Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coordinated Port Selection and Beam Steering Optimization in a Multi-Cell Distributed Antenna System using Semidefinite Relaxation

In this paper, we consider coordinated downlink transmission in a cellular system wherein each base station (BS) has multiple geographically dispersed antenna ports. Each port uses a fixed transmit power and the goal of the BSs is to collectively determine the subset of ports and the corresponding beam steering coefficients that maximize the minimum signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio observed by the user terminals. This problem is NP-hard. To circumvent this difficulty, a two-stage polynomial-complexity technique that relies on semidefinite relaxation and Gaussian randomization is developed. It is shown that, for the considered scenarios, the port state vectors and beam steering coefficients generated by the proposed technique yield a performance comparable to that yielded by exhaustive search, but with a significantly less computational complexity. It is also shown that the proposed technique results in significant power savings when compared with other transmission strategies proposed in the literature.
Increased serum vascular endothelial growth factor level in Churg-Strauss syndrome.

BACKGROUND Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a rare form of systemic vasculitis occurring in patients with asthma and hypereosinophilia. For optimal treatment, prompt distinction of CSS from asthma is necessary; however, there are few serologic screening markers for this purpose. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a vascular permeability factor, has been associated with other systemic vasculitis such as Wegener granulomatosis and giant-cell arteritis. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical value of the measurement of serum VEGF for the distinction of CSS from asthma. METHODS We investigated serum VEGF levels in 18 CSS patients, 19 asthma patients, and 12 acute bronchitis patients. We also performed immunohistochemical analysis for VEGF. RESULTS The serum VEGF levels of CSS patients were significantly higher than those of asthma patients and acute bronchitis patients. The sensitivity and specificity to distinguish CSS from asthma were 93.3% and 81.8%, respectively (cutoff, 600 pg/mL). Infiltrating eosinophils stained intensely positive for VEGF, and serum VEGF levels showed a significant correlation with peripheral eosinophil counts. Serum VEGF levels decreased significantly after therapy (p < 0.001). The infiltrating eosinophils in the CSS lesion stained positive for VEGF in the immunohistochemical analysis. CONCLUSION VEGF is one of the useful screening markers for the distinction of CSS from asthma. We suggest that VEGF might be associated with the pathogenesis of CSS.
The nature and evolution of the highly ionized near-zones in the absorption spectra of z≃ 6 quasars

We use state-of-the-art hydrodynamical simulations combined with a one-dimensional radiative transfer code to assess the extent to which the highly ionized regions observed close to z ≃ 6 quasars, which we refer to as near-zones, can constrain the ionization state of the surrounding intergalactic medium (IGM). We find the appearance in Lya absorption of a quasar H II ionization front expanding into a neutral IGM can be very similar to a classical proximity zone, produced by the enhancement in ionizing flux close to a quasar embedded in a highly ionized IGM. The observed sizes of these highly ionized near-zones and their redshift evolution can be reproduced for a wide range of IGM neutral hydrogen fractions for plausible values of the luminosity and lifetime of the quasars. The observed near-zone sizes at the highest observed redshifts are equally consistent with a significantly neutral and a highly ionized surrounding IGM. Stronger constraints on the IGM neutral hydrogen fraction can be obtained by considering the relative size of the near-zones in the Lya and Lyβ regions of a quasar spectrum. A large sample of high-quality quasar absorption spectra with accurate determinations of near-zone sizes and their redshift evolution in both the Lya and Lyβ regions should confirm or exclude the possibility that the Universe is predominantly neutral at the highest observed redshifts. The width of the discrete absorption features in these near-zones will contain important additional information on the ionization state and the previous thermal history of the IGM at these redshifts.
Stakeholders' psychological factors affecting E-learning readiness in higher education community in Sri Lanka

E-learning involves the use of information and communication technology to teach and deliver learning materials and it's becoming increasingly important in the higher education in Sri Lanka. Learners' readiness to use the University e-Learning system enhances the learning efficiency and opportunities. University e-learning system provides more specific learning materials of required quality. A survey was conducted to investigate the critical factors affecting learners' readiness in using the e-Learning system. By using factor analysis the variables were classified into individual learners' study habits, learners' learning preferences, perception and willingness towards electronic learning and e-Learning readiness factors. Results show that the learners' willingness is significant when participating in e-learning system activities. Generally, learners use World Wide Web to improve their learning experience as a valuable source of information. The results showed that in order to adopt to the e-learning system, the most important factors are e-learning confidence and e-learning training not the e-learning readiness.
Manufacturing competition: how accounting practices shape strategy making in cities

Purpose - Recent years have witnessed an increasing number of cities develop strategies. The discourse of strategic management has become an obligatory point of passage for many city managers. This paper starts by posing an ostensibly simple question: why do cities need strategies? The commonsensical answer to the question is: because cities compete with each other. This paper aims to problematise the seemingly natural link between cities, competition and strategy. It also aims to explore the role that calculative practices play in creating city league tables that, in turn, function as the a priori condition that generates competition between cities. Design/methodology/approach - This paper is interdisciplinary and draws on the related disciplines of accounting, organization theory and strategy. The argument unfolds in four steps: first, it briefly provides some theoretical background for analysis and relates it back to strategizing and accounting as a calculative practice; second, it scrutinizes league tables as an Findings - This paper argues that city strategizing is best understood as a set of complex responses to a new competitive arena, one rendered visible through calculative practices, manifested through city rankings. The paper makes five key contributions: one, league tables reduce qualities to a quantifiable form; two, league tables create an order amongst an heterogeneous ensemble of entities; three, league tables stimulate the very competition they claim to reflect; four, once competition is accepted, individual players need a strategy to play the game; and five, league tables have important power effects that may result in unintended consequences. Practical implications - The paper contributes to understanding how calculative practices relate to strategy; it explores the organizational environment in which city managers strategize; in addition, it discusses the problem of civic schizophrenia. Originality/value - The paper seeks to open up an agenda for studying city management, strategy and accounting.
Perceptions and opinions of students studying at primary school mathematics teaching department about the concept of mathematics

The purpose of this study is get opinions of students on the subject of mathematics. It is thought that determining the meaning of mathematics in students’ minds, the things that students associate mathematics with and the things that come to their minds when you say mathematics is vital. In this way, it is thought that it can be possible to take some precautions for enabling students to develop positive attitudes towards mathematics, making mathematics more popular among students and reducing mathematics anxiety. This study is particularly important in terms of taking the opinions of students who will be responsible for teaching mathematics and making students become more interested in mathematics so that they can take necessary precautions before they start teaching at schools. This study is a qualitative research and the data obtained through coding the answers provided by students from the Department of Teaching Primary School Mathematics. Two questions in the opinion form were divided into categories and themes were displayed in tables by given percentages and frequencies. In this sense, content analysis from qualitative data approaches and phenomenology from qualitative research designs were used. The study group consisted of 153 students (from freshman to senior) who are studying at Kafkas University, Faculty of Education, Department of Teaching Primary School Mathematics. It was concluded that students mentioned ‘nature’, ‘life’, ‘oxygen’, ‘everything complicated’ and ‘puzzle’ for “mathematics, and they provided answers such as ‘concepts related to mathematics’, ‘middle school mathematics teacher’ and ‘everything’ for the question stated as “What is the first thing that comes to your mind when we say mathematics? ” Key words: Metaphor, opinion, perception, primary mathematics education, the concept of mathematics.
Gender Differences in the Association of Intimate Partner Violence and Relationship Values among College Students

ABSTRACT Although research has indicated that cognitions and situational factors play a role in relationship satisfaction and aggression, few studies have investigated the association between intimate partner violence (IPV) and relationship values. We addressed this gap by measuring college students’ perpetration of and victimization by four types of IPV; namely, physical violence, sexual violence, threats, and psychological aggression over the past year. One-way ANOVAs and multiple regression analyses were used to measure the association between IPV and the endorsement of relationship values. The results suggest that past IPV perpetration and victimization correlated with the current endorsement of relationship values for males more than females. In general, male perpetrators rated relationship values such as security, investment, others’ approval, and daily conflict as less important than non-perpetrators. Although male victimization explained significant variance in security, investment, and others’ approval, the results were somewhat mixed as to whether victimization related to higher or lower ratings of relationship values, with the majority of the results suggesting an inverse correlation between relationship value endorsement and IPV experience. Future research can investigate mediating factors in the relationship between IPV and relationship value endorsement, as well as look at how IPV and relationship values influence decisions concerning relationship maintenance.
The PIM inhibitor AZD1208 synergizes with ruxolitinib to induce apoptosis of ruxolitinib sensitive and resistant JAK2-V617F-driven cells and inhibit colony formation of primary MPN cells

Classical myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are hematopoietic stem cell disorders that exhibit excess mature myeloid cells, bone marrow fibrosis, and risk of leukemic transformation. Aberrant JAK2 signaling plays an etiological role in MPN formation. Because neoplastic cells in patients are largely insensitive to current anti-JAK2 therapies, effective therapies remain needed. Members of the PIM family of serine/threonine kinases are induced by JAK/STAT signaling, regulate hematopoietic stem cell growth, protect hematopoietic cells from apoptosis, and exhibit hematopoietic cell transforming properties. We hypothesized that PIM kinases may offer a therapeutic target for MPNs. We treated JAK2-V617F-dependent MPN model cells as well as primary MPN patient cells with the PIM kinase inhibitors SGI-1776 and AZD1208 and the JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib. While MPN model cells were rather insensitive to PIM inhibitors, combination of PIM inhibitors with ruxolitinib led to a synergistic effect on MPN cell growth due to enhanced apoptosis. Importantly, PIM inhibitor mono-therapy inhibited, and AZD1208/ruxolitinib combination therapy synergistically suppressed, colony formation of primary MPN cells. Enhanced apoptosis by combination therapy was associated with activation of BAD, inhibition of downstream components of the mTOR pathway, including p70S6K and S6 protein, and activation of 4EBP1. Importantly, PIM inhibitors re-sensitized ruxolitinib-resistant MPN cells to ruxolitinib by inducing apoptosis. Finally, exogenous expression of PIM1 induced ruxolitinib resistance in MPN model cells. These data indicate that PIMs may play a role in MPNs and that combining PIM and JAK2 kinase inhibitors may offer a more efficacious therapeutic approach for MPNs over JAK2 inhibitor mono-therapy.
Uniform orthographies and phonetics in Central Australia 1890–1910

ABSTRACT Knowledge of a researcher’s orthographic conventions is necessary for interpreting pronunciation from early sources on Australian Aboriginal languages. Early researchers of Australian languages were more likely to represent sounds consistently if they used a uniform orthography, allowing the problems of English spelling to be avoided. Uniform orthographies began with a concern for the accurate transliteration of literary languages in the late eighteenth century and were further developed for the description of previously unwritten languages in the nineteenth century. This paper traces the development of the uniform orthographies and their pioneering role in linguistic description in Central Australia in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
The effect of cooling on time dependent behaviour of accretion flows around black holes

We present the results of several numerical simulations of two dimensional axi-symmetric accretion flows around black holes using Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) in the presence of cooling effects. We consider both stellar black holes and super-massive black holes. We observe that due to both radial and vertical oscillation of shock waves in the accretion flow, the luminosity and average thermal energy content of the inner disk exhibit very interesting behaviour. When power density spectra are taken, quasi-periodic variabilities are seen at a few Hz and also occasionally at hundreds of Hz for stellar black holes. For super-massive black holes, the time scale of the oscillations ranges from hours to weeks. The power density spectra have a flat top behavior with average rms amplitude of a few percent and a broken power-law behavior. The break frequency is generally found to be close to the frequency where the shock oscillates.
Bioinformatic Analysis of Differential Protein Expression in Calu-3 Cells Exposed to Carbon Nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are widely used in industry, medicine and scientific research. To examine potential impact on human health, the human airway epithelial cell line, Calu‐3, was exposed to a physiologically relevant (100 ng/mL) concentration of either single‐ and multi‐wall CNTs for 24 h. Label‐free quantitative mass spectrometry showed differential protein expression of 281‐282 proteins of which 231 were common to both nanotube exposures. The majority of the proteins showed decreases suggesting a general stress response to protect cells. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis was used for bioinformatic analysis. The STRING database was used to analyze functional protein networks. Common proteins changes occurred within the cellular functions of cell death and survival, cell‐to‐cell signaling and interaction, cellular assembly and organization, cellular growth and proliferation, infectious disease, molecular transport and protein synthesis. Some proteins like cadherin 1, STAT1, plakoglobin, and PYCARD, appear in several functional categories and tend to be in the center of the protein networks, suggesting important roles in multiple cellular functions and activities altered in response to CNT exposure.
Follow My Recommendations: A Personalized Privacy Assistant for Mobile App Permissions

Modernsmartphoneplatformshavemillionsofapps, manyofwhich request permissions to access private data and resources, like user accounts or location. While these smartphone platforms provide varying degrees of control over these permissions, the sheer number of decisions that users are expected to manage has been shown to be unrealistically high. Prior research has shown that users are often unaware of, if not uncomfortable with, many of their permission settings. Prior work also suggests that it is theoretically possible to predict many of the privacy settings a user would want by asking the user a small number of questions. However, this approach has neither been operationalized nor evaluated with actual users before. We report on a field study (n=72) in which we implemented and evaluated a Personalized Privacy Assistant (PPA) with participants using their own Android devices. The results of our study are encouraging. We find that 78.7% of the recommendations made by the PPA were adopted by users. Following initial recommendations on permission settings, participants were motivated to further review and modify their settings with daily “privacy nudges. ” Despite showing substantial engagement with these nudges, participants only changed 5.1% of the settings previously adopted based on the PPA’s recommendations. The PPA and its recommendations were perceived as useful and usable. We discuss the implications of our results for mobile permission management and the design of personalized privacy assistant solutions.
Model-Based Security Vulnerability Testing

In this work we present a model-based framework for security vulnerabilities testing. Security vulnerabilities are not only related to security functionalities at the application level but are sensitive to implementation details. Thus traditional model-based approaches which elide implementation details are by themselves inadequate for testing security vulnerabilities. We propose a framework that retains the advantages of model based testing that exposes only the necessary details relevant for vulnerability testing. We define a three-model framework: a model or specification of the key aspects of the application, a model of the implementation and a model of the attacker, for automatic test case generation. This separation allows the test case generation process to test contexts missed by other model-based approaches. We also describe the key aspects of our tool that generates the tests.
Cerebellar abnormalities in infants and toddlers with Williams syndrome

One commonly observed neuroanatomical abnormality in adults with Williams syndrome is an enlarged cerebellum relative to a small cerebrum. Our study is the first to examine neuroanatomy in young children with Williams syndrome. Clinical brain MRI was examined in nine young children with Williams syndrome (mean age 21 months, range 7 to 43 months) relative to nine age‐ and sex‐matched normally developing control children (mean age 29 months, range 20 to 42 months), and two children with undiagnosed developmental disorders (6 and 41 months). Two neuroradiologists who were blinded to participant classification, hypotheses, and regions of interest for the study, sorted the brain scans into two groups on the basis of six neuroanatomical criteria. The raters placed more of the MR scans from children with Williams syndrome into a separate group when they analyzed features of the cerebellum, but not when they analyzed other brain regions. Based on their written comments, the raters focused on the large size of the cerebellum in the children with Williams syndrome. The results lead us to suggest that abnormal cerebellar enlargement is evident in those with Williams syndrome at an early age. Our results are discussed relative to the cognitive delays observed in Williams syndrome versus other disorders such as autism, leading us to suggest that the cerebellum may play a role in cognition.
A Qualitative Inquiry Into the Challenges of Medical Education for Retention of General Practitioners in Rural and Underserved Areas of Iran

Objectives General practitioners (GPs) retention in rural and underserved areas highly effects on accessibility of healthcare facilities across the country. Education seems to be a critical factor that affects GPs retention. Thus, the present study aimed at inquiry into medical education challenges that limit their retention in rural and underserved areas. Methods A qualitative approach was applied for the aim of this study. Data were gathered via 28 semi-structured interviews with experts at different levels of Iran’s health system as well as GPs who retained and refused to retain working in rural settings. Interviews mainly were performed face-to-face and in some cases via telephone during 2015 and then coded and analyzed using content analysis approach. Results Iran’s medical education is faced with several challenges that were categorized in four main themes including student selection, medical students’ perception about their field of study, education setting and approach, curriculum of medical education. According to experts this challenges could results in making GP graduates disinterested for practicing in rural and underserved areas. Conclusions Challenges that were found could have negative effects on retention. Modification in student’s perception about rural practice could be done via changing education setting and approach and curriculum. These modifications could improve GPs retention in rural and underserved areas.
Generic construction of consensus algorithms for benign and Byzantine faults

The paper proposes a generic consensus algorithm that highlights the basic and common features of known consensus algorithms. The parameters of the generic algorithm encapsulate the core differences between various consensus algorithms, including leader-based and leader-free algorithms, addressing benign faults, authenticated Byzantine faults and Byzantine faults. This leads to the identification of three classes of consensus algorithms. With the proposed classification, Paxos and PBFT indeed belong to the same class, while FaB Paxos belongs to a different class. Interestingly, the classification allowed us to identify a new Byzantine consensus algorithm that requires n > 4b, where b is the maximum number of Byzantine processes.