Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improving the IEEE 802.15.4 Slotted CSMA/CA MAC for time-critical events in wireless sensor networks

In beacon-enabled mode, IEEE 802.15. 4 is ruled by the slotted CSMA/CA Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol. The standard slotted CSMA/CA mechanism does not provide any means of differentiated services to improve the quality of service for timecritical events (such as alarms, time slot reservation, PAN management messages etc.). In this paper, we present and discuss practical service differentiation mechanisms to improve the performance of slotted CSMA/CA for time-critical events, with only minor add-ons to the protocol. The contribution of our proposal is more practical than theoretical since our initial requirement is to leave the original algorithm of the slotted CSMA/CA unchanged, but rather tuning its parameters adequately according to the criticality of the messages. We present a simulation study based on an accurate model of the IEEE 802.15. 4 MAC protocol, to evaluate the differentiated service strategies. Four scenarios with different settings of the slotted CSMA/CA parameters are defined. Each scenario is evaluated for FIFO and Priority Queuing. The impact of the hiddennode problem is also analyzed, and a solution to mitigate it is proposed.
Estimation of magnetization transfer rates from PACE experiments with pulsed RF saturation

A new imaging method has been developed for estimating the magnetization transfer rate (MTR) in a biologic two‐pool system such as the brain tissue. The transfer rate is calculated from the ratio of the MTR to T1sat, where T1sat is the apparent longitudinal relaxation time under complete saturation of the macromolecular pool. MTR and T1sat maps were obtained with a phase acquisition of composite echo (PACE) technique combined with pulsed radiofrequency (RF) saturation. The influences of RF saturation power and frequency offset on quantitative results were investigated with phantom and in vivo measurements. In white matter of seven healthy volunteers we found a mean transfer rate of 1.5 sec−1, where the highest transfer rate was found in the genu of the corpus callosum (kf = 1.9 sec−1). It could be shown that conditions near to complete saturation can also be reached under common restrictions by the specific absorption rate. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2000;12:749–756. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Widespread but not universal: improving the typological coverage of the grammar matrix

The LinGO Grammar Matrix provides a foundation for building grammars of natural languages in HPSG. It includes a web-based questionnaire that allows a linguist to describe a natural language, and then creates a starter grammar for that language based on the answers. In this dissertation, I describe improvements I have made to the typological coverage of this system, including support for core case marking, agreement in person, number, and gender, direct-inverse languages, and a lexicon containing an arbitrarily large number of lexical types, lexical items, and inflectional morphemes.
Fbw7α and Fbw7γ Collaborate To Shuttle Cyclin E1 into the Nucleolus for Multiubiquitylation

ABSTRACT Cyclin E1, an activator of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2) that promotes replicative functions, is normally expressed periodically within the mammalian cell cycle, peaking at the G1-S-phase transition. This periodicity is achieved by E2F-dependent transcription in late G1 and early S phases and by ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. The ubiquitin ligase that targets phosphorylated cyclin E is SCFFbw7 (also known as SCFCdc4), a member of the cullin ring ligase (CRL) family. Fbw7, a substrate adaptor subunit, is expressed as three splice-variant isoforms with different subcellular distributions: Fbw7α is nucleoplasmic but excluded from the nucleolus, Fbw7β is cytoplasmic, and Fbw7γ is nucleolar. Degradation of cyclin E in vivo requires SCF complexes containing Fbw7α and Fbw7γ, respectively. In vitro reconstitution showed that the role of SCFFbw7α in cyclin E degradation, rather than ubiquitylation, is to serve as a cofactor of the prolyl cis-trans isomerase Pin1 in the isomerization of a noncanonical proline-proline bond in the cyclin E phosphodegron. This isomerization is required for subsequent binding and ubiquitylation by SCFFbw7γ. Here we show that Pin1-mediated isomerization of the cyclin E phosphodegron and subsequent binding to Fbw7γ drive nucleolar localization of cyclin E, where it is ubiquitylated by SCFFbw7γ prior to its degradation by the proteasome. It is possible that this constitutes a mechanism for rapid inactivation of phosphorylated cyclin E by nucleolar sequestration prior to its multiubiquitylation and degradation.
A conceptually rich model of business process compliance

In this paper we extend the preliminary work developed elsewhere and investigate how to characterise many aspects of the compliance problem in business process modeling. We first define a formal and conceptually rich language able to represent, and reason about, chains of reparational obligations of various types. Second, we devise a mechanism for normalising a system of legal norms. Third, we specify a suitable language for business process modeling able to automate and optimise business procedures and to embed normative constraints. Fourth, we develop an algorithm for compliance checking and discuss some computational issues regarding the possibility of checking compliance runtime or of enforcing it at design time.
The genus Weissella: taxonomy, ecology and biotechnological potential

Bacteria assigned to the genus Weissella are Gram-positive, catalase-negative, non-endospore forming cells with coccoid or rod-shaped morphology (Collins et al., 1993; Björkroth et al., 2009, 2014) and belong to the group of bacteria generally known as lactic acid bacteria. Phylogenetically, the Weissella belong to the Firmicutes, class Bacilli, order Lactobacillales and family Leuconostocaceae (Collins et al., 1993). They are obligately heterofermentative, producing CO2 from carbohydrate metabolism with either d(−)-, or a mixture of d(−)- and l(+)- lactic acid and acetic acid as major end products from sugar metabolism. To date, there are 19 validly described Weissella species known. Weissella spp. have been isolated from and occur in a wide range of habitats, e.g., on the skin and in the milk and feces of animals, from saliva, breast milk, feces and vagina of humans, from plants and vegetables, as well as from a variety of fermented foods such as European sourdoughs and Asian and African traditional fermented foods. Thus, apart from a perceived technical role of certain Weissella species involved in such traditional fermentations, specific Weissella strains are also receiving attention as potential probiotics, and strain development of particularly W. cibaria strains is receiving attention because of their high probiotic potential for controlling periodontal disease. Moreover, W. confusa and W. cibaria strains are known to produce copius amounts of novel, non-digestible oligosaccharides and extracellular polysaccharides, mainly dextran. These polymers are receiving increased attention for their potential application as prebiotics and for a wide range of industrial applications, predominantly for bakeries and for the production of cereal-based fermented functional beverages. On the detrimental side, strains of certain Weissella species, e.g., of W. viridescens, W. cibaria and W. confusa, are known as opportunistic pathogens involved in human infections while strains of W. ceti have been recently recongnized as etiological agent of “weissellosis,” which is a disease affecting farmed rainbow trouts. Bacteria belonging to this species thus are important both from a technological, as well as from a medical point of view, and both aspects should be taken into account in any envisaged biotechnological applications.
The Study on Evaluation of the Tourism Economics Impaction

During the last three decades, tourism industry in China has been witnessed impressive development, and China has become one of the world’s most important tourism destinations as a result of the rapid growth of its economic and tourism development since economic opening and reforming in 1978. Tourism environmental impact has been a core issue in Tourism studies and its investigation has originated from 1960s abroad while it attracted researcher’s attention till early 1980s in China. Although the impacts of tourism development on natural and social environment has been recognized, systematic studies of destination environment and its sustainable development in evaluation models, measure approaches, determinant factors, mechanism, integrative measures and management are still relatively rare. An evaluation index system on urban tourism radiation power that can reflect the level of the overall urban tourism economy growth, social development and ecological construction has been built based on respects like urban tourism revenue, scale of tourists, quantity of tourism resources, tourism employment and area of natural ecotourism sites. However, during the fast development, the quality issue in general has become an inevitable problem that seriously affected the competitiveness both of Chinese tourism industry and Chinese tourism enterprises in the global market. Consequently, motivating quality revolution of tourism industry in China for its sustainable development is so urgent. This paper firstly uses quantitative and qualitative methods to review total quality management (TQM) movement in China and emphasizes the need to implement TQM which is a holistic managerial approach for improving the quality of one industry’s product for its further sustainable development in Chinese tourism industry.
Protective role of glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase activity in the metabolic response of C6 rat glioma cells to polyunsaturated fatty acid exposure

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) can influence tumor growth and migration, both in vitro and in vivo. The PUFA gamma‐linolenic acid (GLA) has been reported to improve the poor prognosis associated with human gliomas, although its effects at sublethal concentrations on residual cells postsurgery are poorly understood. The study investigated the effects sublethal PUFA doses (90 or 150 μM) may have on rat C6 glioma cell energy metabolism, since an adequate energy supply is essential for cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. Of note was the identification of mitochondrial heterogeneity in relation to the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), which has been suggested but unproven in previous studies. GLA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) caused significant changes in cellular fatty acid composition and increased the percentage of cells with a low MMP after a 96‐h exposure period. The presence of PUFAs inhibited C6 cell proliferation and migration, although apoptosis was not induced. The protein expression and activity of glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase was increased after 96‐h incubation with 90 μM GLA and EPA and would allow redox regulation through increased NADPH production, permitting the maintenance of adequate intracellular reduced glutathione concentrations and limiting rates of lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species generation. Neither NADP+‐isocitrate dehydrogenase nor NADP+‐malate dehydrogenase activity responded to PUFAs, suggesting it is glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase that is the principal source of NADPH in C6 cells. These data compliment studies showing that higher concentrations of GLA induced glioma cell death and tumor regression and suggest that GLA treatment could be useful for the inhibition of residual cell proliferation and migration after surgical removal of the tumor mass. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diversity analysis of bit-interleaved coded multiple beamforming

In this paper, diversity analysis of bit-interleaved coded multiple beamforming (BICMB) is extended to the case of general spatial interleavers, removing a condition on their previously known design criteria and quantifying the resulting diversity order. The diversity order is determined by a parameter Qmax which is inherited from the convolutional code and the spatial de-multiplexer used in BICMB. We introduce a method to find this parameter by employing a transfer function approach as in finding the weight spectrum of a convolutional code. By using this method, several Qmax values are shown and verified to be identical with the results from a computer search. The diversity analysis and the method to find the parameter are supported by simulation results. By using the Singleton bound, we also show that Qmax is lower bounded by the product of the number of streams and the code rate of an encoder. The design rule of the spatial de-multiplexer for a given convolutional code is proposed to meet the condition on the maximum achievable diversity order.
Automated LULC map production using deep neural networks

ABSTRACT This article presents an approach to automating the creation of land-use/land-cover classification (LULC) maps from satellite images using deep neural networks that were developed to perform semantic segmentation of natural images. This work is important since the production of accurate and timely LULC maps is becoming essential to government and private companies that rely on them for large-scale monitoring of land resource changes. In this work, deep neural networks are trained to classify each pixel of a satellite image into one of a number of LULC classes. The presented deep neural networks are all pre-trained using the ImageNet Large-Scale Visual Recognition Competition (ILSVRC) datasets and then fine-tuned using approximately 19,000 Landsat 5/7 satellite images of resolution taken of the Province of Manitoba in Canada. The result is an automated solution that can produce LULC maps images significantly faster than current semi-automated methods. The contributions of this article are the observation that deep neural networks developed for semantic segmentation can be used to automate the task of producing LULC maps; the use of these networks to produce LULC maps; and a comparison of several popular semantic segmentation architectures for solving the problem of automated LULC map production.
The Pecuniary and Non-pecuniary Returns to Voucher-fi Nanced Training #553 Ruhr Economic Papers #553 the Pecuniary and Non-pecuniary Returns to Voucher-fi Nanced Training Bibliografi Sche Informationen Der Deutschen Nationalbibliothek the Pecuniary and Non-pecuniary Returns to Voucher-fi Nanced Trai

This paper analyzes the returns to training that was co-fi nanced by the German voucher program Bildungsprämie. The estimation strategy compares outcomes of participants in voucher training with voucher recipients who intended to participate in training, but did not do so because of a random event like course cancellation by the provider of training. We fi nd no impact of voucher training on wages, employment, job tasks and on subjective outcomes (in particular, the risk of job loss and job satisfaction). However, there is evidence that training participants report to better match the skill requirements of their job. JEL Classifi cation: I22, I26, J24, M53
Radiative constraints on brane quintessence

We investigate the constraints on quintessence arising from both renormalisable and non-renormalisable couplings where the 5d Planck mass is around the TeV scale. The quintessence field vacuum expectation value is typically of order the 4d Planck mass while non-renormalisable operators are expected to be suppressed by the 5d Planck mass. Non-renormalisable operators are therefore important in computing the 4d effective quintessence potential. We then study the quantum corrections to the quintessence potential due to fermion and graviton loops. The tower of Kaluza-Klein modes competes with the TeV-scale cut-off, altering the graviton contribution to the vacuum polarization of quintessence. Nevertheless we show that, as in four dimensions, the classical potential is stable to such radiative corrections.
MLVA Based Classification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Lineages for a Robust Phylogeographic Snapshot of Its Worldwide Molecular Diversity

Multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) is useful to establish transmission routes and sources of infections for various microorganisms including Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC). The recently released SITVITWEB database contains 12-loci Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive Units – Variable Number of Tandem DNA Repeats (MIRU-VNTR) profiles and spoligotype patterns for thousands of MTC strains; it uses MIRU International Types (MIT) and Spoligotype International Types (SIT) to designate clustered patterns worldwide. Considering existing doubts on the ability of spoligotyping alone to reveal exact phylogenetic relationships between MTC strains, we developed a MLVA based classification for MTC genotypic lineages. We studied 6 different subsets of MTC isolates encompassing 7793 strains worldwide. Minimum spanning trees (MST) were constructed to identify major lineages, and the most common representative located as a central node was taken as the prototype defining different phylogenetic groups. A total of 7 major lineages with their respective prototypes were identified: Indo-Oceanic/MIT57, East Asian and African Indian/MIT17, Euro American/MIT116, West African-I/MIT934, West African-II/MIT664, M. bovis/MIT49, M.canettii/MIT60. Further MST subdivision identified an additional 34 sublineage MIT prototypes. The phylogenetic relationships among the 37 newly defined MIRU-VNTR lineages were inferred using a classification algorithm based on a bayesian approach. This information was used to construct an updated phylogenetic and phylogeographic snapshot of worldwide MTC diversity studied both at the regional, sub-regional, and country level according to the United Nations specifications. We also looked for IS6110 insertional events that are known to modify the results of the spoligotyping in specific circumstances, and showed that a fair portion of convergence leading to the currently observed bias in phylogenetic classification of strains may be traced back to the presence of IS6110. These results shed new light on the evolutionary history of the pathogen in relation to the history of peopling and human migration.
The Generation of Phase Differences and Frequency Changes in a Network Model of Inferior Olive Subthreshold Oscillations

It is commonly accepted that the Inferior Olive (IO) provides a timing signal to the cerebellum. Stable subthreshold oscillations in the IO can facilitate accurate timing by phase-locking spikes to the peaks of the oscillation. Several theoretical models accounting for the synchronized subthreshold oscillations have been proposed, however, two experimental observations remain an enigma. The first is the observation of frequent alterations in the frequency of the oscillations. The second is the observation of constant phase differences between simultaneously recorded neurons. In order to account for these two observations we constructed a canonical network model based on anatomical and physiological data from the IO. The constructed network is characterized by clustering of neurons with similar conductance densities, and by electrical coupling between neurons. Neurons inside a cluster are densely connected with weak strengths, while neurons belonging to different clusters are sparsely connected with stronger connections. We found that this type of network can robustly display stable subthreshold oscillations. The overall frequency of the network changes with the strength of the inter-cluster connections, and phase differences occur between neurons of different clusters. Moreover, the phase differences provide a mechanistic explanation for the experimentally observed propagating waves of activity in the IO. We conclude that the architecture of the network of electrically coupled neurons in combination with modulation of the inter-cluster coupling strengths can account for the experimentally observed frequency changes and the phase differences.
Quantifying the Rhythm of KaiB-C Interaction for In Vitro Cyanobacterial Circadian Clock

An oscillator consisting of KaiA, KaiB, and KaiC proteins comprises the core of cyanobacterial circadian clock. While one key reaction in this process—KaiC phosphorylation—has been extensively investigated and modeled, other key processes, such as the interactions among Kai proteins, are not understood well. Specifically, different experimental techniques have yielded inconsistent views about Kai A, B, and C interactions. Here, we first propose a mathematical model of cyanobacterial circadian clock that explains the recently observed dynamics of the four phospho-states of KaiC as well as the interactions among the three Kai proteins. Simulations of the model show that the interaction between KaiB and KaiC oscillates with the same period as the phosphorylation of KaiC, but displays a phase delay of ∼8 hr relative to the total phosphorylated KaiC. Secondly, this prediction on KaiB-C interaction are evaluated using a novel FRET (Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer)-based assay by tagging fluorescent proteins Cerulean and Venus to KaiC and KaiB, respectively, and reconstituting fluorescent protein-labeled in vitro clock. The data show that the KaiB∶KaiC interaction indeed oscillates with ∼24 hr periodicity and ∼8 hr phase delay relative to KaiC phosphorylation, consistent with model prediction. Moreover, it is noteworthy that our model indicates that the interlinked positive and negative feedback loops are the underlying mechanism for oscillation, with the serine phosphorylated-state (the “S-state") of KaiC being a hub for the feedback loops. Because the kinetics of the KaiB-C interaction faithfully follows that of the S-state, the FRET measurement may provide an important real-time probe in quantitative study of the cyanobacterial circadian clock.
Detection of Tissue Factor Antigen and Coagulation Activity in Coronary Artery Thrombi Isolated from Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction

Introduction Although ruptured atherosclerotic plaques have been extensively analyzed, the composition of thrombi causing arterial occlusion in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction has been less thoroughly investigated. We sought to investigate whether coagulant active tissue factor can be retrieved in thrombi of patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods Nineteen patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction referred for primary percutaneous coronary intervention were enrolled in this study. Coronary thrombi aspirated from coronary arteries were routinely processed for paraffin embedding and histological evaluation (4 patients) or immediately snap frozen for evaluation of tissue factor activity using a modified aPTT test (15 patients). Immunoprecipitation followed by immunoblotting was also performed in 12 patients. Results Thrombi aspirated from coronary arteries showed large and irregular areas of tissue factor staining within platelet aggregates, and in close contact with inflammatory cells. Some platelet aggregates stained positive for tissue factor, whereas others did not. Monocytes consistently stained strongly for tissue factor, neutrophils had a more variable and irregular tissue factor staining, and red blood cells did not demonstrate staining for tissue factor. Median clotting time of plasma samples containing homogenized thrombi incubated with a monoclonal antibody that specifically inhibits tissue factor-mediated coagulation activity (mAb 5G9) were significantly longer than their respective controls (88.9 seconds versus 76.5 seconds, respectively; p<0.001). Tissue factor was also identified by immunoprecipitation in 10 patients, with significant variability among band intensities. Conclusions Active tissue factor is present in coronary artery thrombi of patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction, suggesting that it contributes to activate the coagulation cascade ensuing in coronary thrombosis.