Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pertussis Toxin Plays an Early Role in Respiratory Tract Colonization by Bordetella pertussis

ABSTRACT In this study, we sought to determine whether pertussis toxin (PT), an exotoxin virulence factor produced exclusively by Bordetella pertussis, is important for colonization of the respiratory tract by this pathogen by using a mouse intranasal infection model. By comparing a wild-type Tohama I strain to a mutant strain with an in-frame deletion of the ptx genes encoding PT (ΔPT), we found that the lack of PT confers a significant peak (day 7) colonization defect (1 to 2 log10 units) over a range of bacterial inoculum doses and that this defect was apparent within 1 to 2 days postinoculation. In mixed-strain infection experiments, the ΔPT strain showed no competitive disadvantage versus the wild-type strain and colonized at higher levels than in the single-strain infection experiments. To test the hypothesis that soluble PT produced by the wild-type strain in mixed infections enhanced respiratory tract colonization by ΔPT, we coadministered purified PT with the ΔPT inoculum and found that colonization was increased to wild-type levels. This effect was not observed when PT was coadministered via a systemic route. Intranasal administration of purified PT up to 14 days prior to inoculation with ΔPT significantly increased bacterial colonization, but PT administration 1 day after bacterial inoculation did not enhance colonization versus a phosphate-buffered saline control. Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples from mice infected with either wild-type or ΔPT strains at early times after infection revealed that neutrophil influx to the lungs 48 h postinfection was significantly greater in response to ΔPT infection, implicating neutrophil chemotaxis as a possible target of PT activity promoting B. pertussis colonization of the respiratory tract.
Adaptive video stabilisation with dominant motion layer estimation for home video and TV broadcast

Digital video stabilisation is useful to improve the viewing experience of shaky videos and eases further processing such as segmentation, encoding and restoration. In this paper we present an adaptive, low-latency video stabilisation technique targeting real-time applications for home video and broadcast content viewed on a mobile platform or TV. We stabilise videos by shifting each frame inversely to the measured 2D translational jitter which is computed coherently along the estimated dominant motion layer. This allows our technique to stabilise a wide variety of sequences, including the difficult case of zooming. Our smoothing filter preserves intentional motion and keeps a low latency throughout the processing. We propose an extension of our technique to remove rolling shutter artifacts and include a logo detection process to stabilise TV footage (e.g. news, sports) while preserving static areas. We compare our approach to existing methods and show its potential on several sequences captured casually with smartphone cameras and TV content.
Smart Data Collection and Management in Heterogeneous Ubiquitous Healthcare

The increasing availability of network connection and the progress in information technology and in hardware miniaturization techniques, are determining new computing scenarios, where software applications are able to "configure themselves" based on information coming from heterogeneous sources (sensors, RFID, GPS, databases, user input, etc.) which form the so called "context". In other terms, such applications are based on the representation and codification of different kinds of data, such as biomedical parameters, environmental data, device location, user preferences, resource availability, every time, from every location and through different modalities (pervasiveness), and on the provision of services and contents adapted to current context (context-awareness). Such computing scenarios find application in a large number of real-life domains, as environment monitoring, supply-chain management and so on. Health-care is perhaps one of the most relevant and promising. Indeed, the perspectives opened by such technologies are wide and variegate: they range from the home-care of mobility-impaired people to the harmonization and presentation to hospital workers of information gathered from distributed heterogeneous sources. The implementation of context-aware systems is based on two distinct but strongly interlaced tasks: 1) monitoring and collection of sensorial data, with the related issues concerning data transmission, costs, enabling technologies as well as the heterogeneity and the number of data to be collected 2) processing and integration of data with available context information in order to activate decision processes which are in many cases not trivial. Key points are the selection of the enabling technologies for the collection, transmission and smart management of data gathered from heterogeneous sources, and the design of a system architecture having the following characteristics: a. simple to use; b. low-cost and low-power consumption in order to make possible the implementation of systems with a high number of nodes; c. interoperable with any type of sensors; d. customizable to different kinds of application domains with a limited effort; e. scalable with the number of nodes;
Intergroup Solidarity and Local Public Goods Provision: An Experiment

The effects from voluntarily choosing to accept or reject solidarity with outgroup members oningroup cooperation has not been studied from a behavioral perspective yet. Our contribution to theliterature on intergroup solidarity and ingroup cooperation is twofold. First, building on the publicgoods game, we design a novel experiment that allows us to study intergroup solidarity by allowinghigher endowed groups to voluntarily share the benefits from their group account with less endowedgroups. Second, we show that voluntarily – by voting – refusing solidarity with a less endowed groupresults in a breakdown in cooperation within the group that voted. The mere thought that sharing withoutgroups is costly spills over to the ingroup contribution decisions.
Sigma*: Symbolic Learning of Stream Filters

We present Sigma∗, a novel technique for learning symbolic models of software behavior. Sigma∗ addresses the challenge of synthesizing models of software by using symbolic conjectures and abstraction. By combining dynamic symbolic execution to discover symbolic input-output steps of the programs and counterexample guided abstraction refinement to over-approximate program behavior, Sigma∗ transforms arbitrary source representation of programs into faithful input-output models. We define a class of stream filters—programs that process streams of data items—for which Sigma∗ converges to a complete model if abstraction refinement eventually builds up a sufficiently strong abstraction. In other words, Sigma∗ is complete relative to abstraction. To represent inferred symbolic models, we use a variant of symbolic transducers that can be effectively composed and equivalence checked. Thus, Sigma∗ enables fully automatic analysis of behavioral properties such as commutativity, reversibility and idempotence, which is useful for web sanitizer verification and stream programs compiler optimizations, as we show experimentally. We also show how models inferred by Sigma∗ can be used to boost performance of stream programs through parallelized code generation.
Multispectral Filter Arrays: Recent Advances and Practical Implementation

Thanks to some technical progress in interferencefilter design based on different technologies, we can finally successfully implement the concept of multispectral filter array-based sensors. This article provides the relevant state-of-the-art for multispectral imaging systems and presents the characteristics of the elements of our multispectral sensor as a case study. The spectral characteristics are based on two different spatial arrangements that distribute eight different bandpass filters in the visible and near-infrared area of the spectrum. We demonstrate that the system is viable and evaluate its performance through sensor spectral simulation.
Semidefinite relaxation based multiuser detection for M-ary PSK multiuser systems

Because of the powerful symbol error performance of multiuser maximum-likelihood (ML) detection, recently, there has been much interest in seeking effective ways of approximating multiuser ML detection (MLD) with affordable computational costs. It has been illustrated that for the synchronous code division multiple access (CDMA) scenario, the so-called semidefinite relaxation (SDR) algorithm can accurately and efficiently approximate multiuser MLD. This SDR-MLD algorithm, however, can only handle binary and quadratic phase shift keying (PSK) symbol constellations. In this sequel, we propose an extended SDR algorithm for MLD with M-ary PSK (MPSK) constellations. For the synchronous CDMA scenario, the proposed SDR algorithm provides an attractive polynomial-time complexity order of K/sup 3.5/, where K is the number of users. Simulation results indicate that the proposed detector provides improved symbol error performance compared with several commonly used multiuser detectors.
General Non-Applicability of the Liouville Equation in Statistical Mechanics and a New \mu-space Stochastic Equation for Dynamical Systems

By examining both the divergence of the velocity vector in orthogonal Cartesian coordinate space $\mathbf{\Gamma} $ of dimension $\R^{\textrm {2fN}}$ and the structure of the Hamiltonian determining a system trajectory, it is shown that the standard Liouville equation cannot describe anything more than linear motion for typical Hamiltonians with separated momentum and space variables and some significant consequences such as the Poincare recurrence theorem do not obtain for such Hamiltonians. A new stochastic equation which is everywhere in principle discontinuous is developed for dynamical systems described by a general Hamiltonian which is a functional of the space and momentum variables, and where the average trajectory of a system point is proven to be orthogonal to any constant energy surface consonant with the system energy at equilibrium. This equation does not assume the presence of binary collision only, as required in the standard first-order Boltzmann equation, and is therefore suitable to describe dense systems as well, and may be viewed as an alternative to the latter. Some new macroscopic variational principles for non-equilibrium thermodynamical systems are proposed, where one object for future work would be to relate the microscopic description given here with the macroscopic principles.
A novel zero-current-transition PWM DC-DC converter with coupled inductor

In this paper, a novel topology of a non-isolated buck converter with zero-current-transition (ZCT) capabilities is presented. In order to realize ZCT condition, the auxiliary circuit consists of a coupled inductor, a capacitor and an auxiliary switch, which also operates with a ZCT condition. It should be noted that the coupled inductor is comprised of three inductors on the same ferrite core which plays an important role in different branches. Moreover, the coupled inductor plays an effective role in achieving soft-switching condition. The detailed operating analysis of the proposed converter is presented. Finally, a 720 W prototype is built to verify the theoretical principles. The switching waveforms are also measured to validate the proposed topology.
Transnational education and total quality management: a stakeholder-centred model

Purpose Quality assurance is a key concern in higher education, which is more complex in offshore transnational education (TNE), compared to onshore provision of education service. However, higher education quality assurance is an established research domain; there is very limited work on the efficacy of industry-based total quality management (TQM) considerations to uphold quality in higher education, particularly in TNE. From this context, the purpose of this paper is to develop new insights in this under-researched area. Design/methodology/approach An inductive constructivist approach is followed to analyse extant scholarly views in relevant disciplinary areas to develop new insights, in relation to the significance of industry-based TQM in TNEs’ quality assurance. Findings Stakeholder orientation is recognised, as a significant consideration to uphold quality in TNE. Different stakeholders are identified, who would have substantial influence on TNEs’ TQM. How these stakeholders could influence the TQM process is clarified. Some empirical insights are also developed, in support of the arguments of the paper. Practical implications These insights will be useful for education administrators to better align their stakeholder relationships to underpin TQM. Academics will be able to use these insights as a basis for future research towards the significance of industry-based TQM in higher education. Originality/value Based on a stakeholder-focussed TNE TQM model, the findings represent an innovative strategic direction towards a better understanding of the significance of stakeholder relationships, pertaining to TQM in the contemporary higher education system.
A time-domain method for the analysis of thermal impedance response preserving the convolution form

The study of the thermal behavior of complex packages such as multichip modules (MCMs) is usually carried out by measuring the so-called thermal impedance response, that is: the transient temperature after a power step. From the analysis of this signal, the thermal frequency response can be estimated, and consequently, compact thermal models may be extracted. We present a method to obtain an estimate of the time constant distribution underlying the observed transient. The method is based on an iterative deconvolution that produces an approximation to the time constant spectrum while preserving a convenient convolution form. This method is applied to the obtained thermal response of a microstructure as analyzed by finite element method as well as to the measured thermal response of a transistor array integrated circuit (IC) in a SMD package.
Graphical Packet Generator - A solution for automatic discovery of the network topology and packet generation

It is always a challenge to keep the state of the network consistent and to be able to say at any moment what packets are getting through it. Software Defined Networking comes in aid and offers an alternative to the old way networking administration is done, offering the administrators the possibility to control the network through a custom written software. In this paper, we propose a solution for automatic discovery of the network topology and packet generations from a central point with some troubleshooting capabilities. We use the onePK Software Defined Networking solution to implement an application that offers at any time a consistent view of the network topology and permits packet generation. The general purpose of the application is network troubleshooting.
The relationship between presence and performance in virtual environments: results of a VERTS study

Understanding the conditions under which virtual environment (VE) users experience a sense of presence may, in the long term, yield valuable insights into human cognition and psychology. More immediately, however, the general assumption is that a sense of presence impacts a user's ability to perform a task and, therefore, that insights into presence offer a potential payoff in terms of task performance. This paper describes a recent study that investigated the possible relationship between presence and task performance in VEs.
The Process of Creative Construction: Knowledge Spillovers, Entrepreneurship and Economic Growth

Questioning the underlying assumptions of the process of creative destruction, we conceptualize an alternative process of creative construction that may characterize the dynamics between entrants and incumbents. We discuss the underlying mechanism of knowledge spillover strategic entrepreneurship whereby knowledge investments by existing organizations, when coupled with entrepreneurial action by individuals embedded in their context, results in new venture creation, heterogeneity in performance and subsequent growth in industries, regions and economies. The framework has implications for future research in entrepreneurship, strategy and economic growth.
SDDSR: Sequence Driven Dynamic Source Routing for Ad Hoc Networks

Mobile ad-hoc networks are becoming more popular as the use of mobile computers is increasing. The biggest challenge facing such networks is continuous and random change in the topology. Table driven routing protocols where not designed for such networks. For this reason new routing protocols that can handle continuous change of topology where created. Two popular protocols are Dynamic Source Routing (DSR), and Ad-hoc On-demand Distance Vector (AODV). DSR has the advantage of making heavy use of routing information to reduce the routing load, where as AODV has the advantage of using sequence numbers, which guarantees that at all time we are using non-stale routing entries. In this paper, we present the implementation of Sequence Driven Dynamic Source Routing (SDDSR). SDDSR is an on-demand routing protocol, which builds upon DSR and AODV. We use the NS-2 simulator to show the experimental results of the new protocol. The results showed better packet delivery as well as less routing load.
A Pyramid of Professional and Business Responsibility in Croatian Dental Medicine

Adresa za dopisivanje Gordana Cerjan-Letica Sveučilište u Zagrebu Stomatološki fakultet Katedra za opće i društvene predmete Gundulićeva 5 10 000 Zagreb Tel ++ 385 1 4802 111 letica@sfzg.hr Sažetak Hrvatski stomatolozi, posebice vlasnici/nositelji privatne prakse, zakupci prostora i opreme za obavljanje privatne prakse, pa i zaposleni u privatnoj praksi kao i njihovi kolege u europskim i ostalim razvijenim zemljama svaki se dan suočavaju s nizom etičkih i moralnih dvojbi koje se redovito pretvaraju u višestruki sukob interesa: a) trebaju striktno slijediti i poštovati sve zakonske, etičke i druge profesionalne norme (kao i one običajima nametnute); b) moraju biti poslovno uspješni i profitabilni; c) trebaju imati društveno poželjnu i poslovno moguću razinu društvene i ekološke odgovornosti. U članku se dokazuje teza kako bogata tradicija teorijskih i empirijskih istraživanja fenomenologije korporativne društvene odgovornosti (KDO-a), korporativne odgovornosti (KO-a), korporativne društvene i ekološke odgovornosti (KDEO-a), civilnih korporacija (CK-a), korporativnog građanstva (KG-a) i etične korporacije (EK-a) može poslužiti kao izvrsno konceptualno i teorijsko polazište za traženje odgovora na pitanje kako je moguće postići poželjnu ravnotežu između poslovne (poduzetničke), profesionalne (kliničke) i društvene (i ekološke) odgovornosti u stomatološkom obrazovanju te privatnoj i javnoj praksi dentalne medicine. Na temelju komparativne analize različitih općih teorija o korporativnoj društvenoj odgovornosti (KDO-u) koje su u posljednjih nekoliko desetljeća osmišljene i primijenjene u poslovnoj praksi i etici suvremenih tvrtki, izabrali smo onu koju smatramo najprikladnijom za primjenu u dentalnoj medicini i stomatološkoj profesiji. Radi se o piramidi društvene odgovornosti, teoriji koju je Archie B. Carroll objavio 1991. Uzimajući tu teoriju kao okvirno konceptualno polazište i primjenjujući znanja sociologije stomatološke profesije, u članku predlažemo specifičnu piramidu društvene odgovornosti za praktičare dentalne medicine u privatnom i javnom sektoru. Za razliku od opće piramide KDO-a koja polazi od teze da je ekonomska (poslovna) odgovornost uvjet i pretpostavka ostalih oblika pravne, etičke i dobrotvorne odgovornosti, brani se teza kako je u dentalnoj medicini etička odgovornost uvjet i pretpostavka svih ostalih oblika odgovornosti, a iza nje slijede: pravna, ekonomska i dobrotvorna odgovornost. Ključne riječi etika, stomatološka; etika, poslovna; etika, korporativna; društvena odgovornost; sukob interesa; obrazovanje, stomatološko Katedra za opće i društvene predmete Stomatološkog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu Department of Social Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
The influence of walking aids on the recovery of gait function and balance following stroke

• A submitted manuscript is the version of the article upon submission and before peer-review. There can be important differences between the submitted version and the official published version of record. People interested in the research are advised to contact the author for the final version of the publication, or visit the DOI to the publisher's website. • The final author version and the galley proof are versions of the publication after peer review. • The final published version features the final layout of the paper including the volume, issue and page numbers.
3 User interference channel: Degrees of freedom as a function of channel diversity

In this paper we characterize, in the context of vector space precoding strategies, the degrees of freedom of the parallel three-user interference channel as a function of the channel diversity L. A channel diversity of L is modeled by L independently fading real-valued parallel channels. Our results also apply to the case of parallel complex-valued channels, where the channel matrices Hij ∊ Cl×l are still diagonal but have complex entries. Here L = 2l is twice the number of parallel channels, and the resulting formulas (as a function of L) for the degrees of freedom are the same as in the real-valued case.
&urvv/d\hu%dvhg0$&)(&6roxwlrqiru,(((d/lqnvlq)dglqj Channels

WLANs, due to the characteristics of the wireless medium, exhibit time and location dependent features. The ability to adapt to such conditions and enable optimal behavior is a key issue in future generation heterogeneous networks where WLANs are envisioned as an integral part. This paper uses a recently derived analytical model of the throughput performance of non-saturated contending IEEE 802.11a systems under fading conditions which is extended in order to define a novel, cross-layer based, throughput improvement MAC FEC scheme for IEEE 802.11a links.
Buffer and Bandwidth Management for the Expedited Forwarding Traffic Class in Differentiated Services Networks

This paper addresses issues related to buffer and bandwidth management for the Expedited Forwarding (EF) traffic class in IP Differentiated Services (DiffServ) networks. We are concerned with edge nodes connecting a number of end-users with premium traffic contracts to the core network and we examine buffer requirements in those nodes. Our results suggest that even in the case of EF traffic class, an amount buffering is essential to provide certain levels of Bit Error Rate (BER) while achieving good utilisation of the existing bandwidth resources; this is in contrast to the current belief that a buffer size of 1 or 2 packets should be enough for the EF traffic class.