Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance of the packet data transmission using the other-cell-interference factor in DS/CDMA downlink

Since the interference is related to the capacity and performance of DS/CDMA systems, it is necessary to investigate other-cell-interference characteristics according to the location of a user. In this paper, we specifically analyze the ratio of the intercell interference to the total power received from the own cell in downlink, defined as the other-cell-interference factor, as a function of normalized distance. Additionally, the maximum transmission rate under uniform user distribution throughout the cell is simulated when TDX mode packet scheduling is applied. The results show that a maximum transmission rate up to 7.6 Mbit/s for the privileged user could be supported when the bandwidth is 1.2288 MHz, orthogonality factor is 0.9 and the normalized distance is 0.1.
Incidence and determinants of 1-month mortality after cancer-directed surgery.

BACKGROUND Death within 1 month of surgery is considered treatment related and serves as an important health care quality metric. We sought to identify the incidence of and factors associated with 1-month mortality after cancer-directed surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program to study a cohort of 1 110 236 patients diagnosed from 2004 to 2011 with cancers that are among the 10 most common or most fatal who received cancer-directed surgery. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with 1-month mortality after cancer-directed surgery. RESULTS A total of 53 498 patients (4.8%) died within 1 month of cancer-directed surgery. Patients who were married, insured, or who had a top 50th percentile income or educational status had lower odds of 1-month mortality from cancer-directed surgery {[adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.80; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79-0.82; P < 0.001], (AOR 0.88; 95% CI 0.82-0.94; P < 0.001), (AOR 0.95; 95% CI 0.93-0.97; P < 0.001), and (AOR 0.98; 95% CI 0.96-0.99; P = 0.043), respectively}. Patients who were non-white minority, male, or older (per year increase), or who had advanced tumor stage 4 disease all had a higher risk of 1-month mortality after cancer-directed surgery, with AORs of 1.13 (95% CI 1.11-1.15), P < 0.001; 1.11 (95% CI 1.08-1.13), P < 0.001; 1.02 (95% 1.02-1.03), P < 0.001; and 1.89 (95% CI 1.82-1.95), P < 0.001 respectively. CONCLUSIONS Unmarried, uninsured, non-white, male, older, less educated, and poorer patients were all at a significantly higher risk for death within 1 month of cancer-directed surgery. Efforts to reduce 1-month surgical mortality and eliminate sociodemographic disparities in this adverse outcome could significantly improve survival among patients with cancer.
Genetic epidemiology and heritability of AIS: A study of 415 Chinese female patients

Recent familial segregation studies supported a multifactorial genetic model for the etiology of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). However, the extent of quantitative genetic effects, such as heritability, have not been fully evaluated. This genetic epidemiology study examined the sibling recurrent risk and heritability of AIS in first‐degree relatives of 415 Chinese female patients, which is up to now the largest cohort. They were first diagnosed by community screening program and compared to 203 age‐matched normal controls. Out of the total 531 sibs of AIS cases, 94 sibs had scoliosis (sibling recurrence risk = 17.7%). The prevalence of AIS among male and female sibs of an index case were 11.5% (95% CI = 7.5–15.5) and 23.0% (95% CI = 18.1–27.9), respectively. Female sibs of an index case had an increased risk of 8.9‐fold (95% CI = 3.2–34.4) for developing AIS. These recurrent risks were significantly higher than the risk in the control group (p < 0.0001). Overall, heritability was estimated to be 87.5 ± 11.1%. The results confirmed the prevailing impression of strong genetic influence on the risk of AIS. Here we provided a large‐scale study for the genetic aggregation estimates in an Asian population for the first time. The finding also positioned AIS among other common disease or complex traits with a high heritability. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:1464–1469, 2012
Increased erythrocyte antioxidant status protects against smoking induced hemolysis in moderate smokers

Cigarette smoking is common in societies worldwide and has been identified as injurious to human health. Human red blood cells are important targets for electrophilic and oxidant foreign compounds. In the present study, the possible role of antioxidant status on smoking-induced erythrocyte hemolysis of smokers was studied. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, reduced glutathione (GSH) level, erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation, total cholesterol and phospholipids were determined. Further, nitrite/nitrate levels (NO2/NO3) in both plasma and erythrocyte lysate were measured. Results showed increased plasma and erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation and nitrite/nitrate levels in smokers. The activities of SOD, CAT and GPx were also increased with reduced glutathione (GSH) level in smokers. No significant change was observed in smokers red cell hemolysis and cholesterol/phospholipid (C/P) ratio compared to controls. Erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation was positively correlated with SOD (r = 0.482, p < 0.01) and GPx (r = 0.368, p < 0.018) in smokers. Increased levels of nitrite/nitrate and antioxidant status of erythrocytes might be playing a crucial role in protecting red cell from free radical damage induced by cigarette smoke.
AC Loss in MgB$_{2}$ Superconducting Wires at Various Operating Temperatures

We investigate the AC loss behavior in MgB2 wires using numerical calculations based on the finite element analysis (FEM). The governing equation for the system was formulated using a magnetic vector potential and an electric scalar potential, taking into account the non-linear, field dependence of the critical current density (Jc). The model incorporated the results of measurements of the Jc-B of for a real MgB2 wire. For this, we directly measured the Jc-B characteristics according to the external fields as well as various temperatures. A transport current loss analysis was performed on the MgB2 wire for a wide range of transport current values and different temperatures. The magnetization loss was also calculated as a function of the external magnetic field and temperature. For both type of losses, the numerical results were found to be in good agreement with those obtained by theoretical calculations, thus verifying the validity of the model.
Iterative Two-Dimensional Soft Output Viterbi Algorithm for Patterned Media

We introduce an iterative two-dimensional (2-D) soft output Viterbi algorithm (SOVA) for patterned media storage. Patterned media storage has enormous 2-D intersymbol interference (ISI), which includes ISI from neighboring symbols and intertrack interference (ITI) from adjacent tracks, since there is a small space between adjacent tracks and neighboring symbols. Thus, conventional one-dimensional (1-D) detection schemes have difficulty overcoming the 2-D ISI problem. To combat 2-D ISI, it is natural to consider a 2-D detection scheme. Since the complexity of pure 2-D Viterbi detection is quite high, we propose a 2-D SOVA using two 1-D SOVAs. We also propose an iterative scheme between two 1-D SOVAs to achieve its best performance without error correcting codes.
H+/site, charge/site, and ATP/site ratios at coupling site III in mitochondrial electron transport.

H+/site, charge/site, and ADP/site stoichiometries have been determined at coupling site III in antimycin A-treated rat liver mitochondria. Three edonors have been used including (a) ferrocyanide, (b) ascorbate plus tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD), and (c) succinate plus TMPD. (a) With ferrocyanide as edonor the charge/site ratio is 5.0 to 6.0 and the ADP/site ratio 1.3; the H+/site ratio is about 4.0. Lower ratios are observed when ferrocyanide is added to valinomycintreated mitochondria as compared to when valinomytin is added to ferrocyanide-treated mitochondria. (b) With ascorbate plus TMPD as edonor the charge/site ratio approaches 4.0 and the ADP/site ratio 1.1. (c) With succinate plus TMPD as edonor both the H+/site and the charge/site ratios are about 6.0 at acidic pH and tend to decline at alkaline pH. In these measurements, operation of site II has been abolished by 30 to 40 pmol of antimycin A x mg of protein-’ or 600 to 1000 pmol of 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide (HQNO) x mg of protein-‘. In these amounts both antimycin A and HQNO inhibit H+ extrusion and cation uptake due to the operation of site II. Higher amounts of antimycin A or HQNO also affect markedly energy conservation as indicated by increase of state 4 respiration and collapse of A$. The view is discussed that the mitochondrial respiratory chain contains at coupling site III a H+ pump the operation of which leads to the extrusion of 4 H+ and to the separation of 4 charges. The additional separation of 2 charges is attributed to the vectorial transfer of 2 ethrough cytochrome oxidase.
Equivariant epsilon conjecture for 1-dimensional Lubin-Tate groups

In this paper we formulate a conjecture on the relationship between the equivariant \epsilon-constants (associated to a local p-adic representation V and a finite extension of local fields L/K) and local Galois cohomology groups of a Galois stable \mathbb{Z}_{p}-lattice T of V. We prove the conjecture for L/K being an unramified extension of degree prime to p and T being a p-adic Tate module of a one-dimensional Lubin-Tate group defined over \mathbb{Z}_{p} by extending the ideas of \cite{Breu} from the case of the multiplicative group \mathbb{G}_{m} to arbitrary one-dimensional Lubin-Tate groups. For the connection to the different formulations of the \epsilon-conjecture in \cite{BB}, \cite{FK}, \cite{Breu}, \cite{BlB} and \cite{BF} see \cite{Iz}.
Analyse de performances de systèmes de communication sans-fils exploitant micro- et macro-diversité. (Performance analysis of wireless communication system exploiting micro- and macro-diversity)

Wireless systems are now popular worldwide to help people and machines to communicate with each other independently of their location. Hence, the demand for capacity in cellular and wireless local area networks has grown in a literally explosive manner during the last decade. But, data transmission over wireless communication suffers from several channel impairements such as fading and cochannel interference. An efficient technique to mitigate the fading and increase the communication link robustness is the spatial diversity. This thesis deals with the perfomance analysis of wireless communication systems exploiting spatial microand macro-diversity. The first part is concerned with the investigation of Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems using Orthogonal Frequency division Multiplexing (OFDM), in the micro-diversity context. It is shown that taking into account the real channel delay profile can have an impact on the MIMO/OFDM system ergodic and outage capacities, when a parametrized cannel model is considered. Then, two space-time block coding schemes are proposed for a MIMO/OFDM system using two transmit antennas. These schemes, based on the Alamouti code, partially simulate the spatial diversity by the frequency one by taking advantages of the OFDM modulation, and present a rate of a half. We find that the diversity order of the proposed schemes converges to a half-rate scheme using 4 antennas instead of 2. The second part deals with the performance of wireless systems exploiting spatial macro-diversity. First, a realistic channel model based on a refinement of the Radio-Frequency Fornt-End (RFFE) is proposed. The impact of this realistic channel model on the MIMO system capacity is investigated, in both the microand macro-diversity contexts. It is shown that this refined channel model can describe the capacity behavior as observed in real implementations. Then, an optimal power allocation algorithm is proposed for the two-relay regenerative parallel transmission system. This optimization, subject to a cartain power budget to be allocated between the two relays, is done in order to minimize the BER at the destination. It is found that the relayed transmission can give better results than the direct transmission, and that the optimal power allocation is more useful when the relayed links are unbalanced.
Atmospheric changes through 2012 as shown by iteratively homogenized radiosonde temperature and wind data (IUKv2)

We present an updated version of the radiosonde dataset homogenized by Iterative Universal Kriging (IUKv2), now extended through February 2013, following the method used in the original version (Sherwood et al 2008 Robust tropospheric warming revealed by iteratively homogenized radiosonde data J. Clim. 21 5336–52). This method, in effect, performs a multiple linear regression of the data onto a structural model that includes both natural variability, trends, and time-changing instrument biases, thereby avoiding estimation biases inherent in traditional homogenization methods. One modification now enables homogenized winds to be provided for the first time. This, and several other small modifications made to the original method sometimes affect results at individual stations, but do not strongly affect broad-scale temperature trends. Temperature trends in the updated data show three noteworthy features. First, tropical warming is equally strong over both the 1959–2012 and 1979–2012 periods, increasing smoothly and almost moist-adiabatically from the surface (where it is roughly 0.14 K/decade) to 300 hPa (where it is about 0.25 K/decade over both periods), a pattern very close to that in climate model predictions. This contradicts suggestions that atmospheric warming has slowed in recent decades or that it has not kept up with that at the surface. Second, as shown in previous studies, tropospheric warming does not reach quite as high in the tropics and subtropics as predicted in typical models. Third, cooling has slackened in the stratosphere such that linear trends since 1979 are about half as strong as reported earlier for shorter periods. Wind trends over the period 1979–2012 confirm a strengthening, lifting and poleward shift of both subtropical westerly jets; the Northern one shows more displacement and the southern more intensification, but these details appear sensitive to the time period analysed. There is also a trend toward more easterly winds in the middle and upper troposphere of the deep tropics.
Alternation of histone and DNA methylation in human atherosclerotic carotid plaques

Summary Little is known about epigenetics and its possible role in atherosclerosis. We here analysed histone and DNA methylation and the expression of corresponding methyltransferases in early and advanced human atherosclerotic carotid lesions in comparison to healthy carotid arteries. Western Blotting was performed on carotid plaques from our biobank with early (n=60) or advanced (n=60) stages of atherosclerosis and healthy carotid arteries (n=12) to analyse di-methylation patterns of histone H3 at positions K4, K9 and K27. In atherosclerotic lesions, di-methylation of H3K4 was unaltered and that of H3K9 and H3K27 significantly decreased compared to control arteries. Immunohistochemistry revealed an increased appearance of di-methylated H3K4 in smooth muscle cells (SMCs), a decreased expression of di-methylated H3K9 in SMCs and inflammatory cells, and reduced di-methylated H3K27 in inflammatory cells in advanced versus early atherosclerosis. Expression of corresponding histone methyltransferases MLL2 and G9a was increased in advanced versus early atherosclerosis. Genomic DNA hypomethylation, as determined by PCR for methylated LINE1 and SAT-alpha, was observed in early and advanced plaques compared to control arteries and in cell-free serum of patients with high-grade carotid stenosis compared to healthy volunteers. In contrast, no differences in DNA methylation were observed in blood cells. Expression of DNA-methyltransferase DNMT1 was reduced in atherosclerotic plaques versus controls, DNMT3A was undetectable, and DNMT3B not altered. DNA-demethylase TET1 was increased in atherosclerosisc plaques. The extent of histone and DNA methylation and expression of some corresponding methyltransferases are significantly altered in atherosclerosis, suggesting a possible contribution of epigenetics in disease development.
A Five-Phase Learning Cycle Approach to Improving the Web-based Problem-Solving Performance of Students

Internet technology has become an important channel for accessing information and solving problems. However, researchers have indicated that most students lack effective strategies for searching for information on the Internet, and hence their learning performance is not as good as could be expected. To address this issue, in this study, a five-phase learning cycle approach is proposed to conduct web-based problem-solving activities. From the experimental results, it was found that the students’ web-based problem-solving performance was improved after participating in the learning activities. Moreover, based on the analysis of 170 elementary school students’ web information-searching portfolios as well as their feedback to the assessments, questionnaires and interviews, it was found that the students' problem-solving ability and their web-based problem-solving performance were highly correlated, implying that the five-phase learning cycle approach could be able to improve not only the students’ web-based problem-solving performance, but also their general problem-solving ability.
Delayed-type hypersensitivity test for assessing tick-immune status of cattle in Zambia

Delayed-type hypersensitivity skin reactions were used to assess the tick resistance status of Tonga calves in Zambia. The antigen used in the tests was a homogenate of unfed nymphal Rhipicephalus appendiculatus which had been shown to give protective immunity in guinea pigs to adult female R appendiculatus. There was a significant negative correlation between the intensity of the reactions and the total number of ticks (Amblyomma variegatum, R appendiculatus, Hyalomma truncatum, Boophilus decoloratus and Rhipicephalus species) on the animals.
Limb Fracture Pattern in Different Pediatric Age Groups: A Study of 3,350 Children

Summary The fracture patterns of 3,350 children with 3,413 limb fractures admitted to one center from 1986 to 1990 were analyzed retrospectively. The overall boy-to-girl ratio was 2.7:1, rising to 5.5:1 in the adolescent group. Distal radius fracture was the most common fracture (19.87%), followed by supra-condylar fracture of the humerus (16.64%) and forearm shaft fracture (13.36%). Specific age group breakdown showed that supracondylar fracture of the humerus was the most common fracture occurring in the age groups 0 to 3 years and 4 to 7 years, accounting for 28.94 and 31.18% of all limb fractures, respectively. Fracture of the distal radius occurred in 27.06% of the 8 to 11 year age group and 23.31% of the 12 to 16 year group. Open fractures were uncommon (2.17%), and greenstick fractures were found only in 5.27% of this hospital series. The nondominant arm was found to have more fractures although the number was not statistically significant. Seasonal variation in incidence occurred, with more cases in the summer and autumn months. The open reduction rate in the treatment varied from 10.15% in the 0 to 3 year age group to 33.95% in the 12 to 16 year group. Forty-five percent of the 0 to 3 year age group were discharged from hospital within 24 h, contrasting with 30% in the other age groups. Overall incidence of fractures requiring hospital treatment was estimated to range from 35 per 10,000 in the 0 to 3 year age group to 62, 60, and 57 per 10,000 in the 4 to 7, 8 to 11, and 12 to 16 year groups, respectively.
Vectorial Near-Field Imaging of Silicon Heterostructure Cavities in Air-Slot Waveguides

Air-slot photonic nanocavities have many relevant advantages for hybrid integration of external light emitters/absorbers in Si-based optoelectronic devices. Still an experimental major drawback is the difficulty of performing near-field polarization mapping of the photonic modes localized in air-regions. Here, we demonstrate that near-field resonant transmission can achieve high-fidelity vectorial imaging of the electric-field distribution of a nanocavity mode in the challenging case of a silicon heterostructure photonic-crystal cavity realized in an air-slot waveguide where the mode is localized both in air and dielectric regions. We discern and control the in-plane independent polarization components of the electric field of the photonic mode by exploiting the Fano imaging technique. The use of metallic coated aperture near-field probes allows to map the two polarizations with a deep sub-wavelength imaging ( $\lambda $ /15) resolution.
The National Birth Defects Prevention Study

The National Birth Defects Prevention Study was designed to identify infants with major birth defects and evaluate genetic and environmental factors associated with the occurrence of birth defects. The ongoing case-control study covers an annual birth population of 482,000 and includes cases identified from birth defect surveillance registries in eight states. Infants used as controls are randomly selected from birth certificates or birth hospital records. Mothers of case and control infants are interviewed and parents are asked to collect buccal cells from themselves and their infants for DNA testing. Information gathered from the interviews and the DNA specimens will be used to study independent genetic and environmental factors and gene-environment interactions for a broad range of birth defects. As of December 2000, 7470 cases and 3821 controls had been ascertained in the eight states. Interviews had been completed with 70% of the eligible case and control mothers, buccal cell collection had begun in all of the study sites, and researchers were developing analysis plans for the compiled data. This study is the largest and broadest collaborative effort ever conducted among the nation's leading birth defect researchers. The unprecedented statistical power that will result from this study will enable scientists to study the epidemiology of some rare birth defects for the first time. The compiled interview data and banked DNA of approximately 35 categories of birth defects will facilitate future research as new hypotheses and improved technologies emerge.
Meditation-based interventions for family caregivers of people with dementia: a review of the empirical literature

Objectives: Providing care for a family member with dementia is associated with increased risk of adverse mental health sequelae. Recently, interventions utilising meditation-based techniques have been developed with the aim of reducing psychological distress among dementia caregivers. The present review aimed to critically evaluate the extant empirical literature in order to determine: (1) whether meditation-based interventions can reduce depression among dementia caregivers and (2) whether meditation-based interventions can reduce subjective burden among dementia caregivers. Method: After adhering to inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of eight studies were included in the present review. Methodological quality was assessed using one of two scales dependent on study design. Results: The results provide tentative evidence that meditation-based interventions do indeed improve levels of depression and burden in family dementia caregivers. Conclusions: The review highlighted the strengths and weakness of the studies’ methodological designs. Whilst this novel review offers evidence in support of meditation-based interventions to improve the psychological distress of family dementia caregivers, future research should direct efforts to conduct larger scale, more rigorous studies. Clinical implications of the findings are also discussed.