Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Throughput Enhancement through Efficient Channel Assignment in Multi-radio Ad Hoc Networks

Use of a single wireless network interface on a device had been the standard practice for a long time due to hardware limitations. Designing a multi-hop ad hoc network with single NIC devices suffers from low bandwidth utilization due to co-channel interference. Recent advances in wireless device technology are spurring the emergence of several end user devices with multiple radios on them. Wireless access networks designed using these multi-radio devices has been shown to give manifold improvement in throughput compared to single channel networks. However, these works have mainly focused on gateway-based mesh architecture. With growing number of multi-radio end user devices, we envision a future where pure ad hoc communication among these devices will become commonplace without a specific structure. This paper provides a distributed solution to the channel assignment problem to multiple NICs in such an ad hoc scenario. The well-known routing protocols used in single channel scenario, namely AODV are used for route selection, but the potential for an improved routing algorithm for multi-channel case has been highlighted. We also provide an interface switching strategy so that the flows are not starved. We evaluate our channel assignment scheme through simulations on GloMoSim
A comparison between Position Based and Image Based Visual Servoing on a 3 DOFs translating robot

Two Visual Servoing controls respectively of the Position Based and Image Based type have been developed to govern a parallel translating manipulator with an eye-in-hand configuration. The robot must be able to reach and grasp a special target randomly positioned in the workspace; the control must be adaptive to compensate motions of the target in the 3D space. The implemented trajectory planning strategy ensures the continuity of the velocity vector in the Cartesian space for both PBVS and IBVS controls whereas a replanning event is needed. A comparison between the two approaches is given in terms of accuracy, fastness and stability in relation to the robot peculiar characteristics.
The Case for Modular Redundancy in Large-Scale High Performance Computing Systems

Recent investigations into resilience of large-scale high-performance computing (HPC) systems showed a continuous trend of decreasing reliability and availability. Newly installed systems have a lower mean-time to failure (MTTF) and a higher mean-time to recover (MTTR) than their predecessors. Modular redundancy is being used in many mission critical systems today to provide for resilience, such as for aerospace and command \& control systems. The primary argument against modular redundancy for resilience in HPC has always been that the capability of a HPC system, and respective return on investment, would be significantly reduced. We argue that modular redundancy can significantly increase compute node availability as it removes the impact of scale from single compute node MTTR. We further argue that single compute nodes can be much less reliable, and therefore less expensive, and still be highly available, if their MTTR/MTTF ratio is maintained.
What motivates environmental auditing?: A public sector perspective

Purpose – This paper seeks to discuss the motivation for commencement of environmental auditing within the Fiji Office of the Auditor‐General (OAG). It also aims to analyse the actual topics audited between 2005 and 2007 and the standards employed in those audits.Design/methodology/approach – A case study approach is employed, involving document analysis and semi‐structured interviews.Findings – Environmental auditing in Fiji's public sector can be explained in terms of institutional isomorphism: coercive, through pressure from the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) and United Nations (UN); mimetic, in relation to adoption of best practice within INTOSAI; and normative, through communication and professional training provided by INTOSAI. There is also evidence of decoupling; although government has ratified Millennium Development Goal 7 on environmental sustainability, it has failed to allocate adequate resources to the relevant departments.Research limitations/implications.
Effect of the application of aspiration level on the solution accuracy of Tabu Search in operation planning problem for residential PEFC-CGS

This paper shows the effect of the application of aspiration level (AL) on the solution accuracy of Tabu Search (TS) in optimal operation planning problem for residential PEFC (Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell)-CGS (Co-Generation System). Residential PEFC -CGS has been spreading as one of new distributed power sources that have high total efficiency. Therefore, it becomes essential work to study operation planning method for the residential PEFC-CGS. Previous research applies TS to the operation planning. However, it cannot be said that TS is properly applied due to the disregard of AL. Moreover, in other previous researches concerning TS, the effect of AL application has not been controversial, and not sufficiently studied though Glover who proposed TS pointed out the importance of AL. For these reasons, we simulate operation planning for residential PEFC-CGS using TS with and without AL, and compare the effect on daily operational cost. AL is introduced to TS based on the best solution in the previous search process. The simulation results show that TS is successfully applied to the optimal operation planning for residential PEFC-CGS. Furthermore, it is revealed that the application of AL prevents the misguiding of TS and compensates the loss of contribution rate compared with local search. Meanwhile, the application of AL cancels the contribution rate in some cases, particularly in the case using steep ramping constraint. These results imply the significance to consider whether to apply AL to TS or not.
HYBRID NEURAL NETWORK SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC LOAD FORECASTING OF TELECOMUNICATION STATION

− This paper describes a neural network system for power electric load forecasting of telecommunication station. Getting an accuracy useful for contractual purpose a separately daily forecast of both main load and its oscillation is proposed. For the mean daily forecast we used a three layers multilayer perceptron (MLP), while to the oscillation forecasting we realized a system composed by a MLP and a self organizing map (SOM): the typology information obtained by the SOM unsupervised algorithm has been utilized as binary code in MLP input. The proposed system with hourly power load data of a big telecommunication operator has been tested. The total forecast has been obtained combining the two components. The forecasting accuracy for a whole year test data is around 2%. Some problem exists in the forecasted load of summer time.
Parameterized Analysis of Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithms and the Weighted Vertex Cover Problem

Evolutionary multiobjective optimization for the classical vertex cover problem has been analysed in Kratsch and Neumann (2013) in the context of parameterized complexity analysis. This article extends the analysis to the weighted vertex cover problem in which integer weights are assigned to the vertices and the goal is to find a vertex cover of minimum weight. Using an alternative mutation operator introduced in Kratsch and Neumann (2013), we provide a fixed parameter evolutionary algorithm with respect to OPT, the cost of an optimal solution for the problem. Moreover, we present a multiobjective evolutionary algorithm with standard mutation operator that keeps the population size in a polynomial order by means of a proper diversity mechanism, and therefore, manages to find a 2-approximation in expected polynomial time. We also introduce a population-based evolutionary algorithm which finds a (1+ɛ)-approximation in expected time O(n·2min{n,2(1-ɛ)OPT}+n3).
Low power, high precision and reduced size CMOS Comparator for high speed ADC design

In this paper a low power CMOS Comparator is proposed which is very well capable of distinguishing DC voltage difference of around even 0.2 mV. By providing excitory feedback, the proposed compact circuit is made to successfully avoid the need of a post amplifier or any other cascading stages. The circuit can also operate at a wide range of power supply starting from 1.1 V with a clock frequency of 200MHz. Some trade off between precision and resolution are vividly discussed to get a better understanding of the circuit behavior. The simulated results are shown which are done in CADANCE gpdk-90 technology.
Importance Sampling Using Rényi Divergence

We present an alternative approach to the problem of estimating probabilities of rare events and for optimization problems using the class of Rényi divergences of order α > 1. The general procedure we describe does not involve any specific family of distributions, the only restriction is that the search space consists of product form probability density functions. We discuss an algorithm for estimation of probability of rare events and a version for continuous optimization. The results of numerical experimentation with these algorithms carried in the last section support their performances.
Biphenyl Dioxygenases: Functional Versatilities and Directed Evolution

Biphenyl is a compound in which two benzene rings are connected to each other. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can be produced by the direct chlorination of biphenyl, by which 209 different compounds containing 1 to 10 chlorines can be produced. Because PCBs have been widely used for a variety of
A fast coding algorithm based on inter-view correlations for 3D-HEVC

The newly published 3D-HEVC has received a remarkable response due to its high compression efficiency which is based on High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC). However, the complexity of its encoding process is also large as a result of introducing the coding units (CU) size decision process together with the rate distortion optimization (RDO) process. In this paper, a fast coding algorithm making good use of the interview correlations is proposed. With the inter-view correlation statistical analysis, the CU depth candidates of the dependent views can be predicted from the independent view instead of the brute force RDO process in determining CU depth. The experimental results show that the proposed method saves 51% time in texture coding and the loss is negligible.
Spatial control of Cdc42 activation determines cell width in fission yeast

We found 11 wide mutants, seven of which affect the activation of Cdc42. Through epistasis analysis and protein retargeting, we showed that a guanine nucleotide exchange factor and a GTPase-activating protein of Cdc42 each affects cell width independently from different cellular domains. We propose that these proteins set up a spatially restricted gradient of activated Cdc42 that directs cell growth.
The risk of tuberculosis in transplant candidates and recipients: a TBNET consensus statement

Tuberculosis (TB) is a possible complication of solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The identification of candidates for preventive chemotherapy is an effective intervention to protect transplant recipients with latent infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis from progressing to active disease. The best available proxy for diagnosing latent infection with M. tuberculosis is the identification of an adaptive immune response by the tuberculin skin test or an interferon-&ggr; based ex vivo assay. Risk assessment in transplant recipients for the development of TB depends on, among other factors, the locally expected underlying prevalence of infection with M. tuberculosis in the target population. In areas of high prevalence, preventive chemotherapy for all transplant recipients may be justified without immunodiagnostic testing while in areas of medium and low prevalence, preventive chemotherapy should only be offered to candidates with positive M. tuberculosis-specific immune responses. The diagnosis of TB in transplant recipients can be challenging. Treatment of TB is often difficult due to substantial interactions between anti-TB drugs and immunosuppressive medications. This management guideline summarises current knowledge on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of TB related to solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and provides an expert consensus on questions where scientific evidence is still lacking.
Decoy Applications for Continuous Authentication on Mobile Devices

Mobile devices and applications carry a great deal of sensitive and personally identifiable information, which makes them very lucrative targets for attackers. Authentication on these devices is vulnerable to smudge attacks [1]. Furthermore, their small size, light weight, and ubiquity makes them easily stolen. According to the Cloud Security Alliance, data loss from lost, stolen, or decommissioned mobile devices is the single largest threat to mobile computing [5]. The nature of user interaction with mobile devices calls for novel authentication approaches that are robust and secure, usable, and inexpensive. In a mobile context, security solutions must be flexible as well as resource e cient to ensure compatibility with a broad platform base. We propose the use of decoy apps on mobile devices to continuously authenticate users once the user is logged in– i.e. throughout the user session– and to detect suspicious activity by a masquerader, or unauthorized user posing as the owner and legitimate user of the mobile device. Decoy apps are authentic-looking apps that hold fake but enticing information to the potential masquerader. They may be installed manually by the device owner or automatically through some app distribution and installation service. Once installed on the mobile device, their only function is to act as bait to the masquerader. They are not to be used by the device owner, and therefore any access to decoy apps is highly indicative of potential masquerade activity. We conjecture that decoy apps can be used to continuously authenticate users once logged-in to the mobile device throughout an entire user session. Access to any decoy app could be a trigger for de-authenticating the user. Furthermore, we posit that even if a masquerader were aware decoy apps are loaded on the device, they would lack the user’s knowledge of which apps are real or decoys. Figure 1 displays a notional view of the conundrum faced by the attacker. In this paper, we present an approach for deploying decoy apps to (de-)authenticate mobile device users. The remainder of this paper is organized as follows. First we will briefly describe how mobile decoy apps can be created, dis-
Experimental analysis of dominance in haptic collaboration

Recent research focuses on developing robots that are meant to be partners of humans instead of pure machines. This makes enhanced communication necessary. Especially in scenarios embedding physical interaction between the two partners dominance is an urgent matter. To overcome one-sided dominance as in passive following or trajectory replay in favor of intuitive collaboration, human-human collaboration and the involved dominance distribution needs to be addressed. Even though some attempts are reported in literature, to our best knowledge no experimental analysis of dominance distribution in a kinesthetic task reports actual values of dominance. Therefore, the current paper discusses dominance measures appropriate in haptic interaction and investigates the dominance distribution in a tracking-task experiment. In the analysis we focus on the influence of mutual haptic feedback between the partners on dominance distribution by contrasting this condition to vision-only partner feedback trials. Furthermore, this paper investigates the consistency of dominance behavior across different partners based on methodologies transferred from social psychology. Results show that participants work with a dominance distribution, whereby the feedback condition does not effect this distribution. A high amount of variability in individual dominance behavior can be considered person dependent. Here, feedback has an effect as the dominance behavior is even more stable across partners when mutual haptic feedback is provided.
Agenda-Setting in the European Union

Studying Policy Agendas in the EU Understanding Agenda-Setting Dynamics Assessing Agendas and Agenda Dynamics The Evolution of EU Policy Agendas in Comparative Perspective Starting from Scratch: Moving New Issues onto the EU Agenda A Bridge too Far? The Limits of EU Agenda Expansion Changing the Tune: Reflections on EU Agenda-Setting
An efficient test relaxation technique for combinational & full-scan sequential circuits

Reducing test data size is one of the major challenges in testing systems-on-a-chip. This problem can be solved by test compaction and/or compression techniques. Having a partially specified or relaxed test set increases the effectiveness of test compaction and compression techniques. In this paper we propose a novel and efficient test relaxation technique for combinational and full-scan sequential circuits. The proposed technique is faster than the brute-force test relaxation method by several orders of magnitude. The application of the technique in improving the effectiveness of test compaction and compression is illustrated.
Histamine metabolism of gastric carcinoids in Mastomys natalensis.

Pharmacological inhibition of gastric acid secretion and subsequent hypergastrinemia in Mastomys natalensis is an experimental model well suited for the study of gastric carcinoid formation. The genetic susceptibility of Mastomys to develop such tumors is a feature reminiscent of the situation in patients with the MEN-1 Zollinger Ellison syndrome, in whom tumor-induced hypergastrinemia, promotes the development of gastric carcinoids. Chronic hypergastrinemia, induced by the irreversible H2-receptor antagonist loxtidine will cause carcinoid formation in Mastomys already after four to six months. As in humans, gastric carcinoids in Mastomys are mainly composed of enterochromaffinlike (ECL) cells and have low malignant potential. Administration of exogenous gastrin to normal young animals increases the expression of histidine decarboxylase (HDC) mRNA in the oxyntic mucosa within 30 minutes. Endogenous hypergastrinemia, induced by short-time loxtidine treatment (three to 29 days) enhances the expression of HDC mRNA, histamine contents and ECL cell numbers in the oxyntic mucosa. Long-term loxtidine treatment (seven to 21 months) results in sustained hypergastrinemia and tumor formation. Tumor-bearing animals exhibited an increase in HDC mRNA and histamine content in the oxyntic mucosa as well as increased urinary excretion of the main histamine metabolite, tele-methylimidazole acetic acid (MeImAA). Subsequent to cessation of loxtidine treatment for two weeks, all parameters of histamine metabolism were normalized in tumor-bearing animals. These results indicate that gastric carcinoids developing during hypergastrinemia are well-differentiated neoplasms whose histamine synthesis and metabolism is regulated by plasma gastrin. ImagesFigure 1Figure 2
Nutritional effects of field bean (Vicia faba L.) proteinase inhibitors fed to rats

1. Weanling rats were fed on purified-casein diets containing active and inactive (autoclaved) field bean (Vicia faba L.) proteinase inhibitors (PI) at levels of 1.25, 2.5, 5.0 and 10 g/kg. Diets containing raw-and autoclaved-field-bean meal (FBM) were also given. The body-weight gain, protein efficiency ratio (PER); i.e. the ratio of the live weight gain in g/g of protein consumed and apparent nitrogen digestibility were determined 7, 14 and 21 d after the start of the trial. 2. Significant growth depression (P < 0.001) was observed in rats given diets containing 2.5 g/kg PI (27–35%). In rats fed on raw FBM growth depression was severe after 7 d (57%). 3. Food intake was depressed at PI inclusion levels of 5 g/kg and higher between 14 and 21 d. 4. PER was depressed significantly (33–44%) in rats given diets containing the active PI at all levels after 7 d. The protein utilization of all casein diets was higher than that of the FBM diets. 5. Apparent N digestibility was depressed in rats fed on diets containing 10 g/kg PI by 9 and 7% at 14 and 21 d respectively. The N digestibility of both raw and heated FBM was similar at approximately 84%. 6. It was concluded that the PI are not the main factors responsible for the growth depression observed when raw FBM is fed to rats.
The role of school managers in the implementation of continuous assessment in the further education and training band in Mopani district, Limpopo province

This study focuses on the role of school managers in addressing challenges associated with the implementation of continuous assessment (CASS) in the Further Education and Training (FET) band in Mopani District. It furthermore investigates to what degree school managers in the district engage in performing the “traditional” leadership and management roles which create a conducive atmosphere for the implementation of CASS. A thorough literature review provides an understanding of the emerging trends and challenges in the implementation of CASS internationally. Most of these challenges are analogous with those constraining the implementation of CASS in Mopani District. The data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews and questionnaires from purposively sampled district educators and school management teams (SMTs) who came from randomly selected schools. The findings enumerated the insufficient training for school managers and infrequency of performing “traditional” leadership and management roles as some of the factors hampering the implementation of CASS in the district schools.
A UNIQUE STAR IN THE OUTER HALO OF THE MILKY WAY

As part of a program to measure abundance ratios in stars beyond 15 kpc from the Galactic center, we have discovered a metal-poor star in the outer halo with a unique chemical signature. We originally identified it in the Sloan Extension for Galactic Understanding and Exploration survey as a distant metal-poor star. We obtained a follow-up spectrum using the Echelle Spectrometer and Imager at the Keck 2 telescope, and measure [Fe/H] =−3.17, [Mg/Fe] = −0.10, and [Ca/Fe] = +1.11. This is one of the largest over-abundances of Ca measured in any star to date; the extremely low value of [Mg/Ca] = −1.21 is entirely unique. To have found such an unusual star in our small sample of 27 targets suggests that there may be previously unobserved classes of stars yet to be found in situ in the Galactic halo.
Intruder detection for automated access control systems with Kinect device

The article deals with the problems of automated access control systems known as tailgating and piggybacking. This article focuses on detection of an unauthorized person, who is passing through a secure door after or with an authorized person. For this detection Kinect device and camera are used. The detection method is based on multilevel-thresholding of input image and subsequent analysis of objects' shape in each level. Detection algorithm focuses on path tracking of persons in video sequences correct evaluation of tailgating or piggybacking.