Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Space-time signal design for fading relay channels

Cooperative diversity is a transmission technique where multiple users pool their resources to form a virtual antenna array that realizes spatial diversity gain in a distributed fashion. We examine space-time signal design for a simple amplify-and-forward relay channel. We show that the code design criteria for the relay case consist of the traditional rank and determinant criteria as well as appropriate power control rules. While proper signal design and power control can indeed achieve full spatial diversity gain, the potential benefit of relay-assisted communication over direct communication depends strongly on the channel conditions. In particular, we present a switching criterion based on which the source terminal may opt to forego relay-assisted communication and communicate with the destination terminal directly. The criterion is based on the cut-off rate of the effective channel - the physical channel in conjunction with finite constellation and maximum-likelihood (ML) decoding.
Isozyme‐specific inhibitors of protein kinase C translocation: effects on contractility of single permeabilized vascular muscle cells of the ferret

1 The effects on contractility of three peptides reported to inhibit protein kinase C (PKC) translocation in an isozyme‐specific manner were studied: a peptide from the C2 domain of conventional PKCs (C2‐2), a peptide from the N‐terminal variable domain of εPKC (εV1‐2) and a peptide (ABP) from the actin‐binding domain of εPKC (ε(223–228)). 2 Isometric force was directly recorded from individual hyperpermeable ferret portal vein or aortic smooth muscle cells. 3 Phenylephrine contracted permeabilized portal vein cells at pCa 6.7 but not at pCa 7.0. However, phenylephrine did contract aortic cells at pCa 7.0. 4 C2‐2 inhibited phenylephrine‐induced contraction, but did not affect resting tension, in portal vein cells at pCa 6.7. In aortic cells at either pCa 6.7 or 7.0, C2‐2 had no effect on either basal tension or phenylephrine‐induced contraction. 5 ABP did not evoke any changes in phenylephrine‐induced contraction or baseline tension in either portal vein or aortic cells. 6 εV1‐2 inhibited phenylephrine‐induced contraction and decreased resting tension in aortic cells at pCa 7.0, but not in portal vein cells at pCa 6.7. 7 Western blots indicated that portal vein cells contained substantially more αPKC than aortic cells. Portal vein cells also contained small amounts of βPKC, which was undetectable in aortic cells. In contrast, aortic cells contained more εPKC than portal vein cells. Even though εPKC was expressed in portal vein and αPKC in aorta, imaging studies indicated that they were not translocated in these cell types. 8 These results suggest that the Ca2+‐dependent isozymes of PKC (α and/or β) play a major role in contraction of the portal vein but not of the aorta. In contrast, the results are consistent with εPKC, but not Ca2+‐dependent PKC isozymes, regulating contractility of the aorta.
Using spatio-temporal coherence of HF arrays to inform receiver processing

The temporal coherence across a given spatial aperture of an HF array can vary over time depending on specific ionospheric conditions. Measurement of the temporal coherence, through measurement of the correlations of eigenvector beamformer wavefronts over time, can inform the coherent integration time (CIT) that should be used in the receiver processing. We show that when the temporal coherence is small, a CIT that is too large can degrade array gain performance.
miR‐223 suppresses differentiation of tumor‐induced CD11b+Gr1+myeloid‐derived suppressor cells from bone marrow cells

Tumor‐associated factors are related to increased accumulation of CD11b+Gr1+myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). However, the exact mechanism of how genetic factors control the expansion of MDSCs in tumor‐bearing hosts remains elusive. Herein, we found that tumor‐associated MDSCs and their subsets, mononuclear MDSCs and polymorphonuclear MDSCs, have decreased expression of miR‐223 when compared to CD11b+Gr1+ cells from the spleen of disease‐free mice. With the differentiation of CD11b+Gr1+MDSCs from bone marrow cells (BMCs) upon exposure to tumor‐associated factors, the expression of both pri‐miR‐223 and mature miR‐223 was downregulated, indicating that the expression of miR‐223 could be regulated by tumor‐associated factors. Interestingly, miR‐223 remarkably inhibits differentiation of BMCs into CD11b+Gr1+MDSCs in the presence of tumor‐associated factors by targeting myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C). Using reconstituted s.c. tumor models, miR‐223 also suppresses accumulation of CD11b+Gr1+MDSCs, whereas its targeting molecule MEF2C increases the number of MDSCs. Tumor growth is slower in mice infused by miR223‐engineered BMCs than in mice infused with control transfected BMCs. As miR‐223 and its target molecule MEF2C are highly conserved between mice and humans, the modulation of miR‐223 in tumor‐induced CD11b+Gr1+MDSCs may exert an important role in controlling the increased accumulation of CD11b+Gr1+MDSCs in patients with tumor.
Regulationofvirulenceandantibiotic resistancebytwo-component regulatorysystems inPseudomonasaeruginosa

The Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa ubiquitously inhabits soil and water habitats and also causes serious, often antibiotic resistant, infections in immunocompromised patients (e.g. cystic fibrosis). This versatility is mediated in part by a large repertoire of two-component regulatory systems that appear instrumental in the regulation of both virulence processes and resistance to antimicrobials. Major two-component regulatory system proteins demonstrated to regulate these diverse processes include PhoP–PhoQ, GacA–GacS, RetS, LadS, and AlgR, among others. Here, we summarize the current body of knowledge of these and other two-component systems that provides insight into the complex regulation of virulence and resistance in P. aeruginosa.
Chronic Subdural Hematoma Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of 34829 Patients

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of multiple treatment modalities for the management of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) patients. Background:Current management strategies of CSDHs remain widely controversial. Treatment options vary from medical therapy and bedside procedures to major operative techniques. Methods:We searched MEDLINE (PubMed and Ovid), EMBASE, CINAHL, Google scholar, and the Cochrane library from January 1970 through February 2013 for randomized and observational studies reporting one or more outcome following the management of symptomatic patients with CSDH. Independent reviewers evaluated the quality of studies and abstracted the data on the safety and efficacy of percutaneous bedside twist-drill drainage, single or multiple operating room burr holes, craniotomy, corticosteroids as a main or adjuvant therapy, use of drains, irrigation of the hematoma cavity, bed rest, and treatment of recurrences following CSDH management. Mortality, morbidity, cure, and recurrence rates were examined for each management option. Randomized, prospective, retrospective, and overall observational studies were analyzed separately. Pooled estimates, confidence intervals (CIs), and relative risks (RRs) were calculated for all outcomes using a random-effects model. Results:A total of 34,829 patients from 250 studies met our eligibility criteria. Sixteen trials were randomized, and the remaining 234 were observational. We included our unpublished single center series of 834 patients. When comparing percutaneous bedside drainage to operating room burr hole evacuation, there was no significant difference in mortality (RR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.46–1.05; P = 0.09), morbidity (RR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.2–1.01; P = 0.05), cure (RR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.98–1.11; P = 0.15), and recurrence rates (RR, 1; 95% CI, 0.66–1.52; P = 0.99). Higher morbidity was associated with the adjuvant use of corticosteroids (RR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.54–2.45; P = 0.005), with no significant improvement in recurrence and cure rates. The use of drains following CSDH drainage resulted in a significant decrease in recurrences (RR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.27–0.76; P = 0.002). Craniotomy was associated with higher complication rates if considered initially (RR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.04–1.74; P = 0.01); however, craniotomy was superior to minimally invasive procedures in the management of recurrences (RR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.05–0.85; P = 0.003). Conclusions:Percutaneous bedside twist-drill drainage is a relatively safe and effective first-line management option. These findings may result in potential health cost savings and eliminate perioperative risks related to general anesthetic.
Odorants with multiple oxygen‐containing functional groups and other odorants with high water solubility preferentially activate posterior olfactory bulb glomeruli

In past studies in which we mapped 2‐deoxyglucose uptake evoked by systematically different odorant chemicals across the entire rat olfactory bulb, glomerular responses could be related to each odorant's particular oxygen‐containing functional group. In the present study we tested whether aliphatic odorants containing two such functional groups (esters, ketones, acids, alcohols, and ethers) would stimulate the combination of glomerular regions that are associated with each of the functional groups separately, or whether they would evoke unique responses in different regions of the bulb. We found that these very highly water‐soluble molecules rarely evoked activity in the regions responding to the individual functional groups; instead, they activated posterior glomeruli located about halfway between the dorsal and ventral extremes in both the lateral and the medial aspects of the bulb. Additional highly water‐soluble odorants, including very small molecules with single oxygenic groups, also strongly stimulated these posterior regions, resulting in a statistically significant correlation between posterior 2‐deoxyglucose uptake and molecular properties associated with water solubility. By showing that highly water‐soluble odorants stimulate a part of the bulb associated with peripheral and ventral regions of the epithelium, our results challenge a prevalent notion that such odorants would activate class I odorant receptors located in zone 1 of the olfactory epithelium, which projects to the dorsal aspect of the bulb. J. Comp. Neurol. 502:468–482, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Precision-cut tissue slices as a tool to predict metabolism of novel drugs

Precision-cut tissue slices have been applied by many researchers because they represent an organ mini-model that closely resembles the organ from which it is prepared, with all cell types present in their original tissue-matrix configuration. Preparation and incubation methods of precision-cut tissue slices from various tissues are discussed and recommendations are given for optimal handling and culturing to retain optimal viability and functional integrity. The potential of precision-cut tissue slices from several organs to predict metabolite profiles and metabolic clearance of novel drugs, the involvement of transporters and the induction and inhibition of drug metabolism is discussed. To allow regular use of tissue slices in drug discovery and development, improvement of cryopreservation methods for precision-cut tissue slices is of great importance. It is concluded that the use of tissue slices in the pharmaceutical industry and in academic research can contribute significantly to obtain relevant information about metabolism and drug–drug interactions in various organs and pharmacokinetics of novel chemical entities in man, and thereby to the development of safe drugs.
Post‐Natal Growth in the Rat Pineal Gland: A Stereological Study

The purpose was to observe the changes in a rat pineal gland using stereological techniques during lactation and post‐weaning periods. Thirty Wistar albino rats were studied during different post‐natal periods using light microscopy. Pineal gland volume was estimated using the Cavalieri Method. Additionally, the total number of pinealocytes was estimated using the optical fractionator technique. Pineal gland volume displayed statistically significant changes between lactation and after weaning periods. A significant increase in pineal gland volume was observed from post‐natal day 10 to post‐natal day 90. The numerical density of pinealocytes became stabilized during lactation and decreased rapidly after weaning. However, the total number of pinealocytes continuously increased during post‐natal life of all rats in the study. However, this increment was not statistically significant when comparing the lactation and after weaning periods. The increase in post‐natal pineal gland volume may depend on increment of immunoreactive fibres, capsule thickness or new synaptic bodies.
IgA Nephropathy in a Patient with Polycythemia vera

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is one of the most frequent forms of glomerulonephritis (GN). However, its association with polycythemia vera (PV) has rarely been described. We report a case of IgAN combined with PV. The patient was a 46-year-old male with chronic renal failure, heavy proteinuria and erythrocytosis. He also presented hypertension and hematuria as well as splenomegaly, high arterial oxygen saturation and elevated leukocyte alkaline phosphatase activity. Possible causes of secondary erythrocytosis were ruled out. The renal biopsy revealed mesangial proliferative GN with predominant IgA deposition in mesangium. He was diagnosed as having IgAN and PV concomitantly. After administration of hydroxyurea, enalapril and felodipine, blood cell count and blood pressure normalized, while azotemia persisted. There was also a partial remission of the heavy proteinuria. We describe a case of IgAN associated with PV, and possible pathophysiologic relationships between two diseases are discussed with review of the literature.
Computation complexity analysis and VLSI architectures of shape coding for MPEG-4

There are huge bit-level operations in shape coding algorithms for MPEG-4. These bit-level operations make it difficult to implement real-time MPEG-4 coding in the general-purpose processor without any hardware support. This paper first gives the analysis of computation complexity in MPEG-4 shape coding algorithms. Then a dedicated VLSI architecture to accelerate shape coding, which is called Shape Engine, is proposed. Shape Engine is composed of three dedicated but flexible processors element (PE) namely PB-PE, Filtering-PE and CAE-PE. The combination of RISC core and Shape Engine leads to a great speed up over pure software implementation of MPEG-4 shape coding.
Sequential adaptation of Nannochloropsis gaditana to table olive processing water

ABSTRACT The main objective of this study was to evaluate the suitability of Nannochloropsis gaditana to grow by sequential adaptation to TOPW (Table olive processing water) at increased substrate concentrations (10–80%). Sequential adaptation allows growing Nannochloropsis gaditana up to 80% TOPW, although the maximum microalgae biomass productions were achieved for percentages of 20–40%, i.e. 0.308 ± 0.005 g VSS (Volatile Suspended Solids)/L. In all growth experiments, proteins were the majority compound in the grown microalgae biomass (0.44 ± 0.05 g/g VSS), whereas phenols were retained up to a mean concentration of 12.1 ± 1.9 mg total phenols/g VSS. The highest microalgae biomass production rate at rate of 80% TOPW took place in the first two days when most nutrients were also removed. Average removal efficiencies at this percentage of TOPW were 69.1%, 50.9%, 54.3% and 71.8% for total organic carbon, total soluble nitrogen, phosphate and total phenols, respectively. Sequential adaptation can ensure the obtaining of a sustainable microalgae culture as a treatment method for TOPW.
The smoothed-penalty algorithm for state constrained optimal control problems for partial differential equations

We present an algorithm for the solution of general inequality constrained optimization problems. The algorithm is based upon an exact penalty function that is approximated by a family of smooth functions. We present convergence results. As numerical examples we treat state constrained optimal control problems for elliptic partial differential equations. We compare the results with existing methods.
Contribution of the MHC Class II Antigens to the Etiology of Infantile Spasm in Mexican Mestizos

Summary: Purpose: Infantile spasms (ISs) are age‐dependant epileptic seizures, which may be flexor, extensor, lightning or nods, or mixed. The aim of this study was the analysis of genetic factors within the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex associated with ISs.
Use of tuf gene-based primers for the PCR detection of probiotic Bifidobacterium species and enumeration of bifidobacteria in fermented milk by cultural and quantitative real-time PCR methods.

Due to the increasing use of bifidobacteria in probiotic products, it is essential to establish a rapid method for the qualitative and quantitative assay of the bifidobacteria in commercial products. In this study, partial sequences of the tuf gene for 18 Bifidobacterium strains belonging to 14 species were determined. Alignment of these sequences showed that the similarities among these Bifidobacterium species were 82.24% to 99.72%. Based on these tuf gene sequences, 6 primer sets were designed for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay of B. animalis subsp. animalis, B. animalis subsp. lactis, B. bifidum, B. breve, B. longum subsp. infantis, B. longum subsp. longum, and the genus of Bifidobacterium, respectively. These Bifidobacterium species are common probiotic species present in dairy and probiotic products. When each target Bifidobacterium spp. was assayed with the designed primers, PCR product with expected size was generated. In addition, for each target species, more than 70 bacterial strains other than the target species, including strains of other Bifidobacterium species, strains of Lactobacillus spp. , Enterococcus spp. , and other bacterial species, all generated negative results. PCR assay with primers specific to B. animalis subsp. lactis and B. longum subsp. longum confirmed the presence of these Bifidobacterium species in commercial yogurt products. In addition, for each product, enumeration of the bifidobacteria cells by culture method with BIM-25 agar and the quantitative real-time PCR showed similar cell counts. Such results indicated that within 15-d storage (4 °C) after manufacture, all the bifidobacteria cells originally present in yogurt products were viable and culturable during the storage.
The Arf tumor suppressor gene promotes hyaloid vascular regression during mouse eye development

A key tumor suppressor mechanism that is disrupted frequently in human cancer involves the ARF and p53 genes. In mouse fibroblasts, the Arf gene product responds to abnormal mitogenic signals to activate p53 and trigger either cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. Recent evidence indicates that Arf also has p53-independent functions that may contribute to its tumor suppressor activity. Using Arf−/− and p53−/− mice, we have discovered a p53-independent requirement for Arf in the developmental regression of the hyaloid vascular system (HVS) in the mouse eye. Arf is expressed in the vitreous of the eye and is induced before HVS regression in the first postnatal week. In the absence of Arf, failed HVS regression causes a pathological process that resembles persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous, a developmental human eye disease thought to have a genetic basis. These findings demonstrate an essential and unexpected role for Arf during mouse eye development, provide insights into the potential genetic basis for persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous, and indicate that Arf regulates vascular regression in a p53-independent manner. The latter finding raises the possibility that Arf may function as a tumor suppressor at least in part by regulating tumor angiogenesis.
University of Groningen Fine-Grained Human Evaluation of Neural Versus Phrase-Based Machine Translation

We compare three approaches to statistical machine translation (pure phrase-based, factored phrase-based and neural) by performing a fine-grained manual evaluation via error annotation of the systems’ outputs. The error types in our annotation are compliant with the multidimensional quality metrics (MQM), and the annotation is performed by two annotators. Inter-annotator agreement is high for such a task, and results show that the best performing system (neural) reduces the errors produced by the worst system (phrase-based) by 54%.
The morphology and distribution of horizontal cells in the retina of a New World monkey, the marmoset Callithrix jacchus: A comparison with macaque monkey

Abstract The morphology and distribution of horizontal cells was studied in the retina of a New World monkey, the marmoset, Callithrix jacchus, and compared with that of the Old World macaque monkey. Horizontal cells in macaque and marmoset were either labelled with the carbocyanine dye, Dil, and then photoconverted, or were labelled by intracellular injection with Neurobiotin. The marmoset has two types of horizontal cell, H1 and H2, which have dendritic and axonal morphology similar to their counterparts in Old World monkeys and human. The dendritic-field size of both cell types increases with distance from the fovea. Both types make contact with the vast majority of the cones within their dendritic field. The dendrites of H1 cells in marmoset contact almost twice as many cones as H1 cells in macaque at an equivalent eccentricity. With increasing distance from the fovea, H1 cells make contact with more cones but have, on average, fewer terminal knobs inserted in each cone. The increase in dendritic-field area of H1 cells is balanced by a decrease in spatial density (from 4500 cells/mm2 at 25 deg eccentricity to 1000 cells/mm2 in far peripheral retina), so coverage of the retina remains fairly constant, between 5 and 8. Overall, the results show that the qualitative morphological properties, as well as quantitative population properties of horizontal cells, are common to both New World and Old World primates.
Prognosis of children with soft tissue sarcoma who relapse after achieving a complete response. A report from the intergroup rhabdomyosarcoma study I

Four hundred and twenty‐three children with newly‐diagnosed soft‐tissue sarcoma were treated on the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study I from November 1972 through December 1976. After institution of therapy, 341/423 (80.6%) achieved a complete response (no detectable tumor), but 115/341 (33.7%) subsequently relapsed. The types and efficacy of management after relapse were ascertained by questionnaire. Information sufficient for critical analysis was obtained for 98/115 patients (85%). Thirteen of the 98 patients had an isolated local recurrence; the other 85 developed metastases in regional, distant, or multiple sites simultaneously. Patients with distant metastases at diagnosis were most likely to develop recurrence, as were those with sarcoma arising in the perineum‐anus, retroperitoneumpelvis, gastrointestinal tract, or extremity. Those with tumor primary in the orbit or genitourinary tract had the lowest recurrence rate, as did those whose tumor histology was nonalveolar. Individualized treatment was given to 90 of the 98 patients after relapse, and a second complete response was achieved in 33 of them (37%). However, only five of the 90 patients (5.5%) are currently tumor‐free. The outlook is poor when recurrence develops in patients still receiving chemotherapy; only two of 74 such patients survive, compared to three of 16 who have relapsed after cessation of treatment. Relapse after initial complete response to therapy has a poor prognosis, regardless of site of recurrence. Although effective retrieval therapy can prolong survival, only 2 of 12 patients (17%) with local recurrence and three of 78 patients (4%) with metastatic recurrence remain free of disease. Cancer 52:44‐50, 1983.