Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physical Layer Security Jamming: Theoretical Limits and Practical Designs in Wireless Networks

Physical layer security has been recently recognized as a promising new design paradigm to provide security in wireless networks. In addition to the existing conventional cryptographic methods, physical layer security exploits the dynamics of fading channels to enhance secured wireless links. In this approach, jamming plays a key role by generating noise signals to confuse the potential eavesdroppers, and significantly improves quality and reliability of secure communications between legitimate terminals. This article presents theoretical limits and practical designs of jamming approaches for physical layer security. In particular, the theoretical limits explore the achievable secrecy rates of user cooperation-based jamming whilst the centralized and game theoretic-based precoding techniques are reviewed for practical implementations. In addition, the emerging wireless energy harvesting techniques are exploited to harvest the required energy to transmit jamming signals. Future directions of these approaches and the associated research challenges are also briefly outlined.
On the possibility of automatic multisensor image registration

Multisensor image registration is needed in a large number of applications of remote sensing imagery. The accuracy achieved with usual methods (manual control points extraction, estimation of an analytical deformation model) is not satisfactory for many applications where a subpixel accuracy for each pixel of the image is needed (change detection or image fusion, for instance). Unfortunately, there are few works in the literature about the fine registration of multisensor images and even less about the extension of approaches similar to those based on fine correlation for the case of monomodal imagery. In this paper, we analyze the problem of the automatic multisensor image registration and we introduce similarity measures which can replace the correlation coefficient in a deformation map estimation scheme. We show an example where the deformation map between a radar image and an optical one is fully automatically estimated.
The Brain Topology of Fast Ripples, and their Correlation with Epilepsy

High frequency oscillations (ripples 80-250 Hz and fast ripples 250-600 Hz) have been widely studied in the last decade for their potential role as a more precise biomarker of the seizure onset zone, in particular fast ripples. The hippocampus is the best described brain topology as well as its association with this activity. However, in recent years; several groups have analyzed the association of high frequency activity with extra-temporal epilepsies, which could eventually influence the decision making process in the pre-surgical evaluation ensuring a better outcome in patients suffering from different forms of intractable epilepsy. In this review, the brain topology of fast ripples and several human pre-surgical studies were analyzed using fast ripple activity as an epileptogenic biomarker, also it was reviewed the preferred methods of recording for detecting high frequency oscillations in every case.
Biodegradation of halogenated organic compounds

In this review we discuss the degradation of chlorinated hydrocarbons by microorganisms, emphasizing the physiological, biochemical, and genetic basis of the biodegradation of aliphatic, aromatic, and polycyclic compounds. Many environmentally important xenobiotics are halogenated, especially chlorinated. These compounds are manufactured and used as pesticides, plasticizers, paint and printing-ink components, adhesives, flame retardants, hydraulic and heat transfer fluids, refrigerants, solvents, additives for cutting oils, and textile auxiliaries. The hazardous chemicals enter the environment through production, commercial application, and waste. As a result of bioaccumulation in the food chain and groundwater contamination, they pose public health problems because many of them are toxic, mutagenic, or carcinogenic. Although synthetic chemicals are usually recalcitrant to biodegradation, microorganisms have evolved an extensive range of enzymes, pathways, and control mechanisms that are responsible for catabolism of a wide variety of such compounds. Thus, such biological degradation can be exploited to alleviate environmental pollution problems. The pathways by which a given compound is degraded are determined by the physical, chemical, and microbiological aspects of a particular environment. By understanding the genetic basis of catabolism of xenobiotics, it is possible to improve the efficacy of naturally occurring microorganisms or construct new microorganisms capable of degrading pollutants in soil and aquatic environments more efficiently. Recently a number of genes whose enzyme products have a broader substrate specificity for the degradation of aromatic compounds have been cloned and attempts have been made to construct gene cassettes or synthetic operons comprising these degradative genes. Such gene cassettes or operons can be transferred into suitable microbial hosts for extending and custom designing the pathways for rapid degradation of recalcitrant compounds. Recent developments in designing recombinant microorganisms and hybrid metabolic pathways are discussed.
Comparison of model and non-model based friction compensation techniques in the neighbourhood of pre-sliding friction

This paper compares two different friction compensation techniques on a machine tool table: a friction model based feedforward technique and a disturbance observer which does not depend on a friction model. For the first technique, the performance of different friction models proposed in literature is compared. The disturbance observer estimates the friction force using a Kalman filter with a second order random walk model. Both approaches are complementary, yielding that their combination results in accurate tracking performance if the novel generalized Maxwell-slip friction model is used.
Risk indicators of gingivitis in 5-year-old Brazilian children.

PURPOSE To identify the risk indicators of gingivitis among socioeconomic, clinical and gender variables in 5-year-old children attending preschools in Piracicaba, Brazil, in 2005. MATERIALS AND METHODS The sample consisted of 728 subjects attending 22 public (n = 428) and 18 private (n = 300) preschools. A previously calibrated examiner performed the clinical examination in an outdoor setting, under natural light, using a dental mirror, Community Periodontal Index probe and air-drying. Gingival status was measured using the gingival alteration index for 5-year-olds according to the national survey carried out in 2002 in Brazil (Health Ministry of Brazil, 2004). Socioeconomic variables (monthly family income, number of people living in the household, parents' educational level, home ownership and car ownership) were collected by means of a parental semi-structured questionnaire. RESULTS The prevalence of gingivitis was 16.6%. Monthly family income (p < 0.0001), father's education (p < 0.0007), mother's education (p = 0.0004), type of school (p < 0.0001), car ownership (p = 0.0854), gender (p = 0.0087), initial lesion (p < 0.0001), dental caries (p = 0.0008), crowding (p = 0.0054) and spacing (p = 0.0019) were associated with gingival bleeding at p < 0.15 and were selected for the regression analysis. By means of multiple logistic regression analyses, monthly family income of up to 4 Brazilian minimum wages, presence of initial lesion, presence of crowding and male gender were found to be risk indicators of gingivitis. CONCLUSION The prevalence of gingivitis in 5-year-old preschool children in Piracicaba was 16.6%. Also, family income of up to 4 minimum wages, male gender, the presence of initial caries lesion and crowding were risk indicators of gingivitis.
Polymyxin B: a new strategy for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative organisms

Background: There has been a renewed interest in using polymyxin B as a last resort therapeutic option, due to emergence of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Despite being available for clinical use for decades, there is still a very limited understanding on many aspects of this agent. Objective: To review what is known about polymyxin B and to identify missing information or gaps for future investigations. Methods: Pertinent information was reviewed from published literature in English. Results/conclusion: For optimal use of polymyxin B, a more thorough understanding is needed on standardized susceptibility testing, serum and tissue concentrations achieved, antibacterial activity when polymyxin B is combined with other agents, and mechanisms of resistance. A more precise characterization of the relationship between drug concentration and toxicity is also required.
Understanding Risky Behavior: The Influence of Cognitive, Emotional and Hormonal Factors on Decision-Making under Risk

Financial risky decisions and evaluations pervade many human everyday activities. Scientific research in such decision-making typically explores the influence of socio-economic and cognitive factors on financial behavior. However, very little research has explored the holistic influence of contextual, emotional, and hormonal factors on preferences for risk in insurance and investment behaviors. Accordingly, the goal of this review article is to address the complexity of individual risky behavior and its underlying psychological factors, as well as to critically examine current regulations on financial behavior.
Treecube+3D-ViSOM: Combinational Visualization Tool for Browsing 3D Multimedia Data

This paper proposes a new visualization tool for browsing 3D multimedia data. This is realized as a combinational visualization tool of Treecube and 3D- ViSOM which are both proposed by the same research group of the authors. Treecube is a visualization tool for hierarchical information developed as a 3D extension from a 2D visualization tool, Treemap proposed by Ben Shneiderman, et. al. in 1992. Treecube is useful for browsing 3D multimedia data stored in a file system because the file system has a hierarchical structure. However, if many data exist in one directory, it is not easy for the user to find his/her required data from it. On the other hand, 3D-ViSOM is a 3D-SOM (Self Organizing Map) based visualization tool for browsing 3D multimedia data. Using the 3D-SOM layout, similar feature data are located in the same area and it is easy for the user to find his/her required data by the browsing. Since 3D-ViSOM can solve the problem Treecube has, the authors propose a combinational visualization tool of Treecube and 3D- ViSOMin this paper.
ApoB100/LDLR-/- Hypercholesterolaemic Mice as a Model for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Neuronal Damage

Recent clinical findings support the notion that the progressive deterioration of cholesterol homeostasis is a central player in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Epidemiological studies suggest that high midlife plasma total cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of AD. This paper reports the plasma cholesterol concentrations, cognitive performance, locomotor activity and neuropathological signs in a murine model (transgenic mice expressing apoB100 but knockout for the LDL receptor [LDLR]) of human familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH). From birth, these animals have markedly elevated LDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein B100 (apoB100) levels. These transgenic mice were confirmed to have higher plasma cholesterol concentrations than wild-type mice, an effect potentiated by aging. Further, 3-month-old transgenic mice showed cholesterol (total and fractions) concentrations considerably higher than those of 18-month-old wild-type mice. The hypercholesterolaemia of the transgenic mice was associated with a clear locomotor deficit (as determined by rotarod, grip strength and open field testing) and impairment of the episodic-like memory (determined by the integrated memory test). This decline in locomotor activity and cognitive status was associated with neuritic dystrophy and/or the disorganization of the neuronal microtubule network, plus an increase in astrogliosis and lipid peroxidation in the brain regions associated with AD, such as the motor and lateral entorhinal cortex, the amygdaloid basal nucleus, and the hippocampus. Aortic atherosclerotic lesions were positively correlated with age, although potentiated by the transgenic genotype, while cerebral β-amyloidosis was positively correlated with genetic background rather than with age. These findings confirm hypercholesterolaemia as a key biomarker for monitoring mild cognitive impairment, and shows these transgenic mice can be used as a model for cognitive and psycho-motor decline.
XMM-Newton study of the two-dimensional structure of the REFLEX-DXL galaxy clusters

We carry out a two-dimensional study of temperature, entropy, and pressure distributions in a nearly volume-limited subsample of REFLEX clusters at redshift 0.3, the REFLEX-DXL. We use the observations gained by XMM-Newton, which cover the central $1{-}2\times r_{500}$. We define the substructure in both entropy and pressure as a deviation from the mean profile of the sample. The non-parametric locally weighted regression suggests a broken power-law approximation to the entropy profile with inner and outer slopes of 0.78 and 0.52, respectively, and a break at $0. 5r_{500}$. Characterization of the pressure profile is more complex, requiring three power laws, with slopes -0.64 at $r 0. 5r_{500}$ and a slope of -1.50 in between. Analysis of the substructure in the pressure and entropy maps reveals somewhat larger fluctuations around the mean pressure profile compared to the entropy. Typically, pressure fluctuations are found at the 30% level, while the entropy fluctuations are at the 20% level (rms). We compare the cumulative distribution of the substructure level in the REFLEX-DXL sample with the results of numerical simulation, and by means of KS test, show that they are in agreement. A discussion of the origin of the substructure is provided on an individual cluster basis.
Virtual Reality Applications for Smart Cities in Health: A Systematic Review

Virtual Reality research contributions related to human experiences in cities are essential to the Health. Inside this context, the aim of this work is an investigation that uses a systematic review process to verify virtual reality studies in the context of the smart cities and internet of things, highlighting health and rehabilitation solutions. Our review presents six relevant approaches and carries out an analysis on these in order to point the results and the applicability of the solutions. The study also discusses the articles and shows directions for the improvement of Virtual Reality technology in smart healthcare solutions, such as serious games and training systems for this purpose.
Gastro‐oesophageal reflux symptoms are related to the presence and severity of obstructive sleep apnoea

Repetitive airway occlusion during sleep in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) results in the generation of negative intrathoracic pressures and ends in arousal, both of which may predispose to reflux during sleep (nocturnal reflux). We aimed to determine and compare the prevalence of nocturnal reflux symptoms and their sleep‐associated risk factors in untreated OSA patients, OSA patients using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, and the general population. Gastro‐oesophageal reflux and sleep questionnaires were completed by 1116 patients with polysomnography diagnosed OSA and by 1999 participants of the 2007 Busselton population health survey. Of the OSA patients, 137 completed the reflux questionnaire before and after treatment. Risk of OSA in the general population was assessed using the Berlin score. The prevalence of frequent (>weekly) nocturnal reflux symptoms was increased (P < 0.001) in OSA patients (10.2%) versus the general population (5.5%), in individuals from the general population at high (8.7%) versus low risk (4.3%) of OSA and in patients with severe (13.9%) versus mild OSA (5.1%). Frequent nocturnal reflux symptoms were associated with high risk (general population) (OR 1.9, P < 0.01) and severity of OSA (OSA population) OR 3.0, severe versus mild OSA, P < 0.001) after correcting for age, gender and body mass index. Treatment with CPAP decreased the prevalence of reflux symptoms significantly. In conclusion, the prevalence of nocturnal reflux symptoms is increased in those with or suspected of having OSA. This association is independent of other risk factors including age, gender and body mass index, suggesting a causal relationship between OSA and nocturnal reflux.
An introduction to the knowledge translation special issue of the Canadian respiratory journal.

Health sciences research continues to progress at an astounding pace, with the discovery of novel molecules, therapies and technologies to yield ever newer health-related knowledge. Yet, despite the time and resources devoted to identify these myriad new ways to improve health, evaluations of actual care consistently demonstrate gaps between this medical knowledge (‘what we ought to be doing’) and its application in practice (‘what we are doing’) (1). The obvious implication is that our patients are not reaping the full benefits of advances in medical knowledge. Accordingly, organizations around the world are increasingly recognizing the danger of investment in knowledge creation without complementary investment in knowledge implementation. This paradigm shift has given rise to the science of knowledge translation (KT). What is KT? The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) defines KT as “a dynamic and iterative process that includes synthesis, dissemination, exchange and ethically-sound application of knowledge to improve the health of Canadians, provide more effective health services and products and strengthen the health care system” (2). More simply, KT is the act of closing the knowledge-to-practice gap, or the so-called ‘know-do’ gap. It subsumes all activities that occur after knowledge is created, including analysis of the magnitude of care gaps and barriers and facilitators to application of knowledge, development of strategies to overcome barriers and to utilize facilitators, and objective measurements of the success of these strategies and their sustainability (3).
Rabit: A reputation architecture for BitTorrent

With the proliferation of the use of peer-to-peer networks for distributing multimedia and software content, there is an increasing need for efficient and reliable data distribution mechanisms that can scale to large numbers of users. The peer-to-peer protocol BitTorrent is scalable and is widely used to share content. The lack of reputation techniques in BitTorrent makes it impossible to get any information about how reliable a peer is. In this paper, we propose a secure and reliable architecture for reputation in BitTorrent. Our framework allows a peer to securely share its feedback about another peer after a transaction. Then, allow other peers to securely retrieve this information when required. Furthermore, we discuss how secure our system is by studying how it protects against the well knows peer-to-peer attacks.
The case for investigating social context in laboratory studies of smoking

BACKGROUND With increasing frequency, addiction is conceived of as a brain disease, and such accounts seem especially pertinent with regard to the rapid delivery of nicotine to the brain via cigarette smoke. Moreover, drug administration trials (cigarette puffs) suggest that the behavior of smoking becomes automatized, with individuals developing prototypical approaches to smoking a cigarette. Compared with presumably more social activities, such as drinking alcohol, there may be little opportunity for social processes to influence smoking behavior. However, survey research examining smoking motivation often reveals a broadly defined 'social' factor and field research suggests that social context does influence smoking. ARGUMENT We posit that laboratory smoking research has largely ignored social contextual factors that may help to understand better the precise mechanisms underlying smoking behavior and smoking motivation. METHOD We reviewed laboratory studies examining the effect of social context (operationalized as modeling) on smoking behavior. Studies were identified by searching PsychInfo and Medline using the following keywords: smoking, nicotine, tobacco, cigarette, consumption, topography, puff, smoking behavior, cigarettes smoked, modeling, imitation, social context, social influence and peer pressure. The reference and citation lists of these studies were then searched to identify additional studies. CONCLUSIONS Few laboratory smoking studies target social context. Those few studies indicate that smoking behavior can be influenced by the presence of others. There is also some evidence that social context influences the effects of smoking as well as processes related to self-perception and self-regulation that reinforce smoking and hamper smoking cessation efforts.
Beta-adrenergic blockade and cardiac arrhythmias.

The evaluation of beta-adrenergic blockade in cardiac arrhythmias is difficult because of the complex nature of the arrhythmias and the varied modes of action of blocking drugs. Studies have confirmed the therapeutic value of the beta adrenergic blocking drug pronethalol (Alderlin) (Vaughan Williams, 1963 ; Stock and Dale, 1963 ; Payne and Senfield, 1964 ; Wolf son et al., 1966) and its more potent successor, propranolol (Inderal) in the management of many different atrial and ventricular arrhythmias (Harrison et al., 1965 ; Sloman et al., 1965 ; Stock, 1966 ; Harris, 1966 ; Szekely et al., 1966 ; Cherchi et ed., 1966 ; Rochet and Vastesaeger, 1966 ; Gettes and Surawicz, 1966 ; Luria et al., 1966 ; Epstein and Braunwald, 1966). This study reports our experience in the management of patients with paroxysmal arrhythmias, acute life-threatening arrhythmias, and recurrent arrhythmias associated with pro longed cardiac arrest. An attempt has also been made to assess the prophylactic value of propranolol in reducing the high incidence of arrhythmias associated with acute myocardial infarction.
LOCALIZED BENDING VIBRATIONS OF A RECTANGULAR TWO-LAYER PLATE IN THE PRESENCE OF SLIP BETWEEN LAYERS

The problems of vibrations of a plate of two layers are investigated, in the case when the tangential stresses between the layers are zero. Based on the known equations obtained on the basis of Kirchhoff's conjecture, the boundary conditions of the free edge of a rectangular plate are defined. Determined the frequencies of bending vibrations localized in the vicinity of the free edge of the plate.
Modeling taxis’ dynamic behavior in uncertain urban environments

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