Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Application Layer Systematic Network Coding for Sliced H.264/AVC Video Streaming

Application Layer Forward Error Correction (AL-FEC) with rateless codes can be applied to protect the video data over lossy channels. Expanding Window Random Linear Codes (EW RLCs) are a flexible unequal error protection fountain coding scheme which can provide prioritized data transmission. In this paper, we propose a system that exploits systematic EW RLC for H.264/Advanced Video Coding (AVC) slice-partitioned data. The system prioritizes slices based on their PSNR contribution to reconstruction as well as temporal significance. Simulation results demonstrate usefulness of using relative slice priority with systematic codes for multimedia broadcast applications. References
A descriptor for large scale image retrieval based on sketched feature lines

We address the problem of large scale sketch based image retrieval, searching in a database of over a million images. The search is based on a descriptor that elegantly addresses the asymmetry between the binary user sketch on the one hand and the full color image on the other hand. The proposed descriptor is constructed such that both the full color image and the sketch undergo exactly the same preprocessing steps. We also design an adapted version of the descriptor proposed for MPEG-7 and compare their performance on a database of 1.5 million images. Best matching images are clustered based on color histograms, to offset the lacking color in the query. Overall, the query results demonstrate that the system allows users an intuitive access to large image databases.
Time-domain equalizer for filter bank-based multicarrier communications

Filter bank-based multicarrier systems have two main advantages over the OFDM/DMT modulation method. Firstly, the bank selectivity is a design parameter for precise spectrum control. This provides resistance against narrowband interference and allows to use very narrow guard bands around the multicarrier signal. Secondly, the guard period applied in OFDM-systems to combat ISI becomes unnecessary. This saves some bandwidth for data transmission. However, efficient channel equalization techniques for such systems are still an active area of development. In this paper a cosine-modulated filter bank is used as a transmultiplexer, because these modulated transforms provide fast implementation structures. A time-domain equalizer is used to linearize the channel phase response before the receiver filter bank, whereas the amplitude response is corrected afterwards with a single multiplier per subchannel. Here we develop two simple ways to design an equalizer, assuming static channel conditions. The equalizer performance is then compared with a MIMO-combiner, and the pros and cons of both equalization principles are discussed.
Cloaking via change of variables in electric impedance tomography

A recent paper by Pendry et al (2006 Science 312 1780–2) used the coordinate invariance of Maxwell's equations to show how a region of space can be ‘cloaked’—in other words, made inaccessible to electromagnetic sensing—by surrounding it with a suitable (anisotropic and heterogenous) dielectric shield. Essentially the same observation was made several years earlier by Greenleaf et al (2003 Math. Res. Lett. 10 685–93, 2003 Physiol. Meas. 24 413–9) in the closely related setting of electric impedance tomography. These papers, though brilliant, have two shortcomings: (a) the cloaks they consider are rather singular; and (b) the analysis by Greenleaf, Lassas and Uhlmann does not apply in space dimension n = 2. The present paper provides a fresh treatment that remedies these shortcomings in the context of electric impedance tomography. In particular, we show how a regular near-cloak can be obtained using a nonsingular change of variables, and we prove that the change-of-variable-based scheme achieves perfect cloaking in any dimension n ⩾ 2.
Apoptosis in the ischemic reperfused myocardium

Recovery of the myocardium from an ischemic event depends on the reperfusion of the ischemic area. Resumed blood flow to the tissue restores the metabolic substrates necessary for energy production and cell survival. Paradoxically, ischemic reperfusion (I/R) can result in further damage to the myocardium (I/R injury) through an acute inflammatory response mediated by cytokines, neutrophils, macrophages, and reactive oxygen species. These events can trigger cardiomyocyte death through either necrosis or apoptosis. This report will focus on the apoptosis process, which is an organized, active, and gene-directed process of cell self-destruction that can be initiated by intracellular genetic programs, or second messenger pathways inside the cell upon extracellular stimulation by signaling molecules or stress. Awareness of the apoptotic process in cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells is relevant to myocardial preservation during cardiopulmonary bypass compared with off-pump cornary artery bypass procedures. Pharmacological interventions of the signaling pathways that control apoptosis provide an opportunity for new therapeutic approaches to reduce I/R injury in the heart. This review of apoptosis will introduce the perfusionist to apoptosis in the I/R heart, discuss some of the metabolic pathways that initiate it, and report on developing strategies to prevent it.
Disjoint Cycles of Different Lengths in Graphs and Digraphs

Understanding how the cycles of a graph or digraph behave in general has always been an important point of graph theory. In this paper, we study the question of finding a set of $k$ vertex-disjoint cycles (resp. directed cycles) of distinct lengths in a given graph (resp. digraph). In the context of undirected graphs, we prove that, for every $k \geq 1$, every graph with minimum degree at least $\frac{k^2+5k-2}{2}$ has $k$ vertex-disjoint cycles of different lengths, where the degree bound is best possible. We also consider stronger situations, and exhibit degree bounds (some of which are best possible) when e.g. the graph is triangle-free, or the $k$ cycles are requested to have different lengths congruent to some values modulo some $r$. In the context of directed graphs, we consider a conjecture of Lichiardopol concerning the least minimum out-degree required for a digraph to have $k$ vertex-disjoint directed cycles of different lengths. We verify this conjecture for tournaments, and, by using the probabilistic method, for regular digraphs and digraphs of small order.
Fiber beam shaping and ophthalmic applications

In recent years laser technology has undergone a tremendous development in the field of ophthalmology. New laser sources such as solid state (Er:YAG, Ho:YAG) and diode lasers have become available and exhibit promising characteristics in view of routine therapeutic procedures. Therapeutic effects are now attempted to be obtained inside the eye by making use of optical fibers having a plane distal end surface. Under these conditions the laser beam emitted from the fiber diverges according to the numerical aperture of the fiber (typically from 0.2 to 0.4). Because the therapeutic effect obtained depends primarily on the power density on the tissue to be treated, optical components can be utilized for refocusing the laser beam. For this purpose, small reshaping micro optics set at the distal end of the fiber have been extensively presented. So far, they have been developed to fit the diameter of endoscopic working channels, i.e., typically about 2.2 mm. However, this diameter should be further reduced for intraocular applications because standardized surgical ports are only 0.9 mm in diameter (20 gauge). After a short review of axial systems based on the refocusing of the beam transmitted from the fiber, a more extended presentation of systems capable of deflecting this beam is given. Designs have been evaluated with ray patterns, spot dimensions, and irradiance distribution. Ray patterns have been computed using ray-tracing algorithms on the basis of the Snell's law of refraction while irradiances have been derived with the 3D optical analysis program ASAP (BRO, USA). Rays were homogeneously distributed, spatially across the fiber core as well as angularly across its numerical aperture. Foci have been defined as the location where the cross-section of the beam is the smallest: all the rays are taken into account regardless of their intensity, so that no irradiation of the targeted tissue occurs outside this area.
SHS: Secure Hybrid Search by Combining Dynamic and Static Indexes in PEKS

With a significant advance in ciphertext searchability, Public-key encryption with keyword search (PEKS) is the first keyword searchable encryption scheme based on the probabilistic encryption, such that it is more secure than almost all previous schemes. However, there is an open problem in PEKS that its search complexity is linear with the sum of ciphertexts, such that it is inefficient for a mass of ciphertexts. Fortunately, we find an elegant method that by adaptively taking the keyword trapdoor of each query as an index, the search complexity of the queried keywords can be decreased in a huge degree. We call this method dynamic index (DI) technique. Furthermore, for keywords having not been queried before, we employ deterministic encryption to establish indexes to decrease their first search complexity. We call this method static index (SI) technique. Consequently, we propose a secure hybrid search (SHS) system by combing DI and SI techniques in PEKS to decrease the search complexity of PEKS. At last, we demonstrate its semantic security and convergent search complexity, which is considerably lower than that of PEKS.
2013 multistate outbreaks of Cyclospora cayetanensis infections associated with fresh produce: focus on the Texas investigations

SUMMARY The 2013 multistate outbreaks contributed to the largest annual number of reported US cases of cyclosporiasis since 1997. In this paper we focus on investigations in Texas. We defined an outbreak-associated case as laboratory-confirmed cyclosporiasis in a person with illness onset between 1 June and 31 August 2013, with no history of international travel in the previous 14 days. Epidemiological, environmental, and traceback investigations were conducted. Of the 631 cases reported in the multistate outbreaks, Texas reported the greatest number of cases, 270 (43%). More than 70 clusters were identified in Texas, four of which were further investigated. One restaurant-associated cluster of 25 case-patients was selected for a case-control study. Consumption of cilantro was most strongly associated with illness on meal date-matched analysis (matched odds ratio 19·8, 95% confidence interval 4·0–∞). All case-patients in the other three clusters investigated also ate cilantro. Traceback investigations converged on three suppliers in Puebla, Mexico. Cilantro was the vehicle of infection in the four clusters investigated; the temporal association of these clusters with the large overall increase in cyclosporiasis cases in Texas suggests cilantro was the vehicle of infection for many other cases. However, the paucity of epidemiological and traceback information does not allow for a conclusive determination; moreover, molecular epidemiological tools for cyclosporiasis that could provide more definitive linkage between case clusters are needed.
Parallelizing Sparse Grid Volume Visualization with Implicit Preview and Load Balancing

New algorithms that work entirely on sparse grids can create data sets that cannot be handled on uniform grids any more due to their size. On the other hand, most visualization techniques are only capable of handling uniform grids. As the interpolation on sparse grids is a complicated and time consuming process, direct volume visualization is unthinkable for bigger data sets until the underlying interpolation is accelerated by some orders of magnitude. On the other hand, quite a number of super computers and PC clusters exist nowadays, providing MPI as the primary communication API. By streaming the data sets and the resulting images from and to the end user’s workstation, their processing power can be utilized without leaving the office. Parallelizing visualization techniques rises the necessity to balance the computational load, and for time consuming rendering methods previews are useful for the user. Both, generating preview images and load balancing, is performed explicitly in most cases. In this case study, we approach these problems by applying a special pixel rendering sequence, which achieves superb results implicitly without generating communication overhead.
An improved weighted cooperative spectrum sensing in cognitive radio networks

Spectrum sensing is the key technology in a cognitive radio network to coordinate the secondary users. The optimal linear soft combination framework of cooperative spectrum sensing includes the local spectrum sensing and optimal fusion center. This paper studies the optimal weighted cooperative spectrum sensing. We apply a new LINWPSO algorithm for optimal weight setting to improve the sensing performance. Simulation results and analysis demonstrated that the LINWPSO method has better CROC performance than the MDC and SNR based methods, but this algorithm needs more computation complexity. If the number of particles for particle swarm optimization algorithm is large enough, the performance of LINWPSO method outperforms PSO method. In addition, performance analysis on different signal to noise ratio (SNR) environment is discussed.
Urinary oxytocin and social bonding in related and unrelated wild chimpanzees

Animals that maintain cooperative relationships show gains in longevity and offspring survival. However, little is known about the cognitive or hormonal mechanisms involved in cooperation. Indeed, there is little support for a main hypothesis that non-human animals have the cognitive capacities required for bookkeeping of cooperative exchanges. We tested an alternative hypothesis that cooperative relationships are facilitated by an endocrinological mechanism involving oxytocin, a hormone required for bonding in parental and sexual relationships across mammals. We measured urinary oxytocin after single bouts of grooming in wild chimpanzees. Oxytocin levels were higher after grooming with bond partners compared with non-bond partners or after no grooming, regardless of genetic relatedness or sexual interest. We ruled out other possible confounds, such as grooming duration, grooming direction or sampling regime issues, indicating that changes in oxytocin levels were mediated by social bond strength. Oxytocin, which is thought to act directly on neural reward and social memory systems, is likely to play a key role in keeping track of social interactions with multiple individuals over time. The evolutionary linkage of an ancestral hormonal system with complex social cognition may be the primary mechanism through which long-term cooperative relationships develop between both kin and non-kin in mammals.
On the consideration of climb in discrete dislocation dynamics

Abstract A concept is outlined to incorporate dislocation climb in a discrete three-dimensional model of dislocation dynamics. Each dislocation line consists of a sequence of interconnected piecewise straight segments which are embedded in a homogeneous linear elastic medium. The dynamics are described by solving Newton's equation of motion for each portion of dislocation. Non-conservative dislocation motion is introduced by considering the osmotic force that arises from emitting or adsorbing point defects at the climbing segment. The osmotic force on each segment depends on the local point defect concentration. The mechanical structure evolution law must thus be complemented with a chemical structure evolution equation. Corresponding formulations are derived using the continuity equation and Fick's first law of diffusion.
Five‐year extended follow‐up status of 10 patients with Dravet syndrome treated with fenfluramine

Dravet syndrome (DS) is a rare and therapy‐resistant epilepsy syndrome. A retrospective analysis of add‐on fenfluramine treatment in 12 patients with DS was published in 2012 and provided evidence of a meaningful long‐term response. Herein we present the results of a subsequent 5‐year prospective observation of this original cohort. Ten patients with a mean current age of 24 years were followed prospectively from 2010 until 2014. The mean current dose of fenfluramine was 0.27 mg/kg/day, with a mean treatment duration of 16.1 years. Seizure frequency was derived from a seizure diary. Cardiac examinations and assessments of clinical effectiveness and adverse events were performed at least annually. Three patients were seizure‐free for the entire 5 years, and an additional four patients experienced seizure‐free intervals of at least 2 years. Fenfluramine was generally well‐tolerated. Two patients had mild (stable) valve thickening on the last echocardiography that was deemed clinically insignificant. No patient had any clinical or echocardiographic signs of pulmonary hypertension. These findings support the long‐term control of convulsive seizures by low‐dose fenfluramine while being well tolerated in this cohort of patients with DS. After up to 27 years of treatment, no patient has developed any clinical signs or symptoms of cardiac valvulopathy or pulmonary hypertension.
A Framework for Instantiating Native Mobile Multimedia Learning Applications on Android Platform

This paper proposes an extendable Native Mobile Multimedia Learning Application (NMMLA) Framework for instantiating mobile learning applications for various educational subjects and courses on the Android platform. The framework supports a scalable number of components, which include Learn, Evaluate, Simulate, Resources, Chat, e-Quiz etc. It is a one-page-setup and do-it-yourself library that will facilitate the development and deployment of NMMLAs. Thus, it supports four major types of multimedia learning content---images, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), audio and video---aimed at meeting different learning preferences. Moreover, it supports active and face-toface collaborative learning, such as simulations, chatting, and application/content sharing via Bluetooth, email and on social networks. Above all, it offers key application features, such as theme, course and quiz menus; listview/tabview presentational modes; and Search and Help utilities. This work will benefit practitioners in the m-learning field by providing a content flow algorithm tree that will prevent reinventing the wheel.
Anopheles gambiae Antiviral Immune Response to Systemic O'nyong-nyong Infection

Background Mosquito-borne viral diseases cause significant burden in much of the developing world. Although host-virus interactions have been studied extensively in the vertebrate host, little is known about mosquito responses to viral infection. In contrast to mosquitoes of the Aedes and Culex genera, Anopheles gambiae, the principal vector of human malaria, naturally transmits very few arboviruses, the most important of which is O'nyong-nyong virus (ONNV). Here we have investigated the A. gambiae immune response to systemic ONNV infection using forward and reverse genetic approaches. Methodology/Principal Findings We have used DNA microarrays to profile the transcriptional response of A. gambiae inoculated with ONNV and investigate the antiviral function of candidate genes through RNAi gene silencing assays. Our results demonstrate that A. gambiae responses to systemic viral infection involve genes covering all aspects of innate immunity including pathogen recognition, modulation of immune signalling, complement-mediated lysis/opsonisation and other immune effector mechanisms. Patterns of transcriptional regulation and co-infections of A. gambiae with ONNV and the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei suggest that hemolymph immune responses to viral infection are diverted away from melanisation. We show that four viral responsive genes encoding two putative recognition receptors, a galectin and an MD2-like receptor, and two effector lysozymes, function in limiting viral load. Conclusions/Significance This study is the first step in elucidating the antiviral mechanisms of A. gambiae mosquitoes, and has revealed interesting differences between A. gambiae and other invertebrates. Our data suggest that mechanisms employed by A. gambiae are distinct from described invertebrate antiviral immunity to date, and involve the complement-like branch of the humoral immune response, supressing the melanisation response that is prominent in anti-parasitic immunity. The antiviral immune response in A. gambiae is thus composed of some key conserved mechanisms to target viral infection such as RNAi but includes other diverse and possibly species-specific mechanisms.
Anomalous and Luminance Contours Produce Similar Angular Induction Effects

One can shear a pattern of lines to produce an anomalous contour which has a perceptual influence similar to that of a straight line segment. Illusion effects have been found with configurations which contain these anomalous contours, as well as cross adaptation with respect to luminance contours. We have found that sheared-line contours will bias judgment of collinearity, ie perceived alignment, of a luminance contour. The angular induction effects are similar to those reported for interactions between luminance contours, and the same equation can be used to model both kinds of data. The results of this experiment support the neuroreductionist view that anomalous and luminance contours are processed at the same level of the nervous system. Additionally, we suggest that with both types of contour the perceptual system registers and responds to the alignment of local brightness differentials.
Effects of parasitic parameters on EMI filter performance

Two filters with identical topologies and components can exhibit a significant difference in filter effectiveness when the layouts are different. The goal of this paper is to examine the effects of parasitic couplings among the filter components and the coupling between the filter components and the ground plane of printed circuit board (PCB). Specifically, six different coupling effects are investigated: the couplings between the inductor and capacitors, a filter inductor and trace loops, two filter inductors, two capacitor parasitic inductances, a filter inductor and ground plane, and two trace loops. Experiments were performed, theories were developed to investigate and characterize these parasitic couplings.