Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploiting Combination Techniques in Random Access MAC Protocols: Enhanced Contention Resolution ALOHA

Recently, random access (RA) protocols have acquired new interest from the scientific community not only in satellite communication scenarios but also due to the opening of new fields as smart grid and machine-to-machine (M2M) applications. Unslotted ALOHA-like RA protocols are very attractive for such applications thanks to the low complexity transmitters and to their complete avoidance of synchronization requirements. Evolutions of the ALOHA protocol employ time diversity through proactive replication of the packets but this diversity is n ot fully exploited at the receiver. The novel RA protocol named enhanced contention resolution ALOHA (ECRA) is presented, which goes beyond the limitation introducing combination techniques in the receiver algorithm. The behaviour of ECRA is investigated through mathematical analysis and simulations for two combination techniques, selection combining (SC) and maximal-ratio combining (MRC). Approximations of the packet error rate (PER) for unslotted RA protocols, including ECRA, well suited for the low channel load regime is also presented. Furthermore, ECRA and recently presented RA protocols, are analyzed in terms of different metrics, including spectral efficiency, showing that ECRA is able to l argely outperform both slotted and unslotted schemes.
Sequential and Parallel Improvements in a Concurrent Functional Programming Language

We propose a model for measuring the runtime of concurrent programs by the minimal number of evaluation steps. The focus of this paper are improvements, which are program transformations that improve this number in every context, where we distinguish between sequential and parallel improvements, for one or more processors, respectively. We apply the methods to CHF, a model of Concurrent Haskell extended by futures allowing declarative implementations of concurrent programs. The language CHF is a typed higher-order functional language with concurrent threads, monadic IO and MVars as synchronizing variables. We show that all deterministic reduction rules and several further useful program transformations are sequential and parallel improvements.
Low-loss and Small-size 28 GHz CMOS SPDT Switches using Switched Inductor

In this paper, low-loss and small-size single-pole double-throw (SPDT) switches using a switched inductor are presented. The switched inductor is composed of a single inductor and two inductor switches which reconfigure the inductor between two output ports. It is designed to be connected to a turned-off series FET switch to resonate out the off-capacitance. All ports are matched to 50 Ohm by using the single inductor, which allows it to have low insertion loss (IL) and small size. Two types of SPDT switches which have the switched inductor are implemented in 65 nm CMOS process, one is a series type switch and the other is series-shunt type one. The series type one shows 0.89 dB IL, 18.2 dB isolation and the input P1dB of 12.55 dBm at 28 GHz, whereas the series-shunt type one shows 1.06 dB IL, 39 dB isolation and the input P1dB of 7.25 dBm. Both SPDT switches are operated in 25–39.5 GHz maintaining return loss less than −20 dB. Size of series and series-shunt type of the SPDT switches are 0.009 mm2 and 0.01 mm2, respectively.
Strongly connected components of directed hypergraphs

We study the problem of determining strongly connected components (Sccs) of directed hypergraphs. The main contribution is an algorithm computing the terminal strongly connected components (i.e. Sccs which do not reach any other components than themselves). The time complexity of the algorithm is almost linear, which is a significant improvement over the known methods which are quadratic time. This also proves that the problems of (i) testing strong connectivity, (ii) and determining the existence of a sink, can be both solved in almost linear time in directed hypergraphs. We also highlight an important discrepancy between the reachability relations in directed hypergraphs and graphs. We establish a superlinear lower bound on the size of the transitive reduction of the reachability relation in directed hypergraphs, showing that it is combinatorially more complex than in directed graphs. We also prove linear time reductions from combinatorial problems on the subset partial order, in particular from the well-studied problem of finding all minimal sets among a given family, to the problem of computing the Sccs in directed hypergraphs.
Evaluating the degree of security of a system built using security patterns

A variety of methodologies to build secure systems have been proposed. However, most of them do not say much about how to evaluate the degree of security of their products. In fact, we have no generally-accepted ways to measure if the product of some methodology has reached some degree of security. However, if the system has been built with a methodology that uses patterns as artifacts, we believe that a simple evaluation is possible. We propose a metric for the security of systems that have been built using security patterns: We perform threat enumeration, we check if the patterns in the product have stopped the threats, and calculate the coverage of these threats by the patterns. We indicate how to take advantage of the Twin Peaks approach to arrive to a refined measure of security. In early work, we have proposed a secure systems development methodology that uses security patterns and we use it as example.
Investigation of Dayem Bridge NanoSQUIDs Made by Xe Focused Ion Beam

Superconducting QUantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) based on nanobridge junctions have shown increasing promise for single particle detection. This paper describes the development of the fabrication of improved and reproducible nanobridge junctions fabricated by focused ion beam (FIB) milling from niobium thin films. Although the very low noise properties of nanobridge SQUIDs are well known, the nature of the milling process is little understood at the level of local superconducting properties. In this paper, we report the results for nanobridge Josephson devices and SQUIDs, which we believe are the first to be made by Xenon (Xe) FIB milling. Temperature-dependent current–voltage behavior, microwave-induced Shapiro steps, and SQUID response to magnetic fields have been measured. We make preliminary comparisons with nominally identical devices milled from Nb thin films using either Xe or Ga ions.
Automation Strategy of Asset Tracking and Monitoring Via Integrated Sensor Tagging

It is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the vital purpose of asset tracking and monitoring process in any organization. Correspondingly, the sustainability of an organization depends on its ability to monitor and track its assets and its values. Most of the organization currently taking those processes for granted despite of its impact towards the organization. The ignorance of organization concerned with the unavailability of comprehensive strategy. The research to date has tended to focus on separate method for asset tracking components and development components rather than mapping both components. Thus, this paper aims to examine the mapping strategy between those components. The automation strategy includes four various techniques such as the access point development, the asset movement tracking, the asset monitoring recording and miniature construction. Basically, automation strategy development was properly executed by literature review study, identification of component of asset tracking and monitoring processes, development components identification and mapping of asset tracking components and development components. Since we are stepping into Industry Revolution 4.0, it is expected that organization must be able to automate the asset tracking and monitoring processes. Hence, software development community can utilize this automation strategy for the development of their asset tracking and monitoring system.
Comparative Investigation of Surge Current Capabilities of Si IGBT and SiC MOSFET for Pulsed Power Application

The trend to move toward the solid-state and repetitive pulsed power supply requires the high-voltage, high-current, and high-speed semiconductor devices, which makes an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) preferred for this application. However, as a bipolar device, the IGBT is limited by the switching speed and switching loss. In this paper, the potential of silicon carbide (SiC) metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) for the pulsed power application is investigated. The surge current capabilities of 1.2-kV, 30-A commercial Si IGBT and SiC MOSFET are characterized and compared by the capacitor discharge experiment. In addition, the effects of various circuit parameters, including gate resistance, dc-link voltage, and dc-link capacitance, on the capacitor discharge process are investigated. It is found that the pulse current of SiC MOSFET is around two times of Si IGBT, which achieves good agreement with the datasheet. Using $di/dt$ to represent the discharging speed, the SiC MOSFET is 10 times faster than the Si IGBT. It is because the SiC MOSFET shows a lower ON-resistance in the saturation region resulted from the short-channel effect. This paper confirms the high-speed and high-current advantages of SiC MOSFET in the pulsed power application.
ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITON OF DIFFERENT EXTRACTS OF MOSSES GATHERED FROM TURKEY

Recent pharmacological investigations of bryophytes have proven that the active principles present in these plants are quite unique and having potential chemical application and antioxidant capacity. The mosses of Oxytegius tenuirostris, Eurhynchium striatum W. P. Schimper and Rhynchostegium murale (Hedw.) Schimp. were collected from different locations of Turkey, and dried and exracted with different solvents. Volatiles were isolated from the samples by solid phase microextraction. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify volatile compounds. Antioxidant activities of moss were tested by free radical scavenging activity (DPPH• assay), Trolox equivalent (TEAC) and Cupric Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (CUPRAC) methods. Antioxidant activities were found for mossesas 24.67-67.12 mg/g from chloroform extract, 18.83-35.83 mg/g from ethanol extract, 7.78-46.09 mg/g from methanol extract and 12.56-34.13 mg/g from water extract by DPPH• assay method. Antioxidan activities were found as 562.07-2060.52 mg/g from chloroform extract, 597.44-1765.77 mg/g from ethanol extract, 2506.23-7454.92 mg/g from methanol extract and 676.41-5631.23 mg/g from water extract by Trolox method. Antioxidant activities were found as 9.78-64.60 mg/g from chloroform extract, 5.62-28.37 mg/g from ethanol extract, 4.23-30.54 mg/g from methanol extract and 4.92-27.77 mg/g from water extract by Cuprac method. On the basis of the results it is suggested that the extract of mosses species determined here could be of use as an easily accessible source of natural antioxidant for the treatment.
Chapter 2 Temporal Context-Aware Recommendation

Users’ behaviors in social media systems are generally influenced by intrinsic interest as well as the temporal context (e.g., the public’s attention at that time). In this chapter, we focus on analyzing user behaviors in social media systems and designing a latent class statistical mixturemodel, named temporal context-aware mixture model (TCAM), to account for the intentions and preferences behind user behaviors. TCAM simultaneously models the topics related to users’ intrinsic interests and the topics related to temporal context, and then combines the influences from the two factors to model user behaviors in a unified way. To further improve the performance of TCAM, an item-weighting scheme is proposed to enable TCAM to favor items that better represent topics related to user interests and topics related to temporal context, respectively. Extensive experiments have been conducted to evaluate the performance of TCAM on four real-world datasets crawled from different social media sites. The experimental results demonstrate the superiority of the TCAM models.
The MicroBooNE Search for Single Photon Events Public Note 1041 The MicroBooNE Collaboration July 7 , 2018

This note describes and presents preliminary results for the MicroBooNE analysis being developed to search for neutrino-induced neutral current single photon events in the MicroBooNE detector. The analysis currently assumes neutrino neutral current ∆ production followed by ∆ radiative decay on argon (NC ∆ → Nγ) as the “signal model”; event reconstruction and selection have been developed and are being optimized in order to reduce cosmogenic and other beam-related backgrounds explicit to the NC ∆ → Nγ process. This note presents the current status of event reconstruction, selection, optimization and validation checks for the early stages of analysis on external (cosmogenic background) events. Also presented are the projected sensitivities for testing the standard model predicted rate for the NC ∆ → Nγ process and for testing the interpretation of the previously observed MiniBooNE low energy excess as NC ∆ → Nγ events.
GOVERNANCE AUDIT OF APPLICATION PROCUREMENT USING COBIT FRAMEWORK

The audit of information system is conducted to che ck the level of readiness of the organization in managing Information Technology (IT) governance. Me asurement of level of maturity in procurement of application in one of the universities in Indonesia using framework COBIT 4.1 toward several IT proces ses related with procurement applications process by ma pping the identification of business goals, informa tion technology goals and information technology process COBIT 4.1. Best practice is given using ITIL V3 standard which is obtained by mapping IT process o f COBIT 4.1. Results of audit that has been conduct ed show the current maturity level index is in 2.85 wh ich means in 3-defined of maturity level with the readiness level of expectation at the level of 5-op timized. This shows the readiness gap, thus, needs to be given improvement strategies that contain the steps to achieve the expected level of maturity.
On the Optimal Design of Fractal Tuning Stub UWB Patch Antenna with Band-Notched Function

The present paper focuses on the design of ultra wide band (UWB) antenna using sierpinski carpet fractal structure as a tuning-stub in the coplanar waveguide (CPW) fed microstrip conducting patch. CPW feed is employed to enhance the impedance bandwidth of the proposed antenna. Similarly, implementation of fractal geometry in tuning stub is used for its miniaturization (20.98% for second iteration). In an attempt to further increase the bandwidth of the proposed antenna, Particle Swarm optimization (PSO) method is employed to optimize the proposed structure. The obtained results establish that the antenna functions in the 3.90 GHz to 15.82 GHz band. Having a meander line slot etched on the feed line, a frequency notched characteristics at 11.62 GHz (11.33−11.90 GHz) is obtained.
Exploring the Genetic Regulation of Asexual Sporulation in Zymoseptoria tritici

Zymoseptoria tritici is the causal agent of septoria tritici blotch, a devastating fungal disease of wheat which can cause up to 40% yield loss. One of the ways in which Z. tritici spreads in the field is via rain splash-dispersed asexual pycnidiospores, however there is currently limited understanding of the genetic mechanisms governing the development of these propagules. In order to explore whether the existing models for conidiation in ascomycete fungi apply to Z. tritici, homologs to the well-characterized Aspergillus nidulans genes abacus (abaA), bristle (brlA), fluffy B (flbB), fluffy C (flbC), and stunted (stuA) were identified and knocked-out by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Although deletion of the ZtAbaA, ZtBrlA1, and ZtFlbB genes had no apparent effect on Z. tritici asexual sporulation or on pathogenicity, deletion of ZtFlbC or ZtBrlA2 resulted in mutants with reduced pycnidiospore production compared to the parental IPO323 strain. Deletion of ZtStuA gave non-pigmented mutants with altered vegetative growth and eliminated asexual sporulation and pathogenicity. These findings suggest that the well-established A. nidulans model of asexual sporulation is only partially applicable to Z. tritici, and that this pathogen likely uses additional, as yet uncharacterized genes to control asexual sporulation.
9 B . 2 THREE-DIMENSIONAL CHARACTERIZATION OF BOREAL SPRING-SUMMER CLIMATE VARIABILITY OVER WEST AFRICA

The climate of tropical West Africa, a subcontinent whose rural economy thrives predominantly on rain-fed agriculture, has received tremendous attention following the persistent and devastating drought that plagued the Sahel in the early 1970s (Lamb and Peppler 1992; Nicholson and Palao 1993). Efforts have been made to diagnose this extreme climate variability using empirical and modeling techniques, with the aim of understanding the attributions, and possibly, attempt to find pragmatic solutions that could inject new lease of hope to the people of this less developed subcontinent. Two major seasons which characterize the West African monsoon (WAM) during boreal spring-summer are March-April-May-June (MAMJ) and June-July-August-September (JJAS). The MAMJ and JJAS seasons constitute the Gulf of Guinea Coast (GOGC) and the Sahel precipitation seasons, respectively. A comparison of the 3-dimensional climate anomaly patterns in association with the dominant precipitation modes of the two seasons involving June, the transitional month, has not been explored. This spurs us to undertake the study. The current research is, therefore, intended to address the unique problem in order to improve our understanding of climate variability over this subcontinent. The results may be useful for modeling studies.
Novel pathways to dinitrogen formation via iron-mediated anaerobic ammonium oxidation

3 Acknowledgements. 5 Introduction. 7 Methods. 10 2.1 Trial 1. 11 2.2 Trial 2. 12 2.3 Trial 3. 14 2.4 Trial 4. 15 2.5 Geochemical Analysis of Groundwater. 17 2.6 Sediment Characterization. 19 Results. 20 3.1 Trial 1. 20 3.2 Trial 2. 20 3.3 Trial 3. 22 3.4 Trial 4. 23 3.5 Sediment Characterization. 24 Discussion. 25 Conclusion and Future Directions. 35 References. 37 Tables and Figures. 41
A Novel Submicron Polymer Re-Distribution Layer Technology for Advanced InFO Packaging

From high-performance computing (HPC) applications such as Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) rising, advanced multi-chip packaging to integrate different functions could be a fast time-to-market and cost effective solution instead of SOC. Accordingly, more I/O die to die communications for advanced packaging is a need. To fulfill this demand, large number in registered routing lines between dies lead a constant drive for miniaturization for die to die Redistributed Layer (RDL) among industry. In this article, InFO Ultra-High-Density (UHD) RDL technology [1] is demonstrated, with RDL line-width down to submicron range (<1um). This technology can empower the needs with industry trend. The InFO UHD RDL technology is characterized by electrical performances, e.g., via-chain continuity, RDL Comb/Meander Rs, line-to-line leakage current, and eventually reliability testing such as electro-migration (EM), stress migration (SM), breakdown voltage (Vbd), Time-Dependent-Dielectric Breakdown (TDDB), etc. After process optimization, the electrical test data demonstrate >99% yields from via-chain continuity, RDL Comb/Meander Rs and leakage current. Initial reliability testing shows good performance from EM, SM, Vbd, TDDB, etc. Package-level reliability test and results will also be addressed in this article. The potential challenges ahead will be discussed in terms of fundamental technical confinements as further scaling-down in RDL line-width and via, based on simulated and theoretical predictions, and possible approaches to resolve them.
An algebraic approach for the Shapley value computation in Multidimensional Integer Knapsack Games

The combinatorial optimization game where the characteristic function is generated by solving a combinatorial optimization problem forms an important class in cooperative game theory. In this paper, we introduce a new subclass of combinatorial optimization games namely the multidimensional integer knapsack game (MIKG). Finding the Shapley value as the solution for the payoff allocation problem is challenging and time consuming for MIKG because of the integer program structure of the characteristic function. We propose to utilize an algebraic approach of Gröbner bases for solving the integer programs, and generate an efficient way to find the Shapley value in these cooperative games. Some computational experiments with the MIKG are investigated where the numerical results show the advantages of the method compared to CPLEX solver.
STATE OF THE ART IN HIGH-STABILITY TIMING , PHASE REFERENCE DISTRIBUTION AND SYNCHRONIZATION SYSTEMS

Recent advances in high-stability electronic and electro-optic timing and synchronization systems are presented. These systems have been proposed for several new FEL facilities, and are in development at several labs. Several basic technical implementations are in development, some based on pulsed mode-locked laser technology, others using CW systems. There are numerous technical choices with regard to the stability, synchronizability, capability of multi-drop operation, availability of inherent diagnostic information, complexity of transmitters vs. receivers, use of commercial vs. custom-designed components, etc. This talk presents an overview of the basic timing and synchronization requirements in accelerator systems, and reviews the state of the art. Contrasts are made between the CW and pulsed optical distribution approaches. The technology in development to distribute a 38 GHz phase coherent LO at the ALMA radio telescope is highlighted as a related technical system in development.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF PSYCHOLOGICAL EMPOWERMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE IN BANKING SECTOR OF LAHORE , PAKITSAN

Current study is designed to check the relationship of the organizational culture and its dimensions (strategic orientation, structural conditions, cooperation and the teamwork, general management and leadership) on psychological empowerment in banking sector of Lahore (Pakistan). All these parameters are considered as the vital components for the success of every organization including the banks. In this regard, simple random sampling was used to collect the data from banking sector. For this purpose, total 110 questionnaires were distributed among employees, 100 were fully filled and used for final analysis. To analyze the results of the study SPSS was used by using different statistical tools. Current research was performed the reliability, correlation and regression analysis with the help of SPSS. The result shows that the organizational culture and its dimensions has significant positive impact on psychological empowerment of the employees working in the banking sector of Lahore, Pakistan.
A Nlp-based Solution to Prevent from Privacy Leaks in Social Network Posts

Private and sensitive information is often revealed in posts appearing in Social Networks (SN). This is due to the users' willingness to increase their interactions within specific social groups, but also to a poor knowledge about the risks for privacy. We argue that technologies able to evaluate the sensitiveness of information while it is being published could enhance privacy protection by warning the user about the risks deriving from the disclosure of a certain information. To this aim, we propose a method, and an accompanying tool, to automatically intercept the sensitive information which is delivered in a social network post, through the exploitation of recurrent natural language patterns that are often used by users to disclose private data. A comparison with several machine learning techniques reveals that our method outperforms them, since it is more precise, accurate and not dependent on (i) a specific training set, or (ii) the selection of particular features.