Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extending Classical Multirate Signal Processing Theory to Graphs—Part I: Fundamentals

Signal processing on graphs finds applications in many areas. In recent years, renewed interest on this topic was kindled by two groups of researchers. Narang and Ortega constructed two-channel filter banks on bipartitie graphs described by Laplacians. Sandryhaila and Moura developed the theory of linear systems, filtering, and frequency responses for the case of graphs with arbitrary adjacency matrices, and showed applications in signal compression, prediction, etc. Inspired by these contributions, this paper extends classical multirate signal processing ideas to graphs. The graphs are assumed to be general with a possibly nonsymmetric and complex adjacency matrix. The paper revisits ideas, such as noble identities, aliasing, and polyphase decompositions in graph multirate systems. Drawing such a parallel to classical systems allows one to design filter banks with polynomial filters, with lower complexity than arbitrary graph filters. It is shown that the extension of classical multirate theory to graphs is nontrivial, and requires certain mathematical restrictions on the graph. Thus, classical noble identities cannot be taken for granted. Similarly, one cannot claim that the so-called delay chain system is a perfect reconstruction system (as in classical filter banks). It will also be shown that M-partite extensions of the bipartite filter bank results will not work for M-channel filter banks, but a more restrictive condition called M-block cyclic property should be imposed. Such graphs are studied in detail. A detailed theory for M-channel filter banks is developed in a companion paper.
The Quality of Spouses’ Social Networks Contributes to Each Other’s Cardiovascular Risk

Objectives Although the quality of one’s own social relationships has been related to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, whether a partner’s social network quality can similarly influence one’s cardiovascular risk is unknown. In this study we tested whether the quality of a partner’s social networks influenced one’s own ambulatory blood pressure (ABP). Methods The quality of 94 couples’ social networks was determined using a comprehensive model of relationships that separates out social ties that are sources of positivity(supportive), negativity (aversive), and both positivity and negativity (ambivalent). We then utilized statistical models (actor-partner analyses) that allowed us to separate out the links between one’s own social network quality on ABP (actor influences), a partner’s social network quality on ABP (partner influences), and a couple’s network quality combined on ABP (actor X partner interactions). Results Independent of one’s own relationship quality, results showed that an individual’s ABP was lower if their spouse had more supportive ties, and higher if a spouse had more aversive and ambivalent ties. In addition, couples’ networks in combination were associated with higher ABP but only if both had a low number of supportive ties, or a high number of aversive or ambivalent ties. Conclusions These data suggest that the social ties of those we have close relationships with may influence our cardiovascular risk and opens new opportunities to capitalize on untapped social resources or to mitigate hidden sources of social strain.
The Joint Retirement Decision of Husbands and Wives

The objective of the paper is to find empirically whether husbands and wives tend to retire at the same time, and to give an explanation of the findings. Similarity of retirement dates could be caused by similarity of tastes (assortative mating), by economic variables, or by the complimentarity of leisure. Each explanation would have different implications for the response of retirement to policy changes. Both simple data analysis and economic models of the age of retirement point to coordination of retirement dates: husbands and wives tend to retire at the same time. According to the results, very little of the coordination is due to economic variables, and simple cross-tabulations rule out assortative mating as an important explanation. This leaves complimentarity of leisure. Because of data limitations, this conclusion is, however, mainly qualitative. The data set is the Mew Beneficiary Survey.
Stabilization and Growth Under Dictatorship: The Experience of Franco's Spain

Stabilizing and liberalizing policies are key elements of the Washington Consensus. This paper adds a historical dimension to the ongoing debate by assessing the economic impact of market-oriented reforms undertaken during General Franco’s dictatorship, the 1959 Stabilization and Liberalization Plan. Using an index of macroeconomic distortions (IMD) the relationship between economic policies and the growth record is examined. Although a gradual reduction in macroeconomic distortions was already in motion during the 1950s, the 1959 Plan opened the way to a new institutional design that favoured a free-market allocation of resources and allowed Spain to accelerating growth and catching up with Western Europe. Without the 1959 Plan, per capita GDP would have been significantly lower in 1975.
Neural Stem Cell Approaches to CNS Repair

Neural stem cells (NSCs) can self-renew and give rise to neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. NSCs are found in the central nervous system (CNS) of mammalian organisms, and represent a promising resource for both fundamental research and CNS repair. Animal models of CNS damage have highlighted the potential benefit of NSC-based approaches. Here we review the progress in the field of NSC biology, including evidence of NSCs presence in the adult brain, NSC markers and current advances in NSC-based approaches for regenerative medicine.
Conditional Deletions of Epilepsy-Associated KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 Channels from Cerebral Cortex Cause Differential Effects on Neuronal Excitability

KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 potassium channels have emerged as central regulators of pyramidal neuron excitability and spiking behavior. However, despite an abundance of evidence demonstrating that KCNQ2/3 heteromers underlie critical potassium conductances, it is unknown whether KCNQ2, KCNQ3, or both are obligatory for maintaining normal pyramidal neuron excitability. Here, we demonstrate that conditional deletion of Kcnq2 from cerebral cortical pyramidal neurons in mice results in abnormal electrocorticogram activity and early death, whereas similar deletion of Kcnq3 does not. At the cellular level, Kcnq2-null, but not Kcnq3-null, CA1 pyramidal neurons show increased excitability manifested as a decreased medium afterhyperpolarization and a longer-lasting afterdepolarization. As a result, these Kcnq2-deficient neurons are hyperexcitable, responding to current injections with an increased number and frequency of action potentials. Biochemically, the Kcnq2 deficiency secondarily results in a substantial loss of KCNQ3 and KCNQ5 protein levels, whereas loss of Kcnq3 only leads to a modest reduction of other KCNQ channels. Consistent with this finding, KCNQ allosteric activators can still markedly dampen neuronal excitability in Kcnq3-null pyramidal neurons, but have only weak effects in Kcnq2-null pyramidal neurons. Together, our data reveal the indispensable function of KCNQ2 channels at both the cellular and systems levels, and demonstrate that pyramidal neurons have near normal excitability in the absence of KCNQ3 channels.
Particle Morphology and Density Characterization by Combined Mobility and Aerodynamic Diameter Measurements. Part 1: Theory

Different on-line submicron particle sizing techniques report different “equivalent diameters. ” For example, differential mobility analyzers (DMAs) report electrical mobility diameter (dm ), while a number of recently developed instruments (such as the Aerodyne aerosol mass spectrometer, or AMS) measure vacuum aerodynamic diameter (dva ). Particle density and physical morphology (shape) have important effects on diameter measurements. Here a framework is presented for combining the information content of different equivalent diameter measurements into a single coherent mathematical description of the particles. We first present a review of the mathematical formulations used in the literature and their relationships. We then show that combining dm and dva measurements for the same particle population allows the placing of constraints on particle density, dynamic shape factor (x), and fraction of internal void space. The amount of information that can be deduced from the combination of dm and dm measurements for various particle types is shown. With additional measurements and/or some assumptions, all relevant parameters can be determined. Specifically, particle mass can be determined from dm and dva measurements if the particle density is known and an assumption about x is made. Even if x and density are not known, particle mass can be estimated within about a factor of 2 from dm and dva measurements alone. The mass of a fractal particle can also be estimated under certain conditions. The meaning of various definitions of “effective density” used in the literature is placed in the context of the theory. This theoretical framework is applied to measurements of fractal (soot-like) particles by using experimental results from the literature as additional constraints.
Influence of cryopreservation on the antioxidative activity of in vitro cultivated Hypericum species

Antioxidative activity of two in vitro cultivated Hypericum species – H. rumeliacum Boiss. and H. tetrapterum Fr. – was estimated after cryopreservation. Both species were successfully regenerated after a cryopreservation procedure performed by the vitrification method. H. tetrapterum did not manifest any significant oxidative stress-induced changes caused by low-temperature treatment. Conversely, a decrease in green pigments' content of H. rumeliacum was measured, particularly pronounced in chlorophyll b, which was accompanied by an increase of carotenoids in the regenerated plants. A strong increase of malone dialdehyde and H2O2 levels in H. rumeliacum tissues was detected. Superoxide dismutase activity was enhanced by 170%, as well as the catalase activity, which was 220% above the control. The same trend was observed in H. tetrapterum, although less pronounced – 143% increase of superoxide dismutase and 112% of catalase. Cryopreservation did not influence the phenol content in the examined plants, but it led to an increase of flavonoid content, especially in H. tetrapterum, by 237%. Total antioxidant activity in regenerated H. tetrapterum varied around the control level, but it was increased in H. rumeliacum. The free proline content in H. tetrapterum remained almost unaffected after freezing, as opposed to H. rumeliacum, where a strong increase of proline content (208% above the control) occurred. An electrolyte leakage from the cells of H. rumeliacum regenerated after cryopreservation was also registered, albeit not significant.
Organizational size and knowledge flow: a proposed theoretical link

Purpose – This paper seeks to present a theory clarifying the negative relationship between organizational unit size and knowledge flows referred to as Gita's Rule.Design/methodology/approach – This paper draws from the literature and develops a grounded theory. Various applications and propositions are suggested through this theoretical lens.Findings – It is suggested that, as the size of an organizational unit increases, the effectiveness of internal knowledge flows dramatically diminishes and the degree of intra‐organizational knowledge sharing decreases.Research limitations/implications – It is proposed that 150 employees represents a general breaking point, after which knowledge sharing reduces due largely to increased complexity in the formal structure, weaker interpersonal relationships and lower trust, decreased connective efficacy, and less effective communication.Practical implications – The research points to the key dimension of organizational size that must be considered when developing model.
On the improvement of the OFDM-based cognitive-radio performance using cancellation carriers

An important aspect of the cognitive radio development is the necessary advancement of the physical-layer techniques facilitating efficient operation in partly occupied frequency-bands. Although the orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) is the promising modulation method, its high-power sidelobes is an important shortcoming that may cause interference to the adjacent licensed frequency-bands. To overcome this problem, the cancellation-carriers method can be used as it offers relatively strong the outof-band (OOB) radiation suppression. Regrettably, this technique decreases the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) leading to the increase of the bit-error rate (BER). The OFDM-signal reception method proposed in this paper uses cancellation carriers to improve the transmission BER performance, and in the same time handles the sidelobes suppression strength and the transmitter computational complexity. Computer simulations were conducted to evaluate the performance of this scheme in various operating conditions. The results show that even for a small number of cancellation carriers (CCs), a noticeable SNR-gain can be obtained in a Rayleigh-fading channel.
IN REAL-TIME

according to an optimality criterion leads to efficient operation, but the computational load can readily become unacceptable. An acceptable technique is described. The solution of sets of equations with regard to an optimality criterion is often referred to as that of obtaining the pseudo-inverse, or generalised inverse, of a matrix, and a link to this is made in one of the references quoted. Another of the papers deals with parallel-link manipulators, of the general type of the sets of six hydraulic rams seen underneath modern flight simulator cabins. The matter of flexibility and compliance is treated here also. The remaining three papers deals with aspects of fixturing, a topic of current interest in flexible manufacturing. The book is also an issue of a journal, and includes as a regular feature a review of new patents. Some of these are rather intriguing, and they include a robot table tennis server, a remote-controlled robot horse-rider, a robot lawn-mower, and a scheme for letting a robot return automatically to a charging station when its battery begins to run low. The main collection of papers certainly seems to make a useful contribution to the state of the art.
Bleeding Meckel's Diverticulum in Children: The Diagnostic Value of Double-Balloon Enteroscopy

Background. Meckel's diverticulum (MD) is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value and safety of double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) for bleeding MD in children. Methods. We included consecutive children who were highly suspected of MD between 2012 and 2013. All patients underwent Meckel's scan. DBE was performed for patient with negative Meckel's scan. An exploratory laparoscopy was performed in children with positive Meckel's scan or DBE. Results. 42 patients met the inclusion criteria. 40 patients were confirmed to have MD by exploratory laparoscopy. Meckel's scan was positive in 36 and negative in 6, with 34 as true positives and 2 as false positives. Six patients with negative Meckel's scan were found to have MD by retrograde DBE and had immediate operation. The distance from the diverticulum to the ileocecal valve was 40 to 60 cm. Ectopic gastric mucosa was present in all 6 patients (100%). After operation, patients were followed in clinic for 20 to 42 months and no evidence of GI bleeding or recurrent anemia was observed. Conclusions. Double-balloon enteroscopy can be a reliable diagnostic tool for bleeding Meckel's diverticulum in children with negative Meckel's scan.
Inhibition of Telomere Recombination by Inactivation of KEOPS Subunit Cgi121 Promotes Cell Longevity

DNA double strand break (DSB) is one of the major damages that cause genome instability and cellular aging. The homologous recombination (HR)-mediated repair of DSBs plays an essential role in assurance of genome stability and cell longevity. Telomeres resemble DSBs and are competent for HR. Here we show that in budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae telomere recombination elicits genome instability and accelerates cellular aging. Inactivation of KEOPS subunit Cgi121 specifically inhibits telomere recombination, and significantly extends cell longevity in both telomerase-positive and pre-senescing telomerase-negative cells. Deletion of CGI121 in the short-lived yku80tel mutant restores lifespan to cgi121Δ level, supporting the function of Cgi121 in telomeric single-stranded DNA generation and thus in promotion of telomere recombination. Strikingly, inhibition of telomere recombination is able to further slow down the aging process in long-lived fob1Δ cells, in which rDNA recombination is restrained. Our study indicates that HR activity at telomeres interferes with telomerase to pose a negative impact on cellular longevity.
Skills and inequality: partisan politics and the political economy of education reforms in Western welfare states

This book studies the political economy of education and training reforms from the perspective of comparative welfare state research. Highlighting the striking similarities between established worlds of welfare capitalism and educational regimes, the author argues that both have similar political origins in the postwar period. The author identifies partisan politics and different varieties of capitalism as crucial factors shaping choices about the institutional design of post-secondary education. The political and institutional survival of vocational education and training as an alternative to academic higher education is then found to play an important role in the later development of skill regimes. The author also studies the effects of educational institutions on social inequality and patterns of public opinion on the welfare state and education. Adopting a multi-method approach, this book combines historical case studies of Sweden, Germany, and the United Kingdom with quantitative analyses of macro-level aggregate data and micro-level survey data.
Optimization of AVS-M Video Decoder for Real-time Implementation on Embedded RISC Processors

In this paper, we propose a powerful AVS-M video decoder that can perform real-time decoding of AVS-M video on embedded RISC processors. Our optimization schemes cover algorithmic improvement, zero skipping, early termination, and data reusing. We have reduced about 90% ~ 93% of complexity after optimization with the proposed techniques as compared to the original reference codes. The proposed low complexity AVS-M video decoder can achieve about QVGA@30fps ~ 50fps when running on ARM920T processor at 384 MHz.
FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI KEPUTUSAN KONSUMEN MENABUNG DI BANK SYARIAH (Studi Kasus Pada Bank Syariah Mandiri Cabang Jember)

This research is done to know the influence of variable of marketing mix service to the decision making of consumer to save their money in Bank in Jember. The independent variable in this research are the marketing mix that include: product (X1), price (X2), place (X3), promotion (X4)). The dependent variable in this research is the decision making of consumer. Research methode was with regresion analysis. The population was all the consumer that save their money in BSM Jember . The amount of sample was 50 respondent. Research was done by conducted direct observation to the the consumer that save their money in BSM Jember tough questioner. The technique of intake of sample used purposive random sampling. Based on the analysis result, it is obtained that the variable of marketing mix that have direct influence to the decision making of consumer The regresion coeficient of each variables was product (0,192), price (0,235) place (0,528) and promotion (0,242). Key Words : Marketing, product, price, place, promotion, purposive random sampling.
Comparison of serum vitamin D level in multiple sclerosis patients, their siblings, and healthy controls

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune, neuro-inflammatory disease of central nervous system affecting physical, emotional, and cognitive aspects of patients. Association of vitamin D deficiency and MS has been shown in previous studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum vitamin D level in MS cases and their sex-matched healthy siblings (who are genetically near similar) and non-relative sex-matched healthy controls. Methods: A total of 135 subjects enrolled in this case-control study. Group one (n = 45) consisted of patients with established MS. Group two (n = 45) included sex-matched healthy siblings of the group one and group three participants (n = 45) were non-relative sex-matched healthy controls. Demographic data (age, sex), level of education, daily sun exposure duration, and month of birth gathered for all. Serum sample of all participants was collected for 25-hydroxy vitamin D measurement. Results: There was no significant difference between vitamin D level, sun exposure duration, education level, and season of birth in three evaluated groups. Mean vitamin D level was 8.2 ± 10.1 (nmol/l) in women and 13.3 ± 7 (nmol/l) in men (P = 0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between daily sun exposure duration and vitamin D level in whole participants (r = 0.28, P < 0.001) as well as in MS patients (r = 0.32, P = 0.030). Mean vitamin D level was significantly lower in participants who have born in spring and summer. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is high among Iranian population as well as MS patients.
Inventory control of an item with a probabilistic replenishment lead time and a known supplier shutdown period

In this paper, we address an important practical situation, namely where the usual replenishment lead time (when the supplier's production facility is operating) is a random variable and the supplier shuts down for an interval of known duration (for maintenance, vacation, etc.) each year. The demand rate is constant and any demand when out of stock is assumed to be lost. Under such circumstances we develop a heuristic procedure to decide when to initiate replenishment as well as the associated order-up-to-levels. Through the use of simulation (which accurately estimates the average costs per unit time), the heuristic is shown to perform excellently in a selection of small size problems when one can find the optimal solution. For a large number of problems of more realistic size, the use of simulation reveals that the heuristic achieves substantial cost savings when compared with a simpler, baseline approach. The heuristic itself does not require the use of simulation. The sensitivity of total expected costs to various parameters (such as the length of the shutdown interval and characteristics of the lead time distribution) is discussed.
Inequality and the state

1. Introduction PART 1: INCOME INEQUALITY AND POVERTY IN BRITAIN 2. Income inequality in the UK: extent and trends 3. Poverty, deprivation, and exclusion 4. Why has the income distribution changed? 5. Income dynamics and social mobility PART 2: THE IMPACT OF POLICY 6. Social spending and the boundaries between public and private sectors 7. Tax and welfare 8. Distribution and redistribution PART 3: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? 9. New Labour, welfare, and distribution 10. Constraints and pressures 11. Conclusions: The spending pit or the tax pendulum?