Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A power constrained simultaneous noise and input matched low noise amplifier design technique

In this paper, very simple and insightful sets of noise parameters expressions for a power-constrained simultaneous noise and input matching (PCSNIM) CMOS LNA design technique are newly introduced. Based on the noise parameters expression, the design principle, advantages, and limitations are clearly explained. The proposed LNA is optimized for low voltage, low power 900 MHz Zigbee applications based on 0.25 /spl mu/m CMOS technology. Measurement results show a power gain of 12 dB, NF and NF/sub min/ of 1.35 dB, and IIP3 of -4 dBm while dissipating the DC current of 1.6 mA (only 0.7 mA for NMOS transistor) at a supply voltage of 1.25 V.
A framework for the characterization and analysis of software systems scalability

The term scalability appears frequently in computing literature, but it is a term that is poorly defined and poorly understood. It is an important attribute of computer systems that is frequently asserted but rarely validated in any meaningful, systematic way. The lack of a consistent, uniform and systematic treatment of scalability makes it difficult to identify and avoid scalability problems, clearly and objectively describe the scalability of software systems, evaluate claims of scalability, and compare claims from different sources. This thesis provides a definition of scalability and describes a systematic framework for the characterization and analysis of software systems scalability. The framework is comprised of a goal-oriented approach for describing, modeling and reasoning about scalability requirements, and an analysis technique that captures the dependency relationships that underlie typical notions of scalability. The framework is validated against a real-world data analysis system and is used to recast a number of examples taken from the computing literature and from industry in order to demonstrate its use across different application domains and system designs.
Wetting morphologies and their transitions in grooved substrates

When exposed to a partially wetting liquid, many natural and artificial surfaces equipped with complex topographies display a rich variety of liquid interfacial morphologies. In the present article, we focus on a few simple paradigmatic surface topographies and elaborate on the statics and dynamics of the resulting wetting morphologies. It is demonstrated that the spectrum of wetting morphologies increases with increasing complexity of the groove structure. On elastically deformable substrates, additional structures in the liquid morphologies can be observed, which are caused by deformations of the groove geometry in the presence of capillary forces. The emergence of certain liquid morphologies in grooves can be actively controlled by changes in wettability and geometry. For electrically conducting solid substrates, the apparent contact angle can be varied by electrowetting. This allows, depending on groove geometry, a reversible or irreversible transport of liquid along surface grooves. In the case of irreversible liquid transport in triangular grooves, the dynamics of the emerging instability is sensitive to the apparent hydrodynamic slip at the substrate. On elastic substrates, the geometry can be varied in a straightforward manner by stretching or relaxing the sample. The imbibition velocity in deformable grooves is significantly reduced compared to solid grooves, which is a result of the microscopic deformation of the elastic groove material close to the three phase contact line.
Comparison of learning‐related neuronal activity in the dorsal premotor cortex and striatum

Previous studies have reported learning‐related changes in neuronal activity during conditional visuomotor learning, also known as arbitrary sensorimotor mapping, conditional visual discrimination, and symbolic or endogenous mapping. Qualitatively similar observations have been reported for the dorsal premotor cortex, the supplementary eye field, the prefrontal cortex, the hippocampus, the striatum and the globus pallidus. The fact that cells in both the dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) and the basal ganglia show changes in activity during associative learning enables a test of the hypothesis that cortex and basal ganglia function in distributed architectures known as cortical–basal ganglionic modules or ‘loops’. We reasoned that if these loops represent functional entities, as proposed, then learning‐related changes in activity should occur simultaneously in both the cortical and striatal nodes of a loop. The present results confirmed this prediction; as monkeys learned conditional visuomotor associations, neurons in the premotor cortex and associated parts of the putamen changed their rates at approximately the same time. For the largest number of neurons, the evolution in neural activity occurred in close correspondence to the monkeys' learning curves. As a population, however, learning‐related changes in activity continued after the monkeys reached an asymptote in performance.
High step up DC-DC converter topology for PV systems and electric vehicles

This thesis presents new high step-up DC-DC converters for photovoltaic and electric vehicle applications. An asymmetric flyback-forward DC-DC converter is proposed for the PV system controlled by the MPPT algorithm. The second converter is a modular switched-capacitor DC-DC converter, it has the capability to operate with transistor and capacitor open-circuit faults in every module. The results from simulations and tests of the asymmetric DC-DC converters have suggested that the proposed converter has a 5% to 10% voltage gain ratio increased to the symmetric structures among 100W – 300W power (such as [3]) range while maintaining efficiency of 89%-93% when input voltage is in the range of 25 – 30 V. they also indicated that the softswitching technique has been achieved, which significantly reduce the power loss by 1.7%, which exceeds the same topology of the proposed converter without the softswitching technique. Moreover, the converters can maintain rated outputs under main transistor open circuit fault situation or capacitor open circuit faults. The simulation and test results of the proposed modularized switched-capacitor DC-DC converters indicate that the proposed converter has the potential of extension, it can be embedded with infinite module in simulation results, however, during experiment. The sign open circuit fault to the transistors and capacitors would have low impact to the proposed converters, only the current ripple on the input source would increase around 25% for 4-module switched-capacitor DC-DC converters. The developed converters can be applied to many applications where DC-DC voltage conversion is alighted. In addition to PVs and EVs. Since they can ride through some electrical faults in the devices, the developed converter will have economic implications to improve the system efficiency and reliability.
Increased sperm DNA damage in patients with varicocele: relationship with seminal oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND The pathophysiology of the testicular damage in varicocele has not been completely understood. Oxidative stress and related sperm DNA damage have been identified as significant causes of male infertility. The current study was designed to determine the extent of sperm nuclear DNA damage in patients with varicocele and to examine its relationship with oxidative stress. METHODS Semen samples from 55 patients with clinical varicocele and 25 normozoospermic donors were examined. Varicocele sperm samples were classified as normal or abnormal according to World Health Organization guidelines. Sperm DNA damage was evaluated by the sperm chromatin structure assay/flow cytometry and by the terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) assay. Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and total antioxidant capacity were assessed by a chemiluminescence assay. RESULTS DNA fragmentation index (DFI) (percentage of sperm with denatured DNA) values and the percentage of TUNEL-positive cells were significantly greater in patients with varicocele, either with normal (DFI, 20.7 +/- 4.0; TUNEL positive, 26.1 +/- 3.2) or with abnormal (DFI, 35.5 +/- 9.0; TUNEL positive, 32.2 +/- 4.1) semen profile, compared with controls (DFI, 7.1 +/- 0.9; TUNEL positive, 14.2 +/- 1.2). Similarly, ROS levels were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in both groups of patients with varicocele. CONCLUSIONS The presence of a varicocele is associated with high levels of DNA-damage spermatozoa even in the presence of normal semen profile. The results also indicate that oxidative damage is associated with sperm DNA damage in these patients.
Nutritional factors affecting poultry bone health

Outlined are two main current research concerns relating to skeletal disorders in poultry: (a) osteoporosis in egg-laying hens; (b) leg problems caused by rapid bone growth in broiler chickens. Surveys indicate that 30% of caged laying hens suffer at least one lifetime fracture (a severe welfare issue). Modern hybrids produce one egg per d for 50 weeks. For this period ‘normal’ bone turnover ceases; only medullary bone (MB) is formed, a woven bone type of limited structural value. MB is resorbed for eggshell formation alongside structural bone, leading to increased fracture risk. Avian osteoporosis is reduced by activity and genetic selection but nutrition is also important. Fluoride and vitamin K are beneficial but the timing of nutritional intervention is important. Ca, inorganic P and vitamin D must be adequate and the form of Ca is critical. Limestone fed as particulates benefits skeletal and eggshell quality. In hens fed particulate limestone compared with flour-fed hens the tibiotarsus breaking strength and radiographic density are increased at 56 weeks of age (P<0·01 and P<0·001 respectively) and the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive stained active osteoclasts (mean number per microscopic field) is decreased (P<0·001). In broiler (meat) chickens selection for rapid growth from approximately 50 g to 3 kg in 42 d has inadvertently produced skeletal disorders such as tibial dyschondroplasia, rickets and associated valgus–varus deformities leading to lameness. The beneficial skeletal effects during growth of increased dietary n-3 PUFA:n-6 PUFA (utilising salmon oil) have been demonstrated. Experiments simulating daylight UVB levels have produced beneficial skeletal effects in Ca- and vitamin D-deficient chicks.
Food allergy and atopic eczema

The subject of food allergy is still viewed with considerable scepticism by the medical profession. There are several reasons for this but probably the most important is that few physicians or ecologists have yet made a serious attempt to analyse the condition critically. Food allergy is discussed in a number of books mostly emanating from the USA, particularly those by Rowe (1931), Coca (194z), Rinkel et al. (1951) and Dickey (1976). Unfortunately, each author uses the term ‘food allergy’ to describe both immunological and non-immunological phenomena, whereas most physicians would now reserve the term for hypersensitivity reactions to foods, particularly those mediated by IgE. Foods may cause clinical manifestations for three main reasons:
Heat shock protein 90 inhibitor 17‐allylamino‐17‐demethoxygeldanamycin potentiates the radiation response of tumor cells grown as monolayer cultures and spheroids by inducing apoptosis

Activation of the PI3K‐Akt pathway is known to induce tumor radioresistance. In the current study, we examined the ability of 17AAG, which decreases the levels of Hsp90 client proteins including components of the PI3K‐Akt pathway, to sensitize radioresistant human squamous cell carcinoma cells to X‐irradiation. Human squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (SQ20B, SCC61 and SCC13) were incubated for 16 h at 37°C in medium containing 17AAG. Radiation sensitivity was determined by clonogenic assays, and protein levels were examined by western blotting. Apoptosis was determined in monolayer cells by AO/EB double staining and in spheroids using the TdT‐mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay. 17AAG (0.2 µM) enhanced the radiosensitivity more effectively in radioresistant SQ20B and SCC13 cells than in radiosensitive SCC61 cells. However, in all three cell lines, 17AAG increased radiation‐induced apoptosis by reducing the expression of EGFR and ErbB‐2 and inhibiting the phosphorylation of Akt. Furthermore, 17AAG (1 µM) sensitized SQ20B spheroids to radiation, and inhibition of Akt activation by 17AAG increased radiation‐induced apoptosis in spheroids. The findings suggest that 17AAG effectively sensitizes radioresistant cells to radiation by inhibiting the PI3K‐Akt pathway. Targeting the PI3K‐Akt pathway with 17AAG could be a useful strategy for radiosensitization of carcinomas. (Cancer Sci 2005; 96: 911–917)
A novel Fuzzy Particle Swarm Optimization

In this paper, we introduce a novel Fuzzy particle Swarm Optimization method in which the inertia weight as well as the cognitive and social coefficients are adjusted for each particle separately according to the information coming from a Fuzzy Logic Controller. We illustrate the efficiency of our method in comparison with the origin version of inertia Weight Particle Swarm Optimization. Although the curse of dimensionality has always been one of significant weaknesses in Evolutionary Algorithms, we show it has the least influence on the proposed method compared to PSO and original WPSO. We also prove that our method outperforms other Fuzzy-PSO versions by testing two benchmark functions.
Embedded repair of logic blocks

Solution of practical problems of embedded repair for the logic unit components is proposed. Operational and control automata for modeling digital devices is developed. It allows increasing the processing time and hardware costs for creating a wrap of addressable elements. The proposed solution of embedded gate repair for combinational circuits makes it possible to comprehensively solve the problem of autonomous repairing digital systems on chips due to the time and hardware project redundancy [1-12].
Hypergrowth of the Hispanic Population in Indianapolis, 2000–2010

Indianapolis experienced a 300 percent increase in Hispanic population between 1990 and 2010. This article examines the change in the composition of census tracts in Indianapolis between 2000 and 2010. Hispanic-white tracts and Hispanic-black-white tracts increased between the two censuses while majority-white tracts declined. Regression analysis revealed that number of Hispanics by tract in 2010 was negatively associated with percentage of black population and positively associated with number of Hispanics as of 2000. Hispanics were attracted to tracts with a higher percentage of median housing value ($50,000–$100,000), tracts with a high level of turnover between 1995 and 2000, and tracts that had a greater percentage of new dwellings built between 1990 and 2000. These results indicate that Hispanics avoid low-income tracts and have intensified their location in the core Hispanic tracts as well as advanced into the outer tracts of the city.
Early neonatal complications after elective preterm delivery in hypertensive pregnancies

We evaluated the rates of short-term neonatal complications, neonatal brain damage or mortality in a group of 96 singleton pregnancies complicated by hypertension and electively delivered before 36 weeks gestation. The neonatal outcome of these pregnancies was compared with that of a matched control group of 192 uneventful pregnancies delivered because of spontaneous preterm labor or premature rupture of membranes. Although the rates of acidosis, apneoic crises, bradycardia and ventilatory support were higher among cases than controls, the risk of intraventricular hemorrhage, severe brain damage (grade III-IV intraventricular hemorrhage or periventricular leucomalacia) or neonatal mortality were comparable between the two groups. Neonatal complications were more frequent among infants born to mothers with severe hypertension or severe proteinuria. In conclusion, this study has shown that short term neonatal complications after elective preterm delivery in hypertensive pregnancies are increased in comparison with low risk controls. However, these complications, which were well managed in our intensive care nursery, did not affected neonatal mortality or severe brain damage.
Complex I and MDM2: hit me baby one more time

ABSTRACT MDM2 (mouse double minute 2) functions as both a tumor suppressor and oncogene, yet little is known if MDM2 regulates cancer cell biology by altering cellular metabolism. We recently found that MDM2 binds NDUFS1 (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase 75 kDa Fe-S protein 1), a key protein involved in Complex I assembly, function, and efficiency. The MDM2⋅NDUFS1 interaction promotes reactive oxygen species production, DNA damage, and apoptosis.
Genotoxicity of size‐fractionated samples of urban particulate matter

Urban particulate matter (UPM) includes particles of size smaller than 10 μm (PM10), which may impact on human respiratory and cardiovascular health. It has been reported previously that PM10 can induce DNA damage. We have collected size‐fractionated PM10 at the roadside and measured the induction of DNA damage by different‐sized UPM using the alkaline Comet assay and the plasmid strand‐break assay. We found that foil disks were more suitable for collecting UPM than quartz fiber filters, as the UPM could be easily extracted from the foil disks and accurately weighed. Using the Comet assay, all size fractions induced DNA damage in A549 lung epithelial cells, with the finer fractions (D50% = 0.65 μm and lower) inducing the most damage. In the plasmid strand‐break assay, in which DNA damage is induced by free‐radical species generated in solution, the most damage was also induced by the finer fractions, although the finest fraction (D50% < 0.43 μm) did not induce as much damage as D50% = 0.65 and 0.43 μm. When an organic extract of a standard UPM sample was compared to the whole particles and the washed particles in the Comet assay, it was found that around 75% of the damage induced by the whole UPM could be induced by the organic extract. These results show that finer particulates have the greatest ability to induce DNA damage in lung epithelial cells and naked DNA, and that both organic and inorganic components of the UPM contribute to its genotoxic effects. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. , 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Establishment of B-Cell Lymphoma Cell Lines Persistently Infected with Hepatitis C Virus In Vivo and In Vitro: the Apoptotic Effects of Virus Infection

ABSTRACT Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Studies of HCV replication and pathogenesis have so far been hampered by the lack of an efficient tissue culture system for propagating HCV in vitro. Although HCV is primarily a hepatotropic virus, an increasing body of evidence suggests that HCV also replicates in extrahepatic tissues in natural infection. In this study, we established a B-cell line (SB) from an HCV-infected non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma. HCV RNA and proteins were detectable by RNase protection assay and immunoblotting. The cell line continuously produces infectious HCV virions in culture. The virus particles produced from the culture had a buoyant density of 1.13 to 1.15 g/ml in sucrose and could infect primary human hepatocytes, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and an established B-cell line (Raji cells) in vitro. The virus from SB cells belongs to genotype 2b. Single-stranded conformational polymorphism and sequence analysis of the viral RNA quasispecies indicated that the virus present in SB cells most likely originated from the patient's spleen and had an HCV RNA quasispecies pattern distinct from that in the serum. The virus production from the infected primary hepatocytes showed cyclic variations. In addition, we have succeeded in establishing several Epstein-Barr virus-immortalized B-cell lines from PBMCs of HCV-positive patients. Two of these cell lines are positive for HCV RNA as detected by reverse transcriptase PCR and for the nonstructural protein NS3 by immunofluorescence staining. These observations unequivocally establish that HCV infects B cells in vivo and in vitro. HCV-infected cell lines show significantly enhanced apoptosis. These B-cell lines provide a reproducible cell culture system for studying the complete replication cycle and biology of HCV infections.
Improving the Performance of SiGe Metal–Semiconductor–Metal Photodetectors by Using an Amorphous Silicon Passivation Layer

SiGe metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors (MSM-PDs) with a thin amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) passivation layer have been fabricated by an ultrahigh-vacuum chemical vapor deposition (UHVCVD) system. It was found that the thin (30 nm) a-Si:H passivation layer could effectively suppress the dark current of SiGe MSM-PDs. As compared to the unpassivated devices, the dark current for devices with a-Si:H passivation layers was drastically reduced by 1.7 times 105, and the photo-to-dark current ratio was enhanced by 1.33 times 106. We attribute this result to the passivation effect of a-Si:H films on SiGe surfaces by hydrogen diffusion, which can compensate the dangling bonds on the SiGe surface.
A Review on Wind Turbine and Wind Generator Used in WECS

The applications of wind energy develop much rapidly than the other renewable resources such as solar, geothermal and so on in the 21st century. It becomes the third core energy resource following non-conventional fuels as oil and chemical. Electrical energy generated by wind power plants is the best ever developing and most promising renewable energy source. The wind is a clean, free and limitless energy source. Wind Energy Generation Systems (WECS) are confront with increasing demands for power quality and harmonic distortion control. With the advance in power electronics technology, the fast growth of variable speed WECS is now witness. However, the power quality still remains an important issue to be addressed thoroughly by researchers. This paper presents a comparative study on grid connected WECS having two different Wind Turbine Generator Systems (WTGS) using DFIG and PMSG.
MindCam: An Approach for Sketch Based Image Retrieval

Image retrieval plays a major role in computer vision applications.FaceSketch Based Image Retrieval (FSBIR) draws attention with its wide application in criminal investigation by law enforcement agencies. Automatic retrieval of face images from police mug-shot databases guides investigators to locate or narrow down the search area. MindCam is an efficient image retrievalsystem based on face sketch queries. MindCam leverages Scale invariant Feature Transform (SIFT)to figure out the interest points and extract the features independent of scale.Binary hashing is used to compute binary hash codes from SIFT feature descriptors.This makes feature matching more efficient by computing the Hamming distance of the binary codes. Pool of matching candidates is identified based on Hamming distance and Fine Grained Matching is done on candidates in the pool. A user interactive approach is guaranteed by re-ranking of retrieved results. Reduced computational complexity makes MindCam suitable for realistic applications like mobile devices and wearable devices. System also provides audio description of results which makes the system user friendly.
Impact of Intravenous Loop Diuretics on Outcomes of Patients Hospitalized with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: Insights from the ADHERE Registry

The optimal use of diuretics in decompensated heart failure remains uncertain. We analyzed data from the ADHERE registry to look at the impact of diuretic dosing. 62,866 patients receiving <160 mg and 19,674 patients ≥160 mg of furosemide were analyzed. The patients receiving the lower doses had a lower risk for in-hospital mortality, ICU stay, prolonged hospitalization, or adverse renal effects. These findings suggest that future studies should evaluate strategies for minimizing exposure to high doses of diuretics.