Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Persisting high prevalence of pneumococcal carriage among HIV-infected adults receiving antiretroviral therapy in Malawi: a cohort study

Objective:HIV-infected adults have high rates of pneumococcal carriage and invasive disease. We investigated the effect of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on pneumococcal carriage in HIV-infected adults prior to infant pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) rollout. Design:Observational cohort study. Methods:We recruited HIV-infected adults newly attending a rural HIV clinic in northern Malawi between 2008 and 2010. Nasopharyngeal samples were taken at baseline and after 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. We compared pneumococcal carriage by ART status using generalized estimated equation models adjusted for CD4+ cell count, sex, seasonality, and other potential confounders. Results:In total, 336 individuals were included, of which 223 individuals started ART during follow-up. Individuals receiving ART had higher pneumococcal carriage than individuals not receiving ART (25.9 vs. 19.8%, P = 0.03) particularly for serotypes not included in PCV13 (16.1 vs. 9.6% P = 0.003). Following adjustment, increased carriage of non-PCV13 serotypes was still observed for individuals on ART, but results for all serotypes were nonsignificant [all serotypes: adjusted risk ratio (aRR) 1.22 (0.95–1.56); non-PCV13 serotypes: aRR 1.72, 95% CI 1.13–2.62]. Conclusion:Pneumococcal carriage in HIV-infected adults in Malawi remained high despite use of ART, consistent with failure of mucosal immune reconstitution in the upper respiratory tract. There was evidence of increased carriage of non-PCV13 serotypes. HIV-infected adults on ART could remain an important reservoir for pneumococcal diversity post infant pneumococcal vaccine introduction. Control of pneumococcal disease in African HIV remains a priority.
A large-scale study of daily information needs captured in situ

The goal of this work is to provide a fundamental understanding of the daily information needs of people through a large-scale, in-depth, quantitative investigation. To this end, we have conducted one of the most comprehensive studies of information needs to date, spanning a 3-month period and involving more than 100 users. The study employed a contextual experience sampling method, a snippet-based diary technique using SMS technology, and an online Web diary to gather in situ insights into the types of needs that occur from day to day, how those needs are addressed, and how contextual, technological, and demographic factors impact on those needs. Our results not only complement earlier studies but also provide a new understanding of the intricacies of people’s daily information needs.
Fast 3D cartoon rendering with improved quality by exploiting graphics hardware

Our work in the area of non-photo-realistic rendering (NPR) focuses on visualising 3D models in a cartoon rendering style: the geometrical objects are internally coloured using two or three colours, while simultaneously using an explicit outline. Many NPR techniques are timeconsuming processes, whereas we aim at real-time rendering performance on mainstream graphics PC hardware without losing a high image quality. Particular emphasis is also put on getting smooth transition borders between the bi-tonal cartoon-colours by applying an object precision triangle subdivision technique. Rapidly finding these transition borders as well as silhouette edges is a topic of a new algorithm. As silhouette lines and light effects are useful indicators for computer vision, this algorithm also looks interesting for applications in that field.
WZ Sagittae as a DQ Herculis star

ABSTRA C T We argue that quiescent WZ Sge is a rapidly spinning magnetic rotator in which most of the matter transferred from the secondary is ejected from the system. Assuming that the observed 27.87-s oscillation period results from the spinning white dwarf, we propose that the other observed principal period of 28.96 s is a beat caused by reprocessing of the rotating white dwarf beam on plasma blobs in Keplerian rotation at the outer disc rim. The weaker, transient, 29.69-s period is identified as a beat with the Keplerian period of the magnetosphere. WZ Sge evolves through a cycle of spin-up and spin-down phases. During the spin-down phase it is a DQ Her star; during the spin-up phase it should be a ER UMa star.
On-state voltage drop based power limit detection of IGBT inverters

Power density is a key performance factor in order to reduce the cost and size of a power converter. Because of the unknown junction temperature, today's design margins are relatively high to ensure safe and a reliable operation. In this paper, the on-state voltage drop is measured online for all insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) in the inverter, using advanced gate driver. The die temperature is estimated and monitored on each device during power converter operation. Based on the monitored temperature in real time, the maximum power capability is detected. The output power is increased until a safe operating temperature of power modules. This enable a power density is increased by 11.16 kW /litre to 19.13 kW /litre in a low voltage power stack which is typically used in wind power converters. Experiment results are shown for safe operation of converter at around 1.2 MW, which is built in a standard size for the 600-700 kW. Furthermore, the 1700 V, 1000 A power module is replaced with a 1400 A module to increase the load current.
Addressing input saturation and kinematic constraints of overactuated undercarriages by predictive potential fields

Currently, pseudo-omnidirectional, wheeled mobile robots with independently steered and driven wheels seem to provide a solid compromise between complexity, flexibility and robustness. Yet, such undercarriages are imposed to the risk of actuator fighting and suffer from singular regions within their configuration space. To address these problems we expand a previously developed potential field (PF) based approach by expanding it with a predictive horizon. The proposed method is based on a model predictive control (MPC) approach, incorporating a gradient descent optimization step via the Pontryagin minimum principle. To enforce adherence to the constraints during optimization, we modify the Lagrange-multipliers within the backpropagation of the costates. The proposed approach is evaluated simulatively w.r. t. the undercarriage of the Care-O-bot ® 3 mobile robot and is compared to the potential field based and a model predictive control approach.
Increasing Lifetime of Wireless Ad Hoc Networks Using a Decentralized Algorithmic Approach

In wireless ad hoc networks one hard issue for each participating node is how to meet its own interest (reducing network workload to save energy) with that of the whole network (providing services as long as possible)? We present a decentralized approach that ensures a fair workload affectation between all nodes, based on their remaining energy provision. We prove analytically that this approach is fair with regard to each node and we valid its effectiveness through simulation
Exercise improves executive function and achievement and alters brain activation in overweight children: a randomized, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE This experiment tested the hypothesis that exercise would improve executive function. DESIGN Sedentary, overweight 7- to 11-year-old children (N = 171, 56% girls, 61% Black, M ± SD age = 9.3 ± 1.0 years, body mass index [BMI] = 26 ± 4.6 kg/m², BMI z-score = 2.1 ± 0.4) were randomized to 13 ± 1.6 weeks of an exercise program (20 or 40 min/day), or a control condition. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Blinded, standardized psychological evaluations (Cognitive Assessment System and Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement III) assessed cognition and academic achievement. Functional MRI measured brain activity during executive function tasks. RESULTS Intent to treat analysis revealed dose-response benefits of exercise on executive function and mathematics achievement. Preliminary evidence of increased bilateral prefrontal cortex activity and reduced bilateral posterior parietal cortex activity attributable to exercise was also observed. CONCLUSION Consistent with results obtained in older adults, a specific improvement on executive function and brain activation changes attributable to exercise were observed. The cognitive and achievement results add evidence of dose-response and extend experimental evidence into childhood. This study provides information on an educational outcome. Besides its importance for maintaining weight and reducing health risks during a childhood obesity epidemic, physical activity may prove to be a simple, important method of enhancing aspects of children's mental functioning that are central to cognitive development. This information may persuade educators to implement vigorous physical activity.
Caenorhabditis elegans spermatozoan locomotion: amoeboid movement with almost no actin

The pseudopods of Caenorhabditis elegans spermatozoa move actively causing some cells to translocate when the sperm are dissected into a low osmotic strength buffered salts solution. On time-lapse video tapes, pseudopodial projections can be seen moving at 20-45 micrometers/min from the tip to the base of the pseudopod. This movement occurs whether or not the cell is attached to a substrate. Translocation of the cell is dependent on the substrate. Some spermatozoa translocate on acid-washed glass, but a better substrate is prepared by drying an extract of Ascaris uteri (the normal site of nematode sperm motility) onto glass slides. On this substrate more than half the spermatozoa translocate at a velocity (21 micrometers/min) similar to that observed in vivo. Translocating cells attach to the substrate by their pseudopodial projections. They always move toward the pseudopod; changes in direction are caused by changes in pseudopod shape that determine points of detachment and reattachment of the cell to the substrate. Actin comprises less than 0.02% of the proteins in sperm, and myosin is undetectable. No microfilaments are found in the sperm. Immunohistochemistry shows that some actin is localized in patches in the pseudopod. The movement of spermatozoa is unaffected by cytochalasins, however, so there is no evidence that actin participates in locomotion. Fertilization-defective mutants in genes fer-2, fer-4, and fer-6 produce spermatozoa with defective pseudopodial projections, and these spermatozoa are largely immotile. Mutants in the spermatozoa do not translocate. Thus pseudopod movement is correlated with the presence of normal projections. Twelve mutants with defective muscles have spermatozoa with normal movement, so these genes do not specify products needed for both muscle and nonmuscle cell motility.
Modeling and Verification of Reconfigurable Actor Families

Software product line engineering enables proactive reuse among a set of re- lated products through explicit modeling of commonalities and differences among them. Features are usually used to distinguish different products as a product is identified by its supported feature set that is represented by a configuration. Dynamic product lines enhance flexibility of a product by allowing run-time reconfiguration. In this paper, we focus on modeling and verification of families of concurrent and distributed systems that are reconfigurable. To this end, we introduce the notion of variability in actor models to achieve family of reconfigurable actors. Then, we present our methodology to model this concept using the actor-based modeling language Rebeca. The model checking backbone of Rebeca enables us to ensure establishment of certain constraints on reconfigurations. We show the applicability and effectiveness of our approach by applying it on a set of case studies.
A provably secure public key encryption scheme based on isogeny star

Public Key Encryption (PKE) scheme based on isogeny star has been proposed to be against the attack of the quantum computer for several years. But, there is no report about provable security PKE scheme based on isogeny star. In this paper, we propose a PKE scheme based on isogeny star and prove the security of the scheme in the random oracle .
Functional Representation of the Ablowitz–ladik Hierarchy. Ii

In this paper we continue studies of the functional representation of the Ablowitz– Ladik hierarchy (ALH). Using formal series solutions of the zero-curvature condition we rederive the functional equations for the tau-functions of the ALH and obtain some new equations which provide more straightforward description of the ALH and which were absent in our previous paper. These results are used to establish relations between the ALH and the discrete-time nonlinear Schrödinger equations, to deduce the superposition formulae (Fay's identities) for the tau-functions of the hierarchy and to obtain some new results related to the Lax representation of the ALH and its conservation laws. Using the previously found connections between the ALH and other integrable systems we derive functional equations which are equivalent to the AKNS, derivative nonlinear Schrödinger and Davey–Stewartson hierarchies.
A soft three axis force sensor useful for robot grippers

A novel three axis force sensor, based on magnetic flux measurements, was used in the fingers of a gripper. The force sensor uses three Hall Effect sensors orthogonally placed at the base of a hemisphere made of silicon rubber. A neodymium permanent magnet was inside the hemisphere. When a force was applied to the perimeter of hemisphere, it compressed the hemisphere displacing the magnet. This displacement caused change in the magnetic field around the Hall-effect sensors. By analysing these changes, we calculated the force in three directions using a lookup table. This sensor can be used in robot grippers to manipulate objects dexterously with tactile feedback. The cheap construction, robustness and reliability are few advantages of this sensor for it to be used in industrial applications. The sensor design, simulation and its characterization are presented in this work. Furthermore, as an application, a peg in a hole experiment was carried out to present the ability of the sensors to be used in robot grippers for manipulation tasks.
POSTER: Privacy Enhanced Secure Location Verification

We propose a privacy enhanced location verification system that uses in-region location verification to verify if a location claim is from within an area specified by a policy. The novelty of our work is the use of distance bounding protocols to construct a pseudo-rectangle (P-rectangle) that optimizes coverage of the policy area, and uses it to verify the claim with respect to the P-rectangle, thereby minimizing error. We propose a privacy enhancement for the system that ensures that the prover's location cannot be inferred by an adversary who monitors protocol messages. We discuss our results and propose directions for future research.
Magnetoelectric resonant gate transistor

Chip scale, high sensitivity magnetic sensor arrays capable of sensing below 100 picoTesla vector fields are of great interest to biomedical applications such as noninvasive medical imaging and diagnosis. Here, we present an integrated magnetoelectric resonant gate transistor (ME RGT) with nanoTesla magnetic field detection sensitivity. The device integrates Titanium (Ti)-Metglas (Fe0.85B0.05Si0.1) based magnetostrictive unimorph freestanding cantilever beam coupled capacitively to the gate of an n-channel field effect transistor (FET). Using this configuration at the flexural resonance frequency of 4.9 kHz of the cantilever, a signalto-noise ratio of 646,000√Hz/Oe and a minimum detectable field of 15×10T/√Hz were obtained at room temperature. This result shows a significant improvement in the thin film ME sensor integration with standard CMOS process towards on-chip biomedical imaging applications.
Hybrid structure-based link prediction model

In network science several topology-based link prediction methods have been developed so far. The classic social network link prediction approach takes as an input a snapshot of a whole network. However, with human activities behind it, this social network keeps changing. In this paper, we consider link prediction problem as a time-series problem and propose a hybrid link prediction model that combines eight structure-based prediction methods and self-adapts the weights assigned to each included method. To test the model, we perform experiments on two real world networks with both sliding and growing window scenarios. The results show that our model outperforms other structure-based methods when both precision and recall of the prediction results are considered.
Connecting orbits and invariant manifolds in the spatial restricted three-body problem

The invariant manifold structures of the collinear libration points for the restricted three-body problem provide the framework for understanding transport phenomena from a geometrical point of view. In particular, the stable and unstable invariant manifold tubes associated with libration point orbits are the phase space conduits transporting material between primary bodies for separate three-body systems. These tubes can be used to construct new spacecraft trajectories, such as a ‘Petit Grand Tour’ of the moons of Jupiter. Previous work focused on the planar circular restricted three-body problem. This work extends the results to the three-dimensional case. Besides providing a full description of different kinds of libration motions in a large vicinity of these points, this paper numerically demonstrates the existence of heteroclinic connections between pairs of libration orbits, one around the libration point L_1 and the other around L_2. Since these connections are asymptotic orbits, no manoeuvre is needed to perform the transfer from one libration point orbit to the other. A knowledge of these orbits can be very useful in the design of missions such as the Genesis Discovery Mission, and may provide the backbone for other interesting orbits in the future.
IRCUITS IN THE B RAIN

The field of neuroscience has, after a long period of looking the other way, again embraced emotion as an important research area. Much of the progress has come from studies of fear, and especially fear conditioning. This work has pinpointed the amygdala as an important component of the system involved in the acquisition, storage, and expression of fear memory and has elucidated in detail how stimuli enter, travel through, and exit the amygdala. Some progress has also been made in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie fear conditioning, and recent studies have also shown that the findings from experimental animals apply to the human brain. It is important to remember why this work on emotion succeeded where past efforts failed. It focused on a psychologically well-defined aspect of emotion, avoided vague and poorly defined concepts such as “affect,” “hedonic tone,” or “emotional feelings,” and used a simple and straightforward experimental approach. With so much research being done in this area today, it is important that the mistakes of the past not be made again. It is also time to expand from this foundation into broader aspects of mind and behavior
Drug interactions modulate the potential for evolution of resistance

Antimicrobial treatments increasingly rely on multidrug combinations, in part because of the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance. The continued effectiveness of combination treatments depends crucially on the frequency with which multidrug resistance arises. Yet, it is unknown how this propensity for resistance depends on cross-resistance and on epistatic interactions—ranging from synergy to antagonism—between the drugs. Here, we analyzed how interactions between pairs of drugs affect the spontaneous emergence of resistance in the medically important pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. Resistance is selected for within a window of drug concentrations high enough to inhibit wild-type growth but low enough for some resistant mutants to grow. Introducing an experimental method for high-throughput colony imaging, we counted resistant colonies arising across a two-dimensional matrix of drug concentrations for each of three drug pairs. Our data show that these different drug combinations have significantly different impacts on the size of the window of drug concentrations where resistance is selected for. We framed these results in a mathematical model in which the frequencies of resistance to single drugs, cross-resistance, and epistasis combine to determine the propensity for multidrug resistance. The theory suggests that drug pairs which interact synergistically, preferred for their immediate efficacy, may in fact favor the future evolution of resistance. This framework reveals the central role of drug epistasis in the evolution of resistance and points to new strategies for combating the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria.
Synthesis of constrained walking skills

Simulated characters in simulated worlds require simulated skills. We develop control strategies that enable physically-simulated characters to dynamically navigate environments with significant stepping constraints, such as sequences of gaps. We present a synthesis-analysis-synthesis framework for this type of problem. First, an offline optimization method is applied in order to compute example control solutions for randomly-generated example problems from the given task domain. Second, the example motions and their underlying control patterns are analyzed to build a low-dimensional step-to-step model of the dynamics. Third, this model is exploited by a planner to solve new instances of the task at interactive rates. We demonstrate real-time navigation across constrained terrain for physics-based simulations of 2D and 3D characters. Because the framework sythesizes its own example data, it can be applied to bipedal characters for which no motion data is available.
Complexity in Animal Communication: Estimating the Size of N-Gram Structures

In this paper, new techniques that allow conditional entropy to estimate the combinatorics of symbols are applied to animal communication studies to estimate the communication’s repertoire size. By using the conditional entropy estimates at multiple orders, the paper estimates the total repertoire sizes for animal communication across bottlenose dolphins, humpback whales and several species of birds for an N-gram length of one to three. In addition to discussing the impact of this method on studies of animal communication complexity, the reliability of these estimates is compared to other methods through simulation. While entropy does undercount the total repertoire size due to rare N-grams, it gives a more accurate picture of the most frequently used repertoire than just repertoire size alone.
On the decoding of convolutional codes using genetic algorithms

In this paper, we deal with decoding of convolutional codes using artificial intelligence techniques. A comparison of our decoder versus the Viterbi decoder in terms of performance and computing complexity is given. The simulation results show that the genetic algorithms based decoder (GAD) outperforms the Viterbi decoders. Furthermore the computing complexity of GAD is better for codes with large lengths. The good results obtained by GAD for systematic convolutional codes make it more attractive.