Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Energy-efficient wakeup scheduling for maximizing lifetime of IEEE 802.15.4 networks

Deployment of wireless ad hoc networks with scarce energy resources necessitates the design of algorithms that maximize the lifespan of the network, sustain connectivity and facilitate easy maintenance. Nodes in an ad hoc network often need to collaborate with each other to maintain network-connectivity or execute a set of tasks in a distributed fashion. They may have variable rates of energy consumption because some nodes perform energy-intensive tasks such as data-aggregation and data-forwarding more than others. These variations cause early energy depletion of certain nodes which impacts both the connectivity and the overall lifetime of the network. In this paper, we propose a scheme that alleviates this problem in low-traffic networks by tuning the energy consumption of a node during periods of inactivity to its energy-expenditure in the active phase. Since nodes are idle for extended periods of time, this compensation proves significant and we show that the lifetime of an IEEE 802.15. 4 network improves up to 65% while ensuring that an end-to-end delay constraint is met.
Operational network intrusion detection: resource-analysis tradeoffs

Network Intrusion Detection Systems (NIDS) span an area of massive research and commercial interest. Modern systems offer a wide range of capabilities and parameters to adapt the analysis to the needs of the operator. If one deploys a NIDS in a high volume network environment (1Gbps or more) however, one notices that some capabilities are not usable as the available resources (CPU cycles and memory) of the NIDS are not sufficient for such detailed analysis. In this thesis, we target a thorough understanding of the dependencies and tradeoffs between NIDS resource usage and detection capabilities. We base this work on our operational experience with NIDS in three large research network environments, among them the Münchener Wissenschaftsnetz (MWN ), Germany. We demonstrate, that operational network intrusion detection in high-volume network environments raises a host of resource management issues. We explore tradeoffs between resource usage and analysis, that range from predictive to adaptive to retrospective. Predicting the resource usage of a NIDS is difficult. We set out to develop a performance model of a NIDS that allows to determine the appropriate analysis depth and parametrization of the system. The model can be used in two ways: First, to help determining a configuration of the NIDS based on the measured traffic characteristics of the network environment. Second, it can be used to predict the NIDS’ resource usage based on a known or guessed trend of the network traffic development. Connection oriented NIDS do not analyze every connection the same. However the decision process of how to analyze a connection is rather hard-configured into the NIDS. This means, at run-time the NIDS cannot adapt the analysis per connection. We develop a framework for connection oriented NIDS to decide at run-time per connection what analysis to perform. We use this framework for dynamically performing the appropriate application layer protocol decoding. Using this enhancement, a NIDS is for example able to reliably detect applications not using their standard ports, do payload inspection of FTP data connections and to reliably detect IRC based botnet clients and servers. If a NIDS alerts in high volume environments, it does not have the possibility to provide a lot of context to the operator. For trading off disk space against forensic capability, we develop a NIDS-supplementary tool called “Time Machine”. The tool records a prioritized yet comprehensive packet trace in high level environments. Our approach leverages the heavy tailed connection size distribution: it prioritizes small connections over large ones which greatly reduces the volume of traffic to record while retaining the largest fraction of the connections transferred. For our operational evaluation of the tradeoffs and the developed mechanisms, throughout this thesis, we use the open source NIDS Bro. Its design is targeted to maximum flexibility, which makes it an ideal platform for powerful extensions and for use in a wide range of experiments.
Numerically efficient multipole method for photonic molecules

A novel and numerically efficient multipole formulation for the calculation of resonances of photonic molecules is presented. Photonic molecules are often modeled as two dimensional coupled dielectric disks. We use the multipole expansion of the individual fields and formulate the boundary conditions in terms of a generalized eigenvalue problem. The complex root search is simplified by studying the flow of the eigenvalues, where we argue that the motion of the eigenvalues in the complex plane is analytic with respect to a two parameter family. Based on this analytic behavior we present a numerical algorithm to compute a range of photonic molecule resonances and field distributions using only two diagonalizations.
Postenucleation adjuvant chemotherapy with vincristine, etoposide, and carboplatin for the treatment of high-risk retinoblastoma.

BACKGROUND Analysis of 52 eyes with high-risk retinoblastoma managed with postenucleation adjuvant chemotherapy using vincristine sulfate, etoposide phosphate, and carboplatin showed no evidence of systemic metastasis in any case during a mean (range) follow-up of 66 (12-202) months. PURPOSE To determine the efficacy of postenucleation adjuvant chemotherapy with vincristine, etoposide, and carboplatin in the prevention of metastasis for patients with high-risk retinoblastoma. METHODS Retrospective, nonrandomized, interventional case series of 52 eyes in 51 patients with high-risk retinoblastoma consisting of tumor invasion into the anterior segment, posterior uvea 3 mm or greater, postlaminar optic nerve, or any combination of posterior uvea and optic nerve involvement. RESULTS Of 51 consecutive patients with high-risk retinoblastoma, there were 30 males (59%) and 21 females (41%), with a median age of 28 months at diagnosis. All 52 eyes were classified as group E. The main histopathologic risk factors included anterior segment invasion (7 [13%]), isolated massive posterior uveal invasion of 3 mm or greater (6 [12%]), isolated postlaminar optic nerve invasion (15 [29%]), or any posterior uveal invasion with any optic nerve involvement (24 [46%]). There was additional invasion into the sclera (3 [6%]) and extrascleral structures, including the orbit (1 [2%]). A single histopathologic high-risk factor was present in 32 eyes (62%), whereas 20 eyes (38%) manifested 2 or more high-risk characteristics. Based on previously published series, untreated high-risk retinoblastoma carries at least a 24% risk for metastatic disease. In the present series, using vincristine, etoposide, and carboplatin in all cases, there was no metastasis during a mean follow-up of 66 months (median [range], 55 [12-202] months). CONCLUSIONS Retinoblastoma with invasion into the postlaminar optic nerve and/or posterior uvea is at high risk for metastasis and death. In this study, postenucleation chemotherapy using vincristine, etoposide, and carboplatin was effective in preventing metastasis in every case (100%).
Study on the Tensile and Impact Properties of 600MPa HSLA Steel at Different Temperature

The microstructure, tensile and impact property of a 600 MPa HSLA steel plate at different temperature were investigated by tensile and impact tests, metallographic observation, SEM and EDX analysis. The results indicated that the microstructures of the steel after tensile tests were mainly the bainites. As the temperature increased from 300°C to 650°C, the yield strength and tensile strength decreased, the elongation and reduction of area increased, but this steel had a relatively stable tensile property below 400°C. Moreover, as the temperature reduced from 20°C to -80°C, the impact toughness was gradually decreased, and the ductile-brittle transition temperature of this steel was obtained at -57.75°C by using Boltzmann function fitting.
Melanopsin Mediates Retrograde Visual Signaling in the Retina

The canonical flow of visual signals proceeds from outer to inner retina (photoreceptors→bipolar cells→ganglion cells). However, melanopsin-expressing ganglion cells are photosensitive and functional sustained light signaling to retinal dopaminergic interneurons persists in the absence of rods and cones. Here we show that the sustained-type light response of retinal dopamine neurons requires melanopsin and that the response is mediated by AMPA-type glutamate receptors, defining a retrograde retinal visual signaling pathway that fully reverses the usual flow of light signals in retinal circuits.
Notch Signaling in Cancer

Notch signaling plays a key role in the normal development of many tissues and cell types, through diverse effects on differentiation, survival, and/or proliferation that are highly dependent on signal strength and cellular context. Because perturbations in the regulation of differentiation, survival, and/or proliferation underlie malignant transformation, pathophysiologic Notch signals potentially contribute to cancer development in several different ways. Notch signaling was first linked to tumorigenesis through identification of a recurrent t(7;9)(q34;q34.3) chromosomal translocation involving the human Notch1 gene that is found in a small subset of human pre-T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (T-ALL). 1 Since this discovery, aberrant Notch signaling has been suggested to be involved in a wide variety of human neoplasms. In this review, we will focus on recent studies linking aberrant Notch signaling with cancer. First, we discuss various mechanisms through which Notch signaling may influence cellular transformation. Then, we critically review literature pertaining to the role of Notch signaling in several cancers, and discuss possible therapeutic targets in the Notch pathway. Key Words: Notch, Cancer, Transformation, Development, Oncogene, Tumor suppressor
Invasion Age and Invader Removal Alter Species Cover and Composition at the Suisun Tidal Marsh, California, USA

Wetland ecosystems are vulnerable to plant species invasions, which can greatly alter species composition and ecosystem functioning. The response of these communities to restoration can vary following invader removal, but few studies have evaluated how recent and long-term invasions can affect the plant community’s restoration potential. Perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium) has invaded thousands of hectares of marshland in the San Francisco Estuary, California, United States of America, while the effects of invasion and removal of this weed remain poorly studied. In this study, perennial pepperweed was removed along a gradient of invasion age in brackish tidal marshes of Suisun Marsh, within the Estuary. In removal plots, resident plant cover significantly increased during the 2-year study period, particularly in the densest and oldest parts of the perennial pepperweed colonies, while species richness did not change significantly. In bare areas created by removal of perennial pepperweed, recolonization was dominated by three-square bulrush (Schoenoplectus americanus). Ultimately, removal of invasive perennial pepperweed led to reinvasion of the resident plant community within two years. This study illustrates that it is important to consider invasion age, along with exotic species removal, when developing a restoration strategy in wetland ecosystems.
Tribological properties of auxetic and conventional polypropylene weft knitted fabrics

Purpose: The wear resistance and friction reducing properties of polymer fibres can be improved with negative Poisson’s ratio behaviour. Poisson’s ratio is defined as the ratio of transverse contraction strain to longitudinal extension strain in the direction of stretching force. Large number of materials have positive Poisson’s ratio, however there are some materials which exhibit negative Poisson’s ratio, they are termed auxetic materials. Auxetic materials present unique property that they expand in all directions when they are stretched and contract when compressed. This paper has highlighted, compared and discussed the variation between the modelling, theoretical and practical differences of auxetic materials wear behaviour. Design/methodology/approach: For the purpose of this work, auxetic and conventional fibres were produced by the melt spinning mechanism using extruder. The fibres physical properties were evaluated such as Poisson’s ratio, fibre count, elongation, force and tenacity. Mono-filament fibres were used for fabrication of weft knitted fabrics; plain (1x1) structure was employed for knitting fabric. The wear resistance of the knitted fabrics were tested by using Nu-Martindale Abrasion and Pilling Tester and comparison were made. Findings: The abrasive wear test results demonstrated that the auxetic based weft knitted fabrics have superior wear behaviour than the conventional fibre based weft knitted fabrics. Practical implications: The experiment showed that the auxetic material is capable of sustaining large amount of abrasion compared to conventional fabric. Originality/value: The paper compare and discusse the variation between the modelling, theoretical and practical differences of auxetic materials wear behaviour.
Comparison of Cardiac Output Monitoring Methods for Detecting Central Hypovolemia due to Lower Body Negative Pressure

Reduction in mean arterial pressure (MAP) is a late indictor of progressive circulatory pathology. Non-invasive monitoring methods that are superior indicators of circulatory compromise would be clinically valuable. With IRB approval, 21 healthy volunteers were subjected to progressive lower body negative pressure (LBNP) until the onset of presyncopal symptoms. We evaluated the usefulness of four investigational methods of arterial blood pressure waveform analysis during progressive hypovolemia: mean arterial pressure (MAP); the ModelFlow cardiac output algorithm (MF); the long time interval method (LTI); and the product of pulse pressure and heart rate (PP*HR). Electrical bioimpedance measurement of cardiac output (EBI) provided a reference. When results were analyzed, we found significant differences between the methods. MF, LTI, and EBI all corresponded with LBNP severity, while MAP and PP*HR did not. In terms of discriminating between (a) decompression to -45 mmHg; versus (b) recovery five minutes after LBNP cessation, there was a significant difference between MF and LTI: the receiver operating characteristic area-under-the-curve (ROC AUC) for MF was 0.57 and for LTI was 0.76. In terms of discriminating between (a) the 11 subjects who tolerated the protocol (i.e., tolerated higher levels of LBNP); versus (b) the 10 non-tolerant subjects, there was also a significant difference between MF and LTI: the ROC AUC for MF was 0.40 and for LTI was 0.66. There were no significant differences between MF nor EBI, however. In conclusion, LTI is notable as the only method which (a) correlated with decompression; (b) distinguished between decompression to -45 mmHg versus recovery; and (c) distinguished between those subjects who adequately compensated for central hypovolemia (tolerant) and those who did not have such robust physiologic compensation (non-tolerant).
Cross-Jurisdictional Sharing for Emergency Management-Related Public Health: Exploring the Experiences of Tribes and Counties in California

Each American Indian tribe is unique in several ways, including in its relationships with local governments and risk for emergencies. Cross-jurisdictional sharing (CJS) arrangements are encouraged between tribes and counties for emergency management-related population health, but researchers have not yet explored CJS experiences of tribes and counties for emergency management. This investigation used collaboration theory and a CJS spectrum framework to assess the scope and prevalence of tribe–county CJS arrangements for emergency management in California as well as preconditions to CJS. Mixed-methods survey results indicate that tribes and counties have varied CJS arrangements, but many are informal or customary. Preconditions to CJS include tribe–county agreement about having CJS, views of the CJS relationship, barriers to CJS, and jurisdictional strengths and weaknesses in developing CJS arrangements. Areas for public health intervention include funding programs that build tribal capacity in emergency management, reduce cross-jurisdictional disagreement, and promote ongoing tribe–county relationships as a precursor to formal CJS arrangements. Study strengths, limitations, and future directions are also discussed.
Identification of actively filling sucrose sinks.

Certain actively filling plant sucrose sinks such as a seed, a tuber, or a root can be identified by measuring the uridine diphosphate and pyrophosphate-dependent metabolism of sucrose. Sucrolysis in both active and quiescent sucrose sinks was tested and sucrose synthase was found to be the predominant sucrose breakdown activity. Sucrolysis via invertases was low and secondary in both types of sinks. Sucrose synthase activity dropped markedly, greater than fivefold, in quiescent sinks. The tests are consistent with the hypothesis that the sucrose filling activity, i.e. the sink strength, of these plant sinks can be measured by testing the uridine diphosphate and pyrophosphate-dependent breakdown of sucrose. Measuring the initial reactions of sucrolysis shows much promise for use in agriculture crop and tree improvement research as a biochemical test for sink strength.
Elder Abuse and Oppression: Voices of Marginalized Elders

The voices of elderly people from marginalized groups are rarely solicited, and the relationship between elder maltreatment and belonging to an oppressed group has not been adequately investigated. This article reviews the literature on oppression and elder abuse and describes findings from the secondary analysis of data from focus group discussions on elder abuse held with marginalized older adults and (quasi)professionals caring for them in two Canadian cities. Participants identified that increased vulnerability to elder abuse was related to oppression experienced as a consequence of ageism, sexism, ableism/ disability, racism, heterosexism/homophobia, classism, and various intersecting types of oppression.
Type Iγ phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase is required for EGF-stimulated directional cell migration

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI4,5P2) modulates a plethora of cytoskeletal interactions that control the dynamics of actin assembly and, ultimately, cell migration. We show that the type Iγ phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase 661 (PIPKIγ661), an enzyme that generates PI4,5P2, is required for growth factor but not G protein–coupled receptor–stimulated directional migration. By generating PI4,5P2 and regulating talin assembly, PIPKIγ661 modulates nascent adhesion formation at the leading edge to facilitate cell migration. The epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor directly phosphorylates PIPKIγ661 at tyrosine 634, and this event is required for EGF-induced migration. This phosphorylation regulates the interaction between PIPKIγ661 and phospholipase Cγ1 (PLCγ1, an enzyme previously shown to be involved in the regulation of EGF-stimulated migration). Our results suggest that phosphorylation events regulating specific PIPKIγ661 interactions are required for growth factor–induced migration. These interactions in turn define the spatial and temporal generation of PI4,5P2 and derived messengers required for directional migration.
Behaviour based particle filtering for human articulated motion tracking

This paper presents an approach to human motion tracking using multiple pre-trained activity models for propagation of particles in Annealed Particle Filtering. Hidden Markov models are trained on dimensionally reduced joint angle data to produce models of activity. Particles are divided between models for propagation by HMM synthesis, before converging on a solution during the annealing process. The approach facilitates multi-view tracking of unknown subjects performing multiple known activities with low particle numbers.
Comparison of the Properties of EEG Spindles in Sleep and Propofol Anesthesia

Electroencephalogram spindle patterns corresponding to two different phenomena-natural sleep and propofol anesthesia-are compared. The spindles are extracted from 5 overnight sleep recordings and 10 recordings of deep propofol anesthesia. Mean frequency, angle of the trend in instant frequency as well as 3 nonlinear parameters-spectral entropy, approximate entropy, and Higuchi fractal dimension- are calculated to characterize the spindle waveforms. Using the Wilcoxon rank sum test with significance level of 0.01, all the mentioned features, except approximate entropy, differ significantly for the two types of EEG spindles
Sodium channels, the electrogenisome and the electrogenistat: lessons and questions from the clinic

Abstract In the six decades that have followed the work of Hodgkin and Huxley, multiple generations of neuroscientists and biophysicists have built upon their pivotal contributions. It is now clear that, in mammals, nine genes encode nine distinct voltage‐gated sodium channels with different amino acid sequences and different physiological and pharmacological properties. The different sodium channel isoforms produce a multiplicity of distinct sodium currents with different time‐dependent characteristics and voltage dependencies, which interact with each other and with the currents produced by other channels (including calcium and potassium channels) to shape neuronal firing patterns. Expression of these sodium channel isoforms is highly dynamic, both in the normal nervous system, and in the injured nervous system. Recent research has shed light on the roles of sodium channels in human disease, a development that may open up new therapeutic strategies. This article examines the pain‐signalling system as an example of a neuronal network where multiple sodium channel isoforms play complementary roles in electrogenesis and a strong link with human disease has been established. Recent research suggests that it may be possible to target specific sodium channel isoforms that drive hyperexcitability in pain‐signalling neurons, thereby providing new therapeutic strategies for chronic pain, and providing an illustration of the impact of the Hodgkin–Huxley legacy in the clinical domain.
An accurate region based object tracking for video sequences

With the popularity of MPEG-4 and MPEG-7 standards, video object (VO) segmentation becomes a very challenging research area in video applications. We present a novel method for semi-automatic object segmentation for a video sequence. The proposed approach starts with a rough user input VO definition. It then combines each frame's region segmentation and motion estimation results to construct the objects of interest for temporal tracking this object along the time. An active contour model based algorithm is employed to further fine-tune the object's contour so as to extract accurate object boundary. Some experimental results and future research directions are also discussed.