Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A novel coupled queueing model to control traffic via QoS-aware collision pricing in cognitive radio networks

We consider a cognitive radio network, where primary users have priority over the spectrum resources, and secondary users can exploit the unused resources through channel sensing. Due to sensing inaccuracy, the secondary traffic may obstruct the primary traffic. A penalty for collision has been used to protect the primary traffic, which is often designed to provide a fixed per-collision compensation or to restrict the collision rate at an acceptable level. In this work, we develop a framework that can protect the primary traffic taking into account the Quality of Service of the primary traffic. In particular, we pay attention to the delay performance, which is determined not only by the collision rate but also by the amount of traffic in both networks. We design a novel model with coupled queues, and successfully incorporate dynamic interactions between the two systems through the standard optimization problem. We also consider the practical requirement of no direct sharing of the system information between the two networks, and develop a close-to-optimal solution of per-collision price and channel sensing under mild assumptions. We evaluate its performance through simulations.
Transmural Mapping of Myocardial Refractoriness and Endocardial Dispersion of Repolarization in an Ovine Model of Chronic Myocardial Infarction

Background: Myocardial refractoriness and repolarization is an important electrophysiological property that, when altered, increases the risk of arrhythmogenesis. These electrophysiological changes associated with chronic myocardial infarction (MI) have not been studied in detail. We assessed the influence of left ventricular (LV) scarring on local refractoriness, repolarization, and electrogram characteristics.
Mouse monoclonal antibodies against rat major histocompatibility antigens. Two Ia antigens and expression of Ia and class I antigens in rat thymus

A rat Ia (RT‐1B) antigen (called Ia‐A) equivalent to the mouse I‐A product has been defined with mouse monoclonal antibodies (W. R. McMaster and A. F. Williams, Eur. J. Immunol. 1979. 9: 426). To identify other Ia antigens mouse monoclonal antibodies were raised against rat spleen glycoproteins depleted of the Ia‐A antigen. An IgG antibody (called MRC OX 17) was obtained and used to purify a molecule which had a similar structure to the Ia‐A antigen and reacted with anti‐Ia alloantibodies. There was no cross‐reaction between the two Ia glycoproteins in assays with mouse monoclonal antibodies, alloantibodies or rabbit antibodies. In one alloantiserum almost all the detectable anti‐Ia antibodies reacted with a mixture of the two Ia glycoproteins. The MRC OX 17 antibody did not bind to mouse cells, but rabbit antibodies to the pure rat glycoprotein cross‐reacted and recognized determinants mapping to the mouse I‐E region. In the thymus the rat Ia‐E antigen was on cortical epithelial and medullary reticular cells.
The association between polymorphisms in microRNA genes and cervical cancer in a Chinese Han population

Several studies have confirmed the crucial roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) in cancer occurrence. In addition, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNA genes have been associated with various cancers. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of SNPs in miRNA genes with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer in a Chinese Han population. We searched SNPs in nineteen miRNAs by sequencing healthy individuals (n=50). Then, a total of 400 patients with CIN, 609 patients with cervical cancer and 583 healthy individuals were recruited to genotype the SNPs using a Taqman assay. The results showed that only five of the nineteen miRNAs had SNPs (rs11134527 in pri-miR-218-2; rs74693964 in pri-miR-145; rs6062251 in pri-miR-133a2; rs531564 in pri-miR-124-1; and rs1834306 in pri-miR-100) in this Chinese Han population. The frequency of the rs11134527A allele was significantly higher in the control group than in CIN and cervical cancer groups (P=0.011 and 0.035, respectively). The frequency of the rs531564G allele was higher in the CIN and control groups than in the cervical cancer group (P=0.019 and 0.017, respectively). These results indicated that rs11134527 in pri-miR-218-2 and rs531564 in pri-miR-124-1 could be associated with CIN and cervical cancer in the Chinese Han population.
Food web structure shaped by habitat size and climate across a latitudinal gradient.

Habitat size and climate are known to affect the trophic structure and dynamics of communities, but their interactive effects are poorly understood. Organisms from different trophic levels vary in terms of metabolic requirements and heat dissipation. Indeed, larger species such as keystone predators require more stable climatic conditions than their prey. Likewise, habitat size disproportionally affects large-sized predators, which require larger home ranges and are thus restricted to larger habitats. Therefore, food web structure in patchy ecosystems is expected to be shaped by habitat size and climate variations. Here we investigate this prediction using natural aquatic microcosm (bromeliad phytotelmata) food webs composed of litter resources (mainly detritus), detritivores, mesopredators, and top predators (damselflies). We surveyed 240 bromeliads of varying sizes (water retention capacity) across 12 open restingas in SE Brazil spread across a wide range of tropical latitudes (-12.6° to -27.6°, ca. 2,000 km) and climates (Δ mean annual temperature = 5.3°C). We found a strong increase in predator-to-detritivore mass ratio with habitat size, which was representative of a typical inverted trophic pyramid in larger ecosystems. However, this relationship was contingent among the restingas; slopes of linear models were steeper in more stable and favorable climates, leading to inverted trophic pyramids (and top-down control) being more pronounced in environments with more favorable climatic conditions. By contrast, detritivore-resource and mesopredator-detritivore mass ratios were not affected by habitat size or climate variations across latitudes. Our results highlight that the combined effects of habitat size, climate and predator composition are pivotal to understanding the impacts of multiple environmental factors on food web structure and dynamics.
Plasmids of Raw Milk Cheese Isolate Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis Biovar diacetylactis DPC3901 Suggest a Plant-Based Origin for the Strain

ABSTRACT The four-plasmid complement of the raw milk cheese isolate Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar diacetylactis DPC3901 was sequenced, and some genetic features were functionally analyzed. The complete sequences of pVF18 (18,977 bp), pVF21 (21,739 bp), pVF22 (22,166 bp), and pVF50 (53,876 bp) were obtained. Each plasmid contained genes not previously described for Lactococcus, in addition to genes associated with plant-derived lactococcal strains. Most of the novel genes were found on pVF18 and encoded functions typical of bacteria associated with plants, such as activities of plant cell wall modification (orf11 and orf25). In addition, a predicted high-affinity regulated system for the uptake of cobalt was identified (orf19 to orf21 [orf19-21]), which has a single database homolog on a plant-derived Leuconostoc plasmid and whose functionality was demonstrated following curing of pVF18. pVF21 and pVF22 encode additional metal transporters, which, along with orf19-21 of pVF18, could enhance host ability to uptake growth-limiting amounts of biologically essential ions within the soil. In addition, vast regions from pVF50 and pVF21 share significant homology with the plant-derived lactococcal plasmid pGdh442, which is indicative of extensive horizontal gene transfer and recombination between these plasmids and suggests a common plant niche for their hosts. Phenotypes associated with these regions include glutamate dehydrogenase activity and Na+ and K+ transport. The presence of numerous plant-associated markers in L. lactis DPC3901 suggests a plant origin for the raw milk cheese isolate and provides for the first time the genetic basis to support the concept of the plant-milk transition for Lactococcus strains.
Rapid and sustained hematopoietic reconstitution by peripheral blood stem cell infusion alone following high-dose chemotherapy.

We utilized mobilized peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) as sole support for hematologic reconstitution following high-dose chemotherapy in 52 patients with advanced solid tumors and lymphoma. PBSC were collected by large scale leukapheresis after mobilization with chemotherapy. Each apheresis product was analysed for total nucleated cells, CFU-GM and CD34+ content. Disease-specific high-dose chemotherapy regimens were administered followed by thawed PBSC. Colony-stimulating factors were not administered. The median time to an absolute neutrophil count > 0.5 x 10(9)/l was 13 days (range 9-26 days) and median time to a sustained platelet count > 20 x 10(9)/l without transfusion support was 10 days (range 5-43 + days). There was no difference in time to recovery by dose-intensive regimen or underlying disease. The times to recover ANC and platelets both correlated significantly with increasing doses of PBSC as assayed by CD34+ cells and CFU-GM. All four patients with prolonged platelet recovery times received < 20 x 10(4) CFU-GM/kg, establishing this as a threshold value for PBSC infusion. There were no late transient or sustained graft failures. For 26 patients alive 1 year after infusion, the mean total leukocyte count is 6.3 x 10(9)/l, mean hematocrit 35.5% and mean platelet count 182 x 10(9)/l. Thirteen patients followed at least 24 months after PBSC infusion have essentially normal blood counts. Mobilized peripheral blood progenitors are an effective source of stem cells which afford rapid and complete hematopoietic engraftment after myelo-suppressive chemotherapy regimens. Engraftment appears sustained with no late failures. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Growth-promoting effect of Rh(D) antibody on human pancreatic islet cells.

CONTEXT/OBJECTIVE Hyperinsulinism with islet cell hyperplasia is a frequent complication, of unknown cause, in hemolytic disease of the newborn, occurring in Rh(D)-positive infants of Rh-isoimmunized Rh(D)-negative mothers, but not in infants with other hemolytic disorders. We investigated the possibility that trans-placentally acquired anti-D Ig is the cause of both conditions. DESIGN Monolayer cultures of human islet cells were exposed to sera from Rh-isoimmunized mothers and newborns, where jaundice, hyperinsulinism, and hypoglycemia in the infant had ensued. Parallel cultures with anti-D, specific anti-D monoclonal antibodies, normal human Ig (15 microg/ml), and serum controls were also undertaken. Islet cell proliferation was determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation. Insulin storage and chronic and acute insulin secretion to glucose were analyzed by RIA. Rh(D) surface antigen expression was determined on islet cells by flow cytometric analysis. RESULTS Islet cell proliferation and insulin secretion were significantly greater in coculture with test sera (P < 0.01; n = 8) and with anti-D (P < 0.001; n = 8), compared with either controls or Ig. After 8 d of growth, the static incubation experiment showed a 3.5-fold response to glucose stimulus in all sera. Rh(D) antigen expression was detected on the islet cell surface by flow cytometry, and islet cell morphology was normal. Colocalization of the proliferation marker Ki67 with insulin by immunofluorescent staining further indicated that Rh(D) antibody promoted islet growth. CONCLUSIONS The anti-Rh(D) islet cell proliferative effect generates neonatal hyperinsulinism in Rh isoimmunization. Anti-Rh(D) may have application for islet cell proliferation in diabetes mellitus treatment for Rh(D)-positive subjects. Further analysis is required.
Comparison of Etomidate, Ketamine, Midazolam, Propofol, and Thiopental on Function and Metabolism of Isolated Hearts

The authors examined direct myocardial and coronary vascular responses to the anesthetic induction agents etomidate, ketamine, midazolam, propofol, and thiopental and compared their effects on attenuating autoregulation of coronary flow as assessed by changes in oxygen supply/demand relationships. Spontaneous heart rate, atrioventricular conduction time during a trial pacing, left ventricular pressure (LVP), coronary flow (CF), percent oxygen extraction, oxygen delivery, and myocardial oxygen consumption (MVo2) were examined in 55 isolated guinea pig hearts divided into five groups of 11 each. Hearts were perfused at constant pressure with one of the drugs administered at steady-state concentrations increasing from 0.5 μM to 1 mM. Adenosine was given to test maximal CF. At concentrations below 10 μM no significant changes were observed; beyond 50 μM for midazolam, etomidate, and propofol, and 100 μM for thiopental and ketamine, each agent caused progressive but differential decreases in heart rate, atrioventricular conduction time (leading to atrioventricular dissociation), LVP, +dLVP/dtrnax, percent oxygen extraction, and MVo2. The concentrations (μM) at which +dLVP/dtmax was reduced by 50% were as follows: etomidate, 82 ± 2 (mean ± SEM); propofol, 91 ± 4; midazolam, 105 ± 8; thiopental, 156 ± 11; and ketamine, 323 ± 7; the rank order of potency was etomidate = propofol = midazolam > thiopental > ketamine; results were similar for LVP. At the 100 μM concentration, CF was decreased 11% ± 2% by ketamine and 5% ± 3% by thiopental but was increased 17% ± 6% by etomidate, 21% ± 5% by midazolam, and near maximally to 57% ± 10% by propofol; MVo2 was decreased 8% ± 4% by thiopental, 10% ± 5% by ketamine, 19% ± 5% by midazolam, 29% ± 7% by etomidate, and 37% ± 5% by propofol; oxygen delivery/MVo2 was unchanged by thiopental and ketamine but was increased 62% ± 7% by midazolam, 71% ± 9% by etomidate, and 150% ± 15% by propofol. Between 100 μM and 1 mM, thiopental and ketamine did not increase CF but decreased MVo2 and percent oxygen extraction, whereas propofol maximally increased CF and decreased MVo2 and midazolam and etomidate had intermediate effects. These results indicate that on a molar basis, propofol, and less so midazolam and etomidate, depress cardiac function moderately more than thiopental and ketamine, and that propofol markedly attenuates autoregulation by causing coronary vasodilation. With doses used to induce anesthesia, propofol and thiopental appear to depress cardiac function more than ketamine or etomidate.
An Ecology of Agency Arrangements: Mortality of Savings and Loan Associations, 1960-1987

Hayagreeva Rao Emory University Eric H. Neilsen Case Western Reserve University This paper examines whether organizations with different collectivized agency arrangements have different survival prospects. We propose that the structure of monitoring and incentive systems determines the agency costs of collectivized agencies and, in turn, their vulnerability to competition and environmental variability. The paper focuses on mutual and stock savings and loan associations (SLAs) and notes that stock SLAs have superior monitoring, incentive systems, and capital structures in comparison with mutual SLAs. An analysis of 900 SLAs founded during 1960-1987 indicates that mutual companies were more vulnerable than stock companies to competition from commercial banks, but there was no conclusive evidence that mutuals were more susceptible to environmental variability than stocks were. The results also show that deregulation sharply attenuated the agency advantages of stocks, implying that agency-cost advantages may be constrained by institutional processes. '
A Teaching Method by Using Self-Organizing Map for Reinforcement Learning

A new pre-teaching method for reinforcement learning using Self-Organizing Map (SOM) is described. The purpose of our study is to increase the learning rate using small number of teaching data generated by a human expert. In our method, the SOM is used to generate initial teaching data for the reinforcement learning agent from a few teaching data. The reinforcement learning function of the agent is initialized by using the teaching data generated by the SOM so as to increase the probability of selecting the optimal actions estimated by the SOM. Because the agent can get high rewards from the start of reinforcement learning, it is expected to increase the learning rate. The results of two computer simulations, mobile robot navigation and pursuit game, showed that the learning rate increased although the human expert had showed only a few teaching data.
REM Mentation in Narcoleptics and Normals: An Empirical Test of Two Neurocognitive Theories

This study tested the two main neurocognitive models of dreaming by using cognitive data elicited from REM sleep in normals and narcoleptics. The two models were the "activation-only" view which holds that, in the context of sleep, overall activation of the brain is sufficient for consciousness to proceed in the manner of dreaming (e.g., Antrobus, 1991; Foulkes, 1993; Vogel, 1978); and the Activation, Input source, Modulation (AIM model), which predicts that not only brain activation level but also neurochemical modulatory systems exert widespread effects upon dreaming (Hobson & McCarley, 1977; Hobson, Pace-Schott, & Stickgold, 2000). Mental activity was studied in nocturnal REM in 15 narcoleptics and 9 normal healthy persons and in REM at the onset of daytime naps and nighttime sleep (SOREM) in narcoleptics. The study was performed in the subjects' homes, using instrumental awakenings and ambulatory polysomnographic techniques, and focused upon visual vividness, mentation report length, improbable and discontinuous bizarre features, and reflective consciousness. Within each subject group, most cognitive variables tended to fluctuate in line with expected variations in circadian activation level. When comparing the cognitive variables between the two groups, reflective consciousness was clearly highest in narcoleptics, whereas improbabilities and discontinuities were lower, with mentation report length and visual vividness differing less between the groups. These findings are consistent with the AIM model of sleep mentation, but not with the activation-only model.
The β2 -adrenoceptor agonist terbutaline recovers rat pharyngeal dilator muscle force decline during severe hypoxia.

RATIONALE Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a debilitating condition characterized by recurrent occlusions of the pharyngeal airway during sleep accompanied by arterial hypoxaemia. Upper airway muscle dysfunction is implicated in the pathophysiology of OSAS. Pharmacological agents that improve muscle contractile and endurance properties may have therapeutic value. AIM We tested the hypothesis that the β(2) -adrenoceptor agonist terbutaline improves rat sternohyoid muscle performance especially during hypoxic stress. METHODS Isometric contractile and endurance properties were examined ex vivo in Krebs solution at 35°C. Muscles were incubated in tissue baths under hyperoxic (95% O(2) /5% CO(2)) conditions in the absence (control) or presence of the β(2) -adrenoceptor agonist terbutaline (1 μM). In additional experiments under hypoxic (95% N(2) /5% CO(2)) conditions, the effects of terbutaline were examined in the presence of the β-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol (1 μM). RESULTS Hypoxia significantly impaired sternohyoid force production. Terbutaline completely recovered hypoxic depression of force, an effect that was blocked by co-application with propranolol. CONCLUSION The β(2) -adrenoceptor agonist terbutaline completely recovers hypoxic depression of upper airway muscle force. β(2) -adrenoceptor agonists warrant investigation in animal models of OSAS reporting upper airway and diaphragm muscle dysfunction.
Agent-Based Modeling of Global Carbon Trading and Its Policy Implications for China in the Post-Kyoto Era

ABSTRACT Carbon trading is an important component of global responses to climate change. Using agent-based modeling, this study constructs a global carbon trading model (GCTM), and simulates the effectiveness of the trading mechanism. Results show that: (1) quota allocation is the fundamental premise of carbon trading; (2) under the carbon trading mechanism, the cumulative per capita emissions of developed countries are still much higher than those in developing countries; (3) carbon trading could be an important policy choice to meet China’s future emissions targets; and (4) to maximize incomes in the long run, China can set aside part of current quotas and use them in the future.
How to Lead a Locality: Evidence from Local Political Leaders in Slovenia

The paper discusses the application of certain aspects of political leadership in Slovenian municipalities. The author investigates how Slovenian mayors perceive their role in the local community, how they perceive the function of political leadership, and which characteristics prevail in the leadership of Slovenian municipalities. The author is particularly interested whether mayors place an emphasis on the characteristics of leaders or of managers while leading their municipalities. The paper presents a newly designed typology, i.e. a characteristic typology of mayors as leaders and mayors as managers. Based on an extensive analysis of empirically gathered data, the author has discovered that the majority of Slovenian mayors lead their municipalities in a visionary manner, with a long-term stance on municipal development on the basis of established rules and procedures, and with a preference for personal contacts with citizens and the use of emotional intelligence. In the differentiated system of Slovenian local government mayors are
Multi-robot exploration framework using robot vision and laser range data

We propose in the following paper to tackle the multi-robot exploration problem. Our approach does not presuppose the availability of maps of the environment. We first describe a laser based on-line map building associated with a landmark based methodology to fuse team robots observations in the general case where no relative poses are given. We then explain how to assign the next best target in case of multi-robot exploration. Details are also given on our 3D landmark recognition system and on how to deal with the mutiple landmark images search during exploration.
Does cannabis use increase the risk of death? Systematic review of epidemiological evidence on adverse effects of cannabis use.

ISSUES To conduct a comprehensive search of the peer-reviewed literature to assess risk of cannabis-related mortality. APPROACH Systematic peer-reviewed literature searches were conducted in Medline, EMBASE and PsycINFO to identify data on mortality associated with cannabis use. Search strings for cannabis and mortality were used. Searches were limited to human subjects and the publication timeframe of January 1990 to January 2008. Reference lists of review articles and of specific studies deemed important by colleagues were searched to identify additional studies. A list of the selected articles was emailed to experts in the field asking for comment on completeness. KEY FINDINGS There is insufficient evidence, particularly because of the low number of studies, to assess whether the all-cause mortality rate is elevated among cannabis users in the general population. Case-control studies suggest that some adverse health outcomes may be elevated among heavy cannabis users, namely, fatal motor vehicle accidents, and possibly respiratory and brain cancers. The evidence is as yet unclear as to whether regular cannabis use increases the risk of suicide. CONCLUSIONS There is a need for long-term cohort studies that follow cannabis using individuals into old age, when the likelihood of any detrimental effects of cannabis use are more likely to emerge among those who persist in using cannabis into middle age and older. Case-control studies of cannabis use and various causes of mortality are also needed.