Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive grid OMP technique for the detection of low reflectivity moving objects in the presence of Doppler ambiguities

This paper proposes an efficient method for locating multiple off grid targets, whose responses lies in a high-dimensional space, in the presence of Doppler ambiguities. The detection and localization method is based on Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (OMP), a sparse linear decomposition technique for solving Compressed Sensing (CS) problems, combined with a gradient algorithm that adapts the grid to arbitrary positions. OMP algorithm is designed to find an approximation of a sparse signal discretized through determined positions, whereas, in practice, targets can be located anywhere within a continuous domain. The proposed method allows to recover the correct positions and amplitudes of targets located at off grid positions. The application of the proposed algorithm to ambiguous multi-burst radar signal demonstrates its efficiency for solving ambiguities. Numerical simulations show that this method reaches performance close to Cramer Rao bound for a wide range of signal-to-noise ratios.
Godmar Back

Current research on static analysis tools for systems: developed MJ system for checking properties and implementing bug-finding analyses in Java code. Design and implementation of DataScript, an input description language that supports code generation. Published in GPCE'02. Dissertation research on runtime systems that support multiple applications. Published in OSDI'00, Usenix'00, and HotOS'99. Research on component-based operating systems (OSKit) and microkernel systems (Fluke). Published in OSDI'96 and SOSP'97. Taught systems elective CS143, " Introduction to Compilers. " Designed projects and course materials for class. Guest lecturer in CS240, " Advanced Operating Systems. " Helped teach senior-level undergraduate/entry-level graduate courses: operating systems, networking, and compilers. Developed and graded assignments and course projects for students. Guest lecturer in CS3510 " Advanced Algorithms and Data Structures. " Research on Java virtual machines running on low-power devices. Published in SIGMET-RICS'02.
Managing Across Generations in the 21st Century

The baby boomers, who now dominate the provision of higher education, have watched Generation Y or the echo boomers begin to mature and develop within the university system. Experiences with this cohort have given university faculty and managers insights about important generational differences and similarities that may help them operate more effectively in the 21st century. Five of the most essential insights are summarized in this article: only your parents love you unconditionally, being tough depends on who is in the room at the time, understanding the ability-performance nexus, finding passion in your work, and managing multiple roles/multiple selves.
A Global Look at Authentication

In today's world of increased connectivity, authentication issues are becoming increasingly important. Many user accounts, from banking to water bill accounts, are available online. How do we ensure that identity theft occurrences are reduced, and people can enjoy the benefits of managing multiple accounts online? There are numerous schemes and systems that exist today, but many are difficult to implement, especially for the end users. When analyzing a system from a technical standpoint, one might be able to set the security policies and password encryption strength to the appropriate level in order to protect the information it contains, however, when multiple users utilize this system, and they in turn use other systems with identical passwords, the initial system can become less secure. In addition, phishing attacks are becoming more popular, where users may enter the password they reuse on a hostile site, which could result in compromising multiple systems. This paper examines various authentication methods and mechanisms available today, and determines which is appropriate for various uses. In general, users and administrators are responsible for security, and they should treat their systems with regard to the sensitivity of what they want to protect. Users should always consider the importance of each system they use and choose an authentication method or password scheme to match the system they intend to operate. In addition, administrators should always consider the consequences of implementing different security measures, to include the usability of their system.
Phylogenetic Ecology of the Freshwater Actinobacteria acI Lineage

ABSTRACT The acI lineage of freshwater Actinobacteria is a cosmopolitan and often numerically dominant member of lake bacterial communities. We conducted a survey of acI 16S rRNA genes and 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer regions from 18 Wisconsin lakes and used standard nonphylogenetic and phylogenetic statistical approaches to investigate the factors that determine acI community composition at the local scale (within lakes) and at the regional scale (across lakes). Phylogenetic reconstruction of 434 acI 16S rRNA genes revealed a well-defined and highly resolved phylogeny. Eleven previously unrecognized monophyletic clades, each with ≥97.9% within-clade 16S rRNA gene sequence identity, were identified. Clade community similarity positively correlated with lake environmental similarity but not with geographic distance, implying that the lakes represent a single biotic region containing environmental filters for communities that have similar compositions. Phylogenetically disparate clades within the acI lineage were most abundant at the regional scale, and local communities were comprised of more closely related clades. Lake pH was a strong predictor of the community composition, but only when lakes with a pH below 6 were included in the data set. In the remaining lakes (pH above 6) biogeographic patterns in the landscape were instead a predictor of the observed acI community structure. The nonrandom distribution of the newly defined acI clades suggests potential ecophysiological differences between the clades, with acI clades AI, BII, and BIII preferring acidic lakes and acI clades AII, AVI, and BI preferring more alkaline lakes.
Multivariate isokinetic asymmetry of the knee and shoulder in elite volleyball players

Abstract Muscle strength asymmetries have been investigated in athletes under the assumption of their connection to functional discrepancies and injuries. In volleyball, which is a highly asymmetric sport, this assumption becomes a well established research hypothesis. Given the almost complete lack of scientific evidence on this hypothesis, the present study focused on the detailed multivariate quantification of muscle asymmetries in offensive volleyball players. Twenty-four elite athletes (age 24.71±4.44 years, weight 84.62±6.24, height 190.08±5.58) were tested for concentric isokinetic muscle strength (a) of the internal and external rotators of the shoulder and (b) of the quadriceps and hamstrings of the knee at 60o/s. Significant multivariate results were found for absolute (Max-Min) asymmetry in the upper (Hotteling's T 2=8.801, F=7.447, P=0.001) and the lower limbs (Hotteling's T 2=16.382, F=13.862, P=0.000), for fluctuating asymmetry (Dominant-Non Dominant) in the upper limbs (Hotteling's T 2=5.584, F=4.296, P=0.013) and for directional asymmetry (Left-Right) in the lower limbs (Hotteling's T 2=3.593, F=3.041, P=0.036). It appears that the upper and lower limbs of offensive volleyball players present significant composite muscle strength asymmetries, which should be taken into consideration in training and rehabilitation.
Fear of Cancer Recurrence — A Literature Review and Proposed Cognitive Formulation to Explain Exacerbation of Recurrence Fears

Modern treatments for cancer are resulting in cancer patients living longer with the risk of the disease returning at a later stage. Many patients who experience a recurrence blame themselves (Mahon et al., 1990), while those in remission live with the constant fear that the cancer may return. Although fear of recurrence is recognised in the literature, few researchers have focused on this aspect as a precursor to psychological distress.
Expression of a functional antibody fragment in the gut of Rhodnius prolixus via transgenic bacterial symbiont Rhodococcus rhodnii

Expression within insects of foreign antiparasitic gene products via microbial symbionts could be used to prevent transmission of vector‐borne pathogens to vertebrate hosts. Genetically transformed symbiotic bacteria Rhodococcus rhodnii expressed functional antibody fragments (rDB3 encoding murine VH/K which binds progesterone) that were exported into the gut lumen of the triatomine bug Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), a vector of Chagas disease. Transgenic symbionts were maintained in successive nymphal instars and adults of Rhodnius prolixus despite competition with native untransformed Rhodococcus rhodnii. This is the first description of a functional mammalian antibody fragment expressed in an insect. Our system is a model for constructing paratransgenic insects (insects carrying transformed symbionts) with compromised ability to transmit pathogens.
An analytical programming model for the drain-coupling source-side injection split gate flash EEPROM

This paper presents a compact and accurate analytical model for evaluating the programming behaviors of the drain-coupling source-side injection (SSI) split-gate Flash memory. Starting with the bias-dependent and time-varying drain coupling ratio, a programming model is developed on the basis of the constant barrier height approximation and Lucky-electron model to express the full transient injection current, peak lateral electric field, and storage charge as functions of technological, physical, and electrical parameters. The extracted re-direction mean-free path of the SSI device is smaller than that of the channel hot-electron counterpart by one order of magnitude, which provides the physical intuition for the derived high injection efficiency of around 2/1000. The intrinsic coupling ratio depends only on technological parameters and is presented as the design index of the device. The usefulness of this model is its ability of constructing the complete operation plot of the time-to-program versus the programming voltage for various reliability windows and tunable technological parameters. Besides, the variance of the read current distribution of a memory array is also analytically predicted.
S 1 Supporting Information for Operando Analysis of NiFe-and Fe-Oxyhydroxide Electrocatalysts for Water Oxidation : Detection of Fe + 4 by Mössbauer Spectroscopy

Operando Analysis of NiFeand Fe-Oxyhydroxide Electrocatalysts for Water Oxidation: Detection of Fe by Mössbauer Spectroscopy Jamie Y. C. Chen, Lianna Dang, Hanfeng Liang, Wenli Bi, James B. Gerken, Song Jin, E. Ercan Alp, Shannon S. Stahl † Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706 ‡ Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Lemont, IL 60439
Q-Sort Assessment of Child–Teacher Attachment Relationships and Social Competence in the Preschool

The implications of the attachment relationship between children and their preschool teachers was investigated. Sixty-two preschool-age children and their teachers were studied to assess relations between the quality of attachment relationships and social competence. Results indicate that attachment security with teacher is related to prosocial behavior and teacher-rated social competence in the preschool. In addition, evidence suggests that when the child–mother attachment relationship is insecure, a secure attachment relationship with a preschool teacher may partially compensate for the insecure relationship. Children who were insecurely attached to mother but securely attached to teacher had higher teacher-rated social competence, were more prosocial, and were more positive emotionally than children who were insecurely attached to both mother and teacher.
A Probabilistic Particle-Control Approximation of Chance-Constrained Stochastic Predictive Control

Robotic systems need to be able to plan control actions that are robust to the inherent uncertainty in the real world. This uncertainty arises due to uncertain state estimation, disturbances, and modeling errors, as well as stochastic mode transitions such as component failures. Chance-constrained control takes into account uncertainty to ensure that the probability of failure, due to collision with obstacles, for example, is below a given threshold. In this paper, we present a novel method for chance-constrained predictive stochastic control of dynamic systems. The method approximates the distribution of the system state using a finite number of particles. By expressing these particles in terms of the control variables, we are able to approximate the original stochastic control problem as a deterministic one; furthermore, the approximation becomes exact as the number of particles tends to infinity. This method applies to arbitrary noise distributions, and for systems with linear or jump Markov linear dynamics, we show that the approximate problem can be solved using efficient mixed-integer linear-programming techniques. We also introduce an important weighting extension that enables the method to deal with low-probability mode transitions such as failures. We demonstrate in simulation that the new method is able to control an aircraft in turbulence and can control a ground vehicle while being robust to brake failures.
Half-pipe anchoring: an efficient technique for multiple connection handoff

We present half-pipe anchoring, a technique that enables multiple connection handoff mechanisms that are efficient and easy to implement. In a server cluster, these mechanisms result in better resource utilization and improved scalability. More importantly, half-pipe anchoring supports the only connection handoff mechanism that operates efficiently in heterogeneous clusters composed of specialized nodes. The key idea behind our approach is to decouple the two unidirectional half-pipes that make up a TCP connection between a client and a cluster. We anchor the unidirectional half-pipe from the client to the cluster at a designated server while allowing the half-pipe from the cluster to the client to migrate on a per-request basis to an optimal server where the request is best serviced We describe the design and implementation of a multiple connection handoff mechanism in the Linux kernel that demonstrates the benefits of our technique.
Movement kinematic after deep brain stimulation associated microlesions

Backgrounds Deep brain stimulation is widely used for the treatment of movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease and dystonia. After the implantation of electrodes an immediate improvement of clinical symptoms has been described. It is unclear, whether movement kinematics are also changed by this ‘microlesion effect’. Methods To gain further insight into these mechanisms, we studied arm, hand and finger movements preoperatively and immediately after the implantation of deep brain stimulation electrodes in patients with Parkinson's disease and dystonia. Results After implantation and without stimulation there was a clear reduction of clinical symptoms in both groups, as has been described previously. However, movement velocity was affected differently. Parkinsonian patients showed increased movement velocity postoperatively, whereas dystonic patients were significantly slower after electrode implantation. Conclusions Lesioning and stimulation of these structures have the same beneficial clinical effects. Furthermore we suggest that globus pallidus internum lesions act by inhibiting a system which mainly acts upon muscular tone and limb posture whereas subthalamic stimulation or lesion causes a more unspecific disinhibition of movements.
Regulatory Regions in the Rat Lactase-Phlorizin Hydrolase Gene that Control Cell-Specific Expression

Objectives: Lactase-phlorizin hydrolase (LPH) is an enterocyte-specific gene whose expression has been well-characterized, not only developmentally but also along the crypt-villus axis and along the length of the small bowel. Previous studies from the authors’ laboratory have demonstrated that 2 kb of the 5′-flanking region of the rat LPH gene control the correct tissue, cell, and crypt-villus expression in transgenic animals. Methods: To examine further the regulation conferred by this region, protein-DNA interactions were studied using DNase I footprint analyses in LPH-expressing and nonexpressing cell lines. Functional delineation of this 5′-flanking sequence was performed using deletion analysis in transient transfection assays. Results: Studies revealed a generally positive activity between −74 and −37 bp, a cell-specific negative region between −210 and −95 bp, and additional elements further toward the 5′ terminus that conferred a highly cell-specific response in reporter activity. Computer analysis of distal regions encompassing identified footprints revealed potential binding sites for various intestinal transcription factors. Co-transfection and electromobility shift assay experiments indicated binding of HNF3β at three sites relevant to LPH expression. Conclusions: The data demonstrate that the cell specificity of LPH gene expression depends upon both positive and negative interactions among elements in the first 2 kb of the LPH 5′-flanking region.
The Genetic Basis for Sex Differences in Human Behaviour: Role of the Sex Chromosomes

The nature of the mechanisms underlying observed sex differences in human behaviour continues to be debated. This review concentrates on the thesis that genes on the sex chromosomes other than those directly controlling sex determination, and whose functions are, at least in part, independent from hormonal influences, play a significant role in determining gender differences in behaviour. To provide an adequate basis for examining this issue, the current understanding of the nature of sex determination, differences in behaviour and the influences of sex hormones are evaluated. The possible contribution to behavioural differences of those X‐linked genes which escape inactivation, or which may be subjected to imprinting, is discussed. The review concludes with a summary of the genetic basis for two sexually disparate types of behaviour.
Review of alterations in endothelial nitric oxide production in diabetes: protective role of arginine on endothelial dysfunction.

Nitric oxide release from the endothelium plays an important role in regulation of vascular tone, inhibition of both platelet and leukocyte aggregation and adhesion, and inhibition of cell proliferation. These properties suggest that the level of NO production by the endothelium may play a pivotal role in the regulation of vascular disease. Analysis using mass spectrometry has revealed that NO is produced by NOS from the terminal guanidino nitrogen of the precursor amino acid L-arginine. Thus, utilization of L-arginine and conversion to NO may establish a regulatory site in the development of endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction is characterized by defective endothelium-dependent relaxation, and some reviews regarding endothelial dysfunction in diabetes have been published. These reviews have focused on factors that might contribute to defective relaxation, some of which will not be addressed in detail in this review. The purpose of the present review is to summarize evidence that specifically supports either decreased NO production by diabetic vascular endothelium and/or impaired NO-mediated endothelium-dependent relaxation. Second, this review provides reasonable alternatives to explain some of the controversies in this research area. Third, since there is growing evidence that arginine appears to have some benefits for diabetes-associated abnormalities, this review summarizes the current state of knowledge of effects of acute and chronic administration of L-arginine on diabetesinduced endothelial dysfunction and discusses potential NOdependent and -independent mechanisms whereby therapeutic intervention with L-arginine might benefit the diabetic endothelium.
Editorial: When do repeated intrusions become stalking?

Stalking is a prevalent crime which can significantly compromise the victim's quality of life. It occurs when one person repeatedly inflicts on another unwanted contacts or communications which induce fear. Many of the behaviours associated with stalking overlap with common, albeit irritating, experiences (e.g. being persistently telephoned or approached for a date). The difficulty for victims is recognizing the difference between brief episodes of intrusiveness or social awkwardness, and the beginnings of a more persistent campaign of harassment. This study sought to define empirically the foremost juncture at which instances of intrusiveness can be distinguished from persistent stalking which is ultimately damaging to the victim's psychosocial functioning. The results indicate that continuation of unwanted intrusions beyond a threshold of 2 weeks is associated with a more intrusive, threatening and psychologically damaging course of harassment. Recognition that 2 weeks is the watershed between brief, self-limiting instances of intrusiveness and protracted stalking allows an opportunity for early intervention to assist victims of this crime.
Human pointing as a robot directive

People are accustomed to directing other people's attention using pointing gestures. People enact and interpret pointing commands often and effortlessly. If robots understand human intentions (e.g. as encoded in pointing-gestures), they can reach higher levels of engagement with people. This paper explores methods that robots can use to allow people to direct them to move to a specific location, using an inexpensive Kinect sensor. The joint positions of the pointing human's right arm and hand in 3D-space are extracted and used by the robot to identify the direction of user's pointing gesture. We evaluated the proposed approach on a PR2 robot whose task was to move to a location that a human pointed to on the ground. This method enables the robot to follow human pointing gestures on the fly and in real-time. It will be deployed on a PR2 in the wild in a new building environment where the robot will be expected to interact with people and interpret their human pointing behaviors.
Immune Escape Mutants of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Selected Using Polyclonal Sera: Identification of Key Amino Acids in the HA Protein

Evolution of Avian Influenza (AI) viruses – especially of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 subtype – is a major issue for the poultry industry. HPAI H5N1 epidemics are associated with huge economic losses and are sometimes connected to human morbidity and mortality. Vaccination (either as a preventive measure or as a means to control outbreaks) is an approach that splits the scientific community, due to the risk of it being a potential driving force in HPAI evolution through the selection of mutants able to escape vaccination-induced immunity. It is therefore essential to study how mutations are selected due to immune pressure. To this effect, we performed an in vitro selection of mutants from HPAI A/turkey/Turkey/1/05 (H5N1), using immune pressure from homologous polyclonal sera. After 42 rounds of selection, we identified 5 amino acid substitutions in the Haemagglutinin (HA) protein, most of which were located in areas of antigenic importance and suspected to be prone to selection pressure. We report that most of the mutations took place early in the selection process. Finally, our antigenic cartography studies showed that the antigenic distance between the selected isolates and their parent strain increased with passage number.