Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Frequent trajectory mining on GPS data

In this paper we propose a new algorithm for finding the frequent routes that a user has in his daily routine, in our method we build a grid in which we map each of the GPS data points that belong to a certain sequence. (We consider that each sequence conforms a route) we then carry out an interpolation procedure that has a probabilistic basis and find a more precise description of the user's trajectory. For each trajectory we find the edges that were crossed, with the crossed edges we create a histogram in which the bins denote the crossed edges and the frequency value the number of times that edge was crossed for a certain user. We then select the K most frequent edges and combine them to create a list of the most frequent paths that a user has. We compared our results with the algorithm that was proposed in Adaptive learning of semantic locations and routes [6] to find frequent routes of a user, and found that our implementation on the contrary of [6] can discriminate directions, ie routes that go from A to B and routes that go from B to A are taken as different. Furthermore our implementation also permits the analysis of subsections of the routes, something that to our knowledge had not been carried out in previous related work.
Arsenic in Drinking Water and Risk of Urinary Tract Cancer: A Follow-up Study from Northeastern Taiwan

The evidence linking arsenic in drinking water with increased urinary cancer risk comes from populations in relatively high exposure areas (>100 μg/L), whereas studies from lower exposure areas (<100 μg/L) reported inconsistent results. A previous study conducted in northeastern Taiwan, where residents were exposed to relatively lower concentrations, reported increased risk of urinary cancer in a dose-response way. Using the same cohort with longer follow-up, we conducted analysis to elucidate the relationship between ingested arsenic and urinary cancer in lower exposure groups and assessed the influence of duration, recency, and latency of drinking arsenic-containing well water. A total of 8,086 residents from northeastern Taiwan were followed for 12 years. Incident urinary cancer was ascertained through linkage with the national cancer registry. All analysis was done by Cox proportional hazards regression models. There were 45 incidences of urinary cancer and a monotonic increased risk of urinary cancer was found with increasing arsenic concentration (P < 0.001). For the highly exposed (>100 μg/L), the relative risks (RR) were >5-fold, whereas the risk was elevated but not significant for low exposure (<100 μg/L). Relative to the arsenic concentration <10 μg/L, those who drank well water with higher concentration from birth [RR, 3.69; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.31-10.4], still drank at enrollment (RR, 3.50; 95% CI, 1.33-9.22), and drank for >50 years (RR, 4.12; 95% CI, 1.48-11.5) had a significantly increased risk of urinary cancer. When restricted to urothelial carcinoma, all risk estimates including concentration and characteristics of well water consumption were higher. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(1); 101–10
Modelling Learner's Personality Profile through Analysis of Annotation Digital Traces in Learning Environment

The researchers in education are interested to observing and modelling the learner, and adapting their learning experience accordingly. When learners read and interact actively with their reading materials, they do unselfconscious activities like annotation practices which can be key feature to their personalities. Annotation practices require the reader to be active with the document, to think critically and to make specific annotations in the margins of the text. In this paper we propose modeling learner's personality by referring to their annotations. The experiments show the significant role of annotation activity to reflect certain learner' personality traits.
Lazy group members are substitute helpers in carrion crows

In many cooperatively breeding societies, helping effort varies greatly among group members, raising the question of why dominant individuals tolerate lazy subordinates. In groups of carrion crows Corvus corone corone, helpers at the nest increase breeders' reproductive success, but chick provisioning is unevenly distributed among non-breeders, with a gradient that ranges from individuals that work as much as the breeders to others that completely refrain from visiting the nest. Here we show that lazy non-breeders represent an insurance workforce that fully compensates for a reduction in the provisioning effort of another group member, avoiding a decrease in reproductive success. When we temporarily impaired a carer, decreasing its nest attendance, the laziest non-breeders increased their provisioning rate and individuals that initially refrained from visiting the nest started helping. Breeders, in contrast, did not increase chick provisioning. This shows that lazy non-breeders can buffer a sudden unfavourable circumstance and suggests that group stability relies on the potential contribution of group members in addition to their current effort.
Computer vision for fruit harvesting robots - state of the art and challenges ahead

Despite extensive research conducted in machine vision for harvesting robots, practical success in this field of agrobotics is still limited. This article presents a comprehensive review of classical and state-of-the-art machine vision solutions employed in such systems, with special emphasis on the visual cues and machine vision algorithms used. We discuss the advantages and limitations of each approach and we examine these capacities in light of the challenges ahead. We conclude with suggested directions from the general computer vision literature which could assist our research community meet these challenges and bring us closer to the goal of practical selective fruit harvesting robots.
PerfEnforce: A Dynamic Scaling Engine for Analytics with Performance Guarantees

In this paper, we present PerfEnforce, a scaling engine designed to enable cloud providers to sell performance levels for data analytics cloud services. PerfEnforce scales a cluster of virtual machines allocated to a user in a way that minimizes cost while probabilistically meeting the query runtime guarantees offered by a service level agreement. With PerfEnforce, we show how to scale a cluster in a way that minimally disrupts a user's query session. We further show when to scale the cluster using one of three methods: feedback control, reinforcement learning, or perceptron learning. We find that perceptron learning outperforms the other two methods when making cluster scaling decisions.
Speech Enhancement Using EMD Based Adaptive Soft-Thresholding (EMD-ADT)

This paper presents a novel algorithm of speech enhancement using data adaptive softthresolding technique. The noisy speech signal is decomposed into a finite set of band limited signals called intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) using empirical mode decomposition (EMD). Each IMF is divided into fixed length subframes. On the basis of noise contamination, the subframes are classified into two groups – noise dominant and speech dominant. Only the noise dominant subframes are thresholded for noise suppression. A data adaptive threshold function is computed for individual IMF on the basis of its variance. We propose a function for optimum adaptation factor for adaptive thresholding which was previously prepared by the least squares method using the estimated input signal to noise ratio (SNR) and calculated adaptation factor to obtain maximum output SNR. Moreover, good efficiency of the algorithm is achieved by an appropriate subframe processing. After noise suppression, all the IMFs (including the residue) are summed up to reconstruct the enhanced speech signal. The experimental results illustrate that the proposed algorithm show a noticeable efficiency compared to the recently developed speech denoising methods.
The immunosuppressant FTY720 down‐regulates sphingosine 1‐phosphate G protein‐coupled receptors

FTY720 is an immunosuppressant that reduces circulating levels of naïve lymphocytes by increasing their localization and sequestration in secondary lymphoid organs. It is considered to be an agonist for sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) after phosphorylation at micromolar concentrations. We now describe its nonagonist and noncompetitive inhibitory activity at low nanomolar concentrations for types 1 and 5 S1P‐ GPCRs and of moderate potency for type 2 S1P‐GPCRs. FTY720 blocks S1P signaling through S1P1,2,5 by inducing their internalization and intracellular partial degradation without affecting S1P3 or S1P4. S1P‐R internalization is maximal several hours after only seconds of incubation with FTY720 at 37°C and washing, and continues for days before recovery of surface expression and functions. The timing and extent of S1P‐R internalization are highly dependent on FTY720 concentration. FTY720 is therefore an S1P‐GPCR‐selective and noncompetitive inhibitor with a unique mechanism of action.
Preservation of the properties of elastic plasma protein plus platelet film for wound dressing

Abstract Experimental results have previously been reported for a new biological dressing consisting of concentrated plasma proteins and platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which is named Platelet-Protein film (PPF). Based on the results of this experimental study, a clinical trial was begun to examine the usefulness of PPF. Although fresh autologous PPF is being used in the clinical trial, it is considered that the use of a preserved material prepared in advance would enable more convenient application. To verify the usefulness of preserved PPF, this preliminary study was conducted to examine the effects of fresh PPF, preserved PPF or blood clot, as control, applied to excisional skin defects in healing-impaired mice. The wound area and vascular density were analysed on day 9 after wound creation. Significant decrease of the wound size was observed in the preserved PPF and fresh PPF groups (4.2 (3.7), 2.2 (0.53)%) in comparison with that in the control group (38.5 (18.6)%, p < 0.05). Furthermore, a significant increase of the vascular density was also observed in the preserved PPF and fresh PPF groups (0.055 (0.021), 0.050 (0.019) mm2/mm2) as compared with that in the control group (0.016 (0.010) mm2, p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the effect on the wound size or vascular density between the preserved PPF and fresh PPF groups. The results showed that the properties of PPFs could be maintained for at least 1 week under appropriate storage conditions. The possibility of preservation of PPF for future use could be of practical advantage in actual clinical situations.
Electrical transport and magnetic properties of superconducting Mo52Re48 alloy

We report the study of temperature and magnetic field dependence of magnetization and resistivity of Mo52Re48 alloy superconductor. The transition temperature (TC) and zero temperature limit upper critical field (HC2(0)) are estimated to be about 13.4 K and 8.5 T which are higher than those for any Mo-Re alloys reported in literature. The critical current density is estimated to be about 6.2 × 108 A/m2 at 2 K which is nearly comparable to most of the commercial superconductors. These properties indicate that if tuned properly Mo-Re system may be useful for the high field application.
A continuum model of nanocrystalline metals under shock loading

Recent atomistic simulations have shown that grain boundary sliding in nanocrystals is altered under shock loading conditions. It is found that the high state of compression inhibits grain boundary sliding and reactivates intragrain dislocation activity. This leads to higher material strength and postpones the transition between these two deformation mechanisms to smaller grain size. We present here a continuum model aimed at extending the model proposed by Jérusalem et al for quasi-static and high rates (2007 Phil. Mag. 87 2541–59) to shock loading. To this end, the shock response of nanocrystals is investigated by accounting specifically for additional frictional deformation-inhibiting effects. The model is based on a numerical finite element discretization of the polycrystal, considered as a continuum, with embedded surfaces of discontinuity accounting for the grain boundary response. Interface elements are formulated to account for the special kinematics of grain boundaries, i.e. to describe grain boundary frictional sliding and other accommodation mechanisms. The response of grain interiors is modeled with a high rate equation of state for the volumetric response and a simple plasticity model to describe their deviatoric response. A large-scale parallel computing framework is finally developed to calibrate and investigate the specificities of the deformation mechanisms under shock loading conditions, and the results are compared in detail with atomistic results. As a conclusion, this extended three-dimensional continuum model constitutes a promising first step for the characterization of large-scale nanocrystalline deformation under the most complete range of loading rates yet proposed in continuum simulations, namely, from quasi-static to shock loading.
Estimating sensor population via probabilistic sequential polling

A probabilistic sequential polling protocol (PSPP) is presented for the estimation of the sensor population in a large-scale sensor network with a mobile access point. It is shown that PSPP requires O(log/sub 2/N) sensor transmissions and a total of O((log/sub 2/N)/sup 2/) polls to achieve an arbitrarily predetermined level of accuracy.
Moodle Predicta: A Data Mining Tool for Student Follow Up

: Educational data mining (EDM) aims to ﬁnd useful patterns in large volumes of data from teaching/learning environments, increasing academic results. However, EDM requires previous and deep knowledge of data mining methods and techniques, involving several computing paradigms, preprocessing and results’ interpretation. In this paper, Moodle Predicta, an educational data mining desktop tool is presented. This software is developed in Java and enables non-expert data mining users to enjoy beneﬁts from EDM, within the Moodle system. Divided in two modules, Moodle Predicta allows: (i) visualization of Moodle courses data; and (ii) predict students’ performance.
Using space transformation for exact diagnostic of induction motor stator faults

Space transformation transfers 3 phase currents to one space (Parkpsilas) vector. Frequency component of space vector magnitude MagP2fl at 2fl is the basic diagnostic symptom. In the paper the analysis of possible cause of 3-phase current system unbalance due to stator faults are discussed and it is shown, that stator faults induce amplitude, phase or harmonic distortion unbalance. By comparing the measured and computed values of MagP2fl only for one of three cause of unbalance we can ascertain the contribution of individual influences to overall unbalance. MagP2fl is influenced both by stator faults and unfortunately also the overall state of 3-phase feeding system which itself can be unbalanced and causes additional error. Experiments were made at motors with artificially evoked faults of various sizes and severity simulating short winding in phase and simulating increasing stator winding resistance and their relations to values of MagP2fl examined for various motor loads. The influence of fed system on MagP2fl was searched by measurement the same stator faults for mains fed and inverter fed motors and correction for unbalanced fed system was proposed to ensure exact determination of diagnostic symptom. For the determination of degree of fault severity and for the comparison of stator fault for various induction motors the normalization coefficient is proposed.
Oxidative Damage and the Prevention of Age-Related Cataracts

Purpose: Cataracts are often considered to be an unavoidable consequence of aging. Oxidative damage is a major cause or consequence of cortical and nuclear cataracts, the most common types of age-related cataracts. Methods: In this review, we consider the different risk factors, natural history and etiology of each of the 3 major types of age-related cataract, as well as the potential sources of oxidative injury to the lens and the mechanisms that protect against these insults. The evidence linking different oxidative stresses to the different types of cataracts is critically evaluated. Results: We conclude from this analysis that the evidence for a causal role of oxidation is strong for nuclear, but substantially lower for cortical and posterior subcapsular cataracts. The preponderance of evidence suggests that exposure to increased levels of molecular oxygen accelerates the age-related opacification of the lens nucleus, leading to nuclear cataract. Factors in the eye that maintain low oxygen partial pressure around the lens are, therefore, important in protecting the lens from nuclear cataract. Conclusions: Maintaining or restoring the low oxygen partial pressure around that lens should decrease or prevent nuclear cataracts.
Cytoplasm‐localized SIRT1 enhances apoptosis

In general, SIRT1 is localized in nuclei. Here, we showed that endogenous and exogenous SIRT1 were both able to partially localize in cytoplasm in certain cell lines, and cytoplasm‐localized SIRT1 was associated with apoptosis and led to increased sensitivity to apoptosis. Furthermore, we demonstrated that translocation of nucleus‐localized SIRT1 from nuclei to cytoplasm was the main pathway leading to localization of SIRT1 in cytoplasm. In HeLa cells, wild type SIRT1 was completely localized in nuclei. By truncation of two predicted nuclear localization signals or fusion with an exogenous nuclear export signal, SIRT1 was partially localized in cytoplasm of HeLa cells and resulted in increased sensitivity to apoptosis. The apoptosis enhanced by cytoplasm‐localized SIRT1 was independent of its deacetylase activity, but dependent on caspases. SIRT1 was distributed in cytoplasm at metaphase during mitosis, and overexpression of SIRT1 significantly augmented apoptosis for cells at metaphase. In summary, we found SIRT1 is able to localize in cytoplasm, and cytoplasm‐localized SIRT1 enhances apoptosis. J. Cell. Physiol. 213: 88–97, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

The first laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH) was performed in January 1988 by Harry Reich in Pennsylvania. There has been a great increase in interest following the introduction of LH but most surgeons now perform laparoscopically-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) and then total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH). This minimal access surgical procedure was designed to be an alternative to abdominal hysterectomy and not vaginal hysterectomy. Benign uterine diseases of uterus are very common and often need hysterectomy and laparotomy.
The key mimetic features of hoverflies through avian eyes

Batesian mimicry occurs when a palatable species (the mimic) gains protection from predators by resembling an unpalatable or otherwise protected species (the model). While some mimetic species resemble their models closely, other species (‘imperfect mimics’) are thought to bear only a crude likeness. In an earlier study, pigeons (Columba livia) were trained to recognize wasp images in one experiment and non-mimetic (NM) fly images in another by rewarding the pigeons for pecking on the respective image types. These pigeons were subsequently presented with different images, including seemingly wasp-like hoverfly species, and the recorded peck rates on these images were used as a measure of the pigeons' perception of the hoverflies' mimetic similarity. To identify a candidate set of morphological features that the pigeons used when assessing this mimetic similarity, we first extracted a range of biometrical measurements from images originally presented to the pigeons. We then repeatedly optimized an empirical model in an attempt to match the recorded pigeon peck rates while using as few biometrical features as input as possible. Our models were able to fit the pigeon peck rates with considerable accuracy even while excluding many input features. Antennal length, a feature commonly used to discriminate between flies and wasps, was regularly retained as an input variable, but overall a different set of biometrical features was important for predicting the peck rates of pigeons rewarded for identifying wasps compared to those rewarded for identifying NM flies. In highlighting the importance of specific biometrical features in promoting mimicry and the irrelevance of others, our optimized models provide an explanation as to why certain species that appear to be poor mimics to humans are judged to be good mimics by birds.
Natural evolution of CD4+ cell count in patients with CD4 >350 or >500 cells/mm3 at the time of diagnosis according to HIV‐1 coreceptor tropism

The HIV‐1 coreceptor usage may play a critical role in AIDS pathogenesis and the X4‐using viruses are considered to be more pathogenic than the R5‐tropic viruses. These observations may influence the therapeutic decisions by asking for an earlier antiretroviral (ARV) treatment for the patients infected by the X4‐tropic viruses compared with those infected by the R5‐tropic viruses. The natural evolution of CD4+ cell count for 109 non‐treated patients infected by the R5‐ or X4‐tropic HIV‐1 viruses with CD4+ >350 and >500 cells/mm3 at time of diagnosis was compared until the initiation of an ARV regimen. The coreceptor usage was determined from the V3 env region sequence by Geno2Pheno (false positive rate 10%). A mixed linear regression model to analyse the CD4+ data with tropism as fixed effect in the model was used. Overall, 93 (85.3%) and 16 (14.7%) were infected by R5‐ and X4‐tropic viruses, respectively. The median age, baseline CD4+ cell count, and viral load were 34 years (IQR: 30–42), 523 cells/mm3 (IQR: 420–604), and 4.5 log10 copies/ml (IQR: 3.9–5.0), respectively. There was no statistical difference in time to progression between the patients harboring R5‐ or X4‐tropic viruses. The same results were observed for the sub‐group of patients with CD4+ cell count >500 cells/mm3. The virus tropism has no impact on the CD4+ cell count evolution in these HIV‐1 patients diagnosed with CD4+ >350 or >500 cells/mm3 suggesting that the tropism determination at time of diagnosis does not seem to be a useful tool to predict the clinical progression. J. Med. Virol. 84:1853–1856, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the Significance of Effective Modulus Solutions for Fibrous Composites

The concept of effective moduli is widely used in the analysis and design of structural fibrous composites. In this approach, composite bodies are treated as laminated systems in which each layer is represented as a homogeneous anisotropic material. This approach, however, breaks down in the presence of non-uniform macroscopic stress fields. In this work, we attempt to examine the physical significance of effective modulus solutions in such cases by comparison with solutions in which the microstructure is recognized. While the meaning of a non-uniform stress field predicted by the effective modulus approach is generally ambiguous, we find, at least in the problems treated here, that the respective stresses averaged over dimensions comparable to fiber spacing agree quite well with corresponding exact averages. An example is presented which demonstrates that the effective modulus stress field cannot predict the correct physical response while the average stresses are at least qualitatively correct. Finally, an elementary approximate theory for the determination of average interlaminar normal stresses in the laminate free-edge problem is developed.