Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Why Time Reversal for Future 5G Wireless? [Perspectives]

As the demand for wireless voice and data services has continued to grow dramatically, operators struggle to satisfy this demand with acceptable quality of service. The main approach until now was to increase the system bandwidth and spectral efficiency. For instance, there was an almost tenfold increase for each new generation of cellular technology [the first generation (1G) technology can support up to 30 kHz, second generation (2G) around 200 kHz, third generation (3G) around 1.25-5 MHz, and fourth generation (4G) up to 20 MHz]. Meanwhile, technologists have begun seeking more innovative and efficient communication technologies to meet the ever-increasing demand for data traffic with advanced signal processing capabilities for the 5G wireless communication systems. It is expected that 95% of data traffic will come from indoor locations in a few years [1]. Compared to outdoor propagation, wireless medium in an indoor environment often exhibits richer multipath propagation mostly without a strong line-of-sight (LOS) component, which makes the design of 5G indoor communication systems even more challenging.
Association of Human TLR1 and TLR6 Deficiency with Altered Immune Responses to BCG Vaccination in South African Infants

The development of effective immunoprophylaxis against tuberculosis (TB) remains a global priority, but is hampered by a partially protective Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine and an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms of immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Although host genetic factors may be a primary reason for BCG's variable and inadequate efficacy, this possibility has not been intensively examined. We hypothesized that Toll-like receptor (TLR) variation is associated with altered in vivo immune responses to BCG. We examined whether functionally defined TLR pathway polymorphisms were associated with T cell cytokine responses in whole blood stimulated ex vivo with BCG 10 weeks after newborn BCG vaccination of South African infants. In the primary analysis, polymorphism TLR6_C745T (P249S) was associated with increased BCG-induced IFN-γ in both discovery (n = 240) and validation (n = 240) cohorts. In secondary analyses of the combined cohort, TLR1_T1805G (I602S) and TLR6_G1083C (synonymous) were associated with increased IFN-γ, TLR6_G1083C and TLR6_C745T were associated with increased IL-2, and TLR1_A1188T was associated with increased IFN-γ and IL-2. For each of these polymorphisms, the hypo-responsive allele, as defined by innate immunity signaling assays, was associated with increased production of TH1-type T cell cytokines (IFN-γ or IL-2). After stimulation with TLR1/6 lipopeptide ligands, PBMCs from TLR1/6-deficient individuals (stratified by TLR1_T1805G and TLR6_C745T hyporesponsive genotypes) secreted lower amounts of IL-6 and IL-10 compared to those with responsive TLR1/6 genotypes. In contrast, no IL-12p70 was secreted by PBMCs or monocytes. These data support a mechanism where TLR1/6 polymorphisms modulate TH1 T-cell polarization through genetic regulation of monocyte IL-10 secretion in the absence of IL-12. These studies provide evidence that functionally defined innate immune gene variants are associated with the development of adaptive immune responses after in vivo vaccination against a bacterial pathogen in humans. These findings could potentially guide novel adjuvant vaccine strategies as well as have implications for IFN-γ-based diagnostic testing for TB.
Potential Synergies and Challenges in Refining Cellulosic Biomass to Fuels, Chemicals, and Power

Lignocellulosic biomass such as agricultural and forestry residues and dedicated crops provides a low‐cost and uniquely sustainable resource for production of many organic fuels and chemicals that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy security, improve the economy, dispose of problematic solid wastes, and improve air quality. A technoeconomic analysis of biologically processing lignocellulosics to ethanol is adapted to project the cost of making sugar intermediates for producing a range of such products, and sugar costs are predicted to drop with plant size as a result of economies of scale that outweigh increased biomass transport costs for facilities processing less than about 10,000 dry tons per day. Criteria are then reviewed for identifying promising chemicals in addition to fuel ethanol to make from these low cost cellulosic sugars. It is found that the large market for ethanol makes it possible to achieve economies of scale that reduce sugar costs, and coproducing chemicals promises greater profit margins or lower production costs for a given return on investment. Additionally, power can be sold at low prices without a significant impact on the selling price of sugars. However, manufacture of multiple products introduces additional technical, marketing, risk, scale‐up, and other challenges that must be considered in refining of lignocellulosics.
Endocannabinoid modulation of amphetamine sensitization is disrupted in a rodent model of lesion‐induced dopamine dysregulation

We tested the hypothesis that increased dopaminergic sensitivity induced by olfactory bulbectomy is mediated by dysregulation of endocannabinoid signaling. Bilateral olfactory bulbectomy induces behavioral and neurobiological symptomatology related to increased dopaminergic sensitivity. Rats underwent olfactory bulbectomy or sham operations and were assessed 2 weeks later in two tests of hyperdopaminergic responsivity: locomotor response to novelty and locomotor sensitization to amphetamine. Amphetamine (1 mg/kg i.p.) was administered to rats once daily for 8 consecutive days to induce locomotor sensitization. URB597, an inhibitor of the anandamide hydrolyzing enzyme fatty‐acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), was administered daily (0.3 mg/kg i.p.) to sham and olfactory bulbectomized (OBX) rats to investigate the impact of FAAH inhibition on locomotor sensitization to amphetamine. Pharmacological specificity was evaluated with the CB1 antagonist/inverse agonist rimonabant (1 mg/kg i.p). OBX rats exhibited heightened locomotor activity in response to exposure either to a novel open field or to amphetamine administration relative to sham‐operated rats. URB597 produced a CB1‐mediated attenuation of amphetamine‐induced locomotor sensitization in sham‐operated rats. By contrast, URB597 failed to inhibit amphetamine sensitization in OBX rats. The present results demonstrate that enhanced endocannabinoid transmission attenuates development of amphetamine sensitization in intact animals but not in animals with OBX‐induced dopaminergic dysfunction. Our data collectively suggest that the endocannabinoid system is compromised in olfactory bulbectomized rats. Synapse 63:941–950, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Risk Assessment Tools for Identifying Individuals at Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes

Trials have demonstrated the preventability of type 2 diabetes through lifestyle modifications or drugs in people with impaired glucose tolerance. However, alternative ways of identifying people at risk of developing diabetes are required. Multivariate risk scores have been developed for this purpose. This article examines the evidence for performance of diabetes risk scores in adults by 1) systematically reviewing the literature on available scores and 2) their validation in external populations; and 3) exploring methodological issues surrounding the development, validation, and comparison of risk scores. Risk scores show overall good discriminatory ability in populations for whom they were developed. However, discriminatory performance is more heterogeneous and generally weaker in external populations, which suggests that risk scores may need to be validated within the population in which they are intended to be used. Whether risk scores enable accurate estimation of absolute risk remains unknown; thus, care is needed when using scores to communicate absolute diabetes risk to individuals. Several risk scores predict diabetes risk based on routine noninvasive measures or on data from questionnaires. Biochemical measures, in particular fasting plasma glucose, can improve prediction of such models. On the other hand, usefulness of genetic profiling currently appears limited.
Fingertip Representation in the Human Somatosensory Cortex: An fMRI Study

Eight right-handed adult humans underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of their brain while a vibratory stimulus was applied to an individual digit tip (digit 1, 2, or 5) on the right hand. Multislice echoplanar imaging techniques were utilized during digit stimulation to investigate the organization of the human primary somatosensory (SI) cortex, cortical regions located on the upper bank of the Sylvian fissure (SII region), insula, and posterior parietal cortices. The t test and cluster size analyses were performed to produce cortical activation maps, which exhibited significant regions of interest (ROIs) in all four cortical regions investigated. The frequency of significant ROIs was much higher in SI and the SII region than in the insula and posterior parietal region. Multiple digit representations were observed in the primary somatosensory cortex, corresponding to the four anatomic subdivisions of this cortex (areas 3a, 3b, 1, and 2), suggesting that the organization of the human somatosensory cortex resembles that described in other primates. Overall, there was no simple medial to lateral somatotopic representation in individual subject activity maps. However, the spatial distance between digit 1 and digit 5 cortical representations was the greatest in both SI and the SII region within the group. Statistical analyses of multiple activity parameters showed significant differences between cortical regions and between digits, indicating that vibrotactile activations of the cortex are dependent on both the stimulated digit and cortical region investigated.
Disruption of genes regulated during hematopoietic differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells

A retroviral gene trap vector (U3Tkneo) that selects for integrations in or near expressed 5′ exons has been used to identify genes that are repressed during hematopoietic differentiation of mouse totipotent embryonic stem cells. The vector contains coding sequences for an HSV‐thymidine kinase/neomycin phosphotransferase fusion protein in the U3 region of a Moloney murine leukemia virus LTR and allows selection for (G418) and against (Ganciclovir; GC) U3 gene expression. A total of 208 neomycin‐resistant clones were isolated following infection with U3tkneo and screened for integrations into regulated genes by using a two‐step, semisolid culture system that supports hematopoietic differentiation. Two clones contained U3Tkneo integrations in genes that were repressed selectively in hematopoietic cells. Analysis of upstream proviral flanking sequences indicated that both integrations occurred into unknown genes. One upstream sequence identified a cellular transcript that was expressed differentially in the kidneys and liver of adult mice. When this fusion gene was passaged to the germ line, homozygous offspring with nearly null mutations were obtained. However, mutant mice were normal, suggesting that potential loss of function phenotypes are subtle and may be restricted to the kidneys and the liver. Dev. Dyn. 1998;212:277–283. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Scaling Up Multi-agent Reinforcement Learning in Complex Domains

TD-FALCON (temporal difference-fusion architecture for learning, cognition, and navigation) is a class of self-organizing neural networks that incorporates temporal difference (TD) methods for real-time reinforcement learning. In this paper, we present two strategies, i.e. policy sharing and neighboring-agent mechanism, to further improve the learning efficiency of TD-FALCON in complex multi-agent domains. Through experiments on a traffic control problem domain and the herding task, we demonstrate that those strategies enable TD-FALCON to remain functional and adaptable in complex multi-agent domains.
High‐resolution mapping of a novel genetic locus regulating voluntary physical activity in mice

Both human beings and animals exhibit substantial inter‐individual variation in voluntary physical activity, and evidence indicates that a significant component of this variation is because of genetic factors. However, little is known of the genetic basis underlying central regulation of voluntary physical activity in mammals. In this study, using an F2 intercross population and interval‐specific congenic strains (ISCS) derived from the C57BL/6J strain and a chromosome 13 substitution strain, C57BL/6J‐Chr13A/J/NA/J, we identified a 3.76‐Mb interval on chromosome 13 containing 25 genes with a significant impact on daily voluntary wheel running activity in mice. Brain expression and polymorphisms between the C57BL/6J and A/J strains were examined to prioritize candidate genes. As the dopaminergic pathway regulates motor movement and motivational behaviors, we tested its function by examining cocaine‐induced locomotor responses in ISCS with different levels of activity. The low‐activity ISCS exhibited a significantly higher response to acute cocaine administration than the high‐activity ISCS. Expression analysis of key dopamine‐related genes (dopamine transporter and D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5 receptors) revealed that expression of D1 receptor was higher in the low‐activity ISCS than in the high‐activity ISCS in both the dorsal striatum and nucleus accumbens. Pathway analysis implicated Tcfap2a, a gene found within the 3.76‐Mb interval, involved in the D1 receptor pathway. Using a luciferase reporter assay, we confirmed that the transcriptional factor, Tcfap2a, regulates the promoter activity of the D1 receptor gene. Thus, Tcfap2a is proposed as a candidate genetic regulator of the level of voluntary physical activity through its influence on a dopaminergic pathway.
REVERSIBLE DISAGGREGATION OF MYOFILAMENTS IN VERTEBRATE SMOOTH MUSCLE

Strips of taenia coli from guinea pigs were incubated under isometric conditions in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate saline (MKR) containing various concentrations of Ca+2 and/or Mg+2. Spontaneous or chemically induced contractile activity was abolished within 15 min of exposure to MKR containing Ca+2 at concentrations below 10-6 M; contractile activity was restored by reincubation in normal MKR after 1–2 h. Exposure of taenia coli to MKR containing Ca+2 at concentrations below 10-6 M for 1 h or more led to loss of thick and thin myofilaments from the sarcoplasm as observed with the electron microscope. Except for the loss of these two filament types, the cells contained all other structural features observed in preparations incubated in MKR containing Ca+2 at its normal level (1.3 x 10-3 M). The loss of thick and thin myofilaments in strips exposed to a Ca+2 concentration below 10-6 M was reversed by reincubation for 30 min in MKR containing normal Ca+2 levels. The observed loss of thick and thin myofilaments in response to low Ca+2 is interpreted as resulting from the disaggregation of some or all of the molecular components of these two filament types.
Randomized Decentralized Broadcasting Algorithms

We consider the problem of broadcasting a live stream of data in an unstructured network. The broadcasting problem has been studied extensively for edge-capacitated networks. We give the first proof that whenever demand lambda + epsiv is feasible for epsiv > 0, a simple local-control algorithm is stable under demand lambda, and as a corollary a famous theorem of Edmonds. We then study the node-capacitated case and show a similar optimality result for the complete graph. We study through simulation the delay that users must wait in order to playback a video stream with a small number of skipped packets, and discuss the suitability of our algorithms for live video streaming.
Joint classification of actions and object state changes with a latent variable discriminative model

We present a technique to classify human actions that involve object manipulation. Our focus is to accurately distinguish between actions that are related in that the object's state changes define the essential differences. Our algorithm uses a latent variable conditional random field that allows for the modelling of spatio-temporal relationships between the human motion and the corresponding object state changes. Our approach involves a factored representation that better allows for the description of causal effects in the way human action causes object state changes. The utility of incorporating such structure in our model is that it enables more accurate classification of activities that could enable robots to reason about interaction, and to learn using a high level vocabulary that captures phenomena of interest. We present experiments involving the recognition of human actions, where we show that our factored representation achieves superior performance in comparison to alternate flat representations.
Virtual-physical registers

A novel dynamic register renaming approach is proposed in this work. The key idea of the novel scheme is to delay the allocation of physical registers until a late stage in the pipeline, instead of doing it in the decode stage as conventional schemes do. In this way, the register pressure is reduced and the processor can exploit more instruction-level parallelism. Delaying the allocation of physical registers require some additional artifact to keep track of dependences. This is achieved by introducing the concept of virtual-physical registers, which do not require any storage location and are used to identify dependences among instructions that have not yet allocated a register to its destination operand. Two alternative allocation strategies have been investigated that differ in the stage where physical registers are allocated: issue or write-back. The experimental evaluation has confirmed the higher performance of the latter alternative. We have performed all evaluation of the novel scheme through a detailed simulation of a dynamically scheduled processor. The results show a significant improvement (e.g., 19% increase in IPC for a machine with 64 physical registers in each file) when compared with the traditional register renaming approach.
On mismatches between incremental optimizers and instance perturbations in physical design tools

The incremental, "construct by correction" design methodology has become widespread in constraint-dominated DSM design. We study the problem of ECO for physical design domains in the general context of incremental optimization. We observe that an incremental design methodology is typically built from a full optimizer that generates a solution for an initial instance, and an incremental optimizer that generates a sequence of solutions corresponding to a sequence of perturbed instances. Our hypothesis is that in practice, there can be a mismatch between the strength of the incremental optimizer and the magnitude of the perturbation between successive instances. When such a mismatch occurs, the solution quality will degrade-perhaps to the point where the incremental optimizer should be replaced by the full optimizer. We document this phenomenon for three distinct domains-partitioning, placement and routing-using leading industry and academic tools. Our experiments show that current CAD tools may not be correctly designed for ECO-dominated design processes. Thus, compatibility between optimizer and instance perturbation merits attention both as a research question and as a matter of industry design practice.
The Crown Size and Sexual Dimorphism of Permanent Teeth in Jordanian Cleft Lip and Palate Patients

Objective: To provide a detailed description of crown size dimensions in the permanent dentition of Jordanian cleft lip and palate patients and to compare the findings with those of other populations. Method: The mesiodistal crown diameters of the permanent teeth of 47 patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), 25 patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP), and 74 controls were measured. Results: The cleft group (UCLP and BCLP patients) generally demonstrated a smaller tooth size for both the maxillary and mandibular arches than did the control group. A sexual dimorphism pattern with males having larger teeth than females was observed for controls and UCLP patients. More males with BCLP had smaller teeth than did females. In the maxilla, the UCLP cleft-side teeth showed the largest percentage (4%) of sexual dimorphism, whereas the BCLP teeth achieved the highest percentage (3.4%) in the mandible. The UCLP cleft-side maxillary lateral incisors (13.2%) and BCLP mandibular canines (6%) displayed greater sexual dimorphism in crown size than did any other tooth class. Conclusions: Tooth size reduction occurred across all permanent tooth types and among early and late-forming teeth in cleft patients compared with the controls. This reduction was more pronounced in the maxillary incisor field. Males with UCLP and control males had larger teeth than did females, whereas a reversal of the normal dimorphism pattern was observed in patients with BCLP.
Stable visual servoing of camera-in-hand robotic systems

In this paper, the control problem of camera-in-hand robotic systems is considered. In this approach, a camera is mounted on the robot, usually at the hand, which provides an image of objects located in the robot environment. The aim of this approach is to move the robot arm in such a way that the image of the objects attains the desired locations. We propose a simple image-based direct visual servo controller which requires knowledge of the objects' depths, but it does not need to use the inverse kinematics and the inverse Jacobian matrix. By invoking the Lyapunov direct method, we show that the overall closed-loop system is stable and, under mild conditions on the Jacobian, local asymptotic stability is guaranteed. Experiments with a two degrees-of-freedom direct-drive manipulator are presented to illustrate the controller's performance.
A simple scheme for correcting blocks of multiple adjacent bit errors

There are several practical scenarios where the behavior of a communications channel can be somehow predictable. For instance, in nanometric technologies the increase of integration density makes memory devices more sensitive to radiation effects that can cause multiple bit upsets (MBUs) in adjacent cells. In this paper we use random error correcting codes to deal with such particular channels. We propose a very simple and efficient scheme for correcting blocks of adjacent errors. Our approach consists in applying a transformation to the code in order to adapt it to the channel. Undoing the transformation at the receiving end converts blocks of adjacent errors (of any length) into low weight error vectors that will subsequently be corrected by a bounded distance decoding algorithm. The proposed method can be applied, without noticeable loss of performance, to any existing encoding-decoding scheme. Moreover, and in a list decoding fashion, we obtain stronger results for binary cyclic codes.