Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perception of Graphical Virtual Environments by Blind Users via Sensory Substitution

Graphical virtual environments are currently far from accessible to blind users as their content is mostly visual. This is especially unfortunate as these environments hold great potential for this population for purposes such as safe orientation, education, and entertainment. Previous tools have increased accessibility but there is still a long way to go. Visual-to-audio Sensory-Substitution-Devices (SSDs) can increase accessibility generically by sonifying on-screen content regardless of the specific environment and offer increased accessibility without the use of expensive dedicated peripherals like electrode/vibrator arrays. Using SSDs virtually utilizes similar skills as when using them in the real world, enabling both training on the device and training on environments virtually before real-world visits. This could enable more complex, standardized and autonomous SSD training and new insights into multisensory interaction and the visually-deprived brain. However, whether congenitally blind users, who have never experienced virtual environments, will be able to use this information for successful perception and interaction within them is currently unclear.We tested this using the EyeMusic SSD, which conveys whole-scene visual information, to perform virtual tasks otherwise impossible without vision. Congenitally blind users had to navigate virtual environments and find doors, differentiate between them based on their features (Experiment1:task1) and surroundings (Experiment1:task2) and walk through them; these tasks were accomplished with a 95% and 97% success rate, respectively. We further explored the reactions of congenitally blind users during their first interaction with a more complex virtual environment than in the previous tasks–walking down a virtual street, recognizing different features of houses and trees, navigating to cross-walks, etc. Users reacted enthusiastically and reported feeling immersed within the environment. They highlighted the potential usefulness of such environments for understanding what visual scenes are supposed to look like and their potential for complex training and suggested many future environments they wished to experience.
Fas involvement in Ca(2+)-independent T cell-mediated cytotoxicity

Mechanisms of T cell-mediated cytotoxicity remain poorly defined at the molecular level. To investigate some of these mechanisms, we used as target cells, on the one hand, thymocytes from lpr and gld mouse mutants, and on the other hand, L1210 cells transfected or not with the apoptosis-inducing Fas molecule. These independent mutant or transfectant-based approaches both led to the conclusion that Fas was involved in the Ca(2+)-independent component of cytotoxicity mediated by at least two sources of T cells, namely nonantigen-specific in vitro activated hybridoma cells, and antigen-specific in vivo raised peritoneal exudate lymphocytes. Thus, in these cases, T cell-mediated cytotoxicity involved transduction via Fas of the target cell death signal.
Analysis of total phenols , total tannins and screenig of phytocomponents in Indigofera aspalathoides ( Shivanar Vembu ) Vahl EX DC

The plant Indigofera aspalathoides is popularly kno w as Sivanar vembu in Tamil belongs to the family fabaceae. The stem is traditionally used for various skin dis orders and cancer. In the traditional medicinal sys tem, the leaves, flowers and tender shoot are said to be cooling and demulcent, they are used in the form of decoction for leprosy and cancer affections. Qualitative and quantitative Phytocomponents test were screened in Indigofera aspalathoides. The total content of some important phytochemical constituents like phenols, tannins of Indigofera aspalathoides by studied using spectrophotometric m ethods. The results showed that the plant is rich i n phenols (47.38±1.532) compare than Tannins (34.59±1.788).
Garbage collection in a large LISP system

This paper discusses garbage collection techniques used in a high-performance Lisp implementation with a large virtual memory, the Symbolics 3600. Particular attention is paid to practical issues and experience. In a large system problems of scale appear and the most straightforward garbage-collection techniques do not work well. Many of these problems involve the interaction of the garbage collector with demand-paged virtual memory. Some of the solutions adopted in the 3600 are presented, including incremental copying garbage collection, approximately depth-first copying, ephemeral objects, tagged architecture, and hardware assists. We discuss techniques for improving the efficiency of garbage collection by recognizing that objects in the Lisp world have a variety of lifetimes. The importance of designing the architecture and the hardware to facilitate garbage collection is stressed.
SEN Policies and migrant children in Italian schools: micro-exclusions through discourses of equality

ABSTRACT This article analyses the underpinnings and implementation of Special Educational Needs (SEN) policies in Italy, within the internationally celebrated policy arena of Integrazione Scolastica (i.e. school integration), through an equity prism. The aim is to explore the extent to which SEN policies in Italy foster inclusion and equity in education, particularly when targeting migrant children. In doing so, the paper intends to advance critical thinking about the recent phenomenon of over-representation, or ‘SENitization’, of students from migrant backgrounds within the SEN macro-category in Italy, by examining policy narratives both nationally and locally. Analysing the policies through the intersectional lens of Disability Critical Race Theory in education framework, this article suggest that Italian SEN policies legitimates forms of micro-exclusions of migrant students in mainstream classrooms, despite discursive promises of equality for all students.
Neutrophil Elastase Is Important for PML-Retinoic Acid Receptor α Activities in Early Myeloid Cells

ABSTRACT Expression of the PML-retinoic acid receptor α (PML-RARα) fusion protein is the initiating genetic event for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), but the molecular mechanisms responsible for disease initiation are not yet clear. Several observations have suggested that early myeloid cells are uniquely susceptible to transformation by PML-RARα. Recently, we have shown that the early myeloid-specific protease neutrophil elastase is important for APL development in the mouse. To better understand the role of neutrophil elastase for the pathogenesis of APL, we examined the consequences of PML-RARα expression in early myeloid cells with or without neutrophil elastase. We found that high-level PML-RARα expression was associated with cellular toxicity that was dependent on the expression of neutrophil elastase; a mutant form of PML-RARα that resisted neutrophil elastase cleavage was not toxic. When PML-RARα was expressed at very low levels in the early myeloid cells of mice, it induced myeloid expansion and delayed myeloid maturation; neutrophil elastase was also required for these activities. The activities of PML-RARα in early myeloid cells are therefore strongly influenced by the presence of neutrophil elastase. To assure physiologic relevance, PML-RARα functions should be evaluated in neutrophil elastase-expressing early myeloid cells.
Challenges and Opportunities Provided by Seasonal Climate Forecasts: A Literature Review

Use of seasonal climate forecasts is a rapidly evolving area. Effective research and application of climate forecasts require close cooperation between scientists in diverse disciplines and decision makers. Successful collaboration requires all players to at least partially understand each other's perspectives. Issues associated with seasonal forecasts, through a selected review of both physical and social sciences literature, is presented. Our hope is that the review will improve research in this area by stimulating further collaborations.
Pole-to-pole validation of GOME WFDOAS total ozone with groundbased data

Abstract. This paper summarises the validation of GOME total ozone retrieved using the Weighting Function Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (WFDOAS) algorithm Version 1.0. This algorithm has been described in detail in a companion paper by Coldewey-Egbers et al. (2005). Compared to the operational GDP (GOME Data Processor) V3, several improvements to the total ozone retrieval have been introduced that account for the varying ozone dependent contribution to rotational Raman scattering, includes a new cloud scheme, and uses the GOME measured effective albedo in the retrieval. In this paper the WFDOAS results have been compared with selected ground-based measurements from the WOUDC (World Ozone and UV Radiation Data Centre) that collects total ozone measurements from a global network of stations covering all seasons. From the global validation excellent agreement between WFDOAS and ground data was observed. The agreement lies within ±1%, and very little seasonal variations in the differences are found. In the polar regions and at high solar zenith angles, however, a positive bias varying between 5 and 8% is found near the polar night period. As a function of solar zenith angle as well as of the retrieved total ozone, the WFDOAS differences to ground polar data, however, show a much weaker dependence as compared to the operational GOME Data Processor Version 3 of GOME that represents a significant improvement. Very few stations carry out simultaneous measurements by Brewer and Dobson spectrometers over an extended period (three years or more). Simultaneous Brewer and Dobson measurements from Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic (50.2N, 15.8E) and Hohenpeissenberg, Germany (47.8N, 11.0E) covering the period 1996-1999 have been compared with our GOME results. Agreement with Brewers are generally better than with the simultaneous Dobson measurements and this may be explained by the neglect of stratospheric (ozone) temperature correction in the standard ozone retrieval from the ground.
Regulation of capacitative calcium entries by α1‐syntrophin: association of TRPC1 with dystrophin complex and the PDZ domain of α1‐syntrophin

Calcium mishandling in Duchenne dystrophic muscle suggested that dystrophin, a membrane‐associated cytoskeleton protein, might regulate calcium signaling cascade such as calcium influx pathway. It was previously shown that abnormal calcium entries involve uncontrolled stretch‐activated currents and store‐operated Ca2+ currents supported by TRPC1 channels. Moreover, our recent work demonstrated that reintroduction of minidystrophin in dystrophic myotubes restores normal capacitative calcium entries (CCEs). However, until now, no molecular link between the dystrophin complex and calcium entry channels has been described. This study is the first to show by coimmunoprecipitation assays the molecular association of TRPC1 with dystrophin and α1‐syntrophin in muscle cells. TRPC1 was also associated with α1‐syntrophin in dystrophic muscle cells independently of dystrophin. Furthermore, glutathione S‐transferase (GST) pull‐down assays showed that TRPC1 binds to the α1‐syntrophin PDZ domain. Transfected recombinant α1‐syntrophin formed a complex with TRPC1 channels and restored normal CCEs in dystrophic muscle cells. We suggest that normal regulation of CCEs in skeletal muscle depends on the association between TRPC1 channels and α1‐syntrophin that may anchor the store‐operated channels to the dystrophin‐associated protein complex (DAPC). The loss of this molecular association could participate in the calcium alterations observed in dystrophic muscle cells. This study provides a new model for the regulation of calcium influx by interaction with the scaffold of the DAPC in muscle cells. —Vandebrouck, A. , Sabourin, J., Rivet, J., Balghi, H. , Sebille, S. , Kitzis, A. , Raymond, G. , Cognard, C. , Bourmeyster, N. , Constantin, B. Regulation of capacitative calcium entries by α1‐syntrophin: association of TRPC1 with dystrophin complex and the PDZ domain of α1‐syntrophin. FASEB J. 21, 608–617 (2007)
STEM Focused High School and University Partnership: Alternative Solution for Senioritis Issue and Creating Students’ STEM Curiosity

The purpose of this study is to evaluate how the high school-college partnership reflects on “senioritis” and students STEM curiosity. The term “senioritis” described in this paper refers to high school senior students who have completed most of their graduation requirement courses in the third year of studies. During the fourth year of high school, students may only need two or three credits for graduate which inherently causes the students to lose motivation. This then results in the aforementioned senioritis. Least credit requirements make senior students a senioritis and have a lack of motivation in the fourth year of high school. This study aims to illustrate how K-16 a model high school-college partnership with local colleges builds a scientific community that urban student can benefit from.
MALT1 inhibitors prevent the development of DSS-induced experimental colitis in mice via inhibiting NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome activation

Mucosa-associated-lymphoid-tissue lymphoma-translocation gene 1 (MALT1), a paracaspase and essential regulator for nuclear factor kB (NF-κB) activation, plays an important role in innate and adaptive immunity. Suppression of MALT1 protease activity with small molecule inhibitors showed promising efficacies in subtypes of B cell lymphoma and improvement in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model. However, whether MALT1 inhibitors could ameliorate colitis remains unclear. In the present study, we examined the pharmacological effect of two specific MALT1 inhibitors MI-2 and mepazine on the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental colitis in mice, followed by mechanistic analysis on NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Treatment with MI-2 and mepazine dose-dependently attenuated symptoms of colitis in mice, evidenced by reduction in the elevated disease activity index, the shortening of colon length as well as the histopathologic improvement. Moreover, protein and mRNA levels of DSS-induced proinflammatory cytokines in colon, including TNF, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, IL-17A and IFN-γ, were markedly suppressed by MALT1 inhibitors. The underlying mechanisms for the protective effect of MALT1 inhibitors in DSS-induced colitis may be attributed to its inhibition on NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophages. The in vitro study showed that MALT1 inhibitors decreased production of IL-1β/IL-18 in phorbol myristate acetate-differentiated THP-1 cells and bone marrow derived macrophage via suppressing the activation of NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome. Taken together, our results demonstrated that inhibition of the protease activity of MALT1 might be a viable strategy to treat inflammatory bowel disease and the NLRP3 inflammasome and NF-κB activation are critical components in MALT1 signaling cascades in this disease model.
Generative Programming for Embedded Systems Final Report

The aim of this project was to develop new generative programming technology for resource-sensitive systems, notably real-time embedded systems. Generative programming involves automatic generation of target code from some higher-level source under programmer control. It is especially suitable for implementing domain-specific languages, as deployed for the construction of embedded systems, for example, offering advantages of performance, tunability, flexibility and ease of implementation. The focus of the project has been on providing strong, type-based, and formally verifiable guarantees of the properties of generated code. The project employed one post-doctoral researcher, Dr Edwin Brady, for a period of three years, and one post-doctoral research, Dr Christoph Herrmann, for a period of three months. These researchers benefitted from the synergies offered by working as part of a large research team at the University of St Andrews, headed by the PI (Prof. Kevin Hammond), comprising two academics, four contract researchers and three research students. They also benefitted from synergies with the EU-funded EmBounded project (Automatic Prediction of Resource Bounds for Embedded Systems), which has developed automatic timeand spaceresource analyses for the Hume domain-specific language. Edwin now has a full-time academic position at St Andrews University, and Christoph is employed on an MOD-funded project in a related area. Both these researchers and the PI are full members of IFIP WG2.11 (Generative Programming), Edwin being elected on the basis of his work on this project. Both Edwin and the PI have also served on the programme committee for the ACM Conference on Generative Programming and Component Engineering (GPCE), and Kevin Hammond has also initiated a successful international workshop on Automatic Program Generation for Embedded Systems, with Prof. Paul Kelly (Imperial College). All the outputs of the project can be found on the project web page, http://www-fp.cs. st-and. ac.uk/GPES.
Review of Non-Blocking Two-Phase Commit Protocols

The problem of blocking in two-phase commit protocols (2PC) is one of the main issues to solve when designing a reliable, available and efficient distributed system. To resolve the blocking problem three-phase commit protocol (3PC) was introduced using an extra round of message transmission, which is not an ideal solution. Instead it is desirable to keep the number of message exchanges on a low level and for that reason a commit protocol should be efficient in keeping the number of phases as minimal as possible, which redirect us to the two-phase commit protocol. In order to achieve the non-blocking property there have been presented a variety of solutions throughout the years, and in this paper we have chosen to focus on two different approaches: one with a protocol that introduce the usage of backup sites (BC) and another that intends to implement a non-blocking two-phase commit protocol (N2PC) with a cooperative recovery. To maintain a low level of message exchanges the first protocol does not use acknowledgements, as a substitute the participants handles that responsibility and to obtain a non-blocking property, election of a new coordinator. Storing copies of coordinator decisions on a backup site is the foundation of the second algorithm.
Modeling and location of faults in power transformer using Transfer Function and Frequency Response Analysis

Power transformer is the most expensive single element of HV transmission system. Partial Discharge, mechanical displacement of the winding and inter-turn fault is commonly encountered problem in power transformer. This minor fault may lead to irretrievable damage. Transfer Function Method and Frequency Response Analysis Method are used in this paper, in order to locate the winding fault. The end result obtained for the different fault condition is compared with the reference set and the conclusions are drawn. Simulation is done with Orcad-Pspice and its results are verified with experimental setup.
Resource-Aware Programming - Invited paper

Traditional wisdom in programming language design suggests that there is a trade-off between expressive power and static guarantees. We describe a novel schema for designing a class of languages that we call Resource-aware Programming (RAP) languages. By taking into account the natural distinction between the development platform and the deployment platform for embedded software, RAP languages can alleviate the need for drastic trade-offs between expressive power and static guarantees. We describe our preliminary experience designing and programming in a RAP language for hardware design, and give a brief overview of directions for future work.
Point of collapse and continuation methods for large AC/DC systems

The implementation of both point of collapse (PoC) methods and continuation methods for the computation of voltage collapse points (saddle-node bifurcations) in large AC/DC power systems is described. The performance of these methods is compared for real systems of up to 2158 buses. Computational details of the implementation of the PoC and continuation methods are detailed, and the unique problems encountered due to the presence of high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) transmission, area interchange power control, regulating transformers, and voltage and reactive power limits are discussed. The characteristics of a robust PoC power flow program are presented, and its application to detection and solution of voltage stability problems is demonstrated. >
Optimal redundancy against disjoint vulnerabilities in networks

Redundancy is commonly used to guarantee continued functionality in networked systems. However, often many nodes are vulnerable to the same failure or adversary. A "backup" path is not sufficient if both paths depend on nodes which share a vulnerability.For example, if two nodes of the Internet cannot be connected without using routers belonging to a given untrusted entity, then all of their communication-regardless of the specific paths utilized-will be intercepted by the controlling entity.In this and many other cases, the vulnerabilities affecting the network are disjoint: each node has exactly one vulnerability but the same vulnerability can affect many nodes. To discover optimal redundancy in this scenario, we describe each vulnerability as a color and develop a "color-avoiding percolation" which uncovers a hidden color-avoiding connectivity. We present algorithms for color-avoiding percolation of general networks and an analytic theory for random graphs with uniformly distributed colors including critical phenomena. We demonstrate our theory by uncovering the hidden color-avoiding connectivity of the Internet. We find that less well-connected countries are more likely able to communicate securely through optimally redundant paths than highly connected countries like the US. Our results reveal a new layer of hidden structure in complex systems and can enhance security and robustness through optimal redundancy in a wide range of systems including biological, economic and communications networks.
Protein complex prediction via bottleneck-based graph partitioning

Detecting protein complexes is one of essential and fundamental tasks in understanding various biological functions or processes. Therefore, precise identification of protein complexes is indispensible. For more precise detection of protein complexes, we propose a novel data structure which employs bottleneck proteins as partitioning points for detecting the protein complexes. The partitioning process allows overlapping between resulting protein complexes. We applied our algorithm to several PPI (Protein-Protein Interaction) networks of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Homo sapiens, and validated our results using public databases of protein complexes. Our algorithm resulted in overlapping protein complexes with significantly improved F1 score, which comes from higher precision.
Community enhanced tutorials: improving tutorials with multiple demonstrations

Web-based tutorials are a popular help resource for learning how to perform unfamiliar tasks in complex software. However, in their current form, web tutorials are isolated from the applications that they support. In this paper we present FollowUs, a web-tutorial system that integrates a fully-featured application into a web-based tutorial. This novel architecture enables community enhanced tutorials, which continuously improve as more users work with them. FollowUs captures video demonstrations of users as they perform a tutorial. Subsequent users can use the original tutorial, or choose from a library of captured community demonstrations of each tutorial step. We conducted a user study to test the benefits of making multiple demonstrations available to users, and found that users perform significantly better using our system with a library of multiple demonstrations in comparison to its equivalent baseline system with only the original authored content.