Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PARAFAC Receiver for Uplink Cooperative Relay-Assisted DS-CDMA Systems

Resumo— Neste artigo, considera-se o uplink de um sistema de comunicação DS-CDMA multiusuário cooperativo, em que cada usuário se comunica com a estação-base com a ajuda de R relays. Uma configuração DS-CDMA cooperativa utilizando espalhamento espectral nos relays é proposta neste trabalho, e para este cenário cooperativo, é formulado um novo modelo trilinear para o sinal recebido que combina os links source-destination (SD) and relay-destination (RD). Baseado no modelo trilinear em questão, é proposto um receptor cego para a estimação dos vetores de respostas do arranjo, do ganho do canal, e dos sı́mbolos transmitidos de todos os usuários. Resultados numéricos são fornecidos para ilustrar o desempenho do receptor cego proposto. Os resultados obtidos corroboram ainda com os benefı́cios de se explorar a diversidade de espalhamento para a detecção multiusuário cega neste cenário cooperativo.
Nonprofit, Criminal Hubs and Rent Seeking. Evaluation of the Calabrian Experience

The study concerns rent seeking in the allocation of structural funds for cultural development in the Italian region of Calabria. By statistical analysis the study shows that the variables relating to major cultural sites had no robust significance. Rent seeking variables relating to non profits, criminal hubs and construction interests were statistically significant. This may explain both the fragmentation of the projects and the difference between allocations and payments relating to the allocation of the funds. On the other hand, the presence of major cultural sites is not significant in the allocation of funds to the criminal hubs, likely because this type of projects would be closely controlled by the public authorities in charge of the preservation and valorization of the cultural heritage. The anomalous discrepancy between allocation of funds and payments also may be explained as a rent seeking phenomenon. Finally, discrete choice analysis show that municipal with an academic institution have a 39.5% higher probability of receiving cultural funds; municipal with an airport or a seaport have a 33.9% higher probability to catch some financings; whereas a marginal change in museums is associated with a 19.8% in participation.
Cooling Coil Unit dynamic control of in HVAC system

In this paper, a dynamic Cooling Coil Unit (CCU) model is firstly developed by extending the CCU engineering model [1], and by combining the model with the mass and energy balance equations. Unlike other existing CCU models for dynamic control, this modeling method with only six model parameters is relatively simple and exactly captures the nonlinear characteristics over a wide operating range of CCU without requiring much calibration effort and geometric specification, which is very convenient in real time engineering control practice. Afterward, the nonlinear model of CCU is linearized using Jacobian matrix method and PID-action controller as linear control systems are developed on linear model to adjust the outlet air temperature and outlet chilled water temperature. Experiments on a centralized Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) pilot plant are conducted to show that the method is robust and gives an accurate match to real performance over the wide operating conditions.
A simple and rapid method for the routine assay of total ascorbic acid in serum and plasma using ascorbate oxidase and o-phenylenediamine.

A simple and rapid analysis of total ascorbic acid (AsA) in serum and plasma and its automated analysis are described. AsA is oxidized by ascorbate oxidase (AsA oxidase) to dehydroascorbic acid that then reacts with o-phenylenediamine (OPDA) to form a quinoxaline derivative that absorbs at 340 nm. The change in absorbance is directly proportional to the total AsA concentration. The assay was validated with a linear concentration range of 0.8-80 mg/L, and the within-day and between-day assays precision did not exceed 8.6% and 12.5%, respectively. On 47 sera, the manual enzymatic procedure gave 0.2 mg/L on average lower values than those of an automated enzymatic procedure with a correlation coefficient of 0.847. On another 66 sera, results by automated enzymatic method correlated well with the HPLC method and the regression equation is Y (enzymatic, automated)=0.97 X (HPLC)+0.1, r=0.980, Sy.x=0.6 mg/L. An experienced analyst can perform about 24 manual assays per hour whereas the automated procedure gave a rate of 100 assays per hour.
Ear Detection Based on Arc-Masking Extraction and AdaBoost Polling Verification

This paper proposes a simple but practical 2D ear detection algorithm based on arc-masking candidate extraction and AdaBoost polling verification. In the first half phase of the proposed ear detection algorithm, a few ear candidates are extracted by arc-masking edge search followed by multilayer mosaic and orthogonal projection histogram. Then, in the second half phase, the most likely ear candidate is picked out by rough AdaBoost polling verification. Experimental results show that the proposed ear detection algorithm can achieve a bit higher detection hit rate and much lower detection false alarm rate than conventional AdaBoost ear detection algorithm with Haar-like features under various pose rotation conditions.
Wireless Communications for Health Monitoring on Highways

We propose to use Inter Vehicle Communications as part of a distributed system for ubiquitous health monitoring of patients. The biomedical data will be collected by wearable health diagnostic devices, which include various types of sensors. When patients are traveling on highways, we propose to transmit the measured biomedical data towards the corresponding Health Monitoring Centers via a Inter Vehicle Communication Network, which will guarantee the needed reliability, especially in areas where other wireless communications are not available. In particular, it is important that the Inter Vehicle Communication Network provides different priorities to various types of messages, depending on their urgency. We extend, a previously proposed inter vehicle hierarchical routing protocol, with priority scheduling to provide the needed priority services. We study various scheduling techniques and compare their effects on the service.
Bacteriophage-Derived Antibodies in Cancer Research—Diagnosis, Imaging, and Treatment

The production of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) from B cell hybridomas was a major landmark in immunology, providing both scientific and clinical tools useful in the identification and treatment of various diseases. In the twenty-five years since the discovery by Kohler and Milstein many thousands of monoclonals have been tested but surprisingly few have reached the clinic for a variety of reasons (reviewed in [19]). One of the main problems in using murine mAb in vivo is their antigenicity, a problem circumvented in part through antibody engineering or the generation of human hybridomas. An alternative approach that completely bypasses hybridoma technology is bacteriophage antibody display, where antibody fragments are expressed as fusion proteins on the surface of filamentous bacteriophage (or phage). This approach was first reported by McCafferty et al. [36] who expressed the variable heavy and light chain domains of the anti-lysozyme antibody D1.3 on phage, subsequently this technology has been applied to a plethora of target molecules from plants to humans by many different groups around the world.
Quantian: A single-system image scientific cluster computing environment

This paper introduces the openMosix extensions to the Quantian environment for quantitative and scientific computing. Quantian, originally based on Knoppix technology, allows one to boot virtually any recent commodity i386-class computer from a single cdrom containing a compressed iso image into a fullyconfigured graphical workstation equipped with over 2gb of software – including 500mb of applications with a focus on quantitative or scientific computing. With the additional foundation of ClusterKnoppix providing support for openMosix-based clustering, Quantian allows one to create ad-hoc single-system image computing clusters that are already loaded with a large number of software environments commonly used in quantitatively-oriented disciplines.
Lifespan Based Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Model of Tumor Growth Inhibition by Anticancer Therapeutics

Accurate prediction of tumor growth is critical in modeling the effects of anti-tumor agents. Popular models of tumor growth inhibition (TGI) generally offer empirical description of tumor growth. We propose a lifespan-based tumor growth inhibition (LS TGI) model that describes tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model, on the basis of cellular lifespan T. At the end of the lifespan, cells divide, and to account for tumor burden on growth, we introduce a cell division efficiency function that is negatively affected by tumor size. The LS TGI model capability to describe dynamic growth characteristics is similar to many empirical TGI models. Our model describes anti-cancer drug effect as a dose-dependent shift of proliferating tumor cells into a non-proliferating population that die after an altered lifespan TA. Sensitivity analysis indicated that all model parameters are identifiable. The model was validated through case studies of xenograft mouse tumor growth. Data from paclitaxel mediated tumor inhibition was well described by the LS TGI model, and model parameters were estimated with high precision. A study involving a protein casein kinase 2 inhibitor, AZ968, contained tumor growth data that only exhibited linear growth kinetics. The LS TGI model accurately described the linear growth data and estimated the potency of AZ968 that was very similar to the estimate from an established TGI model. In the case study of AZD1208, a pan-Pim inhibitor, the doubling time was not estimable from the control data. By fixing the parameter to the reported in vitro value of the tumor cell doubling time, the model was still able to fit the data well and estimated the remaining parameters with high precision. We have developed a mechanistic model that describes tumor growth based on cell division and has the flexibility to describe tumor data with diverse growth kinetics.
Joint Time Switching and Power Allocation for Multicarrier Decode-and-Forward Relay Networks with SWIPT

Employing energy harvesting (EH) at the relay with simultaneous wireless information and power transfer is promising to prolong lifetime of energy-constrained relay networks. In this letter, considering multicarrier decode-and-forward (DF) relay network with time-switching (TS) based relaying, we investigate the optimization problem which jointly designs TS ratios of EH and information-decoding at the relay, TS ratio of signal forwarding from relay to destination as well as power allocation (PA) over all subcarriers at source and relay. Our objective is to maximize end-to-end achievable rate of DF relay networks subject to transmit power constraint at source and EH constraint at relay. We propose to decouple the optimization problem into a convex problem and a quasi-convex problem. For the quasi-convex problem, we propose to solve it by bisection search. Simulation results demonstrate that our proposed joint TS and PA optimization scheme outperforms the scheme with fixed TS ratio of EH.
Difficulty swallowing and lack of receipt of highly active antiretroviral therapy predict acute weight loss in human immunodeficiency virus disease.

In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease, symptoms of underlying illness may promote weight loss through decreased caloric intake, increased metabolic needs, or nutrient malabsorption. We evaluated disease symptoms as predictors of acute weight loss (i.e., loss of > or =5% of weight). HIV-infected men and women (n=415) were telephoned every 5 weeks to obtain information about weight and recent symptoms. Weight change between each pair of consecutive calls (telephone intervals, 2814) was calculated. Acute weight loss occurred across 4.5% of intervals and among 24% of individuals. Patients reported > or =1 symptom before 58% of telephone intervals. The most common symptoms or symptom complexes before intervals were diarrhea (21% of patients), anorexia (17%), upper respiratory symptoms (16%), skin symptoms (12%), and abdominal pain (12%). Trouble swallowing (6%) and oral symptoms (7%) were less common. Risk of acute weight loss was significantly increased when oral symptoms or trouble swallowing were present, and it was decreased when highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was used or when diarrhea was not present. Even when HAART is being administered, clinicians should remain vigilant regarding weight loss, oral symptoms, and trouble swallowing.
1 Temporal Contextual Cueing Title : Temporal contextual cueing of visual attention

Previous research has shown how spatial attention is guided to a target location, but little is understood how attention is allocated to an event in time. Here, we introduce a paradigm to manipulate the sequential structure of visual events independent of responses. We asked whether this “temporal context” could be implicitly learned and used to guide attention to a relative point in time and/or location in space. Experiments show that sequentially structured event durations, event identities, and spatio-temporal event sequences can guide attention to a point in time, as well as to a target event's identity and location. Cueing was found to rely heavily on the element immediately preceding the target, although cueing from earlier items was also evident. Learning was implicit in all cases. These results show that the sequential structure of the visual world plays an important role in guiding visual attention to target events. Sequential processing of stimuli plays a critical part in most of human cognition. Auditory processing is defined by its reliance on sequential processing, but the involvement of sequential processing in vision is less obvious. Besides basic motion perception, navigation and reading are examples of visual activities that involve viewing an ordered series of stimuli (Wallis & Bulthoff, 1999; Lashley, 1951). Each stimulus is related to the previous and future stimulus. The sequential order of events creates a temporal context or structure. Does the brain ignore this prevalent and invariant information or is it extracted and learned to optimize visual behavior? It is clear that sequential structure contains salient information about future stimuli. Such temporal context may help create expectancies about what may come next, and when it will happen. In other words, temporal context may direct attention to
Power Implications of Implementing Logic Using FPGA Embedded Memory Arrays

This paper investigates the power and energy implications of using embedded FPGA memory arrays to implement logic. Previous studies have shown that this technique provides extremely dense implementations of some types of logic circuits, however, these previous studies did not evaluate the impact on power. The authors measure the effects on power and energy as a function of three architectural parameters: the number of available memory arrays, the size of the memory arrays, and the flexibility of the memory arrays. It was shown in this paper that although embedded memories provide area efficient implementations of many circuits, this technique results in additional power consumption. When power can be traded off for density, it was also shown that for most array sizes, the arrays should be as flexible as possible, and that smaller memory arrays are more power efficient than large arrays. When larger arrays are desired for more density improvement, non-square memories with more rows than columns are better. The results were obtained from fully place and routed circuits using modified versions of VPR and the Poon power model. Several results were also verified through measurements on a 0.13mum CMOS FPGA (Altera Stratix EP1S40)
Cognitive Wheels : The Frame Problem of AI

philosophical or epistemological problem, certainly not an electronic or computational problem. What is the frame problem? In this essay I thought I was providing interested bystanders with a useful introduction to the problem, as well as an account of its philosophical interest, but some people in AI , including McCarthy and Hayes (who ought to know), thought I was misleading the bystanders . The real frame problem was not, they said, what I was talking about. Others weren 't so sure. I myself no longer have any firm convictions about which problems are which, or even about which problems are really hard after all but something is still obstreperously resisting solution, that's for sure. Happily, there are now three follow-up volumes that pursue these disagreements through fascinating thickets of controversy: The Robot' s Dilemma (Pylyshyn, 1987), Reasoning Agents in a Dynamic World (Ford and Hayes, 1991), and The Robot' s Dilemma Revisited (Ford and Pylyshyn, 1996). If you read and understand those volumes you will understand just about everything anybody understands about the frame problem. Good luck. 11
Spider Silk as Guiding Biomaterial for Human Model Neurons

Over the last years, a number of therapeutic strategies have emerged to promote axonal regeneration. An attractive strategy is the implantation of biodegradable and nonimmunogenic artificial scaffolds into injured peripheral nerves. In previous studies, transplantation of decellularized veins filled with spider silk for bridging critical size nerve defects resulted in axonal regeneration and remyelination by invading endogenous Schwann cells. Detailed interaction of elongating neurons and the spider silk as guidance material is unknown. To visualize direct cellular interactions between spider silk and neurons in vitro, we developed an in vitro crossed silk fiber array. Here, we describe in detail for the first time that human (NT2) model neurons attach to silk scaffolds. Extending neurites can bridge gaps between single silk fibers and elongate afterwards on the neighboring fiber. Culturing human neurons on the silk arrays led to an increasing migration and adhesion of neuronal cell bodies to the spider silk fibers. Within three to four weeks, clustered somata and extending neurites formed ganglion-like cell structures. Microscopic imaging of human neurons on the crossed fiber arrays in vitro will allow for a more efficient development of methods to maximize cell adhesion and neurite growth on spider silk prior to transplantation studies.
The application of a risk matrix method on campus network system risk assessment

Based on the analysis of the campus network system risk and its impact factors of a university, we evaluated seven major risk factors of campus network systems with the risk matrix method. Furthermore, a risk matrix applied to a campus network risk assessment is built and the basic procedure of the risk assessment with the risk matrix is well designed, in order to provide a scientific, reasonable and effective evaluation method for the campus network system risk assessment. Through the practical application, it demonstrates that the evaluation results of this method are more reasonable and objective than those of traditional ones.
A preliminary study on the method for stable and reliable implantation of neural interfaces into peripheral nervous system

This paper presents a preliminary study on the method for stable and reliable implantation of neural interfaces into peripheral nervous system (PNS). The implantation of the neural interfaces such as a microelectrode array would be regarded as the most important first step in carrying out diverse neuroscientific studies accompanying the experiment for electrical-stimulation of PNS and/or direct recording of neural signal. Because the result of surgical implantation significantly influences on the overall performance of the study, we focus on investigating a more effective implantation method which facilitates achieving the successful implantation result such as: reliable penetration of nerve membranes, avoidance of neurological damage to the peripheral nerve, prevention of microelectrode fracture in inserting, and long-term stability. One of key reasons of difficulty for implantation is that the PNS is encircled with pliable but tough internal and external membranes obstructing the straightforward insertion of the microelectrodes. In this preliminary study, with consideration for this elemental property of the PNS, we attempt to utilize high-frequency mechanical vibration in inserting the microelectrode into the nerve. The result on pilot experiment for feasibility assessment demonstrates helpfulness and potential applicability of the proposed method.
Real Options and Investment under Uncertainty: Classical Readings and Recent Contributions

The study of investment under uncertainty was stagnant for several decades, until recent developments in real options provided the tools to revitalize the field. The techniques and insights derived from option pricing can now be used to quantify the elusive elements of managerial operating flexibility and strategic interactions ignored or underestimated by conventional Net Present Value and other quantitative approaches. Topics covered include the reasons for the under-investment problem and conceptual frameworks for viewing productive investment opportunities as real options; useful valuation building blocks; the quantifying of various types of real options separately and in combination; strategic aspects of investment under uncertainty; numerical analysis techniques; a variety of applications, including the valuing of natural resources, RD and empirical evidence from oil leasing, land prices, and discontinued operations.
The Pill at Fifty: How the New York Times Covered the Birth Control Pill, 1960–2010

Abstract The birth control pill is a scientific innovation turned cultural phenomenon whose use has been entangled with health concerns, ethical choices, religious opposition, and political and legal controversies. Although two generations of Americans have learned most of what they know about the pill from the news media, media coverage of the pill has received limited attention. The fiftieth anniversary of the pill provides a vantage point to examine journalism history, and especially, how news of scientific and medical developments accompanied by challenging issues has been reported. This qualitative and quantitative content analysis of five decades of coverage in the New York Times finds that journalists have been impacted by enduring news values that influenced their choice of sources, their use of frames, and how they constructed their stories. Types and gender of sources and the prevalence and dominance of media frames changed dramatically over a half century, reflecting changes in both journalism and society.