Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An improved pragmatic turbo encoding scheme for high spectral efficiency using constellation shaping

We propose a new turbo encoding scheme for high spectral efficiency with performance close to the Gaussian channel capacity. The scheme combines nonuniform signaling on a Gaussian channel, and pragmatic turbo coded modulation for simple and flexible implementation. A table is used to map equiprobable input symbols into nonequiprobable points in the QAM constellation. It is shown that the new scheme provides shaping gains of 0.6 dB and 0.93 dB, at rates 2 and 3 bits/dim respectively compared to the equiprobable pragmatic turbo coded modulation, and reach about 1 dB from the Gaussian channel capacity.
On saturation of the Cramér Rao Bound for Sparse Bayesian Learning

This paper analyzes the Cramér-Rao Bound associated with the estimation of certain sparse hyper-parameters in the Sparse Bayesian Learning (SBL) framework, that crucially control the sparsity of the desired signal. The CRB is shown to exhibit saturation with respect to the number of measurements, i.e., it can be lower bounded by a non-negative quantity that does not go to zero even when the number of measurements tends to infinity. Moreover, the CRB corresponding to the nonzero and zero elements of the sparse hyper-parameter can exhibit different behaviors. While the CRB for the non-zero elements always saturate regardless of the type of dictionary, saturation of the CRB for zero elements provably happens when the dictionary has normalized columns. For an unnormalized dictionary, singular values of certain sub-dictionaries determine if saturation can happen, prompting future research into this interesting phenomenon.
Simultaneous mutual localization of transmitters and receivers from time difference of arrival measurements

The problem of a signal source or a signal receiver localization from time difference of arrival (TDOA) measurements is a crucial issue in many applications appearing in the fields of navigation, surveillance or wireless communication. In this paper we present the algorithm for finding a mutual location of both sources and receivers when the position of none of them is known. We derive an inequality for the numbers of sources and receivers necessary for the problem to have a unique solution. The results of conducted computer simulations and acoustic experiments illustrate the performance of the proposed algorithm as well as its sensitivity to TDOA measurement errors.
Twentieth- and Twenty-first-century Readings of Hebel (הֶבֶל) in Ecclesiastes

The meaning of הֶבֶל is a crux interpretum for the book of Ecclesiastes. Notwithstanding some variation, Jerome’s vanitas reading of הֶבֶל in Ecclesiastes dominated scholarship for several centuries. Since the rise of modern biblical scholarship, הֶבֶל as ‘vanity’ has been largely rejected; however, little consensus has been reached regarding the word’s meaning. The result has been a rich history of interpretation as scholars develop various suggestions for how הֶבֶל should be understood in Ecclesiastes. This essay briefly sketches the history of interpretation of הֶבֶל, then surveys proposals for the meaning of הֶבֶל in Ecclesiastes during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
900 MHz miniature antenna for uses requiring conformity to highly bended surfaces

Authors propose own original geometry of a zero thickness antenna element. It occupies barely 10 cm2 area and operates at 950 MHz frequency band with demonstrated potential to provide another, 1600–2700 MHz band defined with 10 dB return loss limits. Main advantage of the element is maintenance of a good impedance match when the element circuit conforms to bended surfaces likely to occur in real life. Furthermore, the good impedance match remains under a presence of nearby lossy objects and a PCB substrate. Finally, the proposed element is demonstrated as a wearable antenna.
Biogenesis of Yeast Telomerase Depends on the Importin Mtr10

ABSTRACT Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein particle (RNP) involved in chromosome end replication, but its biogenesis is poorly understood. The RNA component of yeast telomerase (Tlc1) is synthesized as a polyadenylated precursor and then processed to a mature poly(A)− form. We report here that the karyopherin Mtr10p is required for the normal accumulation of mature Tlc1 and its proper localization to the nucleus. Neither TLC1 transcription nor the stability of poly(A)− Tlc1 is significantly affected in mtr10Δ cells. Tlc1 was mostly nuclear in a wild-type background, and this localization was not affected by mutations in other telomerase components. Strikingly, in the absence of Mtr10p, Tlc1 was found dispersed throughout the entire cell. Our results are compatible with two alternative models. First, Mtr10p may import a cytoplasmic complex containing Tlc1 and perhaps other components of telomerase, and shuttling of Tlc1 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and back may be necessary for the biogenesis of telomerase (the “shuttling” model). Second, Mtr10p may be necessary for the nuclear import of some enzyme needed for the nuclear processing and maturation of Tlc1, and in the absence of this maturation, poly(A)+ Tlc1 is aberrantly exported to the cytoplasm (the “processing enzyme” model).
Repeated Delivery of Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors to the Rabbit Airway

ABSTRACT Efficient local expression from recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV)-cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) vectors has been observed in the airways of rabbits and monkeys for up to 6 months following a single bronchoscopic delivery. However, it is likely that repeated administrations of rAAV vectors will be necessary for sustained correction of the CF defect in the airways. The current study was designed to test the feasibility of repeated airway delivery of rAAV vectors in the rabbit lung. After two doses of rAAV-CFTR to the airways, rabbits generated high titers of serum anti-AAV neutralizing antibodies. Rabbits then received a third dose of a rAAV vector containing the green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene packaged in either AAV serotype 2 (AAV2) or serotype 3 (AAV3) capsids. Each dose consisted of 1 ml containing 5 × 109 DNase-resistant particles of rAAV vector, having no detectable replication-competent AAV or adenovirus. Three weeks later, GFP expression was observed in airway epithelial cells despite high anti-AAV neutralizing titers at the time of delivery. There was no significant difference in the efficiency of DNA transfer or expression between the rAAV3 and rAAV2 groups. No significant inflammatory responses to either repeated airway exposure to rAAV2-CFTR vectors or to GFP expression were observed. These experiments demonstrate that serum anti-AAV neutralizing antibody titers do not predict airway neutralization in vivo and that repeated airway delivery rAAV allows for safe and effective gene transfer.
Metabolic Modeling of Inborn Errors of Metabolism: Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase II Deficiency and Respiratory Chain Complex I Deficiency

Metabolic modeling; flux-balance analysis; constraint-based modeling; inborn errors of metabolism; IEM; carnitine palmitoyltransferase II deficiency; CPT II deficiency; respiratory chain complex I deficiency; metabolic network reconstruction; COBRA Toolbox 2; Recon 2; Recon 2.2; synergistic heterozygosity
Molecular cloning, sequence analysis, and expression of the gene encoding the immunodominant 32-kilodalton protein of Cowdria ruminantium

Cowdria ruminatium, the causative agent of heartwater disease, expresses an immunodominant and conserved 32-kilodalton protein (MAP1; formerly called Cr32), which is currently in use for serodiagnosis of the disease. The gene encoding this protein, designated map1, was detected, cloned, and characterized. The gene is conserved between four different stocks of C. ruminantium originating from Senegal, Sudan, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Homology searches revealed MAP1 to be homologous to the Anaplasma marginale surface protein MSP4, a potential protective antigen. The MAP1 protein, expressed in Escherichia coli fused with glutathione S-transferase, is specifically recognized by sera from animals infected with seven different stocks of C. ruminantium.
Compression Techniques for Deep Fisher Vectors

This paper investigates the use of efficient compression tec hniques for Fisher vectors derived from deep architectures such as restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM). Fi sher representations have recently created a surge of interest by proving their worth for large scale object rec ognition and retrieval problems due to the intrinsic properties that make them unique from the conventional bag o f visual words (BoW) features, however they suffer from the problem of large dimensionality. This paper rovides empirical evidence along with visualisations to explore which of the feature normalisation and stat e of the art compression techniques is well suited for deep Fisher vectors, making them amenable for large scale visual retrieval with reduced memory footprint. We further show that the compressed Fisher vectors give impr essive classification results even with costless linear classifiers like k-nearest neighbour.
Iterative learning control method for a single-phase inverter with sinusoidal output voltage

This paper considers iterative learning control law design for bothtrial-to-trial error convergence and along the trial performance in the control system of the single-phase inverter (DC/AC). The inverter with passive LC filter act as a high quality AC power source with sinusoidal output voltage. Such solution is typically used for instance in Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system. Standard feedback control cannot eliminate the periodic distortion caused by nonlinear loads. It is shown how a class of control laws can be designed using thetheory of linear repetitive processes for this problem where thecomputations are in terms of Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs). The simulations have been performed with the use of Simulink accompanied by PLECS library, which allows to simulate power electronic converter facilities in their realistic working conditions.
Internal planar loop/monopole combo antenna for eight-band LTE/GSM/UMTS operation in the laptop computer

An internal laptop computer antenna capable of generating two wide operating bands to respectively cover the LTE700/GSM850/900 (698~960 MHz) and GSM1800/1900/ UMTS/LTE2300/2500 (1710~2690 MHz) operation is presented. The antenna occupies a size of 85 × 10 × 4 mm3 along the top edge of the supporting metal frame of the display panel and is suitable to be embedded inside the casing of the laptop computer. The antenna is a printed loop/monopole combo antenna formed by combining a quarter-wavelength printed loop with an internal matching circuit and a printed monopole with an internal distributed inductor. The proposed combo antenna leads to reduced size yet wide bandwidth to cover the eight-band LTE/GSM/UMTS operation.
Perception of hand cooling during local cold air exposure at three different temperatures.

The effect of local hand cooling in air on skin temperature, thermal sensation and pain was studied at three different temperatures, 0, 7 and 15°C, in a cooling box. Eighteen subjects were exposed to each local temperature condition for 95 min. The inter-individual variation in cooling reaction was considerable, especially in the two colder conditions. There was, however, a significant individual consistency in reaction between conditions. Initial hand skin temperature, overall body heat balance, time of day of testing and site of temperature measurement are among the factors discussed in relation to the reactions to local hand cooling. The relation calculated between thermal sensation and hand skin temperature appeared consistent and unaffected by local ambient temperature conditions, and thus by the corresponding variation in rate of cooling, within the limited temperature range studied. Similar results were found for the relation between experienced pain and hand skin temperature.
Underwater 3D scanning using Kinect v2 time of flight camera

This paper presents preliminary results of using commercial time of flight depth camera for 3D scanning of underwater objects. Generating accurate and detailed 3D models of objects in underwater environment is a challenging task. This work presents experimental results of using Microsoft Kinect v2 depth camera for dense depth data acquisition underwater that gives reasonable 3D scanned data but with smaller scanning range. Motivations for this research are the user friendliness and low-cost of the device as compared to multi view stereo cameras or marine-hardened laser scanning solutions and equipment. Preliminary results of underwater point cloud generation and volumetric reconstruction are also presented. The novelty of this work is the utilization of the Kinect depth camera for real-time 3D mesh reconstruction and the main objective is to develop an economical and compact solution for underwater 3D scanning.
Phylogenetic analysis indicates transmission of hepatitis C virus from an infected orthopedic surgeon to a patient

During recent years, a controversial discussion has emerged in the medical community on the real number and possible public health implications of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmissions from infected medical staff to susceptible patients. We report here on molecular virological and epidemiological analyses involving 229 patients who underwent exposure‐prone operations by an HCV‐infected orthopedic surgeon. Of the 229 individuals affected, 207 could be tested. Three were positive for HCV antibodies. Molecular and epidemiological investigation revealed that two of them were not infected by the surgeon. The third patient, a 50‐year‐old man, underwent complicated total hip arthroplasty with trochanteric osteotomy. He harbored an HCV 2b isolate that in phylogenetic analysis of the hypervariable region 1 (HVR 1) was closely related to the HCV strain recovered from the infected surgeon, indicating that HCV‐provider‐to‐patient transmission occurred intraoperatively. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of HCV transmission by an orthopedic surgeon. The recorded transmission rate of 0.48% (95% confidence interval: 0.09–2.68%) was within the same range reported previously for the spread of hepatitis B virus during orthopedic procedures. Since the result of our investigation sustains the notion that patients may contract HCV from infected health‐care workers during exposure‐prone procedures, a series of further retrospective exercises is needed to assess more precisely the risk of HCV provider‐to‐patient transmission and to delineate from these studies recommendations for the guidance and management of HCV‐infected medical personnel. J. Med. Virol. 66:461–467, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dynamic Memory Network on Natural Language Question-Answering

Question-Answering (QA) is an important milestone for the research of artificial intelligence (AI). In this work, we explore the application of memory-based neural network model to reading-comprehension type QA tasks. Based on the idea of dynamic network model (DMN) [1], we re-implement both unsupervised and supervised DMN, establishing an baselin on bAbi QA dataset, and applying to a more complex natural language QA dataset MCTest. During the process, we designed a new Option Module and a modified Answer Module to make DMN suitable for MCTest input, and experiment on supervised gating mechanism to improve its performance.
OFDM Error Vector Magnitude Distortion Analysis

We derived explicit formulas for evaluating the error vector magnitude (EVM) from the amplitude distortion (AM-AM) and phase distortion (AM-PM) of power amplifiers (PAs) in orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) systems, such as the IEEE 802.1 1a/g wireless local area networks (WLANs) standards. We demonstrated that the developed formulas allowed EVM simulation of a memoryless PA using only a single-tone response (i.e. without OFDM modulation and demodulation), thus enabling us to easily simulate the EVM using a harmonic-balance (HB) simulator. This HB simulation technique reduced the processing time required to simulate the EVM of a PA for the IEEE 802.1 1a standard by a factor of ten compared to a system-level (SL) simulation. We also demonstrated that the measured EVM of a PA module for the IEEE 802.11g could accurately be predicted by applying the measured static AM-AM and AM-PM characteristics to the derived formulas.
Global magnetic attitude control of spacecraft in the presence of gravity gradient

The problem of Earth-pointing attitude control for a spacecraft with magnetic actuators is addressed and a novel approach to the problem is proposed, which guarantees almost global closed loop stability of the desired relative attitude equilibrium for the spacecraft. Precisely, a proportional derivative (PD)-like state feedback control law is employed together with a suitable adaptation mechanism for the controller gain. Simulation results are presented, which illustrate the performance of the proposed control law
Post‐stimulus potentiation of transmission in pelvic ganglia enhances sympathetic dilatation of guinea‐pig uterine artery in vitro

Vasodilatation produced by stimulation of preganglionic neurones in lumbar and sacral pathways to pelvic ganglia was studied using an in vitro preparation of guinea‐pig uterine artery and associated nerves in a partitioned bath allowing selective drug application to the ganglia or artery. Arterial diameter was monitored using real time video imaging. Vasodilatations produced by hypogastric nerve stimulation (HN; 300 pulses, 10 Hz) were significantly larger and longer in duration than with pelvic nerve stimulation (N= 18). Stimulation of ipsilateral lumbar splanchnic nerves or ipsilateral third lumbar ventral roots also produced prolonged vasodilatations. Blockade of ganglionic nicotinic receptors (0.1–1 mm hexamethonium) delayed the onset and sometimes reduced the peak amplitude of dilatations, but slow dilatations persisted in 16 of 18 preparations. These dilatations were not reduced further by 3 μm capsaicin applied to the artery and ganglia, or ganglionic application of 1 μm hyoscine, 30–100 μm suramin or 10 μm CNQX. Dilatations were reduced slightly by ganglionic application of NK1 and NK3 receptor antagonists (SR140333, SR142801; 1 μm), but were reduced significantly by bathing the ganglia in 0.5 mm Ca2+ and 10 mm Mg2+. Intracellular recordings of paracervical ganglion neurones revealed fast excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in all neurones on HN stimulation (300 pulses, 10 Hz), and slow EPSPs (3–12 mV amplitude) in 25 of 37 neurones. Post‐stimulus action potential discharge associated with slow EPSPs occurred in 16 of 37 neurones (firing rate 9.4 ± 1.5 Hz). Hexamethonium (0.1–1 mm) abolished fast EPSPs. Hexamethonium and hyoscine (1 μm) did not reduce slow EPSPs and associated post‐stimulus firing in identified vasodilator neurones (with VIP immunoreactivity) or non‐vasodilator paracervical neurones. These results demonstrate a predominantly sympathetic origin of autonomic pathways producing pelvic vasodilatation in females. Non‐cholinergic mediators of slow transmission in pelvic ganglia produce prolonged firing of postganglionic neurones and long‐lasting dilatations of the uterine artery. This mechanism would facilitate maintenance of pelvic vasodilatation on stimulation of preganglionic neurones during sexual activity.
Performance analysis of sequential filter based on unbiased converted measurements with doppler

The Doppler measurements can be used to improve tracking accuracy efficiently. Based on unbiased converted measurements, the statistical character of the correlated range and pseudo range rate measurement errors is deduced and a sequential filtering algorithm with Doppler is progressed. The performance such as tracking accuracy, evaluation consistency and calculation complexity is studied comparing with the traditional extended Kalman filter with Doppler. The simulation results show that the new algorithm can accommodate longer distance and bigger measurement error situation, and has higher level of accuracy, faster convergence and more reliability.
High-resolution near-field measurements of microwave circuits

In this paper we report on measurements of electric field intensities of microwave field above surface of microwave circuits using miniaturized coaxial antennas. During the scanning process the antenna is driven at various distances above the sample surface according to topographic data acquired prior to the field measurement. A position/signal difference method is used to increase the spatial resolution of the antenna to about 20 μm (λ/104) -- one order of magnitude better than contemporary microwave scanning systems. For measurement of the tangential field components parallel to the sample surface the antenna is tilted by about 45° relative to the sample surface. By its rotation about the vertical axis various components of the field are measured, vertical and horizontal electric field intensities are recalculated. Performance of our scanning system utilizing these methods is tested using a PCB surface capacitor, a microstrip filter and a microstrip transmission line.
Intradialytic cardiac MRI to assess cardiovascular responses in a short term randomized controlled trial of haemodiafiltration and haemodialysis

1 Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK 2 Centre for Kidney Research and Innovation, Division of Medical Sciences and Graduate Entry Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK 3 Center of Excellence Medical EMEA, Fresenius Medical Care, Bad Homburg, Germany 4 Departments of Medicine and Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Canada
Pentobarbital inhibition of human recombinant α1A P/Q‐type voltage‐gated calcium channels involves slow, open channel block

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Pre‐synaptic neurotransmitter release is largely dependent on Ca2+ entry through P/Q‐type (CaV2.1) voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels (PQCCs) at most mammalian, central, fast synapses. Barbiturates are clinical depressants and inhibit pre‐synaptic Ca2+ entry. PQCC barbiturate pharmacology is generally unclear, specifically in man. The pharmacology of the barbiturate pentobarbital (PB) in human recombinant α1A PQCCs has been characterized.
Exploring Continuous Assurance In Practice: Preliminary Insights

The concept of continuous assurance is not new, with a history spanning close to three decades in various guises. Recently there has been renewed attention in the area due to compliance imperatives, trends in governance and risk, anti-fraud measures and technological advances. However significant uncertainty surrounds the practicalities of how continuous assurance may be effectively implemented into an organisation’s governance, risk and compliance (GRC) landscape for auditors and managers. The aim of this paper is to report on the first stage of a research study investigating the adoption and implementation of continuous assurance in an Australian company. A socio-material practice perspective is adopted and Power’s (2007) concept of organised uncertainty is explored to progress thinking in continuous assurance theory and practice. Key findings emerging from this study include the heterogeneous and fluid nature of continuous assurance, the duality of mobility involving system dependencies and audit independence, and the unanticipated usages and politics of information.