Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Blind identification of sparse channels and symbol detection via the EM algorithm

In this paper, we address the problem of blind identification of sparse channels. For this purpose, the Expectation- Maximization is modified to accommodate channel sparsity. The resulting algorithm is applicable for linear and nonlinear channels. Computer simulations on various channel set ups illustrate that the proposed algorithm achieves performance close to the genie-aided estimator.
Effect of antecedent moderate-intensity exercise on the glycemia-increasing effect of a 30-sec maximal sprint: a sex comparison

This study investigated whether a prior bout of moderate‐intensity exercise attenuates the glycemia‐increasing effect of a maximal 30‐sec sprint. A secondary aim was to determine whether the effect of antecedent exercise on the glucoregulatory response to sprinting is affected by sex. Participants (men n = 8; women n = 7) were tested on two occasions during which they either rested (CON) or cycled for 60‐min at a moderate intensity of ~65% V˙O2peak (EX) before performing a 30‐sec maximal cycling effort 195 min later. In response to the sprint, blood glucose increased to a similar extent between EX and CON trials, peaking at 10 min of recovery, with no difference between sexes (P > 0.05). Blood glucose then declined at a faster rate in EX, and this was associated with a glucose rate of disappearance (Rd) that exceeded the glucose rate of appearance (Ra) earlier in EX compared with CON, although the overall glucose Ra and Rd profile was higher in men compared with women (P < 0.05). The response of growth hormone was attenuated during recovery from EX compared with CON (P < 0.05), with a lower absolute response in women compared with men (P < 0.05). The response of epinephrine and norepinephrine was also lower in women compared with men (P < 0.05) but similar between trials. In summary, a prior bout of moderate‐intensity exercise does not affect the magnitude of the glycemia‐increasing response to a 30‐sec sprint; however, the subsequent decline in blood glucose is more rapid. This blood glucose response is similar between men and women, despite less pronounced changes in glucose Ra and Rd, and a lower response of plasma catecholamines and growth hormone to sprinting in women.
Spectral Differentiation Operators and Hydrodynamic Models for Stability of Swirling Fluid Systems

In this paper we develop hydrodynamic models using spectral differential operators to investigate the spatial stability of swirling fluid systems. Including viscosity as a valid parameter of the fluid, the hydrodynamic model is derived using a nodal Lagrangian basis and the polynomial eigenvalue problem describing the viscous spatial stability is reduced to a generalized eigenvalue problem using the companion vector method. For inviscid study the hydrodynamic model is obtained by means of a class of shifted orthogonal expansion functions and the spectral differentiation matrix is derived to approximate the discrete derivatives. The models were applied to a Q-vortex structure, both schemes providing good results.
Outsourcing into service factories: An exploratory analysis of facility operators in the German chemical industry

Strategic outsourcing and supply chain integration issues have gained considerable attention in recent years. Concentration on core competencies usually addresses examples along one supply chain. However, a different phenomenon appears in the strategic “dis‐integration” of companies. As explored in five cases taken from the German chemical industry, a separation of two kinds of companies can be observed. Product manufacturers concentrate their business on specific products and technologies, while facility operators, which can also be conceived as service factories, are formed to operate the infrastructure of a production site. This will be described and analysed on building outsourcing and service management thought. A model will be derived describing how the formation of facility operators takes place. The services offered are analysed to yield insights into the business of facility operators. The link between product manufacturers and facility operators offers challenges for future research in supply chain management.
The Effect of Offer Verifiability on the Relationship Between Auctions and Multilateral Negotiations

We use the experimental method to compare second-price auctions to “verifiable” multilateral negotiations in which the sole buyer can credibly reveal to sellers the best price offer it currently holds. We find that transaction prices are lower in verifiable multilateral negotiations than in second-price auctions, despite the two institutions’ seeming equivalence. The difference occurs because low-cost sellers in the negotiations tend to submit initial offers that are less than the second-lowest cost. We also compare the two institutions to previously studied first-price auctions and multilateral negotiations with nonverifiable offers. Second-price auctions yield the highest prices, followed in order by verifiable negotiations, nonverifiable negotiations, and firstprice auctions. * We thank Paul Oyer, David Schmidt, and seminar participants at George Washington University and the INFORMS 2001 Annual Meeting for helpful comments, the International Foundation for Research in Experimental Economics for providing financial support, and Todd Swarthout for writing the software. The data and a demonstration copy of the instructions are available upon request. This work reflects the opinions of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the position of the Federal Trade Commission or any individual Commissioner. JEL: C78, D44, C9, L14
Vascular Wall-Resident Multipotent Stem Cells of Mesenchymal Nature within the Process of Vascular Remodeling: Cellular Basis, Clinical Relevance, and Implications for Stem Cell Therapy

Until some years ago, the bone marrow and the endothelial cell compartment lining the vessel lumen (subendothelial space) were thought to be the only sources providing vascular progenitor cells. Now, the vessel wall, in particular, the vascular adventitia, has been established as a niche for different types of stem and progenitor cells with the capacity to differentiate into both vascular and nonvascular cells. Herein, vascular wall-resident multipotent stem cells of mesenchymal nature (VW-MPSCs) have gained importance because of their large range of differentiation in combination with their distribution throughout the postnatal organism which is related to their existence in the adventitial niche, respectively. In general, mesenchymal stem cells, also designated as mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), contribute to the maintenance of organ integrity by their ability to replace defunct cells or secrete cytokines locally and thus support repair and healing processes of the affected tissues. This review will focus on the central role of VW-MPSCs within vascular reconstructing processes (vascular remodeling) which are absolute prerequisite to preserve the sensitive relationship between resilience and stability of the vessel wall. Further, a particular advantage for the therapeutic application of VW-MPSCs for improving vascular function or preventing vascular damage will be discussed.
Auswirkungen der direkten Demokratie auf die öffentlichen Finanzen: Empirische Ergebnisse für die Schweiz

This paper gives a survey of the empirical results of the impact of direct popular rights on public finances which have been achieved in a project financed by the Swiss National Science Foundation. Using panel data from the Swiss cantons from 1986 to 1997 and cross-section data from the Swiss local communities from 1990 it has been shown that the fiscal referendum leads on both governmental levels to lower public expenditure and revenue. At the local level it also brings about lower public debt. In conjunction with other, available empirical evidence this shows that direct democracy fosters sounder public finances. The results also indicate that it would be favourable to introduce a fiscal referendum at the national level.
What a Dinner Party! Mechanisms and Functions of Interkingdom Signaling in Host-Pathogen Associations

ABSTRACT Chemical signaling between cells is an effective way to coordinate behavior within a community. Although cell-to-cell signaling has mostly been studied in single species, it is now appreciated that the sensing of chemical signals across kingdoms can be an important regulator of nutrient acquisition, virulence, and host defense. In this review, we focus on the role of interkingdom signaling in the interactions that occur between bacterial pathogens and their mammalian hosts. We discuss the quorum-sensing (QS) systems and other mechanisms used by these bacteria to sense, respond to, and modulate host signals that include hormones, immune factors, and nutrients. We also describe cross talk between these signaling pathways and strategies used by the host to interfere with bacterial signaling, highlighting the complex bidirectional signaling networks that are established across kingdoms.
A Study on Value Chain Analysis in Paddy Sector: Special Reference to Kilinochchi District, Srilanka

Value chain analysis is essential to an understanding of markets, their relationships, the Participation of different actors, and the critical constraints that limit the growth of livestock production and consequently the competitiveness of smallholder farmers. These farmers currently receive only a small fraction of the ultimate value of their output, even if, in theory, risk and rewards should be shared down the chain. Objective : Main objective of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the paddy fieldâ€™s value chain in the karachchi division, Kilinochchi district. And environs with a view to achieving the following broad output, to identify the key value chain actors in the paddy sector; to find out key factors influencing on value chain analysis for paddy sector; to discover the strengths and weakness of each value chain actors; to discover the opportunities and threats of each value chain actors; finally to suggest the value chain actors to strengthening the paddy sector in accordance with benefits of socio and economic point of view.
The efficiency of Islamic banking industry in Malaysia: Foreign vs domestic banks

Purpose - To examine the relative efficiency between the domestic and foreign banks Islamic banking operations in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach - The paper utilises the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) methodology, which allows for the decomposition of technical efficiency into its pure technical and scale efficiency components. The authors further examined whether the domestic and foreign banks are drawn from the same population by performing a series of parametric and non-parametric tests. Finally, the authors attempt to investigate the consistency of the estimated DEA efficiency scores by examining its relationship with the traditional measures of banks performance. Findings - The results from the DEA suggest that Malaysian Islamic banks efficiency declined in year 2002 to recover slightly in years 2003 and 2004. The domestic Islamic banks were more efficient compared to the foreign Islamic banks albeit marginally. The source of inefficiency of Malaysian Islamic banks in general has been scale, suggesting that Malaysian Islamic banks have been operating at the wrong scale of operations. The results from the parametric and non-parametric tests further suggest that the foreign and domestic banks are drawn from the same population, as most of the test results could not reject the null hypothesis at the 0.05 levels of significance. The results from the correlation coefficients have further confirmed the dominance of scale in determining the technical efficiency of Malaysian Islamic banks. The results also suggest that profitability is significantly and positively correlated to all efficiency measures. Research limitations/implications - The paper can be extended to consider the production approach along with the intermediation approach, which has been applied in this paper. Investigation of changes in productivity over time as a result of technical change or technological progress or regress by employing the Malmquist Total Factor Productivity Index could yet be another extension to the paper. Originality/value - This paper provides new evidence on the relative efficiency of domestic and foreign banks, which offer Islamic banking services.
Supporting Binding-Sites Discovery via Iterative Database Processing

Recognition of binding sites common to a set of protein structures is important for applications such as drug design. Common methods of binding-sites are based on heuristic algorithms that use summarized spatial data and superimposition techniques. However, computational operations generally do not store intermediate data for further calculation and information extraction. The current study presents an alternative approach to binding calculation by introducing a binary representation scheme for three dimensional molecule data and a fast iterative algorithm which obviates the need to calculate and resolve spatial transformations in the binding site extraction process. This is achieved by using relational database indexing methods and an efficient iterative model. This general-purpose iterative algorithm was tested for binding small molecules. The results show that the method can be applied efficiently for binding site extraction, and bio-information extraction. This binary representation improves performance by reducing processing time by 31% compared to typical representations.
The Decomposition of Bt-Corn on the Fields and its Impact on Earthworms and on other Macroorganisms in the Soil

Two to six tons of dry plant materials per hectare remain on the fields after corn has been harvested (Zwahlen et al., 2003). In agricultural practice, this material gets incorporated into the upper soil layers during tillage. If Bt-corn has been planted, the litter still contains the Bttoxin, which is even detectable in the soil after 200 days of exposure (Zwahlen et al., 2003). Bt-Toxins act very selectively. Nevertheless, one cannot absolutely exclude that non-target organisms would be affected. Would this be the case, the soil ecosystem could be damaged. If decomposers, that are essential for nutrient recycling, are affected, it might impair the maintenance of soil fertility. So far, most of the available studies were carried out in the laboratory over short periods and with isolated species. There is also only one “litter bag” study that lasted several months. The field trial described here, with a total of 9 corn varieties (3 Bt-lines with each their corresponding near-isogenic control line as well as 3 conventional cultivars) is to date the most comprehensive analysis.
The Ecology and Energetics of Hunter-Gatherer Residential Mobility

SFI Working Papers contain accounts of scienti5ic work of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the Santa Fe Institute. We accept papers intended for publication in peer-­‐reviewed journals or proceedings volumes, but not papers that have already appeared in print. Except for papers by our external faculty, papers must be based on work done at SFI, inspired by an invited visit to or collaboration at SFI, or funded by an SFI grant.
Domain Boundary Detection in Hi-C Maps: A Probabilistic Graphical Model Approach

To understand the nature of a cell, one needs to understand the structure of its genome. For this purpose, experimental techniques such as Hi-C detecting chromosomal contacts are used to probe the three-dimensional genomic structure. These experiments yield topological information, consistently showing a hierarchical subdivision of the genome into self-interacting domains across many organisms. Current methods for detecting these domains using the Hi-C contact matrix, i.e. a doubly-stochastic matrix, are mostly based on the assumption that the domains are distinct, thus non-overlapping. For overcoming this simplification and for being able to unravel a possible nested domain structure, we developed a probabilistic graphical model that makes no a priori assumptions on the domain structure. Within this approach, the Hi-C contact matrix is analyzed using an Ising like probabilistic graphical model whose coupling constant is proportional to each lattice point (entry in the contact matrix). The results show clear boundaries between identified domains and the background. These domain boundaries are dependent on the coupling constant, so that one matrix yields several clusters of different sizes, which show the self-interaction of the genome on different scales.
Evolution characteristics of agricultural industrial clusters: A perspective from the small world network model

Agricultural industrial clusters exhibit the characteristics of complex system, and the features of its evolution reveal those of complex system evolution. Therefore, the complex system evolution model for agricultural industrial clusters with geographical attachment preference related to geographic locations may lender a comparatively sound interpretation of the internal mechanism of the evolution. The paper studies the evolution of agricultural industrial cluster on the basis of the small world network model, and points out that due attention should be paid to the roles of government, non-market factors and non-technology factors in the evolution of the cluster.
Design of power efficient All Digital Phase Locked Loop (ADPLL)

This paper presents a power efficient design of All Digital Phase Locked Loop (ADPLL). The proposed ADPLL uses power optimized digital loop filter instead of the conventional one. The power optimization of digital loop filter is carried out with the aid of clock gating technique without degrading the performance of the overall system. The proposed architecture is implemented using Verilog HDL and is synthesized using Cadence RTL compiler using gpdk 45 nm technology. To validate its functionality, verification and simulation is done by using the Cadence IES (Incisive Enterprise Simulator) tool. The power consumption of this ADPLL is 0.704 μW at a center frequency of 625 KHz. The total chip area is 207 μm2.
On the Structure of NP_C

This paper deals with complexity classes ${\cal P}_{\Bbb C}$ and ${\cal NP}_{\Bbb C}$ as they were introduced over the complex numbers by Blum, Shub, and Smale [Bull. Amer. Math. Soc. , 21 (1989), p. 1]. Under the assumption ${\cal P}_{\Bbb C} \ne {\cal NP}_{\Bbb C}$ the existence of noncomplete problems in ${\cal NP}_{\Bbb C}$ not belonging to ${\cal P}_{\Bbb C}$ is established.
Cross-country comparisons of pensioners’ incomes

This report surveys a dozen international comparative studies of poverty, income distribution and the elderly in OECD countries. It updates a previous Department of Social Security report — Whiteford and Kennedy, 1995, based on data from the mid- to late-1980s — including information up to the mid-1990s. The report addresses a series of questions. What level are the incomes of the elderly relative to the population as a whole? How has this changed over the past two decades? How many of the old are poor? How many of the poor are old? Are the oldest of the old poorer than younger pensioners are? How do widows fare? What is the mix between public and private sources of income? Do the elderly poor remain poor? There is also a discussion of methodological issues. The results show that the incomes of the elderly are typically around 80 per cent of incomes of the populations as a whole. In most countries, this ratio has been increasing over the past two decades. Although there remain pockets of poverty among the elderly, most studies show that the old are represented proportionally or under-represented among the poor. The papers present conflicting pictures of the position of the United Kingdom. There is, however, no consistent evidence that pensioners in the United Kingdom are better or worse off than their counterparts overseas.
Some problems in application of information spectrum method and resonant recognition model for cross-spectral analysis of DNA/RNA sequences

The information spectrum method (ISM) and the resonant recognition model (RRM) represent a methodology based on signal processing that analyses characteristic spectral motifs in DNA/RNA and protein sequences. Some inconsistencies have been reported recently with regard to the spectral characterization of specific biological sequences utilizing the ISM (RRM) and this motivated examination of the basics of the ISM (RRM). This note provides some discussions on the methodology on which the ISM and RRM are based and shows a potential reason why the ISM and the RRM produce inaccurate and unreliable results. Two examples are given to backup the analysis and discussion.
From pixel sieve to bit sieve. Bit level based secret sharing cryptographic method

As it often happens in cryptography, a visual cryptographic method serves as primitive for more evolved file encryption algorithm. During the development and evaluation process of the pixel sieve[9] method, several weaknesses popped out. In the attempt of solving these weaknesses a possibility to transform the method from pixel based graphical cryptographic method to a bit based file cryptographic method has emerged. This paper describes the road-map from the graphic encryption to the file encryption version of the pixel sieve. Also because a short application was written to test the method the first test results and conclusions are presented here.
EyeGuitar: making rhythm based music video games accessible using only eye movements

Rhythm based music games such as Guitar Hero are hugely popular and allow gamers to take on the role of a famous musician. To play such games you must press keys on virtual guitars in various combinations in time with the music. Gamers with severe physical disabilities cannot always use traditional input devices so alternative methods of input are required to play such games. Eye-gaze is a high bandwidth modality that can support this if suitable interaction techniques exist. By analysing actual gameplay a suitable eye-gaze interaction technique is designed for a Guitar Hero style game. We present results from a user study demonstrating that users are able to score higher with the gaze technique than using a keyboard for game input, albeit at the cost of gameplay. The experiment concludes with a case study in which a young person with physical disabilities is able to successfully play the game using only eye movements.
Parameter Determination for the Markov Modeling of Two-Machine Production Lines

This research investigates the mean time to failure (MTTF) of a fault-tolerant two-machine production line in the context of networked control systems (NCS). A conventional Markov model is used. A special metric is introduced and used to find the most cost-efficient and practical way of simultaneously decreasing controller failure rate and increasing repair rate and coverage in order to increase MTTF. Furthermore, it is shown how to factor software quality and operator expertise in the calculation of the model parameters.
SIMULATING SPIN MODELS ON GPU: A TOUR

The use of graphics processing units (GPUs) in scientific computing has gathered considerable momentum in the past five years. While GPUs in general promise high performance and excellent performance per Watt ratios, not every class of problems is equally well suitable for exploiting the massively parallel architecture they provide. Lattice spin models appear to be prototypic examples of problems suitable for this architecture, at least as long as local update algorithms are employed. In this review, I summarize our recent experience with the simulation of a wide range of spin models on GPU employing an equally wide range of update algorithms, ranging from Metropolis and heat bath updates, over cluster algorithms to generalized ensemble simulations.