Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resource Allocation via Max–Min Goodput Optimization for BIC-OFDMA Systems

In this paper, a novel resource allocation (RA) strategy is designed for the downlink of orthogonal frequency division multiple access networks employing practical modulation and coding under quality of service constraints and retransmission techniques. Compared with previous works, two basic concepts are combined together, namely: 1) taking the goodput (GP) as performance metric and 2) ensuring maximum fairness among users. Thus, the resulting RA maximizes the GP of the worst users, optimizing subcarrier allocation (SA), per-subcarrier power allocation (PA), and adaptation of modulation and coding (AMC) of the active users, yielding a nonlinear nonconvex mixed optimization problem (OP). The intrinsic demanding difficulty of the OP is tackled by iteratively and optimally solving the AMC, PA, and SA subproblems, devoting special care to the difficult nonlinear combinatorial SA-OP. First, the optimal (yet computationally complex) solution is found by applying the branch and bound method to the optimal SA solution found in the relaxed domain, and accordingly, it is taken as benchmark. Then, an innovative suboptimal yet efficient solution based on the metaheuristic ant colony optimization (ACO) framework is derived. The proposed RA strategy is corroborated by comprehensive simulations, showing improved performance even at the cost of affordable numerical complexity.
Generation of synthetic views for teleoperation in industrial processes

Applications like teleconferencing, telerobotics and computer vision, may require the ability to estimate the image projected from a scenario from a point of view where no camera is placed. We focus on industrial processes and how, with a few cameras observing a process, we can obtain arbitrary views allowing a telecommander to operate with realistic visual realimentation. The paper shows different approximations to solve this problem and the results of an image interpolation method. The method is based in some epipolar geometry properties, offering a lot of advantages for hardware acceleration, allowing a real time implementation.
Co-creativity of communication system on behavioral interaction

This study presents an experiment that integrates a semiotic investigation with a dynamical perspective on embodied social interactions. The primary objective is to study co-creativity of a communication system on the human-human nonverbal interaction. Throughout the experiment, the results of established communication system on uni- and bi-directional interactions are compared. Finally, the role of co-creativity in the evolution of communication systems will be discussed.
How Information Theory Changed the World - A Brief Review of the History of the Information Theory Society

A remarkable paper by Claude Shannon published in 1948, that introduced the modern and meaningful way of thinking about communication of information, had a formidable impact on technology and on the emergence of the Information era. At the same time it spawned the Information Theory Society of the IEEE that has carried the torch of Shannon’s ideas and continues to push the frontiers of the fundamental foundations of general communication theory and technology. This paper reviews briefly this unique and illustrious trajectory of this Society.
Life history traits of Tetranychus urticae Koch on three legumes (Acari: Tetranychidae).

The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, is very polyphagous and considered a serious pest world-wide. The divers host plant species may have been the different effects of this pest; we therefore compared population growth parameters of T. urticae reared on three commonly grown and important legumes in Iran (soybean, cowpea and bean). The life table parameters were estimated at 25 ± 1oC, 60 ± 10% RH, and a photoperiod of 18:6 h (L: D). Egg hatchability, development time and survival to adult stage were similar among cultivars, but we detected significant variation in fecundity and longevity, resulting in large differences for population growth parameters such as the intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm), net reproductive rate (R0), finite rate of increase (λ) and doubling time (DT). Soybean was the most favorable host for two-spotted spider mites with rm = 0.296 (offsprings/female/day), followed by cowpea (0.242) and bean (0.230). The slowest population growth was observed on the bean species with rm = 0.214. These findings indicate that the choice of host plant species will affect how fast spider mite populations reach damaging levels in a culture. The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari, Tetranychidae) is one of the most serious agricultural pests in the world. This mite is polyphagous and attacks the broad range of crops, including soybean, cowpea, and common bean and etc. (van de Vrie et al., 1972; Khanjani, 2005). These latter three plants are economic important crops, commercially produced in some regions of Iran. Based on reports by the Iranian Ministry of Agriculture in 2005, overall, these crops are grown on more than 180000 ha annually in Iran. Therefore, outbreaks of several pests especially T. urticae limits yield of these high cash leguminous plants. The importance of this mite pest is not only due to direct damage to plants including defoliation, leaf burning, and even in excessive outbreaks plant death but also indirect damage to plants which decreases in photosynthesis and transpiration (Brandenburg and Kennedy, 1987). Host plants of spider mites differ in the degree of food quality, which either depend on the level of primary plant metabolites, or on the quantity and nature of secondary metabolites (Rosenthal and Berenbaum, 1991). Many secondary metabolites found in plants have a responsibility in defense against herbivores, pests and pathogens. These compounds can perform as toxins, deterrents, digestibility reducers or act as precursors to physical defense systems (Bennett and Wallsgrove, 1994; Balkema-Boomstra, 2003). The rapid developmental rate and high reproductive potential of T. urticae allows them to achieve damaging population levels very quickly when growth conditions are good, resulting in an equally rapid decline of host plant quality. The population growth parameters of T. urticae such as developmental rate,
Investigating Factors That Support Re-Engagement of 14 - 16 Year Olds in Education

This review of literature applied a comprehensive approach to corroborate and/or contradict the findings of previous research that has been disseminated to education practitioners. Disengagement from school amongst 14 - 16 year olds has become a recurrent phenomenon, thus identifying and implementing timely interventions to address it should be a key aim for schools. This paper therefore examines previous literature on the subject matter. It investigates factors that could help to break down the barriers to learning and which could inspire affected learners to re-focus on learning and achieve. A thorough and methodical search strategy using Google and Google Scholar was used to locate relevant literature for the research and this yielded the following resources: online research reports and publications, research journals, BERJ (British Educational Research Journal), NFER (National Foundation for Educational Research) and DFE (Department for Education) websites, media and trade union publications, the University of Greenwich library and electronic resources. All similarities on the subject matter were compiled, examined and applied to a critical review of re-engagement. The last step was to examine their implications and applications at school level.
Analysis of clinical data of patients with different outcomes after short‐time insemination

The study is to analyse the clinical data of the two groups of patients with different fertilisation outcomes after short‐time insemination and probe into short‐time insemination indications. A retrospective study including 558 cycles of short‐time insemination in our centre during January 2009 to June 2010 which were divided into two groups by the method of fertilisation, 472 cycles by IVF and 86 cycles by Re‐ICSI group according to fertilisation conditions to and compare the differences between the two groups in the indexes of average female age, average male age, duration of infertility, forward‐moving sperm counts, abnormal sperm rate, proportion of primary infertility, etc. The differences between the two groups have statistical significance in duration of infertility, forward‐moving sperm counts, abnormal sperm rate and proportion of primary infertility (5.02 ± 3.12 versus 5.86 ± 3.35; 83.06 ± 78.55 versus 54.02 ± 61.78; 83.56 ± 5.24% versus 86.31 ± 5.26%; 56.87% versus 74.42%; P < 0.05). The discrepancy between the two groups has no statistical significance in average female age and average male age (P > 0.05). Duration of infertility, forward‐moving sperm counts, abnormal sperm rate and previous pregnancy history have great significance to predict fertilisation failure, so decisions should be made on the basis of the above indexes when evaluating whether a patient should conduct short‐time insemination.
Does Food Addiction Exist? A Phenomenological Discussion Based on the Psychiatric Classification of Substance-Related Disorders and Addiction

The relationship between overeating, substance abuse and (behavioral) addiction is controversial. Medically established forms of addiction so far pertain to substance use disorders only. But the preliminary Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders V (DSM V) suggests replacing the previous category ‘Substance-Related Disorders’ with ‘Addiction and Related Disorders’, thus for the first time allowing the diagnosis of behavioral addictions. In the past psychiatrists and psychologists have been reluctant to systematically delineate and classify the term behavioral addiction. However, there is a broad overlap between chemical and behavioral addiction including phenomenological, therapeutic, genetic, and neurobiological aspects. It is of interest to point out that the hormone leptin in itself has a pronounced effect on the reward system, thus suggesting an indirect link between overeating and ‘chemical’ addiction. Thus, leptin-deficient individuals could be classified as fulfilling criteria for food addiction. In our overview we first review psychological findings in chemical (substance-based) and subsequently in behavioral addiction to analyze the overlap. We discuss the diagnostic validity of food addiction, which in theory can be chemically and/or behaviorally based.
Visually narrating post‐colonial lives: ghosts of war and empire

This paper is about two journeys: the first through the memories of an old soldier captured by the Japanese in the Second World War; the second through the present life to which this past gave rise, in which the old soldier tends the graves of his fellow soldiers as part of his current navigation by bus and taxi of the post‐colonial landscape of Hong Kong.
Feminisms and science education: one science educator's exploration of her practice

This article relates stories of what I have learned by engaging in autobiographical analysis of my work as a science educator, over a seven year period. These stories can be described loosely as 'a play with three acts'. During each act I am played by a somewhat different feminist character who is not only influenced by her own pedagogical and philosophical underpinnings (feminisms) but, by her own disciplinary and institutional contexts. The first act presents an historical feminist perspective. The second act can be described as an emerging postmodern feminist story. The third act is a feminisms story which is where I currently locate my practice.
Model predictive control for switching max-plus-linear systems with random and deterministic switching

Abstract Switching max-plus-linear (SMPL) systems are discrete event systems that can switch between different modes of operation. In each mode the system is described by a max-plus-linear state equation and a max-plus-linear output equation, with different system matrices for each mode. The switching may depend on input and state, or it may be a stochastic process. We derive a stabilizing model predictive controller for SMPL systems with both deterministic and stochastic switching. In general, the optimization in the MPC algorithm boils down to a nonlinear optimization problem, where the cost criterion is piecewise polynomial on polyhedral sets and the inequality constraints are linear.
The Bacterial Phosphoenolpyruvate:Carbohydrate Phosphotransferase System: Regulation by Protein Phosphorylation and Phosphorylation-Dependent Protein-Protein Interactions

SUMMARY The bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP):carbohydrate phosphotransferase system (PTS) carries out both catalytic and regulatory functions. It catalyzes the transport and phosphorylation of a variety of sugars and sugar derivatives but also carries out numerous regulatory functions related to carbon, nitrogen, and phosphate metabolism, to chemotaxis, to potassium transport, and to the virulence of certain pathogens. For these different regulatory processes, the signal is provided by the phosphorylation state of the PTS components, which varies according to the availability of PTS substrates and the metabolic state of the cell. PEP acts as phosphoryl donor for enzyme I (EI), which, together with HPr and one of several EIIA and EIIB pairs, forms a phosphorylation cascade which allows phosphorylation of the cognate carbohydrate bound to the membrane-spanning EIIC. HPr of firmicutes and numerous proteobacteria is also phosphorylated in an ATP-dependent reaction catalyzed by the bifunctional HPr kinase/phosphorylase. PTS-mediated regulatory mechanisms are based either on direct phosphorylation of the target protein or on phosphorylation-dependent interactions. For regulation by PTS-mediated phosphorylation, the target proteins either acquired a PTS domain by fusing it to their N or C termini or integrated a specific, conserved PTS regulation domain (PRD) or, alternatively, developed their own specific sites for PTS-mediated phosphorylation. Protein-protein interactions can occur with either phosphorylated or unphosphorylated PTS components and can either stimulate or inhibit the function of the target proteins. This large variety of signal transduction mechanisms allows the PTS to regulate numerous proteins and to form a vast regulatory network responding to the phosphorylation state of various PTS components.
Evidence for a role for anti‐Müllerian hormone in the suppression of follicle activation in mouse ovaries and bovine ovarian cortex grafted beneath the chick chorioallantoic membrane

The first critical transition in follicular development, the activation of primordial follicles to leave the pool of resting follicles and begin growth, is poorly understood, but it appears that the balance between inhibitory and stimulatory factors is important in regulating the exodus of follicles from the resting pool. There is evidence that anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH; also known as MIS) inhibits follicle activation in mice, but whether it plays a similar role in non rodent species is not known. When pieces of bovine ovarian cortex, rich in primordial follicles, are cultured in serum‐free medium, most follicles initiate growth, but when cortical pieces are grafted beneath the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of chick embryos, follicle activation does not occur. Since embryonic chick gonads of both sexes produce and secrete high levels of AMH, the hypothesis that the AMH in the chick circulation inhibits follicle activation was tested. In Experiment 1, whole newborn mouse ovaries were grafted beneath the CAM (placed “in ovo”) or cultured in vitro for 8 days. In vitro (or after 8 days in vivo) follicles activated and proceeded to the primary or secondary stage, but activation was suppressed in ovo. This inhibition was reversed if ovaries were removed from beneath the CAM and cultured in vitro. In contrast, when ovaries from mice null mutant for the AMH type II receptor were CAM‐grafted in Experiment 2, follicle activation occurred in a similar fashion to activation in vitro. This finding strongly implicates AMH as the inhibitor of follicle activation in ovo. Since chick embryonic gonads are the source of circulating AMH, chicks were gonadectomized in Experiment 3, prior to grafting of pieces of bovine ovarian cortex beneath their CAMs. Bovine primordial follicles activated in the gonadectomized chicks, similar to the results for mice lacking the AMH type II receptor. Taken together these experiments provide strong evidence that AMH is the inhibitor of mouse follicle activation present in the circulation of embryonic chicks and provide indirect, and hence more tentative, evidence for AMH as an inhibitor of bovine follicle activation. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Investigation of polarization tuning mechanism in fiber ring cavity laser

Ring cavity lasers employ an Er doped or a semiconductor gain medium including a wavelength selective element for tuning a lasing wavelength. For a wavelength tuner, a tunable optical filter can be realized using a rotatable grating, Fabry-Perot cavity or an acousto-optic element. In the paper, we demonstrate the fiber ring laser tuned by controlling polarization states along the birefringent optical fiber loop. The ring laser consists of a semiconductor optical amplifier, a polarization controller combined with a rotatable intra-cavity polarizer for a wavelength selective element, and a 9:1 coupler. The ring also includes a polarization independent in-line optical isolator for providing unidirectional operation and an attenuator to adjust a loop loss.
Beyond First Destinations

The First Destination Survey of new graduates provides only a snapshot of graduate employment. This longitudinal study explores more fully the career pathways taken by undergraduates from two programmes and examines which skills acquired at university contributed to successful employment and development of their careers. It was found that 99 percent of respondents made a successful transition from higher education to the workplace, with 56 percent in a job related to their first-degree subject. Career pathways were diverse and half of graduates undertook further study/training at various stages to improve their career prospects. Skills identified as most useful were oral and written communication, teamworking, personal organization, self-motivation and subject knowledge. Areas recommended for curriculum development were subject-specific practical skills, information technology and additional support with careers advice and guidance.
Cortical Reactivity During Isoflurane Burst-Suppression Anesthesia

We studied cortical reactivity to auditory, visual, and somatosensory stimuli during moderate and deep levels of isoflurane anesthesia at which the electroencephalogram (EEG) showed burst suppression patterns, defined as alternating high amplitude bursts and periods of suppressed background activity.Fifteen patients scheduled for gynecologic surgery were anesthetized with isoflurane until burst suppression appeared in the EEG. During steady state burst suppression at 1.5 end-tidal isoflurane concentration (ETisof), each patient was given a 5-min interval each of episodes of visual, auditory, and somatosensory stimulation. During the 5-min interval of visual stimulation the patient was given 3-s episodes of 60 flashes, 4 ms duration each, at a 20-Hz frequency via redlight-emitting diode goggles. Corresponding auditory and somatosensory stimulation consisted of 60 clicks (80 dB, 0.1 ms, 20 Hz) via earphones and 60 pulses to the median nerve at the wrist (20 mA, 0.2 ms, 20 Hz). The 3-s episodes of stimulation were given at irregular intervals ranging from 5 to 20 s. End-tidal isoflurane was then increased by 0.3 vol% and 15 min later the stimulation sequence was repeated. During anesthesia at 1.5 +/- 0.1 ETisof all stimulus modalities readily evoked bursts. One hundred percent of visual stimuli, 98% +/- 4% of somatosensory stimuli, and 94% +/- 9% of auditory stimuli, given during EEG suppression, evoked bursts. Somatosensory and visual stimulation evoked bursts at both onset and offset of the 3-s episodes of stimuli. The responses to auditory stimuli were related mainly to the ending of the 3-s episode of clicks. Stimulation decreased the duration of suppression and increased the total duration of bursts (P < 0.01). During deeper anesthesia (1.8 +/- 0.1 ETisof) 78% +/- 37% of visual stimuli, 72% +/- 31% of somatosensory stimuli, and 64% +/- 40% of auditory stimuli evoked bursts. Deeper anesthesia was associated with longer suppressions, shorter bursts, and less reactivity (P < 0.05), and there was a predominance of stimulus offset-evoked bursts over onset-evoked bursts. We conclude that burst suppression stimulation studies may be useful in determining the sites and mechanisms of anesthetic action. (Anesth Analg 1995;81:1223-8)
OPTIMUM KINEMATIC DESIGN FOR A SEVEN DEGREE OF FREEDOM MANIPULATOR.

While today’s general purpose manipulators contain six deg rees of freedom, effective reduction in degrees of freedom occurs from singularity regions and fr om workspace obstacles. It is argued that the future general purpose manipulators will contain seven d grees of freedom, and that one particular kinematic design is superior to other possible 7 degree of fr eedom kinematic designs. Considerations of elimination of singularities, mechanical realizability, kinematic simplicity, and workspace shape are taken into account in arriving at this design.
Long-Term Surgical and Hardware-Related Complications of Deep Brain Stimulation

Objective: To evaluate the incidence of surgical and hardware-associated complications of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for a range of movement disorders. Methods: The study design is a retrospective analysis and review of surgical and hardware complications of DBS performed by a single surgeon from 1999 to 2009. A total of 153 cases of DBS (298 electrodes) for various movement disorders and a minimum follow-up of 1 year have been included. Two patients could not be implanted. A further 54 patients who underwent change of the implantable pulse generator (IPG) have been included for analysis of hardware-related complications. Results: The mean follow-up was 64 ± 36.15 (range = 12–129) months for the DBS group. Twenty-four (15.6%) patients developed complications. Confusion occurred in 3.9%, vasovagal attack in 1.9%, lead migration/misplaced lead in 2.5%, erosion and infection in 4.5% and IPG malfunction occurred in 1.4% of the patients. When calculated with respect to the number of electrodes and IPG replacements, the complication rate was lower (11.9%). Three patients had their system explanted, two of them being patients with dystonia who had inadvertently damaged their operative site. Conclusion: DBS surgery is a relatively safe surgery, with most of the complications being minor, without long-term morbidity. The complication rate in elderly (age ≧65 years) is comparable to that in younger patients. However, confusion is more frequent in this age group, and patients and relatives can be prepared to accept this as a transient morbidity.