Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) for cellular wireless communications

This thesis begins with an overview of the basic concept of NOMA by identifying the key working principle of NOMA systems and their respective power allocation requirements in both of downlink and uplink transmissions. Then, for cell-throughput maximization in both of downlink and uplink NOMA transmissions, the joint problem of user clustering and transmit power allocation is formulated as a mixed integer nonlinear program (MINLP). The formulated problem is solved in two steps: grouping users into disjoint cluster(s), and then optimizing power allocation at each cluster. After investigating NOMA for conventional downlink and uplink systems, the application of NOMA is investigated in downlink multiuser multiple-input multipleoutput (MIMO) systems, by proposing a novel MIMO-NOMA model with linear beamforming technique. In this MIMO-NOMA system, users’ receive antennas are dynamically grouped into a number of disjoint clusters, and within each cluster a single beam is shared by all the receive antennas those adopt NOMA. The superiority of the proposed model is illustrated through extensive performance evaluations. Finally, the application of coordinated multi-point (CoMP) transmission technique is investigated in downlink multi-cell NOMA systems, considering distributed power allocation at each cell. In the proposed CoMP-NOMA model, CoMP transmission is used for users experiencing strong receive-signals from multiple cells while each cell independently adopts NOMA for resource allocation. The applicability and necessary conditions to use different CoMP schemes are identified under various network scenarios, and the corresponding throughput formulas are derived. The spectral efficiency gains of the proposed CoMP-NOMA model are also quantified.
Lichens new to the Azores collected on Terceira

Aptroot, A. , Schumm, F. & Gabriel, R. 2009. Lichens new to the Azores collected on Terceira. - Herzogia 22: 147-152. Forty-six lichen species and one variety are reported for the first time from the Azores. All were collected during a one-week field course on Terceira and include the first record of Biatora britannica outside Britain, and a record of Xanthoria weberi bridging the gap between the disjunct areas it has been reported from, viz. America and northern Europe. Xanthoria weberi is a new combination. Zusammenfassung: Aptroot, A. , Schumm, F. & Gabriel, R. 2009. Flechten neu fur die Azoren, gesammelt auf Terceira. - Herzogia 22: 147-152. Sechsundvierzig Flechtenarten und eine Varietat werden erstmalig von den Azoren gemeldet. Alle wurden wah- rend eines einwochigen Gelandekurses auf Terceira gesammelt und beinhalten den ersten Fund von Biatora bri- tannica auserhalb der Britischen Inseln. Ein Fund von Xanthoria weberi schliest die Verbreitungslucke zwischen den disjunkten Arealen, aus denen die Art bisher bekannt war: Amerika und Nordeuropa. Xanthoria weberi ist eine Neukombination.
Environmental and spatial controls of biotic assemblages in a discrete semi‐terrestrial habitat: comparison of organisms with different dispersal abilities sampled in the same plots

Aim The development of metacommunity theory inspired a series of studies exploring the importance of environmental and spatial effects on the composition of biotic assemblages. However, the comparison of different groups of organisms has been hampered by differences in sampling design, spatial scales or the environmental variables involved. Our aim was to test how dispersal ability affects metacommunity structure and associated species distributions by sampling different species groups in the same plots to avoid these problems.
Moralistic Street Robbery

Street robbery is widely seen as the epitome of acquisitive instrumentality, yet recent research suggests that the crime may be designed more to send a message than to generate capital. Drawing from in-depth, semistructured interviews with active offenders, we find that moralistic street robbery is a response to one of three types of violations. Market-related violations emerge from disputes involving partners in trade, rivals, or generalized predators. Status-based violations involve encounters in which the grievant's essential character or normative sensibilities have been challenged. Personalistic violations flow from incidents in which the grievant's autonomy or belief in a just world have been jeopardized. Discussion focuses on the data's implications for deterrence and the spread of urban violence.
In situ evaluation of options for chemical treatment of hepatotoxic cyanobacterial blooms

Closed-bottom limnocorrals were placed in a hardwater lake in central Alberta to compare the effect of two alternative approaches to chemical removal of toxic phytoplankton blooms. Reglone A, which lyses phytoplankton cells, and lime-alum, which precipitates intact phytoplankton cells out of the water column were both effective in removing phytoplankton from the water column. Our results were consistent with laboratory studies in that treatment with Reglone A removed phytoplankton (primarily cyanobacteria) blooms with a concomitant increase in dissolved microcystin (exo-MCYST) and phosphorus concentrations in the surrounding water whereas lime-alum treatment did not. Maximum exo-MCYST concentrations in the water phase of the lime-alum treated limnocorrals were 32-fold lower than those recorded in the Reglone-treated limnocorrals. Treatment with lime alone caused a sharp rise in pH (to >10), and the observed increase in exo-MCYST was likely due to pH shock. Exo-MCYST concentration in the Reglone-treated en.
The Anatomy of the Entrepreneur: Clinical Observations

In psychoanalytic theory, studies of work behavior have been relatively scarce. Most of the existing literature concerns itself with cases of work inhibition or compulsion. Occasionally, one finds a discussion of people in the creative professions. No attention has been paid, however, to a major contributor to economic development in society, the entrepreneur. This contrasts sharply with the amount of attention given to entrepreneurs by other disciplines. The object of this study is to better understand the dynamics of entrepreneurship, and in particular the work behavior of entrepreneurs. First, there is a brief overview of the role of work in psychoanalytic theory. Then a number of factors important to entrepreneurship are reviewed from the perspective of economic, sociological, anthropological, psychological, and organizational theory. A case history is presented of one entrepreneur who chose to be treated through psychoanalysis. The intensity of this type of treatment means that continuity in observation is provided. This case study therefore offers a unique insight into the complex "inner theater" of one particular entrepreneur. Previous research on entrepreneurship has identified a number of themes common among some entrepreneurs. In the entrepreneurial theater a need for control, a sense of distrust, a desire for applause, and resorting to primitive defensive mechanisms such as splitting, projection, denial, and the flight into action ("the manic defense") appear to be common. The behavior of a number of entrepreneurs also seems to have a cyclothymic quality. Moreover, for many of them, their narcissistic development tends to be of a "reactive" nature reflecting difficulties in the regulation of self-esteem. This case history illustrates these themes, and furthermore, shows that running a business is not necessarily a rational process. On the contrary, in many instances, the process seems to be more a question of retrospective "rationalizing" of decisions already made. Finally, inferences are made about the person-organization interface by identifying some of the characteristics of the dramatic organization, a configuration typically created by a number of entrepreneurs.
PHYTOGEOGRAPHY, BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF WESTERN AUSTRALIAN EPACRIDACEAE

The Epacridaceae of Western Australia comprise 181 named species distributed in 17 genera. One hundred and seventy seven species (98% of the total) and ten genera are endemic to the region. Within Western Australia, all members are confined to the south, with a bimodal pattern of species diversity centred on the sandplains and uplands around the Stirling Ranges and Mount Lesueur. Leucopogon, the largest genus, reflects this pattern, however, species diversity is greatest on the south coastal sandplains. All species are woody shrubs, mostly found on neutral or acidic sandy soils. Plants of at least 120 species are killed by fire; Astroloma contains the only significant number of resprouting species. Although some species are in flower every month every year, autumn}winter flowering is a common feature of many members of the family. All species are biotically pollinated. Bird pollination is found in 18 species in six genera. The remaining species are insect pollinated. Bees are the major pollinators in Leucopogon, Conostephium and Coleanthera. Moths and butterflies are important pollinators in Andersonia, Leucopogon, Lysinema and Styphelia. Flies are minor pollinators of some species of Andersonia, Leucopogon and Monotoca. All species studied are protandrous and outbreeding, with only Cosmelia being capable of self pollination. Fruits are fleshy in Astroloma, Brachyloma, Croninia, in certain species of Leucopogon and Styphelia and are animal dispersed. Other genera have dry, dehiscent fruit with gravity or wind dispersed seeds. Many species have relatively narrow distribution ranges, 90 species having ranges of over 300 km, 54 species have ranges of 100‐300 km and 37 have ranges of less than 100 km (and there are many undescribed species in this group). The conservation status of many species is still poorly known. Dieback disease is a major threat to the family, and could cause the extinction of several species in the wild. # 1996 Annals of Botany Company
Évaluation des méthodes d'appréciation des propriétés fonctionnelles des fromages d'emmental de l'Ouest de la France

Evaluation of the methods of measurement for functional properties of Emmental cheeses from the west of France. Three industrial Emmental cheeses from the west of France at the commercial stage were compared for physico-chemical properties (composition of cheese and juice, pH and buffering of cheese and juice, colour of the cheese, DSC of cheese and extracted fat), for rheo- logical properties (extrusion, uniaxial compression, dynamic shear with temperature sweep) and functional or culinary properties (meltability, flowability, stretchability). The flow time in a glass tube of 17 g of grated cheese was measured after the tube had been placed in a water bath at 82 o Cf or 9.5 min. Cheeses were observed by cryo-SEM and the size of fat globules was compared. Functional properties were related, and increased as the ratio of calcium in the cheese juice increased, as dynamic moduli at 90 o C decreased, as the loss angle, maximal or measured at 90 o C, increased and as the buffer pH decreased. No relation was found with rheological characteristics at 20 or 40 o C. Cheese firmness increased as the pH and ashes increased. The cheese C was less functional and presented larger fat globules. Cheeses can be distinguished by DSC in the 15-35 o C zone of fat melting and in a 40-70 o C zone, probably resulting from different protein networks. The measure of the flow time ap- peared to be a simple and powerful method to differentiate the cheeses. functional property / Swiss cheese / Emmental / rheology / melting / stretchability
Maxillomandibular Advancement and Upper Airway Stimulation: Extrapharyngeal Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

There are many ways to categorize surgery for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), one of which is to distinguish between intrapharyngeal and extrapharyngeal procedures. While the general otolaryngologist treating OSA is familiar with intrapharyngeal procedures, such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and tongue base reduction, extrapharyngeal sleep operations such as maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) and upper airway stimulation (UAS) have evolved rapidly in the recent decade and deserve a dedicated review. MMA and UAS have both shown predictable high success rates with low morbidity. Each approach has unique strengths and limitations, and for the most complex of OSA patients, the two in combination complement each other. Extrapharyngeal airway operations are critical for achieving favorable outcomes for sleep surgeons.
Efficacy of a programmed death‐1 checkpoint inhibitor in a case of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma harboring mutations of TP53 and BRCA2

Immune checkpoint blockades were reported to result in clinical responses in inoperable and metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). This report describes an 87‐year‐old woman with recurrent cSCC that was initially responsive to cetuximab (the monoclonal antibody against epithelial growth factor receptor) but eventually became refractory to cetuximab and multiple subsequent salvage chemotherapy regimens. Next‐generation sequencing of the tumor discovered three single‐nucleotide mutations in TP53, copy number amplification in Src, and a heterozygous deletion in BRCA2. Because of the high mutation burden of her neoplasm (35.2 mutations per megabase), we treated her with a programmed death‐1 (PD‐1) checkpoint inhibitor, pembrolizumab, for 10 months. The tumor regressed 3 months later and complete pathological remission was achieved 10 months after starting treatment. As of writing, the patient has been disease free for 17 months after discontinuing treatment. This is the first reported case of heterozygous deletion of BRCA2 in cSCC. The high mutation burden and BRCA2 mutation might explain why this tumor was highly sensitive to anti‐PD‐1 treatment.
Open communication of Duchenne muscular dystrophy facilitates disclosure process by parents to unaffected siblings

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive childhood onset neuromuscular disease with no known cure. There is extensive literature about the impact of a diagnosis on the psychosocial well‐being of unaffected siblings, with a need for additional research to provide information about optimal ways to disclose this information to unaffected children. We sought to explore the parental experiences of disclosing a sibling's diagnosis of DMD to unaffected children who were age 8–17 years old either at the time of their sibling's diagnosis or presently. Parents were recruited through Maryland Muscular Dystrophy Association, Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Neuromuscular Center. An interview guide, rooted in family communication, was created to incorporate themes and topics found in literature specific to DMD and disclosure to unaffected siblings. We qualitatively explored these experiences through semi‐structured interviews and performed thematic analysis using a coding system to identify overarching themes and subthemes. Several main themes regarding challenges to the disclosure process emerged. We identified the following themes in procedural aspects of disclosure: lack of provider support, importance of the DMD community, and open and gradual timeline of disclosure. Under emotional experiences, we identified these themes: overwhelming nature, elements of surprise disclosure, and balancing parental and sibling needs. Most questions from unaffected siblings related to procedural elements of care such as treatments and equipment. Additional unanticipated themes emerged that may contribute to the knowledge of family culture surrounding DMD: the complex role of Facebook as a family resource, deferring carrier testing for siblings, and inclusion of DMD in school projects. While the process of disclosure is complicated by a variety of factors such as lack of provider support and overwhelming emotional burden, families highlight the importance of open communication in discussion with unaffected children.
A study on the influence of prosthetic interface material in transtibial amputees' gait.

BACKGROUND Interfaces of transtibial prosthesis have an important role in the transmission of ground reaction forces, damping gait loads and tissue protection. OBJECTIVE This work aims to study the influence of prosthesis interfaces on amputees' gait and perception on pain, comfort and the overall interface/prosthesis system. METHODS Commercial samples of three different interface materials were selected: block copolymer (Material I), silicone gel (Material II) and silicone elastomer (Material III). Using standardized prosthesis, four amputee subjects performed gait tests at three imposed cadences in a barometric platform. The subjects also filled in a questionnaire about their perception. RESULTS Material II presented the highest asymmetries of vertical ground reaction forces and was perceived as the most painful and uncomfortable. Material III led to the most symmetric load distribution between legs and was perceived as the most comfortable. Material I showed better overall biomechanical behavior and better subject's perception. CONCLUSIONS Material III showed appropriate characteristics for lower levels of activity for which it is recommended. Prescription of Material II should be rethought, as it is only adequate for specific and occasional situations. Material I should be considered adequate for both active and less active amputees. When correlating the subjects' perception with the interface properties, we concluded that the mechanical properties are the most influential.
Quercetin and Isoquercitrin Inhibiting Hepatic Gluconeogenesis Through LKB1-AMPKα Pathway.

Objective To observe the impact of quercetin and isoquercitrin on gluconeogenesis in hepatocytes. Methods Mouse primary hepatocytes were cultured with lactic acid and pyruvic acid. After treatment with quercetin and isoquercitrin for 24 hours, the glucose concentration in the culture supernatant was determined. RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNAs of PEPCK, G6Pase, LKB1, and AMPKα. Protein levels of LKB1, AMPKα, and Thr172 phosphorylation were evaluated by Western blot. Results The glucose concentration in the gluconeogenesis group (GN) was significantly higher than in the control group (C), but the glucose concentrations in the high level quercetin(group 80Q) and high level isoquercitrin (group 80I) were significantly lower than in the group GN, P<0.01. In the group 80Q, and group 80I, the mRNA levels of PEPCK and LKB1were significantly lower than in the group GN (P<0.01), and the G6Pase mRNA were significantly lower than in the group GN (P<0.05). The protein levels of LKB1 and the phosphorylation of AMPKα Thr172 in the group 80Q, group 40I, and group 80I were higher than in the group GN. The effects of quercetin and isoquercitrin on LKB1 and AMPKα were similar to those of metformin. Conclusions Quercetin and isoquercitrin inhibit gluconeogenesis in hepatocytes, which may be related to the LKB1 upregulation and phosphorylation of AMPKα.
“Second guessing yourself all the time about what they really mean…”: Cognitive differences between autistic and non‐autistic adults in understanding implied meaning

This study investigated cognitive differences between autistic and non‐autistic people in understanding implied meaning in conversation using a novel computerized test, the Implicature Comprehension Test. Controlling for core language ability, autistic participants (N = 66) were over twice as likely to endorse a non‐normative interpretation of an implied meaning and over five times as likely to select “do not know” when asked about the presence of an implied meaning, compared to non‐autistic participants (N = 118). A further experiment suggested that the selection of “do not know” reflected a cognitive preference for certainty and explicit communication, and that the normative inference could often be made when the test format was more constrained. Our research supports the hypothesis that autistic individuals can find it challenging to process language in its pragmatic context, and that cognitive preferences play a role in this.
Assessing species vulnerability to climate and land use change: the case of the Swiss breeding birds

Climate warming and land use change represent a major challenge for both species and conservation managers. Temporally and spatially explicit projections of the future distribution of species have been extensively developed to support decision‐making in conservation. The aim of this study was to move beyond the simple projections of likely impacts of global change to identify the most vulnerable species. We suggest an original vulnerability index that integrates estimations of projected range change and different proxies of species resilience in a quantitative way. The proposed index is generally applicable, completely quantitative, and it allows ranking species so as to prioritize conservation actions.
Brain and motor synchrony in children and adolescents with ASD—a fNIRS hyperscanning study

Abstract Brain-to-brain synchrony has been proposed as an important mechanism underlying social interaction. While first findings indicate that it may be modulated in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), no study to date has investigated the influence of different interaction partners and task characteristics. Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy hyperscanning, we assessed brain-to-brain synchrony in 41 male typically developing (TD) children (8–18 years; control sample), as well as 18 children with ASD and age-matched TD children (matched sample), while performing cooperative and competitive tasks with their parents and an adult stranger. Dyads were instructed either to respond jointly in response to a target (cooperation) or to respond faster than the other player (competition). Wavelet coherence was calculated for oxy- and deoxyhemoglobin brain signals. In the control sample, a widespread enhanced coherence was observed for parent–child competition, and a more localized coherence for parent–child cooperation in the frontopolar cortex. While behaviorally, children with ASD showed a lower motor synchrony than children in the TD group, no significant group differences were observed on the neural level. In order to identify biomarkers for typical and atypical social interactions in the long run, more research is needed to investigate the neurobiological underpinnings of reduced synchrony in ASD.