Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comments on "analysis of cognitive radio spectrum access with optimal channel reservation"

For original paper see X. Zhu et. al., IEEE Commun. Lett. , vol.11, pp.304-6, (2007). This paper discusses a number of errors in the Markov model and analysis of the blocking and forced termination probabilities in a cognitive radio network, given in [4]. The correct expressions of forced termination and blocking probabilities are provided. Under the same conditions as in [4], the probabilities and call completion rate are re-evaluated. The results show that there are significant differences both in terms of magnitude and behavior. Furthermore, an expression of aggregate throughput in bits per unit time is also given and evaluated. All the numerical plots are supported by simulation results.
The development of visual search in infants and very young children.

In two experiments, 90 1- to 3-year-olds were trained in a new nonverbal task to touch a video screen that displayed a unique target resembling a popular television character. The target appeared among varying numbers of distractors that resembled another familiar television character and was either a uniquely colored shape (the feature search task) or a unique color-shape combination (the conjunction search task). Each correct response triggered a sound and produced four animated objects on the screen. Irrespective of age and experimental design (between-subjects or within-subjects), children's reaction time (RT) patterns resembled those obtained from adults in corresponding search tasks: The RT slope for feature search was flat and independent of distractor number, whereas the RT slope for conjunction search increased linearly with distractor number. These results extend visual search effects found with adults to infants and very young children and suggest that the basic perceptual processes underlying visual search are qualitatively invariant over ontogeny.
Albuterol delivery via tracheostomy tube.

HYPOTHESIS Albuterol delivery through a tracheostomy tube is affected by device (nebulizer vs metered-dose inhaler), interface (mask vs T-piece), bias flow, and humidification. METHODS A lift bar was placed between the chambers of a dual-chambered lung model such that a ventilator triggered simulated spontaneous breathing at a rate of 20 breaths/min, tidal volume of 0.4 L, and inspiratory-expiratory ratio of 1:2. An 8-mm inner diameter cuffed tracheostomy tube was placed through a semi-circular model that simulated a patient's neck. Four conditions of gas flow and humidification were used for the nebulizer experiments: heated aerosol (approximately 30 L/min, approximately 30 degrees C), heated humidity (approximately 30 L/min, approximately 30 degrees C), high flow without added humidity (approximately 30 L/min), or a nebulizer attached to the tracheostomy tube without additional flow. The nebulizer was filled with 4 mL that contained 2.5 mg of albuterol, and operated at 8 L/min. The nebulizer was tested with a T-piece or tracheostomy mask. For the metered-dose inhaler experiments, a spacer was used and actuation of the inhaler (100 microg per actuation) was synchronized with inhalation (4 actuations separated by > or = 15 s). When the spacer was used without additional flow, a valved T-piece was used with a 1-way valve placed either proximal or distal to the spacer. A filter was attached between the lung model and the distal end of the tracheostomy tube. Albuterol washed from the filter was measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometry. RESULTS For the nebulizer, the most efficient delivery was with no flow other than that to power the nebulizer and with a T-piece (p < 0.001). The most efficient method for aerosol delivery was metered-dose inhaler with a valved T-piece and placement of the 1-way valve in the proximal position (p < 0.001). The effect of humidity was unclear from the results of this study. CONCLUSIONS Albuterol delivery via tracheostomy was affected by the delivery device (nebulizer vs inhaler), bias gas flow, and the patient interface.
How does maternal employment affect preterm infants?

Employment of mothers with young children has increased dramatically over the past decade. Indeed, according to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, almost 60 percent of married mothers with children under six years of age were employed in 1990 (1). The mother's employment places her in multiple roles and adds complexity to her life and the lives of her loved ones. Mothers worry about child-care alternatives and how their employment will affect their families, both on a day-to-day basis and in the future. These concerns deepen when a child is at risk, such as one born too early.
Allosteric Coupling between the Lid and Interdomain Linker in DnaK Revealed by Inhibitor Binding Studies

ABSTRACT The molecular chaperone DnaK assists protein folding and refolding, translocation across membranes, and regulation of the heat shock response. In Escherichia coli, the protein is a target for insect-derived antimicrobial peptides, pyrrhocoricins. We present here the X-ray crystallographic analysis of the E. coli DnaK substrate-binding domain in complex with pyrrhocoricin-derived peptide inhibitors. The structures show that pyrrhocoricins act as site-specific, dual-mode (competitive and allosteric) inhibitors, occupying the substrate-binding tunnel and disrupting the latch between the lid and the β-sandwich. Our structural analysis revealed an allosteric coupling between the movements of the lid and the interdomain linker, identifying a previously unknown mechanism of the lid-mediated regulation of the chaperone cycle.
Molecular-phylogenetic characterization of microbial community imbalances in human inflammatory bowel diseases

The two primary human inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are idiopathic relapsing disorders characterized by chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract. Although several lines of reasoning suggest that gastrointestinal (GI) microbes influence inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathogenesis, the types of microbes involved have not been adequately described. Here we report the results of a culture-independent rRNA sequence analysis of GI tissue samples obtained from CD and UC patients, as well as non-IBD controls. Specimens were obtained through surgery from a variety of intestinal sites and included both pathologically normal and abnormal states. Our results provide comprehensive molecular-based analysis of the microbiota of the human small intestine. Comparison of clone libraries reveals statistically significant differences between the microbiotas of CD and UC patients and those of non-IBD controls. Significantly, our results indicate that a subset of CD and UC samples contained abnormal GI microbiotas, characterized by depletion of commensal bacteria, notably members of the phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Patient stratification by GI microbiota provides further evidence that CD represents a spectrum of disease states and suggests that treatment of some forms of IBD may be facilitated by redress of the detected microbiological imbalances.
PARÂMETROS BIOLÓGICOS DE Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. SMITH, 1797) (LEP.: NOCTUIDAE) ORIUNDAS DE DIFERENTES LOCALIDADES E HOSPEDEIROS

Nas culturas de milho e de arroz irrigado do Rio Grande do Sul, a Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) destaca-se como inseto-praga importante, havendo, porem, grande carencia de estudos basicos para as condicoes regionais. Este trabalho foi realizado objetivando-se avaliar parâmetros biologicos do inseto, oriundo de diferentes localidades e hospedeiros. Lagartas de S. frugiperda foram coletadas na cultura do arroz em Uruguaiana, no milho em Santa Rosa e em arroz e milho em Pelotas, mantidas em laboratorio a 25±1 oC, UR 70±15 % e fotofase de 14 horas, no hospedeiro original e, posteriormente, criadas em dieta artificial por uma geracao. Da criacao em dieta artificial foram separados 100 ovos e individualizadas 150 lagartas de cada populacao para a realizacao deste estudo. Os parâmetros biologicos observados foram duracao e viabilidade dos estagios embrionario, larval, pre-pupal e pupal e do ciclo total, peso de pupas e razao sexual. As populacoes oriundas de diferentes localidades e hospedeiros apresentam diferencas significativas nos parâmetros observados, demonstrando haver exigencias nutricionais e/ou ambientais distintas entre as populacoes.
Distal Inside-Out Epineural Sliding Technique to Repair Segmental Nerve Defects

Background: The repair of a segmental peripheral nerve injury is a clinical challenge. Several studies have been performed to determine superior methods for overcoming nerve gaps. The purpose of this study was to investigate if the inside-out slided epineurium of the distal segment of an injured nerve can serve as a conduit to bridge a short nerve defect (10 mm). Methods: Nineteen sciatic nerves in Sprague–Dawley rats were transected, and a 10-mm gap was left between the ends. A section of distal epineurium was pulled inside out to bridge the gap. Walking track analysis was performed, and the sciatic function index (SFI) was calculated. Wet muscle mass and withdrawal reflex were measured. The density of axon fibers at different levels of repaired nerves was determined, and histological analysis was performed at 16 weeks. Results: The mean SFI improved from −81.0 at 4 weeks to 36.3 at 16 weeks. The axon densities showed regeneration through the epineural tube, and 5 of the rats demonstrated a withdrawal reflex. The weight of the tibialis anterior muscle of the injured limb at 16 weeks was 59% that of the uninjured side. Conclusions: The distal epineural sheath tube provided a size-matched conduit between the nerve stumps, with no histological donor-site morbidity. Histologically, regeneration occurred through the epineural tube without neuroma formation, and functional recovery was comparable to that of previous studies of nerve repair techniques. Technique may be an addition to the armamentarium of tools used to treat segmental nerve defects.
Internal Quality Control and External Quality Assurance of Platelet Function Tests

Internal quality control (IQC) and external quality assurance (EQA) are distinct processes that contribute to ensure the overall quality (i.e., correctness) of laboratory test procedures. This review summarizes the current position of IQC and EQA in platelet function testing. These processes are in their infancy for these tests, despite the many years in which these tests have been performed within diagnostic hemostasis laboratories. This is understandable, due to the many challenges imposed by the requirements of the tests themselves and of the IQC and EQA processes, namely the regular availability, and ongoing supply and transport, of fresh blood containing functional platelets for testing within a very short time frame. Nevertheless, recently published studies have shown that IQC and EQA are both feasible for platelet function testing, although these processes have typically been undertaken in some modified form compared with other tests of hemostasis. Several EQA organizations are currently involved in providing support to laboratories that perform platelet function testing. Initiatives to date include cross-laboratory challenges for PFA-100 testing, several patterns of practice surveys, and several other EQA challenges related to dense granules and light transmission aggregometry. EQA organizations may be best placed to act as facilitators to the process of improving diagnostic testing for platelet function, which supplements the role of expert organizations.
Cutaneous lupus erythematosus: A personal approach to management

Skin disease in patients with lupus erythematosus may be subdivided into two broad categories – those lesions that when biopsied demonstrate interface dermatitis and those that do not demonstrate interface dermatitis. The skin lesions that are represented by the interface dermatitis include discoid lupus erythematosus, subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus and acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Patients with these ‘specific’ manifestations have varying degrees of systemic involvement from rare systemic disease in patients with localized discoid lupus erythematosus to common and often severe involvement in patients with acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Patients who do not demonstrate interface dermatitis also may have systemic disease and in some instances the skin manifestations are linked to some of the more severe systemic manifestations. Many patients with cutaneous lesions characterized by the interface dermatitis can be controlled with ‘standard’ therapies including sunscreens, protective clothing and behavioural alteration, and topical corticosteroids with or without an oral antimalarial agent. This review presents a brief summary of each common cutaneous manifestation of lupus erythematosus, its relationship to systemic involvement and treatment issues to effectively deal with the lupus erythematosus patient who has skin disease.
Towards a Dependable True Random Number Generator With Self-Repair Capabilities

Many secure-critical systems rely on true random number generators that must guarantee their operational functionality during its intended life. To this end, these generators are subject to intensive online testing in order to discover any flaws in their operation. The dependability of the different blocks that compose the system is crucial to guarantee the security. In this paper, we provide some general guidelines for designers to create more dependable true random number generators. In addition, a case of study where the system dependability has been improved is presented.
Distinct Combinations of Borrelia burgdorferiSensu Lato Genospecies Found in Individual Questing Ticks from Europe

ABSTRACT The genetic diversity of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato was assessed in individual adult Ixodes ricinusticks from Europe by direct PCR amplification of spirochetal DNA followed by genospecies-specific hybridization. Analysis of mixed infections in the ticks showed that B.garinii and B. valaisianasegregate from B. afzelii. This and previous findings suggest that host complement interacts with spirochetes in the tick, thereby playing an important role in the ecology of Lyme borreliosis.
Pre-operative oral iron supplementation reduces blood transfusion in colorectal surgery - a prospective, randomised, controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION Allogeneic blood transfusion confers a risk to the recipient. Recent trials in colorectal surgery have shown that the most significant factors predicting blood transfusion are pre-operative haemoglobin, operative blood loss and presence of a transfusion protocol. We report a randomised, controlled trial of oral ferrous sulphate 200 mg TDS for 2 weeks' pre-operatively versus no iron therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer were recruited from out-patient clinic and haematological parameters assessed. Randomisation was co-ordinated via a telephone randomisation centre. RESULTS Of the 49 patients recruited, 45 underwent colorectal resection. There were no differences between those patients not receiving iron (n = 23) and the iron-supplemented group (n = 22) for haemoglobin at recruitment, operative blood loss, operation duration or length of hospital stay. At admission to hospital, the iron-supplemented group had a higher haemoglobin than the non-iron treated group (mean haemoglobin concentration 13.1 g/dl [range, 9.6-17 g/dl] versus 11.8 g/dl [range, 7.8-14.7 g/dl]; P = 0.040; 95% CI 0.26-0.97) and were less likely to require operative blood transfusion (mean 0 U [range, 0-4 U] versus 2 U [range, 0-11 U] transfused; P = 0.031; 95% CI 0.13-2.59). This represented a cost reduction of 66% (47 U of blood = pound4700 versus oral FeSO(4) at pound30 + 15 U blood at pound1500). At admission, ferritin in the iron-treated group had risen significantly from 40 microg/l (range, 15-222 microg/l) to 73 microg/l (range, 27-386 microg/l; P = 0.0036; 95% CI 46.53-10.57). CONCLUSIONS Oral ferrous sulphate given pre-operatively in patients undergoing colorectal surgery offers a simple, inexpensive method of reducing blood transfusions.
The Marginal Fit of CAD/CAM Monolithic Ceramic and Metal‐Ceramic Crowns

PURPOSE Studies on the marginal fit of monolithic restorations are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the marginal fit among monolithic zirconia, monolithic lithium disilicate, and conventional metal-ceramic crowns and to compare the buccal and lingual surfaces. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty standardized stainless steel master dies were fabricated (height: 5 mm; convergence: 6°; chamfer: 1 mm). The dies were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10 each) according to the material used to construct the crowns: group 1 (LM): Lava Plus; group 2 (DM): IPS e.max CAD; and group 3 (MC): Metal-ceramic. The crowns were luted in a standard manner onto the stainless steel master dies using conventional glass ionomer cement. The vertical marginal gap of the restorations was evaluated under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) at 500x magnification. One-way ANOVA, Tukey´s HSD test, and Student's paired t test were used to assess the marginal discrepancy among the groups. The cutoff value for statistical significance was set at α = 0.05. RESULTS Significant differences among the three groups (p = 0.0001) were recorded. DM group showed the lowest discrepancies (27.95 ± 9.37 μm). Significant differences were observed for the buccal (p = 0.007) and lingual (p = 0.0001) surfaces between the DM group and the other groups. CONCLUSIONS The accuracy of fit achieved for the three groups was within the range of clinical acceptance. IPS e.max CAD showed the lowest discrepancies.
DISTRIBUTION OF GUANIDINIUM ANTIHYPERTENSIVES—MECHANISM OF THEIR SELECTIVE ACTION *

Guanethidine is the most potent drug available for maintenance therapy of hypertension. The profound adrenergic neuron blockade produced by this agent, however, can be abolished by concomitant administration of the widely used tricyclic antidepressant drugs. ” In controlled studies it was found that both desipramine and protriptyline reverse the antihypertensive effects of guanethidine, with an average increase in mean blood pressure of 27 mg Hg produced by the antagonist. The graph of a typical study is seen in FIGURE 1. The reversal of guanethidine’s effects is not immediate, requiring many hours or days before maximum antagonism is seen. After discontinuation of desipramine, an average of five days was required for the antihypertensive action of guanethidine to reappear. The rise in blood pressure following coadministration of desipramine occurred despite the fact that desipramine, when given alone, reduces blood pressure if it changes it at all. The rise in pressure is due to antagonism of guanethidine’s action and not to a pressor effect of two drugs in combination, for the administration of guanethidine to normal or mildly hypertensive subjects on desipramine produced no rise in blood pressure. In addition to guanethidine, the guanidinium class of adrenergic neuron blockers includes bethanidine and debrisoquin. Clinically significant antagonism of these antihypertensive agents on the part of desipramine also was demonstrated in controlled studies. The administration of only two 25-mg doses of desipramine (less than a day’s dose of the drug) will abolish the antihypertensive effect of bethanidine and will perpetrate the antagonism for about one week (FIGURE 2). This is probably the most striking example of clinical drug antagonism known. The antagonism by desipramine was interesting in light of the selective action of guanethidine on adrenergic neurons in uiuo, even though guanethidine and related drugs are general inhibitors of nerve and muscle function in uitm Previous work6v6 suggested that their selective inhibition of adrenergic neuron transmission in uiuo results from concentration of these drugs within tissues, such as the heart, that are rich in sympathetic innervation. Desipramine and related antidepressants were known to block the accumulation by such tissues of norepinephrine and a number of amines,’-’O thus leading to the postulation that these antidepressants might also prevent the uptake of guanethidine into adrenergic neurons. Studies in the rat in uiuo, however, yielded perplexing results showing that desipramine inhibited the uptake into the heart of tracer doses of some adren-
Continuing Conflict and Stalemate: A Note

This note is about the possibility of a stalemate in a continuing conflict. Following the prevailing economic literature on the topic, under some assumptions, the outcome of a conflict can be described in two ways: (i) a predetermined split of a contested output; (ii) a winner-take-all contest where the winning agent is capable to grab all the contested stake. By contrast, in reality many disputes do not have a clear or a definite outcome. A stalemate can end the conflict with the result of a draw. To allow for a stalemate, some formal modifications to the classical Hirshleifer’s model of conflict are needed. In particular, the possibility of a stalemate can be captured through a modified form of the Contest Success Function as axiomatized by Blavatskyy (2004). Under the possibility of a stalemate, the scenario exhibits a higher level of ‘guns’ than Hirshleifer’s classical model. At the same time, it also exhibits a lower degree of entropy.
Improved models for automatic punctuation prediction for spoken and written text

This paper presents improved models for the automatic prediction of punctuation marks in written or spoken text. Various kinds of textual features are combined using Conditional Random Fields. These features include language model scores, token n -grams, sentence length, and syntactic information extracted from parse trees. The resulting models are evaluated on several different tasks, ranging from formal newspaper text to informal, dictated messages and documents, and from written text to spoken text. The newly developed models outperform a hidden-event language model by up to 26% relative in F-score. Evaluation of punctuation prediction on erroneous ASR output as well as evaluation against multiple references is not straightforward. We propose modifications of existing evaluation methods to handle these cases.
Use of Dielectric Properties to Detect Whey Protein Denaturation

Denaturation of whey proteins can be detected by the dielectric properties. The dielectric properties of 20% whey protein with 0, 5 or 15% sugar, 2% salt, at pH 4 and isolated whey proteins were measured from room temperature to 100°C at 300–2450 MHz. The temperature at which a decrease in the dielectric loss factor, or increase in the dielectric constant, occurred was compared to the temperature of denaturation as determined by DSC and found to match. The change in the dielectric properties is likely caused by binding of water and/or ions that occurs during protein denaturation. For most of the samples, the dielectric loss factor showed the protein denaturation, but when ions were present due to salt or low pH, the dielectric constant showed the denaturation.