Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low-power register-exchange Viterbi decoder for high-speed wireless communications

A new implementation for the Viterbi (1967) decoder (VD) based on the register-exchange (RE) method is described. Conceptually, the RE method is simpler and faster than the traceback (TB) method, but its disadvantage is that every bit in the memory must be read and rewritten for each bit decoded. Using the 'pointer' concept; a pointer is assigned to each register. Instead of copying the contents of one register to another, the pointers are modified. Power dissipation, performance, memory size, and the speed of the survivor memory unit (SMU) are analyzed for both the proposed RE method and the TB method, described in the literature for the next generation wireless applications. The new implementation shows an average power reduction of 45 percent. The BER is 10/sup -5/ at a SNR around 6.1 dB for a continuous uncontrolled encoded sequence. The memory is reduced by half and all read and write operations in the SMU are executed at the data rate frequency.
Life events and depression. Part 1. Effect of sex, age and civil status.

This is the first of three articles dealing with some basic aspects of the relationship between life events and depression, and is also one part of a larger study in which the possible impact of stressful events has been studied from a multifactorial point of view. Two-hundred and four patients suffering from a depressive disorder, consecutively admitted to the Department of Psychiatry of the Umeå University have participated in a study of life events carried out by means of a specially constructed life events inventory that was used as a guideline for a semistructured interview. The results of this part of the study show that there are no pronounced differences in the occurrence, or appraisal of life events between male and female patients. The more vulnerable, older patients have experienced significantly fewer life events, even of the fateful type, prior to the onset of depression. No difference was found between patients who were married or lived together with a partner and patients who were unmarried, separated, divorced or widowed except in the categories of events (e.g. 'conflict' events) which might have been the very reason for a separation or a divorce. The results are discussed in relation to other findings in the literature.
How do institutional forces shape HRM practices? A study of tourist resorts in the Maldives

Using institutional theory, this thesis investigates how human resource management (HRM) practices are shaped in self-contained tourist resorts in the Maldives. It does so by comparing case study evidence of the role of resort managers in responding to the institutional forces in relation to HRM practices in international hotel chains and local resorts in the Maldives. The key findings of the study demonstrate there are a number of coercive, normative and mimetic institutional forces impacting on how tourist resorts manage people in the Maldives. There is a high level of interplay between these institutional forces and HR actors (resort managers). HR actors are strategic, creative and opportunistic in managing the institutional environment. They make strategic choices in responding to these forces. These choices range from passive compliance to active resistance. The findings show that HR actors’ strategic responses to institutional pressures are frequently challenged by the strategies of non-managerial employees. Empowered by newly found employment rights, non-managerial employees put pressure on managers to comply with the laws and regulations in their favour using both individual actions such as employee turnover and collective actions such as petitions and employee strikes. HRM practices emerge in the relationship or the high level of interaction among the institutional environment and different actors. The findings also highlight that the shaping and reshaping of HRM practices is not a straightforward process. Resort managers deal with the plethora of institutional requirements, stakeholder preferences and divergent organisational interests with difficulty. The findings show that both local resorts and international hotel chains face largely a similar set of institutional pressures. However, formal control and normative integration mechanisms are more prevalent in international hotel chains than local hotel chains. Three broad patterns emerge in strategic responses and HRM practices adopted in resorts. They are: (1) similarity across the resorts; (2) diversity between local resorts and international hotel chains (ownership type); and (3) diversity between international high-end resorts and the rest of the resorts (market orientation). The thesis outlines reasons for each of these patterns. The study advances the institutional perspective of business strategies and HRM practices by showing how HR actors make strategic choices in relation to HRM practices in responding to institutional forces. By comparing strategic…
On Multiuser MIMO Multistream Transmission

We present a system for multiuser multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) multistream downlink transmission, which employs covariance-based linear precoders at the transmitter and a minimum-mean-square-error (MMSE) equalizer at each receiver. Antennas of user equipment are arranged to receive different streams bound to this user. Furthermore, these antennas receiving different streams are allowed to cooperate with each other through a joint equalizer, leading to a multiuser MIMO multistream transmission link. The precoders are designed per stream based on the covariance channel state information (CSI). Numerical analysis shows the feasibility and usefulness of the presented system. With the proposed approach, the covariance-based precoding concept for multiuser multiple-input-single-output (MISO) single-stream transmission can effectively be extended to a multiuser MIMO multistream transmission link.
Evaluation of the Noah Land Surface Model Using Data from a Fair-Weather IHOP_2002 Day with Heterogeneous Surface Fluxes

Abstract Sources of differences between observations and simulations for a case study using the Noah land surface model–based High-Resolution Land Data Assimilation System (HRLDAS) are examined for sensible and latent heat fluxes H and LE, respectively; surface temperature Ts; and vertical temperature difference T0 − Ts, where T0 is at 2 m. The observational data were collected on 29 May 2002, using the University of Wyoming King Air and four surface towers placed along a sparsely vegetated 60-km north–south flight track in the Oklahoma Panhandle. This day had nearly clear skies and a strong north–south soil-moisture gradient, with wet soils and widespread puddles at the south end of the track and drier soils to the north. Relative amplitudes of H and LE horizontal variation were estimated by taking the slope of the least squares best-fit straight line ΔLE/ΔH on plots of time-averaged LE as a function of time-averaged H for values along the track. It is argued that observed H and LE values departing signi.
Modularity, strategic flexibility, and firm performance: A study of the home appliance industry

Recent theorizing has proposed that modular product and process architectures are key enablers of strategic flexibility. We formulated an integrative conceptual model encompassing antecedents, contributing factors, and outcomes of modularity. We then tested this model on data from managers in U.S. and U.K. home appliance companies using structural equations modeling. The results indicate a positive relationship between modular product architectures and performance, with product model variety as a mediating variable. The results also highlight linkages between perceptions of market context and the use of modular products architectures, and between complementary organizational capabilities and firm performance. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Utilization of cellulose microcapillary tubes as a model system for culturing and viral infection of mammalian cells

Cryofixation by high‐pressure freezing (HPF) and freeze substitution (FS) gives excellent preservation of intracellular membranous structures, ideal for ultrastructural investigations of virus infected cells. Conventional sample preparation methods of tissue cultured cells can however disrupt the association between neighboring cells or of viruses with the plasma membrane, which impacts upon the effectiveness whereby virus release from cells can be studied. We established a system for virus infection and transmission electron microscopy preparation of mammalian cells that allowed optimal visualization of membrane release events. African horse sickness virus (AHSV) is a nonenveloped virus that employs two different release mechanisms from mammalian cells, i.e., lytic release through a disrupted plasma membrane and a nonlytic budding‐type release. Cellulose microcapillary tubes were used as support layer for culturing Vero cells. The cells grew to a confluent monolayer along the inside of the tubes and could readily be infected with AHSV. Sections of the microcapillary tubes proved easy to manipulate during the HPF procedure, showed no distortion or compression, and yielded well preserved cells in their native state. There was ample cell surface area available for visualization, which allowed detection of both types of virus release at the plasma membrane at a significantly higher frequency than when utilizing other methods. The consecutive culturing, virus infection and processing of cells within microcapillary tubes therefore represent a novel model system for monitoring intracellular virus life cycle and membrane release events, specifically suited to viruses that do not grow to high titers in tissue culture. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Algorithms for Integrating Temporal Properties of Data in Data Warehousing

One of the most complex issues of the integration and transformation interface is the case where there are multiple sources for a single data element in the enterprise data warehouse. While there are many facets to the large number of variables that are needed in the integration phase, what we are interested in is the temporal problem. It is necessary to solve problems such as what happens when data from data source A is available but data from data source B is not. This paper presents our work into data integration in the Data Warehouse on the basis of the temporal properties of the data sources. Depending on the extraction method and data source, we can determine whether it will be possible to incorporate the data into the Data Warehouse. We shall also examine the temporal features of the data extraction methods and propose algorithms for data integration depending on the temporal characteristics of the data sources and on the data
New Mycobacterium avium Antifolate Shows Synergistic Effect when Used in Combination with Dihydropteroate Synthase Inhibitors

ABSTRACT Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is resistant to trimethoprim, an inhibitor of bacterial dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). A previously identified selective inhibitor of MAC DHFR, SRI-8858, was shown to have synergistic activity in combination with dapsone and sulfamethoxazole, two drugs that inhibit bacterial dihydropteroate synthase.
Experimental testing of the CogLaboration prototype system for fluent Human-Robot object handover interactions

This article presents the design and execution of the experiments used to develop and evaluate a robot prototype system for fluent Human-Robot object handover interactions. A key aspect of our experimental methodology is the deep integration between Human-Robot and Human-Human object handover experiments. This provides a solid baseline and knowledge base for the prototype evaluation, both in terms of movement dynamics and in subjective user evaluation.
Encouragement of Right Social Norms by Inverse Reinforcement Learning S achiyo

This study is intended to encourage appropriate social norms among multiple agents. Effective norms, such as those emerging from sustained individual interactions over time, can make agents act cooperatively to optimize their performance. We introduce a “social learning” model in which agents mutually interact under a framework of the coordination game. Because coordination games have dual equilibria, social norms are necessary to make agents converge to a unique equilibrium. As described in this paper, we present the emergence of a right social norm by inverse reinforcement learning, which is an approach for extracting a reward function from the observation of optimal behaviors. First, we let a mediator agent estimate the reward function by inverse reinforcement learning from the observation of a master’s behavior. Secondly, we introduce agents who act according to an estimated reward function in the multiagent world in which most agents, called citizens, have no way to act. Finally, we evaluate the effectiveness of introducing inverse reinforcement learning.
Improved detection of lacZ reporter gene expression in transgenic epithelia by immunofluorescence microscopy

Abstract: The bacterial lacZ gene is commonly used as a reporter for the in vivo analysis of gene regulation in transgenic mice. However, several laboratories have reported poor detection of β‐galactosidase (the lacZ gene product) using histochemical techniques, particularly in skin. Here we report the difficulties we encountered in assessing lacZ expression in transgenic keratinocytes using classic X‐gal histochemical protocols in tissues shown to express the transgene by mRNA in situ hybridization. We found that lacZ reporter gene expression could be reliably detected in frozen tissue sections by immunofluorescence analysis using a β‐galactosidase‐specific antibody. Moreover, we were able to localize both transgene and endogenous gene products simultaneously using double‐label immunofluorescence. Our results suggest that antibody detection of β‐galactosidase should be used to verify other assays of lacZ expression, particularly where low expression levels are suspected or patchy expression is observed.
A Novel in Vitro Three-Dimensional Macroporous Scaffolds from Bacterial Cellulose for Culture of Breast Cancer Cells

In this work, patterned macropores with a diameter larger than 100 μm were introduced to pristine three-dimensional (3D) nanofibrous bacterial cellulose (BC) scaffolds by using the infrared laser micromachining technique in an attempt to create an in vitro model for the culture of breast cancer cells. The morphology, pore structure, and mechanical performance of the obtained patterned macroporous BC (PM-BC) scaffolds were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mercury intrusion porosimeter, and mechanical testing. A human breast cancer cell (MDA-MB-231) line was cultured onto the PM-BC scaffolds to investigate the role of macropores in the control of cancer cell behavior. MTT assay, SEM, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining were employed to determine cell adhesion, growth, proliferation, and infiltration. The PM-BC scaffolds were found to be able to promote cellular adhesion and proliferation on the scaffolds, and further to allow for cell infiltration into the PM-BC scaffolds. The results demonstrated that BC scaffolds with laser-patterned macropores were promising for the in vitro 3D culture of breast cancer cells.
Real World Projects with Companies Supporting Competence Development in Higher Education.

The department of business administration of Munster University of Applied Sciences (MUAS) in Germany has a long tradition in realising practice-oriented research projects in cooperation with industry. The objective of these cooperative projects is to offer students real-life experiences and to make the theoretical know-how of university lectures more tangible by using it in an actual business case setting. Students are given responsibility for project deliveries fitting the expectations of real companies in their real business. Through the projects students are encouraged to develop individual learning and problem solving competencies. In this paper, four good practice examples for university-industry cooperation integrated in the education of students in the field of marketing, specifically market analysis, will be presented. The project descriptions will highlight the different methodological approaches, focusing on their specific innovative features. The paper will evaluate the competencies students gain during their involvement in those kind of projects. To follow a valid scientific approach, the competence matrix of Erpenbeck & Heyse will be presented and used to highlight the specific competences gained by the students working on those projects.
Power Allocation for Buffer-Aided Full-Duplex Relaying With Imperfect Self-Interference Cancelation and Statistical Delay Constraint

This paper considers source and relay power allocation for buffer-aided full-duplex (B-FD) relaying network, assuming constant data rate arrivals at the source buffer. Statistical delay constraint is imposed, where the end-to-end queue length is allowed to exceed a pre-defined queue-length threshold with a maximum acceptable queue-length-outage probability. We assume imperfect self-interference (SI) cancelation, where the non-zero residual SI power is modeled to be proportional to the relay transmit power. We investigate two power allocation problems for source arrival rate maximization: 1) B-FD relaying with adaptive power allocation (B-FD-APA) when the instantaneous channel state information at the transmitters (CSIT) is available and 2) B-FD relaying with static power allocation (B-FD-SPA) when only the statistical CSIT is available. To solve the problems, we first employ asymptotic delay analysis to transform the statistical delay constraint into more tractable constraints. Then, the optimal solutions are derived using Lagrangian approach. In addition, solutions for various special cases of residual SI and delay constraint are presented. With B-FD-APA, the relay can opportunistically switch between half-duplex (HD) and FD operation modes according to the channel conditions. With B-FD-SPA, the relay always employs FD mode. Numerical results are performed to compare the capacities of the proposed B-FD, non-buffer FD, and buffer-aided HD relaying schemes, as well as direct transmission (DT) under various settings, demonstrating the effectiveness of B-FD relaying to support delay-constrained communications.
Diagnosis of Output Power Lowering in a PV Array by Using the Kalman-Filter Algorithm

The number of photovoltaic (PV) generators has been significantly increased worldwide as a main renewable energy resource. The output power of PV generators mainly depends on the solar irradiance, module temperature, and field conditions. Therefore, the maintenance of the PV system is necessary to improve the reliability in its use. In this paper, a novel method to diagnose output power lowering in a PV array is proposed to keep the good performance of its output power based on the relationships between PV module temperature, current, and voltage under maximum power point conditions. In particular, the proposed method does not require the accurate information in specification on PV module and sensors for measuring irradiation levels, which are required in conventional monitoring systems. This results in the reduction of cost. Then, it is effectively applied to a practical PV system by using the Kalman-filter algorithm. The performances of the proposed diagnosis method are evaluated and verified with the laboratory experiment and field tests as well as the PSCAD/EMTDC-based simulation test.
Display of heterologous proteins on the Saccharomyces cerevisiae surface display system using a single constitutive expression vector

In this study, we constructed a novel and simple yeast surface display system with a single expression vector. The newly established system uses a bidirectional expression vector carrying the AGA1 gene driven by the PGK1 promoter in one direction and the AGA2‐expression cassette driven by the TEF1 promoter in the reverse direction, and uses the geneticin, a G418‐resistant gene, as the selection marker for transformants. Because all the display elements are put into one expression vector, the new system is much simpler to use, and there is no need for any genetic modification of the host strains; therefore, the new system can be used in wild type as well as laboratory strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The display efficiency of heterologous proteins using the new system has been confirmed by displaying enhanced green fluorescent protein and Eimeria tenella (a chicken protozoan parasite) microneme protein2 (EtMic2) on several S. cerevisiae strains. We also tested the new system with an aga2 mutant strain of S. cerevisiae. The results indicate that the native expressed Aga2 protein has no effect on the display efficiency of heterologous proteins. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 30:443–450, 2014
A Web-based Wavelet Application to Reduce One Dimensional Physiological Data with Infrequent Short Duration Event for Remote Display

Most current patient monitors can connect to a local area network. This has resulted in an exponential increase in the data volume to be stored, transmitted and viewed. A novel Web-based wavelet application to perform reliable display of long-term one dimensional (ID) physiological data with infrequent short duration events on the client through lossless transfer of only the useful data is proposed. Our solution, in which only the scaling coefficients are transmitted, is able to analyze, transfer and display data efficiently. More importantly, it adapts data to the display width of the remote monitor screen by adjusting the resolution through decomposition, so that segments of physiological interest can be extracted and transmitted at the required resolution. This not only accelerates data transfer but also provides a less cluttered display. This also contributes to an important aspect of telemedicine applications that has received little attention, that is the integrity and reliability of data interpretation and diagnosis
IT Knowledge Spillovers, Absorptive Capacity, and Productivity: Evidence from Enterprise Software

We examine the productivity implications of external knowledge flows obtained through an internet-mediated discussion forum in which IT professionals help one another solve problems related to the implementation and use of enterprise software. We extend elements of the absorptive capacity (ACAP) framework that have not previously been studied in the information systems (IS) literature to a new context. Consistent with prior results from the IS literature, we first show that IT spillovers—acquired through employees’ participation in this forum—only accrue to firms with prior related investments in enterprise software. We then demonstrate boundary conditions for ACAP based on characteristics of external knowledge affecting the ease of learning. Our results show that IT spillovers are not “free”; the ability to derive the value of IT spillovers through informal channels—such as online communities—critically depends on both prior related IT investments by the recipient firm and the novelty of external knowledge. Less intuitively, when knowledge originates from relatively novel or emergent domains, the role of prior related knowledge in absorbing spillovers becomes more important.