Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ON THE WORKLOAD ALLOCATION PROBLEM OF SHORT UNRELIABLE PRODUCTION LINES WITH FINITE BUFFERS

Serial flow or production lines are modeled as tandem queueing networks and formulated as continuous-time Markov chains to investigate how to maximize throughput or minimize the average work-in-process (WIP) when the total service time among the stations are fixed (this is the workload allocation problem). This paper examines the effect of the unreliability of the machines on the optimal workload allocation in order to maximize throughput or minimize the average WIP subject to a minimum required throughput.
Fabrication of Carvedilol Nanosuspensions Through the Anti-Solvent Precipitation–Ultrasonication Method for the Improvement of Dissolution Rate and Oral Bioavailability

The present study aims to prepare carvedilol (CAR) nanosuspensions using the anti-solvent precipitation–ultrasonication technique to improve its dissolution rate and oral bioavailability. Alpha-tocopherol succinate (VES) was first used as a co-stabilizer to enhance the stability of the nanosuspensions. The effects of the process parameters on particle size of the nanosuspensions were investigated. The optimal values of the precipitation temperature, power inputs, and the time length of ultrasonication were selected as 10°C, 400 W, and 15 min, respectively. Response surface methodology based on central composite design was utilized to evaluate the formulation factors that affect the size of nanosuspensions, i.e., the concentration of CAR and VES in the organic solution, and the level of sodium dodecyl sulfate in the anti-solvent phase, respectively. The optimized formulation showed a mean size of 212 ± 12 nm and a zeta potential of −42 ± 3 mV. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the nanosuspensions were flaky-shaped. Powder X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry analysis confirmed that the nanoparticles were in the amorphous state. Fourier transform infrared analysis demonstrated that the reaction between CAR and VES is probably due to hydrogen bonding. The nanosuspension was physically stable at 25°C for 1 week, which allows it to be further processing such as drying. The dissolution rate of the nanosuspensions was markedly enhanced by reducing the size. The in vivo test demonstrated that the Cmax and AUC0–36 values of nanosuspensions were approximately 3.3- and 2.9-fold greater than that of the commercial tablets, respectively.
Coding for network-coded slotted ALOHA

Slotted ALOHA can benefit from physical-layer network coding (PNC) by decoding one or multiple linear combinations of the packets simultaneously transmitted in a timeslot, forming a system of linear equations. Different systems of linear equations are recovered in different timeslots. A message decoder then recovers the original packets of all the users by jointly solving multiple systems of linear equations obtained over different timeslots. We propose the batched BP decoding algorithm that combines belief propagation (BP) and local Gaussian elimination. Compared with pure Gaussian elimination decoding, our algorithm reduces the decoding complexity from cubic to linear function of the number of users. Compared with the ordinary BP decoding algorithm for low-density generator-matrix codes, our algorithm has better performance and the same order of computational complexity. We analyze the performance of the batched BP decoding algorithm by generalizing the tree-based approach and provide an approach to optimize the system performance.
Evaluating Value-at-Risk Models with Desk-Level Data

We present new evidence on disaggregated profit and loss (P/L) and value-at-risk (VaR) forecasts obtained from a large international commercial bank. Our data set includes the actual daily P/L generated by four separate business lines within the bank. All four business lines are involved in securities trading and each is observed daily for a period of at least two years. Given this unique data set, we provide an integrated, unifying framework for assessing the accuracy of VaR forecasts. We use a comprehensive Monte Carlo study to assess which of these many tests have the best finite-sample size and power properties. Our desk-level data set provides importance guidance for choosing realistic P/L-generating processes in the Monte Carlo comparison of the various tests. The conditional autoregressive value-at-risk test of Engle and Manganelli (2004) performs best overall, but duration-based tests also perform well in many cases. This paper was accepted by John Birge, focused issue editor.
A 2.4µW 400nC/s constant charge injector for wirelessly-powered electro-acupuncture

An ultra-low-power constant charge injector (CCI) circuit is presented for wirelessly-powered electro-acupuncture (EA). The CCI adopts adaptive pulse-width and frequency-drift (APF) calibration loop that not only accommodates to body impedance variation (BIV) of 100–200kΩ but also is tolerable to frequency-drift. The proposed 5Hz current starving clock generator combined with sub-Vth reference circuit provides supply voltage dependency of 0.2Hz/V and temperature dependency of 0.018Hz/°C while consuming only 1µW. These variations are finely calibrated by the APF loop to ensure injectable charge intensity as stable as 399.33–400.45nC/s. The low-power low-voltage Gm circuit in CCI incorporates diode-limited and chopper-modulated inputs to prevent the damage from static electricity of the body while providing linear voltage-to-current conversion. The proposed CCI, simulated in 0. 18µm CMOS technology with supply voltage of 1.0V, consumes 2. 4µW of power.
Interleukin 7-dependent B lymphocyte precursor cells are ultrasensitive to apoptosis

We have compared the sensitivity of clonogenic interleukin 7 (IL-7)- dependent murine B cell precursors with that of clonogenic mature B cells and myeloid precursors to alpha-particles from plutonium-238 and X radiation. All three populations are relatively sensitive, but B cell precursors are ultrasensitive. This differential sensitivity is also observed with corticosteroid, etoposide, and cisplatin, all apoptosis- inducing drugs used in the treatment of leukemia and other cancers. Further, we show that x-rays and drugs induce the bulk of the B cell precursor population to undergo rapid apoptosis, despite the continued presence of IL-7. B cell precursors were found to express very low levels of BCL-2 protein compared with mature splenic B cells and their resistance to x-rays and corticosteroid could be enhanced by expression of a BCL-2 transgene. These data have important implications for normal lymphopoiesis and for the behavior of leukemic lymphoid precursor cells.
Local control of striatal dopamine release

The mesolimbic and nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) systems play a key role in the physiology of reward seeking, motivation and motor control. Importantly, they are also involved in the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease, schizophrenia and addiction. Control of DA release in the striatum is tightly linked to firing of DA neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the substantia nigra (SN). However, local influences in the striatum affect release by exerting their action directly on axon terminals. For example, endogenous glutamatergic and cholinergic activity is sufficient to trigger striatal DA release independently of cell body firing. Recent developments involving genetic manipulation, pharmacological selectivity or selective stimulation have allowed for better characterization of these phenomena. Such termino-terminal forms of control of DA release transform considerably our understanding of the mesolimbic and nigrostriatal systems, and have strong implications as potential mechanisms to modify impaired control of DA release in the diseased brain. Here, we review these and related mechanisms and their implications in the physiology of ascending DA systems.
Constraining the Accretion Rate onto Sagittarius A* Using Linear Polarization

Two possible explanations for the low luminosity of the supermassive black hole at the center of our Galaxy are (1) an accretion rate of the order of the canonical Bondi value (~10-5 M☉ yr-1) but a very low radiative efficiency for the accreting gas or (2) an accretion rate much less than the Bondi rate. Both models can explain the broadband spectrum of the Galactic center. We show that they can be distinguished using the linear polarization of synchrotron radiation. Accretion at the Bondi rate predicts no linear polarization at any frequency because of Faraday depolarization. Low accretion rate models, on the other hand, have much lower gas densities and magnetic field strengths close to the black hole; polarization may therefore be observable at high frequencies. If confirmed, a recent detection of linear polarization from Sgr A* at ≳150 GHz argues for an accretion rate of ~10-8 M☉ yr-1, much less than the Bondi rate. This test can be applied to other low-luminosity galactic nuclei.
Alcohol dehydrogenase activities and ethanol tolerance in Anastrepha (Diptera, Tephritidae) fruit-fly species and their hybrids

The ADH (alcohol dehydrogenase) system is one of the earliest known models of molecular evolution, and is still the most studied in Drosophila. Herein, we studied this model in the genus Anastrepha (Diptera, Tephritidae). Due to the remarkable advantages it presents, it is possible to cross species with different Adh genotypes and with different phenotype traits related to ethanol tolerance. The two species studied here each have a different number of Adh gene copies, whereby crosses generate polymorphisms in gene number and in composition of the genetic background. We measured certain traits related to ethanol metabolism and tolerance. ADH specific enzyme activity presented gene by environment interactions, and the larval protein content showed an additive pattern of inheritance, whilst ADH enzyme activity per larva presented a complex behavior that may be explained by epistatic effects. Regression models suggest that there are heritable factors acting on ethanol tolerance, which may be related to enzymatic activity of the ADHs and to larval mass, although a pronounced environmental effect on ethanol tolerance was also observed. By using these data, we speculated on the mechanisms of ethanol tolerance and its inheritance as well as of associated traits.
Quotients of MGL, their slices and their geometric parts

Let $x_1, x_2,\ldots$ be a system of homogeneous polynomial generators for the Lazard ring $\mathbb{L}^*=MU^{2*}$ and let $MGL_S$ denote Voevodsky's algebraic cobordism spectrum in the motivic stable homotopy category over a base-scheme $S$. Take $S$ essentially smooth over a field $k$. Relying on Hopkins-Morel-Hoyois isomorphism of the 0th slice $s_0MGL_S$ for Voevodsky's slice tower with $MGL_S/(x_1, x_2,\ldots)$ (after inverting the characteristic of $k$), Spitzweck computes the remaining slices of $MGL_S$ as $s_nMGL_S=\Sigma^n_TH\mathbb{Z}\otimes \mathbb{L}^{-n}$ (again, after inverting the characteristic of $k$). We apply Spitzweck's method to compute the slices of a quotient spectrum $MGL_S/(\{x_i:i\in I\})$ for $I$ an arbitrary subset of $\mathbb{N}$, as well as the mod $p$ version $MGL_S/(\{p, x_i:i\in I\})$ and localizations with respect to a system of homogeneous elements in $\mathbb{Z}[\{x_j:j\not\in I\}]$. In case $S=\text{Spec}\, k$, $k$ a field of characteristic zero, we apply this to show that for $\mathcal{E}$ a localization of a quotient of $MGL$ as above, there is a natural isomorphism for the theory with support \[ \Omega_*(X)\otimes_{\mathbb{L}^{-*}}\mathcal{E}^{-2*,-*}(k)\to \mathcal{E}^{2m-2*, m-*}_X(M) \] for $X$ a closed subscheme of a smooth quasi-projective $k$-scheme $M$, $m=$dim${}_kM$.
Dipyridamole Enhances NO/cGMP-Mediated Vasodilator-Stimulated Phosphoprotein Phosphorylation and Signaling in Human Platelets: In Vitro and In Vivo/Ex Vivo Studies

Background and Purpose— Dipyridamole and in particular dipyridamole in combination with low-dose aspirin are very effective in preventing recurrent stroke. However, the mechanism(s) underlying this dipyridamole effect have not been elucidated. Since dipyridamole inhibits the cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase type V in vitro, we hypothesized and tested whether therapeutically relevant dipyridamole concentrations enhance NO/cGMP-mediated effects in intact human platelets studied ex vivo. Methods— Phosphorylation of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), an established marker of NO/cGMP effects in human platelets, was quantified by phosphorylation-specific antibodies and Western blots. Serotonin secretion and thromboxane synthase activity were determined by fluorometric quantification of derivatized serotonin and synthase products, respectively. Results— Endothelium-derived factors such as NO and prostaglandin I2 are known to elevate both cGMP and cAMP levels with concomitant platelet inhibition and VASP phosphorylation. In our in vitro experiments, therapeutically relevant concentrations (3.5 &mgr;mol/L) of dipyridamole amplified only cGMP-mediated VASP phosphorylation due to the NO donor sodium nitroprusside, but not cAMP-mediated effects. Furthermore, thromboxane synthase activity and serotonin secretion, events important for initial platelet activation, were inhibited by sodium nitroprusside, an effect also enhanced by dipyridamole, demonstrating the functional relevance of these observations. Finally, the ex vivo enhancement of NO/cGMP effects was also observed with platelets obtained from healthy volunteers treated with extended-release dipyridamole. Conclusions— Under therapeutically relevant conditions, dipyridamole enhances platelet inhibition by amplifying the signaling of the NO donor sodium nitroprusside. These data support the concept that enhancement of endothelium-dependent NO/cGMP-mediated signaling may be an important in vivo component of dipyridamole action.
The Cost of Uncorrelation and Noncooperation in MIMO Channels

We investigate the capacity loss for using uncorrelated Gaussian input over a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) linear additive-noise channel. We upper-bound the capacity loss by a universal constant C* which is independent of the channel matrix and the noise distribution. For a single-user MIMO channel with n<sub>t</sub> inputs and n<sub>r</sub> outputs C* = min [ 1/2, n<sub>r</sub>/n<sub>t</sub> log<sub>2</sub> (1+n<sub>t</sub>/n<sub>r</sub>) ] bit per input dimension (or 2C* bit per transmit antenna per second per hertz), under both total and per-input power constraints. If we restrict attention to (colored) Gaussian noise, then the capacity loss is upper-bounded by a smaller constant C<sub>G</sub> = n<sub>r</sub>/2n<sub>r</sub> log<sub>2</sub> (n<sub>t</sub>/n<sub>r</sub>) for n<sub>r</sub> ges n<sub>t</sub>/e, and C<sub>G</sub> = 0.265 otherwise, and this bound is tight for certain cases of channel matrix and noise covariance. We also derive similar bounds for the sum-capacity loss in multiuser MIMO channels. This includes in particular uncorrelated Gaussian transmission in a MIMO multiple-access channel (MAC), and "flat" Gaussian dirty-paper coding (DPC) in a MIMO broadcast channel. In the context of wireless communication, our results imply that the benefit of beamforming and spatial water-filling over simple isotropic transmission is limited. Moreover, the excess capacity of a point-to-point MIMO channel over the same MIMO channel in a multiuser configuration is bounded by a universal constant.
Integration of depth modules: stereo and shading.

We studied the integration of image disparities, edge information, and shading in the three-dimensional perception of complex yet well-controlled images generated with a computer-graphics system. The images showed end-on views of flat- and smooth-shaded ellipsoids, i.e., images with and without intensity discontinuities (edges). A map of perceived depth was measured by adjusting a small stereo depth probe interactively to the perceived surface. Our data show that disparate shading (even in the absence of disparate edges) yields a vivid stereoscopic depth perception. The perceived depth is significantly reduced if the disparities are completely removed (shape-from-shading). If edge information is available, it overrides both shape-from-shading and disparate shading. Degradations of depth perception corresponded to a reduced depth rather than to an increased scatter in the depth measurement. The results are compared with computer-vision algorithms for both single cues and their integration for three-dimensional vision.
Transformation of hamster embryo cells by epoxides and other derivatives of polycyclic hydrocarbons.

K-region epoxides of dibenz(a,h)anthracene and benz(a)anthracene were more active in producing malignant transformation of hamster embryo cells than the corresponding hydrocarbons, K-regions cis - and trans -dihydrodiols and phenols. The cytotoxicity exerted by epoxides, relative to the other derivatives, varied among those tested. The 8,9-epoxide (non-K-region) of benz(a)anthracene was less active in producing transformation and cytotoxicity than the corresponding 5,6-epoxide (K-region). Expoxides of the K-regions of 3-methylcholanthrene, phenanthrene, and chrysene were also more active in producing cytotoxicity and transformation than the corresponding hydrocarbon. These data support the suggestion that the metabolic production of epoxides of these polycyclic hydrocarbons is a prerequisite for biological activity and that transformation by epoxides is not based on the selection of preexisting transformed cells. The K-region epoxide of 7-methylbenz(a)anthracene was slightly more active than 7-methylbenz(a)anthracene in producing transformation in a 4-hr treatment, but the converse was true with a 7-day exposure. Under both conditions, the activities of 7-bromomethyl-12-methylbenz(a)anthracene and 7-bromomethylbenz(a)anthracene were approximately the same as those of their parent hydrocarbons at producing transformation.
Hidden in Plain View: The Aboriginal People of Coastal Sydney

This book, based on the recent PhD research of the author, arrives to complement the superb local studies of the Aboriginal Sydney region by half-a-dozen scholars working in the Burragorang, Botany Bay, Hawkesbury River, Georges River and Katoomba regions. I’m thinking of Jack Brook’s Shut Out from the World (1994), Maria Nugent’s Botany Bay (2005), Dianne Johnson’s Sacred Waters (2007), Heather Goodall and Allison Cadzow’s Rivers and Resistance (2009), Grace Karskens’s The Colony (2009) and Val Attenbrow’s Sydney’s Aboriginal Past (2010), in addition to first-rate work by others like Jim Smith, Keith Vincent Smith and James Kohen. For this reason, I waited in some anticipation for the publication of this book. Although it doesn’t quite match up to the others, it is a very welcome addition to Sydney Aboriginal historiography.
Serum inhibin B determination is predictive of successful testicular sperm extraction in men with non-obstructive azoospermia.

Recent work indicates that serum inhibin B is a useful marker of spermatogenesis and inhibin B production sufficient to maintain detectable serum concentrations in adults depends on spermatogenic activity. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the usefulness of serum inhibin B measurement to predict the success of testicular sperm extraction (TESE) in 17 men with nonobstructive azoospermia to be treated by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) (group 1). Two additional groups were used as positive controls; group 2 comprised 22 infertile men having obstructive azoospermia, and group 3, which included 29 semen donors having normal seminal parameters. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) was significantly higher (P < 0.01) and inhibin B significantly lower (P < 0.001), in group 1 as compared with groups 2 and 3. Serum inhibin B concentrations were significantly higher (P < 0.001) among successful TESE men as compared with those having failed TESE. In contrast, no differences were detected between these two groups with respect to serum FSH or testicular size. In addition, serum inhibin B but not FSH discriminated between successful and failed TESE in group 1 subjects as compared with control groups. According to the receiver operating characteristics curve analysis, the best inhibin B value for discriminating between successful and failed TESE was >40 pg/ml (sensitivity 90%, specificity 100%). It is concluded that inhibin B measurement is a useful non-invasive predictor of spermatogenesis and thus, all azoospermic males should have serum inhibin B concentrations determined in addition to FSH measurement and karyotyping prior to undergoing TESE.
Low Feedback Sampling Rate Digital Predistortion for Wideband Wireless Transmitters

A novel digital predistortion (DPD) with an ultralow feedback sampling rate is proposed for wideband wireless communications. Analytical groundwork is carried out to support the rationale of the proposed method. Due to the power amplifier (PA) spectral expansion, the sampling rate of the feedback loop in the DPD architecture generally requires several times the input signal bandwidth, which presents challenges for the analog-to-digital converter, especially in broadband applications. In order to remove this bottleneck in real-world implementation, a forward behavioral modeling method with low-rate aliasing PA output signals is adopted to estimate the model coefficients. The obtained coefficients are then used to predict the high-rate PA output, using the input signal with an adequate sampling rate, and to further generate the predistorter for the nonlinear PA with the conventional indirect learning architecture. To validate the proposed method, different PAs driven with a 40-MHz two-carrier Long Term Evolution are used for linearization purposes. Experimental results based on the instrument platform show that the proposed algorithm achieves almost equivalent results with only a 2.5 Msamples/s feedback sampling rate. Further experimental verification is also demonstrated on an FPGA platform, which achieves an adjacent channel power ratio that is better than -47 dBc for 40-MHz signals with a feedback sampling rate of 20 Msamples/s.
Monte Carlo summation and integration applied to multiclass queuing networks

Although many closed multiclass queuing networks have a product-form solution, evaluating their performance measures remains nontrivial due to the presence of a normalization constant. We propose the application of Monte Carlo summation in order to determine the normalization constant, throughputs, and gradients of throughputs. A class of importance-sampling functions leads to a decomposition approach, where separate single-class problems are first solved in a setup module, and then the original problem is solved by aggregating the single-class solutions in an execution model. We also consider Monte Carlo methods for evaluating performance measures based on integral representations of the normalization constant; a theory for optimal importance sampling is developed. Computational examples are given that illustrate that the Monte Carlo methods are robust over a wide range of networks and can rapidly solve networks that cannot be handled by the techniques in the existing literature.