Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visual Quality Enhancement in DCT-Domain Spatial Downscaling Transcoding Using Generalized DCT Decimation

In this paper, we propose a generalized discrete cosine transform (DCT) decimation scheme for DCT-domain spatial downscaling which performs two-fold decimation on subframes of a flexible size larger than the traditional 8 times 8 block size to improve the visual quality. Efficient sparse-matrix representations are then derived to reduce the computation of the proposed DCT decimation method. We compare the antialiasing filtering performances and computational complexities of the proposed downscaling scheme with the existing DCT-domain and pixel-domain downscaling schemes. Our analysis shows that the proposed scheme can reduce the aliasing artifact compared to the pixel-domain downscaling schemes, whereas the computational complexity may be increased. Experimental results are reported to show the efficacy of the proposed approach.
Reproducibility of exhaled breath condensate pH in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Increasingly, exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is being used to sample airway fluid from the lower respiratory tract. EBC pH may be a biomarker of airway inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In this study, the reproducibility of EBC pH in COPD was investigated. A total of 36 COPD patients and 12 healthy nonsmoking subjects participated in several investigations: duration of argon deaeration, within-sample variability, effect of freezing, leaving samples at room temperature, nose-peg use, within- (WD) and between-day (BD) variability. Analysis of repeated measurements was performed using the Bland–Altman method with limits of agreement (LOA; mean difference±2sd). Wider LOA indicate greater variability. EBC pH became significantly higher with argon deaeration for ≤5 min. Variability during sample analysis was minimal; LOA of within-sample variability, freezing for 3 months and leaving at room temperature for 3 h were −0.29–0.45, −0.37–0.42 and −0.13–0.09, respectively. In contrast, variability due to nose-peg use (LOA −1.46–1.99), WD (LOA −1.50–2.48) and BD variability (LOA −2.52–3.02) were higher in COPD. In healthy nonsmoking subjects, nose-peg use (LOA −0.27–0.23), WD (LOA −0.33–0.40) and BD variability (LOA −0.46–0.44) were more reproducible. In conclusion, the variability of exhaled breath condensate pH in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients is mainly due to changes in airway pH over time, which are not seen in healthy nonsmoking subjects. Reasons for these fluctuations in exhaled breath condensate pH are unclear and require further investigation.
A linear 5.9 GHz power amplifier for IEEE 802.11p applications

This paper presents a high-linearity and high-gain power amplifier for 802.11p standard. The power amplifier is fabricated using InGaP/GaAs HBT technology and packaged in a 5×5mm QFN. A stand-alone integrated passive device (IPD) chip is exploited as the output matching network in the same package. The measured power gain is 25.8 dB at 5 V supply. With a 27 Mbps IEEE 802.11p signal at the center frequency of 5.9 GHz, the power amplifier achieves -30 dB EVM at 22.5 dBm output power and fulfills the spectrum mask requirement of class C at 20 dBm output power.
Metabolic Effects of Fluoxetine in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials

Background The prevalence of obesity and diabetes is increasing dramatically throughout the world. Studies have shown that excess adiposity is a critical predictor of new onset T2DM. This meta-analysis is aimed to assess the metabolic effects of fluoxetine in T2DM. Methods and Findings Electronic search was conducted in the database Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library, from inception through to March 2011. A systematic review of the studies on the metabolic effects of fluoxetine in T2DM was performed. The weighted mean difference (WMD) and its 95% CI were calculated from the raw data extracted from the original literature. The software Review Manager (version 4.3.1) and Stata (version 11.0) were applied for meta-analysis. Five randomized, placebo-controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. According to WMD calculation, fluoxetine therapy led to 4.27 Kg of weight loss (95%CI 2.58–5.97, P<0.000 01), 1.41 mmol/L of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) decrement (95%CI 0.19–2.64, P = 0.02) and 0.54 mmol/L of triglyceride (TG) reduction (95%CI 0.35–0.73, P<0.000 01) compared with placebo. Moreover, fluoxetine therapy produced 0.78% of HbA1c decrement (95%CI −0.23–1.78). However, this effect was not statistically significant (P = 0.13). Conclusions Short period of fluoxetine therapy can lead to weight loss as well as reduction of FPG, HbA1c and TG in T2DM.
Orbital and spin effects for the upper critical field in As-deficient disordered Fe pnictide superconductors

We report upper critical field Bc2(T) data for LaO0.9F0. 1FeAs1- δ in a wide temperature and field range up to 60 T. The large slope of Bc2≈- 5.4 to -6.6 T K-1 near an improved Tc≈28.5 K of the in-plane Bc2(T) contrasts with a flattening starting near 23 K above 30 T we regard as the onset of Pauli-limited behaviour (PLB) with Bc2(0)≈63–68 T. We interpret a similar hitherto unexplained flattening of the Bc2(T) curves reported for at least three other disordered closely related systems, Co-doped BaFe2As2, (Ba,K) Fe2As2 and NdO0.7F0. 3FeAs (all single crystals), for applied fields H∥(a,b), also as a manifestation of PLB. Their Maki parameters have been estimated by analysing their Bc2(T) data within the Werthamer–Helfand–Hohenberg approach. The pronounced PLB of (Ba, K)Fe2As2 single crystals obtained from an Sn flux is attributed also to a significant As deficiency detected by wavelength dispersive x-ray spectroscopy as reported by Ni et al (2008 Phys. Rev. B 78 014507). Consequences of our results are discussed in terms of disorder effects within conventional superconductivity (CSC) and unconventional superconductivity (USC). USC scenarios with nodes on individual Fermi surface sheets (FSS), e.g. p- and d-wave SC, can be discarded for our samples. The increase of dBc2/dT|Tc by sizeable disorder provides evidence for an important intraband (intra-FSS) contribution to the orbital upper critical field. We suggest that it can be ascribed either to an impurity-driven transition from s± USC to CSC of an extended s++-wave state or to a stabilized s±-state provided As-vacancies cause predominantly strong intraband scattering in the unitary limit. We compare our results with Bc2 data from the literature, which often show no PLB for fields below 60–70 T probed so far. A novel disorder-related scenario of a complex interplay of SC with two different competing magnetic instabilities is suggested.
Modeling and Performance Analysis of PID Controlled BLDC Motor and Different Schemes of PWM Controlled BLDC Motor

Brushless dc (BLDC) motor drives are continually gaining popularity in motion control applications. Therefore, it is necessary to have a low cost, but effective BLDC motor speed/torque regulator. They are used in Residential and commercial appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioning systems with conventional motor drive technology. A Brushless DC (BLDC) drives are known for higher efficiency and lower maintenance. This paper presents a "Modeling and performance analysis of PID controlled BLDC motor and different schemes of PWM controlled BLDC motor". This paper presents PID model of brushless dc (BLDC) motor with the use of MATLAB/ SIMULINK. The operational parameters of specific BLDC motor were modeled using the tuning methods which are used to develop subsequent simulations.
Participation, Information and Democracy: The Consequences of Low Levels of Participation and Information for the Functioning of Democracy

According to mainstream democratic theory, the ideal citizen in a democracy should participate regularly in political activities and be well informed. The reality, however, is somewhat different. Election turnout is declining or low in many countries and studies have shown that most citizens are poorly informed about politics. This book discusses what consequences low turnout and low information might have: would higher levels of turnout and better informed citizens lead to different political outcomes in elections and other types of votes? This empirical analysis draws two conclusions. First, it shows that political outcomes sometimes would be different if turnout and information levels were higher, but that no one political party would systematically benefit from that. Second, it shows that especially low levels of information among the voters, but less so low turnout, tend to produce distortions in the sense that if people were better informed, they would sometimes but not always have chosen different parties and policies.
Effectiveness of Seasonal Influenza Vaccines against Influenza-Associated Illnesses among US Military Personnel in 2010–11: A Case-Control Approach

Introduction Following the 2009 influenza A/H1N1 (pH1N1) pandemic, both seasonal and pH1N1 viruses circulated in the US during the 2010–2011 influenza season; influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) may vary between live attenuated (LAIV) and trivalent inactivated (TIV) vaccines as well as by virus subtype. Materials and Methods Vaccine type and virus subtype-specific VE were determined for US military active component personnel for the period of September 1, 2010 through April 30, 2011. Laboratory-confirmed influenza-related medical encounters were compared to matched individuals with a non-respiratory illness (healthy controls), and unmatched individuals who experienced a non-influenza respiratory illness (test-negative controls). Odds ratios (OR) and VE estimates were calculated overall, by vaccine type and influenza subtype. Results A total of 603 influenza cases were identified. Overall VE was relatively low and similar regardless of whether healthy controls (VE = 26%, 95% CI: −1 to 45) or test-negative controls (VE = 29%, 95% CI: −6 to 53) were used as comparison groups. Using test-negative controls, vaccine type-specific VE was found to be higher for TIV (53%, 95% CI: 25 to 71) than for LAIV (VE = −13%, 95% CI: −77 to 27). Influenza subtype-specific analyses revealed moderate protection against A/H3 (VE = 58%, 95% CI: 21 to 78), but not against A/H1 (VE = −38%, 95% CI: −211 to 39) or B (VE = 34%, 95% CI: −122 to 80). Conclusion Overall, a low level of protection against clinically-apparent, laboratory-confirmed, influenza was found for the 2010–11 seasonal influenza vaccines. TIV immunization was associated with higher protection than LAIV, however, no protection against A/H1 was noted, despite inclusion of a pandemic influenza strain as a vaccine component for two consecutive years. Vaccine virus mismatch or lower immunogenicity may have contributed to these findings and deserve further examination in controlled studies. Continued assessment of VE in military personnel is essential in order to better inform vaccination policy decisions.
Introduction to behavioral economics : noneconomic factors that shape economic decisions

Preface xv 1 Rationality, Irrationality, and Rationalization 1 Part 1 Consumer Purchasing Decisions 2 Transaction Utility and Consumer Pricing 17 3 Mental Accounting 41 4 Status Quo Bias and Default Options 70 5 The Winner s Curse and Auction Behavior 93 Part 2 Information and Uncertainty 6 Bracketing Decisions 125 7 Representativeness and Availability 156 8 Confirmation and Overconfidence 187 9 Decision under Risk and Uncertainty 214 10 Prospect Theory and Decision under Risk or Uncertainty 250 Part 3 Time Discounting and the Long and Short Run 11 Disagreeing with Ourselves: Projection and Hindsight Biases 281 12 Naive Procrastination 309 13 Committing and Uncommitting 347 Part 4 Social Preferences 14 Selfishness and Altruism 389 15 Fairness and Psychological Games 417 16 Trust and Reciprocity 450 Glossary 473 Index 495
Neural Mechanisms for Acoustic Signal Detection under Strong Masking in an Insect

Communication is fundamental for our understanding of behavior. In the acoustic modality, natural scenes for communication in humans and animals are often very noisy, decreasing the chances for signal detection and discrimination. We investigated the mechanisms enabling selective hearing under natural noisy conditions for auditory receptors and interneurons of an insect. In the studied katydid Mecopoda elongata species-specific calling songs (chirps) are strongly masked by signals of another species, both communicating in sympatry. The spectral properties of the two signals are similar and differ only in a small frequency band at 2 kHz present in the chirping species. Receptors sharply tuned to 2 kHz are completely unaffected by the masking signal of the other species, whereas receptors tuned to higher audio and ultrasonic frequencies show complete masking. Intracellular recordings of identified interneurons revealed two mechanisms providing response selectivity to the chirp. (1) Response selectivity is when several identified interneurons exhibit remarkably selective responses to the chirps, even at signal-to-noise ratios of −21 dB, since they are sharply tuned to 2 kHz. Their dendritic arborizations indicate selective connectivity with low-frequency receptors tuned to 2 kHz. (2) Novelty detection is when a second group of interneurons is broadly tuned but, because of strong stimulus-specific adaptation to the masker spectrum and “novelty detection” to the 2 kHz band present only in the conspecific signal, these interneurons start to respond selectively to the chirp shortly after the onset of the continuous masker. Both mechanisms provide the sensory basis for hearing at unfavorable signal-to-noise ratios. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Animal and human acoustic communication may suffer from the same “cocktail party problem,” when communication happens in noisy social groups. We address solutions for this problem in a model system of two katydids, where one species produces an extremely noisy sound, yet the second species still detects its own song. Using intracellular recording techniques we identified two neural mechanisms underlying the surprising behavioral signal detection at the level of single identified interneurons. These neural mechanisms for signal detection are likely to be important for other sensory modalities as well, where noise in the communication channel creates similar problems. Also, they may be used for the development of algorithms for the filtering of specific signals in technical microphones or hearing aids.
A Silent Self-Stabilizing Algorithm for 1-Maximal Matching in Anonymous Networks

We propose a new self-stabilizing 1-maximal matching algorithm which is silent and works for any anonymous networks without a cycle of a length of a multiple of 3 under a central unfair daemon. Let n and e be the numbers of nodes and edges in a graph, respectively. The time complexity of the proposed algorithm is O(e) moves. Therefore, the complexity is O(n) moves for trees or rings whose length is not a multiple of 3. That is a significant improvement from the best existing results of O(n) moves for the same problem setting.
Intrauterine Exposure to Environmental Pollutants and Body Mass Index during the First 3 Years of Life

Objective We investigated the association between body mass index (BMI) standard deviation score (SDS) and prenatal exposure to hexachlorobenzene, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), dioxin-like compounds, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Methods In this prospective birth cohort study, we assessed a random sample of mother–infant pairs (n = 138) living in Flanders, Belgium, with follow-up until the children were 3 years of age. We measured body mass index as standard deviation scores (BMI SDS) of children 1–3 years of age as well as pollutants measured in cord blood. Results DDE correlated with BMI SDS, with effect modification by maternal smoking and the child’s age. At 1 year, children of smoking mothers had higher BMI SDS than did children of nonsmoking mothers. At 3 years, this difference was reduced because of the faster rate of decline in BMI SDS in the former group. This relationship held except for children with high levels of DDE. DDE had a small effect on BMI SDS at 3 years of age in children of nonsmoking mothers (difference in BMI SDS for DDE concentrations between the 90th and 10th percentiles = 0.13). On the other hand, smoking enhanced the relation between DDE and BMI SDS at 3 years (difference in BMI SDS for DDE concentrations between the 90th and 10th percentiles = 0.76). Increasing concentrations of PCBs were associated with higher BMI SDS values at all ages (parameter estimate = 0.003 ± 0.001; p = 0.03). Conclusion In this study we demonstrated that intrauterine exposure to DDE and PCBs is associated with BMI during early childhood. Future studies are warranted to confirm our findings and to assess possible mechanisms by which these pollutants could alter energy metabolism.
Ju l 2 00 6 Homotopy-theoretic aspects of 2-monads

We study 2-monads and their algebras using a Cat-enriched version of Quillen model categories, emphasizing the parallels between the homotopical and 2-categorical points of view. Every 2-category with finite limits and colimits has a canonical model structure in which the weak equivalences are the equivalences; we use these to construct more interesting model structures on 2-categories, including a model structure on the 2-category of algebras for a 2-monad T , and a model structure on a 2-category of 2-monads on a fixed 2-category K .
Environmental Economics: A Very Short Introduction

If environmental protection is costly, how much should we spend on pollution control? Is it worth reducing pollution to zero, or should we accept some level of pollution because of the economic benefits associated with it? How can we assess the benefits that people get from a less-polluted atmosphere? In broad terms, environmental economics looks at how economic activity and policy affect the environment in which we live. Some production generates pollution, such as power station emissions causing acid rain and contributing to global warming, but household consumption decisions also affect the environment, where more consumption can mean more waste sent to polluting incinerators. However, pollution is not an inevitable consequence of economic activity - environmental policies can require polluting firms to clean up their emissions, and can encourage people to change their behaviour, through environmental taxes on polluting goods, for example. Generally, though, these measures will involve some costs, such as installing pollution control equipment. So there's a trade-off: a cleaner environment, but economic costs. In recent years, many economists have argued for greater use of incentive in the form of pollution charges and emissions trading rather than more traditional direct regulation of polluters. In this Very Short Introduction, Stephen Smith discusses environmental issues including pollution control, reducing environmental damage, and global climate change policies, answering questions about how we should balance environmental and economic considerations, and what form government policies should take. Including many illustrative case studies and examples he shows that this is an exciting field of economics, and one that is at the heart of many public debates and controversies. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
A Fast Signature Scheme Based on Quadratic Inequalities

A new digital signature scheme is proposed in which the computation time is several hundred times faster than the RSA scheme and in which the key length and signature length are almost comparable to those for the RSA. Moreover, the scheme can be easily implemented and is, therefore, most practical for many digital signature applications. This new scheme is based on both a quadratic congruent inequality and a one-way hash function. The secret key consists of two large prime numbers p and q, and the public key is their product, n=p2q. An inequality is used for signature verification. Although the degree of security in this scheme has not been proved, it is shown that security seems to be equivalent to the difficulty of factoring a large number.
Genome Sequence and Analysis of Buzura suppressaria Nucleopolyhedrovirus: A Group II Alphabaculovirus

The genome of Buzura suppressaria nucleopolyhedrovirus (BusuNPV) was sequenced by 454 pyrosequencing technology. The size of the genome is 120,420 bp with 36.8% G+C content. It contains 127 hypothetical open reading frames (ORFs) covering 90.7% of the genome and includes the 37 conserved baculovirus core genes, 84 genes found in other baculoviruses, and 6 unique ORFs. No typical baculoviral homologous repeats (hrs) were present but the genome contained a region of repeated sequences. Gene Parity Plots revealed a 28.8 kb region conserved among the alpha- and beta-baculoviruses. Overall comparisons of BusuNPV to other baculoviruses point to a distinct species in group II Alphabaculovirus.
Calcium-Independent, cGMP-Mediated Light Adaptation in Invertebrate Ciliary Photoreceptors

Calcium is thought to be essential for adaptation of sensory receptor cells. However, the transduction cascade of hyperpolarizing, ciliary photoreceptors of the scallop does not use IP3-mediated Ca release, and the light-sensitive conductance is not measurably permeable to Ca2+. Therefore, two typical mechanisms that couple the light response to [Ca]i changes seem to be lacking in these photoreceptors. Using fluorescent indicators, we determined that, unlike in their microvillar counterparts, photostimulation of ciliary cells under voltage clamp indeed evokes no detectable change in cytosolic Ca. Notwithstanding, these cells exhibit all of the hallmarks of light adaptation, including response range compression, sensitivity shift, and photoresponse acceleration. A possible mediator of Ca-independent sensory adaptation is cGMP, the second messenger that regulates the light-sensitive conductance; cGMP and 8-bromo cGMP not only activate light-dependent K channels but also reduce the amplitude of the light response to an extent greatly in excess of that expected from simple occlusion between light and chemical stimulation. In addition, these substances accelerate the time course of the photocurrent. Tests with pharmacological antagonists suggest that protein kinase G may be a downstream effector that controls, in part, the cGMP-triggered changes in photoresponse properties during light adaptation. However, additional messengers are likely to be implicated, especially in the regulation of response kinetics. These observations suggest a novel feedback inhibition pathway for signaling sensory adaptation.