Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MOLT: A Mobile Learning Tool That Makes Learning New Technical English Language Words Enjoyable

There is an increase use of wireless technologies in education all over the world. In fact, wireless technologies such as laptop computers, palmtop computers, and mobile phones are revolutionizing education and transforming the traditional classroom based learning and teaching into anytime and anywhere education. This paper investigates the use of wireless technologies in education with particular reference to the potential of learning new technical English Language words using SMS text messaging. The system, developed by the authors, called Mobile Learning Tool (MOLT), has been tested with 45 first-year undergraduate students. Studentsâ? opinions have been collected after the experiment. Our results show that students enjoyed and be happy used mobile phones to learn new technical English word. We believe that if we add the improvements or modifications students wish to see in the MOLT system, then using the MOLT system as an educational tool will contribute to motivation and success of students.
Sensor localization using generalized belief propagation in network with loops

Belief propagation (BP), also called “sum-product algorithm”, is one of the best-known graphical model for inference in statistical physics, artificial intelligence, computer vision, etc. Furthermore, a recent research in distributed sensor network localization showed us that BP is an efficient way to obtain sensor location as well as appropriate uncertainty. However, BP convergence is not guaranteed in a network with loops. In this paper, we propose localization using generalized belief propagation based on junction tree (GBPJT) method. We illustrate it in a network with loop where BP shows poor performance. In fact, we compared estimated locations with Nonparametric Belief Propagation (NBP) algorithm. According to our simulation results, GBP-JT resolved the problems with loops, but the price for this is unacceptable large computational cost. The main conclusion is that this algorithm could be used with some approximation which keeps improved accuracy and significantly decreases the computational cost.
An open system for transparent firewall authentication and user traffic identification within corporate intranets

Classical firewalls provide network security by matching a network flow's 5-tuple information against user defined packet filters loaded into memory. In today's dynamic network environments where threats can be both outside and inside a network, it is not sufficient to simply identify the originator of a data packet by a source address and port pair. It is necessary to identify the user or entity responsible for the transmission. An open and vendor neutral authentication scheme inspired by the IPSEC Authentication Header is presented which allows for the creation of firewall packet filters based on user identity.
Predicting Range of Acceptable Photographic Tonal Adjustments

There is often more than one way to select tonal adjustment-for a photograph, and different individuals may prefer different adjustments. However, selecting good adjustments is challenging. This paper describes a method to predict whether a given tonal rendition is acceptable for a photograph, which we use to characterize its range of acceptable adjustments. We gathered a dataset of image “acceptability” over brightness and contrast adjustments. We find that unacceptable renditions can be explained in terms of overexposure, under-exposure, and low contrast. Based on this observation, we propose a machine-learning algorithm to assess whether an adjusted photograph looks acceptable. We show that our algorithm can differentiate unsightly renditions from reasonable ones. Finally, we describe proof-of-concept applications that use our algorithm to guide the exploration of the possible tonal renditions of a photograph.
Amplify-and-forward partial relay selection with feedback delay

This paper evaluates the impact of using outdated channel estimates due to feedback delay for relay selection and signal amplification on the performance of partial relay selection with amplify-and-forward (AF) relays. Both variable and fixed gain AF schemes are considered. Expressions for the system's outage probability and the average bit error rate, and their high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) approximations are derived. The effect of parameters such as the rank of relay chosen, SNR imbalance and the correlation between the delayed and current channel state information are studied and verified through simulations.
Crystal structure of an HD‐GYP domain cyclic‐di‐GMP phosphodiesterase reveals an enzyme with a novel trinuclear catalytic iron centre

Bis‐(3′,5′) cyclic di‐guanylate (c‐di‐GMP) is a key bacterial second messenger that is implicated in the regulation of many crucial processes that include biofilm formation, motility and virulence. Cellular levels of c‐di‐GMP are controlled through synthesis by GGDEF domain diguanylate cyclases and degradation by two classes of phosphodiesterase with EAL or HD‐GYP domains. Here, we have determined the structure of an enzymatically active HD‐GYP domain protein from Persephonella marina (PmGH) alone, in complex with substrate (c‐di‐GMP) and final reaction product (GMP). The structures reveal a novel trinuclear iron binding site, which is implicated in catalysis and identify residues involved in recognition of c‐di‐GMP. This structure completes the picture of all domains involved in c‐di‐GMP metabolism and reveals that the HD‐GYP family splits into two distinct subgroups containing bi‐ and trinuclear metal centres.
A 0.9V 92dB Double-Sampled Switched-RC SD Audio ADC

A 0.9V third-order 1.5bit delta-sigma ADC with simple dynamic element matching (DEM) is presented. A fully-differential low-voltage double-sampling structure avoids use of clock boosting or bootstrapping. It operates from 0.65V to 1.5V supply with minimal performance degradation. The prototype IC implemented in a 0.13mum CMOS process achieves 92dB DR, 91dB SNR and 89dB SNDR, while consuming 1.5mW from a 0.9V supply
ANTIBIOTICS AS GROWTH PROMOTANTS:MODE OF ACTION

ABSTRACT Recent concerns about the use of growth-promoting antibiotics in pig diets have renewed interest in the immunologic and growth-regulating functions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The numerically dense and metabolically active microbiota of the pig GI tract represents a key focal point for such questions. The intestinal microbiota is viewed typically as a beneficial entity for the host. Intestinal bacteria provide both nutritional and defensive functions for their host. However, the host animal invests substantially in defensive efforts to first sequester gut microbes away from the epithelial surface, and second to quickly mount immune responses against those organisms that breach epithelial defenses. The impact of host responses to gut bacteria and their metabolic activities require special consideration when viewed in the context of pig production in which efficiency of animal growth is a primary objective. Here, we summarize the working hypothesis that antibiotics improve the efficiency of animal growth via their inhibition of the normal microbiota, leading to increased nutrient utilization and a reduction in the maintenance costs of the GI system. In addition, novel molecular ecology techniques are described that can serve as tools to uncover the relationship between intestinal microbiology and growth efficiency.
The relationship between iodine nutrition and thyroid disease in lactating women with different iodine intakes

Abstract Areas with low, adequate and excessive I content in water co-exist in China. Limited data are currently available on I nutrition and thyroid disease in lactating women and their breast-fed infants with different I intakes. This study aimed to evaluate I nutrition in both lactating women and their infants and the prevalence of thyroid disease in areas with different levels of I in water. From January to June 2014, a total of 343 healthy lactating women (excluding those taking anti-thyroid drugs or I supplements within a year of the study, consuming seafood at the time of the study or those diagnosed with congenital thyroid disease) from Beihai in Guangxi province and Jiajiazhuang, Yangcheng, Jicun and Pingyao townships in Shanxi province were selected. Compared with the I-sufficient group, median urinary I concentrations in both lactating women and infants as well as breast milk I levels were significantly lower in the I-deficient group (P<0·001). The prevalence of thyroid disease in lactating women, particularly subclinical hypothyroidism, was higher in the I-excess group than in the I-sufficient group (P<0·05). In areas with excessive water I content, high thyroid peroxidase antibody and high thyroglobulin levels were risk factors for abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone levels. Our data collectively suggest that excessive I intake potentially causes subclinical hypothyroidism in lactating women. Moreover, enhanced monitoring of I status is important to avoid adverse effects of I deficiency or excess, particularly in susceptible populations such as pregnant or lactating women and infants.
Myocardin Overexpression Is Sufficient for Promoting the Development of a Mature Smooth Muscle Cell-Like Phenotype from Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Background Myocardin is thought to have a key role in smooth muscle cell (SMC) development by acting on CArG-dependent genes. However, it is unclear whether myocardin-induced SMC maturation and increases in agonist-induced calcium signalling are also associated with increases in the expression of non-CArG-dependent SMC-specific genes. Moreover, it is unknown whether myocardin promotes SMC development from human embryonic stem cells. Methodology/Principal Findings The effects of adenoviral-mediated myocardin overexpression on SMC development in human ESC-derived embryoid bodies were investigated using immunofluorescence, flow cytometry and real time RT-PCR. Myocardin overexpression from day 10 to day 28 of embryoid body differentiation increased the number of smooth muscle α-actin+ and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain+ SMC-like cells and increased carbachol-induced contractile function. However, myocardin was found to selectively regulate only CArG-dependent SMC-specific genes. Nevertheless, myocardin expression appeared to be sufficient to specify the SMC lineage. Conclusions/Significance Myocardin increases the development and maturation of SMC-like cells from human embryonic stem cells despite not activating the full repertoire of SMC genes. These findings have implications for vascular tissue engineering and other applications requiring large numbers of functional SMCs.
On testing of non-isolated embedded legacy cores and their surround logic

We consider issues related to the testing of a legacy core embedded in user-defined logic. We assume that the only information available about the core is its test set. We provide procedures for testing the core and its surrounding logic without adding DFT logic. The procedures maximize the information extracted from the test set given for the core, in order to maximize the fault coverage achieved without DFT. We also describe DFT insertion procedures. The core and the surrounding logic are considered simultaneously during DFT insertion to minimize the amount of DFT logic required.
Induction of decay-accelerating factor by thrombin through a protease-activated receptor 1 and protein kinase C–dependent pathway protects vascular endothelial cells from complement-mediated injury

thromboticpathwaysininﬂammatoryvas-cular atherosclerosis and vasculitis. complement activation on the endothelial cell (EC) surface during inﬂammation may generate thrombin via the synthesis of tissue factor. We explored the hypothesis that thrombin induces EC expression of the comple-ment-regulatoryproteinsdecay-accelerat- ing factor (DAF), membrane cofactor protein (MCP), and CD59 and that this maintainsvascularintegrityduringcoagu-lation associated with complement activation. Thrombin increased DAF expression on the surface of ECs by 4-fold in a dose- and time-dependent manner as measured by ﬂow cytometry. DAF up-regulation was ﬁrst detectable at 6 hours and maximal 24 hours poststimulation, whereas no up-regulation of CD59 or MCP was seen. Thrombin-induced expression required increased DAF messenger RNA and de novo protein synthesis. The response depended on activation of pro-tease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) and was inhibited by pharmacologic antagonists of protein kinase C (PKC), p38 and p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and nuclear factor- k B. The increased DAF expression was functionally relevant because it signiﬁcantly reduced C3 depo-sitionandcomplement-mediatedEClysis. at inﬂammatory sites in response to complement activation—is a physiologic agonist for the PKC-dependent pathway of DAF
Applications of nonlinear laser nano/microlithography: fabrication from nanophotonic to biomedical components

In this work we present the latest results in the application of multi-photon polymerization for tissue engineering, by fabricating microstructured artificial 3D scaffolds for stem cell growth. Microstructuring of large scale 3D scaffolds is investigated and the direct laser writing technique is supplemented by fabrication by multi-beam interference and micromolding of large scale structures. Within the limitation of our study, we conclude that the proposed nonlinear direct laser writing technique offers rapid and flexible fabrication of biomedical components with required shape, pore size and general porosity. The applications could target biostable and biodegradable implants applied for bone or tissue replacement as well as drug delivery or release agents.
Parameter Values of Android APIs: A Preliminary Study on 100,000 Apps

Parameter values are important elements for understanding how Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are used in practice. In the context of Android, a few number of API methods are used pervasively by millions of apps, where these API methods provide app core functionality. In this paper, we present preliminary insights from ParamHarver, a purely static analysis approach for automatically extracting parameter values from Android apps. Investigations on 100,000 apps illustrate how an in-depth study of parameter values can be leveraged in various scenarios (e.g., to recommend relevant parameter values, or even, to some extent, to identify malicious apps).
A 12-bit 8.47-fJ/Conversion-Step Capacitor-Swapping SAR ADC in 110-nm CMOS

This paper presents a 12-bit energy-efficient successive approximation register analog-to-digital converter (ADC). By incorporating the proposed capacitor-swapping technique, which eliminates the problematic MSB mismatch transition of a binary-weighted capacitor digital-to-analog converter, the 12-bit linearity of the ADC is achieved without increasing the capacitor size for improved matching. The small capacitor size results in low power consumption. In addition, an on-the-fly programmable dynamic comparator is used for quick comparisons with low noise contributions within the limited power budget. The ADC is fabricated using a 110-nm CMOS process. It consumes 16.47 μW from a 0.9-V supply at a conversion-rate of 1 MS/s. The measured DNL and INL are within 0.3 LSB and 0.56 LSB, respectively. The measured SNDR and SFDR are at 67.3 dB and 87 dB, respectively. The ENOB performance is 10.92 b, which is equivalent to a figure-of-merit of 8.47 fJ/conversion-step.
Finding Explanations for Assisting Pattern Interpretation

We present a novel approach for assisting pattern interpretation by data mining end-users: finding explanations for association rules based on probabilistic dependencies. In the approach, relevant variables are selected from rules and from other data sources to facilitate human-understandable interpretations. An explanation of a rule involves consideration of observable variables in the data and alignment with the conditional probability of the rule. To build explanations involving multiple, interacting variables, we use Bayesian networks to structure relationships. We illustrate the benefits of our technique for assisting pattern interpretation using Internet use survey data. The novel technique has potential in various data mining scenarios such as computer aided pattern interpretation and interactive data mining.
2015 Ieee International Conference on Big Data (big Data) Mining Target Users for Online Marketing Based on App Store Data

—It is well known that the key issue of online marketing is to accurately find the target user groups for the corresponding advertisements. Traditionally, the advertising products target user groups based on search keywords (e.g. AdWords), page visiting (e.g. AdSense), and etc. In this work, we explore a new targeting strategy – targeting users based on their downloaded apps. Specifically, we make use of a subset of the data from the Huawei App Store, consisting of 20,169,033 users and 122,875 apps with 453,346,250 downloads during one year. For each marketing job, the advertiser only need to label a small set of apps, usually around 10 apps, that the target users might be interested in. Our system xRank will automatically find a list of top potential target users for the advertiser. We implement xRank with very efficient performance on the top of Hadoop to be capable for a real web-scale dataset, and then conducted our system to several real marketing tasks. The results show that, for each marketing task, with only a few labels, xRank can effectively find a precise target group of users, and can also significantly improved the effectiveness of our online marketing compared to the rule-based approaches in the current system.
Asymptotic behavior of a thermoviscoelastic plate with memory effects

We consider a coupled linear system describing a thermoviscoelastic plate with hereditary effects. The system con- sists of a hyperbolic integrodifferential equation, governing the temperature, which is linearly coupled with the partial differ- ential equation ruling the evolution of the vertical deflection, presenting a convolution term accounting for memory effects. It is also assumed that the thermal power contains a memory term characterized by a relaxation kernel. We prove that the system is exponentially stable and we obtain a closeness estimate between the system with memory effects and the corresponding memory-free limiting system, as the kernels fade in a suitable sense.
Emissive displays with transfer-printed assemblies of 8 μm × 15 μm inorganic light-emitting diodes

Displays using direct light emission from microscale inorganic light-emitting diodes (μILEDs) have the potential to be very bright and also very power efficient. High-throughput technologies that accurately and cost-effectively assemble microscale devices on display substrates with high yield are key enablers for μILED displays. Elastomer stamp transfer printing is such a candidate assembly technology. A variety of μILED displays have been designed and fabricated by transfer printing, including passive-matrix and active-matrix displays on glass and plastic substrates.
Quench Protection Considerations for CESR Superconducting IR Quadrupoles

ta = Max tar , tal ( ); tar = a2 − a1 2vr ; tal = l 2vz (3) In these equations, L is the magnet's inductance, Jop is the overall current density in the coil before the quench, A is the wire area, vr is the radial quench velocity, vz is the longitudinal quench velocity, l is the length of the magnet, and a1 (a2) is the inner (outer) coil radius. Relations for the quench velocities are given in ref. [2]. The energy deposited in the coil is related to the resulting coil temperature θ by the following phenomenological relation, which defines F1: I ∫ dt A = F1 θ θ1 (4)
Predictive value of self-reported patient information for the identification of lumbar spinal stenosis.

BACKGROUND To our knowledge, no objective criterion has been identified for the diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and no study has evaluated the predictive value of self-reported patient information for the identification of LSS. OBJECTIVE To develop and validate a prediction rule for the identification of LSS based on self-reported patient information alone. METHODS Prospective derivation study using a coefficient-based multivariable logistic regression scoring method with internal validation with primary care clinics and orthopaedic departments of medical centres, as well as university and other hospitals. Participants were consecutive patients with primary symptoms of pain or numbness in the lower extremities. Physician-diagnosed LSS was the MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE RESULTS Of 468 patients included in the analysis, 47.3% were diagnosed with LSS and divided into derivation and validation sets. The following items were retained at the conclusion of the derivation process: age (<60, 60-70 and >70), duration of symptoms over 6 months, symptom improvement when bending forward, symptom improvement when bending backward, symptom exacerbation while standing up, intermittent claudication and urinary incontinence. To derive a risk score for each patient, integer-based scores were assigned and summed. In the validation data sets, prevalence of LSS in patients from the first to fourth risk score quartile were 13.3%, 47.6%, 55.2% and 65.5%, respectively. Further, the likelihood ratio in the low-risk category was 0.154. CONCLUSIONS We developed a prediction rule for the identification of LSS based on self-reported patient information alone. Further, the likelihood ratio in the low-risk category was sufficiently low. This rule may be used for screening of LSS.
Attenuation of fever and release of cytokines after repeated injections of lipopolysaccharide in guinea‐pigs.

1. The effects of repeated injections of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at 3 day intervals on abdominal temperature and systemic release of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF)‐like and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6)‐like activity were measured in guinea‐pigs. 2. After the third injection of LPS the fever response was significantly attenuated. 3. TNF‐like activity (peak 1 h after LPS injection) and IL‐6‐like activity (peak 3 h after LPS injection) in plasma changed correspondingly, both being significantly reduced after the third and subsequent injections of LPS. 4. The increase of IL‐6‐like activity in plasma after LPS injection correlated to the febrile change in body temperature. This correlation remained manifest throughout the whole time course of the development of endotoxin tolerance. 5. The reduced production of TNF‐like activity after repeated injections of LPS correlated to the attenuation of the fever index, the integration of the thermal response after LPS application. 6. The results support the hypothesis that one component of the development of endotoxin tolerance is reduced production and release of cytokines in response to repeated injections of the same amount of LPS.