Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Self-Organizing Incremental Spatiotemporal Associative Memory Networks Model for Problems with Hidden State

Identifying the hidden state is important for solving problems with hidden state. We prove any deterministic partially observable Markov decision processes (POMDP) can be represented by a minimal, looping hidden state transition model and propose a heuristic state transition model constructing algorithm. A new spatiotemporal associative memory network (STAMN) is proposed to realize the minimal, looping hidden state transition model. STAMN utilizes the neuroactivity decay to realize the short-term memory, connection weights between different nodes to represent long-term memory, presynaptic potentials, and synchronized activation mechanism to complete identifying and recalling simultaneously. Finally, we give the empirical illustrations of the STAMN and compare the performance of the STAMN model with that of other methods.
Single-input multiple-output universal filter using translinear current conveyors

A new current-mode current-controlled single-input multiple-output universal filter, which employing only three translinear current conveyors and two grounded capacitors. The proposed configuration provides lowpass, bandpass, highpass, bandstop and allpass current responses at a high output impedance terminal, which enable easy cascadability of the circuit. The circuit parameters natural frequency and quality factor can be tuned orthogonally by adjusting the bias current of CCCII. The characteristics of the proposed circuit are simulated using PSPICE to confirm the theoretical analysis.
NOVEL LINEAR AND NON-LINEAR MULTI-USER MIMO DOWNLINK PRECODING WITH IMPROVED DIVERSITY AND CAPACITY

Space division multiple access (SDMA) promises high gains in the system throughput of wireless multiple antenna systems. If SDMA is used on the downlink of a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system, either long-term or shortterm channel state information has to be available at the base station (BS) to facilitate the joint precoding of the signals intended for the different users. Precoding is used to efficiently eliminate or suppress multi-user interference (MUI). It also allows us to perform most of the complex processing at the BS which leads to a simplification of the mobile terminals. In this paper we introduce two novel precoding techniques (a linear and a non-linear one) that improve the system capacity and the diversity order. The new non-linear precoding technique combines successive minimum-mean-squared error (SMMSE) and Tomlinson-Harashima precoding (THP) to provide a higher capacity and diversity. But it is very sensitive to channel estimation errors. The new linear precoding technique is called regularized block diagonalization (RBD). Although it has a smaller capacity than SMMES THP it achieves a higher diversity order than SMMSE THP. At high data rates it can extract the maximum diversity order of the channel. RBD is less sensitive to channel estimation errors than non-linear techniques and can be also used for precoding with long-term channel state information. Index Terms MIMO precoding, Tomlinson-Harashima precoding, MMSE precoding.
Cryptography Challenges for Computational Privacyin Public Clouds

Computational privacy is a property of cryptographic system that ensures the privacy of data (and/or operations) while being processed at an untrusted server. Cryptography has been an indispensable tool for computer security but its readiness for this new generational shift of computing platform i.e. Cloud Computing is still questionable. Theoretical constructions like Fully Homomorphic Encryption, Functional encryption, Server aided Multiparty Computation, Verifiable Computation, Instance Hiding etc. are few directions being pursued. These cryptographic techniques solve Cloud privacy problems at different levels but most of them dont fit well in overall scheme of things. We state the privacy requirements for Cloud offerings in various delivery methods. We discuss the challenges with current cryptographic techniques being pursued by researchers and show that they dont cater to blanket cover these privacy requirements. We urge the need to find generalizations and connections among these isolated techniques. As this might give more insights into the underpinnings of Computational Privacy and lead to better solutions.
Towards Educational Metadata Interoperability on Semantic Web

Metadata is broadly used to describe learning objects and its standards have been developed to improve interoperability. With the current Web extension by the Semantic Web, learning object metadata has been migrating from XML-based metadata standards to semantic metadata standards. This work explores XSLT to provide a solution for this transition of descriptions to educational metadata. The approach consists of retrieve, convert, and store metadata in Semantic Web context. In this work, we converted OBAA metadata in XML to OWL format. The OWL format aims to give more semantic and improve the reasoners inference capabilities. The converted metadata can be managed by different applications and systems. In addition, we have been working in OWL to OWL mappings through aligned ontologies.
Improved Optimal Competitive Hopfield Network for the Maximum Stable Set Problem

—A large number of problems in artificial intelligence and other areas of computer science can be viewed as special cases of the Maximum Stable Set Problem (MSSP). In this paper, we propose a new approach to solve the MSSP problem using the continuous Hopfield network (CHN). The proposed method is divided into two steps: the first one involves modeling the MSSP problem as a 0-1 quadratic programming, and solving this model via the CHN which rapidly gives a local minimum. The second step concerns improving the initial solution by adding a linear constraint to the first model; then, we use the CHN to solve the obtained model. We prove that this approach is able to determine a good solution of the MSSP problem. To test the theoretical results, some computational experiments solving the MSSP problem are shown.
The interpolation property of fuzzy polynomial approximation

This paper examines the fuzzy system for function approximation in a macroscopic level. The rules of a fuzzy function approximation system are expressed in the form of polynomials such that each rule forms a local approximator. We show that this kind of fuzzy function approximation is equivalent to piecewise polynomial interpolation between turning points when normalized fuzzy function memberships are used. The fuzzy inference procedure combines two polynomials of degree n-1 and m-1 in x into one single polynomial of at most degree max(n, m) which passes through the points of intersections of the original polynomials. The conditions for the degeneration case is also discussed. <<ETX>>
The Association of Severe Toxoplasmosis and Some Cytokine Levels in Breast Cancer Patients

Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic pathogen in which the reactivation of a latent infection can cause death in congenitally infected fetuses, newborns, and immunocompromised patients. This study aimed to determine the seropositivity of toxoplasmosis infection and the possible association with Interleukin-12 (IL-12) and Interleukin-23 (IL-23) cytokines in breast cancer patients. In this study, 190 women were enrolled. All serum samples were tested for T. gondii immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM) antibodies and (IL-12, IL-23) levels using ELISA technique. The result of this study showed that breast cancer patients recorded the highest percentage of toxoplasmosis infection. There were no positivity rates for anti- Toxoplasma IgM in breast cancer patients while the positivity percentage for anti- Toxoplasma IgM among the control group was (7.00%). Furthermore, the seroprevalence of anti- Toxoplasma IgG was the highest in the age group (31- 40) years in patients with breast cancer while the highest mean titer of the IL-12 is restricted to ages (20-30) years in the control groups who are seropositive to anti- Toxoplasma IgG. Although, in patients with breast cancer who are seropositive to anti- Toxoplasma IgG, the highest mean titer of the IL-23 was in ages (20-30) years. Since most immunosuppressive patients are exposed to various possible risk factors including Toxoplasma primary infection or reactivation, so it is important to diagnose and treat toxoplasmosis in breast cancer patients to reduce the consequences of the infection.
Explore Hot Spots of City Based on DBSCAN Algorithm

Spatial clustering is one of the main methods of data mining and knowledge discovery. DBSCAN algorithm can be found in space with "noise" database clustering of arbitrary shape, is a kind of good clustering algorithm. This paper introduces the basic concept and principle of DBSCAN algorithm, and applies this algorithm to perform clustering analysis distributions of weibo location information. The article compare k-means algorithm with DBSCAN algorithm in order to prove the effectiveness of DBSCAN algorithm.
The Design and Modeling of a Novel Resistive Stretch Sensor With Tunable Sensitivity

Wearable technologies, interactive and safe robotic systems require an effective actuator control that highly depends on the accurate feedback from flexible and dense array of sensors. In this paper, we introduce a novel soft stretch sensor design that is applicable to distributed high strain measurements. The proposed sensor design utilizes 2-D fabrication processes to create specific profiles and stretchable mesh patterns in Constantan-polyimide laminate that are scalable and customizable. In addition to the geometrical parameters of the stretchable mesh pattern, the sensitivity in the proposed design is determined by the metal layer profile. Without considerably affecting its mechanical properties and stretchability, the profile design allows an engineering freedom to choose the scope of measurements and the sensitivity. Similar design principle can eventually produce complete sensor/circuit systems, where the circuitry and the sensing elements can coexist in a single metal laminate. In this paper, we describe the sensor design parameters and the sensor model that include the equations of deformation and resistance change as a function of the stretch. We compare the prototype test results to the model prediction. The findings provide guideline to designing customized sensors that satisfies specific size and stretch requirements.
American Journal of Epidemiology Original Contribution Changes in Alcohol-related Mortality and Its Socioeconomic Differences after a Large Reduction in Alcohol Prices: a Natural Experiment Based on Register Data

The authors examined the effect of a large reduction in the price of alcohol in Finland in 2004 on alcohol-related mortality by age and socioeconomic group. For this register-based study of Finns aged ! 15 years, data on independent variables were extracted from the employment statistics of Statistics Finland. Mortality follow-up was carried out for 2001–2003 (before the price reduction) and 2004–2005 (after). Alcohol-related causes were defined using both underlying and contributory causes of death. Alcohol-related mortality increased by 16% among men and by 31% among women; 82% of the increase was due to chronic causes, particularly liver diseases. The increase in absolute terms was largest among men aged 55–59 years and women aged 50–54 years. Among persons aged 30–59 years, it was biggest among the unemployed or early-age pensioners and those with low education, social class, or income. The relative differences in change between the education and social class subgroups were small. The employed and persons aged <35 years did not suffer from increased alcohol-related mortality during the 2 years after the change. These results imply that a large reduction in the price of alcohol led to substantial increases in alcohol-related mortality, particularly among the less privileged, and in chronic diseases associated with heavy drinking. The price of alcohol is evidently associated with alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems on the population level: An increase in price tends to decrease consumption and related problems (1, 2). Much of the evidence on this issue is based on time-series analyses; however, such analyses do not yield information on the differential effects of a change in price on population subgroups. The need for studies based on natural experiments, which take account of both change over time and differences between subpopula-tions, is obvious (1). Here we report what happened to alcohol-related mortality and its socioeconomic differences in Finland after a large reduction in the price of alcohol. Large socioeconomic differences in alcohol-related and all-cause mortality are well documented (3–5). In the United Kingdom, occupational social class has appeared to be a risk factor for alcohol-related mortality and hospitalizations, particularly in men (6, 7), while in Nordic studies, investigators have reported rates that are 1.9–3.2 times higher among male manual workers than among nonmanual employees (4, 8, 9). Additionally, in a few recent studies, researchers have reported increased inequality over time according to social class and education (10, 11). US studies on socioeconomic differences in alcohol-related …
Kizzle: A Signature Compiler for Detecting Exploit Kits

In recent years, the drive-by malware space has undergone significant consolidation. Today, the most common source of drive-by downloads are so-called exploit kits (EKs). This paper presents Kizzle, the first prevention technique specifically designed for finding exploit kits. Our analysis shows that while the JavaScript delivered by kits varies greatly, the unpacked code varies much less, due to the kits authors' code reuse between versions. Ironically, this well-regarded software engineering practice allows us to build a scalable and precise detector that is able to quickly respond to superficial but frequent changes in EKs. Kizzle is able to generate anti-virus signatures for detecting EKs, which compare favorably to manually created ones. Kizzle is highly responsive and can generate new signatures within hours. Our experiments show that Kizzle produces high-accuracy signatures. When evaluated over a four-week period, false-positive rates for Kizzle are under 0.03%, while the false-negative rates are under 5%.
Ontology Based Query Expansion Framework for Use in Medical Information Systems

This paper presents a framework which combines data and text retrieval techniques to exercise and evaluate ontology based query expansions. We prepare by using linguistic techniques to identify query and document concepts, locating them in a ontologically defined semantic space. Expansions originate from the identified query concepts, with success determined by matching in the relevant document set. We identify three orthogonal dimensions that can affect query expansion success; relationship source, success measure technique, and query expansion technique. Expansion technique is further divided into six different categories: simple pruning, complex probability, voting, directional, semantic propagation, and multiple source concept. We describe each technique and show examples where they would be useful. The system architecture used facilitates plugging in of various expansion and evaluation routines, and flowing results from one method to the next. The system is useful for microanalysis of query expansion.
Lessons from Wildfire Managing the Pattern of Forest Harvest Prince George Region — — — — — — Forest Resources & Practices

One challenge facing today’s forest managers is how to preserve biological diversity while maintaining a competitive forest industry. These two objectives are frequently at odds. A new approach to landscape management in the Sub-Boreal Spruce (SBS) zone is suggested here. This approach calls for larger harvest units coupled with irregular boundaries, large leave areas outside the harvest zone, and many reserves of undisturbed timber within the harvested area. The goal is to create managed disturbances that more closely mimic the characteristics of wildfire disturbance.
A Novel SLC27A4 Splice Acceptor Site Mutation in Great Danes with Ichthyosis

Ichthyoses are a group of various different types of hereditary disorders affecting skin cornification. They are characterized by hyperkeratoses of different severity levels and are associated with a dry and scaling skin. Genome-wide association analysis of nine affected and 13 unaffected Great Danes revealed a genome-wide significant peak on chromosome 9 at 57–58 Mb in the region of SLC27A4. Sequence analysis of genomic DNA of SLC27A4 revealed the non-synonymous SNV SLC27A4:g.8684G>A in perfect association with ichthyosis-affection in Great Danes. The mutant transcript of SLC27A4 showed an in-frame loss of 54 base pairs in exon 8 probably induced by a new splice acceptor site motif created by the mutated A- allele of the SNV. Genotyping 413 controls from 35 different breeds of dogs and seven wolves revealed that this mutation could not be found in other populations except in Great Danes. Affected dogs revealed high amounts of mutant transcript but only low levels of the wild type transcript. Targeted analyses of SLC27A4 protein from skin tissues of three affected and two unaffected Great Danes indicated a markedly reduced or not detectable wild type and truncated protein levels in affected dogs but a high expression of wild type SLC27A4 protein in unaffected controls. Our data provide evidence of a new splice acceptor site creating SNV that results in a reduction or loss of intact SLC27A4 protein and probably explains the severe skin phenotype in Great Danes. Genetic testing will allow selective breeding to prevent ichthyosis-affected puppies in the future.
Postnatal growth of gut and muscle : competitors or collaborators

Although growth and functional maturation are essentially continuous from conception to the attainment of sexual maturity, birth and weaning are particularly critical milestones in life. Birth is associated with a change in the route of nutrient delivery to the organism and weaning requires the attainment of full locomotor function as the organism is called upon to actively seek its own food. Weaning is associated also with major changes in the composition of the diet, changes which in their turn demand intestinal adaptation. Given this, the tissues responsible for the assimilation of nutrients and the tissues responsible for mobility must grow and develop rapidly during the immediate postnatal period. Table 1 summarizes information on the growth rates of the body, intestinal tract, liver, and the leg muscles of the infant rat. Although the rat, as an altricial species, represents one extreme of the interspecific spectrum of chemical and functional maturation at birth, the information illustrates two general points. First, that as a reflection of the chemical maturation of the body, the rate of accretion of body protein exceeds that of the body mass as a whole. Second, that gut and muscle grow during the sucking period with rate constants that are significantly greater than that of body protein as a whole. We have included values for the liver to show that organs that have been of major physiological significance to the fetus tend to grow during the suckling period at a slower rate than that of the body protein mass as a whole.
Reflections on participant change during a mindfulness based anger management programme

Most anger management group programmes utilise Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness Based Treatments (MBT’s) in their interventions. This study uses Transactional Analysis and mindfulness for the management of anger and explores how participants report phenomenological change throughout a 10-week programme. The research examines participants weekly ‘check-ins’ as they reflected on their angry behaviours, interpersonal relationships and the development of mindfulness techniques as a way to regulate their angry emotions. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to help provide insight of the ‘check-in’ narratives. The research suggests participants who are able to create structure for their mindfulness practice seem more able to reduce their angry behaviours even in the face of quite chaotic inter and intra-personal experiences.
GA Based Trajectory Planner for Robot Manipulators Sharing a Common Workspace with Adaptive Population Size

This paper presents a strategy to modify, on "the fly", the initial population size of a genetic algorithm based trajectory planner for robot manipulators sharing a common workspace. Firstly, some considerations on the effect of varying the population size of the initial population size of the GA over the performance of the obtained paths are investigated. Finally, a fuzzy unit is implemented to adaptively modify the population size accordingly to the navigation conditions of the manipulator system, such as the magnitude of the potential field (used to model the manipulators as moving obstacles), error to goal, and whether or not the manipulators are moving along a stable trajectory. The considered cases correspond to two redundant dual manipulator systems, consisting of two 3 degrees of freedom (dof) and two 7 DOF planar manipulators.
Impedance analyzer using the sound card of a standard computer

The Impedance Analyzer is an instrument that measures the magnitude and phase of an electrical one-port network impedance. Linear RLC models of such impedance can be obtained as an extension. The device is a cost-effective system, easy to mount and operate. This is achieved by exploiting the resources of commercial computers with sound cards, using minimum additional hardware and digitally processing the signals intervening in the measurement. The range of frequencies to measure impedance is determined by the sound cards used, which often operate at a maximum frequency of 44kHz. This article describes the fundamentals to perform the electrical characterization and the methods used to design the system. This system was calibrated by means of a commercial RLCZ meter, a Tonghui 2826A. The estimated values of impedance were coherent with the pattern. Conclusions show that objectives were fully met, allowing for future enhancements.
Impact of prophylaxis on health‐related quality of life of boys with hemophilia: An analysis of pooled data from 9 countries

Prophylaxis reduces the frequency of bleeds in boys with severe hemophilia and is the standard care for their management in resource‐abundant countries. The effect of prophylaxis on Health‐Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) has not been established, because the sample sizes of most studies are too small to explore the relationship of multiple factors that influence HRQoL.