Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Two-Stage Framework for Efficient Gaussian Process Modeling of Antenna Input Characteristics

A two-stage approach based on Gaussian process regression that achieves significantly reduced requirements for computationally expensive high-fidelity training data is presented for the modeling of planar antenna input characteristics. Our method involves variable-fidelity electromagnetic simulations. In the first stage, a mapping between electromagnetic models (simulations) of low and high fidelity is learned, which allows us to substantially reduce (by 80% or more) the computational effort necessary to set up the high-fidelity training data sets for the actual surrogate models (second stage), with negligible loss in predictive power. We illustrate our method by modeling the input characteristics of three antenna structures with up to seven design variables. The accuracy of the two-stage method is confirmed by the successful use of the surrogates within a space-mapping-based optimization/design framework.
Smoothing methods in maximum entropy language modeling

This paper discusses various aspects of smoothing techniques in maximum entropy language modeling, a topic not sufficiently covered by previous publications. We show: (1) that straightforward maximum entropy models with nested features, e.g. tri-, bi-, and unigrams, result in unsmoothed relative frequencies models; (2) that maximum entropy models with nested features and discounted feature counts approximate backing-off smoothed relative frequencies models with Kneser's (see IEEE Int. Conf. on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing, Detroit, MI, vol. I, p.181-84, 1995) advanced marginal backoff distribution; this explains some of the reported success of maximum entropy models in the past; and (3) perplexity results for nested and non-nested features, e.g, trigrams and distance-trigrams, on a 4-million word subset of the Wall Street Journal corpus, showing that the smoothing method has more effect on the perplexity than the method used to combine information.
Dopamine-Signaled Reward Predictions Generated by Competitive Excitation and Inhibition in a Spiking Neural Network Model

Dopaminergic neurons in the mammalian substantia nigra display characteristic phasic responses to stimuli which reliably predict the receipt of primary rewards. These responses have been suggested to encode reward prediction-errors similar to those used in reinforcement learning. Here, we propose a model of dopaminergic activity in which prediction-error signals are generated by the joint action of short-latency excitation and long-latency inhibition, in a network undergoing dopaminergic neuromodulation of both spike-timing dependent synaptic plasticity and neuronal excitability. In contrast to previous models, sensitivity to recent events is maintained by the selective modification of specific striatal synapses, efferent to cortical neurons exhibiting stimulus-specific, temporally extended activity patterns. Our model shows, in the presence of significant background activity, (i) a shift in dopaminergic response from reward to reward-predicting stimuli, (ii) preservation of a response to unexpected rewards, and (iii) a precisely timed below-baseline dip in activity observed when expected rewards are omitted.
A Framework of Temporal Data Retrieval for Unreliable WSNs Using Distributed Fountain Codes

Distributed storage coding has been widely applied on data gathering over unreliable wireless sensor networks (WSNs), where it is essential to ensure the data persistence in case of several sensor failures caused by battery run-out or some physical damage problems surroundings. How to efficiently disseminate and collect the sensing data over WSNs is a key challenge yet. In this study, assumed that there are K sensor nodes equipped with sensing apparatus within N storage sensors, these K numbers of sensors can sense environmental changes and disseminate coded (by Fountain codes) time-series data over WSNs using the simple random walk. In order to perform the Fountain codes over WSNs, the question is to disseminate data in the long range of random walks to preserve the randomness so as to promote the source decoded rate. In this paper, a framework with partial decoding is proposed due to the temporal dependency of time-series sensing data. The reasons are twofold: (a) the complete decoding is not necessary for time-series data since the missing portions can be compensated by that of neighbors; (b) even if the ideal Luby transform (LT) code is optimized in terms of convergence, the complete decoding process is high power-consuming. Furthermore, a mathematical model to estimate the appropriate source decoded rate is given to guarantee the error tolerable level (<; 4% normalized root-mean-square error (NRMSE)). Experimental results show that the communication cost is affordable in the real cases.
Steady-state pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cysteamine bitartrate in paediatric nephropathic cystinosis patients.

AIMS Cysteamine is used to reduce tissue cystine content in patients suffering from nephropathic cystinosis. The objectives of the current study were to investigate pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cysteamine bitartrate in children and young adults with nephropathic cystinosis. METHODS Cysteamine bitartrate was administered to 11 cystinosis patients at their regular dose level in a single-dose, open-label, steady-state study. Blood samples were collected and analysed for plasma cysteamine and white blood cell cystine content and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters estimated by NONMEM analysis using a linked pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model. RESULTS Cysteamine was rapidly cleared from the plasma (mean CL/F = 32.3 ml min(-1) kg(-1), range = 17.3-52.2), appeared to be extensively distributed (mean Vss/F = 15.1 l, range 2.7-32.3) and exhibited a mean Tmax of 1.4 h. White blood cell cystine content post-dosing was significantly decreased compared with pre- and post-dose values (average decrement approximately 47%). A counter-clockwise hysteresis was noted in all patients, suggestive of a lag time (mean Tlag = 0.44 h, range 0.22-0.92) between drug concentration and effect. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study establish that cysteamine is rapidly cleared from the plasma but that an every 6 h dosing interval adequately maintains white blood cell cystine content below the target of 1 nmol cystine per mg protein.
Mixed-Initiative Techniques for Assisted Visualization

Rao, Vivek Raghunath. Mixed-Initiative Techniques for Assisted Visualization. (Under the direction of Christopher G. Healey) The advent of computers and their subsequent use in scientific applications, has led to the generation of a large amount of information. This information usually has two characteristics, it is large and it is multi-dimensional. The need for analysis and exploration of this data has led to investigations of methods to visualize the data. The generation of effective visualizations is a hard problem, experiments on the use of the low level human-visual system have led to a set of guidelines which can produce perceptually salient visualizations. However the application of these guidelines to generate good mappings between data attributes and visual features, requires a human to be an expert on visualization. We have developed a semi-automated visualization assistant (ViA), that uses the perceptual guidelines and dataset properties to search the space of mappings to generate effective visualizations. However ViA’s knowledge about the perceptual guidelines needs to be augmented with the user’s preferences, knowledge about the dataset and the ultimate purpose of the visualization, to generate effectual visualizations. Mixed initiative interaction is an area of research that aims to provide efficient communication between agents collaboratively solving a problem, allowing each agent to contribute what it’s best at towards the solution of the problem. We have developed a distributed interaction framework for ViA that supports mixed-initiative interaction. The framework incorporates decision theory and models user preferences to provide mixed-initiative interaction in order to rapidly generate effective visualizations. MIXED-INITIATIVE TECHNIQUES FOR ASSISTED VISUALIZATION by Vivek R. Rao A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty of North Carolina State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science COMPUTER SCIENCE Raleigh, North Carolina 2002 APPROVED BY: Chair of Advisory Committee
Mechanisms of uropathogenic Escherichia coli persistence and eradication from the urinary tract

Recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) are a source of considerable morbidity in women. The infecting bacteria in both rUTIs and a de novo acute infection have been thought to originate from an extraurinary location. Here, we show in a murine model of UTI that uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) established quiescent intracellular reservoirs (QIRs) in Lamp1+ endosomes within the urinary bladder epithelium. Depending on the integrity of the urothelial barriers at the time of initial infection, these QIRs were established within terminally differentiated superficial facet cells and/or underlying transitional epithelial cells. Treatment of infected bladders harboring exclusively superficial facet cell QIRs with the cationic protein, protamine sulfate, led to epithelial exfoliation and eradication of bacteria in 100% of treated animals. However, when the bacterial QIRs were harbored in underlying transitional cells, stimulation of epithelial turnover triggered reemergence of viable organisms and recurrence of infection. Thus, our results suggest (i) that bacterial QIRs within the bladder may be a previously unappreciated source of recurrent UTIs and (ii) that inducing epithelial exfoliation may be a therapeutic avenue for treating this heretofore recalcitrant disease.
An L2 policy based multipath fabric

Ethernet is the Layer 2 infrastructure of choice for modern data center networks and service provider metro networks. These networks need to scale to a high number of end hosts and bridges, provide isolation between tenants and support host mobility with an efficient bandwidth use and reduced operating costs. Ethernet uses controlled flooding of frames and the spanning tree protocol, falling short on demands like scalability and full usage of the topology. Solutions at Layer 3 solve some of the problems but they are harder to configure, more expensive and pose difficulties to host mobility. Recent efforts try to bring some of the advantages of L3 to L2 by using equal cost multipath (ECMP) control planes to populate the bridges forwarding tables. In this paper we go beyond and propose a non-ECMP solution where the paths are selected by policy. This means that very different paths (in terms of the physical topology) can be considered equal. It provides an extra layer of flexibility in traffic distribution with a high utilization of the network in a single L2 Ethernet domain. Our design is based on routing algebra theory and its correct behaviour can be proved for both centralized and distributed implementations.
Parents with Borderline Personality Disorder – approaches to early intervention

Objective: This paper aims to describe the issues confronting parents with a history of attachment-related trauma and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and outline contemporary approaches to intervention. Method: The paper discusses recent reviews of parenting and BPD and outlines recent clinical developments. Result: BPD raises significant challenges for parents, with potential adverse impact on infant attachment and development. Conclusion: Approaches to early intervention should focus on improving the parental capacity as an attachment figure and their sensitivity to infant emotional communication.
On the enrichment of a RDF repository of city points of interest based on social data

Points of interest (POIs) in a city are specific locations that present some significance to people; examples include restaurants, museums, hotels, theatres and landmarks, just to name a few. Due to their role in our social and economic life, POIs have been increasingly gaining the attention of location-based applications, such as online maps and social networking sites. While it is relatively easy to find on the Web basic information about a POI, such as its geographic location, telephone number and opening hours, it is more challenging to have a deeper knowledge as to what other people say about it. What if a person wants to know all the restaurants in Paris that serve good seafood and provide a kind service? Typically, the answer to this question has to be looked for on websites that let people leave comments and opinions on POIs, a time-consuming manual task that few are willing to do. This search would be better supported by search engines if information mined from opinions were available in a structured form, such as RDF. In this position paper, we describe a general approach to enrich an existing RDF repository about POIs with data obtained from social networking sites.
Effects of a peer-led behavioral intervention to reduce HIV transmission and promote serostatus disclosure among HIV-seropositive gay and bisexual men

Objectives:To evaluate the effects of an enhanced peer-led intervention on transmission risk behavior and serostatus disclosure of HIV-seropositive gay and bisexual men. Design:A randomized intervention trial. Methods:HIV-seropositive gay and bisexual men were recruited from New York City and San Francisco and were randomly assigned to either a standard or an enhanced intervention. The standard intervention consisted of one session that provided safer sex information. The enhanced intervention consisted of six sessions and included safer sex information, interactive learning activities, and discussion groups that were facilitated by HIV-seropositive peers. Participants completed audio computer-assisted self interview (A-CASI) assessments at baseline and 3 and 6-month follow-ups. Optional testing for sexually transmitted infections was offered at baseline and the 6-month follow-up. Results:A total of 811 participants met the inclusion criteria for outcome analyses. Of these, 85 and 90% were retained for the 3 and 6-month follow-ups, respectively. Compared with the standard intervention, fewer men assigned to the enhanced intervention reported unprotected receptive anal intercourse with a negative or unknown-serostatus partner at 3 months (21 versus 26%, P < 0.05). However, there were no other significant differences in transmission risk or serostatus disclosure at 3 or 6 months. Conclusion:The enhanced intervention was associated with only a limited reduction in transmission risk at 3 months relative to the standard intervention. The characteristics of the intervention that may have reduced its efficacy are identified and directions for future research are suggested.
Few-layer graphene direct deposition on Ni and Cu foil by cold-wall chemical vapor deposition

In this paper, a facile cold-wall chemical vapor deposition for direct synthesis of graphene film on Ar plasma treated Ni foil and Cu foil is presented. The carbon source CH4 along with the carrier gas N2 and H2 were introduced into the cold-wall chamber to supply the carbon to form the graphene film on the Ni foil and Cu foil surface. The as-grown graphene films were transferred onto the SiO2/Si (300 nm Si02, electron beam evaporation) by wet-etching of Ni foil and Cu foil with aqueous solution of FeCl3(1 M), which was similar to the report[4]. By optimizing the process parameters, the graphene film grown on Ni foil was compatible to that on Cu foil. Simple Optical microscopy, Raman microscopy and electron scanning microscopy characterization tools were used to check the existence and quality of graphene film on substrates.
High resolution atmospheric monitoring of urban carbon dioxide sources

Estimates of fossil fuel emissions on local to regional spatial scales and hourly to weekly temporal scales are increasingly useful in studies of the carbon cycle and mass and energy flow in cities. We used a tunable diode laser absorption spectrometer (TDL) to measure CO2 mixing ratios and carbon isotope composition of CO2 in order to estimate the contribution of gasoline versus natural gas combustion to atmospheric CO2 in Salt Lake City. The results showed a pronounced diurnal pattern: the proportional contribution of natural gas combustion varied from 30–40% of total anthropogenic CO2 during evening rush hour to 60–70% at pre‐dawn. In addition, over a warming period of several days, the proportional contribution of natural gas combustion decreased with air temperature, likely related to decreased residential heating. These results show for the first time that atmospheric measurements may be used to infer patterns of energy and fuel usage on hourly to daily time scales.
GAME-THEORETICAL MODELS OF TEAM BUILDING

Abstract Nowadays, in spite of great amount of qualitative discussions in management about the teams’ role, there are no formal models of team building and functioning. The paper considers the model, based on the concept of the reflexive game, which describes and explains team building in terms of hierarchy of agents’ beliefs about types of each other. The analysis allows concluding that the stability of team is also possible under false consistent beliefs of its members. Formal model of the team building process leads to the corresponding management problem.
CXCR 4 dimerization and-arrestin – mediated signaling account for the enhanced chemotaxis to CXCL 12 in WHIM syndrome

WHIM (warts, hypogammaglobulinemia, infections, and myelokathexis) syndrome is an immune deficiency linked in many cases to heterozygous mutations causing truncations in the cytoplasmic tail of CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). Leukocytes expressing truncated CXCR4 display enhanced responses to the receptor ligand CXCL12, including chemotaxis, which likely impair their trafficking and contribute to the immunohematologic clinical manifestations of the syndrome. CXCR4 desensitization and endocytosis are dependent on -arrestin ( arr) recruitment to the cytoplasmic tail, so that the truncated CXCR4 are refractory to these processes and so have enhanced G protein–dependent signaling. Here, we show that the augmented responsiveness of WHIM leukocytes is also accounted for by enhanced arr2dependent signaling downstream of the truncated CXCR4 receptor. Indeed, the WHIM-associated receptor CXCR41013 maintains association with arr2 and triggers augmented and prolonged arr2-dependent signaling, as revealed by ERK1/2 phosphorylation kinetics. Evidence is also provided that CXCR41013mediated chemotaxis critically requires arr2, and disrupting the SHSK motif in the third intracellular loop of CXCR41013 abrogates arr2-mediated signaling, but not coupling to G proteins, and normalizes chemotaxis. We also demonstrate that CXCR41013 spontaneously forms heterodimers with wild-type CXCR4. Accordingly, we propose a model where enhanced functional interactions between arr2 and receptor dimers account for the altered responsiveness of WHIM leukocytes to CXCL12. (Blood. 2008;112:34-44)
A Reliable and Efficient MAC Layer Multicast Protocol in Wireless LANs

In IEEE 802.11, multicast protocol is based on the basic access procedure of Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA). This protocol does not provide any recovery mechanism for multicast frames. As a result, transmitted multicast frames may be lost due to collisions or errors. Recently, several reliable multicast protocols at MAC layer have been proposed for 802.11. They can be classified into two categories: one is based on negative feedback (NFB-based) and the other is based on positive feedback (PFB-based). After analyzing the problems with existing reliable multicast MAC protocols, we propose a novel PFB-based multicast protocol, namely DPMM (Double Piggyback Mode Multicast). The protocol piggybacks the ACK in the CTS frame and piggybacks the priority information in the DATA frames. With DPMM, ACK packets are eliminated and collisions of control frames are avoided. A grouping algorithm using RSS (Received signal strength) measurement is also developed to further improve upon DPMM. Simulation results, using the OPNET, confirm that the improvements are encouraging.
Whole-program linear-constant analysis with applications to link-time optimization

Current link-time optimization techniques can reduce the power consumption and code size of embedded software [2]. Due to a lack of information, the stack frames of procedures are left untouched by link-time program optimizers. In this paper we present a practical whole-program linear-constant analysis [9] that allows to analyze the stack layout of a procedure. The analysis deals with the peculiarities of link-time program representation, namely the lack of high-level information and the huge size of the control flow graph. Even on a complete linux kernel, our analysis is practical in terms of computation time. The collected information consists of restricted affine equations between two registers, but it enables optimizations complementary to existing link-time optimization techniques. On a set of ARM benchmarks, the number of store operations decreases by up to 7% while the execution time, program size and power consumption are all further improved. This paper discusses both the practical issues of applying whole-program linear-constant propagation as well as its use in program optimization and understanding.
A retrospective analysis of combination methotrexate–cyclosporine therapy in moderate–severe psoriasis

Background: Methotrexate–cyclosprine combination therapy has traditionally been discouraged in the treatment of moderate–severe psoriasis. However, recent reports indicate that the two may be used in combination in psoriasis. Aim: The retrospective study was undertaken to study the adverse effects and efficacy of the combination in Indian patients of psoriasis. Methods: The records of all patients who received combination therapy between 2005 and 2010 were extracted. Demographic details, disease profile, presence of coexistent arthropathy, prior therapy, duration of combination therapy, body surface area involvement, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), and adverse effects were recorded. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: Eighteen patients received combination therapy during the study period. Fourteen patients received short-term combination therapy and four patients received long-term combination therapy. Twelve patients in the first group and all patients of the second group achieved the primary end point of PASI by 50% from baseline (PASI 50). Nine patients in the first group and all patients in the second group suffered from significant adverse effects; they were however reversible. Conclusion: Methotrexate–cyclosporine combination therapy can be used with adequate monitoring in the treatment of moderate–severe psoriasis. Adverse effects seen are usually reversible with reduction in dose and cessation of therapy. Adverse effects related to cyclosporine are a common problem.