Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inscribed Matter Communication: Part I

We provide a fundamental treatment of the molecular communication channel wherein “inscribed matter” is transmitted across a spatial gap to provide reliable signaling between a sender and receiver. Inscribed matter is defined as an ensemble of “tokens” (biotic/abiotic objects) and is inspired, at least partially, by biological systems where groups of individually constructed discrete particles ranging from molecules to viruses and organisms are released by a source and travel to a target—for example, morphogens or semiochemicals diffuse from one cell, tissue, or organism to another. For identical-tokens that are neither lost nor modified, we consider messages encoded using three candidate communication schemes: 1) token timing (timed release); 2) token payload (composition); and 3) token timing plus payload. We provide capacity bounds for each scheme and discuss their relative utility. We find that under not unreasonable assumptions, megabit per second rates could be supported at 100 femtoWatt transmitter powers. Since quantities such as token concentration or token counting are derivatives of token arrival timing, token timing undergirds all molecular communication techniques. Thus, our modeling and results about the physics of efficient token-based information transfer can inform investigations of diverse theoretical and practical problems in engineering and biology. This paper, Part I, focuses on the information theoretic bounds on capacity. Part II develops some of the mathematical and information theoretic machinery that support the bounds presented here.
An environment for formal modeling and simulation of control systems

The purpose of this paper is to present the PLATUS simulation environment. PLATUS allows the formal modeling of control systems using graph grammars. In PLATUS, control systems are viewed as a collection of three distinct abstractions, that allow the system designer to keep the specification of control elements free of simulation aspects, providing the tools for formal system verification and code generation of real control systems, making the development of such systems a straightforward step from specification.
Evaluation of Diagnosis Techniques Used for Spinal Injury Related Back Pain

Back pain is a prevalent condition affecting much of the population at one time or the other. Complications, including neurological ones, can result from missed or mismanaged spinal abnormalities. These complications often result in serious patient injury and require more medical treatment. Correct diagnosis enables more effective, often less costly treatment methods. Current diagnosis technologies focus on spinal alterations. Only approximately 10% of back pain is diagnosable, with current diagnostic technologies. The objective of this paper is to investigate and evaluate based on specific criteria current diagnosis technique. Nine diagnostic techniques were found in the literature, namely, discography, myelography, single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT), computer tomography (CT), combined CT & SPECT, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), upright and kinematic MRI, plain radiography and cineradiography. Upon review of the techniques, it is suggested that improvements can be made to all the existing techniques for diagnosing back pain. This review will aid health service developers to focus on insufficient areas, which will help to improve existing technologies or even develop alternative ones.
Online and Social Media Suicide Prevention Interventions for Young People: A Focus on Implementation and Moderation.

OBJECTIVE Suicide remains a major global public health issue for young people. The reach and accessibility of online and social media-based interventions herald a unique opportunity for suicide prevention. To date, the large body of research into suicide prevention has been undertaken atheoretically. This paper provides a rationale and theoretical framework (based on the interpersonal theory of suicide), and draws on our experiences of developing and testing online and social media-based interventions. METHOD The implementation of three distinct online and social media-based intervention studies, undertaken with young people at risk of suicide, are discussed. We highlight the ways that these interventions can serve to bolster social connectedness in young people, and outline key aspects of intervention implementation and moderation. RESULTS Insights regarding the implementation of these studies include careful protocol development mindful of risk and ethical issues, establishment of suitably qualified teams to oversee development and delivery of the intervention, and utilisation of key aspects of human support (i.e., moderation) to encourage longer-term intervention engagement. CONCLUSIONS Online and social media-based interventions provide an opportunity to enhance feelings of connectedness in young people, a key component of the interpersonal theory of suicide. Our experience has shown that such interventions can be feasibly and safely conducted with young people at risk of suicide. Further studies, with controlled designs, are required to demonstrate intervention efficacy.
Comparative analyses of expected shortfall and value-at-risk under market stress 1

In this paper, we compare value-at-risk (VaR) and expected shortfall under market stress. Assuming that the multivariate extreme value distribution represents asset returns under market stress, we simulate asset returns with this distribution. With these simulated asset returns, we examine whether market stress affects the properties of VaR and expected shortfall. Our findings are as follows. First, VaR and expected shortfall may underestimate the risk of securities with fat-tailed properties and a high potential for large losses. Second, VaR and expected shortfall may both disregard the tail dependence of asset returns. Third, expected shortfall has less of a problem in disregarding the fat tails and the tail dependence than VaR does.
Research Paper No . 2008 / 85 Conflict , Disasters , and No Jobs Reasons for International Migration from Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has the highest growth rate in net international migration in the world. The reasons for this migration are investigated in this paper. First, a survey of the literature on the profile and determinants of international migration in SSA is given. Second, panel data on 45 countries spanning the period 1965 to 2005 are used to determine that the main reasons for international migration from SSA are armed conflict and lack of job opportunities. An additional year of conflict will raise net out-migration by 1.35 per 1,000 inhabitants and an additional 1 per cent growth will reduce net outmigration by 1.31 per 1,000. Demographic and environmental pressures have a less important direct impact, but a more pronounced indirect impact on migration through conflict and job opportunities. In particular, the frequency of natural disasters has a positive and significant effect on the probability that a country will experience an outbreak of armed conflict. Furthermore, there is no evidence of a ‘migration hump’ or of persistence in net migration rates in SSA, and no evidence that immigration is causing conflict in host countries.
The Application of Microencapsulation Techniques in the Treatment of Endodontic and Periodontal Disease

In the treatment of intracanal and periodontal infections, the local application of antibiotics and other therapeutic agents in the root canal or in periodontal pockets may be a promising approach to achieve sustained drug release, high antimicrobial activity and low systemic side effects. Microparticles made from biodegradable polymers have been reported to be an effective means of delivering antibacterial drugs in endodontic and periodontal therapy. The aim of this review article is to assess recent therapeutic strategies in which biocompatible microparticles are used for effective management of periodontal and endodontic diseases. In vitro and in vivo studies that have investigated the biocompatibility or efficacy of certain microparticle formulations and devices are presented. Future directions in the application of microencapsulation techniques in endodontic and periodontal therapies are discussed.
Overview and optimization of flooding techniques in OLSR

During this last decade, mesh networks have experienced strong growth due to their ability to provide an additional and complementary support for existing infrastructure communication systems. In such a network, routers are supposed to be fixed for short (e.g. public safety deployment) or long (e.g. network operator extension) period. This relative stability of infrastructure makes proactive routing protocols appropriate. One of the well known proactive routing protocols is OLSR (Optimized Link State Routing), which routing decisions are based on exchanges of topology information using all-to-all flooding of local information in order for each router to build a global knowledge of the topology. This study first goal is to improve the performance of topology information flooding in OLSR by introducing network coding techniques, which leads to a decrease of signaling overhead.
Development of the scratch resistance on acrylic sheet with basic colloidal silica (SiO2)—methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) nanocomposite films by sol–gel technique

The formation of scratch-resistant coating film prepared from colloidal silica and a polysiloxane matrix was investigated. Methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) was hydrolysed and mixed with silica sol (SiO 2 ) at various compositions to form the hybrid hard-coating nanocomposite film. The hydrolysed MTMS (polysiloxane) acts as the polymeric binder that is covalently linked to the colloidal silica surface and provides adhesion for the scratch resistant coating film to the substrate. The ratio between the polymeric matrix and the SiO 2 nanoparticles was found to play a major role in controlling the coating film appearance and its resistance to scratching. At a Si0 2 content 70wt. %, there was not enough polysiloxane to act as a binder for the SiO 2 , therefore a shrinkage upon solidification of the coating film caused cracking within the nanocomposite film. The optimum ratio was found to be at 40 wt. % ≤SiO 2 <60wt. %, where the films had a transparent, crack free hard coating, with excellent scratch resistance, good adhesion and very good environmental resistance. The nanoindentation revealed that the nanocomposite film, at the optimum loading, possessed a higher strength with a higher SiO 2 loading. Film properties, including hardness, scratch resistance, adhesion and environmental resistance were also examined. The morphology of nanocomposite films was identified by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Interleukin-12 prevents severe acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and GVHD-associated immune dysfunction in a fully major histocompatibility complex haplotype-mismatched murine bone marrow transplantation model.

BACKGROUND We have recently reported that interleukin (IL)-12 prevents acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)-induced mortality in a full major histocompatibility complex- plus multiple minor antigen-mismatched A/J-->B10 bone marrow transplantation (BMT) model. Because most patients have access to a haploidentical, one haplotype-mismatched donor, we have now investigated the protective effect of IL-12 against GVHD and GVHD-associated immune dysfunction in a haploidentical CBD2F1 (H2kxd) --> B6D2F1 (H2bxd) strain combination. METHODS GVHD was induced by injecting CBD2F1 marrow and spleen cells into lethally irradiated B6D2F1 mice. RESULTS In untreated control mice, GVHD resulted in 87% mortality by day 8 after BMT, with no survivors beyond day 17. Treatment with a single injection of IL-12 on the day of BMT led to 87% long-term survival, with no significant weight loss, diarrhea or GVHD skin changes. The majority of T cells recovering in these mice showed the CD62L+, CD44low, CD45RBhigh naive phenotype. These T cells showed specific tolerance to both host and donor histocompatibility antigens, but normal anti-third party (H2s) alloresponses in vitro. B-cell proliferative responses to lipopolysaccharide were also normal in IL-12-protected mice. Moreover, normal negative selection of thymocytes bearing T cell receptors with Vbeta that recognize endogenous superantigens was observed among CD4+CD8- thymocytes, indicating a lack of GVHD-associated thymic selection abnormalities in IL-12-protected allogeneic BMT recipients. CONCLUSIONS IL-12 provides permanent protection against an otherwise severe, rapidly lethal GVHD, with no clinical manifestations of chronic GVHD, immunosuppression or autoimmune features, in a full major histocompatibilty complex haplotype-mismatched murine BMT model.
Fractional encoding of harmonic motions in MR elastography

In MR elastography (MRE) shear waves are magnetically encoded by bipolar gradients that usually oscillate with the same frequency fv as the mechanical vibration. As a result, both the repetition time (TR) and echo time (TE) of such an MRE sequence are greater than the vibration period 1/fv. This causes long acquisition times and considerable signal dephasing in tissue with short transverse relaxation times. Here we propose a reverse concept with TR ≤ 1/fv which we call “fractional” MRE, i.e., only a fraction of one vibration cycle per TR, can be used for motion sensitization. The benefit of fractional MRE is twofold: 1) acquisition times in seconds can be achieved for a single‐phase difference wave image, and 2) materials that combine low elasticity, high viscosity, and short T 2* relaxation times show an increased phase‐to‐noise ratio (PNR). A twofold increase of the phase signal is predicted for liver‐like materials. Volunteer studies performed in liver and biceps show the benefit of fractional MRE. Furthermore, we demonstrate the feasibility of the technique for in vivo myocardial MRE by visualizing transverse wave propagation in the interventricular septum (IVS). Magn Reson Med 57:388–395, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Meeting real-time requirements for a low bitrate multimedia encoding framework

A serious bottleneck in real-time multimedia applications is the non-availability of required network bandwidth. While much research has been done on multimedia compression and network resource optimization, multimedia delivery is still a big concern especially for scarce resource networks. The virtues of network aware video coding and application of domain specific compression techniques have not yet been fully explored. In this paper we propose a dynamic Network Bandwidth Allocation Scheme which deals with intelligent transmission of the video sequence over the network. We incorporate the knowledge of the network conditions to determine how various parts of the video frames are encoded. The module is called is called SDM (Smart Decision Maker) and it builds over an intelligent classification of Video into Visual Objects (VOs). An estimate of the available network bandwidth is obtained which is then distributed optimally between the different frame constituents based on their relative importance and motion.
Effect of PMMA and Graphene Addition on the Performances of Organic Solar Cells

Poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) is a wide application in active layer of solar cell. It is a soluble conductive polymer but their mechanical properties are poor and its conductivity is unstable in environmental condition. We add polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) into active layer to overcome these disadvantages. We investigated the effect of adding PMMA and graphene into solar cell on its characteristics of polymer solar cell. The cell structure was ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT:PCBM:PMMA/Ca/Al. The 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06 weight ratio of PMMA were added into the P3HT:PCBM (1:1 ratio by weight) active layer. The device with 0.04 PMMA exhibits the highest short circuit current density (Jsc, 9.01 mA/cm2 ) and power conversion efficiency (PCE, 3.39%). The increases of Jsc and PCE are 26.5% and 49.3%, respectively compared with the device based on the pristine P3HT:PCBM active layer giving Jsc and PCE of 7.12 mA/cm2 and 2.27%. Graphene exhibits good electron conductivity, thermal conductivity, chemical stability and strength. We investigated the effect of inserting graphene between hole transfer layer (HTL) of poly (ethylene dioxythiophene) (PEDOT)-polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSS) (PEDOT:PSS) and active layer on the characteristics of polymer solar cell. The cell structure was ITO/PEDOT:PSS/Graphene/P3HT:PCBM:PMMA/Ca/Al. The concentration of graphene solution was 2.2 mg/ml and the graphene layer was coated by spin-coating at 6000 rpm and the weight ratio of PMMA in the P3HT:PCBM active layer was 0.04. The Jsc of device was increased to 9.45 mA/cm2 , an increase of 32.7%. The PCE of the device was increased to 3.63%, an increase of 59.9%.
A radio jet in the prototypical symbiotic star Z And

As part of a multi-wavelength campaign to observe the 2000–2002 outburst of the prototypical symbiotic star Z Andromedae, we observed this object six times each with the Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN) and Very Large Array (VLA). The radio flux varied significantly during the course of the optical outburst at all three observation frequencies (1.4, 5, and 15 GHz). A jet-like extension was present in the 2001 September MERLIN image and appeared to be aligned perpendicularly to the plane of the binary orbit. Assuming that the ejection took place at the beginning of the optical outburst, the 0.06 ′′ separation between the peak of the extended emission and the central core implies that the ejected material was moving with a velocity of � 400 kms −1 . This extended emission faded on a timescale of � months and was not detected at any other epoch. We consider the implications of jets being a component of a “prototypical” symbiotic system and compare properties of the observed jet of Z And with those of the jets in X-ray binary systems.
Neurohumoral changes in chronic heart failure.

BACKGROUND Humoral systems play an important role in the pathophysiology and development of chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS We conducted a search of neurohumoral activation in heart failure and its risk in the development of CHF. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Neurohumoral factors may be divided into vasoconstrictive, vasodilative and cytokines. The main vasoconstrictive systems are the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and the sympathoadrenal system (SAS). Cytokines include tumour necrosis factor (TNF) alpha and interleukins. The systems of actions are interconnected and they mutually influence their secretion and activities. The possibilities of their detection and assessment for clinical purposes depend on their changes and kinetics in the organism and on the activity of individual metabolites. Apart from their vasoactive effects, the majority of humoral actions also interfere in the process of remodelling, function of the endothelium, blood elements, cardiomyocytes, cells of the smooth muscles, and in immunity as well as inflammatory processes. The rapid development of knowledge on the humoral actions in recent years has made possible their utilisation in diagnostics, treatment and prognosis.
Investigating aspects of data visualization literacy using 20 information visualizations and 273 science museum visitors

In the information age, a person’s ability to read and make data visualizations is nearly as important as being able to read and write text. This article reports the results of a multi-phase study conducted in informal learning environments in three US science museums. The goal of the study was to determine the familiarity of youth and adult museum visitors with different visualization types. To address this, a total of 273 visitors were shown 5 out of 20 different visualizations that included two charts, five maps, eight graphs, and five network layouts. They were asked to judge the familiarity of the visualization, provide information on how to read it, and provide a name and identify typical locations where they would encounter the data display and possible data sources that might be visualized in this way. The results show that while most participants have a strong interest in science, math, and art, many have a hard time naming and interpreting visualizations. Participants in this study commonly encounter visualizations in school, in books, at work, on the Internet, and in the news. Overall, they were more familiar with basic charts, maps, and graphs, but very few are familiar with network layouts and most have no ability in reading network visualizations. When asked how they would interpret the visualizations, most participants pointed to superficial features such as color, lines, or text as important to developing understanding. Overall, we found that participants were interested in the visualizations we presented to them, but had significant limitations in identifying and understanding them. The results substantiate intuitions shared by many regarding the rather low level of data visualization literacy of general audiences. We hope they will help catalyze novel research on the development of easy-to-use yet effective visualizations with standardized names and guaranteed properties that can be readily used by those interested to understand and solve real-world problems. The results also have implications for how information visualizations are taught and used in formal and informal education, the media, or in different professions.
Partial Product Reduction for Parallel Cubing

A new technique for computing the cube of an operand of any length is proposed, implemented, analyzed, and compared to existing techniques. The new proposed method is faster than previously proposed methods that compute the cube of an operand in parallel with the disadvantage that more counters are utilized to perform partial product reduction. Cubing circuits using the proposed techniques are implemented with several operand lengths and analyzed with regard to area consumption and latency. Results are shown for several designs in AMI C5N 0.6 mum technology