Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RSA/Rabin Bits are 1/2 + 1/poly(log N) Secure

We prove that RSA least significant bit is 1/2 + (1/[logc N]) secure, for any constant c (where N is the RSA modulus). This means that an adversary, given the ciphertext, cannot guess the least sigiiilicatnt bit of the plaintext with probability better than 1/2 + (1/[logc N]), unless he can break RSA.
Fault tolerance in a multisensor environment

Replicating sensors is desirable not only to tolerate sensor failures but also to increase the expected accuracy of the ensemble of replicated sensors beyond that obtainable with a single one. Such replication is used in a multisensor environment or in a distributed sensor network. We model a continuous valued sensor as an interval of real numbers containing the physical value of interest. Given n sensors of which at most f of them can suffer arbitrary failures, we present an efficient O(n log n) fault tolerant algorithm whose output is reliable when f<n/2. The output of the algorithm could be a single interval or a set of intervals depending on the nature of the multisensor environment. This algorithm can be used not only to detect all the possibly-faulty sensors but to detect all sets (combinations) of possibly-faulty sensors. We derive a number of results pertaining to the possibly-faulty sensors pointed out by the algorithm which help narrow down the search to detect faulty sensors and to bound the number of intervals needed to construct an accurate and reliable "abstract sensor". <<ETX>>
Image retrieval with relevance feedback

The proposed system for image retrieval using multidimensional features (IRMF) characterises and matches image content in a high dimensional feature space of colour, texture and shape dimensions. By including the entire pyramid of low-, medium-, and high-level primitives, the semantics of image content at different feature levels can be represented and extracted efficiently for image retrieval. This provides accurate query formulation and improves the accuracy in the search results. By co-jointly matching image features in a multidimensional space rather than in separate independent feature spaces, the precision in image retrieval is improved from more than 50% to up to 90% for the top 10 most similar images retrieved. The impact of the information of the image's background has been mentioned in a very few published papers. Our experiments show that the efficient extraction of background information can improve the precision of image retrieval. To speed up the retrieval process, we also propose interactive relevance feedback to let the user participate in the process. The system is implemented for Internet Web access.
An Exploration of Approaches to Integrating Neural Reranking Models in Multi-Stage Ranking Architectures

We explore different approaches to integrating a simple convolutional neural network (CNN) with the Lucene search engine in a multi-stage ranking architecture. Our models are trained using the PyTorch deep learning toolkit, which is implemented in C/C++ with a Python frontend. One obvious integration strategy is to expose the neural network directly as a service. For this, we use Apache Thrift, a software framework for building scalable cross-language services. In exploring alternative architectures, we observe that once trained, the feedforward evaluation of neural networks is quite straightforward. Therefore, we can extract the parameters of a trained CNN from PyTorch and import the model into Java, taking advantage of the Java Deeplearning4J library for feedforward evaluation. This has the advantage that the entire end-to-end system can be implemented in Java. As a third approach, we can extract the neural network from PyTorch and "compile" it into a C++ program that exposes a Thrift service. We evaluate these alternatives in terms of performance (latency and throughput) as well as ease of integration. Experiments show that feedforward evaluation of the convolutional neural network is significantly slower in Java, while the performance of the compiled C++ network does not consistently beat the PyTorch implementation.
Accuracy Assessment of Image-Based Surface Meshing for Volumetric Computed Tomography Images in the Craniofacial Region

Background Three-dimensional printing and computer-assisted surgery demand a high-precision three-dimensional mesh model created from computed tomography (CT) imaging data using an image-based meshing algorithm. We aimed to evaluate the three-dimensional geometric accuracy of surface meshes produced from CT images with commercially available software packages. Methods The CT images were acquired for 3 human dry skulls and 10 manufactured plastic skulls. Four commercially available software packages were used to produce the surface meshes in stereolithography (STL) file format. These CT-based STL surface meshes were registered and compared with three-dimensional optical-scanned reference mesh surface for evaluating the accuracy of the STL mesh produced with each software package. Results The surface geometries produced by the CT-image–based meshing process were all relatively accurate; differences from the three-dimensional optical-scanned data were in the voxel or subvoxel range. However, when comparisons with the three-dimensional optical-scanned surface data were performed in individual anatomic regions, we found significantly different accuracies of the CT-based STL surface meshes produced by the different software packages. Conclusions We found that all 4 software packages showed reasonably good meshing accuracies for clinical use. However, the range of errors inherent in the CT-image–based meshing process demands that caution should be taken in selecting and manipulating the software to avoid potential errors in specific clinical applications.
Interference analysis of cognitive radio networks

In spite of spectrum sensing, aggregate interference from cognitive radios (CRs) remains as a deterring factor to the realization of spectrum sharing. We provide a systematic approach of evaluating the aggregate interference (Iaggr) experienced at a victim primary receiver. In our approach, we model the received power versus propagation distance relations between a primary transmitter, primary receiver, and CRs. Our analytical framework differs from the previous works in that we have formulated the relationship between Iaggr and the sensing inaccuracy of CRs. Energy detector is assumed for the purpose of spectrum sensing. Iaggr is expressed explicitly as a function of the number of energy samples collected (N) and the threshold signal‐to‐noise ratio level used for comparison (SNRε). The theoretical analysis is then applied to a practical scenario of spectrum sharing between digital TV broadcast and the IEEE 802.22 wireless regional area network systems. The impact on digital TV reception is evaluated in terms of signal‐to‐interference ratio. The proposed method allows us to determine the appropriate wireless regional area network operating conditions that fulfill the signal‐to‐interference ratio requirement imposed by regulator. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
LIMSI English-French speech translation system

This paper documents the systems developed by LIMSI for the IWSLT 2014 speech translation task (English→French). The main objective of this participation was twofold: adapting different components of the ASR baseline system to the peculiarities of TED talks and improving the machine translation quality on the automatic speech recognition output data. For the latter task, various techniques have been considered: punctuation and number normalization, adaptation to ASR errors, as well as the use of structured output layer neural network models for speech data.
NESTED SIBLING TREE AUTOMATA ∗

In the XML standard, data are represented as unranked labeled ordered trees. Regular unranked tree automata provide a useful formalism for the validation of schemas enforcing regular structural constraints on XML documents. However some concrete application contexts need the expression of more general constraints than the regular ones. In this paper we propose a new framework in which context-free style structural constraints can be expressed and validated. This framework is characterized by: (i) the introduction of a new notion of trees, the so-called typed unranked labeled trees ( tulab trees for short) in which each node receives one of three possible types ( up , down or ﬁx ), and (ii) the deﬁnition of a new notion of tree automata, the so-called nested sibling tulab tree automata , able to enforce context-free style structural constraints on tulab tree languages. During their structural control process, such automata are using visibly pushdown languages of words [R. Alur and P. Madhusudan, Visibly pushdown languages, 36th ACM symposium on Theory of Computing, Chicago, USA (2004) 202–211] on their alphabet of states. We show that the resulting class NSTL of tulab tree languages recognized by nested sibling tulab tree automata is robust, i.e. closed under Boolean operations and with decision procedures for the classical membership, emptiness and inclusion problems. We then give three characterizations of NSTL : a logical characterization by deﬁning an adequate logic in which NSTL happens to coincide with the models of monadic second order sentences; the two other characterizations are using adequate encodings and map together languages of NSTL with some regular sets of 3-ary trees or with particular sets of binary trees.
Cellular delivery of siRNA and antisense oligonucleotides via receptor-mediated endocytosis

Introduction: There is great potential for antisense and siRNA oligonucleotides to become mainstream therapeutic entities thanks to their high specificity and wide therapeutic target space compared with small molecules. Despite this potential, the pharmacological targets within the cells are less accessible to oligonucleotides that are hydrophilic and often charged. Oligonucleotides access their intracellular targets mainly by means of endocytosis, but only a fraction of them reach their targets, as delivery requires functional synergy of cellular uptake and intracellular trafficking. Areas covered: This review provides an update on the progress of receptor-targeted delivery of oligonucleotides over the last 15 years and summarizes various targeting moieties for oligonucleotide delivery and coupling strategies. To inspire new strategies that can lead to oligonucleotides in the clinic, this review highlights how oligonucleotides successfully reach their intracellular targets by means of receptor-mediated endocytosis. Expert opinion: Understanding the mechanisms of oligonucleotide internalization has led to greater cellular uptake and superior endosomal release through the rational design of receptor-targeted delivery systems. Further improvements will again depend on a better understanding of the intracellular trafficking of oligonucleotides.
Precision μV-synthesizer based on a pulse-driven Josephson array

In this paper, we describe the development of a precision μV-synthesizer. The synthesizer is based on a pulse-driven Josephson array covering wide voltage and frequency ranges from nV to mV and DC to audio frequencies, respectively. We demonstrate 2-mA-wide current margins for the pulse-driven system and easy calibration of typical null detectors such as nanovoltmeters or lock-in amplifiers. Uncertainties at nV level can be achieved depending on the instruments used.
Dynamics, bifurcations and chaos in coupled lasers

Experiments and numerical modelling on two different class B lasers that are subjected to external optical light injection are presented. This presentation includes ways of measuring the changes in the laser output, how to numerically describe the systems and how to construct diagrams of the dynamical states in the plane frequency detuning between lasers and injection strength. The scenarios for the semiconductor laser include an area of frequency locking and islands of chaotic behaviour embedded in and mixed with periodic doubling regimes. Using a rate equation model, the largest Lyapunov exponent is calculated as a measure of the stability of equilibriums and the amount of chaos in chaotic regimes. In the solid-state laser case, different dynamical regions were clearly observed. The found boundaries were identified experimentally, using an identification method, and numerically, from bifurcation analysis, as Hopf, saddle-node, period-doubling and torus bifurcations.
Validating Animal Models for Preclinical Research: A Scientific and Ethical Discussion

The use of animals to model humans in biomedical research relies on the notion that basic processes are sufficiently similar across species to allow extrapolation. Animal model validity is discussed in terms of the similarity between the model and the human condition it is intended to model, but no formal validation of models is applied. There is a stark contrast here with the use of non-animal alternatives in toxicology and safety studies, for which an extensive validation is required. We discuss both the potential and the limitations of validating preclinical animal models for proof-of-concept studies, by using an approach similar to that applied to alternative non-animal methods in toxicology and safety testing. A major challenge in devising a validation system for animal models is the lack of a clear gold standard with which to compare results. While a complete adoption of the validation approach for alternative methods is probably inappropriate for research animal models, key features, such as making data available for external validation and defining a strategy to run experiments in a way that permits meaningful retrospective analysis, remain highly relevant.
Draft Genome Sequence of Listeria monocytogenes Strain ATCC 7644

ABSTRACT Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterium which is an important foodborne bacterial pathogen for humans worldwide with high mortality rates. Here, we report a 2,964,284-bp draft genome sequence of Listeria monocytogenes strain ATCC 7644 (American Type Culture Collection).
Kulturelle Aspekte der Landnutzung in Indonesien : Einflüsse von Migration, Ethnizität und Wissen auf bäuerliche Entscheidungsprozesse im Hochland Zentralsulawesis

Abstract. Voraussetzung fur die Schaffung einer nachhaltigen Balance zwischen Naturschutzbelangen und den Bedurfnissen der Bevolkerung im Randbereich tropischer Bergwalder sind Kenntnisse uber die lokalen Veranderungen von Landnutzungsstrategien und deren Einflussfaktoren. Dieser Beitrag fokussiert dabei insbesondere kulturelle Faktoren wie Migration, Ethnizitat und Wissen. Fur diese Untersuchung wurden drei reprasentative Dorfer im Hochland Zentralsulawesis ausgewahlt. Das erhobene Datenmaterial setzt sich aus einem quantitativen Dorfzensus (n = 898) sowie qualitativen Befragungen zusammen. Die Ergebnisse belegen einen raumlich differenziert ausgepragten Wandel in der Region von einer auf dem Reisanbau basierenden food crop first-Strategie hin zu einer cash crop first-Strategie, welche durch das Exportprodukt Kakao bestimmt ist. Die Auswirkungen starker innerethnischer Netzwerke werden ebenso beleuchtet wie die Folgen sozialer Interaktionsbarrieren zwischen den ethnischen Gruppen.
Distortion estimation in CBR channel and its application for H.264 rate control

When a video sequence is compressed with rate control for a constant bit rate (CBR) channel, the visual quality usually fluctuates according to image complexity. We introduced distortion models under the CBR condition to predict distortion during rate control. The paper also proposes a control method for improvement of visual quality in H.264 CBR condition. In the experiments, we analyzed the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), the variance of the PSNR, and the average difference of the PSNR between adjacent frames for various video sequences. Our method demonstrates a more stable visual quality without severe PSNR degradation.
Temperature experienced during incubation affects antioxidant capacity but not oxidative damage in hatchling red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans)

ABSTRACT Our understanding of how oxidative stress resistance phenotypes are affected by the developmental environment is limited. One component of the developmental environment, which is likely central to early life oxidative stress among ectothermic and oviparous species, is that of temperature. We investigated how incubation temperature manipulations affect oxidative damage and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) hatchlings. First, to determine whether temperature fluctuations elicit oxidative stress, eggs from clutches were randomly assigned to either a constant (29.5°C) or daily fluctuating temperature incubation (28.7±3°C) treatment. Second, to assess the effect of temperature fluctuation frequency on oxidative stress, eggs were incubated in one of three fluctuating incubation regimes: 28.7±3°C fluctuations every 12 h (hyper), 24 h (normal) or 48 h (hypo). Third, we tested the influence of average incubation temperature by incubating eggs in a daily fluctuating incubation temperature regime with a mean temperature of 26.5°C (low), 27.1°C (medium) or 27.7°C (high). Although the accumulation of oxidative damage in hatchlings was unaffected by any thermal manipulation, TAC was affected by both temperature fluctuation frequency and average incubation temperature. Individuals incubated with a low frequency of temperature fluctuations had reduced TAC, while incubation at a lower average temperature was associated with enhanced TAC. These results indicate that although sufficient to prevent oxidative damage, TAC is influenced by developmental thermal environments, potentially because of temperature-mediated changes in metabolic rate. The observed differences in TAC may have important future consequences for hatchling fitness and overwinter survival. Summary: The post-hatch redox status of turtles is influenced by incubation temperature but not temperature fluctuations. Exposure to warmer temperatures for longer durations has negative consequences for hatchling antioxidant capacity.
Can SAL Support Self Reflection for Health and Nutrition?

Important long-term goals for good health and wellbeing are challenging to achieve. Emerging technology offers the promise of easy data collection to help people monitor progress toward such goals. We designed SAL (simple, situated ambient logger) to help people track food eaten. It is minimalist with a core goal of making it easy for people to log progress towards goals, in particular, diet goals. We recruited ten participants who used SAL food loggers over 2 weeks. Our analysis of SAL use and interviews indicates it is usable and supports reflection on food intake. Our key contributions are insights into the potential of, and future directions of SAL loggers.
Mutation of the endogenous p53 gene in cells transformed by HPV‐16 E7 and EJ c‐ras confers a growth advantage involving an autocrine mechanism.

Rat embryo fibroblasts transformed with the HPV‐16 E7 gene and the activated c‐H‐ras gene fall into two distinct phenotypic classes. At high cell density, clones of one class form colonies in methylcellulose supplemented with low serum; at low cell density, these cells display responsiveness to mitogenic factors present in serum‐free conditioned medium from rat embryo fibroblasts. In contrast, clones of the second class exhibit an absolute dependency on growth factors present in serum at all cell densities in the methylcellulose colony assay and fail to respond to conditioned medium. We find that the status of the endogenous p53 gene is tightly correlated with these two classes of clones. Clones of the first class contain missense mutations in the p53 gene and have lost the wild‐type allele. Clones of the second class express wild‐type p53 protein. The importance of mutant p53 expression in reducing the growth factor dependency of transformed clones was confirmed in a separate series of experiments in which rat embryo fibroblasts were transformed with three genes, E7 + ras + mutant p53. The growth behaviour of these triply transfected clones was similar to that of the E7 + ras clones expressing endogenous mutant p53. We demonstrate that the enhanced proliferation of E7 + ras clones expressing mutant p53 protein involves an autocrine mechanism.
Chemokines in Neurological Trauma Models

Introduction of synthetic materials or engineered cells into the nervous system (either central [CNS] or peripheral [PNS]) will engender a tissue reaction. For this reason, successful tissue engineering will require us to decipher mechanisms of inflammatory tissue reactions in the nervous system. Inflammation in the mammalian nervous system follows a diversity of insults, but in many cases the inflammatory reaction is restricted in cellular composition to mononuclear phagocytes. Signals that govern selective recruitment of mononuclear phagocytes to the nervous system have been enigmatic.1 Classical studies by Perry et al. demonstrated that adhesion molecules are readily induced on CNS microvessels by injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), so that failure of neutrophil infiltration could not be accounted for by absence of an activated, adhesive microvascular substrate.2 Studies in which chemokines were delivered either by recombinant adenoviruses or CNS-directed transgenes showed that the infiltration of CNS tissues by neutrophils required nothing more than the presence of a neutrophil-directed chemokine.3,4 Chemokines are chemoattractant peptides which signal selectively to subpopulations of leukocytes via G-protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs). In concert with leukocyte and endothelial adhesion molecules, the chemokines govern the ceaseless process of leukocyte trafficking, both inflammatory and physiological. Chemokine expression profiles have been assessed in a variety of models of neural trauma. The results indicate that chemokine expression in post-traumatic inflammation is generally restricted to the monocyte chemoattractant CCL2/MCP-1, and occurs before hematogenous cell entry into neural tissues. Therefore CCL2 is an excellent candidate for a mediator of leukocyte recruitment in these settings. Evidence that chemokines selectively recruit target leukocytes focused attention on the possibility that restricted chemokine expression could account in part for the unusual monocyte-rich inflammation that follows nervous-system trauma. This line of thinking was supported also by the finding that parenchymal neural cells were competent to express chemokines under physiological circumstances.5,6
MicroStandards Special Feature: A Comparison of 32-Bit Buses

A s promised in the October MicroStandards column, I am presenting a comparison of several well-known 32-bit buses in tabular form this month. Because of the danger of reading too much into this table, and the potential for misunderstanding, I will elaborate on many of the issues. If further clarifications are needed, contact me at Holmbury St-Mary, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6NT, England. It is intended that this subject could form an ongoing discussion in IEEE Micro, and user comments and experience are actively solicited to refine the understanding of the relative advantages and disadvantages of these buses, to benefit the readers of IEEE Micro.
Deformable object simulation with Poisson equation

This paper presents a new methodology for the deformation of soft objects by drawing an analogy between Poisson equation and elastic deformation. The potential energy stored in an elastic body as a result of a deformation caused by an external force is propagated among mass points by the Poisson equation. An improved Poisson model is developed for propagating the energy generated by the external force in a natural manner. A method is presented to derive the internal forces from the potential energy distribution. This proposed methodology not only deals with large-range deformations, but also accommodates both isotropic and anisotropic materials by simply changing the constitutive coefficients. Examples are presented to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed methodology.