Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Agnostic diagnosis: Discovering silent failures in wireless sensor networks

In wireless sensor networks (WSNs), diagnosis is a crucial and challenging task due to the distributed nature and stringent resources. Most previous approaches are supervised, relying on a-priori knowledge of network faults. On the other hand, our experience with GreenOrbs, a long-term large-scale WSN system, reveals the need of diagnosis in an agnostic manner. Specifically, in addition to predefined faults (i.e., with known types and symptoms), silent failures that are unknown beforehand, account for a large fraction of network performance degradation. Currently, there is no effective solution for silent failures because they are often diverse and highly system-related. In this paper, we propose Agnostic Diagnosis (AD), an online lightweight failure detection approach. AD is motivated by the fact that the system metrics (e.g., radio-on time, number of packets transmitted) of GreenOrbs sensors usually exhibit certain correlation patterns. Violations of such patterns indicate potential silent failures. We accordingly design a correlation graph, which systematically characterizes internal correlations inside a node. Silent failures are discovered by tracking the changes and anomalies of correlation graphs. We implement AD on a working WSN consisting of 330 nodes. Our experimental results demonstrate the advantages of AD to discover silent failures, effectively expanding the capacity and scope of WSN diagnosis.
Performance comparison of image keypoint detection, description, and matching methods

In this paper we investigate the methods for image keypoint detection, description, and matching. We compare four methods, including SIFT, SURF, ORB, and BRISK. The datasets used for evaluation cover different changes and transformations in imaging conditions, such as zoom, rotation, blur, viewpoint, light, and JPEG compression. We also compare the computational speed of these four methods.
The sensitivity of commercial kits in detecting the genes of pathogenic bacteria in venison

The expansion of the wild deer population is a major problem for the Japanese farm and forestry industries because their damage to farm products and vegetation results in huge economic loss. To promote game meat consumption, hygiene inspections should be performed to detect main bacterial pathogens before products are shipped. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the ability of commercial test kits to genetically detect EHEC, Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes in venison. Our results demonstrated that the kits for three pathogens could be useful for venison as well as other domestic meat products. Our comparative study showed that the LAMP kits were more sensitive than the RT-qPCR kits in the detection of all of these pathogens.
Effect of the nanowire diameter on the linearity of the response of GaN-based heterostructured nanowire photodetectors

Nanowire photodetectors are investigated because of their compatibility with flexible electronics, or for the implementation of on-chip optical interconnects. Such devices are characterized by ultrahigh photocurrent gain, but their photoresponse scales sublinearly with the optical power. Here, we present a study of single-nanowire photodetectors displaying a linear response to ultraviolet illumination. Their structure consists of a GaN nanowire incorporating an AlN/GaN/AlN heterostructure, which generates an internal electric field. The activity of the heterostructure is confirmed by the rectifying behavior of the current–voltage characteristics in the dark, as well as by the asymmetry of the photoresponse in magnitude and linearity. Under reverse bias (negative bias on the GaN cap segment), the detectors behave linearly with the impinging optical power when the nanowire diameter is below a certain threshold (≈80 nm), which corresponds to the total depletion of the nanowire stem due to the Fermi level pinning at the sidewalls. In the case of nanowires that are only partially depleted, their nonlinearity is explained by a nonlinear variation of the diameter of their central conducting channel under illumination.
Blind restoration for nonuniform aerial images using nonlocal Retinex model and shearlet-based higher-order regularization

Abstract. Aerial images are often degraded by space-varying motion blurs and simultaneous uneven illumination. To recover a high-quality aerial image from its nonuniform version, we propose a patchwise restoration approach based on a key observation that the degree of blurring is inevitably affected by the illumination conditions. A nonlocal Retinex model is developed to accurately estimate the reflectance component from the degraded aerial image. Thereafter, the uneven illumination is corrected well. Then nonuniform coupled blurring in the enhanced reflectance image is alleviated and transformed toward uniform distribution, which will facilitate the subsequent deblurring. For constructing the multiscale sparsified regularization, the discrete shearlet transform is improved to better represent anisotropic image features in terms of directional sensitivity and selectivity. In addition, a new adaptive variant of total generalized variation is proposed to act as the structure-preserving regularizer. These complementary regularizers are elegantly integrated into an objective function. The final deblurred image with uniform illumination can be obtained by applying a fast alternating direction scheme to solve the derived function. The experimental results demonstrate that our algorithm can not only effectively remove both the space-varying illumination and motion blurs in aerial images, but also recover the abundant details of aerial scenes with top-level objective and subjective quality, and outperforms other state-of-the-art restoration methods.
RNAscope for In situ Detection of Transcriptionally Active Human Papillomavirus in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The 'gold standard' for oncogenic HPV detection is the demonstration of transcriptionally active high-risk HPV in tumor tissue. However, detection of E6/E7 mRNA by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) requires RNA extraction which destroys the tumor tissue context critical for morphological correlation and has been difficult to be adopted in routine clinical practice. Our recently developed RNA in situ hybridization technology, RNAscope, permits direct visualization of RNA in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue with single molecule sensitivity and single cell resolution, which enables highly sensitive and specific in situ analysis of any RNA biomarker in routine clinical specimens. The RNAscope HPV assay was designed to detect the E6/E7 mRNA of seven high-risk HPV genotypes (HPV16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 52, and 58) using a pool of genotype-specific probes. It has demonstrated excellent sensitivity and specificity against the current 'gold standard' method of detecting E6/E7 mRNA by qRT-PCR. HPV status determined by RNAscope is strongly prognostic of clinical outcome in oropharyngeal cancer patients.
Learning Empathy Through Virtual Reality: Multiple Strategies for Training Empathy-Related Abilities Using Body Ownership Illusions in Embodied Virtual Reality

Several disciplines have investigated the interconnected empathic abilities behind the proverb “to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes” to determine how the presence, and absence, of empathy-related phenomena affect prosocial behavior and intergroup relations. Empathy enables us to learn from others’ pain and to know when to offer support. Similarly, virtual reality (VR) appears to allow individuals to step into someone else’s shoes, through a perceptual illusion called embodiment, or the body ownership illusion. Considering these perspectives, we propose a theoretical analysis of different mechanisms of empathic practices in order to define a possible framework for the design of empathic training in VR. This is not intended to be an extensive review of all types of practices, but an exploration of empathy and empathy-related phenomena. Empathy-related training practices are analyzed and categorized. We also identify different variables used by pioneer studies in VR to promote empathy-related responses. Finally, we propose strategies for using embodied VR technology to train specific empathy-related abilities.
Cross-domain recognition by identifying compact joint subspaces

This paper introduces a new method to solve the cross-domain recognition problem. Different from the traditional domain adaption methods which rely on a global domain shift for all classes between source and target domain, the proposed method is more flexible to capture individual class variations across domains. We propose to solves the problem by finding the compact joint subspaces of source and target domain. We evaluate the proposed method on two widely used datasets and comparison results demonstrates that the proposed method outperforms the comparison methods.
Reduced N‐Type Ca2+ Channels in Atrioventricular Ganglion Neurons Are Involved in Ventricular Arrhythmogenesis

Background Attenuated cardiac vagal activity is associated with ventricular arrhythmogenesis and related mortality in patients with chronic heart failure. Our recent study has shown that expression of N‐type Ca2+ channel α‐subunits (Cav2.2‐α) and N‐type Ca2+ currents are reduced in intracardiac ganglion neurons from rats with chronic heart failure. Rat intracardiac ganglia are divided into the atrioventricular ganglion (AVG) and sinoatrial ganglion. Ventricular myocardium receives projection of neuronal terminals only from the AVG. In this study we tested whether a decrease in N‐type Ca2+ channels in AVG neurons contributes to ventricular arrhythmogenesis. Methods and Results Lentiviral Cav2.2‐α shRNA (2 μL, 2×107 pfu/mL) or scrambled shRNA was in vivo transfected into rat AVG neurons. Nontransfected sham rats served as controls. Using real‐time single‐cell polymerase chain reaction and reverse‐phase protein array, we found that in vivo transfection of Cav2.2‐α shRNA decreased expression of Cav2.2‐α mRNA and protein in rat AVG neurons. Whole‐cell patch‐clamp data showed that Cav2.2‐α shRNA reduced N‐type Ca2+ currents and cell excitability in AVG neurons. The data from telemetry electrocardiographic recording demonstrated that 83% (5 out of 6) of conscious rats with Cav2.2‐α shRNA transfection had premature ventricular contractions (P<0.05 versus 0% of nontransfected sham rats or scrambled shRNA‐transfected rats). Additionally, an index of susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias, inducibility of ventricular arrhythmias evoked by programmed electrical stimulation, was higher in rats with Cav2.2‐α shRNA transfection compared with nontransfected sham rats and scrambled shRNA‐transfected rats. Conclusions A decrease in N‐type Ca2+ channels in AVG neurons attenuates vagal control of ventricular myocardium, thereby initiating ventricular arrhythmias.
The Nitrate Reductase Assay in the Rapid Detection of Multidrug-Resistant and Extensively Drug- Resistant Tuberculosis in South Gujarat, India

Introduction: The burden of Tuberculosis (TB) particularly with multi-drug-resistance (MDR) is increasing worldwide and has become a major public health concern. The increasing prevalence of MDR as well as extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis highlights the need for simple, rapid, affordable and accurate methods for performing drug susceptibility testing against firstline and secondline antiTB drugs. Aims: To evaluate the performance of NRA in the rapid detection of multi-drug resistant and extensivelydrug resistant tuberculosis in the region of South Gujarat, India. Materials and Methods: 234 samples were collected from clinically suspected TB patients from South Gujarat Region, India and were subjected to microscopy examination by ZN method, culturing on Lowenstein-Jensen medium and drug susceptibility testing by indirect NRA. Indirect NRA was performed on the culture isolates and the results were compared with that of the Proportion method. Results: Out of these 234 samples, 94 were smear positive by Ziehl Neelsen (ZN) method (40.17%) and 140 were smear negative. In case of culturing, out of 234 samples, 101 were culture positive (43.16%) and 133 were culture negative. By performing First-Line DST, MDR-TB was detected in a total of 37/101 (36.63%) and 35/101 (34.65%) by both Proportion method and NRA respectively. By performing Second-Line DST, one case of XDR-TB was detected by both the methods. NRA results were available for 33 samples on day 7, 58 samples on day 10 and 10 samples on day 14. As compared to Proportion method, the sensitivity of NRA was 87.5% and 100% and the specificity was 100% and 96.73% for RIF and INH respectively. Similarly, for K and OF, the sensitivity of NRA was 71.42% and 76.92% and the specificity was 100% and 100% respectively. Conclusion: NRA is a simple, accurate, inexpensive and rapid method for detection of MDR and XDR-TB, especially in poor-resource countries, with limited laboratory facilities. The technique may become a valid substitute to traditional time consuming methods.
Development of Efflux Pumps and Inhibitors (EPIs) in A. baumanii

Over the past three decades, Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen worldwide. Certain strains of A baumannii are now resistant to many common antimicrobial agents, including fluoroquinolone, and multidrug resistance (MDR) is often responsible for the failure of antibiotic therapy. Reasearchers have paid close attention to the emergency of MDR-AB, and PDR (pandrug-resistance)-AB, even XDR (extreme-drug resistance)-AB isolated from clinical patients, mediated primarily through the production of β-lactamases, aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes (AMEs), mutation in gene for DNA gyrase subunit A (gyrA) and DNA topoisomerase (parC), as well as efflux pumps. In this article, we discussed the roles of various efflux pumps expressed in Acinetobacter baumanii and efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs), aimed at providing an overview of the mechanism to antibiotics in Acinetobacter baumanii.
Not-so-distant reading: A dynamic network approach to literature

Abstract In this article we report about our efforts to develop and evaluate computational support tools for literary studies. We present a novel method and tool that allows interactive visual analytics of character occurrences in Victorian novels, and has been handed to humanities scholars and students for work with a number of novels from different authors. Our user study reveals insights about Victorian novels that are valuable for scholars in the digital humanities field, and informs UI as well as UX designers about how these domain experts interact with tools that leverage network science.
Acute pancreatitis: current perspectives on diagnosis and management

The last two decades have seen the emergence of significant evidence that has altered certain aspects of the management of acute pancreatitis. While most cases of acute pancreatitis are mild, the challenge remains in managing the severe cases and the complications associated with acute pancreatitis. Gallstones are still the most common cause with epidemiological trends indicating a rising incidence. The surgical management of acute gallstone pancreatitis has evolved. In this article, we revisit and review the methods in diagnosing acute pancreatitis. We present the evidence for the supportive management of the condition, and then discuss the management of acute gallstone pancreatitis. Based on the evidence, our local institutional pathways, and clinical experience, we have produced an outline to guide clinicians in the management of acute gallstone pancreatitis.
Compartmentalization of the Broad-Range Phospholipase C Activity to the Spreading Vacuole Is Critical for Listeria monocytogenes Virulence

ABSTRACT Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterial pathogen that multiplies in the cytosol of host cells and spreads directly from cell to cell by using an actin-based mechanism of motility. The broad-range phospholipase C (PC-PLC) of L. monocytogenes contributes to bacterial escape from vacuoles formed upon cell-to-cell spread. PC-PLC is made as an inactive proenzyme whose activation requires cleavage of an N-terminal propeptide. During infection, PC-PLC is activated specifically in acidified vacuoles. To assess the importance of compartmentalizing PC-PLC activity during infection, we created a mutant that makes constitutively active PC-PLC (the plcBΔpro mutant). Results from intracellular growth and cell-to-cell spread assays showed that the plcBΔpro mutant was sensitive to gentamicin, suggesting that unregulated PC-PLC activity causes damage to host cell membranes. This was confirmed by the observation of a twofold increase in staining of live infected cells by a non-membrane-permeant DNA fluorescent dye. However, membrane damage was not sufficient to cause cell lysis and was dependent on bacterial cell-to-cell spread, suggesting that damage was localized to bacterium-containing filopodia. Using an in vivo competitive infection assay, we observed that the plcBΔpro mutant was outcompeted up to 200-fold by the wild-type strain in BALB/c mice. Virulence attenuation was greater when mice were infected orally than when they were infected intravenously, presumably because the plcBΔpro mutant was initially outcompeted in the intestines, reducing the number of mutant bacteria reaching the liver and spleen. Together, these results emphasize the importance for L. monocytogenes virulence of compartmentalizing the activity of PC-PLC during infection.
Research on the Multiple Factors Influencing Human Identification Based on Pyroelectric Infrared Sensors

Analysis of the multiple factors affecting human identification ability based on pyroelectric infrared technology is a complex problem. First, we examine various sensed pyroelectric waveforms of the human body thermal infrared signal and reveal a mechanism for affecting human identification. Then, we find that the mechanism is decided by the distance, human target, pyroelectric infrared (PIR) sensor, the body type, human moving velocity, signal modulation mask, and Fresnel lens. The mapping relationship between the sensed waveform and multiple influencing factors is established, and a group of mathematical models are deduced which fuse the macro factors and micro factors. Finally, the experimental results show the macro-factors indirectly affect the recognition ability of human based on the pyroelectric technology. At the same time, the correctness and effectiveness of the mathematical models is also verified, which make it easier to obtain more pyroelectric infrared information about the human body for discriminating human targets.
The Long Noncoding RNA MALAT-1 is A Novel Biomarker in Various Cancers: A Meta-analysis Based on the GEO Database and Literature

Background: MALAT-1 is significantly overexpressed in various cancers, suggesting that it might be a potential biomarker of cancer. Methods: A meta-analysis was performed using microarray data obtained via the Affymetrix Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 platform found in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and data obtained through a systematic search of PubMed and Web of Science. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and hazard ratio (HR) with 95% CI (Confidence interval) were used to judge the value of biomarkers. Results: A total of 28 studies were included in this meta-analysis, comprising a total of 3573 patients. MALAT-1 was significantly linked with over survival (OS) (HR=1.58, 95%CI: 1.12-2.23), recurrence-free survival (RFS) (HR=2.32, 95% CI: 1.68-3.19) and death-free survival (DFS) (HR=3.28, 95% CI: 1.52-7.09). We found that MALAT-1 was a risk factor in the prognoses of lung cancer (HR=1.54, 95%CI: 1.01-2.34), digestive system cancer (HR=2.16, 95% CI: 1.34-3.48) and ovarian cancer (HR=3.98, 95% CI: 1.54-10.25). In contrast, MALAT-1 was a safe factor in the prognosis of B cell lineage cancer (HR=0.45, 95% CI: 0.33-0.61). MALAT-1 was also a risk factor of RFS in breast cancer (HR=1.97, 95% CI: 1.25-3.09) and the TNM stage in pancreatic cancer (OR=3.65, 95% CI: 1.86-7.18) and glioma (OR=4.30, 95% CI: 1.90-9.73) and was a safe factor in colorectal cancer (OR=0.17, 95% CI: 0.08-0.35). MALAT-1 was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis in clear cell carcinoma (OR=5.04, 95% CI: 2.36-10.78) and distant metastasis in pancreatic cancer (OR=11.64, 95% CI: 2.13-63.78). Conclusions: MALAT-1 can serve as a molecular marker in different types of cancers.
Throughput Maximization in Multicarrier Wireless Powered Relaying Networks

Dynamic power allocation and power splitting, in a multicarrier two-hop link with a wireless powered relay, is investigated. We first formulate the corresponding optimization problem, which consists of the joint optimization -in terms of achievable rate- of, 1) the dynamic power allocation among multiple channels and, 2) the selection of the power splitting ratio between information processing and energy harvesting at the relay, when amplify-and-forward is applied. This is a non-convex optimization problem, which is mapped to a convex one and optimally solved using one-dimensional search and dual decomposition, while a suboptimal efficient iterative method is also proposed. Simulations reveal a significant increase in the throughput, when comparing the proposed approach with two alternative power allocation schemes, while they verify the effectiveness of the fast-converging iterative solution.
Preparation and characterization of high refractive index thin films of TiO2/epoxy resin nanocomposites

By using sol- gel method, amorphous titania was introduced into epoxy matrix to prepare a series of high refractive index TiO2/epoxy resin nanocomposite films. To increase the refractive index of the hybrid films, triethoxysi- lane-capped trimercaptothioethylamine (TCTMTEA), a new kind of high refractive index coupling agent was synthe- sized from trimercaptothioethylamine (TMTEA). In the ex- periment, TCTMTEA acted as the solidification agent to- gether with TMTEA except being used as the coupling agent. The hybrid films have been characterized via FTIR, AFM, DSC, TGA, etc. The experimental results showed that the amorphous TiO2 had been dispersed uniformly in the organic polymer matrix with the size smaller than 100 nm in each sample. More importantly, the refractive index of this kind of materials can be continuously adjusted from 1.61 to 1.797 with the content of TiO2 increasing from 0% to 65% in mass, and the continuously adjusted refractive index is very important for the applications in optical antirefractive films. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 1631-1636, 2006
Tensile and Physical Properties of Linear Low Density Polyethylene-natural Rubber Composite: Comparison between Size and Filler Types

Linear Low Density Polyethylene-Natural Rubber (LLDPE-NR) composites in the ratio of 70:20 were made with different loadings of nanosilica and micro-scale Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA). Linear Low Density Polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride (LLDPE-g-MAH) of 10 wt% was added as a compatibiliser. The composites were produced by using two-roll mill machine. The tensile properties of the composites were determined by carrying out tensile test. From the test, it was found that the tensile strength of LLDPE-NR decreased with increasing weight percentages of POFA in the composition. Tensile strength of LLDPE-NR increased with increasing nanosilica content of the composition. The water absorption test was done on all samples, and it was found that water absorption of LLDPE-NR nanocomposites decreased with increasing nanosilica content. However, water absorption of LLDPE-NR microcomposites increased with increasing POFA content.