Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Keynote lecture 3: “Intelligent transport systems (ITS) for next generation with advanced surveillance”

Summary form only given. The study proposes the initiative plan for technical and political approaches on the intelligent transport systems (ITS) for the next generation cooperated with connected vehicles including advanced surveillance and information and communication technologies (ICT). The utilization of scientific methodologies enables us to design and construct bridges, roads, buildings, ships, aircraft, automobiles, and other mechanical wonders. Recently, the most people may understand the scientific way when it comes to airplane rides or building things like highway, bridges, and vehicles. Now it's time to develop a consensus that when it comes to planning our societies: our cities, transportation systems, social infrastructure, and so on. This study issues the needs for a new paradigm of transportation systems to design the future, Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) with fully networked vehicle transportation systems, where computer guided vehicles for land, sea, air, space and beyond can transport passengers and freight in and between the new cities. In order to prepare for our future by thinking and leaning utilizing the present methodologies and values in the transportation world, the advanced surveillance technology initiatives proposed in this study will be discussed to generate the succeeding issues for future research and development in the world impacting on cooperative and sustainable transport systems for human life and the industry that penetrate the global markets.
Modeling apache hive based applications in big data architectures

Performance prediction for Big Data applications is a powerful tool supporting designers and administrators in achieving a better exploitation of their computing resources. Big Data architectures are complex, continuously evolving and adaptive, thus a rapid design and verification modeling approach can be fit to the needs. As a result, a minimal semantic gap between models and applications would enable a wider number of designers to directly benefit from the results. The paper presents a multiformalism modeling approach based on a one-to-one mapping of Apache Hive querying primitives to modeling primitives. This approach exploits a combination of proper Big Data specific submodels and Petri nets to enable modeling of conventional application logic.
Role of Kidney Injury Molecule-1 and β2-Microglobulin in Early Diagnosis of Diabetic Nephropathy

Background: Diabetes mellitus has been described as a metabolic disorder of multiple etiology characterized by chronic hyperglycemia with disturbances of carbohydrate metabolism. Diabetic nephropathy is typically characterized by a gradual increase in urinary albumin excretion. Albuminuria, a marker of glomerular involvement in early renal damage, cannot always detect early diabetic nephropathy (DN). Aim of the Work: Is to determine the suggested promising diagnostic role of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) level and β2 microglobulin and how could improve the early diagnosis, predict disease progression and deliver new insights in pathogenic of diabetic nephropathy. Subjects and Methods: this study included 80 subjects. Group I: sixty (60) patients with T2DM classified into 3 subgroups according to the level of albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR). Thirty (30) diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria (1a), 20 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria (1b) and 10 diabetic patient with macroalbuminuria (1c). Group II: Twenty, age and sex matched, apparently healthy individuals serving as a control group. Results: Our results revealed a statistical significant increase in FBS, blood urea, as well as microalbuminuria with GFR decline in patients group when compared to control group. However, serum levels of creatinine were only significantly elevated in diabetic patients with ACR ≥300 mg/g when compared to control group. The results revealed a highly statistically significant increase in urinary KIM and β2 microglobulin levels in micro than normo and in macro than micro albuminuric group. Conclusion: Our data revealed that tubular biomarkers were increased in T2DM patients with normoalbuminuria when compared with controls.
Named Entity Disambiguation for German News Articles

Named entity disambiguation has become an important research area providing the basis for improving search engine precision and for enabling semantic search. Current approaches for the named entity disambiguation are usually based on exploiting structured semantic and lingual resources (e.g. WordNet, DBpedia). Unfortunately, each of these resources cover independently from each other insufficient information for the task of named entity disambiguation. On the one hand WordNet comprises a relative small number of named entities while on the other hand DBpedia provides only little context for named entities. Our approach is based on the use of multi-lingual Wikipedia data. We show how the combination of multi-lingual resources can be used for named entity disambiguation. Based on a German and an English document corpus, we evaluate various similarity measures and algorithms for extracting data for named entity disambiguation. We show that the intelligent filtering of context data and the combination of multilingual information provides high quality named entity disambiguation results.
Analyzing finite-length protograph-based spatially coupled LDPC codes

The peeling decoding for spatially coupled low-density parity-check (SC-LDPC) codes is analyzed for a binary erasure channel. An analytical calculation of the mean evolution of degree-one check nodes of protograph-based SC-LDPC codes is given and an estimate for the covariance evolution of degree-one check nodes is proposed in the stable decoding phase where the decoding wave propagates along the chain of coupled codes. Both results are verified numerically. Protograph-based SC-LDPC codes turn out to have a more robust behavior than unstructured random SC-LDPC codes. Using the analytically calculated parameters, the finite-length scaling laws for these constructions are given and verified by numerical simulations.
Almost wait-free resizable hashtables

Summary form only given. In multiprogrammed systems, synchronization often turns out to be a performance bottleneck and the source of poor fault-tolerance. Wait-free and lock-free algorithms can do without locking mechanisms, and therefore do not suffer from these problems. We present an efficient almost wait-free algorithm for parallel accessible hashtables, which promises more robust performance and reliability than conventional lock-based implementations. Our solution is as efficient as sequential hashtables. It can easily be implemented using C-like languages and requires on average only constant time for insertion, deletion or accessing of elements. The algorithm allows the hashtables to grow and shrink when needed. A true problem of wait-free and lock-free algorithms is that they are hard to design correctly, even when apparently straightforward. The reason for this is that processes can execute all statements in every conceivable order. Since our algorithm is quite large and rather complex, we turned to the interactive theorem prover PVS to prove safety of our algorithm, which we could not have done reliably by hand. To our knowledge no algorithms of comparable complexity have ever been mechanically verified. Wait-freedom is shown informally.
Common Variants Show Predicted Polygenic Effects on Height in the Tails of the Distribution, Except in Extremely Short Individuals

Common genetic variants have been shown to explain a fraction of the inherited variation for many common diseases and quantitative traits, including height, a classic polygenic trait. The extent to which common variation determines the phenotype of highly heritable traits such as height is uncertain, as is the extent to which common variation is relevant to individuals with more extreme phenotypes. To address these questions, we studied 1,214 individuals from the top and bottom extremes of the height distribution (tallest and shortest ∼1.5%), drawn from ∼78,000 individuals from the HUNT and FINRISK cohorts. We found that common variants still influence height at the extremes of the distribution: common variants (49/141) were nominally associated with height in the expected direction more often than is expected by chance (p<5×10−28), and the odds ratios in the extreme samples were consistent with the effects estimated previously in population-based data. To examine more closely whether the common variants have the expected effects, we calculated a weighted allele score (WAS), which is a weighted prediction of height for each individual based on the previously estimated effect sizes of the common variants in the overall population. The average WAS is consistent with expectation in the tall individuals, but was not as extreme as expected in the shortest individuals (p<0.006), indicating that some of the short stature is explained by factors other than common genetic variation. The discrepancy was more pronounced (p<10−6) in the most extreme individuals (height<0.25 percentile). The results at the extreme short tails are consistent with a large number of models incorporating either rare genetic non-additive or rare non-genetic factors that decrease height. We conclude that common genetic variants are associated with height at the extremes as well as across the population, but that additional factors become more prominent at the shorter extreme.
A pragmatic approach for the downscaling and bias correction of regional climate simulations: evaluation in hydrological modeling

Abstract. The present study investigates a statistical approach for the downscaling of climate simulations focusing on those meteorological parameters most commonly required as input for climate change impact models (temperature, precipitation, air humidity and wind speed), including the option to correct biases in the climate model simulations. The approach is evaluated by the utilization of a hydrometeorological model chain consisting of (i) the regional climate model MM5 (driven by reanalysis data at the boundaries of the model domain), (ii) the downscaling and model interface SCALMET, and (iii) the physically based hydrological model PROMET. The results of different hydrological model runs set up for the historical period 1971–2000 are compared to discharge recordings at the gauge of the Upper Danube Watershed (Central Europe) on a daily time basis. To avoid "in-sample" evaluation, a cross-validation approach is followed splitting the period in two halves of 15 yr. While one half is utilized to derive the downscaling functions based on spatially distributed observations (e.g. 1971–1985), the other is used for the application of the downscaling functions within the hydrometeorological model chain (e.g. 1986–2000). By alternately using both parts for the generation and the application of the downscaling functions, discharge simulations are generated for the whole period 1971–2000. The comparison of discharge simulations and observations reveals that the presented approaches allow for a more accurate simulation of discharge in the catchment of the Upper Danube Watershed and the considered gauge at the outlet in Achleiten. The correction for subgrid-scale variability is shown to reduce biases in simulated discharge compared to the utilization of bilinear interpolation. Further enhancements in model performance could be achieved by a correction of biases in the RCM data within the downscaling process. These findings apply to the cross-validation experiment as well as to an "in-sample" application, where the whole period 1971–2000 is used for the generation and the application of the downscaling functions. Although the presented downscaling approach strongly improves the performance of the hydrological model, deviations from the observed discharge conditions persist that are not found when driving the hydrological model with spatially distributed meteorological observations.
Metal chassis robust antenna on compact AMC structure for commercial slim TV

This paper presents first reported specific technique for reducing metal chassis effect to Wi-Fi antenna on smart TV. By using compact AMC structure on the metal chassis, efficiency of the proposed antenna is above 67% within 3mm gap between antenna and metal chassis of TV. For productivity of set, the size of AMC structure is mainly considered to 11mm × 25mm limited area within 1mm thickness of FR4 PCB. The method of miniaturization of AMC structure is also represented. This solution will help to integrate Wi-Fi antenna within TV enclosed with metal chassis.
Outcome measures for hand function naturally reveal three latent domains in older adults: strength, coordinated upper extremity function, and sensorimotor processing

Understanding the mapping between individual outcome measures and the latent functional domains of interest is critical to a quantitative evaluation and rehabilitation of hand function. We examined whether and how the associations among six hand-specific outcome measures reveal latent functional domains in elderly individuals. We asked 66 healthy older adult participants (38F, 28M, 66.1 ± 11.6 years, range: 45–88 years) and 33 older adults (65.8 ± 9.7 years, 44–81 years, 51 hands) diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) of the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint, to complete six functional assessments: hand strength (Grip, Key and Precision Pinch), Box and Block, Nine Hole Pegboard, and Strength-Dexterity tests. The first three principal components suffice to explain 86% of variance among the six outcome measures in healthy older adults, and 84% of variance in older adults with CMC OA. The composition of these dominant associations revealed three distinct latent functional domains: strength, coordinated upper extremity function, and sensorimotor processing. Furthermore, in participants with thumb CMC OA we found a blurring of the associations between the latent functional domains of strength and coordinated upper extremity function. This motivates future work to understand how the physiological effects of thumb CMC OA lead upper extremity coordination to become strongly associated with strength, while dynamic sensorimotor ability remains an independent functional domain. Thus, when assessing the level of hand function in our growing older adult populations, it is particularly important to acknowledge its multidimensional nature—and explicitly consider how each outcome measure maps to these three latent and fundamental domains of function. Moreover, this ability to distinguish among latent functional domains may facilitate the design of treatment modalities to target the rehabilitation of each of them.
Helping Relationships for Smoking Cessation: Grounded Theory Development of the Process of Finding Help to Quit

BackgroundSome cigarette smokers report supportive people from their social network are helpful when they attempt to quit smoking. ObjectiveThis qualitative study set out to explain the process of quitting smoking cigarettes, with specific attention to the question of whether the help of another person was important. MethodsGrounded theory was used. Participants were volunteers who responded to a flier posted on a health sciences center campus. Purposeful sampling was used as data were analyzed. Transcripts of interviews conducted with 16 participants of diverse demographic backgrounds were analyzed. ResultsInterpretive analysis of coded transcripts revealed three major guiding constructs supporting the process of finding a helper to quit smoking: (a) seeking out helper qualities, (b) building a helping relationship, and (c) constructing the environment. ConclusionThe use of a helping relationship for smoking cessation was important for smokers in the study to successfully quit. A very salient quality, constructing the environment, emerged as one of the most important aspects of the process of quitting smoking.
Finding Related Pages Using the Link Structure of the WWW

Most of the current algorithms for finding related pages are exclusively based on text corpora of the WWW or incorporate only authority or hub values of pages. In this paper, we present HubFinder, a new fast algorithm for finding related pages exploring the link structure of the Web graph. Its criterion for filtering output pages is "pluggable", depending on the user's interests, and may vary from global page ranks to text content, etc. We also introduce HubRank, a new ranking algorithm which gives a more complete view of page "importance" by biasing the authority measure of PageRank towards hub values of pages. Finally, we present an evaluation of these algorithms in order to prove their qualities experimentally.
UWB filter with DMS for Wi-Fi Applications

Inthis paper a planar ultra-wideband bandpass filter is designed. The filter is designed using Defected microstrip structure (DMS) and coupled lines. The measured range of pass band is1.5GHz to 7GHzwith a notch at 5.2GHz WLAN frequency. Keywords— Planar filter,UWB, Coupling, DMS, Notch
Global gene expression profiling of pancreatic islets in mice during streptozotocin-induced β-cell damage and pancreatic Glp-1 gene therapy

SUMMARY Streptozotocin (STZ), a glucosamine-nitrosourea compound, has potent genotoxic effects on pancreatic β-cells and is frequently used to induce diabetes in experimental animals. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has β-cell protective effects and is known to preserve β-cells from STZ treatment. In this study, we analyzed the mechanisms of STZ-induced diabetes and GLP-1-mediated β-cell protection in STZ-treated mice. At 1 week after multiple low-dose STZ administrations, pancreatic β-cells showed impaired insulin expression, while maintaining expression of nuclear Nkx6.1. This was accompanied by significant upregulation of p53-responsive genes in islets, including a mediator of cell cycle arrest, p21 (also known as Waf1 and Cip1). STZ treatment also suppressed expression of a wide range of genes linked with key β-cell functions or diabetes development, such as G6pc2, Slc2a2 (Glut2), Slc30a8, Neurod1, Ucn3, Gad1, Isl1, Foxa2, Vdr, Pdx1, Fkbp1b and Abcc8, suggesting global β-cell defects in STZ-treated islets. The Tmem229B, Prss53 and Ttc28 genes were highly expressed in untreated islets and strongly suppressed by STZ, suggesting their potential roles in β-cell function. When a pancreas-targeted adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector was employed for long-term Glp-1 gene delivery, pancreatic GLP-1 expression protected mice from STZ-induced diabetes through preservation of the β-cell mass. Despite its potent β-cell protective effects, however, pancreatic GLP-1 overexpression showed limited effects on the global gene expression profiles in the islets. Network analysis identified the programmed-cell-death-associated pathways as the most relevant network in Glp-1 gene therapy. Upon pancreatic GLP-1 expression, upregulation of Cxcl13 and Nptx2 was observed in STZ-damaged islets, but not in untreated normal islets. Given the pro-β-cell-survival effects of Cxcl12 (Sdf-1) in inducing GLP-1 production in α-cells, pancreatic GLP-1-mediated Cxcl13 induction might also play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of β-cells in damaged islets.
Physiological Signal Based Entity Authentication for Body Area Sensor Networks and Mobile Healthcare Systems

With the evolution of m-Health, an increasing number of biomedical sensors will be worn on or implanted in an individual in the future for the monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. For the optimization of resources, it is therefore necessary to investigate how to interconnect these sensors in a wireless body area network, wherein security of private data transmission is always a major concern. This paper proposes a novel solution to tackle the problem of entity authentication in body area sensor network (BASN) for m-Health. Physiological signals detected by biomedical sensors have dual functions: (1) for a specific medical application, and (2) for sensors in the same BASN to recognize each other by biometrics. A feasibility study of proposed entity authentication scheme was carried out on 12 healthy individuals, each with 2 channels of photoplethysmogram (PPG) captured simultaneously at different parts of the body. The beat-to-beat heartbeat interval is used as a biometric characteristic to generate identity of the individual. The results of statistical analysis suggest that it is a possible biometric feature for the entity authentication of BASN
Monitoring of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): Examples from Lake Vättern, Sweden

Abstract Lake Vättern in southern Sweden is a large oligotrophic lake with high surface to catchment area ratio (ca. 0.4) and a water residence time of 60 years. The lake combines sensitivity to atmospheric POP-pollution with general susceptibility for effects of POPs and slow concentration decline. Time series, from the 1960s until 1996, of PCBs and DDT in fish and data on TCDD in sediment of L. Vättern are presented and compared to other large lakes. The long time dataset of POPs in Arctic char (Salvelinus salvelinus) shows a significant annual decline of about 5% for PCBs and 13% for DDT. These rates are in agreement with other studies. Nutrients as well as biological effects and factors affecting the fate of POPs in oligotrophic lakes with long residence times are discussed. We propose that oligotrophic clear lakes are important ecosystems for monitoring POPs in biota.
Fast Implementation of Double-coupled Nonnegative Canonical Polyadic Decomposition

Real-world data exhibiting high order/dimensionality and various couplings are linked to each other since they share some common characteristics. Coupled tensor decomposition has become a popular technique for group analysis in recent years, especially for simultaneous analysis of multi-block tensor data with common information. To address the multiblock tensor data, we propose a fast double-coupled nonnegative Canonical Polyadic Decomposition (FDC-NCPD) algorithm in this study, based on the linked CP tensor decomposition (LCPTD) model and fast Hierarchical Alternating Least Squares (Fast-HALS) algorithm. The proposed FDCNCPD algorithm enables simultaneous extraction of common components, individual components and core tensors from tensor blocks. Moreover, time consumption is greatly reduced without compromising the decomposition quality when handling large-scale tensor blocks. Simulation experiments of synthetic and real-world data are conducted to demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed algorithm.
Diffuse luminance flicker increases retinal vessel diameter in humans.

PURPOSE To determine retinal vessel diameter variations in response to neuronal activity induced by diffuse luminance flicker. METHODS The diameter of retinal arteries and veins was measured in 9 normal subjects by computer analysis of fundus pictures taken in monochromatic light under normal conditions of illumination and after 1 min of sinusoidally varying diffuse luminance flicker at 10 Hz. RESULTS The diameter immediately after flicker was significantly larger than the pre-stimulus diameter by 4.2 +/- 2.2% for the retinal arteries and 2.7 +/- 1.7% for the retinal veins (mean +/- SD). Six is after cessation of the flicker, arterial diameter was not significantly different from that of pre-flicker value. CONCLUSIONS Diffuse luminance flicker induces an increase in retinal vessel diameter. This increase most probably reflects an increase in retinal blood flow previously evidenced in humans by the blue field simulation technique. The technique needs to be optimized in terms of flicker parameters, to determine whether flicker-evoked retinal diameter changes could represent a useful clinical measure of the capability of the retinal vascular system to vasodilate.