Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Meteorological observations on the northern Chilean coast during VOCALS-REx

Abstract. Surface coastal observations from two automatic weather stations at Paposo (~25° S) and radiosonde observations at Paposo and Iquique (~20° S) were carried out during VOCALS-REx (VAMOS Ocean-Cloud-Atmosphere-Land Study Regional Experiment). Within the coastal marine boundary layer (MBL), sea–land breezes are superimposed on the prevailing southerlies, resulting in light northeasterly winds from midnight to early morning and strong southwesterlies in the afternoon. The prevailing northerlies above the MBL and below the top of the Andes are modulated by the onshore-offshore (zonal) flow forced by the diurnal cycle of surface heating/cooling along the western slope of the Andes. The daytime phase of this diurnal cycle is consistent with an enhanced afternoon coastal subsidence manifested in afternoon warming near the top of the subsidence inversion (~1.8 K at 800 hPa), lowering (~130 m) of its base (top of the MBL), and clearing of coastal Sc (stratocumulus) clouds. Results from a numerical simulation of the atmospheric circulation in a mean zonal cross section over the study area capture the afternoon zonal wind divergence and resulting subsidence of about 2 cm s−1 along a narrow (~10 km) coastal strip maximizing at around 800 hPa. Day-to-day variability in the MBL depth during VOCALS-REx shows sub-synoptic oscillations, aside from two major disruptions in connection with a deep trough and a cutoff low, as described elsewhere. These oscillations are phase-locked to those in sea-level pressure and afternoon alongshore southerlies, as found in connection with coastal lows farther south. From 24-h forward trajectories issued from significant points at the coast and inland at the extremes of the diurnal cycle, it can be concluded that the strong mean daytime Andean pumping prevents any possibility of continental sulfur sources from reaching the free troposphere above the Sc cloud deck in at least a one-day timescale, under mean conditions. Conversely, coastal sources could contribute with sulfur aerosols preferentially in the morning, provided that the weak daytime inland flow becomes partially blocked by the coastal terrain.
Load Balancing with Reduced Unnecessary Handoff in Energy Efficient Macro/Femto-cell based BWA Networks

The hierarchical macro/femto cell based BWA networks are observed to be quite promising for mobile operators as it improves their network coverage and capacity at the outskirt of the macro cell. However, this new technology introduces increased number of macro/femto handoff and wastage of electrical energy which in turn may affect the system performance. Users moving with high velocity or undergoing real-time transmission suffers degraded performance due to huge number of unnecessary macro/femto handoff. On the other hand, huge amount of electrical energy is wasted when a femto BS is active in the network but remains unutilized due to low network load. Our proposed energy efficient handoff decision algorithm eliminates the unnecessary handoff while balancing the load of the macro and femto cells at minimal energy consumption. The performance of the proposed algorithm is analyzed using Continuous Time Markov Chain (CTMC) Model. In addition, we have also contributed a method to determine the balanced threshold level of the received signal strength (RSS) from macro base station (BS). The balanced threshold level provides equal load distribution of the mobile users to the macro and femto BSs. The balanced threshold level is evaluated based on the distant location of the femto cells for small scaled networks. Numerical analysis shows that threshold level above the balanced threshold results in higher load distribution of the mobile users to the femto BSs.
Scalable and Distributed Similarity Search in Metric Spaces

In this paper we propose a new access structure, called GHT*, based on generalized hyperplane tree (GHT) and distributed dynamic hashing (DDH) techniques. GHT* is a distributed structure which allows to perform range search in a metric space according to a distance function d. The structure does not require a central directory and it is able to gracefully scale through splits of one bucket at a time.
The Use of Radioactive Marker as a Tool to Evaluate the Drug Release in Plasma and Particle Biodistribution of Block Copolymer Nanoparticles

Diblock copolymer nanoparticles encapsulating a paclitaxel prodrug, Propac 7, have been used to demonstrate the usefulness of a nonmetabolizable radioactive marker, cholesteryl hexadecyl ether (CHE), to evaluate nanoparticle formulation variables. Since CHE did not exchange out of the nanoparticles, the rate of clearance of the CHE could be used as an indicator of nanoparticle stability in vivo. We simultaneously monitored prodrug circulation and carrier circulation in the plasma and the retention of CHE relative to the retention of prodrug in the plasma was used to distinguish prodrug release from nanoparticle plasma clearance. Nanoparticles labelled with CHE were also used to evaluate accumulation of nanoparticles in the tumour. This marker has provided relevant data which we have applied to optimise our nanoparticle formulations.
A Unix network protocol security study: network information service

This note is a study of the security weaknesses present in a widely used Unix network protocol, Network Information Service (NIS). NIS (formerly known as Yellow Pages or YP) was developed by Sun Microsystems primarily to reduce the effort required to setup and maintain a network of Unix workstations. This is accomplished through the centralization on a NIS server of the major configuration files required to setup a Unix machine for a particular site. Thus only the set of configuration files on the NIS server need to be updated to effect all machines at a site. This has proven to be a very powerful network administration tool. However, it also becomes an enormous security problem. Spoofing of the NIS server can be used to completely penetrate security on an NIS client.
Towards Finding Optimal Partitions of Categorical Datasets

A considerable amount of work has been dedicated to clustering numerical data sets, but only a handful of categorical clustering algorithms are reported to date. Furthermore, almost none has addressed the following two important cluster validity problems: (1) Given a data set and a clustering algorithm that partitions the data set into k clusters, how can we determine the best k with respect to the given dataset? (2) Given a dataset and a set of clustering algorithms with a fixed k, how to determine which one will produce k clusters of the best quality? In this paper, we investigate the entropy and expected-entropy concepts for clustering categorical data, and propose a cluster validity method based on the characteristics of expected-entropy. In addition, we develop an agglomerative hierarchical algorithm (HierEntro) to incorporate the proposed cluster validity method into the clustering process. We report our initial experimental results showing the effectiveness of the proposed clustering validity method and the benefits of the HierEntro clustering algorithm.
‘I want to learn Seoul speech!’: language ideologies and practices among rural marriage-migrants in South Korea

ABSTRACT This paper explores how Southeast Asian marriage-migrant women in South Korea and their Korean language teachers view regional Korean dialects versus standard Korean. It also investigates in what ways these language ideologies impact the migrant women’s language practices. The data were collected through ethnographic observation and semi-structured interviews with four marriage-migrants and their language teachers. The findings suggest that the migrants’ use of the non-standard Korean dialect they initially acquired on arrival in Korea has contributed to their linguistic marginalization, particularly in the workplace. A consequent sense of inferiority about the way they speak Korean in turn creates barriers to the formation of pluralistic language ideologies. The women considered standard Korean a symbol of prestige and linguistic capital necessary to achieve membership in mainstream Korean society. For this reason, they actively invested in mastering standard Korean, which, for most, meant abandoning their regional Korean dialect. The paper concludes that the host society’s awareness of the importance of linguistic and cultural diversity is crucial in addressing marriage-migrants’ marginalization. It also suggests that including more bidialectal teachers in marriage-migrants’ language classrooms could have a positive impact on their language learning by helping them use both regional Korean dialects and standard Korean appropriately.
Fullerene C60, Graphene-Oxide and Graphene-Oxide Foil with Fullerene and their Bromination

A direct reaction with liquid bromine was used to prepare bromofullerene C60Br14-18. The brominated derivative reacted with previously prepared graphene-oxide (hereinafter GO), according to a method described by Hummer. The same method was used to oxidize graphite alone. The prepared graphite fullerene foil was brominated with liquid bromine and the graphene-oxide foil was reacted with bromofullerene. FT-IR analysis of all the obtained products was performed and also TGA analysis to investigate particularly their thermal stability. The brominated products demonstrate lower thermal effects when thermally decomposed which is caused by the retarding ability of bromine.
A Trace-Orthogonal Multi-User Space-Time Coding

In this paper, we propose a trace-orthogonal space-time coding (TD-STC) for multi-user systems. Based on the flexibility of linear dispersive codes (LDC), we apply it to broadcast channels in multi-user systems. According to the transmission rates of user's, we adaptively construct the transmitting space-time coding matrix. At the same time, we give the design criterion of the space time coding for multi-user systems. At the receiver, exploiting the characteristic of trace orthogonal, the complexity of decoder based on MMSE criterion will not increase apparently. Compared with orthogonal space-time coding (OSTC), our proposed TD-STC can greatly decrease the complexity of ML decoding instead of little performance loss. When in the lower SNR, the proposed scheme is better than the scheme when applying orthogonal space-time coding.
A framework for image-based asset generation and animation

Creating digital animatable models of real-world objects and characters is important for many applications, ranging from highly expensive movie productions to low-cost real-time applications like computer games and augmented reality. However, achieving real photorealism with convincing appearance and deformation behavior requires sophisticated capturing, elaborate manual modeling and time-consuming simulation. This can only be achieved in well funded film productions, while in low-cost applications, animated objects usually lack visual quality. In this paper, we present a new framework for image-based animatable asset generation which avoids these time-consuming processes both in the modeling and the simulation stage. Real-time photo-realistic animation is enabled by the use of captured images and shifting computational complexity to an a-priori training phase. Our paper covers the complete pipeline of content creation, asset generation and representation, and a real-time animation and rendering implementation.
Structure-Activity Relationships of Antimicrobial and Lipoteichoic Acid-Sequestering Properties in Polyamine Sulfonamides

ABSTRACT We have recently confirmed that lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a major constituent of the gram-positive bacterial surface, is the endotoxin of gram-positive bacteria that induces proinflammatory molecules in a Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)-dependent manner. LTA is an anionic amphipath whose physicochemical properties are similar to those of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is found on the outer leaflet of the outer membranes of gram-negative organisms. Hypothesizing that compounds that sequester LPS could also bind to and inhibit LTA-induced cellular activation, we screened congeneric series of polyamine sulfonamides which we had previously shown effectively neutralized LPS both in vitro and in animal models of endotoxemia. We observed that these compounds do bind to and neutralize LTA, as reflected by the inhibition of TLR2-mediated NF-κB induction in reporter gene assays. Structure-activity studies showed a clear dependence of the acyl chain length on activity against LTA in compounds with spermine and homospermine scaffolds. We then sought to examine possible correlations between the neutralizing potency toward LTA and antimicrobial activity in Staphylococcus aureus. A linear relationship between LTA sequestration activity and antimicrobial activity for compounds with a spermine backbone was observed, while all compounds with a homospermine backbone were equally active against S. aureus, regardless of their neutralizing potency toward LTA. These results suggest that the number of protonatable charges is a key determinant of the activity toward the membranes of gram-positive bacteria. The development of resistance to membrane-active antibiotics has been relatively slower than that to conventional antibiotics, and it is possible that compounds such as the acylpolyamines may be useful clinically, provided that they have an acceptable safety profile and margin of safety. A more detailed understanding of the mechanisms of interactions of these compounds with LPS and LTA, as well as the gram-negative and -positive bacterial cell surfaces, will be instructive and should allow the rational design of analogues which combine antisepsis and antibacterial properties.
HDAC1 and HDAC2 Control the Specification of Neural Crest Cells into Peripheral Glia

Schwann cells, the myelinating glia of the peripheral nervous system (PNS), originate from multipotent neural crest cells that also give rise to other cells, including neurons, melanocytes, chondrocytes, and smooth muscle cells. The transcription factor Sox10 is required for peripheral glia specification. However, all neural crest cells express Sox10 and the mechanisms directing neural crest cells into a specific lineage are poorly understood. We show here that histone deacetylases 1 and 2 (HDAC1/2) are essential for the specification of neural crest cells into Schwann cell precursors and satellite glia, which express the early determinants of their lineage myelin protein zero (P0) and/or fatty acid binding protein 7 (Fabp7). In neural crest cells, HDAC1/2 induced expression of the transcription factor Pax3 by binding and activating the Pax3 promoter. In turn, Pax3 was required to maintain high Sox10 levels and to trigger expression of Fabp7. In addition, HDAC1/2 were bound to the P0 promoter and activated P0 transcription. Consistently, in vivo genetic deletion of HDAC1/2 in mouse neural crest cells led to strongly decreased Sox10 expression, no detectable Pax3, virtually no satellite glia, and no Schwann cell precursors in dorsal root ganglia and peripheral nerves. Similarly, in vivo ablation of Pax3 in the mouse neural crest resulted in strongly reduced expression of Sox10 and Fabp7. Therefore, by controlling the expression of Pax3 and the concerted action of Pax3 and Sox10 on their target genes, HDAC1/2 direct the specification of neural crest cells into peripheral glia.
USABILITY EVALUATION OF TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS IN MOBILE DEVICES

The following paper studies the usability of topographic maps in mobile devices. In order to evaluate the usability, field tests in a national park were arranged with a group of test users. The purpose of the evaluation was to identify, at an early stage of the project, preliminary design principles for maps in small displays, as well as main benefits and obstacles for using topographic maps in mobile devices. The evaluation was part of the GiMoDig project (Geospatial Info-mobility Service by Real-time Data-integration and generalisation), funded by the EU. The paper presents in detail the design of the user evaluation and discusses its results. One of the central findings was that the main benefit of the mobile map services (besides the location information provided by the GPS module) was regarded to be the combining of additional information from various databases and its presentation over the topographic map data. In future mobile map services, the symbology, placement of symbols and other visualization will have to be adapted to small displays. Finally, we conclude that the scenario-based design and early user evaluation in the field are methods well-suited for developing mobile applications utilizing topographic maps.
Acoustical wave propagation in cylindrical ducts: Transmission line parameter approximations for isothermal and nonisothermal boundary conditions

Approximate expressions are given for the characteristic impedance and propagation wavenumber for linear acoustic transmission through a gas enclosed in a rigid cylindrical duct. These expressions are most complicated in the transition zone where the thermoviscous boundary layers are on the order of the tube radius. The approximations are accurate to within 1% for all frequencies and tube diameters except within the transition zone where the approximations are accurate to within 10%. A simple modification of the transmission line parameters is presented for the case where the tube walls are nonisothermal.
Narrowband Microwave Filters With Mixed Topology

Narrowband microwave filters exhibiting transmission zeros in the response (either imaginary and/or complex) can be typically designed with cross-coupled or extracted pole topologies. These configurations have advantages and disadvantages that must be carefully considered during the choice of a specific topology. In some cases, however, it may be convenient to choose a mixed topology, i.e., part of the structure with an extracted-pole and part with a cross-coupled configuration. Unfortunately, even if several well-established techniques are available in the literature for the cross-coupled or extracted-pole synthesis taken separately, nothing can be found for the design of mixed topology filters (apart direct optimization). In this study, two solutions for the synthesis of a low-pass prototype with a mixed topology are presented, which noticeably increases the design flexibility of narrowband microwave filters. Several examples are presented for illustrating the proposed techniques for the synthesis of mixed-topology prototype filters. A test filter, synthesized with the second method introduced and fabricated in coaxial technology, has given an experimental validation of the proposed technique.
A Physical Model for Active Galactic Nuclei with Double-peaked Broad Emission Lines

The double-peaked broad emission lines are usually thought to be linked to accretion disks; however, the local viscous heating in the line-emitting disk portion is usually insufficient for the observed double-peaked broad-line luminosity in most sources. It was suggested that the X-ray radiation from an ion-supported torus in the inner region of the disk can photoionize the outer line-emitting disk region. However, our calculations show that only a small fraction (≲2.3%) of the radiation from the radiatively inefficient accretion flow (RIAF) in the inner region of the disk can photoionize the line-emitting disk portion, because the solid angle of the outer disk portion subtended to the inner region of the RIAF is too small. We propose a physical model for double-peaked line emitters, in which only those AGNs with sufficient matter above the disk (slowly moving jets or outflows) can scatter enough photons radiated from the inner disk region to the outer line-emitting disk portion extending from several hundred to more than 2000 gravitational radii. Our model predicts a power-law r-dependent line emissivity ϵHα ∝ R, where β ~ 2.5, which is consistent with β ~ 2-3 required by the model fittings for double-peaked line profiles. Using a sample of radio-loud AGNs with double-peaked emission lines, we show that the outer disk regions can be efficiently illuminated by the photons scattered from slow or mild relativistic electron-positron jets with γj ≲ 2. It is consistent with the fact that no double-peaked emission line is present in strong radio quasars with relativistic jets. For radio-quiet double-peaked line emitters, slow outflows with Thomson scattering depth ~ 0.2 instead of jets can scatter sufficient photons to (illuminate) the line-emitting regions. This model can therefore solve the energy budget problem for double-peaked line emitters.
Virtual Cage for Cost-Effective MAV Systems and Algorithms Prototyping

Transitioning from a simulation environment to real flight can be costly for MAV system and algorithm designers as they wrestle with the challenges and unpredictability of the real world. This transition often involves problems that can result in hardware damage or possibly injury. We have developed a system that cost-effectively addresses these problems. The system creates a virtual cage in which the MAV flight parameters are constrained to ensure the detection of the virtual cage boundaries and the safe recovery when those boundaries are reached. The system can operate with a minimal infrastructure and on-board sensing capabilities, functions indoors and outdoors, supports a range of MAVs including those with low computational capabilities, and automatically identifies the constraints to impose on the MAV based on its sensing and navigation capabilities and the cage attributes. The empirical assessment of the system with a MAV colliding against the virtual boundaries nearly 250 times in indoor and outdoor settings showed that the MAV remained within the virtual bounds over 97% of the time.
Active Galaxies as Particle Accelerators

We present the theoretical arguments and describe the accumulating experimental evidence that jets, powered by supermassive black holes, are true cosmic accelerators. They produce photons of TeV energy, possible higher, and may be the enigmatic source of the highest energy cosmic rays. The features of the multi-wavelength emission spectrum are dictated by the interactions of electrons and protons, accelerated in the vicinity of the black hole, with the ambient light in the galaxy. Photoproduction of neutral pions by protons on UV light is the source of the highest energy photons, in which most of the bolometric luminosity of the galaxy may be emitted. They initiate an electromagnetic cascade which via pair production on the magnetic field and photon-photon interactions determines the emerging gamma-ray spectrum at lower energies. The lower energy photons, observed by conventional astronomical techniques, are, as a result of the cascade process, several generations removed from the primary high energy beams. The case that proton beams power active galaxies is far from conclusive. A three-prong technological assault on the problem will, in the near future, hopefully provide new insights into the structure of active galactic nuclei with the construction of second-generation atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes, large-scale EeV cosmic ray detectors and high energy neutrino telescopes.
A Survey on Personalized TV and NGN Services through Context-Awareness

The advances in IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) technology enable a new user-centric and interactive TV model, in which context-awareness is promising in making the user’s interaction with the TV dynamic and transparent. Our research interest is how to achieve TV service personalization applying context-awareness to the NGN IPTV architecture. In this article we present the different existing contributions that employ context-awareness to allow interactive services. Some of these contributions directly focus on TV, while others are proposed for specific NGN services. We present a technical analysis for these solutions and give some guidelines for future deployment of personalized IPTV services.