Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Joint discovery in wireless networks

Given a wireless network with N nodes located uniformly at random on a finite plane, we consider the problem of distributed peer discovery: all nodes want to discover as many other nodes as possible. We assume that there are a total of K physical resources dedicated for the discovery purpose. Each node can pick one resource to transmit its node identifier on, and can receive on the remaining K -1 resources. We assume that node identifiers are broadcast via coded transmission on one single physical resource using a single hop. This paper addresses link level strategies to maximize the average number of discovered devices when K <;<; N. A classical strategy of decoding one node per resource would lead to a maximum of K -1 nodes being discovered. We observe that typically this number is much lower (~K/2). We focus on n-user joint coding schemes to improve this performance and, more particularly, on joint iterative decoding (JID). It is shown through system simulations that JID may gain by significantly more than 100% over the classical single-user decoding, and by 20-25% over interference cancellation, provided that the number n of jointly decoded identifiers matches the actual interference density.
Sequence, Structure and Context Preferences of Human RNA Binding Proteins

Production of functional cellular RNAs involves multiple processing and regulatory steps principally mediated by RNA binding proteins (RBPs). Here we present the affinity landscapes of 78 human RBPs using an unbiased assay that determines the sequence, structure, and context preferences of an RBP in vitro from deep sequencing of bound RNAs. Analyses of these data revealed several interesting patterns, including unexpectedly low diversity of RNA motifs, implying frequent convergent evolution of binding specificity toward a relatively small set of RNA motifs, many with low compositional complexity. Offsetting this trend, we observed extensive preferences for contextual features outside of core RNA motifs, including spaced “bipartite” motifs, biased flanking nucleotide context, and bias away from or towards RNA structure. These contextual features are likely to enable targeting of distinct subsets of transcripts by different RBPs that recognize the same core motif. Our results enable construction of “RNA maps” of RBP activity without requiring crosslinking-based assays, and provide unprecedented depth of information on the interaction of RBPs with RNA.
COX-2, the dominant source of prostacyclin

In a recent issue of PNAS, Kirkby et al. (1) claimed that cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, not COX-2, is the dominant source of prostacyclin (PGI2). This conclusion was based on experiments using a flawed approach to estimating enzyme activity and PGI2 formation and a selective omission of data in the literature.
The development of eosinophilic colitis after liver transplantation in children

Abstract: Tacrolimus‐based immunosuppression in pediatric liver transplant recipients is known to be associated with EGID. Our goal was to determine the incidence, risk factors, and characteristics of EGID in our pediatric liver transplantation program. This study was a retrospective analysis of 38 pediatric liver transplant recipients. Rectal mucosal biopsy was performed to evaluate for gastrointestinal PTLD and eosinophilic colitis. There were 14 patients (37%) who were diagnosed with eosinophilic colitis. The mean age at transplantation was 10.8 ± 1.8 months. Those with eosinophilic colitis had a higher incidence of peripheral eosinophilia (p = 0.003) during the first two months following transplantation and had a higher EBV infection rate. Symptoms, such as diarrhea, hematochezia, and abdominal pain, became apparent after an average of three months; diagnoses were made at 6.9 ± 2.0 months after transplantation. There were eight patients (57%) with elevated food‐specific IgE levels. With food restriction treatment, the symptoms of patients improved. EGID should be considered when clinical symptoms are present, because symptoms of this disorder are similar to those of gastrointestinal PTLD. It should also be considered when peripheral eosinophila is detected or when EBV seroconversion develops during the first two months following transplantation.
Effects of Soybean Isoflavone on Lipid Profiles and Antioxidant Enzyme Activity in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Soy isoflavone-containing diets have been reported to be beneficial in diabetes. This present study investigated the hypoglycemic effects of isoflavones in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg body weight streptozotocin dissolved in 0.2 m mole sodium citrate at pH 4.5. Diabetic rats were then randomly divided into 3 groups. The oxidation stress significantly increased serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG) and very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C). while HDL-cholesterol was significantly decreased, Administration of the isoflavones diet improved or returned these values to the normal ones. Oral intake of the experimental diabetic rat groups with isoflavone and diamicron30MR extracts increase the activate of enzymatic antioxidants, Catalase (CAT), Superoxide dismutase (SOD),Total antioxidative capacity (TAC ) and Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px) and non-enzymatic antioxidant glutathione reductase (GSH) were reduced.
Craniometric measurements in the assessment of craniovertebral settling: are they still relevant in the age of cross-sectional imaging?

OBJECTIVE Craniovertebral settling is a serious complication of rheumatoid arthritis, and a number of radiographic measures at the craniocervical junction are in use to enable its diagnosis. However, these measures are hampered by the overlap of relevant bony landmarks. We aim to establish accurate values for these measures on CT to facilitate early diagnosis of this condition on cross-sectional imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred men and 100 women who underwent CT that included imaging of the craniocervical junction were retrospectively identified. Patients between the ages of 18 and 49 years were included. Two radiologists reformatted the images in the midsagittal plane and performed a series of measurements as follows: the Wackenheim line, McRae line, Chamberlain line, and McGregor line and measurements obtained using the Redlund-Johnell method and our modification of the method proposed by Ranawat et al. RESULTS There were significant differences between the CT values and accepted radiographic measurements for the Wackenheim, Chamberlain, and McGregor lines. The McRae line was the easiest to measure, and the odontoid tip did not cross this line in any patient (distance from line: range, 0.6-10.4 mm). The CT measurements obtained using the Redlund-Johnell method were similar to the radiographic values, and we provide normal CT values for the modified Ranawat method (men > 23.7 mm, women > 24.2 mm). CONCLUSION We propose that the McRae line should be used over other methods when assessing for craniovertebral settling on cross-sectional studies because it is the easiest measure to understand and remember. If the odontoid tip is eroded, the Redlund-Johnell and modified Ranawat methods are alternatives, and we have provided normal CT values for those measures as well.
RELEVANCIA DEL GÉNERO y DE LAS VARIABLES SOCIODEMOGRÁFICAS EN LOCUS DE CON"rROL y EN FACTORES MOTIVACIONALES RELATIVOS AL ÁREA LABORAL

En este articulo presentamos los resultados mas importantes del analisis de la relevancia del genero y de las variables sociodemograficas en el locus de control y en factores relativos a la motivacion en el area laboral. La muestra estaba formada por 215 hombres y 319 mujeres de la poblacion general de edades comprendidas entre 18 y 65 anos (edad media = 28,7; DT = 10,5). Las interacciones entre el genero y el nivel de estudios, el genero y la ocupacion, el genero y el estado civil (soltero frente a casado) y el genero y el tener o no hijos no fueron estadfsticamente significativas ni en los factores motivacionales ni en los de locus de control. Una vez controlados los efectos de la edad, solo encontramos diferencias estadisticamente significativas en funcion del genero en dos de los seis factores motivacionales y en dos de los ocho factores de locus de control. El tamano del efecto de las diferencias en dichos factores fue pequeno, excepto en el factor de reaccion de inhibicion ante el estres que fue moderado, presentando las mujeres una mayor reaccion de inhibicion ante el estres que los hombres. El nivel de estudios presentaba un mayor poder diferenciador que el genero, mostrando las personas con estudios universitarios menor indiferencia laboral, menor reaccion de inhibicion ante estres y menor locus de control externo e interno de autocritica. Una vez controlado el efecto de la edad y del nivel de estudios, no encontramos diferencias estadisticamente significativas en los factores motivacionales ni de locus de control entre las personas solteras y casadas, entre las que tienen y las que no tienen hijos, ni entre las personas con distintas ocupaciones.
Bandwidth Enhancement of a Narrowband Rectangular Microstrip Antenna on a Spiral Fan-Shape Electromagnetic Band-Gap (EBG) Patch Structure

An innovative and novel technique has been explored in enhancing the bandwidth of a rectangular patch antenna by introducing a spiral fan-shape electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structure between a narrowband patch antenna and its ground plane. Measured result shows an excellent return loss and good impedance matching which resulted in an increment of the bandwidth from about 4 % for a single layered narrow band rectangular microstrip patch, to more than 17 % after the EBG structure was introduced. This paper present the methodology, simulations and experimental works carried out in accomplishing the objective above. Microwave Office 2006 software has been used to initially simulate and find the optimum design and results
NGF‐dependent and NGF‐independent recovery of sympathetic function after chemical sympathectomy with 6‐hydroxydopamine

To help clarify the distinction between the nerve growth factor (NGF)‐dependent collateral sprouting of sympathetic nerves and their NGF‐independent regeneration after crush, we used 6‐hydoxydopamine (OHDA) to destroy the sympathetic terminals in adult rats; this leaves the axons damage‐free. Would recovery occur by regeneration and/or collateral sprouting? A single 6‐OHDA injection abolished the sympathetic pilomotor field revealed by electrical stimulation of a cutaneous nerve. Recovery began within 2 days, and by 20 days the field was reestablished. If the field was “isolated” by adjacent denervations at the time of 6‐OHDA treatment, the recovering pilomotor field expanded extensively into the surrounding territory. In the presence of anti‐NGF, however, the pilomotor field expansion ceased at about 60% of its former size; if anti‐NGF treatment was discontinued, expansion recommenced and extended into the surrounding skin. We suggest that the latter, NGF‐dependent, growth phase corresponds to collateral sprouting, and the initial NGF‐independent one to regeneration. After simple nerve crush, however, such regeneration can triple the normal sympathetic field size. This difference between crush‐ and 6‐OHDA‐induced regeneration might relate to the “cell body reaction” (CBR); the CBR is reduced with increasing distance of the lesion and is undetectable after a 6‐OHDA lesion. Since the CBR and the vigor of regeneration are both increased by repeated axonal injury, we tested the effects of multiple 6‐OHDA treatments; this significantly increased the initial NGF‐independent expansion. We hyprthesize that regeneration is regulated largely by mechanisms associated with the CBR, and that neurotrophin‐dependent collateral sprouting occurs independently of these. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Measuring the Economic Benefits of Water Quality Improvement with Benefit Transfer: An Introduction for Non-Economists

In this paper we provide an introduction to water quality benefit estimation for non- economists. Net water quality benefits are typically measured using the concept of consumer surplus, which can be estimated using a number of economic valuation methodologies. These can be divided into direct and indirect methods. Direct methods involve questioning survey respondents to determine their consumer surplus. Indirect methods use data from consumer market behavior to estimate economic values. When limited time or funding preclude costly data collection and the development of new consumer surplus estimates, the method of benefit transfer can be used to tailor pre-existing consumer surplus estimates to fit new policy situations. We provide an example of benefit transfer by estimating the value of water quality improvements for the Cape Fear River in North Carolina. Benefit transfer methods are used with three valuation approaches to estimate the benefits of water quality improvement.
A 3G/WiFi-enabled 6LoWPAN-based U-healthcare system for ubiquitous real-time monitoring and data logging

Ubiquitous healthcare (U-healthcare) systems are expected to offer flexible and resilient high-end technological solutions enabling remote monitoring of patients health status in real-time and provisioning of feedback and remote actions by healthcare providers. In this paper, we present a 6LowPAN based U-healthcare platform that contributes to the realization of the above expectation. The proposed system comprises two sensor nodes sending temperature data and ECG signals to a remote processing unit. These sensors are being assigned an IPv6 address to enable the Internet-of-Things (IoT) functionality. A 6LowPAN-enabled edge router, connected to a PC, is serving as a base station through a serial interface, to collect data from the sensor nodes. Furthermore, a program interfacing through a Serial-Line-Internet-Protocol (SLIP) and running on the PC provides a network interface that receives IPv6 packets from the edge router. The above system is enhanced by having the application save readings from the sensors into a file that can be downloaded by a remote server using a free Cloud service such as UbuntuOne. This enhancement makes the system robust against data loss especially for outdoor healthcare services, where the 3G/4G connectivity may get lost because of signal quality fluctuations. The system provided a proof of concept of successful remote U-healthcare monitoring illustrating the IoT functionality and involving 3G/4G connectivity while being enhanced by a cloud-based backup.
AHRR (cg05575921) hypomethylation marks smoking behaviour, morbidity and mortality

Rationale and objectives Self-reported smoking underestimates disease risk. Smoking affects DNA methylation, in particular the cg05575921 site in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor repressor (AHRR) gene. We tested the hypothesis that AHRR cg05575921 hypomethylation is associated with risk of smoking-related morbidity and mortality. Methods From the Copenhagen City Heart Study representing the Danish general population, we studied 9234 individuals. Using bisulphite treated leucocyte DNA, AHRR (cg05575921) methylation was measured. Rs1051730 (CHRN3A) genotype was used to evaluate smoking heaviness. Participants were followed for up to 22 years for exacerbations of COPD, event of lung cancer and all-cause mortality. Six-year lung cancer risk was calculated according to the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial (PLCOM2012). Measurements and main results AHRR (cg05575921) hypomethylation was associated with former and current smoking status, high daily and cumulative smoking, short time since smoking cessation (all p values <7×10–31), and the smoking-related CHRN3A genotype (−0.48% per T-allele, p=0.002). The multifactorially adjusted HRs for the lowest versus highest methylation quintiles were 4.58 (95% CI 2.83 to 7.42) for COPD exacerbations, 4.87 (2.31 to 10.3) for lung cancer and 1.67 (1.48 to 1.88) for all-cause mortality. Finally, among 2576 high-risk smokers eligible for lung cancer screening by CT, observed cumulative incidences of lung cancer after 6 years for individuals in the lowest and highest methylation quintiles were 3.7% and 0.0% (p=2×10–7), whereas predicted PLCOM2012 6-year risks were similar (4.3% and 4.4%, p=0.77). Conclusion AHRR (cg05575921) hypomethylation, a marker of smoking behaviour, provides potentially clinical relevant predictions of future smoking-related morbidity and mortality.
Satellite DNA methylation status and expression of selected genes in Bos indicus blastocysts produced in vivo and in vitro

Summary Bovine embryos produced in vivo and in vitro differ with respect to molecular profiles, including epigenetic marks and gene expression profiles. This study investigated the CpG methylation status in bovine testis satellite I (BTS) and Bos taurus alpha satellite I (BTαS) DNA sequences, and concomitantly the relative abundance of transcripts, critically involved in DNA methylation (DNMT1 and DNMT3A), growth and development (IGF2R) and pluripotency (POU5F1) in Bos indicus embryos produced in vitro or in vivo. Results revealed that methylation of BTS were higher (P < 0.05) in embryos produced in vitro compared with their in vivo produced counterparts, while the methylation status of BTαS was similar in both groups. There were no significant differences in transcript abundance for DNMT3A, IGF2R and POU5F1 between blastocysts produced in vivo and in vitro. However, a significantly lower amount of DNMT1 transcripts was found in the in vitro cultured embryos (P < 0.05) compared with their in vivo derived counterparts. In conclusion, this study reported only minor changes in the expression of developmentally important genes and satellite DNA methylation related to the in vitro embryo production system.
The T protein encoded by Brachyury is a tissue‐specific transcription factor.

The mouse Brachyury (T) gene is required for differentiation of the notochord and formation of mesoderm during posterior development. Homozygous embryos lacking T activity do not develop a trunk and tail and die in utero. The T gene is specifically expressed in notochord and early mesoderm cells in the embryo. recent data have demonstrated that the T protein is localized in the cell nucleus and specifically binds to a palindrome of 20 bp (the T site) in vitro. We show that the T protein activates expression of a reporter gene in HeLa cells through binding to the T site. Thus T is a novel tissue‐specific transcription factor. It consists of a large N‐terminal DNA binding domain (amino acids 1–229) and two pairs of transactivation and repression domains in the C‐terminal protein half. T can also transactivate transcription through variously oriented and spaced T sites, a fact that may be relevant in the search for genes controlled by T protein and important in mesoderm development.
SHIELD: A novel NFV-based cybersecurity framework

SHIELD is an EU-funded project, targeting at the design and development of a novel cybersecurity framework, which offers security-as-a-Service in an evolved telco environment. The SHIELD framework leverages NFV (Network Functions Virtualization) and SDN (Software-Defined Networking) for virtualization and dynamic placement of virtualised security appliances in the network (virtual Network Security Functions - vNSFs), Big Data analytics for real-time incident detection and mitigation, as well as attestation techniques for securing both the infrastructure and the services. This papers discusses key use cases and requirements for the SHIELD framework and presents a high-level architectural approach.
Non-overshooting Control of Strict-Feedback Nonlinear Systems

Nonlinear systems have received little attention in conjunction with the problem of achieving a non-overshooting tracking response. This paper demonstrates a means of obtaining a non-overshooting tracking response for single- input/single-output strict-feedback nonlinear systems. With the proposed method, arbitrary reference trajectories can be tracked "from below" for arbitrary initial conditions (as long as the initial value of the plant output is strictly below the initial value of the reference trajectory). In addition, a design is presented for "approximately" non-overshooting control in the presence of disturbances, where the amount of overshoot can be made arbitrarily small by appropriately choosing the control gains. Finally, an output-feedback example shows the ability of our approach to ensure arbitrarily small overshoot, where the overshoot is caused by the initial condition of the unmeasured part of the state.
Asaia sp. as a Bacterium Decaying the Packaged Still Fruit Beverages

Several cases of consumer complaints to the still soft beverages – fruit drinks and ice teas were analysed. The visible impurities and slight sensory changes were observed, sediment was formed by microbial cells. The bacteria were isolated and identified as Asaia sp. The identification was confirmed by PCR technique. The sensitivity of bacteria to preservative agents especially to the sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate and dimethyldicarbonate was evaluated in model samples and in the real conditions of the beverage. The minimal inhibitory concentrations were estimated as well as the factors affecting the sensitivity of bacteria. Besides the stabilisation of drinks the general possibilities of decay prevention were considered, the efficiency of cleaning and sanitation procedures were evaluated, including the comparison of various sanitation agents.
Iterated square root cubature kalman filter with application to tightly coupled GNSS/INS

An iterated filtering method is presented to improve the update stage of nonlinear filtering. First, we develop a generalized iterative framework for sigma point kalman filter by utilizing Gauss-Newton algorithm. A simplified iterated square root cubature kalman filter (SCKF) is proposed with application to tightly coupled GNSS/INS, where the linear combination of innovations is used in measurement update. Numerical experiment and field test results indicate that SCKF has similar performance with extended kalman filter. Compared with the non-iterated methods, iterated SCKF improves the heading by 23.6% with two iterations, and get a faster convergence rate regarding heading and velocity.
Mormonism: A Very Short Introduction

Mormonism is frequently described as the most successful indigenous American religion. Mormon beliefs arouse curiosity because they depart from normal Christian doctrine, leading to the question: Are Mormons Christian? This introduction will include the history of the contemporary Mormonism, and an analysis and emphasis of Mormon beliefs, beginning with Joseph Smith, the founding prophet. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
Recent Developments in Kidney Transplantation—A Critical Assessment

Rapid advances have been made in decreasing acute rejection rates and improving short‐term graft survival in kidney transplant recipients. Whether these advances ultimately will lead to a commensurate improvement in long‐term survival is not yet known. In recent years, greater attention has been placed on defining the precise etiology of graft loss, determining how far and with what agents we can minimize immunosuppression, and delineating the nature of both T‐cell‐mediated as well as antibody‐mediated rejection. In addition, with the growing disparity of available organs and patients in need of a transplant, greater attention has been placed on optimizing allocation. In this minireview, we will focus on developments over the last couple of years, paying particular attention to insights, studies and observations that may attempt to elucidate some of these open questions.