Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bayesian Learning Aided Sparse Channel Estimation for Orthogonal Time Frequency Space Modulated Systems

A novel sparse channel state information (CSI) estimation scheme is proposed for orthogonal time frequency space (OTFS) modulated systems, in which the pilots are directly transmitted over the time-frequency (TF)-domain grid for estimating the delay-Doppler (DD)-domain CSI. The proposed CSI estimation model leads to a reduction in the pilot overhead as well as the training duration required. Furthermore, it does not require a DD-domain guard interval between the pilot and data symbols, hence increasing the bandwidth efficiency. A novel Bayesian learning (BL) framework is proposed for CSI acquisition, which exploits the DD-domain sparsity for improving the estimation accuracy in comparison to the conventional minimum mean squared error (MMSE)-based scheme. A low-complexity linear MMSE detector is used in the subsequent data detection phase. Our simulation results demonstrate the performance improvement of the proposed BL-based scheme over the conventional MMSE-based scheme as well as over other existing sparse estimation schemes.
Design and Performance Evaluation of a Multiuser OFDM System Based on Differential Quadrature Chaos-Shift-Keying Spread Spectrum

This paper aims to propose a multiuser OFDM system with non-coherent differential quadrature chaos-shift-keying (OFDM-DQCSK) modulation. The proposed system is based on direct sequence spread spectrum where chaotic codes replace conventional spreading sequences. Orthogonal sets of chaotic spreading codes can be generated. The proposed system uses duplicated reference subcarriers that are private and non-shared. At the receiver, these reference subcarriers are used for the differential non-coherent de-spreading. Neither complex channel estimators nor carrier synchronization is required for demodulation. The chaotic reference signals are averaged at the receiver so that the additive white gaussian noise (AWGN) on the reference signal is averaged to a negligible value. A simulation of the bit error rate performance is performed in the presence of AWGN, multipath Rayleigh flat-fading channels and multiple access interference (MAI). In conclusion, the proposed non-coherent system achieves a remarkable improvement due to the usage of the Reference Averaging Technique.
SparkCruise: Workload Optimization in Managed Spark Clusters at Microsoft

Today cloud companies offer fully managed Spark services. This has made it easy to onboard new customers but has also increased the volume of users and their workload sizes. However, both cloud providers and users lack the tools and time to optimize these massive workloads. To solve this problem, we designed SparkCruise that can help understand and optimize workload instances by adding a workload-driven feedback loop to the Spark query optimizer. In this paper, we present our approach to collecting and representing Spark query workloads and use it to improve the overall performance on the workload, all without requiring any access to user data. These methods scale with the number of workloads and apply learned feedback in an online fashion. We explain one specific workload optimization developed for computation reuse. We also share the detailed analysis of production Spark workloads and contrast them with the corresponding analysis of TPC-DS benchmark. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to share the analysis of large-scale production Spark SQL workloads.
Earnings Management, Ownership Expropriation and Brokerage Fee of Malaysian Property Companies

During the past three decades, many firms in developing market have embarked retrenchment strategy in order to defend firm going concern from economy turbulence. Yet, this strategy is rarely investigated compared to another strategy like diversification. This is not to mention limited research investigating whether companies might manipulate their earnings through the retrenchment costs across ownership expropriation. As Malaysia offers unique background earnings management, corporate strategy and ownership structure, this study aims to answer intriguing yet interesting question: Do Malaysia’s listed companies consider retrenchment costs when they manipulate earning across its ownership expropriation? Using 237 Malaysian listed companies over the period 2008-2013, this study found that retrenchment costs are used to manipulate earnings in companies. In addition, we find that ownership concentration do not significantly affects the earnings management of the firms.
Fomitopsis pinicola in healthful dietary approach and their therapeutic potentials

Certain macrofungi species have been used for medical purposes and as nutrients since the old times. The present study aims to determine and compare total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI) values, and Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Ni levels in Fomitopsis pinicola (Sw.) P. Karst samples gathered in Balikesir province Kazdagi National Park and Yalova province Cinarcik Hasan Baba Woods in Turkey. TAS, TOS, and OSI values of mushroom samples were measured with Rel Assay kits. Mushroom heavy metal content was determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer and wet decomposition procedure. In the samples collected from Cinarcik district, OSI values were 0.99±0.03, while in the samples collected from Kazdagi National Park, OSI values were 0.13±0.01. Fe content in the samples collected from Cinarcik district were 265.9±70.5 ppm, while Fe content in the samples collected from Kazdagi National Park were 31.31±1.43 ppm. As a result, it is considered that the mushrooms c.
Origin of Pronounced Nonlinear Band Gap Behavior in Lead-Tin Hybrid Perovskite Alloys

Mixed lead–tin hybrid perovskite alloy CH3NH3(Pb1–x Sn x )I3 attracted significant attention lately because of the reduction of its band gap below both end compounds, which makes it a promising bottom cell material in all-perovskite tandem solar cells. The effect is a consequence of a strongly nonlinear dependence of the alloy band gap on chemical composition. Here, we use electronic structure calculations at different levels of theory (density functional theory (DFT), hybrid DFT, and QSGW, with and without spin–orbit interactions) to investigate the presently elusive origin of this effect. Contrary to current conflicting studies, our results show that neither spin–orbit interactions nor the composition induced changes of the crystal structure and ordering of atoms contributes to the nonlinearity of the band gap. We find that the strong nonlinearity is primarily a consequence of chemical effects, i.e., the mismatch in energy between s and p atomic orbitals of Pb and Sn, which form the band edges of the al.
A characteristic feature of the skin blistering disease epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) is keratin filament (KF) network disassembly leading to aggregation of the basal epidermal keratin type II (KtyII) K5 and its type I partner keratin

Mugdha Sawant, Nicole Schwarz, Reinhard Windoffer, Thomas Magin, Jan Krieger, Norbert Mücke, Boguslaw Obara , Vera Jankowski, Joachim Jankowski, Verena Wally, Thomas Lettner, Julia Reichelt, Rudolf E. Leube 1 Institute of Molecular and Cellular Anatomy, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany 2 Institute of Biology and Translational Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany 3 Biophysics of Macromolecules, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany 4 School of Engineering and Computing Sciences, Durham University, Durham, UK 5 Institut für Molekulare Herz-Krauslaufforschung, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany 6 EB House Austria, University Hospital Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria Correspondence:
Psychometric properties of infant EEG: Developmental stability, reliability, and construct validity of frontal alpha asymmetry and delta-beta coupling

Resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) provides developmental neuroscientists a noninvasive view into the neural underpinnings of cognition and emotion. Recently, the psychometric properties of two widely used neural measures in early childhood – frontal alpha asymmetry and delta-beta coupling – have come under scrutiny. Despite their growing use, additional work examining how the psychometric properties of these neural signatures may change across infancy is needed. The current study examined the developmental stability, splithalf reliability, and construct validity of infant frontal alpha asymmetry and delta-beta coupling. Infants provided resting-state EEG data at 8, 12, and 18 months of age (N = 213). Frontal alpha asymmetry and delta-beta coupling showed significant developmental change from 8 to 18 months. Reliability for alpha asymmetry, and alpha, delta, and beta power, individually, was generally good. In contrast, the reliability of delta-beta coupling scores was poor. Associations between frontal alpha asymmetry and approach tendencies generally emerged, whereas stronger (over-coupled) delta-beta coupling scores were associated with profiles of dysregulation and low inhibition. However, the individual associations varied across time and specific measures of interest. We discuss these findings with a developmental lens, highlighting the importance of repeated measures to better understand links between neural signatures and typical and atypical development.
Education on Caffeine Consumption to Improve Blood Pressure for Adults ages 19-65, who Consume High Amounts of Caffeine Daily

5 Background and Significance.6 Problem Statement.7 Clinical Question.7 Project Objectives.7 Review of the Literature.7 – 17 Conceptual Theory Framework Overall.17 -18 Conceptual Theory Key Concepts.18-19 Methodology.19 Setting.19-20 Recruitment.20 Implementation.20 22 Screening Tool.22 – 23 Budget.23 Data Collection and Intervention.23-24 Components of Analysis.22-23 Results and Statistical Tests.24 – 25 Discussion . 27-28 Practice Implications . 28 – 29 Limitations.29-30 Summary. 30 EDUCATION ON CAFFEINE HIGH CONSUMPTION 4 References . 31-35 Appendix A.9 Appendix B and C.26 Appendix D.27 Appendix E: Matrix Table.36 – 44 Appendix F: IRB Approval Letter.45 Appendix G: Recruitment Flyer.46 Appendix H: Pre-survey Form.47 Appendix I: Pretest Caffeine Consumption Survey Form. 48 – 50 Appendix J: Posttest Caffeine Consumption Survey Form . 51 EDUCATION ON CAFFEINE HIGH CONSUMPTION 5 Abstract Title: Education on Caffeine Consumption to Improve Blood Pressure for Adults ages 19-65Title: Education on Caffeine Consumption to Improve Blood Pressure for Adults ages 19-65 who Consume High Amounts of Caffeine Daily. Purpose: This project aimed to examine caffeine consumption in the context of its effects on adults' blood pressure, provide education on high caffeine consumption, and evaluate for a reduction in use over four weeks. Methods: A pretest survey was conducted at a primary care practice to determine caffeine consumption among adults between the ages of 19-65. This session included verbal communication, a 10-minute video, and written educational information. The Caffeine Consumption Questionnaire-Revised was used to obtain information on the participant's caffeine consumption. A post-test survey was conducted at the project site four weeks after the first educational class to assess for a reduction in consumption and improvement in blood pressure. Results: Thirty participants were recruited, including normotensive and hypertensive individuals. However, twenty-eight participants completed the study. Among the respondents, most were African Americans. The sample consisted of twenty women and eight men with a mean age of 49.1, and age ranged between 33-65. Upon completion of the study four weeks after the initial educational session, there was a 65% reduction of caffeine consumption and a 6%-8% reduction of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion: Overall, the findings suggest that education on high caffeine consumption can reduce the use and improvement of blood pressure.
Investigation of the use of zeolite (Clinoptilolite) as aquarium filtration material for electric blue hap (Sciaenochromis ahli)

In this study, the effects of using zeolite, both inside and outside the filter, on water quality and the growth of electric blue hap (Sciaenochromis ahli) were investigated. The 3month study consisted of 7 groups in triplicate. One of the groups was designated as the control, and zeolite was not used in this group. For the remaining 6 groups, zeolite was placed in tulle bags and used both inside and outside the filter in 3 various ratios (0.35, 0.70, 1.05 g l-1). The statistical differences between groups for certain water quality parameters pH, NH3) were significant (P<0.05), while the statistical differences between groups for other parameters (water temperature, dissolved oxygen) were found to be insignificant (P>0.05). Furthermore, the growth parameters, feed conversion ratio, and survival rate of the electric blue hap were determined. At the end of the study, the differences between weight gain, specific growth rate and feed conversion ratio were determined as statistically insignificant (P>0.05). At the end of the study, when the data were evaluated, no negative effects on the growth parameters and water parameters of the ahli cichlid fish were determined. Therefore, it is advisable to place zeolite in mesh bags at the bottom of the aquarium and in the aquarium filter to prevent ammonia from reaching high concentrations. Thus, when the findings on pH and NH3 of the present study were evaluated, it can be suggested that low ratios as 0.35 g l-1 of zeolite may be used in tulle bags on floor or inside the filter to prevent ammonia rising to high concentrations. Please cite this paper as follows: Öz, M. , Şahin, D. , Karslı, Z. , Aral, O. , Bahtiyar, M. (2021). Investigation of zeolite (Clinoptilolite) use as aquarium filtration material of electric blue hap (Sciaenochromis ahli). Marine Science and Technology Bulletin, 10(2), 207-212. https://doi.org/10.33714/masteb.895198 * Corresponding author E-mail address: meryem0857@hotmail.com (M. Öz) Öz et al. (2021) Marine Science and Technology Bulletin 10(2): 207-212
Defoliated trees die below a critical threshold of stored carbon

1. Carbon starvation posits that defoliation-and drought-induced mortality results from drawing down stored non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs), but evidence is mixed, and few studies evaluate mortality directly. We tested the relationships among defoliation severity, NSC drawdown and tree mortality by measuring NSCs in mature oak trees defoliated by an invasive insect, Lymantria dispar , across a natural gradient of defoliation severity. 2. We collected stem and root samples from mature oaks ( Quercus rubra and Q . alba ) in interior forests ( n = 34) and forest edges ( n = 47) in central Massachusetts, USA. Total NSC (TNC; sugar + starch) stores were analysed with respect to tree size, species and defoliation severity, which ranged between 5% and 100%. 3. TNC stores declined significantly with increasingly severe defoliation. Forest edge trees had higher TNC stores that were less sensitive to defoliation than interior forest trees, although this may be a result of differing defoliation history. Furthermore, we observed a mortality threshold of 1.5% dry weight TNC. 4. Our study draws a direct link between insect defoliation and TNC reserves and defines a TNC threshold below which mortality is highly likely. These findings advance understanding and improve model parametrization of tree response to insect outbreaks, an increasing threat with globalization and climate change.
Adjusting the Clock: the Importance of Circadian Rhythms in the Development of Glioblastomas and Its Intervention as a Therapeutic Strategy

Gliomas are solid tumors of the Central Nervous System (CNS) that originated from different glial cells. The World Health Organization (WHO) classified these tumors into four groups (I-IV) with increasing malignancy. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive type of brain tumor classified as a grade IV. GBM are resistant to conventional therapies with poor prognosis after diagnosis even when the Stupp protocol that combines surgery and radiochemotherapy is applied. Nowadays, few novel therapeutic strategies have been used to improve GBM treatment, looking for higher efficiency and lower side effects, but with relatively modest results. The circadian timing system temporally organizes the physiology and behavior of most organisms and daily regulates several cellular processes in organs, tissues, and even in individual cells, including tumor cells. The potentiality of the function of the circadian clock on cancer cells modulation as a new target for novel treatments with a chronobiological basis offers a different challenge that needs to be considered in further detail. The present review will discuss state of the art regarding GBM biology, the role of the circadian clock in tumor progression, and new chrono-chemotherapeutic strategies applied for GBM treatment.
Track changes for: Towards a global understanding of vegetation–climate dynamics at multiple time scales

Climate variables carry signatures of variability at multiple time scales. How these modes of variability are reflected in the state of the terrestrial biosphere is still not quantified, nor discussed at the global scale. Here, we set out to gain a global understanding of the relevance of different modes of variability in vegetation greenness and its co–variability with climate. We used >30 years of remote sensing records of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to characterize biosphere variability across time scales from sub–monthly oscillations to decadal trends using discrete Fourier decomposition. Climate 5 data of air temperature (Tair) and precipitation (Prec) were used to characterize atmosphere–biosphere co–variability at each time scale. Our results show that short–term (intra–annual) and longer–term (inter–annual and longer) modes of variability make regionally highly important contributions to NDVI variability: Short–term oscillations focus in the tropics where they shape 27% of NDVI variability. Longer–term oscillations shape 9% of NDVI variability, dominantly in semi–arid shrublands. Assessing 10 dominant time scales of vegetation–climate co–variation, a natural surface classification emerges which captures patterns not represented by conventional classifications, especially in the tropics. Finally, we find that correlations between variables can differ and even invert signs across time scales. For southern Africa for example, correlation between NDVI and Tair is positive for the seasonal signal, but negative for short–term and longer–term oscillations, indicating that both short and long–term temperature anomalies can induce stress on vegetation dynamics. Such contrasting correlations between time scales exist for 15% 15 of vegetated area for NDVI with Tair, and 27% with Prec, indicating global relevance of scale–specific climate sensitivities. Our analysis provides a detailed picture of vegetation–climate co–variability globally, characterizing ecosystems by their intrinsic modes of temporal variability. We find that (i) correlations of NDVI with climate can differ between scales, (ii) non– dominant sub–signals in climate variables may dominate the biospheric response, and (iii) possible links may exist between
Spatial Heterogeneity Association of HIV Incidence with Socio-economic Factors in Zimbabwe

This study examined the spatial heterogeneity association of HIV incidence and socio-economic factors including poverty severity index,permanently employed females and males, unemployed females, percentage of poor households i.e., poverty prevalence, night lights index, literacy rate,household food security, and Gini index at district level in Zimbabwe.A mix of spatial analysis methods including Poisson model based on original log likelihood ratios (LLR), global Moran’s I, local indicator of spatial association - LISA were employed to determine the HIV hotspots.Geographically Weighted Poisson Regression (GWPR) and semi-parametric GWPR (s-GWPR) were used to determine the spatial association between HIV incidence and socio-economic factors. HIV incidence (number of cases per 1000) ranged from 0.6 (Buhera district) to 13.30 (Mangwe district). Spatial clustering of HIV incidence was observed (Global Moran’s I = - 0.150; Z score 3.038; p-value 0.002). Significant clusters of HIV were observed at district level. HIV incidence and its association with socioeconomic factors varied across the districts except percentage of females unemployed. Intervention programmes to reduce HIV incidence should address the identified socio-economic factors at district level.
The Impact of Diagnostic Ureteroscopy Prior to Radical Nephroureterectomy on Oncological Outcomes in Patients with Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: The incidence of intravesical recurrence (IVR) following radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) is reported in up to 50% of patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). It was suggested that preoperative diagnostic ureteroscopy (URS) could increase the IVR rate after RNU. However, the available data are often conflicting. Thus, in this systematic review and meta-analysis we sought to synthesize available data for the impact of pre-RNU URS for UTUC on IVR and other oncological outcomes. Materials and methods: A systematic literature search of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was performed in June 2021. Cumulative analyses of hazard ratios (HRs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were conducted. The primary endpoint was intravesical recurrence-free survival (IVRFS), with the secondary endpoints being cancer-specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS), and metastasis-free survival (MFS). Results: Among a total of 5489 patients included in the sixteen selected papers, 2387 (43.4%) underwent diagnostic URS before RNU and 3102 (56.6%) did not. Pre-RNU diagnostic URS was significantly associated with worse IVRFS after RNU (HR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.29–1.61, p < 0.001) than RNU alone. However, subgroup analysis including patients without biopsy during URS revealed no significant impact of diagnostic URS on IVRFS (HR = 1.28, 95% CI: 0.90–1.80, p = 0.16). The results of other analyses showed no significant differences in CSS (HR = 0.94, p = 0.63), OS (HR: 0.94, p = 0.56), and MFS (HR: 0.91, p = 0.37) between patients who underwent URS before RNU and those who did not. Conclusions: The results of this meta-analysis confirm that diagnostic URS prior to RNU is significantly associated with worse IVRFS, albeit with no concurrent impact on the other long-term survival outcomes. Our results indicate that URS has a negative impact on IVRFS only when combined with endoscopic biopsy. Future studies are warranted to assess the role of immediate postoperative intravesical chemotherapy in patients undergoing biopsy during URS for suspected UTUC.