Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Secure Transmission for Physical Layer Security in Cooperative Wireless Networks

We investigate the physical layer security in cooperative wireless networks where a source (Alice) transmits a confidential message to a destination (Bob) with the help of a cooperative node (Charlie), in the presence of an eavesdropper (Eve). Cooperative transmission is explored to secure communication between Alice and Bob, while ensuring the desired quality of service (QoS) at Charlie’s receiver. We provide a transmit design for outage constrained secrecy rate maximization, taking both security and QoS constraints into account. Unlike the conventional cooperative security that adopts a fixed transmission scheme, we propose a mechanism for transmit strategy adaptation with security protection. Specifically, the proposed cooperative transmission is replaced by a cooperative jamming scheme if either security or QoS constraint is not satisfied. Numerical results confirm that our design enables dynamic transmission, and thus is flexible and environment-adaptive.
Memory-augmented multi-robot teams that learn to adapt

As multi-robot teams increasingly permeate real world environments like factories, homes and other extrater-restrial surfaces, the ability to form joint strategies that can effectively adapt to new observations and changes in teammates' policy becomes more vital. Memory is a crucial part of adaptive behavior since it is the mechanism by which knowledge from past observations can be used to modify future behavior. Previous works have studied adaptive behaviors primarily with the tools of memory but have largely been limited to single robot approaches. In this paper, we formulate the Extended T-Maze domain that marries the difficulties of a task requiring explicit adaptive behavior, to the complexities introduced by concurrent actions of multiple robots acting in the same environment. We develop a memory-based learning approach using Gated Recurrent units with Memory Block as robot policies, and demonstrate its efficacy in diverse sets of experiments in the Extended T-Maze domain that vary across multiple axes of difficulty including team size and task depth. Our results show that the memory-based multi-robot controllers are able to form effective joint strategies significantly outperforming feedforward controllers trained without memory.
Coverless information hiding based on Generative Model

A new coverless image information hiding method based on generative model is proposed, we feed the secret image to the generative model database, and generate a meaning-normal and independent image different from the secret image, then, the generated image is transmitted to the receiver and is fed to the generative model database to generate another image visually the same as the secret image. So we only need to transmit the meaning-normal image which is not related to the secret image, and we can achieve the same effect as the transmission of the secret image. This is the first time to propose the coverless image information hiding method based on generative model, compared with the traditional image steganography, the transmitted image does not embed any information of the secret image in this method, therefore, can effectively resist steganalysis tools. Experimental results show that our method has high capacity, safety and reliability.
The effect of Mycocurb, propionic acid, and calcium propionate on the intestinal strength of broiler chickens.

Field observations suggest that propionic acid-based mold inhibitors reduce the severity of proventriculitis and consequent fragile intestines. Therefore, two studies were conducted to determine the effects of a propionic acid-based mold inhibitor (Mycocurb), calcium propionate, and propionic acid on intestinal strength. Cobb x Cobb male broiler chicks were placed in an experimental design that consisted of six dietary treatments with four replicate floor pens of 40 (Experiment 1) and 30 (Experiment 2) broilers per pen. The dietary treatments in Experiment 1 consisted of control, 2.27, 4.54, and 9.07 kg/ton Mycocurb and 4.54 and 9.07 kg/ton calcium propionate. The dietary treatments in Experiment 2 consisted of control, 2.27, 4.54, and 9.07 kg/ton Mycocurb, and 4.54 and 9.07 kg/ton propionic acid. Water and the dietary treatments were made available to the broilers for ad libitum consumption from 1 d to 6 wk of age. In Experiment 1, five broilers from each pen were killed each week, a 10-cm section of intestine was removed anterior to the cecal junction, and its strength was measured. The contents of this section of intestine were collected and pH determinations were made on this material. In Experiment 2, five broilers were killed from each pen starting when the broilers were 3 wk of age, and every week thereafter a 10-cm section of intestine was removed posterior to the duodenal loop and its strength measured. The contents of this section of intestine were collected and pH determinations were performed on this material. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Are Controversial Issues in Cervical Total Disc Replacement Resolved or Unresolved?: A Review of Literature and Recent Updates

Since the launch of cervical total disc replacement (CTDR) in the early 2000s, many clinical studies have reported better outcomes of CTDR compared to those of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. However, CTDR is still a new and innovative procedure with limited indications for clinical application in spinal surgery, particularly, for young patients presenting with soft disc herniation with radiculopathy and/or myelopathy. In addition, some controversial issues related to the assessment of clinical outcomes of CTDR remain unresolved. These issues, including surgical outcomes, adjacent segment degeneration (ASD), heterotopic ossification (HO), wear debris and tissue reaction, and multilevel total disc replacement (TDR) and hybrid surgeries are a common concern of spine surgeons and need to be resolved. Among them, the effect of CTDR on patient outcomes and ASD is theoretically and clinically important; however, this issue remains disputable. Additionally, HO, wear debris, multilevel TDR, and hybrid surgery tend to favor CTDR in terms of their effects on outcomes, but the potential of these factors for jeopardizing patients' safety postoperatively and/or to exert harmful effects on surgical outcomes in longer-term follow-up cannot be ignored. Consequently, it is too early to determine the therapeutic efficacy and cost-effectiveness of CTDR and will require considerable time and studies to provide appropriate answers regarding the same. For these reasons, CTDR requires longer-term follow-up data.
A simple yet efficient accuracy configurable adder design

Approximate computing is a promising approach for low power IC design and has recently received considerable research attention. To accommodate dynamic levels of approximation, a few accuracy configurable adder designs have been developed in the past. However, these designs tend to incur large area overheads as they rely on either redundant computing or complicated carry prediction. Some of these designs include error detection and correction circuitry, which further increases area. In this work, we investigate a simple accuracy configurable adder design that contains no redundancy or error detection/correction circuitry and uses very simple carry prediction. Simulation results show that our design dominates the latest previous work on accuracy-delay-power tradeoff while using 39% lower area. Moreover, we propose a delay-adaptive self-configuration technique to further improve accuracy-delay-power tradeoff.
Physiologic basis for understanding quantitative dehydration assessment 1 – 4

Dehydration (body water deficit) is a physiologic state that can have profound implications for human health and performance. Unfortunately, dehydration can be difficult to assess, and there is no single, universal gold standard for decisionmaking. In this article, we review the physiologic basis for understanding quantitative dehydration assessment. We highlight how phenomenologic interpretations of dehydration depend critically on the type (dehydration compared with volume depletion) and magnitude (moderate compared with severe) of dehydration, which in turn influence the osmotic (plasma osmolality) and blood volume–dependent compensatory thresholds for antidiuretic and thirst responses. In particular, we review new findings regarding the biological variation in osmotic responses to dehydration and discuss how this variation can help provide a quantitative and clinically relevant link between the physiology and phenomenology of dehydration. Practical measures with empirical thresholds are provided as a starting point for improving the practice of dehydration assessment. Am J Clin Nutr 2013;97:455–62.
Genetic variation of broiler feed consumption and efficiency corrected for differences in test body weights.

Feed consumption and feed efficiency data obtained over nine generations from three selected strains of broilers were adjusted for differences in either initial or initial and final test BW (at 28 and 42 d, respectively). Genetic and environmental variables were estimated for each strain using an animal model with restricted maximum likelihood procedures to avoid bias due to reduced genetic variation caused by selection. Variance component and heritability estimates before and after adjustment of these traits for differences in test weights were evaluated. Adjustments of feed consumption data for either initial test BW or both initial and final test BW reduced additive genetic and environmental variation. Reductions were relatively greater for additive genetic than for environmental variance, thereby reducing the heritability of the adjusted trait. Adjustment of feed efficiency for initial test BW altered additive genetic variation little and reduced environmental variation slightly; however, correction for both test BW reduced variation of both components. Heritability of adjusted feed efficiency was 40% larger (.33 to .35 vs .21 to .28) than for uncorrected feed efficiency, but phenotypic variation of the adjusted feed efficiency was reduced 42% (5.82 to 6.13 vs 10.30 to 11.35). Heritabilities of feed consumption and efficiency were essentially the same (.34 and .36) after adjustment for both test weights. Changes in genetic and environmental variation and heritability due to adjustments were similar for the three strains.
Influence of increasing photoperiod and toe clipping on breast buttons of turkeys.

Two 17-wk experiments compared the effects of an increasing photoperiod treatment (INC) versus a constant photoperiod treatment (23H), and intact toes versus clipped toes, on the breast button incidence and performance of heavy tom turkeys. Under INC, the photoperiod was increased gradually from 8 to 23 h between 4 and 16 wk. Under 23H, the photoperiod remained constant at 23 h. Use of INC versus 23H resulted in a significant reduction in breast button incidence at 17 wk in both experiments (P less than .05). Toe clipping had no effect on breast button incidence. The presence of breast buttons was positively correlated with body weight at 12 wk, and area of unfeathered skin over the keel at 17 wk. In Experiment 1, the photoperiod treatments had no significant effect on 17-wk body weight or mortality, but the INC treatment had an adverse effect on feed efficiency (P less than .05). In Experiment 2, turkeys reared under INC were heavier at 17 wk (P less than .05), with similar feed efficiencies. Mortality was significantly lower on INC than 23H up to 12 wk in Experiment 2 (P less than .05). Turkeys with intact toes were . 44 kg heavier than turkeys with clipped toes at 17 wk in both experiments (P less than .05) and had similar feed efficiencies. Mortality to 4 wk was lower for turkeys with intact than clipped toes in Experiment 2 (P less than .05). Increasing photoperiod treatments have potential for improving turkey performance, survival, and carcass quality. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
From chicken coops to genome maps: generating phenotype from the molecular blueprint.

The tools of molecular and cellular biology can be used to precisely describe traits in terms of a sequence of nucleic acids when their molecular and cellular bases are well understood. The entire genome of elite production birds, however, cannot be written as a series of A's, T's, C's, and G's because the interaction between alleles at the same and different loci is too large and there is likely to be many genotypes that encode the same production trait phenotype. A first draft of the genetic map of the chicken is anticipated within the next few years, but a complete molecular description of the genome of birds with elite production characteristics is not anticipated in the near future. Quantitative genetics will remain the cornerstone of breeding programs for production traits. Novel sequences encoding traits such as enhanced nutritional capability (e.g., expression of phytase) and resistance to specific diseases could be introduced into lines of chickens using the tools of molecular and cellular biology. Cloning could be used by the poultry industry to disperse highly desirable genotypes without the need for grandparent and parent flocks for multiplication.
In Vivo Role of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Antiphospholipid Antibody–Mediated Venous Thrombosis

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a leading acquired cause of thrombotic events. Although antiphospholipid antibodies have been shown to promote thrombosis in mice, the role of neutrophils has not been explicitly studied. The aim of this study was to characterize neutrophils in the context of a new model of antiphospholipid antibody–mediated venous thrombosis.
Uveal melanoma: From diagnosis to treatment and the science in between

Melanomas of the choroid, ciliary body, and iris of the eye are collectively known as uveal melanomas. These cancers represent 5% of all melanoma diagnoses in the United States, and their age‐adjusted risk is 5 per 1 million population. These less frequent melanomas are dissimilar to their more common cutaneous melanoma relative, with differing risk factors, primary treatment, anatomic spread, molecular changes, and responses to systemic therapy. Once uveal melanoma becomes metastatic, therapy options are limited and are often extrapolated from cutaneous melanoma therapies despite the routine exclusion of patients with uveal melanoma from clinical trials. Clinical trials directed at uveal melanoma have been completed or are in progress, and data from these well designed investigations will help guide future directions in this orphan disease. Cancer 2016;122:2299–2312. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Disruption of the GDP-mannose synthesis pathway in Streptomyces coelicolor results in antibiotic hyper-susceptible phenotypes

Actinomycete bacteria use polyprenol phosphate mannose as a lipid linked sugar donor for extra-cytoplasmic glycosyl transferases that transfer mannose to cell envelope polymers, including glycoproteins and glycolipids. We showed recently that strains of Streptomyces coelicolor with mutations in the gene ppm1 encoding polyprenol phosphate mannose synthase were both resistant to phage φC31 and have greatly increased susceptibility to antibiotics that mostly act on cell wall biogenesis. Here we show that mutations in the genes encoding enzymes that act upstream of Ppm1 in the polyprenol phosphate mannose synthesis pathway can also confer phage resistance and antibiotic hyper-susceptibility. GDP-mannose is a substrate for Ppm1 and is synthesised by GDP-mannose pyrophosphorylase (GMP; ManC) which uses GTP and mannose-1-phosphate as substrates. Phosphomannomutase (PMM; ManB) converts mannose-6-phosphate to mannose-1-phosphate. S. coelicolor strains with knocked down GMP activity or with a mutation in sco3028 encoding PMM acquire phenotypes that resemble those of the ppm1- mutants i.e. φC31 resistant and susceptible to antibiotics. Differences in the phenotypes of the strains were observed, however. While the ppm1- strains have a small colony phenotype, the sco3028 :: Tn5062 mutants had an extremely small colony phenotype indicative of an even greater growth defect. Moreover we were unable to generate a strain in which GMP activity encoded by sco3039 and sco4238 is completely knocked out, indicating that GMP is also an important enzyme for growth. Possibly GDP-mannose is at a metabolic branch point that supplies alternative nucleotide sugar donors.
A Comprehensive System for Monitoring Urban Accessibility in Smart Cities

The present work discusses the possibilities offered by the evolution of Information and Communication Technologies with the aim of designing a system to dynamically obtain knowledge of accessibility issues in urban environments. This system is facilitated by technology to analyse the urban user experience and movement accessibility, which enabling accurate identification of urban barriers and monitoring its effectiveness over time. Therefore, the main purpose of the system is to meet the real needs and requirements of people with movement disabilities. The information obtained can be provided as a support service for decision-making to be used by city government, institutions, researchers, professionals and other individuals of society in general to improve the liveability and quality of the lives of citizens. The proposed system is a means of social awareness that makes the most vulnerable groups of citizens visible by involving them as active participants. To perform and implement the system, the latest communication and positioning technologies for smart sensing have been used, as well as the cloud computing paradigm. Finally, to validate the proposal, a case study has been presented using the university environment as a pre-deployment step in urban environments.
Nano Electro Mechanical Systems and Interactions at the nanoscale

Micro and Nano Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS and NEMS) are among the best candidates for the measurement of interactions at the nanoscale. Resolution in force in the range of attonewton has been successfully exploited for the weighting of single molecules or the measurement of the spin of a single electron. NEMS and MEMS are generally mechanical devices made from submicron components facing each other. When the distance between the components reaches the sub-micron scale, phenomena generally neglected during macroscopic applications have to be taken into account. For example, the interaction mechanisms between the two surfaces moving at sub-micron separations are mediated by forces that, in macroscopic devices, are often irrelevant. In this thesis work we study interaction forces between surfaces when the the gap separating them is in the range from tens of nanometers up to several micrometers. First we address the problem of hydrodynamic forces acting on micro-structures oscillating in viscous environment. We show that the effect damping of a confined fluid is depending by the gap size of the confinement cavity. We study how this confinement effect can modify the properties of the mechanical oscillator. Second we address the problem of optical forces acting on micro mechanical oscillators. Using absorption and diffraction of X-ray beams we will see that effects usually observed using visible light can also be observed using X-rays. We show that Micro and possibly Nano Electro Mechanical System can be suitable for developing new tools in the domain of Synchrotron light techniques. Finally we study the thermal radiation between surfaces when the gap is the micron and sub-micron scale where the contribution of near field components cannot be neglected. We show measurement of thermal radiation between surfaces of glass providing a comparison with the theory of thermal radiation based on stochastic electrodynamics.
The Quebec Newborn Twin Study Into Adolescence: 15 Years Later

The Quebec Newborn Twin Study (QNTS) is an ongoing prospective longitudinal follow-up of a birth cohort of twins born between 1995 and 1998 in the greater Montreal area, Québec, Canada. The goal of QNTS is to document individual differences in the cognitive, behavioral, and social-emotional aspects of developmental health across childhood, their early bio-social determinants, as well as their putative role in later social-emotional adjustment, school and health outcomes. A total of 662 families of twins were initially assessed when the twins were aged 6 months. These twins and their family were then followed regularly. QNTS has 14 waves of data collected or planned, including 5 in preschool. Over the past 15 years, a broad range of physiological, cognitive, behavioral, school, and health phenotypes were documented longitudinally through multi-informant and multi-method measurements. QNTS also entails extended and detailed multi-level assessments of proximal (e.g., parenting behaviors, peer relationships) and distal (e.g., family income) features of the child's environment. This detailed longitudinal information makes QNTS uniquely suited for the study of the role of the early years and gene-environment transactions in development.
Wage Subsidies and International Trade: When Does Policy Coordination Pay?

Abstract National labour market institutions interact across national boundaries when product markets are global. Labour market policies can thus entail spill-overs, which suggest that there are benefits from international policy coordination. This paper studies the effects of wage subsidies in an international duopoly model with unionized labour markets. The authors document both positive and negative spill-over effects and discuss the benefits and costs from international policy coordination both for the case of symmetric and asymmetric labour market institutions. The results suggest that institutional differences could sign responsible for the slow speed at which labour market policy coordination has progressed so far.
Scaphoid Nonunion With Poor Prognostic Factors

Background: To report on the results of free medial femoral condyle (MFC) vascularized bone graft for scaphoid nonunions with 1 or more poor prognostic factors. Methods: We have used the free MFC vascularized bone graft for scaphoid nonunions that have 1 or more factors associated with a poor prognosis. These were, a delay in presentation of over 5 years, a proximal pole nonunion, the presence of avascular necrosis (AVN), or previous nonunion surgery. We used this technique on 20 patients over a 4.5-year period. Results: Our overall union rate was 88.5% (17 of 19 patients), with 1 patient failing to attend for follow-up. Our mean union time was 7 months (2-18). All patients had at least 1 poor prognostic factor and over half had 2 or more. Of those with AVN with or without other factors, the union rate was 85% (11 of 13). There were 2 donor site complications that required a further procedure and 2 patients with residual wrist pain that required a scapho-trapezio-trapezoid joint fusion and a radial styloidectomy, respectively. Both nonunions were offered further surgery, and 1 elected to undergo successful revision surgery. Conclusions: Overall, this technique showed good results, in a subgroup of patients that typically have poorer outcomes, with a low incidence of donor site morbidity. Our union rate compares favorably with other techniques for this difficult subset of patients with 1 or more poor prognostic factors, although results are clearly not as good as those of studies using the MFC graft for all scaphoid nonunions. We continue to reserve this technique for nonunions with 1 or more poor prognostic factors, and we believe that this technique should at least be considered in these patients.