Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Concatenated LDPC-polar codes decoding through belief propagation

Owing to their capacity-achieving performance and low encoding and decoding complexity, polar codes have drawn much research interests recently. Successive cancellation decoding (SCD) and belief propagation decoding (BPD) are two common approaches for decoding polar codes. SCD is sequential in nature while BPD can run in parallel. Thus BPD is more attractive for low latency applications. However BPD has some performance degradation at higher SNR when compared with SCD. Concatenating LDPC with Polar codes is one popular approach to enhance the performance of BPD, where a short LDPC code is used as an outer code and Polar code is used as an inner code. In this work we propose a new way to construct concatenated LDPC-Polar code, which not only outperforms conventional BPD and existing concatenated LDPC-Polar code but also shows a performance improvement of 0.5 dB at higher SNR regime when compared with SCD.
Self-Help Groups and Mutual Assistance: Evidence from Urban Kenya

This article examines the incomes of individuals who have joined self-help groups in poor neighborhoods of Nairobi. Self-help groups are often advocated as a way of facilitating income pooling. We find that incomes are indeed more correlated among individuals in the same group than among individuals who belong to different groups. Using an original methodology, we test whether this correlation is due to self-selection of similar individuals into the same groups. We find that this correlation is not driven by positive assortative matching. If anything, selection works in the opposite direction: incomes from group activities would be more correlated if individuals were matched at random. These findings are consistent with the idea that self-help groups play a mutual assistance role.
Marine Biopolymer-Based Nanomaterials as a Novel Platform for Theranostic Applications

ABSTRACT Marine biopolymer-based nanomaterials are one of the most active research areas in recent decades for theranostic applications. Marine biopolymers are interesting biomaterials for clinical applications because of their good biocompatibility, biodegradability, inexpensiveness, abundance, stability, ease of surface modification, and nontoxic nature. New nanoparticles in development are coated with marine polymers to combine therapeutic and diagnostic (theranostic) applications because of the strongly enhanced absorption and scattering in near-infrared (NIR) regions. In this review, the use of marine biopolymer-based nanomaterials for theranostic applications is evaluated, addressing potential applications in drug delivery, photothermal therapy (PTT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), hyperthermia therapy, photoacoustic imaging (PAI), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT). In addition, the most recent progress in the biocompatibility of marine biopolymer-based nanomaterials in vitro and in vivo are discussed, along with a promising future scope for the treatment of major life-threatening diseases such as cancer.
Anonymous Internet Infrastructure based on PISA Agents

A vital requirement for e-commerce today is privacy. We explore the area of privacy for Agents in the Privacy Incorporated Software Agent (PISA) project. We first review existing privacy protection techniques: pseudonym systems, privacy enhancing technology (PET) and anonymous communication networks. We then propose a model for an Anonymous Internet Infrastructure (AII), an anonymous Internet based on PETAgents, and analyze several possible combinations both of network technologies and PET-Agents. Finally, we discuss the security interface issues for PISA-Agents and present a pseudonym E-commerce model based on PISA.
Differentiating Macroreentrant from Focal Atrial Tachycardias Occurred After Circumferential Pulmonary Vein Isolation

Macroreentrant and Focal Atrial Tachycardias. Background: Atrial tachycardias (ATs) are commonly observed following catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to identify ECG characteristics that differentiate focal from macroreentrant ATs after circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (CPVI).
Dynamic asymmetries in US unemployment

We examine dynamic asymmetries in U.S unemployment using nonlinear time series models and Bayesian methods. We e n d strong statistical evidence in favor of a two-regime threshold autoregressive model. Empirical results indicate that, once we t a k e i n to account both parameter and model uncertainty, there are economically interesting asymmetries in the unemployment rate. One nding of particular interest is that shocks which l o wer the unemployment rate tend to have a smaller eect than shocks which r a i s e the unemployment rate. This nding is consistent with unemployment rises being sudden and falls gradual.
Design of a Novel Method for the Spatial Distribution of Cells within a Porous Scaffold for Tissue Engineering Applications

Tissue engineering is rapidly progressing to provide complex, three-dimensional (3D) representations of human tissues that can be used for tissue replacement and/or to study tissue systems. Tissue engineering includes the addition of cells within 3D scaffolds, along with bioactive components, sometimes within a bioreactor. A major challenge in developing many tissue-engineered models is the ability to evenly distribute cells throughout a porous scaffold, in order to achieve good cell viability and growth. In this study, we created a 3D collagen-chitosan scaffold with specific properties to aid in seeding cells within the entire volume and investigated a dynamic method to seed cells within such scaffold. Based on the requirements for cell seeding, the scaffolds were less than 500 µm thick, had pore sizes greater than 50 µm and had a porosity of 50% or greater. Fibroblasts were used as model cells for this seeding method. To seed fibroblasts within the scaffold, we varied two design parameters: concentration of the collagen seeding solution and the centrifugal force used for cell seeding. We ranked the seeding efficiency, cell proliferation and distribution in order to choose the ideal cell seeding method. Results showed that seeding with a higher concentration (2 mg/ml) of collagen seeding solution and a lower centrifugation speed (259 ×g) was the optimal seeding method, resulting in 84% increase in cell proliferation and a more uniform cell distribution throughout the scaffold. Results from this study can be applied for seeding a variety of cell populations within porous scaffolds for tissue engineering applications.
Non-segmental Cues for Syllable Perception: the Role of Local Tonal f0 and Global Speech Rate in Syllabification

This study is aimed at a better understanding of the perception of syllables. As the traditional view seems to associate syllable perception with segmental cues that result from local (i.e. present only within or adjacent to the syllable) supralaryngeal events, we are particularly interested in whether non-segmental and non-local laryngeal information contribute to syllable perception as well. Existing works on Indo-European languages show that local stress patterns and global (i.e. non-local) speech rates provide perceptual cues to words and phonemes. While we believe that the effects of the global speech rate hold across languages, based on the long-developed notion of language-specific perception, we expect that lexical tones, rather than stress patterns, serve as an important local non-segmental cue in tonal languages. We conducted a perception study on Mandarin to investigate whether tonal f0 patterns and speech rates interfere with spectral information in determining the number of syllables in an utterance. F0 contours were generated using the qTA model (Prom-on, Xu & Thipakorn, 2009). Our results show that the perceptual number of syllables depends on the perception of tonal f0 patterns and speech rates to a substantial extent. Combining our findings with prior claims (Olsberg, Xu & Green, 2007), it appears that a variety of cues – segments, lexical tones, and speech rate – compete in perceiving Mandarin syllables. In relating this study to the existing works on word segmentation, lexical access, and phoneme identification,
Recognition of a core fragment of Beauveria bassiana hydrophobin gene promoter (P hyd1) and its special use in improving fungal biocontrol potential

To identify a suitable promoter for use in engineering fungal entomopathogens to improve heterologous gene expression and fungal biocontrol potential, a 1798 bp promoter (Phyd1) upstream of Beauveria bassiana class I hydrophobin gene (hyd1) was optimized by upstream truncation and site‐directed mutation. A truncated 1290 bp fragment (Phyd1‐t1) drove eGFP expression in B. bassiana much more efficiently than full‐length Phyd1. Further truncating Phyd1‐t1 to 1179, 991 and 791 bp or mutating one of the binding domains of three transcription factors in Phyd1‐t1 reduced significantly the expression of eGFP (enhanced green fluorescence protein). Under Phyd1‐t1 control, eGFP was expressed more abundantly in conidiogenic cells and conidia than in mycelia. Therefore, Phyd1‐t1 was used to integrate a bacterium‐derived, insect midgut‐specific toxin (vip3Aa1) gene into B. bassiana, yielding a transgenic strain (BbHV8) expressing 9.8‐fold more toxin molecules in conidia than a counterpart strain (BbV28) expressing the toxin under the control of PgpdA, a promoter widely used for gene expression in fungi. Consequently, BbHV8 showed much higher per os virulence to Spodoptera litura larvae than BbV28 in standardized bioassays with normal conidia for both cuticle penetration and ingestion or heat‐killed conidia for ingestion only. Conclusively, Phyd1‐t1 is a useful tool for enhancing beneficial protein expression, such as vip3Aa1, in fungal conidia, which are the active ingredients of mycoinsecticides.
Experimenting a Layer 2-based Approach to Internet Connectivity for Ad Hoc Networks

A prerequisite for the mass-market deployment of multihop ad hoc technologies is the capability of integrating with existing wired infrastructure networks. However, current solutions to support connectivity between ad hoc networks and the Internet are based on complex mechanisms, such as Mobile-IP and IP tunnelling. In this paper we propose a lightweight solution based on simple Layer-2 mechanisms. Experiments carried out in a real test-bed confirm the validity and efficiency of our approach.
Interpolatory sqrt(3)-Subdivision

We present a new interpolatory subdivision scheme for triangle meshes. Instead of splitting each edge and performing a 1-to-4 split for every triangle we compute a new vertex for every triangle and retriangulate the old and the new vertices. Using this refinement operator the number of triangles only triples in each step. New vertices are computed with a Butterfly like scheme. In order to obtain overall smooth surfaces special rules are necessary in the neighborhood of extraordinary vertices. The scheme is suitable for adaptive refinement by using an easy forward strategy. No temporary triangles are produced here which allows simpler data structures and makes the scheme easy to implement.
Agent negotiation in ad-hoc networks

In this paper we investigate the means to deploy on handheld devices personal agents that negotiate in Bluetooth-based ad-hoc networks. We implemented a test application called advertising on mobile phones (ADOMO), in which a personal agent executed on a handheld device, negotiates and establishes contracts with commercial agents in its neighborhood. The objects of the contracts are commercial advertisements (ads) to be displayed on the device's screen in exchange for a small benefit. We describe an implementation of this application and obtained results. The agents were deployed on both a PocketPC and a smart phone.
Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience Cellular Neuroscience Review Article Neural Circuitries Underlying Delay Eyeblink Conditioning, Auditory Startle Reflexes, and Cued Fear Conditioning in Non-murine Animals Eyeblink Conditioning

the mouse eyeblink trace than in those of the other mammals. Until now these startle and fear responses seem to be neglected and are poorly described. However, before we can evaluate the contribution of specifi c cerebellar molecular mechanisms to the eyeblink conditioning learning process, a systematic description and unambiguous interpretation of these different peaks in the mouse eyeblink trace is required. In this review we will fi rst evaluate the main studies that have identifi ed the underlying circuitries of conditioned eyelid responses, auditory startle refl exes, and conditioned cued fear responses in mammals other than the mouse (part Neural Circuitries Underlying Delay Eyeblink Conditioning, Auditory Startle Refl exes, and Cued Fear Conditioning in Non-Murine Animals). Then, based on the characteristics of the responses in mice (parts Eyeblink Conditioning in Mice, Auditory Startle Refl exes in Mice and the Optimal CS for Eyeblink Conditioning, Cued Fear Conditioning in Mice and Similarities with Eyeblink Conditioning), we will propose how different networks, including the thalamo-amygdalar, pontocer-ebellar, and olivocerebellar systems, can contribute in an integrated fashion to different peaks in the conditioned mouse eyeblink trace (part The ACDC model: An Integrated Hypothesis of Eyeblink Conditioning in Mice). During classical conditioning of the eyeblink and/or nictitating membrane response 1 the CS is usually provided by an auditory tone and the US by a periocular electrical stimulation (Gormezano et al.,
Reducing Service Cost Based on the Skewness of Data Popularity for Cloud Storage Systems

Reducing service cost has been a popular topic in recent studies on cloud storage systems. One of the basic techniques is to power down parts of service nodes. However, it will reduce the availability of data objects, which is the overriding concern of users. So we mathematically formulate the problem to close maximum service nodes under the constraint of a given high availability. According to our analysis, this problem is NP complete. In practical systems, few data objects get most accesses while large number of objects get few. So we propose a parallelized greedy algorithm to power down service nodes based on the skew ness of data popularity.
Ghost Turns Zombie: Exploring the Life Cycle of Web-based Malware

While the web provides information and services that enrich our lives in many ways, it has also become the primary vehicle for delivering malware. Once infected with web-based malware, an unsuspecting user's machine is converted into a productive member of the Internet underground. In this work, we explore the life cycle of web-based malware by employing light-weight responders to capture the network profile of infected machines. Our results indicate that web-based malware provides a cornerstone for large scale electronic fraud. It is used to exfiltrate address books of compromised machines creating databases of hundred millions of email addresses, to form spamming botnets responsible for a significant fraction of spam currently seen on the Internet, and also to steal login credentials that can be directly monetized or leveraged to turn more web servers into malware delivery vectors. We support our findings by providing a broad overview of the post-infection network behavior of web-based malware, as well as in-depth examinations of the botnets and leaked information we found during the course of our study.
Guidelines for Evaluating Patterns in the IS Domain

Patterns were originally developed in the field of architecture as a mechanism for communicating good solutions to recurring classes of problems. Since then researchers have created patterns to provide guidance and solutions associated with virtual project management, software development and engineering, human computer interaction, and design science research. However, there has been limited emphasis on developing guidelines for evaluating the validity of patterns. In this paper, we propose an evaluation framework for patterns that draws upon the literature associated with patterns, philosophy y of science and research methods. The evaluation framework can be used to validate patterns in a more consistent and rigorous manner.
Spatiotemporal Properties of Neuron Response Suppression in Owl Monkey Primary Somatosensory Cortex When Stimuli Are Presented to Both Hands

Despite the lack of ipsilateral receptive fields (RFs) for neurons in the hand representation of area 3b of primary somatosensory cortex, interhemispheric interactions have been reported to varying degrees. We investigated spatiotemporal properties of these interactions to determine the following: response types, timing between stimuli to evoke the strongest bimanual interactions, topographical distribution of effects, and their dependence on similarity of stimulus locations on the two hands. We analyzed response magnitudes and latencies of single neurons and multineuron clusters recorded from 100-electrode arrays implanted in one hemisphere of each of two anesthetized owl monkeys. Skin indentations were delivered to the two hands simultaneously and asynchronously at mirror locations (matched sites on each hand) and nonmirror locations. Since multiple neurons were recorded simultaneously, stimuli on the contralateral hand could be within or outside of the classical RFs of any given neuron. For most neurons, stimulation on the ipsilateral hand suppressed responses to stimuli on the contralateral hand. Maximum suppression occurred when the ipsilateral stimulus was presented 100 ms before the contralateral stimulus onset (p < 0.0005). The longest stimulus onset delay tested (500 ms) allowed contralateral responses to recover to control levels (p = 0.428). Stimulation on mirror digits did not differ from stimulation on nonmirror locations (p = 1.000). These results indicate that interhemispheric interactions are common in area 3b, somewhat topographically diffuse, and maximal when the suppressing ipsilateral stimulus precedes the contralateral stimulus. Our findings point to a neurophysiological basis for “interference” effects found in human psychophysical studies of bimanual stimulation.
Dynamic Cooperative CommunicationsUsing Dijkstra's Algorithm

Cooperative communication has become a tremendous interest in Wireless Network. This type of cooperative communication is used for improving the network capacity in wireless network by reducing the interference and also improving the transmission power. In a normal networking communication, require so much time to transmit the message from source system to destination system, even if a node failure in between the transmission time. The goal of this paper is to improve the network capacity in order to reduce the interference by increasing the transmission power. The existing paper discusses less improvements of network capacity in a single network. By the use of COCO(Capacity Optimized Cooperative) topology, increase in the network capacity by jointly considering both the link level physical layer issues( such as outage probability & outage capacity) and upper level network layer issues (such as network capacity, routing, topology control) and also time should be delayed, if a system failure during transmission. So, propose a shortest path algorithm called Dijkstra's algorithm is used for finding the shortest distance between systems.
A SURVEY OF ONTOLOGY EVALUATION TECHNIQUES

An ontology is an explicit formal conceptualization of some domain of interest. Ontologies are increasingly used in various fields such as knowledge management, information extraction, and the semantic web. Ontology evaluation is the problem of assessing a given ontology from the point of view of a particular criterion of application, typically in order to determine which of several ontologies would best suit a particular purpose. This paper presents a survey of the state of the art in ontology evaluation.
Recognizing faces in news photographs on the web

We propose a graph based method in order to recognize the faces that appear on the web using a small training set. First, relevant pictures of the desired people are collected by querying the name in a text based search engine in order to construct the data set. Then, detected faces in these photographs are represented using SIFT features extracted from facial features. The similarities of faces are represented in a graph which is then used in random walk with restart algorithm to provide links between faces. Those links are used for recognition by using two different methods.
Entity-centric summarization: generating text summaries for graph snippets

In recent times, focus of information retrieval community has shifted from traditional keyword-based retrieval to techniques utilizing the semantics in the text. Since such techniques require the understanding of relationships between entities, efforts are ongoing to organize the Web into large entity-relationship graphs. These graphs can be leveraged to answer complex relationship queries. However, most of the research has focused upon extracting structural information between entities such as a path, Steiner tree, or subgraphs. Little attention has been paid to the comprehension of these structural results, which is necessary for the user to understand relationships encapsulated in these structures. In this doctoral proposal, we pursue the idea of entity-centric summarization and propose a novel framework to produce entity-centric summaries which describe the relationships among input entities. We discuss the inherent challenges associated with each module in the framework and present an evaluation plan. Results from our preliminary experiments are encouraging and substantiate the feasibility of summarization problem.
A Synthetic Approach for Recommendation: Combining Ratings, Social Relations, and Reviews

Recommender systems (RSs) provide an effective way of alleviating the information overload problem by selecting personalized choices. Online social networks and user-generated content provide diverse sources for recommendation beyond ratings, which present opportunities as well as challenges for traditional RSs. Although social matrix factorization (Social MF) can integrate ratings with social relations and topic matrix factorization can integrate ratings with item reviews, both of them ignore some useful information. In this paper, we investigate the effective data fusion by combining the two approaches, in two steps. First, we extend Social MF to exploit the graph structure of neighbors. Second, we propose a novel framework MR3 to jointly model these three types of information effectively for rating prediction by aligning latent factors and hidden topics. We achieve more accurate rating prediction on two real-life datasets. Furthermore, we measure the contribution of each data source to the proposed framework.
From Toxins Targeting Ligand Gated Ion Channels to Therapeutic Molecules

Ligand-gated ion channels (LGIC) play a central role in inter-cellular communication. This key function has two consequences: (i) these receptor channels are major targets for drug discovery because of their potential involvement in numerous human brain diseases; (ii) they are often found to be the target of plant and animal toxins. Together this makes toxin/receptor interactions important to drug discovery projects. Therefore, toxins acting on LGIC are presented and their current/potential therapeutic uses highlighted.