Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance Analysis of MIMO Systems over AWGN Channel with Antenna Selection using Zero Forcing Receivers

data rates within the limited radio frequency (RF) spectrum is always desirable that leads to radios with capabilities beyond a single-input single-output (SISO) topology. Recently introduced wireless systems have adopted multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) topologies that use two or more transmitters and two or more receivers to send data simultaneously over the same RF bandwidth. The performance of MIMO system can be improved by using multiple antennas at transmitter and receiver so as to provide spatial diversity. In this paper, the performance analysis of MIMO system over AWGN fading channel with ZF receiver is presented. The effects of the antenna selection can also be analyzed from the simulated results. The BER (Bit Error Rate) performance characteristics of Zero-Forcing (ZF) receiver is investigated for M-PSK modulation technique over the AWGN channel.
The Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus thuringiensis Al Hakam

ABSTRACT Bacillus thuringiensis is an insect pathogen that is widely used as a biopesticide (E. Schnepf, N. Crickmore, J. Van Rie, D. Lereclus, J. Baum, J. Feitelson, D. R. Zeigler, and D. H. Dean, Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev. 62:775-806, 1998). Here we report the finished, annotated genome sequence of B. thuringiensis Al Hakam, which was collected in Iraq by the United Nations Special Commission (L. Radnedge, P. Agron, K. Hill, P. Jackson, L. Ticknor, P. Keim, and G. Andersen, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 69:2755-2764, 2003).
Towards cognitive radio networks: Spectrum utilization measurements in suburb environment

This paper deals with spectrum utilization measurements in the frequency band from 100 MHz up to 3 GHz. The measurement is based on the energy detection principle using wideband logarithmically periodic antenna. The results point out the fact, that the frequency spectrum is not utilized in an optimal manner and that there do exist less or more utilized licensed frequency bands that could be possibly used by cognitive radios in an opportunistic way. Cognitive radio concept for better spectrum utilization is introduced here along with an overall approach regarding spectrum utilization in the next generation wireless networks.
Professional School Counseling Internship

Various professional organizations have called for a standardized, developmental approach to the assessment of the internship experience (e.g., American Counseling Association’s call for multicultural competent assessment) and the need for a standardized assessment of internship skill acquisition. In response to these calls and the data collected in this participatory action research study, the authors developed an assessment system to monitor the school counseling trainee’s skill development throughout the internship experience—the Professional School Counseling Internship: Developmental Assessment of Counseling Skills.
Σ-Δ Background Subtraction and the Zipf Law

The Σ-Δ background estimation is a simple non linear method of background subtraction based on comparison and elementary increment/decrement. We propose here some elements of justification of this method with respect to statistical estimation, compared to other recursive methods: exponential smoothing, Gaussian estimation. We point out the relation between the Σ-Δ estimation and a probabilistic model: the Zipf law. A new algorithm is proposed for computing the background/foreground classification as the pixel-level part of a motion detection algorithm. Comparative results and computational advantages of the method are commented.
Seamless interaction using a portable projector in perspective corrected multi display environments

In this work, we study ways to use a portable projector to extend the workspace in a perspective corrected multi display environment (MDE). This system uses the relative position between the user and displays in order to show the content perpendicularly to the user's point of view in a deformation-free fashion. We introduce the image created by the portable projector as a new, temporary and movable image in the perspective corrected MDE, creating a more flexible workspace to the user. In our study, we combined two ways of using the projector (handheld or head-mounted) with two ways of moving the cursor on the screens (using a mouse or a laser-pointing based strategy), proposing four techniques to be tried by the users. Also, two exploratory evaluation experiments were performed in order to evaluate our system. The first experiment (5 participants) aimed to evaluate how using a movable screen in order to fill the gaps between displays affects the performance of the user in a cross-display pointing task; while the second (6 participants) aimed to evaluate how using the projector to extend the workspace impacts the task completion time in an off-screen content recognition task. Our results showed that while no significant improvement of the performance of the users could be seen on the pointing task, the users were significantly faster when recognizing off-screen content. Also, the introduction of the portable projector reduced the overall task load on both tasks.
Stimulation of Islet Protein Kinase C Translocation by Palmitate Requires Metabolism of the Fatty Acid

The secretory, metabolic, and signaling aspects of glucose/ palmitate interaction on β-cell function have been studied on rat islets. Palmitate potentiated the glucose-induced insulin response of perifused islets at suprathreshold (>3 mmol/1) sugar concentrations. This potentiating effect could be suppressed by 8-bromocGMP, which also blocks palmitate metabolism. Palmitate did not modify glucose utilization, but it slightly reduced glucose oxidation and concomitantly increased lactate production. The very low rate of palmitate oxidation (80-fold lower than that of 20 mmol/l glucose) might explain its lack of effect on glycolysis and hence that the glucose/fatty acid cycle is inoperative in islet cells. However, glucose determines the metabolic fate of exogenous palmitate, which is mainly diverted toward lipid synthesis at high sugar concentrations and might then generate lipid messengers for cell signaling. Palmitate did not increase glucose-induced production of inositol-l,4,5-trisphosphate, but it stimulated the translocation of protein kinase C activity from a cytosolic to a particulate fraction at 20 but not at 3 mmol/l glucose. This increased translocation was partially or completely blocked by hydroxycitrate or 8-bromo-cGMP, respectively, which are agents interfering with palmitate metabolism (inhibiting lipid synthesis). The metabolic interaction between glucose and palmitate might generate lipid messengers (diacylglycerol, phosphatidylserine) necessary for the activation of islet protein kinase C, which would in turn result in a potentiation of glucose-induced insulin secretion.
Incorporating active rules processing into update execution in XML database systems

We address the problem of efficient support for active rules in XML database systems. We describe a general form of active rules for XML based on XQuery and a previously defined update language and present our method to support these rules. The method consists in active rules processing along with the execution of an update statement. The method efficiency is attained due to the identification of rules triggered by the update statement during the execution of this statement that allows avoiding the redundant processing of not triggered rules.
Biodefense-Driven Murine Model of Pneumonic Melioidosis

ABSTRACT A whole-body mouse model of pneumonic melioidosis was established for future evaluation of biodefense vaccine candidates. The aerosol 50% lethal doses of Burkholderia pseudomallei strain 1026b for BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice and the times to death, dissemination in organs, and tissue loads after exposure of the mice to low- and high-dose aerosols are reported. In addition, rpsL mutant backgrounds were attenuated in this acute model of disease.
Transcriptomic Insights into the Physiology of Aspergillus niger Approaching a Specific Growth Rate of Zero

ABSTRACT The physiology of filamentous fungi at growth rates approaching zero has been subject to limited study and exploitation. With the aim of uncoupling product formation from growth, we have revisited and improved the retentostat cultivation method for Aspergillus niger. A new retention device was designed allowing reliable and nearly complete cell retention even at high flow rates. Transcriptomic analysis was used to explore the potential for product formation at very low specific growth rates. The carbon- and energy-limited retentostat cultures were highly reproducible. While the specific growth rate approached zero (<0.005 h−1), the growth yield stabilized at a minimum (0.20 g of dry weight per g of maltose). The severe limitation led to asexual differentiation, and the supplied substrate was used for spore formation and secondary metabolism. Three physiologically distinct phases of the retentostat cultures were subjected to genome-wide transcriptomic analysis. The severe substrate limitation and sporulation were clearly reflected in the transcriptome. The transition from vegetative to reproductive growth was characterized by downregulation of genes encoding secreted substrate hydrolases and cell cycle genes and upregulation of many genes encoding secreted small cysteine-rich proteins and secondary metabolism genes. Transcription of known secretory pathway genes suggests that A. niger becomes adapted to secretion of small cysteine-rich proteins. The perspective is that A. niger cultures as they approach a zero growth rate can be used as a cell factory for production of secondary metabolites and cysteine-rich proteins. We propose that the improved retentostat method can be used in fundamental studies of differentiation and is applicable to filamentous fungi in general.
Insulin detemir: from concept to clinical experience

Insulin detemir (Levemir®, Novo Nordisk) is a novel, biologically engineered analogue of human insulin that has been successfully developed for clinical use in diabetes as a basal insulin. Its unique mechanism of prolongation of action, achieved through acylation to give reversible albumin binding and additional self-association, goes some way to addressing one of the fundamental limitations of previously available, subcutaneously administered basal insulins, a high level of within-person variability in time–action profile from one injection to another. The pharmacological profile of insulin detemir, characterised in a series of studies, suggested it had the potential to offer efficacy and tolerability advantages in the clinical setting. Such advantages, in comparison to NPH (neutral protamine Hagedorn) insulin, have subsequently been illustrated in trials. Despite glucose control targets that are identical to comparators, insulin detemir achieved levels of glycaemic control that, overall, were at least as good as NPH insulin in the Phase III development programme, with lower variability being a consistent finding. This was associated with consistent risk reductions in nocturnal hypoglycaemic events, which are closely linked with the basal component of insulin therapy. Another consistent finding has been a significantly reduced propensity for weight gain. An all-analogue regimen combining insulin detemir with the rapid-acting insulin aspart illustrated the potential benefits achievable when insulins that are designed to achieve defined pharmacokinetic profiles are employed clinically; blood glucose control, including hypoglycaemia, was significantly superior to a human insulin-based mealtime plus basal regimen. Insulin detemir is, therefore, a valuable addition to the range of exogenous insulins, as it should enable treatment regimens to be constructed that offer good outcomes of efficacy and tolerability.
General view on the notion of distant education in Turkey

Education is a long-term investment that is made for the future and planned in accordance with the needs of a country. The need in our country for qualified labor force that comes along the improvements in the world increases the desire for giving quality education to more and more students gradually. Especially, the innovations in information Technologies and rapid developments in communication make distant education applications increase and become widespread in harmony with the said developments. For education to lead to positive behavioral changes and meet its targets, the persons and educational institutes that perform education should have a certain experience and proper infrastructure. The increasing number of students demanding higher education in our country and the innovations in modern-day information technologies bring out some new pursuits in education. The attention and the need in distant education which is expanding and accepted worldwide are also increasing rapidly. The tools and technologies used in distant education and all other files about it ease the learning conditions occurring in normal education [4]. Computer-backed education is used in fields such as; visual notes, revisions, education and intensive testing. In time, computers have taken the place of lecturers eliminating boring tasks and giving students materials and assignments when they feel for it. In this article, besides giving general information about the universities conducting distant education in our country, the advantages and disadvantages of distant education and its progress in our country and in the world will be evaluated.
La Décision artificielle: Le Droit, la machine et l'humain , Danièle Bourcier, Collection «Les voies du droit». Paris, Presses Universitaires de France, 1995, 237 pp.

La Decision artificielle : Le Droit, la machine et I'humain est le premier ouvrage en francais qui aborde avec lucidite et competence la question de l'informatisation des processus decisionnels en droit. L'ouvrage de R. Susskind {Expert Systems in Law : A Jurisprudents Enquiry, Oxford, Clarendon, 1987) avait ouvert le chemin en presentant une theorisation de la construction de systemes experts en droit, mais il ne se pre"occupait que des conditions optimales pour la rdussite du systeme expert. L'ouvrage de Daniele Bourcier va beaucoup plus loin en analysant toutes les etapes du processus et en montrant les modeles alternatifs et les contextes d'utilisation. II se preoccupe des utilisateurs comme personnes humaines et des effets de l'introduction des systemes informatise's d'aide a la decision sur la deshumanisation des processus decisionnels bureaucratiques. C'est un livre qui devrait etre lu par les juristes qui veulent se sensibiliser a l'arrive'e des nouvelles technologies de l'information et de la communication (OTIC) dans le champ du droit. Une des caracteristiques fondamentales de cet ouvrage, c'est qu'il se base sur des experiences significatives de construction de systemes experts en droit. En effet, Daniele Bourcier est une pionniere en France dans le domaine de la creation de systemes d'aide a la decision en matiere de police municipale. Ses longs travaux lui ont permis d'accumuler une riche experience dans ce domaine et d'etre en mesure de nous faire part de ses conclusions basees sur une vingtaine d'anne"es de recherche. De plus, l'auteure est en mesure de situer ses experiences par rapport aux travaux d'autres chercheurs de la communaute' scientifique internationale et de nous en rendre compte d'une maniere competente. Cet ouvrage pose des questions importantes au sujet des processus de representation du droit dans les systemes informatises d'aide i la decision juridique. II nous pousse a reflechir sur les enjeux sociaux et politiques de ces
A Numerical Scheme for Particle-Laden Thin Film Flow in 2-D

The physics of particle-laden thin film flow are not fully understood, and recent experiments have raised questions with current theory. There is a need for fully 2-D simulations to compare with experimental data. To this end, a numerical scheme is presented for a lubrication model derived for particle-laden thin film flow in two dimensions with surface tension. The scheme relies on an ADI process to handle the higher-order terms, and an iterative procedure to improve the solution at each timestep. This is the first paper to simulate the 2-D particle-laden thin film lubrication model. Several aspects of the scheme are examined for a test problem, such as the timestep, runtime, and number of iterations. The results from the simulation are compared to experimental data. The simulation shows good qualitative agreement. It also suggests further lines of inquiry for the physical model.
Are Three-Point Scales Always Good Enough?

Recent work by Jacoby and Mattell [6] has suggested that three-point Likert scales are sufficient to meet criteria of test-retest reliability, concurrent validity, and predictive validity. Green and Rao [3], using the criterion of data configuration recovery, concluded that sixor seven-point scales are preferable, and the authors are "skeptical about the ability of large numbers of such scales (three- or two-point scales) to 'make up' for the limited information provided by each scale separately. " In a reply to Green and Rao, Benson [1] argued that the frequent applicability and practical convenience of twoor three-point scales are strong points in their favor. Moreover, the focus of marketing research on population averages, rather than individuals, suggests that scales with few categories are adequate. This article delineates the conditions under which a two- or three-point scale may be good enough. BACKGROUND
Current Measurement Gain Tuning Using High Frequency Signal Injection

Accurate measurement of the phase currents in electric machines is a requirement for most high performance drives. Incorrect current measurement gain estimates, caused by device tolerances, temperature drifts, age and noise, reduce the accuracy of the current measurements and degrade the drive's performance. This paper presents a method for compensating current measurement gain errors using a periodically injected, high frequency voltage. The positive and negative sequence components of the resulting high frequency current are measured and used for balancing and scaling the phase current measurement gains. The method can be used either as part of an initial commissioning, or start-up sequence, or periodically during the regular operation of the machine.
Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Coronary Heart Disease in Symptomatic Subjects With Advanced Vascular Atherosclerosis of the Carotid Artery (Type III and IV b Findings Using Ultrasound)

Background A study was conducted as to whether the early diagnosis of coronary heart disease (CHD) in symptomatic patients with advanced atherosclerosis of the carotid artery was more successful using ultrasound technology than exercise electrocardiography (ECG). Methods Within the scope of an occupational screening program using subjects from diverse employment sectors, people were given the opportunity to determine their risk of heart attack. During the study, the total plaque area (TPA), the maximum plaque thickness in the carotid artery and the PROCAM scores of 3,513 healthy men and 2,088 healthy women between the ages of 20 and 65 were determined. During the subsequent follow-up study, 36 subjects developed symptoms such as exertional dyspnea, atypical angina pectoris (AP) or typical AP. Four patients displayed no symptoms. The initial cardiac diagnostic testing was conducted on 31 patients using an exercise ECG, four patients were assessed using a coronary angiogram, and five further patients were assessed using a computed tomography (CT) coronary angiogram. An ultrasound examination of the carotid artery of 39 patients revealed a type IV b finding and in one patient, the examination revealed a type III finding. Results In 17 patients, the PROCAM score was < 10%, 13 patients had a score of 10-20% and 10 patients had a score of > 20%. In the final analysis, only two patients had entirely smooth coronary arteries, seven had coronary sclerosis, seven had a 30% stenosis, one had a 30-40% stenosis, one had a 40% stenosis, and 22 patients had a stenosis ≥ 50%, and in extreme cases, a left main coronary artery stenosis with three-vessel disease was shown. The exercise ECG only achieved a true positive result in four patients, and in 21 patients, the result was false negative. Conclusions Symptomatic patients with advanced atherosclerosis of the carotid artery (type III and type IV b findings) had a high risk for CHD. The diagnosis of CHD is better achieved by using carotid duplex than with an exercise ECG. Early treatment of the disease improves the patient’s prognosis.
“Aren’t These Just Young, Rich Women Doing Vain Things Online?”: Influencer Selfies as Subversive Frivolity

Taking seriously the global trend of selfies becoming marketable and entangled in ecologies of commerce, this article looks at Influencers who have emerged as (semi-)professional selfie-producers and for whom taking selfies is a purposively commercial, thoughtful, and subversive endeavor. Based on in-depth ethnographic fieldwork and grounded theory analysis, I examine Influencers’ engagements with selfies on Instagram and their appropriations of selfies as salable objects, as tacit labor, and as an expression of contrived authenticity and reflexivity. Through these practices, Influencers achieve “subversive frivolity,” which I define as the under-visibilized and under-estimated generative power of an object or practice arising from its (populist) discursive framing as marginal, inconsequential, and unproductive.
Method of Selecting Training Data to Build a Compact and Efficient Translation Model

Target task matched parallel corpora are required for statistical translation model training. However, training corpora sometimes include both target task matched and unmatched sentences. In such a case, training set selection can reduce the size of the translation model. In this paper, we propose a training set selection method for translation model training using linear translation model interpolation and a language model technique. According to the experimental results, the proposed method reduces the translation model size by 50% and improves BLEU score by 1.76% in comparison with a baseline training corpus usage.
Gene Silencing of Phogrin Unveils Its Essential Role in Glucose-Responsive Pancreatic β-Cell Growth

OBJECTIVE—Phogrin and IA-2, autoantigens in insulin-dependent diabetes, have been shown to be involved in insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells; however, implications at a molecular level are confusing from experiment to experiment. We analyzed biological functions of phogrin in β-cells by an RNA interference technique. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Adenovirus-mediated expression of short hairpin RNA specific for phogrin (shPhogrin) was conducted using cultured β-cell lines and mouse islets. Both glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and cell proliferation rate were determined in the phogrin-knockdown cells. Furthermore, protein expression was profiled in these cells. To see the binding partner of phogrin in β-cells, coimmunoprecipitation analysis was carried out. RESULTS—Adenoviral expression of shPhogrin efficiently decreased its endogenous expression in pancreatic β-cells. Silencing of phogrin in β-cells abrogated the glucose-mediated mitogenic effect, which was accompanied by a reduction in the level of insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2) protein, without any changes in insulin secretion. Phogrin formed a complex with insulin receptor at the plasma membrane, and their interaction was promoted by high-glucose stimulation that in turn led to stabilization of IRS2 protein. Corroboratively, phogrin knockdown had no additional effect on the proliferation of β-cell line derived from the insulin receptor–knockout mouse. CONCLUSIONS—Phogrin is involved in β-cell growth via regulating stability of IRS2 protein by the molecular interaction with insulin receptor. We propose that phogrin and IA-2 function as an essential regulator of autocrine insulin action in pancreatic β-cells.