Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multiple-symbol detection of MPSK in narrow-band interference and AWGN

We propose a new technique for rejection of narrow-band interference (NBI) based on multiple-symbol detection of coherent or differential phase-shift keying (DPSK). We first show that the direct use of multiple-symbol detection offers poor performance when NBI is dominant. Our proposed technique employs a special signaling or coding scheme which is shown to be robust against NBI. The evaluation of bit-error rate (BER) shows significant performance improvement in NBI vis-a-vis direct multiple-symbol detection. When viewed as a coding scheme, the proposed signaling scheme is significantly simpler for achieving the same coding gain than conventional error correction codes.
Angina Bullosa Hemorrhagica: Report of Two Cases

Angina bullosa hemorrhagic (ABH) describes the acute and sometimes painful onset of oral blood-filled vesicles and bullae, not attributable to blood dyscrasia, vesiculobullous disorders, systemic diseases or other known causes. The haemorrhagic bullae spontaneously burst after a short time resulting in ragged, often painless, superficial erosions that heal spontaneously within 1 week without scarring. Trauma appears to be the most common identifiable precipitating factor, but the essential tissue defect is yet unidentified. This paper presents two cases of ABH with the aim to create awareness regarding occurrence of this lesion, thus avoiding any misdiagnosis.
Judging Political Affiliation from Faces of UK MPs

Subjects were shown photographs of UK MPs' faces and asked to judge their political affiliations. Participants were unable to correctly distinguish between Conservative and Labour politicians. However, their responses were used to create computer-generated idealised faces representative of each party, which independent evaluators could correctly identify. These faces give an indication of the mental images we might reference when imagining MPs from the two main UK political parties.
Activities of four macrolides, including clarithromycin, against Mycobacterium fortuitum, Mycobacterium chelonae, and M. chelonae-like organisms

Susceptibilities to erythromycin by broth microdilution were compared with those to the newer macrolide clarithromycin for 223 isolates of rapidly growing mycobacteria belonging to seven taxonomic groups. Seventy-nine random isolates were also tested against azithromycin and roxithromycin. The MIC of clarithromycin for 90% of strains tested (MIC90) was 0.25 microgram/ml for isolates of Mycobacterium chelonae subsp. chelonae and 0.5 microgram/ml for M. chelonae subsp. abscessus, with 100% of strains inhibited by less than or equal to 1 microgram/ml. Clarithromycin was 10 to 50 times more active than erythromycin and four- to eightfold more active than the other newer macrolides against M. chelonae. MICs of clarithromycin frequently increased with prolonged incubation with isolates of M. chelonae subsp. abscessus but not M. chelonae subsp. chelonae. MICs of clarithromycin were much higher for M. fortuitum bv. fortuitum (MIC50, 2.0 microgram/ml; MIC90, greater than 8.0 microgram/ml). The three newer macrolides had comparable activity against M. fortuitum bv. peregrinum (MIC90s of 0.5 to 2.0 microgram/ml compared with erythromycin MIC90s of greater than 8.0 microgram/ml). Overall, clarithromycin was the most active agent, inhibiting all isolates of M. chelonae subsp. chelonae, M. chelonae subsp. abscessus, M. fortuitum bv. peregrinum, and the M. chelonae-like organisms and 35% of M. fortuitum bv. fortuitum at less than or equal to 1 microgram/ml. Clinical trials of the newer macrolides, especially clarithromycin, against these environmental mycobacterial species appear to be warranted.
Improving energy usage in energy harvesting wireless sensor nodes using weather forecast

Battery powered wireless sensor nodes are used in many applications. Finite battery lifetime is one of the main problems when using battery powered devices. Using energy harvesting in wireless sensor nodes can allow them to work perpetually if energy neutrality is satisfied. With energy harvesting optimization goal switches from energy management to workload maximization while maintaining energy neutrality. In order to achieve energy neutrality information about energy that can be harvested in the future is needed. Predictions can be based on previous measured data, but they can fail when weather conditions change during the day or between days. Weather forecast information has been used to predict energy that can be harvested in the future but only for next few hours. We present two-level predictor that uses cloud cover information from hourly weather forecast for 24 hour period to predict energy that can be harvested in the next 24 hours. Proposed predictor can achieve 9% lower prediction mean relative error and allow 7% better performance of wireless sensor node.
Establishment of a novel childhood acute myeloid leukaemia cell line, KOPM‐88, containing partial tandem duplication of the MLL gene and an in vivo model for childhood acute myeloid leukaemia using NOD/SCID mice

MLL gene rearrangement is common in both adult and childhood acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), and its role in oncogenesis has been investigated. While over 50 translocated‐partner genes have been identified so far, few studies have detailed the molecular mechanism of partial tandem duplication (PTD) of the MLL gene. The prognostic impact and contribution to leukaemogenesis of MLL‐PTD, especially in childhood cases, remain unknown. We have established a novel cell line containing MLL‐PTD derived from an 11‐year‐old patient with AML and designated as KOPM‐88. KOPM‐88 cells exhibited certain characteristics associated with the myeloid lineage including abundant primary granules in the cytoplasm and the expression of myeloperoxidase. The cell growth of KOPM‐88 was cytokine independent but was accelerated by granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor and granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor. MLL‐PTD of exon 2 to exon 6 and exon 2 to exon 8 was revealed using Southern blotting, fluorescence in situ hybridisation, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction/DNA sequencing. Furthermore, non‐obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient mice inoculated with KOPM‐88 cells exhibited leukaemic infiltrations in the bone marrow and hemiparalysis because of compression myelopathy. This is the first report of an in vivo animal model exhibiting the systemic involvement of childhood AML containing MLL‐PTD. KOPM‐88 cells and our murine model may be useful for investigating the pathogenesis of childhood AML associated with MLL gene rearrangement.
Acute Effect of Cigarette Smoking on Heart Rate Variability

Acute cigarette smoking enhances adrenergic activity and thus may be associated with hemodynamic changes in the cardiovascular system. In this study, the acute effect of cigarette smoking on heart rate variability (HRV) was studied. Fifteen subjects were included in the study. Time domain (the mean R-R interval, the standard deviation of R-R interval, and the root mean square of successive R-R interval differences) and frequency domain (high-frequency, low-frequency ratio, and low-frequency/high-frequency ratio) parameters of HRV were obtained from all participants for each 5-minute segment: 5 minutes before and 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 minutes after smoking a cigarette. The mean R-R interval, the standard deviation of R-R interval, and the root mean square of successive R-R interval differences significantly decreased within the first 5-minute period compared with baseline, and then the standard deviation of R-R interval increased within the 20- to 30-minute period. The low-frequency high-frequency ratio significantly decreased within the first 5 minutes after smoking and then remained unchanged throughout the study period. Similarly, low-frequency and high-frequency power increased within the first 5 minutes compared with baseline. Acute cigarette smoking alters HRV parameters, particularly within the first 5 to 10 minutes after smoking.
A recombinant virus‐like particle system derived from parvovirus as an efficient antigen carrier to elicit a polarized Th1 immune response without adjuvant

Hybrid virus‐like particles (VLP) were prepared by self‐assembly of the modified porcine parvovirus (PPV) VP2 capsid protein carrying a CD8+ or CD4+ T cell epitope. Immunization of mice with a single dose of these hybrid pseudo‐particles, without adjuvant, induced strong cytotoxic T lymphocyte and T helper (Th) responses against the reporter epitope. The Th response was characterized by a Th1 phenotype. We also analyzed in vitro the uptake mechanism of these parvovirus‐like particles and the processing requirements associated with presentation by MHC molecules. Although previously shown to be presented by MHC class I molecules, these particles also enter very efficiently the MHC class II endocytic pathway, and behave as conventional exogenous antigens. Indeed, the processing of chimeric PPV : VLP was performed in endosomal/lysosomal acidic vesicles and the presentation of the foreign epitope carried by these particles was sensitive to brefeldin A and cycloheximide, showing that the foreign peptide was loaded on nascent MHC class II molecules. These results give some indication of how PPV : VLP can be presented by MHC class I and class II molecules, and underscore the wide potency of such VLP system to deliver foreign antigens for vaccine design.
Prefrontal microcircuit underlies contextual learning after hippocampal loss

Specific brain circuits have been classically linked to dedicated functions. However, compensation following brain damage suggests that these circuits are capable of dynamic adaptation. Such compensation is exemplified by Pavlovian fear conditioning following damage to the dorsal hippocampus (DH). Although the DH normally underlies contextual fear and fear renewal after extinction, both can be learned in the absence of the DH, although the mechanisms and nature of this compensation are currently unknown. Here, we report that recruitment of alternate structures, specifically the infralimbic and prelimbic prefrontal cortices, is required for compensation following damage to the hippocampus. Disconnection of these cortices in DH-compromised animals and immediate early gene induction profiles for amygdala-projecting prefrontal cells revealed that communication and dynamic rebalancing within this prefrontal microcircuit is critical. Additionally, the infralimbic cortex normally plays a role in limiting generalization of contextual fear. These discoveries reveal that plasticity through recruitment of alternate circuits allows the brain to compensate following damage, offering promise for targeted treatment of memory disorders.
A Preliminary Study on the Trail-Making Test in Arabic–English Bilingual Young Adults

The Trail-Making Test (TMT) is used in different neuropsychological test batteries. It consists of two parts: TMT-Part A, which tests visual scanning and psychomotor speed, and TMT-Part B, which assesses more complex cognitive processes. TMT normative data have been established in many non-Arab countries either using the original English version or a version developed with the native language. The aim of this study was to compare TMT performance between the English TMT and a constructed Arabic TMT in young Arabic–English bilingual college students from three Arabian Gulf states. Scores from 83 participants who took the English TMT and 52 who took the Arabic TMT were included. Arabic TMT (both parts) scores were significantly poorer compared with English TMT scores. Arabic TMT scores were also poorer than were other norms for this age group and education level, but they were better than those reported from another study using the Arabic TMT. Moreover, there were nonsignificant differences in performance between participants from these three countries; however, these findings are inconclusive as sample sizes were small. These findings suggest that Arabic TMT norms cannot be unified for all Arabic countries, and separate Arabic TMT norms including all age groups and education levels must be established for each Arabic country.
Body image and sexual function in women after treatment for anal and rectal cancer

Treatment for anal and rectal cancer (ARCa) often results in side effects that directly impact sexual functioning; however, ARCa survivors are an understudied group, and factors contributing to the sexual sequelae are not well understood. Body image problems are distressing and may further exacerbate sexual difficulties, particularly for women. This preliminary study sought to (1) describe body image problems, including sociodemographic and disease/treatment correlates, and (2) examine relations between body image and sexual function.
Functional deficits in patients with mild cognitive impairment: Prediction of AD

ObjectiveTo evaluate the predictive utility of self-reported and informant-reported functional deficits in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) for the follow-up diagnosis of probable AD. MethodsThe Pfeffer Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) and Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) Scale were administered at baseline. Patients were followed at 6-month intervals, and matched normal control subjects (NC) were followed annually. ResultsSelf-reported deficits were higher for patients with MCI than for NC. At baseline, self- and informant-reported functional deficits were significantly greater for patients who converted to AD on follow-up evaluation than for patients who did not convert, even after controlling for age, education, and modified Mini-Mental State Examination scores. While converters showed significantly more informant- than self-reported deficits at baseline, nonconverters showed the reverse pattern. Survival analyses further revealed that informant-reported deficits (but not self-reported deficits) and a discrepancy score indicating greater informant- than self-reported functional deficits significantly predicted the development of AD. The discrepancy index showed high specificity and sensitivity for progression to AD within 2 years. ConclusionsThese findings indicate that in patients with MCI, the patient’s lack of awareness of functional deficits identified by informants strongly predicts a future diagnosis of AD. If replicated, these findings suggest that clinicians evaluating MCI patients should obtain both self-reports and informant reports of functional deficits to help in prediction of long-term outcome.
Plasma-sprayed thick-film anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) sensors

We report our recent work on thick-film permalloy (NiFe) and NiCo-alloy anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) sensors made by thermal spray. Various sensor layouts have been fabricated and characterized. The AMR effect of 2.45% and 2.68% is obtained in as-sprayed permalloy and NiCo-alloy sensors. Resistivity of thermal-sprayed thick film is 40-60 /spl mu//spl Omega/ cm, which is higher than bulk material. A maximum /spl Delta/R/R value of 5.2% is achieved after thermal annealing. A high-/spl Delta/R/R value and low-saturation fields are the important features of thermal spray sensors. The very promising results demonstrate the potential applications of thermal spray sensors.
Randomized controlled clinical trial comparing one‐piece and two‐piece dental implants supporting fixed and removable dental prostheses: 4‐ to 6‐year observations

OBJECTIVES To test whether or not a one- (S1) and a two-piece (S2) dental implant systems render the same biological, technical, and esthetic outcomes regarding implants and implant-supported reconstructions over an observation period of 4 to 6 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty patients were randomly assigned to receive S1 or S2 implants. The implants were restored with either fixed or removable prostheses. The insertion of the final reconstruction was chosen as baseline. One-year and 4- to 6-year (FU-5) measurements included biological (e.g. marginal bone level, probing pocket depth, peri-implant mucositis, and peri-implantitis), technical (e.g. fracture or loosening of prosthetic screws, fracture or loosening of abutments, fracture of framework, and/or veneering ceramic (minor, major), loss of retention for cemented restorations), and esthetic parameters (visibility of the crown margin, shimmering of the implant through the mucosa, the level of the facial margo mucosae compared to the contralateral tooth or implant site and the modified papilla index) for implants and reconstructions. Survival and success rates of implants and reconstructions were calculated. Because of the asymmetric data distributions, nonparametric statistical methods were applied. RESULTS The implant-based analysis revealed a cumulative implant survival rate of 97.9% (S1: 96.6%; S2: 98.9%) at FU-5. The median marginal bone level for group S1 changed from 0.51 mm at baseline to 0.49 mm at FU-5 and for group S2 from 1.02 mm to 1.35 mm (P < 0.001). Patient-level analyses demonstrated a frequency of peri-implant mucositis of 7.7% (S1) and 10.0% (S2) and for peri-implantitis of 7.7% (S1) and 13.3% (S2) at FU-5. The patient-based cumulative implant survival rate was 94.6% (S1: 92.3%; S2: 96.7%). The overall patient-based biological complication rate amounted to 15.4% (S1) and to 23.3% (S2) (P = 0.517), whereas the overall technical complication rates were 30.8% (S1) and 13.3% (S2) (P = 0.349). The prosthetic survival rates were 93.1% for S1 and 100% for S2 (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Both implant systems reveal high survival rates on the implant and prosthetic level. Apart from marginal bone-level changes, biological and technical outcomes did not reveal significant differences between the two implant systems.
Characterizing cortical neuron injury with fluoro‐jade labeling after a neurotoxic regimen of methamphetamine

We used Fluoro‐Jade, a recently‐developed fluorescent indicator of neuronal damage, to identify neurons injured 1–21 days after repeated injections of methamphetamine (m‐AMPH) or saline. The m‐AMPH‐treated rats showed Fluoro‐Jade positive neurons in parietal cortex (layers III and IV) and had less striatal tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity than did saline‐injected controls. Fluoro‐Jade positive neurons were greatest in number 3 days post‐treatment; some fluorescent neurons displayed bud‐like surface protrusions. These observations support the hypothesis that certain neocortical neurons degenerate after m‐AMPH. Synapse 30:329–333, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of cerebrospinal fluid on specific absorption rate generated by 300 MHz MRI transmit array

We investigated how cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) simulated as a single electrically connected object and variation of the geometry of an anatomical human head model influence the transmit and safety excitation efficiencies of a 7T magnetic resonance imaging transmit array. A dual-row array was excited in circularly polarized (CP) and radiofrequency (RF) shimming modes. In both excitation modes, CSF partially shielded the brain from the array RF field. It resulted in decreases of both transmit and safety excitation efficiencies. A smaller head size resulted in larger transmit and safety excitation efficiencies for the CP excitation mode.
Pregnancy Outcome After Exposure to Antidepressants and the Role of Maternal Depression: Results From the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study

Abstract Results of previous studies on the safety of antidepressants during pregnancy have been conflicting. The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether first-trimester exposure to antidepressants, specifically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), was associated with increased risk of congenital malformations. The secondary objective was to examine the effects of exposure to antidepressants during pregnancy on birth weight and gestational age. We included 63,395 women from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study. The women had completed 2 self-administered questionnaires at gestational weeks 17 and 30 on medication use and medical, sociodemographic, and psychological factors. Data on pregnancy outcome were retrieved from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. Of the 63,395 women, 699 (1.1%) reported using antidepressants during pregnancy, most frequently SSRIs (0.9%). Exposure to SSRIs during the first trimester was not associated with increased risk of congenital malformations in general (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81–1.84) or cardiovascular malformations (adjusted OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 0.67–3.43). Exposure to antidepressants during pregnancy was not associated with increased risk of preterm birth (adjusted OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.87–1.69) or low birth weight (adjusted OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.33–1.16). This study does not suggest a strongly increased risk of malformations, preterm birth, or low birth weight following prenatal exposure to antidepressants. Without adjustments for level of maternal depression and various sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, antidepressant use during pregnancy would wrongly have been associated with an increased risk of preterm birth.
Dentate granule cell GABAA receptors in epileptic hippocampus: enhanced synaptic efficacy and altered pharmacology

The dentate gyrus (DG) normally functions as a filter, preventing propagation of synchronized activity into the seizure‐prone hippocampus. This filter or ‘gatekeeper’ attribute of the DG is compromised in various pathological states, including temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). This study examines the role that altered inhibition may play in the deterioration of this crucial DG function. Using the pilocarpine animal model of TLE, we demonstrate that inhibitory synaptic function is altered in principal cells of the DG. Spontaneous miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) recorded in dentate granule cells (DGCs) from epileptic animals were larger, more sensitive to blockade by zinc and less sensitive to augmentation by the benzodiazepine type site 1 modulator zolpidem. Furthermore, mIPSCs examined during a quiescent period following injury but preceding onset of epilepsy were significantly smaller than those present either in control or in TLE DGCs, and had already acquired sensitivity to blockade by zinc prior to the onset of spontaneous seizures. Rapid agonist application experiments demonstrated that prolonged (>35 ms) exposure to zinc is required to block GABAA receptors (GABAARs) in patches pulled from epileptic DGCs. Therefore, zinc must be tonically present to block DGC GABAARs and alter DG function. This would occur only during repetitive activation of mossy fibres. Thus, in the pilocarpine animal model of TLE, an early, de novo, expression of zinc‐sensitive GABAARs is coupled with delayed, epilepsy‐induced development of a zinc delivery system provided by aberrant sprouting of zinc‐containing mossy fibre recurrent collaterals. The temporal and spatial juxtaposition of these pathophysiological alterations may compromise normal ‘gatekeeper’ function of the DG through dynamic zinc‐induced failure of inhibition, predisposing the hippocampal circuit to generate seizures.
Validity and Reliability of the Spanish Modified Version of the Trait Meta-Mood Scale

This study examined validity and reliability of the Spanish modified version of the Trait Meta-Mood Scale in a sample of 292 Spanish undergraduates. The internal consistency estimates for subscales were all above . 85, and the test-retest correlations after 4 wk. ranged from . 60 to . 83. The correlations between scores on the Spanish modified version of the Trait Meta-Mood Scale subscales and criterion measures (Beck Depression Inventory, Satisfaction With Life Scale, and Ruminative Responses Scale) were in the expected direction. In summary, the Spanish modified version of the Trait Meta-Mood Scale had appropriate reliability and significant relations with criterion variables as in previous studies with the English version.