Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An experimental study on jamming tolerance of 3G/WCDMA

The use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies in military environment is attractive, but in tactical communications, one of the biggest challenges is the jamming/interference tolerance of the deployed systems. Interference tolerance is important also in public authority and in some special civilian wireless network set-ups. We present an experimental measurement-based study on jamming tolerance of wireless third generation (3G) / Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) links in controlled laboratory environment. The performance is evaluated in cross-layer oriented fashion in order to find out how physical layer (PHY) interference affects the system performance at higher layers. We study the effect of PHY radio frequency jamming with wideband noise and also test more sophisticated link layer jamming, where selected WCDMA channels are jammed individually. The results show that, in general, COTS WCDMA is robust against jamming. Especially an ongoing circuit switched (CS) call tolerates high interference levels. Additional findings are also reported related to the network attachment procedure, Short Message Service (SMS) and effectiveness of link layer jamming.
Escape of HIV-1 from a Small Molecule CCR5 Inhibitor Is Not Associated with a Fitness Loss

Fitness is a parameter used to quantify how well an organism adapts to its environment; in the present study, fitness is a measure of how well strains of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replicate in tissue culture. When HIV-1 develops resistance in vitro or in vivo to antiretroviral drugs such as reverse transcriptase or protease inhibitors, its fitness is often impaired. Here, we have investigated whether the development of resistance in vitro to a small molecule CCR5 inhibitor, AD101, has an associated fitness cost. To do this, we developed a growth-competition assay involving dual infections with molecularly cloned viruses that are essentially isogenic outside the env genes under study. Real-time TaqMan quantitative PCR (QPCR) was used to quantify each competing virus individually via probes specific to different, phenotypically silent target sequences engineered within their vif genes. Head-to-head competition assays of env clones derived from the AD101 escape mutant isolate, the inhibitor-sensitive parental virus, and a passage control virus showed that AD101 resistance was not associated with a fitness loss. This observation is consistent with the retention of the resistant phenotype when the escape mutant was cultured for a total of 20 passages in the absence of the selecting compound. Amino acid substitutions in the V3 region of gp120 that confer complete AD101 resistance cause a fitness loss when introduced into an AD101-sensitive, parental clone; however, in the resistant isolate, changes elsewhere in env that occurred prior to the substitutions within V3 appear to compensate for the adverse effect of the V3 changes on replicative capacity. These in vitro studies may have implications for the development and management of resistance to other CCR5 inhibitors that are being evaluated clinically for the treatment of HIV-1 infection.
Comparison of airway immunopathology of eosinophilic bronchitis and asthma

Background: Eosinophilic bronchitis is a condition characterised by a corticosteroid responsive cough, sputum eosinophilia, and normal tests of variable airflow obstruction and airway responsiveness. We performed a detailed comparative immunopathological study to test the hypothesis that the different airway function in patients with eosinophilic bronchitis and asthma reflects differences in the nature of the lower airway inflammatory response. Methods: Exhaled nitric oxide was measured and induced sputum, bronchoscopy, bronchial wash (BW), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and bronchial biopsy were performed in 16 subjects with eosinophilic bronchitis, 15 with asthma, and 14 normal controls. Results: Both eosinophilic bronchitis and asthma were characterised by an induced sputum, BW and BAL eosinophilia, an increased number of epithelial and subepithelial eosinophils, and increased reticular basement membrane thickness. The median concentration of exhaled nitric oxide was higher in those with eosinophilic bronchitis (12 ppb) or asthma (8.5 ppb) than normal controls (2 ppb) (95% CI of the difference 5 to 16, p<0.0001 and 2 to 11.3, p=0.004, respectively). There were no group differences in epithelial integrity or the number of subepithelial T lymphocytes, mast cells or macrophages. Conclusion: With the exception of our previously reported association of smooth muscle mast cell infiltration with asthma, the immunopathology of eosinophilic bronchitis and asthma are similar which suggests that eosinophilic airway inflammation, increased exhaled nitric oxide, and increased basement membrane thickening are regulated independently of airway hyperresponsiveness.
A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON INPUT – OUTPUT PAIRING OF DYNAMIC PROCESS SYSTEMS

ABSTRACT This paper compares the steady state gain based Relative Gain Array (RGA) and bandwidth dependent effective RGA (ERGA) in analyzing dynamic process interactions and making loop pairing decisions. The results are compared with the pairing recommendations based on frequency dependent dynamic RGA (DRGA). Two examples are considered: one in which both traditional RGA and ERGA gives the correct pairing recommendation and the other in which the traditional RGA and ERGA suggests different pairing recommendations particularly in the frequency range of interest. The calculations pertaining to analysis of control loop pairing is performed using MATLAB (version 7.0.1). The first example uses 2x2 transfer function distillation column model and the second one uses 3x3 transfer function model [2].
Safe and Flexible Memory Management in Cyclone

Cyclone is a type-safe programming language intended for applications requiring control over memory management. Our previous work on Cyclone included support for stack allocation, lexical region allocation, and a garbage-collected heap. We achieved safety (i.e., prevented dangling pointers) through a region-based type-and-effects system. This paper describes some new memory-management mechanisms that we have integrated into Cyclone: dynamic regions, unique pointers, and reference-counted objects. Our experience shows that these new mechanisms are well suited for the timely recovery of objects in situations where it is awkward to use lexical regions. Crucially, programmers can write reusable functions without unnecessarily restricting callers’ choices among the variety of memory-management options. To achieve this goal, Cyclone employs a combination of polymorphism and scoped constructs that temporarily let us treat objects as if they were allocated in a lexical region.
E2E: An Optimized IPsec Architecture for Secure and Fast Offload

When mobile End Users are offloaded from a Radio Access Network (RAN) to a WLAN, current I-WLAN [1] offloaded architectures consider traffic converging to a common Security Gateway. In this paper, we propose an alternative End-to-End security (E2E) architecture based on the MOBIKE-X [2] protocol, which extends the MOBIKE [3] Mobility and Multihoming features to Multiple Interfaces and to the Transport mode of IPsec. The benefits of this E2E architecture are mostly load reduction and a better End User experience. First, E2E offloads the ISP CORE and backhaul networks, then E2E uses IPsec Transport mode instead of Tunnel mode, which removes networking and security overhead. This reduces CPU load by 20%, enhances Mobility and Multihoming operations by about 15%, and makes the system 2.9 times more reactive for detecting modifications of interfaces.
The Construction and Testing of a Mandarin Emotional Speech Database

Researches in speech synthesis and speech analysis are underpinned by the databases they used. The performance of an emotion classifier relies heavily on the qualities of the training and testing data. A good database can make researches in these fields achieving better results. Hearing-impaired people are poor in presenting their emotions in speech. We want develop a computer-assisted speech training system that can help to teach them to present their emotions similar to normal people. In this paper, we present a way to build a Mandarin emotional database, including the process of collecting data, arranging data, clips naming rules, and a listening test. Then we construct a computer-assisted speech training system to help in teaching the hearing-impaired people presenting their emotion in their speech correctly by analyzing the emotion in their speech and those in the database using KNN and M-KNN techniques.
The host-parasite interface of Cyathocotyle bushiensis Khan, 1962 (Trematoda: Strigeoidea)

A combination of histochemical and electron microscope techniques have demonstrated, in Cyathocotyle bushiensis, alkaline phosphatase activity in the matrix of the tegument, in the distal and basal plasma membranes of the tegument, in the wall of the ducts extending from the adhesive organ gland cells and in the wall of the adhesive organ microvilli. Acid phosphatase activity was much stronger and was present in the tegument matrix and in the granular component of the secretion from the adhesive organ gland cells. Strong acid phosphatase activity was also present in the cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum of the adhesive organ gland cells. I am greatly indebted to Professor Brough for the excellent facilities available within this department. I also wish to thank Professor J. Sinclair (Department of Mining) for electron microscope facilities extended to me in the early stages of this investigation, and to Mr W. Henderson, Mr T. Davies and Miss M. Williams for their invaluable assistance. The purchase of the Huxley ultramicrotome, coating unit and an AEI EM 6 electron microscope was made possible by a grant from the Science Research Council.
Submembraneous microtubule cytoskeleton: regulation of ATPases by interaction with acetylated tubulin

The ATP‐hydrolysing enzymes (Na+,K+)‐, H+‐ and Ca2+‐ATPase are integral membrane proteins that play important roles in the exchange of ions and nutrients between the exterior and interior of cells, and are involved in signal transduction pathways. Activity of these ATPases is regulated by several specific effectors. Here, we review the regulation of these P‐type ATPases by a common effector, acetylated tubulin, which interacts with them and inhibits their enzyme activity. The presence of an acetyl group on Lys40 of α‐tubulin is a requirement for the interaction. Stimulation of enzyme activity by different effectors involves the dissociation of tubulin/ATPase complexes. In cultured cells, acetylated tubulin associated with ATPase appears to be a constituent of microtubules. Stabilization of microtubules by taxol blocks association/dissociation of the complex. Membrane ATPases may function as anchorage sites for microtubules.
A single-use haptic palpation probe for locating subcutaneous blood vessels in robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery

We present the design and evaluation of a novel low-cost palpation probe for Robot assisted Minimally Invasive Surgery (RMIS) for localizing subcutaneous blood vessels. It measures probe tip deflection using a Hall Effect sensor as the spherical tip is moved tangentially across a surface under automated control. The probe is intended to be single-use and disposable, built from 3D printed parts and commercially available electronics. The prototype has a cross-section of less than 15mm×10mm and fits on the end of an 8mm diameter needle driver in the Intuitive Surgical da Vinci® Research Kit (dVRK). We report experiments for quasi-static sliding palpation with silicone based tissue phantoms with embedded cylinders as subcutaneous blood vessel phantoms. We analyzed signal-to-noise ratios with multiple diameters of silicone cylinders (1.58-4.75 mm) at varying subcutaneous depths (1-5 mm) with a range of indentation depths (0-8 mm) and sliding speeds (0.5-21 mm/s). Results suggest that the probe can detect subcutaneous structures in phantoms of diameter 2.25 mm at a depth of up to 5mm below the tissue surface.
Quality of fingerprint radiomaps for positioning systems

This research work proposes a novel algorithm for evaluating the quality of Received Signal Strength (RSS) fingerprint databases, utilized by positioning systems. The proposed “Tolerance Based - Normal Probability Distribution (TBNPD)” correlation algorithm, calculates the correlation level between each pair of fingerprint entries forming the radiomap. Possible RSS fluctuations, occurring due to the dynamic nature of the environment, are also taken into consideration. The proposed TBNPD algorithm offers the possibility to assess the uniqueness of each fingerprint entry in a radiomap, prior its utilization in a Real Time Positioning System (RTLS). By applying this process, one has the opportunity to improve the positioning accuracy of an RTLS, by modifying the network infrastructure or its characteristics in order to upgrade the quality of the initial input data i.e the fingerprint uniqueness. In this way, different fingerprint radiomaps of the same building environment can be compared and the best one can be chosen to feed the positioning platform, leading to better accuracy.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Viability of a Random Skin Flap in Nicotine-Treated Rats

Background:Skin flaps are extensively used in plastic surgery, the main postoperative problems being ischemia and necrosis. Nicotine has acute vasoconstrictive properties, diminishing blood flow and increasing the risk of flap necrosis. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) was effective in reducing necrosis in random skin flaps in rats. Therefore, the authors decided to test the efficacy of TENS to reduce necrosis in the presence of nicotine. Methods:Sixteen adult male Wistar-Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM) rats were distributed, at random, in 2 groups of 8 animals. The nicotine group (NG) received this drug subcutaneously (1.2 mg/kg/d), for 1 week before flap elevation. The nicotine plus TENS group (NTG) followed the same routine. Immediately after the operative procedure and on the next 2 postoperative days, the treatment group (NTG) was submitted to TENS during an hour under anesthesia. NG animals were sham exposed. After 7 days, the percentages of necrosis were determined. Results:The NG had a mean value of 45% and the NTG, 21% of necrosis, a difference statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion:TENS was effective in the reduction of necrosis in this flap model.
Mediators of neutrophil recruitment in human abdominal aortic aneurysms

Aims Neutrophils/platelet interactions are involved in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The intraluminal thrombus (ILT) is a human model of platelet/neutrophil interactions. The present study focused on mediators involved in neutrophil recruitment in AAA. Methods and results Conditioned media from luminal, intermediate, and abluminal layers of 29 human ILTs were analysed for neutrophil markers [elastase/α1-antitrypsin and MMP9/NGAL complexes, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and α-defensin peptides], RANTES, platelet factor 4 (PF4), and interleukin-8 (IL-8). Their time-dependent release into serum from clots generated in vitro and their plasma concentrations in AAA patients and controls were determined. Immunohistochemistry for neutrophils, platelets, IL-8, PF4, and RANTES on AAA sections was performed; and molecules involved in ILT neutrophil chemotactic function were analysed in vitro. Neutrophils and platelets colocalized in the luminal layer of the thrombus. Consistently, neutrophil markers and platelet-derived RANTES and PF4 were released predominantly by the luminal thrombus pole, where their concentrations were significantly correlated. The luminal ILT layer was also the main source of IL-8, whose immunostaining colocalized with neutrophils. All were also released time dependently from clots and were increased in plasma of AAA patients. Luminal ILT layers displayed potent neutrophil chemotactic activity in vitro, which was inhibited by RANTES- and IL-8-blocking antibodies as well as by reparixin, an antagonist of the IL-8 receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2. Conclusion Taken together, these results suggest that platelet-derived RANTES and neutrophil-derived IL-8 are involved in attracting neutrophils to the luminal layer of AAA ILT.
Late Positive Remodeling and Late Lumen Gain Contribute to Vascular Restoration by a Non-Drug Eluting Bioresorbable Scaffold: A Four-Year Intravascular Ultrasound Study in Normal Porcine Coronary Arteries

Background— The interplay between mechanical dilatation, resorption, and arterial response following implantation of bioresorbable scaffolds is still poorly understood. Methods and Results— Long-term geometric changes in porcine coronary arteries in relation to gradual degradation of bioresorbable scaffolds were assessed in comparison with bare metal stents (BMS). Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-derived lumen, outer stent/scaffold, and reference vessel areas were evaluated in 94 polymer scaffolds and 46 BMS at 5 days and 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 55 months, in addition to polymer scaffold radial crush strength and molecular weight (MW) at 3, 6, and 12 months. BMS outer stent area and lumen area remained constant through 55 months (P=0.05, but within 1 standard deviation of 100%, and P=0.58, respectively), while significant increases were exhibited by polymer-scaffolded vessels with the maximum late lumen gain at 24 months, paralleled by the outer scaffold area increase, and then remaining at that increased level at 55 months (P<0.01). By 12 months polymer scaffolds experienced significant reductions in radial strength and MW, while the animals underwent the largest weight gain. At 3 months and beyond, the patency ratio (lumen area/reference vessel area) of BMS remained constant (0.71 to 0.85, P=0.49). In contrast, that of polymer scaffolds increased and approached 1 (P=0.13). Conclusions— Bioresorbable polymer scaffolds allow restoration of the treated segment's ability to remodel outward to achieve level lumen transition between reference vessel and scaffold-treated regions, a process mediated by animal growth and scaffold degradation. This also introduces a challenge to standard analyses of IVUS outcomes relying on constant stent diameters over time.
A JOINT MARKETING / OPERATIONS MODEL OF DIFFERENTIATED PRODUCT DECISIONS

Decisions concerning product differentiation lie at the interface of marketing and operations management. This paper addresses the influence of consumer preferences and operations costs on the optimal number and price of variants of a differentiated product. We represent consumer preferences with the logit model and market segments with a Bayesian model. We also break operations costs into overhead costs and ongoing production/supply chain costs. Our analysis shows that reducing operations costs generally makes it attractive to offer greater product variety. But this is not always true if a producer is risk-averse. We demonstrate that product variety depends heavily on the overhead cost, which is mainly determined by a supply chain structure and the flexibility of a manufacturing system. We also show that operations costs and market structure have a significant impact on the pricing strategy. Date: 08/19/03. Email: hopp@northwestern.edu and xuxiaowe@northwestern.edu.
CD8+ T-Cell Responses in Acute Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects approximately 170 million people worldwide and is a major cause of life-threatening liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Acute HCV infection often progresses to chronic persistent infection, although some patients recover spontaneously. The divergent outcomes of acute HCV infection are known to be determined by differences in virus-specific T-cell responses among patients. Of the two major T-cell subsets, CD8+ T-cells are known to be the key effector cells that control viral infections via cytolytic activity and cytokine secretion. Herein, we review various aspects of HCV-specific CD8+ T-cell responses in acute HCV infection. In particular, we focus on timing of CD8+ T-cell responses, relationship between CD8+ T-cell responses and outcomes of acute HCV infection, receptor expression on CD8+ T-cells, breadth of CD8+ T-cell responses, and viral mutations.
Using fuzzy ontology for query refinement in a personalized abstract search engine

Recommending alternate queries during information seeking activities is an important feature in a Web-based search engine because users often do not know the exact terms to locate the information relevant to their interests. This paper describes an approach to construct automatically a fuzzy ontology that can be used to refine a user's query. The method has been incorporated in a domain-specific search engine namely Personalized Abstract Search Services (PASS). Preliminary results suggest that the basic approaches adopted as well as the technique developed for practical use are intuitively promising.
[Cost-effectiveness of initial adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV infected patients in Belo Horizonte, Brazil].

BACKGROUND In Brazil, there is free antiretroviral (ARV) distribution to patients with HIV disease by the National Health System. Adherence to the treatment is one of the main factors that health services can manage to increase the effectiveness of the ARV medication. The aim of this study is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of initial adherence to the ARV therapy and to identify factors that influence patient's costs and global evolution. METHODS Prospective study of HIV infected patients receiving their first ARV prescription in two public referral centers to HIV/Aids, Brazil. The non-adherence was defined as the intake of <95% of the prescribed doses for 3 days prior to the first follow-up visit. A cost-effectiveness ratio was calculated for either groups, the adherent and the non-adherent. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed using multiple linear and binary logistic regression models. RESULTS 79.7% of the 197 participants was adherent to the ARV treatment and the ratio cost-effectiveness obtained for this group (2667.67 Eros) was smaller than the ratio observed among the non-adherent group. Multivariate analysis (p < 0.05) showed that adherence to ARV therapy and use of protease inhibitors in the treatment were associated with higher direct cost of care. The favorable global evolution was associated with being asymptomatic, TCD4+ linphocyte count >200 cels/mm3 and be adherent to the ARV treatment. CONCLUSIONS The observed results supported the ARV therapy as a cost-effective intervention. However, low adherence increases the risk of therapeutic failure and illness progression that results in a negative impact on the cost-efectiveness of the ARV therapy.
On modeling system-centric information for role engineering

In this paper we present an approach to modeling system-centric information in order to facilitate role engineering (RE). In particular, we first discuss the general characteristics of the information required in RE. Afterwards, we discuss two informational flow types among authorities involved in RE process, forward information flow (FIF) and backward information flow (BIF), together with the introduction of an information model which is greatly suitable for use in the backward information flow. System-centic information is incorporated in the information model and UML extension mechanisms are exploited for modeling the information. Not only can the information model provide those different authorities with a method for both analysis of resources and communication of knowledge in the RE process, but it can also help lay a foundation for successful implementations of RBAC.