Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A general framework for Approximate Nearest Subspace search

Subspaces offer convenient means of representing information in many Pattern Recognition, Machine Vision, and Statistical Learning applications. Contrary to the growing popularity of subspace representations, the problem of efficiently searching through large subspace databases has received little attention in the past. In this paper we present a general solution to the Approximate Nearest Subspace search problem. Our solution uniformly handles cases where both query and database elements may differ in dimensionality, where the database contains subspaces of different dimensions, and where the queries themselves may be subspaces. To this end we present a simple mapping from subspaces to points, thus reducing the problem to the well studied Approximate Nearest Neighbor problem on points. We provide theoretical proofs of correctness and error bounds of our construction and demonstrate its performance on synthetic and real data. Our tests indicate that an approximate nearest subspace can be located significantly faster than the nearest subspace, with little loss of accuracy.
Endoplasmic reticulum proteins quality control and the unfolded protein response: The regulative mechanism of organisms against stress injuries

The endoplasmic reticulum is the cellular compartment in which secretory proteins are synthesized and folded. Perturbations of endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis lead to the accumulation of unfolded proteins. The activation of the unfolded protein response during endoplasmic reticulum stress transmits information about the status of protein folding to the cytosol and nucleus. The unfolded protein response leads to the upregulation of genes encoding endoplasmic reticulum chaperones, attenuation of translation, and initiation of the endoplasmic reticulum quality control system to restore endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis. When the unfolded protein response is insufficient to rebuild the steady state in endoplasmic reticulum, the programmed cell death or apoptosis would be initiated, by triggering cell injuries, even to cell death through apoptosis signals. In this review, we briefly outline research on the chaperones and foldases conserved in eukaryotes and plants, and describe the general principles and mechanisms of the endoplasmic reticulum quality control and the unfolded protein response. We describe the current models for the molecular mechanism of the unfolded protein response in plants, and emphasize the role of inositol requiring enzyme‐1‐dependent network in the unfolded protein response. Finally, we give a general overview of the directions for future research on the unfolded protein response in plants and its role in the response to environmental stresses. © 2014 BioFactors, 40(6):569–585, 2014
Adaptive responses of vertebrate neurons to hypoxia.

The damage caused to mammalian neurons during ischaemic events in the brain (e.g. following a stroke), is an area of major interest to neuroscientists. The neurons of hypoxia-tolerant vertebrates offer unique models for identifying new strategies to enhance the survival of hypoxia-vulnerable neurons. In this review, we describe recent advances in our understanding of how hypoxia-tolerant neurons detect decreases in oxygen and create signals that have immediate and long-term effects on cell function and survival. Sensing and adapting to low oxygen tension involves numerous modalities with different times of activation and effect. Sensors include membrane proteins such as ionotropic ion channels, membrane or cytosolic heme proteins, mitochondrial proteins and/or oxygen sensitive transcription factors such as HIF-1alpha and NFkappaB. Signaling molecules involved in O(2) sensing include mitogen-activated protein kinases, ions such as Ca(2+) and metabolites such as adenosine. These signals act rapidly to reduce the conductance of ion channels (ion flux arrest) and production of energy (metabolic arrest), and slowly to activate specific genes. The ability to construct an energy budget, illustrating which physiological processes are depressed during both long-term and acute metabolic suppression in hypoxia-tolerant neurons, would be of significant value in devising new strategies for neuroprotection. Additionally it is not known how metabolism is regulated at 'pilot-light' levels at which energy-producing and energy-consuming processes are balanced. The regulation of organelle and cell fate during long-term hypoxia is almost completely unexplored, and whether programmed cell death and regeneration of lost neurons occur following protracted dormancy is also of considerable interest.
Holonic transport scheduling with teletruck

TELETRUCK is a multiagent-based dispatch support system developed in close collaboration with forwarders and transport engineers. The system supports dispatch officers in route planning, fleet management, and driver scheduling. TELETRUCK allows for dynamic planning and online optimization of transport orders based on an integration with modern telecommunication facilities. The TELETRUCK approach uses holonic agents, i.e., agents composed of subagents that act in a corporated way, in order to achieve a flexible, structured resource management in the planning process. A brief overview is given of the current implementation status of the TELETRUCK application prototype. Communication, coordination, and resource control distinguishing holonic from common multiagent systems are discussed. The underlying algorithms and protocols are described. Future extensions of the approach for intermodal and intercompany transport planning are discussed aiming at a smooth integration of modern transport and telecommunication networks.
Cooperative Stimulation of Dendritic Cells by Cryptococcus neoformans Mannoproteins and CpG Oligodeoxynucleotides

While mannosylation targets antigens to mannose receptors on dendritic cells (DC), the resultant immune response is suboptimal. We hypothesized that the addition of toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands would enhance the DC response to mannosylated antigens. Cryptococcus neoformans mannoproteins (MP) synergized with CpG-containing oligodeoxynucleotides to stimulate enhanced production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines from murine conventional and plasmacytoid DC. Synergistic stimulation required the interaction of mannose residues on MP with the macrophage mannose receptor (MR), CD206. Moreover, synergy with MP was observed with other TLR ligands, including tripalmitoylated lipopeptide (Pam3CSK4), polyinosine-polycytidylic acid (pI:C), and imiquimod. Finally, CpG enhanced MP-specific MHC II-restricted CD4+ T-cell responses by a mechanism dependent upon DC expression of CD206 and TLR9. These data suggest a rationale for vaccination strategies that combine mannosylated antigens with TLR ligands and imply that immune responses to naturally mannosylated antigens on pathogens may be greatly augmented if TLR and MR are cooperatively stimulated.
Induction of Hebbian and Non-Hebbian Mossy Fiber Long-Term Potentiation by Distinct Patterns of High-Frequency Stimulation

The synapse made by hippocampal mossy fibers onto pyramidal neurons of hippocampal area CA3 displays a form of long-term potentiation (LTP) that is independent of the activation of NMDA receptors. Considerable controversy exists as to whether the induction of mossy fiber LTP requires postsynaptic activation and, thus, whether mossy fiber LTP is Hebbian or non-Hebbian. Here we report the induction of both Hebbian and non-Hebbian forms of long-term potentiation at the mossy fiber–CA3 synapse in in vitro slice preparation. These two forms of potentiation can be induced selectively by different induction conditions. Sustained presynaptic activation is sufficient to induce the non-Hebbian form of mossy fiber LTP, whereas brief presynaptic activation coincident with postsynaptic depolarization is required to induce the Hebbian form. We suggest that non-Hebbian forms of plasticity may play an important role in dynamically regulating the thresholds for inducing Hebbian forms of plasticity.
Comparative treatments for borderline personality disorder

Within the field of clinical psychology, the term borderline personality disorder was developed to fulfill a diagnostic need and has come to possess specific stereotypes and negative meanings. Because the term borderline is an emotionally charged word, it can lead to a less-than-accurate view of the situation or patient being described, thus presenting a challenge to even the most experienced therapists and becoming one of the most complex disorders to treat. Through the use of one case study, however, experts in borderline personality disorders have put this difficulty at ease. Applying a variety of modalities to identify treatment goals, including: selecting assessment tools, conceptualizing progression, pinpointing pitfalls, and developing techniques, diagnosing and treating BPD has created a more successful therapeutic result.
The Effects of Reflection and Motivational Goals on the Transfer of Skills in Integrative Negotiations

The present research deals with teaching negotiators to improve their skills for creating value. Building upon the literature in cognitive and educational psychology, we examined the effects of reflection and of achievement motivational goals (Learning versus Performance) on the transfer of integrative negotiation skills. Participants first engaged in repeated negotiations within an unchanging market simulation and then proceeded to negotiate a more complex integrative negotiation task. We found reflection to be beneficial for learning. Experience accompanied by subsequent reflection enhanced integrative performance in the transfer task more than experience without reflection. Contrary to our expectations, participants that were assigned learning goals did not improve their performance on a transfer task compared to participants that were assigned performance goals.
Pairwise Sequence Comparison and the Genetic Programming of Iterative Concurrent Programs

The genetic programming of iterative concurrent programs written in the CCS process algebra is investigated. Using a generational genetic programming scheme, experiments succesfully evolved a cyclic concurrent program that performs a even-parity-2 analysis on a communicating input stream. The fitness evaluation strategy determines how well programs communicate with randomly generated streams of input signals. Fitness is measured by performing a pairwise sequence alignment comparison of two execution sequences – the output sequence generated by the program communicating with the test signal stream, and the correct output sequence for that test case. The optimal edit distance between these sequences is efficiently computed using dynamic programming. The main result is that sequence alignment evaluation against randomly generated test cases is a promising evaluation strategy for evolving cycling protocols.
Microbiota disbiosis is associated with colorectal cancer

The dysbiosis of the human intestinal microbiota is linked to sporadic colorectal carcinoma (CRC). The present study was designed to investigate the gut microbiota distribution features in CRC patients. We performed pyrosequencing based analysis of the 16S rRNA gene V3 region to investigate microbiota of the cancerous tissue and adjacent non-cancerous normal tissue in proximal and distal CRC samples. The results revealed that the microbial structures of the CRC patients and healthy individuals differed significantly. Firmicutes and Fusobacteria were over-represented whereas Proteobacteria was under-represented in CRC patients. In addition, Lactococcus and Fusobacterium exhibited a relatively higher abundance while Pseudomonas and Escherichia-Shigella was reduced in cancerous tissues compared to adjacent non-cancerous tissues. Meanwhile, the overall microbial structures of proximal and distal colon cancerous tissues were similar; but certain potential pro-oncogenic pathogens were different. These results suggested that the mucosa-associated microbiota is dynamically associated with CRC, which may provide evidences for microbiota-associated diagnostic, prognostic, preventive, and therapeutic strategies for CRC.
Robust localization based on radar signal clustering

Significant advances have been achieved in mobile robot localization and mapping in dynamic environments, however these are mostly incapable of dealing with the physical properties of automotive radar sensors. In this paper we present an accurate and robust solution to this problem, by introducing a memory efficient cluster map representation. Our approach is validated by experiments that took place on a public parking space with pedestrians, moving cars, as well as different parking configurations to provide a challenging dynamic environment. The results prove its ability to reproducibly localize our vehicle within an error margin of below 1% with respect to ground truth using only point based radar targets. A decay process enables our map representation to support local updates.
Software reliability in the fog computing

Fog computing is a new paradigm using both Cloud computing developments and Internet of Things devices. This paper reviews the existing models, architectures and practices in Fog computing targeting the fog systems reliability and dependability. An integratory approach of three components of the system reliability is considered: the nodes reliability, the network reliability, and the software reliability. OpenFog Reference Architecture, and AJIA and BDSC schemes were considered as principal vectors in fog reliability increasing.
Catamenial pneumothorax: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the incidence of catamenial pneumothorax (CP) among women who have been referred for the surgical treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) and to study its pathogenic mechanisms. DESIGN A prospective study of women of reproductive age who have been referred to our center for the surgical treatment of SP. Patients with pneumothorax secondary to a known lung disease were excluded. SETTING A university hospital. METHODS At the preoperative evaluation, special attention was given to the investigation of a possible temporal relationship between pneumothorax and menses. Video-assisted thoracoscopy constituted the operative technique of choice. The lung was inspected to identify blebs or bullae and the origin of possible air leaks. Signs of thoracic endometriosis were also carefully searched for. The diaphragm was systematically inspected to search for holes and/or endometrial implants. When limited diaphragmatic abnormalities were found, a partial diaphragmatic resection was carried out using an endoscopic stapler. In case of lesions that were not accessible by a purely endoscopic approach, a utility minithoracotomy was used. RESULTS In an 18-month period, 32 women with SP were referred for surgery. In eight cases, the catamenial character of the pneumothorax was recognized by clinical history. In all these patients, the following diaphragmatic abnormalities were found at surgery: holes (one patient); endometrial implants (three patients); and both (four patients). Visceral pleural endometriosis was found in one patient. During pathologic examination, diaphragmatic endometriosis was confirmed in seven of the eight cases. In one patient, it was associated with pulmonary and pleural endometriosis. In only one patient (with multiple diaphragmatic holes and a pulmonary nodular brown lesion), endometriosis could not be confirmed at histology, but signs of parenchymal focal hemorrhages were found. CONCLUSIONS Our experience shows that (1) CP is more frequent than expected and (2) diaphragmatic abnormalities seem to play a fundamental role in its pathogenesis.
Bayesian network modeling metrics of performance and uncertainty

Model sensitivity analysis variance reduction ( ) ( ), where ( ) ∑ ( )[ ( )] , ( ) ∑ ( )[ ( )] , ( ) ∑ ( ) , where is the numeric real value of state q, ( ) is the expected real value of Q before applying new findings, ( ) is the expected real value of Q after applying new findings f for variable F, and ( ) is the variance of the real value of Q before any new findings [0,infinity], the greater the value, the more sensitive is a resultant node Q to the node in question F; used with continuous variables Marcot et al. 2006, Marcot 2012
Active Burst-Buffer: In-Transit Processing Integrated into Hierarchical Storage

The data volume of many scientific applications has substantially increased in the past decade and continues to increase due to the rising needs of high-resolution and fine- granularity scientific discovery. The data movement between storage and compute nodes has become a critical performance factor and has attracted intense research and development attention in recent years. In this paper, we propose a novel solution, named Active burst-buffer, to reduce the unnecessary data movement and to speed up scientific workflow. Active burst-buffer enhances the existing burst-buffer concept with analysis capabilities by reconstructing the cached data to a logic file and providing a MapReduce-like computing framework for programming and executing the analysis codes. An extensive set of experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of Active burst-buffer by comparing it against existing mainstream schemes, and more than 30% improvements were observed. The evaluations confirm that Active burst-buffer is capable of enabling efficient data analysis in-transit on burst-buffer nodes and is a promising solution to scientific discoveries with large-scale data sets.
Tomographic measurements on superconducting qubit states

We propose an approach to reconstruct any superconducting charge qubit state by using quantum state tomography. This procedure requires a series of measurements on a large enough number of identically prepared copies of the quantum system. The experimental feasibility of this procedure is explained and the time scales for different quantum operations are estimated according to experimentally accessible parameters. Based on the state tomography, we also investigate the possibility of the process tomography.
Radio Resource Management for Cellular CDMA Systems Supporting Heterogeneous Services

A novel radio resource management (RRM) scheme for the support of packet-switched transmission in cellular CDMA systems is proposed by jointly considering the physical, link, and network layer characteristics. The proposed resource management scheme is comprised of a combination of power distribution, rate allocation, service scheduling, and connection admission control. Power distribution allows individual connections to achieve their required signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio, while rate allocation guarantees the required delay/jitter for real-time traffic and the minimum transmission rate requirement for non-real-time traffic. Efficient rate allocation is achieved by making use of the randomness and burstiness; of the packet generation process. At the link layer, a packet scheduling scheme is developed based on information derived from power distribution and rate allocation to achieve quality of service (QoS) guarantee. Packet scheduling efficiently utilizes the system resources in every time slot and improves the packet throughput for non-real-time traffic. At the network layer, a connection admission control (CAC) scheme based on the lower layer resource allocation information is proposed. The CAC scheme makes use of user mobility information to reduce handoff connection dropping probability (HCDP). Theoretical analysis of the grade of service performance, in terms of new connection blocking probability, HCDP, and resource utilization, is given. Numerical results show that the proposed RRM scheme can achieve both effective QoS guarantee and efficient resource utilization.
Realidade Virtual na Reabilitação: Por Que Sim e Por Que Não? Uma Revisão Sistemática

O processo de reabilitação, independentemente da área de saúde a que se refere, continua a ser um desafio para profissionais, pacientese suas famílias. Na tentativa de superar as limitações das intervenções tradicionais, a tecnologia de Realidade Virtual (RV)tem sido aplicada de forma crescente à reabilitação e começa a fornecer importantes ferramentas que, contudo, geram debate eposicionamentos divergentes.Com o objetivo de investigar quais os contributos da RV aplicada ao domínio da reabilitação, nomeadamente em termos das vantagense limitações que comporta, o presente estudo procede a uma revisão sistemática da produção científica nesta área e apresentaum modelo que permite, de modo hierarquizado, descrever e sistematizar a natureza dos estudos revistos e as principais temáticasabordadas. A revisão sistemática focou-se sobre trabalhos científicos indexados, até novembro de 2010, na base de dados ISI Web of Knowledge.Os trabalhos incluídos foram analisados por dois investigadores independentes no programa NVivo 9 e o modelo desenvolvidoaplicado à recodificação do material em análise. Foram identificados 963 artigos, dos quais, aplicados os critérios de exclusão, 288títulos e resumos foram analisados. O modelo desenvolvido indica, como categorias centrais da bibliografia: Tipo de Artigo (Empírico;Teórico); Contextualização do Projeto; Tipo de Abordagem (Tecnologia Assistiva; Realidade Aumentada; Abordagens Tradicionais;Realidade Virtual). Esta última categoria (RV) foi decomposta de forma exaustiva para documentação da sua aplicabilidade, efeitose tendências futuras. Como vantagens da RV, surgem: a possibilidade de sua aplicação a uma diversidade de domínios, funçõescognitivas, comportamentos, doenças neurológicas e incapacidades físicas; as suas características e respetivas consequências; e apossibilidade de superar limitações das intervenções tradicionais. Do lado das limitações aparecem discutidos: os efeitos secundáriosda RV, as causas das limitações e precauções sugeridas. Os resultados evidenciam tendências promissoras acerca da utilização datecnologia de RV no domínio da reabilitação, com implicações para a forma como será realizada no futuro. Sugerem ainda a necessidadede dar continuidade aos trabalhos que procuram avaliar a aplicabilidade da RV na reabilitação em geral e na reabilitação (neuro)cognitiva em particular.
Relation of hs-CRP and BNP levels with the atrial spontaneous echo contrast and thrombi in permanent atrial fibrillation patients with different etiologies

Summary Background Thromboembolic risk in permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) is strongly associated with the underlying etiology, and inflammatory parameters may contribute. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship of hs-CRP and BNP levels with left and right atrial appendage (LAA and RAA) function, presence of spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) and thrombus. Material/Methods Eighty-four permanent AF patients with different etiologies (20 mitral stenosis, 44 hypertension and 20 hyperthyroidism) and 23 patients with sinus rhythm were included. LAA and RAA flow velocities were measured by pulsed-wave Doppler and wall motion velocities with tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in transesophageal echocardiography. Results Hs-CRP and BNP levels significantly differed among the 3 AF groups: levels were highest in mitral stenosis patients (8.6±5.3 mg/L and 98.0±125.7 pg/mL, respectively), the lowest hs-CRP was in hyperthyroidism patients (4.3±3.8 mg/L), and the lowest BNP was in hypertensive patients (64.8±44.3 pg/mL). There were also significant differences between the AF group and controls regarding hs-CRP and BNP levels. In the correlation analysis, BNP level was not significantly correlated with LAA and RAA functions, whereas hs-CRP level was significantly correlated with some LAA and RAA functions. On the other hand, hs-CRP level was significantly related to the presence of mild-moderate SEC and thrombi, mainly in mitral stenosis patients. Moreover, hs-CRP was the most important determinant of RAA thrombus formation, followed by RAA ejection fraction. In contrast, no positive or negative correlation was found between BNP levels and RAA and LAA thrombi. Conclusions Higher hs-CRP levels in AF patients may be a predictor for the presence of SEC and thrombi in the atria.