Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A data clustering algorithm based on mussels wandering optimization

As an unsupervised learning method, clustering methods plays an important role in quality data mining and various other applications. This work investigates them based on swarm intelligence, introduces a new intelligence algorithm called mussels wandering optimization (MWO) to the data clustering field, and proposes a new clustering algorithm by combining K-means clustering method and MWO. Tests on six standard data sets are performed. The results demonstrate the validity and superiority of the proposed method over some representative clustering ones.
Methods for scalable self-assembly of ad hoc wireless sensor networks

In distributed wireless sensing applications such as unattended ground sensor systems, remote planetary exploration, and condition-based maintenance, where the deployment site is remote and/or the scale of the network is large, individual emplacement and configuration of the sensor nodes is difficult. Hence, network self-assembly and continuous network self-organization during the lifetime of the network in a reliable, efficient, and scalable manner are crucial for successful deployment and operation of such networks. This paper provides an overview of the concept of network self-assembly for ad hoc wireless sensor networks at the link layer, with descriptions of results from implementation of a novel network formation mechanism for wireless unattended ground sensor applications using a multicluster hierarchical topology and a novel dual-radio architecture.
Multiple hits during early embryonic development: digenic diseases and holoprosencephaly.

Multiple genetic and environmental factors likely play a role in the phenotypic expression of many Mendelian disorders. Understanding the biologic role of the genes associated with human disease may guide future explorations of additional modifier genes. For example, with HPE, there are several possible categories of additional candidate genes and potential sites of interaction. First, there are genes encoding proteins that are in the signaling pathways for identified disease genes (e.g., Shh and nodal signaling). Second, genes involved in the relevant developmental processes are potential candidate genes for human diseases (dorsal-ventral patterning of the forebrain, other processes in midline forebrain development, prechordal mesoderm induction). Third, genes involved in synthesis or metabolism of teratogenic agents (cholesterol biosynthesis, retinoic acid metabolism) could also be potential genetic contributors. Multiple genetic hits or environmental exposures may be required for clinical expression of many Mendelian disorders. Conceptions of a disease being the result of mutations in a single gene should take into account the overlap between Mendelian and multifactorial disorders. Indeed, as more detail emerges demonstrating the impact of genomic and environmental variability on phenotype, we may reconceptualize classic Mendelian and complex multifactorial disorders as two ends of a continuum of disease causation, with the gradient reflecting the relative independence of a given mutation in producing the disease phenotype. It may be useful to remember that “genomes speak biochemistry, not phenotype” (Plasterk 1999). Future studies will focus both on the identification of additional genes involved with these human diseases and on the understanding of their biologic interactions. Such information will lend greater insight into the complex genetic and environmental influences that lead to phenotypic expression of a trait.
Brain iron takes off: a new propeller protein links neurodegeneration with autophagy.

‘Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation’ (NBIA) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders presenting with progressive extrapyramidal dysfunction, and as a common feature, with brain iron deposition in the basal ganglia, particularly in the globus pallidus and substantia nigra (Gregory and Hayflick, 2013 a ). Over recent years an increasing number of mutations in novel disease genes have been identified in NBIA, facilitated by new genetic technologies. Mutations in nine different genes have been shown to cause NBIA to date, with a spectrum of overlapping clinical phenotypes (Fig. 1, Gregory and Hayflick, 2013 a ). The identification of novel disease genes has improved our understanding of major disease mechanisms leading to iron deposition as a potential common pathway, although the direct link between iron accumulation and clinical presentation requires further work. Figure 1 Summary of the distinguishing features in different types of NBIA. Different coloured arrows represent the primary pathomechanisms. aCP = aceruloplasminemia; BPAN = beta-propeller protein-associated neurodegeneration; FAHN = fatty acid hydroxylase-associated neurodegeneration; INAD = infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy; KRD = Kufor-Rakeb disease; MPAN = mitochondrial membrane protein-associated neurodegeneration; PKAN = pantothenate kinase associated neurodegeneration; WSS = Woodhouse-Sakati syndrome. The clinical ‘hallmarks’ of NBIA are progressive dystonia, dysarthria, spasticity and parkinsonism. Optic atrophy, retinal degeneration and peripheral neuropathy may be associated features in a number of NBIA syndromes. Characteristic MRI findings may be helpful in the diagnosis, but they may appear only later in the disease course. However some specific signs on MRI may facilitate the diagnosis (Fig. 1). The age of manifestation (childhood–adulthood) and the inheritance pattern (autosomal recessive in seven forms; autosomal dominant in neuroferritinopathy; and X-linked in WDR45 deficiency) may be helpful in the differential diagnosis of NBIA (Fig. 1). In a large proportion of cases (∼40%), the underlying genetic basis of NBIA has yet to be defined, …
State Exploration of Scala Actor Programs

The growing use of multicore and networked computing systems is increasing the importance of developing reliable parallel and distributed code. Unfortunately, developing and testing such code is notoriously hard, especially for shared-memory models of programming. The actor model offers a promising alternative paradigm based on message passing. Essentially, an actor is an autonomous concurrent object which interacts with other actors only by exchanging messages. In actor-based systems, the key source of non-determinism is the order in which messages are delivered to—and processed by—the actors. Bugs can still occur in actor programs as the interleaving of messages may be incorrect, or the sequential code within an actor can have bugs. We developed a general framework, called SEJAP, for exploring possible message schedules in actor systems compiled to the Java bytecode. Specifically, in this dissertation, we present one instantiation of SEJAP for the actor library of the Scala programming language. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first framework that allows systematic exploration of Scala actor programs. We also present two optimizations that alleviate the state explosion problem typical for such exploration, and thus speed up the overall exploration of actor programs in SEJAP. We have implemented our framework, Scala instantiation, and optimizations in Java PathFinder, a widely used model checker for Java bytecode developed by NASA. Preliminary results show that SEJAP can effectively explore executions of actor programs. Further, our use of SEJAP already discovered a previously unknown bug in the sample code from a popular site for Scala.
Retrieval algorithm for CO 2 and CH 4 column abundances from short-wavelength infrared spectral observations by the Greenhouse gases observing satellite

Abstract. The Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT) was launched on 23 January 2009 to monitor the global distributions of carbon dioxide and methane from space. It has operated continuously since then. Here, we describe a retrieval algorithm for column abundances of these gases from the short-wavelength infrared spectra obtained by the Thermal And Near infrared Sensor for carbon Observation-Fourier Transform Spectrometer (TANSO-FTS). The algorithm consists of three steps. First, cloud-free observational scenes are selected by several cloud-detection methods. Then, column abundances of carbon dioxide and methane are retrieved based on the optimal estimation method. Finally, the retrieval quality is examined to exclude low-quality and/or aerosol-contaminated results. Most of the retrieval random errors come from instrumental noise. The interferences due to auxiliary parameters retrieved simultaneously with gas abundances are small. The evaluated precisions of the retrieved column abundances for single observations are less than 1% in most cases. The interhemispherical differences and temporal variation patterns of the retrieved column abundances show features similar to those of an atmospheric transport model.
Development of Scanning Ultrafast Electron Microscope Capability.

Modern semiconductor devices rely on the transport of minority charge carriers. Direct examination of minority carrier lifetimes in real devices with nanometer-scale features requires a measurement method with simultaneously high spatial and temporal resolutions. Achieving nanometer spatial resolutions at sub-nanosecond temporal resolution is possible with pump-probe methods that utilize electrons as probes. Recently, a stroboscopic scanning electron microscope was developed at Caltech, and used to study carrier transport across a Si p-n junction [1,2,3]. In this report, we detail our development of a prototype scanning ultrafast electron microscope system at Sandia National Laboratories based on the original Caltech design. This effort represents Sandia’s first exploration into ultrafast electron microscopy.
He-ion induced structural transformation of supported Ag nanoparticles

Over the past few decades, the use of nanostructures for the miniaturization of electrical components, creating new tools for medical diagnosis or even in the fields of pharmacology and cosmetics has become quite indispensable and industrially backed. Nanoparticles (NPs), in particular, are situated between the molecular level and bulk matter size. This size range gave rise to a wide variety of physical phenomena that are still not quite yet understood. In fact, for nanoparticles, the number of atoms present at the surface of these particles is very high and depending on the size of the particles, the percentage of surface atoms can reach higher quantities than its core ones. In addition, due to having a finite number of atoms, adding or removing an atom can have a huge impact on the different properties of these nanoparticles.
Complete characterization of almost Moore digraphs of degree three

It is well known that Moore digraphs do not exist except for trivial cases (degree 1 or diameter 1), but there are digraphs of diameter two and arbitrary degree which miss the Moore bound by one. No examples of such digraphs of diameter at least three are known, although several necessary conditions for their existence have been obtained. In this paper, we prove that digraphs of degree three and diameter k ≥ 3 which miss the Moore bound by one do not exist. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 48: 112–126, 2005
AMPK-dependent regulation of GLP1 expression in L-like cells.

This study examined whether AMPK, an evolutionarily conserved sensor of cellular energy status, determines the production of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1). A negative relation existed between phosphorylation of AMPKα and the expression and secretion of GLP1 during changes in energy status in STC-1 cells, an L-like cell line. High concentration of glucose (25 mmol/L) decreased AMPKα phosphorylation, whereas it stimulated the expression and secretion of GLP1 relative to 5.6 mmol/L glucose. Serum starvation upregulated AMPKα phosphorylation, whereas it reduced GLP1 production significantly. Stimulation of AMPK phosphorylation by AICAR and overexpression of wild-type AMPKα1, constitutively active AMPKα1 plasmids, or AMPKα1 lentivirus particles suppressed proglucagon mRNA and protein contents in STC-1 cells. Inactivation of AMPK by Compound C, AMPKα1 siRNA or kinase-inactive AMPKα1 mutant increased the expression and secretion of GLP1. Our results suggest that AMPKα1 may link energy supply with the production of GLP1 in L-like cells.
MicroRNA-155 as a potential plasma non-invasive biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm

Objective: To study the relationships of microRNA-155 (miR-155) expression with the clinicopathological features and prognosis in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Methods: One hundred and sixteen cases with AAA were selected for the case group, and one hundred and thirty elderly individuals who had undergone physical examination during the same period at The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University were selected for the control group. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of miR-155. Results: The plasma miR-155 expression in the case group increased significantly compared to that in the control group (P < 0.05). According to the AAA classification, the miR-155 expression in patients with type I was higher than that in type IIA; the expression in type I and IIA was higher than that in type IIB; and the expression in type I and IIA was higher than that in type IIC (all P < 0.05). The miR-155 expression was positively related to age and tumor size (r = 0.643, P < 0.001 and r = 0.240, P = 0.010, respectively). Also, the miR-155 expression increased in patients with smoking history, hypertension, and renal dysfunction. The higher miR-155 expression after treatment indicated an increased incidence of complication. Conclusion: These findings suggested that the miR-155 expression is related to the clinicopathological features and prognosis of AAA, indicating that miR155 serves as a potential plasma non-invasive biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of AAA.
3-DOF closed-loop control for planar linear motors

Planar linear motors (Sawyer motors) have been used in industry as open-loop stepping motors, but their robustness and versatility has been limited. Using a sensor integrated into such a motor, a closed-loop 3-DOF controller has been implemented. The software-based control system consists of a commutator for computing amplifier currents from actuator forces, a force resolution function for solving the redundant actuation and saturation problems, and an observer for producing a velocity estimate, together with a PID controller. Experiments are performed using a 2-axis laser interferometer to show that the controller has sub-micron resolution, 2 /spl mu/m peak-to-peak repeatability, and settling times after trajectories of about 20 ms. Limitations of the PID controller are discussed and ideas for improvements are presented.
New renormalization group approach and scaling laws for the Lifshitz critical behavior

A new renormalization group treatment is proposed for the critical exponents of an m-fold Lifshitz point. The anisotropic cases (m not equal 8) are described by two independent fixed points associated to two independent momentum flow along the quadratic and quartic directions, respectively. The isotropic case is described separately. In that case, the fixed point is due to renormalization group transformations along the quartic directions. The new scaling laws are derived for both cases and generalize the ones previously reported.
Role of Homeodomain Leucine Zipper (HD-Zip) IV Transcription Factors in Plant Development and Plant Protection from Deleterious Environmental Factors

Homeobox genes comprise an important group of genes that are responsible for regulation of developmental processes. These genes determine cell differentiation and cell fate in all eukaryotic organisms, starting from the early stages of embryo development. Homeodomain leucine zipper (HD-Zip) transcription factors are unique to the plant kingdom. Members of the HD-Zip IV subfamily have a complex domain topology and can bind several cis-elements with overlapping sequences. Many of the reported HD-Zip IV genes were shown to be specifically or preferentially expressed in plant epidermal or sub-epidermal cells. HD-Zip IV TFs were found to be associated with differentiation and maintenance of outer cell layers, and regulation of lipid biosynthesis and transport. Insights about the role of these proteins in plant cuticle formation, and hence their possible involvement in plant protection from pathogens and abiotic stresses has just started to emerge. These roles make HD-Zip IV proteins an attractive tool for genetic engineering of crop plants. To this end, there is a need for in-depth studies to further clarify the function of each HD-Zip IV subfamily member in commercially important plant species.
Non-contact driver cardiac physiological monitoring using video data

Driver physiological monitoring in vehicle is of great importance to provide a comfortable driving environment and prevent road accidents. In recent years, the development of non-contact techniques for such monitoring has been drawing research interests. In this paper, we present a non-contact video-based driver physiological monitoring framework to robustly acquire driver's heart rate and heart rate variability analysis using a simple consumer-level webcam. More specifically, a real-time facial feature detector as well as a joint blind source separation method is used to capture the driver's facial blood volume pulse signal. Experimental results from both laboratory and actual road driving conditions demonstrate that the proposed non-contact framework is promising HR and HRV monitoring, even with the existence of unstable light source variation.
Pre-sliding Friction Dynamics in High Precision Machine Slides

High precision applications, such as, semiconductor manufacturing and diamond turning of optical elements require positioning accuracy within nanometers and therefore require very precise motion control of machine tool axes. The frictional behavior at the slides is a result of very complex interaction between the contacting surfaces and lubricants. No accurate quantitative prediction of the friction behavior is possible based on the given material and surface properties. One must therefore address the frictional behavior through carefully designed experiments. In this work the experimental data for unidirectional and reciprocating motions of machine slides have been employed. Specific studies include the micro-dynamics of a hydraulically actuated slide-way and that of a ball-screw driven precision slide system. The frictional behavior may be divided in two regimes: pre-sliding and gross sliding. The pre-sliding responses have been studied by investigating micro-slip and frictional memory as well as material hysteresis.
Volatilisation problems in the measurement of mould fluxes crystallisation by hot thermocouple technique

Since it is first verified that saturating the room temperature quartz tube with fluoride gas is not effective for inhibiting the NaF volatilization, the effects of fluorides volatilization on crystallization properties of mold fluxes are studied under the open condition of hot thermocouple technique. The volatilization ratio is analyzed by sintering the mold fluxes at an appropriate temperature to weigh the sample accurately. The results show that, at high holding temperatures (1400 - 1500°C), with the increase of fluoride losses and proportion of SiF4 in the volatiles, the initial crystallization temperature, crystalline fraction, and relative crystallization rate reduced, which leads to the whole C curve shift to the bottom-right. At low holding temperatures (1300°C), the initial crystallization temperature increases with the increase of fluoride losses, and the crystallization could begin during the holding stage. Therefore, it is infeasible to study the crystallization behavior of mold fluxes using hot thermocouple technique.
The Development and Prediction of Athletic Performance in Freestyle Swimming

The Development and Prediction of Athletic Performance in Freestyle Swimming This paper analyses the dynamics of changes between the performances of elite freestyle swimmers recorded at particular Olympic Games. It also uses a set of chronologically ordered results to predict probable times of swimmers at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The analysis of past performances of freestyle swimmers and their prediction have revealed a number of interesting tendencies within separately examined results of men and women. Women's results improve more dynamically compared with men's. Moreover, the difference between women's and men's results is smaller, the longer the swimming distance. As both male and female athletes tend to compete more and more vigorously within their groups, the gap between the gold medallist and the last finisher in the final is constantly decreasing, which provides significant evidence that this sport discipline continues to develop.
Deep Context-Free Grammar for Chinese with Broad-Coverage

The accuracy of Chinese parsers trained on Penn Chinese Treebank is evidently lower than that of the English parsers trained on Penn Treebank. It is plausible that the essential reason is the lack of surface syntactic constraints in Chinese. In this paper, we present evidences to show that strict deep syntactic constraints exist in Chinese sentences and such constraints cannot be effectively described with context-free phrase structure rules as in the Penn Chinese Treebank annotation; we show that such constraints may be described precisely by the idea of Sentence Structure Grammar; we introduce how to develop a broad-coverage rule-based grammar for Chinese based on this idea; we evaluated the grammar and the evaluation results show that the coverage of the current grammar is 94.2%.
A comparative large scale study of MLP features for Mandarin ASR

MLP based front-ends have shown significant complementary properties to conventional spectral features. As part of the DARPA GALE program, different MLP features were developed for Mandarin ASR. In this paper, all the proposed frontends are compared in systematic manner and we extensively investigate the scalability of these features in terms of the amount of training data (from 100 hours to 1600 hours) and system complexity (maximum likelihood training, SAT, lattice level combination, and discriminative training). Results on 5 hours of evaluation data from the GALE project reveal that the MLP features consistently produce relative improvements in the range of 15% − 23% at the different steps of a multipass system when compared to the conventional short-term spectral based features like MFCC and PLP. The largest improvement is obtained using a hierarchical MLP approach. Index Terms: TANDEM features, Multi-Layer Perceptron, Acoustic features, GALE project, LVCSR.