Estimation of the Number of Sources in Unbalanced Arrays via Information Theoretic Criteria

Estimating the number of sources impinging on an array of sensors is a well known and well investigated problem. A common approach for solving this problem is to use an information theoretic criterion, such as Minimum Description Length (MDL) or the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). The MDL estimator is known to be a consistent estimator, robust against deviations from the Gaussian assumption, and non-robust against deviations from the point source and/or temporally or spatially white additive noise assumptions. Over the years several alternative estimation algorithms have been proposed and tested. Usually, these algorithms are shown, using computer simulations, to have improved performance over the MDL estimator, and to be robust against deviations from the assumed spatial model. Nevertheless, these robust algorithms have high computational complexity, requiring several multi-dimensional searches. In this paper, motivated by real life problems, a systematic approach toward the problem of robust estimation of the number of sources using information theoretic criteria is taken. An MDL type estimator that is robust against deviation from assumption of equal noise level across the array is studied. The consistency of this estimator, even when deviations from the equal noise level assumption occur, is proven. A novel low-complexity implementation method avoiding the need for multi-dimensional searches is presented as well, making this estimator a favorable choice for practical applications.Comment: To appear in the IEEE Transactions on Signal Processin

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Iterative ('Turbo') Multiuser Detectors For Impulse Radio Systems

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in multiple access communication systems that spread their transmitted energy over very large bandwidths. These systems, which are referred to as ultra wide-band (UWB) systems, have various advantages over narrow-band and conventional wide-band systems. The importance of multiuser detection for achieving high data or low bit error rates in these systems has already been established in several studies. This paper presents iterative ('turbo') multiuser detection for impulse radio (IR) UWB systems over multipath channels. While this approach is demonstrated for UWB signals, it can also be used in other systems that use similar types of signaling. When applied to the type of signals used by UWB systems, the complexity of the proposed detector can be quite low. Also, two very low complexity implementations of the iterative multiuser detection scheme are proposed based on Gaussian approximation and soft interference cancellation. The performance of these detectors is assessed using simulations that demonstrate their favorable properties.Comment: To appear in IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communication

Expanding the phenotype of HNRNPU-related disorders to include brief, resolved, unexplained events (BRUE)

hnRNP-U deficiency is caused by pathogenic variants in HNRNPU, which encodes the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U (HNRNPU), a highly conserved protein responsible for assisting spliceosomes in mediating transcription and alternative splicing activity. HnRNPs are responsible for the regulation of translation at the presynaptic sites as well as the transportation of stabilized mRNAs along the axonal cytoskeleton. Here, we report a 2-year-old-male with a HNRNPU variant with a new presentation of apparent recurrent apneic spells with an underlying epileptic origin. These were described as apnea followed by desaturation and tachycardia in the 180\u27s-200 range prior to resolution of symptoms. He also had autistiform behaviors, hypotonia, global developmental delay, heart defects, and unique facial features. The anesthetist professional parents describe multiple BRUE. At 26 months, he presented to the hospital with hypotonia and unique facial features, global developmental delay, autistiform behaviors, dyspraxia with cognitive disability and a change in mental status. On physical exam, the proband had telecanthus, a broad nasal bridge, short palpebral fissures, mild nevus flammeus changes on his face, a single right palmar crease, and a modified single crease on the left. EKG showed a sinus rhythm with intermittent 1st degree AV block, blocked premature atrial contractions, left axis deviation, right bundle branch block, and an ejection fraction of 67%. Echocardiography re-identified an atrial septal defect. Brain MRI showed a T2/FLAIR hyperintense signal in the white matter of the parietal lobes, left greater than right. EEG identified generalized slowing indicative of a mild nonspecific encephalopathy. History of episodes were determined to be consistent with partial onset seizures with eye opening, deviation, and tachycardia with apnea and medical treatment ensued. Genetic testing including microarray and an epilepsy panel that identified no genomic dosage anomalies and a de novo nonsense mutation (c.803+2T\u3eC; p. unknown in HNRNPU), classified as pathogenic. The study of hnRNP complexes have gained momentum in neurodegenerative and tumorigenesis disease research. hnRNPs have a key role in mediating transcription, alternative splicing, and translation activity. Recently, Durkin et al, 2020 (PMID: 32319732) reported 21 previously unreported probands; nearly doubling the recorded patient population. Probands in the literature to date have had variable presentation, but usually with hypotonia, global developmental delays, and seizures. This suggests the addition of HNRNPU to all seizure-related diagnostic panels. We would also recommend including the HNRNPU-related disorders in a differential diagnosis of BRUE and recurrent apneic episodes as any underlying clonic activity may be profoundly subtle.https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/chri_forum/1018/thumbnail.jp

Evaluating the EWEB Model: Institutional Structure as a Determinant in the Success of a Voluntary Landowner Incentive Program

Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB) located in Eugene, Lane County, Oregon, is developing a voluntary landowner incentive program that will provide monetary incentives to non-industrial private forest (NIPF) owners in the McKenzie River Watershed, EWEB’s drinking water source for the metropolitan area of Eugene, to promote good stewardship of riparian areas. This research examines the potential for implementing an effective incentive program, by reviewing best practices of past and existing incentive program targeting NIPF owners, and evaluating primary data from focus groups and interviews with official at other public utilities to investigate foreseen benefits and barriers to implementation of an incentive program through the public drinking water utility to achieve environmental protection sans regulation. Barriers and benefits have been analyzed according to Elinor Ostrom’s framework for Institutional Analysis and Design to identify policy recommendation for upcoming implementation of the proposed program

Eating on Campus: Assessing the Nutrition Environment for Students

The food environment is increasingly thought to have a major influence on eating behavior. University campuses offer a unique opportunity to study the extent to which food environments influence eating, but such studies must be based on reliable measures. The objective of this project is to use a standard and reliable instrument, the Nutrition Environment Measures Survey (NEMS), to describe dining venues on the Cal Poly campus, and to compare Cal Poly food stores with off-campus alternatives. The five student investigators on this multidisciplinary, team-­based project will undergo training to use standard protocols to apply the NEMS to 18 campus dining venues, two campus food stores, and ~30 off‐campus supermarkets, groceries, and convenience stores in San Luis Obispo. Repeat assessments will allow for evaluation of inter­‐rater and test-retest reliability. Statistical analyses will include calculating prevalence of healthy and unhealthy constructs from the NEMS, comparing overall scores across venues, and comparing scores between on-­ and off-­campus stores. Findings will be used as a basis for future work to investigate the potential of modifying the Cal Poly food environment to facilitate students’ healthful food choices