Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distributed beamforming with software radios

Closed loop distributed adaptive transmit beamforming for wireless sensor networks is a transmission scheme in which distributed nodes superimpose their carrier signals to reach a remote receiver node without inter-node communication [1]. By this transmission scheme, nodes may communicate with a receiver collaboratively even though the transmission distance exceeds the transmission range of each single node. The typical approach to achieve sufficient synchronisation among carrier signals of transmit nodes is an iterative random search mechanism as illustrated in figure 1. The four phases for synchronisation depicted in the figure are iterated repeatedly until sufficient synchronisation is achieved. In [2] we preset a novel synchronisation approach that greatly improves the synchronisation time from Θ(n · k · log(n)) for the original iterative approach to Θ(log(n)), where n is the number of nodes that participate in the synchronisation process and k is proportional to the number of possible phase offsets applicable at each transmitting node. After these analytical investigations and after a considerable number of simulations for various parameter settings we are currently implementing collaborative transmission schemes for USRP software radios (see http://www.ettus.com) and study capabilities and limitations of this transmission scheme in realistic scenarios.
In vitro and in vivo blood compatibility evaluation of a novel Chinese valved bovine pericardium patch

Researchers over the world are discovering ideal materials with favorable biocompatibility for valved conduits to treat congenital heart disease. Blood compatibility should be fundamentally considered for vascular devices. At present, autologous pericardium shows the best blood compatibility. Therefore, we employed the autologous pericardium as a control (control group) to compare and explore the in vitro and in vivo blood compatibility of a novel Chinese valved bovine pericardium patch with superior fatigue durability and diverse types (treatment group). Both patches were implanted into small fat-tail sheep to replace the antetheca of right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) and pulmonary trunk through surgery. All animals survived to the predetermined time without any complications. Operation time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and aortic cross clamp time in the control group were significantly longer than those in the treatment group (P < 0.05). Good healing status in the both planted areas was observed without any thrombosis or infarction. There was no significant difference in In vivo blood compatibility indicators including red blood cells injury, blood routine, and thrombosis which were investigated by free hemoglobin (HGB) determination, automatic blood cell analyzer, and naked eye/microscope observation, respectively (P > 0.05). Results of in vitro compatibility indexes including hemolysis, complement activation, plasma soluble P-selectin, and dynamic clotting which were evaluated through spectrophotometry and ELISA kits were also exactly similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). Therefore, this Chinese patch exhibited wonderful blood compatibility and might be developed as a medical device for RVOT reconstruction.
Frequency Domain Tests of Semiparametric Hypotheses for Locally Stationary Processes

Abstract. Many time series in applied sciences obey a time‐varying spectral structure. In this article, we focus on locally stationary processes and develop tests of the hypothesis that the time‐varying spectral density has a semiparametric structure, including the interesting case of a time‐varying autoregressive moving‐average (tvARMA) model. The test introduced is based on a L2‐distance measure of a kernel smoothed version of the local periodogram rescaled by the time‐varying spectral density of the estimated semiparametric model. The asymptotic distribution of the test statistic under the null hypothesis is derived. As an interesting special case, we focus on the problem of testing for the presence of a tvAR model. A semiparametric bootstrap procedure to approximate more accurately the distribution of the test statistic under the null hypothesis is proposed. Some simulations illustrate the behaviour of our testing methodology in finite sample situations.
Dose Reduction in CT for Measurement of the Visceral Adipose Tissue: Comparison of Model-Based Iterative Reconstruction, Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction, and Filtered Back Projection Reconstruction

Poster: "ECR 2015 / C-0295 / Dose Reduction in CT for Measurement of the Visceral Adipose Tissue: Comparison of Model-Based Iterative Reconstruction, Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction, and Filtered Back Projection Reconstruction" by: "Y. Yamada, M. Jinzaki, Y. Niijima, M. Hashimoto, M. Yamada, E. Shiomi, T. Abe, S. Kuribayashi; Tokyo/JP"
NEURAL NETWORK‐BASED OPTIMAL ADAPTIVE TRACKING USING GENETIC ALGORITHMS

This paper presents the use of neural networks (NNs) and genetic algorithms (GAs) to enhance the output tracking performance of partly known robotic systems. Two of the most potential approaches of adaptive control, i.e., the concept of variable structure control (VSC) and NN‐based adaptive control, are ingeniously combined using GAs to achieve high‐performance output tracking. GA is used to make the maximum use of different performance characteristics of two self‐adaptive NN modules by finding the switching function which best combines them. The method will be valid for any rigid revolute robot system. Computer simulations on our active binocular head are included for illustration and verification.
A new type of optical heterodyne polarimeter

Phase variations occur when a circularly polarized light beam either passes through a chiral solution or is reflected from a non-absorbing material. They can be measured accurately with a circular heterodyne interferometry. These data are substituted into the special equations derived from Jones calculus. The chiral parameter and the average refractive index of a chiral solution can be estimated simultaneously in just one optical configuration. This polarimeter has the merits of both the common-path interferometer and the heterodyne interferometer. The proposed device was validated in this work.
Characterisation of Sequential Solvent Fractionation and Base-catalysed Depolymerisation of Treated Alkali Lignin

An alkali lignin (OL) with a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of 11646 g/mol was used to prepare low-molecular weight lignin for resin synthesis. The low-molecular weight lignin feedstock was obtained via base-catalysed depolymerisation (BCD) treatments at different combined severity factors. Sequential fractionation of the OL and BCD-treated lignins using organic solvents with different Hildebrand solubility parameters were used to alter the homogeneity of the OL. The yield and properties of OL itself and OL and BCD-treated OL dissolved in propan-1-ol (F1), ethanol (F2), and methanol (F3) were determined. Regardless of the treatment applied, a small amount of OL was dissolved in F1 and F2. The BCD treatment did not increase the yield of F1 but did increase the yields of F2 and F3. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) showed that the repolymerization reaction occurred in F3 for all BCD-treated OL, so these lignins were not suitable for use as feedstocks for resin production. The GPC, 13Carbon-nuclear magnetic resonance, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses confirmed that the F3 in OL exhibited the optimum yield, molecular weight distribution, and chemical structure suitable for use as feedstocks for resin synthesis.
Enhancement of Power Quality Using Active Power Filters

This paper introduces the terminology and various issues related to ‗power quality'. The interest in power quality is explained in the context of a number of much wider developments in power engineering: deregulation of the electricity industry, increased customer-demands, and the integration of renewable energy sources. After an introduction of the different terminology two power quality disturbances are discussed in detail: voltage dips and harmonic distortion. For each of these two disturbances, a number of other issues are briefly discussed, which are characterization, origin, mitigation, and the need for future research. Shunt, hybrid and series active power filters are described showing their compensation characteristics and principles of operation. Different power circuits topologies and control scheme for each type of active power filter are analyzed.
HPLC ANALYSIS FOR SECONDARY METABOLITES DETECTION IN SCLEROTIUM ROLFSII ISOLATED FROM CHICKPEA

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an economically important leguminous crop grown in Rabi season in barani areas of Pakistan. Among the biotic stresses responsible for its low production during last few decades, collar rot caused by fungus Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. , has caused serious economical losses to chickpea crop. The aim of the present research was to identify secondary metabolites among 12 isolates of S. rolfsii through HPLC analysis. The HPLC analysis of sclerotial filtrates revealed 4-17 peaks. Out of these, six were identified on the basis of their retention time (Rt) as gallic (Rt 2.86 min), oxalic (Rt 3.03 min), ferulic (Rt 3.30 min), indole-3 acetic (Rt 3.60 min), chlorogenic (Rt 4.16 min) and cinnamic (Rt 4.46 min) acids. Ferulic acid was identified in 9 isolates, IAA in 10 isolates, cinnamic acid in 11 isolates and chlorogenic acid in 5 isolates. Gallic and oxalic acids were found in all the isolates. Highest concentration in sclerotial filtrate of all isolates was gallic acid varying from 1.871-25. 13μg/ml. Present study revealed that AM-04, AM-05, AM-09, AM-10 and AM-11 yielded severe collar rot infection in chickpea due to their ability to synthesize phenolic acids which act as a tool for their rigorous attack. AM-02 is less virulent strain which synthesized least number of phenolics and thus promotes mild infection against chickpea. So this information is helpful for plant breeders for the production of resistant varieties of chickpea against identified phenolic acids to inhibit or cease the infection caused by strains AM-04, AM-05, AM-09, AM-10 and AM-11 and thus reduce the economical losses to chickpea.
‘Use-Value’ and the Re-thinking of Skills, Learning and the Labour Process

Reviewing multiple traditions of social analysis of work, skill and knowledge this article seeks to renew the possibility for a critical, integrated approach. Contextualizing and then criticizing the ongoing ‘up-skilling/de-skilling impasse’, I offer discussion of several alternative conceptual resources that may contribute to a more robust appreciation for learning and human development, potentially unified under a suggested ‘Use-Value Thesis’ on the labour/learning process. It is argued that recognizing ‘use-value’ sets the stage for a broader systemic understanding of the contradictory processes (e.g. up-skilling/de-skilling, engagement/alienation, co-operation/conflict) that occur simultaneously in all workplaces under capitalism, and in turn offers a means to more coherently assess the full range of human learning.
The Pentraxins 1975–2018: Serendipity, Diagnostics and Drugs

The phylogenetically ancient, pentraxin family of plasma proteins, comprises C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid P component (SAP) in humans and the homologous proteins in other species. They are composed of five, identical, non-covalently associated protomers arranged with cyclic pentameric symmetry in a disc-like configuration. Each protomer has a calcium dependent site that mediates the particular specific ligand binding responsible for all the rigorously established functional properties of these proteins. No genetic deficiency of either human CRP or SAP has been reported, nor even any sequence polymorphism in the proteins themselves. Although their actual functions in humans are therefore unknown, gene deletion studies in mice demonstrate that both proteins can contribute to innate immunity. CRP is the classical human acute phase protein, routinely measured in clinical practice worldwide to monitor disease activity. Human SAP, which is not an acute phase protein, is a universal constituent of all human amyloid deposits as a result of its avid specific binding to amyloid fibrils of all types. SAP thereby contributes to amyloid formation and persistence in vivo. Whole body radiolabelled SAP scintigraphy safely and non-invasively localizes and quantifies systemic amyloid deposits, and has transformed understanding of the natural history of amyloidosis and its response to treatment. Human SAP is also a therapeutic target, both in amyloidosis and Alzheimer's disease. Our drug, miridesap, depletes SAP from the blood and the brain and is currently being tested in the DESPIAD clinical trial in Alzheimer's disease. Meanwhile, the obligate therapeutic partnership of miridesap, to deplete circulating SAP, and dezamizumab, a humanized monoclonal anti-SAP antibody that targets residual SAP in amyloid deposits, produces unprecedented removal of amyloid from the tissues and improves organ function. Human CRP binds to dead and damaged cells in vivo and activates complement and this can exacerbate pre-existing tissue damage. The adverse effects of CRP are completely abrogated by compounds that block its binding to autologous ligands and we are developing CRP inhibitor drugs. The present personal and critical perspective on the pentraxins reports, for the first time, the key role of serendipity in our work since 1975. (345 words)
Consumer Confidence and Asset Prices: Some Empirical Evidence

We explore the time-series relationship between investor sentiment and the small-stock premium using consumer confidence as a measure of investor optimism. We estimate the components of consumer confidence related to economic fundamentals and investor sentiment. After controlling for the time variation of beta, we study the time-series variation of the pricing error with sentiment. Over the last 25 years, investor sentiment measured using consumer confidence forecasts the returns of small stocks and stocks with low institutional ownership in a manner consistent with the predictions of models based on noise-trader sentiment. Sentiment does not appear to forecast time-series variation in the value and momentum premiums. (JEL G10, G12, G14) Copyright 2006, Oxford University Press.
POWER SYSTEM STABILITY AND CONTROL

Members: Faraz Zafar Khan Poornima T.R. Venkatesh H.R. Maheedhar Patnala Rajesh Kanchan Thimmappa N. Inside This Issue From MD's Desk. 2 Detailed Case Study to Understand the Concepts of Transient Stability Analysis . R. Nagaraja 4 Low Frequency Oscilla ons in Power Systems and their Mi ga on . K.R. Padiyar 13 Enhancing Power System Stability and Control Using Special Protec on Systems . Nitesh Kumar. D and Faraz Zafar Khan 16 Stability Studies for Industrial Power Systems . Maheedhar Patnala and T. Guru Charan Das 20 PRDC Provides LED Ligh ng Solu on for the Holy City of Puri . 26 PRDC Annual Day April 2015 . 27 Our Exper se in Training . 28 Indian Power Sector Highlights . 29 About the Authors . 30 R.N. I No. KARENG/2013/51589
Development of polyaniline microarray electrodes for cadmium analysis

Disposable screen-printed electrodes (SPCE) were modified using a cosmetic product to partially block the electrode surface in order to obtain a microelectrode array. The microarrays formed were electropolymerized with aniline. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the modified and polymerized electrode surface. Electrochemical characteristics of the constructed sensor for cadmium analysis were evaluated by cyclic and square-wave voltammetry. Optimized stripping procedure in which the preconcentration of cadmium was achieved by depositing at −1.20 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) resulted in a well defined anodic peak at approximately −0.7 V at pH 4.6. The achieved limit of detection was 4 × 10−9 mol dm−3. Spray modified and polymerized microarray electrodes were successfully applied to quantify cadmium in fish sample digests.
Effects of Light Emitting Diode in Erythrocytes

The Light Emitting Diode (LED) is a phototherapy equipment, poorly studied, which is able of acting on blood level and it has frequently appeared in clinical practice of physiotherapy to aid on skin rejuvenation, control inflammation and wound healing. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of LED on red blood cells through the spectrophotometer. This is an experimental study with a sample of 5 male Wistar rats weighting between 200 g and 350 g, randomly selected, anesthetized and 4 ml of blood was collected by cardiac puncture. The blood collected was divided into four groups, one control and three treated, these individually irradiated by blue LED (420 - 490 nm), green LED (515 - 570 nm) and red LED (620 - 680 nm) at an output of 3 watts, for 10 minutes and 5 cm apart from the surface of the blood, then it was analyzed by a spectrophotometer at 540 nm. The results were submitted to Anova and Post-roch Turkey (p produced hemolysis greater than the control in hypotonic solutions of NaCl (range 0.02 to 0.06 M) (p p
Retail Deposit Fees and Multimarket Banking

This paper reports a systematic examination of the determinants of deposit-related retail banking fees using a set of survey data that is unusual for its size, specificity, and sampling properties. The analysis focuses explicitly on six different fees associated with checking accounts and automated teller machine (ATM) usage. A preliminary analysis documents that, on average, multimarket banks charge substantially higher fees than do typically smaller, single-market banks. A more detailed econometric analysis yields results consistent with predictions of recent models. In particular, it finds that the greater the presence of multimarket banks in the local market, the higher are the retail deposit fees of single-market banks (except in highly concentrated markets) and the weaker is the positive relationship between those fees and market concentration.
Are There Effective Accounting Ways to Determining Accurate Accounting Tools and Methods to Reporting Emissions Reduction

Over the last century, many studies have used accounting methods and tools in focusing on environmental issues. This paper introduces readers to developments within the appropriate accounting tools designed to support firms and sectors reduction energy use as well as reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions. Current practice of traditional accounting (to date) has not covered environmental costs. Using Activity Based Costing could help firms to increase their understanding of sustainability and how to develop way to incorporate opportunity costs of environmental activities which are becoming significant issues on stakeholders. Moreover, an environmental management accounting approach can enhance information available on emissions to be more accurate. The net present value and internal rate of return also are considered the biggest hurdles to enhancing sustainability in business. This paper concludes that there is considerable potential to use environmental management accounting approach which is based on actual data to obtain more accurate information.
Human health and pesticide use in Sub-Saharan Africa

While pesticides – such as insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides – are often promoted as inputs that increase agricultural productivity by limiting a range of pre-harvest losses, their use may have negative human health and labor productivity implications. We explore the relationship between pesticide use and the value of crop output at the plot level and a range of human health outcomes at the household level using large-scale, nationally representative panel survey data from four Sub-Saharan African countries where more than ten percent of main season cultivators use pesticides. We find that pesticide use is strongly correlated with increased value of harvest, but is also correlated with higher costs associated with human illness, including increased health expenditures and time lost from work due to sickness in the recent past. We take these results as suggestive that the findings of more targeted studies are indeed generalizable beyond their original, purposively chosen samples. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
A critical analysis of the UV Luminosity Function at redshift~7 from deep WFC3 data

Context. The study of the Luminosity Function (LF) of Lyman Break Galaxies (LBGs) at z=7 is very important for ascertaining their role in the reionization of the Universe. These galaxies can be used also to investigate in detail the processes of formation and evolution of galactic structures in the infancy of our Universe. Aims. In this work we plan to perform a detailed and critical analysis of the statistical and systematic errors in the z � 7 LF determination. Methods. To this aim, we have assembled a large sample of candidate LBGs at z � 7 from different surveys, spanning a large variety of areas and depths. In particular, we have combined data from the deep (J < 27.4) and ultradeep (J < 29.2) surveys recently acquired with the new WFC3 NIR camera on HST, over the GOODS-ERS (�40 sq. arcmin.) and the HUDF (�4 sq. arcmin.) fields, with ground based surveys in wide and shallow areas from HawkI@VLT and HyperSuprimecam@Subaru. We have used public ACS images in the z band to select z-dropout galaxies, and other public data both in the blue (BVI) and in the red bands to reject possible low-redshift interlopers. We have compared our results with extensive Monte Carlo simulations to quantify the observational effects of our selection criteria as well as the effects of photometric scatter, color selections or the morphology of the candidates. Results. We have found that the number density of faint LBGs at z � 7 is only marginally sensitive to the color selection adopted, but it is strongly dependent from the assumption made on the half light distributions of the simulated galaxies, used to correct the observed sample for incompleteness. The slope of the faint end of the LBGs LF has thus a rather large uncertainty, due to the unknown distribution of physical sizes of the z � 7 LBGs. The implications of these uncertainties have been neglected by previous works. Conclusions. We conclude that galaxies at z � 7 are unable to reionize the Universe unless there is a significant evolution in the clumpiness of the IGM or in the escape fraction of ionising photons or, alternatively, there is a large population of z � 7 LBGs with large physical dimensions but still not detected by the present observations.
Plane contraction flows of upper convected Maxwell and Phan-Thien ± Tanner fluids as predicted by a finite-volume method

A finite-volume (FV) procedure is applied to the prediction of two-dimensional (2-D) laminar flow through a 4 : 1 planar contraction of upper convected Maxwell (UCM) and simplified Phan-Thien±Tanner (SPTT) fluids. The method incorporates general coordinates, indirect addressing for easy mapping of complex domains, and is based on the collocated mesh arrangement. Calculations with the UCM model at a Reynolds number of 0.01 were carried out with three consecutively refined meshes which enabled the estimation of the accuracy of the predictions of the main vortex characteristics through Richardson's extrapolation. Converged solutions with the first-order upwind differencing scheme for the convective terms were obtained up to at least De  8 in the finest mesh, but were limited to De 1, De 3 and De 5 for the fine, medium and coarse meshes, respectively, when using the second-order linear upwind scheme. The predicted flow patterns for increasing Deborah numbers with the UCM model resemble the well known lip vortex enhancement mechanism reported in the literature for constant-viscosity fluids in axisymmetric contractions and shear-thinning fluids in planar contraction, but very fine meshes were required in order to capture the described vortex activity. Predictions with the SPTT model also compared well with the behaviour reported in the literature. # 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.