Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficient Doubly-Iterative Frequency Domain Turbo-Equalization For Single-Carrier Transmission over MIMO ISI Channel

In this paper, frequency-domain implementation of a block turbo-equalizer where ISI suppression and CAI resolution are performed separately is presented. This functional split allows deriving efficient low complexity structures based on a modified doubly iterative architecture which ensure better tradeoff between performance and complexity. We focus on a modified doubly-iterative and hybrid structure where further complexity reduction is obtained by relaxing the criterion retained for ISI suppression (max-SNR instead of MMSE) from a given iteration. Simulation results show the efficiency of such modified architectures in the case of a realistic spatially correlated MIMO channel
Comparative Structural and Molecular Characterization of Ribitol-5-Phosphate-Containing Streptococcus oralis Coaggregation Receptor Polysaccharides

ABSTRACT The antigenically related coaggregation receptor polysaccharides (RPS) of Streptococcus oralis strains C104 and SK144 mediate recognition of these bacteria by other members of the dental plaque biofilm community. In the present study, the structure of strain SK144 RPS was established by high resolution NMR spectroscopy as [6Galfβ1-6GalNAcβ1-3Galα1-2ribitol-5-PO4−-6Galfβ1-3Galβ1]n, thereby indicating that this polysaccharide and the previously characterized RPS of strain C104 are identical, except for the linkage between Gal and ribitol-5-phosphate, which is α1-2 in strain SK144 versus α1-1 in strain C104. Studies to define the molecular basis of RPS structure revealed comparable genes for six putative transferases and a polymerase in the rps loci of these streptococci. Cell surface RPS production was abolished by disrupting the gene for the first transferase of strain C104 with a nonpolar erm cassette. It was restored in the resulting mutant by plasmid-based expression of either wcjG, the corresponding gene of S. pneumoniae for serotype 10A capsular polysaccharide (CPS) biosynthesis or wbaP for the transferase of Salmonella enterica that initiates O-polysaccharide biosynthesis. Thus, WcjG, like WbaP, appears to initiate polysaccharide biosynthesis by transferring galactose-1-phosphate to a lipid carrier. In further studies, the structure of strain C104 RPS was converted to that of strain SK144 by replacing the gene (wefM) for the fourth transferase in the rps locus of strain C104 with the corresponding gene (wcrC) of strain SK144 or Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 10A. These findings identify genetic markers for the different ribitol-5-phosphate-containing types of RPS present in S. oralis and establish a close relationship between these polysaccharides and serogroup 10 CPSs of S. pneumoniae.
Plugin in the Middle - Minimising Security Risks in Mobile Middleware Implementations

Mobile computing platforms, like smartphones and tablet computers, are becoming a commodity nowadays. The diversity and fast changing nature of these systems often makes it hard for developers to adapt their applications to the user's context. To simplify development a number of approaches have been suggested, which offer a context-middleware solution such that common functionality can be pooled into plugins and provided to applications. These extensions are then automatically installed if needed, thus enabling easier and faster development of complex applications. Furthermore, if the device changes, it often suffices to exchange the plugins for the applications to function correctly. However, mobile platforms like Android never expected integration in the sense that one application would dynamically host pieces of code from different vendors and allow access to other applications, since doing so basically circumvents many built-in security measures of the operating system. In this paper we analyze Ambient Dynamix, an advanced context-middleware solution, in detail. Hereby, we propose and evaluate security mechanisms to increase the security of Ambient Dynamix. We outline a system to verify the permissions an application requests against the actual Ambient Dynamix plugins it uses. In the following, we evaluate the use of static code analysis to ensure requested and used permissions by a novel method for lightweight on-device analysis. Finally, we propose a secure infrastructure to host, download and install third-party plugins. Our proposed security extensions significantly improve the user's security regarding third-party applications and considerably advance the area of secure mobile middleware.
On the distribution of the DCT coefficients

The paper presents a statistical study in order to improve the image compression rate in discrete cosine transform (DCT) based methods and especially for compression methods which are defined in JPEG norm. It is realised extensively, using a battery of parametric and non-parametric fit-tests and laws such as those of Cauchy, Laplace, Gauss, and a mixture distribution of Laplace and Gaussian. Considering the absence of results for these laws in the literature, the authors constructed adapted statistical tools for DCT coefficients analysis. Then, they show that these coefficients can be modelized by a Gaussian finite mixture distribution. They also comment on the obtained results for medical images applications and explain how the compression rate can be improve with them. <<ETX>>
Conception d'un système domotique pour l'assistance aux personnes dépendantes

Les personnes en situation de handicap eprouvent parfois de reelles difficultes, voire une incapacite physique totale, a effectuer les activites de la vie quotidienne de maniere autonome. De nombreuses initiatives ont introduit la domotique et les habitats intelligents comme une solution possible pour compenser ce handicap. Cependant, tres peu de ces realisations se sont interessees a la conception de systemes intelligents pour permettre aux personnes non-expertes de ces technologies de modeliser un environnement domotique et de l'adapter aux personnes dependantes. Cet article propose un flot de conception comprenant une approche composant pour modeliser l'architecture du systeme et une offre de services repondant aussi bien aux besoins des concepteurs que des utilisateurs. Base sur l'Ingenierie Dirigee par les Modeles, il permet d'automatiser la generation du code de controle-commande domotique.
Successful Treatment of a Young Patient with Locally Advanced Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma of the Uterine Cervix Undergoing Chemoradiation Followed by Radical Surgery

Clear cell adenocarcinoma (CCAC) of the uterine cervix is a rare variant of cervical adenocarcinoma accounting for approximately 4-9% of this disease. Given the rarity of this pathological entity, the optimal treatment management is far from being defined. Earlier evidence suggested that the prognosis of patients bearing cervical CCAC is worse than with other histotypes, thus making the investigation of multimodal treatment strategies clinically worthwhile. Herein, we report the first case of locally advanced, large size cervical CCAC in a young woman who was triaged to concomitant chemoradiotherapy followed by radical surgery and experienced a pathologically assessed optimal response to this multimodal approach.
Reliability assessment of electronic assemblies under multiple interacting loading conditions

Aalto University, P.O. Box 11000, FI-00076 Aalto www.aalto. fi Author Juha Karppinen Name of the doctoral dissertation Reliability assessment of electronic assemblies under multiple interacting loading conditions Publisher School of Electrical Engineering Unit Department of Electronics Series Aalto University publication series DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS 19/2013 Field of research Electronics integration and reliability Manuscript submitted 17 September 2012 Date of the defence 14 February 2013 Permission to publish granted (date) 14 December 2012 Language English Monograph Article dissertation (summary + original articles) Abstract This dissertation presents the results of multiple experimental and computational reliability assessment methods employed on electronic assemblies. It is demonstrated that the typical standardized test procedures often fail to capture the complex loading conditions of service environment and can lead to artificial results due to excessive damage acceleration. An alternative reliability assessment approach based on the use of combined loading tests derived from product service loading characterization is proposed as a solution to the problem. In this proposed approach special attention is paid to establishing a stronger correlation between the material-scientific reliability analyses and lifetime prediction methods.This dissertation presents the results of multiple experimental and computational reliability assessment methods employed on electronic assemblies. It is demonstrated that the typical standardized test procedures often fail to capture the complex loading conditions of service environment and can lead to artificial results due to excessive damage acceleration. An alternative reliability assessment approach based on the use of combined loading tests derived from product service loading characterization is proposed as a solution to the problem. In this proposed approach special attention is paid to establishing a stronger correlation between the material-scientific reliability analyses and lifetime prediction methods. Several methods on how to predict and characterize the reliability of component assemblies under different use cases and field environments are presented. Particular emphasis is placed on the reliability of board-level solder interconnections due to their complex and often unsatisfactory reliability behavior. It is shown that multiple microstructural mechanisms, such as dispersion strengthening, grain growth, strain rate hardening, fatigue and recrystallization, contribute together to the reliability performance of interconnections. The presented relationships between these mechanisms and the affecting loading conditions enable more accurate and comprehensive assessment of electronic product reliability.
The perception and production of English speech sounds by Cantonese ESL learners in Hong Kong

Abstract This article discusses the perception and production of English speech sounds by Cantonese ESL learners in Hong Kong and examines the validity of the claims of the Speech Learning Model for explaining second language speech production by Hong Kong Cantonese ESL learners. Forty university English majors participated in the study, which included two L2 speech perception tasks, two L1 L2 speech perception tasks, and three L2 speech production tasks. It is found that although the perceived similarity between the L1 and the L2 is inversely related to L2 speech perception, such an inverse relationship between perceived L1 L2 similarity and L2 speech production is not so straightforward and is often mediated by other widespread phonological phenomena such as final obstruent devoicing and final lateral vocalization. Speech perception and speech production, thus, do not bear a strict one-to-one relation, and correct discernment of a target sound does not necessarily lead to correct production. The predictions of the SLM regarding speech production do not seem to be entirely borne out. Further research is needed to investigate the perceptual and production abilities of ESL learners of other linguistic backgrounds.
Silicon-based packaging platform for light-emitting diode

A novel concept of silicon-based packaging platform with microreflector and embedded electrode-guided interconnections was development for a package component of a light-emitting diode (LED). TracePro and ANSYS software were respectively used to understand the optical and thermal characteristics of the package component. Simulation results show the microreflector at several certain specific dimensions can be used to achieve high brightness, and the carrier made of silicon wafer compared with that of aluminum stage can minimize the thermal stresses caused by mismatch of thermal expansion coefficient. The novel packaging platform was fabricated by silicon bulk micromachining and solder reflow techniques. Various solutions in fabricating embedded solder interconnections were explored to accomplish the electrode-guided interconnections. Experimental results show the method using solder paste reflow can achieve better yield and performance. The electrical resistances of such solder interconnections with the height of 100 mum were measured to be less than 5 Omega. As such, this technique can be applied broadly in packaging for conventional optoelectronic semiconductor devices such as laser diodes and image sensors
Becoming more European after ERASMUS? The Impact of the ERASMUS Programme on Political and Cultural Identity

The European Commission and scholars emphasize that the ERASMUS programme is a successful example of European integration and a symbol of construction of European identity. But because of the lack of empirical findings, this paper has been devoted to research of the impact of the ERASMUS programme on fostering European identity. The quantitative survey of 330 former, potential and non-ERASMUS students provides partly justification that the ERASMUS Programme has impact on promoting European identity. This study was implemented for the first time in [name deleted to maintain the integrity of the review process], but the results are important not only in [name deleted to maintain the integrity of the review process], but also at the EU level. EU officials should take into consideration the fact that potential ERASMUS students already have greater European self-identification than non-mobile students, therefore the European identity should be promoted in those students who do not take participation in.
On the throughput capacity of wireless multi-hop networks with ALOHA, node coloring and CSMA

We quantify the throughput capacity of wireless multi-hop networks with several medium access schemes. We analyze pure ALOHA scheme where simultaneous transmitters are dispatched according to a uniform Poisson distribution and exclusion schemes where simultaneous transmitters are dispatched according to an exclusion rule such as node coloring and carrier sense based schemes. We consider both no-fading and standard Rayleigh fading channel models. Our results show that, under no-fading, slotted ALOHA can achieve at least one-third (or half under Rayleigh fading) of the throughput capacity of node coloring scheme whereas carrier sense based scheme can achieve almost the same throughput capacity as node coloring.
SmartVent: A Context Aware IoT System to Measure Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation Rate

As humans generally spend most of their time indoors, having good indoor air quality and its real time information is critical for maintaining human health and productivity. According to EPA, indoor air even in centrally air-conditioned buildings is several times more polluted than outdoor air, primarily due to change in occupancy pattern, poor, old or ill maintained ventilation systems, dust, and presence of volatile organic compounds. Hence, it is necessary for humans to pervasively and ubiquitously measure air quality information in real time, specially whose health is sensitive to poor indoor air. In this work, we propose a novel context aware Android smart phone based mobile adhoc sensing system that senses various data from indoor environment around the user and analyses it in real time, thereby helping to maintain good health and better work productivity.
Hvorfor gjør ikke folk som legen sier? Bruken av compliancebegrepet innen psykiatrien

Medical advice does not necessarily concur with what the patient wants. Difference in opinion between the physician and the patient may be due to poor communication, but also different goals and views of health. This is a general problem. This article focuses on the basis for cooperation between doctor and patient with regard to use of anti-psychotic drugs. The question is whether the concept of compliance recognizes and takes in the complexity connected to use of anti-psychotic drugs. The concept of concordance, on the other hand, focuses consultation and cooperation. The question is whether this is feasible with regard to treatment of psychosis. Compliance depends on what the patients actually thinks or believes about the medication regardless the opinions are in fact true or not. We argue that patient opinions and experience will be crucial in understanding how patients choose to act. Consequently, we need a concept that emphasizes treatment goals and intentions of the patients. This also necessitates a need to investigate patient attitudes about anti-psychotic drugs.
Modeling and Simulation of Vanadium Dioxide Relaxation Oscillators

This paper deals with modeling and simulation of a new family of two-terminal devices fabricated with vanadium dioxide material. Such devices allow realization of very compact relaxation nano-oscillators that can be connected electronically to form arrays of coupled oscillators. Challenging applications of oscillator arrays include the realization of multiphase signal generators and massively parallel brain-inspired neurocomputing. In the paper, a circuit-level model of the vanadium dioxide device is provided which enables extensive electrical simulations of oscillator systems built on the device. The proposed model is exploited to explain the dynamics of vanadium dioxide relaxation oscillators as well as to accomplish a robust parameter design. Applications to the realization of voltage-controlled oscillators and of multiphase oscillator arrays are illustrated.
On the tracking performance of combinations of least mean squares and recursive least squares adaptive filters

Combinations of adaptive filters have attracted attention as a simple solution to improve filter performance, including tracking properties. In this paper, we consider combinations of LMS and RLS filters, and study their performance for tracking time-varying solutions. We show that a combination of two filters from the same family (i.e., two LMS or two RLS filters) cannot improve the performance over that of a single filter of the same type with optimal selection of the step size (or forgetting factor). However, combining LMS and RLS filters it is possible to simultaneously outperform the optimum LMS and RLS filters. In other words, combination schemes can achieve smaller errors than optimally adjusted individual filters. Experimental work in a plant identification setup corroborates the validity of our results.
The release of prostaglandins and progestin into the utero‐ovarian venous blood of guinea‐pigs during the oestrous cycle and following oestrogen treatment

1. Blood was collected from the utero‐ovarian vein of guinea‐pigs on days 3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 of the oestrous cycle, and from animals injected with oestrogen over days 4–6 and used on day 7. The content of prostaglandin F2α and E2 was determined by bio‐assay and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, and of progestin by competitive protein binding assay.
Adaptable Fault Identification for Smart Buildings

Malfunctioning HVAC equipment in commercial buildings wastes between 15% and 30% of energy. Many diagnosis approaches tackle this problem, but they either suffer from a lack of detailed fault information or a lack of adaptability to different buildings and equipment. Clearly, especially in the light of an ever increasing amount of sensor data that is available in heavily metered smart buildings, easily adaptable self learning in-depth diagnosis approaches are needed. This paper addresses the challenges of developing such approaches and describes the contribution artificial intelligence techniques like transfer learning, ontologies, knowledge representation or diagnosis can make in overcoming these challenges.
A Resumption Monad Transformer and its Applications in the Semantics of Concurrency

Resumptions are a valuable tool in the analysis and design of semantic models for concurrent programming languages, in which computations consist of sequences of atomic steps that may be interleaved. In this paper we consider a general notion of resumption, parameterized by the kind of computations that take place in the atomic steps. We define a monad transformer which, given a monad that represents the atomic computations, constructs a monad for interleaved computations. Moreover, we use this monad transformer to define the denotational semantics of a simple imperative language supporting nondeterminism and concurrency.
Assessment of Available Transfer Capability and Margins

Available transfer capability (ATC) calculation is a complicated task that involves the determination of total transfer capability (TTC) and two margins: transmission reliability margin (TRM) and capacity benefit margin (CBM). Three currently used methods of TTC determination are presented and compared in this paper. Besides these methods, the transfer-based security constrained OPF (TSCOPF) method is proposed in this paper as a replacement of the conventional SCOPF method for use in the deregulation environment. Both TRM and CBM, which account for reliability of the system, are seldom mentioned in papers associated with ATC. This paper presents a probabilistic method to assess TRM and proposes rules and a procedure to allocate CBM and two methods of incorporating CBM into ATC. A modified IEEE RTS is utilized to demonstrate the proposed methods, and the results show that the values of ATC are quite different when margins are taken into account and the methods of incorporating ATC affect the ATC value significantly.
Realization and user evaluation of a companion robot for people with mild cognitive impairments

This paper presents results of user evaluations with a socially assistive robot companion for older people suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and living (alone) at home. Within the European FP7 project “CompanionAble” (2008-2012) [1], we developed assistive technologies combining a mobile robot and smart environment with the aim to support these people and assist them living in their familiar home environment. For a final evaluation, user experience studies were conducted with volunteer users who were invited to a test home where they lived and freely used the robot and integrated system over a period of two days. Services provided by the companion robot include reminders of appointments (pre-defined or added by the users themselves or their informal carer) as well as frequent recommendations to specific activities, which were listed e.g. by their family carers. Furthermore, video contact with relatives and friends, a cognitive stimulation game designed especially to counter the progress of cognitive impairments, and the possibility to store personal items with the robot are offered. Recognition of the user entering or leaving the home is triggering situation specific reminders like agenda items due during the (expected) absence, missed calls or items not to be forgotten. Continuing our previous work published in [2], this paper presents detailed description of the implemented assistive functions and results of user studies conducted during April and May 2012 in the smart house of the Dutch project partner Smart Homes in Eindhoven, The Netherlands.