Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On multiple point coverage in wireless sensor networks

We consider a wireless sensor network consisting of a set of sensors deployed randomly. A point in the monitored area is covered if it is within the sensing range of a sensor. In some applications, when the network is sufficiently dense, area coverage can be approximated by guaranteeing point coverage. In this case, all the points of wireless devices could be used to represent the whole area, and the working sensors are supposed to cover all the sensors. Many applications related to security and reliability require guaranteed k-coverage of the area at all times. In this paper, we formalize the k-(connected) coverage set (k-CCSlk-CS) problems, develop a linear programming algorithm, and design two non-global solutions for them. Some theoretical analysis is also provided followed by simulation results
Cells Isolated from Human Periapical Cysts Express Mesenchymal Stem Cell-like Properties

We provide a detailed description of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from human periapical cysts, which we have termed hPCy-MSCs. These cells have a fibroblast-like shape and adhere to tissue culture plastic surfaces. hPCy-MSCs possess high proliferative potential and self-renewal capacity properties. We characterised the immunophenotype of hPCy-MSCs (CD73+, CD90+, CD105+, CD13+, CD29+, CD44+, CD45-, STRO-1+, CD146+) by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. hPCy-MSCs possess the potential to differentiate into osteoblast- and adipocyte-like cells in vitro. Multi-potentiality was evaluated with culture-specific staining and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis for osteo/odontogenic and adipogenic markers. This is the first report to indicate that human periapical cysts contain cells with MSC-like properties. Taken together, our findings indicate that human periapical cysts could be a rich source of MSCs.
Bangor at TREC 2003: Q&A and Genomics Tracks

We present the QITEKAT Question-Answering system based on the conceptual theory of Knowing About Knowledge, which adopts an agent-based approach to extract information from suitable corpora. The components of the QITEKAT system entered by the School of Informatics, University of Wales, Bangor, in the 2003 Text Retrieval Conference are described in detail. We describe PPM compression techniques for Named Entity classification; distributed agent technologies for developing a Knowledgeable Framework and Knowledge Grid; and a Search Engine corroboration system for generating confidence estimates for Question Answering. We present favourable results for certain question types in the TREC Question Answering Track, and discuss future directions for the QITEKAT architecture. B.
INTELCSP: computational intelligence applied to cutting stock problems

This study presents the promising results obtained for an intelligent decision-making system for industrial processes in which the cutting stock problem is a component relevant to production planning. In order to establish a cutting process assisted by an intelligent system, with memory and learning capabilities, we utilised a symbiotic genetic algorithm (Symbio) that we developed for cutting stock problems with multiple objectives, setup costs and waste. We used case-based reasoning (CBR) as a learning strategy. The results obtained show that this is a promising approach.
Classroom Grade Composition and Pupil Achievement

This paper exploits discontinuous grade mixing rules in Norwegian junior high schools to estimate how classroom grade composition affects pupil achievement. Pupils in mixed grade classrooms are found to outperform pupils in single grade classrooms on high stake central exit tests and teacher set and graded tests. This effect is driven by pupils benefiting from sharing the classroom with more mature peers from higher grades. The presence of lower grade peers is detrimental for achievement. Pupils can therefore benefit from de-tracking by grade, but the effects depend crucially on how the classroom is balanced in terms of lower and higher grades. These results reconcile the contradictory findings in the literature.
Potential of Neural Stem Cells for the Treatment of Brain Tumors

Neural stem cells (NSCs) are self-renewing multipotent cells that generate the main phenotypes of the nervous system, neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. As such they hold the promise to treat a broad range of neurological diseases and injuries. Neural progenitor and stem cells have been isolated and characterized in vitro, from adult, fetal and post-mortem tissues, providing sources of material for cellular therapy. However, NSCs are still elusive cells and remain to be unequivocally identified and characterized, limiting their potential use for therapy. Neural progenitor and stem cells, isolated and cultured in vitro, can be genetically modified and when transplanted migrate to tumor sites in the brain. These intrinsic properties of neural progenitor and stem cells provide tremendous potential to bolster the translation of NSC research to therapy. It is proposed to combine gene therapy and cellular therapy to treat brain cancers. Hence, neural progenitor and stem cells provide new opportunities for the treatment of brain cancers.
Utilizing the IOMMU Scalably

IOMMUs provided by modern hardware allow the OS to enforce memory protection controls on the DMA operations of its I/O devices. An IOMMU translation management design must scalably handle frequent concurrent updates of IOMMU translations made by multiple cores, which occur in high throughput I/O workloads such as multi-Gb/s networking. Today, however, OSes experience performance meltdowns when using the IOMMU in such workloads. This paper explores scalable IOMMU management designs and addresses the two main bottlenecks we find in current OSes: (1) assignment of I/O virtual addresses (IOVAs), and (2) management of the IOMMU's TLB. We propose three approaches for scalable IOVA assignment: (1) dynamic identity mappings, which eschew IOVA allocation altogether, (2) allocating IOVAs using the kernel's kmalloc, and (3) per-core caching of IOVAs allocated by a globally-locked IOVA allocator. We further describe a scalable IOMMU TLB management scheme that is compatible with all these approaches. Evaluation of our designs under Linux shows that (1) they achieve 88.5%-100% of the performance obtained without an IOMMU, (2) they achieve similar latency to that obtained without an IOMMU, (3) scalable IOVA allocation and dynamic identity mappings perform comparably, and (4) kmalloc provides a simple solution with high performance, but can suffer from unbounded page table blowup.
A Demonstration of VisDPT: Visual Exploration of Differentially Private Trajectories

The release of detailed taxi trips has motivated numerous useful studies, but has also triggered multiple privacy attacks on individuals' trips. Despite these attacks, no tools are available for systematically analyzing the privacy risk of released trajectory data. While, recent studies have proposed mechanisms to publish synthetic mobility data with provable privacy guarantees, the questions on -- 1) how to explain the theoretical privacy guarantee to non-privacy experts; and 2) how well private data preserves the properties of ground truth, remain unclear. To address these issues, we propose a system --- VisDPT that provides rich visualization of sensitive information in trajectory databases and helps data curators understand the impact on utility due to privacy preserving mechanisms. We believe VisDPT will enable data curators to take informed decisions while publishing sanitized data.
Flt3 Internal Tandem Duplication and P-Glycoprotein Functionality in 171 Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Purpose: Patients with adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with intermediate cytogenetics remain a heterogeneous group with highly variable individual prognoses. New molecular markers could help to refine cytogenetic stratification. Experimental Design: We assessed P-glycoprotein (Pgp) activity and Flt3 internal tandem duplication (ITD+) because of their known prognostic value and because they might lead to targeted therapy. We did a multivariate analysis on 171 patients with adult AML treated in the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer protocols. Results: ITD+ and high Pgp activity (Pgp+) were found in 26 of 171 (15%) and 55 of 171 (32%) of all patients, respectively. ITD and Pgp activities were negative in 94 of 171 (55%, Pgp−ITD− group), mutually exclusive in 73 of 171 (43%, Pgp−ITD+ and Pgp+ITD− groups), and only 4 of 171 (2%, Pgp+ITD+ group) patients were positive for both. In multivariate analyses, Pgp+ITD+ (P < 0.0001) and age (P = 0.0022) were independent prognostic factors for the achievement of complete remission (CR). Overall survival (OS), CR achievement (P < 0.0001), WHO performance status (P = 0.0007), and Pgp+ITD+ status (P = 0.0014) were also independent prognostic factors. In 95 patients with intermediate cytogenetics, the CR rates of ITD+ patients were 40% versus 62% for ITD− (P = 0.099) and 41% versus 67% (P = 0.014) for Pgp+ versus Pgp− patients. In the Pgp−ITD− group (41 of 95), CR rates were 70% versus 44% for others (P = 0.012), OS achieved 48% versus 16% (P < 0.0001) and disease-free survival was 56% versus 27% (P = 0.024), respectively. Furthermore, the OS curves of the intermediate cytogenetics-Pgp−ITD− group were not significantly different from the favorable cytogenetic group. Conclusion: Flt3/ITD and Pgp activity are independent and additive prognostic factors which provide a powerful risk classification that can be routinely used to stratify the treatment of patients with intermediate cytogenetic AML. ITD+ and Pgp+ patients should be considered for targeted therapy.
Nano-sized cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors to block hepatic metabolism of docetaxel

Most drugs are metabolized by hepatic cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), resulting in their reduced bioavailability. In this study, we present the design and evaluation of bio-compatible nanocarriers trapping a natural CYP3A4-inhibiting compound. Our aim in using nanocarriers was to target the natural CYP3A4-inhibiting agent to hepatic CYP3A4 and leave drug-metabolizing enzymes in other organs undisturbed. In the design of such nanocarriers, we took advantage of the nonspecific accumulation of small nanoparticles in the liver. Specific targeting functionalization was added to direct nanocarriers toward hepatocytes. Nanocarriers were evaluated in vitro for their CYP3A4 inhibition capacity and in vivo for their biodistribution, and finally injected 24 hours prior to the drug docetaxel, for their ability to improve the efficiency of the drug docetaxel. Nanoparticles of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) with a hydrodynamic diameter of 63 nm, functionalized with galactosamine, showed efficient in vitro CYP3A4 inhibition and the highest accumulation in hepatocytes. When compared to docetaxel alone, in nude mice bearing the human breast cancer, MDA-MB-231 model, they significantly improved the delay in tumor growth (treated group versus docetaxel alone, percent treated versus control ratio [%T/C] of 32%) and demonstrated a major improvement in overall survival (survival rate of 67% versus 0% at day 55).
An Inflammatory Polypeptide Complex from Staphylococcus epidermidis: Isolation and Characterization

Staphylococcus epidermidis releases factors that activate the HIV-1 long terminal repeat, induce cytokine release, and activate nuclear factor κB in cells of macrophage lineage. The active material had a mass of 34,500 daltons, was inactivated by proteases and partitioned into the phenol layer on hot aqueous phenol extraction, and thus was termed phenol-soluble modulin (PSM). High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of crude PSM yielded two peaks of activity designated PSM peak 1 and peak 2. MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight) mass spectroscopy indicated the presence of two components in peak 1, which were designated PSMα and PSMβ. Peak 2 contained a single component, designated PSMγ. Separation of PSMα and PSMβ in peak 1 could be achieved by a second HPLC procedure. The structure of each component was determined by amino acid sequence analysis and identification and sequencing of their genes. PSMα, PSMβ, and PSMγ were 22-, 44-, and 25-amino acid, respectively, strongly hydrophobic polypeptides. PSMγ was identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis delta toxin, whereas PSMα and PSMβ exhibited more distant homology to previously described staphylococcal toxins. They appeared to exist as a complex or aggregate with activity greater than the component parts. The properties of the S. epidermidis PSMs suggest that they may contribute to the systemic manifestations of Gram-positive sepsis.
Structural Aspects of Three Hypnotizability Scales: Smallest Space Analysis

Smallest space analysis (SSA) was used to examine structural aspects of the Creative Imagination Scale (CIS), Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form:A (HGSHS:A), and Stanford Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form C (SHSS:C). Correlation matrices for each of the instruments came from published studies of other investigators. The SSA on the CIS suggested the presence of 1 facet, focus of processing, with 2 subsets of items: somato-sensory and imagination sensory. The combined 22-item matrix SSA showed that the CIS and HGSHS:A items regionalized separately. The item configuration suggested 1 facet, nature of suggestions including 3 subsets: direct motor items of the HGSHS:A, challenge-inhibition items of the HGSHS:A, and the cognitive items of the CIS. The SSA for the SHSS:C suggested 2 facets, containing 2 elements each: processing focus of suggestions (cognitive-sensory and motor-sensory) and nature of suggestions (direct and challenge-inhibition). A general mapping sentence is offered with possible implications.
The Efficacy of Laparoscopic Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass after Previous AntiReflux Surgery: A Single Surgeon Experience

Abstract Background: In this study we assessed feasibility, weight loss results and recurrence of Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) in patients undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) after previous antireflux surgery. Methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was performed for patients undergoing laparoscopic RYGB after previous anti-refux surgery between 1/1/2000 and 1/1/2015. Weight loss was assessed using %Excess Weight Loss (%EWL) and every patient was compared with two matched control subjects. Telephone interviews were conducted to assure maximum follow-up data. Quality Of Life (QOL) was assessed using the Gastro-Intestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI), Gastro-intestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) and Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System (BAROS). Results: A total of 18 patients (11 female, 7 male) were identified (17 Nissen and 1 former Belsey-Mark IV fundoplica-tion). Mean time between surgical interventions was 9.4 years. Laparoscopic RYGB was feasible without intra-operative complications. One patient needed relaparoscopy for falsely suspected leakage and another suffered from postoperative pneumonia. Symptomatic GORD after RYGB was reported by 3 patients (16.7%). QOL was rated good with a GIQLI-score of 118 (range 97–140), GSRS score of 33 (range 15–59) and BAROS-score of 4, 6 (range 1.2–6.8). EWL 3 years after surgery was comparable with matched control subjects (80,1% vs. 79.2% in controls, P = 0,70). Conclusions: Laparoscopic conversion of anti-reflux surgery to RYGB is feasible and safe. Weight loss results are equal to control subjects and treatment of GORD is good. No significant decrease in QOL was reported.
Influence of L-methionine-deprived total parenteral nutrition with 5-fluorouracil on gastric cancer and host metabolism.

AIM To investigate the influence of L-methionine-deprived total parenteral nutrition with 5-FU on gastric cancer and host metabolism. METHODS N-methyl-N'-nitro-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) induced gastric cancer rats were randomly divided into four groups: Met-containing TPN group (n=11), Met-deprived TPN group (n =12), Met-containing TPN+5-FU group (n=11) and Met-deprived TPN+5-FU group (n=12). Five rats in each group were sacrificed after 7 days of treatment and the samples were taken for examination. The remaining rats in each group were then fed separately with normal diet after the treatment until death, the life span was noted. RESULTS The tumors were enlarged in Met-containing group and shrank in Met-deprived group markedly after the treatment. The DNA index (DI) of tumor cells and the body weight (BW) of rats had no significant change in the two groups, however, the ratio of tumor cells'S phase was increased. The ratio of G2M phase went up in Met-containing group, but down in Met-deprived group. In the other two groups that 5-FU was added, the BW of rats, and the diameter of tumors, the DI of tumor cells, the S and G2M phase ratio of tumor cells were all decreased, particularly in Met-deprived plus 5-FU group. Pathological examination revealed that the necrotic foci of the tumor tissue increased after Met-deprived TPN treatment, and the nucleoli of tumor cells enlarged. In MetTPN+5-FU group, severe nuclear damage was also found by karyopyknosis and karyorrhexis, meanwhile there was slight degeneration in some liver and kidney cells. The serum free Met and Cysteine decreased markedly (P<0.001), while other amino acids, such as serum free serine and glutamine increased significantly (P<0.005). All the rats died of multiple organ failure caused by cancer metastasis. The average survival time was 18.6 days in Met-containing TPN group, 31 days in Met-deprived TPN group, 27.5 days in Met-containing TPN+5-FU group, and 43 days in Met-deprived TPN+5-FU group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Met-deprived TPN causes methionine starvation of tumor cells, and can enhance the anti-tumor effect of 5-FU and prolong the life span of gastric cancer bearing rats.
Latency Detection in Motor Responses: A Model-Based Approach With Genetic Algorithm Optimization

The latency of a response is one of the most frequently reported parameters when describing the characteristics of a motor system. Such measurement provides important information both to the basic researcher investigating the neural circuitry of the underlying physiological system and to the clinician gathering information for diagnosing a patient. Our concern here is that when the latency of a response is determined on experimentally recorded data by using the most commonly referenced techniques to find the onset of a motor response, the resulting figure encompasses both the neural processing time and the dynamics of the system producing the response (e.g., the musculoskeletal apparatus). Therefore, the resulting latency measurement cumulates information relative to two substantially different sources and thus having different implications. The goal of our study is that of suggesting a technique allowing the separation of the relative contributions of neural transmission and processing time from that of the dynamics of the motor system. This is accomplished by using a technique based on fitting a model to the experimentally recorded response, thus allowing to exploit as much as is known with regards to the dynamics of the studied motor system (e.g., model order and constraints on the values of the model parameters). The optimization of the model parameters for fitting the experimental data is carried out using a real-valued genetic algorithm, allowing to avoid trapping in local, suboptimal minima. The use of this approach allows to estimate the pure delay in the response introduced by neural processing more accurately than the traditional latency detection techniques based on adaptive thresholds
Valence alternations and marking structures in a HPSG grammar for Mandarin Chinese

The paper discusses HPSG as a framework for the computational analysis of Mandarin Chinese. We point out the main characteristics of the framework and show how they can be exploited to target languagespecific issues, describe existing grammar engineering work for Chinese and present our own effort in the implementation of a grammar for Chinese. The grammar is illustrated with two fields of phenomena, namely semantic and syntactic marking and valence alternations. Weaim at the integration of work in theoretical linguistics into computational applications in order to complement statistical methods and thus increase their accuracy and scalability.
Identity Construction in a Travel-related Virtual Community: A Case Study on a Guangzhou Couch-surfing Community

ABSTRACT This research aims to explore the process, characteristics, and factors of constructing self- and group identity in the couch-surfing community and the similarities and differences between the mechanisms involved in young people’s identity construction, online and offline. As most members in the community are young people, this study was based on Grotevant’s conceptual model of adolescent identity construction. The research applied content analysis and interviews. It amends Grotevant’s model and found that the identity construction mechanism of young people in travel-related virtual and offline communities has similarities and differences, which enriched the current literature in travel-related virtual communities. Some practical implications were identified.
Local anaphor licensing in an SOV language: implications for retrieval strategies

Because morphological and syntactic constraints govern the distribution of potential antecedents for local anaphors, local antecedent retrieval might be expected to make equal use of both syntactic and morphological cues. However, previous research (e.g., Dillon et al., 2013) has shown that local antecedent retrieval is not susceptible to the same morphological interference effects observed during the resolution of morphologically-driven grammatical dependencies, such as subject-verb agreement checking (e.g., Pearlmutter et al., 1999). Although this lack of interference has been taken as evidence that syntactic cues are given priority over morphological cues in local antecedent retrieval, the absence of interference could also be the result of a confound in the materials used: the post-verbal position of local anaphors in prior studies may obscure morphological interference that would otherwise be visible if the critical anaphor were in a different position. We investigated the licensing of local anaphors (reciprocals) in Hindi, an SOV language, in order to determine whether pre-verbal anaphors are subject to morphological interference from feature-matching distractors in a way that post-verbal anaphors are not. Computational simulations using a version of the ACT-R parser (Lewis and Vasishth, 2005) predicted that a feature-matching distractor should facilitate the processing of an unlicensed reciprocal if morphological cues are used in antecedent retrieval. In a self-paced reading study we found no evidence that distractors eased processing of an unlicensed reciprocal. However, the presence of a distractor increased difficulty of processing following the reciprocal. We discuss the significance of these results for theories of cue selection in retrieval.
Integrated Whole Body MR/PET: Where Are We?

Whole body integrated magnetic resonance imaging (MR)/positron emission tomography (PET) imaging systems have recently become available for clinical use and are currently being used to explore whether the combined anatomic and functional capabilities of MR imaging and the metabolic information of PET provide new insight into disease phenotypes and biology, and provide a better assessment of oncologic diseases at a lower radiation dose than a CT. This review provides an overview of the technical background of combined MR/PET systems, a discussion of the potential advantages and technical challenges of hybrid MR/PET instrumentation, as well as collection of possible solutions. Various early clinical applications of integrated MR/PET are also addressed. Finally, the workflow issues of integrated MR/PET, including maximizing diagnostic information while minimizing acquisition time are discussed.