Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Joint source and channel rate control in multicast layered video transmission

Delivering temporally-constrained multimedia streams in heterogeneous environments, offering no guarantee in terms of bandwidth, packet loss, or delay, is a very challenging problem faced today by both the networking and the coding community. Layered coding is often proposed as a solution for rate-based congestion control of video transmission in heterogeneous environments. The problem addressed more specifically here is the design of a responsive mechanism for rate allocation in each layer, that would guarantee the best bandwidth usage for all the receivers. After a review of solutions for congestion and loss control in unicast video communications, the paper describes a rate-based congestion control mechanism for multicast layered video transmission.
Addressee Identification in Face-to-Face Meetings

We present results on addressee identification in four-participants face-to-face meetings using Bayesian Network and Naive Bayes classifiers. First, we investigate how well the addressee of a dialogue act can be predicted based on gaze, utterance and conversational context features. Then, we explore whether information about meeting context can aid classifiers’ performances. Both classifiers perform the best when conversational context and utterance features are combined with speaker’s gaze information. The classifiers show little gain from information about meeting context.
Floral Mass per Area and Water Maintenance Traits Are Correlated with Floral Longevity in Paphiopedilum (Orchidaceae)

Floral longevity (FL) determines the balance between pollination success and flower maintenance. While a longer floral duration enhances the ability of plants to attract pollinators, it can be detrimental if it negatively affects overall plant fitness. Longer-lived leaves display a positive correlation with their dry mass per unit area, which influences leaf construction costs and physiological functions. However, little is known about the association among FL and floral dry mass per unit area (FMA) and water maintenance traits. We investigated whether increased FL might incur similar costs. Our assessment of 11 species of Paphiopedilum (slipper orchids) considered the impact of FMA and flower water-maintenance characteristics on FL. We found a positive relationship between FL and FMA. Floral longevity showed significant correlations with osmotic potential at the turgor loss and bulk modulus of elasticity but not with FA. Neither the size nor the mass per area was correlated between leaves and flowers, indicating that flower and leaf economic traits evolved independently. Therefore, our findings demonstrate a clear relationship between FL and the capacity to maintain water status in the flower. These economic constraints also indicate that extending the flower life span can have a high physiological cost in Paphiopedilum.
APACHE II scoring system is superior in the prediction of the outcome in critically ill patients with perforative peritonitis.

BACKGROUND There are several scoring systems used in the prediction of outcome in critically ill patients. This study was undertaken to evaluate APACHE II, SAPS I, Sepsis score, MOF, TISS-28 and MPI scoring systems in prediction of the outcome in patients with perforative peritonitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS The prospective study of 145 patients of both sexes with perforative peritonitis was performed. The main outcome of study was peritonitis-related death. Variables necessary for calculation of the scoring systems were recorded at the initial admission to the hospital and the third and seventh day of hospitalization, except Mannheim Peritonitis Index, which was calculated during the first 24 hours after hospitalization. Cut-off points were specified and all values greater than cut-off points were taken to predict death. Sensitivity and specificity are graphically shown for the different values of cut-off points and represented with the receiver-operating characteristic curve. The difference in the area below the curve between scoring systems was statistically compared. RESULTS The area under the curve for the first postoperative day was 0.87 for TISS-28 score, 0.86 for APACHE II score, 0.83 for MOF and SAPS I, 0.72 for MPI and 0.70 for Sepsis score. This demonstrated that TISS-28 and APACHE II are significantly better than other systems (p < 0.01). In addition, this discriminatory ability remained on the third and seventh postoperative day as well. The highest rate of correlation between the observed and the expected mortality rate for the first (Kendall's tau correlation 0.964) and the third day (Kendall's ścorrelation 0.810) was in APACHE II system. CONCLUSION APACHE II is superior in prediction of the outcome to other tested scoring systems.
A method for the detection of long pseudo-random code DSSS signals based on the processing of delay-multiply (II) - the estimation of the information symbol period and the pseudo-random code sequence

Aiming at the problems of the detection of the pseudo-random code sequence and the information symbol period of long pseudo-random code DSSS (direct sequence spread spectral) signals, the paper proposes a method based on the processing of delay-multiply. The method does processing of chip-delay-multiply on the received signals at first, then does correlation matrix analysis and gets an estimation sequence of the relative transform sequence of pseudo-random code which is used by the long pseudo-random code DSSS system. The computer simulations show that the proposed method can work well in the context of low signal to noise ratio, by it we can not only retrieve the pseudo-random code sequence of the long pseudo-random code DSSS signals, but also can get an estimation of the information symbol period and the synchronization information of the information symbol.
Exploring Task-Specific Independent Standing in 3- to 5-Month-Old Infants

Perspectives on developmental milestones suggest that an infant’s ability to stand without support occurs at the age of 9–16 months. The two exploratory tasks were part of a baby swimming routine, conducted over a period of 12 weeks (24 sessions), and the aim was to examine whether young infants (mean age 97 days) improved their performance in standing as measured by prolonged time-to-stand. The data suggest that 3- to 5-month-old infants are capable of demonstrating signs of motor learning in task-specific standing. The results appear remarkable when compared to the expected age required for other forms of independent standing. The developmental process of independent standing is discussed in relation to the complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors.
Training Strategy Research of MIS Commerical Application in Perspective of Career Continuing Progression

The competency of solving business-related problem by using IT is an important ability for college students (Specially for those who are majoring management of information system-MIS) in pursuing their career progression, but current curriculum design and training method might not be able to help students fulfill their needs to obtain IT competency. Based on Learning Theory and TAM Theory, an advanced training model targeting to college students will be presented in this paper. By using real life problem-solving strategy of IT such as internet, this training model could largely help students obtain analytical skill and problem solving ability in IT circulation. Further, it could greatly arouse students' interest in IT knowledge, continuing to enhance their IT skills and comprehensive capability, eventually help students be able to apply such knowledge and skills to the real work, and help them realize desired career progression. The validity of this training model is verified by an E-commerce Contest introduced in this paper.
Authenticated join processing in outsourced databases

Database outsourcing requires that a query server constructs a proof of result correctness, which can be verified by the client using the data owner's signature. Previous authentication techniques deal with range queries on a single relation using an authenticated data structure (ADS). On the other hand, authenticated join processing is inherently more complex than ranges since only the base relations (but not their combination) are signed by the owner. In this paper, we present three novel join algorithms depending on the ADS availability: (i) Authenticated Indexed Sort Merge Join (AISM), which utilizes a single ADS on the join attribute, (ii) Authenticated Index Merge Join (AIM) that requires an ADS (on the join attribute) for both relations, and (iii) Authenticated Sort Merge Join (ASM), which does not rely on any ADS. We experimentally demonstrate that the proposed methods outperform two benchmark algorithms, often by several orders of magnitude, on all performance metrics, and effectively shift the workload to the outsourcing service. Finally, we extend our techniques to complex queries that combine multi-way joins with selections and projections.
Identification of a 160-kDa polypeptide that binds to the tight junction protein ZO-1.

ZO-1 is a 210- to 220-kDa peripheral membrane protein associated with the cytoplasmic surface of the epithelial tight junction. Because ZO-1 may interact with other unidentified tight junction proteins, we have looked for other polypeptides that bind to ZO-1. A 160-kDa polypeptide was identified that coimmunoprecipitates with ZO-1 from detergent extracts of metabolically labeled Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. This polypeptide appears to be distinct from ZO-1, rather than a degradation product, by several criteria. It lacks ZO-1 epitopes recognized by both monoclonal antibodies and a polyclonal serum to ZO-1, since it is not detectable in immunoblots of either whole cell extracts or ZO-1 immunoprecipitates. Also, it exhibits a peptide map different from that of ZO-1 on one-dimensional "Cleveland gels. " Moreover, because the kinetics of appearance of newly synthesized 160-kDa polypeptide in anti-ZO-1 immunoprecipitates is much slower than that of ZO-1, its presence in immunoprecipitates cannot be simply explained by degradation of ZO-1 during cell lysis. Like ZO-1, the 160-kDa polypeptide seems to be a cytoplasmic peripheral membrane protein. It cannot be labeled by two different cell surface labeling reagents. It can be extracted from the membrane by high salt concentration in the absence of detergents. As expected for a protein complex, the 160-kDa polypeptide and ZO-1 turn over with similar kinetics. We propose that the 160-kDa polypeptide is a component of the tight junction.
Relative timing of sound and vision: evaluation and correction

Expectations of the viewing public for the quality of television picture and sound are constantly changing. It is time to attract attention to the relative timing of sound and video components of the television signal as an important point of the viewer 's perception of television programs. It is suggested in the paper to start working on a refinement of recommendation ITU1-R BT.1359-1 which indicates the overall timing tolerance between picture and sound. An approach to monitoring and control of audio-to-video delay in the signal processing module of television receivers or set-top-boxes is suggested in the current paper. This approach is based on mappings between the parameters that determine lip movements of speech sounds, and the parameters computed from processing the audio signal of the same speech sounds. This approach can provide a direct real-time evaluation and in-service correction of audio-to-video delay.
Chloramination Techniques To Reduce NDMAFormation During Disinfection

Previous studies modeled NDMA formation during chlorine disinfection as arising from the oxidation of an unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine intermediate formed from the reaction of monochloramine and dimethylamine. However, chlorination of wastewater effluents indicated that this mechanism could not account for a significant portion of the observed NDMA formation. Laboratory studies indicated that the order of reagent addition can have a significant effect on NDMA formation. Important factors included the chlorination state of organic nitrogen precursors and the formation of dichloramine. Disinfection systems were devised that maximize the formation of chlorinated organic nitrogen precursors and minimize dichloramine formation in order to minimize NDMA formation. Preliminary results from pilot testing indicate the effectiveness of these disinfection scenarios during chlorination of drinking waters and wastewaters. Evidence for a new reaction pathway to explain NDMA formation during chlorine disinfection is presented.
The effect of acute exercise on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and cognitive function.

UNLABELLED Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is one of a family of neurotrophic factors that participates in neuronal transmission, modulation and plasticity. Previous studies using animals have demonstrated that acute and chronic exercise leads to increases in BDNF in various brain regions. PURPOSE To determine the effects of acute exercise on serum BDNF levels in humans, and to determine the relationship between exercise intensity and BDNF responses. Additionally, the relationship between changes in BDNF and cognitive function was examined. METHODS Fifteen subjects (25.4 +/- 1.01 yr; 11 male, 4 female) performed a graded exercise test (GXT) for the determination of VO2max and ventilatory threshold (VTh) on a cycle ergometer. On separate days, two subsequent 30-min endurance rides were performed at 20% below the VTh (VTh - 20) and at 10% above the VTh (VTh + 10). Serum BDNF and cognitive function were determined before and after the GXT and endurance rides with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the Stroop tests, respectively. RESULTS The mean VO2max was 2805.8 +/- 164.3 mL x min(-1) (104.2 +/- 7.0% pred). BDNF values (pg x mL(-1)) increased from baseline (P<0.05) after exercise at the VTh + 10 (13%) and the GXT (30%). There was no significant change in BDNF from baseline after the VTh - 20. Changes in BDNF did not correlate with VO2max during the GXT, but they did correlate with changes in lactate (r=0.57; P<0.05). Cognitive function scores improved after all exercise conditions, but they did not correlate with BDNF changes. CONCLUSION BDNF levels in humans are significantly elevated in response to exercise, and the magnitude of increase is exercise intensity dependent. Given that BDNF can transit the blood-brain barrier in both directions, the intensity-dependent findings may aid in designing exercise prescriptions for maintaining or improving neurological health.
Cognitive costs of encoding novel natural activities: Can “learning by doing” be distracting and deceptive?

Findings from action memory research suggest that the enactment of simple actions and naturalistic activities results in similar memory performance to that from their observation. However, little is known about potential differences between the conditions during the encoding of the to-be-studied actions and activities. We analysed the cognitive costs of encoding two novel naturalistic activities studied via enactment or via observation in four experiments. In addition to memory performance, we measured objective cognitive costs with a secondary task and subjective cognitive costs with repeated ratings of mental effort and estimates of general activity difficulty. Memory performance was comparable across study conditions throughout all experiments. The enactment of activities repeatedly resulted in slower reaction times in the secondary task than did observation, suggesting higher objective costs. In contrast, subjective costs were rated lower after enactment than after observation. Findings from a pantomimic enactment condition suggested that the low ratings of subjective costs after enactment represent a misinterpretation of task demands. Our findings imply that the widespread belief about “learning by doing” as an easy way of learning does not stem from an actual advantage in memory performance, but rather from continuous feedback about one's performance resulting from enactment.
Collaborations for Inclusion.

Inclusive education depends on collaboration among families and a variety of service providers. In this paper, collaboration within neighborhood schools is discussed. Values and skills required for collaboration are reviewed, strategies for collaboration with parents and students with disabilities are described, guidelines for collaborative teaching are provided, and strategies to schedule team meetings are suggested.
Word-sheet corrections to dyons in string theories: A laboratory for the strong OSV conjecture

The explicit computation of arXiv:hep-th/0112157 and arXiv:hep-th/0108106 prove that all the cubic alpha-prime corrections to the backgrounds composed of metric, NS two-form and dilaton can not be written in term of the modified Riemann tensor where the field strength of the NS two form plays the role of torsion. So the outcome of this writing has been trivial.
Prospective surveillance of incidence, serotypes and antimicrobial susceptibility of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae among hospitalized children in Austria.

OBJECTIVES This study was undertaken to analyse incidence rates, serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance patterns of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from hospitalized children up to 5 years of age with invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), including meningitis, in Austria. METHODS From February 2001-January 2003, nationwide prospective surveillance was conducted that included all paediatric hospitals and clinical microbiological laboratories. All invasive pneumococci isolated were serotyped and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. RESULTS The mean annual incidence rates of IPD per 10 000 population for the age groups <24 months and <60 months were 14.5 (7.7 for meningitis) and 13.7 (6.0 for meningitis), respectively. The case fatality rate was 6% for IPD and 12% for meningitis. Of all IPD cases, 69.6% (73.1% for meningitis) were covered by serotypes and 83.9% (88.5% for meningitis) by cross-protection of vaccine-related serotypes. Intermediate penicillin G susceptibility (MIC 0.12-1 mg/L) was found in 12/56 strains. No penicillin G-resistant strains were found. A total of 19/56 isolates showed decreased susceptibility to macrolide agents (MIC >/= 1 mg/L). CONCLUSIONS The IPD incidence rate was similar, and serotype coverage of the 7-valent conjugated vaccine marginally superior, to Germany. The surprisingly high level of antimicrobial resistance among invasive isolates considerably amplifies the potential impact of a childhood pneumococcal vaccination programme in Austria.
Intestinal current measurement for diagnostic classification of patients with questionable cystic fibrosis: validation and reference data

Background In questionable cystic fibrosis (CF), mild or monosymptomatic phenotypes frequently cause diagnostic difficulties despite detailed algorithms. CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-mediated ion transport can be studied ex vivo in rectal biopsies by intestinal current measurement (ICM). Objectives To describe reference values and validate ICM for the diagnostic classification of questionable CF at all patient ages. Methods ICM was performed in 309 rectal biopsies from 130 infants, children and adults including patients with known pancreatic-insufficient (PI)-CF (n=34), pancreatic-sufficient (PS)-CF (n=7), patients with an unclear diagnosis with mild CF symptoms, intermediate sweat test and/or CFTR mutation screening (n=61) and healthy controls (n=28). ICM was correlated to sweat chloride, extensive CFTR genotype and transcript analysis in the diagnostic group. The results were compared with previous ICM data in subjects with CF, congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens, heterozygotes and controls. Results The cumulative chloride secretory response of ΔIsc,carbachol, ΔIsc,cAMP/forskolin and ΔIsc,histamine was the best diagnostic ICM parameter (cut-off 34 μA/cm2 between patients with known PS-CF and controls), differentiating patients with questionable CF into PS-CF (n=6) and ‘CF unlikely’ (n=55) groups. Extensive genotype analysis detected two mutations (40% disease-causing) in 100% of individuals classified as PS-CF compared with 1.8% in those classified as ‘CF unlikely’. Conclusions This comprehensive investigation of CFTR function and genotype underlines the diagnostic value of ICM, especially for confirmation of CF in the absence of two disease-causing CFTR mutations, exclusion of CF despite intermediate sweat test and age groups unsuitable for nasal potential difference measurements. ICM is an important tool for functional assessment in CFTR mutations of unknown clinical relevance.
Evolution and Structural Diversification of PILS Putative Auxin Carriers in Plants

The phytohormone auxin contributes to virtually every aspect of the plant development. The spatiotemporal distribution of auxin depends on a complex interplay between auxin metabolism and intercellular auxin transport. Intracellular auxin compartmentalization provides another link between auxin transport processes and auxin metabolism. The PIN-LIKES (PILS) putative auxin carriers localize to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and contribute to cellular auxin homeostasis. PILS proteins regulate intracellular auxin accumulation, the rate of auxin conjugation and, subsequently, affect nuclear auxin signaling. Here, we investigate sequence diversification of the PILS family in Arabidopsis thaliana and provide insights into the evolution of these novel putative auxin carriers in plants. Our data suggest that PILS proteins are conserved throughout the plant lineage and expanded during higher plant evolution. PILS proteins diversified early during plant evolution into three clades. Besides the ancient Clade I encompassing non-land plant species, PILS proteins evolved into two clades. The diversification of Clade II and Clade III occurred already at the level of non-vascular plant evolution and, hence, both clades contain vascular and non-vascular plant species. Nevertheless, Clade III contains fewer non- and increased numbers of vascular plants, indicating higher importance of Clade III for vascular plant evolution. Notably, PILS proteins are distinct and appear evolutionarily older than the prominent PIN-FORMED auxin carriers. Moreover, we revealed particular PILS sequence divergence in Arabidopsis and assume that these alterations could contribute to distinct gene regulations and protein functions.
Diagnosis of Congenital Cytomegalovirus Antigenemia by Immunohistochemical Detection of Immediate Early Antigen

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) can be a cause of fetal morbidity and mortality among approximately 1% of pregnancies. With an aim to detect CMV antigenemia among 51 pregnant women with/without clinically diagnosed abnormalities and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) maternal and fetal samples either prenatal (n:22) or postpartum (n:29) were obtained between 17–42 weeks of gestation to analyze anti-CMV IgG, IgM antibodies and cytoplasmic or nuclear CMV antigens. Cytoplasmic and nuclear CMV antigenemia was detected among 19.6% and 11.8% of maternal samples. These values were 29.4% and 17.6% for fetal samples. Among both maternal and fetal samples, there was a 100% correlation when IgG and IgM were negative. The correlation for IgG and IgM positivity was not present among maternal samples since cytoplasmic (37.5%) and nuclear (25%) antigens could not be demonstrated in spite of immunity. Cytoplasmic and nuclear CMV antigens were detected within fetal samples from subjects presenting maternal immunoglobulin positivity, clinical abnormality and clinically normal findings (50, 32, 16.7% and 50, 16, 5.6%) respectively. In conclusion, immunocytochemical detection of CMV antigenemia improves CMV infection diagnosis which may be associated with clinical abnormalities/IUGR.