Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Power Control in D2D Underlay Massive MIMO Systems with Pilot Reuse

This paper studies pilot reuse and data transmit power control in a D2D underlay massive MIMO system over fading channels. In order to reduce the length of pilots, we propose to reuse a set of orthogonal pilots among DUEs, and the graph coloring based pilot allocation (GCPA) algorithm is utilized to allocate pilots to DUEs. Linear minimum mean square error (LMMSE) filters are used for signal detection. We then derive the lower bound of D2D links' average signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), and formulate a power control problem to minimize D2D links' data transmit power under the target SINR constraints. An iterative method converging to the unique optimal solution is proposed. Simulation results show that the analytical lower bound of the average SINR closely matches the simulated average SINR. What's more, pilot resources can be saved greatly by pilot reuse, and the effect of pilot contamination to the system can be almost neglected by allocating proper number of pilots to DUEs and applying GCPA algorithm.
A ` ` Virtual Microscope ' ' Surgeon Interface in Computer-Assisted Laser Microsurgeries

The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7Challenge 2 Cognitive Systems, Interaction, Robotics under grant agreement uRALP 288233. A ``Virtual Microscope'' Surgeon Interface in Computer-Assisted Laser Microsurgeries Nikhil Deshpande, Jesús Ortiz, Leonardo S. Mattos, and Darwin G. Caldwell Department of Advanced Robotics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy nikhil.deshpande@iit.it
A Comparison of Three Methods with Implicit Features for Automatic Identification of P 300 s in a BCI

When using a pattern recognition technique to classify signals, a common practice is to define a set of features to be extracted and, possibly after feature selection/projection, to use a learning machine in the resulting feature space for classification. However it is not always easy to devise the “right” set of features for a given problem, and the resulting classifier might turn out to be suboptimal because of this, especially in presence of noise or incomplete knowledge of the phenomenon. In this paper we present an off-line comparison of three methods (genetic algorithm, time-delay neural network, support vector machines) that leverage different ideas to handle features; we apply them to the recognition of the P300 potential in an EEG-based brain-computer interface. They all performed good, with the genetic algorithm being slightly better.
The incidence of cystic fibrosis (CF) mutations among patients from Croatia

To the Editor: Because of the variable distribution of mutations in CFTR in the world, there is a need to characterise the spectrum of mutations in different countries, which enables the establishment of appropriate population genetic screening and diagnostic programmes. The only mutation studied so far among patients from Croatia is DF508 (1). Its low frequency forced us to expand our research to include 15 more mutations to gain insight into the frequency of occurrence of mutations that lead to the development of cystic fibrosis (CF). We have studied blood samples (obtained from the Children’s Hospital of Zagreb) of 30 CF patients from unrelated Croatian families. After DNA isolation (2), we screened the samples for the 16 most common CFTR mutations: DF508, DI507 [heteroduplex analysis (3)] G542X, G551D, W1282X, N1303K, 3849+10kbCT, R553X, 621+1GT, R1162X, 1717-1GA, 2789+ 5GA, 3849+4AG, 1898+1GA, R117H [restriction fragment length polymorphism, (4–7)] and 3905insT [single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis (8)]. In samples where at least one CF chromosome was not identified by this screening, additional testing of whole exons 3, 7, 10, 11, 13, 19, 20 and part of exon 4 (453–654 nt) was performed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (9–11). The presence of six different mutations was observed on 60 CF chromosomes: DF508, G542X, 1717-1GA, R117H, N1303K and R1162X (Table 1). Because only 81.6% of mutated alleles were identified with this screening, additional screening of exons 3, 4, 7, 10, 11, 13, 19 and 20 was performed. One rare mutation, G85E, in exon 3 was detected in 2 members of the same family. One was a patient (complex heterozygous, DF508/ G85E) and the other was a carrier (G85E/wt) (Table 1). Clinical features of the patients, as well as CF genotype frequency, are presented in Table 2. The most common CFTR mutation among Croatian CF patients was DF508 (65.0%). This corresponds to the reported average (50–70%) frequency of DF508 in the south-eastern European region and particularly in countries adjacent to Croatia: Slovenia (68.6%) and Hungary (64.0%) (9, 12, 13). The second most common mutation among Croatian CF patients was G542X with a relative frequency of 5.0%. This mutation is common in the Mediterranean region: Spain (8%); Italy (4.3%); Republic of Macedonia (3.6%) (14–16). The frequency of mutation G542X in two neighbouring countries was, however, lower: Slovenia (3.3%) (17) and Hungary (2.4%) (12, 18). The mutations N1303K, 1717-1GA and R117H were represented with the same frequency of 3.3%. Mutation N1303K is relatively common in Italy (4.0%) and the Czech Republic (3.1%) (14, 16), with a lower frequency in Hungary (1.2%) and the Republic of Macedonia (1.8%), while in Slovenia, it appears with a frequency of 0.5% (personal communication) (13, 15).
Impact of A118G Polymorphism on the Mu Opioid Receptor Function in Pain

Mu Opioid Receptor (MOR) activation by exogenous or endogenous agonists causes reduction of pain threshold after a noxious stimulus, relieving pain sensation. MOR is encoded by OPRM1 gene and its messenger RNA suffers extensible modifications by alternative splicing and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). A118G (N40D) is the most frequent encoding MOR SNP in humans. In this review we discuss the impact of this polymorphism at molecular, cellular and clinical levels. Since some SNPs are unequally distributed among human populations, we also discuss the utility of A118G as an ethnicity marker among worldwide human populations. As an example, we evaluate A118G frequency in an Argentinean human population and compare it with worldwide frequencies extracted from HapMap database.
3 Nonequilibrium Plasma Aerodynamics

Currently, the problem of flow active control by low-temperature plasma is considered to be one of the most booming realms of aerodynamics [Bletzinger et al, 2005, Moreau, 2007]. One of the main practical advantages of plasma-assisted flow control is its zero reaction time. This, in principle, provides control over a wide range of frequencies as well as covering a wide range of processes beginning from stationary to separated and turbulent flows. Two other important advantages of plasma systems are their low weights and sizes. If combined with relatively low energy consumption, the features allow the possibility of principally developing new systems of flight control at high velocities [Nikipelov, 2009]. Promising applications of plasma systems to control flow involve the management of laminar-to-turbulent transition in the boundary layer, the management of flow detachment or attachment to the surface, and the resultant management of lift and drag force of an airfoil. This also provides management of noise and vibrations, and control of shock wave patterns as well as their interactions with the boundary layer. One of the first attempts of flow control using nonequilibrium plasma was performed more than 40 years ago [Mhitaryan et al, 1964]. The authors investigated the flow separation control by surface dielectric barrier discharge with sinusoidal high-voltage power supply in the frequency range f = 50 – 570 Hz. Figure 1 shows the scheme of the experimental installation [Mhitaryan et al, 1964]. The authors [Mhitaryan et al, 1961, 1964] demonstrated up to 30% drag force decrease and 40% lift force increase for airfoil with 460 mm chord length (AoA = 80), thickness of 13% and flap length 30% (AoA = 430) of the chord in velocity range from 8.75 to 20.4 m/s.
On Open/Closed String Duality

It was recently shown, using the AdS/CFT correspondence, that the low energy effective action of a large $N$ open string theory satisfies a holographic RG flow equation closely related to the Hamilton-Jacobi equation of 5-d supergravity. In this paper we re-obtain the same flow equation in the dual regime of small 't Hooft coupling $\lambda\ll 1$. Our derivation makes use of the conformal equivalence between planar open string diagrams and closed string tree diagrams. This equivalence can be viewed as a microscopic explanation of the open/closed string duality that underlies the AdS/CFT correspondence.
Response to Letter to the Editor by Eisenach and Yaksh on “Successful Pain Management with Epidural Oxytocin”

Response to Ethical concerns regarding human study, We are grateful to Eisenach and Yaksh for their interest on our work [1]. Regarding their letter published in this issue [2], we have well noted their feedback and have some concerns with their comments. First, we are in agreement in the awareness that in humans exposed to a novel or experimental treatment, researchers need to carefully attend the international and local ethic guidelines and rules of experimentation. For us, this is the case (we have the approval of our IRB, and we have the informed consent of the patients) and we are following those guidelines to continue with our scientific work. In addition, we (and all Editorials Boards) need to understand that in each case, the guidelines also should take into account all the circumstances in which a new treatment could improve a pathological state. Indeed, as stated by Elger and Hoppe [3], “the treatment does not follow a study protocol and if the patient provided informed consent, the physician is not only allowed, but obligated to apply approved (labeled and off-labeled) therapy. ” In addition, we followed the four principles of Beauchamp and Childress, which indicate that patient–practitioner relationship should be guided by (1) autonomy, (2) beneficence, (3) nonmaleficence, and (4) justice [4]. Second, as you noticed in our report, although the patients had an adequate level of analgesia with the morphine plus ropivacaine regime, their quality of life was poor, and consequently, it is necessary to keep in mind that analgesia is not the unique factor when quality of life is evaluated. With the standard treatment (morphine plus ropivacaine), our patients presented a poor state of alertness and interaction with their relatives; in addition, the patients started to present serious side effects such as respiratory depression. In this context, it is important to point out that oxytocin was administered to cancer patients in their terminal state, with a short life expectancy. Significantly, epidural administration of oxytocin plus ropivacaine gave our patients the same level of analgesia and additionally a better level of consciousness that allowed them to interact in a normal way with their relatives. We think that offering such outcome to a terminal patient is not only ethical but a priority.
A New User Authentication Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks Using Elliptic Curves Cryptography

User authentication in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is a critical security issue due to their unattended and hostile deployment in the field. Since sensor nodes are equipped with limited computing power, storage, and communication modules, authenticating remote users in such resource-constrained environments is a paramount security concern. To overcome the weaknesses of Yeh et al.'s protocol, we proposed a new authentication protocol for wireless sensor networks using elliptic curves cryptography. The comparisons show that our protocol is more suitable for WSNs.
BMI and all-cause mortality among Chinese and Caucasians: the People's Republic of China and the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Studies.

BACKGROUND Lower ethnic-specific body mass index (BMI) cutpoints have been proposed for Asians and adapted in some countries. However, to our knowledge, no study has directly compared Asians to other ethnic groups to test differences in associations between BMI and all-cause mortality using common methods. OBJECTIVES We estimated the association between BMI and all-cause mortality in Chinese Asians and Caucasian Americans to determine if lower Asian-specific BMI cutpoints are warranted. METHODS Extant data of the People's Republic of China Study (1983-1997) including 5546 Chinese and the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (1987-2002) including 9932 Caucasians aged 45-64 years at baseline were used. All analyses were performed using Cox proportional regression models. RESULTS Standardized mortality rates were 6.88 (95% confidence interval (CI): 5.75-8.24) and 5.50 (95% CI: 4.74-6.39) per 1000 person-years for Chinese and Caucasians, respectively. Standardized mortality probabilities by age 70 were similar across all BMI categories among Chinese. Furthermore, the probabilities were similar to those among Caucasians with BMI of 27.5-<32.5 kg/m2. The BMI associated with lowest mortality risk was almost identical between Chinese (25.1 kg/m2) and Caucasians (25.2 kg/m2). The analysis of categorical BMI did not reveal an increased mortality risk at any BMI category among Chinese. In contrast, compared to those with a BMI of 23.0-<25.0 kg/m2, risk was elevated by 35% among Caucasians with a BMI of 30.0-<32.5 kg/m2. CONCLUSIONS These findings do not support different BMI cutpoints for Chinese than Caucasians on the basis of mortality rates.
Evidence That Osteogenic Progenitor Cells in the Human Tunica Albuginea May Originate from Stem Cells: Implications for Peyronie Disease1

Abstract Tissue ossification in Peyronie disease (commonly known as Peyronie's disease [PD]), a localized fibrotic lesion within the tunica albuginea (TA) of the penis, may result from osteogenic differentiation of fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, and/or adult stem cells in the TA, and may be triggered by chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and profibrotic factors like transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1). In this study, we have investigated whether cultures of cells from normal TA and PD plaques undergo osteogenesis, express markers for stem cells, and originate other cell lineages via processes modulated by TGFB1. We found that TA and PD cells in osteogenic medium (OM) expressed osteogenic markers, alkaline phosphatase, and osteopontin and underwent calcification. PD cells, but not TA cells, formed foci in soft agar that were positive for alkaline phosphatase and calcification and expressed the mRNAs for osteoblast-specific factors pleiotrophin and periostin and bone morphogenic protein 2. Both cultures expressed stem cell marker CD34 antigen but not protein tyrosine phosphatase, receptor type c. TA and PD cells expressed smooth-muscle cell markers smoothelin and transgelin. None of the cultures underwent adipogenesis in adipogenic medium. Incubation with TGFB1 increased osteogenesis and myofibroblast differentiation and reduced CD34 antigen expression in both cultures. TA and PD cells modulated the differentiation of the multipotent C3H 10T(1/2) cells in dual cultures, into osteoblasts and myofibroblasts. In conclusion, both TA and PD cultures contain cells, presumably stem cells, that undergo osteogenic and myofibroblast differentiation, and may induce these processes by paracrine interactions. This may explain progression of fibrosis in the PD plaque and its eventual calcification.
Neuronal A1 receptors mediate increase in extracellular kynurenic acid after local intrastriatal adenosine infusion

The naturally occurring purine nucleoside adenosine has pronounced anticonvulsant and neuroprotective properties and plays a neuromodulatory role in the CNS. Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is an astrocyte‐derived, endogenous neuroinhibitory compound, which shares several of adenosine's properties. In a first attempt to examine possible interactions between these two biologically active molecules, adenosine was focally applied into the striatum of freely moving rats by reverse microdialysis, and changes in extracellular KYNA were monitored over time. A 2‐h infusion of adenosine increased KYNA levels in a dose‐dependent manner, with 10 mm of adenosine causing a twofold elevation within 1 h. This effect was reversible and was effectively blocked by coinfusion of the specific A1 adenosine receptor antagonist 8‐cyclopentyltheophylline (100 µm). In contrast, coinfusion of adenosine with MSX‐3 (100 µm), an A2A receptor antagonist, did not affect the adenosine‐induced increase in KYNA levels. Local striatal perfusion with the A1 receptor agonist N6‐cyclopentyladenosine (100 µm) mimicked the effect of adenosine, whereas perfusion with the A2A receptor agonist CGS‐21680 (100 µm) was ineffective. Finally, we tested the effect of adenosine (10 mm) on extracellular KYNA in striata that had been injected with quinolinate (60 nmol/1 µL) 7 days earlier. In this neuron‐depleted tissue, perfusion with adenosine failed to affect extracellular KYNA levels. These data demonstrate that adenosine is capable of raising extracellular KYNA in the rat striatum by interacting with postsynaptic neuronal A1 receptors. This mechanism may result in a synergism between the neurobiological effects of adenosine and KYNA.
A System Dynamics Model for the Environment Management of Eco-Industrial Park

As industrial chain is important for the sustainability of an eco-industrial system, we formulate a system dynamic model emphasizing on importance of industrial chain. Taking machine manufacturing industry of Xuzhou Economic Development Zone for example, a system dynamic model including 6 flows (population, material, capital, technology, water, energy) is designed. By sensitivity analysis 3 sensitive parameters including technological investment ratio, network association degree, and diversity index are identified as sensitive parameters. Corresponding scenarios are simulated and suggestions on the sustainable development of the economic development are given.
MHC II molecules and invariant chain reside in membranes distinct from conventional lipid rafts

Major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) peptide complexes can associate with lipid rafts, and this is a prerequisite for their recruitment to the immunological synapse and for efficient T cell stimulation. One of the most often used criterion for raft association is the resistance to extraction by the detergent Triton X‐100 (TX‐100) at low temperature. For MHC II, a variety of detergents have been used under different conditions, leading to variable and often conflicting conclusions about the association of MHC II with detergent‐resistant membranes (DRMs). To clarify whether these inconsistencies were caused by variations in the isolation protocols or reflect different biochemical properties of MHC II lipid complexes, we used two standardized procedures for the isolation of membranes resistant to TX‐100, 3‐[(3‐cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]‐1‐propanesulfonate (CHAPS), or Brij 98. Our results suggest that some of the reported variations in the association of MHC II with DRMs are caused by differences in the methods. We also show that in our hands, specific and efficient flotation of MHC II and the MHC II‐associated invariant chain from mouse B‐lymphoma cells was only achieved with Brij 98, but not with TX‐100 and CHAPS. We furthermore used DRMs prepared from hen egg lysozyme‐fed B‐lymphoma cells to activate the T cell hybridoma 3A9. In agreement with our biochemical data, T cell activation could only be achieved with Brij 98‐ but not with TX‐100‐resistant membranes. Thus, MHC II and also the invariant chain belong to a set of proteins comprising the T cell receptor, prominin, and the prion protein, which reside in membrane environments distinct from conventional lipid rafts.
Results of surgical treatment of T 4 non-small cell lung cancer

Objective: Because of location and invasion of surrounding structures, the role of surgical treatment for T4 tumors remains unclear. Extended resections carry a high mortality and should be restricted for selected patients. This study clarifies the selection process in nonsmall cell T4 tumors with invasion of the mediastinum, recurrent nerve, heart, great vessels, trachea, esophagus, vertebral body, and carina, or with malignant pleural effusion. Methods: From 1977 through 1993, 89 patients underwent resection for primary non-small cell T4 carcinomas. Resection was regarded as complete in 34 patients (38.2%) and incomplete in 55 patients (61.8%). Actuarial survival time was calculated and risk factors for late death were identified. Results: Overall hospital mortality was 19.1% (n 1⁄4 17). Mean 5-year survival was 23.6% for all hospital survivors, 46.2% for patients with complete resection and 10.9% for patients with incomplete resection (P 1⁄4 0:0009). In patients with complete resection, mean 5-year survival for patients with invasion of great vessels was 35.7%, whereas mean 5-year survival for invasion of other structures was 58.3% (P 1⁄4 0:05). Age, mediastinal lymph node involvement, type of operative procedure, and postoperative radiotherapy did not significantly influence survival. Conclusion: In certain T4 tumors complete resection is possible, resulting in good mean 5-year survival especially for tumors with invasion of the trachea or carina. High hospital mortality makes careful patient selection imperative. q 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
A New Method Applied to Gene Mapping

In gene mapping of complex traits, classical association approaches, including the standard chi-squared statistics or logistic regression methods, have been used to find susceptibility genes with modest effects. A novel statistical method, recursive partitioning, has recently been introduced in association studies. We use this new method to assess association between the human leukocyte antigen system (HLA) and an autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis (MS). In particular, we model the association between HLA class II loci and MS using recursive partitioning and then model the association between HLA class I loci and MS, controlling for class II loci, using logistic regression. We have access to genotype data on 3174 MS patients and healthy controls from the Swedish and Norwegian populations. Our results differ slightly from previous studies that use logistic regression exclusively on the same data. ∗Postal address: Mathematical Statistics, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Sweden. E-mail: beiyang 2000@hotmail.com Supervisor: Juni Palmgren