A (v,K, λ) difference family ((v,K, λ)-DF in short) can be used to construct a (v,K, λ)-PBD. A lot of work has been done on the existence of (v, k, 1) difference families ((v, k, 1)-DF in short) when K = {k} is a singleton. For K = {3, 4}, partial results have been obtained by Buratti. In this paper, it is proved that there exists a balanced (q, {3, 4}, 1)-DF for each prime power q ≡ 1 (mod 18).

A simple and general definition of quasi cyclic low-density parity-check (QC-LDPC) codes which are constructed based on circulant permutation matrices (CPM) is proposed. As an special case of this definition, we first represent one type of so called combinatorially designed multiple-edge protograph codes. The code construction is mainly based on perfect difference families (PDF’s) and is called...

OBJECTIVE The purpose of the present study was to investigate the expression of the α2-integrin subunit and heat shock protein 47 (Hsp47) in two families with isolated gingival fibromatosis (GF) form and one family with GF associated with dental abnormalities and normal gingival (NG). STUDY DESIGN Immunohistochemistry was performed with antibodies against α2-integrin and Hsp47 in specimens fr...

Generalizing the case of λ = 1 given by Buratti and Zuanni [Bull Belg. Math. Soc. (1998)], we characterize the 1-rotational difference families generating a 1rotational (v, k, λ)-RBIBD, that is a (v, k, λ) resolvable balanced incomplete block design admitting an automorphism group G acting sharply transitively on all but one point ∞ and leaving invariant a resolution R of it. When G is transiti...

Limited research exists about the unique experiences and possible marginalization of children with sexual minority parents. From a larger longitudinal project of diverse adoptive families, we examined cross-sectional data using mixed methods from interviews with 49 adopted children (M age = 8 years; 47% female) in 27 two-father and 22 two-mother families. Using thematic analysis, we coded theme...

We classify up to multiplier equivalence optimal (v, 3, 1) binary cyclically permutable constant weight (CPCW) codes with v ≤ 61. There is a one-to-one correspondence between optimal (v, 3, 1) CPCW codes, optimal cyclic binary constant weight codes with weight 3 and minimal distance 4, (v, 3; b(v − 1)/6c) difference packings, and optimal (v, 3, 1) optical orthogonal codes. Therefore the classif...

A randomised controlled trial has been conducted into the effects of discharging patients from hospital either 48 hours or six to seven days after operations for inguinal hernia and varicose veins. There was no statistically significant difference in major postoperative complications between the two lengths of stay for either of the two conditions. Similarly there was no difference between the ...

Epidemiological evidence from tuberculosis outbreaks revealed that some genotypes of M. tuberculosis are more transmissible and capable of causing disease than others. We analysed the plasma cytokine levels of pulmonary tuberculosis patients infected with different strains of M. tuberculosis to test the hypothesis that immune responses would be linked to the bacterial genotype. Spoligotyping wa...

is not found and the caretaker relative still refuses to cooperate, the caretaker becomes ineligible for benefits, and assistance is provided to the eligible child in tte form of protective payments, without regard to the needs of the caretaker relative. Therefore, if eligibility is determined and/or payments are made prior to the rejection of a good cause claim, it may become necessary . to re...

We derive an expectation maximization algorithm for maximum-likelihood training of substitution rate matrices from multiple sequence alignments. The algorithm can be used to train hidden substitution models, where the structural context of a residue is treated as a hidden variable that can evolve over time. We used the algorithm to train hidden substitution matrices on protein alignments in the...