Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Accuracy of Bit Error Probability for W-CDMA System Using Code Tree

W-CDMA is radio access utilized for 3G cell frameworks. A code tree allocation scheme is one of the most explored channelization techniques, used to improve system performance and capacity through adjustable data rates. This work investigates the accuracy of bit error probability for W-CDMA system using code tree orthogonal variable spreading factor (OVSF) codes, compared to pseudo-noise (PN) codes under various noise conditions, such as additive white Gaussian Noise (AWGN) and Random Noise (RN). Results are carried out theoretically and by computer simulation. The simulation includes the scenario of simple model representation for W-CDMA system. It was concluded that, the system has better performance using OVSF compared with PN code under different noisy channels.
A Research Framework for Evaluating the Competitiveness of Developing Countries: An Example of the Philippines

The Philippines, a country was with glory in Southeast Asia, has determined to return to being thriving and prosperous in the global economy. This paper presents a different framework for evaluating the national competitiveness of the Philippines. The analysis is from the Philippines' viewpoint, in terms of the categories of economic performance, technology development, human resource, management, and productivity. In order to reflect the domestic and international perspective, the weights for each category and their subordinated sub-categories were solicited from experts in various industries, governmental institutions, and academia in the Philippines. The main suggestions are that the Philippines government should maintain stable economic policies and sustain political stability to attract more foreign direct investments. The implications of national competitiveness in each category are also discussed in this study.
Fuzzy optimum PSO: PSO with optimized fuzzy controllers

Since the search process of the particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique is non-linear and very complicated, it is hard if not impossible, to mathematically model the search process and dynamically adjust the PSO parameters. Thus, already some fuzzy systems proposed to control the important structural parameters of basic PSO. However, in those researches no effort were reported for optimizing the structural parameters of the designed fuzzy controller. In this paper, a new algorithm called Fuzzy Optimum PSO (FOPSO) has been introduced. FOPSO utilizes two optimized fuzzy systems for optimal controlling the main parameters of basic PSO. Extensive experimental results on many benchmark functions with different dimensions show that the powerfulness and effectiveness of the proposed FOPSO outperforms other versions of PSO.
Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting from Wind Using Coupled Bending-Torsional Vibrations

Energy harvesting using Polyvinylidene-fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric beams from fluid-induced flutter was studied. Vibration tests were performed to compare the power output of a piezoelectric beam subject to bending, and coupled bending-torsion loading conditions. A piezoelectric, harmonic computational analysis was done to further investigate the effect of the bending-torsion loading condition. It was evident that by inciting bending and torsion in the beam simultaneously, higher power outputs were achieved. However, when the tests were conducted in a wind tunnel with fluid forcing as opposed to steady-state vibration, the power output of the combined bending and torsion case was much lower than the bending-only case. High-speed image data indicated that the configurations subjected to bending-torsion flutter had lower bending deformations and were more prone to chaotic flapping, which inherently resulted in reduced power outputs. Finally, a vertical stalk configuration was examined, which produced five times more power compared to the horizontal stalk configuration at 8m/s wind speed due to excessive non-linear bending.
Cold ironing and onshore generation for airborne emission reductions in ports

Cold ironing (or onshore power supply) addresses airborne emissions while ships are berthed in port. By providing the electrical power demands from shoreside electricity, the onboard auxiliary generators can be switched off for a locally emission-free solution. The net emissions will of course be dependent on the actual shoreside electricity mix, but reductions can be realised in most cases. This study looks at the various electrical configurations available for cold ironing of berthed vessels. Shoreside generation using liquefied natural gas as an alternative fuel is also considered as a complement to cold ironing. This provides the possibility of hybridised solutions combining power supply from the grid or from clean, onsite generators. Using real data from an operational European port, the various cold ironing configurations are modelled and optimal trade-off solutions were identified. This is achieved by considering the reduction in emissions and minimisation of component costs as a multi-objective non-linear optimisation problem. The results show that CO2 emissions can be reduced by up to 40% by using cold ironing, while the use of liquefied natural gas shore generation can reduce the sulphur and particulate emissions in port to extremely low levels.
Identification of Mi-1 homologs in various Solanum species

En el Ecuador, varios cultivos de solanaceas incluyendo la naranjilla (Solanum quitoense), son atacados por nematodos del genero Meloidogyne sp. Cultivares resistentes no estan disponibles y existe una necesidad importante de identificar fuentes potenciales de resistencia para ser incorporadas en los programas de mejoramiento. El gen Mi-1 de S. peruvianum es conocido por la resistencia a Meloidogyne que confiere en tomate (S. lycopersicum). En este estudio, 42 accesiones de plantas silvestres y cultivadas de especies de Solanum, fueron analizadas para identificar la presencia de este gen, su diversificacion, expresion y evidencia de recombinacion. El gen Mi-1 (exon 3) fue identificado en 34 accesiones. Diez y seis alelos fueron identificados, de los cuales 15 codificaron secuencias aminoacidicas diferentes, todas incluyeron proteinas NBS-LRR y compartieron una homologia del 72-96% con la proteina Mi-1 del tomate. El locus de Mi-1 resulto altamente polimorfico. La mayoria de los polimorfismos se acumularon en la region NBS en vez de LRR. La recombinacion genetica fue detectada entre secuencias relacionadas con el tomate y la papa. Sin embargo, fue ausente en el grupo de la naranjilla. Homologos fueron identificados tanto en hojas como en raices de algunas accesiones de plantas no infectadas, sugiriendo una expresion constitutiva del gen.
Anticonvulsant effect of Cyperus rotundus Linn rhizomes in rats.

Objective : To evaluate the anticonvulsant effect of Cyperus rotundus Linn rhizomes against maximal electroshock (MES) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced tonic seizers in albino rats. Materials and methods : Ethanol extract of Cyperus rotundus Linn rhizomes were obtained by continuous hot soxhlet extraction. The extract was assessed for anticonvulsant activity by measuring (sec) the duration of tonic flexion, tonic extensor, clonus, stupor and recovery phase in rats. Results : Phytochemical investigation of ethanol extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, vitamins and carbohydrates. The ethanol extract (100 mg / kg, p.o.) reduced hind limb extension and duration of convulsion significantly, (P < 0.001) which was comparable to standard drug phenytoin (25 mg / kg, i.p.) and diazepam (4 mg /kg, i.p.) respectively. Conclusion : The ethanol extract of Cyperus rotundus rhizomes is worthwhile to develop the potent phytoconstituent for treatment of epilepsy and the flavonoids present in ethanol extract could be attributed for anticonvulsant activity.
Aptychi microstructure in Late Cretaceous Ancyloceratina (Ammonoidea)

The microstructure of aptychi (bivalved calcareous coverings on lower jaws) of three genera of Late Cretaceous Ancyloceratina, Baculites, Polyptychoceras and Jeletzkytes is described for the first time on the basis of well-preserved and in situ material from the Western Interior of the USA and Hokkaido, Japan. Optical and scanning electron microscope observations of aptychi on polished median and cross-sections reveal some variation in their relative size, shape and microstructure among the three genera. The aptychus of Baculites is composed of two calcitic layers: one with tilted lamellae and the other one with horizontal lamellae, whereas those of Polyptychoceras and Jeletzkytes consist of a thin layer with horizontal lamellae. Comparison with aptychi (e.g. Laevaptychus) of Jurassic Ammonitina shows that the aptychi of Ancyloceratina differ from those of Jurassic Ammonitina in the smaller number of layers and the absence of a sponge-like structure. We propose for the first time growth models for a sponge-like aptychus of Jurassic Ammonitina and the lamellar aptychus of Cretaceous Ancyloceratina. The remarkable microstructural variation of aptychi observed in Mesozoic Ammonoidea is probably related to the diversity of their modes of feeding and the secondary function of the lower jaws as opercula.
Effects ofMedical Interventions onGender Dysphoria and Body Image : A Follow-Up Study

Objective: The aim of this study from the European Network for the Investigation of Gender Incongruence is to investigate the status of all individuals who had applied for gender confirming interventions from 2007 to 2009, irrespective of whether they received treatment. The current article describes the study protocol, the effect of medical treatment on gender dysphoria and body image, and the predictive value of (pre)treatment factors on posttreatment outcomes. Methods: Data were collected on medical interventions, transition status, gender dysphoria (Utrecht Gender Dysphoria Scale), and body image (Body Image Scale for transsexuals). In total, 201 people participated in the study (37% of the original cohort). Results:At follow-up, 29 participants (14%) did not receive medical interventions, 36 hormones only (18%), and 136 hormones and surgery (68%). Most transwomen had undergone genital surgery, and most transmen chest surgery. Overall, the levels of gender dysphoria and body dissatisfaction were significantly lower at follow-up compared with clinical entry. Satisfaction with therapy responsive and unresponsive body characteristics both improved. High dissatisfaction at admission and lower psychological functioning at follow-up were associated with persistent body dissatisfaction. Conclusions:Hormone-based interventions and surgery were followed by improvements in body satisfaction. The level of psychological symptoms and the degree of body satisfaction at baseline were significantly associated with body satisfaction at follow-up.
Gender differences in environmentalism: A case study of Macedonian students

This study focuses on the impact of gender on environmental worldview in a sample of Macedonian students. The sample used in the final analysis consisted of 448 Macedonian students from 7 elementary and high schools. Participants completed the New Ecological Paradigm scale (NEP; Dunlap et al., 2000). Empirical findings suggest that no firm and clear conclusions can be drawn about the effects of gender on (NEP) environmental concern in a sample of Macedonian students. Findings are discussed in terms of differences between two groups.
Inhibitory Effect of Plant Extracts on Salmonella spp.

Salmonella spp. , facultatively anaerobic gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria (Krieg & Holt, 1984), is one of the most important food borne pathogens. If present in food, the bacteria do not affect the taste, smell or appearance of the food. Frequent hand washing, throwing out expired food, avoid eating raw or undercooked eggs, meats, seafood or poultry are the key to preventing Salmonella food poisoning. Antibiotics (such as ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfonamides and tetracycline) may be prescribed for moderate to severe cases of Salmonella food poisoning or when it occurs in a person who is at risk for complications. However, probably as a consequence of the extensive use of antibiotics, that the incidence and severity of human diseases related to Salmonella caused by antimicrobial resistant Salmonella is rising in many countries (Breuil et al., 2000). Furthermore, illness caused by resistant Salmonella can be more severe and difficult to control (Oliveira et al., 2006). Presence of the bacterium Salmonella in food and the disease Salmonella food poisoning and typhoid fever continue to be a major public health problem worldwide. Millions of human cases are reported worldwide every year and the disease results in thousands of deaths. The increasingly resistance to antibiotics of food borne Salmonella (Breuil et al., 2000) drive much of the current interest on plant antimicrobial molecules. At the same time, increasingly consumer demand for more natural products has led to the food industry to consider the incorporation of the natural preservative in a range of products (Dorman & Deans, 2000; Elgayyar et al., 2001). Plants are complex chemical storehouses of undiscovered biodynamic compounds with unrealized potential for use in modern medicine (Plotkin, 1988). Several antimicrobial agents were isolated from plant including secondary metabolites as essential oil, terpenoides, phenols, alkaloids and flavanoids (Kazmi et al., 1994; Cosentino et al., 1999; Omulokoli et al., 1997). An important characteristic of these compounds is their hydrophobicity, which enables them to partition in the lipids of the bacterial cell membrane and mitochondria, disturbing the structures and rendering them more permeable (Burt, 2004). This chapter is undertake in order to investigate inhibitory effect of plant extracts on Salmonella spp. , including a prevalence and control of Salmonella in foods and incidence of antibiotic resistant strains of Salmonella. Information on extraction methods and phytochemical compositions of medicinal plants can be found in this chapter. The current knowledge on potential of plant extracts for antibacterial activity against Salmonella spp. and its application in food processing or packaging will be discussed.
Observer Based Traction/Braking Control Design for High Speed Trains Considering Adhesion Nonlinearity

Train traction/braking control, one of the key enabling technologies for automatic train operation, literally takes its action through adhesion force. However, adhesion coefficient of high speed train (HST) is uncertain in general because it varies with wheel-rail surface condition and running speed; thus, it is extremely difficult to be measured, which makes traction/braking control design and implementation of HSTs greatly challenging. In this work, force observers are applied to estimate the adhesion force or/and the resistance, based on which simple traction/braking control schemes are established under the consideration of actual wheel-rail adhesion condition. It is shown that the proposed controllers have simple structure and can be easily implemented from real applications. Numerical simulation also validates the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Heterogeneous Firms and Corporate Social Responsibility: An Analysis in Times of Crisis

We set out a model that considers the concept of strategic CSR, and focuses on the role of consumers’ demand for CSR products, according to the so called “bottom up pressure”, that is consumers’ initiative in appreciating CSR. We enrich the above approach with the idea that CSR is a specific feature of goods improving their “quality”. In this way, we are able to consider it as a novel type of product differentiation based on the adoption of socially and environmentally responsible practices; as a consequence, our model builds on the literature based on heterogeneous firms in monopolistic competition (starting from the recent “new-new” trade theory pioneered by Melitz, 2003), that incorporates quality product differentiation. In a closed economy with CSR option in production, we analyze the link between heterogeneity in productivity and CSR intensity, by letting the optimal level of ethical standards to be endogenously determined by each firm. We then consider the need for external financing, finding that the latter may lead intra-marginal firms to exit production, as well as to a reduction in the optimal level of CSR of surviving firms. The latter outcome is especially relevant for the study of the relation between CSR and economic crisis. We identify some negative effects: a decline in consumers’ income has a negative impact on the demand of higher CSR intensity goods, whereas a tightening in external financing conditions leads to a decrease in the optimal level of CSR. On the other hand, external investors may attribute a positive value to the CSR effort of firms, as the latter may be seen as a positive reputational signal. We take into account that creditors attribute a specific weight to CSR activities in judging corporate attention for stakeholders, by assuming that firms’ exogenous probability of enforcing the financial contract is deemed to be higher when investors care about firms’ ethical efforts; at the same time, the share of tangible assets CSR firms are required to vow as collateral is assumed to be lower. We thus study the conditions which may make the reputational effect to mitigate the impact of the crisis on firms’ optimal level of CSR.
COMPLETE GENOMIC CHARACTERIZATION OF EGGPLANT MOTTLED DWARF VIRUS FROM AGAPANTHUS sp. BY DEEP SEQUENCING AND DE NOVO ASSEMBLY

Bright mosaic, consisting of white and yellow rectangular or oval to linear patches and stripes, often confluent, was observed on Agapanthus leaves, flower stalks and buds in Italy. To identify and characterize the causal agent, deep-sequencing was carried out and the resulting sequences were assembled. De novo assembly of contigs, along with RACE experiments, resulted in the complete RNA molecule of 13,100 nt sharing 85.6% identical nucleotides with the genome of Eggplant mottled dwarf virus (EMDV). Sequence analysis and comparisons of the Agapanthus isolate of EMDV showed five conserved motifs in the L gene, which are localized in the N-terminal region (amino acid no. 531 to 770).
AN ANALYSIS OF RURAL POVERTY IN OYO STATE: A PRINCIPAL COMPONENT APPROACH

The 2003/2004 NLSS data was used in this paper to consider the status of rural household poverty in Oyo State, Nigeria and to identify the relevant determinants using the. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to determine the important factors associated with rural household poverty. Household size, mother’s educational level, age of the household head, father’s work and mother’s work were the key factors found to be major determinants of rural poverty incidence in the state. The choice of expenditure as a proxy for measuring poverty was further corroborated. These findings indicated that factor analysis is very helpful in poverty -targeting and alleviation.
A Compact Triple-Band Notched MIMO Antenna for UWB Systems

─ A miniaturization ultra-wideband (UWB) multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna with triple-notched band function is presented in the paper. There are two similar monopole radiators in the UWBMIMO system. Based on half-cutting method, the system only occupies 21×27 mm. Three inverted L-shaped slots are inserted to get three rejected bands for suppressing interference from 3.5 GHz WiMAX, 5.5 GHz WLAN, and 8.1 GHz X-band. With a T-shaped stub extruding from the ground plane, both impedance bandwidth and port isolation are effectively improved. The proposed antenna covers operating frequency band of 3.1-11 GHz except three notched bands, and has a low port isolation of better than -20 dB. Moreover, good radiation patterns, stable gain and low envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) also ensure that the designed antenna is helpful in UWB systems. Index Terms ─ Half-cutting method, monopole antenna, multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO), notched band, ultra-wideband (UWB).
A and F stars as probes of outer Galactic disc kinematics

Previous studies of the rotation law in the outer Galactic disc have mainly used gas tracers or clump giants. Here, we explore A and F stars as alternatives: these provide a much denser sampling in the outer disc than gas tracers and have experienced significantly less velocity scattering than older clump giants. This first investigation confirms the suitability of A stars in this role. Our work is based on spectroscopy of $\sim$ 1300 photometrically-selected stars in the red calcium-triplet region, chosen to mitigate against the effects of interstellar extinction. The stars are located in two low Galactic latitude sightlines, at longitudes $\ell = 118^{\circ}$, sampling strong Galactic rotation shear, and $\ell = 178^{\circ}$, near the Anticentre. With the use of Markov Chain Monte Carlo parameter fitting, stellar parameters and radial velocities are measured, and distances computed. The obtained trend of radial velocity with distance is inconsistent with existing flat or slowly rising rotation laws from gas tracers (Brand & Blitz 1993; Reid et al. 2014). Instead, our results fit in with those obtained by Huang et al. (2016) from disc clump giants that favoured rising circular speeds. An alternative interpretation in terms of spiral arm perturbation is not straight forward. We assess the role that undetected binaries in the sample and distance error may have in introducing bias, and show that the former is a minor factor. The random errors in our trend of circular velocity are within $\pm 5$ km s$^{-1}$.
Formation of a conceptual approach to the creation of an expert system for the identification of the processes of intellectual activity

Reliable identification of the level of intellectual activity, analysis of the development dynamics and diagnostics of intellectual processes require the creation of a new class of expert systems. One of the main points that should be taken into account in creating expert systems and in the works aimed at identifying the processes of intellectual activity, is the evaluation not of intelligence, in general, as a single complex system, but its individual processes. Only in this case, it is possible to undertake an in-depth analysis of the current state and development dynamics of the processes of intellectual systems, gain access to the possibility of implementing an effective diagnostics of possible problems and identify ways to resolve them. As it was found in the research, a prerequisite for the implementation of these approaches is the use of system grounded evaluation criterion. Such criterion should be consistent with the criterion of the efficiency of open systems. The evaluation criterion, the choice of which was done in this paper, allows to take into account the complexity level, the deviation of response from the standard and time of the test or task solution. Using the system grounded evaluation index allowed to propose a unified methodology to characterize both the dynamics of the processes and the maximum achievable level with an unlimited range of its change. Use of the trend dependence, approximating the dynamic series allows to obtain additional opportunities to assess the degree of concentration, and other influencing factors in the form of standard deviation indicator. Also, the proposed criterion provides the possibility of evaluating the entire process as a sequence of evaluation operations, which potentially allows to optimize the parameters of operations that are set prior to carrying out the experiments.