Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Power-Efficient and Low Latency Implementation of Programmable FIR filters Using Carry-Save Arithmetic

This paper presents a new programmable finite-impulse response (FIR) digital filter scheme based on a low latency, power efficient architecture with reduced hardware complexity. In the proposed scheme, the input data is kept in bit-parallel form, while the coefficients enter the circuit in digit-serial form. The coefficient digits are encoded using the Modified Booth algorithm to reduce the partial products required for each multiplication. The structure of the filter is based on the technique of merging adjacent multiply-add units. The computation of the intermediate results is implemented using the carry-save arithmetic. Also, the coefficient digits of adjacent multiply-add units enter the filter in digit-skew form, while the input data sample remains stable until the relative output sample is produced. Thus, the proposed architecture results in a circuit with reduced hardware cost and lower power consumption, compared to other schemes presented in the bibliography.
Space time turbo coded OFDM system with transmit and receive antenna selection

In this paper, a space-time turbo coded (STTC) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system with QPSK signalling is explored when joint transmit and receive antenna selection is employed. Maximization of signal to noise ratio is used for antenna selection based on per-tone, all-tone or hybrid selection criteria. Simulation results show that applying joint transmit/receive antenna selection techniques for STTC-OFDM systems can improve error rate performances considerably by achieving high diversity orders, thus make it preferable for standards of high speed wireless networks.
The connection between rhythmicity and brain function

We first present some clinical research results involving rhythmic facilitation and motor control. We then discuss synchronization strategies for sensorimotor coupling pertaining to rhythmic entrainment mechanisms; followed by trajectory cuing and optimization models as they relate to rhythmic entrainment and movement control; and, finally, the outlook for applications that may help rehabilitate motor function. Our interest in the study of the connections between rhythm, time, and the control of movement was stimulated from three directions: (a) the study of high-level motor control in musicians and the effect of rhythmic cues on muscle activity in cello performance; (b) the evidence that auditory rhythmic patterns exert a strong magnet effect on the timing of motor responses; and (c) the clinical observation that music-therapy techniques that were originally designed for socio-emotional needs elicited motor responses in neurologically impaired patients that were not readily accessible by other therapies.
Modélisation et simulation numérique pour la migration terrestre par équation d'ondes. (Modelling and numerical simulation for land migration by wave equation)

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. Modélisation et simulation numérique pour la migration terrestre par équation d’ondes. Caroline Baldassari
Optimal Interdiction of Illegal Network Flow

Large scale smuggling of illegal goods is a long-standing problem, with $1.4b and thousands of agents assigned to protect the borders from such activity in the US-Mexico border alone. Illegal smuggling activities are usually blocked via inspection stations or ad-hoc checkpoints/roadblocks. Security resources are insufficient to man all stations at all times; furthermore, smugglers regularly conduct surveillance activities. This paper makes several contributions toward the challenging task of optimally interdicting an illegal network flow: i) A new Stackelberg game model for network flow interdiction; ii) A novel Column and Constraint Generation approach for computing the optimal defender strategy; iii) Complexity analysis of the column generation subproblem; iv) Compact convex nonlinear programs for solving the subproblems; v) Novel greedy and heuristic approaches for subproblems with good approximation guarantee. Experimental evaluation shows that our approach can obtain a robust enough solution outperforming the existing methods and heuristic baselines significantly and scale up to realistic-sized problems.
Measurement ofcatecholamines andtheir metabolites inurine

Introduction The -catecholamines of clinical interest, noradrenaline, adrenaline, and dopamine, are simple dihydroxyphenylamines which differ in their side chain structure. Dopamine is formed by the decarboxylation of dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) --and is in turn hydroxylated to produce noradrenaline, which is then methylated to produce adrenaline. All three are important central nervous system neurotransmitters, with adrenaline, produced from the adrenal medulla, having an additional role as a circulating hormone. As well as sharing a common synthetic pathway they are all degraded by a mixture of side chain oxidation and o-methylation of the hydroxyl groups on the ring. If metabolism is complete this will produce 4-hydroxy-3methoxymandelic acid (HMMA), commonly called vanillyl mandelic acid (VMA), from both noradrenaline and adrenaline, and homovanillic acid (HVA), from dopamine. If o-methylation of the parent compound alone occurs, this will yield normetadrenaline, metadrenaline, and 3-methoxytyramine from noradrenaline, adrenaline, and dopamine, respectively. The catecholamines and some of their o-methylated derivatives are excreted as glucuronide and sulphate conjugates in the urine. Increased urinary excretion of unconjugated catecholamines (noradrenaline, adrenaline, and dopamine) or their main metabolites, HMMA, HVA, and the methoxycatecholamines (metadrenaline and normetadrenaline) have been used as a tumour marker for neuroblastoma in children and phaeochromocytoma in adults. Both these tumours arise from primitive neural crest tissue and have the capacity to secrete catecholamines directly into the circulation. Increased urinary catecholamine excretion and high plasma catecholamine concentrations have also been used to monitor "stress" under different environmental conditions.
Monitoring physical space using mobile phones for inferring social and contextual interactions

In this work, we explore context-aware application scenarios that become possible utilizing semantically-rich information derived from real-world mobility and presence traces. Traces produced by people carrying personal mobile devices, capturing social and contextual interactions, serve as enables for Future Internet applications. We discuss the fundamental concepts, technical issues and related research challenges. We propose a reference architecture for setting up a system that collects such traces in a Smart City environment. We present the algorithms used to process the traces and infer interactions and interests for the observed populations. We conduct two 3-day trial deployments: one in an office environment and the other in the context of a Smart Conference application. We discuss our findings regarding the system's capability to track interactions and the overall efficacy of the application.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of acute kidney injury biomarkers in pediatric cardiac surgery

Introduction Acute kidney injury (AKI) is significant problem in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) who undergo cardiac surgery. The economic impact of a biomarker-based diagnostic strategy for AKI in pediatric populations undergoing CHD surgery is unknown. The aim of this study was to perform the cost effectiveness analysis of using serum cystatin C (sCysC), urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) and urine liver fatty acid-binding protein (uL-FABP) for the diagnosis of AKI in children after cardiac surgery compared with current diagnostic method (monitoring of serum creatinine (sCr) level). Materials and methods We developed a decision analytical model to estimate incremental cost-effectiveness of different biomarker-based diagnostic strategies compared to current diagnostic strategy. The Markov model was created to compare the lifetime cost associated with using of sCysC, uNGAL, uL-FABP with monitoring of sCr level for the diagnosis of AKI. The utility measurement included in the analysis was quality-adjusted life years (QALY). The results of the analysis are presented as the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Results Analysed biomarker-based diagnostic strategies for AKI were cost-effective compared to current diagnostic method. However, uNGAL and sCys C strategies yielded higher costs and lower effectiveness compared to uL-FABP strategy. uL-FABP added 1.43 QALY compared to current diagnostic method at an additional cost of $8521.87 per patient. Therefore, ICER for uL-FABP compared to sCr was $5959.35/QALY. Conclusions Our results suggest that the use of uL-FABP would represent cost effective strategy for early diagnosis of AKI in children after cardiac surgery.
Clearance of Apoptotic Cells by Macrophages Induces Regulatory Phenotype and Involves Stimulation of CD36 and Platelet-Activating Factor Receptor

Phagocytosis of apoptotic cells (efferocytosis) induces macrophage differentiation towards a regulatory phenotype (IL-10high/IL-12p40low). CD36 is involved in the recognition of apoptotic cells (AC), and we have shown that the platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR) is also involved. Here, we investigated the contribution of PAFR and CD36 to efferocytosis and to the establishment of a regulatory macrophage phenotype. Mice bone marrow-derived macrophages were cocultured with apoptotic thymocytes, and the phagocytic index was determined. Blockage of PAFR with antagonists or CD36 with specific antibodies inhibited the phagocytosis of AC (~70–80%). Using immunoprecipitation and confocal microscopy, we showed that efferocytosis increased the CD36 and PAFR colocalisation in the macrophage plasma membrane; PAFR and CD36 coimmunoprecipitated with flotillin-1, a constitutive lipid raft protein, and disruption of these membrane microdomains by methyl-β-cyclodextrin reduced AC phagocytosis. Efferocytosis induced a pattern of cytokine production, IL-10high/IL-12p40low, that is, characteristic of a regulatory phenotype. LPS potentiated the efferocytosis-induced production of IL-10, and this was prevented by blocking PAFR or CD36. It can be concluded that phagocytosis of apoptotic cells engages CD36 and PAFR, possibly in lipid rafts, and this is required for optimal efferocytosis and the establishment of the macrophage regulatory phenotype.
Gradient Index Microlens Implanted in Prefrontal Cortex of Mouse Does Not Affect Behavioral Test Performance over Time

Implanted gradient index lenses have extended the reach of standard multiphoton microscopy from the upper layers of the mouse cortex to the lower cortical layers and even subcortical regions. These lenses have the clarity to visualize dynamic activities, such as calcium transients, with subcellular and millisecond resolution and the stability to facilitate repeated imaging over weeks and months. In addition, behavioral tests can be used to correlate performance with observed changes in network function and structure that occur over time. Yet, this raises the questions, does an implanted microlens have an effect on behavioral tests, and if so, what is the extent of the effect? To answer these questions, we compared the performance of three groups of mice in three common behavioral tests. A gradient index lens was implanted in the prefrontal cortex of experimental mice. We compared their performance with mice that had either a cranial window or a sham surgery. Three presurgical and five postsurgical sets of behavioral tests were performed over seven weeks. Behavioral tests included rotarod, foot fault, and Morris water maze. No significant differences were found between the three groups, suggesting that microlens implantation did not affect performance. The results for the current study clear the way for combining behavioral studies with gradient index lens imaging in the prefrontal cortex, and potentially other regions of the mouse brain, to study structural, functional, and behavioral relationships in the brain.
Antibiotic prescribing for upper respiratory infections among children in rural China: a cross-sectional study of outpatient prescriptions

ABSTRACT Background: Overuse of antibiotics contributes to the development of antimicrobial resistance. Objective: This study aims to assess the condition of antibiotic use at health facilities at county, township and village levels in rural Guangxi, China. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of outpatient antibiotic prescriptions in 2014 for children aged 2–14 years with upper respiratory infections (URI). Twenty health facilities were randomly selected, including four county hospitals, eight township hospitals and eight village clinics. Prescriptions were extracted from the electronic records in the county hospitals and paper copies in the township hospitals and village clinics. Results: The antibiotic prescription rate was higher in township hospitals (593/877, 68%) compared to county hospitals (2736/8166, 34%) and village clinics (96/297, 32%) (p < 0.001). Among prescriptions containing antibiotics, county hospitals were found to have the highest use rate of broad-spectrum antibiotics (82 vs 57% [township], vs 54% [village], p < 0.001), injectable antibiotics (65 vs 43% [township], vs 33% [village], p < 0.001) and multiple antibiotics (47 vs 15% [township], vs 0% [village], p < 0.001). Logistic regression showed that the likelihood of prescribing an antibiotic was significantly associated with patients being 6–14 years old compared with being 2–5 years old (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.3, 95% CI 1.2–1.5), and receiving care at township hospitals compared with county hospitals (aOR = 5.0, 95% CI 4.1–6.0). Prescriptions with insurance copayment appeared to lower the risk of prescribing antibiotics compared with those without (aOR = 0.8, 95% CI 0.7–0.9). Conclusions: Inappropriate use of antibiotics was high for outpatient childhood URI in the four counties of Guangxi, China, with the highest rate found in township hospitals. A significant high proportion of prescriptions containing antibiotics were broad-spectrum, by intravenous infusion or with multiple antibiotics, especially at county hospitals. Urgent attention is needed to address this challenge.
On the Acceleration of Energetic Cosmic Particles by Electrostatic Double Layers

The capability of electrostatic double layers of accelerating charged particles to high energies is investigated. Starting from a one-dimensional relativistic double-layer model a two-dimensional relativistic double layer in a current filament is studied. It is found that the filamentary double layer has a maximum potential drop that depends both on the magnitude of the filamentary current and on the composition of the layer. The results are applied to two cosmic double layers¿one in a solar electric circuit and another in a galactic circuit. If the layers are composed of protons and electrons, these particles may be accelerated to 1011 eV in the solar layer and to 1014 eV in the galactic layer. It is suggested that the solar double layer may account for the acceleration of solar cosmic rays while the galactic layer may contribute to the generation of cosmic radiation.
Automated thresholding and analysis of microCT scanned bread dough

Computer aided x‐ray microtomography is an increasingly popular method to investigate the structure of materials. Continuing improvements in the technique are resulting in increasingly larger data sets. The analysis of these data sets generally involves executing a static workflow for multiple samples and is generally performed manually by researchers. Executing these processes requires a significant time investment. A workflow which is able to automate the activities of the user would be useful. In this work, we have developed an automated workflow for the analysis of microtomography scanned bread dough data sets averaging 5 GB in size. Comparing the automated workflow with the manual workflow indicates a significant amount of the time spent (33% in the case of bread dough) on user interactions in manual method. Both workflows return similar results for porosity and pore frequency distribution. Finally, by implementing an automated workflow, users save the time which would be required to manually execute the workflow. This time can be spent on more productive tasks.
Synovial tissue response to rituximab: mechanism of action and identification of biomarkers of response

Objective: To investigate the synovial tissue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with rituximab and to identify possible predictors of clinical response. Methods: A total of 24 patients with RA underwent synovial biopsy before, 4 and 16 weeks after initiation of rituximab treatment (without peri-infusional corticosteroids to prevent bias). Immunohistochemical analysis was performed and stained sections were analysed by digital image analysis. Linear regression analysis was used to identify predictors of clinical response. Results: The 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) was unaltered at 4 weeks, but significantly reduced at 16 and 24 weeks. Serum levels of IgM-rheumatoid factor (RF) decreased significantly at 24 weeks and anti-citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA) levels at 36 weeks. Peripheral blood B cells were depleted at 4 weeks and started to return at 24 weeks. Synovial B cells were significantly decreased at 4 weeks, but were not completely depleted in all patients; there was a further reduction at 16 weeks in some patients. We found a significant decrease in macrophages at 4 weeks, which was more pronounced at 16 weeks. At that timepoint, T cells were also significantly decreased. The reduction of plasma cells predicted clinical improvement at 24 weeks. Conclusions: The results support the view that B cells orchestrate local cellular infiltration. The kinetics of the serological as well as the tissue response in clinical responders are consistent with the notion that rituximab exerts its effects in part by an indirect effect on plasma cells associated with autoantibody production, which could help explain the delayed response after rituximab treatment. Trial registration number: ISRCTN05568900.
Estimation of lane data-based features by odometric vehicle data for driver state monitoring

It is assumed that approximately one third of severe car accidents are related to drowsiness. Warning systems such as the Mercedes Benz Attention Assist try to tackle this problem by analyzing the driving style. Previous work investigated the estimation of measures (features) from lane data that correlate well with impaired driving. Unfortunately, these features require a lane-tracking camera, which is not available in many cars. Furthermore, the lane data signals are often affected from missing road markings, bad sight etc. Some lane-based features such as LANEDEV or ZIGZAGS do not require the absolute distance to the lane markings, but only depend on the lateral deviation within the lane. Our idea is to exploit odometric data (yaw rate and vehicle speed) to estimate this measure. The vehicle trajectory is a composition of the lurching between lane markings and the disturbing road curvature. Thus, we remove this curvature by a filter since its frequency is lower than the vehicle deviation. We compare the correlation between features based on lane data and odometric data as well as their relationship with sleepiness. An excerpt of the Attention Assist database with 294 drives and over 76 000 km is used. We show that some lane-based features can be approximated well. The zero-crossing rate (LATPOSZCR) performs even better than its lane-based pendant.
RAD18-dependent Recruitment of SNM1A to DNA Repair Complexes by a Ubiquitin-binding Zinc Finger*

SNM1A is a member of the SNM1 family of nucleases required for cellular processing of interstrand DNA crosslinks (ICLs). Little is known about the molecular function of SNM1A, in terms of its recruitment to ICL lesions or its DNA damage processing activity. Here we show that SNM1A contains a functional PIP box (PCNA-interacting protein box) and a UBZ (ubiquitin binding zinc finger), required for assembly of SNM1A into nuclear focus. Moreover, RAD18-dependent monoubiquitination of PCNA is required for Mitomycin C and Ultraviolet Light inducible SNM1A nuclear focus assembly. Taken together, our results identify a novel RAD18-PCNA(Ub)-SNM1A pathway required for nuclear focus formation and ICL resistance.
On the relevance of long-range dependence in network traffic

There is mounting experimental evidence that network traffic processes exhibit ubiquitous properties of self-similarity and long range dependence (LRD), i.e. of correlations over a wide range of time scales. However, there is still considerable debate about how to model such processes and about their impact on network and application performance. In this paper, we argue that much recent modeling work has failed to consider the impact of two important parameters, namely the finite range of time scales of interest in performance evaluation and prediction problems, and the first-order statistics such as the marginal distribution of the process.We introduce and evaluate a model in which these parameters can be easily controlled. Specifically, our model is a modulated fluid traffic model in which the correlation function of the fluid rate is asymptotically second-order self-similar with given Hurst parameter, then drops to zero at a cutoff time lag. We develop a very efficient numerical procedure to evaluate the performance of the single server queue fed with the above fluid input process. We use this procedure to examine the fluid loss rate for a wide range of marginal distributions, Hurst parameters, cutoff lags, and buffer sizes.Our main results are as follows. First, we find that the amount of correlation that needs to be taken into account for performance evaluation depends not only on the correlation structure of the source traffic, but also on time scales specific to the system under study. For example, the time scale associated to a queueing system is a function of the maximum buffer size. Thus for finite buffer queues, we find that the impact on loss of the correlation in the arrival process becomes nil beyond a time scale we refer to as the correlation horizon. Second, we find that loss depends in a crucial way on the marginal distribution of the fluid rate process. Third, our results suggest that reducing loss by buffering is hard. We advocate the use of source traffic control and statistical multiplexing instead.
Ribonuclease Protection Assay

Sequence‐specific hybridization probes of high specific activity are prepared by cloning the probe sequence downstream of a bacteriophage promoter. The plasmid is cleaved with a restriction enzyme, and the plasmid DNA is transcribed with bacteriophage RNA polymerase, which efficiently transcribes the cloned sequence into a discrete RNA species of known specific activity and high abundance. The RNA is purified by removal of the DNA template, protein, and the unincorporated label. Alternatively, the probe is purified by gel electrophoresis, as described in a support protocol. The probe RNA is hybridized to sample RNAs and the hybridization reactions are treated with ribonuclease to remove free probe, leaving intact fragments of probe annealed to homologous sequences in the sample RNA. These fragments are analyzed by electrophoresis on a sequencing gel and the presence of the target mRNA is revealed by the appearance of an appropriately sized fragment of the probe.