Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cell-pair specific optimization of the inter-RAT handover parameters in SON

The Long Term Evolution (LTE) network will be at first deployed in some areas with high user traffic overlaying with legacy radio access technologies (RATs) such as the second generation (2G) or third generation (3G) mobile system. Consequently, the user equipments (UEs) will be handed over from LTE to 3G network and vice versa. Having robust and error-free handovers between different RATs is one of the most prominent self-organizing network (SON) use cases where the handover thresholds of the base stations in both networks have to be automatically optimized. Currently, the thresholds of measurement event B2 triggering the handover of the UEs from LTE to another RAT are defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) as cell-specific, and therefore, they cannot be differentiated with respect to each neighboring target cell. In this paper, we analyze the difference between optimizing a single handover threshold in a cell-specific and cell-pair specific ways. Based on this analysis, we investigate three new alternative configuration paradigms for the inter-RAT handover thresholds along with those considered by 3GPP. The performance of the SON-based algorithm optimizing the inter-RAT handover thresholds is evaluated for each configuration paradigm. The simulation results have shown that the three alternative configuration paradigms outperform those used by 3GPP. Among the three configuration paradigms, we propose the one which extends the current 3GPP approach and configures the threshold corresponding to the handover target cell in measurement event B2 as cell-pair specific instead of cell-specific.
Emotion-based Parameter Modulation for a Mobile Robot Planning and Control System

The hypothesis that artificial emotion-like mechanisms can improve the adaptive performance of robots and intelligent systems has gained considerable support in recent years. While artificial emotions are typically employed to facilitate human-machine interaction, this thesis instead focuses on modelling emotions and affect in a non-social context. In particular, affective mechanisms are applied to the problem of mobile robot navigation. A three-layered reactive/deliberative controller is developed and implemented, resulting in several contributions to the field of mobile robot control. Rather than employing a reactive layer, a deliberative layer and an interface between them, the control problem is decomposed into three different conceptual spaces - position space, direction space and velocity space - with a distinct control layer applied to each. Existing directional and velocity space approaches such as the vector field histogram (VFH) and dynamic window methods employ different underlying mechanisms and terminology. This thesis unifies these approaches in order to compare and combine them. The weighted sum objective functions employed by some existing approaches that inspired the presented directional and velocity control layers are replaced by weighted products. This enables some hard constraints to be relaxed in favour of weighted contributions, potentially improving a system's flexibility without sacrificing safety (but coming at a cost to efficiency). An affect model is developed that conceptualises emotions and other affective interactions as modulations of cognitive processes. Unlike other models of affect-modulated cognition (e.g. Dorner and Hille, 1995), this model is designed specifically to address problems relating to mobile robot navigation. The role of affect in this model is to continuously adapt a controller's behaviour patterns in response to different environments and momentary conditions encountered by the robot. Affective constructs such as moods and emotions are represented as intensity values that arise from hard-coded interpretations of local stimuli, as well as from learned associations stored in global maps. They are expressed as modulations of control parameters and location-specific biases to path-planning. Extensive simulation experiments are conducted in procedurally-generated environments to assess the performance contributions of this model and its individual components.
Deep Sequencing of Norovirus Genomes Defines Evolutionary Patterns in an Urban Tropical Setting

ABSTRACT Norovirus is a highly transmissible infectious agent that causes epidemic gastroenteritis in susceptible children and adults. Norovirus infections can be severe and can be initiated from an exceptionally small number of viral particles. Detailed genome sequence data are useful for tracking norovirus transmission and evolution. To address this need, we have developed a whole-genome deep-sequencing method that generates entire genome sequences from small amounts of clinical specimens. This novel approach employs an algorithm for reverse transcription and PCR amplification primer design using all of the publically available norovirus sequence data. Deep sequencing and de novo assembly were used to generate norovirus genomes from a large set of diarrheal patients attending three hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, over a 2.5-year period. Positive-selection analysis and direct examination of protein changes in the virus over time identified codons in the regions encoding proteins VP1, p48 (NS1-2), and p22 (NS4) under positive selection and expands the known targets of norovirus evolutionary pressure. IMPORTANCE The high transmissibility and rapid evolutionary rate of norovirus, combined with a short-lived host immune responses, are thought to be the reasons why the virus causes the majority of pediatric viral diarrhea cases. The evolutionary patterns of this RNA virus have been described in detail for only a portion of the virus genome and never for a virus from a detailed urban tropical setting. We provide a detailed sequence description of the noroviruses circulating in three Ho Chi Minh City hospitals over a 2.5-year period. This study identified patterns of virus change in known sites of host immune response and identified three additional regions of the virus genome under selection that were not previously recognized. In addition, the method described here provides a robust full-genome sequencing platform for community-based virus surveillance.
A low profile linearly polarized patch antenna with wide beam-width in E-plane

Based on the equivalent theory, a novel patch antenna which can be applied to wide-angle scanning phased array antenna was proposed. Compared with the other wide beam-width antennas, it has low profile which is about 0.03 λ. The size of the antenna is about 0.31*0.32 λ. The 3dB-gain fluctuation of the proposed antenna with an infinite ground is about 180° in E-plane, and 140° with a finite ground which is 64% broader than conventional patch antennas (85°). This structure is easy to fabricate.
Analysis of Agonism and Inverse Agonism in Functional Assays with Constitutive Activity: Estimation of Orthosteric Ligand Affinity Constants for Active and Inactive Receptor States

We describe a modification of receptor theory for the estimation of observed affinities (Kobs) and relative efficacies of orthosteric ligands in functional assays that exhibit constitutive activity. Our theory includes parameters for the fractions of the occupied receptor population in the active (intrinsic efficacy, ε) and inactive (εi) states and analogous parameters for the fractions of the free receptor population in the active (εsys) and inactive (εi-sys) states. The total stimulus represents the summation of the active states of the free and occupied receptor populations. A modified operational model is developed that expresses the response as a logistic function of the total stimulus. This function includes the standard parameters related to affinity and efficacy (Kobs and τ) as well as a parameter proportional to the activity of the free receptor complex, τsys. Two related parameters are proportional to the fraction of the free (τi-sys) and occupied (τi) receptor populations in the inactive state. We show that the estimates of the affinity constants of orthosteric ligands for the active (Kb) and inactive (Ka) states of the receptor are equivalent to τKobs/τsys and τiKobs/τi-sys, respectively. We verify our method with computer simulation techniques and apply it to the analysis of M2 and M3 muscarinic receptors. Our method is applicable in the analysis of ligand bias in drug discovery programs.
Attribution and Expression of Incentive Salience Are Differentially Signaled by Ultrasonic Vocalizations in Rats

During Pavlovian incentive learning, the affective properties of rewards are thought to be transferred to their predicting cues. However, how rewards are represented emotionally in animals is widely unknown. This study sought to determine whether 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in rats may signal such a state of incentive motivation to natural, nutritional rewards. To this end, rats learned to anticipate food rewards and, across experiments, the current physiological state (deprived vs. sated), the type of learning mechanism recruited (Pavlovian vs. instrumental), the hedonic properties of UCS (low vs. high palatable food), and the availability of food reward (continued vs. discontinued) were manipulated. Overall, we found that reward-cues elicited 50-kHz calls as they were signaling a putative affective state indicative of incentive motivation in the rat. Attribution and expression of incentive salience, however, seemed not to be an unified process, and could be teased apart in two different ways: 1) under high motivational state (i.e., hunger), the attribution of incentive salience to cues occurred without being expressed at the USVs level, if reward expectations were higher than the outcome; 2) in all experiments when food rewards were devalued by satiation, reward cues were still able to elicit USVs and conditioned anticipatory activity although reward seeking and consumption were drastically weakened. Our results suggest that rats are capable of representing rewards emotionally beyond apparent, immediate physiological demands. These findings may have translational potential in uncovering mechanisms underlying aberrant and persistent motivation as observed in drug addiction, gambling, and eating disorders.
Numerical investigation of series connection of nanoshells in plasmon waveguide

A two-dimensional plasmon waveguide in the form of rows of silver-shell nanorods distributed in a hexagonal lattice is proposed and compared to the solid-silver case. Transport of energy flow due to surface plasmon coupling is investigated using finite element method for visible range wavelengths. The proposed waveguide is divided into several sections with each section consisting of ten nanorods. Results show that the waveguide energy flow exhibits long-ranging propagation (>8 μm or more) by using series connection of each section, which plays the major role in coupling between them.
Duration of Antigen Expression In Vivo following DNA Immunization Modifies the Magnitude, Contraction, and Secondary Responses of CD8+ T Lymphocytes1

The duration of Ag expression in vivo has been reported to have a minimal impact on both the magnitude and kinetics of contraction of a pathogen-induced CD8+ T cell response. In this study, we controlled the duration of Ag expression by excising the ear pinnae following intradermal ear pinnae DNA immunization. This resulted in decreased magnitude, accelerated contraction and differentiation, and surprisingly greater secondary CD8+ T cell responses. Furthermore, we found delayed and prolonged Ag presentation in the immunized mice; however, this presentation was considerably decreased when the depot Ag was eliminated. These findings suggest that the magnitude and the contraction phase of the CD8+ T cell response following intradermal DNA immunization is regulated by the duration rather than the initial exposure to Ag.
Social network, recovery attitudes and internal stigma among those with serious mental illness

Background: Social network size and strength is an important determinant of overall health. Aims: This study describes the extent and strength of the social network among a sample of individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) and explores the relationship between an individual’s social network and their experience of internal stigma and recovery attitudes. Methods: Over a 2-year period, consecutive new patients with SMI attending two community mental health clinics were recruited and interviewed using a comprehensive battery of assessments including assessment of internalized stigma, recovery attitudes and symptom severity. Results: Among the 271 patients interviewed, social network size was small across all diagnostic categories. In adjusted results, the number of friends and support from relatives and friends was significantly related to the personal confidence and hope recovery attitude (p < .05). The number of relatives and friends and support from relatives was significantly related to internalized stigma (p < .05). Frequency of contact with relatives or friends was not related to either recovery factors or internalized stigma. Conclusion: There is a significant positive relationship between the size and perceived strength of an individual’s social network and internalized stigma and some recovery attitudes. Clinical programs that address any of these factors could potentially improve outcomes for this population.
Go Divisive or Not? How Political Campaigns Affect Turnout

This paper studies how political competition can lead candidates to strategically increase the salience of specific issues, in order to influence voting decisions of marginal groups, with non trivial consequences for turnout rates. In my setup issues differ in their divisiveness, to be defined as the extent to which members within a coalition disagree. Political candidates face a trade-off; they can choose to increase the salience of cohesive issues which energize their own (but also their opponent) constituency or divisive issues which alienate the opponent (but also their own) supporters. Using a model of probabilistic voting, I derive equilibrium campaign strategies of the candidates and predictions on turnout. The results are relevant for the literature on political participation, pointing out that it is crucial to analyze campaign effects on different groups of voters, to explain turnout rates actually observed. We also show descriptive evidence on US Presidential campaigns, supporting the model.
Microbial Products Trigger Autoimmune Ocular Inflammation

Purpose: Microbial products stimulate the immune system by interacting with Toll-like receptors (TLR) on antigen-presenting cells. This study examined the hypothesis that microbial products, which function as TLR ligands, are playing a major role in triggering pathogenic autoimmunity. Methods: An experimental system was developed in which microbial TLR ligands were tested in vivo for their capacity to stimulate naïve CD4 cells specific against hen egg lysozyme (HEL) to become effector cells capable of inducing inflammation in eyes in which HEL is expressed. The ligands’ mode of action was analyzed by determining their effects on the proliferation, acquisition of tissue-invading capacity, i.e. elevated CD49d and decreased CD62L expression, and production of interferon-γ by the HEL-specific cells. Results: All the 7 tested TLR ligands triggered ocular inflammation in the experimental system used here, with pertussis toxin surpassing all other ligands in its activities. A correlation was found between the capacity of the ligands to trigger pathogenic immunity and to stimulate the proliferation, modification of cell surface and interferon-γ production by T cells. Conclusions: This study provides direct evidence to support the notion that microbial products are capable of triggering pathogenic autoimmunity.
An Evolvable Computer Interface for Elderly Users

Disclosed is an apparatus for selectively cleaning a crankcase dipstick as it is withdrawn from the crankcase. The apparatus includes a pair of wiper lips, a spring biasing the wiper lips apart, a pair of handles for manually manipulating the wiper lips together, and an absorbent member positioned beneath the wiper lips for cleaning drops of oil wiped off the dipstick.
Parametric Lyapunov functions for uncertain systems: the multiplier approach

In this chapter, we propose to use a parametric multiplier approach to deriving parametric Lyapunov functions for robust stability analysis of linear systems involving uncertain parameters. This new approach generalizes the traditional multiplier approach used in the absolute stability literature where the multiplier is independent of the uncertain parameters. Our main result provides a general framework for studying multiaffine Lyapunov functions. We show that these Lyapunov functions can be found using linear matrix inequality (LMI) techniques. Some known results on parametric Lyapunov functions are shown to be our special cases.
The Influence of Density and Sex on Patterns of Fine-Scale Genetic Structure

Natal philopatry is expected to limit gene flow and give rise to fine-scale spatial genetic structure (SGS). The banner-tailed kangaroo rat (Dipodomys spectabilis) is unusual among mammals because both sexes are philopatric. This provides an opportunity to study patterns of local SGS faced by philopatric and dispersing animals. We evaluated SGS using spatial genetic autocorrelation in two D. spectabilis populations (Rucker and Portal) over a 14-year temporal series that covered low, medium, and high population densities. Significantly positive autocorrelation values exist up to 800 m at Rucker and 400 m at Portal. Density was negatively associated with SGS (low >medium >high), and suggests that increases in density are accompanied by greater spatial overlap of kin clusters. With regard to sex-bias, we find a small but significant increase in the SGS level of males over females, which matches the greater dispersal distances observed in females. We observed variation in SGS over the ecological time scale of this study, indicating genetic structure is temporally labile. Our study is the first temporal exploration of the influence of density and sex on spatial genetic autocorrelation in vertebrate populations. Because few organisms maintain discreet kin clusters, we predict that density will be negatively associated with SGS in other species.
Aquisição inicial do léxico verbal e aproximações semânticas em português

The analogical reasoning that allows relating concepts, permits the construction of the conceptual system. In the early phase of lexicon acquisition, mainly between 2 and 4 years of age, linguistic productions are observed resulting from the analogical reasoning, sometimes named metaphors. According to Duvignau (2002, 2003), these emissions result from the semantic approximation by analogy, a mechanism that allows approaching concepts more or less distant from the available lexicon. This study dimensions the importance of verbal semantic approximations for the early lexical development of monolingual children of the Portuguese language and studies the resource to generic versus specific items. Eighty monolingual children between 2 and 4 years old and 75 undergraduate students took part of this study, answering the Actions Naming and Reformulation Tasks. The results conclude that the semantic approximation by analogy is a fundamental linguistic strategy for lexicon development and reveals the cognitive flexibility which is present in typical development.
Escape from the Ivory Tower: Student Adventures in Democratic Experiential Education

Part One: Creating a New Educational Vision 1. The Battle for the Soul of the University 2. The Birth of Student Adventures 3. Experiencing Democracy: A New Approach to Education Part Two: Student Adventures: Practical Ideas for Remaking Higher Education 4. Reaching Beyond the Classroom: Course Adventures for Introductory Levels 5. Building Skills for the Real World: Adventures for Intermediate Levels(with Xavier de Souza Briggs) 6. Connecting the Disciplines: National and International Adventures for Advanced Students 7. Applying Professional Expertise: Adventures at Graduate and Professional Levels 8. Back to the Campus: Making Adventures Part of Residential Life 9. Coordinating Adventures: Questions, Answers, and Practical Tips 10. Remaking the University Through Democratic Experiential Education.
LATE-OCCURRING PULMONARY PATHOLOGIES FOLLOWING INHALATION OF MIXED OXIDE (URANIUM + PLUTONIUM OXIDE) AEROSOL IN THE RAT

Accidental exposure by inhalation to alpha-emitting particles from mixed oxide (MOX: uranium and plutonium oxide) fuels is a potential long-term health risk to workers in nuclear fuel fabrication plants. For MOX fuels, the risk of lung cancer development may be different from that assigned to individual components (plutonium, uranium) given different physico-chemical characteristics. The objective of this study was to investigate late effects in rat lungs following inhalation of MOX aerosols of similar particle size containing 2.5 or 7.1% plutonium. Conscious rats were exposed to MOX aerosols and kept for their entire lifespan. Different initial lung burdens (ILBs) were obtained using different amounts of MOX. Lung total alpha activity was determined by external counting and at autopsy for total lung dose calculation. Fixed lung tissue was used for anatomopathological, autoradiographical, and immunohistochemical analyses. Inhalation of MOX at ILBs ranging from 1–20 kBq resulted in lung pathologies (90% of rats) including fibrosis (70%) and malignant lung tumors (45%). High ILBs (4–20 kBq) resulted in reduced survival time (N = 102; p < 0.05) frequently associated with lung fibrosis. Malignant tumor incidence increased linearly with dose (up to 60 Gy) with a risk of 1–1.6% Gy−1 for MOX, similar to results for industrial plutonium oxide alone (1.9% Gy−1). Staining with antibodies against Surfactant Protein-C, Thyroid Transcription Factor-1, or Oct-4 showed differential labeling of tumor types. In conclusion, late effects following MOX inhalation result in similar risk for development of lung tumors as compared with industrial plutonium oxide.
Purinergic Signalling: Therapeutic Developments

Purinergic signalling, i.e., the role of nucleotides as extracellular signalling molecules, was proposed in 1972. However, this concept was not well accepted until the early 1990’s when receptor subtypes for purines and pyrimidines were cloned and characterised, which includes four subtypes of the P1 (adenosine) receptor, seven subtypes of P2X ion channel receptors and 8 subtypes of the P2Y G protein-coupled receptor. Early studies were largely concerned with the physiology, pharmacology and biochemistry of purinergic signalling. More recently, the focus has been on the pathophysiology and therapeutic potential. There was early recognition of the use of P1 receptor agonists for the treatment of supraventricular tachycardia and A2A receptor antagonists are promising for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Clopidogrel, a P2Y12 antagonist, is widely used for the treatment of thrombosis and stroke, blocking P2Y12 receptor-mediated platelet aggregation. Diquafosol, a long acting P2Y2 receptor agonist, is being used for the treatment of dry eye. P2X3 receptor antagonists have been developed that are orally bioavailable and stable in vivo and are currently in clinical trials for the treatment of chronic cough, bladder incontinence, visceral pain and hypertension. Antagonists to P2X7 receptors are being investigated for the treatment of inflammatory disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases. Other investigations are in progress for the use of purinergic agents for the treatment of osteoporosis, myocardial infarction, irritable bowel syndrome, epilepsy, atherosclerosis, depression, autism, diabetes, and cancer.