Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Theoretical Analysis of Route Expected Transmission Count in Multi-Hop Wireless Networks

In multi-hop wireless networks, communication quality depends on the route from a source to a destination. In this paper, we consider a one-dimensional multi-hop wireless network where nodes are distributed randomly and theoretically analyze the relation between communication quality and routing policy using a measure called the Expected Transmission Count (ETX), which is the predicted number of data transmissions required to send a packet over that link, including retransmissions. First, we theoretically analyze the mean length of links, the mean number of hops, and the mean route ETX, which is the sum of the ETXs of all links in a route, of Longest Path Routing (LPR), and Shortest Path Routing (SPR). Second, we propose Adjustable Routing (AR), an approximation to Optimum Routing (OR), which minimizes route ETX. We theoretically compute the above characteristic values of AR. We also theoretically compute a lower bound of the mean route ETX of OR. We compare LPR, SPR, and OR using the results of analyses and show differences between these algorithms in the route ETX.
Impression cytology in Down’s syndrome

AIM To evaluate both the number and the average distribution of goblet cells, which are responsible for the production of the mucin layer of the tear film, in the bulbar conjunctiva of patients with Down’s syndrome. Previous research had used the ferning test to indicate an alteration in Down’s syndrome, but had not determined which film layer was involved. METHODS The presence of goblet cells in the bulbar conjunctiva of 30 subjects (15 with Down’s syndrome, and 15 normal control subjects) was evaluated using impression cytology. RESULTS A marked reduction of goblet cells was found in the Down’s syndrome group (81.4 per mm2) when compared with the control group, where (209.8 per mm2) was found. CONCLUSION The deficit observed appears to be the cause of the tear film alterations observed in Down’s syndrome. In turn, this may often lead to the formation of dry spots, and to consequent frequent infections of the anterior segment of the eye. While it is further hypothesised that the alteration of the conjunctival epithelium in Down’s syndrome may be due to an altered metabolism of some element or elements, such as vitamin A, further research will be necessary to corroborate this.
Distributed approaches to triangulation and embedding

A number of recent papers in the networking community study the distance matrix defined by the node-to-node latencies in the Internet and, in particular, provide a number of quite successful distributed approaches that embed this distance into a low-dimensional Euclidean space. In such algorithms it is feasible to measure distances among only a linear or near-linear number of node pairs; the rest of the distances are simply not available. Moreover, for applications it is desirable to spread the load evenly among the participating nodes. Indeed, several recent studies use this 'fully distributed' approach and achieve, empirically, a low distortion for all but a small fraction of node pairs.This is concurrent with the large body of theoretical work on metric embeddings, but there is a fundamental distinction: in the theoretical approaches to metric embeddings, full and centralized access to the distance matrix is assumed and heavily used. In this paper we present the first fully distributed embedding algorithm with provable distortion guarantees for doubling metrics (which have been proposed as a reasonable abstraction of Internet latencies), thus providing some insight into the empirical success of the recent Vivaldi algorithm [5]. The main ingredient of our embedding algorithm is an improved fully distributed algorithm for a more basic problem of triangulation, where the triangle inequality is used to infer the distances that have not been measured; this problem received a considerable attention in the networking community, and has also been studied theoretically in [19]. We use our techniques to extend ∈-relaxed embeddings and triangulations to infinite metrics and arbitrary measures, and to improve on the approximate distance labeling scheme of Talwar [33].
Posting Behaviour Patterns in an Online Smoking Cessation Social Network: Implications for Intervention Design and Development

Objectives Online Cessation Support Networks (OCSNs) are associated with increased quit success rates, but few studies have examined their use over time. We identified usage patterns in New Zealand's largest OCSN over two years and explored implications for OCSN intervention design and evaluation. Methods We analysed metadata relating to 133,096 OCSN interactions during 2011 and 2012. Metrics covered aggregate network activity, user posting activity and longevity, and between-user commenting. Binary logistic regression models were estimated to investigate the feasibility of predicting low user engagement using early interaction data. Results Repeating periodic peaks and troughs in aggregate activity related not only to seasonality (e.g., New Year), but also to day of the week. Out of 2,062 unique users, 69 Highly Engaged Users (180+ interactions each) contributed 69% of all OCSN interactions in 2012 compared to 1.3% contributed by 864 Minimally Engaged Users (< = 2 items each). The proportion of Highly Engaged Users increased with network growth between 2011 and 2012 (with marginal significance), but the proportion of Minimally Engaged Users did not decline substantively. First week interaction data enabled identification of Minimally Engaged Users with high specificity and sensitivity (AUROC = 0.94). Implications Results suggest future research should develop and test interventions that promote activity, and hence cessation support, amongst specific user groups or at key time points. For example, early usage information could help identify Minimally Engaged Users for tests of targeted messaging designed to improve their integration into, or re-engagement with, the OCSN. Furthermore, although we observed strong growth over time on varied metrics including posts and comments, this change did not coincide with large gains in first-time user persistence. Researchers assessing intervention effects should therefore examine multiple measures when evaluating changes in network dynamics over time.
Three deaf mice: mouse models for TECTA-based human hereditary deafness reveal domain-specific structural phenotypes in the tectorial membrane

Tecta is a modular, non-collagenous protein of the tectorial membrane (TM), an extracellular matrix of the cochlea essential for normal hearing. Missense mutations in Tecta cause dominant forms of non-syndromic deafness and a genotype–phenotype correlation has been reported in humans, with mutations in different Tecta domains causing mid- or high-frequency hearing impairments that are either stable or progressive. Three mutant mice were created as models for human Tecta mutations; the TectaL1820F,G1824D/+ mouse for zona pellucida (ZP) domain mutations causing stable mid-frequency hearing loss in a Belgian family, the TectaC1837G/+ mouse for a ZP-domain mutation underlying progressive mid-frequency hearing loss in a Spanish family and the TectaC1619S/+ mouse for a zonadhesin-like (ZA) domain mutation responsible for progressive, high-frequency hearing loss in a French family. Mutations in the ZP and ZA domains generate distinctly different changes in the structure of the TM. Auditory brainstem response thresholds in the 8–40 kHz range are elevated by 30–40 dB in the ZP-domain mutants, whilst those in the ZA-domain mutant are elevated by 20–30 dB. The phenotypes are stable and no evidence has been found for a progressive deterioration in TM structure or auditory function. Despite elevated auditory thresholds, the Tecta mutant mice all exhibit an enhanced tendency to have audiogenic seizures in response to white noise stimuli at low sound pressure levels (≤84 dB SPL), revealing a previously unrecognised consequence of Tecta mutations. These results, together with those from previous studies, establish an allelic series for Tecta unequivocally demonstrating an association between genotype and phenotype.
Down-Regulated CK8 Expression in Human Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

As an intermediate filament protein, cytokeratin 8 (CK8) exerts multiple cellular functions. Moreover, it has been identified as a marker of notochord cells, which play essential roles in human nucleus pulposus (NP). However, the distribution of CK8 positive cells in human NP and their relationship with intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) have not been clarified until now. Here, we found the percentage of CK8 positive cells in IDD (25.7±4.14%) was significantly lower than that in normal and scoliosis NP (51.9±9.73% and 47.8±5.51%, respectively, p<0.05). Western blotting and qRT-PCR results confirmed the down-regulation of CK8 expression in IDD on both of protein and mRNA levels. Furthermore, approximately 37.4% of cell clusters were CK8 positive in IDD. Taken together, this is the first study to show a down-regulated CK8 expression and the percentage of CK8 positive cell clusters in IDD based upon multiple lines of evidence. Consequently, CK8 positive cells might be considered as a potential option in the development of cellular treatment strategies for NP repair.
Urinary Biomonitoring of Phosphate Flame Retardants: Levels in California Adults and Recommendations for Future Studies

Phosphate flame retardants (PFRs) are abundant and found at the highest concentrations relative to other flame retardant chemicals in house dust; however, little is known about the biological levels of PFRs and their relationship with house dust concentrations. These relationships provide insight into major exposure pathways and potential health risks. We analyzed urine samples from 16 California residents in 2011 for 6 chlorinated and nonchlorinated dialkyl or diaryl phosphates (DAPs), the expected major metabolites of the most prominent PFRs, and qualitatively screened for 18 other metabolites predicted from in vitro studies. We detected all 6 DAPs within the range of previously reported levels, although very few comparisons are available. We found weakly positive nonsignificant correlations between urine and dust concentrations and maxima urine corresponding to maxima dust for the pairs bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCIPP)-tris(1,3-dichloro-isopropyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) and bis(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (BCEP)-tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP). Metabolite levels of PFRs were correlated for many PFR combinations, suggesting they commonly co-occur. As far as we know, this is the first study to measure these 6 DAP metabolites simultaneously and to detect other PFR metabolites in US urine samples. We recommend biomonitoring studies include these 6 DAPs as well as several additional compounds detected through qualitative screening and previous ADME studies. PFRs represent a class of poorly studied commercial chemicals with widespread exposure and raise concerns for health effects including carcinogenicity and neurotoxicity.
Altered expression of atypical PKC and Ryk in the spinal cord of a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive paralysis due to the selective death of motor neurons of unknown causes. Increasing evidence indicates that Wnt signaling is altered in ALS. In this study, we focused on two non‐canonical Wnt signaling components, atypical PKC (aPKC) and a Wnt receptor, Ryk, in a mouse model of ALS, SOD1 (G93A). aPKC mediates Wnt signaling to regulate growth cone guidance, axon differentiation and cell survival. Ryk is a Wnt repulsive receptor that regulates axon guidance and inhibits regeneration after spinal cord injury. aPKC expression was increased in motor neurons of the lumbar spinal cord in SOD1 (G93A) mice at both early and late stages. Interestingly, aPKC was co‐localized with SOD1 in motor neuron cell bodies and extracellular aggregates, and aPKC‐containing extracellular aggregates increased with disease progression. Biochemical fractionation showed that aPKC protein level was increased in the detergent‐insoluble protein fraction in SOD1 (G93A) mice at late stage but decreased in the detergent‐soluble fraction at symptomatic stage. These results suggest that aPKC may be sequestered in SOD1 aggregates, impairing its ability to protect motor neurons from death. Ryk expression was also increased in the motor neurons and the white matter in the ventral lumbar spinal cord of mutant SOD1 mice with a peak at early stage. These observations indicate that Wnt/aPKC and Wnt/Ryk signaling are altered in SOD1 (G93A) mice, suggesting that changed Wnt signaling may contribute to neurodegeneration in ALS. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 74: 839–850, 2014
Error-free software remains extremely elusive

Advocates of various technological advances tend to argue that, with whatever approach they are advocating, errorfree software is indeed possible. Software old-timers are, at best, dubious. A recent study casts important light on this issue. That study sets out to explore the related question “Can state-of-the-art software engineering methods guarantee reliability? ” As it turns out, perhaps surprisingly, the answer was “no.”
Postradiation Sensitization of the Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Valproic Acid

Purpose: Preclinical studies evaluating histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor-induced radiosensitization have largely focused on the preirradiation setting based on the assumption that enhanced radiosensitivity was mediated by changes in gene expression. Our previous investigations identified maximal radiosensitization when cells were exposed to HDAC inhibitors in both the preradiation and postradiation setting. We now expand on these studies to determine whether postirradiation exposure alone affects radiosensitivity. Experimental Design: The effects of the HDAC inhibitor valproic acid (VA) on postirradiation sensitivity in human glioma cell lines were evaluated using a clonogenic assay, exposing cells to VA up to 24 h after irradiation. DNA damage repair was evaluated using γH2AX and 53BP1 foci and cell cycle phase distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry. Western blot of acetylated γH2AX was done following histone extraction on AUT gels. Results: VA enhanced radiosensitivity when delivered up to 24 h after irradiation. Cells accumulated in G2-M following irradiation, although they returned to baseline at 24 h, mitigating the role of cell cycle redistribution in postirradiation sensitization by VA. At 12 h after irradiation, significant γH2AX and 53BP1 foci dispersal was shown in the control, although cells exposed to VA after irradiation maintained foci expression. VA alone had no effect on the acetylation or phosphorylation of H2AX, although it did acetylate radiation-induced γH2AX. Conclusions: These results indicate that VA enhances radiosensitivity at times up to 24 h after irradiation, which has direct clinical application.
Simultaneous Control and Human Feedback in the Training of a Robotic Agent with Actor-Critic Reinforcement Learning

This paper contributes a preliminary report on the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating simultaneous human control and feedback signals in the training of a reinforcement learning robotic agent. While robotic human-machine interfaces have become increasingly complex in both form and function, control remains challenging for users. This has resulted in an increasing gap between user control approaches and the number of robotic motors which can be controlled. One way to address this gap is to shift some autonomy to the robot. Semi-autonomous actions of the robotic agent can then be shaped by human feedback, simplifying user control. Most prior work on agent shaping by humans has incorporated training with feedback, or has included indirect control signals. By contrast, in this paper we explore how a human can provide concurrent feedback signals and real-time myoelectric control signals to train a robot's actor-critic reinforcement learning control system. Using both a physical and a simulated robotic system, we compare training performance on a simple movement task when reward is derived from the environment, when reward is provided by the human, and combinations of these two approaches. Our results indicate that some benefit can be gained with the inclusion of human generated feedback.
Effects of multiple environmental factors on CO 2 emission and CH 4 uptake from old-growth forest soils

Abstract. To assess contribution of multiple environmental factors to carbon exchanges between the atmosphere and forest soils, four old-growth forests referred to as boreal coniferous forest, temperate needle-broadleaved mixed forest, subtropical evergreen broadleaved forest and tropical monsoon rain forest were selected along eastern China. In each old-growth forest, soil CO2 and CH4 fluxes were measured from 2003 to 2005 applying the static opaque chamber and gas chromatography technique. Soil temperature and moisture at the 10 cm depth were simultaneously measured with the greenhouse gas measurements. Inorganic N (NH4+-N and NO3−-N) in the 0–10 cm was determined monthly. From north to south, annual mean CO2 emission ranged from 18.09 ± 0.22 to 35.40 ± 2.24 Mg CO2 ha−1 yr−1 and annual mean CH4 uptake ranged from 0.04 ± 0.11 to 5.15 ± 0.96 kg CH4 ha−1 yr−1 in the four old-growth forests. Soil CO2 flux in the old-growth forests was mainly driven by soil temperature, followed by soil moisture and NO3−-N. Temperature sensitivity (Q10) of soil CO2 flux was lower at lower latitudes with high temperature and more precipitation, probably because of less soil organic carbon (SOC). Soil NO3− accumulation caused by environmental change was often accompanied by an increase in soil CO2 emission. In addition, soil CH4 uptake decreased with an increase in soil moisture. The response of soil CH4 flux to temperature was dependent upon the optimal value of soil temperature in each forest. Soil NH4+-N consumption tended to promote soil CH4 uptake in the old-growth forests, whereas soil NO3−-N accumulation was not conducive to CH4 oxidation in anaerobic condition. These results indicate that soil mineral N dynamics largely affects the soil gas fluxes of CO2 and CH4 in the old-growth forests, along with climate conditions.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery with Neoadjuvant Embolization of Larger Arteriovenous Malformations: An Institutional Experience

Objective. This study investigates the safety and efficacy of a multimodality approach combining staged endovascular embolizations with subsequent SRS for the management of larger AVMs. Methods. Ninety-five patients with larger AVMs were treated with staged endovascular embolization followed by SRS between 1996 and 2011. Results. The median volume of AVM in this series was 28 cm3 and 47 patients (48%) were Spetzler-Martin grade IV or V. Twenty-seven patients initially presented with hemorrhage. Sixty-one patients underwent multiple embolizations while a single SRS session was performed in 64 patients. The median follow-up after SRS session was 32 months (range 9–136 months). Overall procedural complications occurred in 14 patients. There were 13 minor neurologic complications and 1 major complication (due to embolization) while four patients had posttreatment hemorrhage. Thirty-eight patients (40%) were cured radiographically. The postradiosurgery actuarial rate of obliteration was 45% at 5 years, 56% at 7 years, and 63% at 10 years. In multivariate analysis, larger AVM size, deep venous drainage, and the increasing number of embolization/SRS sessions were negative predictors of obliteration. The number of embolizations correlated positively with the number of stereotactic radiosurgeries (P < 0.005). Conclusions. Multimodality endovascular and radiosurgical approach is an efficacious treatment strategy for large AVM.
TWO POPULATIONS AND MODELS OF GAMMA-RAY BURSTS

ABSTRACT /7: Gamma-ray burst statistics are best explained by a source population at cosmological distances, while spec-troscopy and intensity histories of some individual bursts imply an origin on Galactic neutron stars. Toresolve this inconsistency I suggest the presence of two populations, one at,cosmological distances and theother Galactic. I build on ideas of Shemi & Piran (1990) and of Rees & M6s_z/lros (1992) involving the inter-action of fireball debris with surrounding clouds to explain the observed intensity histories in bursts at cosmo-logical distances. The distances to the Galactic population are undetermined because they are too few to affectthe statistics of intensity and direction; I explain them as resulting from magnetic reconnection in neutron starmagnetospheres. An appendix describes the late evolution of the debris as a relativistic blast wave.Subject headings: gamma rays; bursts -- MHD -- stars: neutron " 1. INTRODUCTION Attempts to explain all the observed gamma-ray bursts(GRBs) with a single population of sources have become pro-gressively more difficult. On one hand, their distribution on thesky has been observed, with steadily improving precision(Atteia et al. 1987; Megan et al. 1992), to be isotropic, anobservation which is naturally explained (Usov & Chibisov1975; Goodman 1986; Paczyfiski 1986; Dar et al. 1992;Dermer 1992; Fenimore et al. 1992; Mao & Paczyfiski 1992a;M6sz_ros & Rees 1992; Paczyfski 1992a; Piran 1992) if theyare at cosmological distances. On the other hand, a number ofGRBs have been reported to show (Higdon & Lingenfelter1990) spectral features at a few tens of keV and at about 400keV, which are readily interpretable as cyclotron lines and thetwo-photon positron annihilation line from the surface of mag-netized neutron stars at Galactic distances, but which are inex-plicable at cosmological distances. If their validity is accepted,the data appear irreconcilable.The problem is further complicated by the fact that straight-forward models of radiation transport in GRBs at cosmo-logical distances (Goodman 1986; Paczyfiski 1986) predictvery brief bursts of radiation with thermalized spectra, in con-tradiction to observation, while attempts (Brainerd 1992;Harding & Leventhal 1992; Katz 1992; Li & Dermer 1992; Li& Liang 1992; Mao & Paczyfiski 1992b; Wasserman 1992) toexplain the spatial anisotropy and log N versus log S orV/V=,x distributions of GRBs in Galactic models require theassumption of a spherically symmetric halo of ,,, 100 kpcradius. Finally, the soft gamma repeaters (SGRs) introduceadditional confusion. The fact of their repetition and the iden-tification of one of them (1979 March 5; Ciine 1980) with asupernova remnant in the LMC point strongly to a Galacticpopulation, while the presence of spectral features and an 8second periodicity (1979 March 5) indicate origin on a mag-netic neutron star. However, it is unclear that SGRs should be
EXPLORATION AND EXPLOITATION IN TECHNOLOGY-BASED ALLIANCE NETWORKS.

Although the literature converges regarding the reasons why and how networks of technology alliances are formed, there is still lack of agreement on what constitutes an optimal network structure, once it has been formed. The aim of this paper is to fill this void and to determine what constitutes an optimal network structure for exploration and exploitation within the context of technological innovation. We differentiate among a firm's direct ties, indirect ties and degree of redundancy and analyze their role in the pharmaceutical, chemical and automotive industry. Regarding the role of direct ties, in combination with indirect ties, we find two alternative alliance network structures that are effective for both exploitation and exploration. We also find that redundancy in a firm's alliance network has a positive effect on exploitation. This is not the case for exploration, however, which seems to reveal a new insight into the role of redundancy when firms explore new technological fields. A final point is that our findings remain largely invariant across the three industries, enhancing the generalisability of our results.