Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low complexity ordered successive interference cancelation detection algorithm for uplink MIMO SC‐FDMA system

In mobile communication, the most exploratory technology of fifth generation is massive multiple input multiple output (MIMO). The minimum mean square error and zero forcing based linear detectors are used in multiuser detection for MIMO single‐carrier frequency division multiple access (SC‐FDMA). When the received signal is detected and regularization sequence is joined in the equalization of spectral null amplification, these schemes experience an error performance and the signal detection assesses an inversion of a matrix computation that grows into complexity. Ordered successive interference cancelation (OSIC) detection is considered for MIMO SC‐FDMA, which uses a posteriori information to eradicate these problems in a realistic environment. To cancel the interference, sorting is preferred based on signal‐to‐noise ratio and log‐likelihood ratio. The distinctiveness of the methodology is to predict the symbol with the lowest error probability. The proposed work is compared with the existing methods, and simulation results prove that the defined algorithm outperforms conventional detection methods and accomplishes better performance with lower complication.
Search for Higgs bosons beyond the Standard Model in early ATLAS data

Higgs bosons are present in many extensions of the Standard Model, yet we are still waiting for the experimental confirmation of their existence. This thesis discusses Minimal and Next-to Minimal Supersymmetric Models, and presents searches for leptonic Higgs boson decays in channels that may provide the first unambiguous evidence of Higgs physics beyond the Standard Model. The channels considered are : gg → a1, gg → h1 → 2a1, H → τν, and H → a1W, where a1 → μμ and τ → #νν̄. A full data analysis is presented for gg → a1 → μμ channel, while sensitivity prospects are discussed for the other channels. For the data analysis, we consider a data set with an integrated luminosity of 39 pb−1 collected by the ATLAS Detector at the Large Hadron Collider in 2010, operating at the centre of mass energy of √ s = 7 TeV. As we observe no evidence for a signal in the gg → a1 channel, we set a model independent 95% confidence level upper limit on Higgs production cross section and branching ratio: σgg→a1 × B(a1 → μμ). This result represents the first measurement of σgg→a1 × B(a1 → μμ) in the world, and improves on the current experimental constraints on the Higgs sector beyond the Standard Model. 1 h1 and a1 are the lightest CP-even and CP-odd Higgs bosons respectively, H and W are the charged Higgs and vector bosons respectively, # = e, μ are the electron and the muon, τ is the tau lepton, ν is a neutrino, and g are gluons
Piloting wet tensile strength development of polyamide-amine-epichlorohydrin wet strengthened nordic bleached softwood pulp paper by alkyl ketene dimer internal sizing

The results of recent laboratory-scale studies regarding the joint effects of wet strengthening agent polyamide-amine-epichlorohydrin (PAE) and internal alkylketene dimer (AKD) sizing on Nordic bleached softwood pulp (NBSK) handsheets indicate that AKD internal sizing increases the wet strength of PAE wet strengthened handsheets. The boosting effect of the internal AKD sizing was long-lasting. At the molecular level the actual mechanism behind the effect is unclear. The present study examines if the enhanced effect of internal AKD sizing, which is potentially exploitable in practice, also occurs in paper made by VTT’s Suora pilot paper machine. The trials were done using a similar type of NBSK pulp and the same chemicals as in the laboratory-scale studies. The paper was formed at 400 m/min using a hybrid dewatering mode (Fourdrinier + gap). Just as in the laboratory-scale studies, the internal AKD sizing of PAE wet-strengthened NBSK paper resulted in a long-lasting increase of the paper wet strength. In accordance with the laboratory trials, internal AKD sizing had no noticeable effect on the dry tensile strength of the pilot-made paper. The only apparent difference to the earlier observations was an increase of dry tensile strength of the paper treated solely with PAE.
From M-theory to D=5 supergravity and duality-symmetric theories

This Ph.D. thesis was submitted to the Catholic University of Leuven. We discuss two main topics: various formulations of duality-symmetric theories and D=5 supergravity (both construction and supersymmetric solutions). The thesis is structured as follows: Ch. 1 Introduction: Ch. 2 String theory toolkit: Ch. 3 Free duality-symmetric theories: Ch. 4 Interacting duality-symmetric theories: Ch. 5 Conformal supergravity in D=5: Weyl multiplets: Ch. 6 Conformal supergravity in D=5: matter and gauge-fixing: Ch. 7 Supersymmetric solutions in D=5 gauged supergravity.
A model of the U.S. food system: What are the determinants of the state vulnerabilities to production shocks and supply chain disruptions?

We adapt a Ricardian general equilibrium model to the setting of U.S. domestic agri-food trade to assess states’ vulnerability to adverse production shocks and supply chain disruptions. To this end, we analyze how domestic crop supply chains depend on fundamental state-level comparative advantages – which reflect underlying differences in states’ cost-adjusted productivity levels – and thereby illustrate the capacity of states to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of such disruptions to the U.S. agricultural sector. Based on the theoretical framework and our estimates of the model’s structural parameters obtained using data on U.S. production, consumption, and domestic trade in crops, we undertake simulations to characterize the welfare implications of counterfactual scenarios depicting disruptions to (1) states’ agricultural productive capacity, and (2) interstate supply linkages. Our results emphasize that the distributional impacts of domestic supply chain disruptions hinge on the extent of individual states’ agricultural productive capacities, and that the capacity for states to mitigate the impacts of adverse production shocks through trade relies on the degree to which states are able to substitute local production shortfalls by sourcing crops from other states.
Real‐time Earth magnetosphere simulator with three‐dimensional magnetohydrodynamic code

We developed a real‐time numerical simulator for the solar wind–space–magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling system, adopting the three‐dimensional (3‐D) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation code developed by Tanaka. By using the real‐time solar wind data, which is available from the ACE spacecraft every minute, as the upstream boundary conditions for density, temperature, flow speed, and interplanetary magnetic field, our MHD simulation system can numerically reproduce the global response of the magnetosphere and ionosphere at the same time as in the real world. We achieved real‐time 3‐D simulations of the solar wind–magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling system with a 44 × 56 × 60 mesh size by adapting high‐performance FORTRAN language with eight CPUs on a supercomputer system located at the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT). Simulated plasma temperature and density in geostationary orbit were also plotted as an index to predict satellite charging. In addition, we present real‐time virtual AE indices obtained from simulation results that directly compare with geomagnetic field activities as well as real‐time plasma temperature and density in geostationary orbit. Our real‐time MHD simulator now runs routinely on NICT's supercomputer system. We will present a detailed configuration of the real‐time simulator system in this paper. Some examples are presented from system output to show how solar wind variations result in geomagnetic disturbances.
Effects of COVID-19 and Social Distancing on Rhinovirus Infections and Asthma Exacerbations

Since their discovery in the 1950s, rhinoviruses (RVs) have been recognized as a major causative agent of the “common cold” and cold-like illnesses, accounting for more than 50% of upper respiratory tract infections. However, more than that, respiratory viral infections are responsible for approximately 50% of asthma exacerbations in adults and 80% in children. In addition to causing exacerbations of asthma, COPD and other chronic lung diseases, RVs have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of lower respiratory tract infections including bronchiolitis and community acquired pneumonia. Finally, early life respiratory viral infections with RV have been associated with asthma development in children. Due to the vast genetic diversity of RVs (approximately 160 known serotypes), recurrent infection is common. RV infections are generally acquired in the community with transmission occurring via inhalation of aerosols, respiratory droplets or fomites. Following the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), exposure to RV and other respiratory viruses was significantly reduced due to social-distancing, restrictions on social gatherings, and increased hygiene protocols. In the present review, we summarize the impact of COVID-19 preventative measures on the incidence of RV infection and its sequelae.
Changes in unrelated variety and climbing the poverty ladder: a U-shaped relationship

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to study how changes in unrelated variety influence individuals’ poverty alleviation. Drawing on the LiTS III database, we employed the Oprobit model to test 5007 individual-level observations from 23 regions in four former Yugoslavian countries. All results imply that the changes in unrelated variety have a U-shaped relationship with individuals’ poverty alleviation. Our findings enrich the unrelated variety research by providing micro-level evidence and offer practical insights for governments, organizations and individuals aiming to reduce poverty.
Achieving 23.83% conversion efficiency in silicon heterojunction solar cell with ultra‐thin MoOx hole collector layer via tailoring (i)a‐Si:H/MoOx interface

Thin films of transition metal oxides such as molybdenum oxide (MoOx) are attractive for application in silicon heterojunction solar cells for their potential to yield large short‐circuit current density. However, full control of electrical properties of thin MoOx layers must be mastered to obtain an efficient hole collector. Here, we show that the key to control the MoOx layer quality is the interface between the MoOx and the hydrogenated intrinsic amorphous silicon passivation layer underneath. By means of ab initio modelling, we demonstrate a dipole at such interface and study its minimization in terms of work function variation to enable high performance hole transport. We apply this knowledge to experimentally tailor the oxygen content in MoOx by plasma treatments (PTs). PTs act as a barrier to oxygen diffusion/reaction and result in optimal electrical properties of the MoOx hole collector. With this approach, we can thin down the MoOx thickness to 1.7 nm and demonstrate short‐circuit current density well above 40 mA/cm2 and a champion device exhibiting 23.83% conversion efficiency.
Effect of Poultry Manure-Derived Compost on the Growth of eucalypts spp. Hybrid Clones

Interspecific hybrids of E. grandis × E. camaldulensis were generated to widen the plantation area. The aim of this study was to assess root capability and development for six different clones of eucalyptus grown in substrates made with three different composts derived from poultry manure. A factorial design was used to assess the effect of different composts on six growth variables. The analysis detected a greater effect from the genotype than the substrate. E. grandis × E. camaldulensis hybrid vegetative propagation was successful in alternative substrates formulated from composted poultry manure. GC8 was the genotype that showed the greatest differences for four the different variables among the substrates, being both the most sensitive and the one with the highest values for all parameters measured. The hybrids' vegetative propagation was determined in alternative substrates formulated from poultry manure compost. The physicochemical characteristics of substrates composed of pine bark and sawdust provided adequate conditions for the growth of eucalyptus. GC8 was the genotype most sensitive to the use of different substrates, showing significant differences in the ratio of roots/callus, radicular dry weight, and cutting dry weight. These clones might be a good option for evaluating compost-based substrates for forestry applications.
Energy consumption, agriculture, forestation and CO2 emission nexus: an application to OECD countries

ABSTRACT The Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis has been used to explain the relationship between environmental degradation and economic condition. This study formulates an augmented EKC framework to incorporate the effect of agriculture, forestation and energy consumption on CO2 emission and estimates the model using the data from 24 OECD countries between 1990 and 2018. The study utilizes individual-country analysis and panel dynamic analysis for the empirical investigation. The results show a positive relationship between CO2 emission and fossil fuel use – a 1% increase in fossil fuel consumption will increase CO2 emission by 0.76%, and a negative relationship with renewable energy – a 1% increase in renewable energy consumption will reduce CO2 emission by 0.14%. The impact of forest cover and agricultural production on CO2 emission is mixed at the single-country level. The panel fixed-effect results reveal that a 1% increase in agricultural production and forest cover leads to a 0.04% and 0.63% increase in CO2 emission, respectively. There is also strong evidence supporting the presence of the EKC hypothesis. The global CO2 emission reduction strategies, such as carbon taxes and emission trading schemes, must acknowledge and incorporate the interplay among -key macro-level variables revealed in this study to enhance their effectiveness.
JVLA Observations of Young Brown Dwarfs

We present sensitive 3.0 cm JVLA radio continuum observations of six regions of low-mass star formation that include twelve young brown dwarfs (BDs) and four young BD candidates. We detect a total of 49 compact radio sources in the fields observed, of which 24 have no reported counterparts and are considered new detections. Twelve of the radio sources show variability in timescales of weeks to months, suggesting gyrosynchrotron emission produced in active magnetospheres. Only one of the target BDs, FU Tau A, was detected. However, we detected radio emission associated with two of the BD candidates, WL 20S and CHLT 2. The radio flux densities of the sources associated with these BD candidates are more than an order of magnitude larger than expected for a BD and suggest a revision of their classification. In contrast, FU Tau A falls on the well-known correlation between radio luminosity and bolometric luminosity, suggesting that the emission comes from a thermal jet and that this BD seems to be forming as a scaled-down version of low-mass stars.
Time evolution algorithms for Matrix Product States and DMRG

In this work we develop several new simulation algorithms for 1D many-body quantum mechanical systems combining the Matrix Product State variational ansatz with Taylor, Pade and Arnoldi approximations to the evolution operator. By comparing with previous techniques based on MPS and DMRG we demonstrate that the Arnoldi method is the best one, reaching extremely good accuracy with moderate resources. Finally we apply this algorithm to studying how correlations are transferred from the atomic to the molecular cloud when crossing a Feschbach resonance with two-species hard-core bosons in a 1D optical lattice.
Percutaneous epidural balloon neuroplasty: a narrative review of current evidence

Percutaneous epidural balloon neuroplasty (PEBN) can be used to perform balloon decompression combined with percutaneous epidural neuroplasty (PEN), leading to significant pain relief and functional improvement in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of PEBN and supported its relatively long-term outcomes (at least 6 months, sustained for up to 12 months). Balloon neuroplasty appears to be superior to conventional PEN. Moreover, it has been shown to be effective in patients unresponsive to conventional PEN or in those with post lumbar surgery syndrome. In addition, balloon neuroplasty achieved successful outcomes regardless of the approach used, such as retrodiscal, transforaminal, contralateral interlaminar, or caudal. Chronic lumbar radicular pain without back pain, neurogenic claudication, and minimal neuropathic component were favorable predictors of successful PEBN from a symptomatic perspective. A short duration of pain after lumbar surgery, lumbar foraminal stenosis caused primarily by degenerative disc, mild foraminal stenosis, and perineural adhesion by degenerative discs were associated with successful outcomes of PEBN from pathological aspects. Ballooning ≥ 50% of the target sites and complete contrast dispersion after ballooning seemed to be crucial for successful outcomes from a technical perspective. In addition, PEBN was effective regardless of the accompanying redundant nerve roots or a mild degree of spondylolisthesis. Studies on balloon neuroplasty have reported occasional minor and self-limiting complications; however, no PEBN-related significant complications have been reported. Given the present evidence, balloon neuroplasty appears to be a safe and effective procedure with minimal complications for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis.
Online learning in non-stationary Markov decision processes

This thesis studies the problem of online learning in non-stationary Markov decision processes where the reward function is allowed to change over time. In every time step of this sequential decision problem, a learner has to choose one of its available actions after observing some part of the current state of the environment. The chosen action influences the observable state of the environment in a stochastic fashion and earns some reward to the learner. However, the entire state (be it observed or not) also influences the reward. The goal of the learner is maximizing the total (non-discounted) reward that it receives. In this work, we assume that the unobserved part of the state evolves autonomously from the observed part of the state or the actions chosen by the learner, thus corresponding to a state sequence generated by an oblivious adversary such as nature. Otherwise, absolutely no statistical assumption is made about the mechanism generating the unobserved state variables. This setting fuses two important paradigms of learning theory: online learning and reinforcement learning. In this thesis, we propose and analyze a number of algorithms designed to work under various assumptions about the dynamics of the stochastic process characterizing the evolution of observable states. For all of these algorithms, we provide bounds on the regret defined as the performance gap between the total reward gathered by the learner and the total reward of the best available fixed policy.
Bose-Fermi Anderson model with SU(2) symmetry: Continuous-time quantum Monte Carlo study

In quantum critical heavy fermion systems, local moments are coupled to both collective spin fluctuations and conduction electrons. As such, the Bose-Fermi Kondo model, describing the coupling of a local moment to both a bosonic and a fermionic bath, has been of extensive interest. For the model in the presence of SU(2) spin rotational symmetry, questions have been raised about its phase diagram. Here we develop a version of continuous-time Quantum Monte Carlo (CT-QMC) method suitable for addressing this issue; this procedure can reach sufficiently low temperatures while preserving the SU(2) symmetry. Using this method for the Bose-Fermi Anderson model, we clarify the renormalization-group fixed points and the phase diagram for the case with a constant fermionic-bath density of states and a power-law bosonic-bath spectral function $\rho_{b}(\omega) \propto \omega^{s}$ ($0<s<1$). We find two types of Kondo destruction QCP, depending on the power-law exponent $s$ in the bosonic bath spectrum. For $s^{*}<s<1$, both types of QCPs exist and, in the parameter regime accessible by an analytical $\epsilon$-expansion renormalization-group calculation (here $\epsilon=1-s$), the CT-QMC result is fully consistent with prior predictions by the latter method. For $s<s^{*}$, there is only one type of QCP. At both type of Kondo destruction QCPs, we find that the exponent of the local spin susceptibility $\eta$ obeys the relation $\eta=\epsilon$, which has important implications for Kondo destruction QCP in the Kondo lattice problem.
The Analytical Strategy of “Ion Induction and Deduction Based on Net-Hubs” for the Comprehensive Characterization of Naringenin Metabolites In Vivo and In Vitro Using a UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer

Naringenin (5,7,4′-trihydroxyflavanone), belonging to the flavanone subclass, is associated with beneficial effects such as anti-oxidation, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic effects. Drug metabolism plays an essential role in drug discovery and clinical safety. However, due to the interference of numerous endogenous substances in metabolic samples, the identification and efficient characterization of drug metabolites are difficult. Here, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry was used to obtain mass spectral information of plasma (processed by three methods), urine, feces, liver tissue, and liver microsome samples. Moreover, a novel analytical strategy named “ion induction and deduction” was proposed to systematically screen and identify naringenin metabolites in vivo and in vitro. The analysis strategy was accomplished by the establishment of multiple “net-hubs” and the induction and deduction of fragmentation behavior. Finally, 78 naringenin metabolites were detected and identified from samples of rat plasma, urine, feces, liver tissue, and liver microsomes, of which 67 were detected in vivo and 13 were detected in vitro. Naringenin primarily underwent glucuronidation, sulfation, oxidation, methylation, ring fission, and conversion into phenolic acid and their composite reactions. The current study provides significant help in extracting target information from complex samples and sets the foundation for other pharmacology and toxicology research.