Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Broadband Hybrid Monopole-Dielectric Resonator Water Antenna

A broadband hybrid water antenna operating at very high frequency (VHF) band is presented, in which a simple seawater monopole is loaded with two distilled water cylinders working as dielectric resonators (DRs). By employing the loading technique, multiple close resonances are introduced to broaden the impedance bandwidth of the seawater antenna. The hybrid water monopole-DR antenna is designed, simulated, fabricated, and measured. The simulated and measured results have a good agreement. A wide bandwidth from 69 to 171 MHz for $| {{{S}_{11}}} | < - 10\,{\text{ dB}}$ is achieved. Meanwhile, the radiation patterns are stable in the desired band, which indicates that the proposed antenna is suitable for broadband application in VHF band communications.
Improving Energy Efficiency for Transactional Workloads in Cloud Environments

Research on energy efficiency in data centers has been focusing on reducing energy consumption, and state-of-the-art techniques have been emphasizing on optimizing power and energy consumption at hardware and infrastructure levels of data centers. Although these techniques have achieved significant improvement in reducing the energy consumption of data centers, the increasing heterogeneity of the current workloads call for more holistic approaches to enable optimization at higher levels. The goal of this work is to look for new opportunities to further improve energy efficiency at the level of applications with a focus on transactional workloads. In particular, we propose the model to characterize the energy per job of transactional-based applications. The model is experimentally validated on a real federated cloud infrastructure. Alternative policies to optimize the energy consumption of transactional applications are evaluated on the basis of the model.
The moderating influence of hedonic consumption in an extended theory of planned behaviour

This study extended the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to predict youth’s customer loyalty. Replacing TPB’s traditional subjective norm with a norm from a behaviourally relevant group, the findings supported the model’s predictive efficacy. However, youth’s hedonic consumption moderated the relationships between TPB’s predictors and loyalty. Hedonic consumption increased group interactions, which in turn increased group norm’s influence. Conversely, with low hedonic consumption, attitude and perceived behavioural control were stronger than the group norm. The findings suggested the importance of group norm, particularly with hedonic behaviours enacted in groups. Managerial implications included how to reach youth through hedonic consumption and peer groups.
Non-rigid medical image registration using optical flow and locally-refined multilevel free form deformation

In non-rigid image registration there are some distinct outliers introduced by the insertion or removal of some image contents, abrupt intensity changes, and local non-smooth deformations in the two images to register. Recently, non-rigid registration of images with outliers has received a great deal of attention in medical imaging research. This work presents a framework for robust non-rigid registration based on the theory of optical flow, within which we use outlier detection to implement locally-refined control point setup in multilevel free- form deformation (FFD) model. We also introduce robust M-estimator to weaken the effect of outliers in global optimization to get improved registration result. We have successfully applied our proposed method to a number of registration tasks to demonstrate its applicability and robustness to outliers.
Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in relation to metabolic syndrome in the Roma population compared with the non-Roma population in the eastern part of Slovakia.

BACKGROUND Obesity-induced metabolic syndrome is a multiple risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and type 2 diabetes, and ethnic minorities seem to have unfavourable medical risk factors in general more frequently than majority populations. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in relation to metabolic syndrome in the Roma population compared with the non-Roma population residing in the eastern part of Slovakia. RESULTS 123 Roma and 79 non-Roma patients with metabolic syndrome were evaluated. Men between 40-55 years of age had 4.76-times higher odds and women 5.26-times higher odds for metabolic sydrome compared with the younger population. We found statistically significant higher waist circumference in the Roma subpopulation and higher body mass index as well, although in selected population with metabolic syndrome. HDL cholesterol was significantly lower in both Roma men and women, and LDL cholesterol was not significant in men and women with metabolic syndrome. Triglycerides levels were significantly higher in non-Roma women only. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) values were not in correlation with age but were associated with the increasing number of fulfilled criteria for metabolic syndrome in both subgroups (Roma, non-Roma), independently of gender. CONCLUSION Our study confirmed higher prevalence of obesity, metabolic syndrome and other CV risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome among younger Roma population, which may be associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality among elderly Roma compared with non-Roma.
Temporal evolution of diffusion after spontaneous supratentorial intracranial hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The evolution of apparent diffusion coefficient abnormalities during supratentorial intracranial hemorrhage in normal appearing brain tissue has not been described. Recent investigations using diffusion imaging have revealed increased apparent diffusion coefficient in perihematomal tissue. We report brain tissue abnormalities beyond the visibly abnormal region ipsilateral and contralateral to the hematoma. This preliminary effort should generate meaningful clinical prognostic indicators for moderate size hemorrhages in large scale studies. METHODS Using the neurology patient encounter database at a tertiary care hospital, we retrospectively identified patients who presented with acute focal neurologic deficits, had CT scans of the head that confirmed spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage, and had a MR images obtained within the first 6 hr to 30 days postictus. The regions identified as targets of this investigation were the hemorrhage and surrounding T2 signal intensity abnormality and the visibly normal supratentorial cerebral tissue. RESULTS Ninety-five patients were admitted during a period of 25 months. Fifteen patients met the criteria for the study. Elevated whole brain diffusion was shown as early as 6 hr after intracranial hemorrhage. This increase in diffusion was comparable in both hemispheres. Diffusion values in the lesion (hematoma plus T2 signal intensity abnormality) increased slowly with peak increases noted 2 to 3 days after the ictus. CONCLUSION Diffuse early cerebral response occurs in normal appearing brain tissue both ipsilateral and contralateral to the visibly abnormal hematoma, manifested by increased apparent diffusion coefficient. This response is present before the local response is fully developed. Supratentorial intracranial hemorrhage results in an early diffuse brain response with increased apparent diffusion coefficient in normal appearing brain.
Asset Price Booms and Monetary Policy

The paper aims at deriving some stylised facts for financial, real, and monetary policy developments during asset price booms by means of aggregating information contained in 38 boom periods since the 1970s for 18 OECD countries. We observe 26 macroeconomic variables in a pre-boom, boom and post-boom phase. Not all booms lead to large output losses. We divide our sample in high-cost and low-cost booms and analyse the differences. High-cost booms are clearly those in which real estate prices and investment crash in the post-boom periods. In general it is difficult to distinguish a high-cost from a low-cost boom at an early stage. However, high-cost booms seem to follow very rapid growth in the real money and real credit stocks just before the boom and at the early stages of a boom. During high-cost booms, rates of change of real estate prices and consumption growth are significantly higher and the investment (especially housing) GDP ratio deviation from trend rises faster over the whole boom period. There is also evidence that high-cost booms are associated with significantly looser monetary policy conditions over the boom period, especially towards the late stage of a boom. We finally discuss the results with regard to the theoretical literature. The looser monetary policy at the later stage of high-cost booms could be interpreted in different ways. It could be that excessively loose monetary policy contributes to extending the boom and exacerbating the real and financial imbalances. Alternatively, observed monetary policy could reflect a desirable, pre-emptive loosening in anticipation of an asset price crash to come. JEL Classification: E44, E52, E58
A Dynamic Capabilities Approach to Understanding the Impact of IT-Enabled Businesses Processes and IT-Business Alignment on the Strategic and Operational Performance of the Firm

For the past two decades, researchers have sought to understand how IT investment leads to organizational success. However, this has proven to be an elusive goal. We posit that a new perspective is needed to better understand IT investment. We must examine how the investment is enacted and reflected within the firm. We will argue that investment is enacted within the technology resources and corresponding business processes and reflected in the IT-business alignment. Based on the literature within Dynamics Capabilities Theory and IT-Business Alignment, we will propose a theoretical model that seeks to understand the impact of IT-enabled business processes and IT-business alignment on the strategic and operational success of a firm and whether the impacts experience a lag effect. Using data from fifty-eight European firms over a two-year period, we will build a structural equation model to test our theoretical model. The results indicate that alignment is important for strategic and operational success in year 1 but not in year 2. Furthermore, of the two, alignment has a stronger impact on strategic than operational success. In contrast, business process performance has an impact on organizational performance in year 1 and year 2. For both years, the impact on operational success is stronger than the strategic one. We also notice that the impact of business process performance on operational success decreases between year 1 and year 2, whereas the impact on strategic success is stronger in year 2 than in year 1.
The pathways by which mild hypothermia inhibits neuronal apoptosis following ischemia/reperfusion injury

Several studies have demonstrated that mild hypothermia exhibits a neuroprotective role and it can inhibit endothelial cell apoptosis following ischemia/reperfusion injury by decreasing casp-ase-3 expression. It is hypothesized that mild hypothermia exhibits neuroprotective effects on neurons exposed to ischemia/reperfusion condition produced by oxygen-glucose deprivation. Mild hypothermia significantly reduced the number of apoptotic neurons, decreased the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax and increased mitochondrial membrane potential, with the peak of anti-apoptotic effect appearing between 6 and 12 hours after the injury. These findings indicate that mild hypothermia inhibits neuronal apoptosis following ischemia/reperfusion injury by protecting the mitochondria and that the effective time window is 6-12 hours after ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Task-Independent Mental Workload Classification Based Upon Common Multiband EEG Cortical Connectivity

Efficient classification of mental workload, an important issue in neuroscience, is limited, so far to single task, while cross-task classification remains a challenge. Furthermore, network approaches have emerged as a promising direction for studying the complex organization of the brain, enabling easier interpretation of various mental states. In this paper, using two mental tasks (N-back and mental arithmetic), we present a framework for cross- as well as within-task workload discrimination by utilizing multiband electroencephalography (EEG) cortical brain connectivity. In detail, we constructed functional networks in EEG source space in different frequency bands and considering the individual functional connections as classification features, we identified salient feature subsets based on a sequential feature selection algorithm. These connectivity subsets were able to provide accuracy of 87% for cross-task, 88% for N-back task, and 86% for mental arithmetic task. In conclusion, our method achieved to detect a small number of discriminative interactions among brain areas, leading to high accuracy in both within-task and cross-task classifications. In addition, the identified functional connectivity features, the majority of which were detected in frontal areas in theta and beta frequency bands, helped delineate the shared as well as the distinct neural mechanisms of the two mental tasks.
Mannheimia haemolytica and bovine respiratory disease

Abstract Mannheimia haemolytica is the principal bacterium isolated from respiratory disease in feedlot cattle and is a significant component of enzootic pneumonia in all neonatal calves. A commensal of the nasopharynx, M. haemolytica is an opportunist, gaining access to the lungs when host defenses are compromised by stress or infection with respiratory viruses or mycoplasma. Although several serotypes act as commensals, A1 and A6 are the most frequent isolates from pneumonic lungs. Potential virulence factors include adhesin, capsular polysaccharide, fimbriae, iron-regulated outer membrane proteins, leukotoxin (Lkt), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), lipoproteins, neuraminidase, sialoglycoprotease and transferrin-binding proteins. Of these, Lkt is pivotal in induction of pneumonia. Lkt-mediated infiltration and destruction of neutrophils and other leukocytes impairs bacterial clearance and contributes to development of fibrinous pneumonia. LPS may act synergistically with Lkt, enhancing its effects and contributing endotoxic activity. Antibiotics are employed extensively in the feedlot industry, both prophylactically and therapeutically, but their efficacy varies because of inconsistencies in diagnosis and treatment regimes and development of antibiotic resistance. Vaccines have been used for many decades, even though traditional bacterins failed to demonstrate protection and their use often enhanced disease in vaccinated animals. Modern vaccines use culture supernatants containing Lkt and other soluble antigens, or bacterial extracts, alone or combined with bacterins. These vaccines have 50–70% efficacy in prevention of M. haemolytica pneumonia. Effective control of M. haemolytica pneumonia is likely to require a combination of more definitive diagnosis, efficacious vaccines, therapeutic intervention and improved management practices.
Radiation properties of metamaterials in millimeter wavelength region

We propose and demonstrate a type of composite metamaterials, which is constructed by combining thin copper wires and split ring resonators on the same board. Using the optimized target parameters we had investigated the orientation-angular dependence of radiation refraction in metamaterial target. The measurements were performed in free space as well, as the spectral characteristics of refracted radiation in comparison with the initial spectra. The measured dependences show the formal correspondence of the radiation characteristics to the negative refraction index of the metamaterial structures. This correspondence is only formal one, which follows from the Snellius law, because really the permittivity and the permeability should be considered as macroscopic tensor characteristics of metamaterial.
Transitioning to Transit-Oriented Development: The Case of Perth, Western Australia

Perth has seen one of the most deliberate attempts worldwide to move from car-dependent development patterns to transit-oriented development (TOD). State planning policy has required TOD for the past 20 years, the public transport network has been progressively improved and the institutional arrangements are strong. Three different town planning models have been applied to implement TOD. A series of research investigations examine the land-use response to TOD policy including land-use mapping, policy content analysis and interviews with local government. The findings suggest that transition to TOD requires policy clarity and consistent application, considered integration of land-use planning and transport planning actions at the project level, and incentives for local government and development industry.
Hyper-Encryption: Eternal Secrecy Using the Bounded Storage and Limited Access Models

ABSTRACT The efficacy of a cryptosystem rests on the assumptions that are implemented in its security proofs. Computational cryptosystems assume an upper bound on the computational capability of an adversary. A shortcoming of this assumption is that as computing technology advances over time it obviates the processing limitations that are observed or projected when the upper bound was determined. An information theoretic cryptosystem does not make assumptions about the computational capabilities of an adversary and thus it provides the blueprint for cryptosystems that can guarantee the unconditional security of a ciphertext. However, an assumption that both information-theoretic and computational cryptosystems make is that a secret key always remains a secret. Hence, they are both vulnerable to the threat from an adversary who is able to obtain the secret key. Upon obtaining the key the adversary can not only decrypt ciphertexts that are encrypted using the key in the future but also retroactively decrypt those that were encrypted using it in the past. This paper discusses the bounded storage and limited access models and their implementation in hyper-encryption, which is a cryptosystem that assures not only the infinite robustness of a ciphertext but also guarantees its eternal secrecy in the event of key compromise.
A New Coastal Policy for South Africa

South Africa? s coastal resources offer important opportunities for contributing to the much-needed uplifting and transformation of society and the economy. Government, in partnership with the private sector and civil society, has developed a new policy for managing the coast that aims to promote sustainable coastal development through integrated coastal management. This policy introduces a new approach to coastal management in South Africa. Rooted in extensive public participation, research, and analysis, the policy outlines a vision for the coast, as well as principles, goals, and objectives for coastal management. It also presents a plan of action for implementing the policy. This article provides a brief introduction to the policy formulation and adoption process as well as key elements of the policy. It also highlights the significance of the policy formulation process and its findings for South Africa and coastal management, and for public policy making more generally.
The Role of Parliamentary Library and Research Resources in Supporting Parliamentarians to be Well-informed: The Case of Uganda

In many a developing world context like Uganda’s, evidence - literacy among legislators had been poor for many years. This had left both legislative debates and decision-making processes in Parliament to be driven more by personal opinion and political sentiments, rather than objective facts and empirical evidence. The introduction, however, of a pioneering and innovate Legislative Research and Library Services, one of the very first of such services on the African continent, has revolutionized legislative debates and decision- making. This paper, taking the case of Uganda, underscores the role of Parliamentary library and research resources in building well-informed legislatures. The evolution of library and research resources in Uganda’s Parliament as well as the innovations and outputs are discussed. Through innovative library and research resources, well informed Parliaments can be created.
Scandinavian welfare states and gender (de) segregation: Recent trends and processes

High levels of gender segregation in Scandinavian labour markets have been referred to as a paradox in view of these countries’ commitment to gender equality and advancements in other areas. The status of gender segregation in these welfare states is addressed here: Are they (still) the most gender segregated? What processes drive (de)segregation? Relatively fast occupational desegregation in recent years has moved Denmark, Norway and Sweden from the group of highly to moderately gender segregated labour markets, and women’s share of management positions is rising. Empirical case studies selected to shed light on (de)segregation processes are discussed in relation to two presently influential theoretical theses – ‘gender essentialism’ and the ‘welfare state paradox’. Findings suggest the existence of gender essentialist ideas, but the weakening of such ideas is likely to be a main driver of desegregation. Findings on the role of the public sector and work–family policy in segregation processes are somewhat conflicting.
Low-component count BJT technology-based currentcontrolled tunable resistors and their applications

In this study, low-power and low-component count grounded and floating current-controlled tunable resistors are proposed. The validity of the proposed resistor circuits is demonstrated in two applications, second-order band-pass filter and negative inductor simulator circuit. To carry out the performance of the circuits, all the designed circuits are simulated through SPICE program by using real transistor models. Also, experimental results are included to confirm the theory. It is important to note that all the introduced circuit parameters and resistor values can be changed electronically by adjusting the values of dc control current sources only. Approximately four decades tunability range (from 34 Ω to 285 kΩ) and about 10 MHz bandwidth for the tunable resistors are achieved. In this tunability range, linear relationships between terminal currents and voltages are successfully obtained.
Silencing of AQP3 induces apoptosis of gastric cancer cells via downregulation of glycerol intake and downstream inhibition of lipogenesis and autophagy

Gastric cancer (GC) has a poor prognosis and is a leading cause of cancer-related death. Optimal therapeutic targets have not been identified. AQP3 is capable of transporting glycerol across the cytomembrane. Previous studies have shown that AQP3 is involved in proliferation, invasion and migration by regulating glycerol and lipid metabolism in diverse cancer cell types. However, the potential roles of glycerol and lipid metabolism in AQP3-related cell apoptosis in GC remain unclear. In this study, we observed that AQP3 expression was upregulated in tumor tissues, and positively correlated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis and glycerol concentration in human GC samples. Silencing of AQP3 resulted in decreased glycerol intake and impaired lipid synthesis, which contributed to increased cell apoptosis. Furthermore, inhibition of autophagy induced by AQP3 knockdown promoted cell apoptosis. Administration of either glycerol or rapamycin restored cell viability, and overexpression of AQP3 increased cell viability by upregulating cellular glycerol metabolism and autophagy. Our study demonstrates that the increase in cell apoptosis of AQP3-deficient GC cells is a consequence of reduced glycerol uptake and lipogenesis and is associated with autophagy inhibition induced by AQP3 deficiency.