Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immertable: a configurable and customizable tangible tabletop for audiovisual and musical control

This paper presents the development of a new tangible tabletop specially designed for interactive audiovisual and musical control. It explores a new interactive space based on 3D active tangible interaction and user's gestures that allows the user to extend the control of the musical events beyond the tabletop surface. It includes a vertical see-through screen for projecting the feedback of the user's movements and the visualization of the musical show. The tabletop interface and the ways for interaction are totally configurable and customizable. Three different artistic and musical performances are presented to show the ability of Immertable to be adapted for different ways of interaction, music creation and visual interface requirement1.
The thermodynamics of heteronuclear molecules formed from bonded square-well (BSW) segments using the SAFT-VR approach

We broaden the scope of the statistical associating fluid theory for potentials of variable attractive range (SAFT-VR) to treat heteron uclear chain molecules formed from bonded square-well (BSW) segments. The ideas of the bonded hard sphere (BHS) treatment for distributed-site models composed of hard-sphere segments are applied to square-well sites with the SAFT-VR approach. The results of isothermal—isobaric Monte Carlo simulations are reported for heteronuclear square-well diatomics with different sets of energy and range parameters. The SAFT-VR approach provides an excellent description of the equation of state of the diatomic systems for a wide range of densities. The goal of the work is to provide a rigorous treatment of distributed-site models of fluids, and to establish a framework for a group contribution approach with SAFT-VR.
Ezrin Is an Effector of Hepatocyte Growth Factor–mediated Migration and Morphogenesis in Epithelial Cells

The dissociation, migration, and remodeling of epithelial monolayers induced by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) entail modifications in cell adhesion and in the actin cytoskeleton through unknown mechanisms. Here we report that ezrin, a membrane-cytoskeleton linker, is crucial to HGF-mediated morphogenesis in a polarized kidney-derived epithelial cell line, LLC-PK1. Ezrin is a substrate for the tyrosine kinase HGF receptor both in vitro and in vivo. HGF stimulation causes enrichment of ezrin recovered in the detergent-insoluble cytoskeleton fraction. Overproduction of wild-type ezrin, by stable transfection in LLC-PK1 cells, enhances cell migration and tubulogenesis induced by HGF stimulation. Overproduction of a truncated variant of ezrin causes mislocalization of endogenous ezrin from microvilli into lateral surfaces. This is concomitant with altered cell shape, characterized by loss of microvilli and cell flattening. Moreover, the truncated variant of ezrin impairs the morphogenic and motogenic response to HGF, thus suggesting a dominant-negative mechanism of action. Site-directed mutagenesis of ezrin codons Y145 and Y353 to phenylalanine does not affect the localization of ezrin at microvilli, but perturbs the motogenic and morphogenic responses to HGF. These results provide evidence that ezrin displays activities that can control cell shape and signaling.
Enabling On-Chip Switching Regulators for Multi-Core Processors using Current Staggering

Portable, embedded systems place ever-increasing demands on high-performance, low-power microprocessor design. Dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) is a wellknown technique to reduce energy in portable systems, but DVFS effectiveness suffers from the fact that voltage transitions occur on the order of tens of microseconds. Voltage regulators that are integrated on the same chip as the microprocessor core provide the benefit of both nanosecond-scale voltage switching and improved power delivery. However, the implementation of on-chip regulators presents many challenges including regulator efficiency and output voltage transient characteristics. In this paper, we discuss architectural support for on-chip regulator designs. Specifically, we show that in a chip-multiprocessor system, current staggering can be employed by restricting the simultaneous enabling/disabling of cores due to clock gating. We discuss tradeoffs between current staggering and regulator circuit design parameters, and we show that regulation efficiency of greater than 80% is possible for a variety of multi-threaded applications.
Circulating TFH cells, serological memory, and tissue compartmentalization shape human influenza-specific B cell immunity

Analysis of influenza-specific B cells during antigen exposure and tissue compartmentalization provides insights into human B cell memory. Investigating influenza immunity Seasonal influenza vaccines have been recommended for decades, but studies focused on antigen-specific lymphocytes in humans are sparse. Koutsakos et al. examined longitudinal samples of influenza-vaccinated individuals to determine what responses generate protective immunity. Vaccination could induce circulating T follicular helper memory cells, antibody-secreting cells, and memory B cells, but did not seem to affect other types of lymphocytes. Existing anti-influenza antibodies at the time of vaccination dampened these responses. They probed different types of human tissues to hunt for influenza memory B cells, thereby showing that the memory response exists outside the circulation. Better targeting these cells could improve influenza vaccine efficacy. Immunization with the inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) remains the most effective strategy to combat seasonal influenza infections. IIV activates B cells and T follicular helper (TFH) cells and thus engenders antibody-secreting cells and serum antibody titers. However, the cellular events preceding generation of protective immunity in humans are inadequately understood. We undertook an in-depth analysis of B cell and T cell immune responses to IIV in 35 healthy adults. Using recombinant hemagglutinin (rHA) probes to dissect the quantity, phenotype, and isotype of influenza-specific B cells against A/California09-H1N1, A/Switzerland-H3N2, and B/Phuket, we showed that vaccination induced a three-pronged B cell response comprising a transient CXCR5−CXCR3+ antibody-secreting B cell population, CD21hiCD27+ memory B cells, and CD21loCD27+ B cells. Activation of circulating TFH cells correlated with the development of both CD21lo and CD21hi memory B cells. However, preexisting antibodies could limit increases in serum antibody titers. IIV had no marked effect on CD8+, mucosal-associated invariant T, γδ T, and natural killer cell activation. In addition, vaccine-induced B cells were not maintained in peripheral blood at 1 year after vaccination. We provide a dissection of rHA-specific B cells across seven human tissue compartments, showing that influenza-specific memory (CD21hiCD27+) B cells primarily reside within secondary lymphoid tissues and the lungs. Our study suggests that a rational design of universal vaccines needs to consider circulating TFH cells, preexisting serological memory, and tissue compartmentalization for effective B cell immunity, as well as to improve targeting cellular T cell immunity.
f-Divergence Estimation and Two-Sample Homogeneity Test Under Semiparametric Density-Ratio Models

A density ratio is defined by the ratio of two probability densities. We study the inference problem of density ratios and apply a semi-parametric density-ratio estimator to the two-sample homogeneity test. In the proposed test procedure, the f-divergence between two probability densities is estimated using a density-ratio estimator. The f-divergence estimator is then exploited for the two-sample homogeneity test. We derive the optimal estimator of f-divergence in the sense of the asymptotic variance, and then investigate the relation between the proposed test procedure and the existing score test based on empirical likelihood estimator. Through numerical studies, we illustrate the adequacy of the asymptotic theory for finite-sample inference.
Optimising communications for charity brand management

The paper presents recomendations on how to enhance communications planning through new integration and media neutral planning techniques (open planning) linked to Integrated Marketing practice. The paper is based on best practice research in charity and commercial sectors, including NSPCC and National Trust. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A 24Gb/s Software Programmable Multi-Channel Transmitter

A 24Gb/s transmitter with a digital linear equalizer is implemented in 90 nm CMOS technology. It supports 4-channel Analog Multi-Tone (AMT) transmission, where each channel supports 3 GSym/Sec 4 PAM data, as well as a variety of baseband (BB) modes ranging from 2 PAM to 256 PAM. The transmitter operates at maximum rate of 24 Gb/s, dissipating 51 OmW of power in 0.8 mm2
Novel LIPA/SIPTO offloading algorithm according to the network utilization and offloading preference

Today, mobile data traffic explosively increases and it can be load to operator's core network. To reduce the load, 3GPP proposes the offloading solutions such as local IP access (LIPA) and selected IP traffic offload (SIPTO). For offloading algorithm, there are many related works based on the LIPA/SIPTO but some research works beyond the LIPA/SIPTO. However, these related works don't consider network utilization. Thus, this paper proposes a new offloading algorithm that decides the offloading ratio based on the network utilization and offloading preference. By the simulation, we show the performance of the proposed algorithm.
Development and characterization of polymeric nanoparticles as Barbatimão (Stryphnodendron obovatum) standardized fraction carrier

Recent studies have shown that Barbatimao fractions are promising for dermatological diseases treatment, due to tannins content and its strong antioxidant activity. In this study, chitosan was used as polymeric matrix for the development of nanoparticulated system able to deliver a Barbatimao standardized fraction. Nanoparticles were prepared by ionotropic gelation method involving the mixing of two aqueous phases at room temperature. The product was characterized by infrared absorption spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, quantification of fraction in the formulation, in vitro release profile, size of particles and polydispersity index. The level of Barbatimao fraction obtained in the formulation was 38.23%, with 30% of encapsulated fraction released in 7 days. No chemical reaction between the fraction and the matrix could be noticed. The particles containing fraction presented an average size of 241 nm and polydispersity index of 0.484. It seems that the phytotherapic formulation could be used as drug delivery system for sustained release of Barbatimao fraction.
Fast memory snapshot for concurrent programmingwithout synchronization

The industry-wide turn toward chip-multiprocessors (CMPs) provides an increasing amount of parallel resources for commodity systems. However, it is still difficult to harness the available parallelism in user applications and system software code. We propose MShot, a hardware-assisted memory snapshot for concurrent programming without synchronization code. It supports atomic multi-word read operations on a large dataset. Since modern processors support atomic access only to a single word, programmers should add synchronization code to process a multiword dataset concurrently in multithreading environment. With snapshot, programmers read the dataset atomically and process the snapshot image without synchronization code. We implement MShot using hardware resources for transactional memory and reduce the storage overhead from 2.98% to 0.07%. To demonstrate the usefulness of fast snapshot, we use MShot to implement concurrent versions of garbage collection and call-path profiling. Without the need for synchronization code, MShot allows such system services to run in parallel with user applications on spare cores in CMP systems. As a result, the overhead of these services
Revisiting lesbians' and gay men's lives in Italy: generation, relationships, and gender

‘Revisiting lesbians' and gay men's lives’ is a study on same-sex desiring individuals' changing life course in Italy from the mid 1990s to the early 2010s. Focused on sexual developmental trajectories, same-sex cohabiting couples, and parental desires, its main argument is that, even in a relatively short time period, Italian lesbians' and gay men's lives changed in ways that further sexual and relational pluralism and provide empowering narratives and resources to communities of sexually diverse individuals. Throughout the thesis, I adopt the framework of generational sexualities to observe transformations at the intersection of theorisations in the sociology of personal relationships, feminist research, and interactionism. Declining homophobia and unchanging gender sexual inequality result in lesbians and gay men reinventing the gendered aspects of sexual development and contesting homonegativity in familial, religious, and public milieux. In couple formation, sexual agreements, and emotional styles, lesbian and gay relationships are gendered, but the advancement of the relevance of prosaic and mythic love in the institution of coupledom helps same-sex partners negotiate interdependent lives and relational ties that are similar to contemporary Italian heterosexuals'. Despite facing the limits posed by gendered bodies and procreative and parental norms, lesbians, gay men, and same-sex couples see bio-social ties to the child as dependent on care-taking ties, and visualize and negotiate their procreative potentials and relationships aiming at securing familial happiness that is central in contemporary cultures of children's well-being. In the different aspects of lesbians' and gay men's life course, generational sexualities engage directly with contemporary Italian sexual citizenship, an exception in the Euro-American process of recognition of sexual diversity, and advance the pluralization of relational and gender norms. Chapter 1 discusses the theoretical underpinnings of the research. Chapter 2 presents the methodology and methods of the study, a qualitatively-driven mixed-methods research comprising gathering and analysis of biographical interviews with same-sex cohabiting partners in 2012-13, gathering and analysis of survey data on lesbian and gay lives in 2012-2013, and secondary analysis of survey data on lesbian and gay lives gathered in 1995-96. In Chapter 3, I analyse change in sexual developmental trajectories and strategies of resilience against homonegativity. Chapter 4 traces the emergence and institutionalisation of relational commitment in same-sex cohabiting couples. In Chapter 5, I look at lesbians' and gay men's parental desires as expressions of the changing social meaning of the child. Chapter 6 presents my concluding remarks, linking the generational agency and narratives emerging from new lesbians' and gay men's life courses to the prospects of Italian sexual citizenship and sexual minority communities.
Optimal stopping and effective machine complexity in learning

We study learning in a general class of machines which return a (variable) linear form of a (fixed) set of nonlinear transformations of points in an input space. A fixed machine in this class accepts inputs X from an arbitrary input space and produces scalar outputs Y=/spl Sigma//sub i=1//sup d//spl psi//sub i/(X)w/sub i/*+/spl xi/=/spl psi/(X)'w*+/spl xi/ (1). Here, w*=(w/sub 1/*,.,w/sub d/*)' is a fixed vector of real weights representing the target concept to be learned, for each i, /spl psi//sub i/(X) is a fixed real function of the inputs, with /spl psi/(X)=(/spl psi//sub 1/(X),. /spl psi//sub d/(X))' the corresponding vector of functions, and /spl xi/ is a random noise term. We suppose that the learner receives an i.i. d. , random sample of examples (X/sub 1/,Y/sub 1/),. ,(X/sub n/,Y/sub n/) generated according to the joint distribution on input-output pairs (X,Y) induced through the medium of the (unknown) relation (1) and a fixed (unknown) distribution on input-noise pairs (X,/spl xi/). The goal of the learner is to infer a hypothesis w=(w/sub 1/,.w/sub d/)' with small (mean-square) generalisation error E(Y-/spl psi/(X)'w)/sup 2/ on future random examples (X,Y) generated independently of the training sample from the same underlying distribution. Here E denotes expectation with respect to the underlying probability distribution generating the examples.
Exploring studio-based instructional models for computing education

While the demand for college graduates with computing skills continues to rise, such skills no longer equate to mere programming skills. Modern day computing jobs demand design, communication, and collaborative work skills as well. Since traditional instructional methods in computing education tend to focus on programming skills, we believe that a fundamental rethinking of computing education is in order. We are exploring a new "studio-based" pedagogy that actively engages undergraduate students in collaborative, design-oriented learning. Adapted from architectural education, the studio-based instructional model emphasizes learning activities in which students (a) construct personalized solutions to assigned computing problems, and (b) present solutions to their instructors and peers for feedback and discussion within the context of "design crits. " We describe and motivate the studio-based approach, review previous efforts to apply it to computer science education, and propose an agenda for multi-institutional research into the design and impact of studio-based instructional models. We invite educators to participate in a community of research and practice to advance studio-based learning in computing education.
Anomaly detection in spatiotemporal data in the maritime domain

Maritime security is critical for many nations to address the vulnerability of their sea lanes, ports and harbours to a variety of threats and illegal activities. With increasing volume of spatiotemporal data, it is ever more problematic to analyze the enormous volume of data in real time. This paper explores a novel approach to representing spatiotemporal data for model-driven methods for detecting patterns of anomalous behaviour in spatiotemporal datasets.
Variational Bayesian sparse adaptive filtering using a Gauss-Seidel recursive approach

In this work, we present a new sparse adaptive filtering algorithm following a variational Bayesian approach. First, sparsity is imposed by assigning Laplace priors to the filter parameters through a suitably defined hierarchical Bayesian model. Then, a variational Bayesian inference method is presented, which is appropriate for batch processing. In order to introduce adaptivity the Gauss-Seidel iterative scheme is properly embedded in our method. The proposed algorithm is fully automatic and is computationally efficient despite its Bayesian origin. Experimental results show that the algorithm converges to sparse solutions and exhibits superior estimation performance compared to related state-of-the-art schemes.
Spectral Analysis of Acceleration Data for Detection of Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures

Generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCSs) can be underestimated and can also increase mortality rates. The monitoring devices used to detect GTCS events in daily life are very helpful for early intervention and precise estimation of seizure events. Several studies have introduced methods for GTCS detection using an accelerometer (ACM), electromyography, or electroencephalography. However, these studies need to be improved with respect to accuracy and user convenience. This study proposes the use of an ACM banded to the wrist and spectral analysis of ACM data to detect GTCS in daily life. The spectral weight function dependent on GTCS was used to compute a GTCS-correlated score that can effectively discriminate between GTCS and normal movement. Compared to the performance of the previous temporal method, which used a standard deviation method, the spectral analysis method resulted in better sensitivity and fewer false positive alerts. Finally, the spectral analysis method can be implemented in a GTCS monitoring device using an ACM and can provide early alerts to caregivers to prevent risks associated with GTCS.
A Hybrid Framework for Understanding and Predicting Human Reaching Motions

Robots collaborating naturally with a human partner in a confined workspace need to understand and predict human motions. For understanding, a model-based approach is required as the human motor control system relies on the biomechanical properties to control and execute actions. The model-based control models explain human motions descriptively, which in turn enables predicting and analyzing human movement behaviors. In motor control, reaching motions are framed as an optimization problem. However, different optimality criteria predict disparate motion behavior. Therefore, the inverse problem—finding the optimality criterion from a given arm motion trajectory—is not unique. This paper implements an inverse optimal control (IOC) approach to determine the combination of cost functions that governs a motion execution. The results indicate that reaching motions depend on a trade-off between kinematics and dynamics related cost functions. However, the computational efficiency is not sufficient for online prediction to be utilized for HRI. In order to predict human reaching motions with high efficiency and accuracy, we combine the IOC approach with a probabilistic movement primitives formulation. This hybrid model allows an online-capable prediction while taking into account motor variability and the interpersonal differences. The proposed framework affords a descriptive and a generative model of human reaching motions which can be effectively utilized online for human-in-the-loop robot control and task execution.
YY1 Acts as a Transcriptional Activator of Hoxa5 Gene Expression in Mouse Organogenesis

The Hox gene family encodes homeodomain-containing transcriptional regulators that confer positional information to axial and paraxial tissues in the developing embryo. The dynamic Hox gene expression pattern requires mechanisms that differentially control Hox transcription in a precise spatio-temporal fashion. This implies an integrated regulation of neighbouring Hox genes achieved through the sharing and the selective use of defined enhancer sequences. The Hoxa5 gene plays a crucial role in lung and gut organogenesis. To position Hoxa5 in the regulatory hierarchy that drives organ morphogenesis, we searched for cis-acting regulatory sequences and associated trans-acting factors required for Hoxa5 expression in the developing lung and gut. Using mouse transgenesis, we identified two DNA regions included in a 1.5-kb XbaI-XbaI fragment located in the Hoxa4-Hoxa5 intergenic domain and known to control Hoxa4 organ expression. The multifunctional YY1 transcription factor binds the two regulatory sequences in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the mesenchymal deletion of the Yy1 gene function in mice results in a Hoxa5-like lung phenotype with decreased Hoxa5 and Hoxa4 gene expression. Thus, YY1 acts as a positive regulator of Hoxa5 expression in the developing lung and gut. Our data also support a role for YY1 in the coordinated expression of Hox genes for correct organogenesis.