Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Channel estimation algorithms for broadband MIMO-OFDM sparse channel

In the broadband communication, channel impulse response usually exhibits sparse behavior (i.e. many nearly zero taps). This paper considers the channel estimation of the sparse channel for broadband multiple input multiple output-orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) systems. Three algorithms for MIMO-OFDM sparse channel estimation are presented and compared: least square channel estimation (LSCE), constraint least square channel estimation (CLSCE) with ideal delay estimation, matching pursuit based channel estimation (MPCE). Mean square error (MSE) performances an also analyzed. Simulation results show that MPCK has better performance than LSCE and is very close to CLSCE under the high SNR, and also MPCE does not require the a priori of channel. Using the MP-based channel estimator, the detection performance is nearly optimal.
PII: S0167-2789(00)00060-9

We develop a new numerical method which treats resolved and sub-grid scales as two different fluid components evolving according to their own dynamical equations. These two fluids are nonlinearly interacting and can be transformed one into another when their scale becomes comparable to the grid size. Equations describing the two-fluid dynamics were rigorously derived from Euler equations [B. Dubrulle, S. Nazarenko, Physica D 110 (1997) 123–138] and they do not involve any adjustable parameters. The main assumption of such a derivation is that the large-scale vortices are so strong that they advect the sub-grid scales as a passive scalar, and the interactions of small scales with small and intermediate scales can be neglected. As a test for our numerical method, we performed numerical simulations of 2D turbulence with a spectral gap, and we found a good agreement with analytical results obtained for this case by Nazarenko and Laval [Non-local 2D turbulence and passive scalars in Batchelor’s regime, J. Fluid Mech. , in press]. We used the two-fluid method to study three typical problems in 2D dynamics of incompressible fluids: decaying turbulence, vortex merger and forced turbulence. The two-fluid simulations performed on at 128 2 and 2562 resolution were compared with pseudo-spectral simulations using hyperviscosity performed at the same and at much higher resolution. This comparison shows that performance of the two-fluid method is much better than one of the pseudo-spectral method at the same resolution and comparable computational cost. The most significant improvement is observed in modeling of the small-scale component, so that effective inertial interval increases by about two decades compared to the high-resolution pseudo-spectral method. Using the two-fluid method, we demonstrated that the k−3 tail always exists for the energy spectrum, although its amplitude is slowly decreasing in decaying turbulence. © 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Women entrepreneurs: Their problems and entrepreneurial ideas

Although the percentage of the women entrepreneurs is increasing day by day, it is still at low level and the survival duration of their workplaces is short. Therefore, in Turkey, there is a requirement for the researches and projects concerning how to be able to increase the number of the female entrepreneurs and improve their business management. The research sought answers to the questions: “What are the personality characteristics necessary for women entrepreneurs? ” and “What are the basic factors underlying of the women entrepreneurs’ ideas about the entrepreneurship? ” Due to these reasons, in this study, Tekirdag is taken as a sample. The problems that the women who operate in entrepreneurship activities in business life and their entrepreneurship are dealt with and investigated. There are approximately 800 female entrepreneurs who are registered to trade association and operate actively in Tekirdag. In this study, a questionnaire is carried out face to face with 10% of these women entrepreneurs from various business lines. As a result of the study, it is determined that a significant majority of the women entrepreneurs in Tekirdag are young or in the middle aged group (77 and 5%), their businesses have the characteristics of a micro of small businesses and these businesses are mostly established with their own effort or with the support of their families or their spouses. The most crucial inconveniences they face at the business establishment phase are the lack of funds and knowledge. “Being industrious and combative” are the leading personality characteristics of them. This study will overcome the deficiencies about the lack of scientific study on female entrepreneurs, which will encourage the women in terms of entrepreneurship and will aid the constitution of new policies on this issue. Key words: Women, entrepreneurs, economics, problems, Turkey.
Comparative evaluation of the cortisol level of unstimulated saliva in patients with and without chronic periodontitis

Background: Chronic periodontitis (CP) is one of the most prevalent diseases of the oral cavity with various biological and behavioral risk factors. We aimed to evaluate the association between the salivary cortisol level (SCL) of unstimulated saliva and CP in patients referred to Isfahan Dental Faculty. Materials and Methods: In this analytic cross-sectional study, 90 patients were selected based on the presence of periodontitis and were divided into two groups: with periodontitis and without periodontitis (n = 45). First, by evaluating the level of anxiety with Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire, each group was divided into three subgroups, each containing 15 persons. To measure the SCL in all subgroups by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method, saliva samples were collected with unstimulated spitting method between 9 and 11 AM. Periodontal evaluation was done using the mean probing depth (PD), plaque index, and bleeding on probing. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 20, IBM Corp., Armonk, N.Y., USA) and analysis of variance, independent t-test, Chi-square, Mann–Whitney, Spearman correlation, and Pearson correlation coefficient tests (α = 0.05). Results: The mean level of salivary cortisol (P = 0.048) and PD (P = 0.009) in patients with periodontitis was significantly higher than those without periodontitis. There was a direct and meaningful correlation between PD and SCL (P < 0.001, r = 0.363). In both groups of participants with (P < 0.001) and without periodontitis (P < 0.001), the mean SCL in patients with high anxiety was significantly more than patients with medium and low anxiety. Conclusion: Our results showed that there is an increased level of salivary cortisol (as anxiety index) in patients with CP. Therefore, it seems that the probability of the occurrence of periodontitis is higher in those with increased cortisol level.
Consumer willingness to pay for farm animal welfare: mobile abattoirs versus transportation to slaughter

Consumer preferences and willingness-to-pay (WTP) for certain non-market food process attributes were investigated using a choice experiment. Swedish consumers were found to be willing to pay a price premium for the use of mobile abattoirs for cattle but not for broilers. We used two different survey versions, with and without an opt-out alternative. There is no evidence that omission of the opt-out alternative leads to biased choices. In addition, respondents who chose to opt-out were no different from those making trade-offs between attributes. The inclusion of an opt-out alternative has no significant effect on the marginal WTP. Based on estimated distributions of WTP and available cost estimates, the market share for mobile abattoirs is predicted. Here we do find differences between the two survey versions: the version with an opt-out alternative revealed greater unobserved heterogeneity.
Red Bull gives you wings! Exploring the effects of synesthetic metaphorical slogans in advertisements among consumers

This study investigates whether the directionality of mapping principle in synesthetic metaphors influence consumers‟ attitude toward slogans, because little is known about the effect of this specific type of metaphor in a marketing context. A metaphor is synesthetic when only the source domain or both the source and target domain includes a concept from the sensory domain (touch, taste, smell, sound, color). According to Ullman (1957), these sensory have a certain ranking and are more likely to be preferred when mapping goes from a lower sensory modality to a higher modality, also called the directionality of mapping principle. A digital questionnaire was distributed to measure the attitude toward personally designed slogans among 150 participants. The slogans include every combination of sensory modalities. Each of these slogans was analyzed with respect to the attitudes suitability, persuasiveness, comprehensibility, vivacity and purchasing intention. Statistical analyses showed that when sensory combinations in slogans conformed to the directionality of mapping principle, attitudes regarding persuasiveness, comprehensibility and purchasing intention were evaluated as slightly more positive than the attitudes suitability and vivacity. In general, we conclude that a small part of synesthetic metaphorical slogans conform the directionality of mapping principle will positively affect consumers‟ attitude toward slogans.
Characterisation of Biochar From Water Hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes and the Effects of Biochar on the Growth of Fish and Paddy in Integrated Culture Systems

ABSTRACT Najmudeen, T.M. ; Febna, M.A.A. ; Rojith, G. , and Zacharia, P.U. , 2019. Characterisation of biochar from water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes and the effects of biochar on the growth of fish and paddy in integrated culture systems. In: Jithendran, K.P.; Saraswathy, R. ; Balasubramanian, C.P.; Kumaraguru Vasagam, K.P.; Jayasankar, V. ; Raghavan, R. ; Alavandi, S.V. , and Vijayan, K.K. (eds.), BRAQCON 2019: World Brackishwater Aquaculture Conference. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 86, pp. 225–234. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Conversion of water hyacinth into useful products is a sustainable way to address the menaces created by them, along with an exploration of beneficial applications. The present study focused on the conversion of water hyacinth into a climate-resilient product ‘biochar’ and its applications in integrated paddy and fish culture systems. The integrated culture of fish with a saline tolerant variety of paddy Pokkali is characterised by low productivity as a traditional culture method. Biochar was produced by pyrolysis technique with water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes as substrate. The elemental composition and structural characterization of biochar were done using CHNS analyser, FTIR, XRD, and SEM, respectively. Optimum pyrolysis conditions were finalized and pyrolysis at 300°C for 30 minutes was used for the production of sufficient quantities of biochar for further experiments. Biochar was incorporated into the feed of tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus in the ratio of 0.5 and 1% and was fed to the fishes grown in tanks for 6 weeks. Weight and length of the fish were found to be enhanced significantly in biochar mixed feed, and the highest growth rate was recorded for the fishes fed with 1% of biochar mixed feed. Biochar amendment to the soil in the culture system at 1% concentration enhanced the specific growth rate of O. mossambicus. Varying proportions of biochar were mixed to soil @ 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5% and the effect of biochar-amended soil on the growth of pokkali was studied for the parameters, root length, shoot length and plant height. Highest growth performances were observed in 4% biochar-soil mixture in comparison to the control. The results of water hyacinth biochar experimentation on fish and paddy growth have been promising, and the work could be considered as a milestone towards further optimization and field level trials to enhance the productivity of integrated culture systems.
Usage of Pleurotus ostreatus for Degradation of Oxytetracycline in Varying Water Salinities in Brackishwater Aquaculture System

ABSTRACT Lalitha, N. ; Patil, P.K. ; Rajesh, R. , and Muralidhar, M. , 2019. Usage of Pleurotus ostreatus for degradation of oxytetracycline in varying water salinities in brackishwater aquaculture system. In: Jithendran, K.P.; Saraswathy, R. ; Balasubramanian, C.P.; Kumaraguru Vasagam, K.P.; Jayasankar, V. ; Raghavan, R. ; Alavandi, S.V. , and Vijayan, K.K. (eds.), BRAQCON 2019: World Brackishwater Aquaculture Conference. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 86, pp. 138-141. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. The oxytetracycline is being used in aquaculture industry as a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent with bacteriostatic property. Unregulated and indiscriminate usage of antibiotics leads to their buildup in the environment. Physical and chemical methods to remediate or remove these antibiotics are ineffective. The present study aims at the mycotic bioremediation of the oxytetracycline by Pleurotus ostreatus. It was cultured in the potato dextrose broth for 7 to 14 days and used in the experiment with fungal load of 104 CFU ml-l. In vitro soil based lab study was performed in triplicate at four different salinities 1, 15, 30 and 45 ppt, with three different concentrations of oxytetraycline (50, 150 and 250 mg L-1), and treated with P. ostreatus. The suspended water samples were collected at periodic intervals of 2, 7 and 14 days after treatment and estimated for antibiotic in treatment and control. It was found that the P. ostreatus significantly (p ≤0.05) degraded the antibiotic at all salinities. The reduction of drug ranged from 58-76% (2 days), 45-78% (7 days) & 36-62% (14 days) at 1ppt, 32-34% (2 days), 58-71% (7 days) & 48-80% (14 days) at 15 ppt, 52-73% (2 days), 27- 61% (7 days) & 44-62% (14 days) at 30 ppt, and 32-68% (2 days), 44-66% (7 days) & 44-64% (14 days) at 45 ppt compared to the control.
Business challenges of SMEs providing ICT-solutions for wellness and healthcare domains

Thanks to improved nutrition, healthcare and sanitation average life expectancy of humans has raised from 47 years in 1900 into more than 80 years today. The global population over 65 years of age is expected to more than double between 1990 and 2025. ICT (Information and Communication Technology) solutions are increasingly needed in order to guarantee better life quality and possibility for elderly people to stay at home longer. This is important for both elderly people themselves and the society. Clever business modelling (i.e. providing right products, to right customers with right partners) is a way for SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) to guarantee success in the complex and fragmented wellness market. As the way how SMEs in the wellness sector deal with their business models and challenges is not well known, this paper aims to increase understanding of the business challenges by focusing on SMEs having less than 250 employees. In this paper 12 Finnish SMEs and one funding organization functioning in wellness domain present the challenges they have encountered.
Strategic Uses of Electronic Commerce for Thai Travel Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

The purpose of this paper is to examine the current stage of e-commerce usage by Thai small and medium travel enterprises (SMEs) and investigate the effect of technological, organizational, and environmental (TOE) factors on three stages of e-commerce (EC) adoption. An online survey was employed to collect data from Thai travel SMEs that have company websites, are registered with the Thai Department of Business Development and are a member of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Data from 114 usable cases was analyzed using multiple regression. Results revealed that the use of EC in Thai travel SMEs was in the second stage of EC adoption. This indicates that the majority use the Internet for provision of information and services. Other key findings are: (1) only competition intensity positively affected the first (promotion) stage of EC adoption, (2) relative advantage was found to be the only determinant of EC adoption in the second stage of the provision of information and services, and (3) only organization readiness was found to influence EC adoption in the third (processing) stage. This study can provide Thai travel SMEs with useful findings to further understand EC adoption and help to develop a better strategic vision in adopting advanced EC technologies to gain potential benefits and competitive advantages. In addition, the findings have implications for government agencies and EC consultants and vendors in providing guidance on practical applications of EC adoption in Thai travel SMEs and in supporting the development of EC systems. The findings of this study offer a theoretical extension to e-commerce adoption research by highlighting the role of TOE factors on e-commerce adoption by Thai travel SMEs.
Prayers in a Pediatric Hospital : Linguistic Analysis

Previous research suggests that written prayers have linguistic characteristics similar to written emotional self-disclosures, and may also confer their health benefits. This study’s aim was to test that hypothesis in a clinical setting; a secondary aim was analysis of prayer content. Written prayers in a pediatric hospital chapel were collected (N 800). Linguistic analysis provided the percentages of word types previously associated with health benefits. Prayers written in this clinical setting do not share linguistic characteristics of written emotional disclosures. These petitionary/ intercessory prayers have a significant amount of positive emotion words; more words of causality than insight; and are frequently specific about desired outcomes. The prayer language suggests that the writers expect some result from the Deity or other readers of the prayer book. Prayers written in pediatric and adult settings differ in some respects. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed.
Unheimlichkeit : Alienated and Integrated Identities and Criminal Existence(s)

This essay argues that we should reinterpret Merton’s retreatist category by using Heidegger’s notion of unheimlichkeit (uncanniness) which relates to the claim that our consciousness and sense-making are grounded in our own openness to finitude. It will also make use of Heidegger’s concept of Dasein which relates to the uncovering of a primal nature of Being (Sein). When we do this we note how the existential potential of this category are at once released from the bonds of an overly objectivised Sociology and open to the possibility of a richer understanding of action and motivation within this class of persons. It argues that we should make Durkheim compatible with Marx. This is if one allows that the empirical basis for Durkheim’s ‘social condition’ is as set out by Marx. Durkheim was preoccupied by the micro-level of analysis and Marx with wider economic conditions of the nineteenth century. Merton was tied up with detailing the America of his day and with individualized goal-setting and means-ends rationality. By employing the concept of unheimlichkeit in relation to Merton’s work we open up a new form of explanation able to understand the psychic and existential striving for meaning, that Heidegger terms Dasein.
Effect of Cytokinins on In vitro seed Germination and Changes in Chlorophyll and Soluble Protein Contents of Teak (Tectona grandis L.)

Teak (Tectona grandis L.) is amongst the precious tropical trees produces luxurious wood items and metabolites of great medicinal value. However, teak growth is hampered due to high dormancy and poor viability of the seeds under the normal field conditions. Here we investigated the effect of various cytokinins on seed germination and growth under In vitro and ex vitro conditions of seedlings. Completely randomized design was used and data were analyzed to ascertain whether or not the tested cytokinins can improve seed germination and growth of the teak plants. Seeds were cultured on MS medium supplemented with various concentrations (0.08, 0.22, 0.35, 0.80, 2.20 or 3.50 μM) of adenine sulphate (ADS), N6-benzyleadenine (BA), kinetin (KIN), thidiazuron (TDZ), and zeatin (ZEA) under In vitro conditions for 40 days. Highest (100%) germination was obtained at 0.22 μM BA with 4.41 cm shoot and 4.67 cm root lengths as well as 75.32% highest seedling’s survival was observed in glasshouse. TDZ inhibited seedling’s growth and induced hyperhydricity (16.36–35.36%). Improved growth of seedlings in both conditions may be linked with enhanced production of chlorophyll (Chl) both In vitro (1.86 Chl a, 1.30 Chl b mg/g FW) and in acclimatized seedlings (1.91 Chl a, 1.70 Chl b mg/g FW) at 0.22 μM BA. The same concentration of BA also produced highest soluble proteins in In vitro (7.52 mg/g FW) and acclimatized seedlings (8.88 mg/g FW). Under specific tissue culture conditions, seed germination and subsequent growth of teak seedlings can be improved with BA.
Inherent Disagreements in Human Textual Inferences

Abstract We analyze human’s disagreements about the validity of natural language inferences. We show that, very often, disagreements are not dismissible as annotation “noise”, but rather persist as we collect more ratings and as we vary the amount of context provided to raters. We further show that the type of uncertainty captured by current state-of-the-art models for natural language inference is not reflective of the type of uncertainty present in human disagreements. We discuss implications of our results in relation to the recognizing textual entailment (RTE)/natural language inference (NLI) task. We argue for a refined evaluation objective that requires models to explicitly capture the full distribution of plausible human judgments.
Non-Collusive Oligopoly and Business Cycle: Some Further Evidence

The paper examines the differential exercise of market power over the business cycle in the context of selected sectors in the Canadian manufacturing industry during the 1992-1/2007-4 period. In particular, empirical implications of non-collusive models previously explored by Wilson and Reynolds (2005) are further investigated by considering data for selected disaggregated and homogeneous sectors and is consistent with a multiple regimes formulation. A main implication concerning differential variances for changes in prices in the two demand regimes is partially supported in the investigated sectors.
Response to Phytase Addition on Production Variables, and Excretion of Phosphorus in Faeces of Finishing Lambs

Phosphorus exists in grains mostly as phytate (myo-inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakis dihydrogen phosphate) which required sufficient digestive phytase enzyme to break the molecule and release P. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of phytase on some production variables of lambs fed with finishing diet with high sorghum content (70%). Thirty two Dorper × Pelibuey lambs (27.45 ± 2.46 kg BW) were completely randomly distributed in four treatments with 8 repetitions, housed in individual cages and fed ad libitum for 60 d were used. The treatments were 0, 150, 300 and 450 g phytase enzyme/ton of sorghum grain-based diet. The daily gain was increased (P 0.05) by treatments. However, greater faecal phosphorus was noted with lambs fed on diet without phytase addition. The inclusion of phytase increased weight gain and reduced the faecal excretion of P. The dose of 150 g phytase/ton had the best daily gain; however, the dose 300 g phytase/ton had the lowest P excretion in manure. [G. Buendia Rodriguez, M. D. Montoya Flores, A. F. Sayed, N. I. Ortega Alvarez. Response to Phytase Addition on Production Variables, and Excretion of Phosphorus in Faeces of Finishing Lambs. Life Sci J 2015;12(2s):33-36]. (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite. com. 5