Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Noncoherent MIMO Radar for Location and Velocity Estimation: More Antennas Means Better Performance

This paper presents an analysis of the joint estimation of target location and velocity using a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar employing noncoherent processing for a complex Gaussian extended target. A MIMO radar with M transmit and N receive antennas is considered. To provide insight, we focus on a simplified case first, assuming orthogonal waveforms, temporally and spatially white noise-plus-clutter, and independent reflection coefficients. Under these simplifying assumptions, the maximum-likelihood (ML) estimate is analyzed, and a theorem demonstrating the asymptotic consistency, large MN , of the ML estimate is provided. Numerical investigations, given later, indicate similar behavior for some reasonable cases violating the simplifying assumptions. In these initial investigations, we study unconstrained systems, in terms of complexity and energy, where each added transmit antenna employs a fixed energy so that the total transmitted energy is allowed to increase as we increase the number of transmit antennas. Following this, we also look at constrained systems, where the total system energy and complexity are fixed. To approximate systems of fixed complexity in an abstract way, we restrict the total number of antennas employed to be fixed. Here, we show numerical examples which indicate a preference for receive antennas, similar to MIMO communications, but where systems with multiple transmit antennas yield the smallest possible mean-square error (MSE). The joint Cramér-Rao bound (CRB) is calculated and the MSE of the ML estimate is analyzed. It is shown for some specific numerical examples that the signal-to-clutter-plus-noise ratio (SCNR) threshold, indicating the SCNRs above which the MSE of the ML estimate is reasonably close to the CRB, can be lowered by increasing MN. The noncoherent MIMO radar ambiguity function (AF) is developed in two different ways and illustrated by examples. It is shown for some specific examples that the size of the product MN controls the levels of the sidelobes of the AF.
Guidelines for computer workstations

INTRODUCTION Guidelines for office computer workstations are present in many forms, from recognised international and national standards, to ergonomic texts, to guidelines either in written booklet format or, more recently, information provided electronically via occupational health and safety websites (OSHA, 2001). The currency of published guidelines is of concern, given the recent changes in computer hardware and the increasing amount of research regarding workstation configurations and equipment.
Mobilization, participation, and American democracy

Rosenstone and Hansen’s (1993) treatise on the mobilizing effects of campaign activity and social interactions marks a turning point in scholarship on political participation. This essay looks back at this pivotal work and the experimental research agenda that emerged from it. Decades of subsequent research have reinforced and extended the book’s key claims about the role of mobilization in promoting voter turnout. Those who study elections now have a much clearer sense of which types of mobilization activities are effective and which types of voters respond to them.
Generation of CD8+ T-Cell Responses by a Recombinant Nonpathogenic Mycobacterium smegmatis Vaccine Vector Expressing Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Env

ABSTRACT Because the vaccine vectors currently being evaluated in human populations all have significant limitations in their immunogenicity, novel vaccine strategies are needed for the elicitation of cell-mediated immunity. The nonpathogenic, rapidly growing mycobacterium Mycobacterium smegmatis was engineered as a vector expressing full-length human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) HXBc2 envelope protein. Immunization of mice with recombinant M. smegmatis led to the expansion of major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted HIV-1 epitope-specific CD8+ T cells that were cytolytic and secreted gamma interferon. Effector and memory T lymphocytes were elicited, and repeated immunization generated a stable central memory pool of virus-specific cells. Importantly, preexisting immunity to Mycobacterium bovis BCG had only a marginal effect on the immunogenicity of recombinant M. smegmatis. This mycobacterium may therefore be a useful vaccine vector.
Straightening of the hair is not pathognomonic for HIV infection.

semi-quantitative test. In: Meisner M, ed. Procalcitonin (PCT), 3rd ed. Stuttgart, Germany: Thieme, 2000:176–83. 3. Ugarte H, Silva E, Mercan D, De Mendonca A, Vincent JL. Procalcitonin used as a marker of infection in the intensive care unit. Crit Care Med 1999; 27:498–504. 4. Vincent JL. Procalcitonin: THE marker of sepsis? Crit Care Med 2000; 28:1226–8. 5. Claeys R, Vinken S, Spapen H, et al. Plasma procalcitonin and C-reactive protein in acute septic shock: clinical and biological correlates. Crit Care Med 2002; 30:757–62.
Murine thymic plasmacytoid dendritic cells

We report herein heterogeneous murine thymic cell subsets expressing CD11c and B220 (CD45R). The CD11c+B220+ subset expresses Ly6Chigh and MHC class IIlow in contrast with previously described thymic DC (CD11c+B220– cells). Freshly isolated thymic CD11c+B220+ cells show typical plasmacytoid morphology which differentiates to mature DC, in vitro with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) 2216; we term this subset thymic plasmacytoid DC (pDC). These thymic pDC are highly sensitive to spontaneous apoptosis in vitro and induce low T cell allo‐proliferation activity. Thymic pDC express low TLR2, TLR3 and TLR4 mRNA, normally found on human immature DC, and high TLR7 and TLR9 mRNA, normally found on human pDC. Thymic pDC also produce high amounts of IFN‐α following culture with CpG ODN 2216 (TLR9 ligands) as compared with the previously defined thymic DC lineage which expresses low TLR9 mRNA and produce high IL‐12 (p40) with CpG ODN 2216. These results indicate that thymic pDC are similar to IFN‐producing cells as well as human pDC. The TLR and cytokine production profiles are consistent with a nomenclature of pDC. The repertoire of this cell lineage to TLR9 ligands demonstrate that such responses are determined not only by the quantity of expression, but also cell lineage.
DYNAMIC OF CHANGES IN HEALTH OF 10-11 YEARS OLD GYMNASIUM BOYS UNDER INFLUENCE OF COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION'S LOAD

Purpose: determination of somatic health, physical condition, physical and mental workability changes of pupils under influence of comprehensive education loads at the end of first academic semester. Material: in the research 140 pupils of 10-11 years old age, related to main health group, participated. Results: we found that the reason of children' health's worsening appears at the account of increasing of intellectual pressure. This pressure can not be overcome by means of physical education, oriented on recreation and perfection of pupils' organisms. Absence of gradual relaxation of mental loads (periods of recreation and test after different intellectual tensions) results in sharpening of overtiredness at the end of first academic semester. This overtiredness negatively influences on pupils' general health. Conclusions: responses of children's organisms to irritators of comprehensive education's pressure are accompanied by worsening of a number of functional indicators, which have no age distinctions.
Arabinoxylan in wheat is more responsible than cellulose for promoting intestinal barrier function in weaned male piglets.

BACKGROUND The effect of dietary fiber on intestinal function primarily has been ascribed to its interaction with intestinal bacteria in the hindgut, whereas changes in intestinal bacteria in the host have been considered to depend on fiber composition. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were to determine the contribution of the major fiber components to the health-promoting effects of wheat bran on intestinal mucosal barrier function and to elucidate the involvement of microbiota changes in weaned piglets. METHODS Thirty freshly weaned male piglets were assigned to 5 dietary treatment groups (n = 6) according to litter and weight. The piglets consumed synthetic diets ad libitum for 30 d, including a basal control diet (CON) without fiber components, a wheat bran diet (WB) as reference diet (10% wheat bran), and 3 other diets containing amounts of fiber components equivalent to those in the WB, i.e., an arabinoxylan diet (AX), a cellulose diet (CEL), and a combined arabinoxylan and cellulose diet (CB). RESULTS The groups consuming diets containing arabinoxylans (i.e., the WB, AX, and CB groups) had increased intestinal secretory immunoglobulin A concentrations, goblet cell number and cecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations, and reduced branched-chain fatty acid concentrations and pH values compared with the CON group. In the WB group, the stimulated secretion of Cl(-) was suppressed (60.8% and 47.5% change in short-circuit current caused by theophylline and carbachol, respectively) in the distal small intestine compared with the CON group. The AX and CB groups also had increased intestinal alkaline phosphatase activities and reduced intestinal transcellular permeability (by 77.3% and 67.2%, respectively) compared with the CON group. Meanwhile, in the WB group, cecal Bacteroidetes and Enterobacteriaceae populations were lower, and the growth of Lactobacillus was higher in the AX and CB groups than in the CON group, whereas no positive effect on intestinal barrier function was observed in the CEL group. CONCLUSION Arabinoxylan in wheat bran, and not cellulose, is mainly responsible for improving various functional components of the intestinal barrier function and the involvement of microbiota changes.
Genetic Variations in FSH Action Affect Sex Hormone Levels and Breast Tissue Size in Infant Girls: A Pilot Study.

CONTEXT Single nucleotide polymorphisms altering FSH action (FSHB -211G>T, FSHR -29G>A, and FSHR 2039A>G) are associated with peripubertal and adult levels of reproductive hormones and age at pubertal onset in girls. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether genetic polymorphisms altering FSH action affect serum levels of female reproductive hormones and breast development as early as during minipuberty. DESIGN Longitudinal study. SETTING Population-based cohort study. PARTICIPANTS A total of 402 healthy girls at 3 months of age. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Analyses of single nucleotide polymorphisms by PCR using Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR genotyping assays; identification of glandular breast tissue by palpation and measurement of the diameter. Serum levels of anti-Müllerian hormone, FSH, LH, estradiol, inhibin B, and sex hormone-binding globulin were assessed by immunoassays. RESULTS FSHR -29G>A was associated with both FSH and anti-Müllerian hormone levels with an A allele effect size of -0.8 IU/L (P = .005) and 1.4 nmol/L (P = .003), respectively. FSHR 2039A>G correlated with breast tissue size with a negative additive effect of minor alleles (P = .021), whereas the effect on estradiol levels was only present in homozygotes. FSHB -211T carriers had smaller breast tissue size than girls who without a minor allele; GT+TT 10.5 (confidence interval 9.4-11.5) mm vs GG 12.1 (confidence interval 11.4-12.8) mm, P = . 014. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates that 3 genetic polymorphisms altering FSH action, especially FSHR -29G>A and FSHR 2039A>G, affect female hormone profile and glandular breast tissue development already during minipuberty. Thus, genetic variations of FSH signaling appear to determine the individual set point of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis already early in life.
Stepmothers’ perceptions and experiences of stepmothers stereotypes

I ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . II LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES. VI CHAPTER ONE STUDY OVERVIEW AND LITERATURE REVIEW . 1 Brief overview of this study . 1 Definition of terms . 2 Demographic trends . 3 Outcomes for children from stepfamilies . 6 Societal views of stepfamilies . 7 Stereotypes . 9 Defining and understanding stereotypes . 9 Self-fulfilling prophecies and self-stereotyping . 10 Stereotype Threat . 11 Concerns of stigmatized individuals in new situations . 12 Section summary . 13 Stereotypes of stepfamilies. 13 The impact of stereotypes on stepfamilies . 15 The stepparent role . 17 The stepmother role . 21 Stepmother stress. 23 Cultural influences and negative stepmother representations . 27 Stepmother stereotypes in cultural stories . 27 Motherhood myths and gendered expectations . 28 Managing stepmother stereotypes . 31 Summary and research rationale . 34 CHAPTER TWO QUALITATIVE METHODOLOGY . 36 Qualitative methodology of this study . 36 Qualitative approaches for family relationships . 39 Trustworthiness of the research . 39 Thematic analysis . 41 CHAPTER THREE METHOD . 42 Participants . 42 Recruitment . 42
HETEROKARYOTIC COMPATIBILITY, METABOLIC COOPERATION, AND GENIC RECOMBINATION IN STREPTOMYCES *

Despite their great economic importance, no studies on genetic interaction among streptomycetes were undertaken until recently, when a number of papers appeared almost simultaneously. A model was provided by the work on genetic recombination in bacteria, initiated by Lederberg and Tatum (1946). In spite of their moldlike appearance, the streptomycetes are related closely to the Cram-positive bacteria, especially in the biochemical composition of their cell walls. The properties of sensitivity to lysozym and actinophage, which also relate to the cell wall, together with their diminutive dimensions clearly distinguish the streptomycetes from true filamentous molds. It is perhaps paradoxical, therefore, that the cell envelope is also responsible for the moldlike morphology of these organisms, through failure of cross-wall production concomitant to nuclear division. The resulting coenocytic mycelium dictates many of the properties of the streptomycetes, including their genetic behavior. In this context, the genetic studies on filamentous fungi, including Aspergillus and Penicil l ium (Pontecorvo, 19S3), undoubtedly provided another stimulus for similar work on Streptomyces. It would be redundant to review here the earlier studies on genetic interactions among streptomycetes, since the work of most of the original contributors is included in this monograph. This paper, therefore, will be limited to a survey of our published and unpublished work.
Experimental evidence of ageing in hand biometrics

Biometric systems build upon the critical property of measuring behavioral, physiological or chemical human properties remaining stable over time. But both, the age of users and ageing of the user's template may affect performance due to the accumulation of personal changes and indirect behavioral effects like less accurate ability to present the biometric to the sensor. This paper compares short-timespan versus long-timespan effects on different hand-based features presenting the first high-resolution hand-ageing database and identifying features resistant and prone to ageing. Ageing goats, i.e. users responsible for low matching scores across features, are investigated and single-sensor multibiometrics is highlighted to target the ageing problem.
Estimation of a Global Synchronous Machine Model Using a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output Estimator

In this paper the measurement results of a series of standstill frequency response (SSFR) tests, performed at different magnetization levels, are discussed. For each data set an individual d-axis model is estimated, which allows the variation of the different parameters to be seen as a function of saturation. A global estimator is presented that uses the different data sets to estimate one global model, including the field-toarmature turns ratio. The global estimator is based on an impedance matrix representation of the synchronous machine. This global estimator assumes that only the d-axis main inductance is saturation dependent. The individual estimated models justify this assumption. Finally, the relative additional error of the global estimated d-axis equivalent circuit with the individual estimated ones is studied. The measurement results discussed in this paper are obtained on a four-pole 130 kVA synchronous machine.
Technetium-99 m d , l-HM-PAO : A New Rathopharmaceutical for SPECT Imaging of Regional CerebralBlood Perfusion

Following investigation of a large number of new ligands based upon propylene amine oxime (PnAO)the d,l-diastereoisomer of hexamethyl propyleneamine oxime (HM-PAO)was selected as the preferred ligand for @9â€•Tc as a tracer for cerebral perfusion imaging. The neutral, lipophilic 99mTc omplex of d,l-HM-PAO was formed in high yield by stannous reduction of @Mofl@â€•Tc generatoreluateusinga kit formulationof the ligand.Two minutesfollowingi.v. administration of this complex in rats, 2.25% of the injected dose appears in the brain. Lithe washout of the tracer is observed up to 24 hr postinjection. By qualitative autoradiographic comparison with iodoantipyrine this new radiopharmaceutical displays blood flow dependent brainuptakewith little redistributionof the tracerovertime.Thelipophilic @â€œTc complex converts slowly in vitro to a secondary complex. This conversion process may account for the ability of [@â€œTc]d,l-HM-PAO to be retained within the brain without redistribution.
Pathways that make voices: white matter changes in auditory hallucinations.

BACKGROUND The origin of auditory hallucinations, which are one of the core symptoms of schizophrenia, is still a matter of debate. It has been hypothesized that alterations in connectivity between frontal and parietotemporal speech-related areas might contribute to the pathogenesis of auditory hallucinations. These networks are assumed to become dysfunctional during the generation and monitoring of inner speech. Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging is a relatively new in vivo method to investigate the directionality of cortical white matter tracts. OBJECTIVE To investigate, using diffusion tensor imaging, whether previously described abnormal activation patterns observed during auditory hallucinations relate to changes in structural interconnections between the frontal and parietotemporal speech-related areas. METHODS A 1.5 T magnetic resonance scanner was used to acquire twelve 5-mm slices covering the Sylvian fissure. Fractional anisotropy was assessed in 13 patients prone to auditory hallucinations, in 13 patients without auditory hallucinations, and in 13 healthy control subjects. Structural magnetic resonance imaging was conducted in the same session. Based on an analysis of variance, areas with significantly different fractional anisotropy values between groups were selected for a confirmatory region of interest analysis. Additionally, descriptive voxel-based t tests between the groups were computed. RESULTS In patients with hallucinations, we found significantly higher white matter directionality in the lateral parts of the temporoparietal section of the arcuate fasciculus and in parts of the anterior corpus callosum compared with control subjects and patients without hallucinations. Comparing patients with hallucinations with patients without hallucinations, we found significant differences most pronounced in the left hemispheric fiber tracts, including the cingulate bundle. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that during inner speech, the alterations of white matter fiber tracts in patients with frequent hallucinations lead to abnormal coactivation in regions related to the acoustical processing of external stimuli. This abnormal activation may account for the patients' inability to distinguish self-generated thoughts from external stimulation.
A Layer-2 Framework for Interconnecting Ad Hoc Networks to Fixed Internet: Test-bed Implementation and Experimental Evaluation

It is widely recognized that a prerequisite for the commercial penetration of the ad hoc networking technologies is the integration with existing wired/wireless infrastructure-based networks to provide an easy and transparent access to the Internet and its services. However, most of the existing solutions for enabling the interconnection between IPv4-based mobile ad hoc networks and the Internet are based on complex and inefficient mechanisms, as Mobile-IP and IP tunnelling. In this paper, we describe an alternative approach to build multi-hop and heterogeneous proactive ad hoc networks, which can be used as flexible and low-cost extensions of traditional wired local area networks (LANs). Our proposed architecture provides transparent global Internet connectivity and address autoconfiguration capabilities to mobile nodes without requiring configuration changes in the pre-existing wired LAN, and relying on basic layer-2 functionalities. We have prototyped the core components of this architecture for Optimized Link State Routing-based ad hoc networks and we have conducted several experiments comparing the throughput performance obtained using our scheme and a well-known alternative (network address translation) NAT-based solution. The experimental outcomes show that our proposed technique ensures higher perconnection throughputs than the NAT-based solution in the considered network scenarios.
Hardiness Promotes Work Engagement, Prevents Burnout, and Moderates Their Relationship

We examined the relationships between hardiness, work engagement, and burnout. Participants were Belgian service members involved in the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) operation. They completed a questionnaire containing hardiness items from the revised Norwegian Hardiness Scale, items concerning vigor and dedication from the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, and those tapping cynicism and emotional exhaustion from the Utrecht Burnout Scale. Results showed that hardiness was positively related to dedication and vigor, and negatively to cynicism and emotional exhaustion. Our results further suggest that work engagement and burnout are the opposite ends of a continuum. However, analyses concerning the moderation effect of hardiness suggest that individual differences could imply different processes in the relationship between work engagement and burnout.
Outliers and Replication in Software Engineering

Empirical software engineering is a research field of growing interest. Studies within this field handles an increasing amount of data. In order to replicate a study the data needs to be accessible and all processing of this data needs to be reproducible. Specifically, the handling of deviating data points, also known as outliers, needs to be documented in order for a study to be replicated. This study investigated the data availability for recently published studies within empirical software engineering. Furthermore, it also investigated if outliers are documented in the same research field. Papers were reviewed using a literature review and the presence of outliers was investigated using an unsupervised outlier detection method. Only 37% of the papers reviewed had their data accessible. Furthermore, in many cases outliers were present in the reviewed studies but 63% of the papers studies did not mention how outliers were handled. The data availability within empirical software engineering research is low and is hindering replication of studies. Additionally, the lack of documentation regarding how outliers are handled is hindering replication.