Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal power-saving input covariance for MIMO wireless systems exploiting only channel spatial correlations

Most researches into multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna systems have aimed to determine the capacity-achieving input covariance given certain degree of channel state information (CSI) at the transmitter side. In practice, however, it is much preferred to find the input signal covariance that requires the least average transmit power to support a given rate based on only long-term channel information. In this paper, we analyze the characteristics of the optimal (in the sense of power-saving) input covariance for spatially correlated MIMO channels where only the long-term (slow-varying) channel spatial covariance information is available at the transmitter. Sufficient and necessary conditions of the optimal input covariance are derived. By considering the large-system regimes, we devise an efficient iterative algorithm to compute the asymptotic optimal power-saving input covariance. Remarkably, simulation results will demonstrate that the asymptotic solution is very effective in that it gives promising results even for MIMO systems with only a few antennas at the transmitter and the receiver.
Adolescents' Paternal Attachment and Internet Use

As children approach middle childhood and adolescence, the influence of fathers on children's behavior and development becomes more equivalent to that of mothers. The quality of father-child attachment operates as a stronger predictor of adolescents' cognitive and emotional development. During adolescence, symbolic communication by means of the Internet becomes increasingly more important than physical approximate-seeking behavior in infancy and childhood. Adolescents might regard the Internet as their new attachment figure or may seek new attachment figures through the Internet. This study was designed to address the impacts of father-adolescent attachment on adolescents' Internet use. Seven hundred twelve adolescent participants completed questionnaires to assess the associations among their paternal attachment, intensity of Internet use, and Internet services preference. The result revealed that alienation positively predicted pathological Internet use (PIU) directly and also indirectly mediated by leisure services preference. Trust predicted PIU negatively. These results help to provide parents and educators with guidance in adolescents' more appropriate Internet use.
T regulatory cells lacking CD25 are increased in MS during relapse

Dysregulation of inflammatory responses is considered to be a key element in autoreactive immune responses. T regulatory cells (Tregs) are important to maintain self-tolerance and the role of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Tregs in autoimmunity has been extensively investigated. Recently, it was shown that Tregs in systemic lupus erythematosus lacked CD25 but were biologically functional. These data warrants for further investigation of CD25− Tregs in human autoimmunity. We analyzed relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) patients by multicolor flow cytometry for the expression of CD3, CD4, IL2R (CD25), FoxP3, and the IL7R (CD127). Further, the level of Tregs was compared in remitting and relapsing patients and correlated with disease duration. Patients in relapse exhibited higher levels of FoxP3-positive Tregs lacking CD25 compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05), indicating that Tregs attempt to restrain immune activity during relapse. The proportion of Tregs tended to be decreased with disease duration, while CD25+CD4+ and CD25+CD8+ effector T-cell proportions were elevated and positively correlated with overall disease duration (p < 0.05). In conclusion, while MS patients in remission have normal levels of Tregs of different phenotype, relapsing patients show an increased proportion of systemic CD25− FoxP3+ Tregs. With time, the proportion of Tregs decrease while effector T cells expand.
Kallikrein-related Peptidase-8 (KLK8) Is an Active Serine Protease in Human Epidermis and Sweat and Is Involved in a Skin Barrier Proteolytic Cascade

Kallikrein-related peptidase-8 (KLK8) is a relatively uncharacterized epidermal protease. Although proposed to regulate skin-barrier desquamation and recovery, the catalytic activity of KLK8 was never demonstrated in human epidermis, and its regulators and targets remain unknown. Herein, we elucidated for the first time KLK8 activity in human non-palmoplantar stratum corneum and sweat ex vivo. The majority of stratum corneum and sweat KLK8 was catalytically active, displaying optimal activity at pH 8.5 and considerable activity at pH 5. We also showed that KLK8 is a keratinocyte-specific protease, not secreted by human melanocytes or dermal fibroblasts. KLK8 secretion increased significantly upon calcium induction of terminal keratinocyte differentiation, suggesting an active role for this protease in upper epidermis. Potential activators, regulators, and targets of KLK8 activity were identified by in vitro kinetic assays using pro-KLK8 and mature KLK8 recombinant proteins produced in Pichia pastoris. Mature KLK8 activity was enhanced by calcium and magnesium ions and attenuated by zinc ions and by autocleavage after Arg164. Upon screening KLK8 cleavage of a library of FRET-quenched peptides, trypsin-like specificity was observed with the highest preference for (R/K)(S/T)(A/V) at P1-P1′-P2′. We also demonstrated that KLK5 and lysyl endopeptidase activate latent pro-KLK8, whereas active KLK8 targets pro-KLK11, pro-KLK1, and LL-37 antimicrobial peptide activation in vitro. Together, our data identify KLK8 as a new active serine protease in human stratum corneum and sweat, and we propose regulators and targets that augment its involvement in a skin barrier proteolytic cascade. The implications of KLK8 elevation and hyperactivity in desquamatory and inflammatory skin disease conditions remain to be studied.
Evaluation of a newly developed quantitative heart-type fatty acid binding protein assay based on fluorescence immunochromatography using specific monoclonal antibodies

Objectives. To develop a rapid, sensitive and specific assay for quantification of serum heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) based on immunofluorescence of specific monoclonal antibodies. Design and Methods. We generated novel H-FABP-directed monoclonal antibodies by cloning of spleen cells of mice immunized with H-FABP. Epitopes were mapped and antigen affinity was assessed by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The H-FABP specific monoclonal antibodies were coupled to fluorescent beads and sprayed onto a nitrocellulose membrane facilitating quantification of H-FABP by immunofluorescence. Reagent cross-reactivity, interference resistance, accuracy and sensitivity were examined. A total of 103 clinical samples were used to compare the sensitivity and specificity of the new assay to a commercially available Randox kit. Results. This new assay could be finished within 15 min, with sensitivity reaching 1 ng/ml. In a trial of 103 clinical serum samples, the new testing kit results were highly correlated with those from the Randox kit (R2 = 0.9707). Using the Randox kit as the reference kit, the sensitivity of the new assay was 98.25%, and specificity was 100%. Conclusions. An immunofluorescence-based H-FABP assay employing novel monoclonal antibodies could rapidly, specifically and sensitively detect H-FABP in serum samples, providing an effective method for rapid clinical assessment of H-FABP index in the clinic.
Urotensin II Activates Sarcolemmal Na+/H+ Exchanger in Adult Rat Ventricular Myocytes

Objectives: Our aims in the present study were (1) to determine the effects of urotensin II (UT-II) on the sarcolemmal Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE1) activity, and (2) to investigate possible kinase pathways for UT-II-mediated NHE1 stimulation. Methods: In single rat ventricular myocytes (n = 5-10/group) loaded with the pH-sensitive fluoroprobe carboxy-seminaphthorhodafluor-1, acid efflux rates (JH) were determined as an index of NHE1 activity by rate of recovery of intracellular pH (pHi) from NH4Cl-induced acidosis and the intrinsic buffering power. Phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), a key kinase of NHE1 activation, was determined by Western blot analysis. Results: JH increased by 31%-71% relative to control in the presence of 100 nmol/L UT-II at pHi range of 6.6-7.0. Stimulation of NHE1 activity by UT-II was abolished by inhibitors of phospholipase C, protein kinase C, and ERK kinase; 2-nitro-4-carboxyphenil-N,N-diphenilcarbamate at 100 μmol/L, GF109203X at 300 nmol/L, and PD98059 at 50 μmol/L, respectively. Moreover, UT-II at 100 nmol/L produced a significant increase in cellular ERK1/2 phosphorylation, which was also inhibited by those inhibitors. Conclusions: Our study was the first to demonstrate that UT-II activates the cardiac sarcolemmal NHE1 and that the phenomenon may involve, at least in part, the phospholipase C-protein kinase C-ERK pathway.
SOME CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS OF MONOAMINE OXIDASE INHIBITORS IN UNANAESTHETIZED RATS

1. The effects of four monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors on the blood pressure of conscious normotensive and DOC‐salt hypertensive rats were measured. Harmaline (20 mg/kg p.o.), pargyline (100 mg/kg p.o.) and tranylcypromine (10 mg/kg p.o.) all lowered blood pressure significantly in both normotensive and hypertensive rats whereas methylaplysinopsin (10 mg/kg p.o.) had no effect on blood pressure.
Effects of Gas Flow Rate on Supply of Reactive Oxygen Species Into a Target Through Liquid Layer in Cold Plasma Jet

Understanding the mechanisms for the supply of reactive oxygen species (ROS) into a target through a thin liquid layer by cold plasma jets is essential in biomedical applications. In this paper, impacts of gas flow rate on ROS supply into the liquid bottom were investigated using a KI-starch reagent that can be employed as an ROS indicator even in liquids. ROS distribution visualized on the regent at the liquid bottom was discussed from the stand point of liquid flows induced by the plasma jet irradiation. In the cases of lower gas flow rates, ROS were dominantly transported into the liquid bottom by the plasma-induced linear flow going in the depth direction, and were radially distributed at the bottom. On the other hand, in the cases of higher gas flow rates, ROS were dominantly transported by the supplied-gas-induced vortex flow spreading in the radial direction, and doughnut-shaped ROS distribution patterns were observed at the liquid bottom. The ROS supply into a target through a liquid layer markedly depended on the magnitude relationship between two flows; the vortex flow and the linear flow.
The Effect of Groups II and III Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Activation on Neuronal Injury in a Rodent Model of Traumatic Brain Injury

OBJECTIVE The role of metabotropic glutamate receptor activation after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is not well understood. In vitro studies suggest that activation of Groups II and III metabotropic glutamate receptors may provide some degree of neuroprotection and may be potential targets for the development of therapeutic strategies. Thus, we examined the effects of Group II and Group III selective agonists on neuronal degeneration after in vivo TBI. METHODS Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to lateral fluid percussion brain injury immediately followed by an intracranial injection of 2-(2′,3′)-dicarboxycyclopropylglycine (DCG-IV) (Group II) or (R,S)-4-phosphonophenylglycine (Group III) in the CA2 and CA3 areas of the hippocampus. DCG-IV was injected at doses of 20 fmol, 100 fmol, and 500 fmol, and (R,S)-4-phosphonophenylglycine was injected at 8 nmol, 40 nmol, and 200 nmol. Vehicle injection control groups were used for comparison with each drug group. All animals were killed 24 hours after TBI was induced. Four 50-&mgr;m brain sections were obtained from each animal and stained for degenerating neurons with the fluorochrome Fluoro-Jade. Two independent, blinded investigators counted the number of degenerating (Fluoro-Jade-positive) neurons in the CA2 and CA3 areas of the hippocampus of each brain section. RESULTS Compared with vehicle, the 500-fmol dose of DCG-IV significantly reduced the number of Fluoro-Jade-positive degenerating neurons (P < 0.001). Lower doses of DCG-IV were associated with a decreased but not statistically significant number of Fluoro-Jade-positive neurons. In contrast, (R,S)-4-phosphonophenylglycine had no significant effect on the number of degenerating neurons. CONCLUSION Administration of selective Group II metabotropic glutamate receptor agonists protects neurons against in vivo TBI. These receptors may thus be a promising target for future neuroprotective drugs.
Lasing characteristics from optically-pumped ZnO nanocrystals for ultraviolet laser diode

The lasing characteristics of a single ZnO nanowire and nanosheet were investigated for an application to ultraviolet laser diode. ZnO nanowires and nanosheets were synthesized on a silicon substrate by a CVD method, and then those ZnO nanosheets were examined by a photoluminescence method with a third-harmonic Nd:YAG laser (355 nm, 5 ns). The observed emission spectra from both a single ZnO nanowire and nanosheet showed the obvious lasing characteristics having mode structure and a threshold for lasing which were measured to be 80 kW/cm2, and 47 kW/cm2. Those threshold would be low enough for lasing by an electrical pumping for ultraviolet laser diode.
TARGETED DELETION OF THE GP72 GENE DECREASES THE INFECTIVITY OF TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI FOR MICE AND INSECT VECTORS

The infective behavior of a mutant Trypanosoma cruzi clone, carrying a targeted deletion of the gp72 gene, was studied in the insect vector Triatoma infestans and in mice. After feeding T. infestans with complement-resistant forms (CRF) of Ynull and wild-type clones, it was observed that the number of parasites released in the bug's feces was reduced to less than 1% in the mutant clone. Both gp72-null and wild-type clones had a low infectivity for mice in comparison with other T. cruzi isolates, probably as a consequence of prolonged in vitro culture. Therefore, the behavior of both clones was tested in highly susceptible BALB suckling mice and immunodeficient athymic mice. After infecting the animals with 105 CRF, wild-type parasites could be detected in fresh blood mounts of most mice, but mutants were never found by this method. However, in 4 of 22 hemocultures from 11 athymic mice, gp72-null epimastigotes carrying the mutant phenotype were reisolated by day 29 of infection. Serological and polymerase chain reaction determinations performed on the blood of animals inoculated with the mutants indicated the possibility of temporary infections, which were extinguished after 90 days. The intact GP72 gene seems essential for sustaining latent infections in immunocompetent animals.
Inhibiting Uterine PC6 Blocks Embryo Implantation: An Obligatory Role for a Proprotein Convertase in Fertility1

Abstract Successful embryo implantation involves complex interactions between the embryo and the uterus and is critical in establishing pregnancy. Proprotein convertase (PC) 6 (PC6) is one of the PC endoproteases regulating protein function through posttranslational activation of precursor proteins, including growth and differentiation factors. Here we show that PC6 protein is induced in the uterine stromal cells specifically at the site of embryo attachment during early pregnancy in mice. In vivo blocking of uterine production of PC6 protein using morpholino antisense oligonucleotides in mice resulted in total inhibition of implantation, revealing a vital role for PC6 in modulating the uterus for embryo implantation. Studies in primates (rhesus monkey and human) showed a dramatic upregulation of endometrial PC6 during the phase of uterine receptivity and at implantation, particularly during a critical uterine cell differentiation process termed decidualization. Thus, the current studies have demonstrated that PC6 is an essential molecule in modulating uterine function to support the establishment of embryo implantation. Interestingly, PC6 is one of the PCs identified to be important in processing the coat protein of HIV; inhibition of PCs has been suggested to be an effective approach to reduce HIV transmission. We therefore propose the novel concept that PC6 could be a potential nonhormonal target in the female reproductive tract for dual protection for women, both in preventing pregnancy and reducing HIV infection.
The Teen Sleep Loss Epidemic: What Can Be Done?

Making sense of “expert advice” is among the many challenges of parenting. With the media circulating contrasting views on the importance of sleep in adolescence, parents and practitioners would benefit from an accessible synopsis of the scientific literature. We tackled the multifaceted issue of adolescent sleep and daytime functioning, presenting the findings with their methodological limitations. Given what is known about sleep in this population, we offer guidelines that are both realistic and substantiated in empirical findings. Our aim is to put into practice the science behind adolescent sleep.
Security Implications of Different Virtualization Approaches for Secure Cyber Architectures

Virtualization is increasingly being used as a component in designing secure cyber architectures. The proposed applications include strong isolation, monitoring, fault tolerance, execution replay, etc. However, there are various virtualization approaches which differ in their security implications, proper applications, overheads, requirements, and most importantly threat models. Firstly, virtualization solutions range from hardware assisted to completely software emulated. They can be further categorized by their abstraction level from hardware virtualization, to operating system level virtualization (containers), to application virtualization. Finally, they differ widely in the way they handle I/O; from having a separate I/O virtual machine (privileged partition) to hardware assisted I/O virtualization (IOMMU). In order to deploy the most effective virtualization approach when designing a secure cyber system, it is imperative to fully understand the benefits offered and the trade-offs involved in each method. In this work, we study the spectrum of virtualization modes and discuss their strengths, weaknesses, requirements, and threat models. For instance, lightweight paravirtualization with IOMMU can reduce the size of the trusted computing base (TCB) significantly which makes it a proper candidate for high assurance isolation and thin client applications. On the other hand, containers have the similar TCB size as a full blown operating system, but they preserve the semantic information lost in the lower level virtualizations which makes them suitable for replay and monitoring applications. Moreover, we identify several gaps combinations that have not been implemented yet, to the best of our knowledge which, if available, can be valuable for specific applications and assurance requirements.
Training-Free Fuzzy Logic Based Human Activity Recognition

The accuracy of training-based activity recognition depends on the training procedure and the extent to which the training dataset comprehensively represents the activity and its varieties. Additionally, training incurs substantial cost and effort in the process of collecting training data. To address these limitations, we have developed a training-free activity recognition approach based on a fuzzy logic algorithm that utilizes a generic activity model and an associated activity semantic knowledge. The approach is validated through experimentation with real activity datasets. Results show that the fuzzy logic based algorithms exhibit comparable or better accuracy than other trainingbased approaches. Keywords—Activity Semantic Knowledge, Fuzzy Logic, Human Activity Recognition, Multi-Layer Neural Network
A Simulated Annealing Global Maximum Power Point Tracking Approach for PV Modules Under Partial Shading Conditions

This paper proposes a simulated annealing (SA)-based global maximum power point tracking (GMPPT) technique designed for photovoltaic (PV) systems which experience partial shading conditions (PSC). The proposed technique is compared with the common perturb and observe MPPT technique and the particle swarm optimization method for GMPPT. The performance is assessed by considering the time taken to converge and the number of sample cases where the technique converges to the GMPP. Simulation results indicate the improved performance of the SA-based GMPPT algorithm, with arbitrarily selected parameters, in tracking to the global maxima in a multiple module PV system which experiences PSC. Experimental validation of the technique is presented based on PV modules that experience nonuniform environmental conditions. Additionally, studies regarding the influence of the key parameters of the SA-based algorithm are described. Simulation and experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed GMPPT method.
Study of Cu Migration-Induced Failure of Inter-Layer Dielectric

In order to reduce the RC delay problem, Cu interconnects are now widely used with low-k dielectrics. However, the migration of Cu into ILD (inter layer dielectrics) has been known as a major reliability concern under BTS (bias-temperature-stress) conditions. For the optimization of reliability of devices based on Cu interconnects with low-k dielectrics, theoretical and quantitative understanding of Cu migration induced dielectric breakdown mechanism is needed
Marital status and age at natural menopause: Considering pheromonal influence

Married women generally report a later mean age at menopause. The results reported here, from a study carried out in Greene County, New York, are no exception. Married and widowed women report a later mean age at natural menopause compared to single and divorced women (P < 0.05). To better understand the relationship between marital status and age at menopause, possible mechanistic and confounding variables are examined, in particular parity, sexual activity, smoking habits, level of education, and income. Parity and income 10 years prior to interview are significant factors, along with marital status, that explain part of the variation in age at natural menopause. An alternative explanation is the pheromonal influence of a male in the household. This would explain the consistency of results across populations. This pilot study supports further biochemical investigation. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 13:479–485, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impact of Azospirillum sp. B510 Inoculation on Rice-Associated Bacterial Communities in a Paddy Field

Rice seedlings were inoculated with Azospirillum sp. B510 and transplanted into a paddy field. Growth in terms of tiller numbers and shoot length was significantly increased by inoculation. Principal-coordinates analysis of rice bacterial communities using the 16S rRNA gene showed no overall change from B510 inoculation. However, the abundance of Veillonellaceae and Aurantimonas significantly increased in the base and shoots, respectively, of B510-inoculated plants. The abundance of Azospirillum did not differ between B510-inoculated and uninoculated plants (0.02–0.50%). These results indicate that the application of Azospirillum sp. B510 not only enhanced rice growth, but also affected minor rice-associated bacteria.