Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
edPAS: Event-Based Dynamic Parking Allocation System in Vehicular Networks

This work proposes the edPAS system for the efficient processing and handling of dynamic parking allocation requests in vehicular networks. In edPAS, base-station and communicators collaboratively provide the effective event-based parking allocation process for vehicles. Edpas offers the best available parking-lot to vehicle, which is relevant to its event-place. Furthermore, edPAS tracks the vehicles through communicators for providing runtime changes in allotted parking-lot, if any, to the vehicles, thereby optimizing the parking-lot utilization. The main contributions of edPAS are three-fold. First, it proposes the architecture of edPAS with static and dynamic-allocation processes. Second, it proposes two parking-lot allocation schemes, FCFS and PR, using first-come-first-serve and priority algorithms respectively, for parking-queue mechanism. Third, our performance evaluation shows that our schemes are indeed effective for improving the edPAS functionality in terms of maximizing parking-lot utilization and reducing overall time at low communication cost.
An Adaptive Clustering Protocol for Medium-Scale Wireless Sensor Networks

Energy efficiency is an essential design issue for wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Single-hop dynamic clustering proposed by LEACH (Low-Energy Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy) is a simple and energy-efficient approach in WSNs. Due to the particular requirements of RF power of wireless sensors, LEACH may only be applicable to small-scale WSNs. In this paper, we propose an adaptive clustering protocol for medium-scale WSNs (ACPM) that could be applied to larger networks than LEACH. ACPM adopts the adaptive back-off scheme for cluster head selection to achieve its goal. Simulation results show that ACPM performs better than LEACH, especially in medium-scale WSNs.
Combined maximum likelihood and ordered successive interference cancellation grouped detection algorithm for multistream MIMO

The use of multiple antennas at the transmitter and receiver results in enormous capacity increase. As a space-time architecture, VBLAST has demonstrated very high spectral efficiency. The performance of the original detection algorithm for VBLAST (vertical Bell Laboratories layered space time), OSIC (ordered successive interference cancellation), is far from that of ML (maximum likelihood). Due to error propagation, the overall performance of OSIC is determined by the first stages to be decoded. We present two modified detection algorithms that aim at lessening the gap between the original VBLAST detection and ML detection. These schemes can achieve the desired trade-off between performance and complexity under a suitable parameter choice. With little increase in computational complexity, a high improvement in error performance over OSIC is achieved.
Operator adaptation in evolutionary computation and its application to structure optimization of 3 neural networks

9 The problem of /nding a suitable neural network topology for a given task is often solved by evolutionary computation. In this paper, we show empirically that online adaptation of the 11 search strategy can increase the performance of evolutionary structure optimization. After a brief overview of strategy adaptation in evolutionary computation, we present a general method for 13 adjusting the probabilities of applying variation operators. In example problems the adaptation method leads to faster optimization and better solutions when used in structure optimization 15 of neural networks. We observe that during the evolutionary process the operator probabilities change in an intuitive way depending on the task. c © 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. 17
A Microfluidic Device for Simple and Rapid Evaluation of Multidrug Efflux Pump Inhibitors

Recently, multidrug-resistant pathogens have disseminated widely owing essentially to their increased multidrug efflux pump activity. Presently, there is a scarcity of new antibacterial agents, and hence, inhibitors of multidrug efflux pumps belonging to the resistance–nodulation–cell division (RND) family appear useful in the treatment of infections by multidrug-resistant pathogens. Moreover, recent progress in microfabrication technologies has expanded the application of nano/micro-devices to the field of human healthcare, such as the detection of infections and diagnosis of diseases. We developed a microfluidic channel device for a simple and rapid evaluation of bacterial drug efflux activity. By combining the microfluidic device with a fluorogenic compound, fluorescein-di-β-D-galactopyranoside, which is hydrolyzed to a fluorescent dye in the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli, we successfully evaluated the effects of inhibitors on the RND-type multidrug efflux pumps MexAB–OprM and MexXY–OprM from Pseudomonas aeruginosa in E. coli. Our new method successfully detected the MexB-specific inhibitory effect of D13-9001 and revealed an unexpected membrane-permeabilizing effect of Phe-Arg-β-naphthylamide, which has long been used as an efflux pump inhibitor.
A Dual-Band Coupled-Line Coupler With an Arbitrary Coupling Coefficient

A novel dual-band coupled-line coupler with an arbitrary coupling coefficient is proposed and investigated in this paper. The coupler has a simple structure and can realize a wide range of the same coupling coefficient over two designated frequencies. The mathematical design formula is also developed, which not only provides a straightforward design procedure, but also reveals the attractive features of the proposed coupler, including: 1) the same coupling coefficient in the dual frequency bands; 2) the sole dependence of a coupling coefficient on the ratio of the impedances of even and odd modes; and 3) a large range of the ratio of the dual frequencies. Two prototypes of the proposed couplers, one operating at 2.4/5.8 GHz with a -10-dB coupling coefficient and the other working at 0.9/1.8 GHz with a -15-dB coupling coefficient, have been designed, fabricated, and measured. The measured results demonstrate that the bandwidths for the 2.4- and 5.8-GHz bands are 22% and 19.8%, respectively, and that for the 0.9- and 1.8-GHz bands are 28.4% and 15.8%, respectively. Good correlation between the measured results and those of the theoretically designed justifies the proposed coupler circuit and the design theory.
Towards a Rhetorical Parsing of Arabic Text

Rhetorical structure theory (RST) is one of the leading theories in computational linguistics. It improved the ability of extracting the semantic behind the processed text. Researches showed that different application (information retrieval, text summarization, text generation . etc) have proved to give better result using RST. The applicability of RST to process and understand texts has been studied in several languages, but none of those studies addressed the Arabic language. In this paper, we present a framework of applying RST on Arabic language in order to rhetorically parse and understand the Arabic texts
A Support Set Selection Algorithm for Sparse Gaussian Process Regression

Gaussian process is difficult to apply to the large data due to its computational problem. Many sparse methods have been proposed to deal with this problem. The majority focus on regression by a small size of support set. In this paper, we aim to propose a simple and efficient support set selection algorithm for Gaussian process regression. We describe a new selection criterion based on residual sum of squares to score the importance of training data and then update the support set iteratively according to this score. However, the iterative updating procedure has high time complexity due to the re-computing of matrix. Then we further speed up the selection algorithm based on some matrix operation.
WNB: A Weighted Naïve Bayesian Classifier

The naive Bayes classifier (NB) aims at classifying a given instance into a discrete class considering that all attributes are conditionally independent given the class. NB has been extensively used for modeling knowledge in many different applications and has been the focus of many works related to classification tasks. This work proposes and discusses a Naive Bayesian classifier named weighted naive Bayesian (WNB) classifier. The central idea of WNB is that more relevant attributes should have more influence in the classification estimation process. A weighting strategy is adopted to modify the traditional NB. Experiments performed with six UCI domains show that WNB is promising.
Valuing creativity, feeling overworked and working hours: Male workers and the New Spirit of Capitalism

Boltanski and Chiapello argued that creativity is a required attribute of managers emanating from the ideology of the ‘New Spirit of Capitalism’. Ideology provides the justification for work practices and brings material consequences in relation to the experience of time. This article explores both the ideology and the links between the ideological and the experience of time by assessing whether male managers prioritise creativity and whether this is related to their working hours, driving them to work longer hours than other workers and longer hours than they actually want. Men’s dominant position in work organisations puts them at the centre of this exploration. Using multilevel linear and logistic models on 2010 data from the European Social Survey (N = 7049), we show that male managers prioritise creativity more than other workers do. There are consequences for the experience of time as valuing creativity in combination with being a manager increases working hours above the large and significant effect of being a manager. The feeling of overwork is raised independently for those who value creativity and for those who are managers.
Special Topic: Calcium Signaling Expression and Reconstitution of the Bioluminescent Ca 2+ Reporter Aequorin in Human Embryonic Stem Cells, and Exploration of the Presence of Functional Ip 3 and Ryanodine Receptors during the Early Stages of Their Differentiation into Cardiomyocytes

In order to develop a novel method of visualizing possible Ca 2+ signaling during the early differentiation of hESCs into cardi-omyocytes and avoid some of the inherent problems associated with using fluorescent reporters, we expressed the biolumines-cent Ca 2+ reporter, apo-aequorin, in HES2 cells and then reconstituted active holo-aequorin by incubation with f-coelenterazine. The temporal nature of the Ca 2+ signals generated by the holo-f-aequorin-expressing HES2 cells during the earliest stages of differentiation into cardiomyocytes was then investigated. Our data show that no endogenous Ca 2+ transients (generated by release from intracellular stores) were detected in 1–12-day-old cardiospheres but transients were generated in cardiospheres following stimulation with KCl or CaCl 2 , indicating that holo-f-aequorin was functional in these cells. Furthermore, following the addition of exogenous ATP, an inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP 3 R) agonist, small Ca 2+ transients were generated from day 1 onward. That ATP was inducing Ca 2+ release from functional IP 3 Rs was demonstrated by treatment with 2-APB, a known IP 3 R antagonist. In contrast, following treatment with caffeine, a ryanodine receptor (RyR) agonist, a minimal Ca 2+ response was observed at day 8 of differentiation only. Thus, our data indicate that unlike RyRs, IP 3 Rs are present and continually functional at these early stages of cardiomyocyte differentiation. of the bioluminescent Ca 2+ reporter ae-quorin in human embryonic stem cells, and exploration of the presence of functional IP 3 and ryanodine receptors during the early stages of their differentiation into cardiomyocytes.
Neutrino-cooled Accretion Disks around Spinning Black Holes

We calculate the structure of accretion disks around Kerr black holes for accretion rates Ṁ = 0.001-10 M☉ s-1. Such high-Ṁ disks are plausible candidates for the central engine of gamma-ray bursts. Our disk model is fully relativistic and accurately treats the microphysics of the accreting matter: neutrino emissivity, opacity, electron degeneracy, and nuclear composition. The neutrino-cooled disk forms above a critical accretion rate Ṁign that depends on the black hole spin. The disk has an "ignition" radius rign where neutrino flux rises dramatically, cooling becomes efficient, and the proton-to-nucleon ratio Ye drops. Other characteristic radii are rα, where most of α-particles are disintegrated, rν, where the disk becomes ν-opaque, and rtr, where neutrinos get trapped and advected into the black hole. We find rα, rign, rν, and rtr and show their dependence on Ṁ. We discuss the qualitative picture of accretion and present sample numerical models of the disk structure. All neutrino-cooled disks regulate themselves to a characteristic state such that: (1) electrons are mildly degenerate, (2) Ye ~ 0.1, and (3) neutrons dominate the pressure in the disk.
Combining Physical and Digital Documents

INTRODUCTION Paper has been the dominating means for capturing and storing written language for several centuries. Recently, computers have been established in this domain at the same time offering a far wider range of features. This has led many to believe that the use of paper might be completely replaced by computers in the near future. Yet there is no empirical data supporting such a hypothesis. (1)
Relationships between mental health, socioeconomic status and subjective social status in first-year students at four South African universities

Background and Objective: First-year university students face many challenges during the transition to university. Some of these relate to their background and sociodemographic characteristics and others have to do with the characteristics of the universities they attend. South African first-year students may face even more challenges adjusting to university, which are linked to the country's Apartheid history. This study aimed to explore relationships between mental health, socioeconomic status and subjective social status in first-year students at four South African universities. In particular, the aims were to explore the role of subjective social status and resilience in predicting the adjustment, mental health and general health of first year university students. Method: Participants in the study (n=336) were South African first-year students who were enrolled in first year psychology courses at four universities. Two of the universities were historically advantaged, and two were historically disadvantaged. Data collection took the form an online survey as well as the distribution of printed questionnaires. A demographic questionnaire was used in addition to questionnaires, which measured students' quality of adjustment, mental health, general health, subjective social status, alcohol use and illicit substance use and resilience (ConnorDavidson Resiliency Scale). Results: A series of hierarchical regression analyses indicated that place of residence was an significant predictor of the quality of their adjustment to university (R 2 =.11). Results of the multiple regression analyses also indicated that resilience was a significant predictor of mental health (R 2 = .22) and a significant predictor of general health (R2 = .11) in the sample of first-year students. Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance resilience can play in predicting students' mental and general health during the transition to university. It also highlights the fact that universities should take the opportunity to provide adequate support programmes and create social networks to make the transition to university easier for students who may be at risk for poor adjustment and poor mental health and general health. In particular university residences, which provide a living environment that encourages academic and social interaction and provide a supportive atmosphere, can make the transition to university smoother for first years. 4 Un ive rsi ty of Ca pe To wn
Dual Roles for c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase in Developmental and Stress Responses in Cerebellar Granule Neurons

c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) typically respond strongly to stress, are implicated in brain development, and are believed to mediate neuronal apoptosis. Surprisingly, however, JNK does not respond characteristically to stress in cultured cerebellar granule (CBG) neurons, a widely exploited CNS model for studies of death and development, despite the regulation of its substrate c-Jun. To understand this anomaly, we characterized JNK regulation in CBG neurons. We find that the specific activity of CBG JNK is elevated considerably above that from neuron-like cell lines (SH-SY5Y, PC12); however, similar elevated activities are found in brain extracts. This activity does not result from cellular stress because the stress-activated protein kinase p38 is not activated. We identify a minor stress-sensitive pool of JNK that translocates with mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-4 (MKK4) into the nucleus. However, the major pool of total activity is cytoplasmic, residing largely in the neurites, suggesting a non-nuclear role for JNK in neurons. A third JNK pool is colocalized with MKK7 in the nucleus, and specific activities of both increase during neuritogenesis, nuclear JNK activity increasing 10-fold, whereas c-Jun expression and activity decrease. A role for JNK during differentiation is supported by modulation of neuritic architecture after expression of dominant inhibitory regulators of the JNK pathway. Channeling of JNK signaling away from c-Jun during differentiation is consistent with the presence in the nucleus of the JNK/MKK7 scaffold protein JNK-interacting protein, which inhibits JNK–c-Jun interaction. We propose a model in which distinct pools of JNK serve different functions, providing a basis for understanding multifunctional JNK signaling in differentiating neurons.
Mixed effect model for absolute log returns of ultra high frequency data

Considering absolute log returns as a proxy for stochastic volatility, the influence of explanatory variables on absolute log returns of ultra high frequency data is analysed. The irregular time structure and time dependency of the data is captured by utilizing a continuous time ARMA(p,q) process. In particular we propose a mixed effect model for the absolute log returns. Explanatory variable information is used to model the fixed effects, whereas the error is decomposed in a non-negative Lévy driven continuous time ARMA(p,q) process and a market microstructure noise component. The parameters are estimated in a state space approach. In a small simulation study the performance of the estimators is investigated. We apply our model to IBM trade data and quantify the influence of bid-ask spread and duration on a daily basis. To verify the correlation in irregularly spaced data we use the variogram, known from spatial statistics.
High Resolution Delay Estimation in Urban GNSS Vehicular Navigation

Multipath propagation causes major impairments to satellite based navigation systems and is often the dominant source of accuracy degradation and a major issue for high precision Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) applications. Most of the commonly used time-of-arrival estimation techniques cannot provide the required estimation accuracy in severely dense multipath environments such as urban canyons. In this paper, the Doppler spectrum broadening (Doppler spread) of the fast fading channel (where the rate of the variations of the channel is faster than the symbol rate of the signal) resulting from the motion of the receiver or surrounding objects is employed for the purpose of signal decorrelation for the high-resolution estimation of multipath delays through the subspace-based Multiple Signal Classification (MUSIC) technique. Specifically, delay-domain correlator outputs at different Doppler frequencies will be combined to enhance the rank of the signal autocorrelation matrix. Theoretical simulation and processing results of real data collected in downtown Calgary are presented to compare the performance of the proposed method with the spatial-temporal-diversity based MUSIC technique and a widely available algorithm in commercial GNSS receivers, namely the double-delta correlator technique. The performance metrics are based upon pseudorange and positioning errors. The pseudoranges and positions computed by the proposed techniques are compared to the reference trajectory established using a high precision Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) .
KuaFu: Closing the parallelism gap in database replication

Database systems are nowadays increasingly deployed on multi-core commodity servers, with replication to guard against failures. Database engine is best designed to scale with the number of cores to offer a high degree of parallelism on a modern multi-core architecture. On the other hand, replication traditionally resorts to a certain form of serialization for data consistency among replicas. In the widely used primary/backup replication with log shipping, concurrent executions on the primary and the serialized log replay on a backup creates a serious parallelism gap. Our experiment on MySQL with a 16-core configuration shows that the serial replay of a backup can sustain only less than one third of the throughput achievable on the primary under an OLTP workload. This paper proposes KuaFu to close the parallelism gap on replicated database systems by enabling concurrent replay of transactions on a backup. KuaFu maintains write consistency on backups by tracking transaction dependencies. Concurrent replay on a backup does introduce read inconsistency between the primary and backups. KuaFu further leverages multi-version concurrency control to produce snapshots in order to restore the consistency semantics. We have implemented KuaFu on MySQL; our evaluations show that KuaFu allows a backup to keep up with the primary while preserving replication consistency.
Three Alternative Theories of Growth

Since the time of Adam Smith, the topic of cross-country differences in income levels and growth rates has generated both extensive and heated debate. Many economists have argued that free economies—those that rely primarily on market arrangements—will outperform those that rely more extensively on government intervention and political direction. Is this proposition really true? The Economic Freedom of the World (EFW) index provides a measure of the extent to which various countries rely on open markets to allocate goods and resources. Thus, we are now in a better position than ever before to assess the relationship between economic freedom and material progress. We are also in a better position to analyze the ingredients of the growth process. This chapter will focus on these two topics.