Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive loading for OFDM/SDMA-based wireless local networks

The combination of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with linear processing-based spatial diversity multiple access (SDMA) enables high-capacity wireless local networks at reasonable implementation complexity. We investigate adaptive loading of the carriers as a means for lowering the relatively high symbol error rate (SER) of such linear OFDM/SDMA networks and propose efficient closed-form expressions for the optimal bit distributions. We analyze the performance and complexity of the proposed algorithms and show that substantial gains in SER can be achieved. Furthermore, simplified algorithms are proposed which have a small performance penalty but which possess a lower computational and signaling cost.
Impact of extended-release dalfampridine on walking ability in patients with multiple sclerosis

Dalfampridine extended release (ER) 10 mg is an oral tablet form of the potassium (K+) channel-blocking compounded dalfampridine, also known as fampridine, and chemically 4-aminopyridine or 4-AP, which received regulatory approval in the United States for the treatment of walking in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in January 2010. Two pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials demonstrated significant improvements in walking in patients with the four primary forms of MS following administration of dalfampridine ER tablets 10 mg twice daily. The drug is thought to act by restoring conduction in focally demyelinated axons and by enhancing neurotransmission, thereby leading to improved neurological function. This review describes how dalfampridine represents a new pharmacotherapeutic approach to the clinical management of mobility impairment. It describes the mechanism of action and chemistry of dalfampridine ER, its pharmacokinetics, tolerability, and side effects, and the outcomes of multicenter trials showing its efficacy in improving walking speed. Clinician and patient global assessments, as well as patient self-assessment of the impact of MS on their gait disability, confirm clinically relevant benefit from the therapy. Patients tolerate the drug well and their improvement in terms of household and community ambulation, inferred from analysis of pooled data from several studies, is likely to translate into benefits in the performance of instrumental activities of daily living and a reduction in the neuropsychiatric burden of disease.
Imatinib compared with interferon and low-dose cytarabine for newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia.

BACKGROUND Imatinib, a selective inhibitor of the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase, produces high response rates in patients with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who have had no response to interferon alfa. We compared the efficacy of imatinib with that of interferon alfa combined with low-dose cytarabine in newly diagnosed chronic-phase CML. METHODS We randomly assigned 1106 patients to receive imatinib (553 patients) or interferon alfa plus low-dose cytarabine (553 patients). Crossover to the alternative group was allowed if stringent criteria defining treatment failure or intolerance were met. Patients were evaluated for hematologic and cytogenetic responses, toxic effects, and rates of progression. RESULTS After a median follow-up of 19 months, the estimated rate of a major cytogenetic response (0 to 35 percent of cells in metaphase positive for the Philadelphia chromosome) at 18 months was 87.1 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 84.1 to 90.0) in the imatinib group and 34.7 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 29.3 to 40.0) in the group given interferon alfa plus cytarabine (P<0.001). The estimated rates of complete cytogenetic response were 76.2 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 72.5 to 79.9) and 14.5 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 10.5 to 18.5), respectively (P<0.001). At 18 months, the estimated rate of freedom from progression to accelerated-phase or blast-crisis CML was 96.7 percent in the imatinib group and 91.5 percent in the combination-therapy group (P<0.001). Imatinib was better tolerated than combination therapy. CONCLUSIONS In terms of hematologic and cytogenetic responses, tolerability, and the likelihood of progression to accelerated-phase or blast-crisis CML, imatinib was superior to interferon alfa plus low-dose cytarabine as first-line therapy in newly diagnosed chronic-phase CML.
Evolving sophistication of trade patterns in a transition economy - machinery exports of Poland 1980-2009

Polish history leads to an expectation of exceptional adaptability to changes in the international economic environment. In the period bigenning with Solidarity at Gdansk to the present, Poland has faced huge structural dislocations. Is there any objective indication that the structural changes needed to successfully compete as a full-fledged European Union member were forthcoming? This study examines the behavior of four separate measures of embodied "sophistication. " Though methodologically unrelated, these disparate indices tell a common story of rapid and substantial progress in the "battlefield" of a new member of the European Union. (original abstract)
Crystal structure of the catalytic subunit of protein kinase CK2 from Zea mays at 2.1 Å resolution

CK2α is the catalytic subunit of protein kinase CK2, an acidophilic and constitutively active eukaryotic Ser/Thr kinase involved in cell proliferation. A crystal structure, at 2.1 Å resolution, of recombinant maize CK2α (rmCK2α) in the presence of ATP and Mg2+, shows the enzyme in an active conformation stabilized by interactions of the N‐terminal region with the activation segment and with a cluster of basic residues known as the substrate recognition site. The close interaction between the N‐terminal region and the activation segment is unique among known protein kinase structures and probably contributes to the constitutively active nature of CK2. The active centre is occupied by a partially disordered ATP molecule with the adenine base attached to a novel binding site of low specificity. This finding explains the observation that CK2, unlike other protein kinases, can use both ATP and GTP as phosphorylating agents.
Improving the Gleason grading accuracy of transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy

Background Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy is the technique of choice for the assessment of clinical suspicion of prostate cancer (PC) based on abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) and/or elevated or rising levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Purpose To identify factors involved in TRUS-guided prostate biopsy, which can be modified by radiologists in order to improve Gleason score (GS) accuracy, and to assess the influence of clinical variables. Material and Methods We carried out a retrospective review of the records of 185 patients with PC treated surgically at our hospital between 2005 and 2008. Biopsy schemes were classified according to the number of cores (≤7, 8–9, 10–11, 12–15) and the needle length (11, 16, 20 mm). Clinical characteristics – age, family history of PC, DRE, PSA levels, and sonographic data – and prostatectomy GS (pGS) were collected. Results Non-random concordance between biopsy Gleason score (bGS) and pGS was obtained for 36% of patients (P < 0.001). Under- and over-staging were 30% and 4%, respectively. Concordance was correlated with the core number (45% for ≤7, 54% for 8–9, 85% for 10–11, and 80% for 12–15; P < 0.001), but not with the needle length. The concordance rate showed a seven-fold increase when 10–11 cores were obtained (95% CI, 2–18; P < 0.001) compared to those cases in which the core number obtained was ≤7. Among clinical variables, only PSA correlated with concordance, showing an inverse relationship. Conclusion The Gleason correlation values were not improved when 12 or more cores were collected. These values reached a plateau beyond that number of samples. Therefore, when determining treatment strategies, physicians must consider the biopsy scheme used since it has proven to be a predictor of the accuracy of the PC grading system.
Rolling Block Mazes are PSPACE-complete

In a rolling block maze, one or more blocks lie on a rectangular board with square cells. In most mazes, the blocks have size k × m × n where k, m, n are integers that determine the size of the block in terms of units of the size of the board cells. The task of a rolling block maze is to roll a particular block from a starting to an ending placement. A block is rolled by tipping it over one of its edges. Some of the squares of the board are marked as forbidden to roll on. We show that solving rolling block mazes is PSPACE-complete.
Is Downtown Mainly for Tourists?

This article examines the perceived impacts of tourism development on downtown in a rural community. A random sample of residents of Bozeman, Montana, provided the data for developing the Downtown Tourism Impact Scale. The scale proved both valid and reliable. Perceptions of downtown correlated with residents' shopping, socializing, and community affiliation. The results led to the formulation of a downtown tourism life cycle model.
Do innovative start-ups really wish to go public? Evidence from Japanese electrical manufacturing companies

This paper examines whether innovative start-ups have the intention to go public. Using a sample of electrical manufacturing firms in Japan, it is found that firms investing heavily in research and development (R&D) are more likely to have the intention to go public. From the viewpoint of entrepreneurs, the result may support the trend toward the creation of new stock markets for innovative start-ups.
Effects of Polyamines on Proline Endopeptidase Activity in Rat Brain

Abstract: The in vitro effects of polyamines on the activity of proline endopeptidase (PEPase) in rat brain cytosol, which contains an endogenous PEPase inhibitor, have been studied. Of the three amines tested (spermine, spermidine, and putrescine), spermine and spermidine markedly enhanced the enzyme activity in brain cytosol. At 6.25 mM spermine or 25 mM spermidine, a 13‐ or 14‐fold enhancement of the enzyme activity was observed. When Mg2+ was used, an approximately fourfold enhancement of the enzyme activity was observed at 50 mM. The enhancement produced by spermine or spermidine was unaffected by Mg2+ up to 50 mM. The activity of purified PEPase was only slightly affected by each polyamine, but it was inhibited 50% by 50 mM Mg2+. On the other hand, 50% inhibition of the enzyme produced by the purified PEPase inhibitor (Mr 7,000; Ki 0.67 mM) was completely restored by addition of 0.7 mM spermine, 3.5 mM spermidine, or 28 mM putrescine. This restoration of inhibition by polyamines was reversed by increasing the inhibitor concentration. These data suggest that polyamines effectively reverse the inhibition of PEPase by its endogenous inhibitor by the reversible formation of a kinetically significant complex. The possible functions of polyamines in the regulation of PEPase in vivo are discussed.
Using the TAT to Assess the Relation Between Gender Identity and the Use of Defense Mechanisms

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to explore whether 2 different dimensions of personality, when assessed at an implicit level with the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT; Murray, 1943) will show a theoretically meaningful coherence not demonstrated when 1 is assessed at an implicit level and the other at an explicit level. Gender identity and defense mechanisms were assessed implicitly using the TAT. Gender identity was compared with a self-report measure of gender-related attributes assessed at the explicit level. The results showed a theoretically meaningful coherence when different dispositions were assessed at the same level, but a lack of agreement when similar dispositions were assessed at different levels. The study is based on a secondary analysis of data from 2 previously published papers (Cramer, 1998; Cramer & Westergren, 1999).
Fundamentals and the accruals puzzle

We investigate whether there is an economic relationship between accruals and fundamentals. Our study is the first one to evaluate the profitability and persistence of an accrual factor, to analyze whether changes in fundamentals are explained by changes in accruals, and whether an accrual factor in fundamentals is the source of the accrual factor in returns, that is, if the accrual factor in fundamentals is driving stock returns. Our results show evidence of a relationship between fundamentals and accruals, a relationship that is persistent over time. Furthermore, we find that a Size, BTM and an accrual factor in sales seem to be driving stock returns: returns are driven by changes in sales and not by other fundamentals. Also, we show that future sales growth is correlated with stock returns and that accruals and cash flows contain valuable information for predicting future changes in sales. Finally, our results indicate that the accrual factor behaves similarly to the Size and BTM factors in terms of sensitivities and risk premiums. A natural corollary of the study reconciles some conflicting results obtained by the accruals literature: our results imply that the performance of an accruals-based strategy is not comparable directly to an OCF-based strategy because the former is adjusted by accounting quality risk whereas the latter is not.
Youth unemployment in the period 2001–2010 and the European crisis – looking at the empirical evidence

This article examines the development of youth unemployment in the period 2001–2010 from a macro perspective. As dependent variables, alternative concepts of measuring youth unemployment are introduced. Whilst the traditional youth unemployment rate responds best to business cycle effects, improvement of the overall education level, or growth of the share of industrial employment, it does not respond to the relative growth of inactive young people. As alternatives, the NEET ratio and the share of unemployed in the youth population are employed, which both relate unemployment or joblessness to the youth population. Compared to the NEET model the latter model is more sensitive to the change in size of the inactive youth population and delivers good explanatory power. Finally, the ratio of youth unemployment to the corresponding adult rate was tested, and found to have increased in the 2000s until 2008. In the years of crisis, however, this ratio stagnated or decreased even slightly. Generally speaking, the development of this ratio seemed only to be weakly connected to the business cycle in the 2000s, something which should be further researched. Possible consequences for political action are discussed.
Neonatal and maternal fibrinolysis: Activation at time of birth

Utilizing chromogenic synthetic substrate‐based methods, determination of the plasma concentration of plasminogen, α‐antiplasmin, α‐macroglobulin, and Bβ15‐42‐related peptides were made at the time of birth in both newborns and mothers. Plasminogen levels were increased in the maternal group (150 ± 26%), and markedly decreased in the newborn group (67 ± 14%). The major inhibitors of fibrinolysis, α2‐antiplasmin and α2‐macroglobulin, were within normal range in both groups. Determination of Bβ15‐42‐related peptide showed markedly increased levels in the maternal group above control values (115 ± 102, normal 29 ± 12); the newborn group showed values only mildly elevated above control values (39 ± 21). The results demonstrate increased fibrinolytic activity in both groups, though the degree of activation is significantly higher in the maternal group, as reflected by the higher levels of Bβ15‐42‐related peptides. Fibrinopeptide A levels confirm an activation of coagulation in both maternal and newborn groups (22 ± 4 ng/ml and 138 ± 22 ng/ml, respectively) with a significantly increased level in newborns (2‐5 ng/ml normal).
Family Environments and Children's Executive Function: The Mediating Role of Children's Affective State and Stress

ABSTRACT There is increasing evidence that inadequate family environments (family material environment and family psychosocial environment) are not only social problems but also factors contributing to adverse neurocognitive outcomes. In the present study, the authors investigated the relationship among family environments, children's naturalistic affective state, self-reported stress, and executive functions in a sample of 157 Chinese families. These findings revealed that in inadequate family material environments, reduced children's cognitive flexibility is associated with increased naturalistic negative affectivity and self-reported stress. In addition, naturalistic negative affectivity mediated the association between family expressiveness and children's cognitive flexibility. The authors used a structural equation model to examine the mediation model hypothesis, and the results confirmed the mediating roles of naturalistic negative affectivity and self-reported stress between family environments and the cognitive flexibility of Chinese children. These findings indicate the importance of reducing stress and negative emotional state for improving cognitive functions in children of low socioeconomic status.
Antisense palmitoyl protein thioesterase 1 (PPT1) treatment inhibits PPT1 activity and increases cell death in LA‐N‐5 neuroblastoma cells

Infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (INCL) is a childhood neurodegenerative disease caused by the selective death of cortical neurons and retinal degeneration, as the result of a palmitoyl protein thioesterase 1 (PPT1) deficiency. Recently, we showed that overexpression of PPT1 protects LA‐N‐5 human neuroblastoma cells against apoptotic death (Cho and Dawson [2000a] J. Neurochem. 74:1478–1488) and we now show that inhibition of PPT1 increases the susceptibility of these cells to apoptotic cell death. Transient transfection of LA‐N‐5 neuroblastoma cells with PPT1‐FLAG resulted in a strong expression of PPT‐FLAG‐tagged protein as evidenced by Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence. Co‐transfection of a reverse‐oriented (antisense) PPT1 (AS‐PPT1) decreased the expression of PPT‐FLAG to almost zero, reduced PPT1 enzyme activity (as measured by an in vitro assay) and increased the susceptibility to apoptosis induced by C2 ceramide. Similarly, inhibition of PPT1 with a synthetic inhibitor (AcG‐palmitoyl diaminoproprionate‐VKIKK) (DAP1) (100 μM) increased the susceptibility of the cells to apoptosis induced by either C2‐ceramide or etoposide, a common chemotherapeutic agent used in the treatment of neuroblastoma. Cells stably overexpressing PPT1 were resistant to apoptosis induced by DAP1 suggesting that the inhibitor has a specific action and confirming that low levels of protein palmitoylation block the death pathway. Drugs that raise the level of protein palmitoylation are pro‐apoptotic and PPT1 inhibition may enhance the killing efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents used to kill neuroblastoma‐derived cells. J. Neurosci. Res. 62:234–240, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Economic Uncertainty, Monetary Uncertainty, and the Demand for Money in Africa

Due to economic and monetary uncertainty individuals are expected to allocate their portfolio towards holding money and alternative forms of assets. Following the literature on money demand, we test the impact of economic and monetary uncertainty on the demand for money in 21 African nations. By relying upon quarterly data, GARCH-based measures of uncertainty, and bounds testing approach we find that the impact of both measures are mostly transitory in many of the African countries and do not last into long run. Furthermore, by including the two uncertainty measures we found that the demand for money in every African nation is stable.
Tuberculous wrist in the era of effective chemotherapy: an eleven-year experience.

BACKGROUND The chronic course and non-specific clinical manifestations of tuberculous (TB) wrist often cause failure to make a timely diagnosis. OBJECTIVE To better understand the rarely encountered TB wrist. PATIENTS AND METHODS Retrospective review and analysis of cases of TB wrist between 1986 and 1997 in a medical centre in southern Taiwan. RESULTS Thirty-seven cases (16 definitive, 13 probable and eight possible) of TB wrist (25 men, 12 women; mean age, 56.3 +/- 13.0 years) were found among a total of 4970 cases of tuberculosis. The most common presenting sign and symptom (mean duration 9.4 months) were local swelling and pain over the affected wrist. The mean white blood cell (WBC) count in peripheral blood was 7.04 x 10(9)/l, and the erythrocyte sediment rates (ESR) in seven of 31 patients who had ESR assayed were normal. Forty-six per cent of the patients had abnormal chest X-ray, and 35% had had previous manipulation of the affected wrist. CONCLUSION Physicians should have a high index of suspicion for TB wrist among patients with chronic arthritis, even when their peripheral WBC count and ESR are normal. An abnormal chest X-ray and/or a history of previous manipulation of the affected wrist could be important clues for possible TB wrist.
Economic and Cultural Forces in the Child Labour Debate: Evidence from Urban Bangladesh

The relative influence of economic and cultural forces is a key area of debate amongst those exploring the causes of child work, and in wider discourse on household labour deployment. Data from Dhaka slums suggest that household poverty and income stability are important economic determinants of children's work. However, economic forces alone cannot explain child-work deployment. Evidence on the availability of adult household members to replace child contributions, and on gender and age differentials in household labour deployment, point towards the importance of cultural factors. Key cultural determinants of children's work include gender norms, age subordination and the cultural importance of avoiding idleness.
Localization of SERBP1 in stress granules and nucleoli

SERPINE1 mRNA‐binding protein 1 (SERBP1) is an arginine‐methylated RNA‐binding protein whose modification affects protein interaction and intracellular localization. In the present study, we show that, under normal growth conditions without stress, SERBP1 interacts with arginine‐methylated and stress granule‐associated proteins such as heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1, fragile X mental retardation protein and fragile X mental retardation syndrome‐related protein 1 in an RNA‐dependent manner. We also show that, after arsenite treatment, a proportion of full‐length SERBP1 protein co‐localizes with the typical stress granule marker T‐cell intracellular antigen‐1 in the cytoplasmic stress granules. Truncated SERBP1 with an N–terminal, central RG or C–terminal deletion, or single‐domain segments comprising the N–terminal, central or C–terminal region, were recruited to stress granules upon arsenite treatment but with reduced efficiency. In addition, upon arsenite treatment, the localization of SERBP1 changed from a diffuse cytoplasmic localization to nuclear‐dominant (concentrated in the nucleolus) A similar distribution was observed when cells were treated with the methylation inhibitor adenosine periodate, and was also detected for N‐ or C–terminal domain deletions and all three single‐domain fragments even without stress induction. We further demonstrate that adenosine periodate treatment delays the association/dissociation of SERBP1 with stress granules. Hypomethylation retains SERBP1 in the nucleus/nucleolus regardless of arsenite treatment. Our study indicates that arginine methylation is correlated with recruitment of SERBP to stress granules and nucleoli and its retention therein. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an RNA‐binding protein that is shifted simultaneously to cytoplasmic stress granules and nucleoli, two ribonucleoprotein‐enriched subcellular compartments, upon stress.