Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interoperable End-to-End Remote Patient Monitoring Platform Based on IEEE 11073 PHD and ZigBee Health Care Profile

This paper describes the implementation of an end-to-end remote monitoring platform based on the IEEE 11073 standards for personal health devices (PHD). It provides an overview of the concepts and approaches and describes how the standard has been optimized for small devices with limited resources of processor, memory, and power that use short-range wireless technology. It explains aspects of IEEE 11073, including the domain information model, state model, and nomenclature, and how these support its plug-and-play architecture. It shows how these aspects underpin a much larger ecosystem of interoperable devices and systems that include IHE PCD-01, HL7, and BlueTooth LE medical devices, and the relationship to the Continua Guidelines, advocating the adoption of data standards and nomenclature to support semantic interoperability between health and ambient assisted living in future platforms. The paper further describes the adaptions that have been made in order to implement the standard on the ZigBee Health Care Profile and the experiences of implementing an end-to-end platform that has been deployed to frail elderly patients with chronic disease(s) and patients with diabetes.
Impact of climate change on soil erosion , runoff , and wheat productivity in central Oklahoma

The potential for global climate changes to increase the risk of soil erosion is clear, but the actual damage is not. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the potential impacts of climate change on soil erosion, surface runoff, and wheat productivity in central Oklahoma. Monthly projections were used from the Hadley Centre’s general circulation model, HadCM3, using scenarios A2a, B2a, and GGa1 for the periods of 1950–1999 and 2070–2099. Projected changes in monthly precipitation and temperature distributions between the two periods were incorporated into daily weather series by means of a stochastic weather generator (CLIGEN) with its input parameters adjusted to each scenario. The Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model was run for four climate scenarios including a recent historical climate and three tillage systems (conventional tillage, conservation tillage, and no-till). HadCM3-projected mean annual precipitation during 2070–2099 at El Reno, Oklahoma decreased by 13.6%, 7.2%, and 6.2% for A2a, B2a, and GGa1, respectively; and mean annual temperature increased by 5.7, 4.0, and 4.7 8C, respectively. Predicted average annual soil loss in the tillage systems other than no-till, compared with historical climate (1950–1999), increased by 18–30% for A2a, remained similar for B2a, and increased by 67–82% for GGa1. Predicted soil loss in no-till did not increase in the three scenarios. Predicted mean annual runoff in all three tillage systems increased by 16–25% for A2a, remained similar for B2a, and increased by 6–19% for GGa1. The greater increases in soil loss and runoff in GGa1 were attributed to greater variability in monthly precipitation as projected by HadCM3. The increased variability led to increased frequency of large storms. Small changes in wheat yield, which ranged from a 5% decrease in B2a to a 5% increase in GGa1, were because the adverse effects of the temperature increase on winter wheat growth were largely offset by CO2 rise as well as the bulky decrease in precipitation occurred outside the growing
Achievable rate regions of cognitive radio channels with a confidential message

This paper investigates cognitive radio channels with a confidential message (CRC-CM) from an information-theoretic perspective. It is assumed that the secondary user (SU) transmitter has perfect and a priori knowledge on the message being transmitted by the primary user (PU) and the message of the SU is confidential to the PU receiver. An achievable rate region of the CRC-CM in the discrete memoryless (DM) case is derived. Two achievable rate regions are obtained by extending the DM rate result to a multi-antenna Gaussian CRC-CM case with two transmission strategies. A numerical example in the multi-antenna Gaussian case is provided.
Modeling Privacy Leakage Risks in Large-Scale Social Networks

The current culture that encourages online dating, and interaction makes large-scale social network users vulnerable to miscellaneous personal identifiable information leakage. To this end, we take a first step toward modeling privacy leakages in large-scale social networks from both technical and economic perspectives.From a technical perspective, we use Markov chain to propose a dynamic attack-defense tree-based model, which is temporal-aware, to characterize an attack effort made by an attacker and a corresponding countermeasure responded by a social network security defender. From an economic perspective, we use static game theory to analyze the ultimate strategies taken by the attacker and the defender, where both rational participants tend to maximize their utilities, with respect to their attack/defense costs. To validate the proposed approach, we perform extensive experimental evaluations on three real-world data sets, triggered by the survey of over 300 volunteers involved, which illuminates the privacy risk management of contemporary social network service providers.
A Transporter at the Node Responsible for Intervascular Transfer of Silicon in Rice[W]

The concentration of essential mineral nutrients in the edible portion of plants such as grains may affect the nutritional value of these foods, while concentrations of toxic minerals in the plant are matter of food safety. Minerals taken up by the roots from soils are normally redirected at plant nodes before they are finally transported into developing seeds. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in this process have not been identified so far. Herein, we report on a transporter (Lsi6) responsible for the redirection of a plant nutrient at the node. Lsi6 is a silicon transporter in rice (Oryza sativa), and its expression in node I below the panicles is greatly enhanced when the panicle is completely emerged. Lsi6 is mainly localized at the xylem transfer cells located at the outer boundary region of the enlarged large vascular bundles in node I. Knockout of Lsi6 decreased Si accumulation in the panicles but increased Si accumulation in the flag leaf. These results suggest that Lsi6 is a transporter involved in intervascular transfer (i.e., transfer of silicon from the large vascular bundles coming from the roots to the diffuse vascular bundles connected to the panicles). These findings will be useful for selectively enhancing the accumulation of essential nutrients and reducing toxic minerals in the edible portion of cereals.
twAwler: A lightweight twitter crawler

This paper presents twAwler, a lightweight twitter crawler that targets language-specific communities of users. twAwler takes advantage of multiple endpoints of the twitter API to explore user relations and quickly recognize users belonging to the targetted set. It performs a complete crawl for all users, discovering many standard user relations, including the retweet graph, mention graph, reply graph, quote graph, follow graph, etc. twAwler respects all twitter policies and rate limits, while able to monitor large communities of active users. twAwler was used between August 2016 and March 2018 to generate an extensive dataset of close to all Greek-speaking twitter accounts (about 330 thousand) and their tweets and relations. In total, the crawler has gathered 750 million tweets of which 424 million are in Greek; 750 million follow relations; information about 300 thousand lists, their members (119 million member relations) and subscribers (27 thousand subscription relations); 705 thousand trending topics; information on 52 million users in total of which 292 thousand have been since suspended, 141 thousand have deleted their account, and 3.5 million are protected and cannot be crawled. twAwler mines the collected tweets for the retweet, quote, reply, and mention graphs, which, in addition to the follow relation crawled, offer vast opportunities for analysis and further research.
Potential Bias in GO: : TermFinder

The increased need for multiple statistical comparisons under conditions of non-independence in bioinformatics applications, such as DNA microarray data analysis, has led to the development of alternatives to the conventional Bonferroni correction for adjusting P-values. The use of the false discovery rate (FDR), in particular, has grown considerably. However, the calculation of the FDR frequently depends on drawing random samples from a population, and inappropriate sampling will result in a bias in the calculated FDR. In this work, we demonstrate a bias due to incorrect random sampling in the widely used GO::TermFinder package. Both T(2) and permutation tests are used to confirm the bias for a test set of data, which leads to an overestimation of the FDR of about 10%. A simple fix to the random sampling method is proposed to remove the bias.
Integrated switched-capacitor-based cold-start circuit for DC-DC energy harvesters with wide input/output voltage range and low inductance in 40-nm CMOS

This paper outlines an integrated switched-capacitor (SC)-based cold-start circuit for dc-dc energy harvesters that uniquely combines a low cold-start voltage, wide input/output voltage and low inductance value in the boost stage. The proposed design specifically targets size-constrained, self-powered Internet-of-Things applications. The proposed design is an SC circuit built from low-threshold-voltage devices operating in the sub-threshold region and provides the drive voltage for high-threshold-voltage devices of the boost dc-dc converter. The SC circuit is an NMOS-based Dickson charge pump driven synchronously with a series of cross-coupled voltage doublers and voltage multiplying gate drivers. The SC circuit, which is integrated together with a boost converter as the dc-dc energy harvester, has been implemented in a 40-nm CMOS process for future system-on-chip integration. The measured results show that with a 4.7 μH boost converter inductance, the design can start up from typical input voltages as low as 190 mV while offering up to 2.4 V input and 5 V output voltage compatibility.
Segmentation of lung tissue in CT images with disease and pathology

Lung segmentation is an important first step for quantitative lung CT image analysis and computer aided diagnosis. However, accurate and automated lung CT image segmentation may be made difficult by the presence of the abnormalities. Since many lung diseases change tissue density, resulting in intensity changes in the CT image data, intensity-only segmentation algorithms will not work for most pathological lung cases. This thesis presents two automatic algorithm for segmentation of pathological lung. One is based on the geodesic active contour, another method uses a graph search driven by a cost function combining the intensity, gradient, boundary smoothness, and the rib information. The methods were tested on several 3D thorax CT data sets with lung disease. Given the manual segmentation result as gold standard, we validate our methods by comparing our automatic segmentation results with Hu’s method. Sensitivity, specificity, and Hausdorff distance were calculated to evaluate the methods.
A comparative study of data fusion strategies in face verification

In this paper, the merits of fusing colour information in a face verification system is studied. Three different levels of fusion, namely, signal, feature and decision levels are considered. The study is performed on a fisherface-based (LDA) verification system considering the Gradient Direction metric as the scoring function. We show that almost all the fusion methods enhance the performance of the system. However, despite the common use of the fusion at the signal level realised by creating intensity images, the other fusion methods specially the decision level fusion using score averaging are more effective.
A Stochastic Chance Constrained Closed-Loop Supply Chain Network Design Model with VaR Criterion

Closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) is of great significance to sustainable development, and uncertainty and risk in CLSC networks have attracted more attentions in recent years. This paper proposes a stochastic chance constrained CLSC network design model with value-at-risk (VaR) objective, in which both transportation cost and customer’s demand are stochastic parameters with known joint distributions. Furthermore, based on finite discrete distributions of uncertain parameters, an equivalent deterministic mixed-integer linear programming of the original model that can be solved by CPLEX commercial software is derived. In the numerical experiment, a case study on electronic products is used to evaluate the proposed model. The computational results reveal the significance and applicability of the developed model and solution method. c ©2017 World Academic Press, UK. All rights reserved.
Identification of a novel peptide that blocks basic fibroblast growth factor-mediated cell proliferation

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has been implicated in tumor growth via interactions with its receptors (FGFRs) on the cell surface and therefore, bFGF/FGFRs are considered essential targets for cancer therapy. Herein, a consensus heptapeptide (LSPPRYP) was identified for the first time from a phage display heptapeptide library after three sequential rounds of biopanning against FGFR-expressing cells with competitive displacement of phage by bFGF, followed by subtraction of non-specific binding by FGFR-deficient cells. Phage bearing LSPPRYP showed high levels of binding to Balb/c 3T3 cells expressing high-affinity bFGF-binding FGFR (bFGFR), but not to the cells that do not express bFGFR (Cos-7), or express a very low affinity bFGFR (HaCat). The selected-phage-derived peptide synthesized by solid phase method using a rapid and practical Fmoc strategy was found to specifically compete with bFGF for binding to its receptors, inhibit bFGF-stimulated cell proliferation by inducing cell cycle arrest, and block bFGF-induced activation of Erk1 and Erk2 kinase in B16-F10 melanoma cells. Importantly, treatment of melanoma-bearing mice with the synthetic peptide significantly suppressed tumor growth. The results demonstrate a strong anticancer activity of the isolated bFGFR-binding peptide (and its future derivatives), which may have great potential for cancer therapy.
Mining Web Logs with PLSA Based Prediction Model to Improve Web Caching Performance

Web caching is a well-known strategy for improving the performance of web systems. The key to better web caching performance is an efficient replacing policy that keeps in the cache popular documents and replaces rarely used ones. When coupled with web log mining, the replacing policy can more accurately decide which documents should be cached. In this paper, we present a PLSA based prediction model to predict the user access patterns and interest to extend the well-known NGRAM-GDSF caching policy. Extensive experiments are conducted on the publicly available web logs datasets. The result shows that our approach gets better web-access performance.
OF FINGERPRINT-BASED BIOMETRIC SYSTEMS

Independent and reliable evaluation of the advances in fingerprint recognition is extremely important for several reasons: 1) to give governments, organizations and to every potential user a clear panorama of the potentiality and current limits of this technology; 2) to compare and rank different solutions (academic and commercial); 3) to provide unambiguous benchmarks/protocols to researchers to track their advances. This paper discusses the fingerprint evaluation campaigns organized in the recent years, focusing on the three editions of the Fingerprint Verification Competition (FVC).
Sound detection characteristics under different positions of the fiber optic sensor arrays using Sagnac interferometer

In this paper, directional sensitivities of the fiber optic acoustic sensor arrays are showed experimentally. Three diffrent directions were selected as vertical, horizontal, and longitudinals. Fiber optic sensor was made by using aluminum mandrel which is hollow cylinder and about 50m optical fibers were wounded on the mandrel. Non-directional sound speaker was used as a sound source. Sagnac interferometer was used to measure the sound source. Two fiber optic sensors are used to make arrays. Measurement sound signal was showed in the frequency domain and these results were compared to the microphone's detected signal. Based on the experimetal results sensitivity of the fiber optic acoustic sensor is depended upon the mandrel directions.
Mechanical and Control-Oriented Design of a Monolithic Piezoelectric Microgripper Using a New Topological Optimization Method

This paper presents a new method developed for the optimal design of piezoactive compliant micromechanisms. It is based on a flexible building block method, called FlexIn (flexible innovation), which uses an evolutionary approach, to optimize a truss-like planar structure made of passive and active building blocks, made of piezoelectric material. An electromechanical approach, based on a mixed finite-element formulation, is used to establish the model of the active piezoelectric blocks. From the first design step, in addition to conventional mechanical criteria, innovative control-based metrics can be considered in the optimization procedure to fit the open-loop frequency response of the synthesized mechanisms. In particular, these criteria have been drawn here to optimize modal controllability and observability of the system, which is particularly interesting when considering control of flexible structures. Then, a planar monolithic compliant microactuator has been synthesized using FlexIn and prototyped. Finally, simulations and experimental tests of the FlexIn optimally synthesized device demonstrate the interests of the proposed optimization method for the design of microactuators, microrobots, and more generally for adaptronic structures.
The physics and technology basis entering European system code studies for DEMO

A large scale program to develop a conceptual design for a demonstration fusion power plant (DEMO) has been initiated in Europe. Central elements are the baseline design points, which are developed by system codes. The assessment of the credibility of these design points is often hampered by missing information. The main physics and technology content of the central European system codes have been published (Kovari et al 2014 Fusion Eng. Des. 89 3054–69, 2016 Fusion Eng. Des. 104 9–20, Reux et al 2015 Nucl. Fusion 55 073011). In addition, this publication discusses key input parameters for the pulsed and conservative design option EU DEMO1 2015 and provides justifications for the parameter choices. In this context several DEMO physics gaps are identified, which need to be addressed in the future to reduce the uncertainty in predicting the performance of the device. Also the sensitivities of net electric power and pulse duration to variations of the input parameters are investigated. The most extreme sensitivity is found for the elongation (Δκ95=10% corresponds to ΔPel,net=125%).
The Impact of Predation by Marine Mammals on Patagonian Toothfish Longline Fisheries

Predatory interaction of marine mammals with longline fisheries is observed globally, leading to partial or complete loss of the catch and in some parts of the world to considerable financial loss. Depredation can also create additional unrecorded fishing mortality of a stock and has the potential to introduce bias to stock assessments. Here we aim to characterise depredation in the Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) fishery around South Georgia focusing on the spatio-temporal component of these interactions. Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella), sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), and orcas (Orcinus orca) frequently feed on fish hooked on longlines around South Georgia. A third of longlines encounter sperm whales, but loss of catch due to sperm whales is insignificant when compared to that due to orcas, which interact with only 5% of longlines but can take more than half of the catch in some cases. Orca depredation around South Georgia is spatially limited and focused in areas of putative migration routes, and the impact is compounded as a result of the fishery also concentrating in those areas at those times. Understanding the seasonal behaviour of orcas and the spatial and temporal distribution of “depredation hot spots” can reduce marine mammal interactions, will improve assessment and management of the stock and contribute to increased operational efficiency of the fishery. Such information is valuable in the effort to resolve the human-mammal conflict for resources.
Psychoacoustical experiments on loudness perception in wave field synthesis

Wave field synthesis is an audio reproduction procedure aiming to produce a sound field completely correct at least within the so called listening area. In theory, the exact synthesis is possible under certain circumstances based on the Kirchhoff-Helmholtz integral equation. For practical realizations, usually closed loudspeaker boxes are employed. However, using closed loudspeaker boxes leads to a deviation of the synthesized from the intended wave field and requires approximations in the derivation of the loudspeaker driving signals, since preliminaries of the Kirchhoff-Helmholtz integral equation are not fulfilled anymore. If wave field synthesis is employed in a typical listening environment, room influences further disturb the resulting sound field. Whether auditory perceptions generated by such a system equal those occurring in the reference scene is unclear. Within this contribution, loudness adjustments of narrow band noises presented by wave field synthesis to the free field case are shown. The results of these experiments under different room acoustical conditions are discussed and compared to a baseline, where a single loudspeaker in the same reproduction room was adjusted to the free field situation. Further, the acquired data are compared to the prognoses of a typical loudness model according to DIN 45 631/A1.
Practice of Epidemiology Regression Calibration When Foods (Measured With Error) Are the Variables of Interest: Markedly Non-Gaussian Data With Many Zeroes

Regression calibration has been described as a means of correcting effects of measurement error for normally distributed dietary variables. When foods are the items of interest, true distributions of intake are often positively skewed, may contain many zeroes, and are usually not described by well-known statistical distributions. The authors considered the validity of regression calibration assumptions where data are non-Gaussian. Such data (including many zeroes) were simulated, and use of the regression calibration algorithm was evaluated. An example used data from Adventist Health Study 2 (2002–2008). In this special situation, a linear calibration model does (as usual) at least approximately correct the parameter that captures the exposure-disease association in the ‘‘disease’’ model. Poor fit in the calibration model does not produce biased calibrated estimates when the ‘‘disease’’ model is linear, and it produces little bias in a nonlinear ‘‘disease’’ model if the model is approximately linear. Poor fit will adversely affect statistical power, but more complex linear calibration models can help here. The authors conclude that non-Gaussian data with many zeroes do not invalidate regression calibration. Irrespective of fit, linear regression calibration in this situation at least approximately corrects bias. More complex linear calibration equations that improve fit may increase power over that of uncalibrated regressions.