Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A 50 Gb/s PAM-4 VCSEL Transmitter With 2.5-Tap Nonlinear Equalization in 65-nm CMOS

Utilizing four-level pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM-4) with vertical-cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) is challenging due to device nonlinearity and bandwidth limitations. This letter presents a VCSEL-based PAM-4 transmitter that employs a 2.5-tap nonlinear equalizer to compensate for these issues. The transmitter utilizes lookup-table control of a current-mode digital-to-analog converter (DAC) output stage to enable independent equalization coefficients for different PAM-4 symbol transitions. Utilizing half pre-cursor (MSB only), one main, and one post-cursor taps provides a good balance between circuit complexity and performance. Equalization resolution is increased by segmenting the output stage into a 2-bit symbol DAC and a fine 3-bit equalization DAC. Fabricated in GP 65-nm CMOS, the serializing transmitter operates at 50 Gb/s with 3-dBm optical modulation amplitude (OMA) when driving an 11-GHz VCSEL and achieves 5.12 pJ/bit power efficiency.
Virtual security as a service for 5G verticals

The future 5G systems ought to meet diverse requirements of new industry verticals, such as Massive Internet of Things (IoT), broadband access in dense networks and ultra-reliable communications. Network slicing is an important concept that is expected to support these 5G verticals and cope with the conflicting requirements of their respective services. Network slicing allows the deployment of multiple virtual networks, or slices, over the same physical infrastructure as well as supporting on-demand resource allocation to those slices. In this paper, we propose an architecture that will explore how both Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and Software Defined Networking (SDN) may be leveraged to secure a network slice on-demand, addressing the new security concerns imposed to the network management by the flexibility and elasticity support. Our proposed framework aims to ensure an optimal resource allocation that manages the slice security strategy in an efficient way. Moreover, experimental performance evaluations are presented to evaluate the security overhead in virtualized environments.
Elevation beamforming in a multi-cell full dimension massive MIMO system

The 3GPP Release-13 has recently introduced full-dimension multiple-input multiple-output (FD-MIMO) technology as a practical way to deploy massive MIMO arrays within feasible base station (BS) form factors through the use of active antenna systems with two-dimensional (2D) planar array structures. The 2D arrangement of antenna elements, where the elements in each antenna port are fed with downtilt weights, allows for adaptive electronic beamforming in the elevation as well as the conventional azimuth dimensions. This work focuses on the previously unaddressed problem of determining the optimal downtilt weight vectors for the antenna ports in each cell of a multi-cell multi-user system. The optimization criterion is to maximize the minimum signal to intra-cell interference ratio within a cell while constraining the inter-cell interference leakage. The quasi-optimal weight vectors are obtained through the application of semi-definite relaxation and Dinkelbach's method. The proposed algorithm performs better than the existing approximate schemes even under the effects of pilot contamination.
Minimizing Regret in Bandit Online Optimization in Unconstrained and Constrained Action Spaces

We consider online convex optimization with a zero-order oracle feedback. In particular, the decision maker does not know the explicit representation of the time-varying cost functions, or their gradients. At each time step, she observes the value of the cost function evaluated at her chosen action. The objective is to minimize the regret, that is, the difference between the sum of the costs she accumulates and that of the static optimal action had she known the sequence of cost functions a priori. We present a novel algorithm to minimize the regret in both unconstrained and constrained action spaces. Our algorithm hinges on a classical idea of one-point estimation of the gradients of the cost functions based on their observed values. However, our choice of the randomization introduced and consequently the proof techniques differ from those of past work. Letting T denote the number of queries of the zero-order oracle and n the problem dimension, the regret rate achieved is O(nT^{2/3}) for both constrained and unconstrained action spaces. Moreover, we adapt the presented algorithm to the setting with two-point feedback and demonstrate that the adapted procedure achieves the theoretical lower bound on the regret.
Stable Blue Luminescent CsPbBr3 Perovskite Nanocrystals Confined in Mesoporous Thin Films.

Creating CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals with bright blue emission is challenging because their optical properties depend sensitively on structure. Growing perovskites in mesoporous templates bypasses some of these purification issues because the size of the nanocrystal is governed by the dimensions of the pores. Mesoporous silica consisting of aligned channels with tunable diameter can be easily synthesized and used as a template. When the perovskite solution evaporates and retreats, some of the liquid remains trapped in the interconnecting pores by discontinuous dewetting. The precursor crystallizes, generating stable ca. 3.1 nm blue-emitting perovskite nanocrystals. The mesoporous template also serves as a protective barrier to preserve the optical properties of the CsPbBr3 from atmospheric conditions. Compared to the bulk crystals and the powder composite, the strong blue-shift of the emission peak in the film is accompanied by a decrease in the longer lifetime component and an 8-fold increase in the external quantum efficiency.
Adaptive resource allocation in decentralized colocated MIMO radar network for multiple targets tracking

In this paper, we present a resource-awareness decentralized colocated multiple-input multiple-output radar network for multiple targets tracking. Specifically, we develop a distributed particle filter which incorporates the scheduling of radars. Taking posterior Cramer-Rao lower bound as performance metric, we model the scheduling and power allocation problem of the radar network as a sparse optimization problem. Making use of the sparsity of the solution, the scheduling and power allocation performs jointly. We investigate the decomposable structure of the optimization problem and conduct a decentralized technique to solve it iteratively. We verify the effectiveness of the proposed decentralized radar network with the joint scheduling and power allocation (JSPA) scheme by simulation. The resource utilization is adaptively adjusted according to the states of targets and the performance demand.
Driving simulator for performance monitoring with physiological sensors

This paper describes a driving monitoring system based on a car driving simulator, specifically built for this project, using inexpensive off-the-shelf game technology (software and hardware). The project aims to study the effect of drowsiness (caused by fatigue, alcohol consumption, etc.) in driving performance and how it can be detected in advance in order to mitigate accidents. To achieve this, the system is continuously monitoring driver's physiological signals (e.g., heart rate) as well as her/his driving behavior. Electrocardiography (ECG) signal plays a central role in this project, since a feature derived from it — the HRV (Heart Rate Variability), more concretely its power spectral distribution — is used to continuously estimate the driver's degree of awareness and therefore for generation of alarms. A preliminary evaluation of the proposed system is discussed through the presentation of some experimental results.
Enhancing Information Resilience in Disruptive Information-Centric Networks

We argue that data communications in dynamic and potentially fragmented networks should not and cannot rely on network-centric resilience schemes, as is the case in today’s networks, but should take advantage of techniques that focus on information-centric resilience. We make the case that management and control in disruptive environments should take advantage of information-centricity, rather than focus on node-oriented path recovery routing. This is also essential in the information-centric networking (ICN) paradigm, which is by nature oblivious to network locations. In this context, we build on ICN and enhance the named data networking (NDN) architecture with extra functionality in order to make it resilient to network failures. We introduce an extra interest management routing table, which we call the “satisfied interest table” (SIT) and which points to the direction of already satisfied interests. This way, upon failure of links/nodes toward the content origin, the SIT table can redirect interests toward caches and end-users that have recently received the requested content. Our extensive performance evaluation shows that our simple, yet efficient information resilience scheme can serve most requests made after disruptive effects, e.g., natural disasters, where users are interested in latest updates, dissemination of warnings from first responders and evacuation plans. More generally, we believe that our proposed approach should become part of the main NDN architecture as it can support service resilience in the case of network failures.
Neopterin is associated with hippocampal subfield volumes and cognition in HIV

Objective HIV infection sets off an immediate immune response and inflammatory cascade that can lead to neuronal injury and cognitive impairment, but the relationship between immune markers, regional brain volumes, and cognition remains understudied in HIV-infected adults. Methods Cross-sectional associations were examined between serum immune markers of activation (neopterin) and inflammation (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and C-reactive protein) with regional brain volumes (cortical, subcortical, total gray matter, hippocampus, and subfields) and cognition in 66 HIV-infected, virally suppressed, adults who underwent 3.0-T MRI as part of the Research Core of the Rush Center of Excellence on Disparities in HIV and Aging. Immune markers were assayed from frozen plasma, values were entered into linear regression models as predictors of regional brain volumes, and interactive effects of immune response and regional brain volumes on cognition were examined. Results No inflammatory marker was associated with any regional brain volume. Higher neopterin level was associated with lower total hippocampal, presubiculum, and cornu ammonis (CA) subfield volumes. Higher neopterin level and lower total hippocampal volume were independently associated with lower episodic memory, and neopterin level fully mediated the effect of hippocampal atrophy on episodic memory. Higher neopterin levels were associated with lower presubiculum, CA1, and CA4/dentate volumes and lower semantic memory, working memory, and global cognition. Conclusion Immune activation in response to HIV infection, measured by neopterin, has a deleterious and targeted effect on regional brain structure, which can be visualized with clinically available MRI measures of hippocampus and its subfields, and this effect is associated with lower cognitive function.
Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 activity coordinates the chromatin associated state of Oct4 during cell cycle in embryonic stem cells

Abstract Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) is indispensable for embryonic stem cell (ESC) maintenance and embryo development. Even though some reports have described a connection between Cdk1 and Oct4, there is no evidence that Cdk1 activity is directly linked to the ESC pluripotency transcription program. We recently reported that Aurkb/PP1-mediated Oct4 resetting is important to cell cycle maintenance and pluripotency in mouse ESCs (mESCs). In this study, we show that Cdk1 is an upstream regulator of the Oct4 phosphorylation state during cell cycle progression, and it coordinates the chromatin associated state of Oct4 for pluripotency-related gene expression within the cell cycle. Upon entry into mitosis, Aurkb in the chromosome passenger complex becomes fully activated and PP1 activity is inhibited downstream of Cdk1 activation, leading to sustaining Oct4(S229) phosphorylation and dissociation of Oct4 from chromatin during the mitotic phase. Cdk1 inhibition at the mitotic phase abnormally results in Oct4 dephosphorylation, chromosome decondensation and chromatin association of Oct4, even in replicated chromosome. Our study results suggest a molecular mechanism by which Cdk1 directly links the cell cycle to the pluripotency transcription program in mESCs.
HEMATOLOGY AND SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY VALUES OF THE RED PANDA SUBSPECIES (AILURUS FULGENS STYANI)

Abstract: Health evaluations were conducted on individuals (n = 62, age < 1 to 11 yr) from a captive red panda (Ailurus fulgens styani) population at the Chengdu Research Base for Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China. Individuals were anesthetized using combinations of ketamine, dexmedetomidine, diazepam, isoflurane, and tiletamine/zolazepam. Whereas physical exams revealed no abnormalities for 40% of red pandas, 24% had dental abnormalities and 18% had orthopedic abnormalities. As the red panda is the only member of the family Ailuridae, complete blood count and serum biochemistry samples were collected and used to develop reference intervals for this species. When hematologic and serum chemistry values of male and female red pandas were compared within this A. f. styani population, males had higher mean cell hemoglobin, mean cell hemoglobin concentration, and blood urea nitrogen concentrations, whereas females had higher alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, and iron. Adult red pandas (≥2 yr) had higher lymphocyte percentage, total protein, globulin, and chloride levels, whereas juveniles (<2 yr) had higher white blood cell concentrations, neutrophil percentage and absolute neutrophil values, alkaline phosphatase, creatine kinase, cholesterol, potassium, total and ionized calcium, and phosphorus levels. Reference values and expected age and sex differences will assist with health management of the captive A. f. styani population.
Persistent disruption of lateral junctional complexes and actin cytoskeleton in parotid salivary glands following radiation treatment

Xerostomia and hyposalivation are debilitating side effects for patients treated with ionizing radiation for head and neck cancer. Despite technological advances, collateral damage to the salivary glands remains a significant problem for patients and severely diminishes their quality of life. During the wound healing process, restoration of junctional contacts is necessary to maintain polarity, structural integrity, and orientation cues for secretion. However, little is known about whether these structural molecules are impacted following radiation damage and more importantly following tissue restoration. Here, we evaluated changes in adherens junctions and cytoskeletal regulators in an injury model where mice were irradiated with 5 Grey (5Gy) and a restoration model where mice injected post‐radiation with insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF1) are capable of restoring salivary function. Using co‐immunoprecipitation, we determined that there is a decrease in β‐catenin bound to E‐cadherin following damage that is restored to untreated levels with IGF1. Via its adaptor proteins, β‐catenin links the cadherins to the cytoskeleton and part of this regulation is mediated through Rho‐associated coiled‐coil kinase (ROCK) signaling. In our model, F‐actin organization is also disrupted and there is an induction of ROCK activity. These findings illustrate that radiation induces a disruption of the cadherin‐catenin complex, alters F‐actin organization, and induces ROCK signaling at early and chronic stages where salivary hyposalivation is observed. Understanding the role of these components and its regulation may be important in tissue restoration where a coordinated and polarized epithelium are necessary for functionality.
The Stability and Repeatability of Spontaneous Sympathetic Baroreflex Sensitivity in Healthy Young Individuals

Spontaneous sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) is a valuable tool for assessing how well the baroreflex buffers beat-to-beat changes in blood pressure. However, there has yet to be a study involving appropriate statistical tests to examine the stability of sympathetic BRS within an experimental session and the repeatability between separate sessions. The aim of this study was to use intra-class correlations, ordinary least products regression, and Bland–Altman analyses to examine the stability and repeatability of spontaneous sympathetic BRS assessment. In addition, the influence of recording duration on values of BRS was assessed. In eighty-four healthy young individuals (49 males, 35 females), continuous measurements of blood pressure, heart rate and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) were recorded for 10 min. In a subgroup of 13 participants (11 male, 2 female) the measurements were repeated on a separate day. Sympathetic BRS was quantified using MSNA burst incidence (BRSinc) and total MSNA (BRStotal) for the first 5-min period, the second 5-min period, and a 2-min segment taken from the second 5-min period. Intra-class correlation coefficients indicated moderate stability in sympathetic BRSinc and BRStotal between the first and second 5-min periods in males (BRSinc r = 0.63, BRStotal r = 0.78) and females (BRSinc r = 0.61, BRStotal r = 0.47) with no proportional bias, but with fixed bias for BRSinc in females. When comparing the first 5-min with the 2-min period (n = 76), the intra-class correlation coefficient indicated poor to moderate repeatability in sympathetic BRSinc and BRStotal for males (BRSinc r = -0.01, BRStotal r = 0.70) and females (BRSinc r = 0.46, BRStotal r = 0.39). However, Bland–Altman analysis revealed a fixed bias for BRStotal in males and proportional bias for BRStotal in females, with lower BRS values for 5-min recordings. In the subgroup, intra-class correlations indicated moderate repeatability for measures of BRSinc (9 male, 2 female, r = 0.63) and BRStotal (6 male, 2 female, r = 0.68) assessed using 5-min periods recorded on separate days. However, Bland–Altman analysis indicated proportional bias for BRSinc and fixed bias for BRStotal. In conclusion, measures of spontaneous sympathetic BRS are moderately stable and repeatable within and between testing sessions in healthy young adults, provided that the same length of recording is used when making comparisons.
Intraoperative blood vessel detection and quantification: a Monte Carlo study

Abstract. With better surgical outcomes, quicker recovery times, decreased postoperative pain, and reduced scarring at the surgical site, the application of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has gained a lot of prominence in the last 30 years. This change in surgical practice has taken away the ability of a surgeon to palpate for the presence of a blood vessel as would occur in an open procedure. They instead must rely on a laparoscopic video camera feed that unfortunately cannot detect the presence of a blood vessel hidden beneath tissue. In certain scenarios, a surgeon can accidentally cut a blood vessel, which can lead to severe, even fatal, complications. Here, we show that by adding a near-infrared LED and a photodiode onto the opposing jaws of laparoscopic graspers, blood vessels buried under tissue can be detected. We show the results of Monte Carlo simulations to support our theory that the blood vessels ranging from 3 to 6 mm buried under up to 1 cm of tissue can be detected and quantified. This technology could be added to already existing laparoscopic tools that have limited surface areas on the jaws to assist surgeons during MIS procedures.
Fast-Recovery of the Amplitude and Phase of Short Optical Pulses Using a Frequency-Swept Source Based Heterodyne Measurement

We propose a very fast heterodyne technique to recover the amplitude and phase of short optical pulses generated, e.g., by a mode-locked laser. A linearly swept frequency source is used to scan the entire optical spectrum of the mode-locked laser in a single continuous sweep. The beat signal is recorded on a fast oscilloscope and then digitally processed allowing the simultaneous recovery of the amplitude and the phase. This measurement is fast (less than <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">${2\,\mu \text{s}}$</tex-math></inline-formula>) and requires no prior spectral information about the signal under test.
Spatial Distance Dependent Non-parametric Image Segmentation

In the case of image segmentation due to large variability of the image it is very difficult to decide the number of segment in an image priory, therefore we need some adaptive algorithm that can find out the number of segment in image with out any external supervision. Fortunately Non-parametric method gives a way to learn the number of segment in an image in an adaptive manner. Currently we are working on the Spatial Distance Dependent Non-parametric Image Segmentation[1]. Spatial ddcrp cluster the segmentation in a biased way: each data point is more likely to be clustered with other data that are near to it. A hierarchical extension of spatial-ddcrp produce the ”human like” segmentation.
Abundant-data computing: The N3XT 1, 000X

Coming generations of information technology will process unprecedented amounts of loosely-structured data, including streaming video and audio, natural languages, real-time sensor readings, contextual environments, or even brain signals. The computation demands of these abundant-data applications far exceed the capabilities oftoday's electronics, and cannot be met by isolated improvements in transistor technologies, memories, or integrated circuit (IC) architectures alone. Transformative nanosystems, which leverage the unique properties ofemerging nanotechnologies to create new IC architectures, are required to deliver unprecedented performance and energy efficiency. However, emerging nanomaterials and nanodevices face major obstacles such as inherent imperfections and variations. Thus, realizing working circuits, let alone transformative nanosystems, has been infeasible.
Characterization of supraharmonics using the wavelet packet transform

The increasing use of equipment that employs electronic converters with high switching frequencies, in addition to the equipment that performs reactive compensation, has led to the appearance of harmonic components of orders higher than those normally observed in electrical systems. This phenomenon, called supraharmonics, is not yet fully understood and several questions related to its characteristics are being raised by several research groups. In this context, this paper presents a case study of the measurement of supraharmonics in a commercial installation of the banking sector and shows the analysis developed using Wavelet Packet Transform for the extraction of information that can efficiently characterize the phenomenon.