Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reduction of Intermodulation Effects in Power Amplifiers through Segmented Predistortion

Current communication standards, such as DAB, DVB-T or 4G impose strong requirements to limit the negative effects on modulated signals of distortion or bad synchronization between emitter and receiver in digital channels. Distortion is mainly due to the nonlinear behavior of the output stage of the emitter's power amplifier, in the form of saturation or memory effects. In order for these effects to be mitigated, a correction can be applied to the input signals, causing them a distortion contrary to that occurring in the amplifier. Several analog and digital predistortion techniques have been proposed in the literature. This paper presents a new digital predistortion method which allows the requirements of DVB-T gap fillers in single frequency networks (SFN) to be accomplished while reducing processing time and complexity with regard to previous solutions. Experimental results are presented which support the claimed contributions of the method.
A large scale evaluation of TBProfiler and Mykrobe for antibiotic resistance prediction in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Recent years saw a growing interest in predicting antibiotic resistance from whole-genome sequencing data, with promising results obtained for Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In this work, we gathered 6,574 sequencing read datasets of M. tuberculosis public genomes with associated antibiotic resistance profiles for both first and second-line antibiotics. We performed a systematic evaluation of TBProfiler and Mykrobe, two widely recognized softwares allowing to predict resistance in M. tuberculosis. The size of the dataset allowed us to obtain confident estimations of their overall predictive performance, to assess precisely the individual predictive power of the markers they rely on, and to study in addition how these softwares behave across the major M. tuberculosis lineages. While this study confirmed the overall good performance of these tools, it revealed that an important fraction of the catalog of mutations they embed is of limited predictive power. It also revealed that these tools offer different sensitivity/specificity trade-offs, which is mainly due to the different sets of mutation they embed but also to their underlying genotyping pipelines. More importantly, it showed that their level of predictive performance varies greatly across lineages for some antibiotics, therefore suggesting that the predictions made by these softwares should be deemed more or less confident depending on the lineage inferred and the predictive performance of the marker(s) actually detected. Finally, we evaluated the relevance of machine learning approaches operating from the set of markers detected by these softwares and show that they present an attractive alternative strategy, allowing to reach better performance for several drugs while significantly reducing the number of candidate mutations to consider.
Food transfers through mesh in brown capuchins.

Capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) share food even if their partner is behind a mesh restraint. Pairs of adult capuchins were moved into a test chamber in which 1 monkey received cucumber pieces for 20 min and the other received apple slices during the following 20 min. Tolerant transfers of food occurred reciprocally among females: The rate of transfer from Female B to A in the second test phase varied with the rate from Female A to B in the first test phase. Several social mechanisms may explain this reciprocity. Whereas this study does not contradict cognitively complex explanations (e.g., mental record keeping of given and received food), the results are consistent with a rather simple explanation: that food sharing reflects a combination of affiliative tendency and high tolerance. The study suggests that sharing mechanisms may be different for adult male capuchins, with males sharing food more readily and less discriminatingly than females.
A pilot study of ovarian cancer chemoprevention using medroxyprogesterone acetate in an avian model of spontaneous ovarian carcinogenesis.

OBJECTIVE Our previous studies have documented the feasibility of using the laying hen, Gallus domesticus, as a model of spontaneous ovarian carcinogenesis. This study was performed to determine the ability of medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Provera) to reduce the frequency of spontaneously developing reproductive tract adenocarcinoma in the avian model. METHOD Four hundred 3-year-old hens were in a two-arm trial designed to determine the frequency of epithelial reproductive tract adenocarcinomas. Animals were designated to receive three injections of 100 mg Depo-Provera versus no injection over a 16-month period. Both groups were subjected to two induced molts 12 months apart. Egg counts were obtained and decreased egg production was documented in the treated hens due to Depo-Provera. At the end of 16 months surviving animals were sacrificed and the frequency of reproductive tract adenocarcinoma was determined histologicically. RESULTS Histologic information was obtained from the 293 hens that completed the full prescribed course of study. At the time of necropsy, multiple hens had evidence of carcinomatosis and massive ascites consistent with metastatic reproductive tract adenocarcinomas. Of the tissues examined from the informative cases gathered at the time of sacrifice, there was evidence of a reduction of reproductive tract adenocarcinoma observed in the Depo-Provera group (45/127-35%) when compared to the control group (69/166-42%). A risk reduction of 15% is observed in the treatment group (risk ratio 0.85: 95% confidence interval 0.63-1.15). CONCLUSION The high rate of reproductive tract adenocarcinoma observed in this study supports the avian hen as a valid model of spontaneous ovarian carcinogenesis in which to test chemoprevention strategies and provides a unique opportunity for investigating the pathogenesis of ovarian carcinoma. The current histologic findings are consistent with the theory that a reduction of ovulatory events may prevent the development of ovarian adenocarcinoma.
Dexmedetomidine Induces Both Relaxations and Contractions, via Different α2-Adrenoceptor Subtypes, in the Isolated Mesenteric Artery and Aorta of the Rat

Dexmedetomidine is an α2-adrenoceptor agonist and anesthetic. The present study was designed to characterize the receptor subtypes and the downstream mechanisms of the vascular effects of dexmedetomidine in small (mesenteric artery) and large (aorta) arteries ex vivo. Isometric tension was measured in Sprague-Dawley rat mesenteric and aortic rings (with or without endothelium). To study relaxations, cumulative concentrations of dexmedetomidine, 5-bromo-N-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)-6-quinoxalinamine, (UK14304), or clonidine were added to rings contracted with 9,11-dideoxy-9α,11α-methanoepoxy prostaglandin F2α (U46619) in the presence or absence of indomethacin; Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (l-NAME); 2-[2H-(1-methyl-1,3-dihydroisoindole)methyl]-4,5-dihydroimidazole maleate (BRL44408); 2-[2-(4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl)ethyl]-4,4-dimethyl-1,3-(2H,4H)-isoquinolindione dihydrochloride (ARC239); l-657,743, (2S-trans)-1,3,4,5′,6,6′,7,12b-octahydro-1′,3′-dimethyl-spiro[2H-benzofuro[2,3-a]quinolizine-2,4′(1′H)-pyrimidin]-2′(3′H)-one hydrochloride hydrate (MK912); rauwolscine; prazosin; or pertussis toxin. To study contractions, dexmedetomidine was added to quiescent rings without endothelium or after incubation with l-NAME, rauwolscine, prazosin, indomethacin, or 3-[(6-amino-(4-chlorobenzensulfonyl)-2-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphth)-1-yl]propionic acid (S18886). Dexmedetomidine evoked relaxation at low concentrations (10 pM–30 nM) followed by contraction at higher concentrations (>30 nM) in the mesenteric artery. In the aorta, the relaxation was significantly smaller. The relaxation to dexmedetomidine depended on nitric oxide, endothelium, and Gi protein, and it was mediated by α2A/D-adrenoceptors and possibly α2B-adrenoceptors. The contraction was mediated mainly by α2B- and α1-adrenoceptors and involved the action of prostanoids. UK14304 and clonidine induced greater and smaller relaxations, respectively, than dexmedetomidine. In conclusion, depending on the concentration used and the presence of functional endothelium, dexmedetomidine may evoke both relaxation and contraction in isolated arteries. The vascular effects also vary depending on the blood vessel studied. Its vascular effect is different from that of clonidine and UK14304.
Dissecting the Cellular Functions of Annexin XI Using Recombinant Human Annexin XI-specific Autoantibodies Cloned by Phage Display*

Functional studies of cellular proteins are often complicated by the lack of well-defined monoclonal antibodies, the production of which is hampered by the highly conserved nature of these cellular proteins across species. Annexin XI, a member of the Ca2+-dependent, phospholipid-binding protein family, is an example of such a protein and was used in studies to devise a strategy using human autoimmune phage display libraries to generate reagents for biological studies of conserved cellular proteins. An IgG phage display library was generated from bone marrow of an autoimmune patient with high serum antibody titer against annexin XI, which was identified recently as an autoantigen targeted by autoantibodies in several systemic autoimmune diseases. From this phage library, a panel of human monoclonal annexin XI-specific Fabs were isolated and applied to studies of the cellular functions of annexin XI. Confocal microscopy showed a cell cycle-specific redistribution of annexin XI from the cytoplasm to the mitotic spindle. In metaphase, annexin XI was up-regulated and costained with α-tubulin. The subcellular distribution of annexin XI in COS-7 cells was shown to be Ca2+-dependent, and exhibited a predominantly nuclear pattern at low concentrations and a cytoplasmic pattern at high Ca2+ concentrations. Calcyclin, found previously to bind annexin XI in vitro, in vivo coated the nuclear membrane of cultured cell lines and did not colocalize with annexin XI. Ultrastructural analysis by immunoelectron microscopy revealed that annexin XI associated with specific granules in both neutrophils and eosinophils, suggesting a role in the exocytotic pathway. Our results illuminate the multifunctional nature of human annexin XI, provide the first evidence that annexin XI associates with the mitotic spindles and might play a role in cell division, and clearly illustrate the potential of phage display-derived human autoantibodies in broader analyses of the function of highly conserved cellular proteins.
The Prevalence of Occupational Injuries in EMTs in New England

Abstract Objective: To characterize the prevalence and morbidity of injuries to emergency medical technicians EMTs) in New England [United States]. Design: A survey was mailed to a 2% random sample of all registered EMTs in the six New England States. The identity of the EMTs remained anonymous, and a second mailing was used to improve return rate. The EMTs were requested to recall events that occurred during the previous six months. Results: A total of 439 of the 786 (56%) surveys were returned representing 13,875 hours of duty time in the six-month period. Seventy one percent of the EMTs were male with a mean age of 35 years. Sixty-six percent were basic-EMTs. Injury attack rates (number of injuries/100 EMTs/6 months) were: stress, 11.2; back, 10.5; extremity, 9.8; assault, 8.4; ambulance collision, 4.1; hearing loss, 2.5; and eye injury, 1.4. Twelve percent of the EMTs were injured more than once in the six-month period. The paramedics more frequently were involved in ambulance collisions, suffered from stress, and were less likely to injure their back. There were minor interstate differences. Disability due to back injury affected 2.5% of those surveyed, four EMTs lost duty time secondary to an assault, and 0.5% of the EMTs were out of work due to stress. Conclusions: This survey begins to characterize the occupational risks of EMTs. The prevalence of back injuries, assault, stress, and extremity injuries seems to be too high. Educational programs and preventive interventions should be designed to minimize back injuries, stress, and assault. There is a need for more research nationwide in order to better characterize these injuries.
Quality of care at retail clinics for 3 common conditions.

OBJECTIVES Evaluation of quality of care across retail clinics in a geographically diverse population has not been undertaken to date. We sought to evaluate and compare the quality of care for otitis media, pharyngitis, and urinary tract infection received in retail medical clinics in CVS pharmacies ("MinuteClinics" [MCs]), ambulatory care facilities (ACFs), and emergency departments (EDs). METHODS We used 14 measures constructed from RAND Corporation's Quality Assurance Tools and guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Our cohort was drawn from Aetna medical and prescription claims, 2009-2012. Members were matched on visit date, condition, and propensity score. Generalized estimating equations were used to compare quality across clinic type, overall, and by index condition. RESULTS We matched 75,886 episodes of care, of which 20,153 were eligible for at least 1 quality measure. MCs performed better than EDs and ACFs in 7 measures. In a multivariable model, MCs performed better than ACFs and EDs across all quality measures ([OR 0.42; 95% CI, 0.40-0.45; P < .0001; ACF vs MC] [OR 0.29; 95% CI, 0.27-0.31; P < .0001; ED vs MC]). Results for each condition were significant at P < . 0001. CONCLUSIONS Quality of care for these conditions based on widely accepted objective measures was superior in MinuteClinics compared with ACFs and EDs.
Electrophoretic and Immunological Differences Between the Cytochrome c3 of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans and that of Desulfovibrio vulgaris

The cytochrome c3 of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans and that of D. vulgaris were purified to homogeneity as judged by disc gel electrophoresis and by ultracentrifugation. Both cytochromes had an oxidation-reduction potential of −205 ± 5 mv at pH 7.0 and showed characteristic absorption bands at 525 and 553 nm in the reduced state. The molecular weights of the two cytochromes (calculated from sedimentation and diffusion data) were similar, with values of 13,500 to 14,300 for D. desulfuricans and 13,800 to 14,700 for D. vulgaris. The two cytochromes differed in their electrophoretic properties on Geon and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and did not share a common precipitating antigenic determinant as judged by immunodiffusion data.
Performance Analysis of the CCD Pixel Binning Option in Particle-Image Velocimetry Measurements

This paper proposes convenient methods to increase the dynamic speed range in particle-image velocimetry (PIV) measurements, which employ a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera binning option. Although the binning procedure decreases spatial resolution along specified dimensions, its ability to increase the camera frame rate and preserve the field-of-view are important advantages, which need to be thoroughly investigated. In order to demonstrate the advantages of the CCD binning option, we have carried out experiments both on static images of in-plane particle displacements and on dynamic images of real-fluid flows. In the first experiment, we have analyzed static images of 0.5, 1, and 1.9 μm size fluorescent polystyrene microparticles placed on thick quartz glass plate and illuminated by high-power LED. The in-plane images were captured at various CCD binning options, the distance between particles was then calculated using cross-correlation analysis and a subpixel interpolation scheme based on a Gaussian filter. In the second experiment, the fluid flow in a 30 × 300 × 50 000 μm microchannel was recorded at various CCD binning modes, and then, evaluated using ensemble-averaged normalized cross-correlation analysis with Gaussian subpixel interpolation. Velocity profiles obtained at various CCD binning modes were compared with those obtained at the normal mode. Error analysis has shown that despite the loss of the spatial resolution, the advantages of pixel binning, specifically increased sensitivity and a total full-frame rate, can be useful in PIV measurements, especially in laminar-fluid flows.
Screening And Behavioral Management: Medication Overuse Headache – The Complex Case

The new appendix criteria for a broader concept of chronic migraine from the International Headache Society no longer require headache resolution or return to the previous headache pattern to confirm the diagnosis of medication overuse headache (MOH). MOH can be subdivided into simple (Type I) and complex (Type II). Complex cases may involve long‐term use of daily opioids or combination analgesics, multisourcing, multiple psychiatric comorbidities, and/or a history of relapse. Daily use of opioids for other medical conditions, psychiatric comorbidity including borderline personality disorder, prior history of other substance dependence or abuse, and family history of substance disorders are risk factors for MOH. Relapse for analgesic overusers can be as high as 71% at 4‐year follow‐up. A case illustration spans 20 years from initial presentation through multiple periods of recovery and relapse to illustrate issues in the screening and management of complex MOH patients.
Thermal gate, a new tool for ionic transport control inside nanochannels

Transport of ionic species solvated in electrolytes depends on temperature. This dependence is much stronger in nanofluidics than large scale since the surface charge also varies with temperature. In this work, we introduce a new tool for the modulation of ionic transport inside nanochannels based on the effect of temperature. This effect can be used in the gating of nanochannels with comparable effectiveness as other gating mechanisms.
Localization of the Dantrolene-binding Sequence near the FK506-binding Protein-binding Site in the Three-dimensional Structure of the Ryanodine Receptor*

Dantrolene is believed to stabilize interdomain interactions between the NH2-terminal and central regions of ryanodine receptors by binding to the NH2-terminal residues 590–609 in skeletal ryanodine receptor (RyR1) and residues 601–620 in cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2). To gain further insight into the structural basis of dantrolene action, we have attempted to localize the dantrolene-binding sequence in RyR1/RyR2 by using GFP as a structural marker and three-dimensional cryo-EM. We inserted GFP into RyR2 after residues Arg-626 and Tyr-846 to generate GFP-RyR2 fusion proteins, RyR2Arg-626-GFP and RyR2Tyr-846-GFP. Insertion of GFP after residue Arg-626 abolished the binding of a bulky GST- or cyan fluorescent protein-tagged FKBP12.6 but not the binding of a smaller, nontagged FKBP12.6, suggesting that residue Arg-626 and the dantrolene-binding sequence are located near the FKBP12.6-binding site. Using cryo-EM, we have mapped the three-dimensional location of Tyr-846-GFP to domain 9, which is also adjacent to the FKBP12.6-binding site. To further map the three-dimensional location of the dantrolene-binding sequence, we generated 10 FRET pairs based on four known three-dimensional locations (FKBP12.6, Ser-437-GFP, Tyr-846-GFP, and Ser-2367-GFP). Based on the FRET efficiencies of these FRET pairs and the corresponding distance relationships, we mapped the three-dimensional location of Arg-626-GFP or -cyan fluorescent protein, hence the dantrolene-binding sequence, to domain 9 near the FKBP12.6-binding site but distant to the central region around residue Ser-2367. An allosteric mechanism by which dantrolene stabilizes interdomain interactions between the NH2-terminal and central regions is proposed.
Distribution of acute lower extremity deep venous thrombosis in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients: imaging implications.

The ability of noninvasive imaging modalities to diagnose lower extremity DVT depends, in part, on the anatomic location of the thrombus. To define the pattern of thrombus formation in symptomatic and asymptomatic high‐risk patient populations, 172 consecutive lower extremity venograms were submitted to blinded, retrospective interpretation. Acute DVT was present in 59 venograms (34 symptomatic and 25 asymptomatic patients). Among symptomatic patients with acute DVT, 26 of 34 (76%) patients had an above‐knee thrombus and only eight of 34 (24%) patients had a thrombus isolated to the calf. In comparison, only three of 25 (12%) asymptomatic patients with DVT had an above‐knee thrombus and 22 of 25 (88%) patients had a thrombus isolated to the calf veins (most involving only one venous segment). Failure to examine the calf veins, particularly in asymptomatic patients, would result in missing at least half of patients with DVT. Alternatively, since all cases of iliac vein DVT extended into the femoropopliteal segment, failure to visualize the iliac veins is unlikely to miss patients with DVT. Our results suggest merit to routine examination of the deep femoral, anterior tibial, and particularly the soleal (but not the gastrocnemius) veins and also to use of an imaging technique to detect congenital duplications of the superficial femoral and popliteal veins.
Disentangling Loan Demand and Supply Shocks in Russia

​This article presents three alternative models for decomposing loan developments into components associated with changes in loan demand and supply fundamentals. Two models are based on macro data (error correction model and structural vector autoregression with sign restrictions) and one is based on bank-specific Bank Lending Survey results. We conclude that although loan growth in Russia converges to a long-run equilibrium determined by macroeconomic (demand) factors the convergence is likely to be driven by bank-side (supply) shocks. We identify large and unexplained supply shocks in loan fluctuations during the crisis of 2008–2009, signifying an impairment of credit markets. We also find contractionary shocks unrelated to demand fundamentals or balance sheet structures in 2013, although in general loan developments in 2013 and the first half of 2014 were not at all extraordinary.
The effects of ethical climate and faculty -student relationships on graduate student stress

The Effects of Ethical Climate and Faculty-Student Relationships on Graduate Student Stress. (August 2007) Kimberly Pruitt Kempner, B.A., University of St. Thomas; M.A., University of Houston Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Linda Castillo The purpose of this study was to empirically investigate the impact of departmental ethical climate (climate) and primary student-faculty relationship (support) on graduate student stress (stress). Participants included 231 full-time doctoral-level counseling and clinical psychology graduate students who were recruited via email. It was hypothesized that climate and support would predict stress, with each of these variables having an inverse relationship with stress. It was also predicted that support would moderate the relationship between climate and stress. A model was constructed representing these hypotheses and structural equation modeling was utilized to analyze the data. Initial analyses indicated that the hypothesized model did not adequately represent the data; however, these analyses did render a reduced model that offered a better fit to the data. Analysis of the hypothesized model did not confirm the moderation effect of support. Analysis of the reduced model suggested that climate and support, together, accounted for a significant amount of variance (25%) in stress. Further examination indicated that, when considered individually, only the relationship between