Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
System level simulation of LTE MBSFN networks with high mobility users

In this paper, the performance of Multicast-Broadcast Single-Frequency Networks (MBSFN) that are exposed to inter-carrier interference is investigated. LTE-MBSFN is considered as one important approach to support vehicular safety services through point-to-multipoint transmissions. However in networks with high mobility users, user movement and multi-path propagation cause Doppler spreading and excess delay of the received signal. Our focus lies on the implementation and verification of abstraction models for inter-carrier interference (ICI) in this context. We model ICI as additional Gaussian noise that is added at the receiver. The increment in noise power is determined by the user velocity, affecting the Doppler spread of the signal. The proposed abstraction can be applied to investigate the efficiency of the MBSFN networks with respect to user speed and operational frequency of the transmitted signals.
Efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for orthopedic conditions: a systematic review on studies listed in the PEDro database

Background Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is an effective and safe non-invasive treatment option for tendon and other pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. Sources of data This systematic review used data derived from the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro; www.pedro.org.au, 23 October 2015, date last accessed). Areas of agreement ESWT is effective and safe. An optimum treatment protocol for ESWT appears to be three treatment sessions at 1-week intervals, with 2000 impulses per session and the highest energy flux density the patient can tolerate. Areas of controversy The distinction between radial ESWT as ‘low-energy ESWT’ and focused ESWT as ‘high-energy ESWT’ is not correct and should be abandoned. Growing points There is no scientific evidence in favour of either radial ESWT or focused ESWT with respect to treatment outcome. Areas timely for developing research Future randomized controlled trials should primarily address systematic tests of the aforementioned optimum treatment protocol and direct comparisons between radial and focused ESWT.
One-Method Commands: Linking Methods and Their Tests

Although unit testing is essential for programming, current languages only barely support the developer in composing unit tests into new ones or in navigating between unit tests and their corresponding methods under test. We have taken several Smalltalk programs and analyzed the relationships between unit tests and methods under test, and the re- lationships amongst unit tests. First results indicate that most unit tests can be seen or at least decomposed into commands which focus on single methods, and that large portions of unit tests overlap each other. But these relationships between unit tests and methods under test are not reflected in current languages. We therefore first conceptually extend the meta-model of Smalltalk with one-method commands so that unit tests become both com- posable and navigable. Then we introduce a first lightweight implementation of this meta model using method comments to differentiate between the several test phases of existing XUnit test case methods.
Context-based page unit recommendation for web-based sensemaking tasks

Sensemaking tasks require that users gather and comprehend information from many sources to answer complex questions. Such tasks are common and include, for example, researching vacation destinations or performing market analysis. In this paper, we present an algorithm and interface which provides context-based page unit recommendation to assist in connection discovery during sensemaking tasks. We exploit the natural note-taking activity common to sensemaking behavior as the basis for a task-specific context model. Our algorithm then dynamically analyzes each web page visited by a user to determine which page units are most relevant to the user's task. We present the details of our recommendation algorithm, describe the user interface, and present the results of a user study which show the effectiveness of our approach.
Understanding and Analysing Novice Programmer Interactions in a Facebook Programming Group

This paper presents an analysis of first year programming student (novice programmer) messages posted on a Facebook Programming Group created to support the learning of programming by increasing novice to novice interactions anywhere, anytime. The captured messages are anonymized and analysed with a view to exploring the extent to which Facebook groups have supported the learning of programming, as well as to identify struggles and challenges faced by learners who use the environments. The results of our analysis show that interactions on Facebook groups can lead to social learning and can encourage engagement with learning. The Facebook groups are used effectively by novices to solve significant problems that would not have been discussed in their respective learning management systems. Our findings highlight some interesting problems faced by novice programmers and include useful learning analytics of novice programmer interactions within these groups.
An empirical study of most fit, max-min and priority task scheduling algorithms in cloud computing

Cloud computing is envisioned to provide each IT enabled service as a utility. From hardware to software, it is committed to fulfill all kind of needs with regard to computation, storage, development etc. at cost-effective and efficient manner. The efficient delivery of services in a cloud largely depends on how it schedules the user jobs (cloudlets) over its resources. A plenty of task scheduling algorithms are available for a cloud provider to choose from. This paper selects three most versatile and fundamental task scheduling algorithms i.e. Most Fit, Max-Min and Priority algorithm to study their comparative performance. From the practical aspect, these algorithms are simulated over cloudsim 3.0. 3 toolkit with variable workload circumstances. A set of metrics is also calculated and a comparative assessment of the above mentioned algorithms has been done on the basis of these metrics.
Concolic Testing of Sequential and Concurrent Programs

A variable dilution filter cigarette is provided which includes a substantially cylindrical tobacco rod, an axially aligned, substantially cylindrical wrapped filter plug, and tipping paper which circumscribes the filter plug and joins the filter plug to the tobacco rod. The filter plug has first and second ends, which are open to permit the passage of air and smoke. The plug wrap is substantially air-impermeable and is divided into a mouth-end band, a central band, and a rod-end band having a first opening. The first and third bands are attached to the filter. The tipping paper is also substantially air-impermeable, circumscribes the filter plug, and extends from the mouth end of the filter plug to a position on the tobacco rod adjacent the rod end of the filter plug. The tipping paper is divided into first and second bands, the first band extending from the mouth end of the filter plug to a position overlying the rod-end band. The second band abuts the first band and overlaps and attaches the rod end of the filter plug to the abutting end of the tobacco rod. The first band is attached to the plug wrap only at the central band for rotation therewith about the longitudinal axis of the filter plug and has a second opening overlying the rod-end band such that the second opening is rotatable into registry with the first opening.
Semantic Web meets Web 2.0 (and vice versa): The Value of the Mundane for the Semantic Web

Web 2.0, not the Semantic Web, has become the face of “the next generation Web” among the tech-literate set, and even among many in the various research communities involved in the Web. Perceptions in these communities of what the Semantic Web is (and who is involved in it) are often misinformed if not misguided. In this paper we identify opportunities for Semantic Web activities to connect with the Web 2.0 community; we explore why this connection is of significant benefit to both groups, and identify how these connections open valuable research opportunities “in the real” for the Semantic Web effort.
Balancing Automatic-Controlled Behaviors and Emotional-Salience States: A Dynamic Executive Functioning Hypothesis

Recently, there has been growing interest in understanding how executive functions are conceptualized in psychopathology. Since several models have been proposed, the major issue lies within the definition of executive functioning itself. Theoretical discussions have emerged, narrowing the boundaries between “hot” and “cold” executive functions or between self-regulation and cognitive control. Nevertheless, the definition of executive functions is far from a consensual proposition and it has been suggested that these models might be outdated. Current efforts indicate that human behavior and cognition are by-products of many brain systems operating and interacting at different levels, and therefore, it is very simplistic to assume a dualistic perspective of information processing. Based upon an adaptive perspective, we discuss how executive functions could emerge from the ability to solve immediate problems and to generalize successful strategies, as well as from the ability to synthesize and to classify environmental information in order to predict context and future. We present an executive functioning perspective that emerges from the dynamic balance between automatic-controlled behaviors and an emotional-salience state. According to our perspective, the adaptive role of executive functioning is to automatize efficient solutions simultaneously with cognitive demand, enabling individuals to engage such processes with increasingly complex problems. Understanding executive functioning as a mediator of stress and cognitive engagement not only fosters discussions concerning individual differences, but also offers an important paradigm to understand executive functioning as a continuum process rather than a categorical and multicomponent structure.
Edge linking using geodesic distance and neighborhood information

This paper deals with the edge linking problem. We propose two improvements to existing algorithms. First we propose the use of an application-specific local neighborhood within which to compute edge direction in order to improve the accuracy of the edge direction. Second, we propose the use of geodesic distance for measuring the proximity between two candidate edge points to be linked, so that the intensity image information can be taken into account. With these two improvements, our edge linking algorithm can make better edge linking decisions than existing algorithms, as demonstrated in the experimental results.
Gaussian mixture model of evolutionary algorithms

This paper proposes a novel finite Gaussian mixture model to study the population dynamics of evolutionary algorithms on continuous optimization problems. While previous research taking on a dynamical system view has established the transition equation between the density functions of consecutive populations, the equation usually does not have closed-form solutions and can only be applied to very few optimization problems. In this paper, we address this issue by approximating both the population density function of each generation and the objective function by finite Gaussian mixtures. We show that by making such approximations the transition equation can be solved exactly and key statistics, such as the expected mean and the variance of fitness values of the population, can be calculated easily. We also prove that by choosing appropriate values of the parameters, the $L^1$-norm error between our model and the actual population density function can be made arbitrarily small, up until a predefined generation. We present experimental results to show that our model is useful in simulating and examining the dynamics of evolutionary algorithms.
Distinct Representation and Distribution of Visual Information by Specific Cell Types in Mouse Superficial Superior Colliculus

The superficial superior colliculus (sSC) occupies a critical node in the mammalian visual system; it is one of two major retinorecipient areas, receives visual cortical input, and innervates visual thalamocortical circuits. Nonetheless, the contribution of sSC neurons to downstream neural activity and visually guided behavior is unknown and frequently neglected. Here we identified the visual stimuli to which specific classes of sSC neurons respond, the downstream regions they target, and transgenic mice enabling class-specific manipulations. One class responds to small, slowly moving stimuli and projects exclusively to lateral posterior thalamus; another, comprising GABAergic neurons, responds to the sudden appearance or rapid movement of large stimuli and projects to multiple areas, including the lateral geniculate nucleus. A third class exhibits direction-selective responses and targets deeper SC layers. Together, our results show how specific sSC neurons represent and distribute diverse information and enable direct tests of their functional role.
Who Captures the Power of the Pen?

We study how government control affects the roles of the media as an information intermediary and a corporate monitor. Comparing a large sample of news articles written by state-controlled and market-oriented Chinese media, we find that articles by the market-oriented media are more critical, more accurate, more comprehensive, and timelier than those by the state-controlled media. Moreover, only articles by the market-oriented media have a significant corporate governance impact. Subsample analyses, interviews with journalists, and a survey of university students suggest that the market-oriented media’s superior effects are explained by their operating efficiency and independence. Received December 21, 2014; editorial decision January 13, 2017 by Editor Andrew Karolyi
Analysis of Bluetooth threats and v4.0 security features

The advent of Bluetooth technology has made wireless communication easier. Any new invention or improvement is viewed very closely by people who are looking to gain information in an unauthorized manner. Security in any area is given more importance as it leads to better product and satisfied customers. The initial days of any technological invention is more challenging as they deal with new issues every day. The product/invention needs to keep evolving to address the growing list of new features requirement and handling of security issues. Bluetooth security has evolved a lot with different versions of blue tooth. Keeping in mind the growing list of Bluetooth products in the market, there has been lot of improvements done in the version 4.0 of Bluetooth. The LE (Low Energy) operational mode which is new in version 4.0 has slightly different security association models. In this paper, a review of the recent studies in the analysis of Bluetooth security issues and new security features of v4.0 is done. Specifically the paper covers secure simple pairing in Bluetooth normal mode and low energy mode. For each threat, the particular issues are addressed and a review of major approaches to improve security of Bluetooth communication using secure simple pairing is discussed.
Photometric/Spectroscopic Redshift Identification of Faint Galaxies in STIS Slitless Spectroscopy Observations

We present a new spectrum extraction technique which employs optimal weights for the spectral extraction, deblends the overlapping spectra, determines the precise sky background, and takes into account correlations between errors correctly for STIS slitless observations. We obtained roughly 250 optimally extracted spectra in a deep STIS field as well as self-confirming redshift measurements for these objects, including a galaxy at $z=6.68$. In addition, we identified five isolated emission-line objects in the dispersed image that were not accounted for by objects detected in the direct image. Assuming that these are \lya\ emission line galaxies at high redshifts and adopting a simple $\delta$-function galaxy luminosity function for these objects, we find, based on a likelihood analysis, that \lya\ emission line galaxies at $\langle z\rangle\approx 4.69$ may contribute at most 15\% of the star formation rate density measured in Lyman break galaxies at $z\approx 4$.
Software Implementation of Cyclic Abelian Elliptic Curve using Matlab.

of products and standards that use public-key cryptography for encryption and digital signature use RSA. The key length for secure RSA has increased over recent years ,and this has put heavier processing load on applications using RSA. Recently, a competing system has begun to challenge RSA: Elliptic curve cryptography (ECC). The principle attraction of ECC, compared to RSA, is that it appears to offer equal security for a far smaller key size, thereby reducing processor overhead. Cryptographers are interested only in elliptic curve that belongs to cyclic abelian group. This paper implements cyclic abelian elliptic curve in MATLAB. The properties of abelian group is proved over the coordinates satisfying the curve. Base points of elliptic curve are generated to prove that the elliptic curve belongs to cyclic abelian group.
The Predictive Content of the Yield Curve for In‡flation

We revisit the common practice of using yield spreads to forecast inflation. We address two main issues. First, we assess the importance of decomposing yield spreads into an expectations and a term premium component in order to predict inflation. Second, we quantify the impact of financial shocks in the dynamics of each of these components. The yield spread decomposition is achieved with the use of a no-arbitrage macro-…finance model incorporating both macroeconomic and financial factors. The model is applied to the U.S. economy and estimated with Bayesian techniques. We …find that the yield spread decomposition is crucial to forecast inflation for most forecasting horizons. Also, the inclusion of control variables such as the short-term interest rate and lagged dependent variable does not drive out the predictive power of the yield spread decomposition.
Message Feature Map toward Effective Facilitation on On-line Discussions

In these years, with the expansion of network-based communication tools, consumer based marketing strategies using on-line discussions have received much attention. To get the benefit from on-line discussions, methodologies for analyzing on various discussion elements are demanded. In this paper, we propose a message feature map, which is a visualization method for plotting discussion messages on a plane with two axes; centralities and expansiveness. This map gives us an intuitive understanding and quick grasp of discussion status. The experimental results with using the data collected in a real on-line focus group discussion shows that the message feature map helps us to observe the discussion status effectively.
Rigidity of equality cases in Steiner's perimeter inequality

Characterization results for equality cases and for rigidity of equality cases in Steiner's perimeter inequality are presented. (By rigidity, we mean the situation when all equality cases are vertical translations of the Steiner symmetral under consideration.) We achieve this through the introduction of a suitable measure-theoretic notion of connectedness and a fine analysis of barycenter functions for sets of finite perimeter having segments as orthogonal sections with respect to a hyperplane.
Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor enhances the activity of invasion and metastasis in thyroid cancer cells

Thyroid cancer sometimes contains poorly differentiated components, which have the potential of invasion and metastasis. We evaluated the possible roles of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF), a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family, in cell growth and invasion of thyroid cancer cells, and demonstrated that HB-EGF is not only a potent mitogen but also a chemotactic factor in the thyroid cancer cells 8305C and SW579. The HB-EGF-mediated chemotaxis was inhibited by neutralizing antibody against the EGF receptor (EGFR/HER1/ErbB1) or tyrphostin AG1478, a specific inhibitor of the EGFR tyrosine kinase. The HB-EGF mRNA and protein expression was also analyzed using RT-PCR and immunofluorescence methods, respectively. In addition, in clinical immunohistochemical study, increased expression of HB-EGF and its receptors, HER1 and EGFR4 (HER4/ErbB4), was observed in thyroid carcinoma cells. Our findings suggest that HB-EGF acts as a potent paracrine and/or autocrine chemotactic factor as well as a mitogen that mediates HER1 and/or HER4 in the invasion and metastasis of thyroid carcinoma cells, including poorly differentiated papillary carcinomas or undifferentiated/anaplastic carcinomas. These data may aid in the development of novel therapeutic strategies for thyroid cancer.
The bidding paradox : how economists and politicians might agree on the attractiveness of mega sports events

The ambition to host mega sports events is (or can be) perfectly justifiable with various arguments. The most persistently used argument is the supposed financial or direct economic gain for the host economy, of which the compelling body of evidence is discouraging. This implies that the justification for hosting should come from a different, broader economic angle. This paper provides a critical discussion of the myriad of economic and frequently intangible effects that could be put forward in the public debate preceding the submission of a bid. Paradoxically, most of these effects are not, or infrequently employed in public debates.
THE APPLICATION OF DESIGN THINKING METHODOLOGY ON RESEARCH PRACTICES: A MIND-MAP OF TOOLS AND METHOD

The difficult task of innovation is a key facet of Research & Development (R&D) institutions. Innovation is also closely related with processes oriented to achieve solutions in design. By addressing this topic, we propose to research new emerging design methods and provide an overview of design thinking tools that can be applied in an early stage of the R&D research process in order to produce meaningful results. This research presents a set of experimental guidelines and an analysis method for the application of these tools. In particular, it is taken into account that design, through design thinking, extends to the experience that costumers/users have with products, services, spaces or even multidimensional experiences, which is a relevant input for R&D innovation development. It is well known that design has changed its scope beyond the conception of artifacts: Design thinking methodologies have resulted from the advancement of current design paradigms. However, design thinking is not a new design discipline. It is a fresh multi-disciplinary platform that utilizes conceptual tools in order to provide steps towards innovation. In fact, the establishment of coherent guidelines for the design thinking process is a very complex task, due to its interdisciplinary requirements, that convey many diverse mindsets. The main focus of this study is creating an analysis toolkit that enables non-specialist and specialist users to perform high-quality design production. This methodological tool is being applied in the framework of two research centers, namely, the Research center for Science and Technology of the Arts and the Telecommunication Institute of Oporto University. These trials provide valuable pilot studies in order to determine the efficiency of this ‘mind map’ in the R&D innovation process.