Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Arterial Stiffness Predicts Mortality in Individuals With Type 1 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE Type 1 diabetes is accompanied by a significant burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is poorly explained by traditional risk factors. We therefore aimed to explore whether arterial stiffness estimated by the augmentation index (AIx) predicts mortality in individuals with type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS After baseline examination comprising pulse wave analysis by applanation tonometry alongside assessment of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, 906 individuals with type 1 diabetes from the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy (FinnDiane) Study were followed up for a median of 8.2 years (interquartile range 5.7–9.7). Associations between baseline hemodynamics, including AIx, and all-cause mortality as well as a composite of cardiovascular and/or diabetes-related mortality were investigated using multivariable Cox regression models. RESULTS The 67 individuals who died during follow-up had higher baseline AIx (median 28% [interquartile range 21–33] vs. 19% [9–27]; P < 0.001) compared with those alive. This association was independent of conventional risk factors (age, sex, BMI, HbA1c, estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR], and previous CVD event) in Cox regression analysis (standardized hazard ratio 1.71 [95% CI 1.10–2.65]; P = 0.017) and sustained in a subanalysis of individuals with chronic kidney disease. Similarly, higher AIx was associated with the composite secondary end point of cardiovascular and diabetes-related death (N = 53) after adjustments for sex, BMI, eGFR, previous CVD event, and height (standardized hazard ratio 2.30 [1.38–3.83]; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS AIx predicts all-cause mortality as well as a composite cardiovascular and/or diabetes-related cause of death in individuals with type 1 diabetes, independent of established cardiovascular risk factors.
Resource Allocation and Admission Control Strategy for 5G Networks Using Slices and Users Priorities

Network slicing has been considered as one of the key enabling technologies for the Fifth Generation (5G) mobile network, which can create virtual networks and provide customized services on demand. Due to the specific requirements of different verticals, slices and User Equipment (UE), deciding on how to efficiently allocate, manage, and control the slice resources dynamically in an isolated multitenancy scenario is very challenging. This paper focuses on the development of an admission control scheme for effective allocation of network resource for sliced 5G network considering both inter-slice and intra-slice priorities. In this work, the proposed admission control uses heuristic mechanism to improve Quality-of-Experience (QoE), enhance resource utilization efficiency and improve the throughput of users. The results obtained demonstrate the good performance of the proposed algorithm in terms of increase in QoE experienced by users as well as network resource management when compared with other algorithms.
Restoration of Click Degraded Speech and Music Based on High Order Sparse Linear Prediction

Clicks are localized degradation that affect most archived audio media. Click degradation are objectionable to the listener and should be suppressed to make the audio acceptable. The use of linear prediction (LP) modeling for the restoration of audio signal that has been corrupted by click degradation has been extensively researched. However, it is hampered by the need of a pitch predictor and by its poor performance for voiced speech and music. High-order sparse linear prediction has been shown to offer better representation of voiced speech and music over conventional linear prediction. In this paper, the use of $\ell 1$ -norm and $\ell 0$ -norm regularized high-order sparse linear prediction is proposed for restoration of audio signal that is corrupted by click degradation that can work equally well for speech and music without a priori information of the type of signal. High-order sparse linear prediction is used to obtain a better model of the spectral envelope and harmonics in the presence of click degradation and background noise. Evaluation with clean speech and music shows that the proposed method achieves SNR improvement from 3dB to 5dB over conventional LP approach for a wide range of click durations. Tests with speech and music corrupted by background noise in addition to click degradation show that the proposed method achieves a better SNR than the restoration of click degraded speech and music that is not corrupted by background noise using conventional LP. Perceptual evaluation of audio quality (PEAQ), used to estimate the subjective quality audio, shows that the proposed method performs better than conventional LP methods in terms of perceived quality of the restored audio by a listener. A computational requirement analysis shows that even though the proposed method is not real-time, it only takes 2 to 3 times the duration of the frame being restored on a present day general-purpose processor.
No genetic variation detected within isolated relict populations of Saxifraga cernua in the Alps using RAPD markers

Genetic variation in seven relict populations of Saxifraga cernua from three regions of the Alps was investigated using RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) markers. No variation, either within the populations or within the regions, could be demonstrated. Nevertheless, each alpine region was characterized by a unique RAPD phenotype. Absence of genetic variation in these relict populations is attributed to population bottlenecks and founder effects during or following the ice ages. Contrasting hypotheses about the history of these populations, either as survivors of the glacial period or as products of postglacial immigration, are discussed in the light of the data presented.
Implementation of Phased Array Antenna for wide scan using SIW Technology in K-Band

In this paper, wide scanning beam antenna is designed with substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) Technology. This wide beam SIW antenna works as dielectric filled rectangular waveguide slot antenna and has an operating mode at transverse electric ( ). The rectangular slots on the top layer are designed according to rectangular waveguide slot theory, the distribution of electric field in slots are analyzed by equating to magnetic current. The entire design is carried out in XZ-plane and it resonates at frequency of 20.3GHz, with gain of 11.64dBi over a bandwidth of 0.5GHz. The scanning range in elevations plane at φ=0 and φ =90 are -500 to 510, -150 to 130 respectively. The scanning is possible in XZ plane only. To observe beam in different direction of 1x4 array SIW antenna is designed and shifting of beam is observed over the wide scanning range by providing input phase-controlled mechanism. The control mechanism has carried out by using HFSS.
Seasonal shifts of the microbial community structure in a winery waste-impacted wetland soil

ABSTRACT Wetlands have been identified as viable systems for treating agroindustrial and other effluents. However, the microbial contribution to the bioremediation processes in wetlands is poorly understood. We have investigated the diversity and dynamics of microbial communities in a natural wetland system used to bioremediate winery waste in the Western Cape region, South Africa. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiles of 16S rRNA gene fragments amplified from surface wetland soil samples (0–5 cm depth) collected between February 2005 and February 2006 indicated that major qualitative and quantitative changes occurred in the structure of the bacterial, total archaeal and methanogenic communities over the course of the year. Conversely, no significant differences were detected in samples recovered over the same period at ca. 25 cm depth. The DGGE patterns from surface samples grouped into two distinct seasonal clusters, which correlated well with considerable differences in effluent chemistry and hence may be related to harvesting activities at the wine estate. The analysis of temporal intensity variations of specific DGGE bands, which reflect the population dynamics of the respective phylotypes, was used to identify taxa potentially involved in the degradation of winery waste compounds. We propose that this is a valid approach to the identification of dominant and temporally responsive microorganisms in passive bioremediation studies.
Reconfigurable Microwave Components Using Glide-symmetric Pin-loaded Parallel Plates

Glide-symmetric structures have recently gained a lot of interest in the design of electromagnetic bandgap materials due to their high attenuation in the stopband region and for their capability to support an almost dispersionless wave propagation. In this paper, we propose a reconfigurable waveguide using a glide-symmetric structure with pins. We show how the wave propagation in this waveguide can be enabled or suppressed by a mere adjustment of the displacement between the two metallic plates of the waveguide. In addition, we demonstrate how this structure can be used to design a phase shifter.
Massive Radio Channel Sounder Architecture for 5G Mobility Scenarios: MaMIMOSA

This paper presents a real-time 64 x 16 massive MIMO channel sounder based on space-frequency division multiplexing and antenna subarray switching, giving a large possibility of antenna allocation and frequency tone between 2 and 12 GHz. This channel sounder called Massive MIMOSA or MaMIMOSA belongs to the new generation of software radio design based systems. The architecture of the proposed approach was designed with the highest flexibility thus opening a wide range of applications depending upon the investigated scenarios. Currently, the system is being setup using a massive 10 x 10 antenna array operating around 6 GHz with 80 MHz bandwidth for 5G V2X applications. The channel sounder can be powered with vehicle batteries to perform day long measurements when electrical outlets are not available. The output file gives the measured Massive MIMO matrix in a friendly compact binary format. It will be operational in early 2020.
Factors Influencing Acadian Flycatcher Nesting Success in an Intensively Managed Forest Landscape

Abstract We examined factors affecting the nesting success of a migratory songbird, the Acadian flycatcher (Empidonax virescens), in loblolly pine plantations in the coastal plain of South Carolina, USA. From 1997–2000, we located and monitored 163 Acadian flycatcher nests in loblolly pine stands and corridors that were 18–27 years old. We used Mayfield logistic regression (Aebischer 1999, Hazler 2004) to model the effects of edge and stand-level vegetation structure on nest daily survival rate. There was no evidence of an effect of edge on nest survival, but nest survival was positively related to the height of the deciduous subcanopy and to the density of shrub cover. Although Acadian flycatchers are generally regarded as habitat specialists requiring mature hardwood forests, our data suggest that pine plantations can support breeding populations, provided that a substantial hardwood component is present. We believe that maintaining multiple vegetation strata and increasing the length of harvest rotations would improve the habitat value of pine plantations for Acadian flycatchers and presumably other species more typically associated with deciduous forests. Maintenance of a corridor network, as practiced by some industrial forest managers, is one means of providing more mature forest habitat, thereby fostering higher nesting success. Concern that these corridors might act as ecological traps seems to be unwarranted in our study area. Corridors thus appear to be a valuable management tool for promoting wildlife values within the context of an industrial forest landscape.
Design and Testing of a Dual-band SIW Antenna Loaded with CRLH-TL Unit Cell

In this paper, a dual-band substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) antenna loaded with composite right/lefthanded transmission line (CRLH-TL) unit cell is presented. Initially, a modified interdigital capacitor (IDC) CRLH-TL unit cell was designed, which generates the dual-band. Two-unit cells are loaded in SIW based antenna that works in a common and a differential mode of operation. The proposed modifications is meant for further antenna size reduction, improved bandwidth. Additionally, two λg/4 resonators and a shorting pin are employed to suppress the harmonics, and for improved impedance matching. The measured results show an impedance bandwidth (|S11| < –10 dB) of 14.2 % (2.5 – 2.88 GHz) and 6.69 % (4.68 – 4.94 GHz) at the resonant frequencies of 2.68 and 4.78 GHz. The maximum measured peak realized gain and radiation efficiency of the designed antenna are 4.49 dBi, 66.87% for the first resonant frequency; and 5.48 dBi, 74.36 %, for the second resonant frequency. The measured results are quite in agreement with the simulation results.
Density Compensation in Umbra‐Perca Fish Assemblages of Northern Wisconsin Lakes

Small, shallow seepage lakes in northern Wisconsin that have both low winter oxygen concentrations and low pH possess depauperate fish assemblages containing primarily or exclusively central mudminnows, Umbra limi, and yellow perch, perca flavescens. Six times during three years I determined the total densities of fish in five lakes by mark—recapture and catch—per—effort methods. The richness of the fish assemblages in these lakes varied from one to three species in a nested pattern. While seasonal variations in density occurred within and among lakes due to variations of growth, mortality, and recruitment, total densities overall were independent of species richness. the pattern, called complete density compensation, suggests that total densities are expressions of the lakes' similar abilities to support fish and that the species interact rather than being independent. An intense negative correlation between perch and mudminnow densities was found, suggesting a strong interspecific population dominance o.
Dynamic Ray Tracing: Introduction and Concept

Radio applications in vehicular environment are becoming popular due to the development of autonomous driving and safety enforcement technologies that make use of vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-infrastructure as well as of radar solutions. Due the large variety of possible environment configurations, and to the highly dynamic characteristics of the environment, specific deterministic radio propagation models must be developed to assist the design and simulation of such vehicular applications. In the present work we present a dynamic ray tracing model that can provide a multidimensional channel prediction, including Doppler’s shifts, with a single run on the base of a suitable “dynamic environment database” that describes a scene with moving objects and terminals. The proposed approach applied to a reference street canyon scenario with a large moving object representing a bus is shown to yield realistic estimates of the channel’s power-Doppler profiles.
Apes on The Rock

Barbary macaques have been on Gibraltar continuously for 240 years, maybe longer. Today they are a major tourist attraction – 1000 people may visit them in a day. But they have caused much trouble in the past, raiding gardens, damaging houses, biting people. Since 1913, with few breaks, they have been fed regularly on the top of the Rock by the British Army. Numbers have fluctuated – in 1900 there were 130, in 1943 only four, which on Mr Churchill's instructions were increased by imports to 24. Today they are kept at between 30 and 40, and controlled by exports to zoos and culling, which the author, who is studying their adaptation to living with man, considers unacceptably wasteful.
Circularly Polarized Corner-Truncated and Slotted Microstrip Patch Antenna on Textile Substrate for Wearable Passive UHF RFID Tags

We present a compact circularly polarized (CP) antenna for wearable passive UHF RFID tags. The antenna is a square-shaped microstrip patch antenna where we have applied corner truncation and slotting techniques in the top layer conductor for achieving the CP property and a shorting pin and loop structure for impedance matching. Despite using a lowpermittivity textile as antenna substrate, the antenna’s footprint size is only 5-by-5 cm, which is approximately 15% of the operating wavelength. At the same time, the on-body measurements, the antenna’s axial ratio is 0.9 dB and the measured attainable read range (reader’s EIRP =3.28W) of the tag reaches 4.2 meters with a CP reader antenna and ranges from 2.9 meters to 3.4 meters for a linear reader antenna, depending on the rotation angle between the antennas.
Estimação de funções de covariância para características de crescimento da raça Tabapuã utilizando modelos de regressão aleatória

In order to estimate covariance functions by using random regression models on Legendre polynomials, 35,732 weight records from birth to 660 days of age of 8,458 animals of Tabapua cattle were used. The models included: as random effects, direct additive genetic effect, maternal effect, and animal and maternal permanent environmental effets; contemporary groups were included as fixed effects; and as covariables, animal age at weighing and age of dam at calving (linear and quadratic effects) and on age at weighing,, the orthogonal Legendre polynomial (cubic regression) was considered to model the mean curve of the population. Residuals effects were modeled considering seven classes of variance. The models were compared by Akaike criterion and Bayesian information criterion. The best model showed orders 4, 3, 6, and 3 for maternal and direct additive genetic effect, and maternal and animal permanent enviroment, respectively. Estimates of (co)variance and heritability obtained with the bi-trait and random regression models were similar. The heritability estimates for direct additive genetic effect obtained by the random regression models increased from birth (0.15) to 660 days of age (0.45). The greatest estimates of maternal heritability were obtained for weights measured right after birth. In general, the genetic correlation estimates were moderate to high, and they decreased as the distance between weights increased. Selection for higher weights at any age will promote weight gain from birth to 660 days of age.
Three hundred and fifty generations of extreme food specialisation: testing predictions of nutritional ecology

We used a strain of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), that had been reared for approximately 350 generations in a precisely characterised environment to test hypotheses regarding the influence of nutritional heterogeneity on the evolution of nutrient regulatory responses. Caterpillars were maintained with ad libitum access to a diet that emulated that of an extreme nutritional specialist, comprising a homogeneous food of fixed nutrient composition. We measured performance (survival, development rate, and pupal mass), as well as the protein and carbohydrate intake of individual caterpillars confined to one of a range of single foods differing in their protein, carbohydrate, and water content. In a separate experiment, we measured the amount and balance of protein and carbohydrate self‐selected by caterpillars presented with nutritionally complementary foods. Results showed a close fit with three of four predictions about the nutritional responses of ‘nutrient specialist’ feeders: (1) survival, development rate, and pupal mass were highest for animals given diets with the protein:carbohydrate composition of the ancestral culture diet, and dropped off sharply with higher and lower protein:carbohydrate balance, (2) caterpillars coped poorly with dietary dilution by water, irrespective of the macronutrient balance, and (3) the self‐selected intake point corresponded with the macronutrient balance that gave peak performance (i.e., that of the ancestral culture diet). The fourth prediction, that caterpillars would be disinclined to over‐ingest nutrients on imbalanced diets, was at best weakly met. We hypothesise that the evolution and maintenance of the specialist strategy might, paradoxically, require some degree of environmental heterogeneity.
Food-niche differentiation in sympatric species of kingfishers, the Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis and the Greater Pied Kingfisher Ceryle lugubris

Abstract The Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis and the Greater Pied Kingfisher Ceryle lugubris breed sympatrically along the Chikuma River in central Japan. These kingfisher species differ in body size, with the latter being much larger than the former. To understand the potential mechanisms that might play a role in food-niche differentiation between these two species, we studied their foraging ecology in the breeding seasons of 2005 and 2006. Specifically, we compared the foraging habitat, foraging behavior, and food delivered to nestlings between the two kingfishers. We video-recorded the food delivered to nestlings during the day, and our results indicated that these species differed in their foraging ecology in several respects: (1) Common Kingfishers caught prey at sites where the water flow was calm, while Greater Pied Kingfishers hunted at sites where the water flowed rapidly; (2) Greater Pied Kingfishers dove from a higher position and caught fish in deeper water than Common Kingfishers; and (3) Common Kingfishers preferred smaller fish than Greater Pied Kingfishers. Overall, Common Kingfishers used a wider variety of foraging sites and food types than Greater Pied Kingfishers in the study area. As inter-specific territorially and aggressive interactions between the two species were rarely observed, the food-niche differentiation between the two species was not likely the outcome of competitive exclusion. We conclude that the realized food-niches of the two kingfisher species reflect their respective body sizes.
A NEW SPECIES OF THE ELEUTHERODACTYLUS DISCOIDALIS GROUP (ANURA: BRACHYCEPHALIDAE) FROM CLOUD FORESTS OF PERU

We describe a new species of the Eleutherodactylus discoidalis group from cloud forests of the Apurimac and Kosñipata valleys, southern Peru. The new species differs from other species of the group mainly by having a coarsely shagreen dorsum, long and slender hind legs, very long feet, Finger I equal in length to Finger II and fingertips not expanded. The species also lacks supernumerary tubercles on the feet.
Taxonomy and phylogeny of Armina (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia: Arminidae) from the Atlantic and eastern Pacific

Armina is the most species-rich genus of the Arminidae family with over 50 nominal species. Material of the genus Armina from the western Atlantic and the eastern Pacific was revised. Six species have been documented from the western Atlantic; however, we have determined that only four of them are valid: Armina muelleri, A. wattla, A. juliana and A. elongata. Also, only three out of seven species previously registered in the eastern Pacific were recognized in the present study: A. californica, A. cordellensis and Armina sp. , an unnamed species. The phylogenetic analysis of 13 taxa and 17 characters was performed using the program PAUP (Phylogenetic Analysis Using Parsimony). The Branch-and-Bound algorithm generated a 29-step tree with the following relations: (Histiomena convolvula, (Dermatobranchus sp., ((((A. californica , (A. maculata, A. muelleri)), ((A. loveni, A. neapolitana), A. wattla)), (A. cordellensis, (Armina sp., A. juliana))), (A. tigrina, A. elongata)))). The monophyletic evidence for Armina is discussed and compared to possible speciation processes similar to those found in other Opisthobranchia groups.