Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Congestion control algorithms of tcp in emerging networks

In this dissertation we examine some of the challenges faced by the congestion control algorithms of TCP in emerging networks. We focus on three main issues. First, we propose TCP with delayed congestion response (TCP-DCR), for improving performance in the presence of non-congestion events. TCP-DCR delays the congestion response for a short interval of time τ, allowing local recovery mechanisms to handle the event, if possible. If at the end of the delay τ, the event persists, it is treated as congestion loss. We evaluate TCP-DCR through analysis and simulations. Results show significant performance improvements in the presence of non-congestion events with marginal impact in their absence. TCP-DCR maintains fairness with standard TCP variants that respond immediately. Second, we propose Layered TCP (LTCP), which modifies a TCP flow to behave as a collection of virtual flows (or layers), to improve efficiency in high-speed networks. The number of layers is determined by dynamic network conditions. Convergence properties and RTT-unfairness are maintained similar to that of TCP. We provide the intuition and the design for the LTCP protocol and evaluation results based on both simulations and Linux implementation. Results show that LTCP is about an order of magnitude faster than TCP in utilizing high bandwidth links while maintaining promising convergence properties. Third, we study the feasibility of employing congestion avoidance algorithms in TCP. We show that end-host based congestion prediction is more accurate than previously characterized. However, uncertainties in congestion prediction may be unavoidable. To address these uncertainties, we propose an end-host based mechanism called Probabilistic Early Response TCP (PERT). PERT emulates the probabilistic response function of the router-based scheme RED/ECN in the congestion response function of the end-host. We show through extensive simulations that, similar to router-based RED/ECN, PERT provides fair bandwidth sharing with low queuing delays and negligible packet losses, without requiring the router support. It exhibits better characteristics than TCP-Vegas, the illustrative end-host scheme. PERT can also be used for emulating other router schemes. We illustrate this through preliminary results for emulating the router-based mechanism REM/ECN. Finally, we show the interactions and benefits of combining the different proposed mechanisms.
Markov chain‐based wind power time series modelling method considering the influence of the state duration on the state transition probability

Due to the inherent uncertainties of wind power, its large-scale integration strongly impacts the planning and operation of power systems. To investigate these impacts, a stochastic model is required to more accurately capture the wind power's characteristics. This study proposes an improved Markov chain (MC)-based time series (TS) modelling method for the stochastic generation of synthetic wind power TS. First, a self-adaptive state division strategy is proposed to objectively classify historical data into several typical states. This strategy combines a state optimisation clustering model with a random-variable-modelling-oriented filter parameter optimisation method. Then, a three-dimensional state transition probability matrix (STPM) is proposed and constructed to generate synthetic wind power state TS. In contrast to the previous STPMs, the proposed STPM can capture the changing pattern of the transition probability against the state duration. Finally, the fluctuation quantity and noise are separately and sequentially added to the generated state TS, as an improvement over previous fluctuation characteristic addition methods, to obtain the final synthetic wind power TS. The results show that the proposed method outperforms previous MC-based TS modelling methods in reproducing historical characteristics, such as the transition and fluctuation characteristics, and does not increase the STPM construction algorithm's time complexity.
Influence of the orientation of organizational learning on the management of customer relationship and the function of tile and ceramics companies in Yazd Province

Objective: The key purpose of this essay is to investigate and scrutinize the relationship between influence of orientation of organizational learning on customer relationship management and scrutinization of the function and the possible relations between these three factors among the tile and ceramics companies in Yazd province. Methodology: In order to measure the various aspects of these factors a 27-item questionnaire based on the likert5-point scale is being used. In the time of research, the statistical universe of the research consists of forty (40) companies. In order to determine the sample volume Morgan table was used. Based on this table the sample volume which was under study was determined as forty (40) companies. The research questionnaires were being responded by the high-ranked managers of each company. Results: To scrutinize the pivotal indices and the scatteredness of the research variables and in order to analyse the research data and hypotheses the structural equations modelling based on PLS method (partial least square method) has been used. Conclusion: After scrutinization and analysis of the research hypotheses the existence of a meaningful and positive relationship among them all in all was approved; that is the influence of the orientation of organizational learning on customer relationship management is positive and meaningful.
Human disturbance affects enzyme activity, microbial biomass and organic carbon in tropical dry sub-humid pasture and forest soils

ABSTRACT The Brazilian dry forest occupies an area of about 1 million km2 approximately 46% of which has been deforested. Many studies have been done on the effects of this on productivity and soil chemical attributes. However, little is known about soil enzymatic activity, which is sensitive to environmental changes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of deforestation using different levels of human disturbance on soil enzyme activities, organic carbon content, microbial biomass, and microbial community. We studied areas covered with forest (TDF), old grass (OG), or new grass (NG). Soils from NG had increased microorganisms, which restored important processes related to carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen cycling, so that they resembled those in the forested area. The results of this study showed that the conversion of forest to pasture with a high level of human disturbance could decrease the activities of β-glucosidase, urease, alkaline phosphatase, and fluorescein diacetate in the soil by up to 87%, 66%, 62%, and 58%, respectively. These findings suggest that human disturbance can cause substantial changes in the enzymatic activity and microbial community in the soil. We suggest that maintaining grass pasture with low human disturbance should have fewer impacts on soil quality.
The roles of Amh in zebrafish gonad development and sex determination

Fetal mammalian testes secrete Amh (Anti-Müllerian hormone), which inhibits female reproductive tract (Müllerian duct) development. Amh also derives from mature mammalian ovarian follicles, which marks oocyte reserve and characterizes PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). Zebrafish (Danio rerio) lacks Müllerian ducts and the Amh receptor gene amhr2 but, curiously, retains amh. To discover the roles of Amh in the absence of Müllerian ducts and the ancestral receptor gene, we made amh null alleles in zebrafish. Results showed that normal amh prevents female-biased sex ratios. Adult male amh mutants had enormous testes, half of which contained immature oocytes, demonstrating that Amh regulates male germ cell accumulation and inhibits oocyte development or survival. Mutant males formed sperm ducts and some produced a few offspring. Young female mutants laid a few fertile eggs, so they also had functional sex ducts. Older amh mutants accumulated non-vitellogenic follicles in exceedingly large but sterile ovaries, showing that Amh helps control ovarian follicle maturation and proliferation. RNA-seq data partitioned 21-day post-fertilization (dpf) juveniles into two groups that each contained mutant and wild type fish. Group21-1 up-regulated ovary genes compared to Group21-2, which were likely developing as males. By 35dpf, transcriptomes distinguished males from females and, within each sex, mutants from wild types. In adult mutants, ovaries greatly under-expressed granulosa and theca genes and testes under-expressed Leydig cell genes. These results show that ancestral Amh functions included development of the gonadal soma in ovaries and testes and regulation of gamete proliferation and maturation. A major gap in our understanding is the identity of the gene encoding a zebrafish Amh receptor; we show here that the loss of amhr2 is associated with the breakpoint of a chromosome rearrangement shared among cyprinid fishes. Article Summary Anti-Müllerian hormone (Amh) inhibits female reproductive duct development, signals oocyte reserve, and marks polycystic ovarian syndrome. Zebrafish lacks Müllerian ducts and the typical Amh receptor, questioning evolving roles of Amh. We made knockout mutations in zebrafish amh. Most mutants were female and the few males often had oocytes in their testes, showing that Amh promotes male development. Mutant reproductive ducts functioned, but testes were enormous and ovaries accumulated immature oocytes, showing that Amh regulates germ cell proliferation and maturation. Transcriptomics revealed that Amh controls development of steroid-producing gonad cells. Amh in zebrafish preserved ancestral roles despite losing Müllerian ducts and the Amh receptor.
Dynamic Computation in Visual Thalamocortical Networks

Contemporary neurodynamical frameworks, such as coordination dynamics and winnerless competition, posit that the brain approximates symbolic computation by transitioning between metastable attractive states. This article integrates these accounts with electrophysiological data suggesting that coherent, nested oscillations facilitate information representation and transmission in thalamocortical networks. We review the relationship between criticality, metastability, and representational capacity, outline existing methods for detecting metastable oscillatory patterns in neural time series data, and evaluate plausible spatiotemporal coding schemes based on phase alignment. We then survey the circuitry and the mechanisms underlying the generation of coordinated alpha and gamma rhythms in the primate visual system, with particular emphasis on the pulvinar and its role in biasing visual attention and awareness. To conclude the review, we begin to integrate this perspective with longstanding theories of consciousness and cognition.
Exploring the firm and country determinants of the voluntary adoption of integrated reporting

Information used to manage the business and support the decision‐making of stakeholders is being subject to an evolution. In this context, traditional financial reporting is considered not sufficient anymore. This has translated into a sharp increase in the number of firms that have begun to adopt emerging reporting practices. This study aims to examine the influence that both firm‐ and country‐specific characteristics have on the voluntary uptaking of integrated reporting internationally. In order to do so, it analyses a sample of 71 international listed companies that have adopted this reporting form in 2016. The results show that firms are more likely to implement integrated reporting if they are located in countries with a higher level of corruption perception and a better risk rating and that are considered as relatively more collectivist and feminist and with a long‐term orientation. Legal system has resulted to be not significant. As for firms' characteristics, large size, profitability, market‐to‐book ratio, and the size of the board are found to be significant variables. Moreover, the results indicate that the adoption of integrated reporting is not influenced by a higher level of leverage, firm efficiency and board diversity and independence.
Estructura de tallas de macrobrachium tenellum (decapoda palaemonidae) en el estero el salado, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, México

Los langostinos de la familia Palaemonidae Rafinesque ,1815 son el grupo mas diverso del orden de los decapodos; muestran una amplia distribucion geografica y batimetrica, varias especies son consideradas de valor economico. En Mexico existen vacios de informacion respecto a la poblacion de M. tenellum Smith, 1871, la influencia de la estacionalidad y factores abioticos como la temperatura y salinidad, ademas de otros procesos ecologicos. Cinco muestreos fueron realizados entre agosto de 2013 y julio de 2014; mayo de 2014 fue el mes mas abundante con 246 individuos registrados; mientras que febrero de 2014 fue el mes con menos individuos registrados. Etapas post-larvales fueron las mas numerosas durante todo el ano, los adultos maduros fueron los mas escasos. En el estero El Salado, individuos de M. tenellum no alcanzaron tallas comerciales, los machos alcanzaron mayor longitud total y peso promedio. Se encontro que el numero de organismos esta influenciado por la temperatura y la precipitacion pluvial.
Maximal CO2-reduktion per investerad krona för personbilar: En bred systemanalys

This study examines the cost efficiency of reducing carbon emissions for personal vehicles by changing from petrol to either liquid bio fuels or electric operation. Based on own simulations of fuel consumption, life cycle-emissions and -production costs are derived based on existing knowledge through previous studies. The results are finally presented as ’SEK per reduced ton of CO2’; a unit that expresses the required additional investment in order to reduce the carbon footprint compared to a reference petrol car. Several sensitivity analyses are then performed in order to study the effects of various parameters on the cost efficiency of reducing carbon emissions, such as a lower vehicle weight or the capacity of the battery pack of an electric vehicle. A final attempt to maximize cost efficiency is then performed to examine under which circumstances certain methods are preferable. The outcome of this study is that bio fuels based on biomass from forest industry yields the best result in terms of cost efficiency and total reduction of carbon emissions with a value of 1207 SEK per reduced ton of CO2 for a vehicle run on HVO derived from pine oil. Maximum cost efficiency for combustion cars occurs when vehicle weights and displacement volumes are low, and driving cycles with high top speeds are chosen. After optimization of the HVO vehicle, a cost efficiency of 508 SEK per reduced ton of CO2 were achieved. Electric drive trains initially have low cost efficiencies compared to other alternatives with a result of 4276 SEK per reduced ton of CO2 for operation on Swedish electricity mix. The higher cost per ton of CO2 is mainly due to high production costs for the vehicle itself. In order to compete with the studied bio fuels, production costs of electric vehicles need to decrease by 20 to 25 % to reach the same level of cost efficiency. Choosing smaller battery packs, driving cycles with urban driving and long assumed life cycle distances however shows a large potential and improvements in the resulting cost efficiency for electric vehicles. After optimization, cost efficiencies were improved to 1570 SEK per reduced ton of CO2. Further work may be done by acquiring data regarding both production costs and -emissions directly from car manufacturers. Inclusion of additional life cycle phases such as maintenance or recycling are also relevant items for future studies. (Less)
5–31-Hz 188- $\mu$ W Light-Sensing Oscillator With Two Active Inductors Fully Integrated on Plastic

We present a low-power low-frequency oscillator that is fully integrated on a bendable plastic substrate using amorphous indium-gallium-zinc oxide (a-IGZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs). Its purpose is the duty cycling of components of a wireless sensor tag to realize power savings. In addition, the oscillator can directly be used as a light sensor. It oscillates between 5 Hz in the dark and 31 Hz under daylight, from a 5-V supply voltage. The measured light-sensitivity of the oscillation frequency is between 7.4 Hz/klx in the dark and around 1.7 Hz/klx in daylight. On average, the frequency of oscillation changes by 58 %/klx. The required power is 188 $\mu \text{W}$ . The presented design is a combination of the inductance–capacitance cross-coupled oscillator structure and two single-transistor active inductors, which enable high gain at low power levels in a small chip area. We analyze the circuit and derive design guidelines for minimizing the oscillation frequency, circuit area, and power consumption. Finally, we report the measurements including jitter and deduce implications for the accuracy of light measurements.
Complete plastome sequence of Salacia amplifolia (Celastraceae): an endemic shrub in Hainan, China

Abstract Salacia amplifolia belongs to Celastraceae. The complete plastome of S.amplifolia is 163,255 bp in length, including two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 28,932 bp, a large single-copy (LSC) region of 86,856 bp, and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,535 bp. The plastome contains 113 genes, consisting of 79 unique protein-coding genes, 30 unique tRNA genes, and 4 unique rRNA genes. The overall A/T content in the plastome of S. amplifolia is 62.50%. The complete plastome sequence of S. amplifolia will provide a useful resource for the conservation genetics of this specie as well as for the phylogenetic studies of Salacia.
Synaptic Proteome Alterations in the Primary Auditory Cortex of Schizophrenia

Importance Findings from unbiased genetic studies have consistently implicated synaptic protein networks in Schizophrenia (Sz), but the molecular pathology at these networks and their potential contribution to the synaptic and circuit deficits thought to underlie disease symptoms remain unknown. Objective To determine if protein levels are altered within synapses from primary auditory cortex (A1) of subjects with Sz; and if so, are these differences restricted to the synapse or present throughout the grey matter? Design A paired case-control design was utilized for this study. Biochemical fractional – targeted Mass Spectrometry (MS) was used to measure the levels of >350 proteins in A1 grey matter homogenate and synaptosome preparations, respectively. All experimenters were blinded to diagnosis at every stage of sample preparation, MS analysis, and raw data processing. The effects of postmortem interval (PMI) and antipsychotic drug treatment on protein levels were assessed in mouse and monkey models, respectively. Setting All cases were recruited from a single site, The Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner, and all tissues were processed at the University of Pittsburgh. Participants Brain specimens from all subjects were obtained during autopsies conducted at the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner after receiving consent from the next-of-kin. An independent panel of experienced clinicians made consensus Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition diagnoses. Unaffected comparison subjects underwent identical assessments and were determined to be free of lifetime psychiatric illness. Each Sz subject was matched by sex, and as closely as possible for age and PMI, with one unaffected comparison subject. Main Outcomes and Measures Primary measures were homogenate and synaptosome protein levels and their co-regulation network features. Prior to data collection we hypothesized: 1. That levels of canonical postsynaptic proteins in A1 synaptosome preparations would differ between Sz and control subjects; and 2. That these differences would not be explained by changes in total A1 homogenate protein levels. Results Mean subject age was 48 years for both groups with a range of 17-83; each group included 35 males and 13 females; mean PMI was 17.7 hours in controls and 17.9 in Sz. We observed robust alterations (q < 0.05) in synaptosome levels of canonical mitochondrial and postsynaptic proteins that were highly co-regulated and not readily explained by postmortem interval, antipsychotic drug treatment, synaptosome yield, or underlying alterations in homogenate protein levels. Conclusions and Relevance Our findings indicate a robust and highly coordinated rearrangement of the synaptic proteome likely driven by aberrant synaptic, not cell-wide, proteostasis. In line with unbiased genetic findings, our results identified alterations in synaptic levels of postsynaptic proteins, providing a road map to identify the specific cells and circuits that are impaired in Sz A1.
The implementation of the conceptual shift in conservation: pathways of three German UNESCO biosphere reserves

ABSTRACT The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve concept has been one of the first conservation approaches to adopt an integrated conservation perspective (‘nature and people’), rather than focus on nature conservation exclusively. Biosphere Reserves designated before 1995 were mandated to shift their focus adequately. Pre-1995 Biosphere Reserves provide unique case studies to examine how a conceptual shift in conservation can be implemented in practice. I focus on three areas in (West) Germany (Bayerischer Wald, Berchtesgadener Land, Niedersächsisches Wattenmeer) that underwent this shift to explore implementation challenges and resulting outcomes. I find that political and administrative decision-makers reacted differently: one area withdrew, one extended its area, and one is still working on an implementation of the shift. Top-down processes of designation and objective setting, the overlaps between other conservation designations and the Biosphere Reserves, and the exclusion of local people have created challenges for the legitimacy of the Biosphere Reserves because they miss broader societal support. Clear objectives and distinctions to other conservation schemes, adequate human and financial resources, and political (local) support are important aspects to implement a conceptual shift. Researchers can support the implementation by allocating space in their theories and concepts for the integration of different knowledge types and context-specific adaptions.