Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On Outage of Wireless Cloud Computing: Offloading Optimization and Bottleneck Analysis

Wireless cloud computing system with computation offloading has attracted much attention due to the potential of alleviating the restrictions of limited resources in mobile devices. During the computation offloading, the steps of transmissions and computation need to be completed within the required time, otherwise the system will be in outage. Due to uncertainties of channel fading and computational complexities, such outage is the result of either transmission outage or computation outage. In this paper, a theoretical framework is proposed to analyze the outage of the wireless cloud computing system with multiple subcarriers and computation resources. Through theoretical analysis of the outage probability, the outage bottleneck can be identified. Numerical results have verified the theoretical analysis and concluded that the outage bottleneck depends not only on the distributions of complexities of tasks but also on the numbers of subcarriers and computation resources.
Motor threshold in transcranial magnetic stimulation: The impact of white matter fiber orientation and skull‐to‐cortex distance

The electrophysiology of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of motor cortex is not well understood. In this study, we investigate several structural parameters of the corticospinal tract and their relation to the TMS motor threshold (MT) in 17 subjects, with and without schizophrenia. We obtained structural and diffusion tensor MRI scans and measured the fractional anisotropy and principal diffusion direction for regions of interest in the corticospinal tract. We also measured the skull‐to‐cortex distance over the left motor region. The anterior–posterior trajectory of principle diffusion direction of the corticospinal tract and skull‐to‐cortex distance were both found to be highly correlated with MT, while fractional anisotropy, age and schizophrenia status were not. Two parameters—skull‐to‐cortex distance and the anterior component of the principle diffusion direction of the corticospinal tract as it passes the internal capsule—are highly predictive of MT in a linear regression model, and account for 82% of the variance observed (R2 = 0.82, F = 20.27, P < 0.0001) in measurements of MT. The corticospinal tract's anterior–posterior direction alone contributes 13% of the variance explained. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lactoferrin induces tropoelastin expression by activating the lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 1‐mediated phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/Akt pathway in human dermal fibroblasts

Dermal fibroblasts generate the extracellular matrix component elastin, which is synthesized as tropoelastin (TE) and play a critical role in maintaining skin elasticity. Lactoferrin (Lf), an 80‐kDa iron‐binding glycoprotein, has biological functions such as anti‐bacterial, ‐inflammatory, and ‐cancer activities. We previously reported that bovine Lf increases TE mRNA expression in human dermal fibroblasts. However, it remains unclear how Lf up‐regulates TE expression. Here, we investigated molecular mechanisms underlying this effect. Lf promoted the phosphorylation of Akt1 and extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase (ERK)1/2. As expected, the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002 and the MAPK inhibitor U0126 inhibited Lf‐induced phosphorylation of Akt1 and ERK1/2, respectively. In contrast, LY294002, but not U0126, inhibited Lf‐induced TE expression. Human dermal fibroblasts expressed lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 1 (LRP‐1) mRNA, and the LRP1 inhibitor receptor‐associated protein attenuated Lf‐induced increases in TE expression. Furthermore, siRNA‐mediated knockdown of LRP‐1 significantly suppressed Lf‐increased TE expression and Lf‐induced Akt1 phosphorylation. Iron‐saturated Lf (holo‐Lf) increased TE expression and promoted Akt1 phosphorylation, when compared to those parameters in cells treated with iron‐free Lf (apo‐Lf). Transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 also increased TE expression. LY294002 inhibited TGF‐β1‐mediated TE upregulation, whereas TGF‐β1 activated Akt2, but not Akt1, phosphorylation. These results indicate that holo‐Lf, but not apo‐Lf, increases TE expression through LRP‐1 in human dermal fibroblasts and suggest that holo‐Lf and TGF‐β1 enhance TE expression by activating the PI3K/Akt1 and PI3K/Akt2 pathways, respectively.
Accurate Steady-State Mathematical Models of Arm and Line Harmonic Characteristics for Modular Multilevel Converter

The analysis of circulating current in modular multilevel converter (MMC) has aroused extensive research interests recently. Most studies on the derivation of harmonic components of circulating current neglect the harmonics in the line currents, but the harmonics evidently distort the line currents in many MMC applications where a circulating path for the dominant third-order harmonic current exists. So far, little research has been done on the model of the harmonics in line currents of MMC and neglecting them inevitably causes large error in the previous analytical expressions of circulating current. To solve these problems, this paper proposes a novel accurate steady-state mathematical model of harmonic components existing both in arm and line currents, and presents the detailed relations between the inner and outer harmonic characteristics of MMC. Thus, the derived instantaneous voltages and currents both in arm and line from the proposed models are far more accurate than the present research. What's more, each existing higher order harmonic is precisely calculated for the first time, filling up the blank of the conventional studies, and providing a better reference for the understanding, designing, and controlling of the MMC engineering applications. The correctness and high accuracy of the proposed models are verified by simulation results in PSCAD/EMTDC.
Psychosocial co‐morbidities in Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain syndrome (IC/BPS): A systematic review

Psychosocial factors amplify symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis (IC/BPS). While psychosocial self‐management is efficacious in other pain conditions, its impact on an IC/BPS population has rarely been studied. The objective of this review is to learn the prevalence and impact of psychosocial factors on IC/BPS, assess baseline psychosocial characteristics, and offer recommendations for assessment and treatment.
Regulation of Burkholderia cenocepacia biofilm formation by RpoN and the c‐di‐GMP effector BerB

Knowledge about the molecular mechanisms that are involved in the regulation of biofilm formation is essential for the development of biofilm‐control measures. It is well established that the nucleotide second messenger cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c‐di‐GMP) is a positive regulator of biofilm formation in many bacteria, but more knowledge about c‐di‐GMP effectors is needed. We provide evidence that c‐di‐GMP, the alternative sigma factor RpoN (σ54), and the enhancer‐binding protein BerB play a role in biofilm formation of Burkholderia cenocepacia by regulating the production of a biofilm‐stabilizing exopolysaccharide. Our findings suggest that BerB binds c‐di‐GMP, and activates RpoN‐dependent transcription of the berA gene coding for a c‐di‐GMP‐responsive transcriptional regulator. An increased level of the BerA protein in turn induces the production of biofilm‐stabilizing exopolysaccharide in response to high c‐di‐GMP levels. Our findings imply that the production of biofilm exopolysaccharide in B. cenocepacia is regulated through a cascade involving two consecutive transcription events that are both activated by c‐di‐GMP. This type of regulation may allow tight control of the expenditure of cellular resources.
Social Media Marketing

Social media platforms are effective tools that business leaders can use in order to build and sustain relationships with present and potential customers. The key to attracting customers is to establish a feasible social media marketing plan that enables business leaders to generate content that is beneficial to its agency and the consumer. There are a plethora of social platforms that enable communities to create and share content while inviting members to take action. This chapter reviews two of the most commonly used social networking sites (Facebook and Twitter). It also provides strategies that can be used to measure the effectiveness of each when promoting program awareness in an effort to garner funds.
Clinical Features and Risk Factors for Development of Breakthrough Gram-Negative Bacteremia during Carbapenem Therapy

ABSTRACT With the increasing use of carbapenems, carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria have become a major concern in health care-associated infections. The present study was performed to evaluate the clinical and microbiological features of breakthrough Gram-negative bacteremia (GNB) during carbapenem therapy and to assess risk factors for development of breakthrough GNB. A case-control study was performed at a tertiary hospital from 2005 to 2014. Case patients were defined as individuals whose blood cultures grew Gram-negative bacteria while the patients were receiving carbapenems for at least 48 h before breakthrough GNB. Age-, sex-, and date-matched controls were selected from patients who received carbapenem for at least 48 h and did not develop breakthrough GNB during carbapenem treatment. A total of 101 cases of breakthrough GNB were identified and compared to 100 controls. The causative microorganisms for breakthrough GNB were Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (n = 33), Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 32), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 21), and others (n = 15). Approximately 90% of S. maltophilia isolates were susceptible to levofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The most common infection types were primary bacteremia (38.6%) and respiratory infections (35.6%). More than half of the patients died within a week after bacteremia, and the 30-day mortality rate was 70.3%. In a multivariate analysis, a longer hospital stay, hematologic malignancy, persistent neutropenia, immunosuppressant use, and previous colonization by causative microorganisms were significantly associated with breakthrough GNB. Our data suggest that S. maltophilia, A. baumannii, and P. aeruginosa are the major pathogens of breakthrough GNB during carbapenem therapy, in association with a longer hospital stay, hematologic malignancy, persistent neutropenia, immunosuppressant use, and previous colonization.
Evaluation of Multi-Channel Communication for an Outdoor Industrial Wireless Sensor Network

This paper describes an experimental study which investigates relevant properties of multi-channel wireless communications in an outdoor industrial environment. A testbed of IEEE 802.15. 4 radios was developed in order to evaluate the performance of the 16 channels defined by the standard, at all the nodes, simultaneously. From the collected data, some relevant facts are discussed, such as the spatial variations in channel quality, the differences in the characteristics of different channels, the link asymmetry, and the non-stationary characteristics of the channel. The possible problems that can arise in the deployment of industrial wireless sensor networks, based on the characteristics of the standards developed for this type of network, are described, as well as some possible solutions.
Modeling Early Postnatal Brain Growth and Development with CT: Changes in the Brain Radiodensity Histogram from Birth to 2 Years

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The majority of brain growth and development occur in the first 2 years of life. This study investigated these changes by analysis of the brain radiodensity histogram of head CT scans from the clinical population, 0–2 years of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty consecutive head CTs with normal findings meeting the inclusion criteria from children from birth to 2 years were retrospectively identified from 3 different CT scan platforms. Histogram analysis was performed on brain-extracted images, and histogram mean, mode, full width at half maximum, skewness, kurtosis, and SD were correlated with subject age. The effects of scan platform were investigated. Normative curves were fitted by polynomial regression analysis. RESULTS: Average total brain volume was 360 cm3 at birth, 948 cm3 at 1 year, and 1072 cm3 at 2 years. Total brain tissue density showed an 11% increase in mean density at 1 year and 19% at 2 years. Brain radiodensity histogram skewness was positive at birth, declining logarithmically in the first 200 days of life. The histogram kurtosis also decreased in the first 200 days to approach a normal distribution. Direct segmentation of CT images showed that changes in brain radiodensity histogram skewness correlated with, and can be explained by, a relative increase in gray matter volume and an increase in gray and white matter tissue density that occurs during this period of brain maturation. CONCLUSIONS: Normative metrics of the brain radiodensity histogram derived from routine clinical head CT images can be used to develop a model of normal brain development.
Both cis and trans Activities of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus 3D Polymerase Are Essential for Viral RNA Replication

ABSTRACT The Picornaviridae is a large family of positive-sense RNA viruses that contains numerous human and animal pathogens, including foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). The picornavirus replication complex comprises a coordinated network of protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions involving multiple viral and host-cellular factors. Many of the proteins within the complex possess multiple roles in viral RNA replication, some of which can be provided in trans (i.e., via expression from a separate RNA molecule), while others are required in cis (i.e., expressed from the template RNA molecule). In vitro studies have suggested that multiple copies of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) 3D are involved in the viral replication complex. However, it is not clear whether all these molecules are catalytically active or what other function(s) they provide. In this study, we aimed to distinguish between catalytically active 3D molecules and those that build a replication complex. We report a novel nonenzymatic cis-acting function of 3D that is essential for viral-genome replication. Using an FMDV replicon in complementation experiments, our data demonstrate that this cis-acting role of 3D is distinct from the catalytic activity, which is predominantly trans acting. Immunofluorescence studies suggest that both cis- and trans-acting 3D molecules localize to the same cellular compartment. However, our genetic and structural data suggest that 3D interacts in cis with RNA stem-loops that are essential for viral RNA replication. This study identifies a previously undescribed aspect of picornavirus replication complex structure-function and an important methodology for probing such interactions further. IMPORTANCE Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is an important animal pathogen responsible for foot-and-mouth disease. The disease is endemic in many parts of the world with outbreaks within livestock resulting in major economic losses. Propagation of the viral genome occurs within replication complexes, and understanding this process can facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Many of the nonstructural proteins involved in replication possess multiple functions in the viral life cycle, some of which can be supplied to the replication complex from a separate genome (i.e., in trans) while others must originate from the template (i.e., in cis). Here, we present an analysis of cis and trans activities of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase 3D. We demonstrate a novel cis-acting role of 3D in replication. Our data suggest that this role is distinct from its enzymatic functions and requires interaction with the viral genome. Our data further the understanding of genome replication of this important pathogen.
Optoelectronics of Stochiometrically Controlled Palladium Telluride Quantum Dots

Water dispersed PdTe semiconducting nanocrystals were synthesized and stabilised with 3-mercaptopropionic acid (3-MPA). HRTEM studies revealed the formation of spherical nanoparticles of average size ~4 nm with good crystallinity. UV-visible spectral analysis and band gap measurements confirmed that the nanocrystals are indeed semiconductors. This semiconducting characteristic was supported by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) data which gave Bode plots with absolute frequency and a maximum frequency phase angle values of 38.3° and 75°, respectively. Electroanalysis of the film on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) verified the retention of the ability of Pd to adsorb hydrogen on its surface as well as absorb hydrogen within its lattice.
Thermomechanical constitutive modeling of viscoelastic materials undergoing degradation

Thermomechanical Constitutive Modeling of Viscoelastic Materials undergoing Degradation. (May 2011) Satish Karra, B. Tech., Indian Institute of Technology, Madras; M. S. , Texas A&M University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Kumbakonam R. Rajagopal Materials like asphalt, asphalt concrete and polyimides that are used in the transportation and aerospace industry show viscoelastic behavior. These materials in the working environment are subject to degradation due to temperature, diffusion of moisture and chemical reactions (for instance, oxidation) and there is need for a good understanding of the various degradation mechanisms. This work focuses on: 1) some topics related to development of viscoelastic fluid models that can be used to predict the response of materials like asphalt, asphalt concrete, and other geomaterials, and 2) developing a framework to model degradation due to the various mechanisms (such as temperature, diffusion of moisture and oxidation) on polyimides that show nonlinear viscoelastic solid-like response. Such a framework can be extended to model similar degradation phenomena in the area of asphalt mechanics and biomechanics. The thermodynamic framework that is used in this work is based on the notion that the ‘natural configuration’ of a body evolves as the body undergoes a process and the evolution is determined by maximizing the rate of entropy production. The Burgers’ fluid model is known to predict the non-linear viscoelastic fluidlike response of asphalt, asphalt concrete and other geomaterials. We first show that different choices for the manner in which the body stores energy and dissipates energy and satisfies the requirement of maximization of the rate of entropy production that
In vitro and in vivo performance of methacrylated gellan gum hydrogel formulations for cartilage repair.

Methacrylated gellan gum (GGMA) formulation is proposed as a second-generation hydrogel for controlled delivery of cartilage-forming cells into focal chondral lesions, allowing immediate in situ retention of cells and 3D filling of lesion volume, such approach deemed compatible with an arthroscopic procedure. Formulation optimization was carried out in vitro using chondrocytes and adipose mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (ASCs). A proof-of-concept in vivo study was conducted using a rabbit model with induced chondral lesions. Outcomes were compared with microfracture or non-treated control. Three grading scores were used to evaluate tissue repair after 8 weeks by macroscopic, histological and immunohistochemical analysis. Intense collagen type II and low collagen type I gene and protein expression were achieved in vitro by the ASC + GGMA formulation, in light with development of healthy chondral tissue. In vivo, this formulation promoted significantly superior de novo cartilage formation compared with the non-treated group. Maintenance of chondral height and integration with native tissue was further accomplished. The physicochemical properties of the proposed GGMA hydrogel exhibited highly favorable characteristics and biological performance both in vitro and in vivo, positioning itself as an attractive xeno-free biomaterial to be used with chondrogenic cells for a cost-effective treatment of focal chondral lesions. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1987-1996, 2018.
Cross-Scene Counting Based on Domain Adaptation-Extreme Learning Machine

Cross-scene counting is difficult if only limited training samples are available in the new scene. In this paper, a cross-scene counting model is learned with information transferred from other scenes. Counting is achieved through regression, which maps the features of crowds to their counts. Hand-crafted features are extracted from segmented crowd foregrounds obtained through block robust principal component analysis. Samples of existing scenes (source domain) are adaptively transferred into the new scene (target domain) through domain adaptation. Then, a counting model based on domain adaptation-extreme learning machine (DA-ELM) is efficiently learned via iterative optimization with training samples of both domains. Quantitative analysis indicates that the DA-ELM can count the crowds of a new scene with only a half of the training samples compared with counting without domain adaptation. Contrastive evaluations based on three benchmarking data sets are implemented with several state-of-the-art domain adaptation approaches, including hand-crafted feature-based and deep neural network-based approaches. Results reveal the effectiveness of DA-ELM in transferring information through embedding domain adaptation into an ELM framework.
Strategies to attenuate micro-vascular obstruction during P-PCI: the randomized reperfusion facilitated by local adjunctive therapy in ST-elevation myocardial infarction trial

Abstract Background Microvascular obstruction (MVO) following primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) treatment of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) contributes to infarct expansion, left ventricular (LV) remodelling, and worse clinical outcomes. The REFLO-STEMI trial tested whether intra-coronary (IC) high-dose adenosine or sodium nitroprusside (SNP) reduce infarct size and/or MVO determined by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Methods and results REFLO-STEMI, a prospective, open-label, multi-centre trial with blinded endpoints, randomized (1:1:1) 247 STEMI patients with single vessel disease presenting within 6 h of symptom onset to IC adenosine (2–3 mg total) or SNP (500 μg total) immediately following thrombectomy and again following stenting, or to standard PPCI. The primary endpoint was infarct size % LV mass (%LVM) on CMR undertaken 24–96 h after PPCI (n = 197). Clinical follow-up was to 6 months. There was no significant difference in infarct size (%LVM, median, interquartile range, IQR) between adenosine (10.1, 4.7–16.2), SNP (10.0, 4.2–15.8), and control (8.3, 1.9–14.0), P = 0.062 and P = 0.160, respectively, vs. control. MVO (% LVM, median, IQR) was similar across groups (1.0, 0.0–3.7, P = 0.205 and 0.6, 0.0–2.4, P = 0.244 for adenosine and SNP, respectively, vs. control 0.3, 0.0–2.8). On per-protocol analysis, infarct size (%LV mass, 12.0 vs. 8.3, P = 0.031), major adverse cardiac events (hazard ratio, HR, 5.39 [1.18–24.60], P = 0.04) at 30 days and 6 months (HR 6.53 [1.46–29.2], P = 0.01) were increased and ejection fraction reduced (42.5 ± 7.2% vs. 45.7 ± 8.0%, P = 0.027) in adenosine-treated patients compared with control. Conclusions High-dose IC adenosine and SNP during PPCI did not reduce infarct size or MVO measured by CMR. Furthermore, adenosine may adversely affect mid-term clinical outcome. Clinical Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01747174; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01747174