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Kai Wu

Publications and source records attributed to Kai Wu.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Learning Multi-Task Gaussian Process Over Heterogeneous Input Domains

Multi-task Gaussian process (MTGP) is a well-known non-parametric Bayesian model for learning correlated tasks effectively by transferring knowledge across tasks. But current MTGPs are usually limited to the multi-task scenario defined in the same input domain, leaving no space for tackling the heterogeneous case, i.e., the features of input domains vary over tasks. To this end, this paper presents a novel heterogeneous stochastic variational linear model of coregionalization (HSVLMC) model for simultaneously learning the tasks with varied input domains. Particularly, we develop the stochastic variational framework with Bayesian calibration that (i) takes into account the effect of dimensionality reduction raised by domain mappings in order to achieve effective input alignment; and (ii) employs a residual modeling strategy to leverage the inductive bias brought by prior domain mappings for better model inference. Finally, the superiority of the proposed model against existing LMC models has been extensively verified on diverse heterogeneous multi-task cases and a practical multi-fidelity steam turbine exhaust problem.

stat.ML↗

Observation of biradical spin coupling through hydrogen bonds

Investigation of intermolecular electron spin interaction is of fundamental importance in both science and technology.Here, radical pairs of all-trans retinoic acid molecules on Au(111) are created using an ultra-low temperature scanning tunneling microscope. Antiferromagnetic coupling between two radicals is identified by magnetic-field dependent spectroscopy.The measured exchange energies are from 0.1 to 1.0 meV. The biradical spin coupling is mediated through O-H$\cdots$O hydrogen bonds, as elucidated from analysis combining density functional theory calculation and a modern version of valence bond theory.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Evolutionary Multitasking AUC Optimization

Learning to optimize the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) performance for imbalanced data has attracted much attention in recent years. Although there have been several methods of AUC optimization, scaling up AUC optimization is still an open issue due to its pairwise learning style. Maximizing AUC in the large-scale dataset can be considered as a non-convex and expensive problem. Inspired by the characteristic of pairwise learning, the cheap AUC optimization task with a small-scale dataset sampled from the large-scale dataset is constructed to promote the AUC accuracy of the original, large-scale, and expensive AUC optimization task. This paper develops an evolutionary multitasking framework (termed EMTAUC) to make full use of information among the constructed cheap and expensive tasks to obtain higher performance. In EMTAUC, one mission is to optimize AUC from the sampled dataset, and the other is to maximize AUC from the original dataset. Moreover, due to the cheap task containing limited knowledge, a strategy for dynamically adjusting the data structure of inexpensive tasks is proposed to introduce more knowledge into the multitasking AUC optimization environment. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated on a series of binary classification datasets. The experimental results demonstrate that EMTAUC is highly competitive to single task methods and online methods. Supplementary materials and source code implementation of EMTAUC can be accessed at https://github.com/xiaofangxd/EMTAUC.

cs.LG↗

OTFS-Based Joint Communication and Sensing for Future Industrial IoT

Effective wireless communications are increasingly important in maintaining the successful closed-loop operation of mission-critical industrial Internet-of-Things (IIoT) applications. To meet the ever-increasing demands on better wireless communications for IIoT, we propose an orthogonal time-frequency space (OTFS) waveform-based joint communication and radio sensing (JCAS) scheme -- an energy-efficient solution for not only reliable communications but also high-accuracy sensing. OTFS has been demonstrated to have higher reliability and energy efficiency than the currently popular IIoT communication waveforms. JCAS has also been highly recommended for IIoT, since it saves cost, power and spectrum compared to having two separate radio frequency systems. Performing JCAS based on OTFS, however, can be hindered by a lack of effective OTFS sensing. This paper is dedicated to filling this technology gap. We first design a series of echo pre-processing methods that successfully remove the impact of communication data symbols in the time-frequency domain, where major challenges, like inter-carrier and inter-symbol interference and noise amplification, are addressed. Then, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) for sensing and optimize a key parameter of the proposed method to maximize the SINR. Extensive simulations show that the proposed sensing method approaches the maximum likelihood estimator with respect to the estimation accuracy of target parameters and manifests applicability to wide ranges of key system parameters. Notably, the complexity of the proposed method is only dominated by a two-dimensional Fourier transform.

eess.SP↗

Enabling Joint Communication and Radar Sensing in Mobile Networks -- A Survey

Mobile network is evolving from a communication-only network towards one with joint communication and radar/radio sensing (JCAS) capabilities, that we call perceptive mobile network (PMN). In PMNs, JCAS integrates sensing into communications, sharing a majority of system modules and the same transmitted signals. The PMN is expected to provide a ubiquitous radio sensing platform and enable a vast number of novel smart applications, whilst providing non-compromised communications. In this paper, we present a broad picture of the motivation, methodologies, challenges, and research opportunities of realizing PMN, by providing a comprehensive survey for systems and technologies developed mainly in the last ten years. Beginning by reviewing the work on coexisting communication and radar systems, we highlight their limits on addressing the interference problem, and then introduce the JCAS technology. We then set up JCAS in the mobile network context and envisage its potential applications. We continue to provide a brief review of three types of JCAS systems, with particular attention to their differences in design philosophy. We then introduce a framework of PMN, including the system platform and infrastructure, three types of sensing operations, and signals usable for sensing. Subsequently, we discuss required system modifications to enable sensing on current communication-only infrastructure. Within the context of PMN, we review stimulating research problems and potential solutions, organized under nine topics: performance bounds, waveform optimization, antenna array design, clutter suppression, sensing parameter estimation, resolution of sensing ambiguity, pattern analysis, networked sensing under cellular topology, and sensing-assisted communications. We conclude the paper by listing key open research problems for the aforementioned topics and sharing some lessons that we have learned.

eess.SP↗

Integrating Low-Complexity and Flexible Sensing into Communication Systems

Integrating sensing into standardized communication systems can potentially benefit many consumer applications that require both radio frequency functions. However, without an effective sensing method, such integration may not achieve the expected gains of cost and energy efficiency. Existing sensing methods, which use communication payload signals, either have limited sensing performance or suffer from high complexity. In this paper, we develop a novel and flexible sensing framework which has a complexity only dominated by a Fourier transform and also provides the flexibility in adapting for different sensing needs. We propose to segment a whole block of echo signal evenly into sub-blocks; adjacent ones are allowed to overlap. We design a virtual cyclic prefix (VCP) for each sub-block that allows us to employ two common ways of removing communication data symbols and generate two types of range-Doppler maps (RDMs) for sensing. We perform a comprehensive analysis of the signal components in the RDMs, proving that their interference-plus-noise (IN) terms are approximately Gaussian distributed. The statistical properties of the distributions are derived, which leads to the analytical comparisons between the two RDMs as well as between the prior and our sensing methods. Moreover, the impact of the lengths of sub-block, VCP and overlapping signal on sensing performance is analyzed. Criteria for designing these lengths for better sensing performance are also provided. Extensive simulations validate the superiority of the proposed sensing framework over prior methods in terms of signal-to-IN ratios in RDMs, detecting performance and flexibility.

eess.SP↗

One-step, Wash-free, Nanoparticle Clustering-based Magnetic Particle Spectroscopy (MPS) Bioassay Method for Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Spike and Nucleocapsid Proteins in Liquid Phase

With the ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), there is an increasing quest for more accessible, easy-to-use, rapid, inexpensive, and high accuracy diagnostic tools. Traditional disease diagnostic methods such as qRT-PCR (quantitative reverse transcription-PCR) and ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) require multiple steps, trained technicians, and long turnaround time that may worsen the disease surveillance and pandemic control. In sight of this situation, a rapid, one-step, easy-to-use, and high accuracy diagnostic platform will be valuable for future epidemic control especially for regions with scarce medical resources. Herein, we report a magnetic particle spectroscopy (MPS) platform for detection of SARS-CoV-2 biomarkers: spike and nucleocapsid proteins.

q-bio.QM↗

Accurate Frequency Estimation with Fewer DFT Interpolations based on Padé Approximation

Frequency estimation is a fundamental problem in many areas. The well-known A&M and its variant estimators have established an estimation framework by iteratively interpolating the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) coefficients. In general, those estimators require two DFT interpolations per iteration, have uneven initial estimation performance against frequencies, and are incompetent for small sample numbers due to low-order approximations involved. Exploiting the iterative estimation framework of A&M, we unprecedentedly introduce the Padé approximation to frequency estimation, unveil some features about the updating function used for refining the estimation in each iteration, and develop a simple closed-form solution to solving the residual estimation error. Extensive simulation results are provided, validating the superiority of the new estimator over the state-the-art estimators in wide ranges of key parameters.

eess.SP↗

A Low-Complexity Method for FFT-based OFDM Sensing

OFDM sensing is gaining increasing popularity in wideband radar applications as well as in joint communication and radar/radio sensing (JCAS). As JCAS will potentially be integrated into future mobile networks where OFDM is crucial, OFDM sensing is envisioned to be ubiquitously deployed. A fast Fourier transform (FFT) based OFDM sensing (FOS) method was proposed a decade ago and has been regarded as a de facto standard given its simplicity. In this article, we introduce an easy trick -- a pre-processing on target echo -- to further reduce the computational complexity of FOS without degrading key sensing performance. Underlying the trick is a newly disclosed feature of the target echo in OFDM sensing which, to the best of our knowledge, has not been effectively exploited yet.

eess.SP↗

Magnetic Particle Spectroscopy (MPS) with One-stage Lock-in Implementation for Magnetic Bioassays with Improved Sensitivities

In recent years, magnetic particle spectroscopy (MPS) has become a highly sensitive and versatile sensing technique for quantitative bioassays. It relies on the dynamic magnetic responses of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) for the detection of target analytes in liquid phase. There are many research studies reporting the application of MPS for detecting a variety of analytes including viruses, toxins, and nucleic acids, etc. Herein, we report a modified version of MPS platform with the addition of a one-stage lock-in design to remove the feedthrough signals induced by external driving magnetic fields, thus capturing only MNP responses for improved system sensitivity. This one-stage lock-in MPS system is able to detect as low as 781 ng multi-core Nanomag50 iron oxide MNPs (micromod Partikeltechnologie GmbH) and 78 ng single-core SHB30 iron oxide MNPs (Ocean NanoTech). In addition, using a streptavidin-biotin binding system as a proof-of-concept, we show that these single-core SHB30 MNPs can be used for Brownian relaxation-based bioassays while the multi-core Nanomag50 cannot be used. The effects of MNP amount on the concentration dependent response profiles for detecting streptavidin was also investigated. Results show that by using lower concentration/amount of MNPs, concentration-response curves shift to lower concentration/amount of target analytes. This lower concentrationresponse indicates the possibility of improved bioassay sensitivities by using lower amounts of MNPs.

physics.app-ph↗

Temperature gradient and thermal conductivity in superdiffusive materials

Thermal conductivities are routinely calculated in molecular dynamics simulations by keeping the boundaries at different temperatures and measuring the slope of the temperature profile in the bulk of the material, explicitly using Fourier's law of heat conduction. Substantiated by the observation of a distinct linear profile at the center of the material, this approach has also been frequently used in superdiffusive materials, such as nanotubes or polymer chains, which do not satisfy Fourier's law at the system sizes considered. It has been recently argued that this temperature gradient procedure yields worse results when compared with a method based on the temperature difference at the boundaries -- thus taking into account the regions near the boundaries where the temperature profile is not linear. We study a realistic example, nanocomposites formed by adding boron nitride nanotubes to a polymer matrix of amorphous polyethylene, to show that in superdiffusive materials, despite the appearance of a central region with a linear profile, the temperature gradient method is actually inconsistent with a conductivity that depends on the system size, and, thus, it should be only used in normal diffusive systems.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

An Investigation of Commercial Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Advanced Structural and Magnetic Properties Characterization

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been extensively used as tiny heating sources in magnetic hyperthermia therapy, contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), tracers in magnetic particle imaging (MPI), carriers for drug/gene delivery, etc. There have emerged many magnetic nanoparticle/microbeads suppliers since the last decade, such as Ocean NanoTech, Nanoprobes, US Research Nanomaterials, Miltenyi Biotec, micromod Partikeltechnologie GmbH, and nanoComposix, etc. In this paper, we report the physical and magnetic characterizations on iron oxide nanoparticle products from Ocean NanoTech. Standard characterization tools such as Vibrating-Sample Magnetometer (VSM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Zeta Potential Analyzer are used to provide magnetic nanoparticle customers and researchers with an overview of these iron oxide nanoparticle products. In addition, the dynamic magnetic responses of these iron oxide nanoparticles in aqueous solutions are investigated under low and high frequency alternating magnetic fields, giving a standardized operating procedure for characterizing the MNPs from Ocean NanoTech, thereby yielding the best of magnetic nanoparticles for different applications.

physics.app-ph↗

Portable Magnetic Particle Spectrometer (MPS) for Future Rapid and Wash-free Bioassays

Nowadays, there is an increasing demand for more accessible routine diagnostics for patients with respect to high accuracy, ease of use, and low cost. However, the quantitative and high accuracy bioassays in large hospitals and laboratories usually require trained technicians and equipment that is both bulky and expensive. In addition, the multi-step bioassays and long turnaround time could severely affect the disease surveillance and control especially in pandemics such as influenza and COVID-19. In view of this, a portable, quantitative bioassay device will be valuable in regions with scarce medical resources and help relieve burden on local healthcare systems. Herein, we introduce the MagiCoil diagnostic device, an inexpensive, portable, quantitative and rapid bioassay platform based on magnetic particle spectrometer (MPS) technique. MPS detects the dynamic magnetic responses of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and uses the harmonics from oscillating MNPs as metrics for sensitive and quantitative bioassays. This device does not require trained technicians to operate and employs a fully automatic, one-step, wash-free assay with user friendly smartphone interface. Using a streptavidin-biotin binding system as a model, we show that the detection limit of the current portable device for streptavidin is 64 nM (equal to 5.12 pmole). In addition, this MPS technique is very versatile and allows for the detection of different diseases just by changing the surface modifications on MNPs.

physics.med-ph↗

Frequency-Hopping MIMO Radar-Based Communications: An Overview

Enabled by the advancement in radio frequency technologies, the convergence of radar and communication systems becomes increasingly promising and is envisioned as a key feature of future 6G networks. Recently, the frequency-hopping (FH) MIMO radar is introduced to underlay dual-function radar-communication (DFRC) systems. Superior to many previous radar-centric DFRC designs, the symbol rate of FH-MIMO radar-based DFRC (FH-MIMO DFRC) can exceed the radar pulse repetition frequency. However, many practical issues, particularly those regarding effective data communications, are unexplored/unsolved. To promote the awareness and general understanding of the novel DFRC, this article is devoted to providing a timely introduction of FH-MIMO DFRC. We comprehensively review many essential aspects of the novel DFRC: channel/signal models, signaling strategies, modulation/demodulation processing and channel estimation methods, to name a few. We also highlight major remaining issues in FH-MIMO DFRC and suggest potential solutions to shed light on future research works.

eess.SP↗

Integrating Secure and High-Speed Communications into Frequency Hopping MIMO Radar

Dual-function radar-communication (DFRC) based on frequency hopping (FH) MIMO radar (FH-MIMO DFRC) achieves symbol rate much higher than radar pulse repetition frequency. Such DFRC, however, is prone to eavesdropping due to the spatially uniform illumination of FH-MIMO radar. How to enhance the physical layer security of FH-MIMO DFRC is vital yet unsolved. In this paper, we reveal the potential of using permutations of hopping frequencies to achieve secure and high-speed FH-MIMO DFRC. Detecting permutations at a communication user is challenging due to the dependence on spatial angle. We propose a series of baseband waveform processing methods which address the challenge specifically for the legitimate user (Bob) and meanwhile scrambles constellations almost omnidirectionally. We discover a deterministic sign rule from the signals processed by the proposed methods. Based on the rule, we develop accurate algorithms for information decoding at Bob. Confirmed by simulation, our design achieves substantially high physical layer security for FH-MIMO DFRC, improves decoding performance compared with existing designs and reduces mutual interference among radar targets.

eess.SP↗

Waveform Design and Accurate Channel Estimation for Frequency-Hopping MIMO Radar-Based Communications

Frequency-hopping (FH) MIMO radar-based dual-function radar communication (FH-MIMO DFRC) enables communication symbol rate to exceed radar pulse repetition frequency, which requires accurate estimations of timing offset and channel parameters. The estimations, however, are challenging due to unknown, fast-changing hopping frequencies and the multiplicative coupling between timing offset and channel parameters. In this paper, we develop accurate methods for a single-antenna communication receiver to estimate timing offset and channel for FH-MIMO DFRC. First, we design a novel FH-MIMO radar waveform, which enables a communication receiver to estimate the hopping frequency sequence (HFS) used by radar, instead of acquiring it from radar. Importantly, the novel waveform incurs no degradation to radar ranging performance. Then, via capturing distinct HFS features, we develop two estimators for timing offset and derive mean squared error lower bound of each estimator. Using the bounds, we design an HFS that renders both estimators applicable. Furthermore, we develop an accurate channel estimation method, reusing the single hop for timing offset estimation. Validated by simulations, the accurate channel estimates attained by the proposed methods enable the communication performance of DFRC to approach that achieved based on perfect timing and ideal knowledge of channel.

eess.SP↗

Theory for the negative longitudinal magnetoresistance in the quantum limit of Kramers Weyl semimetals

Negative magnetoresistance is rare in non-magnetic materials. Recently, a negative magnetoresistance has been observed in the quantum limit of $β$-Ag$_2$Se, where only one band of Landau levels is occupied in a strong magnetic field parallel to the applied current. $β$-Ag$_2$Se is a material that host a Kramers Weyl cone with band degeneracy near the Fermi energy. Kramers Weyl cones exist at time-reversal invariant momenta in all symmorphic chiral crystals, and at a subset of these momenta, including the $Γ$ point, in non-symmorphic chiral crystals. Here, we present a theory for the negative magnetoresistance in the quantum limit of Kramers Weyl semimetals. We show that, although there is a band touching similar to those in Weyl semimetals, negative magnetoresistance can exist without a chiral anomaly. We find that it requires screened Coulomb scattering potentials between electrons and impurities, which is naturally the case in $β$-Ag$_2$Se.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Magnetic Immunoassays: A Review of Virus and Pathogen Detection Before and Amidst the Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19)

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is a threat to the global healthcare system and economic security. As of July 2020, no specific drugs or vaccines are yet available for COVID-19, fast and accurate diagnosis for SARS-CoV-2 is essential in slowing down the spread of COVID-19 and for efficient implementation of control and containment strategies. Magnetic immunoassay is a novel and emerging topic representing the frontiers of current biosensing and magnetics areas. The past decade has seen rapid growth in applying magnetic tools for biological and biomedical applications. Recent advances in magnetic materials and nanotechnologies have transformed current diagnostic methods to nanoscale and pushed the detection limit to early stage disease diagnosis. Herein, this review covers the literatures of magnetic immunoassay platforms for virus and pathogen detections, before COVID-19. We reviewed the popular magnetic immunoassay platforms including magnetoresistance (MR) sensors, magnetic particle spectroscopy (MPS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Magnetic Point-of-Care (POC) diagnostic kits are also reviewed aiming at developing plug-and-play diagnostics to manage the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak as well as preventing future epidemics. In addition, other platforms that use magnetic materials as auxiliary tools for enhanced pathogen and virus detections are also covered. The goal of this review is to inform the researchers of diagnostic and surveillance platforms for SARS-CoV-2 and their performances.

physics.med-ph↗