Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) Infection in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients with Unusual Clinical Pictures

Background Probably 5% of the HBV carriers have HDV super infection. The risk of fulminant hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma is higher in superinfection than the settings when HBV is alone. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of HDV in Iranian HBV isolates and to compare their clinical and virological pictures as well as their HDV genetic variations with other worldwide isolates. Patients and Methods 81 carriers with positive results for HBsAg with upper limit ranges of ALT and low or undetectable levels of HBV viral load who did not respond to HBV therapy were selected. After RT amplification of HDV Delta antigen, direct sequencing and phylogenetic study were performed to explore the genotype(s) and nucleotide/amino acid variations. Results 12 (14.8%) patients had positive results for both HDV RNA and anti-HDV. The mean ALT level was higher in HDV positive patients (75.9 U/ML) than HBV-mono-infected individuals; however, the mean HBV viral load was lower in coinfected patients than HBV-mono-infected patients. Phylogenetically, genotype I was the only detected genotype, and the most closely related isolates were of Turkish, Italian and Mongolian origin. Within the delta Ag, there were 326 nucleotide mutations, of which 111 and 215 were silent and missense, respectively. The total number of amino acid substitution was 148; most were located in known functional/epitopic domains. There was no correlation between the numbers of amino acid mutations, with clinical, virological status of the patients. Conclusions HDV should be suspected in HBV carriers with unusual clinical and virological pictures. Relatedness of Iranian HDV isolates to Italian and Turkish sequences proposed a common Caucasian origin for the distribution of HDV genotype I in this ethnic group.
Stability Analysis of Evolved Continuous Time Recurrent Neural Networks that Balance a Double Inverted Pendulum on a Cart

Continuous Time Recurrent Neural Networks (CTRNN) display relevant properties of robustness to noise due to the stability of network dynamics. In this work we test the CTRNN model in a framework of NeuroEvolution (NE) for a real time control task, i.e. the balancing of an unstable nonlinear mechanical system. The task is used to review some theoretical results related to the analysis of stability of the network dynamics, as well as the primary results on the poles balancing task with CTRNNs, referring to similar task context in related works. The local stability of the neural controller dynamics does not undergo disruptive effects when evaluated in conditions different from the evolution ones. Thus, the controller is able to keep the equilibrium of the unstable system also in presence of noise significantly larger than the ratio experienced during the training phase.
Poster: TRIM: A Truthful Incentive Mechanism for Dynamic and Heterogeneous Tasks in Mobile Crowdsensing

Stimulating user participation is of paramount importance for mobile crowdsensing applications to obtain high-quality data. Although many incentive mechanisms have been designed, most of them ignore the dynamic arrivals and different sensing requirements of tasks. Thus, the existing mechanisms will fail when being applied to the realistic scenario where tasks are publicized dynamically and heterogeneous with different sensing requirements of locations, time durations and sensing times. In this work, we propose an auction-based truthful mechanism for realistic mobile crowdsensing. Through extensive simulations, we demonstrate that our mechanism can satisfy the desired properties of truthfulness, individual rationality, computational efficiency with both low social cost and low total payment.
The CEO in post-merger situations : an emerging theory on the management of multiple realities

After four decades of M&A experience most M&A still fail to deliver on their promise. The reasons often lie in the social, psychological and cultural challenges of the post merger process. Why is it that corporations so often do not seem to get the grasp of this important and popular company strategy? And what is the part of the Chief Executive (CEO) in such projects? In a seven-year empirical research project in Germany and Switzerland on CEOs in international post-merger situations, this thesis uncovered some of the powerful learning inhibitors these executives face in their complex and challenging global integration endeavours. The author identifies three generic types of executive behavioural patterns – the Cartel, the Aesthetic and the Videogame Executive – and proposes a taxonomy of leadership behaviours that seem particularly propitious to post-merger performance. Seven impressionist tales of typical post-merger situations – a bank, an airline company, a car manufacturer, an IT company, an industrial conglomerate, a life sciences group and a large public event – are described and discussed in a first ethnographic research loop. In the second part of the study the actors themselves, 20 CEOs and top executives of global companies speak up and candidly share with the reader how they go about solving problems, how they struggle between art and science in their thought processes. Their rich insights are a valuable contribution to the academic and practical discussion of the Chief Executives’ role in the management of international combinations.
An analysis framework to aid in designing advanced persistent threat detection systems

Cyber-attacks against companies and governments are increasing in complexity, persistence and numbers. Attackers take more time and effort to remain undetected than previously known multistep attacks. Common intrusion detection methods lack in their ability to detect such complex attacks. A new approach to detection is therefore needed which takes the stepwise characteristics of these new threats into account and which links analysis methods to attack features. An analysis framework is proposed to relate attack aspects, like attack steps and features to detection and business aspects. The framework can be used as a roadmap towards a detection system design. Using the framework as a roadmap results in a system design which analyses network traffic and client data on multiple locations in a network. These analyses are performed with signature and anomaly
Creativity methods in interaction design

The field of interaction design encompasses a variety of methods for fostering innovation and creativity. In this paper, we present a selection of such methods that scaffold ideation and concept development in the early phases of design. As a conceptual frame for discussing these methods, we introduce four aspects that are particularly salient in the field of interaction design: tradition and transcendence, convergence and divergence, degree of structure, and sources of inspiration. We then outline how the methods relate to each of these aspects. The paper contributes to design practitioners by providing an overview of the methods and insights into when and how they may be employed to foster creativity and innovation in the design process; with regards to design research, the main contribution of the paper lies in the establishment and discussion of the four aspects as a frame for analyzing and comparing design methods.
Design and Rationale of the APELOT Trial

AbstractTicagrelor is a direct acting on the P2Y12 receptor blocker, which provides faster and greater platelet inhibition than clopidogrel. However, several studies suggested that in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), ticagrelor exhibits initial delay in the onset of antiplatelet action. Unlike ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS), management pathways are highly variable, and some patients may require surgery. Effect of higher loading dose (LD) of ticagrelor in patients with NSTE-ACS in providing faster and stronger inhibition of platelet aggregation is unknown and needs to be explored further.The AntiPlatelet Effect of different Loading dOse of Ticagrelor trial is an interventional, randomized, open-label, multicenter, phase IV trial designed to evaluate whether a high LD (360 mg) of ticagrelor compared with the conventional LD (180 mg) will result in a higher inhibition of platelet aggregation without increasing bleeding events in NSTE-ACS participants undergoing PCI.A total of 250 NSTE-ACS participants will be randomized to receive a ticagrelor LD (360 or 180 mg), followed by a maintenance dose of 90 mg twice a day (bid) starting 12 hours after the LD. The primary endpoint is platelet reactivity index measured by vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylation 2 hours after the LD, and the secondary endpoints include occurrence of periprocedural myocardial infarction and bleeding events.The AntiPlatelet Effect of different Loading dOse of Ticagrelor trial will provide important information on the risks and benefits of a high LD (360 mg) of ticagrelor in achieving a faster and stronger platelet inhibition compared with the conventional LD (180 mg) in NSTE-ACS patients undergoing PCI.
Joux multicollisions attack in sponge construction

Cryptographic hash functions take an unfixed size of input and produce a fixed size of an output. A hash function usually has two main components: a compression function and mode of operation. Sponge construction is one of the main operations of modes of used in modern cryptographic hash function. In this paper, we present multicollisions attack in sponge construction. In 2004, Joux [3] presented multicollision attack in iterated hash function. Our attack is similar to Joux attack but specifically for sponge construction. We show that finding multicollisions in sponge construction of messages that hash to the same value, is not harder finding ordinary collisions. Then, we use this attack as a tool to prove that concatenating more than one hash function in order to increase the security level does not yield to more secure construction.
Fibered knots and Property 2R, II

A knot K in the 3-sphere is said to have Property nR if, whenever K is a component of an n-component link L and some integral surgery on L produces the connected sum of n copies of S^1 x S^2, there is a sequence of handle slides on L that converts L into a 0-framed unlink. The Generalized Property R Conjecture is that all knots have Property nR for all n. The simplest plausible counterexample could be the square knot. Exploiting the remarkable symmetry of the square knot, we characterize all two-component links that contain it and which surger to S^1 x S^2 # S^1 x S^2. We argue that at least one such link probably cannot be reduced to the unlink by a series of handle-slides, so the square knot probably does not have Property 2R. This example is based on a classic construction of the first author. On the other hand, the square knot may well satisfy a somewhat weaker property, which is still useful in 4-manifold theory. For the weaker property, copies of canceling Hopf pairs may be added to the link before the handle slides and then removed after the handle slides. Beyond our specific example, we discuss the mechanics of how addition and later removal of a Hopf pair can be used to reduce the complexity of a surgery description.
Decision modeling for resilient infrastructures

Research on resilient infrastructures in this paper focuses on getting disrupted infrastructures back to normal as soon as possible, i.e., a timely, efficient recovery from disruptions caused by natural, technological and willful disasters. The models and algorithms are presented for the optimal restoration strategy, with consideration of interdependencies of infrastructures. The contribution of this paper will be of assistance to emergency mangers' decision-making processes for mitigating the impact of disasters
Markets, models and planning: the Norwegian experience

After World War II economic policy in Europe comprised considerable elements of planning. The paper discusses how this shift was related to the conceived failure of the free enterprise economy to provide full employment in the interwar period and to the war experience. The Norwegian post-war planning had a more integrated and comprehensive character and a more structured format than in most other countries in Western Europe. Some major aspects of the Norwegian planning system and the models developed to support it are discussed, with particular emphasis on the roles played by key economists
Performance Scaling of Cryptography Operations in Servers and Mobile Clients

Cryptography algorithms are essential building blocks used to provide security on public communication networks such as the Internet. Concurrent with the increases in wireless connectivity and data rates, security protocols have been expanded over the past years to include more resource-friendly cryptography algorithms such as Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC). In this paper, we first describe and characterize these newer security algorithms suitable for mobile environments. We consider symmetric-key, hash, public-key, ECC, and digital signature algorithms. Next, we describe new architectural techniques to accelerate these algorithms. We focus on the table lookup operations used in the symmetric-key ciphers and the multi-precision arithmetic operations used in the public-key ciphers. Our third contribution is to show how: (1) the performance of a server can be scaled to support a growing number of mobile clients, and (2) the performance of a client can be scaled to meet particular wireless data transfer rates.
IPv6 based real-time acoustic data streaming service over Bluetooth Low Energy

Real-time acoustic data streaming such as voice and music is one of the interesting research areas. Several existing works already exploited to provide an acoustic streaming service over IP, LTE, Bluetooth and even Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Due to the different communication mechanism from IP, in case of Bluetooth and BLE, it is impossible to provide direct communication. To offer the advantage of IP communication over BLE device, 6lo WG over BLE is in progress. Based on 6lo BLE, we introduce our prototype of acoustic data streaming service over IP enabled BLE. We evaluate our service with various metrics such as packet loss, latency and throughput. The results show the various performance of BLE-IP device.
The Case of "Judith": A Neuropsychologist's Perspective

Executive Functioning (EF) deficits may be the most catastrophic form of brain injury, as they alter one’s personality and sense of self while impeding the ability to make use of rehabilitation, compensatory strategies, psychotherapy and social support. The injury itself can produce a loss of appreciation for the deficits, as well as depression, apathy and a lack of empathy. Although EF deficits can be nuanced, individuals with EF deficits are often presumed incapable of benefiting from higher order interventions. Ward and Hogan’s (2015) case study of Judith effectively contradicts this assumption. While this case does not offer traditional neuropsychological assessment results, it highlights how the value of such measures rests in their ecological validity. The years of psychotherapy and intervention that Judith underwent offer ample ecological data and an opportunity to comment on the neurobiological aspects of Judith’s injury and recovery beyond the assessment setting.
The Optimum PV Plant for a Given Solar DC/AC Converter

In recent years, energy production by renewable sources is becoming very important, and photovoltaic (PV) energy has became one of the main renewable sources that is widely available and easily exploitable. In this context, it is necessary to find correct tools to optimize the energy production by PV plants. In this paper, by analyzing available solar irradiance data, an analytical expression for annual DC power production for some selected places is introduced. A general efficiency curve is extracted for different solar inverter types, and by applying approximated function, a new analytical method is proposed to estimate the optimal size of a grid-connected PV plant linked up to a specific inverter from the energetic point of view. An exploitable energy objective function is derived, and several simulations for different locations have been provided. The derived analytical expression contains only the available data of the inverter (such as efficiency, nominal power, etc .) and the PV plant characteristics (such as location and PV nominal power).
Ensemble Feature Selection in Face Recognition: ICMLA 2012 Challenge

Ensemble feature selection is known for its robustness and generalization of highly accurate predictive models. In this paper, we use different filter-based feature selection methods in an ensemble manner to improve face recognition. The goal is to distinguish human faces from avatar faces. Our approach was able to achieve very high accuracy, 99%, using less than 1% of the pixels in each image. This was obtained after removing irrelevant features which is known to degrade learning performance and model stability.
Thinking Big About Tiny Databases

Work on early tiny database systems, like TinyDB [17] and Cougar [23] has shown that a declarative approach can provide a powerful and easy to use interface for collecting data from static sensor networks. These early systems, however, have signiﬁcant limitations; in particular, they are useful only for low-rate data collection applications on static sensor networks and they don’t integrate well with existing database and IT tools. In this paper, we discuss recent research that has addressed these limitations, showing that similar “tiny database thinking” can provide solutions to much bigger problems, including network protocol speciﬁcation and mobile and high data rate signal-oriented data processing
Primary and Referential Horizontal Partitioning Selection Problems: Concepts, Algorithms and Advisor Tool

Horizontal partitioning has evolved significantly in recent years and widely advocated by the academic and industrial communities. Horizontal Partitioning affects positively query performance, database manageability and availability. Two types of horizontal partitioning are supported: primary and referential. Horizontal fragmentation in the context of relational data warehouses is to partition dimension tables by primary fragmentation then fragmenting the fact table by referential fragmentation. This fragmentation can generate a very large number of fragments which may make the maintenance task very complicated. In this paper, we first focus on the evolution of horizontal partitioning in commercial DBMS motivated by decision support applications. Secondly, we give a formalization of the referential fragmentation schema selection problem in the data warehouse and we study its hardness to select an optimal solution. Due to its high complexity, we develop two algorithms: hill climbing and simulated annealing with several variants to select a near optimal partitioning schema. We present ParAdmin, an advisor tool assisting administrators to use primary and referential partitioning during the physical design of their data warehouses. Finally, extensive experimental studies are conducted using the data set of APB1 benchmark to compare the quality the proposed algorithms using a mathematical cost model. Based on these experiments, some recommendations are given to ensure the well use of horizontal partitioning. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-60960-537-7.ch011
Environmental Predictors of Pathogenic Vibrios in South Florida Coastal Waters

In 2007, diseases caused by Vibrio vulnificus and other Vibrio species became nationally notifiable in the United States because of the potential severity of bloodstream infections. Direct contact of open wound with seawater and the ingestion of contaminated oysters are the principal modes of transmission. Presently, no clear environmental predictors of oyster contamination are known. This study is the first to report an apparent association between rainfall and Vibrio counts at five South Florida beaches. Using multiple regression and ANOVA, the relationship between Vibrio populations and various environmental factors were examined. Vibrio counts ranged from 135 CFU/100 mL at Hollywood Beach to 186,000 CFU/100 mL at North Miami Beach. Vibrio vulnificus and parahemolyticus were detected (less than 1% of all identified isolates) at two and four beaches respectively. Temperature and rainfall dates were the most significant correlates of the incidence of pathogenic Vibrio species.
Calcium- and cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinases and their substrates in the Aplysia nervous system

Homogenates of the Aplysia nervous system contain protein kinase activities sensitive to cAMP, cGMP, and Ca2+/calmodulin. The cAMP- and cGMP-dependent activities are either soluble enzymes or are only loosely bound to membranes, since they can be detected only in crude but not in washed membrane fractions, and are present in 20,000 or 100,000 X g supernatants prepared from homogenates. In contrast there are both soluble and tightly membrane-bound Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase activities. The three activities present in supernatant fractions can be separated by chromatography on DE-cellulose, indicating that they are due to distinct enzyme species. Substrates for these enzymes were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Protein phosphorylation within the identified Aplysia neuron R15 in vivo was measured by the intracellular injection of [gamma-32P]ATP. cAMP stimulates the phosphorylation of nine proteins and decreases phosphorylation of two proteins in this cell. This in vivo pattern was compared with in vitro phosphorylation measured in homogenates of whole ganglion. Most of the phosphoproteins affected by cAMP in neuron R15 in vivo are also substrates for cAMP-dependent protein kinase in vitro. Thus, the in vitro system will be a useful tool for detailed biochemical analysis of phosphoproteins which have been identified as being physiologically relevant in vivo.
Estimation and Modeling of the Full Well Capacity in Pinned Photodiode CMOS Image Sensors

This letter presents a simple analytical model for the evaluation of the full well capacity (FWC) of pinned photodiode (PPD) CMOS image sensors depending on the operating conditions and on the pixel parameters. While in the literature and technical documentations FWC values are generally presented as fixed values independent of the operating conditions, this letter demonstrates that the PPD charge handling capability is strongly dependent on the photon flux.
A Survey of Numerical Methods for Shape from Shading

Several algorithms have been suggested for the shape from shading problem, and some years have passed since the publication of Horn and Brooks’ book [27]. In this survey paper, we try to update the approach in presenting some algorithms which seem to be particularly representative of three classes of methods: (i) methods based on partial differential equations, (ii) minimization methods, and (iii) methods approximating the image irradiance equation. One of the goals of this paper is to set the comparison of these methods on a firm basis. To this end, we provide a brief description of each method highlighting their basic assumptions and mathematical properties. We examine some numerical examples comparing the methods in terms of their efficiency and accuracy in the reconstruction of surfaces corresponding to synthetic as well as to real images. We also discuss their robustness faced with the presence of perturbations concerning the direction of the light source, and compare their accuracy in terms of a number of error indicators.