Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Probr - A Generic and Passive WiFi Tracking System

WiFi-enabled devices broadcast a vast amount of data without being associated to any access points. To study and analyze this data, a generic passive WiFi tracking system called Probr was developed. Probr manages various types of WiFi capturing devices, collects captured WiFi traces, processes collected WiFi traces, and visualizes WiFi activities via its Web interface. Probr supports several on-line analysis use cases and is extensible with respect to custom storage solutions to fit further use cases. Thus, Probr is the first system of that kind known, enabling full device administration and provided completely as Open Source. A case study conducted demonstrates the capabilities of Probr for use cases such as room utilization estimation, indoor device localization, tracking a person's presence between multiple Probr-equipped locations, and analysis of device vendor preferences.
A secure NFC application for credit transfer among mobile phones

People continuously try to improve their quality of life and technologies have an important role on it. Money transaction between mobile devices is bored and a difficult operation to perform since there is not a simple and safe way to do it. Near field communication (NFC) is a new secure short-range wireless connectivity technology, can play an important role on this kind of issues, and it is very easy to use. In upcoming years the NFC technology can offer an important contribution to simplify some daily operations, such as payments and money transactions. This paper focused on NFC technology and proposes a peer-to-peer based application that demonstrates the usage of NFC and Bluetooth technologies for money transaction between mobile devices. NFC technology is used with a simple gesture that triggers a lot of background operations. A solution is proposed, evaluated, and demonstrated and it is ready for use. It demonstrates the NFC availability for secure and easy communication and authentication in mobile applications.
Near-optimal sample complexity for convex tensor completion

We study the problem of estimating a low-rank tensor when we have noisy observations of a subset of its entries. A rank-$r$, order-$d$, $N \times N \times \cdots \times N$ tensor, where $r=O(1)$, has $O(dN)$ free variables. On the other hand, prior to our work, the best sample complexity that was achieved in the literature is $O\left(N^{\frac{d}{2}}\right)$, obtained by solving a tensor nuclear-norm minimization problem. In this paper, we consider the ‘M-norm’, an atomic norm whose atoms are rank-1 sign tensors. We also consider a generalization of the matrix max-norm to tensors, which results in a quasi-norm that we call ‘max-qnorm’. We prove that solving an M-norm constrained least squares (LS) problem results in nearly optimal sample complexity for low-rank tensor completion (TC). A similar result holds for max-qnorm as well. Furthermore, we show that these bounds are nearly minimax rate-optimal. We also provide promising numerical results for max-qnorm constrained TC, showing improved recovery compared to matricization and alternating LS.
Determination of material parameters of the two-dimensional Holzapfel–Weizsäcker type model based on uniaxial extension data of arterial walls

Soft tissues are anisotropic materials yet a majority of mechanical property tests have been uniaxial, which often failed to recapitulate the tensile response in other directions. This paper aims to study the feasibility of determining material parameters of anisotropic tissues by uniaxial extension with a minimal loss of anisotropic information. We assumed that by preselecting a certain constitutive model, we could give the constitutive parameters based on uniaxial extension data from orthogonal strip samples. In our study, the Holzapfel–Weizsäcker type strain energy density function (H–W model) was used to determine the material parameters of arterial walls from two fresh donation bodies. The key points we applied were the relationships between strain components in uniaxial tensile tests and the methods of stochastic optimisation. Further numerical experiments were taken. The estimate–effect ratio, defined by the number of data with the precision of estimation less than 0.5% over whole size of data, was calculated to demonstrate the feasibility of our method. The material parameters for Chinese aorta and pulmonary artery were given with the maximum root mean square (RMS) errors 0.042, and the minimal estimate–effect ratio in numerical experiments was 90.79%. Our results suggest that the constitutive parameters of arterial walls can be determined from uniaxial extension data, given the passive mechanical behaviour governed by H–W model. This method may apply to other tissues using different constitutive models.
A P-glycoprotein homologue of Plasmodium falciparum is localized on the digestive vacuole

Resistance to chloroquine in Plasmodium falciparum bears a striking similarity to the multi-drug resistance (MDR) phenotype of mammalian tumor cells which is mediated by overexpression of P-glycoprotein. We show here that the P. falciparum homologue of the P-glycoprotein (Pgh1) is a 160,000-D protein that is expressed throughout the asexual erythrocytic life cycle of the parasite. Quantitative immunoblotting analysis has shown that the protein is expressed at approximately equal levels in chloroquine resistant and sensitive isolates suggesting that overexpression of Pgh1 is not essential for chloroquine resistance. The chloroquine-resistant cloned line FAC8 however, does express approximately threefold more Pgh1 protein than other isolates which is most likely because of the increased pfmdr1 gene copy number present in this isolate. Immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy has demonstrated that Pgh1 is localized on the membrane of the digestive vacuole of mature parasites. This subcellular localization suggests that Pgh1 may modulate intracellular chloroquine concentrations and has important implications for the normal physiological function of this protein.
ARML 2.0 in the context of existing AR data formats

Over the past few years, several mobile Augmented Reality browsers have been developed and used by the mass market. AR browsers allow developers to create and upload AR content in a specific format and render it in the browser, similar to web browsers rendering HTML content. While the feature set of these browsers is fairly similar, the lack of an AR standard caused every browser to develop its own proprietary content format. Tools have been created to handle content published in several browsers (for example [5]), and books have been written to explain how to develop with multiple AR content formats [10]. The Augmented Reality Markup Language (ARML) 2.0, an official Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) candidate standard, has recently been developed within the OGC, to bridge the gap between the AR browser formats and provide a common standard every AR browser, as well as other AR implementations could adhere to. This article introduces ARML 2.0 and its concepts, and analyzes how existing AR browser formats can be mapped to ARML 2.0.
Baby or bathwater?: Early follow-up after hospital discharge.

Since 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have publicly reported risk standardized 30-day readmission rates for patients hospitalized with heart failure, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and pneumonia. Over the next few years, the portfolio of readmission measures will expand to include patients with a broad range of medical and surgical conditions.1 Furthermore, under the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program of the Affordable Care Act, hospitals with higher than average readmission rates will be subject to a payment penalty.2 The stakes are high for hospitals, with millions of dollars of CMS payments at risk, and hospitals are trying to identify and implement effective strategies for reducing readmissions.
RAYLEIGH METHOD APPLIED TO A 46-M-HIGH CONCRETE MAST

Abstract. In this study, an analytical approach based on the Rayleigh method is adopted to calculate the first resonant frequency of a 46-m-high concrete mobile phone mast system, by considering the geometric stiffness, functions of the concentrated forces, and self-weight of the structure. It is important to bear in mind that actual structures are more complex than simple systems such as beams and columns because the properties of actual structures vary with their length. The mast is done in concrete its nonlinear behavior is linearized reducing the flexural stiffness and the ground is taken into account as distributed springs. Under geometric nonlinearity, the vibration frequency of the fundamental mode is calculated analytically and, for comparison, a finite element method (FEM)-based computer simulation is performed. Finally, the structural stiffness is evaluated. The results of the analytical approach are found to differ slightly from those of the FEM-based model.
Motion indexing of different emotional states using LMA components

Recently, there has been an increasing use of pre-recorded motion capture data, making motion indexing and classification essential for animating virtual characters and synthesising different actions. In this paper, we use a variety of features that encode characteristics of motion using the Body, Effort, Shape and Space components of Laban Movement Analysis (LMA), to explore the motion quality from acted dance performances. Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), we evaluate the importance of the proposed features - with regards to their ability to separate the performer's emotional state - indicating the weight of each feature in motion classification. PCA has been also used for dimensionality reduction, laying the foundation for the qualitative and quantitative classification of movements based on their LMA characteristics. Early results show that the proposed features provide a representative space for indexing and classification of dance movements with regards to the emotion, which can be used for synthesis and composition purposes.
Chronic allograft failure in human renal transplantation: a multivariate risk factor analysis.

OBJECTIVE To identify potential risk factors for the development of chronic renal allograft failure. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA Chronic allograft failure (CAF) is the leading cause of late graft loss in renal transplantation. The authors studied the risk factors for the development of CAF in a single center during a period in which a consistent baseline immunosuppression regimen (cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisolone) was used. METHODS Data from the Oxford Transplant Center Database were assessed on 862 renal allografts during a 10-year period. Risk factors were identified using multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Biopsy-proven CAF occurred in 77 patients (9.2%) in the entire group. Multivariate risk factor analysis revealed that early and late acute rejection episodes, proteinuria, and serum triglycerides were significant factors. Acute rejection after 3 months was more important than early acute rejection. Serum triglyceride level and proteinuria at 1 year were both elevated in the CAF group. Male sex provided a protective effect. Serum creatinine levels at 6 months after the transplant were not predictive of the risk of developing CAF. CONCLUSIONS These results from the largest single-center review to date suggest that both antigen-dependent and -independent factors are involved in the pathogenesis of CAF. Acute rejection at all time points has a significant impact on the development of CAF.
Particle Image Velocimetry Study on the Stripe Formation in Vertically Vibrated Granules

granules under vertical vibrations receive many attentions due to their importance in theoretical research and engineering application. In this paper, a two-dimensional Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) system was used to examine the f/2 stripe pattern forming in a vertically vibrated granular layer. Since the PIV sampling frequency does not match with the vibrating frequency, a special identification-coupling method was adopted to combine the images taken in different cycles to offer the information in one complete cycle. The measured velocity vectors showed exactly the particle motions at various stages of a motion cycle, illustrating the alternating peaks and valleys on the layer top. Furthermore, quantitative results on the temporal evolution of velocity profiles were obtained and some other interesting phenomena were observed, such as the appearance of local structures (e.g. dual-phase layer structure) and the moving feature of the 'standing point'. The mechanism accounting for the occurrence of stripes on the surface is also discussed. This work will be of interest to a better understanding on pattern formation in the vibrating granular bed.
Interaction Modeling in the SmartKom system

The research project SmartKom aims at developing sophisticated multimodal user interfaces. The main outcome of the project is an integrated demonstrator combining all research results. One component of this demonstrator is the interaction module that constructs and maintains a model of human-computer interaction. The interaction module uses a set of input sources (about 50 in total) to calculate several values, each describing a very specific aspect. These values (indicators) are combined to construct more general values (models). The model values are then passed on to other SmartKom modules that can exploit them to improve the interaction. Problematic situations are expressed by three models in the fourth part of the module. One model describes the likelihood that the user is angry by combining scores from mimic analysis, emotion extraction from prosody, and use of certain words. A second model combines confidence values from recognizers and similar scores from other modules to detect problems in the analysis part of the system. A third model estimates the dialogue progress using the ratio of new information items to total information items and the overall number of information items in the user input.
Alpha-tocopherol succinate- and AMD3100-mobilized progenitors mitigate radiation combined injury in mice

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the role of alpha-tocopherol succinate (TS)- and AMD3100-mobilized progenitors in mitigating combined injury associated with acute radiation exposure in combination with secondary physical wounding. CD2F1 mice were exposed to high doses of cobalt-60 gamma-radiation and then transfused intravenously with 5 million peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from TS- and AMD3100-injected mice after irradiation. Within 1 h after irradiation, mice were exposed to secondary wounding. Mice were observed for 30 d after irradiation and cytokine analysis was conducted by multiplex Luminex assay at various time-points after irradiation and wounding. Our results initially demonstrated that transfusion of TS-mobilized progenitors from normal mice enhanced survival of acutely irradiated mice exposed 24 h prior to transfusion to supralethal doses (11.5–12.5 Gy) of 60Co gamma-radiation. Subsequently, comparable transfusions of TS-mobilized progenitors were shown to significantly mitigate severe combined injuries in acutely irradiated mice. TS administered 24 h before irradiation was able to protect mice against combined injury as well. Cytokine results demonstrated that wounding modulates irradiation-induced cytokines. This study further supports the conclusion that the infusion of TS-mobilized progenitor-containing PBMCs acts as a bridging therapy in radiation-combined-injury mice. We suggest that this novel bridging therapeutic approach involving the infusion of TS-mobilized hematopoietic progenitors following acute radiation exposure or combined injury might be applicable to humans.
Assessing sexual function and dysfunction in Turkish women undergoing surgical breast cancer treatment.

AIM The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are differences between Turkish women undergoing postmastectomy breast reconstruction and those undergoing breast-conserving surgery (BCS) or mastectomy alone. METHODS The sample of the study, which was designed as a descriptive and regressional one, consisted of a total of 100 female patients, 33 undergoing BCS, 34 undergoing postmastectomy breast reconstruction, and 33 undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer, between 2008 and 2012. Data were collected through an individual characteristics form and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). RESULTS The comparison of the type of surgical procedure and the mean FSFI scores for the subscales of desire, arousal, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain, and the mean total FSFI scores revealed a statistically significant difference in favor of postmastectomy breast reconstruction and BCS (P < 0.05). When the authors evaluated the effects of age and surgical procedure type from the risk factors associated with total FSFI score classification by the logistic regression analysis, variations of age and surgical procedure type were found significant in the authors' model (P < 0.05). Age and surgical procedure type were independent risk factors effective on the total FSFI score of less than 26.55. CONCLUSION In this study, based on the mean total FSFI scores of women, it was concluded that postmastectomy breast reconstruction had positive effects on sexual lives of Turkish women with breast cancer, that more satisfactory outcomes were obtained in those undergoing BCS, that mastectomy had negative effects on sexual function, thus leading to sexual dysfunction, and that age was negatively associated with sexual functions.
Comparison of body composition, heart rate variability, aerobic and anaerobic performance between competitive cyclists and triathletes

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to compare the body composition, heart rate variability, and aerobic and anaerobic performance between competitive cyclists and triathletes. [Subjects] Six cyclists and eight triathletes with experience in competitions voluntarily participated in this study. [Methods] The subjects’ body composition was measured with an anthropometric tape and skinfold caliper. Maximal oxygen consumption and maximum heart rate were determined using the incremental treadmill test. Heart rate variability was measured by 7 min electrocardiographic recording. The Wingate test was conducted to determine anaerobic physical performance. [Results] There were significant differences in minimum power and relative minimum power between the triathletes and cyclists. Anthropometric characteristics and heart rate variability responses were similar among the triathletes and cyclists. However, triathletes had higher maximal oxygen consumption and lower resting heart rates. This study demonstrated that athletes in both sports have similar body composition and aerobic performance characteristics.
Neuropathology of dementia in Parkinson's disease: A prospective, community‐based study

Twenty‐two patients with Parkinson's disease drawn from a community‐based study were followed prospectively until their deaths. Even though 18 patients had dementia, none fulfilled Braak and Braak or The National Institute on Aging and Ronald and Nancy Reagan Institute of the Alzheimer's Association, whereas all patients had limbic or neocortical Lewy body disease. The Lewy body score and Braak and Braak stage were significantly associated with the rate of cognitive decline, but only the Lewy body score was associated with the rate of cognitive decline in the univariate analyses. This study strongly suggests that Lewy body disease is the main substrate driving the progression of cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease. Ann Neurol 2005;58:773–776
Endocrine physiology and the value of case studies.

are seen as preferable, and the bigger the better. In medical circles, individual case studies are widely regarded as the least satisfactory kind of clinical research; inferior to the case series, case-control study, cohort study and (as a gold standard) the prospective study of a randomly selected population. Such group techniques, appropriately modified, are also used as the method of choice for investigation of endocrine disease (in man and other animals). Nevertheless, in the study of mechanisms (i.e. endocrine physiology) there is an essential and complementary role for intensive study of individual subjects. There are problems with group studies, and especially with the statistical manipulations of their data. The point was made many years ago by the founding father of modern physiology, Claude Bernard, who warned that using group averages 'leads, so to speak, neccessarily to error . The greatest obstacle to applying calculation to physiological phenomena is still, at bottom, the excessive complexity which prevents their being definite and comparable one with another . Averages must therefore be rejected, because they confuse while aiming to unify, and distort while aiming to simplify. Averages are applicable only to reducing very slightly varying numerical data about clearly defined and absolutely simple cases' (Bernard, 1865). Bernard's argument remains valid today, and is particularly applicable to endocrinology. The essence of endocrine physiology is variability—which is an unsurprising characteristic for a control mechanism. For example, hormone release may be prone to alter¬ ation by circadian rhythms, external stimuli (pain, food, sleep etc.), interactions with other hormones and neurotransmitters; and the mode of release is characteristically pulsatile. Blood concentrations may be further modified by changes in rate of elimination, protein binding and a host of other factors. The net effect of such a multiplicity of influences is that any longitudinal pattern of hormonal change
Results of switching to milnacipran in fibromyalgia patients with an inadequate response to duloxetine: a phase IV pilot study

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of milnacipran following a direct switch from duloxetine in fibromyalgia patients experiencing inadequate clinical response to duloxetine after receiving treatment for 6 weeks or longer. Methods This exploratory study included 107 patients with fibromyalgia who had been treated with duloxetine 60 mg/day for at least 4 weeks prior to enrollment. Following a 2-week open-label period on duloxetine, patients who had visual analog scale pain scores ≥ 40 and were dissatisfied with current treatment were randomized 4:1 to milnacipran 100 mg/day (n = 86) or placebo (n = 21) for 10 weeks of double-blind treatment. The small placebo group was included solely to blind the study and minimize expectation bias among patients and investigators, and there was no preplanned statistical comparison between treatment groups. The primary efficacy parameter was the percentage of patients rating themselves as “much improved” or “very much improved” on the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) at the final visit. Other efficacy parameters included changes in one-week recall visual analog scale pain, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire Revised (FIQR), and Multiple Ability Self-Report Questionnaire (MASQ). Results Of patients switched to milnacipran, 32.9% were classified as PGIC responders, and they also demonstrated improvement in visual analog scale pain, FIQR total, and MASQ total scores (mean changes from baseline were −12.3, −7.77, and −2.39, respectively). Nausea and dizziness were the most common treatment-emergent adverse events in patients switched to milnacipran, reported in 21% and 15%, respectively, of patients in this group. Conclusion Results from this exploratory study suggest that switching from duloxetine to milnacipran may be beneficial in some patients with fibromyalgia who have an inadequate response to duloxetine. Further research investigating the efficacy and safety of switching fibromyalgia therapies is warranted.