Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of space division multiplexing on resource allocation: a unified treatment of TDMA, OFDMA and CDMA

Space division multiple access (SDMA) with an antenna array at the transmitter is a promising means for increasing system capacity and supporting rate-demanding services. However, the presence of an antenna array at the physical layer raises significant issues at higher layers. In this paper, we attempt to capture the impact of SDMA on access layer channel allocation, reflected on channel reuse. This impact obtains different twists in TDMA, CDMA and OFDMA due to the different nature of co-channel and cross-channel interference and the different interaction of user spatial channel characteristics with system channels, namely time slots, codes and subcarriers. We consider these access schemes in a generalized unified framework and propose heuristic algorithms for channel allocation, downlink beamforming and transmit power control so as to increase total provisioned system rate and provide QoS to users in the form of minimum rate guarantees. We study the class of greedy algorithms that rely on criteria such as induced or received interference and signal-to-interference ratio (SIR), and a class of SIR balancing algorithms. Results show superior performance for SIR balancing resource allocation and expose the performance benefits of cross-layer design.
Online maximum-likelihood learning of time-varying dynamical models in block-frequency-domain

A linear dynamical model can be used to describe the evolution of an unknown system in noisy conditions. However, in most applications model parameters of a dynamical system are not known a priori, bringing into question the optimality of traditional state-only estimators. In this paper, we consider block-frequency-domain dynamical models and formulate an optimal framework for low-latency joint state and parameter estimation. We show that the resulting variational expectation-maximization algorithm in the block-frequency-domain offers a comprehensive and efficient solution for the joint estimation task.
Theoretical Sampling - ALIAS: a Case Selection Framework for Research on Social Media Engagement

Web 2.0 is a platform that supports value co-creation. Firms engage with a variety of audiences to generate additional value. The study presented in this paper looks at employer/employee engagement and identifies high-and low-performers. By comparing successful and less successful firms, the firm specific idiosyncratic relationships are uncovered and firm specific resources as sources of superior performance identified. This paper introduces ALIAS – a methodology for identification of the relative firm performance within a population, and selection of theoretically relevant cases to conduct comparative case studies through the lens of RBV. The proposed methodology is a five step process and utilises the DART framework of value co-creation for identification and assessment of performance criteria.
The first 3-months post-stroke: What facilitates successfully living with aphasia?

Abstract This study used a qualitative approach to describe the experience of the first 3 months post-stroke in order to identify factors which facilitate successfully living with aphasia. Fifteen participants completed semi-structured interviews and self-perceived ratings of how successfully he or she was living with aphasia. A number of themes were identified from the interviews, including: a need to do things in order to be actively engaged in rehabilitation; increase independence and have a purpose in life; the importance of social support; the value of rehabilitation; a need to adapt and make adjustments; and having a positive outlook. These results suggest that a range of service delivery models need to be considered during the early stages post-stroke in order to address individual needs and so that long-term outcomes of people with aphasia may be improved.
Involvement of Cytosolic Phospholipase A2 and Secretory Phospholipase A2 in Arachidonic Acid Release from Human Neutrophils1

The purpose of this study was to define the role of secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2), calcium-independent PLA2, and cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2) in arachidonic acid (AA) release from fMLP-stimulated human neutrophils. While fMLP induced the release of extracellular sPLA2 activity and AA, 70% of sPLA2 activity remained associated with the cell. Treatment with the cell-impermeable sPLA2 inhibitors DTT or LY311-727, or the anti-sPLA2 Ab 3F10 all inactivated extracellular sPLA2 activity, but had minimal effect on neutrophil AA mass release. In contrast, coincubation of streptolysin-O toxin-permeabilized neutrophils with DTT, LY311-727, or 3F10 all decreased [3H8]AA release from [3H8]AA-labeled, fMLP-stimulated cells. Exposure to fMLP resulted in a decrease in the electrophoretic mobility of cPLA2, a finding consistent with cPLA2 phosphorylation, and stimulated the translocation of cPLA2 from cytosolic to microsomal and nuclear compartments. The role of cPLA2 was further evaluated with the cPLA2 inhibitor methyl arachidonyl fluorophosphonate, which attenuated cPLA2 activity in vitro and decreased fMLP-stimulated AA mass release by intact neutrophils, but had no effect on neutrophil sPLA2 activity. Inhibition of calcium-independent PLA2 with haloenol lactone suicide substrate had no effect on neutrophil cPLA2 activity or AA mass release. These results indicate a role for cPLA2 and an intracellular or cell-associated sPLA2 in the release of AA from fMLP-stimulated human neutrophils.
Toggling between gamma-frequency activity and suppression of cell assemblies

Gamma (30–80 Hz) rhythms in hippocampus and neocortex resulting from the interaction of excitatory and inhibitory cells (E- and I-cells), called Pyramidal-Interneuronal Network Gamma (PING), require that the I-cells respond to the E-cells, but don't fire on their own. In idealized models, there is a sharp boundary between a parameter regime where the I-cells have weak-enough drive for PING, and one where they have so much drive that they fire without being prompted by the E-cells. In the latter regime, they often de-synchronize and suppress the E-cells; the boundary was therefore called the “suppression boundary” by Börgers and Kopell (2005). The model I-cells used in the earlier work by Börgers and Kopell have a “type 1” phase response, i.e., excitatory input always advances them. However, fast-spiking inhibitory basket cells often have a “type 2” phase response: Excitatory input arriving soon after they fire delays them. We study the effect of the phase response type on the suppression transition, under the additional assumption that the I-cells are kept synchronous by gap junctions. When many E-cells participate on a given cycle, the resulting excitation advances the I-cells on the next cycle if their phase response is of type 1, and this can result in suppression of more E-cells on the next cycle. Therefore, strong E-cell spike volleys tend to be followed by weaker ones, and vice versa. This often results in erratic fluctuations in the strengths of the E-cell spike volleys. When the phase response of the I-cells is of type 2, the opposite happens: strong E-cell spike volleys delay the inhibition on the next cycle, therefore tend to be followed by yet stronger ones. The strengths of the E-cell spike volleys don't oscillate, and there is a nearly abrupt transition from PING to ING (a rhythm involving I-cells only).
Car-to-Car communication for accurate vehicle localization — The CoVeL approach

This paper presents the CoVeL system which aims to reach lane-level localization accuracy for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. It highlights the potential of using raw GPS measurements in a cooperative system together with a high-accurate digital map. The focus of this paper is on the definition and the implementation of the Car-to-Car message extensions needed to transmit GPS measurements between vehicles. Furthermore, the integration of EGNOS/EDAS satellite corrections into C2C communication is motivated and shown. Finally, this work demonstrates how new communication technologies can successfully contribute to enhanced localization accuracy.
Information Systems: A Discipline in Search of a Community; or Vice-Versa?

This paper takes issue with those who seek disciplinary certainty for IS, and uses the ideas of Bauman and Foucault to argue that such assurances are both delusory and futile. The recent article by Benbasat and Zmud is specifically targeted since they seek to present some definitive statement of identity for the IS discipline, and do so from a central position within the institutional sites of IS. The paper develops the argument that any such attempt at disciplining â with its Foucauldian resonances of policing, control and constraint â is bound to be ineffectual in the long term, but paradoxically may be helpful in generating a wide-ranging response and the development of abnormal discourses.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis Susceptibility Testing by Flow Cytometry

Here is another unit with clinical relevance. Tuberculosis remains a major health problem throughout the world, with approximately one‐quarter of the population being infected. Rapid and accurate susceptibility testing for the tubercle bacillus is essential for control of the disease. Such testing can be accomplished by flow cytometry within twenty‐four hours, instead of the days to weeks required by traditional methods. The use of flow cytometry both improves the quality of susceptibility testing and advances public health measures for the prevention and control of this ancient scourge.
Fast parallel simulation of fiber optical communication systems accelerated by a graphics processing unit

A parallel implementation of the split-step Fourier method utilizing the general purpose parallel computing architecture for graphics processing units CUDA is presented. Results of the GPU-implementation are compared to a conventional CPU-based approach regarding computation time and accuracy. We developed a novel implementation with a significantly higher accuracy than the CUDA intrinsic FFT in single precision mode yielding a high speed-up factor of up to 144 compared to a CPU implementation.
Exploring Content-based Artwork Recommendation with Metadata and Visual Features

Compared to other areas, artwork recommendation has received little attention, despite the continuous growth of the artwork market. Previous research has relied on ratings and metadata to make artwork recommendations, as well as visual features extracted with deep neural networks (DNN). However, these features have no direct interpretation to explicit visual features (e.g. brightness, texture) which might hinder explainability and user-acceptance. In this work, we study the impact of artwork metadata as well as visual features (DNN-based and attractiveness-based) for physical artwork recommendation, using images and transaction data from the UGallery online artwork store. Our results indicate that: (i) visual features perform better than manually curated data, (ii) DNN-based visual features perform better than attractiveness-based ones, and (iii) a hybrid approach improves the performance further. Our research can inform the development of new artwork recommenders relying on diverse content data.
High efficiency and total harmonic distortion improvement by zero current prediction technique for transformer-free buck power factor corrector

Power factor correction (PFC) can shape the input current of off-line power supplies to be in-phase with the input AC voltage to maximize the available real power from the AC source for high power factor (PF). Boundary current mode (BCM) operation is the easiest way to get good power factor performance. However, the zero current detection in conventional PFC based on the voltage across the auxiliary winding which is suffer from the delay of zero current detection timing. Therefore, this paper proposed a high efficiency and total harmonic distortion (THD) improvement for transformer-free buck power factor corrector with zero current prediction mechanism. The chip fabricated in 0. 5μm 800V ultra-high voltage (UHV) process can be powered on directly by the AC source owing to the 800V ultra-high voltage device. The output voltage of buck PFC is set at 80V and the PF is high to 0.98 without additional component compared with traditional buck PFC. The maximum efficiency of proposed buck PFC converter is 98.4% when input voltage is 110V AC.
The relationship between vestibular function and topographical memory in older adults

Research during the past two decades has demonstrated an important role of the vestibular system in topographical orientation and memory and the network of neural structures associated with them. Almost all of the supporting data have come from animal or human clinical studies, however. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the link between vestibular function and topographical memory in normal elderly humans. Twenty-five participants aged 70 to 85 years who scored from mildly impaired to normal on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) received three topographical memory tests: the Camden Topographical Recognition Memory Test (CTMRT), a computerized topographical mental rotation test (TMRT), and a virtual pond maze (VPM). They also received six vestibular or oculomotor tests: optokinetic nystagmus (OKN), visual pursuit (VP), actively generated vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), the sensory orientation test (SOT) for posture, and two measures of rotational memory (error in degrees, or RM°, and correct directional recognition, or RM→). The only significant bivariate correlations were among the three vestibular measures primarily assessing horizontal canal function (VOR, RM°, and RM→). A multiple regression analysis showed significant relationships between vestibular and demographic predictors and both the TMRT (R = 0.78) and VPM (R = 0.66) measures. The significant relationship between the vestibular and topographical memory measures supports the theory that vestibular loss may contribute to topographical memory impairment in the elderly.
Preoperative Tissue Doppler Imaging-Derived Atrial Conduction Time Predicts Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Mitral Valve Surgery for Mitral Valve Regurgitation.

BACKGROUND Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication of cardiac surgery and may result in stroke, heart failure and poor prognosis. This study evaluated a novel index of total atrial conduction time derived from the P-wave onset (lead II) to the peak A' wave on tissue Doppler imaging (PA-TDI duration) in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery (MVS) for mitral valve regurgitation. METHODS AND RESULTS Seventy-three patients undergoing MVS had transthoracic echocardiography with tissue Doppler imaging preoperatively and were monitored postoperatively with continuous electrocardiographic telemetry for 14 days. Preoperative characteristics, echocardiographic data, operative data and postoperative findings were compared between patients with (n=44) and without (n=29) POAF. Postoperative cardiac events were higher in patients with than without POAF (12/44, 27% vs. 3/29, 10%; P=0.0798) and cerebral events occurred in only 2 POAF patients. On multivariate analysis the independent predictors of POAF were degenerative disease etiology (OR, 4.61; 95% CI: 1.41-15.0; P=0.0112) and PA-TDI duration (OR, 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01-1.07; P=0.0048). On ROC curve analysis a PA-TDI cut-off of 159.4 ms was optimal for predicting POAF. CONCLUSIONS PA-TDI duration was an independent predictor of POAF after MVS. Patients with PA-TDI duration >159.4 ms should be considered high risk and treated appropriately to improve outcome.
A Dual-Band Coupled-Line Balun Filter

In this paper, a new type of device called dual-band coupled-line bandpass balun filter is presented. Based on the traditional coupled-line filter theory and Marchand balun configuration, a new device with both filter-type, as well as balun-type characteristics is proposed. The new device utilizes -type transmission-line stepped-impedance resonators to achieve a dual-band operation. Besides providing a simple design procedure for the device, its working mechanism is also revealed mathematically. A prototype balun filter operating at 2.4 and 5.8 GHz has been realized using traditional printed circuit board technology to validate the proposed concept and theory, showing promising application potentials for future multiband RF wireless transceiver modules. Experimental measurements show good agreement with analytical and computer simulations.
An improved power rating of inverter topology for the application in standalone or smart grid connected photovoltaic systems

Transformer-less photovoltaic (PV) systems have the advantages of higher system efficiency, reduced cost and size of the system. A single phase half bridge inverter topology does not inject dc into the grid, but its output voltage has only three levels, thus lower power quality. This paper proposes a transformer-less topology for improving the power quality of the inverter output voltage, and increasing its power rating. Level and phase shifted sinusoidal pulse-width modulation (LPSPWM) technique is used for PWM generation. Simulation results obtained in MATLAB Simulink are compared with the conventional one.
Synthesis and Antidiabetic Activity of Novel 2,4-Thiazolidinedione Derivatives Containing a Thiazole Ring

Summary A series of thiazolyl-2,4-thiazolidine-diones (Ia-f, IIa-f and IIIa-f) was prepared by Knoevenagel reaction of substituted benzyl-2,4-thiazolidinediones (4a-f) with chlorothiazolecarbaldehydes (2, 3a-b). The prepared compounds were tested for their insulinotropic activities in INS-1 cells. A significant insulinotropic effect was seen with compounds If and IIa.
An investigative study into the current understanding of autism and provision for autistic children in Kuwait

Autism is a severe form of childhood psychopathology which has enormous impact on the child, his/her family, and the wider community. It challenges the expertise of doctors, teachers and therapists. In Kuwait, recognition of the disorder is still in its infancy. However, the government has established a new Centre for Autism, the first of its kind in the country, to provide up-to-date medical care and education for autistic children. This investigative study attempts to assess the impact autistic children's behaviours have on their families within the context of Kuwait. This will be related to Kuwait's progress in catering for autism, in the light of current thinking world-wide. Autism is defined, early descriptions and theories as to aetiology are outlined, and the main trends of modern research are indicated. Within the context of the Review of Literature, distinguishing characteristics of autistic behaviour and the general impact upon families are identified and discussed, after which specific stresses and related problems are reviewed. Diagnosis and treatment are also considered. Discussion then turns to the roles of the main governmental and other bodies concerned with provision for autistic children in Kuwait, and an account is given of the special schools which are currently known to cater specifically for this disorder. Because any medical condition, but particularly autism has an impact upon the immediate and extended family, information is also presented regarding coping strategies by Kuwaiti parents, as well as various therapies and training programmes and their claimed effects. Other factors influencing the family and which can cause
On Modeling of Parallel Repeater-Insertion Methodologies for SoC Interconnects

Parallel repeaters are proven to outperform serial repeaters in terms of delay, power and silicon area when regenerating signals in system-on-chip (SoC) interconnects. In order to avoid fundamental weaknesses associated with previously published parallel repeater-insertion models, this paper presents a new mathematical modeling for parallel repeater-insertion methodologies in SoC interconnects. The proposed methodology is based on modeling the repeater pull-down resistance in parallel with the interconnect. Also, to account for the effect of interconnect inductance, two moments were used in the transfer function, as opposed to previous Elmore delay models which consider only one moment for RC interconnects. A direct consequence of this new type of modeling is an increased challenge in the mathematical modeling of interconnects. HSpice electrical and C++/MATLAB simulations are conducted to assess the performance of the proposed optimization methodology using a 0.25-mum CMOS technology. Simulation results show that this repeater-insertion methodology can be used to optimize SoC interconnects in terms of propagation delay, and provide VLSI/SoC designers with optimal design parameters, such as the type as well as the position and size of repeaters to be used for interconnect regeneration, faster than with conventional HSpice simulations.
Disruption of Hematopoiesis and Thymopoiesis in the Early Premalignant Stages of Infection with SL3-3 Murine Leukemia Virus

ABSTRACT A time course analysis of SL3-3 murine leukemia virus (SL3) infection in thymus and bone marrow of NIH/Swiss mice was performed to assess changes that occur during the early stages of progression to lymphoma. Virus was detectable in thymocytes, bone marrow, and spleen as early as 1 to 2 weeks postinoculation (p.i.). In bone marrow, virus infection was detected predominantly in immature myeloid or granulocytic cells. Flow cytometry revealed significant reductions of the Ter-119+ and Mac-1+ populations, and significant expansions of the Gr-1+ and CD34+ populations, between 2 and 4 weeks p.i. Analysis of colony-forming potential confirmed these findings. In the thymus, SL3 replication was associated with significant disruption in thymocyte subpopulation distribution between 4 and 7 weeks p.i. A significant thymic regression was observed just prior to the clonal outgrowth of tumor cells. Proviral long terminal repeats (LTRs) with increasing numbers of enhancer repeats were observed to accumulate exclusively in the thymus during the first 8 weeks p.i. Observations were compared to the early stages of infection with a virtually nonpathogenic SL3 mutant, termed SL3ΔMyb5, which was shown by real-time PCR to be replication competent. Comparison of SL3 with SL3ΔMyb5 implicated certain premalignant changes in tumorigenesis, including (i) increased proportions of Gr-1+ and CD34+ bone marrow progenitors, (ii) a significant increase in the proportion of CD4− CD8− thymocytes, (iii) thymic regression prior to tumor outgrowth, and (iv) accumulation of LTR enhancer variants. A model in which disrupted bone marrow hematopoiesis and thymopoiesis contribute to the development of lymphoma in the SL3-infected animal is discussed.