Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A simple proof of the necessity of the failure detector Σ to implement a register in asynchronous message-passing systems

This paper presents a simple proof that the quorum failure detector class (denoted Σ) is the weakest failure detector class required to implement an atomic read/write register in an asynchronous message-passing system prone to an arbitrary number of process crashes. Key-words: Asynchronous message-passing system, Atomic register, Necessity proof, Process crash, Weakest failure detector. Une preuve simple de la n écessit́ e du d́etecteur de fautes Σ pour impĺementer un registre dans un syst ème asynchronè a passage de messages Résuḿe : Ce rapport propose une preuve simple de la n écessit́ e du d́etecteur de fautes Σ pour impĺementer un registre dans un syst̀ eme asynchronè a passage de messages. Mots clés : Asynchronisme, D́ efaillances des processus, D étecteur de fautes, Preuve de n ćessit́ e, Registre atomique. * Projet ASAP:équipe commune avec l’INRIA, le CNRS, l’universit é Rennes 1 et l’INSA de Rennes ** Projet ASAP:équipe commune avec l’INRIA, le CNRS, l’universit é Rennes 1 et l’INSA de Rennes c ©IRISA – Campus de Beaulieu – 35042 Rennes Cedex – France – +33 2 99 84 71 00 – www.irisa. fr in ria -0 03 92 45 0, v er si on 1 8 Ju n 20 09 2 F. Bonnet & M. Raynal
Routing Bridges (RBridges): Base Protocol Specification

Routing Bridges (RBridges) provide optimal pair-wise forwarding without configuration, safe forwarding even during periods of temporary loops, and support for multipathing of both unicast and multicast traffic. They achieve these goals using IS-IS routing and encapsulation of traffic with a header that includes a hop count. RBridges are compatible with previous IEEE 802.1 customer bridges as well as IPv4 and IPv6 routers and end nodes. They are as invisible to current IP routers as bridges are and, like routers, they terminate the bridge spanning tree protocol. The design supports VLANs and the optimization of the distribution of multi-destination frames based on VLAN ID and based on IP-derived multicast groups. It also allows unicast forwarding tables at transit RBridges to be sized according to the number of RBridges (rather than the number of end nodes), which allows their forwarding tables to be substantially smaller than in conventional customer bridges. [STANDARDS-TRACK]
Cocaine Enhances NMDA Receptor-Mediated Currents in Ventral Tegmental Area Cells via Dopamine D5 Receptor-Dependent Redistribution of NMDA Receptors

Cocaine-induced plasticity of glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) plays an important role in brain adaptations that promote addictive behaviors. However, the mechanisms responsible for triggering these synaptic changes are unknown. Here, we examined the effects of acute cocaine application on glutamatergic synaptic transmission in rat midbrain slices. Cocaine caused a delayed increase in NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-mediated synaptic currents in putative VTA dopamine (DA) cells. This effect was mimicked by a specific DA reuptake inhibitor and by a DA D1/D5 receptor agonist. The effect of cocaine was blocked by a DA D1/D5 receptor antagonist as well as by inhibitors of the cAMP/cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. Furthermore, biochemical analysis showed an increase in the immunoreactivity of the NMDAR subunits NR1 and NR2B and their redistribution to the synaptic membranes in VTA neurons. Accordingly, NMDAR-mediated EPSC decay time kinetics were significantly slower after cocaine, suggesting an increased number of NR2B-containing NMDARs. Finally, pharmacological analysis indicates that NR2B subunits might be incorporated in triheteromeric NR1/NR2A/NR2B complexes rather than in “pure” NR1/NR2B NMDA receptors. Together, our data suggest that acute cocaine increases NMDAR function in the VTA via activation of the cAMP/PKA pathway mediated by a DA D5-like receptor, leading to the insertion of NR2B-containing NMDARs in the membrane. These results provide a potential mechanism by which acute cocaine promotes synaptic plasticity of VTA neurons, which could ultimately lead to the development of addictive behaviors.
PALMPRINT AND FACE BASED MULTIMODAL RECOGNITION USING PSO DEPENDENT FEATURE LEVEL FUSION

Biometrics refers to a scientific discipline which involves automatic methods for recognizing people based on their physiological or behavioural characteristics. Biometric systems that use a single trait are called unimodal systems, whereas those that integrate two or more traits are referred to as multimodal biometric systems. A multimodal biometric system requires an integration scheme to fuse the information obtained from the individual modalities. In this paper, we have designed and developed a technique for multi-modal biometric recognition using feature level fusion. Initially we consider two data sets namely face and palmprint. Using multi texton histogram we extract the features from the face and palmprints directly. We concatenate the face and palmprint using XOR, AND and OR gate with the help of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm. In recognition, the concatenated feature is matched through distance matching and distance score provides recognition identity of a person. The proposed technique is implemented with the help of evaluation metrics such as false acceptance rate, false rejection rate and accuracy. Finally the comparative analysis for the proposed fusion technique results 40% better accuracy, when compared with the existing techniques.
Continuous Facial Affect Recognition from Videos

The interpretation of user facial expressions is a very useful method for emotional sensing and constitutes an indispensable part of affective HCI designs. This paper proposes an effective system for continuous facial affect recognition from videos. The system operates in a continuous 2D emotional space, characterized by evaluation and activation factors, enabling a wide range of intermediary affective states to be worked with. It makes use, for each video frame, of a classification method able to output the exact location (2D point coordinates) of the still facial image in that space. It also exploits the Kalman filtering technique to control the 2D point movement along the affective space over time and to improve the robustness of the method by predicting its future locations in cases of temporal facial occlusions or inaccurate tracking. The system has been tuned with an extensive universal database and preliminary evaluation results are very encouraging.
Interaction of Cisplatin with the Human Organic Cation Transporter 2

Purpose: Cisplatin is predominantly eliminated in the urine through active secretion. As the solute carrier organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2) is highly expressed in the basolateral membrane of proximal tubules, we determined its contribution to cisplatin transport and assessed the relation of variation in the gene encoding OCT2 (SLC22A2) with the disposition of cisplatin. Experimental Design: Cell lines were transfected using the Flp-In 293 system with the full-length OCT2 cDNA, and platinum concentrations were measured using flameless atomic absorption spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic data were available from 106 cancer patients, and DNA was screened for eight nonsynonymous SLC22A2 variants using direct sequencing. Results: mRNA expression was 36-fold higher and uptake of the model substrate tetraethylammonium was significantly increased (P < 0.0001) in OCT2-transfected cells compared with empty vector-transfected controls. OCT2-mediated transport of cisplatin was saturable, and uptake was increased by ∼4-fold (P < 0.0001) relative to control cells. Cisplatin inhibited OCT2-mediated transport of tetraethylammonium by up to 97%. The mean ± SD systemic clearance of unbound cisplatin-derived platinum in the patient population was 29.2 ± 8.39 L/h, and renal clearance was particularly variable. Only one single nucleotide polymorphism (Ala270Se; rs316019) was identified (minor allele frequency, 7.6%), and it was not found to be associated with any of the studied pharmacokinetic variables (P > 0.05). Conclusion: These findings support the hypothesis that OCT2 is a key renal transporter involved in cisplatin elimination. However, known variants in SLC22A2 do not substantially contribute to explaining interindividual pharmacokinetic variability, suggesting that other mechanisms, controlling OCT2 expression, might be involved.
A Memristor-Based Chaotic System with Bifurcation Analysis

This paper proposes and investigates a memristor-based chaotic system by incorporating an HP TiO2 memristor into the canonical Chen's chaotic system. More precisely, a charge-controlled memristor model with some appropriate boundary conditions is introduced. The relationship between the electric charge and the flux passing through the memristor is formulated and then employed as a nonlinear term in the constructed chaotic system. The rich dynamical behaviors of the memristor-based system are demonstrated by calculating the Lyapunov exponent spectrum and Lyapunov dimension, observing the chaotic attractors, analyzing the bifurcations.
Autocratic Government Moderates the Relationship Between Culture and Legal Restriction

Laws that restrict citizens exist in every form of government. Although previous research has shown that legal restriction is tied to culture-level variables such as collectivism, we propose and test a novel interactive model specifying that the culture-legal restriction relationship will depend on the level of democracy or autocracy present in the government. Specifically, legal restrictions in democracies should show more consistent relationships with culture-level variables because lawmakers in democracies are more directly accountable to the populace. In contrast, legal restrictions in autocracies should be less subject to influence by culture-level variables because lawmakers are less directly accountable to the populace. In our study, we tested this interactive model by examining if horizontal/vertical legal restrictions predict culture-level variables (wealth, urbanity, collectivism) differently for democracies versus autocracies. Results provide qualified support for the model: Especially for higher power tests with larger samples of nations, we found that the level of democracy/autocracy significantly moderated the relationship between culture-level variables and two different types of legal restriction. Also consistent with our model, the nature of these interactions generally revealed significant culture-legal restriction effects for democracies but not autocracies. Our results suggest that the path between culture and legal systems might take very different routes depending on level of autocracy or democracy in the ruling government.
Static timing analysis for flexible TFT circuits

This paper presents a static timing analyzer for flexible TFT circuits (STAF). Gate delay models are first characterized by SPICE simulation as a function of load capacitance and mobility. A block-based STA algorithm is then applied to identify the longest path delay and shortest path delay change in different regions under bending. STAF plots maps that show “bending hot spots” which, when bended, significantly change the circuit timing. Experimental results on ISCAS'89 benchmark circuits show that the longest path delay can increase by up to 32% when a single region is bended. What is worse, the shortest path change can be up to 9%, which cannot be simply fixed by reduced clock speed. STAF provides important timing information for flexible TFT circuit designers.
Candidate genes for chromosomes 6 and 10 quantitative trait loci for age-related retinal degeneration in mice

Purpose In a previous study, several quantitative trait loci (QTL) that influence age-related degeneration (ageRD) were identified in a cross between the albino strains B6(Cg)-Tyr(c-2J)/J (B6a) and BALB/cByJ (C). The Chromosome (Chr) 6 and Chr 10 QTL were the strongest and most highly significant loci and both involved B6a protective alleles. The QTL were responsible for 21% and 9% of the variance in phenotypes, respectively. We focused on these two QTL to identify candidate genes. Methods DNA microarrays were used for the two mouse strains at four and eight months of age to identify genes that are differentially regulated and map to either QTL. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis of the differentially expressed genes was performed to identify possible processes and pathways associated with ageRD. To identify additional candidates, database analyses (Positional Medline or PosMed) were used. Based on differential expression, PosMed, and the presence of reported polymorphisms, five genes per QTL were selected for further study by sequencing analysis and qRT–PCR. Tumor necrosis factor, alpha- induced protein 3 (Tnfaip3; on a C57BL/6J (B6) background) was phenotypically tested. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) flanking this gene were correlated with outer nuclear layer thickness (ONL), and eight-month-old Tnfaip3+/− mice were tested for ageRD. Results Polymorphisms were found in the coding regions of eight genes. Changes in gene expression were identified by qRT–PCR for Hexokinase 2 (Hk2) and Docking protein 1 (Dok1) at four months and for Dok1 and Tnfaip3 at eight months. Tnfaip3 was selected for phenotypic testing due to differential expression and the presence of two nonsynonymous mutations. However, when ONL thickness was compared in eight-month-old congenic Tnfaip3+/− and Tnfaip3+/+ mice, no differences were found, suggesting that Tnfaip3 is not the quantitative trait gene (QTG) for the Chr 10 QTL. The GO analysis revealed that GO terms associated with stress and cell remodeling are overrepresented in the ageRD-sensitive C strain compared with the B6a strain with age (eight months). In the ageRD-resistant B6a strain, compared with the C strain, GO terms associated with antioxidant response and the regulation of blood vessel size are overrepresented with age. Conclusions The analyses of differentially expressed genes and the PosMed database yielded candidate genes for the Chr 6 and Chr 10 QTL. HtrA serine peptidase 2 (Htra2), Dok1, and Tnfaip3 were deemed most promising because of their known roles in apoptosis and our finding of nonsynonymous substitutions between B6a and C strains. While Tnfaip3 was excluded as the QTG for the Chr 10 QTL, Dok1 and Htra2 remain good candidates for the Chr 6 QTL. Finally, the GO term analysis further supports the general hypothesis that oxidative stress is involved in ageRD.
Increased Mutational Response to Carcinogens Haploinsufficiency : Accelerated DNA Damage and β Base Excision Repair Deficiency Caused by Polymerase Updated

The base excision repair pathway (BER) is believed to maintain genomic integrity by repairing DNA damage arising spontaneously or induced by oxidizing and alkylating agents. To establish the role of DNA polymerase ( -pol) in BER and -pol-dependent BER in maintaining genomic stability, we have measured the impact of a gene-targeted disruption in the -pol gene on DNA repair capacity and on in vivo sensitivity to carcinogens. We have extensively phenotyped the DNA -pol heterozygous ( -pol / ) mouse as expressing 50% less -pol mRNA and protein and as exhibiting an equivalent reduction in the specific activity of -pol. We measured BER activity by in vitro G:U mismatch and G:C repair and find that there is a significant reduction in the ability of extracts from -pol / mice to repair these types of DNA damage. In vivo, the -pol / mice sustain higher levels of DNA single-strand breaks as well as increased chromosomal aberrations as compared with -pol / littermates. Additionally, we show that reduction in -pol expression and BER activity results in increased mutagenicity of dimethyl sulfate as evidenced by a 2-fold increase in LacI mutation frequency. Importantly, the -pol / mice do not exhibit increased sensitivity to DNA damage induced by N-nitroso-N-ethylurea, ionizing radiation, or UV radiation, which induce damage processed by alternative repair pathways, demonstrating that this model is specifically a BER-deficient model.
Optimization of routine KRAS mutation PCR-based testing procedure for rational individualized first-line-targeted therapy selection in metastatic colorectal cancer

KRAS mutation detection represents a crucial issue in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The optimization of KRAS mutation detection delay enabling rational prescription of first‐line treatment in mCRC including anti‐EGFR‐targeted therapy requires robust and rapid molecular biology techniques. Routine analysis of mutations in codons 12 and 13 on 674 paraffin‐embedded tissue specimens of mCRC has been performed for KRAS mutations detection using three molecular biology techniques, that is, high‐resolution melting (HRM), polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP), and allelic discrimination PCR (TaqMan PCR). Discordant cases were assessed with COBAS 4800 KRAS CE‐IVD assay. Among the 674 tumor specimens, 1.5% (10/674) had excessive DNA degradation and could not be analyzed. KRAS mutations were detected in 38.0% (256/674) of the analysable specimens (82.4% in codon 12 and 17.6% in codon 13). Among 613 specimens in whom all three techniques were used, 12 (2.0%) cases of discordance between the three techniques were observed. 83.3% (10/12) of the discordances were due to PCR‐RFLP as confirmed by COBAS 4800 retrospective analysis. The three techniques were statistically comparable (κ > 0.9; P < 0.001). From these results, optimization of the routine procedure consisted of proceeding to systematic KRAS detection using HRM and TaqMan and PCR‐RFLP in case of discordance and allowed significant decrease in delays. The results showed an excellent correlation between the three techniques. Using HRM and TaqMan warrants high‐quality and rapid‐routine KRAS mutation detection in paraffin‐embedded tumor specimens. The new procedure allowed a significant decrease in delays for reporting results, enabling rational prescription of first‐line‐targeted therapy in mCRC.
Resource allocation in multiantenna systems-achieving max-min fairness by optimizing a sum of inverse SIR

We address the problem of jointly optimizing transmit powers and linear preequalizers (e.g., beamformers) for a multiuser downlink channel. All results can be transferred to the dual uplink channel. The link quality of each user is determined by the signal-to-interference ratio (SIR). Two common strategies for distributing the system resources by joint optimization of transmit powers and beamformers are: 1) maximize the minimum SIR, to which we refer as max-min fairness, and 2) minimize the sum of weighted inverse SIR. Both strategies are generally not equivalent. In this paper, it is shown how the weighting factors should be chosen so that the sum optimization approach achieves optimal max-min fairness. An efficient iterative algorithm is proposed for solving this nonlinear optimization problem. Monotonicity and convergence are proved.
The dimensions of the learning organization questionnaire (DLOQ)

Purpose This study aims to address the reliability and validity of the shortened versions of the Arabic dimensions of the learning organization questionnaire (DLOQ) to provide evidence on the learning organization (LO) concept in Lebanon and to draw attention to the applicability of the LO concept to facilitate the development and operationalization of the LO in the Lebanese context. Design/methodology/approach A total of 298 cases from five Lebanese firms were analyzed. Rigorous translation procedures have been applied to ensure the relevance of this instrument in the Arabic context. Confirmatory factor analysis, item-internal consistency estimates and item intercorrelation analysis showed that the 21- and the seven-item versions of the Arabic DLOQ have produced reliable measurement scores with a construct validity adequate to measure the LO culture in the Lebanese context. Findings The results of the current study confirmed that the shortened 21- and seven-item versions of the Arabic DLOQ are reliable, validated and applicable in the Lebanese context. This study also added to the stability of this foundation and pointed out weak areas that can be addressed by refining and developing the research, theory and practice of the LO. Research limitations/implications The results of this study based on the shortened versions contributed to operationalizing a conceptually developed LO theory, which is an appropriate example of theory building in an applied discipline. The results also suggest that the LO comprised interdependent building blocks that need to be integrated at the individual, team and organizational levels to promote change and development in a system. Practical implications This study provides managers and HR practitioners, especially in the Lebanese context, with a sound model of the LO theory to be applied in their organizations. Originality/value This study provides scholars with an understanding of the potential value of the LO in the Lebanese context. The results present evidence of the cultural impact on the perceptions of the LO in the Lebanese context, confirm the applicability of the shortened Arabic DLOQ and provide HR practitioners in Lebanon with a tool to diagnose LO characteristics accurately and consistently and to determine if there is a link between the LO and organizational performance.
Design Distributed Control and Learning Algorithms for a Team of UAVs for Optimal Field Coverage

Optimal field coverage problem refers to an active research branch that studies how we can use a finite set of sensors, such as camera, to optimally cover a field with arbitrary shape that can either be static or dynamically change over time. The problem arises in a wide range of applications, notably wildfires and oil spill tracking, military surveillance, and agriculture monitoring. In these applications, it is of growing interest to send a team of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) acting as a mobile sensor network, as they can provide sensing information with low costs and high flexibility, compared with traditional static monitoring methods. In this thesis, we addressed the problem by two distinct approaches: one is model-based and the other is model-free. In the first part, we proposed a model-based control framework for UAV teaming to monitor and track a dynamic field like wildfire spreading. Wildfire is well-known for their destructive ability to inflict massive damage and disruption. We characterized the optimal sensing coverage problem to work with a changing wildfire environment. We proposed a decentralized control algorithm for a team of UAVs that can autonomously and actively track the fire spreading boundary in a distributed manner. The UAV team can also effectively provide full coverage of the field and avoid inflight collisions. Moreover, based on the proposed algorithm, some of the UAVs can automatically adjust their altitude to increase the image resolution of the border of the wildfire, while the whole team tries to maintain a complete view of it. In the second part, we utilized a model-free learning algorithm to solve a problem of optimal coverage for a static field of arbitrary shape. The objective of the UAV team is not only to fully cover the field of interest, but also to minimize overlapping among field of views of the UAVs to increase image resolution and the efficiency of the