Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Image Compressed Sensing Reconstruction by Collaborative Use of Statistical and Structural Priors

In this paper, we propose a novel compressed sensing (CS) algorithm by collaborative use of statistical and structural priors of natural images. The statistical priors include two aspects which are the statistical dependencies of wavelet coefficients in transform domain and non-local self- similarity among pixels in spatial domain. And the structural prior refers to the structural dependencies of wavelet coefficients in transform domain. Our algorithm which employs both multi- domain as well as multi-class prior information is realized under the framework of iterative hard thresholding (IHT). The reconstruction process is divided into two stages. In the first stage, the local statistical prior model is used to correct the signal estimation to obtain the preliminary estimation. In the second stage, first the non- local self-similarity model, and then the global structural prior model are employed to further refine the preliminary estimation. The results show that our algorithm outperforms the state of art. Our algorithm can be utilized in efficient communication in multimedia internet of vehicles (IoV). We demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithm for multimedia IoV devices by showing its capacity in reducing the amount of multimedia data need to be transmitted while improving the recovery quality.
Multi-step linear predictors-based blind equalization of multiple-input multiple-output channels

Blind equalization of MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) communications channels is considered using primarily the second-order statistics of the data. In several applications the underlying equivalent discrete-time mathematical model is that of a MIMO linear system where the number of inputs equals the number of users (sources) and the number of outputs is related to the number of sensors and the sampling rate. Previously we investigated the structure of multi-step linear predictors for IIR/FIR MIMO systems with irreducible transfer functions and derived an upper bound on its length (Tugnait 1998). In the past multi-step linear predictors have been considered in the literature only for single-input multiple-output models. In this paper we apply the results of Tugnait (1998) for blind equalization of MIMO channels using MMSE linear equalizers. Extensions to the case where the "subchannel" transfer functions have common zeros/factors is also investigated. An illustrative simulation example is provided.
Sea level changes monitoring using GNSS technology– a review of recent efforts

Sea level is traditionally observed with tide gauges (TG). These measurements are relative to the Earth’s crust. To improve the understanding of sea level changes it is necessary to perform measurements with respect to the Earth’s center of mass. This can be done with satellite techniques. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is a tool that can solves several hundred kilometers vectors with centimeter level of accuracy and can measure point height changes relative to the reference ellipsoid WGS84 which is centred at the actual center of mass of the Earth. Although in the past two decades GNSS were used in almost every field of geodetic measurements, it is still almost not in use in the field of sea level monitoring. Attempts of using GNSS equipped buoys for the determination of precise sea level (at centimeter level) were successful and suggest that GNSS is capable of replacing the conventional tide gauges. A review of recent efforts made on observing sea level variations using data from a GNSS receivers were presented here. Furthermore, presented review resulted in a conclusion that the use of a GNSS based Tide Gauge (GNSSTG) system for the determination of sea level changes is possible, and that its accuracy level (averaged) is equal to a float based tide gauge. More than that, an absolute change of sea level should be easier to be determined using GNSSTG system ISSN: 0001-5113 AADRAY ACTA ADRIAT. , 55(2): 145 162, 2014
Autonomic mediation of the pressor responses to isometric exercise in humans.

The purpose of this study was to determine the respective contributions of tachycardia and increases in sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) in mediating the pressor responses to fatiguing vs. nonfatiguing levels of isometric handgrip exercise (IHE) in humans. We performed direct (microneurographic) measurements of muscle SNA from the right peroneal nerve in the leg and recorded arterial pressure (AP) and heart rate (HR) in eight healthy subjects before (control), during, and after 2.5 min of IHE at 15, 25, or 35% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). At 15% MVC, AP increased during the initial 1.5 min of IHE (7 mmHg, P less than 0.05) and remained at this level; at 25 and 35% MVC, AP increased throughout IHE (22 and 34 mmHg vs. control, respectively, P less than 0.05). HR increased during the initial 1.5 min of IHE at all three levels (5, 12, and 19 beats/min, respectively, P less than 0.05) but did not increase further over the last minute. At 15% MVC, muscle SNA did not increase above control; during 25 and 35% MVC, muscle SNA did not increase during the 1st min of IHE but increased progressively thereafter (109 and 205% vs. control, respectively, P less than 0.05). The magnitudes of the average increases in AP and muscle SNA over the last minute of IHE were directly related (r = 0.99, P less than 0.01). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Increased 5‐HT contractile response in late pregnant rat myometrium is associated with a higher density of 5‐HT2A receptors

The 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) type 2 receptor family is involved in multiple physiological functions in smooth muscle including proliferation, differentiation and contraction. In myometrium, 5‐HT2 receptors not only play a role in contraction but also regulate the activity of hypertrophic genes during pregnancy. Here we investigated whether 5‐HT2A receptors were up‐regulated during gestation and whether changes in expression could be correlated with changes in 5‐HT‐induced contractions in late pregnant myometrium. 5‐HT tension dose–response curves showed that 5‐HT‐induced myometrial contractility is drastically increased in late pregnancy when compared to non‐pregnant conditions. The 5‐HT maximum tension (% of 80 mm KCl contracture) increased from 17 ± 2% in non‐pregnant to 54 ± 7% in late pregnant myometrium. This tension increase took place without significant changes in the 5‐HT sensitivity as EC50 values were similar in non‐pregnant and late pregnant myometrium (0.11 ± 0.03 μm and 0.17 ± 0.02 μm, respectively). The increased 5‐HT‐induced contraction at the end of pregnancy was associated with up‐regulation of 5‐HT2A transcript (∼5‐fold) and protein (∼6‐fold) levels. These functional and biochemical studies provide evidence that myometrium remodelling during pregnancy is in part associated with up‐regulation of 5‐HT2A transcript and protein levels resulting in higher 5‐HT‐induced contractile responses. We conclude that the higher 5‐HT‐induced contractile response results from a higher density of 5‐HT2A receptors having the same properties as in non‐pregnant myometrium.
CMOS positive feedback latch structures for complementary signal edge alignment

This paper presents both fully complementary and symmetrical CMOS latch structures for complementary signal edge alignment, derived from NOR and NAND based CMOS latch implementations. Inherent edge misalignment, e.g. such caused by a technology imperfection or a design asymmetry, could decrease the robustness of a CMOS realisation of the latch structure. Therefore, latch topologies which employ positive feedback are introduced here in order to address this issue. The latches were designed and compared in the sense of the robustness by simulations using the TSMC 40nm CMOS technology device models.
The psychological impact of a cancer diagnosis on families: The influence of family functioning and patients' illness characteristics on depression and anxiety

A diagnosis of cancer is a very stressful event for the patients and their families. Patients, partners and other family members can suffer from clinical levels of depression and severe levels of anxiety and stress reactions. The similarity in levels of distress between patients and partners and patients and offspring suggests that there are common factors that impact on families' distress levels. The current study examined levels of depression and anxiety in newly diagnosed adult patients (n=48) and their adult relatives (n=99). Family functioning and patients' illness characteristics were identified as factors that might impact on families' depression and anxiety. Results from multilevel models indicated that family functioning was important. Families that were able to act openly, express feelings directly, and solve problems effectively had lower levels of depression. Direct communication of information within the family was associated with lower levels of anxiety. Aside from differences anxiety due to cancer type, patients' illness characteristics appear to be risk factors in patients' but not relatives' depression and anxiety. The results from the current study suggest that researchers and clinicians need to be family‐focused as cancer affects the whole family, not just the patient. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Internet of Things Application using IP-enabled Sensor Node and Web Server

Internet has evolved from connecting computers to connecting everyday things that interacts with the environment. Embedded devices that are IP-enabled can be employed for real time remote monitoring in the Internet of Things (IoT) environment. This work demonstrates an efficient method of real time remote monitoring of environmental parameters using Intel Galileo –an IP sensor node that acquires the data from the environment like temperature, pressure etc. and a server that is connected to the Wi-Fi router that acts as a gateway for this network. The Web server provides the real time sensor information with dynamic updates in the form of webpage to the remote client.
What to tell cancer patients. A study of medical attitudes.

A questionnaire and interviews were used to study the policies of 219 physicians about "telling" cancer patients. Ninety per cent indicated a preference for not telling. Although clinical experience was cited by three-quarters as the major policy determinant, the data bear no relation to experience or age. Instead, inconsistencies, opinionatedness, and resistance to change and to research were found which indicated emotion-laden a priori personal judgments as the real determinants. Feared reactions to telling (e.g., suicide) could rarely be substantiated. Equally undocumented assumptions were given as justifications for telling. Underlying were feelings of pessimism and futility about cancer. The strong feelings mobilized by our deep and serious concerns for cancer patients, and our difficulties in helping them, stimulate denial mechanisms. These responses, unfortunately, operate as interferences to progress in cancer therapy.
The role of the carrier in the formulation of pharmaceutical solid dispersions. Part I: crystalline and semi-crystalline carriers

ABSTRACT Introduction: As a consequence of the target and drug candidate identification process, drugs with higher hydrophobicity and/or lipophilicity are being selected for further development, leading to solubility and dissolution rate limited oral bioavailability, and hence potential failure of the intended therapeutic goal. Solid dispersions were introduced as a formulation strategy in the early 1960s to tackle this issue and are still an area of intensive research activity. Areas covered: There has been a shift in the type of carriers that were used in the formulation of solid dispersions as nowadays, amorphous carriers are most often used, whereas in early stages of solid dispersions development, crystalline and semi-crystalline carriers were most commonly applied. In this review, we will discuss several aspects related to the use of crystalline and semi-crystalline carriers such as their molecular and related physical structure, and their physical chemical properties related to formulation of poorly soluble drugs. Expert opinion: The inherent crystallinity of this type of carrier hinders the formation of high-load solid solutions as mainly the amorphous domains of a carrier are able to accommodate drug molecules. Hence these carriers are not currently first choice excipients to formulate solid dispersions.
Direct-Coupled Cavity Filter in Ridge Gap Waveguide

This paper describes a novel design for a direct-coupled cavity filter realization using a ridge gap waveguide technology. A ridge gap waveguide transmission line with two coaxial feed connectors is designed and operated within the frequency band of 10-13 GHz. A cavity is coupled to the transmission line to achieve bandstop filter characteristic. Then, the structure of the filter is modified in a way to generate a bandpass feature. The final manufactured prototype is a fourth-order bandpass filter, operating at the center frequency of 11.59 GHz with a bandwidth of 72 MHz. The proposed design has potential applications in channeling filters for telecommunication satellites.
The development and application of an incident management system for the Northern section of Ninglian expressway

The Nanjing-Lianyungang Expressway, which is referred to in this paper as the NingLian Expressway, was opened to traffic in 1999 and operated normally without an incident management system until March 2006. To improve the safety and emergency service of the northern section of the Expressway, an incident management system was developed and applied. Three major parts of the system, namely the demand analysis, system design, and system application, are described in this paper. For the demand analysis, the management method for the northern section of the NingLian Expressway, which can be regarded as representative of the management of most of the expressways in Jiangsu Province and even the whole country, was first investigated. Next, the detailed state of affairs and the relationships between the interrelated agencies involved in incident management were analysed and the resource distribution of each agency was determined. Finally, a demand analysis of an incident management system, that is most suitable for Chinese expressways, was completed. The principal functions of the system design are as follows: confirmation of the incident classification, real-time incident information display based on an integrated GIS map and automatic generation of an incident plan by the rules-based expert system, control of the incident management process, real-time incident information dissemination via mobile phone short message service and Internet sites and automatic generation of management report forms. The system has been formally in use since April 2006 at the management centre of the northern section of NingLian Expressway. According to the statistical analysis, by September 2006, the decision-making correctness rate of the expert system was above 85% and the mean rescue time was reduced by 30%.
Mitochondrial D‐loop 3′ (CA)n repeat polymorphism: Optimization of analysis and population data

We report a dinucleotide repeat polymorphism in the 3′ area of the mitochondrial control region. The fragments obtained using a new primer set could be reliably separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) using nondenaturing gels. A total of five alleles [(CA)3 to (CA)7] were detected on silver‐stained gels. The 90 bp product corresponds to allele 5. Samples from one African and three European populations were characterized. Significant differences could be demonstrated as to the incidence of single alleles and allele distributions in different populations. These differences were found between the three European and one African Bantu population. For specific forensic questions the mitochondrial CA repeat is well suited. Gene diversities in populations of Germany, Hungary, the Russian Federation and Cameroon were 0.36, 0.40, 0.34, 0.52, respectively.
On Languages With Very High Space-Bounded Kolmogorov Complexity

It is shown that if a language recognizable in exponential space is bounded truth-table reducible in polynomial time to a language with very high space-bounded Kolmogorov complexity, then it is bounded truth-table reducible in polynomial time to a sparse language.There are a number of corollaries, including the following: (a) no language with very high space-bounded Kolmogorov complexity is $ \leqslant _{btt}^{\text{P}} $-hard for NP, unless ${\text{P}} = {\text{NP}}$; (b) no language with very high space-bounded Kolmogorov complexity is $ \leqslant _{btt}^{\text{P}} $-hard for the class of languages accepted in exponential time.
An automatic technique to obtain the equivalent circuit of aluminum electrolytic capacitors

This paper presents an economic and automatic experimental technique that allows the determination of the equivalent circuit of aluminum electrolytic capacitors at their operating conditions. The equivalent circuit of an electrolytic capacitor comprises an equivalent series inductance (ESL), an equivalent series resistance (ESR) and a capacitance (C). Both C and ESR values change with frequency, temperature and aging. The knowledge of the capacitor ESR value is essential to achieve the best design proposal for switch mode power supplies (SMPS) and in the selection of the best capacitors used in the DC link of adjustable speed drives (ASD). On the other hand, the accurate knowledge of the capacitor capacitance is also very important in the rectifiers design and in the choice of the best capacitor for the DC link of ASD. Moreover, the knowledge of both parameters allows the evaluation of the capacitor state condition. To implement the proposed technique, two distinct circuits should be considered. The first one accounts for the estimation of the ESR and reactance of the capacitor, while the second one allows the estimation of the capacitor capacitance. To implement the first circuit, it is necessary to put the capacitor under test in series with a resistor and connect them to a sinusoidal voltage. The relationship between the gain and phase of the capacitor voltage and current waveforms, obtained from sinusoidal fitting, gives enough information to compute both ESR and reactance of the capacitor. The second circuit is a simple charge/discharge circuit. From the relationship between the capacitor current and voltage, during discharge, it is possible to compute its capacitance using the least mean square algorithm.
High oxygen transfer rate in a new aeration system using hollow fiber membrane

A new type of bubble aeration column called a hollow fiber membrane (HFM) aeration column was proposed, which was featured in the use of hollow fiber membranes and gave a high bubble density in the column. The value of kLa was increased by modifying the membrane surface for making the pore size smaller. The Sauter mean diameter of bubbles (Dvs) was 2.0 ± 0.1 mm in the range of the superficial gas velocity from 0.02 m s−1 to 0.065 m s−1, while that obtained for the bubbles near the membrane was 811 μm at the superficial gas velocity of 4.0 × 10−4 m s−1. The difference was ascribed to the effect of coalescence of bubbles. The value of KLa increased in proportion to the superficial gas velocity up to 0.02 m s−1, and was almost constant above 0.03 m s−1. The maximum value of kLa, 2.5 s−1, was higher than those of the other aeration columns reported previously. The pneumatic power consumption per unit liquid volume (Pv) for obtaining the same kLa was the smallest in the HFM aeration columns. Pv, for obtaining the same interfacial area of bubbles per liquid volume, was also lower than those for other types of aeration columns. It was suggested from the measurement of bubble diameter that the larger interfacial area generated in the HFM aeration column ascribes to the larger gas holdup than the smaller Dvs. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Paediatric issues relating to the pharmacotherapy of allergic rhinitis

The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in children has risen significantly over the last two decades. Important comorbidities like asthma have grown in parallel due to a complex mix of environmental and genetic factors. These conditions have similar allergic inflammatory mechanisms, which raises the possibility of treating both conditions by targeting shared inflammatory mediators pharmacologically. The first line treatment for paediatric allergic rhinitis is a topical nasal corticosteroid or a non-sedating antihistamine. Available intranasal corticosteroids show superior symptom control to second-generation antihistamines. However, most topical steroids and non-sedating antihistamines have equivalent clinical efficacy within their respective classes, so the choice of agent depends on safety and tolerability. Ideally, topical nasal steroids should exhibit high local receptor binding affinity and low systemic bioavailability, allied with a lack of long-term growth suppression in children and adolescents. Regular use of topical steroids is advisable, but intermittent and prophylactic use is also effective. Second-generation antihistamines are effective and some have no adverse cardiac or sedative effects. Non-sedating antihistamine treatment can ameliorate rhinitis-induced decrements in learning. α-Adrenergic nasal decongestants provide short-term benefit, but topical agents can cause rebound symptoms. Prophylactic treatment with chromones is safe and effective, but multiple daily dosing is needed. Ipratroprium bromide nasal spray is useful as an intermittent therapy for mild disease or as add-on treatment, but its effect is limited to the control of rhinorrhoea. Children with allergic rhinitis should receive pharmacotherapy if allergen avoidance measures are ineffective, ideally with a topical intranasal steroid or a second-generation antihistamine.
Gender differences in GAD antibody – positive diabetes mellitus in relation to age at onset, C‐peptide and other endocrine autoimmune diseases

Females have an increased incidence of autoimmune diseases. However, no gender difference in the incidence of type 1 diabetes is found. The frequency of antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADA) in diabetes mellitus depends on age at diagnosis and also gender. Several studies have shown that high GADA levels can predict future β‐cell failure and need for insulin treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate possible gender differences in relation to GADA levels, fasting plasma C‐peptide levels and frequency of other autoimmune endocrine diseases in GADA‐positive patients with different age at diabetes diagnosis.