Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Energy Efficiency in IoT Networks: Integration of Reconfigurable Antennas in Ultra Low-Power Radio Platforms Based on System-on-Chip

The current state-of-the-art of Internet of Things witnesses the development of low-cost and smart-connected wireless sensor networks (WSNs) placed at the edge of clouds, enabling new services over the Internet. In these interconnected smart sensors, energy consumption is an important issue. This paper deals with decreasing energy consumption in WSN nodes by means of antennas with reconfigurability at radiofrequency. Our research has yielded two important novelties. First, the reconfiguration is accomplished with a platform comprised of a commercial ultra low-power (ULP) micro-controller and system-on-chip radio. Second, we consider explicitly the energy overhead involved in the antenna configuration process and its impact on the global energy efficiency of the system. We discuss two complementary ways of reducing the energy consumption; one by lowering the amount of transmitted power, the other by increasing the transmission rate. We employ an antenna array with a steerable beam, controlled by an algorithm embedded in the firmware of the ULP platform. This is designed for line-of-sight conditions, and the beam steering maximizes the received power. Our results show that with a common IEEE 802.11 b/g system-on-chip module and an antenna gain of 12 dB, a net power saving factor of 28% can be obtained by reducing the transmitted power, at unchanged data rate; additionally, by keeping the transmit power constant, but increasing the data rate, an energy saving from 18% to 96% can be achieved, depending on the link distance and achievable data rate. Our experiments have confirmed both routes of energy saving.
THE KEY TO WEIGHING ONTHE-GROUND INVASIVE SPECIES IMPACTS

Natural area managers are currently confronted with a bewildering array of potential sources of information on invading non-indigenous species. At the same time, they often lack sufficiently comprehensive tools to assess current and likely impacts of these invaders in order to prioritize control activities. Existing tools to help evaluate impacts are primarily lists of characteristics of previous invaders and of sites of concern; other tools consist of formal risk assessment procedures. We review the gamut of ecological and genetic impacts that invaders can produce, some of which are not encompassed by existing evaluation tools. Actually measuring the components of impact is often not trivial, but previous studies provide much guidance. Decision theory has not been broadly applied to management of invasive non-indigenous species, even though it provides algorithms that could be used in this context and that would rationalize actions in terms of risks and costs. Risk assessment, evaluation of potential impacts, and decision-making would be greatly facilitated by a global database. We discuss the characteristics
How to choose the ADC resolution for short range low power communication?

We consider the maximization of the energy efficiency when communicating over a noisy single-input single-output channel, taking into account the transmit power as well as the power consumption of the analog-to-digital converter (ADC). This analysis is of interest in the context of energy constrained short range communication where low power, low cost and small size are key requirements (e.g. standard IEEE 802.15.4). In fact, the transmit power in such applications become smaller and reaches values in the order of the conversion or the processing power. Using an appropriate information-theoretic framework we show that the analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) for short range communication should be low-resolution, in order to reduce the overall power consumption. In addition we derive the optimal operating bit-resolution and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) as function of the path-loss (i.e. the communication distance).
Cellular basis of memory for addiction

Despite the importance of numerous psychosocial factors, at its core, drug addiction involves a biological process: the ability of repeated exposure to a drug of abuse to induce changes in a vulnerable brain that drive the compulsive seeking and taking of drugs, and loss of control over drug use, that define a state of addiction. Here, we review the types of molecular and cellular adaptations that occur in specific brain regions to mediate addiction-associated behavioral abnormalities. These include alterations in gene expression achieved in part via epigenetic mechanisms, plasticity in the neurophysiological functioning of neurons and synapses, and associated plasticity in neuronal and synaptic morphology mediated in part by altered neurotrophic factor signaling. Each of these types of drug-induced modifications can be viewed as a form of “cellular or molecular memory. ” Moreover, it is striking that most addiction-related forms of plasticity are very similar to the types of plasticity that have been associated with more classic forms of “behavioral memory,” perhaps reflecting the finite repertoire of adaptive mechanisms available to neurons when faced with environmental challenges. Finally, addiction-related molecular and cellular adaptations involve most of the same brain regions that mediate more classic forms of memory, consistent with the view that abnormal memories are important drivers of addiction syndromes. The goal of these studies which aim to explicate the molecular and cellular basis of drug addiction is to eventually develop biologically based diagnostic tests, as well as more effective treatments for addiction disorders.
Product Positioning Using a Self-Organizing Map and the Rings of Influence

In this article, we propose a new product positioning method based on the neural network methodology of a self-organizing map. The method incorporates the concept of rings of influence, where a firm evaluates individual consumers and decides on the intensity to pursue a consumer, based on the probability that this consumer will purchase a competing product. The method has several advantages over earlier work. First, no limitations are imposed on the number of competing products and second, the method can position multiple products in multiple market segments. Using simulations, we compare the new product positioning method with a quasi-Newton method and find that the new method always approaches the best solution obtained by the quasi-Newton method. The quasi-Newton method, however, is dependent on the initial positions of the new products, with the majority of cases ending in a local optimum. Furthermore, the computational time required by the quasi-Newton method increases exponentially, while the time required by the new method is small and remains almost unchanged, when the number of new products positioned increases. We also compute the expected utility that a firm will provide consumers by offering its products. We show that as the intensity with which a firm pursues consumers increases, the new method results in near-optimal solutions in terms of market share, but with higher expected utility provided to consumers when compared to that obtained by a quasi-Newton method. Thus, the new method can serve as a managerial decision-making tool to compare the short-term market share objective with the long-term expected utility that a firm will provide to consumers, when it positions its products and intensifies its effort to attract consumers away from competition.
A Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies Two Novel Promising Candidate Genes Affecting Escherichia coli F4ab/F4ac Susceptibility in Swine

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) expressing F4 fimbria is the major pathogenic bacteria causing diarrhoea in neonatal and post-weaning piglets. Previous studies have revealed that the susceptibility to ETEC F4ab/F4ac is an autosomal Mendelian dominant trait and the loci controlling the F4ab/F4ac receptor are located on SSC13q41, between markers SW207 and S0283. To pinpoint these loci and further validate previous findings, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using a two generation family-based population, consisting of 301 piglets with phenotypes of susceptibility to ETEC F4ab/F4ac by the vitro adhesion test. The DNA of all piglets and their parents was genotyped using the Illumina PorcineSNP60 BeadChip, and 50,972 and 50,483 SNPs were available for F4ab and F4ac susceptibility, respectively, in the association analysis after quality control. In summary, 28 and 18 significant SNPs (p<0.05) were detected associated with F4ab and F4ac susceptibility respectively at genome-wide significance level. From these significant findings, two novel candidate genes, HEG1 and ITGB5, were firstly identified as the most promising genes underlying F4ab/F4ac susceptibility in swine according to their functions and positions. Our findings herein provide a novel evidence for unravelling genetic mechanism of diarrhoea risk in piglets.
diff_classifier: Parallelization of multi-particle tracking video analyses

Summary The diff_classifier package seeks to address the issue of scale-up in multi-particle tracking (MPT) analyses via a parallelization approach. MPT is a powerful analytical tool that has been used in fields ranging from aeronautics to oceanography (Pulford, 2005) allowing researchers to collect spatial and velocity information of moving objects from video datasets. Examples include: Tracking tracers in ocean currents to study fluid flow Tracking molecular motors (e.g., myosin, kinesin) to assess motile activity Measuring intracellular trafficking by tracking membrane vesicles Assessing microrheological properties by tracking nanoparticle movement.
Field survey of clinical mastitis in low somatic cell count herds.

Nine commercial dairy herds, each with low herd milk somatic cell counts, were monitored for 1 yr to determine prevalence of intramammary infections and rates of clinical mastitis. Staphylococcus species was the bacterial group most frequently isolated from quarters at calving and at drying off. Environmental streptococci and coliform intramammary infections totaled less than 6% of quarters at both calving and at drying off. Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from less than 1% of quarters and Streptococcus agalactiae from 0% of quarters at both calving and drying off. A total of 646 clinical cases of mastitis were diagnosed in 548 quarters of 406 cows. Mean rate of clinical mastitis among herds was . 457 clinical cases/305 cow-days. Rates of clinical mastitis ranged among herds from . 273 to . 748 clinical cases/305 cow-days. Coliforms and bacteriologically negative and environmental streptococci accounted for 82.3% of clinical cases. Rates of clinical mastitis and severity of clinical signs differed among herds, seasons of the year, parity groups, and stages of lactation. Rates of clinical mastitis were highest during summer, in first lactation cows, and during the first 7 d of lactation.
A novel method for inducing ID3 decision trees based on variable precision rough set

Classification is the main research target of many algorithms in data mining. Of all the algorithms, decision trees are more preferred by researchers due to their clarity and readability. ID3, as a heuristic algorithm, is fairly classic and popular in the induction of decision trees. The key of ID3 is to choose information gain as the standard for testing attributes. ID3 algorithm, however, tends to choose the attribute with more attribute values as the splitting node, and this attribute is often not the best attribute. In this paper, the improved information gain based on dependency degree of condition attributes on decision attribute is used as a heuristic for selecting the optimal splitting attribute in order to overcome above-stated shortcoming of the traditional ID3 algorithm. Experiments prove that the tree size and classification accuracy of the decision trees generated by the improved algorithm is superior to the ID3 algorithm.
Immunopathogenesis of Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type-1-Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis: Recent Perspectives

Human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1) is a replication-competent human retrovirus associated with two distinct types of disease only in a minority of infected individuals: the malignancy known as adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) and a chronic inflammatory central nervous system disease HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). HAM/TSP is a chronic progressive myelopathy characterized by spastic paraparesis, sphincter dysfunction, and mild sensory disturbance in the lower extremities. Although the factors that cause these different manifestations of HTLV-1 infection are not fully understood, accumulating evidence from host population genetics, viral genetics, DNA expression microarrays, and assays of lymphocyte function suggests that complex virus-host interactions and the host immune response play an important role in the pathogenesis of HAM/TSP. Especially, the efficiency of an individual's cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) response to HTLV-1 limits the HTLV-1 proviral load and the risk of HAM/TSP. This paper focuses on the recent advances in HAM/TSP research with the aim to identify the precise mechanisms of disease, in order to develop effective treatment and prevention.
Tips and tricks for characterizing shape memory alloy wire: Part 3-localization and propagation phenomena

This is the third paper in our series to identify unusual phenomena and to provide recommendations for the thermo-mechanical characterization of shape memory alloy (SMA) wire. Part 1 provided some basic background of the martensitic transformations responsible for the shape memory effect and superelasticity 1 . The characterization of two typical NiTi SMA alloys began with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermograms to measure their respective transformation temperatures, specific heats, and latent heats of transformation. It included an experiment for each alloy showing both shape memory and superelasticity, but in different temperature regimes. Part 2 reviewed the various methods for obtaining a fundamental set of isothermal mechanical responses and provided data on the same two SMA wire alloys over their relevant temperature windows 2 . In the process, it showed stress-induced transformations, which lead to an introduction of strain localization and propagation of phase transformation fronts. In this paper(Part 3), we narrow ourfocus on certain unusual phenomena occurring during superelastic tension responses, namely localization of strain and temperature fields. These are often overlooked by the novice, yet they play an important role in the kinetics of stress-induced phase transformation, and in turn, exacerbate the material response’s sensitivities to loading rate and ambient media (which will be the subject of the next paper in this series). Here, we introduce special experimental techniques for (otherwise) difficult to measure features in the underlying material response. We focus on the superelastic response of one of the two NiTi alloys that was used in our previous articles, that is, the alloy with an Austenite finish temperature (Af) below room temperature (designated as superelastic wire). Figure 1 shows four isothermal superelastic experiments, magnified from the set of fundamental mechanical responses of Fig. 8 in 2 . Each was done on a virgin specimen under elongation control at a slow rate, ˙L =± 1 × 10 −4 s −1 , in a temperature-controlled air chamber at different Editor’s Note: This ET feature series is intended as an introduction to this exciting area of experimental mechanics. It aims to increase awareness of active materials and to promote their consistent characterization by disseminating best practices from leading researchers in the field. Each article in the series will address the characterization of one commercially significant active material. Series editors: Nilesh D. Mankame and Paul W. Alexander.
Generating natural language summaries for crosscutting source code concerns

When performing a software change task, programmers expend substantial effort investigating a system's code base to find and understand just the code that is pertinent to a task-at-hand. A particularly difficult kind of code to handle during these tasks is crosscutting concern code. To help programmers handle such code, we introduce an automated approach that produces a natural language summary that describes both what the concern is and how the concern is implemented. We describe our approach and present the results of an experiment in which programmers were able to perform change tasks more efficiently and more easily with generated concern summaries than without.
The ZX Calculus is incomplete for Clifford+T quantum mechanics

The ZX calculus is a diagrammatic language for quantum mechanics and quantum information processing. We prove that the ZX-calculus is not complete for Clifford+T quantum mechanics. The completeness for this fragment has been stated as one of the main current open problems in categorical quantum mechanics. The ZX calculus was known to be incomplete for quantum mechanics, on the other hand, it has been proved complete for Clifford quantum mechanics (a.k.a. stabilizer quantum mechanics), and for single-qubit Clifford+T quantum mechanics. The question of the completeness of the ZX calculus for Clifford+T quantum mechanics is a crucial step in the development of the ZX calculus because of its (approximate) universality for quantum mechanics (i.e. any unitary evolution can be approximated using Clifford and T gates only). We exhibit a property which is know to be true in Clifford+T quantum mechanics and prove that this equation cannot be derived in the ZX calculus by introducing a new sound interpretation of the ZX calculus in which this particular property does not hold. Finally, we propose to extend the language with a new axiom.
Investigation of broadband power amplifier with high power‐combining efficiency

A four‐device broadband solid‐state power amplifier, which is based on radial waveguide power‐dividing/combining circuit, has been investigated in this work. The fabricated power amplifier combining four monolithic microwave integrated circuit power amplifiers shows a 12–16.6 dB small‐signal gain over a broadband from 6 to 14 GHz. The measured maximum output power at 1 dB compression is 25.6 dBm at 10 GHz, with a high power‐combining efficiency of 96%. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 2178–2181, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23614
Neuroprotection by Argon Ventilation after Perinatal Asphyxia: A Safety Study in Newborn Piglets

Hypothermia is ineffective in 45% of neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Xenon has additive neuroprotective properties, but is expensive, and its application complicated. Argon gas is cheaper, easier to apply, and also has neuroprotective properties in experimental settings. The aim was to explore the safety of argon ventilation in newborn piglets. Methods Eight newborn piglets (weight 1.4–3.0 kg) were used. Heart rate, blood pressure, regional cerebral saturation, and electrocortical brain activity were measured continuously. All experiments had a 30 min. baseline period, followed by three 60 min. periods of argon ventilation alternated with 30 min argon washout periods. Two animals were ventilated with increasing concentrations of argon (1h 30%, 1 h 50%, and 1 h 80%), two were subjected to 60 min. hypoxia (FiO2 0.08) before commencing 50% argon ventilation, and two animals received hypothermia following hypoxia as well as 50% argon ventilation. Two animals served as home cage controls and were terminated immediately. Results Argon ventilation did not result in a significant change of heart rate (mean ± s.d. −3.5±3.6 bpm), blood pressure (−0.60±1.11 mmHg), cerebral oxygen saturation (0.3±0.9%), electrocortical brain activity (−0.4±0.7 µV), or blood gas values. Argon ventilation resulted in elevated argon concentrations compared to the home cage controls (34.5, 25.4, and 22.4 vs. 7.3 µl/ml). Conclusion Ventilation with up to 80% argon during normoxia, and 50% argon after hypoxia did not affect heart rate, blood pressure, cerebral saturation and electrocortical brain activity. Clinical safety studies of argon ventilation in humans seem justified.
Forchlorfenuron Alters Mammalian Septin Assembly, Organization, and Dynamics*

Septins are filamentous GTPases that associate with cell membranes and the cytoskeleton and play essential roles in cell division and cellular morphogenesis. Septins are implicated in many human diseases including cancer and neuropathies. Small molecules that reversibly perturb septin organization and function would be valuable tools for dissecting septin functions and could be used for therapeutic treatment of septin-related diseases. Forchlorfenuron (FCF) is a plant cytokinin previously shown to disrupt septin localization in budding yeast. However, it is unknown whether FCF directly targets septins and whether it affects septin organization and functions in mammalian cells. Here, we show that FCF alters septin assembly in vitro without affecting either actin or tubulin polymerization. In live mammalian cells, FCF dampens septin dynamics and induces the assembly of abnormally large septin structures. FCF has a low level of cytotoxicity, and these effects are reversed upon FCF washout. Significantly, FCF treatment induces mitotic and cell migration defects that phenocopy the effects of septin depletion by small interfering RNA. We conclude that FCF is a promising tool to study mammalian septin organization and functions.
Risk factors for multiorgan failure and mortality in severe sepsis patients who need intensive care unit follow-up.

INTRODUCTION Multiorgan failure (MOF) is a primary cause of morbidity and mortality in sepsis patients in intensive care units (ICU). Finding risk factors and solving preventable problems of MOF in patients who have sepsis can be a favourable step for decreasing mortality. We aimed to examine multiorgan failure and mortality related risk factors in intensive care unit patients who have sepsis. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective data collection and prognostic cohort study was performed. Between January 2009-March 2010, patients accepted to the 22-bed pulmonary intensive care unit with the diagnosis of sepsis were enrolled. Patients' demographic data, ICU severity scores, application of mechanical ventilation, causative agent of sepsis, number of ICU days and presence of mortality were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was carried out for risk factors. RESULT 347 patients with sepsis were involved in the study. 43 of the patients (12.4%) developed MOF and overall mortality rate was 14.9% (n= 52). Presence of resistant pathogen, presence of shock, application of TPN and high APACHE II score were found to be risk factors for MOF [p= 0.015 Odds ratio (OR) 3.47 confidence interval (CI): 1.27 - 9.47, p= 0.001, OR: 30.8 CI: 11.41 - 83-49, p= 0.028, OR: 3.08, CI: 1.13 - 8.39, p= 0.003, OR: 1.10, CI: 1.04-1.18, respectively]. Risk factors for overall mortality were presence of nosocomial infection, high 3rd day SOFA score, presence of shock, application of TPN and sedation (p= 0.005, OR: 3.39, CI: 1.45 - 7.93; p= 0.001, OR: 1.51, CI: 1.27 - 1.81; p= 0.014, OR: 3.24, CI: 1.27 - 8.25; p= 0.003, OR: 3.64. CI: 1.54 - 8.58; p= 0.001, OR: 3.38, CI: 1.51 - 7.57, respectively). CONCLUSIONS In sepsis patients who need ICU follow up, presence of resistant pathogen, presence of shock, application of TPN and high APACHE II scores are risk factors for developing MOF. Thus, rational use of antibiotics, reducing the use of TPN, application of infection control programmes and prevention of shock will further reduce multiorgan failure and mortality.