Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Suppression of multiple interferences for superposed multicarrier transmission

Superposed multicarrier transmission is proposed as one of the schemes that improve frequency utilization efficiency. In this scheme some wireless systems share the same spectrum, and interference suppression is necessary. One conventional scheme for the interference suppression applies the EM (Expectation Maximization) algorithm for the estimation of interference parameters, and another scheme iterates the estimation of the parameters based on undesired signal power. However, these schemes assume the same average power for all interferences, which makes accuracy of the estimated power decrease and results in degradation of BER (Bit Error Rate) when the average power of each interference is not same. In this paper, we propose a suppression schemes for multiple interferences with different average power levels. In our scheme, undesired signal power is averaged in both the time and the frequency domain, after which it is compared to threshold to determine if the corresponding subcarrier is superposed or not. According to the result of this comparison, the power of each interference is estimated. Furthermore, the threshold is iteratively recalculated when the estimated parameters are updated. Through simulations we show that the proposed scheme taking the different average power of interference into account shows better BER performance than that of conventional ones assuming the same average power of interference. In addition, we show that averaging undesired signal power in both the time and the frequency domain and iterative calculation of threshold lead to improvement of the accuracy of superposed band detection.
Relative Concentrations of Endotoxin-binding Proteins in Body Fluids in Children During Infection

The serum protein lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) binds to the lipid A component of bacterial endotoxin and facilitates its delivery to the CD 14 antigen on the macrophages, where proinflammatory cytokines are released and a cascade of host mediators is initiated. The neutrophil granular protein bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) competes with LBP for endotoxin binding and functions as a molecular antagonist of LBP-endotoxin interactions. We have measured concentrations of BPI and LBP in abscess cavities, enclosed infected body fluids, and non-infected body fluids from 36 children whose age ranged between 2 to 12 years ( 21 males and 15 females ). The mean values ± SD of BPI/LBP in different body fluids were 12.12 ± 5.11 in abscess cavities, 0.778± 0.104 in infected body fluids, and 0.022± 0.0624 in non-infected body fluids. The differences in BPI/LBP ratio between the three types of body fluids were highly significant (P<0.0001). The mean BPI concentrations was higher in the 8 abscess cavities that contained gram negative organisms than in the 8 with gram positive or no organisms (P<0.005). BPI concentrations were directly correlated with the quantity of neutrophils within abscess fluids ( rs= 0.844, P< 0.001) and in infected body fluids ( rs= 0.484, P<0.05). In conclusion, BPI is available in sufficient quantities within abscess cavities for effective competition with LBP for endotoxin. BPI may attenuate the local inflammatory response and the systemic toxicity of endotoxin release during gram-negative infections.
Is significant cystic fibrosis‐related liver disease a risk factor in the development of bone mineralization abnormalities?

In order to assess the effects of significant cystic fibrosis‐related liver disease (CFLD) on bone health, we compared the bone mineral status of older children and adolescents with CFLD to those with cystic fibrosis (CF) alone. Thirteen children (age range, 10–19 years) from our clinical CF services were identified with significant CFLD (9 of these 13 patients had clinical and radiological evidence of portal hypertension). This cohort was then matched by age, gender, and anthropometric measurements with equal numbers of patients with CF alone. All patients had a dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan to determine bone mineral content (BMC), bone area (BA), bone mineral density (BMD), and bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) in the region of the lumbar spine. Blood was drawn to determine serum vitamin A, D, E, and K status and liver function tests. The best forced expired volume in 1 sec (FEV1) for each patient in the 12 months around the time of the scan was also documented. Patients with CFLD had slightly worse FEV1 (82 ± 20% vs. 91 ± 16%, P = 0.05) and significantly higher alanine aminotransferase (65.5 ± 35 IU/l vs. 30 ± 20 IU/l, P = 0.01) than those with CF alone. The mean lumbar spine BA, BMC, BMD, and BMAD were not different between children with CFLD and CF. In conclusion, the presence of significant liver disease in children with CF does not appear to be an additional risk factor for the development of abnormal bone mineralization. Pediatr Pulmonol. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pharmacologic and Psychologic Interventions for Procedural Pain

Objective. This study evaluated a combined pharmacologic and psychologic intervention (combined intervention, CI) relative to a pharmacologic-only (PO) intervention in reducing child distress during invasive procedures in childhood leukemia. Predictors of child distress included age, group (CI, PO), and procedural variables (medications and doses, technical difficulty, number of needles required). Methodology. This was a randomized, controlled prospective study that compared the PO (n = 45) and CI arms (n = 47), at 1, 6, and >12 months after diagnosis. A cross-sectional control group consisted of parents of 70 patients in first remission before the prospective study. Parent questionnaires, staff and parent ratings, and data on medications administered, technical difficulty of the procedure, and needle insertions were obtained for each procedure. This article reports on the final data point for the project (>12 months). Results. Mothers and nurses reported lower levels of child distress in the CI than the PO group. The CI and PO groups showed lower levels of child and parent distress than the cross-sectional control group. Distress decreased throughout the time, and child age was inversely related to distress (younger children had more distress) regardless of group. Child distress was associated with staff perceptions of the technical difficulty of the procedure and with child age, but not with medications administered. Conclusions. The data showed that pharmacologic and psychologic interventions for procedural distress were effective in reducing child and parent distress and support integration of the two approaches. Younger children experienced more distress and warranted additional consideration. Staff perceptions of the technical difficulty of procedures were complex and potentially helpful in designing intervention protocols.
A seroepidemiological study of human Toxocara infection in the Slovak Republic

Abstract Sera of 908 blood donors, average age 35 years, living in towns and villages of the Slovak Republic were tested for Toxocara canis antibodies using an ELISA-IgG test. The seroprevalence in the healthy population was estimated at 13·65%. Antibodies were predominantly demonstrated in the sera from persons living in rural communities (17·09%) compared to the sera investigated from urban communities (11·82%). Women had a significantly higher seropositivity than men. The serological response in 2703 sera from patients suspected of toxocarosis was compared with their clinical manifestation, sex and age. Toxocara antibodies were found in 27·41% of suspected patients. Although the seroprevalence in adults was significantly higher among women than men, in children, boys had a higher seroprevalence than girls. The main clinical manifestations were leucocytosis and eosinophilia (46%), ocular disorders (36%), lung, liver and neurological disorders (26%). The most severe forms of this disease were observed in 2 to 5-year-old children with geophagy.
The Role of T-Cell Costimulatory Pathways in Regulation of Autoimmune Diabetes

Many factors contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diabetes. Targets for treating this debilitating disease will become more apparent by understanding the nature of immune activation. This review examines the possibility of targeting costimulation and discusses the molecules found on the T cell and the antigen-presenting cell (APC) that participate in T-cell activation. The B7-1/B7-2:CD28/cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) pathway has been shown to be crucial in regulating T-cell activation and tolerance. Novel members of the B7-CD28 superfamily have recently been discovered, and they appear to be particularly important for regulating the responses of previously activated T cells. Superimposition of inhibitory signals, such as those delivered by CTLA-4 and the programmed death (PD)-1-PD-1 ligand (PD-L1) pathway, leads to a complex network of positive and negative costimulatory signals, the integration of which modulates immune responses. Furthermore, expression of the B7 homolog B7-H4 on cells in peripheral tissues indicates new mechanisms for regulating T-cell responses. This review focuses on our current understanding of the members of the B7:CD28 superfamily and discusses their therapeutic potential in autoimmune diabetes.
Crystal structure of the yeast cytochrome bc1 complex with its bound substrate cytochrome c

Small diffusible redox proteins facilitate electron transfer in respiration and photosynthesis by alternately binding to integral membrane proteins. Specific and transient complexes need to be formed between the redox partners to ensure fast turnover. In respiration, the mobile electron carrier cytochrome c shuttles electrons from the cytochrome bc1 complex to cytochrome c oxidase. Despite extensive studies of this fundamental step of energy metabolism, the structures of the respective electron transfer complexes were not known. Here we present the crystal structure of the complex between cytochrome c and the cytochrome bc1 complex from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The complex was crystallized with the help of an antibody fragment, and its structure was determined at 2.97-Å resolution. Cytochrome c is bound to subunit cytochrome c1 of the enzyme. The tight and specific interactions critical for electron transfer are mediated mainly by nonpolar forces. The close spatial arrangement of the c-type hemes unexpectedly suggests a direct and rapid heme-to-heme electron transfer at a calculated rate of up to 8.3 × 106 s−1. Remarkably, cytochrome c binds to only one recognition site of the homodimeric multisubunit complex. Interestingly, the occupancy of quinone in the Qi site is higher in the monomer with bound cytochrome c, suggesting a coordinated binding and reduction of both electron-accepting substrates. Obviously, cytochrome c reduction by the cytochrome bc1 complex can be regulated in response to respiratory conditions.
INFLUENCE OF SUBSTRATE SURFACE RECONSTRUCTION ON THE GROWTH AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF FE ON GAAS(001)

Abstract : We have studied the magnetic and structural properties of epitaxial bcc Fe(001) films grown at 175 C on molecular-beam epitaxy-prepared GaAs(001)-2*4 and -c(4*4) reconstructed surfaces, with film thicknesses ranging up to ~30 ML (~43 ). We present measurements of the thickness-dependent evolution of the magnetic properties of the Fe films as determined by in situ magneto-optic Kerr effect. We find that the magnetic properties and growth mode are similar for both 234 and c(434) reconstructions, although the initial adsorption sites and island nucleation as measured by scanning tunneling microscopy are clearly dominated by the substrate surface reconstruction. The onset of room-temperature ferromagnetism occurs at 6 ML for growth on both GaAs surface reconstructions. At this coverage, the measured Curie temperature (100 C) is significantly reduced from that of bulk alpha-Fe (770 C). The anisotropy is dominated by a uniaxial component such that the two (110) axes are inequivalent for all coverages studied. Shape anisotropy does not appear to play a significant role.
The cell of origin of ovarian epithelial tumors and the ovarian surface epithelium dogma: does the emperor have no clothes?

The widely favored hypothesis that ovarian epithelial tumors arise from the mesothelial cell layer lining the ovarian surface fails to explain the resemblance of these tumors to those arising in organs that are embryologically derived from the Müllerian ducts such as fallopian tubes, endometrium, and endocervix. In addition, this theory cannot account for the fact that tumors that are morphologically identical to ovarian carcinomas can sometimes be found outside the ovary. A suggestion is made that components of the secondary Müllerian system, which include paraovarian/paratubal cysts, rete ovarii, endosalpingiosis, endometriosis, and endomucinosis, merit some consideration as to their possible role in ovarian tumorigenesis.
Optimal slaughter weight of pigs assessed by means of the asymmetric S-curve

The present study was carried out on 68 barrows equally distributed into two different feeding groups (intensive and restricted). MR tomography was used to obtain data needed for the calculation of optimal slaughter weight. Growth analyses and predictions were performed using an asymmetric S-function. The differences between the predicted and real time needed to achieve 100 kg live weight calculated for the two feeding groups of pigs were not statistically significant. The prediction was fairly accurate in 88% of the cases for the intensive group and 79% of the cases for the restrictively fed pigs. The point of muscle growth saturation (t(C) = 51.31 dm(3)) calculated for pigs from the intensive group occurred at 164 days of age. Restrictively fed pigs reached this point after 167 days. It was calculated that at 164 days of age intensively fed pigs reached about 126 kg; the pigs from the restricted group reached about 112 kg at 167 days. These weights can be regarded as optimal slaughter weights for pigs from the present study in the sense of maximum utilisation of muscle growth. Since both groups of pigs reach the same muscle volume of 51 dm(3) at the estimated times, the difference in live weights can be attributed to the volume of fat. This makes the intensive system of feeding undesirable in economical pig production. It is concluded that the obtained parameters of the asymmetric S-function can be used for the growth analysis of other pigs, assuming that they are of the same genetic background and reared in the same conditions. It is suggested that the carcass values of pigs slaughtered at optimum live weights proposed here should be compared with the values of pigs slaughtered at other live weights in order to decide between maximum utilisation of muscle growth or achieving the most desirable lean percentage in carcass
Assessment of Risk Factors for a Sustainable "On-Table Extubation" Program in Pediatric Congenital Cardiac Surgery: 5-Year Experience.

OBJECTIVE To delineate risk factors for failure of extubation in the operating room among pediatric cardiac surgery patients. DESIGN Prospective, observational study. SETTING Single center, tertiary care, teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS The study comprised 448 congenital cardiac surgery patients who were enrolled for intended extubation in the pediatric cardiac operating room over 5 years. INTERVENTIONS The airways of enrolled patients were extubated in the operating room if predetermined suitability criteria were met. If the criteria were not met, patients were transferred to the intensive care unit with an endotracheal tube in situ. Patients whose airways were extubated successfully were followed up to determine specifically whether reintubation or use of noninvasive ventilation was necessary post-procedure. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The airways of 92% (412) patients were extubated in the operating room. Incidence of reintubation in the intensive care unit was 2.4%. There were 4 mortalities in the whole group. A 100% success rate for operating room extubation was achieved for patients in Risk Adjusted Congenital Heart Surgery category 1, and patients undergoing adult congenital cardiac disease surgery and redo sternotomy. The airways of 85% of patients with preoperative pulmonary hypertension were extubated in the operating room. Statistical analysis was applied to identify risk factors present in the group that made extubation in the operating room unachievable. CONCLUSIONS Extubation in the operating room was successful in a majority of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Multivariate analysis identified weight<5 kg, age<1 year, cardiopulmonary bypass time>120 minutes, and presence of significant noncardiac structural anomalies as significant factors affecting extubation in the operating room, with an adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 10 (2.7-37), 7.2 (2-22), 5.5 (1.7-17.7), and 3.3 (1.2-9.3), respectively. Pulmonary hypertension, redo sternotomy, higher Risk Adjusted Congenital Heart Surgery category, and aortic clamp time>60 minutes did not achieve significance in the multivariate analysis as risk factors for extubation in the operating room.
The Effect of Ketamine on Catecholamine Metabolism in the Isolated Perfused Rat Heart

The effects of ketamine infusion on the uptake and release of norepinephrine and on formation of deaminated metabolites in the isolated, perfused rat heart were studied. Hearts were removed from animals during light ether anesthesia, transferred to a modified Langendorff perfusing apparatus, and perfused with Krebs-Ringer solution containing various doses of ketamine and 200 µg/ml of DL-norepinephrine—14C. Norepinephrine uptake was determined after perfusion for 1, 2, 4, 6, and 20 minutes. At the end of each period the ketaminetreated hearts contained less DL-norepinephrine—14C per gram of heart tissue than control hearts. The reduction was proportional to the dose of ketamine. On an equal-dose basis, ketamine was approximately 80 per cent as effective as cocaine in blocking the uptake of norepinephrine. Norepinephrine release was determined after perfusing hearts for 4 minutes with perfusate containing 200 µg/ml of DL-norepinephrine—14C, then perfusing with solution containing ketamine but free of norepinephrine for 20 minutes. After 10 minutes of perfusion a decrease in myocardial DL-norepinephrine began to appear, and at 20 minutes the decrease was significant. Ketamine infusion did not alter myocardial levels of intracellular deaminated metabolites of norepinephrine, indicating that the effects of ketamine are primarily membrane-related. The results of this study suggest that the sympathomimetic-like effects of ketamine seen in both man and animals may be due to inhibition of the reuptake processes for endogenously released norepinephrine.
Auditory processing in children's speech perception: results of selective adaptation and discrimination tasks.

Five- to six-year-old children and adults participated in discrimination and selective adaptation speech perception tasks using a synthetic consonant-vowel continuum ranging from [ba] to [da]. In one condition of selective adaptation, attention was focused on the adapting stimulus, the continuum-endpoint [ba], with a whispering task. In another condition, attention was focused away from the continuum-endpoint [da] adaptor to contralaterally presented syllables "SHE" and "SEE. " Results, compared with two more typical adaptation conditions, indicated that focused attention did not augment selective adaptation effects, particularly for children who showed smaller effects with focused attention on the adaptor. In contrast to adults, children did not significantly change labeling responses after exposure to endpoint-[ba] adaptors, results matching those of Sussman and Carney (1989). However, children did significantly change labeling following exposure to endpoint-[da] adaptors. Discrimination findings with five-formant consonant-vowel and single-formant stimuli supported the importance of acoustic processing for the selective adaptation tasks performed. Together, results support hypotheses of sensory processing differences in younger, normally developing children compared with adults and show that such abilities appear to be related to speech perception skills.
Ulceration as a Predictive Marker for Response to Adjuvant Interferon Therapy in Melanoma

Objective:This analysis was performed to investigate the hypothesis that ulceration predicts improved response to adjuvant interferon (IFN) therapy. Summary background data:Several studies have demonstrated that adjuvant therapy for high-risk melanoma patients with IFN alfa-2b improves disease-free survival (DFS), although the impact on overall survival (OS) is controversial. Recent data have suggested that IFN therapy may preferentially benefit patients with ulcerated primary melanomas. Methods:Post hoc analysis was performed by a prospective multi-institutional randomized study of observation versus adjuvant IFN therapy for melanoma. All patients underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy; completion lymphadenectomy was performed for patients with sentinel lymph node metastasis. Patients were stratified by Breslow thickness, ulceration, and nodal status. Kaplan-Meier analysis of DFS and OS was performed and included univariate and multivariate analyses. Results:A total of 1769 patients were analyzed (1311 without ulceration, 458 with ulceration) with a median follow-up of 71 months. Ulceration was associated with significantly worse DFS and OS in both node-negative and node-positive patients. Kaplan-Meier analysis of node-negative and node-positive patients by ulceration status revealed that the only significant impact of interferon was improved DFS in the ulcerated node-positive patients (P = 0.0169). IFN therapy had no significant impact on OS regardless of ulceration status, however. On multivariate analysis, IFN treatment was a significant independent predictor of DFS among ulcerated patients (odds ratio, 0.51; 95% confidence interval, 0.30–0.83; P = 0.0053), but not among patients without ulceration. Conclusions:These data support the conclusion that ulceration is a predictive marker for response to adjuvant IFN therapy. Future studies to evaluate specifically the differential effect of IFN on patients with ulcerated melanomas may allow us to focus this therapy on patients most likely to benefit from it.