Mining interesting link formation rules in social networks

Link structures are important patterns one looks out for when modeling and analyzing social networks. In this pa-per, we propose the task of mining interesting Link For-mation rules (LF-rules) containing link structures known as Link Formation patterns (LF-patterns). LF-patterns cap-ture various dyadic and/or triadic structures among groups of nodes, while LF-rules capture the formation of a new link from a focal node to another node as a postcondition of exist-ing connections between the two nodes. We devise a novel LF-rule mining algorithm, known as LFR-Miner, based on frequent subgraph mining for our task. In addition to us-ing a support-confidence framework for measuring the fre-quency and significance of LF-rules, we introduce the notion of expected support to account for the extent to which LF-rules exist in a social network by chance. Specifically, only LF-rules with higher-than-expected support are considered interesting. We conduct empirical studies on two real-world social networks, namely Epinions and myGamma. We re-port interesting LF-rules mined from the two networks, and compare our findings with earlier findings in social network analysis

A universal method for depositing patterned materials in-situ

Current techniques of patterned material deposition require separate steps for patterning and material deposition. The complexity and harsh working conditions post serious limitations for fabrication. Here, we introduce a novel single-step and easy-to-adapt method that can deposit materials in-situ. Its unique methodology is based on the semiconductor nanoparticle assisted photon-induced chemical reduction and optical trapping. This universal mechanism can be used for depositing a large selection of materials including metals, insulators and magnets, with quality on par with current technologies. Patterning with several materials together with optical-diffraction-limited resolution accuracy can be achieved from macroscopic to microscopic scale. Furthermore, the setup is naturally compatible with optical microscopy based measurements, thus sample characterisation and material deposition can be realised in-situ. Various devices fabricated with this method in 2D or 3D show it is ready for deployment in practical applications. This revolutionary method will provide a distinct tool in material technology

Reactivation of Epstein–Barr virus by a dual-responsive fluorescent EBNA1-targeting agent with Zn2+-chelating function

EBNA1 is the only Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) latent protein responsible for viral genome maintenance and is expressed in all EBV-infected cells. Zn2+ is essential for oligomerization of the functional EBNA1. We constructed an EBNA1 binding peptide with a Zn2+ chelator to create an EBNA1-specific inhibitor (ZRL5P4). ZRL5P4 by itself is sufficient to reactivate EBV from its latent infection. ZRL5P4 is able to emit unique responsive fluorescent signals once it binds with EBNA1 and a Zn2+ ion. ZRL5P4 can selectively disrupt the EBNA1 oligomerization and cause nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) tumor shrinkage, possibly due to EBV lytic induction. Dicer1 seems essential for this lytic reactivation. As can been seen, EBNA1 is likely to maintain NPC cell survival by suppressing viral reactivation

Search for dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks in √s = 13 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for weakly interacting massive particle dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks is presented. Final states containing third-generation quarks and miss- ing transverse momentum are considered. The analysis uses 36.1 fb−1 of proton–proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at √s = 13 TeV in 2015 and 2016. No significant excess of events above the estimated backgrounds is observed. The results are in- terpreted in the framework of simplified models of spin-0 dark-matter mediators. For colour- neutral spin-0 mediators produced in association with top quarks and decaying into a pair of dark-matter particles, mediator masses below 50 GeV are excluded assuming a dark-matter candidate mass of 1 GeV and unitary couplings. For scalar and pseudoscalar mediators produced in association with bottom quarks, the search sets limits on the production cross- section of 300 times the predicted rate for mediators with masses between 10 and 50 GeV and assuming a dark-matter mass of 1 GeV and unitary coupling. Constraints on colour- charged scalar simplified models are also presented. Assuming a dark-matter particle mass of 35 GeV, mediator particles with mass below 1.1 TeV are excluded for couplings yielding a dark-matter relic density consistent with measurements

A 25MHz sign and magnitude converter for analog current mode iterative decoders

A 25MHz low-power sign and magnitude (SAM) converter for processing bi-directional currents is proposed. It converts the lowest current of ±1μA in less than 40ns, and does not require any static bias currents. The circuit is designed using a 0.35μm CMOS process, and functionalities are confirmed by simulation results. © 2010 IEEE

A 20MHz switched-current sample-and-hold circuit for current mode analog iterative decoders

A high-frequency low-power switched-current (SI) sample-and-hold (S/H) of a current-mode analog iterative decoder is proposed. A capacitor divider is used to reduce charge injection from the sampling switch and a cascode transistor is used to reduce channel length modulation. The cascode transistor is biased by a CMOS peaking current source rather than the conventional CMOS Widlar current source to arrive at stable S/H operation. The SI S/H is designed using a 0.35 μm CMOS process, and simulation results show that it could operate at 20MHz, consuming a power of only 22.275 μW

Engineering Outreach: A Successful Initiative With Gifted Students in Science and Technology in Hong Kong

The primary goal of engineering outreach is to attract prospective students to engineering education and the engineering profession. Gifted students, especially those identified as possessing unusually high abilities in science and technology, are especially promising students to attract to careers in engineering. It is critical to cultivate these students' interests and develop their potential for engineering while encouraging them to pursue engineering studies beyond K-12 education. This article presents examples of the successful learning outcomes of an ongoing University-based Electronics Technology Project Study (UETPS) program, a joint endeavor between the IEEE Hong Kong Section, the Education Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government, and the Hong Kong Academy of Gifted Education (HKAGE). The UETPS program promotes electrical, electronic, and computer engineering education in Hong Kong and is aimed particularly at gifted students as well as their parents, teachers, and schools. Project applicants underwent formal identification procedures by the Gifted Education Section of the HKSAR Education Bureau and were identified as being gifted in the area of science and technology. Selected participants then participated in one-year research projects in electronics and computer engineering under the guidance of university professors in their respective engineering departments. This program addresses an urgent need of the engineering education sector by reaching out to highly talented K-12 students and their surrounding communities. According to the evaluation results, the UETPS program has significantly enhanced the participating students' interest in engineering as a career choice and encouraged them to pursue undergraduate studies in engineering. This article also discusses lessons learned and proposes strategies for future potential implementers