Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A User-Pairing Power Control Algorithm in Two-Tier HetNet

The main constraint to the performance improvement of two-tier heterogeneous network (HetNet) comes from the cross-tier interference (CTI) due to the frequency reuse among cells. A user-pairing aided uplink power control algorithm based on the non- cooperative game theory can be employed in consideration of user diversity gain for alleviating the CTI. In order to maximize the overall performance, the macro-tier users with higher channel gains and the femto-tier users with lower channel gains are scheduled alternately to be "active" in one time slot but to be "opposite" in the next time slot in the proposed scheme. Numerical results show that the proposed scheme is capable of outperforming the traditional stochastic schedule based strategy by more than 30% improvement in terms of average macrocell capacity. Furthermore, an obvious performance gain in terms of the percentage of femtocells that beyond their signal- to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR) target can also be achieved by executing the macro-tier link- qualityprotection strategy.
Expression profile of COL2A1 and the pseudogene SLC6A10P predicts tumor recurrence in high‐grade serous ovarian cancer

Tumor recurrence, following initial response to adjuvant chemotherapy, is a major problem in women with high‐grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). Microarray analysis of primary tumors has identified genes that may be useful in risk stratification/overall survival, but are of limited value in predicting the >70% rate for tumor recurrence. In this study, we performed RNA‐Seq analysis of primary and recurrent HGSOC to first identify unique differentially expressed genes. From this dataset, we selected 21 archetypical coding genes and one noncoding RNA, based on statistically significant differences in their expression profile between tumors, for validation by qPCR in a larger cohort of 110 ovarian tumors (71 primary and 39 recurrent) and for testing association of specific genes with time‐to‐recurrence (TTR). Kaplan–Meier tests revealed that high expression of collagen type II, alpha 1 (COL2A1) was associated with delayed TTR (HR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.27–0.82, p = 0.008), whereas low expression of the pseudogene, solute carrier family 6 member 10 (SLC6A10P), was associated with longer TTR (HR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.30–0.93, p = 0.027). Notably, TTR was significantly delayed for tumors that simultaneously highly expressed COL2A1 and lowly expressed SLC6A10P (HR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.082–0.54, p = 0.0011), an estimated median of 95 months as compared to an estimated median of 16 months for subjects expressing other levels of COL2A1 and SLC6A10P. Thus, evaluating expression levels of COL2A1 and SLC6A10P at primary surgery could be beneficial for clinically managing recurrence of HGSOC.
Mental health service use by youths in contact with child welfare: racial disparities by problem type.

OBJECTIVE This study examined racial disparities in mental health service use by problem type (internalizing versus externalizing) for youths in contact with the child welfare system. METHODS Participants included 1,693 non-Hispanic white, African-American, and Hispanic youths (ages four to 14) from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being, a national probability study of youths who were the subject of investigations of maltreatment by child welfare agencies. Mental health need, assessed at baseline, was considered present if the youth had internalizing or externalizing scores in the clinical range on either the Child Behavior Checklist or the Youth Self-Report. Out patient mental health service use in the subsequent year was assessed prospectively. RESULTS Children who were removed from the home and those investigated for abuse (versus neglect) were more likely to receive services in the year after the child welfare investigation. Overall, African-American youths were less likely than non-Hispanic white youths to receive mental health services. However, race-ethnicity moderated the association between externalizing need and service use such that African Americans were more likely to receive services when externalizing need was present (26% versus 4%) compared with non-Hispanic white youths (30% versus 14%). Race and ethnicity did not moderate the association between youth internalizing need and service use, but internalizing need was associated with increased probability of service use only for non-Hispanic white youths. CONCLUSIONS Examinations of overall racial disparities in service use may obscure important problem specific disparities. Additional research is needed to identify factors that lead to disparities and to develop strategies for reducing them.
Deficiency of iNOS does not attenuate severe congestive heart failure in mice.

Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of congestive heart failure (CHF). Given the extensive evidence supporting this concept, we hypothesized that iNOS deficiency (iNOS(-/-)) would attenuate the severity of CHF in mice. Mice were subjected to permanent occlusion [myocardial infarction (MI)] of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery to produce CHF. Cardiac function was assessed in vivo using echocardiography and ultraminiature ventricular pressure catheters. Sham wild-type (n = 17), sham iNOS(-/-) (n = 8), MI wild-type (n = 56), and MI iNOS(-/-) (n = 48) mice were subjected to MI (or sham MI) and followed for 1 mo. Deficiency of iNOS did not alter survival during CHF compared with wild type (35% vs. 32%, P = not significant). Furthermore, fractional shortening and cardiac output were not significantly different between wild-type (9.6 +/- 2.0% and 441 +/- 20 microl.min(-1). g(-1)) and iNOS(-/-) (9.8 +/- 1.3% and 471 +/- 26 microl.min(-1). g(-1)) mice. The extent of cardiac hypertrophy and pulmonary edema was also similar between wild-type and iNOS(-/-) mice. None of the indexes demonstrated any significant differences between iNOS(-/-) and wild-type mice subjected to MI. These findings indicate that deficiency of iNOS does not significantly affect severe CHF in mice after MI.
The impact of Migrant Remittances on the Technical Efficiency of Arable Crop Farm Households in South Eastern Nigeria

This study was designed to examine the impact of migrant remittances on the technical efficiency smallholder arable crop farm households in South Eastern Nigeria. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used in choosing the sample. Primary data collected from 120 respondents comprising 60 migrants’ remittance receiving households and non receiving households, respectively were used for the study. Data collected through the cost route method were analyzed using multiple regression analysis employing the stochastic frontier production function analysis in a single stage maximum likelihood estimation method and z test statistic. The results of data analyses show that household size, education, farming experience, and farm size were the significant determinants of technical efficiency of the remittance receiving households; while age, years of education and farm size were the significant determinants of technical efficiency of the non-remittance receiving households. The individual technical efficiency indices range from 0.12 - 1.00 for the remittance receiving households with a mean of 0.42 as against 0.10 – 0.98 for the non-remittance receiving households with a mean of 0.53. The t test revealed that the non-remittance receiving households were more technically efficient than the remittance receiving households in the use of farm resources. It was recommended that there is the need to encourage the households to pursue efficiency in resource utilization by exhibiting higher levels of entrepreneurial capabilities. Policies and programmes that could help them increase their efficiency especially the remittance receiving households should be put in place such as would encourage harnessing and optimizing the use of remittance income, as well as reallocation and redistribution of resources.
Anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy versus docetaxel for previously treated advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials

Background To compare the efficacy and toxicity of anti-programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD-1) and anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) versus docetaxel in previously treated patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and methods Phase III randomised clinical trials (RCTs) were identified after systematic review of databases and conference proceedings. A random-effect model was used to determine the pooled HR for overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and duration of response. The pooled OR for overall response and treatment-related side effects were calculated using the inverse-variance method. Heterogeneity was measured using the τ2 and I2 statistics. Results After the systematic review, we included four phase III RCTs (n=2737) in this meta-analysis. The use of anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 agents (atezolizumab, nivolumab and pembrolizumab) was associated with better OS in comparison with docetaxel alone (HR: 0.69; 95% CI 0.63 to 0.75; p<0.00001). Similarly, the PFS and duration of response was significantly longer for patients receiving immunotherapy (HR: 0.85; 95% CI 0.75 to 0.96; p=0.007 and HR:0.32; 95% CI 0.24 to 0.43; p<0.00001, respectively) versus single agent chemotherapy. The overall response rate was also higher for patients who received any anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 therapy in comparison with docetaxel (OR: 1.77; 95% CI 1.26 to 2.50; p=0.001). Regarding treatment-related side effects grade 3 or higher, patients who received immunotherapy experienced less events than patients allocated to docetaxel (OR: 0.19; 95% CI 0.12 to 0.30; p<0.00001) Conclusion The use of anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 therapy in patients with progressive advanced NSCLC is significantly better than the use of docetaxel in terms of OS, PFS, duration of response and overall response rate.
Indirect measurement of forest leaf area index using path length model and Multispectral Canopy Imager

Non-randomness within canopies and woody component are two factors limiting the accuracy of indirect leaf area index (LAI) measurement. Here we combine the path length distribution model and Multispectral Canopy Imager (MCI) together for the first time to improve the accuracy. The results show that non-randomness within canopies underestimates 17.1%-28.2% LAI, while woody component overestimates 14.6%-27.8% LAI in four forest sites. Although these two factors were sometimes offset, the degree of non-randomness within canopies and the proportion of woody component vary in different forests. More attention should be paid to the impact of the non-randomness within canopies and the woody component, especially in coniferous forest dominated by tree trunks and branches.
Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum: Association With Bilateral Carotid Rete Mirabile and Unilateral Carotid-Cavernous Sinus Fistula

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum in a 20-year-old man was complicated by right-sided proptosis, conjunctival vascular dilation, and subretinal bleeding from preexisting angioid streaks. Angiography showed multiple anomalies of major systemic arteries, including bilateral carotid rete mirabile and right carotid-cavernous sinus fistula. Electrothrombosis of the right cavernous sinus obliterated the fistula, restored cerebral perfusion by the right carotid system, and promoted prompt resolution of the presenting signs.
Rearrangements and increased expression of cyclin D1 (CCND1) in neuroblastoma

Cyclin D1 regulates G1 cell cycle progression by controlling the phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein. This pathway is frequently deregulated in many malignancies. In neuroblastoma, however, no consistent G1 cell cycle checkpoint aberrations have been found. We examined the possible deregulation of cyclin D1 (CCND1) in this tumor. mRNA expression profiles of neuroblastoma generated by SAGE (Serial Analysis of Gene Expression) revealed a high expression of CCND1 in a subset of neuroblastoma cell lines and tumors. The CCND1 expression level can be 0.3% of the total cellular mRNA. Northern blot analysis of CCND1 expression showed a relative overexpression in 16 of 23 neuroblastoma cell lines and 10 of 15 tumor samples. In the majority of cases, the high CCND1 mRNA levels also led to high CCND1 protein levels. In the search for mechanisms causing this relative overexpression, we screened for amplifications and rearrangements of CCND1. Five amplifications were found in 202 neuroblastoma tumors and cell lines. Analysis of the 3′‐UTR of CCND1 showed a rearrangement in 1 of 96 tumors. These clonal aberrations of CCND1 together with the high expression suggest a role for deregulated CCND1 activity in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The role of the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool in palliative home care: A qualitative study of practitioners’ perspectives of its impact and mechanisms of action

Background: The importance of supporting family carers is well recognised in healthcare policy. The Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool is an evidence-based, comprehensive measure of carer support needs to facilitate carer support in palliative home care. Aim: To examine practitioner perspectives of the role of the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool intervention in palliative home care to identify its impact and mechanisms of action. Design: Qualitative – practitioner accounts of implementation (interviews, focus groups, reflective audio diaries) plus researcher field notes. Setting/participants: A total of 29 staff members from two hospice home-care services – contrasting geographical locations, different service sizes and staff composition. A thematic analysis was conducted. Results: Existing approaches to identification of carer needs were informal and unstructured. Practitioners expressed some concerns, pre-implementation, about negative impacts of the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool on carers and expectations raised about support available. In contrast, post-implementation, the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool provided positive impacts when used as part of a carer-led assessment and support process: it made support needs visible, legitimised support for carers and opened up different conversations with carers. The mechanisms of action that enabled the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool to make a difference were creating space for the separate needs of carers, providing an opportunity for carers to express support needs and responding to carers’ self-defined priorities. Conclusion: The Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool delivered benefits through a change in practice to an identifiable, separate assessment process for carers, facilitated by practitioners but carer-led. Used routinely with all carers, the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool has the potential to normalise carer assessment and support, facilitate delivery of carer-identified support and enable effective targeting of resources.
Discrete-time sliding mode control using an H∞ filter for a quadruple tank system

The quadruple tank system is a challenging multi-variable model consisting of four interconnected tanks, two level sensors and two input pumps. This paper deals with the control and estimation of such a system. All the four levels of the system are controlled by H∞ filter based discrete sliding mode control (SMC). A nonlinear stable sliding surface is constructed using full state information, to enhance the overall performance of the closed loop plant. In this multi-input multi-output quadruple tank system, only the first two states are available for feedback and hence it is not suitable to use any full state feedback control methods directly. To circumvent this problem, the remaining two states, which are required for the SMC design are estimated using a robust H∞ filter. The efficacy of the proposed method is demonstrated by simulations.
Dimers of β2-Glycoprotein I Increase Platelet Deposition to Collagen via Interaction with Phospholipids and the Apolipoprotein E Receptor 2′*

Patients with prolonged clotting times caused by lupus anticoagulant (LAC) are at risk for thrombosis. This paradoxal association is not understood. LAC is frequently caused by anti-β2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI) antibodies. Antibody-induced dimerization of β2GPI increases the affinity of β2GPI for phospholipids, explaining the observed prolonged clotting times. We constructed dimers of β2GPI that mimic effects of β2GPI-anti-β2GPI antibody complexes, and we studied their effects on platelet adhesion and thrombus formation in a flow system. Dimeric β2GPI increased platelet adhesion to collagen by 150% and increased the number of large aggregates. We also observed increased platelet adhesion to collagen when whole blood was spiked with patient-derived polyclonal anti-β2GPI or some, but not all, monoclonal anti-β2GPI antibodies with LAC activity. These effects could be abrogated by inhibition of thromboxane synthesis. A LAC-positive monoclonal anti-β2GPI antibody, which did not affect platelet adhesion, prevented the induced increase in platelet adhesion by β2GPI dimers. Furthermore, increased platelet adhesion disappeared after preincubation with receptor-associated protein, a universal inhibitor of interaction of ligands with members of the low density lipoprotein receptor family. Using co-immunoprecipitation, it was shown that dimeric β2GPI can interact with apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (apoER2′), a member of the low density lipoprotein receptor family present on platelets. These results demonstrate that dimeric β2GPI induces increased platelet adhesion and thrombus formation, which depends on activation via apoER2′.
Spoofed surface plasmon polariton (SSPP) gap structure for high sensitivity bio-sensing in THz

We demonstrate enhanced sensitivity to refractive index (n) change in THz sensing by using the spoofed surface plasmon polariton (SSPP) architecture modified with gap blocks. The transmission peak as a function of n is significantly sharpened through the introduction of the additional cavity resonance, and such phenomenon is strongly dependent on the geometric dimensions of the block structure as well as the choice of probe frequencies. Non-invasive THz bio-sensing is a promising alternative to conventional tagging-based sensing schemes. In response to the growing demand for lower detection limit, our SSPP gap structure can effectively reduce the sample usage by enabling localized sample deposition within the gap cavity. The differentiation of DNA molecules with distinct binding states is demonstrated, where the conformational change of a thin layer (1μm) of immobilized DNA can lead to significant switching of the waveguide transmittance.
An Evaluation of Corruption Practices in Ministries, Departments, Agencies in Public Sector in Developing Nations

Corruption practice in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in public sector has become a way of life and it is synonym with government official, a culture, phenomena, religion or pathological. Corruption is the misuse of entrusted power for private benefit and includes; bribes, cronyism and nepotism, political donations, kickbacks and artificial pricing and fraud of all kinds, theft or misuse of asset, improper use of influence in a transaction for own benefit and falsification of financial statement. While questions on fraud and corruption practices have received considerable attention in the wider international community especially on inter-country comparison; there is a considerable dearth of literatures on inter-country comparison between developing countries. This study evaluated the effect of corruption practices in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in public sector in developing economies; specifically it examined the impact of corruption practices on the stewardship role of a career civil servant in public sector. Stewardship theory is used as a motivation to explain the level of corruption practices in public sector. The research approach entails literature review that was carried out to identify the knowledge gap in previous studies and use survey research technique. Literature study is complemented with the use of nonparametric and descriptive statistics techniques and is applied on primary data obtained in a population of four (4) public MDAs in Cameroon and Nigeria. Finding in the study revealed that corruption practice is an obstacle to stewardship role of civil servant in MDAs. Also, the study revealed that in both countries bribe or kickback are offered before obtaining services from civil servant.
Genome Analysis Identifies the p15ink4b Tumor Suppressor as a Direct Target of the ZNF217/CoREST Complex

ABSTRACT The ZNF217 oncoprotein is a constituent of a core transcriptional complex that includes CoREST, histone deacetylase 1/2, lysine demethylase 1, and the C-terminal binding protein 1/2. We have combined genome-wide expression profiling and chromatin immunoprecipitation with directed selection and ligation (ChIP-DSL) to identify a subset of genes directly regulated by ZNF217. Our results establish p15ink4b as a direct target of the ZNF217 complex. Downregulation of ZNF217 in MCF-7 breast cancer cells resulted in a dramatic increase in p15ink4b expression and coincided with increases in dimethylation of H3-K4 and, surprisingly, a decrease in K9/K14-H3 acetylation. Stimulation of HaCaT cells with transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) resulted in a release of ZNF217 and a concomitant binding of SMAD2 to the proximal promoter, which preceded increases in ink4b protein expression. Furthermore, the changes in chromatin marks at the p15ink4b promoter following TGF-β stimulation were similar to those observed following ZNF217 downregulation. Collectively, these results establish the ZNF217 complex as a novel negative regulator of the p15ink4b gene and may constitute an important link between amplification of ZNF217 and the loss of TGF-β responsiveness in breast cancer.
Operating Lease Accounting and the Market's Assessment of Equity Risk

In this paper I examine whether investors view operating leases as property rights. The user's perspective toward a lease is instrumental in determining its accounting treatment, i.e., balance sheet recognition or footnote disclosure. The operating lease accounting practice of footnote disclosure assumes that users focus on who bears the risk of ownership, with lessees of operating leases bearing insufficient risk to treat the leasehold as an asset or the obligation as a liability. ' However, Dieter [1979] shows that under the control of property rights perspective underlying the Financial Accounting Standard Board's asset and liability definitions (Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts No. 3) operating leases would give rise to both an asset and a liability. To distinguish these two perspectives, I first evaluate whether the property rights perspective is relevant to users by testing whether one class of user, investors, treats operating leases as property rights when assessing equity risk. Second, I test whether investors evaluate operating leases using methods consistent with the concepts underlying current generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) by comparing two likely valuation methods, only one of which is consistent with these concepts.