Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fine Doppler Frequency Estimation of Windowed Complex Sinusoidal Signals for Radar Systems

This article presents a new fine Doppler frequency estimation method of complex sinusoidal signals for radar systems. The proposed method can work with nonrectangular window functions to suppress the interference signal caused by the undesired spectral leakage. This method is based on an interpolation curve that uses the sum and difference of two discrete Fourier transform (DFT) magnitudes, and can estimate an accurate frequency between the interpolation curve samples through precise linear approximation. The proposed method exhibits lower computational complexity than the conventional method, which compensates the bias of an arbitrary window function and exhibits high performance. Thus, the proposed method is applicable to radar systems requiring fast processing time. Furthermore, the simulation results show that the proposed method outperforms the conventional method for various window functions.
Empirical Study on Directional Millimeter-Wave Propagation in Railway Communications Between Train and Trackside

The high mobility of future high-speed trains (up to 500 km/h) poses great challenges on the design of dynamic beamforming (BF) algorithms for millimeter-wave (mmWave) communications in high-speed rail (HSR) networks. Thanks to the linear structure of HSR cellular networks, the track of the train is almost predictable. Thus, the fixed BF, i.e., highly directional antennas with fixed pointing directions, can be employed as a low-cost solution to replace dynamic BF. However, the performance gap between dynamic BF and fixed BF should be evaluated to justify the use of fixed BF in HSR mmWave communications. In this paper, empirical studies are conducted based on the raw data obtained from extensive measurement campaigns. Two classic environments in railway traffic are considered: the traditional train station and the HSR tunnel. Analyses of the measurement results, including the received signal strength, power delay profile, root-mean-squared delay spread, and channel non-stationarity are presented. Then, based on the measured data, we generalize the widely-used close-in (CI) free-space path loss (PL) model so that the generalized model can characterize the PL in the HSR tunnel with a higher accuracy. Finally, the performance gap between perfect dynamic BF and fixed BF is evaluated based on the generalized model and the measured data. Our results show that the average throughput of dynamic BF is only 4% higher than that of fixed BF in the HSR tunnel, but 21% higher in the train station when severe beam misalignment is present.
Node-Oriented Secure Data Transmission Algorithm Based on IoT System in Social Networks

With the rapid development of information technology, the global network is already in a relatively open environment. In this open environment, mobile devices in the Internet of Things(IoT) system often act as nodes in a social network. However, because the secure transmission of the node’s data cannot be ensured, it is extremely vulnerable to attacks by malicious nodes, which further leads to more energy consumption. Aiming at these problems, this letter proposes a node-oriented secure data transmission algorithm (NOSDT) based on the Internet of Things system in the social network. The algorithm detects the true nature of the node, analyzes the behavior of the malicious node, and gives a safe data transmission method. It can not only prevent relaying with malicious nodes, but also select reliable nodes for secure data transmission. Simulation experiments show that the algorithm can improve the security and delivery ratio of data transmission.
X-Band 6-Bit SiGe BiCMOS Multifunctional Chip With +12 dBm IP1dB and Flat-Gain Response

This brief presents an X-Band 6-bit multifunctional chip, implemented in 0.25-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> SiGe BiCMOS technology. The design achieves +12 dBm of input-referred compression point (IP<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$_{1dB}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) and a flat gain profile, which are critical for the system integration. It consists of a phase shifter (PS), attenuator, and a driver amplifier. The order of the blocks is determined by considering the power handling capability of blocks. The T- and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Pi $ </tex-math></inline-formula>-type attenuation networks are cascaded to cover 32-dB of range with 0.5 dB steps by favoring reverse-saturated HBTs as bit switches for a lower loss. A vector sum topology realizes the phase control of the multifunctional chip. An interwound transformer and a <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2^{nd}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-order RC poly-phase filter generate I/Q networks with low phase error. The outputs of each 6-bit variable gain amplifiers are summed to obtain the desired phase shift. A cascode amplifier with a series R-C network flattens the gain behavior of the PS and attenuator. The multifunctional chip employs a serial-to-peripheral interface circuit to ease the phase/amplitude control. The measurement results show state-of-the-art performances at X-Band with less than 4°/0.57 dB RMS phase/amplitude errors, respectively. Its insertion loss varies ±0.72 dB over the defined bandwidth. The design achieves a +12 dBm IP<sub>1dB</sub> while consuming 143.5 mW of power in an area of 3.25 mm<sup>2</sup>. To the best of authors’ knowledge, the presented work achieves the best amplitude and phase resolution, and the highest linearity performance among similar works in the literature.
Telomere length, individual quality and fitness in female European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) during breeding

Telomeres, short guanine-rich repeats that cap linear chromosomes, are involved in cell senescence and organismal ageing. Our present understanding of telomere function oscillates between a marker of individual quality, which should be positively correlated with reproduction, to a marker of costs of reproduction (e.g. due to DNA damage). To test these ‘quality’ and ‘cost’ hypotheses, we tested the output of very simple predictions in a free-living population of European starlings Sturnus vulgaris where reproductive success of adult females was followed over 2 breeding seasons (with 2 broods per breeding). If telomere length indicate individual quality, low quality females (LQ, no fledgling) should have lower telomere lengths than high quality females (which produced fledglings in 1st and 2nd broods). Additionally, physiological determinants of adult individual quality (established in a previous study) and provisioning rate should be positively associated with adult telomere lengths. Finally, telomere length should predict future reproductive success. Adult telomere length was lower in LQ females but only during the chick-rearing period. Females producing larger clutches at fledging in the 1st brood of the 1st year also had longer telomeres. Provisioning rate was positively related to telomere length, as were plasma markers of oxidative damage, non-esterified fatty acids and triglycerides. Despite these associations, we found weak support for telomeres as indicators of individual quality. Telomere length failed in predicting future reproduction success and there was a lack of consistency in within-individual telomere length over the breeding season. In starlings, we suggest that telomere length may indicate current breeding capacities and energy status of female adults, rather than future fecundity/survival.
Satisfaction With Life Scale in American Sign Language: Validation and Normative Data

The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) is a brief instrument that assesses a person’s global life satisfaction. Using state-of-the-science techniques, the SWLS was translated into American Sign Language (ASL). A national sample of 350 deaf and hard of hearing individuals who preferentially use ASL completed the ASL version of the SWLS (SWLS-ASL) online. The individuals in this sample had a mean SWLS score of 23.4, well within the range of mean scores reported for samples from general populations of hearing individuals. No significant differences were identified in SWLS-ASL scores due to gender, cultural identification (identified as culturally Deaf or not), race, ethnicity, education, or employment status.
RECENT ADVANCES IN WEARABLE ANTENNA TECHNOLOGIES: A REVIEW

Wearable antennas have received a great deal of popularity in recent years owing to their enticing characteristics and opportunities to realize lightweight, compact, low-cost, and versatile wireless communications and environments. These antennas must be conformal, and they must be built using lightweight materials and constructed in a low-profile configuration when mounted on various areas of the human body. These antennas ought to be able to function close to the human body with limited deterioration. These criteria render the layout of wearable antennas demanding, particularly when considering factors such as investigating the usability of textile substrates, high conductive materials during fabrication processes, and the effect of body binding scenarios on the performance of the design. Although there are minor differences in magnitude based on the implementations, several of these problems occur in the body-worn deployment sense. This study addresses the numerous problems and obstacles in the production of wearable antennas, their variety of materials, and the techniques of manufacturing alongside with bending scheme. This is accompanied by a summary of creative features and their respective approaches to address these problems recently raised by work in this area by the science community.
A proposed cybersecurity model for cryptocurrency exchanges

There are various cryptocurrency exchanges which are accessible from all over the world. Due to the uptrend in cryptocurrency, interest in cryptocurrency seems to be increasing. Although cryptocurrency exchanges involve blockchain technology, it is ineffective in the management of security to cryptocurrency and wallets. The most common way for a novice user to handle cryptocurrency trading is through cryptocurrency exchanges. Users have insufficient knowledge of cryptocurrency trading and are prone to cyber-attacks. Due to the tremendous increase and popularity of cryptocurrency, antagonists make illegal attempts to gain the cryptocurrency. Therefore, this paper analyses the vulnerabilities and attacks that happened on exchanges and wallets between the years 2016 and 2019. Furthermore, this paper suggests the relevant security tools and techniques such as Runtime application self-protection (RASP) and Hardware security module (HSM) that secure the cryptocurrency exchanges and their wallets. Additionally, an incident response plan will be developed using an international standard like NIST. And OWASP web security testing guide has also been provided as best practices for exchange website testing to handle the existing application vulnerabilities.
Patients' Perceptions of the Discharge Process

Hospital readmission rates estimates range as high as 79 percent. Research aimed at decreasing readmission is almost entirely from the perspective of health care providers. Patient insights potentially aid in efforts to improve transitions of care. The study’s purpose is to examine patients’ perceptions of the discharge process. Nine African-American adult females with congestive heart failure recently discharged from the hospital were asked to recall the experience of receiving written health care information. Interviews were transcribed, coded into themes, and validated through participant follow-up. Three themes emerged: 1) consumer-friendly information and materials; 2) humanization; and 3) health care team expertise. Consumer-friendly information and materials includes readability and comprehensiveness of materials. Humanization consists of providers showing patience, patient-centred care and personal touch. Health care team expertise includes professionalism and effective communication skills. The participants’ experiences suggest that decreasing readmissions rests on humanizing communication of discharge health information and instructions to patients.
Inversion Method in Pulsed Eddy Current Testing for Wall Thickness of Ferromagnetic Pipes

Based on time-domain analytical expression to pulsed eddy current field of a ferromagnetic pipe, a least squares inverse problem, between the calculated and measured values of induced voltage, is established to determine the wall thickness, conductivity, and relative permeability. And then, the coupling relationship among parameters in the inverse problem is investigated. Furthermore, the inverse problem is reestablished and the method for calculating the relative variation of wall thickness is proposed via taking the ratio of the inversion results between two testing points. Finally, the experiment results on a steel tube indicate that inversion results are independent on the initial value, and can effectively suppress the influence of the magnetic permeability variation, thus the reliability of the thickness testing get improved. Based on the above, a noncontact pulsed eddy current testing method is presented for measuring the relative wall thickness of ferromagnetic pipes. It can be used for nondestructive evaluation of wall-thinning corrosion of in-service coated ferromagnetic tube.
Caring When Curing is Not an Option

Abstract:These narratives provide intimate descriptions of the challenges, frustrations, and sometimes, the satisfaction of caring for a family member with dementia. They are presented by twelve individuals who want us to understand and possibly learn from their lived experiences. At the beginning of their journey, most describe a slow awareness that "something is seriously wrong. " During the middle stage, their narratives are filled with examples of conflict and frustration as the authors try to respond with patience to behavior that "makes no sense. " Finally, most learn to forgive themselves and accept 'the new normal' of this person, or their death. For some, the end of their journey is filled with regret and guilt, while others find acceptance and peace. We are privileged to be immersed in these stories, as such honest descriptions are rarely shared with 'outsiders. '
Effects of Ethephon Stimulation and Cut Length by Vertically Tapping on Rubber Yield and Latex Quality

Harvest of natural rubber is facing the problems of a declining rubber price, less favorable agro-climate, and skilled tapper labor shortage. Reduction in cost of latex harvest by tapping machine in a straight line with ethephon stimulant will make rubber production more cost effective. To evaluate the effect of ethephon stimulation and cut length by tapping in a straight line on rubber yield and latex quality, a comparison of vertically tapping practices was conducted in clone Reyan88-13. The results showed that the increase of dry rubber yield was significantly obtained by the increase of cut length and ethephon stimulation concentration. Moreover, the increase of cut length and ethephon stimulation concentration significantly resulted in an increase of Cu content, while the increase of ethephon stimulant concentration significantly led to a decrease in dry rubber content and Mg content, but increase in thiols content. And also ethephon stimulation decreased consistently tear strength values, increased tensile strength and tensile permanent set values. The new tapping practice by vertically tapping with long cut length and high concentration of ethephon stimulant can be an alternative to relieve the stress of tapping complexity and tapper shortage. Keywords— Cut length, Ethephon stimulation, Vertically tapping, Rubber yield, Latex quality.
ESA’s Space-Based Doppler Wind Lidar Mission Aeolus – First Wind and Aerosol Product Assessment Results

The European Space Agency (ESA) wind mission, Aeolus, hosts the first space-based Doppler Wind Lidar (DWL) world-wide. The primary mission objective is to demonstrate the DWL technique for measuring wind profiles from space, intended for assimilation in Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models. The wind observations will also be used to advance atmospheric dynamics research and for evaluation of climate models. Mission spin-off products are profiles of cloud and aerosol optical properties. Aeolus was launched on 22 August 2018, and the Atmospheric LAser Doppler INstrument (Aladin) instrument switch-on was completed with first high energy output in wind mode on 4 September 2018 [1], [2]. The on-ground data processing facility worked excellent, allowing L2 product output in near-real-time from the start of the mission. First results from the wind profile product (L2B) assessment show that the winds are of very high quality, with random errors in the free Troposphere within (cloud/aerosol backscatter winds: 2.1 m/s) and larger (molecular backscatter winds: 4.3 m/s) than the requirements (2.5 m/s), but still allowing significant positive impact in first preliminary NWP impact experiments. The higher than expected random errors at the time of writing are amongst others due to a lower instrument out-and input photon budget than designed. The instrument calibration is working well, and some of the data processing steps are currently being refined to allow to fully correct instrument alignment related drifts and elevated detector dark currents causing biases in the first data product version. The optical properties spin-off product (L2A) is being compared e.g. to NWP model clouds, air quality model forecasts, and collocated ground-based observations. Features including optically thick and thin particle and hydrometeor layers are clearly identified and are being validated.
A meta-analysis of antibiotic resistance rates in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated in blood cultures in Turkey between 2007 and 2017

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa has remained stable in recent years, and resistant strains has increased dramatically. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to analyze the P. aeruginosa strains isolated from blood cultures in Turkey during the last 11 years and to reveal their antimicrobial susceptibility. METHODS: Data collected between 2007 and 2017 were divided into two groups as Group-1; 2007–2011 and Group-2; 2012–2017. The differences in antibiotic resistance rates between Group-1 and Group-2 were analyzed. The study data were included according to PRISMA criteria, then meta-analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 30 study data from 25 studies were included in the study. The prevalence rate of meropenem (MEM) resistance in P. aeruginosa in Turkey was 25.1% (95% Cl: 20.65–29.83) according to a meta-analysis of 637 isolates. MEM resistance rates in Group-1 and Group-2 were 23.4% (95% Cl: 18.34–28.99) and 29.3% (95% Cl: 21.23–38.23), respectively. The prevalence rate of imipenem (IMP) resistance in P. aeruginosa in Turkey was 26.8% (%95 Cl: 23.40–30.35) according to a meta-analysis of 1421 isolates. IMP resistance rates in Group-1 and Group-2 were 26.2% (95% Cl: 22.41–30.27) and 28.4% (95% Cl: 21.57–35.88), respectively. Ciprofloxacin (CIP) resistance rate was 27.04% (95% Cl: 21.88–32.52) in 1388 isolates. CIP resistance rates in Group-1 and Group-2 were 30.8% (95% Cl: 24.35–37.56) and 18.6% (95% Cl: 10.72–28.11), respectively. The prevalence rate of piperacillin-tazobactam (TZP) resistance in P. aeruginosa in Turkey was 29.2% (95% Cl: 21.058–38.088) according to a meta-analysis of 1030 isolates. TZP resistance rates in Group-1 and Group-2 were 26.1% (95% Cl: 17.76–35.31) and 38.2% (95% Cl: 18.48–60.27), respectively. CONCLUSION: There is a remarkable increase in resistance rates in P. aeruginosa to MEM and TZP in Turkey due to frequent use. Other antibiotics with antipseudomonal effect should be prioritized in the treatment of these infections.
An appraisal of Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumour with emphasis on molecular biology and pathology

Canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT) is a contagious tumour of dogs, transmitted via coitus or coital behaviour which in some cases spreads by metastasis but primarily, CTVT appears as reddish soft nodules or papilla, protruding from the surface of the penis, prepuce, vagina and vulva but sometimes appears in locations outside the genitals. There was early evidence of CTVT more than 10,000 years ago and this disease has been reported in at least 90 countries across the continents of the world, especially in third world countries, where there are high numbers of stray dogs. CTVT natural infection occurs only in dogs but this disease can be experimentally inoculated into other species of the family, Canidae . Macroscopic lesions are mainly cauliflower-like, papillary or multilobulated which most times immunologically regress but occasionally may progress to malignancy. Due to the uniqueness of this tumour in its transmission, broad geographical, sex and breed distribution and because CTVT is the world’s oldest known neoplasm, this disease has attracted great global research interest. Diagnostic techniques including clinical examination, histopathology, cytology, immunohistochemistry, cytogenetic, computer tomographic imaging and molecular diagnostic methods such as Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have been invaluable in the diagnosis of CTVT. Therefore, this review casts a searchlight on the aetiology, structure, epidemiology, disease status, transmission, pathogenesis, molecular biology, microscopic control of this unique tumour.
Molecular characterization of Clostridium perfringens isolated from cattle and sheep carcasses and its antibiotic resistance patterns in Shiraz slaughterhouse, southern Iran

Clostridium perfringens type A food-borne poisoning is often caused by C. perfringens enterotoxin (CPE) encoded by chromosomal cpe. Contamination of meat with C. perfringens usually leads to food poisoning outbreaks. To find more information regarding the causative agent, we focused on the identification of type A containing cpe and netB genes in cattle and sheep carcasses slaughtered at Shiraz slaughterhouse and investigated the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant plasmid in isolated C. perfringens. 200 specimens were randomly collected by swabbing the whole outer and inner surface of the carcasses, and processed for selective culture on sulfadiazine polymyxin sulphate agar (SPS). The suspected colonies were further identified using species-specific primers as to confirm the presence of the cpa, cpe, netB and tetracycline and enrofloxacin gene resistance patterns. Our results demonstrated that out of 90 and 70 colonies of the positive cultures from cattle and sheep samples, respectively, 40% and 35.7% of the suspected colonies were identified as C. perfringens type A by PCR assay. Moreover, from those type A isolates, only 1 (2.7%) isolate was positive for both cpe and netB genes in the cattle carcasses. The MIC values also showed high tetracycline resistance patterns for cattle (45.8%) and sheep (92.3%) while all of the PCR positive C. perfringens type A isolates were susceptible to enrofloxacin. The high prevalence of C. perfringens in slaughtered animals with a high rate of resistance to tetracycline implies the need for caution in the use of antibiotic in food animals.