Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
furimifurazumi: a lighting device for sensuous media of rainy scene

"furimifurazumi" is a lighting device that let users intuitively know about the sign of rain in architectural space by using ambient media, a light and sound. This device works with various expression of lighting and sound, which are generated by the precipitation data from internet and Live E! system[1]. Our system in connection with meteorological sensor node enables the user to feel the outside atmosphere in the room.
Analysis of Arithmetic Coding for Data Compression 1

Arithmetic coding, in conjunction with a suitable probabilistic model, can provide nearly optimal data compression. In this article we analyze the e ect that the model and the particular implementation of arithmetic coding have on the code length obtained. Periodic scaling is often used in arithmetic coding implementations to reduce time and storage requirements; it also introduces a recency e ect which can further a ect compression. Our main contribution is introducing the concept of weighted entropy and using it to characterize in an elegant way the e ect that periodic scaling has on the code length. We explain why and by how much scaling increases the code length for les with a homogeneous distribution of symbols, and we characterize the reduction in code length due to scaling for les exhibiting locality of reference. We also give a rigorous proof that the coding e ects of rounding scaled weights, using integer arithmetic, and encoding end-ofle are negligible. Index terms : Data compression, arithmetic coding, analysis of algorithms, adaptive modeling. A similar version of this paper appears in Information Processing and Management, 28:6, November 1992, 749{763. A shortened version of this paper appears in the proceedings of the IEEE Computer Society/NASA/CESDIS Data Compression Conference, Snowbird, Utah, April 8{11, 1991, 3{12. Support was provided in part by NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program grant NGT{ 50420 and by an NSF Presidential Young Investigators Award with matching funds from IBM. Additional support was provided by a Universities Space Research Association/CESDIS appointment. Support was provided in part by a National Science Foundation Presidential Young Investigator Award grant with matching funds from IBM, by NSF grant CCR{9007851, by Army Research O ce grant DAAL03{91{G{0035, and by the O ce of Naval Research and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency under contract N00014{83{J{4052,ARPA order 8225. Additional support was provided by a Universities Space Research Association/CESDIS associate membership.
A New Cascaded Switched-Capacitor Multilevel Inverter Based on Improved Series–Parallel Conversion With Less Number of Components

The aim of this paper is to present a new structure for switched-capacitor multilevel inverters (SCMLIs) which can generate a great number of voltage levels with optimum number of components for both symmetric and asymmetric values of dc-voltage sources. The proposed topology consists of a new switched-capacitor dc/dc converter (SCC) that has boost ability and can charge capacitors as self-balancing by using the proposed binary asymmetrical algorithm and series-parallel conversion of power supply. The proposed SCC unit is used in new configuration as a submultilevel inverter (SMLI) and then, these proposed SMLIs are cascaded together and create a new cascaded multilevel inverter (MLI) topology that is able to increase the number of output voltage levels remarkably without using any full H-bridge cell and also can pass the reverse current for inductive loads. In this case, two half-bridge modules besides two additional switches are employed in each of SMLI units instead of using a full H-bridge cell that contribute to reduce the number of involved components in the current path, value of blocked voltage, the variety of isolated dc-voltage sources, and as a result, the overall cost by less number of switches in comparison with other presented topologies. The validity of the proposed SCMLI has been carried out by several simulation and experimental results.
Spatial context in collaborative information seeking

Space and time are considered the most important dimensions for studying systems and methods that support collaboration in information seeking. Several investigations have provided us with insights into people’s preferences and experiences relating to these two dimensions, but there is a lack of empirical evidence. A user study is presented, involving 60 subjects in 30 pairs, in which the experience and performance of users are compared while performing an information-seeking task in three different spatially defined collaboration settings: (1) working at the same workstation, (2) working in the same room at different workstations, and (3) working in different rooms. The results show significant differences among the experimental conditions, indicating the impact of space on collaboration. The pros and cons of different spatial set-ups are derived from an extensive analysis that uses several traditional information retrieval measures such as precision and recall, as well as unconventional assessments involving coverage and diversity.
An alternative therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by doxycycline through matrix metalloproteinase inhibition

Background: Idiopatiic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a disease of dysregulated fibrogenesis with abnormal matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) activity, angiogenesis, and profibrotic milieu wherein MMPs inhibition appears to be target-based therapy. We evaluated the role of doxycycline as a nonspecific inhibitor of MMPs in IPF patients. Materials and Methods Patients of IPF diagnosed on the basis of ATS-ERS consensus criteria were put on oral doxycycline in an open prospective trial. They were followed up for long term with spirometry, 6 min walk test (6MWT), St. Georges respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ), forced vital capacity (FVC), and repeat bronchoscopy while on doxycycline monotherapy for over 24 weeks. Both the initial and follow-up broncho alveolar lavage fluids (BALF) from IPF patients (n = 6) and control subjects (n = 6) were looked for MMP-9, -3, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. Additionally, doxycycline's action on MMP activities in vitro was tested in BALF of IPF patients. Results: Doxycycline intervention showed significant improvement in IPF patients in terms of change in 6MWT, SGRQ, FVC, and quality of life. The level of MMP-9, -3, TIMP-1 and VEGF in the BALF were found significantly higher in the IPF patients compared to the controls while doxycycline therapy reduced those parameters nearer to control value. Doxycycline also showed a significant dose-dependent reduction in the in vitro MMPs activities in BALF. Conclusion: Doxycycline shows significant prospect in the treatment of IPF through its anti MMPs activities. This is the first report on a case series of long-term doxycycline monotherapy in IPF patients.
Identification of Genes Relevant to Pesticides and Biology from Global Transcriptome Data of Monochamus alternatus Hope (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) Larvae

Monochamus alternatus Hope is the main vector in China of the Pine Wilt Disease caused by the pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. Although chemical control is traditionally used to prevent pine wilt disease, new strategies based in biological control are promising ways for the management of the disease. However, there is no deep sequence analysis of Monochamus alternatus Hope that describes the transcriptome and no information is available about gene function of this insect vector. We used next generation sequencing technology to sequence the whole fourth instar larva transcriptome of Monochamus alternatus Hope and successfully built a Monochamus alternatus Hope transcriptome database. In total, 105,612 unigenes were assigned for Gene Ontology (GO) terms, information for 16,730 classified unigenes was obtained in the Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COGs) database, and 13,024 unigenes matched with 224 predicted pathways in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG). In addition, genes related to putative insecticide resistance-related genes, RNAi, the Bt receptor, intestinal digestive enzymes, possible future insect control targets and immune-related molecules are described. This study provides valuable basic information that can be used as a gateway to develop new molecular tools for Monochamus alternatus Hope control strategies.
Damage in large scale solid state deformation of thermoplastic polymers at elevated temperatures and varying strain rates

A key factor which limits the production speed of the polymer die drawing process is the premature fracture of the material on exit from the die. In this paper, the growth of damage in the material during the die drawing process has been studied using a combination of thermoplastic finite element analysis and structural characterisation by means of scanning electron microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering for the specific case of die drawing of polyoxymethylene. It is demonstrated that special profiled dies offer a more beneficial strain rate distribution than the conventional conical dies and allow higher production speeds to be obtained. Voids grow in the material as a result of the tensile stresses pertaining near the die exit and then, crazes appear from within the material at a critical stress level leading ultimately to final fracture. The results suggest that although the crazes initiate at a critical stress, the extent of crazing at the maximum draw ratio obtained (∼13) is independent of the type of die and hence the stress level. Fracture of the drawn product occurs at different stresses for different die profiles but always at the maximum draw ratio of 13, suggesting that this relates to the limiting extensibility of a molecular network.
On the Acceleration of Wavefront Applications using Distributed Many-Core Architectures

In this paper we investigate the use of distributed graphics processing unit (GPU)-based architectures to accelerate pipelined wavefront applications—a ubiquitous class of parallel algorithms used for the solution of a number of scientific and engineering applications. Specifically, we employ a recently developed port of the LU solver (from the NAS Parallel Benchmark suite) to investigate the performance of these algorithms on high-performance computing solutions from NVIDIA (Tesla C1060 and C2050) as well as on traditional clusters (AMD/InfiniBand and IBM BlueGene/P). Benchmark results are presented for problem classes A to C and a recently developed performance model is used to provide projections for problem classes D and E, the latter of which represents a billion-cell problem. Our results demonstrate that while the theoretical performance of GPU solutions will far exceed those of many traditional technologies, the sustained application performance is currently comparable for scientific wavefront applications. Finally, a breakdown of the GPU solution is conducted, exposing PCIe overheads and decomposition constraints. A new k-blocking strategy is proposed to improve the future performance of this class of algorithm on GPU-based architectures.
Discovery and Verification of Neighbor Positions in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

A growing number of ad hoc networking protocols and location-aware services require that mobile nodes learn the position of their neighbors. However, such a process can be easily abused or disrupted by adversarial nodes. In absence of a priori trusted nodes, the discovery and verification of neighbor positions presents challenges that have been scarcely investigated in the literature. In this paper, we address this open issue by proposing a fully distributed cooperative solution that is robust against independent and colluding adversaries, and can be impaired only by an overwhelming presence of adversaries. Results show that our protocol can thwart more than 99 percent of the attacks under the best possible conditions for the adversaries, with minimal false positive rates.
Adipocytes Produce Aldosterone Through Calcineurin-Dependent Signaling Pathways: Implications in Diabetes Mellitus–Associated Obesity and Vascular Dysfunction

We reported aldosterone as a novel adipocyte-derived factor that regulates vascular function. We aimed to investigate molecular mechanisms, signaling pathways, and functional significance of adipocyte-derived aldosterone and to test whether adipocyte-derived aldosterone is increased in diabetes mellitus–associated obesity, which contributes to vascular dysfunction. Studies were performed in the 3T3-L1 adipocyte cell line and mature adipocytes isolated from human and mouse (C57BL/6J) adipose tissue. Mesenteric arteries with and without perivascular fat and mature adipocytes were obtained from obese diabetic db/db and control db/+ mice. Aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2; mRNA and protein) was detected in 3T3-L1 and mature adipocytes, which secrete aldosterone basally and in response to angiotensin II (Ang II). In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, Ang II stimulation increased aldosterone secretion and CYP11B2 expression. Ang II effects were blunted by an Ang II type 1 receptor antagonist (candesartan) and inhibitors of calcineurin (cyclosporine A and FK506) and nuclear factor of activated T-cells (VIVIT). FAD286 (aldosterone synthase inhibitor) blunted adipocyte differentiation. In candesartan-treated db/db mice (1 mg/kg per day, 4 weeks) increased plasma aldosterone, CYP11B2 expression, and aldosterone secretion were reduced. Acetylcholine-induced relaxation in db/db mesenteric arteries containing perivascular fat was improved by eplerenone (mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist) without effect in db/+ mice. Adipocytes possess aldosterone synthase and produce aldosterone in an Ang II/Ang II type 1 receptor/calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T-cells–dependent manner. Functionally adipocyte-derived aldosterone regulates adipocyte differentiation and vascular function in an autocrine and paracrine manner, respectively. These novel findings identify adipocytes as a putative link between aldosterone and vascular dysfunction in diabetes mellitus–associated obesity.
Independent Associations Between Electrocardiographic Abnormalities and Outcomes in Patients With Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Findings From the Intraoperative Hypothermia Aneurysm Surgery Trial

Background and Purpose— Electrocardiographic abnormalities are common after subarachnoid hemorrhage, but their significance remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to determine whether any specific electrocardiographic abnormalities are independently associated with adverse neurological outcomes. Methods— This was a substudy of the Intraoperative Hypothermia Aneurysm Surgery Trial, which was designed to determine whether intraoperative hypothermia would improve neurological outcome in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage undergoing aneurysm surgery. The outcome was the 3-month Glasgow Outcome Score treated as both a categorical measure (Glasgow Outcome Score 1 [good outcome] to 5 [death]) and dichotomously (mortality/Glasgow Outcome Score 5 versus Glasgow Outcome Score 1 to 4). The predictor variables were preoperative electrocardiographic characteristics, including heart rate, corrected QT interval, and ST- and T-wave abnormalities. Univariate logistic regression was performed to screen for significant electrocardiographic variables, which were then tested for associations with the outcome by multivariate logistic regression adjusting for clinical covariates. Results— The study included 588 patients, of whom 31 (5%) died. There was a significant, nonlinear association between heart rate and mortality such that lowest quartile (≤60 beats/min; OR, 6.5; P=0.027) and highest quartile (>80 beats/min; OR, 8.8; P=0.006) were associated with higher risk. There was also a significant association between nonspecific ST- and T-wave abnormalities and mortality (OR, 3.1; P=0.031). Conclusions— Bradycardia, relative tachycardia, and nonspecific ST- and T-wave abnormalities are strongly and independently associated with 3-month mortality after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Further research should be performed to determine whether there is a causal relationship between cardiac dysfunction and neurological outcome after subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Preclinical characteristics of gemcitabine

Gemcitabine (2I, 2I-difluorodeoxycytidine, dFdC) is a nucleoside analogue of deoxycytidine in which two fluorine atoms have been inserted into the deoxyribofuranosyl ring. Once inside the cell gemcitabine is rapidly phosphorylated by deoxycytidine kinase, the rate-limiting enzyme for the formation of the active metabolites gemcitabine diphosphate (dFdCDP) and gemcitabine triphosphate (dFdCTP). Gemcitabine diphosphate inhibits ribonucleotide reductase, which is responsible for producing the deoxynucleotides required for DNA synthesis and repair. The subsequent decrease in cellular deoxynucleotides (particularly dCTP) favours gemcitabine triphosphate in its competition with dCTP for incorporation into DNA. Reduction in cellular dCTP is an important self-potentiating mechanism resulting in increased gemcitabine nucleotide incorporation into DNA. Other self-potentiating mechanisms of gemcitabine include increased formation of active gemcitabine di- and triphosphates, and decreased elimination of gemcitabine nucleotides. After gemcitabine nucleotide is incorporated on the end of the elongating DNA strand, one more deoxynucleotide is added, and thereafter the DNA polymerases are unable to proceed. This action, termed “masked chain termination”, appears to lock the drug into DNA because proof-reading exonucleases are unable to remove gemcitabine nucleotide from this penultimate position. Incorporation of gemcitabine triphosphate into DNA is strongly correlated with the inhibition of further DNA synthesis. Compared with ara-C, gemcitabine serves as a better transport substrate, is phosphorylated more efficiently, and is eliminated more slowly. These differences, together with self-potentiation, masked chain termination and the inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase, which are not seen with ara-C, may explain why gemcitabine is, and ara-C is not, active in solid tumours. This unique combination of metabolic properties and mechanistic characteristics suggests that gemcitabine is likely to be synergistic with other drugs that damage DNA, and also with other modalities such as radiation.
Auditory icon and earcon mobile service notifications: intuitiveness, learnability, memorability and preference

With an ever increasing number of mobile services, meaningful audio notifications could effectively inform users of the incoming services while minimising undesired and intrusive interruptions. Therefore, careful design of mobile service notification is needed. In this paper we evaluate two types of audio (auditory icons and earcons) as mobile service notifications, by comparing them on 4 measures: intuitiveness, learnability, memorability and user preference. A 4-stage longitudinal evaluation involving two lab experiments, a field study and a web-based experiment indicated that auditory icons performed significantly better in all measures. Implications for mobile audio notification design are presented.
Self-correcting 100-font classifier

We have developed a practical scheme to take advantage of local typeface homogeneity to improve the accuracy of a character classifier. Given a polyfont classifier which is capable of recognizing any of 100 typefaces moderately well, our method allows it to specialize itself automatically to the single -- but otherwise unknown -- typeface it is reading. Essentially, the classifier retrains itself after examining some of the images, guided at first by the preset classification boundaries of the given classifier, and later by the behavior of the retrained classifier. Experimental trials on 6.4 M pseudo-randomly distorted images show that the method improves on 95 of the 100 typefaces. It reduces the error rate by a factor of 2.5, averaged over 100 typefaces, when applied to an alphabet of 80 ASCII characters printed at ten point and digitized at 300 pixels/inch. This self-correcting method complements, and does not hinder, other methods for improving OCR accuracy, such as linguistic contextual analysis.
Influence of subthreshold nonlinearities on signal-to-noise ratio and timing precision for small signals in neurons: minimal model analysis

Subthreshold voltage- and time-dependent conductances can subserve different roles in signal integration and action potential generation. Here, we use minimal models to demonstrate how a non-inactivating low-threshold outward current (IKLT) can enhance the precision of small-signal integration. Our integrate-and-fire models have only a few biophysical parameters, enabling a parametric study of IKLT's effects. IKLTincreases the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for firing when a subthreshold 'signal' EPSP is delivered in the presence of weak random input. The increased SNR is due to the suppression of spontaneous firings to random input. In accordance, SNR grows as the EPSP amplitude increases. SNR also grows as the unitary synaptic current's time constant increases, leading to more effective suppression of spontaneous activity. Spike-triggered reverse correlation of the injected current indicates that, to reach spike threshold, a cell with IKLT requires a briefer time course of injected current. Consistent with this narrowed integration time window, IKLTenhances phase-locking, measured as vector strength, to a weak noisy and periodically modulated stimulus. Thus subthreshold negative feedback mediated by IKLTenhances temporal processing. An alternative suppression mechanism is voltage-and time-dependent inactivation of a low-threshold inward current. This feature in an integrate-and-fire model also shows SNR enhancement, in comparison with a case when the inward current is non-inactivating. Small-signal detection can be significantly improved in noisy neuronal systems by subthreshold negative feedback, serving to suppress false positives.
Sensitivity analysis for the process integrated online polarization of piezoceramic modules in thermoplastic composites

The use of active composite structures in high-volume applications requires novel robust manufacturing processes as well as specially adapted functional modules. The paper presents actual research results with regard to the process-immanent polarization of novel thermoplastic-compatible piezoceramic modules (TPM) during the consolidation process of active fibre-reinforced thermoplastic composite structures. In particular the influence of varying manufacture process parameters of a hot-press process on the polarization behaviour is investigated. The main principal objective is the purposeful utilization of process parameters for polarization support.