Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trade-Offs between Latency, Complexity, and Load Balancing with Multicast Algorithms

The increasing number of collective communication-based services with a mass interest and the parallel increasing demand for service quality are paving the way toward end-to-end QoS guarantees. Although many multicast algorithms in interconnection networks have been widely reported in the literature, most of them handle the multicast communication within limited performance metrics, i.e., either delay/latency or throughput. In contrast, this study investigates the multicast communication within a group of QoS constrains, namely latency, jitter, throughput, and additional traffic caused. In this paper, we present the Qualified Groups (QGs) as a novel path-based multicast algorithm for interconnection networks. To the best of our knowledge, the QG is the first multicast algorithm that considers the multicast latency at both the network and node levels across different traffic scenarios in interconnection networks. Our analysis shows that the proposed multicast algorithm exhibits superior performance characteristics over other well-known path-based multicast algorithms under different operating conditions. In addition, our results show that the QG can significantly improve the parallelism of the multicast communication.
A Gain-of-Function Mutation in Synaptotagmin-1 Reveals a Critical Role of Ca2+-Dependent Soluble N-Ethylmaleimide-Sensitive Factor Attachment Protein Receptor Complex Binding in Synaptic Exocytosis

Synaptotagmin-1, the Ca2+ sensor for fast neurotransmitter release, was proposed to function by Ca2+-dependent phospholipid binding and/or by Ca2+-dependent soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex binding. Extensive in vivo data support the first hypothesis, but testing the second hypothesis has been difficult because no synaptotagmin-1 mutation is known that selectively interferes with SNARE complex binding. Using knock-in mice that carry aspartate-to-asparagine substitutions in a Ca2+-binding site of synaptotagmin-1 (the D232N or D238N substitutions), we now show that the D232N mutation dramatically increases Ca2+-dependent SNARE complex binding by native synaptotagmin-1, but leaves phospholipid binding unchanged. In contrast, the adjacent D238N mutation does not significantly affect SNARE complex binding, but decreases phospholipid binding. Electrophysiological recordings revealed that the D232N mutation increased Ca2+-triggered release, whereas the D238N mutation decreased release. These data establish that fast vesicle exocytosis is driven by a dual Ca2+-dependent activity of synaptotagmin-1, namely Ca2+-dependent binding both to SNARE complexes and to phospholipids.
Bond between Near-Surface Mounted Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Rods and Concrete in Structural Strengthening

Use of near-surface mounted (NSM) fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) rods is a promising technology for increasing flexural and shear strength of reinforced concrete (RC) members. As this technology emerges, the structural behavior of RC elements strengthened with NSM FRP rods should be fully characterized, and bond is the first issue to be addressed. Bond is of primary importance as it is the means for the transfer of stress between the concrete and the FRP reinforcement to develop composite action. This research program aimed to investigate bond between NSM FRP rods and concrete. Some of the factors expected to affect bond performance are addressed here, namely: bonded length, diameter and surface configuration of the rod, type of FRP material, and size of the groove in which the rod is embedded. Results are presented and discussed.
A new bound for finite field besicovitch sets in four dimensions

Let F be a finite field with characteristic greater than two. A Besicovitch set in F 4 is a set P ⊆ F 4 containing a line in every direction. The Kakeya conjecture asserts that P and F 4 have roughly the same size, in the sense that |P|/|F| 4 exceeds C e |F| -e for e > 0 arbitrarily small, where Cg does not depend on P or F. Wolff showed that |P| exceeds a universal constant times |F| 3 . Here we improve his exponent to 3+1 16 - e for e > 0 arbitrarily small. On the other hand, we show that Wolff's bound of |F| 3 is sharp if we relax the assumption that the lines point in different directions. One new feature in the argument is the use of some basic algebraic geometry.
Extensive Involvement of Autophagy in Alzheimer Disease: An Immuno-Electron Microscopy Study

The accumulation of lysosomes and their hydrolases within neurons is a well-established neuropathologic feature of Alzheimer disease (AD). Here we show that lysosomal pathology in AD brain involves extensive alterations of macroautophagy, an inducible pathway for the turnover of intracellular constituents, including organelles. Using immunogold labeling with compartmental markers and electron microscopy on neocortical biopsies from AD brain, we unequivocally identified autophagosomes and other prelysosomal autophagic vacuoles (AVs), which were morphologically and biochemically similar to AVs highly purified from mouse liver. AVs were uncommon in brains devoid of AD pathology but were abundant in AD brains particularly, within neuritic processes, including synaptic terminals. In dystrophic neurites, autophagosomes, multivesicular bodies, multilamellar bodies, and cathepsin-containing autophagolysosomes were the predominant organelles and accumulated in large numbers. These compartments were distinguishable from lysosomes and lysosomal dense bodies, previously shown also to be abundant in dystrophic neurites. Autophagy was evident in the perikarya of affected neurons, particularly in those with neurofibrillary pathology where it was associated with a relative depletion of mitochondria and other organelles. These observations provide the first evidence that macroautophagy is extensively involved in the neurodegenerative/regenerative process in AD. The striking accumulations of immature AV forms in dystrophic neurites suggest that the transport of AVs and their maturation to lysosomes may be impaired, thereby impeding the suspected neuroprotective functions of autophagy.
Intrinsic Competition and Competitor-Free-Space Influence the Coexistence of Parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Opiinae) of Neotropical Tephritidae (Diptera)

ABSTRACT Endoparasitoid larvae may eliminate heterospecific competitors by physical or physiological means. The outcomes of these intrinsic competitions are often predictable with one species typically eliminating the other. The opiine braconids Doryctobracon areolatus (Szepligeti) and Utetes anastrephae (Viereck) are among the most common native parasitoids of frugivorous Tephritidae in the Neotropics and subtropics. U. anastrephae is typically the victor in intrinsic interactions with D. areolatus, but the later has a longer ovipositor and may find a competitor-free-space in larger fruit whose hosts are beyond the reach of U. anastrephae. An Asian opiine species, Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) has been introduced throughout much of the Americas. Its ovipositor is longer than that of D. areolatus and if it is a superior intrinsic competitor it should be able to cause local extinctions of D. areolatus. The outcomes of sequential ovipositions by D. longicaudata and D. areolatus and U. anastrephae found that D. longicaudata significantly suppresses development of D. areolatus. However, competitions between D. longicaudata and U. anastrephae were more equal. The denial of competitor free space may account for the gradual replacement of D. areolatus by D. longicaudata in Florida where both species were introduced ≈40 yr ago. Diachasmimorpha longicaudata and D. areolatus continue to coexist in Mexico and this could be because of greater abiotic and biotic environmental complexity that allows for separate niches. Establishment or augmentative releases of D. longicaudata could result in elimination of native parasitoids and this should be considered before its introduction.
Efficacy and safety of intra-arterial thrombolysis in central retinal artery occlusion.

PURPOSE To investigate the efficacy and safety of intra-arterial thrombolysis (IAT) for acute central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). METHODS Records from 101 CRAO patients treated with either IAT (n = 57) or standard treatment (ST; n = 44) were retrospectively reviewed. ST consisted of ocular massage and intraocular pressure-lowering agents. We used fundoscopic and angiographic findings to categorize CRAO as incomplete (diminished visual acuity [VA] with slight retinal edema, slight cherry-red spot), subtotal (severe VA reduction, cherry-red spot, distinct retinal edema), or total (massive edema, occluded perimacular arterioles, additional choroidal blood flow interruption). One-month and final best-corrected VA (BCVA) of the IAT group were compared with those of the ST group. Early (≤3-day) and final (1-month) reperfusion (improvement of retinal perfusion) rates were compared between groups. Subgroup analyses were performed according to CRAO stage. RESULTS Overall, VA did not significantly differ between groups, but early reperfusion was greater in the IAT group (74.1% vs. 42.9%, P = 0.005). In incomplete CRAO, the IAT group exhibited greater visual improvement after 1 month (1.08 ± 0.21 vs. 0.23 ± 0.26 logarithmic values of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR], P < 0.001) and at the final visit (1.08 ± 0.53 vs. 0.08 ± 0.57 logMAR, P < 0.001). However, in subtotal and total CRAO, no significant differences in visual outcomes were observed between groups. IAT resulted in clinically insignificant cerebral infarcts, detectable on brain imaging, in 8% of patients. Hemorrhagic transformation was not noted. CONCLUSIONS The IAT treatment may provide early restoration of retinal perfusion and offer functional benefits in the management of incomplete CRAO.
Isolation and genetic characterization of temperature-sensitive mutants of vaccinia virus WR

One hundred temperature-sensitive mutants of vaccinia virus WR were isolated from virus that had been mutagenized with 5-bromodeoxyuridine or N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. A rapid screening procedure based on the ability of vaccinia virus to form plaques under liquid overlay medium was used to identify potential mutants among randomly picked plaque isolates or plaques preselected for their small size after temperature shift-up. The preselection technique resulted in a sixfold increase in the number of successful mutant isolations relative to the number of plaques picked. All of the mutants had efficiencies of plating at 39.5 degrees C relative to that at 33 degrees C of 10(-4) or less, and 33 of 40 produced 10% or less of the amount of virus at the nonpermissive temperature (39.5 degrees C) relative to that at the permissive temperature (33 degrees C). Experiments with the fluorescent DNA binding dye Hoechst 33258 demonstrated that 6 of the 100 mutants failed to form characteristic cytoplasmic DNA factories at 39.5 degrees C. To facilitate the functional grouping of such a large number of mutants, a rapid infectious center assay was developed. Thirty of the mutants were assigned to 16 or 17 complementation-recombination groups by using this assay. Recombination experiments have allowed the construction of a genetic map representing 22 mutants in 12 of these groups.
Inflammatory potential of dust from schools and building related symptoms

Aims: To test whether the inflammatory potential of dust samples might be used to differentiate schools with high and low prevalence of building related symptoms (BRS) among the occupants. Methods: Ten schools with high prevalence of BRS and 10 schools with low prevalence were selected. Dust collected from floors, horizontal surfaces, and exhaust outlets was tested at five concentrations on the lung epithelial cell line A549. The potency of the dust (PF) to stimulate IL-8 secretion was calculated from the initial linear part of the dose-response curves. The organic fraction of the dust samples was determined by incineration. Results: The schools with low prevalence of symptoms had a BRS% of 4.4–11.0 and the schools with high prevalence a BRS% of 19.6–31.9. The PF of floor dust and surface dust correlated, and the PF was associated with the organic content of the dust. The schools with low prevalence of symptoms had a significantly lower PF than the schools with high prevalence. Using the cut point value of 4.5 ng IL-8/mg floor dust, significantly more high prevalence schools were found above the cut point than below. Conclusion: The PF of the floor dust samples correlated significantly with the prevalence of symptoms in the schools. The content of endotoxin and microorganisms did not seem to explain the inflammatory potential of the dust or BRS, and the substances in the dust causing the inflammatory potential are presently unknown.
A Longitudinal Assessment of Executive Function Skills and Their Association with Math Performance

The present study was designed to examine both concurrent and predictive associations between scores on a measure of executive function (EF) skills, the Contingency Naming Test (CNT), during the early school-age years. A secondary aim of the study was to examine the association between EF skills and mathematics performance. We administered tests of mathematics ability, and the CNT, to 178 children at ages 6 to 7, 8 to 9, and 10 to 11 years. From the CNT we obtained measures of response fluency/efficiency, working memory, and inhibition. The results demonstrate main effects of age on all CNT measures of EF, as anticipated, and inconsistent main effects of gender or mathematics learning disability status. Rates of improvement in EF varied as a function of the working memory demands present during a given task. There were differences in concurrent and predictive correlations for different CNT performance measures. EF scores obtained during the first assessment were as strongly associated with each other as they were with EF scores obtained four years later, suggesting a moderately stable source of individual differences on cognitive performance. EF scores at age 6 to 7 years were associated with concurrent and later mathematics scores, and most of these correlations were stronger than the significant associations found between response fluency on a baseline task (with no working memory demand) and mathematics performance. These findings have implications for the stability of EF skills during the school-age years, and the role of EF in early and later elementary school mathematics performance.
PLATELETS AND THROMBOPOIESIS ADAP interactions with talin and kindlin promote platelet integrin a IIb b 3 activation and stable fi brinogen binding

Integrins engage in bidirectional signaling. Fibrinogen binding to integrins is regulated by inside-out signals initiated by agonist receptors, a process often called “integrin activation. ” In turn, ligandbound integrins transduce outside-in signals to regulate cellular responses, among them cytoskeletal reorganization. In platelets, integrin aIIbb3 bidirectional signaling is required for efficient hemostatic platelet responses to vascular injury. Full inside-out signaling can promote increases in integrin affinity through conformational changes and increases in integrin avidity through receptor clustering; the relative contribution of each process can vary with the integrin and the cell studied. Recently, talin and kindlin, 2 adapter proteins that bind to integrin-b cytoplasmic tails, have emergedas essential regulators of integrin activation. Talin is a 280 kDa protein of the FERMT4 (4.1/ ezrin/radixin, moesin domain T4) family composed of head (amino acids 1-433) and rod (482-2541) domains that are normally clasped but upon relief of auto-inhibition can bind via the Ferm3 phospho tyrosinebinding subdomain to regions of integrinb tails that include a central b-NPXY motif and a membrane-proximal motif. Talin-membrane association is promoted in platelets by talin’s interaction with Rap1 and its effector, Rap1-interacting adapter molecule (RIAM). The kindlin family of proteins is composed of kindlin-1, kindlin-2, and kindlin-3, which interact with the membrane-distal portion of b cytoplasmic tails that includes an NXXY motif. Deficiency of kindlin-3, the predominant isoform in hematopoietic cells, causes defects in integrin activation, resulting in a profound immune and hemostatic disorder, leukocyte adhesion deficiency syndrome (LAD-III syndrome). Talin is necessary and sufficient to activate aIIbb3 in purified in vitro systems, but both talin and kindlin-3 are required for full integrin activation in platelets. A third adapter protein implicated in integrin regulation is the hematopoietic-restricted, alternatively-spliced 120/130 kDa adhesion and degranulation promoting adapter protein (ADAP). ADAP was previously implicated in aIIbb3 activation in human and mouse platelets downstream of both tyrosine-kinase–coupled and G-protein– coupled receptors. Recentwork has identified several ADAP binding partners (Figure 1A). In particular, ADAP stabilizes 2 Src kinase–associated phosphoproteins (SKAPs), SKAP1 and SKAP2, through ADAP residues 339 to 438, with only SKAP2 expressed in platelets. ADAP’s roles in signal transduction cascades have largely been explored in T lymphocytes, where ADAP and SKAP1 constitute a functional unit to enhanceb2 integrin–mediated adhesion upon T-cell receptor stimulation. In these cells, SKAP1 is the relevant effector operating through interactions with the Rap1-guanosine triphosphate–binding proteins RIAM or regulator of cell adhesion and polarization enriched in lymphoid tissues (RapL). When lymphocytes are stimulated through chemokine (C-C motif) receptor
Optimum index profile of the perfluorinated polymer-based GI polymer optical fiber and its dispersion properties

The significant advantages in bandwidth and low material dispersion of perfluorinated (PF) polymer-based graded-index polymer optical fiber (GI POF) are theoretically and experimentally reported for the first time. It is confirmed that the low attenuation and low material dispersion of the PF polymer enables 1 Gb/s km and 10 Gb/s km transmission at 0.85-/spl mu/m and 1.3-/spl mu/m wavelengths, respectively. The PF polymer-based CI POF has very low material dispersion (0.0055 ns/nm/spl middot/km at 0.85 /spl mu/m), compared with those of the conventional PMMA-based POF and of multimode silica fiber (0.0084 ns/nm km at 0.85 /spl mu/m). Since the PF polymer-based GI POF has low attenuation from the visible to near infrared region, not only the 0.65-/spl mu/m wavelength which is in the low attenuation window of the PMMA-based GI POF, but other wavelengths such as 0.85-/spl mu/m or 1.3-/spl mu/m etc. can be adopted for the transmission wavelength. It is clarified in this paper that the wavelength dependence of the optimum index profile shape of the PF polymer-based GI POF is very small, compared to the optimum index profile shape of the silica-based multimode fiber. As a result, the PF polymer-based GI POF has greater tolerance in index profile variation for higher speed transmission than multimode silica fiber. The impulse response function of the PF polymer-based GI POF was accurately analyzed from the measured refractive index profile using a Wentzel, Kramers, Brillouin (WKB) numerical computation method. By considering all dispersion factors involving the profile dispersion, predicted bandwidth characteristic of the PF polymer-based GI POF agreed well with that experimentally measured.
The utility of the Kohlman evaluation of living skills test is associated with substantiated cases of elder self‐neglect

Purpose: Self‐neglect is the most prevalent finding among cases reported to Adult Protective Services (APS) and is characterized by an inability to meet one’s own basic needs. The Kohlman evaluation of living skills (KELS) has been validated in geriatric populations to assess performance with both instrumental and basic activities of daily living and as an assessment tool for the capacity to live independently; therefore, the purpose of this analysis was to compare the scores of the KELS between substantiated cases of self‐neglect and matched community‐dwelling elders. Data sources: This is a cross‐sectional pilot study of 50 adults aged 65 years and older who were recruited from APS as documented cases of self‐neglect and 50 control participants recruited from Harris County Hospital District outpatient clinics. Control participants were matched for age, race, gender, and ZIP code. A geriatric nurse practitioner (NP)–led team administered a comprehensive geriatric assessment in homes of all study participants. The assessment included the KELS and mini‐mental state examination (MMSE) tests. Chi‐square analyses were used to determine if cases of self‐neglect were significantly more likely to fail the KELS test than matched controls. Conclusions: The analyses revealed that self‐neglectors were significantly more likely to fail the KELS than non‐self‐neglectors (50% vs. 30%, p = .025). When stratified by MMSE scores, self‐neglectors with intact cognitive function remained significantly more likely to fail the KELS compared to matched, cognitively intact controls (45% vs. 17%, p = .013). Abnormal results using an in‐home KELS test were significantly associated with substantiated cases of self‐neglect. Implications for practice: There is currently no gold‐standard measure for identifying capacity with self‐care behaviors among cases of self‐neglect. As a result, self‐neglect may remain unidentified in many clinical settings. The KELS provides clinicians with an objective measure of an individual’s capacity and performance with everyday life–supporting tasks and thus, provides information that can help NPs identify elders at risk for self‐neglect. These findings suggest that the KELS test has significant utility as part of a comprehensive geriatric assessment to aid clinicians in suspected cases of self‐neglect.
Students Designing Software: a Multi-National, Multi-Institutional Study

This paper reports a multi-national, multi-institutional study to investigate Computer Sci- ence students' understanding of software design and software design criteria. Student participants were recruited from two groups: students early in their degree studies and students completing their Bachelor degrees. Computer Science educators were also recruited as a comparison group. The study, including over 300 participants from 21 institutions in 4 countries, aimed to understand characteristics of student-generated software designs, to investigate student recognition of require- ment ambiguities, and to elicit students' valuation of key design criteria. The results indicate that with increases in education, students use fewer textual design notations and more graphical and standardized notations and that they become more aware of ambiguous problem specifications. Yet increased educational attainment has little effect on students' valuation of key design characteris- tics.
Doping in Gymnasiums in Amman: The other side of Prescription and Nonprescription Drug Abuse

This study investigated the abuse of over-the-counter (OTC) products (e.g. proteins, dietary supplements) and prescription drugs (e.g. hormones) in gymnasiums in Amman by random distribution of a structured questionnaire to 375 gym clients (November 2012–February 2013). Data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows (version 17.0). A total of 31 (8.8%) clients admitted to using 21 products (mentioned 71 times) of anabolic steroids and other hormones (e.g., growth hormone and thyroxine) to increase muscular power at the gym or build muscle mass. Abuse of different prescription and OTC drugs among gymnasium clients is present in Jordan, but current methods for controlling the problem are ineffective. Better methods should be developed. The study's limitations are noted.