Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measurement and Characterization of Low-Altitude Air-to-Ground MIMO Channels

To support the development of high-capacity air-to-ground links for range extension, measurements of the low-altitude air-to-ground channel were made at 915 MHz. Two transmit antennas were mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which was flown in loops at an altitude of approximately 200 m above ground level. The received signals were recorded at each of eight antenna elements mounted on a van at locations outside and inside the flight loop. The analysis of the measurements shows that there are regions where the spatial diversity is significant, despite the sparse multipath environment, indicating spatial decorrelation at both the ground and air terminals. The variations in spatial correlation across the receiver array indicate the presence of nonplanar wavefronts produced by the signals' interaction with objects in the array near field, in particular the measurement vehicle. A similar effect is probable at the UAV, and it is expected that more significant near-field effects would arise on a more conventional air platform. These support significant reductions in outage probability at both receiver locations: With appropriate signaling strategies, an airborne platform could provide a viable relay or broadcast node for high-capacity communications using a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) system.
A Loop-Structured Switching Network

This paper describes a novel loop-structured switching network (LSSN) intended for highly parallel processing architectures. With L loops, it can connect up to N = L* log2 L pairs of transmitting and receiving devices using only N/2 two-by-two switching elements; thus, it is very cost-effective in terms of its component count. Its topology resembles that of the indirect binary n-cube network, but a much higher device-to-switch ratio is achieved because all the links between the switches could be used as both transmitting and receiving stations. It has the advantage of incremental extensibility, and-it could avoid store-and-forward deadlocks (SFD) which prevail in other recirculating packet-switched networks. Our simulation studies show that the average throughput rate and delay of LSSN are close to that of other designs despite its relatively low component count.
Regulation of Cellular Caveolin-1 Protein Expression in Murine Macrophages by Microbial Products

ABSTRACT Previously, we reported that expression of caveolin-1 in elicited peritoneal mouse macrophages was up-regulated by remarkably low (1.0-pg/ml) concentrations of Escherichia coli O111 lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Here we report that increases in caveolin-1 expression are manifested by different types of LPS, LPS-mimetic taxol, and heat-killed E. coli and to a much lesser extent by zymosan, polysaccharide-peptidoglycan, and heat-killed Staphylococcus aureus. Rhodobacter sphaeroides lipid A (RsDPLA) could not induce caveolin-1 expression in macrophages. Interestingly, polymyxin B (5 μg/ml) and RsDPLA show only a limited capacity to inhibit LPS-induced caveolin-1 expression. These findings suggest that expression of caveolin-1 in response to LPS may only partially be dependent upon lipid A. Recombinant tumor necrosis factor alpha marginally induces caveolin-1, suggesting that the ability of LPS to regulate caveolin-1 is not mediated primarily through an autocrine/paracrine mechanism involving this cytokine. Under conditions in which cellular levels of caveolin-1 are profoundly induced, no significant changes in TLR4 expression are observed. Of interest, caveolin-1 appears to localize to two cellular compartments, one associated with lipid rafts and a second associated with TLR4. Gamma interferon treatment inhibits the induction of caveolin-1 by LPS in macrophages. Inhibition of the p38 kinase-dependent pathway, but not the extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway, effectively reduced the ability of LPS to mediate caveolin-1 up-regulation. Lactacystin, a potent inhibitor of the proteasome pathway, significantly modulates LPS-independent caveolin-1 expression, and lactacystin inhibits LPS-triggered caveolin-1 responses. These studies suggest that caveolin-1 up-regulation in response to LPS is likely to be proteasome dependent and triggered through the p38 kinase pathway.
Integrated condition monitoring and prognosis method for incipient defect detection and remaining life prediction of low speed slew bearings

This paper presents an application of multivariate state estimation technique (MSET), sequential probability ratio test (SPRT) and kernel regression for low speed slew bearing condition monitoring and prognosis. The method is applied in two steps. Step (1) is the detection of the incipient slew bearing defect. In this step, combined MSET and SPRT is used with circular-domain kurtosis, time-domain kurtosis, wavelet decomposition (WD) kurtosis, empirical mode decomposition (EMD) kurtosis and the largest Lyapunov exponent (LLE) feature. Step (2) is the prediction of the selected features’ trends and the estimation of the remaining useful life (RUL) of the slew bearing. In this step, kernel regression is used with time-domain kurtosis, WD kurtosis and the LLE feature. The application of the method is demonstrated with laboratory slew bearing acceleration data.
Adaptive and Robust Techniques (ART) for Thermoacoustic Tomography in Breast Cancer Detection

We present adaptive and robust techniques (ART) for thermoacoustic tomography with application in breast cancer detection. TAT combines high contrast and high resolution. The current image reconstruction methods used for TAT, such as the widely used Delay-and-Sum (DAS) approach, are data-independent and suffer from low resolution, high sidelobe levels, and poor interference rejection capabilities. The data- adaptive ART have much better performance than their data- independent counterparts. By allowing certain uncertainties, ART can mitigate the amplitude and phase distortion problems encountered in TAT. The excellent performance of ART is demonstrated using both simulated and experimentally measured data.
Short-time spectral and autocorrelation analysis in the Walsh domain

A short-time dyadic autocorrelation function (dacf) and a short-time Walsh energy spectrum of the first kind are defined in the Walsh-Fourier domain. The "natural" choice of the short-time functions does not lead to a Walsh-Fourier transform pair (dyadic Wiener-Khintchine theorem), and thus a second kind of short-time dacf and short-time Walsh energy spectrum are defined as the Walsh-Fourier transforms of the first kind. This leads to a meaningful and convenient Walsh transform pair between the first short-time Walsh energy spectrum and the second short-time dacf. The measurement procedures for both kinds of functions are discussed, and the mean values of these short-time functions are shown to be related to the corresponding long-time functions.
Performance enhancement of indirect matrix converter based variable speed Doubly-Fed induction generator

The conventional type of DFIG system has some drawbacks mainly due to large DC link capacitor. Existence of this capacitor causes converter average lifetime and reliability of system reduction, and maintenance cost proliferation. In this paper a DFIG base wind turbine generation system proposed, in which its common back-to-back converter replaced with an indirect matrix converter (IMC) that uses Sigma-Delta (ΣΔ) modulator to control switches matrix. In this system DC link capacitor is omitted, so system gets more reliable performance and it is cost effective. Furthermore by using ΣΔ modulator IMC performances enhanced. Therefore due to generated current THD reduction, pulsative torque of system reduces that has undeniable effect on mechanical system lifetime. Besides THD of output current wind turbine reduces, that improves power quality of generated power.
Activation of pancreatic β-cell genes by multiplex epigenetic CRISPR-editing

CRISPR-based systems for epigenetic editing are promising molecular tools that could be harnessed for directed differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. We used the CRISPR/dCas9-VP160, CRISPR/dCas9-TET1 and CRISPR/dCas9-P300 systems for multiplex epigenetic editing and activation of human beta pancreatic genes (PDX1, NEUROG3, PAX4 and INS). The CRISPR/dCas9-P300 system was the most effective at activating genes with reduced number of sgRNA. Using small number of sgRNA per gene was important to induce multiplex gene activation. Combined activation of transcription factors (TFs) involved in beta cell development resulted in INS gene expression; in which sequential TFs activation was more effective than simultaneous activation. Full CRISPR RNA-based delivery system was able to activate all targeted genes. Overall, this study shows the utility of CRISPR tools for epigenetic editing and directed cellular differentiation.
Performance Assessment of Different Classification Techniques for Intrusion Detection

Intrusion detection is one of the major research problems in network security. It is the process of monitoring and analyzing the events occurring in a computer system in order to detect different security violations. The aim of this paper is to classify activities of a system into two major categories: normal and abnormal activities. In this paper we present the comparison of different classification techniques to detect and classify intrusions into normal and abnormal behaviours using WEKA tool. WEKA is open source software which consists of a collection of machine learning algorithms for Data mining tasks. The algorithms or methods tested are Naive Bayes , j48, OneR, PART and RBF Network Algorithm. The experiments and assessments of the proposed method were performed with NSL-KDD intrusion detection dataset. With a total data of 2747 rows and 42 columns will be used to test and compare performance and accuracy among the classification methods that are used.
A method for measuring human behavioural and physiological responses at different stress levels in a driving simulator

1 A method is described by which a car simulator can be used to measure, simultaneously, motor‐perceptual performance and physiological responses of human subjects under different levels of task difficulty or stress. 2 Motor‐perceptual performance was measured in terms of reaction times taken by subjects to carry out steering, braking and operation of traffic indicators in the simulator. Subjects were instructed to carry out the different driving manoeuvres by means of a command panel containing five coloured lights. Three levels of task difficulty or stress were devised. In level 1 only the light signals were used. In level 2 the driving simulator film was shown and all of the light signals reinforced the movements of the car in the film. Level 3 was similar to level 2, with the exception that whilst some of the light signals reinforced the movements of the car, others deliberately conflicted with it. 3 Physiological responses measured were heart rate, blood pressure, respiration and calf blood flow. Personality was also measured by means of the Cattell 16 personality factor questionnaire. 4 Analysis of variance of the performance of 15 subjects showed significant variation between the three task levels (P = <0·001 for steering reaction times; P = <0·01 for brake and indicator reaction times). In all cases the reaction times were longest for level 3, indicating that this was the most difficult task. The number of anticipated responses to steering, braking and traffic indicator signals was highest in level 2, while the number of corrections to steering and braking responses was lowest in level 2. None of these differences was statistically significant. 5 Of the physiological variables, the heart rate showed a progressive increase from task levels 1 to 3 but only those between levels 1 and 3 were statistically significant (P<0·05). 6 The results are discussed in relation to the validity of the method. It is concluded that by means of this method it is possible to produce controlled and reproducible degrees of stress and under conditions which are also suitable for the investigation of pharmacological agents upon it.
Statistical mechanics of protein folding with separable energy functions

We have initiated an entirely new approach to statistical mechanical models of strongly interacting systems where the configurational parameters and the potential energy function are both constructed so that the canonical partition function can be evaluated analytically. For a simplified model of proteins consisting of a single, fairly short polypeptide chain without cross‐links, we can adjust the energy parameters to favor the experimentally determined native state of seven proteins having diverse types of folds. Then 497 test proteins are predicted to have stable native folds, even though they are also structurally diverse, and 480 of them have no significant sequence similarity to any of the training proteins. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers, 2004
Theory, Like Mist on Spectacles, Obscures Vision

This article reflects upon the choice of theory in theory-driven evaluation. While theory is helpful in focusing evaluator's attention and facilitating investigation, it also excludes evidence that does not fit within its framework. The argument is that evaluators need to be aware of all theories that may impinge upon a programme and to defend the theory of choice. They also need to be explicit about what may be excluded from their investigation. Governments aim at change at a macro-level, often using macro-theory, whereas evaluators often concerned with the implementation of programmes may use theory that is at a different, usually the micro-level. Theories at these two levels are not always compatible. The article briefly outlines the development of the theory-driven approach before focusing upon evaluation in health promotion as a case study to highlight the issues.
Antioxidant Enzyme Activity, Iron Content and Lipid Oxidation of Raw and Cooked Meat of Korean Native Chickens and Other Poultry

This study was conducted to observe antioxidant enzyme activity, iron content and lipid oxidation of Korean native chickens and other poultry. The breast and thigh meat of three Korean native chicken breeds including Woorimatdak, Hyunin black and Yeonsan ogye, and three commercial poultry breeds including the broiler, White Leghorn and Pekin duck (Anasplatyrhyncos domesticus) were studied. The analyses of the antioxidant enzymes activity, iron content and lipid oxidation were performed in raw and cooked samples. The activity of catalase (CAT) in the thigh meat was higher than that of the breast meat of three Korean native chickens and the broiler, respectively. The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the uncooked thigh meat of three Korean native chickens was higher than that of the breasts. The breast meat of Woorimatdak and Pekin duck had higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity than the others, while only the thigh meat of Pekin duck had the highest activity. Cooking inactivated CAT and decreased the activity of GPx and SOD. The thigh meat of Woorimatdak, White Leghorn, Yeonsan ogye and Hyunin black contained more total iron than the breast meat of those breeds. The heme-iron lost during cooking ranged from 3.2% to 14.8%. It is noted that the thigh meat had higher thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values than the breast in all chicken breeds. Though Woorimatdak showed higher antioxidant enzyme activity and lower released-iron percentage among Korean native chickens, no differences were found on lipid oxidation. We confirm that the dark meat of poultry exhibited higher antioxidant enzyme activity and contained more iron than the white meat.
Adenosine and methotrexate polyglutamate concentrations in patients with juvenile arthritis.

OBJECTIVE In contrast to the anti-proliferative properties of high-dose methotrexate (MTX) its anti-inflammatory mechanism of action in rheumatic diseases has been attributed to increased adenosine accumulation, most likely caused by long-lived intracellular MTX polyglutamates. The aim of this study was to assess adenosine concentrations in MTX-treated and untreated children and to relate it to MTX polyglutamate concentration measured in erythrocytes and to the therapeutic efficacy. METHODS Adenosine and MTX-polyglutamate concentrations in erythrocytes (EMTX) were assessed in venous blood samples taken before the next MTX dose in 30 patients treated long-term for juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and in 16 untreated matched controls. The blood concentration of adenosine was measured by the liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method and EMTX by an enzymatic assay. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed using the preliminary definition of improvement in JIA patients. RESULTS Mean blood adenosine concentration in MTX-treated patients was 48.05 nmol/l (s.d. 10.1) vs 49.6 nmol/l (s.d. 12.5) in untreated controls (P=0.55). Mean EMTX was 215.56 nmol/l (s.d. 212.9). No significant correlation was found between adenosine concentrations and MTX dose or EMTX (P=0.8 and 0.6, respectively). Adenosine concentration did not differ in clinical responders when compared with non-responders (P=0.9). CONCLUSIONS We have shown that there is no impact of effective MTX dose represented by EMTX on blood adenosine concentration in JIA patients. If MTX anti-inflammatory action is mediated by adenosine it is likely that local release of adenosine at inflamed tissues is responsible for its action which may not be reflected by sustained increase of its blood concentration.
Design Optimization of Quarter-car Models with Passive and Semi-active Suspensions under Random Road Excitation

A methodology is presented for optimizing the suspension damping and stiffness parameters of nonlinear quarter-car models subjected to random road excitation. The investigation starts with car models involving passive damping with constant or dual-rate characteristics. Then, we also examine car models where the damping coefficient of the suspension is selected so that the resulting system approximates the performance of an active suspension system with sky-hook damping. For the models with semi-active or passive dual-rate dampers, the value of the equivalent suspension damping coefficient is a function of the relative velocity of the sprung mass with respect to the wheel subsystem. As a consequence, the resulting equations of motion are strongly nonlinear. For these models, appropriate methodologies are first employed for obtaining the second moment characteristics of motions resulting from roads with a random profile. This information is next utilized in the definition of a vehicle performance index, which is optimized to yield representative numerical results for the most important suspension parameters. Special attention is paid to investigating the effect of road quality as well as on examining effects related to wheel hop. Finally, a critical comparison is performed between the results obtained for vehicles with passive linear or bilinear suspension dampers and those obtained for cars with semi-active shock absorbers.
A Micro-Scale View on Color Reproduction

Modeling color print reproduction is difficult, mainly because of light scattering, causing optical dot gain. Most available models are based on macroscopic color measurements, the average value over an area that is large relative to the halftone dot size. The aim of this study is to go beyond the macroscopic approach, to study color print reproduction on a micro-scale level. An experimental imaging system, combining the accuracy of color measurement instruments with a high spatial resolution, opens up new possibilities to study and model color print reproduction. The main focus is to study how the reflectance values of the printed dots and the paper between them vary with the dot area fraction. A previously proposed expansion of the Murray-Davies model is further developed to handle color prints, predicting tristimulus values. The color of the halftone dots and the paper between them is derived from 3D color histograms in CIEXYZ color space. The prediction errors of the model were found to be equivalent, or better, to that of the Yule-Nielsen model using an optimal n-factor. However, unlike Yule-Nielsen, the expanded Murray-Davies model takes into account the varying reflectance of the ink and paper, and preserves the linear additivity of reflectance, thus providing a better physical description of optical dot gain in color reproduction.
TOP-level designs of a hybrid low field MRI-CT system for pulmonary imaging

We previously discussed “omni-tomography”, but intrinsic conflicts between the magnetic fields of the MRI and the x-ray tube within the CT are inherent. We propose that by using low-field MRI with a negligible fringe field at the site of the CT source, it is possible to create a CT-MRI system with minimal interference. Low field MRI is particularly useful for lung imaging, where hyperpolarized gas can enhance the signal. Three major designs were considered and simulated, with modifications in coil design and axis allowing for further variation. The first uses Halbach arrays to minimize magnetic fields outside, the second uses solenoids pairs with active shielding, and the third uses a rotating compact MRI-CT. Each system is low field, which may allow the implementation of a standard rotating CT. Both structural and functional information can be acquired simultaneously for a true hybrid image with matching temporal and spatial image acquisition.
The prevalence of specific reading disability in an amblyopic population. A preliminary report.

PURPOSE To investigate the prevalence of specific reading disability in children with functional amblyopia and to explore the relationship between the two. METHODS In this prospective study, 20 consecutive children, aged 6 to 15 years (mean 8 +/-1.99 years), and diagnosed with amblyopia underwent a vision and reading assessment. The orthoptic examination included the assessment of participants' visual acuity, ocular motility and binocular functions. Specific reading disability was diagnosed using the Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT III Reading Subtest). Intelligence, phonological awareness, rapid automatized naming (RAN), and the ability to read pseudo or nonsense words was also assessed using various psycho-linguistic reading tests. RESULTS The prevalence of specific reading disability in this small series of amblyopic children was found to be 5% (n=1/20). This was even less than that reported in the local Victoria general population (16%). The type of amblyopia appeared related to phonological awareness (p=0.018) and decoding words (p=0.024), those with anisometropic amblyopia performing significantly better on these tasks than the strabismic amblyopes. The presence of binocular vision functions was also related to decoding words; those with binocular single vision performed better than those with suppression and lacking single binocular vision (p=0.007). Generally, amblyopic children also showed a lower RAN score when compared to phonological awareness score. There was no statistically significant difference for the severity of amblyopia (p=>0.05). CONCLUSIONS In this very small pilot series, reading disorders were relatively rare in children with amblyopia. However, strabismic amblyopia and presence of suppression may have an adverse effect on phonological skills. In addition, amblyopia may be associated with a deficit in RAN. Further research is needed and planned to gain a better understanding about the relationship between amblyopia and reading ability.