal content is specified. (5) deals with the logical form of CDs. (6) shows that an underspecification account for the syntax-semantic interface can be set up along the lines of Logical Description Grammars. Discussion and future research come in (7). Demonstration is bound up with reference (see e.g. Levinson 1995). Demonstrations (characteristically pointings) can accompany simple or complex referring expressions. We represent the stroke of hand gestures (see Mc Neill 1992) and similar devices by “ ”. Up to section (4) the nature of the sign will be left to intuition. It occurs at the position indicated in the string a nd marks gesture stroke occurrence. Examples of CD-expressions: (1) Grasp this/that.
Semi-Formal and Formal Specification Techniques for Software Systems

s in order of presentations at Dagstuhl seminar: Hartmut Ehrig Towards a Formal Model and a Component Concept for the Integration Paradigm . 1 Martin Große-Rhode Integration of Heterogeneous Software Specifications based on Transformation Systems . 1 Stefan Gruner A New Tool for the Simulation And Visualization of Distributed Algorithms . 2 Maike Gajewsky Transformations of Petri Net in the context of Software Engineering . 3 Wolfgang Reif Combining Formal Models and Safety Analysis . 3 Lutz Schröder Semantics of Architectural Specifications in CASL . 4 Roswitha Bardohl Visual Specification of Diagrammatic Modeling Techniques . 6 Jochen Klose Using Extended Message Sequence Charts for the Verification of Statemate Designs . 6 Ursula Goltz High-Level Sequence Charts with Data Manipulation . 7
Mechanical properties of a single gecko seta

Abstract Measurements of the stress – strain response of hairlike gecko setae are presented. These setae have diameters in the micron range and are part of the attachment organs that enable lizards to cling to surfaces. Three test methods were employed: (a) applying tension with a piezoresistive cantilever inside a focused ion beam microscope under vacuum conditions, (b) three-point bending in air using an atomic force microscope, and (c) nanoindentation tests on the circumference of the seta. Elastic moduli were found to depend strongly on the method of testing: Tensile testing in vacuum yielded an elastic modulus of 7.3 ± 1.0 GPa which was roughly five to six times higher than in bending and in nanoindentation tests at ambient conditions. The results are discussed in terms of the anisotropic nanostructure of the setae and humidity effects. They constitute valuable input parameters for optimizing the performance of artificial attachment devices.
Containment of an Outbreak of KPC-3-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in Italy

ABSTRACT From March 2009 to May 2009, 24 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were recovered from 16 patients hospitalized in an Italian intensive care unit (ICU). All isolates contained KPC-3 carbapenemase and belonged to a single pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) clone of multilocus sequence type 258 (designated as ST258). A multimodal infection control program was put into effect, and the spread of the KPC-3-producing K. pneumoniae clone was ultimately controlled without closing the ICU to new admissions. Reinforced infection control measures and strict monitoring of the staff adherence were necessary for the control of the outbreak.
A Relational Approach to Complex Dataflows

Clouds have become an attractive platform for highly scalable processing of Big Data, especially due to the concept of elasticity, which characterizes them. Several languages and systems for cloud-based data processing have been proposed in the past, with the most popular among them being based on MapReduce [7]. In this paper, we present Exareme, a system for elastic large-scale data processing on the cloud that follows a more general paradigm. Exareme is an open source project [1]. The system offers a declarative language which is based on SQL with user-defined functions (UDFs) extended with parallelism primitives and an inverted syntax to easily express data pipelines. Exareme is designed to take advantage of clouds by dynamically allocating and deallocating compute resources, offering trade-offs between execution time and monetary cost.
Gait Assessment in Children With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy During Long-Distance Walking

The aim of this study was to investigate the alteration of the gait pattern in 25 children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, using body-worn inertial sensors during a long walking distance. Normalized spatiotemporal gait parameters and their variability were extracted from the angular velocity of the shanks; the smoothness of the trunk movement was assessed based on the spectral entropy of the acceleration norm. As compared to healthy children, patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy showed significantly lower stride velocity and a less smooth trunk movement. When the group of patients was divided into mild and moderate based on the Motor Function Measure, the authors noticed significantly higher values both for cadence and stride velocity, as well as improved trunk smoothness in the mild versus moderate group. The potential of such parameters to distinguish between different disease states opens new perspectives for the objective assessment of efficacy of the new therapies associated with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Nitric oxide mediates LC‐3‐dependent regulation of fibronectin in ductus arteriosus intimal cushion formation

Ductus arteriosus intimal cushion formation is characterized by fibronectin‐dependent smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration. Enhanced fi‐bronectin synthesis in ductus SMC is regulated by the interaction of LC‐3, a microtubule‐associated protein, with an AU‐rich element (ARE) in the 3′‐untranslated region of fibronectin mRNA, facilitating its recruitment to polyribosomes for translation. Since nitric oxide (NO) is implicated in posttranscriptional gene regulation and is produced in the ductus, we investigated its mechanistic role in LC‐3‐mediated fibronectin synthesis. NO production was sevenfold higher in ductus vs. aortic SMC (P< 0.005) associated with increased neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) expression. The NOS inhibitor L‐NMMA decreased fibronectin synthesis by ∼45∼50% (P<0.05), whereas the NO donor, SNAP, increased ductus fibronectin synthesis ∼onefold (P<0.05); neither agent altered fibronectin mRNA levels. Immunoblotting revealed that SNAP increased and L‐NMMA reduced a membrane‐associated phosphorylated form of LC‐3. RNA gel mobility shift assays confirmed that NO enhanced LC‐3 binding to the fibronectin mRNA ARE. Our studies indicate a tissue‐specific program in the ductus arteriosus whereby elevated nNOS expression and NO production regulate the posttranscriptional increase in fibronectin synthesis required for SMC motility. —Mason, C. A. E. , Chang, P., Fallery, C. , Rabinovitch, M. Nitric oxide mediates LC‐3‐dependent regulation of fibronectin in ductus arteriosus intimal cushion formation. FASEB J. 13, 1423–1434 (1999)
Recovery in Level 7–10 Women’s USA Artistic Gymnastics

This study assessed physical performance in women’s artistic gymnastics following three variable recovery periods. Participants included fifteen female gymnasts (mean age = 13.5 ± 1.1) who had competed at USA Gymnastics (USAG) levels 7 – 10 within at least one year prior to the study. Each testing session consisted of a warm-up followed by four muscular endurance tests and one explosive maximal test. Assessments included pull-ups, leg lifts, handstand push-ups, vertical jump, and push-ups. After the performance assessments, the participants completed a typical practice session. The performance measures were reassessed at the beginning of each of the recovery periods of 24, 48, and 72 hours in a counterbalanced design. Performance assessments were converted into Z-scores and then averaged for a composite session Z-score. The composite session Z-scores were compared to evaluate the recovery duration. Composite Z’s were significantly lower (p=0.000), after the 24 (z=−1.10) and the 48 hour (z=−0.71) recovery periods compared to baseline (z=0.00). However, there was no difference in scores (p=1.00) between the baseline and 72 hours (z=0.004) recovery. Full recovery required 72 hours under the conditions of this study.
Draft Genome Sequences of a Novel Lineage of Armatimonadetes Recovered from Japanese Hot Springs

ABSTRACT Here, we report two draft genome sequences from a novel lineage within the Armatimonadetes phylum recovered from metagenomes sequenced from Japanese hot spring microbial mats. These organisms are aerobic and represent a new lineage related to the characterized Chthonomonas and Fimbriimonas groups, and they expand the diversity of this enigmatic phylum.
Quantum supercavity with atomic mirrors

We study single-photon transport in an array of coupled microcavities where two two-level atomic systems are embedded in two separate cavities of the array. We find that a single photon can be totally reflected by a single two-level system. However, two separate two-level systems can also create, between them, single-photon quasibound states. Therefore, a single two-level system in the cavity array can act as a mirror while a different type of cavity can be formed by using two two-level systems, acting as tunable "mirrors," inside two separate cavities in the array. In analogy with superlattices in solid state physics, we call this "cavity inside a coupled-cavity array" a supercavity. This supercavity is the quantum analog of Fabry-Perot interferometers. Moreover, we show that the physical properties of this quantum supercavity can be adjusted by changing the frequencies of these two-level systems.
Context Adaptation of Mamdani Fuzzy Systems through New Operators Tuned by a Genetic Algorithm

Context adaptation can be achieved by adjusting an initial normalized fuzzy rule-based system through the use of operators that appropriately change the representation of the linguistic variables. The choice of the specific operators and their parameters should be context-based and optimized so as to obtain a good interpretability-accuracy tradeoff. In this paper we propose a set of context adaptation operators that, starting from a given fuzzy system, adjust some of its component! , such as fuzzy set support and core, membership function shape, etc. We use a genetic tuning process for choosing the operator parameters. We finally describe the application of the proposed operators to Mamdani fuzzy systems with reference to two real examples.
Disruption of FAT10–MAD2 binding inhibits tumor progression

Significance FAT10, a ubiquitin-like modifier, is an oncogene that interacts with mitotic arrest-deficient 2 (MAD2) and confers cellular malignancy. Here we identified the MAD2-binding residues of FAT10 and determined the first solution structure, to our knowledge, of the first FAT10 ubiquitin-like domain. Importantly, we demonstrated the proof-of-mechanism for a novel and specific drug-targeting strategy that entails the specific inhibition of the pathological activity of a therapeutic target but not its reported physiological function, thus minimizing undesirable side effects: Abrogation of the FAT10–MAD2 interaction curtailed tumor progression without affecting FAT10’s interaction with its other known physiological binding partners. This study presents a paradigm for drug targeting and paves the way for the development of a novel small-molecule anticancer inhibitor targeting the MAD2-binding interface of FAT10. FAT10 (HLA-F-adjacent transcript 10) is a ubiquitin-like modifier that is commonly overexpressed in various tumors. It was found to play a role in mitotic regulation through its interaction with mitotic arrest-deficient 2 (MAD2). Overexpression of FAT10 promotes tumor growth and malignancy. Here, we identified the MAD2-binding interface of FAT10 to be located on its first ubiquitin-like domain whose NMR structure thus was determined. We further proceeded to demonstrate that disruption of the FAT10–MAD2 interaction through mutation of specific MAD2-binding residues did not interfere with the interaction of FAT10 with its other known interacting partners. Significantly, ablation of the FAT10–MAD2 interaction dramatically limited the promalignant capacity of FAT10, including promoting tumor growth in vivo and inducing aneuploidy, proliferation, migration, invasion, and resistance to apoptosis in vitro. Our results strongly suggest that the interaction of FAT10 with MAD2 is a key mechanism underlying the promalignant property of FAT10 and offer prospects for the development of anticancer strategies.
Differences in resistance to Trypanosoma musculi infection among strains of inbred mice

Inbred strains of mice were inoculated with Trypanosoma musculi, and the course of the ensuing parasitemia was followed. The mouse strains fell into three groups: those displaying high and moderate (fivefold less) parasitemia and C57BL/6 (B/6) mice which had exceptionally low infections. To gain insight concerning the mechanisms responsible for interstrain variations in infections, several types of experiments were performed. Comparison of the ability of spleen cells from the various strains to provide the growth-promoting substances required by T. musculi for growth in culture revealed that B/6 cells were deficient; this suggested one mechanism for regulating parasite infections. Exposure of C3H (high parasitemia) and B/6 mice to graded levels of ionizing radiation revealed that B/6 mice have much greater innate resistance to infection than do C3H mice. The effects of treating mice with silica dust or mercaptoethanol indicated that relative resistance to infection is not primarily associated with macrophage activity or limited growth-promoting substances. We conclude that variations in immune responsiveness to parasite antigens (probably not associated with the H-2 complex), possibly in concert with variations in a non-immunological mechanism, account for interstrain variation in resistance to T. musculi infections.
Interactive Design of Botanical Trees using Freehand Sketches and Example‐based Editing

We present a system for quickly and easily designing three-dimensional (3D) models of botanical trees using free-hand sketches and additional example-based editing operations. The system generates a 3D geometry from a two-dimensional (2D) sketch using the assumption that trees spread their branches so that the distances between the branches are as large as possible. The user can apply additional gesture-based editing operations such as adding, cutting, and erasing branches. Our system also supports example-based editing modes in which many branches and leaves are generated by using a manually designed tree as an example. User experience demonstrates that our interface lets novices design a variety of reasonably natural-looking trees interactively and quickly.
Integrating statistics and visualization: case studies of gaining clarity during exploratory data analysis

Although both statistical methods and visualizations have been used by network analysts, exploratory data analysis remains a challenge. We propose that a tight integration of these technologies in an interactive exploratory tool could dramatically speed insight development. To test the power of this integrated approach, we created a novel social network analysis tool, SocialAction, and conducted four long-term case studies with domain experts, each working on unique data sets with unique problems. The structured replicated case studies show that the integrated approach in SocialAction led to significant discoveries by a political analyst, a bibliometrician, a healthcare consultant, and a counter-terrorism researcher. Our contributions demonstrate that the tight integration of statistics and visualizations improves exploratory data analysis, and that our evaluation methodology for long-term case studies captures the research strategies of data analysts.
Larvae Retention: Genes or Oceanography?

In the recent report by M. S. Taylor and M. E. Hellberg (“Genetic evidence for local retention of pelagic larvae in a Caribbean reef fish,” 3 Jan., p. [107][1]), the “local retention” of larvae of the goby fish Elacatinus evelynae could be alternately, and more accurately, interpreted as “
Evidence of manufacturing strategies in Indian industry : a survey

This paper presents findings of an extensive survey of Indian manufacturing companies. The survey encompassed four sectors: automobile, electronics, machinery, and process industry. Various manufacturing strategy issues (such as competitive priorities, order winners, and activities of improvement) have been identified and assessed in Indian context. Sector wise comparison of competitive priorities, order winners, and activities of improvement (advanced manufacturing technology, integrated information systems, and advanced management systems) is provided. Our results showed that most of the Indian companies are still emphasizing on quality; however, automobile sector has set to compete globally with high innovation rate, faster new product development, and continuous improvement. Manufacturing competence index is also computed for each sector. r 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Ferrite/pearlite band formation in hot rolled medium carbon steel

Abstract The influence of the microsegregation of Mn, Si, and Cr on the austenite decomposition during isothermal transformations in hot rolled medium carbon steel has been studied by neutron depolarisation, electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), and optical microscopy. Eight specimens of the same alloy were held at 1173 K for 30 min and were rapidly cooled to different isothermal transformation temperatures. Two-dimensional EPMA maps of the specimen annealed at 1013 K showed that microsegregation of alloying elements in hot rolled steel is strongly related to the ferrite/pearlite band formation. The local variations in alloying element concentration lead to variations in local transition temperatures, which were calculated with the thermodynamic database MTDATA. Similar EPMA maps for the specimen transformed at 953 K demonstrate the presence of microchemical bands, while optical microscopy reveals the absence of microstructural bands. It is shown that the formation of microchemical bands is a prerequisite for band formation, but that the kinetics of the phase transformation determines the actual formation of microstructural bands. A quantitative model has been developed, which describes the observations in terms of the relative difference between ferrite nucleation rates in regions with a high and low local undercooling and the subsequent growth of the ferrite. The isothermal transformation experiments have led to generalised nucleation and growth criteria for the formation of microstructural bands.
Dynamic Pricing with Constant Demand Elasticity

The celebrated model of Gallego and van Ryzin is specialized to the case of constant elasticity of demand. A closed form is developed, which has an even simpler form than that arising with exponential demand and which possesses an excellent approximation. In this environment, monopoly is efficient, which means that all the behavior usually attributed to monopoly pricing is actually a consequence of efficient pricing and would arise even in a perfectly competitive environment. If the initial supply is not too large, consumers have no incentive to delay their purchases to get a lower price at the average inventory prevailing at any time.
Calcium-calmodulin dependence of actin accretion and lethality in cultured HEp-2 cells infected with enteropathogenic Escherichia coli

Infection of cultured HEp-2 cells with enteropathogenic Escherichia coli causes substantial actin accretion at points of bacterial contact and cell death. Loss of viability was delayed by chelating intracellular free calcium. Actin accretion was partially inhibited by preventing elevation of free cytosolic calcium and prevented by treatment with a calmodulin inhibitor.
Dynamic Response of Polymer Based Shear Stiffening Composite

In this paper, the uniaxial dynamic compressive response and rheological properties of a newly developed commercially available polymer based shear stiffening (PSS) composite is experimentally studied at different crushing velocities. The results showed that the compressive stress of PSS composites increases with the rising strain rates. Comparing the stress-strain curves of PSS composites and neoprene at the same strain rate, it was found that the compressive stress of PSS composite increased gradually with strain, while the compressive stress of neoprene increased sharply with strain. The uniaxial dynamic mechanical analyses of PSS composites showed that storage modulus of PSS composite increased with the increase of sweep frequency. The rheological study of PSS composites showed that the storage modulus of PSS composite significantly increased when the angular frequency was higher than a critical value, e.g., 100 rad/s, demonstrating evident shear stiffening properties.
Recognition of Aspergillus fumigatus Hyphae by Human Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Is Mediated by Dectin-2 and Results in Formation of Extracellular Traps

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) were initially considered as critical for innate immunity to viruses. However, our group has shown that pDCs bind to and inhibit the growth of Aspergillus fumigatus hyphae and that depletion of pDCs renders mice hypersusceptible to experimental aspergillosis. In this study, we examined pDC receptors contributing to hyphal recognition and downstream events in pDCs stimulated by A. fumigatus hyphae. Our data show that Dectin-2, but not Dectin-1, participates in A. fumigatus hyphal recognition, TNF-α and IFN-α release, and antifungal activity. Moreover, Dectin-2 acts in cooperation with the FcRγ chain to trigger signaling responses. In addition, using confocal and electron microscopy we demonstrated that the interaction between pDCs and A. fumigatus induced the formation of pDC extracellular traps (pETs) containing DNA and citrullinated histone H3. These structures closely resembled those of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). The microarray analysis of the pDC transcriptome upon A. fumigatus infection also demonstrated up-regulated expression of genes associated with apoptosis as well as type I interferon-induced genes. Thus, human pDCs directly recognize A. fumigatus hyphae via Dectin-2; this interaction results in cytokine release and antifungal activity. Moreover, hyphal stimulation of pDCs triggers a distinct pattern of pDC gene expression and leads to pET formation.