Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Upregulation of TPX2 by STAT3: Identification of a Novel STAT3 Binding Site

TPX2, a protein involved in mitosis, is considered a good marker for actively proliferating tissues, highly expressed in a number of cancer cells. We show the presence of high-affinity binding site for STAT3 in the 5′-flanking region of the Tpx2 gene, which is in vivo bound by activated STAT3. A specific STAT3 peptide inhibitor represses the expression of the Tpx2 gene and inhibits the binding of STAT3 to its consensus sequence in human cell lines where STAT3 is activated. These results indicate that activated STAT3 contributes to the over-expression of Tpx2 through the binding to an enhancer site.
Distributed query evaluation with performance guarantees

Partial evaluation has recently proven an effective technique for evaluating Boolean XPath queries over a fragmented tree that is distributed over a number of sites. What left open is whether or not the technique is applicable to generic data-selecting XPath queries. In contrast to Boolean queries that return a single truth value, a generic XPath query returns a set of elements, and its evaluation introduces difficulties to avoiding excessive data shipping. This paper settles this question in positive by providing evaluation algorithms and optimizations for generic XPath queries in the same distributed and fragmented setting. These algorithms explore parallelism and retain the performance guarantees of their counterpart for Boolean queries, regardless of how the tree is fragmented and distributed. First, each site is visited at most three times, and down to at most twice when optimizations are in place. Second, the network traffic is determined by the final answer of the query, rather than the size of the tree, without incurring unnecessary data shipping. Third, the total computation is comparable to that of centralized algorithms on the tree stored in a single site. We show both analytically and experimentally that our algorithms and optimizations are scalable and efficient on large trees and complex XPath queries.
Shared path protection for distance adaptive elastic Optical Networks under dynamic traffic

Elastic Optical Networks (EONs), evolved as a scalable infrastructure to provide optical connectivity for large variety of bandwidth requests ranging from 1Gbps to 1Tbps. Thanks to the enabling technologies such as bandwidth variable transponders and flexible switches, bandwidth adaptive spectrum allocation became possible. EONs can carry large optical channels with higher spectrum efficiency with the recent changes in the standard fixed division of optical spectrum. In this study we propose a distance adaptive, dynamic shared path protection scheme for EONs. In conventional WDM networks, shareability used to be one of the prime objectives to maximize the backup resource efficiency. In EONs, spectrum resources can be shared partially between connections and different parts of the allocated spectrum may be shared by different connections at the same time. Not only the routing but also spectrum allocation of backup resources has a big impact on the shareability in EONs. Taking this into account, we developed a novel RSA (Routing and Spectrum Allocation) algorithm applying different strategies for primary and backup resources called Primary First-Fit Modified Backup Last-Fit (PF-MBL) aiming to reduce the fragmentation and to increase the shareability. As a result overall bandwidth blocking probability is significantly reduced in the network. Results show that PF-MBL can improve the performance in terms of bandwidth blocking probability by 24% up to 59% compared to the current outperforming algorithm when the bandwidth acceptance ratio of the system varies from 90% to 99.9% in different loads.
All pairs lightest shortest paths

Two vertices in a weighted directed graph may be connected by many shortest paths. Although all these paths are shortest in terms of weight, the number of edges on them may vary substantially. This leads us to consider the AlI Pairs Lightest Shortest Paths (APLSP) problem. A solution to this problem is a representation of shortest paths between all of pairs of vertices in the graph such that each of these shortest paths uses a minimal, or a close to minimal, number of edges. We present the following algorithms for obtaining exact or approximate solutions to the APLSP problem: l An d(n*+“) time algorithm for exactly solving the APLSP problem for directed graphs with integer weights of small absolute value, where n is the number of vertices in the graph and v < 0.747 is the solution of the equation ~(1, v, 1) = 3u, where ~(1, u, 1) is the exponent of the multiplicationof an n x R” matrix by an n” x n matrix. l An d(n’+“) time algorithm, where p < 0.575 is the solution of the equation ~(1, p, 1) = 1 + 2/~, for finding shortest paths between all pairs of vertices in a directed graph on n vertices with integer weights of small absolute value such that each shortest path found uses at most (1 + I) times the minimal number of edges required, for any fixed L > 0. An 6(n” log W) time algorithm, where w = w(l,l,l) < 2.376 is the the exponent of square matrix multiplication, for finding paths between all pairs of vertices in a directed graph on n vertices with non-negatiue real edge weights, such that each path returned is of stretch at most
EQUILIBRIUM RECONSTRUCTION ON THE START SPHERICAL TOKAMAK USING A NEURAL NETWORK

The neural network post-shot reconstruction analysis, as implemented on the START spherical tokamak at Culham, is described. This used a combination of magnetic and soft X-ray diagnostic inputs to evaluate selected plasma parameters as a function of time throughout the shot. An in-built “novelty detector “was used to detect inadequate database coverage associated with plasma configurations not represented in the database. The method is illustrated by results from the high beta campaign on START.
Video summarization using singular value decomposition

The authors propose a novel technique for video summarization based on singular value decomposition (SVD). For the input video sequence, we create a feature-frame matrix A, and perform the SVD on it. From this SVD, we are able, to not only derive the refined feature space to better cluster visually similar frames, but also define a metric to measure the amount of visual content contained in each frame cluster using its degree of visual changes. Then, in the refined feature space, we find the most static frame cluster, define it as the content unit, and use the context value computed from it as the threshold to cluster the rest of the frames. Based on this clustering result, either the optimal set of keyframes, or a summarized motion video with the user specified time length can be generated to support different user requirements for video browsing and content overview. Our approach ensures that the summarized video representation contains little redundancy, and gives equal attention to the same amount of contents.
OBSERVATIONS FROM BOREHOLE DILUTION LOGGING EXPERIMENTS IN FRACTURED CRYSTALLINE ROCK UNDER AMBIENT AND PUMP TEST CONDITIONS

Identifying hydraulically active fractures in low permeability, crystalline-bedrock aquifers requires a variety of geophysical and hydrogeophysical borehole tools and approaches. One such approach is Single Borehole Dilution Tests (SBDT), which in some low flow cases have been shown to provide greater resolution of borehole flow than other logging procedures, such as vertical differential Heat Pulse Flowmeter (HPFM) logging. Because the tools used in SBDT collect continuous profiles of water quality or dye changes, they can identify horizontal flow zones and vertical flow. We used SBDT with a food grade blue dye as a tracer and dual photometer-nephelometer measurements to identify low flow zones. SBDT were conducted at seven wells with open boreholes (exceeding 300 ft). At most of the wells HPFM logs were also collected. The seven wells are set in low-permeability, fractured granite and gneiss rocks underlying a former tetrachloroeythylene (PCE) source area at the Savage Municipal Well Superfund site in Milford, NH. Time series SBDT logs were collected at each of the seven wells under three distinct hydraulic conditions: (1) ambient conditions prior to a pump test at an adjacent well, (2) mid test, after 2-3 days of the start of the pump test, and (3) at the end of the test, after 8-9 days of the pump test. None of the SBDT were conducted under pumping conditions in the logged well. For each condition, wells were initially passively spiked with blue dye once and subsequent time series measurements were made. Measurement accuracy and precision of the photometer tool is important in SBDT when attempting to detect low rates of borehole flow. Tests indicate that under ambient conditions, none of the wells had detectable flow as measured with HPFM logging. With SBDT, 4 of the 7 showed the presence of some very low flow. None of 5 (2 of the 7 wells initially logged with HPFM under ambient conditions were not re-logged) wells logged with the HPFM during the pump test had detectable flow. However, 3 of the 5 wells showed the patterns of very low flow with SBDT during the pump test including pumping induced changes of inflow and outflow patterns at one well.
The effectiveness of the chop tackle in elite and semi-professional rugby union

The aim of this study was to analysis tackles within 2 levels of rugby union. Ten Rugby World Cup matches and 10 Principality Welsh Premiership matches were analysed. The 125.8±40.6 tackles performed in World Cup matches was significantly greater than the 88.1±14.0 performed in Welsh Premier matches (p < 0.001). Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare the two different levels of play while Wilcoxon signed ranks tests were used to compare performance of chop and other types of tackle. Furthermore, the 31.3±14.2% of tackles in World Cup matches that were chop tackles was significantly greater than the 22.6±8.5% in Welsh Premier matches (p = 0.038). The percentage of chop tackles that led to a turnover was significantly greater than the percentage of other types of turnover in both World Cup matches (p = 0.003) and Welsh Premier matches (p = 0.003). However the percentage of chop tackles that were unsuccessful was also significantly greater than the percentage of other types of turnover in both World Cup matches (p = 0.023) and Welsh Premier matches (p < 0.001). Therefore, the chop tackle is an example of a technique with high risk but also high opportunity of success.
Blind equalization using the constant modulus criterion: a review

This paper provides a tutorial introduction to the constant modulus (CM) criterion for blind fractionally spaced equalizer (FSE) design via a (stochastic) gradient descent algorithm such as the constant modulus algorithm (CMA). The topical decisions utilized in this tutorial can be used to help catalog the emerging literature on the CM criterion and on the behavior of (stochastic) gradient descent algorithms used to minimize it.
Developmental programming and reversibility in early life

V ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . VII DEDICATION . VIII TABLE OF CONTENTS . IX LIST OF FIGURES . XV LIST OF TABLES . XVII GLOSSARY . XVIII CO-AUTHORSHIP FORMS . XXI CHAPTER
Texture based segmentation of remotely sensed imagery for identification of geological units

Information from remotely sensed imageries is usually extracted using the pixel-based approaches. These do not respond well to a specific application. In particular, efficient identification of geological units on a satellite image using pixel-based technique has not been always possible at the desired level of precision. Object-based approaches are being pursued recently with interest for such applications. Efficient geological mapping and exploration requires identification of geological units from a satellite image. This can be viewed as a segmentation process that takes into account the spectral and spatial characteristics of an image. The present research explores the potential of a newly developed spatial segmentation based on Local Binary Pattern for geological unit identification. Spatial homogeneity of pixels plays an important role in spatial segmentation. In this thesis, homogeneity is defined using the concept of texture. This leads to the Local Binary Pattern Operator, based on a rotation invariant texture model. Multivariate case of this approach help in spatial segmentation with a reasonably good performance for information extraction. Segmentation has been carried out on remotely sensed images from Landsat TM and Aster for the Southern Mongolian arid region. Appropriate band combinations for multivariate Local Binary Pattern have been used in delineating geological units of the region. Closest Distance Metric, an edge validation algorithm has been implemented. It finds possible matchings between two images in relation to distances between edges. Segmented images have been assessed using reference data from a geological map. The algorithm is highly sensitive for over-segmentation, which leads to a low similarity value. However, another accuracy measure, Boundary Fit Index results in 52% of boundary fitting. It shows that image segmentation if done properly could improve geological maps.
Associations of Parental Influences with Physical Activity and Screen Time among Young Children: A Systematic Review

Parents play a critical role in developing and shaping their children's physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviours, particularly in the early years of life. The aim of this systematic review is to identify current literature investigating associations of parental influences with both PA and screen time in young children. This systematic review was conducted in November 2013 using 6 electronic databases covering research literature from January 1998 to November 2013. Thirty articles that met inclusion criteria were identified. These studies covered five important aspects of parenting: (1) parenting practices; (2) parents' role modelling; (3) parental perceptions of children's PA and screen viewing behaviours; (4) parental self-efficacy; and (5) general parenting style. Findings suggest that parents' encouragement and support can increase children's PA, and reducing parents' own screen time can lead to decreased child screen time. Improving parenting practices, parental self-efficacy or changing parenting style may also be promising approaches to increasing PA time and decreasing screen time of young children.
A HISTOGRAM-BASED ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAM SPIKE DETECTION

This paper aims to improve the performance of a proposed electroencephalogram (EEG) spike detection technique. This technique accentuates the signature of spikes in the time domain signal using a nonlinear energy operator by amplifying high frequency activities such as spikes. The resulted signal is convolved with a smoothing window to reduce the effect of noise. Then, values of the resulted signal higher than a threshold value are considered as spikes. The instantaneous nature of the technique and its very low computation make it an ideal tool for spike detection. In this approach selection of the threshold value is crucial for the accuracy of the technique. This paper is aimed at improving the technique using a new approach for the threshold selection using the histogram of the smoothed nonlinear energy operator. The efficiency of the presented spike detection method has been evaluated using both synthetic signals and real newborn EEG. Results in this paper show that the proposed technique is superior to the original technique both in terms of sensitivity and selectivity.
High-Performance Wireless via the Merger of CI Chip-Shaped DS-CDMA and Oscillating-Beam Smart Antenna Arrays

We introduce a novel merger of direct sequence code division multiple access (DS-CDMA) and smart antenna arrays. With regard to the DS-CDMA scheme, we employ carrier interferometry DS-CDMA (CI/DS-CDMA), a novel implementation of DS-CDMA where chips are decomposable into narrowband frequency components. With regard to the antenna array, we deploy the oscillating-beam smart array. Here, applying proper time-varying phases to the array elements, we create small movement (oscillation) in the antenna array's pattern, while steering the antenna pattern main lobe to the position of the intended user. The oscillating antenna pattern creates a time-varying channel with a controllable coherence time. This, in turn, provides transmit diversity in the form of a time diversity gain at the mobile receiver side. At the receiver, three stages of combining are available: combining time components of the received signal within symbol duration (each experiencing a different fade) to enhance performance via time diversity; combining frequency components which make up the CI/DS-CDMA chip to enhance the performance via frequency diversity; and combining across chips to eliminate the interfering users on the system. Merging CI/DS-CDMA with the oscillating-beam smart antenna at the base station, we achieve very high capacity via the merger of SDMA (available through directionality of the antenna array) and code division multiple access (inherent in CI/DS-CDMA), and very high performance via the construction of receivers that exploit both transmit diversity and frequency diversity. We present the performance gains of the proposed merger.
Cytomegalovirus Infection in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Is Not Associated with Worsening of Intestinal Inflammatory Activity

Background Cytomegalovirus is highly prevalent virus and usually occurs in immunocompromised patients. The pathophysiology and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease often induce a state of immunosuppression. Because this, there are still doubts and controversies about the relationship between inflammatory bowel disease and cytomegalovirus. Aim Evaluate the frequency of cytomegalovirus in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and identify correlations. Methods Patients with inflammatory bowel disease underwent an interview, review of records and collection of blood and fecal samples. The search for cytomegalovirus was performed by IgG and IgM blood serology, by real-time PCR in the blood and by qualitative PCR in feces. Results were correlated with red blood cell levels, C-reactive protein levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rates and fecal calprotectin levels for each patient. Results Among the 400 eligible patients, 249 had Crohn's disease, and 151 had ulcerative colitis. In the group of Crohn's disease, 67 of the patients had moderate or severe disease, but 126 patients presented with active disease, based on the evaluation of the fecal calprotectin. In patients with ulcerative colitis, only 21 patients had moderate disease, but 76 patients presented with active disease, based on the evaluation of the fecal calprotectin. A large majority of patients had positive CMV IgG. Overall, 10 patients had positive CMV IgM, and 9 patients had a positive qualitative detection of CMV DNA by PCR in the feces. All 400 patients returned negative results after the quantitative detection of CMV DNA in blood by real-time PCR. Analyzing the 19 patients with active infections, we only found that such an association occurred with the use of combined therapy (anti-TNF-alpha + azathioprine) Conclusion The findings show that latent cytomegalovirus infections are frequent and active cytomegalovirus infection is rare. We did not find any association between an active infection of CMV and inflammatory bowel disease activity.
Fast Algorithms for Coevolving Time Series Mining

In this paper, we present fast algorithms on mining coevolving time series, with or with out missing values. Our algorithms could mine meaningful patterns effectively and efficiently. With those patterns, our algorithms can do forecasting, compression, and segmentation. Furthermore, we apply our algorithm to solve practical problems including occlusions in motion capture, and generating natural human motions by stitching low-effort motions. We also propose a parallel learning algorithm for LDS to fully utilize the power of multicore/multiprocessors, which will serve as corner stone of many applications and algorithms for time series.
Professional Identity in Analysis: A Systematic Review of the Literature

The present study is a systematic review of literature, with the objective to map the typology of conceptual studies about professional identity, as well as the used conceptual fields and the evidence therefrom resulting. The research was made within the electronic databases ISI web of Knowledge, EBSCO (Academic Search Complete, ERIC and Sport Discus) and B-On, between 2002 and 2011. The research equation was "Professional Identity" AND "Review", in the fields 'abstract', 'topic' and 'title' having been integrated 22 articles. The content analysis was the technique used, with the following categories defined a priori: i) typology studies; (ii) conceptual framework around the professional identity; iii) indications for future researches about teacher's identity. The results showed a marked increase of publications in 2011, in large professional areas (teachers and nurses) and in two main stages of development (the learning and professional process), as well as a strong conceptual positioning of authors in the perspective of symbolic interactionism and in post-modernity. It was also clear that the concept of professional identity fits simultaneously in individual (personal and social) and collective dimensions. Indeed, it involves the individual, his/her relationship with the other in a given context and his/her sense of belonging to a group. Regarding the proposals for future investigations, the researches with a qualitative nature (ethnographic and longitudinal) in work places prevails, with emphasis on the observation of dynamics established in communities of practice and its speeches (public and private), in a combination of micro and macro analysis.
Temporally Coherent Segmentation of 3D Reconstructions

In this paper, we address the problem of segmenting consistently an evolving 3D scene reconstructed individually at different time-frames. The spatial reconstruction of 3D objects from multiple views has been studied extensively in the recent past. Various approaches exist to capture the performance of real actors into voxel-based or mesh-based representations. However, without any knowledge about the nature of the scene being observed, such reconstructions suffer from artifacts such as holes and topological inconsistencies. We explore the problem of segmenting such reconstructions in a temporally coherent manner, as a decomposition into rigidly moving parts. We work with mesh-based representations, though our method can be extended to other 3D representations as well. Unlike related works, our method is independent of the scene being observed, and can handle multiple actors interacting with each other. We also do not require an 'a priori' motion-estimate, which we compute simultaneously as we segment the scene. We individually segment each of the reconstructed scenes into approximately convex parts, and compute their reliability through rigid motion estimates over the sequence. We finally merge these various parts together into a holistic and consistent segmentation over the sequence. We present results on publicly available data sets.