Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance models of statistical multiplexing in packet video communications

Models and results are presented that assess the performance of statistical multiplexing of independent video sources. Presented results indicate that the probability of buffering (or delaying) video data beyond an acceptable limit drops dramatically as the number of multiplexed sources increases beyond one. This demonstrates that statistical or asynchronous time-division multiplexing (TDM) can efficiently absorb temporal variations of the bit rate of individual sources without the significant variations in reception quality exhibited by multimode videocoders for synchronous TDM or circuit-switched transmission. Two source models are presented. The first model is an autoregressive continuous-state, discrete-time Markov process, which was used to generate source data in simulation experiments. The second model is a discrete-state, continuous-time Markov process that was used in deriving a fluid-flow queuing analysis. The presented study shows that both models generated consistent numerical results in terms of queuing performance. >
Irradiance-induced plasticity in the hydraulic properties of saplings of different temperate broad-leaved forest tree species.

We assessed the irradiance-related plasticity of hydraulic architecture in saplings of Betula pendula Roth. , a pioneer species; Acer pseudoplatanus L. , Fraxinus excelsior L. and Quercus robur L. , which are post-pioneer light-requiring species; and Quercus petraea Matt. Liebl. and Fagus sylvatica L. Plants were grown in pots in 36%, 16% and 4% of full sunlight. Hydraulic conductance was measured with a high-pressure flow-meter in entire, in situ root systems and in excised shoots. Leaf-specific whole-plant conductance (LSC) increased with irradiance, due, in part, to an effect of irradiance on plant size. In addition, there was a size-independent effect of irradiance on LSC due, in part, to an increase in root hydraulic conductance paralleled by an increase in root biomass scaled to leaf area. Changes in shoot conductivity also contributed to the size-independent plasticity of LSC. Vulnerability to cavitation measured in current-year twigs was much larger in shade-grown plants. Betula pendula had the highest whole-plant, root and shoot conductances and also the greatest vulnerability to cavitation. The other species were similar in LSC, but showed some variation in root conductance scaled to biomass, with Q. robur, Q. petraea and F. sylvatica having the lowest root conductance and susceptibility to cavitation. All species showed a similar irradiance-related plasticity in LSC.
Differential expression of the heavy‐chain ferritin gene in non‐adhered and adhered oligodendrocytes

Oligodendrocytes (OLGs) synthesize and maintain central nervous system myelin. Little is known about the molecules and pathways involved in signaling the commencement of myelination; yet myelination is spatially and temporally controlled. We are interested in deciphering the signaling events that control the on and off switch of myelination. To address these questions we are using an in vitro model system consisting of pure cultures of OLGs, isolated from post‐myelination brains. We have shown that in vitro, these OLGs regenerate and reenact the ontogenic development of myelin upon adhesion to a substratum; we have also shown that when transplanted in vivo, they can form myelin. Hence, identifying the genes that are turned on upon OLG adhesion seemed a worthwhile approach to singling out those genes that are critical to the differentiation process. For this we adopted a novel technique—differential display—that permits the comparison of gene expression under two sets of conditions; in our case between non‐adhered and adhered OLGs. Using the differential display method in conjunction with a set of five arbitrary primers, we have identified five cDNAs that are activated upon OLG substratum adhesion. Four of these cDNAs proved to be fragments of the heavy (H)‐chain ferritin cDNA. H‐chain ferritin is involved in the rapid sequestration and delivery of iron; it is also a cytoprotectant. Brain iron is localized predominantly in OLGs. Our finding that the expression of H‐chain ferritin is upregulated upon OLG regeneration/differentiation agrees with reports, in other cell types, that H‐chain ferritin transcription is modulated by factors that control cell growth and differentiation. The enhanced transcription results in a twofold augmentation in ferritin synthesis. This is the first demonstration of an adherence‐mediated activation of the H‐chain ferritin gene. The observation has interesting implications. The transcription of the H‐chain ferritin gene is associated with tissue stress such as might occur during rapid cell growth. The fact that this transcription takes place upon OLG‐substratum adhesion can be viewed as another manifestation of the anchorage‐induced signal that drives OLGs toward a differentiation program. This entails the synthesis of all the necessary components for the assembly of large quantities of membranes, hence constituting a period of rapid growth and considerable cell stress. We have sequenced the full‐length ferritin cDNA of ovine OLGs; the cDNA is 775 bp long. The coding sequence starts at residue 57 with the ATG codon and terminates at residue 602, with the stop codon TAA. The cDNA codes for 181 amino acids with a predicted size for the protein of 22 kD. The deduced amino acid sequence is 93% identical to human ferritin. We postulate that OLG H‐chain ferritin may function at more than one level: 1) it provides the iron required to sustain an oxidative metabolism; and 2) it acts as a cytoprotectant against oxidant‐mediated injury. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Beyond Lending: How Multilateral Banks Can Help Developing Countries Manage Volatility

1. Causes and Consequences of High Volatility in Developing Countries 2. The Role of Financial Insurance and Hedging 3. Dealing with Liquidity Shocks and the Procyclicality of Private Capital Flows 4. Dealing with Currency Risks 5. Dealing with Commodity Price, Terms of Trade, and Output Risks 6. Dealing with Natural Disaster Risks 7. Why Multilateral Development Bank Practices Are So Far from Their Potential 8. An Agenda Going Forward
Development of aerobic and anaerobic metabolism in cardiac and skeletal muscles from harp and hooded seals

SUMMARY In diving animals, skeletal muscle adaptations to extend underwater time despite selective vasoconstriction include elevated myoglobin (Mb) concentrations, high acid buffering ability (β) and high aerobic and anaerobic enzyme activities. However, because cardiac muscle is perfused during dives, it may rely less heavily on Mb, β and anaerobic pathways to support contractile activity. In addition, because cardiac tissue must sustain contractile activity even before birth, it may be more physiologically mature at birth and/or develop faster than skeletal muscles. To test these hypotheses, we measured Mb levels, β and the activities of citrate synthase (CS), β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HOAD) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in cardiac and skeletal muscle samples from 72 harp and hooded seals, ranging in age from fetuses to adults. Results indicate that in adults cardiac muscle had lower Mb levels (14.7%), β (55.5%) and LDH activity (36.2%) but higher CS (459.6%) and HOAD (371.3%) activities (all P<0.05) than skeletal muscle. In addition, while the cardiac muscle of young seals had significantly lower [Mb] (44.7%) β (80.7%) and LDH activity (89.5%) than adults (all P<0.05), it was relatively more mature at birth and weaning than skeletal muscle. These patterns are similar to those in terrestrial species, suggesting that seal hearts do not exhibit unique adaptations to the challenges of an aquatic existence.
Just how expert are “expert” video-game players? Assessing the experience and expertise of video-game players across “action” video-game genres

Video-game play (particularly “action” video-games) holds exciting promise as an activity that may provide generalized enhancement to a wide range of perceptual and cognitive abilities (for review see Latham et al., 2013a). However, in this article we make the case that to assess accurately the effects of video-game play researchers must better characterize video-game experience and expertise. This requires a more precise and objective assessment of an individual's video-game history and skill level, and making finer distinctions between video-games that fall under the umbrella of “action” games. Failure to consider these factors may partly be responsible for mixed findings (see Boot et al., 2011).
Firm Size and Monetary Policy Transmission: A Theoretical Model on the Role of Capital Investment Expenditures

This paper presents a dynamic investment model that explains differences in the sensitivity of small- and large-sized firms to changes in the money market interest rate. In contrast to existing studies on the firm size effects of monetary policy, the importance of firms as monetary transmission channel does not originate from credit market imperfections, but from size-related differences in the degree of investment irreversibility. The degree of investment irreversibility is determined by sunk capital investment expenditures. We show that size-related differences in sunk investment expenditures have two interdependent effects: they (i) affect the optimal investment behavior of small- and large-sized firms and (ii) account for differences in the interest rate sensitivity of smalland large-firm investment. We illustrate that sunk investment expenditures affect the region of zero and non-zero investment activity and, hence, the frequency at which large and small firms change investment regimes. Furthermore, sunk investment costs determine the extent to which small- and large-firm investment displays discrete jumps. We find that large firms change investment regimes less frequently than small firms and that swings in investment are more accentuated for large than for small firms. We illustrate that the response of small- and large-firm investment to monetary policy actions depends on the magnitude of the monetary policy shock.
A Comparative Study of Growth Performance and Feed Efficiency in Dominant Black strain, Fulani Ecotype chicken and Progeny from their Reciprocal Crosses

A study of the relative performance of a local chicken (Fulani Ecotype or FExFE), an exotic chicken (Dominant Black or DBxDB), and their reciprocal crosses (DBxFE and FExDB) was undertaken. A total of three hundred and thirty (330) chickens comprising 100 DBxDB, 80 DBxFE, 80 FExDB and 70 FExFE were studied. All animals were raised from day old to 21 weeks age contemporaneously under identical housing, feeding and management procedures during which growth parameters were measured. Significant (p DBxFE 1346.80±3.05 > DBxDB 1314.40±3.61) over the 21 week experimental period. FExFE had significantly (p FExFE 67.50±0.02) over the same period. Low mortality (≤ 2%) occurred across genotypes with FExFE having the least mortality. The results indicated that reciprocal crossing of pure local Fulani Ecotype with exotic Dominant Black strain produces chickens with indistinguishable Feed Efficiency from the highly improved Dominant Black, and superior to the pure Fulani. Cross breeding of the type reported here may therefore serve as a tool for improving efficiency of Fulani Ecotype local poultry whilst retaining elements of their valued characteristics which include meat value. Further studies will evaluate the hybrids (F1) of FE and DB for retention of desirable characteristics of local breeds.
A Comparative Study of the Elastic Wave Radiation from Earthquakes and Underground Explosions

Summary A detailed analysis of the surface wave radiation from two underground explosions (BILBY and SHOAL) and an earthquake near Fallon, Nevada, whose epicentre is only 60 km from SHOAL, indicates that: (1) at long periods the surface wave radiation from the earthquake can be explained by a pure quadrupole (double couple) source, but at higher frequencies the radiation pattern contains asymmetries which suggest effects due to rupture propagation; these would require higher-order multipole terms in the source equivalent representation; (2) the surface waves from the explosions can be explained by superimposed monopole and quadrupole sources, with no indication of higher-order multipole terms, at least in the period range comparable to that in which the earthquake signal was recorded; (3) the principal conclusion of this study is that the anomalous radiation from the explosions is probably due to stress relaxation around the shock-generated shatter zone and not due to earthquake triggering. Comparative analysis of SHOAL and FALLON shows that: (1) the ratio of the Love wave amplitude generated by the earthquake to the Love wave amplitude from the explosion increases with period, which implies a larger source dimension for FALLON; (2) the normalized spectral ratio of Love wave amplitude to Rayleigh wave amplitude, considered as a function of period, is nearly constant and close to unity for the explosions, but larger for the earthquake by a factor of two or three, and increasing with period. These differences might be useful in distinguishing earthquakes from explosions (at least in the magnitude range of the events used in this study, mb 4.4 and above), as well as for estimating source parameters, such as stress, which are of fundamental geophysical interest.
Low dose of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can induce acute oxidative stress, inflammation and pulmonary impairment in healthy mice

Air pollution is associated with morbidity and mortality induced by respiratory diseases. However, the mechanisms therein involved are not yet fully clarified. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that a single acute exposure to low doses of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) may induce functional and histological lung changes and unchain inflammatory and oxidative stress processes. PM2.5 was collected from the urban area of São Paulo city during 24 h and underwent analysis for elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contents. Forty-six male BALB/c mice received intranasal instillation of 30 μL of saline (CTRL) or PM2.5 at 5 or 15 μg in 30 μL of saline (P5 and P15, respectively). Twenty-four hours later, lung mechanics were determined. Lungs were then prepared for histological and biochemical analysis. P15 group showed significantly increased lung impedance and alveolar collapse, as well as lung tissue inflammation, oxidative stress and damage. P5 presented values between CTRL and P15: higher mechanical impedance and inflammation than CTRL, but lower inflammation and oxidative stress than P15. In conclusion, acute exposure to low doses of fine PM induced lung inflammation, oxidative stress and worsened lung impedance and histology in a dose-dependent pattern in mice.
An Instrumented Vehicle for Efficient and Accurate 3D Mapping of Roads

This article describes an electric vehicle equipped with a laser scanner and a highly accurate absolute positioning system aimed at surveying the geometry of roads. The main advantages of the proposed system with respect to conventional topographic procedures are the possibility of achieving a much higher density of surveyed points and its efficiency while keeping almost the same accuracy—a standard deviation of 12 mm of absolute error. The data acquisition process is managed by an on‐board computer which, in a synchronized way, deals with laser scanning and readings from three real‐time‐kinematics‐enabled millimeter GPS receivers. The three‐dimensional position and orientation of the vehicle (6 degrees of freedom) all along its trajectory is calculated off‐line by a custom software and, with that information, the system also obtains the absolute coordinates of the road scanned points. This article also presents a rigorous description regarding the theory behind 3D reconstruction and the calibration process.
Dietary phosphorus and kidney disease

High serum phosphate is linked to poor health outcome and mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients before or after the initiation of dialysis. Therefore, maintenance of normal serum phosphate levels is a major concern in the clinical care of this population with dietary phosphorus restriction and/or use of oral phosphate binders considered to be the best corrective care. This review discusses (1) evidence for an association between serum phosphate levels and bone and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in CKD patients as well as progression of kidney disease itself; (2) the relationship between serum phosphate and dietary phosphorus intake; and (3) implications from these data for future research. Increasing our understanding of the relationship between altered phosphorus metabolism and disease in CKD patients may clarify the potential role of excess dietary phosphorus as a risk factor for disease in the general population.
Merger Gains Induced by Dividend Tax Capitalization

Under certain conditions shareholders will impound dividend taxes in equity prices. We demonstrate that such a capitalization of dividend taxes may not only be seen as a value decreasing factor but also as a source of value. A mechanism which is proper to endow shareholders with gains derived from dividend tax capitalization is a corporate merger. In corporate mergers shareholders can receive financial synergies from differences in dividend tax rates across the shareholders of the acquired and acquiring firms. This Pareto-optimal synergistic gain is based on an arbitrage scheme which provides for a revaluation of future earnings with the lower dividend tax rates of other shareholder groups. The insight of our analysis also sheds light on the line of inquiry on dividend clienteles, i.e. shareholder groups characterized by their identical tax rates on dividends. The research on dividend clienteles suggests that a change in dividend policy is costly for shareholders (see Elton and Gruber 1970). It seems reasonable to suppose that such costs may incur in a corporate merger where at least one shareholder group should face a change in dividend policy. However, our finding that under dividend tax capitalization shareholders may receive financial synergies only due to differences in dividend tax rates contradicts this suggestion to some extent.
A Comparative Study of Differential Evolution Algorithms for Estimation of Kinetic Parameters

The problem of estimating kinetic parameters in dynamic models is important and even more difficult than with algebraic models. The solution of these types of problems is usually very difficult due to their highly nonlinear, multidimensional and multimodal nature. This paper presents a comparative study of Differential Evolution (DE) algorithms for solving such problems. In this work, two modified versions of DE algorithm [called Modified Differential evolution (MDE) and Trigonometric Differential Evolution (TDE)] are used to solve kinetic parameter estimation problems from chemical engineering field. The computational efficiency of MDE algorithm is compared with that of DE and TDE algorithms. Results indicate that performance of MDE algorithm is better than that of DE and TDE algorithms.
The Growth Strategies of Hotel Chains: Best Business Practices by Leading Companies

* Acknowledgments * Chapter 1. The Concept of a Strategy * Chapter 2. Competitive Strategies * Chapter 3. Diversification versus Specialization * Chapter 4. Vertical Integration * Chapter 5. Horizontal Integration * Chapter 6. Diagonal Integration * Chapter 7. Acquisitions and Mergers * Chapter 8. Strategic Alliances: The Case of Joint Ventures * Chapter 9. Franchise Contracts * Chapter 10. Management Contracts * Chapter 11. Leaseholds and Ownership * Chapter 12. Branding * Chapter 13. The Internationalization-Globalization of Hotel Chains * Notes * Bibliography * Index
In-Depth Analysis of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus MicroRNA Expression Provides Insights into the Mammalian MicroRNA-Processing Machinery

ABSTRACT We have used deep sequencing to analyze the pattern of viral microRNA (miRNA) expression observed in the B-cell line BC-3, which is latently infected with Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). We recovered 14.6 × 106 total miRNA cDNA reads, of which a remarkable 92% were of KSHV origin. We detected 11 KSHV miRNAs as well as all 11 predicted miRNA* or passenger strands from the miRNA duplex intermediate. One previously reported KSHV miRNA, miR-K9, was found to be mutationally inactivated. This analysis revealed that the 5′ ends of 10 of the 11 KSHV miRNAs were essentially invariant, with significantly more variation being observed at the 3′ end, a result which is consistent with the proposal that the 5′-proximal region of miRNAs is critical for target mRNA recognition. However, one KSHV miRNA, miR-K10-3p, was detected in two isoforms differing by 1 nucleotide (nt) at the 5′ end that were present at comparable levels, and these two related KSHV miRNAs are therefore likely to target at least partially distinct mRNA populations. Finally, we also report the first detection of miRNA offset RNAs (moRs) in vertebrate somatic cells. moRs, which derive from primary miRNA (pri-miRNA) sequences that immediately flank the mature miRNA and miRNA* strands, were identified flanking one or both sides of nine of the KSHV miRNAs. These data provide new insights into the pattern of miRNA processing in mammalian cells and indicate that this process is highly conserved during animal evolution.
Electronic Commerce: Current Research Issues and Applications

Overview. - Electronic commerce: An overview. - The standardisation of flexible EDI messages. - Machine-negotiated, ontology-based EDI (Electronic Data Interchange). - Changes in the interchange agreements. - Advanced electronic commerce security in a workflow environment. - Temporal reasoning for automated workflow in health care enterprises. - The information marketplace: Achieving success in commercial applications.
Simulation of optical transmission enhancements for the silver nanoparticles embedded in the silica layer atop the silicon substrate

Different structures of the silver nanoparticles embedded in the silica layer atop the silicon substrate are simulated by the finite-difference time-domain method. The effects of nanoparticle size, period, and the silica layer thickness are studied and the comparisons of the structures with and without the silica layers are given. It is found that the optical transmissions are enhanced for the cases with the silver nanoparticles embedded in the silica layer.