Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Directional characteristics of thermal–infrared beaming from atmosphereless planetary surfaces – a new thermophysical model

We present a new rough-surface thermophysical model (Advanced Thermophysical Model or ATPM) that describes the observed directional thermal emission from any atmosphereless planetary surface. It explicitly incorporates partial shadowing, scattering of sunlight, self-heating and thermal–infrared beaming (re-radiation of absorbed sunlight back towards the Sun as a result of surface roughness). The model is verified by accurately reproducing ground-based directional thermal emission measurements of the lunar surface using surface properties that are consistent with the findings of the Apollo missions and roughness characterized by an rms slope of ∼32°. By considering the wide range of potential asteroid surface properties, the model implies a beaming effect that cannot be described by a simple parameter or function. It is highly dependent on the illumination and viewing angles as well as surface thermal properties and is predominantly caused by macroscopic rather than microscopic roughness. Roughness alters the effective Bond albedo and thermal inertia of the surface as well as moving the mean emission away from the surface normal. For accurate determination of surface properties from thermal–infrared observations of unresolved bodies or resolved surface elements, roughness must be explicitly modelled, preferably aided with thermal measurements at different emission angles and wavelengths.
Conditional Ablation of β1 Integrin in Skin

The major epidermal integrins are α3β1 and hemidesmosome-specific α6β4; both share laminin 5 as ligand. Keratinocyte culture studies implicate both integrins in adhesion, proliferation, and stem cell maintenance and suggest unique roles for αβ1 integrins in migration and terminal differentiation. In mice, however, whereas ablation of α6 or β4 results in loss of hemidesmosomes, epidermal polarity, and basement membrane (BM) attachment, ablation of α3 only generates microblistering due to localized internal shearing of BM. Using conditional knockout technology to ablate β1 in skin epithelium, we have uncovered biological roles for αβ1 integrins not predicted from either the α3 knockout or from in vitro studies. In contrast to α3 null mice, β1 mutant mice exhibit severe skin blistering and hair defects, accompanied by massive failure of BM assembly/organization, hemidesmosome instability, and a failure of hair follicle keratinocytes to remodel BM and invaginate into the dermis. Although epidermal proliferation is impaired, a spatial and temporal program of terminal differentiation is executed. These results indicate that β1's minor partners in skin are important, and together, αβ1 integrins are required not only for extracellular matrix assembly but also for BM formation. This, in turn, is required for hemidesmosome stability, epidermal proliferation, and hair follicle morphogenesis. However, β1 downregulation does not provide the trigger to terminally differentiate.
The Social Relationships of Asian Americans through a Cultural Lens: Relationships as Outcomes and Contexts

Research often emphasizes the importance of social relationships in the lives of Asian Americans yet few studies have examined their social networks. Much of the existing literature is limited by studying Asian Americans as a homogenous group with a focus on family. Asian Americans are least likely to use mental health services and are thought to rely on their social network for support. Recently, there have been important changes in the dynamics and reliance on family members partially caused by social and economic changes as well as geographic mobility. This dissertation examines the question of social relations and help seeking behavior among Asian Americans with three studies. This dissertation used data from the Asian American subsample (n=1628) of the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS) and focused on participants who identified as Chinese (n=600), Filipino (n=508), or Vietnamese (n=520). Ages ranged from 18 to 95 years old (M=41.51, SE=.63) with 47.5% men and 52.5% women. In the first study, variations in relationship quality with spouse, relatives, and friend by cultural and demographic factors were explored. Results indicate that not all relationships are high in positive relationship quality. Relationship quality varied by cultural and demographic factors. Results also suggest that there are similarities in patterns of relationship quality with the general US population and other ethnic minorities.
Auditing Covert Communication between Applications on Android

Exploitation of covert channels in smartphone operating systems may lead to furtive data transmission between applications with different permissions, which might threaten users' privacy. Restricting the access to shared system resources can effectively prevent the exploitation of known covert channels. However, it inevitably limits the normal usage of those resources. In this paper, we propose a general method that detects covert channel attack at runtime without impacting the accessibility of shared resources in the system. The main idea of the method is to track and audit the use of system resources known as potential covert channel variables, and impose interferences on those channels to reduce their capacity once violations are detected. We implement a prototype framework, which is able to audit and interfere covert communication both in the application layer and the native layer of Android. The experimental results demonstrate that our method can effectively reduce the data rate of user-defined covert channels while the overhead is negligible.
Interleukin 4 and T helper type 2 cells are required for development of experimental onchocercal keratitis (river blindness)

Inflammation of the corneal stroma (stromal keratitis) is a serious complication of infection with the nematode parasite Onchocerca volvulus. Because stromal keratitis is believed to be immunologically mediated in humans, we used a murine model to examine the role of T cells and T helper cell cytokines in the immunopathogenesis of these eye lesions. BALB/c mice immunized subcutaneously and injected intrastromally with soluble O. volvulus antigens (OvAg) developed pronounced corneal opacification and neovascularization. The corneal stroma was edematous and contained numerous eosinophils and mononuclear cells. Stromal keratitis in immunized mice was determined to be T cell dependent based on the following observations: (a) T cell-deficient nude mice immunized and injected intrastromally with OvAg fail to develop corneal pathology; and (b) adoptive transfer of spleen cells from OvAg-immunized BALB/c mice to naive nude mice before intrastromal injection of OvAg results in development of keratitis. OvAg-stimulated lymph node and spleen cell cytokine production was dependent on CD4 cells and included interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5, but not interferon gamma, indicating a predominant T helper type 2 cell-like response. Inflamed corneas from immunized BALB/c mice and from reconstituted nude mice had greatly elevated CD4 and IL-4 gene expression compared with interferon gamma. Mice in which the IL-4 gene was disrupted failed to develop corneal disease, demonstrating that IL-4 is essential in the immunopathogenesis of O. volvulus-mediated stromal keratitis.
An iterative low-rank representation for SAR image despeckling

Speckle noises are inherent issues in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images, which hampers the analysis and interpretation of SAR images. In this paper, we propose an iterative low-rank representation algorithm for SAR image despeckling. The original SAR image is first transformed to the logarithmic image, which is then filtered iteratively by the proposed low-rank representation model. Specifically, in each iteration, similar patches measured by the Mahalanobis distance are collected into a group, and then filtered by the nuclear regularized low-rank representation. Finally, all of the filtered patches are aggregated to form the denoised image. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is able to yield state-of-the-art SAR image despeckling performance.
Switcherland: a QoS communication architecture for workstation clusters

Computer systems have become powerful enough to process continuous data streams such as video or animated graphics. While processing power and communication bandwidth of today's systems typically are sufficient, quality of service (QoS) guarantees as required for handling such data types cannot be provided by these systems in adequate ways. We present Switcherland, a scalable communication architecture based on crossbar switches that provides QoS guarantees for workstation clusters in the form of reserved bandwidth and bounded transmission delays. Similar to the ATM technology Switcherland provides QoS guarantees with the help of service classes, that is, data transfers are characterized as variable bit rare traffic or constant bit rate traffic. However, unlike LAN technologies, Switcherland is optimized for cluster computing in that (i) it serves as a backplane interconnection fabric as well as a LAN, (ii) it extends support for service classes by also covering the end nodes of the network, (iii) it provides low latency in the order of one microsecond per switch, and (iv) it uses a communication model based on a global memory to simplify programming.
About the constuctivist role of self-evaluation for interactive learnings and self-development

C. Giovannangeli CNRS UMR8051 ETIS Neurocybernetic Team Cergy-Pontoise University ENSEA 2, avenue Adolphe-Chauvin 95302 Cergy-Pontoise, France christophe.giovannangeli@gmail.com S. Boucenna CNRS UMR8051 ETIS Neurocybernetic Team Cergy-Pontoise University ENSEA 2, avenue Adolphe-Chauvin 95302 Cergy-Pontoise, France P. Gaussier CNRS UMR8051 ETIS Neurocybernetic Team Cergy-Pontoise University ENSEA 2, avenue Adolphe-Chauvin 95302 Cergy-Pontoise, France Member of the Institut Universitaire de France
The effects of dexmedetomidine alone and in combination with tramadol or amitriptyline in a neuropathic pain model.

BACKGROUND Interactions between the sympathetic and somatic nervous system play an essential role in the pathophysiologic mechanisms of neuropathic pain. The α2-adrenoceptor agonists produce effective antinociception, but sedation is an important adverse effect. Multidrug therapy is potentially valuable to decrease side effects. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible antinociceptive effect of dexmedetomidine, an α2-adrenoceptor agonist, and its combination with front-line treatment of neuropathic pain, i.e., amitriptyline or tramadol, in a chronic constriction injury (CCI) model of the sciatic nerve in rats. STUDY DESIGN Controlled animal study. METHODS Following unilateral ligation of the left sciatic nerve, the effect of intraperitoneal (i.p.) dexmedetomidine (5 ug/kg), tramadol (5 mg/kg), and amitriptyline (30 mg/kg) on mechanical allodynia (measured by electrical von Frey apparatus) and hyperalgesia (measured by Randall and Selitto test) was studied. RESULTS The sham-operated rats and un-operated hind paw (right paw) press normally on the floor reproduced by a weighted pain score of 0. Behavioral and mechanical tests confirmed the development of neuropathic pain after CCI. All individual drugs and dexmedetomidine combination with either tramadol or amitriptyline were effective in reducing mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia. Dexmedetomidine, amitriptyline, tramadol, amitriptyline+dexmedetomidine, and tramadol+dexmedetomidine combination did not produce any sedation/motor impairment (P > 0.05). LIMITATIONS Although the combination of these drugs improved the CCI model of neuropathic pain in this study, an additional interpretation of the underlying mechanism(s) will be needed to confirm these findings. CONCLUSION The combination of these drugs appears to be more effective in increasing the pain threshold after peripheral nerve injury, when compared with the administration of either of amitriptyline or tramadol alone and should be considered as a possible alternative to decrease side effects of individual drug therapy.
Evaluation of feature representation and machine learning methods in grasp stability learning

This paper addresses the problem of sensor-based grasping under uncertainty, specifically, the on-line estimation of grasp stability. We show that machine learning approaches can to some extent detect grasp stability from haptic pressure and finger joint information. Using data from both simulations and two real robotic hands, the paper compares different feature representations and machine learning methods to evaluate their performance in determining the grasp stability. A boosting classifier was found to perform the best of the methods tested.
Transcriptome profiling reveals mechanisms for the evolution of insect seasonality

ABSTRACT Rapid evolutionary change in seasonal timing can facilitate ecological speciation and resilience to climate warming. However, the molecular mechanisms behind shifts in animal seasonality are still unclear. Evolved differences in seasonality occur in the European corn borer moth (Ostrinia nubilalis), in which early summer emergence in E-strain adults and later summer emergence in Z-strain adults is explained by a shift in the length of the termination phase of larval diapause. Here, we sample from the developmental time course of diapause in both strains and use transcriptome sequencing to profile regulatory and amino acid changes associated with timing divergence. Within a previously defined quantitative trait locus (QTL), we nominate 48 candidate genes, including several in the insulin signaling and circadian rhythm pathways. Genome-wide transcriptional activity is negligible during the extended Z-strain termination, whereas shorter E-strain termination is characterized by a rapid burst of regulatory changes involved in resumption of the cell cycle, hormone production and stress response. Although gene expression during diapause termination in Ostrinia is similar to that found previously in flies, nominated genes for shifts in timing are species specific. Hence, across distant relatives the evolution of insect seasonality appears to involve unique genetic switches that direct organisms into distinct phases of the diapause pathway through wholesale restructuring of conserved gene regulatory networks. Summary: Evolutionary changes to the timing of diapause will be key for insects to adapt to a globally warming climate; putative loci responsible for timing shifts are identified.
Highlight Removal Method for HDR Images

This paper presents a single-image highlight removal method for High Dynamic Range images based on histogram transformation (HiRemHDR). The approach exploits specific characteristics of highlight region found in HDR Images. Unlike with LDR Images, color clipping never occurs in HDR highlight area. Each pixel of this area carry color information which is a direct sum of diffuse and specular component. This fact enables us to use a simple method of histogram transformation with satisfying results. Experimental image outcome is given to demonstrate the performance of the HiRemHDR. The approach can be used as a preprocessing step for many image processing algorithms, which require an input image to be without high luminance regions.
Lung Cancer in Chinese Women: Evidence for an Interaction between Tobacco Smoking and Exposure to Inhalants in the Indoor Environment

Background Epidemiologic data suggest that Chinese women have a high incidence of lung cancer in relation to their smoking prevalence. In addition to active tobacco smoke exposure, other sources of fumes and airborne particles in the indoor environment, such as cooking and burning of incense and mosquito coils, have been considered potential risk factors for lung cancer. Objectives We used a case–control study to explore effects of inhalants from combustion sources common in the domestic environment on lung cancer and their modification by active tobacco smoking. Methods We analyzed 703 primary lung cancer cases and 1,578 controls. Data on demographic background and relevant exposures were obtained by face-to-face interviews in the hospital. Results We observed a positive relationship with daily exposure to incense or mosquito coils and to cooking fumes only among smokers, and no association among lifetime nonsmokers. Interactions between smoking and frequency of cooking, or exposure to incense or mosquito coils were statistically significant and consistent with synergistic effects on lung cancer. The odds ratio (OR) comparing smokers without daily incense or mosquito coil exposure with nonsmokers without daily exposure was 2.80 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.86–4.21], whereas the OR comparing smokers with daily exposure to the same referent group was 4.61 (95% CI, 3.41–6.24). In contrast, daily exposure to incense or mosquito coils was not associated with lung cancer among nonsmokers (OR = 0.91; 95% CI, 0.72–1.16). We observed the same pattern of associations for smokers without (OR = 2.31; 95% CI, 1.52–3.51) and with (OR = 4.50; 95% CI, 3.21–6.30) daily cooking exposure compared with nonsmokers, with no evidence of an association with daily cooking exposure among nonsmokers. Conclusion Our results suggest that active tobacco smoking not only is an important risk factor for development of lung cancer, but also may cause smokers to be more susceptible to the risk-enhancing effects of other inhalants.
Entre village et chantiers : circulation des travailleurs, clientélisme et politisation des basses castes en Andhra Pradesh, Inde

A partir d’une ethnographie de la circulation des travailleurs manuels originaires d’un village du Telangana, en Andhra Pradesh, cette recherche explore les mondes sociaux, politiques et economiques des travailleurs migrants en Inde, les dynamiques et le quotidien des rapports sociaux intercastes et interclasses. Basee sur un terrain mene tant sur les espaces de travail et de vie (en zone rurale et urbaine, dans le secteur de la construction) qu’au village, cette etude contribue aux debats sur la transformation des relations de travail par l’analyse de l’asservissement pour dettes, de l’emploi journalier, du patronage, de la mediation et de l’ascension des basses castes. L’examen des contextes sociaux et culturels des experiences du travail et de la migration, des liens de caste et de classe, du labeur, de la dette, de la confiance et des manieres de resister et de dominer fournit matiere a une critique de la scission theorique entre travail libre et non libre, au profit d’un continuum des formes de travail et de migration, base sur des dependances multiples et gradees. Cette approche rend ainsi compte des micro-hierarchies et des rapports a la mobilite sociale et a l’autorite. Cette recherche s’interesse ensuite aux dimensions politiques et sociales du retour des travailleurs migrants et a leurs quetes de dependances et de protections, multiples et temporaires, au village. Le quotidien des rapports de pouvoir et des relations intercastes et interclasses est examine a partir des pratiques et des discours d’un intermediaire politique, des contestations publiques et de la camaraderie en etat d’ebriete, des espoirs de mobilite sociale des jeunes migrants scolarises, et lors d’un conflit politico-religieux. L’etude des logiques de domination, d’acceptation et de resistance des travailleurs exprimees dans les luttes pour l’acces aux ressources du village controlees par les dominants (parti politique, credit, programmes de developpement gouvernementaux et ONG) montre de quelles manieres s’entremelent la politisation des basses castes et la recomposition des rapports de clientelisme au village.
LUT Cascades Based on Edge-Valued Multi-Valued Decision Diagrams: Application to Packet Classification

This paper presents a packet classifier using multiple LUT cascades for edge-valued multi-valued decision diagrams (EVMDDs (k)). Since the proposed one uses both DSP blocks and on-chip memories, it can efficiently use the available FPGA resources. Thus, it can realize a parallel packet classifier on a single-chip FPGA for the next generation 400 Gb/s Internet link rate (IEEE 802.3). Since it is a memory-based one, the power consumption is lower than the TCAM-based one. Also, we proposed an on-line update method that can be done without intermitting the packet classification. Compared with the conventional off-line update which requires resynthesis of the re-generated HDL codes, it drastically reduces the update time. Although the proposed on-line update requires additional hardware, the overhead is only 8.5% of the original LUT cascades, which is acceptable. We implemented a two-parallel packet classifier on a Virtex 7 VC707 evaluation board. The system throughput is 640 Gb/s for minimum packet size (40 Bytes). For the performance per memory, the proposed architecture is 2.21 times higher than existing methods. For the power consumption per performance, the proposed architecture is 11.95 times lower than existing methods.
The effects of cognitive strategy instruction in writing (CSIW) on the writing skills of severely learning disabled students and their peers in an inclusive classroom

This study investigated the effects of Cognitive Strategy Instruction in Writing (CSIW) Curriculum on skill in writing compare/contrast text structures in two students with severe learning disabilities (SLD) and their twenty-five classmates in an inclusive grade seven classroom. There were two conditions: experimental and control. The twenty-five students participating in the control group were taught writing skills through a process writing approach guided by the British Columbia Language Arts Curriculum. The experimental group were taught how to write comparelcontrast essays through the CSIW curriculum which is an intervention that contains five key instructional components. These include: analysis of text structure, teaching writing as an entire process, utilizing dialogue to structure the writing experiences, scaffolding instruction and peer collaboration. Results indicated significant improvements for CSIW trained students in overall essay structure and clarity. CSIW trained SLD students showed improvement in overall essay structure but not in essay clarity, suggesting the need for more practice in writing. Furthermore, trends indicating improvements in self-efficacy were evident in CSIW trained SLD students and their trained regular classroom peers. Maintenance testing four weeks after the conclusion of the study indicated that CSIW trained students maintained the learned CSIW strategies over time. In summary, the data from this study indicated that CSIW can be implemented effectively in an inclusive setting with overall good results. I wish to dedicate this thesis to Dan for his valued support throughout this endeavor and to Mom and Dad who are always there when I need them most.
Aminoglycoside uptake increased by tet gene expression

The expression of extrachromosomal tet genes not only confers tetracycline resistance but also increases the susceptibilities of gram-negative bacteria to commonly used aminoglycoside antibiotics. We investigated the possibility that tet expression increases aminoglycoside susceptibility by increasing bacterial uptake of aminoglycoside. Studies of [3H]gentamicin uptake in paired sets of Escherichia coli HB101 and Salmonella typhimurium LT2 expressing and not expressing tet showed that tet expression accelerates energy-dependent [3H]gentamicin uptake. Increased [3H]gentamicin uptake was accompanied by decreased bacterial protein synthesis and bacterial growth. Increased aminoglycoside uptake occurred whether tet expression was constitutive or induced, whether the tet gene was class B or C, and whether the tet gene was plasmid borne or integrated into the bacterial chromosome. tet expression produced no measurable change in membrane potential, suggesting that tet expression increases aminoglycoside uptake either by increasing the availability of specific carriers or by lowering the minimum membrane potential that is necessary for uptake.