Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hardware Impairments Aware Transceiver Design for Full-Duplex Amplify-and-Forward MIMO Relaying

In this paper, we consider a full-duplex (FD) and amplify-and-forward (AF) relay with multiple antennas, where hardware impairments of the FD relay are taken into account. Due to the inter-dependence of the transmit relay power and the residual self-interference in an FD-AF relay, we observe a distortion loop that degrades the system performance when relay dynamic range is not high. In this paper, we analyze the relay function, and an optimization problem is formulated to maximize the signal to distortion-plus-noise ratio under relay and source transmit power constraints. Due to the problem complexity, we propose a gradient-projection-based (GP) algorithm to obtain an optimal solution. Moreover, a non-alternating sub-optimal solution is proposed by assuming a rank-1 relay amplification matrix, and separating the design of the relay process into multiple stages (MuStR1). The proposed MuStR1 method is then enhanced by introducing an alternating update over the optimization variables, denoted as AltMuStR1 algorithm. Numerical simulations show that compared to GP, the proposed (Alt)MuStR1 algorithms significantly reduce the required computational complexity at the expense of a slight performance degradation. Moreover, as the hardware impairments increase, or for a system with a high transmit power, the impact of applying a distortion-aware design is significant.
Lead-Free Silver-Bismuth Halide Double Perovskite Nanocrystals.

Lead-free perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) were obtained mainly by substituting a Pb2+ cation with a divalent cation or substituting three Pb2+ cations with two trivalent cations. The substitution of two Pb2+ cations with one monovalent Ag+ and one trivalent Bi3+ cations was used to synthesize Cs2 AgBiX6 (X=Cl, Br, I) double perovskite NCs. Using femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, the charge carrier relaxation mechanism was elucidated in the double perovskite NCs. The Cs2 AgBiBr6 NCs exhibit ultrafast hot-carrier cooling (<1 ps), which competes with the carrier trapping processes (mainly originate from the surface defects). Notably, the photoluminescence can be increased by 100 times with surfactant (oleic acid) added to passivate the defects in Cs2 AgBiCl6 NCs. These results suggest that the double perovskite NCs could be potential materials for optoelectronic applications by better controlling the surface defects.
Anti-neuroinflammatory effects of cudraflavanone A isolated from the chloroform fraction of Cudrania tricuspidata root bark

Abstract Context: Cudrania tricuspidata Bureau (Moraceae) is an important source of traditional Korean and Chinese medicines used to treat neuritis and inflammation. Objective: The anti-neuroinflammatory effects of cudraflavanone A isolated from a chloroform fraction of C. tricuspidata were investigated in LPS-induced BV2 cells. Materials and methods: Cudraflavanone A was isolated from the root of C. tricuspidata, and its structure was determined by MS and NMR data. Cytotoxicity of the compound was examined by MTT assay, indicating no cytotoxicity at 5–40 μM of cudraflavanone A. NO concentration was measured by the Griess reaction, and the levels of PGE2, cytokines and COX-2 enzyme activity were measured by each ELISA kit. The mRNA levels of cytokines were analysed by quantitative-PCR. The expression of iNOS, COX-2, HO-1, NF-κB, MAPKs and Nrf2 was detected by Western blot. Results: Cudraflavanone A had no major effect on cell viability at 40 μM indicating 91.5% viability. It reduced the production of NO (IC50 = 22.2 μM), PGE2 (IC50 = 20.6 μM), IL-1β (IC50 = 24.7 μM) and TNF-α (IC50 = 33.0 μM) in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. It also suppressed iNOS protein, IL-1β and TNF-α mRNA expression. These effects were associated with the inactivation of NF-κB, JNK and p38 MAPK pathways. This compound mediated its anti-neuroinflammatory effects by inducing HO-1 protein expression via increased nuclear translocation of Nrf2. Discussion and conclusions: The present study suggests a potent effect of cudraflavanone A to prevent neuroinflammatory diseases. Further investigation is necessary to elucidate specific molecular mechanism of cudraflavanone A.
Heart rate measurement based on face video sequence

This paper proposes a new non-contact heart rate measurement method based on photoplethysmography (PPG) theory. With this method we can measure heart rate remotely with a camera and ambient light. We collected video sequences of subjects, and detected remote PPG signals through video sequences. Remote PPG signals were analyzed with two methods, Blind Source Separation Technology (BSST) and Cross Spectral Power Technology (CSPT). BSST is a commonly used method, and CSPT is used for the first time in the study of remote PPG signals in this paper. Both of the methods can acquire heart rate, but compared with BSST, CSPT has clearer physical meaning, and the computational complexity of CSPT is lower than that of BSST. Our work shows that heart rates detected by CSPT method have good consistency with the heart rates measured by a finger clip oximeter. With good accuracy and low computational complexity, the CSPT method has a good prospect for the application in the field of home medical devices and mobile health devices.
A comparison of centralized and decentralized energy-management models of multi-microgrid systems

Various models are proposed to manage multi-microgrid energy systems. Centralized and decentralized are two basic models, to this end. This paper compares these two energy-management models of multi-microgrid systems for day-ahead scheduling. This comparison is done for the time of calculation, the benefit of microgrids and the state of the Distributed Energy Resources(DER) in microgrids when happen predetermined islanding mode. Simulation and unit commitment is coded and solved by mixed integer programming (MIP) solver CPLEX in GAMS.
Associations between Rotating Night Shifts, Sleep Duration, and Telomere Length in Women

Background Telomere length has been proposed as a marker of aging. However, our knowledge of lifestyle risk factors determining telomere length is limited. Methods We evaluated the associations between years of rotating night shifts, self-reported sleep duration, and telomere length in 4,117 female participants from the Nurses' Health Study. Telomere length in peripheral blood leukocytes was determined by Real-Time PCR assay. Information on rotating night shifts and sleep duration was collected via questionnaires prior to blood collection. We used multivariable linear regression to investigate the associations between rotating night shifts, sleep duration, and telomere length. Results Compared with women in the category (9 hours), those in the lowest category of sleep duration (≤6 hours) had a 0.12 unit decrease in z score after adjustment for age, BMI and cigarette smoking (equivalent to 9-year telomere attrition, P for trend = 0.05). Significant positive association between sleep duration and telomere length was seen among women under age of 50 (P for trend = 0.004), but not among those over 50 (P for trend = 0.33) (P for interaction = 0.005). In addition, we observed that women with a longer history of rotating night shifts tended to have shorter telomere length, but this relation was not statistically significant (P for trend = 0.36). Conclusion We found that sleep duration was positively associated with telomere length among women under 50 years old. Further research is needed to confirm the observed associations.
Safety Outcomes After Percutaneous Transcatheter Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale

Background and Purpose— We sought to evaluate the real-world rate of safety outcomes after patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure in patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Methods— We performed a retrospective cohort study using administrative claims data on all hospitalizations from 2005 to 2013 in New York, California, and Florida. Using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes, we identified patients who underwent percutaneous transcatheter PFO closure within 1 year of ischemic stroke or TIA. Our outcome was an adverse event occurring during the hospitalization for PFO closure, defined as in prior studies as atrial fibrillation or flutter, cardiac tamponade, pneumothorax, hemothorax, a vascular access complication, or death. Crude rates were reported with exact confidence intervals. Results— We identified 1887 patients who underwent PFO closure after ischemic stroke or TIA. The rate of any adverse outcome during the hospitalization for PFO closure was 7.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.9%–8.2%). Rates of adverse outcomes varied by age and type of preceding cerebrovascular event. In patients >60 years of age, the rate of adverse outcomes was 10.9% (95% CI, 8.6%–13.6%) versus 4.9% (95% CI, 3.8%–6.3%) in patients ⩽60 years of age. The rate of adverse outcomes was 9.9% (95% CI, 7.3%–12.5%) in patients with preceding ischemic stroke versus 5.9% (95% CI, 4.7%–7.1%) after TIA. Conclusions— Approximately 1 in 14 patients who underwent percutaneous transcatheter PFO closure after ischemic stroke or TIA experienced a serious periprocedural adverse outcome or death. The risk of adverse outcomes was highest in older patients and in those with preceding ischemic stroke.
Reappraising Social Insect Behavior through Aversive Responsiveness and Learning

Background The success of social insects can be in part attributed to their division of labor, which has been explained by a response threshold model. This model posits that individuals differ in their response thresholds to task-associated stimuli, so that individuals with lower thresholds specialize in this task. This model is at odds with findings on honeybee behavior as nectar and pollen foragers exhibit different responsiveness to sucrose, with nectar foragers having higher response thresholds to sucrose concentration. Moreover, it has been suggested that sucrose responsiveness correlates with responsiveness to most if not all other stimuli. If this is the case, explaining task specialization and the origins of division of labor on the basis of differences in response thresholds is difficult. Methodology To compare responsiveness to stimuli presenting clear-cut differences in hedonic value and behavioral contexts, we measured appetitive and aversive responsiveness in the same bees in the laboratory. We quantified proboscis extension responses to increasing sucrose concentrations and sting extension responses to electric shocks of increasing voltage. We analyzed the relationship between aversive responsiveness and aversive olfactory conditioning of the sting extension reflex, and determined how this relationship relates to division of labor. Principal Findings Sucrose and shock responsiveness measured in the same bees did not correlate, thus suggesting that they correspond to independent behavioral syndromes, a foraging and a defensive one. Bees which were more responsive to shock learned and memorized better aversive associations. Finally, guards were less responsive than nectar foragers to electric shocks, exhibiting higher tolerance to low voltage shocks. Consequently, foragers, which are more sensitive, were the ones learning and memorizing better in aversive conditioning. Conclusions Our results constitute the first integrative study on how aversive responsiveness affects learning, memory and social organization in honeybees. We suggest that parallel behavioral modules (e.g. appetitive, aversive) coexist within each individual bee and determine its tendency to adopt a given task. This conclusion, which is at odds with a simple threshold model, should open new opportunities for exploring the division of labor in social insects.
A Comprehensive Worst-Case Calculus for Wireless Sensor Networks with In-Network Processing

Today's wireless sensor networks (WSN) focus on energy-efficiency as the main metric to optimize. However, an increasing number of scenarios where sensor networks are considered for time-critical purposes in application scenarios like intrusion detection, industrial monitoring, or health care systems demands for an explicit support of performance guarantees in WSNs and, thus, in turn for a respective mathematical framework. In (J. Schmitt and U. Roedig, 2005) , a sensor network calculus was introduced in order to accommodate a worst-case analysis of WSNs. This sensor network calculus focused on the communication aspect in WSNs, but had not yet a possibility to treat in-network processing in WSNs. In this work, we now incorporate in-network processing features as they are typical for WSNs by taking into account computational resources on the sensor nodes. Furthermore, we propose a simple, yet effective priority queue management discipline which achieves a good balance of response times across sensor nodes in the field.
A comprehensive Networks-on-Chip simulator for error control explorations

Error control is imperative for reliable Networks-on-Chip (NoCs) design. In this demo session, we will present a CAD tool—a flexible and parallel NoC simulator. Our simulator evaluates the impact of different error control mechanisms on NoC performance and energy consumption in various noise and traffic injection scenarios. Our message passing interface language-based simulator can be executed on multiprocessors or server clusters. Multiple built-in blocks provide flexibility to evaluate different error control methods.
Self-Reset Transient Detection Circuit for On-Chip Protection Against System-Level Electrical-Transient Disturbance

A new self-reset transient detection circuit for on-chip protection against a system-level electrical-transient disturbance is proposed. This circuit is designed to detect the occurrence of system-level electrical-transient disturbance events, and automatically reset the system to initial state for the next detection. In addition, the reset time can be adjusted to meet the different requests of system recovery time in microelectronic products. The circuit performance has been investigated by HSPICE simulation and verified in silicon chip. The experiment results in a 0.18- ${\mu }\text{m}$ complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process with 1.8-V devices have confirmed the detection and self-reset functions of the proposed on-chip self-reset transient detection circuit under system-level electrostatic discharge and electrical-fast-transient testing conditions. With firmware co-design, the proposed detection circuit can provide an effective on-chip solution to recover the microelectronic system from the system-level transient disturbance-induced abnormal state to a known stable state. Therefore, the immunity level of microelectronic products equipped with CMOS integrated circuits against electromagnetic susceptibility can be effectively enhanced.
Nanocarrier-mediated foliar zinc fertilization influences expression of metal homeostasis related genes in flag leaves and enhances gluten content in durum wheat

Background Wheat is the staple food for most of the world’s population; however, it is a poor source of zinc. Foliar fertilization of zinc via zinc loaded chitosan nanocarriers (Zn-CNP) post-anthesis has proved to be a promising approach for grain zinc enhancement in durum wheat as evidenced in our earlier study. However, the molecular mechanism of uptake of zinc via Zn-CNP remains unclear. Methods/Principle findings Foliar application of Zn-CNP was performed at post anthesis stages in two durum wheat cultivars (MACS 3125 and UC1114, containing the Gpc-B1 gene), and expression levels of several metal-related genes were analyzed during early senescence. Zn-CNP application indeed caused changes in gene expression as revealed by qPCR data on representative genes involved in metal homeostasis, phloem transporters, and leaf senescence. Furthermore, zinc-regulated transporters and iron (Fe)-regulated transporter-like protein (ZIP) family [ZIP1, ZIP7, ZIP15], CA (carbonic anhydrase), and DMAS (2’-deoxymugineic acid synthase) in flag leaves exhibited significant correlation with zinc content in the seeds. The analysis of grain endosperm proteins showed enhancement of gamma gliadins while other gluten subunits decreased. Gene expression within ZIP family members varied with the type of cultivar mostly attributed to the Gpc-B1, concentration of external zinc ions as well as the type of tissue analyzed. Correlation analysis revealed the involvement of the selected genes in zinc enhancement. Conclusion At the molecular level, uptake of zinc via Zn-CNP nanocarrier was comparable to the uptake of zinc via common zinc fertilizers i.e. ZnSO4.
Cre‐dependent AAV vectors for highly targeted expression of disease‐related proteins and neurodegeneration in the substantia nigra

Recombinant adeno‐associated virus (AAV) vectors are a popular genetic approach in neuroscience because they confer such efficient transgene expression in the brain and spinal cord. A number of studies have used AAV to express pathological disease‐related proteins in the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra in situ (e.g., a‐synuclein to model aspects of Parkinson's disease). The neuropathology and neurodegeneration of Parkinson's disease occur in a circumscribed pattern in the brain, and one of the most important goals of any gene transfer study is accurate, pinpoint targeting. By combining Cre recombinase‐dependent AAVs in Cre‐driver rats in which Cre is expressed only in the tyrosine hydroxylase neurons, we have achieved more highly targeted expression of several disease‐relevant neuropathological proteins in the substantia nigra pars compacta than using constitutive expression AAV vectors. Alpha‐synuclein, tau, transactive response DNA‐binding protein of 43 kDa, or the control fluorescent protein yellow fluorescent protein was individually expressed to induce highly targeted, dopaminergic neuron‐specific neurodegeneration models. The refined targeting foreshadows a next‐generation disease modeling system for expressing neurodegenerative disease‐related proteins in a disease‐relevant manner. We foresee specific utilities of this in vivo AAV vector targeting of pathological proteins to a well‐defined and well‐demarcated cell population. —Grames, M. S. , Dayton, R. D. , Jackson, K. L. , Richard, A. D. , Lu, X. , Klein, R. L. Cre‐dependent AAV vectors for highly targeted expression of disease‐related proteins and neurodegeneration in the substantia nigra. FASEB J. 32, 4420‐4427 (2018). www.fasebj. org
A 25 Gb/s 1.13 pJ/b −10.8 dBm Input Sensitivity Optical Receiver in 40 nm CMOS

This paper describes the design of a 25 Gb/s energy-efficient CMOS optical receiver with high input sensitivity. By incorporating a current-boosting preamplifier with a dual-path time-interleaved integrating-type optical receiver, it provides 1:2 demultiplexing operation with a tolerance to lower bandwidth photodiodes. The bandwidth of current amplifier is chosen as <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$0.35\times $ </tex-math></inline-formula> operating data rate for maximizing the receiver signal-to-noise ratio. Experimental results show that the receiver can achieve 25 Gb/s operation when integrated with a 9 or 17 GHz GaAs photodiode. Input sensitivities in the two cases are −7.2 dBm (w/i a 9 GHz photodiode) and −10.8 dBm (w/i a 17 GHz photodiode), respectively, for a bit error rate of less than <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$10^{-12}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. In addition, a single-tap decision-feedback equalizer (DFE) is embedded to compensate photodiode bandwidth and improve input sensitivity. Integrated with a low-cost 9 GHz photodiode, the input sensitivity and timing margin of the receiver are improved by 2 dB and 0.25 UI, respectively, after DFE compensation. By utilizing a current integrator and time-interleaved comparators, its energy efficiency is 1.13 pJ/b at 25 Gb/s under a 1.2 V power supply. Fabricated in a 40 nm bulk-CMOS technology, the core circuit occupies a chip area of 0.007 mm<sup>2</sup> only.
Competence Based Taxonomy of Supplier Firms in the Automotive Industry

In the last 15-20 years companies went through a series of heavy economic blows in Hungary: first, the paternalistic state disappeared and they had to start to manage themselves and their own capital. Second, the collapse of the Russian industry forced most of them to find new markets for their products in order to survive. Third, the accession to EU brought competition much closer to them than ever before. Although a lot of companies disappeared during these years and even more were founded, we can say, that they have to improve themselves continuously to adapt to the changing conditions in order to remain competitive. Thus competitiveness is and was a focal issue in the Hungarian economy. Today, with the accession to EU, the key to competitiveness for Hungarian companies is to what extent they are able to join European or even global supply chains. How can they discover the requirements of various customers and how can they improve their internal operations to fit these requirements? These are very general questions, but the answers are different company by company. We believe, however, that there must be some general patterns behind the scene, which might be useful for companies to know how to position themselves in the supply chain. Several OEMs have started business in the automotive industry in Hungary and in the neighbouring transition economies providing chance for Hungarian suppliers to join their supply chains. Furthermore, due to the intense global competition and the matured stage in the life cycle in automotive companies supply chain management practices are vital. That is why we selected this industry as the basis of our research. We believe that similarly to portfolio models which segment suppliers, we can build taxonomy on various customer values and supplier competences. Our paper discusses this focal question by using a general model of competitiveness for a series of interviews from the Hungarian automotive industry. In this paper we concentrate on the competence side of the model and use interviews as an empirical base. The structure of our paper is the following: first we go through the relevant literature. Next the model of competitiveness and our research method is introduced. Then we describe the cases shortly and analyze the information we got. Finally our taxonomy is developed and conclusions are drawn.
Discrepancy between Cranial and DNA Data of Early Americans: Implications for American Peopling

Currently, one of the major debates about the American peopling focuses on the number of populations that originated the biological diversity found in the continent during the Holocene. The studies of craniometric variation in American human remains dating from that period have shown morphological differences between the earliest settlers of the continent and some of the later Amerindian populations. This led some investigators to suggest that these groups—known as Paleomericans and Amerindians respectively—may have arisen from two biologically different populations. On the other hand, most DNA studies performed over extant and ancient populations suggest a single migration of a population from Northeast Asia. Comparing craniometric and mtDNA data of diachronic samples from East Central Argentina dated from 8,000 to 400 years BP, we show here that even when the oldest individuals display traits attributable to Paleoamerican crania, they present the same mtDNA haplogroups as later populations with Amerindian morphology. A possible explanation for these results could be that the craniofacial differentiation was a local phenomenon resulting from random (i.e. genetic drift) and non-random factors (e.g. selection and plasticity). Local processes of morphological differentiation in America are a probable scenario if we take into consideration the rapid peopling and the great ecological diversity of this continent; nevertheless we will discuss alternative explanations as well.