Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Renewable energy assisted base station collaboration as micro grid

In this paper, we present the case for cellular base stations enabled with renewable energy sources (RES) to be interconnected in a mini-smart grid (SG). Such an arrangement is envisaged to power the base stations (BSs) with clean sustainable energy as well as provide power to the local community. The technologies associated with RES as well as SGs have matured enough to be integrated with cellular NWs, for the benefit of both the network operator and the community. We also explore an energy cost minimization framework for a cellular network, by formulating a novel energy cooperation scheme that ensures optimal energy cooperation between green BSs. In our proposed economical and environment friendly frame work, the grid energy is minimized by optimal sharing of surplus green energy among the base stations. The intended scenario requires causal knowledge of harvested energy as well as traffic awareness by the network to workout energy demand of a BS and local grid. A realistic objective is developed, which entails energy borrowing from neighboring base stations offering their cheaper surplus energy, thereby reducing the overall energy cost of the network.
PGC-1 (cid:1) increases PDH content but does not change acute PDH regulation in mouse skeletal muscle

PGC-1 (cid:1) increases PDH content but does not change acute PDH regulation in mouse skeletal muscle. The aim of this study was to test whether the transcriptional coactivator peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)- (cid:2) coactivator (PGC)1 (cid:1) regulates the content of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH)-E1 (cid:1) and inﬂuences PDH activity through regulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-4 (PDK4) expression and subsequently PDH phosphorylation. PGC-1 (cid:1) whole body knockout (KO), muscle-spe-ciﬁc PGC-1 (cid:1) overexpressing mice (MCK PGC-1 (cid:1) ), and littermate wild-type (WT) mice underwent two interventions known to affect PDH. Quadriceps muscles were removed from fed and 24-h The differences in partly vanished when expressing phosphorylation only maintained elevated this between phosphorylation and (cid:1) is not required for conclusion, PGC-1 (cid:1) regulates PDH-E1 (cid:1) protein content in parallel with mitochondrial oxidative proteins, to PDH regulation in mouse skeletal muscle in to exercise. ANOVA was applied to evaluate the effect of genotype and either fasting or exercise within each mouse strain. The Student-Newman-Keuls’s post hoc test was used to locate differences. Differences were considered signiﬁcant at P (cid:1) 0.05, and a tendency is reported when 0.05 (cid:9) P (cid:1) 0.1. Statistical calculations were performed using SigmaStat version 3.11.
A Numerical Methodology for the Analysis of Switched-Capacitor Filters Taking Into Account Non-Ideal Effects of Switches and Amplifiers

This paper presents an efficient numerical methodology to obtain the frequency response of switched-capacitor filters based on the circuits' differential equations. This methodology uses a non-hierarchical approach in which the non-ideal effects of the transistors (in the switches and in the amplifier) are taken into consideration, allowing the accurate computation of the frequency response, even in the case of incomplete settling in the SC branches. The accuracy is demonstrated by comparing the results obtained using the proposed methodology with those obtained using transient electrical simulation results for three different SC circuits: a first order SC passive filter, a second order SC lowpass filter, and a second order SC bandpass filter, showing that the results are in good agreement with the more time consuming electrical simulation of the circuits.
The Challenge of Setting Standards for a Worldwide Constituency: Research Implications from the IASB’s Early History

Abstract Based on Camfferman and Zeff [(2015). Aiming for global accounting standards: The International Accounting Standards Board, 2001–2011. Oxford: Oxford University Press] we reflect on possibilities for academic research on the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and its International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs). We argue that a research agenda may be formed around the notion that the IASB differs from national standard setters because its constituent base includes jurisdictions as well as the more traditional preparer, user and auditor constituency groups. We show that taking a jurisdictional angle draws attention to the variety among the IASB’s jurisdictional constituents, identifying numerous research possibilities related to their decisions to adopt, or not to adopt, IFRSs, and to the mechanisms they have developed to form their own IFRS policies and to interact with the IASB. We illustrate how the IASB’s structure, governance, processes and standards are influenced by the challenge of reconciling the needs and values of jurisdictional constituents with the objective of setting global accounting standards. We call for research on the ramifications of the diversity of jurisdictional constituents, as well as changing perceptions of standard setting within jurisdictions, for all aspects of the functioning of the IASB. Such research should make greater use of the variety of sources available to researchers today.
Closure of large tracheocutaneous fistula using turn-over hinge flap and V-Y advancement flap

Tracheocutaneous fistula is a frequent sequel of long-term tracheostomy or tracheal fenestration. Closure of fistula is complicated by the presence of extensive scar tissue, mucopurulent secretions, and tension from insufficient advancement of adjacent soft tissue. We report two successfully closed cases of large tracheocutaneous fistulae using a hinge flap and a V-Y advancement flap.
QShare:QoS-Enabled Description and Discovery of Services in SOA-Based P2P Applications

Distributed applications are rapidly converging towards the adoption of a computing paradigm based on SOAs (service-oriented architectures), according to which an application results from the composition of a set of services in execution on networked server hosts. In this context, in order to provide SOA-based applications with high levels of QoS (quality of service), service providers may employ P2P (peer-to- peer) networks to bring applications closer to their consumers, overcoming slow backbone paths, network congestions and physical latencies. The ability to efficiently carry out service discovery activities is a key issue for effectively managing the QoS of SOA-based P2P applications. To this purpose, this paper introduces QSHARE, an approach for the QoS-enabled description and discovery of services in SOA-based P2P applications. The proposed approach introduces a novel peer architecture that makes use of QoS-enabled service descriptions and its effectiveness is shown within the context of a model-driven framework for managing the QoS of SOA-based P2P applications.
Excretory–secretory products of Giardia lamblia induce interleukin‐8 production in human colonic cells via activation of p38, ERK1/2, NF‐κB and AP‐1

Giardia lamblia, a pathogen causing diarrhoeal outbreaks, is interesting how it triggers immune response in the human epithelial cells. This study defined the crucial roles of signalling components involved in G. lamblia‐induced cytokine production in human epithelial cells. Incubation of the gastrointestinal cell line HT‐29 with G. lamblia GS trophozoites triggered production of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐8 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α. IL‐8 production was not significantly decreased by physically separating the HT‐29 cells and G. lamblia GS trophozoites. Indeed, treatment of HT‐29 with G. lamblia excretory–secretory products (ESP) induced IL‐8 production. Electrophoretic mobility gel shift and transfection assays using mutagenized IL‐8 promoter reporter plasmids indicated that IL‐8 production by G. lamblia ESP occurs through activation of two transcriptional factors, nuclear factor kappaB (NF‐κB) and activator protein 1 (AP‐1) in HT‐29 cells. In addition, activation of two mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs), p38 and ERK1/2, was also detected in the HT‐29 cells stimulated with G. lamblia ESP. Selective inhibition of these MAPKs resulted in decreased production of ESP‐induced IL‐8. These results indicate that activation of p38, ERK1/2 MAPK, NF‐κB and AP‐1 comprises the signalling pathway responsible for IL‐8 production by G. lamblia ESP.
In Pursuit of Food Security: Who Should Provide Aid Where and How

Despite persistently high levels of food insecurity in the world and large annual flows of aid from the global North to the global South in support of economic and social development, very little research to date has analysed the link between the two phenomena. This PhD thesis contributes to filling this gap in literature by examining whether development aid has any effect on food security and whether this effect varies with the type of aid provided and with the quality of governance among recipients. It set out to answer these questions using mixed methods in four different levels of analysis: a quantitative study of all low- and middle-income countries; a qualitative country case study of Peru, Ethiopia, India, and Vietnam; a quantitative analysis of household data from the same four countries; and a mixed-methods examination of data collected during field research in northern India. In all four levels of analysis, aid appeared to have a small but significant positive impact on food security, enhanced by the presence of good national as well as local governance. Moreover, some types of aid were found to be more directly supportive of food security than others – as was the case for example with aid to social sectors as opposed to aid to economic sectors or with aid implemented by non-governmental as compared to aid implemented by governmental agencies. Other types of aid, including concessional loans and budget support, seemed to have a positive effect on food security only in countries with a higher quality of governance. I conclude by formulating several relevant policy recommendations, with the most important one being that donors should take greater care in considering which types of aid are suitable to which specific countries, localities, and development goals.
Synthetic stereo acoustic echo cancellation structure for multiple participant VoIP conferences

This paper proposes a novel acoustic echo cancellation structure intended for multiple participant, full-duplex, hands-free voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) conferencing. A synthetic stereo image is generated through the use of spatialization functions, which are used to assist the near-end user in distinguishing between far-end talkers. The proposed synthetic stereo structure, which uses a single echo canceler per spatial region, is compared to structures with a single echo canceler per channel and to stereophonic echo cancelers. The proposed structure does not suffer from correlation of the reference signals, which can cause system misconvergence in structures that use a single canceler per channel. Correlation of the reference signals is eliminated since monaural signals are transmitted at the far-end and static spatialization functions are used at the near-end to allocate each participant to a spatial region.
Distributed collision-free coverage control of mobile robots with consensus-based approach

In this paper, we present a novel distributed coverage control scheme with collision avoidance based on consensus approach and potential field. The computational geometry of spatial structures is exploited using centroidal Voronoi tessellation and the locational optimization problem is introduced in a distributed fashion. By using the interaction term of Voronoi neighbour, a distributed protocol is proposed based on consensus strategy to solve the extended locational optimization problem. Distributed potential field is then applied for collision avoidance of the robotic group in an unknown environment and the performance of the proposed control strategy is guaranteed by using Lyapunov stability analysis. Finally, theoretical results are validated through simulations on a group of mobile robots.
Prediction of thermal system parameters based on PSO-ELM hybrid algorithm

Parameter prediction with high precision is of great importance for real-time condition monitoring and fault diagnosis of the thermal system during variable load process. This paper presents a performance enhancement scheme for the extreme learning machine (ELM) to predict the operating parameters of the thermal system using particle swarm optimization (PSO). ELM is a feed-forward neural network with single hidden layer, which has well generalization ability and fast learning ability. However, the number of the hidden layer nodes of ELM could not be automatically obtained. The optimal selection of ELM parameters can improve its performance. In this paper, the discrete-valued PSO is applied for optimizing the number of the hidden nodes to enhance ELM performance. The simulation results show that the proposed hybrid algorithm is more accurate and effective for predicting thermal system parameters.
Acid and non-acid reflux in patients with persistent symptoms despite acid suppressive therapy: a multicentre study using combined ambulatory impedance-pH monitoring

Background and aims: Empiric proton pump inhibitor (PPI) trials have become increasingly popular leading to gastroenterologists frequently evaluating gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) patients only after they have “failed” PPI therapy. Combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH (MII-pH) monitoring has the ability to detect gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) episodes independent of their pH and evaluate the relationship between symptoms and all types of GOR. Using this technique, we aimed to characterise the frequency of acid and non-acid reflux (NAR) and their relationship to typical and atypical GOR symptoms in patients on PPI therapy. Methods: Patients with persistent GORD symptoms referred to three centres underwent 24 hour combined MII-pH monitoring while taking PPIs at least twice daily. Reflux episodes were detected by impedance channels located 3, 5, 7, 9, 15, and 17 cm above the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) and classified into acid or non-acid based on pH data from 5 cm above the LOS. A positive symptom index (SI) was declared if at least half of each specific symptom events were preceded by reflux episodes within five minutes. Results: A total of 168 patients (103 (61%) females and 65 (39%) males; mean age 53 (range 18–85) years) underwent combined MII-pH monitoring while taking PPIs at least twice daily. One hundred and forty four (86%) patients recorded symptoms during the study day and 24 (15%) patients had no symptoms during testing. Sixty nine (48%) symptomatic patients had a positive SI for at least one symptom (16 (11%) with acid reflux and 53 (37%) with NAR) and 75 (52%) had a negative SI. A total of 171 (57%) typical GORD symptoms were recorded, 19 (11%) had a positive SI for acid reflux, 52 (31%) for NAR, and 100 (58%) had a negative SI. One hundred and thirty one (43%) atypical symptoms were recorded, four (3%) had a positive SI for acid reflux, 25 (19%) had a positive SI for NAR, and 102 (78%) had a negative SI. Conclusion: Combined MII-pH identifies the relation of reflux of all types to persistent symptoms and the importance of NAR in patients taking PPIs.
Gain-Enhanced Distributed Amplifier Using Negative Capacitance

This paper presents a new high-gain structure for the distributed amplifier. Negative capacitance cells are exploited to ameliorate the loading effects of parasitic capacitors of gain cells in order to improve the gain of the distributed amplifier while keeping the desired bandwidth. In addition, the negative capacitance circuit creates a negative resistance that can be used to increase the amplifier bandwidth. Implemented in 0.13-μm IBM's CMRF8SF CMOS, the proposed six-stage distributed amplifier presents an average gain of 13.2 dB over a bandwidth of 29.4 GHz. The measured input return loss is less than -9 dB and the output return loss is less than -9.5 dB over the entire bandwidth. With a chip area of 1.5 mm × 0.8 mm, the amplifier consumes 136 mW from a 1.5-V dc power supply.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Production by the Monkey Corpus Luteum During the Menstrual Cycle: Isoform-Selective Messenger RNA Expression In Vivo and Hypoxia-Regulated Protein Secretion In Vitro1

Abstract Experiments were designed to investigate the expression and regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the primate corpus luteum (CL) throughout the luteal life span in the natural menstrual cycle. Corpora lutea were collected during the early (ECL; Days 3–5 post-LH surge), mid (MCL; Day 6– 8 post-LH surge), mid-late (MLCL; Days 10–12 post-LH surge), late (LCL; Days 14–16 post-LH surge), and very late (Days 17– 18 post-LH surge) luteal phase. Specific primers were designed to amplify mRNAs encoding VEGF isoforms 206, 189, 183, 165, 145, and 121. Only two cDNA products were obtained by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends; cloning and sequencing confirmed their 98% homology to the corresponding human VEGF 165 and 121 sequences. Semiquantitative RT-PCR assays indicated that VEGF 165 mRNA levels increased (P < 0.05) from ECL to MLCL but then declined (P < 0.05) by LCL. Although VEGF 121 mRNA levels were limited in ECL, they increased significantly in MCL (P < 0.05). Levels of VEGF protein, as measured by Western blot analysis, were two- to fourfold higher for VEGF 165 versus VEGF 121. Also, VEGF 165 levels were higher (P < 0.05) in ECL and MCL compared to those at later stages. During 2-day culture, preparations of dispersed luteal cells secreted VEGF into the media; the highest levels were observed in ECL and declined (P < 0.05) by LCL. Regardless of luteal stage, hypoxic conditions increased (P < 0.05) VEGF levels, whereas LH exposure increased (P < 0.05) progesterone, but not VEGF, in the media. These results are consistent with a dynamic, local regulation of VEGF production during the life span of the primate CL that is not directly controlled by LH.
Using Numbers in News Increases Story Credibility

Be it the death toll from the war in Iraq, the Stock Exchange’s closing index last Friday or the divorce rate this year—a substantial part of the news is about numbers. Simple statistical terminology such as averages, percentages, modes or common values and proportions are included in the greater part of news reporting which covers research results.1 According to Zillman and Brosius, no less than 44 percent of news articles include exact numbers such as percentages, amounts or proportions.2 The starting point for this research paper is the so-called number paradox.3 This is the phenomenon concerning journalists’ use of numbers in their news reporting. An explanation for this paradox can be found in the means of persuasion that Aristotle categorized within the concept of ethos. A speaker uses ethos when he wants to emphasize his personal qualities. Aristotle regards the use of ethos as the most effective means of persuasion: A public that trusts the speaker will be more inclined to accept that speaker’s point of view. The hypothesis tested in this paper is that numbers used in news articles serve to establish ethos and to emphasize that the source of the news is a reliable one. Although that hypothesis is not new,4 it has never been empirically tested in different media.
Identification of a Mutation Associated with Permethrin Resistance in the Para-Type Sodium Channel of the Stable Fly (Diptera: Muscidae)

ABSTRACT The insect sodium channel is of particular interest for evaluating resistance to pyrethroids because it is the target molecule for this major class of neurotoxic insecticides. The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae), sodium channel coding sequence representing domains IS6 through IVS6 was isolated, and the sequence encoding domain II was compared among individuals of a laboratory strain selected for resistance to permethrin and the unselected, parental generation. A point mutation resulting in a leucine-to-histidine amino acid change was identified (Leu1014His), and its location corresponded with that observed for knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations in other insects. As a result, the allele was designated kdr-his. A molecular assay was developed to assess the frequency of this mutation in genomic DNA of individual stable flies from the laboratory selections, which provided further evidence that the kdr-his allele accounts for the observed level of permethrin resistance in the selected strain. The assay was then used to evaluate the frequency of the mutation from five field-collected populations originating from three horse farms near Ocala, FL; one horse farm near Gainesville, FL; and one dairy farm near Hague, FL. Frequency of the kdr-his allele ranged from 0.46 to 0.78, supporting further investigation of allele prevalence throughout the stable fly season and in response to field insecticide application.
Fuzzy PID control for impact force of high speed wire bonding process

The Z-axis motion acceleration of the wire bonding machine is very high (>100g) and may cause serious mechanical vibration and large impact force resulting in IC chip damage, optimal control of the impact force is one of the key factors to improve the bonding quality. How to reduce the vibration energy of the Z-axis motion in a very short time and reduce the force fluctuation is the main concern of this paper. Considering the effects of the mechanical motion, vibration and environment factor to the bonding control system, this paper proposed an improved fuzzy PID algorithm to control the overshot and fluctuation of the impact force. This algorithm inputs the deviation (e) of the system output and the variation rate(ec) of the system to the fuzzy controller, and outputs the fine-tuning value(ΔKp, ΔKi, ΔKd) of the parameters of the proportional, integral and differential gain. With the online adjustment of the PID parameters the system can rapidly adapt of any change. For the control scheme of the system, we adopted a Kalman filtering switch algorithm to predict the right switch condition for the fuzzy module control, which is based on the impedance current variation of the z-axis motor. The fuzzy PID control algorithm is simulated and compared with the conventional PID control algorithm through Matlab tool. The control algorithm is implemented and tested through bonding experiments. The experimental results indicated that the Z-axis impact force was reduced significantly and the force fluctuation was controlled within 3%, which will greatly improve the bonding quality of the wire bonding machine with high-speed motion.