Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Probabilistic registration for large-scale mobile participatory sensing

One of the main benefits of mobile participatory sensing becoming a reality is the increased knowledge it will provide about the real world while relying on a large number of mobile devices. Those devices can host different types of sensors incorporated in every aspect of our lives. However, given the increasing number of capable mobile devices, any participatory sensing approach should be, first and foremost, scalable. To address this challenge, we present an approach to decrease the participation of (sensing) devices in a manner that does not compromise the accuracy of the real-world information while increasing the efficiency of the overall system. To reduce the number of the devices involved, we present a probabilistic registration approach, based on a realistic human mobility model, that allows devices to decide whether or not to register their sensing services depending on the probability of other, equivalent devices being present at the locations of their expected path. We present the design and implementation of a registration middleware based on our techniques, using which mobile devices can base their registration decision. Through experiments performed on real and simulated datasets, we show that our approach scales, while not sacrificing significant amounts of sensing coverage.
An Analysis of The Cortex Method at TAC 2010 KBP Slot-Filling

We describe herein the Cortex Method for automated meta-data extraction and the adaptation utilized in the 2010 Text Analysis Conference (TAC) Knowledge-Base Population (KBP) slot-filling tasks, both regular and surprise-round. We delineate the software components utilized and the abstractions put forth by the method used in the evaluation. We describe and discuss the noteworthy balance shown by our results between precision and recall in automated slot-filling.
Projections of the pontine nuclei to the cochlear nucleus in rats

In the cochlear nucleus, there is a magnocellular core of neurons whose axons form the ascending auditory pathways. Surrounding this core is a thin shell of microneurons called the granule cell domain (GCD). The GCD receives auditory and nonauditory inputs and projects in turn to the dorsal cochlear nucleus, thus appearing to serve as a central locus for integrating polysensory information and descending feedback. Nevertheless, the source of many of these inputs and the nature of the synaptic connections are relatively unknown. We used the retrograde tracer Fast Blue to demonstrate that a major projection arises from the contralateral pontine nuclei (PN) to the GCD. The projecting cells are more densely located in the ventral and rostral parts of the PN. They also are clustered into a lateral and a medial group. Injections of anterograde tracers into the PN labeled mossy fibers in the contralateral GCD. The terminals are confined to those parts of the GCD immediately surrounding the ventral cochlear nucleus. There is no PN projection to the dorsal cochlear nucleus. These endings have the form of bouton and mossy fiber endings as revealed by light and electron microscopy. The PN represent a key station between the cerebral and cerebellar cortices, so the pontocochlear nucleus projection emerges as a significant source of highly processed information that is introduced into the early stages of the auditory pathway. The cerebropontocerebellar pathway may impart coordination and timing cues to the motor system. In an analogous way, perhaps the cerebropontocochlear nucleus projection endows the auditory system with a timing mechanism for extracting temporal information. J. Comp. Neurol. 436:290–303, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Reproducibility of Nuclear Morphometric Measurements in Invasive Breast Carcinoma

The intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of computerized nuclear morphometry was determined in repeated measurements of 212 samples of invasive breast cancer. The influence of biological variation and the selection of the measurement area was also tested. Morphometrically determined mean nuclear profile area (Pearson’s r 0.89, grading efficiency (GE) 0.95) and standard deviation (SD) of nuclear profile area (Pearson’s r 0.84, GE 0.89) showed high reproducibility. In this respect, nuclear morphometry equals with other established methods of quantitative pathology and exceeds the results of subjective grading of nuclear atypia in invasive breast cancer. A training period of eight days was sufficient to produce clear improvement in consistency of nuclear morphometry results. By estimating the sources of variation it could be shown that the variation associated with the measurement procedure itself is small. Instead, sample associated variation is responsible for the majority of variation in the measurements (82.9% in mean nuclear profile area and 65.9% in SD of nuclear profile area). This study points out that when standardized methods are applied computerized morphometry is a reproducible and reliable method of assessing nuclear atypia in invasive breast cancer. For further improvement special emphasize should be put on sampling rules of selecting the microscope fields and measurement areas.
Quantitative analysis of proteome extracted from barley crowns grown under different drought conditions

Barley cultivar Amulet was used to study the quantitative proteome changes through different drought conditions utilizing two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE). Plants were cultivated for 10 days under different drought conditions. To obtain control and differentially drought-treated plants, the soil water content was kept at 65, 35, and 30% of soil water capacity (SWC), respectively. Osmotic potential, water saturation deficit, 13C discrimination, and dehydrin accumulation were monitored during sampling of the crowns for proteome analysis. Analysis of the 2D-DIGE gels revealed 105 differentially abundant spots; most were differentially abundant between the controls and drought-treated plants, and 25 spots displayed changes between both drought conditions. Seventy-six protein spots were successfully identified by tandem mass spectrometry. The most frequent functional categories of the identified proteins can be put into the groups of: stress-associated proteins, amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, as well as DNA and RNA regulation and processing. Their possible role in the response of barley to drought stress is discussed. Our study has shown that under drought conditions barley cv. Amulet decreased its growth and developmental rates, displayed a shift from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism, and exhibited increased levels of several protective proteins. Comparison of the two drought treatments revealed plant acclimation to milder drought (35% SWC); but plant damage under more severe drought treatment (30% SWC). The results obtained revealed that cv. Amulet is sensitive to drought stress. Additionally, four spots revealing a continuous and significant increase with decreasing SWC (UDP-glucose 6-dehydrogenase, glutathione peroxidase, and two non-identified) could be good candidates for testing of their protein phenotyping capacity together with proteins that were significantly distinguished in both drought treatments.
A new and simple shape descriptor based on a non-parametric multiscale model

In this paper we present a new and robust shape descriptor which can be efficiently used to quickly prune a search for similar shapes in a large Image database. The proposed shape descriptor is based on a multiscale representation of the discrete set of points, sampled from the internal and external contour points of the query and the candidate shapes. In this approach, dissimilarity between two shapes is defined as the reconstruction error of the candidate shape, made by using multiscale elements of contours extracted from the query shape. This dissimilarity measure allows one to quickly produce an accurate short-list of candidate matches, ranked from the most similar to the least similar one, suitable for a more careful and more time consuming matching algorithm. Experiments on the Snodgrass & Vanderwart database allows one to attest the discriminating power of this measure and its robustness to possible distortions, warping and occlusion artifacts.
A mobility model including the screening effect in MOS inversion layer

A mobility model for MOSFET device simulation is proposed. The model is not only applicable to both inversion layer and source/drain high concentration regions of a MOSFET, but it also takes into account the screening effect in the inversion layer. The model also includes an improved normal-field dependence for thin gate oxide MOSFETs. The low parallel electric field mobility is estimated by adding mobilities due to donor scattering, acceptor scattering and lattice scattering using Matthiesen's rule. Mobilities due to both the donor and the acceptor scattering include the electron screening effect. The mobility due to lattice scattering is formed as a function of normal electric field E/sub n/, including the strong dependence term of E/sub n/, to express surface roughness scattering. Calculation results of the device simulation using the mobility model show good agreement with the experimental data for various channel dopings. >
Deuterium-labeled steroids for study in humans. I. Estrogen production rates in normal pregnancy.

Abstract Deuterium-labeled 1,3,5(10)-estratriene-3,17 β-diol was used for the estimation of estrogen production rates during normal pregnancy. The results for three patients are concordant with the available reports in the literature. Isotope dilution data were obtained by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The steroids were monitored by conventional scanning of the molecular weight range at 20 e.v. or 70 e.v. and at selected m/e values at 20 e.v. by the use of an accelerating voltage alternator.
Evaluation of Full-length, Cleaved and Nitrosylated Serum Surfactant Protein D as Biomarkers for COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a multicomponent condition that is characterized by partially reversible airflow obstruction. Serum surfactant protein D (SP-D) is synthesized by type II pneumocytes and Clara cells and participates in surfactant homeostasis and pulmonary host defense. Serum levels of SP-D are raised in individuals with COPD but there is no correlation between the serum level of SP-D and the severity of airflow obstruction. Serum SP-D is present in different forms that may have more utility as a biomarker for COPD. We report here the development of new monoclonal antibodies to full length and cleaved SP-D. We have assessed these and existing antibodies in 98 individuals with COPD recruited to the Evaluation of COPD Longitudinally to Identify Predictive Surrogate Endpoints (ECLIPSE) cohort. Our data show that neither monoclonal antibodies to full length nor cleaved SP-D provide additional information over that obtained with a polyclonal antibody. Moreover, levels of serum nitrosylated-SP-D did not correlate with serum level of SP-D or any clinical phenotype of COPD. The measurement of modified SP-D is of limited value in characterising individuals with COPD.
Influence of Stator Structure on Electromechanical Parameters of Torus-Type Brushless DC Motor

Five torus-type brushless dc motors, each with a different version of the stator core structure, are analyzed. The first one is a slotless stator core, and the four others have the space between the adjacent coils of stator winding filled with the material made either of iron powder composite or laminated iron. An analysis of the motor performance is based on a three-dimensional (3-D) field motor model as well as on the circuit model of the inverter plus the motor set supplied from the battery. The toothed stator core versions show a significant increase of the average torque and also an increase of torque ripple caused mainly by the rise of cogging torque. The analysis based on the simulation results is backed by measurements carried out on the prototype of slotless stator version of the motor.
The influence of neurocognitive impairment on HIV treatment outcomes among drug-involved people living with HIV/AIDS

Abstract Findings to date indicate that it is feasible to deliver a brief behavioral risk reduction/medication adherence group intervention to HIV-infected injection drug users in a community-based setting. HIV infection and substance abuse can result in neurocognitive impairment and this is directly relevant to intervention development, because a significant number of people living with HIV/AIDS have a positive history of substance abuse and being able to successfully participate in behavioral interventions often requires a relatively high level of cognitive performance. The aim of the current study was to evaluate if changes in information, motivation, and behavior skills with respect to medication adherence, sex- and drug-risk behavior outcomes from baseline to post-intervention are predicted by cognitive impairment following the brief four-session Holistic Health for HIV intervention for HIV-infected Drug Users (3H+). Significant associations were found between change in motivation and certain neurocognitive performance domains. Findings suggest that it may be helpful to specifically tailor such behavioral interventions to accommodate cognitive impairment.
Localisation of proteins of iron metabolism in the human placenta and liver

Two anatomical sites that are important in human iron metabolism are the liver and placenta. Liver macrophages recycle iron from erythrocytes, and the placenta transfers iron from the mother to the fetus. The cellular distribution of proteins involved in iron transport in these two sites was studied. Transferrin receptor‐1 (TfR1) and Ferroportin (FPN) expression was found on the placental syncytiotrophoblast (STB) and were polarised such that TfR1 was on the apical maternal‐facing membrane and FPN was on the basal fetal‐facing membrane, consistent with unidirectional iron transport from mother to fetus. Ferritin was strongly expressed in the stroma, suggesting that fetal tissue can store and accumulate iron. HFE was on some parts of the basal STB and, where present, HFE clearly colocalised with FPN but not TfR1. In the stroma, both HFE and FPN were present on CD68+ Hofbauer macrophage cells. In liver, the location of HFE is controversial. Using four mouse monoclonals and two polyclonal sera we showed that the pattern of HFE expression mirrored the distribution of CD68+ macrophage Kupffer cells. FPN was also most strongly expressed by CD68+ Kupffer cells. These findings contribute to understanding how iron is transported and stored in the human placenta and liver.
Andropause: clinical implications of the decline in serum testosterone levels with aging in men.

T is now well accepted that serum testosterone (T) levels decline progressively with aging in men (1‐5). This decline is associated with alterations in body composition; diminished energy, muscle strength, and physical function; reduced sexual function; depressed mood; and decreased cognitive function. Similar changes occur in young men with androgen deficiency and are improved with T replacement therapy. However, the physiological and clinical significance of the aging-associated decline in serum T levels in men is unclear, particularly because T levels may remain within the normal range for young men. From a practical clinical standpoint, it is most appropriate to define “andropause” as an age-related decline in serum T levels in older men to below the normal range in young men that is associated with a clinical syndrome (i.e., symptoms and signs) consistent with androgen deficiency. The decline in T levels is a consequence both of aging per se and age-associated comorbid illnesses and medications that are used to treat them
Optimizing MDS Codes for Caching at the Edge

In this paper we investigate the problem of optimal MDS-encoded cache placement at the wireless edge to minimize the backhaul rate in heterogeneous networks. We derive the backhaul rate performance of any caching scheme based on file splitting and MDS encoding and we formulate the optimal caching scheme as a convex optimization problem. We then thoroughly investigate the performance of this optimal scheme for an important heterogeneous network scenario. We compare it to several other caching strategies and we analyze the influence of the system parameters, such as the popularity and size of the library files and the capabilities of the small-cell base stations, on the overall performance of our optimal caching strategy. Our results show that the careful placement of MDS-encoded content in caches at the wireless edge leads to a significant decrease of the load of the network backhaul and hence to a considerable performance enhancement of the network.
Ipl1/Aurora-B is necessary for kinetochore restructuring in meiosis I in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In meiosis I, the centromeres of sister chromatids are pulled, together, toward the same pole of the spindle. In mitotis, the opposite is true—sister centromeres are pulled apart. This study explores the manner in which mitotic outer kinetochores are shed to allow assembly of meiotic kinetochore structures.
Management of combined hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma

Combined hepatocellular‐cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC‐CC) is a rare primary liver malignancy composed of cells with histopathological features of both cholangiocarcinoma (CC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It reportedly accounts for 0.4–14.2% of all primary liver carcinomas, with incidence varying in different regions. The clinical features are similar to those of either HCC or CC. Preoperative noninvasive diagnosis of cHCC‐CC with conventional radiography is difficult. Because the origin of cHCC‐CC is from two different tumour entities, despite intensive preoperative imaging studies, most studied patients were misdiagnosed either as HCC or CC. Accurate preoperative diagnosis is important because the most appropriate treatment depends on the major component of the tumour (HCC or CC). A high index of suspicion, imaging studies (ultrasound, computed tomography, positron emission tomography), levels of serum tumour markers (α‐fetoprotein, carbohydrate antigen 19‐9), and histology assist case detection and treatment choice. Patients who qualify for surgery should have a partial hepatectomy with hilar lymph node dissection, which can result in 5‐year survival rates exceeding 50%. The role of liver transplantation is not yet known.
and Krzysztof Podgórski Leverage E ect for Volatility with Generalized Laplace Error

We propose a new model that accounts for the asymmetric response of volatility to positive (‘good news’) and negative (‘bad news’) shocks in economic time series – the so-called leverage e ect. In the past, asymmetric powers of errors in the conditionally heteroskedastic models have been used to capture this e ect. Our model is using the gamma di erence representation of the generalized Laplace distributions that e ciently models the asymmetry. It has one additional natural parameter, the shape, that is used instead of power in the asymmetric power models to capture the strength of a long-lasting e ect of shocks. Some fundamental properties of themodel are provided including the formula for covariances and an explicit form for the conditional distribution of ‘bad’ and ‘good’ news processes given the past – the property that is important for statistical tting of the model. Relevant features of volatility models are illustrated using S&P 500 historical data.
Routing in autonomic communications

Autonomic communication" is identified as a key driver of next-generation network technology under "communication paradigms for 2020" initiative. The future's pervasive computing environments need all their components to become autonomous by managing their own evolution and configuration changes without explicit user or administrator action. Since there is no current routing protocol which always performs well for all kinds of possible environments and requirements, new innovative routing paradigms must be designed to best fit the next generation networks. In this paper, we present our vision of routing in "Autonomic communication". More specifically, we discuss the main design issues for the new routing paradigms. Moreover, some research directions and challenges are also addressed.
Deterministic Latent Variable Models and Their Pitfalls

We derive a number of well known deterministic latent variable models such as PCA, ICA, EPCA, NMF and PLSA as variational EM approximations with point posteriors. We show that the often practiced heuristic of “folding-in” can lead to overly optimistic estimates of the test-set log-likelihood and we verify this result experimentally. We trace this problem back to an infinitely negative entropy term that is ignored in the variational approximation.
Electrical Stimulation Over Left Inferior Frontal Gyrus Disrupts Hand Gesture’s Role in Foreign Vocabulary Learning

Hand gestures are a potent aid in foreign language learning. The present experiment sought to enhance their utility using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Employing tDCS, we investigated whether stimulation over the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG)—an area implicated in multimodal integration—increases gesture’s beneficial role in foreign vocabulary learning. Replicating previous research, we found that when participants learned words accompanied by iconic gestures, they demonstrated better retention of those words compared to learning with speech alone. However, when tDCS was applied to the region above the left IFG, the beneficial effects of gesture were absent. Despite the recent enthusiasm over neuromodulation techniques, the present results provide one case in which neural stimulation may actually disrupt, rather than help, learning.