Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Carotid intima–media thickness, carotid distensibility and mitral, aortic valve calcification: a useful diagnostic parameter of systemic atherosclerotic disease

Background Mitral (MAC) and aortic (AVC) calcification are observed more frequently in the elderly and are associated with coronary artery disease, aortic atheroma and peripheral arterial atherosclerotic disease. Common carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT) and distensibility (cDIST) are also independent predictors of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. We examined the relationship between the degree of MAC–AVC and cIMT and cDIST. Methods and results One hundred and forty-three patients referred for transthoracic echocardiography and carotid artery echo-Doppler were evaluated; the variables measured were: systemic blood pressure, pulse pressure; body mass index, traditional risk factors, cIMT, cDIST (cDIST = [(csD – cdD)/PP]/csD; where csD and cdD were systolic and diastolic carotid diameters, respectively). MAC and AVC score, based on acoustic densitometry, were: 1 = absence of annular/valvular (av) sclerosis/calcification; 2 = av sclerosis; 3 = av calcification; 4 = av calcification; 5 = av calcification with no recognition of the leaflets; the resulting score was the highest for either valvular annulus. Mean cIMT increased linearly with increasing valvular calcification score (P < 0.0001) whereas cDIST decreased for scores 1 to 5 (P < 0.0001). Distribution of cIMT quartiles showed that 75% of the patients in the lowest quartile had a score of 1 and 70% of patients in the highest quartile had a score of 5; 47% of the patients in the highest quartile of cDIST had a score of 1, whereas 60% of patients in the lowest quartile of cDIST had a score of 4. Conclusions The MAC and AVC score identifies subgroups of patients with different cIMT and cDIST. These data may confirm MAC–AVC as a useful important diagnostic parameter of systemic atherosclerotic disease.
Object-level fusion and confidence management in a multi-sensor pedestrian tracking system

This paper describes a multi-sensor fusion system dedicated to detect, recognize and track pedestrians. The fusion by tracking method is used to fuse asynchronous data provided by different sensors with complementary and supplementary fields of view. The confidence in detection and recognition is calculated based in geometric features and it is updated using the transferable belief model framework. The vehicle proprioceptive data are filtered by a separate Kalman filter and are used to estimate the relative and the absolute state of detected pedestrians. Results are shown with experimental data acquired in urban environment.
CRISIS EFFECTS ON INTRAORGANIZATIONAL COMPUTER-BASED COMMUNICATION

This research examined an organization's change in computer-based communication structures in response to a crisis. All private electronic mail messages were captured in a state extension organization for one year. Month-by-month network analysis revealed that electronic mail patterns changed with the occurrence of a crisis associated with merger, funding changes, and staff positions. Amount of communication increased. Number of communicators increased. Messages became shorter. Individual-level networks became less interlocking. One large user group formed. Finally, communication structures largely returned to baselines without oscillation. Content analysis of messages revealed significant increases in words associated with the organizational changes. This evidence helped rule out rival explanations. The study illustrated some of the advantages of research using computer-based and monitored communication data. Findings from earlier crisis research were testable in a naturalistic, unobtrusive, quantitative case study using network analysis and content analysis.
A Codesign of Scheduling and Parallelization for Large Model Training in Heterogeneous Clusters

Joint consideration of scheduling and adaptive parallelism offers great opportunities for improving the training efficiency of large models on heterogeneous GPU clusters. However, integrating adaptive parallelism into a cluster scheduler expands the cluster scheduling space. The new space is the product of the original scheduling space and the parallelism exploration space of adaptive parallelism (also a product of pipeline, data, and tensor parallelism). The exponentially enlarged scheduling space and ever-changing optimal parallelism plan from adaptive parallelism together result in the contradiction between low-overhead and accurate performance data acquisition for efficient cluster scheduling. This paper presents Crius, a training system for efficiently scheduling multiple large models with adaptive parallelism in a heterogeneous cluster. Crius proposes a novel scheduling granularity called Cell. It represents a job with deterministic resources and pipeline stages. The exploration space of Cell is shrunk to the product of only data and tensor parallelism, thus exposing the potential for accurate and low-overhead performance estimation. Crius then accurately estimates Cells and efficiently schedules training jobs. When a Cell is selected as a scheduling choice, its represented job runs with the optimal parallelism plan explored. Experimental results show that Crius reduces job completion time by up to 48.9% and schedules large models with up to 1.49x cluster throughput improvement.
Robust stability and stabilization for singular systems with state delay and parameter uncertainty

Considers the problems of robust stability and stabilization for uncertain continuous singular systems with state delay. The parametric uncertainty is assumed to be norm bounded. The purpose of the robust stability problem is to give conditions such that the uncertain singular system is regular, impulse free, and stable for all admissible uncertainties, while the purpose of the robust stabilization is to design a state feedback control law such that the resulting closed-loop system is robustly stable. These problems are solved via the notions of generalized quadratic stability and generalized quadratic stabilization, respectively. Necessary and sufficient conditions for generalized quadratic stability and generalized quadratic stabilization are derived. A strict linear matrix inequality (LMI) design approach is developed. An explicit expression for the desired robust state feedback control law is also given. Finally, a numerical example is provided to demonstrate the application of the proposed method.
Reactive Oxygen Species Mediate Caspase Activation and Apoptosis Induced by Lipoic Acid in Human Lung Epithelial Cancer Cells through Bcl-2 Down-Regulation

The antioxidant α-lipoic acid (LA) is a naturally occurring compound that has been shown to possess promising anticancer activity because of its ability to preferentially induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation of cancer cells relative to normal cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the apoptotic effect of LA are not well understood. We report here that LA induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and a concomitant increase in apoptosis of human lung epithelial cancer H460 cells. Inhibition of ROS generation by ROS scavengers or by overexpression of antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase effectively inhibited LA-induced apoptosis, indicating the role of ROS, especially hydroperoxide and superoxide anion, in the apoptotic process. Apoptosis induced by LA was found to be mediated through the mitochondrial death pathway, which requires caspase-9 activation. Inhibition of caspase activity by the pan-caspase inhibitor (z-VAD-FMK) or caspase-9-specific inhibitor (z-LEHD-FMK) completely inhibited the apoptotic effect of LA. Likewise, the mitochondrial respiratory chain inhibitor rotenone potently inhibited the apoptotic and ROS-inducing effects of LA, supporting the role of mitochondrial ROS in LA-induced cell death. LA induced down-regulation of mitochondrial Bcl-2 protein through peroxide-dependent proteasomal degradation, and overexpression of the Bcl-2 protein prevented the apoptotic effect of LA. Together, our findings indicate a novel pro-oxidant role of LA in apoptosis induction and its regulation by Bcl-2, which may be exploited for the treatment of cancer and related apoptosis disorders.
Fibronectin-mediated adhesion of fibroblasts: inhibition by dermatan sulfate proteoglycan and evidence for a cryptic glycosaminoglycan- binding domain

Dermatan sulfate proteoglycans (DS-PGs) isolated from bovine articular cartilage have been examined for their effects on the adhesive responses of BALB/c 3T3 cells and bovine dermal fibroblasts on plasma fibronectin (pFN) and/or type I collagen matrices, and compared to the effects of the chondroitin sulfate/keratan sulfate proteoglycan monomers (CS/KS-PGs) from cartilage. DS-PGs inhibited the attachment and spreading of 3T3 cells on pFN-coated tissue culture substrata much more effectively than the cartilage CS/KS-PGs reported previously; in contrast, dermal fibroblasts were much less sensitive to either proteoglycan class unless they were pretreated with cycloheximide. Both cell types failed to adhere to substrata coated only with the proteoglycans; binding of the proteoglycans to various substrata has also been quantitated. While a strong inhibitory effect was obtained with the native intact DS-PGs, little inhibitory effect was obtained with isolated DS chains (liberated by alkaline-borohydride cleavage) or with core protein preparations (liberated by chondroitinase ABC digestion). In marked contrast, DS-PGs did not inhibit attachment or spreading responses of either 3T3 or dermal fibroblasts on type I collagen-coated substrata when the collagen was absorbed with pFN alone, DS-PGs alone, or the two in combination. These results support evidence for (a) collagen-dependent, fibronectin-independent mechanisms of adhesion of fibroblasts, and (b) different sites on the collagen fibrils where DS-PGs bind and where cell surface "receptors" for collagen bind. Experiments were developed to determine the mechanism(s) of inhibition. All evidence indicated that the mechanism using the intact pFN molecule involved the binding of the DS-PGs to the glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-binding sites of substratum-bound pFN, thereby inhibiting the interaction of the fibronectin with receptors on the cell surface. This was supported by affinity chromatography studies demonstrating that DS-PGs bind completely and effectively to pFN- Sepharose columns whereas only a subset of the cartilage CS/KS-PG binds weakly to these columns. In contrast, when a 120-kD chymotrypsin- generated cell-binding fragment of pFN (CBF which has no detectable GAG- binding activity as a soluble ligand) was tested in adhesion assays, DS- PGs inhibited 3T3 adherence on CBF more effectively than on intact pFN. A variety of experiments indicated that the mechanism of this inhibition also involved the binding of DS-PGs to only substratum-bound CBF due to the presence of a cryptic GAG-binding domain not observed in the soluble CBF. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Invited review: Neural control of phenotypic expression in mammalian muscle fibers

In this review, the present knowledge about the mechanisms involved in the control of the phenotypic expression of mammalian muscle fibers is summarized. There is a discussion as to how the activity imposed on the muscle fibers by the motoneuron finally induces in the muscle cells the expression of those genes that define its particular phenotype. The functional and molecular heterogeneity of skeletal muscle is thus defined by the existence of motor units with varied function, while the homogeneity of muscle fibers belonging to the same motor unit is yet another indication of the importance of activity in the control of gene expression of the mammalian muscle fiber.
Understanding the Mechanisms Underlying the Production of Facial Expression of Emotion: A Componential Perspective

We highlight the need to focus on the underlying determinants and production mechanisms to fully understand the nature of facial expression of emotion and to settle the theoretical debate about the meaning of motor expression. Although emotion theorists have generally remained rather vague about the details of the process, this has been a central concern of componential appraisal theories. We describe the fundamental assumptions and predictions of this approach regarding the patterning of facial expressions for different emotions. We also review recent evidence for the assumption that specific facial muscle movements may be reliable symptoms of certain appraisal outcomes and that facial expressions unfold over time on the basis of a sequence of appraisal check results.
Determination of Hilbert modular forms using squarefree coefficients

Let $F$ (over $\mathbb{Q}$) be a totally real number field of narrow class number $1$. We generalize a result of Kohnen on the determination of half integral weight modular forms by their Fourier coefficients supported on squarefree (algebraic) integers. We also give a soft proof that infinitely many Fourier coefficients supported on squarefree integers are non-vanishing.
Structure, content, and language usage: how do exceptional and average storywriters differ?

Narrative understanding has been identified as a primary mode of human thought that informs us about the nature, causes and consequences of human actions and interactions and, as such, underlies social knowledge. The development of narrative thought was compared across talented and average functioning writers by analyzing the structural and linguistic complexity displayed in the story compositions and story interpretations of 151 boys and girls, aged 10‐ to 18‐years‐old. Ability, age and gender differences were observed. Consistent with the neo‐Piagetian literature, ability differences were largely linguistic, rather than structural or content‐focused.
Light-responsive helical polypeptides capable of reducing toxicity and unpacking DNA: toward nonviral gene delivery.

Non-viral gene delivery using synthetic cationic polymeric vectors is widely recognized as an attractive alternative to viral gene delivery which suffers from inherent immunogenicity and various side effects. [1] The transfection efficiency and chemotoxicity of these polymeric vectors are often closely related to their cationic charge density. [2] Materials with low charge density usually show low toxicity but are often poor transfection agents. Polycations with high charge density could mediate effective gene transfer which is however often associated with significant, charge-induced toxicity. [3] When modified with various charge-reducing moieties, including saccharides,[4] hydrocarbons,[5] and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG),[6] polycations often benefit from improved safety profiles while in the meantime suffer from significantly reduced gene delivery capabilities. In addition to the charge-induced toxicity, excessive positive charges on polycations would also enhance the electrostatic attraction with the nucleic acids to restrict intracellular gene release. [3g,7] Therefore, it would be of great interest to develop a highly charged polycation that possesses full transfection capacity and membrane activity during the course of gene transfer, but can be triggered to transform to a less charged or uncharged material with low membrane activity post-transfection, such that intracellular DNA unpackaging can be facilitated and toxicity can be reduced. [8]
Contrary effects of group cohesiveness in minority influence: Intergroup categorization of the source and levels of influence

The roles of group cohesiveness and intergroup categorization of the source in minority influence were studied in a 2 (high versus low cohesiveness) × 2 (ingroup versus outgroup source) × 3 (phases) factorial design. Six subjects forming a group were confronted with a confederate defending a minority position in a perceptual task. The results indicated a manifest influence effect (slide colour), accompanied by a latent polarization (afterimage) in the high cohesrveness/outgroup source condition, and a latent unfluence effect in the low cohesiveness/ingroup source condition.
The New Constitution as European Demoi-cracy?

How should we assess the project for a Constitution presented by the Convention on the Future of Europe? This paper argues that in order to succeed, an EU Constitution would need to present a positive vision of what democracy in Europe is about. While the draft Constitution fails in finding the right language in this regard, it does nevertheless contain an all too implicit manifesto: that ours is a European demoicracy founded on the recognition of the persistent plurality of its component peoples but not reducible to a set of complex bargains between sovereign states. The paper analyses the main feature of the draft Constitution against this benchmark and argues that it is closer to the spirit of demoicracy when dealing with the vertical relationship between the Union and its member-states than when dealing with the horizontal relationship among the member-states themselves.
Exposing the hidden layers and interplay in the quantum software stack

Current and near-future quantum computers face resource limitations due to noise and low qubit counts. Despite this, effective quantum advantage can still be achieved due to the exponential nature of bit-to-qubit conversion. However, optimizing the software architecture of these systems is essential to utilize available resources efficiently. Unfortunately, the focus on user-friendly quantum computers has obscured critical steps in the software stack, leading to ripple effects into the stack's upper layer induced by limitations in current qubit implementations. This paper unveils the hidden interplay among layers of the quantum software stack.
Management as ideology: the case of ‘new managerialism’ in higher education

The paper explores ideological conceptions of management, especially ‘new managerialism’, with particular reference to their role in the reform of higher education. It is suggested that attempts to reform public services in general are political as well as technical, though there is no single unitary ideology of ‘new managerialism’. Whilst some argue that managers have become a class and have particular interests, this may not be so for all public services. The arguments presented are illustrated by data taken from a recent research project on the management of UK higher education. It is suggested that managers in public service organisations such as universities do not constitute a class. However, as in the case of manager‐academics, managing a contemporary public service such as higher education may involve taking on the ideologies and values of ‘new managerialism’, and for some, embracing these. So management ideologies do seem to serve the interests of manager‐academics and help cement relations of power and dominance, even in contexts like universities which were not traditionally associated with the dominance of management.
Investigation of interfacial delamination for Cu/low k structures during flip-chip packaging

Chip-packaging interaction is becoming a more and more interesting and critical issue during package assembly. Since traditional ILD material, TEOS, is being replaced by much weaker low k materials, packaging is suspected to affect the reliability of Cu/low k interconnects. Packaging induced interfacial delamination along low k material interfaces has been widely observed. Thermal deformation of a package is directly related to the reliability of Cu/low k interconnects located at the chip surface. In this paper, we will first review the experimental techniques for package thermal deformation measurement and interfacial fracture energy measurement for low k interfaces. Then 3D finite element analysis (FEA) based on a multilevel sub-modeling approach in combination with high-resolution moire interferometry is employed to examine the packaging effect on low k interconnect reliability. Packaging induced crack driving forces for low k interface delaminations are obtained. Our research results indicate that packaging assembly can significantly impact wafer-level reliability causing interfacial delamination to become a serious reliability concern for Cu/low k structures.
EVOLVE: A tool for evaluating the design of older people's housing

EVOLVE is a tool for evaluating the design of housing for older people. It is used to assess how well a building contributes to the physical support and personal well‐being of older people. Developed from research into extra care housing, it can be used for a variety of building types, including sheltered housing and individual private houses. The tool can be used by architects, housing providers, commissioners, researchers and individual tenants or home owners. EVOLVE can be used as a briefing document or an aid to design. It can provide a rational basis to the selection of proposals in a competitive procurement process. The EVOLVE tool can also be used to evaluate existing housing stock, including schemes where remodelling is under consideration.
Quality of life: A process view

Abstract The use of quality of life assessments in clinical trials and general medical settings has proliferated, though the conceptualization of quality of life, and the cognitive processes underlying its judgement, have been neglected. To meet the needs of outcome assessments, available assessment tools currently mix function, affect, and quality of life items within the same scales. A process-oriented approach to quality of life disentangles determinants of quality of life (such as affect and function) from judgements of quality of life. The process model addresses three issues: (1) how patients attribute symptoms, emotions, and functioning to disease or treatment; (2) how individuals interpret and assign meaning to physical and emotional sensations; and (3) how patients integrate their assessments into overall quality of life judgements. Thus, in this model, the very same symptoms can be interpreted by one patient as detracting from quality of life, while another patient may see them as positively con.
M^3RS: Multi-robot, Multi-objective, and Multi-mode Routing and Scheduling

In this paper, we present a novel problem coined multi-robot, multi-objective, and multi-mode routing and scheduling (M^3RS). The formulation for M^3RS is introduced for time-bound multi-robot, multi-objective routing and scheduling missions where each task has multiple execution modes. Different execution modes have distinct resource consumption, associated execution time, and quality. M^3RS assigns the optimal sequence of tasks and the execution modes to each agent. The routes and associated modes depend on user preferences for different objective criteria. The need for M^3RS comes from multi-robot applications in which a trade-off between multiple criteria arises from different task execution modes. We use M^3RS for the application of multi-robot disinfection in public locations. The objectives considered for disinfection application are disinfection quality and number of tasks completed. A mixed-integer linear programming model is proposed for M^3RS. Then, a time-efficient column generation scheme is presented to tackle the issue of computation times for larger problem instances. The advantage of using multiple modes over fixed execution mode is demonstrated using experiments on synthetic data. The results suggest that M^3RS provides flexibility to the user in terms of available solutions and performs well in joint performance metrics. The application of the proposed problem is shown for a team of disinfection robots. } The videos for the experiments are available on the project website: https://sites.google. com/view/g-robot/m3rs/ .