Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
QoS-Aware Joint Access Control and Duty Cycle Control for Machine-to-Machine Communications

Massive devices and various applications imposes new challenges for Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications to enable Internet of Things (IoT). In this paper, we investigate a QoS-aware joint access control and duty cycle control problem for M2M communications to optimise the overall network performance, including energy efficiency, end-to-end delay, reliability, throughput and fairness. We first model a practical hybrid M2M communication network and measure the overall network performance through a cost function. Then, an optimisation problem is formulated to minimise the long-term aggregated network cost. Further more, we overcome the non-convexity of the cost function and mathematically derive the optimal access control. Finally, we propose a distributed access control followed by a reinforcement learning (RL) based duty cycle control which adapts to various network dynamics without priori network information. Simulation results show that, the proposed joint access control and duty cycle control minimise the network long-term aggregated cost, while achieving fairness among cluster heads with QoS differentiation.
A Distributed Control Approach for Enhancing Smart Grid Transient Stability and Resilience

Increasing deployment of information technologies and low-inertia renewable energy sources into smart grid fuel the uncertainties and reveal security and transient stability problems. Enhancing the stability margins of smart grids despite the cyber and physical disturbances emerges the need for cyber-aware robust controller design. Therefore, a distributed nonlinear robust controller is proposed to improve the transient stability margins of synchronous generators (SG) in the presence of excessive communication delay and cyber-physical disturbances. The proposed controller uses phasor measurement units to receive real-time measurements and actuates distributed storage systems to inject or absorb power in order to accelerate stabilization of frequency oscillations of SG following a disturbance. The communication dependency exposes time delay and cyber-security issues since latency is inherent and can be excessive during an attack such as denial of service. In addition, uncertainties in measurements challenge the stabilization process. Hence, the proposed controller is designed for robustness to delay and additive disturbances. A novel time delay compensation technique is developed to inject delay-free control signal into the closed-loop system. To guarantee that all tracking error signals are globally uniformly ultimately bounded, novel Lyapunov–Krasovskii functionals are used in the Lyapunov-based stability analysis. The simulation results validate the feasibility of the proposed control framework and robustness under cyber-physical practical limitations.
The Effects of Corporate Social Responsibility on Equity Fund Returns: Evidence from China

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the fund management companies in China have the corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its correlation with the fund performance. The samples are the equity funds between 2004 and 2012. The basis for assessment for the CSR is the Chinese fund company comprehensive assessment report, published by Morningstar Chinese Research Center in Jan 25th 2013. This research uses quantile regression model with three factors to measure the fund management companies with high ranking or low ranking average fund returns and provide investors some basis for investment decisions. The empirical results show the fund management companies with high ranking have better fund returns than those low ranking. Through quantile regression estimations, it is found that the market factors and fund returns have significant correlation with high ranking. The groups with low ranking and high fund returns, the funds performance has a significant positive correlation with the size factors. The group with high ranking and below medium fund returns, the fund performance has a positive relationship with the book to price ratio. Finally, in the fund management companies with extreme CSR ranking, the fund performance has a significant positive correlation with the fund net asset value.
Toward a Model to Enhance Synergy of Out-of-Home Advertising Media Integration Strategies

ABSTRACT For media planners to combine multiple media across platforms to maximize synergy is a critical challenge within integrated marketing communication. For this study, in-depth interviews were conducted with experienced media specialists in leading agencies to explore how they integrate different out-of-home advertising media platforms in IMC strategies. The feedback of these experts was then used to propose a model of strategies to enhance synergy within out-of-home advertising campaigns. This model is a first of its kind for planning out-of-home advertising media across platforms and bridges a gap in the existing literature on media synergy and out-of-home advertising media strategy.
Performance analysis of MPLS based networks with conventional networks

Voice transmission over the internet is the fundamental requirement of every organization. As a result various technologies have been introduced for the reliable transmission of voice over internet. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has emerged as a need for improvement of quality for a voice call. In this paper real time implementations have been performed for the VOIP over MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) network that ensures the quality of services for voice and other traffics as well. On the basis of study and hands on experience we have made certain conclusions and recommendations for a better QoS. The results for these experiments are quiet encouraging for the VOIP in term of Mean Opinion Score, Packet loss, and delay.
Shaping solutions with a community: the research design using design science research (DSR) and case study research with an ICT4D project

This paper describes the research design of a mixed method information and communicat ion technology for development (ICT4D) study using design science research (DSR) and case study research in the pragmatic tradition. The study participants are a group of women working as domestic workers in Johannesburg, South Africa and a selected group of organisations. The organisations are included to gain an understanding of their approach to information inclusivity and to evaluate the resulting artefact. The novelty of this study is the combination of DSR with ICT4D, the use of journals as a self-documentation technique to collect data, followed by a design thinking workshop and interviews. The problem that the study addresses is how should the information needs that are meaningful to women working as domestic workers, be effectively translated through the use of ICT in order to enhance their experience of the good life as defined by Sen’s capability approach (1999) and to contribute to the success and social value of ICT4D projects.
Effects of FTY720 and Rapamycin on Inflammation in Taurocholate-Induced Acute Pancreatitis in the Rat

Objectives This study aimed at T-cell inhibition by immunosuppressants to reduce cell damage and improve the course of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Methods A taurocholate-induced SAP was used and 5 groups were compared: (1) rapamycin + FTY720, (2) rapamycin, (3) FTY720, (4) cortisol, and (5) control: sodium chloride. Drugs were applied intravenously at SAP induction; 6 hours later, rats were killed. Interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor &agr;, platelet-activating factor, amylase, and lipase were measured in serum and myeloperoxidase tissue activity in pancreas, kidney, lung, liver, and spleen. Edema, inflammation, and necrosis were histologically determined in pancreas. CD4/CD8 immunohistochemistry was performed. Results Inflammation was ameliorated in all 4 treated groups. Necrosis development was suppressed by FTY720, FTY720 + rapamycin, and cortisol. IL-6 and IL-10 were significantly lower in these groups. Amylase was higher in all treatment groups compared to the controls except for the cortisol group. Tumor necrosis factor &agr;, lipase, and myeloperoxidase activity were not affected by therapy. CD4+/CD8+ cells were significantly less in FTY720-treated pancreata. Conclusion Rapamycin and FTY720 ameliorated the severity of SAP, which may be due to early suppression of helper T cells. FTY720 reduced the development of pancreatic necrosis. The combination of both immunosuppressants did not show advantage to treatment with FTY720 alone.
Nuclear lamin antigen and messenger RNA expression in bovine in vitro produced and nuclear transfer embryos

The nuclear lamina is a complex meshwork of nuclear lamin filaments that lies on the interface of the nuclear envelope and chromatin and is important for cell maintenance, nucleoskeleton support, chromatin remodeling, and protein recruitment to the inner nucleolus. Protein and mRNA patterns for the major nuclear lamins were investigated in bovine in vitro fertilized (IVF) and nuclear transfer embryos. Expression of lamins A/C and B were examined in IVF bovine germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes, metaphase II oocytes, zygotes, 2‐cell, 8‐cell, 16–32‐cell embryos, morulae, and blastocysts (n = 10). Lamin A/C was detected in 9/10 immature oocytes, 10/10 zygotes, 8/10 2‐cell embryos, 4/10 morulae, 10/10 blastocysts but absent during the maternal embryonic transition. Lamin B was ubiquitously expressed during IVF preimplantation development but was only detected in 4/10 GV oocytes. Messenger RNA expression confirms that the major lamins, A/C and B1 are expressed throughout preimplantation development and transcribed by the embryo proper. Lamin A/C and B expression were observed (15 min, 30 min, 60 min, 120 min) following somatic cell nuclear transfer using adult fibroblasts and at the 2‐cell, 8‐cell, 16–32‐cell, morula and blastocyst stage (n = 5). Altered expression levels and localization of nuclear lamins A/C and B was determined in nuclear transfer embryos during the first 2 hr post fusion, coincidental with only partial nuclear envelope breakdown as well as during the initial cleavage divisions, but was restored by the morula stage. This mechanical and molecular disruption of the nuclear lamina provides key evidence for incomplete nuclear remodeling and reprogramming following somatic cell nuclear transfer. Mol. Reprod. Dev. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
QRD-Based Precoded MIMO-OFDM Systems with Reduced Feedback

A QRD-based preceded MIMO-OFDM system with reduced feedback is proposed. Unlike the conventional preceding schemes in which the receiver has to feed back information about the channel frequency response of each carrier to the transmitter, the proposed system converts the MIMO-OFDM channel into layered channels by effectively exploiting the QR decomposition of the time-domain channel impulse response matrix. As a result, the receiver in the proposed system only needs to feed back information about one preceding matrix, regardless of the total number of carriers. Furthermore, a computationally efficient implementation scheme is devised for the proposed system. Analytical and simulation results show that the proposed scheme can achieve impressive BER performance compared to the conventional schemes, yet with considerably reduced feedback.
University and Entrepreneurship: An Empirical Investigation in the Tunisian Context

Higher education in Tunisia is currently confronted with the explosion of students’ number. This significant growth represents an important challenge to take up: Improving the quality of education and its relevance to the labour market and promote entrepreneurial culture and firm creation. In this context, we investigate the entrepreneurial intentions of final-year university students in the Tunisian economy by applying the theory of planned behavior (TPB). The objectives of the study were to test whether the TPB can help explain the entrepreneurial intentions of university students; to determine whether students will have intentions to start a business and to identify the key determinants of each antecedent of entrepreneurial intention. Data was analyzed by means of the SPSS using descriptive statistics, hierarchical multiple regression analysis and principal components analysis. In line with the TPB, the attitude towards becoming an entrepreneur, perceived behavioural control and subjective norms were statistically significantly associated with entrepreneurial intention. Most of the Tunisian students indicated that they intended to start businesses as soon as they had completed their studies. Furthermore, some key determinants of each antecedent of entrepreneurial intention had been proposed as entrepreneurship educators to the Tunisian authorities to improve entrepreneurship and the creation of firms
Association of SelS mRNA expression in omental adipose tissue with Homa-IR and serum amyloid A in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND Tanis was reported as a putative receptor for serum amyloid A (SAA) involving glucose regulated protein in insulin regulated resistance. It was found to be dysregulated in diabetic rats (Psammomys obesus, Israeli sand rat) and its homologue for humans is SelS/AD-015. The present study analyzed mRNA expression of SelS in omental adipose tissue biopsies from patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and age- and weight-matched nondiabetic patients, the relationship of SelS mRNA with Homa-IR and serum SAA level. METHODS Human omental adipose tissues from ten cases of type 2 diabetic patients and twelve cases of nondiabetic individuals were analyzed for the expression level of SelS mRNA by semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Homa-IR estimated by standard formula and SAA level by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS SelS mRNA expression, Homa-IR and serum SAA were higher in T2DM sufferers than in nondiabetic control group. SelS mRNA level was positively correlated with Homa-IR and SAA level in each group. CONCLUSIONS SelS protein may be involved in insulin resistance in Chinese with T2DM by acting as the SAA receptor, thus playing an important role in the development of T2DM and atherosclerosis.
Twitter as a Tool for Health Research: A Systematic Review

Background Researchers have used traditional databases to study public health for decades. Less is known about the use of social media data sources, such as Twitter, for this purpose. Objectives To systematically review the use of Twitter in health research, define a taxonomy to describe Twitter use, and characterize the current state of Twitter in health research. Search methods We performed a literature search in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and CINAHL through September 2015. Selection criteria We searched for peer-reviewed original research studies that primarily used Twitter for health research. Data collection and analysis Two authors independently screened studies and abstracted data related to the approach to analysis of Twitter data, methodology used to study Twitter, and current state of Twitter research by evaluating time of publication, research topic, discussion of ethical concerns, and study funding source. Main results Of 1110 unique health-related articles mentioning Twitter, 137 met eligibility criteria. The primary approaches for using Twitter in health research that constitute a new taxonomy were content analysis (56%; n = 77), surveillance (26%; n = 36), engagement (14%; n = 19), recruitment (7%; n = 9), intervention (7%; n = 9), and network analysis (4%; n = 5). These studies collectively analyzed more than 5 billion tweets primarily by using the Twitter application program interface. Of 38 potential data features describing tweets and Twitter users, 23 were reported in fewer than 4% of the articles. The Twitter-based studies in this review focused on a small subset of data elements including content analysis, geotags, and language. Most studies were published recently (33% in 2015). Public health (23%; n = 31) and infectious disease (20%; n = 28) were the research fields most commonly represented in the included studies. Approximately one third of the studies mentioned ethical board approval in their articles. Primary funding sources included federal (63%), university (13%), and foundation (6%). Conclusions We identified a new taxonomy to describe Twitter use in health research with 6 categories. Many data elements discernible from a user's Twitter profile, especially demographics, have been underreported in the literature and can provide new opportunities to characterize the users whose data are analyzed in these studies. Twitter-based health research is a growing field funded by a diversity of organizations. Public health implications Future work should develop standardized reporting guidelines for health researchers who use Twitter and policies that address privacy and ethical concerns in social media research.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF HEARING LOSS IN CCMV INFECTED CHILDREN

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is the most common congenital deficit. As non genetic contributions congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV) is the most frequent cause for this disease. In 10% 20% of patients with sensorineural hearing loss intrauterine infection with cytomegalovirus is diagnosed. Hearing impairment due to CMV can be diagnosed at birth; nevertheless 33% 50% is late-onset loss. Infection of the inner ear seems to lead to a potassium dysregulation in the endolymphatic compartment, thus inducing a secondary degeneration of the sensory structures. An early start with intravenous virostatic therapy seems to be able to prevent SNHL in primary asymptomatic children and improve hearing status in infants born with cCMV and hearing impairment.
Genome Sequence of Sinorhizobium meliloti Rm41

ABSTRACT Sinorhizobium meliloti Rm41 nodulates alfalfa plants, forming indeterminate type nodules. It is characterized by a strain-specific K-antigen able to replace exopolysaccharides in promotion of nodule invasion. We present the Rm41 genome, composed of one chromosome, the chromid pSymB, the megaplasmid pSymA, and the nonsymbiotic plasmid pRme41a.
Robust visual voice activity detection using local variance histogram in vehicular environments

In this paper, a Vision based Voice Activity Detection (VVAD) algorithm is proposed using Local Variance Histogram (LVH). In conventional VVAD algorithm, the motion measure such as optical flow and intensity histogram are widely used. However, this approach is unstable under varying illumination and global motion changes which frequently occur in moving vehicular environment. To mitigate this problem, an appropriate framework based on LVH feature is developed. Comparison with two other conventional visual voice activity detectors shows the proposed method to be consistently more accurate and yields a substantial improvement in terms of detection probability and false alarm rate.
Unidentified Listeria‐like bacteria isolated from cheese

Unidentified Listeria‐like bacteria, which lack only one of the phenotypic characteristics used to confirm Listeria spp. , were isolated from cheese during routine analysis for Listeria monocytogenes. The VIDAS Listeria assay and the Listeria specific PCR or DNA probe assays used did not identify these strains as Listeria species. This group of bacteria was studied for its homogeneity using rep‐PCR and PFGE. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene showed a homology of 94% to established Listeria spp. , implicating a closer relationship than that between Listeria spp. and Brochothrix spp.
Relationship of laryngeal dimensions to body size and gestational age in premature neonates and small infants

The larynges of 27 infants weighing between 250 gm and 9160 gm were studied. Twenty‐two neonates were from 24 to 40 weeks' gestational age. Five subjects died more than 6 weeks post partum but were included because of their small size. Relationships of larynx size to the standard clinical measurements of crown‐heel length, crown‐rump length, head circumference, and gestational age were developed. Cartilage size relationships to these measurements were found to be linear. Glottic length related linearly to crown‐rump length but related in a curvilinear way to crown‐heel length, head circumference, and gestational age. A guide to the choice of endotracheal tube sizes for small infants is suggested.
A cre-transgenic mouse strain for the ubiquitous deletion of loxP-flanked gene segments including deletion in germ cells.

The gene targeting approach to study gene function in mice has been recently refined using the bacteriophage P1 Cre-loxP recombination system. Cre recombinase catalyses site-specific DNA recombination between 34 bp recognition (loxP) sites (1,2). If two loxP sites are introduced in the same orientation into a genomic locus, expression of Cre results in the deletion of the loxP-flanked DNA sequence. Cre-mediated recombination can be applied to various types of gene manipulation in embryonic stem (ES) cells including the removal of a selectable marker gene accompanied by the introduction of subtle mutations (3), gene replacement (4) and the deletion of large genomic regions to inactivate genes or gene clusters (5). However, Cre-mediated gene manipulation requires transient transfection of the mutant, loxP-containing ES cells with a vector encoding Cre recombinase and an additional round of selection to screen for ES cell clones carrying the desired deletion. This additional manipulation of the cells in culture is unpleasing since it might affect the capacity of ES cells to contribute to the generation of germ cells in chimeric mice, which is a serious problem in gene targeting technology. The Cre-loxP recombination system has also been used to manipulate genes in a cell type-specific (6-8) or inducible (9) manner. If two loxP sites are introduced into the genome such that they are flanking an essential part of a target gene without affecting
Elevated Growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATH1 Null Mutants on Glucose Is an Artifact of Nonmatching Auxotrophies of Mutant and Reference Strains

ABSTRACT Yeast strains disrupted for ATH1, which encodes vacuolar acid trehalase, have been reported to grow to higher cell densities than reference strains. We showed that the increase in cell density is due to the URA3 gene introduced as a part of the disruption and concluded that the misinterpretation is a result of not using a control strain with matching auxotrophic markers.