Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A single-server queueing system with modified service mechanism

We consider a single-server GI/G/1 queueing system with modified service mechanism. By modified service mechanism, we mean that the service time distribution (H0) for the customers arriving to find the system idle may be different from the service time distribution (H1) for the customers arriving to find the system busy. We present qualitative relationships among the performance measures in the system. Approximating the virtual waiting time process via the diffusion process and combining the qualitative relationships, we propose a new approximate formula for the mean performance measures. For special cases, our approximation is seen to be consistent with the previously-obtained exact results for the M/G/1 queueing system with modified service mechanism, and it is further seen to be consistent with the previously-proposed approximate results for the GI/GI/1 queueing system with standard ( H0 = H1 ) service mechanism.
Diminished autonomic neurocardiac function in patients with generalized anxiety disorder

Background Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a chronic and highly prevalent disorder that is characterized by a number of autonomic nervous system symptoms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the linear and nonlinear complexity measures of heart rate variability (HRV), measuring autonomic regulation, and to evaluate the relationship between HRV parameters and the severity of anxiety, in medication-free patients with GAD. Methods Assessments of linear and nonlinear complexity measures of HRV were performed in 42 medication-free patients with GAD and 50 healthy control subjects. In addition, the severity of anxiety symptoms was assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory. The values of the HRV measures of the groups were compared, and the correlations between the HRV measures and the severity of anxiety symptoms were assessed. Results The GAD group showed significantly lower standard deviation of RR intervals and the square root of the mean squared differences of successive normal sinus intervals values compared to the control group (P<0.01). The approximate entropy value, which is a nonlinear complexity indicator, was also significantly lower in the patient group than in the control group (P<0.01). In correlation analysis, there were no significant correlations between HRV parameters and the severity of anxiety symptoms. Conclusion The present study indicates that GAD is significantly associated with reduced HRV, suggesting that autonomic neurocardiac integrity is substantially impaired in patients with GAD. Future prospective studies are required to investigate the effects of pharmacological or non-pharmacological treatment on neuroautonomic modulation in patients with GAD.
Visual dysfunction and its correlation with retinal changes in patients with Parkinson's disease: an observational cross-sectional study

Objectives To evaluate visual dysfunction and its correlation with structural changes in the retina in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods Patients with PD (n=37) and controls (n=37) were included in an observational cross-sectional study, and underwent visual acuity (VA), colour vision (using the Farnsworth and Lanthony desaturated D15 colour tests) and contrast sensitivity vision (CSV; using the Pelli-Robson chart and CSV 1000E test) evaluation to measure visual dysfunction. Structural measurements of the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), and macular and ganglion cell layer (GCL) thicknesses, were obtained using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Comparison of obtained data, and correlation analysis between functional and structural results were performed. Results VA (in all different contrast levels) and all CSV spatial frequencies were significantly worse in patients with PD than in controls. Colour vision was significantly affected based on the Lanthony colour test. Significant GCL loss was observed in the minimum GCL+inner plexiform layer. A clear tendency towards a reduction in several macular sectors (central, outer inferior, outer temporal and superior (inner and outer)) and in the temporal quadrant of the RNFL thickness was observed, although the difference was not significant. CSV was the functional parameter most strongly correlated with structural measurements in PD. Colour vision was associated with most GCL measurements. Macular thickness was strongly correlated with macular volume and functional parameters (r>0.70, p<0.05). Conclusions Patients with PD had visual dysfunction that correlated with structural changes evaluated by SD-OCT. GCL measurements may be reliable indicators of visual impairment in patients with PD.
NetFlow: information loss or win?

Operating a network without accurate traffic statistics is not desirable. Commonly used data sources are SNMP [1], flow-level data, e.g., CISCO’s NETFLOW, or packet level data. The first data source provides low volume, coarse-grained, non-application specific data. The latter one provides high volume, fine-grain data and application specific information. NetFlow lies somewhere in between in terms of both: volume and level of detail. In this paper we ask the question how and how accurately can one infer information from NetFlow. More specifically we are interested in TCP connection summaries and accurately aggregated packet and byte counts. The same techniques apply to application specific (per port) summaries.
Diameter dependent heating in GaAs nanowires

The photo-thermal properties of vertically etched gallium arsenide nanowire arrays are examined using Raman spectroscopy. The nanowires are arranged in square lattices with a constant pitch of 400 nm, and diameters ranging from 50 to 155 nm. The arrays were illuminated using a 532 nm laser with an incident energy density of 10 W/mm2. Nanowire temperatures were highly dependent on the nanowire diameter, and were determined by measuring the spectral redshift for both TO and LO phonons. The highest temperatures were observed for the 95 nm diameter nanowires, whose top facets and sidewalls heated up to 600 K and 440 K, respectively, and decreased significantly for the smaller or larger diameters studied. The findings also demonstrate that a photonic lattice consisting of vertically oriented GaAs nanowires allows for optimization of the photo-thermal effect.
Dkk1 and Msx2–Wnt7b Signaling Reciprocally Regulate the Endothelial–Mesenchymal Transition in Aortic Endothelial Cells

Objective—Endothelial cells (ECs) can undergo an endothelial–mesenchymal transition with tissue fibrosis. Wnt- and Msx2-regulated signals participate in arteriosclerotic fibrosis and calcification. We studied the impact of Wnt7, Msx2, and Dkk1, a Wnt7 antagonist, on endothelial–mesenchymal transition in primary aortic ECs. Approach and Results—Transduction of aortic ECs with vectors expressing Dkk1 suppressed EC differentiation and induced a mineralizing myofibroblast phenotype. Dkk1 suppressed claudin 5, PECAM, cadherin 5 (Cdh5), Tie1, and Tie2. Dkk1 converted the cuboidal cell monolayer into a spindle-shaped multilayer and inhibited EC cord formation. Myofibroblast and osteogenic markers, SM22, type I collagen, Osx, Runx2, and alkaline phosphatase, were upregulated by Dkk1 via activin-like kinase/Smad pathways. Dkk1 increased fibrotic mineralization of aortic ECs cultured under osteogenic conditions—the opposite of mesenchymal cell responses. Msx2 and Wnt7b maintained morphology and upregulated markers of differentiated ECs. Deleting EC Wnt7b with the Cdh5-Cre transgene in Wnt7b(fl/fl);LDLR−/− mice upregulated aortic osteogenic genes (Osx, Sox9, Runx2, and Msx2) and nuclear phospho-Smad1/5, and increased collagen and calcium accumulation. Conclusions—Dkk1 enhances endothelial–mesenchymal transition in aortic ECs, whereas Wnt7b and Msx2 signals preserve EC phenotype. EC responses to Dkk1, Wnt7b, and Msx2 are the opposite of mesenchymal responses, coupling EC phenotypic stability with osteofibrogenic predilection during arteriosclerosis.
Study of cementitious materials using transmission electron microscopy

An important mode of hydration of Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is via the formation of a shell of hydration products around cement grains. It has been shown so far that shells form not only in OPC but also around C3A grains in a mixture of alite, C3A and CS and in more restricted form in pure alite. The shells are believed to be hollow and limited information of the chemistry of the phases that constitute the shells is known so far. From the work done in this thesis some crucial knowledge has been gained on this subject. It is shown that shells are not empty but filled with C-S-H which appears to have a lower density than the rest of the hydration products. At early ages, in all observed instances shells are seen to form only around polyphase grains. Further, the shells form only around the silicate part of the grain at all observed ages. The cement grains are seen to have uneven reactivity and the hydration seems to follow a reaction front, leaving striations ∼ 1 µm on the grains. The Ca:Si ratio of all the C-S-H in the matrix is almost the same (about 2) for all ages. The work done on novel mix binders involving OPC with minor additions of CAC and CS shows that the chemistry of the hydration products remain almost the same with these additions. The amount of expansion in the mixes depends on the added sulfate content, however, the effects of the time of demoulding of the mixes on the expansion are more drastic. This leaves many open questions concerning the phenomenon of expansion in cements. In expanded heat cured Portland cement pastes, fine ettringite needles are seen to grow from an adjacent monosulfate plate. The work seems to confirm the theory of crystallization pressures and their destructive nature.
Regulation of Mouse Retroelement MuERV-L/MERVL Expression by REX1 and Epigenetic Control of Stem Cell Potency

About half of the mammalian genome is occupied by DNA sequences that originate from transposable elements. Retrotransposons can modulate gene expression in different ways and, particularly retrotransposon-derived long terminal repeats, profoundly shape expression of both surrounding and distant genomic loci. This is especially important in pre-implantation development, during which extensive reprograming of the genome takes place and cells pass through totipotent and pluripotent states. At this stage, the main mechanism responsible for retrotransposon silencing, i.e., DNA methylation, is inoperative. A particular retrotransposon called muERV-L/MERVL is expressed during pre-implantation stages and contributes to the plasticity of mouse embryonic stem cells. This review will focus on the role of MERVL-derived sequences as controlling elements of gene expression specific for pre-implantation development, two-cell stage-specific gene expression, and stem cell pluripotency, the epigenetic mechanisms that control their expression, and the contributions of the pluripotency marker REX1 and the related Yin Yang 1 family of transcription factors to this regulation process.
Comparison between Measurements Obtained with three Different Perineometers

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results obtained in the evaluation of intra-vaginal pressure using three different brands of perineometers in nulliparous volunteers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty nulliparous women with no anatomical alterations and/or dysfunction of the pelvic floor were enrolled in our study. All the women had the ability to voluntarily contract their PFM (Pelvic Floor Muscles), as assessed by digital palpation. The intra-vaginal pressure was assessed using three different brands of perineometer (Neurodyn Evolution™, SensuPower™ and Peritron™). Each volunteer was evaluated on three alternate days by a single examiner using a single brand of perineometer on each day. In the assessment, the volunteers were required to pull (contract) their PFM in and up as strongly as possible 3 times and to sustain the contraction for 5 seconds, with an interval of 30 seconds between each pull. For the statistical analysis, a concordance correlation coefficient was used to compare the values that were obtained with each brand of perineometer. RESULTS: A moderate concordance (0.51) was found between the results from the Peritron™ and Neurodyn™ perineometers, a fair concordance (0.21) between the Peritron™ and SensuPower™ brands and a poor concordance (0.19) between the Neurodyn™ and SensuPower™ brands. CONCLUSION: The concordance of the measurements of the intra-vaginal pressure ranged from poor to moderate, suggesting that perineometers of different brands generate different results.
Microphytobenthos primary production estimated by hyperspectral reflectance

The use of remote sensing techniques allows monitoring of photosynthesis at the ecosystem level and improves our knowledge of plant primary productivity. The main objective of the current study was to develop a remote sensing based method to measure microphytobenthos (MPB) primary production from intertidal mudflats. This was achieved by coupling hyperspectral radiometry (reflectance, ρ and second derivative, δδ) and PAM-fluorometry (non-sequential light curves, NSLC) measurements. The latter allowed the estimation of primary production using a light use efficiency parameter (LUE) and electron transport rates (ETR) whereas ρ allowed to estimate pigment composition and optical absorption cross-section (a*). Five MPB species representative of the main growth forms: epipelic (benthic motile), epipsammic (benthic motile and non motile) and tychoplanktonic (temporarily resuspended in the water column) were submitted to increasing light intensities from dark to 1950 μmol photons.m-2.s-1. Different fluorescence patterns were observed for the three growth-forms and were linked to their xanthophyll cycle (de-epoxydation state). After spectral reflectance measurements, a* was retrieved using a radiative transfer model and several radiometric indices were tested for their capacity to predict LUE and ETR measured by PAM-fluorometry. Only one radiometric index was not species or growth-form specific, i.e. δδ496/508. This index was named MPBLUE and could be used to predict LUE and ETR. The applicability of this index was tested with simulated bands of a wide variety of hyperspectral sensors at spectral resolutions between 3 and 15 nm of Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM).
Monosynaptic convergence of C‐ and Aδ‐afferent fibres from different segmental dorsal roots on to single substantia gelatinosa neurones in the rat spinal cord

Although it is known that each spinal cord segment receives thin‐fibre inputs from several segmental dorsal roots, it remains unclear how these inputs converge at the cellular level. To study whether C‐ and Aδ‐afferents from different roots can converge monosynaptically on to a single substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurone, we performed tight‐seal recordings from SG neurones in the entire lumbar enlargement of the rat spinal cord with all six segmental (L1–L6) dorsal roots attached. The neurones in the spinal cord were visualized using our recently developed oblique LED illumination technique. Individual SG neurones from the spinal segment L4 or L3 were voltage clamped to record the monosynaptic EPSCs evoked by stimulating ipsilateral L1–L6 dorsal roots. We found that one‐third of the SG neurones receive simultaneous monosynaptic inputs from two to four different segmental dorsal roots. For the SG neurones from segment L4, the major monosynaptic input was from the L4–L6 roots, whereas for those located in segment L3 the input pattern was shifted to the L2–L5 roots. Based on these data, we propose a new model of primary afferent organization where several C‐ or Aδ‐fibres innervating one cutaneous region (peripheral convergence) and ascending together in a common peripheral nerve may first diverge at the level of spinal nerves and enter the spinal cord through different segmental dorsal roots, but finally re‐converge monosynaptically on to a single SG neurone. This organization would allow formation of precise and robust neural maps of the body surface at the spinal cord level.
A QSAR evaluation of Ah receptor binding of halogenated aromatic xenobiotics.

Because of their widespread occurrence and substantial biological activity, halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) comprise one of the more important classes of contaminants in the environment. Some chemicals in this class cause adverse biological effects after binding to an intracellular cytosolic protein called the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Toxic responses such as thymic atrophy, weight loss, immunotoxicity, and acute lethality, as well as induction of cytochrome P4501A1, have been correlated with the relative affinity of PCBs, PCDFs, and PCDDs for the AhR. Therefore, an important step in predicting the effects of these chemicals is the estimation of their binding to the receptor. To date, however, the use of quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) models to estimate binding affinity across multiple chemical classes has shown only modest success possibly due, in part, to a focus on minimum energy chemical structures as the active molecules. In this study, we evaluated the use of structural conformations other than those of minimum energy for the purpose of developing a model for AhR binding affinity that encompasses more of the halogenated aromatic chemicals known to interact with the receptor. Resultant QSAR models were robust, showing good utility across multiple classes of halogenated aromatic compounds. ImagesFigure 1. AFigure 1. BFigure 1. CFigure 2.Figure 3.Figure 4.Figure 5.
GRAD: On Graph Database Modeling

Graph databases have emerged as the fundamental technology underpinning trendy application domains where traditional databases are not well-equipped to handle complex graph data. However, current graph databases support basic graph structures and integrity constraints with no standard algebra. In this paper, we introduce GRAD, a native and generic graph database model. GRAD goes beyond traditional graph database models, which support simple graph structures and constraints. Instead, GRAD presents a complete graph database model supporting advanced graph structures, a set of well-defined constraints over these structures and a powerful graph analysis-oriented algebra.
Flexural Properties and Sem Analysis Of Bamboo And Glass Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Hybrid Composites

The Flexural properties and Scanning electron Microscope analysis of Bamboo/glass fibers Reinforced epoxy Hybrid composites were studied. The effect of alkali treatment of the bamboo fibers on these properties was also studied. It was observed that flexural properties of the hybrid composite increase with glass fiber content. These properties found to be higher when alkali treated bamboo fibers were used in the hybrid composites. The elimination of amorphous hemi-cellulose with alkali treated leading to higher crystallinity of the bamboo fibers with alkali treatment may be responsible for these observations. The author investigated the interfacial bonding between Glass/Bamboo reinforced epoxy composites. The effect of alkali treatment on the bonding between Glass/Bamboo composites was also studied. Keywords: Dendrocalamus strictus, bamboo fiber, Glass fiber, epoxy resin, SEM Flexural properties, hybrid composites.
Proceedings of the Freenix Track: 2001 Usenix Annual Technical Conference Integrating Flexible Support for Security Policies into the Linux Operating System

The protection mechanisms of current mainstream operating systems are inadequate to support confidentiality and integrity requirements for end systems. Mandatory access control (MAC) is needed to address such requirements , but the limitations of traditional MAC have inhibited its adoption into mainstream operating systems. The National Security Agency (NSA) worked with Secure Computing Corporation (SCC) to develop a flexible MAC architecture called Flask to overcome the limitations of traditional MAC. The NSA has implemented this architecture in the Linux operating system, producing a Security-Enhanced Linux (SELinux) prototype, to make the technology available to a wider community and to enable further research into secure operating systems. NAI Labs has developed an example security policy configuration to demonstrate the benefits of the architecture and to provide a foundation for others to use. This paper describes the security architecture, security mechanisms, application programming interface, security policy configuration, and performance of SELinux.
Diagnostic rates and treatment of dementia before and after launch of a national dementia policy: an observational study using English national databases

Objectives To assess the 2009 National Dementia Strategy's (NDS) impact on dementia diagnosis and treatment. Setting and participants Primary care data for England before and after launch of the NDS. Primary outcome measures We used nationally available data to estimate the trends over time in rates of dementia diagnoses recorded on the Quality Outcomes Framework (QOF) in Primary Care Trusts (PCT) and antidementia medication prescriptions from 2006/2007 (the first available figures) and the associated increase in cost relative to all other prescriptions. To establish PCT general practitioner (GP) QOF dementia recording validity, we correlated it with medication prescription using the NIC (net ingredient cost). Results Regression analysis showed that dementia diagnosis rate was lower prior to launch of the NDS and increased significantly after it was launched. The number of antidementia prescriptions and the cost of antidementia drugs relative to total PCT prescribing costs increased significantly after 2009. GP recording of dementia diagnosis correlated highly with prescription of cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine in the same area (p<0.001 each year). Conclusions The launch of the NDS was associated with a significant increase in dementia diagnosis rates and prescriptions of antidementia drugs. We cannot establish the causality but this was a change from the prelaunch pattern. Further assessment of any intervention to increase the diagnoses should include an assessment of harm as well as potential benefit.
A critical examination of the fundamental relations used in the analysis of nanoindentation data

Methods for analyzing nanoindentation load-displacement data to determine hardness and elastic modulus are based on analytical solutions for the indentation of an elastic half-space by rigid axisymmetric indenters. Careful examination of Sneddon’s solution for indentation by a rigid cone reveals several largely ignored features that have important implications for nanoindentation property measurement. Finite element and analytical results are presented that show corrections to Sneddon’s equations are needed if accurate results are to be obtained. Without the corrections, the equations underestimate the load and contact stiffness in a manner that leads to errors in the measured hardness and modulus, with the magnitudes of the errors depending on the angle of the indenter and Poisson’s ratio of the half-space. First order corrections are derived, and general implications for the interpretation of nanoindentation data are discussed.