Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Three-Phase PLLs: A Review of Recent Advances

A phase-locked loop (PLL) is a nonlinear negative-feedback control system that synchronizes its output in frequency as well as in phase with its input. PLLs are now widely used for the synchronization of power-electronics-based converters and also for monitoring and control purposes in different engineering fields. In recent years, there have been many attempts to design more advanced PLLs for three-phase applications. The aim of this paper is to provide overviews of these attempts, which can be very useful for engineers and academic researchers.
cTPM: A Cloud TPM for Cross-Device Trusted Applications

Current Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs) are illsuited for cross-device scenarios in trusted mobile applications because they hinder the seamless sharing of data across multiple devices. This paper presents cTPM, an extension of the TPM's design that adds an additional root key to the TPM and shares that root key with the cloud. As a result, the cloud can create and share TPM-protected keys and data across multiple devices owned by one user. Further, the additional key lets the cTPM allocate cloud-backed remote storage so that each TPM can benefit from a trusted real-time clock and high-performance, non-volatile storage. This paper shows that cTPM is practical, versatile, and easily applicable to trusted mobile applications. Our simple change to the TPM specification is viable because its fundamental concepts - a primary root key and off-chip, NV storage - are already found in the current specification, TPM 2.0. By avoiding a clean-slate redesign, we sidestep the difficult challenge of re-verifying the security properties of a new TPM design. We demonstrate cTPM's versatility with two case studies: extending Pasture with additional functionality, and reimplementing TrInc without the need for extra hardware.
Carry trade portfolio optimization using particle swarm optimization

Portfolio optimization has as its objective to find optimal portfolios, which apportion capital between their constituent assets such that the portfolio's risk adjusted return is maximized. Portfolio optimization becomes more complex as constraints are imposed, multiple sources of return are included, and alternative measures of risk are used. Meta-heuristic portfolio optimization can be used as an alternative to deterministic approaches under increased complexity conditions. This paper uses a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm to optimize a diversified portfolio of carry trades. In a carry trade, investors profit by borrowing low interest rate currencies and lending high interest rate currencies, thereby generating return through the interest rate differential. However, carry trades are risky because of their exposure to foreign exchange losses. Previous studies showed that diversification does significantly mitigate this risk. This paper goes one step further and shows that meta-heuristic portfolio optimization can further improve the risk adjusted returns of diversified carry trade portfolios.
Hypertension in the elderly is associated with white matter lesions and cognitive decline

Forty‐two elderly patients (mean age, 66.2 ± 5.1 yr) with hypertension, treated for an average of 17.3 years (standard deviation, 10.3), and 42 control subjects (mean age, 66.5 ± 4.8yr), matched for age, sex, and level of education, were studied with regard to the detection of lesions in the cerebral white matter with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), particularly with axial T2‐weighted images. The assessment of the MRI scans was blinded. Ten hypertensive patients showed confluent lesions in the white matter, versus only 1 control subject (Chi‐square test, p = 0.01). The presence of diffuse lesions of the white matter was related to age but not to the known duration of hypertension, nor to the presence of any other cardiovascular risk factors. Cognitive function was measured in 34 hypertensive patients and in 18 control subjects. Results of the Mini‐Mental State Examination, the Stroop color‐word test, Trailmaking test, and the visual subtest of the Wechsler Memory scale were worse in patients with confluent lesions of the white matter; there was no difference in mental functioning between hypertensive patients and control subjects with normal white matter or with only small focal lesions. Our findings suggest that long‐standing hypertension in some patients may cause not only strokes but also chronic end‐organ damage in the form of demyelination of the white matter, with cognitive decline.
Multilevel space–time trellis coded cooperation with channel state information at transmitter

In this paper, the authors propose a system where a number of cooperating mobile nodes transmit information to a common destination node. Each cooperating node has a set of decoders to detect the information of other nodes and a set of encoders to further encode the decoded information as well as its own information using multilevel space–time trellis coding (MLSTTC) scheme. The coded information is mapped using multi‐resolution modulation partitioning to M‐ary quadrature amplitude modulation constellation. The mapped symbols are weighted based on the available channel state information at transmitting nodes. The weighting of transmitting symbols provides beamforming resulting in receive signal‐to‐noise ratio gain. The weighted symbols are sent to destination node through two transmit antennas. If the information of other nodes has been correctly decoded at the cooperating node, then the destination node receives the information of each node as many times as there are number of transmitting nodes, thus achieving full diversity order. A multistage Viterbi decoder is used at the destination node to extract information of each mobile node. The results indicate that the performance of proposed cooperative MLSTTC system is superior to non‐cooperative MLSTTC system. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The ecology of anaerobic degraders of BTEX hydrocarbons in aquifers

ABSTRACT The degradation of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) contaminants in groundwater relies largely on anaerobic processes. While the physiology and biochemistry of selected relevant microbes have been intensively studied, research has now started to take the generated knowledge back to the field, in order to trace the populations truly responsible for the anaerobic degradation of BTEX hydrocarbons in situ and to unravel their ecology in contaminated aquifers. Here, recent advances in our knowledge of the identity, diversity and ecology of microbes involved in these important ecosystem services are discussed. At several sites, distinct lineages within the Desulfobulbaceae, the Rhodocyclaceae and the Gram‐positive Peptococcaceae have been shown to dominate the degradation of different BTEX hydrocarbons. Especially for the functional guild of anaerobic toluene degraders, specific molecular detection systems have been developed, allowing researchers to trace their diversity and distribution in contaminated aquifers. Their populations appear enriched in hot spots of biodegradation in situ. 13C‐labelling experiments have revealed unexpected pathways of carbon sharing and obligate syntrophic interactions to be relevant in degradation. Together with feedback mechanisms between abiotic and biotic habitat components, this promotes an enhanced ecological perspective of the anaerobic degradation of BTEX hydrocarbons, as well as its incorporation into updated concepts for site monitoring and bioremediation. &NA; Graphical Abstract Figure. This review summarises recent advances into the identity, diversity and ecology of anaerobic degraders of monoaromatic hydrocarbons in contaminated aquifers.
Modeling E-Learning Activities in Automated Planning ∗

This paper presents three approaches to generate learning designs using existing domain-independent planners. All of the approaches compile a course defined in a standard e-learning language into a planning domain, and a file containing student’s learning information into a planning problem. The learning designs are automatically generated from the plans that solve the problems. The approaches differ in the kind of planning domain generated, thus increasing the possibilities of using existing planners: i) hierarchical, ii) including PDDL actions with conditional effects, and iii) including PDDL durative actions. We also analyse the pros and cons on the knowledge engineering procedures used in each approach.
A Privacy-preserving Biometric Authentication Protocol Revisited

Biometric authentication establishes the identity of an individual based on biometric templates (i.e. fingerprints, retina scans etc.). Although biometric authentication has important advantages and many applications, it also raises serious security and privacy concerns. In this parer, we investigate a privacy-preserving biometric authentication protocol that has been proposed by Bringer et al. and adopts a distributed architecture (i.e. multiple entities are involved in the authentication process). We present an attack algorithm that can be employed to mount a number of attacks on the protocol under investigation and propose an improved version of the Bringer et al. protocol that combats the presented attacks.
Ordered Epistemic Logic: Semantics, Complexity and Applications

Many examples of epistemic reasoning in the literature exhibit a stratified structure: defaults are formulated on top of an incomplete knowledge base. These defaults derive extra information in case information is missing in the knowledge base. In autoepistemic logic, default logic and ASP this inherent stratification is not preserved as they may refer to their own knowledge or logical consequences. Defining the semantics of such logics requires a complex mathematical construction. As an alternative, this paper further develops ordered epistemic logic. This logic extends first order logic with a modal operator and stratification is maintained. This allows us to define an easy to understand semantics. Moreover, inference tasks have a lower complexity than in autoepistemic logic and the logic integrates seamlessly into classical logic and its extensions. In this paper we also propose a generalization of ordered epistemic logic, which we call distributed ordered epistemic logic. We argue that it can provide a semantic foundation for a number of distributed knowledge representation formalisms found in the literature.
A Distal ABA Responsive Element in AtNCED3 Promoter Is Required for Positive Feedback Regulation of ABA Biosynthesis in Arabidopsis

The plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) plays a crucial role in plant development and responses to abiotic stresses. Recent studies indicate that a positive feedback regulation by ABA exists in ABA biosynthesis in plants under dehydration stress. To understand the molecular basis of this regulation, we analyzed the cis-elements of the AtNCED3 promoter in Arabidopsis. AtNCED3 encodes the first committed and highly regulated dioxygenase in the ABA biosynthetic pathway. Through delineated and mutagenesis analyses in stable-transformed Arabidopsis, we revealed that a distal ABA responsive element (ABRE: GGCACGTG, -2372 to -2364 bp) is required for ABA-induced AtNCED3 expression. By analyzing the AtNCED3 expression in ABRE binding protein ABF3 over-expression transgenic plants and knock-out mutants, we provide evidence that the ABA feedback regulation of AtNCED3 expression is not mediated by ABF3.
An Asynchronous Fully Digital Delay Locked Loop for DDR SDRAM Data Recovery

Delay Locked Loops (DLLs) have become a standard structure in IC design, providing programmable, calibrated on-chip delays. They can be used, for example, to deskew clocks by matching delay paths. One application is in data recovery from DDR SDRAMs whose data strobe edges need retarding to provide adequate setup times for latching read data. The DLL described here was developed as a solution to this problem. It is wholly amenable to implementation on a purely digital CMOS device using standard cells. The authors' background in self-timed circuits led to a novel, compact design - particularly in regard of the phase detector - which can have adjustable hysteresis to avoid jitter. The unit achieves lock rapidly and can subsequently track environmental variations without pausing operation for recalibration. It has been fabricated in 130 nm CMOS and is in use in a SoC SDRAM interface.
Task-positive Functional Connectivity of the Default Mode Network Transcends Task Domain

Abstract The default mode network (DMN) was first recognized as a set of brain regions demonstrating consistently greater activity during rest than during a multitude of tasks. Originally, this network was believed to interfere with goal-directed behavior based on its decreased activity during many such tasks. More recently, however, the role of the DMN during goal-directed behavior was established for internally oriented tasks, in which the DMN demonstrated increased activity. However, the well-documented hub position and information-bridging potential of midline DMN regions indicate that there is more to uncover regarding its functional contributions to goal-directed tasks, which may be based on its functional interactions rather than its level of activation. An investigation of task-related changes in DMN functional connectivity during a series of both internal and external tasks would provide the requisite investigation for examining the role of the DMN during goal-directed task performance. In this study, 20 participants underwent fMRI while performing six tasks spanning diverse internal and external domains in addition to a resting-state scan. We hypothesized that the DMN would demonstrate “task-positive” (i.e., positively contributing to task performance) changes in functional connectivity relative to rest regardless of the direction of task-related changes in activity. Indeed, our results demonstrate significant increases in DMN connectivity with task-promoting regions (e.g., anterior insula, inferior frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus) across all six tasks. Furthermore, canonical correlation analyses indicated that the observed task-related connectivity changes were significantly associated with individual differences in task performance. Our results indicate that the DMN may not only support a “default” mode but may play a greater role in both internal and external tasks through flexible coupling with task-relevant brain regions.
Multi-Objective Scheduling Optimization Based on a Modified Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II in Voltage Source Converter−Multi-Terminal High Voltage DC Grid-Connected Offshore Wind Farms with Battery Energy Storage Systems

Improving the performance of power systems has become a challenging task for system operators in an open access environment. This paper presents an optimization approach for solving the multi-objective scheduling problem using a modified non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm in a hybrid network of meshed alternating current (AC)/wind farm grids. This approach considers voltage and power control modes based on multi-terminal voltage source converter high-voltage direct current (MTDC) and battery energy storage systems (BESS). To enhance the hybrid network station performance, we implement an optimal process based on the battery energy storage system operational strategy for multi-objective scheduling over a 24 h demand profile. Furthermore, the proposed approach is formulated as a master problem and a set of sub-problems associated with the hybrid network station to improve the overall computational efficiency using Benders’ decomposition. Based on the results of the simulations conducted on modified institute of electrical and electronics engineers (IEEE-14) bus and IEEE-118 bus test systems, we demonstrate and confirm the applicability, effectiveness and validity of the proposed approach.
Prolonged refeeding improves weight maintenance after weight loss with very-low-energy diets

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that a prolonged refeeding duration after successful very-low-energy diet (VLED)-induced weight loss beneficially affects weight development and eating behaviour. Patients (n 269) were recruited to a 1-year obesity treatment programme with 12 weeks of an initial VLED. After the VLED, patients with ≥ 10 % weight loss were randomly allocated to 1 week (group 1) or 6 weeks (group 6) refeeding to an ordinary, energy-reduced diet, and thereafter followed and actively treated for an additional 40 weeks. Eating behaviour (revised twenty-one-item Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire) was measured at baseline, during and after refeeding, and at week 52. Weight change over time in the two treatment groups was tested by repeated-measures analysis in completers and by intention to treat (ITT). Of the patients, 169 (109 women) lost ≥ 10 % during the VLED and were randomised. At randomisation, weight loss was − 16·5 (sd 3·7) % in group 1 and − 16·7 (sd 4·3) % in group 6 (P = 0·73). Between weeks 12 and 52, completers in group 6 regained significantly less weight (3·9 (sd 9·1) %) as compared with group 1 (8·2 (sd 8·3) %; P = 0·006) (ITT, P = 0·05). Completers in group 6 also maintained a higher level of dietary restraint after refeeding was completed, but eating behaviour did not differ at week 52. Weight change after the refeeding periods were completed did not differ significantly between the groups (P = 0·06). Overall, longer refeeding duration after successful weight loss with a VLED improves weight maintenance in a 1-year perspective.
Optimal and Computational-Efficient Detection and Estimation of Multi-Paths in Channel Sounding

In this paper, we focus on detecting, estimating and tracking spatial multi-paths in radio propagation, based on elaborated channel sounding. An algorithm based on least-square criterion is proposed, and the multi-paths are estimated by an iterative method. The particle swarm optimizer(PSO) is used to guarantee both global optimum and computational efficiency in each iteration. Realistic system influence, such as system response, non-isotropic array gain, are considered and mitigated. The precision is theoretical analysed and experimental verified. It is shown that in this scheme, the spatial multipath separating and tracking ability can be significantly improved, and reliable results can be obtained. Moreover, the computational efficiency is significantly raised, and the trade- off of precision and complexity can be flexible.
Targeted therapies in rheumatoid arthritis: Focus on rituximab

B-cell depletion is a new strategy for treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the past years, several studies have proven the efficacy of anti-CD20 mediated B-cell depletion with rituximab (Mabthera®) in RA patients who failed TNF-blocking therapy. The important role of B-cells in the pathogenesis of RA is deducted from the specific detection of autoantibodies in RA and infiltration of B-cells and plasma cells in inflamed synovium. Pharmacological studies in RA patients treated with rituximab showed that half-life was approximately 3 weeks leading to a 6- to 8-month period of B-cell depletion in peripheral blood. Rituximab treatment led to significant improvements in disease activity of RA patients and the current review summarizes the results from phase III, randomized clinical trials that have been performed. Lastly, data on safety and quality of life are summarized. Although relatively low numbers of RA patients have been treated and long-term data are lacking, current data thus far suggest a relatively good safety profile for rituximab. Future studies will need to focus on predicting responsiveness to rituximab, investigating efficacy of re-treatment with rituximab and extending data on safety and patient-focused outcomes.
A 50-MHz BiCMOS quadrature charge sampler and complex bandpass SC filter for narrowband applications

An implementation of a quadrature charge sampler and a complex bandpass switched-capacitor (SC) filter in 0.8 /spl mu/m BiCMOS applicable to narrowband low-IF receivers is presented. The circuit quadrature downconverts a 49.85-MHz IF input signal to a low IF of 15 kHz by charge-mode subsampling and performs further complex narrowband filtering on the signal. The measured image rejection is more than 44 dB on the 26.3 kHz -3 dB bandwidth.
A socially-aware ISP-friendly mechanism for efficient content delivery

The ongoing growth of the Internet traffic is largely due to video delivery platforms as well as to online social networks (OSNs), where both popular and long-tail content, such as user-generated content (UGC), is shared. UGC is not dealt with effectively by the traditional approaches of Web caches and CDNs, as it has different demand patterns: it is more likely to be exchanged within a local geographic region and has a more even popularity distribution with fewer popular objects. In this work, we propose an ISP-friendly mechanism for enhancing content delivery exploiting social information extracted from OSNs, e.g. social relationships, common interests and locality of content exchange, as a new `source' of meta-information to characterize and predict the end-user's behavior. The basic components of our mechanism called SEConD are: (i) a socially-aware proxy server inserted in a local geographic region (e.g. an AS) to orchestrate content distribution, (ii) socially-aware messaging overlays employed to trigger video prefetching, (iii) content-based P2P overlays employed to perform video streaming in each region, and (iv) a two-level caching strategy both in the socially-aware proxy server and in the OSN user's device (UD) whenever online. We also develop an evaluation framework to simulate the generation of content in the environment of an OSN, in order to evaluate our mechanism and compare it with other approaches in the literature. The evaluation results show that our mechanism improves users' Quality of Experience (QoE) and simultaneously, reduces traffic in potentially expensive inter-domain links, as well as the origin content server contribution. Thus, the SEConD mechanism can lead to benefits for all involved stakeholders, i.e., ISPs, OSNs, CDNs, and end-users. The proposed mechanism is widely applicable, since it is deployable by ISPs, OSNs, as well as CDNs distributing content on behalf of an OSN provider.
Long-term vs. short-term journal impact: does it matter?

The first published report on journal impact factors was included in E. Garfield, I.H. Sher, "New factors in the evaluation of scientific literature through citation indexing," American Documentation, 14[3]:195-201, July 1963. The late Irving H. Sher, who then was director of R&D at the Philadelphiabased Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), and I created the impact factor to help evaluate and select journals for Current
The effects of interaction technique on coordination in tabletop groupware

The interaction techniques that are used in tabletop groupware systems (such as pick-and-drop or pantograph) can affect the way that people collaborate. However, little is known about these effects, making it difficult for designers to choose appropriate techniques when building tabletop groupware. We carried out an exploratory study to determine how several different types of interaction techniques (pantograph, telepointers, radar views, drag-and-drop, and laser beam) affected coordination and awareness in two tabletop tasks (a game and a storyboarding activity). We found that the choice of interaction technique significantly affected coordination measures, performance measures, and preference - but that the effects were different for the two different tasks. Our study shows that the choice of tabletop interaction technique does indeed matter, and provides insight into how tabletop systems can better support group work.