Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stability Challenges and Enhancements for Vehicular Channel Congestion Control Approaches

Channel congestion is one of the major challenges for IEEE 802.11p-based vehicular networks. Unless controlled, congestion increases with vehicle density, leading to high packet loss and degraded safety application performance. We study two classes of congestion control algorithms, i.e., reactive state-based and linear adaptive. In this paper, the reactive state-based approach is represented by the decentralized congestion control framework defined in the European Telecommunications Standards Institute. The linear adaptive approach is represented by the LInear MEssage Rate Integrated Control (LIMERIC) algorithm. Both approaches control safety message transmissions as a function of channel load [i.e., channel busy percentage (CBP)]. A reactive state-based approach uses CBP directly, defining an appropriate transmission behavior for each CBP value, e.g., via a table lookup. By contrast, a linear adaptive approach identifies the transmission behavior that drives CBP toward a target channel load. Little is known about the relative performance of these approaches and any existing comparison is limited by incomplete implementations or stability anomalies. To address this, this paper makes three main contributions. First, we study and compare the two aforementioned approaches in terms of channel stability and show that the reactive state-based approach can be subject to major oscillation. Second, we identify the root causes and introduce stable reactive algorithms. Finally, we compare the performance of the stable reactive approach with the linear adaptive approach and the legacy IEEE 802.11p. It is shown that the linear adaptive approach still achieves a higher message throughput for any given vehicle density for the defined performance metrics.
CONTRAST PATTERN MINING OF ETHIOPIAN BAGANA SONGS

Contrast pattern mining (Dong & Bailey, 2012) aims to find patterns that contrast between groups in a dataset, even if those patterns cover just a small subgroup of instances. It is a relatively new area of data mining that is focused on descriptive rather than predictive methods, and on interestingness of discovered rules and patterns rather than classification accuracy. In contrast pattern mining, a pattern is considered interesting if it differentiates between groups. In folk music analysis, groups can be given by e.g. geographical regions, folk music genres or tuning systems. Patterns can distinguish a target group (corpus) from other groups (anticorpus) in the dataset as positive patterns, which are over-represented in the corpus compared to the anticorpus (Conklin & Anagnostopoulou, 2011), or as antipatterns, rare patterns which are statistically under-represented in the corpus compared to the anticorpus (Conklin, 2013). The bagana is a lyre played by the Amhara, a people settled mostly in Central and Northern Ethiopia. In a recent computational study of bagana songs Conklin & Weisser (2014) adapted antipattern discovery to find rare patterns when no explicit anticorpus is available. The method is able through a refinement search to explore the entire space of candidate patterns for minimal, statistically significant antipatterns. The method was capable of finding rare motifs reported to Weisser (2005) by the bagana master Alemu Aga. In that work, antipatterns are discovered which are under-represented in the full corpus. In the current work contrast pattern mining is applied to discover patterns significantly over-represented in events played in a particular scale or played by a particular musician.
Carbon exchange of deciduous broadleaved forests in temperate and Mediterranean regions.

Np, for NPP Nec, Net ecosystem carbon exchange, as measured by micrometeorologists NB, Net biome productivity Gp, Gross primary productivity Jpmax, maximum flux density of canopy photosynthesis Reco, ecosystem respiration Rplant, plant respiration Rauto, soil autotrophic respiration Rhetero, soil heterotrophic respiration Rsoil, total soil respiration Ea,actual evaporation Ep, potential evaporation Vcmax, maximum carboxylation velocity (measured as maximum assimilation rate under saturating light and saturating CO2) Ci, internal CO2 concentration Rd, leaf dark respiration ? , ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase (RUBISCO) specificity factor A, CO2 assimilation rate Kc, Michaelis–Menten constant for CO2 Ko, Michaelis–Menten constant for O2 Jmax, maximum electron transport rate Amax, maximum assimilation rate (at saturating light and ambient CO2) 9
Abberent expression analysis of LMNA gene in hutchinson-gilford progeria syndrome

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is caused by de novo dominant point mutations of the genes encoding nuclear lamina proteins, leading towards premature aging. A protein sequence is subjected to mutations in nature which can affect the function and folding pattern of the protein by different ways. Mutations involved in HGPS were identified and were substituted in the seed sequence retrieved from the UniProt database to get the mutated versions. Tertiary structure of the Lamin A protein was previously unpredicted so was performed for all the mutated as well as for the seed protein to analyze the effects of mutations on the protein structure, folding and interactions. All the predicted models were refined and validated through multiple servers for multiple parameters. The validated 3D structure of seed protein was then successfully submitted to the Protein Model Database and was assigned with the PMDB ID PM0077829. All the predicted structures were superimposed with a root mean square deviation value of 7.0 Å and a high Dali Z-score of 1.9. It was observed that mutations affected physiochemical properties as well as instability index and thus is affecting the domains in specific and the whole structure in general. It was further analyzed that HGPS is the result of affected Lamin a protein interactions with other integral and binding proteins in the inner nuclear membrane affecting the link in between the nuclear membrane and the network of the lamina.
Endotoxin Detoxification by Guinea Pig Tissue Homogenates and Possible Significance of This Reaction in vivo

Summary Homogenates of guinea pig liver, spleen, kidney and (to a lesser degree) heart are capable of detoxifying bacterial endotoxin in vitro. Since only the liver and spleen appear to remove significant amounts of endotoxin from the circulation, these two organs would seem to be the ones in which the in-activation process might be of some physiological significance in vivo. Previous studies suggested that the liver may have an important function in the inactivation of endotoxin which gains access to the body. The experiments reported herein are consistent with this hypothesis, but provide no evidence that the spleen plays any significant role in the response of either normal guinea pigs or those with liver damage to administration of endotoxin. I am indebted to S. B. Formal for many valuable suggestions, and to J. G. Watson, S. Austin and A. L. Fisher, Jr., for excellent technical assistance.
Reliability of a 2-bout exercise test on a wattbike cycle ergometer.

PURPOSE To determine the intraday and interday reliability of a 2 × 4-min performance test on a cycle ergometer (Wattbike) separated by 30 min of passive recovery (2 × 4MMP). METHODS Twelve highly trained cyclists (mean ± SD; age = 20 ± 2 y, predicted VO2max = 59.0 ± 3.6 mL · kg-1 · min-1) completed six 2 × 4MMP cycling tests on a Wattbike ergometer separated by 7 d. Mean power was measured to determine intraday (test 1 [T1] to test 2 [T2]) and interday reliability (weeks 1-6) over the repeated trials. RESULTS The mean intraday reliabilities of the 2 × 4MMP test, as expressed by the typical error of measurement (TEM, W) and coefficient of variation (CV, %) over the 6 wk, were 10.0 W (95% confidence limits [CL] 8.2-11.8), and 2.6% (95%CL 2.1-3.1), respectively. The mean interday reliability TEM and CV for T1 over the 6 wk were 10.4 W (95%CL 8.7-13.3) and 2.7% (95%CL 2.3-3.5), respectively, and 11.7 W (95%CL 9.8-15.1) and 3.0% (95%CL 2.5-3.9) for T2. CONCLUSION The testing protocol performed on a Wattbike cycle ergometer in the current study is reproducible in highly trained cyclists. The high intraday and interday reliability make it a reliable method for monitoring cycling performance and for investigating factors that affect performance in cycling events.
Endocrine disrupting chemicals: a new and emerging public health problem?

Coordination of targeted toxicological studies is needed It is widely acknowledged that our environment is becoming increasingly contaminated with man-made chemicals. Mammals, as well as lower organisms, are vulnerable to exposure to these agents through a variety of different sources and routes and there are concerns that they may be having a detrimental effect on ecological and population health. It is just over 40 years since wildlife studies first suggested that environmental chemicals could be interacting with hormone systems,1 a hypothesis which has since been consolidated and debated both in the popular press and in the scientific literature. Concerns about environmentally mediated endocrine toxicity have also captured the attention of many national and international health organisations,2 as well as lobbying groups such as Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund (UK). In recognition of the possibility of an emerging public health threat, the European Commission3 has identified endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) (table 1) as an important public health issue and is currently supporting a number of research initiatives. View this table: Table 1 Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) Although there is a wealth of laboratory based studies that demonstrate and delineate the range of toxic effects that can be induced following exposure to certain chemicals, extrapolating these observations to the natural environment and to human populations has been difficult. To date the clearest evidence that chemicals can act as endocrine disrupting agents has been derived from observations made in the wildlife setting where reports of deleterious effects on the reproductive system have predominated. However, insufficient epidemiological and laboratory data currently exist to provide an accurate assessment of the risks to public health posed by EDCs in the relatively low ambient doses normally found in the environment. There is indirect evidence from secular changes in childhood growth and reproductive development which suggests exposure to these …
Voltage-Controlled Enzymes: The New Janus Bifrons

The Ciona intestinalis voltage-sensitive phosphatase, Ci-VSP, was the first Voltage-controlled Enzyme (VEnz) proven to be under direct command of the membrane potential. The discovery of Ci-VSP conjugated voltage sensitivity and enzymatic activity in a single protein. These two facets of Ci-VSP activity have provided a unique model for studying how membrane potential is sensed by proteins and a novel mechanism for control of enzymatic activity. These facets make Ci-VSP a fascinating and versatile enzyme. Ci-VSP has a voltage sensing domain (VSD) that resembles those found in voltage-gated channels (VGC). The VSD resides in the N-terminus and is formed by four putative transmembrane segments. The fourth segment contains charged residues which are likely involved in voltage sensing. Ci-VSP produces sensing currents in response to changes in potential, within a defined range of voltages. Sensing currents are analogous to “gating” currents in VGC. As known, these latter proteins contain four VSDs which are entangled in a complex interaction with the pore domain – the effector domain in VGC. This complexity makes studying the basis of voltage sensing in VGC a difficult enterprise. In contrast, Ci-VSP is thought to be monomeric and its catalytic domain – the VSP’s effector domain – can be cleaved off without disrupting the basic electrical functioning of the VSD. For these reasons, VSPs are considered a great model for studying the activity of a VSD in isolation. Finally, VSPs are also phosphoinositide phosphatases. Phosphoinositides are signaling lipids found in eukaryotes and are involved in many processes, including modulation of VGC activity and regulation of cell proliferation. Understanding VSPs as enzymes has been the center of attention in recent years and several reviews has been dedicated to this area. Thus, this review will be focused instead on the other face of this true Janus Bifrons and recapitulate what is known about VSPs as electrically active proteins.
The influence of left ventricular geometry on left atrial phasic function in hypertensive patients

Objective. We aimed to investigate left atrial (LA) phasic function in hypertensive patients with different geometric patterns using two-dimensional (2DE) and three-dimensional (3DE) echocardiography. Methods. This cross-sectional study included 213 hypertensive subjects who underwent a complete 2DE and 3DE examination. The new updated criteria for left ventricular (LV) geometry, which consider LV mass index, LV end-diastolic diameter and relative wall thickness, were applied. According to this classification, the subjects were divided into six groups: normal geometry, concentric remodeling, eccentric non-dilated left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), concentric LVH, dilated LVH and concentric-dilated LVH. Results. 2DE and 3DE LA volumes gradually increased from normal LV geometry to concentric and concentric-dilated LVH. LA reservoir and conduit functions, estimated by 2DE and 3DE LA total and passive emptying fractions, were decreased in subjects with concentric and concentric-dilated LVH. LA booster pump function was increased in patients with concentric, dilated and concentric-dilated LVH compared to subjects with normal LV geometry. The same results regarding LA phasic function were provided by 2DE strain analysis. Concentric, dilated and non-concentric dilated LVH were associated with LA enlargement independently of main demographic and clinical features. Conclusion. LV geometric patterns significantly influence LA phasic function. Concentric and dilated LVH patterns have the most prominent negative effect on LA enlargement assessed by both 2DE and 3DE.
Culture and sexual behavior.

The effectiveness of many HIV prevention efforts, particularly those targeted at women, are often hampered by ignorance of cultural realities of sexual behaviors. In a recent study of unmarried Latino adults living in the United States, researchers began to explore these different factors. Predictors of condom use in this population included: socialization of sexuality, interpersonal power within relationships, and gender norms. The study, a telephone survey, found a pervasive sexual silence, especially among women. More than half reported that their mothers had never spoken to them about sex when they were younger. The survey also attempted to measure the experiences that could be considered coercive within the context of sex. The researchers found that successful interventions depend on abilities to educate beyond knowledge, counsel clients beyond risk assessment, and study sexual behavior beyond mere prevalence.
Inhibition of rat corneal angiogenesis by 16-kDa prolactin and by endogenous prolactin-like molecules.

PURPOSE The cornea is an avascular organ, where induction of new blood vessels involves the turn-on of proangiogenic factors and/or the turn-off of antiangiogenic regulators. Prolactin (PRL) fragments of 14 kDa and 16 kDa bind to endothelial cell receptors and inhibit angiogenesis. This study was designed to determine whether antiangiogenic PRL-like molecules are involved in cornea avascularity. METHODS Sixteen-kDa PRL and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or anti-PRL antibodies were placed into rat cornea micropockets and neovascularization evaluated by the optical density associated with capillaries stained by the peroxidase reaction and by the number of vessels growing into the implants. Prolactin receptors in corneal epithelium were investigated by immunocytochemistry. RESULTS bFGF induced a dose-dependent stimulation of corneal neovascularization. This effect was inhibited by coadministration of 16-kDa PRL, as indicated by a 65% reduction in vessel density and a 50% decrement in the incidence of angiogenic responses. Corneal angiogenic reactions of different intensities were induced by implantation of polyclonal and monoclonal anti-PRL antibodies. Corneal epithelial cells were labeled by several anti-PRL receptor monoclonal antibodies. CONCLUSIONS These findings show that exogenous 16-kDa PRL inhibits bFGF-induced corneal neovascularization and suggest that PRL-like molecules with antiangiogenic actions function in the cornea. PRL receptors in the corneal epithelium may imply that PRL in the cornea derives from lacrimal PRL internalized through an intracellular pathway. These observations are consistent with the notion that members of the PRL family are potential regulators of corneal angiogenesis.
Object contour detecting using pseudo zernike moment and multi-layer perceptron

Most of the object contour detection approaches suffers from some drawbacks such as noise, occlusion of objects, shifting, scaling and rotation of objects in image which they are failed to recognize object contour. A solution to solve the problem is utilization of feature extractor which is independent of rotation, scaling, transformation and etc. One of the best options for the task of feature extraction is Pseudo Zernike Moment (PZM) which is able to extract feature vector in all situations. In this paper, a new method of facial age estimation is proposed which includes three steps: object region detection, feature extraction and contour detection. The first step employs Line Detection with Contours (LDC) in order to find the object region based on the connected components inside the image. In the second step, PZM is applied on the previously detected object regions to extract feature vector. At the final stage, Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) model is employed to extract final object contour based on the PZM-based feature vector. Experimental results on Caltech-101 dataset shows that classification rate is improved to 98.47 which proves the ability of the proposed method.
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Objective: To assess the factorial structure and construct validity for the Chinese version of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS). Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in March 2006 from adults in the Beijing area. The questionnaire consisted of sections to assess for participants' demographic profile and dental attendance patterns, the Chinese MDAS and the anxiety items from the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The analysis was conducted in two stages using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. Cross validation was tested with a North West of England comparison sample. Results: 783 questionnaires were successfully completed from Beijing, 468 from England. The Chinese MDAS consisted of two factors: anticipatory dental anxiety (ADA) and treatment dental anxiety (TDA). Internal consistency coefficients (tau non-equivalent) were 0.74 and 0.86 respectively. Measurement properties were virtually identical for male and female respondents. Relationships of the Chinese MDAS with gender, age and dental attendance supported predictions. Significant structural parameters between the two sub-scales (negative affectivity and autonomic anxiety) of the HADS anxiety items and the two newly identified factors of the MDAS were confirmed and duplicated in the comparison sample. Conclusion: The Chinese version of the MDAS has good psychometric properties and has the ability to assess, briefly, overall dental anxiety and two correlated but distinct aspects. Background The assessment of dental anxiety is becoming increasingly relevant with the stronger emphasis on evidence based methods for improving patient oral health care [1,2]. In particular, recording self-reported dental anxiety in those patients who report psychological difficulties in receiving dental treatment enables planners of dental services to make informed decisions about suitable interventions [1,3]. This is especially important in countries like China that are experiencing rapid economic development. Published: 25 March 2008 Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 2008, 6:22 doi:10.1186/1477-7525-6-22 Received: 19 November 2007 Accepted: 25 March 2008 This article is available from: http://www.hqlo. com/content/6/1/22 © 2008 Yuan et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Exceptionally strong easterly wind burst stalling El Niño of 2014

Significance The El Niño–Southern Oscillation is the dominant mode of climate variability in the tropical Pacific, with pronounced global teleconnections. Predicting El Niño and understanding its progression still present a challenge to climate scientists. At the beginning of 2014, many in the scientific community anticipated that a strong El Niño could potentially develop by year end, but the observed warm event barely reached the El Niño threshold. Here, we analyze satellite-based data and numerical simulations to show that an intense easterly wind burst that occurred in June of 2014 was the key dynamical factor that stalled the El Niño development. We discuss our findings in the context of limited El Niño predictability and explore links between intraseasonal wind bursts and decadal climate change. Intraseasonal wind bursts in the tropical Pacific are believed to affect the evolution and diversity of El Niño events. In particular, the occurrence of two strong westerly wind bursts (WWBs) in early 2014 apparently pushed the ocean–atmosphere system toward a moderate to strong El Niño—potentially an extreme event according to some climate models. However, the event’s progression quickly stalled, and the warming remained very weak throughout the year. Here, we find that the occurrence of an unusually strong basin-wide easterly wind burst (EWB) in June was a key factor that impeded the El Niño development. It was shortly after this EWB that all major Niño indices fell rapidly to near-normal values; a modest growth resumed only later in the year. The easterly burst and the weakness of subsequent WWBs resulted in the persistence of two separate warming centers in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, suppressing the positive Bjerknes feedback critical for El Niño. Experiments with a climate model with superimposed wind bursts support these conclusions, pointing to inherent limits in El Niño predictability. Furthermore, we show that the spatial structure of the easterly burst matches that of the observed decadal trend in wind stress in the tropical Pacific, suggesting potential links between intraseasonal wind bursts and decadal climate variations.