Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Standards-compliant LTE and LTE-A uplink power control

In LTE and LTE-Advanced uplink, the interference power in a cell depends on the user scheduling and power assignment in neighboring cells. As a result, it is hard to accurately estimate the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) values and make the right MCS (Modulation and Coding Scheme) selection. To address this challenge, we propose open-loop and closed-loop power control schemes to reduce both the average and the variance of the interference power in order to improve the system performance. It is shown that compared to the existing fractional power control (FPC) in LTE, the proposed schemes improve the cell-average throughput by 7-8% while maintaining the same cell-edge throughput in networks with low penetration loss, and improve the cell-average throughput by 4-6% and the cell-edge throughput by 15-23% in networks with high penetration loss.
Envenomation and consumption of poisonous seafood

Effects of naturally occurring toxins on the human nervous system and available treatments are discussed Exposure to natural toxins is becoming more commonplace because of greater worldwide travel, increasing captivity of exotic animals in private and institutional collections, and an expansion in the trade in tropical seafood. Although the effects of natural toxins are often trivial, some may result in neurological emergencies. A good understanding of the origin and management of neurotoxic poisoning is therefore important for the neurologist interested in tropical medicine. The true incidence of neurotoxic poisonings is impossible to ascertain because of underreporting. It has been suggested that each year there may be up to 1000 deaths in the Maharashtra state of India 1 and 600 deaths in Sri Lanka resulting from snake bites, and 1000 to 2000 deaths in Mexico after scorpion stings. Tick paralysis has been estimated to cause the death of 10 000 calves each year.2 There are thought to be around 50 000 human victims of ciguatera poisoning each year.3 This editorial briefly outlines some of the effects of naturally occurring toxins on the human nervous system. We suggest that a general awareness of the circumstances in which exposure to natural toxins may occur and of the expression of poisoning in the form of clinical features will improve the prevention, detection, and management of these potentially fatal conditions. Three recent texts discussing some of these issues are available to the interested reader.4–6 ### Snakes Venoms enable snakes to immobilise and initiate the digestion of their prey. The venom is usually introduced into the victim through a pair of fangs. Inspection of the bite site may show one or two fang puncture marks, single or multiple scratch marks where fangs were dragged across the skin, or a mixture of puncture marks and …
Intraoperative study on the relationship between the lower esophageal sphincter pressure and the muscular components of the gastro-esophageal junction in achalasic patients.

OBJECTIVE The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) resting tone originates from the tension of the muscular fibers of the gastro-esophageal (GE) junction. This study determined which of the muscular structures' of the GE junction are actually responsible and to what degree for the LES resting tone in achalasic patients. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA Controversy still exists as to the length of myotomy on the esophageal and gastric sides of the GE junction. Experimental and clinical studies have supposed that the anatomical complex formed by the U and the sling fibers of the lesser curvature of the stomach can be part of the LES. METHODS The variations induced on the LES resting tone by the separate division of the esophageal and gastric muscular fibers of the GE junction were studied by means of intraoperative manometry in 32 patients who underwent myotomy for achalasia. RESULTS After surgical preparation of the GE junction, the mean pressure was 29.3 +/- 13 mmHg. After esophageal side myotomy, the mean LES pressure decreased to 13.6 +/- 7.9 mmHg (paired t test, p < 0.0005). The residual pressure was further reduced after gastric side myotomy (3.4 +/- 1.9 mmHg; paired t test, p < 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS In achalasic patients, 45% of the LES resting tone is maintained by the gastric side anatomical component of the GE junction. The range of variability of the gastric component of the LES is wide. This information should be taken into account when performing extramucosal myotomy as therapy for esophageal achalasia.
Cardiovascular Basic Helix Loop Helix Factor 1, a Novel Transcriptional Repressor Expressed Preferentially in the Developing and Adult Cardiovascular System*

We have cloned a cardiovascular-restricted basic helix-loop-helix factor that interacts with arylhydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) in a yeast two-hybrid screen. Cardiovascular helix-loop-helix factor 1 (CHF1) is distantly related to the hairy family of transcriptional repressors. We analyzed its expression pattern during mouse embryo development. At day 8.5, the expression of CHF1 is first detected in the primitive ventricle of the primordial heart tube and persists throughout gestation. In rat hearts, this expression is down-regulated after birth, concurrent with terminal differentiation of cardiomyocytes. In the developing vasculature, CHF1 first appears in the dorsal aorta at day 9.0, which precedes the reported expression of smooth muscle cell markers, and persists into adulthood. In an in vitro system of smooth muscle cell differentiation, CHF1 mRNA was barely detectable in undifferentiated cells but was induced highly in differentiated smooth muscle cells. To determine whether CHF1 might affect the function of ARNT, we performed transfection studies. Co-transfection of CHF1 inhibited ARNT/EPAS1-dependent transcription by 85%, and this inhibition is dose-dependent. In electrophoretic mobility studies, CHF1 inhibited the binding of the ARNT/EPAS1 heterodimer to its target site. Our data suggest that CHF1 functions as a transcriptional repressor and may play an important role in cardiovascular development.
Extended attribute based encryption for private information retrieval

Private information retrieval enables the sensitive data to be obtained only if the data authorizers allow the data receivers to access to the data. Sometimes the owners are of a group and there is no need for all members to authorize the receivers. Moreover, the right to authorize could be unequal for different authorizers in the group.
Using Custom-designed Vlsi Fuzzy Inferencing Chips For The Autonomous Navigation Of A Mobile Robot

An approach merging the concepts of fuzzy logic and sensor-based behaviors has been developed to add a qualitative reasoning capability to the real-time control of autonomous mobile robots. The approach is implemented using custom-designed computer boards which include recently developed VLSI fuzzy inferencing chips. The design and operation of these boards are first described and an example of their use for the autonomous navigation of a mobile robot is presented. The development of qualitative reasoning schemes emulating human- like navigation in a-priori unknown environments is discussed. The approach using superposition of elemental sensor-based behaviors expressed in the fizzy Sets theoretic framework is shown to allow easy development and testing of the inferencing rule base, while providing for progressive addition of behaviors to resolve situations of increasing complexity. The efficiency of such schemes, which can consist of as little as a dozen qualitative rules, is illustrated in experiments involving an autonomous mobile robot navigating on the basis of very sparse and inaccurate sensor data.
Sleep and chronic pain: challenges to the alpha-EEG sleep pattern as a pain specific sleep anomaly.

OBJECTIVE The alpha-EEG sleep anomaly has been associated with chronic benign pain syndromes. Although controversial, the anomaly is believed by some to be an important biologic correlate of certain otherwise poorly explained painful conditions (e.g., fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome). To shed further light on this phenomenon, this study compared the sleep and psychological characteristics of chronic pain patients who exhibited the alpha-EEG sleep anomaly with pain-free psychiatric and medical patients who also were found to exhibit the alpha-EEG anomaly. METHODS The alpha-EEG sleep was identified in the polysomnographic records of 5% of over 1000 consecutive sleep patients. Objective sleep parameters, daytime sleepiness and psychological characteristics (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory [MMPI] scores) of patients exhibiting this anomaly were examined. RESULTS The alpha-EEG anomaly was identified in only 5% of the total patient sample. Patients with the alpha-EEG anomaly could be further classified into three diagnostic subgroups: chronic pain, psychiatric and other medical/sleep disorders, The subgroups were compared on sleep parameters and psychological characteristics. Less than 40% of the patients exhibiting the alpha-EEG anomaly experienced chronic pain. Chronic pain patients evidenced disturbed sleep patterns and psychological characteristics that were for the most part similar to those observed in some pain-free medical and psychiatric patients. Only the medical subgroup exhibited objective daytime sleepiness. The alpha-EEG sleep disturbance was not accounted for by psychological characteristics. CONCLUSIONS These findings challenge the notion that alpha-EEG sleep is of direct etiological significance in producing the pain complaint among patients with chronic pain since the alpha-EEG sleep was not a sufficient condition for pain.
Key performance indicators measurement in service business: a fuzzy VIKOR approach

This study attempts, through focusing on the concept of strategic control and by using fuzzy VIsekriterijumska Optimizacija i KOmpromisno Resenje (VIKOR) technique, to measure the importance and priority of key performance indicators (KPIs) in a successful service business of LG ‘Goldiran Customer Service Company’. Based on the balanced score card, the KPIs in the four perspectives were determined and, by employing fuzzy multiple criteria decision-making (FMCDM) techniques, a systematic approach to help managers in strategic control was developed. The KPIs have been selected and used solely on the basis of LG's strategy and requirements. The survey company is among the best practice firms in the Middle East region. Therefore, the proposed hybrid systematic approach could be used as a suitable base for the development of strategic control by other companies. The obtained result from the experts' views reveal that on time and high-quality services to customer and human capital development are the most important KPIs for the implementation of strategic control in Goldiran Customer Service Company. Therefore, it could be concluded that the survey company should pay special attention to the control of the customer, and learning and growth perspectives.
Slow Temporal Integration Enables Robust Neural Coding and Perception of a Cue to Sound Source Location

In mammals, localization of sound sources in azimuth depends on sensitivity to interaural differences in sound timing (ITD) and level (ILD). Paradoxically, while typical ILD-sensitive neurons of the auditory brainstem require millisecond synchrony of excitatory and inhibitory inputs for the encoding of ILDs, human and animal behavioral ILD sensitivity is robust to temporal stimulus degradations (e.g., interaural decorrelation due to reverberation), or, in humans, bilateral clinical device processing. Here we demonstrate that behavioral ILD sensitivity is only modestly degraded with even complete decorrelation of left- and right-ear signals, suggesting the existence of a highly integrative ILD-coding mechanism. Correspondingly, we find that a majority of auditory midbrain neurons in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (of chinchilla) effectively encode ILDs despite complete decorrelation of left- and right-ear signals. We show that such responses can be accounted for by relatively long windows of bilateral excitatory-inhibitory interaction, which we explicitly measure using trains of narrowband clicks. Neural and behavioral data are compared with the outputs of a simple model of ILD processing with a single free parameter, the duration of excitatory-inhibitory interaction. Behavioral, neural, and modeling data collectively suggest that ILD sensitivity depends on binaural integration of excitation and inhibition within a ≳3 ms temporal window, significantly longer than observed in lower brainstem neurons. This relatively slow integration potentiates a unique role for the ILD system in spatial hearing that may be of particular importance when informative ITD cues are unavailable. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In mammalian hearing, interaural differences in the timing (ITD) and level (ILD) of impinging sounds carry critical information about source location. However, natural sounds are often decorrelated between the ears by reverberation and background noise, degrading the fidelity of both ITD and ILD cues. Here we demonstrate that behavioral ILD sensitivity (in humans) and neural ILD sensitivity (in single neurons of the chinchilla auditory midbrain) remain robust under stimulus conditions that render ITD cues undetectable. This result can be explained by “slow” temporal integration arising from several-millisecond-long windows of excitatory-inhibitory interaction evident in midbrain, but not brainstem, neurons. Such integrative coding can account for the preservation of ILD sensitivity despite even extreme temporal degradations in ecological acoustic stimuli.
Trends in inequalities in premature cancer mortality by educational level in Colombia, 1998–2007

Background There is a paucity of studies on socioeconomic inequalities in cancer mortality in developing countries. We examined trends in inequalities in cancer mortality by educational attainment in Colombia during a period of epidemiological transition and rapid expansion of health insurance coverage. Methods Population mortality data (1998–2007) were linked to census data to obtain age-standardised cancer mortality rates by educational attainment at ages 25–64 years for stomach, cervical, prostate, lung, colorectal, breast and other cancers. We used Poisson regression to model mortality by educational attainment and estimated the contribution of specific cancers to the slope index of inequality in cancer mortality. Results We observed large educational inequalities in cancer mortality, particularly for cancer of the cervix (rate ratio (RR) primary vs tertiary groups=5.75, contributing 51% of cancer inequalities), stomach (RR=2.56 for males, contributing 49% of total cancer inequalities and RR=1.98 for females, contributing 14% to total cancer inequalities) and lung (RR=1.64 for males contributing 17% of total cancer inequalities and 1.32 for females contributing 5% to total cancer inequalities). Total cancer mortality rates declined faster among those with higher education, with the exception of mortality from cervical cancer, which declined more rapidly in the lower educational groups. Conclusions There are large socioeconomic inequalities in preventable cancer mortality in Colombia, which underscore the need for intensifying prevention efforts. Reduction of cervical cancer can be achieved through reducing human papilloma virus infection, early detection and improved access to treatment of preneoplastic lesions. Reinforcing antitobacco measures may be particularly important to curb inequalities in cancer mortality.
The Chimera of Sustainable Labour–Management Partnership

The paper advances a threefold theoretical contribution using a system, society and dominance (SSD) effects framework to show how and why sustainable managementâ��labour workplace partnerships are a chimera. First, managers (employers) find it increasingly difficult to keep workplace bargains with employees (unions) owing to increasingly neoliberal â��systemâ�� effects associated with capitalism as a globalized accumulation model. Second, workplace mutuality will be rare because of â��societalâ�� level effects under voluntarism. Third, â��dominanceâ�� effects arising from the power of dominant economies and their multinational corporations can inhibit workplace mutuality. Drawing on empirical case study data from Ireland, the future prognosis of managementâ��labour collaboration under neoliberal work regimes is discussed.
Homocysteine in embryo culture media as a predictor of pregnancy outcome in assisted reproductive technology

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine whether homocysteine (hcy) concentrations in embryo culture media correlate with pregnancy outcome in assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles. Forty patients who underwent single embryo transfer at the infertility clinic of a tertiary care center were recruited for this case-control study. Spent embryo culture media from all patients were collected after single embryo transfer on day 3 (n = 40). Hcy concentrations in embryo culture media were analyzed by enzyme cycling method. Patients were grouped according to the diagnosis of a clinical pregnancy. Sixteen patients were pregnant while 24 patients failed to achieve conception. Mean Hcy levels in the culture media were significantly different between the groups (p < 0.003), as 4.58 ± 1.31 μmol/l in the non-pregnant group and 3.37 ± 0.92 μmol/l in the pregnant group. Receiver operator curve analysis for determining the diagnostic potential of Hcy for pregnancy revealed an area under the curve of 0.792 (confidence interval: 0.65–0.94; p < 0.05). A cut-off value of 3.53 μmol/l was determined with a sensitivity of 83.3%, and a specificity of 68.8%. Lower hcy levels were associated with a better chance of pregnancy and better embryo grades. Hcy may be introduced as an individual metabolomic profiling marker for embryos.
[Increase of EGFR expression by Epstein-Barr virus LMP1 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of LMP1 on the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in HNE2-LMP1 cells. METHODS Stable transfectant HNE2 cell line expressing LMP1 (HNE2-LMP1) or its mutants (HNE2 del 187-351, HNE2 1-231, HNE2 1-187) were used as cell models. The expression of EGFR was detected by Western blot method. The characteristics of EGFR expression were analyzed when HNE2-LMP1 LMP1 cells were transiently transfected with TRAF1, 2, 3 or TRAF1, 2, 3 dominant negative mutants (DN-TRAF1, 2, 3). The growth characteristics of HNE2-LMP1 and vector controls were analyzed on serum-free media supplemented with EGF. RESULTS Stable expression of LMP1 in HNE2 cells increased the expression of EGFR. LMP1 CTAR1 domain, being identical to the TRAF interaction domain, was essential to the induction of EGFR. The CTAR2 domain did not induce expression of EGFR. Overexpression of either TRAF1, 3 or an dominant negative mutant of TRAF1, 3 inhibited the expression of EGFR, while TRAF2 or negative mutants of TRAF2 did slightly so. In HNE2-LMP1 cells, LMP1 expression increased the proliferative response to EGF while the vector control cells exhibited very low level of viability and did not proliferate. CONCLUSION The induction of EGFR by LMP1 CTAR1 may be an important component of EBV infection via an TRAF1, 2, 3 mechanism in the epithelial cells and may contribute to the development of epithelial malignancies such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Quantitative and Functional Antibody Responses to the 13-Valent Conjugate and/or 23-Valent Purified Polysaccharide Vaccine in Aging HIV-Infected Adults.

BACKGROUND The number of aging human immunodeficiency virus-infected (HIV+) individuals living in the United States has substantially grown over the past two decades. Advanced age and HIV infection both increase susceptibility to Streptococcus pneumoniae infection due to B cell dysfunction. The combined impact of these factors on pneumococcal vaccine responses remains unknown. METHODS We assessed serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM levels and opsonophagocytic killing assay (OPA) titers to pneumococcal serotypes 14 and 23F in HIV+ subjects and HIV-uninfected (HIV-) controls 50-65 years old. HIV+ individuals with CD4+ T cells/μl (CD4) >200 and ≥1 year of antiretroviral therapy (ART) received either a dose of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine followed by the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine 8 weeks later (PCV/PPV) as currently recommended (n=15) or a single dose of PPV only (n=22). HIV- controls received PCV/PPV (n=14). RESULTS HIV+ PCV/PPV and PPV groups exhibited similar increases in IgG levels and OPA titers for both serotypes after immunization. Postvaccination IgM levels for serotype 23F, but not 14, were significantly higher in HIV+ PCV/PPV compared to PPV groups. IgG and IgM levels for serotype 14 and OPA titers to serotype 23F were significantly reduced in HIV+ compared to HIV- PCV/PPV groups. Serotype-specific IgG levels correlated with OPA titers for all groups. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that the recommended PCV/PPV regimen may not significantly improve quantitative or functional antibody responses compared to PPV only in aging HIV+ subjects. Continued efforts aimed at improving vaccine responses in this high risk population are warranted.
Folate and Vitamin B12 Metabolism: Overview and Interaction with Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, and Polymorphisms

This paper provides a general review on folate and vitamin B12 nutrition and metabolism and the metabolic interrelationship between these vitamins. The effects of some common polymorphisms in folate and vitamin B12 genes and the influence of vitamin B6 and riboflavin status on folate and vitamin B12 metabolism are also discussed.
Modelování provázanosti trhů potravin, biopaliv a fosilních paliv

The interconnections within food, biofuel and fossil fuel markets are first described in the context of biofuels technologies and economic policy framework. Consequently, the econometric analysis consisting of Johansen cointegration, error correction model, vector autoregression and Granger causality is applied to price series of 12 biofuel related commodities. While a number of equilibrium relationships are found across the examined markets suggesting their interconnection, we do not obtain a persuasive confirmation of the thesis that biofuels clearly lead to food shortages via the increase in prices of basic food commodities used in the production of biofuels.
Spontaneous Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak through the Posterior Aspect of the Petrous Bone

Objective: Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak through the posterior fossa aspect of the petrous bone (PF) is very rare. A case series allows analysis of possible etiologies and how they may differ from the more common middle fossa (MF) route of leakage. Method: A series of 3 patients with PF spontaneous temporal bone CSF leaks is described. High-resolution imaging (CT & MRI) and intraoperative observation characterize the anatomical characteristics of the pathway. Results: This series of patients did share the demographics typically found in the MF leak population. Two patterns of PF CSF leak were identified: large unilateral with cerebellar encephalocele and bilateral small defects just lateral to the endolymphatic sac. Two out of our 3 patients presented with simultaneous MF and PF leaks suggesting the possibility of a shared etiology, at least in some cases, with a role for increased intracranial pressure. Conclusion: In spontaneous CSF leaks it is important to evaluate the posterior petrous bone along with the tegmen. The concomitant appearance of MF with PF leaks points out the risk that repair via MF craniotomy could fail to identify a leakage site in the vicinity of the endolymphatic sac.