Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On LDPC decoding for frequency hopping OFDMA cellular systems in the downlink

In this paper, we consider an FH-OFDMA system with LDPC codes for the downlink of cellular systems to realize the frequency reuse factor of one. For the system, we propose simple erasure detection and LDPC decoding methods to effectively combat the highly non-uniform interference caused by the different power allocation to the data channels and frequency hopping in adjacent cells. With the proposed methods, the performance is remarkably improved in partially interfered cases without severe performance loss in uniformly interfered cases.
Some gender differences in performance in senior high mathematics examinations in mixed high schools

The paper examined the expected causes of gender difference in the performance of mathematics among boys and girls in mixed senior high schools in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Questionnaire and interviews were used for data collection. Results indicated that, boys’ performances outweighed those of girls, as it was evident that girls’ lack of self-confidence was a contributing factor or a major cause of the difference in performances. It was also found out that, students’ interest in mathematics was influenced by personal interests and teaching methods. On students’ performance analysis, the class of the student, the number of educated people in the student’s house and the sex of the student were found to be linearly related. Furthermore, perceived gender difference caused school drop-out and poor choices of girls relative to boys. It was inferred that, this aspect of the study, for gender equity in decision making cannot be achieved once gender difference in mathematics ability of boys and girls is not resolved. Also, the capacity to educate pupils from the elementary schools will remain incomplete as women always passed on these perception and belief to younger generation even before they start to make their own choice in academics.
Acetoacetate extract of Pleione bulbocodioides (Franch.) rolfe induces apoptosis of human leukemia thp-1cells through a mitochondria-regulated intrinsic apoptotic pathway

The tubers of three orchidaceous plants, including Pleione bulbocodioides (Franch.) Rolfe, have been used as ‘Shan-Ci-Gu’ in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of bacterial infections and cancers for thousands of years. In this study, the effects of an acetoacetate (EtOAc) extract of P. bulbocodioides on the cell viability and apoptosis of THP-1 (human acute monocytic leukemia cell line) cells and its interaction with possible apoptotic pathways were investigated. THP-1 cells were treated with the EtOAc extract of P. bulbocodioides at different concentrations. The results showed that THP-1 cell viability was significantly inhibited by the EtOAc extract of P. bulbocodioides with an IC50 of 51.37±2.68 μg/ mL at 24 h. The examination of cytotoxic effects on healthy cells showed that the EtOAc extract of P. bulbocodioides did not show any effect on healthy Vero cells. Selectivity indexes were greater than 15.57, suggesting that the EtOAc extract of P. bulbocodioides had selective toxicity against THP-1 cells. The results of annexin VFITC/PI and DAPI staining showed that the EtOAc extract of P. bulbocodioides induced cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The apoptotic rate was increased in the treatment groups compared with that in the control group (P<0.05). The distribution of cells in the G2 phase of the cell cycle increased along with typical cell apoptosis-induced morphological changes. The levels of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax, cleaved PARP and cleaved caspase-3 increased with increasing concentration of acetoacetate extract of P. bulbocodioides, while the anti-apoptosis protein Bcl-2 was downregulated. Cyt c and AIF, which are characteristic proteins of the mitochondria-regulated intrinsic apoptosis pathway, also increased in the cytosol with increasing concentrations of the EtOAc extract of P. bulbocodioides. These results showed that the EtOAc extract of P. bulbocodioides significantly inhibits cell viability and induces cell apoptosis in the human leukemia cell line THP-1 through a mitochondria-regulated intrinsic apoptotic pathway.
The etiology of urinary tract infection: traditional and emerging pathogens.

The microbial etiology of urinary infections has been regarded as well established and reasonably consistent. Escherichia coli remains the predominant uropathogen (80%) isolated in acute community-acquired uncomplicated infections, followed by Staphylococcus saprophyticus (10% to 15%). Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Proteus species, and enterococci infrequently cause uncomplicated cystitis and pyelonephritis. The pathogens traditionally associated with UTI are changing many of their features, particularly because of antimicrobial resistance. The etiology of UTI is also affected by underlying host factors that complicate UTI, such as age, diabetes, spinal cord injury, or catheterization. Consequently, complicated UTI has a more diverse etiology than uncomplicated UTI, and organisms that rarely cause disease in healthy patients can cause significant disease in hosts with anatomic, metabolic, or immunologic underlying disease. The majority of community-acquired symptomatic UTIs in elderly women are caused by E coli. However, gram-positive organisms are common, and polymicrobial infections account for up to 1 in 3 infections in the elderly. In comparison, the most common organisms isolated in children with uncomplicated UTI are Enterobacteriaceae. Etiologic pathogens associated with UTI among patients with diabetes include Klebsiella spp. , Group B streptococci, and Enterococcus spp. , as well as E coli. Patients with spinal cord injuries commonly have E coli infections. Other common uropathogens include Pseudomonas and Proteus mirabilis.Recent advances in molecular biology may facilitate the identification of new etiologic agents for UTI. The need for accurate and updated population surveillance data is apparent, particularly in light of concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance. This information will directly affect selection of empiric therapy for UTI.
Enhancing the engineering properties of expansive soil using bagasse ash, bagasse fibre and hydrated lime

iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT . vi LIST OF PUBLICATIONS . vii TABLE OF CONTENTS . x LIST OF FIGURES . xiv LIST OF TABLES . xxiv CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1. OVERVIEW . 1 1.2. STATEMENT OF PROBLEM . 7 1.3. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE . 9 1.4. THESIS ORGANISATION . 15 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW . 18 2.
Dialysis treatment of psoriasis.

Peritoneal dialysis is wholly an experimental technique for the treatment of psoriasis and will remain so for several more years. Much more needs to be known about the effects of dialysis on the skin, although, in nephrology, the safety of the basic technology is well established. Physicians whose only recollections are of primitive dialysis, seen even less than a decade ago, need to become reacquainted. 1,2 Worldwide, the anecdotal reports of success in the treatment of psoriasis have been encouraging, but the next important phase in our evaluation of dialysis requires well-controlled clinical studies. Some months ago, at the University of Missouri Medical Center, Columbia, we began admitting patients to the first double-blinded, flipflop, comparative study of dialysis for psoriasis. Results are expected by the middle of 1981. The first studies of dialysis of patients entirely disabled only by psoriasis and unresponsive to all other therapy were done in 1977
Pseudoachondroplasia: biochemical and histochemical studies of cartilage.

Cartilage from patients with pseudoachondroplasia is characterized by unique inclusions in the cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum and proteoglycan abnormalities have been suggested in this form of dwarfism. To elucidate the nature of the proteoglycan defect, we determined the amount of the individual glycosaminoglycans present in iliac-crest cartilage of three patients and extracted the proteoglycan monomers from one of the samples. Sections of iliac-crest cartilage and proximal fibular growth plates were examined by electron microscopy and also stained with hematoxylin and eosin, safranin O-fast green, and alcian blue in the presence of increasing concentrations of magnesium chloride (zero to one molar). The chondrocytes of the iliac crest and fibular physes were arranged in clusters more than in columns and contained characteristic endoplasmic reticulum inclusions, which were particularly large in the hypertrophic cells. The cartilage stained very poorly with hematoxylin and eosin and with safranin O-fast green. The alcian-blue stain was abolished from perilacunar areas and from longitudinal septa by magnesium chloride concentrations that were lower than those required by normal tissue. The proteoglycans of iliac-crest cartilage were found to be significantly enriched in keratan sulphate and had a below-normal ratio of chondroitin-4-sulphate to chondroitin-6-sulphate, although the amount of the two isomeric chondroitin sulphates combined was within normal limits. The urinary excretion of glycosaminoglycan by the three patients was normal. Pseudoachondroplasia appears to be a generalized cartilage disorder involving abnormalities of proteoglycans, probably related to the core protein or to enzymes that are responsible for the formation of the glycosaminoglycan chains. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Patient age and extent of liver resection influence outcome of liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in non-cirrhotic liver.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Data about the clinical course after liver resection for HCC in non-cirrhotic liver (NCL) is rare in western countries. Although the patients with HCC in NCL tolerate major liver resections, it is less clear if an underlying steatosis or NASH increase the perioperative and postoperative risk. The purpose of this study was to characterize the clinical course after hepatic resection in patients with HCC in the absence of liver cirrhosis and in the absence of viral hepatitis. METHODOLOGY The data of 148 patients with HCC in non-cirrhotic liver, who underwent curatively intented liver resection, were analyzed. Patients with hepatitis B or C infection were excluded. Patients with fibrolamellar HCC or liver cirrhosis or fibrosis higher than grade 2 according to the Desmet-Scheuer score were also excluded. RESULTS The overall 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 75.4%, 54.7% and 38.9%. Increased patient age (elder than 70 years) influenced the cumulative survival significantly. Especially the combination of increased patient age and major resection (>2 segments) at once influenced the cumulative survival. The overall postoperative morbidity was 37.8 %. No intraoperative death was observed. Postoperative increased leucocytes, urea and creatinin increased the postoperative complications. In the subgroup with major resection increased GGT correlated with steatosis, and raised AST correlated with elevated patient age. CONCLUSIONS In Western countries HCC in non-cirrhotic liver is rare. Liver resection is safe and is the only curative therapy option for the time by HCC without liver cirrhosis. Further studies are necessary for identification of more prognostic factors and optionally special treatment
‘Written in Bone’: New Discoveries about the Lives and Burials of Four Roman Londoners

The Museum of London selected four individuals for multidisciplinary scientific analyses in order to establish their ancestry, aspects of their personal appearance and health. We also reinterpreted their burial context in order to better understand how identity was constructed and expressed in this unique Roman settlement. Our study discovered the presence of people with Black and White European ancestry, some of whom had migrated from the southern Mediterranean. The most surprising result was that Harper Road woman's chromosomes were male. Overall, our experience of undertaking a multidisciplinary study served to further underline the need for these different techniques to be used in combination when investigating past identities. The mtDNA results were very broad and required the mobility isotopes to better understand their significance, while the aDNA evidence confirmed the osteological analysis. In terms of public engagement at the Museum of London, the ability to determine hair and eye colour had a significant impact.
Biological complications with dental implants: their prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Biofilms form on all hard non-shedding surfaces in a fluid system, i.e. both on teeth and oral implants. As a result of the bacterial challenge, the host responds by mounting a defence mechanism leading to inflammation of the soft tissues. In the dento-gingival unit, this results in the well-described lesion of gingivitis. In the implanto-mucosal unit, this inflammation is termed "mucositis". If plaque is allowed to accumulate for prolonged periods of time, experimental research has demonstrated that "mucositis" may develop into "periimplantitis" affecting the periimplant supporting bone circumferentially. Although the bony support may be lost coronally, the implant still remains osseointegrated and hence, clinically stable. This is the reason why mobility represents an insensitive, but specific diagnostic feature of "periimplantitis". More sensitive and more reliable parameters of developing and existing periimplant infections are "bleeding on probing", "probing depths" and radiographic interpretation of conventional or subtraction radiographs. Depending on the diagnosis made continuously during recall visits, a maintenance system termed Cumulative Interceptive Supportive Therapy (CIST) has been proposed.
The sequoia-loving sprite, a new genus and species of fungus gnat (Diptera, Mycetophilidae) from California

Abstract California is one of the most biologically diverse regions of the world, yet the diversity of fungus gnats (Mycetophilidae) remains largely undocumented within the state. A modest survey of these flies has led to the discovery of a new genus and species of gnat that lives alongside one of the most iconic trees in the world, the giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum). Spritella sequoiaphila gen. et sp. n. is described and illustrated and its status among other mycetophilid genera is analyzed and discussed.
Tardive pain

than their 80s; that is, the incidence should be more toward nine cases rather than thirty-four. A finding of 64 incident cases is therefore very surprising and suggests that either the initial “normal” cohort contained a large number of cases of early dementia (ie, the Blessed Information-Memory-Concentration Test [BIMC] does not provide sufficiently stringent criteria for normal functioning) or the rate of false-positive diagnosis of senile dementia is unacceptably high. Age is only introduced into the stepwise model at the end, and its effects on the final model are unclear. Since both the incidence of senile dementia and performance on these four tests are strongly influenced by age, the question is raised as to what extent the tests are measuring age cohort effects. Furthermore, t h e resul ts a re also undoubtedly biased by t h e practice of substituting missing data by the mean of the outcome group rather than the mean of all subjects. This would have the effect of inflating differences between the groups.
HCMV-Encoded Chemokine Receptor US28 Mediates Proliferative Signaling Through the IL-6–STAT3 Axis

A viral G protein–coupled receptor may initiate a positive feedback loop to promote tumor proliferation and vascularization. A Viral Pathway to Tumor Development Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), a widespread human herpesvirus that persists in a latent form, is associated with pathological processes in immunocompromised hosts and has been implicated in the development of several forms of cancer, including glioblastoma. HCMV encodes a G protein–coupled receptor, US28, that resembles a chemokine receptor and constitutively activates signaling pathways associated with cell proliferation. Slinger et al. expressed US28 in cultured cells to explore the mechanisms through which it could promote tumor development. They found that US28 stimulated the production and secretion of both vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) and defined a signaling pathway whereby US28 increased cell proliferation through IL-6–dependent activation of the JAK1-STAT3 axis. IL-6 is itself a target of STAT3, leading the authors to propose that US28-dependent production and secretion of IL-6 and consequent autocrine and paracrine STAT3 activation lead to establishment of a positive feedback loop that promotes proliferation of both infected and neighboring cells. Analyses of human glioblastoma tissue revealed US28 and activated STAT3 in cells lining blood vessels, suggesting that US28 may play a role in tumor vascularization. US28 is a viral G protein (heterotrimeric guanosine triphosphate–binding protein)–coupled receptor encoded by the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). In addition to binding and internalizing chemokines, US28 constitutively activates signaling pathways linked to cell proliferation. Here, we show increased concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in supernatants of US28-expressing NIH 3T3 cells. Increased IL-6 was associated with increased activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) through upstream activation of the Janus-activated kinase JAK1. We used conditioned growth medium, IL-6–neutralizing antibodies, an inhibitor of the IL-6 receptor, and short hairpin RNA targeting IL-6 to show that US28 activates the IL-6–JAK1–STAT3 signaling axis through activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor κB and the consequent production of IL-6. Treatment of cells with a specific inhibitor of STAT3 inhibited US28-dependent [3H]thymidine incorporation and foci formation, suggesting a key role for STAT3 in the US28-mediated proliferative phenotype. US28 also elicited STAT3 activation and IL-6 secretion in HCMV-infected cells. Analyses of tumor specimens from glioblastoma patients demonstrated colocalization of US28 and phosphorylated STAT3 in the vascular niche of these tumors. Moreover, increased phospho-STAT3 abundance correlated with poor patient outcome. We propose that US28 induces proliferation in HCMV-infected tumors by establishing a positive feedback loop through activation of the IL-6–STAT3 signaling axis.
Life beyond the ballot box: the political participation and non-participation of electoral abstainers

ABSTRACT Drawing on electoral participation and social movement studies, we develop a typology of abstainers on the basis of their forms of non-electoral participation, and explore the determinants that drive belonging to each of these sub-groups. Although there is a positive correlation between electoral turnout and non-electoral participation, through applying latent class analyses and regressions we find that there is a subset of abstainers who decide not to cast a vote but take part in non-electoral political activities. These ‘alternative voicers’ are critical of the institutional system and do not feel represented by it, but they are politically involved. Based on their patterns of non-electoral participation, we propose a more nuanced typology of alternative voicers (e-activists, super-activists, and consumerists) and explore their drivers relative to other abstainers. We use data from the original LIVEWHAT survey conducted in 2015 across nine European countries (N = 18,367).
Successful omalizumab treatment in chronic spontaneous urticaria is associated with lowering of serum IL‐31 levels

Funding sources: None declared. References 1 Tey HL, Yosipovitch G, Bernhard JD. Pruritus. In: Singh AK, ed. Scientific American Medicine. Decker publishing, Ontario, 2014: 1–12. 2 Pleet AB, Massey EW. Notalgia paresthetica. Neurology 1978; 28(12): 1310–1312. 3 Ellis C. Notalgia paresthetica: the unreachable itch. Dermatol Pract Concept 2013; 3(1): 3–6. doi:10.5826/dpc.0301a02. 4 Yeo B, Tey HL. Effective treatment of notalgia paresthetica with amitriptyline. J Dermatol 2013; 40(6): 505–506. 5 Tan ES, Tan AS, Tey HL. Effective treatment of scrotal lichen simplex chronicus with 0.1% tacrolimus ointment: an observational study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2014, doi: 10.1111/jdv.12500 [Epub ahead of print Mar 25]. 6 Pereira U, Boulais N, Lebonvallet N, Pennec JP, Dorange G, Misery L. Mechanisms of the sensory effects of tacrolimus on the skin. Br J Dermatol 2010; 163(1): 70–77. 7 St€ander S, Sch€ urmeyer-Horst F, Luger TA, Weisshaar E. Treatment of pruritic diseases with topical calcineurin inhibitors. Ther Clin Risk Manag 2006; 2(2): 213–218.
Mercury Intoxication in Rats: Iron and Vitamin B6 as A Potential Therapy

Background: Mercury in any form is poisonous and mercury toxicity most commonly affects the nervous, gastrointestinal (GI) and urinary systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the specific effect associated with mercury toxicity and to evaluate the effectiveness of iron and vitamin B6 supplement on mercury-induced toxicities in rats. Methods: This experiment was performed on 25 rats. All rats were randomly divided into five equal groups (5×5). Toxic signs and body weight change, hematological parameters like total erythrocyte count (TEC), total leukocyte count (TLC), hemoglobin content (Hb%) and packed cell volume (PCV) and postmortem changes in rats were investigated. Results: Rats treated with mercury intoxication showed severe toxic signs and significantly (P<0.01) reduced TEC, TLC, Hb content and PCV. However, rats treated with mercury intoxication in combination with iron and vitamin B6 showed physiological levels of hematological parameters. Mercury intoxication induced the congestion and necrosis in lung, liver, heart and kidney, whereas combined use of mercury intoxication, iron and vitamin B6 recovered the condition. Conclusion: Combined use of iron and vitamin B6 is highly protective against mercury toxicity.
Vasohibins: new transglutaminase-like cysteine proteases possessing a non-canonical Cys-His-Ser catalytic triad

Summary: Vasohibin-1 and Vasohibin-2 regulate angiogenesis, tumour growth and metastasis. Their molecular functions, however, were previously unknown, in large part owing to their perceived lack of homology to proteins of known structure and function. To identify their functional amino acids and domains, their molecular activity and their evolutionary history, we undertook an in-depth analysis of Vasohibin sequences. We find that Vasohibin proteins are previously undetected members of the transglutaminase-like cysteine protease superfamily, and all possess a non-canonical Cys-His-Ser catalytic triad. We further propose a calcium-dependent activation mechanism for Vasohibin proteins. These findings can now be used to design constructs for protein structure determination and to develop enzyme inhibitors as angiogenic regulators to treat metastasis and tumour growth. Contact: luis.sanchezpulido@dpag.ox. ac.uk Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Bank Rescues and Bailout Expectations: The Erosion of Market Discipline During the Financial Crisis

We design a novel test for changes in market discipline based on the relation between firm-specific risk, credit spreads, and equity returns. We use our method to analyze the evolution of bailout expectations during the recent financial crisis. We find that bailout expectations peaked in reaction to government interventions following the failure of Lehman Brothers, and returned to pre-crisis levels following the initiation of the Dodd-Frank Act. We do not find such changes in market discipline for non-financial firms. Finally, market discipline is weaker for government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) and systemically important banks (SIBs) than for investment banks.