Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A voltage-controlled oscillator for IEEE 802.11a and HiperLAN2 application

This paper presents an integrated voltage-controlled oscillator with a frequency doubler, intended for 5-to-6 GHz applications. The oscillator adopts a common-collector Colpitts topology driving a series-connected off-chip tank. This circuit demonstrates a 44% tuning range and a harmonic rejection better than 40 dB, dissipating 28mA from a 2.3V voltage supply. The phase noise at 1 MHz offset from the carrier is better than -120 dBc/Hz over the entire tuning range.
Studies on Removal of Arsenic from water by adsorption on Laterite and Ferric-Hydroxide coated Bentonite

The present work evaluates the suitability of two natural materials, viz., laterite and iron oxide coated bentonite as potential arsenic adsorbents. The materials were compared with respect to different parameters such as, pH, arsenic dosage, adsorbent concentration and contact time. The obtained experimental results were fitted to four different isotherms namely the Freundlich, Langmuir, Temkin and the Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms. Optimum pH in the two cases was 2.13 and 4.1 for laterite and bentonite respectively. Arsenic removal was found to increase with an increase of adsorbent concentration throughout the range for bentonite, whilst for laterite, percentage arsenic removal decreased with increasing adsorbent concentration beyond maxima at 8g/l of adsorbent. Increase in arsenic concentration was found to cause a decrease in percentage arsenic removal in both cases. Increasing the contact time of the process was found to increase the amount of arsenic removed. The equilibrium removal of arsenic was found to be higher for the ferric-hydroxide coated bentonite. The equilibrium study yielded that the Temkin and the Dubinin-Raduskevich isotherms best fit the data for adsorption onto laterite and bentonite surfaces respectively. Kinetic data was best fitted by the pseudo second order rate equation in both cases.
[Expression of Chk1 in human sperm and its significance].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression of the Chk1 gene in human sperm and its clinical significance. METHODS We collected 80 semen samples and divided them into 4 groups of equal number: normal, oligospermia, asthenozoospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia. The Chk1 expression and its relative level were detected by Western blot and RT-PCR, sperm DNA damage and gradient changes assessed by DNA ladder analysis, and sperm apoptosis determined by Annexin V/PI double staining in each group. RESULTS The Chk1 gene was expressed in all the four groups, but with significant differences (P < 0.01); the relative levels of CHK1 protein were similar to those of Chk1 mRNA in the normal, oligospermia, asthenozoospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia groups, which were 1.00 +/- 0.22, 0.76 +/- 0.10, 0.45 +/- 0.08 and 0.37 +/- 0.07, respectively. DNA ladder analysis showed a marked DNA ladder in the asthenozoospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia groups. Sperm apoptosis was markedly increased in the oligospermia, asthenozoospermia, oligoasthenozoospermia and 100% graded sperm groups ([ 8.3 +/- 0.60]%, [11.6 +/- 0.92]%, [12.5 +/- 1.43]% and [17.0 +/- 1.98]%), as compared with the normal group ([7.6 +/- 0.34]%) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Chk1 is expressed in human sperm, but differently in different semen quality groups. And its expression is correlated with sperm DNA damage and apoptosis; its reduction may lead to declined sperm repair and increased sperm apoptosis and thus affect semen quality.
Altérations biomécaniques des ménisques dans un modèle d'arthrose précoce chez le lapin

With the ageing of the population, osteoarthritis (OA) has become a major public health issue, leading in particular to meniscus degradation. In this study, the effect of OA on the biomechanical and microarchitectural properties of the menisci was analyzed on 6 rabbits, 6 weeks after induction of OA through anterior cruciate ligament transection. A modification of the collagen fibers architecture was revealed through biphotonic confocal microscopy. This change led to a global decrease in the elastic properties of the menisci, evaluated by micro-indentation. To compensate for this loss of elasticity, histological analyses revealed an increase in GAG content in the most damaged areas. Mots clefs : ménisques, arthrose, rigidité, collagène, glycosaminoglycanes 22 ème Congrès Français de Mécanique Lyon, 24 au 28 Août 2015
A novel method utilising markers of altered erythropoiesis for the detection of recombinant human erythropoietin abuse in athletes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The use of recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) to enhance athletic performance is prohibited. Existing tests cannot readily differentiate between exogenous and endogenous EPO. Therefore the aim of our study was to investigate possible indirect detection of r-HuEPO use via blood markers of altered erythropoiesis. DESIGN AND METHODS Twenty-seven recreational athletes were assigned to three groups prior to a 25 day drug administration phase, with the following protocols: EPO+IM group (n = 10), 50 Ukg(-1) r-HuEPO at a frequency of 3wk(-1), 100 mg intramuscular (IM) iron 1wk(-1) and a sham iron tablet daily; EPO+OR group (n = 8), 50 U.kg(-1) r-HuEPO 3wk(-1), sham iron injection 1wk(-1) and 105 mg of oral elemental iron daily; placebo group (n = 9), sham r-HuEPO injections 3wk(-1), sham iron injections 1wk(-1) and sham iron tablets daily. Each group was monitored during and for 4 weeks after drug administration. RESULTS Models incorporating combinations of the variables reticulocyte hematocrit (RetHct), serum EPO, soluble transferrin receptor, hematocrit (Hct) and % macrocytes were analyzed by logistic regression. One model (ON-model) repeatedly identified 94-100% of r-HuEPO group members during the final 2 wk of the r-HuEPO administration phase. One false positive was recorded from a possible 189. Another model (OFF-model) incorporating RetHct, EPO and Hct was applied during the wash-out phase and, during the period of 12-21 days after the last r-HuEPO injection, it repeatedly identified 67-72% of recent users with no false positives. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS Multiple indirect hematologic and biochemical markers used simultaneously are potentially effective for identifying current or recent users of r-HuEPO.
Target Tracking with Kalman Filtering

Tracking an unknown number of targets given noisy measurements from multiple sensors is critical to autonomous driving. RaoBlackwellized particle filtering is well suited to this problem. Monte Carlo sampling is used to determine whether measurements are valid, and if so, which targets they originate from. This breaks the problem into single target tracking sub-problems that are solved in closed form (e.g. with Kalman filtering). We compare the performance of a traditional Kalman filter with that of a recurrent neural network for single target tracking. We show that LSTMs outperform Kalman filtering for single target prediction by 2x. We also present a unique model for training two dependent LSTMs to output a Gaussian distribution for a single target prediction to be used as input to multi-target tracking. We evaluate the end to end performance of an LSTM and a Kalman filter for simultaneous multiple target tracking. In the end to end pipeline, LSTMs do not provide a significant improvement.
Energy and nutrient consumption in adults: analysis of the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2006.

OBJECTIVE To describe energy and nutrient intake in adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS The 2006 Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey is a nationally representative cross-sectional household survey. A food frequency questionnaire was administered (n= 16 494 adults). Mean percent of adequacy (PA) and inadequacy (PA < 50%) of total energy and macro- and micro-nutrient intake was calculated for all subjects and by sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS Significant differences in PA and inadequate macro- and micro-nutrient intakes were found among sex, region, rural/urban area, and socioeconomic status tertile. PA < 50% was higher than 20% for vitamin A (26.2%), fat (24.8%), fiber (23.6%), folic acid (23.5%), vitamin C (21.3%) and calcium (21%). Obese subjects reported a lower energy intake than normal weight subjects. CONCLUSIONS A significant proportion of the population was at risk of excessive carbohydrate and fat intake. Across the country there are significant sociodemographic differences in macro- and micro-nutrient intake and a myriad of micro-nutrient inadequacies continue to persist in Mexico.
Reconstitution of transcytosis in SLO‐permeabilized MDCK cells: existence of an NSF‐dependent fusion mechanism with the apical surface of MDCK cells.

Recently, it was demonstrated that delivery from the trans‐Golgi network (TGN) to the basolateral surface of Madin‐Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells required N‐ethylmaleimide‐sensitive factor (NSF)‐alpha soluble NSF attachment protein (SNAP)‐SNAP receptor (SNARE) complexes, while delivery from the TGN to the apical surface was independent of NSF‐alpha SNAP‐SNARE. To determine if all traffic to the apical surface of this cell line was NSF independent, we reconstituted the transcytosis of pre‐internalized IgA to the apical surface and recycling to the basolateral surface. Transcytosis and the recycling of IgA required ATP and cytosol, and both were inhibited by treatment with N‐ethylmaleimide. This inhibition was reversed by the addition of recombinant NSF. Botulinum neurotoxin serotype E, which is known to cleave the 25,000 Da synaptosomal associated protein, inhibited both transcytosis and recycling, although incompletely. We conclude that membrane traffic to a target membrane is not determined by utilizing a single molecular mechanism for fusion. Rather, a target membrane, e.g. the apical plasma membrane of MDCK cells, may use multiple molecular mechanisms to fuse with incoming vesicle.
Low propagation loss Ge-on-Si waveguides and their dependency on processing methods

The successful fabrication of MIR Ge-on-Si waveguides written by both the high-resolution electron beam lithography (EBL) approach, as well as the wafer scale, high throughput approach using 365 nm i-line stepper lithography is reported. A low propagation loss of ∼2.7 dB/cm at a wavelength of 3.8 μm is shown for Ge-on-Si waveguides patterned using the i-line stepper. The waveguide etching technique, using reactive ion or deep-reactive ion etching, is also analyzed. Furthermore, the propagation loss values for both the lithographic techniques are found to be comparable. Therefore the advantage of using a simpler i-line stepper lithography for high volume fabrication is highlighted.
Robust force control based on estimation of environment

The authors propose robot force control strategies that are robust against disturbance and parameter variation. These strategies are expansions of a disturbance observer which estimates disturbance and parameter variations of motors with a simple computation. Observers are proposed to estimate parameter variations of the environment on which the force is imposed. Since the control system is fixed to a nominal system by the observer, a second derivative of force can be controlled. Force control is introduced using a controller of the second derivative of the force. The force response similar to the force command is realized in spite of the disturbance and the parameter variations of the control object. The effectiveness was confirmed experimentally. <<ETX>>
Growth in sense of self and sense of others predicts reduction in interpersonal problems in short-term dynamic but not in cognitive therapy

Abstract Objectives: We investigated relationships between sense of self (SoS) and sense of others (SoO) and specific interpersonal problems in short-term dynamic and cognitive therapy. Method: 40 patients with Cluster C personality disorders from a RCT were included. The Achievement of Therapeutic Objective Scales (ATOS) was used to perform ratings of videotaped sessions. The Inventory of Interpersonal Problems Circumplex version was used as the outcome measure. Results: There were significant relationships between growth in SoS and SoO and reductions of hostile-dominant and hostile-submissive behaviors, as well as cold, social-avoidant and vindictive behaviors. Increase in SoO was also related to reductions in non-assertive and domineering behaviors. However, the results were only present in the STDP treatment group.
The Posterior Layer of the Thoracolumbar Fascia|Its Function in Load Transfer From Spine to Legs

Study Design The superficial and deep lamina of the posterior layer of the thoracolumbar fascia have been studied anatomically and biomechanically. In embalmed human specimens, the posterior layer has been loaded by simulating the action of various muscles. The effect has been studied using raster photography. Objectives To study the role of the posterior layer of the thoracolumbar fascia in load transfer between spine, pelvis, legs, and arms. Summary of Background Data It has been determined whether muscles such as the gluteus maximus, latissimus dorsi, erector muscle, and biceps femoris are functionally coupled via the thoracolumbar fascia. The caudal relations of the posterior layer of the thoracolumbar fascia have not been previously studied. Methods Dissection was directed to the bilaminar posterior layer of the thoracolumbar fascia of 10 human specimens. The superficial and deep lamina were studied using visual inspection and raster photography. Tension to the posterior layer of the fascia was simulated by traction to various muscles and measured by studying the displacement in the posterior layer. Results Traction to a variety of muscles caused displacement of the posterior layer. This implies that in vivo, the superficial lamina will be tensed by contraction of various muscles, such as the latissimus dorsi, gluteus maximus and erector muscle, and the deep lamina by contraction of the biceps femoris. Caudal to the level of L4 (in some specimens, L2-L3), tension in the posterior layer was transmitted to the contralateral side. Conclusions Anatomic structures normally described as hip, pelvic, and leg muscles interact with socalled arm and spinal muscles via the thoracolumbar fascia. This allows for effective load transfer between spine, pelvis, legs, and arms-an integrated system. Specific electromyographic studies should reveal whether the gluteus maximus muscle and contralateral latissimus dorsi muscle are functionally coupled, especially during rotation of the trunk. In that case, the combined action of these muscles assists in rotating the trunk, while simultaneously stabilizing the lower lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints.
Implementation of a 900 MHz transmitter system using highly integrated ASIC

A highly integrated single-chip inphase and quadrature (I/Q) modulator is implemented for low power mobile applications (AMPS, ADC, GSM). A quadrature carrier is generated internally without having an external phase shift network. Baseband signals can modulate these carriers directly in the 900 MHz range. A variable gain amplifier with good linearity performance is incorporated to meet tough digital cellular requirements for linear modulation. The device contains an on-chip frequency divider, a crystal oscillator, phase detector, and VCO, which combined to form a PLL for analog FM modulation (pure AMPS system) and frequency synthesizing. It also has three additional dividers for generating clock signal for a micro-controller, DSP chip, and system timing unit. All the functions of the device are controlled by a 3-wire data bus, which can be connected to the system microcontroller in the receiver. The I/Q modulator can achieve 40 dBc carrier and sideband suppression when single sideband modulation is applied. <<ETX>>
Stromal Derived Growth Factor-1α: Another Mediator in Neural-Emerging Immune System through Tac1 Expression in Bone Marrow Stromal Cells1

Stromal cell-derived growth factor-1α (SDF-1α) is a member of the CXC chemokines and interacts with the G protein, seven-transmembrane CXCR4 receptor. SDF-1α acts as a chemoattractant for immune and hemopoietic cells. The Tac1 gene encodes peptides belonging to the tachykinin family with substance P being the predominant member. Both SDF-1α and Tac1 peptides are relevant hemopoietic regulators. This study investigated the effects of SDF-1α on Tac1 expression in the major hemopoietic supporting cells, the bone marrow stroma, and addresses the consequence to hemopoiesis. Reporter gene assays with the 5′ flanking region of Tac1 showed a bell-shaped effect of SDF-1α on luciferase activity with 20 ng/ml SDF-1α acting as stimulator, whereas 50 and 100 ng/ml SDF-1α acted as inhibitors. Gel shift assays and transfection with wild-type and mutant IκB indicate NF-κB as a mediator in the repressive effects at 50 and 100 ng/ml SDF-1α. Northern analyses and ELISA showed correlations among reporter gene activities, mRNA (β-preprotachykinin I), and protein levels for substance P. Of relevance is the novel finding by long-term culture-initiating cell assays that showed an indirect effect of SDF-1α on hemopoiesis through substance P production. The results also showed neurokinin 1 and not neurokinin 2 as the relevant receptor. Another crucial finding is that substance P does not regulate the production of SDF-1α in stroma. The studies indicate that SDF-1α levels above baseline production in bone marrow stroma induce the production of substance P to stimulate hemopoiesis. Substance P, however, does not act as autocrine stimulator to induce the production of SDF-1α. This study adds SDF-1α as a mediator within the neural-immune-hemopoietic axis.
Three‐dimensional structure of the regular surface glycoprotein layer of Halobacterium volcanii from the Dead Sea

A three‐dimensional reconstruction from electron micrographs of negatively stained cell envelopes of Halobacterium volcanii has revealed the structure of the surface glycoprotein to a resolution of 2 nm. The glycoprotein is arranged on a p6 lattice with a lattice constant of 16.8 nm. It forms 4.5 nm high, dome‐shaped, morphological complexes with a narrow pore at the apex opening into a ‘funnel’ towards the cell membrane. The polarity of the structure was derived from freeze‐etching experiments and ‘edge’ views. Six radial protrusions emanate from each morphological complex and join around the 3‐fold axis to provide lateral connectivity. Using the primary structure of the surface glycoprotein of the closely related species Halobacterium halobium (Lechner and Sumper, 1987) and the cell envelope profile from a previous X‐ray analysis of the same species (Blaurock et al., 1976) we have integrated our reconstruction into a model of halobacterial cell envelope.
Mechanically activated fyn utilizes mTORC2 to regulate RhoA and adipogenesis in mesenchymal stem cells

Mechanical strain provides an anti‐adipogenic, pro‐osteogenic stimulus to mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) through generating intracellular signals and via cytoskeletal restructuring. Recently, mTORC2 has been shown to be a novel mechanical target critical for the anti‐adipogenic signal leading to preservation of β‐catenin. As mechanical activation of mTORC2 requires focal adhesions (FAs), we asked whether proximal signaling involved Src and FAK, which are early responders to integrin‐FA engagement. Application of mechanical strain to marrow‐derived MSCs was unable to activate mTORC2 when Src family kinases were inhibited. Fyn, but not Src, was specifically required for mechanical activation of mTORC2 and was recruited to FAs after strain. Activation of mTORC2 was further diminished following FAK inhibition, and as FAK phosphorylation (Tyr‐397) required Fyn activity, provided evidence of Fyn/FAK cooperativity. Inhibition of Fyn also prevented mechanical activation of RhoA as well as mechanically induced actin stress fiber formation. We thus asked whether RhoA activation by strain was dependent on mTORC2 downstream of Fyn. Inhibition of mTORC2 or its downstream substrate, Akt, both prevented mechanical RhoA activation, indicating that Fyn/FAK affects cytoskeletal structure via mTORC2. We then sought to ascertain whether this Fyn‐initiated signal pathway modulated MSC lineage decisions. siRNA knockdown of Fyn, but not Src, led to rapid attainment of adipogenic phenotype with significant increases in adipocyte protein 2, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma, adiponectin, and perilipin. As such, Fyn expression in mdMSCs contributes to basal cytoskeletal architecture and, when associated with FAs, functions as a proximal mechanical effector for environmental signals that influence MSC lineage allocation. Stem Cells 2013;31:2528–2537
Function simulation, graph grammars and colourings

We prove that to any partial function ϕ defined on a finite set, there corresponds an infinite class of graphs that could be generated by a graph grammar such that each graph in the class represents the function in the sense that evaluation of the function at any point x of its domain can be simulated by finding the unique extension of a partial vertex colouring of the graph specified by x. We show that in the proposed setup, generating such simulator graphs as well as finding the colouring extensions can be computed effectively in polynomial time. We also discuss some applications of this scenario in producing instances of the graph colouring problem near its phase transition that can be applied in a cryptographic setting.
The impact of hetero-junction and oxide-interface traps on the performance of InAs/Si tunnel FETs

The effect of traps in the hetero-junction and at the oxide interface on slope and ON-current of vertical and lateral InAs/Si Nanowire (NW) Tunnel FETs (TFETs) is demonstrated through physics-based TCAD analyses in combination with experimental findings. The high density of interface states (Dit) at the highly lattice-mismatched material interface degrades the sub-threshold swing (SS) and makes band-to-band tunneling (BTBT) completely dominated by Shockley-Read-Hall (SRH) generation and trap-assisted tunneling (TAT) up to high gate voltages. When the NW diameter is scaled into the volume-inversion regime, the TFET can even turn into an artificial MOSFET with close-to-60mV/dec slope due to the intrinsic Si channel. The only remedy is then given by a “trap-tolerant” geometry where the gate edge is aligned with the hetero-junction.
Germ cell suicide: new insights into apoptosis during spermatogenesis

Mature sperm are the product of a precisely regulated developmental sequence in which germ cell proliferation, differentiation, self‐renewal and apoptosis are carefully controlled. The control of germ cell apoptosis during spermatogenesis is especially important. It is mediated by signals derived from the Sertoli cells with which each germ cell is closely associated, as well as by signals originating outside the testis. A greater understanding of these signals is emerging from studies of the spermatogenic defects of genetically modified animals. In particular, the intracellular signaling cascades which ultimately determine germ cell fate are being illuminated by recent studies of the Bcl‐2 protein family. This review summarises the crucial role which stringently regulated apoptosis plays in the production of male gametes. BioEssays 22:423—430, 2000. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Functional Neuroimaging of Speech Perception in Infants

Human infants begin to acquire their native language in the first months of life. To determine which brain regions support language processing at this young age, we measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging the brain activity evoked by normal and reversed speech in awake and sleeping 3-month-old infants. Left-lateralized brain regions similar to those of adults, including the superior temporal and angular gyri, were already active in infants. Additional activation in right prefrontal cortex was seen only in awake infants processing normal speech. Thus, precursors of adult cortical language areas are already active in infants, well before the onset of speech production.