Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Variable Rate Slepian-Wolf Code Construction Using Concatenated Convolutional Codes

A variable rate Slepian-Wolf (SW) code is constructed which is vital for wireless sensor network applications. A practical scheme to construct SW codes is to use the syndrome of a channel code as a compressed representation of a codeword in presence of a side information (Pradhan and Ramchandran, 2003). The proposed solution is based on an efficient and practical algorithm to compute the syndrome of rate-compatible convolutional codes (RCPC). By using this algorithm, there is no need to compute the syndrome of punctured version of the mother code for each puncturing matrix which is complex. Instead, the the syndrome of the punctured code is designed to be the punctured version of the syndrome of the mother code using the same pattern of puncturing. The algorithm is general for all convolutional codes in Zq. The strategy is also generalized for parallel and serial concatenated convolutional codes.
ARCOMEM Crawling Architecture

The World Wide Web is the largest information repository available today. However, this information is very volatile and Web archiving is essential to preserve it for the future. Existing approaches to Web archiving are based on simple definitions of the scope of Web pages to crawl and are limited to basic interactions with Web servers. The aim of the ARCOMEM project is to overcome these limitations and to provide flexible, adaptive and intelligent content acquisition, relying on social media to create topical Web archives. In this article, we focus on ARCOMEM’s crawling architecture. We introduce the overall architecture and we describe its modules, such as the online analysis module, which computes a priority for the Web pages to be crawled, and the Application-Aware Helper which takes into account the type of Web sites and applications to extract structure from crawled content. We also describe a large-scale distributed crawler that has been developed, as well as the modifications we have implemented to adapt Heritrix, an open source crawler, to the needs of the project. Our experimental results from real crawls show that ARCOMEM’s crawling architecture is effective in acquiring focused information about a topic and leveraging the information from social media.
Low-Complexity Real-Time Single-Tone Phase and Frequency Estimation

This paper presents a low-complexity real-time single-tone phase and frequency estimation technique based on zero-crossing detection and linear regression. The proposed zerocrossing phase and frequency estimator fills a gap between lowcomplexity phase locked loop estimation and high-performance maximum likelihood estimation. Similar to a phase locked loop, the zero-crossing phase and frequency estimator offers lowcomplexity sample-by-sample operation appropriate for real-time applications like distributed transmit beamforming. Numerical results demonstrate, however, that the proposed technique significantly exceeds the performance of phase locked loop estimation, closely tracking the Cramer-Rao lower bound over a wide range of signal to noise ratios.
The effect of stimulus modes and associative distance in individual creativity support systems

A laboratory experiment was conducted in order to explore the role of stimulus modes and associative distance in individual creativity support systems. Pictorial and lexical stimuli were used to elicit ideas in response to a specific task. These stimuli were either mediated or remotely associated with the problem task. The creativity, quality, an total number of ideas were analyzed. Differing stimulus modes did not result in significant findings. However, the use of both mediated and remote stimuli did lead to a greater number of ideas than the use of no stimuli.
Poverty and HIV/AIDS in South Africa: an empirical contribution

This study sets out to establish and explain the empirical link between HIV/AIDS and poverty using data collected by the 1998 South African Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS). Analysis is restricted to women of reproductive age (15 – 49 years). The results indicate an increased risk of HIV infection among the poor, due to poverty-related characteristics of low education and low knowledge of the means of avoiding HIV infection, as opposed to the non-poor. Moreover, the poor and the less educated were found to be more likely not to use condoms than the non-poor. The results do not, however, provide the reasons for these relations and as such further research is required. One possible explanation was financial dependence on their partners, as it was found that women who received money from their partners, as well as those who came from households where hunger was a common phenomenon, were more likely not to use condoms because their partners disliked condoms, than those who did not receive money from their partners. The results also hinted at the intricacy of the poverty-HIV/AIDS relationship, so that it was not only low socio-economic status that increased susceptibility to HIV infection but also high socio-economic status.
Inhibitory effect of a proline-to-alanine substitution at codon 12 of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma 2 on thiazolidinedione-induced adipogenesis.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) is a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily of transcription factors and appears to be a key regulator of adipogenesis. Members of the thiazolidinedione class of insulin-sensitizing agents act as high-affinity ligands for PPARgamma, indicating that PPARgamma is also important in systemic insulin action. To determine whether Pro(12) --> Ala (P12A) mutation in PPARgamma gene contributes to the development of obesity or insulin sensitivity, we examined the effects of the P12A mutation on the function of PPARgamma by expression of the mutant protein in COS or 3T3-L1 cells. The abilities of the P12A mutant of PPARgamma to mediate both transcriptional activation of a luciferase reporter gene construct containing the peroxisome proliferator response element and adipogenesis induced by a thiazolidinedione drug were reduced compared with those of the wild-type protein. These results suggest that the P12A substitution in PPARgamma gene may be associated with abnormalities of adipose tissue formation and insulin sensitivity.
Cultural Components of Physically Active Schools

It is well known that a large majority of school-age children and adolescents are not active enough to gain the physical and psychological benefits associated with regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Schools can play a pivotal role in reversing this trend due to the time students spend in this setting. The purpose of this article is to outline the characteristics of school cultures that inspire students and staff to make physical activity a part of their daily routine. Larger gymnasiums, manicured and modern outdoor play spaces, and new and plentiful sport equipment are important tools for promoting school-based physical activity. However, these artifacts are not as imperative as the values and the relationships among the people who use them. Physically active school cultures have school leaders who agree upon and promote common goals for school-based physical activities, educate new students and staff on the value of physical activity and encourage collegial relationships among students, teachers, parents, administrators, and community partners.
A study on DSSS transceivers using OQPSK modulation by IEEE 802.15.4 in AWGN and flat Rayleigh fading channels

IEEE 802.15. 4 defines physical layer specifications for compatible interconnections amongst devices using low-power transceivers. However, error performances of these transceivers must be discreetly studied to investigate the transceiver's energy expense on wireless communication. This paper reports a simulation-based study on the transceivers conducting direct sequence spreading spectrum (DSSS) processing and Offset Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (OQPSK) modulation specified by IEEE 802.15. 4. The study focuses on evaluating the bit error rate (BER) performances of these transceivers in Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) and Rayleigh flat-fading channels. A Matlab-based simulator is developed to simulate the signal processing components of the DSSS transceivers such that the input/output signals of each component and the transceiver's BER curve can be drawn. The derived BER curves are found greatly degrading from the corresponding theoretical BER. The degradation may stem from the peculiar transceiver design and inferior orthogonality of the standard chip sequences. To redeem this degradation without changing the transceiver structure, the standard chip sequences are replaced with w-sequences possessing better orthogonality. Signals transmitted via the transceivers exploiting w-sequences are found to significantly outperform the counterpart via the transceivers using the standard sequences in withstanding noise and fading effects.
Hybrid xerogel films as novel coatings for antifouling and fouling release

Hybrid sol-gel-derived xerogel films prepared from 45/55 (mol ratio) n-propyltrimethoxysilane (C3-TMOS)/tetramethylorthosilane (TMOS), 2/98 (mol ratio) bis[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]-ethylenediamine (enTMOS)/tetraethylorthosilane (TEOS), 50/50 (mol ratio) n-octyltriethoxysilane (C8-TEOS)/TMOS, and 50/50 (mol ratio) 3,3,3-trifluoropropyltrimethoxysilane (TFP-TMOS)/TMOS were found to inhibit settlement of zoospores of the marine fouling alga Ulva (syn. Enteromorpha) relative to settlement on acid-washed glass and give greater release of settled zoospores relative to glass upon exposure to pressure from a water jet. The more hydrophobic 50/50 C8-TEOS/TMOS xerogel films had the lowest critical surface tension by comprehensive contact angle analysis and gave significantly greater release of 8-day Ulva sporeling biomass after exposure to turbulent flow generated by a flow channel than the other xerogel surfaces or glass. The 50/50 C8-TEOS/TMOS xerogel was also a fouling release surface for juveniles of the tropical barnacle Balanus amphitrite. X-ray photon electron data indicated that the alkylsilyl residues of the C3-TMOS-, C8-TEOS-, and TFP-TMOS-containing xerogels were located on the surface of the xerogel films (in a vacuum), which contributes to the film hydrophobicity. Similarly, the amine-containing silyl residues of the enTMOS/TEOS films were located at the surface of the xerogel films, which contributes to the more hydrophilic character and increased critical surface tension of these films.
Negotiating interests or values and reaching integrative agreements: the importance of time pressure and temporary impasses

Negotiation research and theory tends to focus on interests and ignores values. This experiment compared the influence of negotiations about interests with negotiations about values under low or high time pressure. Results showed that (1) individuals got locked into early impasses more often under low than high time pressure, (2) getting locked into early impasse produced a switch from low levels of integrative behaviour early in the negotiation to high levels late in the negotiation, but only when interests rather than values were negotiated, (3) individuals reached higher joint outcomes when interests rather than values were negotiated, especially when time pressure was low rather than high, because of (4) the relatively greater switch to high levels of integrative behaviour in the case of low time pressure and conflict of interest.
Accounting for the Material Stock of Nations

National material stock (MS) accounts have been a neglected field of analysis in industrial ecology, possibly because of the difficulty in establishing such accounts. In this research, we propose a novel method to model national MS based on historical material flow data. This enables us to avoid the laborious data work involved with bottom‐up accounts for stocks and to arrive at plausible levels of stock accumulation for nations. We apply the method for the United States and Japan to establish a proof of concept for two very different cases of industrial development. Looking at a period of 75 years (1930–2005), we find that per capita MS has been much higher in the United States for the entire period, but that Japan has experienced much higher growth rates throughout, in line with Japan's late industrial development. By 2005, however, both Japan and the United States arrive at a very similar level of national MS of 310 to 375 tonnes per capita, respectively. This research provides new insight into the relationship between MS and flows in national economies and enables us to extend the debate about material efficiency from a narrow perspective of throughput to a broader perspective of stocks.
Requirements-Driven Quality Modeling and Evaluation in Web Mashups

Mashups are evolving into a leading paradigm for application development using Web-based services. Despite the existence of composition platforms being able to fundamentally match functional requirements, constraint definition in terms of describing quality requirements is very poorly considered so far. Regarding mashup components and applications as well as their runtime platforms and user contexts, existing work is lacking a unified modeling approach for heterogeneous quality requirements and their subjacent properties such as device parameters or user ratings of components. In this paper, we investigate methods of specification and evaluation of quality requirements in Web mashups. Therefore, we propose a concept for modeling mashup quality requirements and properties, considering requirements sources, targets and involved stakeholders. A characteristic set of penalty actions for non-fulfillment of requirements is discussed as a part of the evaluation infrastructure.
Language and Science

Teaching English [or any language] as a medium for science and technologymust involve us in the teaching of how scientists and technologistsuse the system of language to communicate, and not just what linguistic elements are most commonly used (1979:12–23). In this comment, he implies the definition of the problem underlying any discussion of “language and science. ” Such a discussion must deal with the language(s) used to communicate science, with the varieties scientists use to communicate with each other, and with the ways in which those varieties (as differentiated from the “general variety” of the language) may be taught to someone else. These different issues assume quite different underlying questions. This brief review will try to address some of the complex questions involved.
Counteracting the Effects of Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Agents during Neurosurgical Emergencies

OBJECTIVE:Emergent neurosurgery may be precipitated or complicated by previous or concomitant administration of anticoagulants, thrombolytic medications, or antiplatelet agents. Recommendations are presented to reverse or counteract the effects of those drugs before or during neurosurgical interventions. METHODS:Directed literature review. RESULTS:Evidence-based data specific to neurosurgery are limited. CONCLUSION:Other clinical experience based on mechanisms of drug action within the coagulation process confirm that single or combined administration of platelet transfusions, fresh frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate, vitamin K, protamine, desmopressin, and recombinant activated factor VII can treat coagulopathies caused by warfarin, heparin, aspirin, adenosine diphosphate-receptor antagonist, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor blocking agents, and thrombolysis. Specific interventions and recommended dosages are reviewed.
Sparse least mean fourth algorithm for adaptive channel estimation in low signal‐to‐noise ratio region

Both least mean square (LMS) and least mean fourth (LMF) are popular adaptive algorithms with application to adaptive channel estimation. Because the wireless channel vector is often sparse, sparse LMS‐based approaches have been proposed with different sparse penalties, for example, zero‐attracting LMS and Lp‐norm LMS. However, these proposed methods lead to suboptimal solutions in low signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) region, and the suboptimal solutions are caused by LMS‐based algorithms that are sensitive to the scaling of input signal and strong noise. Comparatively, LMF can achieve better solution in low SNR region. However, LMF cannot exploit the sparse information because the algorithm depends only on its adaptive updating error but neglects the inherent sparse channel structure. In this paper, we propose several sparse LMF algorithms with different sparse penalties to achieve better solution in low SNR region and take the advantage of channel sparsity at the same time. The contribution of this paper is briefly summarized as follows: (1) construct the cost functions of the LMF algorithm with different sparse penalties; (2) derive their lower bounds; and (3) provide experiment results to show the performance advantage of the propose method in low SNR region. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of smokeless tobacco and risk of myocardial infarction and stroke: systematic review with meta-analysis

Objective To assess whether people who use smokeless tobacco products are at increased risk of myocardial infarction and stroke. Design Meta-analysis of observational studies from Sweden and the United States. Data sources Electronic databases and reference lists. Data extraction Quantitative estimates of the association between use of smokeless tobacco products and risk of myocardial infarction and stroke among never smokers. Review methods Both authors independently abstracted risk estimates and study characteristics. Summary relative risks were estimated on the basis of random effects models. Results 11 studies, mainly in men, were included. Eight risk estimates were available for fatal myocardial infarction: the relative risk for ever use of smokeless tobacco products was 1.13 (95% confidence 1.06 to 1.21) and the excess risk was restricted to current users. The relative risk of fatal stroke, on the basis of five risk estimates, was 1.40 (1.28 to 1.54). The studies from both the United States and Sweden showed an increased risk of death from myocardial infarction and stroke. The inclusion of non-fatal myocardial infarction and non-fatal stroke lowered the summary risk estimates. Data on dose-response were limited but did not suggest a strong relation between risk of dying from either disease and frequency or duration of use of smokeless tobacco products. Conclusion An association was detected between use of smokeless tobacco products and risk of fatal myocardial infarction and stroke, which does not seem to be explained by chance.
Dramatic rebounds of MS during pregnancy following fingolimod withdrawal

In MS, discontinuation of some therapies may result in a transitory, possibly overwhelming, increase in disease activity.1–4 We report 2 cases of severe clinical rebound after fingolimod suspension occurring in 2 patients following pregnancy. Clinical rebound was defined as the occurrence of new severe neurologic symptoms together with a significant increase of new or enlarging T2-weighted or gadolinium-enhancing T1-weighted lesions exceeding baseline activity, on treatment discontinuation.4 The first patient was diagnosed with MS in 2005. In the subsequent 3 years, she experienced several relapses and progressive increase of MRI lesion load despite the sequential introduction of weekly interferon-β1a, thrice weekly interferon-β1a and then glatiramer acetate. Natalizumab (NTZ) was then started (EDSS 3.0, JCV antibodies negative status), resulting in no evidence of disease activity for the following 40 months. On seroconversion, NTZ was interrupted in August 2011 beacause of the potential risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) and fingolimod was started. In March 2013, fingolimod was suspended as disease was stable (figure, A) and due to desire of pregnancy and potential risks of fetal exposure to fingolimod.5 Lymphocyte count was 0.34 × 109/L. In April 2013, she resulted pregnant. In July (eleventh week of pregnancy), she abruptly developed quadriplegia and signs of severe cognitive impairment (EDSS: 9.0). Lymphocyte count was 1.54 × 109/L. One gram of methylprednisolone was administered IV for 5 days with partial recovery (EDSS 7.0). One month later, she developed locked-in syndrome (EDSS 9.5). Brain MRI showed a dramatic increase of white-matter abnormalities with many gadolinium-enhancing lesions (figure, B). PML was excluded by CSF analysis. IV methylprednisolone followed by IV immunoglobulins were administered with no success. Plasma exchange was not considered because of the possible adverse effects on maternal hemodynamics and limited experience on pregnant patients with MS. On therapeutic abortion, she received IV cyclophosphamide (2 g/m2), improving clinically (EDSS 7.0) and radiologically (figure, C). One month later, her clinical condition deteriorated (EDSS 8.0) with worsening of brain MRI (figure, D). She was treated again with IV cyclophosphamide (1 g/m2), but a few days later, she developed septic shock and died.
La dimension culturelle du développement

Summary The prevailing practice to date has been to separate culture from development or, at best, to combine them, referring simply to the “cultural dimension of development”. This suggests that development is primarly a process of economics and that culture is merely an adjunct to it. This article attempts to show that the notion of “cultural dimension of development” further distorts the full meaning of the concepts of “culture” and “development” and recommends that it be replaced by the notion of “cultural development model”. The study therefore focusses in the alledged universal applicability of the Western development model, attempts to challenge it and, finally, considers specific cultural development models.
Feature Selection for Large Scale Data by Combining Class Association Rule Mining and Information Gain : a Hybrid Approach

— Feature selection is a fundamental problem in data mining to select relevant features and cast away irrelevant and redundant features from an original feature set based on some evaluation criterion. In this paper, we propose a filter method to find associate attributes with respect to class and rank using information gain. Highly associated features are searched using class association rule mining. Information gain is used for removing redundancy and for further pruning.The efficiency and effectiveness of our method is demonstrated through extensive comparisons with other methods using real-world data of high dimensionality.
A multi Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System for short term load forecasting by using previous day features

In this paper, the use of Adaptive Neural-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) to study the design of Short-Term Load Forecasting (STLF) systems for the east of Iran was explored. This paper forecasts consumed load by using multi ANFIS. Entries of the presented model are into the multi ANFIS including the date of the day, temperature maximum and minimum, climate condition and the previous days consumed load and its exit is forecasting of power load consumption of every season. Previous days contain 2,7,14 day before, and 2, 3, 4 day before. The results show that temperature and the features of 2, 7 and 14 day ago have an important role in load forecast.
FUNCTIONS FOR REAL WORLD PROBLEMS : A CASE STUDY

This paper contains a general discussion on the prediction and optimization issues present in dynamic environments, and explains the concept of Adaptive Business Intelligence. The paper also presents a real world case study on a car distribution system. The problem is set in a dynamic environment and requires (1) prediction of prices for cars sold at auction sites, (2) optimization of car distribution, and (3) frequent adaptation of the prediction model.