Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Secure wireless multicasting through Nakagami-m fading MISO channel

In the group-oriented applications such as military and commercial wireless cellular networks often require the same data to be conveyed to multiple users simultaneously. This technique is usually referred to as physical layer multicasting. In this paper, we consider the problem of secret communication over Nakagami-m fading multiple-input single-output (MISO) channel, where a single transmitter sends a common and confidential message to a group of receivers in the presence of an eavesdropper. We are interested in protecting this message from eavesdropping. At first, we define the secrecy multicast capacity for a K-receiver multicast channel at which the eavesdropper is unable to decode any information from the multicast channels and find the analytical expression for the lower bound of average secrecy multicast capacity. Then, we define the secrecy multicast capacity in terms of secure outage probability, and find the analytical expressions for the probability of non-zero secrecy multicast capacity and secure outage probability to study the outage behavior of the proposed model.
`Power': One More Visit: A Response to Terence Ball

The distance between Ball's ordinary language approach and my attempt at conceptual reconstruction turns out to be smaller than it might appear. Ball agrees that "ordinary" concepts, when vague and imprecise, must "be redefined and extended in new directions. " My purpose was precisely to substantiate the charge of vagueness and imprecision against current definitions of 'power' and to show how my own proposal overcomes these defects. Whether my definition involves "new liabilities" is the only point at issue.
Nerve Growth Factor-induced Glutamate Release Is via p75 Receptor, Ceramide, and Ca2+ from Ryanodine Receptor in Developing Cerebellar Neurons*

Very little is known about the contribution of a low affinity neurotrophin receptor, p75, to neurotransmitter release. Here we show that nerve growth factor (NGF) induced a rapid release of glutamate and an increase of Ca2+ in cerebellar neurons through a p75-dependent pathway. The NGF-induced release occurred even in the presence of the Trk inhibitor K252a. The release caused by NGF but not brain-derived neurotrophic factor was enhanced in neurons overexpressing p75. Further, after transfection of p75-small interfering RNA, which down-regulated the endogenous p75 expression, the NGF-induced release was inhibited, suggesting that the NGF-induced glutamate release was through p75. We found that the NGF-increased Ca2+ was derived from the ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ receptor and that the NGF-increased Ca2+ was essential for the NGF-induced glutamate release. Furthermore, scyphostatin, a sphingomyelinase inhibitor, blocked the NGF-dependent Ca2+ increase and glutamate release, suggesting that a ceramide produced by sphingomyelinase was required for the NGF-stimulated Ca2+ increase and glutamate release. This action of NGF only occurred in developing neurons whereas the brain-derived neurotrophic factor-mediated Ca2+ increase and glutamate release was observed at the mature neuronal stage. Thus, we demonstrate that NGF-mediated neurotransmitter release via the p75-dependent pathway has an important role in developing neurons.
Effect of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) root extract on amelioration of oxidative stress and autoantibodies production in collagen-induced arthritic rats

Abstract Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder. Withania somnifera Dunal (Solanaceae) (WS), is a common medicinal plant used in traditional systems of medicine for the treatment of arthritis, and is an ingredient of anti-arthritic polyherbal formulations such as Habb-e-Asgand® and Arthritin™. In the present study, we evaluated the antioxidant and anti-arthritic activity of aqueous extract of WS root (WSAq) in collagen-induced arthritic (CIA) rats. Methods: CIA rats were treated by using three doses of WSAq (100, 200, 300 mg/kg b. wt., orally) and methotrexate (MTX, 0.25 mg/kg b. wt. i.p.) as a standard reference drug for 20 days. The anti-arthritic effect was assayed by measuring the arthritic index, autoantibodies such as rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (a-CCP), anti-nuclear antibody (ANA), anti-collagen type II antibody (a-CII) and inflammatory marker like C-reactive protein (CRP). The oxidative stress parameters were also measured. Results: Treatment with WSAq resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in arthritic index, autoantibodies and CRP (p<0.05) with maximum effect at dose of 300 mg/kg b. wt. and the results were comparable to that of MTX-treated rats. Similarly, oxidative stress in CIA rats was ameliorated by treatment with different doses of WSAq, as evidenced by a decrease in lipid peroxidation and glutathione-S-transferase activity and an increase in the glutathione content and ferric-reducing ability of plasma (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results showed that WSAq exhibited antioxidant and anti-arthritic activity and reduced inflammation in CIA rats and suggests the potential use of this plant in the treatment of arthritis.
Dapagliflozin has no effect on markers of bone formation and resorption or bone mineral density in patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus on metformin

Dapagliflozin, a selective sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, reduces hyperglycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) by increasing urinary glucose excretion. Owing to its mechanism of action, dapagliflozin could potentially affect the renal tubular transportation of bone minerals. Therefore, markers of bone formation and resorption and bone mineral density (BMD) were evaluated in patients with T2DM after 50 weeks of dapagliflozin treatment.
Cross-Product Steering for Distributed Velocity Alignment in Multi-Agent Systems

We study the problem of distributed velocity alignment among a group of nonholonomic agents in 2 and 3 dimensions. Inspired by social aggregation phenomena such as flocking and schooling in birds and fish, we develop vision based control laws for velocity alignment and motion coordination. The proposed control laws are distributed, in the sense that only information from neighboring agents are included. Furthermore, the control laws are coordinate-free and do not rely on measurement or communication of heading information among neighbors, but instead requires measurements of bearing, optical flow and timeto-collision, all of which can be measured using vision.
An Improved Robust Beamforming Design for Cognitive Multiantenna Relay Networks

This paper investigates the robust relay beamforming design for the multiantenna nonregenerative cognitive relay networks (CRNs). Firstly, it is proved that the optimal beamforming matrix could be simplified as the product of a variable vector and the conjugate transposition of a known channel response vector. Then, by exploiting the optimal beamforming matrix with simplified structure, an improved robust beamforming design is proposed. Analysis and simulation results show that, compared with the existing suboptimal scheme, the proposed method can achieve higher worst-case channel capacity with lower computational complexity.
PERCEPTIONS OF IOWA SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS TOWARD AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

The primary purpose of this study was to determine principals ‘perceptions of secondary agricultural education programs in Iowa high schools with agricultural education programs. A stratified random sample consisting of 147 principals was selected. Researcher-constructed questionnaires were developed, tested and mailed to a stratified random sample of principals. Strata consisted of Agricultural Education districts as outlined by the State of Iowa Department of Education. Overall, principals expressed favorable perceptions of agriculture programs, courses, and teachers. They expressed perceptions that students enjoy agricultural education courses and believed those courses reinforced learning in other subject matter areas. The overall knowledge or familiarity level of agricultural education programs by principals was generally positive. Principals believed agricultural education teachers were high quality teachers, but did not believe they were more effective than other teachers. Principals tended to support agricultural education programs, and disagreed with the statement that agricultural education courses provided little for students ' intellectual development. They also perceived agricultural education programs to be important to their community, and that any high school student could benefit from coursework in agricultural education. Recommendations included further research to determine the relationship of principals ‘perceptions to actual practices of support.
A Grounded Theory of Portfolio Working

Portfolio working has been championed, most noticeably by Handy (1995), as a new way in which we should understand many working lives. It is said to be characterized by obtaining and doing a variety of pieces of work for a number of different clients or employers and is suggested by many to be an increasing practice. To understand how individuals who work in this way experience portfolio working, 26 semi-structured interviews were carried out with a range of portfolio workers and then analysed using a grounded theory technique. The model that was generated suggested that a particular combination of features characterized portfolio working: the self-management of work, the independent generation of work and income, the development of a variety of work and clients, and a working environment situated outside any single organization. The model further demonstrated how these combined features engendered three main psychological processes central to the experience of portfolio working: autonomy, uncertainty and social isolation. The nature of the processes had a subsequent impact upon the individual's work intensity, well-being and work–life balance. Personal and situational characteristics also emerged as playing a notable role in how portfolio working is experienced.
Political and monetary institutions and public financial policies in the industrial countries

Institutions and policies Vittorio Grilli, Donato Masciandaro and Guido Tabellini Why do countries as similar as the industrialized OECD countries go through such different experience in terms of public deficits and debts or in terms of inflation? The answer cannot come from macroeconomic policy responses to different disturbances, nor from the principles of optimal taxation, but rather from politics. This article focuses on the role that particular institutions exert in providing constraints and incentives which shape the actions of policymakers. The electoral process and political traditions affect the ability of governments to deal with deficits and mounting debts. What seems to matter most, it is found, is the effect of the durability of governments. Governments with short horizons act myopically and never quite tackle the hard choices. Such governments typically exist in countries with an electoral system favouring many small political parties. Central bank independence promotes low inflation with no apparent costs in terms of real economic performance, irrespective of the political institutions. In fact there is no link between monetary and fiscal discipline. These findings carry powerful implications for countries facing high indebtedness or stubborn inflation, but also for the construction of the European Economic and Monetary Union.
Network-based priority buffer

The paper suggests very fast electronic solutions for priority buffers that take data from many potential sources, accumulate them in a register, and output the most priority item in run time in such a way that as soon as a new value arrives it is included in the set with all previously received and untreated items and properly handled. It is shown that such circuits are required for real time embedded and cyber-physical systems. The buffer was first simulated in a Java program (in software) that allows to verify the intended functionality and then prototyped in hardware using commercially available prototyping boards with field-programmable gate arrays and up-to-date design environment, namely Vivado 2017.1. The best-known alternatives are briefly described and analyzed. The results of experiments have shown that the proposed solutions consume comparable hardware resources and are significantly faster. They may be used not only for priority management but also for real-time data sort.
Accountability for Change: Solution-Focused Treatment with Domestic Violence Offenders

In this article, the authors discuss and evaluate a solution-focused treatment program for domestic violence offenders. Building on a strengths perspective, a solution-focused approach holds a person accountable for solutions instead of focusing on problems. The outcome study was a 1-group pre-and posttest design with a 6-month follow-up to evaluate the effectiveness of a solution-focused group treatment program for 90 domestic violence offenders who were ordered by the court to receive treatment. Findings of the outcome study indicated a recidivism rate of 16.7% of program participants as based on official records over a 6-year period. There was a significant improvement in participants’ relational skills in intimate relationships as evaluated by their spouses or partners and a significant increase in their self-esteem based on self-reports. Implications for treatment and research with domestic violence offenders are discussed.
Mitral valve apparatus. A spectrum of normality relevant to mitral valve prolapse.

SUMMARY The intricate anatomy of the mitral valve apparatus suggests that variations in its architecture may have functional significance. In this study, therefore, deviations from a basic scheme of normality of chordal support have been documented, with particular reference to the occurrence of deficient chordae. Chordae were considered as deficient when they had an irregular branching pattern, not compensated by neighbouring chordae, leaving parts of the valve leaflets less well supported than others. One hundred 'normal' heart specimens were studied, in which the mitral valve in the unopened state showed a regular appearance, and compared with 40 hearts in which the valve showed a deformity, classified as ballooning in 38 cases and as prolapse in two. Deficient chordae were identified in eight of the 100 'normal' hearts and in 36 of the 40 hearts with a valve deformity. In the latter group the chordal deficiency was directly related to the leaflet deformity present. Deficiencies in chordal branching and distribution affected commissural chordae and rough zone chordae, showing a particular preference for the posteromedial commissural area and the middle scallop of the posterior leaflet. The latter abnormalities showed a tendency to be associated with finger-like posteromedial papillary muscle groups and a haphazard arrangement of chordal take-off. Both specimens with necropsy evidence of prolapse had such an arrangement. The findings showed that there is a 'spectrum of normality' with respect to the anatomy of the mitral valve chordal apparatus. It provides an anatomical basis for echocardiographic recordings of disharmonious mitral valve movements, frequently recorded among otherwise healthy individuals. Moreover, it is assumed that such minor variations may play a role in the pathogenesis of the syndrome of mitral valve prolapse, by rendering unsupported parts of leaflets particularly vulnerable to high pressures.
Intergenerational Class Mobility in Postwar Japan

This article uses mobility data from Japan to (1) test the Feather-man -Jones-Hauser hypothesis that industrial societies share similar rats of intergenerational mobility and to (2) shed light on the debate about Japanese "exceptionalism. " Japanese relative mibility rates show no systematically greater deviation from the postulated common pattern than do those of nine European nations. Regarding absolute mobility rates, however,an argument can be made for the distinctiveness of mobility patterns and processes of class formation and reproduction in Japan.
Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA Analysis of Clinical and Environmental Isolates of Vibrio vulnificus and Other Vibrio Species

ABSTRACT Vibrio vulnificus is an estuarine bacterium that is capable of causing a rapidly fatal infection in humans. A randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) PCR protocol was developed for use in detecting V. vulnificus, as well as other members of the genus Vibrio. The resulting RAPD profiles were analyzed by using RFLPScan software. This RAPD method clearly differentiated between members of the genus Vibrio and between isolates ofV. vulnificus. Each V. vulnificus strain produced a unique band pattern, indicating that the members of this species are genetically quite heterogeneous. All of the vibrios were found to have amplification products whose sizes were within four common molecular weight ranges, while the V. vulnificusstrains had an additional two molecular weight range bands in common. All of the V. vulnificus strains isolated from clinical specimens produced an additional band that was only occasionally found in environmental strains; this suggests that, as is the case with the Kanagawa hemolysin of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, the presence of this band may be correlated with the ability of a strain to produce an infection in humans. In addition, band pattern differences were observed between encapsulated and nonencapsulated isogenic morphotypes of the same strain of V. vulnificus.
ACOEM practice guidelines: opioids for treatment of acute, subacute, chronic, and postoperative pain.

DESCRIPTION The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine's guidelines have been updated to develop more detailed guidance for treatment of acute, subacute, chronic, and postoperative pain with opioids. METHODS Literature searches were performed using PubMed, EBSCO, Cochrane Review, and Google Scholar without publication date limits. Of 264,617 articles' titles screened and abstracts reviewed, 263 articles met inclusion criteria. Of these, a total of 157 were of high and moderate quality addressing pain treatment. Comprehensive literature reviews were accomplished with article abstraction, critiquing, grading, evidence table compilation, and guideline finalization by a multidisciplinary expert panel to develop evidence-based guidance. RECOMMENDATIONS No quality evidence directly supports histories, physical examinations, and opioid treatment agreements, although they are thought to be important. No quality trials were identified showing superiority of opioids, compared with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and other medications for treatment of chronic, noncancer pain. The use of opioid-sparing treatments associated with lower doses of postoperative opioids is also associated with better long-term functional outcomes. Selective use of opioids is recommended for patients with acute and postoperative pain. Consensus recommendations also include consideration of carefully conducted trials of chronic opioid treatment for highly select patients with subacute and chronic pain and to maintenance opioid prescriptions only if documented objective functional gain(s) results. A strong and reproducible dose-response relationship identifies a recommended morphine equivalent dose limit of no more than 50 mg/day. Higher doses should be prescribed only with documented commensurately greater functional benefit(s), comprehensive monitoring for adverse effects, informed consent, and careful consideration of risk versus benefit of such treatment. Chronic opioid use should be accompanied by informed consent, a treatment agreement, tracking of functional benefits, drug screening, and attempts at tapering.
Densities of Dextrose-Free Intrathecal Local Anesthetics, Opioids, and Combinations Measured at 37 degrees C

Dextrose-free anesthetic medications are commonly used to provide subarachnoid anesthesia and analgesia. Hypobaricity has been proposed as a mechanism to explain postural effects on the extent of sensory block produced by these drugs. Densities of dextrose-free solutions of local anesthetics and opioids, and commonly used anesthetic/opioid mixtures were determined at 37.00 degrees C for comparison with the density of human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Measurements accurate to 0.00001 g/mL were performed using a mechanical oscillation resonance frequency density meter. All undiluted solutions tested are hypobaric relative to human lumbar CSF with the exception of lidocaine 1.5% and 2.0% with epinephrine 1:200,000. All mixtures of local anesthetics and opioids tested are hypobaric. We observed good agreement between measured densities and calculated weighted average densities of anesthetic mixtures. While the influence of baricity on the clinical effects of dextrose-free intrathecal anesthetics remains controversial, attempts to attribute postural effects to the baricity of these drugs requires establishment of accurate density values. These density data may facilitate elucidation of the mechanisms underlying the behavior of dextrose-free intrathecal anesthetics. (Anesth Analg 1997;84:95-9)
Development and determinants of systemic risk in European banking – an empirical note

Compared with the broad supply of theoretical approaches towards systemic risk in (international) banking systems empirical contributions measuring its degree or potential triggering factors are rather scarce. Kwast and de Nicolo (2002) put systemic risk and (conditional) stock price correlations into a unique relation. Adopting this perspective, we provide a dynamic conditional correlation (DCC, Engle, 2002) analysis for the European banking sector. Our sample period covers establishment and advent of the Euro. Apart from time variation of correlation measures we investigate the content of exogenous factor variables to explain correlation patterns. Overall, we find a moderate and stable average level of systemic risk in European banking. The advent of the Euro came along with a 1-year period of short-run transition dynamics. Systemic risk is found to increase over states of high uncertainty in national stock markets and states of small-to-medium variation in European interest rates.
Assessment of the Urban Planning System in Historic Jerash with GIS: Achievements and Challenges for Sustainable Tourism

Abstract Tourism based on urban heritage in Jordan represents one of the major income sources that contribute to about 12% of the national income. Cities containing such urban heritage are witnessing a rapid development process with its positive and negative aspects. This paper discusses these aspects in details to assess the current achievements for the city and local community as well as major challenges for sustainable tourism in Jerash. Urban planning issues such as infrastructure and the transportation system, modern and ancient land-use interaction and the addressing of Geocoding, that reduce the efficient use of such heritage in the tourism industry in the city are discussed. A comprehensive survey is designed and distributed in selected areas of the historic site in the city to study some of these issues, as related to tourism industry development, the current urban system and threats to a heritage city, as viewed by the local community. Detailed analysis of the survey is performed in the social and spatial domains that highlight a number of important conclusions. Quality GIS maps are produced to study different variables of interest. Results indicate that the existence of urban heritage in Jerash improved the economic level in the city. However, there are still many obstacles, as related to the urban system and infrastructure in the city, toward achieving sustainable tourism.