Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Variation in IEEE 802 . 11 k Channel Load Measurements for Neighbouring WLAN Systems

This paper focuses on analysing the variation in IEEE802.11k channel load measurements for neighbouring WLAN systems. The channel load functionality was implemented in the QualNet simulation tool, and several scenarios were configured for testing. The effects of different numbers of active systems with different traffic patterns were examined. The results obtained indicate significant variation in channel load values calculated by different stations experiencing different levels of interference. This variation leads us to question the usefulness of a single channel load measurement; hence considerable care must be taken when using and interpreting such measurements.
Molecular Action of Lidocaine on the Voltage Sensors of Sodium Channels

Block of sodium ionic current by lidocaine is associated with alteration of the gating charge-voltage (Q-V) relationship characterized by a 38% reduction in maximal gating charge (Qmax) and by the appearance of additional gating charge at negative test potentials. We investigated the molecular basis of the lidocaine-induced reduction in cardiac Na channel–gating charge by sequentially neutralizing basic residues in each of the voltage sensors (S4 segments) in the four domains of the human heart Na channel (hH1a). By determining the relative reduction in the Qmax of each mutant channel modified by lidocaine we identified those S4 segments that contributed to a reduction in gating charge. No interaction of lidocaine was found with the voltage sensors in domains I or II. The largest inhibition of charge movement was found for the S4 of domain III consistent with lidocaine completely inhibiting its movement. Protection experiments with intracellular MTSET (a charged sulfhydryl reagent) in a Na channel with the fourth outermost arginine in the S4 of domain III mutated to a cysteine demonstrated that lidocaine stabilized the S4 in domain III in a depolarized configuration. Lidocaine also partially inhibited movement of the S4 in domain IV, but lidocaine's most dramatic effect was to alter the voltage-dependent charge movement of the S4 in domain IV such that it accounted for the appearance of additional gating charge at potentials near −100 mV. These findings suggest that lidocaine's actions on Na channel gating charge result from allosteric coupling of the binding site(s) of lidocaine to the voltage sensors formed by the S4 segments in domains III and IV.
Photometric and Geometric Restoration of Document Images Using Inpainting and Shape-from-Shading

The popularity of current hand-held digital imaging devices such as camera phones, PDAs, camcorders has promoted the use of digital cameras to capture document images for daily information recording purpose. However, the captured images often contain photometric and geometric distortions when the documents are of non-planar shapes, which cause significant problems to various document image analysis (DIA) tasks such as OCR. In this paper, we propose a restoration framework that removes both photometric and geometric distortions in smoothly warped document images to facilitate human perception and machine recognition. First, the photometric distortions are corrected by separating the shading image from the reflectance image using inpainting and surface fitting techniques. Next, a 2-pass Shape-from-Shading (SFS) method is exploited to recover the document's surface shape based on the extracted shading image. Once the document's shape is obtained, the geometric distortions are rectified through a physically-based flattening process. Experiments on real document images show the performance of each sub-task and demonstrate a complete solution to the restoration of physically-distorted document images.
Performance Analysis of Mobile Data Offloading in Heterogeneous Networks

An unprecedented increase in the mobile data traffic volume has been recently reported due to the extensive use of smartphones, tablets, and laptops. This is a major concern for mobile network operators, who are forced to often operate very close to their capacity limits. Recently, different solutions have been proposed to overcome this problem. The deployment of additional infrastructure, the use of more advanced technologies (LTE), or offloading some traffic through Femtocells and WiFi are some of the solutions. Out of these, WiFi presents some key advantages such as its already widespread deployment and low cost. While benefits to operators have already been documented, it is less clear how much and under what conditions the user gains as well. Additionally, the increasingly heterogeneous deployment of cellular networks (partial 4G coverage, small cells, etc.) further complicates the picture regarding both operator- and user-related performance of data offloading. To this end, in this paper we propose a queueing analytic model that can be used to understand the performance improvements achievable by Wi-Fi-based data offloading, as a function of Wi-Fi availability and performance, user mobility and traffic load, and the coverage ratio and respective rates of different cellular technologies available. We validate our theory against simulations for realistic scenarios and parameters, and provide some initial insights as to the offloading gains expected in practice.
Impact of the Dynamic Membership in the Connectivity Graph of the Wireless Ad hoc Networks

Mobility Metrics of the connectivity graphs with fixed number of nodes have been presented in several research studies over the last three years. More realistic mobility models that are derived from real user traces challenge the assumption of the connectivity graph with fixed number of nodes, but they rather show that wireless nodes posses dynamic membership (nodes join and leave the simulation dynamically based on some random variable). In this paper, we evaluate the mobility metrics of the dynamic connectivity graph on both the nodes and the links. The contributions of this paper are two-fold. First, we introduce the algorithm that computes the Maximum Node Degree. We show that the Maximum Node Degree, which characterizes the dynamic membership property, impacts the connectivity mobility metrics of the Link and Path Durations of the dynamic connectivity graphs. Second, we provide the lower and the upper bounds for these mobility metrics.
European Society of Cardiology and American College of Cardiology guidelines for redefinition of myocardial infarction: how to use existing assays clinically and for clinical trials.

BACKGROUND The European Society of Cardiology and American College of Cardiology guidelines for redefinition of myocardial infarction suggest that the cutoff value for diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) be the 99th percentile of the reference population at a level measured with imprecision (coefficient of variation) > or =10%. No current commercially available troponin assay meets this requirement. Accordingly, questions have been raised about how to implement cutoff values from the guidelines. The Clinical Outcomes Utilizing Revascularization and Aggressive druG Evaluation (COURAGE) trial asked for recommendations concerning the use of troponin assays for the trial. METHODS Cutoff values for the various assays were obtained from package inserts or from direct communication with manufacturers. RESULTS The cutoff value with > or =10% imprecision was above the 99th percentile of the reference range for all assays. For the present, we suggest that this value be used for clinical and clinical trial purposes. It will account for analytic variability and individual biological changes. We provide recommendations for clinical practice and clinical trials concerning how to make the diagnosis of AMI in patients with ischemic symptoms and patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass surgery. CONCLUSIONS This is a first attempt to define cutoff values on the basis of the European Society of Cardiology and American College of Cardiology guidelines. These criteria will provide increased consistency until assays improve to allow full implementation of the guidelines.
Imitative Interchanges in a Social Context: Mother-Infant Matching Behavior at the Beginning of the Second Year.

The imitative interchanges of 18 mothers and their 10to 14-month-old infants were examined during two natural situations, bath time and free play with the child's toys. Analyses revealed that imitative interchanges occurred frequently, and dyads with girls produced twice as many matching episodes as did those with boys. Although mothers and infants matched comparable numbers of acts, they behaved significantly differently in the two situations. In addition, mothers and infants focused on different kinds of partner behaviors. Mothers most often reproduced vocalizations and words; children most often repeated object-re lated actions and words. Closer examination of vocal and verbal imitation dis
Emotional Intelligence: A Literature Review

To complete a literature review using Emotional Intelligence (EI) concepts, this researcher reviewed a broad selection of research and writings on Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Intelligence Quotient (IQ) in the workplace. Literature was explored that might support the application of EI and related concepts to the improvement of workers' emotional/personality, cognitive/ academic, moral/ethical, and social/civic development. A variety of activities using EI concepts to promote workplace goals have been proposed. Document Type Thesis Degree Name MS in Human Resource Development Department Education First Supervisor Seth Silver Second Supervisor Tim Franz Third Supervisor Roseann Clark Subject Categories Education This thesis is available at Fisher Digital Publications: http://fisherpub.sjfc. edu/education_ETD_masters/183
Approximating polyhedra with spheres for time-critical collision detection

This article presentsa method for approximatingpolyhedralobjects to support a time-critical collision-detectionalgorithm. The approximationsare hierarchies of spheres, and they allow the time-critical algorithm to progressivelyrefine the accuracy of its detection, stopping as needed to maintain the real-time performanceessential for interactive applications.The key to this approachis a preprocessthat automaticallybuilds tightly fitting hierarchies for rigid and articulatedobjects.The preprocessuses medial-axis surfaces, which are skeletal representations of objects. These skeletonsguide an optimizationtechniquethat gives the hierarchies accuracy properties appropriate for collision detection. In a sample application, hierarchies built this way allow the time-criticalcollision-detectionalgorithmto have acceptableaccuracy, improving significantly on that possible with hierarchies built by previous techniques. The performanceof the time-critical algorithmin this application is consistently 10 to 100 times better than a previous collision-detection algorithm, maintaining low latency and a nearIy constant frame rate of 10 frames per second on a conventional graphics workstation. The time-critical algorithm maintains its real-time performanceas objects become more complicated, even as they exceed previouslyreported complexitylevels by a factor of more than 10.
Effect of superior retinacular artery damage on osteonecrosis of the femoral head

Background Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is the result of dysfunctional blood supply, but associations between specific damaged arteries, imaging changes and clinical sign require more understanding. We investigated characteristics of ONFH that pertain to blood supply, imaging appearance, and clinical feature to judge the prognosis of ONFH. Methods Clinical data were collected for 92 patients (118 hips) with ONFH, including gender, age, duration of pain (from initial clinical presentation to arthroplasty), cause, stage, and classification. Magmatic resonance imaging and X‐rays were obtained of all patients to diagnose ONFH. The sizes of lesions were classified by necrotic index. The location of necrosis was classified as Type A, B, or C using the grading system by magmatic resonance imaging and X‐rays. All hips were imaged with digital subtraction angiography to visualize their blood‐supply characteristics. Hips were divided into groups based on the source artery for femoral head damage: superior retinacular artery (S), inferior retinacular artery (I), and combined superior and inferior retinacular arteries (S+I). Via digital subtraction angiography, imaging appearances and clinical data in three groups were compared. Results ONFH was caused by damage in either the superior or inferior retinacular artery, or both, in all of 118 hips. The group with only inferior retinacular artery damage reported longer hip pain duration than the other groups. The probability of the lesion extending laterally to the acetabular edge in group S was much more than it in group I. Necrosis indices of the patients in S and S+I were higher than those in group I. Conclusions ONFH associated with interruption of the superior and inferior retinacular arteries in this study. When the former alone was damaged, the necrosis of the volume was larger, the risk of femoral head collapse was higher and the time from initial clinical presentation to arthroplasty was shorter.
Short-Term Effect of Different Teaching Methods on Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma for General Practitioners in Jakarta, Indonesia

In Indonesia, Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) is the most frequent cancer of the head and neck region. At first presentation in the hospital most patients already have advanced NPC. Our previous study showed that general practitioners (GPs) working in Yogyakarta, Indonesia lack the knowledge necessary for early detection of NPC. By providing training on early symptoms of NPC we hope that the diagnosis and referral will occur at an earlier stage. Here we assess the current NPC knowledge levels of GPs in Jakarta, evaluate improvement after training, compare the effectiveness of two training formats, and estimate the loss of recall over a two week period. Methods Two Indonesian GPs visited 31 Primary Health Care Centres (PHCCs) and provided a lecture on NPC. The alternative format consisted of a symposium at the Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, presented by local head and neck surgeons, with all GPs in the region being invited. To evaluate the effect of both formats a questionnaire was conducted before and after. Results The lecture in the PHCCs was attended by 130 GPs. Sixty-six GPs attended the training in the university hospital and 40 GPs attended both. Pre training the NPC knowledge level was poor with an average of 1.6 symptoms being correctly identified out of a potential maximum of 12, this was increased to 4.9 post training (p<0.0001). GPs attending the PHCC course recorded a greater increase in correct symptoms than those attending the symposium (3.8 vs. 2.8; p = 0.01). After a two week period the knowledge levels had declined slightly from 5.5 correctly identified symptoms to 4.2 (p = 0.25). Conclusion These results confirm our findings regarding GPs insufficient knowledge of NPC. Lectures in the PHCC and a symposium have both been proven to be effective training tools in the education of GPs.
A Review of Architectures - Intel Single Core, Intel Dual Core and AMD Dual Core Processors and the Benefits

Computer architectures are approaching physical and technological barriers which make increasing the speed of a single core exceedingly difficult and economically infeasible. As a result, hardware architects have begun to design microprocessors with multiple processing cores that operate independently and share the same address space. However, increasing the number of cores on a single chip, generate a lot of challenges that arises with memory and cache coherence as well as communication between the cores. AMD and Intel have found solution to this problem by redesigning the processor architecture differently by putting multiple CPU cores on a chip. This paper describes the architecture of single core and Multi core processor technology
Piebald mutation on a C57BL/6J background

The classic piebald mutation in the endothelin receptor type B (Ednrb) gene was found on rolling Nagoya genetic background (PROD-s/s) mice with white coat spotting. To examine whether genetic background influenced the phenotype in the piebald mutant mice, we generated a congenic strain (B6.PROD-s/s), produced by repeated backcrosses to the C57BL/6J (B6) strain. Although B6.PROD-s/s mice showed white coat spotting, 7% of B6.PROD-s/s mice died between 2 and 5 weeks after birth due to megacolon. The PROD-s/s, s/s and Japanese fancy mouse 1 (JF1) strains, which also have piebald mutations on different genetic backgrounds with B6, showed only pigmentation defects without megacolon. In expression analyses, rectums of B6.PROD-s/s with megacolon mice showed ~5% of the level of Ednrb gene expression versus B6 mice. In histological analyses, aganglionosis was detected in the rectum of megacolon animals. The aganglionic rectum was thought to lead to severe constipation and intestinal blockage, resulting in megacolon. We also observed an abnormal intestinal flora, including a marked increase in Bacteroidaceae and Erysipelotrichaceae and a marked decrease in Lactobacillus and Clostridiales, likely inducing endotoxin production and a failure of the mucosal barrier system, leading ultimately to death. These results indicate that the genetic background plays a key role in the development of enteric ganglion neurons, controlled by the Ednrb gene, and that B6 has modifier gene (s) regarding aganglionosis.
Query paraphrasing using genetic approach for intelligent information retrieval

The major problem we will solve in this paper is how to bring the user closer to his/her search needs and how to enhance the search query prior submitting it to the search engine. To accomplish this, we built a query paraphrasing model using Genetic Algorithm to produce the most accurate set of paraphrased queries that match the user's need by exploring different query paraphrased combinations using WordNet as a thesaurus. The experimental results show that the proposed system can provide more precision than the regular query paraphrasing.
T-cell receptor gene transfer by lentiviral vectors in adoptive cell therapy

Adoptive cell therapy can be envisioned as a promising strategy for tumour immunotherapy. However, existing protocols of adoptive cell therapy still require optimisation as many factors, such as specificity, avidity, level of differentiation and amount of transferred T lymphocytes, can influence their immunocompetence and in vivo functionality. In particular, the need to reduce the in vitro expansion phase and to obtain large numbers of tumour-reactive T cells, as a favourable condition for cancer regression, make TCR gene transfer a potentially ideal tool to overcome the limits of adoptive cell therapy strategies. Here, the authors review the state-of-the-art and recent advances in TCR transfer with particular emphasis on lentiviral vector systems. Initial data from preclinical models and recent clinical trials encourage optimisation of a safe, simplified and stable transfer system. In this regard, HIV-based vectors are emerging as good alternative candidates over the most widely used oncoretroviral vectors due to their peculiar molecular features that fit the ideal conditions for donor T cell in vitro manipulation.
Single Mothers: The Impact of Work on Home and the Impact of Home on Work

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships between family/home satisfaction and job satisfaction of single working mothers with at least one child under the age of 18 living at home. The principal objectives were to identify the stressful situations in the lives of working single mothers and the factors that contributed to home satisfaction and work satisfaction. Data were gathered by self-report questionnaire from single working mothers. Factor analysis was used to reduce data into home and work satisfaction factors. These factors were then analyzed by multiple regression to determine the variance explained. Using stepwise multiple regression the following three factors predicted both satisfaction with home life and satisfaction with work 1) family interaction, 2) income, housing, and health, and 3) family diet and money management. Two additional factors, 1) time commitments and 2) family and community support, can predict satisfaction with work. The work factors that predicted home life satisfaction were 1) work schedule, 2) work environment, and 3) salary and advancement. Work factors that predict satisfaction with work were 1) breaks and control, 2) schedule and salary, and 3) commuting and friends at work. Working single mothers identified single parenting, financial problems, major changes in work or family, and problems with children as the situations causing stress in their lives. Using analysis of variance a statistically significant relationship was found with income and 1) education, 2) perception of enough income, 3) satisfaction with home life, and 4) work satisfaction.
Genome Sequence of SG33 Strain and Recombination between Wild-Type and Vaccine Myxoma Viruses

Myxomatosis in Europe is the result of the release of a South America strain of myxoma virus in 1952. Several attenuated strains with origins in South America or California have since been used as vaccines in the rabbit industry. We sequenced the genome of the SG33 myxoma virus vaccine strain and compared it with those of other myxoma virus strains. We show that SG33 genome carries a large deletion in its right end. Furthermore, our data strongly suggest that the virus isolate from which SG33 is derived results from an in vivo recombination between a wild-type South America (Lausanne) strain and a California MSD-derived strain. These findings raise questions about the use of insufficiently attenuated virus in vaccination.
DETECTION OF BUILT-UP AREAS IN SAR AND ASTER IMAGES USING CONDITIONAL RANDOM FIELDS

The current increase in population has resulted in widespread spatial changes, particularly rapid development of built-up areas, in the city and its environs. Up-to-date spatial information is requisite for the effective management and mitigation of the effects of built-up area dynamics. Spectral heterogeneity in built-up areas, however, remains a challenge to existing classification methods. This study developed a method for detecting built-up areas from SAR and ASTER images using conditional random field (CRF) framework. A feature selection approach and a novel data dependent term of CRF was designed and used to classify image blocks. Mean, standard deviation and variogram slope features were used to characterize training areas with slope describing spatial dependencies of classes. The association potential was designed using support vector machines (SVM), which can handle redundant data with any form of distribution while the inverse of transformed euclidean distance was used as a data dependent term of the interaction potential. The latter maintained stable accuracy when subjected to a range of small to large smoothness parameters while preserving class boundaries and aggregating similar labels during classification. This enforced a discontinuity adaptive model that moderated smoothing given data evidence unlike MRF, which penalizes every dissimilar label indiscriminately. The accuracy of detecting builtup areas using CRF exceeded that of markov random field (MRF), SVM and maximum likelihood classification (MLC) by 1.13%, 2.22% and 8.23% respectively. It also had the lowest false positives. The method illustrated that built-up areas increased by 98.9 hectares while 26.7 hectares were converted to non-built-up areas. Thus, it can be used to detect and monitor built-up area expansion; hence provide timely spatial information to urban planners and other relevant professionals.