Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Supporting Internet Protocol TV ( IPTV ) in Backbone Networks : Design of Robust Routing Strategies Paper

In this paper, we consider the problem of providing IPTV services by designing routing strategies to handle catastrophic failures in a backbone network. In a typical IPTV architecture, broadcast TV is distributed from two sources to multiple destinations (for resiliency). The aim of this paper is to develop a solution technique for supporting IPTV services in a reliable and cost effective manner. In terms of reliability, any links that go through a common physical route (e.g., fiber, conduit) belong to the same Shared Risk Link Group (SRLG), which is subject to a single point of failure. This paper presents a novel Integer Programming (IP) formulation, in which the objective is to minimize the communication cost such that we have two SRLG-diverse paths from each of the two sources to every destination. In our theoretical study, we demonstrate that a special case of this problem can be solved in polynomial time. The results from our empirical study using real network topologies indicate that the proposed approach can significantly reduce the communication cost compared to the existing heuristic approaches.
Viral Proteomics

SUMMARY Viruses have long been studied not only for their pathology and associated disease but also as model systems for molecular processes and as tools for identifying important cellular regulatory proteins and pathways. Recent advances in mass spectrometry methods coupled with the development of proteomic approaches have greatly facilitated the detection of virion components, protein interactions in infected cells, and virally induced changes in the cellular proteome, resulting in a more comprehensive understanding of viral infection. In addition, a rapidly increasing number of high-resolution structures for viral proteins have provided valuable information on the mechanism of action of these proteins as well as aided in the design and understanding of specific inhibitors that could be used in antiviral therapies. In this paper, we discuss proteomic studies conducted on all eukaryotic viruses and bacteriophages, covering virion composition, viral protein structures, virus-virus and virus-host protein interactions, and changes in the cellular proteome upon viral infection.
Volatility options: Hedging effectiveness, pricing, and model error

Motivated by the growing literature on volatility options and their imminent introduction in major exchanges, this article addresses two issues. First, the question of whether volatility options are superior to standard options in terms of hedging volatility risk is examined. Second, the comparative pricing and hedging performance of various volatility option pricing models in the presence of model error is investigated. Monte Carlo simulations within a stochastic volatility setup are employed to address these questions. Alternative dynamic hedging schemes are compared, and various option‐pricing models are considered. It is found that volatility options are not better hedging instruments than plain‐vanilla options. Furthermore, the most naive volatility option‐pricing model can be reliably used for pricing and hedging purposes. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 26:1–31, 2006
Dynamics In Primary Somatosensory Cortex: A Role For SI In The Processing Of Tactile Information

Stephen B. Simons: Dynamics In Primary Somatosensory Cortex: A Role For SI In The Processing Of Tactile Information. (Under the direction of Mark Tommerdahl) Traditional views of primary somatosensory cortex (SI) and its role in the processing of tactile information have limited its function as a dynamic component in the somatosensory pathway. Here I present evidence that the response in SI to stimuli at a given skin site is systematically modified with changes in the stimulus parameters and displays considerable dynamics. Optical intrinsic signal (OIS) imaging was used to study the responses (in vivo) evoked by 25 Hz (flutter) vertical skin displacement stimuli to the forelimb of squirrel monkey and cat. Responses to electrical stimulation were also measured in rat sensorimotor cortical slices using OIS imaging and local field potential (LFP) recordings. Results indicate that, contrary to traditional views, the intensive but not spatial attributes of the SI response are modified by increases in stimulus amplitude. Increasing the duration of flutter stimulation evokes increases in response magnitude in cortical regions near to the maximally responding center and simultaneous decreases in surrounding cortical regions; the net effect of this is the spatial sharpening of the SI response during prolonged stimulation. The distribution of decreased absorbance in surrounding cortex was non-uniform, indicating the possibility of stronger intracortical
Blurred image recognition using domain adaptation

Image blurring significantly degrades the image recognition performance. In this paper, we novelly address the blurred image recognition task from the perspective of domain adaptation (DA). The scenario is that, the training set (source domain) only comprises of the labelled clear images, and the test set (target domain) is composed of the unlabelled blurred images. DA is executed to eliminate the domain shift by subspace alignment. In this way, the clear and blurred image domains are pushed closer in the feature space. The supervised LMDR metric learning method is employed by us to construct the source domain subspace for further performance enhancement, compared to the unsupervised one (i.e., PCA). The experimental results on two datasets demonstrate that, the proposed DA-based blurred image recognition mechanism can significantly enhance the performance of different kinds of visual descriptors, especially when the blurring degree is strong.
Classification of 2-dimensional cursor movement imagery EEG signals

Electroencephalogram (EEG), which is widely used for brain computer interface (BCI) systems for input signal, is easily interrupted by physical or mental tasks, and contaminated with various artifacts including power line noise, electromyogram and electrocardiogram. Therefore, such kind of artifacts cause to decrease the accuracy rate and motivate the researchers substantially develop the performance of all components of the communication system between the subject and a BCI output device. So, it is vital to use the most suitable classification algorithm and fewer feature set to implement a fast and accurate BCI system. Addition to this, it is worthwhile mentioning that the classifiers should have the ability for recognizing signals which are collected in different sessions to make brain computer interfaces practical in use. In this study, we proposed fast and accurate classification method for classifying EEG data of up/down/right/left computer cursor movement imagery. EEG signals were collected from three healthy male adults and on two different offline sessions with about one week of delay. The average test classification accuracy calculated as 53.07%.
Human-robot cooperative swinging of complex pendulum-like objects

This paper investigates human-robot cooperative swinging of a complex pendulum-like object. The complexity of the object results in two possible swinging modes. The goal is to excite one mode such that a desired energy level of the pendulum is reached while simultaneously damping the other mode. The energy based control concept relies on the projection of the complex mechanism onto an abstract simple pendulum with two-sided actuation. An actively contributing robot leader and robot follower are implemented. The controller performance is analyzed through simulations. A virtual reality experiment shows the transferability of the control approach to a human interaction partner.
Optimal Sensor Network Layout Using Multi-Objective Metaheuristics

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) allow, thanks to the use of small wireless devices known as sensor nodes, the monitorization of wide and remote areas with precision and liveness unseen to the date without the intervention of a human operator. For many WSN applications it is fundamental to achieve full coverage of the terrain monitored, known as sensor field. The next major concerns are the energetic efficiency of the network, in order to increase its lifetime, and having the minimum possible number of sensor nodes, in order to reduce the network cost. The task of placing the sensor nodes while addressing these objectives is known as WSN layout problem. In this paper we address a WSN layout problem instance in which full coverage is treated as a constraint while the other two objectives are optimized using a multi- objective approach. We employ a set of multi-objective optimization algorithms for this problem where we define the energy efficiency and the number of nodes as the independent optimization objectives. Our results prove the efficiency of multi-objective metaheuristics to solve this kind of problem and encourage further research on more realistic instances and more constrained scenarios.
Selective pressures for and against genetic instability in cancer: a time-dependent problem

Genetic instability in cancer is a two-edge sword. It can both increase the rate of cancer progression (by increasing the probability of cancerous mutations) and decrease the rate of cancer growth (by imposing a large death toll on dividing cells). Two of the many selective pressures acting upon a tumour, the need for variability and the need to minimize deleterious mutations, affect the tumour's ‘choice’ of a stable or unstable ‘strategy’. As cancer progresses, the balance of the two pressures will change. In this paper, we examine how the optimal strategy of cancerous cells is shaped by the changing selective pressures. We consider the two most common patterns in multistage carcinogenesis: the activation of an oncogene (a one-step process) and an inactivation of a tumour-suppressor gene (a two-step process). For these, we formulate an optimal control problem for the mutation rate in cancer cells. We then develop a method to find optimal time-dependent strategies. It turns out that for a wide range of parameters, the most successful strategy is to start with a high rate of mutations and then switch to stability. This agrees with the growing biological evidence that genetic instability, prevalent in early cancers, turns into stability later on in the progression. We also identify parameter regimes where it is advantageous to keep stable (or unstable) constantly throughout the growth.
Permit Trading and Stability of International Climate Agreements

We analyze the implication of different allocation schemes of CO2-emission permits for stability and the success of international climate agreements. Our model combines a game theoretical with an empirical module that comprises 12 world regions and captures important dynamic aspects of the climate change problem. We consider seven different permit allocation schemes. Two “pragmatic schemes” allocate permits according to a uniform emission reduction quota, five “equitable schemes” allocate permits based on some normative criteria frequently discussed in the literature permit trading can raise participation and the success of climate agreements, but pragmatic schemes are superior to equitable ones.
Murine Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes Recognize an Epitope in an EBNA-1 Fragment, but Fail to Lyse EBNA-1–expressing Mouse Cells

Major histocompatibility complex class I–restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) specific for epitopes within eight of the nine Epstein Barr Virus (EBV)-encoded latency-associated proteins have been recovered from EBV-infected human subjects by restimulation of lymphocytes in vitro. However, human class I–restricted CTL responses capable of recognizing EBNA-1 expressing cells were not detected in these studies. We have raised a murine CTL line that recognizes an epitope within EBNA-1 by immunizing mice with a vaccinia virus encoding a COOH-terminal EBNA-1 fragment. This novel CTL line was used to investigate whether the epitope (positions 509–517 in EBNA-1, presented through Kd) was presented to CTL by mouse cells expressing full-length EBNA-1 or a deletion mutant of EBNA-1, lacking the Glycine-Alanine (Gly-Ala)–rich region. Cells expressing full-length EBNA-1 are not lysed by the CTL line, whereas cells expressing the Gly-Ala deletion mutant are recognized. These results suggest that epitopes from full-length EBNA-1 are poorly presented, and that the Gly-Ala–rich region is responsible for this phenomenon. The inefficient presentation of EBNA-1–derived epitopes may explain the absence or rarity of EBNA-1–specific CTLs in vivo, a strategy that may allow EBV to maintain persistence within the immunocompetent host without being eliminated by CTLs.
Some Major Theoretical Problems concerning the Concept of Hierarchy in the Analysis of Tonal Music

Level-analysis in the field of music theory today is rarely hierarchical, at least in the strict sense of the term. Most current musical theories view levels systemically. One problem with this approach is that it usually does not distinguish compositional structures from perceptual structures. Another is its failure to recognize that in an artifactual phenomenon the inherence of idiostructures is as crucial to the identity of an artwork as the inherence of style structures. But can the singularity of an idiostructure be captured in the generality of an analytical symbol? In music analysis, it would seem possible provided closure and nonclosure are admitted as simultaneous properties potentially present at all hierarchical levels. One complication of this assumption, however, is that both network and tree relationships result. Another is that such relationships span in both "horizontal" (temporal) and "vertical" (structural) directions. Still another complication is the emergence of transient levels. In this paper, a tentative solution to these problems is offered by invoking a hypothetical theory that relies on the cognitive concepts of return, reversal, and continuation (i.e., similarity) as regards the parameters of melody, harmony, and duration. Applied to the theme of Mozart9s Piano Sonata, K. 331, this analytical theory is contrasted with several systemic analyses of the same theme by the theorists DeVoto, Lester, Schenker, and Meyer. In conclusion, the hierarchical analysis of the Mozart theme gives way to a synthesis as the melody9s various levels are rendered into rankings of pitch shown on one level only.
Race and unhealthy behaviors: chronic stress, the HPA axis, and physical and mental health disparities over the life course.

OBJECTIVES We sought to determine whether unhealthy behaviors play a stress-buffering role in observed racial disparities in physical and mental health. METHODS We conducted logistic regressions by race on data from the first 2 waves of the Americans' Changing Lives Survey to determine whether unhealthy behaviors had buffering effects on the relationship between major stressors and chronic health conditions, and on the relationship between major stressors and meeting the criteria for major depression. RESULTS Among Whites, unhealthy behaviors strengthened the relationship between stressors and meeting major-depression criteria. Among Blacks, however, the relationship between stressors and meeting major-depression criteria was stronger among those who had not engaged in unhealthy behaviors than among those who had. Among both race groups there was a positive association between stressors and chronic health conditions. Among Blacks there was an additional positive association between number of unhealthy behaviors and number of chronic conditions. CONCLUSIONS Those who live in chronically stressful environments often cope with stressors by engaging in unhealthy behaviors that may have protective mental-health effects. However, such unhealthy behaviors can combine with negative environmental conditions to eventually contribute to morbidity and mortality disparities among social groups.
Unsupervised color classifier training for soccer player detection

Player detection in sports video is a challenging task: In contrast to typical surveillance applications, a pan-tilt-zoom camera model is used. Therefore, simple background learning approaches cannot be used. Furthermore, camera motion causes severe motion blur, making gradient based approaches less robust than in settings where the camera is static. The contribution of this paper is a sequence adaptive approach that utilizes color information in an unsupervised manner to improve detection accuracy. Therefore, different color features, namely color histograms, color spatiograms and a color and edge directivity descriptor are evaluated. It is shown that the proposed color adaptive approach improves detection accuracy. In terms of maximum F1 score, an improvement from 0.79 to 0.81 is reached using block-wise HSV histograms. The average number of false positives per image (FPPI) at two fixed recall levels decreased by approximately 23%.
Fluctuations of the transcription factor ATML1 generate the pattern of giant cells in the Arabidopsis sepal

Multicellular development produces patterns of specialized cell types. Yet, it is often unclear how individual cells within a field of identical cells initiate the patterning process. Using live imaging, quantitative image analyses and modeling, we show that during Arabidopsis thaliana sepal development, fluctuations in the concentration of the transcription factor ATML1 pattern a field of identical epidermal cells to differentiate into giant cells interspersed between smaller cells. We find that ATML1 is expressed in all epidermal cells. However, its level fluctuates in each of these cells. If ATML1 levels surpass a threshold during the G2 phase of the cell cycle, the cell will likely enter a state of endoreduplication and become giant. Otherwise, the cell divides. Our results demonstrate a fluctuation-driven patterning mechanism for how cell fate decisions can be initiated through a random yet tightly regulated process. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.19131. 001
Subexponential Asymptotics of a Network Multiplexer

For a Markov-modulated random walk with negative drift and long-tailed right tail we prove that the ascending ladder height matrix distribution is asymptotically proportional to a long-tailed distribution. This result enable us to generalize a recent result on subexponential asymptotics of a Markov-modulated M/G/1 queue to subexponential asymptotics of a Markov-modulated G/G/1 queue. For a class of processes constructed by embedding a Markov chain into a subexponential renewal process we prove that the autocorrelation function has a subexponential tail. Furthermore, we prove that when a fluid flow queue is fed by these processes the queue length distribution is asymptotically proportional to its autocorrelation function.
Seedling establishment in a dynamic sedimentary environment: a conceptual framework using mangroves

Summary Vegetated biogeomorphic systems (e.g. mangroves, salt marshes, dunes, riparian vegetation) have been intensively studied for the impact of the biota on sediment transport processes and the resulting self‐organization of such landscapes. However, there is a lack of understanding of physical disturbance mechanisms that limit primary colonization in active sedimentary environments. This study elucidates the effect of sediment disturbance during the seedling stage of pioneer vegetation, using mangroves as a model system. We performed mesocosm experiments that mimicked sediment disturbance as (i) accretion/burial of plants and (ii) erosion/excavation of plants of different magnitudes and temporal distribution in combination with water movement and inundation stress. Cumulative sediment disturbance reduced seedling survival, with the faster‐growing Avicennia alba showing less mortality than the slower‐growing Sonneratia alba. The presence of the additional stressors (inundation and water movement) predominantly reduced the survival of S. alba. Non‐lethal accretion treatments increased shoot biomass of the seedlings, whereas non‐lethal erosion treatments increased root biomass allocation. This morphological plasticity in combination with the abiotic disturbance history determined how much maximum erosion the seedlings were able to withstand. Synthesis and applications. Seedling survival in dynamic sedimentary environments is determined by the frequency and magnitude of sediment accretion or erosion events, with non‐lethal events causing feedbacks to seedling stability. Managers attempting restoration of mangroves, salt marshes, dunes and riparian vegetation should recognize sediment dynamics as a main bottleneck to primary colonization. The temporal distribution of erosion and accretion events has to be evaluated against the ability of the seedlings to outgrow or adjust to disturbances. Our results suggest that selecting fast‐growing pioneer species and measures to enhance seedling growth or temporary reduction in sediment dynamics at the restoration site can aid restoration success for vegetated biogeomorphic ecosystems.
Visual haptic approach complements learning process of Jawi handwriting skills

Jawi handwriting skills are essential for Muslim pupils in the Malaysian education system. These skills are needed for them to properly learn the Islamic Education subject, apart from learning the language of the Holy Quran.The conventional methods of teaching Jawi handwriting skills are deficient in emphasizing the important aspects such as writing in correct sequences. It also lacks assestments during the process of writing. Therefore, it needs a new approach to enhance the learning process and the assessment of the Jawi handwriting skills. With its unique characteristics, the visual haptic approach could complement the learning process of Jawi handwriting skills. It is a promising aid in teaching and learning process of Jawi handwriting skills in primary schools and it can be implemented for other languages or other scripts handwriting skills as well.
Wave digital filter structures for high-speed narrow-band and wide-band filtering

Wave digital filter (WDF) structures for high-speed narrow-band and wide-band filtering are introduced. The narrow-band filter is composed of a periodic model filter and one or several, possibly periodic, masking filters in cascade. Lattice and bireciprocal lattice WDF filters are used for the model and masking filters, respectively. The wide-band filter consists of a narrow-band filter in parallel with an all-pass filter. The overall filters can be designed by separately designing the model and masking filters. The filters obtained in this approach also serve as good initial filters for further optimization. Both nonlinear and approximately linear phase filters are considered. One major advantage of the new filters over the corresponding conventional filters is that they have a substantially higher maximal sample frequency. In the case of approximately linear phase, the computational complexity can also be reduced. Further, the use of bireciprocal lattice wave digital (WD) masking filters also makes it possible to reduce the complexity, compared with the case in which FIR masking filters are used. Several design examples and a discussion of finite wordlength effects are included for demonstrating the properties of the new filters.