Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Enhanced Intercell Interference Coordination for Realistic Networks

Enhanced intercell interference coordination (eICIC) is a key ingredient in boosting the performance of cochannel heterogeneous networks. eICIC encompasses two main techniques: almost blank subframes (ABS), during which the macrocell remains silent to reduce the interference; and biased user association to offload more users to the picocells. However, its application to realistic irregular deployments raises a number of research questions. In this paper, we investigate the operation of eICIC in a realistic deployment based on 3-D data from a dense urban European capital area. Rather than the classical semistatic and network-wise configuration, the importance of having highly dynamic and distributed mechanisms that are able to adapt to local environment conditions is revealed. We propose two promising cell association algorithms: one aiming at pure load balancing and an opportunistic approach exploiting the varying cell conditions. Moreover, an autonomous fast distributed muting algorithm is presented, which is simple, robust, and well suited for irregular network deployments. Performance results for realistic network deployments show that the traditional semistatic eICIC configuration leads to modest gains, whereas the set of proposed fast dynamic eICIC algorithms results in capacity gains on the order of 35%-120%, depending on the local environment characteristics. These attractive gains, together with the simplicity of the proposed solutions, underline the practical relevance of such schemes.
The Determinants of Norwegians' Summer Tourism Expenditure: Foreign and Domestic Trips

Statistical modelling of the variation in micro-level tourism expenditure is an ever-expanding topic of study. The present paper adds to this research by examining how and why foreign and domestic summer vacation trips incur cross-sectional differences in total trip expenditure for Norwegian households in the period 2009 to 2012. The paper also highlights how a number of other regressors explain variation in such expenditure. The main finding is that, in gross or unadjusted terms, Norwegian households spend more than three times as much on foreign summer trips as they do on domestic trips (that is, 225% more). In net or ceteris paribus terms, the analogue difference is 48%. Two important, but only partial explanations for the gross difference in total trip expenditure between foreign and domestic trips are choice of type of lodging and choice of transportation mode. Length of stay, purpose of trip, advance booking, frequency of vacation trips, age, income and gender all affect total trip expenditure. Whether the trip is foreign or domestic moderates the effects of some of the other regressors on total trip expenditure. Implications for future research are offered.
Baseline serum TARC levels predict therapy outcome in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) has become one of the best curable cancers. However, better biomarkers are needed for outcome prediction that would allow protecting patients from over‐ or under‐dosing of treatment. Thymus and activation‐regulated chemokine/CCL17 (TARC) is highly and specifically elevated in this disease and has been proposed as possible biomarker in HL patients. In this study, we show that pretreatment TARC levels were associated with established clinical risk factors and predictive for response to treatment in a large cohort of HL patients treated in clinical trials by the German Hodgkin Study Group. Moreover, TARC levels also significantly contributed to a novel multivariate model predicting treatment response. These data clearly suggest an important role for this chemokine as biomarker in HL. Am. J. Hematol. 88:113–115, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dynamic Interaction of the Sec Translocon with the Chaperone PpiD*

Background: The Sec translocon is a universally conserved protein transport channel that interacts with many auxiliary proteins. Results: PpiD binds to the lateral gate of SecY and is detached by nascent membrane proteins but not by SecA. Conclusion: PpiD is a novel transient subunit of the Sec translocon. Significance: This is the first description of a direct SecY-chaperone interaction. The Sec translocon constitutes a ubiquitous protein transport channel that consists in bacteria of the three core components: SecY, SecE, and SecG. Additional proteins interact with SecYEG during different stages of protein transport. During targeting, SecYEG interacts with SecA, the SRP receptor, or the ribosome. Protein transport into or across the membrane is then facilitated by the interaction of SecYEG with YidC and the SecDFYajC complex. During protein transport, SecYEG is likely to interact also with the protein quality control machinery, but details about this interaction are missing. By in vivo and in vitro site-directed cross-linking, we show here that the periplasmic chaperone PpiD is located in front of the lateral gate of SecY, through which transmembrane domains exit the SecY channel. The strongest contacts were found to helix 2b of SecY. Blue native PAGE analyses verify the presence of a SecYEG-PpiD complex in native Escherichia coli membranes. The PpiD-SecY interaction was not influenced by the addition of SecA and only weakly influenced by binding of nontranslating ribosomes to SecYEG. In contrast, PpiD lost contact to the lateral gate of SecY during membrane protein insertion. These data identify PpiD as an additional and transient subunit of the bacterial SecYEG translocon. The data furthermore demonstrate the highly modular and versatile composition of the Sec translocon, which is probably essential for its ability to transport a wide range of substrates across membranes in bacteria and eukaryotes.
Dual hindlimb control elements in the Tbx4 gene and region-specific control of bone size in vertebrate limbs

The Tbx4 transcription factor is crucial for normal hindlimb and vascular development, yet little is known about how its highly conserved expression patterns are generated. We have used comparative genomics and functional scanning in transgenic mice to identify a dispersed group of enhancers controlling Tbx4 expression in different tissues. Two independent enhancers control hindlimb expression, one located upstream and one downstream of the Tbx4 coding exons. These two enhancers, hindlimb enhancer A and hindlimb enhancer B (HLEA and HLEB), differ in their primary sequence, in their precise patterns of activity within the hindlimb, and in their degree of sequence conservation across animals. HLEB is highly conserved from fish to mammals. Although Tbx4 expression and hindlimb development occur at different axial levels in fish and mammals, HLEB cloned from either fish or mouse is capable of driving expression at the appropriate position of hindlimb development in mouse embryos. HLEA is highly conserved only in mammals. Deletion of HLEA from the endogenous mouse locus reduces expression of Tbx4 in the hindlimb during embryogenesis, bypasses the embryonic lethality of Tbx4-null mutations, and produces viable, fertile mice with characteristic changes in the size of bones in the hindlimb but not the forelimb. We speculate that dual hindlimb enhancers provide a flexible genomic mechanism for altering the strength and location of Tbx4 expression during normal development, making it possible to separately modify the size of forelimb and hindlimb bones during vertebrate evolution.
Staff Academic Job Behavior in Malaysian Public University

The purpose of this study is to exam the behavior of Organizational Citizenship Behaviour (OCB) among academic staff. The respondents of this study consist of 1704 people academic staff in public university selected by simple random. A set of questionnaires was used based on Organizational Behavior Scale containing 22 items with five dimensions that is Altruism, Conscientiousness, Sportsmanship, Courtesy and Civic virtue were used as the main research instrument. Overall, this study shows that the dimensions of Civic virtue is higher relative from other dimensions. The findings of this study also found that only dimensions of Conscientiousness differ between male with female staff. The implications of this study clearly showed the academic staff in higher education exceeded its duties from official duties specified.
A Novel Low-Profile Compact Directional Ultra-Wideband Antenna: The Self-Grounded Bow-Tie Antenna

Low-profile directional ultra-wideband (UWB) antennas are strongly demanded in many UWB applications. However, few such UWB antennas have been reported. To meet the demands, an original novel low-profile directional UWB antenna-the self-grounded Bow-Tie is developed and presented here. This new UWB antenna has a compact and simple geometry, and ultra-wideband performance, such as presented here over a frequency range of 2-15 GHz with about -10 dB reflection coefficient, stable radiation patterns, and good time-domain impulse response. Measurements of a prototype of the antenna have verified the design and the simulation. It can be foreseen that this new antenna will find many applications in the different areas in UWB technology.
Regression pattern of alpha fetoprotein level changed after treatment of malignant germ cell tumor.

OBJECTIVE To identify the regression pattern of serum alpha fetoprotein in malignant germ cell tumors after initial chemotherapy MATERIAL AND METHOD This was a retrospective descriptive study. All patients with malignant germ cell tumor who had elevated serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and received adjuvant chemotherapy in Rajavithi Hospital between January 1984 and May 2007 were included. RESULTS Sixty patients with malignant germ cell tumor that met the study criteria were included. The median progression free interval (PFI) was 64.3 months and the median overall survival (OS) was 70.9 months. Four courses of chemotherapy was the average. AFP was first negative after a mean of course of three. Two more cycles were given as a maintenance course. The regression of AFP, between its level before the first and second courses was less than 0.015, associated with survival, accuracy about 70%, sensitivity 83.3%. The number of maintenance courses of chemotherapy was statistically affected to PFI and OS (p-value of 0.025, 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION The regression of AFP is an independent prognostic factor in malignant germ cell tumor and may be a useful tool in the therapeutic management of these patients.
Estimating demand schedules in hedonic analysis: The case of urban parks

The hedonic pricing method has been used extensively to obtain implicit prices for availability of urban green space, but few hedonic studies have obtained households’ preference parameters. We estimate willingness to pay functions for park availability in Copenhagen using an approach that places identifying restrictions on the utility function. We do this for two different measures of park availability. We apply our results to a policy scenario and show how estimates of aggregate welfare changes are highly sensitive to the measure of park availability applied. Thus, the approach in this study applies an alternative path for estimation of demand schedules for public goods using hedonic data. The findings also stress the importance of paying attention to how public goods are defined when undertaking welfare economic policy analyses.
Control of a 6/4 switched reluctance motor by means of a DC voltage supply with DC high voltage intermediary circuit

This paper presents the control scheme of a three phase switched reluctance motor (6/4), powered by a specialized DC voltage source, provided with a high voltage intermediary circuit. Rated voltage of the DC intermediary circuit is about 1000 V. Output rated voltage of the DC power supply is 230 V, allowing a maximum variation of 1 V to the reference value. SRM control scheme also includes: a control loop of the rotor angular velocity within certain prescribed limits and a stator phase current control loop to a certain reference value respectively. Each of them use for adjustment a relay block circuit. It is permitted a maximum variation of 2 A of the stator phase current from the reference value, and at most 2 rad/s of the rotor angular velocity to the prescribed value respectively. At the end of the energizing cycle of each stator phase, the energy stored in the magnetic field of that phase is returned to the power supply. This is achieved by reconnecting the considered stator phase with reverse polarity, to the DC intermediary circuit of 1000 V. Thus, the stator phase current decreases from its maximum to zero with a greater slope, which value is about 4 times higher compared to the classical situation. The turn-off angle of each stator phase is chosen so that the current through that winding is zero for the interval corresponding to the decreasing slope of the considered stator phase inductance. Thus, the electromagnetic torque developed by each SRM phase is always maintained positive. Another advantage of using this type of voltage source for energizing the SRM phases, is the possibility of changing the turn-off angle corresponding to each stator phase, closer to the aligned position of that phase. At the end of this paper are presented the simulation results obtained using the Matlab - Simulink software package.
Balance performance in three forms of multiple sclerosis

Abstract Objectives: To compare and document balance performance between patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy control subjects and balance performance among patients with different MS forms using a set of clinical balance tests. Material and Methods: Twenty eight primary progressive (PPMS), 34 secondary progressive (SPMS), and 62 relapsing remitting (RRMS), totalling 124 MS patients were included in the present study. Results from patients were compared with those of 31 healthy control subjects matching in age, gender, weight and height. Ashworth scale, mini-mental state examination and motricity index were used consecutively to evaluate spasticity, cognitive impairment and lower extremity muscle strength. Vision, sensation, proprioception, cerebellar and vestibular tests were also performed on the patients. The balance performance was evaluated using a set of clinical tests including steady stance tests (eyes in opened and closed positions, feet apart, feet together, stride stance, tandem stance and single stance), self-generated perturbations (functional reach, arm raise and step test), external perturbations, Tinetti-gait and 10 m gait time tests. Results: There were no differences in age, sex, weight, height, sense impairment and lower extremity strength in patients with the three MS forms (p>0.05). No difference was found among patients with the three MS forms and the control subjects in the test of eyes closed with feet apart (p>0.05). The PPMS patients in all the balance tests except tests of eyes closed with feet apart and eyes opened with feet together, SPMS patients in all the balance tests except that of eyes closed with feet apart and RRMS patients in tandem stance, single leg stance, self-generated perturbations, external perturbations, Tinetti-gait and 10 m gait time tests had weaker balance than the control subjects (p<0.001). There were some differences between patients in the PPMS and SPMS groups in the eyes closed and feet apart test, between patients in the PPMS and RRMS groups in all the balance tests except eyes closed and feet apart and eyes opened and feet together tests and between patients in SPMS and RRMS group in all the balance tests except right and left arm raised tests (p<0.001). Conclusion: Balance in MS patients is impaired. The results of the present study show that there is more impairment in progressive MS forms than in RRMS. Meanwhile, patients with progressive MS are more likely to fall.
Characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutants deficient in the establishment of lysogeny

Mutants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with impaired ability to establish a lysogenic relationship with temperate bacteriophage (Les-) have been isolated. These les mutations map to two areas of the P. aeruginosa chromosomal map as determined by conjugational and transductional analyses. Two phenotypic classes of Les- mutants were identified. One class of mutations has pleiotropic effects on DNA metabolism. These mutants are unable to recombine genetic material acquired as a result of either conjugation or transduction (Rec-). In addition, the ability of these Les- Rec- mutants to repair UV-induced damage to bacteriophage is reduced (host-cell reactivation deficient, Hcr-). Mutants of the second class are Les-, Rec+, and Hcr+.
Hemolytic anemia associated with injection of fluorescein

A 49‐year‐old woman presented with a hemoglobin level of 9.5 g per dL (95 g/L), reticulocyte count of 6.7 percent (0.067), and hemoglobinuria. The next day, the hemoglobin had dropped to 5.8 g per dL (58 g/L), and total bilirubin was 8.8 mg per dL (150 μmol/L). The serum reacted 2+ with all red cells (RBCs). The direct antiglobulin test (DAT) was 3+ with anti‐IgG and 1+ with anti‐C3, but eluates prepared by two different methods did not react with untreated RBCs. The eluate reacted 2+ with amoxicillin‐coated RBCs; amoxicillin had been listed in the patient's record as a previous medication. The patient denied recent ingestion of amoxicillin. Further investigation documented the injection of a dye, fluorescein sodium (AK‐FLUOR‐25%), for a ophthalmologic fluorescein angiographic study 2 days before admission. RBCs coated with AK‐FLUOR reacted with the eluate. Controls consisting of normal serum, an eluate prepared from DAT‐negative RBCs, and a serum known to contain anti‐penicillin did not react with AK‐FLUOR‐coated RBCs. Nine days later, the DAT was negative and the serum did not react with untreated RBCs. In the presence of AK‐FLUOR (1‐in‐125) or amoxicillin (1 mg/mL), the serum reacted 2+ in the antiglobulin test. Antibodies to AK‐FLUOR and amoxicillin appeared to react by two mechanisms, which is similar to results in recent reports of other drugs associated with hemolytic anemia. AK‐FLUOR has not previously been reported to be associated with hemolytic anemia.
Iris recognition based on key image feature extraction

In iris recognition, feature extraction can be influenced by factors such as illumination and contrast, and thus the features extracted may be unreliable, which can cause a high rate of false results in iris pattern recognition. In order to obtain stable features, an algorithm was proposed in this paper to extract key features of a pattern from multiple images. The proposed algorithm built an iris feature template by extracting key features and performed iris identity enrolment. Simulation results showed that the selected key features have high recognition accuracy on the CASIA Iris Set, where both contrast and illumination variance exist.
Teaching and learning practical subjects in primary schools in Swaziland: The case of a school in the Hhohho region

This study sought to examine the teaching and learning of practical subjects in primary schools. The main focus of this study was how the practical subjects are taught in one school in the Hhohho region of Swaziland. The study examined the experiences and perceptions of learners and teachers. A qualitative approach case study research design in which one-on-one interviews and observations were used to collect data was used. Data were analysed for content and conclusions were drawn. The main conclusions of the study were that practical subjects are timetabled to be taught in primary schools. The study also concluded that practical subjects sharpen the brains of the learners. The main findings of the study were that practical subjects are essential in the holistic development of the learner. It was also a finding in this study that most teachers and learners have a positive attitude towards practical subjects albeit that some teachers lacked confidence in teaching the subjects. The study recommends that teachers be assisted through workshops and short courses to boost their confidence in teaching practical subjects. The study also recommends that policies be put to place in order to ensure that practical subjects are taught in primary schools.
Cross-correlation as a new evaluation tool in pulsed eddy current defectoscopy

The pulsed eddy current defectoscopy belongs to powerful methods of nondestructive testing of metal bodies aimed at revealing various changes of their material parameters, defects, cracks, and other undesirable imperfections. The quality of their identification strongly depends on the tools for evaluation of signals monitored by the measuring system. So far, the principal evaluation technique in this domain was their spectral analysis. The paper presents another promising evaluation tool-the cross-correlation of the measured signal with a suitable reference signal. The technique is illustrated with two examples.
Reelin receptors ApoER2 and VLDLR are expressed in distinct spatiotemporal patterns in developing mouse cerebral cortex

In mammalian developing brain, neuronal migration is regulated by a variety of signaling cascades, including Reelin signaling. Reelin is a glycoprotein that is mainly secreted by Cajal–Retzius neurons in the marginal zone, playing essential roles in the formation of the layered neocortex via its receptors, apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (ApoER2) and very low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR). However, the precise mechanisms by which Reelin signaling controls the neuronal migration process remain unclear. To gain insight into how Reelin signaling controls individual migrating neurons, we generated monoclonal antibodies against ApoER2 and VLDLR and examined the localization of Reelin receptors in the developing mouse cerebral cortex. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that VLDLR is localized to the distal portion of leading processes in the marginal zone (MZ), whereas ApoER2 is mainly localized to neuronal processes and the cell membranes of multipolar cells in the multipolar cell accumulation zone (MAZ). These different expression patterns may contribute to the distinct actions of Reelin on migrating neurons during both the early and late migratory stages in the developing cerebral cortex. J. Comp. Neurol. 523:463–478, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Active learning with query paths for tactile object shape exploration

In the present work, we propose an active learning framework based on optimal query paths to efficiently address the problem of tactile object shape exploration. Most previous approaches perform active touch probing at discrete query points, which leads to inefficient touch-and-retract motions. In contrast, in this paper we propose to query information efficient sliding paths instead of only touch locations. This is realized by three components: A Gaussian process implicit surface model represents the shape and uncertainty of the object. A compliant task/force controller framework fuses the information of this GP model into the parameterization of its tasks, which enables the robot to slide over the unknown object safely and robustly. Thirdly, we develop two strategies to solve the proposed active path querying learning problem. Sliding along those query paths not only creates more dense data than touch probing, but additionally greatly reduces the uncertainty of the object. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed framework both in simulation and on the PR2 robot platform. Furthermore, it is shown that our methodology can be extended to other learning tasks, such as finding a desired surface normal on an unknown object, e.g. for pushing.