Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Large System Analysis of Linear Precoding in Correlated MISO Broadcast Channels Under Limited Feedback

In this paper, we study the sum rate performance of zero-forcing (ZF) and regularized ZF (RZF) precoding in large MISO broadcast systems under the assumptions of imperfect channel state information at the transmitter and per-user channel transmit correlation. Our analysis assumes that the number of transmit antennas M and the number of single-antenna users K are large while their ratio remains bounded. We derive deterministic approximations of the empirical signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (SINR) at the receivers, which are tight as M, K → ∞. In the course of this derivation, the per-user channel correlation model requires the development of a novel deterministic equivalent of the empirical Stieltjes transform of large dimensional random matrices with generalized variance profile. The deterministic SINR approximations enable us to solve various practical optimization problems. Under sum rate maximization, we derive 1) for RZF the optimal regularization parameter; 2) for ZF the optimal number of users; 3) for ZF and RZF the optimal power allocation scheme; and 4) the optimal amount of feedback in large FDD/TDD multiuser systems. Numerical simulations suggest that the deterministic approximations are accurate even for small M, K.
Susceptibility of functional impairment scales to noncredible responses in the clinical evaluation of adult ADHD

Abstract Objective: A growing body of research questions the reliance of symptom self-reports in the clinical evaluation of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adulthood. A recent study suggested that also impairment reports are vulnerable to noncredible responses, as derived from a simulation design using a global functional impairment scale. The present study aims to add evidence to this issue, by using an ADHD specific impairment scale in a simulation design on large samples. Method: Impairment ratings on the Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale (WFIRS) of 62 patients with ADHD were compared to 142 healthy individuals who were instructed to show normal behavior. Furthermore, impairment ratings of patients with ADHD were compared to ratings of 330 healthy individuals who were randomly assigned to one of four simulation conditions that were instructed to complete the scale as if they had ADHD. Results: Patients with ADHD reported higher levels of impairment than the healthy control group in all domains of life. Furthermore, individuals instructed to feign ADHD indicated higher levels of impairments in most domains of life compared to control participants and genuine patients with ADHD. The group differences between individuals feigning ADHD and individuals with genuine ADHD, however, were only small to moderate. Further analyses revealed that the WFRIS was not useful to successfully differentiate genuine from feigned ADHD. Conclusions: The present study confirms the conclusion that self-reported impairments are susceptible to noncredible responses and should be used with caution in the clinical evaluation of adult ADHD.
Interstitial microwave transition from hyperthermia to ablation: Historical perspectives and current trends in thermal therapy

This work reviews the transition from hyperthermia to ablation for cancer treatment with interstitial microwave (MW) antennas. Early work utilising MW energy for thermal treatment of cancer tissue began in the late 1970s using single antennas applied interstitially or the use of multiple interstitial antennas driven with the same phase and equal power at 915 or 2450 MHz. The original antenna designs utilised monopole or dipole configurations. Early work in thermal therapy in the hyperthermia field eventually led to utilisation of these antennas and methods for MW ablation of tumours. Efforts to boost the radiated MW power levels while decreasing antenna shaft temperatures led to incorporation of internally cooled antennas for ablation. To address larger tumours, MW treatment utilised arrays that were simultaneously activated by either non-synchronous or synchronous phase operation, benefiting both hyperthermia and ablation strategies. Numerical modelling was used to provide treatment planning guidance for hyperthermia treatments and is expected to provide a similar benefit for ablation therapy. Although this is primarily a review paper, some new data are included. These new data show that three antennas with 2.5 cm spacing at 45 W/channel and 10 min resulted in a volume of 89.8 cm3 when operated synchronously, but only 53.4 cm3 non-synchronously. Efficiency was 1.1 (synchronous) versus 0.7 (non-synchronous). MW systems, treatment planning, and image guidance continue to evolve to provide better tools and options for clinicians and patients in order to provide better approach and targeting optimisation with the goal of improved treatment for the patient.
Phosphorylation of SNAP-23 regulates its dynamic membrane association during mast cell exocytosis

ABSTRACT Upon allergen challenge, mast cells (MCs) respond by releasing pre-stored mediators from their secretory granules by the transient mechanism of porosome-mediated cell secretion. The target SNARE SNAP-23 has been shown to be important for MC exocytosis, and our previous studies revealed the presence of one basal (Thr102) and two induced (Ser95 and Ser120) phosphorylation sites in its linker region. To study the role of SNAP-23 phosphorylation in the regulation of exocytosis, green fluorescence protein-tagged wild-type SNAP-23 (GFP-SNAP-23) and its phosphorylation mutants were transfected into rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) MCs. Studies on GFP-SNAP-23 transfected MCs revealed some dynamic changes in SNAP-23 membrane association. SNAP-23 was associated with plasma membrane in resting MCs, however, on activation a portion of it translocated to cytosol and internal membranes. These internal locations were secretory granule membranes. This dynamic change in the membrane association of SNAP-23 in MCs may be important for mediating internal granule-granule fusions in compound exocytosis. Further studies with SNAP-23 phosphorylation mutants revealed an important role for the phosphorylation at Thr102 in its initial membrane association, and of induced phosphorylation at Ser95 and Ser120 in its internal membrane association, during MC exocytosis. Summary: The current study has revealed the phosphorylation-dependent dynamic nature of membrane association of SNAP-23 for mediation of different fusion steps in compound exocytosis from mast cells during allergen challenge.
Clinical characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus infections in healthy versus previously compromised host

In an effort to delineate the clinical characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in the compromised host, we compared children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), congenital heart disease (CHD), premature birth, failure to thrive, and gastro‐esophageal reflux to previously healthy children. During a four‐year period, 262 patients were admitted to the hospital with RSV infection diagnosed by a rapid RSV antigen detection test. Children with BPD or CHD had more hospital days and supplemental oxygen days than the previously healthy group (P < 0.05). Patients with BPD also had more ICU days, ventilator days, and NPO days, as well as a higher physiologic stability index and therapeutic intervention score than the previously healthy group (P < 0.05). Premature infants were more likely to present with apnea from RSV (P < 0.001). Patients with underlying illness tended to be older, although significant difference was demonstrated only for the BPD group (7.0±5.3 vs. 3.5±3.3, P < 0.05). Patients with BPD and CHD had more nosocomial infections than the previously healthy group (P < 0.0001) and death occurred only in patients with underlying illness. We conclude that previously compromised patients are at risk for more severe and prolonged RSV disease. Earlier diagnosis and therapeutic intervention may be necessary in such patients to improve outcome.Pediatr Pulmonol. 1989; 7:167‐170.
Glucose and protein metabolism during late pregnancy in triplet-bearing ewes given fresh forages ad lib.

1. Ewes of the Booroola x Romney genotype carrying triplet lambs were given fresh forages ad lib. in late pregnancy. In Expt 1, groups of three ewes were given kale (Brassica oleracea), perennial ryegrass (Loliumperenne) or perennial ryegrass (0.75)–barley (0.25). In Expt 2, groups of two or three ewes were given fresh perennial ryegrass and infused into the abomasum with iso-energetic quantities of casein and glucose in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Post-lambing ewe live weights were 40–50 kg. Glucose irreversible loss (GIL) was determined from dilution of D-[U-14C]glucose. 2. For ewes given kale, perennial ryegrass and perennial ryegrass—barley in Expt 1, mean metabolizable energy (ME) intakes were 0.50, 0.82 and 0.83 MJ/kg live Weight0.75 per d, GIL was 112, 142 and 157 g/d, and mean birth weight 2.22, 3.05 and 2.95 kg/lamb. 3. In Expt 2, infusion of glucose, casein, and glucose+casein depressed herbage ME intake respectively by 1.6, 0.9 and 0.3 times the amount of ME infused. GIL (185–325 g/d) was increased by 800 and 350 g respectively for each kg of glucose or casein infused. Casein infusion increased calculated amino acid absorption from 0.18 to 0.36 of ME, increased wool growth and increased calculated maternal N balance. Birth weight was unaffected by nutritional treatment and averaged 3.29 kg/lamb. 4. When values from both experiments were combined, birth weight was related to GIL by a hyperbolic relation, with maximum predicted birth weight being 4.1 kg/lamb. It was postulated that this value was never attained in practice, due to uterine expansion being restricted by the low maternal body size. Marked decreases in birth weight occurred when GIL decreased below 173 g/d. 5. It was calculated that ewes in all treatment groups were in negative energy balance, and that glucose supplied by the kale and unsupplemented ryegrass diets were respectively below and equal to calculated conceptus uptakes of glucose necessary to maintain growth of triplet fetuses. It was further calculated that amino acid requirements of triplet-bearing ewes in late pregnancy were likely to exceed substantially net absorption from digestion of fresh forage diets, and that maternal tissues go into negative N balance to ensure fetal growth, thus explaining the lack of response to abomasal casein infusion.
A novel approach to the fully automatic extraction of Fujisaki model parameters

The generation of naturally-sounding F0 contours in TTS is important for the intelligibility and perceived naturalness of synthetic speech. In earlier works the author developed a linguistically motivated model of German intonation based on the quantitative Fujisaki model of the production process of F0. The extraction of parameters for this model from the extracted F0 contour, however, poses problems since model components are superimposed in a particular contour and cannot be calculated directly. The current paper introduces a novel fully-automatic multi-stage approach which was applied to a larger speech database of German. After explaining the modeling procedure in detail, the paper presents first results concerning the relationship between the Fujisaki parameters and the linguistic information underlying an utterance.
A Comparative Study of Ranking-Based Semantics for Abstract Argumentation

Argumentation is a process of evaluating and comparing a set of arguments. A way to compare them consists in using a ranking-based semantics which rank-order arguments from the most to the least acceptable ones. Recently, a number of such semantics have been pro- posed independently, often associated with some desirable properties. However, there is no comparative study which takes a broader perspective. This is what we propose in this work. We provide a general comparison of all these semantics with respect to the proposed proper- ties. That allows to underline the differences of behavior between the existing semantics.
Electron spin resonance shows common structural features for different classes of EcoRI-DNA complexes.

In this communication, we show that the EcoRI restriction endonuclease binds different classes of DNA sites in the same binding cleft. EcoRI generates widespread interest because it exhibits an extraordinary sequence selectivity to carry out its function of cleaving incoming foreign DNA without causing potentially lethal cleavage of cellular DNA. For example, EcoRI binds to its correct recognition site GAATTC up to 90,000-fold better than to miscognate sites that have one incorrect base pair. [1,2] The ∼650 specific sites in the E. coli genome are protected from cleavage by double-strand methylation. The ∼21,000 miscognate sites are not methylated, but are still cleaved by EcoRI with a second-order rate constant that is ∼109-fold lower. [1,2] EcoRI forms only non-specific complexes with no cleavage at sites that differ from GAATTC by two or more base pairs. [1,2]
The puzzle of asymmetric effects of oil: New results from international stock markets

Previous work has documented that oil price changes have nonlinear effects in the economy and in stock market returns. We show that the nonlinear effects are different depending on whether countries are energy dependent or not. While price soars seem to have a negative effect on the stock markets of oil energy dependent countries, they have a positive effect on the stock markets of oil exporting countries. Stock market returns are negatively affected by oil price volatility in energy dependent countries and positively in oil exporting countries. The asymmetric effects found in oil dependent and oil exporting countries seem to fit into the offset mechanism proposed in the literature where oil price shocks interact both with oil price volatility and the economy. The results are also consistent with the finding that oil exporting countries benefit economically from oil price hikes.
Antioxidant therapy: a new pharmacological approach in shock, inflammation, and ischemia/reperfusion injury.

A vast amount of circumstantial evidence implicates oxygen-derived free radicals (especially superoxide and hydroxyl radical) and high-energy oxidants (such as peroxynitrite) as mediators of inflammation, shock, and ischemia/reperfusion injury. The aim of this review is to describe recent developments in the field of oxidative stress research. The first part of the review focuses on the roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in shock, inflammation, and ischemia/reperfusion injury. The second part of the review deals with the novel findings using recently identified pharmacological tools (e.g., peroxynitrite decomposition catalysts and selective superoxide dismutase mimetics (SODm) in shock, ischemia/reperfusion, and inflammation. 1) The role of ROS consists of immunohistochemical and biochemical evidence that demonstrates the production of ROS in shock, inflammation, and ischemia/reperfusion injury. ROS can initiate a wide range of toxic oxidative reactions. These include initiation of lipid peroxidation, direct inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes, inactivation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, inhibition of membrane sodium/potassium ATPase activity, inactivation of membrane sodium channels, and other oxidative modifications of proteins. All these toxicities are likely to play a role in the pathophysiology of shock, inflammation, and ischemia/reperfusion. 2) Treatment with either peroxynitrite decomposition catalysts, which selectively inhibit peroxynitrite, or with SODm, which selectively mimic the catalytic activity of the human superoxide dismutase enzymes, have been shown to prevent in vivo the delayed vascular decompensation and the cellular energetic failure associated with shock, inflammation, and ischemia/reperfusion injury. ROS (e.g., superoxide, peroxynitrite, hydroxyl radical, and hydrogen peroxide) are all potential reactants capable of initiating DNA single-strand breakage, with subsequent activation of the nuclear enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase, leading to eventual severe energy depletion of the cells and necrotic-type cell death. Antioxidant treatment inhibits the activation of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase and prevents the organ injury associated with shock, inflammation, and ischemia/reperfusion.
Age-Related Changes in Carotid Artery Flow and Pressure Pulses: Possible Implications for Cerebral Microvascular Disease

Background and Purpose— We sought to establish the relation between the pulsatile components of pressure and flow waveforms in the carotid artery and their change with age. Methods— Distention (pressure) and axial flow velocity waveforms were recorded noninvasively and simultaneously from the common carotid artery of 56 healthy subjects aged 20 to 72 years. Results— There was a close relation between the time intervals of pressure and flow waves: from foot to first shoulder or peak, to second shoulder or peak, and to incisura (r=0.97, P<0.0001 for each), which approximated the line of identity. The peak and nadir of flow velocity decreased with age, but late systolic flow augmentation increased substantially (1.6 times in the older group); this can be attributed to earlier wave reflection from the lower body. Pressure augmentation index (PAI) and flow augmentation index (FAI) increased similarly with age (PAI (%)=0.84×age−26.6; FAI (%)=0.75×age+11.9; both P<0.0001). Conclusions— Arterial stiffening with aging increases carotid flow augmentation and can explain the increasing flow fluctuations in cerebral blood vessels. Measurement of carotid FAI may provide a gauge for risk of cerebral microvascular damage, just as PAI provides a gauge for risk of left ventricular hypertrophy and failure.
Speaking my patient's language: bilingual nurses’ perspective about provision of language concordant care to patients with limited English proficiency

AIM The aim of this study was to explore bilingual nurses' perspective about providing language concordant care to patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) and its impact on patients and nurses. Factors affecting the provision of language concordant care to patients LEP were also explored. BACKGROUND With an increase in migration and mobility of people across the world, the likelihood of experiencing language barriers while providing and receiving care is high. Nurses are responsible for providing care to patients regardless of their culture, religion, ethnic background or language. Language barriers, however, are hurdles that hamper development of effective communication between nurses and patients. Eliminating language barriers is a crucial step in providing culturally competent and patient-centred care. DESIGN Qualitative descriptive study. METHODS During January-August 2015, 59 nurses, working in acute hospitals in the UK, participated in 26 individual in-depth interviews and three focus group discussions. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. FINDINGS Four themes: 'when we speak the same language'; 'when I speak my patient's language'; 'what facilitates provision of language concordant care' and 'what hinders the provision of language concordant care' were identified. Factors affecting nurses' ability to provide language concordant care included individual factors (confidence; years of experience as a nurse; years of experience in the work setting; and relationship with colleagues), patients' expectation, attitudes of other patients, colleagues and nurse managers, organizational culture and organizational policies. CONCLUSION Bilingual nurses can play a very important role in the provision of language concordant for patients with LEP. Further research is needed to explore patient perspective.
Using denoising autoencoder for emotion recognition

In this paper, we propose to use the denoising autoencoder to generate robust feature representations for emotion recognition. In our method, the input of the denoising autoencoder is the normalized static feature set (state-of-the-art features for emotion recognition). This input is mapped to two hidden representations: one is to capture the neutral information from the input, and the other one is used to extract emotional information. Model parameters are learned by minimizing the squared error between the original and the reconstructed input. After pre-training and ﬁne-tuning, we use the hidden representation as features in the SVM model for emotion classiﬁcation. Our experimental results show signiﬁcant performance improvement compared to using the static features.
Nonparametric liquefaction triggering and postliquefaction deformations

AbstractThis study evaluates granular liquefaction triggering case-history data using a nonparametric approach. This approach assumes no functional form in the relationship between liquefied and nonliquefied cases as measured using cone penetration test (CPT) data. From a statistical perspective, this allows for an estimate of the threshold of liquefaction triggering unbiased by prior functional forms, and also provides a platform for testing existing published methods for accuracy and precision. The resulting threshold exhibits some unique trends, which are then interpreted based on postliquefaction deformation behavior. The range of postliquefaction deformations are differentiated into three zones: (1) large deformations associated with metastable conditions; (2) medium deformations associated with cyclic strain failure; and (3) small deformations associated with cyclic stress failure. Deformations are further defined based on the absence or presence of static driving shear stresses. This work presents .
Analysis of Physico- Chemical Parameters of Water in Madduvalsa Reservoir, India

Water is an essential part of this environment. Now a day pollution is the biggest problem in this world especially water pollution. Major water pollution occurs in rivers and reservoirs which result in unhygienic drinking water, deterioration of crops and loss of field’s fertility etc. In this work, it shows the physicochemical parameters variations of water quality in Madduvalasa reservoir, Madduvalasa; which is a major medium irrigation project. For a time period of nine months i.e. from October 2106 to July 2017 covering three seasons completely and one is for two months. The samples are collected at two different points. And the samples are tested for abiotic variables. The result shows the monthly mean values of all water quality parameters, trophic nature of reservoir and seasonality exerts some influence on abiotic variables.
Social distance and network structures

This paper analyzes how agents' perception of relationships with others determines the structures of networks. In our model, agents are endowed with their own multi-dimensional characteristics and form links depending on the social distance between them. We characterize average path length and clustering coefficient in stable networks, and analyze how they are related to the way social distances are measured by agents. One implication is that the introduction of new communication technology makes a network closely connected but not cliquish. We relate our model and results to Granovetter's ``strength of weak ties hypothesis," Tversky's ``similarity scale," and Mobius-Rosenblat's ``communication externality. "