Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Polar Coding for the Cognitive Interference Channel With Confidential Messages

In this paper, we propose a low-complexity, secrecy capacity achieving polar coding scheme for the cognitive interference channel with confidential messages (CICC) under the strong secrecy criterion. Existing polar coding schemes for interference channels rely on the use of polar codes for the multiple access channel, the code construction problem of which can be complicated. We show that the whole secrecy capacity region of the CICC can be achieved by simple point-to-point polar codes due to the cognitivity, and our proposed scheme requires the minimum rate of randomness at the encoder.
A Markovian Feedback Queue with Retention of Reneged Customers

We consider a single server, nite capacity Markovian feedback queue with reneging and retention of reneged customers in which the interarrival and service times follow exponential distribution. The reneging times are assumed to be exponentially distributed. Feedback in queueing literature represents customer dissatisfaction because of inappropriate quality of service. In case of feedback, after getting partial or incomplete service, customer retries for service. After the completion of service,each customer may rejoin the system as a feedback customer for receiving another regular service with probability p1 or he can leave the system with probability q1 where p1 + q1 = 1. A reneged customer can be retained in many cases by employing certain convincing mechanisms to stay in queue for completion of service. Thus, a reneged customer can be retained in the queuing system with some probability q2 or he may leave the queue without receiving service with probability p2(= 1 q2).
Alterations in atrial reactivity in a strain of spontaneously diabetic rats

1 The present study examined the reactivity of atria from control and spontaneously diabetic rats to various adrenoceptor agonists and to adenosine. 2 Isoprenaline (1.5 nM‐1500 nm) produced concentration‐dependent increases in inotropy which were unchanged in diabetic atria. However, the sensitivity to isoprenaline‐induced changes in chronotropy was reduced in diabetic preparations. 3 In the presence of propranolol (2 μm), phenylephrine (0.2 μm‐100 μm) produced concentration‐dependent increases in both inotropy and chronotropy; however, atria from diabetic rats exhibited a much greater maximal response. The diabetic state did not alter the sensitivity to phenylephrine. 4 Adenosine (0.15 μm‐300 μm) produced concentration‐dependent decreases in both inotropy and chronotropy which were unchanged in diabetic atria. 5 Radioligand binding studies revealed that both α1‐and β‐adrenoceptor populations were substantially reduced in atria from diabetic rats. However, there was no change in receptor affinity for either adrenoceptor. 6 These results show that diabetes leads to an alteration in atrial reactivity to adrenoceptor stimulation. Future studies examining steps following hormone‐receptor coupling are required in order to characterize this defect.
Pharmacokinetics of 5-fluorouracil and its catabolites determined by 19F nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for a patient on chronic hemodialysis.

5-fluorouracil (5-FU), widely used for chemotherapy of colorectal carcinoma, requires intracellular anabolic conversion to cytotoxic nucleotides and exhibits a narrow therapeutic range with dose-dependent and concentration-dependent effects. 5-FU undergoes extensive metabolic degradation to several catabolites, which are excreted mainly by the kidneys. Alteration of the pharmacokinetics of 5-FU and its catabolites as a result of renal dysfunction might augment systemic toxicity. Because no data are available for patients with severe renal failure, the pharmacokinetic parameters of 5-FU and its catabolites were determined for a patient with colorectal carcinoma and end-stage renal disease on maintenance hemodialysis therapy. Plasma was analyzed by 19F nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for the first 5-day treatment cycle (daily bolus injections of 5-FU for 5 days in combination with low-dose folinic acid). On days 1 and 5, the pharmacokinetic parameters for 5-FU (total area under the plasma concentration-time curve, terminal half-life, total plasma clearance, volume of distribution based on the terminal phase) and its initial catabolite dihydrofluorouracil (total area under the plasma concentration-time curve, terminal half-life) were in the ranges reported in the literature for patients with normal renal function, implying no need for primary dose adjustment. In contrast, the final 5-FU catabolite alpha-fluoro-beta-alanine (FBAL) accumulated to a concentration of 276 micromol/L on day 5 (approximately twofold higher than expected from the literature) despite good removal by hemodialysis with extraction ratios of 0.6 to 0.85 over the filter membrane. Negative effects of FBAL or enhancement of 5-FU-related toxicity could not be judged in this individual case, but further study is warranted to determine the possible benefits of more intensive dialysis treatment.
LONG‐TERM CARDIOVASCULAR MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY IN AUTOSOMAL DOMINANT POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE PATIENTS AFTER RENAL TRANSPLANTATION

Patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) have an increased incidence of hypertension and cardiovascular abnormalities. In this long-term follow-up study (5.88 years on average), we evaluated cardiovascular disease and patient and graft survival in 101 ADPKD patients and 692 nondiabetic control patients receiving cadaveric renal transplants between March 1967 and April 1991 at the Leiden University Hospital. Graft and patient survival was not different between patient groups, using the same immunosuppressive therapy. However, death with functioning graft, mainly due to cardiovascular disease, was significantly more frequent in the ADPKD patients than in controls using AZA (P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis of pretransplant data showed that ADPKD patients on AZA therapy demonstrated an elevated age-adjusted relative risk of 2.07 (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.12-3.80) for cardiovascular events and 2.88 (95% CI: 1.41-5.90) for cardiovascular mortality alone. After adjustment for age, gender, and other cardiovascular risk factors, a relative risk of 2.39 (95% CI: 1.06-5.40) was found. This was 2.87 (95% CI: 1.04-7.93) when cardiovascular mortality was the dependent variable. With posttransplant data, the age-adjusted relative risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in ADPKD patients using AZA was 2.16 (95% CI: 1.12-4.15) and 2.97 (95% CI: 1.40-6.27), with only cardiovascular mortality as the dependent variable. After adjustment for age, gender, and other cardiovascular risk factors, this was 1.59 (95% CI: 0.64-3.91) and 2.28 (95% CI: 0.79-6.53), respectively. With CsA treatment, an elevated risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in ADPKD patients was present, but the corresponding 95% CI were wide and include unity, due to the shorter period of follow-up (CsA: 3.81 +/- 2.50 years vs. AZA: 7.28 +/- 6.74 years). Survival of ADPKD patients using AZA was less in those patients without pretransplant nephrectomy as compared with control patients, but the morbidity and mortality of pretransplant nephrectomies should be taken into account. We conclude that ADPKD patients show a similar graft and patient survival after renal transplantation as control patients, but they are especially at risk for cardiovascular disease after renal transplantation.
Improved control over spontaneously formed GaN nanowires in molecular beam epitaxy using a two-step growth process

We investigate the influence of modified growth conditions during the spontaneous formation of GaN nanowires (NWs) on Si(111) in plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. We find that a two-step growth approach, where the substrate temperature is increased during the nucleation stage, is an efficient method to gain control over the area coverage, average diameter, and coalescence degree of GaN NW ensembles. Furthermore, we also demonstrate that the growth conditions employed during the incubation time that precedes nanowire nucleation do not influence the properties of the final nanowire ensemble. Therefore, when growing GaN NWs at elevated temperatures or with low Ga/N ratios, the total growth time can be reduced significantly by using more favorable growth conditions for nanowire nucleation during the incubation time.
Isoprene suppression of new particle formation in a mixed deciduous forest

Abstract. Production of new particles over forests is an important source of cloud condensation nuclei that can affect climate. While such particle formation events have been widely observed, their formation mechanisms over forests are poorly understood. Our observations made in a mixed deciduous forest with large isoprene emissions during the summer displayed a surprisingly rare occurrence of new particle formation (NPF). Typically, NPF events occur around noon but no NPF events were observed during the 5 weeks of measurements. The exceptions were two evening ultrafine particle events. During the day, sulfuric acid concentrations were in the 106 cm−3 range with very low preexisting aerosol particles, a favorable condition for NPF to occur even during the summer. The ratio of emitted isoprene carbon to monoterpene carbon at this site was similar to that in Amazon rainforests (ratio >10), where NPF events are also very rare, compared with a ratio
Evaluation of efficacy and safety of oral terbinafine and itraconazole combination therapy in the management of dermatophytosis

Abstract Background: There has been an alarming increase in recalcitrant dermatophytosis in recent years. The standard treatment guidelines no longer seem effective in achieving clearance and results in high failure rates. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral terbinafine and itraconazole combination therapy in the management of dermatophytosis. Methods: Clinically diagnosed and KOH positive patients of tinea corporis/cruris/faciei were randomly divided into three groups and given terbinafine 250 mg, itraconazole 200 mg and a combination of both once daily taken on the same day respectively for 3 weeks. Partial responders at the end of the therapy were given same treatment for additional 3 weeks. Clinical parameters namely itching, erythema, and scaling were evaluated at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 weeks. Adverse effects were noted at the end of therapy. Results: Maximum clinical and mycological cure was achieved in group III (receiving combination therapy) (90%) followed by group II (receiving itraconazole) (50%) and group I (receiving terbinafine) (35%). The combination therapy of oral terbinafine and itraconazole was found to be as safe as monotherapy without any significant adverse effects. Conclusions: The combination of systemic terbinafine and itraconazole therapy may be an effective and safe therapeutic strategy in the management of dermatophytosis
Greater reinforcement from alcohol for those at risk: parental risk, personality risk, and sex.

The effects of a high dose of alcohol (I g ethanoljkg body weight) on physiological and self-report responses to two stressors (electric shock and self-disclosing speech) were compared with the effects of a placebo in three groups of nonalcoholic subjects considered to be at heightened risk for alcohol­ ism by virtue of their (a) having an alcoholic parent (parental risk) or (b) matching a prealcoholic personality profile (personality risk), or (c) having an alcoholic parent and matching a prealcoholic personality profile. These high-risk groups were contrasted with a low-risk group that had neither risk factor. Male and female subjects were tested in each group with appropriate controls for drinking experience and, for female subjects, phase of menstrual cycle. Results indicated that a potentially reinforcing effect of alcohol (its capacity to attenuate physiological responses to stress) was more pronounced in high-risk subjects than in low-risk subjects. This relation was found for both parental risk and personality risk factors and in both male and female subjects. The effects produced by a given dose of alcohol can vary greatly from drinker to drinker. This observation is borne out both by folk wisdom and by laboratory experimentation. Al­ though such individual differences might at one time have been dismissed as random error, the trend in recent alcohol research has been to try to uncover the ways in which variation in the actions of alcohol is linked to variation in characteristics of the drinker. To consider both of these sources of variation at once merges two strands of past investigation that have for the most part proceeded independently. As for the actions of alcohol, some of the best studied have been the impact of alcohol on cognitive performance, on emotion and mood, on physiological responding, on inner states, and on psychomotor performance. As for factors of individual variation, some of the best studied have been past drinking history (and the tolerance that it be­ stows), sex, racial and ethnic heritage, the presence of parental alcoholism, and a number of different personality characteris­ tics. In selecting from among the many possible combinations of factors of individual variation and different effects of alcohol, we were guided by a desire to obtain data that could link indi­ vidual variation and variation in the effects of alcohol within a reinforcement model of the etiology of alcoholism. We considered it desirable to select individual difference fac­ tors related to heightened risk for alcoholism and to select effects of alcohol that could be construed as being positive and
Causes of school drop-out among ordinary level learners in a resettlement area in Masvingo, Zimbabwe

This article examined the causes of school drop-out among Ordinary level learners at a resettlement secondary school in Zimbabwe, with the aim of suggesting sound measures and solutions thus promoting learner retention in schools. The study was done in response to high dropout rates and poor academic performance of children in Zimbabwean resettlement areas. The study is informed by the attribution theory. In this study, a qualitative phenomenological case study design was used with focus group discussions, interviews and observations as data collection instruments to twelve (12) O' level learners and four (4) teachers at a resettlement secondary school in Masvingo province. Data analysis was done through the process of thematic coding. Findings revealed that poverty in households, child labour/household chores, broken families, poor supervision by parents, involvement in bad company/peer pressure, drug abuse, malnutrition and health related issues, low self-motivation and lack of interest in education among ordinary level learners were identified by teachers and learners as being the major factors influencing school dropouts. The study recommends that the government should increase the allocation of funds to resettlement areas to provide more amenities that promote learning. Further, parents should provide adequate school learning materials to their children such as school uniforms, school fees and stationery to encourage school retention. There should also be need for the government to introduce poverty alleviation strategies targeting resettled farmers since they tend to experience the impact of poverty in more adverse ways.
Bone growth in zebrafish fins occurs via multiple pulses of cell proliferation

Fin length in the zebrafish is achieved by the distal addition of bony segments of the correct length. Genetic and molecular data provided evidence that segment growth uses a single pulse of growth, followed by a period of stasis. Examination of cell proliferation during segment growth was predicted to expose a graphical model consistent with a single burst of cell division (e.g., constant, parabolic, or exponential decay) during the lengthening of the distal‐most segment. Cell proliferation was detected either by labeling animals with bromodeoxyuridine (during S‐phase) or monitoring histone3‐phosphate (mitosis). Results from both methods revealed that the number of proliferating cells fluctuates in apparent pulses as a segment grows (i.e., during the growth phase). Thus, rather than segment size being the result of a single burst of proliferation, it appears that segment growth is the result of several pulses of cell division that occur approximately every 60 microns (average segment length ∼ 250 microns). These results indicate that segment lengthening requires multiple pulses of cell proliferation. Developmental Dynamics 236:2668–2674, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tooth histology as a taxonomic criterion for cartilaginous fishes

This paper is the outgrowth of an investigation of the taxonomic position of Asteracanthus (= Strophodus), a Jurassic shark with flat crushing teeth usually grouped with the Hybodontidae. Aster& canthus teeth resemble in micro-structure those of certain bradyodonts, a poorly known group of late Paleozoic durophagous fishes. It has been suggested that this resemblance indicates phlyogenetic affinity, which raises the more general question of the value of tooth histology as a taxonomic criterion. The procedure of this paper will be first to describe in detail the microscopic structure of the teeth of several elasmobranchs and bradyodonts. Phylogenetic significance of the observations will then be discussed, with special reference to the taxonomic position of Asteracanthus and the definition of the order Bradyodonti. Terminology used here is essentially that summarized by Orvig ('51). A dentinaE osteon consists of a vascular canal surrounded by concentric lamellae of circumvascular dentine, which are penetrated by hair-like dentinal tubes radiating out from the vascular canal. Material between dentinal osteons is called interosteonal tissue. Dentine which is made up of both dentinal osteons and interosteonal tissue is called osteodentine. Circumpulpar dentine is dentine surrounding a pulp cavity and is analogous to circumvascular dentine located around a vascular canal. Pallial dentine occurs as a thin layer immediately exterior to circumpulpar or circumvascular dentine, and may be distinguished from enamel by the presence of dentinal tubes. Orthodentine is the tissue made up of circumpulpar and pallial dentine (see figs. 1 and 2). In addition to osteodentine and orthodentine, Orvig recognized a third kind of dentine, tubular dentine. As described by Nielsen ('32, p. 33) and Moy-Thomas ('39, pp. 2-3), tubular dentine consists of dentinal osteons separated by an "enamellike" interosteonal material. There is no outer layer of pallial dentine or enamel. The validity of this term will be discussed later. Slight differences were observed between homologous tissues in fossil teeth of different fish. The interosteonal tissue may vary in texture, zones of circumvascular dentine may be sharply defined or blurred, dentinal tubes vary in distinctness and colors of the various tissues may differ. When evaluating the taxonomic importance of such differences the possibility of alteration during burial should be considered. Obviously, various fossil teeth have been buried for unequal amounts of time in sediments through which differing solutions have passed. Staining, especially by iron oxide, is common, and tissues in some teeth may be stained differentially. Recrystallization may secondarily alter an originally fine-textured tissue. Therefore, it is suggested here that slight differences in the appearance of tissues in different teeth may be due to secondary alteration and are not necessarily evidence for drawing taxonomic distinctions.
Debt in Tiered-Production Networks ∗

Firms simultaneously choose sourcing and capital structure, forming a production network and imbuing it with credit risk. When firms increase leverage, they offload the increased financial risk by diversifying their supply. Suppliers that default do not deliver products to customers, so risky debt upstream reduces expected production downstream. The risky debt and supplier reliance introduce debt overhang in tiered production. The overhang affects equilibrium pricing within the network and decreases the aggregate firm value relative to a riskless benchmark. Because of the network structure, increasing competition among suppliers generates ambiguous effects on final output and may not alleviate the debt-overhang problem. Empirically, I instrument for changes in leverage with changes in corporate tax rates and find a 1.4-percentage-point increase in leverage leads to a 10% higher chance of adding an additional supplier.
ANN-DT: an algorithm for extraction of decision trees from artificial neural networks

Although artificial neural networks can represent a variety of complex systems with a high degree of accuracy, these connectionist models are difficult to interpret. This significantly limits the applicability of neural networks in practice, especially where a premium is placed on the comprehensibility or reliability of systems. A novel artificial neural-network decision tree algorithm (ANN-DT) is therefore proposed, which extracts binary decision trees from a trained neural network. The ANN-DT algorithm uses the neural network to generate outputs for samples interpolated from the training data set. In contrast to existing techniques, ANN-DT can extract rules from feedforward neural networks with continuous outputs. These rules are extracted from the neural network without making assumptions about the internal structure of the neural network or the features of the data. A novel attribute selection criterion based on a significance analysis of the variables on the neural-network output is examined. It is shown to have significant benefits in certain cases when compared with the standard criteria of minimum weighted variance over the branches. In three case studies the ANN-DT algorithm compared favorably with CART, a standard decision tree algorithm.
Will Family Health History Tools Work for Complex Families? Scenario-Based Testing of a Web-Based Consumer Application

OBJECTIVE Identify challenges that people from complex families may encounter when using traditional consumer family health history (FHH) applications and examine assumptions on which the applications are based. METHOD Scenario-based testing was employed in which three evaluators used a consumer FHH application guided by four scenarios, recording the challenges they encountered and time required. Challenges identified were analyzed through qualitative content analysis of field notes. RESULTS Several types of FHH information deemed important in the scenarios could not be entered into the traditional FHH. Evaluators reported frustration at being unable to enter some information and perceived the resulting FHH as less accurate than it could be. These observations challenge certain implicit assumptions about families and consumers on which FHH applications are based. CONCLUSION Current consumer FHH applications mirror clinical FHH tools, which may not be the most appropriate approach for consumers, especially for people from complex and diverse families.
Asymptotic hitting probabilities for the Bolthausen-Sznitman coalescent

The probability h(n, m) that the block counting process of the Bolthausen-Sznitman n-coalescent ever visits the state m is analyzed. It is shown that the asymptotic hitting probabilities h(m) = lim n→∞ h(n, m), m ∈ N, exist and an integral formula for h(m) is provided. The proof is based on generating functions and exploits a certain convolution property of the Bolthausen-Sznitman coalescent. It follows that h(m) ∼ 1/log m as m → ∞. An application to linear recursions is indicated.