Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Direct shape optimization for strengthening 3D printable objects

Recently there has been an increasing demand for software that can help designers create functional 3D objects with required physical strength. We introduce a generic and extensible method that directly optimizes a shape subject to physical and geometric constraints. Given an input shape, our method optimizes directly its input mesh representation until it can withstand specified external forces, while remaining similar to the original shape. Our method performs physics simulation and shape optimization together in a unified framework, where the physics simulator is an integral part of the optimizer. We employ geometric constraints to preserve surface details and shape symmetry, and adapt a second‐order method with analytic gradients to improve convergence and computation time. Our method provides several advantages over previous work, including the ability to handle general shape deformations, preservation of surface details, and incorporation of user‐defined constraints. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our method on a variety of prinTable 3D objects through detailed simulations as well as physical validations.
A tissue-conductive acoustic sensor applied in speech recognition for privacy

In this paper, we present the Non-Audible Murmur (NAM) microphones focusing on their applications in automatic speech recognition. A NAM microphone is a special acoustic sensor attached behind the talker's ear and able to capture very quietly uttered speech (non-audible murmur) through body tissue. Previously, we reported experimental results for non-audible murmur recognition using a Stethoscope microphone in a clean environment. In this paper, we also present a more advanced NAM microphone, the so-called Silicon NAM microphone. Using a small amount of training data and adaptation approaches, we achieved a 93.9% word accuracy for a 20k vocabulary dictation task. Therefore, in situations when privacy in human-machine communication is preferable, NAM microphone can be very effectively applied for automatic recognition of speech inaudible to other listeners near the talker. Because of the nature of non-audible murmur (e.g., privacy) investigation of the behavior of NAM microphones in noisy environments is of high importance. To do this, we also conducted experiments in real and simulated noisy environments. Although, using simulated noisy data the NAM microphones show high robustness against noise, in real environments the recognition performance decreases markedly due to the effect of the Lombard reflex. In this paper, we also report experimental results showing the negative impact effect of the Lombard reflex on non-audible murmur recognition. In addition to a dictation task, we also report a keyword-spotting system based on non-audible murmur with very promising results.
β -order perceptually motivated MMSE estimation for speech enhancement

This paper derives a β -order perceptually motivated minimum mean square error (MMSE) spectral estimator of the short-time spectral magnitude of speech, aimed to improve the performance in speech enhancement. The performance of the proposed estimators with different values of β has been evaluated by two kinds of objective measures. We have also compared the waveforms of perceptually motivated MMSE (PM) estimated speech and β -order PM estimated speech. The results showed the proposed estimator with different constant β value could focus on either noise reduction or preventing speech distortion. With an adaptive value of β, the proposed estimator have better performance in noise reduction than PM estimator.
Robust question answering over the web of linked data

Knowledge bases and the Web of Linked Data have become important assets for search, recommendation, and analytics. Natural-language questions are a user-friendly mode of tapping this wealth of knowledge and data. However, question answering technology does not work robustly in this setting as questions have to be translated into structured queries and users have to be careful in phrasing their questions. This paper advocates a new approach that allows questions to be partially translated into relaxed queries, covering the essential but not necessarily all aspects of the user's input. To compensate for the omissions, we exploit textual sources associated with entities and relational facts. Our system translates user questions into an extended form of structured SPARQL queries, with text predicates attached to triple patterns. Our solution is based on a novel optimization model, cast into an integer linear program, for joint decomposition and disambiguation of the user question. We demonstrate the quality of our methods through experiments with the QALD benchmark.
GSTT1 Null Genotype Is a Risk Factor for Diabetic Retinopathy in Caucasians with Type 2 Diabetes, whereas GSTM1 Null Genotype Might Confer Protection against Retinopathy

Aim: Substantial data indicate that oxidative stress is involved in the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the genetic polymorphisms: polymorphic deletions of glutathione S-transferases M1 (GSTM1) and T1 (GSTT1) and Ile105Val of the GSTP1 are associated with DR in Slovenian patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: In this cross sectional case-control study 604 unrelated Slovene subjects (Caucasians) with type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled: 284 patients with DR (cases) and the control group of 320 subjects with type 2 diabetes of more than 10 years’ duration who had no clinical signs of DR. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Results: In our study, the deletion of the GSTM1 was found less frequent in cases with DR than in the controls (27.5% versus 44.4%; P < 0.001), whereas the deletion of GSTT1 was found significantly more often in cases than in the controls (49.3% versus 29.7%;P < 0.001). We did not find statistically significant differences in the genotype distribution in GSTP1 (Ile105Val) polymorphism between cases and controls (40.5% versus 46.0%). Conclusions: We may conclude that individuals homozygous for the deletion of GSTT1 are at an ≈ 2-fold-greater risk of DR, whereas the GSTM1 deficiency is associated with lower frequency of DR in type 2 diabetics.
Estimating the number of signals observed by multiple sensors

Inferring the presence of signal sources plays an important role in statistical signal processing and wireless communications networks. In particular, knowing the number of signal sources embedded in noise is of great interest in cognitive radio. We propose a new algorithm for estimating the number of dominant sources observed by multiple sensors in the presence of multipath and corrupted by additive Gaussian noise. Our method is based on the exact distribution of the eigenvalues of the sample covariance matrix for multivariate Gaussian variables. Numerical results show that the new method has excellent performance, and is particularly important for situations with small sample size.
Noradrenergic Excitation and Inhibition of GABAergic Cell Types in Rat Frontal Cortex

Noradrenaline (NA) from the locus coeruleus and GABA from intracortical nonpyramidal cells exert strong influences on cortical activity. To assess possible interaction between the two, the effects of noradrenergic agonists on spontaneous GABAergic IPSCs as well as on the activity of identified GABAergic cell types were investigated by in vitro whole-cell recordings from the frontal cortex of 18- to 22-d-old rats. NA (3–50 μm) and an α-adrenergic agonist, 6-fluoronorepinephrine (FNE; 30–50 μm), induced an increase of IPSC frequency in pyramidal cells, but a β-adrenergic agonist did not. This increase was reduced by tetrodotoxin, bicuculline, and α-adrenergic antagonists, suggesting that GABAergic cells are excited via α-adrenoceptors. Fast-spiking or late-spiking cells were depolarized by application of NA or FNE, but none demonstrated spike firings. The former morphologically included common multipolar cells with extended axonal arborizations as well as chandelier cells, and the latter neurogliaform cells. Most somatostatin-immunoreactive regular or burst-spiking cells, including Martinotti cells and wide arbor cells, were depolarized and accompanied by spike firing. In a few cases this was preceded by hyperpolarization. Cholecystokinin-immunoreactive regular or burst-spiking nonpyramidal cells, including large basket cells, were affected heterogeneously: depolarization, hyperpolarization followed by depolarization, or hyperpolarization resulted. The findings suggest that, similar to the effects of acetylcholine, the excitability of cortical GABAergic cell types is differentially regulated by NA and that NA actions are similar to cholinergic ones in some GABAergic cell types but not in others.
Neural correlates of rapid auditory processing are disrupted in children with developmental dyslexia and ameliorated with training: an fMRI study.

PURPOSE Developmental dyslexia, characterized by unexpected difficulty in reading, may involve a fundamental deficit in processing rapid acoustic stimuli. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) we previously reported that adults with developmental dyslexia have a disruption in neural response to rapid acoustic stimuli in left prefrontal cortex. Here we examined the neural correlates of rapid auditory processing in children. METHODS Whole-brain fMRI was performed on twenty-two children with developmental dyslexia and twenty-three typical-reading children while they listened to nonlinguistic acoustic stimuli, with either rapid or slow transitions, designed to mimic the spectro-temporal structure of consonant-vowel-consonant speech syllables. RESULTS Typical-reading children showed activation for rapid compared to slow transitions in left prefrontal cortex. Children with developmental dyslexia did not show any differential response in these regions to rapid versus slow transitions. After eight weeks of remediation focused primarily on rapid auditory processing, phonological and linguistic training the children with developmental dyslexia showed significant improvements in language and reading skills, and exhibited activation for rapid relative to slow transitions in left prefrontal cortex. CONCLUSION The presence of a disruption in the neural response to rapid stimuli in children with developmental dyslexia prior to remediation, coupled with significant improvement in language and reading scores and increased brain activation after remediation, gives further support to the importance of rapid auditory processing in reading development and disorders.
Phytoavailability of Cadmium (Cd) to Pak Choi (Brassica chinensis L.) Grown in Chinese Soils: A Model to Evaluate the Impact of Soil Cd Pollution on Potential Dietary Toxicity

Food chain contamination by soil cadmium (Cd) through vegetable consumption poses a threat to human health. Therefore, an understanding is needed on the relationship between the phytoavailability of Cd in soils and its uptake in edible tissues of vegetables. The purpose of this study was to establish soil Cd thresholds of representative Chinese soils based on dietary toxicity to humans and develop a model to evaluate the phytoavailability of Cd to Pak choi (Brassica chinensis L.) based on soil properties. Mehlich-3 extractable Cd thresholds were more suitable for Stagnic Anthrosols, Calcareous, Ustic Cambosols, Typic Haplustalfs, Udic Ferrisols and Periudic Argosols with values of 0.30, 0.25, 0.18, 0.16, 0.15 and 0.03 mg kg−1, respectively, while total Cd is adequate threshold for Mollisols with a value of 0.86 mg kg−1. A stepwise regression model indicated that Cd phytoavailability to Pak choi was significantly influenced by soil pH, organic matter, total Zinc and Cd concentrations in soil. Therefore, since Cd accumulation in Pak choi varied with soil characteristics, they should be considered while assessing the environmental quality of soils to ensure the hygienically safe food production.
Cluster Based Congestion Avoidance Strategy for Layered Wireless Sensor Network

The effort conjures to evolve a cluster based routing pattern with a view to address traffic congestion in a layered Wireless Sensor Network (WSN). The directive lays an emphasis to ensure the continuity of data flow between source and destination entities that reside in different layers of the network. It ridges to figure in the trends in data communication to foster an energy efficient traverse for the packets within the network. The formulation encompasses the use of a Cluster based approach to Ad-hoc On Demand Distance Vector (CAODV) routing pattern and pulls out a renewed platform for multipath data transfer. It attaches an extra significance in the choice of Cluster Head (CH) in the sense that it requires to be a high energy node and serves as a pivotal focus for rerouting the data on the occurrence of an obstructionist environment. The performance examined using Network Simulator (NS2) exhibits admirable levels for the indices to claim the suitability of the scheme for use in real world applications.
Surface storage dynamics in large rivers: Comparing three‐dimensional particle transport, one‐dimensional fractional derivative, and multirate transient storage models

Large rivers are major conduits for sediment and nutrient transport and play an important role in global biogeochemical cycles. While smaller rivers received attention in recent decades for hyporheic exchange and nutrient uptake, fewer studies have focused on the dynamics of surface storage zones in large rivers. We investigate transport dynamics in the St. Clair River, an international river straddling the U.S.–Canadian border, using a combination of modeling and dye tracer studies. We describe a calibrated three‐dimensional hydrodynamic model to generate (synthetic) breakthrough data to evaluate several classes of 1‐D solute transport models for their ability to describe surface storage dynamics. Breakthrough data from the 3‐D particle transport model exhibited multimodal behavior and complex dynamics that could not be described using a single first‐order exchange coefficient—an approach often used to describe surface storage in transient storage models for small rivers. The 1‐D models examined include multirate transient storage (MRTS) models in which storage zones were arranged either in series or parallel as well as 1‐D models based on fractional derivatives. Results indicate that for 1‐D models to describe data adequately, the timing of solute pulses that correspond to various in‐channel features such as sandbars, islands or meander bends should be taken into account. As a result, the MRTS model with storage zones arranged in series (i.e., exchange rates triggered sequentially) provided the best description of the data. In contrast, fractional derivative models that assume storage zones were arranged in parallel failed to capture the multimodal nature of the breakthrough curves.
Theta Coherence Theta and Gamma Coherence along the Septotemporal Axis of the Hippocampus Abbreviated title:

Abbreviated title: Theta coherence Helen R. Sabolek, Stephanie C. Penley, James R. Hinman, Jamie G Bunce, Etan J. Markus, Monty Escabi and James J. Chrobak. Departments of Psychology and Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269 Correspondence to: James J Chrobak, Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269 E-mail: james.chrobak@uconn.edu Figures = 5; Tables = 0; Pages = 24 Summary = 301 words; Introduction = 647 words; Discussion = 1484
Low Skills: A Problem for Europe.

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2.BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT 3.SCIENTIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT RESULTS AND METHODOLOGY 4.CONCLUSIONS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS 5. DISSEMINATION AND/OR EXPLOITATION OF RESULTS 6. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND REFERENCES
Version-Centric Visualization of Code Evolution

The source code of software systems changes many times during the system lifecycle. We study how developers can get insight in these changes in order to understand the project context and the product artifacts. For this we propose new techniques for code evolution representation and visualization interaction from a version-centric perspective. Central to our approach is a line-based display of the changing code, where each file version is shown as a column and the horizontal axis shows time. We propose a version centric layout of line representations and a constrained interaction scheme that makes it easy to navigate. Additionally, we describe a cushion based technique to enhance visualization with information about stable evolution areas. We demonstrate the usefulness of our approach on real- life data sets.
Saddle-node loop bifurcations ubiquitously occur in conductance-based model neurons and promote spike-based coding and synchronization

Information processing in the brain crucially depends on coding properties of single neurons shaped by their intrinsic dynamics. Our theoretical study shows that neuronal excitability, spike-based coding, and synchronization change drastically around a special dynamical regime: the codimension-two saddle-node loop bifurcation. This bifurcation maximizes the entrainment range and turns out to be more relevant for spike-based processing than the typically considered Bogdanov-Takens point. We show that the saddle-node loop bifurcation occurs ubiquitously in a generic class of neuron models (planar type-I). Our theory, applied to optical stimulation techniques, reveals that they could manipulate a variety of information processing characteristics in nerve cells beyond pure stimulation.
Defining and classifying clinical indicators for quality improvement.

OBJECTIVE This paper provides a brief review of definitions, characteristics, and categories of clinical indicators for quality improvement in health care. ANALYSIS Clinical indicators assess particular health structures, processes, and outcomes. They can be rate- or mean-based, providing a quantitative basis for quality improvement, or sentinel, identifying incidents of care that trigger further investigation. They can assess aspects of the structure, process, or outcome of health care. Furthermore, indicators can be generic measures that are relevant for most patients or disease-specific, expressing the quality of care for patients with specific diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS Monitoring health care quality is impossible without the use of clinical indicators. They create the basis for quality improvement and prioritization in the health care system. To ensure that reliable and valid clinical indicators are used, they must be designed, defined, and implemented with scientific rigour.
The Frequency of Cytidine Editing of Viral DNA Is Differentially Influenced by Vpx and Nucleosides during HIV-1 or SIVMAC Infection of Dendritic Cells

Two cellular factors are currently known to modulate lentiviral infection specifically in myeloid cells: SAMHD1 and APOBEC3A (A3A). SAMHD1 is a deoxynucleoside triphosphohydrolase that interferes with viral infection mostly by limiting the intracellular concentrations of dNTPs, while A3A is a cytidine deaminase that has been described to edit incoming vDNA. The restrictive phenotype of myeloid cells can be alleviated through the direct degradation of SAMHD1 by the HIV-2/SIVSM Vpx protein or else, at least in the case of HIV-1, by the exogenous supplementation of nucleosides that artificially overcome the catabolic activity of SAMHD1 on dNTPs. Here, we have used Vpx and dNs to explore the relationship existing between vDNA cytidine deamination and SAMHD1 during HIV-1 or SIVMAC infection of primary dendritic cells. Our results reveal an interesting inverse correlation between conditions that promote efficient infection of DCs and the extent of vDNA editing that may reflect the different susceptibility of vDNA to cytoplasmic effectors during the infection of myeloid cells.
Efficient Methods for Multi-Objective Decision-Theoretic Planning

In decision-theoretic planning problems, such as (partially observable) Markov decision problems or coordination graphs, agents typically aim to optimize a scalar value function. However, in many real-world problems agents are faced with multiple possibly conflicting objectives. In such multi-objective problems, the value is a vector rather than a scalar, and we need methods that compute a coverage set, i.e., a set of solutions optimal for all possible trade-offs between the objectives. In this project propose new multi-objective planning methods that compute the so-called convex coverage set (CCS): the coverage set for when policies can be stochastic, or the preferences are linear. We show that the CCS has favorable mathematical properties, and is typically much easier to compute that the Pareto front, which is often axiomatically assumed as the solution set for multi-objective decision problems
Research Trends in Evidence-Based Medicine: A Joinpoint Regression Analysis of More than 50 Years of Publication Data

Background Evidence-based medicine (EBM) has developed as the dominant paradigm of assessment of evidence that is used in clinical practice. Since its development, EBM has been applied to integrate the best available research into diagnosis and treatment with the purpose of improving patient care. In the EBM era, a hierarchy of evidence has been proposed, including various types of research methods, such as meta-analysis (MA), systematic review (SRV), randomized controlled trial (RCT), case report (CR), practice guideline (PGL), and so on. Although there are numerous studies examining the impact and importance of specific cases of EBM in clinical practice, there is a lack of research quantitatively measuring publication trends in the growth and development of EBM. Therefore, a bibliometric analysis was constructed to determine the scientific productivity of EBM research over decades. Methods NCBI PubMed database was used to search, retrieve and classify publications according to research method and year of publication. Joinpoint regression analysis was undertaken to analyze trends in research productivity and the prevalence of individual research methods. Findings Analysis indicates that MA and SRV, which are classified as the highest ranking of evidence in the EBM, accounted for a relatively small but auspicious number of publications. For most research methods, the annual percent change (APC) indicates a consistent increase in publication frequency. MA, SRV and RCT show the highest rate of publication growth in the past twenty years. Only controlled clinical trials (CCT) shows a non-significant reduction in publications over the past ten years. Conclusions Higher quality research methods, such as MA, SRV and RCT, are showing continuous publication growth, which suggests an acknowledgement of the value of these methods. This study provides the first quantitative assessment of research method publication trends in EBM.
Utiliser les liens pour adapter les moteurs de recherche aux spécificités du WEB

Le WEB, hypertexte mondial, necessite l'utilisation de moteurs de recherche pour retrouver l'information. Actuellement la notion de page WEB est communement utilisee comme atome d'information retourne a l'utilisateur. Les liens entre pages sont tres peu utilises pour ameliorer la qualite des reponses. Nous proposons brievement une utilisation simple des liens dans les pages WEB, et un niveau d'indexation independant de la page WEB, consideree comme granularite physique.