Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hypoxia Inducible Factor Signaling Modulates Susceptibility to Mycobacterial Infection via a Nitric Oxide Dependent Mechanism

Tuberculosis is a current major world-health problem, exacerbated by the causative pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), becoming increasingly resistant to conventional antibiotic treatment. Mtb is able to counteract the bactericidal mechanisms of leukocytes to survive intracellularly and develop a niche permissive for proliferation and dissemination. Understanding of the pathogenesis of mycobacterial infections such as tuberculosis (TB) remains limited, especially for early infection and for reactivation of latent infection. Signaling via hypoxia inducible factor α (HIF-α) transcription factors has previously been implicated in leukocyte activation and host defence. We have previously shown that hypoxic signaling via stabilization of Hif-1α prolongs the functionality of leukocytes in the innate immune response to injury. We sought to manipulate Hif-α signaling in a well-established Mycobacterium marinum (Mm) zebrafish model of TB to investigate effects on the host's ability to combat mycobacterial infection. Stabilization of host Hif-1α, both pharmacologically and genetically, at early stages of Mm infection was able to reduce the bacterial burden of infected larvae. Increasing Hif-1α signaling enhanced levels of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in neutrophils prior to infection and was able to reduce larval mycobacterial burden. Conversely, decreasing Hif-2α signaling enhanced RNS levels and reduced bacterial burden, demonstrating that Hif-1α and Hif-2α have opposing effects on host susceptibility to mycobacterial infection. The antimicrobial effect of Hif-1α stabilization, and Hif-2α reduction, were demonstrated to be dependent on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) signaling at early stages of infection. Our findings indicate that induction of leukocyte iNOS by stabilizing Hif-1α, or reducing Hif-2α, aids the host during early stages of Mm infection. Stabilization of Hif-1α therefore represents a potential target for therapeutic intervention against tuberculosis.
A Semantic Bayesian Network for Web Mashup Network Construction

With a mashup network in which a link indicates that two applications are mashupable, building a mashup can be simplified into network navigation. This paper presents an approach that constructs a Web mashup network by learning a semantic Bayesian network using a semi-supervised learning method. An RDF model is defined to describe attributes and activities of applications. To process all information sources on the Semantic Web, a semantic Bayesian network (sBN) is proposed where a semantic sub graph template defined using a SPARQL query is used to describe the information about the graph structure. The sBN offers more powerful abilities to process the information sources on Semantic Web, especially the graph structure. To improve the learning performance, a semi-supervised learning method that makes use of both labeled and unlabeled data is proposed. We ran the approach on a data set containing 100 applications collected from the website Programmableweb.com and 3077 links checked manually. The results show that the approach outperforms the PRL and the rule-based methods, and the semi-supervised learning method achieved big improvements in recall and, compared with the direct learning method.
Learning Logic Programs with Unary Partial Function Graph Background Knowledge (extended abstract)

The product homomorphism method is a combinatorial tool that can be used to develop polynomial PAC-learning algorithms in predicate logic. Using the product homomorphism method, we show that a single nonrecursive definite Horn clause is polynomially PAC-learnable if the background knowledge is a function-free extensional database over a single binary predicate and the ground atoms in the background knowledge form a unary partial function. That is, the background knowledge corresponds to a directed graph, where each node has outdegree at most 1. The proof is based on a detailed analysis of products and homomorphisms of the class of digraphs corresponding to unary partial functions.
Exciting Trajectories Design for the Dynamic Identification of Parallel Manipulators

Abstract In order to achieve accurate dynamic identification of parallel manipulators, the exciting trajectories have to be specially designed according to some optimal criteria. Two different criteria are developed based on the Weighted Least Squares (WLS) dynamic equations of parallel manipulators. Then the exciting trajectories are parameterized with the finite Fourier series, and optimized by the nonlinear optimization algorithm. The exciting trajectories and dynamic identification are implemented on a 2-DOF redundantly actuated parallel manipulator, and the experiment results indicate that the accurate dynamic model can be established by using the proposed method.
Diluting education? An ethnographic study of change in an Australian Ministry of Education

This ethnographic study captures the processes that led to change in an Australian public education system. The changes were driven by strong neo-liberal discourses which resulted in a shift from a shared understanding about leading educational change in schools by knowledge transfer to managing educational change as a process, in other words, allowing the schools to decide how to change. Inside an Australian state education bureaucracy at a time when the organisation was restructured and services decentralised, this study helps show some of the disturbing trends resulting from the further entrenchment of neo-liberal strategies. Although control was re-centralised by legitimising performance mechanisms, in the form of national testing, there are indications that the focus on national tests may have alarming consequences for the content and context of education. I argue that the complexities of learning and fundamental pedagogies are being lost in preference for an over-reliance on data systems that are based on a shallow and narrow set of standardised measures.
Acute Cardiovascular Care: Intraaortic balloon support for myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock*

Approximately 5–10% of patients after an acute myocardial infarction present with cardiogenic shock. In Europe approximately, 60,000 to 70,000 patients present with cardiogenic shock each year. In the last decade the mortality of cardiogenic shock patients could be reduced mainly by early revascularization. Nevertheless, mortality of these patients is still extremely high with approximately half of the patients dying within the ﬁ rst 30 days. in of shock patients.
Control of Flying Capacitor Multilevel converter in fault state after grid disturbance

An effective HW reconfiguration of a FCM (Flying Capacitor Multilevel) converter and also of its control algorithm in case of a fault of one element in the converter phase is presented. A strategy starts from the theory of FCM converters with unequal distribution of voltages on converter capacitors. The use of additional switching elements and capacitors with higher rated voltage is a necessary condition for the presented approach. Because a number of redundant switching states in faulted phases is limited, joint-phase redundancies are recommended to be used to balance capacitor voltages. The case of a 4-level FCM converter is analyzed in detail as an example.
Business Process Management and Six Sigma: Leveraging the Synergistic Relationship

In this chapter, the authors establish the existence of a synergistic relationship between two complementary methodologies, Business Process Management (BPM) and Six Sigma, through literature review and suggest methods to exploit the same. Six Sigma provides incremental improvement through its analytical abilities and is complemented by BPM which provides the data from the ongoing processes on a real time basis. The authors discuss two perspectives on how to synergize these methodologies. Firstly, achieve hybrid BPM-Six Sigma by substituting Improve and Manage steps of BPM with the DMAIC of Six Sigma methodology. Secondly, utilize Six Sigma methodology for analysis on data generated by BPM. The application of the integration of BPM and Six Sigma is presented through case studies from financial services companies. The authors also present the key features of BPM tools that can assist Six Sigma in every phase of its implementation. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-0249-6.ch005
Treatment of the Posterolateral Tibial Plateau Fractures using the Anterior Surgical Approach

Background: Fracture of the posterolateral tibial plateau is relatively uncommon. While surgical treatment by the posterior approach is theoretically ideal, this approach is associated with numerous complications. We describe a series of fractures of the posterolateral tibial plateau treated by the anterior surgical approach. Methods: Fifteen patients with posterolateral tibial plateau fractures were included in this study. All patients were treated operatively using the anterior approach. The quality of fracture reduction was evaluated and functional results were estimated by the Hospital for Special Surgery knee scoring system. Results: The most common cause of fracture was a motor scooter accident (86%, 13 of 15 patients), which may have resulted in the protective front plate of the scooter hitting the knee in the flexion position, causing an axial compression and valgus force, resulting in the fracture of the posterolateral tibial plateau. The average knee motion after surgery was 0–124° of flexion and 14 out of 15 patients (93%) experienced satisfactory articular reduction. There were no postoperative neural or vascular injuries and no wound complications. The average Hospital for Special Surgery knee score was 92 (range, 74–98). Conclusions: In our series, with careful preoperative planning, the anterior approach for the surgical treatment of posterolateral tibial plateau fractures had no complications and was associated with satisfactory outcomes.
Attracting Supermarkets to Inner-City Neighborhoods: Economic Development Outside the Box

The paucity of accessible supermarkets is a continuing concern in inner-city communities. Based on a survey of planners in 32 communities, this article examines initiatives to encourage grocery retail investment, reasons for the existence or absence of initiatives, and factors in successful developments. This research shows that systematic, citywide grocery initiatives are rare, with such efforts limited to particular sites or developments. Reliance on private initiatives, absence of grassroots requests for action, and assignment of lower priority to grocery stores in commercial revitalization programs explain planner inaction. Successful initiatives are characterized by political leadership, competent public agency participation, and, often, partnerships with nonprofit agencies. This article also presents recommendations for community and economic development planners to increase grocery investment in underserved areas.
Tensor approximation in visualization and graphics

In this course, we will introduce the basic concepts of tensor approximation (TA) – a higher-order generalization of the SVD and PCA methods – as well as its applications to visual data representation, analysis and visualization, and bring the TA framework closer to visualization and computer graphics researchers and practitioners. The course will cover the theoretical background of TA methods, their properties and how to compute them, as well as practical applications of TA methods in visualization and computer graphics contexts. In a first theoretical part, the attendees will be instructed on the necessary mathematical background of TA methods to learn the basics skills of using and applying these new tools in the context of the representation of large multidimensional visual data. Specific and very noteworthy features of the TA framework are highlighted which can effectively be exploited for spatio-temporal multidimensional data representation and visualization purposes. In two application oriented sessions, compact TA data representation in scientific visualization and computer graphics as well as decomposition and reconstruction algorithms will be demonstrated. At the end of the course, the participants will have a good basic knowledge of TA methods along with a practical understanding of its potential application in visualization and graphics related projects.
Network synchronization—Stand-alone products that support the design of synchronization networks

The telecommunications industry acknowledges the importance of good network synchronization, in particular, following the introduction of digital techniques and telecommunications technologies such as WCDMA. What is more, the introduction of Ethernet networks, and the growing number of hybrid (packet- and circuit-switched) network architectures makes clear the requirement to maintain synchronization quality as a means of guaranteeing quality of service (QoS). To support evolving telecommunications networks, Ericsson provides effective site and network solutions—for example, the Mobile Packet Backbone Network (Mobile-PBN)—as well as specific synchronization solutions. The solutions employ products that are suitable for implementing a reliable, cost-effective and easy-to-operate, dedicated synchronization network. These products—the central building clock (CBC) and GPS system clock (GSC)—are currently available in the common site product portfolio for the core network. The CBC is fully redundant, stand-alone synchronization equipment (SASE). The GSC is a cost-effective, stand-alone clock controlled by GPS. Each of these products is employed to provide telecommunications equipment with network frequency and time synchronization functions and has been optimized for, but is not limited to, use with Ericsson’s main platforms such as AXE and CPP. The main benefits of synchronization networks based on these products are a flatter synchronization-distribution hierarchy, improved reliability, and greatly reduced overall costs of operation and maintenance (O&M), administration, and provisioning. The author explains why network synchronization is necessary and what can happen if it is not planned properly. He also introduces the CBC and GSC and describes how Ericsson’s solutions meet the requirements of a synchronization network. Although the main focus of this article is on frequency synchronization, Ericsson’s solutions also provide an accurate time synchronization reference.
A Global Assessment of the Degree of Price Stickiness - Results from the NBB Business Survey

In this paper, we estimate the degree of price stickiness in Belgium using the NBB business survey. Compared to similar empirical exercises based on consumer or producer price data, the micro data set used allows us to cover most of the Belgian economy in one exercise and therefore provides a better estimate of the overall degree of price stickiness. Based on our estimates, 19.2% of prices are changed each month. In the manufacturing sector and the trade sectors, the frequency of price changes is close to 24.5%. In the construction sector the frequency of price changes is close to 20.5% and in the B2B service sectors it is almost 9%. Econometric analyses of the determinants of the sectoral frequency of price changes indicate, on the one hand, that the cost structure is the main explanatory variable of the sectoral discrepancies. On the other hand, we find that domestic competition does not seem to explain an excess or shortage of price changes at the sectoral level.
Restarting Anticoagulant Treatment After Intracranial Hemorrhage in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and the Impact on Recurrent Stroke, Mortality, and Bleeding: A Nationwide Cohort Study

Background— Intracranial hemorrhage is the most feared complication of oral anticoagulant treatment. The optimal treatment option for patients with atrial fibrillation who survive an intracranial hemorrhage remains unknown. We hypothesized that restarting oral anticoagulant treatment was associated with a lower risk of stroke and mortality in comparison with not restarting. Methods and Results— Linkage of 3 Danish nationwide registries in the period between 1997 and 2013 identified patients with atrial fibrillation on oral anticoagulant treatment with incident intracranial hemorrhage. Patients were stratified by treatment regimens (no treatment, oral anticoagulant treatment, or antiplatelet therapy) after the intracranial hemorrhage. Event rates were assessed 6 weeks after hospital discharge and compared with Cox proportional hazard models. In 1752 patients (1 year of follow-up), the rate of ischemic stroke/systemic embolism and all-cause mortality (per 100 person-years) for patients treated with oral anticoagulants was 13.6, in comparison with 27.3 for nontreated patients and 25.7 for patients receiving antiplatelet therapy. The rate of ischemic stroke/systemic embolism and all-cause mortality (per 100 person-years) for recurrent intracranial hemorrhage, the rate of ischemic stroke/systemic embolism, and all-cause mortality (per 100 person-years) patients treated with oral anticoagulants was 8.0, in comparison with 8.6 for nontreated patients and 5.3 for patients receiving antiplatelet therapy. The adjusted hazard ratio of ischemic stroke/systemic embolism and all-cause mortality was 0.55 (95% confidence interval, 0.39–0.78) in patients on oral anticoagulant treatment in comparison with no treatment. For ischemic stroke/systemic embolism and for all-cause mortality, hazard ratios were 0.59 (95% confidence interval, 0.33–1.03) and 0.55 (95% confidence interval, 0.37–0.82), respectively. Conclusions— Oral anticoagulant treatment was associated with a significant reduction in ischemic stroke/all-cause mortality rates, supporting oral anticoagulant treatment reintroduction after intracranial hemorrhage as feasible. Future trials are encouraged to guide clinical practice in these patients.
On the performance of speech output in a practical setting

In spoken dialogue systems, in which humans interact with computers over the telephone, it is essential that the voice output of the system be of high quality. Both the intelligibility and the naturalness of the output should be sufficiently high. There are several techniques for providing a system with speech output, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. This paper discusses a formal evaluation experiment of three speech output techniques. Natural speech was included as a reference condition. The speech was rated on intelligibility and fluency of the output. Additionally, the overall quality of the speech and its suitability for use in a commercial application were assessed. The results reveal significant differences between the techniques. Diphone synthesis still has an inferior quality compared to the other techniques, both in terms of intelligibility and fluency. Conventional phrase concatenation is quite intelligible, but scores less on fluency. IPO's phrase concatenation is by far the best technique.
System overview of bipedal robots Flame and TUlip: Tailor-made for Limit Cycle Walking

The concept of dasiaLimit Cycle Walkingpsila in bipedal robots removes the constraint of dynamic balance at every instance during gait. We hypothesize that this is crucial for the development of increasingly versatile and energy-effective humanoid robots. It allows the application of a wide range of gaits and it allows a robot to utilize its natural dynamics in order to reduce energy use. This paper presents the design and experimental results of our latest walking robot dasiaFlamepsila and the design of our next robot in line dasiaTUlippsila. The focus is on the mechanical implementation of series elastic actuation, which is ideal for Limit Cycle Walkers since it offers high controllability without having the actuator dominating the system dynamics. Walking experiments show the potential of our robots, showing good walking performance, though using simple control.
Evolving Gene Regulatory Networks for Real Time Control of Foraging Behaviours

We use a genetic algorithm to obtain artificial gene regulatory networks (GRNs) controlling real time behaviour of artificial agents (animats) that gather food resources in a 2D environment. We build a system in which evolving GRNs are encoded in linear genomes. The encoding allows to determine which transcriptional factors (TFs) interact with which regulatory regions (promoters) to form a GRN. The sensory information is provided to an animat as externally driven concentration of selected TFs. Concentration of selected internally produced TFs is interpreted as signals for actuators. We first consider foraging for one food source and then scale the problem up to obtain animats that are able to switch between two types of food sources and avoid the poisonous one. We show that our system is highly evolvable, even though the genome encoding is very flexible (which results in a large search space) and though continuous product accumulation and degradation causes latencies in signal processing by the networks. We then discuss the topological properties of evolved networks and their evolutionary trajectories. Our results provide a first step toward a more ambitious goal of developing an artificial ecosystem in which multiple individuals will compete for food and mates.
A 45-to-60-GHz Two-Band SiGe: C VCO for Millimeter-Wave Applications

A 45 - 60-GHz two-band double cross-coupled differential VCO is designed and fabricated using 0.25 mum SiG:C BiCMOS process technology whose fmax is greater than 200 GHz. The VCO provides tuning ranges of 44.9 - 48.9 GHz when its bias current is 13 mA and of 58 - 60.4 GHz when a bias current of 7 mA draws into the VCO. The phase noises of the VCO are measured as - 99 dBc/Hz from 48.86 GHz and - 93 dBc/Hz from 60.32 GHz, at 10 MHz offset, respectively. The VCO shows moderate FOMs of 156 dBc at 60.32 GHz and 158 dBc at 48.86 GHz.
First International Workshop on RESTful Design (WS-REST 2010)

Over the past few years, the discussion between the two major architectural styles for designing and implementing Web services, the RPC-oriented approach and the resource-oriented approach, has been mainly held outside of traditional research communities. Mailing lists, forums and developer communities have seen long and fascinating debates around the assumptions, strengths, and weaknesses of these two approaches. The First International Workshop on RESTful Design (WS-REST 2010) has the goal of getting more researchers involved in the debate by providing a forum where discussions around the resource-oriented style of Web services design take place. Representational State Transfer (REST) is an architectural style and as such can be applied in different ways, can be extended by additional constraints, or can be specialized with more specific interaction patterns. WS-REST is the premier forum for discussing research ideas, novel applications and results centered around REST at the World Wide Web conference, which provides a great setting to host this first edition of the workshop dedicated to research on the architectural style underlying the Web.