Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Convergence behavior of iteratively decoded parallel concatenated codes

Mutual information transfer characteristics of soft in/soft out decoders are proposed as a tool to better understand the convergence behavior of iterative decoding schemes. The exchange of extrinsic information is visualized as a decoding trajectory in the extrinsic information transfer chart (EXIT chart). This allows the prediction of turbo cliff position and bit error rate after an arbitrary number of iterations. The influence of code memory, code polynomials as well as different constituent codes on the convergence behavior is studied for parallel concatenated codes. A code search based on the EXIT chart technique has been performed yielding new recursive systematic convolutional constituent codes exhibiting turbo cliffs at lower signal-to-noise ratios than attainable by previously known constituent codes.
TRIM29 overexpression is associated with poor prognosis and promotes tumor progression by activating Wnt/β-catenin pathway in cervical cancer

Dysregulation of TRIM29 has been reported to be involved in tumorigenesis, but the role of TRIM29 in cervical cancer is unclear. In this study, we first examined TRIM29 expression and found that TRIM29 mRNA and protein expression was upregulated in cervical cancer tissues when compared with the matched adjacent cervical tissues. We further detected TRIM29 protein with immunohistochemistry in 150 paraffin-embedded samples from early-stage cervical cancer patients. The results showed that high expression of TRIM29 was significantly associated with pelvic lymph node metastasis (p=0.002), advanced FIGO stage (p=0.026) and post-operative recurrence (p<0.001). Patients with high expression of TRIM29 had a shorter overall survival (HR 5.042, p<0.001) and disease-free survival (HR 4.260, p<0.001). TRIM29 was proven to be an independent prognostic factor for cervical cancer patients. When endogenous TRIM29 expression was knocked down by siRNAs, cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion in cervical cancer cell lines HeLa and SiHa were obviously inhibited. Meanwhile, TRIM29 knockdown increased E-cadherin expression but decreased the expression of N-cadherin and β-Catenin, which indicated that TRIM29 could promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Mechanically, knockdown of TRIM29 enhanced GSK-3β protein expression and inhibited the expression of β-Catenin and C-myc proteins. GSK-3β is a key upstream suppressor of β-Catenin and c-myc expression is an indicator of Wnt/β-Catenin activity. Therefore, these results demonstrate that TRIM29 promotes tumor progression by activating Wnt/β-Catenin signaling. In conclusion, TRIM29 is overexpressed and associated with survival of early-stage cervical cancer, indicating that TRIM29 may be a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for cervical cancer.
Reducing daily stress : Breaking a habit

With this thesis the PhD-candidate aims to enrich the body of evidence concerning the relation between stress and health, and the mediating role of (un)conscious perseverative cognitions (which is captured in the extended perseverative cognition hypothesis). The main aim of this thesis was to find direct evidence for the extended PC hypothesis in real life. She examined whether reducing (un)conscious perseverative cognitions, or worry, improved stress-related physiological activity and subjective health complaints.
Cluster Synchronization on Multiple Nonlinearly Coupled Dynamical Subnetworks of Complex Networks With Nonidentical Nodes

In this paper, cluster synchronization on multiple nonlinearly coupled dynamical subnetworks of complex networks with nonidentical nodes and stochastic perturbations is studied. Based on the general leader–follower’s model, an improved network structure model that consists of multiple pairs of matching subnetworks, each of which includes a leaders’ subnetwork and a followers’ subnetwork, is proposed. Moreover, the dynamical behaviors of the nodes belonging to the same pair of matching subnetworks are identical, while the ones belonging to different pairs of unmatched subnetworks are nonidentical. In this new setting, the aim is to design some suitable adaptive pinning controllers on the chosen nodes of each followers’ subnetwork, such that the nodes in each subnetwork can be exponentially synchronized onto their reference state. Then, some cluster synchronization criteria for multiple nonlinearly coupled dynamical subnetworks of complex networks are established, and a pinning control scheme that the nodes with very large or low degrees are good candidates for applying pinning controllers is presented. Suitable adaptive update laws are used to deal with the unknown feedback gains between the pinned nodes and their leaders. Finally, several numerical simulations are given to demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed approach.
Measurement Errors in Japanese Consumer Price Index

In Japan, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is widely used as a measure of inflation or the cost of living. The CPI is constructed by using a fixed-weight Laspeyres formula. This formula is used mainly because of its ease of calculation and comprehension, thus limiting the total cost of constructing the statistics. However, such simplicity makes it difficult for the CPI to reflect dynamic changes in economic activity such as changes in consumers' behavior between goods in response to relative price fluctuation, the introduction of new goods, and the disappearance of old goods. As a result, measurement errors are introduced into the CPI. In this paper, I summarize the problems pertaining to measurement errors inherent in the Japanese CPI, and provide some quantitative assessment. Based on currently available information, I place the point estimate for overall bias in the CPI at about 0.90 percentage point per year. Although this is the best estimate taking into account all information currently available, it is true that the estimate was based on various, rather bold assumptions. In addition, it should be noted that accuracy of the estimate is not necessarily high due to the lack of existing studies in this field in Japan.
Characterization of the Soybean Genome Using EST-derived Microsatellite Markers

Abstract We generated a high-density genetic linkage map of soybean using expressed sequence tag (EST)-derived microsatellite markers. A total of 6920 primer pairs (10.9%) were designed to amplify simple sequence repeats (SSRs) from 63 676 publicly available non-redundant soybean ESTs. The polymorphism of two parent plants, the Japanese cultivar ‘Misuzudaizu’ and the Chinese line ‘Moshidou Gong 503’, were examined using 10% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Primer pairs showing polymorphism were then used for genotyping 94 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between the parents. In addition to previously reported markers, 680 EST-derived microsatellite markers were selected and subjected to linkage analysis. As a result, 935 marker loci were mapped successfully onto 20 linkage groups, which totaled 2700.3 cM in length; 693 loci were detected using the 668 EST-derived microsatellite markers developed in this study, the other 242 loci were detected with 105 RFLP markers, 136 genome-derived microsatellite markers, and one phenotypic marker. We examined allelic variation among 23 soybean cultivars/lines and a wild soybean line using 668 mapped EST-derived microsatellite markers (corresponding to 686 marker loci), in order to determine the transferability of the markers among soybean germplasms. A limited degree of macrosynteny was observed at the segmental level between the genomes of soybean and the model legume Lotus japonicus, which suggests that considerable genome shuffling occurred after separation of the species and during establishment of the paleopolyploid soybean genome.
Parallel visual data restoration on multi-GPGPUs using stencil-reduce pattern

In this paper, a highly effective parallel filter for visual data restoration is presented. The filter is designed following a skeletal approach, using a newly proposed stencil-reduce, and has been implemented by way of the FastFlow parallel programming library. As a result of its high-level design, it is possible to run the filter seamlessly on a multicore machine, on multi-GPGPUs, or on both. The design and implementation of the filter are discussed, and an experimental evaluation is presented.
On the performance of target tracking algorithms using actual localization systems for wireless sensor networks

In wireless sensor networks (WSNs), target tracking algorithms are often based on geographical information provided by a localization algorithm. However, the errors introduced by such algorithms may affect the performance of tasks that depend on such information. In this paper, we evaluate how errors resulting from actual localization algorithms affect two classical target tracking algorithms: the Kalman filter and the Particle filter. As a proof-of-concept, we choose two relevant localization algorithms for WSNs. The first is the RPE (Recursive Position Estimation), a pioneer iterative solution, and the second is the DPE (Directed Position Estimation), another iterative solution that evolved from the RPE reducing errors and the cost of its predecessor. Our results clearly indicate that the tracking algorithms successfully filter the noise introduced by the target-node distance estimation. However, they fail to eliminate the errors introduced by localization algorithms.
MANIPULATING FORAGE-TO-CONCENTRATE RATIOS TO ENHANCE PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS TRAITS OF HOLSTEIN STEERS

Modern dairy beef feeding requires close attention to a host of nutrition and management factors that affect gain, efficiency of gain, carcass traits, and profitability. One tool the nutritionist and feedlot operator has is manipulation of forage:concentrate (F:C) ratios. Initial research and development in F:C ratios was primarily to determine the performance response by dairy beef steers to increasing dietary energy density. During this process, some determinations were made relative to forage source and grain source and processing. As the dairy beef feeding segment of the US feedlot industry developed, and value-based marketing was implemented in marketing dairy beef steers, feedlot operators and nutritionists must evaluate manipulation of F:C ratios to enhance performance, carcass quality or both. The following is a review of pertinent literature concerning manipulation of F:C ratios with special regard to effects on enhancing feedlot performance and carcass traits. Due to a lack of inclusive research reports, the reader is referred to other excellent reviews in these proceedings for selfinterpretation on the interaction of anabolic growth promotants, ß-agonists, intake manipulation strategies, and use of alternative feeds with manipulation of F:C ratios on enhancement of carcass performance and carcass traits, although some speculative remarks as to this interaction are included herein.
Economic growth and income inequality

We investigate whether income inequality affects subsequent growth in a cross-country sample for 1965-90, using the models of Barro (1997), Bleaney and Nishiyama (2002) and Sachs and Warner (1997), with negative results. We then investigate the evolution of income inequality over the same period and its correlation with growth. The dominating feature is inequality convergence across countries. This convergence has been significantly faster amongst developed countries. Growth does not appear to influence the evolution of inequality over time.
On the Difference between Type E and Type A OH/IR Stars

The observed spectral energy distributions of a sample of 60 OH/IR stars are fitted using a radiative transfer model of a dusty envelope. Among the whole sample, 21 stars have reliable phase-lag distances, while the others have less accurate distances. L*-P, -P, and -L* relations have been plotted for these stars. It is found that type E (with an emission feature at 10 μm) and type A (with an absorption feature at 10 μm) OH/IR stars have different L*-P and -L* relations, while both follow a single -P relation. The type E stars are shown to be located in an area without large-scale dense interstellar medium, while the type A stars are probably located in dense interstellar medium. It is argued here that this may indicate that the two types of OH/IR stars do not share the same chemical composition or zero-age main-sequence mass and so evolve in different ways. This conclusion has reinforced the argument by Chen et al., who reached a similar conclusion from the Galactic distribution of about 1000 OH/IR stars, based on IRAS low-resolution spectrometer spectra.
Observing trans-Planckian ripples in the primordial power spectrum with future large scale structure probes

We revisit the issue of ripples in the primordial power spectra caused by trans-Planckian physics, and the potential for their detection by future cosmological probes. We find that for reasonably large values of the first slow-roll parameter ϵ (), a positive detection of trans-Planckian ripples can be made even if the amplitude is as low as 10−4. Data from the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) and the proposed future 21 cm survey with the Fast Fourier Transform Telescope (FFTT) will be particularly useful in this regard. If the scale of inflation is close to its present upper bound, a scale of new physics as high as ∼0.2 MP could lead to observable signatures.
Food security: Self sufficiency of rice in Malaysia

Malaysia’s stance on food security is largely translated in terms of achieving self‐sufficiency in rice production at about 65‐70% of the local consumption. Since Malaysia does not have the comparative advantage in rice production, it implements a wide range of market interventions to achieve the intended level of rice production. The policy instruments include among others: guaranteed minimum price for paddy, price control, price and input subsidies and import monopoly. These interventionist instruments may not be sustainable in the long term as they incur high budgetary burden to the government, misallocation of resources and liberalization demand from WTO. The industry faces challenges in terms of land competition for urbanization and industrial uses and declining soil fertility due to heavy use of chemical fertilizer. This paper examines the influence of the fertilizer and cash subsidies, as well as land conversion and fertility on the level of self sufficiency in rice. A system dynamics model is applied to analyse the causal and feedback relationships of these variables in the paddy production system framework. The study shows that Malaysia may not be able to sustain the targeted self sufficiency level without adequate R&D to address the production constraints particularly below‐optimum productivity and the threats of climate change. The consumption of rice on the other hand continues to rise due to increase in population.
Recognizing Your Touch: Towards Strengthening Mobile Device Authentication via Touch Dynamics Integration

Mobile devices have become an integral part of our routine activities. Some of the activities involve the storage or access of sensitive data (e.g. on-line banking, paperless prescription services, etc.). These mobile electronic services (e-Services) typically require a method to securely identify and authenticate a claimed identity. Currently, e-Services typically use a knowledge-based authentication method by demonstrating the knowledge of a secret (e.g. password), but it is vulnerable to a number of security attacks, e.g. shoulder spoofing and brute force attacks. To thwart the attacks and to make the authentication method more secure, this paper describes our efforts in investigating the benefits of integrating touch dynamics biometrics, into a PIN-based authentication method. It reports the collection of a comprehensive reference dataset from 150 subjects, the extraction of feature data from the dataset, and the classifications and the use of the feature data to identify a user. Experimental results show that, even when the PIN is exposed, 9 out of 10 impersonation attempts can be successfully detected.
Chapter X Human Detection in Static Images

Human detection is the first step for a number of applications such as smart video surveillance, driving assistance systems, and intelligent digital content management. It’s a challenging problem due to the variance of illumination, color, scale, pose, and so forth. This chapter reviews various aspects of human detection in static images and focuses on learning-based methods that build classifiers using training samples. There are usually three modules for these methods: feature extraction, classifier design, and merge of overlapping detections. The chapter reviews most existing methods for each module and analyzes their respective pros and cons. The contribution includes two aspects: first, the performance of existing feature sets on human detection are compared; second, a fast human detection system based on histogram of oriented gradients features and cascaded AdaBoost classifier is proposed. This chapter should be useful for both algorithm researchers and system designers in the computer vision and pattern recognition community.
Host–Virus Interactions during Malaria Infection in Hepatitis B Virus Transgenic Mice

We have previously shown that hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication is abolished in the liver of HBV transgenic mice by inflammatory cytokines induced by HBV-specific cytotoxic T cells and during unrelated viral infections of the liver. We now report that intrahepatic HBV replication is also inhibited in mice infected by the malaria species Plasmodium yoelii 17X NL. P. yoelii infection triggers an intrahepatic inflammatory response characterized by the influx of natural killer cells, macrophages, and T cells. During this process, interferon (IFN)-γ and IFN-α/β suppress HBV gene expression and replication in the liver. Collectively, the data suggest that malaria infection might influence the course and pathogenesis of HBV infection in coinfected humans.
Finding the beat: a neural perspective across humans and non-human primates

Humans possess an ability to perceive and synchronize movements to the beat in music (‘beat perception and synchronization’), and recent neuroscientific data have offered new insights into this beat-finding capacity at multiple neural levels. Here, we review and compare behavioural and neural data on temporal and sequential processing during beat perception and entrainment tasks in macaques (including direct neural recording and local field potential (LFP)) and humans (including fMRI, EEG and MEG). These abilities rest upon a distributed set of circuits that include the motor cortico-basal-ganglia–thalamo-cortical (mCBGT) circuit, where the supplementary motor cortex (SMA) and the putamen are critical cortical and subcortical nodes, respectively. In addition, a cortical loop between motor and auditory areas, connected through delta and beta oscillatory activity, is deeply involved in these behaviours, with motor regions providing the predictive timing needed for the perception of, and entrainment to, musical rhythms. The neural discharge rate and the LFP oscillatory activity in the gamma- and beta-bands in the putamen and SMA of monkeys are tuned to the duration of intervals produced during a beat synchronization–continuation task (SCT). Hence, the tempo during beat synchronization is represented by different interval-tuned cells that are activated depending on the produced interval. In addition, cells in these areas are tuned to the serial-order elements of the SCT. Thus, the underpinnings of beat synchronization are intrinsically linked to the dynamics of cell populations tuned for duration and serial order throughout the mCBGT. We suggest that a cross-species comparison of behaviours and the neural circuits supporting them sets the stage for a new generation of neurally grounded computational models for beat perception and synchronization.
Variable Neighborhood Search for Order Batching in a Warehouse

In this paper we address the problem of batching orders in a warehouse, with the objective of minimizing the total travel time. Order batching is an NP-hard optimization problem that is very difficult to solve exactly in practice. Thus, most implemented solutions are based on elementary heuristic methods that perform a relatively limited exploration of the solution space. As an alternative, we propose a heuristic based on variable neighborhood search, where the emphasis is placed on performing an intensive exploration of the most promising regions of the solution space. Simulations are conducted to study the performance of the method with different warehouse configurations, and an exhaustive comparative analysis, which considers all the best known heuristics, is carried out. The results obtained show that the proposed heuristic is competitive and that it provides a suitable method which can be used in practice. Additionally, since the performance of the algorithms depends heavily on factors such as storage policy, routing strategies, or the structure of the orders, we have developed an ANOVA in order to consider the effect of all the above factors on the different methods tested.
Museums: discovering services marketing

museums were first established in Ireland and Australia, times were simpler, as was the museum structure: a director and a few curators, liaising with a board of trustees. Approximately half of the director s time was devoted to work in his (they were never women) area of expertise, such as painting or science. Even into the 1970s in Northern Ireland and Australia, museum management was not a term used for the work of museum directors. Museums were administered during precious moments stolen sometimes resentfully from other duties (Missingham, 1973). Thus museum directors were experts in the curatorial areas that lay at the core of their organization's mission. Over the past two decades, however, the full-time managerial role has become prevalent in museums. In addition, the external environment has grown increasingly complex, with a climate of economic rationalism reigning at the government level. We argue that, as part of these developments, services marketing (i.e., tangible and intangible marketing of services) is becoming a recognized tool for enticing wider audiences. However, services marketing in museums is fraught with paradox. One paradox, DiMaggio (1987) has discovered, has to do with the nature of managerial work. There is tension in professional bureaucracies such as museums between professional needs, which are founded in peer control, and organizational needs, which are founded in management. A second paradox is the tension between management and mission. In the absence of consensus about what the professional museum director should be doing, it is difficult to formalize approaches to managerial work, including marketing. This vagueness has led to confusion about how best to use marketing expertise and other forms of managerial expertise. Again, as DiMaggio asserts, these paradoxes should not obscure the need for strong management or, as we argue here, a strong focus on services marketing in museums. Griffin (1987) and Janes (1997) point out that museums as organizations have received little attention in the museums literature. Services marketing has received even less attention. This paper offers one approach to services marketing that may benefit museums and their managers. Museums in Northern Ireland and Australia