Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimization of low sidelobes radar waveforms: Circulating codes

This paper presents two techniques as well as their combination for optimization of the low side-lobes space-time waveforms: circulating LFM signals. Matched filtering is implemented for the pulse compression. The ambiguity functions of the modified waveforms are analyzed for demonstration of the optimization efficiency. The simulation results show that the proposed techniques decrease the range side-lobes, with no penalty on the signal-to-noise ratio, and restore the range resolution in the beam-formed angular direction where the circulating LFM signal previously had a resonance effect. Typical sidelobe levels lower than -50dB are demonstrated over the whole angular coverage, with an 8 element antenna and 256 length codes.
An optimal power control algorithm for STDMA MAC protocols in multihop wireless networks

Multihop spatial time division multiple access (STDMA) medium access control (MAC) protocols constitute an important building block of wireless networks. There are not many practical power control algorithms that can optimally tradeoff power consumption against transmission rates with a reasonable computational complexity. In this paper, we introduce an energy-efficient distributed power control algorithm for STDMA MAC protocols. The motivation for this study is two fold, namely, maximizing the spatial reuse of the system resources and maximizing power efficiency. We develop a mathematical formulation for maximizing spatial reuse and power efficiency under discrete SINR and rate constrains. After proving that power is a convex function of data rates in our problem, we demonstrate that our problem in simultaneous transmission environments can be reduced to a linear programming (LP) problem. Then, we solve this LP problem using dynamic programming (DP). Finally, based on our proposed solution, we propose a low complexity optimal power control (OPC) algorithm which can be generically embedded within any existing STDMA MAC protocol. Through analytical and experimental studies, we show that our power control algorithm cannot only significantly improve the throughput, power consumption, and delay performance of STDMA MAC protocols compared to their baseline alternatives, but also outperform existing STDMA algorithms.
The desoxyribonucleic acid content of the nucleus as a cytotaxonomic character in mantids (Orthorptera: Mantoidea).

1. The relative amount of DNA per spermatid nucleus has been determined by photometric microscopic measurement in eight species of mantids, and the results are discussed in relation to their cytology and the cytotaxonomic problems they present. The mantids studied are the following: Subfamily Liturgousinae—Liturgousa maya S. & Z. , L. actuosa Rehn, L. cursor Rehn; Subfamily Choeradodinae —Choeradodis rhombicollis Latr. ; Subfamily Manteinae—Tauromantis championi S. & Z. , Stagmomantis carolina Johann, S. heterogamia S. & Z. ; and Subfamily Pseudomiopteriginae—Pseudomiopteryx infuscata S. & Z.2. Of the three closely similar species of Liturgousa tested, L. maya with 16 autosomes and L. cursor with 32 have the same content of DNA in the spermatid nucleus, confirming the cytological evidence that no polyploid relation exists between them. The greater diameter and greater total length of metaphase chromosomes in L. maya as compared with L. cursor remain unexplained.3. Liturgousa actuosa has approximately one and .
The ZEB 1 / miR-200 feedback loop controls Notch signaling in cancer cells

Thank you for submitting your manuscript for consideration by the EMBO Journal. It has now been seen by three referees whose comments are enclosed. As you will see, all three express interest in the study and are broadly in favour of publication. However, all three raise a number of concerns that would need to be addressed first. Most critically, both referees 1 and 2 comment on the largely correlative nature of the study, and argue that epistasis analyses would be required to show that the regulation of Jagged1 accounts for the effects of ZEB1 and miR-200 on Notch signalling and on the cellular phenotype (referee 1 paragraph 3, referee 2 point 3). In addition, as highlighted by both referees 2 and 3, clarification and statistical analysis of the data presented in figure 6 would be important.
Guardians' Perceptions of Cats' Welfare and Behavior Regarding Visiting Veterinary Clinics

To assess the welfare of cats at the veterinary clinic and how caregivers and veterinarians affect it, a survey of Italian cat guardians (n = 1,111) was conducted using a 28-item multichoice questionnaire. Most cats showed impaired welfare during all stages of a clinic visit: before entering, in the waiting room, moving to the examination room, on the examination table, and after returning home. A relationship was found between welfare states in each stage. Stress worsened with further experience and had negative effects on traveling and handling in other situations. Restraint, pain, and anxiety led to aggression toward vets and guardians. Guardians showed a positive attitude toward their cats' health and welfare, and the veterinarians' behavior toward the cats was a reason for changing the veterinarian. One in 10 veterinarians examined the cat immediately, without stroking, talking, or offering food. However, the use of food was effective only if cats were not already stressed. Educating guardians and veterinarians to minimize stress during every stage of a clinic visit is the best approach to improving welfare for cats visiting the clinic.
Physical Therapy for the Critically Ill in the ICU: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis*

Objective:The purpose of this systematic review was to review the evidence base for exercise in critically ill patients. Data Sources and Study Selection:Using keywords critical care and physical therapy and related synonyms, randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews were identified through electronic database searches and citation tracking. Clinical trials with outcomes of mortality, length of hospital and ICU stay, physical function and quality of life, muscle strength, and ventilator-free days were included. Data Extraction and Synthesis:Two reviewers abstracted data and assessed quality independently. Effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. From 3,126 screened abstracts, 10 randomized controlled trials and five reviews were found. The mean Physiotherapy Evidence Database score was 5.4. Overall there was a significant positive effect favoring physical therapy for the critically ill to improve the quality of life (g = 0.40, 95% confidence interval 0.08, 0.71), physical function (g = 0.46, 95% confidence interval 0.13, 0.78), peripheral muscle strength (g = 0.27, 95% confidence interval 0.02, 0.52), and respiratory muscle strength (g = 0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.12, 0.89). Length of hospital (g = –0.34, 95% confidence interval –0.53, –0.15) and ICU stay (g = –0.34, 95% confidence interval –0.51, –0.18) significantly decreased and ventilator-free days increased (g = 0.38, 95% confidence interval 0.16, 0.59) following physical therapy in the ICU. There was no effect on mortality. Conclusion:Physical therapy in the ICU appears to confer significant benefit in improving quality of life, physical function, peripheral and respiratory muscle strength, increasing ventilator-free days, and decreasing hospital and ICU stay. However, further controlled trials of better quality and larger sample sizes are required to verify the strength of these tentative associations.
Causality between financial development and economic growth: a case study on selected middle eastern countries

Causality between Financial Development and Economic Growth: A Case Study on Selected Middle Eastern Countries. (May 2005) Massa W. Alrayes, B.B. A, The American University of Beirut Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Dennis W. Jansen This study empirically investigates the hypothesis of causality between financial development and economic growth in seven Middle East and North African countries from a time series perspective. I use ordinary least squares and vector auto regression estimations to infer Granger Causality, after controlling for a set of nonfinancial variables. Results show evidence of unidirectional and bidirectional causality between financial development and economic growth in four cases, no causality in two cases, and no significant relation between financial development and economic growth in one case. The significance of the relations varies on case-specific basis. I also control for three indices of civil liberties, economic and political freedom, and find significant evidence of an impact on GDP in three out of seven countries.
Clustering according to urolithin metabotype explains the interindividual variability in the improvement of cardiovascular risk biomarkers in overweight‐obese individuals consuming pomegranate: A randomized clinical trial

Scope: The pomegranate lipid‐lowering properties remain controversial, probably due to the interindividual variability in polyphenol (ellagitannins) metabolism. Objective: We aimed at investigating whether the microbially derived ellagitannin‐metabolizing phenotypes, i.e. urolithin metabotypes A, (UM‐A), B (UM‐B), and 0 (UM‐0), influence the effects of pomegranate extract (PE) consumption on 18 cardiovascular risk biomarkers in healthy overweight‐obese individuals. Methods and results: A double‐blind, crossover, dose–response, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial was conducted. The study (POMEcardio) consisted of two test phases (dose‐1 and dose‐2, lasting 3 weeks each) and a 3‐week washout period between each phase. Forty‐nine participants (BMI > 27 kg/m2) daily consumed one (dose‐1, 160 mg phenolics/day) or four (dose‐2, 640 mg phenolics/day) PE or placebo capsules. Notably, UM‐B individuals showed the highest baseline cardiovascular risk. After dose‐2, total cholesterol (–15.5 ± 3.7%), LDL‐cholesterol (–14.9 ± 2.1%), small LDL‐cholesterol (–47 ± 7%), non‐HDL‐cholesterol (–11.3 ± 2.5%), apolipoprotein‐B (–12 ± 2.2%), and oxidized LDL‐cholesterol –24 ± 2.5%) dose dependently decreased (P < 0.05) but only in UM‐B subjects. These effects were partially correlated with urolithin production and the increase in Gordonibacter levels. Three (50%) nonproducers (UM‐0) became producers following PE consumption. Conclusions: UM clustering suggests a personalized effect of ellagitannin‐containing foods and could explain the controversial pomegranate benefits. Research on the specific role of urolithins and the microbiota associated with each UM is warranted.
Damage to developing mouse skeletal muscle myotubes in culture: protective effect of heat shock proteins

Damage to skeletal muscle occurs following excessive exercise, upon reperfusion following ischaemia and in disease states, such as muscular dystrophy. Key mechanisms by which damage is thought to occur include a loss of intracellular calcium homeostasis, loss of energy supply to the cell, increased activity of oxidising free radical‐mediated reactions and activation of apoptosis pathways. An increased cellular content of heat shock proteins (HSPs) has been shown to protect skeletal muscle against some forms of damage, although the mechanistic basis of this protection is not clearly understood. The aim of this study was to establish a cell culture‐based model of damage to C2C12 skeletal muscle cells using the calcium ionophore, A23187 and the mitochondrial uncoupler, 2,4‐dinitrophenol (DNP) as damaging agents. Treatment of cells with 1 mm DNP for 60 min resulted in the release of 63.5 % of intracellular creatine kinase (CK) activity over the 3 h experimental period. Treatment of cells with 10 μm A23187 for 30 min resulted in the release of 47.9 % of CK activity. Exposure of myotubes to a period of hyperthermia resulted in a significant increase in their content of HSP25, HSP60, HSC70 (heat shock cognate) and HSP70. This increase in HSPs was associated with significant protection against both DNP‐induced and A23187‐induced damage to the myotubes. These results indicate that an increased content of HSPs may provide protection against the muscle damage that occurs by a pathological increase in intracellular calcium or uncoupling of the mitochondrial respiratory chain.
Design and control of an exoskeleton based device for hand rehabilitation

Over the past two decades, there has been a growing need to develop rehabilitation robots able to perform passive repetitive movements for patients with traumatic injuries. In this paper, a new exoskeleton-based design is proposed that imitates natural hand movements for rehabilitation purposes. For controlling the motion of the proposed design, we subsequently designed five different controllers, computed torque control (CTC), PD, PID, and two sliding mode controllers (SMC). It was shown that the second sliding mode controller resulted in improved trajectories that were chosen based on the natural hand movements. The proposed design along with the sliding mode controller has the potential to be used as a continues passive machine (CPM) resulting in improved recovery of injured hand for patients after stroke or post surgical training.
Exact algorithms for output encoding, state assignment, and four-level Boolean minimization

A novel minimization procedure of prime implicant generation and covering that operates on symbolic outputs, rather than binary-valued outputs, is proposed for solving the output encoding problem. An exact solution to this minimization problem is also an exact solution to the encoding problem. While this covering problem is more complex than the classic unate covering problem, a single logic minimization step replaces O(N-factorial) minimizations. The input encoding problem can be exactly solved using multiple-valued Boolean minimization. An exact algorithm is presented for state assignment by generalizing the proposed output encoding approach to the multiple-valued input case. Four-level Boolean minimization entails finding a cascaded pair of two-level logic functions that implement another logic function, such that the sum of the product terms in the two cascaded functions or truth tables is minimum. Four-level Boolean minimization can be formulated as an encoding problem and solved exactly using the proposed algorithms. Preliminary experimental results are presented which indicate that this approach is significantly more efficient than exhaustive search. Computationally efficient heuristic approaches based on the exact algorithms are proposed for output encoding, state assignment, and four-level Boolean minimization. >
Understanding Social OER Environments—A Quantitative Study on Factors Influencing the Motivation to Share and Collaborate

Social software environments are increasingly used for open education: teachers and learners share and collaborate in these environments. While there are various possibilities for the inclusion of such social functionalities for OER, many organizational, individual and technological challenges can hinder the motivation of teachers to share and collaborate in these environments. Current research cannot explain what barriers teachers face in social OER environments and how those challenges influence their motivation to engage in such environments. An exploratory factor analysis was used in the context of schools and higher education institutions to investigate the possible barriers to engaging in social OER environments; a linear regression analysis was used to predict how the extracted factors influenced the motivation of teachers (N = 754) to share and collaborate. The findings allude to barriers within social OER environments; the main challenges relate to the lack of organizational support, language and culture as well as quality concerns. The key results depict how teachers' motivation to share and collaborate in these environments decreases when they perceive higher language and cultural barriers. These findings can support OER providers as well as educational institutions in their efforts to minimize those barriers.
miR-92a-3p Promoted EMT via Targeting LATS1 in Cervical Cancer Stem Cells

miR-92a-3p (microRNA-92a-3p) has been reported to be dysregulated in several cancers, and as such, it is considered to be a cancer-related microRNA. However, the influence of miR-92a-3p on biological behaviors in cervical cancer (CC) still remains unclear. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect miR-92a-3p levels in CC stem cells. Here, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay, Transwell cell invasion assay and flow cytometry assay were used to characterize the effects that miR-92a-3p and large tumor suppressor l (LATS1) had on proliferation, invasion and cell cycle transition. The luciferase reporter gene assay was used to verify the targeting relationship between miR-92a-3p and LATS1. Western Blotting was used to investigate the related signaling pathways and proteins. Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) showed that miR-92a-3p was upregulated in CC tissues and closely associated with overall survival. miR-92a-3p promoted proliferation, invasion and cell cycle transition in CC stem cells. The luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-92a-3p bound to the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of the LATS1 promoter. LATS1 inhibited proliferation, invasion and cell cycle transition. Results measured by Western Blotting showed that LATS1 downregulated expressions of transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), vimentin and cyclin E, but upregulated the expression of E-cadherin. Re-expression of LATS1 partly reversed the effects of miR-92a-3p on proliferation, invasion and cell cycle transition, as well as on TAZ, E-cadherin, vimentin, and cyclin E. miR-92a-3p promoted the malignant behavior of CC stem cells by targeting LATS1, which regulated TAZ and E-cadherin.
Czy prosumpcja w dobie kryzysu to zjawisko jednowymiarowe? Eksploracja wsrod uzytkownikow portali spolecznosciowych. (Should we treat prosumption as one-dimensional phenomenon in the time of crisis? Exploration among users of community portals.)

The main research problem of this paper takes form of the question: Should we treat prosumption as one-dimensional or multi-dimensional phenomenon in the time of crisis? Existing literature defines presumption mainly from perspective of individualistic benefits for customer connected with personalization, but costs associated with buying and using products are largely neglected. Such understanding of prosumption is not justified in the time of crisis that puts households under budgetary pressure on the global scale. The empirical study presented in this paper suggests that prosumption is a two-dimensional phenomenon, where one can distinguish Rationalistic Prosumption and Exhibitionistic Prosumption. Two-dimensional measurement model is supported by the sample of users of community portals in terms of its reliability and validity. The paper indicates its theoretical contribution, managerial meaning and limitations. At the end of the paper further research directions are discussed.
Differential production of IL‐10 by T cells and monocytes of HIV‐infected individuals: association of IL‐10 production with CD28‐mediated immune responsiveness

Immune unresponsiveness in HIV‐1 infection can result from impaired signals delivered by the costimulatory CD28‐B7 pathway and the altered production of immunoregulatory cytokines, in particular IL‐10, whose production is altered in HIV‐1 infection. In this study we investigate IL‐10 regulation in T cells and monocytes from HIV+ individuals, and its association with CD28‐mediated T cell proliferation. IL‐10 production as analysed in T cell‐ and monocyte‐depleted peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and by intracellular staining at the single‐cell level, reveals a defect in IL‐10 production by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, whereas monocytes constitute the major IL‐10‐producing cell type. To investigate the impact of IL‐10 on immune responsiveness, CD28‐mediated proliferative responses in HIV+ individuals were correlated with PHA‐induced IL‐10 production. CD4+ T cells expressed CD28, yet exhibited markedly reduced CD28‐mediated cell proliferation. This CD28‐mediated CD4+ T cell proliferation was found to be inversely associated with the levels of PHA‐induced IL‐10 production and could be restored, at least in part, by anti‐IL‐10 antibodies. These results suggest that IL‐10 production is differentially regulated in T cells and monocytes of HIV+ individuals, and that IL‐10 may have a role in inducing immune unresponsiveness by modulating the CD28‐B7 pathway.
Japanese Biological Warfare Research on Humans: A Case Study of Microbiology and Ethics

Throughout the twentieth century the world’s leading statesmen and scientists sought to outlaw the use of biologcal warfare (BW). The League of Nations was the first to attempt to proscribe the use of chemical and biological weapons in the 1925 Geneva Protocol, an action that was endorsed by most major nations of the world. ’ However, in spite of having signed the Protocol, many of the principal industrial powers, includlng France, Germany, the Soviet Union, Japan, the United Kmgdom and, beginning in 1942, the United States, persisted in subsidizing secret biological warfare research. During the 1930s, Japan embarked upon a program designed to make it the world’s pre-eminent biological warfare power. Radical militarists increasmgly dominated the nominal civilian governments during this period. They concluded that, because of its comparatively small population and limited natural resources, Japan could not achieve its expansionist objectives in East Asia unless it possessed weapons that could equalize the disparities with its rivals. The militarists looked to biologcal warfare as a source of parity and recruited Japan’s foremost scientists, physicians, dentists, veterinarians, and techcians to participate in the biologcal warfare program. Many of these highly educated menand a few women-willingly joined the enterprise, and did their best to achieve the goals of the militarists, engagmg in both defensive and offensive biologd warfare research. What was unique about the Japanese approach, however, was that the scientists and physicians used human subjects in their investiga-
The Impact of Stressful Life Events on Alcohol Use Relapse: Findings From the Collaborative Longitudinal Personality Disorders Study

Alcohol use relapse is impacted by a variety of environmental, interpersonal, and intrapersonal factors. We examined the interaction between stressful life events, personality disorder subtype, and alcohol use relapse among individuals enrolled in the Collaborative Longitudinal Personality Disorders Study. Negative life events predicted relapse in all participants. In individuals with a history of an alcohol use disorder prior to study entry, positive life events also predicted alcohol use relapse. Individuals with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) were found to be twice as likely to relapse in response to life stressors compared to individuals with obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), who were half as likely to relapse in response to life stressors. Further analysis revealed that individuals with OCPD and no history of an alcohol use disorder were almost 10 times more likely to relapse in the face of a stressful romantic problem, while those with ASPD and a history of an alcohol use disorder were six times more likely to relapse in response to a stressful financial event. These findings have implications for both the assessment and the treatment of individuals who present with co-morbid personality and alcohol use disorders.