Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimation of the mobile station velocity in micro-cellular systems with non-isotropic scattering

This paper presents a new method for estimating the velocity of a mobile station (MS) in a typical micro-cellular system with non-isotropic scattering. The proposed estimator uses the zero-crossing rates of the in-phase component, and the means of the instantaneous frequency (IF) and the absolute IF of the received signal at the MS antenna. It is also shown that using the above mentioned statistics of the received signal, the Rice factor and the directivity parameter can be estimated too. Unlike the existing velocity estimators, the proposed estimator is unbiased when the scattering distribution is non-isotropic.
Block convergence in repeated transform coding: JPEG-100 forensics, carbon dating, and tamper detection

Repeated rounding of sample blocks in alternating domains creates complex convergence paths. We study convergence and block stability for JPEG images compressed with quality factor 100 and derive methods to detect such compression in grayscale bitmap images, to estimate the number of recompressions, to identify the DCT implementation used for compression, and to uncover local tampering if image parts have been compressed with JPEG-100 at least once.
Risk factors for recent toxoplasma infection in pregnant women in Naples

SUMMARY Effective primary prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis requires up to date information on locally relevant risk factors for infection in pregnant women. In Naples, risk factors for toxoplasma infection were compared in recently infected women (as assessed by detection of specific IgM in serum) and susceptible, IgG negative women. Recent infection was strongly associated with frequency of consumption of cured pork and raw meat. Eating cured pork or raw meat at least once a month increased the risk of toxoplasma infection threefold. This simple study design for determining locally relevant sources of toxoplasma infection is the first report of cured pork as a risk factor for infection. Further research is required to determine cyst viability in cured pork products. Our findings suggest that in southern Italy, cured pork and raw meat should be avoided by susceptible pregnant women.
Coaxial Plasma Gun in the High-Density Regime and Injection into a Helical Field

A modified CPG in the high density regime of 20-70mT of He was investigated. The injection of the plasmatorus into a driftspace was studied by diamagnetical diagnostics both with and without helical bias, where the inner electrode was continued into the driftspace by a central conductor. Quasi-tokamak geometry is obtained (q almost-equal-to 3; l(j) almost-equal-to 1.2; beta(p) almost-equal-to . 7). Mean speed of torus in driftspace: 2.2cm/musec; which is in very good agreement with the MHD model derived. Discussion of: (1) general phenomena, (2) second half-period breakdown with autopreionisation, (3) prevention of transv. expansion by rarefaction waves of Mach 50 supersonic flow, (4) stability and homogeneity enhancement, (5) agreement with model, (6) X-points & breakdown dependence. The findings are important for future designs of injectors for magn. confinement.
:ge,hf2=$n$?$a$ng=f03x=, Active Learning for Optimal Generalization

In this paper, we consider the problem of active learning in trigonometric polynomial networks and give a necessary and sufficient condition of sample points to provide the optimal generalization capability. By analyzing the condition from the functional analytic point of view, we clarify the mechanism of achieving the optimal generalization capability. We also show that a set of training examples satisfying the condition does not only provide the optimal generalization but also reduces the computational complexity and memory required for the calculation of learning results. Finally, we give examples of sample points satisfying the condition and show that one of the examples further reduces the computational complexity and memory required for the calculation.
Mobile beacon node path scheme in arbitrary region for wireless sensor networks

Localization with mobile beacons is one of the most efficient ways to deploy sensor nodes and locate them. However, most of the current mobile beacon-assisted localization algorithms only discuss the application in rectangular sensor region. In order to achieve the localization in arbitrary sensor region, a novel mobile beacon-assisted localization algorithm based on virtual force and ant colony algorithm for wireless sensor networks is presented. Experimental results show that the proposed localization can achieve a proper balance between localization accuracy and energy consumption.
Comparison of VIM and STN DBS for Parkinsonian Resting and Postural/Action Tremor

Background Resting tremor is common in Parkinson’s disease (PD), but up to 47% of PD patients have action tremor, which is sometimes resistant to medications. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) of the thalamus or subthalamic nucleus (STN) is effective for medication-refractory tremor in PD, though it remains unclear whether STN DBS is as effective as VIM DBS for postural/action tremor related to PD. Methods We carried out a single-center retrospective review of patients with medication-refractory resting, postural, and action PD tremor, treated with either VIM or STN DBS between August 2004 and March 2014. We assessed the degree of improvement using items 20 and 21 of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor scale and examined the proportion of patients achieving tremor arrest. Results A total of 18 patients were analyzed, 10 treated with STN and eight treated with VIM, with similar off-medication motor UPDRS scores. There was no significant difference in improvement in tremor scores or in the proportion of patients experiencing tremor arrest between the two stimulation sites. Overall, 56% and 72% of patients experienced complete absence of postural/action tremor and resting tremor, respectively, at last follow-up. Discussion This study demonstrated excellent outcomes on both resting and postural/action tremor after either VIM or STN DBS. Resting tremor improved to a greater degree than postural/action tremor in both groups. These results suggest that a large randomized controlled trial is needed to show a superior effect of one target on PD tremor.
Hardware in the loop for optical flow sensing in a robotic bee

The design of autonomous robots involves the development of many complex, interdependent components, including the mechanical body and its associated actuators, sensors, and algorithms to handle sensor processing, control, and high-level task planning. For the design of a robotic bee (RoboBee) it is necessary to optimize across the design space for minimum weight and power consumption to increase flight time; however, the design space of a single component is large, the interconnectedness and tradeoffs across components must be considered, and interdisciplinary collaborations cause different component design timelines. In this work, we show how the development of a hardware in the loop (HWIL) system for a flapping wing microrobot can simplify and accelerate evaluation of a large number of design choices. Specifically, we explore the design space of the visual system including sensor hardware and associated optical flow processing. We demonstrate the utility of the HWIL system in exposing trends on system performance for optical flow algorithm, field of view, sensor resolution, and frame rate.
Upregulation of GABA Neurotransmission Suppresses Hippocampal Excitability and Prevents Long-Term Potentiation in Transgenic Superoxide Dismutase-Overexpressing Mice

Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) is a key enzyme in oxygen metabolism in the brain. Overexpression of SOD-1 in transgenic (Tg) mice has been used to study the functional roles of this enzyme in oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and neurotoxicity. We found that Tg-SOD-1 mice are strikingly less sensitive to kainic acid-induced behavioral seizures than control mice. Furthermore, the hippocampus of Tg-SOD-1 mice was far less sensitive to local application of bicuculline, a GABA-A antagonist, than the hippocampus of control mice. GABAergic functions, expressed in extracellular paired-pulse depression, and in IPSCs recorded in dentate granular cells were enhanced in Tg-SOD-1 mice. Finally, long-term potentiation (LTP), not found in the dentate gyrus of Tg-SOD-1 mice, could be restored by local blockade of inhibition and could be blocked in control mice by injection of diazepam, which amplifies inhibition. These results indicate that constitutive elevation of SOD-1 activity exerts a major effect on neuronal excitability in the hippocampus, which, in turn, controls hippocampal ability to express LTP.
Learning Difficulties of the 5th Grade Elementary School Students in Learning Human and Animal Body Organs

Natural Science is an elementary school subject that requires students to organize ideas and concepts about the natural world gained from experiences through a series of scientific processes such as investigating, composing, and presenting ideas. The high complexity causes many cases of learning difficulties. This study aims to diagnose the learning difficulties that occur on 5th-grade elementary school students. The research was conducted in Muhammadiyah Pakem Elementary School, Sleman, Yogyakarta Special Regency. The subjects were 29 of 5th-grade elementary students. Data collection techniques were interviews, tests, and documentation. Data analysis techniques were descriptive statistic as a quantitative analysis and interactive model as a qualitative analysis. The learning difficulties were diagnosed by describing the students who were identified having learning difficulties; localizing the difficulties; and determining the factors that cause learning difficulties. The results showed that the difficulties experienced by students were in basic competence 1.1-1.5 (human blood circulation organs). The average percentage of students’ learning difficulties in Basic Competence 1.1 was 48%; Basic Competence 1.2 was 51.1%; Basic Competence 1.3 was 57.6%; Basic Competence. 1.4 is 64.7%; and Basic Competence 1.5 is 53.7%. The highest percentage of learning difficulties was in Basic Competence 1.4 (identifying human circulatory organs). It was caused by the students’ low attention and motivation to learn natural science, the imprecise teaching methods, the parents’ attention, and the negative influence of mass media.
Cloning and Characterization of a Novel A-kinase Anchoring Protein

Compartmentalization of the type II cyclic AMP-dependent kinase (PKA) is achieved through association of the regulatory subunit (RII) with A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs). Using an interaction cloning strategy with RIIα as a probe, we have isolated cDNAs encoding a novel 1129-amino acid protein that contains both a PKA binding region and a peroxisome targeting motif. Northern analysis detected mRNAs of 9.7 and 7.3 kb in several rat tissues with the highest levels present in the brain and testis. Western analysis and RII overlay experiments showed that the protein is approximately 220 kDa and was, therefore, named AKAP 220. Immunoprecipitation of AKAP 220 from rat testis extracts resulted in co-purification of the type II PKA holoenzyme. The specific activity of PKA increased 458-fold from 7.2 pmol/min/mg in the cell lysate to 3.3 nmol/min/mg in the immunoprecipitate. Immunohistochemical analysis of rat testicular TM4 cells showed that AKAP 220 and a proportion of RII were co-localized in microbodies that appear to be a subset of peroxisomes. Collectively, these results suggest that AKAP 220 may play a role in targeting type II PKA for cAMP-responsive peroxisomal events.
A Simultaneous Optical and X-Ray Variability Study of the Orion Nebula Cluster. I. Incidence of Time-correlated X-Ray/Optical Variations

We present a database of BVRI time-series photometry of the Orion Nebula Cluster obtained with two ground-based telescopes at different longitudes to provide simultaneous coverage with the 13 day Chandra observation of the cluster. The resulting database of simultaneous optical and X-ray light curves for some 800 pre-main-sequence (PMS) stars represents, by a factor of hundreds, the largest synoptic, multi-wavelength-regime, time-series study of young stars to date. This database will permit detailed analyses of the relationship between optical and X-ray variability among a statistically significant ensemble of PMS stars, with the goal of elucidating the origins of PMS X-ray production. In this first paper, we present the optical observations, describe the combined X-ray/optical database, and perform an analysis of time-correlated variability in the optical and X-ray light curves. We identify 40 stars (representing 5% of our study sample) with possible time-correlated optical and X-ray variability. Examples of both positive and negative time correlations are found, possibly representing X-ray flares and persistent coronal features associated with both cool and hot surface spots (i.e., magnetically active regions and accretion shocks). We also find two possible examples of "white-light" flares coincident with X-ray flares; these may correspond to the impulsive heating phase in solar-analog flares. However, although interesting, these represent unusual cases. More generally, we find very little evidence to suggest a direct causal link between the sources of optical and X-ray variability in PMS stars. The conclusion that accretion is a primary driver of X-ray production in PMS stars is not supported by our findings.
Concept Hierarchies Generation for Classification using Fuzzy Formal Concept Analysis

A large collection of formal concepts can be a hedge of the application of formal concept analysis and is not directly comprehensible for a user. It is thus an important task to develop methods which help to overcome the problem of large number of extracted formal concepts. This paper proposes concept hierarchies learning for getting more concise concept representation method using fuzzy formal concept analysis. Then, concept hierarchies based classifier is produced. At the end, experiments show that the compression rate of concept hierarchy to concept lattice is obvious while preserving the accuracy of classification.
Event-driven programming with EScala

EScala is an extension of Scala with support for declarative event-driven programming. It provides mechanisms for declarative definition of events and employs aspect-oriented techniques for exposing implicitly existing events, which reduces the need for explicit triggering of events. EScala provides a conservative integration of declarative events into an object-oriented language. Events are declared as attributes of objects and are subject to inheritance and subtype polymorphism. The language fully preserves encapsulation of objects and modular compilation of classes. Designs based on declarative events are as efficient as conventional event-driven designs. Attendees of the demonstration will see a live example that illustrates the expressiveness gained by the features of EScala. We will show how events can be defined in a declarative way and how to use such events for defining interactions among objects. We will demonstrate how declarative events can be used to replace observers and so result in more concise and modular design. Finally, we will show how to use the events library with a standard Scala compiler.
Interaction of Type IV Toxin/Antitoxin Systems in Cryptic Prophages of Escherichia coli K-12

Toxin/antitoxin (TA) systems are widespread in prokaryotic chromosomes and in mobile genetic elements including plasmids and prophages. The first characterized Type IV TA system CbtA/CbeA was found in cryptic prophage CP4-44 in Escherichia coli K-12. Two homologous TA loci of CbtA/CbeA also reside in cryptic prophages of E. coli K-12, YkfI/YafW in CP4-6 and YpjF/YfjZ in CP4-57. In this study, we demonstrated that YkfI and YpjF inhibited cell growth and led to the formation of “lemon-shaped” cells. Prolonged overproduction of YkfI led to the formation of “gourd-shaped” cells and immediate cell lysis. YafW and YfjZ can neutralize the toxicity of YkfI or YpjF. Furthermore, we found that YkfI and YpjF interacted with cell division protein FtsZ in E. coli, but ectopic expression in Pseudomonas and Shewanella did not cause the formation of “lemon-shaped” cells. Moreover, deletion of all of the three toxin genes together decreased resistance to oxidative stress and deletion of the antitoxin genes increased early biofilm formation. Collectively, these results demonstrated that the homologous Type IV TA systems in E. coli may target cell division protein FtsZ in E. coli and may have different physiological functions in E. coli.
GUIDES: a graphical user identifier scheme using sketching for mobile web-services

In this paper, a novel graphical user identifier scheme for web-based mobile services. Despite a rapid progress in biological authentication technologies for user identification, the traditional text-based UserID-and-password scheme has still widely been used even for mobile web-services. In the mobile usage, a virtual keyboard is difficult to use for input texts, which causes much time to input a text. To decrease the difficulty, GUIDES (Graphical User IDEntifier using Sketching) is proposed in this paper. With GUIDES, a user can input its user identifier, called GUID (Graphical User ID), by drawing a sketch on a mobile touchscreen device. From our experiments, it is concluded that GUIDES can enable a user input his/her User-ID more efficiently and remember it more, compared with the text-based user-id scheme.
Parser evaluation across Text Types

When a statistical parser is trained on one treebank, one usually tests it on another portion of the same treebank, partly due to the fact that a comparable annotation format is needed for testing. But the user of a parser may not be interested in parsing sentences from the same newspaper all over, or even wants syntactic annotations for a slightly different text type. Gildea (2001) for instance found that a parser trained on the WSJ portion of the Penn Treebank performs less well on the Brown corpus (the subset that is available in the PTB bracketing format) than a parser that has been trained only on the Brown corpus, although the latter one has only half as many sentences as the former. Additionally, a parser trained on both the WSJ and Brown corpora performs less well on the Brown corpus than on the WSJ one. 1
Water availability as an agent of selection in introduced populations of Arabidopsis thaliana: impacts on flowering time evolution

Flowering is one of the most influential events in the life history of a plant and one of the main determinants of reproductive investment and lifetime fitness. It is also a highly complex trait controlled by dozens of genes. Understanding the selective pressures influencing time to flowering, and being able to reliably predict how it will evolve in novel environments, are unsolved challenges for plant evolutionary geneticists. Using the model plant species, Arabidopsis thaliana, we examined the impact of simulated high and low winter precipitation levels on the flowering time of naturalized lines from across the eastern portion of the introduced North American range, and the fitness consequences of early versus late flowering. Flowering time order was significantly correlated across two environments—in a previous common garden experiment and in environmental chambers set to mimic mid-range photoperiod and temperature conditions. Plants in low water flowered earlier, had fewer basal branches and produced fewer fruits. Selection in both treatments favored earlier flowering and more basal branches. Our analyses revealed an interaction between flowering time and water treatment for fitness, where flowering later was more deleterious for fitness in the low water treatment. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that differences in winter precipitation levels are one of the selective agents underlying a flowering time cline in introduced A. thaliana populations.
Glavlit: Preventing Exfiltration at Wire Speed

Protecting sensitive data is no longer a problem restricted to governments whose national security is at stake. With ubiquitous Internet connectivity, it is challenging to secure a network – not only to prevent attack, but also to ensure that sensitive data are not released. In this paper, we consider the problem of ensuring that only pre-authorized data leave a network boundary using either overt or covert channels, i.e., preventing exfiltration. We identify the goals of transparency , performance, and simplicity. A system designed to prevent exfiltration should not adversely affect the transfer of authorized data and should work with existing protocols. Key to our approach is: i) separating the process of vetting authorized objects from line-speed data verification; and ii) employing a restricted, but compliant, HTTP subset to limit covert channels. In our evaluation, we show that Glavlit adds little overhead to the operation of a software network bridge.
A Pervasive Temporal Error Concealment Algorithm for H.264/AVC Decoder

In real-time video transmission over error-prone network, the packet loss cannot be avoided which causes the video quality reduction in the destination. In this paper, we propose a pervasive temporal error concealment (PTEC) algorithm for H.264/AVC Inter frame decoding to eliminate the error effect for Human Visual System (HVS). To increase the error concealment (EC) accuracy, the 4x4 block size is used as the basic motion vector (MV) recovery unit, and the MV of the lost macroblock (MB) is recovered by employing the MV information of the neighboring intact MBs. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can achieve better EC performance compared with the existing TEC methods. Because of its simple composition, it is pervasive to be used in the real-time multimedia communication systems with the video coding standard H.264/AVC.
Design and Realization of a Planar Ultrawideband Antenna with Notch Band at 3.5 GHz

A small antenna with single notch band at 3.5 GHz is designed for ultrawideband (UWB) communication applications. The fabricated antenna comprises a radiating monopole element and a perfectly conducting ground plane with a wide slot. To achieve a notch band at 3.5 GHz, a parasitic element has been inserted in the same plane of the substrate along with the radiating patch. Experimental results shows that, by properly adjusting the position of the parasitic element, the designed antenna can achieve an ultrawide operating band of 3.04 to 11 GHz with a notched band operating at 3.31–3.84 GHz. Moreover, the proposed antenna achieved a good gain except at the notched band and exhibits symmetric radiation patterns throughout the operating band. The prototype of the proposed antenna possesses a very compact size and uses simple structures to attain the stop band characteristic with an aim to lessen the interference between UWB and worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) band.
A proximal approach for signal recovery based on information measures

Recently, methods based on Non-Local Total Variation (NLTV) minimization have become popular in image processing. They play a prominent role in a variety of applications such as denoising, compressive sensing, and inverse problems in general. In this work, we extend the NLTV framework by using some information divergences to build new sparsity measures for signal recovery. This leads to a general convex formulation of optimization problems involving information divergences. We address these problems by means of fast parallel proximal algorithms. In denoising and deconvolution examples, our approach is compared with ℓ2-NLTV based approaches. The proposed approach applies to a variety of other inverse problems.