Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design of Generalized Concatenated Codes Based on Polar Codes With Very Short Outer Codes

We present a new design approach to construct generalized concatenated codes (GCCs) based on polar codes (PCs). It is already known that PCs can be considered as a special class of the GCCs with polar outer and inner codes. We show how density evolution (DE) can be used to develop a channel-specific method to design outer codes of length <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$L$</tex-math></inline-formula> under maximum-likelihood (ML) decoding. Once a bank of outer codes of length <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$L$</tex-math></inline-formula> and different rates have been designed, we develop a rate-allocation algorithm to allocate rates to the outer codes of the GCC with the goal of minimizing the overall block error rate for a given overall rate of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K/N$</tex-math></inline-formula>. To maintain the low complexity of the SC decoder, we only design very short outer codes <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$(L\le\text{8})$</tex-math></inline-formula>. We show that, at this outer code length, it is possible to design GCC-PCs that can result in up to 0.5-dB coding gain while reducing decoding complexity.
Functional Evolution of the Photolyase/Cryptochrome Protein Family: Importance of the C Terminus of Mammalian CRY1 for Circadian Core Oscillator Performance

ABSTRACT Cryptochromes (CRYs) are composed of a core domain with structural similarity to photolyase and a distinguishing C-terminal extension. While plant and fly CRYs act as circadian photoreceptors, using the C terminus for light signaling, mammalian CRY1 and CRY2 are integral components of the circadian oscillator. However, the function of their C terminus remains to be resolved. Here, we show that the C-terminal extension of mCRY1 harbors a nuclear localization signal and a putative coiled-coil domain that drive nuclear localization via two independent mechanisms and shift the equilibrium of shuttling mammalian CRY1 (mCRY1)/mammalian PER2 (mPER2) complexes towards the nucleus. Importantly, deletion of the complete C terminus prevents mCRY1 from repressing CLOCK/BMAL1-mediated transcription, whereas a plant photolyase gains this key clock function upon fusion to the last 100 amino acids of the mCRY1 core and its C terminus. Thus, the acquirement of different (species-specific) C termini during evolution not only functionally separated cryptochromes from photolyase but also caused diversity within the cryptochrome family.
Radioimmunoguided surgery challenges traditional decision making in patients with primary colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND Initial experience with the radioimmunoguided surgery system (RIGS) has been found to impact on decision making in patients with recurrent colorectal cancers. Reported here is experience with RIGS-influenced therapeutic decisions in patients with primary colorectal cancer. METHODS Thirty-six evaluable patients with primary cancers were injected with the second-generation anti-tumor-associated glycoprotein antibody CC49 labeled with 1 to 2 mCi iodine 125. Pharmacokinetic determination and precordial counts were obtained after injection and weekly until levels were less than 20 counts/2 sec. At surgery abdominal and pelvic explorations were performed, first traditionally by inspection and palpation and then with the hand-held, gamma-detecting probe. RIGS-positive tissue was considered cancerous and removed if possible. RESULTS Thirty patients (83%) had positive antibody localization at surgery. Of those patients with localization, in 24 (80%) additional information was obtained at the time of surgery. In 11 patients (34%) staging changes were made as a result of RIGS exploration. New findings resulted in operative changes in nine patients (25%). Eleven (30%) of the original 36 patients became eligible for adjuvant chemotherapy based on current recommendations because of RIGS findings. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the RIGS system provides immediate staging information that impacts on therapeutic interventions, challenging the adequacy of traditional procedures alone for primary colorectal cancer exploration.
DISPOSITION OF FLAVONOIDS VIA RECYCLING: COMPARISON OF INTESTINAL VERSUS HEPATIC DISPOSITION

The purpose of this study was to compare intestinal versus hepatic disposition of six flavonoids to fully characterize their first-pass metabolism. The perfused rat intestinal model and microsomes prepared from rat liver, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon were used. The results indicated that isoflavone (12.5 μM) glucuronidation was highly variable among different microsomes prepared from liver or intestine. Comparing to liver metabolism, the intestinal metabolism had higher Km values (>2-fold). Likewise, the hepatic intrinsic clearance (IC, or a ratio of Vmax/Km) values of isoflavones were generally higher than their intestinal IC values (200–2000% higher), except for prunetin, for which the jejunal IC value was 50% higher than its hepatic IC. When comparing intestinal metabolism, the results showed that intestinal metabolism rates and Vmax values of isoflavones were less when an additional A-ring electron-donating group was absent (i.e., daidzein and formononetin). In the rat perfusion model using the whole small intestine, genistein (10 μM) was well absorbed (77% or 352 nmol/120 min). The first-pass metabolism of genistein was extensive, with 40% of absorbed genistein excreted as conjugated metabolites into the intestinal lumen. In contrast, the bile excretion of genistein conjugates was much less (6.4% of absorbed genistein). In conclusion, intestinal glucuronidation is slower in isoflavones without an additional A-ring substitution. Perfusion studies suggest that intestine is the main organ for genistein glucuronide formation and excretion in rats and may serve as its main first-pass metabolism organ.
Object-Oriented Approaches to Geo-Referenced Information

Abstract This paper surveys the current state of the object-oriented paradigm as it applies to the handling of geo-referenced information. The model of any computerized system is multi-layered, with a high-level system-independent conceptual model of the application domain supported by increasingly system-oriented models beneath. The author argues that object-oriented approaches can be taken at each of these layers. The major constructs of object-orientation are discussed from this layered viewpoint and in the context of geo-information handling.
Design of Quantum Circuits for Random Walk Algorithms

A quantum algorithm is defined by a sequence of operations that runs on a realistic model of quantum computation. Since the first quantum algorithm proposed by David Deutsch(1985), a large number of impressive quantum algorithms have been developed. Quantum random walks on a graph, which are analogous to classical stochastic walk, form the basis for some of the recent quantum algorithms that promise to significantly outperform existing classical random walk algorithms. Though research has been done on the application of quantum random walk to important computational problems, very little work has been done on its quantum circuit design. There are two types of quantum random walk algorithms: discrete-time and continuous-time. In this paper, we propose quantum circuit designs for both types of random walk algorithms that operate on various graphs. We consider in detail two important problems to which random walk algorithms are applicable: the triangle finding problem and binary welded tree problem. Though there exist a few research works related to quantum circuit design for random walk on graphs, to the best of our knowledge, the circuit designs we present here are first of their kind. We also provide an estimate of the quantum cost of these circuits for several physical machine descriptions (PMDs)of quantum systems, based on the number of quantum operations and execution cycles.
BER Performance of MDL-Impaired MIMO-SDM Systems With Finite Constellation Inputs

We evaluate the effect of mode-dependent loss (MDL) on the bit-error-ratio (BER) performance of optical multiple-input-multiple-output space-division multiplexing (MIMO-SDM) systems using finite signal constellations and maximum likelihood detection. Through analyses and numerical simulations, we study the signal-to-noise-ratio penalty incurred by MDL as a function of various system parameters.
Individual Differences and Episodic Memory: Examining Behaviour, Genetics, and Brain Activity.

iv Contrary to expectations, behavioural task performance was not found to significantly modulate the ‘typical’ recognition memory effects. However, a number of genetic polymorphisms were found to significantly influence both behavioural scores and the pattern of ERP activity associated with recognition memory. These results therefore suggest that inherent participant differences influence the neural correlates of recognition memory, in a way that variations in task performance do not. Overall, the results from this thesis therefore suggest that the ‘typical’ bilateral-frontal and left-parietal effects thought to index retrieval are not universal. Furthermore the results suggest that the specific processes engaged during retrieval (as indexed by variations in ERP activity) may be dependent on specific task requirements, stimulus material and the genetic makeup of the individual.
Understanding Behaviors for Effective Leadership

PART I: BASIC LEADERSHIP CONCEPTS AND ISSUES CHAPTER 1 Leadership and Its Importance CHAPTER 2 Leadership Behavior and Processes CHAPTER 3 Contingency Models of Leadership PART II: CORE LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS CHAPTER 4 Supportive Leadership Behavior CHAPTER 5 Directive Leadership Behavior CHAPTER 6 Participative Leadership Behavior CHAPTER 7 Leader Reward and Punishment Behaviors CHAPTER 8 Charismatic Leadership Behavior PART III: EMERGING LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS CHAPTER 9 Boundary-Spanning and Team Leadership CHAPTER 10 Building Social Exchanges and Fairness CHAPTER 11 Followership PART IV: CURRENT LEADERSHIP ISSUES AND INTEGRATION CHAPTER 12 Leadership Ethics and Diversity CHAPTER 13 Leadership Development and Organizational Change CHAPTER 14 Integration and Conclusions
Degradation of individual chromosomes in recA mutants of Escherichia coli

Rapidly growing wild-type Escherichia coli cells contain two, four, or eight fully replicated chromosomes after treatment with rifampin, reflecting that all replication origins are initiated simultaneously. Cells with defects in the timing of the initiation of replication may contain three, five, six, or seven fully replicated chromosomes after such treatment. This phenotype, termed the asynchrony phenotype, is also seen in recombination-deficient recA mutants. It is shown here that for recA strains, the phenotype can be explained by a selective and complete degradation of individual chromosomes. The selective degradation is largely recD dependent and is thus carried out by the RecBCD exonuclease.
The renal veins: a review

SUMMARY In clinical anatomy, the renal venous system is relatively understudied compared to the arterial system. The great complexity of the patterns and inter-relationships of the arteries and veins of the kidney is demonstrated by gross anatomical dissection and clinical practice. This review of several renal vein investigations aims to clarify and update the variable patterns of the renal venous vasculature using cadaveric human adult and foetal kidneys and to reflect on its clinical application, particularly in surgery and radiology. The study employed gross anatomical dissection and detailed morphometric and statistical analyses on resin-cast and plastinated kidneys harvested from adult and fetal cadavers. Radiological techniques were used to study intra-renal flow, renal veins and collateral pathways and renal vein valves. The gross anatomical description of the renal veins and its relations were confirmed and updated. Additional renal veins (ARV) were observed much more frequently on the right side (31%). A practical classification system for the renal veins based on the number of primary tributaries, ARV and variations is documented. Detailed morphometric analyses of the previous parameters of the renal veins corroborated and expanded previous anatomical studies. Contrary to standard anatomical textbooks, it is noted that the left renal vein is 2.5 times the length of its counterpart and that there are variable levels of entry of the renal veins into the inferior vena cava (IVC). Radiological investigations demonstrated a non-segmental and non-lobar intrarenal venous architecture, an absence of renal vein valves, and extensive venous collaterals centering mainly on the left renal vein (LRV). These collateral channels, present in the fetus and persisting in the adult, may be of operative and clinical significance in several pathological states. The applied clinical anatomy of these findings with particular regard to renal surgery and uroradiology is emphasized.
A Real-Time Localization System for an Endoscopic Capsule Using Magnetic Sensors

This paper presents a real-time magnetic tracking system for an endoscopic capsule intended to deliver biomarkers around specific locations of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Unlike radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic signals, static magnetic signals suffer negligible attenuation within the human body. The magnetic tracking systems proposed to date use a large number of sensors, making them too complex to apply in practice. In this paper, a new magnetic tracking system is proposed with much reduced complexity. In this system, the capsule only needs a magnet for localization, and does not require any electronics or battery. Mathematical model and a tracking algorithm were developed to find the location of a magnetic marker in the gut. Laboratory test results and in vivo animal trials show that the system is capable of tracking a magnetic marker with expected accuracy.
Comparing the (1+1)-CMA-ES with a mirrored (1+2)-CMA-ES with sequential selection on the noiseless BBOB-2010 testbed

In this paper, we compare the (1+1)-CMA-ES to the (1+2<sup>s</sup><sub>m</sub>)-CMA-ES, a recently introduced quasi-random (1+2)-CMA-ES that uses mirroring as derandomization technique as well as a sequential selection. Both algorithms were tested using independent restarts till a total number of function evaluations of $10^{4} D$ was reached, where $D$ is the dimension of the search space. On the non-separable ellipsoid function in dimension 10, 20 and 40, the performances of the (1+2<sup>s</sup><sub>m</sub>)-CMA-ES are better by 17% than the best performance among algorithms tested during BBOB-2009 (for target values of 10<sup>-5</sup> and 10<sup>-7</sup>). Moreover, the comparison shows that the (1+2<sup>s</sup><sub>m</sub>)-CMA-ES variant improves the performance of the (1+1)-CMA-ES by about 20% on the ellipsoid, the discus, and the sum of different powers functions and by 12% on the sphere function. Besides, we never observe statistically significant results where the (1+2<sup>s</sup><sub>m</sub>)-CMA-ES is worse than the (1+1)-CMA-ES.
Learner’s perception of the role of the mentor during the implementation of learnerships

Abstract The objective of this research is to investigate the relationship between different biographical variables and the learner’s perceptions on the role of mentors in a learnership programme. The study adopted and customised a normative instrument for assessing the mentorship role developed by Janse van Rensburg and Roodt, (2005). A convenience sample was used with 280 learners from different public service departments who were enrolled in four different learnerships. The Mentorship Questionnaire was administered and the questionnaire yielded positive results. The findings and their implications are discussed as well as the recommendations thereof.
b2-Agonist ritodrine, unlike natural catecholamines, activates thermogenesis prematurely in fetal sheep

Bassett, John M. , and Michael E. Symonds. b2-Agonist ritodrine, unlike natural catecholamines, activates thermogenesis prematurely in fetal sheep. Am. J. Physiol. 275 (Regulatory Integrative Comp. Physiol. 44): R112–R119, 1998. — Prolonged administration of the b2-adrenergic agonist ritodrine to fetal sheep increases nonesterified fatty acid mobilization. To investigate whether changes in fetal growth or functional development of brown adipose tissue (BAT) also occur, ritodrine was infused at 5 μg/min iv into eight fetal sheep (6 twins and 2 singletons at 125–128 days of gestation) for 5 days and then at twice this rate for a further 7–11 days. Fetal growth was reduced significantly (P , 0.02) during ritodrine infusion relative to controls (5.8 6 17.5 vs. 79.7 6 10.3 g/day), with growth of skeletal muscles ceasing. Ritodrine reduced perirenal BAT weight by 50% from 18.6 6 1.89 to 9.3 6 0.60 g (P , 0.01) and its lipid content by . 70% from 6.5 6 0.96 to 1.9 6 0.45 g (P , 0.01). Mitochondrial protein in BAT was also less (P , 0.002), but GDP binding to uncoupling protein increased (P , 0.05). In similar experiments, epinephrine and norepinephrine increased plasma nonesterified fatty acid initially, but neither altered perirenal BAT composition. The b2-adrenergic agonist ritodrine appears able to promote lipid mobilization and thermogenesis in utero.
Perception-based protection from low-frequency sounds may not be enough

Hearing and perception in the mammalian ear are mediated by the inner hair cells (IHC). IHCs are fluid-coupled to mechanical vibrations and have been characterized as velocitysensitive, making them quite insensitive to low-frequency sounds. But the ear also contains more numerous outer hair cells (OHC), which are not fluid coupled and are characterized as displacement sensitive. The OHCs are more sensitive than IHCs to low frequencies and respond to very low-frequency sounds at levels below those that are perceived. OHC are connected to the brain by type II afferent fibers to networks that may further attenuate perception of low frequencies. These same pathways are also involved in alerting and phantom sounds (tinnitus). Because of these anatomic configurations, low-frequency sounds that are not perceived may cause influence in ways that have not yet been adequately studied. We present data showing that the ear’s response to low-frequency sounds is influenced by the presence of higher-frequency sounds such as those in the speech frequency range, with substantially larger responses generated when higher-frequency components are absent. We conclude that the physiological effects of low-frequency sounds are more complex than is widely appreciated. Based on this knowledge, we have to be concerned that sounds that are not perceived are clearly transduced by the ear and may still affect people in ways that have yet to be fully understood.
Practical Applications of Poly ( O-Aminophenol ) Film Electrodes

In this paper the different practical applications of poly(o-aminophenol) film electrodes in the field of bioelectrochemistry and electrocatalysis are reviewed. Different electrochemical methods employed to prepare sensors based on poly(o-aminophenol) are described in detail. Particular emphasis is laid on methods employed to immobilize different macromolecules into the polymer to construct the required biosensor. Also, the electrochemical performance of each sensor is discussed in terms of the different factors that affect its stability, dynamic range and response time.
Adrenomedullin Expression in the Developing Human Fetal Lung

Background Adrenomedullin (AM) is a vasodilator peptide produced by endothelial and smooth muscle cells in the systemic and pulmonary circulation. It promotes angiogenesis and alveolar growth and has protective effects in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Adrenomedullin’s role in human pulmonary vascular and alveolar development is unknown. Objective To test the hypothesis that AM is expressed during normal human lung development and that its expression changes with advancing gestational age by investigating the messenger RNA and protein expression of AM and its receptor components, calcitonin-receptorlike receptor (CRLR), receptor activity–modifying protein (RAMP)2, and RAMP3 in human fetal lung from 10 to 24 weeks of gestation. Methods The gene expression of AM, CRLR, RAMP2, and RAMP3 was measured with real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Adrenomedullin protein expression was measured with Western blot. Immunohistochemical analyses of sections of lung tissue were performed. Statistical analysis was performed using linear regression and one-way analysis of variance followed by the Tukey range test. Results Adrenomedullin, CRLR, RAMP2, and RAMP3 transcripts were expressed in the midgestation human fetal lung. The gene expression of AM, CRLR, and RAMP2 increased with increasing gestational age, whereas the gene expression of RAMP3 decreased. Adrenomedullin protein expression increased with increasing gestational age. Conclusion Adrenomedullin is expressed in the midgestation human fetal lung and its gene and protein expression increased with increasing gestational age, suggesting a role for AM in human lung development. Supporting this conclusion, the AM1 receptor components CRLR and RAMP2 gene expression also increased with increasing gestational age. Conversely, the expression of RAMP3, a structural component of the AM2 receptor, decreased with increasing gestational age, suggesting different functions for the AM receptors in human fetal lung, as it has been demonstrated in animal models. This speculation requires further investigation.
Global deletion of MGL in mice delays lipid absorption and alters energy homeostasis and diet-induced obesity

Monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL) is a ubiquitously expressed enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of monoacylglycerols (MGs) to yield FFAs and glycerol. MGL contributes to energy homeostasis through the mobilization of fat stores and also via the degradation of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoyl glycerol. To further examine the role of MG metabolism in energy homeostasis, MGL−/− mice were fed either a 10% (kilocalories) low-fat diet (LFD) or a 45% (kilocalories) high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks. Profound increases of MG species in the MGL−/− mice compared with WT control mice were found. Weight gain over the 12 weeks was blunted in both diet groups. MGL−/− mice were leaner than WT mice at both baseline and after 12 weeks of LFD feeding. Circulating lipids were decreased in HFD-fed MGL−/− mice, as were the levels of several plasma peptides involved in glucose homeostasis and energy balance. Interestingly, MGL−/− mice had markedly reduced intestinal TG secretion following an oral fat challenge, suggesting delayed lipid absorption. Overall, the results indicate that global MGL deletion leads to systemic changes that produce a leaner phenotype and an improved serum metabolic profile.
Hypergeometric Origins of Diophantine Properties Associated With the Askey Scheme

The "Diophantine" properties of the zeros of certain polynomials in the Askey scheme, recently discovered by Calogero and his collaborators, are explained, with suitably chosen parameter values, in terms of the summation theorem of hypergeometric series. Here the Diophantine property refers to integer valued zeros. It turns out that the same procedure can also be applied to polynomials arising from the basic hypergeometric series. We found, with suitably chosen parameters and certain q-analogues of the summation theorems, zeros of these polynomials explicitly which are no longer integer valued. This goes beyond the results obtained by the authors previously mentioned.