Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Near-optimal and efficient MIMO detectors for 64-QAM symbols

This paper presents a simulation study that evaluated one optimal and several near-optimal algorithms for detecting 16-QAM and 64-QAM symbols in single-user MIMO receivers. The study is part of a larger project to develop efficient and near-optimal MIMO detection algorithms for high-order symbol constellations. Fouladi Fard's near-optimal detection algorithm differs from the conventional V-BLAST algorithm by considering each possible value of the noisiest symbol in the current symbol vector, and then performing V-BLAST in parallel for each candidate to detect the remaining symbols. We investigated modifications of Fouladi Fard's algorithm that restrict the search space for the first (noisiest) symbol, thereby reducing the computational complexity while still producing performance that significantly exceeds that of V-BLAST.
Where does the development of road transport emission macro modelling lead?

In recent years, road transport models have developed for better estimation of road traffic emissions with higher and higher temporal and spatial resolution, to be used as a tool in air quality management for the better living. Road transport related emission models are becoming more and more complex. In this paper, the key research question is how the improvement in modelling influences the results? The authors compared three different macro emission modelling system with the dataset of Hungary for 2010. One must notice that more precise model has larger data requirement. Firstly, the consumption-based model was run with 31 needed input data secondly, EURO standard based model was run with 261 needed data and finally, speed dependent model was run with 1060 needed input data. According to the results, it can be stated that a more complex model could cause significant differences in emission compared to simpler one. The differences can be caused by old Hungarian vehicle fleet or differences in estimation error.
VoCal: un agenda vocal sur PDA pour non-voyants

VoCal is a vocal appointment manager running on Pocket PC founded by Microsoft Research in the framework of RFP embedded which is useful to evaluate usefulness and usability of standard PDA for visually impaired persons. The aim of this application is to allow blind users to manage their appointments on a Pocket PC during a mobility situation. This prototype has been developed using a centered design method 7. This paper deals particularly with VoCal functionalities and the non-visual interaction input/output modalities.
Self-management interventions for people living with human immunodeficiency virus: A scoping review

Background. Self-management is an important emerging intervention for people with human immunodeficiency virus (PHAs). The principles of self-management are consistent with the principles of client-centred occupational therapy. Purpose. This scoping review addressed three questions about self-management interventions for PHAs: (a) What knowledge, skills, and attitudes are taught? (b) What outcomes are intended? (c) What are the participation experiences of PHAs? Method. Questions were searched in six databases. Two researchers independently reviewed abstracts and articles before inclusion. Extracted data were iteratively themed. Findings. Thirty-five articles were included. Interventions taught self-care, interpersonal skills, technical knowledge, cognitive skills, positive attitudes, planning for the future, and role management. Outcomes included well-being, health and illness management, and health services use. Participation experiences reflected social experiences, needs of PHAs, specific needs of women, participation, empowerment, intervention importance, and experiences with service delivery. Implications. Self-management interventions are a promising approach for occupational therapists to enable PHAs’ occupational performance goals. Description. L’autogestion est une nouvelle intervention importante pour les personnes atteintes du virus de l’immunodéficience humaine (VIH). Les principes de l’autogestion sont conformes aux principes de l’ergothérapie centrée sur le client. But. Cette étude de la portée abordait trois questions relatives aux interventions axées sur l’autogestion pour les personnes atteintes du VIH : (a) Quelles sont les connaissances, habiletés et attitudes enseignées? (b) Quels sont les résultats escomptés? (c) Quelles sont les expériences de participation des personnes atteintes du VIH? Méthodologie. Ces questions ont fait l’objet d’une recherche dans six bases de données. Deux chercheurs ont analysé de manière indépendante les résumés et les articles afin de déterminer s’ils devaient ou non être retenus pour l’étude. Les données extraites ont été regroupées par thème, de manière itérative. Résultats. Trente-cinq articles ont été retenus. Les interventions enseignaient les soins personnels, des habiletés interpersonnelles, des connaissances techniques, des habiletés cognitives, des attitudes positives, la planification pour l’avenir et la gestion des rôles. Les résultats étaient notamment la gestion du bien-être, de la santé et de la maladie et l’utilisation des services de santé. Les expériences de participation témoignaient des expériences sociales, des besoins des personnes atteintes du VIH, des besoins spécifiques des femmes, de la participation, de la remise du pouvoir, de l’importance de l’intervention et des expériences vécues face à la prestation des services. Conséquences. Les interventions axées sur l’autogestion sont une approche prometteuse que les ergothérapeutes peuvent utiliser pour favoriser l’atteinte des objectifs en matière de rendement occupationnel des personnes atteintes du VIH.
Age-structured red blood cell susceptibility and the dynamics of malaria infections

Malaria parasites and immune responses in an infected human interact on a dynamic landscape, in which a population of replicating parasites depletes a population of replenishing red blood cells (RBCs). These underlying dynamics receive relatively little attention, but they offer unique insights into the processes that control most malaria infections. Here, we focus on the observation that three of the four malaria-parasite species that infect humans are restricted to particular age classes of RBC. We explicitly incorporate this observation in models of infection dynamics to distinguish common from species-specific pressures on host immune responses, and we find that age structuring has profound effects on the course of infection. For all four species conditions exist under which the parasites may persist at low densities, or may clear, even in the absence of an immune response. Catastrophic anemia can occur even with the two species that attack only the youngest RBCs, although only a small fraction of cells are parasitized at any point. Furthermore, with these two, compensatory erythropoetic responses in the host accelerate parasite population growth. A “basic reproduction rate” characterizes these differences in outcomes.
Evaluating a sketch environment for novice programmers

This paper describes the evaluation of an electronic sketch interface design tool for novice programmers. A comparative study was undertaken with small groups using two different shared space environments; a conventional informal design environment and the pen based digital whiteboard. The students reacted positively to the electronic environment, where they worked informally with their design ideas and checked them more carefully.
Cellular mechanisms of acrolein-induced alteration in calcium signaling in airway smooth muscle.

Acrolein, an unsaturated aliphatic aldehyde, is a potent respiratory irritant. We have previously observed that acrolein administered ex vivo to isolated airways alters subsequent airway responsiveness to muscarinic agonists in terms of both mechanical activity of rings and calcium signaling in isolated cells. In the present study, we have examined the mechanisms by which acrolein alters Ca(2+) signaling. In freshly isolated rat tracheal smooth muscle cells, preexposure to acrolein increased the [Ca(2+)](i) oscillation frequency in response to endothelin 1 (ET-1, 0.1 microM), a contractile agonist that acts via the activation of a receptor different from the muscarinic cholinoceptor. We then studied acrolein-induced alteration in cell signaling with special attention to the steps downstream of membrane receptor activation i.e., the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP(3)) signaling pathway. Pretreatment of cells with LiCl (20 mM), a modulator of InsP(3) concentration, mimicked the effect of acrolein exposure on agonist-induced [Ca(2+)](i) response, i.e., increased the amplitude of the first Ca(2+) rise and the oscillation frequency in response to 0.1 and 10 microM acetylcholine (ACh), respectively. Moreover, in tracheal smooth muscle, preexposure to acrolein significantly increased carbachol-induced [(3)H]inositol-phosphates accumulation, up to 34 +/- 11% above unexposed tissue values. Finally, in beta-escin permeabilized cells, injection of InsP(3) (0.1-10 microM) induced a concentration-dependent [Ca(2+)](i) rise followed, for high InsP(3) concentration, by [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations, a calcium response whose pattern was similar to that induced by ACh. Exposure to acrolein did not alter the InsP(3)-induced [Ca(2+)](i) response. These results indicate that the effect of acrolein exposure on Ca(2+) responses in airway smooth muscle is not restricted to activation of the muscarinic cholinoceptor and is due to an enhancement in agonist-induced InsP(3) production. Since acrolein does not modify InsP(3) receptor channel sensitivity, we conclude that acrolein-induced alteration in calcium signaling can be ascribed to its sole effect on InsP(3) production.
The influence of the sympathetic outflow on aortic chemoreceptors of the cat during hypoxia and hypercapnia.

1. An attempt has been made to reconcile differing observations, made by different groups of investigators, on the responses of aortic chemoreceptors of cats during normoxia, hypoxia and hypercapnia. 2. In cats anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone it was observed that during hypoxic stimulation of twelve chemoreceptors, an intravenous injection of about 20 mg sodium pentobarbitone produced hypotension which was accompanied by an initial fall in chemoreceptor activity instead of the expected increase that invariably occurred in all the receptors when hypotension was produced mechanically by distending a balloon in the right atrium (twenty‐six during normoxia, eleven during hypoxia and eight during hypercapnia). 3. In twelve receptors a reflex fall in blood pressure produced by injecting 8‐25 micrograms veratridine (Bezold‐Jarisch reflex) yielded results qualitatively similar to those following injection of sodium pentobarbitone. 4. In sixteen out of twenty‐five chemoreceptors it was observed that ventilating the cat with 5.6‐6.7% CO2 produced either no or little increase in activity; in nine receptors there was a clear increase in activity, which fell initially or was abolished after injecting a single dose of 20 mg sodium pentobarbitone. 5. In all seven chemoreceptors tested in seven deeply anaesthetized cats it was found that a larger dose (about 50‐60 mg) of sodium pentobarbitone had no direct depressant effect on aortic chemoreceptor activity. It followed that the initial depressant effect of the much smaller doses of sodium pentobarbitone observed during hypoxic and hypercapnic stimulation (see above) must be due to reduction in the sympathetic outflow to the aortic bodies. This conclusion was supported by the results following injections of veratridine. 6. By comparing the present results with those reported previously it was concluded that the variations in the responses of aortic chemoreceptors during hypoxia and hypercapnia reported by different investigators could be partly due to variations in the level of sympathetic activity prevailing under different experimental conditions.
Viewed by too many or viewed too little: Using information dissemination for audience segmentation

The identification of meaningful audience segments, such as groups of users, consumers, readers, audience, etc., has important applicability in a variety of domains, including for content publishing. In this research, we seek to develop a technique for determining both information dissemination and information discrimination of online content in order to isolate audience segments. The benefits of the technique include identification of the most impactful content for analysis. With 4,320 online videos from a major news organization, a set of audience attributes, and more than 58 million interactions from hundreds of thousands of users, we isolate the key pieces of content in terms of identifying audience segments that are both (a) least and most discriminating in terms of audience segments and (b) the least and most impactful. By empirical methods, we show that 25.3 percent of the videos are so widely disseminated (i.e., viewed by so many different segments) that they are non‐discriminatory, while 29.7 percent of the videos are very discriminatory (i.e., can clearly identify one or more audience segments) but their impact is marginal, as the user base is small. Implications are that there are critical values that can be identified to isolate the set of both distinct and impactful content in a given data set of online content. We demonstrate the utility of this line of analysis by using the approach to identify critical cut‐off values for dynamic persona generation.
A Biofeedback-Based Breathing Induction System

we have developed a biofeedback-based breath training environment in which the user can easily relax his body and mind only by following the induction. The environment includes body relaxation video guide and breathing induction program. The body relaxation video guide helps relax the body with simple stretch motions in a seating posture. The breathing induction program is operated in two modes: biofeedback training mode and self training mode. In the biofeedback training mode, a visual breathing induction is provided and each breath following the induction is assessed by processing the change of pulse rates measured from photo-plethysmography. In self-training mode, voice and visual induction is provided to breathe consciously in a natural posture without any physical restrictions such as sensor contact and visual induction eye tracing. The environment is also equipped with a breathing test function. The breathing test evaluates current breathing habit to recommend an optimal breathing guide.
Price and Service Bundling: An Example of the Telecommunications Market in Poland

The main objective of this paper is to present the essence of price packages on the example of telecommunications services in Poland. In the theoretical part of article the author pointed out the related definitions that define this pricing tactics, the issue of legality is also highlighted The author also indicated on benefits of price bundling from the perspective of the buyer and the seller. In the second part of the article secondary sources of information about bundled services were used in order to illustrate scale of price packages application on the market of telecommunications services in Poland. The author analyzed the content of the reports published by the Office of Electronic Communications in Poland (reports from the years 2010-2013). In order to make comparison Poland against other countries in EU, date from the OECD Digital Economy Papers and the European Commission Report were used. Packaged services in Poland are growing in popularity among buyers on telecommunications market. Similarly as in the EU the most popular packages are double -plays, but in Poland dominate fixed services. In view of the changing pattern of consumer - greater requirements, higher level of awareness of their own needs, good orientation with regard to market offer - service providers should put more emphasis on the value of the offered package, not only its price attractiveness. Customers do not expect the lowest prices, they expect offer, the value of which will justify required price.
Alternaria Keratitis after Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty

To describe a case of Alternaria keratitis in a 30-year-old male patient who presented with bilateral vascularised central corneal opacity and underwent deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in the left eye. Patient was treated for recurrent epithelial defect with a bandage contact lens in the follow-up visits after DALK. Subsequently, patient presented with pigmented fungal keratitis, which on culture examination of the corneal scrapping demonstrated Alternaria species. Patient had to undergo a repeat DALK as the keratitis did not resolve with medical therapy alone. Patient did not have a recurrence for 11 months following the regraft. This case report highlights the importance of considering the Alternaria species as a possibile cause of non-resolving fungal keratitis after DALK.
A Novel Quality Control Slide for Quantitative Immunohistochemistry Testing

We introduce a novel quality control technology that may improve intra- and interlaboratory immunohistochemistry (IHC) standardization. The technology involves the creation of standardized antibody targets that are attached to the same slides as the patient sample. After IHC staining, the targets turn the same color as the stained cells or tissue elements. Unlike current clinical practice, our proposed targets are neither cells nor tissue sections. To create reproducible standards that are available in unlimited supply, we use short constrained peptides as antibody targets. These peptides are attached directly to the glass slide. We show that these peptides simulate the portion of the native antigen to which the antibody binds. They are useful in detecting subtle changes in IHC staining efficacy. Moreover, the peptides do not degrade after deparaffinization or antigen retrieval treatments. This technology may be valuable in creating nationally standardized controls to quantify IHC analytical variability.
Genetic analysis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and surrounding mucosa.

OBJECTIVE Comparative genomic hybridization was performed on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and surrounding mucosa to determine whether common chromosomal aberrations could be detected that would predispose an individual to developing a second primary tumor. DESIGN Biopsy specimens were taken from 19 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, 3 samples from each person: 1 specimen from the tumor site and 1 each from 1 and 5 cm from the macroscopic tumor margin. Samples were snap frozen in liquid nitrogen. A portion of each distant sample and tissue taken from immediately adjacent to the site of the tumor specimen were sectioned and stained with hematoxylin-eosin, either to search by light microscopy for tumor cells or signs of dysplasia in the distant samples, or to determine whether the tumor specimen had substantial non-tumor cell content. Tissue adjacent to the tumor biopsy site was used because the biopsy specimens were relatively small. Comparative genomic hybridization was performed on all samples. SUBJECTS Nineteen patients with newly diagnosed carcinomas of the head and neck. RESULTS The tumor biopsy specimens showed no substantial nontumor cell content, and the distant specimens were all histologically normal. The tumors showed multiple mutations: mean (SD) number of deletions, 5.4 (4.3); amplifications, 5.2 (4.6). Deletion of chromosome 3p was seen in 13 of 19 cases and was associated with amplification of 3q in 10 cases. No mutations were seen in the distant biopsy specimens. CONCLUSIONS Frequently occurring chromosomal aberrations were seen in the tumor cells, suggesting a key role for these mutations in tumor development. Screening histologically normal upper aerodigestive tract mucosa with comparative genomic hybridization does not provide information on early genetic events that predispose a patient to developing a second primary tumor.
Vessel boundary extraction using ridge scan-conversion deformable model

Delineation and reconstruction of curvilinear structures in medical images are critical for the diagnosis of various vascular diseases and related surgical procedures. In this paper, we present a novel method for vascular structure segmentation and reconstruction, including the automatic detection of bifurcation points. First, we perform a preselection of tubular structures. Second, we trace the vessels based on the eigenanalysis of the Hessian matrix. This provides us the estimated direction of vessels as well as the cross-sectional planes orthogonal to the vessels. A ScanConversion method is then applied to cross-sectional planes to automatically detect the bifurcation points of the vessels. This method has a 96.59% success rate for detecting bifurcation correctly. Finally, vessels are delineated and reconstructed using deformable models. Our method is efficient and allows for completely automatic delineation and reconstruction of vessels as well as automatic detection of bifurcation points
Quarantine is important in restricting the spread of exotic seed-borne tree pathogens in the southern hemisphere

The lack or destruction of indigenous forests in the southern hemisphere has in some cases led to extensive afforestation with exotic softwoods that subsequently developed into large successful forestry industries. Pinus radiana is the predominant softwood species in the southern hemisphere, with over 3 million ha planted. In its natural environment on the West coast of the United States, P. radiata has been decimated by an epidemic outbreak of pitch canker caused by Fusarium circinatum. The potential devastation of softwood industries in the southern hemisphere, as a consequence of introducing this pathogen, has resulted in strict quarantine regulations. However, this may be too little, too late. F. circinatum is already present in South Africa and it appears that only the lack of an insect vector that has prevented its movement from seedlings to mature trees in plantations. This review considers the risk of introducing new pathogens into the southern hemisphere softwood plantations. The pine pathogen Sphaeropsis sapinea is used as a model to assess future risks, particularly of introducing seed-borne pathogens. The genotypic diversity observed in the pine endophyte S. sapinea, is consistent with historical records of the frequency and quantity of seed and germplasm importation to and within the southern hemisphere. The diversity in South Africa is high, moderate in New Zealand and low in Australia. Many of the genotypes observed were probably introduced before the advent of quarantine. However, new introduced genotypes may be more pathogenic than existing genotypes, potentially leading to more severe disease outbreaks. In pathogens capable of sexual reproduction such as F. circinatum, newly introduced genotypes crossing with existing genotypes would allow for more gene diversity and a greater risk of the pathogen overcoming the trees' resistance. Thus, quarantine is now more important than ever, as limiting the genetic diversity of an exisiting introduced pathogen can be as important as excluding new pathogens.