Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Context-Aware Dynamic Reconfiguration of Mobile Patient Monitoring Systems

A mobile monitoring system for ambulant patients typically monitors bio-signals of a patient, processes and distributes these signals to formal caregivers. Often the monitoring service is long lasting, ranging from hours, days, to even months. The tasks involved in this end-to-end service are distributed over a networked ICT infrastructure and an optimal assignment may be found using task assignment techniques. To accommodate for the network and system resource dynamics, a configured system based on the optimal assignment over time may require a task redistribution. This capability is made possible using principles from autonomic computing where the operational environment is monitored, and based on significant operational changes a new optimal task assignment is computed, a reconfiguration plan is constructed and executed. In order for this approach to be effective, this control loop itself needs to be efficient, fast and minimally disruptive. In this paper we propose a computational scheme to estimate the quality of this control loop, the so-called reconfiguration cost. To this end, we propose an OSGi based task execution and control environment, a simple reconfiguration planning scheme based on the OSGi service bundle lifecycle, and a computational model to estimate the reconfiguration costs. Initial results using a prototype implementation are reported.
Matching with externalities for context-aware user-cell association in small cell networks

In this paper, we propose a novel user-cell association approach for wireless small cell networks that exploits previously unexplored context information extracted from users' devices, i.e., user equipments (UEs). Beyond characterizing precise quality of service (QoS) requirements that accurately reflect the UEs' application usage, our proposed cell association approach accounts for the devices' hardware type (e.g., smartphone, tablet, laptop). This approach has the practical benefit of enabling the small cells to make better informed cell association decisions that handle practical device-specific QoS characteristics. We formulate the problem as a matching game between small cell base stations (SBSs) and UEs. In this game, the SBSs and UEs rank one another based on well-designed utility functions that capture composite QoS requirements, extracted from the context features (i.e., application in use, hardware type). We show that the preferences used by the nodes to rank one another are interdependent and influenced by the existing network-wide matching. Due to this unique feature of the preferences, we show that the proposed game can be classified as a many-to-one matching game with externalities. To solve this game, we propose a distributed algorithm that enables the players (i.e., UEs and SBSs) to self-organize into a stable matching that guarantees the required applications' QoS. Simulation results show that the proposed context-aware cell association scheme yields significant gains, reaching up to 52% improvement compared to baseline context-unaware approaches.
Function Inlining Algorithm for Program Analysis

Most of existing inlining algorithms are used in optimizing compilers and are not suitable for program analysis. Therefore, an inlining algorithm based on program dependence graph is proposed. It uses simple function call tree to determine the sequence of inlining and adopts program dependence graph as the intermediate representation for a program. Inline expansion is performed on program dependence graphs, and a single program dependence graph without call node is produced in the end, so that the original program is transformed into a semantically equivalent program that is free of function invocation. This algorithm has already been applied to the code normalization process of an automatic grading system of student programs and a similar code detection system. Test results show that it can improve the variation removal rate of the code normalization and facilitate program analysis. Keywords-program analysis; inlining; program dependence graph; function call tree
Same Facts, Different Interpretations: Partisan Motivation and Opinion on Iraq

Scholars assume that citizens perform better when they know pertinent facts. Factual beliefs, however, become relevant for political judgments only when people interpret them. Interpretations provide opportunities for partisans to rationalize their existing opinions. Using panel studies, we examine whether and how partisans updated factual beliefs, interpretations of beliefs, and opinions about the handling of the Iraq war as real-world conditions changed. Most respondents held similar, fairly accurate beliefs about facts. But interpretations varied across partisan groups in predictable ways. In turn, interpretations, not beliefs, drove opinions. Perversely, the better informed more effectively used interpretations to buttress their existing partisan views.
Pre-frontal control of closed-loop limbic neurostimulation by rodents using a brain–computer interface

Objective. There is great interest in closed-loop neurostimulators that sense and respond to a patient's brain state. Such systems may have value for neurological and psychiatric illnesses where symptoms have high intraday variability. Animal models of closed-loop stimulators would aid preclinical testing. We therefore sought to demonstrate that rodents can directly control a closed-loop limbic neurostimulator via a brain–computer interface (BCI). Approach. We trained rats to use an auditory BCI controlled by single units in prefrontal cortex (PFC). The BCI controlled electrical stimulation in the medial forebrain bundle, a limbic structure involved in reward-seeking. Rigorous offline analyses were performed to confirm volitional control of the neurostimulator. Main results. All animals successfully learned to use the BCI and neurostimulator, with closed-loop control of this challenging task demonstrated at 80% of PFC recording locations. Analysis across sessions and animals confirmed statistically robust BCI control and specific, rapid modulation of PFC activity. Significance. Our results provide a preliminary demonstration of a method for emotion-regulating closed-loop neurostimulation. They further suggest that activity in PFC can be used to control a BCI without pre-training on a predicate task. This offers the potential for BCI-based treatments in refractory neurological and mental illness.
Swarms on continuous data

While being it extremely important, many exploratory data analysis (EDA [J. Tukey (1977)]) systems have the inability to perform classification and visualization in a continuous basis or to self-organize new data-items into the older ones (even more into new labels if necessary), which can be crucial in KDD - knowledge discovery [U.M. Fayyad et al., (1996), (1992)], retrieval and data mining systems [S. Mitra et al., (2002), U.M. Fayyad et al., (1996)] (interactive and online forms of Web Applications are just one example). This disadvantage is also present in more recent approaches using self-organizing maps [R. Brits et al., (2001), H.P. Siemon et al., (1990)]. On the present work, and exploiting past successes in recently proposed stigmergic ant systems [V. Ramos et al., (2002)] a robust online classifier is presented, which produces class decisions on a continuous stream data, allowing for continuous mappings. Results show that increasingly better results are achieved, as demonstrated by other authors in different areas [V. Ramos et al., (1999), A. Lumini et al., (1997)].
Parallel Three-Dimensional Computation of Fluid Dynamics and Fluid-Structure Interactions of Ram-Air Parachutes

OF 1. OVERVIEW This is a final report as far as our work at University of Minnesota is concerned. The report describes our research progress and accomplishments in development of high performance computing methods and tools for 3D finite element computation of aerodynamic characteristics and fluid-structure interactions (FSI) arising in airdrop systems, namely ram-air parachutes and round parachutes. This class of simulations involves complex geometries, flexible structural components, deforming fluid domains, and unsteady flow patterns. The key components of our simulation toolkit are a stabilized finite element flow solver, a nonlinear structural dynamics solver, an automatic mesh moving scheme, and an interface between the fluid and structural solvers; all of these have been developed within a parallel message-passing paradigm. 2. METHODS The methods used in this project include efficient flow solvers based on the space-time finite element method and parallel computing strategies using the message-passing model,. In parachute systems, where the deformations are large, the structure is currently modeled by cable-membrane-lumped mass elements. The nonlinear response is accounted for by casting a Lagrangian description of the governing equations. In computation of fluid-structure interactions involved in parachute systems, we are increasing the sophistication of handling the coupling between the aerodynamics and the parachute deformations. Also, more sophisticated mesh generation and update methods are to be developed to handle various stages of the ram-air parachute, such as turning with unsymmetric flare. Implementation of these methods is being provided on a wide variety of architectures such as the CRAY T3E and SGI MP systems. 3. FSI SIMULATIONS AND RESULTS In fluid-structure interactions, we developed a parallel cable-membrane structural dynamics solver. A coupling strategy for structural and flow solvers was also designed; this accommodates both nodally equivalent or incompatible meshes. The coupled solver was used to simulate a time-accurate fluid-structure interactions for a T-10 personnel parachute, and also a steady-state configuration of a ram-air parachute. In the T-10 simulations, the canopy is observed to inflate in certain regions and deflate in other regions, concurrent with the pressure fluctuations on the canopy surface due to vortex shedding. In the ram-air parachute, the initial configuration of the parachute is a smooth curved wing. Upon inflation we observe the appearance of "bumps" and a change in its spanwise curvature. We tested our methods on time-accurate simulation of flow past round and cross parachutes at realistic conditions using unstructured meshes. The geometry for the cross parachute was obtained …
GLI1 regulates a novel neuropilin-2/α6β1 integrin based autocrine pathway that contributes to breast cancer initiation

The characterization of cells with tumour initiating potential is significant for advancing our understanding of cancer and improving therapy. Aggressive, triple‐negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are enriched for tumour‐initiating cells (TICs). We investigated that hypothesis that VEGF receptors expressed on TNBC cells mediate autocrine signalling that contributes to tumour initiation. We discovered the VEGF receptor neuropilin‐2 (NRP2) is expressed preferentially on TICs, involved in the genesis of TNBCs and necessary for tumour initiation. The mechanism by which NRP2 signalling promotes tumour initiation involves stimulation of the α6β1 integrin, focal adhesion kinase‐mediated activation of Ras/MEK signalling and consequent expression of the Hedgehog effector GLI1. GLI1 also induces BMI‐1, a key stem cell factor, and it enhances NRP2 expression and the function of α6β1, establishing an autocrine loop. NRP2 can be targeted in vivo to retard tumour initiation. These findings reveal a novel autocrine pathway involving VEGF/NRP2, α6β1 and GLI1 that contributes to the initiation of TNBC. They also support the feasibility of NRP2‐based therapy for the treatment of TNBC that targets and impedes the function of TICs.
Observed Basin-Scale Response of the North Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation to Wind Stress Forcing

AbstractThe response of the North Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (MOC) to wind stress forcing is investigated from an observational standpoint, using four time series of overturning transports below and relative to 1000 m, overlapping by 3.6 yr. These time series are derived from four mooring arrays located on the western boundary of the North Atlantic: the RAPID Western Atlantic Variability Experiment (WAVE) array (42.5°N), the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Line W array (39°N), RAPID–MOC/MOCHA (26.5°N), and the Meridional Overturning Variability Experiment (MOVE) array (16°N). Using modal decompositions of the analytic cross-correlation between transports and wind stress, the basin-scale wind stress is shown to significantly drive the MOC coherently at four latitudes, on the time scales available for this study. The dominant mode of covariance is interpreted as rapid barotropic oceanic adjustments to wind stress forcing, eventually forming two counterrotating Ekman overturning cells c.
Analysis of Disease Progression-Associated Gene Expression Profile in Fibrillin-1 Mutant Mice: New Insight into Molecular Pathogenesis of Marfan Syndrome

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a dominantly inherited connective tissue disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding fibrillin-1 (FBN1) and is characterized by aortic dilatation and dissection, which is the primary cause of death in untreated MFS patients. However, disease progression-associated changes in gene expression in the aortic lesions of MFS patients remained unknown. Using a mouse model of MFS, FBN1 hypomorphic mouse (mgR/mgR), we characterized the aortic gene expression profiles during the progression of the MFS. Homozygous mgR mice exhibited MFS-like phenotypic features, such as fragmentation of elastic fibers throughout the vessel wall and were graded into mgR1–4 based on the pathological severity in aortic walls. Comparative gene expression profiling of WT and four mgR mice using microarrays revealed that the changes in the transcriptome were a direct reflection of the severity of aortic pathological features. Gene ontology analysis showed that genes related to oxidation/reduction, myofibril assembly, cytoskeleton organization, and cell adhesion were differentially expressed in the mgR mice. Further analysis of differentially expressed genes identified several candidate genes whose known roles were suggestive of their involvement in the progressive destruction of aorta during MFS. This study is the first genome-wide analysis of the aortic gene expression profiles associated with the progression of MFS. Our findings provide valuable information regarding the molecular pathogenesis during MFS progression and contribute to the development of new biomarkers as well as improved therapeutic strategies.
High-Frequency Stimulation of the Subthalamic Nucleus Counteracts Cortical Expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex Genes in a Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease

High-frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-HFS) is widely used as therapeutic intervention in patients suffering from advanced Parkinson’s disease. STN-HFS exerts a powerful modulatory effect on cortical motor control by orthodromic modulation of basal ganglia outflow and via antidromic activation of corticofugal fibers. However, STN-HFS-induced changes of the sensorimotor cortex are hitherto unexplored. To address this question at a genomic level, we performed mRNA expression analyses using Affymetrix microarray gene chips and real-time RT-PCR in sensorimotor cortex of parkinsonian and control rats following STN-HFS. Experimental parkinsonism was induced in Brown Norway rats by bilateral nigral injections of 6-hydroxydopamine and was assessed histologically, behaviorally, and electrophysiologically. We applied prolonged (23h) unilateral STN-HFS in awake and freely moving animals, with the non-stimulated hemisphere serving as an internal control for gene expression analyses. Gene enrichment analysis revealed strongest regulation in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) related genes. STN-HFS led to a cortical downregulation of several MHC class II (RT1-Da, Db1, Ba, and Cd74) and MHC class I (RT1CE) encoding genes. The same set of genes showed increased expression levels in a comparison addressing the effect of 6-hydroxydopamine lesioning. Hence, our data suggest the possible association of altered microglial activity and synaptic transmission by STN-HFS within the sensorimotor cortex of 6-hydroxydopamine treated rats.
Unilateral Peters Anomaly in a Nigerian Child: A Case Report

Peter’s anomaly is a form of congenital corneal opacity. It is associated with malformation of the anterior segment of the eye [1]. The aetiology of the condition is not clear. The most likely causes include genetic, infectious, traumatic and toxic factors [1]. Peter’s anomaly is a rare form of anterior segment dysgenesis in which abnormal cleavage of the anterior chamber occurs. The condition may involve the central or entire cornea. The leucoma is associated with irido-corneal adherences at the area of the leucoma. In the inherited form, mutations involve the PAX6 gene [2]. Peters’ anomaly was described by Peters about one hundred years ago [3]. It is a rare condition worldwide, however the incidence rate is unknown. The condition does not have racial or sexual predilection. A study done by Bhandari et al. [4]. Showed equal distribution in both sexes. There are two types of Peters anomaly based on the state of the lens namely type 1 and type 2. In type 1, the lens may or may not be cataractous but the lens does not adhere to the cornea. In type 2, the lens is cataractous and adheres to the cornea [5]. Type 1 is usually unilateral while type 2 is bilateral in 60% of cases. The cornea is usually clear at the periphery and vascularisation is not common however there may be sclerization of the limbus.
Regulation of STATs by polycystin-1 and their role in polycystic kidney disease

Autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a common genetic disease caused by mutations in the gene coding for polycystin-1 (PC1). PC1 can regulate STAT transcription factors by a novel, dual mechanism. STAT3 and STAT6 are aberrantly activated in renal cysts. Genetic and pharmacological approaches to inhibit STAT3 or STAT6 have led to promising results in ADPKD mouse models. Here, we review current findings that lead to a model of PC1 as a key regulator of STAT signaling in renal tubule cells. We discuss how PC1 may orchestrate appropriate epithelial responses to renal injury, and how this system may lead to aberrant STAT activation in ADPKD thereby causing inappropriate activation of tissue repair programs that culminate in renal cyst growth and fibrosis.
The Cauchy Problem for Membranes

We show existence and uniqueness for timelike minimal submanifolds (world volume of p-branes) in ambient Lorentz manifolds admitting a time function in a neighborhood of the initial submanifold. The initial value formulation introduced and the conditions imposed on the initial data are given in purely geometric terms. Only an initial direction must be prescribed in order to provide uniqueness for the geometric problem. The result covers non-compact initial submanifolds of any codimension. By considering the angle of the initial direction and vector fields normal to the initial submanifold with the unit normal to the foliation given by the time function we obtain a quantitative description of "distance" to the light cone. This description makes it possible to treat initial data which are arbitrarily close to the light cone. Imposing uniform assumptions give a lower bound for a notion of "time of existence" depending only on geometric quantities involving the length of timelike curves lying in the solution.
Current Trends and Challenges in III-V HBT Compact Modeling

This paper gives an overview on recent achievements in the modeling of GaAs or InP based HBTs. The emphasis lies on the description of weakly nonlinear behavior, and on advanced descriptions for 1/f and shot noise for nonlinear simulation. Although compact HBT modeling already reached a high level of accuracy, certain limitations remain that will also be addressed.
A new method for testing dialogue systems based on simulations of real-world conditions

This paper presents a new method for testing dialogue systems using a variety of real-world conditions simulated in lab. The method is based on the use of an additional dialogue system, called simulator, designed to behave as users interacting with the dialogue system to test. The behavior of the simulator is decided from diverse scenarios that represent user goals. The simulator tries to achieve the goals in the scenarios during the interaction with the dialogue system. We applied the method to test in noise conditions a dialogue system under development in our lab, considering white and babble noise. The method allowed to find out errors in the recognizer and in the strategy the system uses to handle user confirmations. Using the method, we tested the behavior of the system in terms of task completion, taking into account a VTS noise compensation technique. The experiments show that, if the VTS technique is not used, the average task completion is 31,43% for the white noise and 29,64% for the babble noise. If the VTS technique is used, the average task completion increases to 57,35% for the white noise and to 54,44% for the babble noise.
Portable Translator Capable of Recognizing Characters on Signboard and Menu Captured by its Built-in Camera

We present a portable translator that recognizes and translates phrases on signboards and menus as captured by a built-in camera. This system can be used on PDAs or mobile phones and resolves the difficulty of inputting some character sets such as Japanese and Chinese if the user doesn't know their readings. Through the high speed mobile network, small images of signboards can be quickly sent to the recognition and translation server. Since the server runs state of the art recognition and translation technology and huge dictionaries, the proposed system offers more accurate character recognition and machine translation.
Contractile inactivation in frog skeletal muscle fibers. The effects of low calcium, tetracaine, dantrolene, D-600, and nifedipine

Short muscle fibers (approximately 1.5 mm) of Rana pipiens were voltage- clamped with a two-microelectrode technique at a holding potential of - 100 mV. Using conditioning depolarizing ramps, with slopes greater than 0.2 mV/s, partially inactivated responses are obtained at threshold values between -55 and -35 mV. With slopes equal to or slower than 0.1 mV/s, one inactivates contraction without ever activating it. When the membrane potential is brought slowly to values more positive than about -40 mV, test pulses, applied on top of the ramps, bringing the membrane potential to values up to +100 mV, are ineffective in eliciting contractile responses, which indicates complete inactivation. After inactivation, contractile threshold is shifted by perhaps 10 mV, to about -40 mV. The sensitivity of fibers to depolarizing ramps is increased by D-600 (50 microM), dantrolene (50 microM), tetracaine (100 microM), and low calcium (10(-8) M). In the presence of these agents, complete inactivation was obtained using ramp slopes of 1, 0.8, 0.4, and 0.2 mV/s, respectively. Nifedipine was less effective. With D-600, once inactivation had been induced, no repriming occurred after repolarization to -100 mV, and partial recovery occurred after washing out the drug. With low calcium, tetracaine, and nifedipine, the tension- voltage relationship was not affected, whereas the steady state inactivation curve (obtained in repriming experiments) was shifted by 10-25 mV toward more negative potentials. With D-600, the activation curve was not modified, whereas the inactivation curve could not be obtained, because of repriming failure. With dantrolene, the inactivation curve was not affected, whereas the activation curve was shifted toward less negative potentials and peak tension diminished, depending on the pulse duration. The results indicate that it is possible to induce complete inactivation without activation, and to differentiate activation and inactivation parameters pharmacologically, which suggests that the two are separate processes.