Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
TagController: A Universal Wireless and Battery-free Remote Controller using Passive RFID Tags

Innovative Human Machine Interface technologies are fundamentally reshaping the way people live, entertain and work. Passive RFID tags, benefiting from its wireless, inexpensive and battery-free sensing ability, are gradually being applied in new-style interaction interfaces, ranging from virtual touch screen to 3D mouse. This paper presents TagController, a universal wireless and battery-free remote controller with two types of interactive actions. The key insight is that the fine-grained phase information extracted from RF signals is capable of perceiving various actions. TagController can recognize 10 actions without any training or prestored profiles by executing a sequence of functional components, i.e. preprocessor, action detector and action recognizer. We have implemented TagController with COTS RFID devices and conducted substantial experiments in different scenarios. The results demonstrate that TagController can achieve an average recognition accuracy of 95.8% and 94.3% in the scenarios of one and two remote controllers, respectively, which promises its feasibility and robustness.
The Rb tumor suppressor regulates epithelial cell migration and polarity

Altered cell polarity and migration are hallmarks of cancer and metastases. Here we show that inactivation of the retinoblastoma gene (Rb) tumor suppressor causes defects in tissue closure that reflect the inability of Rb null epithelial cells to efficiently migrate and polarize. These defects occur independently of pRB's anti‐proliferative role and instead correlate with upregulation of RhoA signaling and mislocalization of apical‐basal polarity proteins. Notably, concomitant inactivation of tp53 specifically overrides the motility defect, and not the aberrant polarity, thereby uncovering previously unappreciated mechanisms by which Rb and tp53 mutations cooperate to promote cancer development and metastases.
WiPush: Opportunistic Notifications over WiFi without Association

Push notifications have become a prevalent way of communication for user devices to receive updates about their online profiles. State-of-the-art mechanisms for push notification delivery do not take users' spatio-temporal context into account as it would require a user device to retrieve the location and deliver it to the app servers, both of which are costly in terms of energy and traffic. In this paper, we provide an opportunistic, local, network-centric mechanism, WiPush, to deliver contextual notifications, leveraging the high density of WiFi access points (AP). WiPush does not require association with APs and uses WiFi public action frames to deliver notifications without abusing the underlying standards. Our evaluation shows that while WiPush can deliver short notifications to the users with high reliability without affecting the networking functionalities of the AP adversely, it can not be used to transfer large volumes of data.
Dual-Paradigm Stream Processing

Existing stream processing frameworks operate either under data stream paradigm processing data record by record to favor low latency, or under operation stream paradigm processing data in micro-batches to desire high throughput. For complex and mutable data processing requirements, this dilemma brings the selection and deployment of stream processing frameworks into an embarrassing situation. Moreover, current data stream or operation stream paradigms cannot handle data burst efficiently, which probably results in noticeable performance degradation. This paper introduces a dual-paradigm stream processing, called DO (Data and Operation) that can adapt to stream data volatility. It enables data to be processed in micro-batches (i.e., operation stream) when data burst occurs to achieve high throughput, while data is processed record by record (i.e., data stream) in the remaining time to sustain low latency. DO embraces a method to detect data bursts, identify the main operations affected by the data burst and switch paradigms accordingly. Our insight behind DO's design is that the trade-off between latency and throughput of stream processing frameworks can be dynamically achieved according to data communication among operations in a fine-grained manner (i.e., operation level) instead of framework level. We implement a prototype stream processing framework that adopts DO. Our experimental results show that our framework with DO can achieve 5x speedup over operation stream under low data stream sizes, and outperforms data stream on throughput by 2.1x to 3.2x under data burst.
A validated proton beam therapy patch-field protocol for effective treatment of large hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract Development of a curative local treatment for large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an important issue. Here, we investigated the dose homogeneity, safety and antitumor effectiveness of proton beam therapy (PBT) using a patch-field technique for large HCC. Data from nine patients (aged 52–79 years) with large HCC treated with patch-field PBT were investigated. The cranial–caudal diameters of the clinical target volumes (CTVs) were 15.0–18.6 cm (median 15.9). The CTV was divided cranially and caudally while both isocenters were aligned along the cranial–caudal axis and overlap of the cranial and caudal irradiation fields was set at 0–0.5 mm. Multileaf collimators were used to eliminate hot or cold spots. Total irradiation doses were 60–76.4 Gy equivalents. Irradiation doses as a percentage of the prescription dose (from the treatment planning system) around the junction were a minimum of 93–105%, a mean of 99–112%, and a maximum of 105–120%. Quality assurance (QA) was assessed in the cranial and caudal irradiation fields using imaging plates. Acute adverse effects of Grade 3 were observed in one patient (hypoalbuminemia), and a late adverse effect of Grade 3 was observed in one patient (liver abscess). Child–Pugh class elevations were observed in four patients (A to B: 3; B to C: 1). Overall survival rates at 1 and 2 years were 55 and 14%, respectively, with a median overall survival of 13.6 months. No patients showed local recurrence. Patch-field PBT supported by substantial QA therefore is one of the treatment options for large HCC.
Reducing affective responses to surgical images through color manipulation and stylization

We present the first empirical study on using color manipulation and stylization to make surgery images more palatable. While aversion to such images is natural, it limits many people's ability to satisfy their curiosity, educate themselves, and make informed decisions. We selected a diverse set of image processing techniques, and tested them both on surgeons and lay people. While many artistic methods were found unusable by surgeons, edge-preserving image smoothing gave good results both in terms of preserving information (as judged by surgeons) and reducing repulsiveness (as judged by lay people). Color manipulation turned out to be not as effective.
Discrete-time adaptive backstepping control: Application to pumping station

This article proposes an application of a discrete-time adaptive backstepping control strategy for a hydraulic process pumping station. The proposed solution leads to improved control system performances in terms of pressure and flow tracking in transient and standstill operation and improvement of pressure response time. The proposed design methodology is based on accurate model for pumping station, which is developed in previous works using fuzzy-C means algorithm. The control law design is based on discrete-time adaptive backstepping control, which is developed in the sense of Lyapunov stability theory using sign function, in order to satisfy various objectives of a stable pumping station like the asymptotic stability of the tracking error. To validate the proposed solution, simulation and experimental tests are made and analyzed. Compared to the conventional proportional–integral approach, the results show that the discrete-time adaptive backstepping control allows exhibiting excellent transient response over a wide range of operating conditions and especially is easier to be implemented in practice.
Coglobe: a co-located multi-person FTVR experience

Fish Tank Virtual Reality (FTVR) creates a compelling 3D illusion for a single person by rendering to their perspective with head-tracking. However, typically, other participants cannot share in the experience since they see a weirdly distorted image when they look at the FTVR display making it difficult to work and play together. To overcome this problem, we have created CoGlobe: a large spherical FTVR display for multiple users. Using CoGlobe, Siggraph attendees will experience the latest advance of FTVR that supports multiple people co-located in a shared space working and playing together through two different multiplayer games and tasks. We have created a competitive two-person 3D Pong game (Figure 1b) for attendees to experience a highly interactive two-person game looking at the CoGlobe. Onlookers can also watch using a variation of mixed reality with a tracked mobile smartphone. Using a smartphone as a second screen registered to the same virtual world enables multiple people to interact together as well. We have also created a cooperative multi-person 3D drone game (Figure 1c) to illustrate cooperation in FTVR. Attendees will also see how effective co-located 3D FTVR is when cooperating on a complex 3D mental rotation (Figure 1d) and a path-tracing task (Figure 1a). CoGlobe overcomes the limited situation awareness of headset VR, while retaining the benefits of cooperative 3D interaction and thus is an exciting direction for the next wave of 3D displays for work and fun for Siggraph attendees to experience.
Rolling element bearing weak fault diagnosis based on optimal wavelet scale cyclic frequency extraction

Rolling element bearing fault characteristic information is within the second-order cyclic stationary signal. However, it is susceptible to noise interference. In this article, a new method is proposed for rolling element bearing early fault characteristic extraction according to the cyclic periodogram method. The wavelet transform coefficients are processed and analyzed using the cyclostationary theory. As a result, the implicit cyclic characteristics are contained in wavelet transform coefficients. Therefore, using the modulus or envelope of wavelet transform coefficients instead of the calculation of the cyclic statistics can avoid the window function length selection while maintaining the computation rate. In addition, the calculation of correlated kurtosis is introduced into frequency domain to select optimal wavelet scales. The larger the correlated kurtosis, the stronger the cycle impact characteristic in wavelet coefficients. Calculating the cyclic frequency in the optimal wavelet scale range can accurately extract the weak fault characteristic information. The data processing results demonstrated that the proposed method outperforms existing cyclostationary signal analysis methods in weak fault feature extraction for rolling element bearing.
Mass spider silk production through targeted gene replacement in Bombyx mori

Significance The use of heterologous systems to express spider silk has become an attractive method. However, achieving cost-effective production and high yields is still challenging. Here, we describe the establishment of a targeted gene replacement system in Bombyx mori to express the major ampullate spidroin-1 gene (MaSp1) from the spider Nephila clavipes. With the aid of transcription activator-like effector nuclease-mediated homology-directed repair, we genetically replaced the silkworm fibroin heavy chain gene with MaSp1 with considerable transformation efficiency, and the chimeric MaSp1 yields reached up to 35.2% wt/wt of cocoon shells in transformed silkworms. The genetically modified silk fiber had significant changes in mechanical properties, with improved extensibility. This system will shed light on the future mass production of new biomaterials, including spider silk. Spider silk is one of the best natural fibers and has superior mechanical properties. However, the large-scale harvesting of spider silk by rearing spiders is not feasible, due to their territorial and cannibalistic behaviors. The silkworm, Bombyx mori, has been the most well known silk producer for thousands of years and has been considered an ideal bioreactor for producing exogenous proteins, including spider silk. Previous attempts using transposon-mediated transgenic silkworms to produce spider silk could not achieve efficient yields, due to variable promoter activities and endogenous silk fibroin protein expression. Here, we report a massive spider silk production system in B. mori by using transcription activator-like effector nuclease-mediated homology-directed repair to replace the silkworm fibroin heavy chain gene (FibH) with the major ampullate spidroin-1 gene (MaSp1) in the spider Nephila clavipes. We successfully replaced the ∼16-kb endogenous FibH gene with a 1.6-kb MaSp1 gene fused with a 1.1-kb partial FibH sequence and achieved up to 35.2% chimeric MaSp1 protein amounts in transformed cocoon shells. The presence of the MaSp1 peptide significantly changed the mechanical characteristics of the silk fiber, especially the extensibility. Our study provides a native promoter-driven, highly efficient system for expressing the heterologous spider silk gene instead of the transposon-based, random insertion of the spider gene into the silkworm genome. Targeted MaSp1 integration into silkworm silk glands provides a paradigm for the large-scale production of spider silk protein with genetically modified silkworms, and this approach will shed light on developing new biomaterials.
Synchronous and asynchronous operation in dual‐band VCOs

We present a comprehensive analysis of the asynchronous and synchronous operations of fourth‐order oscillators underlying dual‐band voltage‐controlled oscillators. We analyze the occurrence of the self‐synchronization phenomenon (internal resonance) if the ratio of normal frequencies is nearly a ratio of integers, which is 1:3 in the cubic approximation of the nonlinear oscillator characteristic. In this case, we have the simultaneous presence of 2 oscillations with a frequency ratio 1:3, which was demonstrated to be very effective in generating high‐frequency signals in mm‐wave range. The analysis is carried out by developing an analytical approach relying on the averaging principle, as it follows the van der Pol method. The averaging equations, derived simply by a quadrature, allow us to analyze easily the stationary and transient oscillations, and their stability, both in asynchronous and synchronous operations. Expressions for the amplitudes and phases were derived for a cubic nonlinearity and verified by Spice simulations.
Branching processes for QuickCheck generators

In QuickCheck (or, more generally, random testing), it is challenging to control random data generators' distributions---specially when it comes to user-defined algebraic data types (ADT). In this paper, we adapt results from an area of mathematics known as branching processes, and show how they help to analytically predict (at compile-time) the expected number of generated constructors, even in the presence of mutually recursive or composite ADTs. Using our probabilistic formulas, we design heuristics capable of automatically adjusting probabilities in order to synthesize generators which distributions are aligned with users' demands. We provide a Haskell implementation of our mechanism in a tool called DRaGeN and perform case studies with real-world applications. When generating random values, our synthesized QuickCheck generators show improvements in code coverage when compared with those automatically derived by state-of-the-art tools.
Clinicians’ views on treatment adaptations for men with eating disorders: a qualitative study

Objectives Despite traditional views of eating disorders as a female illness, there is a growing body of evidence that the incidence rate of eating disorders in men is rising. Research suggests that these men may experience unique symptoms and difficulties, however, it is unclear how these unique needs may impact treatment. The aim of this study was to explore clinicians’ views on whether men have gender-specific treatment needs, and how far these needs require treatment adaptations. Design Qualitative interview study using framework analysis to explore the experiences of clinicians working with men with eating disorders. Setting Outpatient National Health Service eating disorder service in London. Participants Ten clinicians from a variety of clinical backgrounds participated in the study. Results The following three themes emerged: male-specific issues identified by clinicians, treatment approaches used for this population and the importance of creating a male-friendly environment. Male-specific issues identified by participants included an increased focus on muscularity and difficulty expressing or discussing emotion. Clinicians also suggested that men may be more likely to adopt a performance-based approach to. This was linked by clinicians to the impact of cultural perceptions of masculinity on their patients. Clinicians in this study felt that these individual needs could be met by adapting existing approaches within a supportive, male-friendly environment. However, there was not consensus over specific adaptations, including identifying risk, the need for male-only groups, or whether male patients needed access to male clinicians. Conclusions Although men do present with specific treatment needs, these can typically be met within the framework of typical treatment approaches by experienced clinicians in an environment sensitive to the presence of men in an otherwise female-dominated space. However, there are a lack of explicit guidelines for this process, and areas such as male-only treatment spaces require further research.
Determinants and outcomes of change in physical activity in COPD

Determinants of change in physical activity and outcomes of physical activity promotion are unclear. In this secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial of a physical activity intervention, we assess predictors of change in physical activity and the effects of increasing physical activity on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) measures. Physical activity was promoted in 94 subjects with COPD using the Omron HJ-720ITC pedometer alone or the pedometer plus a website that provides goal setting, feedback, motivational and educational messages, and social support for 3 months. We assessed forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), 6-min walk test (6MWT) distance, depression, social support and markers of systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin (IL)-6). Data from both groups were combined and subjects categorised as responders (increased steps per day) or nonresponders (decreased steps per day). Linear regression models explored predictors of change in physical activity and assessed the effect of response on changes in COPD measures. The cohort of responders (n=62) and nonresponders (n=32) had mean FEV1 1.89±0.64 L (63±22% predicted). Baseline steps per day, diagnosis of depression, social support, oxygen use and season significantly predicted change in daily step count. Responders had increases in physical activity (2038 steps per day), FEV1 (308 mL) and 6MWT distance (43.6 m), and decreases in CRP (7.84 mg·L−1) and IL-6 (2.73 ng·mL−1) compared with nonresponders (p<0.0001–0.009). History of depression, social support, oxygen use and season predict change in physical activity, and should be routinely assessed in exercise counselling. Increases in physical activity are associated with improvements in lung function, exercise capacity and systemic inflammation. History of depression, social support, oxygen use and season predict change in physical activity in COPD. Response to physical activity promotion is associated with improvements in lung function, exercise capacity and systemic inflammation. http://ow.ly/oOMA30kPGCE
The public accountability of social platforms: lessons from a study on bots and trolls in the Brexit campaign

In this article, we review our study of 13 493 bot-like Twitter accounts that tweeted during the UK European Union membership referendum debate and disappeared from the platform after the ballot. We discuss the methodological challenges and lessons learned from a study that emerged in a period of increasing weaponization of social media and mounting concerns about information warfare. We address the challenges and shortcomings involved in bot detection, the extent to which disinformation campaigns on social media are effective, valid metrics for user exposure, activation and engagement in the context of disinformation campaigns, unsupervised and supervised posting protocols, along with infrastructure and ethical issues associated with social sciences research based on large-scale social media data. We argue for improving researchers' access to data associated with contentious issues and suggest that social media platforms should offer public application programming interfaces to allow researchers access to content generated on their networks. We conclude with reflections on the relevance of this research agenda to public policy. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘The growing ubiquity of algorithms in society: implications, impacts and innovations'.
Empowering children through design and making: towards protagonist role adoption

Inviting children to adopt a Protagonist role regarding technology has recently become advocated. Such a role embraces the original political participatory design (PD) agenda and aims at empowerment of children through design and making. However, so far the literature is limited in exploring the adoption of this role by children. While studies have reported experiences of engaging children in design and making activities, in-depth inquiries on children's experiences and challenges involved are lacking. We also maintain that the PD community has so far neglected education of children - in participation, design and technology - as our task and duty. This study reports findings from a design and making project aiming at empowerment of children, carried out in school context. We show that adopting the Protagonist role is not easy and there is a lot of variety between children. We present children's experiences and reflect on the challenges involved in progressing towards Protagonist role adoption.
Automated synthesis of adversarial workloads for network functions

Software network functions promise to simplify the deployment of network services and reduce network operation cost. However, they face the challenge of unpredictable performance. Given this performance variability, it is imperative that during deployment, network operators consider the performance of the NF not only for typical but also adversarial workloads. We contribute a tool that helps solve this challenge: it takes as input the LLVM code of a network function and outputs packet sequences that trigger slow execution paths. Under the covers, it combines directed symbolic execution with a sophisticated cache model to look for execution paths that incur many CPU cycles and involve adversarial memory-access patterns. We used our tool on 11 network functions that implement a variety of data structures and discovered workloads that can in some cases triple latency and cut throughput by 19% relative to typical testing workloads.