Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance bounds in synchronization for low signal-to-noise ratios

In this contribution we consider the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) for the estimation of the synchronization parameters of a noisy linearly modulated signal with random data symbols. We explore three scenarios, i.e., (i) joint estimation of carrier phase, carrier frequency and time delay, irrespective of the data; (ii) joint estimation of carrier frequency and time delay, irrespective of the data and the carrier phase; and (iii) estimation of carrier frequency, irrespective of the data, the carrier phase and the timing. Because of the presence of the random data (and, in scenarios (ii) and (iii), also of random synchronization parameters), the exact computation of the corresponding CRBs is extremely difficult. Instead, here we derive a simple closed-form expression for the limit of these CRBs at low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which holds for arbitrary PAM, PSK and QAM constellations.
Notice of Violation of IEEE Publication PrinciplesMeasuring the Quality of Software Modularization Using Coupling-Based Structural Metrics for an OOS System

The fundamental issue faced by the developers in todaypsilas environment is how to measure the quality of software modularization. In this paper a new set of metrics are proposed which measure the quality of modularization of an object-oriented software (OOS) system. A set of design principles are proposed to capture the notion of modularity and metrics are defined based on the principles. The coupling-based structural metrics measures the function-call traffic through the APIpsilas of the modules in relation to the overall function-call traffic. It is now widely accepted that the overall quality of a large body of software is enhanced when module interactions are restricted to take place through the published APIpsilas for the modules. The metrics can be tested on some large legacy-code business applications. The metrics can be validated from the results obtained on human-modularized versions of the software.
How Close are We to Realizing a Pragmatic VANET Solution? A Meta-Survey

Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks (VANETs) are seen as the key enabling technology of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). In addition to safety, VANETs also provide a cost-effective platform for numerous comfort and entertainment applications. A pragmatic solution of VANETs requires synergistic efforts in multidisciplinary areas of communication standards, routings, security and trust. Furthermore, a realistic VANET simulator is required for performance evaluation. There have been many research efforts in these areas, and consequently, a number of surveys have been published on various aspects. In this article, we first explain the key characteristics of VANETs, then provide a meta-survey of research works. We take a tutorial approach to introducing VANETs and gradually discuss intricate details. Extensive listings of existing surveys and research projects have been provided to assess development efforts. The article is useful for researchers to look at the big picture and channel their efforts in an effective way.
Automated University Timetabling: The State of the Art

Scheduling lectures or exams for universities is a large and complex task. There are many different departments and faculties, each with their own ideas about how and when their courses should be run. Furthermore, modularization means that students can take courses from a combination of several departments, possibly even in different faculties. Numerous university timetabling systems have been devised, and work is underway to create a standard which will enable objective performance comparisons. This paper briefly looks at various popular techniques and recent work on both exam and course scheduling around the world, and should serve as an introduction to the field.
A Vavilovian approach to discovering crop-associated microbes with potential to enhance plant immunity

Through active associations with a diverse community of largely non-pathogenic microbes, a plant may be thought of as possessing an “extended genotype,” an interactive cross-organismal genome with potential, exploitable implications for plant immunity. The successful enrichment of plant microbiomes with beneficial species has led to numerous commercial applications, and the hunt for new biocontrol organisms continues. Increasingly flexible and affordable sequencing technologies, supported by increasingly comprehensive taxonomic databases, make the characterization of non-model crop-associated microbiomes a widely accessible research method toward this end; and such studies are becoming more frequent. A summary of this emerging literature reveals, however, the need for a more systematic research lens in the face of what is already a metagenomics data deluge. Considering the processes and consequences of crop evolution and domestication, we assert that the judicious integration of in situ crop wild relatives into phytobiome research efforts presents a singularly powerful tool for separating signal from noise, thereby facilitating a more efficient means of identifying candidate plant-associated microbes with the potential for enhancing the immunity and fitness of crop species.
Color fused multiple features for traffic sign recognition

In this paper, we design the color fused multiple features to describe a traffic sign, and we further implement this description method to detect traffic signs and to classify multi-class traffic signs. At the detection stage, we utilize the GentleAdaboost classifier to separate traffic signs from the background; at the classification stage, we implement the random forest classifier to classify multi-class traffic signs. We do the extensive experiments on the popular standard traffic sign datasets: the German Traffic Sign Recognition Benchmark and the Swedish Traffic Signs Dataset. We compare eight features which include the HOG feature, the LBP feature, the color cues and their different combinations. We also compare the popular classifiers for traffic sign recognition. The experimental results demonstrate that the color fused feature achieves better classification performance than the feature without color cues, and the GentleAdaboost classifier achieves the better comprehensive performance of the binary classification, and the random forest classifier achieves the best multi-class classification accuracy.
Localization of planar acoustic reflectors from the combination of linear estimates

In this paper we present a simple yet effective method for estimating the geometry of an acoustic enclosure in three-dimensions. By capturing the acoustic impulse responses using a microphone array and a loudspeaker at different spatial locations we transform the localization of planar reflectors into the estimation of multiple linear reflectors. By decomposing the microphone array into co-planar sub-arrays the line parameters of the reflectors lying on the corresponding planes can be inferred using a geometric constraint. By intersecting these lines the actual lying plane of each reflector can be estimated. The proposed method is evaluated using a three-dimensional microphone array in a real conference room.
A Taste of Periodic Fever Syndromes

Abstract Periodic fevers are acquired or inherited disorders of innate immunity, which were first described in the 1940s. The patients are typically young at onset and have regularly recurring fevers for a few days to a few weeks with systemic inflammatory symptoms that are interrupted by symptom-free periods. There is a variety of clinical manifestations including gastrointestinal complaints, myalgias, arthralgias, and rash. A differential diagnosis in these patients may include recurrent infections, other inflammatory disorders, and neoplastic disease. This clinical review focuses on a sample of autoinflammatory disorders including familial Mediterranean fever, tumor necrosis factor receptor 1–associated periodic syndrome, hyperimmunoglobulinemia D syndrome, the cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome, and periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis syndrome. We review the basics, pertinent clinical and laboratory features, and management of each entity.
Cellular Prostaglandin E2 Production by Membrane-bound Prostaglandin E Synthase-2 via Both Cyclooxygenases-1 and -2*

Current evidence suggests that two forms of prostaglandin (PG) E synthase (PGES), cytosolic PGES and membrane-bound PGES (mPGES) -1, preferentially lie downstream of cyclooxygenase (COX) -1 and -2, respectively, in the PGE2 biosynthetic pathway. In this study, we examined the expression and functional aspects of the third PGES enzyme, mPGES-2, in mammalian cells and tissues. mPGES-2 was synthesized as a Golgi membrane-associated protein, and spontaneous cleavage of the N-terminal hydrophobic domain led to the formation of a truncated mature protein that was distributed in the cytosol with a trend to be enriched in the perinuclear region. In several cell lines, mPGES-2 promoted PGE2 production via both COX-1 and COX-2 in the immediate and delayed responses with modest COX-2 preference. In contrast to the marked inducibility of mPGES-1, mPGES-2 was constitutively expressed in various cells and tissues and was not increased appreciably during tissue inflammation or damage. Interestingly, a considerable elevation of mPGES-2 expression was observed in human colorectal cancer. Collectively, mPGES-2 is a unique PGES that can be coupled with both COXs and may play a role in the production of the PGE2 involved in both tissue homeostasis and disease.
Analysis of Symmetry in the Anterior Human Dentition and its Application in the Evaluation and Correction of Postural Distortion in the Photographic Recording of Human Bite Marks

Postural distortion of human bite marks on skin occurs when photographing a bite mark in a body position other than the position of the body at the time of biting. Postural distortion in the bite mark may introduce significant changes in both the shape and size of the recorded marks. As a result, the analysis of the marks may be hindered and a proper comparison between the bite mark and the causal dentition may be precluded. Therefore, a method by which postural distortion in a bite mark photographic record can be evaluated and eliminated with minimal operator subjectivity is required. This study describes the development of an objective technique for evaluating postural distortion in bite mark photographic records and for minimising postural distortion during photography of bite marks. The source for developing these techniques was provided by digitally analysing the symmetry of dental arches in a defined population including males and females (236 subjects) whose ages ranged between 20 and 30 years. The analysis resulted in quantifying a mathematical relationship between the biting edges of each homologous pair of the anterior teeth and specified reference lines. The validity of the analytical method of dental arch symmetry is discussed. The developed techniques were applied to posturally distorted (test) bite marks. The results demonstrate the validity of the developed techniques in determining postural distortion and recording correct images (shown to resemble the biters dentition) of the test bites. Suggestions for further work are proposed.
On Educational Performance Measures

Quantitative school performance measures (QPMs) are playing an ever larger role in education systems on both sides of the Atlantic. In this paper we outline the rationale for the use of such measures in education, review the literature relating to several important problems associated with their use, and argue that they nonetheless have a positive role to play in improving the educational quality. We delineate several institutional reforms which would help schools to respond "positively" to QPMs, emphasizing the importance of agents' flexibility to change the way they work, and the importance of a sound knowledge base regarding "what works" in raising attainment. We suggest that the present institutional setups in both England and the US too often hold schools accountable for outcomes over which they have little control – but that such problems are far from insurmountable.
Throughput Performance of Java Messaging Services Using Sun Java System Message Queue

The Java messaging service (JMS) is a means to organize communication among distributed applications according to the publish/subscribe principle. If the subscribers install filter rules on the JMS server, JMS can be used as a message routing platform, but it is not clear whether its message throughput is sufficiently high to support large-scale systems. In this paper, we investigate the capacity of the high performance JMS server implementation SunOneMQ by Sun Microsystems. In contrast to other studies, we focus on the message throughput in the presence of filters and show that filtering reduces the performan ce significantly. We also present a model that describes the service time for a single message depending on the number of installed filters and validate it by measurements. This model helps to forecast the system throughput for specific application scenario s.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300 Latin American Variant in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis and HIV Infected in a Hospital in Bogotá, Colombia

We aimed to determine the prevalence of MRSA colonization and examine the molecular characteristics of colonizing isolates in patients receiving hemodialysis and HIV-infected in a Colombian hospital. Patients on hemodialysis and HIV-infected were prospectively followed between July 2011 and June 2012 in Bogota, Colombia. Nasal and axillary swabs were obtained and cultured. Colonizing S. aureus isolates were identified by standard and molecular techniques. Molecular typing was performed by using pulse-field gel electrophoresis and evaluating the presence of lukF-PV/lukS-PV by PCR. A total of 29% (n = 82) of HIV-infected and 45.5% (n = 15) of patients on hemodialysis exhibited S. aureus colonization. MSSA/MRSA colonization was observed in 28% and 3.6% of the HIV patients, respectively and in 42.4% and 13.3% of the hemodialysis patients, respectively. Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec typing showed that four MRSA isolates harbored the type IV cassette, and one type I. In the hemodialysis group, two MRSA isolates were classified as belonging to the USA300-LV genetic lineage. Conversely, in the HIV infected group, no colonizing isolates belonging to the USA300-Latin American Variant (UDA300-LV) lineage were identified. Colonizing isolates recovered from the HIV-infected group belonged to the prevalent hospital-associated clones circulating in Latin America (Chilean [n = 1] and Pediatric [n = 2]). The prevalence of MRSA colonization in the study groups was 3.6% (HIV) and 13.3% (hemodialysis). Surveillance programs should be implemented in this group of patients in order to understand the dynamics of colonization and infection in high-risk patients.
OpenISMA: An Approach of Achieving a Scalable OpenFlow Network by Identifiers Separating and Mapping

Scalability is always a serious issue influencing the development of Software-Defined Network (SDN). Identifiers Separating and Mapping Architecture (ISMA) is a promising solution to the current Internet scaling problems by dividing the network into edge network and core network. In this paper, we adopt the idea of identity and locator splitting with SDN to aggregate flow table entries in the core network switches. Particularly we propose an approach of flow table entries compression in Open Flow network. We define an Open Flow based core forwarding element in core network and propose another coarse-grain forwarding flow table besides the fine-grain flow table to make flow table entries aggregation. Furthermore, we define another Open Flow based access forwarding element connecting the edge network and core network which has a mapping flow table inside. Then we design the prototype including forwarding elements and Open Flow controller with mapping module. Additionally, we compare the performance of our approach with individually applying Open Flow in the Internet, verify the feasibility and flow table entries compression effort using the prototype. The number of forwarding flow table entries in core network can be reduced dramatically.
Achieving max-min fairness for MU-MISO with partial CSIT: A multicast assisted transmission

We address the max-min fairness design problem for a MU-MISO system with partial Channel State Information (CSI) at the Base Station (BS), consisting of an imperfect channel estimate and statistical knowledge of the estimation error, and perfect CSI at the receivers. The objective is to maximize the minimum Average Rate (AR) among users subject to a transmit power constraint. An unconventional transmission scheme is adopted where the Base Station (BS) transmits a common message in addition to the conventional private messages. In situations where the CSIT is not accurate enough to perform interference nulling, individual rates are assisted by allocating parts of the common message to different users according to their needs. The AR problem is transformed into an augmented AverageWeighted Mean Square Error (AWMSE) problem, solved using Alternating Optimization (AO). The benefits of incorporating the common message are demonstrated through simulations.
Ageing and activity: their effects on the functional reserve capacities of the heart and vascular smooth and skeletal muscles

During perinatal life striated muscles grow through the acquisition of more contractile cells (myocytes or fibres) followed by their postnatal enlargement (i.e. hypertrophy). In the ageing adult these events are reversed, with a progressive loss of myocytes that cannot be fully compensated despite the presence of cell renewal systems or reactive myocyte hypertrophy. Hence the functional reserve capacities of the heart and skeletal muscles decline with age. This is probably a consequence of physiological ageing and diminished levels of physical activity. As a result daily tasks once taken for granted become progressively more difficult, and eventually impossible, to perform. For example, sufficient coordinated absolute muscle force is required for an individual to rise from a chair or climb stairs, and the reserve capacity of the heart is a major determinant of an individual's ability to remain active and cope with daily stresses and illnesses. Long-term participation in endurance-based activities helps to preserve cardiac reserve, and has both direct and indirect beneficial effects on vascular smooth muscle and health preservation within the cardiovascular system. In contrast, this type of activity does little to protect skeletal muscles against the age-related losses of fast-twitch fibres, small motor units, overall muscle mass and power output. While resistance exercise promotes fibre hypertrophy in skeletal muscles, and to a lesser extent in myocytes of the heart, the explosive power of muscles still declines with age. Hence, while physical activity is important in attenuating age-related changes in muscle function and its reserve capacity, it delays rather than prevents the deleterious effects of ageing per se. Despite this, in a culture where inactivity has become an accepted part of life we still need to explore in greater detail the benefits of habitual physical activity, and use this information as a community-based educational tool to help prevent or delay cardiovascular disease, obesity, arthritis and the frailty associated with old age.
The Data Warehouse Toolkit: Practical Techniques for Building Dimensional Data Warehouses

This definitive guide succinctly explains how to build a data warehouse by using actual case studies of existing data warehouses developed for specific types of business applications such as retail, manufacturing, banking, insurance, subcriptions and airline reservations. Describes a powerful new model of data warehouse design, the dimensional data warehouse, that provides readers with the ability to quickly analyze complex information in order to make sound decisions. The accompanying CD-ROM includes a toolkit for building dimensional data warehouses and examples of all the databases discussed in the text.
Integrating biogeochemistry with multiomic sequence information in a model oxygen minimum zone

Significance Modern molecular sequencing is beginning to provide great insight into microbial community structure and function at ecosystem scales. However, the quantitative integration of multiomic sequence information (DNA, mRNA, and protein) and geochemical processes has so far been elusive. Here, we develop a biogeochemical model that integrates geochemistry and multiomic sequence information to explain key metabolic processes in the oxygen-starved waters of Saanich Inlet, a model ecosystem for studying microbial community responses to oxygen minimum zone expansion. Our model largely explains DNA, mRNA, and protein distributions and sheds light on the metabolic networks coupling carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen transformations across a redox gradient. Our approach is extensible to other biogeochemical models incorporating feedbacks of global change on ecosystem functions. Microorganisms are the most abundant lifeform on Earth, mediating global fluxes of matter and energy. Over the past decade, high-throughput molecular techniques generating multiomic sequence information (DNA, mRNA, and protein) have transformed our perception of this microcosmos, conceptually linking microorganisms at the individual, population, and community levels to a wide range of ecosystem functions and services. Here, we develop a biogeochemical model that describes metabolic coupling along the redox gradient in Saanich Inlet—a seasonally anoxic fjord with biogeochemistry analogous to oxygen minimum zones (OMZs). The model reproduces measured biogeochemical process rates as well as DNA, mRNA, and protein concentration profiles across the redox gradient. Simulations make predictions about the role of ubiquitous OMZ microorganisms in mediating carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycling. For example, nitrite “leakage” during incomplete sulfide-driven denitrification by SUP05 Gammaproteobacteria is predicted to support inorganic carbon fixation and intense nitrogen loss via anaerobic ammonium oxidation. This coupling creates a metabolic niche for nitrous oxide reduction that completes denitrification by currently unidentified community members. These results quantitatively improve previous conceptual models describing microbial metabolic networks in OMZs. Beyond OMZ-specific predictions, model results indicate that geochemical fluxes are robust indicators of microbial community structure and reciprocally, that gene abundances and geochemical conditions largely determine gene expression patterns. The integration of real observational data, including geochemical profiles and process rate measurements as well as metagenomic, metatranscriptomic and metaproteomic sequence data, into a biogeochemical model, as shown here, enables holistic insight into the microbial metabolic network driving nutrient and energy flow at ecosystem scales.