Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Global Stability of FAST TCP in Single-Link Single-Source Network

We consider a single-link single-source network with FAST TCP source, and propose a static approximation of queuing delay dynamics at the link. The static approximation turns out to be a form with network feedback delay, which enables to analyze FAST TCP reflecting the effect of network feedback delay. Based on a continuous-time dynamic model of FAST TCP, we achieve the boundedness of window size and a sufficient condition for global asymptotic stability. The simulation results illustrate the validity of the sufficient condition for global asymptotic stability.
A survey on context-aware web service systems

Purpose – This survey aims to study and analyze current techniques and methods for context‐aware web service systems, to discuss future trends and propose further steps on making web services systems context‐aware.Design/methodology/approach – The paper analyzes and compares existing context‐aware web service‐based systems based on techniques they support, such as context information modeling, context sensing, distribution, security and privacy, and adaptation techniques. Existing systems are also examined in terms of application domains, system type, mobility support, multi‐organization support and level of web services implementation.Findings – Supporting context‐aware web service‐based systems is increasing. It is hard to find a truly context‐aware web service‐based system that is interoperable and secure, and operates on multi‐organizational environments. Various issues, such as distributed context management, context‐aware service modeling and engineering, context reasoning and quality of context, se.
An Empirical Study of API Usability

Modern software development extensively involves reusing library components accessed through their Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Usability is therefore a fundamental goal of API design, but rigorous empirical studies of API usability are still relatively uncommon. In this paper, we present the design of an API usability study which combines interview questions based on the cognitive dimensions framework, with systematic observations of programmer behavior while solving programming tasks based on ``tokens''. We also discuss the implementation of the study to assess the usability of a persistence library API (offering functionalities such as storing objects into relational databases). The study involved 25 programmers (including students, researchers, and professionals), and provided additional evidence to some critical features evidenced by related studies, such as the difficulty of finding good names for API features and of discovering relations between API types. It also discovered new issues relevant to API design, such as the impact of flexibility, and confirmed the crucial importance of accurate documentation for usability.
Accelerated Degeneration After Failed Cervical and Lumbar Nucleoplasty

Study Design Observational cohort study. Summary of Background Data Studies evaluating the treatment of presumed discogenic spine pain using nucleoplasty have reported variable success rates. It has been suggested that these procedures lower the intradiscal pressure, reduce disk protrusion, improve disk hydration, and restore disk height. It is proposed that such structural changes in treated disks correspond to the clinical improvement in patients. Radiographic and clinical evidence showing the efficacy of nucleoplasty remains inadequate. Objective To document the comparative changes in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) the appearance of disk morphology as reflected by Pfirrmann classification scores before and after the nucleoplasty treatment in patients with continued symptoms. Methods Twenty-eight consecutive patients with persistent symptoms after nucleoplasty within 1 year of treatment were evaluated. Prenucleoplasty and postnucleoplasty MRIs were evaluated and Pfirrmann scores of the symptomatic level were determined. Results In all the treated patients, comparison between the prenucleoplasty and the postnucleoplasty MRI of the targeted disks failed to show increased signal hydration, disk space height improvement, or shrinkage of the preoperative disk bulge at a mean time of 6 months after the procedure. Of the 17 cervical levels treated in 12 patients, 5 seemed to show progressive degeneration at treated levels (42% of the patients). Of the 17 lumbar procedures in 16 patients, 4 seemed to show progressive degeneration (25% of the patients) and 1 developed a new spondylolisthesis (6.3%). Thus, 32% of the patients in our cohort showed progressive degeneration at the treated level. The median Pfirrmann score in both prenucleoplasty and postnucleoplasty was 2, and the mean Pfirrmann classification prenucleoplasty and postnucleoplasty was 1.8 and 2.1, respectively (P<0.05, 2-tailed t test). Conclusion This study failed to detect any morphologic improvement of disk abnormalities by MRI evaluation in patients with persistent pain, who then underwent nucleoplasty. Thirty-two percent showed progressive degeneration in less than 1 year after nucleoplasty, a rate greater than expected by natural progression during the interval of examination.
Heterogeneity of long-history migration explains cultural differences in reports of emotional expressivity and the functions of smiles

Significance In an age of globalization, emotional understanding is the central problem of human interaction. Here, we show that historical heterogeneity, or the extent to which a country’s present-day population descends from numerous (vs. few) source countries, predicts cultural variation in norms for emotional expressivity. Reanalysis of cultural display rules from 32 countries reveals that historical heterogeneity is associated with norms favoring greater emotional expressivity. In addition, the results of a study of nine countries show that the belief that smiles signal social bonding motives vs. the negotiation of status in a social hierarchy is predicted by historical heterogeneity as well. A small number of facial expressions may be universal in that they are produced by the same basic affective states and recognized as such throughout the world. However, other aspects of emotionally expressive behavior vary widely across culture. Just why do they vary? We propose that some cultural differences in expressive behavior are determined by historical heterogeneity, or the extent to which a country’s present-day population descended from migration from numerous vs. few source countries over a period of 500 y. Our reanalysis of data on cultural rules for displaying emotion from 32 countries [n = 5,340; Matsumoto D, Yoo S, Fontaine J (2008) J Cross Cult Psychol 39(1):55–74] reveals that historical heterogeneity explains substantial, unique variance in the degree to which individuals believe that emotions should be openly expressed. We also report an original study of the underlying states that people believe are signified by a smile. Cluster analysis applied to data from nine countries (n = 726), including Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States, reveals that countries group into “cultures of smiling” determined by historical heterogeneity. Factor analysis shows that smiles sort into three social-functional subtypes: pleasure, affiliative, and dominance. The relative importance of these smile subtypes varies as a function of historical heterogeneity. These findings thus highlight the power of social-historical factors to explain cross-cultural variation in emotional expression and smile behavior.
Thermal Hyperalgesia via Supraspinal Mechanisms in Mice Lacking Glutamate Decarboxylase 65

γ-Aminobutyric acid, which is synthesized by two isoforms of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), inhibits the transfer of nociceptive signals from primary afferent fibers to the central nervous system. However, the roles of a 65-kDa isoform of GAD (GAD65)-mediated GABA in nociceptive processing are less clear. This study tested whether partial reductions in GABAergic inhibitory tone by GAD65 gene knockout [GAD65(−/−)] would contribute to the regulation of pain threshold in mice. Experiments were performed on male wild-type (WT) mice and GAD65(−/−) mice. Acute nociception and inflammatory pain tests were compared between WT mice and GAD65(−/−) mice. GABAA receptor-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents were also examined by use of the whole-cell patch-clamp method in somatosensory cortical neurons in brain slices. In the hot plate test, which reflects supraspinal sensory integration, a significant reduction in the latency was observed for GAD65(−/−) mice. Intraperitoneal administration of the GABA transporter 1 inhibitor, 1-[2-[[(diphenylmethylene)imino]oxy]ethyl]-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-3-pyridinecarboxylic acid hydrochloride (C21H22N2O3·HCl; NO-711), dose-dependently prolonged the latency in both genotypes, suggesting that GABA concentration contributes to acute thermal nociception. However, there was no genotype difference in responses to the tail-immersion test or the von Frey test, indicating that spinal reflex and mechanical nociception are kept intact in GAD65(−/−) mice. There was no genotype difference in responses to chemical inflammatory nociception (formalin test and carrageenan test). Although properties of the phasic component of inhibitory postsynaptic currents were similar in both genotypes, tonic inhibition was significantly reduced in GAD65(−/−) mice. These results support the hypothesis that GAD65-mediated GABA synthesis plays relatively small but significant roles in nociceptive processing via supraspinal mechanisms.
A Class-based Probabilistic approach to Structural Disambiguation

Knowledge of which words are able to fill particular argument slots of a predicate can be used for structural disambiguation. This paper describes a proposal for acquiring such knowledge, and in line with much of the recent work in this area, a probabilistic approach is taken. We develop a novel way of using a semantic hierarchy to estimate the probabilities, and demonstrate the general approach using a prepositional phrase attachment experiment.
Covering array sampling of input event sequences for automated gui testing

This paper describes a new automated technique to generate test cases for GUIs by using covering arrays (CAs). The key motivation is to generate long GUI event sequences that are systematically sampled at a particular coverage strength. CAs, to date, have not been effectively used in sampling event driven systems such as GUIs which maintain state. We leverage a "stateless" abstraction of GUIs that allows us to use CAs. Once the CAs have been generated, we reuse the abstractions to reinsert ordering relationships between GUI events, thereby creating executable test cases. A feasibility study on a well-studied GUI-based application shows that the new technique is able to detect a large number of previously undetected faults
Six-Year Longitudinal Predictors of Posttraumatic Growth in Parentally Bereaved Adolescents and Young Adults

Using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, we examined posttraumatic growth in a sample of 50 adolescents and young adults who had experienced parental death in childhood or adolescence. Longitudinal relations were examined between baseline measures of contextual and intraindividual factors and scores on the posttraumatic growth subscales (i.e., New Possibilities, Relating to Others, Personal Strengths, Spiritual Changes, and Appreciation of Life) six years later. Controlling for time since death, threat appraisals, active coping, avoidant coping, seeking support from parents or guardians, seeking support from other adults, internalizing problems, and externalizing problems were significant predictors of posttraumatic growth. The implications of these findings for research and clinical practice are discussed.
TCP behavior in networks with dynamic propagation delay

This paper provides a preliminary investigation into the impact a link with changing propagation delay has on the performance of TCP file transfers. We investigate over a dozen different variable delay patterns, based on spacecraft movement. We highlight the performance impact of such variability, paying close attention to TCP's retransmission timer, which is based on the observed round-trip time of the network path. In addition, we explore one scenario in which the round-trip time across a network path suddenly changes due to a large change in the path between the two end-points. We conclude that the variable delay network paths studied in this paper do not drastically impact TCP performance.
A case of Meniere's disease in the left ear and Lermoyez syndrome in the right ear – a 32-month longitudinal observation and literature review

Abstract We here present a 32-month follow-up of a case of Lermoyez syndrome combined with Meniere's disease. The patient was a 49-year-old male, with a stabilized severe hearing loss in the left ear for about 15 years after Meniere's disease. He started to show typical symptoms of Lermoyez syndrome in the right ear about 32 months ago. Audiologic data were obtained and imaging examinations were performed 0, 9, 15, 28, and 32 months after the onset of the Lermoyez syndrome. Pure tone threshold data obtained 5 months before the onset are also reported. The results show that the hearing thresholds, mainly at low frequencies, elevated rapidly during the first months shortly after the onset of the disease and slowly in later months. The glycerol test resulted in a remarkable hearing improvement at the beginning of the disease, but showed no detectable improvements as the disease advanced. Electrocochleogram revealed a -SP/AP value with click stimulus 0.65 at the 9th month and > 1.0 at the 28th month after the onset. Clinical manifestations of this patient fit well with a pathological endolymphatic hydrops.
Spirituality in palliative care: opportunity or burden?

The article questions an assumption in palliative care literature, namely that all patients have a spiritual dimension and that all staff can offer spiritual care. The article identifies spirituality as a particular kind of discourse. In late-modern Anglophone societies, this discourse arises from the experience of a particular generation and a particular segment of the population, namely those moving beyond formal religion; this segment is probably better represented among caring professionals than among dying patients. A four-fold typology of patients' approaches to religion/spirituality is developed, indicating the potential of differentiating between actual patients, rather than presuming a universal ‘search for meaning’. This alternative approach may enhance opportunities for team working and reduce the likelihood of any one member of staff feeling spiritual care to be an unwelcome burden.
Variations in Promoter Activity Reveal a Differential Expression and Physiology of Glutamate Transporters by Glia in the Developing and Mature CNS

Glutamate transporters regulate excitatory neurotransmission and prevent glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity in the CNS. To better study the cellular and temporal dynamics of the expression of these transporters, we generated bacterial artificial chromosome promoter Discosoma red [glutamate–aspartate transporter (GLAST)] and green fluorescent protein [glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1)] reporter transgenic mice. Analysis of these mice revealed a differential activation of the transporter promoters not previously appreciated. GLT-1 promoter activity in the adult CNS is almost completely restricted to astrocytes, often and unexpectedly in a nonoverlapping pattern with GLAST. Spinal cord GLT-1 promoter reporter, protein density, and physiology were 10-fold lower than in brain, suggesting a possible mechanism for regional sensitivity seen in disease. The GLAST promoter is active in both radial glia and many astrocytes in the developing CNS but is downregulated in most astrocytes as the mice mature. In the adult CNS, the highest GLAST promoter activity was observed in radial glia, such as those located in the subgranular layer of the dentate gyrus. The continued expression of GLAST by these neural progenitors raises the possibility that GLAST may have an unanticipated role in regulating their behavior. In addition, GLAST promoter activation was observed in oligodendrocytes in white matter throughout many (e.g., spinal cord and corpus callosum), but not all (e.g., cerebellum), CNS fiber tracts. Overall, these studies of GLT-1 and GLAST promoter activity, protein expression, and glutamate uptake revealed a close correlation between transgenic reporter signals and uptake capacity, indicating that these mice provide the means to monitor the expression and regulation of glutamate transporters in situ.
DSTN sleep transistor sizing with a new approach to estimate the maximum instantaneous current

Power gating is one of most effective ways to suppress the leakage power in CMOS digital circuits. In this paper, we propose a new method to estimate the maximum instantaneous current (MIC), and derive an analytical model for the MIC of the clusters in distributed sleep transistor network (DSTN) power-gated circuits. Based on this MIC estimation model, we perform ST sizing in DSTN power-gated circuits. Experimental results show that we have achieved higher precision and less runtime.
The Asia‐Pacific consensus on ulcerative colitis

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing in many parts of the Asia‐Pacific region. There is a need to improve the awareness of IBD and develop diagnostic and management recommendations relevant to the region. This evidence‐based consensus focuses on the definition, epidemiology and management of ulcerative colitis (UC) in Asia.
Renoprotective effect of crocin following liver ischemia/ reperfusion injury in Wistar rats

Objective(s): The objectives of the current study were to evaluate the effects of hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury on the activity of antioxidant enzymes, biochemical factors, and histopathological changes in rat kidney, and to investigate the effect of crocin on IR-related changes. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups (n=8). They were sham-operated, IR, crocin pre-treatment, and crocin pretreatment+IR groups. Sham-operated and Crocin pre-treatment groups received normal saline (N/S, 2 ml/day) and crocin (200 mg/kg) for seven consecutive days intraperitoneally (IP), respectively, then rats underwent laparotomy, only. IR and crocin pretreatment+IR groups received N/S and crocin with the same dose, time, and route, respectively, then rats underwent partial (70%) ischemia for 45 min that was followed by reperfusion for 60 min. At the end of the experiment, kidney specimens were taken for histopathological and antioxidant evaluations and also blood samples were obtained for biochemical analysis. Results: The results of the present study showed that crocin pre-treatment significantly increased the activity of antioxidants, decreased the serum levels of liver enzymes and blood urea nitrogen following IR-induced hepatic injury. Crocin also ameliorated kidney’s histopathological disturbance beyond IR-induced hepatic injury. Conclusion: Crocin as an antioxidant agent protected renal insult following liver IR injury by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, reducing serum levels of liver enzymes, and improving histopathological changes.
The Comparative Genomics of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Subgroups A and B: Genetic Variability and Molecular Evolutionary Dynamics

ABSTRACT Genomic variation and related evolutionary dynamics of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common causative agent of severe lower respiratory tract infections, may affect its transmission behavior. RSV evolutionary patterns are likely to be influenced by a precarious interplay between selection favoring variants with higher replicative fitness and variants that evade host immune responses. Studying RSV genetic variation can reveal both the genes and the individual codons within these genes that are most crucial for RSV survival. In this study, we conducted genetic diversity and evolutionary rate analyses on 36 RSV subgroup B (RSV-B) whole-genome sequences. The attachment protein, G, was the most variable protein; accordingly, the G gene had a higher substitution rate than other RSV-B genes. Overall, less genetic variability was found among the available RSV-B genome sequences than among RSV-A genome sequences in a comparable sample. The mean substitution rates of the two subgroups were, however, similar (for subgroup A, 6.47 × 10−4 substitutions/site/year [95% credible interval {CI 95%}, 5.56 × 10−4 to 7.38 × 10−4]; for subgroup B, 7.76 × 10−4 substitutions/site/year [CI 95%, 6.89 × 10−4 to 8.58 × 10−4]), with the time to their most recent common ancestors (TMRCAs) being much lower for RSV-B (19 years) than for RSV-A (46.8 years). The more recent RSV-B TMRCA is apparently the result of a genetic bottleneck that, over longer time scales, is still compatible with neutral population dynamics. Whereas the immunogenic G protein seems to require high substitution rates to ensure immune evasion, strong purifying selection in conserved proteins such as the fusion protein and nucleocapsid protein is likely essential to preserve RSV viability.
Narrow-Front Loop Migration in a Population of the Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus, as Revealed by Satellite Telemetry

Narrow migration corridors known in diurnal, social migrants such as raptors, storks and geese are thought to be caused by topographical leading line effects in combination with learning detailed routes across generations. Here, we document narrow-front migration in a nocturnal, solitary migrant, the common cuckoo Cuculus canorus, using satellite telemetry. We tracked the migration of adult cuckoos from the breeding grounds in southern Scandinavia (n = 8), to wintering sites in south-western Central Africa (n = 6) and back to the breeding grounds (n = 3). Migration patterns were very complex; in addition to the breeding and wintering sites, six different stopover sites were identified during the 16,000 km annual route that formed a large-scale clockwise loop. Despite this complexity, individuals showed surprisingly similar migration patterns, with very little variation between routes. We compared observed tracks with simulated routes based on vector orientation (with and without effects of barriers on orientation and survival). Observed distances between routes were often significantly smaller than expected if the routes were established on the basis of an innate vector orientation programme. Average distance between individuals in eastern Sahel after having migrated more than 5,000 km for example, was merely 164 km. This implies that more sophisticated inherent guiding mechanisms, possibly involving elements of intermediate goal area navigation or more elaborate external cues, are necessary to explain the complex narrow-front migration pattern observed for the cuckoos in this study.