Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Stress and Psychosocial Interventions on Assisted Reproductive Technology Outcome

In natural cycles of attempted conception, stress has been shown to predict lower conception rates. The objective of this article is to determine whether stress affects the outcome of assisted reproductive technology (ART) as well. In addition, this article analyzes the effect that psychosocial interventions targeting the reduction of stress have on ART outcomes. This review examined available PubMed articles published in the past 15 years, and 28 articles were included. Looking specifically at numbers of women studied, stress appears to negatively affect ART outcome; interventions targeting stress reduction appear beneficial. Because stress appears to negatively affect ART outcome, and psychosocial interventions do not have detrimental effects, screening for stress should occur and some type of intervention considered during the ART process.
Hybrid Approach to Detect Network Based Intrusion

In internet based communication, various types of attacks have been evolved. Hence, attacker easily breaches the securities. Traditional intrusion detection techniques to observe these attacks have failed and thus hefty systems are required to remove these attacks before they expose entire network. With the ability of artificial intelligence systems to adapt high computational speed, boost fault tolerance, and error resilience against noisy information, a hybrid particle swarm optimization(PSO) fuzzy rule based inference engine has been designed in this paper. The fuzzy logic based on degree of truth while the PSO algorithm based on population stochastic technique helps in learning from the scenario, thus their combination will increase the toughness of intrusion detection system. The proposed network intrusion detection system will be able to classify normal as well as anomalism behaviour in the network. DARPA-KDD99 dataset examined on this system to address the behaviour of each connection on network and compared with existing system. This approach improves the result on the basis of precision, recall and F1-score.
Meridional Modes and Increasing Pacific Decadal Variability Under Anthropogenic Forcing

Pacific decadal variability has strong impacts on the statistics of weather, atmosphere extremes, droughts, hurricanes, marine heatwaves, and marine ecosystems. Sea surface temperature (SST) observations show that the variance of the El Niño‐like decadal variability has increased by ~30% (1920–2015) with a stronger coupling between the major Pacific climate modes. Although we cannot attribute these trends to global climate change, the examination of 30 members of the Community Earth System Model Large Ensemble (LENS) forced with the RCP8.5 radiative forcing scenario (1920–2100) suggests that significant anthropogenic trends in Pacific decadal variance will emerge by 2020 in response to a more energetic North Pacific Meridional Mode (PMM)—a well‐known El Niño precursor. The PMM is a key mechanism for energizing and coupling tropical and extratropical decadal variability. In the LENS, the increase in PMM variance is consistent with an intensification of the winds‐evaporation‐SST thermodynamic feedback that results from a warmer mean climate.
Improving Contact Prediction along Three Dimensions

Correlation patterns in multiple sequence alignments of homologous proteins can be exploited to infer information on the three-dimensional structure of their members. The typical pipeline to address this task, which we in this paper refer to as the three dimensions of contact prediction, is to (i) filter and align the raw sequence data representing the evolutionarily related proteins; (ii) choose a predictive model to describe a sequence alignment; (iii) infer the model parameters and interpret them in terms of structural properties, such as an accurate contact map. We show here that all three dimensions are important for overall prediction success. In particular, we show that it is possible to improve significantly along the second dimension by going beyond the pair-wise Potts models from statistical physics, which have hitherto been the focus of the field. These (simple) extensions are motivated by multiple sequence alignments often containing long stretches of gaps which, as a data feature, would be rather untypical for independent samples drawn from a Potts model. Using a large test set of proteins we show that the combined improvements along the three dimensions are as large as any reported to date.
Stabilization of discrete-time linear systems subject to input saturation and multiple unknown constant delays

In this paper, we study the semi-global stabilization of general linear discrete-time critically unstable systems subject to input saturation and multiple unknown input delays. Based on a simple frequency-domain stability criterion, we find upper bounds for delays that are inversely proportional to the argument of open-loop eigenvalues on the unit circle. For delays satisfying these upper bounds, linear low-gain state and finite dimensional dynamic measurement feedbacks are constructed to solve the semi-global stabilization problems.
Contributing to Rigorous and Forward Thinking Explanatory Theory

In this essay we propose ways to improve the rigor and originality of forward looking theory in the IS field. This is accomplished by proposing a set of guidelines outlining how prospective authors should prepare their manuscripts or approach their research problems so as to enhance theory. We note in particular the potential negative effect of relying too much on reference disciplines in IS theory development and call for strategies that lead to bolder and more original theory. the
Modeling, Simulation and Optimization of Surface Acoustic Wave Driven Microfluidic Biochips

Biochips are physically and/or electronically controllable miniaturized labs. They are used for combinatorial chemical and biological analysis in environmental and medical studies, e.g., for high throughput screening, hybridization and sequencing in genomics, protein profiling in proteomics, and cytometry in cell analysis. The precise positioning of the samples (e.g., DNA or proteins) on the surface of the chip in picoliter to nanoliter volumes can be done either by means of external forces (active devices) or by specific geometric patterns (passive devices). The active devices which will be considered here are microfluidic biochips where the core of the technology are nanopumps featuring surface acoustic waves generated by electric pulses of high frequency. These waves propagate like a miniaturized earthquake (nanoscale earthquake), enter the fluid filled channels on top of the chip and cause an acoustic streaming in the fluid which provides the transport of the samples. The mathematical model represents a multiphysics problem consisting of the piezoelectric equations coupled with multiscale compressible Navier-Stokes equations that have to be treated by an appropriate homogenization. We discuss the modeling approach, present algorithmic tools for the numerical simulation and address optimal design issues as well. In particular, the optimal design of specific parts of the biochips leads to large-scale optimization problems. In order to reduce the computational complexity, we present a combination of domain decomposition and balanced truncation model reduction which allows explicit error bounds for the error between the reduced order and the fine-scale optimization problem. It is shown that this approach gives rise to a significant reduction of the problem size while maintaining the accuracy of the approximation. The results are based on joint work with Harbir Antil, Roland Glowinski, Matthias Heinkenschloss, Daniel Köster, Christopher Linsenmann, Kunibert Siebert, Danny Sorensen, Tsorng-Whay Pan, and Achim Wixforth.
Cultural beliefs about TBI in Botswana

Cultural differences have been shown to have an influence on outcome following traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study examined illness representations and the nature of beliefs about TBI in Botswana, a small middle income country in southern Africa. Participants included 26 people who had sustained moderate to severe TBI, 18 caregivers (all significant others) and 27 healthcare workers. A mixed-methods approach was utilised. Illness representations were assessed using the revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R), and beliefs and perceptions about cause of injury were established through semi-structured qualitative interviews. Results indicated that participants considered TBI to be chronic in nature and accompanied by serious consequences. Participants held positive attitudes about the manageability of symptoms despite having little understanding about TBI and its consequences. People with TBI tended to report fewer symptoms than did their caregivers. In addition, although some participants held concrete beliefs about the causes of injury, many participants attributed the injury to supernatural causes. Religious interpretations were also commonly held. Although age appeared to be associated with beliefs, no significant relationships existed between demographic factors and beliefs about the injury. This study highlights the importance of understanding the cultural perspectives of patients and their families in order to provide effective care.
Refining HIV Risk: The Modifying Effects of Youth, Gender and Education among People Who Inject Drugs in Poland

Objective The goal of this study was to examine specific factors placing young (aged <30) women who inject drugs at higher risk for HIV, and to establish the need for targeted interventions within this population. Methods A national cross-sectional sero-survey was conducted in 2004–2005 in six regions in Poland. A snowball sample of ever-injectors was recruited from drug treatment facilities and the surrounding community. Log-binomial regression was used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs). Results A total of 491 injection drug users younger than 30 were recruited, of whom 159 were women and 332 were men. The prevalence of HIV was 16.4% and 9.6% among women and men, respectively. In multivariate analysis, young female injectors whose education terminated at the primary level were more likely to be HIV-positive compared to males with a similar level of education (PR = 3.34, 95% CI = 1.86–6.00) and more highly educated women (PR = 4.16, 95% CI = 2.21–7.82). Conclusions This study confirms an elevated risk of HIV among under-educated young women. Suggestions for specific interventions to reduce HIV transmission are presented. Additional research is needed to quantify the differential distribution of risk behaviors which amplify their likelihood of transmission.
Real-time computing with lock-free shared objects

This paper considers the use of lock-free shared objects within hard real-time systems. As the name suggests, lock-free shared objects are distinguished by the fact that they are not locked. As such, they do not give rise to priority inversions, a key advantage over conventional, lock-based object-sharing approaches. Despite this advantage, it is not immediately apparent that lock-free shared objects can be employed if tasks must adhere to strict timing constraints. In particular, lock-free object implementations permit concurrent operations to interfere with each other, and repeated interferences can cause a given operation to take an arbitrarily long time to complete. The main contribution of this paper is to show that such interferences can be bounded by judicious scheduling. This work pertains to periodic, hard real-time tasks that share lock-free objects on a uniprocessor. In the first part of the paper, scheduling conditions are derived for such tasks, for both static and dynamic priority schemes. Based on these conditions, it is formally shown that lock-free object-sharing approaches can be expected to incur much less overhead than approaches based on wait-free objects or lock-based schemes. In the last part of the paper, this conclusion is validated experimentally through work involving a real time desktop videoconferencing system.
A pills counting system based on the capacitive sensor

To help the cerebropathy patients and old people to count pills they have taken, a weighing capacitive sensor system is designed. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) material is utilized to make springs between capacitive sensor plates. To convert the capacitance signal to the voltage signal, a circuit for small capacitance measurement is devised. Experiments show that the number of the pills from 0 to 100 can be measured by the proposed capacitive sensor accurately.
Modélisation hydro-mécanique de propagation de fissures dans un milieu poreux déformable : Application au stockage géologique de CO2

Un modele numerique est developpe pour l'analyse d'un ecoulement multiphasique dans une formation geologique profonde poreuse, deformable et progressivement endommagee par l'injection de CO2. L'ecoulement multiphasique dans le milieu, et a travers les fissures, est decrit par une loi de Darcy generalisee. Les equations gouvernant le couplage avec le squelette solide, incluant les fissures, sont exprimees dans le cadre de la theorie generalisee de Biot. L'implementation numerique repose sur la methode des elements finis pour discretiser la forme faible des equations gouvernantes, et sur l'adaptation d'un modele d'erosion de maillage pour simuler l'apparition de fissures.
Les ressources en sols des régions Soudano-Sahéliennes

Les roches et les paleoclimats, tantot tres humides, tantot hyperarides, sont responsables de l'organisation spatiale et des caracteristiques des couvertures pedologiques des regions soudano-saheliennes. Les taxonomies pedologiques sont insuffisantes pour assurer le transfert des connaissances sur les ressources en sol. L'evaluation de ces dernieres depend des facteurs du milieu autres que pedologiques, tels que des contraintes socio-economiques et politiques. Il convient donc d'adopter des demarches d'evaluation interdisciplinaires pour en completer l'inventaire qui est pratiquement acheve a petite echelle pour bien des pays de la region. Les problemes de classification des sols semblent depasses et non prioritaires. Pour assurer le transfert des resultats des recherches agronomiques, la connaissance des relations spatiales, temporelles et dynamiques entre les resultats experimentaux et les autres aspects de la couverture pedologique locale et regionale, est indispensable. La classification necessite des cartographies et etudes interdisciplinair es des sols a differents niveaux. (Resume d'auteur)
Perceptually Driven Simplification Using Gaze-Directed Rendering

We present a unique polygonal simplification method grounded in rigorous perceptual science. Local simplification operations are driven directly by perceptual metrics, rather than the geometric metrics common to other algorithms. The effect of each operation on the final image is considered in terms of the contrast the operation will induce in the image and the spatial frequency of the resulting change. Equations derived from psychophysical studies determine whether the simplification operation will be perceptible; the operation is performed only if its effect is judged imperceptible. To increase the range of simplification permitted, we incorporate gaze-directed rendering. A commercial eye tracker monitors the direction of the user’s gaze, allowing the image to be simplified more aggressively in the periphery than at the center of vision. Our perceptual model addresses many interesting topics in polygonal simplification, including gaze-directed rendering, silhouette preservation, and imperceptible simplification. We describe two user studies to evaluate our model, and address the shortcomings as well as the potential of our approach.
The Welfare Costs of Deviations from the Law of One Price: An Empirical Investigation

We explore failures of the law of one price across European cities. We extend DevereuxEngel’s (1998) model of local-currency pricing by allowing transportation costs as an alternative explanation for failures of the law of one price. We discuss the welfare costs of law-of-one-price failures. Our empirical work finds that most of the failures of the law of one price in Europe are attributable to local-currency pricing, but transportation costs and other barriers are also important explanatory factors.
The response of synaptophysin and microtubule‐associated protein 1 to restraint stress in rat hippocampus and its modulation by venlafaxine

As part of our continuing study of neural plasticity in rat hippocampus, we examined two structural proteins involved in neuronal plasticity, synaptophysin (SYP) and microtubule‐associated protein 1 (MAP1) for their response to repeated restraint stress and modulation of such response by the antidepressant drug venlafaxine. This drug has the pharmacological action of inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in nerve terminals. We subjected the rats to restraint stress for 4 h per day for three days, and then injected the animals intraperitoneally (i.p.) with vehicle or 5 mg/kg/day of venlafaxine for various time periods. In all, eight groups of 10 rats each were used. The expression of these two proteins in hippocampal tissue of the rats was examined by means of western blot and immunohistochemical staining techniques. We found that restraint stress decreased the expression of SYP in the rat hippocampus by 50% (p < 0.01), and increased the expression of MAP1 by 60% (p < 0.01). SYP returned to the pre‐stress levels in three weeks and MAP1 in two weeks. In animals treated with venlafaxine post‐stress, SYP returned to pre‐stress levels after 2 weeks and MAP1 after 1 week. These findings enhance our understanding of the compromise of the hippocampus by stressful assaults, and may be relevant to the action of venlafaxine in the treatment of patients with major depression, a mental disease thought to be related to the mal‐adaptation of subjects to environmental stressors.
Effective operating system scheduling domain hierarchy for core-cache awareness

With the introduction of multi-core processors, a balance between access contention of the cache and availability of cached data for multiple cores has to be addressed. Processor manufacturers are finding this compromise through a combination of private and shared cache structures, where the last level cache (LLC) may not be shared across all processing cores. This poses an interesting opportunity for the operating system in ensuring minimum access time to the memory for optimal performance. Our proposed solution is to augment an existing scheduling domain hierarchy to be aware of the relationship between the processing cores and their respective LLCs in order to achieve improved performance. We focus on LLCs as the access time between local caches is minimal as compared to remote caches or main memory. In this paper, we show that there are marked improvements using a LU scientific benchmark and a chat-server application benchmark.
Parameterizable Byzantine Broadcast in Loosely Connected Networks

We consider the problem of reliably broadcasting information in a multihop asynchronous network, despite the presence of Byzantine failures: some nodes are malicious and behave arbitrarly. We focus on non-cryptographic solutions. Most existing approaches give conditions for perfect reliable broadcast (all correct nodes deliver the good information), but require a highly connected network. A probabilistic approach was recently proposed for loosely connected networks: the Byzantine failures are randomly distributed, and the correct nodes deliver the good information with high probability. A first solution require the nodes to initially know their position on the network, which may be difficult or impossible in self-organizing or dynamic networks. A second solution relaxed this hypothesis but has much weaker Byzantine tolerance guarantees. In this paper, we propose a parameterizable broadcast protocol that does not require nodes to have any knowledge about the network. We give a deterministic technique to compute a set of nodes that always deliver authentic information, for a given set of Byzantine failures. Then, we use this technique to experimentally evaluate our protocol, and show that it significantely outperforms previous solutions with the same hypotheses. Important disclaimer: these results have NOT yet been published in an international conference or journal. This is just a technical report presenting intermediary and incomplete results. A generalized version of these results may be under submission.
Design and Implementation of a CMOS Tunable Phase Shifter

A tunable phase shifter for high frequency applications is proposed. The idea is inspired from the current mirror operation principle. Exploiting the current mode approach extends the operation frequency of the phase-shifter up to the transistor cut-off frequency. The performance of the proposed circuit was verified via experimental results at low frequencies with the available off-the-shelf components. The prototype was implemented by CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) gates on a chip (CD4002). The simulated power consumption of the circuit implemented in 0.18um TSMC CMOS technology is 80 microwatts which covers a wide frequency range. The elimination of inductor, loss-less input- output characteristic and accurate phase change are the notable features of the circuit addressed in this work.
A Novel Lipopeptide from Skin Commensal Activates TLR2/CD36-p38 MAPK Signaling to Increase Antibacterial Defense against Bacterial Infection

Staphylococcus epidermidis (S.epidermidis) plays important protective roles by directly producing or by stimulating hosts to produce antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) against pathogenic infections. Although several AMPs from S.epidermidis have been identified, molecules that stimulate hosts to produce AMPs remain largly unknown. Here we demonstrate that a new lipopeptide (named LP01) purified from S.epidermidis culture media has a unique structure with heneicosanoic acid (21 carbons) binding to lysine11 of a peptide chain. In vitro LP01 increased the expression of β-defensin 2(hBD2) and hBD3 in neonatal human epidermal keratinocytes(NHEK), leading to increased capacity of cell lysates to inhibit the growth of S.aureus. In vivo LP01 induced the expression of mouse β-defensin 4(mBD4) to decrease the survival of local S.aureus in skin and systemic S.aureus survival in liver. The induction of beta-defensins by LP01 was dependent on TLR2 as Tlr2-deficient mice had decreased mBD4. Furthermore, knockdown of CD36 decreased the expression of hBD2 and hBD3, and p38 MAPK inhibitor significantly inhibited the expression of hBDs induced by LP01.Taken together, these findings demonstrate that lipopeptide LP01 from normal commensal S.epidermidis increases antimicrobial peptide hBD2 and hBD3 expression via the activation of TLR2/CD36-p38 MAPK, thus enhancing antimicrobial defense against pathogenic infections.