Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RLS-adapted polynomial for nonlinear acoustic echo cancelling

Low-cost audio components in hands-free telephone applications call for nonlinear adaptive echo cancellation. It has been demonstrated that a cascade of a polynomial and an FIR filter can cancel echoes due to nonlinearities of typical low-cost applications [1]. Overcoming the slow convergence of an NLMS-based adaptation [5], we derive an RLS-type adaptation for the polynomial preprocessor. Furthermore, we present a robust control of the RLS algorithm. Experiments with double-talk scenarios and real audio hardware show more than 8 dB overall echo reduction gain and fast and robust convergence of the polynomial. In addition, an implementation with reduced computational complexity and similar robustness is presented.
Determination of optimal effective interactions between amino acids in globular proteins

An optimization technique is used to determine the pairwise interactions between amino acids in globular proteins. A numerical strategy is applied to a set of proteins for maximizing the native fold stability with respect to alternative structures obtained by gapless threading. The extracted parameters are shown to be very reliable for identifying the native states of proteins (unrelated to those in the training set) among thousands of conformations. The only poor performers are proteins with heme groups and/or poor compactness whose complexity cannot be captured by standard pairwise energy functionals.
2 2 A pr 1 99 9 Microforces and the Theory of Solute Transport

A generalized continuum framework for the theory of solute transport in fluids is proposed and systematically developed. This framework rests on the introduction of a generic force balance for the solute, a balance distinct from the macroscopic momentum balance associated with the mixture. Special forms of such a force balance have been proposed and used going back at least as far as Nernst’s 1888 theory of diffusion. Under certain circumstances, this force balance yields a Fickian constitutive relation for the diffusive solute flux, and, in conjunction with the solute mass balance, provides a generalized Smoluchowski equation for the mass fraction. Our format furnishes a systematic procedure for generalizing convection-diffusion models of solute transport, allowing for constitutive nonlinearities, external forces acting on the diffusing constituents, and coupling between convection and diffusion.
LAL Is Square: Representation and Expressiveness in Light Affine Logic

We focus on how the choice of input-output representation has a crucial impact on the expressiveness of so-called “logics of polynomial time. ” Our analysis illustrates this dependence in the context of Light Affine Logic (LAL), which is both a restricted version of Linear Logic, and a primitive functional programming language with restricted sharing of arguments. By slightly relaxing representation conventions, we derive doubly-exponential expressiveness bounds for this “logic of polynomial time. ” We emphasize that squaring is the unifying idea that relates upper bounds on cut elimination for LAL with lower bounds on representation. Representation issues arise in the simulation of DTIME[2 n ], where we construct a uniform family of proof-nets encoding a Turing Machine; specifically, the dependence on n only affects the number of enclosing boxes. A related technical improvement is the simulation of DTIME[n] in depth O(log k) LAL proof-nets. The resulting upper bounds on cut elimination then satisfy the properties of a first-class polynomial Turing Machine simulation, where there is a fixed polynomial slowdown in the simulation of any polynomial computation.
Analysis of Real-Time Multiversion Concurrency Control Algorithms using Serialisability Graphs

This paper analyses the correctness of Multiversion Concurrency Control(MVCC) algorithms that are commonly deployed in Realtime Databases. Database systems for real-time applications must satisfy timing constraints associated with transactions. Typically, a timing constraint is expressed in the form of a deadline and is represented as a priority to be used by schedulers. MVCC Algorithms used here makes use of a specialized version of Serialisation Graph, Called MultiVersion Serialisation Graph(MVSG) to resolve data conflicts to maintain the serialization order among conflicting transactions. Using MVSG,MVCC algorithms can determine which lower priority transactions should be aborted to avoid deadlocks.
Qualifying Unmet Needs and Improving Standards of Care in Psoriatic Arthritis

Individuals with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed (1,2), potentially leading to delays in receiving appropriate treatment. Many individuals with PsA consider their disease to be severe but view available treatment options as equally or more burdensome (3). Consequently, the long-term outcomes for patients with PsA tend to be poor, marked by disease progression (4), poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL) (5), increasing disability (5–7), comorbidities (8–10), and high direct and indirect costs (11,12). To explore the possible solutions to these issues, the Psoriatic Arthritis Forum was convened on October 29, 2012, in London. Its members included experts in rheumatology and dermatology as well as patient representatives from Europe and North America. The primary goals of the Psoriatic Arthritis Forum were to define unmet needs and gaps in PsA diagnosis and treatment and discuss potential ways in which to address these gaps, focusing on defining and implementing consistent standards of detection and care. This consensus statement summarizes the findings of this working group.
Recursive line extraction algorithm from 2d laser scanner applied to navigation a mobile robot

This paper presents a novel algorithm for line extraction from 2D laser range finder which has excellent precision to determine of line boundary, while having efficient speed and low complexity. This algorithm is more robust in measurement noise and cluttered data and fit a line to a set of uncertain points via Hough transform and recursive split formalism. In this algorithm first the data from laser is segmented to separate regions by determining start and end points throw Hough transform. After removing noisy or sparse points lines are extracted with a fast recursive split algorithm. Furthermore, it has good real-time capability to integrate the information of laser scanner into the navigation algorithm of the mobile robot and it is implemented on NAJI V rescue robot platform.
Using Extended-Connectivity Fingerprints with Laplacian-Modified Bayesian Analysis in High-Throughput Screening Follow-Up

This article describes the use of a combination of extended-connectivity fingerprints (ECFPs) and Laplacian-modified Bayesian analysis in a study of the inhibition of Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase. The McMaster High-Throughput Screening Lab at McMaster University proposed a competition to predict the hits in a separate test set of 50,000 compounds. Although the problem seemed best approached with 3D methods, the authors show that 2D methods offer surprisingly competitive results with a low computational cost.
How young and older people differ in discriminatory behaviour towards older people? An explanation of the knowledge–attitude–behaviour continuum model

ABSTRACT This study examined the causal relationship between knowledge, attitudes and discriminatory behaviour towards older people and further explored age-group differences using multi-group analysis. Data were collected from 1,500 Korean adults aged 20 and older in 2011 using the multi-stage quota sampling method. Trained investigators collected data with a developed survey questionnaire in person and a structural equation modelling method was used for data analysis. Attitudes towards older people was measured using two variables: ‘image of older people’ and ‘prejudice against older people’. The findings revealed that the younger and older generations demonstrated differences regarding the causal relationship between knowledge, attitudes and discriminatory behaviour towards older people. The paths model between independent and dependent variables in the structural equation modelling was non-equivalent in younger and older groups. For both groups, knowledge about ageing and older people led to a positive influence on their image of and prejudice against older people. The effect of prejudice on discriminatory behaviour was significant in the younger group, but not in the older group. Further implications for practice and future research to reduce ageism were discussed.
A New Constraint-Driven Placement Approach for Analog Circuits

This paper presents a constraint-driven placement algorithm for analog integrated circuits. All constraints are classified according to their critical levels. Then a deterministic placement approach based on the less flexibility first principle driven by the extracted constraints is presented. Our approach aims at reducing mismatch and critical path parasitics. Examples drawn from industrial applications demonstrate the approach is very effective and promising
Highly efficient environment aware wireless sensor network

In this demonstration, we introduce a demonstration system of highly efficient environment aware wireless sensor network by considering characteristics of sensing information and spectrum efficiency. In this network, a suitable sensor system is selected from multiple wireless sensor systems by considering the demand of each sensor and surrounding wireless environment. In our demonstration system, we prepare 2.4GHz ZigBee, 920MHz small power wireless system and 460MHz wireless sensor network converting the sensing information to frequency called physical wireless parameter conversion sensor network (PHY-C SN). In order to understand the surrounding wireless environment, we also prepare a radio environment database based on the measurement data of each sensor. In CCNC 2016, we plan to introduce a video of the field test with more than 20 sensor nodes and to exhibit a small demonstration system based on multiple wireless sensor devices and USRPs.
Contextualizing LGB Youth’s Experiences With Victimization and Risky Behaviors: A Qualitative Approach to General Strain Theory

This study uses 20 in-depth interviews with lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) young adults aged 18 to 25 years to integrate theoretical constructs from the sociology of sexuality with Agnew’s general strain theory (GST). This approach provides theoretical context to LGB youth’s experiences with victimization and risky behaviors. The use of qualitative data provides a deeper understanding of LGB youth’s experiences with heteronormativity, heterosexism, and homophobia, and how these structural-level processes shape interactional- and individual-level experiences. Integrating sexuality research and GST helps clarify interconnected processes that occur at multiple levels of social life, providing a more complete picture of LGB experiences.
An ultrasonic filterbank with spiking neurons

To support our ongoing work in modeling bat echolocation, a binaural, ultrasonic cochlea-like filter bank has been designed with moderate quality (Q) factor (as high as 65) with spiking neurons that are driven by the filter outputs. The neuron addresses are reported off chip at the time of the spike in an unarbitrated fashion and in current-mode to reduce the amount of capacitively-coupled feedback into the filters. This chip was fabricated in a commercially-available 0.5 /spl mu/m CMOS process and consumes 0.425 milliwatts at 5 volts.
Visual pursuit errors: implications for network models

Visual tracking performance is described, and from the nature of experimentally recorded errors an argument is advanced for the location of this uncertainty in the nervous system. It is shown that independent identically distributed motor command noise, n/sub 2/, which enters either A. Pellionisz's (1988) or W. Daunicht's (1988) eye kinematics expressions, cannot account for the observed error covariance Sigma /sub e/. Therefore, significant variability is introduced earlier, at the time of visual transduction itself, early visual processing stages, or the sensorimotor transformation. Velocity is not sensed directly, but rather requires observation of a change over time. Thus, early estimates of velocity may be poor because the denominator is so small. The authors show velocity measurements 60 ms into the eye response, an average of 180+or-18 ms after target motion initiation. The orientation of the error ellipse with major axis in the direction of motion suggests that, although speed is poorly estimated at first, direction is better resolved. <<ETX>>
Multiple instance learning for model ensemble and meta data transfer

Traditional Exemplar-SVMs (ESVM) require millions of negative samples to establish a linear exemplar detector. However, Exemplar Linear Discriminant Analysis (ELDA) can achieve similar performance while avoid negative samples mining. To construct a strong object classifier, Multiple Instance Learning (MIL) is used to combine exemplar detectors and reduce annotation ambiguity. By applying MIL to Exemplar-LDA (ELDA), we simplify the training process and achieve better performance than ESVM on object detection. Moreover, exemplar models can transfer the available meta-data (segmentation, geometric structure, etc.) of training samples directly onto the detected objects, which provide more accurate and richer attributions than the detection results of a bounding box.
Bone Healing Improvements Using Hyaluronic Acid and Hydroxyapatite/Beta-Tricalcium Phosphate in Combination: An Animal Study

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the use of HLA as an aqueous binder of hydroxyapatite/beta-tricalcium phosphate (HA-βTCP) particles can reduce the amount of bone graft needed and increase ease of handling in clinical situations. In this study, HA/βTCP was loaded in commercially available crosslinking HLA to form a novel HLA/HA-βTCP composite. Six New Zealand White rabbits (3.0–3.6 kg) were used as test subjects. Four 6 mm defects were prepared in the parietal bone. The defects were filled with the HLA/HA-βTCP composite as well as HA-βTCP particle alone. New bone formation was analyzed by micro-CT and histomorphometry. Our results indicated that even when the HA-βTCP particle numbers were reduced, the regenerative effect on bone remained when the HLA existed. The bone volume density (BV/TV ratio) of HLA/HA-βTCP samples was 1.7 times larger than that of the control sample at week 2. The new bone increasing ratio (NBIR) of HLA/HA-βTCP samples was 1.78 times higher than the control group at week 2. In conclusion, HA-βTCP powder with HLA contributed to bone healing in rabbit calvarial bone defects. The addition of HLA to bone grafts not only promoted osteoconduction but also improved handling characteristics in clinical situations.
Association between Preoperative Plasma sRAGE Levels and Recovery from Cardiac Surgery

Background. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is an inflammation-perpetuating receptor, and soluble RAGE (sRAGE) is a marker of cellular RAGE expression. This study investigated whether raised plasma levels prior to surgery of sRAGE or S100A8/A9 (a RAGE ligand) were associated with longer duration of hospital care in patients undergoing cardiac surgery necessitating cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods. Patients (n = 130) undergoing elective cardiac surgery were enrolled prospectively. Plasma sRAGE and S100A8/A9 concentrations were measured before and 2 h after surgery. Results. Preoperative plasma sRAGE increased significantly (P < 0.0001) from 1.06 ng/mL (IQR, 0.72–1.76) to 1.93 ng/mL (IQR, 1.14–2.63) 2 h postoperatively. Plasma S100A8/9 was also significantly (P < 0.0001) higher 2 h postoperatively (2.37 μg/mL, IQR, 1.81–3.05) compared to pre-operative levels (0.41 μg/mL, IQR, 0.2–0.65). Preoperative sRAGE, but not S100A8/A9, was positively and significantly correlated with duration of critical illness (r = 0.3, P = 0.0007) and length of hospital stay (LOS; r = 0.31, P < 0.0005). Multivariate binary logistic regression showed preoperative sRAGE to be, statistically, an independent predictor of greater than median duration of critical illness (odds ratio 16.6, P = 0.014) and to be, statistically, the strongest independent predictor of hospital LOS. Conclusion. Higher preoperative plasma sRAGE levels were associated with prolonged duration of care in adults undergoing cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass.
Attribute coupled grammars

In this paper, attribute grammars are viewed as specifying translations from source language terms into target language terms. The terms are constructed over a hierarchical signature consisting of a semantic and a syntactic part. Attribute grammars are redefined to become morphisms in the category of such signatures, called attribute coupled grammars, such that they come with an associative composition operation. The composition allows for a new kind of modularity in compiler specifications. The paper also discusses properties of the concept with respect to attribute evaluation and application as a tree transformation device.
After direct manipulation---direct sonification

The effectiveness of providing multiple-stream audio to support browsing on a computer was investigated through the iterative development and evaluation of a series of sonic browser prototypes. The data set used was a database containing music. Interactive sonification was provided in conjunction with simplified human--computer interaction sequences. It was investigated to what extent interactive sonification with multiple-stream audio could enhance browsing tasks, compared to interactive sonification with single-stream audio support. It was found that with interactive multiple-stream audio, the ten users could accurately complete the browsing tasks significantly faster than those who had single-stream audio support.
Increased neurodegeneration during ageing in mice lacking high‐affinity nicotine receptors

We have examined neuroanatomical, biochemical and endocrine parameters and spatial learning in mice lacking the β2 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) during ageing. Aged β2−/− mutant mice showed region‐specific alterations in cortical regions, including neocortical hypotrophy, loss of hippocampal pyramidal neurons, astro‐ and microgliosis and elevation of serum corticosterone levels. Whereas adult mutant and control animals performed well in the Morris maze, 22‐ to 24‐month‐old β2−/− mice were significantly impaired in spatial learning. These data show that β2 subunit‐containing nAChRs can contribute to both neuronal survival and maintenance of cognitive performance during ageing. β2−/− mice may thus serve as one possible animal model for some of the cognitive deficits and degenerative processes which take place during physiological ageing and in Alzheimer's disease, particularly those associated with dysfunction of the cholinergic system.
Editorial: Drug Development for Parasite-Induced Diarrheal Diseases

Citation: Debnath A and McKerrow JH (2017) Editorial: Drug Development for Parasite-Induced Diarrheal Diseases. Diarrhea continues to be a major contributing factor to morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is the second leading cause of death in children under 5 years old. Three enteroparasites, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, and Cryptosporidium parvum are common infectious agents causing persistent diarrhea. The Global Burden of Disease Study (GBDS) found that amebiasis was responsible for more than 55,000 deaths and 2.2 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and cryptosporidiosis accounted for about 100,000 deaths and 8. Though giardiasis did not result in deaths, the economic burden of acute giardiasis in the US continues to be substantial. The annual cost involving the hospital based treatment for giardiasis is approximately $34 million (Collier et al., 2012). In addition, E. histolytica, G. lamblia, and C. parvum are considered to be bioterrorism threats by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In absence of vaccines to prevent these parasitic diseases, control relies on chemotherapy which is far from perfect and limited by adverse drug effects. For example, metronidazole is the most common drug used to treat invasive amebiasis and giardiasis, but treatment often leads to side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. Moreover, potential resistance of E. histolytica to metronidazole is an increasing concern. Although millions of people are infected by E. histolytica each year, most individuals remain asymptomatic but may transmit amebiasis through fecal excretion of infective cysts. Therefore, an additional drug paromomycin is required following metronidazole treatment to eliminate cysts (Haque et al., 2003). However, treatment with two drugs for 20 days is long, burdensome, and reduces compliance. In spite of the reported efficacy of nitroimidazole drugs, treatment failures in giardiasis occur in up to 20% of cases and a recent report from the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London found that the nitroimidazole therapy failure rate in giardiasis was 40.2% in 2013 (Nabarro et al., 2015). Nitazoxanide, the only treatment option for cryptosporidiosis, has an efficacy ranging from 56% in malnourished children to 80% in healthy adults and it is not effective for immunocompromised patients (Manjunatha et al., 2016). All these factors make the development of new antimicrobials to treat these infections a critical need to avert future outbreaks and deaths. Recently, drug discovery efforts to treat parasite-induced diarrheal diseases are burgeoning. Researchers across the globe are working toward …
Amelioration of Influenza Virus Pathogenesis in Chickens Attributed to the Enhanced Interferon-Inducing Capacity of a Virus with a Truncated NS1 Gene

ABSTRACT Avian influenza virus (AIV) A/turkey/Oregon/71-SEPRL (TK/OR/71-SEPRL) (H7N3) encodes a full-length NS1 protein and is a weak inducer of interferon (IFN). A variant, TK/OR/71-delNS1 (H7N3), produces a truncated NS1 protein and is a strong inducer of IFN. These otherwise genetically related variants differ 20-fold in their capacities to induce IFN in primary chicken embryo cells but are similar in their sensitivities to the action of IFN. Furthermore, the weak IFN-inducing strain actively suppresses IFN induction in cells that are otherwise programmed to produce it. These phenotypic differences are attributed to the enhanced IFN-inducing capacity that characterizes type A influenza virus strains that produce defective NS1 protein. The pathogenesis of these two variants was evaluated in 1-day-old and 4-week-old chickens. The cell tropisms of both viruses were similar. However, the lesions in chickens produced by the weak IFN inducer were more severe and differed somewhat in character from those observed for the strong IFN inducer. Differences in lesions included the nature of inflammation, the rate of resolution of the infection, and the extent of viral replication and/or virus dissemination. The amelioration of pathogenesis is attributed to the higher levels of IFN produced by the variant encoding the truncated NS1 protein and the antiviral state subsequently induced by that IFN. The high titer of virus observed in kidney tissue (≈109 50% embryo lethal doses/g) from 1-day-old chickens infected intravenously by the weak IFN-inducing strain is attributed to the capacity of chicken kidney cells to activate the hemagglutinin fusion peptide along with their unresponsiveness to inducers of IFN as measured in vitro. Thus, the IFN-inducing capacity of AIV appears to be a significant factor in regulating the pathogenesis, virulence, and viral transmission of AIV in chickens. This suggests that the IFN-inducing and IFN induction suppression phenotypes of AIV should be considered when characterizing strains of influenza virus.