Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Fully Distributed Game Theoretic Approach to Guarantee Self-Coexistence among WRANs

Although the proliferation of wireless applications operating in unlicensed spectrum bands has resulted in overcrowding, recent analysis has shown that license bands are still underutilized. Cognitive Radio is seen as the key enabling technology to address the spectrum shortage problem, opportunistically using the spectrum allocated for TV bands. In this paper, we present a novel game theoretic framework that uses the potentialities of the new IEEE 802.22 Standard to guarantee self-coexistence among Wireless Regional Area Networks. We address this problem as a channel assignment problem where each WRAN acquires a chunk of spectrum free of interference in a dynamic and distributed way. Using a novel technique to compute backoff windows, we show that the channel assignment problem can be formulated as a multi-player non-cooperative repeated potential game that converges to a Nash Equilibrium point. We consider each WRAN as a player of our game and we use two different types of utility functions to maximize the spatial reuse and minimize the interference. An extensive simulation study shows that having the interference minimization as objective is not necessarily the best solution with selfish players.
Group-delay-deviation based spectral analysis of speech

In this paper, we investigate a new method for extracting useful information from the group delay spectrum of speech. The group delay spectrum is often poorly behaved and noisy. In the literature, various methods have been proposed to address this problem. However, to make the group delay a more tractable function, these methods have typically relied upon some modification of the underlying speech signal. The method proposed in this paper does not require such modifications. To accomplish this, we investigate a new function derived from the group delay spectrum, namely the group delay deviation. We use it for both narrowband analysis and wideband analysis of speech and show that this function exhibits meaningful formant and pitch information.
Transcriptome Profiling of Beach Morning Glory (Ipomoea imperati) under Salinity and Its Comparative Analysis with Sweetpotato

The response and adaption to salt remains poorly understood for beach morning glory [Ipomoea imperati (Vahl) Griseb], one of a few relatives of sweetpotato, known to thrive under salty and extreme drought conditions. In order to understand the genetic mechanisms underlying salt tolerance of a Convolvulaceae member, a genome-wide transcriptome study was carried out in beach morning glory by 454 pyrosequencing. A total of 286,584 filtered reads from both salt stressed and unstressed (control) root and shoot tissues were assembled into 95,790 unigenes with an average length of 667 base pairs (bp) and N50 of 706 bp. Putative differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified as transcripts overrepresented under salt stressed tissues compared to the control, and were placed into metabolic pathways. Most of these DEGs were involved in stress response, membrane transport, signal transduction, transcription activity and other cellular and molecular processes. We further analyzed the gene expression of 14 candidate genes of interest for salt tolerance through quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and confirmed their differential expression under salt stress in both beach morning glory and sweetpotato. The results comparing transcripts of I. imperati against the transcriptome of other Ipomoea species, including sweetpotato are also presented in this study. In addition, 6,233 SSR markers were identified, and an in silico analysis predicted that 434 primer pairs out of 4,897 target an identifiable homologous sequence in other Ipomoea transcriptomes, including sweetpotato. The data generated in this study will help in understanding the basics of salt tolerance of beach morning glory and the SSR resources generated will be useful for comparative genomics studies and further enhance the path to the marker-assisted breeding of sweetpotato for salt tolerance.
Construction of a Synchronized Multi-Display Augmented Reality Simulation Module for Learning Tidal Effects

In recent years, Augmented Reality (AR) has been widely employed in educational settings. Most instructional ARs developed so far only dubbed a single interactive AR image onto a single object. However, more complicated concept learning may require liking two or more correlated phenomenon. The correlation between the revolution of moon and tidal effects on earth is one of such correlated concepts. In this study, a multi-image instructional AR toolkit was developed that is capable of synchronously illustrating the relation of moon revolution and tidal effects. By rotating the earth-moon physical model, students will be able to view on computer screen the phases of the moon and coordinated tidal effects on earth synchronously. Student's satisfactions on AR operations, screen interfaces, and desire to use the AR toolkit were fare. The results of this study would inspire the development of more innovative AR toolkits for instructional applications.
Highly resilient peer-to-peer botnets are here: An analysis of Gameover Zeus

Zeus is a family of credential-stealing trojans which originally appeared in 2007. The first two variants of Zeus are based on centralized command servers. These command servers are now routinely tracked and blocked by the security community. In an apparent effort to withstand these routine countermeasures, the second version of Zeus was forked into a peer-to-peer variant in September 2011. Compared to earlier versions of Zeus, this peer-to-peer variant is fundamentally more difficult to disable. Through a detailed analysis of this new Zeus variant, we demonstrate the high resilience of state of the art peer-to-peer botnets in general, and of peer-to-peer Zeus in particular.
High-Resolution Spectroscopy of the X-Ray-photoionized Wind in Cygnus X-3 with the Chandra High-Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer

We present a preliminary analysis of the 1-10 keV spectrum of the massive X-ray binary Cygnus X-3, obtained with the high-energy transmission grating spectrometer on the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. The source reveals a richly detailed discrete emission spectrum, with clear signatures of photoionization-driven excitation. Among the spectroscopic novelties in the data are the first astrophysical detections of a number of He-like "triplets" (Si, S, Ar) with emission-line ratios characteristic of photoionization equilibrium, fully resolved narrow radiative recombination continua of Mg, Si, and S, the presence of the H-like Fe Balmer series, and a clear detection of an ~800 km s-1 large-scale velocity field as well as an ~1500 km s-1 FWHM Doppler broadening in the source. We briefly touch on the implications of these findings for the structure of the Wolf-Rayet wind.
An Implementation Approach to Achieve Metamodel Independence in Domain Specific Model Manipulation Languages

Model Driven Engineering proposes a software development process in which the key notions are models that allow engineers to precisely capture relevant aspects of a system from a given perspective and at an appropriate level of abstraction. Then, models are manipulated with the goal of enabling the automated development of a system from its corresponding models. Unlike general-purpose modeling languages, domain-specific modeling languages can simplify the development of complex software systems by providing domain-specific abstractions for modeling the system and its transformations in a precise but simple and concise way. In this work we elaborate on the notion of domain specific model manipulation language, that is to say a model manipulation language tailored to a specific domain. In contrast to wellknown model manipulation languages, such as EOL or ATL, the language syntax and semantics are directly related to a specific domain and/or kind of manipulation, making manipulation easier to write and understand. We present an implementation approach achieving complete platform-independence. We illustrate the proposal through a practical example.
Train Routing Algorithms: Concepts, Design Choises, and Practical Considerations

Routing cars of trains for a given schedule is a problem that has been studied for a long time. The minimum number of cars to run a schedule can be found eÆciently by means of ow algorithms. Realistic objectives are more complex, with many cost components such as shunting or coupling/decoupling of trains, and also with a variety of constraints such as requirements for regular maintenance. These versions of the problem tend to be NP-hard, and thus the standard powerful tools (e.g. branch-and-bound, branch-and-cut, Lagrangian relaxation, gradient descent) have been used. These methods may guarantee good solutions, but not quick runtimes. In practice, two major railway companies, German Railway and Swiss Federal Railway, do not use either approach. Instead, their schedulers create solutions manually, modifying solutions from the previous year. In this paper, we advocate an intermediate, semiautomatic approach. In reality, not all constraints or objectives can be easily formulated mathematically. To allow for interactive human modi cation of solutions, the system must work rapidly, allowing a user to save desired subsolutions, and modify (or just start over on) the rest. After careful examination to nd which constraints and costs we can easily integrate into a ow model approach, we heuristically modify network ow based solutions to account for remaining constraints. We present experimental results from this approach on real data from the German Railway and Swiss Federal Railway. Work partially supported by the Swiss Federal OÆce for Education and Science under the Human Potential Programme of the European Union under contact no. HPRN-CT-1999-00104 (AMORE) yInstitute of Theoretical Computer Science, ETH Zentrum, Z urich, Switzerland flastnameg@inf.ethz. ch zLos Alamos National Laboratory, eidenben@lanl.gov LA-UR:02-7640 xDepartment of Computer Science, San Jose State University, taylor@cs.sjsu. edu Based on work performed while at ETH Zurich
Biotechnology and Agricultural Skilling in India

Paper presented at the Conference on Biodiversity, Biotechnology and the Protection of Traditional Knowledge, Washington Univ. School of Law. Submitted to Prof. Charles McManis of the Washington Univ. Law School with the an agreement that I will have an opportunity to update the paper before it is published. This is vital because the paper deals with a rapidly changing situation in India, and some of the discussion herein will be outdated by the time the conference volume is published. Please do not quote or reproduce in present form without permission of the author.
Bayesian MAP detection of extragalactic point sources in microwave astronomical images

In this paper we review a maximum a posteriori (MAP) approach detection method in a Bayesian scheme which incorporates prior information about the source flux distribution, the locations and the number of sources of extragalactic point sources in images of the Cosmic Microwave Background. This new technique allows us to obtain fast solutions and to fix the number of detected sources in a non-arbitrary way. The performance of the method is superior to that of the standard frequentist approach based on the matched filter.
A minicomputerized automatic layout system for two-layer printed wiring boards

The requirement for high density packaging is dominant in the design of electronic systems. In the assembly of such systems multi-layer printed wiring boards are often used to provide the necessary connections among functional modules, and as the wiring density for a board ascends, an automatic scheme to realize 100 percent wiring would be more essential to reduce cost and time incurred in laying out wire pattern. Thus, methods to improve the layout of printed wiring boards are still continually under investigation. The present paper proposes an automatic layout system for two-layer printed wiring boards, which operates on a PDP 11/40 computer with 24K 16-bit words of core memory and with 1.2M words of disk storage, coupled with a TEKTRONIX 4014 display terminal in conjunction with a 4953 graphics tablet. This system has been at work, and more than 300 wiring boards of manufacturing use have been already processed automatically by this system, almost all with 100 percent routing realized. A part of such implemented results are also shown.
Feedback control of switched nonlinear systems using multiple Lyapunov functions

This work proposes a hybrid nonlinear control methodology for a broad class of switched nonlinear systems with input constraints. These systems combine both continuous dynamics and discrete events that govern the changes in the continuous dynamics. The key feature of the proposed methodology is the integrated synthesis, via multiple Lyapunov functions, of "lower-level" bounded nonlinear controllers and "upper-level" switching laws that orchestrate the transitions between the constituent dynamical modes of the switched system and their respective controllers. The bounded controllers enforce stability within the individual dynamical modes while the switching scheme ensures stability of the overall system despite the combined continuous/discrete dynamics and the input constraints. The proposed control methodology is successfully applied to an exothermic chemical reactor with continuous dynamics, discrete events and input constraints.
Using Earcons and icons in categorisation tasks to improve multimedia interfaces

In this study, the modality appropriateness hypothesis that originated from experiments in perception is tested for human computer interaction situations. In multimodal information processing users need to integrate the data coming from various sources into one message. In a visual and auditory categorisation task with accessory stimuli in the other modality, containing a mood, it was shown that in tasks where choices need to be made based on the meaning of the stimuli, the visual modality seems more appropriate. From the results can be concluded that users do not always benefit from having information in more than one modality.
Real Algebraic Surfaces

These are the notes for my lectures at the Trento summer school held September 1997. The aim of the lectures is to provide an introduction to real algebraic surfaces using the minimal model program. This leads to a fairly complete understanding of real rational surfaces and to a complete topological classification of real Del Pezzo surfaces. Almost all the results are contained in the works of Comessatti and Silhol.
Wood smoke exposure induces a pulmonary and systemic inflammatory response in firefighters

Epidemiological studies report an association between exposure to biomass smoke and cardiopulmonary morbidity. The mechanisms for this association are unclear. The aim of the present study was to characterise the acute pulmonary and systemic inflammatory effects of exposure to forest fire smoke. Seasonal forest firefighters (n = 52) were recruited before and/or after a day of fire-fighting. Exposure was assessed by questionnaires and measurement of carbon monoxide levels (used to estimate respirable particulate matter exposure). The pulmonary response was assessed by questionnaires, spirometry and sputum induction. Peripheral blood cell counts and inflammatory cytokines were measured to define the systemic response. Estimated respirable particulate matter exposure was high (peak levels >2 mg·m−3) during fire-fighting activities. Respiratory symptoms were reported by 65% of the firefighters. The percentage sputum granulocytes increased significantly from 6.5 to 10.9% following fire-fighting shifts, with concurrent increases in circulating white blood cells (5.55×109 to 7.06×109 cells·L−1) and band cells (0.11×109 to 0.16×109 cells·L−1). Serum interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 levels significantly increased following fire-fighting. There were no changes in band cells, IL-6, and IL-8 following strenuous physical exertion without fire-fighting. There was a significant association between changes in sputum macrophages containing phagocytosed particles and circulating band cells. In conclusion, acute exposure to air pollution from forest fire smoke elicits inflammation within the lungs, as well as a systemic inflammatory response.
Variational Bayes Solution of Linear Neural Networks and Its Generalization Performance

It is well known that in unidentifiable models, the Bayes estimation provides much better generalization performance than the maximum likelihood (ML) estimation. However, its accurate approximation by Markov chain Monte Carlo methods requires huge computational costs. As an alternative, a tractable approximation method, called the variational Bayes (VB) approach, has recently been proposed and has been attracting attention. Its advantage over the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm, often used for realizing the ML estimation, has been experimentally shown in many applications; nevertheless, it has not yet been theoretically shown. In this letter, through analysis of the simplest unidentifiable models, we theoretically show some properties of the VB approach. We first prove that in three-layer linear neural networks, the VB approach is asymptotically equivalent to a positive-part James-Stein type shrinkage estimation. Then we theoretically clarify its free energy, generalization error, and training error. Comparing them with those of the ML estimation and the Bayes estimation, we discuss the advantage of the VB approach. We also show that unlike in the Bayes estimation, the free energy and the generalization error are less simply related with each other and that in typical cases, the VB free energy well approximates the Bayes one, while the VB generalization error significantly differs from the Bayes one.
Identifying Key-Players in Online Activist Groups on the Facebook Social Network

Online social media applications have become an integral part of our everyday life. Not only are they being utilised by individuals and legitimate businesses, but also recently several organised groups, such as activists, hactivists, and cyber-criminals have adopted them to communicate and' spread their ideas. This represents a new source for intelligence gathering for law enforcement for instance, as it allows them an inside look at the behaviour of these previously closed, secretive groups. One possible opportunity with this online data source is to utilise the public exchange of social-media messages to identify key users in such groups. This is particularly important for law enforcement that wants to monitor or interrogate influential people in suspicious groups. In this paper, we utilise Social Network Analysis (SNA) techniques to understand the dynamics of the interaction between users in a Facebook-based activist group. Additionally, we aim to identify the most influential users in the group and infer their relationship strength. We incorporate sentiment analysis to identify users with clear positive and negative influences on the group, this could aid in facilitating a better understanding of the group. We also perform a temporal analysis to correlate online activities with relevant real-life events. Our results show that applying such data analysis techniques on users online behaviour is a powerful tool to predict levels of influence and relationship strength between group members. Finally, we validated our results against the ground truth and found that our approach is very promising at achieving its aims.
An easy and efficient inducible CRISPR/Cas9 platform with improved specificity for multiple gene targeting

The CRISPR/Cas9 system is a powerful genome editing tool and has been widely used for biomedical research. However, many challenges, such as off-target effects and lack of easy solutions for multiplex targeting, are still limiting its applications. To overcome these challenges, we first developed a highly efficient doxycycline-inducible Cas9-EGFP vector. This vector allowed us to track the cells for uniform temporal control and efficient gene disruption, even in a polyclonal setting. Furthermore, the inducible CRISPR/Cas9 system dramatically decreased off-target effects with a pulse exposure of the genome to the Cas9/sgRNA complex. To target multiple genes simultaneously, we established simple one-step cloning approaches for expression of multiple sgRNAs with improved vectors. By combining our inducible and multiplex genome editing approaches, we were able to simultaneously delete Lysine Demethylase (KDM) 5A, 5B and 5C efficiently in vitro and in vivo. This user friendly and highly efficient toolbox provides a solution for easy genome editing with tight temporal control, minimal off-target effects and multiplex targeting.
Distinct Subsets of Dendritic Cells Regulate the Pattern of Acute Xenograft Rejection and Susceptibility to Cyclosporine Therapy1

We determined whether distinct subclasses of dendritic cells (DC) could polarize cytokine production and regulate the pattern of xenograft rejection. C57BL/6 recipients, transplanted with Lewis rat hearts, exhibited a predominantly CD11c+CD8α+ splenic DC population and an intragraft cytokine profile characteristic of a Th1-dominant response. In contrast, BALB/c recipients of Lewis rat heart xenografts displayed a predominantly CD11c+CD8α− splenic DC population and IL-4 intragraft expression characteristic of a Th2 response. In addition, the CD11c+IL-12+ splenic DC population in C57BL/6 recipients was significantly higher than that in BALB/c recipients. Adoptive transfer of syngeneic CD8α− bone marrow-derived DC shifted a Th1-dominant, slow cell-mediated rejection to a Th2-dominant, aggressive acute vascular rejection (AVR) in C57BL/6 mice. This was associated with a cytokine shift from Th1 to Th2 in these mice. In contrast, transfer of CD8α+ bone marrow-derived DC shifted AVR to cell-mediated rejection in BALB/c mice and significantly prolonged graft survival time from 6.0 ± 0.6 days to 14.2 ± 0.8 days. CD8α+ DC transfer rendered BALB/c mice susceptible to cyclosporine therapy, thereby facilitating long-term graft survival. Furthermore, CD8α+ DC transfer in IL-12-deficient mice reconstituted IL-12 expression, induced Th1 response, and attenuated AVR. Our data suggest that the pattern of acute xenogeneic rejection can be regulated by distinct DC subsets.
Software Architecture and Methodology as a Tool for Efficient Software Engineering Process: A Critical Appraisal

The foundation for any software system is its architecture. Software architecture is a view of the system that includes the system’s major components, the behaviour of those components as visible to the rest of the system, and the ways in which the components interact and coordinate to achieve the overall system’s goal. Every efficient software system arises as a result of sound architectural basement. This requires the use of good architecture engineering practices and methods. This paper recognizes software architecture practice as a discipline pervading all phases of software development and also presents an enhanced model for software engineering process which provides an avenue for speedy, efficient and timely delivery of software products to their intended users. The integration of software architecture into the phases of software development process in a generic software life cycle is also contained in this research report. This is to enable software engineers and system analysts to use effective software architecture practices and to employ appropriate methodology during the software engineering process.