Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bound on the average transmission time for sequential estimation systems containing an additive Gaussian noise channel

We consider the class of sequential estimation systems containing additive Gaussian noise channels. Let m be a random variable representing the source and x(t),y(t) be stochastic processes representing the signal and the channel output, respectively. Denote by \hat{m} an estimate of m based on observing y(t) from 0 to \tau , where \tau is a random variable determined by a certain stopping rule of the decoder depending on a realization of y . Let d(m,\hat{m}) be the distortion of \hat{m} relative to m and R(\cdot) be the rate distortion function of m with respect to the distortion measure d . Denote by P_o and N_o the available average signal power and the noise power level, respectively. We show that E_{\tau} \geq (2 N_o / P_o)R. (Ed(m,\hat{m})) and hence Ed(m,\hat{m}) \geq R ^ {-1} (P_o E_ \tau /2N_o ) . That is, given the average distortion Ed(m,\hat{m}) , the average transmission time required can be no smaller than (2N_o/P_o)R(Ed(m,\hat{m})) . Conversely, given the average transmission time E_{\tau} , the average distortion can be no smaller than R ^ {-1} (P_o E _ {\tau} /2N_o) .
Channel estimation impact for LTE small cells based on MU-VFDM

In a previous work, we introduced a spectrum sharing technique called Multi-User Vandermonde-subspace Frequency Division Multiplexing (MU-VFDM). This overlay technique allows the coexistence of a downlink Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) macro-cell and a cognitive multi-user small-cell system in time division duplex mode. In that work, MU-VFDM was shown to be able to completely cancel the interference towards a macro-cell system at the price of perfect channel state information (CSI) at the opportunistic small-cells. In this work we relax the perfect CSI constraint by introducing a channel estimation protocol that does not require cooperation between the two systems, but still provides harmless coexistence between them. The impact of this protocol is evaluated in terms of interference at the legacy and sum-rates at the opportunistic system. Simulation results show that, even with imperfect CSI estimation, MU-VFDM is able to achieve promising rates for the small-cells while incurring a small rate loss at the macro-cell due to interference.
Architectural Reconstruction from Single or Multiple Uncalibrated Images

In this paper we present a system for the reconstruction of 3 D mod els of architectural scenes from single or multiple uncalibrated images. T he partial 3 D mod el of a build ing is recovered from a single image using geometric constraints such as parallelism and orthogonality, which are likely to be found in most architectural scenes. T he approximate corner positions of a build ing are selected interactively by a user and then further refi ned automatically using H ough transform. T he relative d epths of the corner points are calculated accord ing to the perspective projection mod el. P artial 3 D mod els recovered from d iff erent viewpoints are registered to a common coord inate system for integration. T he integrated 3 D mod el is then fi tted with piecewise planar surfaces to generate a more geometrically consistent mod el. T he acquired images are fi nally mapped onto the surface of the reconstructed 3 D mod el to create a photo-realistic mod el. A working system which allows a user to interactively build a 3 D mod el of an architectural scene from single or multiple images has been proposed and implemented .
Heterologous Expression of Three Plant Serpins with Distinct Inhibitory Specificities*

For the first time, inhibitory plant serpins, including WSZ1 from wheat, BSZ4, and the previously unknown protein BSZx from barley, have been expressed in Escherichia coli, and a procedure for fast purification of native plant serpins has been developed. BSZx, BSZ4, and WSZ1 were assayed for inhibitory activity against trypsin, chymotrypsin, and cathepsin G, and cleavage sites in the reactive center loop were identified by sequencing. BSZx proved to be a potent inhibitor with specific, overlapping reactive centers either at P1 Arg for trypsin or at P2 Leu for chymotrypsin. At 22°C, the apparent rate constant for chymotrypsin inhibition at P2 (ka = 9.4 × 105 M−1 s−1) was only four times lower than for trypsin at P1 (ka = 3.9 × 106 M−1 s−1), and the apparent inhibition stoichiometries were close to 1. Furthermore, our data suggest that cathepsin G was inhibited by BSZx (ka = 3.9 × 106 M−1 s−1) at both the P1 Arg and P2 Leu. These results indicate a unique adaptability of the reactive center loop of BSZx. WSZ1 inhibited chymotrypsin (ka = 1.1 × 105 M−1 s−1) and cathepsin G (ka = 7.6 × 103 M−1 s−1) at P1 Gln and not, as for BSZx, at the more favorable P2 Leu. BSZ4 inhibited cathepsin G (ka = 2.7 × 104 M−1 s−1) at P1 Met but was hydrolyzed by trypsin and chymotrypsin. The three plant serpins formed stable SDS-resistant complexes with the proteinases in accordance with the kinetic data.
Semi-supervised data stream analytics with balanced recognition performance and processing speed

For the upcoming IoT (Internet of things) era, plethora of data from a variety of sensors needs to be processed on a real time basis for improving system responsiveness. Due to the increasing modality of sensors, data streaming analytics to deal with high dimensional data becomes a critical ability. In addition, concept drift also needs to be addressed since an IoT-enabled environment is dynamic in nature. To address the above issues, this study proposed a semi-supervised algorithm for data streaming analytics under concept drift to achieve a tunable balance between the processing speed and the recognition accuracy based on the user needs or application characteristics. In the experiment using a KDD dataset, we found that the proposed algorithm does achieve an expected and promising result.
Innate Immune Modulation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Moving Closer toward Vitamin D Therapy

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common respiratory diseases and a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Disturbed innate immune processes characterize the pathogenesis of COPD. Vitamin D deficiency is very common in COPD patients and has been associated with disease severity. Interestingly, mechanistic evidence from animal and in vitro studies has demonstrated important innate immunomodulatory functions of vitamin D, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and antimicrobial functions. This review discusses in detail how the innate immunomodulatory functions of vitamin D may have therapeutic potential in COPD patients. The remaining challenges associated with vitamin D therapy in COPD patients are also discussed.
Very important pharmacogene summary: ABCB1 (MDR1, P-glycoprotein).

ABCB1 descriptionABCB1 (MDR1) is one of many ubiquitous adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette (ABC) genes present in all kingdoms of life that is responsible for cellular homeostasis [1–3]. ABC genes encode transporter and channel proteins possessing multiple membrane-spanning domains that f
Curriculum adjustments for students with learning disabilities in mainstream clasrooms.

Introduction The stated policies or mission statements of many education systems around the world reflect the widespread realisation that students with learning difficulties and disabilities have both the ability and the right to learn in a normalised environment, and thus include a goal related to helping all students achieve to their potential. Indeed, education is viewed as one of the major ways in which individuals may achieve life goals, as it often holds the key to level of employment and financial security, level of housing and other life opportunities in addition to personal satisfaction and achievement (Allen, 2003; UNESCO, 2001). Ensuring that all students achieve to their potential becomes increasingly difficult when there is a broad range of abilities within a class. Students with learning difficulties have certain cognitive characteristics that mean that regular class instruction, particularly in large groups, is less effective than for most students in the classroom. Briefly, these characteristics include selective and sustained attention difficulties (Nussbaum, Grant, Roman, Poole, & Bigler, 1990; Scruggs and Mastropieri, 1992; Shaywitz, Fletcher, & Shaywitz, 1992), both short and long-term memory problems (Smith, 2004) and an impulsive rather than a reflective cognitive style (Zentall, 1993). Students with this range of difficulties often have difficulty following directions, in organising themselves and in following through tasks to completion. They tend not to develop effective planning or problem-solving skills because these skills require inhibition of action while considering alternatives. They have difficulty sequencing, classifying, categorising and summarising, because each of these skills demands planning and organising of information (McGee, Partridge, Williams, & Silva, 1991). The combination of difficulties in cognitive functioning makes it extremely difficult for students to succeed in academic tasks. There can be serious and long-term effects of failing at school. It makes it extremely difficult to develop appropriate social behaviour, resulting in low social status and high levels of rejection among peers, a problem that continues well past childhood (Prior, Smart, Sansom, & Oberklaid, 1999). Many students with learning difficulties will experience poor motivation because of a history of failure. School becomes less and less part of their “quality world” (Glasser. 1993). Such students have demonstrated lowered self-concepts as the result of frustration and long-term failure. In addition, their poor self-concept makes remediation more difficult. The history of failure may also result in either acting out behaviour or withdrawal, as students try to disguise learning problems. Thus there is a great need to respond to the needs of these students to ensure that they, too, are able to reach their full potential.
Research methods in education and psychology : integratingdiversity with quantitative & qualitative approaches

Focused on providing as full a picture as possible of what is considered to be 'good' research, this book explains quantitative and qualitative methods, and incorporates the viewpoints of various research paradigms into the descriptions of these methods. Donna M Mertens not only covers two standard paradigms (postpositivist and interpretive//constructivist) but also explores a relative newcomer, the emancipatory paradigm, that is inclusive of the perspectives of feminists, ethnic//racial minorities and persons with disabilities. In each chapter, Donna M Mertens carefully explains a step of the research process through the literature review, research method and analysis to reporting the research. Each chapter: opens with examples and lists of topics to consider; contains sample studies to illustrate key ideas; has sequence steps to guide one through the research process; and has a question and answer section to elicit further reflection on the material covered.
MAPK Signaling Pathway Alters Expression of Midgut ALP and ABCC Genes and Causes Resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ac Toxin in Diamondback Moth

Insecticidal crystal toxins derived from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are widely used as biopesticide sprays or expressed in transgenic crops to control insect pests. However, large-scale use of Bt has led to field-evolved resistance in several lepidopteran pests. Resistance to Bt Cry1Ac toxin in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), was previously mapped to a multigenic resistance locus (BtR-1). Here, we assembled the 3.15 Mb BtR-1 locus and found high-level resistance to Cry1Ac and Bt biopesticide in four independent P. xylostella strains were all associated with differential expression of a midgut membrane-bound alkaline phosphatase (ALP) outside this locus and a suite of ATP-binding cassette transporter subfamily C (ABCC) genes inside this locus. The interplay between these resistance genes is controlled by a previously uncharacterized trans-regulatory mechanism via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Molecular, biochemical, and functional analyses have established ALP as a functional Cry1Ac receptor. Phenotypic association experiments revealed that the recessive Cry1Ac resistance was tightly linked to down-regulation of ALP, ABCC2 and ABCC3, whereas it was not linked to up-regulation of ABCC1. Silencing of ABCC2 and ABCC3 in susceptible larvae reduced their susceptibility to Cry1Ac but did not affect the expression of ALP, whereas suppression of MAP4K4, a constitutively transcriptionally-activated MAPK upstream gene within the BtR-1 locus, led to a transient recovery of gene expression thereby restoring the susceptibility in resistant larvae. These results highlight a crucial role for ALP and ABCC genes in field-evolved resistance to Cry1Ac and reveal a novel trans-regulatory signaling mechanism responsible for modulating the expression of these pivotal genes in P. xylostella.
Cold Accretion Disks with Coronae and Advection

Cold optically thick accretion disks with hot coronae and radial advection have been investigated. Within the framework of $\alpha$-viscosity models, we assume that all the mass accretion and angular momentum transport take place in the cold disk, but that a fraction of the gravitational energy released is dissipated in the corona. Both the coronal energy dissipation and the advection heat transport have a stabilization effect on the thermal and viscous instabilities of the disk. If that more than $\sim 95$ percent of the total power is dissipated in the corona, then the locally unstable behavior of the disk is restricted to a relatively narrow spatial region and is found to lie in a small range of mass accretion rates. The global temporal variability of the disk can be very mild or may disappear, and which may be applicable to the low-frequency ($\sim 0.04$~Hz) quasi-periodic oscillations observed in black hole candidates Cyg X--1 and GRO J0422+32.
Design and Scaling of SiGe BiCMOS VCOs Above 100GHz

This paper presents a comparison of 100 GHz Colpitts VCOs fabricated in two generations of SiGe BiCMOS technology, with MOS and HBT varactors and with integrated inductors. Based on a study of the optimal biasing conditions for minimum phase noise, it is shown that VCOs can be used to monitor the noise performance of the SiGe HBTs at mm-waves. Measurements and simulations show a 104 GHz VCO operating from 2.5 V with phase noise of -101.3 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset, which delivers +2.7 dBm of differential output power at 25degC, with operation up to 125degC
Individuals' Absorptive Capacity in Enterprise System Assimilation

The capability of an individual to absorb knowledge about enterprise resource planning (ERP) is a critical element in the development of an organisation’s absorptive capacity (ACAP) during assimilation phase of ERP. Prior research have tended to overlook the roles that individuals play in identify external and internal knowledge, assimilate and exploit ERP knowledge. By defining ACAP at the individual level, we seek to enrich our understanding of how individual learn ERP knowledge and how such efforts facilitate the ERP assimilation within organisations. We develop a theoretical model to investigate the assimilation of enterprise systems in the post-implementation stage. Specifically, this model explains how communication climate and top management participation moderates the impact of Individuals’ ACAP on the assimilation of ERP systems.
The Conscience of Educational Evaluation

Those persons who talk most about human freedom are those who are actually most blindly subject to social determination, inasmuch as they do not in most cases suspect the profound degree to which their conduct is determined by their interests. In contrast with this, it should be noted that it is precisely those who insist on the unconscious influence of the social determinants in conduct, who strive to overcome these determinants as much as possible. They uncover unconscious motivations in order to make those forces which formerly ruled them more and more into objects of conscious rational decision. Karl Mannheim, Ideology and Utopia1
Activities of pentose shunt and glycolytic enzymes in lungs of ozone-exposed rats.

After seven days of exposure of rats to 0.8 ppm ozone, the activities of pentose shunt and glycolytic enzymes of the lungs were significantly increased, α-Tocopherol partially retarded the elevation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-P-GD), and malic enzyme, but not of others. In a separate exposure of rats to 0.75 ppm ozone, the activities of glutathione (GSH) peroxidase, GSH reductase, G-6-PD, 6-P-GD, and pyruvate kinase decreased initially and then increased above their respective controls. The results can be partially attributed to increased needs of reductive detoxification of lipid peroxide. Increased activities may be related to the development of adaptation by the animals.
Behavioral Repertoire in Conflict Escalation: Dimensions of Dispute and Conflict Escalation

Conflict escalation will be approached from a perspective of Dynamical Systems Theory. It is proposed that escalation and de-escalation of conflict result in changes of the ensemble of possible behaviors. We employ a combination of multidimensional scaling and network analysis to understand the dynamics of change of possible states accompanying changes in conflict intensity. The network is characterized by attractor driven dynamics in the sense that it converges in one of several possible configurations. This model represents one of possible interpretations of conflict as an attractor.
Planar cell polarity in the Drosophila eye is directed by graded Four-jointed and Dachsous expression

Planar cell polarity (PCP) occurs when the cells of an epithelium are polarized along a common axis lying in the epithelial plane. During the development of PCP, cells respond to long-range directional signals that specify the axis of polarization. In previous work on the Drosophila eye, we proposed that a crucial step in this process is the establishment of graded expression of the cadherin Dachsous (Ds) and the Golgi-associated protein Four-jointed (Fj). These gradients were proposed to specify the direction of polarization by producing an activity gradient of the cadherin Fat within each ommatidium. In this report, I test and confirm the key predictions of this model by altering the patterns of Fj, Ds and Fat expression. It is shown that the gradients of Fj and Ds expression provide partially redundant positional information essential for specifying the polarization axis. I further demonstrate that reversing the Fj and Ds gradients can lead to reversal of the axis of polarization. Finally, it is shown that an ectopic gradient of Fat expression can re-orient PCP in the eye. In contrast to the eye, the endogenous gradients of Fj and Ds expression do not play a major role in directing PCP in the wing. Thus, this study reveals that the two tissues use different strategies to orient their PCP.
Assignment of adjustable delay buffers for clock skew minimization in multi-voltage mode designs

It is well known that clock skew minimization becomes critical in high-performance VLSI designs. In this paper, the assignment of adjustable delay buffers(ADBs) is applied to minimize the clock skew in a buffered clock tree in a multi-voltage mode design. Given a buffered clock tree, based on the assignment flexibility of the delay value on an ADB, bottom-up ADB assignment is firstly proposed to insert ADBs to minimize the clock skew by assigning the delay values of the inserted ADBs for each power mode. Furthermore, bottom-up ADB elimination is proposed to eliminate the redundant ADBs to minimize the number of the inserted ADBs in a multi-voltage mode design while maintaining the minimized clock skew. Compared with Su's heuristic algorithm and Lim's optimal algorithm, the experimental results show that our proposed algorithm uses less CPU time to reduces 9.3% of the used ADBs and 1.3%~1.6% of the average latency on the average, respectively.
Effect of free ammonia and free nitrous acid concentration on the anabolic and catabolic processes of an enriched Nitrosomonas culture

The effects of free ammonia (FA; NH3) and free nitrous acid (FNA; HNO2) concentrations on the metabolisms of an enriched ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) culture were investigated using a method allowing the decoupling of growth and energy generation processes. A lab‐scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was operated for the enrichment of an AOB culture. Fluorescent in‐situ hybridization (FISH) analysis showed that 82% of the bacterial population in the SBR bound to the NEU probe specifically designed for Nitrosomonas europaea. Batch tests were carried out to measure the oxygen and ammonium consumption rates by the culture at various FA and FNA levels, in the presence or absence of inorganic carbon (CO2, HCO3 −, and CO3 2−). It was revealed that FA of up to 16.0 mgNH3‐N · L−1, which was the highest concentration used in this study, did not have any inhibitory effect on either the catabolic or anabolic processes of the Nitrosomonas culture. In contrast, FNA inhibited both the growth and energy production capabilities of the Nitrosomonas culture. The inhibition on growth initiated at approximately 0.10 mgHNO2‐N · L−1, and the data suggested that the biosynthesis was completely stopped at an FNA concentration of 0.40 mgHNO2‐N · L−1. The inhibition on energy generation initiated at a slightly lower level but the Nitrosomonas culture was still oxidizing ammonia at half of the maximum rate at an FNA concentration of 0.50–0.63 mgHNO2‐N · L−1. The affinity constant of the Nitrosomonas culture with respect to ammonia was determined to be 0.36 mgNH3‐N · L−1, independent of the presence or absence of inorganic carbon. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Listening to speech in the presence of other sounds

Although most research on the perception of speech has been conducted with speech presented without any competing sounds, we almost always listen to speech against a background of other sounds which we are adept at ignoring. Nevertheless, such additional irrelevant sounds can cause severe problems for speech recognition algorithms and for the hard of hearing as well as posing a challenge to theories of speech perception. A variety of different problems are created by the presence of additional sound sources: detection of features that are partially masked, allocation of detected features to the appropriate sound sources and recognition of sounds on the basis of partial information. The separation of sounds is arousing substantial attention in psychoacoustics and in computer science. An effective solution to the problem of separating sounds would have important practical applications.
Autonomous Docking Based on Infrared System for Electric Vehicle Charging in Urban Areas

Electric vehicles are progressively introduced in urban areas, because of their ability to reduce air pollution, fuel consumption and noise nuisance. Nowadays, some big cities are launching the first electric car-sharing projects to clear traffic jams and enhance urban mobility, as an alternative to the classic public transportation systems. However, there are still some problems to be solved related to energy storage, electric charging and autonomy. In this paper, we present an autonomous docking system for electric vehicles recharging based on an embarked infrared camera performing infrared beacons detection installed in the infrastructure. A visual servoing system coupled with an automatic controller allows the vehicle to dock accurately to the recharging booth in a street parking area. The results show good behavior of the implemented system, which is currently deployed as a real prototype system in the city of Paris.