Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Receiver parameter estimation for the simplified Gaussian-Laplacian multiple access UWB receiver

Multiple access interference in ultra-wide bandwidth systems is non-Gaussian distributed. Several non-Gaussian detectors have been proposed in the literature for improved signal detection in multiuser environments. The simplified Gaussian-Laplacian mixed model receiver which was derived based on a Laplacian model assumption for the distribution of the multiple access interference is known to perform well in realistic ultrawide bandwidth channels. This paper addresses the problem of estimating the receiver noise and interference parameters of the simplified Gaussian-Laplacian mixed model receiver. Simple estimators are derived for the scaling parameters of the Gaussian and Laplacian noise models, and an alternative expression is derived for the receiver constant η. The Cramer-Rao lower bounds for the scaling parameters of both noise distributions and the parameter η are also derived. The proposed estimator scheme is tested on realistic, multiple access ultra-wide bandwidth systems.
Supplier evaluation processes: the shaping and reshaping of supplier performance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to illuminate how supplier evaluation practices are linked to supplier performance improvements. Specifically, the paper investigates how performance information travelling between the evaluating buyer and the evaluated suppliers is shaped and reshaped in the evaluation process.Design/methodology/approach – The paper relies on a multiple, longitudinal case research methodology. The two cases show two companies' efforts in designing, implementing, and using supplier evaluation in order to improve supplier performance.Findings – The findings show how the dynamics of representing, reducing, amplifying, dampening, and directing shape and reshape supplier evaluation information. In both companies, evaluation practices were defined, redefined, and re‐directed by the involved actors' perception and decision making, as well as organisational structures, IT systems, and available data sources.Research limitations/implications – The identified factors and dynamics could be emp.
Iron‐deficiency anemia, non‐iron‐deficiency anemia and HbA1c among adults in the US *

Background: Conditions that affect erythrocyte turnover affect HbA1c concentrations. Although many forms of anemia are associated with lowering of HbA1c, iron deficiency tends to increase HbA1c. We examined the effect of iron and hemoglobin (Hb) status on HbA1c and on the relationship between concentrations of fasting glucose and HbA1c in a national sample of adults in the US.
Review article: newer optical and digital chromoendoscopy techniques vs. dye‐based chromoendoscopy for diagnosis and surveillance in inflammatory bowel disease

Recent innovations in gastrointestinal endoscopy have changed our traditional approach to diagnosis and therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). While traditionally used dye‐based chromoendoscopy (DBC) techniques suffer from several limitations that reduce their utility in daily routine practice, newer ‘dye‐less’ chromoendoscopy (DLC) techniques offer a great potential to overcome most of these limitations.
Performance Analysis of Multiuser Multiple Antenna Relaying Networks with Co-Channel Interference and Feedback Delay

This paper presents a comprehensive performance analysis of multiuser multiple antenna amplify-and-forward relaying networks employing opportunistic scheduling with feedback delay and co-channel interference over Rayleigh fading channels. Specifically, we derive exact as well as approximate closed-form expressions for the outage probability and average symbol error rate (SER) of the system. In addition, simple asymptotic expressions at the high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regime are obtained, which facilitate the characterization of the achievable diversity order and coding gain of the system. Moreover, two novel ergodic capacity bounds valid for general systems with arbitrary number of antennas and users are proposed. Finally, the optimum power allocation scheme in terms of minimizing the average SER is studied, and simple analytical solutions are obtained. Simulation results are provided to corroborate the derived analytical expressions, and it is demonstrated that the ergodic capacity bounds remain sufficiently tight across the entire range of SNRs and the proposed power allocation scheme offers significant improvements on the SER performance. The findings of the paper suggest that the full diversity order can only be achieved when there is ideal feedback, i.e., no feedback delay, and the diversity order always reduces to one in the presence of feedback delay. Also, the impact of key parameters such as the number of antennas and users on the system performance is intimately dependent on the level of feedback delay.
The Survey of Architecture of Multi-Modal (Fingerprint and Iris Recognition) Biometric Authentication System

Biometrics based individual identification is observed as an effective technique for automatically knowing, with a high confidence a person’s identity. Multi-modal biometric systems consolidate the evidence accessible by multiple biometric sources and normally better recognition performance associate to system based on a single biometric modality.Multi biometric systems are used to overcome this issue by providing multiple pieces of indication of the same identity. This system provides effective fusion structure that combines information provided by the multiple field experts based on decision-level and score-level fusion method, thereby increasing the efficiency which is not conceivable in uni-modal system.Multi-modal biometrics can be attained through a fusion of two or more images, where the subsequent fused image will be more protected. This paper discusses various fusion techniques, architecture of multi-modal biometric authentication and working of biometric fusion i.e. Iris and Fingerprint recognition that are used in multi-modal biometrics.
Effects of botulinum toxin type A on upper limb function in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review

Objective: To evaluate whether botulinum toxin type A injections improve upper limb function in children with cerebral palsy. Methods: An extensive search was carried out in PUBMED, CINAHL, PICARTA, EMBASE, PEDRO and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. Controlled and uncontrolled studies were included and evaluated on the basis of a best evidence synthesis. Results: Twelve out of 645 identified studies were included: three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (n = 64) of high methodological quality, and nine uncontrolled studies (n = 107) of sufficient methodological quality. In one of the three RCTs a short-term, significant decrease of spasticity was found in favour of the botulinum toxin type A group, which was supported by five of the seven uncontrolled studies that also measured spasticity. In one RCT significant changes in range of motion were reported for wrist and thumb extension. This finding was supported by two out of seven uncontrolled studies. One RCT reported a significant improvement in activities after one month, according to the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test and the Pediatric Evaluation Disability Inventory, whereas five out of the nine uncontrolled studies reported an improvement in functional activities. Conclusion: Insufficient evidence is found for the effects of botulinum toxin type A injections to reduce spasticity or to increase range of motion and upper limb function in children with cerebral palsy. Besides differences in treatment goals, the lack of evidence is mainly due to the use of invalid assessment instruments and insufficient statistical power to demonstrate treatment effects.
Analysis of Institutional Evolution in Circuit Breakers Using the Concepts of Replicator and Interactor

Following the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, world financial markets went through a period of economic anarchy in the latter half of 2008. Particularly in October 2008, many world stock exchanges introduced circuit breakers and frequently changed rules for implementing them. In the viewpoint of those who emphasize autonomy and efficiency of markets, these rule changes must be incomprehensible. In order to understand the institutional changes in stock markets, we introduce “replicator” and “interactor” which are key concepts of institutional and economical evolution. We show that market mechanisms such as circuit breakers were formed through evolutionary dynamics motivated by environmental changes in addition to economic efficiency. We maintain that the concepts of replicator and interactor help in understanding institutional evolution.
Country Role Models for Development Success

The current paper, first, documents Ghana’s ‘success’ story. Second, it identifies the strategy employed. Third, it provides a brief history of why and how the strategy was adopted. Fourth, it provides some rationale for the success of the strategy, including the roles of domestic and international actors. Fifth, it conjectures the viability of the strategy into the future. Finally, the paper draws lessons for possible application to other less successful countries.
Developing Experience‐Based Premium Rate Discounts in Crop Insurance

This article addresses the feasibility of implementing an experience-based premium rate discount system in crop insurance. While adverse selection and moral hazard in crop insurance have been extensively studied in the past, discount systems or bonus-malus incentives have not, to our knowledge, been investigated. Our empirical analysis indicates that a crop insurance discount system could be implemented based on a measure of favorable past insurance experience. The estimated average discounts based on the rating methods developed in this study ranged from 5% to 9% (depending on the crop being considered).
Comparison of Sphingosine 1-Phosphate–Induced Intracellular Signaling Pathways in Vascular Smooth Muscles: Differential Role in Vasoconstriction

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), a lipid released from activated platelets, influences physiological processes in the cardiovascular system via activation of the endothelial differentiation gene (EDG/S1P) family of 7 transmembrane G protein–coupled receptors. In cultured vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells, S1P signaling has been shown to stimulate proliferative responses; however, its role in vasoconstriction has not been examined. In the present study, the effects of S1P and EDG/S1P receptor expression were determined in rat VSM from cerebral artery and aorta. S1P induced constriction of cerebral artery, which was partly dependent on activation of p160ROCK (Rho-kinase). S1P also induced activation of RhoA in cerebral artery with a similar time course to contraction. In aorta, S1P did not produce a constriction or RhoA activation. In VSM myocytes from cerebral arteries, stimulation with S1P gives rise to a global increase in [Ca2+]i, initially generated via Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum by an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate–dependent pathway. In aorta VSM, a small increase in [Ca2+]i was observed after stimulation at higher concentrations of S1P. S1P induced activation of p42/p44mapk in aorta and cerebral artery VSM. Subtype-specific S1P receptor antibodies revealed that the expression of S1P3/EDG-3 and S1P2/EDG-5 receptors is 4-fold higher in cerebral artery compared with aorta. S1P1/EDG-1 receptor expression was similar in both types of VSM. Therefore, the ability of S1P to act as a vasoactive mediator is dependent on the activation of associated signaling pathways and may vary in different VSM. This differential signaling may be related to the expression of S1P receptor subtypes.
The Relationship between Capital Stock, Unemployment and Wages in Nine EMU Countries

The focus of this paper is to investigate the importance of the capital stock in the determination of wages and unemployment in a range of EMU countries and to compare the results across countries. A time-series analysis is conducted in the case of nine euro area countries, which were selected solely on the basis of data availability and consistency: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain. The paper begins with a short review of the literature on capital stock and unemployment, before it deals with the theoretical model. This is followed by estimation and testing of the theoretical model put forward, using both time-series and panel data. The results are supportive of the main hypothesis of the paper: capital stock is an important determinant of unemployment and wages in the countries considered for the purposes of the paper.
Leptin regulates MMP-2, TIMP-1 and collagen synthesis via p38 MAPK in HL-1 murine cardiomyocytes

A clear association between obesity and heart failure exists and a significant role for leptin, the product of the obese gene, has been suggested. One aspect of myocardial remodeling which characterizes heart failure is a disruption in the balance of extracellular matrix synthesis and degradation. Here we investigated the effects of leptin on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) expression, as well as collagen synthesis in HL-1 cardiac muscle cells. Gelatin zymographic analysis of MMP activity in conditioned media showed that leptin enhanced MMP-2 activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Leptin is known to stimulate phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in cardiac cells and utilization of the p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, demonstrated that this kinase also plays a role in regulating several extracellular matrix components, such that inhibition of p38 MAPK signaling prevented the leptin-induced increase in MMP-2 activation. We also observed that leptin enhanced collagen synthesis determined by both proline incorporation and picrosirius red staining of conditioned media. Pro-collagen type-I and pro-collagen type-III expression, measured by real-time PCR and Western blotting were also increased by leptin, effects which were again attenuated by SB203580. In summary, these results demonstrate the potential for leptin to play a role in mediating myocardial ECM remodeling and that the p38 MAPK pathway plays an important role in mediating these effects.
Mindfulness as a Predictor of Positive Reappraisal and Burnout in Standardized Patients

Background: Standardized patients (SPs) portray emotionally intense roles that can have unintended deleterious effects including burnout. Purpose: This study explored SP characteristics that could serve as protective factors against these adverse effects. The literature suggests that positive reappraisal and mindfulness are protective factors, with positive reappraisal mediating the relationship between mindfulness and burnout. Methods: Seventy-six SPs completed an instrument measuring burnout, positive reappraisal, and mindfulness. Multiple regression was performed to test the hypothesized mediator model. Results: The results revealed that mindfulness and positive reappraisal explained a meaningful portion of SP burnout variance (R 2 = .31 p < .01). Germane to the mediator model, all correlations were significant: mindfulness and positive reappraisal (a) r = . 668; positive reappraisal and burnout (b) r = –. 527; and mindfulness and burnout (c) r = –. 496, p < 01. When positive reappraisal and mindfulness were included in the model, the previously significant relationship c was no longer statistically significant. The combination of these three relationships supports a mediator model. Conclusions: Education to enhance mindfulness and positive reappraisal offers a way to offset the adverse effects of portraying intense emotional patient experiences.
Policy Strategies for Vehicle Electrification

An increase in the market share of electric vehicles is one possible policy strategy for greenhouse gas (GHG) abatement. Many governments have introduced schemes to increase the market uptake – fiscal incentives, subsidies and various regulatory policies such as support for charging stations, free parking facilities or access to restricted road lanes as well as R&D funding. A number of partial studies do exist, but the comprehensive comparative study on the effect of these different incentives has yet to be done. Based on the experience until today it is, however, possible to explore the policy options.
Aberrant Protein Trafficking inTremblerSuggests a Disease Mechanism for Hereditary Human Peripheral Neuropathies

The naturally occurring mouse mutant Trembler (Tr) represents an animal model for inherited human neuropathies caused by point mutations affecting peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22). We describe the likely pathogenic cellular mechanism underlying the observed myelin deficiency. In Tr/+ animals, PMP22 immunoreactivity was found not only in compact myelin but also abundantly in the cytoplasm of Schwann cells. Based on these observations, the biosynthesis of wildtype and Tr protein was examined in transfected cells. While wildtype PMP22 was readily transported to the plasma membrane, Tr protein was localized mainly in the endoplasmic reticulum. Coexpression revealed a dominant effect of Tr on protein trafficking of wildtype PMP22. In agreement with the findings in vitro, Tr protein was not detectable in myelin of Tr/0 mice.
Banf1 is required to maintain the self-renewal of both mouse and human embryonic stem cells

Self-renewal is a complex biological process necessary for maintaining the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Recent studies have used global proteomic techniques to identify proteins that associate with the master regulators Oct4, Nanog and Sox2 in ESCs or in ESCs during the early stages of differentiation. Through an unbiased proteomic screen, Banf1 was identified as a Sox2-associated protein. Banf1 has been shown to be essential for worm and fly development but, until now, its role in mammalian development and ESCs has not been explored. In this study, we examined the effect of knocking down Banf1 on ESCs. We demonstrate that the knockdown of Banf1 promotes the differentiation of mouse ESCs and decreases the survival of both mouse and human ESCs. For mouse ESCs, we demonstrate that knocking down Banf1 promotes their differentiation into cells that exhibit markers primarily associated with mesoderm and trophectoderm. Interestingly, knockdown of Banf1 disrupts the survival of human ESCs without significantly reducing the expression levels of the master regulators Sox2, Oct4 and Nanog or inducing the expression of markers of differentiation. Furthermore, we determined that the knockdown of Banf1 alters the cell cycle distribution of both human and mouse ESCs by causing an uncharacteristic increase in the proportion of cells in the G2–M phase of the cell cycle.
Mathematical Analysis of Rates of Return Under Certainty

The purpose of this paper is to prove certain properties of the present and future values of a sequence of cash flows which have applications in the theory of capital budgeting. This is done in Theorems III, IV and V. As an introduction, certain previously available results about the present value function are stated and proved as Theorems I and II. A summary of the relevance of these results in capital budgeting is given in the Summary.
Community-Driven Development, Collective Action and Empowerment: Effective Communication Matters (A Lesson from the KDP and the UPP in Indonesia)

Community-driven development (CDD) has become the most important strategy of the World Bank’s development assistance for poverty alleviation. It supported propositions that more Participatory element in community-driven development would allow development process more inclusive to poor people, enhancing social cohesion based on trust and social capital and bring about collective action that considered necessary to solve poverty problem. This paper attempts to ex- plore the impacts of CDD to collective action and empowerment particularly in the context of Kecamatan Development Program (KDP) and Urban Poverty Project (UPP). Drawing literature study as supporting evidence, it argues that collective action and empowerment emerged from the KDP and the UPP has not achieved the substantial level to address poverty problem because there are inherent problems in the participatory development design and various social challenges. This paper, therefore, suggests that effective communication is needed in community development as it will enhance the community ownership feeling to the development rather than considering them- selves as solely the beneficiaries of the community development process
Power proportional adder design for Internet of Things in a 65 nm process

In this paper we present a self-timed, power proportional, 32-bit ripple-carry adder design using a state-of-the art cell library. The cell library implements a new transistor sizing strategy for subthreshold in a commercial 65 nm low power process. Simulation results show improvements in performance and energy per cycle when compared to a fixed-period design. The adder has applications in the internet of things where systems are required to operate over a wide range of conditions and with varying power supplies.
How Corruption Affects Productivity

Corruption is likely to lower the productivity of capital due to a variety of channels. Corruption renders governments incapable or unwilling to achieve public welfare as a result of x-inefficiency, wasteful rent-seeking or distorted public decisions (Bardhan 1997, Rose-Ackerman 1999, Lambsdorff 2002a). The allocation of capital goods will not be optimal when affected by corruption because those projects that promise large side-payments and exhibit low risks of detection are preferred to those that benefit the public at large. The best-connected contractors and those most willing to offer bribes are preferred to those offering the best product. The quality of investments will suffer from corruption because control mechanisms, required to guarantee the contracted quality level, can be circumvented. Public servants are appointed based on nepotism or bribe payments while aspects of efficiency and capacity are disregarded. The effort level of public servants suffers from adverse incentives because creating artificial bottlenecks can increase the need for paying speed-money. The most visible sign of the adverse impact of corruption are ‘white-elephant projects’, that is, projects that totally disregard public demand or that are wrecked shortly after completion (Mauro 1997). There exists strong empirical support for the adverse impact of corruption on the ratio of investment to GDP (Mauro 1995 and 1997, Knack and Keefer 1995, Campos, Lien and Pradhan 1999, Brunetti, Kisunko and Weder 1997: pp. 23, 25 and Brunetti and Weder 1998: pp. 526, 528). Equally there is substantial evidence for an adverse impact of corruption on foreign direct investments and capital inflows (Wei 2000, Lambsdorff 2003). But there exists no