Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
End-to-End Performance Evaluation for MIMO-OSTBC Adaptive Modulation Over Rayleigh Fading Channel

This paper presents end-to-end performance evaluation for adaptive Orthogonal Space-Time Block Codes (OSTBC) Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) communication system over frequency selective Rayleigh fading channel. The system operates with one, two, three or four transmit or receive antennas to transmit and receive any frame. The system uses an adaptation algorithm that dynamically adjusts the used number of transmit and receive antennas based on the difference between the target and actual frame-error rates (FER) of the overall system. In this way, the performance of the system can be controlled adaptively. Alamouti and other adaptation algorithms are implemented in this system. The results show that FER improve significantly as the SNR increases and when the SNR is small, the adaptive algorithms successfully adjust the use of MIMO antenna to compensate the impairment caused by the faded and noisy channel.
The neuropeptide GsMTx4 inhibits a mechanosensitive BK channel through the voltage-dependent modification specific to mechano-gating

The cardiac mechanosensitive BK (Slo1) channels are gated by Ca2+, voltage, and membrane stretch. The neuropeptide GsMTx4 is a selective inhibitor of mechanosensitive (MS) channels. It has been reported to suppress stretch-induced cardiac fibrillation in the heart, but the mechanism underlying the specificity and even the targeting channel(s) in the heart remain elusive. Here, we report that GsMTx4 inhibits a stretch-activated BK channel (SAKcaC) in the heart through a modulation specific to mechano-gating. We show that membrane stretching increases while GsMTx4 decreases the open probability (Po) of SAKcaC. These effects were mostly abolished by the deletion of the STREX axis-regulated (STREX) exon located between RCK1 and RCK2 domains in BK channels. Single-channel kinetics analysis revealed that membrane stretch activates SAKcaC by prolonging the open-time duration (τO) and shortening the closed-time constant (τC). In contrast, GsMTx4 reversed the effects of membrane stretch, suggesting that GsMTx4 inhibits SAKcaC activity by interfering with mechano-gating of the channel. Moreover, GsMTx4 exerted stronger efficacy on SAKcaC under membrane-hyperpolarized/resting conditions. Molecular dynamics simulation study revealed that GsMTx4 appeared to have the ability to penetrate deeply within the bilayer, thus generating strong membrane deformation under the hyperpolarizing/resting conditions. Immunostaining results indicate that BK variants containing STREX are also expressed in mouse ventricular cardiomyocytes. Our results provide common mechanisms of peptide actions on MS channels and may give clues to therapeutic suppression of cardiac arrhythmias caused by excitatory currents through MS channels under hyper-mechanical stress in the heart.
Detecting and Assessing Desertification using Landscape Metrics in GIS Environment (Case Study: Ain-e-khosh Region, Iran)

In Iran, desertification and landscape fragmentation are occurring as a result of demographic pressure, agricultural expansion, government policies and environmental factors such as drought. In this study, land use/cover and landscape change dynamics were investigated using satellite remote sensing (RS) and geographical information system (GIS). Landscape metrics were derived from land use/cover maps of the years 1977 and 2007 to indicate desertification in the study area, Ain-e-khosh region, Iran. Using Ain-e-khosh region as a case, this study aims to test landscape metrics capability in indicating desertification and analyzing temporal fragmentation changes. The temporal change analysis of fragmentation provides detailed characterization of desertification processes. Poor rangeland and barren land areas have become more fragmented and are characterized by the proliferation of much smaller and less connected patches. Results show a decrease in poor rangeland with an increase of agricultural land and sand plate areas. This suggests that anthropogenic activities driven by agricultural expansion are among the main causes of landscape fragmentation, leading to landscape degradation in the study area. This study demonstrates effectiveness of the RS and the GIS in detecting, assessing, mapping, monitoring and generating essential quantitative information on desertification.
LAYERS BASED SECURITY ISSUES IN CLOUD COMPUTING

Cloud computing is generally recognized as a technology which will have a significant impact on IT in the future. Cloud computing can offer a verity of services (Like networks, servers, Storage, application etc,) through the internet. Resources are available to the cloud. So we can access from cloud at any time and any location via the internet. In this paper we summarize Cloud computing Layer based security issues . We have suggested feasible and available solutions for the same.
THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA EVALUATION OF CARCASS QUALITY IN VILLAGE CHICKENS

The objective of the present study was to evaluate carcass quality of two commonly reared types of village chickens in Zambia, namely Guinea Fowl Spotted (GFS) and Naked Neck (NN). Ten breast muscles from each village chicken type were excised after slaughter as per established standards. The left halves were used for determination of shear force while the right halves were used for determination of p H and colour. The results showed that there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in all the parameters measured between the two types of village chickens. The breast muscle p H o f the G F S and N N chickens was 5.62 and 5.70, respectively. These values were within the normal ranges as the birds were slaughtered under similar and controlled conditions and therefore their post-mortem glycolysis was controlled. In terms of colour, the G F S recorded the L * value of 54.24 while N N recorded a value o f 52.52. Similarly, no differences were found because of the improved water holding capacity ( W H C ) of the muscles which influences colour of the meat by affecting the reflectance properfies of the muscles. The N N recorded a shear force value of 1.81 kg while the GFS recorded a value of 1.83 kg thereby showing the same level of tenderness. It is concluded that carcass quality o f the two strains is the same.
Cold Plasma Treatment as an Alternative for Ochratoxin A Detoxification and Inhibition of Mycotoxigenic Fungi in Roasted Coffee

Ochratoxin A (OTA) produced by mycotoxigenic fungi (Aspergillus and Penicillium spp.) is an extremely toxic and carcinogenic metabolite. The use of cold plasma to inhibit toxin-producing microorganisms in coffee could be an important alternative to avoid proliferation of mycotoxigenic fungi. Roasted coffee samples were artificially inoculated with A. westerdijikiae, A. steynii, A. versicolor, and A. niger, and incubated at 27 °C over 21 days for OTA production. Samples were cold plasma treated at 30 W input power and 850 V output voltage with helium at 1.5 L/min flow. OTA production in coffee was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer (HPLC-MS). After 6 min of treatment with cold plasma, fungi were completely inhibited (4 log reduction). Cold plasma reduces 50% of OTA content after 30 min of treatment. Toxicity was estimated for extracts of artificially contaminated roasted coffee samples using the brine shrimp (Artemia salina) lethality assay. Toxicity for untreated roasted coffee was shown to be “toxic”, while toxicity for cold plasma treated coffee was reduced to “slightly toxic”. These results suggested that cold plasma may be considered as an alternative method for the degradation and reduction of toxin production by mycotoxigenic fungi in the processing of foods and feedstuffs.
Effect of Psychological Distance on Intention in Self-Affirmation Theory

In previous studies, self-affirmation has been shown to have no effect or have a negative impact on intention to change. We applied construal level theory to examine possible reasons for inconsistencies among findings in existing self-affirmation studies. In Study 1, when female college students in their 20s (N = 113) received health threat information with a psychologically proximal breast cancer message, it induced low-level construal and increased specific physical activity intention. In Study 2, when self-affirmed participants were exposed to health threat information with a psychologically distal Alzheimer’s disease message, there was no increase in specific physical activity intention. These results suggest that when a discrepancy exists between the psychological distance of health threat information and the intention reflecting the construal level, no change of intention occurs, even in self-affirmed individuals.
A cellular atlas of Pitx2-dependent cardiac development

ABSTRACT The Pitx2 gene encodes a homeobox transcription factor that is required for mammalian development. Disruption of PITX2 expression in humans causes congenital heart diseases and is associated with atrial fibrillation; however, the cellular and molecular processes dictated by Pitx2 during cardiac ontogeny remain unclear. To characterize the role of Pitx2 during murine heart development we sequenced over 75,000 single cardiac cell transcriptomes between two key developmental timepoints in control and Pitx2 null embryos. We found that cardiac cell composition was dramatically altered in mutants at both E10.5 and E13.5. Interestingly, the differentiation dynamics of both anterior and posterior second heart field-derived progenitor cells were disrupted in Pitx2 mutants. We also uncovered evidence for defects in left-right asymmetry within atrial cardiomyocyte populations. Furthermore, we were able to detail defects in cardiac outflow tract and valve development associated with Pitx2. Our findings offer insight into Pitx2 function and provide a compilation of gene expression signatures for further detailing the complexities of heart development that will serve as the foundation for future studies of cardiac morphogenesis, congenital heart disease and arrhythmogenesis. Summary: Using single cell transcriptomics to inspect Pitx2 function in cardiac development and left-right cellular specification, this study characterizes all deviations in cell composition, cellular state and differentiation trajectories.
Adaptive deep brain stimulation as advanced Parkinson’s disease treatment (ADAPT study): protocol for a pseudo-randomised clinical study

Introduction Adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS), based on the detection of increased beta oscillations in the subthalamic nucleus (STN), has been assessed in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) during the immediate postoperative setting. In these studies, aDBS was shown to be at least as effective as conventional DBS (cDBS), while stimulation time and side effects were reduced. However, the effect of aDBS on motor symptoms and stimulation-induced side effects during the chronically implanted phase (after the stun effect of DBS placement has disappeared) has not yet been determined. Methods and analysis This protocol describes a single-centre clinical study in which aDBS will be tested in 12 patients with PD undergoing battery replacement, with electrodes implanted in the STN, and as a proof of concept in the internal globus pallidus. Patients included will be allocated in a pseudo-randomised fashion to a three-condition (no stimulation/cDBS/ aDBS), cross-over design. A battery of tests will be conducted and recorded during each condition, which aim to measure the severity of motor symptoms and side effects. These tests include a tablet-based tapping test, a subscale of the Movement Disorder Society-unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale (subMDS-UPDRS), the Speech Intelligibility Test (SIT) and a tablet-based version of the Stroop test. SubMDS-UPDRS and SIT recordings will be blindly assessed by independent raters. Data will be analysed using a linear mixed-effects model. Ethics and dissemination This protocol was approved by the Ethical Committee of the University Medical Centre Groningen, where the study will be carried out. Data management and compliance to research policies and standards of our centre, including data privacy, storage and veracity, will be controlled by an independent monitor. All the scientific findings derived from this protocol are aimed to be made public through publication of articles in international journals. Trial registration number NTR 5456; Pre-results.
Direct Synthesis of Methanol by Partial Oxidation of Methane with Oxygen over Cobalt Modified Mesoporous H-ZSM-5 Catalyst

Partial oxidation of methane over mesoporous catalyst cobalt modified H-ZSM-5 has been carried out. Mesoporous Na-ZSM-5 (Si/Al = 35.4) was successfully synthesized using double template method which has high surface area (450 m 2 /g) and average pore diameter distribution of 1.9 nm. The as-synthesized Na-ZSM-5 was converted to H-ZSM-5 through multi-exchange treatment with ammonium ion solution, causing decreased crystallinity and surface area, but increased porous diameter, due to dealumination during treatment process. Moreover, H-ZSM-5 was loaded with cobalt (Co = 2.5% w) by the incipient impregnation method and calcined at 550 °C. Partial oxidation of methane was performed in the batch reactor with 0.75 bar methane and 2 bar of nitrogen (with impurities of 0.5% oxygen) as the input at various reaction time (30, 60 and 120 min). The reaction results show that cobalt species in catalyst has an important role, because H-ZSM-5 cannot produce methanol in partial oxidation of methane. The presence of molecular oxygen increased the percentage of methanol yield. The reaction is time-dependent with the highest methanol yield (79%) was acquired using Co/H-ZSM-5 catalyst for 60 min.
Factors Affecting the Growth of Multiseeded Superconducting Single Grains

Single grain, rare earth–barium–copper oxide [(RE)BCO] bulk superconductors, fabricated either individually or assembled in large or complicated geometries, have a significant potential for a variety of potential engineering applications. Unfortunately, (RE)BCO single grains have intrinsically very low growth rates, which limits the sample size that may be achieved in a practical, top seeded melt growth process. As a result, a melt process based on the use of two or more seeds (so-called multiseeding) to control the nucleation and subsequent growth of bulk (RE)BCO superconductors has been developed to fabricate larger samples and to reduce the time taken for the melt process. However, the formation of regions that contain non-superconducting phases at grain boundaries has emerged as an unavoidable consequence of this process. This leads to the multiseeded sample behaving as if it is composed of multiple, singly seeded regions. In this work we have examined the factors that lead to the accumulation of non-.
State-Of-The-Art of MIR System Using Gaussian Process

: MIR is a highly interdisciplinary field of bridging the domains of digital audio signal processing, pattern recognition, software system design, and machine learning. MIR algorithms are capable of recognizing and extracting information, enabling systems to perform extensive sorting, searching, music recommendation, metadata generation, transcription, and even aiding/generating real-time performance.A lot of music data have become available recently either locally or over the Internet but in order for users to benefit from them, an efficient music information retrieval technology is necessary. Research in this area has been focused on tasks such as genre classification, artist identification, music mood estimation, cover song identification, music annotation, melody extraction, etc. which facilitate efficient music search and recommendation services, intelligent play-list generation and other attractive applications. In this paper, we built two systems, one for music genre classification and another for music emotion recognition using both SVM and GP models, and finally compared their performances on two databases of similar size.
GPU-Based One-Dimensional Convolution for Real-Time Spatial Sound Generation

Incorporating spatialized (3D) sound cues in dynamic and interactive videogames and immersive virtual environment applications is beneficial for a number of reasons, ultimately leading to an increase in presence and immersion. Despite the benefits of spatial sound cues, they are often overlooked in videogames and virtual environments where typically, emphasis is placed on the visual cues. Fundamental to the generation of spatial sound is the one-dimensional convolution operation which is computationally expensive, not lending itself to such real-time, dynamic applications. Driven by the gaming industry and the great emphasis placed on the visual sense, consumer computer graphics hardware, and the graphics processing unit (GPU) in particular, has greatly advanced in recent years, even outperforming the computational capacity of CPUs. This has allowed for real-time, interactive realistic graphics-based applications on typical consumer- level PCs. Given the widespread use and availability of computer graphics hardware and the similarities that exist between the fields of spatial audio and image synthesis, here we describe the development of a GPU-based, one-dimensional convolution algorithm whose efficiency is superior to the conventional CPU-based convolution method. The primary purpose of the developed GPU-based convolution method is the computationally efficient generation of real- time spatial audio for dynamic and interactive videogames and virtual environments.
SELECTING A TOKEN-BASED CONTROL SYSTEM USING TAGUCHI METHODS

Number: 002-0533 SELECTING A TOKEN-BASED CONTROL SYSTEM USING TAGUCHI METHODS Second World Conference on POM and 15th Annual POM Conference, Cancun, Mexico, April 30 May 3, 2004. Pedro L. Gonzalez, Jose M. Framinan and Rafael Ruiz-Usano Industrial Management School of Engineering University of Seville Avenida de los Descubrimientos, E41092 Seville, Spain + 34 954487220 + 34 954487329 (fax) pedroluis@esi.us. es February, 2004
Quality attributes and functional compounds of Mexican plum (Spondias purpurea L.) fruit ecotypes

Introduction. Mexico harbors a great diversity of Spondias purpurea ecotypes, whose fruit is called Mex- ican plum and has a good consumer acceptance because of its organoleptic and nutritional characteristics. Materials and methods. The concentrations of metabolites in 11 ecotypes of Mexican plum were determined from samples of rind (epicarp) and pulp originating from fresh seasonal fruit. Results and discussion. The mass of these fruits var- ied from 11.1 to 35.0 g, and the epicarp color ranged from purple and red, to orange and yellow. The content of total soluble solids, total sugars, and vitamin C was of 9.4−18.2 ◦ Brix, 101.0−185.9 mg g −1 fresh weight (FW), and 0.6− 2.1 mg g −1 FW, respectively. The total phenolic content was always higher in the epicarp (3.7 mg g −1 FW) than in the pulp (1.3 mg −1 FW), as was the total content of carotenoids and the levels of antioxidant activity. Additionally, positive correlations could be established between antioxidant activity and total phenolics, total phenolics and total carotenoids, and between the antioxidant activity in the epicarp and the total content of vitamin C. In addition, nega- tive correlations were found between hue and the carotenoid content of the pulp, and between hue and the antioxidant activity in the epicarp and pulp. Conclusion. The results suggest that a higher content of phenols, carotenoids, and vi- tamin C, together with a purple or red coloration of the epicarp, can all be associated with an increase in the antioxidant activities of the epicarp and pulp of the Mexican plum.
Dysregulated Transcriptional Control in Prostate Cancer

Recent advances in whole-genome and transcriptome sequencing of prostate cancer at different stages indicate that a large number of mutations found in tumors are present in non-protein coding regions of the genome and lead to dysregulated gene expression. Single nucleotide variations and small mutations affecting the recruitment of transcription factor complexes to DNA regulatory elements are observed in an increasing number of cases. Genomic rearrangements may position coding regions under the novel control of regulatory elements, as exemplified by the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion and the amplified enhancer identified upstream of the androgen receptor (AR) gene. Super-enhancers are increasingly found to play important roles in aberrant oncogenic transcription. Several players involved in these processes are currently being evaluated as drug targets and may represent new vulnerabilities that can be exploited for prostate cancer treatment. They include factors involved in enhancer and super-enhancer function such as bromodomain proteins and cyclin-dependent kinases. In addition, non-coding RNAs with an important gene regulatory role are being explored. The rapid progress made in understanding the influence of the non-coding part of the genome and of transcription dysregulation in prostate cancer could pave the way for the identification of novel treatment paradigms for the benefit of patients.
Affordable Housing Within A Post-Welfare State: The Case of Toronto

In 2001, the federal government introduced the Affordable Housing Initiative as a means of stimulating the increased production of affordable housing. This represented its first significant commitment to affordable housing construction since its exit from the housing sector in the early 1990s. The program involved an investment of over $1 billion spread over 5 years. In Ontario, over $364 million was directed towards the production of rental and supportive housing, of which Toronto received some $79 million. This has resulted in the construction of some 1,135 new affordable rental units in Toronto. This paper considered the on the ground impacts of the Affordable Housing Initiative on the City of Toronto. In doing so, it examined the shifts in housing policy within Canada, and specifically Ontario with a focus on welfarism, neoliberalism and post-welfarism. A series of indepth interviews was conducted with key housing stakeholders within the housing sector including representatives of the City of Toronto, Toronto Community Housing, and housing advocates. This has allowed for a multifaceted analysis of the program’s impacts on affordable housing in the city. The findings suggest that despite the introduction of the Affordable Housing Initiative, Toronto’s affordable housing system has witnessed an increased reliance on the private sector, and the perpetuation of band-aid solutions. This has been a result of the federal government divesting itself of the burden of initiating and delivering social programs. Within the context of a post-welfare state that has been influenced by neoliberalism, this is an expected outcome. It is also noted, however, that housing policy at the local level has been subjected to provincial oversight by the Ontario Municipal Board. This serves to attenuate the influences of NIMBYism on land-use policies that are associated with the construction of affordable housing. Given the findings, the following recommendations are made: a) the senior levels of government commit to