Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Moment-Based Estimation of the Signal-to-Noise Ratio for Oversampled Narrowband Signals

Assuming the symbol timing to be established, blind estimation of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), based on second-and fourth-order moments of the envelope such that the knowledge of the carrier phase becomes obsolete, is well documented in the technical literature. However, to the best of the authors' knowledge, nothing is reported in this respect if the symbol timing is not available or reliable enough, as it might easily happen in practice. Motivated by this background, a moment-based SNR estimator is developed when both timing and carrier phase are unknown. Applied to narrowband signals as they are accessible at the output of the matched receiver filter, the derivation of the algorithm turns out to be fairly intricate from the analytical point of view although the final result is surprisingly simple, i. e. , apart from some constants depending on modulation scheme and pulse shape, it is formally not much different from the relationship with perfect symbol timing recovery.
Effects of using flipped classroom learning in object-oriented analysis and design course

The topic of the classroom action research is “Effects of using Flipped Classroom Learning in Object-oriented analysis and design course”. The objectives of this research are to try the flipped classroom learning in the course and to evaluate the satisfaction of the students in the course. The aim of the research is to determine the suitability of the flipped classroom learning on the course, including the advantages and limitations of such learning method. The learning management system is Courseville and the teaching materials are Thai lecture videos, and English documents of the course instructor. The research mythology is to collect data from students enrolled in the course, whose data are composed of the behavior of the students, students' test scores, and the term project scores. Moreover, the collected data from the questionnaires are used for analyzing the students' satisfaction of the flipped classroom teaching. The research result shows that the flipped classroom learning is suitable for the object-oriented analysis and design course with the aggregation of 90 percent of students. In addition, the 85 percent of students are satisfied with the flipped classroom learning in this course.
Epidemiology of severe fever and thrombocytopenia syndrome virus infection and the need for therapeutics for the prevention

Over the past ten years there has been a marked increase in cases of severe fever and thrombocytopenia syndrome in East Asia. This tick-borne hemorrhagic fever presents along with clinical signs including high fever and leukopenia. In addition to humans, the virus has also been detected with shared genetic homology in farm animals including goats, cattle, horses, and pigs. Furthermore, several genotypes of severe fever and thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) are currently co-circulating between humans and animals. In China, where the virus was first detected in rural areas in 2009, the SFTSV mortality rate has been reported to be as 6% and higher than 30%, especially in immuno-compromised patients. Moreover, this virus has been isolated in neighbor countries including Japan and South Korea where the fatality rates in 2015 were more than 30% in both countries. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the virology, genotypes, pathogenesis, and epidemiology of SFTSV infection in humans and animals. Currently, a collaborative global approach against SFTSV infection is being undertaken; however, the need for continuous disease surveillance and production of an effective vaccine is imperative as this virus may lead to an epidemic of irreversible status in both humans and animals.
Marine bivalve geochemistry and shell ultrastructure from modern low pH environments

Bivalve shells can provide excellent archives of past environmental change but have not been used to interpret ocean acidiﬁcation events. We investigated carbon, oxygen and trace element records from di ﬀ erent shell layers in the mussels Mytilus galloprovin-cialis (from the Mediterranean) and M. edulis (from the Wadden Sea) combined with 5 detailed investigations of the shell ultrastructure. Mussels from the harbour of Ischia (Mediterranean, Italy) were transplanted and grown in water with mean pH T 7.3 and mean pH T 8.1 near CO 2 vents on the east coast of the island of Ischia. The shells of transplanted mussels were compared with M. edulis collected at pH ∼ 8.2 from Sylt (German Wadden Sea). Most prominently, the shells recorded the shock of transplan-10 tation, both in their shell ultrastructure, textural and geochemical record. Shell calcite, precipitated subsequently under acidiﬁed seawater responded to the pH gradient by an in part disturbed ultrastructure. Geochemical data from all test sites show a strong metabolic e ﬀ ect that exceeds the inﬂuence of the low-pH environment. These ﬁeld experiments showed that care is needed when interpreting potential ocean acidiﬁcation 15 signals because various parameters a ﬀ ect shell chemistry and ultrastructure. Besides metabolic processes, seawater pH, factors such as salinity, water temperature, food availability and population density all a ﬀ ect the biogenic carbonate shell archive.
Configuration of Value Chain Activities: The Effect of Pre-Entry Capabilities, Transaction Hazards, and Industry Evolution on Decisions to Internalize

We integrate insights from organizational capabilities, organizational economics, and industry evolution to examine industry entrants' boundary choices about value chain activities and test hypotheses in 1978–2009 data from a sample of U.S. bioethanol producers. We find support for our predictions that transaction hazards, decomposed as either enduring or transient over the stages of industry evolution, are positively associated with the choice to internalize value chain activities. Pre-entry experience in an activity increases the likelihood of its internalization and reduces the effect of enduring transaction hazards on the internalization choice. Importantly, we also distinguish between firm-and founder-level pre-entry capabilities (that is, the capabilities of firms versus those of founders). Diversifying entrants with firm-level integrative capabilities are more likely to internalize value chain activities than start-ups, and this effect persists over the industry's life cycle. The relationship between pre-entry experience with an activity and the likelihood of internalizing it is also stronger for diversifying entrants. Findings improve understanding of the relationships among capability development, boundary choice, and industry evolution.
Celecoxib combined with hippocampus sparing intensity-modulated radiation therapy reduces the injury of cognitive function induced by radiotherapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Objective: In this study, we compared the effects of combination of celecoxib, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and hippocampal sparing, IMRT with hippocampal sparing and IMRT only on cognitive function, life quality and therapeutic effects in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: From June 2015 to December 2016, 177 cases with NPC in our hospital were finally enrolled and randomly divided into three groups: IMRT only group (I group), hippocampal sparing IMRT (H group) and celecoxib combined with hippocampal sparing IMRT group (Ce group). Cognitive function and life quality were evaluated three months after treatment via MiniMental State Examination (MMSE) and Quality of life questionnaire (QLQ C30) respectively. Indicators for therapeutic effects including complete remission (CR), partial remission (PR), stable disease (SD), progressive disease (PD), adverse reactions, recurrence and metastasis of tumor and serum tumor marker carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level of patients were also compared. Results: Before the intervention, there was no difference in cognitive function score among all the patients (P=0.876). After the treatment, no significant difference was found for RR among groups (P=0.245), however, patients in the Ce group showed the highest cognitive function score (P<0.001); the differences in adverse reactions including dry mouth (P=0.026, Ce vs. H; P=0.000, Ce vs. I; P=0.000, H vs. I), oral mucositis (P=0.060, Ce vs. H; P=0.008, Ce vs. I; P=0.396, H vs. I), skin reaction (P=0.654, Ce vs. H; P=0.027, Ce vs. I; P=0.065, H vs. I), irradiation otitis media (P=0.097, Ce vs. H; P=0.009, Ce vs. I; P=0.051, H vs. I) had statistical significance, and their incidence rates in Ce group were lowest. Meanwhile, recurrence and metastasis were less in the Ce group although the differences were insignificant (P=0.302 and 0.638). The serum level of CEA was notably lower in Ce group (P=0.031, Ce vs. H; P=0.020, Ce vs. I; P=0.512, H vs. I). Life quality scores about cognitive function and role function of H group and Ce group were higher than that of I group while Ce group was the highest (Cognitive function: P=0.020, Ce vs. H; P=0.015, Ce vs. I and P=0.023, H vs. I; role function: P=0.039, Ce vs. H; P=0.011, Ce vs. I and P=0.031, H vs. I). Conclusion: Celecoxib combined with hippocampus sparing IMRT for the treatment of NPC patients could drastically alleviate cognitive dysfunction, improve life quality and reduce the occurrence of adverse events compared with hippocampal sparing IMRT and IMRT only.
Rethinking the Use of Tests: A Meta-Analysis of Practice Testing

The testing effect is a well-known concept referring to gains in learning and retention that can occur when students take a practice test on studied material before taking a final test on the same material. Research demonstrates that students who take practice tests often outperform students in nontesting learning conditions such as restudying, practice, filler activities, or no presentation of the material. However, evidence-based meta-analysis is needed to develop a comprehensive understanding of the conditions under which practice tests enhance or inhibit learning. This meta-analysis fills this gap by examining the effects of practice tests versus nontesting learning conditions. Results reveal that practice tests are more beneficial for learning than restudying and all other comparison conditions. Mean effect sizes were moderated by the features of practice tests, participant and study characteristics, outcome constructs, and methodological features of the studies. Findings may guide the use of practice tests to advance student learning, and inform students, teachers, researchers, and policymakers. This article concludes with the theoretical and practical implications of the meta-analysis.
The German Variety of Capitalism: Forces and Dynamics of Evolutionary Change

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: [Bathelt, H. , & Gertler, M. S. (2005). The German variety of capitalism: Forces and dynamics of evolutionary change. Economic Geography, 81(1), 1-9. ], which has been published in final form at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley. com/doi/10.1111/j.1944-8287.2005. tb00252.x/abstract. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.
Radio-propagation model based on the combined method of ray tracing and diffraction

In this paper, we consider UHF radio wave propagation in vegetated residential environments. The attenuating effects of trees as well as those due to diffraction over the buildings are investigated. A new radio wave propagation prediction model based on the combined method of ray tracing and diffraction (CMRTD) is proposed. A row of trees is modeled as a two-dimensional (2-D) cylinder. It is then represented by an equivalent phase object (EPO); a row of buildings is replaced by an absorbing screen. The position and size of the EPO as well as the amplitude and phase distributions of the input field at the EPO are determined by ray tracing. Next the scattered field is computed by the Kirchhoff diffraction theory. Among the numerical results are those of the scattering from a row of trees with circular or elliptic canopies and the scattering from a row of trees/buildings configuration. The calculations treat both plane- and cylindrical-incident waves. By comparing the results with those obtained from the exact eigenfunction expansion method, we show that the CMRTD is an accurate and efficient method to calculate the scattering from a 2-D cylinder. Moreover, the range of the validity of using the CMRTD to model the scattering from one row of trees is determined.
Breakthroughs in Photonics 2014: Time-Scale-Dependent Nonlinear Dynamics in InAs/InP Quantum Dot Gain Media: From High-Speed Modulation to Coherent Light–Matter Interactions

The dynamical properties of InP-based quantum dot (QD) gain media are surveyed and analyzed for three time scales ranging from tens of picoseconds to less than 200 fs, where quantum coherent phenomena are observable. Each of these time scales determines the important properties of QD devices, i.e., modulation capabilities, nonlinear gain, and coherent light-matter interactions. Experimental investigations and modeling results are described, highlighting the state of the art in QD devices for the important 1550-nm telecom wavelength range.
Frequency-regulating reserve constrained unit commitment for an isolated power system

The purpose of unit commitment (UC) for electric utilities is to determine the optimal thermal unit on/off statuses and their MW generations over the scheduled time horizon. The UC problem is formulated to minimize the total generation cost, while the load demand, reserve requirements, and unit constraints are satisfied. Among the UC constraints, an adequate provision of reserve is important to ensure the security of the power system and the frequency-regulating reserve is essential to bring the system frequency back to acceptable level following the loss of a sizable online unit within seconds. In this paper, the authors present and solve a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP)-based UC problem including the frequency-regulating reserve (FRR) constraints to determine the optimal FRR requirements and unit MW schedules for an isolated power system. Simulation results are then compared with those obtained by Lagrangian relaxation-based approach and by the current Taipower operation practice. It is observed that favorable reserve and unit MW schedules are obtained by the proposed method while the system security is maintained.
Crustal structure of south-central Mexico estimated from the inversion of surface-wave dispersion curves using genetic and simulated annealing algorithms

A partir de catorce sismos de subduccion, agrupados en dos trayectorias (una perpendicular y otra paralela a la linea de costa), se calculo un apilado sobre las curvas de dispersion de velocidad de grupo. Estas curvas promedio fueron invertidas usando, por separado, los metodos de algoritmos geneticos y recristalizacion simulada. Los resultados muestran fuertes diferencias entre ambos modelos corticales, sobre todo, en los parametros de la capa mas somera y en la localizacion del Moho. Estas diferencias pueden ser explicadas debido a que la primera trayectoria atraviesa el terreno tectonoestratigrafico “Guerrero” y la segunda el “Oaxaca”. La inversion con algoritmos geneticos (GA) probo ser considerablemente mas rapida que aquella con recristalizacion simulada (SA). Por otro lado SA requiere una pequena cantidad de memoria y alcanza un desajuste menor que G.A.
Sensitizing agents in household products: findings from a national data bank

Sensitizing agents are substances that may cause allergic diseases or allergies and they can be commonly found in consumer products for household use. The aim of this study is to analyse the frequency of the main sensitizing agents added in commercial household products. Data were selected from a database set up by National Institute of Health, on the basis of the Directive 88/379/EEC on dangerous preparations and subsequent integrations. The main variables analysed are: sensitizing agent, intended use and applicability, concentration range of the substance in the preparation. We have catalogued 3168 commercial preparations, containing 28 different sensitizing agents for a total of 5033 records. Each preparation may contain more than one sensitizing agent, with an average of 1.6. The most common sensitizing agent in the dangerous preparations is Linalool (33%), particularly in the concentration range of 1÷5% (21%) and, in the specific use, deodorants and fragrances for home care. Our study shows the presence of high concentrations of sensitizing agents, mainly used in the household deodorants and fragrances and in hobby products. It would be desirable to promote a better information about a proper use of products with those substances.
The impact of metabolism on aging and cell size in single yeast cells

The aim of this thesis was to determine how metabolism affects yeast aging in single yeast cells using a novel microfluidic device. We first review how cells are able to sense nutrients in their environment and then describe the use of the microfluidic dissection platform that greatly improves our ability to study yeast aging. Using this device, we measured the lifespan of yeast cells growing under standard and calorie restricted conditions. Although calorie restricted conditions were previously shown to extend lifespan, we did not detect any lifespan extension suggesting that method-specific effects are essential to extend lifespan under calorie restricted conditions in yeast. We also used our device to explain why cell size increases as a function of age. We found that repeated rounds of protein overproduction prior to cell division causes cell size to increase gradually with age. The rate of cell size increase with age is linked to the rate of protein production, which is dependent on the type of nutrients the cell grows on. We conclude that our microfluidic device is an excellent tool to study yeast aging and metabolism at the single cell level.
ALUMINUM AND FLUORIDE IMPACTS CORTEX , HIPPOCAMPUS AND DENTATE GYRUS STRUCTURE IN RATS : PROTECTIVE ROLE OF RESVERATROL C S

Metals such as aluminum and Fluoride have been implicated in the etiology of several neurodegenerative disorders. Resveratrol, a natural polyphenol, exerting a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities including its antioxidative properties against neurodegenerative disorders through its ability to lessen oxidative stress. Rats were divided into 4 groups. Group –I was served as control. Group –II was intoxicated with Alcl3 (100 mg/kg b.w) along with Sodium fluoride (10 mg/kg b.w). Group –III was administered with Alcl3 (100 mg/kg b.w) + Sodium fluoride (10 mg/kg b.w) + resveretrol (30 mg/kg b.w). Group–IV was administered with resveretrol (30 mg/kg b.w) alone for 8 weeks. The obtained results showed significant oxidative stress induced neuronal damage in cerebral cortex and hippocampus in intoxicated rats where as significant reduction in neuronal damage in the rats administered with resveratrol against aluminium along with fluoride when observed with certain stains. Hence, the results of the present study reveal that the resveratrol has potential neuroprotective properties to diminish the oxidative stress on Cortical and Hippocampal neuronal loss and cognitive impairment by aluminum and fluoride intoxication.
Substrate selectivity in arginine-dependent acid resistance in enteric bacteria

To successfully colonize the human gut, enteric bacteria must activate acid resistance systems to survive the extreme acidity (pH 1.5–3.5) of the stomach. The antiporter AdiC is the master orchestrator of the arginine-dependent system. Upon acid shock, it imports extracellular arginine (Arg) into the cytoplasm, providing the substrate for arginine decarboxylases, which consume a cellular proton ending up in a C–H bond of the decarboxylated product agmatine (Agm2+). Agm2+ and the “virtual” proton it carries are exported via AdiC subsequently. It is widely accepted that AdiC counters intracellular acidification by continuously pumping out virtual protons. However, in the gastric environment, Arg is present in two carboxyl-protonation forms, Arg+ and Arg2+. Virtual proton pumping can only be achieved by Arg+/Agm2+ exchange, whereas Arg2+/Agm2+ exchange would produce no net proton movement. This study experimentally asks which exchange AdiC catalyzes, an issue previously unapproachable due to the absence of a reconstituted system mimicking the situation of bacteria in the stomach. Here, using an oriented liposome system able to hold a three-unit pH gradient, we demonstrate that Arg/Agm exchange by AdiC is strongly electrogenic with positive charge moved outward, and thus that AdiC mainly mediates Arg+/Agm2+ exchange to support effective virtual proton pumping. Further experiments reveal a mechanistic surprise—that AdiC selects Arg+ against Arg2+ on the basis of gross valence, rather than by local scrutiny of protonation states of the carboxyl group, as had been suggested by Arg-bound AdiC crystal structures.
IMMUNIZATION STATUS OF UNDERFIVE CHILDREN IN MIGRANTS FROM PERIURBAN AREAS OF PUNE

Introduction: Immunization against common childhood diseases has been an integral component of mother and child health services in India since adoption of the primary health care approach. According to WHO, immunization prevents between 2-3 million deaths every year. The focus of this study is to assess the immunization status of children under five years of age amongst migrant construction and brick kiln workers in three randomly selected periurban areas of Pune. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was carried out in under five children of migrant and brick kiln workers of the randomly selected three sites in periurban areas of Pune. Results: Study showed that only 20 % underfive children were fully immunised, 75% were partially immunized and 5% were not immunized at all. About one- fourth of the partially immunized children were not vaccinated because the mothers of the children forgot to take them for immunization as per schedule. Conclusion: The study highlighted the necessity of specialized efforts to deliver vaccination services to the migrant population.
Environmental fitness heterogeneity in the Moran process

Many mathematical models of evolution assume that all individuals experience the same environment. Here, we study the Moran process in heterogeneous environments. The population is of finite size with two competing types, which are exposed to a fixed number of environmental conditions. Reproductive rate is determined by both the type and the environment. We first calculate the condition for selection to favour the mutant relative to the resident wild-type. In large populations, the mutant is favoured if and only if the mutant’s spatial average reproductive rate exceeds that of the resident. But environmental heterogeneity elucidates an interesting asymmetry between the mutant and the resident. Specifically, mutant heterogeneity suppresses its fixation probability; if this heterogeneity is strong enough, it can even completely offset the effects of selection (including in large populations). By contrast, resident heterogeneity has no effect on a mutant’s fixation probability in large populations and can amplify it in small populations.