Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Compact Dual-Band Differential Power Splitter With Common-Mode Suppression and Filtering Capability Based on Differential-Mode Composite Right/Left-Handed Transmission-Line Metamaterials

This letter presents a compact differential-mode (balanced) power splitter with filtering capability and dual-band functionality. This multifunctional device is based on differential-mode composite right/left-handed (DM-CRLH) transmission lines specifically designed to achieve the dual-band behavior and to suppress the common-mode noise over a broad frequency band. The DM-CRLH lines are implemented by means of pairs of CRLH lines with series connected interdigital capacitors and strip inductors in the series branches and mirrored step impedance resonators (SIRs) in the shunt branches. For the differential mode, the SIRs are described by parallel resonant tanks, and the resulting equivalent circuit model is the canonical circuit of a CRLH line, which can be used for designing the dual-band balanced splitter/filter. However, the SIRs are opened under common-mode operation, introducing transmission zeros for that mode. By tailoring the position of these transmission zeros, the common mode can be effectively rejected over a frequency band that covers the splitter operating frequencies. The fabricated dual-band balanced power splitter exhibits a measured matching level better than -11 dB, and measured insertion losses (power splitting) lower than 4.1 dB at the design frequencies ( f1=1.8 GHz and f2=2.4 GHz). The common-mode suppression at f1 and f2 is better than 30 dB.
Metabarcoding and metabolome analyses of copepod grazing reveal feeding preference and linkage to metabolite classes in dynamic microbial plankton communities

In order to characterize copepod feeding in relation to microbial plankton community dynamics, we combined metabarcoding and metabolome analyses during a 22‐day seawater mesocosm experiment. Nutrient amendment of mesocosms promoted the development of haptophyte (Phaeocystis pouchetii)‐ and diatom (Skeletonema marinoi)‐dominated plankton communities in mesocosms, in which Calanus sp. copepods were incubated for 24 h in flow‐through chambers to allow access to prey particles (<500 μm). Copepods and mesocosm water sampled six times spanning the experiment were analysed using metabarcoding, while intracellular metabolite profiles of mesocosm plankton communities were generated for all experimental days. Taxon‐specific metabarcoding ratios (ratio of consumed prey to available prey in the surrounding seawater) revealed diverse and dynamic copepod feeding selection, with positive selection on large diatoms, heterotrophic nanoflagellates and fungi, while smaller phytoplankton, including P. pouchetii, were passively consumed or even negatively selected according to our indicator. Our analysis of the relationship between Calanus grazing ratios and intracellular metabolite profiles indicates the importance of carbohydrates and lipids in plankton succession and copepod–prey interactions. This molecular characterization of Calanus sp. grazing therefore provides new evidence for selective feeding in mixed plankton assemblages and corroborates previous findings that copepod grazing may be coupled to the developmental and metabolic stage of the entire prey community rather than to individual prey abundances.
A genre-based approach to teaching writing across the curriculum in Siswati in South African schools

Linguistic scholars have been exploring an effective, contextual and multidisciplinary approach to language education, following the global increase in multilingual societies. This study aims to explore properties of writing related to genre-based literacy in Siswati as a first language for learners in South Africa in a multilingual context. The research is concerned with the properties of writing in Siswati at the high school level and the instruction associated with it. In reality, the educational context of the learners entails that English is the language of instruction or an educational lingua franca in all subjects in schools with learners who have an African language as home language, although English is a second language (L2) for most learners. Therefore, the learners’ first language (L1) is only taught as a subject. In this situation, learners and teachers are faced with problems of language (L2) proficiency. According to the South African language policy, all national languages spoken in South Africa should be prioritized in education. This study advances a proposal for a multilingual approach in education through genre-based teaching. Hence, this study presents an investigation of the implementation of genre in the home language classroom context in respect to the textlinguistic features of agricultural sciences genres. The genre-based theoretical framework and related methodology is explored and elaborated in this study with regards to how Siswati first language learners can be taught linguistic skills acquired in their mother tongue Siswati to writing in content subjects, e.g. biology. The methodology of this study involves the translation of six agricultural science texts for Grade 12 which are then analysed according to systemic functional linguistic (SFL) grammar. The study also investigates issues and challenges in multilingualism and Education policy. The findings of this study present support of the view of the transfer of genre-based skills in texts across the curriculum. Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za
Multi-modality registration by using mutual information with honey bee mating optimization (HBMO)

Registration is a popular technique commonly used in medical image processing. In this paper, we propose a new registration algorithm which uses the mutual information (MI) as the similarity measurement function and utilizes a new optimization algorithm, called honey bee mating optimization (HBMO), to obtain the optimal registration. By simulating the biological evolution, HBMO can obtain a set of optimized parameters for registration with the largest similarity measure. By applying the proposed method to medical images, the experimental results showed that the method achieved better accuracy in registration than the conventional Powell's optimization method which is the most commonly used method in medical image registration. Also, the proposed method remained stable and accurate during the experiment of using several different source images. With each source image, we calculated mean ± SD of the parameters by repeating twenty times.
DNA Binding Characteristics of RegA*

In the purple non-sulfur bacteriumRhodobacter capsulatus, RegA and RegB comprise a two-component regulatory system that is required for maximal anaerobic transcription of key photosynthesis genes. RegB is a sensor kinase that uses ATP to phosphorylate its cognate response regulator, RegA. The mechanism under which RegA∼P influences transcription of target genes has been unclear given that past attempts to demonstrate DNA binding activity by isolated RegA have failed. This led to a model invoking a role for RegA∼P as an intermediate in a more complex multicomponent phosphoryl transfer cascade. In the present study, we describe the isolation of a mutant version of RegA (RegA*) which promotes high level expression of photosynthesis genes independent of RegB. DNase I footprint analyses show that purified RegA* binds to the promoters of the puf and puc operons at locations that are consistent with RegA functioning as a transcriptional activator for these operons. We conclude that RegA functions, like most members of the response regulator family, as a DNA-binding protein that directly affects the expression of its target genes.
Finance and Synchronization

It is well known that the bulk of international financial flows across countries are driven by common shocks. In response to these common shocks, we find that capital tends to flow systematically between the same types of countries, while the discrepancy between GDP growth rates widens. Thus, in the data synchronization falls when financial linkages rise, but only so in response to common shocks. In contrast, financial linkages tend to increase the synchronization of business cycles in response to purely country-specific shocks.
Unveiling E-Bike Potential for Commuting Trips from GPS Traces

Common goals of sustainable mobility approaches are to reduce the need for travel, to facilitate modal shifts, to decrease trip distances and to improve energy efficiency in the transportation systems. Among these issues, modal shift plays an important role for the adoption of vehicles with fewer or zero emissions. Nowadays, the electric bike (e-bike) is becoming a valid alternative to cars in urban areas. However, to promote modal shift, a better understanding of the mobility behaviour of e-bike users is required. In this paper, we investigate the mobility habits of e-bikers using GPS data collected in Belgium from 2014 to 2015. By analysing more than 10,000 trips, we provide insights about e-bike trip features such as: distance, duration and speed. In addition, we offer a deep look into which routes are preferred by bike owners in terms of their physical characteristics and how weather influences e-bike usage. Results show that trips with higher travel distances are performed during working days and are correlated with higher average speeds. Usage patterns extracted from our data set also indicate that e-bikes are preferred for commuting (home-work) and business (work related) trips rather than for recreational trips.
Adult rhabdoid renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Pediatric rhabdoid tumor of the kidney is regarded as a distinct neoplasm, whereas rhabdoid differentiation in adult renal cell carcinoma is usually found in association with conventional (clear cell) tumor, from which it is thought to evolve. OBJECTIVE To further characterize the rhabdoid phenotype in adult renal cell carcinoma and to determine its origin by genetic analysis. DESIGN We performed histologic, immunophenotypic, and genetic analyses on 5 cases of adult renal cell carcinoma with rhabdoid differentiation, 3 samples of adjacent conventional (clear cell) tumor, and 6 conventional (clear cell) control tumors. RESULTS Rhabdoid tumors differed from conventional (clear cell) carcinoma as follows: (1) macroscopically, rhabdoid tumors were solid white uniform masses; (2) microscopically, they had large rhabdoid cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, reduced lipid content, and the absence of a branching vascular pattern; and (3) biologically, they had a high metastatic potential. Despite these differences, loss of chromosome 3p in both the rhabdoid and clear cell carcinoma samples from 1 patient suggested a clonal origin. An identical mutation of the VHL gene in both rhabdoid and clear cell tumor samples from 2 patients confirmed a clonal origin for the histologically distinct tumor types in those cases. CONCLUSION Adult rhabdoid renal cell carcinoma can in some cases arise from conventional (clear cell) renal carcinoma and should be considered a clinically important form of renal cell carcinoma separate from, but analogous to, sarcomatoid change.
Skill Gaps, Skill Shortages, and Skill Mismatches

Concerns over the supply of skills in the U.S. labor force, especially education-related skills, have exploded in recent years with a series of reports not only from employer-associated organizations but also from independent and even government sources making similar claims. These complaints about skills are driving much of the debate around labor force and education policy, yet they have not been examined carefully. In this article, the author assesses the range of these charges as well as other evidence about skills in the labor force. Very little evidence is consistent with the complaints about a skills shortage, and a wide range of evidence suggests the complaints are not warranted. Indeed, a reasonable conclusion is that overeducation remains the persistent and even growing condition of the U.S. labor force with respect to skills. The author considers three possible explanations for the employer complaints and the associated policy implications.
Wearable Fingertip Tactile Display

Tactile sensation is one of the most important sensory functions for human perception of objects. Recently, there have been many technical challenges in the field of tactile sensing as well as tactile display. In this paper, we propose an innovative tactile display device based on soft actuator technology with electroactive polymer (EAP). This device offers advantageous features over existing devices with respect to intrinsic flexibility, softness, ease of fabrication and miniaturization, high power density, and cost effectiveness. In particular, it can be adapted to various geometric configurations because it possesses structural flexibility, so it can be worn on any part of the human body such as finger, palm, and arm etc. It can be extensively applied as a wearable tactile display, a Braille device for the visually disabled, and a human interface in the future. A new design of the flexible actuator is proposed and its basic operational principles are discussed. In addition, a wearable tactile display device with 4times5 actuator array (20 actuator cells) is developed and its effectiveness is confirmed
Ontogenesis and Molecular Phylogeny of the Marine Ciliate Diophryopsis hystrix: Implications for the Systematics of the Diophrys‐like Species (Ciliophora, Spirotrichea, Euplotida)

ABSTRACT. The cortical development of Diophryopsis hystrix, a small marine euplotid ciliate, was observed during binary division. The pattern of morphogenesis is generally similar to that of other Diophrys‐like species, with the exception of the marginal cirrus, which develops in a unique manner in D. hystrix being formed from the posterior end of the dorsal kinety anlage, in a similar manner to the formation of the caudal cirri. In the small subunit (SS) rRNA gene sequence tree, Diophryopsis represents a distinct clade separate from Diophrys. Furthermore, our ontogenetic and SSrRNA gene sequence data both support the suggestion that the Diophrys complex is sister to Uronychia, and should be considered as a distinct subfamily within the family Uronychiidae, i.e. Diophryinae Jankowski, 1979, comprising Diophrys, Diophryopsis, and Paradiophrys. Diagnoses of the subfamilies Diophryinae and Uronychiinae are provided.
How QZSS contributes to positioning performance in large Asian cities ?

The US GPS and the planed Quasi Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) will enhance the capability of positioning performance. The paper describes numerical analysis of the positioning performance of combined GPS-QZSS system. The performance of general stand-alone positioning in Tokyo is analyzed for different scenarios of the present GPS and combined future GPS-QZSS system. It is also analyzed in the Asian cities of Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore and Sydney. The software-based simulator was used for this analysis. This simulator generates everything needed to compute navigation solutions. In order to model the impact of ephemeris errors and atmospheric errors, the real observation data was used. The results indicate that increasing the number of satellites has a benefit on the capability of getting position with high availability.
Sum-product theorems and incidence geometry

In this paper we prove the following theorems in incidence geometry. \proclaim{1} There is $\delta >0$ such that for any $P_1, \cdots, P_4$, and $Q_1, \cdots, Q_n \in \Bbb C^2,$ if there are $\leq n^{\frac {1+\delta}2}$ many distinct lines between $P_i$ and $Q_j$ for all $i,j$, then $P_1, \cdots, P_4$ are collinear. If the number of the distinct lines is $ then the cross ratio of the four points is algebraic. \endproclaim \proclaim{2} Given $c>0$, there is $\delta 0$ such that for any $P_1, P_2, P_3$ noncollinear, and $Q_1, \cdots, Q_n \in \Bbb C^2$, if there are $\leq c n^{1/2}$ many distinct lines between $P_i$ and $Q_j$ for all $i,j$, then for any $P\in \Bbb C^2\smallsetminus\{P_1,P_2,P_3\}$, we have $\delta n$ distinct lines between $P$ and $Q_j$. \endproclaim \proclaim{3} Given $c>0$, there is $\epsilon 0$ such that for any $P_1, P_2, P_3$ collinear, and $Q_1, \cdots, Q_n \in \Bbb C^2$ (respectively, $\Bbb R^2$), if there are $\leq c n^{1/2}$ many distinct lines between $P_i$ and $Q_j$ for all $i,j$, then for any $P$ not lying on the line $L(P_1,P_2)$, we have at least $n^{1-\epsilon}$ (resp. $ n/\log n$) distinct lines between $P$ and $Q_j$. \endproclaim The main ingredients used are the subspace theorem, Balog-Szemer\'edi-Gowers Theorem, and Szemer\'edi-Trotter Theorem. We also generalize the theorems to high dimensions, extend Theorem 1 to $\Bbb F_p^2$, and give the version of Theorem 2 over $\Bbb Q$.
Moving Real Exergaming Engines on the Web: The webFitForAll Case Study in an Active and Healthy Ageing Living Lab Environment

Exergames have been the subject of research and technology innovations for a number of years. Different devices and technologies have been utilized to train the body and the mind of senior people or different patient groups. In the past, we presented FitForAll, the protocol efficacy of which was proven through widely taken (controlled) pilots with more than 116 seniors for a period of two months. The current piece of work expands this and presents the first truly web exergaming platform, which is solely based on HTML5 and JavaScript without any browser plugin requirements. The adopted architecture (controller application communication framework) combines a unified solution for input devices such as MS Kinect and Wii Balance Βoard which may seamlessly be exploited through standard physical exercise protocols (American College of Sports Medicine guidelines) and accommodate high detail logging; this allows for proper pilot testing and usability evaluations in ecologically valid Living Lab environments. The latter type of setups is also used herein for evaluating the web application with more than a dozen of real elderly users following quantitative approaches.
Estimating Trade Elasticities and Asymmetric Trade Costs under Firm Heterogeneity

Taking first order Taylor approximations an empirical strategy is proposed to estimate the trade elasticity using data on import shares, distance and gross output. The strategy is proposed for a Melitz economy. It consists of deriving two gravity type equations, a conventional gravity equation and a new gravity equation based upon the weighted sums of the import shares across trading partners. The new gravity equation follows from general equilibrium conditions on input cost adjustment. Using the estimates from the conventional gravity equation in the new gravity equation enables identification of the trade elasticity using only distance data. Employing the NBER-UN world trade data (Feenstra, 2005) for the largest 48 economies in the world at the aggregate level a trade elasticity of around two is found.
LMI based multi-objective state-feedback controller design for magnetic levitation system

It has been a challenge for the control engineers to cope with the problems of parametric uncertainties, sensor noise and disturbances arising in a magnetic levitation system. In this paper, the position tracking problem in Multi-Variable magnetic levitation system is solved using LMI technique in the presence of parametric uncertainties. Moreover disturbance rejection has also been achieved successfully. We will pose our problems in LMI using state-feedback H-infinity approach and try to find an efficient solution to multiple specifications arising during linearization. The formation of polytope of a Magnetic Levitation System to slot in parametric variations and its subsequent robust controller design and rig implementation is the new aspect of this work.
Online Customer Experience and Its Relationship to Repurchase Intention: An Empirical Case of Online Travel Agencies in China

ABSTRACT The study reported here examines the relationship between flow experience and repurchase intention by focusing on the joint mediating effects of loyalty. Data were taken from a survey of shopping experiences, at online travel websites, of 325 customers in China. The results show that flow experience has a significant effect on repurchase attention. Moreover, interactive speed, skill, challenge, perceived control, telepresence, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use are positively related to flow experience. Lastly, the findings show that loyalty, to some extent, acts as a mediator between flow experience and repurchase attention.
Silicon-based monolithic 4/spl times/4 wavelength-selective cross connect with on-chip micromirrors

A monolithic 4/spl times/4 wavelength-selective cross-connect (chip area = 3.2/spl times/4.6 cm ) is realized by integrating four 4/spl times/1 MEMS wavelength-selective switches and four 1/spl times/4 passive splitters, together with a 4/spl times/4 waveguide shuffle network on a silicon-on-insulator. Wavelength-selective routing has been successfully demonstrated.
Applying Buchberger's criteria on Montes's DisPGB algorithm

The concept of comprehensive Grobner bases was introduced by Weispfenning. Montes has proposed an efficient algorithm for computing these bases. But he has not explicitly used Buchberger's criteria in his algorithm. In this paper we prove that we can apply these criteria on Montes algorithm. We propose a modified version of Montes algorithm and evaluate its performance via some examples.
Focus on Outcomes or on Effort: The Role of Self-efficacy on Influencing Expectations

In this dissertation, I investigate how differences in the manner via which individuals pursue goals (judging effort from outcome or outcome from effort) influences expectations (effort vs. outcome). In particular, I focus on the role of self-efficacy, and show that when individuals focus on outcomes, they take self-efficacy into consideration when assessing how much effort is needed. However, when focusing on effort, individuals do not take self-efficacy into consideration when making judgments of outcomes. Thus, I find that irrespective of differences in self-efficacy, individuals expect similar outcomes when effort invested is the same. I report findings from six studies, and discuss theoretical and managerial implications.
Functional Linkage of Adenine Nucleotide Binding Sites in Mammalian Muscle 6-Phosphofructokinase*

Background: Crystal structures of 6-phosphofructokinases revealed nucleotide binding sites with unknown functional relevance. Results: Function of two allosteric nucleotide binding sites was determined by mutagenesis and kinetic studies and revealed reciprocal linkage of both. Conclusion: Activity of mammalian Pfk is regulated by structurally linked new allosteric sites. Significance: Reciprocal linkage between allosteric binding sites evolved convergent in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. 6-Phosphofructokinases (Pfk) are homo- and heterooligomeric, allosteric enzymes that catalyze one of the rate-limiting steps of the glycolysis: the phosphorylation of fructose 6-phosphate at position 1. Pfk activity is modulated by a number of regulators including adenine nucleotides. Recent crystal structures from eukaryotic Pfk revealed several adenine nucleotide binding sites. Herein, we determined the functional relevance of two adenine nucleotide binding sites through site-directed mutagenesis and enzyme kinetic studies. Subsequent characterization of Pfk mutants allowed the identification of the activating (AMP, ADP) and inhibitory (ATP, ADP) allosteric binding sites. Mutation of one binding site reciprocally influenced the allosteric regulation through nucleotides interacting with the other binding site. Such reciprocal linkage between the activating and inhibitory binding sites is in agreement with current models of allosteric enzyme regulation. Because the allosteric nucleotide binding sites in eukaryotic Pfk did not evolve from prokaryotic ancestors, reciprocal linkage of functionally opposed allosteric binding sites must have developed independently in prokaryotic and eukaryotic Pfk (convergent evolution).