Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling and Analysis of Cognitive Radio Based IEEE 802.22 Wireless Regional Area Networks

The recent emergence of the cognitive radio standard IEEE 802.22 is finally empowering network operators with a new platform for their abundant services. Likewise previous wireless standards, where the modeling helped in a better understanding of the concepts and played an important role in extending the outreach of the technology and subsequent innovations, the modeling of IEEE 802.22 wireless regional area networks (WRANs) is a necessity. In this work, we accomplish this task using the theory of queues. To that end, we model the dynamics of each cognitive user, termed customer premises equipments (CPE) according to the standard terminology, with a 2-D Markov chain. Given this model, we show that a WRAN cell can be modeled as a Jackson network. We also find the probability mass function (PMF) and cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the CPE queue length, from which any higher moment can be derived. Notable is the fact that said PMF is expressed in an exact closed-form. In addition to the nodal analysis, a WRAN cell-level discussion is conducted by finding the stability condition and peer-to-peer delay. Moreover, we provide preliminary results on the resource allocation in WRANs, which is a very important area of focus and discovery for an efficient deployment and operation of future WRANs.
Trend und Zyklus im Bruttoinlandsprodukt der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Eine Anmerkung / Trends and Cycles in Germany’s Real Gross Domestic Product. A Note

This note shows that German real GDP follows a trendstationary process. Both tests which have trendstationarity as the alternative hypothesis as well as tests that have it under the null hypothesis prefer the trendstationary model. Explicit consideration of breaks in the trend is not necessary to obtain this result. The trend-stationary model with breaks is, however, advantageous for trend-cycle decompositions.
Mouse intestinal cryptdins exhibit circadian oscillation

The innate immunity utilizes a plethora of antibacterial polypeptides, known as defensins, to combat ingested bacteria. Mouse enteric defensins (cryptdins) are produced and secreted constitutively but are overexpressed in instances of infection and/or inflammation. Our objective was to determine whether the biological clock plays a role in cryptdin expression under healthy conditions. Analysis of cryptdin 1 and cryptdin 4 expression in the ileum and jejunum of the small intestine of FVB/N mice around the circadian cycle revealed oscillation that peaked at the end of the dark phase. To eliminate the possibility that cryptdin oscillation stems from food intake, we analyzed cryptdin expression under fasting conditions and found oscillation but with a 3 h phase‐shift. Comparison of cryptdin expression in two mouse strains (C57BL/6 vs. FVB/N) revealed higher levels in C57BL/6, a mouse strain that is highly susceptible to enteric infection, due, most likely, to impaired cryptdin maturation. The results of this study indicate the involvement of the biological clock in regulating cryptdin expression in the small intestine and reinforce the capacity of food to act as a Zeitgeber (synchronizer). With the assumption of similar control in humans, our results may imply that defensin expression peaks during the day.
Matching Work Capacity and Job Demands: Toward an Enhanced Measure of Work Ability

Objective: The Work Ability Index (WAI), the dominant measure of work ability, provides little information for targeting workplace interventions. There are benefits of developing new measures that focus on self-rated capacity to meet job demands rather than on health subscales of the WAI. Methods: Structural equation modeling with cross-sectional data from 186 underground coal miners aged 18 to 64 years was used to model multivariate relationships between the WAI subscales, worker autonomy, and relationships with management. Results: The results show differential associations between workplace factors and the WAI subscales, particularly self-rated capacity, highlighting potential intervention avenues not identifiable using traditional composite WAI scoring. Conclusions: Focusing on self-rated work ability could be beneficial in clinical settings, provided measures are enhanced to capture a sufficient array of job demands.
A Stable Marching On-In-Time Scheme for Solving the Time-Domain Electric Field Volume Integral Equation on High-Contrast Scatterers

A time-domain electric field volume integral equation (TD-EFVIE) solver is proposed for characterizing transient electromagnetic wave interactions on high-contrast dielectric scatterers. The TD-EFVIE is discretized using the Schaubert-Wilton-Glisson (SWG) and approximate prolate spherical wave (APSW) functions in space and time, respectively. The resulting system of equations cannot be solved by a straightforward application of the marching on-in-time (MOT) scheme since the two-sided APSW interpolation functions require the knowledge of unknown “future” field samples during time marching. Causality of the MOT scheme is restored using an extrapolation technique that predicts the future samples from known “past” ones. Unlike the extrapolation techniques developed for MOT schemes that are used in solving time-domain surface integral equations, this scheme trains the extrapolation coefficients using samples of exponentials with exponents on the complex frequency plane. This increases the stability of the MOT-TD-EFVIE solver significantly, since the temporal behavior of decaying and oscillating electromagnetic modes induced inside the scatterers is very accurately taken into account by this new extrapolation scheme. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed MOT solver maintains its stability even when applied to analyzing wave interactions on high-contrast scatterers.
Measuring sports participation in the Netherlands – the need to go beyond guidelines

Abstract Introduction: Sport is a social category. What people label as sport, varies historically and across cultures. That makes it difficult to compare outcomes of sports participation research. In this article, we will draw out how and to what extent methodological differences have influenced outcomes of Dutch sports participation surveys. In addition, we will go into attempts to enhance comparability between surveys by issuing a Guideline for Sports participation Research (GSR). Methods: secondary analyses were performed on different sports participation surveys in the Netherlands. In addition, we report on two specific case studies to describe why outcomes of sports participation research differ between surveys, even if they appear to use similar questions. Also we go into the experiences with the GSR. Results: the Netherlands are characterized by a high sports participation rate. Incomparability of sport research appear to stem from three different aspects: (1) sampling and fieldwork, (2) question formulation and (3) analysis procedures. It was found that sports participa-tion was positively correlated with response, meaning that social surveys generally overestimate sports participation rates. Experiences with the GSR learn that in order to enhance our understanding of sports participation, it is simply not enough to issue guidelines on how to conduct the research. There is a clear need for more coordinated research.
Vascular endothelial growth factor production is induced by histone deacetylase 1 and suppressed by von Hippel-Lindau protein in HaCaT cells.

PURPOSE In hypoxic tumoral tissues, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression is positively regulated by histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and negatively regulated by the tumour suppressor protein von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) via transforming growth factor-alpha (HIF-1alpha). It has been reported that VEGF, HDAC1 and LL-37, but not VHL, are over-expressed in psoriatic skin. Although HIF-1alpha is constitutively expressed in normal keratinocytes, it is not known if HDAC1 and VHL can regulate VEGF production in these cells. METHODS The participation of HDAC1 and VHL in the regulation of VEGF expression in HDAC-, VHL- and LL-37-transfected HaCaT cells, and in HaCaT cells treated with HDAC1 inhibitors, was studied. RESULTS The production of VEGF was increased in HDAC1- and LL-37-transfected HaCaT cells and maintained in VHL-transfected cells under hypoxic conditions; meanwhile, VEGF production decreased in HaCaT cells treated with TSA, in cells transfected with HDAC1-siRNA, in cells co-transfected with HIF-1alpha-siRNA and pHDAC-1 and in VHL-transfected HaCaT cells. The levels of cytoplasmic HIF-1alpha were high in pLL37-transfected cells and low in pVHL- and pHDAC1-transfected cells; however, HIF-1alpha was detected in the nucleus of the HDAC1-transfected cells. The expression of VEGF was high in cells co-transfected with pHDAC1- and pLL-37, and the expression decreased when pVHL was present. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that HDAC1, LL-37 and VHL can modulate the production of VEGF via HIF-1alpha in HaCaT cells.
New theoretical approach to the synchronous reluctance machine behavior and performance

This paper introduces and develops a new operating diagram and parameter estimator for the synchronous reluctance machine, based on the machine equivalent vector model in the synchronous reference frame. The operating diagram demonstrates the machine main performance parameters, like torque, current, voltage, frequency, power factor and current angle, behavior all together in one graph. This diagram can easily be used to describe different control strategies, possible operating conditions below and above rated speed, etc. The saturation effect is also discussed with this diagram by FEM calculations.
Red and Infrared Low-Level Laser Therapy Prior to Injury with or without Administration after Injury Modulate Oxidative Stress during the Muscle Repair Process

Introduction Muscle injury is common among athletes and amateur practitioners of sports. Following an injury, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) occurs, which can harm healthy muscle fibers (secondary damage) and delay the repair process. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) administered prior to or following an injury has demonstrated positive and protective effects on muscle repair, but the combination of both administration times together has not been clarified. Aim To evaluate the effect of LLLT (660 nm and 780 nm, 10 J/cm², 40 mW, 3.2 J) prior to injury with or without the administration after injury on oxidative stress during the muscle repair process. Methods Wistar rats were divided into following groups: control; muscle injury alone; LLLT 660 nm + injury; LLLT 780 nm + injury; LLLT 660 nm before and after injury; and LLLT 780 nm before and after injury. The rats were euthanized on days 1, 3 and 7 following cryoinjury of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle, which was then removed for analysis. Results Lipid peroxidation decreased in the 660+injury group after one day. Moreover, red and infrared LLLT employed at both administration times induced a decrease in lipid peroxidation after seven days. CAT activity was altered by LLLT in all periods evaluated, with a decrease after one day in the 780+injury+780 group and after seven days in the 780+injury group as well as an increase in the 780+injury and 780+injury+780 groups after three days. Furthermore, increases in GPx and SOD activity were found after seven days in the 780+injury+780 group. Conclusion The administration of red and infrared laser therapy at different times positively modulates the activity of antioxidant enzymes and reduces stress markers during the muscle repair process.
Current immunosuppressive treatment after kidney transplantation

Introduction: Since 1995, several immunosuppressive drugs have entered the field of organ transplantation: tacrolimus, mycophenolate and the mTOR-inhibitors. Now treating physicians have a choice. Areas covered: The authors review the important studies on immunosuppressive drugs used at present after kidney transplantation, published in the last three decades. This review also discusses the available evidence for selecting one of the calcineurin inhibitors, antiproliferative agents and induction therapy. Interesting new drugs are discussed briefly. Expert opinion: Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) are considered, especially in de novo transplantation, to be the most effective maintenance drugs to prevent acute rejection. Combining CNI with mycophenolate or an mTOR-inhibitor has made it possible to reduce CNI dose and diminish nephrotoxicity. Uniform treatment regimes according to guidelines are useful but should leave room for adjustment to the needs of individual patients. Longer follow-up studies are needed to decide on the optimal maintenance treatment.
Quality of cold and warm gutta-percha fillings in oval canals in mandibular premolars.

AIM The aim of this study was to determine the quality of cold and warm gutta-percha fillings in oval canals. METHODOLOGY Two groups of mandibular premolars with oval canals were selected after bucco-lingual and mesio-distal radiographs indicated an internal long: short diameter of > or =1.6 at a level 5 mm from the apex. After instrumentation they were obturated, respectively, by cold lateral compaction of gutta-percha cones (cold GP) and vertical compaction of warm gutta-percha (warm GP). Leakage along apical root fillings was measured using a fluid transport model. After the leakage test, horizontal sections were cut 2 and 4 mm from the apex. The area of the canal and gutta-percha in cross-sections was measured using an image analysis program. The quality of root fillings was evaluated by calculating the percentage of gutta-percha-filled canal area (PGP). RESULTS No significant difference in leakage was found between the two groups (P = 0.570). The warm GP group produced significantly higher PGPs than the cold GP group 4 mm from the apex only (P = 0.522 at 2 mm: P = 0.000 at 4 mm). CONCLUSIONS The percentage of gutta-percha-filled canal area using warm GP was greater than that of the cold GP in oval canals.
Energy consuption monitoring with smart lamp socket for smart grid via M2M platform

Main problem of energy is limited energy resources, because the energy consumption rapidly increases. Furthermore, efficiently use of energy is a way to reduce the problem. In this study, a smart lamp socket unit was developed to report the consumption values of the energy and to measure energy consumption in the lighting area where the consumption of electric energy is generally high. The smart lamp socket is able to communicate via wireless network connection and internet protocol. A machine to machine (M2M) platform has been developed for easily accessible user interaction, energy consumption tracking, management and reporting thanks to the smart lamp socket. Using the M2M platform, many smart lamp socket unit can be communicated at the same time. Thus any costumer can directly manage to save energy according to reported consumption data and observed the energy consumption in the lighting fields.
Using reinforcement learning for agent-based network fault diagnosis system

In the network, it is important that faults can be diagnosed at early stage before they result in serious fault. However, the situation is not optimistic, which depends on what network management software is used. Aiming to this problem, a mobile agent-based network fault diagnosis model is proposed. In the model, agent can learn by reinforcement learning (RL), which can improve fault diagnosis performance. The structure and function of model, especially the architecture and learning algorithm of diagnostic agent, is depicted. At last, compared the system performance through simulation and experiment, and results show that the model has greater advantage.
Repeated sprint ability in young basketball players: one vs. two changes of direction (Part 1)

Abstract The present study aimed to compare the changes of direction on repeated sprint ability (RSA) vs. intensive repeated sprint ability (IRSA) protocols in basketball. Eighteen young male basketball players performed on RSA [10 × 30-m (15 + 15-m, one change of direction)] and IRSA [10 × 30-m (10 + 10 + 10-m, two changes of direction)]. A correlation matrix between RSA, IRSA, “squat jump (SJ)–countermovement jump (CMJ)”, footstep analysis and total distance in Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 was performed. The best time, worst time, total time and the number of footsteps were significantly smaller in the RSA test compared to IRSA test (P < 0.001), even though they were significantly correlated with each other (r > 0.80, P < 0.05). Blood lactate level and fatigue index did not show any difference between tests. The sensibility of the two tests assessed by the Bland–Altman analysis revealed a small bias (<1.5%) for almost all variables. Moreover, almost all time variables of the two tests were significantly correlated with the SJ (r > 0.478, P < 0.05), CMJ (r > 0.515, P < 0.05) and Yo-Yo (r > 0.489, P < 0.05) performances. The IRSA provided a reliable method for assessing specific sprint ability (with 10-m legs for IRSA ~2.3 s vs. 15 m for RSA ~3 s) with a closer link to basketball game’s actions (~2 s). Besides, IRSA could be an appropriate choice for assessing both RSA and changes of direction capacities in basketball players.
Does coffee drinking increase the risk of coronary heart disease? Results from a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND--The association between coffee drinking and risk of coronary heart disease remains controversial despite many epidemiological studies. A meta-analysis was carried out on these studies to resolve some of the uncertainties. Particular attention was paid to details of study design. METHODS--Eight case-control studies and 15 cohort studies were analysed. Weighted, fixed effects linear regression of log relative risks (or odds ratios) was used to pool the study results. The pooling procedures were performed separately by study design, sex, coronary heart disease end points, smoking habit, and period of study. RESULTS--The pooled case-control odds ratio (for the effect of drinking five cups of coffee/day v none) was 1.63 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.50 to 1.78). The pooled cohort study relative risk (five cups/day v none) was 1.05 (95% CI 0.99 to 1.12). The discrepancy between the pooled case-control and cohort study results could not be attributed to differences in the end points chosen, period of study, or to confounding by smoking status or sex. CONCLUSIONS--The cohort study data suggest very little excess risk of coronary heart disease among habitual coffee drinkers. The case-control data do not rule out an increased risk of heart disease among a subgroup of people who acutely increase their coffee intake. Further epidemiological studies are needed to assess the risk of drinking boiled or decaffeinated coffee.
Carbohydrate Recognition Specificity of Trans-sialidase Lectin Domain from Trypanosoma congolense

Fourteen different active Trypanosoma congolense trans-sialidases (TconTS), 11 variants of TconTS1 besides TconTS2, TconTS3 and TconTS4, have been described. Notably, the specific transfer and sialidase activities of these TconTS differ by orders of magnitude. Surprisingly, phylogenetic analysis of the catalytic domains (CD) grouped each of the highly active TconTS together with the less active enzymes. In contrast, when aligning lectin-like domains (LD), the highly active TconTS grouped together, leading to the hypothesis that the LD of TconTS modulates its enzymatic activity. So far, little is known about the function and ligand specificity of these LDs. To explore their carbohydrate-binding potential, glycan array analysis was performed on the LD of TconTS1, TconTS2, TconTS3 and TconTS4. In addition, Saturation Transfer Difference (STD) NMR experiments were done on TconTS2-LD for a more detailed analysis of its lectin activity. Several mannose-containing oligosaccharides, such as mannobiose, mannotriose and higher mannosylated glycans, as well as Gal, GalNAc and LacNAc containing oligosaccharides were confirmed as binding partners of TconTS1-LD and TconTS2-LD. Interestingly, terminal mannose residues are not acceptor substrates for TconTS activity. This indicates a different, yet unknown biological function for TconTS-LD, including specific interactions with oligomannose-containing glycans on glycoproteins and GPI anchors found on the surface of the parasite, including the TconTS itself. Experimental evidence for such a scenario is presented.
Public leadership: a study of the leadership practices of elected public officials in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

xix Chapter One: Introduction.1 Theoretical Framework.5 Problem Statement.7 Purpose of the Study.9 Research Questions.10 Significance of the Study.11 Methodology.12 Limitation of the Study.12 Definition of Key Terms.13 Organization of the Study.15 Summary.16 Chapter Two: Review of Literature.18 Overview of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.18 History of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.19 Guam: Geography, Demographics, Economy, and Government.27 Geography.27 Demographics.27 Economy.28 Government.28 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: Geography, Demographics, Economy, and Government.29 Geography.29 Demographics.30
A Compact Tri-Band PIFA with Multiple-Folded Parasitic Elements

The application of the multiple folded structure to a compact tri-band PlFA (planar inverted-F antenna) composed of three resonant frequencies, GSM (880-960 MHz) / DCS1800 (1710-1880 MHz) / Satellite DMB (2605-2655 MHz), are treated with the optimized parameter values. The proposed antenna has been designed and analyzed by using commercially available software, CST MWS based on the FDTD algorithm and a simple resonant equation, respectively. In addition, the return loss has been measured and compared between measured and simulated data under the criterion of VSWR less than 3.
A Shaker-like K+ Channel with Weak Rectification Is Expressed in Both Source and Sink Phloem Tissues of Arabidopsis

RNA gel blot and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction experiments were used to identify a single K+ channel gene in Arabidopsis as expressed throughout the plant. Use of the β-glucuronidase reporter gene revealed expression of this gene, AKT2/AKT3, in both source and sink phloem tissues. The AKT2/AKT3 gene corresponds to two previously identified cDNAs, AKT2 (reconstructed at its 5′ end) and AKT3, the open reading frame of the latter being shorter at its 5′ end than that of the former. Rapid amplification of cDNA ends with polymerase chain reaction and site-directed mutagenesis was performed to identify the initiation codon for AKT2 translation. All of the data are consistent with the hypothesis that the encoded polypeptide corresponds to the longest open reading frame previously identified (AKT2). Electrophysiological characterization (macroscopic and single-channel currents) of AKT2 in both Xenopus oocytes and COS cells revealed a unique gating mode and sensitivity to pH (weak inward rectification, inhibition, and increased rectification upon internal or external acidification), suggesting that AKT2 has enough functional plasticity to perform different functions in phloem tissue of source and sink organs. The plant stress hormone abscisic acid was shown to increase the amount of AKT2 transcript, suggesting a role for the AKT2 in the plant response to drought.