Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outage probability and secrecy capacity of a non-orthogonal multiple access system

In this paper, we analyze the outage probability and secrecy capacity of a non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) system in the presence of an eavesdropper. In order to enhance spectral efficiency, a base station communicates with two users simultaneously in the same frequency band by superpimposing the transmit signals to the users in the power domain. Specifically, the user with the worse channel conditions is allocated higher power such that it is able to directly decode its signal from the received superimposed signal. At the user with the better channel conditions, the interference due to NOMA is processed by successive interference cancelation. Given these system settings and accounting for decoding thresholds, we analyze the outage probability of the NOMA system over Rayleigh fading channels. Furthermore, based on the locations of the users and eavesdropper, the secrecy capacity is analyzed to assess the level of security provided to the legitimate users in the presence of an eavesdropper. Here, the decoding thresholds of legitimate users and eavesdropper are also included in the analysis of the secrecy capacity. Through numerical results, the effects of network parameters on system performance are assessed as well as the the superiority of NOMA in terms of secrecy capacity over traditional orthogonal multiple access.
Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation

Background: The medium-term results of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) have shown good to excellent outcomes for the majority of patients. However, no long-term results 10 to 20 years after the surgery have been reported. Hypothesis: Autologous chondrocyte implantation provides a durable solution to the treatment of full-thickness cartilage lesions of the knee, maintaining good clinical results even 10 to 20 years after implantation. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: In this uncontrolled study, questionnaires with the Lysholm, Tegner-Wallgren, Brittberg-Peterson, modified Cincinnati (Noyes), and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) scores were sent to 341 patients. Preoperative Lysholm, Tegner-Wallgren, and Brittberg-Peterson scores were also retrieved when possible from patients’ files. The patients were asked to grade their status during the past 10 years as better, worse, or unchanged. Finally, they were asked if they would do the operation again. Results: There were 224 of 341 patients who replied to our posted questionnaires and were assessed. The mean cartilage lesion size was 5.3 cm2. Ten to 20 years after the implantation (mean, 12.8 years), 74% of the patients reported their status as better or the same as the previous years. There were 92% who were satisfied and would have the ACI again. The Lysholm, Tegner-Wallgren, and Brittberg-Peterson scores were improved compared with the preoperative values. The average Lysholm score improved from 60.3 preoperatively to 69.5 postoperatively, the Tegner from 7.2 to 8.2, and the Brittberg-Peterson from 59.4 to 40.9. At the final measurement, the KOOS score was on average 74.8 for pain, 63 for symptoms, 81 for activities of daily living (ADL), 41.5 for sports, and 49.3 for quality of life (QOL). The average Noyes score was 5.4. Patients with bipolar lesions had a worse final outcome than patients with multiple unipolar lesions. The presence of meniscal injuries before ACI or history of bone marrow procedures before the implantation did not appear to affect the final outcomes. The age at the time of the operation or the size of lesion did not seem to correlate with the final outcome. Conclusion: Autologous chondrocyte implantation has emerged as an effective and durable solution for the treatment of large full-thickness cartilage and osteochondral lesions of the knee joint. Our study suggests that the clinical and functional outcomes remain high even 10 to 20 years after the implantation.
Optimum Power Control for a Multi-User MIMO System with Beamforming

A multi-user multiple input multiple output (MIMO) system with beamforming based on maximum ratio transmission (MRT) is analyzed in a Rayleigh fading environment. A simple closed and compact form approximate expression for the outage probability of a mobile station for the downlink of such a system is obtained by considering that all the mobile stations are power controlled by a single base station. An interesting observation of the analysis is that an optimum power control problem can be formulated based on the outage probability of each mobile station in the downlink because the outage probability computation is easily simplified for a cellular environment where all the mobile stations are power controlled by the single base station. The objective is to minimize the base station transmission power by keeping the outage probability of all mobile stations below a specified threshold value. The optimization problem is non-convex and non-linear. We use an evolutionary strategy (EV) (T.P. Runarsson and X. Yao, 2000) to solve such a non-convex optimization problem
Tourism Promotion and Regional Development in Low-income Developing Countries

There are not so many papers that the economic effects of tourism are examined in a general equilibrium framework. The features of those papers are that they assume that tourism is regarded as non-tradable goods and services and that tourism is consumed by not only foreign tourists but also domestic residents. However, since our purpose of this paper is to examine the economic effects of tourism promotion on low-income developing countries, we assume that most domestic residents cannot afford to consume tourism, which is considered as a luxury good. Under such assumptions, we examine the effects of two tourism promotion policies on a developing economy. The main result we obtain is that both the policies improve the standard of living for the farmers in a rural region while they worse the standard of living for the workers who are employed in an urban region.
A randomized trial of the use of cocaine spray to provide pain relief during laser vaporization of the cervix

Summary. In a double‐blind trial, 50 patients undergoing laser vaporization of the cervix for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia were randomly allocated to one of two groups. One group had the cervix sprayed with 3–4 ml of a solution containing 10% cocaine, the other a placebo solution during the laser treatment. Women in the cocaine group had significantly less pain as assessed by a visual analogue scale (P < 0.001) and by a verbal rating scale (P = 0.002). The cocaine group also had less blood loss (P = 0.001) as assessed subjectively by the operator.
Antibody reactivity with two strains of human herpesvirus‐6 in Malaysians

A total of 234 sera from healthy Malaysians of diverse ethnic origins were tested for antibody to the Z29 and prototype GS strains of HHV‐6. The prevalence in the races ranged from 58 to 80% for the GS strain and 49 to 76% for the Z29 strain. The highest prevalence was in Malays with semi‐urban cultural lifestyles and lowest was in the indigenous rural tribes (Ibans, Kadazans, Bidayuhs, and Orang Asli).
An economic analysis of education externalities in the matching process of UK regions (1992-99)

This paper studies the existence and the scale of education externalities in the unemployment durations suffered by workers in the UK. First, we develop a theoretical model. Using a matching framework we show that a rise in the average level of education of a labour market will affect unemployment durations in two different ways. It will increase the firms' expected profits per vacancy opened, since firms expect to be matched with a more qualified worker, rising job creation and reducing unemployment durations. We call this the Composition or External effect. But, since more qualified workers are more efficient in the process of job search, it will also rise the competition amongst workers for opened vacancies, increasing unemployment durations. We name this the Competition effect. In the most skilled segments of the labour market the composition effect will dominate the competition effect, while in the least skilled segments the opposite will be true. Then, we test these theoretical results empirically using data from the UK Labour Force Survey for the 17 UK regions over the period 1992Q1-99Q4. We find that a 1% rise in the average level of education reduces unemployment durations of individuals from skilled occupations by 2.9% on average, while it rises the unemployment durations of individuals from unskilled occupations by 1.9% on average. This effect is robust to different measures of education, to controlling for unobserved heterogeneity and to different parameterisations of the hazard function.
Perspectives on a sustainable future

This paper presents an integrated assessment study into global change and sustainable development. A global, integrated assessment model called TARGETS, is used to develop a range of global futures. The model is intended to assess a number of the most important links between social, economic and environmental processes on a global scale. A unique feature of the TARGETS model is that it contains more than one perspective. Using a framework, a number of perspectives (consisting of worldviews and management styles) have been built in. In this way, so-called perspective-based model routes are created: chains of consistent interpretations of salient uncertainties coloured according to the various perspectives. With the help of these model routes, a number of global future trends are generated for the issues of population and health, energy, land use, water use, and biogeochemical cycles. By exploring to what extent these future directions involve certain levels of risk, an appraisal is made whether they are sustainable.
Discharging not-for-profit accountability: UK charities and public discourse

Purpose - This paper aims to examine the accountability practices of large United Kingdom (UK) charities through public discourse. Design/methodology/approach - Based on the ethical model of stakeholder theory, the paper develops a framework for classifying not-for-profit (NFP) accountability and analyzes the content of the annual reports and annual reviews of a sample of large UK charities using this framework. Findings - The results suggest that contrary to the ethical model of stakeholder theory, the sample charities' accountability practices are motivated by a desire to legitimize their activities and present their organizations' activities in a positive light. These results contradict the Research limitations/implications - Understanding the nature of accountability reporting in NFPOs has important implications for preparers and policy makers involved in furthering the NFP agenda. New research needs to examine shifts in accountability practices over time and assess the impact of the recent self-regulation developed to enhance sector accountability. Originality/value - This paper contributes to the NFP accountability literature by: first, developing a framework of NFP accountability through public discourse using the ethical model of stakeholder theory; and second, advancing the understanding of the accountability practices of large UK charities.
Stock volatility in the periods of booms and stagnations

The aim of this paper is to compare statistical properties of stock price indices in periods of booms with those in periods of stagnations. We use the daily data of the four stock price indices in the major stock markets in the world: (i) the Nikkei 225 index (Nikkei 225) from January 4, 1975 to August 18, 2004, of (ii) the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) from January 2, 1946 to August 18, 2004, of (iii) Standard and Poor’s 500 index (SP500) from November 22, 1982 to August 18, 2004, and of (iii) the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 index (FT 100) from April 2, 1984 to August 18, 2004. We divide the time series of each of these indices in the two periods: booms and stagnations, and investigate the statistical properties of absolute log returns, which is a typical measure of volatility, for each period. We find that (i) the tail of the distribution of the absolute log-returns is approximated by a power-law function with the exponent close to 3 in the periods of booms while the distribution is described by an exponential function with the scale parameter close to unity in the periods of stagnations.
Supportability, Sustainability, and Subsidy-Free Prices

This article studies the relationships among the concepts of subsidy-free prices, anonymously equitable prices, supportability, and sustainability. In particular, we set out conditions under which these concepts are not vacuous. Several new sets of conditions under which a subsidy-free price vector is sustainable are also presented. For general, nonseparable demands, we establish the existence of an Aumann-Shapley price vector that is anonymously equitable and sustainable.
Tourism and Growth in the Caribbean – Evidence from a Panel Error Correction Model

This empirical study examines the causal relationship between tourism and economic growth for a panel of nine Caribbean countries over the period 1995–2007. Pedroni (1999, 2004) panel cointegration tests reveal a long-run equilibrium relationship between real GDP per capita, the real effective exchange rate and international tourist arrivals per capita. The panel error correction model reveals bidirectional causality between tourism and economic growth in both the short run and the long run.
Wideband Planar Yagi Antenna

In this paper, a very wide antenna suitable for high-data rate communication in the millimetre-wave frequency range is presented. The coplanar waveguide (CPW) fed antenna is realised on InP substrate using ground planes as the reflector elements measured return loss under -10 dB shows a 100% bandwidth for the 140-220 GHz band antenna and 50% for the frequency band antenna. The maximum measured gain of the antenna is 7.35 dB at 202 GHz and dB at 260 GHz.
Interactions of Carbon Monoxide and Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Groups in the Nucleus Tractus Solitarii of Rats

Carbon monoxide has been shown to act as a neurotransmitter and neuronal messenger in the brain. Heme oxygenase catalyzes the conversion of heme to carbon monoxide and biliverdin. We have recently reported that carbon monoxide was involved in central cardiovascular regulation. Carbon monoxide modulated the baroreflex and may affect glutamatergic neurotransmission. In addition, metabotropic glutamate receptors may be coupled to the activation of heme oxygenase in the nucleus tractus solitarii of rats. The present study was designed to investigate the possible interactions of carbon monoxide and metabotropic glutamate receptor groups in the nucleus tractus solitarii. Unilateral microinjection of several agonists for metabotropic glutamate receptor groups such as (R,S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) (group I) (0.03 nmol), 2R,4R-4-aminopyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylate (APDC) (group II) (0.3 nmol), and l-(+)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (l-AP4) (group III) (0.3 nmol) produced a significant decrease in blood pressure and heart rate. Among the metabotropic glutamate receptor agonists, prior administration of zinc protoporphyrin IX, an inhibitor of heme oxygenase activity, significantly attenuated the cardiovascular effects of APDC and l-AP4, and failed to attenuate the cardiovascular responses of DHPG. These results indicated interactions between carbon monoxide and group II and III metabotropic glutamate receptors in central cardiovascular regulation.
The operation of the informal venture capital market in Scotland

This paper addresses the lack of knowledge about business angels based in Scotland. An understanding of the informal investment market is important given that Scotland has recently achieved devolved powers and business start-ups are a priority of the Scottish Executive. Based upon 140 replies to a survey questionnaire, investment-active angels are profiled in terms of business background and experience, motivation and investing criteria, behaviour and outcomes. Of particular note is the finding that the majority of angels based in Scotland lack experience of small businesses and it is argued that this cannot be helpful in securing deals with entrepreneurs. The paper addresses how entrepreneurs can target angels, the lack of ‘investable’ entrepreneurs, the role of experienced angels, how nascent angels can be encouraged to make their first investment, tax breaks and the search behaviour of angels. Finally, a typology of angels, based on the number of investments made by an individual, is set out.
THE FREQUENCY OF TIDAL FEATURES ASSOCIATED WITH NEARBY LUMINOUS ELLIPTICAL GALAXIES FROM A STATISTICALLY COMPLETE SAMPLE

We present a deep broadband optical imaging study of a complete sample of luminous elliptical galaxies (MB < −20) at distances 15–50 Mpc, selected from the Tully catalog of nearby galaxies. The images are flat to ∼0.35% across the 20′ field and reach a V-band depth of 27.7 mag arcsec−2. We derive an objective tidal interaction parameter for all galaxies and find that 73% of them show tidal disturbance signatures in their stellar bodies. This is the first time that such an analysis is done on a statistically complete sample and it confirms that tidal features in ellipticals are common even in the local universe. From the dynamical time of the sample galaxies at the innermost radius where tidal features are detected, we estimate the mass assembly rate of nearby ellipticals to be dM/M ∼ 0.2 per Gyr with large uncertainty. We explore the relation between gravitational interaction signatures and the galaxy environment and find that galaxies in clusters are less disturbed than group and field galaxies. We also study how these interactions affect the broadband colors of ellipticals and find a moderate correlation, suggesting that the mergers are not accompanied by significant star formation. Finally, we find no correlation between active galactic nucleus activity, as measured by 6 cm radio emission, and large-scale tidal distortions. This implies that gravitational interactions are not the only, and perhaps not the most important, trigger of nuclear activity. In summary, we find that elliptical galaxies in groups and low-density environments continue to grow at the present day through mostly “dry” mergers involving little star formation.
Cost-Benefit Analysis for Investment Decisions: Chapter 12 (The Economic Opportunity Cost of Labor)

The concept of economic opportunity cost is derived from the recognition that when resources are used for one project, opportunities to use these resources are sacrificed elsewhere. Typically when workers are hired by a project, they are giving up one set of market and non-market activities for an alternative set. The economic opportunity cost of labor (EOCL) is the value to the economy of the set of activities given up by the workers including the non-market costs (or benefits) associated with the change in employment. When determining the EOCL, it is important to remember that labor is not a homogeneous input. It is perhaps the most diverse factor of production in any economy. In this chapter we will examine how the EOCL is estimated in an economy that contains markets for many different types of labor occupations, with variations by region, by quality of employment opportunities (e.g., pleasant, unpleasant, permanent, temporary, etc.) that affect the EOCL used by a project.
Agree now – pay later: escaping the joint decision trap in the evolution of the EU emission trading system

This article seeks to refine the joint decision trap model by introducing additional time-based exit mechanisms. The procrastination of decisions, temporary derogation, and transitory compensation enable European Union (EU) member states to escape gridlock by distributing the costs and benefits of a decision over the time axis. In addition, time-based mechanisms not only help to overcome stalemate in policy-making, they also lock member states into a policy regime that may gradually be strengthened once delayed measures take effect. We demonstrate the workings of time-based strategies for the case of the EU's Emission Trading System (EU ETS). Given the diversity of EU member states' interests, the evolution of a mandatory and increasingly ambitious EU ETS presents a puzzle for EU scholars. While established exit mechanisms do not provide conclusive explanations for the case of the EU ETS, we argue that time-based strategies were key to move the EU's policy on emission trading forward.
Recent advances in the development of new treatments for celiac disease

Introduction: Celiac disease is a common autoimmune condition induced by dietary gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. So far, the only available treatment for the disorder is a lifelong strict gluten-free diet, because of which small intestinal histological changes recover and symptoms disappear. However, gluten-free dieting is restrictive, and nutritionally less than optimal, and gluten is difficult to avoid. Areas covered: With improving insight into the pathogenesis of celiac disease, several possible drug targets have been suggested. The new strategies include degradation of gluten intraluminally, reduction of mucosal permeability, inhibition of the transglutaminase 2 enzyme, blocking antigen presentation by HLA-DQ2 or HLA-DQ8, modulation of the immune responses of many cytokines, and vaccination. Expert opinion: Non-dietary treatment options are warranted either as adjunctive therapy together with dieting or to replace the gluten-free diet. The key question is whether the envisaged novel drug is able to prevent gluten-induced small intestinal mucosal injury as efficiently as a strict gluten-free diet, alleviating symptoms and signs of the disease. Furthermore, the gluten dose that can be detoxified, if at all, must be established. The new drug should also be as safe as dietary treatment. Several novel treatment options are under development.
Research Trends of Network Security in IoT

: The technology has been evolving and producing multiple innovations in the last decade. Internet of Things (IoT) is considered as most revolutions in technology. IoT connects two worlds, the virtual and the real. In this paper, we carry out a systematic review of the literature regarding the different considerations, challenges, and threats that have influenced network security in IoT domain. We conducted a keyword-based search on selected databases to identify the articles for systematic review. A total of 712 full-text articles reviewed, and the results revealed the use of several protocols and architectures to secure the Internet of Things. The results also emphasized the inevitability of enhanced network security for IoT. We also discussed future research opportunities in this paper which are expected to stimulate more research in the IoT network security space.
An Exploratory Study of the Level of Disaster Preparedness in the Canadian Hospitality Industry

Disaster planning is an important, but often neglected, part of leading an organization. Currently there exists little data on the level of disaster preparedness of organizations in the Canadian hospitality industry. In this article we present the results of a survey of a representative sample of organizations in this industry to assess the level of disaster preparedness. Results reveal an overall low level of preparedness. Implications of these results are discussed and recommendations for research and practice are suggested.