Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of test area in antenna gain measurement using image theory

This paper presents the measured gain values of a passive horn antenna, acquired by employing metallic reflector alone coupled with a vector network analyzer, in compliance with the image theory. Such novel methodology provides an alternative to the conventional three-antenna or two-antenna gain measurement method. The gain values were computed by a simple formula based on the distance between antenna and reflector, operating frequency, S-parameter and the speed of light. The antenna was directed first at an absorber, and then at a reflector to obtain the S11 parameter with the aid of a complex network analyzer. The studies were conducted in three settings - shielding room, anechoic chamber and open space - at antenna-reflector distances of 0.5 m, 1 m, 2 m, 3 m and 4 m. The computed results were compared with and analyzed in accordance to the manufacturing data. Encouragingly, the computed data corresponded closely to the manufacturer's data at the distance of 0.5 m for anechoic chamber, with a correlation coefficient of 0.93; and at the distance of 1 m for shielding room and open space, with a correlation coefficient of 0.77 and 0.79, respectively. These findings suggest that while the image theory-based single-antenna method demands less space, time and cost, this economical approach can be further improved by taking into consideration such governing factors as signal losses, reflective sources, optimization of far-field distances as well as the reflector size required for calculating the gain.
Conventional IVF as a laboratory strategy to rescue fertility potential in severe poor responder patients: the impact of reproductive aging

Abstract Objective: To investigate whether laboratory strategies can improve in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome in poor responder patients. We compared the effectiveness of conventional IVF and intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in assisted reproductive technologies cycles in which only one or two oocytes were retrieved at ovarian pick up, in the absence of male infertility. Design: Retrospective analysis of 425 cycles in 386 poor responder patients. Intervention(s): Standard stimulation protocol with gonadotropins and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist. Main outcome measure(s): Fertilization rate, cleavage rate, good-quality embryo rate, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate (PR) and miscarriage rate. Results: IVF was found to be more advantageous for implantation and PR, especially in patients under 35 years and in women aged between 35 and 38 years. No differences were noted in the other parameter evaluated. Patients aged over 38 years showed no difference using the two techniques. Conclusion: The employment of ICSI in the absence of a male factor can reduce reproductive outcome in poor responder. Probably because of aging-related defects overcoming the advantage of sperm selection, the choice of IVF technique is not relevant to reproductive success when oocyte quality is compromised by reproductive aging. Although further randomized trials are needed to confirm our results, we propose that, in absence of male infertility, conventional IVF might be the technique of choice in young patients, especially in those aged below 35 years.
The Health Impact of Childhood Trauma: An Interdisciplinary Review, 1997-2003

Research has shown a strong relationship between childhood trauma and psychological difficulties in later life; more recent research has indicated that the long-term effects are even greater for physical illness. These long-term effects have highlighted Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a possible mediator variable. The illnesses identified include, but are not limited to, eating disorders, substance abuse, phobias, multiple personality disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune disorders. Childhood trauma is an area of interdisciplinary interest; therefore, a variety of disciplines have been carrying out research in this area. This article is an integrative review of the literature over the last five years across disciplines, including nursing, medicine, psychology, education, social services, and government agencies. The review searched for themes, common constructs, and definitions, plus gaps in the present literature that need to be addressed. Particular attention was paid to measurement tools, and the importance of post traumatic stress disorder. Databases included were Medline, Proquest, Canadian Health Network (CHN), Canadian Business and Current Affairs (CBCA) Education, Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) Plus, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), American Psychological Association Database Information (PsychINFO), and Cochrance.
Domain analysis reveals striking functional differences between the regulatory subunits of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), p85α and p85β

Our understanding of isoform-specific activities of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) is still rudimentary, and yet, deep knowledge of these non-redundant functions in the PI3K family is essential for effective and safe control of PI3K in disease. The two major isoforms of the regulatory subunits of PI3K are p85α and p85β, encoded by the genes PIK3R1 and PIK3R2, respectively. These isoforms show distinct functional differences that affect and control cellular PI3K activity and signaling [1–4]. In this study, we have further explored the differences between p85α and p85β by genetic truncations and substitutions. We have discovered unexpected activities of the mutant proteins that reflect regulatory functions of distinct p85 domains. These results can be summarized as follows: Deletion of the SH3 domain increases oncogenic and PI3K signaling activity. Deletion of the combined SH3-RhoGAP domains abolishes these activities. In p85β, deletion of the cSH2 domain reduces oncogenic and signaling activities. In p85α, such a deletion has an activating effect. The deletions of the combined cSH2 and iSH2 domains and also the deletion of the cSH2, iSH2 and nSH2 domains yield results that go in the same direction, generally activating in p85α and reducing activity in p85β. The contrasting functions of the cSH2 domains are verified by domain exchanges with the cSH2 domain of p85β exerting an activating effect and the cSH2 domain of p85α an inactivating effect, even in the heterologous isoform. In the cell systems studied, protein stability was not correlated with oncogenic and signaling activity. These observations significantly expand our knowledge of the isoform-specific activities of p85α and p85β and of the functional significance of specific domains for regulating the catalytic subunits of class IA PI3K.
A Carpenter's Tools: An Answer To Stephen L. J. Smith's Review Of Psychocentrism/Allocentrism

Gee, C. Y. , D J. L. Choy, and J. C Makens (1984), The Travel Industry, Westport, CT. AVI Publishing. Gunn, Clare A. (1988), Tourism Planning , 2nd ed., New York Taylor and Francis. Mathieson, A and G Wall (1982), Tourism: Economic, Physical, and Social Impacts, London. Longman Group. Mclntosh, R. W and C R Goeldner (1986), Tourism. Principles, Practices, Philosophies, New York. John Wiley Mill, R C and A M Morrison (1985), The Tourism System, Englewood Cliffs, NJ Prentice Hall Murphy, P E (1985), Tourism A Community Approach, New York Methuen
Functional Characterization of Ice Plant SKD1, an AAA-Type ATPase Associated with the Endoplasmic Reticulum-Golgi Network, and Its Role in Adaptation to Salt Stress1[W]

A salt-induced gene mcSKD1 (suppressor of K+ transport growth defect) able to facilitate K+ uptake has previously been identified from the halophyte ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum). The sequence of mcSKD1 is homologous to vacuolar protein sorting 4, an ATPase associated with a variety of cellular activities-type ATPase that participates in the sorting of vacuolar proteins into multivesicular bodies in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Recombinant mcSKD1 exhibited ATP hydrolytic activities in vitro with a half-maximal rate at an ATP concentration of 1.25 mm. Point mutations on active site residues abolished its ATPase activity. ADP is both a product and a strong inhibitor of the reaction. ADP-binding form of mcSDK1 greatly reduced its catalytic activity. The mcSKD1 protein accumulated ubiquitously in both vegetative and reproductive parts of plants. Highest accumulation was observed in cells actively engaging in the secretory processes, such as bladder cells of leaf epidermis. Membrane fractionation and double-labeling immunofluorescence showed the predominant localization of mcSKD1 in the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi network. Immunoelectron microscopy identified the formation of mcSKD1 proteins into small aggregates in the cytosol and associated with membrane continuum within the endomembrane compartments. These results indicated that this ATPase participates in the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi mediated protein sorting machinery for both housekeeping function and compartmentalization of excess Na+ under high salinity.
The Dynamics of Emerging Market Equity Flows

We study the interrelationship between capital flows, returns, dividend yields and world interest rates in 20 emerging markets. We estimate a vector autoregressionn with these variables to measure the degree to which lower interest rates contribute to increased capital flows and shocks in flows affect the cost of capital among other dynamic relations. We precede the VAR analysis by a detailed examination of endogenous break points in capital flows and the other variables. These structural breaks are traced to the liberalization of emerging equity markets. Our evidence of structural breaks call into question past research which estimates VAR models over the full sample. After a liberalization, we find that equity flows increase by 1.4% of market capitalization. We also show that shocks in equity flows initially increase returns which is consistent with a price pressure hypothesis. While the effect is diminished over time, there also appears to be a permenant impact. This is consistent with our finding that our proxy for the cost of capital, dividend yields, decreases. Finally, our analysis of the transitition dynamics from pre-liberalization to post-liberalization suggests that when capital leaves, it leaves faster than it came in. These results may help us understand the dynamics of the recent crises in Latin America and East Asia.
Carbon implications of forest restitution in post-socialist Romania

The collapse of socialism in 1989 triggered a phase of institutional restructuring in Central and Eastern Europe. Several countries chose to privatize forests or to return them to pre-socialist owners. Here, we assess the implications of forest restitution on the terrestrial carbon balance. New forest owners have strong incentives to immediately clearcut their forests, resulting in increased terrestrial emissions. On the other hand, logging generally decreased after 1989 and forests are expanding on unused or abandoned farmland, both of which may offset increased logging on restituted forests. We mapped changes in forest cover for the entire country of Romania using Landsat satellite images from 1990 to 2010. We use our satellite estimates, together with historic data on logging rates and changes in forest cover, to parameterize a carbon book-keeping model for estimating the terrestrial carbon flux (above and below ground) as a consequence of land use change and forest harvest. High logging rates during socialism resulted in substantial terrestrial carbon emissions and Romania was a net carbon source until the 1980s. After the collapse of the Soviet Union forest harvest rates decreased dramatically, but since restitution laws were implemented they have increased by 60% (from 15 122 ± 5397 ha y − 1 in 2000 to 23 884 ± 11 510 ha y − 1 in 2010), but still remain lower than prior to 1989. Romania currently remains a terrestrial carbon sink, offsetting 7.6% ± 2.5% of anthropogenic carbon emissions. A further increase in logging could result in net emissions from terrestrial ecosystems during the coming decades. However, forest expansion on degraded land and abandoned farmland offers great potential for carbon sequestration.
Modulation of Estrogen Production and 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase-Type 1, Cytochrome P450 Aromatase, c-Met, and Protein Kinase Bα Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Content in Rat Ovarian Granulosa Cells by Hepatocyte Growth Factor and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone1

Abstract Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) suppresses FSH-dependent estradiol-17β (E2) production in ovarian granulosa cells (GC). The mechanisms of action for HGF in GC are unknown; however, activation of the HGF receptor, c-Met, can induce c-Akt/protein kinase B (PKB)-mediated signal transduction in nonovarian cells. Using immature rat GC, the present study investigated the effects of HGF within the estrogen biosynthetic pathway, concomitant with changes in c-Met and PKBα mRNA expression. Granulosa cells were incubated with androstenedione and FSH, HGF, and/or dibutyryl-cAMP (Bu2-cAMP). Follicle-stimulating hormone and Bu2-cAMP each stimulated estrone (E1) and E2 synthesis at 48 h. Hepatocyte growth factor suppressed FSH-dependent E2, but not E1, synthesis. Semiquantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction showed that HGF impaired FSH-supported 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type-1 (17β-HSD) and cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom) mRNA levels. Hepatocyte growth factor did not reduce E2 synthesis or 17β-HSD and P450arom mRNA expression in the presence of Bu2-cAMP at 48 h. The FSH and HGF each down-modulated c-Met mRNA accumulation, whereas Bu2-cAMP increased c-Met mRNA content. Between 0 and 48 h a biphasic change in PKBα mRNA content occurred with either FSH or HGF; however, PKBα mRNA accumulation was augmented by HGF. Collectively, results suggest that HGF can suppress E2 production in GC by disrupting cAMP-dependent 17β-HSD and P450arom. Changes in c-Met and PKBα mRNA content provide a potential link between HGF signaling and the FSH-dependent mechanisms that control the steroidogenic differentiation of GC.
Onto Explicative Data Mining: Exploratory, Interpretable and Explainable Analysis

Data mining systems are commonly applied to obtain a set of novel, potentially useful, and ultimately interesting patterns from a given (large) data set [1]. This can be achieved using exploratory methods, e. g. , utilizing descriptive data mining techniques like methods for association rule mining [2] or subgroup discovery, e. g. , [3], [4]. While the resulting patterns are typically interpretable, the large results sets in pattern mining, i. e. , a large sets of potentially interesting patterns that the user needs to assess, require further exploration and interpretation techniques. Such problems also occur for other complex models in data mining which often require explanations of their results and/or structure. In this context, explanation-aware approaches have been a prominent research direction in artificial intelligence and data science, e. g. , [5]– [8]. Recently, the concept of transparent and explainable models has also gained a strong focus and momentum in the data mining and machine learning community, e. g. , [9]–[11]. We introduce explicative data mining as a comprehensive paradigm, tackling all these different aspects. Similar to the philosopical process of explication cf. [12], [13] which aims to make the implicit explicit, explicative data mining aims to model, describe and explain the underlying structure in the data. By targeting interpretable (and transparent) models utilizing exploratory and explanation-aware methods, these can be constructed and inspected on different layers and levels. This ranges from pure data summarization to patternbased exploratory data mining. Furthermore, these features also provide for different options for including the human in the loop, e. g. , using visualization methods. We outline and discuss the explicative data mining paradigm in detail: We introduce foundational aspects, present the respective approaches summarized above, and discuss current perspectives and challenges. In particular, we focus on explicative data mining methods, e. g. , in the areas of pattern mining [14]–[16] and feature engineering for machine learning approaches [17], [18], with exemplary applications in network analysis and anomaly detection. The pattern mining methods are discussed in the context of the VIKAMINE1 system [19]. Furthermore, we also discuss the relation to incorporating prior knowledge, e. g. , in the form of knowledge graphs [20]– [22] into the data mining process [18]. This enables hybrid approaches that incorporate semantic knowledge [23] into the process, e. g. , supporting modeling and explanation methods.
The impact of maternal depression and overcrowded housing on associations between autonomic nervous system reactivity and externalizing behavior problems in vulnerable Latino children.

The study of autonomic nervous system responses and contextual factors has shed light on the development of children's negative outcomes, but the majority of these studies have not focused on minority populations living under adversity. To address these gaps, the current longitudinal study included a sample of poor, immigrant Latino families to examine whether associations between children's autonomic nervous system reactivity at 6 months and their externalizing behavior problems at 7 years of age were moderated by two risk factors associated with poverty: the interpersonal factor of chronic maternal depression and the environmental factor of chronic overcrowded housing. Multiple linear regression (N = 99) revealed that children who exhibited less parasympathetic nervous system withdrawal in response to challenge during infancy had more externalizing problems during childhood only if they had mothers who experienced chronic depression. Children who exhibited greater sympathetic nervous system reactivity during infancy had the lowest levels of externalizing problems during childhood only if they had mothers who chronic depression. Chronic overcrowded housing did not moderate associations between physiological reactivity and level of externalizing problems. These findings extend our understanding of the interaction of physiology and context on child outcomes to the understudied population of impoverished Latino families.
Employment Function for Indonesia: An Econometric Analysis at the Sectoral Level

The Indonesian government has pinned its hope for reducing unemployment on higher economic growth and increased labor market flexibility, such as lowering minimum wages. The estimated sectoral employment functions reveal that output growth rather than real wages is the major determinant of employment. Additionally, the real wage elasticity of employment in the manufacturing sector is very low. That is, a large cut in real wage will have marginal gains in employment, causing a decline in labor income. Therefore, the strategy of lowering real wage is likely to increase the incidence of the working poor as well as the incidence of vulnerability.
Downtown Elementary School (DES): The Unique School That Juxtaposes Both Magnet and Professional Development School (PDS) Programs

The objective of this paper is to explore the operation of magnet and professional development school (PDS) programs in a real life situation using an ethnographic study of Downtown Elementary School (DES-a pseudonym) that simultaneously operates as a PDS and a magnet school. The author spent almost three years at DES, located in the Southern United States, collecting data through participant observation, interviewing, and document collection. The purpose is to provide answers to compelling questions such as: What does it mean to have both magnet and PDS programs operating simultaneously in the same school as in the case of DES? What can be learned from the experiences of the unique school-DES? The paper provides an outline of both magnet and PDS programs and their operations at DES and analyzes how these programs are interrelated and intertwined. Some of the outcomes indicate that DES is about the only school in its locality that juxtaposes two innovative school reform programs. These programs impede each other's progress sometimes and in some cases feed off each other. There is a lot to be learned from the unique experiences of DES. Coupled with other conclusions, the author concludes that, PDSs, as school restructuring projects are intertwined with magnet schools' reform activity which is motivated by the drive to provide equity of opportunity to learn, particularly for poor, minority and black students in mostly urban areas who are at a disadvantage for various reasons. The final section of the paper takes a critical look at the issues at stake through the lens of critical multiculturalism.
Integrated hierarchical synthesis of analog/RF circuits with accurate performance mapping

This work presents a synthesis framework for nanometer analog, mixed-signal, and radio-frequency circuit design. Our approach has both the advantages of accuracy and efficiency, accomplished by integrating both circuit simulator and analytic formulation. Through performance space exploration, this work facilitates optimal specification setting and trade-off aspect identification from nanometer technology nodes. The hierarchical global-to-local search process consists of device characterization, mapping from geometry-biasing parameters through circuit-level parameters to performance metrics, and reverse identification of optimal design varaibles with fine-tuning. The nature of hierarchy enables the capability of synthesizing large-scaled design with guarantee of accurate and fast convergence to the global optimum. Also this framework can be utilized to identify the constraints that are critically strict to the overall performance, such that the circuit can be designed to operate close to its limit. A radio-frequency distributed amplifier is synthesized as the demonstration showing that the proposed framework is effective and efficient.
A study on code synchronization for time diversity in helicopter satellite communications

In helicopter satellite communications, the periodic blockage of the channel due to the rotor blades degrades the bit error rate (BER) performance. Although time diversity is attractive in order to overcome the periodic blockage, the combining process in the receiver requires the code synchronization. The pre-detection combining is suitable for time diversity because it is superior to the post-detection combining in terms of the BER performance. However, a sync word cannot be applied to the code synchronization in the pre-detection combining. To solve this problem, we propose a novel code synchronization scheme. The proposed scheme estimates the timing offset between the transmitter and the receiver on the basis of the cross-correlation of all possible pairs of the encoded sequences to combine. Results of computer simulation show that the proposed scheme achieves excellent synchronization performance without sync word even in the severe environment of helicopter satellite communications.
Antecedents of franchisee responses to franchisor-initiated strategic change

This article uses an in-depth case study of two franchisor imposed change processes in one franchise system to generate propositions on the antecedents of franchisee responses to franchisor-initiated strategic change. The results point to the importance of the level of standardisation in the franchise system on franchisee responses to changes introduced by the franchisor. The franchise system’s standardisation level, as perceived and expected by franchisees, determines the number, nature and level of importance of antecedents of franchisee responses to change. Overall, franchisee expected profitability and trust are the most important antecedents. Additionally, non-economic motivations for running a franchise influence decisions to take-up alternative opportunities and diminish the importance of switching costs. Finally, actions of parties outside the existing franchise relationship may influence franchisee decisions to switch systems.