Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Joint dynamic resource allocation and waveform adaptation in cognitive radio networks

This paper discusses the issue of dynamic resource allocation (DRA) in the context of cognitive radio (CR) networks. We present a general framework adopting generalized transmitter and receiver signal- expansion functions, which allow us to join DRA with waveform adaptation, two procedures that are currently carried out separately. Moreover, the proposed DRA can handle many types of expansion functions or even combinations of different types of functions. An iterative game approach is adopted to perform multi-player DRA, and the best-response strategies of players are derived and characterized using convex optimization. To reduce the implementation costs of having too many active expansion functions after optimization, we also propose to combine DRA with sparsity constraints for dynamic function selection. Generally, it incurs little rate-performance loss since the effective resources required by a CR are in fact sparse.
A Study on the Mechanical Properties of PA66/HA Composites

The effects of the content, surface treatment, and particle size of hydroxyapatite on the mechanical properties and fractured surface morphology of PA66 composites were studied. It showed that the elastic modulus, compressive strength, bending strength, and impact strength increased with increasing content of nano-hydroxyapatite in the composites. If the hydroxyapatite soaked in physiological saline before blending, the toughness of PA66/HA was increased, however, the other mechanical propertied were decreased. The mechanical properties of the composites containing nano-hydroxyapatite were much better than those containing μ-hydroxyapatite, which indicated the influence of the particle size.
A Study of Hashtag Activism for Raising Awareness about Riverbank Erosion in Bangladesh

Millions of vulnerable people around the world are suffering from intensifying climate-related disruptions that could be construed as limits problems. Because those who suffer the most are often the most marginalized, these communities are largely neglected by governments and national media. In rich countries, social media has enabled ordinary citizens to add their voices to the public discourse. In the Global South, access to Internet and social media technologies is extremely constrained. In this paper, we study how, despite these barriers, communities in Bangladesh that are chronically affected by riverbank erosion are managing to use Facebook to participate in "hashtag activism. " This activism makes some progress toward filling the information gap regarding the impacts of riverbank erosion in Bangladesh, and can inform the national media and government for taking action.
Magnetic characterization of cobalt nanowires and square nanorings fabricated by focused electron beam induced deposition

The magnetic properties of nanowires (NWs) and square nanorings, which were deposited by focused electron beam induced deposition (FEBID) of a Co carbonyl precursor, are studied using off-axis electron holography (EH), Lorentz transmission electron microscopy (L-TEM) and magnetic force microscopy (MFM). EH shows that NWs deposited using beam energies of 5 and 15 keV have the characteristics of magnetic dipoles, with larger magnetic moments observed for NWs deposited at lower energy. L-TEM is used to image magnetic domain walls in NWs and nanorings and their motion as a function of applied magnetic field. The NWs are found to have almost square hysteresis loops, with coercivities of ca. 10 mT. The nanorings show two different magnetization states: for low values of the applied in-plane field (0.02 T) a horseshoe state is observed using L-TEM, while for higher values of the applied in-plane field (0.3 T) an onion state is observed at remanence using L-TEM and MFM. Our results confirm the suitability of FEBID for nanofabrication of magnetic structures and demonstrate the versatility of TEM techniques for the study and manipulation of magnetic domain walls in nanostructures.
Optimizing qPCR for the Quantification of Periodontal Pathogens in a Complex Plaque Biofilm

Quantitative PCR (qPCR) has recently been used to quantify microorganisms in complex communities, including dental plaque biofilms. However, there is variability in the qPCR protocols being used. This study was designed to evaluate the validity of two of these variables with the intent of developing a more standardized qPCR protocol. The two variables evaluated were (1) the use of DNA content versus actual cell counts to estimate bacterial numbers in mixed plaque samples and (2) the effectiveness of three different universal primers versus species specific primers in amplifying specific target pathogens in these samples. Results lead to the development of a standardized protocol that was shown to be highly reproducible as demonstrated by low coefficients of variation. The results also confirmed that this standardized qPCR protocol can be used as a sensitive method for quantifying specific bacterial species in human plaque samples.
Association of the Maternal MTHFR C677T Polymorphism with Susceptibility to Neural Tube Defects in Offsprings: Evidence from 25 Case-Control Studies

Background Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a critical enzyme in folate metabolism and is involved in DNA methylation, DNA synthesis, and DNA repair. In addition, it is a possible risk factor in neural tube defects (NTDs). The association of the C677T polymorphism in the MTHFR gene and NTD susceptibility has been widely demonstrated, but the results remain inconclusive. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis with 2429 cases and 3570 controls to investigate the effect of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism on NTDs. Methods An electronic search of PubMed and Embase database for papers on the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and NTD risk was performed. All data were analysed with STATA (version 11). Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated to assess the association. Sensitivity analysis, test of heterogeneity, cumulative meta-analysis, and assessment of bias were performed in our meta-analysis. Results A significant association between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and NTD susceptibility was revealed in our meta-analysis ( TT versus CC: OR = 2.022, 95% CI: 1.508, 2.712; CT+TT versus CC: OR = 1.303, 95% CI: 1.089, 1.558; TT versus CC+CT: OR = 1.716, 95% CI: 1.448, 2.033; 2TT+CT versus 2CC+CT: OR = 1.330, 95% CI: 1.160, 1.525). Moreover, an increased NTD risk was found after stratification of the MTHFR C677T variant data by ethnicity and source of controls. Conclusion The results suggested the maternal MTHFR C677T polymorphism is a genetic risk factor for NTDs. Further functional studies to investigate folate-related gene polymorphisms, periconceptional multivitamin supplements, complex interactions, and the development of NTDs are warranted.
QUASIADIABATIC SWITCHING FOR METAL-ISLAND QUANTUM-DOT CELLULAR AUTOMATA

Recent experiments have demonstrated a working cell suitable for implementing the quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) paradigm. These experiments have been performed using metal-island clusters. The most promising approach to QCA operation involves quasiadiabatically switching the cells. This has been analyzed extensively in gated semiconductor cells. Here we present a metal-island cell structure that makes quasiadiabatic switching possible. We show how this permits quasiadiabatic clocking, and enables a pipelined architecture.
Brain-to-brain coupling during handholding is associated with pain reduction

Significance The mechanisms that underlie social touch analgesia are largely unknown. Here, we apply a hyperscanning approach with real-life interaction of dyads to examine the association between brain-to-brain coupling and pain relief. Our findings indicate that hand-holding during pain increases the brain-to-brain coupling network that correlates with the magnitude of the analgesia and the observer’s empathic accuracy. These findings make a unique contribution to our understanding of physiological mechanisms of touch-related analgesia. The mechanisms underlying analgesia related to social touch are not clear. While recent research highlights the role of the empathy of the observer to pain relief in the target, the contribution of social interaction to analgesia is unknown. The current study examines brain-to-brain coupling during pain with interpersonal touch and tests the involvement of interbrain synchrony in pain alleviation. Romantic partners were assigned the roles of target (pain receiver) and observer (pain observer) under pain–no-pain and touch–no-touch conditions concurrent with EEG recording. Brain-to-brain coupling in alpha–mu band (8–12 Hz) was estimated by a three-step multilevel analysis procedure based on running window circular correlation coefficient and post hoc power of the findings was calculated using simulations. Our findings indicate that hand-holding during pain administration increases brain-to-brain coupling in a network that mainly involves the central regions of the pain target and the right hemisphere of the pain observer. Moreover, brain-to-brain coupling in this network was found to correlate with analgesia magnitude and observer’s empathic accuracy. These findings indicate that brain-to-brain coupling may be involved in touch-related analgesia.
Roles of the 5′ Untranslated Region of Nonprimate Hepacivirus in Translation Initiation and Viral Replication

ABSTRACT The 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is composed of four domains (I, II, III, and IV) and a pseudoknot, is essential for translation and viral replication. Equine nonprimate hepacivirus (EHcV) harbors a 5′ UTR consisting of a large 5′-terminal domain (I); three additional domains (I′, II, and III), which are homologous to domains I, II, and III, respectively, of HCV; and a pseudoknot, in the order listed. In this study, we investigated the roles of the EHcV 5′ UTR in translation and viral replication. The internal ribosome entry site (IRES) activity of the EHcV 5′ UTR was lower than that of the HCV 5′ UTR in several cell lines due to structural differences in domain III. Domains I and III of EHcV were functional in the HCV 5′ UTR in terms of IRES activity and the replication of the subgenomic replicon (SGR), although domain II was not exchangeable between EHcV and HCV for SGR replication. Furthermore, the region spanning domains I and I′ of EHcV (the 5′-proximal EHcV-specific region) improved RNA stability and provided the HCV SGR with microRNA 122 (miR-122)-independent replication capability, while EHcV domain I alone improved SGR replication and RNA stability irrespective of miR-122. These data suggest that the region spanning EHcV domains I and I′ improves RNA stability and viral replication regardless of miR-122 expression. The 5′-proximal EHcV-specific region may represent an inherent mechanism to facilitate viral replication in nonhepatic tissues. IMPORTANCE EHcV is the closest viral homolog to HCV among other hepaciviruses. HCV exhibits a narrow host range and liver-specific tropism, while epidemiological reports suggest that EHcV infects the liver and respiratory organs in horses, donkeys, and dogs. However, the mechanism explaining the differences in host or organ tropism between HCV and EHcV is unknown. In this study, our data suggest that the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of EHcV is composed of an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) element that is functionally exchangeable with HCV IRES elements. Furthermore, the 5′-proximal EHcV-specific region enhances viral replication and RNA stability in a miR-122-independent manner. Our data suggest that the region upstream of domain II in the EHcV 5′ UTR contributes to the differences in tissue tropism observed between these hepaciviruses.
Preparation of Nanostructured Cellulose via Cr(III)- and Mn(II)-Transition Metal Salt Catalyzed Acid Hydrolysis Approach

Nanostructured cellulose was successfully prepared from native cellulose using a homogeneous catalytic H2SO4 hydrolysis pathway in the presence of Cr(III)- and Mn(II)-transition metal salts as the co-catalyst. The effect of transition metal salts with different valence states (Cr3+ and Mn2+) on the physicochemical properties (chemical characteristics, crystallinity index, nano-structure, thermal stability, and morphology) of prepared nanocellulose was investigated. Interestingly, TEM micrographs showed that the Cr(III)-treated and Mn(II)-treated nanocellulose exhibited a web-like nanostructured-surface with average diameters of 44.7 ± 13.2 nm and 58.4 ± 15.3 nm, respectively. XRD study revealed that the crystallinity of nanocellulose was increased because the catalytic degradation of the less crystalline regions of cellulose occurred at a faster rate than its crystalline phases. Cr(III)-treated nanocellulose was capable of rendering a higher crystallinity index (75.6 ± 0.1%) compared with Mn(II)-treated nanocellulose (72.3 ± 0.4%). Furthermore, a dynamic light scattering (DLS) study revealed that Cr(III)-treated nanocellulose showed a smaller distribution range (92% at 14 to 135 nm) compared with Mn(II)-treated nanocellulose (92% at 607 nm). A higher valence state for the Cr(III)-cation, with a trivalent state (+3), rendered a more effective hydrolysis reaction compared with the Mn(II)-cation, with a divalent state (+2), for preparing the nanocellulose.
Moss‐made pharmaceuticals: from bench to bedside

Summary Over the past two decades, the moss Physcomitrella patens has been developed from scratch to a model species in basic research and in biotechnology. A fully sequenced genome, outstanding possibilities for precise genome‐engineering via homologous recombination (knockout moss), a certified GMP production in moss bioreactors, successful upscaling to 500 L wave reactors, excellent homogeneity of protein glycosylation, remarkable batch‐to‐batch stability and a safe cryopreservation for master cell banking are some of the key features of the moss system. Several human proteins are being produced in this system as potential biopharmaceuticals. Among the products are tumour‐directed monoclonal antibodies with enhanced antibody‐dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), complement factor H (FH), keratinocyte growth factor (FGF7/KGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), asialo‐erythropoietin (asialo‐EPO, AEPO), alpha‐galactosidase (aGal) and beta‐glucocerebrosidase (GBA). Further, an Env‐derived multi‐epitope HIV protein as a candidate vaccine was produced, and first steps for a metabolic engineering of P. patens have been made. Some of the recombinant biopharmaceuticals from moss bioreactors are not only similar to those produced in mammalian systems such as CHO cells, but are of superior quality (biobetters). The first moss‐made pharmaceutical, aGal to treat Morbus Fabry, is in clinical trials.
TILES: classifying contextual information for mobile tourism applications

Purpose – The design of context‐aware mobile applications can be improved through a clear and in‐depth understanding of context and how it can be used to meet users' requirements. Using tourism as a case application, this paper aims to address the lack of understanding of context and tourists' goals.Design/methodology/approach – This is achieved through a literature review of existing research and focus groups to gather information needs for tasks commonly executed by tourists.Findings – This paper proposes the TILES (temporal, identity, location, environmental and social) model to define and classify five main contextual types, and properties associated with each type for tourism‐related applications. The TILES model (with 32 factors) derived from the analysis of the literature review is refined through inputs from two focus groups to incorporate an additional ten factors.Research implications/limitations – The TILES model can be generalised to support domains other than tourism, such as medical and edut.
Constrained release of lamina-associated enhancers and genes from the nuclear envelope during T-cell activation facilitates their association in chromosome compartments

Abstract The 3D organization of the genome changes concomitantly with expression changes during hematopoiesis and immune activation. However, studies of this phenomenon have focused either on lamina-associated domains (LADs) or on topologically-associated domains (TADs), defined by preferential local chromatin interactions, and chromosome compartments, defined as higher-order interactions between TADs in functionally similar states. However, few studies have investigated how these affect one another. To address this, we mapped LADs using Lamin B1-DamID during Jurkat T-cell activation, finding significant genome re-organization at the nuclear periphery dominated by release of loci frequently important for T-cell function. To assess how these changes at the nuclear periphery influence wider genome organization, our DamID datasets were contrasted with TAD contact domains and compartments identified with high resolution in the GM12878 lymphoblastoid cell line. Features of specific repositioning events were then tested by fluorescence in situ hybridization. First, considerable overlap between TAD contact domains and LADs was observed and we found that the TAD repositioned as a unit during T-cell activation. Second, sub-compartments of the A compartment, termed A1 and A2, are segregated in 3D space through differences in proximity to LADs along chromosomes. Third, genes and a putative enhancer that occurred in LADs that were released from the periphery during T-cell activation tended to become associated particularly with A2 sub-compartments and were thus constrained to the relative proximity of the lamina. Thus, lamina-associations clearly influence internal nuclear organization while changes in LADs during T-cell activation may provide an important additional mode of gene regulation.
Influence of High Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load Diets on Blood Pressure During Adolescence

We aimed to prospectively examine the association between the glycemic index and glycemic load of foods consumed and the dietary intakes of carbohydrates, sugars, fiber, and principal carbohydrate-containing food groups (eg, breads, cereals, and sugary drinks) with changes in blood pressure during adolescence. A total of 858 students aged 12 years at baseline (422 girls and 436 boys) were examined from 2004–2005 to 2009–2011. Dietary data were assessed from validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaires. Blood pressure was measured using a standard protocol. In girls, after adjusting for age, ethnicity, parental education, parental history of hypertension, baseline height, baseline blood pressure, change in body mass index, and time spent in physical and sedentary activities, each 1-SD (1-SD=7.10 g/d) increase in baseline dietary intake of total fiber was associated with a 0.96-, 0.62-, and 0.75-mmHg decrease in mean systolic (P=0.02), diastolic (P=0.01), and arterial blood pressures (P=0.002), respectively, 5 years later. In girls, each 1-SD increase in dietary glycemic index, glycemic load, carbohydrate, and fructose was concurrently related to increases of 1.81 (P=0.001), 4.02 (P=0.01), 4.74 (P=0.01), and 1.80 mm Hg (P=0.03) in systolic blood pressure, respectively, >5 years. Significant associations between carbohydrate nutrition variables and blood pressure were not observed among boys. Excessive dietary intake of carbohydrates, specifically from high glycemic index/glycemic load foods, could adversely influence blood pressure, particularly in girls, whereas fiber-rich diets may be protective against elevated blood pressure during adolescence.
Transformation of Summary Statistics from Linear Mixed Model Association on All-or-None Traits to Odds Ratio

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified thousands of loci that are robustly associated with complex diseases. The use of linear mixed model (LMM) methodology for GWAS is becoming more prevalent due to its ability to control for population structure and cryptic relatedness and to increase power. The odds ratio (OR) is a common measure of the association of a disease with an exposure (e.g., a genetic variant) and is readably available from logistic regression. However, when the LMM is applied to all-or-none traits it provides estimates of genetic effects on the observed 0–1 scale, a different scale to that in logistic regression. This limits the comparability of results across studies, for example in a meta-analysis, and makes the interpretation of the magnitude of an effect from an LMM GWAS difficult. In this study, we derived transformations from the genetic effects estimated under the LMM to the OR that only rely on summary statistics. To test the proposed transformations, we used real genotypes from two large, publicly available data sets to simulate all-or-none phenotypes for a set of scenarios that differ in underlying model, disease prevalence, and heritability. Furthermore, we applied these transformations to GWAS summary statistics for type 2 diabetes generated from 108,042 individuals in the UK Biobank. In both simulation and real-data application, we observed very high concordance between the transformed OR from the LMM and either the simulated truth or estimates from logistic regression. The transformations derived and validated in this study improve the comparability of results from prospective and already performed LMM GWAS on complex diseases by providing a reliable transformation to a common comparative scale for the genetic effects.
Learning Tensors From Partial Binary Measurements

We generalize the 1-bit matrix completion problem to higher order tensors. Consider a rank-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$r$</tex-math></inline-formula> order-<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$d$ </tex-math></inline-formula> tensor <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$T$</tex-math></inline-formula> in <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathbb {R}^{N} \times \cdots \times \mathbb {R}^{N}$</tex-math> </inline-formula> with bounded entries. We show that when <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$r=O(1)$</tex-math> </inline-formula>, such a tensor can be estimated efficiently from only <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX"> $m=O_r(Nd)$</tex-math></inline-formula> binary measurements. This shows that the sample complexity of recovering a low-rank tensor from 1-bit measurements of a subset of its entries is roughly the same as recovering it from unquantized measurements—a result that had been known only in the matrix case, i.e., when <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$d=2$</tex-math></inline-formula>. By using a certain atomic M-norm as a convex proxy for rank, we allow for approximately low-rank tensors and give error bounds based on the M-norm of the tensor. We prove that the theoretical bounds are optimal both in the M-norm bound and the size <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N$</tex-math></inline-formula>. Moreover, we show the advantage of directly using the low-rank tensor structure, rather than matricization, both theoretically and numerically. Specifically, we show how the 1-bit measurement model can be used for context-aware recommender systems.