Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analytical Bounds on the Area Spectral Efficiency of Uplink Heterogeneous Networks Over Generalized Fading Channels

Heterogeneous networks (HetNets) are envisioned to enable next-generation cellular networks by providing higher spectral and energy efficiency. A HetNet is typically composed of multiple radio access technologies where several low-power low-cost operators or user-deployed small-cell base stations (SBSs) complement the macrocell network. In this paper, we consider a two-tier HetNet where the SBSs are arranged around the edge of the reference macrocell such that the resultant configuration is referred to as cell-on-edge (COE). Each mobile user in a small cell is considered capable of adapting its uplink transmit power according to a location-based slow power control mechanism. The COE configuration is observed to increase the uplink area spectral efficiency (ASE) and energy efficiency while reducing the cochannel interference power. A moment-generating-function (MGF)-based approach has been exploited to derive the analytical bounds on the uplink ASE of the COE configuration. The derived expressions are generalized for any composite fading distribution, and closed-form expressions are presented for the generalized-K fading channels. Simulation results are included to support the analysis and to show the efficacy of the COE configuration. A comparative performance analysis is also provided to demonstrate the improvements in the performance of cell-edge users of the COE configuration compared with that of macro-only networks (MoNets) and other unplanned deployment strategies.
Are mobile phones replacing the use of public phones in Africa

Purpose – This paper aims to examine whether mobiles are replacing the use of public access telephones (mobile or fixed) in Africa.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses data from nationally representative household surveys from 17 African countries to explain public phone usage.Findings – Mobile use is often in conjunction with public phone use for some sections of the population. At lower levels of income, increases in income are associated with a higher likelihood of payphone use due to income related barriers such as the inability to afford a mobile handset and the minimum recharge amounts for mobile minutes. At higher levels of income use of public phones tends to decline, while high‐income users do not use public phones at all. The latter is in keeping with the expectation of a gradual switch to mobile use with rising incomes.Practical implications – The main policy recommendation that follows from the study is the need to ensure that public pay phones continue to exist as a communication safe.
Phosphorothioate Di- and Trinucleotides as a Novel Class of Anti-Hepatitis B Virus Agents

ABSTRACT Several nucleoside analogs are under clinical development for use against hepatitis B virus (HBV). Lamivudine (3TC), a nucleoside analog, and adefovir dipivoxil (ADV), an acyclonucleotide analog, are clinically approved. However, long-term treatment can induce viral resistance, and following the cessation of therapy, viral rebound is frequently observed. There continues to be a need for new antiviral agents with novel mechanisms of action. A library of more than 600 di- and trinucleotide compounds synthesized by parallel synthesis using a combinatorial strategy was screened for potential inhibitors of HBV replication using the chronically HBV-producing cell line 2.2. 15. Through an iterative process of synthesis, lead optimization, and screening, three analogs were identified as potent inhibitors of HBV replication: dinucleotides ORI-7246 (drug concentration at which a 10-fold reduction of HBV DNA was observed [EC90], 1.4 μM) and ORI-9020 (EC90, 1.2 μM) and trinucleotide ORI-7170 (EC90, 7.2 μM). These analogs inhibited the replication of both strands of HBV DNA. No suppression of HBV protein synthesis or intracellular core particle formation by these analogs was observed. No inhibition of HBV DNA strand elongation by the analogs or their 5′-triphosphate versions was apparent in in vitro polymerase assays. Although the exact mechanism of action is not yet identified, present data are consistent with an inhibition of the HBV reverse transcriptase-directed priming step prior to elongation of the first viral DNA strand. In transient-transfection assays, these analogs inhibited the replication of 3TC-resistant HBV. Synergistic interactions in combination treatments between the analogs and either 3TC or ADV were observed. These compounds represent a novel class of anti-HBV molecules and warrant further investigation as potential therapeutic agents.
Differential response to gonadotropins and prostaglandin E2 in ovarian tissue during prenatal and postnatal development in cattle.

In cattle, growing follicles are present in fetal ovaries during the last part of gestation. This study examines the extent of changes in basal and hormone-stimulated adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity in ovaries of the bovine fetus when the first follicles begin to grow. The first growing follicles appeared in fetal ovaries around Day 180 and consisted mainly of primary and secondary follicles; few antral follicles were present before Day 220 of gestation. Basal AC activity in ovarian membranes increased simultaneously with the beginning of follicle growth in the fetus (5.8 +/- 0.9 vs. 9.3 +/- 1.3 pmol cAMP/mg protein/min at 130-180 and 180-210 days of gestation, respectively p less than 0.05). During the same time period, there was a significant increase in both the absolute (16.1 +/- 1.2 to 39.9 +/- 1.4 pmol cAMP/mg protein/min) and the relative (2.8 +/- 0.1 to 4.3 +/- 0.3 times the basal level, p less than 0.05) effects of guanosine triphosphate (GTP). After birth, basal and GTP-stimulated AC activities (pmol cAMP/mg protein/min) increased markedly in ovarian membranes of 1-wk-old calves and then decreased with age; the lowest levels were measured in mature cyclic cows. However, the relative effect of GTP (times the basal level) did not show this age-related variation. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) stimulation of AC in ovarian membranes from fetuses was high even on Day 120 (2.1 +/- 0.3 times the control level). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
An Exact Approach to the Strip-Packing Problem

We consider the problem of orthogonally packing a given set of rectangular items into a given strip, by minimizing the overall height of the packing. The problem is NP-hard in the strong sense, and finds several applications in cutting and packing. We propose a new relaxation that produces good lower bounds and gives information to obtain effective heuristic algorithms. These results are used in a branch-and-bound algorithm, which was able to solve test instances from the literature involving up to 200 items.
Edinburgh Research Explorer Differential gene expression according to race and host plant in the pea aphid

Host-race formation in phytophagous insects is thought to provide the opportunity for local adaptation and subsequent ecological speciation. Studying gene expression differences amongst host races may help to identify phenotypes under (or resulting from) divergent selection and their genetic, molecular and physiological bases. The pea aphid ( Acyrthosiphon pisum ) comprises host races specializing on numerous plants in the Fabaceae and provides a unique system for examining the early stages of diversiﬁ-cation along a gradient of genetic and associated adaptive divergence. In this study, we examine transcriptome-wide gene expression both in response to environment and across pea aphid races selected to cover the range of genetic divergence reported in this species complex. We identify changes in expression in response to host plant, indicating the importance of gene expression in aphid – plant interactions. Races can be distinguished on the basis of gene expression, and higher numbers of differentially expressed genes are apparent between more divergent races; these expression differences between host races may result from genetic drift and reproductive isolation and possibly divergent selection. Expression differences related to plant adaptation include a subset of chemosensory and salivary genes. Genes showing expression changes in response to host plant do not make up a large portion of between-race expression differences, providing conﬁrmation of previous studies’ ﬁndings that genes involved in expression differences between diverging populations or species are not necessarily those showing initial plasticity in the face of environmental change.
Do panel data permit the rescue of the Balassa-Samuelson hypothesis for Latin American countries?

This paper tests empirically the Balassa-Samuelson (BS) hypothesis (i.e. rapid economic growth is accompanied by real exchange rate appreciation because of differential productivity growth between tradable and non-tradable sectors) using annual data for twenty Latin American countries. The paper applies new panel data unit-root tests proposed by Im et al. (Discussion paper, University of Cambridge, June 1997) and new panel data cointegration techniques suggested by Pedroni (Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, 1999) and the results are compared with those obtained with conventional time series unit-roots and cointegration tests. The main finding is that whereas a standard time series approach rejects the Balassa-Samuelson hypothesis for 11 countries out of 20, new panel cointegration techniques permit the rescue of this hypothesis for Latin American countries, as well as for Central American and South American groups of countries considered separately.
Paradise for who? Segmenting visitors' satisfaction with cognitive image and predicting behavioural loyalty

The purpose of this research is to assess the influence of socio-demographic characteristics on destination image and loyalty, thereby offering a segmentation perspective of visitors to the island of Mauritius. A self-administered survey of hotel guests was undertaken and resulted in a sample of 705 respondents. Using a k-means clustering algorithm and discriminant analysis, three clusters of visitors were identified. Different image attributes predict visitors' revisit and recommendation intentions. These findings allow destination marketers to adapt the marketing mix elements to different segments while enabling a destination to emphasize the relevant attributes in promotion and positioning efforts. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Correlates and Consequences of Public Knowledge Concerning Ocean Fisheries Management

Abstract Because everyday citizens and nonexpert stakeholders are either directly or indirectly involved in ocean health restoration plans and engage in activities that may place fisheries at risk, it is important to understand the scope and depth of their policy-relevant knowledge. Using a mail survey of more than 3000 Pacific Northwest U.S. citizens, we investigated levels of coastal and ocean policy-relevant knowledge, information sources associated with higher levels of policy-relevant knowledge, and relationships between knowledge and support for Pacific fisheries restoration. We found that citizens knowledgeable about ocean conditions were most supportive of ocean and coastal protection; that somewhat malleable situational factors are important predictors of knowledge; and that some sources of information are more directly connected to knowledge than others. This study concludes that public knowledge is a critical component of support for ocean and coastal management and that there are effective means for enhancing public knowledge.
New development: risk management—how to regain trust and confidence in government

There is a growing loss of public confidence in governments worldwide, reinforced by the global financial crisis, but also reflecting some disturbing concerns about democracy. This article examines Australia's recent reforms aimed at improving performance and accountability which focus on managing the risks involved in achieving the required outcomes. One risk might be that the electorate is simply not interested—because citizens are not convinced that the government is committed and/or capable of delivering the stated outcomes. The challenge for governments is to involve all interested parties to achieve and maintain credibility in any reforms. The issue is not only what needs to be done, but how to do it. The search for the ‘Holy Grail’ of improved public sector performance and accountability continues.
Unions, Firm Size and Wages*

It is well established in the literature that Australian unions raise their members' wages relative to those of otherwise comparable non-members by some amount in the range 7–15 per cent. However, it is also known that firm size is positively associated with union density and that firm size is positively associated with relative wages independent of unionism. Using a new, large and rich set of data from the Training and Education Survey 1993 we show that the estimated union relative wage effect is largely comprised of bias due to the omission of firm size as a variable in the wage equations usually estimated.
Estimating Poland's Potential Output: A Production Function Approach

The paper develops a methodology based on the production-function approach to estimate potential output of the Polish economy. The paper concentrates on obtaining a robust estimate of the labor input by deriving Poland's natural rate of unemployment. The estimated unemployment gap is found to track well pressures on resource constraints. Moreover, the overall results show that, prior to the recent global financial crisis, Poland's output and employment were both growing above potential. The production function is also used to derive medium-term projections of the output gap. According to our methodology, in the aftermath of the global crisis, Poland is not expected to experience a sizable and persistent negative output gap.
A high-speed current mode sense amplifier for Spin-Torque Transfer Magnetic Random Access Memory

A high-speed current mode sense amplifier for Spin Torque Transfer Magnetic Random Access Memory (STT MRAM) is proposed. The sense amplifier is designed in a 0.18 µm CMOS technology, and 1.8 V supply voltage. The resistance values of high state is 2132 Ω, low state is 1215 Ω, and reference state is 1512 Ω, respectively. The proposed sense amplifier decreases the dropping rate of input bias. In particular, it can reduce the sensing time and the power-delay-product (PDP). In addition, the proposed sense amplifier has higher driving ability.
Experiential Learning of Robotics Fundamentals Based on a Case Study of Robot-Assisted Stereotactic Neurosurgery

Robotics has been playing an important role in modern surgery, especially in procedures that require extreme precision, such as neurosurgery. This paper addresses the challenge of teaching robotics to undergraduate engineering students, through an experiential learning project of robotics fundamentals based on a case study of robot-assisted stereotactic neurosurgery. The project was integrated into the curriculum of a Biomedical Engineering and Electrical and Computer Engineering program, but can also be integrated in related courses. First, students are given a presentation on the planning and execution of a stereotactic neurosurgery procedure, with special attention being paid to the concepts involved, namely spatial transformations, kinematics, and trajectory planning. Students are then taught to use a robotics simulation tool for robot-assisted stereotactic neurosurgery. They are shown how this can be used as a specialized control application, providing direct feedback on the robot's motion in a neurosurgery scenario. They are then required to select a robotic manipulator, and to develop and implement its control code to make it perform as a robot assistant in this surgical procedure. Project efficacy was evaluated through student self-report data (with dedicated anonymous surveys) and through the impact on academic and pedagogical results (by means of statistical inference). The results of the student surveys show that the robotics simulator for stereotactic neurosurgery is well suited to its role as an experiential learning tool since it enhances the understanding and application of several robotics concepts in an appealing manner. The positive impact of the project learning experience is supported by a comparison to earlier years of student grades, pass rates, and feedback from an institutional survey.
Estimating Effective Concentration in Deregulated Wholesale Electricity Markets

To inform debates about deregulation of wholesale markets for electricity, we estimate effective concentration in those markets in the contiguous United States in 1978. Our estimates are based on simulated oligopolistic equilibria, the characteristics of which are derived from a new and comprehensive data base. We find, among other things, that effective concentration is highly dependent on the adequacy of transmission capacity in each area, about which usable data are unavailable, and on the behavior of the existing public enterprises in this industry. Policy implications of our findings are discussed.
Effects of Electromagnetic Fields on Proteoglycan Metabolism of Bovine Articular Cartilage Explants

Electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure has been proposed for the treatment of osteoarthritis. In this study, we investigated the effects of EMF (75 Hz, 2,3 mT) on proteoglycan (PG) metabolism of bovine articular cartilage explants cultured in vitro, both under basal conditions and in the presence of interleukin-1 g (IL-1 g ) in the culture medium. Proteoglycan synthesis and the residual PG tissue content resulted significantly higher in EMF-exposed explants than in controls, whereas no effect was observed on PG release and nitric oxide (NO) production. IL-1 g induced both a reduction in PG synthesis and an increase in PG release, related to a strong stimulation of NO production, which resulted in a net loss of tissue PG content. In IL-1 g -treated explants, EMF increased PG synthesis, whereas in spite of a slight stimulation of NO production EMF did not modify PG release. This resulted in the residual PG tissue content being maintained at the control level. In both experimental conditions, the effects of EMF were associated with an increase in lactate production. The results of our study show that EMFs are able to promote anabolic activities and PG synthesis in bovine articular cartilage explants. This effect also is maintained in the presence of IL-1 g , thus counteracting the catabolic activity of the cytokine. Altogether, these data suggest that EMF exposure exerts a chondroprotective effect on articular cartilage in vitro.
De novo assembly, gene annotation, and simple sequence repeat marker development using Illumina paired-end transcriptome sequences in the pearl oyster Pinctada maxima

We analyzed the mantle transcriptome of pearl oyster Pinctada maxima and developed EST–SSR markers using Illumina HiSeq 2000 paired-end sequencing technology. A total of 49,500,748 raw reads were generated. De novo assembly generated 108,704 unigenes with an average length of 407 bp. Sequence similarity search with known proteins or nucleotides revealed that 30,200 (27.78%) and 25,824 (23.76%) consensus sequences were homologous with the sequences in the non-redundant protein and Swiss–Prot databases, respectively, and that 19,701 (18.12%) of these unigenes were possibly involved in approximately 234 known signaling pathways in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database. Ninety one biomineralization-related unigenes were detected. In a cultured stock, 1764 simple sequence repeats were identified and 56 primer pairs were randomly selected and tested. The rate of successful amplification was 68.3%. The developed molecular markers are helpful for further studies on genetic linkage analysis, gene localization, and quantitative trait loci mapping. Graphical Abstract We described the transcriptome of mantle transcriptome of pearl oyster Pinctada maxima and developed EST-SSR markers.
The CAPM vs. The Fama and French Three-Factor Pricing Model: A Comparison Using Value Line Investment Survey

The CAPM and Fama and French (FF) three-factor pricing model are subjected to a series of tests using out of sample data, free from many of the biases present in typical testing. Data is collected from the Value Line Investment Survey allowing for survivorship and look-ahead biases to be eliminated. Further, it is argued that simple portfolio selection rules and the use of data from a source commonly consulted by investors minimizes data snooping concerns. Stronger support is found for the CAPM than that reported by FF (1992, 1996). Size and book-to-market equity (B/M) are insignificant in cross-sectional regressions, and Gibbons, Ross, and Shanken (1989) F-tests cannot reject the appropriateness of the CAPM when stocks are sorted into size and B/M portfolios. Beta, on the other hand, emerges as a powerful anomaly. Neither the CAPM nor the FF model can explain the high (low) returns on low (high) beta portfolios.
Effect of brivaracetam on CYP3A activity, measured by oral midazolam

Brivaracetam is a synaptic vesicle protein 2A ligand in phase III development for epilepsy. A phase I, open‐label, randomized study was conducted in 42 healthy male participants to assess the effect of brivaracetam on CYP3A activity using midazolam as a probe. Participants were randomized to oral brivaracetam 5, 50, or 150 mg/day from Day 8 to Day 14. A single oral dose (7.5 mg) of midazolam was administered on Days 1, 13, and 20, and full pharmacokinetic profiles were obtained. For all brivaracetam doses, the areas under the plasma concentration‐time curves from 0 to infinity (AUCinf) for midazolam and 1′‐hydroxymidazolam were similar on Days 13 and 20 compared with Day 1. Following brivaracetam 150 mg/day, the Day 13/Day 1 AUCinf ratio (90% confidence interval) was 1.09 (0.97, 1.21) and 1.04 (0.93, 1.17) for midazolam and 1′‐hydroxymidazolam, respectively. For the Day 20/Day 1 comparison, the corresponding AUCinf ratios were 1.10 (0.98, 1.23) and 1.07 (0.97, 1.18). Maximum midazolam plasma concentration was increased on both Day 13 and Day 20 vs. Day 1 but the relevance of this finding was unclear. This study indicates that brivaracetam up to 150 mg/day has no significant inducing or inhibiting effect on CYP3A activity.
Nucleotide sequence of the promoter and fadB gene of the fadBA operon and primary structure of the multifunctional fatty acid oxidation protein from Escherichia coli.

The primary structure of a multifunctional protein, the large alpha-subunit of the Escherichia coli fatty acid oxidation complex, was determined by sequencing the fadB region of the fadBA operon. The amino-terminal sequence of this protein had been established by Edman degradation. The transcription start site of the fadBA operon was located 42 nucleotides upstream of the initiator codon of the fadB gene by primer extension analysis. Sequences of -10 and -35 regions of the promoter responsible for interaction with RNA polymerase were found to be CACACT and TTTGCA, respectively. The location of the promoter of the fadBA operon was defined, and the transcription direction of this operon, from fadB to fadA, as previously proposed [Yang, S. -Y. , et al. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 10424-10429], was corroborated. The multifunctional protein is composed of 729 amino acid residues and has a calculated Mr of 79,593. A putative NAD-binding beta alpha beta-fold necessary for L-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase function was found in the central region of the fadB gene product. Sequence analyses suggest that the functional domains of the multifunctional protein are arranged in the order enoyl-CoA hydratase:L-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase: delta 3-cis-delta 2-trans-enoyl-CoA isomerase and suggest that the genes of the E. coli multifunctional protein and rat peroxisomal trifunctional beta-oxidation enzyme evolved from a common ancestral gene.