Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Constant Fraction Discriminator Involving Automatic Gain Control to Reduce Time Walk

A constant fraction discriminator (CFD) is a widely used time-pickoff circuit because it ideally produces no time walk for signals with equal rise times. However, a practical CFD produces some time walk because of the dependency of the response time in an involved comparator on the input signal size. In this paper, a CFD combined with an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit at the input stage is proposed to reduce this dependence. The AGC has four step gains that are inversely proportional to the amplitude of their input signal. Accordingly, the AGC reduces the dynamic range of the signal entering the CFD and consequently reduces the dependency of the response time on the input signal, i.e., time walk. For a short resolving time, this gain setting is performed at one time by amplitude comparison. The proposed CFD is evaluated by experiment for input signals with a rise time of 2 ns and a dynamic range of 40 dB, and the time walk is reduced to 277 ps, a decrease of more than 42%.
POLYNOMIAL TIME ALGORITHMS FOR LEARNING NEURAL NETS OF NONOVERLAPPING PERCEPTRONS

We investigate the problem of learning two‐layer neural nets of nonoverlapping perceptrons where each input unit is connected to one and only one hidden unit. We first show that this restricted problem with no overlap at all between the receptive fields of the hidden units is as hard as the general problem (with total overlap) if the learner uses examples only. However, if membership queries are allowed, the restricted problem is indeed easier to solve. We give a learning algorithm that uses examples and membership queries to PAC learn the intersection of K‐nonoverlapping perceptrons, regardless of whether the instance space in Boolean, discrete, or continuous. An extension of this algorithm is proven to PAC learn two‐layer nets with K‐nonoverlapping perceptrons. The simulations performed indicate that both algorithms are fast and efficient.
Multiple functions of Drosophila heat shock transcription factor in vivo

Heat shock transcription factor (HSF) is a transcriptional activator of heat shock protein (hsp) genes in eukaryotes. In order to elucidate the physiological functions of HSF in Drosophila, we have isolated lethal mutations in the hsf gene. Using a conditional allele, we show that HSF has an essential role in the ability of the organism to survive extreme heat stress. In contrast to previous results obtained with yeast HSF, the Drosophila protein is dispensable for general cell growth or viability. However, it is required under normal growth conditions for oogenesis and early larval development. These two developmental functions of Drosophila HSF are genetically separable and appear not to be mediated through the induction of HSPs, implicating a novel action of HSF that may be unrelated to its characteristic function as a stress‐responsive transcriptional activator.
An Aspect-based Approach for Concurrent Programming using CSP Features

The construction of large scale parallel and concurrent applications is one of the greatest challenges faced by software engineers nowadays. Programming models for concurrency implemented by mainstream programming languages, such as Java, C, and C++, are too low-level and difficult to use by the average programmer. At the same time, the use of libraries implementing high level concurrency abstractions such as JCSP requires additional learning effort and produces programs where application logic is tangled with library-specific code. In this paper we propose separating concurrent concerns (CSP code) from the development of sequential Java processes. We explore aspect-oriented programming to implement this separation of concerns. A compiler generates an AspectJ code, which instruments the sequential Java program with JCSP concurrent constructors. We have conducted an experiment to evaluate the benefits of the proposed framework. We employ metrics for attributes such as separation of concerns, coupling, and size to compare our approach against the JCSP framework and thread based approaches.
Catalysis-Driven Self-Thermophoresis of Janus Plasmonic Nanomotors.

It is highly demanding to design active nanomotors that can move in response to specific signals with controllable rate and direction. A catalysis-driven nanomotor was constructed by designing catalytically and plasmonically active Janus gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), which generate an asymmetric temperature gradient of local solvent surrounding NPs in catalytic reactions. The self-thermophoresis behavior of the Janus nanomotor is monitored from its inherent plasmonic response. The diffusion coefficient of the self-thermophoresis motion is linearly dependent on chemical reaction rate, as described by a stochastic model.
Attempt to Construct a Rop + pUC 19 from pBR 322 Mutant lacking the Tetracycline Resistance Gene

The two commonly used plasmid vectors, pBR322 and pUC19, are both derivatives of the parent plasmid, pColE-1. However, it has been observed that pBR322 is excluded from the host cells following co-transformation of pBR322 and pUC19. One potential explanation for this exclusion effect is the presence of a functional rop gene in pBR322. The rop gene encodes for a protein that stabilizes the interaction between RNA I and RNA II, thus inhibiting the RNA II from carrying out its function as a primer to begin DNA replication. It is hypothesized that the lack of a functional rop gene in pUC19 accounts for its dominance in the co-transformation with pBR322. An attempt was made to isolate a fragment containing the rop gene from the tet pBR322 mutant, and inserting it into pUC19 to create a rop pUC19 construct. The rop gene was successfully excised using restriction endonucleases AccI and EcoRI. However, ligation and subsequent transformation produced no viable clones. Due to time constraints, ligation and transformation conditions could not be optimized, but a number of different options are discussed in this study. The ultimate success of creating a rop pUC19 will allow comparisons of co-transformation to be performed using pBR322 and either the wildtype or mutant rop pUC19. Insights will be gained about whether the rop gene contributes significantly to the exclusion effect. ________________________________________________________________
Ferromagnetic L10 Phase Formation in the Mn–Al–C Alloys Induced by High-Pressure Spark Plasma Sintering

Structural and magnetic characterization of Mn–Al–C permanent magnets obtained by spark plasma sintering (SPS) is reported. The transformation from the parent <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\epsilon $ </tex-math></inline-formula>-phase to the ferromagnetic <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\tau $ </tex-math></inline-formula>-phase occurs simultaneously with the process of sintering. The use of a tungsten carbide crucible enabled us to decrease the sintering temperature, which hampered the precipitation of secondary phases. As a result, sintered samples show higher coercivity as compared with annealed powder. However, the finely milled powder, ensuring better densification, turned out to be more prone to phase decomposition during sintering. The phase constitution of the samples was determined by X-ray diffraction, and magnetic hysteresis loops were recorded using a vibrating sample magnetometer. Scanning electron microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction were employed to study the microstructure and orientation distribution of grains after SPS. The dependence of coercivity and magnetization on the preparation conditions and sintering temperature is analyzed. To combine good magnetic properties with proper density, further optimization of the production parameters is necessary.
Going Off Parole: How the Elimination of Discretionary Prison Release Affects the Social Cost of Crime

In order to lengthen prison terms, many U.S. states have limited parole boards' traditional authority to grant early releases. I develop a framework in which the welfare effects of this reform depend on (1) the elasticity of future recidivism with respect to time in prison, (2) the accuracy of boards in conditioning release dates on recidivism risk, and (3) the extent to which such conditioning encourages inmates to reform. Using micro-data from Georgia and quasi-experimental variation arising from policy shocks and institutional features of its criminal justice system, I find that longer prison terms decrease recidivism, boards assign higher-risk inmates to longer terms, and inmates' investment in rehabilitative activities falls -- and their recidivism rises -- when boards' discretion is limited. Back-of-the-envelope calculations suggest that the benefits of parole (the ability to ration prison resources based on recidivism risk and the creation of incentives) outweigh the costs (lost incapacitation due to shorter prison terms).
MATHEMATICAL ENGINEERING TECHNICAL REPORTS Using Multiparameter Eigenvalues for Solving Quadratic Programming with Quadratic Equality Constraints

We show that multiparameter eigenvalues can solve some optimization problems. Specifically, we develop an eigenvalue-based algorithm for quadratic programming with quadratic equality constraints (QECQP). QECQP models various well-known optimization problems such as the maximum-cut problem, and QECQP is also closely related to quadratically constrained quadratic programming (QCQP). Recently, for some special cases of QCQP with one or two constraints, algorithms based on eigenvalue with one or two parameter have been proposed, which can solve some nonconvex instances, for which ordinary optimization methods often fail. In this paper, we generalize the aforementioned eigenvalue-based algorithms by allowing for larger number of constraints; using multiparameter eigenvalue problems, we propose an algorithm that is applicable to QECQP with an arbitrary fixed number of constraints. Unfortunately, the algorithm is not proved to find a global solution. However, we show in experiments that our algorithm works for small-scale instances and computes a global solution with high accuracy, as long as the effects of singular matrices are small enough for our algorithm to work well.
LightCycler-Based Quantitative PCR for Rapid Detection of Human Herpesvirus 6 DNA in Clinical Material

Locatelli et al. ([6][1]) reported on the quantitative detection of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) in plasma and cell suspensions by TaqMan-based PCR. We wish to add our experience. We have developed a rapid (<30-min) assay for the simultaneous detection, quantification, and differentiation of HHV-6
Defending Against Intrusion of Malicious UAVs with Networked UAV Defense Swarms

Nowadays, companies such as Amazon, Alibaba, and even pizza chains are pushing forward to use drones, also called UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), for service provision, such as package and food delivery. As governments intend to use these immense economic benefits that UAVs have to offer, urban planners are moving forward to incorporate so-called UAV flight zones and UAV highways in their smart city designs. However, the high-speed mobility and behavior dynamics of UAVs need to be monitored to detect and, subsequently, to deal with intruders, rogue drones, and UAVs with a malicious intent. ,,This paper proposes a UAV defense system for the purpose of intercepting and escorting a malicious UAV outside the flight zone. The proposed UAV defense system consists of a defense UAV swarm, which is capable to self-organize its defense formation in the event of intruder detection, and chase the malicious UAV as a networked swarm. ,,Modular design principles have been used for our fully localized approach. We developed an innovative auto-balanced clustering process to realize the intercept- and capture-formation. As it turned out, the resulting networked defense UAV swarm is resilient against communication losses. Finally, a prototype UAV simulator has been implemented. Through extensive simulations, we show the feasibility and performance of our approach.
Yoga lifestyle intervention reduces blood pressure in HIV‐infected adults with cardiovascular disease risk factors *

People living with HIV infection are at increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Safe and effective interventions for lowering CVD risk in HIV infection are high priorities. We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled study to evaluate whether a yoga lifestyle intervention improves CVD risk factors, virological or immunological status, or quality of life (QOL) in HIV‐infected adults relative to standard of care treatment in a matched control group.
Student Loan Nudges: Experimental Evidence on Borrowing and Educational Attainment

We provide the first experimental evidence on the effect of student loans on educational attainment. Loan amounts listed in financial aid award letters (“offers”) do not alter students’ choice sets but significantly affect borrowing. Students randomly receiving a nonzero offer were 40 percent more likely to borrow than those who received a $0 offer. Per additional borrower, loans increased by $4,000, GPA and completed credits increased by 30 percent, and transfers to four-year public colleges increased by 11 percentage points. Cost-benefit and theoretical analyses suggest nonzero offers enhance welfare, yet over five million students are not currently offered loans. (JEL D14, D91, I22, I23)
A Comprehensive Framework for Intrinsic OpenStreetMap Quality Analysis

OpenStreetMap (OSM) is one of the most popular examples of a Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) project. In the past years it has become a serious alternative source for geodata. Since the quality of OSM data can vary strongly, different aspects have been investigated in several scientific studies. In most cases the data is compared with commercial or administrative datasets which, however, are not always accessible due to the lack of availability, contradictory licensing restrictions or high procurement costs. In this investigation a framework containing more than 25 methods and indicators is presented, allowing OSM quality assessments based solely on the data's history. Without the usage of a reference data set, approximate statements on OSM data quality are possible. For this purpose existing methods are taken up, developed further, and integrated into an extensible open source framework. This enables arbitrarily repeatable intrinsic OSM quality analyses for any part of the world.
New Journal of Physics Metallic properties of magnesium point contacts

We present an experimental and theoretical study of the conductance and stability of Mg atomic-sized contacts. Using mechanically controllable break junctions (MCBJ), we observed that the room temperature conductance histograms exhibit a series of peaks, which suggests the existence of a shell effect. Its periodicity, however, cannot be simply explained in terms of either an atomic or electronic shell effect. We also found that at room temperature, contacts of the diameter of a single atom are absent. A possible interpretation could be the occurrence of a metal-to-insulator transition as the contact radius is reduced, in analogy with what is known in the context of Mg clusters. However, our first principles calculations show that while an infinite linear chain can be insulating, Mg wires with larger atomic coordinations, as in realistic atomic contacts, are always metallic. Finally, at liquid helium temperature, our measurements show that the conductance histogram is dominated by a pronounced peak at the quantum of conductance. This is in good agreement with our calculations based on a tight-binding model that indicated that the conductance of a Mg one-atom contact is dominated by a single fully open conduction channel. 4 Current address: Nederlands Meetinstituut, PO Box 654, NL-2600 AR Delft, The Netherlands. 5 Author to whom any correspondence should be addressed. New Journal of Physics 11 (2009) 073043 1367-2630/09/073043+13$30.00 © IOP Publishing Ltd and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft
Dynamics and predictive modelling of Vibrio spp. in the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina, USA.

Vibrio spp. are naturally occurring bacteria in marine and estuarine environments around the world. The genus includes several human and animal pathogens that can negatively impact human health, seafood and aquaculture. Vibrio spp. populations are capable of rapid adaptation in response to changing environmental conditions, making them dynamic over short-term and seasonal scales. Temperature, vertical mixing, tidal flushing, climate, precipitation and nutrient loading can change the estuarine environment and subsequently alter microbial community structure, including Vibrio spp. , affecting estuarine water quality and public health. To describe these dynamics, Vibrio spp. concentrations and a range of microbial, physical and chemical measures were monitored every 2 weeks and after storm events for 19 months in the Neuse River Estuary (NRE). Results showed clear seasonal and geographic trends in Vibrio spp. abundance. Multiple regression analysis revealed a strong relationship to temperature and salinity, with additional minor influences of chlorophyll a and dissolved organic carbon. Similar models based on easily measured environmental parameters should be pursued for individual Vibrio species in the NRE and other estuarine environments. Predictive models provide useful information for managers, researchers and modellers of estuarine ecosystems.
INFORMATION, ACOUSTIC CONFUSION AND MEMORY SPAN.

Immediately after visual presentation, subjects were required to recall 6-letter sequences. Sequences were drawn from four vocabularies. There were two 3-letter vocabularies, distinguished by the probability of acoustic confusion within them, and two 9-letter vocabularies similarly distinguished. Memory span is shown to be effectively independent of information per item, and to depend substantially on the probability of acoustic confusion within vocabularies.
Arteriolar dilations induced by contraction of hamster cremaster muscle are dependent on changes in endothelial cell calcium.

UNLABELLED Muscle contraction initiates microvascular arteriolar dilation in regions directly overlapping the active fibres but the cells (vascular smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells) responsible for producing the dilation and the underlying signalling mechanisms are unknown. AIMS We tested the hypothesis that changes in endothelial cell calcium (Ca2+) are involved in this dilation. METHODS Four to five muscle fibres lying approximately perpendicular to arterioles (maximum diameter approximately 40 microm) were stimulated (4 Hz, 4-20 V, 0.4 ms duration) and observations were made at the site of muscle fibre/arteriole overlap. RESULTS Chelation of endothelial cell Ca2+ (with BAPTA) abolished dilations to 120 s of muscle contraction (5.6 +/- 1.5 microm in controls vs. 0.51 +/- 1.2 microm with BAPTA, n = 6), indicating that changes in endothelial cell Ca2+ are required for the response. To determine the time frame of the Ca2+ signal, we monitored whole endothelial cell Ca2+ (with Fura-PE3) prior to and following either 120 (n = 13), 30 (n = 9) or 10 (n = 9) s of muscle contraction. In all instances, no changes in Ca2+ were observed despite typical dilator responses. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that (i) the initiation of muscle contraction-induced arteriolar dilations depends on a change in endothelial cell Ca2+, which must be a transient event that takes place early/during stimulation, and (ii) maintenance of the dilation after contraction occurs via mechanisms that are independent of changes in global Ca2+ within the cell.
Implementation of the Cell Broadband Engine™ in 65 nm SOI Technology Featuring Dual Power Supply SRAM Arrays Supporting 6 GHz at 1.3 V

The 65 nm cell broadband enginetrade (cell BE) is a multi-core SoC, implemented in a high performance SOI technology featuring a separate dual power supply for SRAM arrays to improve stability and performance using an elevated voltage. A new method is shown to analyze the SRAM cell under application conditions which was used to tune the cell for stability, write-ability and performance. An improved write scheme is shown which widens the overall functional window and allows setting the power/performance point of the arrays independently of the surrounding logic. Hardware measurements demonstrate the advantages of the dual power supply under different aspects.
Biofabrication with Biopolymers and Enzymes: Potential for Constructing Scaffolds from Soft Matter

Purpose Regenerative medicine will benefit from technologies capable of fabricating soft matter to have appropriate architectures and that provide the necessary physical, chemical and biological cues to recruit cells and guide their development. The goal of this report is to review an emerging set of biofabrication techniques and suggest how these techniques could be applied for the fabrication of scaffolds for tissue engineering. Methods Electrical potentials are applied to submerged electrodes to perform cathodic and anodic reactions that direct stimuli-responsive film-forming polysaccharides to assemble into hydrogel films. Standard methods are used to microfabricate electrode surfaces to allow the electrical signals to be applied with spatial and temporal control. The enzymes mushroom tyrosinase and microbial transglutaminase are used to catalyze macromolecular grafting and crosslinking of proteins. Results Electrodeposition of the polysaccharides chitosan and alginate allow hydrogel films to be formed in response to localized electrical signals. Co-deposition of various components (e.g., proteins, vesicles and cells), and subsequent electrochemical processing allow the physical, chemical and biological activities of these films to be tailored. Enzymatic processing allows for the generation of stimuli-responsive protein conjugates that can also be directed to assemble in response to imposed electrical signals. Further, enzyme-catalyzed crosslinking of gelatin allows replica molding of soft matter to create hydrogel films with topological structure. Conclusions Biofabrication with biological materials and mechanisms provides new approaches for soft matter construction. These methods may enable the formation of tissue engineering scaffolds with appropriate architectures, assembled cells, and spatially organized physical, chemical and biological cues.
trpm 7 Regulation of in Vivo Cation Homeostasis and Kidney Function Involves Stanniocalcin 1 and fgf 23

The transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (trpm7) channel kinase is a primary regulator of magnesium homeostasis in vitro. Here we show that trpm7 is an important regulator of cation homeostasis as well as kidney function in vivo. Using zebrafish trpm7 mutants, we show that early larvae exhibit reduced levels of both total magnesium and total calcium. Accompanying these deficits, we show that trpm7 mutants express higher levels of stanniocalcin 1 (stc1), a potent regulator of calcium homeostasis. Using transgenic overexpression and morpholino oligonucleotide knockdown, we demonstrate that stc1 modulates both calcium and magnesium levels in trpm7 mutants and in the wild type and that levels of these cations are restored to normal in trpm7 mutants when stc1 activity is blocked. Consistent with defects in both calcium and phosphate homeostasis, we further show that trpm7 mutants develop kidney stones by early larval stages and exhibit increased levels of the anti-hyperphosphatemic factor, fibroblast growth factor 23 (fgf23). Finally, we demonstrate that elevated fgf23 expression contributes to kidney stone formation by morpholino knockdown of fgf23 in trpm7 mutants. Together, these analyses reveal roles for trpm7 in regulating cation homeostasis and kidney function in vivo and implicate both stc1 and fgf23 in these processes. (Endocrinology 151: 5700–5709, 2010)