Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Intersection of $ {\BBZ }_{2} {\BBZ }_{4}$-Additive Perfect Codes

The intersection problem for Z<sub>2</sub>Z<sub>4</sub>-additive (extended and nonextended) perfect codes, i.e., which are the possibilities for the number of codewords in the intersection of two Z<sub>2</sub>Z<sub>4</sub>-additive codes C<sub>1</sub> and C<sub>2</sub> of the same length, is investigated. Lower and upper bounds for the intersection number are computed and, for any value between these bounds, codes which have this given intersection value are constructed. For all these Z<sub>2</sub>Z<sub>4</sub>-additive codes C<sub>1</sub> and C<sub>2</sub>, the abelian group structure of the intersection codes C<sub>1</sub> cap C<sub>2</sub> is characterized. The parameters of this Abelian group structure corresponding to the intersection codes are computed and lower and upper bounds for these parameters are established. Finally, for all possible parameters between these bounds, constructions of codes with these parameters for their intersections are given.
On the Evaluation and Comparison of Taggers: the Effect of Noise in Testing Corpora

This paper addresses the issue of POS tagger evaluation. Such evaluation is usually performed by comparing the tagger output with a reference test corpus, which is assumed to be error-free. Currently used corpora contain noise which causes the obtained performance to be a distortion of the real value. We analyze to what extent this distortion may invalidate the comparison between taggers or the measure of the improvement given by a new system. The main conclusion is that a more rigorous testing experimentation setting/designing is needed to reliably evaluate and compare tagger accuracies.
A Novel Metered Dose Transdermal Spray Formulation for Oxybutynin

The objective of the present work was to develop a metered dose spray formulation for transdermal delivery of oxybutynin and to carry out the in vitro characterization of the optimized formulation. Oxybutynin release from a series of ethanol/acetone/methylal based formulations was assessed in vitro and the developed formulation was used for delivery from a metered dose spray. Various qualitative and quantitative parameters like spray pattern, particle size distribution, pH, evaporation time, pump seal efficiency test, average weight per metered dose, content per spray and content uniformity were evaluated. The different film forming agents were assessed and carbopol (0.5%) and lutrol (0.1%) were found to give good clarity of solution, evaporation rate, spray pattern and tackiness of the film. Diffusion studies of the optimized formulations through the semipermeable membrane showed the release of drug to the extent of almost 50% over a period of 24 h. Stability studies were conducted as per ICH guidelines and indicated that formulations were stable. Skin irritation studies were performed using rabbit as an animal model. The results obtained show that the metered dose transdermal spray formulation can be a promising and innovative therapeutic system for the transdermal administration of oxybutynin.
Efficient algorithms for large-scale topology discovery

There is a growing interest in discovery of internet topology at the interface level. A new generation of highly distributed measurement systems is currently being deployed. Unfortunately, the research community has not examined the problem of how to perform such measurements efficiently and in a network-friendly manner. In this paper we make two contributions toward that end. First, we show that standard topology discovery methods (e.g., skitter) are quite inefficient, repeatedly probing the same interfaces. This is a concern, because when scaled up, such methods will generate so much traffic that they will begin to resemble DDoS attacks. We measure two kinds of redundancy in probing (intra- and inter-monitor) and show that both kinds are important. We show that straightforward approaches to addressing these two kinds of redundancy must take opposite tacks, and are thus fundamentally in conflict. Our second contribution is to propose and evaluate Doubletree, an algorithm that reduces both types of redundancy simultaneously on routers and end systems. The key ideas are to exploit the tree-like structure of routes to and from a single point in order to guide when to stop probing, and to probe each path by starting near its midpoint. Our results show that Doubletree can reduce both types of measurement load on the network dramatically, while permitting discovery of nearly the same set of nodes and links.
Distributed Power Allocation with Rate Constraints in Gaussian Frequency-Selective Interference Channels

This paper considers the minimization of transmit power in Gaussian frequency selective interference channels, subject to a rate constraint for each user. To derive decentralized solutions that do not require any cooperation among the users, we formulate this power control problem as a (generalized) Nash equilibrium game. We obtain sufficient conditions that guarantee the existence and nonemptiness of the solution set to our problem. Then, to compute the solutions of the game, we propose two distributed algorithms ∗The work of this author is based on research supported by the National Science Foundation under grant DMI-0516023. †The work of this author is based on research partially supported by the SURFACE project funded by the European Community under Contract IST-4-027187-STP-SURFACE, and by the Italian Ministry of University and Research. ‡The work of this author is based on research supported by the Program PRIN-MIUR 2005 “Innovative Problems and Methods in Nonlinear Optimization”.
Stability of Scheduled Message Communication over Degraded Broadcast Channels

We develop a multi-class discrete-time processor-sharing queueing model for scheduled message communication over a discrete memoryless degraded broadcast channel. The framework we consider here models both the random message arrivals and the subsequent reliable communication by suitably combining techniques from queueing theory and information theory. Requests for message transmissions are assumed to arrive according to i.i. d. arrival processes. Then, (i) we derive an outer bound to the stability region of message arrival rate vectors achievable by the class of stationary scheduling policies, (ii) we show for any message arrival rate vector that satisfies the outer bound, that there exists a stationary "state-independent" policy that results in a stable system for the corresponding message arrival processes, and (iii) under an asymptotic regime, we show that the stability region of information arrival rate vectors is the information-theoretic capacity region of a degraded broadcast channel
Expressing Implicit Semantic Relations without Supervision

We present an unsupervised learning algorithm that mines large text corpora for patterns that express implicit semantic relations. For a given input word pair X:Y with some unspecified semantic relations, the corresponding output list of patterns (P1,., Pm) is ranked according to how well each pattern Pi expresses the relations between X and Y. For example, given X = ostrich and Y = bird, the two highest ranking output patterns are "X is the largest Y" and "Y such as the X". The output patterns are intended to be useful for finding further pairs with the same relations, to support the construction of lexicons, ontologies, and semantic networks. The patterns are sorted by pertinence, where the pertinence of a pattern Pi for a word pair X:Y is the expected relational similarity between the given pair and typical pairs for Pi. The algorithm is empirically evaluated on two tasks, solving multiple-choice SAT word analogy questions and classifying semantic relations in noun-modifier pairs. On both tasks, the algorithm achieves state-of-the-art results, performing significantly better than several alternative pattern ranking algorithms, based on tf-idf.
Synthesis of Macromolecules by Escherichia coli near the Minimal Temperature for Growth

When a culture of Escherichia coli ML30 growing exponentially at 37 C in a glucose minimal medium was shifted abruptly to 10 C, growth decreased for about 4.5 hr. There was no net synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), and protein. The cells, however, respired at a rate characteristic of cells growing in the steady state at 10 C and were able to accumulate α-methyl-d-glucoside. When growth recommenced at 10 C, protein synthesis started at 4 hr, RNA synthesis, with a burst at 6 hr, and DNA synthesis, with a burst at 7 hr. One synchronous division occurred at about 11 hr after shifting to 10 C. There was no alteration in the steady-state RNA to protein ratio. The results are discussed in relation to other reported effects of shifts in environmental conditions. The lag at 10 C was dependent on prior conditions of growth at 37 C. Growth at 37 C under conditions giving catabolite repression were necessary for the lag to be established on shifting to 10 C.
Neuromodulation approaches for the treatment of major depression: challenges and recommendations from a working group meeting.

UNLABELLED The use of neuromodulation as a treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) has recently attracted renewed interest due to development of other non-pharmacological therapies besides electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), deep brain stimulation (DBS), and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). METHOD We convened a working group of researchers to discuss the updates and key challenges of neuromodulation use for the treatment of MDD. RESULTS The state-of-art of neuromodulation techniques was reviewed and discussed in four sections: [1] epidemiology and pathophysiology of MDD; [2] a comprehensive overview of the neuromodulation techniques; [3] using neuromodulation techniques in MDD associated with non-psychiatric conditions; [4] the main challenges of neuromodulation research and alternatives to overcome them. DISCUSSION ECT is the first-line treatment for severe depression. TMS and tDCS are strategies with a relative benign profile of side effects; however, while TMS effects are comparable to antidepressant drugs for treating MDD; further research is needed to establish the role of tDCS. DBS and VNS are invasive strategies with a possible role in treatment-resistant depression. In summary, MDD is a chronic and incapacitating condition with a high prevalence; therefore clinicians should consider all the treatment options including invasive and non-invasive neuromodulation approaches.
On complexity of optimized crossover for binary representations

We consider the computational complexity of producing the best possible offspring in a crossover, given two solutions of the parents. The crossover operators are studied on the class of Boolean linear programming problems, where the Boolean vector of variables is used as the solution representation. By means of efficient reductions of the optimized gene transmitting crossover problems (OGTC) we show the polynomial solvability of the OGTC for the maximum weight set packing problem, the minimum weight set partition problem and for one of the versions of the simple plant location problem. We study a connection between the OGTC for linear Boolean programming problem and the maximum weight independent set problem on 2-colorable hypergraph and prove the NP-hardness of several special cases of the OGTC problem in Boolean linear programming.
A Simple Model to Generate Hard Satisfiable Instances

In this paper, we try to further demonstrate that the models of random CSP instances proposed by [Xu and Li, 2000; 2003] are of theoretical and practical interest. Indeed, these models, called RB and RD, present several nice features. First, it is quite easy to generate random instances of any arity since no particular structure has to be integrated, or property enforced, in such instances. Then, the existence of an asymptotic phase transition can be guaranteed while applying a limited restriction on domain size and on constraint tightness. In that case, a threshold point can be precisely located and all instances have the guarantee to be hard at the threshold, i.e., to have an exponential tree-resolution complexity. Next, a formal analysis shows that it is possible to generate forced satisfiable instances whose hardness is similar to unforced satisfiable ones. This analysis is supported by some representative results taken from an intensive experimentation that we have carried out, using complete and incomplete search methods.
Vancomycin Dosing in Critically Ill Patients: Robust Methods for Improved Continuous-Infusion Regimens

ABSTRACT Despite the development of novel antibiotics active against Gram-positive bacteria, vancomycin generally remains the first treatment, although rapidly achieving concentrations associated with maximal efficacy provides an unresolved challenge. The objective of this study was to conduct a population pharmacokinetic analysis of vancomycin in a large population of critically ill patients. This was a retrospective data collection of 206 adult septic critically ill patients who were administered vancomycin as a loading dose followed by continuous infusion. The concentration-versus-time data for vancomycin in serum was analyzed by a nonlinear mixed-effects modeling approach using NONMEM. Monte Carlo simulations were performed using the final covariate model. We found that the best population pharmacokinetic model consisted of a one-compartment linear model with combined proportional and additive residual unknown variability. The volume of distribution of vancomycin (1.5 liters/kg) was described by total body weight and clearance (4.6 liters/h) by 24-hour urinary creatinine clearance (CrCl), normalized to body surface area. Simulation data showed that a 35-mg/kg loading dose was necessary to rapidly achieve vancomycin concentrations of 20 mg/liter. Daily vancomycin requirements were dependent on CrCl, such that a patient with a CrCl of 100 ml/min/1.73 m2 would require at least 35 mg/kg per day by continuous infusion to maintain target concentrations. In conclusion, we have found that higher-than-recommended loading and daily doses of vancomycin seem to be necessary to rapidly achieve therapeutic serum concentrations in these patients.
Dynamic Vegetation Simulations of the Mid‐Holocene Green Sahara

The “Green Sahara” is a period when North Africa was characterized by vegetation cover and wetlands. To qualitatively identify the orbital‐climatic causation of the Green Sahara regime, we performed dynamic vegetation model (LPJ‐GUESS) simulations, driven by climate forcings from coupled general circulation model (EC‐Earth) simulations for the mid‐Holocene, in which the vegetation is prescribed to be either modern desert or artificially vegetated with a reduced dust load. LPJ‐GUESS simulates a vegetated Sahara covered by both herbaceous and woody vegetation types consistent with proxy reconstructions only in the latter scenario. Sensitivity experiments identify interactions required to capture the northward extension of vegetation. Increased precipitation is the main driver of the vegetation extent changes, and the temperature anomalies determine the plant functional types mainly through altered fire disturbance. Furthermore, the simulated vegetation composition also depends on the correct representation of soil texture in a humid environment like Green Sahara.
Congestion control with explicit rate indication

As the speed and the dynamic range of computer networks evolve, the issue of efficient traffic management becomes increasingly important. The paper describes an approach to traffic management using explicit rate information provided to the source by the network. The authors present an asynchronous distributed algorithm for optimal rate calculation across the network, where optimality is understood in the maxmin sense. The algorithm quickly converges to the optimal rates and is shown to be well-behaved in transience.
Alterations of cAMP-dependent signaling in dystrophic skeletal muscle

Autonomic regulation processes in striated muscles are largely mediated by cAMP/PKA-signaling. In order to achieve specificity of signaling its spatial-temporal compartmentation plays a critical role. We discuss here how specificity of cAMP/PKA-signaling can be achieved in skeletal muscle by spatio-temporal compartmentation. While a microdomain containing PKA type I in the region of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is important for postsynaptic, activity-dependent stabilization of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR), PKA type I and II microdomains in the sarcomeric part of skeletal muscle are likely to play different roles, including the regulation of muscle homeostasis. These microdomains are due to specific A-kinase anchoring proteins, like rapsyn and myospryn. Importantly, recent evidence indicates that compartmentation of the cAMP/PKA-dependent signaling pathway and pharmacological activation of cAMP production are aberrant in different skeletal muscles disorders. Thus, we discuss here their potential as targets for palliative treatment of certain forms of dystrophy and myasthenia. Under physiological conditions, the neuropeptide, α-calcitonin-related peptide, as well as catecholamines are the most-mentioned natural triggers for activating cAMP/PKA signaling in skeletal muscle. While the precise domains and functions of these first messengers are still under investigation, agonists of β2-adrenoceptors clearly exhibit anabolic activity under normal conditions and reduce protein degradation during atrophic periods. Past and recent studies suggest direct sympathetic innervation of skeletal muscle fibers. In summary, the organization and roles of cAMP-dependent signaling in skeletal muscle are increasingly understood, revealing crucial functions in processes like nerve-muscle interaction and muscle trophicity.
Floristic Composition, Diversity and Structure of the Rainforest in the Mayoko District, Republic of Congo

Botanically, the Mayoko district is known only through anecdotal descriptions made in the colonial era. The present study was undertaken as part of the prerequisite for a mining feasibility study where a benchmark of the floristic composition, diversity and structure of the vegetation was needed to evaluate potential biodiversity offset areas and to guide species selection for post-mining re-vegetation. The study area comprised approximately 160,000 ha and 235 sample sites were surveyed using the Braun-Blanquet method of phytosociology. Diversity of each plant association was expressed in terms of various diversity parameters. Twelve associations were described and mapped. The associations ranged from highly disturbed and degraded to fairly intact forest associations. A wet to dry gradient and permanently inundated to temporary inundated gradient could also be distinguished. The approach followed here proved remarkably robust in illustrating the complexity in a topographically complex region of the Chaillu Massif. The data provided a high level of insight into the possible dynamics of the rainforest and indications as to possible successional pathways. This information provides a better level of understanding of forest structure and evolution potential than studies limited to trees, remote sensing carbon assessments, or time change series.
Enforcing Bulk Mail Classification

Spam costs US corporations upwards of $8.9 billion a year, and comprises as much as 40% of all email received [1]. Solutions exist to reduce the amount of spam seen by end users, but cannot withstand sophisticated attacks. Worse yet, many will occasionally misclassify and silently drop legitimate email. Spammers take advantage of the near-zero cost of sending email to flood the network, knowing that success even a tiny fraction of the time means a profit. End users, however, have proven unwilling to pay money to send email to friends and family. We show that it is feasible to extend the existing mail system to reduce the amount of unwanted email, without misclassifying email, and without charging well-behaved users. We require that bulk email senders accurately classify each email message they send as an advertisement with an area of interest or else be charged a small negative incentive per message delivered. Recipients are able to filter out email outside their scope of interest, while senders are able to focus their sendings to the appropriate audience.
Path loss exponents deduced from VHF & UHF measurements over Indian subcontinent and model comparison

With the increasing demand of users in the broadcasting and communication services, coverage and interference prediction techniques need to be more accurate and applicable under different conditions. No single propagation model satisfies all the variations observed by the signal. Tuning of the existing models and development of new models are continuing and ongoing processes. With this objective in the present study path loss exponents have been deduced from various VHF/UHF measurements conducted over different regions of Indian subcontinent. These have been compared with the model of Perez-Vega and Zamanillo. The suitability of the model and the deviations has been presented in the paper
A Non-orthogonal Distributed Space-Time Coded Protocol Part I: Signal Model and Design Criteria

In this- two-part series of papers, a generalized non-orthogonal amplify and forward (GNAF) protocol which generalizes several known cooperative diversity protocols is proposed. Transmission in the GNAF protocol comprises of two phases - the broadcast phase and the cooperation phase. In the broadcast phase, the source broadcasts its information to the relays as well as the destination. In the cooperation phase, the source and the relays together transmit a space-time code in a distributed fashion. The GNAF protocol relaxes the constraints imposed by the protocol of Jing and Hassibi on the code structure. In part-I of this paper, a code design criteria is obtained and it is shown that the GNAF protocol is delay efficient and coding gain efficient as well. Moreover the GNAF protocol enables the use of sphere decoders at the destination with a non-exponential maximum likelihood (ML) decoding complexity. In part-II, several low decoding complexity code constructions are studied and a lower bound on the diversity-multiplexing gain tradeoff of the GNAF protocol is obtained
THE ROLE OF THE U.S. MAYORS AND URBAN FORESTS IN ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION

Leadership at cities and municipalities can be instrumental in beginning local conversation regarding climate change and urban forest policies. Much research has been devoted to national climate change actions, but research focusing on reducing human vulnerabilities to climate change is lacking. This study presents results of a survey of U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate protection Agreement (MCPA) members, representing 1,054 cities and 93.6 million people, conducted to improve the understanding of how mayors view urban forest policies related to climate change. The goals of the study were to examine local government initiatives for climate change and urban forests and how mayors prioritize these investments. The results indicated that a variety of local climate change mitigation and adaptation actions were being pursued by member MCPA cities. This is important as the international climate change policy rarely acknowledges the role of cities tackling climate change adaptation, although they are vulnerable settlements and at the same time important emitters.