Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Denoising Maps and Constellations for Wireless Network Coding in Two-Way Relaying Systems

We investigate on the design of modulation schemes suited for two-way wireless relaying systems that apply network coding at the physical layer. We consider network coding based on denoise-and-forward (DNF), which consists of two stages: multiple access (MA) stage and broadcast (BC) stage. For the case of QPSK constellation in the MA stage, we introduce the modulation-related problems in DNF. We propose two approaches to solve those issues. One uses only QPSK constellations at the BC stage. The other allows the use of unconventional 5-ary modulations, optimized according to the channel condition. The performance evaluation shows that a significant improvement in end-to-end throughput can be achieved, in particular for Nakagami-Rice fading channels.
New, male-specific microsatellite markers from the human Y chromosome.

Seven novel microsatellite markers have been developed from a new cosmid library constructed from flow-sorted human Y chromosomes. These microsatellites are tetranucleotide GATA repeats and are polymorphic among unrelated individuals. Five of the seven markers are male-specific, with no PCR product being generated from female DNA. One marker produces male-specific, polymorphic PCR products but occasionally produces a much larger, invariant product from female DNA. The remaining marker is polymorphic in both males and females with many shared alleles between the sexes. This report of six new, male-specific markers doubles the number of tetranucleotide markers that are currently available for the human Y chromosome. These new markers will be valuable where nonrecombining, gender-specific DNA markers are desired, including forensic investigations as well as studies of populations and their evolutionary histories.
A systematic review and quantitative analysis of neurocognitive outcomes in children with four chronic illnesses

Concern has been expressed that infants and children exposed to uneventful surgery and anesthesia may incur neurological injury that becomes manifest in poor scholastic performance or future learning difficulties. A recent meta‐analysis of seven clinical studies examined the relationship between learning or behavior difficulties and pediatric exposure to anesthesia/surgery and reported an odds ratio of 1.4; however, the level of association and causal factors remain unclear. The purpose of our study is to provide context to the pediatric anesthesia neurotoxicity question by reviewing the evidence linking four childhood illnesses with neurocognitive development. In the present review, we have sought to quantify the magnitude of the impact of chronic illness on neurocognitive development through a systematic review of publications that report the developmental trajectory of patients with four childhood diseases: cystic fibrosis (CF), hemophilia A, end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) and end‐stage liver disease (ESLD).
Response to: “Clustering Effects in Group-based Behavioral Weight Loss Trials”

We appreciate the thoughtful comments of Li and colleagues in response to our article entitled “Do weight loss and adherence cluster within behavioral treatment groups? ”1 and agree with the findings from their simulation model about the effects of clustering on statistical power. However, it is important to consider the clustering effect not only theoretically, but also empirically and to determine the magnitude of the clustering effect within specific types of groups, such as weight loss trials. We know of only two studies that have examined intra-class correlations coefficients (ICCs) in weight loss groups1, 2 and both found little evidence of clustering. We hope that our article will encourage others to examine the extent to which there is a clustering of responses within their weight loss trials and to consider whether specific features of the intervention influence the ICCs. Although we did not analyze clustering in the control condition, we want to clarify that groups were held for both the intervention and the control condition in Look AHEAD, but with differing frequency and content. Moreover, intensive interventions with structured protocols, as used in Look AHEAD, are recommended for ensuring fidelity to treatment and optimizing weight loss outcomes.
Patterns and Predictors of Treatment Delay for Mental Disorders in a Nationally Representative, Active Canadian Military Sample

Background:Although mental disorders constitute a significant public health problem in military populations, little is known about whether military members seek mental health treatment in a timely manner. Objective:The objective of this study was to examine delays in making the initial treatment contact for various mental disorders in a military population. Design:A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the Canadian Community Health Survey–Canadian Forces Supplement. Subjects and Measures:Participants (N = 8441) were assessed for mood and anxiety disorders, using the World Health Organization's Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Those meeting criteria for at least 1 disorder in their lifetime were included in the analyses. Results:The majority (82%–100%) of military members with a DSM-IV disorder eventually seek treatment. However, there are significant delays in seeking treatment. Median delays for major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, and social phobia are 3, 3, 7, 8, and 26 years, respectively. For deployment related posttraumatic stress disorder, longer delays are associated with being in an older age cohort, being male, not having comorbid panic disorder, and shorter military service duration. Across all disorders, longer delays are associated with being in an older age cohort, shorter military service duration, and earlier age of onset. Conclusions:Failure to initiate treatment in a timely manner is a major mental health service access issue in the military context. Interventions that aim to shorten treatment delays are needed and should target military members most at risk for delaying treatment.
Frequency of Continuing Mucosal Inflammation in Clinically Inactive Crohn's Disease

The treatment goal in Crohn's disease is clinical remission, not complete mucosal healing. The incidence of mucosal inflammation in Crohn's disease patients in clinical remission is not known. Whole gut lavage is an objective method of assessing mucosal inflammation. We aimed to assess levels of mucosal inflammatory activity in a group of patients with clinically inactive Crohn's disease. We prospectively assessed 30 patients with inactive Crohn's disease and 28 controls. Inactive disease was defined as Crohn's disease activity index of less than 150. All underwent whole put lavage, with analysis of whole gut lavage fluid IgG, haemoglobin, interleukin-1β, interleukin-8 and granulocyte elastase. Serum inflammatory parameters were collected for comparison. Of the 30 patients with Crohn's disease, 10 (33%) had an abnormal immunoglobulin G, 21 (70%) had an elevated interleukin-1β 20 (66%) interleukin-8 and 10 (33%) granulocyte elastase in the whole gut lavage fluid. 58% of patients had either 1 or 2 abnormal results. In contrast only 10% had 1 or 2 abnormal serum results. Few abnormalities were present in lavage fluid or serum of the control population. We concluded that ongoing mucosal inflammation is detectable in whole gut lavage fluid of up to 2/3 of Crohn's disease patients in clinical remission.
Effects of overexpression of IL‐1 receptor‐associated kinase on NFκB activation, IL‐2 production and stress‐activated protein kinases in the murine T cell line EL4

The association and activation of the IL‐1 receptor‐associated protein kinase (IRAK) to the IL‐1 receptor complex is one of the earliest events detectable in IL‐1 signal transduction. We generated permanent clones of the murine T cell line EL4 6.1 overexpressing human (h)IRAK to evaluate the role of this kinase in IL‐1 signaling. Overexpression of hIRAK enhanced IL‐1‐stimulated activation of the transcription factor NFκB, whereas a truncated form (N‐IRAK) specifically inhibited IL‐1‐dependent NFκB activity. In clones stably overexpressing hIRAK a weak constitutive activation of NFκB correlated with a low basal IL‐2 production which was enhanced in an IL‐1‐dependent manner. Compared to the parental cell line the dose‐response curve of IL‐1‐induced IL‐2 production was shifted in both potency and efficacy. These results demonstrate that IRAK directly triggers NFκB‐mediated gene expression in EL4 cells. Qualitatively different effects were observed for the IL‐1‐induced activation of stress‐activated protein (SAP) kinases: permanent overexpression of IRAK did not affect the dose dependence but prolonged the kinetics of IL‐1‐induced activation of SAP kinases, suggesting that this signaling branch may be regulated by distinct mechanisms.
Vitamin B12 deficiency causing hyperhomocysteinaemia and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis

1 Ramsay MA, Simpson BR, Nguyen AT, Ramsay KJ, East C, Klintmalm GB. Severe pulmonary hypertension in liver transplant candidates. Liver Transpl Surg 1997; 3: 494–500. 2 Levy MT, Torzillo P, Bookallil M, Sheil AG, McCaughan GW. Case report: delayed resolution of severe pulmonary hypertension after isolated liver transplantation in a patient with cirrhosis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 1996; 11: 734–7. 3 Ashfaq M, Chinnakotla S, Rogers L, Ausloos K, Saadeh S, Klintmalm GB et al. The impact of treatment of portopulmonary hypertension on survival following liver transplantation. Am J Transplant 2007; 7: 1258–64. 4 Koch DG, Caplan M, Reuben A. Pulmonary hypertension after liver transplantation: case presentation and review of the literature. Liver Transpl 2009; 15: 407–12. 5 Krowka MJ, Swanson KL, Frantz RP, McGoon MD, Wiesner RH. Portopulmonary hypertension: results from a 10-year screening algorithm. Hepatology 2006; 44: 1502–10. 6 Hoeper MM, Halank M, Marx C, Hoeffken G, Seyfarth HJ, Schauer J et al. Bosentan therapy for portopulmonary hypertension. Eur Respir J 2005; 25: 502–8.
Prey abundance and prey selection by tigers ( Panthera tigris ) in a semi-arid, dry deciduous forest in western India

Food habits of tigers Panthera tigris in terms of prey abundance were studied in the semi-arid deciduous forests of Ranthambhore National Park, western India, between November 2000 and April 2001. Wild prey availability was assessed by line transects (n = 8) and prey selection by the tigers was determined from analysis of scats (n = 109). Compared to some other parts of the country, prey abundance was found to be high at 96.65 animals km − 2 . Chital Axis axis wa st he most abundant wild prey in the study area, followed by common langur Presbytis entellus, sambar Cervus unicolor ,n ilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus, wild pig Sus scrofa and chinkara Gazella bennetti. Chital (c. 31%) and sambar (c. 47%) constituted the bulk of the tigers’ diet and were preferred prey. Nilgai and chinkara contributed minimally to the tigers’ diet (c. 5–7% and < 1%, respectively) and were used less than their availability. Domestic livestock made up 10–12% of the tigers’ diet. The average weight of an animal consumed was between 107 and 114 kg reflecting a preference for large prey. The analysis reveals that parts of Ranthambhore have high prey abundance, thus making it important for long-term tiger conservation. Despite the high prey abundance, tigers were still considerably dependent on domestic livestock, posing challenges for the park management to resolve potential areas of conflict.
A Nano-Electro-Mechanical Switch Based Power Gating for Effective Stand-by Power Reduction in FinFET Technologies

In this letter, we show that using the experimentally demonstrated nano-electro-mechanical-switches (NEMS) and our design methodology, the standby power dissipation can be reduced to negligible levels in 14-nm bulk FinFET technologies. Using two realistic NEMS structures, demonstrated in the literature for power gating applications, a design window is derived for achieving the targeted specifications without compromising on the performance and area. Cantilever NEMS requires less area as compared with the suspended NEMS, but reliability is a concern. We demonstrate that for a 17-stage ring oscillator circuit, the NEMS power gating will perform better than the FinFET-based power gating when the ${T}_{\mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle ON}}/{T}_{\mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle OFF}}$ ratio is less than 0.002.
The Elephant in the Playground: Confronting Lead-Contaminated Soils as an Important Source of Lead Burdens to Urban Populations

Although significant headway has been made over the past 50 years in understanding and reducing the sources and health risks of lead, the incidence of lead poisoning remains shockingly high in urban regions of the United States. At particular risk are poor people who inhabit the polluted centers of our older cities without the benefits of adequate nutrition, education, and access to health care. To provide a future with fewer environmental and health burdens related to lead, we need to consider the multiple pathways of lead exposure in children, including their continued contact with dust derived from inner-city soils. Recent research into the causes of seasonal variations in blood-lead levels among children has confirmed the importance of soil in lead exposure. "Capping" lead-contaminated soil with lead-free soil or soil amendment appears to be a simple and cost-effective way to reduce the lead load for urban youth.
Weakness of buccal branch of facial nerve after canine fossa puncture

Abstract Objective: We report a case of weakness of the buccal branch of the facial nerve after a canine fossa puncture procedure. Method: A case report and literature review are presented. Results: A 52-year-old woman diagnosed with right chronic maxillary sinusitis underwent canine fossa puncture during endoscopic sinus surgery. Immediately after the operation, she complained of motor weakness of the right upper lip and oral commissure, in the area innervated by the buccal branch of the facial nerve. Electroneurography revealed incomplete paralysis of the right buccal branch. However, facial weakness had recovered spontaneously by three months post-operatively, with no permanent disability. Conclusion: This is the first reported case of an injury to the buccal branch of the facial nerve following canine fossa puncture. Although the incidence of this complication is very low, surgeons should inform their patients of the possibility, and should take care when choosing the puncture site.
Fatty Acid Cycling in Human Hepatoma Cells and the Effects of Troglitazone*

Fatty acid cycling by chain shortening/elongation in the peroxisomes is an important source of fatty acids for membrane lipid synthesis. Its role in the homeostasis of nonessential fatty acids is poorly understood. We report here a study on the cycling of saturated fatty acids and the effects of troglitazone in HepG2 cells in culture using [U-13C]stearate or [U-13C]oleate and mass isotopomer analysis. HepG2 cells were grown in the presence of 0.7 mmol/liter [U-13C]stearate or [U-13C]oleate, and in the presence and absence of 50 μm troglitazone for 72 h. Fatty acids extracted from cell pellets after saponification were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Peroxisomal β-oxidation of uniformly 13C-labeled stearate (C18:0) and oleate (C18:1) resulted in chain shortening and produced uniformly labeled palmitate (C16:0) and palmitoleate (C16:1). In untreated cells, 16% of C16:0 was derived from C18:0 and 26% of C16:1 from C18:1 by chain shortening. Such contributions were significantly increased by troglitazone to 23.6 and 36.6%, respectively (p < 0.001). Desaturation of stearate contributed 67% of the oleate, while reduction of oleate contributed little to stearate (2%). The desaturation of C18:0 to C18:1 was not affected by troglitazone. Our results demonstrated a high degree of recycling of C18:0 and C18:1 to C16:0 and C16:1 through chain shortening and desaturation. Chain shortening was accompanied by chain elongation in the synthesis of other long chain fatty acids. Troglitazone specifically increased recycling by peroxisomal β-oxidation of C18 to C16 fatty acids, and the interconversion of long chain fatty acids was associated with reduced de novo lipogenesis.
Effect of aminophylline on transpulmonary passage of venous air emboli in pigs.

Aminophylline has been shown to dramatically reduce the filtering capacity of the lung in dogs during venous air embolism. Similarities have been pointed out between the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of the pig and of humans. We therefore wanted to find out whether aminophylline also modifies the transpulmonary spillover of microbubbles to the arterial circulation of the pig. Twenty-eight pigs were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium and mechanically ventilated. Aminophylline was injected intravenously into 10 of the pigs before the introduction of air bubbles into the right ventricle, while the other 18 pigs served as controls. A transesophageal echocardiographic probe was used to detect eventual air bubbles in the left atrium or in the aorta. Pigs received either air infusion, at rates varying from 0.05 to 0.20 ml.kg-1.min-1, or calibrated microbubbles, 5-300 microns diam. We found that aminophylline-treated pigs did not show any change in spillover incidence compared with controls. Furthermore, in both groups the spillover during continuous air infusion seemed to be a preterminal event, because the pigs had very low arterial pressure when arterial bubbles were observed. Finally, there was an increase in mean pulmonary arterial pressure from 18 +/- 3.4 to 26 +/- 2.2 (SD) mmHg (n = 4, P less than 0.01) in aminophylline-treated pigs after a bolus injection of microbubbles (less than or equal to 50 microns, total volume less than 0.5 ml). Our results suggest that aminophylline does not modify the transpulmonary passage of microbubbles in this porcine model. In addition, it would seem that the pulmonary circulation of the pig is sensitive to very small volumes of air, when injected as microbubbles.
Myosin binding protein C, a potential regulator of cardiac contractility.

The role of myosin binding protein C (MyBP-C) in the formation and function of striated muscle is unclear, even though the demonstration of its presence in the thick filaments of striated muscle was made by Offer et al1 more than 25 years ago.2 Because of the inability of myosin to form normal thick filaments in the absence of MyBP-C and the temporal correlation between the appearance of MyBP-C, thick filaments, and sarcomeres in developing striated muscle,3 4 5 MyBP-C is assumed to be essential for the formation and normal structure of thick filaments. The cardiac isoform of MyBP-C has an additional feature that is absent from the skeletal isoforms. There are 3 phosphorylation sites located in the cardiac motif portion of the molecule in the N-terminal region.6 In addition to these phosphorylatable sites, a Ca2+/calmodulin-regulated kinase specific for cardiac MyBP-C is bound to the thick filament.7 8 The combination of these features suggests that the function of MyBP-C in cardiac muscle can be modified posttranslationally by phosphorylation. Such a phosphorylation could be an important regulator of cardiac contractility. At least 5 transmitter-based mechanisms for the regulation of cardiac contractility are associated with changes in the degree of phosphorylation of MyBP-C: increased or decreased phosphorylation with increased or decreased contractility. MyBP-C is located in a series of 7 to 9 sites, each separated by 43 nm in the C zone of the sarcomere and most likely oriented perpendicular to the axis of the filament.9 Within the C zone, there are approximately 9 crossbridges per 3 MyBP-C molecules,9 but in the 50% of the thick …
Organic Thin-Film Transistors: Part I—Compact DC Modeling

A generic analytical model for the current-voltage characteristics of organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) is derived. Based on this generic model, a TFT compact dc model that meets the requirements for compact modeling, including for computer circuit simulators, is proposed. The models are fully symmetrical, and the TFT compact dc model covers all regimes of TFT operation-linear and saturation above threshold, subthreshold, and reverse biasing. The empirical fitting parameters are mostly eliminated from the characteristic equations. The developed models are also in close correspondence to several physical, parametric, and limiting models for current-voltage and mobility characteristics. An essential practical feature of the TFT compact dc model is that the model is both upgradable and reducible, allowing for easier implementation and modifications and also simultaneously allowing for separation of characterization techniques. This allows for systematic fitting of experimental data with large scattering in the values, but at the same time, preserving consistently the OTFT behavior in the model.
Synovial Neuronal Changes in Knee Joint Osteoarthritis

Purpose: The purpose is to study whether pain and inflammation in knee joint osteoarthritis (OA) are associated with local synovial neuronal changes. Methods: Synovial biopsies were harvested from the medial and lateral knee compartments from OA patients undergoing total joint replacement surgery. All patients had predominant pain at the medial joint compartment. Pain and knee joint function were evaluated by knee society score (KSS). Synovial inflammation was analyzed by histopathological analysis and expression of growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43), sensory (SP, CGRP) and autonomic (NPY, VIP, TH) neuropeptides was studied by single and double immunohistochemistry techniques. Results: We observed reduced KSS and increased inflammatory score in synovial membrane of medial knee compartment. A significant increase in GAP-43 [P = 0.001], SP [P = 0.05], CGRP [P = 0.05] and TH [P = 0.05] expression was observed and SP, CGRP and NPY were found to be co-existed predominantly with GAP-43 in synovial membrane collected from medial compared to the lateral knee compartment. Conclusions: Regenerating nerve fibers containing sensory and autonomic neuropeptides are associated with pain and inflammation in knee joint OA.
Optimal Energy Allocation, Relay Selection and Ordering in Orthogonal Relay Networks

We consider the orthogonal multiple relay channel at the low SNR regime. The source transmits to the destination and all the possible relays in one channel and the relays transmit in different and orthogonal channels making use of the transmission received from the source and, in the more general case, also the other relay transmissions. This cooperative strategy achieves diversity gains at a high cost in bandwidth efficiency, due to the orthogonality of the transmissions. However, it has the desired benefit of allowing all the nodes in the network to behave as in a point to point channel. Based on the max-flow min-cut upper bound for relay networks, we explore the capacity limits of this kind of communication, obtaining the energy allocation, relay selection and ordering, when full channel state information (CSI) is available at every network node.
A new species of Hyla (Anura: Hylidae) from southeastern Brazil

Una nueva especie de Hyla (Anura: Hylidae) del sudeste de Brasil. - Se describe Hyla vulcaniae sp. n. del municipio de Pocos de Caldas, Estado de Minas Gerais, sudeste. de. Brasil. La nueva especie es un mIembro del grupo de Hyla clrcumdata y puede dIagnostIcarse principalmente por su tamano intermedio y por un patron de bandas verticales convergentes en las superficies dorsales y posteriores de las patas posteriores. La nueva especie incrementa el numero de especies endemicas de la meseta de Pocos de Caldas, que constituye un area importante para la conservacion de las especies.