Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Switches and frequency converters based on cross-gain modulation in semiconductor optical amplifiers

The large-signal theory of frequency converters based on cross-gain and cross-phase modulations in a semiconductor optical amplifier is developed, for the case in which pump and probe are injected from the same facet (co-propagating case). Simple expressions for the bandwidth of cross-gain modulation are derived for single and cascaded SOA's, and large-signal simulations are carried out for cascaded SOA's, pointing out some important system issues. In the cascaded case, the effect of the loss between the SOA's is highlighted.
Interactive Homepage of Non-profit Organization

This paper presents how local orienteering club with the interactive homepage attract new members, and communicate with people interested in or involve with the club. Especially, the children and youth sector is presented. This communication way is important in the city, where orienteering places are around the city and surroundings. Orienteering really is a hobby for the whole family – a real sport for all who wants to promote physical activity with metal and social well-being. It can be practised almost anywhere in the world, in all kinds of terrain from parks to woods. A map and a compass, and suitable outdoor clothes are all you need to get started. Orienteers navigate their way round a with the map and compass. To reach orienteering places is challenging, especially for newcomers, as the physical activity place changes almost every time, otherwise orienteer’s learns the terrain too well and the mental feedback is not so rewarding anymore. The interactive homepage of youth sector have eight items.
The Rectangular Statistical Cartogram

T HE idea of the statistical cartogram occurred to the author when he had occasion to prepare maps of the United States showing the distribution of various economic units, such as steel factories, textile mills, power plants, banks, etc. These maps were far too crowded in the northeast to be useful, while elsewhere, for the most part, they were relatively empty. If a way could be found to increase the scale of the northeastern region and reduce that of the west, distribution could be shown more clearly. Simple distortion of the map would be misleading, but, if we go a step farther, discard altogether the outlines of the country, and give each region a rectangular form of size proportional to the value represented, we arrive at the rectangular statistical cartogram. For purposes of comparison it is essential that a definite system of construction should be followed and identical arrangement should be used whatever values are represented. The system here used starts always with the larger divisions and by "proportionate halving" arrives at the smaller ones. It should be emphasized that the statistical cartogram is not a map. Although it has roughly the proportions of the country and retains as far as possible the relative locations of the various regions, the cartogram is purely a geometrical design to visualize certain statistical facts and to work out certain problems of distribution. Examples of these cartograms are given in the accompanying figures. The division into regions follows the usage of the United States Census Bureau, because only from this source are data available. If natural geographic regions could be used instead, the cartograms would be still more instructive.
An Adaptive Load Balancing Management for Distributed Virtual Environment Systems

Distributed Virtual Environment Systems are widely used in massively multiplayer online games. With an efficient distributed architecture and load balancing algorithm, they can support tens of thousands of players interacting with each other. In this paper, we propose an adaptive load balancing algorithm to solve the problem of the center-crowdedness in the DVE systems, while reducing the intra-server communication and client migration cost at the same time.
Information processing and constraints-based views of skill acquisition: divergent or complementary?

Since the middle of the nineteenth century, movement scientists have been challenged to explain processes underlying the control, coordination, and acquisition of skill. Information processing and constraints-based approaches represent two distinct, often perceived as opposing, views of skill acquisition. The purpose of this article is to compare information processing and constraints-based approaches through the lens of Fitts’ three-stage model and Newell’s constraints-based model, respectively. In essence, both models can be identified, at least in spirit, with ideas about skill described by Bernstein (1967, 1996). Given that the product of “skill acquisition” is the same, although the explanation of the processes might differ, it is perhaps not surprising that similarities between the models appear greater than the differences. In continuing to meet the challenge to explain skill acquisition, neural-based models provide a glimpse of the cutting edge where behavior and biological mechanisms underpinning processes of control, coordination, and acquisition of skill might meet.
Relaxation of the EM algorithm via quantum annealing

The EM algorithm is a novel numerical method to obtain maximum likelihood estimates and is often used for practical calculations. However, many of maximum likelihood estimation problems are nonconvex, and it is known that the EM algorithm fails to give the optimal estimates by being trapped by local optima. In order to deal with this difficulty, we propose a deterministic quantum annealing EM algorithm by introducing the mathematical mechanism of quantum fluctuations into the conventional EM algorithm because quantum fluctuations induce the tunnel effect and are expected to relax the difficulty of nonconvex optimization problems in the maximum likelihood estimation problems. We show a theorem that guarantees its convergence and give numerical experiments to verify its efficiency.
Planungs‐ und Betriebsgrundsätze für ländliche Verteilungsnetze - Leitfaden zur Ausrichtung der Netze an ihren zukünftigen Anforderungen

Im Rahmen des gegenwartigen Transformationsprozesses des deutschen Energieversorgungssystems steigt der Anteil der dezentralen Energiewandlungsanlagen kontinuierlich an. Vielfach werden hierbei technische Grenzen der Netze uberschritten, sodass ein Netzausbau notwendig ist. Um die hieraus erwachsenden Investitionskosten zu minimieren, wird vermehrt der Einsatz innovativer Betriebsmittel vorgeschlagen. Der Leitfaden beschreibt zunachst das Vorgehen fur strategische Netzplanungen und geht dabei auch auf den Datenbedarf und Methoden zur Bildung von Einspeiseszenarien ein. Im Anschluss werden die technischen Rahmenbedingungen aufgefuhrt und dargestellt, wie Netzzustandsverletzungen vor Durchfuhrung der Netzplanung identifiziert werden konnen. In einem ausfuhrlichen Kapitel werden die fur die Verteilungsnetzebenen wesentlichen innovativen Netztechnologien vorgestellt und mogliche Modellierungen fur den Planungsprozess erlautert. Fur die Nieder-, Mittel- und Hochspannungsebene werden in separaten Kapiteln Planungs- und Betriebsgrundsatze aufgestellt und diese ausfuhrlich erklart und begrundet. Hierbei werden sowohl technische als auch Kostenaspekte behandelt. Dem Leitfaden sind ausfuhrliche Planungsbeispiele fur die drei Spannungsebenen angehangt.
A Review of the Activities of Advertising Agencies in Online World

Internet can extend market reach and operational efficiency of advertising agencies and enhance their contributions to Iranian economy. This paper reports a review study to identify the factors affecting the activities of advertising agencies with regard to the emergence of online world. By reviewing the body of tradition, Internal and external variables, including relationship management, uncluttered homepage, creativity, lead generation, account manager, direct email, and sponsorship ads were identified as the core activities of advertising agencies in new world. To localize these variables in Iran, Student’s t-tests were run for 34 different items used in the questionnaire. No significant difference (at 0.05 level) were found in the degree of validity of these variables; in other word, all variables get a good number of significance. Creativity was the most influential variable on the activities of advertising agencies reviewed. The findings of this study can be used to develop strategies for enhancing advertising agencies’ involvement with the Internet.
High Plasma Norepinephrine Levels Associated with β2-Adrenoceptor Polymorphisms Predict Future Renal Damage in Nonobese Normotensive Individuals

Renal injury is common in obesity and hypertension. In the present study, we examined relationships between renal function alterations, plasma norepinephrine (NE), and β2-adrenoceptor polymorphisms in a longitudinal design over 5 years. In 219 nonobese, normotensive men with entry-normal renal function, we measured serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, creatinine clearance, plasma NE, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), body mass index (BMI), total body fat mass, and blood pressure (BP) annually for 5 years. β2 (Arg16Gly, Gln27Glu)-adrenoceptor polymorphisms were determined. The subjects were stable in body weight and BP (<10%) for 5 years. High plasma NE was defined as ≥mean+1 SD at entry. Thirty-seven subjects had entry-high plasma NE and 182 were entry-normal. Entry-high plasma NE subjects had significantly greater total body fat mass and plasma NE and significantly lower creatinine clearance at entry and throughout the study. Increases in BMI, fat mass, BP, plasma NE, BUN, and creatinine, as well as the reduction in creatinine clearance in the 5 years, were significantly greater in entry-high NE subjects. These subjects had significantly higher frequencies of the Gly16 allele of β2-adrenoceptor polymorphisms. Throughout the study, subjects carrying the Gly16 allele had higher plasma NE, HOMA-IR, and fat mass, and significantly greater reductions in creatinine clearance. Plasma NE at entry was a determinant variable for changes in BUN, creatinine, and creatinine clearance over the 5-year period in multiple regression analysis. In conclusion, high plasma NE at entry, associated with the Gly16 allele of the β2-adrenoceptor polymorphisms, predict renal function deterioration (seen in elevations of BUN and creatinine and reduction of creatinine clearance) over a 5-year period accompanying further heightened sympathetic nerve activity and deterioration of insulin resistance.
Effect of a Mediterranean Meal on Postprandial Carotenoids, Paraoxonase Activity and C-Reactive Protein Levels

Background and Aim: Atherosclerosis involves oxidative and inflammatory mediators regulated by fat and antioxidants. Therefore, we studied the postprandial evolution of plasma lipids, carotenoids, C-reactive protein (CRP), and human serum paraoxanase activity (PON1) following two different fatty meals. Subjects and Methods: Eight healthy males consumed a 45% fat 1,000 Kcal Mediterranean-like (Med) meal (monounsaturated 61% of fat) compared to a Western-like (Wes) (saturated 57% of fat) meal. Blood was collected at baseline (time 0) 2, 4 and 7 h postprandial. Plasma lipids, glucose, insulin, total carotenoids, CRP, and PON1 were analyzed. Results: There was a marginal increase in cholesterol and glucose after both meals. Triglycerides increased modestly (to less than 200 mg/dl) and insulin increased (more in the Wes-like meal) but still within normal range, indicating a low glycemic index for both meals. Only the Med-like meal resulted in a significant increase in both PON1 activity (16%, p < 0.02) and carotenoids (74%, p < 0.02) with a 2-hour postprandial decrease in CRP (6%, p < 0.02). Conclusion: A postprandial monounsaturated fatty acid rich meal increases both plasma carotenoids and PON1 with a decrease in CRP levels, thus providing a novel potential explanation to the protective properties of a Mediterranean diet against atherogenesis.
Formulation of Closed-Loop Min–Max MPC as a Quadratically Constrained Quadratic Program

In this note, we show that min-max model predictive control (MPC) for linearly constrained polytopic systems with quadratic cost can be cast as a quadratically constrained quadratic program (QCQP). We use the rigorous closed loop formulation of min-max MPC, and show that any such min-max MPC problem with convex costs and constraints can be cast as a finite dimensional convex optimization problem, with the QCQP arising from quadratic costs as a special case. At the base of the proof is a lemma showing the convexity of the dynamic programming cost-to-go, which implies that the worst case on an infinite polytopic set is assumed on one of its finitely many vertices. As the approach is based on a scenario tree formulation, the number of variables in this problem grows exponentially with the horizon length. Fortunately, the QCQP is tree structured, and can thus be efficiently solved by specially tailored interior-point methods whose computational costs are linear in the number of variables. The new formulation as a tree sparse QCQP promises to facilitate online solution of the rigorous min-max MPC problem with quadratic costs
Accurate quantification of brown adipose tissue mass by xenon-enhanced computed tomography

Significance The search for new obesity drug targets and the rediscovery of active brown fat (brown adipose tissue; BAT) in adult humans has triggered a BAT renaissance. However, the assumption that this tissue plays a key role in energy balance in humans, as it does in rodents, is still a matter of debate. This is because BAT mass cannot be correctly quantified by current imaging techniques, as these are either nonspecific or lack the necessary sensitivity to detect BAT, especially in obese phenotypes. Here, we show that xenon-enhanced computed tomography can accurately quantify BAT mass, especially in obese mouse phenotypes in which extensive BAT hypertrophy hampers the detection of this tissue by current tomographic imaging techniques. Detection and quantification of brown adipose tissue (BAT) mass remains a major challenge, as current tomographic imaging techniques are either nonspecific or lack the necessary resolution to quantify BAT mass, especially in obese phenotypes, in which this tissue may be present but inactive. Here, we report quantification of BAT mass by xenon-enhanced computed tomography. We show that, during stimulation of BAT thermogenesis, the lipophilic gas xenon preferentially accumulates in BAT, leading to a radiodensity enhancement comparable to that seen in the lungs. This enhancement is mediated by a selective reduction in BAT vascular resistance, which greatly increases vascular perfusion of BAT. This enhancement enables precise identification and quantification of BAT mass not only in lean, but also in obese, mouse phenotypes, in which this tissue is invisible to conventional tomographic imaging techniques. The method is developed and validated in rodents and then applied in macaques to assess its feasibility in larger species.
Interactions of highly charged colloidal cylinders with applications to double‐stranded DNA

This paper presents new applications of the McMillan‐Mayer solution theory to dispersions of highly charged colloidal cylinders in monovalent salt solutions. The thermodynamic solution properties are given in terms of the virial expansions relating to a Donnan membrane equilibrium. General expressions are derived for the second Donnan pressure virial coefficient B2 and for the first two salt distribution coefficients A1 and A2. The effect of electric interactions is represented as an increased effective diameter dB or dA of the colloidal cylinder. This yields the simple excluded volume expressions B2 = πdBL2/4 and A1 = πdA2L/4 for hard cylinders of length L and diameter dB and dA, respectively. The coefficient A2 is derived from the dependence of B2 on the salt concentration.
Feasibility of a Text Messaging Intervention to Promote Self-Management for Patients Prescribed Oral Anticancer Agents.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To determine proof of concept of a mobile health (mHealth) intervention delivering text messages (texts) to self-manage among patients prescribed oral anticancer agents (OAs) and to examine preliminary efficacy on symptoms and medication adherence. DESIGN A longitudinal randomized, controlled trial. SETTING Two community cancer centers in the midwestern United States and a national specialty pharmacy. SAMPLE 80 adults with cancer who were newly prescribed OAs . METHODS Adherence and symptoms were assessed weekly for 10 weeks in both groups. The intervention group received daily texts for adherence and weekly for symptoms for 21-28 days, and satisfaction with the intervention was assessed . MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Medication adherence and symptom severity. FINDINGS Mean age was 58.5 years (SD = 10.7 years), 48 participants were female, and 48 were Caucasian. Fewer symptoms were found in the intervention group with a moderate effect size. Adherence was higher in the text group using medical record and prescription data (n = 26) with greater relative dose intensity of moderate to large effect size. Regarding acceptability, 57% (83 of 145) of eligible participants consented, 39 of 40 participants completed the entire intervention, 30 participants read texts all of the time, and 34 participants were satisfied with the intervention. CONCLUSIONS Proof of concept and preliminary efficacy of an mHealth intervention using texts to promote self-management for patients prescribed OAs was demonstrated. Patients had high satisfaction with the texts, and adherence and symptoms improved after the intervention. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Texts show promise for patients with cancer who must manage their OAs. Additional research is needed prior to use in practice.
Defining the Epithelial Stem Cell Niche in Skin

Many adult regenerative cells divide infrequently but have high proliferative capacity. We developed a strategy to fluorescently label slow-cycling cells in a cell type–specific fashion. We used this method to purify the label-retaining cells (LRCs) that mark the skin stem cell (SC) niche. We found that these cells rarely divide within their niche but change properties abruptly when stimulated to exit. We determined their transcriptional profile, which, when compared to progeny and other SCs, defines the niche. Many of the >100 messenger RNAs preferentially expressed in the niche encode surface receptors and secreted proteins, enabling LRCs to signal and respond to their environment.
Economics and Olympics: An Efficiency Analysis

Applying stochastic frontier analysis, we estimate the importance of sports in society as technical efficiency of countries in the production of Olympic success since the 1950s. Our measures of success are medal shares and a broader concept including Olympic diplomas. Following Bernard and Busse (2004), population and GDP are used as inputs. While the impact of GDP is always positive, we show that the sign of the population effect depends on wealth and population size of a country. The results show that the spread of importance is very wide over time, across countries, gender, and sports. These differences can be seen as caused by differences in financial support, training methods, organization, or culture. Using the method proposed by Battese and Coelli (1995), we confirm the result well documented in the literature that planned economies and host countries are more successful than others in terms of Olympic success (e.g. Bernard and Busse, 2004). The method allows to shed light on important aspects of recent sport history, such as the consequences of the breakdown of the former Soviet Union.
An Adopted Wave-plate Model for Polarization-OTDR

The wave-plate model is frequently used to analyze the signal of polarization time domain reflectometry (POTDR). However, since the wave-plate model is initially developed to simulate the polarization property of optical fiber communication links, it does not describe the signal of POTDR very well. In this paper, we adapt the wave-plate model for the simulation of POTDR. According to the comparison with experiment, it shows that the adopted model is more suitable than the original model to analyze the POTDR signal.
How Computer Automation Affects Occupations: Technology, Jobs, and Skills

This paper investigates basic relationships between technology and occupations. Building a general occupational model, I look at detailed occupations since 1980 to explore whether computers are related to job losses or other sources of wage inequality. Occupations that use computers grow faster, not slower. This is true even for highly routine and mid-wage occupations. Estimates reject computers as a source of significant net technological unemployment or job polarization. But computerized occupations substitute for other occupations, shifting employment and requiring new skills. Because new skills are costly to learn, computer use is associated with substantially greater within-occupation wage inequality.
Supporting Creativity through the Interactive Exploratory Search Paradigm

ABSTRACT In creative tasks, there is a need to explore the space of available information in order to come up with diverse views before converging to a solution. In such tasks, typical search engines that follow the direct search paradigm fail to inspire users. It is hypothesized that contrary to typical engines, interactive exploratory search, which aims at revealing latent, alternative directions in the information space enabling user orientation and engagement, is better suited to assist users in their quest for serendipitous discoveries and inspiration. In this study, an interactive exploratory search tool that combines diversification of content and sources with a user interface design that visualizes clues from the social chatter – generated with micro-blogging services such as Twitter – and lets users interactively explore the available information space is presented. A profiling service and recommendation module in charge of delivering personalized social content complements the setting. A pilot and two task-based user studies comparing our system to a query-based baseline indicate that our system significantly improves inspirational discoveries by providing access to more interesting and serendipitous information.
The Fission Yeast ES2 Homologue, Bis1, Interacts with the Ish1 Stress-responsive Nuclear Envelope Protein*

In fission yeast, nutrient starvation induces physiological, biochemical, and morphological changes that enable survival. Collectively these changes are referred to as stationary phase. We have used a green fluorescent protein random insertional mutagenesis system to isolate two novel stress-response proteins required in stationary phase. Ish1 is a nuclear envelope protein that is present throughout the cell cycle and whose expression is increased in response to stresses such as glucose and nitrogen starvation, as well as osmotic stress. Expression of Ish1 is regulated by the Spc1 MAPK pathway through the Atf1 transcription factor. Although overexpression of Ish1 is lethal, cells lackingish1 exhibit reduced viability in stationary phase. Bis1 is a novel interacting partner of Ish1. Bis1 is theSchizosaccharomyces pombe member of the ES2 nuclear protein family found in Mus musculus, Drosophila melanogaster, Homo sapiens, and Arabidopsis thaliana. Overexpression of Bis1 results in a cell elongation phenotype, whereas bis1− cells exhibit a reduced viability in stationary phase similar to that seen inish1− cells.