Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Iterative Decoding of Multiple-Step Majority Logic Decodable Codes

We investigate the performance of iterative decoding algorithms for multistep majority logic decodable (MSMLD) codes of intermediate length. We introduce a new bit-flipping algorithm that is able to decode these codes nearly as well as a maximum-likelihood decoder on the binary-symmetric channel. We show that MSMLD codes decoded using bit-flipping algorithms can outperform comparable Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem (BCH) codes decoded using standard algebraic decoding algorithms, at least for high bit-flip rates (or low and moderate signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs)).
Limits to research risks

Risk–benefit assessment is a routine requirement for research ethics committees that review and oversee biomedical research with human subjects. Nevertheless, it remains unclear how to weigh and balance risks to research participants against the social benefits that flow from generating biomedical knowledge. In this article, we address the question of whether there are any reasonable criteria for defining the limit of permissible risks to individuals who provide informed consent for research participation. We argue against any a priori limit to permissible research risks. However, attention to the uncertainty of potential social benefit that can be derived from any particular study warrants caution in exposing prospective research participants to a substantial likelihood of serious harm.
Characterization of cross-plane thermoelectric properties of Si/Ge superlattices

In this paper, a novel method is developed to measure simultaneously the Seebeck coefficient and thermal conductivity in the cross-plane direction of thin films. Using a differential measurement between a superlattice sample and a reference sample, the temperature and voltage drops cross the superlattice thin film are determined and used to deduce its cross plane thermal conductivity and Seebeck coefficient.
Interface charge behvaiors in the composite insulation of oil immersed paper

In the insulation of converter transformers for HVDC transmission, the effect of space charges on field distortion is an important factor. Multilayers of oil immersed papers and oil gaps that compose paper/paper and paper/oil interfaces are used in converter transformers. The interface charge behaviors may not follow traditional Maxwell-WagnarSillars polarization law. In this report, the measurement techniques and the phenomena of space charge behaviors at the paper/paper and paper/oil interfaces are summarized. It is indicated that surface states are necessary to be included in the numerical simulation on the charge and field distributions.
The efficacy of pregabalin and benzodiazepines in generalized anxiety disorder presenting with high levels of insomnia

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of high levels of insomnia on response to pregabalin (PGB) in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Pooled data were analyzed from six double-blind, placebo-controlled, 4- to 6-week trials of outpatients who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fourth edition) criteria for GAD with a minimum Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) score = 18. Response was evaluated for three fixed-dose PGB groups (150, 300–450, 600 mg/day), and for a benzodiazepine group (alprazolam or lorazepam). A ‘high-insomnia’ subgroup was defined by a baseline HAM for Depression (HAM-D) insomnia factor score greater than 3 (maximum = 6). At baseline, 1002 (54%) patients met the criteria for the high-insomnia subgroup, and 852 (46%) for the low-insomnia subgroup. Mean baseline HAM-A scores were 1–2 points higher in high-insomnia versus low-insomnia patients. In high-insomnia patients, PGB produced significantly greater improvement in HAM-A total scores at last observation carried forward endpoint on 300–450 mg (−13.1±0.6) and 600 mg (−11.2±0.5) dose groups compared with placebo (−8.3±0.5; P<0.0001 for both comparisons); the improvement on PGB 150 mg was not significant (−9.9±0.7; P = 0.051). Improvement was significant in the benzodiazepine group (−11.0±0.6; P<0.0001). In the high-insomnia subgroup, treatment with PGB significantly (P<0.001) improved the HAM-D insomnia factor scores on both the 300–450 mg (−2.73) and 600 mg (−2.35) doses, and on benzodiazepines (−2.52) compared with placebo (−1.51); improvement on PGB 150 mg (−1.69) was not significant. Rates of treatment-emergent insomnia were lower on PGB compared with placebo in both the high- and low-insomnia subgroups. In conclusion, PGB was well tolerated, and improved overall anxiety symptoms, while specifically improving insomnia in patients with GAD presenting with high levels of concurrent insomnia.
Identification of H. pylori strain specific DNA sequences between two clinical isolates from NUD and gastric ulcer by SSH.

AIM The genomes of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) from different individuals are different. This project was to identify the strain specific DNA sequences between two clinical H. pylori isolates by suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH). METHODS Two clinical H. pylori isolates, one from gastric ulcer (GU, tester) and the other from non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD, driver), were cultured and the genomic DNA was prepared and submitted to Alu I digestion. Then two different adaptors were ligated respectively to the 5'-end of two aliquots of the tester DNA fragments and SSH was made between the tester and driver DNA. The un-hybridized tester DNA sequences were amplified by two sequential PCR and cloned into pGEM-T-Easy Vector. The tester strain specific inserts were screened and disease related DNA sequences were identified by dot blotting. RESULTS Among the 240 colonies randomly chosen, 50 contained the tester strain specific DNA sequences. Twenty three inserts were sequenced and the sizes ranged from 261 bp to 1 036 bp. Fifteen inserts belonged to the H.pylori plasmid pHPO100 that is about 3.5 kb and codes a replication protein A. Other inserts had patches of homologous to the genes of H.pylori in GenBank. Various patterns of dot blots were given and no GU strain unique DNA sequences were found when 4 inserts were used as probes to screen the genomic DNA from 27 clinical isolates, 8 from GU, 12 from duodenum ulcer (DU), 4 from GU-DU, 2 from NUD and 1 from gastric cancer (GC). But a 670 bp DNA fragment (GU198) that was a bit homologous to the 3'-end of the gene of thymidylate kinase was positive in 7 GU strains (7/8), 3 GU-DU strains (3/4) and 3 DU strains (3/12). A 384 bp fragment (GU79) of the replication gene A (repA) was positive only in 4 H.pylori isolates, 2 from GU and 2 from GU-DU. CONCLUSION Differences exist in the genes of different H.pylori isolates. SSH is very effective to screen H.pylori strain specific DNA sequences between two clinical isolates, and some of these sequences may have clinical significance.
Diff usion : Seven Lessons for Scholars and Practitioners

Th e scholarship on policy diff usion in political science and public administration is extensive. Th is article provides an introduction to that literature for scholars, students, and practitioners. It off ers seven lessons derived from that literature, built from numerous empirical studies and applied to contemporary policy debates. Based on these seven lessons, the authors off er guidance to policy makers and present opportunities for future research to students and scholars of policy diff usion.
Owners' observations of domestic cats after limb amputation

Questionnaires were distributed to owners of cats that had undergone limb amputation in the UK, through 1000 veterinary clinics or publications relating to companion cats, or online. Between July 2009 and February 2010, responses were received relating to 234 cats, and data for 204 of these were included in subsequent analyses. The responses received provided data on signalment, aetiology, quality of life, behavioural changes and pain observed in cats after partial or total amputation of a limb. Young male domestic shorthair cats were over-represented in the sample; the most common reason for amputation was a fractured bone, and the hindlimb was almost twice as likely to be amputated as the forelimb. Although 89 per cent of the cats received analgesics/anti-inflammatories after discharge, the owners of 35 per cent of the animals observed some signs of pain during recovery. Eighty-nine per cent of the cats were thought to have regained a ‘normal’ quality of life as defined by the owner and 94 per cent of the owners stated that they would agree with the decision to amputate the affected limb in a pet if faced with the same decision again.
Dynamic Comparative Advantage, Directed Mobility Across Sectors, and Wages

This paper argues that evolving comparative advantage is important not only for worker ? ows across sectors, but also for wage growth and lifetime earnings. First, the main individual-level relationship between sectoral mobility and wages is established using Panel Study of Income Dynamics. Second, a dynamic, stochastic multi-sector model with worker-sector match productivity is introduced to account for the relationship. In the model, a sector may experience simultaneous in? ows and out? ows of workers that are much larger than the corresponding net ? ows. Movers tend to have a lower wage than nonmovers both prior to, and after the move. Wages grow with sectoral tenure. Those who move more frequently tend to have lower lifetime earnings. Recent movers are more likely to move again. Labor mobility decreases with labor market experience. All these predictions of the model are consistent with data, but generated by a remarkably simple, evolving match productivity shock.
Intent to Fail: Significance Testing of Forced Choice Test Results

A score that is significantly below the level of chance on a forced choice (FC) performance validity test results from the deliberate production of wrong answers. In order to increase the power of significance testing of a below chance result on standardized FC tests with empirically derived cutoff scores, we recommend using one-tailed tests of significance and selecting probability levels greater than . 05 (.20 for most standardized FC tests with empirically derived cutoff scores). Under certain circumstances, we also recommend combining scores from different sections of the same FC test and combining scores across different FC tests. These recommendations require modifications when applied to non-standardized FC tests that lack empirically derived cutoff scores or to FC tests with a non-random topographical distribution of correct and incorrect answers.
Alternative Strategy to Decrease Cesarean Section: Support by Doulas During Labor

This research was conducted in a public general hospital in Mexico City, Mexico. The objective was to evaluate efficacy of the support given by a doula during labor to reduce cesarean rate. From March 1997 to February 1998, a group of 100 pregnant women were studied. These women were at term, engaged in an active phase of labor, exhibited 3 cm. or more cervical dilatation, were nuliparous, had no previous uterine incision, and possessed adequate pelvises. The group was randomly divided into two subgroups comprising 50 women, each: The first subgroup had the support of a childbirth educator trained as a doula, while the second subgroup did not have doula support. Measurements were recorded on the duration of labor, the use of pitocin, and whether or not the birth was a vaginal birth or cesarean section. Characteristics and gestational age were similar in both groups. Results confirmed that support by doulas during labor was associated with a significant reduction in cesarean birth and pitocin administration. There was a trend toward shorter labors and less use of epidurals. The results of this study showed, as in other trials measuring the impact of a doula’s presence during labor and birth, that doula support during labor is associated with positive outcomes that have physical, emotional, and economic implications.
TGF-beta1-mediated regulation of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) synthesis and secretion by HaCaT cells co-stimulated with TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma.

Thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) contributes not only to the recruitment of leukocytes, but is also involved in immune disorders, such as atopic dermatitis (AD) and bronchial asthma. We have previously reported that the levels of TARC were high in patients with AD and that lesional epidermis were strongly immunoreactive for TARC. In this paper, the effects of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(1) on the expression of TARC/CCL17 were examined in HaCaT cells, a human keratinocytes (KCs) cell line, co-stimulated with TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma. We found that TGF-beta(1) down-regulated the TARC synthesis and secretion of HaCaT cells co-stimulated with TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma in a dose-dependent manner. TGF-beta(1) at a concentration of 10ng/ml maximally inhibited this secretion. Northern blot analysis showed a similar inhibitory effect of TGF-beta(1) on TARC mRNA expression by HaCaT cells. The TGF-beta(1)-induced down-regulation of TARC/CCL17 in HaCaT cells suggests that TGF-beta(1) might regulate the TARC-related inflammatory processes, which may be important for understanding the pathogenesis of allergic diseases.
Appreciation: individual differences in finding value and meaning as a unique predictor of subjective well-being.

Adler (2002; Adler & Fagley, 2001) argued that being appreciative facilitates and enhances feelings of well-being and life satisfaction, as well as feelings of connection to what we have, to what we experience, and to life itself. In addition, expressing appreciation to others is believed to build social bonds. Although appreciation is viewed as a disposition, it is also viewed as something people can learn over time, making it an especially valuable construct to measure. Appreciating something (e.g. an event, a person, a behavior, an object) involves noticing and acknowledging its value and meaning and feeling a positive emotional connection to it. We defined eight aspects of appreciation and developed scales to measure them: a focus on what one has ("Have" Focus), Awe, Ritual, Present Moment, Self/Social Comparison, Gratitude, Loss/Adversity, Interpersonal. Scores on the subscales may be totaled to yield a score representing one's overall degree of appreciation (or level of appreciativeness) (coefficient alpha=.94). We also developed an 18-item short form (coefficient alpha=.91) that correlates . 95 with scores on the long form. The scales correlated in predicted ways with measures of life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect. More importantly, appreciation was significantly related to life satisfaction and positive affect, even after the effects of optimism, spirituality, and emotional self-awareness had been statistically controlled.
Mammary mucinous lesions: congeners, prevalence and important pathological associations

A retrospective histopathological study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of mucin filled ducts and their associated mucinous proliferation in 962 breast cancers and 335 benign lesions. A total of 38 (3%) cases with mucin filled ducts was identified and 27 (2%) of these showed mucin extravasation into the adjacent stroma, changes characteristic of mucocoele‐like lesions. This constitutes the largest series reported to date. Of the mucocoele‐like lesions 12 were prototypic screen‐detected cases; 11 of which were mammographically detected on account of suspicious microcalcification and eight cases (67%) exhibited mucinous atypical ductal hyperplasia without overt malignancy. A further 12 mucocoele‐like lesions were incidental findings in screen‐detected (11) and symptomatic (one) cancers, the majority of which were invasive ductal carcinomas of no special type. In six of these cases (50%), mucinous atypical ductal hyperplasia or ductal carcinoma in situ was present. Thirty mucinous carcinomas constituted 3% of all cancers and three cases had associated mucocoele‐like lesions. Mucinous atypical ductal hyperplasia or ductal carcinoma in situ was also associated with 11 cases of mucinous carcinoma. In six mucinous carcinomas, amorphous microcalcification with a similar appearance to that of benign mucocoele‐like lesions was identified in the mucin, suggesting a possible link between the two lesions. Mucin‐filled ducts or mucocoele‐like lesions were almost twice as frequent in screen‐detected as in symptomatic lesions. The presence of mucinous atypical ductal hyperplasia in screen‐detected mucocoele‐like lesions, a decade earlier than the peak of mucinous carcinoma, is a possible risk factor for subsequent invasive malignancy. Mucin‐filled ducts, mucocoele‐like lesions, mucinous atypical ductal hyperplasia or ductal carcinoma in situ and mucinous carcinoma may represent different stages of the same disease process. Our findings suggest that patients with mucin‐filled ducts of mucocoele‐like lesions merit close follow‐up.
Childhood antecedents of adult sense of belonging.

Sense of belonging has been proposed to be a basic human need, and deficits in sense of belonging have been linked to problems in social and psychological functioning. Yet, there is little evidence about what early life experiences contribute to sense of belonging. The purpose of this study was to examine potential childhood antecedents of adult sense of belonging. The sample consisted of 362 community college students ranging in age from 18 to 72 years, with a mean age of 26 years. Measures included the Sense of Belonging Instrument, the Parental Bonding Instrument, and the Childhood Adversity and Adolescent Deviance Instrument. Multiple regression analysis was used to correlate childhood antecedents with adult sense of belonging. The final reduced model included 12 variables, which accounted for 25% of the variance in sense of belonging. Significant positive antecedents with a relationship with sense of belonging were perceived caring by both mother and father while growing up, participation in high school athletic activity, and parental divorce. Significant negative variables with a relationship with sense of belonging included perceived overprotection of father, high school pregnancy, family financial problems while growing up, incest, and homosexuality. Knowledge of these factors should influence interventions with families regarding child-rearing and parenting practices, mediating the effects of crises during childhood such as divorce and teen pregnancy, and the interpersonal growth needs of teenagers.
Skilled Health Professionals’ Migration and its Impact on Health Delivery in Zimbabwe

The paper investigates the magnitude of migration of health professionals from Zimbabwe, the causes of such movements and the associated impacts on health care delivery. International migration of health professionals has led to staff shortages and the situation is worse in public compared to private health institutions. The quality of care given to patients has also declined. The research calls for the adoption of an integrated approach in solving the problems of the health professions.
Differential effects of flanking residues on presentation of epitopes from chimeric peptides

Chimeric peptides in which the optimal H-2d mouse hepatitis virus nucleocapsid (pN) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (p18) epitopes, separated by 38, 7, or 2 amino acids, were expressed from a single open reading frame by using recombinant vaccinia viruses to analyze antigen processing of proximal class I-restricted epitopes. Recognition of the carboxy-terminal Dd-restricted p18 epitope was independent of the amino-terminal flanking residues. By contrast, proximity of the carboxy-terminal epitope decreased recognition of the amino-terminal Ld-restricted pN epitope. Immunization resulted in the induction of both p18- and pN-specific antiviral cytotoxic T lymphocytes, irrespective of the number of amino acids separating the epitopes.
Making Use of the Landsat 7 SLC-off ETM+ Image Through Different Recovering Approaches

Landsat program represents the world's longest continuously acquired collection of spacebased moderate-resolution land remote sensing data. So far, the sensors include the Landsat1-5 Multispectral Scanners (MSS), the Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM) and the Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+). The Landsat imagery with nearly four decades (from 1972 to present, see Fig.1) provides a unique resource for researchers and common users who work in agriculture, geology, forestry, regional planning, education, mapping, and global change research. Currently, both Landsat 5 and Landsat 7 are still being operated in orbit for data collection, although they have exceeded the expected service time and always readily experienced malfunction.
Occupational therapy: an endangered species or an academic discipline in the 21st century?

I n the final decade of the 20th century, occupational therapy faces one of its greatest challenges: What is our appropriate role and status within the academic environment? The way in which we respond to that challenge has far-reaching implications for our profession and its future. Yet many occupational therapists, focused on their day-to-day practice, are only vaguely aware that something is going on in universities affecting their profession. Events in the ivory tower seem remote from "important" issues such as reimbursement, personnel needs, and the adequacy of the department's budget. Most of us stop thinking about our schools once we enter the exciting and demanding world of clinical reality. My view of the academic world comes from the perspective of one who has been a clinician, a professor, and department chair at a major research university. However, I am foremost an occupational therapist who believes deeply in what our profeSSion has to offer and who wants us to be empowered to offer it.
Stoichiometry of the MexA‐OprM binding, as investigated by blue native gel electrophoresis

Multidrug resistance has become a serious concern in the treatment of bacterial infections. A prominent role is ascribed to the active efflux of xenobiotics out of the bacteria by a tripartite protein machinery. The mechanism of drug extrusion is rather well understood, thanks to the X‐ray structures obtained for the Escherichia coli TolC/AcrA/AcrB model system and the related Pseudomonas aeruginosa OprM/MexA/MexB. However, many questions remain unresolved, in particular the stoichiometry of the efflux pump assembly. On the basis of blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN‐PAGE) (Wittig et al., Nat. Protoc. 2006, 1, 418–428), we analyzed the binding stoichiometry of both palmitylated and non‐palmitylated MexA with the cognate partner OprM trimer at different ratios and detergent conditions. We found that β‐octyl glucopyranoside (β‐OG) detergent was not suitable for this technique. Then we proved that MexA has to be palmitylated in order to stabilized the complex formation with OprM. Finally, we provided evidence for a two by two (2, 4, 6, or upper) binding of palmitylated MexA per trimer of OprM.
Hemodynamic changes associated with electroconvulsive therapy.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is capable of provoking profound cardiovascular responses, the result of both the electroshock stimulus and the consequent seizure. Although considerable work has been performed upon ECT-induced hypertension, arrythmias, and their consequences, no study to date has assessed the changes in cardiac output that accompany this treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate by noninvasive means the effects of ECT on cardiac output.