Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sparse multipath channels: Modelling, analysis, and simulation

A sparse multipath channel is characterized by a small number of randomly distributed scatterers. This study proposes a methodology for the modelling of sparse multipath channels. The new methodology is then used to develop a sparse narrowband multipath channel model by applying the sum-of-cisoids (SOC) principle. The statistical properties of the presented sparse SOC multipath channel model are studied. Analytical expressions are derived for the mean value, variance, autocorrelation function (ACF) and cross-correlation function (CCF) of the complex channel gain, as well as for the probability density function (PDF) of the envelope. Our study shows that mobile radio channels behave in sparse scattering environments completely different from what is known from innumerable studies assuming rich scattering. The derived analytical expressions unfold their full significance if the number of multipath components is small and the path gains are unbalanced, which prevents invoking the central limit theorem.
Insertion of internal jugular temporary hemodialysis cannulae by direct ultrasound guidance--a prospective comparison of experienced and inexperienced operators.

OBJECTIVE Previous studies have shown that inexperienced operators have a lower success rate than experienced operators for insertion of internal jugular cannulae using the anatomical landmark technique. The object of this study was to determine the rate of successful insertion, incidence of immediate complications and incidence of infection for temporary hemodialysis cannulae inserted under ultrasound guidance by experienced and inexperienced operators. METHODS The reason for insertion, patient age, reason for failed insertion, immediate complications, duration of cannula survival and reason for removal were recorded prospectively for 107 attempted cannulations by 7 operators in 72 subjects with renal failure. Operators were defined as "experienced" (more than 3 years postgraduate clinical experience and more than 25 previous central vein cannulae inserted) or "inexperienced" (less than 3 years postgraduate clinical experience and less than 3 previous central vein cannulae inserted). Rates of successful cannulation and incidence of complications were compared for experienced and inexperienced operators. Cannula survival without infection was analysed by Kaplan-Meier survival for experienced and inexperienced operators. RESULTS The overall success rate of cannula insertion at first site was 103/107 (96.3%) with no difference between experienced and inexperienced operators (56/58 vs. 47/49). 103 internal jugular temporary haemodialysis cannulae were inserted into 72 subjects. The only immediate complication was incorrect positioning of the cannula in 6 cases requiring manipulation. The median survival of hemodialysis cannulae was 14 days (range 1-111). 64.1% cannulae functioned for as long as required. Of the remainder, 33/36 were removed because of presumed cannula related infection. There was no difference in the median duration of cannula survival between experienced and inexperienced operators (15 days versus 12 days; Mann-Whitney point estimate = -1.00; 95% confidence interval -6.00, 3.00). p = 0.66) or in the probability of cannula survival without infection by Kaplan Meier analysis. CONCLUSION We conclude that ultrasound guided temporary haemodialysis cannulation is a safe procedure with a high rate of success, the success rate for inexperienced operators is much higher than previous studies of cannulation using the anatomical landmark technique and the rate of cannula removal due to infection is not influenced by operator experience.
A Qualitative Examination of University of New Hampshire Student Impact on the Town of Durham, New Hampshire

A Qualitative Examination of University of New Hampshire Student Impact on the Town of Durham, New Hampshire University of New Hampshire students and Durham, New Hampshire residents have a historically contentious relationship that reached a low point in the early 2000s. On three occasions, university students flooded downtown Durham, vandalized stores and started altercations with police. Local newspaper reports and anecdotes assert that relations have improved since that time. This study utilizes 39 semi-structured student, resident, businessowner and administrator interviews to examine the current state of the relationship. A brief overview of town-gown relations and a case study of student-resident relations at the University of Delaware is included to highlight the universality of the issues in this relationship. A brief history of student-resident relations in Durham is also given to contextualize the current Durham relationship. In addition, this study analyzes the effectiveness of various university and town initiatives to ameliorate student-resident relations. Interview data indicates that the relationship between students and residents has become increasingly positive in the past decade and that students are an asset to the town as a result of their economic contributions, volunteerism and general energy level. At the same time, both students and residents recognize that a minority of students are responsible for noise and vandalism in town. Similarly, interviewees acknowledged that lifestyle differences between students and residents will always be a source of tension. However, interviewees espoused the belief that increased personal interactions and respect would further improve the relationship. Also, solutions such as the Town of Durham’s Rental Housing Commission and the university’s “Community Living Guide”, have proven effective in increasing communication and informing students about how to be positive community members. New solutions are also recommended based on interview data and through the examination of initiatives untaken in other college towns.
The development of executive functions and early mathematics: a dynamic relationship.

BACKGROUND The relationship between executive functions and mathematical skills has been studied extensively, but results are inconclusive, and how this relationship evolves longitudinally is largely unknown. AIM The aim was to investigate the factor structure of executive functions in inhibition, shifting, and updating; the longitudinal development of executive functions and mathematics; and the relation between them. SAMPLE A total of 211 children in grade 2 (7-8 years old) from 10 schools in the Netherlands. METHOD Children were followed in grade 1 and 2 of primary education. Executive functions and mathematics were measured four times. The test battery contained multiple tasks for each executive function: Animal stroop, local global, and Simon task for inhibition; Animal Shifting, Trail Making Test in Colours, and Sorting Task for shifting; and Digit Span Backwards, Odd One Out, and Keep Track for updating. The factor structure of executive functions was assessed and relations with mathematics were investigated using growth modelling. RESULTS Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed that inhibition and shifting could not be distinguished from each other. Updating was a separate factor, and its development was strongly related to mathematical development while inhibition and shifting did not predict mathematics in the presence of the updating factor. CONCLUSIONS The strong relationship between updating and mathematics suggest that updating skills play a key role in the maths learning process. This makes updating a promising target for future intervention studies.
Dissecting the roles of Raf- and PI3K-signalling pathways in melanoma formation and progression in a zebrafish model

SUMMARY Deregulated Ras signalling is implicated in most human neoplasia, exemplified by melanoma. Whereas Raf activation occurs almost ubiquitously in benign and malignant melanocytic neoplasms, implying an involvement in tumour initiation, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activation occurs predominantly in malignant neoplasms, implying an involvement in malignant progression. Here, we dissect the contributions of these two pathways to tumourigenesis in vivo, by modulating their activities in zebrafish melanocytes. Misexpression of oncogenic Ras (V12RAS) in founder fish induced frequent melanoma, beginning at larval stages, with concomitant activation of Raf-Mek-Erk and PI3K-Akt signalling. Misexpression of effector-domain mutants of V12RAS, or of various downstream effectors, confirmed a selective role for the Raf-Mek-Erk pathway in initiating neoplasia, but highlighted the requirement for additional Ras effector pathways for malignancy. The phenotype of animals with germ-line transmission of V12RAS resembled familial atypical mole and melanoma (FAMM) syndrome: melanocytes displayed hyperplasia, dysplasia, altered terminal differentiation and spontaneously progressed to invasive melanoma. Co-expressing a dominant-interfering form of PI3K abolished V12RAS-induced malignancy, demonstrating a direct role for PI3K signalling in the malignant progression of melanoma in vivo, and highlighting PI3K as a promising target for melanoma therapy.
The potential role of interleukin‐13 in eosinophilic inflammation in nasal mucosa

Background Recent studies have revealed that interleukin (IL)‐13, as well as IL‐4, causes de novo surface expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1) on endothelial cells of the umbilical vein and accelerates selective eosinophil migration. However, its role in allergic rhinitis remains to be clarified. Of particular interest is whether IL‐13 upregulates VCAM‐1 expression in human mucosal microvascular endothelial cells (HMMECs), to which eosinophils adhere in nasal mucosa.
Recurrent inhibition of the bladder C fibre reflex in the cat and its response to naloxone

Recurrent inhibition of the bladder C fibre reflex was studied in adult female cats anaesthetized with α‐chloralose. Test reflexes were evoked by electrical stimulation of bladder Aδ and C afferents in the right pelvic nerve and were recorded from the proximal end of a small ipsilateral pelvic nerve branch, transected close to the bladder. Such test reflexes were consistently depressed by repetitive electrical stimulation of the contralateral bladder pelvic nerve (20 Hz, 20 s) at intensities sufficient to recruit axons of bladder preganglionic neurones. The inhibition could be evoked after transection of the left dorsal roots S1–S4 and the sympathetic supply to the bladder but was abolished by transection of the pelvic nerve central to the site of stimulation. Hence, it most likely involved central recurrent collaterals of antidromically activated bladder preganglionic neurones. The reflex suppression was quite considerable – maximal C fibre reflexes were reduced to a group mean of 25% (± 9% confidence interval) of their control size. The effect had a slow onset, requiring a few seconds of conditioning stimulation to be revealed, and was very long lasting (minutes). Naloxone (0.01–0.5 mg kg−1i.v.) abolished the recurrent inhibition of both the C fibre and Aδ bladder reflexes, while inhibition from afferents in the dorsal clitoris nerve remained unchanged. It is concluded that the segmental bladder C fibre reflex and the spino‐ponto‐spinal Aδ micturition reflex are both targets of recurrent inhibition from bladder parasympathetic preganglionic neurones and that the effect involves an enkephalinergic mechanism.
Comparison of polymerase chain reaction and conventional culture for the detection of legionellae in cooling tower waters in Singapore

A total of 80 cooling tower water samples were investigated for legionellae using both cultural and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. PCR was performed with the Perkin Elmer EnviroAmp™Legionella kit. Forty‐seven samples (58·8%) were found positive by both methods ; 29 samples (36·3%) were positive by PCR only, while four samples (5%) showed PCR inhibition despite the adoption of the more stringent sample preparation protocol especially designed to eliminate inhibitors.
Development of high-throughput multi-residue method for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs monitoring in swine muscle by LC-MS/MS

ABSTRACT A reliable and simple method for the detection and quantification of residues of 14 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and a metamizole metabolite in swine muscle was developed using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). The samples were extracted with acetonitrile (ACN) in solid–liquid extraction followed by a low-temperature partitioning (LLE-LTP) process at –20 ± 2°C. After evaporation to dryness, the residue was reconstituted with hexane and a mixture of water:acetonitrile (1:1). LC separation was achieved on a reversed-phase (RP18) column with gradient elution using water (phase A) and ACN (phase B) both containing 1 mmol l–1 ammonium acetate (NH4COO) with 0.025% acetic acid. Analysis was carried out on a triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) in multiple reaction monitoring mode using an electrospray interface in negative and positive mode in a single run. Method validation was performed according to the criteria of Commission Decision No. 2002/657/EC. The matrix effect and linearity were evaluated. Decision limit (CCα), detection capability (CCβ), accuracy and repeatability of the method are also reported. The proposed method proved to be simple, easy and adequate for high-throughput analysis and was applied to routine analysis by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply. Graphical Abstract
Human 8-Oxoguanine DNA Glycosylase Suppresses the Oxidative Stress–Induced Apoptosis through a p53-Mediated Signaling Pathway in Human Fibroblasts

Human 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (hOGG1) is the main defense enzyme against mutagenic effects of cellular 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine. In this study, we investigated the biological role of hOGG1 in DNA damage–related apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)–derived oxidative stress. The down-regulated expression of hOGG1 by its small interfering RNA prominently triggers the H2O2-induced apoptosis in human fibroblasts GM00637 and human lung carcinoma H1299 cells via the p53-mediated apoptotic pathway. However, the apoptotic responses were specifically inhibited by hOGG1 overexpression. The p53–small interfering RNA transfection into the hOGG1-deficient GM00637 markedly inhibited the H2O2-induced activation of p53-downstream target proteins such as p21, Noxa, and caspase-3/7, which eventually resulted in the increased cell viability. Although the cell viability of hOGG1-knockdown H1299 p53 null cells was similar to that of the hOGG1 wild-type H1299, after the overexpression of p53 the hOGG1-knockdown H1299 showed the significantly decreased cell viability compared with that of the hOGG1 wild-type H1299 at the same experimental condition. Moreover, the array comparative genome hybridization analyses revealed that the hOGG1-deficient GM00637 showed more significant changes in the copy number of large regions of their chromosomes in response to H2O2 treatment. Therefore, we suggest that although p53 is a major modulator of apoptosis, hOGG1 also plays a pivotal role in protecting cells against the H2O2-induced apoptosis at the upstream of the p53-dependent pathway to confer a survival advantage to human fibroblasts and human lung carcinomas through maintaining their genomic stability. (Mol Cancer Res 2007;5(10):1083–98)
The effects of goal-setting, rule-learning, and knowledge of score on performance.

Abstract : It was suggested that the motivational effects of knowledge of results were a function of the goal setting activity such knowledge induces. A laboratory experiment using a computation task tested knowledge of total score by itself for experimental effect on performance. When subjects were classified according to their a posteriori performance-goal descriptions, significant performance effects were found. In addition the sooner subjects were able to memorize the rule needed for task performance, the higher became their overall performance.
INCREASED GENERATION OF REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES IN ISOLATED RAT FATTY LIVER DURING POSTISCHEMIC REOXYGENATION1

Background. Whether fatty infiltration of the liver influences the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during reperfusion is unclear. Thus, this study aimed to compare the ROS formation that occurs during postanoxic reoxygenation in isolated normal and fatty livers. Methods. Isolated livers from fed Sprague-Dawley rats with normal or fatty livers induced by a choline-deficient diet were reperfused at 37°C for 60 min with an oxygenated medium containing 10 &mgr;M of lucigenin after 1 hr of warm ischemia. Superoxide anion generation was assessed by the chemiluminescence (CLS) signal emitted from the organ surface. The hepatic content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione was determined at the end of reperfusion. Tissue injury was evaluated by the liver histology and the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) release in the perfusate. Results. CLS started rapidly with reoxygenation and it diffused to the whole organ in both groups. However, CLS emission was significantly higher in fatty liver (after 10 min: 812.425±39.898 vs. 294.525±21.068 photons/cm2/sec;P <0.01). A greater concentration of MDA was measured at the end of reoxygenation in fatty liver. Finally, the liver histology and the ALT release indicated a greater injury in steatotic than normal liver. Conclusions. The CLS technique allows a direct visualization and comparison of ROS generation from the organ surface. Fatty infiltration increases ROS generation in the liver during postischemic reoxygenation, likely leading to the greater lipid peroxidation observed in these experiments. The increased oxidative stress may contribute to the reduced tolerance of steatotic livers to ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Investigation of series-parallel connections of multi-module batteries for electrified vehicles

Large-format Lithium-ion battery packs consist of the series and parallel connection of elemental cells, usually assembled into modules. The required voltage and capacity of the battery pack can be reached by various configurations of the elemental cells or modules. It is thus worth investigating if different configurations lead to different performance of the battery pack in presence of a mismatch in the cell characteristics. A simulation tool is developed in this work and applied to a battery pack consisting of standard 12 V modules connected with various serial/parallel topologies. The results show that battery configurations with modules directly connected in parallel and then assembled in series are more robust against variation of the cell capacity through the battery. Moreover, given the cells and the battery configuration, we show that changing the position of the cells has a significant impact on the usable capacity of the battery.
Influence of chloralose anesthesia on cardiovascular function in trained dogs.

Cox, ROBERT I-3. InfIuence of chloralose anesthesia on cardiovascular function in trained dogs. Am. J. Physiol. 223(3): 660-667. 1972.The acute hemodynamic responses to chloralose anesthesia were determined in nine trained, chronically instrumented mongrel dogs. They were instrumented for the measurement of ascending aorta pressure and blood flow, and left ventricular and central venous pressures. The acute administration of chloralose was associated with transient changes in hemodynamic variables, all of which returned to preanesthesia control levels about 15 min after the beginning of the administration of chloralose. The cardiovascular responses to the intravenous injection of norepinephrine and isoproterenol were obtained before and 60 min after the induction of anesthesia. The responses to norepinephrine and isoproterenol were only slightly affected by chloralose. With the former drug, the results suggest that the mechanoreceptor reflexes controlling heart rate are exaggerated by chloralose. No direct action on vascular smooth muscle could be demonstrated.
Development of a Multilocus Sequence Typing Method for Analysis of Listeria monocytogenes Clones

ABSTRACT This study is a first step in the development of multilocus sequence typing (MLST) method for Listeria monocytogenes. Nine housekeeping genes were analyzed in a set of 62 strains isolated from different sources and geographic locations in Spain. These strains were previously characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Because of low diversity, two loci were discarded from the study. The sequence analysis of the seven remaining genes showed 29 different allelic combinations, with 22 of them represented by only one strain. The results of this sequence analysis were generally consistent with those of PFGE. Because MLST allows the easy comparison and exchange of results obtained in different laboratories, the future application of this new molecular method could be a useful tool for the listeriosis surveillance systems that will allow the identification and distribution of analysis of L. monocytogenes clones in the environment.
The rhizobacterium Variovorax paradoxus 5C-2, containing ACC deaminase, promotes growth and development of Arabidopsis thaliana via an ethylene-dependent pathway

Many plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) associated with plant roots contain the enzyme 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase and can metabolize ACC, the immediate precursor of the plant hormone ethylene, thereby decreasing plant ethylene production and increasing plant growth. However, relatively few studies have explicitly linked ethylene emission and/or action to growth promotion in these plant–microbe interactions. This study examined effects of the PGPR Variovorax paradoxus 5C-2 containing ACC deaminase on the growth and development of Arabidopsis thaliana using wild-type (WT) plants and several ethylene-related mutants (etr1-1, ein2-1, and eto1-1). Soil inoculation with V. paradoxus 5C-2 promoted growth (leaf area and shoot biomass) of WT plants and the ethylene-overproducing mutant eto1-1, and also enhanced floral initiation of WT plants by 2.5 days. However, these effects were not seen in ethylene-insensitive mutants (etr1-1 and ein2-1) even though bacterial colonization of the root system was similar. Furthermore, V. paradoxus 5C-2 decreased ACC concentrations of rosette leaves of WT plants by 59% and foliar ethylene emission of both WT plants and eto1-1 mutants by 42 and 37%, respectively. Taken together, these results demonstrate that a fully functional ethylene signal transduction pathway is required for V. paradoxus 5C-2 to stimulate leaf growth and flowering of A. thaliana.
A CASE OF `PURE' WORD BLINDNESS

The concept of 'pure' word blindness is still a matter of controversy. Some authors maintain that it is a selective asymbolia (Holmes, 1950; Symonds, 1953; Brain, 1955) while others (Critchley, 1953) consider it to be an aphasic disorder. Beringer and Stein (1930) attribute its mechanism to some pathological functional lability of the visual system. Martin (1954) assumes that it is due to visual disorientation, and Warrington and Zangwill (1957) ascribe it to disorders of ocular motility. Alexic disorders have been named either according to semiotic criteria, for example, pure word blindness, pure optic alexia, or to pathological criteria related to the site of the lesion, for example, subcortical word blindness (Wernicke, 1886) or occipital blindness. At the same time, a review of the literature on this subject illustrates the great variety of techniques used for clinical examination, and the lack of a standard clinical examination of alexia has made a synthesis of this problem as well as drawing general conclusions very difficult (Leischner, 1957). We consider this report of a case of 'pure' word blindness to be of some interest: it was studied by means of various classical tests and also by a standard examination for alexia worked out at the Institute of Neurology, Bucharest, by Weigl and Fradis (1960).