Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Buffer sizing for nonhomogeneous TCP sources

Considering a single bottleneck model of TCP with a constant number of greedy and nonhomogeneous sources and assuming that TCP timeouts do not occur, we establish necessary and sufficient conditions, related to the bandwidth delay product, to guarantee that the buffer will never empty. We also demonstrate by simulation that weaker conditions could be adequate to maintain high utilization in practice and discuss delay and packet drop rate implications.
A computational platform for robotized fluorescence microscopy (II): DNA damage, replication, checkpoint activation, and cell cycle progression by high‐content high‐resolution multiparameter image‐cytometry

Dissection of complex molecular‐networks in rare cell populations is limited by current technologies that do not allow simultaneous quantification, high‐resolution localization, and statistically robust analysis of multiple parameters. We have developed a novel computational platform (Automated Microscopy for Image CytOmetry, A.M.I.CO) for quantitative image‐analysis of data from confocal or widefield robotized microscopes. We have applied this image‐cytometry technology to the study of checkpoint activation in response to spontaneous DNA damage in nontransformed mammary cells. Cell‐cycle profile and active DNA‐replication were correlated to (i) Ki67, to monitor proliferation; (ii) phosphorylated histone H2AX (γH2AX) and 53BP1, as markers of DNA‐damage response (DDR); and (iii) p53 and p21, as checkpoint‐activation markers. Our data suggest the existence of cell‐cycle modulated mechanisms involving different functions of γH2AX and 53BP1 in DDR, and of p53 and p21 in checkpoint activation and quiescence regulation during the cell‐cycle. Quantitative analysis, event selection, and physical relocalization have been then employed to correlate protein expression at the population level with interactions between molecules, measured with Proximity Ligation Analysis, with unprecedented statistical relevance. © 2012 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Control design issues for a microinvasive neurosurgery teleoperator system

This paper deals with controller design issues for a neurosurgical teleoperator system. The specific application of interest consists in remotely inserting a linear-stage rigid endoscope into the patient's brain for microinvasive neurosurgery interventions. This work aims at evaluating the applicability of an existing general-purpose control architecture, addressing its advantages and drawbacks with respect to a simple task-oriented architecture, specifically designed for the target application. Preliminary experiments revealed that the task-oriented design can better fit the application requirements.
Neuroprotective effects of erythropoietin on Alzheimer's dementia model in rats.

BACKGROUND Although Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common age-related neurodegenerative disease and characterized by memory impairment, only symptomatic treatments are available. OBJECTIVES Because recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) has various neuroprotective effects and improves cognitive function in animal models of neurodegenerative disorders, we investigated the therapeutic effects of rhEPO in an intracerebroventricular (ICV)-streptozotocin (STZ) animal model of sporadic-AD. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 24 Sprague-Dawley adult rats were divided into 4 groups of naive control (n = 6), sham-operated (n = 6), ICV-STZ + saline (n = 6) and ICV-STZ + rhEPO (n = 6). Twelve rats with Alzheimer's disease, induced by STZ injection (3 mg/kg) into both lateral ventricles using a stereotaxic frame (bilaterally ICV-STZ), were divided into 2 groups 5 days after the STZ injection: one treated with rhEPO 5000 (IU/kg/day, i.p.) and the other with 0.9% NaCl (1 mL/kg/day, i.p.) for 2 weeks. The sham-operated rats received bilaterally ICV-0.9% NaCl. No surgical operation or treatment was given to the naive-control animals. On day 20, a passive avoidance learning (PAL) test was used followed by sacrification and removal of the brain tissue in all animals. Brain TNF-α and ChAT levels were determined, and neurons in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions were counted by Cresyl violet staining. RESULTS ICV-STZ was found to significantly shorten the latency time on the PAL, increase brain TNF-α level, and decrease brain ChAT activity and the number of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions. On the other hand, rhEPO significantly attenuated all these detrimental effects induced by STZ. CONCLUSIONS RhEPO treatment significantly prevented the ICV-STZ-induced memory deficit by attenuating the hippocampal neuronal loss, neuroinflammation and cholinergic deficit in rats. This result suggests that rhEPO may be beneficial for treating AD.
A Four-Country Investigation of Factors Facilitating Student Internet Use

Education and national culture may influence Internet use. The present study explored factors that might facilitate college students' use of the Internet across samples in four countries: India, Mauritius, Reunion Island (an overseas Department of France), and the United States. Questionnaire data was collected on students' extent and frequency of Internet use. Also, structured items asked about the factors that would help them to use the Internet more. Data was analyzed using dummy-coded multiple regression so as to compare responses across the country groups. The U.S. sample was coded as the reference group so that the regression coefficients in the equation provided a comparison between the U.S. sample and each other country represented. Further country comparisons were made using t-tests for differences between the regression coefficients. Results suggested that there was more Internet use in the U.S. sample compared to the others. The Non-Western samples also reported greater desire for Internet access and non-English web sites. Training on how to use the Internet and course requirements for Internet use were reported as helpful by the India and Mauritius groups to a greater extent than by those in Reunion and the United States. Implications of the present exploratory results are discussed for applications of theoretical models across cultures.
METODO, A Prospective Observational Study to Assess the Efficacy and Tolerability of Methadone in Heroin-Addicted Patients Undergoing a Methadone Maintenance Treatment: Preliminary Results at Baseline Evaluation

METODO (methadone efficacy therapy optimization dosage on-going) is a prospective observational study to assess the efficacy and tolerability of methadone in 500 heroin-addicted patients taking a methadone maintenance treatment, enrolled through 2010 to 2011 in five Italian sites, observed over 2 years. The Opiate Dosage Adequacy Scale has been used for the evaluation of the “adequacy” of the methadone dosage and to stratify patients in adequate and not adequate groups. The treatment efficacy has been evaluated in correlation to the dosage adequacy during the visits. Moreover, patients have been evaluated according to the retention rate and duration of retention in treatment and a series of questionnaires.
Chronic Exposure to Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Natal Habitats Leads to Decreased Equilibrium Size, Growth, and Stability of Pink Salmon Populations

Abstract The immediate and delayed effects of embryonic exposure to low levels of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been shown to reduce survival to maturity by 50% in exposed pink salmon populations. This suggests that chronically exposed populations could be extirpated over relatively few generations, but the effect of density dependence on extirpation rate is unknown. This study examines the interaction of PAH effects and randomly varying density dependence on a simulated population. The simulation derives from 70 years of observations made on a single pink salmon population and toxicity studies involving a hatchery population in the same watershed. Results from simulations involving exposure of 100% of the population to effects consistent with an aqueous PAH concentration of 18 nL/L indicate an 80% decrease in population productivity and an 11% probability of extinction after 35 generations. In contrast, population growth rate declined by only 5%. Further decreases in survival relative to that of observed PAH effects rapidly increase the probability of extinction. Data from these simulations demonstrate that, at low levels of exposure, density dependence can compensate for reduced population size and buffer the population against extinction. However, if equilibrium size is depressed sufficiently, random environmental variation overcomes the buffering effect of density dependence and extinction probability increases. These data demonstrate that extinction probability and population size are more sensitive measures of population effects than growth rate for wild populations regulated by density dependence.
Commitment and conflict in the restaurant industry: Perceptions from the Generation Y viewpoint

ABSTRACT This study investigates Generation Y restaurant employees’ perceptions of conflict and the extent to which the presence of management team conflict influences employee organizational commitment. Regression analysis found that perceptions of task and process conflict negatively impact organizational commitment, while relationship conflict was not found to have a statistically significant impact on organizational commitment. This study represents the first attempt to understand the carryover effects of management team conflict on employees and offers insights into the perceptions of the Generation Y restaurant worker. Theoretical and managerial implications of the empirical findings as well as directions for future research are discussed.
The Role of Positive and Negative Affect in Flashbulb Memory

All previous reports on the phenomenon of flashbulb memories relate to hearing of shocking (or “bad”) news; in other words, that of negative affect. This study represents the first attempt to investigate whether those criteria used to define flashbulb memories would similarly apply to events of similar strength but of positive affect. 70 questionnaires were administered relating to 20 events over a 10-yr. period. No significant differences were found on the cardinal features of flashbulb memories for events of negative versus positive affect. This suggests that an hitherto untapped research area may be explored to clarify controversial issues within this construct such as whether a special mechanism exists in the formation of flashbulb memories.
Fen Öğretiminde Öğrenme Teorileri ve Teknoloji Destekli Yapilandirmaci (Constructivist) Öğrenme

Piaget, Bruner, Gagne and Ausubel theories are the most common learning theories in science education. In addition to these, learning cycle approach and constructivism have been advocated by several researchers in last two decades. In this study, a brief knowledge about these theories was given and four-stage model; 5E model and 7E model that are the application types of constructivism in science classrooms were explained in detail. Besides this, some suggestions about the using of computer technology in constructivism were made.
Relationships Among Prenatal Depression, Plasma Cortisol, and Inflammatory Cytokines

A secondary pilot study was carried out as part of a larger parent study of thyroid function in pregnancy and postpartum. All women in the parent study (N = 631) had blood samples, demographic data, and measures of perceived stress and dysphoric moods collected between 16 and 26 weeks’ gestation. The current study was completed with a subset of 105 pregnant women to examine the relationships among perceived stress, depression, plasma cortisol, and cytokines during the second trimester of pregnancy. Stress was measured using Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale and dysphoric moods using the Profile of Mood States Depression/Dejection Scale. Cytokines were measured by a 12-plex analysis on a Luminex-200, and cortisol was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on stored plasma samples. Stress and depression scores were highly correlated, and depressive symptoms were inversely correlated with 3 of the 12 cytokines: interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-7. Cortisol was inversely correlated with proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13). These data support the new conceptualizations of normal pregnancy as an inflammatory state that is carefully regulated, as both excessive and inadequate inflammation are potentially hazardous to the health of the pregnancy and fetus.
Self-efficacy as an outcome measure and its association with physical disease-related variables in persons with rheumatoid arthritis: a literature review.

BACKGROUND Studies have demonstrated a positive impact of patient education on self-efficacy in persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the relationship between self-efficacy, physical disease-related variables and educational interventions has not yet been reviewed. AIM The aims of this study, in relation to persons with RA, were: 1) to provide an overview of the existing research into the association between self-efficacy and physical disease-related variables and, with this knowledge, 2) to provide an overview of the existing research on the effect of different types of educational interventions on self-efficacy. METHOD A systematic literature search was performed using eight databases, based on the terms 'rheumatoid arthritis' AND 'self-efficacy'. In total, 74 studies reporting associations between self-efficacy and physical disease-related variables and using self-efficacy as an outcome measure in educational interventions were included. RESULTS The scores obtained by the most commonly used questionnaire, the Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale (ASES), was highly associated with physical disability, pain, fatigue and disease duration. If educational activities had a positive impact on self-efficacy, disease-related variables usually improved as well. Evidence is scarce as to whether disease-related variables affect patients' self-efficacy or vice versa and whether individual consultations can affect patients' self-efficacy. CONCLUSION The scores attained by the ASES is highly associated with physical disease-related variables. This relationship requires further research using a specific study design to restrict bias when evaluating the impact of interventions on self-efficacy in persons with RA. Research is needed on whether individual consultations can affect patients' self-efficacy. Disease-related variables do not affect the Rheumatoid Arthritis Self-Efficacy (RASE) questionnaire but this needs further exploration.
Thirty Years of English Language and English Education in Vietnam

In Vietnam, the history of the English language and English education has a direct bearing on politics, economy and social affairs (Wright, 2002), and is particularly tied up with the reform policy known as Doi Moi, which was adopted by the sixth National Congress of the Communist Party in 1986. Doi Moi has brought about huge achievements in terms of gross domestic product growth and foreign direct investment attraction (Thanh & Duong, 2009). These achievements have had a profound impact on the development of English as a foreign language (EFL) in Vietnam.
Reliable control of nonlinear systems

In this paper, we extend Veillette's results (1995) to the study of reliable linear-quadratic regulator problem for nonlinear systems. This is achieved by employing the Hamilton-Jacobi inequality in the nonlinear case instead of algebraic Riccati equation in the linear one. The proposed state-feedback controllers are shown to be able to tolerate the outage of actuators within a prespecified subset of actuators. Both the gain margins of guaranteeing system stability and retaining a performance bound are estimated.
Loss of ACE 2 Exaggerates High-Calorie Diet-Induced Insulin Resistance by Reduction of GLUT 4 in Mice

ACE type 2 (ACE2) functions as a negative regulator of the reninangiotensin system by cleaving angiotensin II (AII) into angiotensin 1–7 (A1–7). This study assessed the role of endogenous ACE2 in maintaining insulin sensitivity. Twelve-week-old male ACE2 knockout (ACE2KO) mice had normal insulin sensitivities when fed a standard diet. AII infusion or a high-fat high-sucrose (HFHS) diet impaired glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity more severely in ACE2KO mice than in their wild-type (WT) littermates. The strain difference in glucose tolerance was not eliminated by an AII receptor type 1 (AT1) blocker but was eradicated by A1–7 or an AT1 blocker combined with the A1–7 inhibitor (A779). The expression of GLUT4 and a transcriptional factor, myocyte enhancer factor (MEF) 2A, was dramatically reduced in the skeletal muscles of the standard diet–fed ACE2KO mice. The expression of GLUT4 and MEF2A was increased by A1–7 in ACE2KO mice and decreased by A779 in WT mice. A1–7 enhanced upregulation of MEF2A and GLUT4 during differentiation of myoblast cells. In conclusion, ACE2 protects against highcalorie diet-induced insulin resistance in mice. This mechanism may involve the transcriptional regulation of GLUT4 via an A1–7dependent pathway.
TAFI polymorphisms at amino acids 147 and 325 are not risk factors for cerebral infarction

Thrombin‐activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) was reported as an anaphylatoxin‐inactivating enzyme generated by proteolytic cleavage of its zymogen, and is the same enzyme as that first designated by our group as procarboxypeptidase R (proCPR). Its level in plasma appears to influence vascular disease. In addition, TAFI activity is strongly influenced by genetic polymorphism, especially at amino acids 147 and 325. We investigated whether these TAFI polymorphisms would act as a risk factor for cerebral infarction (CI) by examining 253 samples in which the diagnosis was cliniconeuropathologically confirmed. We found little that was statistically significant in terms of these polymorphisms among patients with no vascular problems or in a population‐based control group. In the present study of an elderly Japanese group, our samples revealed a lower percentage of the Ile allele at Thr/Ile‐325 compared with western counterparts. Although patients with severe infarcts had a lower percentage of the Ile allele (10%) at amino acid position 325 compared with the slightly and moderately affected patients and the population‐based control group (15–18%), no statistical significance was found. None of our results showed any statistical correlation between TAFI polymorphisms and CI.
Effects of post surface conditioning before silanization on bond strength between fiber post and resin cement

PURPOSE Post surface conditioning is necessary to expose the glass fibers to enable bonding between fiber post and resin cement. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different surface conditioning on tensile bond strength (TBS) of a glass fiber reinforced post to resin cement. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this in vitro study, 40 extracted single canal central incisors were endodontically treated and post spaces were prepared. The teeth were divided into four groups according to the methods of post surface treatment (n=10): 1) Silanization after etching with 20% H2O2, 2) Silanization after airborne-particle abrasion, 3) Silanization, and 4) No conditioning (Control). Adhesive resin cement (Panavia F 2.0) was used for cementation of the fiber posts to the root canal dentin. Three slices of 3 mm thick were obtained from each root. A universal testing machine was used with a cross-head speed of 1 mm/minute for performing the push-out tests. Two-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests were used for analyzing data (α=0.05). RESULTS It is revealed that different surface treatments and root dentin regions had significant effects on TBS, but the interaction between surface treatments and root canal regions had no significant effect on TBS. There was significant difference among H2O2 + Silane Group and other three groups. CONCLUSION There were significant differences among the mean TBS values of different surface treatments. Application of hydrogen peroxide before silanization increased the bond strength between resin cements and fiber posts. The mean TBS mean values was significantly greater in the coronal region of root canal than the middle and apical thirds.
Parents’ Involvement in Malaysian Autonomous Schools

One of the fundamental aspects underlying the implementation of the autonomous schools in Malaysia is the School-Based Management (SBM) practices. Previous studies indicated that SBM is viewed as a means of incorporating the voices of parents, teachers and the community in the school management in a formal manner. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the level of parents’ involvement in Malaysian autonomous school activities as perceived by teachers. The data for the study was obtained using questionnaire from 60 autonomous schools in Malaysia. A set of questionnaire consisting 20 items using the 10 Likert scales were answered by 788 respondents (teachers of autonomous schools). The findings shows that parents are among the stakeholders of Malaysian autonomous schools who are involved in the process of school policy-making and their involvement is relatively high in all school activities, where they always provide moral and material support to the schools; showing concern towards their children’s learning process and school improvement in general; cooperating with schools to improve students’ discipline and; attending periodical parent-teacher meetings. Furthermore, the findings also show that there is a pattern of parents’ involvement in each activity according to varies categories and types of autonomous schools. While, the MANOVA analysis reveals that there is a significant differences among the autonomous schools in the level of parents’ involvement regardless of their types and categories. Thus, the findings verify that the parents’ involvement in autonomous school activities is in line with the tenet of SBM which highlights parents’ roles in improving the function of the school as crucial education provider.
osmY, a new hyperosmotically inducible gene, encodes a periplasmic protein in Escherichia coli

A new osmotically inducible gene in Escherichia coli, osmY, was induced 8- to 10-fold by hyperosmotic stress and 2- to 3-fold by growth in complex medium. The osmY gene product is a periplasmic protein which migrates with an apparent molecular mass of 22 kDa on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. A genetic fusion to osmY was mapped to 99.3 min on the E. coli chromosome. The gene was cloned and sequenced, and an open reading frame was identified. The open reading frame encoded a precursor protein with a calculated molecular weight of 21,090 and a mature protein of 18,150 following signal peptide cleavage. Sequencing of the periplasmic OsmY protein confirmed the open reading frame and defined the signal peptide cleavage site as Ala-Glu. A mutation caused by the osmY::TnphoA genetic fusion resulted in slightly increased sensitivity to hyperosmotic stress.
Update on the use of pathogen‐reduced human plasma and platelet concentrates

The use of pathogen reduction technologies (PRTs) for labile blood components is slowly but steadily increasing. While pathogen‐reduced plasma is already used routinely, efficacy and safety concerns impede the widespread use of pathogen‐reduced platelets. The supportive and often prophylactic nature of blood component therapy in a variety of clinical situations complicates the clinical evaluation of these novel blood products. However, an increasing body of evidence on the clinical efficacy, safety, cost‐benefit ratio and development of novel technologies suggests that pathogen reduction has entered a stage of maturity that could further increase the safety margin in haemotherapy. This review summarizes the clinical evidence on PRTs for plasma and platelet products that are currently licensed or under development.