Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Downlink / uplink decoupling technology to support spectrally and energy efficient wearable communications in LTE

The key technical challenge of developing communication solutions for wearable devices is to meet the stringent energy consumption constraints while supporting diverse traffic types and quality of service (QoS) requirements in potentially densely populated deployment scenarios. In this work, we first present a new wearable communication architecture we refer to as LTE-W (LTE for Wearables) for wireless personal area networks (PANs) underlaying a cellular network. Within a single PAN, the client device with highest communication/ computation capabilities, usually a high-end hand-held device like a smartphone or a tablet, becomes the PAN header (nUE) and will assist other wearable devices (wUEs) to communicate with base station (BS) as a relay. Although two types of links are present, i.e., the cellular-PAN link and the intra-PAN link, the air interface for intra-PAN communication is defined as an integrated part of the cellular air interface for enhanced end-toend radio access and control. In LTE-W, the LTE RAT is considered to be the baseline and is proposed to be further enhanced in 5G systems to 5G-W. Based on our LTE-W architecture, we propose downlink (DL)/uplink (UL) decoupling transmission technology. For the scenario where all links support the LTE RAT, three options (transmission schemes) for DL transmission are possible: Option D1 where the BS transmits to wUEs only through the nUE, Option D2 where dynamic switching between direct and relay transmission takes place and Option D0 as DL direct transmission from the BS to wUEs. Regarding UL transmission, two options exist: Option U1 where all wUEs transmit to the BS only through the nUE and Option U0 as UL direct transmission from the wUEs to the BS. In this paper, the defined DL and UL LTE-W transmission schemes are analyzed and evaluated through simulation. We further propose several LTE-W DL/UL transmission modes with different combinations of DL and UL transmission options by investigating those modes with DL and UL transmissions decoupled. Under this strategy, high-end wUEs and low-end wUEs can have different transmission mode solutions. For example, high-end wUEs can directly receive from the BS in the DL for maximum spectral efficiency while they can only transmit to the nUE in the UL for maximum energy efficiency; in the case of low-end wUEs, DL transmission can take place either exclusively or partially through the nUE in order to maximize energy efficiency. System-level simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed technologies under the LTE-W architecture. Keywords—Long-term evolution; wearables; personal area network; relay; energy efficiency; system-level simulation.
Assessing the technology transfer productivity of universities : An analysis of the relevance of portfolio complexity in technology transfer offices

The paper investigates the technology-transfer productivity of Spanish public universities. The proposed approach allows the development of a framework that matches universities’ technology transfer concerns with the need to accurately analyze the role of the outcome configuration of technology transfer offices (TTOs). We analyze technology transfer productivity of Spanish universities during 2006-2011 by computing total factor productivity models rooted in non-parametric techniques, namely the Malmquist index. The results confirm that technology transfer productivity is affected by changes in the configuration of the TTO’s outcome portfolio that result from benchmarking own and market peers’ performance levels. While benchmarking own performance levels facilitates the exploitation of internal resources and yields superior productivity results, changes in TTO’s portfolio based on comparisons with market peers might generate greater operational costs that negatively impact productivity.
The Relationship between Managerial Leadership Behaviors and Staff Nurse Retention

The purposes of this study were to describe perceptions of managerial leadership behaviors associated with staff nurse turnover and to compare nurse manager leadership behaviors as perceived by managers and their staff nurses. Effective leadership styles among nurse managers have been associated with staff nurse job satisfaction and retention. Although both transformational and transactional leadership styles have been described as effective, it is unclear which nurse manager leadership behaviors contribute most to staff nurse retention. This descriptive, correlational study was conducted at a 465-bed community hospital in the northeastern United States. All staff nurses and nurse managers employed in both ambulatory and acute care nursing units were invited to participate in the study. The study sample comprised 79 staff nurses and 10 nurse managers, who completed demographic forms and the 45-item Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire, which measures 12 dimensions of leadership style. Data were collected from July through September 2003. Active management by exception as perceived by staff nurses was the only managerial leadership style associated with staff nurse turnover (r equals; .26, p equals; .03). Compared with the perceptions among their staff nurses, nurse managers consistently perceived that they demonstrated a higher mean frequency of transformational leadership behaviors. The transactional leadership style of active management by exception not only appeared to be a deterrent to staff nurse retention but also reflected leadership perceptions among staff nurses who work evening and night shifts. This study also provides further evidence regarding a trend in which nurse managers and staff nurses do not concur on the frequency of transformational leadership behaviors but do demonstrate agreement on the frequency of transactional leadership behaviors.
Development of hepatorenal syndrome in bile duct ligated rats.

AIM To evaluate in bile duct ligated rats whether there were progressive alterations of renal function without changes in histopathology. METHODS Male Wistar rats were submitted to sham-surgery or bile duct ligation (BDL) and divided according to the post-procedure time (2, 4 and 6-wk). To determine renal function parameters, rats were placed in metabolic cages and, at the end of the experiment, blood and urine samples were obtained. Histology and hydroxyproline content were analyzed in liver and renal tissue. RESULTS Rats with 2 wk of BDL increased free water clearance (P = 0.02), reduced urinary osmolality (P = 0.03) and serum creatinine (P = 0.01) in comparison to the sham group. In contrast, rats at 6 wk of BDL showed features of HRS, including significant increase in serum creatinine and reductions in creatinine clearance, water excretion and urinary sodium concentration. Rats with 4 wk of BDL exhibited an intermediate stage of renal dysfunction. Progressive hepatic fibrosis according to post-procedure time was confirmed by histology. The increased levels of liver hydroxyproline contrasted with the absence of structural changes in the kidney, as assessed by histology and unchanged hydroxyproline content in renal tissue. CONCLUSION Our data show that BDL produced progressive renal dysfunction without structural changes in the kidney, characterizing HRS. The present model will be useful to understand the pathophysiology of HRS.
Effects of renin-angiotensin system blockade on renal angiotensin-(1-7) forming enzymes and receptors.

BACKGROUND Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)2, a homologue of ACE, which is insensitive to ACE inhibitors and forms angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] from angiotensin II (Ang II) with high efficiency was investigated in response to chronic blockade with lisinopril, losartan, and both drugs combined. METHODS Thirty-six adult Lewis rats were assigned to receive these medications in their drinking water for 2 weeks while their arterial pressure, water intake, and urine volume were recorded throughout the study. Measures of renal excretory variables included assessing excretion rates of angiotensin I (Ang I), Ang II and Ang-(1-7) while blood collected at the completion of the study was used for measures of plasma angiotensin concentrations. Samples from renal cortex were assayed for renin, angiotensinogen (Aogen), neprilysin, angiotensin types 1 and 2 (AT(1) and AT(2)) and mas receptor mRNAs by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase (RT) real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). ACE2 activity was determined as the rate of Ang II conversion into Ang-(1-7). RESULTS Comparable blood pressure reductions were obtained in rats medicated with either lisinopril or losartan, whereas both drugs produced a greater decrease in arterial pressure. Polyuria was recorded in all three forms of treatment associated with reduced osmolality but no changes in creatinine excretion. Lisinopril augmented plasma levels and urinary excretion rates of Ang I and Ang-(1-7), while plasma Ang II was reduced with no effect on urinary Ang II. Losartan produced similar changes in plasma and urinary Ang-(1-7) but increased plasma Ang II without changing urinary Ang II excretion. Combination therapy mimicked the effects obtained with lisinopril on plasma and urinary Ang I and Ang-(1-7) levels. Renal cortex Aogen mRNA increased in rats medicated with either lisinopril or the combination, whereas all three treatments produced a robust increase in renal renin mRNA. In contrast, ACE, ACE2, neprilysin, AT(1), and mas receptor mRNAs remained unchanged with all three treatments. Renal cortex ACE2 activity was significantly augmented in rats medicated with lisinopril or losartan but not changed in those given the combination. CONCLUSION Our data revealed a role for ACE2 in Ang-(1-7) formation from Ang II in the kidney of normotensive rats as primarily reflected by the increased ACE2 activity measured in renal membranes from the kidney of rats given either lisinopril or losartan. The data further indicate that increased levels of Ang-(1-7) in the urine of animals after ACE inhibition or AT(1) receptor blockade reflect an intrarenal formation of the heptapeptide.
Immunohistochemical localization of syndecan‐1 in normal and pathological human uterine cervix

Expression of syndecan‐1, a cell surface proteoglycan that binds growth factors and extracellular matrix components, was studied in normal and pathological human uterine cervix using immunohistochemical methods. Normal cervical squamous epithelium showed positive staining for syndecan‐1 in all cell layers, except the basal cell layer, whereas endocervical columnar epithelium stained weakly. In non‐neoplastic reactive lesions, metaplastic squamous cells were positive for syndecan‐1, whereas columnar cells showed weak or negative staining. In cervical condylomas, cells showing koilocytotic atypia were positive for syndecan‐1. The progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade I to grade III was associated with reduced syndecan‐1 expression and localization of syndecan‐1 to more superficial cell layers. In squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), syndecan‐1 expression correlated with histological differentiation, being absent from most poorly differentiated tumours. The results suggest that loss of syndecan‐1 from atypical cells is an early event during cervical carcinogenesis and show a close association of syndecan‐1 expression with preserved epithelial morphology and differentiation.
Verification of enhanced interference reduction in WVD on real non-stationary acoustic signal

This article presents a practical test of a new method of interference reduction in the Wigner-Ville distribution. Starts and stops of a ventilator were used as a generator of acoustic non-stationary signal. Tested algorithm is based on multiple Smoothed Pseudo Wigner-Ville distributions: differently smoothed time-frequency planes are compared and, for every point, a cross-term free value is calculated on the basis of optimal smooth estimation. The proposed approach is compared with other existing algorithms. Appropriate quantitative measures are used to demonstrate the promising results of the proposed method on practical implementation.
ASPECT-R-A Tool to Rate the Pragmatic and Explanatory Characteristics of a Clinical Trial Design.

OBJECTIVE Clinical and observational trials can be broadly categorized into having explanatory or pragmatic approaches with specific trial designs located somewhere along this spectrum. Two 10-domain instruments, the PRECIS and Pragmascope, have been developed to facilitate clinical trial design within a framework that is either more explanatory or pragmatic. DESIGN We have adapted the PRECIS and Pragmascope instruments to permit both design support and post-hoc evaluation of clinical trials and to improve consistency of use and interpretation across raters. This adapted instrument, A Study Pragmatic-Explanatory Characterization Tool-Rating-or ASPECT-R-is described. RESULTS Adaption of the PRECIS and Pragmascope instruments included reducing the 10 original domains to six. Each of the six ASPECT-R domains has a definition of domain terminology and detailed descriptive anchors. The domains are rated from 0 to 6, where 0 is considered extremely explanatory and 6 extremely pragmatic. Using an Excel®-based file with cover page cells for entry of the study objective(s) and study population of interest, the ASPECT-R instrument has individual domain-related worksheets where the user rates each of the six domains. Each of the six domain worksheets has a section provided for the user to summarize and record the rationale for their domain scoring. Each domain worksheet page also contains a radar graph that auto-populates each of the domain ratings as the user completes these ratings. CONCLUSION This new tool, ASPECT-R, should provide a reliable, objective way to rate studies along the explanatory-pragmatic spectrum that will better support trial design and facilitate interpretation of completed trials. The complete ASPECT-R tool and guide materials can be accessed online by clicking or visiting this link: http://innovationscns.com/aspect-r-tool-and-training-materials/.
Splanchnic Blood Flow in Low-Flow States

IMPLICATIONS Insufficient splanchnic blood flow in critically ill patients is the result of a multitude of different diseases, treatment modalities and their interplay, and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. A combination of diminished and heterogeneous mesenteric blood flow, impaired or exhausted regulatory mechanisms and adverse drug effects may coexist with normal systemic hemodynamics.
Validation of a noninvasive monitor to continuously trend individual responses to hypovolemia

BACKGROUND Humans are able to compensate for significant blood loss with little change in traditional vital signs, limiting early detection and intervention. We hypothesized that the Compensatory Reserve Index (CRI), a new hemodynamic parameter that trends changes in intravascular volume relative to the individual patient’s response to hypovolemia, would accurately trend each subject’s progression from normovolemia to decompensation (systolic blood pressure < 80) and back to normovolemia in humans. METHODS Men and women, ages 19 years to 36 years, underwent stepwise (~333 mL aliquot) removal and replacement of 20% blood volume (men, 15 mL/kg; women, 13 mL/kg) via a large bore intravenous (i.v.) line. During each experiment, subjects were monitored with four CipherOx CRI Tablets. Withdrawn blood was reinfused at the end of each experiment. RESULTS Forty-two subjects (24 men; 18 women) were enrolled in the study, of which 32 completed the protocol. Seven subjects became symptomatic and collapsed (systolic blood pressure < 80), six never achieving maximum blood loss; each was rescued with a saline infusion followed by reinfusion of their stored blood. The mean CRI at baseline for all 42 subjects was 0.9 ± 0.04. The mean CRI for the 32 subjects while asymptomatic at maximum blood loss was 0.611 ± 0.028. For the asymptomatic subjects, the average blood loss volume was 1018 mL ± 286 mL. In comparison, the mean CRI at maximum blood loss for the seven subjects who collapsed was 0.15 ± 0.007 and their average blood loss volume was 860 ± 183 mL. Mean CRI after reinfusion of blood was 0.89 ± 0.02. In addition symptomatic subjects demonstrated three times larger average decrease in CRI per liter of blood removed, 0.85 versus 0.28 for asymptomatic subjects. CONCLUSION CRI trends change in intravascular volume relative to an individual’s response to hypovolemia and is sensitive to the differing risks associated with individuals’ differing tolerance to volume loss. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic study, level II.
Induction of Male Sterility in Wheat by Meiotic-Stage Water Deficit Is Preceded by a Decline in Invertase Activity and Changes in Carbohydrate Metabolism in Anthers

Water deficit during meiosis in pollen mother cells of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) induces male sterility, which can reduce grain set by 40 to 50%. In plants stressed during meiosis and then rewatered, division of pollen mother cells proceeds normally but subsequent pollen development is arrested 3 or 4 d later. An inhibition of starch accumulation within the pollen grain suggested that an alteration in carbohydrate metabolism or assimilate supply may be involved in pollen abortion. We measured levels of various carbohydrates and activities of key enzymes of Suc metabolism and starch synthesis at different stages of pollen development in anthers collected from well-watered and water-stressed plants. Compared to controls, soluble sugars increased in anthers stressed during meiosis, then decreased at later poststress stages. Sucrose and myoinositol accounted for part of the sugar accumulation. The activity of soluble acid invertase declined 4-fold during the stress period and never recovered thereafter. Sucrose synthase activity during starch accumulation in pollen was also lower in the anthers of plants stressed at meiosis. Stress had little negative effect on the activities of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase or soluble and granule-bound starch synthase during starch accumulation in pollen, although at the earlier stages, ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase activity in stressed anthers was slightly lower compared to controls. The results suggest that carbohydrate starvation per se and inhibition of the enzymes of starch synthesis probably were not responsible for the stress-induced pollen abortion. Instead, an inability to metabolize incoming sucrose to hexoses may be involved in this developmental lesion.
LIGHT-INDUCED RETINAL DAMAGE IN MICE: Hydrogen Peroxide Production and Superoxide Dismutase Activity in Retina

The oxidative mechanism in retinal damage due to exposure to intense light was investigated histochemically and biochemically. SMA mice (albino mice) of 2 to 3 months of age were exposed to intense light (1000-1400 lux). In the cyclic light-reared group (without dark adaptation), the outer and inner segments of the photoreceptor cells were damaged after 3 days of exposure, and severe outer nuclear layer damage was observed after 5 to 7 days of exposure. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production in the outer nuclear layer increased with the progress of retinal damage. In the dark-reared group (dark adaptation of 16-18 hours), outer and inner segment damage was noted after 4 hours of light exposure, and severe outer nuclear layer damage was noted after 12 hours of light exposure. H2O2 production increased in the outer nuclear layer with retinal damage. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity did not change before the occurrence of retinal damage, and decreased by 25% after 3 days of exposure to light in the cyclic light-reared group. The decrease in total SOD activity corresponded to that of manganese-SOD (Mn-SOD). In the dark-reared group, SOD activity did not change, even after 1 day of exposure. There appears to be some relationship between retinal light damage and H2O2 production in the outer nuclear layer. Superoxide dismutase activity failed to provide protection against retinal oxidative damage due to intense light exposure.
High-efficiency GaN class-E power amplifier with ecompact harmonic-suppression network

This paper presents a high efficiency class-E power amplifier (PA) suitable for wireless transmitters operating at 2 GHz. Compact impedance transformation network is designed, using micro-strip transmission lines, so that it simultaneously achieves fundamental load transformation and harmonic impedance control using only two open-circuit stubs (2fo, 3fo). The dimensions of the network's elements were determined in order to concurrently attain a high harmonic suppression, minimum loss and high power added efficiency. The measurement results of the PA prototype, which is designed using a 10 W gallium nitride (GaN) HEMT transistor, showed state-of-the-art drain and power added efficiency (PAE). The achieved PAE, power gain and output power, when the drain is biased at 50 V, were equal to 74%, 12.6 dB and 11.4 W respectively. In addition, a second and third harmonic suppression in excess of -40 dBc and -75 dBc, respectively, is achieved without extra circuit tuning or additional filtering.
The cold‐shock response — a hot topic

The cold‐shock response of Escherichia coli describes a specific pattern of gene expression In response to abrupt shifts to tower temperatures. This pattern includes the induction of cold‐shock proteins, synthesis of proteins involved in transcription and translation, and repression of heat‐shock proteins. The identified cold‐shock proteins are involved in various cellular functions from supercoiling of DNA to Initiation of translation. The major cold‐shock protein, CspA, has high sequence similarity with three other E. coli proteins ‐ CspB, CspC, and CspD. Using translational lacZ fusions, cspB was found to be cold‐shock inducible at the level of transcription like cspA, while cspC and cspD were not. The Csp proteins, which share sequence similarity with other prokaryotic proteins and with the‘cold‐shock domain’of eukaryotic Y‐box proteins, may have a function in activating transcription or unwinding or masking RNA molecules. Because the cold‐shock response can also be induced by the addition of certain inhibitors of translation, it has been proposed that the state of the ribosome is the physiological sensor for the induction. In addition to E. coll, cold‐shock proteins have also been found in other prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms.