Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Morpheus: Exploring the Potential of Near-Data Processing for Creating Application Objects in Heterogeneous Computing

In modern computing systems, object deserialization can become a surprisingly important bottleneck-in our test, a set of generalpurpose, highly parallelized applications spends 64% of total execution time deserializing data into objects. This paper presents the Morpheus model, which allows applications to move such computations to a storage device and bypass the overhead on the host system. We use this model to deserialize data into application objects inside storage devices, rather than in the host CPU. Using the Morpheus model for object deserialization avoids unnecessary system overheads, frees up scarce CPU and main memory resources for compute-intensive workloads, saves I/O bandwidth, and reduces power consumption. In heterogeneous, coprocessor- equipped systems, Morpheus allows application objects to be sent directly from a storage device to a co-processor (e.g., a GPU) by peer-to-peer transfer, further improving application performance as well as reducing the CPU and main memory utilizations. This paper implements Morpheus-SSD, an SSD supporting the Morpheus model. Morpheus-SSD improves the performance of object deserialization by 1.66x, reduces power consumption by 7%, uses 42% less energy, and speeds up the total execution time by 1.32x. By using NVMe-P2P that realizes peer-to-peer communication between Morpheus-SSD and a GPU, Morpheus-SSD can speed up the total execution time by 1.39x in a heterogeneous computing platform.
Conformational changes in Arp2/3 complex induced by ATP, WASp-VCA, and actin filaments

Significance Arp2/3 complex consists of actin-related proteins 2 and 3 with five other subunits. It forms actin filament branches under the regulation of ATP, actin monomers, actin filaments, and a nucleation-promoting factor (NPF). Here we used fluorescence spectroscopy and EM to characterize conformational changes in Arp2/3 complex along the pathway of actin filament branch formation. ATP binding to Arp2/3 complex causes small local changes in Arp2 and Arp3. NPF binding causes a larger conformational change that moves Arp2 closer to Arp3 and favors binding to the side of an actin filament, which allows further rearrangement of the subunits in the complex and growth of the new branch. We used fluorescence spectroscopy and EM to determine how binding of ATP, nucleation-promoting factors, actin monomers, and actin filaments changes the conformation of Arp2/3 complex during the process that nucleates an actin filament branch. We mutated subunits of Schizosaccharomyces pombe Arp2/3 complex for labeling with fluorescent dyes at either the C termini of Arp2 and Arp3 or ArpC1 and ArpC3. We measured Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) efficiency (ETeff) between the dyes in the presence of the various ligands. We also computed class averages from electron micrographs of negatively stained specimens. ATP binding made small conformational changes of the nucleotide-binding cleft of the Arp2 subunit. WASp-VCA, WASp-CA, and WASp-actin-VCA changed the ETeff between the dyes on the Arp2 and Arp3 subunits much more than between dyes on ArpC1 and ArpC3. Ensemble FRET detected an additional structural change that brought ArpC1 and ArpC3 closer together when Arp2/3 complex bound actin filaments. VCA binding to Arp2/3 complex causes a conformational change that favors binding to the side of an actin filament, which allows further changes required to nucleate a daughter filament.
RadialLight: exploring radial peripheral LEDs for directional cues in head-mounted displays

Current head-mounted displays (HMDs) for Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) have a limited field-of-view (FOV). This limited FOV further decreases the already restricted human visual range and amplifies the problem of objects going out of view. Therefore, we explore the utility of augmenting HMDs with RadialLight, a peripheral light display implemented as 18 radially positioned LEDs around each eye to cue direction towards out-of-view objects. We first investigated direction estimation accuracy of multi-colored cues presented on one versus two eyes. We then evaluated direction estimation accuracy and search time performance for locating out-of-view objects in two representative 360° video VR scenarios. Key findings show that participants could not distinguish between LED cues presented to one or both eyes simultaneously, participants estimated LED cue direction within a maximum 11.8° average deviation, and out-of-view objects in less distracting scenarios were selected faster. Furthermore, we provide implications for building peripheral HMDs.
AÇÕES DOCENTES FAVORÁVEIS AO ENSINO ENVOLVENDO ARGUMENTAÇÃO: ESTUDO DA PRÁTICA DE UMA PROFESSORA DE QUÍMICA

Na Educação em Ciências, tem-se estabelecido um consenso sobre as contribuições do uso da abordagem argumentativa para engajar os alunos no trabalho com práticas científicas. Entretanto, há uma lacuna na literatura da área, uma vez que existem poucos estudos sobre a relação entre a utilização de práticas científicas (como a argumentação), o papel do professor e seus conhecimentos docentes nesse contexto. Frente a isso, nesse artigo, discutimos a seguinte questão: quais ações favoráveis ao ensino envolvendo argumentação são manifestadas por uma professora de Química em situações regulares de ensino? Para isso, analisamos duas aulas ministradas por uma professora de Química, a partir de um conjunto de 18 ações que podem ser consideradas favoráveis ao ensino envolvendo argumentação. Os resultados apontam que a professora manifestou 11 dessas ações e houve um(a): (i) alto índice de ações relativas ao trabalho com evidências e direcionadas a envolver os alunos em discussões; (ii) baixa frequência na manifestação de ações relacionadas à justificativa e às críticas às ideias apresentadas pelos alunos; e (iii) relação entre as ações e o contexto de ensino. As conclusões deste estudo fomentam tanto discussões sobre o papel de professores no contexto de ensino envolvendo argumentação quanto podem orientar futuras discussões sobre quais ações manifestadas por professores podem contribuir para a ocorrência e desenvolvimento da prática argumentativa em sala de aula e sobre como caracterizá-las.
Voice Conversion with Conditional SampleRNN

Here we present a novel approach to conditioning the SampleRNN generative model for voice conversion (VC). Conventional methods for VC modify the perceived speaker identity by converting between source and target acoustic features. Our approach focuses on preserving voice content and depends on the generative network to learn voice style. We first train a multi-speaker SampleRNN model conditioned on linguistic features, pitch contour, and speaker identity using a multi-speaker speech corpus. Voice-converted speech is generated using linguistic features and pitch contour extracted from the source speaker, and the target speaker identity. We demonstrate that our system is capable of many-to-many voice conversion without requiring parallel data, enabling broad applications. Subjective evaluation demonstrates that our approach outperforms conventional VC methods.
Effect of Dapagliflozin on Insulin Secretion and Insulin Sensitivity in Patients with Prediabetes

Abstract Aim To evaluate the effect of dapagliflozin on insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity in patients with prediabetes. Methods A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out in 24 adults diagnosed with prediabetes and without pharmacological treatment. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups of 12 patients each to receive 10 mg of oral dapagliflozin or placebo once a day during 12 weeks. At baseline and at the end of the study, anthropometric and metabolic measurements were evaluated, including the first phase of insulin secretion, total insulin secretion, and insulin sensitivity. Results After dapagliflozin administration, there were significant decreases in body weight (80.8±16.3 vs. 77.8±14.9 kg, p=0.019), body mass index (30.3±3.5 vs. 29.2±3.1 kg/m2, p=0.023), waist circumference (100.6±13.5 vs. 96.2±11.8 cm, p=0.003), fasting glucose (5.9±0.4 vs. 5.1±0.3 mmol/L, p<0.001) and uric acid (334.3±70.8 vs. 262.9±60.7 mmol/L, p=0.032), with a tendency to increase the insulin sensitivity (1.94±0.72 vs. 2.63±1.04, p=0.064). Conclusion Dapagliflozin administration in patients with prediabetes decreased body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, fasting glucose, and uric acid, with a tendency to increase the insulin sensitivity without changes in insulin secretion.
Hexagonal Grid Fields Optimally Encode Transitions in Spatiotemporal Sequences

Abstract Grid cells of the rodent entorhinal cortex are essential for spatial navigation. Although their function is commonly believed to be either path integration or localization, the origin or purpose of their hexagonal firing fields remains disputed. Here they are proposed to arise as an optimal encoding of transitions in sequences. First, storage requirements for transitions in general episodic sequences are examined using propositional logic and graph theory. Subsequently, transitions in complete metric spaces are considered under the assumption of an ideal sampling of an input space. It is shown that memory capacity of neurons that have to encode multiple feasible spatial transitions is maximized by a hexagonal pattern. Grid cells are proposed to encode spatial transitions in spatiotemporal sequences, with the entorhinal-hippocampal loop forming a multitransition system.
Using technology acceptance models for product development: case study of a smart payment card

Since its development, the technology acceptance model (TAM) has been adapted for a multitude of different technologies and has proven very useful in a research context. These TAM adaptations are, however, less appropriate in product development since they do not contribute much to guide design and branding. We have revised the original TAM with the specific aim of application during new product development (NPD) and applied this model in a study on the acceptance of smart payment cards. The results provide helpful insights into the relevance of different potential benefits, suggesting that usefulness perception is most impacted by increased convenience, improved transaction overview and usage fun. Further, the model suggests that a good fit with who we are, rather than who we wish to be or feel we ought to be, is of special importance for usage intention. The application of NPDTAM in product development can be recommended.
Impact of HIV Self-Test Distribution to Male Partners of ANC Clients: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial in Kenya

Background: In Kenya, HIV testing during first antenatal care (ANC) visit is a standard practice for pregnant women. Despite a policy promoting male partner testing in ANC, few male partners accompany their partners for HIV testing. We evaluated the impact of using oral HIV self-testing on HIV couples testing among ANC clients in Kenya and their male partners. Methods: In a 3-arm randomized control study in eastern and central Kenya, consenting women attending the first ANC visit were randomized to receive: (1) standard-of-care and a standard information card; (2) an improved card stating the importance of male HIV testing; and (3) 2 oral HIV self-test kits and HIV testing information. Women completed a baseline and endline questionnaire, and consenting male partners were surveyed 3 months after enrolling female ANC clients. The primary outcome was HIV couples testing as reported by the female partners. Results: We randomized 1410 women at their first ANC visit of which 1215 were successfully followed up. One thousand one hundred thirty-three male partners consented to the survey. In the self-testing study arm 3, 79.1% (334/422) of the women reported that their partner tested for HIV as part of a couple, compared with 27% (110/406) and 35.1% (136/387) in study arm 1 and study arm 2, respectively. More than 90% of male partners who used the oral HIV self-test kits reported that it was easy to take sample and read the test results. Conclusions: The study demonstrates that the ANC platform offers a unique opportunity to increase HIV couples testing among men using self-testing through distribution by their female partners.
A UML-Based Proposal for IoT System Requirements Specification

The paper presents a preliminary version of IotReq, a method for the elicitation and specification of the requirements for an IoT-system. The first task suggested by IotReq is the modelling of the domain, using the UML and following the service-oriented paradigm, then the goals of the IoT-system to build are elicited and specified, again using the UML and extending the domain model, producing a specification of the functional requirements. IotReq also provides preliminary indications for specifying the technological nonfunctional requirements. A case study, the specification of the requirements for a system to support the Genoa’s Science Festival is presented too.
Normal and Abortive Buds Transcriptomic Profiling of Broccoli ogu Cytoplasmic Male Sterile Line and Its Maintainer

Bud abortion is the main factor affecting hybrid seeds’ yield during broccoli cross breeding when using ogura cytoplasmic male sterile (ogu CMS) lines. However, the genes associated with bud abortion are poorly understood. We applied RNA sequencing to analyze the transcriptomes of normal and abortive buds of broccoli maintainer and ogu CMS lines. Functional analysis showed that among the 54,753 annotated unigenes obtained, 74 and 21 differentially expressed genes in common were upregulated and downregulated in ogu CMS abortive buds compared with ogu CMS normal buds, maintainer normal, and abortive buds, respectively. Nineteen of the common differentially expressed genes were enriched by GO terms associated with glycosyl hydrolases, reactive oxygen species scavenging, inhibitor, and protein degradation. Ethylene-responsive transcription factor 115 and transcriptional factor basic helix-loop-helix 137 were significantly upregulated; transcription factors DUO1 and PosF21/RF2a/BZIP34 were downregulated in ogu CMS abortive buds compared with the other groups. Genes related to polygalacturonase metabolism, glycosyl hydrolases, oxidation reduction process, phenylalanine metabolism, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis were significantly changed in ogu CMS abortive buds. Our results increase our understanding of bud abortion, provide a valuable resource for further functional characterization of ogu CMS during bud abortion, and will aid in future cross breeding of Brassica crops.
Online Human Activity Recognition using Low-Power Wearable Devices

Human activity recognition (HAR) has attracted significant research interest due to its applications in health monitoring and patient rehabilitation. Recent research on HAR focuses on using smartphones due to their widespread use. However, this leads to inconvenient use, limited choice of sensors and inefficient use of resources, since smartphones are not designed for HAR. This paper presents the first HAR framework that can perform both online training and inference. The proposed framework starts with a novel technique that generates features using the fast Fourier and discrete wavelet transforms of a textile-based stretch sensor and accelerometer data. Using these features, we design a neural network classifier which is trained online using the policy gradient algorithm. Experiments on a low power IoT device (T1-CC2650 MCU) with nine users show 97.7% accuracy in identifying six activities and their transitions with less than 12.5 mW power consumption.
The Relationship of Pulse Pressure and Bone Mineral Density in Adult USA Population: Analysis of the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey

Background/Purpose: Accumulating evidence indicates a relationship between Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and osteoporosis. Hypertension, a known risk factor for CVD is also associated with low Bone Mineral Density (BMD). We hypothesize that Pulse Pressure (PP); a CVD risk factor is associated with BMD. Methods: Data from two consecutive cycles of National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2009–2010 and 2011–2012. Point estimates of demographic variables were calculated using descriptive methods. Study participants were divided into 4 groups based on quartile distribution of PP. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between BMD and PP. Results: A total of 8,179 NHANES participants were included in the study (Tables 1–3). The cohort’s mean age (± SE) was 53.3 years 0.19, mean BMI (± SE) 29.6 kg/m2 ± 0.07. PP was significantly higher with increased age, among Blacks (57.4 ± 0.52) and Hispanics (57.5 ± 0.19) compared to whites (53.9 ± 0.29), and for men (57.2 ± 0.16) when compared to women (54.1 ± 0.17), p<0.05. After adjusting for age, sex, race, menopause, body mass index, family history of osteoporosis, PP was associated with femoral neck BMD, β=−0.0005, p<0.05 but was not significantly associated with lumbar spine BMD, β=−0.0002, p=0.07. Conclusion: Our results support the hypothesis that wide PP is associated with low BMD. This negative association was demonstrated at the femoral neck where bone loss and osteoporotic fractures occur at a more advanced stage, further supporting the relationship between atherosclerosis and osteoporosis risk. These findings have the potential for identifying high osteoporotic risk patients among those with wide pulse pressure, providing further indications for bone mineral density testing among these elderly frail patients. Further research is needed to investigate the mechanisms behind the relationship between PP and BMD.
Sunning themselves in heaps, knots, and snarls: The extraordinary abundance and demography of island watersnakes

Abstract Snakes represent a sizable fraction of vertebrate biodiversity, but until recently, data on their demography have been sparse. Consequently, generalizations regarding patterns of variation are weak and the potential for population projections is limited. We address this information gap through an analysis of spatial and temporal variation in demography (population size, annual survival, and realized population growth) of the Lake Erie Watersnake, Nerodia sipedon insularum, and a review of snake survival more generally. Our study spans a period during which the Lake Erie Watersnake was listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, recovered, and was delisted. We collected capture–mark–recapture data at 14 study sites over 20 years, accruing 20,000 captures of 13,800 individually marked adults. Lake Erie Watersnakes achieve extraordinary abundance, averaging 520 adults per km of shoreline (ca. 260 adult per ha) at our study sites (range = 160–1,600 adults per km; ca. 80–800 adults per ha) and surpassing population recovery and postdelisting monitoring criteria. Annual survival averages 0.68 among adult females and 0.76 among adult males, varies among sites, and is positively correlated with body size among study sites. Temporal process variance in annual survival is low, averaging 0.0011 or less than 4% of total variance; thus, stochasticity in annual survival may be of minor significance to snake extinction risk. Estimates of realized population growth indicate that population size has been stable or increasing over the course of our study. More generally, snake annual survival overlaps broadly across continents, climate zones, families, subfamilies, reproductive modes, body size categories, maturation categories, and parity categories. Differences in survival in relation to size, parity, and maturation are in the directions predicted by life history theory but are of small magnitude with much variation around median values. Overall, annual survival appears to be quite plastic, varying with food availability, habitat quality, and other ecological variables.
Using everyday objects to interact with multi-display environments

Multi-display environments (MDE) are becoming more and more common in public areas. They are mainly used to display information due to the limited interaction possibilities they offer. In this paper, we study how using everyday objects, available on or around users, could improve interaction with public multi-display environments. To this end, we conducted a study, in the form of a creativity session, to understand how participants would use everyday objects, to realize the most usual tasks in public MDEs. The results of this study are presented and discussed in this paper.
New insights into MagPI: a promising tool to determine the adhesive capacity of biofilm on the mesoscale

Abstract The adhesiveness and stability of ubiquitously distributed biofilms is a significant issue in many areas such as ecology, biotechnology and medicine. The magnetic particle induction (MagPI) system allows precise determinations of biofilm adhesiveness at high temporal and spatial resolution on the mesoscale. This paper concerns several technical aspects to further improve the performance of this powerful experimental approach and enhance the range of MagPI applications. First, several electromagnets were built to demonstrate the influence of material and geometry with special regard to core remanence and magnetic strength. Secondly, the driving force to lift up the particles was evaluated and it was shown that both the magnetic field strength and the magnetic field gradient are decisive in the physics of the MagPI approach. The intricate combination of these two quantities was demonstrated with separate experiments that add permanent magnets to the MagPI system.
Enhanced oligodendrocyte maturation and myelination in a mouse model of Timothy syndrome

To study the role of L‐type voltage‐gated Ca++ channels in oligodendrocyte development, we used a mouse model of Timothy syndrome (TS) in which a gain‐of‐function mutation in the α1 subunit of the L‐type Ca++ channel Cav1.2 gives rise to an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) isolated from the cortex of TS mice showed greater L‐type Ca++ influx and displayed characteristics suggestive of advanced maturation compared to control OPCs, including a more complex morphology and higher levels of myelin protein expression. Consistent with this, expression of Cav1.2 channels bearing the TS mutation in wild‐type OPCs triggered process formation and promoted oligodendrocyte–neuron interaction via the activation of Ca++/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II. To ascertain whether accelerated OPC maturation correlated with functional enhancements, we examined myelination in the TS brain at different postnatal time points. The expression of myelin proteins was significantly higher in the corpus callosum, cortex and striatum of TS animals, and immunohistochemical analysis for oligodendrocyte stage‐specific markers revealed an increase in the density of myelinating oligodendrocytes in several areas of the TS brain. Along the same line, electron microscopy studies in the corpus callosum of TS animals showed significant increases both in the percentage of myelinated axons and in the thickness of myelin sheaths. In summary, these data indicate that OPC development and oligodendrocyte myelination is enhanced in the brain of TS mice, and suggest that this mouse model of a syndromic ASD is a useful tool to explore the role of L‐type Ca++ channels in myelination.