Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low-Complexity MMSE Precoding for Coordinated Multipoint With Per-Antenna Power Constraint

We propose a low-complexity minimum mean square error (MMSE) transmit filter design for the coordinated beamforming (CB) in the coordinated multipoint (CoMP) under the practical per-antenna power constraint (PAPC). The proposed design is based on the nonlinear Gauss-Seidel type algorithm in which the transmit filters for given receive filters are computed by iteratively updating the beamformer of each transmit antenna using simple closed-form expressions. The proposed approach can significantly reduce the overall complexity of the alternating optimization while preserving the optimality in the MSE sense.
Confucian moral roots of citizenship behaviour in China

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which Confucian moral standards may serve as a moral root of employees' organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) in the People's Republic of China (PRC). Design/methodology/approach – The approach is conceptual, based on research within the ﬁeld. Findings – This paper suggests that the moral characteristics of Confucianism (based on a strong body of empirical studies): harmony, group orientation, guanxi (relationships), diligence, self‐learning and thrift, are the great virtues of the indigenous forms of OCB in the PRC, including helping co‐worker; individual initiative and/or functional participation; group activity participation; self‐development; social welfare participation; promoting company image; voice; protecting and saving company resources; interpersonal harmony and keeping the workplace clean; and keeping departmental harmony and coexistence in adversity.Originality/value – First, this paper contributes to the extant knowledge as t.
Fabricating autologous tissue to engineer artificial nerve

This study reports on the successful fabrication of artificial nerves with tissue engineering methods. Schwann cells were cultured for 2 weeks, seeded on polyglactin 910 scaffolds, and biomembrane‐coated with rat‐tail glue and laminin. Observation of the scaffolds' adsorptivity to Schwann cells, and of the growth and migration of Schwann cells, was made using a light microscope, and by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The Schwann cells were able to migrate and proliferate on the polyglactin 910 fiber. Schwann cells were well‐distributed, and formed a Büngner band on which the Schwann cells produced more matrices. Schwann cells on the biomembrane also grew well. We investigated the role of the tissue engineering conduit guide in vivo, using an established rabbit peripheral nerve regeneration model. At 8 weeks, axonal regeneration was observed in the distal nerve stump. Adult Schwann cells can be produced on the coated fiber and the biomembrane. Three‐dimensional scaffolds with Schwann cells had the basic characteristics of the artificial nerve. These findings will provide a practical method for fabricating tissue‐engineered artificial nerve to repair long nerve defects. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 22:133–137 2002
Knock, knock: who's there?: Nox1.

It has become apparent that major sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mammalian cells are the NADPH oxidases. These multimeric enzymes are composed of membrane-bound catalytic subunits, or Nox enzymes, and a small docking subunit called p22phox. Depending on the Nox isoform, cytosolic regulatory subunits also play a role in their activation. There are 7 Nox isoforms. The first identified was Nox2, also called gp91 phox , which is present in phagocytic cells and is responsible for the oxidative burst. Unlike Nox2, the other Nox enzymes exhibit sustained production of ROS at somewhat lower levels. Their modes of activation differ, as do their cellular distributions. Nox1 through Nox4 are expressed in vascular cells in rodents. Nox5 has been identified in atherosclerotic lesions of humans but is not expressed in rodents. Stimulation of cells with angiotensin II, cytokines, catecholamines, high glucose, or mechanical stretch promotes NADPH oxidase activation, in large part as a result of recruitment of cytosolic subunits to the membrane subunit, leading to the formation of the functional enzyme complex that can transfer electrons to molecular oxygen and the formation of superoxide (O2·−). 1 O2·−serves as a progenitor for other ROS, including hydrogen peroxide, peroxynitrite, and hypochlorous acid. Enhanced activity of the NADPH oxidases and increased expression of its subunits occur in many pathological conditions, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, cardiac hypertrophy, and heart failure. Studies of genetically altered mice have shown that the deletion of various NADPH oxidase subunits protects against these diseases and their overexpression promotes pathology.2−4 Article see p 1888 A consequence of excessive ROS formation is loss of endothelial nitric oxide (NO), which can occur by rapid radical-radical reactions with O2·− and other radicals or as a result of dysfunction of the endothelial NO synthase. …
Establishment and Clinical Features in Spontaneously Diabetic Torii Rat

The Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) rat is a spontaneous animal model of non-obese Type 2 diabetes (T2D) resembling those of humans, established in 1997. I investigated the clinical features of the SDT rats. The time of onset of glucosuria was different between male and female SDT rats; glucosuria appeared at approximately 20 weeks of age in male rats and at approximately 45 weeks of age in female rats. A cumulative incidence of diabetes of 100% was noted by 40 weeks of age in male rats, while it was only 33.3% even by 65 weeks of age in female rats. The survival rate up to 65 weeks of age was 92.9% in male rats and 97.4% in female rats. The male SDT rats were (1) hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia (from 25 weeks of age); (2) a significant increase in urea nitrogen levels, urinary protein excretion and HbA1c levels (from 35 weeks of age); (3) long-term survival without insulin treatment after onset of diabetes; additionally, no obesity was noted in any of the male and female rats. These results indicated that the SDT rat strain described here would serve as useful animal model for studies of non-obese T2D.
OXIDATION OF GLUCOSE and D‐B‐OH‐BUTYRATE BY THE EARLY HUMAN FETAL BRAIN

Abstract. Adam, P. A. J., Räihä, N. , Rahiala, E. ‐L. and Kekomäki, M. (Departments of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University at Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio USA, and the University of Helsinki at the Children's Hospital, Helsinki, Finland). Oxidation of glucose and D‐B‐OH‐butyrate by the early human fetal brain. Acta Paediatr Scand, 64:17, 1975. –The isolated brains of 12 previable human fetuses obtained at 12 to 21 weeks' gestation, were perfused through the interval carotid artery with glucose (3 mM) and/or DL‐B‐OH‐butyrate (DL‐BOHB), 4.5 mM, plus tracer quantities of either glucose‐6‐14C (G614C) or β‐OH‐butyrate‐3‐14C (BOHB314C). Oxidative metabolism was demonstrated by serial collection of gaseous 14CO2 from the closed perfusion system, and from the recirculating medium. Glucose and BOHB were utilized at physiological rates as indicated (mean ±SEM): G614C at 0.10±0.01 μmoles/min g brain (n=7) or 17.5±1.9 μmoles/ min kg fetus; and BOHB314C at 0.16±0.05 μmoles/min g (n=5) or 27.3±7.4 μmoles/ min kg.
Music Theory, Phenomenology, and Modes of Perception

Recent years have seen an increasing influence on music theory of perceptual investigations that can be called phenomenological in the sense of Husserl, either explicitly or implicitly. The trend is problematic, particularly in what one might call its sociology, but it is also very promising. Potential or at least metaphorical links with Artificial Intelligence are especially suggestive. A formal model for "musical perceptions," incorporating some of the promising features, reveals interesting things in connection with Schubert9s song Morgengruβ. The model helps to circumvent some traditional difficulties in the methodology of music analysis. But the model must be used with caution since, like other perceptual theories, it appears to make " listening" a paradigmatic musical activity. Composer/ performer/playwright/actor/director/poet can be contrasted here to listener/reader. The two genera can be compared in the usual ways, but also in some not-so-usual ways. The former genus may be held to be perceiving in the creative act, and some influential contemporary literary theories actually prefer members of this genus to those of the other as perceivers. The theories can be modified, I believe, to allow a more universal stance that also regards acts of analytic reading/listening as poetry.
Design of a high-resolution optoelectronic retinal prosthesis

It has been demonstrated that electrical stimulation of the retina can produce visual percepts in blind patients suffering from macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. However, current retinal implants provide very low resolution (just a few electrodes), whereas at least several thousand pixels would be required for functional restoration of sight. This paper presents the design of an optoelectronic retinal prosthetic system with a stimulating pixel density of up to 2500 pix mm−2 (corresponding geometrically to a maximum visual acuity of 20/80). Requirements on proximity of neural cells to the stimulation electrodes are described as a function of the desired resolution. Two basic geometries of sub-retinal implants providing required proximity are presented: perforated membranes and protruding electrode arrays. To provide for natural eye scanning of the scene, rather than scanning with a head-mounted camera, the system operates similar to ‘virtual reality’ devices. An image from a video camera is projected by a goggle-mounted collimated infrared LED-LCD display onto the retina, activating an array of powered photodiodes in the retinal implant. The goggles are transparent to visible light, thus allowing for the simultaneous use of remaining natural vision along with prosthetic stimulation. Optical delivery of visual information to the implant allows for real-time image processing adjustable to retinal architecture, as well as flexible control of image processing algorithms and stimulation parameters.
The Four “Knows” of Collaborative Teaching

educating students with disabilities in the general education classroom, collaboration between general and special education is essential (Rainforth & England, 1997). One way in which teachers collaborate is through coteaching, which is “the collaboration between general and special education teachers for all of the teaching responsibilities of all students assigned to a classroom” (Gately & Gately, 2001, p. 41). The literature has fairly well documented the benefits and challenges of co-teaching at the elementary level (Jackson, Ryndak, & Billingsley, 2000; Manset & Semmel, 1997). Co-teaching at the secondary level, however, presents a different set of challenges and has taken longer to be embraced by educators (Scruggs & Mastropieri, 1996; see box, “What Does the L i t e ra tu re Say”). In this article, we focus on helping teachers meet the challenge of co-teaching at the secondary level. Here, we examine challenges and benefits of secondary-level co-teaching and provide suggestions for practice, based on our own experience and on a literature review.
A methodology for layout aware design and optimization of custom network-on-chip architectures

Network-on-chip (NoC) has been proposed as a solution for the interconnection architecture design problem of system-on-chip (SoC) design in nanoscale technologies. NoC architecture for application specific SoC can be optimized by constructing custom topologies that are more suitable for the given application. In nanoscale technologies, the link energy consumption constitute a considerable part of the total communication energy. Therefore, the total energy consumption of the NoC is strongly influenced by system-level floorplan. In this paper, we present a novel integer linear programming (ILP) based technique for joint optimization of NoC with system-level floorplan. We also present a clustering based heuristic technique to reduce the runtime of the ILP formulation. Experimental results with realistic benchmarks applications demonstrate superiority of custom NoC topologies generated by our techniques over mesh based networks, and high quality of the clustering based technique when compared with the ILP formulation
Graphical simulation and high-level control of humanoid robots

Physically-based simulation software is commonly used for developing and testing low-level robot control algorithms. In order to facilitate the development and evaluation of higher-level robot behaviors, broader-based simulations are needed. Examples include software for simulating 3D vision, motion planning for obstacle avoidance, and integrating vision and planning. In addition to modeling the general interaction between the robot and its environment, the software can be used as a graphical user interface for directly controlling or interacting with a robot operating in the real world. This paper describes our current efforts toward building a large-scale software simulation framework for the development and testing of high-level behaviors for humanoid robots. We view this as a potential useful tool for the visualization and development of robotic systems, as well as an interactive, task-level programming interface for robots.
Another look at the efficiency of markets: the case of the tennis betting exchanges

In this article, we investigate the efficiency of the top tennis betting market worldwide using an original database from the Betfair betting exchange. Usually, the results show that the prices have made up a good forecast on the outcome of the matches. Nevertheless, there are evidences that the punters react poorly to the information (which is consistent with the conservatism and anchoring biases) and that they assign a high gain probability to any players who happens to be dominating the match (consistent with the representativeness bias). Several lucrative betting strategies were found, which puts in check the efficiency of the reviewed betting market.
Hand hygiene compliance and irritant dermatitis: a juxtaposition of healthcare issues

Reduction and prevention of health care‐associated infections is a worldwide priority with emphasis on increasing hand hygiene compliance. Repetitive exposure to hand hygiene products and procedures is a significant factor in the development of occupational irritant hand dermatitis. Compliance has been difficult to achieve often due to skin irritation. The introduction of alcohol hand rubs has positively influenced compliance but rates remain lower than required. Genetic and environmental factors to the frequency and severity of irritant contact dermatitis have been identified. Because of the skin's role in innate immunity, maintenance of epidermal integrity is a key strategy for reducing health care‐associated infections. In this review, we examine the interdependence of the two issues and the challenges of simultaneously accomplishing both goals. We emphasize research conducted among healthcare workers in their clinical settings. The factors that influence skin integrity and the challenges in meeting both goals simultaneously are explored. Cosmetic scientists have played key roles in the development of improved skin care products, and the issues present an excellent opportunity for them to provide potentially life‐saving contributions to health care.
Perceived stress, psychological well-being and the activity of neutrophils in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery

This study explored relationships, before and after surgery, between perceived stress and the activity of white-blood cells (neutrophils) in 82 patients undergoing heart surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass surgery (CPB). On the evening before surgery and at follow-up, 6-weeks after discharge, patients completed self-administered standard psychological measures. Small peripheral blood samples were taken, from which neutrophil activity was quantified using nitro-blue tetrazolium (NBT) and luminol-dependant chemiluminescence (phagocytic capacity). There were consistent, statistically significant associations between stress and percentageNBT cells at baseline and at follow-up. Regression analysis showed that perceived stress was a predictor of neutrophil activity at follow-up suggesting that higher levels of stress are associated with higher levels of activity. Results from the phagocytic capacity data support and strengthen the NBT findings; in response to stimuli the phagocytic capacity of the neutrophils is reduced at baseline (high stress) and increased at follow-up (lower stress). Significant decreases were found on perceived stress, anxiety, depression, negative affect and health-related stress at follow-up. Patients' self-efficacy was high at baseline and remained high throughout the study. Results highlighted a consistent, significant relationship between perceived stress and the ‘activity’ of neutrophils. The implications of this finding are worthy of exploration given that stress-activated neutrophils may adversely influence health outcomes. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TOXICITY TESTING OF RESTORATIVE DENTAL MATERIALS USING BRINE SHRIMP LARVAE (ARTEMIA SALINA)

This study investigated the effect of extracts of different composites, glass ionomer cement (GIC)s and compomers on the viability of brine shrimp larvae. Ethanolic extracts of four dental composites (Z-100; Solitaire 2; Filtek P60 and Synergy), a conventional GIC (Ketac-Fil), a resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Vitremer), two compomers (F2000; Dyract AP), and a flowable compomer (Dyract Flow) were prepared from each material. Following evaporation of the ethanol, the extracts were resuspended in distilled water, which was then used to test the effects on the viability of brine shrimp larvae. For the composites, the extract of Synergy was the least toxic (88% viability) followed by the extracts of Solitaire 2, Z100 and P60 (75%, 67.5% and 50% viability, respectively). One-way ANOVA revealed highly significant differences between the resin composite materials (p<0.001). Follow-up comparison between the composite groups by Tukey's pairwise multiple-comparison test (α =0.05) showed that the extract of Synergy was significantly less toxic than the extracts of all the other materials except that of Solitaire 2. The compomers showed 100% lethality, while the percentage of viable larvae for the extracts of Ketac-Fil, and Vitremer were 32.3%, and 37.0%, respectively. One-way ANOVA revealed highly significant differences between the groups of materials (p<0.001). Follow-up comparison between the groups by Tukey's test (α = 0.05) showed that the toxic effect of the extracts of the compomers were significantly greater than that of Ketac-Fil, and Vitremer. The differences in the toxic effects of Vitremer and Ketac-Fil were not statistically significant. In conclusion, the toxicity of composite materials varied according to their chemical composition. Compomers were the most lethal materials to brine shrimp larvae followed by GICs and then composites.
Recoverability of Discrete-Event Systems With Faults

In this paper, we investigate recoverability of discrete-event systems with faults. For a discrete-event system, recoverability is defined as the ability to fire recovery events after the occurrence of a finite number of events for any event sequence which leads the system to faulty modes. By constructing the observer of the system, we discuss how to check whether the system is recoverable or not. Furthermore, we propose one more efficient approach to check recoverability. Finally, all the results are illustrated by a practical example.
A Gene Related to Yeast HOS2 Histone Deacetylase Affects Extracellular Depolymerase Expression and Virulence in a Plant Pathogenic Fungus

A gene, HDC1, related to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae histone deacetylase (HDAC) gene HOS2, was isolated from the filamentous fungus Cochliobolus carbonum, a pathogen of maize that makes the HDAC inhibitor HC-toxin. Engineered mutants of HDC1 had smaller and less septate conidia and exhibited an ∼50% reduction in total HDAC activity. Mutants were strongly reduced in virulence as a result of reduced penetration efficiency. Growth of hdc1 mutants in vitro was normal on glucose, slightly decreased on sucrose, and reduced by 30 to 73% on other simple and complex carbohydrates. Extracellular depolymerase activities and expression of the corresponding genes were downregulated in hdc1 mutant strains. Except for altered conidial morphology, the phenotypes of hdc1 mutants were similar to those of C. carbonum strains mutated in ccSNF1 encoding a protein kinase necessary for expression of glucose-repressed genes. These results show that HDC1 has multiple functions in a filamentous fungus and is required for full virulence of C. carbonum on maize.
Correlation between T2∗ (T2 star) relaxation time and cervical intervertebral disc degeneration

Purpose:To demonstrate the potential benefits of T2* relaxation time of intervertebral discs (IVDs) regarding the detection and grading of degenerative disc disease using 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a clinical setting. Materials and Methods:Cervical sagittal T2-weighted, T2* relaxation MRI was performed at 3.0-T in 61 subjects, covering discs C2–3 to C6–7. All discs were morphologically assessed based on the Pfirrmann grade, and regions of interests (ROIs) were drawn over the T2* mapping. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed among grades to determine the cut-off values. Results:Cervical intervertebral discs (IVDs) of patients were commonly determined to be at Pfirrmann grades III to V. The nucleus pulposus (NP) values did not differ significantly between sexes at the same anatomic level (P > 0.05). In the NP, the T2* values tended to decrease with increasing grade (P < 0.000), and a significant difference was found in the T2 values between grades I to V (P < 0.05). T2* values based on disc degeneration level classification were as follows: grade I (>30 milliseconds), grade II (24.55–29.99 milliseconds), grade III (21.65–24.54 milliseconds), grade IV (18.35–21.64 milliseconds), and grade V (<18.34 milliseconds). Conclusion:Our standardized method of region-specific quantitative T2* relaxation time evaluation seems capable of characterizing different degrees of disc degeneration quantitatively. The T2* values obtained in these cervical IVDs may serve as baseline values for future T2* measurements in both healthy and degenerated cervical discs.
Impact of lactation management education on health professionals.

BACKGROUND In 1992, Kenyatta National Hospital Lactation Management Education Centre (KNH LME) was establised in collaboration with the University of Nairobi (UoN) and the Ministry of Health (MoH). The aim of the programme was to train multidisciplinary teams of health professionals in lactation management education. OBJECTIVE To determine the performance of doctors, nurses and nutritionists on lactation management education, before and after exposure to the programme. DESIGN A descriptive analysis of the pre and post test performance of doctors, nurses and nutritionists on lactation management education. SUBJECTS Two hundred and twenty nine health professionals, comprising one hundred and thirty eight nurses, fifty six nutritionists, and thirty five doctors. RESULTS The performance of all participants improved significantly (p = <.000) between the pre and post test scores from a mean score of 54.0% in pre test, to a mean score of 72.0% in the post test. CONCLUSION Adequate lactation management education content should be included in all preservice medical curricula for all health professionals. In addition, an update of emerging issues in lactation management education must be sustained, in all health institutions as part of continuing education for inservice health professionals.