Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coupling of carbon, nitrogen and oxygen cycles in sediments from a Mediterranean lagoon: a seasonal perspective

Experimental data and simulations were used to investigate the seasonal coupling between carbon, nitrogen and oxygen cycles in marine sediments from a eutrophic shallow lagoon in the Mediterranean Sea area. A negative seasonal correlation was observed between oxygen consumption and coupled nitrification–denitrification rates in surface sediments. Elevated values of oxygen consumption rates were reached during warm periods (up to 87.7 mmol m–2 d–1) whereas nitrification and denitrification rates remained close to the lowest rates reported for coastal sediments (values around 0.021 to 0.35 mmol N m–2 d–1 for nitrification and 0.014 to 0.045 mmol N m–2 d–1 for denitrification). A steady-state diagenetic model closely represented the seasonal negative correlation of oxygen uptake, coupled nitrification–denitrification rates, the vertical distribution patterns of pore water oxygen and the solid phase distribution of organic carbon when nitrification inhibition by sulfide was included. Simulation adjusted to field data also highlighted the importance of oxygen penetration depth in the seasonal variation of nitrification. The modelling indicated that anaerobic metabolism was the most significant pathway (65 to 80%) during organic matter mineralization with a clear seasonal increase during warm periods. These warm periods were also characterized by the higher benthic demand of oxygen mostly used to re-oxidize the by-products from anaerobic reactions (from 57 to 82%), the other part being used for carbon mineralization.
Secure Secret Recovery by using Weighted Personal

Authentication plays a vital role in many secure systems. Most of these systems require user to log in with his or her secret password or pass phrase before entering it. This is to ensure all the valuables information is kept confidential guaranteeing also its integrity and availability. However, to achieve this goal, users are required to memorize high entropy passwords or pass phrases. Unfortunately, this sometimes causes difficulty for user to remember meaningless strings of data. This paper presents a new scheme which assigns a weight to each personal question given to the user in revealing the encrypted secrets or password. Concentration of this scheme is to offer fault tolerance to users by allowing them to forget the specific password to a subset of questions and still recover the secret and achieve successful authentication. Comparison on level of security for weight-based and weightless secret recovery scheme is also discussed. The paper concludes with the few areas that requires more investigation in this research. Keywords—Secret Recovery, Personal Entropy, Cryptography, Secret Sharing and Key Management.
Perception With Compensatory Devices: From Sensory Substitution to Sensorimotor Extension

Sensory substitution devices provide through an unusual sensory modality (the substituting modality, e.g., audition) access to features of the world that are normally accessed through another sensory modality (the substituted modality, e.g., vision). In this article, we address the question of which sensory modality the acquired perception belongs to. We have recourse to the four traditional criteria that have been used to define sensory modalities: sensory organ, stimuli, properties, and qualitative experience (Grice, 1962), to which we have added the criteria of behavioral equivalence (Morgan, 1977), dedication (Keeley, 2002), and sensorimotor equivalence (O'Regan & Noë, 2001). We discuss which of them are fulfilled by perception through sensory substitution devices and whether this favors the view that perception belongs to the substituting or to the substituted modality. Though the application of a number of criteria might be taken to point to the conclusion that perception with a sensory substitution device belongs to the substituted modality, we argue that the evidence leads to an alternative view on sensory substitution. According to this view, the experience after sensory substitution is a transformation, extension, or augmentation of our perceptual capacities, rather than being something equivalent or reducible to an already existing sensory modality. We develop this view by comparing sensory substitution devices to other "mind-enhancing tools" such as pen and paper, sketchpads, or calculators. An analysis of sensory substitution in terms of mind-enhancing tools unveils it as a thoroughly transforming perceptual experience and as giving rise to a novel form of perceptual interaction with the environment.
Curcumin Modulates the Inflammatory Response and Inhibits Subsequent Fibrosis in a Mouse Model of Viral-induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a clinical syndrome characterized by diffuse alveolar damage usually secondary to an intense host inflammatory response of the lung to a pulmonary or extrapulmonary infectious or non-infectious insult often leading to the development of intra-alveolar and interstitial fibrosis. Curcumin, the principal curcumoid of the popular Indian spice turmeric, has been demonstrated as an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent in a broad spectrum of diseases. Using our well-established model of reovirus 1/L-induced acute viral pneumonia, which displays many of the characteristics of the human ALI/ARDS, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of curcumin. Female CBA/J mice were treated with curcumin (50 mg/kg) 5 days prior to intranasal inoculation with 107 pfu reovirus 1/L and daily, thereafter. Mice were evaluated for key features associated with ALI/ARDS. Administration of curcumin significantly modulated inflammation and fibrosis, as revealed by histological and biochemical analysis. The expression of IL-6, IL-10, IFNγ, and MCP-1, key chemokines/cytokines implicated in the development of ALI/ARDS, from both the inflammatory infiltrate and whole lung tissue were modulated by curcumin potentially through a reduction in the phosphorylated form of NFκB p65. While the expression of TGFß1 was not modulated by curcumin, TGFß Receptor II, which is required for TGFß signaling, was significantly reduced. In addition, curcumin also significantly inhibited the expression of α-smooth muscle actin and Tenascin-C, key markers of myofibroblast activation. This data strongly supports a role for curcumin in modulating the pathogenesis of viral-induced ALI/ARDS in a pre-clinical model potentially manifested through the alteration of inflammation and myofibroblast differentiation.
HyperLS for Parameter Estimation in Geometric Fitting

We present a general framework of a special type of least squares (LS) estimator, which we call “HyperLS, ” for parameter estimation that frequently arises in computer vision applications. It minimizes the algebraic distance under a special scale normalization, which is derived by a detailed error analysis in such a way that statistical bias is removed up to second order noise terms. We discuss in detail many theoretical issues involved in its derivation. By numerical experiments, we show that HyperLS is far superior to the standard LS and comparable in accuracy to maximum likelihood (ML), which is known to produce highly accurate results but may fail to converge if poorly initialized. We conclude that HyperLS is a perfect candidate for ML initialization.
Conscious Control of Electrodermal Activity: The Potential of Mental Exercises

Few practical methods of communicating with people who are locked-in currently exit. This study investigates conscious control of physiological signals, specifically electrodermal activity, to generate two distinguishable and reproducible states. These states can be translated into a binary signal to control a communication device for people who are locked in. Breathing rates, mental arithmetic and mental music were investigated as means of controlling electrodermal activity. Features extracted from the signals included mean, range and number of electrodermal reactions. For these of four subjects, at least one mental technique caused a reproducible, statistically significant the potential of using mental exercises to develop volitional control of electrodermal activity.
Resource Sharing of Completely Closed Access in Femtocell Networks

Femtocell is attracting an increasing interest in the telecommunication sectors. In this paper, we study the efficient resource allocation in femtocell networks with completed closed access method. The interaction between a macrocell and its underlying femtocells is identified, characterized, and qualified. The study answers the fundamental question in the femtocell networks: how to allocate spectrum to the femtocells and their overlaying macrocells subject to the Quality-of-Service (QoS) requirement of femtocell networks. Results indicate that an appropriate spectrum splitting is able to substantially increase the service availability in the macrocells, which is essentially due to the accommodated indoor traffics in the femtocells.
Biased isomap projections for interactive reranking

Image search has recently gained more and more attention for various applications. To capture users' intensions and to bridge the gap between the low level visual features and the high level semantics, a dozen of interactive reranking (IR) or relevance feedback (RF) algorithms have been developed and achieved significant performance improvements. In this paper, we develop a novel subspace learning based IR algorithm by using the patch alignment framework, termed the biased ISOMap projections or BIP for short. BIP models both the intraclass local geometry for query relevant images and the interclass discrimination between query relevant images and irrelevant images. In addition, BIP never meets the small samples size problem. We present experimental evidence suggesting that BIP is effective for targeting the intensions of users and reducing the semantic gaps for image search.
Analysis and design of polysilicon thermal flexure actuator

An analytical model that can accurately predict the performance of a polysilicon thermal flexure actuator has been developed. This model is based on an electrothermal analysis of the actuator, incorporating conduction heat transfer. Heat radiation from the hot arm of the actuator to the cold arm is also estimated. Results indicate that heat radiation becomes significant only at high input power, and conduction heat losses to both the substrate and the anchor are mainly responsible for the operating temperature of the actuator under routine operations. Actuator deflection is computed based on elastic analysis of structures. To verify the validity of the model, polysilicon thermal flexure actuators have been fabricated and tested. Experimental results are in good agreement with theoretical predications except at high input power. An actuator with a 240 µm long, 2 µm thick, 3 µm wide hot arm and a 180 µm long, 12 µm wide cold arm deflected up to 12 µm for the actuator tip at an input voltage of 5 V while it could be expected to deflect up to 22 µm when a 210 µm long cold arm is used.
Introspection in system-level language frameworks: meta-level vs. integrated

Reflection and automated introspection of a design in system level design frameworks are seen as necessities for the CAD tools to manipulate the designs within the tools. These features are also useful for debuggers, class and object browsers, design analyzers, composition validation, type checking, compatibility checking, etc. However the central question is whether such features should be integrated into the language, or if we should build frameworks which feature these capabilities in a meta-layer leaving the system-level language intact. In our recent interactions with designers, we have found differing opinions. Especially in the context of SystemC, the temptation to integrate reflective APIs into the language is great, because C++ is expressive, and already has type introspective packages available. In this paper, we analyze this issue and show that (i) it is a better EDA system architecture to implement reflection/introspection at a meta-layer in a design framework (it) there are relatively unexplored territories of design automation, such as behavioral typing of component interfaces, corresponding type-theory, and their implication in automating component composition, interface synthesis, and validation, which can be better incorporated if the introspection is implemented at a meta-layer.
Analysis Framework for Opportunistic Spectrum OFDMA and Its Application to the IEEE 802.22 Standard

We present an analytical model that enables the evaluation of opportunistic spectrum orthogonal frequency division multiple-access (OS-OFDMA) networks using metrics such as blocking probability or, most importantly, throughput. The core feature of the model, based on a discrete-time Markov chain, is the consideration of different channel and subchannel allocation strategies under different primary and secondary user types, traffic, and priority levels. The analytical model also assesses the impact of different spectrum sensing strategies on the throughput of OS-OFDMA network. In addition, we consider studies of cochannel interference. The analysis is applied to the IEEE 802.22 standard to evaluate the impact of the two-stage spectrum sensing strategy and the varying temporal activity of wireless microphones on the system throughput. In addition to the analytical model, we present a set of comprehensive simulation results using NS-2 related to the delay performance of the OS-OFDMA system considered. Our study suggests that OS-OFDMA with subchannel notching and channel bonding could provide almost ten times higher throughput compared with a design without these options when the activity and density of wireless microphones are very high. Furthermore, we confirm that OS-OFDMA implementation without subchannel notching, which is used in the IEEE 802.22, can support the real-time and non-real-time quality of service classes, provided that the temporal activity of wireless microphones is moderate (with sparse wireless microphone distribution, with light urban population density and short duty cycles). Finally, the two-stage spectrum sensing option improves the OS-OFDMA throughput, provided that the length of spectrum sensing at every stage is optimized using our model.
Genres and the WEB: Is the personal home page the first uniquely digital genre?

Genre conventions emerge across discourse communities over time to support the communication of ideas and information in socially and cognitively compatible forms. Digital genres frequently borrow heavily from the paper world even though the media optimally support different forms, structures, and interactions. This research sought to determine the existence and form of a truly digital genre. Results from a survey of user perceptions of the form and content of web home pages reveal a significant correlation between commonly found elements of home pages and user preferences and expectations of type. These data support the argument that the personal home page has rapidly evolved into a recognizable form with stable, user-preferred elements and thus may be considered the first truly digital genre.
Disease Resistance Gene Analogs (RGAs) in Plants

Plants have developed effective mechanisms to recognize and respond to infections caused by pathogens. Plant resistance gene analogs (RGAs), as resistance (R) gene candidates, have conserved domains and motifs that play specific roles in pathogens’ resistance. Well-known RGAs are nucleotide binding site leucine rich repeats, receptor like kinases, and receptor like proteins. Others include pentatricopeptide repeats and apoplastic peroxidases. RGAs can be detected using bioinformatics tools based on their conserved structural features. Thousands of RGAs have been identified from sequenced plant genomes. High-density genome-wide RGA genetic maps are useful for designing diagnostic markers and identifying quantitative trait loci (QTL) or markers associated with plant disease resistance. This review focuses on recent advances in structures and mechanisms of RGAs, and their identification from sequenced genomes using bioinformatics tools. Applications in enhancing fine mapping and cloning of plant disease resistance genes are also discussed.
Analysis of the association of IL1B (C+3954T) and IL1RN (intron 2) polymorphisms with dental implant loss in a Brazilian population.

BACKGROUND Although dental implants have a high success rate, failures occur, in spite of adequate clinical conditions. Together with the observation that multiple implant losses occur in certain groups of individuals (clusterization phenomenon), this suggests that host response may influence implant failure. Little is known about the influence of genetic susceptibility on implant loss. Interleukin (IL)-1 beta and IL-1 ra are believed to play a key role in the immune-inflammatory response, and polymorphisms IL1B (C+3954T) and IL1RN (intron 2) are shown to alter the coding proteins expression. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the association between dental implant loss and polymorphisms IL1B (+3954) and IL1RN (intron 2). MATERIAL AND METHODS The study population (n=266) was divided into Test group (T)- 90 subjects with implant loss, and Control group (C)- 176 subjects without any implant failure. Genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP. RESULTS The number of present teeth was observed to influence implant loss. No differences in genotype and allele frequencies between C and T were found for IL1B (+3954) and IL1RN (intron 2) polymorphisms. However, the analysis of the whole study population (control and test groups) showed that genotype 2/2 was significantly more frequent in individuals with multiple implant losses (n=35) than in individuals that lost up to a single implant (n=231) (OR: 3.07, IC: 1.13-8.34, P=0.027). CONCLUSION It was observed that number of teeth and edentulism were associated with implant loss. Genotype 2/2 of IL1RN polymorphism was significantly more frequent in patients who presented multiple losses, which suggests that the clusterization phenomenon has a genetic basis.
Essentials of the Muon g-2

The muon anomalous magnetic moment is one of the most precisely measured quantities in particle physics. Recent high precision measurements (0.54ppm) at Brookhaven reveal a ``discrepancy'' by 3 standard deviations from the electroweak Standard Model which could be a hint for an unknown contribution from physics beyond the Standard Model. This triggered numerous speculations about the possible origin of the ``missing piece''. The remarkable 14-fold improvement of the previous CERN experiment, actually animated a multitude of new theoretical efforts which lead to a substantial improvement of the prediction of a_mu. The dominating uncertainty of the prediction, caused by strong interaction effects, could be reduced substantially, due to new hadronic cross section measurements in electron-positron annihilation at low energies. After an introduction and a brief description of the principle of the experiment, I present a major update and review the status of the theoretical prediction and discuss the role of the hadronic vacuum polarization effects and the hadronic light--by--light scattering contribution. Prospects for the future will be briefly discussed. As, in electroweak precision physics, the muon g-2 shows the largest established deviation between theory and experiment at present, it will remain one of the hot topics for further investigations.
A Study of Liveness Detection in Face Biometric Systems

Biometrics" refers to the technologies that measure and analyze human body characteristics for security purposes. The need of privacy and security in our daily life leads to this new area. Biometric systems have more accuracy when compared to traditional methods (password, key etc). It identifies and verifies the identity of a person based on one or more physiological and behavioral characteristics. That is Human body as password. The most common physical biometric traits includes fingerprint, face, ear, iris, retina, hand geometry, palmprint, DNA etc. Behavioral biometric traits include signature, gait, key strokes, speech patterns etc. Each biometric has its own strength and limitations and accordingly each biometric is used in identification (authentication) application. This paper concentrates on spoof attack against face recognition system, i.e. in this type of attack a fake biometric can be presented to sensor. This paper discusses about Introduction to The Face biometric system, Spoofing attack in Face recognition system, Liveness detection in face recognition system, Literature survey on Face Liveness detection and conclusion.
Towards clone-and-own support: locating relevant methods in legacy products

Clone-and-Own (CAO) is a common practice in families of software products consisting of reusing code from methods in legacy products in new developments. In industrial scenarios, CAO consumes high amounts of time and effort without guaranteeing good results. We propose a novel approach, Computer Assisted CAO (CACAO), that given the natural language requirements of a new product, and the legacy products from that family, ranks the legacy methods in the family for each of the new product requirements according to their relevancy to the new development. We evaluated our approach in the industrial domain of train control software. Without CACAO, software engineers tasked with the development of a new product had to manually review a total of 2200 methods in the family. Results show that CACAO can reduce the number of methods to be reviewed, and guide software engineers towards the identification of relevant legacy methods to be reused in the new product.
Interactive Social Neuroscience to Study Autism Spectrum Disorder

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) demonstrate difficulty with social interactions and relationships, but the neural mechanisms underlying these difficulties remain largely unknown. While social difficulties in ASD are most apparent in the context of interactions with other people, most neuroscience research investigating ASD have provided limited insight into the complex dynamics of these interactions. The development of novel, innovative “interactive social neuroscience” methods to study the brain in contexts with two interacting humans is a necessary advance for ASD research. Studies applying an interactive neuroscience approach to study two brains engaging with one another have revealed significant differences in neural processes during interaction compared to observation in brain regions that are implicated in the neuropathology of ASD. Interactive social neuroscience methods are crucial in clarifying the mechanisms underlying the social and communication deficits that characterize ASD.
In Vitro Repression of the gal Promoters by GalR and HU Depends on the Proper Helical Phasing of the Two Operators*

Repression of transcription initiation from the two gal promoters, P1 and P2, requires binding of GalR protein to two flanking operators,O E and O I, binding of HU to a site, hbs, located between the two operators, and supercoiled DNA template. Previous experiments suggested that repression involves the interaction of two DNA-bound GalR proteins, which generates a 113-bp DNA loop encompassing the promoter region. Interaction between two DNA-bound proteins would be allowed if the binding sites on DNA are properly aligned. To test the idea that the observed repression of gal transcription in vitro is mediated by DNA looping, we investigated the effect of changing the relative angular orientation of O Eand O I in the DNA helix. We found that repression is a periodic function of the distance between the two operator sites. Since repression recurred commensurate with DNA helical repeat, we conclude that the observed in vitro repression is mediated by DNA looping and the in vitro conditions reflect the in vivo situation.