Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Signal detection for orthogonal space-time block coding over time-selective fading channels: The H/sub i/ systems

One major assumption in all orthogonal space-time block coding (O-STBC) schemes is that the channel remains static over the length of the code word. However, time-selective fading channels do exist, and in such case conventional O-STBC detectors can suffer from a large error floor in the high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) cases. As a sequel to the authors' previous papers on this subject, this paper aims to eliminate the error floor of the H/sub i/-coded O-STBC system (i = 3 and 4) by employing the techniques of: 1) zero forcing (ZF) and 2) parallel interference cancellation (PIC). It is. shown that for an H/sub i/-coded system the PIC is a much better choice than the ZF in terms of both performance and computational complexity. Compared with the, conventional H/sub i/ detector, the PIC detector incurs a moderately higher computational complexity, but this can well be justified by the enormous improvement.
Path-loss and time dispersion parameters for indoor UWB propagation

The propagation of ultra wideband (UWB) signals in indoor environments is an important issue with significant impacts on the future direction and scope of the UWB technology and its applications. The objective of this work is to obtain a better assessment of the potentials of UWB indoor communications by characterizing the UWB indoor communication channels. Channel characterization refers to extracting the channel parameters from measured data. An indoor UWB measurement campaign is undertaken. Time-domain indoor propagation measurements using pulses with less than 100 ps width are carried out. Typical indoor scenarios, including line-of-sight (LOS), non-line-of-sight (NLOS), room-to-room, within-the-room, and hallways, are considered. Results for indoor propagation measurements are presented for local power delay profiles (local PDP) and small-scale averaged power delay profiles (SSA-PDP). Site-specific trends and general observations are discussed. The results for path-loss exponent and time dispersion parameters are presented.
In the Mind's Eye: Enhancing Human Performance

An individual lacking in self-confidence listens to a tape of the ocean surf and the cry of gulls; embedded below the threshold of hearing are affirmations, such as "I am a secure person. I believe in myself more and more every day. " Will his self-esteem be enhanced? A stressed-out person feels uncomfortably revved up; she seeks out a quiet place, closes her eyes, and repeats a Sanskrit mantra. Will her heart rate be slowed? An undercover government operative makes a life-and-death decision as to whether an informant's statement is the truth or a deliberate lie; he pays close attention to the other's body cues and tone of voice. Will such signs help him to decide correctly? These questions, and more, are the subject of In the Mind's Eye: Enhancing Human Performance (and the respective answers are probably not, not better than simply sitting quietly, and probably so). Following up on
Cardiac structure and function predicts functional decline in the oldest old

Background This study examined the association between cardiac structure and function and the deterioration in activities of daily living (ADLs) in an age-homogenous, community-dwelling population of patients born in 1920–1921 over a five-year follow-up period. Design Longitudinal cohort study. Methods Patients were recruited from the Jerusalem Longitudinal Cohort Study, which has followed an age-homogenous cohort of Jerusalem residents born in 1920–1921. Patients underwent home echocardiography and were followed up for five years. Dependence was defined as needing assistance with one or more basic ADL. Standard echocardiographic assessment of cardiac structure and function, including systolic and diastolic function, was performed. Reassessment of ADLs was performed at the five-year follow-up. Results A total of 459 patients were included in the study. Of these, 362 (79%) showed a deterioration in at least one ADL at follow-up. Patients with functional deterioration had a significantly higher left ventricular mass index and left atrial volume with a lower ejection fraction. There was no significant difference between the diastolic parameters the groups in examined. When the data were examined categorically, a significantly larger percentage of patients with functional decline had an abnormal left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular hypertrophy. The association between left ventricular mass index and functional decline remained significant in all multivariate models. Conclusions In this cohort of the oldest old, an elevated left ventricular mass index, higher left atrial volumes and systolic, but not diastolic dysfunction, were predictive of functional disability.
The Ets2 Repressor Factor (Erf) Is Required for Effective Primitive and Definitive Hematopoiesis

ABSTRACT Erf is a gene for a ubiquitously expressed Ets DNA-binding domain-containing transcriptional repressor. Erf haploinsufficiency causes craniosynostosis in humans and mice, while its absence in mice leads to failed chorioallantoic fusion and death at embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5). In this study, we show that Erf is required in all three waves of embryonic hematopoiesis. Mice lacking Erf in the embryo proper exhibited severe anemia and died around embryonic day 14.5. Erf epiblast-specific knockout embryos had reduced numbers of circulating blood cells from E9.5 onwards, with the development of severe anemia by E14.5. Elimination of Erf resulted in both reduced and more immature primitive erythroblasts at E9.5 to E10.5. Reduced definitive erythroid colony-forming activity was found in the bloodstream of E10.5 embryos and in the fetal liver at E11.5 to E13.5. Finally, elimination of Erf resulted in impaired repopulation ability, indicating that Erf is necessary for hematopoietic stem cell maintenance or differentiation. We conclude that Erf is required for both primitive and erythromyeloid progenitor waves of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC)-independent hematopoiesis as well as for the normal function of HSCs.
Low testosterone levels are predictive for incident atrial fibrillation and ischaemic stroke in men, but protective in women – results from the FINRISK study

Background Atrial fibrillation is the most common serious abnormal heart rhythm, and a frequent cause of ischaemic stroke. Recent experimental studies, mainly in orchiectomised rats, report a relationship between sex hormones and atrial electrophysiology and electroanatomy. We aimed to evaluate whether low testosterone levels are predictive for atrial fibrillation and/or ischaemic stroke in men and women. Design and methods The serum total testosterone levels were measured at baseline in a population cohort of 7892 subjects (3876 male, 4016 female), aged 25–74 years, using a commercially available immunoassay. The main outcome measure was atrial fibrillation or ischaemic stroke, whichever came first. Results During a median follow-up of 13.8 years, a total of 629 subjects (8.0%) suffered from incident atrial fibrillation (n = 426) and/or ischemic stroke (n = 276). Cox regression analyses, adjusted for age (used as time-scale), geographical region, total cholesterol (log), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (log), hypertension medication, known diabetes, smoking status, waist-hip-ratio, and time of blood drawn, documented differential predictive value of low sex-specific testosterone levels for atrial fibrillation and/or ischaemic stroke, in men and in women: Increasing levels were associated with lower risk in men (hazard ratio per one nmol/l increase 0.98 (95% confidence interval 0.93–1.00); p = 0.049). On the other hand, increasing testosterone levels were associated with higher risk in women (hazard ratio per one nmol/l increase 1.17 (95% confidence interval 1.02–1.36); p = 0.031). Conclusion Our study indicates that low testosterone levels are associated with increased risk of future atrial fibrillation and/or ischaemic stroke in men, while they are protective in women.
Anthropometric Method for Determining “Masked Obesity” in the Young Japanese Female Population

A specific kind of obesity that occurs in young women who appear thin but who have relatively greater percentage of body fat than is normal for their weight is called “masked obesity. ” The definition of masked obesity is nutritionally and anthropometrically clear: body mass index (BMI) 25 kg/m2 and percentage of body fat (%BF) ≥ 30 %. However, this definition allowed obesity to be underestimated. Thus, we determined that when mathematically analyzing the relationship between BMI and %BF, the equation % BF = a BMI b could be applied, where a (i.e., %BF/ BMI b ), converted by logarithmic function, is defined as an index for masked obesity (MOI). The MOI equation (a) was thus %BF/BMI2.12. We measured the height, weight, and %BF of 8,068 young women from all over Japan. The percentage of subjects with masked obesity above the defined criteria (BMI 25 kg/m2 and %BF ≥ 30 %) was 7.4%. The mean MOI was 0.0444 in the masked obesity group and we determined additional cases of masked obesity if the MOI was greater than 0.0444. The percentage of additional masked obesity cases within the standard scale was 10.4%, and thus, the percentage of masked obesity was 17.8% in the young Japanese women tested.
Determinants of fruit consumption among in-school adolescents in Ibadan, South West Nigeria.

Background: Fruit consumption helps to promote health and prevent chronic diseases. Adequate knowledge of the determinants of fruit intake is necessary in order to be more effective in promoting its intake amo ng adolescents. Objective:This study aimed to examine the determinants of fruit consumption among adolescent in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among Senior Secondary School students in a public school in Ibadan -North Local Government Area, Ibadan, Nigeria. A total of 294 respondents completed a structured self -administered questionnaire. Associations wereexplored with the chi square test, predictors of fruit intake were determined with logistic regression;level of significance was 5%. Results: Respondents above 14 years were 159(54%). Only 244(83%) lived with both parents. In all 233(79%) had four orless siblings. Apple is the fruit preferred by 165(56%) of the respondents. Only 27(12%) out of the 229 that had fruit consumption the month preceding the study had adequate intake. Among children of mothers who were civil servants 23ate fruit in the month preceding the study (p<0.05). The significant Original ResearchArticle
Protein tyrosine nitration: biochemical mechanisms and structural basis of functional effects.

In proteins, the nitration of tyrosine residues to 3-nitro-tyrosine represents an oxidative post-translational modification that disrupts nitric oxide ((•)NO) signaling and skews metabolism towards pro-oxidant processes. Indeed, excess levels of reactive oxygen species in the presence of (•)NO or (•)NO-derived metabolites lead to the formation of nitrating species such as peroxynitrite. Thus, protein 3-nitrotyrosine has been established as a biomarker of cell, tissue, and systemic "nitroxidative stress". Moreover, tyrosine nitration modifies key properties of the amino acid: phenol group pK(a), redox potential, hydrophobicity, and volume. Thus, the incorporation of a nitro group (-NO(2)) into protein tyrosines can lead to profound structural and functional changes, some of which contribute to altered cell and tissue homeostasis. In this Account, I describe our current efforts to define (1) biologically-relevant mechanisms of protein tyrosine nitration and (2) how this modification can cause changes in protein structure and function at the molecular level. First, I underscore the relevance of protein tyrosine nitration via free-radical-mediated reactions (in both peroxynitrite-dependent and -independent pathways) involving a tyrosyl radical intermediate (Tyr(•)). This feature of the nitration process is critical because Tyr(•) can follow various fates, including the formation of 3-nitrotyrosine. Fast kinetic techniques, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies, bioanalytical methods, and kinetic simulations have all assisted in characterizing and fingerprinting the reactions of tyrosine with peroxynitrite and one-electron oxidants and its further evolution to 3-nitrotyrosine. Recent findings show that nitration of tyrosines in proteins associated with biomembranes is linked to the lipid peroxidation process via a connecting reaction that involves the one-electron oxidation of tyrosine by lipid peroxyl radicals (LOO(•)). Second, immunochemical and proteomic-based studies indicate that protein tyrosine nitration is a selective process in vitro and in vivo, preferentially directed to a subset of proteins, and within those proteins, typically one or two tyrosine residues are site-specifically modified. The nature and site(s) of formation of the proximal oxidizing or nitrating species, the physicochemical characteristics of the local microenvironment, and the structural features of the protein account for part of this selectivity. How this relatively subtle chemical modification in one tyrosine residue can sometimes cause dramatic changes in protein activity has remained elusive. Herein, I analyze recent structural biology data of two pure and homogenously nitrated mitochondrial proteins (i.e., cytochrome c and manganese superoxide dismutase, MnSOD) to illustrate regioselectivity and structural effects of tyrosine nitration and subsequent impact in protein loss- or even gain-of-function.
Counselling needs of female prisoners in Nigeria

This study was designed to find out the counselling needs of female prisoners in Nigeria. Two hundred female prisoners were randomly selected from both the convicted and those awaiting trial but who have spent a minimum of two years in prison custody. A questionnaire styled Prison Ministration Need Manual (PMNM) was administered to collect necessary data. The t-test statistical analysis was used to analyse the data. Significant difference was found to exist between the counseling needs of convicted female prisoners and those awaiting trial. The Nigerian Journal of Guidance and Counselling Vol. 8 (1) 2002: pp. 154-161
Health education and caregivers' management of Malaria among under fives in Ede North L.G.A., Osun State of Nigeria

This study determined the effect of comprehensive health education programme on the home management of malaria in under fives by caregivers in Ede North Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria. The study design was a quasi-experimental Pre and Post study, which was carried out in three phases. Samples were selected by multistage random sampling technique in the North and South axis of the local government. Results revealed that the respondents had good knowledge of how malaria was transmitted- 75.8% in the experimental group and 73.3% in the control group. Their knowledge about the indirect causes of malaria was poor- 39.2% in experimental group and 41.7% in control group respectively. Knowledge scores on signs and symptoms of malaria were fair as 73.3% in experimental group and 83.3% in control group were able to mention between three and four signs of malaria fever in children. However, the respondents had poor knowledge of prevention of malaria. Although the level of awareness of insecticide treated net (ITN) was fair, 60.8% and 47.5% in experimental and control groups respectively, majority of the respondents in the two groups did not know when to re-treat the ITNs. As regards treatment practices, the respondents in both groups used both modern and traditional methods. The most frequently used modern drug was chloroquine, but they had poor knowledge of the dose and duration of its treatment regimen as only 15.3% in the experimental group and 23.7% in the control group got the correct dose prior to intervention. After the health education intervention, the experimental group became (a) more knowledgeable about the direct and indirect causes of malaria (b) more knowledgeable about signs and symptoms and prevention of malaria (c) more aware of ITN and its treatment (d) more knowledgeable about the dose and regimen of chloroquine drug and (e) had a better attitude towards the management of malaria. The study recommended the need for health care providers to utilize all possible interaction between caregivers and health facilities as an avenue for increasing the level of awareness to the treatment of malaria especially in the vunerable age group. Keywords : malaria, health education, caregivers, under-fives Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 49(4) 2006: 72-81
Capacity and power allocation for spectrum-sharing communications in fading channels

This paper investigates the fundamental capacity limits of opportunistic spectrum-sharing channels in fading environments. The concept of opportunistic spectrum access is motivated by the frontier technology of cognitive radio which offers a tremendous potential to improve the utilization of the radio spectrum by implementing efficient sharing of the licensed spectrum. In this spectrum-sharing technology, a secondary user may utilize the primary user's licensed band as long as its interference to the primary receiver remains below a tolerable level. Herein, we consider that the secondary user's transmission has to adhere to limitations on the ensuing received power at the primary's receiver, and investigate the capacity gains offered by this spectrum-sharing approach in a Rayleigh fading environment. Specifically, we derive the fading channel capacity of a secondary user subject to both average and peak received-power constraints at the primary's receiver. In particular, considering flat Rayleigh fading, we derive the capacity and optimum power allocation scheme for three different capacity notions, namely, ergodic, outage, and minimum-rate, and provide closed-form expressions for these capacity metrics. Numerical simulations are conducted to corroborate our theoretical results.
A Stress-Activated, p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase–ATF/CREB Pathway Regulates Posttranscriptional, Sequence-Dependent Decay of Target RNAs

ABSTRACT Broadly conserved, mitogen-activated/stress-activated protein kinases (MAPK/SAPK) of the p38 family regulate multiple cellular processes. They transduce signals via dimeric, basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors of the ATF/CREB family (such as Atf2, Fos, and Jun) to regulate the transcription of target genes. We report additional mechanisms for gene regulation by such pathways exerted through RNA stability controls. The Spc1 (Sty1/Phh1) kinase-regulated Atf1-Pcr1 (Mts1-Mts2) heterodimer of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe controls the stress-induced, posttranscriptional stability and decay of sets of target RNAs. Whole transcriptome RNA sequencing data revealed that decay is associated nonrandomly with transcripts that contain an M26 sequence motif. Moreover, the ablation of an M26 sequence motif in a target mRNA is sufficient to block its stress-induced loss. Conversely, engineered M26 motifs can render a stable mRNA into one that is targeted for decay. This stress-activated RNA decay (SARD) provides a mechanism for reducing the expression of target genes without shutting off transcription itself. Thus, a single p38-ATF/CREB signal transduction pathway can coordinately induce (promote transcription and RNA stability) and repress (promote RNA decay) transcript levels for distinct sets of genes, as is required for developmental decisions in response to stress and other stimuli.
Double-differential orthogonal space-time block codes for arbitrarily correlated Rayleigh channels with carrier offsets

The presence of carrier offsets in the multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channels is an important practical and theoretical problem. Double-differential coding is a technique which allows the receiver to decode the data without any channel or carrier offset knowledge. We propose a double-differential (DD) coding scheme which is applicable to square orthogonal space-time block codes (OSTBC) using M-PSK constellation. The main advantages of our proposed DD coding scheme are: 1) The previously proposed DD codes are applicable only to the specific class of space-time block codes which follow the diagonal unitary group property, whereas our DD coding is applicable to any square OSTBC. 2) We propose a suboptimal decoder which preserves the linear decoding property of the OSTBC. 3) A theoretical analysis is performed to find a pairwise error probability (PEP) upper bound of the proposed double-differential orthogonal space-time block codes (DDOSTBC). 4) In order to improve the performance of DDOSTBC over the arbitrarily correlated Rayleigh channels we propose a precoder which minimizes an upper bound of the PEP. The proposed DDOSTBC are able to achieve higher coding gain than the similar rate existing DD coding scheme. In addition, the proposed precoded DDOSTBC achieves performance gain for correlated channels as compared to the unprecoded DDOSTBC.
Coordinated linear beamforming in downlink multi-cell wireless networks

We consider the problem of co-channel interference mitigation in a downlink multi-cell wireless network. Assuming that each access point serves multiple single-antenna mobiles via space division multiple access (SDMA), we jointly optimize the linear beam-vectors across a set of coordinated cells and resource slots: the objective function to be maximized is the weighted system sum-rate subject to per-base-station power constraints. After deriving the general structure of the optimal beam-vectors, a novel iterative algorithm is presented which attempts to solve the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) conditions of the non-convex primal problem at hand. Simulation results are provided to assess the performance of the proposed algorithm.
Low complexity cross-layer design with packet dependent scheduling for heterogeneous traffic in multiuser OFDM systems

We propose an adaptive cross-layer design for the downlink multiuser orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems, to maximize the weighted sum capacity of all users, where each user has multiple heterogeneous traffic queues simultaneously. A packet dependent (PD) scheduling scheme is employed at the medium access control (MAC) layer, which determines the packet transmission order by assigning different weights to different packets, and is shown by simulations more efficient than the previous methods where all packets in a queue have the same weight. The weight design in PD scheduling considers the delay, size and quality of service (QoS) priority level of packets. Each user weight employed in resource allocation at the physical (PHY) layer is obtained by summing up the weights of selected packets for the user. By properly choosing the number of packets used for weight calculation, the proposed cross-layer design requires a much lower overall complexity than the conventional queue based designs. It is also proven to achieve the maximum system stability region. Furthermore, simulation results show that the proposed suboptimal resource allocation algorithm provides a near-optimal performance while requiring a relatively low complexity.