julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Towards efficient multi-feature queries in heterogeneous environments
2002-11-13

Applications like multimedia databases or enterprise-wide information management systems have to meet the challenge of efficiently retrieving the best-matching objects from vast collections of data. We present a new algorithm, called Stream-Combine, for processing multi-feature queries on heterogeneous data sources. Stream-Combine is self-adapting to different data distributions and to the specific kind of the combining function. Furthermore, we present a new retrieval strategy that essentially speeds up the output of relevant objects.
Characterization of Legumain
2002-11-13

Abstract The mammalian legumain, also called asparaginyl endopeptidase (AEP), is critically involved in the processing of bacterial antigens for MHC class II presentation. In order to investigate the substrate specificity of AEP in the P1 position, we created a peptide library and digested it with purified pig kidney AEP. Digestion was less efficient only when proline was in the P1 position. Maximum AEP activity was found in lysosomal fractions of different types of antigen presenting cells (APC). When the multiple sclerosisassociated autoantigen myelin basic protein (MBP) was digested with AEP, the immunodominant epitope 8399 was destroyed. Myoglobin as an alternative substrate was AEP resistant. These results suggest an important, but not necessarily critical role for AEP in lysosomal antigen degradation.
Sensing odour sources in indoor environments without a constant airflow by a mobile robot
2002-11-13

This paper describes the assembly of a mobile odour sensing system and investigates its practical operation in an indoor environment without a constant airflow. Lacking a constant airflow leads to a problem which cannot be neglected in real world applications. The response of the metal oxide gas sensors used is dominated by air turbulence rather than concentration differences. We show that this problem can be overcome by driving the robot with a constant speed, thus adding an extra constant airflow relative to the gas sensors location. If the robot's speed is not too low the system described proved to be well suited to detect even weak odour sources. Since driving with constant speed is an indispensable condition to perform the basic tasks of a mobile odour sensing system, a new localization strategy is proposed, which takes this into account.
The simulation semantics of SystemC
2002-11-13

We present a rigorous but transparent semantics definition of SystemC that covers method, thread, and clocked thread behavior as well as their interaction with the simulation kernel process. The semantics includes watching statements, signal assignment, and wait statements as they are introduced in SystemC V1.O. We present our definition in form of distributed Abstract State Machines (ASMs) rules reflecting the view given in the SystemC User's Manual and the reference implementation. We mainly see our formal semantics as a concise, unambiguous, high-level specification for SystemC-based implementations and for standardization. Additionally, it can be used as a sound basis to investigate SystemC interoperability with Verilog and VHDL.
Simulation-guided property checking based on multi-valued AR-automata
2002-11-13

The verification of digital designs, i.e., hardware or embedded hardware/software systems, is an important task in the design process. Often more than 70% of the development time is spent for locating and correcting errors in the design. Therefore, many techniques have been proposed to support the debugging process. Recently, simulation and test methods have been accompanied by formal methods such as equivalence checking and property checking. However their industrial applicability is currently restricted to small or medium sized designs or to a specific phase in the design cycle. In this paper, we present a method for verifying temporal properties of systems described in an executable description language. Our method allows the user to specify properties about the system in finite linear time temporal logic. These properties are translated to a special kind of finite state machines which are then efficiently checked on-the-fly during each simulation run. Properties may be placed anywhere in the system description and violations are immediately indicated to the designer.
Inflammatory stimuli recruit cathepsin activity to late endosomal compartments in human dendritic cells
2002-11-13

Proteolysis by endocytic cysteine proteases is a central element of the antigen-presentation machinery in dendritic cells (DC). It controls the generation of immunogenic peptides, guides the transit of both MHC class II and MHC-like molecules through the endocytic compartment and converts class II into a peptide-receptive state — features closely linked to DC maturation. Differential activity of endocytic proteases, in particular cathepsins, in subcellular compartments has been implicated as a key regulatory element in controlling this machinery in murine DC. We analyzed the expression and subcellular distribution of the major endocytic cysteine proteases (cathepsins S, B, L and H) along with their major endogenous inhibitor, Cystatin C, in resting and stimulated human DC. Although the majority of cathepsin activity was restricted to lysosomes in resting DC, cathepsins selectively accumulated in late endosomes after LPS-induced stimulation. Surprisingly, expression and distribution of Cystatin C was unaffected by DC maturation. Thus, late endosomes represent a specialized compartment where proteolytic activity is developmentally regulated in DC. This could facilitate the conversion of exogenous protein into MHC class II–peptide complexes.
Parallel volume rendering on a single-chip SIMD architecture
2002-11-13

Volume rendering has great potential for parallelization due to the tremendous number of computations necessary. Besides the enormous computational power needed, the memory interface is usually of crucial importance and frequently the bottleneck. The paper presents an implementation of a parallel ray casting algorithm for orthogonal projections on a new single-chip SIMD architecture. Concurrent processing of rays is scheduled such that redundant memory accesses of the individual processing elements can be detected by the channel controller. Hence, data can be read efficiently in block-wise manner. For improved image quality, a permutation of the Shear-Warp algorithm with trilinear interpolation is used. The steps of the ray casting algorithm are carefully mapped onto the architecture avoiding expensive floating point operation, giving superior performance over previously reported results. A detailed analysis illustrates the timing of the individual computations and memory accesses, identifying the costliest parts of the implementation.
Jupiter: a toolkit for interactive large model visualization
2002-11-13

The fast increasing size of datasets in scientific computing, mechanical engineering, or virtual medicine is quickly exceeding the graphics capabilities of modern computers. Toolkits for the large model visualization address this problem by combining efficient geometric techniques, such as occlusion and visibility culling, mesh reduction, and efficient rendering. We introduce Jupiter, a toolkit for the interactive visualization of large models which exploits the above mentioned techniques. Jupiter was originally developed by Hewlett-Packard and EAI, and it has been equipped with new functionality by the University of Tubingen, as being part, of the Kelvin project. An initial version of Jupiter has been released as open source.
XPulsar@home - schools help scientists
2002-11-13

In spring 1999, the Department for Theoretical Astrophysics of Tubingen University together with the Ministries of Science and of Education, Baden-Wurttemberg, started a global computing project called XPulsar@home. Its aim was to compute a large number of X-Ray Pulsar models with a Monte-Carlo-Simulation code. The simulation was implemented as a Java applet, later also as a Java application, running on private or school PCs of volunteer participants. The server structure consisted of one main server and several slave servers. The whole system, except for the Java virtual machines, was built from free software components. During the first four months, about 75 years of computation time was obtained, with several hundred clients. The major motivation to contribute was a competition among the high schools in Baden-Wurttemberg. The second objective of the competition was to make physics and astronomy more interesting and exciting for students through participation in a research project.
Leakage localisation with a mobile robot carrying chemical sensors
2002-11-13

On the way to developing an electronic watchman one more sense, i.e. gas sensing facilities, are added to an autonomous mobile robot. For the gas detection, up to eight metal oxide sensors are operated using a commercial sensor system. The robot is able to move and navigate autonomously. The geometric information is extracted from laser range finder data. This input is used to build up an internal map while driving. Using the new sensor the localisation of a gas source in unventilated in-house environments is performed. First experiments in a one-dimensional case show a very good correlation between the peak and the gas source. The one-dimensional concentration profile is repeatedly recorded and stable for at least two hours. The two-dimensional experiments exhibit a circulation of the air within the room due to temperature and hence density effects. The latter is limiting the available recording time for the two-dimensional mapping
Accelerating volume rendering using an on-chip SRAM occupancy map
2002-11-13

One of the most severe problems for ray casting architectures is the waste of computation cycles and I/O bandwidth, due to redundant sampling of empty space. While several techniques exist for software implementations to skip these empty regions, few are suitable for hardware implementation. The few which have been presented either require a tremendous amount of logic or are not feasible for high frequency designs (i.e. running at 100 MHz) where latency is the one of the biggest issues. In this paper, we present an efficient space leaping approach which requires only a small amount of SRAM (4 Kbit for a 256/sup 3/ volume) and can be easily integrated into ray casting architectures. For each subcube of the volume, a bit is stored in an occupancy map, indicating whether the subcube is empty or not. Using a set of real-world datasets, we show that frame-rates well above 15 frames per second can be accomplished for the VIZARD II volume rendering architecture.
A framework for object oriented hardware specification, verification, and synthesis
2002-11-13

We describe two things. First, we present a uniform framework for object oriented specification and verification of hardware. For this purpose the object oriented language “e” is introduced along with a powerful run-time environment that enables the designer to perform the verification task. Second, we present an object oriented synthesis that enhances “e” and its dedicated run-time environment into a framework for specification, verification, and synthesis. The usability of our approach is demonstrated by real-world examples.
The Java Fieldbus Control Framework-object oriented control of fieldbus devices
2002-11-13

In this paper we present the Java Fieldbus Control Framework (JFCF) which provides an object oriented programming framework for the rapid creation of concurrent control tasks for fieldbus-based automation systems. Our framework is implemented in Java which is going to become more popular in the field of industrial control, due to the advent of dedicated Java real-time systems and the RealTime Specification for Java (RTSJ). We further describe an example application built within our framework consisting of an open Java control for a CANopen automation system featuring a SCARA robot arm, a transfer system and further peripheral fieldbus devices. Four independent tasks run concurrently to establish the overall automation process. In order to meet real-time requirements, the framework will be extended to comply to the RTSJ in the future. The reusability of object oriented software and the portability of Java code results in a reduction of costs for software creation and maintenance.
Object oriented hardware synthesis and verification
2002-11-13

The synthesis of hardware from object oriented specifications is presented. Our approach utilizes the e language that has been proven to be highly efficient for the verification of hardware. The e language is similar to Java and provides additional constructs for specification and verification of hardware. We describe an automated design flow for the synthesis of object oriented descriptions that tightly integrates simulation based verification. The usability of our approach is demonstrated by real-world examples.
Synthesis of data transmission circuits starting from behavioral HW descriptions
2002-11-13

Data transmission rates are rising steadily, accompanied by the requirements to shorten the design cycle for faster and more complex VLSI chips containing data transmission and protocol control logic. One procedure to shorten the design cycle is to describe the behavior of a system in a HW description language like VHDL and perform high level synthesis thereafter. We describe a FSM generator (FSM-G) which avoids the usage of a HLS tool and translates the VHDL specifications of data transmission circuits into a behavioral RT VHDL description. The behavioral routing table (RT) description can be further synthesized by an RT- and logic synthesis tool. The results of applying the FSM-G to ATM switch controller modules are shown at the end of this paper.
Interaction, navigation, and visualization props in complex virtual environments using image based rendering techniques
2002-11-13

Present an image-based technique for accelerated rendering of world-in-miniature (WIM)-based and multiple-viewpoint-based props. The WIM technique offers an intuitive and useful tool for navigation and manipulation within virtual environments. The multiple-viewpoint technique is often applied for enhancing visualization and navigation. Unfortunately, both approaches require multiple rendering of the viewed data. This can significantly deteriorate the frame rate and negatively influence the interaction. The proposed approach circumvents this drawback, while still providing the features of these tools.
A repartitioning and HW/SW partitioning algorithm to the automatic design space exploration in the co-synthesis of embedded systems
2002-11-13

Presents a co-synthesis algorithm that combines. repartitioning and HW/SW partitioning of the processes in a system specification to provide an efficient design space exploration strategy. The algorithm is defined on a partial order based Model (POM)., which is an alternative to model concurrency at a high level of abstraction and has a concise symbolic representation, mainly for systems with a high degree of parallelism, as well as allowing the use of efficient reachability analysis techniques based on partial order reductions. Our repartitioning algorithm generates a partitioning tree. where the possible partitions of the processes in a specification are represented in a systematic way, according to the communication among them. The HW/SW partitioning algorithm is applied on these possible partitionings and will select the one that minimizes the communication cost between the partitions. In this paper. we present the repartitioning, HW/SW partitioning and performance/cost estimates algorithms and how they are used in the design space exploration strategy. The reported experimental results show the efficiency., when compared with related works, and practicability of our co-synthesis algorithms.
E-cadherin-mediated interactions of thymic epithelial cells with CD103+ thymocytes lead to enhanced thymocyte cell proliferation
2002-11-14

Cadherins are a family of cell adhesion molecules that mainly mediate homotypic homophilic interactions, but for E-cadherin, heterophilic interactions with the integrin αE(CD103)β7have also been reported. In the human thymus, where thymocytes develop in close contact with thymic stromal cells, E-cadherin expression was detected on thymic epithelial cells. By immunofluorescence staining, the strongest expression of E-cadherin was observed on medullary thymic epithelial cells. These cells also express cytosolic catenins, which are necessary to form functional cadherin-catenin complexes. Regardless of their developmental stage, human thymocytes do not express E-cadherin, indicating that homophilic interactions cannot occur. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the E-cadherin ligand CD103 is expressed on subpopulations of the early CD4- CD8- double-negative and of the more mature CD8+ single-positive thymocytes. Using an in vitro cell adhesion assay, double-negative and CD8+ single-positive thymocytes adhered strongly to isolated thymic epithelial cells. These adhesive interactions could be inhibited by antibodies against E-cadherin or CD103. CD8+thymocytes showed a proliferative response when incubated with thymic epithelial cells. This mitogenic effect was inhibited by antibodies against CD103, which strongly indicates a direct involvement of the adhesive ligand pair CD103—E-cadherin in human thymocyte cell proliferation.
Fluxons in long and annular intrinsic Josephson junction stacks
2002-11-14

A promising approach towards a THz oscillator based on intrinsic Josephson junctions in high-temperature superconductors is based on the collective motion of Josephson fluxons, which are predicted to form various configurations ranging from a triangular to a quadratic lattice. Not only for this reason, but certainly also for the sake of basic physics, several experimental and theoretical investigations have been done on the subject of collective fluxon dynamics in stacked intrinsic Josephson junctions. In this paper we will present some experimental results on the fluxon dynamics of long intrinsic Josephson junction stacks made of Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8 . The stacks were formed either in an open or in an annular geometry, and clear resonant fluxon modes were observed. Experiments discussed include measurements of current-voltage characteristics in external magnetic fields and in external microwave fields.
Towards a verification of the rule-based expert system of the IBM SA for OS/390 Automation Manager
2002-11-14

We formally verify consistency aspects of the rule-based expert system of IBM's System Automation software for IBM's e-server zSeries. Starting with a formalization of the expert system in propositional dynamic logic (PDL), we are able to encode termination and determinism properties. To circumvent direct proofs in PDL or its extension /spl Delta/PDL, we further translate versions of the occurring decision problems to propositional logic, where we can apply advanced SAT and BDD techniques. In our experiments we revealed some inconsistencies, and after correcting them, we successfully verified a non-looping property for a part of the expert system.
Intramuscular Bioavailability and Clinical Efficacy of Artesunate in Gabonese Children with Severe Malaria
2002-11-15

ABSTRACT Artesunate (ARS) is a water-soluble artemisinin derivative that is a potential alternative to quinine for the treatment of severe childhood malaria. We studied the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of ARS given by the intramuscular (i.m.) route in an open crossover study design. Fourteen children were randomized to receive intravenous (i.v.) ARS in a loading dose (2.4 mg/kg of body weight) followed 12 h later by an i.m. dose (1.2 mg/kg) (group I), and 14 children were randomized to receive i.m. ARS (2.4 mg/kg) followed by an i.v. dose of ARS (1.2 mg/kg) (group II). We carried out a two-compartment analysis of ARS and dihydroartemisinin (DHA; the principal antimalarial metabolite) levels in 21 children (groups I and II combined). Absorption of i.m. ARS was rapid, with the maximum concentration of DHA in serum being achieved in less than 1 h in most children (median time to the maximum concentration of drug in serum, 35.1 min; range, 10.8 to 71.9 min). The absolute bioavailability of DHA was a median of 86.4% (range, 11.4 to 462.1%), the median steady-state volume of distribution was 1.3 liters/kg (range, 0.5 to 7.9 liters/kg), and the median clearance was 0.028 liters/kg/min (range, 0.001 to 1.58 liters/kg/min). There were no major adverse events attributable to ARS. Parasite clearance kinetics were comparable between the two treatment groups. These results support the use of i.m. ARS in children with severe malaria.
The eyes of suckermouth armoured catfish (Loricariidae, subfamily Hypostomus): pupil response, lenticular longitudinal spherical aberration and retinal topography
2002-11-15

SUMMARY The dilated, round pupils of a species of suckermouth armoured catfish(Liposarcus pardalis) constrict slowly on illumination (over 35-40 min) to form crescent-shaped apertures. Ray tracing of He—Ne laser beams shows that the lenses of a related species (Pterygoplichthys etentaculus), which also has a crescent-shaped pupil, are well corrected for longitudinal spherical aberration, suggesting that the primary purpose of the irregular pupil in armoured catfish is not to correct such aberration. It is suggested that the iris operculum may serve to camouflage the pupil of these substrate-dwelling species. An examination of the catfish retina shows the photoreceptors to be exclusively single cones interspersed with elongate rods and demonstrates the presence of multiple optic nerve head papillae. Two areas of high ganglion cell density, each side of a vertically oriented falciform process, provide increased spatial resolving power along the axes examining the substrate in front of and behind the animal.
Effect of Auristatin PHE on Microtubule Integrity and Nuclear Localization in Cryptococcus neoformans
2002-11-15

ABSTRACT The mechanism of action of the fungicidal peptide auristatin PHE was investigated in Cryptococcus neoformans . Since auristatin PHE causes budding arrest in C. neoformans (T. Woyke, G. R. Pettit, G. Winkelmann, and R. K. Pettit, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 45: 3580-3584, 2001), microtubule integrity and nuclear localization in auristatin PHE-treated cells were examined. Iterative deconvolution in conjunction with an optimized C. neoformans microtubule immunolabeling procedure enabled detailed visualization of the microtubule cytoskeleton in auristatin PHE-treated C. neoformans . The effect of auristatin PHE on C. neoformans microtubule organization was compared with that of the tubulin-binding agent nocodazole. Both drugs produced complete disruption first of cytoplasmic and then of spindle microtubules in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Sub-MICs of auristatin PHE caused complete microtubule disruption within 4.5 h, while 1.5 times the nocodazole MIC was required for the same effect. For both drugs, disruption of microtubules was accompanied by blockage of nuclear migration and of nuclear and cellular division, resulting in cells arrested in a uninucleate, large-budded stage. Nocodazole and the linear peptide auristatin PHE are remarkably different in structure and spectrum of activity, yet on the cellular level, they have similar effects.
Chemokines Meet Defensins: the Merging Concepts of Chemoattractants and Antimicrobial Peptides in Host Defense
2002-11-18

The capacity of the immune system to respond appropriately and eradicate microbial infections depends on the production of peptide and small protein mediators with diverse structures and functions, many of which are induced by contact with pathogens or inflammatory stimuli. Based on their activities