Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sum Rate Maximization for Cognitive MISO Broadcast Channels: Beamforming Design and Large Systems Analysis

This paper considers the ergodic weighted sum rate maximization (WSRMax) problem for an underlay cognitive radio multiple input single output (MISO) broadcast channel. In this setting, a secondary network, consisting of a base-station with M transmit antennas and K single-antenna secondary users (SUs), is allowed to share the same spectrum with a primary user (PU), under an average total transmit power (ATTP) constraint and an average interference power (AIP) constraint at the PU receiver. We show that the ATTP constraint always remains active, and as the maximum ATTP Pav→ ∞, the ergodic WSR approaches infinity similar to conventional non-CR networks. We propose a novel low-complexity suboptimal beamforming scheme termed "Partially-Projected & Regularized Zero-Forcing Beamforming" (PP-RZFBF) with a close-form beamformer, by combining the regularized zero-forcing (RZF) with the channel projection idea, to achieve a tradeoff between maximizing secondary throughput and suppressing secondary multiuser interference as well as the interference on PU. In order to analyze and optimize the performance of this scheme, we employ the large system analysis technique, in the limit as M and K approach infinity with a fixed ratio r=K\M. This allows us to derive deterministic limiting approximations for the PP-RZFBF problem which enables us to determine asymptotically optimal beamformers for PP-RZFBF. In the large system limit, for the PP-RZFBF scheme, we also find that as Pav→ ∞, the interference on PU caused by the secondary transmission is asymptotically removed. A special suboptimal beamforming scheme called "CZFBF" is also considered, which involves zero forcing all the interference, including the secondary multiuser interference as well as the interference imposed on PU. Various interesting comparisons between PP-RZFBF and CZFBF are provided. Numerical simulations illustrate that the asymptotically optimal beamformers for the PP-RZFBF scheme provide an excellent performance even for finite-sized systems.
A Treatise on the TARGET2 Imbalances & Stagnating Political Economy of Europe

Since the Global Financial Crisis, there have been two parallel issues faced by the Eurozone, Stagnation and TARGET2 imbalances. This study analyses the aspect of settling TARGET2 in an equitable and fair manner that could also resolve the issues of sluggish growth, deflation and high unemployment in Europe. It is proposed that the TARGET2 balances are settled by an adjustment to the monetary base in the EMU. Specifically, it implies that the Eurozone members are granted a right to settle their imbalances against Euro-system in proportion to their capital key weights. The proposed approach will have four order/tier effects which include, a) adjustment of monetary base at the EMU level, b) creation of additional liquidity in the Euros -system member states, c) creation of much needed fiscal space and d) cross-border spillovers among the EMU members. While keeping the bleak economic outlook of Eurozone in context, we analysed the implication of proposed mechanism at first tier using a Factor-Augmented VAR model on data from 2000Q1 to 2017Q1. Our key results suggest that such an approach would lead to a considerable increase in the real output growth, investment, consumption, gross fixed capital formation, stock markets as well as exports and imports of Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain. The magnitude of the proposed mechanism is comparable to the stimulative stance taken by authorities since the GFC and qualitative easing of “whatever it takes”. Comparatively, there are substantial gains for the TARGET2 surplus countries like Germany than the deficit countries as the former can address its public expenditure needs as well as settle large external surplus without breaching balanced budget act (Schuldenbremse). Given that, the adjustment will be based on the capital key weights and existing arrangements, the proposed approach is equitable, fair, and can be used as an unconventional tool by the ECB.
Race, socioeconomic status, and perceived discrimination among healthy women.

OBJECTIVES Perceived discrimination and socioeconomic status (SES) have been found to be related to health problems. However, little is known about how SES and ethnicity relate to perception and responses to discrimination. This study examined the relationship between race and a set of SES indicators, perceived discrimination (race and gender), and responses to perceived discrimination among healthy women. METHODS The sample consisted of 460 women between the ages of 18 and 39 (194 black and 266 white). The independent variables included income, education, occupation, and race. The dependent variables included perceived discrimination (race/color and gender) and responses to unfair treatment. RESULTS Income and education were both directly related to perceived racial discrimination. However, the relationship between education and perceived discrimination was modified by race. For white women, only higher education was related to less perceived discrimination, and there was no significant difference across education levels for black women. Education was the only variable significantly associated with perceived gender discrimination (more highly educated women reported more discrimination). Occupation and race were both related to responses to perceived discrimination. Black women were significantly less likely to talk to someone when treated unfairly than white women (OR = 0.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.191, 0.716), and women in managerial/professional positions were significantly more likely to do something about being treated unfairly than women in service occupations (OR = 4.76, CI = 2.14, 10.61). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that both SES and race play important roles in women's perceptions of and responses to perceived discrimination.
Design of a wearable skin stretch cutaneous device for the upper limb

This paper presents a novel cutaneous device capable of providing independent skin stretches at the palmar, dorsal, ulnar, and radial sides of the arm. It consists of a lightweight bracelet with four servo motors. Each motor actuates a cylindrical shaped end-effector that is able to rotate, generating skin stretch stimuli. To understand how to control and wear the device on the forearm to evoke the most effective cutaneous sensations, we carried out perceptual experiments evaluating its absolute and differential thresholds. Finally, we carried out an experiment of haptic navigation to assess the effectiveness of our device as a navigation feedback system to guide a desired rotation and translation of the forearm. Results demonstrate an average rotation and translation error of 1.87° and 2.84 mm, respectively. Moreover, all the subjects found our device easy to wear and comfortable. Nine out of ten found it effective in transmitting navigation information to the forearm.
Why researchers publish in journals not indexed in mainstream databases: training, bridging and gap-filling.

Although journals indexed in mainstream Journal Indexing Systems (JIS), i.e. Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus, have more visibility, reputation and are more valued in evaluation, in developing countries researchers keep publishing in journals not indexed in mainstream databases, but indexed instead in alternative JIS such as Scielo or RedALyC. The conventional explanation to this behaviour is that developing countries’ research often does not have sufficient quality so as to be published in journals indexed by WoS or Scopus. We conducted 30 interviews to researchers in Colombia working in chemistry, agricultural sciences, and business and management asking the reasons for publishing in different types of journals, in particular those indexed by mainstream and alternative JIS. The answers provided by the researchers were classified into three reasons. The first reason is that journals in alternative JIS offer a space for training in publishing, both as an introduction to academic publishing and as a step-stone towards publishing in WoS. The second reason is that journals indexed by Scielo and RedALyC have a knowledge-bridging function, providing a link between articles covered by mainstream JIS and articles of regional communities with limited access to WoS or Scopus journals. The third reason is that alternative JIS journals have a knowledge-gap filling function, allowing the publication of topics that are not well covered in WoS-indexed journals, such as locally relevant agricultural products or regional history. We conclude that scientometric indicators based on mainstream JIS underrepresent the contribution of research from developing countries – as they do not value these training, knowledge-bridging and gap-filling functions. We discuss these findings in the light on universalistic versus particularistic conceptualisations of science.
Intelligent Agent over WLAN with Seamless Handover and Load Balancing

This paper presents an efficient method to support pre- authentication for seamless handover and implement key distribution with EAP-SIM based AAA protocols for WLAN. Our goal is minimizing the probability of SIP calls blocking resulting from the handoff delay. The intelligent agents may play different roles; it can acts as a client authenticating with the servers and moving data from and to mobile users, or alternatively a server collecting and moving data from and to authentication servers. The benefit of server intelligent agents maintaining user's profile is user intelligent agents do not need to access authentication servers directly, which in turns reduces re-authentication delay. The intelligent agents require adaptive changes over time. Such adaptation must be based on the information gathered concerning current network condition. By adaptive intelligent agents attempt to modify their behavior to reducing signal overhead, sharing network resources, maintaining load balancing, thus improving network performance in mobile environment. The adaptive intelligent agents manage their own execution logic and life cycle model with a finite state machine. This paper improves the performance of the existing handover in call drop rates so as to reduce the signaling traffic in wireless networks. A NS2 simulation involves plotting the performance metrics of the number of mobile nodes to find statistically probable outcome. Important aspects to be considered are seamless handover and load balancing.
Small width effects on MOSFET hot-electron reliability

Short channel MOSFETs of the same channel length show a width-dependent hot electron degradation (threshold voltage shift (VT) and/or drain conductance (gD)) degradation) Devices with small widths (2-3 µm) show a VTshift, while devices with larger widths show only an gDdegradation. A detailed study of hot electron injection and trapping in MOSFETs for extended periods of time shows that the threshold voltage is the dominant reason for the observed reduction in device current. The localized nature of hot electron emission and subsequent trapping in the oxide when the device is under electrical stress is shown. Based on this effect, a simple physical model is presented to explain the differences in the behavior of wide and narrow channel devices of similar effective channel lengths under stress. The experimental results obtained during the hot electron reliability study are presented and explained on the basis of the above model.
The effect of magnesium supplementation and weight loss on liver enzymes in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Background: There have been few studies to examine the effect of magnesium (Mg) supplementation on liver enzymes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Mg supplementation and weight loss on liver enzymes, lipid profile, and fasting blood sugar in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Materials and Methods: This study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. Ultrasonography was used to diagnose fatty liver in patients with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≥ 40 U/L and without other hepatic diseases. A total of 68 participants (18-59 years) with NAFLD were randomly divided into two groups to receive either Mg supplement (350 mg elemental Mg per day) or placebo for 90 days. At baseline and at the end of the intervention serum ALT, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total cholesterol (TCHO), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), blood sugar and serum insulin, and Mg levels were measured in fasting state. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and insulin resistance (IR) were calculated using Friedewald formula and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), respectively. All participants received lifestyle recommendations including low calorie diet and physical activity. Results: Significant decreases within the intervention and placebo groups were observed in ALT (57.00 (25) to 41.82 ± 19.40 U/L, P = 0.000; 68.50 ± 26.96 to 40.17 ± 19.40 U/L, P = 0.000 in Mg and placebo groups, respectively). Similar significant decreases were observed in AST and fasting serum insulin within the study groups. The decrease in weight was also significant in both groups (91.05 ± 13.77 to 87.60 ± 14.37 kg and 94.59 ± 16.85 to 91.45 ± 16.39 kg in Mg and placebo groups, respectively). LDL-C and TCHO were decreased significantly in placebo group but not in the intervention group. Serum Mg was increased significantly in the intervention group. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two study groups at baseline and after intervention. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, Mg supplement does not affect liver enzymes but weight loss may have an important role in improving fatty liver disease.
WLC02-3: On Ant Routing Algorithms in Ad-hoc Networks

This paper shows a novel approach for routing datagrams in ad-hoc networks, called distributed ant routing (DAR). This approach belongs to the class of routing algorithms inspired by the behavior of the ant colonies in locating food and storing food. The algorithm aims at minimizing complexity in the nodes and this is achieved at the expenses of the optimality of the derived solution. The work also describes an analytical approach to the problem: The validity of the heuristic approach, ant routing, is supported by mathematical proofs and the same methods helps in the selection of the algorithm parameters. Simulation results are presented at the end to confirm the mathematical calculations.
Can community health workers increase coverage of reproductive health services?

Background Health services were severely affected during the many years of instability and conflict in Afghanistan. In recent years, substantial increases in the coverage of reproductive health services have been achieved, yet absolute levels of coverage remain very low, especially in rural areas. One strategy for increasing use of reproductive health services is deploying community health workers (CHWs) to promote the use of services within the community and at health facilities. Methods Using a multilevel model employing data from a cross-sectional survey of 8320 households in 29 provinces of Afghanistan conducted in 2006, this study determines whether presence of a CHW in the community leads to an increase in use of modern contraceptives, skilled antenatal care and skilled birth attendance. This study further examines whether the effect varies by the sex of the CHW. Results Results show that presence of a female CHW in the community is associated with higher use of modern contraception, antenatal care services and skilled birth attendants but presence of a male CHW is not. Community-level random effects were also significant. Conclusions This study provides evidence that indicates that CHWs can contribute to increased use of reproductive health services and that context and CHW sex are important factors that need to be addressed in programme design.
Quality of life in adults with congenital heart disease: biopsychosocial determinants and sex-related differences

Objectives To assess the quality of life (QoL) in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) and to explore the sex-related differences and biopsychosocial determinants in an Asian cohort. Design Prospective cross-sectional clinical study. Setting One tertiary medical centre in Taiwan. Patients and methods The QoL of ACHD (≥20 years) was investigated using the Taiwanese version of the QoL questionnaire designed by the WHO, which assesses four domains of QoL (physical, psychological, social and environmental). Personality, psychological distress and family support were assessed using the Maudsley Personality Inventory, Brief Symptom Rating Scale, and the Family APGAR score, respectively. Results A total of 289 patients (age 33.2±10.6 years; 36% men) were studied. ACHD women had significantly lower QoL scores in the physical and psychological domains compared to the age-matched general population, whereas no differences were observed between ACHD men and the general population. Multivariate analysis showed that female gender was associated with poorer physical QoL; the sex difference in the psychological QoL was mediated by psychological distress. Interaction analysis showed that the effect of family support on the psychological domain of QoL may be different by sex. The determinants of QoL varied between different domains. Extroversion personality trait, psychological distress and family support were common determinants of most domains of QoL. Conclusions In ACHD, female gender was associated with poor physical and psychological QoL. The common denominators for QoL were primarily personality trait, psychological distress and family support, but not disease severity.
Regulation of CONSTANS and FLOWERING LOCUS T Expression in Response to Changing Light Quality1[C][OA]

In addition to pathways that regulate flowering in response to environmental signals such as photoperiod or cold temperatures (vernalization), flowering time is also regulated by light quality. In many species, far-red (FR) light is known to accelerate flowering. This is environmentally significant because leaves absorb more red light than FR light; thus, plants growing under a canopy experience light that is enriched in FR light. In this article, we have explored the promotion of flowering by FR-enriched light (FREL) in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Previous work has shown that the floral promoter CONSTANS (CO) plays a critical role in day-length perception and exhibits complex regulation; CO mRNA is regulated by the circadian clock and CO protein is stabilized by light and degraded in darkness. We find that plants grown under FREL contain higher levels of CO mRNA in the early part of the day than plants under white light. Furthermore, transgenic plants expressing CO under the control of a constitutive promoter accumulate higher levels of CO protein under FREL, indicating that FREL can increase CO protein levels independently of transcription. Consistent with the model that FREL promotes flowering through CO, mutants for co or gigantea, which are required for CO transcript accumulation, are relatively insensitive to FREL. Because the red:FR ratios used in these experiments are in the range of what plants would experience under a canopy, these results indicate that the regulation of CO by light quality likely plays a key role in the regulation of flowering time in natural environments.
Contribution of Thy1+ NK cells to protective IFN-γ production during Salmonella Typhimurium infections

IFN-γ is critical for immunity against infections with intracellular pathogens, such as Salmonella enterica. However, which of the many cell types capable of producing IFN-γ controls Salmonella infections remains unclear. Using a mouse model of systemic Salmonella infection, we observed that only a lack of all lymphocytes or CD90 (Thy1)+ cells, but not the absence of T cells, Retinoic acid-related orphan receptor (ROR)-γt–dependent lymphocytes, (NK)1.1+ cells, natural killer T (NKT), and/or B cells alone, replicated the highly susceptible phenotype of IFN-γ–deficient mice to Salmonella infection. A combination of antibody depletions and adoptive transfer experiments revealed that early protective IFN-γ was provided by Thy1-expressing natural killer (NK) cells and that these cells improved antibacterial immunity through the provision of IFN-γ. Further analysis of NK cells producing IFN-γ in response to Salmonella indicated that less mature NK cells were more efficient at mediating antibacterial effector function than terminally differentiated NK cells. Inspired by recent reports of Thy1+ NK cells contributing to immune memory, we analyzed their role in secondary protection against otherwise lethal WT Salmonella infections. Notably, we observed that a newly generated Salmonella vaccine strain not only conferred superior protection compared with conventional regimens but that this enhanced efficiency of recall immunity was afforded by incorporating CD4−CD8−Thy1+ cells into the secondary response. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that Thy1-expressing NK cells play an important role in antibacterial immunity.
Empirical evaluation of emotion classification accuracy for non-acted speech

Emotion recognition is important at the workplace because it impacts a multitude of outcomes, such as performance, engagement and well-being. Emotion recognition from audio is an attractive option due to its non-obtrusive nature and availability of microphones in devices at the workplace. We describe building a classifier that analyzes the para-linguistic features of audio streams to classify them into positive, neutral and negative affect. Since speech at the workplace is different from acted speech, and because it is important that the training data be situated in the right context, we designed and executed an emotion induction procedure to generate a corpus of non-acted speech data of 33 speakers. The corpus was used to train a set of classification models and a comparative analysis of these models was used to choose the feature parameters. Bootstrap aggregation (bagging) was then used on the best combination of algorithm (Random Forest) and features (60 millisecond window size). The resulting classification accuracy of 73% is on par with, or exceeds, accuracies reported in the current literature for non-acted speech for a speaker-dependent test set. For reference, we also report the speaker-dependent recognition accuracy (95%) of the same classifier trained and tested on acted speech for three emotions in the Emo-DB database.
A control framework for robust practical tracking of hybrid automata

This work proposes a robust control framework to address the problem of practical tracking for a class of nonlinear systems described as hybrid automata. The framework reposes both on a suitable definition of the references to be tracked and on Input-to-State Stability properties of the feedback laws in order to guarantee a desired behavior of the hybrid automata in terms of robust transition between operative modes or robust permanence in a specific operative mode. The robustness features of the proposed approach regard possible uncertainties both on the controlled dynamics and on the underlying hybrid automaton. The theory presented in this paper is applied in the accompanying work [14] where the case of takeoff and landing for a miniature ducted-fan Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is explicitly addressed.