Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Closed-Form Phase and CFO Estimation CRLBs from Turbo-Coded PAM- and RQAM-Modulated Signals

We derive for the first time closed-form expressions for the Cram&#233;r-Rao lower bounds (CRLBs) of the joint channel phase, and carrier frequency offset (CFO) estimates from turbo-coded (TC) Pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM) and rectangular-QAM (RQAM) modulated signals over flat-fading channels. After wisely exploiting the properties of Gray mapping, we are able to simplify the log-likelihood function (LLF) to enable the CRLBs derivation in closed form. We show that the phase and the CFO can be decoupled if the set of sampling indices is centered on zero. These new bounds generalize those previously derived in closed form in the special case of TC square-QAM constellations or established empirically in the case of phase and CFO code-aided (CA) estimation, respectively. Numerical results suggest that the new CRLBs range between their respective CRLBs in the non-data-aided (NDA) and data-aided (DA) scenarios, thereby showcasing the expected advantage of CA estimation against both NDA and DA in terms of accuracy improvement or overhead reduction, respectively. They also illustrate the potential increase in estimation accuracy achievable by decreasing, as expected, the coding rate.
Targeting of Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I by Synthetic Amphipathic α-Helical-containing Peptides Blocks Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) Uptake and LPS-induced Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Responses in THP-1 Monocyte Cells*

Human scavenger receptor class B type I, CLA-1, mediates lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding and internalization (Vishnyakova, T. G., Bocharov, A. V., Baranova, I. N., Chen, Z., Remaley, A. T., Csako, G., Eggerman, T. L., and Patterson, A. P. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 22771–22780). Because one of the recognition motifs in SR-B1 ligands is the anionic amphipathic α-helix, we analyzed the effects of model amphipathic α-helical-containing peptides on LPS uptake and LPS-stimulated cytokine production. The L-37pA model peptide, containing two class A amphipathic helices, bound with high affinity (Kd = 0.94 μg/ml) to CLA-1-expressing HeLa cells with a 10-fold increased capacity when compared with mock transfected HeLa cells. Both LPS and L-37pA colocalized with anti-CLA-1 antibody and directly bound CLA-1 as determined by cross-linking. SR-BI/CLA-1 ligands such as HDL, apoA-I, and L-37pA efficiently competed against iodinated L-37pA. Bacterial LPS, lipoteichoic acid, and hsp60 also competed against iodinated L-37pA. Model peptides blocked uptake of iodinated LPS in both mock transfected and CLA-1-overexpressing HeLa cells. Bound and internalized Alexa-L-37pA and BODIPY-LPS colocalized at the cell surface and perinuclear compartment. Both ligands were predominantly transported to the Golgi complex, colocalizing with the Golgi markers bovine serum albumin-ceramide, anti-Golgin97 antibody, and cholera toxin subunit B. A 100-fold excess of L-37pA nearly eliminated BODIPY-LPS binding and internalization. L-37pA and its d-amino acid analogue, D-37pA peptide were similarly effective in blocking LPS, Gram-positive bacterial wall component lipoteichoic acid and bacterial heat shock protein Gro-EL-stimulated cytokine secretion in THP-1 cells. In the same culture media used for the cytokine stimulation study, neither L-37pA nor D-37pA affected the Limulus amebocyte lysate activity of LPS, indicating that LPS uptake and cytokine stimulation were blocked independently of LPS neutralization. These results demonstrate that amphipathic helices of exchangeable apolipoproteins may represent a general host defense mechanism against inflammation.
Coordinated multi-cell beamforming scheme using uplink-downlink max-min SINR duality

In this paper, a new analytical expression of the max-min SINR duality between the multi-cell downlink and the virtual uplink subject to per-BS power constraints is firstly given. Based on that, a hierarchical iterative scheme is proposed to solve the virtual uplink optimization problem. The uplink solution is then converted to achieve the solution to the multi-cell downlink beamforming problem. Simulation results show that, in contrast to existing multi-cell beamforming schemes, the proposed scheme achieves better performance in terms of both the worst-user rate and the rate per energy.
Characterization of two alternative promoters for integrase expression in the clc genomic island of Pseudomonas sp. strain B13

The clc genomic island is a 105 kb integrative and conjugative element (ICE) in Pseudomonas sp. strain B13, which encodes metabolism of 3‐chlorocatechol. The clc island is integrated in a tRNAGly gene, but can excise and form a circular intermediate in which both ends are connected. The integrase gene (intB13) of the clc genomic island is located at the right end, 202 bp from the junction site facing inwards. Fragments upstream of intB13 in the circular form and in the integrated form were fused to a promoterless gfp gene for Green Fluorescent Protein and introduced in monocopy onto the chromosome of strain B13. Quantitative GFP fluorescence measurements in individual cells of the different B13‐derivatives revealed that the circular form fragment contained a strong constitutive promoter (Pcirc) driving intB13 expression in all cells. By using primer extension Pcirc could be mapped near the left end of the clc element and Pcirc can therefore only control intB13 expression when left and right ends are connected as in the circular form. Expression from intB13 upstream fragments from the integrated clc element was weaker than that from Pcirc and only occurred in maximally 15% of individual cells in a culture. A promoter (Pint) could be roughly mapped in this region by using reverse‐transcription PCR and by successively shortening the fragment from the 5′ end. Transposon mutants in cloned left end sequences of the clc element were selected which had lost the activation potential on the Pint promoter and those which resulted in overexpression of GFP from Pint. The DNA sequence of the region of the transposon insertions pointed to a relatively well conserved area among various other genomic islands. The activator mutants mapped in an open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 175 amino acid protein without any significant similarity to functionally characterized proteins in the databases.
Artemisia annua as a possible contraceptive agent: a clue from mammalian rat model

In a previous study, we evaluated the maternal and fetal safety of antimalarial herb Artemisia annua with artemisinin yield of 1.09%. Here, we attempted to ascertain the contraceptive claim of A. annua. Sexually matured female Wistar rats (180–220 g) were allotted into four study groups of six rats each. The control group received normal saline, while the A. annua-treated groups received 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg of A. annua for 2 weeks, followed by mating with proven fertile males (1:1). The rats were allowed to carry the pregnancy to term. At birth and weaning periods, selected reproductive outcome and fertility indices were determined. The results showed that A. annua significantly reduced litter size, reproductive outcome and fertility indices compared with the control (p < 0.05). These results imply that A. annua could serve as a prospective contraceptive agent in addition to its antimalarial activity.
CpG-A Oligonucleotides Induce a Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cell-Like Phenotype That Preferentially Activates CD8 T Cells1

Human B cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells recognize CpG motifs within microbial DNA via Toll-like receptor 9. Two functionally distinct types of CpG motif containing oligonucleotides (CpG ODN) have been described, CpG-A and CpG-B. In contrast to CpG-B, CpG-A induces high amounts of type I IFN (IFN-α and IFN-β) in plasmacytoid dendritic cells. In the present study, we examined the effects of CpG-A on human primary monocytes. In PBMC stimulated with CpG-A and GM-CSF, monocytes showed excellent survival, increased in size and granularity, and within 3 days developed a dendritic cell-like phenotype that was characterized by down-regulation of CD14, partial up-regulation of CCR7, and an increased surface expression of costimulatory and Ag-presenting molecules. This effect could be inhibited by a combination of blocking Abs to type I IFN, and no such CpG-A-induced changes were observed in purified monocytes. Although IL-12 production by this dendritic cell-like phenotype required additional stimulation with CD40 ligand, this cell type spontaneously up-regulated IL-15 expression. Consistent with the known effect of IL-15 on effector and memory CD8 T cells, the frequency of CCR7−/CD45RA− CD8 T cells was selectively increased in allogeneic T cell assays. Furthermore, this dendritic cell type was more potent to support both the generation and the IFN-γ production of autologous influenza matrix peptide-specific memory CD8 T cells as compared with dendritic cells generated in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4. In conclusion, monocytes exposed to the cytokine milieu provided by CpG-A rapidly develop a dendritic cell-like phenotype that is well equipped to support CD8 T cell responses.
Physical characterization of the LabPET™ LGSO and LYSO scintillators

The luminescence and nuclear spectroscopic properties of LGSO (Lu0.4Gd1.6SiO5:Ce) and LYSO (Lu1.9Y0.1SiO5:Ce) crystals used in the LabPETtrade scanner were investigated. UV-excited luminescent spectra outline similarities with typical cerium-doped oxyorthosilicate scintillators but distinguish themselves by definite secondary emissions at near infrared wavelength. The two distinct luminescence mechanisms Ce1 and Ce2 previously identified in other cerium-doped oxyorthosilicate crystals appear to be present in the LYSO and LGSO scintillators used in the LabPETtrade. The intrinsic light yield, energy resolution and coincidence time resolution were assessed. The intrinsic light yield of LGSO relative to LYSO is 54% plusmn 1% when detected with PMT and 65% plusmn 5% with APD. The energy resolution obtained with APD attains 16.6% plusmn 0.6% for LGSO and 14.0 plusmn 0.4% for LYSO. Coincidence time resolutions of 1.8 and 3.0 ns FWHM were measured with APD in reference to a fast PMT-plastic detector for the LYSO and LGSO, respectively.
Printed MWCNT-PDMS-Composite Pressure Sensor System for Plantar Pressure Monitoring in Ulcer Prevention

In this paper, a low cost and flexible plantar pressure monitoring system is presented that is suited for everyday use to prevent pressure ulcers. To define the technical specifications of the sensor system, a gait analysis study was carried out. Analysis of measured data based on a multivariate approach and neural network classification shows that it is possible to dissociate between healthy and unhealthy rollover patterns. To implement a pressure sensor element, a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-composite was selected. A sensor matrix made of the composite was fully printed to enable pressure distribution measurements. As a final application, a printed insole was fabricated with six single MWCNT-PDMS pressure sensors that were situated on characteristic points of the insole to detect the unhealthy rollover patterns. Its functionality to measure plantar pressures was proven on a human foot inside a running shoe during walking.
Implementing Intensive Insulin Therapy: Development and Audit of the Bath Insulin Protocol

Intensive insulin therapy to control blood glucose has been found to reduce mortality among critically ill patients in a surgical intensive care unit, though a simple prescriptive insulin infusion protocol to achieve this has not been published previously. This study documents the development and routine use of a simple prescriptive intravenous insulin infusion protocol for critically ill patients and compares the results with previous practice. During development the protocol was optimized and practical issues of implementation addressed. The optimized protocol was then used for all ICU admissions, and a prospectively defined retrospective chart audit performed for the first month of use. Results were compared with a similar time period the previous year. In September 2002, 27 admissions were started on the protocol. Blood glucose for the time on the protocol had a median value of 6.2 (IQR 5.9-7.1) mmol/l compared with 9.2 (IQR 8.1-10.2) mmol/l for those on insulin in 2001. Blood glucose for the whole ICU stay for those on the protocol in 2002 had a median value of 6.6 (IQR 6.0-7.4) mmol/l compared with 8.6 (IQR 8.0-9.4) mmol/l in 2001. Blood glucose for all ICU patients in 2002 had a median value of 6.5 (IQR 6.0-7.3) mmol/l compared with 7.2 (IQR 6.3-8.3) mmol/l in 2001. Three blood glucose recordings were less than 2.2 mmol/l in September 2002. This study provides initial effectiveness and safety data for the Bath Insulin Protocol. Further audits in a larger patient population are now needed.
Exploring white privilege among adult learners in the historically white college and university classroom

The purpose of this study was to understand how adult learners experience white privilege in higher education classrooms. There were two research questions guiding this study: (1) how does the social position of adult learners affect their experience of white privilege in the classroom; and (2) what are the manifestations of white privilege in the classroom. This was a qualitative case study conducted during the spring 2002 semester at a historically White university. The cases consisted of two higher education classrooms. Twelve racially diverse adult learners and two instructors participated in the study. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis. The study found that race, class, and gender affected how adult learners experienced white privilege in the classroom. First, White racialness privileged White adult learners and non-White racialness burdened adult learners of color in the classroom. Class was found to be empowering only to White adult learners who could claim higher social locations. When class intersected with race, White adult learners at the lower end of class claimed power from Whiteness. Adult learners of color from higher and lower social class locations drew on their class backgrounds to negotiate issues of race that operated in the classroom. A higher social class location was of no benefit in the classroom for non-White adult learners who could claim that status. The study found male gender and African American racialness of one of the instructors to be intimidating only among his White students in the study. Manifestations of white privilege included (1) assumptions of race that privileged Whiteness; (2) White domination of classroom discourse; (3) White domination of authorship of the subject content in the classroom; (4) White domination of instructional resources of the classroom; and (5) White domination of physical space of the classroom. The conclusions were: (1) white privilege is a major factor in the dynamics of higher education classrooms; (2) the historically White college and university acts to enable the operation of white privilege in its classrooms; and (3) adult learners of color are complicit with White adult learners in perpetuating white privilege in the classroom. INDEX WORDS: Adult education, Adult learner, African American, Classroom, Higher Education, Race, Skin color, Whiteness, White privilege EXPLORING WHITE PRIVILEGE AMONG ADULT LEARNERS IN THE HISTORICALLY WHITE COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CLASSROOM
High-Flow Nasal Cannula Weaning Protocol: Is It Relevant?

To the Editor: Our group read with great satisfaction the study published in a recent issue of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine by Betters et al (1), since the subject is of increasing clinical importance and lacks published guidelines. Although there are several studies regarding high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) efficacy (2, 3), little is known about HFNC weaning. Deeper understanding of HFNC weaning is essential, as an unnecessary slow weaning may prolong PICU length of stay whereas an excessive fast weaning may worsen the patient’s clinical condition. The “holidays” weaning method shown by Betters et al (1) seems efficient but brings us some concerns. First, the flow used prior to the beginning of the weaning was not described, so we are not sure whether the patients were weaned from high support (2 L/kg of patient’s weight) or an intermediate one. Second, we wonder if the cannula used was the same for both the high and low flow per patient, simply by setting the Fio 2 to 100% and reducing the flow according to age-appropriate settings or if the cannula was replaced every time the flow was switched, therefore greatly increasing unessential patient manipulation. In our quaternary 18-bed PICU, we need to discontinue the HFNC delivery device as soon as HFNC is no longer needed, since there are a limited number of devices (likely so in many other PICUs from developing countries). Another subject that caught our attention was the much shorter HFNC total time (HFNC lasted a median of only 15 hr on almost 70% of the patients from the study by Betters et al [1]) than we observed in other publications (4) and in our clinical practice. Due to the fact that the Respiratory Assessment Score was not applied before initiating the treatment, and considering the high success rate of weaning in the first attempt, we argue whether or not the HFNC was indeed mandatory for all those patients. Also, even though there was no statistically relevant increased relationship among higher Pediatric Index of Mortality 2 scores and weaning failure, there is a trend toward higher weaning failure on the most severely critical patients. So, we question whether weaning protocol by Better et al (1) could be extrapolated to the sickest population. Last, as data collection ended 3 years ago, it is unclear whether clinical practice has changed on this matter since the study was completed. Regardless of our observations, HFNC “holidays” weaning protocol seems an innovative and important tool of great relevance, and we believe that it could be easily implemented in most settings. The authors have disclosed that they do not have any potential conflicts of interest.
Disability in geriatric depression.

OBJECTIVE The authors' purpose was to identify the relationship of disability to clinical measures that are part of a comprehensive psychiatric examination of depressed elderly patients. METHOD The disability of 75 elderly inpatients and outpatients with major depression whose cognitive function ranged from normality to mild dementia was assessed with the Philadelphia Multilevel Assessment Instrument. Age at onset of depression, chronicity of depression, severity of depression, cognitive impairment, medical burden, social support and living environment were assessed with standardized instruments. RESULTS Impairment in instrumental activities of daily living was significantly associated with advanced age, severity of depression, and medical burden. The relationship of depressive symptoms to impairment in instrumental activities of daily living was not influenced by age or medical burden. Anxiety and depressive ideation as well as retardation and weight loss were significantly associated with impairment in instrumental activities of daily living. Interviewer-rated global disability was associated with advanced age at onset of depression, medical burden, and overall cognitive impairment. Specifically, a disturbance in initiation and perseveration was significantly related to global disability. CONCLUSIONS Impairment in instrumental activities of daily living appears to be a relatively independent dimension of health status that is related to depressive symptoms, particularly anxiety and depressive ideation as well as retardation and weight loss. Global disability may be associated with impairment in initiation and perseveration and with late onset of depression. These findings provide a basis for studies investigating whether psychotherapy aimed at depressive ideation and rehabilitation efforts focused on instrumental activities of daily living can improve the outcome of geriatric depression.
The effects of lucky draw sales promotion on brand loyalty in mobile telecommunication industry

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the relationship between lucky draw sales promotion (LDSP) and the four phases of brand loyalty in the telecommunication industry. Design/methodology/approach - – A self-administered structure questionnaire was used to collect primary data from conveniently sampled 338 lucky draw winners in the Ghanaian telecommunication industry. A response rate of 67.1 percent was obtained for data analysis using structural equation modeling approach. Findings - – It was found that LDSP positively relate to cognitive brand loyalty, and to behavioral brand loyalty through affective and conative brand loyalty. All hypothesized relationships among the sequential four-stage loyalty were confirmed, except the direct relationship between LDSP and behavioral brand loyalty. Research limitations/implications - – The findings are limited to lucky draw winners in the telecommunication industry. Practical implications - – Marketers can increase brand loyalty and profit more from their customers through targeted programs with hedonic benefits to build strong commitment level (conative brand loyalty), strong favoritism (affective brand loyalty) and strong beliefs about the superiority (cognitive brand loyalty) of a brand. Originality/value - – Theoretically, this study fills the void of empirical studies on non-price sales promotion techniques of lucky draw and customer brand loyalty in the telecommunication sector in developing economy context, and contributes to the body of knowledge in the area of customer brand loyalty and LDSP.
Effects of Armature Height and Position on the Performance of Induction Coil Launcher

Induction coil launcher (ICL) is an electromagnetic accelerator that uses Lorentz force to accelerate a projectile with a conducting armature. In this paper, the effects of the height and starting position of the armature on the performance of the ICL were analyzed. Launching experiments were conducted to verify the analysis results. The speed of the projectile converged to a saturated value as the armature height increased. We found that there exists an optimal starting position of the armature for the highest speed. The concept of inductance gradient was adopted to explain the analysis results. It was possible to predict the acceleration characteristics and to estimate the optimal starting position using this concept. Results show that the armature height should be longer than the drive coil height (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{H}_{\mathrm {coil}})$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, and the bottom of the armature should be positioned between <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${({1}/{4})H}_{\mathrm {coil}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${({1}/{2})H}_{\mathrm {coil}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> at the start to obtain the highest speed. The experimental results showed good agreement with the simulation analysis results.