Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
FDD Massive MIMO: Efficient Downlink Probing and Uplink Feedback via Active Channel Sparsification

In this paper, we propose a novel method for efficient implementation of a massive Multiple-Input Multiple- Output (massive MIMO) system with Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) operation. Our main objective is to reduce the large overhead incurred by Downlink (DL) common training and Uplink (UL) feedback needed to obtain channel state information (CSI) at the base station. Our proposed scheme relies on the fact that the underlying angular distribution of a channel vector, also known as the angular scattering function, is a frequency-invariant entity yielding a ULDL reciprocity and has a limited angular support. We estimate this support from UL CSI and interpolate it to obtain the corresponding angular support of the DL channel. Finally we exploit the estimated support of the DL channel of all the users to design an efficient channel probing and feedback scheme that maximizes the total spectral efficiency of the system. Our method is different from the existing compressed-sensing (CS) based techniques in the literature. Using support information helps reduce the feedback overhead from O(s logM) in CS techniques to O(s) in our proposed method, with s andM being sparsity order of the channel vectors and the number of base station antennas, respectively. Furthermore, in order to control the channel sparsity and therefore the DL common training and UL feedback overhead, we introduce the novel concept of active channel sparsification. In brief, when the fixed pilot dimension is less than the required amount for reliable channel estimation, we introduce a pre-beamforming matrix that artificially reduces the effective channel dimension of each user to be not larger than the DL pilot dimension, while maximizing both the number of served users and the number of probed angles. We provide numerical experiments to assess the performance of our method and compare it with the state-of-the-art CS technique.
Visual Exemplification and Skin Cancer: The Utility of Exemplars in Promoting Skin Self-Exams and Atypical Nevi Identification

The present article reports an experiment investigating untested propositions of exemplification theory in the context of messages promoting early melanoma detection. The study tested visual exemplar presentation types, incorporating visual persuasion principles into the study of exemplification theory and strategic message design. Compared to a control condition, representative visual exemplification was more effective at increasing message effectiveness by eliciting a surprise response, which is consistent with predictions of exemplification theory. Furthermore, participant perception of congruency between the images and text interacted with the type of visual exemplification to explain variation in message effectiveness. Different messaging strategies influenced decision making as well, with the presentation of visual exemplars resulting in people judging the atypicality of moles more conservatively. Overall, results suggest that certain visual messaging strategies may result in unintended effects of presenting people information about skin cancer. Implications for practice are discussed.
Radiographic knee osteoarthritis in floorlayers and carpenters.

OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between knee-straining work and radiological findings of knee osteoarthritis and to study the relation between radiological findings and self-reported knee complaints and clinical signs of knee osteoarthritis. METHODS The material consisted of 133 floorlayers, 506 carpenters, and 327 compositors, 26-72 years of age, who had completed a questionnaire and reported no previous knee trauma. A stratified sample of these questionnaire respondents, 50 floorlayers, 51 carpenters, and 49 compositors, were radiologically examined for knee osteoarthritis by 2 radiologists. The X-ray films were independently assessed by 2 radiologists and blinded with respect to knee complaints, trade, and age. RESULTS The radiological investigation showed estimated prevalences of knee-osteoarthritis (grades 2-4) for 14% of the floorlayers, 8% of the carpenters, and 6% of the compositors (not significantly different). For the subjects > or =50 years of age the estimated prevalences of the combination of radiological grades 2-4 for knee osteoarthritis and knee complaints during the last 12 months were 29% [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 17-44%], 9% (95% CI 1-26%), and 1% (95% CI 1-10%) for the floorlayers, carpenters, and compositors, respectively. Radiological grades 2-4 were mainly found for subjects above the age of 50 years, subjects with knee complaints, and floorlayers. Radiological knee osteoarthritis was positively associated with self-reported knee complaints and with clinical signs of intraarticular and retropatellar crepitation. CONCLUSIONS The data suggest that work in which a considerable amount of time is spent in knee-straining positions may be a risk factor for the development of knee osteoarthritis above the age of 50 years.
Activation of coagulation by a thalidomide-based regimen

Combining thalidomide (Thal) with chemotherapeutic agents or steroid preparations led to improved response rates in the treatment of multiple myeloma. However, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is one of the most serious side-effects noted with this regimen, and how a Thal-based regimen causes DVT is unclear. We investigated the procoagulant effects of Thal when combined with chemotherapeutic agents in vitro, focusing on tissue factor (TF) and phosphatidylserine. We examined the effects of the chemotherapeutic doxorubicin hydrochloride (Dox) and the steroid dexamethasone (Dex), with or without Thal. Our study used the human vascular endothelial, monocytic, and myeloma cell lines, EAhy926, THP-1, and RPMI8226, respectively. In EAhy926 and THP-1, Dex treatment increased expression of TF, which may induce procoagulant activity (PCA). Upregulation of TF mRNA correlated with activation of the Egr-1 pathway. In Thal and Dex treatments, the increase of PCA induction from phosphatidylserine exposure was modest. In contrast, Dox and Thal–Dox increased phosphatidylserine exposure in both cell types. In THP-1 cells, cell surface phosphatidylserine exposure correlated with increased PCA by Dox. Thal alone showed a modest increase in phosphatidylserine exposure in endothelial cells and monocytes. When Thal is given in combination with chemotherapies or Dex, endothelial cell and monocyte PCA may be induced through phosphatidylserine exposure, or TF expression. Induction may be protracted by Thal, which has an antiangiogenic activity. Therefore, prophylactic anticoagulant strategies should be considered in Thal-based combination regimens.
Changing from computing grid to knowledge grid in life‐science grid

Grid computing has a great potential to become a standard cyber infrastructure for life sciences that often require high-performance computing and large data handling, which exceeds the computing capacity of a single institution. Grid computer applies the resources of many computers in a network to a single problem at the same time. It is useful to scientific problems that require a great number of computer processing cycles or access to a large amount of data.As biologists,we are constantly discovering millions of genes and genome features, which are assembled in a library and distributed on computers around the world.This means that new, innovative methods must be developed that exploit the re-sources available for extensive calculations - for example grid computing.This survey reviews the latest grid technologies from the viewpoints of computing grid, data grid and knowledge grid. Computing grid technologies have been matured enough to solve high-throughput real-world life scientific problems. Data grid technologies are strong candidates for realizing a "resourceome" for bioinformatics. Knowledge grids should be designed not only from sharing explicit knowledge on computers but also from community formulation for sharing tacit knowledge among a community. By extending the concept of grid from computing grid to knowledge grid, it is possible to make use of a grid as not only sharable computing resources, but also as time and place in which people work together, create knowledge, and share knowledge and experiences in a community.
Analisis Pengaruh Investasi Swasta dan Pengeluaran Pemerintah Daerah Terhadap Pertumbuhan Ekonomi dan Kemiskinan di Provinsi Jambi

This study aimed to analyze the effect of private investment and local government spending to economic growth and poverty in Jambi Province. Research using time series data from 1985 to 2012 year. The analytical tool used is regression by the method of "Ordinary Least Squares" (OLS). The findings of this study show that private investment and local government spending made a positive impact on economic growth Jambi Province.
The Income Elasticity of Mortgage Loan Demand

One explanation for the emergence of the housing market bubble and the subprime crisis is that increases in individuals&#8217; income led to higher increases in the amount of mortgage loans demanded, especially for the middle class. This hypothesis translates to an increase in the income elasticity of mortgage loan demand before 2007. Using applicant&#8208;level data, we test this hypothesis and find that the income elasticity of mortgage loan demand in fact declines in the years before 2007, especially for the mid&#8208; and lower&#8208;middle income groups. Our finding implies that increases in house prices were not matched by increases in loan applicants&#8217; income.
SEXUAL CANNIBALISM, SIZE DIMORPHISM, AND COURTSHIP BEHAVIOR IN ORB‐WEAVING SPIDERS (ARANEIDAE)

The variation in sexual size dimorphism in dioecious organisms, both within and between taxonomic groups, is thought to arise from differential sexual selection and natural selection acting independently on males and females (e.g., Darwin, 1871; Ralls, 1976; Shine, 1988; Arak, 1988). One example of the conflicting selection pressures on males and females is the female attempting to kill and consume the male before copulation takes place. This form of sexual cannibalism has been reported across many groups of spiders, but it is particularly common among orb-weaving spiders (e.g., Robinson and Robinson, 1980; Elgar and Nash, 1988). In most spiders, the female is larger than the male, but in some species oforb-weaving spiders (Araneidae) the male can be as little as one-tenth the size of the female. There are several explanations for sexual size dimorphism in spiders (Vollrath, 1980a), but the extreme sexual size dimorphism found in orb-weaving spiders is frequently thought to be the result ofselection through sexual cannibalism (e.g., Darwin, 1871; Cambridge, 1871; Robinson and Robinson, 1980). However, sexual cannibalism also occurs in species of orbweaving spiders that show considerably less sexual size dimorphism (Elgar and Nash, 1988), and sexual dimorphism is quite large in other groups oforb-weaving spiders, despite the apparent absence of sexual cannibalism (Elgar et al., 1990). Thus, the relationship between sexual cannibalism and sexual size dimorphism may be rather more complex (see also Savory, 1977; Vollrath, 1980a, 1980b). The location ofmating and courtship may be one factor that provides further explanation ofthe variation in sexual size dimorphism in orb-weaving spiders. Mating in most orb-weaving spiders takes place either at the central hub of the orb-web or on a mating thread specially constructed by the courting male. The risk of sexual cannibalism for the male may depend on his size, relative to the female. However, selection through sexual cannibalism may favor relatively small
Efficiency of different Pension Fund Investment Regulation Models

The Article presents a comparison of performances achieved by different funds applying different investment regulation systems with the aim of determining which system produces better results. The regulation system, which prescribes numerous strict quantitative investment limits as well as types of investments that the funds are allowed and not allowed to make, is applied by the Croatian mandatory pension funds. On the other hand, Croatian open-ended balanced mutual funds apply a system which ensures less strict investment limits and, in fact, indicates a tendency towards the application of the prudent person approach. By comparing performances achieved by the above-mentioned types of funds, which are actually very similar in terms of the asset classes they invest in but differ with regards to their investment policies defined by the regulator, we will try to establish which investment regulation system was more efficient, i.e. which system ensured the investors a more favorable risk-return profile during the observed period.
Solitary plasmacytoma of bone vs. extramedullary plasmacytoma and their relationship to multiple myeloma

Solitary plasmacytoma of bone (SPB) and extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMPC) are unusual solitary tumors of plasma cell origin. The clinical differences between these tumors and multiple myeloma are the subject of continued study. This review examines the radiotherapy experience at M. D. Anderson Hospital. Between 1948 and 1977, 12 patients with SPB and 12 patients with EMPC were treated with radiotherapy. Radiotherapeutic doses were most often (22/24) greater than 4,000 rads, at 200 rads per day. In order to qualify as solitary plasmacytoma a disease‐free interval of 3 years was required. In the group of SPB, 5 patients of 9 were alive with no evidence of disease (NED) at 3 years, 4 of 5 at 5 years, and none of 4 at 10 years. In the EMPC group, 8 patients of 11 were NED at 3 and 5 years, and 6 of 9 at 10 years. Six patients with SPB developed multiple myeloma compared with only two with EMPC. The results confirm the better prognosis of EMPC and support the theory that SPB and EMPC are two different entities. Cancer 43:1007–1013, 1979.
A study on internet-based learning community of english majors

Learning community provides learners and teachers a new type to organize their learning and teaching. For English majors, it is feasible and applicable to form a learning community, especially with the Internet as the assisted base. In the author's course, 52 students majoring in English take part in the practice of building and running the learning communities. Some problems and advantages are analyzed, with the suggestions given in the conclusion.
Potential Application of Adult Stem Cells in Retinal Repair—Challenge for Regenerative Medicine

Stem cells (SCs) maintain the balance among somatic cell populations in various tissues and are responsible for organ regeneration. The remarkable progress of regenerative medicine in the last few years indicates promise for the use of SCs in ophthalmic disorder treatment. This review describes the current view on hierarchy in the SC compartment and presents the latest attempts to use adult SCs in the regeneration of the retina. Research performed primarily in animal models gives hope for using similar strategies in humans. However, the search for the optimal source of SCs for cell therapy continues. We briefly discuss various potential sources of adult SCs that could be employed in regenerative medicine, particularly focusing on recently identified, very small embryonic-like SCs (VSEL-SCs). These cells are even present in the bone marrow and adult tissues of older patients and could be harvested from cord blood. We believe that VSEL-SCs, after the establishment of ex vivo expansion and differentiation protocols, could be harnessed for retina regeneration.
A mathematical model for a stability-enhanced DC distribution system for power system integration of plug-in electric vehicles

This paper proposes a mathematical model for a stability-enhanced dc distribution system, for charging plug-in electric vehicles. The stability of the dc distribution system is enhanced through a nonlinear control strategy exercised locally by each battery charger. The proposed model is of the matrix form and can be used for small-signal analysis of a dc distribution system that hosts an arbitrarily large number of battery chargers. The paper also presents a set of computationally efficient equations for calculating system eigenvalues. The accuracy of the proposed model is demonstrated through simulations conducted in PSCAD/EMTDC and MATLAB software environments.
Multi-laboratory evaluation of procedures for reducing the volume of cord blood: influence on cell recoveries.

BACKGROUND Various procedures can be used to isolate stem and progenitor cells from cord blood. This study evaluated the hydroxyethyl starch sedimentation (HES) with two centrifugation steps, and the top and bottom (T&B) isolation of buffy coat following a single centrifugation, and two filter systems for processing cord blood, one developed by Asahi Kasei Medical (filter A) and the second by Terumo (filter B). METHODS Each of seven laboratories was randomly assigned the evaluation of either the HES or T&B method and one of the filter methods (n=8 cord blood units, per laboratory, for each method). The leukocyte-containing fraction with the stem/progenitor cells was recovered from the filters by reverse flushing. Utilizing the routine traditional processing and testing procedures of each laboratory, in vitro parameters were determined, with samples obtained after collection, after processing and after freezing/thawing. The results were expressed as the percentage recovery of viable cells in processed vs. collected samples (performance 1; PF1) and in thawed vs. processed samples (performance 2; PF2). The composite results obtained by the seven laboratories were summarized. RESULTS The median PF1 percentage recovery of total nucleated cells (TNC) was comparable with both traditional methods (HES 79%, T&B 86%) and statistically reduced with both filtration procedures (filter A 58%, filter B 61%). Mononuclear cell (MNC) PF1 recovery was highest statistically with the T&B method (91%) and reduced on using filter A (77%) and filter B (70%) and the HES method (72%). CD34+ cell recovery was judged to be essentially comparable with the four methods, although the range of unit recoveries differed. The percentage recovery of TNC and MNC in PF1 was influenced by the volume of the collected cord blood, especially with use of the filtration procedures. This correlated with TNC content. A greater percentage of red cells and platelets was removed during processing with both filter methods. The time to process cord blood preparations with filter A was significantly shorter than the other methods. Processing with the HES method took the longest time. The recoveries for TNC, MNC and CD34+ cells in PF2 did not appear to be influenced by the specific processing procedure. DISCUSSION These data indicate that filters that capture stem and progenitor cells may be an appropriate methodology for processing cord blood collected for banking.
Inequality of opportunity in educational achievement in Latin America: Evidence

We assess inequality of opportunity in educational achievement in six Latin American countries, employing two waves of PISA data (2006 and 2009). By means of a nonparametric approach using a decomposable inequality index, GE(0), we rank countries according to their degree of inequality of opportunity. We work with alternative characterizations of types: school type (public or private), gender, parental education, and combinations of those variables. We calculate incremental contributions of each set of circumstances to inequality. We provide rankings of countries based on unconditional inequalities (using conventional indices) and on conditional inequalities (EOp indices), and the two sets of rankings do not always coincide. Inequality of opportunities ranges from less than 1% to up to 27%, with substantial heterogeneity according to the year, the country, the subject and the specification of circumstances. Robustness checks based on bootstrap and the use of an alternative index confirm most of the initial results.
Puzzle based highly secure steganography

Steganography is the insertion of secret data inside a normal cover media such as digital image, audio, video or text. The inserted message must not be damaged when processing is applied on the cover media. Several image processing operations such as format conversion, lossy and lossless compression, noise removal and other enhancement. This paper presents multi layer image encryption and decryption using random puzzle based method to embed secret data into the cover image. This approach enhances the security and provides robust embedding. In this work, a 8×8 Sudoku puzzle which has a 64×64 reference matrix is used. The proposed method gives a superior average capacity of 5 bits per pixel. The message is embedded at the sender using random permutation puzzle. At the Receiver end, the user has to rearrange the image thereby solving the puzzle. The attacker lacks knowledge of original image order and is unable to solve the puzzle. Our outcome indicate that the recommended approach provides high steganographic security while providing high embedding capacity of about 5 bits per pixel. A brief analysis of the performance and security aspects of the proposed method are presented.
Las estrategias de marketing de las ciudades patrimonio como destinos turísticos: el caso de Toledo 30o aniversario.

espanolLa ciudad de Toledo goza de un entorno historico-artistico en el que se puede apreciar como musulmanes, judios y cristianos convivieron en armonia durante siglos. De ahi que la UNESCO la declarase Patrimonio de la Humidad el 26 de noviembre de 1986. Este reconocimiento ha sido conmemorado en su 30o aniversario por el Ayuntamiento toledano mediante la organizacion durante un ano de una gran variedad de eventos, los cuales han sido de diversa indole, aunque todos ellos tenian el objetivo comun de la promocion conjunta de gastronomia, cultura, ocio y religion. Esta promocion se ha basado en unas estrategias de marketing turistico centradas en la comunicacion y en la marca. A su vez, con estas estrategias se ha conseguido posicionar a la Ciudad Imperial como destino turistico para pernoctar, un problema con el que contaba esta localidad desde hace tiempo por su proximidad a Madrid. EnglishToledo enjoys a historic-artistic environment where one can appreciate how Muslims, Jews, and Christians would coexist in harmony for centuries. Therefore, the city was recognized as World Heritage Site by UNESCO on Nov. 26, 1986. Toledo’s City Council recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of this award, by organizing an agenda of diverse events for the past year, many of them of different nature, but with a common goal: the joint promotion of local gastronomy, culture, leisure, and religion. This promotion was based on a series of tourism marketing strategies focused on communication, and brand. Simultaneously, these strategies positioned the Imperial City as an overnight tourism destination, something which has been a long-standing concern in this city due to its proximity to Madrid.