Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance of low complexity receivers for massive MIMO with channel estimation and correlation

In an uplink massive multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) deployment with distributed single-antenna users and a large base-station array, we investigate the performance of low complexity Vertical Bell Laboratories Layered Space Time (C-V-BLAST) and zero forcing (ZF) receivers. Unlike previous work which assumes that the channel is perfectly known, we focus on the realistic scenario where the MIMO channel is actually estimated. We consider two channel estimation strategies, pilot-based maximum likelihood (ML) which has a closed-form and semi-blind (SB) estimation which is performed iteratively using steepest-descent. To the best of our knowledge, the performance gains of SB estimation over ML estimation, and the resulting complexity tradeoffs have not been investigated in previous works in the context of massive MIMO with low complexity receivers. The motivation of our study is to fill this gap. Our work shows that the SB estimation strategy yields a significant improvement in symbol-error-rate (SER) performance, with ZF outperforming the C-V-BLAST. We also investigate the impact of channel correlation on system performance.
Gender difference in brain perfusion 99mTc-ECD SPECT in aged healthy volunteers after correction for partial volume effects

BackgroundPrevious reports have yielded controversial results concerning gender differences in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). To elucidate this issue, we compared 99mTc ethyl cysteinate dimer single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images for brain perfusion between aged-matched healthy men and women after correction for partial volume effects (PVEs). MethodsBrain perfusion SPECT in the resting state was performed on 40 healthy, right-handed subjects, 20 men and 20 women, with an age range of 58–86 years, who did not differ sociodemographically. PVE correction was performed using grey matter volume measured by magnetic resonance imaging. Statistical parametric mapping was used for the analysis of the adjusted rCBF images of relative flow distribution. ResultsThe PVE correction revealed that women had higher rCBF in left inferior frontal gyrus, bilateral middle temporal gyri, and left superior temporal gyrus. Men had higher rCBF in left superior frontal gyrus, right medial frontal gyrus, right superior parietal lobule, right postcentral gyrus, right cerebellum, right middle frontal gyrus, right fusiform gyrus, and right precuneus. ConclusionSignificant gender differences in rCBF existed in these healthy volunteers. The PVE correction of SPECT images revealed gender differences that were consistent with the universal findings of better performance on verbal tasks in women and on visuospatial tasks in men.
T cell responses to streptococcal antigens in rats: relation to susceptibility to streptococcal cell wall-induced arthritis.

In order to investigate the immunological mechanism of the chronic phase of streptococcal cell wall (SCW)-induced arthritis in Lewis rats, we compared the SCW-specific T cell response in arthritis-susceptible (female Lewis) and resistant (F344) rats. We present evidence that this T cell response is absent in F344 rats, while it is clearly present in Lewis rats. The T cell response was analyzed both in the spleen and in lymph nodes. In addition, we show, that injection of SCW in the F344 rat induces a general unresponsiveness in this strain: the response to mitogen was severely suppressed in SCW-injected F344 rats and, furthermore, when SCW was coinjected with ovalbumin, the response to ovalbumin was depressed. The fact that priming with ovalbumin alone induces a normal response in the F344 rat to both mitogen and ovalbumin implies that the observed abnormality after SCW priming is not a general immunological defect in this strain. Additionally, we demonstrate that adherent cells of both Lewis and F344 exert negative effects on an in vitro T cell response after injection with SCW, and that F344-adherent cells are more potent in this effect. Removal of OX8-positive cells leads to a restoration of the SCW-specific T cell response in SCW-injected F344 rats, indicating that the expression of this response is controlled by (SCW-specific? ) suppressor T cells. Our results provide suggestive evidence for the obligatory role of SCW-specific T cells in the expression of chronic joint inflammation after systemic injection of SCW.
PCB engineering for improving temperature cycling reliability of lead-free solder ball joint

Conventionally, post-temperature cycling reliability tests, polyimide based Print Circuit Board (PCB) offer better solder ball joint reliability than FR4 based PCB. This paper illustrates that for FR4 materials, by applying suitable PCB stack & solder mask design, 1.5 to 2X increase in solder ball joint reliability can be achieved. Reliability improvement is supported by correlation of theoretical calculations, and experimentally measurements of thermal-mechanical properties of different PCBs. Further, temperature cycling reliability test results & calculated number of cycles to fail for solder ball joint are also in agreement. Finally, Weibull analysis of temperature cycling reliability results confirms field life of solder ball joints. This work demonstrates that improved thermal-mechanical reliability of solder ball joints can be achieved by deploying suitable PCB stack Engineering & using cost effective materials like FR4 instead of polyimide, if temperature of operation/stress do not exceed glass transition temperatures of FR4.
Task Conflict, Integrative Potential, and Conflict Management Strategies in Joint Ventures

Existing studies of conflict management in joint ventures (JVs) assume that the characteristics of the tasks that generate conflict have no impact on either the conflict-performance relationship or on the effectiveness of conflict management techniques. In this paper, we challenge this assumption by examining JV conflict over R&D and marketing tasks. Because JVs decisions are made by two or more partners, often with very different goals and agendas, the potential for conflict is high. In some cases, this conflict can have a positive impact on performance. We hypothesize that this possibility is more likely in the context of R&D task conflict, because: 1) marketing task conflict is relatively more likely to involve distributive (win-lose) issues and 2) when win-win (integrative) potential exists, disputants are relatively less likely to perceive this potential in marketing task conflicts (i.e., the disputants in a marketing task conflict are more likely to approach their conflict from a fixed-pie perspective). Our analysis of data collected from 196 JVs clearly supports this hypothesis. We also find that the relative effectiveness of different conflict management strategies varies depending on whether they are applied to R&D or marketing task conflict. Our results demonstrate the importance of aligning conflict management strategies with the integrative potential of R&D and marketing tasks.
Antisense Oligonucleotide Blockade of Tumor Necrosis Factor-(cid:1) in Two Murine Models of Colitis

Tumor necrosis factor- (cid:1) (TNF- (cid:1) ) is a key cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. We have developed a second-generation antisense oligonucleotide (ISIS 25302) specific for murine TNF- (cid:1) and have evaluated this oligonucleotide in two models of gut inflammation of distinct etiology. ISIS 25302 decreased TNF- (cid:1) mRNA in a dose- and sequence-dependent manner in vitro in the mouse macro- phage cell line P388D1. It also reduced TNF- (cid:1) mRNA in vivo, in whole adipose tissue and in macrophages isolated from the adipose tissue of db / db mice, a strain with constitutively high expression of TNF- (cid:1) . ISIS 25302 significantly reduced disease activity index scores in mice with both an acute and a chronic form of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. It also significantly improved histopathological scores in interleukin (IL)-10-deficient mice. This was accompanied by reductions in both the basal and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated secretion of TNF- (cid:1) and interferon- (cid:2) in colonic organ cultures from IL-10 (cid:1) / (cid:1) mice. In this model, efficacy was obtained with both a prophylactic treatment regimen or a therapeutic dosing proto- col begun after colitis was already present. In both the DSS and IL-10 (cid:1) / (cid:1) models, scrambled and mismatch control oligonucleotides were largely without effect, suggesting that ISIS 25302 was exerting its effects through a sequence-dependent antisense mechanism.
Isolation and Proteomic Characterization of the Mouse Sperm Acrosomal Matrix*

A critical step during fertilization is the sperm acrosome reaction in which the acrosome releases its contents allowing the spermatozoa to penetrate the egg investments. The sperm acrosomal contents are composed of both soluble material and an insoluble material called the acrosomal matrix (AM). The AM is thought to provide a stable structure from which associated proteins are differentially released during fertilization. Because of its important role during fertilization, efforts have been put toward isolating the AM for biochemical study and to date AM have been isolated from hamster, guinea pig, and bull spermatozoa. However, attempts to isolate AM from mouse spermatozoa, the species in which fertilization is well-studied, have been unsuccessful possibly because of the small size of the mouse sperm acrosome and/or its fusiform shape. Herein we describe a procedure for the isolation of the AM from caput and cauda mouse epididymal spermatozoa. We further carried out a proteomic analysis of the isolated AM from both sperm populations and identified 501 new proteins previously not detected by proteomics in mouse spermatozoa. A comparison of the AM proteome from caput and cauda spermatozoa showed that the AM undergoes maturational changes during epididymal transit similar to other sperm domains. Together, our studies suggest the AM to be a dynamic and functional structure carrying out a variety of biological processes as implied by the presence of a diverse group of proteins including proteases, chaperones, hydrolases, transporters, enzyme modulators, transferases, cytoskeletal proteins, and others.
Mechanisms involved in the low-level regeneration of CD4+ cells in HIV-1-infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy who have prolonged undetectable plasma viral loads.

BACKGROUND Persistent low CD4(+) cell counts are observed in 5%-27% of patients treated for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection despite their having prolonged undetectable plasma viral loads. METHODS To understand the possible mechanisms of this discordant immunological situation, a prospective transsectional case-control study was designed. HIV-1-infected subjects who had a plasma viral load <200 copies/mL for >1 year were considered to be case patients if their CD4(+) cell count was <250/mm(3); control patients had CD4(+) cell counts >500/mm(3) and were matched by sex, age, and nadir CD4(+) cell count to case patients. T cell proliferation after stimulation with various antigens, T cell subset counts, T cell rearrangement excision circles (TRECs), T cells undergoing apoptosis, cytokines influencing apoptosis, and cellular proviral DNA and plasma viral RNA persistence were assessed. RESULTS Compared with the 19 control patients, the 19 case patients had undistinguishable lymphoproliferative responses to candidin and cytomegalovirus, fewer naive CD4(+) cells (CD45RA(+)62L(+), 23%+/-13% vs. 47%+/-14%; P<. 0001), lower thymic output (1.28 vs. 3.95 TRECs/microL of blood; P=.0015), increased cell death by apoptosis (spontaneous, 23.2%+/-8.3% vs. 11.9%+/-8.4% [P=.02]; Fas induced, 38.6%+/-13.7% vs. 16.4%+/-8.0% [P=.004]), higher levels of plasma soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II (9.6 vs. 5.3 ng/mL; P=.0058), and undistinguishable plasma HIV-1 and cellular proviral DNA loads. CONCLUSIONS The mechanisms responsible for the low-level regeneration of CD4(+) cells involve, at least, deficiency in the regeneration of central CD4(+) cells and excessive apoptosis.
Evaluation of Hedging Effectiveness for CNX Bank and Nifty Index Futures

The hedging effectiveness for bank futures and CNX nifty are evaluated in this study. The study is based on 9569 observations of the daily data for these index futures. For evaluation OLS, co-integrated OLS, GARCH (1, 1) and constant correlation GARCH (1, 1) hedging methods are estimated and compared. Result shows that constant correlation GARCH (1, 1) is an efficient hedging method that maximizes investors’ utility function considering transaction costs. Therefore, investors can rely on this constant correlation GARCH (1, 1) hedging method.
Localized two‐dimensional shift correlated MR spectroscopy of human brain

A two‐dimensional (2D) chemical shift correlated MR spectroscopic (COSY) sequence integrated into a new volume localization technique (90°–180°–90°) is proposed for whole‐body MR spectroscopy (MRS). Using the product operator formalism, a theoretical calculation of the volume localization as well as the coherence transfer efficiencies in 2D MRS is presented. Phantom model solutions were used to test and optimize the efficiency of the proposed sequence. A combination of different MRI transmit/receive RF coils was used: a head MRI coil and a 3″ surface coil receive combined with a body coil transmit. The J cross‐peaks due to N‐acetyl aspartate (NAA), glutamate/glutamine (Glx), myo‐inositol (mI), creatine (Cr), choline (Ch), aspartate (Asp), γ‐aminobutyrate (GABA), taurine (Tau), glutathione (GSH), threonine (Thr), and macromolecules (MM) were identified. The cross‐peak intensities excited by the proposed 2D sequence were asymmetric with respect to the diagonal peaks. Localized COSY (L‐COSY) spectra of cerebral prefrontal and occipital gray/white matter regions in 15 healthy controls are presented. Magn Reson Med 46:58–67, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Short term treatment with Escheria coli recombinant human granulocyte‐macrophage–colony stimulating factor prior to chemotherapy for Hodgkin disease

Granulocyte‐macrophage–colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) administration stimulates the proliferation of hemopoietic progenitors. Shortly (48–96 hours) after its discontinuation, feedback phenomena occur and the progenitor proliferation rate drops below baseline levels. As the quiescence of hyperplastic bone marrow suggests that hemopoietic cells may be refractory to the toxic effects of cytostatic drugs, the decision was made to test the hypothesis that GM‐CSF given before chemotherapy may be myeloprotective.
Population attributable risk: implications of physical activity dose.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to describe the application of population attributable risk estimates in relation to the dose-related benefits or risks of physical activity. METHODS Assumptions and limitations of population attributable risk calculations and interpretations are reviewed and evaluated in the context of physical activity dose. Theoretical estimates are developed for several hypothetical situations. RESULTS National estimates of population attributable risk may be inaccurate because definitions and measurement techniques applied in physical activity research studies and physical activity prevalence surveys do not correspond. In addition, it is not established whether vigorous or moderate physical activity are independent contributors, sequential categories, or interactive variables in the process of disease reduction. This information is necessary to calculate population attributable risk most appropriately. CONCLUSION Estimates of the disease burden of physical inactivity will be improved by two advances in empirical studies: first, the pairing of prevalence and relative risk estimates for nationally representative population-based samples; and second, refined relative risk estimates for various doses of physical activity.
‘Reverse internationalization’ in Chinese firms: a study of how global startup OEMs seek to compete domestically

This research investigates whether the global startup original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in China could employ their knowledge-acquisition capability developed via internationalization to compete domestically (i.e. reverse internationalization), facing the recession in developed markets. Results examine that knowledge-acquisition capability can help these firms compete in ‘reverse internationalization’, while the conduct of own brand strategy partially mediates the positive relationship between their capability and domestic performance. We contribute to the literature by identifying the unique ‘Chinese global startup OEMs’, recognizing knowledge-acquisition capability as a high-order dynamic capability for such firms, and introducing a novel entrepreneurial phenomenon we call ‘reverse internationalization’.
Chronic Kidney Disease Classification in Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial: Comparison Using Modification of Diet in Renal Disease and CKD-Epidemiology Collaboration Definitions

Background: Interventional trials have used either the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) or chronic kidney disease (CKD)-Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation for determination of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to define whether participants have stages 3-5 CKD. The equation used to calculate eGFR may influence the number and characteristics of participants designated as having CKD. Methods: We examined the classification of CKD at baseline using both equations in the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT). eGFR was calculated at baseline using fasting serum creatinine values from a central laboratory. Results: Among 9,308 participants with baseline CKD classification using the 4-variable MDRD equation specified in the SPRINT protocol, 681 (7.3%) participants were reclassified to a less advanced CKD stage (higher eGFR) and 346 (3.7%) were reclassified to a more advanced CKD stage (lower eGFR) when the CKD-EPI equation was used to calculate eGFR. For eGFRs <90 ml/min/1.73 m2, participants <75 years were more likely to be reclassified to a less advanced CKD stage; this reclassification was more likely to occur in non-blacks rather than blacks. Participants aged ≥75 years were more likely to be reclassified to a more advanced than a less advanced CKD stage, regardless of baseline CKD stage. Reclassification of baseline CKD status (eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2) occurred in 3% of participants. Conclusions: Use of the MDRD equation led to a higher percentage of participants being classified as having CKD stages 3-4. Younger and non-black participants were more likely to be reclassified as not having CKD using the CKD-EPI equation.
Anti-social or intensively sociable? The local context of neighbour disputes and complaints among social housing tenants

Abstract The prevalence of neighbour disputes among social housing tenants is often seen as the outcome of social residualisation and the physical characteristics of social housing. While such explanations have usefully drawn attention to the structural sources of problem neighbours in the social housing sector, rather than reduce them to the anti-sociality of tenants, this work has been disconnected from a consideration of the social and interactive contexts of neighbouring more broadly and its influence on how neighbour problems emerge and are managed in specific situations. In response, this paper examines the conditions that lead to the formation of a distinct style of neighbouring among social housing tenants, one that is prone to conflict and tension because of its intensively sociable, as opposed to anti-social, nature. Drawing on mediation data from Dispute Resolution Centres in Queensland, Australia, this paper illustrates how intensive modes of neighbouring combine with disadvantage and close physical proximity to create the conditions for neighbour problems to arise.
TOTAL DOSE IRON INFUSION: SAFETY AND EFFICACY IN PREDIALYSIS PATIENTS

Iron deficiency anemia isnot uncommon in predialysis patients. Oral iron often cannot maintain adequate iron stores. Hence we evaluated the safety and efficacy of total infusion (TDI) of iron in these patients. Anemic predialysis patients were screened and those with Hb < 7.0g/dL and serum ferritin < 200ng/mL were selected. Patients with active bleeding and acute livere disease were excluded. All patients were on oral iron 100mg/day. None of the patients were on erytropoeitin. 11 patients (6 males and 5 females). aged 45.9 + 15yrs. were suitable. Hb was 5.9 ± 1.0g/dL and serum ferritin was 89.5 + 50 ng/mL. The preparation used was iron dextran. A test dose of 25mg in 100mL normal saline was administeted over 1 hr to all patients. One patient had fever and chills during the test dose and was not given TDI. 10 patients received TDI. None of these patients had any problem during the infusion. The dose of iron administered was 900 + 316.2 mg. One patient who received 1600mg had arthralgia-myalgia and another patient had thrombophlebitis following TDI. One month after TDI, Hb was 8.0 + 1.0g/dL and serum ferritin was 362ng/mL. We feel that TDI is a safe and effective method of correcting iron deficiency in predialysis patients.
Gut content identification of larvae of the Anopheles gambiae complex in western Kenya using a barcoding approach

Although larvae feeding and food source are vital to the development, survival and population regulation of African malaria vectors, the prey organisms of Anopheles gambiae larvae in the natural environment have not been well studied. This study used a molecular barcoding approach to investigate the natural diets of Anopheles gambiae s.l. larvae in western Kenya. Gut contents from third‐ and fourth‐instar larvae from natural habitats were dissected and DNA was extracted. The 18S ribosomal DNA gene was amplified, the resulting clones were screened using a restriction fragment length polymorphism method and nonmosquito clones were sequenced. Homology search and phylogenetic analyses were then conducted using the sequences of non‐mosquito clones to identify the putative microorganisms ingested. The phylogenetic analyses clustered ingested microorganisms in four clades, including two clades of green algae (Chlorophyta, Chlorophyceae Class, Chlamydomonadales and Chlorococcales families), one fungal clade, and one unknown eukaryote clade. In parallel, using the same approach, an analysis of the biodiversity present in the larval habitats was carried out. This present study demonstrated the feasibility of the barcoding approach to infer the natural diets of Anopheles gambiae larvae. Our analysis suggests that despite the wide range of microorganisms available in natural habitats, mosquito larvae fed on specific groups of algae. The novel tools developed from this study can be used to improve our understanding of the larval ecology of African malaria vectors and to facilitate the development of new mosquito control tools.
Miniaturized microstrip interlocked-coupled bandpass filters using folded quarter-wavelength resonators

In this paper, the miniaturized microstrip interlocked-coupled bandpass filters are proposed. With the proper utilization of folded quarter-wavelength stepped-impedance resonators, the occupied area of coupled-resonator pair may be reduced. In order to introduce two transmission zeros near the passband, an additional open-stub section is inserted between the low- and high-impedance lines of the resonators to facilitate the generation of cross- coupled path. Making good use of folded quarter-wavelength stepped-impedance resonators, the filters with reduced size and sharp passband selectivity are fabricated and carefully examined. Good agreement between measured and simulated results is observed.