Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficient Implementation of QR Decomposition for Gigabit MIMO-OFDM Systems

This paper presents a VLSI architecture of QR decomposition for 4×4 MIMO-OFDM systems. A real-value decomposed MIMO system model is handled and thus the channel matrix to be processed is extended to the size of 8×8. Instead of direct factorization, a QR decomposition scheme by cascading one complex-value and one real-value Givens rotation stages is proposed, which can save 44% hardware complexity. Besides, the requirement of skewed inputs in the conventional QR-decomposition systolic array is eliminated and 36% of delay elements are removed. The real-value Givens rotation stage is also constructed in a form of a stacked triangular systolic array to match with the throughput of the complex-value one. Hardware sharing is considered to enhance the utilization. The proposed design is implemented in 0.18-μm CMOS technology with 152K gates. From measurement, the maximum operating frequency is 100 MHz. It generates QR decomposition results every four clock cycles and accomplishes continuous projection every clock cycle to support MIMO detection up to 2.4 Gb/s. The measured power consumption is 318.6 mW and 219.6 mW for QR decomposition and projection, respectively, at the highest operating frequency. From the comparison, our proposed design achieves the highest throughput with high efficiency.
STRUCTURAL BASIS FOR WAVELENGTH DISCRIMINATION IN THE BANKED RETINA OF THE FIREFLY SQUID WATASENIA SCINTILLANS

There is a greatly thickened region of retina in the ventral part of the eye of the firefly squid Watasenia scintillans, with an outer segment (OS) layer around 600 µm thick. The distal two-thirds of this OS layer is yellow and contains a visual pigment, based on 4-hydroxyretinal (A4), with an absorbance maximum at 470 nm. The proximal third is pink and contains a visual pigment, based on dehydroretinal (A2), with an absorbance maximum at 500 nm. Light and electron microscopic investigations demonstrate the presence of four types of photoreceptor cell. In the pink layer, three of the four types (alpha, ß and gamma) produce no microvilli and are columnar in structure. These cells form square microvillous rhabdoms only in the distal yellow layer. The fourth cell type (delta) produces microvilli in the pink layer only. These observations led us to propose that the A2-based visual pigment is contained in the pink-layer cells and that the A4-based visual pigment is contained in the three types of yellow-layer cells. The absorbance of fresh retina was determined by microspectrophotometry. The yellow OS layer, with an absorbance of 0.7 per 100 µm thickness at 470 nm, is expected to act as a short-wavelength cut-off filter to the underlying pink OS cells, shifting their photosensitivity peak by an estimated 50 nm to 550 nm. Possible wavelength discrimination by this squid is discussed.
Investigation of harmonic radiation control of active patch antennas

A shaping technique for the radiator of an active patch antenna is described, and shown experimentally to reduce harmonic radiation and therefore enhance the conversion efficiency. The perturbation of resonant mode frequencies in a deformed rectangular patch radiator is discussed as a possible basis for systematic design. Field simulation software (SONNET) was also used to further study and confirm the effects of shaping.
[Study of labeling human periodontal ligament stem cells with enhanced green fluorescent protein by lentivirus vector infection].

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to optimize conditions for labeling human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) using enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) infected by lentivirus vector and to obtain PDLSCs with high stable expressed eGFP. METHODS PDLSCs were transfected with eGFP by lentivirus vector for 48 h via different multiplicity of infection (MOI) (25, 50, 100, 200 and 400) and the infection efficiency were analyzed by both fluorescent microscope and flow cytometry. The proliferation rate of infected PDLSCs was evaluated by MTT. The infected PDLSCs were further for detection of pluripotent, differentiation ability and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression ability. RESULTS The infection efficiency for each group were 44.7%, 60.9%, 71.7%, 85.8% and 86.9% respectively. Proliferation of PDLSCs was not affected when MOI was below 200; however, at MOI 400, the proliferation ability was affected compared with control group. The pluripotent and ALP abilities of PDLSCs were not changed by the infection. CONCLUSION Infection for 48 h at MOI 200 is optimal for labeling PDLSCs with eGFP using lentivirus vector, and the proliferation and differentiation abilities of PDLSCs are not affected obviously.
Economic Evaluation of Vaccination Programs: The Impact of Herd-Immunity

The unique characteristic of vaccination is that it not only reduces the incidence of disease in those immunized but also indirectly protects nonvaccinated susceptibles against infection (produces herd-immunity). The bulk of economic evaluations of vaccination programs continue to use models that cannot take into account the indirect effects produced by herd-immunity. Here, the authors illustrate the importance of incorporating herd-immunity externalities when assessing the cost-effectiveness of vaccination programs. To do this, they compare 2 methods of estimating the benefits of routine mass vaccination: one that includes herd-immunity (dynamic approach) and one that does not (static approach). Finally, they use the results to clarify a number of misconceptions that are common in the literature concerning herd immunity and dynamical effects produced by models.
Effect of dielectric substrate on the optical properties of plasmonic waveguide

We computationally investigated the optical properties of a thin metallic aperture, emphasizing the effects of the dielectric substrate on the plasmonic waveguide. We demonstrate that the red-shifted wavelength and the dielectric properties (i.e., effective relative permittivity and dielectric thickness) can compensate for the optical loss due to plasmon red shift.
Localized deposition of pure platinum nanostructures

Localized deposition of pure platinum nanostructures was achieved using a combination of focused electron beam induced processing (FEBID) of an inorganic platinum precursor and low temperature annealing in water vapour. This technique enables fabrication of Pt nanostructures with high spatial resolution and purity, for applications in nanoelectronics, sensing devices and catalysis.
Influence of analysis duration on the accuracy of a shock advisory system

This study evaluates the influence of analysis duration on the accuracy of AED shock advisory system (SAS), which is adapted to provide ‘Shock’/‘No Shock’ decision in real time at every second from 2s to 10s. MIT-BIH Malignant Ventricular Arrhythmia database is used for validation of the SAS accuracy on a computer. Four basic ECG criteria used in the presented SAS are evaluated: heart rate, slope uniformity of positive vs. negative peaks, deflections from signal extrema and signal mean in a narrow frequency band for enhancement of the QRS complexes. They show significant differences forshockable and non-shockable rhythms, considering all analysis durations. The presented SAS with analysis duration from 2s to 10s is fully compliant with the AHA performance goal for AEDs. Short ECG episodes, however, require verification for consistency of the rhythm over time.
tert-Butyl 2-(dihydroxyboryl)pyrrole-1-carboxylate

In the title compound, C9H14BNO4, the carbonyl and boronic acid groups are essentially coplanar with the pyrrole ring and the boronic acid group has an exo-endo conformation. The exo-oriented OH is engaged in an intramolecular O—H⋯O interaction, while the endo-oriented one is involved in intermolecular hydrogen bonding to form centrosymmetric dimers. A supramolecular assembly is achieved through interactions involving the tert-butyl groups, forming infinite chains along the crystallographic b axis. There are, in addition, face-to-face and center-to-edge stacking interactions [distance between the pyrrole ring centroid and an N atom from a neighbouring molecule = 3.369 (8) Å].
Theoretical Design of Normal Dispersion Decreasing Fiber Amplifier to Obtain Self-Similar Parabolic Pulses and Its Practical Aspects

The evolution of self-similar parabolic pulses is demonstrated by designing a parabolic index dispersion decreasing fiber amplifier with normal dispersion (ND-DDF amplifier), with inclusion of the variation of nonlinear factor (gamma) with distance. The pulse transmission is extensively studied for the proposed ND-DDF in presence of external gain as well as virtual gain induced by its dispersion profile. The output power resembles with a perfect parabolic shape giving rise to self-similar pulses with minimum misfit les 0.003. In view of practical aspects of fabrication we also obtain several equivalent staircase profiles, whose performances are shown to be very close to that of the proposed ND-DDF.
Manual lifting load limit equation for adult Indian women workers based on physiological criteria

A comprehensive equation for the evaluation of a maximum load limit for manual load lifting has been developed for the first time for Indian adult female workers, based on a physiological criterion due to the limitation of applicability of the NIOSH (1991) equation. Ten adult female workers, who had been engaged in building construction activities for at least 7 years participated in this study. The cut-off value was selected as the working heart rate corresponding to the 33% level of maximum aerobic power (i.e. V′O2 max.) of this population, which was equivalent to a heart rate of 101.6 beats.min − 1. An equation was developed based on the effects of the following three lifting parameters on working heart rate: vertical height (knee, waist, shoulder and maximum reach height), lifting frequency (1, 4, 7 and 14 lifts.min − 1), and load weight (5, 10 and 15 kg). The variations of the specific lifting parameter values were selected from field observations. From this equation, the maximum load limit was calculated as 15.4 kg and the workers give this a psychophysical rating as in the moderate to heavy category.
Is Talking to Your Car Dangerous? It Depends

Cognitive distraction represents an important and growing traffic safety issue, particularly with the increasing computerization of cars. The target paper in this special section describes a protocol for assessing the distraction potential of information and entertainment systems. Cognitive distraction has specific relevance to the challenges facing driving safety but also reflects the more pervasive challenge of generalizing findings in the face of complex contextual and compensatory influences. Peer commentaries from five driving safety experts sketch paths forward in assessing the distraction potential of in-vehicle information technology. A simple, definitive statement regarding the risk of talking to your car is appealing, but the complexity of driver behavior may make such a statement unachievable.
Applications of VoiceThread© Technology in Graduate Nursing Education.

BACKGROUND Online graduate courses provide opportunities for faculty to use technology and digital applications to enhance student learning and learning environments. In nursing education, as we become increasingly dependent on technology, it is important to ensure that both faculty and students add digital literacy to their repertoire of knowledge and skills. VoiceThread©, one type of Web-based digital application tool, allows students and faculty to verbally communicate and collaborate asynchronously. METHOD This article discusses the use of VoiceThread technology in graduate nursing education and offers four examples of VoiceThread teaching methods: personal introductions, issues discussions, case presentations, and the elevator speech. RESULTS Student participation in VoiceThread assignments is evaluated using leveled rubrics. A poll of the students in one of the graduate courses showed high overall satisfaction with VoiceThread in the online classroom. CONCLUSION Strategies for effective use of VoiceThread technology to enhance student engagement and learning are recommended. [J Nurs Educ. 2016;55(11):655-658. ].
E pluribus unum? The main protein kinase A catalytic subunit (PRKACA), a likely oncogene, and cortisol-producing tumors.

Evidence has been accumulating for years that increased cAMP signaling (Figure 1) is the culprit behind the development of most benign cortisol-producing tumors of the adrenal gland (1, 2). First, GNAS1 mutations in McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS) were responsible for cortisol-producing tumors in the context of an otherwise normal adrenal gland in toddlers with MAS and Cushing syndrome (CS) (3). Then, a rare disease, massive macronodular adrenocortical disease (MMAD) or ACTH-independent macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia (AIMAH), now aptly renamed as primary macronodular hyperplasia (PMAH) (4), was found to be linked to the ectopic expression of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) (5, 6). And we found mutations of the main cAMP receptor in all cells, PRKAR1A, the gene that codes for the regulatory subunit type 1α (R1α) of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase or protein kinase A (PKA) to cause another rare form of cortisol-producing hyperplasia: primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD) is caused in both its isolated form and the type associated with Carney complex, a multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome, by PRKAR1A-inactivating mutations (7, 8). However, proof that increased cAMP signaling was involved in almost all benign cortisol-producing lesions, and especially the “garden variety” cortisol-producing adenoma (CPA), was lacking. Yes, we showed that MMAD/AIMAH/PMAH tissues showed allelic losses of the PRKAR1A gene and/or its 17q locus (9), and that up to one out of five CPAs (especially those with dexamethasone-responsive increase in their cortisol production) could harbor somatic mutations of PRKAR1A (10) and that CPAs with no GNAS1 or PRKAR1A mutations (or mutations in any other genes) had increased cAMP levels and/or PKA activation (11), but this was all circumstantial evidence. The circumstantial evidence was somewhat strengthened by our discovery of the involvement of cAMP-binding phosphodiesterases (PDEs) PDE11A (12, 13) and PDE8B (14,–16) in predisposition to a variety of cortisol-producing adrenal tumors, from cancer (17) to MMAD/AIMAH/PMAH (18, 19), and even in conjunction with PRKAR1A mutations (20). The latter was in fact the first evidence of any digenic involvement in predisposition to a cortisol-producing lesion, and both genes (PRKAR1A and PDE11A) were regulating cAMP signaling. Nevertheless, it was all circumstantial evidence, especially because a number of the identified molecules have a multitude of functions and are expressed in almost every tissue; why would the adrenal cortex be specifically targeted by an increase in cAMP signaling mediated by the ubiquitous PKA? Surely other tissues, the bone, the pituitary, and thyroid glands would be affected.
Post-placement Thermal Via Planning for 3D Integrated Circuit

The 3-dimensional (3D) ICs' increased module density exacerbates the thermal hot-spot problem: a larger module packed into a smaller footprint produces a higher maximum temperature. Because of the significant impact of thermal via on lowering the thermal resistance of the chip, an appropriate thermal via planning can be hoped to alleviate the unfavorable thermal phenomena of 3D ICs. In this paper, after an iterative placement process driven by the thermal-aware gravity algorithm, we adjust iteratively the thermal via density in the specified thermal via region of the chip on the basis of a finite-difference (FD) thermal model. The final simulations on the IBM-PLACE benchmarks demonstrate our algorithm can achieve the maximum and average temperature objective while minimizing the thermal via utilization in a feasible running time
The radiation effects research foundation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Past, present, and future.

THE ATOMIC Bomb Casualty Commission (ABCC) was established in Hiroshima in 1947 and in Nagasaki in 1948 by the US National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council (NAS/NRC) based on President Truman's directive to initiate a long-term and comprehensive epidemiological and genetic study of the atomic bomb survivors.1The Japanese National Institute of Health under the Ministry of Health and Welfare joined the ABCC 1 year later to assist in the studies and improve the cooperation of the survivors. This arrangement continued for 28 years until it was replaced in 1975 by the Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF), a nonprofit Japanese foundation binationally managed and supported with equal funding by the governments of Japan, through the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the United States, through the NAS/NRC under contract with the US Department of Energy (and its predecessors). Thanks to the cooperation of the survivors and the contributions
Physical Activity and Risk of Lung Cancer: A Meta-analysis

Objective:Previous studies concerning the association between physical activity (PA) and risk of lung cancer yielded mixed results. We investigated the association by performing a meta-analysis. Data Sources:Relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed and EMBASE to January 2014. Twelve cohort studies and 6 case–control studies involving 2 468 470 participants and 26 453 cases of lung cancer were selected for meta-analysis. Main Results:We calculated the summary relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using random-effects models. The analyses showed that individuals who participated in any amount of PA had an RR of 0.79 (95% CI, 0.73-0.86) for risk of lung cancer. Those who participated in high PA (vs low PA) had an RR of 0.75 (95% CI, 0.68-0.84). Stratifying by study design (case–control and cohort studies), smoking status (current, former, and never smokers), and gender, similar inverse associations were found for all the subgroups except for never smokers subgroup. Conclusions:Pooled results from observational studies support a protective effect of PA against lung cancer.
Recent advances in reconfigurable microwave filter design

Next-generation multi-mode RF transceivers will require fully-adaptive, high-frequency filtering components with increased levels of spectral agility. Highly-selective single/multi-band filtering actions for various signal-band selection processes and flexible bandstop filtering functions for dynamic interference mitigation will be highly desirable in these systems. Taking into consideration the aforementioned needs, recent advances in the field of adaptive-transfer-function filters are reported in this paper. Specifically, multi-band bandpass filters (BPFs) with tunable passbands, circuits with selectable BPF and bandstop-filter (BSF) operational modes, and broad-band BPFs with incorporated in-band controllable notches are presented.
Comparison of air-cored and iron-cored non-overlap winding radial flux permanent magnet direct drive wind generators

In this paper a comparative study of the air-cored and iron-cored direct-drive permanent magnet wind generators is done. The comparative study is based on optimum designed air- and iron-cored wind generators on a 15 kW power level. With the generators designed to have the same power and efficiency performances, mainly mass difference is compared, but other aspects such as performance quality, per unit impedance and magnet demagnetisation, amongst other things, are also compared. Although a high amount of permanent magnet material is used in the air-cored generator, this generator is shown to have very attractive features for converter-fed direct-drive wind generator applications.
Using spare network computing power for genetic algorithm problems

Traditional network design incorporates a failure-recovery model in order to allow calculation of problems independent of knowledge of the network tool layer. This paper explores the possibilities of improving the calculation throughput by constructing a tool for the specific solution of problems which have an inherent ability to deal with partial calculation failure. Using a modified Genetic Algorithm as the client tool, the amount of information the network layer needs to have is brought to an extremely minimal level; this allows for a large scalability factor of the tool due to the reduction of network management tables.
MMG measurement: a high-sensitivity microphone-based sensor for clinical use

A high-sensitivity human muscle-vibration measurement (MMG) sensor adapted to clinical use is presented. The muscle vibration phenomenon is modeled and investigated to optimize the measurement technique. The sensor uses an acoustic impedance adaptation technique to convert the skin surface vibration in terms of acoustic pressure, which is sensed by a microphone. The device is calibrated and gives the real amplitude of the vibration. It is also well fitted to measure other physiological vibrations in the 2 Hz-1 kHz range.
Fractal geometry for distribution grid topologies

This paper presents an application of fractal geometry in the design, development and expansion of distribution networks. In order to prove that electrical grids are fractal in form, the fractal dimension of distribution networks is measured using the box-counting algorithm. Then a two dimensional stochastic dielectric breakdown model (DBM) is utilized in order to generate virtual distribution networks. The fractal dimension of the simulated growth patterns varied depending on η which is the exponent of the breakdown probability distribution. By controlling the value of η, growth patterns similar to the actual distribution networks could be produced. Finally, some electrical characteristics (maximum voltage drop, total power losses) of the fractal generated networks are measured and compared with the real distribution networks.
Expansion of dendritic cells derived from human CD34+ cells in static and continuous perfusion cultures

We examined the effects of different cytokine combinations and culture conditions on the expansion and modulation of cell surface antigens of CD34+ derived dendritic cells (DCs), the most efficient antigen‐presenting cells capable of stimulating resting T cells in the primary immune response. Cells with a dendritic morphology and expressing HLA‐DR, CD1a, S100 and CD83 were maximally expanded under serum‐free conditions with the addition of SCF, GM‐CSF, TNF‐α, TGF‐β and Flt‐3 ligand (fold increase of CD1a+ cells = 102 ± 32 after 2 weeks of culture). CD34+ cells were also grown under continuous flow conditions in an artificial capillary system; after 14 d of culture, the expansion in the total cell number was lower than that of the static cultures (3.3 ± 2 v 18.9 ± 4) but the percentage of CD1a+/CD83+/CD80+ cells was considerably higher, whereas the CD14+ cells were significantly reduced (8.9 ± 2 v 26 ± 13). In continuous perfusion cultures, low levels of DC precursors and of LTC‐IC were still present up to day 14. The DCs generated under flow conditions stimulated the mixed leucocyte reaction (MLR) more than the cells grown in static cultures. By electron microscopy, cells grown in the continuous flow system showed an increased number of large cells with numerous dendritic processes and abundant multilamellar complexes. The cells expanded under these conditions were sorted on the basis of their light‐scatter properties into two fractions: one containing a predominance of CD1a+/S100+/CD83+/CD80+/CD14−‘large cells’ with great internal complexity (mature DCs); the second including ‘small cells’ either CD33+/CD14+, CD33+/CD15+ or CD33+/CD13±/CD14−. The DCs generated and selected with this method are therefore particularly well suited for immunotherapeutic protocols.