Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Frequency-Selective I/Q Mismatch Calibration of Wideband Direct-Conversion Transmitters

The current trend in building low-cost yet flexible radio transceivers is to use the so-called direct-conversion principle, which is based on complex (I/Q) up- and down conversions. Such transceivers are, however, sensitive to mismatches between the I and Q branches. These mismatches are unavoidable in any practical implementation, and result in finite attenuation of the mirror frequencies. In addition to the mirror-frequency interference problem, I/Q mismatches can severely compromise the performance of power amplifier linearization techniques based on pre-distortion. The effects of these impairments are becoming more pronounced as higher order modulated waveforms and/or more wideband multichannel signals are used. This brief focuses on digital-signal-processor-based I/Q mismatch calibration in wideband direct-conversion transmitters, assuming the challenging case of frequency-dependent I/Q mismatch. First, a novel widely linear (WL) calibration structure is introduced, suitable for frequency-dependent calibration. Then, two alternative principles for calibration parameter estimation are proposed. The first estimation approach stems from second-order statistics of complex communication signals, while the second technique is based on WL least-squares model fitting. Both estimators are shown by simulations to yield very good calibration performance. The obtainable performance is further assessed using laboratory RF signal measurements.
Comparison of Amoxicillin–Metronidazole Plus Famotidine or Lansoprazole for Amoxicillin–Clarithromycin–Proton Pump Inhibitor Treatment Failures for Helicobacter pylori Infection

Background: Proton pump inhibitor–amoxicillin–metronidazole is recommended as second‐line Helicobacter pylori therapy in Japan. The authors assessed the efficacy and safety of second‐line eradication using the H2‐receptor antagonist famotidine as a substitute for proton pump inhibitor.
War Trauma in a Civilian Population

Background An epidemiological survey was made of war trauma and its consequences in the general population. Method One member aged over 15 years from each of 101 randomly selected families in a Primary Health Area in Sri Lanka were interviewed using the Stress Impact Questionnaire. Results Nearly one-half had experienced between five and nine war stresses, and one-quarter experienced over 10 (mean 6.66). Only 6% had not experienced any. Sixty-four per cent had developed psychosocial sequelae, including somatisation (41 %), post-traumatic stress disorder (27%), anxiety disorder (26%), major depression (25%), hostility (19%), relationship problems (13%), alcohol and drug misuse (15%) and functional disability (18%). Conclusion The trauma experienced correlated strongly with psychosocial and somatic symptoms.
Estrogen Receptor (cid:1) Modulates Estradiol Induction of Progestin Receptor Immunoreactivity in Male, But Not in Female, Mouse Medial Preoptic Area

The medial preoptic area (mPOA) of the hypothalamus con- tains many neurons that express estrogen receptor (cid:2) (ER) and/or ER (cid:1) . We examined the distribution of these receptors and assessed responses to estradiol (E 2 ) in the adult mouse mPOA. Gonadectomized adult male and female mice were killed, and brains were processed for immunocytochemistry for ER (cid:2) and ER (cid:1) . More ER (cid:2) immunoreactive (-ir) than ER (cid:1) -ir neurons were present in the mouse mPOA. Numbers of ER (cid:2) -ir cells were equivalent between males and females, but males had significantly more ER (cid:1) -ir neurons than females. Using breeders that were heterozygous for disrupted ER (cid:2) and ER (cid:1) genes, we produced offspring with varying numbers (0, 1, or 2) of functional and disrupted ER (cid:2) and ER (cid:1) genes. After go- nadectomy, half the mice received E 2 for 5 d before they were killed. Estradiol treatment, sex, and genotype each had inde- pendent effects on numbers of PR-ir neurons in the mPOA. In allcases,brainsthatlackedatleastonefunctionalcopyofER (cid:2) had reduced PR-ir cell numbers. In gonadectomized, untreated mice, one functional copy of the ER (cid:1) gene was corre- lated with the largest amount of PR-ir. After E 2 treatment, both sexes had greatly enhanced numbers of PR-ir containing neurons. In females, maximal PR induction required the presence of at least one functional copy of ER (cid:2) , whereas in males, at least a single copy of both functional ER (cid:1) and ER (cid:2) genes was needed for maximal PR-ir induction. We hypothesize that the two ERs have dependent and independent roles in sexual differentiation of neuroendocrine function. ( Endocrinology 145: 4500–4506, 2004) (cid:1) and ER (cid:2) -ir cell numbers were analyzed using two one-way ANOVAs with sex as the factor. We did this analysis on the average number of cells per section in the entire mPOA and also bilaterally for the selected best-matched sections. To assess differences in PR-ir we conducted a three-way ANOVA with sex, hormone treat- ment, and genotype as factors. To follow up on the effects of each ER on basal vs. E 2 -induced PR-ir, we performed identical analyses on brains that did and did not experience E 2 treatment. To determine the contri-butions of ER (cid:1) and ER (cid:2) , we limited the analysis to untreated vs. E 2 - treated animals and conducted a two-way ANOVA wherein the two variables were functional ER (cid:1) and ER (cid:2) gene copy numbers. Differences among groups were further analyzed using Bonferroni’s multiple com-parison,whichadjustssignificancelevelsforthenumberofcomparisonsmade.
Emerging Methods of Biometrics Human Identification

Human identification biometrics systems may originate from real-life criminal and forensic applications. Some methods, such as fingerprinting and face recognition, already proved to be very efficient in computer vision based human recognition systems. In this paper we focus on emerging methods of biometrics human identification also used in the forensic and criminal practice. It is our motivation to design computer vision system based on innovative computing and image processing that would be used to identify humans on the basis of their ear, palm and lips images. Those methods have been successfully used by the police and forensic experts, and now gain attention of computer science community. In the article we propose innovative methods of ear, lips and palmprint biometrics to identify humans.
Kinase Suppressor of Ras 2 (KSR2) Regulates Tumor Cell Transformation via AMPK

ABSTRACT Kinase suppressor of Ras 1 (KSR1) and KSR2 are scaffolds that promote extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling but have dramatically different physiological functions. KSR2−/− mice show marked deficits in energy expenditure that cause obesity. In contrast, KSR1 disruption has inconsequential effects on development but dramatically suppresses tumor formation by activated Ras. We examined the role of KSR2 in the generation and maintenance of the transformed phenotype in KSR1−/− mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) expressing activated RasV12 and in tumor cell lines MIN6 and NG108-15. KSR2 rescued ERK activation and accelerated proliferation in KSR1−/− MEFs. KSR2 expression alone induced anchorage-independent growth and synergized with the transforming effects of RasV12. Similarly, RNA interference (RNAi) of KSR2 in MIN6 and NG108-15 cells inhibited proliferation and colony formation, with concomitant defects in AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling, nutrient metabolism, and metabolic capacity. While constitutive activation of AMPK was sufficient to complement the loss of KSR2 in metabolic signaling and anchorage-independent growth, KSR2 RNAi, MEK inhibition, and expression of a KSR2 mutant unable to interact with ERK demonstrated that mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling is dispensable for the transformed phenotype of these cells. These data show that KSR2 is essential to tumor cell energy homeostasis and critical to the integration of mitogenic and metabolic signaling pathways.
A 32nm 3.1 billion transistor 12-wide-issue Itanium® processor for mission-critical servers

The next generation in the Intel<sup>®</sup> Itanium<sup>®</sup> processor family, code named Poulson, has eight multi-threaded 64 bit cores. Poulson is socket compatible with the current Intel® Itanium<sup>®</sup> Processor 9300 series (Tukwila). The new design integrates a ring-based system interface derived from portions of previous Xeon<sup>®</sup> and Itanium<sup>®</sup> processors, and includes 32MB of Last Level Cache (LLC). The processor is designed in Intel<sup>®</sup>'s 32nm CMOS technology utilizing high-K dielectric metal gate transistors combined with nine layers of copper interconnect. The 18.2x29. 9mm<sup>2</sup> die contains 3.1 billion transistors, with 720 million allocated to the eight cores. A total of 54MB of on die cache is distributed throughout the core and system interface. Poulson implements twice as many cores as Tukwila while lowering the thermal design power (TDP) by 15Wto 170W and increases the top frequency of the I/O and memory inter faces by 50% to 6.4GT/s.
Enthusiasm in the Development of Radical Innovations

People involved in the development of radical innovations tend to feel a lot of enthusiasm. It has been claimed that, in fact, this enthusiasm fosters the innovativeness. The purpose of this study is to analyse how enthusiasm is created and sustained in this process. The theoretical framework combines the previous literature on champions and enthusiasm-creating systems. The study analyses enthusiasm in five processes of radical innovation. The results indicate that it is not only champions but also innovation-development teams who contribute to spreading enthusiasm throughout organizations. Eventually, the enthusiasm also spreads outside to the customers. Five inhibitors of enthusiasm were identified: commitment, engagement, trust, results and help gaps.
Past Returns and Investment Trust Discounts

Abstract: The relationship between past net asset value returns and the current discount on investment trusts is investigated. The relationship is weaker for the component that is common to all trusts in the same sector, and is significantly stronger for more liquid trusts. The time lag before returns have their full impact on discounts is consistent with the requirements of distinguishing 'skill' from noise. Although discounts vary widely even within the same sector, the range of variation appears to be consistent with an arbitrage equilibrium, in which the profits of exploiting apparent pricing anomalies are just insufficient to invite arbitrage trades. Copyright Blackwell Publishers Ltd, 2004.
Cone arrestin binding to JNK3 and Mdm2: conformational preference and localization of interaction sites

Arrestins are multi‐functional regulators of G protein‐coupled receptors. Receptor‐bound arrestins interact with >30 remarkably diverse proteins and redirect the signaling to G protein‐independent pathways. The functions of free arrestins are poorly understood, and the interaction sites of the non‐receptor arrestin partners are largely unknown. In this study, we show that cone arrestin, the least studied member of the family, binds c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK3) and Mdm2 and regulates their subcellular distribution. Using arrestin mutants with increased or reduced structural flexibility, we demonstrate that arrestin in all conformations binds JNK3 comparably, whereas Mdm2 preferentially binds cone arrestin ‘frozen’ in the basal state. To localize the interaction sites, we expressed separate N‐ and C‐domains of cone and rod arrestins and found that individual domains bind JNK3 and remove it from the nucleus as efficiently as full‐length proteins. Thus, the arrestin binding site for JNK3 includes elements in both domains with the affinity of partial sites on individual domains sufficient for JNK3 relocalization. N‐domain of rod arrestin binds Mdm2, which localizes its main interaction site to this region. Comparable binding of JNK3 and Mdm2 to four arrestin subtypes allowed us to identify conserved residues likely involved in these interactions.
Heart Sound Localization in Chest Sound Using Convex-Hull Algorithm

This paper presents a technique to estimate heart sound localization in chest sound. In the proposed technique, chest sound is divided into frames and for each frame various types of acoustic features are extracted. The acoustic features used in this work are energy, log-energy and entropy with their smoothed versions. The heartbeat locations are detected by an algorithm known as convex-hull algorithm. It uses the features extracted from chest sound and pre-defined threshold in heartbeat detection process. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm achieves 98-100% correct rate for detection of heartbeat locations.
A Web-based tutor for Internet communication protocols

Courses on communication protocols can be positively enhanced by the use of support tools to stimulate learning. The tool described herein provides an integrated environment for the learning of Internet protocols, based on demonstration examples of the protocols' operation and proposed exercises of varying dif®culties. ß2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 8: 150±156, 2000
Do R&D Spinoffs have Higher R&D Productivity? Evidence from Taiwanese Electronics Firms

The startup mode of spinoffs founded by R&D employees (R&D spinoffs) within the same industry is widespread in high-tech industries. The founders usually own specific human capital and key technological capability, enabling them to take the operational risk and to appropriate rewards of innovations under the industrial environment of rapid technological change. Whether high-tech R&D spinoffs, compared to their other spinoff counterparts, have better R&D productivity remains less well explored. According to the conceptual discussion of the advantages of intangible innovation assets embodied in company founders, this study argues that the founders' innovation cognition, knowledge externalities, absorptive capability and routine experience can help R&D spinoffs to have higher R&D productivity. We thus propose three hypotheses that are then empirically tested. Based on a sample of Taiwanese electronics firms, the empirical findings show that R&D spinoffs invest with a higher R&D intensity and on average have more patents issued. More importantly, the microeconometric estimates show that the patent and output elasticities of the R&D of R&D spinoffs are significantly higher than those of other firms, indicating that they actually have higher R&D productivity.
Agrarian transition in former Soviet Central Asia: A comparative study of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan

While analysing in detail the agrarian transition that is taking place in two former Soviet Central Asian republics, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan (concentrating on agrarian reform, deregulation and financial institutions), the crude classifications that are normally used as framework, such as ‘slow’ versus ‘fast’ reforms or ‘gradualism’ versus ‘shock‐therapy’ are seen as not very useful. These transitions are highly complex and diverse, and therefore any analysis and policy design must be based on a real understanding of the institutional setting of the agrarian sector. It is concluded that agrarian markets are not spontaneously appearing, and that there is an important role for the state to promote ‘the construction of markets’.
Efficient initial approximation and fast converging methods for division and square root

Efficient initial approximations and fast converging algorithms are important to achieve the desired precision faster at lower hardware cost in multiplicative division and square root. In this paper, a new initial approximation method for division, an accelerated higher order converging division algorithm, and a new square root algorithm are proposed. They are all suitable for implementation on an arithmetic unit where one multiply-accumulate operation, can be executed in one cycle. In the case of division, the combination of our initial approximation method and our converging algorithm, enables a single iteration of the converging algorithm to produce double-precision quotients. Our new square root algorithm can form, double-precision square roots faster using smaller look-up tables than the Newton-Raphson method. <<ETX>>
Impaired Release of ATP from Red Blood Cells of Humans with Primary Pulmonary Hypertension

Previously, we reported that in the isolated perfused rabbit lung, red blood cells (RBCs) obtained from either rabbits or healthy humans were a required component of the perfusate to unmask evidence of nitric oxide (NO) participation in regulation of the pulmonary circulation. In addition, we found that mechanical deformation of rabbit and healthy human RBCs released ATP, a known agonist for enhanced NO synthesis. In contrast, RBCs obtained from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) did not release ATP in response to mechanical deformation. The coexistence of airway disease and alveolar hypoxia in patients with CF precluded the drawing of conclusions relating a defect in RBC ATP release with the pulmonary hypertension associated with CF. Airway disease and alveolar hypoxia are not, however, features of primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH), a human condition of unknown etiology. We postulated that a defect in NO generation might contribute to the increased pulmonary vascular resistance in PPH, and as a first step, we hypothesized that RBCs obtained from patients with PPH would not release ATP. In contrast to RBCs of healthy humans, when RBCs of PPH patients were passed through filters (average pore size 12, 8, or 5 μm), ATP was not released and the RBCs exhibited reduced deformability. Moreover, when incubated with the active cAMP analogue, Sp-cAMP (100 μM), an activator of the CF transmembrane conductance regulator, ATP was not released. These results demonstrate that RBCs obtained from patients with PPH fail to release ATP whether the stimulus is mechanical or pharmacological. Thus, failure of RBCs to release ATP in patients with PPH might be a major pathogenetic factor that accounts for the heretofore unknown etiology of their pulmonary hypertension.
An Event Structure Account of English Resultatives

Current syntactic accounts of English resultatives are based on the assumption that result XPs are predicated of underlying direct objects. This assumption has helped to explain the presence of reflexive pronouns with some intransitive verbs but not others and the apparent lack of result XPs predicated of subjects of transitive verbs. We present problems for and counterexamples to some of the basic assumptions of the syntactic approach, which undermine its explanatory power. We develop an alternative account that appeals to principles governing the well-formedness of event structure and the event structure-to-syntax mapping. This account covers the data on intransitive verbs and predicts the distribution of subject-predicated result XPs with transitive verbs.
Introduction to Special Feature on Catastrophic Thresholds, Perspectives, Definitions, and Applications

The contributions to this special feature focus on several conceptual and operational applications for understanding non-linear behavior of complex systems with various ecological criteria at unique levels of organization. The organizing theme of the feature emphasizes alternative stable states or regimes and intervening thresholds that possess great relevance to ecology and natural resource management. The authors within this special feature address the conceptual models of catastrophe theory, self- organization, cross-scale interactions and time-scale calculus; develop operational definitions and procedures for understanding the occurrence of dynamic regimes or multiple stable states and thresholds; suggest diagnostics tools for detection of states and thresholds and contribute to the development of scaling laws; and finally, demonstrate applications that promote both greater ecological understanding and management prescriptions for insect and disease outbreaks, resource island formation, and characterization of ecological resilience. This Special Feature concludes with a synthesis of the commonalities and disparities of concepts and interpretations among the contributed papers to identify issues and approaches that merit further research emphasis.
NUEVAS PERSPECTIVAS EN LOS PROCESOS DE REESTRUCTURACIÓN DE PLANTILLAS

In the last years much has been said and written about downsizing policies and results. Furthermore, the economic press reveals that theses processes are not yet over, and that they will continue in the near future. In this frame, we have decided to take a closer look to staff restructuring and its main implications for the present economic environment. This paper reflects the key conclusions of an empirical research on these topics carried on the province of Alicante. Also, the likely reasons given and the means applied by organizations for staff restructuring are stated. Finally, the new tendencies on the effects of these processes are explained.
To challenge students beliefs to support transition into higher education

The main objective of this project was to support the transition of first year students into higher education by helping them become aware of the beliefs and values they bring, and the demands they will encounter in a problem-based health profession education. Consideration was given to student approaches to learning and ideas about their future professional roles, including gender and power issues. By making students ́ thoughts more visible through reflective writing and the use of portfolios, these issues can be addressed for reflection and challenge, helping students monitor change and increase awareness. The project has been carried out for all students in the common introductory course Health, Ethics and Learning (HEL1) and for students at three of the programmes; nursing, physiotherapy and medical biology. A structure for using reflective writing and portfolio has been implemented into curriculum. Findings show that reflective writing helps students to reflect critically about their learning. Students’ documentation in a portfolio also helps students to see developments and change and gives valuable information to teachers about students thinking in the transition process.
Involvement of implementers: missing element in strategy formulation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to help top managers find ways of involving implementers of strategy at the strategic formulation level.Design/methodology/approach – The author has conducted research in organisations that have come up with strategic plans, identified how top managers fail to include implementers when formulating strategy, and advises them on how to avoid this trap.Findings – Grasping the real reason for involving implementers in strategy formulation for top managers may be a difficult task, though it is a fact that employees contribute better when they are involved in the planning stage.Practical implications – Methods are provided for top managers to follow when formulating strategy.Originality/value – This paper gives practical advice from situations in organisations and helps managers to involve all stakeholders holistically when formulating a strategy.