Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cooperative localization techniques for wireless sensor networks: free, signal and angle based techniques

This paper addresses the problem of localization in sensor networks where, initially, a certain number of sensors are aware of their positions either by using GPS or by being hand-placed and are referred to as anchors. Our goal is to localize all sensors with high accuracy, while using a limited number of anchors. Sensors can be equipped with different technologies for signal and angle measurements. These measures can be altered by some errors because of the network environment that induces position inaccuracies. In this paper, we propose a family AT-Family of three new distributed localization techniques in wireless sensor networks: free-measurement AT-Free where sensors have no capability of measure, signal-measurement AT-Dist where sensors can calculate distances, and angle-measurement AT-Angle where sensors can calculate angles. These methods determine the position of each sensor while indicating the accuracy of its position. They have two important properties: first, a sensor node can deduce if its estimated position is close to its real position and contribute to the positioning of others nodes; second, a sensor can eliminate wrong information received about its position. This last property allows to manage measure errors that are the main drawback of measure-based methods such as AT-Dist and AT-Angle techniques. By varying the density and the error rate, simulations show that the three proposed techniques achieve good performances in term of high accuracy of localized nodes and less energy consuming while assuming presence of measure errors and considering low number of anchors. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Bayesian Multivariate Functional Dynamic Linear Model

ABSTRACT We present a Bayesian approach for modeling multivariate, dependent functional data. To account for the three dominant structural features in the data—functional, time dependent, and multivariate components—we extend hierarchical dynamic linear models for multivariate time series to the functional data setting. We also develop Bayesian spline theory in a more general constrained optimization framework. The proposed methods identify a time-invariant functional basis for the functional observations, which is smooth and interpretable, and can be made common across multivariate observations for additional information sharing. The Bayesian framework permits joint estimation of the model parameters, provides exact inference (up to MCMC error) on specific parameters, and allows generalized dependence structures. Sampling from the posterior distribution is accomplished with an efficient Gibbs sampling algorithm. We illustrate the proposed framework with two applications: (1) multi-economy yield curve data from the recent global recession, and (2) local field potential brain signals in rats, for which we develop a multivariate functional time series approach for multivariate time–frequency analysis. Supplementary materials, including R code and the multi-economy yield curve data, are available online.
A Discussion of Precise Interaction for Wearable Augmented Reality Systems

In this paper, we discuss the research topic of precise interaction for Wearable Augmented Reality (AR). Our research focus is towards improving interaction with wearable AR systems to assist in the creation and modification of user contents. We present a set of techniques that supports both the creation and modification of virtual models for outdoor wearable AR. Based on our experience, we discuss several challenges faced during our research, in order to emphasize the focus on solving the problem of precise manipulation through the development of new interaction techniques and input devices. We believe that precision is an important problem to tackle for the industrialization of wearable AR.
[Psychometric properties of the Polish version of the Metacognitions Questionnaire-30].

AIM The aim of the present study was to examine basic psychometric properties as well as to confirm the five-factor structure of the Polish version ofthe Metacognitions Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30), a short instrument to measure various aspects of maladaptive metacognitions. METHOD The sample consisted of 315 individuals (239 females and 76 males). Fourty-five of the participants were examined twice within the test-retest procedure. Among questionnaires used in the study were MCQ-30, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and four subscales chosen from the Neurotic Personality Questionnaire (KON-2006). RESULTS Cronbach alphas, coefficients ofreliability, reached acceptable values (0.70-0.87). Correlation coefficient (Pearson's r) between two separate administrations ofMCQ-30 was high (0.72). Correlation coefficients between results of the MCQ-30 and results of the STAI and the part of KON-2006 were statistically significant and positive (018-064). Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the five-factor structure of the questionnaire (the model was modified, and the method of maximum likelihood along with bootstrap procedure was used; goodness-of-fit indices were e.g. Chi2 [391] = 764.50 with p < 0.001, Chi2/df = 1.95, GFI = 0.858, RMSEA = 0.055). CONCLUSIONS The results from this study show generally good psychometric properties of the Polish version of the metacognitions questionnaire. Polish version of the MCQ-30 seems to be a measure comparable with the original version.
Enhanced rhizobial symbiotic capacity in an allopolyploid species of Glycine (Leguminosae).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Previous studies have shown that polyploidy can alter biotic interactions, and it has been suggested that these effects may contribute to the increased ability for colonization of new habitats shown by many allopolyploids. Little is known, however, about the effects of allopolyploidy, which combines hybridity and genome doubling, on symbiotic interactions with rhizobial bacteria. METHODS We examined interactions of the allopolyploid Glycine dolichocarpa (designated T2) with novel rhizobial partners, such as might occur in a context of colonization, and compared these with the responses of its diploid progenitors, G. tomentella (D3) and G. syndetika (D4). We assessed root hair response, nodule formation, nodule mass, nodule number, and plant biomass. KEY RESULTS The allopolyploid (T2) showed a greater root hair deformation response when exposed to rhizobia, compared with either diploid. T2 had a greater probability of forming nodules with NGR234 compared with diploid D4, and greater total nodule mass per nodulated plant compared with diploid D3. T2 also had greater plant biomass responses to nitrogen and when exposed to NGR234. CONCLUSIONS The allopolyploid is characterized by transgressive responses to rhizobia for some variables, while also combining certain parental diploid responses such that its capacity for interactions with rhizobia appears to be greater than for either diploid progenitor. This overall enhanced nodulation capacity and the ability to make greater gains from exposure to both rhizobia and additional nitrogen indicate a greater potential of the allopolyploid to benefit from these factors both generally and in a context of colonization.
Automated Design Space Exploration with Aspen

Architects and applications scientists often use performance models to explore a multidimensional design space of architectural characteristics, algorithm designs, and application parameters. With traditional performance modeling tools, these explorations forced users to first develop a performance model and then repeatedly evaluate and analyze the model manually. These manual investigations proved laborious and error prone. More importantly, the complexity of this traditional process often forced users to simplify their investigations. To address this challenge of design space exploration, we extend our Aspen (Abstract Scalable Performance Engineering Notation) language with three new language constructs: user-defined resources, parameter ranges, and a collection of costs in the abstract machine model. Then, we use these constructs to enable automated design space exploration via a nonlinear optimization solver. We show how four interesting classes of design space exploration scenarios can be derived from Aspen models and formulated as pure nonlinear programs. The analysis tools are demonstrated using examples based on Aspenmodels for a three-dimensional Fast Fourier Transform, the CoMD molecular dynamics proxy application, and the DARPA Streaming Sensor Challenge Problem. Our results show that this approach can compose and solve arbitrary performance modeling questions quickly and rigorously when compared to the traditional manual approach.
Patterns and predictors of sleep quality before, during, and after hospitalization in older adults.

STUDY OBJECTIVES The impact of hospitalization on sleep in late-life is underexplored. The current study examined patterns of sleep quality before, during, and following hospitalization, investigated predictors of sleep quality patterns, and examined predictors of classification discordance between two suggested clinical cutoffs used to demarcate poor/good sleep. METHODS This study included older adults (n = 163; mean age 79.7 ± 6.9 years, 31% female) undergoing inpatient post-acute rehabilitation. Upon admission to inpatient post-acute rehabilitation, patients completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) retrospectively regarding their sleep prior to hospitalization. They subsequently completed the PSQI at discharge, and 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 1 year post discharge. Patient demographic and clinical characteristics (pain, depression, cognition, comorbidity) were collected upon admission. RESULTS Using latent class analysis methods, older adults could be classified into (1) Consistently Good Sleepers and (2) Chronically Poor Sleepers based on patterns of self-reported sleep quality pre-illness, during, and up to 1 year following inpatient rehabilitation. This pattern was maintained regardless of the clinical cutoff employed (> 5 or > 8). Logistic regression analyses indicated that higher pain and depressive symptoms were consistently associated with an increased likelihood of being classified as a chronic poor sleeper. While there was substantial classification discordance based on clinical cutoff employed, no significant predictors of this discordance emerged. CONCLUSIONS Clinicians should exercise caution in assessing sleep quality in inpatient settings. Alterations in the cutoffs employed may result in discordant clinical classifications of older adults. Pain and depression warrant detailed considerations when working with older adults on inpatient units when poor sleep is a concern.
Preparation of polymer-metal nanocomposite films and performance evaluation as thermal interface material

An urgent need for improved thermal management of microelectronic systems has emerged as a direct consequence of increasing integration densities, both at chip and packaging level. Current thermal interface materials have been identified as a major bottleneck, hindering reduction of junction to ambient thermal resistance to future required levels (< 0.2 KW-1). In this paper we introduce and characterize the thermal performance of a nanostructured polymer-metal composite aimed at thermal interface material applications. The composite consists of a high porosity polymer nanofiber network infiltrated with a low melting temperature alloy. The inherent structure of the composite provides all-metal high thermally conductive pathways from surface to surface in assemblies. Results indicate total thermal resistances as low 8.5 Kmm2W-1 at bondline thicknesses of approximately 70 mum, corresponding to an effective thermal conductivity of up to 8 Wm-1K-1.
Trends in Wheat Germ Cell Free Protein Expression System with an Emphasis on Up-scaling and Industrial Application

Cell-free translation systems have developed significantly over the last 2 decades and improvements in yield have resulted in their use for in vitro protein production in the laboratory. Such cell free systems enable the expression of cytotoxic, regulatory or unstable proteins that cannot be expressed in living cells. We compare the uses of different cell-free translation systems and review recent findings that support the possibility of scaling up and thereby enhancing the industrial application of wheat germ cell free protein expression.
Coherent cancellation of photothermal noise in GaAs/Al0.92Ga0.08As Bragg mirrors

Thermal noise is a limiting factor in many high-precision optical experiments. A search is underway for novel optical materials with reduced thermal noise. One such pair of materials, gallium arsenide and aluminum-alloyed gallium arsenide (collectively referred to as AlGaAs), shows promise for its low Brownian noise when compared to conventional materials such as silica and tantala. However, AlGaAs has the potential to produce a high level of thermo-optic noise. We have fabricated a set of AlGaAs crystalline coatings, transferred to fused silica substrates, whose layer structure has been optimized to reduce thermo-optic noise by inducing coherent cancellation of the thermoelastic and thermorefractive effects. By measuring the photothermal transfer function of these mirrors, we find evidence that this optimization has been successful.
Hypercalcemia, heart-block, and hyperthyroidism.

To the Editor. — In their paper, "Complete Heart Block Complicating Hyperthyroidism" ( 212 :2117, 1970), the authors suggest that other factors, such as infection or digitalis therapy, may contribute to the development of the arrhythmia. Another predisposing factor might be hypercalcemia which occurs in about 15% of the patients with hyperthyroidism. 1 Variations in the calcium concentration of cardiac muscle are fundamental for excitation-contraction coupling in muscle and may represent the basic mechanism for drug action. 2 Report of a Case. — A 52-year-old woman was recently hospitalized at this institution following the onset of atrial fibrillation with a ventricular response of 140 beats per minute. There was no history of previous cardiac disease and the only other complaint was a weight loss of 140 lb in six months prior to admission. Results of routine laboratory studies were normal. (The serum calcium level determination was not requested.) Digoxin therapy, 1.5 mg in
Efficient join algorithms for distributed information integration based on XML

For its flexibility, XML is suitable for data representation in information integration systems. Querying XML data in distributed information integration system brings new challenges. In this paper, we focus on join algorithms in result merging step of query processing in distributed information integration system based on XML. In order to transmit partial results efficiently, data compacting strategies are presented. We present four join operators with various semantics for result merging in XML-based information integration system. Based on the compacted data, efficient evaluation algorithms are designed for join operators presented in this paper. To process join on data from multiple data sources, our two-way join algorithms are extended to multi-join algorithm. Extensive experimental results show that our data compacting strategy is effective; our join algorithms outperform XJoin significantly and have good scalability; our multi-join algorithm outperforms the strategy of performing, multi-way join is efficient and has good scalability.
Incorporation of Isotopically Enriched Amino Acids

The incorporation of isotope labels into proteins is extremely useful for the application of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X‐ray or neutron‐diffraction crystallography, and mass spectrometry (MS) methodologies to investigate the structure and dynamics of proteins. This unit presents methods for incorporating isotopic labels into proteins via expression in E. coli and baculovirus transfected Sf9 insect cells or through cell‐free means. The unit also presents methods for introducing isotopic labels by chemical means into synthetic peptides by solid phase peptide synthesis or into isolated proteins by chemical modification of labile protein groups.
Chasing ghosts: allopolyploid origin of Oxyria sinensis (Polygonaceae) from its only diploid congener and an unknown ancestor

Reconstructing the origin of a polyploid species is particularly challenging when an ancestor has become extinct. Under such circumstances, the extinct donor of a genome found in the polyploid may be treated as a ‘ghost’ species in that its prior existence is recognized through the presence of its genome in the polyploid. In this study, we aimed to determine the polyploid origin of Oxyria sinensis (2n = 40) for which only one congeneric species is known, that is diploid O. digyna (2n = 14). Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH), transcriptome, phylogenetic and demographic analyses, and ecological niche modelling were conducted for this purpose. GISH revealed that O. sinensis comprised 14 chromosomes from O. digyna and 26 chromosomes from an unknown ancestor. Transcriptome analysis indicated that following divergence from O. digyna, involving genome duplication around 12 million years ago (Ma), a second genome duplication occurred approximately 6 Ma to give rise to O. sinensis. Oxyria sinensis was shown to contain homologous gene sequences divergent from those present in O. digyna in addition to a set that clustered with those in O. digyna. Coalescent simulations indicated that O. sinensis expanded its distribution approximately 6–7 Ma, possibly following the second polyploidization event, whereas O. digyna expanded its range much later. It was also indicated that the distributions of both species contracted and re‐expanded during the Pleistocene climatic oscillations. Ecological niche modelling similarly suggested that both species experienced changes in their distributional ranges in response to Quaternary climatic changes. The extinction of the unknown ‘ghost’ tetraploid species implicated in the origin of O. sinensis could have resulted from superior adaptation of O. sinensis to repeated climatic changes in the region where it now occurs.
Differential changes in vascular mRNA levels between rat iliac and renal arteries produced by cessation of voluntary running

• What is the central question of this study? While it is well accepted that long‐term physical inactivity is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk, the early effects of adoption of a sedentary lifestyle on the vasculature have not been characterized at the molecular level. • What is the main finding and its importance? The primary finding of this study is that transition from high to low physical activity produces modest changes in mRNA expression for some pro‐and anti‐atherogenic genes, but that both the genes affected and direction of change differ between iliac and renal artery. This heterogeneous effect of short‐term physical inactivity could be attributed to the distinct alterations in haemodynamic forces between these arteries.
Intervertebral reaction force prediction using an enhanced assembly of OpenSim models

OpenSim offers a valuable approach to investigating otherwise difficult to assess yet important biomechanical parameters such as joint reaction forces. Although the range of available models in the public repository is continually increasing, there currently exists no OpenSim model for the computation of intervertebral joint reactions during flexion and lifting tasks. The current work combines and improves elements of existing models to develop an enhanced model of the upper body and lumbar spine. Models of the upper body with extremities, neck and head were combined with an improved version of a lumbar spine from the model repository. Translational motion was enabled for each lumbar vertebrae with six controllable degrees of freedom. Motion segment stiffness was implemented at lumbar levels and mass properties were assigned throughout the model. Moreover, body coordinate frames of the spine were modified to allow straightforward variation of sagittal alignment and to simplify interpretation of results. Evaluation of model predictions for level L1–L2, L3–L4 and L4–L5 in various postures of forward flexion and moderate lifting (8 kg) revealed an agreement within 10% to experimental studies and model-based computational analyses. However, in an extended posture or during lifting of heavier loads (20 kg), computed joint reactions differed substantially from reported in vivo measures using instrumented implants. We conclude that agreement between the model and available experimental data was good in view of limitations of both the model and the validation datasets. The presented model is useful in that it permits computation of realistic lumbar spine joint reaction forces during flexion and moderate lifting tasks. The model and corresponding documentation are now available in the online OpenSim repository.
Diverse Routing with Star SRLGs

La notion de groupe de liens partageant un risque (Shared Risk Link Group, SRLG) a ete introduite pour modeliser des problemes de tolerance aux pannes simultanees d'ensembles de liens d'un reseau. Dans ce contexte, le probleme du routage diversifie est de trouver un ensemble de chemins SRLG-disjoints entre une paire donnee de noeuds du reseau. Ce probleme a ete prouve NP-complet en general et certains cas polynomiaux ont ete caracterises. Nous avons etudie le probleme du routage diversifie dans les reseaux satisfaisant la propriete d'etoile. Dans un reseau satisfaisant la propriete d'etoile, un lien peut etre affecte par plusieurs SRLGs, mais tous les liens affectes par un meme SRLG sont incidents a un meme sommet. Nous avons trouve des contre-exemples a un algorithme polynomial publie pour le calcul de paires de chemins SRLG-disjoints dans les reseaux satisfaisants la propriete d'etoile. Puis, nous avons prouve que ce probleme est en fait NP-difficile. Plus generalement, nous avons montre que le probleme du routage diversifie dans les reseaux avec la propriete d'etoile est NP-difficile, APX-difficile, et W[1]-difficile lorsque le parametre est le nombre de chemins SRLG-disjoints. Enfin, nous avons caracterise de nouvelles instances polynomiales, en particulier lorsque le degre maximum des sommets est 4, ou lorsque le reseau est acyclique.
Diazepam Promotes ATP Recovery and Prevents Cytochrome c Release in Hippocampal Slices After In Vitro Ischemia

Abstract: Benzodiazepines protect hippocampal neurons when administered within the first few hours after transient cerebral ischemia. Here, we examined the ability of diazepam to prevent early signals of cell injury (before cell death) after in vitro ischemia. Ischemia in vitro or in vivo causes a rapid depletion of ATP and the generation of cell death signals, such as the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. Hippocampal slices from adult rats were subjected to 7 min of oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD) and assessed histologically 3 h after reoxygenation. At this time, area CA1 neurons appeared viable, although slight abnormalities in structure were evident. Immediately following OGD, ATP levels in hippocampus were decreased by 70%, and they recovered partially over the next 3 h of reoxygenation. When diazepam was included in the reoxygenation buffer, ATP levels recovered completely by 3 h after OGD. The effects of diazepam were blocked by picrotoxin, indicating that the protection was mediated by an influx of Cl‐ through the GABAA receptor. It is interesting that the benzodiazepine antagonist flumazenil did not prevent the action of diazepam, as has been shown in other studies using the hippocampus. Two hours after OGD, the partial recovery of ATP levels occurred simultaneously with an increase of cytochrome c (∼400%) in the cytosol. When diazepam was included in the reoxygenation buffer, it completely prevented the increase in cytosolic cytochrome c. Thus, complete recovery of ATP and prevention of cytochrome c release from mitochondria can be achieved when diazepam is given after the loss of ATP induced by OGD.