Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Entropic transport in confined media: a challenge for computational studies in biological and soft-matter systems

Transport in small-scale biological and soft-matter systems typically occurs under confinement conditions in which particles proceed through obstacles and irregularities of the boundaries that may significantly alter their trajectories. A transport model that assimilates the confinement to the presence of entropic barriers provides an efficient approach to quantify its effect on the particle current and the diffusion coefficient. We review the main peculiarities of entropic transport and treat two cases in which confinement effects play a crucial role, with the appearance of emergent properties. The presence of entropic barriers modifies the mean first-passage time distribution and therefore plays a very important role in ion transport through micro- and nano-channels. The functionality of molecular motors, modeled as Brownian ratchets, is strongly affected when the motor proceeds in a confined medium that may constitute another source of rectification. The interplay between ratchet and entropic rectification gives rise to a wide variety of dynamical behaviors, not observed when the Brownian motor proceeds in an unbounded medium. Entropic transport offers new venues of transport control and particle manipulation and new ways to engineer more efficient devices for transport at the nanoscale.
Article in Press G Model the Journal of Systems and Software Formal Analysis of an Electronic Voting System: an Experience Report Electronic Voting Systems Es&s System Formal Specification and Verification Critical Requirements

We have seen that several currently deployed e-voting systems share critical failures in their design and implementation that render their technical and procedural controls insufficient to guarantee trustworthy voting. The application of formal methods would greatly help to better address problems associated with assurance against requirements and standards. More specifically, it would help to thoroughly specify and analyze the underlying assumptions and security specific properties, and it would improve the trustworthiness of the final systems. In this article, we show how such techniques can be used to model and reason about the security of one of the currently deployed e-voting systems in the U.S.A named ES&S. We used the ASTRAL language to specify the voting process of ES&S machines and the critical security requirements for the system. Proof obligations that verify that the specified system meets the critical requirements were automatically generated by the ASTRAL Software Development Environment (SDE). The PVS interactive theorem prover was then used to apply the appropriate proof strategies and discharge the proof obligations. We also believe that besides analyzing the system against its requirements, it is equally important to perform an analysis under malicious circumstances where the execution model is augmented with attack behaviors. Thus, we extend the formal specification of the system by specifying attacks that have been shown to successfully compromise the system, and we then repeat the formal verification. This is helpful in detecting missing requirements or unwarranted assumptions about the specification of the system. In addition, this allows one to sketch countermeasure strategies to be used when the system behaves differently than it should and to build confidence about the system under development. Finally, we acknowledge the main problem that arises in e-voting system specification and verification: modeling attacks is very difficult because the different types of attack often cut across the structure of the original behavior models, thus making (incremental or compositional) verification very difficult.
A Systematic Review of Radon Investigations Related to Public Exposure in Iran

Background The main sources of radiation exposure of all living organisms including humans are natural. In fact, radon and its decay products are the cause of 50% of the total dose that is derived from natural sources. Because of the significant health hazards of radon gas, its levels are widely monitored throughout the world. Accordingly, considerable researches have also been carried out in Iran. Objectives The aim of this research is a systematic review of the most recent studies associated with evaluation of radon gas levels in Iran. The main emphasis of this study was on public exposure to radon gas. Materials and Methods The most important route of exposure to such radiation is indoor places. In this investigation measurement of radon in water resources, tap water, indoor places and exhalation of radon from building material, the major sources of indoor radon gas emission, were considered. Results Significantly high levels of radon gas were found mostly in water and residenvial buildings. Conclusions It conclusion with regard to the study of building materials, granite stone and adobe coverings cannot be recommended for construction purposes.
Lysophosphatidic acid in vascular development and disease

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a small signaling lipid that is capable of stimulating a plethora of different cellular responses through the activation of its family of cognate G protein‐coupled receptors. LPA mediates a wide range of biological effects in many tissue types that have been recently reviewed; however, its effects on vasculature development and function have received comparatively less examination. In this review, literature on the actions of LPA in three main aspects of vascular development (vasculogenesis, angiogenesis, and vascular maturation) is discussed. In addition, evidence for the roles of LPA signaling in the formation of secondary vascular structures, such as the blood brain barrier, is considered, consistent with significant roles for LPA signaling in vascular development, function, and disease. © 2009 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 61(8): 791–799, 2009
A n Analysis of the D i s t r i b u t i o n of Weal th i n I re land

Precis: Lyons' (1972) data on the distribution of Irish wealth are considered and the appropriateness of the lognormal and Pareto models for this data are assessed using relatively sophisticated statistical methods. Allowance is made for the 65 per cent of individuals whose estate size is unrecorded. New estimates of total wealth and of the distribution of wealth in Ireland are obtained. Part of the analysis reported here can be regarded as formalising the procedure adopted by Chesher and McMahon (1977) when considering the same data. The lognormal distribution performs surprisingly well, but the Pareto distribution provides a poor model for the Irish data.
Novice Nurse Information Needs in Paper and Hybrid Electronic-Paper Environments: A Qualitative Analysis

A within group, laboratory, experimental study of nurse information seeking was conducted. As a part of the study, 35 novice nurses assessed and planned the care of two patients in two simulation environments: a paper (PR) environment and a hybrid (HY) environment [i.e., part of the environment was made available in electronic form via an electronic patient record (EPR) and part of it was paper-based]. Subjects were asked to "think aloud" in each environment and participated in a cued recall session following participation in the simulations. Subjects' verbalizations and actions were audio and video recorded and then transcribed. In the first phase of the study audio and video data were qualitatively coded using Model Based Coding with concepts from Newcomer Information Seeking Theory (NIST). This paper presents the qualitative results of this study with a focus upon the types of information used by novice nurses during the assessment and planning of patient care. Qualitative findings revealed novice nurses used referent, relational and appraisal information (as predicted by NIST theory and research) including information composed of more than one type of information (e.g., referent-relational). Two new types of information emerged from the qualitative data - situational task and situational organization information.
Energy Efficiency for Ultrascale Systems: Challenges and Trends from Nesus Project

Energy consumption is one of the main limiting factors for designing and deploying ultrascale systems. Therefore, this paper presents challenges and trends associated with energy efficiency for ultrascale systems based on current activities of the working group on "Energy Efficiency" in the European COST Action Nesus IC1305. The analysis contains major areas that are related to studies of energy efficiency in ultrascale systems: heterogeneous and low power hardware architectures, power monitoring at large scale, modeling and simulation of ultrascale systems, energy-aware scheduling and resource management, and energy-efficient application design.
An empirical study on detection and prediction of topic shifts in information seeking chats

Introduction This paper describes an empirical study of detecting and predicting topic shifts in information seeking chat (Stede and Schlangen, 2004), which is characterised by its more exploratory and less task-oriented nature, where the user does not have a specific goal but obtains useful information of his interest through interaction with the system. Unlike (Stede and Schlangen, 2004), we do not assume predefined domain specific knowledge to navigate the dialogue; instead we rely on more superficial clues to deal with a broad range of topics. Differing from a series of topic segmentation research (Hearst, 1997; Ries, 2001; Galley et al., 2003; Olney and Cai, 2005; Arguello and Rose, 2006), we deal with topic shifts in real-time interaction, aiming at using this technique in a dialogue system. In addition, we predict relevant topic shifts as well as topic shift detection.
Probabilistic modeling of the oxygen saturation pattern for the detection of anomalies during clinical interventions

In this paper, we propose a Markov model-based methodology aimed at detecting in real time the anomalies that the oxygen saturation pattern suffers during clinical interventions or procedures. To this end, we first extract a reference pattern from the patient in nominal conditions before the procedure takes place. Then, in a second stage, a measurement of the similarity between the reference pattern and the pattern of the epoch to be tested is obtained through the Williams' Index. This measurement is compared with a threshold to determine the normal/abnormal character of the pattern under test. Experiments on real data show that the proposed methodology is sensitive to the anomalies induced when the respiratory function is impaired; this is accomplished through the simulation of several situations (shortness of breath, interrupted breathing, hyperventilation and CO2 increasing in blood) in which the respiratory impairment is manually emulated.
Advanced algorithms in audio steganography for hiding human speech signal

on a sociological level, having finally taken a foothold during the internet generation's explosive growth of the 1990s, steganography serves as a means for private, secure and sometimes malicious communication. On a technical level in this thesis, we have proposed two methods of steganography: one of them is based on the technology of spectrum shift, when the distribution of human speech becomes located in unheard places of music spectrum. The second one is based on the technology of spectrum spreading when harmonics of human voice and music are mixed between each other then the Inverse Fourier transform is applied to form a new signal in time domain. Most important technical sound of this project is attempting to implement methods of analog audio steganography, which allow embedding human speech signal to the sound file
Combining regional and global features for automatic image annotation based on VQ

In this paper, a novel method of automatic image annotation based on the Vector Quantization (VQ) compression domain is presented. The Co-occurrence statistical model was the inspiration behind developing this method, in which the combination of the global and regional features is used for the annotation process. The labeled images are compressed using the VQ compression method. Subsequently, the regional features are extracted from the images and are weighted. The Seed K-means (SK-means) semi-supervised clustering method is employed to increase the accuracy of clustering the weights obtained. Since the global and regional features emphasize different aspects of images and complement each other, the combinational approach of the global and regional features is adopted for the testing stage, and the unlabeled images are annotated. The results of the test on 5000 images from the Corel collection revealed that the proposed method is more efficient than the other methods in the uncompressed domain.
A blind adaptation algorithm for decision feedback equalization for dual-mode CAP-QAM reception

This paper introduces an algorithm for blind adaptation of decision feedback equalizers (DFE), which is applied for equalization in the passband domain. The transmission scheme, which is assumed to be unknown at the receiver side, can either be carrierless amplitude/phase (CAP) modulation or quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). As the input signal of the passband equalizer is real-valued, the tap weights of the complex-valued feedback filter cannot be identified by a standard whitening approach. We propose therefore an algorithm, which determines a starting coefficient set by means of an infinite impulse response (IIR) equalizer updated by constant modulus algorithm (CMA). For stability reasons, the equalizer's feedback filter is implemented in lattice structure during acquisition. In case of QAM transmission, its tap weights have to be rotated before switching to the DFE. The feedback filter is then fed by the soft decision in order to minimize the probability of wrong solutions.
A Compact Construction for Nonbinary LDPC Codes Using Permutation Polynomials

A compact construction for nonbinary low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes over GF(q) (q>2) using permutation polynomials (PPs) is proposed in this paper. Following the previous compact construction for binary LDPC codes using quadratic permutation polynomials (QPPs) over integer rings, a QPP whose coefficients are chosen for maximizing the girth is used for determining all the positions of nonzero elements in the parity check matrix of a regular nonbinary LDPC code. Moreover, it is proposed to use a linear permutation polynomial (LPP) over GF(q) for determining the distribution of nonzero elements of GF(q) at the nonzero positions. Computer simulation results of LDPC codes over GF(8) have shown that the propose compact construction can attain similar error correction performance with Mackay's random construction for nonbinary LDPC codes.
Action semantics in PurposeNet

PurposeNet is a semantic network of artifacts and actions related to artifacts. Since man tends to classify objects and artifacts around him in terms of some primary purpose attributed to them, purpose is taken as an organizing principle for the knowledge base. Actions play a pivotal role in describing artifacts. All processes that describe an artifact, namely, its creation, utilization, maintenance, repair and so on are describable through actions. Therefore, a schema of ‘action semantics’ has been made a constituent part of PurposeNet. This paper presents the architecture of action ontology and significance of the design. Action ontology has three major components: a) semantic roles which describe the action; b) ‘precondition’, a set of criteria to be fulfilled for any action to take place and ‘post-condition’, effect of the action; c) sub-actions, a set of actions which when performed in some order - sequential or parallel lead to the action being executed.
The Hughes Award

Everett Cherrington Hughes (1897–1983) was a sociologist whose research and teaching career took him to McGill University, the University of Chicago, Brandeis University and Boston College. His name is most firmly linked with the Chicago School of sociological thought, where, with a large team of students and co-workers, among them Howard Becker, Julius Roth and Anselm Strauss, he founded a stream of research which has played an extremely influential role in the development of the careers field in particular and sociology in general. The Hughes Award is the premier award of the Careers Division of the Academy of Management. It rewards scholarship which has made a significant contribution to the task of linking careers theory with the broader field of organizational studies. It is explicitly an award for the building of bridges and the forging of links between fields of social enquiry and the Editors of Human Relations are proud to be associated with it. The article which follows is by Professor Ed Schein, first recipient of the award. It is based on his lecture given at the Academy meeting in Toronto, 2000. The article builds on Professor Schein’s widely cited work on career anchors. It examines the various kinds of socialization that individuals undergo in a typical organizational career, focusing in particular on the norms learned about information management in the different functions that the career occupant will encounter.
Employee Narcissism’s Implications for Performance Management: A Review and Research Directions

ABSTRACT The organizational literature reflects a growing interest in the personality trait of grandiose narcissism. Individuals high in grandiose narcissism are more arrogant, self-confident, and greedy, and have lower empathy than the average person. Narcissism injects biases and conflict into the performance management process, which decreases the benefits obtained and increases stress and frustration. We review research on narcissism and the components of performance management systems, and then integrate them to illustrate several important implications for performance management in organizations. Employee narcissism is negatively related to employees’ commitment to development goals that address competence deficits, acceptance of negative feedback, and the effectiveness of coaching from managers, and is positively associated with the stress managers experience. On the other hand, employee narcissism is positively associated with employees’ aspiration levels and their satisfaction with grandiose organizational goals. Directions for future research are discussed.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Altered Risk of Lung Cancer in a Population-Based Case-Control Study

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been consistently associated with increased risk of lung cancer. However, previous studies have had limited ability to determine whether the association is due to smoking. Methodology/Principal Findings The Environment And Genetics in Lung cancer Etiology (EAGLE) population-based case-control study recruited 2100 cases and 2120 controls, of whom 1934 cases and 2108 controls reported about diagnosis of chronic bronchitis, emphysema, COPD (chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema), or asthma more than 1 year before enrollment. We estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using logistic regression. After adjustment for smoking, other previous lung diseases, and study design variables, lung cancer risk was elevated among individuals with a history of chronic bronchitis (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.5–2.5), emphysema (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.4–2.8), or COPD (OR = 2.5, 95% CI = 2.0–3.1). Among current smokers, association between chronic bronchitis and lung cancer was strongest among lighter smokers. Asthma was associated with a decreased risk of lung cancer in males (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.30–0.78). Conclusions/Significance These results suggest that the associations of personal history of chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and COPD with increased risk of lung cancer are not entirely due to smoking. Inflammatory processes may both contribute to COPD and be important for lung carcinogenesis.
Escape from a metastable well under a time-ramped force.

Thermally activated escape of an over-damped particle from a metastable well under the action of a time-ramped force is studied. We express the mean first passage time (MFPT) as the solution to a partial differential equation, which we solve numerically for a model case. We discuss two approximations of the MFPT, one of which works remarkably well over a wide range of loading rates, while the second is easy to calculate and can provide a valuable first estimate.
Quantitation of GSTP1 methylation in non-neoplastic prostatic tissue and organ-confined prostate adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND Methylation of regulatory sequences near GSTP1, which encodes the pi class glutathione S-transferase, is the most common epigenetic alteration associated with prostate cancer. We determined whether the quantitation of GSTP1 methylation in histopathologically distinct prostate tissue samples could improve prostate cancer detection. METHODS We used a fluorogenic real-time methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) assay to analyze cytidine methylation in the GSTP1 promoter in prostate tissue samples from 69 patients with early-stage prostatic adenocarcinoma (28 of whom also had prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia lesions) and 31 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The relative level of methylated GSTP1 DNA in each sample was determined as the ratio of MSP-amplified GSTP1 to MYOD1, a reference gene. We also performed a prospective, blinded investigation to quantitate GSTP1 promoter methylation in sextant prostate biopsy specimens from 21 additional patients with elevated serum prostate-specific antigen levels, 11 of whom had histologically identified adenocarcinoma and 10 of whom had no morphologic evidence of adenocarcinoma. All data were analyzed by using nonparametric two-sided statistical tests. RESULTS The median ratios (and interquartile ranges) of MSP-amplified GSTP1 to MYOD1 in resected benign hyperplastic prostatic tissue, intraepithelial neoplasia, and adenocarcinoma were 0 (range, 0-0.1), 1.4 (range, 0- 45.9), and 250.8 (range, 53.5-697.5), respectively; all of these values were statistically significantly different (P< .001). The median ratios of MSP-amplified GSTP1 to MYOD1 in the prospectively collected sextant biopsy samples were 410.6 for the patients with adenocarcinoma and 0.0 for the patients with no evidence of adenocarcinoma (P< .001). CONCLUSION Quantitation of GSTP1 methylation accurately discriminates between normal hyperplastic tissue and prostatic carcinoma in small samples of prostate tissue and may augment the standard pathologic/histologic assessment of the prostate.