Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cooperative Sensing Scheduling for Energy-Efficient Cognitive Radio Networks

As an enabling mechanism for the implementation of cognitive radio networks (CRNs), cooperative sensing provides an effective approach for exploiting spectrum opportunities. Although extensive research has been carried out, the fundamental question in the context of cooperative sensing is still not well understood, which can be stated as follows: Given a set of sensors and a set of primary user (PU) channels for opportunistic usage, how are the sensors appropriately assigned to sense the PU channels? We refer to this problem as the cooperative sensing scheduling (CSS) problem. Specifically, the CRN's expected throughput achieved and the overhead incurred in the sensing procedure, i.e, the energy efficiency of the CRN, are jointly considered when we make scheduling decisions. We first study a homogeneous network scenario with the objective of maximizing the expected throughput of the CRN. The energy consumption of the CRN is subsequently taken into consideration. A theoretical framework is established to analyze the structures of the two cases, and algorithms guaranteeing the optimal solutions to be found are developed. With the insights gained, we extend the study to the heterogeneous case. Low-complexity algorithms are then presented, and their computation time and performance are compared with the optimal and existing approaches.
Just A Matter of Time: Empirical Evidence of the Causal Effect of Education on Fertility in Italy

Margherita Fort † Abstract: This paper assesses the causal effects of education on fertility, allowing for heterogeneity in the effects while controlling for the self-selection of women into education. Identification relies on exogenous variation in schooling induced by a mandatory school reform implemented nationwide in Italy in the early 1960s. The findings suggest that: (i) an increase from primary to junior high school education causes a large proportion of women to postpone early births; (ii) the effect vanishes at older ages and women catch up with the fertility delay before turning 26; (iii) the effect of the increase in education on the number of children a woman has is negligible; (iv) there is large heterogeneity in the fertility behaviour of women.
Mic13 Is Essential for Formation of Crista Junctions in Mammalian Cells

Mitochondrial cristae are connected to the inner boundary membrane via crista junctions which are implicated in the regulation of oxidative phosphorylation, apoptosis, and import of lipids and proteins. The MICOS complex determines formation of crista junctions. We performed complexome profiling and identified Mic13, also termed Qil1, as a subunit of the MICOS complex. We show that MIC13 is an inner membrane protein physically interacting with MIC60, a central subunit of the MICOS complex. Using the CRISPR/Cas method we generated the first cell line deleted for MIC13. These knockout cells show a complete loss of crista junctions demonstrating that MIC13 is strictly required for the formation of crista junctions. MIC13 is required for the assembly of MIC10, MIC26, and MIC27 into the MICOS complex. However, it is not needed for the formation of the MIC60/MIC19/MIC25 subcomplex suggesting that the latter is not sufficient for crista junction formation. MIC13 is also dispensable for assembly of respiratory chain complexes and for maintaining mitochondrial network morphology. Still, lack of MIC13 resulted in a moderate reduction of mitochondrial respiration. In summary, we show that MIC13 has a fundamental role in crista junction formation and that assembly of respiratory chain supercomplexes is independent of mitochondrial cristae shape.
Rapid processing of emotional expressions without conscious awareness.

Rapid accurate categorization of the emotional state of our peers is of critical importance and as such many have proposed that facial expressions of emotion can be processed without conscious awareness. Typically, studies focus selectively on fearful expressions due to their evolutionary significance, leaving the subliminal processing of other facial expressions largely unexplored. Here, I investigated the time course of processing of 3 facial expressions (fearful, disgusted, and happy) plus an emotionally neutral face, during objectively unaware and aware perception. Participants completed the challenging "which expression? " task in response to briefly presented backward-masked expressive faces. Although participant's behavioral responses did not differentiate between the emotional content of the stimuli in the unaware condition, activity over frontal and occipitotemporal (OT) brain regions indicated an emotional modulation of the neuronal response. Over frontal regions this was driven by negative facial expressions and was present on all emotional trials independent of later categorization. Whereas the N170 component, recorded on lateral OT electrodes, was enhanced for all facial expressions but only on trials that would later be categorized as emotional. The results indicate that emotional faces, not only fearful, are processed without conscious awareness at an early stage and highlight the critical importance of considering categorization response when studying subliminal perception.
Center for International Economics Working Paper Series on the Effect of Immigration on Destination-country Corruption a Crook Is a Crook … but Is He Still a Crook Abroad? on the Effect of Immigration on Destination-country Corrup- Tion 1

This paper analyzes the impact of migration on destination-country corruption levels. Capitalizing on a comprehensive dataset consisting of annual immigration stocks of OECD countries from 207 countries of origin for the period 1984-2008, we explore different channels through which corruption might migrate. Independent of the econometric methodology applied, we consistently find that while general migration has an insignificant effect on the destination country's corruption level, immigration from corruption-ridden origin countries boosts corruption in the destination country. Our findings provide a more profound understanding of the economic implications associated with migration flows. 1 We thank Johann Graf Lambsdorff for useful comments and discussion.
Packet-based Markov modeling of Reed-Solomon block coded correlated fading channels

This paper considers the transmission of a Reed-Solomon (RS) code over a binary modulated time-correlated flat Rician fading channel with hard-decision demodulation. We define a binary packet (symbol) error sequence that indicates whether or not an RS symbol is transmitted successfully across the discrete channel whose input enters the modulator and whose output exits the demodulator. We then approximate the discrete channelpsilas packet error sequence using an Mth order Markov queue-based channel (QBC). In other words, the QBC is used to model the discrete channel at the packet level. Modeling accuracy is evaluated by comparing the simulated probability of codeword error (PCE) for the discrete channel with the numerically evaluated PCE for the QBC. Modeling results identify accurate low-order QBCs for a wide range of fading conditions and reveal that modeling the discrete channel at the packet level is an efficient tool for non-binary coding performance evaluation over channels with memory.
Pharmacokinetic evaluation of β-caryophyllene alcohol in rats and beagle dogs

Abstract 1. β-caryophyllene alcohol (BCPA) has shown therapeutic promise in the treatment of asthma and inflammation with low toxicity. The aim of the current study was to report the pharmacokinetic profiles of BCPA in rats and dogs. 2. Following intravenous administration, BCPA exhibited moderate volumes of distribution (Vz) ranging from 5.63 to 8.97 L/kg in rats and low Vz (2.89 ± 1.12 L/kg) in dogs. Systemic plasma clearance was high in both species, resulting in a short elimination half-life ranging from 29.6 to 48.3 min. In rats, the intravenous pharmacokinetics was dose dependent. The measured oral bioavailability was low in rats for BCPA solution (1.17 ± 0.78%), suspension (1.21 ± 0.33%) and PEG formulation (6.22 ± 2.63%). The bioavailability was lower in dogs for BCPA solution (0.12 ± 0.05%) and PEG formulation (0.25 ± 0.07%), indicating significant species difference. However, treatment of plasma samples with β-glucuronidase increased the systematic exposure of BCPA as assessed from AUC (0-∞) by 24.7- or 2.62-fold in rats and dogs, respectively, which suggested glucuronidation was a significant metabolic pathway for BCPA possibly due to first-pass metabolism. 3. In summary, this was the first preclinical pharmacokinetic investigation of BCPA in animals, providing vital knowledge for further preclinical research and subsequent clinical trials.
From crystals to lattice robots

We identify three fundamental properties of lattice robots such as (1) discreteness (2) translational symmetry and (3) composition, and explain the analogy of lattice robots kinematics and crystal symmetry described by space groups. Then we give the possible connectors symmetries and orientations compatible with space groups, and the possible sliding and hinge joints locations and orientations compatible with the displacements in such groups. We present a framework for the design of lattice robots by assembling compatible joints and connectors into a space group and give a 3D example.
Mesoscopic surfactant organization and membrane protein service

The paucity of detailed X-ray crystallographic structures of integral membrane proteins arises from substantive technical obstacles in the overexpression of multimilligram quantities of protein, and in the crystallization of purified protein-detergent complexes ~PDCs! With rare exception, crystal contacts within the lattice are mediated by protein–protein interaction, and the detergent surrounding the protein behaves as a disordered solvent. The addition and use of surfactants that display mesoscopic selfassembly behavior in membrane protein crystallization experiments presents a novel alternative strategy. Well-ordered crystals of the water channel human aquaporin-1 ~hAQP1! that diffract to 4 Å resolution have been obtained with this approach.
A location management protocol for hierarchically organized multihop mobile wireless networks

We consider the problem of location management in a large, hierarchically organized multihop mobile network, where the switches comprising the infrastructure as well as the endpoints (terminals) may be mobile. Such networks are common in applications such as battlefield networks, disaster management, law enforcement, etc. We present a novel network architecture and location management protocol that accommodates switch mobility and, using a new concept called "roaming level", allows the updating procedure to be controlled on a per endpoint basis. We discuss simulation results on the variation of performance with the speed, roaming level and call frequency of endpoints. Our results show that at high endpoint speeds or low call frequencies a significant decrease in the control overhead can be obtained in comparison to traditional schemes.
A separation principle for optimal IaaS cloud computing distribution

Due to the raising importance of cloud computing and infrastructure as a service (IaaS), the first markets for the exchange of computational power over the internet are being implemented. As of today, bandwidth constraints are not explicitly embedded in these market mechanisms. In this paper, the problem of optimal allocation of the computing power and of the corresponding data flows, according to bandwidth and computing capacity constraints, is modeled as a bilevel optimization program. It is shown that this program, which is generally non convex and hard to solve, has the same optimal solution of its convex relaxation. This allows to state a fundamental separation result, showing how the congestion control protocols employed in the network do not affect the optimal allocation problem, and allows to compute the shadow prices of the available computational resources.
Core RNAi Machinery and Sid1, a Component for Systemic RNAi, in the Hemipteran Insect, Aphis glycines

RNA interference (RNAi) offers a novel tool to manage hemipteran pests. For the success of RNAi based pest control in the field, a robust and systemic RNAi response is a prerequisite. We identified and characterized major genes of the RNAi machinery, Dicer2 (Dcr2), Argonaute2 (Ago2), and R2d2 in Aphis glycines, a serious pest of soybean. The A. glycines genome encodes for at least one copy of Dcr2, R2d2 and Ago2. Comparative and molecular evolution analyses (dN/dS) showed that domain regions of encoded proteins are highly conserved, whereas linker (non-domain) regions are diversified. Sequence homology and phylogenetic analyses suggested that the RNAi machinery of A. glycines is more similar to that of Tribolium casteneum as compared to that of Drosophila melanogaster. We also characterized Sid1, a major gene implicated in the systemic response for RNAi-mediated gene knockdown. Through qPCR, Dcr2, R2d2, Ago2, and Sid1 were found to be expressed at similar levels in various tissues, but higher expression of Dcr2, R2d2, and Ago2 was seen in first and second instars. Characterization of RNAi pathway and Sid1 in A. glycines will provide the foundation of future work for controlling one of the most important insect pests of soybean in North America.
Desperately Seeking Sonia? Latino Heterogeneity and Geographic Variation in Web Searches for Judge Sonia Sotomayor

Linguistic heritage, cultural similarities, and experiences as ethnic minorities link Latinos in the United States, but distinctions on national origin, nativity, and geographic distribution may yield political differences. Previous investigations of Latino heterogeneity as a catalyst for unity or division are limited to narrow issue domains and the set of elections characterized by within-group diversity. It remains unclear whether Latinos will respond cohesively to co-ethnic cues in national politics. Using data state-level Web search volumes related to Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court, we assess the extent to which Latino national origin within the states corresponds to expressed interest in her. We find the relative size of the Puerto Rican population predicts interest in Sotomayor's nomination above the positive effects predicted by panethnic Latino population. The results indicate heterogeneity in Latino political orientations and simultaneously show that differential responses to co-ethnic cues among Latinos may be reinforcing rather than oppositional. [[Supplementary material is available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Political Communication for the following free supplemental resource(s): Table of the Highest Circulating Newspapers in Each State. ]
A novel group of multi‐GAP‐domain proteins

The Rho GTPase‐activating proteins (RhoGAPs) play an essential role in regulating various cellular processes. Rat tGAP1 is the first reported protein that has multiple GAP domains. It is exclusively expressed in male germ cells. However, tGAP1 does not possess GAP activities in vitro. No tGAP1 homology has been identified in other species. In this study, we searched the genomic databases and identified many genes whose protein products possess 2–4 GAP domains in rat, mouse and dog. These genes all showed sequence similarity to tGAP1. The rat tGAP gene loci all locate on chromosome 2 and are all expressed in testes in RT‐PCR analysis. The mouse tGAP gene loci also clustered on chromosome 3 but RT‐PCR analysis showed most are pseudogene loci. Multiple sequence alignment showed that many conserved residues of the “arginine finger” motif within the GAP domains of predicted tGAP proteins have mutated, suggesting that tGAP proteins do not possess GAP activity. We also elucidated the evolutionary relations among the rat tGAP genes. Based on the phylogenetic analysis data, we proposed that tGAP genes and Arhgap20 genes have a common ancestor. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 1578–1589 © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
I. Psychologie générale

Andrieux C. , Bloch Vincent, Bresson F. , Ehrlich Stephane, Flores Cesar, Fraisse P, Oleron Genevieve, Orsini F. , Vurpillot Eliane. I. Psychologie generale. In: L'annee psychologique. 1956 vol. 56, n°2. pp. 597-610.
ASSESSING STRESS IN CANCER PATIENTS: FACTORIAL VALIDITY OF THE PERCEIVED STRESS SCALE IN IRAN

Introduction: The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is one of the few instruments to measure a global level of perceived stress, and has been widely used in a range of clinical and research settings. The main purpose of the present study was to investigate psychometric properties of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) among cancer patients. Methods: The exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis methods and internal consistency coefficients were used to compute the PSS's factorial validity and reliability, respectively. This study 155 cancer patients (119 female, 36 male) completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Results: The results of principal component analysis (PC) with varimax rotation replicated 2-factor structure of perceived self-efficacy and perceived helplessness for cancer patients. Goodness-of-fit indices of confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the 2 extracted factors. Internal consistency coefficients for perceived self-efficacy, perceived helplessness and total perceived stress were 0/80, 0/60 and 0/76, respectively. Conclusion: In sum, The PSS appears to be a psychometrically sound instrument for measuring psychological perceived stress for Iranian cancer patients.
Modified rice bran hemicellulose inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor-induced angiogenesis in vitro via VEGFR2 and its downstream signaling pathways

Angiogenesis is implicated in diverse pathological conditions such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, atherosclerosis, and retinal neovascularization. In the present study, we investigated the effects of modified rice bran hemicellulose (MRBH), a water-soluble hemicellulose preparation from rice bran treated with shiitake enzymes, on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced angiogenesis in vitro and its mechanism. We found that MRBH significantly inhibited VEGF-induced tube formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) co-cultured with human dermal fibroblasts. We also observed that MRBH dose-dependently suppressed the VEGF-induced proliferation and migration of HUVECs. Furthermore, examination of the anti-angiogenic mechanism indicated that MRBH reduced not only VEGF-induced activation of VEGF receptor 2 but also of the downstream signaling proteins Akt, extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. These findings suggest that MRBH has in vitro anti-angiogenic effects that are partially mediated through the inhibition of VEGF signaling.
Innovation experiment based on circular points and Laguerre theorem in computer vision

The image coordinates of circular points calculation is one of the key technologies for camera self-calibration in computer vision. The definitions of planar circular points and isotropic line and Laguerre theorem are given firstly. Then according to the projective invariant of central projection, Laguerre theorem and the nature of the equilateral triangle, the image coordinates of vanishing points in sides of triangles and planar circular points are computed. At last an experiment of camera intrinsic parameters being determined based on the circular points is given. In this experiment, according to obtaining three different images and extract coordinates of every feature points are obtained, the image coordinates of vanishing points and circular points are obtained linearly, and camera intrinsic parameters can be determined through Choleskey decomposition. The result of this experiment shows the approach is effective.
The complexity of mating decisions in stalk‐eyed flies

Abstract All too often, studies of sexual selection focus exclusively on the responses in one sex, on single traits, typically those that are exaggerated and strongly sexually dimorphic. They ignore a range of less obvious traits and behavior, in both sexes, involved in the interactions leading to mate choice. To remedy this imbalance, we analyze a textbook example of sexual selection in the stalk‐eyed fly (Diasemopsis meigenii). We studied several traits in a novel, insightful, and efficient experimental design, examining 2,400 male–female pairs in a “round‐robin” array, where each female was tested against multiple males and vice versa. In D. meigenii, females exhibit strong mate preference for males with highly exaggerated eyespan, and so we deliberately constrained variation in male eyespan to reveal the importance of other traits. Males performing more precopulatory behavior were more likely to attempt to mate with females and be accepted by them. However, behavior was not a necessary part of courtship, as it was absent from over almost half the interactions. Males with larger reproductive organs (testes and accessory glands) did not make more mating attempts, but there was a strong tendency for females to accept mating attempts from such males. How females detect differences in male reproductive organ size remains unclear. In addition, females with larger eyespan, an indicator of size and fecundity, attracted more mating attempts from males, but this trait did not alter female acceptance. Genetic variation among males had a strong influence on male mating attempts and female acceptance, both via the traits we studied and other unmeasured attributes. These findings demonstrate the importance of assaying multiple traits in males and females, rather than focusing solely on prominent and exaggerated sexually dimorphic traits. The approach allows a more complete understanding of the complex mating decisions made by both males and females.
Virtual Reference Feedback Tuning for position control of a twin rotor aerodynamic system

This paper presents a positioning control application of the Virtual Reference Feedback Tuning (VRFT) technique for linear feedback controllers of a Multi Input-Multi Output (MIMO) twin rotor aerodynamic system (TRAS). The VRFT technique is useful because it finds the parameters of linear feedback controllers without using the process model. The identified controller is validated both by a regression test for selecting the optimal number of parameters and by a whitening test on the prediction error. A set of experimental results for the pitch and azimuth MIMO control systems using both Singe Input-Single Output (SISO) controllers and MIMO ones demonstrate the VRFT theory. A comparison of several MIMO controllers' performance is given.
Development of hen antihepatitis B antigen IgY-based conjugate for ELISA assay

Background: Chicken antibodies have many advantages to the mammalian antibodies and have several important differences against mammalian IgG with regard to their specificity and large-scale production. In this study, the production, purification, and HRP conjugation of polyclonal IgY against hepatitis virus surface antigen (HBsAg) were carried out. Materials and Methods: Single Comb White Leghorn hens were immunized intramuscularly with hepatitis B vaccine in combination with Freund′s adjuvants. Blood and eggs were collected before and during ten weeks after the first immunization. Results: A highly purified of 180 KDa with specific activity of 200 mIU/ml was obtained by our purification protocol. One milligram of the purified IgY was labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Sandwich ELISA was used to determine the optimum titer of anti-HbsAg IgY-conjugate which was found to be 1:20. Conclusions: This study showed that laying hens can be used as an alternative source for production of polyclonal antibodies against HBsAg and anti-HBs IgY could be labeled with HRP enzyme and could subsequently be used successfully as secondary antibody in ELISA for detection of HBsAg in the patients sera.