Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A prototyping environment for high performance reconfigurable computing

In the face of power wall and high performance requirements, designers of hardware architectures are directed more and more towards reconfigurable computing with the usage of heterogeneous CPU/FPGA systems. In such architectures, multi-core processors come with high computation rates while the reconfigurable logic offers high performance per watt and adaptability to the application constraints. However, the design of heterogeneous architectures is facing extremely challenging requirements such as the appropriate programming model, design tools, and the rapid system prototyping. Focusing this issue, we present a prototyping environment for heterogeneous CPU/FPGA systems. Within this environment, we conceived a generic and scalable architecture based on a multi-core processor tightly-connected to FPGA in order to meet performance, power and flexibility goals. Furthermore, front-end interfaces are presented in order to establish communication, data sharing, and synchronisation between the different software and hardware processing units. Finally, we defined a design methodology that eases the development of applications onto heterogeneous systems. Our environment is conceived using standard host machine coupled with a Xilinx Virtex 6 FPGA through the PCI Express standard bus. In the experimental part, we evaluate first the reliability of different CPU/FPGA communication solutions in order to bring real-time capabilities to our system. Secondly, we demonstrate the efficiency of the presented design methodology for heterogeneous systems through the FIR signal processing application.
Presence on idiotype-specific suppressor T cells of receptors that interact with molecules bearing the idiotype

All A/J mice produce anti-p-azophenylarsonate (anti-Ar) antibodies, some of which share a cross-reactive idiotype. The idiotype can be suppressed by treatment with anti-idiotypic antiserum before immunization, although normal concentrations of anti-Ar antibodies are synthesized. We have previously reported that such suppressed mice, if hyperimmunized and then allowed to rest, contain up to 10% of splenic T cells which form rosettes with autologous RBC coated with Fab fragments of anti-Ar antibodies bearing the idiotype. Our present results indicate that the rosette-forming T cells include the idiotype-specific suppressor T-cell population. The suppressive activity is largely depleted by removal of the rosette-forming lymphocytes, and the rosettes themselves are highly suppressive. The data do not establish whether all of the idiotype-specific rosette-forming cells are suppressor cells. The system may provide a source of large numbers of suppressor cells for further study, and facilitate investigation of the mechanism of generation of idiotype-specific suppressor cells.
Low-Rank and Sparsity Analysis Applied to Speech Enhancement Via Online Estimated Dictionary

In this letter, we propose an online estimated local dictionary based single-channel speech enhancement algorithm, which focuses on low-rank and sparse matrix decomposition. In the proposed algorithm, a noisy speech spectrogram can be decomposed into low-rank background noise components and an activation of the online speech dictionary, on which both low-rank and sparsity constraints are imposed. This decomposition takes the advantage of local estimated exemplar's high expressiveness on speech components and also accommodates nonstationary background noise. The local dictionary can be obtained through estimating the speech presence probability (SPP) by applying expectation-maximal algorithm, in which a generalized Gamma prior for speech magnitude spectrum is used. The proposed algorithm is evaluated using signal-to-distortion ratio, and perceptual evaluation of speech quality. The results show that the proposed algorithm achieves significant improvements at various SNRs when compared to four other speech enhancement algorithms, including improved Karhunen-Loeve transform approach, SPP-based MMSE, nonnegative matrix factorization-based robust principal component analysis (RPCA), and RPCA.
Discretized Streams: An Efficient and Fault-Tolerant Model for Stream Processing on Large Clusters

Many important "big data" applications need to process data arriving in real time. However, current programming models for distributed stream processing are relatively low-level, often leaving the user to worry about consistency of state across the system and fault recovery. Furthermore, the models that provide fault recovery do so in an expensive manner, requiring either hot replication or long recovery times. We propose a new programming model, discretized streams (D-Streams), that offers a high-level functional programming API, strong consistency, and efficient fault recovery. D-Streams support a new recovery mechanism that improves efficiency over the traditional replication and upstream backup solutions in streaming databases: parallel recovery of lost state across the cluster. We have prototyped D-Streams in an extension to the Spark cluster computing framework called Spark Streaming, which lets users seamlessly intermix streaming, batch and interactive queries.
Towards real-time markerless human motion capture from ambiance cameras using an hybrid particle filter

In this article we present a two ambiance video camera system dedicated to markerless human motion capture. We introduce a new particle filter algorithm which entails an importance function enabling auto-(re)initialisation, and takes account of the global curvature of the likelihood so as to guide the search along poorly observable directions of the state space. The system robustness is improved by fusing different visual cues. Performances are nearly real time.
Dolph–Chebyshev Beampattern Design for Spherical Arrays

Spherical arrays with array processing based on spherical harmonics have been recently studied for a wide range of applications that require three-dimensional beamforming. In this correspondence, a Dolph-Chebychev beampattern design, widely used in array processing due to the direct control over main-lobe width and maximum sidelobe level, is developed for spherical arrays within the spherical harmonics framework. We show that due to the similarity between the Legendre polynomials that define the spherical array beampattern and the Chebyshev polynomials that define the desired Dolph-Chebyshev beampattern, spherical array weights can be computed directly and accurately given desired main-lobe width or sidelobe level.
Intrusion Detection on Sensor Networks Using Emotional Ants

Due to the wide deployment of sensor networks recently security in sensor networks has become a hot research topic. Popular ways to secure a sensor network are by including cryptographic techniques or by safeguarding sensitive information from unauthorized access/manipulation and by implementing efficient intrusion detection mechanisms. This paper proposes a novel ant colony based intrusion detection mechanism which could also keep track of the intruder trials. The proposed technique could work in conjunction with the conventional machine learning based intrusion detection techniques to secure the sensor networks. The algorithm is presented and illustrated by simulating a sensor network.
Multi-class Relationship Extraction from Biomedical Literature Using Maximum Entropy

Relation extraction is a challenging task in biomedical text mining due to the complex of sentences in the biomedical literature. In this paper, we address multi-class relationship extraction problem from biomedical literature using Maximum Entropy model with simple word features. The proposed method is applied to extract the protein-protein interactions. Experiments show the method achieves an accuracy of 73.4% in the corpora built based on the HIV-1 Human Protein Interaction Database, which is a promising result compare to previous works.
Mistreatment in Organizations: Toward a Perpetrator-Focused Research Agenda

Cortina, Rabelo, and Holland (2018) have cogently suggested that workplace mistreatment should be viewed through a “lens” that squarely implicates the perpetrator (i.e., the perpetrator predation framework) rather than through a lens that at least partially absolves the perpetrator while blaming the victim for inviting, or not actively resisting, the mistreatment (i.e., the victim precipitation framework). We agree that the perpetrator predation framework provides a better basis for policy, practice, and law. Furthermore, however, the perpetrator predation framework provides a better basis for science. Whereas Cortina et al. allude briefly to the scientific benefits of a perpetrator-focused framework, the current commentary fleshes out these benefits and outlines an agenda for future perpetrator-focused research on workplace mistreatment.
Improving linearity in class-AB power amplifiers using a body-biased NMOS predistortion stage

A technique for improving the linearity of CMOS class-AB power amplifiers (PAs) is introduced. The technique is based on compensating for the voltage-dependent nonlinear gate-source capacitance of the input transistor of the PA. This compensation is achieved through using an NMOS capacitor, i.e., an NMOS transistor with its source and drain shorted, as a predistortion stage. To enhance cancellation of the nonlinearity, body biasing is incorporated as an additional control scheme into the predistortion stage. As a proof-of-concept, a 2.4-GHz class-AB power amplifier with the proposed predistortion stage has been designed and laid out in a 0.13-μm CMOS technology. Post-layout simulation results show that the third-order input-referred intercept point (IIP3) of the designed PA improves by more than 3-dB when the bulk voltage of the predistortion device is biased appropriately. The PA achieves unsaturated output power of +20 dBm while drawing 125 mA from a 1.2 V supply voltage.
Quenched invariance principle for random walks on Delaunay triangulations

We consider simple random walks on Delaunay triangulations generated by point processes in $\mathbb{R}^d$. Under suitable assumptions on the point processes, we show that the random walk satisfies an almost sure (or quenched) invariance principle. This invariance principle holds for point processes which have clustering or repulsiveness properties including Poisson point processes, Matern cluster and Matern hardcore processes. The method relies on the decomposition of the process into a martingale part and a corrector which is proved to be negligible at the diffusive scale.
Characterization of Ca 2-activated Cl currents in mouse kidney inner medullary collecting duct cells

Qu, Zhiqiang, Raymond W. Wei, and H. Criss Hartzell. Characterization of Ca2 -activated Cl currents in mouse kidney inner medullary collecting duct cells. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 285: F326–F335, 2003. First published April 29, 2003; 10.1152/ajprenal.00034. 2003. —Ca2 -activated Cl (ClCa) channels were characterized biophysically and pharmacologically in a mouse kidney inner medullary collecting duct cell line, IMCD-K2. Whole cell recording was performed with symmetrical N-methyl-D-glucamine chloride (NMDG)-Cl in the intracellular and extracellular solutions, and the intracellular Ca2 concentration ([Ca2 ]i) was adjusted with Ca2 -EGTA buffers. The amplitude of the current was dependent on [Ca2 ]i. [Ca2 ]i 800 nM strongly activated outwardly rectifying Cl currents, whereas high Ca2 (21 M) elicited time-independent currents that did not rectify. The currents activated at low [Ca2 ] exhibited timedependent activation and deactivation. The affinity of the channel for Ca2 was voltage dependent. The EC50 for Ca2 was 0.4 M at 100 mV and 1.0 M at 100 mV. The Cl channel blocker niflumic acid in the bath equally inhibited both inward and outward currents reversibly, with a Ki 7.6 M. DIDS, diphenylamine-2-carboxylic acid, and anthracene-9-carboxylic acid reversibly inhibited outward currents in a voltage-dependent manner. DTT slowly inhibited the currents, but tamoxifen did not. Comparing the biophysical and pharmacological properties, we conclude that IMCD-K2 cells express the same type of ClCa channels as those we have described in detail in Xenopus laevis oocytes (Qu Z and Hartzell HC. J Biol Chem 276: 18423–18429, 2001).
Silver Nanoparticles as Potential Antibacterial Agents

Multi-drug resistance is a growing problem in the treatment of infectious diseases and the widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotics has produced antibiotic resistance for many human bacterial pathogens. Advances in nanotechnology have opened new horizons in nanomedicine, allowing the synthesis of nanoparticles that can be assembled into complex architectures. Novel studies and technologies are devoted to understanding the mechanisms of disease for the design of new drugs, but unfortunately infectious diseases continue to be a major health burden worldwide. Since ancient times, silver was known for its anti-bacterial effects and for centuries it has been used for prevention and control of disparate infections. Currently nanotechnology and nanomaterials are fully integrated in common applications and objects that we use every day. In addition, the silver nanoparticles are attracting much interest because of their potent antibacterial activity. Many studies have also shown an important activity of silver nanoparticles against bacterial biofilms. This review aims to summarize the emerging efforts to address current challenges and solutions in the treatment of infectious diseases, particularly the use of nanosilver antimicrobials.
New techniques for computer-based simulation in surgical training

Scientific community in medicine indicates the disruptive potential of the application of Virtual Reality (VR) to the training in the medical field. This paper presents some research and applicative results on Computer Assisted Surgery (CAS) achieved in the framework of EndoCAS, a Center of Excellence in Pisa. The research has involved: segmentation algorithms for volumetric datasets, bone drilling simulation, simulation and virtual cutting of human tissue, simulation of rope dynamics to reproduce a suture procedure in MIS. Our purpose is to enhance the surgical training with new techniques to carry the surgical training to a next level of realism.
The emerging identity of preservice teachers during the practicum component of second language teacher education

This investigation joins the increasing body of research on initial teacher education arguing that preservice teacher (PST) learning and identity construction are intertwined and are crucial to professional development. Guided by Beijaard, Meijer, & Verloop's (2004) theoretical framework for investigating teacher professional identities, the focus of this study is to examine from a socio-constructivist perspective 1) how experiences in the practicum influence early professional identity construction; 2) how personal factors influence early identity construction; and 3) how reflective practice in the practicum influences PST professional identity development. To this end, I ask preservice teacher participants to reflect upon the challenges which they face during the practicum component of their second language teacher education (SLTE) programme and how their experiences have shaped their notions of professional identity, while paying particular attention to agency within resource poor environments. Specifically, this study examines the various problems confronting PSTs which include the impact of social, institutional and personal obstacles on the construction of participants’ professional identity.A group of ten Mexican PSTs in the eighth semester of their nine semester SLTE programme were research participants. This qualitative interpretative case study employed written reflections, asynchronous discussion forum transcripts, critical incidents, individual face to face interviews and a focus group session as methods of data collection. Data is analysed through sociocultural theory, positioning theory and interpretive discourse analysis employing Fairclough's (2003) discourse analysis model.Results revealed that multiple factors affected PSTs’ identity. These include participants’ past world experiences, practicum experiences and connections with colleagues and learners within communities of practice, knowledge of subject matter, teaching pedagogy, classroom management, and dealing with challenges in resource poor environments.The findings of this study contribute to the formulation of global knowledge and theory about language teachers’ learning which may benefit policy, theory and practice in the field of initial teacher education.
Analyzing Histone Modifications in iPS Cells Using Tiled Binned 3D Scatter Plots

Epigenetics data is very important for understanding the differentiation of cells into different cell types. Moreover, the amount of epigenetic data available was and still is considerably increasing. To cope with this big amount of data, statistical or visual analysis is used. Usually, biologists analyze epigenetic data using statistical methods like correlations on a high level. However, this does not allow to analyze the fate of histone modifications in detail during cell specification or to compare histone modifications in different cell lines. Tiled binned scatter plot matrices proved to be very useful for this type of analysis showing binary relationships. We adapted the idea of tiling and binning scatter plots from 2D to 3D, such that ternary relationships can be depicted. Comparing tiled binned 3D scatter plots--the new method--to tiled binned 2D scatter plot matrices showed, that many relations that are difficult or impossible to find using tiled binned 2D scatter plot matrices can easily be observed using the new approach. We found that using our approach, changes in the distribution of the marks over time (different cell types) or differences between different replicates of the same cell sample are easy to detect. Tiled binned 3D scatter plots proved superior compared to the previously used method due to the reduced amount of overplotting leading to less interaction necessary for gaining similar insights.
On the frame forwarding in peer-to-peer multimedia streaming

One of the unique features of P2P streaming is that each peer plays both client and server roles at the same time. Distribution of program streams is achieved by peer forwarding instead of providing from a set of centralized servers. Consequently, loss of a frame not only causes the peer to miss the frame, but all the descendant peers feel the effect as well. In this paper, we investigate the design issues on frame forwarding in peer-to-peer multimedia streaming. To provide smooth streaming services, we argue that the selection of a new parent peer for a child peer should consider not only network quality (e.g. delay and bandwidth), but also the frame-buffer status between the parent-child peers. When there is a large mismatch on the frame-buffer status between parent-child peers, the child peer suffers interruption during playback. We discuss the effects caused by both frame caching and peer selection. With regard to frame caching, we discuss issues of frame buffering, frame forwarding rate, frame synchronization, and old frame management schemes. With peer selection, we discuss issues of selection criteria and their impact. Two selection criteria, ALF and AUF, are discussed regarding critical conditions encountered. Based on the above different design considerations, we propose ten forwarding mechanisms for discussion and comparison. Through simulation, we show how the proposed forwarding mechanisms based on frame synchronization and aggressive old frame management schemes can effectively reduce frame loss.
Hierarchical routing in layered ring and mesh optical networks

We consider hierarchical optical networks with different granularities of paths (wavelengths and wavebands). We introduce classification layers for routing models in these networks (separated and integrated routing, homogeneous and heterogeneous networks, online and offline routing). We also propose and analyze two heuristic routing and aggregation algorithms (online and offline) to be used for homogeneous networks in the separate routing framework. The analysis is based on ring topology; its results are supported by simulations of large scale networks (Europe and USA). These simulations demonstrate a significant cost reduction achieved by employing hierarchical routing (from 33% in the online algorithm to almost 60% in the offline one).
Efficient resource allocation and interference management using compressive sensing in dense mobile communication systems

In dense mobile communication systems, time efficiency is a vital demand for resource allocation (RA), as well as inter-cell interference coordination (ICIC), due to the fact that the scale of RA optimization is extremely large. Existing optimization schemes, such as Hungarian algorithm, are too time-consuming to reach an optimal solution, which does not fit for RA in dense scenarios. In this paper, we employ the compressive sensing (CS) technique to design a CS-based scheme, which uses wavelet transform, Hadamard matrix, and CoSaMP algorithm for sparse representation, measurement, and reconstruction, respectively. Simulation results show the sparsity, the feasibility, and the gain of time efficiency by using the CS technique. We can see that, in dense system, our proposal could achieve a near-optimal RA solution with significantly decreased time cost. Meanwhile, in 2-cell scenario, the interference can also be coordinated effectively by the CS-based RA scheme.
Yetişkinlerde Planlama Becerisi: Londra Kulesi (LK DX ) Testinin Standardizasyon ve Güvenilirlik Çalişmasi

Results of a normative and reliability study on the Tower of London-Drexel (TOL DX ), a test of planning, are reported for a sample of 385 Turkish adults from fi ve age groups: 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-59, and 60+ age groups. The study examined the infl uence of age, gender, and education on the test performance. Mean performance and percentile ranks are presented for the fi ve age groups. The results showed a signifi cant age effect, which was mainly due to the 60+ age group’s performance. The performance of 60+ age group was signifi cantly poorer than those of the other four groups. There were no major changes in performance from 16 to 59 years-old. The study also revealed that there were essentially no differences between females and males in all the TOL scores, except for the Total Rule Violations and the Total Execution Time. Education level had a marked infl uence on the TOL DX performance. Overall the high education group’s performance was better than the middle and the low education groups. The TOL DX also demonstrated good test-retest reliability
Usage control platformization via trustworthy SELinux

Continuous access control after an object is released into a distributed environment has been regarded as the usage control problem and has been investigated by different researchers in various papers. However, the enabling technology for usage control is a challenging problem and the space has not been fully explored yet. In this paper we identify the general requirements of a trusted usage control enforcement in heterogeneous computing environments, and also propose a general platform architecture to meet these requirements.
Big Data in Large Scale Intelligent Smart City Installations

This paper highlights how the domain of Smart Cities is often modeled by ontologies to create applications and services that are highly flexible, (re)configurable, and inter-operable. However, ontology repositories and their accompanying reasoning and rule languages face the disadvantage of bad runtime behavior, especially if the models grow large in size. We propose an architecture that uses tools and methods from the domain of Big Data processing in conjunction with an ontology repository and a rule engine to overcome potential performance bottlenecks that will occur in this scenario.