Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Theoretical analysis of handover failure and ping-pong rates for heterogeneous networks

In this paper, we characterize the relation between handover failure and ping-pong rates in a 3GPP heterogeneous network scenario as a function of relevant system parameters such as time-to-trigger, user equipment velocity, range expansion bias, etc. Under the assumptions that the picocell coverage and radio link failure areas are circular regions, and that users follow linear trajectories, handover failure and ping-pong rates are derived in closed-form expressions. Simulation results verify the accuracy of our analytical derivations, which shed new light on key aspects of the handover process in a heterogeneous network.
A Short Sequence within Domain C of Duck Carboxypeptidase D Is Critical for Duck Hepatitis B Virus Binding and Determines Host Specificity

ABSTRACT Virus-cell surface receptor interactions are of major interest. Hepadnaviruses are a family of partially double-stranded DNA viruses with liver tropism and a narrow host range of susceptibility to infection. At least in the case of duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV), host specificity seems controlled partly at the receptor level. The middle portion in the pre-S region of the viral large envelope protein binds specifically to duck carboxypeptidase D (DCPD) but not to its human or chicken homologue. Although domain C of DCPD is implicated in ligand binding, the exact pre-S contact site remains to be determined. We prepared and tested a panel of chimeric constructs consisting of DCPD and human carboxypeptidase D (HCPD). Our results indicate that a short region at the N terminus of domain C (residues 920 to 949) is critical to DHBV binding and is a major determinant for the host specificity of DHBV infection. Replacing this region of the DCPD molecule with its human homologue abolished the DHBV interaction, whereas introducing this DCPD sequence into HCPD conferred efficient DHBV binding. Extensive analysis of site-directed mutants revealed that both conserved and nonconserved residues were important for the pre-S interaction. There were primary sequence variations and secondary structural differences that contributed to the inability of HCPD to bind the DHBV pre-S domain.
Phenomenology of mania: evidence for distinct depressed, dysphoric, and euphoric presentations.

OBJECTIVE A substantial number of manic episodes include conspicuous depressive symptoms. Manic episodes have been clinically classified a posteriori using preset criteria. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility that there might be a natural division of manic episodes into clinical types. METHOD One hundred and five inpatients met Research Diagnostic Criteria and DSM-III-R criteria for manic episodes and were rated before institution of pharmacological treatment. The authors conducted a factor analysis of 37 behavior rating items from the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia. The resulting factors were used as independent variables in a cluster analysis of the patients. RESULTS This analysis revealed four factors corresponding to manic activation, depressed state, sleep disturbance, and irritability/paranoia. Cluster analysis separated the patients into two groups. One included patients with major depressive disorder and mania. Blind, a priori clinical classification into classic and mixed mania (mania plus depression) showed that all of the patients in the depressed cluster, and about 40% of those in the nondepressed cluster, were in a mixed state according to clinical criteria. Comparison of the clinically mixed and nonmixed patients in the nondepressed cluster revealed that the mixed patients in that cluster had higher scores for items related to anger, worry, dysphoria, and irritability. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that manic episodes can be naturalistically classified as classic (predominately euphoric), dysphoric, or depressed.
Annuities and Other Retirement Products: Designing the Payout Phase

This book examines recent changes in the landscape of retirement products and annuity markets in five countries. All the selected countries (Australia, Chile, Denmark, Sweden, and Switzerland) have mandatory or quasi-mandatory savings schemes. But they also exhibit significant differences in the structure of their pension systems, the relative importance of public pillars, the role and structure of private provision, the level of annuitization, and the structure and focus of their regulatory frameworks. Five studies have been commissioned to examine the state of annuity markets in each of these countries. The findings of these studies are summarized in the last five chapters of this book. The chapters of this book is discusses the various risks faced by pensioners and the risk characteristics of alternative retirement products, and it reviews the risks faced by providers of retirement products and the management and regulatory challenges of dealing with those risks. The chapter then discusses the risks faced by providers and reviews the challenges of various regulatory issues, ranging from the institutional organization of the market for retirement products to the regulation of marketing and pricing policies and the regulation of risk management. The chapter concludes with a brief summary of main points and conclusions.
Poly‐(L‐alanine) expansions form core β‐sheets that nucleate amyloid assembly

Expansion to a total of 11–17 sequential alanine residues from the normal number of 10 in the polyadenine‐binding protein nuclear‐1 (PABPN1) results in formation of intranuclear, fibrillar inclusions in skeletal muscle and hypothalamic neurons in adult‐onset, dominantly inherited oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD). To understand the role that homopolymeric length may play in the protein misfolding that leads to the inclusions, we analyzed the self‐assembly of synthetic poly‐(L‐alanine) peptides having 3–20 residues. We found that the conformational transition and structure of polyalanine (polyAla) assemblies in solution are not only length‐dependent but also are determined by concentration, temperature, and incubation time. No β‐sheet complex was detected for those peptides characterized by n < 8, where n is number of alanine residues. A second group of peptides with 7 < n < 15 showed varying levels of complex formation, while for those peptides having n > 15, the interconversion process from the monomeric to the β‐sheet complex was complete under any of the tested experimental conditions. Unlike the typical tinctorial properties of amyloid fibrils, polyalanine fibrils did not show fluorescence with thioflavin T or apple‐green birefringence with Congo red; however, like amyloid, X‐ray diffraction showed that the peptide chains in these fibrils were oriented normal to the fibril axis (i.e., in the cross‐β arrangement). Neighboring β‐sheets are quarter‐staggered in the hydrogen‐bonding direction such that the alanine side‐chains were closely packed in the intersheet space. Strong van der Waals contacts between side‐chains in this arrangement likely account for the high stability of the macromolecular fibrillar complex in solution over a wide range of temperature (5–85°C), and pH (2–10.5), and its resistance to denaturant (< 8 M urea) and to proteases (protease K, trypsin). We postulate that a similar stabilization of an expanded polyalanine stretch could form a core β‐sheet structure that mediates the intermolecular association of mutant proteins into fibrillar inclusions in human pathologies. Proteins 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Vitamin D intake, serum Vitamin D levels, and risk of gastric cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: We are aware of no systematic review or meta-analysis of published findings about the association between Vitamin D status and risk of gastric cancer (GC). We systematically reviewed the current evidence on the association between Vitamin D intake as well as serum 25-hydroxy Vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and risk of GC. Materials and Methods: Published evidence in this area was searched to August 2014 through the use of ISI Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed/Medline, Ovid Database, EMBASE, and Google Scholar for relevant articles by cross-referencing. Seven articles had reported odds ratios (ORs) or relative risks (RR) as their effect size; four papers had reported the ORs between Vitamin D intake and GC; and three papers had reported the association between serum 25(OH)D and risk of GC. Results: Pooled effect size for comparison of highest versus lowest intakes of Vitamin D was 1.09 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.94, 1.25; P = 0.26) indicating no significant association between Vitamin D intake and risk of GC. We failed to find a significant association between serum Vitamin D levels and risk of GC (OR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.74-1.14; P = 0.429). Among men, the pooled effect size or highest versus lowest category of serum Vitamin D levels was 0.92 (95% CI: 0.71, 1.18, P = 0.49). The corresponding figures in women were 1.04 and 95% CI: 0.74-1.47 (P = 0.80). Conclusion: We found no evidence for the significant association between Vitamin D status and risk of GC. However, due to limited data in this field, further studies are required to reach a definite conclusion.
Stochastic Adaptive Dynamics of a Simple Market as a Non-Stationary Multi-Armed Bandit Problem

We develop a dynamic monopoly pricing model as a non-stationary multi-armed bandit problem. At each time, the monopolist chooses a price in a finite set and each customer decides stochastically but independently to visit or not his store. Each customer is characterized by two parameters, an ability-to-pay and a probability to visit. Our problem is non-stationary for the monopolist because each customer modifies his probability with experience. We define an ex-ante optimal price for our problem and then look at two different ways of learning this optimal price. In the first part, assuming the monopolist knows everything but the ability-topay, we suggest a simple counting rule based on purchase behavior which allows him to obtain enough information to compute the optimal price. In the second part, assuming no particular knowledge, we consider the case in which the monopolist uses an adaptive stochastic algorithm. When learning is easy (difficult), our simulations suggest that the monopolist (does not) choose the optimal price on each sample path.
Being First Matters: Topographical Representational Similarity Analysis of ERP Signals Reveals Separate Networks for Audiovisual Temporal Binding Depending on the Leading Sense

In multisensory integration, processing in one sensory modality is enhanced by complementary information from other modalities. Intersensory timing is crucial in this process because only inputs reaching the brain within a restricted temporal window are perceptually bound. Previous research in the audiovisual field has investigated various features of the temporal binding window, revealing asymmetries in its size and plasticity depending on the leading input: auditory–visual (AV) or visual–auditory (VA). Here, we tested whether separate neuronal mechanisms underlie this AV–VA dichotomy in humans. We recorded high-density EEG while participants performed an audiovisual simultaneity judgment task including various AV–VA asynchronies and unisensory control conditions (visual-only, auditory-only) and tested whether AV and VA processing generate different patterns of brain activity. After isolating the multisensory components of AV–VA event-related potentials (ERPs) from the sum of their unisensory constituents, we ran a time-resolved topographical representational similarity analysis (tRSA) comparing the AV and VA ERP maps. Spatial cross-correlation matrices were built from real data to index the similarity between the AV and VA maps at each time point (500 ms window after stimulus) and then correlated with two alternative similarity model matrices: AVmaps = VAmaps versus AVmaps ≠ VAmaps. The tRSA results favored the AVmaps ≠ VAmaps model across all time points, suggesting that audiovisual temporal binding (indexed by synchrony perception) engages different neural pathways depending on the leading sense. The existence of such dual route supports recent theoretical accounts proposing that multiple binding mechanisms are implemented in the brain to accommodate different information parsing strategies in auditory and visual sensory systems. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Intersensory timing is a crucial aspect of multisensory integration, determining whether and how inputs in one modality enhance stimulus processing in another modality. Our research demonstrates that evaluating synchrony of auditory-leading (AV) versus visual-leading (VA) audiovisual stimulus pairs is characterized by two distinct patterns of brain activity. This suggests that audiovisual integration is not a unitary process and that different binding mechanisms are recruited in the brain based on the leading sense. These mechanisms may be relevant for supporting different classes of multisensory operations, for example, auditory enhancement of visual attention (AV) and visual enhancement of auditory speech (VA).
A distributed current stimulator ASIC for high density neural stimulation

This paper presents a novel distributed neural stimulator scheme. Instead of a single stimulator ASIC in the package, multiple ASICs are embedded at each electrode site for stimulation with a high density electrode array. This distributed architecture enables the simplification of wiring between electrodes and stimulator ASIC that otherwise could become too complex as the number of electrode increases. The individual ASIC chip is designed to have a shared data bus that independently controls multiple stimulating channels. Therefore, the number of metal lines is determined by the distributed ASICs, not by the channel number. The function of current steering is also implemented within each ASIC in order to increase the effective number of channels via pseudo channel stimulation. Therefore, the chip area can be used more efficiently. The designed chip was fabricated with area of 0.3 mm2 using 0.18 μm BCDMOS process, and the bench-top test was also conducted to validate chip performance.
Epidermal growth factor enhances intestinal mitotic activity and DNA content after acute abdominal radiation.

BACKGROUND Mediators of radiation-induced enteritis and colitis remain undefined. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is an endogenous peptide that is trophic to the gastrointestinal tract. We tested the hypothesis that EGF enhances DNA synthesis and mitotic activity and prevents acute radiation enteritis after total abdominal radiation. METHODS Four equal groups (n = 6) of Sprague-Dawley rats were studied: I (control), II (radiation), III (EGF), and IV (radiation + EGF). Animals in groups III and IV received EGF (10 micrograms/kg) every 8 hours for 48 hours before radiation exposure and for 72 hours after radiation, and the remaining animals were given an equal volume of vehicle. Animals in groups II and IV were administered a single dose of abdominal radiation (1000 cGy) 48 hours after the start of either vehicle or EGF. Distal ileum and colon were harvested 72 hours after radiation, examined histologically, and assayed for total DNA content. RESULTS Group II or radiated animals had diarrhea, significant weight loss (p < 0.05), and decreased food consumption consistent with acute clinical radiation enteritis. Mitotic activity and total DNA content were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) when compared with group I (nonradiated controls). Group IV animals treated with EGF and exposed to radiation did not suffer the acute clinical manifestations of radiation enteritis. In addition, total DNA content and mitotic activity of the terminal ileum increased significantly (p < 0.05), and a significant increase in mitotic activity occurred in the distal colon when compared with radiated controls. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that (1) a decrease in mitotic activity and total DNA content occurs early and persists for at least 72 hours after acute radiation, (2) EGF treatment significantly increases small and large bowel mitogenicity in acutely radiated animals, and (3) EGF significantly decrease the acute clinical manifestations of radiation enteritis.
Prediction of Success From a Multidisciplinary Treatment Program for Chronic Low Back Pain

Study Design. The study included 90 disabled patients with chronic low back pain recruited from a pain clinic who were admitted to an 8-week program of functional restoration and behavioral support. Initial evaluations included a medical examination, rating of the physical impairment, a personal interview, a visual analogue scale to record pain intensity, an assessment of limitations for daily activities, a pain disability index, a depression and psychovegetative scale, and a scale to evaluate general living standards. The physical assessment included different flexibility measurements, measurement of power and endurance through standardized exercises, and measurements of isokinetic trunk and lifting strength and general endurance. The measurements were repeated at the end of the 8-week program and thereafter at intervals of 6 and 12 months. Final analyses were carried out on 82 patients. Objectives. To determine whether objective or subjective signs most influence the outcome of rehabilitation. Summary of Background Data. In recent years, several studies have shown that active and intensive multimodal treatment of chronic low back pain is successful. Until now there has been lack of information about which patients will respond to the therapy and what is the most effective part of treatment. Methods. Prognostic factors (return to work, pain intensity, self-assessment of treatment success by patients) were tested by studying variance and regression analyses for their ability to predict treatment outcome. Results. Certain factors were identified that had a significant impact on determining the probability of a patient's return to work and the reduction of pain intensity. These factors included self-evaluation for predicting a return to work, the length of absence from work, application for pension, and a decrease in disability after treatment. Overall satisfaction with treatment was best determined by the number of medical consultations before treatment, the extent of disability, previous measures taken for coping with the disease, and reduction of disability during treatment. Medical background, medical diagnosis, and physical impairment had no predictive value. Physical variables (i.e., mobility, strength, endurance, and physical performance) also demonstrated only limited predictive value. Conclusion. This study has demonstrated that the most important variable in determining a successful treatment of chronic low back pain is the reduction of subjective feelings of disability in patients.
Cadmium Accumulation and DNA Homology with Metal Resistance Genes in Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria

ABSTRACT Cadmium resistance (0.1 to 1.0 mM) was studied in four pure and one mixed culture of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). The growth of the bacteria was monitored with respect to carbon source (lactate) oxidation and sulfate reduction in the presence of various concentrations of cadmium chloride. Two strains Desulfovibrio desulfuricans DSM 1926 and Desulfococcus multivorans DSM 2059 showed the highest resistance to cadmium (0.5 mM). Transmission electron microscopy of the two strains showed intracellular and periplasmic accumulation of cadmium. Dot blot DNA hybridization using the probes for the smtAB, cadAC, and cadD genes indicated the presence of similar genetic determinants of heavy metal resistance in the SRB tested. DNA sequencing of the amplified DNA showed strong nucleotide homology in all the SRB strains with the known smtAB genes encoding synechococcal metallothioneins. Protein homology with the known heavy metal-translocating ATPases was also detected in the cloned amplified DNA of Desulfomicrobium norvegicum I1 and Desulfovibrio desulfuricans DSM 1926, suggesting the presence of multiple genetic mechanisms of metal resistance in the two strains.
Transnational Corporations, Global Production Networks, and Urban and Regional Development: A Geographer's Perspective on Multinational Enterprises and the Global Economy

This paper offers an economic-geographical interpretation of the role of transnational corporations (TNCs) in urban and regional development that is grounded in Dunning and Lundan's (2008) "Multinational Enterprises and the Global Economy". I argue that TNCs and their activity are indisputably one of the keys to understanding urban and regional development in today's globalizing world economy. To support this perspective, I will deploy the recently developed analytical framework of global production networks (GPNs) to unpack the complex and mutually dependent relationships between TNCs and urban and regional development. The paper first provides a critique of several recent influential theories of urban and regional growth and identifies the omitted components in such important actors as TNCs. It then offers an analysis of TNCs as key agents of urban and regional development on the basis of ideas on TNC strategies, networks, and regional institutions expressed in "Multinational Enterprises". Finally, I draw upon a relational view of TNCs in GPNs to illustrate how urban and regional development is increasingly a "globalizing" phenomenon. Situated in recent work in economic geography, I elaborate on the concept of strategic coupling as an interfacing mechanism bringing together TNCs and development at the urban and regional scales. Copyright (c) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Endometrial fluid is a specific and non-invasive biological sample for protein biomarker identification in endometriosis.

BACKGROUND The development of non-invasive diagnostic methods for endometriosis requires sensitive and disease specific biomarkers. Here, we describe the use of aspirated endometrial fluid from women with and without endometriosis as a novel biological sample for biomarker discovery. METHODS Differential protein expression profiling of aspirates from women with early endometriosis (n = 14), advanced endometriosis (n = 32) and without evidence of the disease (n = 32) was assessed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). A biomarker validation study was performed in an independent cohort (early endometriosis n = 6 and advanced endometriosis n = 14, controls n = 15). RESULTS The analysis resulted in the identification of 31 proteins showing statistically significant differences in expression. The proteins identified are related to cell signalling, cell death and cell movement, processes that may be involved in the onset and/or progression of endometriosis. The differences in expression observed for 14-3-3 (signal transduction) and moesin (cytoskeletal structure) were confirmed in an independent group of endometriosis patients. CONCLUSIONS Endometrial fluid represents a novel sample for proteomic analysis offering reliable, disease specific information on protein expression, facilitating the discovery of biomarkers for endometriosis. The results described here complement previous proteomic studies, providing new endometriosis-related proteins to be validated as diagnostic markers.
Calcific Tendinopathy of the Rotator Cuff Tendons

Calcific tendinopathy (CT) of the tendons of the rotator cuff is common in white populations, with a reported prevalence varying from 2.7% to 22%, mostly affecting women between 30 and 50 years. Although CT shows a strong tendency toward self-healing by spontaneous resorption of the deposits, it does not always follow this typical pattern. The etiopathogenesis of CT is still unknown. Many pathogenetic theories have been proposed, and clinical associations between CT and diabetes and thyroid disorders have been reported. The choice of therapeutic approach should depend on the evolution of the condition.