Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Medium access control: A physical layer network-coded approach

This paper investigates the medium access control (MAC) stratifies for communication systems. Since the signals are naturally superposed in public medium, we introduce physical layer network coding into MAC system and propose the physical layer network coded MAC (PNC-MAC) to utilize the collisions occurring in the MAC process. The implicit expressions of the throughput and average delay of the system operated with the new algorithm are derived in an iterative way. To show the performance of the algorithm, we compare the throughput and average delay induced by the new algorithm with current schemes via simulations. The results show that when operated with our proposed PNC-MAC, MAC system can achieve a larger throughput while the frames bear shorter average delay. Moreover, in many users case, the throughput increases slightly while the average delay ascends drastically.
MEETING THE NUTRITIONAL DEMANDS OF HIGH-INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING

INTRODUCTION High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a cardiorespiratory workout that entails repeated bouts of highintensity exercise intervals separated by periods of lower-intensity recovery intervals. HIIT may be preferred by certain clients for many reasons including (a) faster improvements in fitness, (b) less total time spent training, (c) perceived as more enjoyable, and (d) increased fat loss when compared with moderate-intensity continuous training (3,6,20). Intervals of high-intensity exercise and recovery can vary in length from 6 seconds to 4 minutes (6). Beginners might spend less time in higher-intensity zones and take longer recovery periods, whereas well-trained athletes may do the reverse. In some cases, HIIT also can involve bouts of cardiovascular exercises combined with resistance training exercises depending on the type of program being followed. The focus in this article will be on HIIT in cardiovascular-based activities. It is well known that nutrition plays a critical role in general exercise performance and recovery and should therefore be a consideration for those engaging in HIIT to obtain the most out of these types of workouts. Proper nutrition could allow for higher-intensity intervals for the duration of the exercise session, as well as decrease the amount of time spent in recovery intervals, thereby enhancing the benefits from the investment of time in the workout. Nutrition also can enhance the recovery process, allowing for maximum benefits in subsequent training days. This article addresses more specific nutritional considerations for individuals who incorporate HIIT into their workout routine and want to maximize their results, with the assumption that these individuals already follow basic nutrition guidelines for healthy eating.
An Ultrastructural Study of Basommatophoran Spermatozoa (Mollusca, Gastropoda)

Spermatozoa of the basommatophoran pulmonate families Ellobiidae (Ophicardelus ornatus Ferussac), Amphibolidae (Salinator fragilis Lamarck, Salinator solida von Martens), Siphonariidae (Siphonaria funiculata Reeve) and Lymnaeidae (Lymnaea lessoni (Deshayes)) were studied using transmission electron microscopy. Spermatozoa of all species, like most euthyneuran spermatozoa, possess (1) an acrosome composed of an apical vesicle and acrosomal pedestal (many differences between families), (2) a helically keeled, posteriorly invaginated nucleus, (3) a midpiece composed of paracrystalline and matrix materials and a variable number of incorporated glycogen‐filled helices (one in Salinator and Siphonaria, two or three in Lymnaea, three in Ophicardelus) and (4) an axoneme associated with coarse fibres (periodically banded in “neck” region) and rows of intra‐axonemal granules. The wide diversity of spermatozoon structure in the species studied, in particular the midpiece structure of Siphonaria (which resembles closely that of certain opisthobranchs) indicates that the Basommatophora may not represent a valid taxonomic unit. A comparison of basommatophoran sperm with other euthyneurans and with euspermatozoa of prosobranchs is given.
Post-larval mortality of the endoparasitic isopod castrator Portunion conformis (Epicaridea: Entoniscidae) in the shore crab, Hemigrapsus oregonensis, with a description of the host response

Summary The shore crabs, Hemigrapsus oregonensis and H. nudus, sometimes kill the female endoparasitic entoniscid isopod, Portunion conformis, a parasitic castrator. Studies of host populations from Baja California, Mexico to Vancouver Island, Canada, show that the incidence of parasitized hosts with dead parasites and the percentage of the parasite population found dead vary markedly with locality but only occasionally with season. Both higher incidences of hosts with dead P. conformis and higher proportions of the total parasite population found dead are associated with (1) high prevalence of parasitism, (2) female hosts and (3) large hosts. Within a host, the proportion of the parasites that are dead is not related to the degree of multiple infection. Typically, either all or none of the parasites in a multiple infection are dead. Supernumerary juvenile parasites do not suffer differential mortality. The developmental stage of the female parasite does not seem to influence the likelihood of death. The presence of dead parasites may not confer an acquired immunity to re-infection. These features suggest that parasite death is typically the result of activation of a successful host defensive process rather than indicative of a defect on the part of the parasites. Parasitized female hosts can regain their reproductive capabilities following death of the parasite. Post-parasitic broods are smaller than normal. Reproductive recovery is presumed to provide the selective pressure favouring evolution of a lethal host response. The host-produced sheath surrounding female parasites is a haemocytic response. Sheaths enclosing dead parasites are thicker and more electron dense than those containing healthy parasites. The sheath of a healthy P. conformis may actually protect the parasite from a more intense host response.
Building an accurate hardware Trojan detection technique from inaccurate simulation models and unlabelled ICs

Most of prior hardware Trojan detection approaches require golden chips for references. A classification-based golden chips-free hardware Trojan detection technique has been proposed in the authors’ previous work. However, the algorithm in that work is trained by simulated ICs without considering a shift between the simulation and silicon fabrication. In this study, a co-training based hardware Trojan detection method by exploiting inaccurate simulation models and unlabeled fabricated ICs is proposed to provide reliable detection capability when facing fabricated ICs, which eliminates the need of golden chips. Two classification algorithms are trained using simulated ICs. These two algorithms can identify different patterns in the unlabelled ICs during test-time, and thus can label some of these ICs for the further training of the other algorithm. Moreover, a statistical examination is used to choose ICs labelling for the other algorithm. A statistical confidence interval based technique is also used to combine the hypotheses of the two classification algorithms. Furthermore, the partial least squares method is used to preprocess the raw data of ICs for feature selection. Both EDA experiment results and field programmable gate array (FPGA) experiment results show that the proposed technique can detect unknown Trojans with high accuracy and recall.
Applying augmented reality in engineering education to improve academic performance & student motivation

Students starting at university are accustomed to using the latest generation of devices and technology for communication, leisureand work. All technological progress allows for the use of innovative learning tools in education, causing significant changes inteaching methods and the students’ learning processes. Augmented Reality (AR) in education is an emerging area, so this paperanalyses how this technology influences academic performance and encourages student motivation. We are starting from thehypothesis that the use of didactic material based on AR technology will improve motivation and the academic performance ofstudents, so new didactic material has been developed using AR to explain the contents of standard mechanical elements. Thisresearch yields results that indicate how engineering students obtain better academic results and are more motivated, when the newgeneration of technological tools is incorporated into the learning process. Twenty five first year students studying for aMechanical Engineering degree used AR technology to assist them in the subject of graphic engineering. During the study, acontrol group of twenty two fellow students used traditional class notes. All these students took an exam and two surveys to givefeedback on the teaching material: one for finding out the effectiveness and efficiency of the material itself, together with the levelof student satisfaction; another for assessing the level of student motivation when using the technology available during the study.The results showed a significant statistical difference between their academic performances, proving to be higher in theexperimental group; this group also showed a higher level of motivation than the control group.
Nutritional status of corn silage after probiotic conservation

The effects of two probiotic inoculants Enterococcus faecium 2/3s (EF2/3s) and E. faecium 26/42 (EF26/42) on nutritional patterns and fatty acid concentration in corn silages were examined. Both inoculants were isolated and characterized at Institute of Animal Physiology Slovak Academy of Sciences. The whole crop corn (341 g of dry matter (DM) kg−1) was conserved at 21°C for 111 days during the three treatments: (1) corn without inoculant (CS, control), (2) corn inoculated by the strain EF2/3s (CS + EF2/3s) and (3) corn inoculated by the strain EF26/42 (CS + EF26/42). Counts of the inoculated strains were enumerated (5.58 and 4.92 log10 cfu g−1 for EF26/42 and EF2/3s, respectively) immediately after their inoculation. At the end of conservation, EF26/42 achieved 1.60 ± 0.26 log10 cfu g−1 and EF2/3s less than 1.0 log10 cfu g−1. Compared to CS, the lactate values of inoculated CS were greater (P < 0.001). It can be concluded that both bacterial inoculants effectively enhanced in vitro DM degradability and lactic acid concentration in corn silages, but the effect on fatty acids concentration was inconsistent.
Oviposition behaviour, influence of experience on host size selection, and niche overlap of the solitary Leptomastix epona and the gregarious Pseudaphycus flavidulus, two endoparasitoids of the mealybug Pseudococcus viburni

Oviposition behaviour and host size selection of the solitary parasitoid Leptomastix epona (Walker) and the gregarious Pseudaphycus flavidulus (Brèthes) [both Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae] were examined on five size classes of the mealybug Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) [Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae]. The host size classes mostly consisted of one stage (first, second, third instar nymph, young adult and preovipositing adult) and were presented together to wasps of either parasitoid species. Both parasitoid species locate the host by drumming the surface of the patch with the antennae. Leptomastix epona seems to use mainly the antennae to examine the host but P. flavidulus may accept or reject a host for oviposition after antennation or insertion of the ovipositor. Leptomastix epona attempts oviposition in all the host stages from second instar nymphs but P. flavidulus includes first instar. Both parasitoid species select mainly larger hosts (>1 mm, third instar nymphs) to oviposit but P. flavidulus is able to parasitize more second instar nymphs compared to L. epona. Female wasps of L. epona may host feed on small mealybugs (second and third instar nymphs) that they do not use for oviposition. Oviposition experience of either parasitoid species for 24 hours does not influence host size selection on patches with hosts of similar mixed sizes. Oviposition decisions are independent of the host sizes of the preceding ovipositions. Implications about stability of a single parasitoid – host system and the success of biological control of the mealybug were discussed in respect of the developmental refugia of the two parasitoid species. Niche overlap of the two parasitoid species was discussed with a view to giving an insight into a single or multiple introduction.
G-quadruplex formation and sequence effect on the assembly of G-rich oligonucleotides induced by Pb2+ ions

The lead-induced folding into G-quadruplex structures for three guanine-rich oligonucleotides, two model human telomeric oligomers (HTG/T2) and thrombin-binding aptamer (TBA), was characterized by equilibrium titrations, rapid mixing techniques and stopped-flow kinetics. The analysis of optical titration data reveals that the saturated Pb2+–DNA binding stoichiometries are 1 : 1, 2 : 1 and 3 : 1 for TBA, HTG and T2, respectively. Thermal denaturation experiments were performed to determine the structural stability. The overall results are consistent with the higher stability of T2 that contains four G-quartets, as opposed to HTG and TBA that have only three and two quartets, respectively. We also present kinetic studies of the formation of G-quadruplexes of G-rich DNA induced by Pb2+ ions. The binding of Pb2+ ions to G-DNA is a complex multiple pathway process, which is affected by the sequence of the G-DNA. The studies show that the connecting loops of the DNA play an important role in modulating the structures.
miRNA-155 expression and role in pathogenesis in spinal tuberculosis-induced intervertebral disc destruction

The current study aimed to investigate microRNA-155 (miR-155) expression in spinal tuberculosis-induced intervertebral disc destruction and its regulatory role in disease pathogenesis. A total of 26 patients with intervertebral disc destruction induced by spinal tuberculosis and 31 healthy individuals were included. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reactions, western blot analysis and ELISA were performed to detect mRNA and protein expression levels. A bioinformatics analysis was applied to predict the upstream regulator of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)13, which was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Compared with the control group, mRNA and protein expression levels of MMP13 were significantly increased in the intervertebral disc of patients with spinal tuberculosis. However, miR-155 expression in the intervertebral disc of patients with spinal tuberculosis was significantly decreased compared with the control group. Dual-luciferase reporter assays suggested that miR-155 bound to the 3′-untranslated region of MMP13 to regulate gene expression. In primary annulus fibrosus cells, upregulated miR-155 expression significantly decreased MMP13 expression in the cells and culture supernatant, whereas it increased type II collagen expression. Upregulated MMP13 expression in the intervertebral disc in patients with spinal tuberculosis may be correlated with downregulated miR-155 expression. miR-155 may regulate expression levels of associated proteins in the intervertebral disc via modulating MMP13 expression, which contributes to the disease pathogenesis. The results of the current study may provide the theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of disc damages caused by spinal tuberculosis.
Knowledge-Aided 2-D Autofocus for Spotlight SAR Filtered Backprojection Imagery

The filtered backprojection (FBP) algorithm is a popular choice for complicated trajectory synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image formation processing due to its inherent nonlinear motion compensation capability. However, how to efficiently refocus the defocused FBP imagery when the motion measurement is not accurate enough is still a challenging problem. In this paper, a new interpretation of the FBP derivation is presented from the Fourier transform point of view. Based on this new viewpoint, the property of the residual 2-D phase error in FBP imagery is analyzed in detail. Then, by incorporating the derived a priori knowledge on the 2-D phase error, an accurate and efficient 2-D autofocus approach is proposed. This new approach performs the parameter estimation in a dimension-reduced parameter subspace by exploiting the a priori analytical structure of the 2-D phase error, therefore it possesses much higher accuracy and efficiency than the conventional blind methods. Finally, experimental results clearly demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method.
Heat resistance of Listeria: strain differences and effects of meat type and curing salts

The heat resistances of 27 strains of Listeria monocytogenes and two strains of L. innocua were compared in broth heated at 57°C. No strain was exceptionally resistant. The heat resistance of a representative isolate of L. monocytogenes was compared in fresh and cured beef and chicken, and an equation was derived to predict the time necessary to achieve a ‘7D’ inactivation at temperatures between 50 and 70°C.
Genetic Population Structure within and Between Beaver (Castor canadensis) Populations in Illinois

Abstract Mating behavior and social structure can influence genetic structure within and between populations, yet most studies focus on highly kin-structured, polygynous species. The North American beaver (Castor canadensis) is socially monogamous; however, examination of recent genetic data suggests that this species may be opportunistically promiscuous. We used 7 microsatellite loci to quantify genetic structure within and between 2 beaver populations in Illinois. An analysis of molecular variance revealed significant genetic subdivision among breeding groups in southern Illinois (FST = 0.086, P < 0.001), whereas regional genetic subdivision was evident in central Illinois (FST = 0.037, P < 0.001). Overall FST between populations also was significant (0.068 ± 0.012 SE, P < 0.001). Bayesian clustering assigned individuals from the 2 geographic sampling regions into 2 distinct genetic clusters with 70% of individuals assigned to 1 of the 2 clusters. Migration between populations was low at 0.16 individuals/generation (confidence interval = 0.0079–0.33). Estimates of population subdivision, cluster analysis, and dispersal indicate that these populations are genetically distinct, but are connected by infrequent dispersal.
Semi-supervised feature sharing for efficient video segmentation

In robot sensing and automotive driving domains, producing precise semantic segmentation masks for images can help greatly with environment understanding and, as a result, better interaction with it. These tasks usually need to be processed for images with more the 2 object’s classes. Moreover, semantic segmentation should be done for a short period. Almost all approaches that try to solve this task used heavyweight end-to-end deep neural network or external blocks like GRU [14], LSTM[25] or optical flow [1]. In this work, we provide a deep neural network architecture for learning to extract global high-level features and propagate them among the images that describe the same video’s scene, for speeding up image processing. We provide a propagation strategy without any external blocks. We also provide loss function for training such network with the dataset, where the vast number of images don’t have a segmentation mask.
Effects of salicylic acid and nitric oxide on antioxidant capacity and proline accumulation in Glycine max L. treated with NaCl salinity

The influence of salicylic acid (SA), sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and their reciprocal effects (SA+SNP) on certain physiological parameters in soybean seedlings grown in saline and non-saline conditions was investigated. The changes of leaf area, shoot fresh, dry weights and content of photosynthetic pigments showed that the addition of 100 µM SA and/or 100 µM SNP markedly declined the oxidative damage to soybean plants treated with NaCl salinity. The results proved that the interaction of salicylic acid with nitric oxide donor significantly enhanced the activities of catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APOX) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPOX). Also, they decreased the amounts of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2O2) in soybean leaves under sodium chloride toxicity. In order to reduce the oxidative damage caused by NaCl stress, the protective role of SA+SNP was often better than that of SA and SNP alone. As well, it was observed that the accumulation of proline was apparently accelerated by these substances under salt stress and that the interaction of salicylic acid with nitric oxide has synergistic effects in decreasing the deleterious effects induced by NaCl salinity.
The Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Crisis Management Capabilities Case Study: Small and Medium Enterprises in the Province of Isfahan

In the modern world, managers must possess a certain degree of emotional intelligence so that they can cope with rapid changes in their environment. With this in mind, it seems that emotional intelligence is an evolved form of human focus and modern equipment for managers to manage crises and help members of the organization achieve their goals. This study aims to study the impact of emotional intelligence on crisis management capabilities in managers of small and medium enterprises in the province of Isfahan. After a review of literature, we formulate one main and four supporting hypotheses. The data required for the study are collected using questionnaire filled out by managers of those companies. The data are analyzed using SPSS 18.0 and Amos 20.0 software packages. The results indicate that emotional intelligence as well as its components, excluding social skills, has a significant positive impact on crisis management capabilities in managers.
DNA fingerprinting reveals relation between tail ornaments and cuckoldry in barn swallows, Hirundo rustica

In an experimental study in Denmark, it was previously found that male barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) with elongated tail streamers obtained an apparent fitness advantage through earlier pairing, an increased frequency of second clutches, and higher total reproductive success per season. In a parallel study of five barn swallow colonies in Ontario, Canada, we also found that elongated males paired earlier and thus were apparently preferred by females. Now, using DNA fingerprinting on families from two of those Ontario colonies, we show that five elongated males fathered only 59% of the offspring in their nests, whereas six shortened males fathered 96% of their nestlings. Thus, although elongated males were clearly preferred by females at the time of pair formation, tail elongation may have hampered the ability of a male to guard his mate, resulting in an increase in extrapair fertilizations (EPFs). A significant negative correlation between the number of EPFs and natural tail length in this experimental study also suggests that tail streamer length may reflect male quality. (Less)
A Study of Integrated UWB Antennas Optimised for Time Domain Performance

II DECLARATION III ACKNOWLEDGMENTS IV ACRONYMS V CONTENTS 1 LIST OF FIGURES 4 LIST OF TABLES 9 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 10 1.1. UWB REGULATION 12 1.2. MOTIVATION AND RESEARCH OBJECTIVES 14 1.2.1. Motivation for Bezier Spline Based Printed Antenna 15 1.2.2. Motivation for Genetic Algorithm 16 1.2.3. Motivation for Impulse Optimisation 17 1.3. OUTLINE OF THE THESIS 18 CHAPTER 2: UWB ANTENNA CHARACTERISATION 20 2.1. FREQUENCY-DOMAIN DESCRIPTORS 20 2.1.1. Input Impedance 20 2.1.2. Input Reflection Coefficient 22 2.1.3. Directivity 23 2.1. 4. Efficiency 24 2.1. 5. Gain 24 2.1. 6. Phase Centre 25 2.1. 7. Transmission Coefficient, Transfer Function and Group Delay . 26 2.2. TIME-DOMAIN CHARACTERISATION 28 2.2.1. Transmission Mode 28 2.2.2. Reception Model 31 2.3. TIME-DOMAIN DESCRIPTORS 33