Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Random Access in Wireless Networks With Overlapping Cells

We study cellular-like wireless networks in which the cells may overlap substantially, and a common channel is used for all cells. Thus, transmissions intended for one destination (or base station) can cause interference at neighboring destinations. We assume the use of a ¿collision-channel¿ model, in which arbitrary communication and interference regions are associated with each destination. The interaction between such cells is best exemplified if the protocol of access in each cell is pure random access, i.e., Slotted Aloha. We derive a mathematical formula for the maximum achievable throughput for multiple-cell networks that satisfy a ¿balance¿ condition, which is related to (but not as stringent as) symmetry. This formula implies that the throughput achieved in a cell is affected only by the degree of overlap with adjacent cells, i.e., a cell's throughput is not affected by transmissions that are outside of its interference region. Moreover, we show that, at the point of maximum throughput, the expected channel traffic is one packet per slot in each cell, an extension of the result obtained many years ago for single-destination networks.
Vibration control of a multi-link flexible robot arm with Fiber-Bragg-Grating sensors

Flexible, lightweight manipulators offer some advantages in contrast to rigid arms, such as compact and lighter drives, energy efficiency, reduced masses and costs. This paper presents a novel approach for vibration damping of a multi-link flexible arm. The strain of the elastic arms is measured with Fiber-Bragg-Grating (FBG) sensors and provides the feedback signal to dampen their flexural dynamics. A dynamic model of a three link arm is derived that accounts for the rigid and flexural dynamics including gravity. The arm vibrations are damped by nonlinear strain feedback. The controller is general and robust and its design does not require a model of the flexural dynamics. In the context of closed loop vibration control FBG sensors offer a better signal to noise ratio compared to strain gauges, which allows a higher static gain in the feedback loop with more efficient dissipation of vibrational energy. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed vibration control scheme in conjunction with FBG sensors is verified and analyzed in simulations and confirmed in experiments with a flexible three link robot arm.
Sensory subtraction via cutaneous feedback: a novel technique to improve the transparency of robotic surgery

In this paper we present a novel technique to force feedback in robot-assisted surgery. It consists of substituting haptic force, composed by kinesthetic and cutaneous components, with cutaneous stimuli only. The force generated can be thus thought as a subtraction between the complete haptic interaction, cutaneous and kinesthetic, and the kinesthetic part of it. For this reason, we refer to this approach as sensory subtraction and not sensory substitution. Sensory subtraction, first introduced in [1], aims at improving the performance of conventional force feedback techniques in teleoperation while guaranteeing the same stability properties. In this work we recall the idea of sensory subtraction in teleoperation, together with its evaluation in two paradigmatic surgical teleoperation scenarios.
An Agile Methodology For Implementing Knowledge Management Systems : A Case Study In Component-Based Software Engineering

Component-Based Software Engineering (CBSE) is a knowledge-intensive discipline where all activities require the use and the transfer of knowledge between collaborators. A better usage, transfer and application of this knowledge are required factors to face the challenges of CBSE. In this perspective, Knowledge Management (KM) aims at setting up knowledge-focused processes in the organization. Knowledge Management Systems (KMS) are the technological infrastructure supporting these processes. In this paper, we present a new methodology of KMS implementation in a CBSE-oriented organization. We also present a case study of applying this methodology in an existing CBSE organization.
VSMs with K-Nearest Neighbour to Categorise Arabic Text Data

Text categorisation is a popular problem that has been studied extensively in the last four decades. This paper investigates different variations of vector space models (VSMs) and term weighting approaches using KNN algorithm. The base of our comparison in the experiments we conduct is the F1 evaluation measure. The Experimental results against different Arabic text categorisation data sets provide evidence that Dice and Jaccard Coefficient outperform the Cosine Coefficient approach with regards to F1 results, and the Dice-based TF.IDF achieves the highest average scores.
Adolescent Romance and Depressive Symptoms: The Moderating Effects of Positive Coping and Perceived Friendship Competence

Youths’ ability to positively cope with negative emotions and their self-perceived friendship competence were examined as potential moderators of links between multiple aspects of romantic relationships and residualized increases in depressive symptoms from late adolescence into early adulthood. Participants included 184 teens (46% male; 42% non-White) assessed at ages 15 to 19 and 21, as well as a subsample of 62 romantic partners of participants assessed when teens were 18. Results of hierarchical linear regressions showed that positive coping served as a buffer against depressive symptoms for romantically involved adolescents and also for teens receiving more intense emotional support from their romantic partners, but not for youth whose relationship had ended and had not been replaced by a new relationship. Higher perceived friendship competence served as a buffer against depressive symptoms for youth enduring the dissolution and nonreplacement of their romantic relationship. Greater use of positive coping skills and higher perceived friendship competence may help protect adolescents from depressive symptoms in different types of romantic experiences.
A Customizable Language Learning Support System Using Ontology-Driven Engine

This paper proposes a framework for web-based language learning support systems designed to provide customizable pedagogical procedures based on the analysis of characteristics of both learner and course. This framework employs a course-centered ontology and a teaching method ontology as the foundation for the student model, which includes learner knowledge status and learning preferences. A prototype system has been developed based on this framework. The system was evaluated by means of analysis of learner data from the international language department of a Chinese university. The average learning achievement of the students in the experimental group, who studied with the learning support system, was significantly better than that of the control group, who studied with the tradition learning management system while taking the same Japanese course as the experimental group.
Multi-institutional, multi-national studies in CSEd Research: some design considerations and trade-offs

One indication of the maturation of Computer Science Education as a research-based discipline is the recent emergence of several large-scale studies spanning multiple institutions. This paper examines a "family" of these multi-institutional, multi-national studies, detailing core elements and points of difference in both study design and the organization of the research team, and highlighting the costs and benefits associated with the different approaches.
Competence and Electability: Exploring the Limitations on Female Candidates in Qatar

ABSTRACT Attitudes about women’s expertise can play a role in limiting their access to influential public spaces, including elected government positions. In the Arab Gulf, women remain underrepresented in electoral politics. This research seeks to answer two important questions. Does this underrepresentation stem from the belief that women will govern incompetently? Or are they viewed as less electable? A field experiment is used to investigate the attitudes of young adults in Qatar. It finds bias against the women candidate exists for both competence and electability among some subsamples of students, including female, liberal, and advanced students.
A mutation in NPS1/STH1, an essential gene encoding a component of a novel chromatin-remodeling complex RSC, alters the chromatin structure of Saccharomyces cerevisiae centromeres

The NPS1/STH1 gene encodes a nuclear protein essential for the progression of G2/M phase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae . Nps1p shares homology to Snf2/Swi2p, a subunit of a protein complex known as the SNF/SWI complex. Recently, Nps1p was found to be a component of a protein complex termed RSC (3) essential for mitotic growth, whereas its function is unknown. We isolated a temperature-sensitive mutant allele of NPS1 , nps1-105, and found that the mutation increases the sensitivity to thiabendazole (TBZ). At the restrictive temperature, nps1-105 arrested at the G2/M phase in MAD1-dependent manner and missegregated the mini-chromosome with higher frequency than the wild type cells. The nuclease digestion of the chromatin of the mutant cells revealed that the mutation causes the alteration of the chromatin structure around centromeres at the restrictive temperature. The results suggested that, in the nps1-105 mutant, impaired chromatin structure surrounding centromeres may lead to an impairment of kinetochore function and the cells arrest at G2/M phase through the spindle-assembly checkpoint system.
Peak Oxygen Uptake Responses to Training in Obese Adolescents: A Multilevel Allometric Framework to Partition the Influence of Body Size and Maturity Status

The influence of body size and maturation on the responses in peak oxygen uptake (VO2) to a 12-week aerobic training and nutritional intervention in obese boys (n = 30; 10–16 years) was examined using multilevel allometric regressions. Anthropometry, sexual maturity status, peak VO2, and body composition were measured pre- and postintervention. Significant decrements for body mass, body mass index z-score, and waist circumference and increments for stature, fat-free mass, and peak oxygen uptake were observed after intervention. Partitioning body size on peak VO2, the responses of the individuals to training were positive (11.8% to 12.7% for body mass; 7.6% to 8.1% for fat-free mass). Body mass and fat-free mass were found as significant explanatory variables, with an additional positive effect for chronological. The allometric coefficients (k′) in the initial models were k′ = 0.883 and k′ = 1.058 for body mass and fat-free mass, respectively. The coefficients decreased when age was considered (k′ = 0.530 for body mass; k′ = 0.860 for fat-free mass). Including maturity indicator in the models was not significant, thus the influence of variability in sexual maturity status in responses to exercise-based intervention in peak VO2 may be mediated by the changes in body dimensions.
The role of gigaxonin in the degradation of the glial-specific intermediate filament protein GFAP

Gigaxonin is an E3 ubiquitin ligase adaptor that facilitates proteasomal degradation of GFAP in astrocytes. Gigaxonin is similarly involved in the degradation of some but not all disease-linked forms of GFAP. This degradation is mediated by a direct interaction of gigaxonin with GFAP and involves the proteasome.
Polymer modeling of the E. coli genome reveals the involvement of locus positioning and macrodomain structuring for the control of chromosome conformation and segregation

The mechanisms that control chromosome conformation and segregation in bacteria have not yet been elucidated. In Escherichia coli, the mere presence of an active process remains an open question. Here, we investigate the conformation and segregation pattern of the E. coli genome by performing numerical simulations on a polymer model of the chromosome. We analyze the roles of the intrinsic structuring of chromosomes and the forced localization of specific loci, which are observed in vivo. Specifically, we examine the segregation pattern of a chromosome that is divided into four structured macrodomains (MDs) and two non-structured regions. We find that strong osmotic-like organizational forces, which stem from the differential condensation levels of the chromosome regions, dictate the cellular disposition of the chromosome. Strikingly, the comparison of our in silico results with fluorescent imaging of the chromosome choreography in vivo reveals that in the presence of MDs the targeting of the origin and terminus regions to specific positions are sufficient to generate a segregation pattern that is indistinguishable from experimentally observed patterns.
Characterization of Pellicle Inhibition in Gluconacetobacter xylinus 53582 by a Small Molecule, Pellicin, Identified by a Chemical Genetics Screen

Pellicin ([2E]-3-phenyl-1-[2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,6-benzodioxocin-8-yl]prop-2-en-1-one) was identified in a chemical genetics screen of 10,000 small molecules for its ability to completely abolish pellicle production in Gluconacetobacter xylinus. Cells grown in the presence of pellicin grew 1.5 times faster than untreated cells. Interestingly, growth in pellicin also caused G. xylinus cells to elongate. Measurement of cellulose synthesis in vitro showed that cellulose synthase activity was not directly inhibited by pellicin. Rather, when cellulose synthase activity was measured in cells that were pre-treated with the compound, the rate of cellulose synthesis increased eight-fold over that observed for untreated cells. This phenomenon was also apparent in the rapid production of cellulose when cells grown in the presence of pellicin were washed and transferred to media lacking the inhibitor. The rate at which cellulose was produced could not be accounted for by growth of the organism. Pellicin was not detected when intracellular contents were analyzed. Furthermore, it was found that pellicin exerts its effect extracellularly by interfering with the crystallization of pre-cellulosic tactoidal aggregates. This interference of the crystallization process resulted in enhanced production of cellulose II as evidenced by the ratio of acid insoluble to acid soluble product in in vitro assays and confirmed in vivo by scanning electron microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. The relative crystallinity index, RCI, of pellicle produced by untreated G. xylinus cultures was 70% while pellicin-grown cultures had RCI of 38%. Mercerized pellicle of untreated cells had RCI of 42%, which further confirms the mechanism of action of pellicin as an inhibitor of the cellulose I crystallization process. Pellicin is a useful tool for the study of cellulose biosynthesis in G. xylinus.
Control of continuous Petri nets using ON/OFF based method

Abstract Continuous Petri Nets (CPN) can be used to approximate classical discrete Petri nets which suffer from the state explosion problem. In this paper we focus on the control of timed CPN (TCPN), aiming to drive the system from an initial state to a desired final one. This problem is similar to the set-point control problem in a general continuous-state system. In a previous work, a simple and efficient ON/OFF controller was proposed for structurally persistent nets, and it is proved to be minimum-time. In this work the ON/OFF controller is extended to general TCPN, but in this case, the minimum-time evolution is not guaranteed. Two extensions are proposed, both of them are based on the ON/OFF strategy. Some comparisons of different control methods are given in terms of their applications to an assembly system.
Social life and political trust in China: Searching for machers and schmoozers

Previous literature has provided little evidence regarding the ways in which China’s burgeoning social life and rapid urbanization shape Chinese people’s level of trust in their government leaders. This article builds on Robert Putnam’s conceptualization of maching and schmoozing as formal and informal forms of social involvement, respectively. Using the 2012 Chinese General Social Survey, we identify four types of participants in social involvement, namely the inactives, machers, schmoozers and all-rounders, to untangle various aspects of social life in China. Our empirical analysis shows that the sociodemographic positions of the four types of social involvement are largely distinct. Our findings also contribute to the study of political trust by offering insight into the complicated associations between social involvement, hukou status and political trust in contemporary Chinese society.
Social Jetlag: Misalignment of Biological and Social Time

Humans show large differences in the preferred timing of their sleep and activity. This so‐called “chronotype” is largely regulated by the circadian clock. Both genetic variations in clock genes and environmental influences contribute to the distribution of chronotypes in a given population, ranging from extreme early types to extreme late types with the majority falling between these extremes. Social (e.g., school and work) schedules interfere considerably with individual sleep preferences in the majority of the population. Late chronotypes show the largest differences in sleep timing between work and free days leading to a considerable sleep debt on work days, for which they compensate on free days. The discrepancy between work and free days, between social and biological time, can be described as ‘social jetlag. ’ Here, we explore how sleep quality and psychological wellbeing are associated with individual chronotype and/or social jetlag. A total of 501 volunteers filled out the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire (MCTQ) as well as additional questionnaires on: (i) sleep quality (SF‐A), (ii) current psychological wellbeing (Basler Befindlichkeitsbogen), (iii) retrospective psychological wellbeing over the past week (POMS), and (iv) consumption of stimulants (e.g., caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol). Associations of chronotype, wellbeing, and stimulant consumption are strongest in teenagers and young adults up to age 25 yrs. The most striking correlation exists between chronotype and smoking, which is significantly higher in late chronotypes of all ages (except for those in retirement). We show these correlations are most probably a consequence of social jetlag, i.e., the discrepancies between social and biological timing rather than a simple association to different chronotypes. Our results strongly suggest that work (and school) schedules should be adapted to chronotype whenever possible.
Zooming in on scientific practices and evidence-based explanations during teaching NOS: A study in pre-service teacher education program

Investigating pre-service science teachers’ tendency for emphasizing nature of science in their lesson plans is crucial. Students should construct scientific explanations based on data-based evidence gathered from the activities they actively engage in a discourse environment. Focusing on evidence-based explanations and evaluation experiences in teacher education and professional development is also crucial as it is practiced and experienced in the real world. In this study, we investigate how pre-service science teachers incorporated nature of science aspects and used evidence-based explanation in their lesson plans. The findings of this study suggest that enabling pre-service teachers to design lesson plans for the use of competing theories may guide them to enable their students to engage in arguments from evidence and evaluate the trustworthiness of these evidences in a discourse environment. The results also indicate the necessity of explicit teaching of nature of science through instructional scaffolds that promote evaluation of evidence-based explanations.
Examination of the hypothesis that repression is premature automatization: A psychoanalytic case report and discussion

ABSTRACT This paper is a combined and edited version of two oral presentations by the authors in 2016, under the titles “A case which challenges the neuropsychoanalytic theory of repression” (at the Arnold Pfeffer Center for Neuropsychoanalysis of the New York Psychoanalytic Society and Institute) and “Examination of the repression-as-premature-automatization hypothesis, using a psychoanalytic case presentation” (at the 17th International Neuropsychoanalysis Congress, Chicago). The aim of these meetings was to provide analytic material to see if Solms’s neuropsychoanalytic theory of repression as premature automatization, and the related conceptualization of transference interpretation as reconsolidation of memory, could be used to characterize therapeutic action in an analytic case in a new way. If this proved to be possible, then this could have technical implications for the practicing analyst.
The Costs of Emerging Market Financial Crises: Output, Productivity and Welfare

Financial crises in emerging market countries appear to be very costly: output falls are often dramatic, while a host of partial welfare indicators — from suicide rates to infant mortality — deteriorate as well. The magnitude of these costs is puzzling both from an accounting perspective — factor usage does not decline as much as output, resulting in large falls in measured productivity — and from a theoretical perspective — we have no theory as to why technology should deteriorate during a crisis, and these economies are usually too closed to international trade for terms of trade changes to have a large effect on welfare. Towards a resolution of this puzzle, we present a framework for measuring the welfare costs of a financial crisis, and for decomposing these welfare costs into the contributions from changes in technology, in the efficiency of the resource allocation mechanism, in the efficiency of government spending, and in the terms of trade. We apply this framework to the Argentine crisis of 2001 using a combination of national accounts and establishment level data.
An Efficient Algorithm for User Selection and Signalling over MIMO Multiuser Systems

A simple signaling method for multi-antenna broadcast channel is proposed. In the proposed method, for each user, a direction in which that user has the maximum gain is determined. The base station selects the best user in terms of the larger maximum gain, and allocates the corresponding direction to that user. In each step, the maximization is performed in the null space of the former selected coordinates. Finally, the transmitted signal is a superposition of the selected coordinates. It is shown that in this method, the later selected user has no interference on the former users. A dirty paper pre-coding on top of the system eliminates the remained interferences. Note that, in this method, the set of active users and the power allocated to each of them is easily determined, which is a significant advantage in the case of large number of users in the system. Furthermore, this method exploits multiuser diversity. Further, the proposed algorithm is modified to work with partial side information at the base station. Simulations show that the achieved rate is close to the sum-rate capacity. In addition, the asymptotic analysis shows that the increase of the sum-rate with number of transmit antenna is linear and with the number of users, , is proportional to .