Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integration of relational databases and record-based legacy systems for populating data warehouses

The number of data sources that an organization has to deal with continues to be nontrivial. Integrating this data is a growing problem. A great deal of research has been done to solve the general problem. Work on topics like multi-databases, mediators and ontologies has been directed at solving the general data integration problem. While all of this activity has been useful, the general problem of integrating heterogeneous data sources remains only partially solved. This paper looks at the solution of a sub-problem of the general problem where the data sources are restricted to relational databases and record-based legacy systems owned by the same organization. For many organizations, this restriction precisely defines their integration problem. For example, data warehouses typically have a tuple as their storage format, whether they are table- or cube-oriented. The task of defining the tuple requires integrating the organization's existing relational and/or record-based legacy systems. Populating the data warehouse can be accomplished by querying the integrated data sources. Specifically, we provide a mechanism for developing a relational model for the set of data sources, provide a method for generating correct queries over the model, and create an architecture for executing the queries based on the mobile agent paradigm. A prototype of the system has been designed and implemented.
Precision positioning with suppression of the influence of refractive index of air

We present an interferometric technique based on differential interferometry setup for measurement in the subnanometer scale in atmospheric conditions. One of the important limiting factors in any optical measurement are fluctuations of the refractive index of air representing a source of uncertainty traditionally compensated when the index is evaluated indirectly from the physical parameters of the atmosphere. Our proposal is based on the concept of overdetermined interferometric setup where a reference length is derived from a mechanical frame made from a material with very low thermal coefficient on the 1*E-8 level. The technique allows to track the variations of the refractive index of air on-line directly in the line of the measuring beam and to compensate for the fluctuations. The optical setup consists of three interferometers sharing the same beam path where two measure differentially the displacement while the third evaluates the changes in the measuring range acting as a tracking refractometer. The principle is demonstrated on an experimental setup and a set of measurements describing the performance is presented.
Memory-efficient algorithms for spatial network queries

Incrementally finding the k nearest neighbors (kNN) in a spatial network is an important problem in location-based services. One method (INE) simply applies Dijkstra's algorithm. Another method (IER) computes the k nearest neighbors using Euclidean distance followed by computing their corresponding network distances, and then incrementally finds the next nearest neighbors in order of increasing Euclidean distance until finding one whose Euclidean distance is greater than the current k nearest neighbor in terms of network distance. The LBC method improves on INE by avoiding the visit of nodes that cannot possibly lead to the k nearest neighbors by using a Euclidean heuristic estimator, and on IER by avoiding the repeated visits to nodes in the spatial network that appear on the shortest paths to different members of the k nearest neighbors by performing multiple instances of heuristic search using a Euclidean heuristic estimator on candidate objects around the query point. LBC's drawback is that the maintenance of multiple instances of heuristic search (called wavefronts) requires k priority queues and the queue operations required to maintain them incur a high in-memory processing cost. A method (SWH) is proposed that utilizes a novel heuristic function which considers objects surrounding the query point together as a single unit, instead of as one destination at a time as in LBC, thereby eliminating the need for multiple wavefronts and needs just one priority queue. These results in a significant reduction in the in-memory processing cost components while having the same reduced cost of the access to the spatial network as LBC. SWH is also extended to support the incremental distance semi-join (IDSJ) query, which is a multiple query point generalization of the kNN query. In addition, SWH is shown to support landmark-based heuristic functions, thereby enabling it to be applied to non-spatial networks/graphs such as social networks. Comparisons of experiments on SWH for kNN queries with INE, the best single-wavefront method, show that SWH is 2.5 times faster, and with LBC, the best existing heuristic search method, show that SWH is 3.5 times faster. For IDSJ queries, SWH-IDSJ is 5 times faster than INE-IDSJ, and 4 times faster than LBC-IDSJ.
Towards group transport by swarms of robots

We examine the ability of a swarm robotic system to transport cooperatively objects of different shapes and sizes. We simulate a group of autonomous mobile robots that can physically connect to each other and to the transported object. Controllers – artificial neural networks – are synthesised by an evolutionary algorithm. They are trained to let the robots self-assemble, that is, organise into collective physical structures and transport the object towards a target location. We quantify the performance and the behaviour of the group. We show that the group can cope fairly well with objects of different geometries as well as with sudden changes in the target location. Moreover, we show that larger groups, which are made of up to 16 robots, make possible the transport of heavier objects. Finally, we discuss the limitations of the system in terms of task complexity, scalability and fault tolerance and point out potential directions for future research.
Multimodal signals enhance decision making in foraging bumble-bees

Multimodal signals are common in nature and have recently attracted considerable attention. Despite this interest, their function is not well understood. We test the hypothesis that multimodal signals improve decision making in receivers by influencing the speed and the accuracy of their decisions. We trained bumble-bees (Bombus impatiens) to discriminate between artificial flowers that differed either in one modality, visual (specifically, shape) or olfactory, or in two modalities, visual plus olfactory. Bees trained on multimodal flowers learned the rewarding flowers faster than those trained on flowers that differed only in the visual modality and, in extinction trials, visited the previously rewarded flowers at a higher rate than bees trained on unimodal flowers. Overall, bees showed a speed–accuracy trade-off; bees that made slower decisions achieved higher accuracy levels. Foraging on multimodal flowers did not affect the slope of the speed–accuracy relationship, but resulted in a higher intercept, indicating that multimodal signals were associated with consistently higher accuracy across range of decision speeds. Our results suggest that bees make more effective decisions when flowers signal in more than one modality, and confirm the importance of studying signal components together rather than separately.
Chloral Hydrate Sedation for Pediatric Echocardiography: Physiologic Responses, Adverse Events, and Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE. The physiologic responses to chloral hydrate sedation in the setting of a pediatric echocardiography laboratory have not been well documented; neither has the population at risk been identified adequately. The purpose of this study was to describe the physiologic responses to chloral hydrate sedation, to report the occurrence of adverse events, and to identify any risk factors that predicted these adverse events in children who underwent sedation for echocardiography at our institution. METHODS. We analyzed retrospectively 1095 patients who were sedated for echocardiography. Vital signs and oxygen saturations were recorded every 5 minutes, and adverse events were noted. Potential risk factors for sedation-related adverse events were analyzed. RESULTS. Thirty-eight percent of patients were classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3 or 4, reflecting the significant comorbidity in the study population. Hemodynamic responses to chloral hydrate sedation included ≥20% decreases in heart rate (24% of the patients) and blood pressure (59% of the patients). There were no deaths or permanent morbidity. Adverse events occurred in 10.8% of patients and included apnea (n = 3 [0.3%]), airway obstruction (n = 15 [1.4%]), hypoxia (n = 65 [5.9%]), hypercarbia (n = 40 of 603 [6.6%]), hypotension with poor perfusion (n = 4 [0.4%]), vomiting (n = 4 [0.4%]), and prolonged sedation (n = 36 [3.3%]). No intervention was required in 92.5%, minor interventions were necessary in 7%, and major interventions were required in 0.5% of all patients. Multivariate analysis identified only age younger than 6 months as a predictor for adverse events, whereas cyanosis, hospitalization, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, fasting time, oxygen requirement, and use of additional sedation were not predictors. CONCLUSIONS. Moderate decreases in heart rate and blood pressure, in the absence of clinical deterioration, are expected responses to chloral hydrate sedation in this pediatric population. The majority of adverse events were minor, and major events were uncommon. Infants who were younger than 6 months were found to be at higher risk for serious adverse events.
Rheological properties of metallocene isotactic polypropylenes

Rheological properties of metallocene-catalyzed isotactic polypropylenes (MET-PP) were evaluated in comparison with those of Ziegler–Natta-catalyzed isotactic polypropylenes (ZN-PP) and MET-PP was generally characterized in a rheological aspect. Based on the characterization, various flow processibilities and their effect on the higher order structure and product properties of the processed article were estimated. The capillary flow properties at various temperatures, elongational flow properties, and dynamic viscoelasticities of MET-PPs and ZN-PPs with various melt flow indexes (MFIs) were measured. Furthermore, as an example of application of rheological analysis, the selection of proper raw resin and processing conditions in the sheet-extrusion of MET-PP was studied. MET-PP shows the following rheological features due mainly to the narrow molecular weight distribution in comparison with ZN-PP with equivalent MFI to that of MET-PP: while the viscosities at low shear rates are lower, those at high shear rates are higher. Although there is little difference in the loss modulus G″ (viscosity), the storage modulus G′ (elasticity) is very (about one decade) lower. The die swell is much smaller. The entrance pressure loss and end correction coefficient are lower. The critical shear rate at which a melt fracture begins to occur is lower. The melt tension, elongational viscosity, and melt flow index ratio are lower. The flow activation energy is slightly lower. The zero-shear viscosity obeys the 3.4th-power law independent of catalyst. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2157–2170, 2002
Introspecting continuations in order to update active code

In the case of critical systems and dynamic environments, it is necessary to apply bug fixes and functional enhancements at runtime. Mainly due to technical difficulties, updating active code is usually considered impractical. Most of researches on dynamic software update therefore prevent changing active code. In this paper, we study how to express manipulations of the execution state in terms of operations on continuations, thus enabling update of active code. We explore how language support can help doing so in a type-safe manner thanks to specific operators.
Vulnerabilities of Encrypted IoT Traffic

The increasing popularity of specialized Internet-connected devices and appliances, dubbed the Internet-of-Things (IoT), promises both new conveniences and new privacy concerns. Unlike traditional web browsers, many IoT devices have al­ ways-on sensors that constantly monitor fine-grained details of users’ physical environments and influence the devices’ network communications. Passive network observers, such as Internet service providers, could potentially analyze IoT network traffic to infer sensitive details about users. Here, we examine four IoT smart home devices (a Sense sleep monitor, a Nest Cam Indoor security camera, a WeMo switch, and an Amazon Echo) and find that their network traffic rates can reveal potentially sensitive user interactions even when the traffic is encrypted. These results indicate that a techno­ logical solution is needed to protect IoT device owner pri­ vacy, and that IoT-specific concerns must be considered in the ongoing policy debate around ISP data collection and usage.
On removing redundancy in sequential circuits

A procedure of removing redundancy in large sequential circuits Is proposed. In this procedure, no global reset state is required and no state transition informa- tion is needed. A definition of sequential redundancy is first given. We show that if a fault is potentially undetectable (p- undetectable), it is sequentially redundant. An algorithm of identifying p-undetectable faults is then described. For large circuits, we propose a practical procedure to identify a subset, called feedback-free sequential redundant faults, of redun- dant faults. In this procedure, a minimal set of signals is selected and assumed fully controllable and observable to con- vert the given circuit into a feedback-free model. Redundan- cies in the feedback-free circuit model are then identified and removed. This procedure could also eliminate redundant flip-flops. Experimental results show that our method SUC- cessfully minimizes the signal count by about 8.4%, in aver- age, on six large MCNC benchmark sequential circuits with up to 20K gates and 1700 flip-flops. In some examples, up to 7.8% of the flip-flops is removed without changing the circuit's input/output behavior.
Supercapacitor based on activated carbon and hybrid solid polymer electrolyte

Abstract The main objective of the present work is to develop a high conducting hybrid solid polymer electrolyte (HSPE) using polyvinyl alcohol as the host polymer and H3PO4 as the ionic dopant. Owing to its porous nature, the introduction of a Whatman filter paper helps to increase the electrical conductivity by acting as a support to the electrolyte system. This allows more H3PO4 acid to be loaded into the system and thus helps to improve the mechanical strength of the electrolytes. The highest conducting HSPE was obtained at 1·04×10−4 S cm−1 for samples containing 70% loading of acid (P30H70-C). Such conductivity is sufficient for application in an electrical double layer capacitor (EDLC). The EDLC was fabricated using the hybrid electrolyte with its activated carbon electrodes soaked in H3PO4. A specific capacitance of 34 F g−1 with internal resistance of as low as 1 Ω cm−2 was obtained when the cell was charged–discharged at 10 mA. The working voltage for this EDLC is 1 V with efficiency ranging between 85 and 97%.
Effects of Hypothalamic Neurodegeneration on Energy Balance

Normal aging in humans and rodents is accompanied by a progressive increase in adiposity. To investigate the role of hypothalamic neuronal circuits in this process, we used a Cre-lox strategy to create mice with specific and progressive degeneration of hypothalamic neurons that express agouti-related protein (Agrp) or proopiomelanocortin (Pomc), neuropeptides that promote positive or negative energy balance, respectively, through their opposing effects on melanocortin receptor signaling. In previous studies, Pomc mutant mice became obese, but Agrp mutant mice were surprisingly normal, suggesting potential compensation by neuronal circuits or genetic redundancy. Here we find that Pomc-ablation mice develop obesity similar to that described for Pomc knockout mice, but also exhibit defects in compensatory hyperphagia similar to what occurs during normal aging. Agrp-ablation female mice exhibit reduced adiposity with normal compensatory hyperphagia, while animals ablated for both Pomc and Agrp neurons exhibit an additive interaction phenotype. These findings provide new insight into the roles of hypothalamic neurons in energy balance regulation, and provide a model for understanding defects in human energy balance associated with neurodegeneration and aging.
SER of Multiple Amplify-and-Forward Relays with Selection Diversity

In wireless mesh networks, it is desirable to utilize overlapping coverage of multiple parallel relays to assist the source-destination transmission. In this letter, we consider selection diversity (SD) to select the strongest link amongst the direct and N amplify-and-forward (AF) relay links. We derive new closed-form expressions for the symbol error rate (SER) in independent but not necessarily identically distributed (i.n.d.) Rayleigh fading relay channels. Our results are given as both lower bound and asymptotic expressions based on an accurate upper bound on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the relay links. Our asymptotic results provide key performance parameters such as the array gain and diversity order, which prove that a full N+1 diversity order is achieved. We show that SD can offer an array gain advantage over maximal-ratio combining which entails all the relays to transmit. Numerical results are shown to validate the analysis.
Depression and glycemic control in elderly ethnically diverse patients with diabetes: the IDEATel project.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of comorbid depression on glycemic control and on response to a telemedicine case management intervention for elderly, ethnically diverse diabetic patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Medicare beneficiaries in underserved areas were participants (n = 1,665) in the Informatics for Diabetes Education and Telemedicine (IDEATel) project and randomized to a telemedicine case management intervention or usual care. The data analyzed include baseline demographics (age, sex, race/ethnicity, marital status, insulin use, years of education, years of diabetes, and pack-years smoked) and measures of glycemic control (HbA(1c) [A1C]), comorbidity, diabetes symptom severity, functional disability and depression, and 1-year (n = 1,578) A1C. The association between depression and glycemic control was analyzed cross-sectionally and prospectively. RESULTS At baseline, there was a significant correlation between depression and A1C and a trend for depression to predict A1C when other factors were controlled. However, in prospective analyses, depression did not predict change in A1C, either in the control or intervention group. CONCLUSIONS In this large sample of elderly diabetic patients, a weak relationship between depression and A1C was found, but depression did not prospectively predict change in glycemic control. Thus, there is no evidence that depression should be used to exclude patients from interventions. Also, we should evaluate the impact of depression on outcomes other than glycemic control.
Identification of Regulatory Factors for Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Salivary Epithelial Cells in a Co-Culture System

Patients with Sjögren’s syndrome or head and neck cancer patients who have undergone radiation therapy suffer from severe dry mouth (xerostomia) due to salivary exocrine cell death. Regeneration of the salivary glands requires a better understanding of regulatory mechanisms by which stem cells differentiate into exocrine cells. In our study, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were co-cultured with primary salivary epithelial cells from C57BL/6 mice. Co-cultured bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells clearly resembled salivary epithelial cells, as confirmed by strong expression of salivary gland epithelial cell-specific markers, such as alpha-amylase, muscarinic type 3 receptor, aquaporin-5, and cytokeratin 19. To identify regulatory factors involved in this differentiation, transdifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells were analyzed temporarily by two-dimensional-gel-electrophoresis, which detected 58 protein spots (>1.5 fold change, p<0.05) that were further categorized into 12 temporal expression patterns. Of those proteins only induced in differentiated mesenchymal stem cells, ankryin-repeat-domain-containing-protein 56, high-mobility-group-protein 20B, and transcription factor E2a were selected as putative regulatory factors for mesenchymal stem cell transdifferentiation based on putative roles in salivary gland development. Induction of these molecules was confirmed by RT-PCR and western blotting on separate sets of co-cultured mesenchymal stem cells. In conclusion, our study is the first to identify differentially expressed proteins that are implicated in mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into salivary gland epithelial cells. Further investigation to elucidate regulatory roles of these three transcription factors in mesenchymal stem cell reprogramming will provide a critical foundation for a novel cell-based regenerative therapy for patients with xerostomia.
Gastric inflammation is enhanced in children with CagA-positive Helicobacter pylori infection.

BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori infection is likely to be acquired at an early age. The factors leading to active inflammation in childhood, however, are largely unknown. SUBJECTS AND METHODS We determined the CagA status, the best characterized virulence factor of H. pylori, and serum antibodies of IgG and IgA classes to H. pylori in 39 infected children. RESULTS Mononuclear cell infiltration in the antrum but not in the gastric body was more intense in CagA-positive children than in CagA-negative children. The degree of polymorphonuclear cell infiltration on the other hand was independent of the CagA status. The antibody titers of IgG and IgA classes to H. pylori were higher in CagA-positive than in CagA-negative infections (P<0.001 and P<0.01, respectively). IgG antibody titers to H. pylori correlated directly with the density of mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cell infiltration in the gastric antrum but not in the gastric body. CONCLUSION H. pylori-infected children with CagA antibodies seem to have a more severe inflammation in the gastric antrum than CagA-negative children as shown by an increase in the density of antral mononuclear cells. A finding of higher serum antibody titers to H. pylori in CagA-positive children may be related to this enhancement of inflammation.
Relationships between specific surface area and pore size in electrospun polymer fibre networks

From consideration of the extent of contact between fibres in electrospun polymer networks, we provide theory relating the specific surface area of the network to the characteristic dimensions of interfibre voids. We show that these properties are strongly influenced by the cross-sectional morphologies of fibres. Whereas porosity has a strong influence on pore dimensions, in the range of porosities typically obtained in real networks, its influence on specific surface area is weak. By considering reference geometries of collapsed ribbons and fibres with circular cross sections, we demonstrate that at a given network porosity, fibre parameters that increase the specific surface area reduce the characteristic dimensions of voids. The implications of the theory, mainly in the context of cell proliferation on electrospun polymer scaffolds, are discussed; the theory has relevance also to future applications of these materials in composites.