Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Randomized shortest paths and their applications

In graph analysis, the Shortest Path problem identifies the optimal, most cost effective, path between two nodes. This problem has been the object of many studies and extensions in heterogeneous domains such as: speech recognition, social network analysis, biological sequence alignment, path planning, or zerosum games among others. Although the shortest path focuses on the optimal cost of reaching a destination node, it does not take into account other useful information contained on the graph, such as the degree of connectivity of two nodes. On the other hand, measures taking connectivity information into account have their own drawbacks, specially when graphs become large. A new family of distances which interpolates between both extremes is introduced by the Randomized Shortest Path (RSP) framework. By spreading randomization through a graph, the RSP leads to applications where some degree of randomness would be desired. Through this work, we try to investigate whether the RSP fr. Document type : Thèse (Dissertation) Référence bibliographique García Díez, Silvia. Randomized shortest paths and their applications. Prom. : Saerens, Marco Randomized Shortest Paths on graphs and their applications by Silvia Garćıa Dı́ez Thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor in Engineering Sciences of the Université catholique de Louvain
Analytical equivalent impedance for a planar circular induction heating system

A set of analytical expressions is derived for the equivalent impedance in a planar circular induction heating system, used for example in home appliances. The induction system consists of an n-turn planar winding loaded by a conductive material. Expressions that describe the frequency dependence of impedance are provided. The influence of load conductivity, load permeability, and geometrical dimensions is also considered. Validation of the proposed model is carried out through experimental measurements.
A differential neural response in obsessive–compulsive disorder patients with washing compared with checking symptoms to disgust

Background. Patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) have symptoms that pre-dominantly concern washing (washers) or checking (checkers), or both. Functional neuroimaging has been used to identify the neural correlates of the urge to ritualize but has not distinguished between washing and checking symptoms in OCD. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to compare the neural response to emotive pictures in washers and checkers. Methods. In one of two 5-minute experiments, washers (N = 7), checkers (N = 7) and age-matched normal controls (N = 14) were scanned while viewing alternating blocks of normally disgusting (rated as disgusting by all subjects) and neutral pictures. In the other experiment, all patients and a normal subgroup (N = 8) viewed alternating blocks of washer-relevant (rated as more disgusting by washers than normal controls or checkers) and neutral pictures. Results. In all subjects, normally disgusting pictures activated visual regions implicated in perception of aversive stimuli and the insula, important in disgust perception. Only in washers were similar regions activated by washer-relevant pictures. In checkers, these pictures activated fronto-striatal regions associated with the urge to ritualize in OCD. Normal controls were more similar in neural response to checkers than washers to these pictures. Both normal controls and checkers had frontal regions activated significantly more by washer-relevant than normally disgusting pictures, and had these regions activated significantly more than washers by washer-relevant pictures. Conclusions. We demonstrate a differential neural response to washer-relevant disgust in washers and checkers: only washers demonstrate a neural response to washer-relevant disgust associated with emotion perception rather than attention to non-emotive visual detail.
Cloning and Expression of afpA , a Gene Encoding an Antifreeze Protein from the Arctic Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterium Pseudomonas putida GR 12-2 †

Cloning and Expression of afpA, a Gene Encoding an Antifreeze Protein from the Arctic Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterium Pseudomonas putida GR12-2† Naomi Muryoi, Mika Sato, Shoji Kaneko, Hidehisa Kawahara, Hitoshi Obata, Mahmoud W. F. Yaish, Marilyn Griffith,* and Bernard R. Glick Department of Biotechnology, Kansai University, Suita, Osaka, and Ikeda Food Research Co., Ltd., Fukuyama, Hiroshima, Japan, and Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
A different approach of induced voltage impulse traveling on distribution electric lines with corona

The model implies a double analyses of the induced waves, a first decomposition in horizontal strips parallel to the time axis, of a constant amplitude and then a decomposition in Fourier harmonics of each band function, followed by the modal propagation and finally by the synthetization in real time of all the propagated components. In considering a corona discharge there has been used the most exact computing relation of the dynamic capacity, obtained on the basis of a very large number of experimental measurements at EdF. The obtained results show how the attenuation and deformation of the waves with amplitude higher than the initial voltage of the corona discharge occur as a function of the distribution line parameters. The method can also be used in determining the shape and the parameters of the voltage induced surges reaching the medium voltage stations, in order to consider the most adequate protection measures.
Nonlinear modeling of a capacitive MEMS accelerometer using neural network

This paper presents a nonlinear model for a capacitive Microelectromechanical accelerometer (MEMA). System parameters of the accelerometer are developed using the effect of cubic term of the folded-flexure spring. To solving this equation we use FEA method. The neural network (NN) uses Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) method for training the system to have more accurate response. The designed NN can identify and predict the displacement of movable mass of accelerometer. The simulation results are very promising.
CYTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF BRAIN NICOTINAMIDE ADENINE DINUCLEOTIDE PHOSPHATE (OXIDIZED)-DEPENDENT DEHYDROGENASES QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DISTRIBUTIONS

This study compares the histochemical and microchemical localizations of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (reduced) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reduced) diaphorases and four nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (oxidized)-dependent enzymes (glucose 6-phosphate, 6-phosphogluconate, malate and isocitrate dehydrogenases) in areas of rat metencephalon and spinal cord. For the four nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) enzymes, the pattern of localization following use of a modified tetrazolium procedure was compared with quantitative data obtained by microdissection from the same areas in adjacent sections. Optimal experimental conditions for reaction pH, temperature, substrate, cofactor and divalent cation concentrations were used for both the quantitative analysis following microdissection and the histochemical tetrazolium procedure. Consecutive sections were also examined for isocitrate dehydrogenase (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (oxidized)) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reduced) diaphorase activities in addition to seriatim thionine reference sections. Our results indicate that, within the central nervous system, certain characteristic qualitative differences exist in the distribution of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (oxidized)- and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (oxidized)-dependent dehydrogenase enzymes. Nicotinamide adenine, dinucleotide enzymes are visualized predominantly in neuronal cell bodies or neuropil consisting primarily of neuronal processes; in adjacent sections, NADP enzyme activities are visualized almost exclusively in glial elements with two important exceptions. The first is the cerebellar molecular layer where the results from both micro- and histochemical techniques indicate high levels of the NADP enzymes relative to other dehydrogenases and high activity relative to the levels of these NADP enzymes in other nervous system areas. The second exception occurs in those neuronal groups known to contain high levels of catecholamines; these data are the subject of a companion report.
Software Defined Networking based Intrusion Detection System

: With the rapid expansion of computer networks during the past decade, security has become a crucial issue for computer systems. The goal of a security system is to protect the most valuable assets of an organization like data and information. This paper state the method of learning the Intrusion Detection, rules based on genetic algorithms. The implementation is experimented using data sets on intrusions, which has become the de facto standard for testing intrusion detection systems. The paper talks about using Genetic Algorithm (GA) in Network Security. Specially, it describes a technique of applying GA to network Intrusion Detection Systems (IDSs). GA is one of the commonly used approaches on data mining. It presents a brief overview of the Intrusion Detection System, GA, and related detection techniques. Our experiments detect different Denial of Service (DoS) attack & network scanning attacks such as Neptune attack etc.
Maximal Oxygen Uptake Relative to Plasma Volume Expansion

Controversy exists as to whether plasma volume (PV) expansion has the potential to increase maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). In the present study, VO2max and exercise time to fatigue were measured in nine untrained men when plasma volume (PV) was normal and then again on the next day following two levels of PV expansion. Resting PV was expanded (via intravenous infusion of a 6% dextran solution) by 282 +/- 16 ml (i.e., PVX-1) and then by 624 +/- 26 ml (i.e., PVX-2). PVX-1 increased stroke volume (CO2 rebreathing) during submaximal exercise by 15% (P less than 0.05) above normal levels. VO2max following PVX-1 was increased 4% (P less than 0.05; 3.78 to 3.92 l/min) despite a 4% reduction in hemoglobin concentration. Exercise time to fatigue was also increased (P less than 0.05). PVX-2 resulted in an 11% (P less than 0.05) reduction in hemoglobin concentration during maximal exercise and a return of VO2max and exercise time to normal levels. In summary, we have observed in untrained men that 200-300 ml of PV expansion increases SV, measured during submaximal exercise, yet causes only a small amount of hemodilution. As a result, VO2max is increased slightly and performance is improved. Further PV expansion to levels 500-600 ml above normal results in an excessive hemodilution and a subsequent decline in VO2max and performance to normal levels. There is an optimal PV for eliciting VO2max in untrained men which appears to be approximately 200-300 ml above their normal levels.
Negative attitudes to transition in post-communist Albania and acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE The authors assessed the association of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with attitudes to the socioeconomic aspects of rapid change in transitional Albania. DESIGN A population-based case-control study conducted in Tirana, Albania, in 2003-2006 included 467 nonfatal ACS patients (370 men, 97 women; 88% response) and a population-sampled control group (469 men, 268 women; 69% response). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Reaction to transition was assessed as a composite score of 3 items capturing attitudes toward socioeconomic aspects of transition in Albania. RESULTS Using logistic regression, there was a strong linear relationship of the attitude score with ACS. When categorized as negative, intermediate, or positive attitudes, the age- and sex-adjusted odds ratio (OR) for the negative versus positive categories was 3.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.1, 4.3; p for linear trend <. 01, which persisted on adjustment for socioeconomic characteristics, psychosocial factors, and conventional coronary risk factors, OR = 4.4; 95% CI = 2.7, 7.2; p for linear trend <. 01. The association appeared to be stronger in the more vulnerable, lower socioeconomic segment of Albanian society. CONCLUSION In a country moving rapidly from rigid Stalinism to a free market-oriented society, the authors found a strong association of negative attitudes toward transition with coronary health. The authors hypothesized that the stressor effect of inadequate coping with change in transitional Albania is a plausible mechanism linking a negative perception of transition with excess coronary risk.
A coded 16 QAM scheme for fast fading mobile radio channels

An adaptive Viterbi algorithm, derived from a dynamic estimate of the fading channel is used for the decoding of a convolutional coded 16 QAM system in a mobile environment. The estimates are obtained by a sequence of known pilot symbols embedded in the data stream, and perform compensation for Rayleigh fading. The likelihood criterion in the Viterbi decoder is also modified by these channel estimates through a metric weighting function. We demonstrate through computer simulations, that our new technique achieves a BER improvement of 7-10 dB at P/sub e/=10/sup -3/ in a fast flat Rayleigh fading environment compared to an uncoded system. The BER performance of our new technique in a co-channel interference (CCI) controlled environment is also studied, and the results show that it may achieve a 40% to 85% improvement in capacity over the standard modem scheme for the new US digital cellular system, /spl pi//4-QPSK. >
Understanding trends in functional limitations among older Americans.

OBJECTIVES This report documents trends in functional limitations among older Americans from 1984 to 1993 and investigates reasons for such trends. METHODS We applied logistic regression to data for noninstitutionalized Americans aged 50 years and older from the Survey of Income and Program Participation. We focused on 4 functional limitation measures unlikely to be affected by changes in role expectations and living environments: reported difficulty seeing words in a newspaper, lifting and carrying 10 pounds, climbing a flight of stairs, and walking a quarter of a mile. RESULTS We found large declines in the crude prevalence of functional limitations, especially for those 80 years and older. Generally, changes in population composition explained only a small portion of the downward trends. Once changes in population composition and mobility-related device use were considered for difficulty walking, significant improvements in functioning remained for the 65- to 79-year-old group. CONCLUSIONS Changes in population composition, device use, survey design, role expectations, and living environments do not appear to account completely for improvements in functioning. We infer that changes in under-lying physiological capability--whether real or perceived--likely underlie such trends.
Impact of coal structural heterogeneity on the nonideal sorption of organic contaminants

Carbonaceous geosorbents (black carbon, coal, and humin/kerogen) play a primary role in the nonideal sorption (isotherm nonlinearity, hysteresis, and multiphasic kinetics) of hydrophobic organic chemicals by soils and sediments. The present study investigated the impact of coal structural heterogeneity on sorption/desorption of two model monoaromatic compounds (1,3‐dichlorobenzene and 1,3‐dinitrobenzene). Due to the higher degree of aromaticity and condensation, anthracite showed stronger sorption affinity and nonlinearity and slower sorption kinetics than lignite. Removal of humic substances by alkali extraction and/or mineral fraction by acidification did not much affect organic carbon‐normalized sorption coefficient to the coal, suggesting nearly complete accessibility of adsorption sites on the condensed organic carbon. However, the treatments greatly increased sorption kinetics and meanwhile alleviated hysteresis of 1,3‐dinitrobenzene, as compared with the original lignite. These observations were attributed to the enhanced exposure of high‐energy adsorption sites on the condensed organic carbon after exfoliating the surface coverage by humic substances and minerals. An empirical biphasic pseudo‐second‐order model consisting of a fast sorption phase and a slow sorption phase adequately quantified the overall sorption kinetics for the coal sorbents. The results indicated that the condensed organic carbon, in combination with other structural components, controls the nonideal sorption of unburned coal. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011; 30:1310–1319. © 2011 SETAC
Complementary punctured convolutional (CPC) codes and their applications

Presents a new class of punctured convolutional codes that are complementary (CPC codes). A set of punctured convolutional codes derived from the same original low rate code are said to be complementary if they are equivalent (in terms of their distance properties) and if when combined yield at least the original low rate code. Based on these CPC codes the author proposes and analyzes a variation of the type II hybrid ARQ scheme which is called a type III hybrid ARQ scheme. With the type III hybrid ARQ scheme, the starting code rate can be chosen to match the channel noise requirements, and as with the type II scheme, packets that are detected in error are not discarded, but are combined with complementary transmissions provided by the transmitter to help recover the transmitted message. The main advantage is that any complementary sequence sent for a packet that is detected with errors is self decodable. That is the decoder does not have to rely on previously received sequences for the same data packet for decoding, as is generally the case with incremental redundancy ARQ schemes. This feature is desirable especially in situations where a transmitted packet can be lost or severely damaged as a result of interference. CPC codes can find applications in diversity transmission systems. A novel complementary diversity scheme which makes use of CPC codes is briefly discussed. >
Accurate  \(d\) – \({q}\)  Axis Modeling of Synchronous Machines With Skew Accounting for Saturation

This paper exemplifies the influence of skew on the magnetic behavior (i.e., flux linkages and inductances) and torque characteristic of a synchronous machine. Thereby, it proposes a computationally efficient semianalytical technique to accurately derive the parameter model of a synchronous machine incorporating skew, whilst considering the effect of saturation and d-q axis cross coupling. The proposed technique uses only one set of 2-D finite element (FE)-computed data corresponding to the unskewed machine, and can be applied for the prediction of either average or instantaneous d-q axis flux linkage and torque of any synchronous machine with an n number of skew slices and any skew angle. The validity of the technique is verified by FE analysis and measurements obtained from a prototype permanent magnet assisted synchronous reluctance machine developed for a traction application.
Textual Encodings of PKIX, PKCS, and CMS Structures

This document describes and discusses the textual encodings of the Public-Key Infrastructure X.509 (PKIX), Public-Key Cryptography Standards (PKCS), and Cryptographic Message Syntax (CMS). The textual encodings are well-known, are implemented by several applications and libraries, and are widely deployed. This document articulates the de facto rules by which existing implementations operate and defines them so that future implementations can interoperate.
Exposure of the US population to environmental tobacco smoke: the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988 to 1991.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the extent of exposure of the US population to environmental tobacco smoke and the contribution of the home and workplace environment to environmental tobacco smoke exposure. DESIGN Nationally representative cross-sectional survey including questionnaire information from persons aged 2 months and older (n=16818) and measurements of serum cotinine (a metabolite of nicotine) from persons aged 4 years and older (n=10642). SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Participants in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, October 25, 1988, to October 21, 1991. RESULTS Of US children aged 2 months to 11 years, 43% lived in a home with at least 1 smoker, and 37% of adult non-tobacco users lived in a home with at least 1 smoker or reported environmental tobacco smoke exposure at work. Serum cotinine levels indicated more widespread exposure to nictoine. Of non-tobacco users, 87.9% had detectable levels of serum cotinine. Both the number of smokers in the household and the hours exposed at work were significantly and independently associated (P<.001, multiple regression t test) with increased serum cotinine levels. Serum cotinine levels of children, non-Hispanic blacks, and males indicated that these groups had higher exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. Dietary variables showed no consistent association with serum cotinine levels, and dietary contribution to serum cotinine level, if any, appeared to be extremely small. CONCLUSIONS The high proportion of the population with detectable serum cotinine levels indicates widespread exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in the US population. Both the home and workplace environments significantly contribute to environmental tobacco smoke exposure in the United States.
Study on PAPR Reduction on Spectrum and Energy Efficiencies in Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing with Low Complexity

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) faces the Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR) problem that is a main disadvantage in multicarrier transmission system. Here in this paper an attempt is made to improve the spectrum efficiency (SE), and energy efficiency (EE) in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems, Simulation results show that the OFDM system with PAPR reduction could achieve higher SE and EE than that of the system without PAPR reduction with CCDF.
Determination of diffusion length of p-type GaN from spectral-response measurements

An alternative method of extracting diffusion length, L, from the spectral response of a Mg-doped GaN Schottky photodiode using the charge carrier collection probability profile is investigated. The collection probability, phi(z) is defined as the probability that a photogenerated charge carrier at depth z will contribute to the measured short-circuit photocurrent. Using this method, the diffusion length is estimated to be approximately 10 nm.
Estrogen action in the mouse uterus: characterization of the cytosol and nuclear receptor systems.

Cytosol receptor binding of 17β-estradiol in the mouse uterus was demonstrated in immature, ovariectomized, and intact animals. Quantification of specific binding by protamine sulfate precipitation was approximately 0.70 pmol estradiol bound/mg cytosol protein for all of the groups studied. Nuclear binding levels, assessed by the nuclear exchange assay, were 0.11–0.15 pmol/100 μg DNA. Stability of the nuclear receptorestradiol complex was evaluated at 25, 30, and 37 C and was found to be inversely related to the incubation temperature. Linearity of the binding assays was demonstrated for cytosol and nuclear receptors compared to milligrams of cytosol protein or micrograms of DNA, respectively. The mouse uterine cytosol receptor-estradiol interaction was shown to be second order by association rate analysis (k1 = 2.0 × 105 M-1 sec-1). Dissociation of estradiol from the receptor complex (k-1) appeared to be first order, with a constant of 2.3 × 10-5 sec-1. Sucrose gradients performed in low salt buffer (10 .