Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Doppler Spread Estimation in Frequency Selective Rayleigh Channels for OFDM Systems

In this paper, we present a method for estimating the Doppler spread (DS) in Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM). DS gives a measure of the fading rate of the wireless channel, which can be used to adjust the channel estimation rate and create specifically designed channels estimators to combat Inter-Carrier Interference (ICI) induced due to loss of orthogonality that DS imposes on OFDM systems. The estimation is based on the autocorrelation function of time domain channel estimates over two OFDM symbols and since that most of the receiver algorithms require knowledge if the receiver moves or not we divide the operation region into two modes: still mode(Smode) and moving mode (M-mode). The estimation accuracy, examined in environments with different PDPs, including channel sparsity, using several constellation schemes is quite accurate from low SNR values of 5 dB.
Water surface is acidic

Water autoionization reaction 2H2O → H3O− + OH− is a textbook process of basic importance, resulting in pH = 7 for pure water. However, pH of pure water surface is shown to be significantly lower, the reduction being caused by proton stabilization at the surface. The evidence presented here includes ab initio and classical molecular dynamics simulations of water slabs with solvated H3O+ and OH− ions, density functional studies of (H2O)48H+ clusters, and spectroscopic isotopic-exchange data for D2O substitutional impurities at the surface and in the interior of ice nanocrystals. Because H3O+ does, but OH− does not, display preference for surface sites, the H2O surface is predicted to be acidic with pH < 4.8. For similar reasons, the strength of some weak acids, such as carbonic acid, is expected to increase at the surface. Enhanced surface acidity can have a significant impact on aqueous surface chemistry, e.g., in the atmosphere.
Competition for cellulose among three predominant ruminal cellulolytic bacteria under substrate-excess and substrate-limited conditions

Three predominant ruminal cellulolytic bacteria (Fibrobacter succinogenes S85, Ruminococcus flavefaciens FD-1, and Ruminococcus albus 7) were grown in different binary combinations to determine the outcome of competition in either cellulose-excess batch culture or in cellulose-limited continuous culture. Relative populations of each species were estimated by using signature membrane-associated fatty acids and/or 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes. Both F. succinogenes and R. flavefaciens coexisted in cellulose-excess batch culture with similar population sizes (58 and 42%, respectively; standard error, 12%). By contrast, under cellulose limitation R. flavefaciens predominated (> 96% of total cell mass) in coculture with F. succinogenes, regardless of whether the two strains were inoculated simultaneously or whether R. flavefaciens was inoculated into an established culture of F. succinogenes. The predominance of R. flavefaciens over F. succinogenes under cellulose limitation is in accord with the former's more rapid adherence to cellulose and its higher affinity for cellodextrin products of cellulose hydrolysis. In batch cocultures of F. succinogenes and R. albus, the populations of the two species were similar. However, under cellulose limitation, F. succinogenes was the predominant strain (approximately 80% of cell mass) in cultures simultaneously coinoculated with R. albus. The results from batch cocultures of R. flavefaciens and R. albus were not consistent within or among trials: some experiments yielded monocultures of R. albus (suggesting production of an inhibitory agent by R. albus), while others contained substantial populations of both species. Under cellulose limitation, R. flavefaciens predominated over R. albus (85 and 15%, respectively), as would be expected by the former's greater adherence to cellulose. The retention of R. albus in the cellulose-limited coculture may result from a combination of its ability to utilize glucose (which is not utilizable by R. flavefaciens), its demonstrated ability to adapt under selective pressure in the chemostat to utilization of lower concentrations of cellobiose, a major product of cellulose hydrolysis, and its possible production of an inhibitory agent.
Joint Iterative Detection for Multi-Code MIMO-OFCDM Systems

This paper investigates a two-dimensionally spread orthogonal frequency and code division multiplexing (OFCDM) system with multi-code transmission and multiple input multiple output (MIMO) multiplexing, where desired data signals are interfered by not only co-channel signals from other transmit antennas (or multi-antenna interference (MAI)), but also multi- code interference (MCI) from other code channels on the same antenna. Combining the iterative detection in the space domain and the hybrid MCI cancellation and minimum mean square error (MMSE) detection in the frequency domain, a joint iterative detection algorithm is proposed to cancel out MAI and MCI. For the 0th loop of the joint iterative detection, a 2-stage hybrid detection is needed in the frequency domain, while for later loops, a 0-stage hybrid detection or pure MMSE is sufficient. The system performance improves as the number of loops in the joint iterative detection increases. Moreover, using joint iterative detection, larger frequency diversity gain can be achieved and the performance improves as the frequency domain spreading factor increases.
Interaction of the human N-Ras protein with lipid raft model membranes of varying degrees of complexity

Abstract Ternary lipid mixtures composed of cholesterol, saturated (frequently with sphingosine backbone), and unsaturated phospholipids show stable phase separation and are often used as model systems of lipid rafts. Yet, their ability to reproduce raft properties and function is still debated. We investigated the properties and functional aspects of three lipid raft model systems of varying degrees of biological relevance – PSM/POPC/Chol, DPPC/POPC/Chol, and DPPC/DOPC/Chol – using 2H solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. While some minor differences were observed, the general behavior and properties of all three model mixtures were similar to previously investigated influenza envelope lipid membranes, which closely mimic the lipid composition of biological membranes. For the investigation of the functional aspects, we employed the human N-Ras protein, which is posttranslationally modified by two lipid modifications that anchor the protein to the membrane. It was previously shown that N-Ras preferentially resides in liquid-disordered domains and exhibits a time-dependent accumulation in the domain boundaries of influenza envelope lipid membranes. For all three model mixtures, we observed the same membrane partitioning behavior for N-Ras. Therefore, we conclude that even relatively simple models of raft membranes are able to reproduce many of their specific properties and functions.
Allograft inflammatory factor-1 and its immune regulation

The allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1) is a 17 kDa interferon-γ (IFN-γ) inducible Ca2 + -binding EF-hand protein that is encoded within the HLA class III genomic region. Three proteins including ionized Ca2 + -binding adaptor 1, microglia response factor-1, and daintain are identical with AIF-1. The expression of AIF-1 was mostly limited to the monocyte/macrophage lineage, and augmented by cytokines such as IFN-γ. It was assumed that AIF-1 was a novel molecule involved in inflammatory responses, allograft rejection, as well as the activation and function of macrophages. However, it has been reported that AIF-1 is also expressed in macrophages and microglial cells in autoimmune diseases such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, neuritis and uveitis models, suggesting that AIF-1 may play a pivotal role in autoimmunity. In the present manuscript, the genomic and functional characteristics of AIF-1 family proteins as well as their immune regulatory effects are reviewed.
A study of the effects of cardiopulmonary bypass surgery on auditory function

Cardiopulmonary bypass surgery is commonplace in many medical centers and rare instances of unilateral hearing loss in these patients have been reported and have been attributed to embolism. Two more patients are reported and their discovery prompted a study of pre and postoperative hearing in 68 patients at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, where a single team performs the cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. Previous similar studies showed no changes following CPB surgery. Almost all patients have been male and prolonged pump times (over 150 min.) were noted in 7 of 11 reports.
Development of a pneumatically driven forceps manipulator IBIS IV

In the teleoperated minimally invasive surgery systems, measurement and display of sense of force to the operator is a problem. We have proposed a pneumatic surgical manipulator that is capable of estimating external force, without the use of force sensors. However, the force estimation had a sensitivity of only 3[N] because of inertia and friction effect. In this paper, we newly developed an improved model of the surgical manipulator IBIS IV to solve this problem. The base part of the forceps becomes compact and succeeded in reduce the weight. We conducted some experiments including in-vivo experiment and confirmed that the effectiveness and improvement of the manipulator.
Internet Applications In Investment Banking: Implications And Significance

This paper discusses how investment banks utilize the internet as well as the motivation and implications of these early internet applications for the conduct of investment banking activities. Focus, in particular, is on the significance ofe-commerce applications for the management of relationships with clients , the expansion into the retail investor market, and the reengineering of the underwriting process. The paper offers some critical perspectives as to whether internet-based operations are likely to transform the intermediary services of underwriting firms in the securities issuance process.
Direct transcriptional control of the Dpp target omb by the DNA binding protein Brinker

The gradient morphogen Decapentaplegic (Dpp) organizes pattern by inducing the transcription of different target genes at distinct threshold concentrations during Drosophila development. An important, albeit indirect, mode by which Dpp controls the spatial extent of its targets is via the graded downregulation of brinker, whose product in turn negatively regulates the expression of these targets. Here we report the molecular dissection of the cis‐regulatory sequences of optomotor‐blind (omb), a Dpp target gene in the wing. We identify a minimal 284 bp Dpp response element and demonstrate that it is subject to Brinker (Brk) repression. Using this omb wing enhancer, we show that Brk is a sequence‐specific DNA binding protein. Mutations in the high‐affinity Brk binding site abolish responsiveness of this omb enhancer to Brk and also compromise the input of an unknown transcriptional activator. Our results therefore identify Brk as a novel transcription factor antagonizing Dpp signalling by directly binding target genes and repressing their expression.
Synthesis of doped carbon nanotubes by CVD using NiB catalysts

We have proposed a new method for in-situ doping of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by catalytic CVD using nickel boron (NiB) as the catalyst. Raman spectrum measurements were carried out to determine the effects of doping using NiB catalysts with different B-concentrations at different CVD temperatures. The characteristic shifts in the Raman spectra which indicate carrier doping were demonstrated for the NiB catalyst with 18 atomic % B at the CVD temperature of 900°C. The CNT crystallinity was improved by a new catalyst structure with a B-capping layer over the NiB catalyst.
Comparison of Different DNA Fingerprinting Techniques for Molecular Typing of Bartonella henselaeIsolates

ABSTRACT Seventeen isolates of Bartonella henselae from the region of Freiburg, Germany, obtained from blood cultures of domestic cats, were examined for their genetic heterogeneity. On the basis of different DNA fingerprinting methods, including pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC)-PCR, repetitive extragenic palindromic (REP) PCR, and arbitrarily primed (AP)-PCR, three different variants were identified among the isolates (variants I to III). Variant I included 6 strains, variant II included 10 strains, and variant III included only one strain. By all methods used, the isolates could be clearly distinguished from the type strain, Houston-1, which was designated variant IV. A previously published type-specific amplification of 16S rDNA differentiated two types of the B. henselaeisolates (16S rRNA types 1 and 2). The majority of the isolates (16 of 17), including all variants I and II, were 16S rRNA type 2. Only one isolate (variant III) and the Houston-1 strain (variant IV) comprised the 16S rRNA type 1. Comparison of the 16S rDNA sequences from one representative strain from each of the three variants (I to III) confirmed the results obtained by 16S rRNA type-specific PCR. The sequences from variant I and variant II were identical, whereas the sequence of variant III differed in three positions. All methods applied in this study allowed subtyping of the isolates. PFGE and ERIC-PCR provided the highest discriminatory potential for subtypingB. henselae strains, whereas AP-PCR with the M13 primer showed a very clear differentiation between the four variants. Our results suggest that the genetic heterogeneity of B. henselae strains is high. The methods applied were found useful for typing B. henselae isolates, providing tools for epidemiological and clinical follow-up studies.
Positron emission tomography scanning in malignant melanoma.

BACKGROUND Several recent studies have demonstrated the low yield of anatomically based computed tomography scans in evaluating Stage III (American Joint Committee on Cancer) patients with malignant melanoma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and clinical utility of functionally based positron emission tomography (PET) scans in the same patient population. METHODS A prospective evaluation of 106 whole body PET scans obtained after injection of 2-fluorine-18, 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) was performed in 95 patients with clinically evident Stage III lymph node and/or in-transit melanoma. Areas of abnormality on FDG PET scanning were identified visually as foci of increased metabolic activity compared with background, and all positive foci were assessed pathologically. RESULTS In this patient population, there were 234 areas that were evaluated pathologically of which 165 were confirmed histologically to be melanoma. PET scanning identified 144 of the 165 areas of melanoma for a sensitivity of 87.3%. The 21 areas of melanoma that were missed included 10 microscopic foci, 9 foci less than 1 cm, and 2 foci greater than 1 cm. There were 39 areas of increased PET activity that were not associated with malignancy for a 78.6% predictive value of a positive test. Of the 39 false-positive areas (false-positive rate of 56.5%), 13 could be attributed to recent surgery, 3 to arthritis, 3 to infection, 2 to superficial phlebitis, 1 to a benign skin nevus, and 1 to a colonic polyp. Pathologic evaluation of the remaining false-positive areas failed to reveal a definitive etiology for their increased activity on PET scan. With the application of pertinent clinical information, the predictive value of a positive PET scan could be improved to 90. 6%. The specificity of PET scanning in this study was only 43.5% because very few prophylactic lymph node dissections were performed. Thirty-six of the total 183 abnormal areas (19.7%) on PET scanning proved to be unsuspected areas of metastatic disease. These findings led to a change in the planned clinical management in patients after 16 of the 106 PET scans (15.1%). CONCLUSIONS FDG PET scanning can be helpful in managing patients with Stage III melanoma in whom further surgery is contemplated. Although false-positive areas are not uncommon, PET scans did change the management of patients 15% of the time. PET's inability to identify microscopic disease suggests that it is of limited use in evaluating patients with Stage I-II disease.
MR imaging of herpes simplex type 1 encephalitis in infants and young children: a separate pattern of findings.

OBJECTIVE We sought to identify the initial MR findings of herpes simplex encephalitis in infants and young children. CONCLUSION MR imaging findings of herpes encephalitis in infants and young children appear to differ from those seen in neonates, older children, and adults. Appreciation of this MR imaging pattern coupled with a strong clinical suspicion of herpes helps to ensure the correct diagnosis is made.
Interferon treatment of experimental Ross River virus polymyositis

Ross River virus (RRV), an alpha togavirus, causes an inflammatory myopathy in mice, which probably results from direct lytic effects of virus or viral products on myofibers. Administration of recombinant hybrid human leukocyte interferon-alpha A/D (rINF-αA/D) ameliorates clinical illness and reduces mortality from 86 to 42%. Peak concentrations of virus are reduced by 1,000-fold in serum and by 30-fold in muscle, but anti-RRV antibody production is not altered. Treatment with rIFN-αA/D dramatically reduces inflammation and necrosis in muscle. Beneficial effects of rIFN-αA/D on experimental, RRV-induced polymyositis result in part from inhibition of viral replication and spread, though immunomodulation might also play an important role.
Compensatory Contributions of HEXIM1 and HEXIM2 in Maintaining the Balance of Active and Inactive Positive Transcription Elongation Factor b Complexes for Control of Transcription*

Human positive transcriptional elongation factor b (P-TEFb), consisting of a cyclin-dependent kinase 9-cyclin T heterodimer, stimulates general and disease-specific transcriptional elongation by phosphorylating RNA polymerase II. The HEXIM1 protein, aided by the 7SK snRNA, sequesters P-TEFb into an inactive 7SK·HEXIM1·P-TEFb small nuclear ribonucleic acid particle for inhibition of transcription and, consequently, cell proliferation. Here we show that, like HEXIM1, a highly homologous protein named HEXIM2 also possesses the ability to inactivate P-TEFb to suppress transcription through a 7SK-mediated interaction with P-TEFb. Furthermore, HEXIM1 and HEXIM2 can form stable homo- and hetero-oligomers (most likely dimers), which may nucleate the formation of the 7SK small nuclear ribonucleic acid particle. Despite their similar functions, HEXIM1 and HEXIM2 exhibit distinct expression patterns in various human tissues and established cell lines. In HEXIM1-knocked down cells, HEXIM2 can functionally and quantitatively compensate for the loss of HEXIM1 to maintain a constant level of the 7SK/HEXIM-bound P-TEFb. Our results demonstrate that there is a tightly regulated cellular process to maintain the balance between active and inactive P-TEFb complexes, which controls global transcription as well as cell growth and differentiation.
A Digital Calibration Technique for Charge Pumps in Phase-Locked Systems

A digital technique is adopted to calibrate the current mismatch of the charge pump (CP) in phase-locked systems. In this digital calibration technique, there is no extra replica CP needed. In addition, it can calibrate the CP under different control voltages on the loop filter to be immune to the channel-length modulation. Due to the digital nature, the additional power consumption and digital switching noise from the calibration circuits are turned off once the calibration is finished. A 5 GHz frequency synthesizer is used to justify the proposed calibration technique. The measured output spur is suppressed by 5.35 dB at 5.2 GHz after the calibration circuits are active. The measured output spur levels are less than -68.5 dBc throughout the whole output frequency range. The measured phase noise is -110 dBc/Hz at an offset frequency of 1 MHz.
Implementing a no lift policy.

On January 1 1997, 178 nurses at the Centre for the Health of Older People in Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds, agreed on a New Year's resolution with a difference. A 'no lift' policy was to be implemented on six care of older people wards, in the day hospital and the multispecialty outpatients department. The site was the first large scale area to implement a full no lift policy in the United Leeds Teachings Hospitals NHS Trust. Initially, this was in response to Manual Handling Operations Regulations ( DoH 1992 ) and the Health and Safety Commission's Guidance of Manual Handling of Loads in the Health Service ( 1992 ).
Regulated Shedding of Syndecan-1 and -4 Ectodomains by Thrombin and Growth Factor Receptor Activation*

The syndecan family of transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycans is abundant on the surface of all adherent mammalian cells. Syndecans bind and modify the action of various growth factors/cytokines, proteases/antiproteases, cell adhesion molecules, and extracellular matrix components. Syndecan expression is highly regulated during wound repair, a process orchestrated by many of these effectors. Each syndecan ectodomain is shed constitutively by cultured cells, but the mechanism and significance of this shedding are not understood. Therefore, we examined (i) whether physiological agents active during wound repair influence syndecan shedding, and (ii) whether wound fluids contain shed syndecan ectodomains. Using SVEC4–10 endothelial cells we find that certain proteases and growth factors accelerate shedding of the syndecan-1 and -4 ectodomains. Protease-accelerated shedding is completely inhibited by serum-containing media. Thrombin activity is duplicated by the 14-amino acid thrombin receptor agonist peptide that directly activates the thrombin receptor and is not inhibited by serum. Epidermal growth factor family members accelerate shedding but FGF-2, platelet-derived growth factor-AB, transforming growth factor-β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and vascular endothelial cell growth factor 165 do not. Shed ectodomains are soluble, stable in the conditioned medium, have the same size core proteins regardless whether shed at a basal rate, or accelerated by thrombin or epidermal growth factor-family members and are found in acute human dermal wound fluids. Thus, shedding is accelerated by activation of at least two distinct receptor classes, G protein-coupled (thrombin) and protein tyrosine kinase (epidermal growth factor). Proteases and growth factors active during wound repair can accelerate syndecan shedding from cell surfaces. Regulated shedding of syndecans suggests physiological roles for the soluble proteoglycan ectodomains.
Identification of T-cell epitopes on E2 protein of rubella virus, as recognized by human T-cell lines and clones

T-cell epitopes on the E2 protein of rubella virus were studied by using 15 overlapping synthetic peptides covering the E2 protein sequence. The most frequently recognized epitopes on E2 were E2-4 (residues 54 to 74), with 5 of 10 tested T-cell lines responding to it. Two CD4+ cytotoxic T-cell cloned isolated from one T-cell line responded strongly in proliferation assays with peptide E2-4 and were cytotoxic to target cells presenting the E2-4 determinant. Truncated peptides contained within the E2-4 peptide sequence were used to define the T-cell determinants. Results indicated that amino acid residues 54 to 65 were directly involved. Human cell lines with different HLA phenotypes were tested for the capacity to present the antigenic determinants. The results suggested that recognition of peptide E2-4 by T-cell clones was associated with HLA DR7.