Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Theoretical analysis of OFDM/TDM with FDE

Abstract: For alleviating the high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) problem of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) while improving the bit error rate (BER) performance, the OFDM combined with time division multiplexing (TDM) using frequency-domain equalization (FDE) is proposed. In this paper, the theoretical BER analysis of the OFDM/TDM in a frequency-selective fading channel is presented. The conditional BER expression is derived, based on the Gaussian approximation of the residual inter-symbol interference (ISI) after FDE, for the given set of channel gains. Various FDE techniques, i.e., zero forcing (ZF), maximum ratio combining (MRC) and minimum mean square error (MMSE) criteria, are considered. The average BER performance is evaluated by Monte-Carlo numerical computation method using the derived conditional BER expression.
Harmonization of accounting in the process of globalization of economic activities

Once with the Romania adhering at the European Union the public accounting system was transformed and adapted according to the requirements imposed by the international public sector accounting standards (IPSAS). This fact had imposed the appearance of legislative norms and provisions adapted to the actual requirements, by taking into account the growing and complex level of economic activities where the irreversible process of globalization takes place. The changes due to the economic politics, especially the new configuration of the international economic relations, relations characterized by an intense and irreversible process of globalization, have conducted to the implementation of a unitary and uniform legislation, particularly for the member states of EU. The accounting reform has begun through the harmonization of legislation according to the requirements and provisions of International Accounting Standards and European Directives. The ampleness and the rapid rhythm of informational society's development have implicitly leaded to the development of accounting information's importance and dimension. The decisive role of the accounting information had conducted to the accentuated growth of the interest, manifested at all informational society's level, from the development of activities in financial and economical domain point of view. The accounting normalization process imposed the development of norms and provisions necessary to the drawing up of accounting documents, by defying methods and a specialized terminology, applied in the activity of entities and accounting specialists.
The soundtrack of your mind: mind music - adaptive audio for game characters

In this paper we describe an experimental application for individualized adaptive music for games. Expression of emotion is crucial for increasing believability. Since a fundamental aspect of music is it's ability to express emotions research into the area of believable agents can benefit from exploring how music can be used. In our experiment we use an affective model that can be integrated to player characters. Music is composed to reflect the affective processes of mood, emotion, and sentiment. The composition takes results of empirical studies regarding the influence of different factors in musical structure on perceived musical expression into account. The musical output from the test application varies in harmony and time signature along a matrix of moods, moods that change depending on what emotions are activated during game play.
Evolution of visually guided behavior in artificial agents

Recent work on brightness, color, and form has suggested that human visual percepts represent the probable sources of retinal images rather than stimulus features as such. Here we investigate the plausibility of this empirical concept of vision by allowing autonomous agents to evolve in virtual environments based solely on the relative success of their behavior. The responses of evolved agents to visual stimuli indicate that fitness improves as the neural network control systems gradually incorporate the statistical relationship between projected images and behavior appropriate to the sources of the inherently ambiguous images. These results: (1) demonstrate the merits of a wholly empirical strategy of animal vision as a means of contending with the inverse optics problem; (2) argue that the information incorporated into biological visual processing circuitry is the relationship between images and their probable sources; and (3) suggest why human percepts do not map neatly onto physical reality.
The Behaviour of Salmon Price Volatility

Salmon prices exhibit substantial volatility. An understanding of the structure of volatility is of great interest since this is a major contributor to economic risk in the salmon industry. The volatility process in salmon prices was analysed based on weekly price data from 1995 to 2007. The Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (GARCH) model was used to test for volatility clustering and persistence of volatility for prices. We find evidence for and discuss the degree of persistence and reversion in salmon price volatility. Further, we find increased volatility in periods of high prices. For the industry this means that larger expected profits more often than not come at a tradeoff of greater price risk.
Towards a short-range 60 GHz digital communication system for cost-effective high-rate applications

We propose a simple system architecture for a wireless unidirectional high-rate digital data system architecture. The majority of the current systems, in similar use cases, suggest complex system architectures, which leads to complex implementations, system constraints, as well as high operation cost. In the architecture proposed here, a specific scenario will be shown for short-range transmission in order to evaluate system complexity and feasibility. The work encompasses a short discussion about the state of the art in wireless high-rate digital data transmission for short-range applications and the system simulation at baseband in a static environment.
Fuzzy XCS: An accuracy-based fuzzy classifier system

The issue of rule generalization has received a great deal of attention in the discrete-valued learning classifier system field. Within it, the accuracy-based XCS system is currently the main reference. The same issue does not appear to have received a similar level of attention in the case of the fuzzy classifier system. It may be due to the difficulty to extend the discrete-valued system behavior to the continuous case. The intention of this contribution is to propose a theoretical approach to properly develop a fuzzy XCS system, the called F-XCS.
WIP Remodeling Actin behind the Scenes: How WIP Reshapes Immune and Other Functions

Actin polymerization is a fundamental cellular process regulating immune cell functions and the immune response. The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp) is an actin nucleation promoting factor, which is exclusively expressed in hematopoietic cells, where it plays a key regulatory role in cytoskeletal dynamics. WASp interacting protein (WIP) was first discovered as the binding partner of WASp, through the use of the yeast two hybrid system. WIP was later identified as a chaperone of WASp, necessary for its stability. Mutations occurring at the WASp homology 1 domain (WH1), which serves as the WIP binding site, were found to cause the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) and X-linked thrombocytopenia (XLT). WAS manifests as an immune deficiency characterized by eczema, thrombocytopenia, recurrent infections, and hematopoietic malignancies, demonstrating the importance of WIP for WASp complex formation and for a proper immune response. WIP deficiency was found to lead to different abnormalities in the activity of various lymphocytes, suggesting differential cell-dependent roles for WIP. Additionally, WIP deficiency causes cellular abnormalities not found in WASp-deficient cells, indicating that WIP fulfills roles beyond stabilizing WASp. Indeed, WIP was shown to interact with various binding partners, including the signaling proteins Nck, CrkL and cortactin. Recent studies have demonstrated that WIP also takes part in non immune cellular processes such as cancer invasion and metastasis, in addition to cell subversion by intracellular pathogens. Understanding of numerous functions of WIP can enhance our current understanding of activation and function of immune and other cell types.
Statistical Long-Term Correlations in Dissociated Cortical Neuron Recordings

The study of nonlinear long-term correlations in neuronal signals is a central topic for advanced neural signal processing. In particular, the existence of long-term correlations in neural signals recorded via multielectrode array (MEA) could provide interesting information about changes in interneuron communications. In this study we propose a new method for long-term correlation analysis of neuronal burst activity based on the periodogram alpha slope estimation of the MEA signal. We applied our method to recordings taken from cultured networks of dissociated rat cortical neurons. We show the effectiveness of the method in analyzing the activity changes as well as the temporal dynamics that take place during the development of such cultures. Results demonstrate that the alpha parameter is able to divide the network development in three well-defined stages, showing pronounced variations in the long-term correlation among bursts.
Identification of cis-Elements and Transcription Factors Regulating Neuronal Activity-Dependent Transcription of Human BDNF Gene

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an important mediator of activity-dependent functions of the nervous system and its expression is dysregulated in several neuropsychiatric disorders. Regulation of rodent BDNF neuronal activity-dependent transcription has been relatively well characterized. Here, we have studied regulation of human BDNF (hBDNF) transcription by membrane depolarization of cultured mouse or rat primary cortical neurons expressing hBDNF gene or transfected with hBDNF promoter constructs, respectively. We identified an asymmetric E-box-like element, PasRE [basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH)-PAS transcription factor response element], in hBDNF promoter I and demonstrate that binding of this element by bHLH-PAS transcription factors ARNT2 (aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator 2) and NPAS4 (neuronal PAS domain protein 4) is crucial for neuronal activity-dependent transcription from promoter I. We show that binding of CREB (cAMP response element-binding protein) to the cAMP/Ca2+-response element (CRE) in hBDNF promoter IV is critical for activity-dependent transcription from this promoter and that upstream stimulatory factor (USF) transcription factors also contribute to the activation by binding to the upstream stimulatory factor binding element (UBE) in hBDNF promoter IV. However, we report that full induction of hBDNF exon IV mRNA transcription is dependent on ARNT2 and NPAS4 binding to a PasRE in promoter IV. Finally, we demonstrate that CRE and PasRE elements in hBDNF promoter IX are required for the induction of this promoter by neuronal activity. Together, the results of this study have identified the cis-elements and transcription factors regulating neuronal activity-dependent transcription of human BDNF gene.
Empathic mediators for distance learning courses

Online distance learning introduces several challenges, such as the dependence of online tools, the asynchronous communication between teachers and students, and the lack of synchronous social engagement level that inclassroom teaching can leverage. The existence of an online tutor 24 hours/day would be an interesting asset to potentially work as an additional learning support tool. The Virtual Tutoring project aims at the development of solutions involving anthropomorphic 3D avatars that work as both virtual online tutors in the Moodle e-learning platform as well as coaches in a mobile application that interact empathically with the students by predicting their emotional state and selecting appropriate emotion regulation strategies. This paper presents the current status of the project, preliminary evaluations with students, and future developments.
Virtual Topology Mapping in SDN-Enabled Clouds

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) is transforming the way networks are designed and built, by decoupling control and data forwarding planes and centralizing network intelligence, mainly through the use of the OpenFlow standard. On the other hand the cloud is evolving to the networked cloud paradigm, integrating communication resources. Due to its functional characteristics (network programmability, network partitioning and virtualization) OpenFlow lends well to networked cloud concept. In order however to provide networked cloud resources with minimal management effort, it is essential to address efficiently the resource mapping problem at hand. The current study adapts an existing resource mapping algorithm, to be applied in an SDN-enabled networked cloud environment. The adaptation provides flexibility in the setup of virtual network topologies and efficient use of the flowspace.
NLAR: A New Approach to AQM

The traditional adaptive Random Early Detection (RED) algorithm allows network to achieve high throughput and low average delay. However it uses a linear dropping probability function, which causes high jitter in the core router. To overcome the drawbacks of queue jitter in the traditional adaptive RED algorithm, this paper proposes a new Non-Linear Adaptive RED (NLAR) approach based on the Active Queue Management (AQM) scheme, which provides a non-linear adaptation to the dropping probability function of the adaptive RED. NLAR enables the gradient of the dropping probability to vary along with the deviation that is between the average queue length and the target queue length, which contributes to a more stable algorithm. Empirical simulation with various data analysis have demonstrated that the NLAR algorithm outperforms the adaptive RED algorithm in most scenarios.
Young Children's Knowledge of the Representational Function of Pictorial Symbols: Development Across the Preschool Years in Three Cultures

Three- to 5-year-old children's knowledge that pictures have a representational function for others was investigated using a pictorial false-belief task. In Study 1, children passed the task at around 4 years old, and performance was correlated with standard false-belief and pictorial symbol tasks. In Study 2, the performance of children from two cultural settings who had very little exposure to pictures during the first 3 years (Peru, India) was contrasted with that of children from Canada. Performance was better in the Canadian than Peruvian and Indian samples on the picture false-belief task and drawing tasks but not on the standard false-belief measure. In all settings, children passed drawing and standard false-belief tasks either concurrently with, or prior to, passing the picture false-belief task. The findings suggest that children's explicit knowledge of the representational function of pictorial symbols matures in the late preschool years and develops more rapidly in cultures that strongly promote the symbolic use of pictures early in life.
Modeling of an efficient microstrip patch antenna for microwave brain imaging system

In this paper, we consider a system model for microwave brain imaging. As an important part of the considered system model, the radiating element is designed in the form of a microstrip patch antenna. To enhance the antenna performance, we propose two electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structures namely circular and rectangular, on the antenna ground plane. A comparison of the antenna performance parameters for the rectangular and circular EBG structures is presented. A six layer human head phantom model is designed which is located at 25 mm distance from the antenna. The specific absorption rate (SAR) of the modeled head tissue for the proposed microstrip patch antenna with circular EBG is determined using CST MWS software. The different SAR values are compared with the established standard SAR limit to provide a safety regulation of the considered microwave brain imaging system.
Frequency Domain Estimation and Compensation of Intercarrier Interference in OFDM Systems

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is a transmission technique which is robust in multipath channels. It is though sensitive to frequency errors that may be caused by several factors such as frequency offset at the local oscillator, phase noise and mobility of the receiver. These errors introduce Inter-Carrier Interference (ICI) that may be represented in the frequency domain by means of an ICI matrix. Since these types of errors greatly affect the performance of an OFDM system, estimation of this matrix is crucial. In this work we propose an iterative method that uses pilot tones in the frequency domain and converges very quickly. It works in two steps. In the first, correlation between received signal and estimated transmitted signal is used to estimate the channel matrix, and the second estimates the actual transmitted data by means of Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) equalization. Results, in the case of high frequency offset and of a time varying flat fading channel, show that the proposed method is very effective.
Increasing the weight of minimum spanning trees

Abstract The problems of computing the maximum increase in the weight of the minimum spanning trees of a graph caused by the removal of a given number of edges, or by finite increases in the weights of the edges, are investigated. For the case of edge removals, the problem is shown to be NP-hard and an Ω(1/log k )-approximation algorithm is presented for it, where (input parameter) k > 1 is the number of edges to be removed. The second problem is studied, assuming that the increase in the weight of an edge has an associated cost proportional to the magnitude of the change. An O ( n 3 m 2 log( n 2 / m )) time algorithm is presented to solve it.
NMDA Receptor Dependence of Kindling and Mossy Fiber Sprouting: Evidence that the NMDA Receptor Regulates Patterning of Hippocampal Circuits in the Adult Brain

The NMDA receptor plays an important role in patterning neural connectivity in the developing brain. In the adult brain, repeated kindling stimulation of limbic pathways increases the NMDA-dependent component of synaptic transmission in granule cells of the dentate gyrus (DG) and also induces sprouting of the mossy fiber axons of granule cells that reorganizes synaptic connections in the DG. Because the NMDA antagonist MK801 impedes the progression of kindling, it was of interest to determine whether MK801 also modified mossy fiber sprouting. Low doses of MK801, which had no antiseizure effect, impaired the progression of kindling and development of mossy fiber sprouting during the initial and also more advanced stages of kindling. These observations demonstrate that the NMDA receptor is a component of a molecular pathway that influences the progression of kindling and mossy fiber sprouting and suggest that NMDA-dependent gene expression may play a role in the development of long-term structural and functional alterations induced by seizures in hippocampal circuitry. The NMDA receptor appears to play a continuing role in modifying the organization and patterns of connectivity in hippocampal circuits of the adult brain.
Spiritual leadership at the workplace: Perspectives and theories

Leadership has always been an area of interest since time immemorial. Nevertheless, scientific theories regarding leadership started to appear only from the beginning of the 20th century. Modern theories of leadership such as strategic leadership theory emerged as early as the 1980s when outdated theories of behavioral contingency were questioned, resulting in the beginning of a shift in focus leading to the emergence of modern theories hypothesizing the importance of vision, motivation and value-based control of clan and culture. Value-driven clan control emphasizes the importance of the role played by employees in a rapidly changing work environment. Therefore, the 21st century marked the rise of the need to establish a culture driven by values, inspiring the workforce to struggle and strongly seek a shared vision. This can be accomplished by an effective and motivating leadership.
Gastrointestinal bleeding in patients on novel oral anticoagulants: Risk, prevention and management

Novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs), which include direct thrombin inhibitor (dabigatran) and direct factor Xa inhibitors (rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban), are gaining popularity in the prevention of embolic stroke in non-valvular atrial fibrillation as well as in the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism. However, similar to traditional anticoagulants, NOACs have the side effects of bleeding, including gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). Results from both randomized clinical trials and observations studies suggest that high-dose dabigatran (150 mg b.i.d), rivaroxaban and high-dose edoxaban (60 mg daily) are associated with a higher risk of GIB compared with warfarin. Other risk factors of NOAC-related GIB include concomitant use of ulcerogenic agents, older age, renal impairment, Helicobacter pylori infection and a past history of GIB. Prevention of NOAC-related GIB includes proper patient selection, using a lower dose of certain NOACs and in patients with renal impairment, correction of modifiable risk factors, and prescription of gastroprotective agents. Overt GIB can be managed by withholding NOACs followed by delayed endoscopic treatment. In severe bleeding, additional measures include administration of activated charcoal, use of specific reversal agents such as idarucizumab for dabigatran and andexanent alfa for factor Xa inhibitors, and urgent endoscopic management.
A Model for Management of Patients With Stroke During the Acute Phase: Outcome and Economic Implications

Background and Purpose The purpose of the study was to develop a clinical pathway for patients with nonhemorrhagic stroke during the acute hospital phase to improve the quality of care and reduce costs. Methods The pathway included standard admission orders and a swallow screen on day 1 of hospitalization. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and social worker assessments were done on day 2. A physiatry consult was performed on day 3 if indicated, and by day 4 a discharge target date and disposition were addressed. Results Outcomes for 121 patients during the first year of pathway implementation are reported. The average length of stay on the acute service decreased from 10.9 days to 7.3 days (P<.05), reducing the charges per patient by 14.6%. Complications in the form of urinary tract infections and aspiration pneumonia rates decreased by 63.2% (P<.05) and 38.7%, respectively. Conclusions We conclude that the implementation of a clinical pathway for patients with acute, nonhemorrhagic stroke resulted in a significant reduction in length of stay, charges, and complications while improving the quality of care.