Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
5 GCoreLite : Scalable and Resource Efficient Next Generation Cellular Packet Core ( Extended Abstract-NSDI 2019 )

One of the grand challenges in the design of future cellular core network (LTE/5G) is its resource-efficient scaling with the projected growth of signaling or control traffic. Much of this growth is expected to come from the tremendous rise in IoT devices (≈12 billion by 2022 [1]). Compared to traditional smartphones, IoT devices generate at least twice the volume of control messages, growing 50% faster than data traffic [2]. This represents a significant overhead as control messages do not directly contribute to the service provider’s revenue. Moreover, the traffic characteristics and performance requirements of cellular-based IoT devices have much greater diversity than traditional user equipments (UEs) like smartphones or laptops [3]. Efficiently managing resources in the presence of this diverse traffic is challenging. An immediate concern now is the scalability and efficient resource utilization in the cellular core network (also called Evolved Packet Core or EPC in connection with LTE networks as shown in Figure 1). Designing an efficient and scalable EPC for 5G requires addressing at least the following key challenges:
Problematic Aspects in Forming Pedagogical Competences for Pre-service Language Teachers

The aim of this study is to investigate pre-service language teachers' perceptions about the problematic aspects of developing pedagogical competences at the level of training programmes. The researchers have conducted a qualitative research program, based on a semi-structured interview, to identify the perceptions of 95 pre-service language teachers. The results indicate the existence of significant differences, at the level of the category of problems, only in relation to the year of study. There are significant differences between the perceptions of the students from the second year and the students from the third year only with respect to the problems related to the reduced number of hours for pedagogical training. The identification of the pre-service language teachers' perceptions offers a realistic image for trainers and stakeholders and determines them to find efficient solutions in training programs.
Constraining the Environmental Properties of FRB 131104 Using the Unified Dynamical Afterglow Model

Multiband observations of the fast radio burst (FRB) 131104 show that this burst may be associated with a gamma-ray transient entitled Swift J0644.5−5111. Follow-up observations for potential X-ray and radio counterparts of FRB 131104/Swift J0644.5−5111 got null results and provided the upper limits of the emission flux at 5.5 GHz, 7.5 GHz, U-band, and X-ray band. By assuming this association and using these upper limits, environmental properties (the fraction of energy in a magnetic field εB and the number density n) of the progenitor system of FRB 131104/Swift J0644.5−5111 were constrained in the context of the standard afterglow model that neglects the nonrelativistic effect and jet effect by several groups. In this paper, we adopt a unified afterglow model that takes into account the nonrelativistic effect and jet effect and use the upper limits of four bands (5.5 GHz, 7.5 GHz, U-band, and X-ray) to obtain more stringent constraints on the parameter space spanned by εB and n. We thus suggest that FRB 131104/Swift J0644.5−5111 might originate from a black hole–neutron star merger event. Moreover, we calculate multiband emissions from a kilonova powered by the radioactivity of r-process elements synthesized in the ejected neutron-rich material and find that the U-band emission from the putative kilonova is significantly lower than the upper limit of the observations.
Mode Choice of Commuter Students in a College Town: An Exploratory Study from the United States

Research of travel behaviors of university students is of theoretical and empirical importance. The literature, however, has paid little attention to mode choice of students at college towns. This study aims to specifically explore influence factors of the mode choice of college town students. After conducting a survey of commuter students at Iowa State University, a college-town university in the United States, the study uses both simple statistics and advanced statistical models (e.g., multinomial logit and nested logit models) to analyze the data and produces findings to confirm and test existing knowledge and to gain new insights. Firstly, students at a college town are more likely to adopt greener (non-driving-alone) modes, especially walking, to commute compared to their counterparts at urban universities; this is as revealed in the literature. Secondly, students may use “bundled services” to fulfill their travel needs. The students who prioritized rent affordability in housing choice tend to live in proximity to bus stops and are more likely to ride buses. Lastly, commuter students who do not drive alone to school tend to prefer a residence with transit proximity. Moreover, students who reside in proximity to transit and who reported “peer effects” would use non-driving modes more if commute time was shortened.
Strategic Asset Allocation Using Robust Covariance Estimation and Portfolio Optimization Methods

Strategic asset allocation is the single most important determinant of portfolio returns. While the drawbacks of using mean-variance optimization and the sample covariance matrix for strategic asset allocation are well-documented in the literature, they are still broadly applied among investment professionals. In this thesis we study two robust alternatives for the sample covariance matrix, shrinkage and hierarchical clustering, and two robust alternatives for mean-variance optimization, resampling optimization and regularized optimization. We develop a generalisable testing framework for comparing the out-of-sample risk-return characteristics of a broad range of covariance estimation and portfolio optimization methods. The testing framework is applied to provide an empirical comparison of the performance of the traditional and robust methods in two testing samples, when asset class volatilities, correlations and expected returns contain uncertainty. The choice of the portfolio optimization method clearly dominated the choice of covariance estimation method as a determinant of out-of-sample portfolio riskreturn characteristics. Out of the three portfolio optimization methods, resampling optimization provided the investor portfolios with superior ratios of portfolio return and volatility as well as portfolio return and maximum drawdown. Mean-variance optimization and regularized optimization performed more inconsistently, demonstrating sensitivity to the underlying assumptions made regarding the structure of uncertainty in expected returns. As a non-robust method, the realized returns of portfolios obtained using mean-variance optimization also deteriorated as the level of uncertainty in expected returns was increased.
EFFECT OF DRIP IRRIGATION LEVELS ON DRY MATTER YIELD AND SILAGE QUALITY OF MAIZE ( ZEA MAYS L . )

The goal of this research was to determine the effects of different irrigation levels applied via drip irrigation on the dry matter yield (DMY) and silage quality of maize grown on clay loam soil in the sub-humid environmental conditions of Turkey. Six irrigation treatments were studied: full irrigation (FI) in which irrigation water was applied at 100% crop evapotranspiration (ETc) at 7-day intervals during the entire growing season; deficit irrigation (DI) in which 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% of FI irrigation water was applied; and excessive irrigation (EI) in which 125% of FI irrigation water was applied. The DMY, pH, dry matter ratio (DMR), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) contents of maize silage were measured in 2007 and 2008. Increasing the irrigation rate increased DMY; the highest values obtained were from the EI treatment in 2007, 2008 and in the two years combined. Deficit irrigation improved irrigation water use efficiency in relation to dry matter yield. Increasing the drip irrigation levels decreased the CP and WSC content of silage but did not affect the dry matter rate, pH, ADF and NDF content of silage. With respect to dry matter yield, irrigation water productivity and the silage quality of maize, 100% ETc and 75% ETc irrigation strategies can be considered optimal.
Productivity, water use efficiency and economics of system of rice intensification (SRI) in Nichabanadhi sub basin of southern Tamil Nadu

Four hundred and sixteen on-farm demonstrations on system of rice intensification (SRI) were carried out in 350 hectares of farmerâ€™s fields in Sankarankovil, Vasudevanallur and Kuruvikulam blocks of Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu from 2008-09 to 2010-11 under Tamil Nadu â€“ Irrigated Agriculture Modernization and Water Bodies Restoration and Management (TN-IAMWARM) project. Two methods viz., SRI and conventional were compared. The results revealed that the adoption of SRI favorable influenced yield attributes and yield of rice. The maximum grain yield (8222 kg ha-1) obtained from SRI which was higher than conventional method (6534 kg ha-1). Higher grain yield coupled with substantial water saving to the tune of 37.1 per cent resulted in higher water use efficiency of rice under SRI method. The best net income ( Rs. 50, 587) and benefit: cost ratio (3.64) were also associated with SRI than conventional method of rice cultivation. The cost of cultivation was comparatively lesser in SRI which re-sulted in gaining an additional income of Rs. 8080 ha-1 as compared to conventional method of rice cultivation. The system of rice intensification (SRI) proved its benefits in this basin.
Socio-Economic Gaps in University Enrollment: The Role of Perceived Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Returns

To understand the socio-economic enrollment gap in university attendance, we elicit students’ beliefs about the benefits of university education in a sample of 2,540 secondary school students. Our choice model estimates reveal that perceived non-pecuniary benefits explain a large share of the variation in intentions to enroll. Expected job satisfaction, parental approval, and perceptions about social life during the 3-4 years after finishing secondary school are most important. Students with low socio-economic status perceive pecuniary and non-pecuniary returns to be lower. Beliefs explain 48% of the socio-economic gap in intentions to enroll, while perceived non-pecuniary returns alone account for 37%.
EFFECTIVENESS OF LEARNING MATHEMATICS WITH CONTEXTUAL APPROACHES

This experimental study aims to determine the effectiveness of learning mathematics with a contextual approach in terms of understanding students' concepts. The sample of this study was the whole of the population, namely all classes IX MTSN 2 Asahant 2018/2019 school year with the number of students as many as 48 students distributed in 2 classes, namely classes IX-A and IX-B. Based on testing the hypothesis with a significance level of 5%, it was found that the percentage of students completing had exceeded 70%. The conclusion of this study is mathematics learning with an effective contextual approach in terms of understanding students' mathematical concepts.
Capital Asset Pricing Model and Artificial Neural Networks: A Case of Pakistan’s Equity Market

: Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) approach is a relatively new and promising field of the prediction of stock price behavior. Neural networks approach is a mathematical model, flexible enough to accommodate both linear and non-linear aspect of stock returns. This paper applies the ANN to asset pricing models. It is found that the optimum number of neurons does not follow some mathematical rule rather it is based on the presentiment of the researcher to apply an exhaustive search for the number of optimum neurons. Another important finding is that the difference of errors between the testing and training dataset is minimum and the networks are not suffering from the over-fitting phenomenon. The predicted value of high beta portfolios is better than the low beta and mid beta portfolios. This finding reinforces the investment principle that the market compensates the high-risk portfolios more than other classes. The paper concludes that the proposed model achieves a significant improvement in the return on investment and the investors can magnify their profitability.
Biological therapies for atopic dermatitis : An update ( Review )

Severe atopic dermatitis, which affects both adults and children, is a debilitating disorder with a significant decline of patients' quality of life. Although aetiopathogenic factors are currently a topic of study and interpretation, the main features of atopic eczema are skin barrier disturbance and immune dysregulation. Severe refractory disease that fails to improve with conventional therapy may benefit from biologic therapy. Progress in understanding immunopathology of atopic dermatitis have allowed identification of therapeutic molecular targets in the field of biological therapy. We reviewed the different biological treatments with a focus on novel targeted agents: Systemic immunotherapy (Omalizumab, Dupilumab, Lebrikizumab, Tralokinumab, Nemolizumab, Ustekinumab, Fezakinumab, Tezepelumab, Apremilast, allergen specific immunotherapy), and topical agents (Tofacitinib, Crisaborole).
Sequential phosphorus extraction using iron (hydr)oxide-impregnated filter paper strips

Phosphorus (P) is an important element for crop production. A low concentration limits crop growth whereas the residual quantity after fertilization contributes to eutrophication of surface waters. A key to success in the soil P management is its accurate estimation and potential supply to the plant. The objective of this project was to compare the soil P extractability between the Pi- filter strip method and P depletion without a sink (0.01 M CaCl2). The results were compared to those obtained using ammonium lactate (AL), Olsen (OL) soil P tests. The results showed that the efficiency of different methods decreased in the order Pi (62-85%) > OL (25-40%) > 0.01 M CaCl2 (8-24%) of the total P extracted by AL. A strong correlation (r = 0.99) was obtained between the pairs (Pi; AL), (Pi; OL), and (OL; AL). Further, it was found that all methods were equally well correlated (the r was between 0.88 and 0.90) with the depletion method. The soil with the highest P adsorption capacity had higher values of P extracted by the AL, Pi and OL methods but was lower in 0.01 M CaCl2 extractable P. The results indicated that in the soils studied, the efficiency of the Pi-filter strip method in comparison to the routine P tests (AL and OL) was not attributed to the soil properties. It was rather attributed to the length of soil P desorption time and the number of filter strips.
M&A in the UK: A study of post-transaction shareholder wealth creation, company financial performance and employment

Using data spanning the period 1997 to 2007, in this paper we study the economic impact of 2,110 UK corporate takeovers. Our empirical work provides no convincing evidence to support policies aimed at reducing the level of M&A activity in the UK. We find instead that corporate takeovers add to shareholders' wealth in both the short and long term. We found no evidence that the acquirers' outperformance is driven by profitability or efficiency gains as a result of the takeover, but rather that they strengthen their relative positioning through increasing market share, as acquirers outgrow their peers both in terms of revenues and employment in the long term. The combined analysis of shareholder wealth creation, employment and changes in efficiency and profitability do not provide evidence that corporate takeovers is value destructive to the UK economy.
1 Comparison of retrograde flexible ureteroscopy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy in treating intermediate-size renal stones ( 2-3 cm ) : a meta-analysis and systematic review

Purpose: To systematically assess the effectiveness and safety of retrograde flexible ureteroscopy (FURS) versus percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in treating intermediate-size renal stones (2-3cm). Materials and Methods: PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and EMBASE were researched to identify relevant studies up to May 2018. Article selection was performed through the search strategy based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses criteria. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was applied to assess the methodological quality of case-control studies. Results: Six retrospective case-controlled trials were included for meta-analysis. The pooled results showed that PCNL was associated with a higher initial stone-free rate (SFR). After more complementary treatments, FURS provided a final SFR (OR: 1.69; 95% CI, 0.93-3.05; P = 0.08) comparable to that achieved by PCNL. PCNL was associated with a higher rate of overall intraoperative complications (OR: 1.48; 95% CI, 1.01-2.17; P = 0.04) and longer hospital stay (MD: 2.21 days; 95% CI, 1.11 to 3.30; P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis by Clavien-graded complication showed PCNL had significantly higher rates of minor complications (OR: 1.58; 95% CI, 1.04-2.41; P = 0.03). No significant difference was noted in major complications (OR: 1.14; 95% CI, 0.53-2.45; P = 0.73) or operative times (MD: -9.71 min; 95% CI, -22.02 to 2.60; P = 0.12). Conclusions: Multisession FURS is an effective and safe alternative to PCNL for the management of intermediate-size renal stones (2-3cm). It is advisable to balance the benefits and risks according to the individual characteristics of patients and to decide with patients by discussing the advantages and disadvantages of each procedure. ARTICLE INFO
The Climatological Impacts of Continental Surface Evaporation, Rainout, and Subcloud Processes on δD of Water Vapor and Precipitation in Europe

All types of applications of stable water isotopes, for example, for the reconstruction of paleotemperatures or for climate model validation, rely on a proper understanding of the mechanisms determining the isotopic composition of water vapor and precipitation. In this study, we use the isotope‐enabled limited‐area model COSMOiso to characterize the impacts of continental evapotranspiration, rainout, and subcloud processes on δD of European water vapor and precipitation. To this end, we first confirm a reliable implementation of the most important isotope fractionation processes in COSMOiso by comparing 5 years of modeled δD values with multiplatform δD observations from Europe (remote sensing observations of the δD of water vapor around 2.6 km above ground level, in situ δD measurements in near‐surface water vapor, and δD precipitation data from the Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitation). Based on six 15 year sensitivity simulations, we then quantify the climatological impacts of the different fractionation processes on the δD values. We find δD of European water vapor and precipitation to be most strongly controlled by rainout. Superimposed to this are the effect of subcloud processes, which especially affects δD in precipitation under warm conditions, and the effect of continental evapotranspiration, which exerts an important control over the δD of near‐surface water vapor. In future studies, the validated COSMOiso model can be employed in a similar way for a comprehensive interpretation of European isotope records from climatologically different time periods.
Role of Mentoring in Secondary School Education: Mentees' Experiences and Challenges

Mentoring is a process for the informal transmission of skills, aptitude, proficiency, shared interaction, and the fair provision in education, livelihood, or professional maturity. Mentoring plays a very vibrant role in the academic development of students. This study explored why mentoring is considered vital for 9 th and 10 th grade students and how mentees are associated with their mentors. In what way mentoring flourishes in the secondary schools and by what means mentors are supporting the mentees to cope with the challenges they are facing in schools. Moreover, in what manners mentoring is going to establish a new epoch of optimistic thinking as well as positive attitudes. A qualitative method was used and data were collected by conducting interviews with mentees. Analysis of data elaborated with identification and categorization of themes. The study established the fact that mentoring was helpful for mentees to cope with challenges in their social, academic, and personal life.
Retina An Evaluation of a Battery of Functional and Structural Tests as Predictors of Likely Risk of Progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Citation: Robinson DG, Margrain TH, Bailey C, Binns AM. An evaluation of a battery of functional and structural tests as predictors of likely risk of progression of age-related macular degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2019;60:580–589. https://doi.org/ 10.1167/iovs.18-25092 PURPOSE. To evaluate the ability of visual function and structural tests to identify the likely risk of progression from early/intermediate to advanced AMD, using the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) simplified scale as a surrogate for risk of progression. The secondary aim was to determine the relationship between disease severity grade and the observed functional and structural deficits.
Effects of Physiological Status and Season on Blood Biochemical and Mineral Profile of Holstein Friesian Cross Bred Cattle

The mineral level and biochemical parameters in animal body depends on large number of factors such as species, breed, age, sex, nutritional and health status, nutrients supplementation, seasonal and physiological variations (Khan et al., 2003; O’Brien et al., 2010; Gattani and Sareen, 2011). For maintaining better health and production animals need optimum concentrations of biochemical parameters and both macro and trace minerals. Recently, the essentiality of major and trace elements in animals for the maintenance of normal metabolic and production levels has been recognized (Khan et al., 2003). The responses of animals to environmental stress during different seasons have profound effects on some serum biochemical parameters (Mellau et al., 2007; Ganaie et al., 2013). Information regarding the effect of seasonal variation on this area for International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 7 Number 12 (2018) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
Parametric Study on Wave Interaction with a Porous Submerged Rubble Mound Breakwater Using Modified N-S Equations and Cut-Cell Method

Article History: Received: 29 Aug. 2016 Accepted: 13 Feb. 2017 In this paper wave transformation in a submerged sloped breakwater and its hydraulic performance was simulated by developing a numerical model in Fortran. The code was established by combining porous flow and a twophase model using VOF method. Modified Navier-Stokes and k-ε equations implemented to the model to simulate the flow in porous media. Cut cell method was modified to simulate fluid transformation from sloped porous media’s boundary in more accurate way and then applied in the governing equations to increase the accuracy of the model. The validity of the present program was investigated based on the comparisons with the available experimental data. The results showed that increasing of inertia coefficient and wave period and also reduction of porosity lead to some phase lags between the incident and transmitted waves. Furthermore parametric studies were performed on effect of submerged porous breakwater crest widths and heights on transmitted waves leading to useful results for design criteria.