Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Glutamatergic Signaling by Mesolimbic Dopamine Neurons in the Nucleus Accumbens

Recent evidence suggests the intriguing possibility that midbrain dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons may use fast glutamatergic transmission to communicate with their postsynaptic targets. Because of technical limitations, direct demonstration of the existence of this signaling mechanism has been limited to experiments using cell culture preparations that often alter neuronal function including neurotransmitter phenotype. Consequently, it remains uncertain whether glutamatergic signaling between DAergic neurons and their postsynaptic targets exists under physiological conditions. Here, using an optogenetic approach, we provide the first conclusive demonstration that mesolimbic DAergic neurons in mice release glutamate and elicit excitatory postsynaptic responses in projection neurons of the nucleus accumbens. In addition, we describe the properties of the postsynaptic glutamatergic responses of these neurons during experimentally evoked burst firing of DAergic axons that reproduce the reward-related phasic population activity of the mesolimbic projection. These observations indicate that, in addition to DAergic mechanisms, mesolimbic reward signaling may involve glutamatergic transmission.
Object-oriented analysis and design approach for requirements engineering

In software development process, developers feel the gap when moving from requirement engineering phase (using scenario-based approach) to construction phase; this is due to that models resulted in RE cannot be easily mapped to models in construction phase. This paper discusses this problem, and offers a new approach that handles this issue so that developers feel no break during all software development activities from RE to coding and testing.
The role of public sector asset managers in responding to climate change: Disaster and business continuity planning

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the current climate change predictions and the likely consequences for building assets, and therefore the delivery of public services, in the face of extreme weather events. Public sector asset managers need to mitigate and prepare for future events. However, current practice, as illustrated by the literature, shows that little risk assessment is currently undertaken.Design/methodology/approach – This paper is based on a literature review of current climate data and best practice asset management. An extensive survey of public sector asset managers working at senior levels in their organisation was designed and distributed to gather data on the current levels of disaster and business continuity planning. The survey design sought to establish the level of risk assessment across the organisations and the integration of property management into the disaster planning process.Findings – This paper describes the current climate change predictions and the likely.
Wheat V-H+-ATPase Subunit Genes Significantly Affect Salt Tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana

Genes for V-H+-ATPase subunits were identified and cloned from the salt-tolerant wheat mutant RH8706-49. Sequences of these genes are highly conserved in plants. Overexpression of these genes in Arabidopsis thaliana improved its salt tolerance, and increased the activities of V-H+-ATPase and Na+/H+ exchange, with the largest increase in plants carrying the c subunit of V-H+-ATPase. Results from quantitative RT-PCR analysis indicated that the mRNA level of each V-H+-ATPase subunit in the Arabidopsis increased under salt stress. Overall, our results suggest that each V-H+-ATPase subunit plays a key role in enhancing salt tolerance in plants.
UK consumer perceptions of starchy foods

To gain an understanding of UK consumer attitudes and beliefs regarding starchy foods and their dietary role, a questionnaire based on the theory of planned behaviour was developed and sent out to a UK consumer sample (n 800). The content focused on attitudes and beliefs towards starchy foods, perceived barriers towards increasing their intake (e.g. cost, habit, social influences), perceptions of personal and recommended starchy food intake, intention to increase starchy food intakes in the future and socio-demographic information. Responses (n 414) indicated that consumers have highly divergent attitudes and beliefs regarding starchy foods. These foods are seen as nutritious and good for one's health, but also as high in energy and not helping to control weight, and the overall intention to increase starchy food intake was extremely low. Possible barriers towards increasing starchy food intake were the perceptions that personal starchy food intakes were already high, beliefs that starchy food intakes should be reduced to achieve a healthier diet, and the view that personal starchy food intakes did not need to be changed any further, because (depending on attitude) individual's intakes had already been increased or reduced. The model including attitude and subjective norm had the best fit for predicting reported intention to increase starchy food consumption, with attitude being the strongest contributor. Addition of the factor ‘family's liking of starchy foods’ significantly improved the model. For reported starch intake, the model including attitude had the best fit, and addition of other factors did not improve the model. These findings indicate that health promotion strategies aimed at increasing complex carbohydrate intakes should take these perceptions into consideration; however, further work is required to examine how these potential barriers can best be addressed in practice.
Hidden semi-Markov models ( HSMMs )

A semi-Markov HMM (more properly called a hidden semi-Markov model, or HSMM) is like an HMM except each state can emit a sequence of observations. Let Y (Gt) be the subsequence emitted by “generalized state” Gt. The “generalized state” usually contains both the automaton state, Qt, and the length (duration) of the segment, Lt. We will define Y (Gt) to be the subsequence yt−l+1:t. After emitting a segment, the next state is Gtn , where tn = t + Lt. Similarly, denote the previous state by Gtp . Let Y (G + t ) be all observations following Gt, and Y (G − t ) be all observations preceeding Gt, as in Figure 1. Each segment Ot(q, l) def =P (Y (Gt)|Qt = q, Lt = l) can be an arbitrary distribution. If P (Y (Gt)|q, l) = ∏t i=t−l+1 P (yi|q), this is an explicit duration HMM [Fer80, Lev86, Rab89, MJ93, MHJ95]. If P (Y (Gt)|q, l) is modelled by an HMM or state-space model (linear-dynamical system), this is called a segment model [GY93, ODK96]. In computational biology, P (Y (Gt)|q, l) is often modelled by a weight matrix or higher-order Markov chain (see e.g., [BK97]). In this paper, we are agnostic about the form of P (Y (Gt)|q, l). It is possible to approximate a variable-duration HMM by adding extra states to a regular HMM (see [DEKM98, p69]), i.e., a mixture of geometric distributions. However, our main interest will be segment models, which are strict generalizations of variable-duration HMMs. For the relationship between semi-Markov HMMs, pseudo-2D HMMs, hierarchical HMMs, etc., please see [Mur02]. (Essentially, with a pseudo-2D HMMs, we know the size of each segment ahead of time; an HHMM is a generalization of a segment model where each segment can have subsegments inside of it, each modelled by an HMM.) We can represent a variable-duration HMMs as a DBN as shown in FIgure 2. We explicitly add Qt , the remaining duration of state Qt, to the state-space. (Even though Qt is constant for a long period, we copy its value across every
Investigating software design pattern behavior in multiprocessor systems: A case study on observer

With the emergence of multicore processors, parallel software is beginning to be used in the domain of application software in addition to high performance computing software. The use of parallel processing hardware with current software engineering techniques and principles, like object oriented programming, will surely produce new challenges in area and change the way we look at quality criterions. In this work, experiments on bringing a software design pattern to a parallel environment are explained regarding different aspects of parallelization like data consistency, scalability and workload distribution. All the experiments are performed by keeping the parallelization at object level in order to reason about discussions that can be made on object oriented software design for multicore systems. Discussions include adaptation of current software to multicore platforms, important points when designing software for multicore systems and possible research on quality criterions of parallel software. As a result of our initial studies we have seen that it is promising to conduct research on object-level parallelism in multicore systems.
Editing LiDAR-Based Terrains with Height and Texture Maps

The LiDAR technology is a data capturing tool that measures distances by illuminating the targets with laser lights. Many geometric applications use this LiDAR technology to build terrains and 3D models of buildings, cultural heritages and variety of objects. Efficiently handling point clouds from the LiDAR scanners is critical for data handling. In this paper, we present a LiDAR-based terrain editing tools, with height maps and texture maps to address all the requirements. Its performance and efficiency gains are also presented.
A Scrum Framework for Requirement Engineering Practices

Nowadays, software development industry has departed from traditional development to Agile software development. In this paper we have proposed a conceptual framework. The main emphasis in this framework is to make the requirement engineering process more effective and add to the suppleness of it. The research method we have used in this research is case studies, expert reviews from the software industry, existing published reports and articles. The proposed framework has resulted in improving the previous related work. This framework provides guidelines and an easy to adapt approach for the software development teams.
Saliency Detection by Multitask Sparsity Pursuit

This paper addresses the problem of detecting salient areas within natural images. We shall mainly study the problem under unsupervised setting, i.e., saliency detection without learning from labeled images. A solution of multitask sparsity pursuit is proposed to integrate multiple types of features for detecting saliency collaboratively. Given an image described by multiple features, its saliency map is inferred by seeking the consistently sparse elements from the joint decompositions of multiple-feature matrices into pairs of low-rank and sparse matrices. The inference process is formulated as a constrained nuclear norm and as an ℓ2,1 -norm minimization problem, which is convex and can be solved efficiently with an augmented Lagrange multiplier method. Compared with previous methods, which usually make use of multiple features by combining the saliency maps obtained from individual features, the proposed method seamlessly integrates multiple features to produce jointly the saliency map with a single inference step and thus produces more accurate and reliable results. In addition to the unsupervised setting, the proposed method can be also generalized to incorporate the top-down priors obtained from supervised environment. Extensive experiments well validate its superiority over other state-of-the-art methods.
Software synthesis and code generation for signal processing systems

The role of software is becoming increasingly important in the implementation of digital signal processing (DSP) applications. As this trend intensifies, and the complexity of applications escalates, we are seeing an increased need for automated tools to aid in the development of DSP software. This paper reviews the state of the art in programming language and compiler technology for DSP software implementation. In particular, we review techniques for high-level block-diagram-based modeling of DSP applications; the translation of block-diagram specifications into efficient C programs using global target-independent optimization techniques; and the compilation of C programs into streamlined machine code for programmable DSP processors using architecture-specific and retargetable back-end optimizations. We also point out important directions for further investigation.
Self-Prioritization of Audio and Video Traffic

We present a packet scheduler called "shortest queue first" (SQF) that aims at protecting audio and video traffic from the congestion caused by data traffic. Unlike standard solutions, the services to be handled with priority are not known in advance. It is rather the traffic characteristics of audio and video applications that are used to detect their delay sensitivity. The SQF algorithm does not require any prior configuration of the network and, as such, adapts to the fast evolution of traffic and usage. The performance of the proposed solution is demonstrated using both analysis and experiments on a testbed emulating a residential access line.
The Research of Ontology-Based Personalized Query Approach from Heterogeneous Distributed Data Resource

Now, many enterprises accumulated a mass of data, which is distributed and heterogeneous. But most search engine and some integrated software, treating the query of heterogeneous and distributed data, often could not play biggest role. The query result also often had only "scope" but no "depth" and exited plenty of rubbishes. Traditional query mechanism was inflexible and hadn't point. So a kind of personalized query platform for heterogeneous data was given. In the research and implementation course, ontology technology was led into; as a domain model, ontology provides a common comprehension about the domain concepts and the hierarchy of the concepts; at the same time, its utilization also reduces the dependence on the comprehension technology of natural language. Firstly gave a definition of ontology, and denoted a conception object by a quintuple group, constructed domain ontology and then designed a personalized query platform based on ontology, in the following content, introduced the working process of the platform and characteristics detailedly, finally drew an conclusion that personalized query platform we designed not only assured the recall and accuracy of query but also satisfied different users' demands.
Systematic Review of Statistical Process Control: An Experience Report

Background: A systematic review is a rigorous method for assessing and aggregating research results. Unlike an ordinary literature review consisting of an annotated bibliography, a systematic review analyzes existing literature with reference to specific research questions on a topic of interest. Objective: Statistical Process Control (SPC) is a well established technique in manufacturing contexts that only recently has been used in software production. Software production is unlike manufacturing because it is human rather than machine-intensive, and results in the production of single one-off items. It is therefore pertinent to assess how successful SPC is in the context of software production. These considerations have therefore motivated us to define and carry out a systematic review to assess whether SPC is being used effectively and correctly by software practitioners. Method: A protocol has been defined, according to the systematic literature review process, it was revised and refined by the authors. At the current time, the review is being carried out. Results: We report our considerations and preliminary results in defining and carrying out a systematic review on SPC, and how graduate students have been included in the review process of a first set of the papers. Conclusions: Our first results and impressions are positive. Also, involving graduate students has been a successful experience.
Tensegrity and mechanoregulation : from skeleton to cytoskeleton

Objective: To elucidate how mechanical stresses that are applied to the whole organism are transmitted to individual cells and transduced into a biochemical response. Design: In this article, we describe fundamental design principles that are used to stabilize the musculoskeletal system at many di#erent size scales and show that these design features are embodied in one particular form of architecture that is known as tensegrity. Results: Tensegrity structures are characterized by use of continuous tension and local compression; architecture, prestress (internal stress prior to application of external force), and triangulation play the most critical roles in terms of determining their mechanical stability. In living organisms, use of a hierarchy of tensegrity networks both optimizes structural e$ciency and provides a mechanism to mechanically couple the parts with the whole: mechanical stresses applied at the macroscale result in structural rearrangements at the cell and molecular level. Conclusion: Due to use of tensegrity architecture, mechanical stress is concentrated and focused on signal transducing molecules that physically associate with cell surface molecules that anchor cells to extracellular matrix, such as integrins, and with load-bearing elements within the internal cytoskeleton and nucleus. Mechanochemical transduction may then proceed through local stress-dependent changes in molecular mechanics, thermodynamics, and kinetics within the cell. In this manner, the entire cellular response to stress may be orchestrated and tuned by altering the prestress in the cell, just as changing muscular tone can alter mechanical stability and structural coordination throughout the whole musculoskeletal system.
An research review on clustering analysis for spatio-temporal trajectories of moving point objects

As an information extraction technology, clustering analysis for spatio-temporal trajectories of moving point objects focuses on spatial and temporal distribution and principle of group movement behavior. Potential applications span a wide spectrum such as meteorology, traffic engineering, wildlife migration, mobile network allocation and logistics. Firstly some concepts related to clustering analysis for spatio-temporal trajectories of moving point objects are introduced. Then the current research progresses of this filed are elaborately summarized. Finally the open research problems are pointed out. Clustering analysis for spatio-temporal trajectories of moving point objects is a novel research field and many issues need to be solved. The review research on this topic has great theoretical and practical value.
Panel data econometrics and climate change

Two effects largely determine global warming: the well-known greenhouse effect and the less well-known solar radiation effect. An increase in concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases contributes to global warming: the greenhouse effect. In addition, small particles, called aerosols, reflect and absorb sunlight in the atmosphere. More pollution causes an increase in aerosols, so that less sunlight reaches the Earth (global dimming). Despite its name, global dimming is primarily a local (or regional) effect. Because of the dimming the Earth becomes cooler: the solar radiation effect. Global warming thus consists of two components: the (global) greenhouse effect and the (local) solar radiation effect, which work in opposite directions. Only the sum of the greenhouse effect and the solar radiation effect is observed, not the two effects separately. Our purpose is to identify the two effects. This is important, because the existence of the solar radiation effect obscures the magnitude of the greenhouse effect. We propose a simple climate model with a small number of parameters. We gather data from a large number of weather stations around the world for the period 1959–2002. We then estimate the parameters using dynamic panel data methods, and quantify 6 Global warming and local dimming: the statistical evidence | Chapter 2 the parameter uncertainty. Next, we decompose the estimated temperature change of 0.73 C (averaged over the weather stations) into a greenhouse effect of 1.87 C, a solar radiation effect of 1.09 C, and a small remainder term. Finally, we subject our findings to extensive sensitivity analyses.
Stochastic Interconnect Modeling , Power Trends , and Performance Characterization of 3-Dimensional Circuits

3-D technology promises higher integration density and lower interconnection complexity and delay. At present, however, not much work on circuit applications has been done due to lack of insight into 3-D circuit architecture and performance. One of the purposes of realizing 3-D integration is to reduce the interconnect complexity and delay of 2-D, which are widely considered as the barriers to continued performance gains in future technology generations. Thus, understanding the interconnect and its related issues, such as the impact on circuit performance, is key to 3-D circuit applications. In this paper we present a stochastic 3-D interconnect model and study the impact of 3-D integration on circuit performance and power consumption. To model 3-D interconnect, we divide the 3-D wires into two parts (horizontal wires and vertical wires) and derive their stochastic distributions. Based on those distributions, we estimate the delay distribution. We show that 3-D structures effectively reduce the number of long delay nets, significantly reduce the number of repeaters, and dramatically improve circuit performance. With 3-D integration, circuits can be clocked at frequencies much higher (double or even triple) than 2-D. Keywords— Technology Planning, 3-Dimensional Circuits, Interconnect Modeling, Repeaters, Performance Characterization, Power Consumption, Technology Generations
A change-centric approach to compile configurable systems with #ifdefs

Configurable systems typically use #ifdefs to denote variability. Generating and compiling all configurations may be time-consuming. An alternative consists of using variability-aware parsers, such as TypeChef. However, they may not scale. In practice, compiling the complete systems may be costly. Therefore, developers can use sampling strategies to compile only a subset of the configurations. We propose a change-centric approach to compile configurable systems with #ifdefs by analyzing only configurations impacted by a code change (transformation). We implement it in a tool called CHECKCONFIGMX, which reports the new compilation errors introduced by the transformation. We perform an empirical study to evaluate 3,913 transformations applied to the 14 largest files of BusyBox, Apache HTTPD, and Expat configurable systems. CHECKCONFIGMX finds 595 compilation errors of 20 types introduced by 41 developers in 214 commits (5.46% of the analyzed transformations). In our study, it reduces by at least 50% (an average of 99%) the effort of evaluating the analyzed transformations by comparing with the exhaustive approach without considering a feature model. CHECKCONFIGMX may help developers to reduce compilation effort to evaluate fine-grained transformations applied to configurable systems with #ifdefs.
Complete genome sequence of Bacteroides helcogenes type strain (P 36-108T)

Bacteroides helcogenes Benno et al. 1983 is of interest because of its isolated phylogenetic location and, although it has been found in pig feces and is known to be pathogenic for pigs, occurrence of this bacterium is rare and it does not cause significant damage in intensive animal husbandry. The genome of B. helcogenes P 36–108T is already the fifth completed and published type strain genome from the genus Bacteroides in the family Bacteroidaceae. The 3,998,906 bp long genome with its 3,353 protein-coding and 83 RNA genes consists of one circular chromosome and is a part of the GenomicEncyclopedia ofBacteria andArchaea project.