Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance of Multi-antenna Wireless Systems with Channel Estimation Error

Wireless services and applications have become extremely popular and widely employed over the past decades. This, in turn, has led to a dramatic increase in the number of wireless users who demand reliable services with high data rates. But such services are very challenging to provide due to radio channel impairments including multipath fading and co-channel interference. In this regard, the use of multiple antennas in wireless systems was proposed recently which has rapidly received great attention. Multi-antenna technology is shown to have powerful capabilities to improve reliability via spatial diversity and to increase data rates via spatial multiplexing as compared with traditional single-antenna systems. Furthermore, by exploiting additional spatial dimensions, transmit beamforming techniques can be used to manage co-channel interference in such systems. In a rich scattering environment, multiple antennas that are located sufficiently far apart at a transmitter experience independent fading with high probability. Therefore, the transmitter can send redundant versions of the same data stream over these independent channels to improve reliability. In particular, if the transmitter has access to perfect channel state information (CSI), it can set the beamforming weights such that the received signals from different transmit antennas combine constructively at some intended receiver(s) and destructively at some unintended receiver(s) so that no co-channel interference is generated. Spatial multiplexing is another powerful multi-antenna transmission technique which aids in enhancing data rates without increasing bandwidth or transmit power. Multiple parallel and independent channels can be established between a transmitter and a receiver that both use multiple antennas in a rich scattering environment. Therefore, multiple independent streams of data can be simultaneously sent over these channels within the bandwidth of operation. This, in turn, enhances the data rate by a multiplicative factor equal to the number of the independent streams. Water-filling is a strategy that achieves the maximum data rate in such multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems when perfect CSI is available at both the transmitter and the receiver. In practice, CSI can be obtained at the receiver by the use of training sequences and its accuracy can be increased by carefully selecting sequences with good auto-correlation
Enzymatic and molecular properties of the Clostridium tertium sialidase.

Clostridium tertium metabolizes sialoglycoconjugates via a secreted sialidase [EC 3.2. 1.18] and an intracellular acylneuraminate pyruvate lyase [EC 4.1. 3.3]. The sialidase was enriched 1,900-fold from the culture medium with a specific activity of 0.7 U per mg protein. It exhibits a temperature optimum of 50 degreesC and tolerates mercury ions at relatively high concentrations (50% inhibition at 5.2 mM Hg2+). The sialidase gene was detected on two restriction fragments (HincII, HindIII) of chromosomal DNA and their correct recombination resulted in an active enzyme expressed by Escherichia coli. The structural gene is represented by 2,319 bp encoding a protein of 773 amino acids with a molecular mass of 85.4 kDa. The first 28 amino acids possess the character of a signal peptide. The protein reveals a FRIP-region and four Asp-boxes common in all bacterial sialidases. It has 42.6% identical amino acids when compared with the sialidase of Clostridium septicum and 64.8% with a sialidase gene amplified from Macrobdella decora. A further open reading frame was detected 30 bp downstream from the sialidase gene, which exhibits significant homology with acylneuraminate pyruvate lyases. For the first time, both genes were found in close proximity on a bacterial chromosome, probably being part of one operon.
The impact of aging and hearing status on verbal short-term memory

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to assess the impact of hearing status on age-related decrease in verbal short-term memory (STM) performance. This was done by administering a battery of verbal STM tasks to elderly and young adult participants matched for hearing thresholds, as well as to young normal-hearing control participants. The matching procedure allowed us to assess the importance of hearing loss as an explanatory factor of age-related STM decline. We observed that elderly participants and hearing-matched young participants showed equal levels of performance in all verbal STM tasks, and performed overall lower than the normal-hearing young control participants. This study provides evidence for recent theoretical accounts considering reduced hearing level as an important explanatory factor of poor auditory-verbal STM performance in older adults.
Selective attentional bias to alcohol related stimuli in problem drinkers and non-problem drinkers.

AIMS The issues explored in this study were whether a patient group of problem drinkers selectively attend to alcohol-related stimuli and the time course of any interference from alcohol-related stimuli in comparison with two control groups of non-problem drinkers. DESIGN A 3 x 2 x 2 x 5 factorial design was used. Drinking group (low, high and problem) and word order (alcohol-neutral, neutral-alcohol) were between-participant factors, and word type (alcohol, neutral) and presentation block (1-5) were within participant factors. PARTICIPANTS Three groups were used, 20 participants from a local community alcohol Service (CAS) and 40 participants (student volunteers) in two control groups. The two control groups were differentiated as scoring high or low on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). MEASUREMENTS A modified computerized Stroop colour naming test was used to measure response latencies. Anxiety was measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. FINDINGS The CAS group showed significantly longer reaction times to respond to the colour of alcohol-related words than to neutral category words. Although the interference was smaller for the high AUDIT group it was significant. No significant interference was found in the low AUDIT group. There was no statistical evidence that the interference habituated in the three groups. CONCLUSIONS The present study showed it is possible to use a modified Stroop task as a measure of implicit processing of alcohol stimuli. Despite the fact that all participants were asked to ignore the words, they were unable to do so. Alcohol-related words produced more interference than neutral category words in a group of problem drinkers and a control group of high alcohol drinkers.
Advanced channel prediction concepts for 5G radio systems

Massive MIMO and tight cooperation between transmission nodes are expected to become an integral part of a future 5G radio system. As part of an overall interference mitigation scheme substantial gains in coverage, spectral as well as energy efficiency have been reported. One of the main limitations for massive MIMO and coordinated multi-point (CoMP) systems is the aging of the channel state information at the transmitter (CSIT), which can be overcome partly by state of the art channel prediction techniques. For a clean slate 5G radio system, we propose to integrate channel prediction from the scratch in a flexible manner to benefit from future improvements in this area. As any prediction is unreliable by nature, further improvements over the state of the art are needed for a convincing solution. In this paper, we explain how the basic ingredients of 5G like base stations with massive MIMO antenna arrays, and multiple UE antennas can help to stretch today's limits with an approximately 10 dB lower normalized mean square error (NMSE) of the predicted channel. In combination with the novel introduced concept of artificially mutually coupled antennas, adding super-directivity gains to virtual beamforming, robust and accurate prediction over 10 ms with an NMSE of -20 dB up to 15 km/h at 2.6 GHz RF frequency could be achieved. This result has been achieved for measured channels without massive MIMO, but a comparison with ray-traced channels for the same scenario is provided as well.
Mouse Axin and Axin2/Conductin Proteins Are Functionally Equivalent In Vivo

ABSTRACT Axin is a central component of the canonical Wnt signal transduction machinery, serving as a scaffold for the β-catenin destruction complex. The related protein Axin2/Conductin, although less extensively studied, is thought to perform similar functions. Loss of Axin causes early embryonic lethality, while Axin2-null mice are viable but have craniofacial defects. Mutations in either gene contribute to cancer in humans. The lack of redundancy between Axin and Axin2 could be due to their different modes of expression: while Axin is expressed ubiquitously, Axin2 is expressed in tissue- and developmental-stage-specific patterns, and its transcription is induced by canonical Wnt signaling. Alternatively, the two proteins might have partially different functions, a hypothesis supported by the observation that they differ in their subcellular localizations in colon epithelial cells. To test the functional equivalence of Axin and Axin2 in vivo, we generated knockin mice in which the Axin gene was replaced with Myc-tagged Axin or Axin2 cDNA. Mice homozygous for the resulting alleles, Axin Ax or Axin Ax2 , express no endogenous Axin but express either Myc-Axin or Myc-Axin2 under the control of the Axin locus. Both Axin Ax/Ax and Axin Ax2/Ax2 homozygotes are apparently normal and fertile, demonstrating that the Axin and Axin2 proteins are functionally equivalent.
Spikiness Assessment of Term Occurrences in Microblogs: An Approach based on Computational Stigmergy

A significant phenomenon in microblogging is that certain occurrences of terms self-produce increasing mentions in the unfolding event. In contrast, other terms manifest a spike for each moment of interest, resulting in a wake-up-and-sleep dynamic. Since spike morphology and background vary widely between events, to detect spikes in microblogs is a challenge. Another way is to detect the spikiness feature rather than spikes. We present an approach which detects and aggregates spikiness contributions by combination of spike patterns, called archetypes. The soft similarity between each archetype and the time series of term occurrences is based on computational stigmergy, a bio-inspired scalar and temporal aggregation of samples. Archetypes are arranged into an architectural module called Stigmergic Receptive Field (SRF). The final spikiness indicator is computed through linear combination of SRFs, whose weights are determined with the Least Square Error minimization on a spikiness training set. The structural parameters of the SRFs are instead determined with the Differential Evolution algorithm, minimizing the error on a training set of archetypal series. Experimental studies have generated a spikiness indicator in a real-world scenario. The indicator has enhanced a cloud representation of social discussion topics, where the more spiky cloud terms are more blurred.
Neuroimmunophilin Ligand V-10,367 is Neuroprotective after 24-Hour Delayed Administration in a Mouse Model of Diffuse Traumatic Brain Injury

The authors present two studies that investigate the biochemical and histologic effects of the nonimmunosuppressive neuroimmunophilin (NIMM) ligand V-10,367 in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury (TBI). In study 1, the authors examined the effect of V-10,367 (50 mg/kg x 2 per day, by mouth) on neurofilament M (NFM) protein levels and on α-spectrin breakdown products (SBDPs) when dosed for 2 days, starting 24 hours after TBI and killed on day 3. In study 2, V-10,367 was given for 10 days, starting 24 hours after TBI and the mice killed 6 weeks after TBI, to measure the extent of neurodegeneration (amino CuAg stain). The results in study 1 revealed that V-10,367-treatment significantly increased NFM protein levels in both sham and TBI mice. In addition, V-10,367 attenuated SBDP 150 levels in the cortex, striatum, and hippocampus. The results of study 2 indicated that TBI mice treated with V-10,367 demonstrated significantly less neurodegeneration compared to injured, vehicle-treated mice. In summary, these results suggest that NIMMs may be neuroprotective indirectly through inhibition of calpain-mediated cytoskeletal damage and perhaps via maintenance of neuronal plasticity. In the context of this mouse model of TBI, the therapeutic window for V-10,367's positive effects is at least 24 hours after injury, which, in the case of TBI models, is largely unprecedented for a neuroprotective compound.
A pilot study to determine mercury exposure through vapor and bound to PM10 in a dental school environment

Mercury (Hg) is widely used in the dental working environment, exposing dental practitioners and assistants to potentially toxic Hg vapors. Concentrations of Hg in vapor and in particulate matter (PM10) were measured in the Dental Simulation Laboratory (DSL) and in the Dental Clinic (DC) at the School of Dentistry, University of Puerto Rico. PM10 samples were collected over a 36-h period and Hg vapor was collected for eight-hour periods. PM10 mass was determined gravimetically and Hg (bound to PM10 and vapor) was extracted and analyzed by atomic absorption. Indoor levels of PM10 in the DSL ranged from 9.2 to 41.6 μg/m3 and 35.0 to 68.2 μg/m3 in the DC. Levels of particle-bound Hg ranged from 0.1 to 1.2 μg/m3 and in vapor 1.1 to 3.3mg/m 3 at the DSL; the DC levels ranged from <0.01 to 0.2 μg/m 3 for particle bound Hg and 13.6 to 102.7 μg/m3 in vapor. PM10 concentrations were below Indoor Air Quality suggested limits for total dust (100 μg/m3). Levels of mercury bound to PM 10 were low; however, mercury vapor was several times higher than the suggested OSHA (permissible exposure limit — 100 μg/m3) in the DSL.
Transcutaneous Electrogastrography in Patients with Ileus

Background: The aim of the prospective study was to characterize the disturbance of gastric electrical control activity in different types of ileus and to correlate surface electrogastrography (EGG) findings with a set of inflammatory markers. Patients and Methods: Fifty-four adult patients with mechanic, vascular and paralytic ileus proven on clinical and radiological exams and 14 age- and sex-matched controls were examined. Gastric myoelectrical activity was recorded using 3 Ag-AgCl disposable skin electrodes connected in pseudo-unipolar mode by Microdigitrapper device. The captured signal was amplified and digitalized. The dominant frequency was calculated using computerized algorithms (Fast Fourier transform and running spectrum analysis). The results were correlated with the known pathological diagnoses and 4 inflammatory parameters – interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein. Results: Irregular EGG activity without a dominant frequency or bradygastria (electrical control activity frequency <2.4 cycles/min) was seen in all patients with both vascular and parayltic ileus and in 67.86% of the patients with obstructive ileus. Normogastria (2.4–3.7 cycles/min) was found in 32.14% of the patients with obstructive ileus. Among the patients with obstructive ileus and bradygastria, higher concentrations of IL-6 (642.0 ± 214.7 ng/l) and PCT (0.93 ± 0.22 µg/l) were observed compared with the patients with normogastria – IL-6 (354.5 ± 109.2 ng/l), PCT (0.69 ± 0.11 µg/l); p < 0.05 for both. The C-reactive protein concentration did not differ in both subgroups on p < 0.05. Conclusions: EGG examination confirmed a high sensitivity in the evaluation of gastric electrical control activity in both vascular and paralytic ileus. Significant correlation of EGG findings and both IL-6 and PCT plasma levels supports a role of the inflammatory milieu in the pathogenesis of impaired gastric electrical activity in patients with ileus.
Distributed Estimation for Markov Jump Systems via Diffusion Strategies

We consider the problem of distributed estimation for Markov jump systems. A distributed interacting multiple model Kalman filter is developed based on the diffusion strategy, where the local measurements, the mode-conditioned estimates, and the likelihoods are exchanged between neighboring nodes. The proposed filter leads to stable estimates for all nodes as long as at least one node is stable in a connected network. Simulation results show that the proposed approach outperforms the existing techniques.
Is a Transdisciplinary Theory of Engagement in Organized Settings Possible? A Concept Analysis of the Literature on Employee Engagement, Consumer Engagement and Patient Engagement

Organizations are experiencing increased competition, disruptive innovation, and continuous changes in their social and economic context. Furthermore, the decrease of resources (economic and human) in such a demanding context make it imperative for organizations to find new models and strategies to make their service delivery more sustainable at the economic, environmental and psychological levels. In such a complex scenario the concept of engagement of the individuals involved in organized settings (either as service providers or as final receivers) is a promising lever for innovation. However, despite the number of studies on the matter, the debate on engagement is still very fragmented because the corpus of literature addressing the different areas of engagement is divided and diverse in its nature. In this paper, we discuss the results of a conceptual analysis of the literature conducted in order to investigate overlapping features and areas of divergence among three different areas of investigation and application of the engagement phenomenon in organized settings: the domains of employee engagement, consumer engagement, and patient engagement. These are deliberately selected as prototypical of the phenomenon of engagement along the “inside/outside” of organizational settings. The analysis consisted in a qualitative conceptual survey? Of the scholarly literature indexed with the key terms “employee engagement,” “consumer engagement,” and “patient engagement. ” We performed a key-word based survey? Of the literature in the Scopus database. A total of 163 articles were selected and analyzed. The analysis cast light on the following areas of conceptual overlap among employee, consumer and patient engagement: (1) engagement is different from empowerment and activation; (2) engagement is a multi-componential psychological experience; (3) engagement is a self-transformative experience; (4) engagement develops within a relational context; (5) engagement is a systemic phenomenon. These findings, although preliminary and in need of further investigation, suggest the feasibility of promoting a transdisciplinary reflection on the phenomenon of engagement in organized settings.
Minimal Neuropsychological Assessment of MS Patients: A Consensus Approach

Cognitive impairment is common in multiple sclerosis (MS), yet patients seen in MS clinics and neurologic practices are not routinely assessed neuropsychologically. In part, poor utilization of NP services may be attributed to a lack of consensus among neuropsychologists regarding the optimal approach for evaluating MS patients. An expert panel composed of neuropsychologists and psychologists from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia was convened by the Consortium of MS Centers (CMSC) in April, 2001. Our objectives were to: (a) propose a minimal neuropsychological (NP) examination for clinical monitoring of MS patients and research, and (b) identify strategies for improving NP assessment of MS patients in the future. The panel reviewed pertinent literature on MS-related cognitive dysfunction, considered psychometric factors relevant to NP assessment, defined the purpose and optimal characteristics of a minimal NP examination in MS, and rated the psychometric and practical properties of 36 candidate NP measures based on available literature. A 90-minute NP battery, the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in MS (MACFIMS), emerged from this discussion. The MACFIMS is composed of seven neuropsychological tests, covering five cognitive domains commonly impaired in MS (processing speed/working memory, learning and memory, executive function, visual-spatial processing, and word retrieval). It is supplemented by a measure of estimated premorbid cognitive ability. Recommendations for assessing other factors that may potentially confound interpretation of NP data (e.g., visual/sensory/motor impairment, fatigue, and depression) are offered, as well as strategies for improving NP assessment of MS patients in the future.
A Randomized Trial of Home Oxygen Therapy From the Emergency Department for Acute Bronchiolitis

OBJECTIVE. Hypoxia is a common reason for hospital admission in infants and children with acute bronchiolitis. No study has evaluated discharge from the emergency department (ED) on home oxygen. This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of ED discharge on home oxygen in the treatment of acute bronchiolitis. METHODS. This was a prospective, randomized trial of infants and children with acute bronchiolitis and hypoxia (room-air saturations of ≤87%) aged 2 to 24 months presenting to an urban, academic, tertiary care children's hospital ED from December 1998 to April 2001. Subjects received inpatient admission or home oxygen after an 8-hour observation period in the ED. We measured the failure to meet discharge criteria during the observation period, return for hospital admission, and incidence of serious complications. RESULTS. Ninety-two patients were enrolled. Fifty three (58%) were randomly assigned to home and 39 (42%) to inpatient admission. There were no differences between the groups in age, initial room-air saturation, and respiratory distress severity score. Of 53 patients, 37 (70%) randomly assigned to home oxygen completed the observation period and were discharged from the hospital. The remaining 16 patients were excluded from the study (6), resolved their oxygen requirement (5), or failed to meet the discharge criteria and were admitted (5). One discharged patient (2.7%) returned to the hospital and was admitted for a cyanotic spell at home after the 24-hour follow-up appointment. The patient had an uncomplicated hospital course with a length of stay of 45 hours. The remaining 36 patients (97%) were treated successfully as outpatients with home oxygen. Satisfaction with home oxygen was high from the caregiver and the primary care provider. CONCLUSIONS. Discharge from the ED on home oxygen after a period of observation is an option for patients with acute bronchiolitis. Secondary to the low incidence of complications, the safety of this practice will require a larger study.