Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pre-equalization for MISO DS-UWB systems with pre-Rake combining

In this paper, we propose two novel pre-equalization schemes for multiple-input single-output (MISO) direct-sequence ultra-wideband (DS-UWB) systems with pre-Rake combining and symbol-by-symbol detection. The first scheme employs one pre-equalization filter (PEF) per transmit antenna, whereas in the second scheme, the simplified PEF (S-PEF) scheme, all transmit antennas share the same PEF. For both schemes the optimum finite impulse response (FIR) and infinite impulse response (IIR) PEFs are calculated based on the minimum mean squared error (MMSE) criterion. Our approach is sufficiently general to include also reduced-complexity versions of pre-Rake combining that employ a limited number of Rake fingers. We show that under certain conditions the S-PEF scheme achieves the same performance as the more complex PEF scheme. We also demonstrate that a single-input multiple-output (SIMO) DS-UWB system with post-Rake combining and MMSE post-equalization is the dual system to the considered MISO DS-UWB system with pre-Rake combining and MMSE pre-equalization. This uplink-downlink duality can be exploited for efficient calculation of the PEFs and for complexity reduction. Our simulation results show that the proposed PEF schemes achieve significant performance gains over pre-Rake combining without equalization, even if only short PEFs are employed.
Joint analysis of multiple datasets by cross-cumulant tensor (block) diagonalization

In this paper, we propose approximate diagonalization of a cross-cumulant tensor as a means to achieve independent component analysis (ICA) in several linked datasets. This approach generalizes existing cumulant-based independent vector analysis (IVA). It leads to uniqueness, identifiability and resilience to noise that exceed those in the literature, in certain scenarios. The proposed method can achieve blind identification of underdetermined mixtures when single-dataset cumulant-based methods that use the same order of statistics fall short. In addition, it is possible to analyse more than two datasets in a single tensor factorization. The proposed approach readily extends to independent subspace analysis (ISA), by tensor block-diagonalization. The proposed approach can be used as-is or as an ingredient in various data fusion frameworks, using coupled decompositions. The core idea can be used to generalize existing ICA methods from one dataset to an ensemble.
TOACOM: A new cooperative method of target localization by UWB radar systems

During the last decade, detection, localization and tracking of moving persons by using UWB radars have attracted attention of researchers and final users as well. The problem of UWB sensors usage for these applications consists in the fact, that a single sensor is not very often able to localize a target situated in complex environment with the required reliability and accuracy. Therefore, UWB sensor network has been proposed for such applications. In this paper, we are going to deal with the through-the-wall localization of a moving person by using the small sensor network consisting of two UWB radar systems. For that scenario, we have introduced a new method of the cooperative localization referred to as the time of arrival completing method (TOACOM). The performance properties of this method have been analyzed and compared in a real single target through-the-wall scenario with the direct calculation method based on a single radar application and with the method of joining intersections of the ellipses. The obtained results indicate the superior performance of TOACOM as compared with the mentioned alternative methods.
Massive MIMO in the UL/DL of Cellular Networks: How Many Antennas Do We Need?

We consider the uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) of non-cooperative multi-cellular time-division duplexing (TDD) systems, assuming that the number N of antennas per base station (BS) and the number K of user terminals (UTs) per cell are large. Our system model accounts for channel estimation, pilot contamination, and an arbitrary path loss and antenna correlation for each link. We derive approximations of achievable rates with several linear precoders and detectors which are proven to be asymptotically tight, but accurate for realistic system dimensions, as shown by simulations. It is known from previous work assuming uncorrelated channels, that as N→∞ while K is fixed, the system performance is limited by pilot contamination, the simplest precoders/detectors, i.e., eigenbeamforming (BF) and matched filter (MF), are optimal, and the transmit power can be made arbitrarily small. We analyze to which extent these conclusions hold in the more realistic setting where N is not extremely large compared to K. In particular, we derive how many antennas per UT are needed to achieve η% of the ultimate performance limit with infinitely many antennas and how many more antennas are needed with MF and BF to achieve the performance of minimum mean-square error (MMSE) detection and regularized zero-forcing (RZF), respectively.
Oral Exposure to Bisphenol A Increases Dimethylbenzanthracene-Induced Mammary Cancer in Rats

Background Bisphenol A (BPA) is widely used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics, including infant formula bottles. Objectives Based on the reported endocrine disruptor activity of this polyphenol, we hypothesized that exposure to BPA early in life would elicit developmental changes in the mammary tissue and cause a predisposition for mammary cancer. Methods We exposed neonatal/prepubertal rats to BPA via lactation from nursing dams treated orally with 0, 25, and 250 μg BPA/kg body weight/day. For tumorigenesis studies, female offspring were exposed to 30 mg dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA)/kg body weight at 50 days of age. Results The combination of DMBA treatment with lactational exposure to BPA demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in mammary tumor multiplicity and reduced tumor latency compared with controls. In the absence of DMBA treatment, lactational BPA exposure resulted in increased cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis at 50 but not 21 days postpartum (shortly after last BPA treatment). Using Western blot analysis, we determined that steroid receptor coactivators (SRCs) 1–3, Akt, phosphorylated Akt, progesterone receptor A (PR-A), and erbB3 proteins were significantly up-regulated at 50 days of age. Conclusions The data presented here provide the first evidence that maternal exposure to BPA during lactation increases mammary carcinogenesis in a DMBA-induced model of rodent mammary cancer. Changes in PR-A, SRC 1–3, erbB3, and Akt activity are consistent with increased cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis playing a role in mammary cancer susceptibility. These alterations provide an explanation of enhanced mammary carcinogenesis after lactational BPA exposure.
Effect of gender and diabetes on major depressive disorder using heart rate asymmetry

In this study, we have investigated how heart rate asymmetry (HRA) changes in major depressive disorder (MDD) subjects with comorbid diabetes as well as in male and female. Depression score was determined based on PHQ-9 questionnaire and from 135 subjects 70 subjects were selected with 1000 or more RR intervals. Heart rate asymmetry is a Poincaré plot based nonlinear technique to analyze the asymmetry using RR interval time-series signal. Three commonly used HRA indices Guzik's index (GI), Porta's index (PI) and Ehlers' index (EI) were used to understand the changes in HRA in MDD. Results indicate significantly (p<;0.05) different GI and EI values between `Dep' and `NonDep' subgroups in `Combined' group. All three HRA indices are found significantly different in presence of depression in female subjects. These results provide better understanding about changes in HRA in MDD and HRA indices could be a plausible nonlinear HRV feature for differentiating Depression `Dep' from NonDepression `NonDep' group - i) without comorbid diabetes; ii) in Female subjects.
Permeability and Volumetrics of Porous Asphalt Concrete

ABSTRACT This paper deals with the theoretical and experimental analysis of percolation phenomena of water into Porous Asphalt concretes (PA). The main objects are the following: a) comparison of different indicators dealing with percolation processes; b) finding the best volumetric descriptor of percolation phenomena. The developed physical-based model is the basis for the design and analysis of experiments. A chart of equivalence for cross-referencing typical results obtained from permeability tests is proposed. Theory showed that, when managing permeability performance, effective porosity, neff, can be very important. On the other hand, goodness of fit did not provide sufficient data to clearly identify neff as a superior method/indicator.
Cerebrovascular hemodynamics during pranayama techniques

ABSTRACT Background: Pranayama techniques are known to produce variable physiological effects on the body. We evaluated the effect of the two commonly practiced Pranayama techniques on cerebral hemodynamics. Materials and Methods: Fifteen healthy male volunteers, trained in Yoga and Pranayama, were included in the study. Mean age was 24 years (range 22–32 years). Study participants performed 2 Pranayamas in 2 different orders. Order 1 (n = 7) performed Bhastrika (bellows breaths) followed by Kumbhaka (breath retention) while order 2 (n = 8) performed Kumbhaka followed by Bhastrika. Both breathing techniques were performed for 1 min each. Continuous transcranial Doppler (TCD) monitoring was performed during the breathing techniques. TCD parameters that were recorded included peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), mean flow velocity (MFV), and pulsatility index (PI) of the right middle cerebral artery at baseline, 15, 30, 45, and 60 s. Results: Significant reductions in EDV (3.67 ± 6.48; P < 0.001) and MFV (22.00 ± 7.30; P < 0.001) with a significant increase in PI (2.43 ± 0.76; P < 0.001) were observed during Bhastrika. On the contrary, a significant increase in PSV (65.27 ± 13.75; P < 0.001), EDV (28.67 ± 12.03; P < 0.001), and MFV (43.67 ± 12.85; P < 0.001) with a significant reduction in PI (0.89 ± 0.28; P < 0.01) was observed only during Kumbhaka. Conclusion: Bhastrika and Kumbhaka practices of Pranayama produce considerable and opposing effects on cerebral hemodynamic parameters. Our findings may play a potential role in designing the Pranayama techniques according to patients' requirements.
Lack of Association between Hepatitis C Virus core Gene Variation 70/91aa and Insulin Resistance

The role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in insulin resistance (IR) is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of amino acid (aa) substitutions in the core region of HCV according to IR and to identify clinical and laboratory associations. Ninety-two treatment-naive HCV patients were recruited to determine laboratory data and blood cell count. IR was determined using Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) index where IR was defined as HOMA ≥2. HCV RNA load and genotype were determined by Abbott Real time HCV. HCV core region was determined by direct nucleotide sequencing. Bivariate analysis was conducted using HOMA IR ≥2 as a dependent factor. IR prevalence was 43.5% (n = 40), vitamin D sufficiency was found in 76.1% (n = 70) and 72.8% (n = 67) had advanced liver fibrosis. In the bivariate analyses, elevated values of γGT (p = 0.024) and fibrosis staging (p = 0.004) were associated with IR, but IR was not related to core mutations. The presence of glutamine in position 70 was associated with low vitamin D concentration (p = 0.005). In the multivariate analysis, no variable was independently associated with HOMA-IR. In conclusion, lack of association between IR and HCV core mutations in positions 70 and 91 suggests that genetic variability of this region has little impact on IR.
Monte-Carlo Planning: Theoretically Fast Convergence Meets Practical Efficiency

Popular Monte-Carlo tree search (MCTS) algorithms for online planning, such as e-greedy tree search and UCT, aim at rapidly identifying a reasonably good action, but provide rather poor worst-case guarantees on performance improvement over time. In contrast, a recently introduced MCTS algorithm BRUE guarantees exponential-rate improvement over time, yet it is not geared towards identifying reasonably good choices right at the go. We take a stand on the individual strengths of these two classes of algorithms, and show how they can be effectively connected. We then rationalize a principle of "selective tree expansion", and suggest a concrete implementation of this principle within MCTS. The resulting algorithms favorably compete with other MCTS algorithms under short planning times, while preserving the attractive convergence properties of BRUE.
In vitro and in vivo antibacterial activities of the glycylcyclines, a new class of semisynthetic tetracyclines

N,N-Dimethylglycylamido (DMG) derivatives of minocycline and 6-demethyl-6-deoxytetracycline are new semisynthetic tetracyclines referred to as the glycylcyclines. The in vitro activities of the glycylcyclines were evaluated in comparison with those of minocycline and tetracycline against strains carrying characterized tetracycline resistance determinants and against 995 recent clinical isolates obtained from geographically distinct medical centers in North America. The glycylcyclines were active against tetracycline-resistant strains carrying efflux [tet(A), tet(B), tet(C), and tet(D) in Escherichia coli and tet(K) in Staphylococcus aureus] and ribosomal protection [tet(M) in S. aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and E. coli)] resistance determinants. Potent activity (MIC for 90% of strains, < or = 0.5 microgram/ml) was obtained with the glycylcyclines against methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant S. aureus, E. faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, and various streptococcal species. The glycylcyclines exhibited good activity against a wide diversity of gram-negative aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, most of which were less susceptible to minocycline and tetracycline. The activities of the glycylcyclines against most organisms tested were comparable to each other. The in vivo efficacies of the glycylcyclines against acute lethal infections in mice when dosed intravenously were reflective of their in vitro activities. The glycylcyclines had efficacies comparable to that of minocycline against infections with methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains, a strain carrying tet(K), and a tetracycline-susceptible E. coli strain but exceeded the effectiveness of minocycline against infections with resistant isolates, including strains harboring tet(M) or tet(B). Levels of DMG-6-deoxytetracycline in serum were higher and more sustained than those of DMG-minocycline or minocycline. Our results show that the glycylcyclines have potent in vitro activities against a wide spectrum of gram-positive and gram-negative, aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, including many resistant strains. On the basis of their in vitro and in vivo activities, the glycylcyclines represent a significant advance to the tetracycline class of antibiotics and have good potential value for clinical efficacy.
Evaluation of the in vivo antitumor activity and in vitro cytotoxic properties of auranofin, a coordinated gold compound, in murine tumor models.

The coordinated gold compound, 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-1-thio-beta-D-glucopyranosato-S-triethyl phosphine gold (auranofin; Ridaura), was evaluated for antitumor activity in a variety of mouse tumor models. Of the 15 tumor models evaluated, auranofin was found to be active only against i.p. P388 leukemia. A number of dose schedules was used to measure activity against P388 with optimal activity observed at 12 mg/kg given daily, i.p., on Days 1 to 5. Auranofin was active against i.p. P388 leukemia only when administered i.p.; the drug was completely inactive when administered i.v. , s.c. , or p.o. on Days 1 to 5. Evaluation of the effects of auranofin in vitro demonstrated that survival curves for B16 melanoma cells as measured by the clongenic and dye exclusion assays were exponential and monophasic; cell cycle distribution was not altered, and auranofin displayed no preferential cytotoxicity to logarithmic or plateau growth phase cell populations; auranofin inhibited DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis at cytotoxic concentrations but showed no selective effect; the cytotoxic activity and cellular association of gold from auranofin were dose, time, and temperature dependent; and binding of auranofin gold to serum proteins markedly decreased cellular uptake of gold and cytotoxicity of auranofin in vitro.
Age‐related changes in serum melatonin in mice: higher levels of combined melatonin and 6‐hydroxymelatonin sulfate in the cerebral cortex than serum, heart, liver and kidney tissues

Abstract: Age‐related changes in levels of melatonin and 6‐hydroxymelatonin sulfate and effects of dietary melatonin on their levels in different tissues were determined in mice. Levels of melatonin were highest in the serum followed by liver, kidney, cerebral cortex and heart as measured by a quantitative and sensitive enzyme‐labeled immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum melatonin levels decreased with age, and were reduced by 80% in 27‐month old mice relative to 12‐month old mice. Levels of 6‐hydroxymelatonin sulfate were measured independently in various tissues. Levels of the melatonin metabolite, 6‐hydroxymelatonin sulfate were significantly higher than free melatonin in all tissues tested. Levels of 6‐hydroxymelatonin sulfate were highest in the cerebral cortex followed by the serum, heart, kidney, and liver. In 12‐month old mice 6‐hydroxymelatonin sulfate concentration was approximately 1000‐fold greater than that of melatonin in the cerebral cortex, it was only 3‐fold greater than melatonin levels in the serum. Thus only 0.1% of total melatonin in the brain was present in the free and unconjugated form but the corresponding value for serum was 27.4%. The cerebral cortex had the highest levels of combined melatonin and 6‐hydroxymelatonin sulfate than other tissue tested in control mice. There was no significant change in 6‐hydroxymelatonin sulfate levels between young and old mice. There was also no age‐dependent change in levels of serotonin or cortisol in the serum samples. Dietary supplementation with melatonin resulted in a significant increase in levels of melatonin in the serum and all other tissue samples tested. Thus, any age‐related decline of tissue melatonin can be reversed by supplementation with dietary melatonin.
Multi‐Year Microbial Source Tracking Study Characterizing Fecal Contamination in an Urban Watershed

Microbiological and hydrological data were used to rank tributary stream contributions of bacteria to the Little Blue River in Independence, Missouri. Concentrations, loadings and yields of E. coli and microbial source tracking (MST) markers, were characterized during base flow and storm events in five subbasins within Independence, as well as sources entering and leaving the city through the river. The E. coli water quality threshold was exceeded in 29% of base‐flow and 89% of storm‐event samples. The total contribution of E. coli and MST markers from tributaries within Independence to the Little Blue River, regardless of streamflow, did not significantly increase the median concentrations leaving the city. Daily loads and yields of E. coli and MST markers were used to rank the subbasins according to their contribution of each constituent to the river. The ranking methodology used in this study may prove useful in prioritizing remediation in the different subbasins.
Atomic-Resolution Simulations Predict a Transition State for Vesicle Fusion Defined by Contact of a Few Lipid Tails

Membrane fusion is essential to both cellular vesicle trafficking and infection by enveloped viruses. While the fusion protein assemblies that catalyze fusion are readily identifiable, the specific activities of the proteins involved and nature of the membrane changes they induce remain unknown. Here, we use many atomic-resolution simulations of vesicle fusion to examine the molecular mechanisms for fusion in detail. We employ committor analysis for these million-atom vesicle fusion simulations to identify a transition state for fusion stalk formation. In our simulations, this transition state occurs when the bulk properties of each lipid bilayer remain in a lamellar state but a few hydrophobic tails bulge into the hydrophilic interface layer and make contact to nucleate a stalk. Additional simulations of influenza fusion peptides in lipid bilayers show that the peptides promote similar local protrusion of lipid tails. Comparing these two sets of simulations, we obtain a common set of structural changes between the transition state for stalk formation and the local environment of peptides known to catalyze fusion. Our results thus suggest that the specific molecular properties of individual lipids are highly important to vesicle fusion and yield an explicit structural model that could help explain the mechanism of catalysis by fusion proteins.
Prion protein genotype and pathological phenotype studies in sporadic Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease

A comparative semi‐automated morphometric study was performed on the distribution of prion protein, spongiform change and astrocytosis in the brains of nine cases of sporadic Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease of differing genotype at the methionine‐valine polymorphism at codon 129 of the prion protein gene. Custom‐designed image analysis software was used to produce objective figures for each of the different pathological features throughout 13 different areas of the brain used for analysis. A significant positive correlation was observed between prion protein deposition and astrocytosis in all cases and no significant correlation was observed between spongiform change and prion protein deposition. Different patterns of pathology were found to relate to codon 129 genotype; valine homozygosity favoured the targeting of pathology to deep grey matter structures, while methionine homozygosity favoured cortical targeting of pathology. These results provide evidence that prion protein deposition is closely associated with an astrocytic reaction and suggest that codon 129 genotype may influence the pathological phenotype.
Choosing a Strictly Proper Scoring Rule

Strictly proper scoring rules, including the Brier score and the logarithmic score, are standard metrics by which probability forecasters are assessed and compared. Researchers often find that one's choice of strictly proper scoring rule has minimal impact on one's conclusions, but this conclusion is typically drawn from a small set of popular rules. In the context of forecasting world events, we use a recently proposed family of proper scoring rules to study the properties of a wide variety of strictly proper rules. The results indicate that conclusions vary greatly across different scoring rules, so that one's choice of scoring rule should be informed by the forecasting domain. We then describe strategies for choosing a scoring rule that meets the needs of the forecast consumer, considering three unique families of proper scoring rules.