Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Field Measurements with a 5.25 GHz Broadband MIMO-OFDM Communication System

Theoretical capacity calculations and corresponding simulations show significant capacity/throughput gains from MIMO systems. Whether these gains are achievable in a real system, deployed in a practical environment, depends on a variety of factors, such as the choice of the communication algorithms, analog impairments and the "quality" of the wireless channel to sustain MEMO communications. In this paper, a 5.25 GHz broadband MIMO-OFDM testbed is described along with field measurements conducted with it. The MIMO-OFDM communication algorithms and also the impact of analog impairments on the performance of the system are described. Detailed system calibration results are described which serve as a baseline for results of field measurements. The results of wireless measurements are compared with the theoretical capacity, computed with the channel estimates obtained during the demodulation process. The average achievable capacity in the indoor wireless environment is shown to be 9.97 bps/Hz (bits per sec per Hz) while the capacity loss due to analog impairments and the choice of algorithms is about 2.33 bps/Hz. Also, field measurements conducted with the system in various environments are presented comparing the average throughput/capacity achieved in each of these environments.
Infliximab dose intensification in Crohn's disease

Background: Crohn's disease (CD) patients who lose response to infliximab may benefit from an increase in dose or decrease in interval between infusions. The aims of this study were to determine the proportion of CD patients who require dose intensification and factors associated with dose intensification. Methods: All CD patients who received at least 8 doses of infliximab at the University of Pittsburgh infusion center were included in an analysis to determine the need for dose intensification. Dose intensification was defined as either an increase in infliximab dose, a decrease in interval, or both. Factors were analyzed for association with dose intensification during follow‐up. Results: Between 2002 and 2005 there were 108 CD patients who received at least 8 infliximab doses. At 30 months from initial infusion, 69.1% were event‐free from an interval decrease, 48.5% from a dose increase, and 45.7% from any dose intensification. Of the 54 patients who received dose intensification, 75.9% were able to regain response and remained on infliximab. The 30‐month event‐free rates did not differ by whether the patient had received prior infliximab therapy (P = 0.49), had a lapse of more than 6 months between infusions (P = 0.75), or were on concomitant immunomodulators (P = 0.82). Conclusions: A significant proportion of CD patients on long‐term infliximab treatment lose response and require an increase in dose and/or decrease in infusion interval. The majority of these patients regain response with dose intensification. Every‐8‐week maintenance infusions and concomitant immunomodulators did not alter the rate of infliximab dose intensification.
On the Degrees of Freedom of Interference Broadcast Channels With Topological Interference Management

Topological interference management is the study of achievable rates within communication networks with no channel state information at the transmitter (CSIT) beyond knowledge of the network structure itself. In this work, we study the degrees of freedom (DoF) of a two-cell two-user-per-cell interference broadcast channel (IBC) with alternating connectivity and global topological interference management. The topological information allows transmitters to track the changing network topology and exploit the varying connectivity states to achieve a DoF gain. We derive novel DoF outer bounds for the two-cell two-user-per-cell IBC with alternating connectivity. This analysis is carried out for different system configurations, namely, single-input single-output (SISO), multiple-input single-output (MISO), and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. While global channel knowledge is always restricted to topological information only, we introduce a mixed CSIT setting where varying degrees of local CSIT availability are considered depending on the system configuration. Additionally, we investigate the achievability of the derived bounds and propose new transmission schemes based on joint coding across states. Results show that DoF higher than those conventionally obtained without global topological information are achievable, indicating that even such a minimal level of global CSIT is still highly useful.
Cerebral and Functional Aging: First Results on Prevalence and Incidence of the Paquid Cohort

Abstract: Paquid is an interdisciplinary study designed to investigate cerebral and functional aging. A cohort of 3,777 community residents living in two administrative areas of South-Western France was selected. A standardized questionnaire was administered at home by trained psychologists. The same procedure was applied one and three years after the baseline data collection. The identification of demented subjects was made with a two-step procedure. The first step is a systematic screening by the psychologists using the DSM-III criteria for dementia. Subjects who fulfilled the DSM-III criteria were examined by a neurologist. Diagnosis of dementia is confirmed according to the NINCDS-ADRDA criteria. The Paquid cohort is complemented by a random sample of 357 institutionalized subjects. First results of prevalence and incidence rates show an exponential increase of dementia with age.
High-Mobility Pentacene Organic Thin-Film Transistor with LaxNb(1–x)Oy Gate Dielectric Fabricated on Vacuum Tape

Pentacene organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) using La<sub><italic>x</italic></sub>Nb<sub>(1–<italic>x</italic>)</sub>O<sub><italic>y</italic></sub> as gate dielectric with <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${x}= \mathsf {1}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, 0.946, 0.850, and 0.648 have been fabricated on vacuum tape at a temperature of 200 °C. Among them, the OTFT with La<sub>0.850</sub>Nb<sub>0.150</sub>O<sub><italic>y</italic></sub> as gate dielectric has the highest carrier mobility of 4.63 cm<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{\mathsf {2}}\text{V}^{\mathsf {-1}}\text{s}^{\mathsf {-1}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, negligible hysteresis of −0.032 V, small subthreshold swing of 0.174 V/decade, and small threshold voltage of −1.90 V. AFM and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveal that Nb incorporation can alleviate the hygroscopicity of La oxide, resulting in a smoother dielectric surface. Pentacene grain size first increases with Nb content due to smoother dielectric surface, and then decreases due to Nb-induced traps acting as nucleation sites for the growth of pentacene grains on the dielectric surface. Therefore, there exists an optimal Nb content in La<sub><italic>x</italic></sub>Nb<sub>(1–<italic>x</italic>)</sub>O<sub><italic>y</italic></sub> that can result in the largest grain size and, hence, the highest carrier mobility.
Title Fast detection of covert visuospatial attention using hybrid N 2 pc and SSVEP features

Objective. Detecting the shift of covert visuospatial attention (CVSA) is vital for gazeindependent brain–computer interfaces (BCIs), which might be the only communication approach for severely disabled patients who cannot move their eyes. Although previous studies had demonstrated that it is feasible to use CVSA-related electroencephalography (EEG) features to control a BCI system, the communication speed remains very low. This study aims to improve the speed and accuracy of CVSA detection by fusing EEG features of N2pc and steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP). Approach. A new paradigm was designed to code the left and right CVSA with the N2pc and SSVEP features, which were then decoded by a classification strategy based on canonical correlation analysis. Eleven subjects were recruited to perform an offline experiment in this study. Temporal waves, amplitudes, and topographies for brain responses related to N2pc and SSVEP were analyzed. The classification accuracy derived from the hybrid EEG features (SSVEP and N2pc) was compared with those using the single EEG features (SSVEP or N2pc). Main results. The N2pc could be significantly enhanced under certain conditions of SSVEP modulations. The hybrid EEG features achieved significantly higher accuracy than the single features. It obtained an average accuracy of 72.9% by using a data length of 400 ms after the attention shift. Moreover, the average accuracy reached ∼80% (peak values above 90%) when using 2 s long data. Significance. The results indicate that the combination of N2pc and SSVEP is effective for fast detection of CVSA. The proposed method could be a promising approach for implementing a gaze-independent BCI.
Brief report: A pilot study evaluating mindfulness-based stress reduction and massage for the management of chronic pain

BACKGROUND: Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and massage may be useful adjunctive therapies for chronic musculoskeletal pain.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of studying MBSR and massage for the management of chronic pain and estimate their effects on pain and mood.DESIGN: Randomized trial comparing MBSR or massage with standard care.PARTICIPANTS: Thirty patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.MEASUREMENTS: Pain was assessed with 0 to 10 numeric rating scales. Physical and mental health status was measured with the SF-12.RESULTS: The study completion rate was 76.7%. At week 8, the massage group had average difference scores for pain unpleasantness of 2.9 and mental health status of 13.6 compared with 0.13 (P<.05) and 3.9 (P<.04), respectively, for the standard care group. These differences were no longer significant at week 12. There were no significant differences in the pain outcomes for the MBSR group. At week 12, the mean change in mental health status for the MBSR group was 10.2 compared with — 1.7 in the standard care group (P<.04). CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible to study MBSR and massage in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Mindfulness-based stress reduction may be more effective and longer-lasting for mood improvement while massage may be more effective for reducing pain.
Two Types of Calcium Channels in Single Smooth Muscle Cells From Rabbit Ear Artery Studied With Whole‐Cell and Single‐Channel Recordings

Freshly dispersed rabbit ear artery cells were studied using patch-clamp techniques to measure membrane currents in whole cells and single-channel currents in membrane patches. Whole-cell calcium currents recorded at physiologic extracellular calcium concentrations were small (~10 pA). Recordings with 110 mM external barium gave much larger currents and revealed two current components with properties similar to those in other vascular smooth muscle preparations and to the calcium currents designated as T and L in heart cells and neurons. T current was activated with weak depolarizations and inactivated rapidly, while L current was activated with relatively strong depolarizations and inactivated more slowly. L current was Increased by dihydropyridine agonists and decreased by dihydropyridine antagonists, while T current was unaffected. Recordings from cell-attached and outside-out membrane patches with 110 mM external barium showed unitary calcium channel currents with conductances of 8 and 25 pS. The small conductance channels had kinetic properties that accounted for T current in the whole-cell recordings, while the 25-pS channels showed the voltage dependence, the time dependence, and the dihydropyridine sensitivity expected for L-type channels. We conclude that vascular smooth muscle cells contain two types of calcium channels with properties very similar to those described for T- and L-type calcium channels in other cell types; the L current appears to be the predominant current component in whole-cell recordings.
Systolic array architecture for steerable multibeam VHF wave-digital RF apertures

A 2-D massively parallel, high throughput, systolic array for a spatio-temporal wave-digital filter (WDF) architecture is proposed. RF receive mode aperture beam personalities are achieved using 2-D fan filters with dynamically steerable passband directions and fan angles. The wave-digital realization results in low sensitivity of the far-field beam to errors in filter coefficients due to fixed-point effects in the digital arithmetic hardware. A fixed-point design of the systolic-array architecture that eliminates overflow errors is described. The architecture is implemented in FPGA-prototype form and tested using MATLAB Simulink with Xilinx EDA tools. The verified digital design is ported to CMOS standard-cell technology to obtain the area and power costs as well as the operational frequency. The 45 nm CMOS synthesis, placement, and routing show overflow free maximum frequency of operation of 131.02 MHz for 1-passband fan filter and an estimated power consumption of 450.30 mW at DC supply voltage 1.1 V indicating potential applications in the VHF range.
Drosophila Mitochondrial Transcription Factor B2 Regulates Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number and Transcription in Schneider Cells*

We report the cloning and molecular analysis of Drosophila mitochondrial transcription factor B2 (d-mt-TFB2), a protein that plays a role in mitochondrial transcription and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replication in Drosophila. An RNA interference (RNAi) construct was designed that reduces expression of d-mtTFB2 to 5% of its normal level in Schneider cells. RNAi knock-down of d-mtTFB2 reduces the abundance of specific mitochondrial RNA transcripts 2- to 8-fold and decreases the copy number of mtDNA ∼3-fold. In a corollary manner, we find that overexpression of d-mtTFB2 increases both the abundance of mitochondrial RNA transcripts and the copy number of mtDNA. In a comparative experiment, we find that overexpression of Drosophila mitochondrial transcription factor A (d-TFAM) increases mtDNA copy number with no significant effect on mitochondrial transcripts. This argues for a direct role for mtTFB2 in mitochondrial transcription and suggests that, if TFAM serves a role in transcription, its endogenous level limits mtDNA copy number but not transcription. Furthermore, we suggest that mtTFB2 increases mtDNA copy number by increasing the frequency of initiation of DNA replication, whereas TFAM serves to stabilize and package mtDNA in mitochondrial nucleoids. Our work represents the first study to document the function of mtTFB2 in vivo, establishing a dual role in regulation of both transcription and replication, and provides a benchmark for comparative biochemical studies in various animal systems.
Career Interruption and Productivity: Evidence from Major League Baseball during the Vietnam War Era

Can temporary shocks to training and early career experience permanently reduce productivity? Using detailed data on the careers and productivity of Major League Baseball players subject to the Vietnam War draft, we find that birth dates randomly drawn in the draft produce 19 percent fewer major league players. Players born on draft days who do make it to Major League Baseball produce 29 percent fewer wins than those born on nondraft days, a gap that is largest for the most productive players and persists as players age. In addition, the tendency of the draft to push men toward more schooling generates at least some of our results.
Sequential Monte Carlo Estimation of DSGE Models

The use of particle filters in the estimation of non-linear and/or non-normal DSGE models has focused on the evaluation of the likelihood function (see Fernandez-Villaverde and Rubio-Ramirez (2005)). Under this approach, Bayesian inference on fixed model parameters is carried out through hybrid algorithms that combine Markov chain Monte Carlo with embedded sequential Monte Carlo procedures for likelihood approximation. In this paper, we use full SMC methods to estimate non-linear DSGE models in an on-line fashion. SMC algorithms allow a simultaneous filtering of time-varying state vectors and estimation of fixed parameters. We first establish empirical feasibility of the full SMC approach by comparing estimation results from both MCMC batch estimation and SMC on-line estimationa on a simple neoclassical growth model. We then estimate a large scale DSGE model for the Euro area developed in Smets and Wouters (2003) with a full SMC approach, and revisit the on-going debate between the merits of reduced form and structural models in the macroeconomics context by performing sequential model assessment between the DSGE model and various VAR/BVAR models.
A Bioactive Hydrogel and 3D Printed Polycaprolactone System for Bone Tissue Engineering

In this study, a hybrid system consisting of 3D printed polycaprolactone (PCL) filled with hydrogel was developed as an application for reconstruction of long bone defects, which are innately difficult to repair due to large missing segments of bone. A 3D printed gyroid scaffold of PCL allowed a larger amount of hydrogel to be loaded within the scaffolds as compared to 3D printed mesh and honeycomb scaffolds of similar volumes and strut thicknesses. The hydrogel was a mixture of alginate, gelatin, and nano-hydroxyapatite, infiltrated with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) to enhance the osteoconductivity and biocompatibility of the system. Adhesion and viability of hMSC in the PCL/hydrogel system confirmed its cytocompatibility. Biomineralization tests in simulated body fluid (SBF) showed the nucleation and growth of apatite crystals, which confirmed the bioactivity of the PCL/hydrogel system. Moreover, dissolution studies, in SBF revealed a sustained dissolution of the hydrogel with time. Overall, the present study provides a new approach in bone tissue engineering to repair bone defects with a bioactive hybrid system consisting of a polymeric scaffold, hydrogel, and hMSC.
Do Price Dynamics Drive Musical Evolution?

Do lower input prices to creative production reduce output prices or do they increase product variety? We propose an evolutionary model connecting price dynamics in input markets to innovation and variety generation in output markets. Lower input prices may be competed away in market share dynamics, but they may also induce a fall in the opportunity cost of entrepreneurial experimentation, leading to increased variety in output markets. Increased variety in creative output markets (i.e. niche creation through conceptual revolution) is explained here as a consequence of the entrepreneurial opportunities due to falling input prices. This falling-input-price-induced niche proliferation mechanism is examined with price and genre data from the music industry. We find that falls in input prices do seem to correlate with music genre proliferation.
A View on VR-Enhanced Rehabilitation Robotics

Robot-assisted gait training can increase the duration and number of training sessions, whilst reducing the number of therapists required per patient. However, training can often be boring for the patient so that the training intensity is low. Furthermore, training is usually limited to a single modality, providing only force feedback to guide the movement. Virtual reality (VR) with multimodal displays has the chance to feedback performance information to the patient, augment the training with additional audiovisual features, thus, making the therapy more exciting and increasing patient motivation. In this paper we present results from the literature and preliminary results from our research about novel VR strategies applied to gait and arm therapy. Broad clinical testing is still required to determine its efficacy or effectiveness on patient motivation
Syntheses of N-alkyl-N-(hydroxy- or oxo-alkyl) nitrosamines related to N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitroamine, a potent bladder carcinogen.

Nineteen N-alkyl-N-(hydroxy- or oxo-alkyl) nitrosamines structurally related to N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine, a potent bladder carcinogen, were synthesized for the purpose of investigating their carcinogenic effects in rats. They are N-alkyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamines, N-alkyl-(3-hydroxypropyl)-nitrosamines, N-alkyl-N-(2-hydroxyalkyl) nitrosamines, and N-alkyl-N-(2- or 3-oxoalkyl) nitrosamines. They were mostly prepared by the nitrosation of the corresponding N-alkyl-N-(hydroxyalkyl) amines. The nitrosamines with an oxo group were prepared by chromium trioxide oxidation of the corresponding N-alkyl-N-(hydroxyalkyl) nitrosamines with a secondary hydroxyl group.
Development of Conceptual Link between Servant Leadership & Employee Subjective Well-being

In recent years, Subjective Well-Being (SWB) of employees has turned out to be a major concern for majority of organizations. Similarly, the concern for follower-centric leadership has also been emerged. Servant leadership is a new concept that has gained increased attention of the scholars. As, the concept of servant leadership is based on promoting the employees wellbeing and in provision of services to employees, thus, it is expected that certain characteristics of servant leadership might impact SWB constructively. The objective of this study is to develop a conceptual link between servant leadership and employee subjective well-being. The literature review from past 1969-2014 has been done and conceptual framework has been presented. Furthermore, some propositions have also been postulated. The study indicate that empirical researches can be conducted further in future to validate these propositions.
Cell invasion and IL‐8 production pathways initiated by YadA of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis require common signalling molecules (FAK, c‐Src, Ras) and distinct cell factors

The YadA protein of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis promotes tight adhesion and invasion into mammalian cells through β1‐integrins. In this work, we demonstrate that YadA also triggers the production of interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) in host cells and we identify intracellular signal transduction mechanisms involved in YadA‐initiated cell invasion and/or IL‐8 synthesis. Tyrosine protein kinases, including the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and c‐Src, as well as the small GTPase Ras, were shown to play a significant role in both YadA‐promoted cell processes. YadA‐mediated cell contact led to autophosphorylation of FAK at position Tyr397 and induced GTP‐loading of Ras. Furthermore, IL‐8 production and invasion induced by YadA were strongly reduced in FAK‐ and c‐Src‐deficient cells and in cells overexpressing dominant interfering forms of FAK, c‐Src or Ras. We also demonstrate that YadA activates the Ras‐dependent Raf–MEK1/2–ERK1/2 pathway and mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) p38 and JNK. Moreover, inhibition of ERK1/2 by pharmacological agents or overexpression of dominant negative FAK, c‐Src or Ras abrogated IL‐8 release, whereas invasion remained unaffected. In contrast, actin polymerization and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) activity is essential for YadA‐promoted cell entry, but not for cytokine secretion. We conclude that YadA triggers FAK–Src complex formation and subsequent Ras activation, which leads to the stimulation of MAPKs‐dependent IL‐8 production or to PI3K‐dependent invasion.
Specific interactions between transcription factors and the promoter-regulatory region of the human cytomegalovirus major immediate-early gene

Repeat sequence motifs as well as unique sequences between nucleotides -150 and -22 of the human cytomegalovirus immediate-early 1 gene interact in vitro with nuclear proteins. We show that a transcriptional element between nucleotides -91 and -65 stimulated promoter activity in vivo and in vitro by binding specific cellular transcription factors. Finally, a common sequence motif, (T)TGG/AC, present in 15 of the determined binding sites suggests a particular class of nuclear factors associated with the immediate-early 1 gene.