Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Invariancies in punctured convolutional codes-their effect on Viterbi synchronization

This paper studies the invariance of a given punctured convolutional code to an affine class of symbol transformations known to commonly occur in digital transceiver systems. A set of conditions to test the invariance of a code to these transformations has been derived, followed by two proposed methods to compensate for an invariant transformation. The viability of these methods has been examined by doing an invariant factor decomposition on the equivalent code generator matrix (obtained from the original code generator matrix and the given transform). The knowledge of the transformation and the nature of its occurrence greatly determines which method of compensation could be used. This study has much use in not only enabling a code designer to evaluate the invariance of an affine transformation to a given code, but also on the other hand to make the appropriate choice of code generators, puncturing schemes, and bit-to-constellation symbol mapping; so as to allow a channel coding scheme to be either sensitive or invariant to a given transformation, depending upon design objectives.
Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Contact Rates in Female White-Tailed Deer

Abstract White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are important game mammals and potential reservoirs of diseases of domestic livestock; thus, diseases of deer are of great concern to wildlife managers. Contact, either direct or indirect, is necessary for disease transmission, but we know little about the ecological contexts that promote intrasexual contact among deer. Using pair-wise direct contacts estimated from Global Positioning System collar locations and joint utilization distributions (JUDs), we assessed habitats in which contacts occur to test whether direct contact rates among female white-tailed deer in different social groups differs among land-cover types. We also tested whether contact rates differed among seasons, lunar phases, and times of day. We obtained locations from 27 female deer for periods of 0.5–17 months during 2002–2006. We designated any simultaneous pair of locations for 2 deer <25 m apart as a direct contact. For each season, we used compositional analysis to compare land-cover types where 2 deer had contact to available land-cover weighted by their JUD. We used mixed-model logistic regression to test for effects of season, lunar phase, and time of day on contact rates. Contact rates during the gestation season were greater than expected from random use in forest and grassland cover, whereas contact rates during the fawning period were greater in agricultural fields than in other land-cover types. Contact rates were greatest during the rut and lowest in summer. Diel patterns of contact rates varied with season, and contact rates were elevated during full moon compared to other lunar periods. Both spatial and temporal analyses suggest that contact between female deer in different social groups occurs mainly during feeding, which highlights the potential impact of food distribution and habitat on contact rates among deer. By using methods to associate contacts and land-cover, we have created beneficial tools for more elaborate and detailed studies of disease transmission. Our methods can offer information necessary to develop spatially realistic models of disease transmission in deer.
Do Taxpayers Bunch at Kink Points?

This paper investigates whether taxpayers bunch at the kink points of the US income tax schedule (i.e. where marginal rates jump) using tax returns data. Clear evidence of bunching is found only at the first kink point (where marginal rates jump from 0 to 15%). Evidence for other kink points is weak or null. Evidence of bunching is stronger for itemizers than for non-itemizers. Theoretical models of behavioral responses to taxation show that bunching is proportional to the compensated elasticity of income with respect to tax rates. These models are used to perform simulations of bunching and calibrate the key parameters (the behavioral elasticity and the extent to which taxpayers control their income) to the empirical income distributions. Except for low income earners, the behavioral elasticity consistent with the empirical results is small.
Periodontal ligament cell sheet promotes periodontal regeneration in athymic rats.

AIM The primary goal of periodontal treatment is regeneration of the periodontium. Current theories suggest that the periodontal ligament (PDL) cells have the capacity to participate in restoring connective and mineralized tissues, when appropriately triggered. We evaluated whether human PDL cell sheets could reconstruct periodontal tissue. MATERIAL AND METHODS To obtain the cell sheet, human PDL cells were cultured on temperature-responsive culture dishes with or without osteogenic differentiation medium. The cell sheets were transplanted on periodontal fenestration defects of immunodeficient rats. Forty rats were divided in two groups: in one group, cell sheets cultured with control medium were transplanted and in the other, cell sheets cultured with osteogenic differentiation medium were transplanted. The defects were analysed histologically and histomorphologically after healing. RESULTS Most of the experimental group exhibited a new cementum-like layer and new attachment of collagen fibres to the layer. Histomorphological analyses indicated significant periodontal regeneration. The control group revealed dense extracellular matrix and fibre formation, but an obvious cementum layer was not observed. CONCLUSIONS Transplanted PDL cell sheets cultured with osteogenic differentiation medium induced periodontal regeneration containing an obvious cementum layer and Sharpey's fibres. Thus, the method could be feasible as a new therapeutic approach for periodontal regeneration.
Outcome of Pandemic H1N1 Pneumonia: Clinical and Radiological Findings for Severity Assessment

Background/Aims Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infection presents with variable severity. However, little is known about clinical predictors of disease severity. We studied the clinical predictors of severe pandemic H1N1 pneumonia and their correlation with radiological findings. Methods We reviewed medical and radiological records of adults with pandemic H1N1 pneumonia. After classification of patients into severe and non-severe groups, the following data were evaluated: demographic data, pneumonia severity index (PSI), CURB65, risk factors, time to first dose of antiviral medication, routine laboratory data, clinical outcome, and radiological characteristics. Results Of 37 patients with pandemic H1N1 pneumonia, 12 and 25 were assigned to the severe and non-severe groups, respectively. PSI score, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lactate dyhydrogenase (LDH) levels were higher in the severe group than in the non-severe group (p = 0.035, 0.0003, 0.0023, and 0.0002, respectively). AST, ALT, and LDH levels were positively correlated with the radiological findings (p < 0.0001, 0.0003, and < 0.0001, respectively) and with the number of involved lobes (p = 0.663, 0.0134, and 0.0019, respectively). The most common finding on high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans was ground-glass attenuation with consolidation (n = 22, 60%), which had a predominantly patchy distribution (n = 31). Conclusions We demonstrated a positive correlation between clinical findings, such as serum AST, ALT, and LDH levels, and radiological findings. A combination of clinical and HRCT indicators would be useful in predicting the clinical outcome of pandemic H1N1 pneumonia.
Vapocoolant spray vs subcutaneous lidocaine injection for reducing the pain of intravenous cannulation: a randomized, controlled, clinical trial.

BACKGROUND We compared the efficacy, acceptability, and safety of a topical vapocoolant alkane spray and 1% plain s.c. lidocaine in reducing pain from i.v. cannulation. METHODS This was a non-blinded, randomized, controlled trial, in a large emergency department. Adult patients requiring i.v. cannulation were enrolled. The vapocoolant was administered from a pressure pack, at a distance of 12 cm for 2 s, and cannulation was undertaken within 15 s. Alternatively, 1% plain lidocaine 0.2 ml was administered s.c. using a 27 G needle, and cannulation was undertaken after a minimum of 30 s. The primary outcomes were anaesthetic administration and cannulation pain (0-100 mm visual analogue scale). Convenience of anaesthetic use and patient satisfaction were measured using a five-point Likert scale. RESULTS One hundred and ten patients were enrolled in each group. The groups did not differ in age, gender, cannulation anxiety, cannulator experience, cannulation indication or site, or cannula size. Median anaesthetic administration pain scores were 0 and 11 mm in the vapocoolant and lidocaine groups, respectively (P<0.001). Median cannulation pain scores were 9 and 0 mm, respectively (P<0.001). Vapocoolant was associated with greater cannulation success (83.6% vs 67.3%, P=0.005), less time to administer (median 9.0 vs 84.5 s, P<0.001), and more staff convenience (median 5 vs 4, P<0.001). Median patient satisfaction was 4 in both groups. Unexpected events were rare and minor. CONCLUSIONS Although vapocoolant reduces cannulation pain less than lidocaine, it has a number of important advantages. Vapocoolant offers a useful alternative in the emergency department setting.
Cartilage-specific RBPjκ-dependent and -independent Notch signals regulate cartilage and bone development

The Notch signaling pathway has emerged as an important regulator of endochondral bone formation. Although recent studies have examined the role of Notch in mesenchymal and chondro-osteo progenitor cell populations, there has yet to be a true examination of Notch signaling specifically within developing and committed chondrocytes, or a determination of whether cartilage and bone formation are regulated via RBPjκ-dependent or -independent Notch signaling mechanisms. To develop a complete understanding of Notch signaling during cartilage and bone development we generated and compared general Notch gain-of-function (Rosa-NICDf/+), RBPjκ-deficient (Rbpjκf/f), and RBPjκ-deficient Notch gain-of-function (Rosa-NICDf/+;Rbpjκf/f) conditional mutant mice, where activation or deletion of floxed alleles were specifically targeted to mesenchymal progenitors (Prx1Cre) or committed chondrocytes (inducible Col2CreERT2). These data demonstrate, for the first time, that Notch regulation of chondrocyte maturation is solely mediated via the RBPjκ-dependent pathway, and that the perichodrium or osteogenic lineage probably influences chondrocyte terminal maturation and turnover of the cartilage matrix. Our study further identifies the cartilage-specific RBPjκ-independent pathway as crucial for the proper regulation of chondrocyte proliferation, survival and columnar chondrocyte organization. Unexpectedly, the RBPjκ-independent Notch pathway was also identified as an important long-range cell non-autonomous regulator of perichondral bone formation and an important cartilage-derived signal required for coordinating chondrocyte and osteoblast differentiation during endochondral bone development. Finally, cartilage-specific RBPjκ-independent Notch signaling likely regulates Ihh responsiveness during cartilage and bone development.
Structured functional assessments in general practice increased the use of part-time sick leave: A cluster randomised controlled trial

Aim: A method for structured functional assessments of persons with long-term sick leave was implemented in a cluster randomised controlled trial in general practice. The aim was to analyse intervention effects on general practitioner (GP) sick-listing practice and patient sick leave. Methods: 57 GPs were randomly assigned to an intervention or a control group. The intervention group GPs learned the method at a 1-day workshop including teamwork and role-playing. The control group GPs were requested to assess functional ability as usual during the 8 months intervention period in 2005. Outcome measures included duration of patient sick leave episodes, GP prescription of part-time sick leave, active sick leave, and vocational rehabilitation. This data was extracted from a national register. Results: The GPs in the intervention group prescribed part-time sick leave more often (p < 0.01) and active sick leave less often (p = 0.04) than the control group GPs during the intervention period. There was no intervention effect on duration of patient sick leave episodes or on GP prescription of vocational rehabilitation. Conclusions: Implementing structured functional assessments in general practice made the GPs capable to assess functional ability of persons with long-term sick leave in a standardised and explicit manner. The intervention GPs’ sick-listing practice was changed as they prescribed more part-time and less active sick leave compared to the control group GPs. As a result, more intervention GP patients returned to part-time work compared to control GP patients. No intervention effect was seen on duration of patient sick leave episodes or on prescription of vocational rehabilitation.
Evaluation of time domain and spectral domain optical coherence tomography in the measurement of diabetic macular edema.

PURPOSE To evaluate macular thickness and volume measurements and their intrasession repeatability in two optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems: the Stratus OCT, a time domain system, and the Cirrus HD-OCT, a spectral domain system (both by Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Dublin, CA), in the context of diabetic macular edema (DME). METHODS Thirty-three eyes of 33 diabetic patients with clinically significant macular edema (CSME) were scanned in a single session by a single operator on both OCT systems. Macular thickness measurements of nine standard macular subfields and total macular volume were obtained and analyzed. Bland-Altman plots were constructed to assess agreement in macular measurements. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), coefficients of repeatability (CR(W)), and coefficients of variation (CV(W)) were used to assess intrasession repeatability. RESULTS Macular thickness in nine retinal subfields and macular volume were significantly higher in the Cirrus HD-OCT system compared with the Stratus OCT system. Subfield thickness and total volume measurements, respectively, were 30 to 55 microm and 3.2 mm(3) greater for the Cirrus HD-OCT system compared with the Stratus OCT system. Both Stratus OCT and Cirrus HD-OCT systems demonstrated high intrasession repeatability, with overlapping ranges for CR(W), CV(W), and ICC. Repeatability measures (CR(W) and CV(W)) differed significantly between systems in only one of nine subfields (outer temporal subfield). CONCLUSIONS Absolute measures of macular thickness and volume in patients with DME differed significantly in magnitude between the Stratus OCT and Cirrus HD-OCT systems. However, both OCT systems demonstrated high intrasessional repeatability. Although the two systems may not be used interchangeably, they appear equally reliable in generating macular measurements for clinical practice and research.
Micromechanical Properties of UHMWPE’S with Different Molecular Weights

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is used as a key component of total joint replacements (TJR) and its mechanical performance is one of the factors influencing TJR lifetime. Micromechanical properties of three model UHMWPE samples with different molecular weights were evaluated from both non-instrumented and instrumented microindentation hardness testing. The properties were correlated with molecular and supermolecular structure of the samples. We have demonstrated that molecular weight influenced the final micromechanical properties mostly indirectly – it changed the overall crystallinity, which strongly correlated with microhardness, indentation modulus, and also with the elastic part of the indentation work. Only microcreep was influenced predominantly by amorphous phase, in which the higher molecular weight resulted in higher amount of entanglements and slightly higher creep resistance.
Effects of a β-blocker on the cardiovascular response to MDMA (Ecstasy)

Background MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, ‘Ecstasy’) produces tachycardia and hypertension and is rarely associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications. In clinical practice, β-blockers are often withheld in patients with stimulant intoxication because they may increase hypertension and coronary artery vasospasm due to loss of β2-mediated vasodilation and unopposed α-receptor activation. However, it is unknown whether β-blockers affect the cardiovascular response to MDMA. Methods The effects of the non-selective β-blocker pindolol (20 mg) on the cardiovascular effects of MDMA (1.6 mg/kg) were investigated in a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study in 16 healthy subjects. Results Pindolol prevented MDMA-induced increases in heart rate. Peak values (mean±SD) for heart rate were 84±13 beats/min after MDMA vs 69±7 beats/min after pindolol-MDMA. In contrast, pindolol pretreatment had no effect on increases in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) after MDMA. Peak MAP values were 115±11 mm Hg after MDMA vs 114±11 mm Hg after pindolol-MDMA. Pindolol did not change adverse effects of MDMA. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that β-blockers may prevent increases in heart rate but not hypertensive and adverse effects of MDMA.
Dosimetry of Al2O3 optically stimulated luminescent dosimeter at high energy photons and electrons

The linearity of Al2O3 OSL dosimeters (OSLD) were evaluated for dosimetry works in clinical photons and electrons. The measurements were made at a reference depth of Zref according to IAEA TRS 398:2000 codes of practice at 6 and 10 MV photons and 6 and 9 MeV electrons. The measured dose was compared to the thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLD) and ionization chamber commonly used for dosimetry works for higher energy photons and electrons. The results showed that the measured dose in OSL dosimeters were in good agreement with the reported by the ionization chamber in both high energy photons and electrons. A reproducibility test also reported excellent consistency of readings with the OSL at similar energy levels. The overall results confirmed the suitability of OSL dosimeters for dosimetry works involving high energy photons and electrons in radiotherapy.
Chronic Alcohol Abuse Leads to Low Bone Mass with No General Loss of Bone Structure or Bone Mechanical Strength ,

Chronic alcohol abuse (CAA) has deleterious effects on skeletal health. This study examined the impact of CAA on bone with regard to bone density, structure, and strength. Bone specimens from 42 individuals with CAA and 42 individuals without alcohol abuse were obtained at autopsy. Dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA), compression testing, ashing, and bone histomorphometry were performed. Individuals with CAA had significantly lower bone mineral density (BMD) in the femoral neck and significantly lower bone volume demonstrated by thinner trabeculae, decreased extent of osteoid surfaces, and lower mean wall thickness of trabecular osteons compared to individuals without alcohol abuse. No significant difference was found for bone strength and structure. Conclusion: CAA leads to low bone mass due to a decrease in bone formation but with no destruction of bone architecture nor a decrease in bone strength. It is questionable whether this per se increases fracture risk.
Effects of oral administration of synthesized δ-amides of eflornithine in the rat

Abstract The purpose of this study was to synthesize a series of δ-amide derivatives of the antitrypanosomal drug eflornithine (2,5-diamino-2-(difluoromethyl)pentanoic acid hydrochloride, DMFO, CAS 70052-12-9), to determine their physicochemical properties and to assess whether they convert to eflornithine in vivo and if so, whether higher systemic exposure to eflornithine could be achieved by increase intestinal absorption, suggesting an oral treatment to be possible. The derivatives were synthesized by amidation of eflornithine on its δ-amino group using acyl chlorides. The partition coefficients (log D, pH = 7.4) were found to be between −0.78 ± 1.07 and −0.07 ± 1.08 while the aqueous solubility (Sw), which as determined in phosphate buffered solution (pH 7.4), ranged from 11.13 ± 0.32 to 28.74 ± 0.36 mg/mL. The synthesized compounds were thus mostly more lipophilic than eflornithine itself (log D = −0.98 ± 0.88, Sw = 34.96 ± 0.37 mg/mL). The intestinal absorption was assessed by plasma analysis after oral administration of each compound to Sprague-Dawley rats. The biological data revealed that the derivatives were either not absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract or not metabolized into eflornithine as no parent drug was detected in the plasma.
Soft-Output Trellis/Tree Iterative Decoder for high-order BICM on MIMO Frequency Selective Rayleigh Fading Channels

This paper presents a reduced-complexity soft-output trellis/tree equalizer for a high-order modulated MIMO system undergoing equal-power, Rayleigh frequency-selective fading. The algorithm reduces the complexity of trellis decoding by applying the M-algorithm twice, once to reduce the number of states in the trellis, and the other to reduce the number of tree branches emanating from each state. For soft-information, the algorithm utilizes not only those fully-extended paths reaching the end of the trellis, but also paths that are traversed and discarded in the pruned trellis. Our results demonstrated that the proposed algorithm is capable of achieving near-optimal performance with a much reduced complexity.
Cell to substratum contacts of chick fibroblasts and their relation to the microfilament system. A correlated interference-reflexion and high-voltage electron-microscope study.

The interference reflexion microscope may be used to examine the pattern of cell-substratum separation of cultured cells. Earlier studies on chick fibroblasts using this technique identified 3 types of separation: (1) focal contacts, representing approx. 10-14 nm separation and which are sites of cell-substratum adhesion and form at the leading edge of a cell during locomotion; (2) close contacts, representing approx. 30 nm separation; and (3) regions of greater separation, generally 100-140 nm. Using light microscopy these studies described the association of the focal contacts with the distal ends of cytoplasmic fibres and noted their similarity to the adhesion plaques described in EM studies of thin vertical sections of fibroblasts. In this investigation we have directly confirmed these earlier observations by using a correlated interference-reflexion and high-voltage stereo electron-microscopic study of cultured chick heart fibroblasts. The results show that focal contacts are always associated with the distal ends of linear bundles of microfilaments which pass centripetally and often obliquely through the cytoplasm. At their proximal ends the bundles insert into a loose matrix of microfilaments and organelles surrounding the nucleus. The close contacts are often associated with a meshwork of microfilaments. The evidence supports the hypothesis that the microfilament bundles of a fibroblast form synchronously with the focal adhesions to the substratum. Our results are discussed with reference to the current evidence for the role of contractile proteins in cell locomotion.