Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Power Allocation for Uplink Multi-User Optical Wireless Communication Systems

Indoor optical wireless communication (IOWC) is a key technology complementing radio communication in 6G. Typically, the downlink of IOWC is implemented using visible light and uplink is implemented using infrared. Though the downlink of IOWC has been studied well, the uplink of multiple-access IOWC requires further research. In this paper, power allocation strategies in the uplink of IOWC with multiple non-cooperative users is studied. Optimizing power allocation in IOWC that maximize sum-rate with power constraints becomes a non-convex problem. First, this paper proposes an alternating maximization algorithm to compute near optimal power allocation policies for small number of users. Next, a phenomenon of invariance is observed when the number of users in the system is large. Under invariance, the optimal power allocation policy of a user becomes independent of other users, thereby facilitating fast and decentralized computation of power allocation strategies. From simulations, it was observed that the invariance can occur even with five to ten users. For the first time, a rigorous analysis of the invariance phenomenon is provided. An algorithm to compute the optimal power allocation at invariance is proposed; this algorithm is proven to achieve the global maxima in sum-rate without the channel knowledge of other users.
Increased frequency of CD4+ and CD8+ follicular helper T cells in human lymph node biopsies during the earliest stages of rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives Follicular helper T cells (Tfh cells) provide key B cell help, and are essential in germinal center (GC) formation and (auto) antibody generation. To gain more insight into their role during the earliest phase of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) we analyzed their frequencies, phenotype and cytokine profile in peripheral blood and lymphoid tissues. Methods Using flow cytometry, we studied the frequency of Tfh and B cells in peripheral blood and lymph node (LN) needle biopsies. Three donor groups were included and compared: healthy controls (HCs), autoantibody positive individuals at risk for developing RA (RA-risk individuals), and early RA patients. Ex vivo stimulation of lymphocytes with PMA/ionomycin was performed to assess cytokine secretion by Tfh cells. Results In blood, the frequency of circular Tfh cells (cTfh) did not differ between study groups. In lymphoid tissue, the frequency of Tfh cells correlated strongly with the frequency of CD19+ B cells. Compared to healthy controls, LN samples of RA patients and RA-risk individuals showed more CD19+ B cells and more CD4+CXCR5+ and CD8+CXCR5+ Tfh cells. These Tfh cells from LNs expressed less IL-21 upon ex vivo stimulation. Conclusion LN tissue of early RA patients as well as part of RA-risk individuals exhibit increased frequencies of Tfh cells correlating with increased numbers of B cells. Interestingly, IL-21 production is already aberrant in the very early at risk phase of the disease. This suggests that Tfh cells may present a novel rationale for therapeutic targeting during the preclinical stage of the disease to prevent further disease progression.
An inner-core analysis of the axisymmetric and asymmetric intensification of tropical cyclones: Influence of shear

The state-of-the-art in intensity forecasting is provided using the Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting (HWRF) modeling system as the basis. A brief review of existing axisymmetric theory for the intensification of tropical cyclones (TCs) is also provided. Two cloud-resolving simulations from HWRF, one from an idealized case and another from a retrospective forecast of Super Cyclone Phalin (2013), are used to understand the axisymmetric, rapid 668 MAUSAM, 70, 4 (October 2019) intensification (RI) process. However, TCs are rarely axisymmetric. The asymmetric structure in the inner core of a TC may be generated by both internal dynamics and external forcing due to environmental factors such as shear and moisture. We use a retrospective HWRF run from Atlantic Hurricane Earl (2010) to understand the role of shear-induced asymmetries on the RI of TCs. We seek to address the following questions: How do TCs rapidly intensify in a sheared environment? What is the role of eddy fluxes on TC intensification? Is the well-accepted theoretical framework of TC intensification still valid for sheared storms undergoing RI? Our findings show that eddy radial vorticity fluxes play a significant role in controlling TC intensity changes in sheared storms. In the case of Earl, despite persistent environmental shear and a lack of symmetric convection, a positive eddy vorticity flux in the middle to upper troposphere created by mesoscale convective complexes had a profound influence in accelerating the TC spin-up process. RI does not occur until persistent convective bursts and the collocated vertical vorticity are concentrated in the downshear-left quadrant about 50 km from the surface center, followed by the propagation of these complexes in an upshear direction. When convective bursts reach the upshear-left quadrant, a nearly symmetric pattern of eddy radial vorticity flux surrounds the center, indicating vorticity anomalies have merged to create a stronger mean vortex wherein the upper and lower level circulations are better aligned. This process is different from that of an idealized vortex. An idealized vortex intensifies in a shear-free environment where individual vortical hot plumes converge and stretch ambient low-level vorticity into a small-scale anomaly and multiple mergers of these plumes lead to a single stronger vortex in a vorticity rich environment. In the idealized case, the major spin-up of the vortex occurs in the TC boundary layer and eyewall region, while spin-up in the case of Earl appears to be top-down during the early stages of RI. Nevertheless, evidence of stronger spin-up is observed in the boundary layer after Earl’s initial RI phase. Although a fully three-dimensional model is required to understand the real TC intensification problem, when viewed from an axially-averaged framework, the basic axisymmetric theory of intensification is still valid for all cases.
Path Planning Algorithm Using the Hybridization of the Rapidly-exploring Random Tree and Ant Colony Systems

This paper proposes a path planning algorithm using the hybridization of the rapidly-exploring random tree (RRT) and ant colony system (ACS) algorithms. The RRT algorithm can quickly generate paths. However, the resulting path is suboptimal. Meanwhile, the ACS algorithm can generate the optimal path from the suboptimal previous path information. Then, the proposed algorithm will combine the advantages of RRT with the ACS algorithm. Therefore, it can reach the optimal value with a good convergence speed. We call this proposed algorithm the RRT-ACS algorithm. This study developed a new method for hybridizing the RRT and ACS algorithms for path planning problems. This hybridization process is carried out using one of the ACS principles: the pseudorandom proportional rule. The performance of the proposed algorithm with the RRT*, informed RRT*, RRT*-connect, and informed RRT*-connect algorithms is tested with several benchmark cases. The test results from benchmark case tests with known optimal values indicate that the proposed algorithm has succeeded in achieving those optimal values. Furthermore, statistical tests have also been carried out to verify whether there is a significant difference in performance between the RRT-ACS algorithm and the existing algorithms. The test and statistical analysis results show that the RRT-ACS algorithm has good performance and convergence speed. We also discuss the stability, robustness, convergence, and rapidity of the RRT-ACS algorithm. The results indicates that the RRT-ACS algorithm may be used in applications that require fast and optimal path planning algorithms such as robots and autonomous vehicles.
Effect of Resveratrol on Serum Levels of Type II Collagen and Aggrecan in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Clinical Study

Treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA) remains a challenging concern. Preclinical studies provided accumulating evidence on resveratrol efficacy in ameliorating degenerative articular damage. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of resveratrol as monotherapy on the serum level of type II collagen (Coll 2-1) and aggrecan in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The study was an open-labeled noncontrolled clinical trial. Resveratrol 500 mg/day in a single oral dose was given to the patients with knee osteoarthritis for 90 days. The serum levels of Coll-2-1, aggrecan, and biomarkers of inflammation were measured pre- and posttreatment. Hematological profiles and both hepatic and renal function markers were investigated at the baseline and at the end of the treatment for evaluating the tolerability and safety of resveratrol. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) for disease activity were clinically assessed monthly. Administration of 500 mg resveratrol for three months led to a nonsignificant decrease in the serum level of Coll 2-1 while a significant increase in aggrecan serum level. Resveratrol significantly improves pain score measured by VAS and KOOS after 30 days. Improvements in patients' activity and functional status were also evident at day 30 and kept on for three months which was reflected by KOOS subscale scores and with a significant improvement in all KOOS areas. In conclusion, oral administration of resveratrol as a monotherapy provides a remarkable improvement in the clinical status of the patients but has no significant effect on serum levels of Coll 2-1.
Development of Prediction Methods Nutritional Status Athletes Using Fat-Free Mass Indicator

Many assessments of nutritional status using the body mass index (BMI) indicators that are carried out on athletes produce high BMI scores so that these athletes are considered to have over weight or obesity. Body weight is an indicator of body composition which includes the proportion of fat mass and fat-free mass including muscle mass, water, and bone. This study suggests cross-checking the results of anthropometric using the BMI indicator with other indicators, namely the percent body fat mass or the circumference ratio based on height. The cross-sectional design was used. The sample consisted of 118 student athletes who were under the Student Education and Training Center (PPLP). Measurements were made using body weight, height and fat-free mass. The results showed that there is a significant relationship between the percentage of body fat content and the BMI which is indicated by a p value <0.05.
ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTURE ARTIFACTS FACILITATING THE STRATEGY PLANNING PROCESS FOR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATIONS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW AND MULTIPLE CASE STUDY

The exploitation of new value propositions enabled by disruptive digital technologies—also known as digital transformations—influences the configuration of people, processes, and technology in a firm and must be considered in the enterprise’s strategy. Strategy planning, i.e., the process that determines strategy, is facilitated by enterprise architecture (EA). Hence, strategic plans are reflected in EA documents called artifacts. Our research identified fifteen EA artifacts that facilitate digital transformations’ strategy planning process through a systematic literature review. Furthermore, a multiple case study in the financial services sector was carried out to verify our theoretical findings. The case organizations show a fragmented implementation of EA artifacts, with each organization having established its own, almost unique, way of using them. Only four of the theoretically conceptualized artifacts were found in all organizations. Moreover, two EA artifacts used in all case organizations were not included in our theoretical conceptualization. In combination with the empirical research, the systematic literature review leads to an improved understanding of EA artifacts and their use in the strategy planning process for digital transformations.
Small signal frequency domain model of an HVDC converter

A small-signal analytic frequency domain model of a 6-pulse HVDC converter is presented. The model consists of a set of explicit algebraic equations which relate the transfer of distortion from AC voltage, DC current and firing angle modulation, to AC current and DC voltage. The equations represent the linearisation of the transfers around a base operating point, and are derived from a piecewise linear description of the AC current and DC voltage waveforms. The model provides an understanding of the transfer of distortion by the converter and is in excellent agreement with time domain simulations.
Radiation parameter extraction for transmission‐line interconnects by using method‐of‐moments solutions

In this paper, an extraction technique of radiation sources for nonuniform transmission lines is proposed for the first time. The technique, based on solutions of the method of moments (MoM), can numerically determine the coefficients of nonuniform transmission‐line equations, in which radiation parameters are included. Numerical examples show that the radiation effect of a right‐angle microstrip‐line bend is indeed stronger than that of a corresponding 45° mitered bend at high frequency. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 31: 37–39, 2001.
Study of Pressure Drop of Refrigerant Mixtures Inside Enhanced Surface Tubing

Two phase flow pressure drop characteristics observed during condensation and boiling of azeotropic refrigerant mixtures R-404A (R125/R134a/R143a:44/4/52), R-407B (R32/R125/ R134a:10/70/20), R407C (R32/R125/R134a:23/25/52) and R408A (R22/R125/R143a:46/7/47) are presented in this paper. Experiments showed that for liquid Reynolds numbers higher than 3.00 E06, R-408A appears to have greater heat transfer rates than the other blends under investigation. Furthermore, it is quite evident from this data that R-407C has the highest specific pressure drop among the refrigerants under investigation.
Proposed relationship of TQM and organisational performance using structured equation modelling

Total quality management (TQM) has been considered as an infrastructural strategy in the operations management research field. It is one of the most recognised models for operational excellence besides lean operation, supply chain management, and technology management. Both manufacturing and service organisations tend to implement this strategy in order to maintain their competitive advantage. The purpose of this paper is to develop the conceptual model of TQM implementation in relation to organisational performance. The authors have reviewed the literature on TQM and organised the paper along two main themes: the evolution of TQM considered as a set of practices, and its impacts on organisational performance. Two research questions are proposed in order to re-validate TQM constructs: (1) Is the set of practices associated with TQM valid as a whole? (2) What performance measures should be considered to exhibit the effectiveness of its implementation?
Re-thinking Stepfathers’ Contributions: Fathers, Stepfathers, and Child Wellbeing

Using data from a contemporary cohort of children, we revisit the question of whether children benefit from being close to and engaging in activities with a stepfather. We deploy the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a birth cohort study of nearly 5000 children born in US cities in 1998–2000, with a large oversample of nonmarital births. We explore the relationships between stepfathers’ closeness and active engagement and youth’s internalizing and externalizing behaviors and school connectedness at ages 9 and 15 for between 550 and 740 children (depending on the wave) with stepfathers. We find that the emotional tenor of the relationship and level of active engagement between youth and their stepfathers are associated with reduced internalizing behaviors and higher school connectedness. Our findings suggest that stepfathers’ roles seem to have evolved in ways that are more beneficial to their adolescent stepchildren than was previously the case.
Wisconsin Experiences with Reflective Crack Relief Projects

Many agencies place hot-mix asphalt overlays on deteriorating jointed or cracked portland cement concrete pavements to improve the ride, protect the pavement structure, and reduce noise. Reflection cracking of the joints and preexisting cracks through the overlay is a persistent problem. In climates such as that in Wisconsin, the initial reflective cracks often appear within a year or two. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the City of Milwaukee tried a fine-aggregate, asphalt-rich, polymer-modified asphalt mix interlayer to absorb joint movements, delay reflective cracking, and protect the existing pavement. Four Wisconsin projects are discussed. In the first project, constructed in 1996, the interlayer showed no effect on delaying reflection cracking within the first 3 years. Later projects, however, included specifications for performance-related design tests for flexural beam fatigue and Hveem stability and were overlaid with improved mixtures to complement the flexible interlayer. The later projects showed an average 42% improvement in the time to the appearance of surface cracks compared with the control sections. Furthermore, cores taken from the projects showed that even when the overlay cracked, some of the interlayer samples did not, even under severe conditions, thus further protecting the underlying pavement structure. Other major factors contributing to the cracking delay included the type of concrete pavement, concrete patches, and climate.
Effectiveness of Non-Surgical and Surgical Periodontal Therapy in Lowering HbA1c in Diabetic Patients

Diabetes is global pandemic disease, a metabolic disorder of multiple etiology that is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is initiated by the accumulation of dental plaque biofilm, within which microbial dysbiosis leads to a chronic, non-resolving and destructive inflammatory response. In the last decades, many studies investigated the impact of periodontal treatment on glycemic control in people with diabetes. The aim of this dissertation is to conduct a review of the published literature to understand the association between periodontal therapy and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values. A search was conducted in PUBMED and of the 277 articles found, only 21 were considered for being more relevant. As has been recognized for some time, the results show a correlation between the two diseases and their link lies in the inflammatory process. In the diabetic patient, this results in higher HbA1c values and a situation that is difficult to control. Being able to control the inflammatory state of the periodontium through oral hygiene protocols and periodontal therapy has several benefits in a complicated clinical picture in situations of poor glycemic control. Non-surgical periodontal therapy proves effective in significantly lowering HbA1c levels in diabetic patients.
Luteolin Improves Cyclophosphamide-Induced Cystitis through TXNIP/NLRP3 and NF-κB Pathways

Hemorrhagic cystitis is an important complication of cyclophosphamide chemotherapy, and current therapies for the disease are limited. The natural flavonoid luteolin (LUT) has significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but its protective effect on cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced bladder toxicity has yet to be evaluated. This study aims to explore the protective effect of LUT on CYP-induced acute cystitis in rats. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the control (CON) group, CON + LUT group, CYP group, and CYP + LUT group. A single intraperitoneal injection of CYP was administered to establish an acute hemorrhagic cystitis model. HE staining was performed to detect the degree of bladder tissue damage, and TUNEL staining was performed to count apoptotic cells. Oxidative stress indicators were measured using commercial kits, and bladder surgery was performed to assess urinary function. The levels of inflammatory cytokines, apoptosis-related indicators, TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway, and NF-κB pathway were detected by western blot. We found that LUT treatment reduced bladder bleeding, congestion, and edema caused by CYP. Compared with the CYP + LUT group, the level of apoptosis was more highly expressed in the CYP group. We also found that caspase-3, caspase-8, and Bax were significantly upregulated and Bcl-2 was downregulated after LUT treatment. In addition, LUT inhibited the activation of NF-κB signal pathway in the rat bladder tissue after CYP exposure. LUT treatment can also reduce the NLRP3 inflammasome (NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1) and TXNIP in the bladder. Finally, LUT can reduce the increase in the urination frequency and maximum urination pressure caused by cystitis. These results indicate that LUT displays effective anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic properties in CYP-induced acute hemorrhagic cystitis rats by inhibiting the TXNIP/NLRP3 and NF-κB pathways. LUT may be a potent therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of hemorrhagic cystitis.
The role of emotion in interactivity effects: positive emotion enhances attitudes, negative emotion helps information processing

ABSTRACT Individuals can react to the same media content in significantly different ways depending on their emotions, yet only little attention has been paid to this topic in the context of interactive media usage. Filling this gap, the current study investigates how the valence of emotion affects the persuasive impact of interactive health messages. We conducted a 2 (emotion: positive vs. negative) × 2 (interactivity: interactive website vs. non-interactive webpage) between-subjects factorial design experiment (N = 225) and measured participants’ interface assessment, website/message attitudes, behaviour intentions and recognition memory. The results showed that interactivity elicited more favourable interface assessments and website attitudes only for those experiencing positive emotions, which indirectly enhanced their message attitudes and behavioural intentions toward the anti-drug-driving message. In contrast, negative emotions aided recognition memory of the interactive part of the website. The findings bridge the human–computer interaction and cognitive psychology literature and suggest how user emotions can be used as a design strategy to enhance positive attitudes toward websites.