Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Proposal to add Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) to IP

This note describes a proposed addition of ECN (Explicit Congestion Notification) to IP. TCP is currently the dominant transport protocol used in the Internet. We begin by describing TCP's use of packet drops as an indication of congestion. Next we argue that with the addition of active queue management (e.g., RED) to the Internet infrastructure, where routers detect congestion before the queue overflows, routers are no longer limited to packet drops as an indication of congestion. Routers could instead set a Congestion Experienced (CE) bit in the packet header of packets from ECN-capable transport protocols. We describe when the CE bit would be set in the routers, and describe what modifications would be needed to TCP to make it ECN-capable. Modifications to other transport protocols (e.g., unreliable unicast or multicast, reliable multicast, other reliable unicast transport protocols) could be considered as those protocols are developed and advance through the standards process.
Involvement of CCR6/CCL20/IL-17 Axis in NSCLC Disease Progression

Objectives Autocrine and paracrine chemokine/chemokine receptor-based interactions promote non-small-cell-lung-cancer (NSCLC) carcinogenesis. CCL20/CCR6 interactions are involved in prostatic and colonic malignancy pathogenesis. The expression and function of CCL20/CCR6 and its related Th-17 type immune response in NSCLC is not yet defined. We sought to characterize the role of the CCL20/CCR6/IL-17 axis in NSCLC tumor growth. Methods A specialized histopathologist blindly assessed CCL20/CCR6 expression levels in 49 tissue samples of NSCLC patients operated in our department. Results were correlated to disease progression. Colony assays, ERK signaling and chemokine production were measured to assess cancer cell responsiveness to CCL20 and IL-17 stimulation. Results CCL20 was highly expressed in the majority (38/49, 77.5%) of tumor samples. Only a minority of samples (8/49, 16.5%) showed high CCR6 expression. High CCR6 expression was associated with a shorter disease-free survival (P = 0.008) and conferred a disease stage-independent 4.87-fold increased risk for disease recurrence (P = 0.0076, CI 95% 1.52–15.563). Cancerous cell colony-forming capacity was increased by CCL20 stimulation; this effect was dependent in part on ERK phosphorylation and signaling. IL-17 expression was detected in NSCLC; IL-17 potentiated the production of CCL20 by cancerous cells. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the CCL20/CCR6 axis promotes NSCLC disease progression. CCR6 is identified as a potential new prognostic marker and the CCL20/CCR6/IL-17 axis as a potential new therapeutic target. Larger scale studies are required to consolidate these observations.
Whole-genome microarray and targeted analysis of angiogenesis-regulating gene expression (ENG, FLT1, VEGF, PlGF) in placentas from pre-eclamptic and small-for-gestational-age pregnancies

Objective. To compare the placental pathology associated with pre-eclampsia (PE) and/or fetal growth restriction, the transcriptomes of placental tissues from PE and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) pregnancies were explored. In addition, a targeted analysis of angiogenesis-regulating gene expression was performed. Methods. Whole-genome microarray analysis was performed on placental tissue from gestational age-matched PE (n = 10), SGA (n = 8) and PE + SGA (n = 10) pregnancies. The expression of genes regulating angiogenesis (endoglin (ENG), fms-related tyrosine kinase 1 (FLT1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PlGF)) was analyzed by quantitative real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results. Microarray analysis did not reveal any significant differences between groups. However, an increased expression of ENG and FLT1 was detected by qRT-PCR in the PE + SGA group. Conclusions. The placental transcriptome did not differ between groups, although an increased anti-angiogenic gene expression in PE + SGA was observed with qRT-PCR analysis. Based on this, we conclude that although microarray technology may represent a powerful tool in generating new hypothesis in complex fields, it may not be sensitive enough to detect subtle changes in gene expression.
Protein Kinase A-mediated Phosphorylation of Connexin36 in Mouse Retina Results in Decreased Gap Junctional Communication between AII Amacrine Cells*

Gap junctions in AII amacrine cells of mammalian retina participate in the coordination of the rod and cone signaling pathway involved in visual adaptation. Upon stimulation by light, released dopamine binds to D1 receptors on AII amacrine cells leading to increased intracellular cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate) levels. AII amacrine cells express the gap junctional protein connexin36 (Cx36). Phosphorylation of Cx36 has been hypothesized to regulate gap junctional activity of AII amacrine cells. However, until now in vivo phosphorylation of Cx36 has not been reported. Indeed, it had been concluded that Cx36 in bovine retina is not phosphorylated, but in vitro phosphorylation for Cx35, the bass ortholog of Cx36, had been shown. To clarify this experimental discrepancy, we examined protein kinase A (PKA)-induced phosphorylation of Cx36 in mouse retina as a possible mechanism to modulate the extent of gap junctional coupling. The cytoplasmic domains of Cx36 and the total Cx36 protein were phosphorylated in vitro by PKA. Mass spectroscopy revealed that all four possible PKA consensus motifs were phosphorylated; however, domains point mutated at the sites in question showed a prevalent usage of Ser-110 and Ser-293. Additionally, we demonstrated that Cx36 was phosphorylated in cultured mouse retina. Furthermore, activation of PKA increased the level of phosphorylation of Cx36. cAMP-stimulated, PKA-mediated phosphorylation of Cx36 protein was accompanied by a decrease of tracer coupling between AII amacrine cells. Our results link increased phosphorylation of Cx36 to down-regulation of permeability through gap junction channels mediating light adaptation in the retina.
Unraveling the nature of hyperactivity in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

CONTEXT Seated hyperactivity is a defining feature of the combined and predominantly hyperactive-impulsive subtypes of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but its underlying nature is unknown. OBJECTIVE To determine whether hyperactivity is a consequence of an impaired ability to inhibit activity to low levels or to maintain positional stability. DESIGN Case-control study. SETTING Academic research center and school. PARTICIPANTS Sixty-two boys 9 to 12 years of age (of 73 screened), recruited from the community by advertisement, who met DSM-IV criteria for ADHD combined subtype on structured interview. Sixty-two controls were selected by matching for age and sex from a community sample of 1168 subjects in 3 participating school districts. Pupils with Conners' Teacher Rating Scores Revised within +/-1 SD of the mean for age were eligible for randomized matching. Intervention Infrared motion analysis of head-marker movements (50 Hz) during performance of a 15-minute cognitive control task. Subjects with ADHD were tested at least 18 hours following their last dose of methylphenidate and again 120 minutes after a 0.4-mg/kg probe dose. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Inhibitory control (spike and basal amplitude) and head-marker stability (approximate entropy, Lyapunov, and spectral exponents). RESULTS Inhibitory control measures were 2-fold higher in subjects with ADHD (d' = 0.63-0.95). Group differences in head-marker stability were even greater (d' = 2.20-4.71; receiver operating characteristic area = 0.956-1.0). Methylphenidate restored inhibitory ability to control levels but only partially corrected stability deficits, which still distinguished subjects with ADHD from controls (receiver operating characteristic area = 0.722-0.995). CONCLUSIONS Children with ADHD have a deficient ability to inhibit activity to low levels and unstable control of head-marker position characterized by deterministic chaos (sensitivity to initial conditions). These deficits differed in degree of correctability by methylphenidate, suggesting that they may be mediated by different neural circuits (eg, corticostriatal vs cerebrovestibular).
Lossless Selection Combining without Channel State Information

A signal-plus-noise (S + JV) energy selection combining (S+JV-ESC) scheme for binary phase shift keying (BPSK) signaling is proposed. The S + JV-ESC selects the branch with the maximum S + JV energy for detection. The advantage of the S + JV-ESC is that it requires no channel estimation for diversity branch selection. The bit error rate (BER) performance of the S +JV-ESC is analyzed for BPSK signaling in independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) Rayleigh fading channels. We show that the performance of the S + JV-ESC is the same as conventional signal-to-noise ratio selection combining (SNR-SC), which requires estimation of the fading amplitudes for branch selection.
Task modulation of brain responses in visual word recognition as studied using EEG/MEG and fMRI

Do task demands change the way we extract information from a stimulus, or only how we use this information for decision making? In order to answer this question for visual word recognition, we used EEG/MEG as well as fMRI to determine the latency ranges and spatial areas in which brain activation to words is modulated by task demands. We presented letter strings in three tasks (lexical decision, semantic decision, silent reading), and measured combined EEG/MEG as well as fMRI responses in two separate experiments. EEG/MEG sensor statistics revealed the earliest reliable task effects at around 150 ms, which were localized, using minimum norm estimates (MNE), to left inferior temporal, right anterior temporal and left precentral gyri. Later task effects (250 and 480 ms) occurred in left middle and inferior temporal gyri. Our fMRI data showed task effects in left inferior frontal, posterior superior temporal and precentral cortices. Although there was some correspondence between fMRI and EEG/MEG localizations, discrepancies predominated. We suggest that fMRI may be less sensitive to the early short-lived processes revealed in our EEG/MEG data. Our results indicate that task-specific processes start to penetrate word recognition already at 150 ms, suggesting that early word processing is flexible and intertwined with decision making.
Entropies in Alloy Design for High-Entropy and Bulk Glassy Alloys

High-entropy (H-E) alloys, bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) and high-entropy BMGs (HE-BMGs) were statistically analyzed with the help of a database of ternary amorphous alloys. Thermodynamic quantities corresponding to heat of mixing and atomic size differences were calculated as a function of composition of the multicomponent alloys. Actual calculations were performed for configurational entropy (Sconfig.) in defining the H-E alloys and mismatch entropy (Ss) normalized with Boltzmann constant (kB), together with mixing enthalpy (DHmix) based on Miedema’s empirical model and Delta parameter (d) as a corresponding parameter to Ss/kB. The comparison between DHmix–d and DHmix– diagrams for the ternary amorphous alloys revealed Ss/kB ~ (d /22)2. The zones S, S′ and B’s where H-E alloys with disordered solid solutions, ordered alloys and BMGs are plotted in the DHmix–d diagram are correlated with the areas in the DHmix – Ss /kB diagram. The results provide mutual understandings among H-E alloys, BMGs and HE-BMGs.
Long-term Lopinavir/Ritonavir Monotherapy in HIV-infected Children

Background: Long-term data are limited on lopinavir/ritonavir monotherapy (mLPV/r) as a treatment simplification strategy in virologically suppressed children. Methods: Children with confirmed plasma HIV viral load (VL) <50 copies/mL while receiving double protease inhibitors (dPI) were switched to mLPV/r therapy. Virologic failure (VF) was defined as 2 consecutive VL ≥ 500 or 3 consecutive VL ≥ 50 copies/mL. dPI was resumed within 4 weeks in children with VF. Primary endpoint was the proportion of children with VL < 50 copies/mL while still receiving mLPV/r at week 144. Results: Forty children were enrolled; 90% were receiving LPV/r + saquinavir and 10% LPV/r + indinavir before simplifying to mLPV/r. Median age was 11.7 years; 50% were female. Median CD4% was 27%. Four (10%) had VL > 50 copies/mL at entry. At week 144, the proportion of children still receiving mLPV/r who had VL < 50 copies/mL was 22 of 40 (55%). The proportion of all children with VL < 50 copies/mL at week 144 was 33 of 40 (82.5%). Among 16 children who had VF and resumed dPI, 11 (69%) achieved VL < 50 copies/mL at week 144. No children with VF had major LPV/r mutations. Having detectable VL at entry and adherence by pill count <95% for >3 times at any visits during the study period significantly predicted VF on mLPV/r (both P = 0.025). The proportion of children with elevated total cholesterol (>200 mg/dL) decreased from 65% at baseline to 40% at week 144 (P = 0.007). Conclusions: About half of children maintained virologic suppression on mLPV/r for almost 3 years. VF was common but the majority achieved suppression after resuming dPI and none had major LPV/r mutations. mLPV/r should only be considered for simplified maintenance therapy if frequent VL monitoring to detect VF is available.
Trials, Tribulations, and Trends in Tumor Modeling in Mice

Selection of mouse models of cancer is often based simply on availability of a mouse strain and a known compatible tumor. Frequently this results in use of tumor models long on history but short on homology and quality control. Other factors including genetics, sex, immunological status, method and site of tumor implantation, technical competence, biological activity of the tumor, protocol sequence and timing, and selection of endpoints interact to produce outcomes in tumor models. Common reliance on survival and tumor burden data in a single mouse model often skews expectations towards high remission and cure rates; a finding seldom duplicated in clinical trials. Inherent limitations of tumor models coupled with the advent of new therapeutic targets reinforce need for careful attention to design, conduct, and stringent selection of in vivo and ex vivo endpoints. Preclinical efficacy testing for anti-tumor therapies should progress through a series of models of increasing sophistication that includes incorporation of genetically engineered animals, and orthotopic and combination therapy models. Pharmacology and safety testing in tumor-bearing animals may also help to improve predictive value of these models for clinical efficacy. Trends in bioinformatics, genetic refinements, and specialized imaging techniques are helping to maintain mice as the most scientifically and economically powerful model of malignant neoplasms.
Evaluation of afforestation development and natural colonization on a reclaimed mine site

Post‐mining restoration sites often develop novel ecosystems as soil conditions are completely new and ecosystem assemblage can be spontaneous even on afforested sites. This study presents results from long‐term monitoring and evaluation of an afforested oil‐shale quarry in Estonia. The study is based on chronosequence data of soil and vegetation and comparisons are made to similar forest site‐types used in forest management in Estonia. After site reclamation, soil development lowered pH and increased N, K, and organic C content in soil to levels similar to the common Hepatica forest site‐type but P, total C, and pH were more similar to the Calamagrostis forest site‐type. Vegetation of the restoration area differed from that on common forest sites; forest stand development was similar to the Hepatica forest‐type. A variety of species were present that are representive of dry and wet sites, as well as infertile and fertile sites. It appears that novel ecosystems may be developing on post‐mining reclaimed land in Northeast Estonia and may require adaptations to typical forest management regimes that have been based on site‐types. Monitoring and evaluation gives an opportunity to plan further management activities on these areas.
“She isn’t Someone I Associate with Pension”—a Vignette Study of Professional Reasoning

What drives frontline workers’ categorization of clients in rule-based settings with a large room for discretion? The literature on street-level bureaucracy offers a structural description of discretion that emphasizes working conditions, policy goals, personal preferences, client pressure and professional norms. However, in order to explain why frontline workers with the same room for discretion categorize clients differently, a theory of an epistemic understanding of discretion may contribute to this literature. Based on a vignette study of 24 interviews with Danish caseworkers, the analysis shows how professional reasoning, rules, and social stereotypes inform categorization and discretion. The findings indicate that caseworkers’ categorizations of clients are less responsive to clients’ needs and more sensitive to administrative reasoning when clients are associated with stereotypes of need. In addition, the analysis contributes to the theory of categorization and discretion in lower levels of government Keywords : Categorization, discretion, professionalism, stereotypes of need
Can We Identify Balassa-Samuelson Effects with Measures of Product Variety?

The Balassa-Samuelson hypothesis – i.e. that real exchange rates between each pair of countries increase with the tradables sector productivities ratio between these countries, and decrease with their non-tradables sector productivities ratio – has been one of the most prominent frameworks in open economy macroeconomics for more than forty years. However, empirical studies have often been unable to confirm it. We argue that this might at least in part be due to measurement errors leading to downward-biased estimates. We test the Balassa-Samuelson hypothesis with innovative trade-based vari-ety measures to differentiate between tradables and non-tradables sector productivities that do not suffer from such errors-in-variables. Using a pairwise regression approach, we find stable and very robust Balassa-Samuelson effects over all our specifications.
The Role of Lumbar Sympathetic Nerves in Regulation of Blood Flow to Skeletal Muscle during Anaphylactic Hypotension in Anesthetized Rats

During hypovolemic shock, skeletal muscle blood flow could be redistributed to vital organs via vasoconstriction in part evoked by activation of the innervating sympathetic nerve activity. However, it is not well known whether this mechanism operates during anaphylactic shock. We determined the femoral artery blood flow (FBF) and lumbar sympathetic nerve activity (LSNA) mainly regulating the hindquater muscle blood flow during anaphylactic hypotension in anesthetized rats. Anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to the following groups (n = 7/group): (1) non-sensitized, (2) anaphylaxis, (3) anaphylaxis-lumbar sympathectomy (LS) and (4) anaphylaxis-sinoaortic denervation (SAD) groups. Anaphylaxis was induced by an intravenous injection of the ovalbumin antigen to the sensitized rats. The systemic arterial pressure (SAP), heart rate (HR), central venous pressure (CVP), FBF and LSNA were continuously measured. In the anaphylaxis group, LSNA and HR increased, while SAP and FBF decreased after antigen injection. In the anaphylaxis-SAD group, LSNA did not significantly change during the early phase, but the responses of SAP and FBF were similar to those in the anaphylaxis group. In the anaphylaxis-LS group, both FBF and SAP decreased similarly to the anaphylaxis group during anaphylactic hypotension. These results indicated that LSNA increased via baroreceptor reflex, but this sympathoexcitation or LS did not affect antigen-induced decreases in FBF or SAP. Lumbar sympathetic nerves are not involved in regulation of the blood flow to the hindlimb or systemic blood pressure during anaphylactic hypotension in anesthetized rats.
Group A rotavirus and norovirus display sharply distinct seasonal profiles in Belém, northern Brazil

Several viruses have been associated with acute gastroenteritis (AGE), and group A rotavirus (RVA) and nor-ovirus (NoV) are the most prevalent. This study aimed to assess their prevalence among children hospitalised for diarrhoea during a three-year surveillance study. From May 2008-April 2011, overall positivity rates of 21.6% (628/2904) and 35.4% (171/483) were observed for RVA and NoV, respectively. The seasonality observed indicated distinct patterns when both viruses were compared. This finding may explain why hospitalisation for AGE remains constant throughout the year. Continuous AGE monitoring is needed to better assess the patterns of infection.
Sensitive measure of prevalence and parasitaemia of haemosporidia from European blackbird (Turdus merula) populations: value of PCR-RFLP and quantitative PCR

Haemosporidian parasites are common in birds in which they act as an important selective pressure. While most studies so far have focused on the effect of their prevalence on host life-history traits, no study has measured the effect of parasitaemia. We developed molecular methods to detect, identify and quantify haemosporidia in 2 natural populations of the Blackbird Turdus merula. Three different parasite genotypes were found – 1 Haemoproteus and 2 Plasmodium. A PCR-RFLP screening revealed that only approximately 3% of blackbirds were free of parasites, compared to the 34% of uninfected birds estimated by blood smear screening. A quantitative PCR (q-PCR) assay revealed a weaker parasitaemia in microscopically undetected parasites compared to microscopically detected ones. Large parasitaemia differences were found between parasite species, suggesting either differing parasite life-histories or host resistance. Parasitaemias were also weaker in male hosts, and in urban habitats, suggesting that both host factors (e.g. immunity) and habitat characteristics (e.g. vector availability) may modulate parasite density. Interestingly, these differences in parasitaemia were comparable to differences in parasite prevalence estimated by smear screening. This suggests that previous results obtained by smear screening should be reinterpreted in terms of parasitaemia instead of parasite prevalence.
Determination of sportsmen’s individual characteristics with the help of mathematical simulation and methods of multi-dimensional analysis

Цель: выявить наиболее общие математические модели для определения индивидуальных особенностей спортсменов по развитию двигательных способностей и выявить индивидуальные особенности стиля ведения поединка квалифицированных дзюдоистов. Материал. В исследовании приняли участие 22 спортсмена-дзюдоиста средних весовых категорий 60-81 кг. Результаты. Определена модель, на основе которой можно выявлять индивидуальные особенности спортсменов. С помощью факторного анализа было выделено 4 основных фактора комплексной подготовленности дзюдоистов. Кластерный анализ показателей тестирования дзюдоистов показал, что все испытуемые распределяются на 3 группы (кластера). Выводы. Полученные результаты свидетельствуют об эффективности применением методов математического моделирования, факторного и кластерного анализа для определения индивидуальных манер ведения схватки у дзюдоистов высокого класса. В практической работе тренеров дзюдо следует применять принципы математического моделирования для выявления индивидуальных манер ведения поединка и разрабатывать методики индивидуальной подготовки дзюдоистов.