Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analytical Phase-Noise Modeling and Charge Pump Optimization for Fractional-$N$  PLLs

We present an analytical frequency-domain phase-noise model for fractional-N phase-locked loops (PLLs). The model includes the noise of the crystal reference, the reference input buffer, the voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), the loop filter, charge pump (CP) device noise, and sigma-delta modulator (SDM) noise, including its effect on the in-band phase noise. The thermal device noise of the CP and the turn-on time of the CP output current are found to be limiting the in-band phase noise of state-of-the-art synthesizers. Device noise considerations for bipolar transistors and MOSFETs suggest the use of CMOS-only CPs, even in BiCMOS technologies. We present a noise-optimized CMOS CP specifically designed for a dual-loop PLL architecture using two CPs. This PLL architecture keeps the dc output voltage of the noise-relevant CP and the phase-noise spectrum constant, regardless of temperature variations.
A Network Protection Framework through Artificial Immunity

Current network protection systems use a collection of intelligent components - e.g. classifiers or rule-based firewall systems to detect intrusions and anomalies and to secure a network against viruses, worms, or trojans. However, these network systems rely on individuality and support an architecture with less collaborative work of the protection components. They give less administration support for maintenance, but offer a large number of individual single points of failures - an ideal situation for network attacks to succeed. In this work, we discuss the required features, the performance, and the problems of a distributed protection system called {\it SANA}. It consists of a cooperative architecture, it is motivated by the human immune system, where the components correspond to artificial immune cells that are connected for their collaborative work. SANA promises a better protection against intruders than common known protection systems through an adaptive self-management while keeping the resources efficiently by an intelligent reduction of redundancies. We introduce a library of several novel and common used protection components and evaluate the performance of SANA by a proof-of-concept implementation.
Psychobiological research on attachment

Over the past decade, psychobiological research on adult attachment has increased dramatically. We review recent findings regarding associations between attachment style and patterns of reactivity in the hypothalamic—pituitary—adrenocortical axis and the autonomic nervous system. The overall pattern of results suggests that both anxiety and avoidance are associated with heightened hypothalamic—pituitary—adrenocortical and autonomic nervous system reactivity to stress, consistent with the notion that attachment insecurity is associated with deficits in emotion regulation. The finding of heightened physiological reactivity among avoidant individuals is particularly notable, given that avoidant individuals typically report dampened levels of subjective distress. Key directions for future study include greater investigation into profiles of physiological functioning across multiple systems and contexts and greater consideration of the relative importance of childhood versus adult patterns of attachment insecurity for adult physiological functioning.
The Appeal of Tragedy: An Attitude Interpretation

This research tested an attitude interpretation of the appeal of tragedy that assumes people find tragedy appealing because they hold the attitude that it is good to feel bad when someone is suffering. In two studies using different films, subjects viewed a highly tragic version of a film or a less tragic version of the same film. As predicted from the attitude interpretation, in both studies an indirect measure of the attitude that is good to empathize with suffering was positively correlated with a measure of the appeal of the film for those viewing the highly tragic version. Important for the attitude interpretation, in both studies the correlation of the indirect attitude measure and the measure of the appeal of the film was significantly greater for those viewing the highly tragic version than for those viewing the less tragic version. A third study provided evidence that the indirect attitude measure employed in the first two studies does measure the attitude that it is good to empathize with suffering.
Gamification for Volunteer Cloud Computing

Volunteer cloud computing is a paradigm where idle computing resources owned by a certain user are offered in the cloud to be utilised by others in order to reduce operational costs. Engaging people in volunteer cloud computing is an obstacle which requires novel motivational methods, ideally online. Gamification is a method for increasing people motivation and changing their behaviour towards certain tasks in a non-game context. This position paper advocates that gamification is potentially a means to increase people engagement and retention in volunteer cloud computing projects. As an initial step to reach a systematic application of gamification in such projects, we study the relationship between game mechanics and different categories of volunteers and propose a preliminary mapping that relates these two aspects.
THE MUTATION MATRIX AND THE EVOLUTION OF EVOLVABILITY

Abstract Evolvability is a key characteristic of any evolving system, and the concept of evolvability serves as a unifying theme in a wide range of disciplines related to evolutionary theory. The field of quantitative genetics provides a framework for the exploration of evolvability with the promise to produce insights of global importance. With respect to the quantitative genetics of biological systems, the parameters most relevant to evolvability are the G-matrix, which describes the standing additive genetic variances and covariances for a suite of traits, and the M-matrix, which describes the effects of new mutations on genetic variances and covariances. A population's immediate response to selection is governed by the G-matrix. However, evolvability is also concerned with the ability of mutational processes to produce adaptive variants, and consequently the M-matrix is a crucial quantitative genetic parameter. Here, we explore the evolution of evolvability by using analytical theory and simulation-based models to examine the evolution of the mutational correlation, rμ, the key parameter determining the nature of genetic constraints imposed by M. The model uses a diploid, sexually reproducing population of finite size experiencing stabilizing selection on a two-trait phenotype. We assume that the mutational correlation is a third quantitative trait determined by multiple additive loci. An individual's value of the mutational correlation trait determines the correlation between pleiotropic effects of new alleles when they arise in that individual. Our results show that the mutational correlation, despite the fact that it is not involved directly in the specification of an individual's fitness, does evolve in response to selection on the bivariate phenotype. The mutational variance exhibits a weak tendency to evolve to produce alignment of the M-matrix with the adaptive landscape, but is prone to erratic fluctuations as a consequence of genetic drift. The interpretation of this result is that the evolvability of the population is capable of a response to selection, and whether this response results in an increase or decrease in evolvability depends on the way in which the bivariate phenotypic optimum is expected to move. Interestingly, both analytical and simulation results show that the mutational correlation experiences disruptive selection, with local fitness maxima at –1 and +1. Genetic drift counteracts the tendency for the mutational correlation to persist at these extreme values, however. Our results also show that an evolving M-matrix tends to increase stability of the G-matrix under most circumstances. Previous studies of G-matrix stability, which assume nonevolving M-matrices, consequently may overestimate the level of instability of G relative to what might be expected in natural systems. Overall, our results indicate that evolvability can evolve in natural systems in a way that tends to result in alignment of the G-matrix, the M-matrix, and the adaptive landscape, and that such evolution tends to stabilize the G-matrix over evolutionary time.
OFDM ranging in multipath channels using time reversal method

With the development of wireless positioning and popularity of OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) as a key technology in wireless systems, such as 3GPP LTE, WLAN, and WiMAX, precise OFDM-based ranging has become of particular interest. In this paper, we propose a ranging method measuring the round-trip time-of-flight of an OFDM symbol. Timingmeasurements are vulnerable to symbol-timing synchronization error. We propose a novel approach to overcome such errors. This approach is based on the time-reversal technique in which multipath effect appears as an advantage. In frequency selective channels, where different OFDM subcarriers experience different delays, time-reversal method conveniently eliminates the effect of the channel phase response. Thus, phase rotation of the signal caused by the timing offset in the OFDM system can be determined and removed from the measurements. We derive an approxi matemaximum likelihood method for estimating the phase rotation. Simulation studies demonstrate that the method provides high-quality estimates even for noisy frequency selective channels.
The Case of "CG": Balancing Supportive and Insight-Oriented, Psychodynamic Therapy with a Client Undergoing Intense Life Stresses

"CG," a 28-year-old graduate student, initially presented with complaints of depression, in response to social isolation and academic problems that had resulted in being placed on probation. Based on a history with non-nurturing parents who either neglected or physically abused him, CG had developed as an independent, interpersonally cut-off individual with a suspicious, paranoid view of the world, making initial therapeutic access to him quite challenging. Not surprisingly, in spite of a very problematic personal history, he had never before sought any kind of therapy, stating at intake that he was trying it as a &uotlast resort. " As the therapist, I employed a broadly defined, object-relations-focused, psychodynamic framework, with a particular emphasis upon balancing supportive versus insight-oriented modes of therapy. This balance turned out to be a key factor in developing an effective therapeutic relationship with this client and in helping him to move towards a more engaged and connected bond with his social world.
A Qualitative Study of Citing Behavior: Contributions, Criteria, and Metalevel Documentation Concerns

This qualitative study of the citing motivations of twelve agricultural economists (faculty and doctoral students) identifies several factors they considered in making citing decisions: the contributions of the document to their research, the criteria they apply to the documents, and metalevel documentation concerns. The article reports citing behavior derived from a larger empirical, longitudinal study tracing document use during research projects and thus includes behavior related to decisions both to cite and not to cite. An important finding is the existence of metalevel concerns that influence a decision to cite a document, in addition to situational factors related to its actual use during research.
Risky bodies: health surveillance and teachers’ embodiment of health

In the current climate of health surveillance, governmental measurement and control as well as a focus on individual responsibility for risk are prevalent in school contexts. Physical education is a crucial site for the production and reproduction of health messages and thus is an important location through which health and healthy bodies are constructed and surveilled. Within a broader project with 16 participants in an urban city in the USA, it was found that the work of physical education teachers involved the management of a range of risky bodies – both their own bodies and the bodies of others. Risky bodies were unhealthy bodies, bodies read as overweight, ageing bodies and injured bodies. The physical education teachers’ identities were embedded in their desire to embody health but not in simplistic, unified ways. In a climate of health surveillance, the teachers took personal responsibility for managing risk and were both the embodiment of bio‐citizens and part of the mechanisms of (re)producing bio‐citizens.
CheZ Phosphatase Localizes to Chemoreceptor Patches via CheA-Short

ABSTRACT We have investigated the conditions required for polar localization of the CheZ phosphatase by using a CheZ-green fluorescent protein fusion protein that, when expressed from a single gene in the chromosome, restored chemotaxis to a ΔcheZ strain. Localization was observed in wild-type, ΔcheZ, ΔcheYZ, and ΔcheRB cells but not in cells with cheA, cheW, or all chemoreceptor genes except aer deleted. Cells making only CheA-short (CheAS) or CheA lacking the P2 domain also retained normal localization, whereas cells producing only CheA-long or CheA missing the P1 and P2 domains did not. We conclude that CheZ localization requires the truncated C-terminal portion of the P1 domain present in CheAS. Missense mutations targeting residues 83 through 120 of CheZ also abolished localization. Two of these mutations do not disrupt chemotaxis, indicating that they specifically prevent interaction with CheAS while leaving other activities of CheZ intact.
bcl-2-specific siRNAs restore Gemcitabine sensitivity in human pancreatic cancer cells

Gemcitabine has been shown to ameliorate disease related symptoms and to prolong overall survival in pancreatic cancer.Yet, resistance to Gemcitabine is commonly observed in this tumour entity and has been linked to increased expression of anti‐apoptotic bcl‐2. We therefore investigated if and to what extend silencing of bcl‐2 by specific siRNAs (siBCL2) might enhance Gemcitabine effects in human pancreatic carcinoma cells. siBCL2 was transfected into the pancreatic cancer cell line YAP C alone and 72 hrs before co‐incubation with different concentrations of Gemcitabine. Total protein and RNA were extracted for Western‐blot analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Pancreatic cancer xenografts in male nude mice were treated intraperitoneally with siBCL2 alone, Gemcitabine and control siRNA or Gemcitabine and siBCL2 for 21 days. Combination of both methods lead to a synergistic induction of apoptosis at otherwise ineffective concentrations of Gemcitabine. Tumour growth suppression was also potentiated by the combined treatment with siBCL2 and Gemcitabine in vivo and lead to increased TUNEL positivity. In contrast, non‐transformed human foreskin fibroblasts showed only minor responses to this treatment. Our results demonstrate that siRNA‐mediated silencing of anti‐apoptotic bcl‐2 enhances chemotherapy sensitivity in human pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and might lead to improved therapy responses in advanced stages of this disease.
Quelle solidarité intergénérationnelle

[fre] Ecart grandissant entre les niveaux de vie des jeunes et des vieux ; envolee preoccupante des transferts publics a destination des plus âges (sante, retraite) ; bouleversement des rela- tions et comportements familiaux entre generations (co-residence prolongee avec les jeunes enfants adultes par exemple). Ces difficultes conduisent a s'interroger sur le bien fonde des solidarites generationnelles (publiques ou privees), censees reduire l'incertitude et mettre en œuvre des reciprocites indirectes, ascendante ou descendante, entre trois generations successives. La discussion permet d'opposer deux visions de l' Etat-providence. Pour les uns, ce role serait devenu nefaste : l'action publique serait creatrice d'incertitude et avantagerait indument les plus vieux dans la lutte des generations. Pour d'autres au contraire, comme G. Becker, l'Etat-providence conduirait a une cooperation efficace et equitable entre generations : en les dechargeant du souci du financement de leurs vieux jours, il aiderait les familles modestes ou moyennes a consacrer les investissements appropries dans l'education de leurs enfants. Appliquee aux retraites, cette analyse montre que le debat technique entre repartition et capitalisation n'est souvent que le reflet d'un autre debat, plus politique, concernant l'âge de la retraite ou la duree d'activite. [eng] The widening gap between the well- being of old and young people ; the worrying increase in public transfers towards elderly people ; the change in intergenerational family relations and behaviours (such as the lengthened coresidence with young adult children). These difficulties moti- vate a reassessment of the functioning of (private or public) « solidarities » between generations, which should reduce uncertainty and enforce rules of « indirect » (ascending or descending) reciprocity between three succeeding generations. The discussion enlights two opposite views concerning the role of the welfare state. According to some (liberal) economists, this role has become harmful : public policy now creates uncertainty ; in the conflict between generations, moreover, the state takes sides with the old ones. For others, including Gary Becker, state intervention is part of an advantageous and profitable cooperation between generations, the public support of the elderly allowing poor or middle class families to achieve efficient levels of human capital investments in their children. As far as pensions are concerned, this analysis shows that the technical debate between pay- as-you-go and funded schemes usually conceals a more crucial and political issue, concerning the age of retirement.
Preparation and antibacterial properties of laser-generated silver–anatase nanocomposite film against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

Anatase-based titanium dioxide (TiO2) naturally possesses a well recognized antibacterial effect under ultraviolet excitation. However, anatase modified with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) exhibits even stronger antibacterial action in natural daylight. The purpose of our present research is to evaluate the photocatalytic antibacterial effects of laser-generated silver–anatase nanocomposite film against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). A sol–gel TiO2 precursor was spin-coated on a clean glass slide and silver ions were self-adsorbed from aqueous solution. A pulsed beam of KrF excimer laser (248 nm, 13 ns) was traversed over the amorphous film, leading to the crystallization of the anatase and formation of cubic as well as hexagonal Ag NPs. A scanning transmission electron microscope analysis revealed a 30–40 nm anatase crystallite size, whereas an average size of 9.6 nm was obtained from Ag NPs. The photo-absorption of plain anatase was red-shifted to 516 nm with the addition of Ag NPs after the laser treatment. Moreover, no colonies of E. coli and S. aureus cells were observed to survive after 60 min of contact with the laser-modified silver–anatase films in the dark and in daylight conditions.
Genomic variants at 20p11 were associated with body fat mass in the European population

Body fat mass (BFM) is more homogeneous and accurate than body total mass in measuring obesity but has rarely been studied. Aiming to uncover the genetic basis of fat‐induced obesity, a genome‐wide association meta‐analysis of BFM, after adjustment by body lean mass, was performed in the European population.
Elucidating the Role of Conserved Glutamates in H+-pyrophosphatase of Rhodospirillum rubrum*

H+-pyrophosphatase (H+-PPase) catalyzes pyrophosphate-driven proton transport against the electrochemical potential gradient in various biological membranes. All 50 of the known H+-PPase amino acid sequences contain four invariant glutamate residues. In this study, we use site-directed mutagenesis in conjunction with functional studies to determine the roles of the glutamate residues Glu197, Glu202, Glu550, and Glu649 in the H+-PPase of Rhodospirillum rubrum (R-PPase). All residues were replaced with Asp and Ala. The resulting eight variant R-PPases were expressed in Escherichia coli and isolated as inner membrane vesicles. All substitutions, except E202A, generated enzymes capable of PPi hydrolysis and PPi-energized proton translocation, indicating that the negative charge of Glu202 is essential for R-PPase function. The hydrolytic activities of all other PPase variants were impaired at low Mg2+ concentrations but were only slightly affected at high Mg2+ concentrations, signifying that catalysis proceeds through a three-metal pathway in contrast to wild-type R-PPase, which employs both two- and three-metal pathways. Substitution of Glu197, Glu202, and Glu649 resulted in decreased binding affinity for the substrate analogues aminomethylenediphosphonate and methylenediphosphonate, indicating that these residues are involved in substrate binding as ligands for bridging metal ions. Following the substitutions of Glu550 and Glu649, R-PPase was more susceptible to inactivation by the sulfhydryl reagent mersalyl, highlighting a role of these residues in maintaining enzyme tertiary structure. None of the substitutions affected the coupling of PPi hydrolysis to proton transport.
Activity and subcellular compartmentalization of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α are altered by the centrosome-associated protein CAP350

Peroxisome proliferator-activated nuclear hormone receptors (PPAR) are ligand-activated transcription factors that play pivotal roles in governing metabolic homeostasis and cell growth. PPARs are primarily in the nucleus but, under certain circumstances, can be found in the cytoplasm. We show here that PPARα interacts with the centrosome-associated protein CAP350. CAP350 also interacts with PPARδ, PPARγ and liver-X-receptor α, but not with the 9-cis retinoic acid receptor, RXRα. Immunofluorescence analysis indicated that PPARα is diffusely distributed in the nucleus and excluded from the cytoplasm. However, in the presence of coexpressed CAP350, PPARα colocalizes with CAP350 to discrete nuclear foci and to the centrosome, perinuclear region and intermediate filaments. In contrast, the subcellular distribution of RXRα or of thyroid hormone receptor α was not altered by coexpression of CAP350. An amino-terminal fragment of CAP350 was localized exclusively to nuclear foci and was sufficient to recruit PPARα to these sites. Mutation of the single putative nuclear hormone receptor interacting signature motif LXXLL present in this fragment had no effect on its subnuclear localization but abrogated recruitment of PPARα to nuclear foci. Surprisingly, mutation of the LXXLL motif in this CAP350 subfragment did not prevent its binding to PPARα in vitro, suggesting that this motif serves some function other than PPARα binding in recruiting PPARα to nuclear spots. CAP350 inhibited PPARα-mediated transactivation in an LXXLL-dependent manner, suggesting that CAP350 represses PPARα function. Our findings implicate CAP350 in a dynamic process that recruits PPARα to discrete nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments and suggest that altered intracellular compartmentalization represents a regulatory process that modulates PPAR function.