Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear companding transform for reducing peak-to-average power ratio of OFDM signals

A new nonlinear companding transform scheme is proposed to reduce the peak-to-average ratio (PAPR) in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signals. By exploiting statistical distribution of transmitted OFDM signals, the proposed scheme effectively reduces the PAPR by compressing the peak signals and expanding the small signals, while maintaining the average power unchanged by properly choosing transform parameters. The fact that the proposed companding scheme is described by a single-valued function allows to be transformed before amplification and to be restored the signals at the receiver. The proposed scheme can be applicable with any modulation format and subcarriers. Our simulations results confirm that the suggested scheme exhibits a good ability to reduce PAPR and a good BER performance with a solid state power amplifier (SSPA) in an additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel.
Tryptophan metabolism in alcoholism

Acute and chronic alcohol (ethanol) intake and subsequent withdrawal exert major effects on tryptophan (Trp) metabolism and disposition in human subjects and experimental animals. In rats, activity of the rate-limiting enzyme of Trp degradation, liver Trp pyrrolase (TP), is enhanced by acute, but inhibited after chronic, ethanol administration, then enhanced during withdrawal. These changes lead to alterations in brain serotonin synthesis and turnover mediated by corresponding changes in circulating Trp availability to the brain. A low brain-serotonin concentration characterizes the alcohol-preferring C57BL/6J mouse strain and many alcohol-preferring rat lines. In this mouse strain, liver TP enhancement causes the serotonin decrease. In man, acute ethanol intake inhibits brain serotonin synthesis by activating liver TP. This may explain alcohol-induced depression, aggression and loss of control in susceptible individuals. Chronic alcohol intake in dependent subjects may be associated with liver TP inhibition and a consequent enhancement of brain serotonin synthesis, whereas subsequent withdrawal may induce the opposite effects. The excitotoxic Trp metabolite quinolinate may play a role in the behavioural disturbances of the alcohol-withdrawal syndrome. Some abstinent alcoholics may have a central serotonin deficiency, which they correct by liver TP inhibition through drinking. Further studies of the Trp and serotonin metabolic status in long-term abstinence in general and in relation to personality characteristics, alcoholism typology and genetic factors in particular may yield important information which should facilitate the development of more effective screening, and preventative and therapeutic strategies in this area of mental health.
The treatment of compulsive physical activity in anorexia nervosa lacks a conceptual base

Physical activity in excess is commonly displayed by people with anorexia nervosa (AN) but poorly understood. Reported rates of such activity in patients with AN have ranged from around 38% to 80% (Davis et al., 1997). Patients’ drive to be physically active also appears to increase during the acute phase of the disorder, when they are at their thinnest (Davis et al., 1997). Excessive activity has been associated with poor clinical outcome (Casper & Jabine, 1996), longer periods of inpatient treatment (Solenberger, 2001), higher relapse rates (Strober, Freeman, & Morrell, 1997) and increased psychopathology, including higher levels of trait anxiety and depression (Shroff et al., 2006). Moreover, it has been linked to increased acquired capacity for suicide (‘the ability to inflict potentially lethal self harm’) (Smith et al., 2013). Why do people with AN appear to have a higher drive to be physically active? Should this ‘excessive’ physical activity be treated as yet another symptom of the disorder, or should physical activity be used as a treatment for the disorder itself, or as a motivational tool? The purpose of this paper is to review the various conceptualisations of why some patients with AN are so compulsively physically active and to consider whether or not these are applied in clinical practice, and if so how. Before doing so it is necessary to define common terms, which are often used synonymously in the literature, despite their different meanings, leading to subsequent confusion.
Academic performance and perceived stress among university students

This study aims to investigate the effect of factor such as perceived stress on the academic performance of the students. A sample of 199 university graduates and undergraduates in Rawalpindi and Islamabad was selected as a statistical frame. Instrumentation used for this study is previously validated construct in order to evaluate the effect of factor under study. To determine the relationships between perceived stress and academic performance, correlation coefficient was calculated. Perceived stress was found to have significant negative correlation with academic performance of students. Moreover, the mean stress score among low academic achiever versus high academic achiever as well as low stress level and high stress level group were found to differ significantly. However, stress level among male and female students do not differ significantly whereas engineering students differ significantly from management sciences students based on the perceived stress score. Course load, sleep problem and social activities were the major source of stress affecting academic performance of the students. In nutshell, perceived stress was found important factor that needs university administration, faculty and parent’s focus on effective psychoanalysis services along with stress management programs that could be useful for achieving academic success. Key words: Academic performance, perceived stress, engineering students, management science students
The Military in Politics: Changing Patterns in Brazil

The nature of the military institution in Brazil, its relations with civilian governments up to 1964, and its use of power since the coup of that year are examined by Alfred Stepan. Throughout his study, while looking at the Brazilian experience, he tests and reformulates implicit and explicit models, propositions, and middle-range hypotheses in the literature of civil-military relations and in political development theory.Professor Stepan's analysis suggests that many of the expectations and hypotheses held by theoreticians and policymakers about the capabilities of the military in modernization need to be seriously qualified. His discussion of the socio-economic origins and career patterns of the officer corps and of the ideological changes within the Brazilian army makes extensive and systematic use of previously unexploited data: Brazilian military academy files, editorials, interviews with military and civilian leaders. Throughout, the experiences of Asian and African countries are compared to that of Brazil, thus providing a wide comparative framework.Contents: PART I: The Military in Politics: The Institutional Background. 1. Military Organizational Unity and National Orientation: Hypotheses and Qualifications. 2. The Size of the Military: Its Relevance for Political Behavior. 3. Social Origins and Internal Organization of the Officer Corps: Their Political Significance. PART II: The "Moderating Pattern" of Civil-Military Relations: Brazil, 1945-1964. 4. Civilian Aspects of the "Moderating Pattern. " 5. The Functioning of the "Moderating Pattern"--A Comparative Analysis of Five Coups, 1945-1964. PART III: The Breakdown of the "Moderating Pattern" of Civil-Military Relations and the Emergence of Military Rule. 6. The Growing Sense of Crisis in the Regime, 1961-1964: Its Impact on the "Moderating Pattern. " 7. The Impact of Political and Economic Crises on the Military: Growth of Institutional Fears, 1961-1964. 8. The Impact of Political and Economic Crises on the Military: The Escola Superior de Guerra and the Development of a New Military Ideology. 9. The Assumption of Power--The Revolution of 1964. PART IV: The Brazilian Military in Power, 1964-1968: A Case Study of the Political Problems of Military Government. 10. The Military in Power: First Political Decisions and Problems. 11. Military Unity and Military Succession: An Elite Analysis of the Castello Branco Government. 12. The Military as an Institution Versus the Military as Government. Index.Originally published in 1971.The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These paperback editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.
Linked Control of Syllable Sequence and Phonology in Birdsong

The control of sequenced behaviors, including human speech, requires that the brain coordinate the production of discrete motor elements with their concatenation into complex patterns. In birdsong, another sequential vocal behavior, the acoustic structure (phonology) of individual song elements, or “syllables,” must be coordinated with the sequencing of syllables into a song. However, it is unknown whether syllable phonology is independent of the sequence in which a syllable is produced. We quantified interactions between phonology and sequence in Bengalese finch song by examining both convergent syllables, which can be preceded by at least two different syllables and divergent syllables, which can be followed by at least two different syllables. Phonology differed significantly based on the identity of the preceding syllable for 97% of convergent syllables and differed significantly with the identity of the upcoming syllable for 92% of divergent syllables. Furthermore, sequence-dependent phonological differences extended at least two syllables away from the convergent or divergent syllable. To determine whether these phenomena reflect differences in central control, we analyzed premotor neural activity in the robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA). Activity associated with a syllable varied significantly depending on the sequence in which the syllable was produced, suggesting that sequence-dependent variations in premotor activity contribute to sequence-dependent differences in phonology. Moreover, these data indicate that RA activity could contribute to the sequencing of syllables. Together, these results suggest that, rather than being controlled independently, the sequence and phonology of birdsong are intimately related, as is the case for human speech.
NMR Studies on Li+, Na+ and K+ Complexes of Orthoester Cryptand o-Me2-1.1.1

Cryptands, a class of three-dimensional macrobicyclic hosts ideally suited for accommodating small guest ions, have played an important role in the early development of supramolecular chemistry. In contrast to related two-dimensional crown ethers, cryptands have so far only found limited applications, owing in large part to their relatively inefficient multistep synthesis. We have recently described a convenient one-pot, template synthesis of cryptands based on O,O,O-orthoesters acting as bridgeheads. Here we report variable-temperature, 1H-1D EXSY and titration NMR studies on lithium, sodium, and potassium complexes of one such cryptand (o-Me2-1.1.1). Our results indicate that lithium and sodium ions fit into the central cavity of the cryptand, resulting in a comparably high binding affinity and slow exchange with the bulk. The potassium ion binds instead in an exo fashion, resulting in relatively weak binding, associated with fast exchange kinetics. Collectively, these results indicate that orthoester cryptands such as o-Me2-1.1.1 exhibit thermodynamic and kinetic properties in between those typically found for classical crown ethers and cryptands and that future efforts should be directed towards increasing the binding constants.
Organizational Culture as the Glue between People and Organization: A Competence-based View on Learning and Competence Building

Is organizational culture a catalyst of competence development? This paper argues it is. The reason for this is that organizational culture fosters the process of learning and competence building and works as a glue between people and the organization they belong to. We employ a most recently developed approach belonging to market process theory, the so-called ‘competence-based theory of the firm’, to explain these causal relationships
Patterns of Care Quality and Prognosis Among Hospitalized Ischemic Stroke Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Background Relatively little is known about the quality of care and outcomes for hospitalized ischemic stroke patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We examined quality of care and in‐hospital prognoses among patients with CKD in the Get With The Guidelines–Stroke (GWTG‐Stroke) program Methods and Results We analyzed 679 827 patients hospitalized with ischemic stroke from 1564 US centers participating in the GWTG‐Stroke program between January 2009 and December 2012. Use of 7 predefined ischemic stroke performance measures, composite “defect‐free” care compliance, and in‐hospital mortality were examined based on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) categorized as a dichotomous (+CKD as <60) or rank‐ordered variable: normal (≥90), mild (≥60 to <90), moderate (≥30 to <60), severe (≥15 to <30), and kidney failure (<15 or dialysis). There were 236 662 (35%) ischemic stroke patients with CKD. Patients with severe renal dysfunction or failure were significantly less likely to receive guideline‐based therapies. Compared with patients with normal kidney function (≥90), those with CKD (adjusted OR 0.91 [95% CI: 0.89 to 0.92]), moderate dysfunction (adjusted OR 0.94 [95% CI: 0.92 to 0.97]), severe dysfunction (adjusted OR 0.80 [95% CI: 0.77 to 0.84]), or failure (adjusted OR 0.72 [95% CI: 0.68 to 0.0.76]), were less likely to receive 100% defect‐free care measure compliance. Inpatient mortality was higher for patients with CKD (adjusted odds ratio 1.44 [95% CI: 1.40 to 1.47]), and progressively rose with more severe renal dysfunction. Conclusions Despite higher in‐hospital mortality rates, ischemic stroke patients with CKD, especially those with greater severity of renal dysfunction, were less likely to receive important guideline‐recommended therapies.
Perception of six basic emotions in music

A test of the ability to perceive six basic emotions (happiness, anger, disgust, surprise, sadness, and fear) in music was presented to 115 participants. Eighteen musical segments, lasting 3–5 seconds, were designed for this test using a variety of solo instruments. The results show that six basic emotions are perceivable in musical segments previously unknown to the listeners, although there was large variability in the percentage of correct classification of each of the segments comprising each emotion, and happiness and sadness were easier to classify than the other emotions. Moreover, the ability to classify musical emotions was not related to childhood or youth musical instruction or personality traits (assessed by NEO-PI-R).
Looking Outward or Turning Inward?

The author probes for differences among central cities, suburbs, and rural communities in the perceived importance of various motivations for development decisions, drawing on a mail survey of city managers/administrators in California. Central-city respondents are more inclined to “look outward” in making land-use decisions, attributing greater importance to certain regional economic and development challenges, whereas suburbs are somewhat more inclined to “turn inward” and focus on localistic concerns. Multivariate analysis is employed to examine whether the distinctive land-use motivations of central cities and suburbs reflect differences in composition (internal characteristics such as demographics and fiscal health) or differences in position (central cities’ status as the economic and political hubs of metropolitan areas and suburbs’ more specialized roles).
Serum Concentrations of Selenium and Copper in Patients Diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer

Purpose Understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer (PaCa) is still insufficient. This study evaluated the associations between concentrations of selenium (Se) and copper (Cu) in the serum of PaCa patients. Materials and Methods The study included 100 PaCa patients and 100 control subjects from the same geographical region in Poland. To determine the average concentration of Se, Cu, and ratio Cu:Se in the Polish population, assay for Se and Cu was performed in 480 healthy individuals. Serum levels of Se and Cu were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results In the control group, the average Se level was 76 µg/L and Cu 1,098 µg/L. The average Se level among PaCa patients was 60 µg/L and the mean Cu level was 1,432 µg/L. The threshold point at which any decrease in Se concentration was associated with PaCa was 67.45 µg/L. The threshold point of Cu level above which there was an increase in the prevalence of PaCa was 1,214.58 µg/L. In addition, a positive relationship was observed between increasing survival time and Se plasma level. Conclusion This retrospective study suggests that low levels of Se and high levels of Cu might influence development of PaCa and that higher levels of Se are associated with longer survival in patients with PaCa. The results suggest that determining the level of Se and Cu could be incorporated into a risk stratification scheme for the selection and surveillance control examination to complement existing screening and diagnostic procedures.
Wavelet Scattering Regression of Quantum Chemical Energies

We introduce multiscale invariant dictionaries to estimate quantum chemical energies of organic molecules, from training databases. Molecular energies are invariant to isometric atomic displacements, and are Lipschitz continuous to molecular deformations. Similarly to density functional theory (DFT), the molecule is represented by an electronic density function. A multiscale invariant dictionary is calculated with wavelet scattering invariants. It cascades a first wavelet transform which separates scales, with a second wavelet transform which computes interactions across scales. Sparse scattering regressions give state of the art results over two databases of organic planar molecules. On these databases, the regression error is of the order of the error produced by DFT codes, but at a fraction of the computational cost.
Circumstellar dust shells around long-period variables - IX. Molecular layers resulting from shocked carbon-rich atmospheres

The existence of warm zones of an enhanced molecular content surrounding the photospheres of AGB stars has been postulated to explain observed molecular absorption/emission components which are in excess of the results obtained from classical hydrostatic model atmospheres. We have analyzed the chemical equilibrium molecular composition of time-dependent models of carbon-rich circumstellar envelopes for various combinations of the stellar parameters and found that groups of molecules appear to be present in different zones with temporally varying temperature and density. The regions of enhanced molecular abundances are situated between the stellar photosphere and the circumstellar dust shell. In the models, these zones are produced by the levitation of the atmospheric gas due to the dissipation of shock waves and/or due to radiation pressure on molecules and dust.
Heart rate reserve as a predictor of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in men.

UNLABELLED This study examined the relationship of heart rate reserve (HRR: maximal heart rate - resting heart rate) and cardiovascular disease mortality (CVD) or all-cause mortality among healthy men. METHODS Subjects were 27,459 healthy men, age 20-59 yr, who completed a maximal treadmill exercise test and answered a health questionnaire at the baseline examination. We followed study participants from the baseline visit to the date of death or December 31, 1996, for survivors. RESULTS Over an average follow-up of 13.0 +/- 6.2 yr, there were 724 deaths, 205 (28.3%) from CVD. For analyses, the men were stratified into two age groups: younger (20-39 yr) and older (40-59 yr). Cox regression analysis was used to adjust for age, resting heart rate, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), resting systolic blood pressure (SBP), SBP difference, cholesterol, triglycerides, body mass index (BMI), smoking, and alcohol consumption. Among younger men, HRR was the only factor associated with CVD mortality (instantaneous relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval for HRR = 0.6, 0.5-0.9 for CVD mortality by 10 beats.min(-1) increment), whereas only CRF and BMI were associated with all-cause mortality. Among older men, HRR was inversely associated with CVD and all-cause mortality, as were several other known risk factors, including CRF (RR(per 2 METs), and 95% CI for HRR = 0.7, 0.5-0.9 for CVD mortality and 0.8, 0.7-0.9 for all-cause mortality). CONCLUSIONS HRR, independent from CRF, was inversely associated with CVD mortality among men in this study. HRR may be an important exercise test parameter to predict CVD mortality in younger men, whereas CRF and other established risk factors are better predictors of CVD and all-cause mortality in older men.
LIPID-FORMULATED BCG AS AN ORAL-BAIT VACCINE FOR TUBERCULOSIS: VACCINE STABILITY, EFFICACY, AND PALATABILITY TO BRUSHTAIL POSSUMS (TRICHOSURUS VULPECULA) IN NEW ZEALAND

Bovine tuberculosis (Tb), due to infection with virulent Mycobacterium bovis, represents a threat to New Zealand agriculture due to vectorial transmission from wildlife reservoir species, principally the introduced Australian brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). An oral-delivery wildlife vaccine has been developed to immunize possums against Tb, based on formulation of the human Tb vaccine (M. bovis BCG) in edible lipid matrices. Here BCG bacilli were shown to be stable in lipid matrix formulation for over 8 mo in freezer storage, for 7 wk under room temperature conditions, and for 3–5 wk under field conditions in a forest/pasture margin habitat (when maintained in weatherproof bait-delivery sachets). Samples of the lipid matrix were flavored and offered to captive possums in a bait-preference study: a combination of 10% chocolate powder with anise oil was identified as the most effective attractant/palatability combination. In a replicated field study, 85–100% of wild possums were shown to access chocolate-flavored lipid pellets, when baits were applied to areas holding approximately 600–800 possums/km2. Finally, in a controlled vaccination/challenge study, chocolate-flavored lipid vaccine samples containing 108 BCG bacilli were fed to captive possums, which were subsequently challenged via aerosol exposure to virulent M. bovis: vaccine immunogenicity was confirmed, and protection was identified by significantly reduced postchallenge weight loss in vaccinated animals compared to nonvaccinated controls. These studies indicate that, appropriately flavored, lipid delivery matrices may form effective bait vaccines for the control of Tb in wildlife.
How Do Price Fairness Perceptions Differ across Culture?

This research investigates the effects of across-consumer price comparisons on perceived price fairness as a function of culture. Collectivist (Chinese) consumers are more sensitive to in-group versus out-group differences than individualist (U.S.) consumers. The collectivist perspective orients consumers toward the in-group and heightens concerns about “face” (i.e., status earned in a social network) that arise from in-group comparisons. Process evidence for the causal role of cultural differences derives from manipulated self-construal and measurement of the emotional role of shame evoked by face concerns. Finally, in a robustness test, an alternative operationalization of the in-group/out-group distinction extends the findings to the context of firm relationships.