Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Enhanced Set-Membership PNLMS Algorithm with a Correntropy Induced Metric Constraint for Acoustic Channel Estimation

In this paper, a sparse set-membership proportionate normalized least mean square (SM-PNLMS) algorithm integrated with a correntropy induced metric (CIM) penalty is proposed for acoustic channel estimation and echo cancellation. The CIM is used for constructing a new cost function within the kernel framework. The proposed CIM penalized SM-PNLMS (CIMSM-PNLMS) algorithm is derived and analyzed in detail. A desired zero attraction term is put forward in the updating equation of the proposed CIMSM-PNLMS algorithm to force the inactive coefficients to zero. The performance of the proposed CIMSM-PNLMS algorithm is investigated for estimating an underwater communication channel estimation and an echo channel. The obtained results demonstrate that the proposed CIMSM-PNLMS algorithm converges faster and provides a smaller estimation error in comparison with the NLMS, PNLMS, IPNLMS, SM-PNLMS and zero-attracting SM-PNLMS (ZASM-PNLMS) algorithms.
Participatory management at the Uacari Floating Lodge: an ongoing process.

Community-based tourism has as premises the promotion of environmental conservation, strengthening of cultural identity and generation of direct benefits to the host communities. We understand that the consolidation of this activity which claims an effective management control to local populations is the result of a challenging process, where the strengthening and enhancement of social capital are conditions to move towards self-management. The objective of this article is to describe this process using the case of Uakari Lodge, located at Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve. First, this paper will analyze issues related to participatory management, such as the concepts of participation, social capital, collaboration and conflict and self-management. Then, the article describes the participatory management process of the project, analyzing the experience of the Uakari Floating Lodge, such as the history of local associative organization within the context of the service sector, decision-making forums and local management of the lodge. Finally, the prospects of participatory management of the project will be analyzed, discussing their main needs in terms of human capital, financial, political and institutional resources.
MURINE BLOOD BANKING: CHARACTERIZATION AND COMPARISONS TO HUMAN BLOOD

Blood transfusion remains an essential treatment of acute anemia. Current storage processes allow the efficient administration of blood products. Erythrocytes undergo morphological and biochemical changes during storage that may affect outcomes after transfusion. A reliable small-animal model would be ideal to examine the effects of stored blood products after transfusion. The objective of this study was to characterize the storage of murine erythrocytes for future application to animal models of acute anemia. Blood samples were collected from male mice and human volunteers, separated into components, and stored. At intervals, morphological and biochemical analysis was performed. Lactate, potassium, hemoglobin, and hemolysis were determined, and cell morphology was evaluated with light microscopy. Murine packed red blood cells (pRBCs) aged more rapidly than human samples. Murine pRBCs exhibited higher lactate levels (34.9 ± 1.3 mmol/L vs. 18.1 ± 1.0 mmol/L, mouse vs. human) and more severe acidosis as indicated by pH (6.56 ± 0.02 vs. 6.79 ± 0.04, mouse vs. human). Murine pRBCs hemolyzed earlier (11.2 ± 3.7 g vs. 0.7 ± 0.3 g, mouse vs. human after 21 days of storage) and more rapidly than human pRBCs. Corpuscular changes consistent with red cell storage lesions appeared earlier in murine samples compared with human stored pRBCs. Compared with human pRBCs, murine pRBCs exhibit similar but more accelerated aging processes under standard storage conditions. Characterization of the murine red cell storage lesion will allow the application of stored blood components to future investigations into the treatment of acute anemia in experimental murine models.
A Converse Lyapunov–Krasovskii Theorem for the Global Asymptotic Local Exponential Stability of Nonlinear Time–Delay Systems

In this letter, the notion of GALES (Global Asymptotic Local Exponential Stability) is extended to nonlinear systems described by Retarded Functional Differential Equations. Necessary and sufficient Lyapunov–Krasovskii conditions ensuring the GALES of nonlinear time–delay systems are provided. The conditions related to the lower bound and to the dissipation rate of the Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional involve only the current value of the solution, making the provided tool easy to use. An example validating the results is presented.
Antagonistic Effects of Ocean Acidification and Rising Sea Surface Temperature on the Dissolution of Coral Reef Carbonate Sediments

Increasing atmospheric CO2 is raising sea surface temperature (SST) and increasing seawater CO2 concentrations, resulting in a lower oceanic pH (ocean acidification; OA), which is expected to reduce the accretion of coral reef ecosystems. Although sediments comprise most of the calcium carbonate (CaCO3) within coral reefs, no in situ studies have looked at the combined effects of increased SST and OA on the dissolution of coral reef CaCO3 sediments. In situ benthic chamber incubations were used to measure dissolution rates in permeable CaCO3 sands under future OA and SST scenarios in a coral reef lagoon on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef (Heron Island). End of century (2100) simulations (temperature +2.7°C and pH -0.3) shifted carbonate sediments from net precipitating to net dissolving. Warming increased the rate of benthic respiration (R) by 29% per 1°C and lowered the ratio of productivity to respiration (P/R; ΔP/R = -0.23), which increased the rate of CaCO3 sediment dissolution (average net increase of 18.9 mmol CaCO3 m-2 d-1 for business as usual scenarios). This is most likely due to the influence of warming on benthic P/R which, in turn, was an important control on sediment dissolution through the respiratory production of CO2. The effect of increasing CO2 on CaCO3 sediment dissolution (average net increase of 6.5 mmol CaCO3 m-2 d-1 for business as usual scenarios) was significantly less than the effect of warming. However, the combined effect of increasing both SST and pCO2 on CaCO3 sediment dissolution was non-additive (average net increase of 5.6 mmol CaCO3 m-2 d-1) due to the different responses of the benthic community. This study highlights that benthic biogeochemical processes such as metabolism and associated CaCO3 sediment dissolution respond rapidly to changes in SST and OA, and that the response to multiple environmental changes are not necessarily additive.
Emerging Issues on the Horizon: Financial Services Industry in Trinidad and Tobago

Confucius’ wish for his enemies to live in interesting times would have been different now given the gale-force winds of change blowing furiously through the financial services sector in recent years, moving the industry in challenging new directions. Similar to the case of the Titanic ship, what is visible is just the tip of the iceberg since the transformation of the industry is far from complete, and many players remain unprepared for the rigors of open competition. The liberalisation of the financial sector will become the battleground on which the struggle for new and existing customers will be fought. These cross currents are going to reshape the financial services sector, increase effective competition, empower consumers, encourage more flexibility and urge measures to improve the regulatory system. Such measures will increase customer value and set in motion dramatic changes in the structure and business paradigm of the industry. Even as this occurs, however, it is critical to acknowledge the fact that the gale force winds of global financial pressures today complicates the emerging issues on the horizon for the financial service sector. In the context of globalization and the interconnectivity of world markets, the local financial services industry undoubtedly is being and will continue to be affected by global pressures that are taking place currently and those that are still to come. The aim of this paper, therefore, is to provide an understanding of the major changes affecting the financial services sector especially as it pertains to the banking industry. The forces of change such as globalisation, technology, demography and changing consumer preferences and their implications are discussed. A synopsis of the challenges and opportunities which includes treasury management techniques, use of the value added concept and protection of shareholder value will be examined. In addition, global developments today and its impact and challenges for the local financial services industry will also be considered. Suggestions for the way forward will also be made. The paper concludes by challenging the industry's stakeholders to manage the relentless myriad of existing and forthcoming changes, in a way that best serves the collective interest of Trinidad and Tobago. From the literature reviewed, it would seem that the financial services sector is moving the industry in challenging new directions. It is being fuelled by the liberalization of the financial sector and the current financial crisis. Arising out of this, there would be challenges and opportunities as this sector will continue to be affected by global pressures as it impacts on the local financial sector.
Measuring Trustworthiness Toward Online Shopping Websites: An Empirical Study

This present study seeks to determine how customers assess trustworthiness when they shop in online. The study is based on primary data. For gathering primary data for the study, survey method has been used and a semi-structured questionnaire has been developed to investigate the online shoppers’ perception of trust. The sample comprising of two hundred and thirty three respondents have been interviewed about how they would describe trustworthiness toward online shopping websites. In the first part of the questionnaire (Q1 to Q11) based on the respondents’ experience in online shopping, shopping frequency and their own judgments about how they can assess the trustworthiness of a website when they use for online shopping. In the second part of the questionnaire, the respondents are requested to indicate their opinions on the “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree” scale with a list of twenty three adjectives while evaluating the specific sites. Two factors such as “Credibility” and “Looks unique” have also been identified and analyzed in the study. Higher trust toward an online shopping website will generate more favorable attitudes of the consumers about online shopping, products and the companies, and increase the purchase on a regular basis. Therefore, online marketers should minimize the risks perceived by potential shoppers so that shoppers can interact correctly with the system without interruption and can be satisfied.
The Herpes Simplex Virus JMP Mutant Enters Receptor-Negative J Cells through a Novel Pathway Independent of the Known Receptors nectin1, HveA, and nectin2

ABSTRACT The herpes simplex virus type 1(JMP) [HSV-1(JMP)] mutant was selected for its ability to grow and form plaques in receptor-negative J cells. It enters J cells through a novel gD-dependent pathway, independent of all known HSV receptors, nectin1, nectin2, and HveA. Evidence that the pathway is dependent on a nectin3 binding site on HSV-1(JMP) and requires three mutations in gD rests on the following. We derived monoclonal antibodies to nectin3 and show that J cells express nectin3. HSV-1(JMP) entry and cell-to-cell spread were inhibited by soluble nectin3-Fc, demonstrating that virions carry a binding site for nectin3. The site is either directly involved in HSV-1(JMP) entry, or nectin3 binding to its site affects the gD domains involved in entry (entry site). HSV-1(JMP) entry and cell-to-cell spread in J cells were also inhibited by soluble nectin1-Fc, showing that the nectin1 binding site on gDJMP overlaps with the entry site or that nectin1 binding to gD affects the entry site. gDJMP carries three mutations, S140N, R340H, and Q344R. The latter two lie in the C tail and are present in the parental HSV-1(MP). HSV-1 strain R5000 carrying the S140N substitution was not infectious in J cells, indicating that this substitution was not sufficient. We constructed two recombinants, one carrying the three substitutions and the other carrying the two C-tail substitutions. Only the first recombinant infected J cells with an efficiency similar to that of HSV-1(JMP), indicating that the three mutations are required for the novel entry pathway. The results highlight plasticity in gD which accounts for changes in receptor usage.
Electrochemical Skin Conductance in Diabetic Kidney Disease

Background: There is a need to identify patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) using noninvasive, cost-effective screening tests. Sudoscan®, a device using electrochemical skin conductance (ESC) to measure sweat gland dysfunction, is valuable for detecting peripheral neuropathy. ESC was tested for association with DKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 ml/min/1.73 m2) in 383 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D)-affected patients; diagnostic thresholds were determined in 540 patients. Methods: Relationships between ESC with eGFR and urine albumin:creatinine ratio (UACR) were assessed in 202 European Americans and 181 African Americans with T2D. Results: In 92 European American DKD cases and 110 T2D non-nephropathy controls, respectively, mean (SD) ages were 69 (9.7) and 61 (10.8) years, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 7.4 (1.2) and 7.4 (1.3)%, eGFR 29.6 (12.2) and 87.8 (14.2) ml/min/1.73 m2, and UACR 1,214 (1,705) and 7.5 (5.8) mg/g. In 57 African American cases and 124 controls, respectively, mean (SD) ages were 64.0 (11.9) and 59.5 (9.7) years, HbA1c 7.4 (1.3) and 7.5 (1.7)%, eGFR 29.6 (13.3) and 90.2 (16.2) ml/min/1.73 m2, and UACR 1,172 (1,564) and 7.8 (7.1) mg/g. Mean (SD) ESC (μS) was lower in cases than controls (European Americans: case/control hands 49.5 (18.5)/62.3 (16.2); feet 62.1 (17.9)/73.6 (13.8), both p < 1.3 × 10-6; African Americans: case/control hands 39.8 (19.0)/48.5 (17.1); feet 53.2 (21.3)/63.5 (19.4), both p ≤ 0.01). Adjusting for age, sex, body mass index and HbA1c, hands and feet ESC associated with eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (p ≤ 7.2 × 10-3), UACR >30 mg/g (p ≤ 7.0 × 10-3), UACR >300 mg/g (p ≤ 8.1 × 10-3), and continuous traits eGFR and UACR (both p ≤ 5.0 × 10-9). HbA1c values were not useful for risk stratification. Conclusions: ESC measured using Sudoscan® is strongly associated with DKD in African Americans and European Americans. ESC is a useful screening test to identify DKD in patients with T2D.
A Concept for Multi-Criteria Environmental Assessment of Aircraft Trajectories

Comprehensive assessment of the environmental aspects of flight movements is of increasing interest to the aviation sector as a potential input for developing sustainable aviation strategies that consider climate impact, air quality and noise issues simultaneously. However, comprehensive assessments of all three environmental aspects do not yet exist and are in particular not yet operational practice in flight planning. The purpose of this study is to present a methodology which allows to establish a multi-criteria environmental impact assessment directly in the flight planning process. The method expands a concept developed for climate optimisation of aircraft trajectories, by representing additionally air quality and noise impacts as additional criteria or dimensions, together with climate impact of aircraft trajectory. We present the mathematical framework for environmental assessment and optimisation of aircraft trajectories. In that context we present ideas on future implementation of such advanced meteorological services into air traffic management and trajectory planning by relying on environmental change functions (ECFs). These ECFs represent environmental impact due to changes in air quality, noise and climate impact. In a case study for Europe prototype ECFs are implemented and a performance assessment of aircraft trajectories is performed for a one-day traffic sample. For a single flight fuel-optimal versus climate-optimized trajectory solution is evaluated using prototypic ECFs and identifying mitigation potential. The ultimate goal of such a concept is to make available a comprehensive assessment framework for environmental performance of aircraft operations, by providing key performance indicators on climate impact, air quality and noise, as well as a tool for environmental optimisation of aircraft trajectories. This framework would allow studying and characterising changes in traffic flows due to environmental optimisation, as well as studying trade-offs between distinct strategic measures.
Genetically enhanced performance of a UTRA-like time-division duplex CDMA network

In this contribution a dynamic channel allocation (DCA) algorithm is developed, which minimizes the amount of multi-user interference (MUI) experienced at the base stations (BSs) by employing genetic algorithms (GAs). A GA is utilized for finding a suboptimum, but highly beneficial uplink (UL) or downlink (DL) timeslot (TS) allocation for improving the achievable performance of the third generation UTRA system's time division duplex (TDD) mode. It is demonstrated that a GA-assisted UL/DL timeslot scheduling scheme may avoid the severe BS to BS inter-cell interference potentially inflicted by the UTRA TDD CDMA air interface owing to allowing all TSs to be used both in the UL and DL.
Estimating the Consumption-Based Capital Asset Pricing Model - without Consumption Data

This paper evaluates the ability of the multifactor model of Campbell (1993, 1996) to explain time-series and cross-sectional patterns of stock and bond returns. The model is obtained by substituting consumption out of the intertemporal budget constraint of the representative agent in the traditional consumption-based capital asset pricing model (C-CAPM). This enables the model to be estimated without the use of consumption data. Estimation of the model results in reasonable preference parameter estimates. Unlike previous research based on this model, the restrictions implied by both the conditional and unconditional model are generally not rejected.
Brain stimulation in the treatment of epilepsy

Stimulation of the brain for the treatment of epilepsy, indirectly via the vagus nerve and directly through intracranial targets, is feasible and has increased in use and complexity over the past 10 years. Vagus nerve stimulation is widely applied and the present indications and outcomes together with possible ways in which the treatment could be refined are reviewed. The application of stimulation to deep-brain targets is also reviewed along with present practice and results. Possible developments in the use of direct intracranial stimulation are also considered.
Minimizing Energy Losses: Optimal Accommodation and Smart Operation of Renewable Distributed Generation

The problem of minimizing losses in distribution networks has traditionally been investigated using a single, deterministic demand level. This has proved to be effective since most approaches are generally able to also result in minimum overall energy losses. However, the increasing penetration of (firm and variable) distributed generation (DG) raises concerns on the actual benefits of loss minimization studies that are limited to a single demand/generation scenario. Here, a multiperiod AC optimal power flow (OPF) is used to determine the optimal accommodation of (renewable) DG in a way that minimizes the system energy losses. In addition, control schemes expected to be part of the future Smart Grid, such as coordinated voltage control and dispatchable DG power factor, are embedded in the OPF formulation to explore the extra loss reduction benefits that can be harnessed with such technologies. The trade-off between energy losses and more generation capacity is also investigated. The methodology is applied to a generic U.K. distribution network and results demonstrate the significant impact that considering time-varying characteristics has on the energy loss minimization problem and highlight the gains that the flexibility provided by innovative control strategies can have on both loss minimization and generation capacity.
Eccrine poroma arising in chronic radiation dermatitis

© 2008 The Authors 1517 JEADV 2008, 22, 1497–1524 Journal compilation © 2008 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology study, we find a confirmation of our previous results after having included the first 220 patients (fig. 1). We conclude that a fixed, patient-independent defined number of tape strips for the SPT might not be appropriate. This number should rather be determined depending on patient’s skin and ambient conditions, as well as technical equipment.
Bifurcations in Numerical Methods for Volterra integro-Differential Equations

We are interested in finding approximate solutions to parameter-dependent Volterra integro-differential equations over long time intervals using numerical schemes. This paper concentrates on changes in qualitative behavior (bifurcations) in the solutions and extends the work of Brunner and Lambert and Matthys (who considered only changes in stability behavior) to consider other bifurcations. We begin by considering a one-parameter equation with fading memory separable convolution kernel: we give an analytical discussion of bifurcations in this case and provide details of the behavior of numerical schemes. We extend our analysis to consider an equation with two-parameter fading memory convolution kernel and show the relationship to the classical test equation studied by the earlier authors. We draw attention to the fact that known stability results may not provide a reliable framework for choice of numerical scheme when other changes in qualitative behavior are also of interest. We give bifurcation plots for a variety of methods and show how, for known values of the parameters, stepsizes h>0 may be chosen to preserve the correct qualitative behavior in the numerical solution of the Volterra integro-differential equation.
ELECTROCHEMICALLY STABLE SYNTHESIS PROCESS

This work aims at preparing electrochemically the K2FeO4 ambient stable phase and monitoring its degradation with time. The electrochemical method attracted more interest because of the high purity of the obtained product. Thus, we have identified, through the development of electrochemical method for the synthesis of the K2FeO4 ambient stable phase, the optimizing parameters influencing the yield of the oxidation of Fe (II) to Fe (VI) in saturated alkaline (KOH) at a temperature of 60 ° C and at a current density of 1.3 A / dm for a time electrolysis of an hour. This yield reached a value of 75%. It was characterized by UV spectrophotometer, measuring the optical density at a wavelength of 507 nm.
Herpes simplex virus and varicella‐zoster virus: why do these human alphaherpesviruses behave so differently from one another?

Members of the Herpesviridae family of viruses are classified into the alpha, beta and gamma subfamilies. The alpha subfamily is estimated to have diverged from the beta and gamma subfamilies 200–220 million years ago. The ancestors of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) and the varicella‐zoster virus (VZV), two ubiquitous and clinically important human pathogens, appeared 70–80 million years ago. As these viruses coevolved with their specific primate hosts, genetic rearrangements led to the development of the contemporary alphaherpesviruses and their distinct complement of genes. Here the distinct features of HSV and VZV are discussed in terms of their transmissibility, clinical picture, tissue tropism, establishment of latency/reactivation and immune evasion, which can, at least in part, be explained by differences in their genomes. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.