Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New in vivo measurements of pressures in the intervertebral disc in daily life.

STUDY DESIGN We conducted intradiscal pressure measurements with one volunteer performing various activities normally found in daily life, sports, and spinal therapy. OBJECTIVES The goal of this study was to measure intradiscal pressure to complement earlier data from Nachemson with dynamic and long-term measurements over a broad range of activities. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Loading of the spine still is not well understood. The most important in vivo data are from pioneering intradiscal pressure measurements recorded by Nachemson during the 1960s. Since that time, there have been few data to corroborate or dispute those findings. METHODS Under sterile surgical conditions, a pressure transducer with a diameter of 1.5 mm was implanted in the nucleus pulposus of a nondegenerated L4-L5 disc of a male volunteer 45-years-old and weighing 70 kg. Pressure was recorded with a telemetry system during a period of approximately 24 hours for various lying positions; sitting positions in a chair, in an armchair, and on a pezziball (ergonomic sitting ball); during sneezing, laughing, walking, jogging, stair climbing, load lifting during hydration over 7 hours of sleeping, and others. RESULTS The following values and more were measured: lying prone, 0.1 MPa; lying laterally, 0.12 MPa; relaxed standing, 0.5 MPa; standing flexed forward, 1.1 MPa; sitting unsupported, 0.46 MPa; sitting with maximum flexion, 0.83 MPa; nonchalant sitting, 0.3 MPa; and lifting a 20-kg weight with round flexed back, 2.3 MPa; with flexed knees, 1.7 MPa; and close to the body, 1.1 MPa. During the night, pressure increased from 0.1 to 0.24 MPa. CONCLUSIONS Good correlation was found with Nachemson's data during many exercises, with the exception of the comparison of standing and sitting or of the various lying positions. Notwithstanding the limitations related to the single-subject design of this study, these differences may be explained by the different transducers used. It can be cautiously concluded that the intradiscal pressure during sitting may in fact be less than that in erect standing, that muscle activity increases pressure, that constantly changing position is important to promote flow of fluid (nutrition) to the disc, and that many of the physiotherapy methods studied are valid, but a number of them should be re-evaluated.
Towards Indexing Schemes for Self-Tuning DBMS

Index tuning as part of database tuning is the task of selecting and creating indexes with the goal of reducing query processing times. However, in dynamic environments with various ad-hoc queries it is difficult to identify potentially useful indexes in advance. In this paper, based on previous research regarding automatic index creation at runtime we point out the need for new indexing schemes suitable for self-tuning. Based on problems with previous approaches we describe the key concepts, which are sparse and partial indexing, usage-balanced instead of data-balanced structures, and dynamic resource assignment. We illustrate the approach by a simple index structure, which provides adaptability as well as improved access characteristics. Furthermore, we will outline key tasks to introduce according concepts in future DBMS.
Ufa : an ultra flat architecture for future mobile networks. (Ufa : une architecture ultra plate pour les réseaux mobiles du futur)

Mobile networks have a layered model, with: (1) an IP access network providing IP connectivity to users, (2) a service control layer, IMS, (3) an interaction layer for policy control, PCC. This model, centralized and hierarchical, will cause scalability and QoS problems in case of data volume explosion. In this thesis, a new model for future mobile networks is proposed: Ultra Flat Architecture (UFA). UFA uses IMS to control all application types. UFA is flat since it reduces the number of network node types to 2 mainly: (1) a UFA Gateway that includes the functions of the IP access network, the IMS and the PCC, and (2) a terminal. After designing the architecture, we specified and evaluated three main procedures for UFA: registration / authentication, service establishment and mobility. We have optimized the first two procedures compared to standard procedures of the IMS. For example, the service establishment procedure has a reduced delay and allows the configuration of the service or the transport layer according to the resources available in the network. We have developed a mobility procedure for UFA. It is based on the transfer, from one UFA Gateway to another, of the all OSI-layers contexts related to that terminal, and on a proactive determination of the all OSI-layers parameters, necessary for the terminal attachment to the new UFA Gateway. All obtained results show the great interest of UFA and of flat architectures more generally.
Adaptive Control of Nonlinear Distributed

A nite dimensional model is derived for a class of nonlinear distributed parameter systems using the orthogonal collocation method. This model is linearizable via state feedback. To cope with both parametric and dynamic uncertainties of the nite dimensional model, an adaptive control algorithm is proposed. The adaptation laws are derived based on Lyapunov and Hy-perstability criteria. The output tracking problem of a Fixed Bed Bioreactor is given as an application example.
A Low-Overhead Profiling and Visualization Framework for Hybrid Transactional Memory

Multi-core prototyping presents a good opportunity for establishing low overhead and detailed profiling and visualization in order to study new research topics. In this paper, we design and implement a low execution, low area overhead profiling mechanism and a visualization tool for observing Transactional Memory behaviors on FPGA. To achieve this, we non-disruptively create and bring out events on the fly and process them offline on a host. There, our tool regenerates the execution from the collected events and produces traces for comprehensively inspecting the behavior of interacting multithreaded programs. With zero execution overhead for hardware TM events, single-instruction overhead for software TM events, and utilizing a low logic area of 2.3% per processor core, we run TM benchmarks to evaluate various different levels of profiling detail with an average runtime overhead of 6%. We demonstrate the usefulness of such detailed examination of SW/HW transactional behavior in two parts: (i) we speed up a TM benchmark by 24.1%, and (ii) we closely inspect transactions to point out pathologies.
Operating Modes of Dynamic Power Supply Transmitter Amplifiers

Any amplifier operated with a varying supply voltage is actually a three-port circuit, having two inputs and one output. When an amplifier is characterized as a three-port for dynamic supply voltage operation, three separate operating modes appear: linear L-mode and the two nonlinear modes C-mode and P-mode. Each of these modes, along with their relationships and differences, are identified, characterized, and discussed. Relations of these modes to the dynamic power supply transmitter techniques of envelope tracking and/or direct polar are presented. Measurements are reported that provide experimental verification for these amplifier operating modes.
AN OVERVIEW OF STATINS AS HYPOLIPIDEMIC DRUGS

There is a wealth of evidence suggesting association between Dyslipidemia and Heart Failure. Statins are the treatment of choice for the management of Dyslipidemia because of their proven efficacy and safety profile. They also have an increasing role in managing cardiovascular risk in patients with relatively normal levels of plasma cholesterol. The article reviews the role of Statins in the treatment of Dyslipidemia. Although all statins act by act by blocking the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme, which catalyzes the rate-limiting, step in de novo cholesterol synthesis, they differ in terms of their chemical structures, pharmacokinetic profiles, and lipid-modifying efficacy. Lovastatin, Pravastatin and Simvastatin are derived from fungal metabolites and have elimination half-lives of 1–3 h. Atorvastatin, Cerivastatin (withdrawn from clinical use in 2001), Fluvastatin, Pitavastatin and Rosuvastatin are fully synthetic compounds, with elimination half-lives ranging from 1 h for Fluvastatin to 19 h for Rosuvastatin. As a class, statins are generally well tolerated and serious adverse events, including muscle toxicity leading to rhabdomyolysis, are rare. Consideration of the differences between the statins helps to provide a rational basis for their use in clinical practice.
Adhesion Behavior of Human Adipo-Stromal Cells on Self-Assembled Monolayers with Different Surface Densities or Gradients of RGD Peptide

The objective of this study is to investigate the adhesion of human adipo-stromal cells on self-assembled monolayers (SAM) with different surface densities and gradients of Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide. The different densities and gradients of carboxyl groups on the SAM surface were prepared by a SAM exchange technique, and then RGD was chemically immobilized to allow the RGD surface density on the SAM to change over the range of 2.3–8.9 ng/cm2 (3.0–12 pmol/cm2). The spreading area and survival percent of cells increased as the density of RGD immobilized on the SAM became high, whereas no dependence of the RGD density on the number of cells adhered was observed. The survival percent of cells tended to increase with an increase in the RGD immobilization for the carboxyl group-gradient SAM. This finding suggests the possibility that the cell adhesion can be regulated by controlling the RGD density or gradient of cell substrate.
PALMA: mRNA to genome alignments using large margin algorithms

MOTIVATION Despite many years of research on how to properly align sequences in the presence of sequencing errors, alternative splicing and micro-exons, the correct alignment of mRNA sequences to genomic DNA is still a challenging task. RESULTS We present a novel approach based on large margin learning that combines accurate splice site predictions with common sequence alignment techniques. By solving a convex optimization problem, our algorithm-called PALMA-tunes the parameters of the model such that true alignments score higher than other alignments. We study the accuracy of alignments of mRNAs containing artificially generated micro-exons to genomic DNA. In a carefully designed experiment, we show that our algorithm accurately identifies the intron boundaries as well as boundaries of the optimal local alignment. It outperforms all other methods: for 5702 artificially shortened EST sequences from Caenorhabditis elegans and human, it correctly identifies the intron boundaries in all except two cases. The best other method is a recently proposed method called exalin which misaligns 37 of the sequences. Our method also demonstrates robustness to mutations, insertions and deletions, retaining accuracy even at high noise levels. AVAILABILITY Datasets for training, evaluation and testing, additional results and a stand-alone alignment tool implemented in C++ and python are available at http://www.fml. mpg.de/raetsch/projects/palma
Real Business Cycles in Two-Person Households with Home Production ∗

Neoclassical RBC model predicts that hours and productivity should fluctuate together.But in postwar U.S. economy hours are more volatile than productivity. Moreover, hours and productivity are negatively correlated. The goal of this paper is to explain cyclical behavior of hours. The model economy has a representative household of two agents. Agents allocate their time among leisure, work on the market and home production. There is a fixed cost of working on the market, and agents may choose not to work. I calibrate the model to U.S. data, In the model hours are more volatile than productivity, and correlation of productivity and hours is negative, like in the U.S. economy. But there is also a drawback model economy is excessively volatile. The reason for volatility are drastic changes of job market participation rate along the cycle. I conclude that more heterogeneity should be introduced to improve the model.
An approach to experimental evaluation of software understandability

Software understandability is an important characteristic of software quality because it can influence cost or reliability of software evolution in reuse or maintenance. However, it is difficult to evaluate software understandability in practice because understanding is an internal process of humans. This paper proposes "software overhaul" as a method for externalizing the process of understanding and presents a probability model to use process data of overhauling to estimate software understandability. An example describes an overhaul tool and its application.
Chilean remote sensing

This special issue collects a selection of papers, developed from work originally presented at the Tercer Foro Nacional de Percepción Remota y SIG, the third Chilean national conference on remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS). The conference was held at Universidad de Concepcion, Concepción, in the Biobío Region, Chile, during 22–23 October 2015. The objective of the Chilean national remote sensing and GIS conferences is to gather applied researchers from universities across Chile to share the latest research findings and plan new initiatives. Given Chile’s geography, extending over several thousands of kilometres from the tropical desert of the Atacama to the subAntarctic tundra of Tierra del Fuego, national scientific meetings are a challenge to organize. This difficulty, however, makes the importance of regular meetings all the greater. The long-term aim of the organizers is, therefore, to build these conferences into a series of comprehensive events encompassing all aspects of not only remote sensing and GIS, but also allied field such as geodesy, cartography, and image processing. The papers selected for this special issue demonstrate the breadth of remote sensing carried out in Chile in recent years. The studies, summarized in the following, include work that focuses on all components of the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and the terrestrial earth, with a special emphasis on their interactions. All of the studies use multi-temporal data, either comparisons of single images or a time series of images, emphasizing the importance of the growing archive of remotely sensed data for addressing scientific questions in the context of climate change and a dynamic earth environment.
Evaluation and management of geriatric trauma: An Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma practice management guideline

BACKGROUND Aging patients constitute an increasing proportion of patients treated at trauma centers. Previous and existing guidelines addressing care of the injured elder have not adequately addressed emerging data regarding optimal means for undertaking triage decisions, correcting coagulopathy, and the limitations of supraphysiologic resuscitation. METHODS More than 400 MEDLINE citations published between the years 2000 and 2008 were identified and screened. A total of 90 references were selected for the evidentiary table followed by consensus-based discussions regarding the level of evidence and the strength of recommendations that could be derived from the related findings of the individual studies. RESULTS In general, a lower threshold for trauma activation should be used for injured patients aged 65 years or older who are evaluated at trauma centers. Furthermore, elderly patients with at least one body system with an AIS score of 3 or higher or a base deficit of −6 or less should be treated at trauma centers, preferably in intensive care units staffed by surgeon-intensivists. In addition, all elderly patients who receive daily therapeutic anticoagulation should have appropriate assessment of their coagulation profile and cross-sectional imaging of the brain as soon as possible after admission where appropriate. In patients aged 65 years or older with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score less than 8, if substantial improvement in GCS is not realized within 72 hours of injury, consideration should be given to limiting further aggressive therapeutic interventions. CONCLUSION Effective evidence-based care of aging patients necessitates aggressive triage, correction of coagulopathy, and limitation of care when clinical evidence points toward an overwhelming likelihood of poor long-term prognosis.
Automatic Generation of Music for Inducing Emotive Response

We present a system that generates original music designed to match a target emotion. It creates n-gram models, Hidden Markov Models, and other statistical distributions based on musical selections from a corpus representing a given emotion and uses these models to probabilistically generate new musical selections with similar emotional content. This system produces unique and often remarkably musical selections that tend to match a target emotion, performing this task at a level that approaches human competency for the same task.
Secretion of Protective Antigens by Tissue-Stage Nematode Larvae Revealed by Proteomic Analysis and Vaccination-Induced Sterile Immunity

Gastrointestinal nematode parasites infect over 1 billion humans, with little evidence for generation of sterilising immunity. These helminths are highly adapted to their mammalian host, following a developmental program through successive niches, while effectively down-modulating host immune responsiveness. Larvae of Heligmosomoides polygyrus, for example, encyst in the intestinal submucosa, before emerging as adult worms into the duodenal lumen. Adults release immunomodulatory excretory-secretory (ES) products, but mice immunised with adult H. polygyrus ES become fully immune to challenge infection. ES products of the intestinal wall 4th stage (L4) larvae are similarly important in host-parasite interactions, as they readily generate sterile immunity against infection, while released material from the egg stage is ineffective. Proteomic analyses of L4 ES identifies protective antigen targets as well as potential tissue-phase immunomodulatory molecules, using as comparators the adult ES proteome and a profile of H. polygyrus egg-released material. While 135 proteins are shared between L4 and adult ES, 72 are L4 ES-specific; L4-specific proteins correspond to those whose transcription is restricted to larval stages, while shared proteins are generally transcribed by all life cycle forms. Two protein families are more heavily represented in the L4 secretome, the Sushi domain, associated with complement regulation, and the ShK/SXC domain related to a toxin interfering with T cell signalling. Both adult and L4 ES contain extensive but distinct arrays of Venom allergen/Ancylostoma secreted protein-Like (VAL) members, with acetylcholinesterases (ACEs) and apyrase APY-3 particularly abundant in L4 ES. Serum antibodies from mice vaccinated with L4 and adult ES react strongly to the VAL-1 protein and to ACE-1, indicating that these two antigens represent major vaccine targets for this intestinal nematode. We have thus defined an extensive and novel repertoire of H. polygyrus proteins closely implicated in immune modulation and protective immunity.
Interface MB-Based Video Content Editing Transcoding

In practical multimedia systems, the content of coded video streams often needs to be re-edited at the nodes of transmitting networks. For example, logo insertion is always required for copyright protection at different local transmitting nodes. This kind of video stream editing is denoted as video content editing transcoding (VCET) in this paper. Though some techniques have been suggested for VCET, these methods cannot meet the requirement of dynamic transmitting bandwidth in practical applications. In this paper, we proposed an interface macroblock-based transcoding scheme for VCET, which can reuse the variable length codes of the original video streams as much as possible to achieve the best VCET quality. In order to ensure that the edited video streams can be transmitted by the original bandwidth, we also proposed a rate control algorithm for VCET, which can accurately control the bitrate of edited video streams according to the frame level coding bits of the original video streams. Experimental results showed that the proposed scheme achieved substantially better results in bitrate accuracy, computational complexities, and video quality than many other existing schemes.
Two-dimensional receptive-field organization in striate cortical neurons of the cat

Abstract The two-dimensional organization of receptive fields (RFs) of 44 cells in the cat visual cortex and four cells from the cat LGN was measured by stimulation with either dots or bars of light. The light bars were presented in different positions and orientations centered on the RFs. The RFs found were arbitrarily divided into four general types: Punctate, resembling DOG filters (11%); those resembling Gabor filters (9%); elongate (36%); and multipeaked-type (44%). Elongate RFs, usually found in simple cells, could show more than one excitatory band or bifurcation of excitatory regions. Although regions inhibitory to a given stimulus transition (e.g. ON) often coincided with regions excitatory to the opposite transition (e.g. OFF), this was by no means the rule. Measurements were highly repeatable and stable over periods of at least 1 h. A comparison between measurements made with dots and with bars showed reasonable matches in about 40% of the cases. In general, bar-based measurements revealed larger RFs with more structure, especially with respect to inhibitory regions. Inactivation of lower cortical layers (V-VI) by local GABA injection was found to reduce sharpness of detail and to increase both receptive-field size and noise in upper layer cells, suggesting vertically organized RF mechanisms. Across the population, some cells bore close resemblance to theoretically proposed filters, while others had a complexity that was clearly not generalizable, to the extent that they seemed more suited to detection of specific structures. We would speculate that the broadly varying forms of cat cortical receptive fields result from developmental processes akin to those that form ocular-dominance columns, but on a smaller scale.
Brassinosteroids Interact with Auxin to Promote Lateral Root Development in Arabidopsis1

Plant hormone brassinosteroids (BRs) and auxin exert some similar physiological effects likely through their functional interaction, but the mechanism for this interaction is unknown. In this study, we show that BRs are required for lateral root development in Arabidopsis and that BRs act synergistically with auxin to promte lateral root formation. BR perception is required for the transgenic expression of the β-glucuronidase gene fused to a synthetic auxin-inducible promoter (DR5::GUS) in root tips, while exogenous BR promotes DR5::GUS expression in the root tips and the stele region proximal to the root tip. BR induction of both lateral root formation and DR5::GUS expression is suppressed by the auxin transport inhibitor N-(1-naphthyl) phthalamic acid. Importantly, BRs promote acropetal auxin transport (from the base to the tip) in the root. Our observations indicate that BRs regulate auxin transport, providing a novel mechanism for hormonal interactions in plants and supporting the hypothesis that BRs promote lateral root development by increasing acropetal auxin transport.