Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On Two-User Gaussian Multiple Access Channels With Finite Input Constellations

Constellation Constrained (CC) capacity regions of two-user Single-Input Single-Output (SISO) Gaussian Multiple Access Channels (GMAC) are computed for several Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access schemes (NO-MA) and Orthogonal Multiple Access schemes (O-MA). For NO-MA schemes, a metric is proposed to compute the angle(s) of rotation between the input constellations such that the CC capacity regions are maximally enlarged. Further, code pairs based on Trellis Coded Modulation (TCM) are designed with PSK constellation pairs and PAM constellation pairs such that any rate pair within the CC capacity region can be approached. Such a NO-MA scheme which employs CC capacity approaching trellis codes is referred to as Trellis Coded Multiple Access (TCMA). Then, CC capacity regions of O-MA schemes such as Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) and Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) are also computed and it is shown that, unlike the Gaussian distributed continuous constellations case, the CC capacity regions with FDMA are strictly contained inside the CC capacity regions with TCMA. Hence, for finite constellations, a NO-MA scheme such as TCMA is better than FDMA and TDMA which makes NO-MA schemes worth pursuing in practice for two-user GMAC. Then, the idea of introducing rotations between the input constellations is used to construct Space-Time Block Code (STBC) pairs for two-user Multiple-Input Single-Output (MISO) fading MAC. The proposed STBCs are shown to have reduced Maximum Likelihood (ML) decoding complexity and information-losslessness property. Finally, STBC pairs with reduced sphere decoding complexity are proposed for two-user Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) fading MAC.
A comparison of kiln-drying schedules and quality outcomes for 4/4-thickness black cherry lumber sawn from small-diameter logs

With high stumpage prices, many sawmills are interested in the feasibility of processing smaller diameter hardwood logs. Most ofthese mills do not know the lumber yield, lumber grade, or cost of processing these logs. In this project we investigated the impact ofalternative dry kiln schedules on the grade yields and defect occurrence in lumber sawn from small-diameter (logs with small-end diameters of 11 inches or less) black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) logs. The position within the log from which each board was sawn was mapped in relation to thc profile ofthe logs. Every board was examined for end checks, surface checks, shake, twist, bow, cup, crook, and assigned a predrying grade. The lumber was dried using a conventional black cherry kiln schedule published in the Dry Kiln Operator's Manual (Simpson 1991) and two modified kiln schedules designed to dry lumber under milder drying conditions compared to the conventional schedule. The modified kiln schedules maintained equilibrium moisture content (EMC) conditions that were comparable to those ofthe conventional kiln schedules for each ofthe drying steps. After drying, each board was again examined for end checks, surface checks, shake, twist, bow, cup, crook, and assigned a postdrying grade Modified kiln schedule #1, in which the final dry-bulb temperature was lowered 20 OF from that of the con­ ventional schedule, provided the best drying results in terms of the reduction in defects and minimization of grade loss as compared to the conventional (T4-08) cherry schedule. Overall, for all three kiln treatments, lumber grade yield increased with increasing log diameter and log grade, and it improved in the direction of pith to bark. This study will provide the hardwood products industry with a better understanding ofthc feasibi lity ofand approach for processing lumber from small-diameter black cherry logs.
Retrospective: the MIT Alewife machine: architecture and performance

lr 1 he MIT Alewife project evolved out of exploratory work at Stanford on directory schemes for cache coherence [l] (also included in this collection). Using data from small bus-based multiprocessors, this early work demonstrated that directory schemes were as efficient as bus-based snooping protocols, and that by distributing directories along with main memory, they could provide the foundations for a cache-coherent sharedmemory multiprocessor based on an interconnection network. This paper further recognized the scaling limits of bit-vector directories they consumed memory proportional to the square of the number of processors and speculated that variants such as limited ointer directories or limited broadcast directories P might be attractive scalable alternatives. The paper, however, stopped short of demonstrating the feasibility of limited directories, largely because of the lack of either address traces or parallel programs written for a scalable coherent shared-memory system. This lack of data was not surprising given that such a machine had not been invented yet!
Three new graphical models for statistical language modelling

The supremacy of n-gram models in statistical language modelling has recently been challenged by parametric models that use distributed representations to counteract the difficulties caused by data sparsity. We propose three new probabilistic language models that define the distribution of the next word in a sequence given several preceding words by using distributed representations of those words. We show how real-valued distributed representations for words can be learned at the same time as learning a large set of stochastic binary hidden features that are used to predict the distributed representation of the next word from previous distributed representations. Adding connections from the previous states of the binary hidden features improves performance as does adding direct connections between the real-valued distributed representations. One of our models significantly outperforms the very best n-gram models.
Tumor Cells and Tumor-Associated Macrophages: Secreted Proteins as Potential Targets for Therapy

Inflammatory pathways, meant to defend the organism against infection and injury, as a byproduct, can promote an environment which favors tumor growth and metastasis. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), which constitute a significant part of the tumor-infiltrating immune cells, have been linked to the growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis of a variety of cancers, most likely through polarization of TAMs to the M2 (alternative) phenotype. The interaction between tumor cells and macrophages provides opportunities for therapy. This paper will discuss secreted proteins as targets for intervention.
Changes in retention characteristics of 9historical artificial water reservoirs near BanskáŠtiavnica, Slovakia

Abstract The article is focused on the evaluation of accumulationvolume changes in 9 water reservoirs nearBanská Štiavnica (Slovakia) by comparing historical mapsand using modern bathymetric surveying technologies.The mining region of Banská Štiavnica has been inscribedinto the UNESCO List of the World and Cultural Heritagein 1993. Accumulation and transfer of sediments dependmainly on changes of land cover in the watersheds thatlead to the loss of retention capacity and reduction oflife span of reservoirs. The results of a comparison oftwo 3D models, one created from historic documentationand the other created from data of field surveying haveshown overall reduction in the volume of water totalling446484m3, i.e. 16.70%from past to current time. Causes ofsedimentation were searched in watersheds changes overtime. These were identified by comparison of historicalaerial imagery (1949) with existing aerial photographs.
Shifts in ENSO coupling processes under global warming

Global warming may shift the properties and dynamics of El Niño. We study the shifts in ENSO couplings in IPCC‐AR4 coupled general circulation climate models. First, we compare period, pattern, amplitude and mean state of the Pacific Ocean between the current climate and a high CO2 climate. Next, shifts in ENSO couplings between sea surface temperature (SST), thermocline depth and wind stress are discussed. Although the mean state shifts, the overall ENSO properties do not change much. Changes in the mean state affect the feedback loop. Higher mean SST provides higher damping through cloud feedback. The shallower thermocline and mixed layer depth increase SST sensitivity to thermocline variability and wind stress. Wind response to SST variability increases where the mean SST has increased the most. However, the higher damping and more stable atmosphere compensate the other changes and the residual change in ENSO properties is relatively small.
Chrysophanol attenuates lead exposure-induced injury to hippocampal neurons in neonatal mice

Previous studies have shown that chrysophanol protects against learning and memory impairments in lead-exposed adult mice. In the present study, we investigated whether chrysophanol can alleviate learning and memory dysfunction and hippocampal neuronal injury in lead-exposed neonatal mice. At the end of lactation, chrysophanol (0.1, 1.0, 10.0 mg/kg) was administered to the neonatal mice by intraperitoneal injection for 15 days. Chrysophanol significantly alleviated injury to hippocampal neurons and improved learning and memory abilities in the lead-poisoned neonatal mice. Chrysophanol also significantly decreased lead content in blood, brain, heart, spleen, liver and kidney in the lead-exposed neonatal mice. The levels of malondialdehyde in the brain, liver and kidney were significantly reduced, and superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities were significantly increased after chrysophanol treatment. Collectively, these findings indicate that chrysophanol can significantly reduce damage to hippocampal neurons in lead-exposed neonatal mice.
HIV-1 RNA and HIV-1 DNA persistence during suppressive ART with PI-based or nevirapine-based regimens.

OBJECTIVES Whether ART regimens differ in their propensity to allow persistent HIV-1 detection remains unclear. To investigate this, we performed a cross-sectional study to characterize HIV-1 persistence in peripheral blood during suppressive therapy with NRTIs plus a PI or nevirapine. METHODS Residual plasma HIV-1 RNA was quantified by real-time PCR. Cell-associated proviral total HIV-1 DNA, unspliced and multiply spliced HIV-1 RNA and 2-long terminal repeat (2-LTR) circles were quantified by digital PCR. RESULTS Comparing PI with nevirapine recipients, residual plasma HIV-1 RNA detection rates were 47/80 (58.8%) versus 37/81 (45.7%), with median (IQR) levels of 4 (3-8) versus 4 (3-7) copies/mL (P = 0.207); detection was less likely with longer duration of suppressive ART (P = 0.020), independently of treatment. HIV-1 DNA was detected in all patients, with median levels of 2.3 (IQR 2.0-2.7) versus 2.5 (IQR 2.1-2.7) log10 copies/10(6) PBMCs, respectively; HIV-1 DNA levels were associated with pre-ART viral load (P = 0.004) and with residual HIV-1 RNA (P = 0.034), unspliced HIV-1 RNA (P = 0.001) and 2-LTR circles (P = 0.005), independently of treatment. CONCLUSIONS No significant differences were revealed in levels of residual plasma HIV-1 RNA, total HIV-1 DNA or intracellular markers of ongoing virus replication (unspliced and multiply spliced HIV-1 RNA and 2-LTR circles) between treatment groups.
A Ranking Method of Triangular Intuitionistic Fuzzy Numbers and Application to Decision Making

Ranking of triangular intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (TIFNs) is an important problem, which is solved by the value and ambiguity based ranking method developed in this paper. Firstly, the concept of TIFNs is introduced. Arithmetic operations and cut sets over TIFNs are investigated. Then, the values and ambiguities of the membership degree and the non-membership degree for TIFNs are defined as well as the value-index and ambiguity-index. Finally, a value and ambiguity based ranking method is developed and applied to solve multiattribute decision making problems in which the ratings of alternatives on attributes are expressed using TIFNs. A numerical example is examined to demonstrate the implementation process and applicability of the method proposed in this paper. Furthermore, comparison analysis of the proposed method is conducted to show its advantages over other similar methods.
Crystal Structure Determinations of Oxidized and Reduced Pseudoazurins from Achromobacter cycloclastes

The crystal structures of oxidized and reduced pseudoazurins from a denitrifying bacterium, Achromobacter cycloclastes IAM1013, have been determined at 1.35- and 1.6-Å resolutions, respectively. The copper site in the oxidized state exhibits a distorted tetrahedral structure like those of other pseudoazurins. However, not only a small change of the copper geometry, but concerted peptide bond flips are identified. The imidazole ring of remote His6 has a hydrogen bonding distance of 2.73 Å between N-δ1(His6) and O-γ1(Thr36) in the oxidized protein. When the protein is reduced at pH 6.0, the imidazole ring rotates by 30.3° and moves 1.00 Å away from the position of the oxidized state. A new hydrogen bond between N-ε2(His6) and O-ε1(Glu4) is formed with a distance of 3.03 Å, while the hydrogen bond between N-δ1(His6)-O-γ1(Thr36) is maintained with an interatomic distance of 2.81 Å. A concomitant peptide bond flip of main chain between Ile34 and Thr36 occurs.
Female exposure to high G: chronic adaptations of cardiovascular functions.

INTRODUCTION Exposure to microgravity is associated with increased leg venous compliance and reductions in cardiac output, baroreflex functions, and tolerance to orthostatism. However, the effects of chronic exposure to high-G environments are unknown. In addition, there is evidence that females have lower orthostatic tolerance than males, although the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Therefore, we tested the hypotheses that high-G training will enhance baroreflex and orthostatic functions and that females will demonstrate similar adaptations compared with males. METHODS Calf venous compliance, baroreflex function, and orthostatic performance were measured in six men and seven women before and after repeated exposures on the centrifuge (G-training) for 4 wk, 3 times/wk, with gradual levels of G starting with +3 Gz without G-suit protection during week 1 and advancing to +9 Gz with G-suit protection by the end of week 4. Calf venous compliance was measured by occlusion plethysmography using impedance rheographic recordings of volume change. Baroreflex function was assessed from beat-by-beat changes in heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) that were measured before, during, and after a Valsalva maneuver strain at 30 mmHg expiratory pressure. The orthostatic performance of reflex responses was assessed from beat-by-beat changes in HR, MAP, stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (Q; by impedance plethysmography), and systemic peripheral resistance during the last 10 cardiac beats of a 4-min squat position and during the initial 10 cardiac beats in a standing position. RESULTS G-training increased calf compliance in both men and women. SV and Q were increased during the squat-to-stand test in the males, but not in the females, following G-training and provided protection against the development of acute hypotension in the men. CONCLUSIONS G-training caused adaptations in orthostatic functions opposite to those observed following exposure to microgravity environments. However, adaptations to G-training were limited in females, a finding that may provide a physiological basis for their lower simulated combat tracking performance during simulated aerial combat maneuvers compared with males.
Awareness and Practices of Oral Hygiene and its Relation to Sociodemographic Factors among Patients attending the General Outpatient Department in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Kolkata, India

Background: Periodontal diseases, dental caries, malocclusion, and oral cancer are the most prevalent dental diseases affecting people in the Indian community. Objective: The study was conducted to assess the awareness and practices on oral hygiene and its association with the sociodemographic factors among patients attending the general Outpatient Department (OPD). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 224 patients attending the general OPD of the SSKM Hospital, Kolkata, India, from 1 April to 30 April, 2013. The study tool was a pre-designed and pre-tested semi-structured schedule. Results: About 69.20% of the participants used a toothbrush with toothpaste as a method of cleaning their teeth; 35.71% brushed twice in a day; 33.03% brushed both in the morning and at bedtime; and 8.93% used mouthwash. About 40.62% visited the dentist during the last six months; among them 61.18% attended because of pain. Almost three-fourth of the participants knew that tooth decay and bad breath were the effects of not cleaning the teeth. It was known to 71.42, 63.39, 70.53, and 73.21% of the respondents, respectively, that excess sweet, cold drink, alcohol, and smoking/pan chewing were bad for dental health. Television was the source of knowledge to 57.14% of the participants and 35.71% acquired their knowledge from a dentist. Females, literates, urban residents, users of mouthwash, and regular visitors to the dentist had good oral hygiene practices. Conclusion: Oral health awareness and practices among the study population are poor and need to improve.
Management of pneumothorax after percutaneous CT-guided lung biopsy.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy of simple aspiration of air from the pleural space to prevent increased pneumothorax and to avoid chest tube placement in cases of pneumothorax following CT-guided lung biopsy. DESIGN Observational. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred thirty-four consecutive percutaneous needle lung biopsies using real-time CT fluoroscopy guidance formed the basis of our study. All patients that demonstrated moderate or severe pneumothorax on postbiopsy chest CT images underwent percutaneous manual aspiration regardless of symptoms while on the CT scanner table. Correlation between the incidence of pneumothorax after biopsy and many factors (i.e., gender, age, number of pleural passes, presence of emphysema, lesion size, and lesion depth) were determined, and management of each case of biopsy-induced pneumothorax was reviewed. RESULTS Postbiopsy pneumothorax occurred in 46 of 134 procedures (34.3%). Twenty of the 46 patients were treated by manual aspiration, while 26 patients were simply observed. In 43 of the 46 pneumothoraces (93.5%), the pneumothorax resolved completely on follow-up chest radiographs without requiring tube placement. Only three patients (2.2% of the entire series; 6.5% of those who had pneumothorax develop) required chest tube placement. The risk of pneumothorax significantly increased with lesion size and depth. CONCLUSION Results of our nonprospective, nonrandomized study suggest that percutaneous manual aspiration of biopsy-induced pneumothorax performed immediately after biopsy may prevent progressive pneumothorax and subsequent chest tube placement.
A Versatile Nanotrap for Biochemical and Functional Studies with Fluorescent Fusion Proteins*S

Green fluorescent proteins (GFPs) and variants thereof are widely used to study protein localization and dynamics. We engineered a specific binder for fluorescent proteins based on a 13-kDa GFP binding fragment derived from a llama single chain antibody. This GFP-binding protein (GBP) can easily be produced in bacteria and coupled to a monovalent matrix. The GBP allows a fast and efficient (one-step) isolation of GFP fusion proteins and their interacting factors for biochemical analyses including mass spectroscopy and enzyme activity measurements. Moreover GBP is also suitable for chromatin immunoprecipitations from cells expressing fluorescent DNA-binding proteins. Most importantly, GBP can be fused with cellular proteins to ectopically recruit GFP fusion proteins allowing targeted manipulation of cellular structures and processes in living cells. Because of the high affinity capture of GFP fusion proteins in vitro and in vivo and a size in the lower nanometer range we refer to the immobilized GFP-binding protein as GFP-nanotrap. This versatile GFP-nanotrap enables a unique combination of microscopic, biochemical, and functional analyses with one and the same protein.
Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D is expressed by macrophages in human atherosclerosis and colocalizes with oxidation epitopes.

BACKGROUND Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D (GPI-PLD) may play an important role in inflammation, because it can hydrolyze the GPI anchors of several inflammatory membrane proteins (eg, CD106, CD55, and CD59) and its hydrolytic products upregulate macrophage cytokine expression (eg, interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha). Because of its potential regulatory role in inflammatory reactions, we hypothesized that GPI-PLD might be expressed in atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS Immunohistochemistry using human GPI-PLD-specific rabbit polyclonal antiserum was performed on a total of 83 nonatherosclerotic and atherosclerotic human coronary arteries from 23 patients. Macrophages, smooth muscle cells, apoA-I, and oxidation epitopes also were identified immunohistochemically. Cell-associated GPI-PLD was detected in 95% of atherosclerotic segments, primarily on a subset of macrophages. Extracellular GPI-PLD was present in only 30% of atherosclerotic segments and localized to regions with extracellular apoA-I. In contrast, GPI-PLD was not detected in nonatherosclerotic segments. Expression of GPI-PLD mRNA by human macrophages was confirmed in vitro by reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction. Further studies demonstrated that GPI-PLD-positive plaque macrophages contained oxidation epitopes, suggesting a link between oxidant stress and GPI-PLD expression. This possibility was supported by studies in which exposure of a macrophage cell line to H2O2 led to a 50+/-3% increase in steady-state GPI-PLD mRNA levels. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, these results suggest that oxidative processes may regulate GPI-PLD expression and suggest a role for GPI-PLD in inflammation and in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
Specific Modulation of Airway Epithelial Tight Junctions by Apical Application of an Occludin Peptide

Tight junctions are directly involved in regulating the passage of ions and macromolecules (gate functions) in epithelial and endothelial cells. The modulation of these gate functions to transiently regulate the paracellular permeability of large solutes and ions could increase the delivery of pharmacological agents or gene transfer vectors. To reduce the inflammatory responses caused by tight junction-regulating agents, alternative strategies directly targeting specific tight junction proteins could prove to be less toxic to airway epithelia. The apical delivery of peptides corresponding to the first extracellular loop of occludin to transiently modulate apical paracellular flux has been demonstrated in intestinal epithelia. We hypothesized that apical application of these occludin peptides could similarly modulate tight junction permeability in airway epithelia. Thus, we investigated the effects of apically applied occludin peptide on the paracellular permeability of molecular tracers and viral vectors in well differentiated human airway epithelial cells. The effects of occludin peptide on cellular toxicity, tight junction protein expression and localization, and membrane integrity were also assessed. Our data showed that apically applied occludin peptide significantly reduced transepithelial resistance in airway epithelia and altered tight junction permeability in a concentration-dependent manner. These alterations enhanced the paracellular flux of dextrans as well as gene transfer vectors. The occludin peptide redistributed occludin but did not alter the expression or distribution of ZO-1, claudin-1, or claudin-4. These data suggest that specific targeting of occludin could be a better-suited alternative strategy for tight junction modulation in airway epithelial cells compared with current agents that modulate tight junctions.