Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
QoS Analysis of a Scheduling Policy for Heterogeneous Users Employing AMC Jointly with ARQ

This paper analyzes the quality of service (QoS) of scheduling algorithms for heterogeneous users in multi-user (MU) wireless systems that take advantage from a cross-layer design with both adaptive modulation and coding (AMC) and automatic repeat request (ARQ). By developing a general theoretical framework based on a finite-state Markov chain, we analytically evaluate the average delay, the packet-loss rate (PLR) and the throughput of a scheduling algorithm based on the channel condition, the buffer occupancy, and the number of retransmissions, of users belonging to different service classes. The key assumption of our analysis, i.e., the independence of the stationary states of different users, highly reduces the computational complexity while preserving a sufficient accuracy. To present the proposed analysis, we also suggest an effective scheduling policy suitable for users belonging to different service classes, compliant with the WiMAX standard. The good match between analytical and simulated performance validates our theoretical findings, and enables the proposed approach to be used for cross-layer optimization.
Isolation and characterization of the mating-type locus of the barley pathogen Pyrenophora teres and frequencies of mating-type idiomorphs within and among fungal populations collected from barley landraces.

Pyrenophora teres f. sp. teres mating-type genes (MAT-1: 1190 bp; MAT-2: 1055 bp) have been identified. Their predicted proteins, measuring 379 and 333 amino acids, respectively, are similar to those of other Pleosporales, such as Pleospora sp. , Cochliobolus sp. , Alternaria alternata, Leptosphaeria maculans, and Phaeosphaeria nodorum. The structure of the MAT locus is discussed in comparison with those of other fungi. A mating-type PCR assay has also been developed; with this assay we have analyzed 150 isolates that were collected from 6 Sardinian barley landrace populations. Of these, 68 were P. teres f. sp. teres (net form; NF) and 82 were P. teres f. sp. maculata (spot form; SF). Within each mating type, the NF and SF amplification products were of the same length and were highly similar in sequence. The 2 mating types were present in both the NF and the SF populations at the field level, indicating that they have all maintained the potential for sexual reproduction. Despite the 2 forms being sympatric in 5 fields, no intermediate isolates were detected with amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis. These results suggest that the 2 forms are genetically isolated under the field conditions. In all of the samples of P. teres, the ratio of the 2 mating types was consistently in accord with the 1:1 null hypothesis. This ratio is expected when segregation distortion and clonal selection among mating types are absent or asexual reproduction is rare. Overall, sexual reproduction appears to be the major process that equalizes the frequencies of the 2 mating types within populations.
THRESHOLD CONTROL AND LASING CHARACTERISTICS IN DYE DOPED NEMATIC LIQUID CRYSTALS

Spectral characteristics and lasing efficiency of nematic liquid crystals (NLC) doped with polymethine dyes have been investigated. The lasing threshold control in such materials by variation of the NLC director position relative to orientation of pumping emission linear polarization were obtained. The basis reason of the low lasing efficiency of doped NLC was shown to be the light scattering by the fluctuation of molecular director of the liquid crystal. The rotation of the polarization in such a system following mechanical rotation of the cell with liquid crystal solution is demonstrated experimentally.
Resveratrol Mediated Modulation of Sirt-1/Runx2 Promotes Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Potential Role of Runx2 Deacetylation

Objective Osteogenic repair in response to bone injury is characterized by activation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to osteoblasts. This study determined whether activation of Sirt-1 (a NAD+-dependent histone deacetylase) by the phytoestrogen resveratrol affects osteogenic differentiation. Methods Monolayer and high-density cultures of MSCs and pre-osteoblastic cells were treated with an osteogenic induction medium with/without the Sirt-1 inhibitor nicotinamide or/and resveratrol in a concentration dependent manner. Results MSCs and pre-osteoblastic cells differentiated to osteoblasts when exposed to osteogenic-induction medium. The osteogenic response was blocked by nicotinamide, resulting in adipogenic differentiation and expression of the adipose transcription regulator PPAR-γ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor). However, in nicotinamide-treated cultures, pre-treatment with resveratrol significantly enhanced osteogenesis by increasing expression of Runx2 (bone specific transcription factor) and decreasing expression of PPAR-γ. Activation of Sirt-1 by resveratrol in MSCs increased its binding to PPAR-γ and repressed PPAR-γ activity by involving its cofactor NCoR (nuclear receptor co-repressor). The modulatory effects of resveratrol on nicotinamide-induced expression of PPAR-γ and its cofactor NCoR were found to be mediated, at least in part, by Sirt-1/Runx2 association and deacetylation of Runx2. Finally, knockdown of Sirt-1 by using antisense oligonucleotides downregulated the expression of Sirt-1 protein and abolished the inhibitory effects of resveratrol, namely nicotinamide-induced Sirt-1 suppression and Runx2 acetylation, suggesting that the acetylated content of Runx2 is related to downregulated Sirt-1 expression. Conclusion These data support a critical role for Runx2 acetylation/deacetylation during osteogenic differentiation in MSCs in vitro. (242 words in abstract)
Regulation of brown adipocyte metabolism by myostatin/follistatin signaling

Obesity develops from perturbations of cellular bioenergetics, when energy uptake exceeds energy expenditure, and represents a major risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other conditions. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has long been known to dissipate energy as heat and contribute to energy expenditure, but its presence and physiological role in adult human physiology has been questioned for years. Recent demonstrations of metabolically active brown fat depots in adult humans have revolutionized current therapeutic approaches for obesity-related diseases. The balance between white adipose tissue (WAT) and BAT affects the systemic energy balance and is widely believed to be the key determinant in the development of obesity and related metabolic diseases. Members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily play an important role in regulating overall energy homeostasis by modulation of brown adipocyte characteristics. Inactivation of TGF-β/Smad3/myostatin (Mst) signaling promotes browning of white adipocytes, increases mitochondrial biogenesis and protects mice from diet-induced obesity, suggesting the need for development of a novel class of TGF-β/Mst antagonists for the treatment of obesity and related metabolic diseases. We recently described an important role of follistatin (Fst), a soluble glycoprotein that is known to bind and antagonize Mst actions, during brown fat differentiation and the regulation of cellular metabolism. Here we highlight various investigations performed using different in vitro and in vivo models to support the contention that targeting TGF-β/Mst signaling enhances brown adipocyte functions and regulates energy balance, reducing insulin resistance, and curbing the development of obesity and diabetes.
Non-coherent multi-layer constellations for unequal error protection

In this paper, we consider the design of multi-resolution non-coherent multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems that enable Unequal Error Protection (UEP). A method for designing multi-layer non-coherent Grassmannian constellations is introduced. Specifically, the proposed method yields multi-layer constellations that are amenable to a natural set partitioning strategy. The resulting subsets from such partitioning are used to encode the more protected symbols. On the other hand, the less protected symbols are mapped to points within these subsets. Furthermore, we present two methods to establish the link between the gain of the more protected layer and the design parameters of this construction. Finally, we exploit the underlying structure to develop a sequential decoding approach. Numerical results suggest that employing such decoding scheme leads to computational savings with respect to the optimal decoding while maintaining comparable performance.
Uterine, ovarian, and production responses of lactating dairy cows to increasing dietary concentrations of menhaden fish meal.

The primary objective was to determine whether the dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic (EPA, C20:5, n-3) and docosahexaenoic (DHA, C22:6, n-3), present in fish meal (FM) can attenuate uterine secretion of PGF2alpha in response to a challenge with estradiol and oxytocin in lactating dairy cows. Cycling multiparous cows (n = 32) were fed diets containing 0 (OFM), 2.6 (2.6FM), 5.2 (5.2FM), or 7.8% menhaden FM (7.8FM). The diet consisting of 7.8FM also contained fish oil (0.28% of dietary dry matter) to increase intake of EPA and DHA. Average dry matter intake was 24.9 kg/d and unaffected by diet. Combined intakes of EPA and DHA averaged 0, 12.8, 24.1, and 54.0 g/d from the OFM, 2.6FM, 5.2FM, and 7.8FM diets, respectively. At 30 to 34 d after initiation of dietary treatments, cows received an i.m. injection of 100 microg of GnRH followed by i.m. administration of 25 and 15 mg of PGF2alpha after 7 and 8 d, respectively. Synchronous ovulation was induced by an injection of 3000 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) given 24 h later on d 9. Subsequent luteal phase increases in plasma progesterone concentrations did not differ (0.88 ng/ml per day). At 15 d after hCG injection, cows were injected with estradiol-17beta (3 mg, i.v.) at 0900 h and oxytocin (100 IU, i.v.) at 1300 h. Plasma PGF2alpha metabolite concentrations after oxytocin injection were reduced in cows fed diets containing FM compared with those fed OFM. Milk production (39.1 kg/d) and concentrations of fat, protein, or urea nitrogen in milk were not affected by diet. Feeding fish meal and fish oil containing eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid reduced the proportion of n-6 fatty acids and increased that of n-3 fatty acids in milk in a dose-responsive manner.
Obtaining Phonetic Transcriptions: A Comparison between Expert Listeners and a Continuous Speech Recognizer

Key words Abstract In this article, we address the issue of using a continuous speech recognition tool to obtain phonetic or phonological representations of speech. Two experiments were carried out in which the performance of a continuous speech recognizer (CSR) was compared to the performance of expert listeners in a task of judging whether a number of prespecified phones had been realized in an utterance. In the first experiment, nine expert listeners and the CSR carried out exactly the same task: deciding whether a segment was presentor no tin 467 cases. In the second experiment, we expanded on the first experiment by focusing on two phonological processes: schwa-deletion and schwa-insertion. The results of these experiments show that significant differences in performance were found between the CSR and the listeners, but also between individual listeners. Although some of these differences appeared to be statistically significant, their magnitude is such that they may very well be acceptable dependingon what the transcriptions are needed for. In other words, although the CSR is not infallible, it makes it possible to explore large data sets, which might outweigh the errors introduced by the mistakes the CSR makes. For these reasons, we can conclude that the CSR can be used instead of a listener to carry out this type of task: deciding whether a phone is presentor not.
Algorithms for three-dimensional chemical analysis with multi-energy tomographic data

The conversion of 3D data sets of x-ray absorption images into 3D composition maps requires accurate mass absorption values, high-quality images, and a robust fitting algorithm. We evaluate the status of convenient x-ray absorption databases, the impact of various CCD parameters and imaging strategies (minimal vs over-determined), and styles of least-squares fits of the images (optionally including volume constraints). Concerns raised include the impact of NEXAFS features and limited CCD dynamic range. In the absence of these effects, the reduction of images to composition is fast and robust, as tested with simulations based on element-labeled Shepp-Logan phantoms. These studies allow one to evaluate a recent experiment in which synchrotron X-ray tomography is used to image a multicomponent sample. Those samples consisted of a mixture containing high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) and a two-component flame retardant, a brominated phthalimide dimer and a synergist, antimony oxide (Sb2O3). Complete tomography data sets were acquired at 3.34 micron spatial resolution using seven X-ray energies in the range of 12 to 40 keV, closely spanning Br and Sb 1s electron binding energies at 13.474 and 30.491 keV, respectively.
Shuffling with a Croupier: Nat-Aware Peer-Sampling

Despite much recent research on peer-to-peer (P2P) protocols for the Internet, there have been relatively few practical protocols designed to explicitly account for Network Address Translation gateways (NATs). Those P2P protocols that do handle NATs circumvent them using relaying and hole-punching techniques to route packets to nodes residing behind NATs. In this paper, we present Croupier, a peer sampling service (PSS) that provides uniform random samples of nodes in the presence of NATs in the network. It is the first NAT-aware PSS that works without the use of relaying or hole-punching. By removing the need for relaying and hole-punching, we decrease the complexity and overhead of our protocol as well as increase its robustness to churn and failure. We evaluated Croupier in simulation, and, in comparison with existing NAT-aware PSS', our results show similar randomness properties, but improved robustness in the presence of both high percentages of nodes behind NATs and massive node failures. Croupier also has substantially lower protocol overhead.
Deep reward shaping from demonstrations

Deep reinforcement learning is rapidly gaining attention due to recent successes in a variety of problems. The combination of deep learning and reinforcement learning allows for a generic learning process that does not consider specific knowledge of the task. However, learning from scratch becomes more difficult when tasks involve long trajectories with delayed rewards. The chances of finding the rewards using trial and error become much smaller compared to tasks where the agent continuously interacts with the environment. This is the case in many real life applications which poses a limitation to current methods. In this paper we propose a novel method for combining learning from demonstrations and experience to expedite and improve deep reinforcement learning. Demonstrations from a teacher are used to shape a potential reward function by training a deep supervised convolutional neural network. The shaped function is added to the reward function used in deep-Q-learning (DQN) to perform off-policy training through trial and error. The proposed method is demonstrated on navigation tasks that are learned from raw pixels without utilizing any knowledge of the problem. Navigation tasks represent a typical AI problem that is relevant to many real applications and where only delayed rewards (usually terminal) are available to the agent. The results show that using the proposed shaped rewards significantly improves the performance of the agent over standard DQN. This improvement is more pronounced the sparser the rewards are.
Incorporating prior knowledge of gene functional groups into regularized discriminant analysis of microarray data

MOTIVATION Discriminant analysis for high-dimensional and low-sample-sized data has become a hot research topic in bioinformatics, mainly motivated by its importance and challenge in applications to tumor classifications for high-dimensional microarray data. Two of the popular methods are the nearest shrunken centroids, also called predictive analysis of microarray (PAM), and shrunken centroids regularized discriminant analysis (SCRDA). Both methods are modifications to the classic linear discriminant analysis (LDA) in two aspects tailored to high-dimensional and low-sample-sized data: one is the regularization of the covariance matrix, and the other is variable selection through shrinkage. In spite of their usefulness, there are potential limitations with each method. The main concern is that both PAM and SCRDA are possibly too extreme: the covariance matrix in the former is restricted to be diagonal while in the latter there is barely any restriction. Based on the biology of gene functions and given the feature of the data, it may be beneficial to estimate the covariance matrix as an intermediate between the two; furthermore, more effective shrinkage schemes may be possible. RESULTS We propose modified LDA methods to integrate biological knowledge of gene functions (or variable groups) into classification of microarray data. Instead of simply treating all the genes independently or imposing no restriction on the correlations among the genes, we group the genes according to their biological functions extracted from existing biological knowledge or data, and propose regularized covariance estimators that encourages between-group gene independence and within-group gene correlations while maintaining the flexibility of any general covariance structure. Furthermore, we propose a shrinkage scheme on groups of genes that tends to retain or remove a whole group of the genes altogether, in contrast to the standard shrinkage on individual genes. We show that one of the proposed methods performed better than PAM and SCRDA in a simulation study and several real data examples.
Distinct GATA6- and laminin-dependent mechanisms regulate endodermal and ectodermal embryonic stem cell fates

This study investigates the establishment of alternative cell fates during embryoid body differentiation when ES cells diverge into two epithelia simulating the pre-gastrulation endoderm and ectoderm. We report that endoderm differentiation and endoderm-specific gene expression, such as expression of laminin 1 subunits, is controlled by GATA6 induced by FGF. Subsequently, differentiation of the non-polar primitive ectoderm into columnar epithelium of the epiblast is induced by laminin 1. Using GATA6 transformed Lamc1-null endoderm-like cells, we demonstrate that laminin 1 exhibited by the basement membrane induces epiblast differentiation and cavitation by cell-to-matrix/matrix-to-cell interactions that are similar to the in vivo crosstalk in the early embryo. Pharmacological and dominant-negative inhibitors reveal that the cell shape change of epiblast differentiation requires ROCK, the Rho kinase. We also show that pluripotent ES cells display laminin receptors; hence, these stem cells may serve as target for columnar ectoderm differentiation. Laminin is not bound by endoderm derivatives; therefore, the sub-endodermal basement membrane is anchored selectively to the ectoderm, conveying polarity to its assembly and to the differentiation induced by it. Unique to these interactions is their flow through two cell layers connected by laminin 1 and their involvement in the differentiation of two epithelia from the same stem cell pool: one into endoderm controlled by FGF and GATA6; and the other into epiblast regulated by laminin 1 and Rho kinase.
Privacy-Friendly Planning of Energy Distribution in Smart Grids

The smart-grid is gaining increasing attention nowadays, owing to its premise to offer increased reliability, performance, and a balanced utilization of energy. However, the current design of smart-grids raises serious concerns with respect to the privacy and anonymity of users. Thus far, the literature has solely focused on the problem of privately aggregating energy reports and has not addressed the privacy threats that can occur through other intelligent operations which take place in the smart grid, such as planning the energy distribution. In this paper, we propose a novel solution that enables the planning of energy distribution in the grid without leaking any information about the energy requests of individual smart meters. We also implement a prototype based on our proposal and we evaluate its performance in realistic deployment settings.
Energy Harvesting Strategy Using Piezoelectric Element Driven by Vibration Method

This study demonstrates a method for harvesting the electrical power by the piezoelectric actuator from vibration energy. This paper presents the energy harvesting technique using the piezoelectric element of a bimorph type driven by a geared motor and a vibrator. The geared motor is a type of PWM controlled device that is a combination of an oval shape cam with five gears and a speed controller. When using the geared motor, the piezoelectric element is size of 36L×13W×0.6H. The output voltage characteristics of the piezoelectric element were investigated in terms of the displacement and vibration. When using the vibrator, the electric power harvesting is based on piezoelectric effect and piezoelectric vibrator consists of a magnetic type oscillator, a cantilever, a bimorph actuator and controllers. Low frequency operating technique using piezoelectric vibrator is very important because normal vibration sources in the environment such as building, human body, windmill and ship have low frequency characteristics. We can know from this study results that there are many energy sources such as vibration, wind power and wave power. Also, these can be used to the energy harvesting system using smart device like piezoelectric element.
Inbreeding Promotes Female Promiscuity

After a population bottleneck, polyandry allows females to select sperm with the best prospects for fitness. The widespread phenomenon of polyandry (mating by females with multiple males) is an evolutionary puzzle, because females can sustain costs from promiscuity, whereas full fertility can be provided by a single male. Using the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, we identify major fitness benefits of polyandry to females under inbreeding, when the risks of fertilization by incompatible male haplotypes are especially high. Fifteen generations after inbred populations had passed through genetic bottlenecks, we recorded increased levels of female promiscuity compared with noninbred controls, most likely due to selection from prospective fitness gains through polyandry. These data illustrate how this common mating pattern can evolve if population genetic bottlenecks increase the risks of fitness depression due to fertilization by sperm carrying genetically incompatible haplotypes.
Design of Suspension Control System for Bearingless Motor

Bearingless motor, which combines characteristics of alternating current motor and magnetic bearing, can operate without magnetism suspension bearing by making use of magnetism suspension bearing winding that produce magnetism suspending power in the motor stator. Through torque winding and suspending power winding decoupling control, it can make the motor rotor to produce torque and suspension simultaneously. The bearingless motor features high speed and little friction etc. It is one of current hot research areas. The design of bearingless motor suspension control system is the key of this research. The basic principle of the bearingless motor suspension control is introduced and the design of the suspension control system based on the directional magnetic field of torque winding rotor is provided in the paper.