Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Capacitively center-loaded transmission lines for compact E-band 90° couplers

A compact 80-GHz band (81–86 GHz) 90° coupler using capacitively center-loaded microstrip transmission lines is proposed. The coupler is implemented in a 0.15 µm GaAs pHEMT technology and has longitudinal and transverse arms of the same characteristic impedances of 50-Ω to reduce the effect of manufacturing tolerance and to facilitate the layout. The experimental results demonstrated a phase difference close to 87o and an amplitude imbalance of less than 1 dB over the entire frequency band of interest (81–86 GHz). The measured return loss is less than −11 dB and the isolation is better than 15 dB. The proposed coupler is well suited for low-cost, high performance, ultra high data rate transceivers for E-band wireless communication systems.
When Worlds Collide: Information Sharing for the Security and Anti-virus Communities

Current trends towards anti-malware software, designed to provide protection from network-aware Trojans, viruses and various forms of malicious active content are bringing the mainstream anti-virus world closer to the more general information security world. At the same time, as information security researchers and professionals begin to investigate the various types of threats posed by active content, we are observing a significant increase in the overlap in areas of influence and interest. While this cross-pollination provides an exciting new source for ideas and innovation, it also poses some novel challenges in terms of differences in mindsets and skill sets. For various reasons, researchers may not be aware of some of these differences. One of the most critical differences, and one that must be rationalized for a successful integration of the two worlds, concerns Information Sharing. In this paper, issues related to diametrically opposed positions regarding information sharing are examined; the reasons why each of these positions has evolved are discussed. Dangers of ignoring the current conflicts are considered, and proposed research that would facilitate the assimilation of the two current paradigms possible is provided. As the worlds of “anti-virus” and “computer security” collide, finding a way for the two groups to work together effectively is paramount if both are to work together toward the common goal of protecting the user.
A Model-based Approach for Human Motion Reconstruction from Monocular Images

In this paper, a model-based method is presented for human posture reconstruction and animation from un-calibrated monocular images that contain unrestricted human motions. A 3D skeleton human model is employed with encoded biomechanical constraints, and the model can be adjusted according to the 2D information of the extracted feature points. Energy Function is defined to represent the deviations between projection features and image features. Reconstruction and animation procedures are developed to translate or rotate joints and segments of the human model into their proper 3D positions with the help of Local Adjustment and Global Adjustment. This approach is a try to bridge the gap between computer vision and computer animation in human motion study.
Implications of mate search, mate choice and divorce rate for population dynamics of sexually reproducing species

In this paper we examine how the process of mate search, degree of mate choice and degree of mate fidelity may interact to affect long-term population dynamics of sexually reproducing species. In particular, we address the following questions: are degree of mate choice and degree of mate fidelity correlated? How does mate search shape this relationship? How does longevity affect mating behaviour? To resolve these questions, we develop a spatially explicit, individual-based model of a sexually reproducing population with single (i.e. unpaired) males, single females, and pairs as focal individuals. Both this model and its non-spatial approximation give rise to the Allee effect due to lack of mating possibilities, and sufficiently small/sparse populations always go extinct. We quantify combinations of mate choice and divorce rate under which populations persist or go extinct even from high sizes. We thus show that there exist ecological constraints for possible (co)evolution of mate choice and pair maintenance behaviour. Our models also suggest that colonial species with active mate search strategy survive at higher divorce rates than less colonial animals that search for their mates randomly, and that long-lived species sustain at higher degrees of mate choice and lower degrees of mate fidelity compared to the short-lived ones. Connection of these findings to other theoretical results and some empirical observations is discussed.
An Empirical Study of the Impact of Multinational Corporations' Use of Foreign Exchange Derivatives on Corporate Value Mediating-Role of Agency Cost

Based on the perspective that hedging can reduce agency costs, this paper uses stata12 to empirically analyze the relationship between multinational companies whose overseas export revenue accounts for 10% of total operating income (Jorion, 1990; He & Ng, 1998) using foreign exchange derivatives to company value, collecting 2017 financial data from Shenzhen Stock Exchange and the Shanghai Stock Exchange A-share listed company. It turns out that multinational companies using foreign exchange derivatives can improve agency efficiency, reduce agency costs, and increase company value.
Muscarinic Autoreceptors of Torpedo Electric Organ Are of the M1 Subtype: Evidence by Radioligand Binding Using Selective Antagonists

Abstract: The presynaptic muscarinic autoreceptor of Torpedo marmorata electric organ has been characterised by radioligand binding studies using the subtype‐selective antagonists pirenzepine, (+)‐telenzepine, methoctramine, and AF‐DX 116. The presynaptic receptor had relatively high affinity for the M1 antagonists pirenzepine and (+)‐telenzepine (Ki= 35 and 7 nM, respectively) and lower affinities for the M2 antagonists AF‐DX 116 and methoctramine (Ki= 311 and 277 nM, respectively). Comparison of these binding data with those from an M2 receptor (rat heart membranes) assayed under identical conditions and with data in the recent literature suggests that the Torpedo muscarinic autoreceptor has a pharmacology most similar to the M1 pharmacological subtype of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor.
Isolationist versus Integrationist: An Indian Perspective on High-Performance Work Practices

Abstract Integrationist favours the idea that human resource (HR) practices have synergic effect when implemented in a complementary and coherent manner. While an isolationist perspective favours that the HR practices have an independent effect on organizational performance. In the integrationist approach, HR practices are supposed to have complementary characteristics. When these complementary work practices are institutionalized in a consistent manner, they result in enhanced efficiency and effectiveness. On an altogether different paradigm, the isolationist approach states that individual Human Resource Management (HRM) practices have distinctive and autonomous properties. The present study is a sincere effort to answer the debate between isolationist and integrationist through exploration of ‘high-performance work practices’ (HPWPs) in the Indian financial sector. A model of HPWPs is developed with the help of explorative and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). As many as nine factors comprising of twenty-seven HPWPs are reported to be a part of the model of HPWPs. The study concludes that as the usage of HPWPs increases, job satisfaction, commitment and employee well-being also increases and thereby the article concludes in favour of the integrationist approach of HRM.
Personal factors as antecedents of perceived financial well-being: evidence from Brazil

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of consumer spending self-control (CSSC), personal saving orientation (PSO), materialism, financial knowledge (FK) and time perspective (TP) on Brazilian consumers’ perceived financial well-being. Design/methodology/approach A conceptual framework is provided to support the research hypotheses. A survey with 1,027 respondents allowed the research hypotheses to be tested by means of regression-based models. Findings The findings show that the two dimensions of financial well-being – current money management stress and future financial security – are predicted by CSSC, materialism and TP; PSO also predicts future financial security. TP moderates the effect of materialism on current money management stress, and CSSC mediates this relationship. Research limitations/implications The role of FK in predicting financial well-being is weakened in the presence of the psychological variables investigated, which has important implications for financial education efforts. The use of survey data alone limits the research findings, as the advocated causal relationships are based solely on theory; gathering experimental data to further support the findings is a possibility for future research. Practical implications Banks and other financial institutions can create tools to stimulate control of their customers’ day-to-day spending and try to show assertive projections to evidence the impact of their present actions on their financial future, enhancing personal awareness and promoting overall well-being. Originality/value The authors advance knowledge on the antecedents of financial well-being and offer two explanations involving moderating and mediating relationships that enhance the understanding of the individual differences that shape current money management stress.
Sinusoidal (Basolateral) Bile Salt Uptake Systems of Hepatocytes

Sinusoidal (basolateral) bile sale uptake is mediated by Na(+)-dependent and Na(+)-independent transport systems. Two hepatocellular bile salt uptake systems have been cloned from rat and human livers. The Na(+)-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptides Ntcp and NTCP mediate strictly Na(+)-dependent bile salt uptake into rat and human hepatocytes, respectively. Extensive characterization of Ntcp expression and function in a variety of eukaryotic cell lines, cultured hepatocytes, and intact rat liver indicates that Ntcp can account for most, if not all, Na(+)-dependent bile salt transport functions in rat liver. Whether the same is also true for the human NTCP is less well understood. The Na(+)-independent organic anion transporting polypeptides oatpl (rat) and OATP (human) exhibit a wide and charge-independent substrate specificity. Their transported substrates include sulfobromophthalein, bile salts, estrone-3-sulfates, ouabain, and other neutral steroids, as well as certain amphipathic organic cations. Its broad and charge-independent substrate specificity indicates that oatpl represents the previously suggested hepatocellular "multispecific bile salt transporter. ". Oatpl and OATP are also expressed in the kidney and brain. Whether there are additional oatpl- and OATP-related proteins involved in overall hepatic drug and steroid clearance remains to be determined.
Guidance for Removal of Fetal Bovine Serum from Cryopreserved Heart Valve Processing

Bovine serum is commonly used in cryopreservation of allogeneic heart valves; however, bovine serum carries a risk of product adulteration by contamination with bovine-derived infectious agents. In this study, we compared fresh and cryopreserved porcine valves that were processed by 1 of 4 cryopreservation formulations, 3 of which were serum-free and 1 that utilized bovine serum with 1.4 M dimethylsulfoxide. In the first serum-free group, bovine serum was simply removed from the cryopreservation formulation. The second serum-free formulation had a higher cryoprotectant concentration, i.e. 2 M dimethylsulfoxide, in combination with a serum-free solution. A colloid, dextran 40, was added to the third serum-free group with 2 M dimethylsulfoxide due to theoretical concerns that removal of serum might increase the incidence of tissue cracking. Upon rewarming, the valves were inspected and subjected to a battery of tests. Gross pathology revealed conduit cracking in 1 of 98 frozen heart valves. Viability data for the cryopreserved groups versus the fresh group demonstrated a loss of viability in half of the comparisons (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between any of the cryopreserved groups, with or without bovine serum. Neither routine histology, autofluorescence-based multiphoton imaging nor semiquantitative second-harmonic generation microscopy of extracellular matrix components revealed any statistically significant differences. Biomechanics analyses also revealed no significant differences. Our results demonstrate that bovine serum can be safely removed from heart valve processing and that a colloid to prevent cracking was not required. This study provides guidance for the assessment of changes in cryopreservation procedures for tissues.
Heart rate and blood lactate concentration of male road-race motorcyclists

Abstract Although motorcycling performance strongly depends on the characteristics of the motorcycles and capabilities of the riders, little information is available on the physiological profiles of riders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical load of official international men's road-race motorcycling competitions. Data were obtained from 34 male riders during the 2005 European Road-Race Motorcycling Championship (categories classified by size of engine: 125 GP, 250 GP, and 600 cc) during free practices, qualifying sessions, and official races. Participants' heart rates were recorded and blood lactate concentrations determined. During races, heart rates were most often above 90% of maximum heart rate (frequency of occurrence: 125 GP = 92.9%, s = 5.3; 250 GP = 93.6%, s = 7.3; 600 cc = 93.2%, s = 10.2). The heart rate distribution during riding showed main effects between phases of competition, engine sizes, and different portions of the race (P < 0.001). No difference was observed between riders on and not on the podium at the end of the race. Peak blood lactate concentrations after the qualifying sessions (5.2 mmol · l−1, s = 1.2) and official races (6.0 mmol · l−1, s = 2.1) were higher (P < 0.001) than at baseline. The present results show that road-race motorcycling imposes a high load on the riders, who should possess adequate fitness to maintain high-speed rides and minimize the effects of fatigue during competition.
Time Course of Tumor SUV in 18F-FDG PET of Breast Cancer: Presentation of a Simple Model Using a Single Reference Point for Time Corrections of Tumor SUVs

Tumor standardized uptake values (SUVs) vary with the interval between 18F-FDG injection and image acquisition. This paper presents a simple method using a single reference point to make appropriate time corrections for tumor SUVs. Methods: The reference point method was algebraically deduced from observations made by Beaulieu et al., who found that tumor SUVs behaved linearly over time (∼30 to 75 min after 18F-FDG injection). Eighteen patients with breast cancer were dynamically examined with PET/CT (∼60 and 80 min after 18F-FDG injection). Maximum SUV was calculated by applying 2 different iterative reconstruction methods (high-definition reconstruction and attenuation-weighted ordered-subsets expectation maximization). Reference points for time corrections were given, and errors for corrections obtained with the reference point method were calculated. Results: Variations in the reconstruction algorithm strongly influenced the coordinates of the reference point. Time corrections using the reference point method were more accurate at higher tumor SUVs (>8 at high-definition reconstruction and >6 at attenuation-weighted ordered-subsets expectation maximization) than at lower ones. Conclusion: A common origin of tumor SUVs over time exists in breast cancer. In combination with the linear behavior of tumor SUVs between approximately 30 and 80 min, such a reference point allows for straightforward time corrections of tumor SUVs. Parameters for image reconstruction must be considered because they influence the coordinates of the reference point.
Advanced metering the signal activity of combined signal in sparse data condition

The performance of finding the upper bound of eigenvalues (UBE) is affected by the quality of correlation matrix estimation. In this paper, a new quantile-based maximum likelihood mean estimator is proposed to improve the mean estimation on sparse data condition so as to obtain a more reliable correlation matrix estimate from observed samples. This in turn improves the UBE finding. The study is specially focused on the quasi-normal signal of combined quantities with asymptotic window-shape distribution and fast-decaying short tail. Experimental results show that the new mean estimator outperforms the conventional sample mean estimator on mean estimation. The UBE finding is also improved accordingly.
[Evaluation of neutrophile elastase and isoprostane 8epiPGF2alpha concentrations in maternal and umbilical cord blood serum and in amniotic fluid in pregnancies complicated by premature rupture of membranes].

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the total isoprostane 8-epi-PGF2alpha and neutrophil elastase (NE) concentrations in pregnancies complicated by premature rupture of membranes (PROM). MATERIAL AND METHODS 128 pregnant women were divided into four groups: pregnancies complicated by PROM between 24. -36. (PPBP-N) and between 38 a 41 weeks of gestation (PPBP-D), uncomplicated pregnancies between 24-36 gestation weeks (K1) and pregnancies delivered by cesarean section (before uterine contractions had started) after 38 weeks (K2). The concentrations of NE and isoprostane 8-epi-PGF2alpha were measured in maternal serum, cord blood serum and in the amniotic fluid. RESULTS The following study revealed higher concentrations of NE in maternal serum and in the amniotic fluid than in the umbilical cord blood in PROM cases, and lower amniotic fluid than maternal serum concentrations in the control groups. Also, the levels of isoprostane differentiated between compartments in particular groups. In both groups complicated with PROM, higher maternal serum and amniotic fluid NE concentrations than in controls were found. There were no differences in isoprostane levels between the groups. CONCLUSIONS 1. Higher concentrations of NE in maternal blood serum and in the amniotic fluid than in the umbilical cord blood in PROM cases, as well as lower amniotic fluid than maternal serum concentrations in the controls, may be connected with pathogenesis of PROM. 2. Differentiated maternal serum, cord serum and amniotic fluid isoprostane concentrations may suggest various intensity of oxidative stress in particular compartments. 3. Lack of differences in maternal serum, cord serum and amniotic fluid isoprostane concentrations may suggest similar intensity of oxidative stress in cases with PROM and intact membranes.
The measurement of cash flow on arabica coffee farmers

This study aims at determining the measurement of cash flows from farming and the amount of income of Arabica coffee farmers’ households in the study area. The determination of the area was carried out purposively from the population of Arabica coffee farmers who were 392 people and the sample was 40 people. Primary data collection was collected through making use of observation, questionnaire, and interview. The results show that: The average cash farm receipts for farming is IDR. 2.347. 450, while the average farm net cash flow farming is IDR. 1.822. 610. The average farm cash surplus is IDR. 2,556,900 and the average household net cash income is IDR. 2,480,044.
Mécanismes d'endommagement, émission acoustique et durées de vie en fatigue statique du composite SiCf/[Si-B-C] aux températures intermédiaires (<800 °C)

Le composite SiCf/[Si-B-C], a fibres en carbure de silicium et a matrice auto-cicatrisante, a ete developpe par Snecma Propulsion Solide pour etre utilise a haute temperature et en milieux corrosifs. Actuellement, les applications visees dans le domaine de l’aeronautique civile requierent des durees de vie de l’ordre de 20 000 h, ce qui depasse les durees d’experimentation envisageables. De nouvelles methodes sont donc necessaires pour faire des previsions de durees de vie de ces materiaux et valider leur utilisation sur le long terme. Ce travail vise a determiner quels sont les mecanismes d’endommagement controlant la duree de vie du composite aux temperatures intermediaires (<800°C), et a mesurer les cinetiques de ces mecanismes pendant les essais de fatigue statique. Pour cela, la technique de l’emission acoustique (EA) a ete utilisee. Une procedure de classification des signaux d’EA a ete developpee, de maniere a differencier les signaux provenant de differents mecanismes (fissuration matricielle, decohesion interfaciale, ruptures de fibres). Cette methodologie a ete mise au point sur des materiaux modeles de plus en plus complexes : meches de fibres, minicomposites, monostrates. Elle a ensuite ete utilisee et validee pour le materiau composited’architecture industrielle sollicite a temperature ambiante. Des essais de fatigue statique ont ensuite ete realises entre 450°C et 750°C dans le but de determiner des durees de vie courtes (< 1000 h), de tracer un diagramme de durees de vie et d’analyser le processus de degradation a chaud. Plusieurs indicateurs de l’endommagement ont ete enregistres en temps reel : la deformation, le module d’elasticite (mesure a partir des boucles d’hysteresis des cycles de charge-decharge), le nombre de signaux d’EA enregistres. Un critere simple base sur l’activite acoustique a ete mis en evidence, il permet de detecter environ la demi-vie d’une eprouvette en cours de sollicitation de fatigue statique. Ce critere pourrait permettre d’interrompre les essais avant la rupture tout en ayant une bonne estimation de la duree de vie restante de l’eprouvette. Cela est particulierement interessant dans le cas des essais de longue duree (< 5000 h), qui sont tres couteux mais necessaires pour faire des previsions de durees de vie tres longues (20 000 h). La classification des donnees d’EA permet d’isoler les signaux provenant des ruptures de fibres, et donc de mesurer la cinetique de ces ruptures. La duree de vie etant controlee par la degradation du renfort fibreux, cela ouvre des perspectives tres interessantes pour une modelisation de la degradation du composite et de nouvelles methodes de prevision de durees de vie.
Approches hybrides pour les problèmes multiobjectifs

Cette these porte sur la resolution des problemes d'optimisation multiobjectifs. Les contributions apportees sont de trois types : premierement, nous developpons pour le probleme du sac a dos multidimensionnel multiobjectif des algorithmes ori-ginaux fondes sur la recherche Tabou ou evolutionnaire integrant une gestion efficace de la diversite. Nous mettons ainsi en evidence l'importance de la diversite pour ce probleme. Deuxiemement, nous developpons pour les problemes multiobjectifs conti-nus sous contraintes une methode originale fondee sur une representation par inter-valles, des methodes de propagation de contraintes, des algorithmes de recherche locale et des concepts evolutionnaires. Notre methode est capable de fournir a la fois des bornes et des solutions approchees du front Pareto. Enfin, nous generalisons notre approche pour etablir un modele de calcul formel qui pourra etre le noyau d'une famille d'algorithmes du meme schema.