Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RMSC: A Cell Slicing Controller for Virtualized Multi-Tenant Mobile Networks

The traditional model of single ownership of the mobile network infrastructure is being challenged by the forecasted mobile data tsunami and the resulting CAPEX and OPEX costs. In this context, the sharing of network infrastructure among operators has emerged as a way to ensure operators' future cost competitiveness. While the elementary concepts related to passive network sharing are already being exploited today, active network sharing is raising in importance to enable further reduction of network expenses in a substantial and sustainable way. The work presented in this paper addresses this challenge by designing a RAN Multi- tenant cell Slicing Controller (RMSC) that allows to flexibly share the RAN resources among multiple virtual operators (tenants). Three different possible designs for the RMSC controller are proposed, ranging from a fully distributed system with no inter-base station communication to a fully centralized solution with all information available. The proposed solutions are benchmarked against a distributed static slicing solution and a centralized load balancing solution, considering realistic scenarios of uneven user location distribution per tenant. The performance results obtained indicate that the proposed RMSC schemes can significantly outperform traditional solutions for multi-tenant mobile networks.
Common fixed points for α-ψ-φ-contractions in generalized metric spaces

Fixed point theory is an important and actual topic of nonlinear analysis. Moreover, it’s well known that the contraction mapping principle, formulated and proved in the PhD dissertation of Banach in 1920 which was published in 1922 is one of the most important theorems in classical functional analysis. During the last four decades, this theorem has undergone various generalizations either by relaxing the condition on contractivity or withdrawing the requirement of completeness or sometimes even both. Recently, a very interesting generalization was obtained in [1] by changing the structure of the space itself. In fact, Branciari [1] introduced a concept of generalized metric space by replacing the triangle inequality by a more general inequality. As such, any metric space is a generalized metric space but the converse is not true [1]. He proved the Banach’s fixed point theorem in such a space. For more, the reader can refer to [2–11]. It is also known that common fixed point theorems are generalizations of fixed point theorems. Thus, over the past few decades, there have been many researchers who have interested in generalizing fixed point theorems to coincidence point theorems and common fixed point theorems. In this paper, we prove some common fixed point theorems for a larger class of α-ψφ-contractions in generalized metric spaces and improve the results obtained by Lakzian and Samet [12] and Di Bari and Vetro [13].
Nitrate removal in a restored riparian groundwater system: functioning and importance of individual riparian zones

Abstract. For the design and the assessment of river restoration projects, it is important to know to what extent the elimination of reactive nitrogen (N) can be improved in the riparian groundwater. We investigated the effectiveness of different riparian zones, characterized by a riparian vegetation succession, for nitrate (NO3−) removal from infiltrating river water in a restored and a still channelized section of the river Thur, Switzerland. Functional genes of denitrification (nirS and nosZ) were relatively abundant in groundwater from willow bush and mixed forest dominated zones, where oxygen concentrations remained low compared to the main channel and other riparian zones. After flood events, a substantial decline in NO3− concentration (> 50%) was observed in the willow bush zone but not in the other riparian zones closer to the river. In addition, the characteristic enrichment of 15N and 18O in the residual NO3− pool (by up to 22‰ for δ15N and up to 12‰ for δ18O) provides qualitative evidence that the willow bush and forest zones were sites of active denitrification and, to a lesser extent, NO3− removal by plant uptake. Particularly in the willow bush zone during a period of water table elevation after a flooding event, substantial input of organic carbon into the groundwater occurred, thereby fostering post-flood denitrification activity that reduced NO3− concentration with a rate of ~21 μmol N l−1 d−1. Nitrogen removal in the forest zone was not sensitive to flood pulses, and overall NO3− removal rates were lower (~6 μmol l−1 d−1). Hence, discharge-modulated vegetation–soil–groundwater coupling was found to be a key driver for riparian NO3− removal. We estimated that, despite higher rates in the fairly constrained willow bush hot spot, total NO3− removal from the groundwater is lower than in the extended forest area. Overall, the aquifer in the restored section was more effective and removed ~20% more NO3− than the channelized section.
Pegfilgrastim +/- ciprofloxacin for primary prophylaxis with TAC (docetaxel/doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide) chemotherapy for breast cancer. Results from the GEPARTRIO study.

BACKGROUND TAC (docetaxel/doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide) is associated with high incidences of grade 4 neutropenia and febrile neutropenia (FN). This analysis compared the efficacies of four regimens for primary prophylaxis of FN and related toxic effects in breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant TAC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with stage T2-T4 primary breast cancer were scheduled to receive 6-8 cycles of TAC. Primary prophylaxis was: ciprofloxacin 500 mg orally twice daily on days 5-14 (n = 253 patients; 1478 cycles), daily granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) (filgrastim 5 microg/kg/day or lenograstim 150 microg/m(2)/day) on days 5-10 (n = 377; 2400 cycles), pegfilgrastim 6 mg on day 2 (n = 305; 1930 cycles), or pegfilgrastim plus ciprofloxacin (n = 321; 1890 cycles). RESULTS Pegfilgrastim with/without ciprofloxacin was significantly more effective than daily G-CSF or ciprofloxacin in preventing FN (5% and 7% versus 18% and 22% of patients; all P < 0.001), grade 4 neutropenia, and leukopenia. Pegfilgrastim plus ciprofloxacin completely prevented first cycle FN (P < 0.01 versus pegfilgrastim alone) and fatal neutropenic events. CONCLUSION Ciprofloxacin alone, or daily G-CSF from day 5-10 (as in common practice), provided suboptimal protection against FN and related toxic effects in patients receiving TAC. Pegfilgrastim was significantly more effective in this setting, especially if given with ciprofloxacin.
Ultrasonic vibration-assisted micro-hole forming on skull

In minimally invasive neurosurgery, there is a gap between the need for a micro-burr hole to be opened on the skull to expose the enclosed brain for further operation and the proper technology available. Conventionally, a burr hole is generated by a drilling perforator, which usually causes damage to the vital soft tissue beneath skull. Besides, because of the extremely low mechanical strength of a micro-drilling bit, a micro-hole cannot be generated on the hard skull by the conventional drilling method. To bridge this gap, an ultrasonic vibration-assisted micro-burr hole forming technique has been developed in this study and its effectiveness has been proved through in vitro experiment on cat skull. With the assistance of ultrasonic vibration (29.7 kHz), a micro-hole has been successfully formed on skull with a 300 µm diameter conically tipped tool. Ultrasonic vibration of a large amplitude is found beneficial because the thrust force can be greatly reduced by increasing the vibration amplitude. Moreover, the micro-hole forming is free of cutting and chips. The ultrasonic vibration is found to have a hammering effect similar to shot peening, and a layer of dense tissue is formed around the hole and no chip is generated in the hole forming process. Besides, since the ultrasonic vibration tool can only fragment hard bone tissue without causing damage to the soft tissue beneath skull, a safe micro-hole forming technique can be enjoyed. Based on the findings from this study, a micro-burr hole perforator can be developed for the next-generation minimally invasive neurosurgery.
Disrupted Effective Connectivity Between the Amygdala and Orbitofrontal Cortex in Social Anxiety Disorder During Emotion Discrimination Revealed by Dynamic Causal Modeling for fMRI

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is characterized by over-reactivity of fear-related circuits in social or performance situations and associated with marked social impairment. We used dynamic causal modeling (DCM), a method to evaluate effective connectivity, to test our hypothesis that SAD patients would exhibit dysfunctions in the amygdala–prefrontal emotion regulation network. Thirteen unmedicated SAD patients and 13 matched healthy controls performed a series of facial emotion and object discrimination tasks while undergoing fMRI. The emotion-processing network was identified by a task-related contrast and motivated the selection of the right amygdala, OFC, and DLPFC for DCM analysis. Bayesian model averaging for DCM revealed abnormal connectivity between the OFC and the amygdala in SAD patients. In healthy controls, this network represents a negative feedback loop. In patients, however, positive connectivity from OFC to amygdala was observed, indicating an excitatory connection. As we did not observe a group difference of the modulatory influence of the FACE condition on the OFC to amygdala connection, we assume a context-independent reduction of prefrontal control over amygdalar activation in SAD patients. Using DCM, it was possible to highlight not only the neuronal dysfunction of isolated brain regions, but also the dysbalance of a distributed functional network.
Computational algorithmization: Limitations in problem solving skills in computational sciences majors at University of Oriente

This paper analyzes the results of a diagnostic study carried out with second year students of the computational sciences majors at University of Oriente, Cuba, to determine the limitations that they present in omputational algorithmization. An exploratory research was developed using quantitative and qualitative methods. The results allowed verifying insufficiencies that have their base in the processes of interpretation and understanding of the problematic situations and in the insufficient design of algorithms, using pseudocodes, before implementing the solutions in a programming language.
Why do people fail to consider alternative hypotheses in judgments under uncertainty?

Two experiments examined theoretical accounts of why people fail to consider alternative hypotheses in judgments under uncertainty. Experiment 1 found that a majority of participants failed to spontaneously search for information about an alternative hypothesis, even when this required minimal effort. This bias was reduced when a specific alternative was mentioned before search. Experiment 2 showed that when participants were given the likelihoods of the data given a focal hypothesis p(D|H) and an alternative hypothesis p(D|¬H), they gave estimates of p(H|D) that were consistent with Bayesian principles. The results show that neglect of the alternative hypothesis typically occurs at the initial stage of problem representation. However judgments are more consistent with Bayesian norms when they involve utilizing information about a given alternative.
Habitat-Mediated Dive Behavior in Free-Ranging Grey Seals

Understanding the links between foraging behaviour and habitat use of key species is essential to addressing fundamental questions about trophic interactions and ecosystem functioning. Eight female grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) were equipped with time-depth recorders linked to Fastloc GPS tags following the annual moult in southwest Ireland. Individual dives were coupled with environmental correlates to investigate the habitat use and dive behaviour of free-ranging seals. Dives were characterised as either pelagic, benthic, or shallow (where errors in location and charted water depth made differentiating between pelagic and benthic dives unreliable). Sixty-nine percent of dives occurring in water >50 m were benthic. Pelagic dives were more common at night than during the day. Seals performed more pelagic dives over fine sediments (mud/sand), and more benthic dives when foraging over more three-dimensionally complex rock substrates. We used Markov chain analysis to determine the probability of transiting between dive states. A low probability of repeat pelagic dives suggests that pelagic prey were encountered en route to the seabed. This approach could be applied to make more accurate predictions of habitat use in data-poor areas, and investigate contentious issues such as resource overlap and competition between top predators and fisheries, essential for the effective conservation of these key marine species.
The effectiveness of PMTCT programmes through the measurement of NVP coverage in populations of women delivering in designated areas in the Western Cape Region of South Africa

Objective The objective was to assess the uptake and coverage of SD-NVP to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV in women of unknown HIV status presenting in labour a sample of delivery sites in the Western Cape. This monitoring activity also accurately measures the prevalence of HIV among pregnant women and ascertains the proportion of HIV exposed infants delivered to these mothers, who received NVP prophylaxis to prevent MTCT. Design Anonymous, unlinked specimens of cord blood from discarded placentas were tested for HIV antibodies to determine population-level information on HIV infection and NVP coverage among all women delivering in the facilities. Uptake was measured by counting the number of women who were recorded to have accepted NVP when offered while coverage was measured by using the cord blood NVP assay. Results A total of 2198 (96.5%) cord blood specimens were collected from women at delivery. From these, 1876 (85.4%) women received pre-test counselling. Of those who were counselled, 1851 (84.2%) were tested for HIV and 365 (19.3%) tested positive. Amongst those who were infected, 229 (62.7%) received SD-NVP and but only 57.8% adhered to SD-NVP according to the cord blood. Of the infants born to HIV-infected mothers, 311 (85.2%) were recorded as 9 Un ive rsi ty Of C ap e T ow n having received SD-NVP. There was no significant difference in SD-NVP uptake between the two facilities. The overall NVP coverage (mother and infant doses) was 55.3%. Conclusions The NVP coverage of 55.3% is poor. In order for PMTCT services to be successful, each mother-infant pair should go through a rigorous cascade of events that include HIV testing, receipt of results, diagnosis and drug adherence. The attrition cascade in this study was described using a new cord blood surveillance methodology. Coverage fails for a number of reasons and interventions are likely to differ from one facility to another. Appropriate interventions should be introduced to reduce the transmission to infants. 10 Un ive rsi ty Of C ap e T ow n
Does low perceptual load enable capture by colour singletons?

There is considerable debate as to whether colour singletons can capture attention in a stimulus-driven manner. In this study, we explore one potential capture enabling condition—low perceptual load. To test this hypothesis, we manipulated perceptual load in a flanker task in which flanking letters sometimes were colour singletons. If low load enhances capture by colour singletons, then colour singletons should produce an especially large increase in overall reaction times and in flanker–target compatibility effects. Neither of these predictions was confirmed in any of the four experiments reported here, although we did replicate the classic load effects from previous studies. These experiments indicate that although perceptual load does strongly modulate overall performance, it does not facilitate capture by colour singletons. This finding contrasts sharply with findings from other types of salient stimuli (abrupt onsets and moving objects). Implications for theories of attentional capture will be discussed.
miR-185 inhibits non-small cell lung cancer cell proliferation and invasion through targeting of SOX9 and regulation of Wnt signaling

SRY-box 9 (SOX9) is an important transcription factor required for development, which has additionally been reported to be an independent prognostic indicator for the survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Accumulating evidence has indicated that dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) may contribute to the initiation and progression of cancer. SOX9 may be regulated by a number of miRNAs in different types of cancer, including in NSCLC. The present study sought to identify novel candidate miRNAs associated with SOX9 in NSCLC using online tools, and investigated the detailed functions of miR-185, which suppressed SOX9 mRNA expression most strongly out of the candidate miRNAs. It was observed that ectopic miR-185 expression significantly suppressed NSCLC cell proliferation, invasion and migration. Using luciferase reporter gene and RNA immunoprecipitation assays, SOX9 was confirmed to be a direct target of miR-185. In addition, the downstream Wnt signaling-associated factors β-catenin and c-Myc proto-oncogene protein (Myc) were demonstrated to be inhibited by miR-185 overexpression. SOX9, β-catenin and c-Myc mRNA expression was significantly upregulated in NSCLC tissues, and was inversely correlated with miR-185 expression. The results of the present study demonstrated that rescuing miR-185 expression in NSCLC, thereby inhibiting SOX9 expression and the downstream Wnt signaling, and leading to the suppression of NSCLC cell proliferation, invasion and migration, may be a promising strategy for the treatment of NSCLC.
Chronic and degenerative diseases Obesity, inflammation and the immune system

Obesity shares with most chronic diseases the presence of an inflammatory component, which accounts for the development of metabolic disease and other associated health alterations. This inflammatory state is reflected in increased circulating levels of pro-inflammatory proteins, and it occurs not only in adults but also in adolescents and children. The chronic inflammatory response has its origin in the links existing between the adipose tissue and the immune system. Obesity, like other states of malnutrition, is known to impair the immune function, altering leucocyte counts as well as cell-mediated immune responses. In addition, evidence has arisen that an altered immune function contributes to the pathogenesis of obesity. This review attempts to briefly comment on the various plausible explanations that have been proposed for the phenomenon: (1) the obesity-associated increase in the production of leptin (pro-inflammatory) and the reduction in adiponectin (anti-inflammatory) seem to affect the activation of immune cells; (2) NEFA can induce inflammation through various mechanisms (such as modulation of adipokine production or activation of Toll-like receptors); (3) nutrient excess and adipocyte expansion trigger endoplasmic reticulum stress; and (4) hypoxia occurring in hypertrophied adipose tissue stimulates the expression of inflammatory genes and activates immune cells. Interestingly, data suggest a greater impact of visceral adipose tissue and central obesity, rather than total body fat, on the inflammatory process. In summary, there is a positive feedback loop between local inflammation in adipose tissue and altered immune response in obesity, both contributing to the development of related metabolic complications. Obesity: Inflammation: Immune response: Adipose tissue: Immunonutrition
Non-Contrast-Enhanced Whole-Body Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the General Population: The Incidence of Abnormal Findings in Patients 50 Years Old and Younger Compared to Older Subjects

Purpose To assess and compare the incidence of abnormal findings detected during non-contrast-enhanced whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) in the general population in two age groups: (1) 50 years old and younger; and (2) over 50 years old. Materials and Methods The analysis included 666 non-contrast-enhanced WB-MRIs performed on a 1.5-T scanner between December 2009 and June 2013 in a private hospital in 451 patients 50 years old and younger and 215 patients over 50 years old. The following images were obtained: T2-STIR (whole body-coronal plane), T2-STIR (whole spine-sagittal), T2-TSE with fat-saturation (neck and trunk-axial), T2-FLAIR (head-axial), 3D T1-GRE (thorax-coronal, axial), T2-TSE (abdomen-axial), chemical shift (abdomen-axial). Detected abnormalities were classified as: insignificant (type I), potentially significant, requiring medical attention (type II), significant, requiring treatment (type III). Results There were 3375 incidental findings depicted in 659 (98.9%) subjects: 2997 type I lesions (88.8%), 363 type II lesions (10.8%) and 15 type III lesions (0.4%), including malignant or possibly malignant lesions in seven subjects. The most differences in the prevalence of abnormalities on WB-MRI between patients 50 years old and younger and over 50 years old concerned: brain infarction (22.2%, 45.0% respectively), thyroid cysts/nodules (8.7%, 18.8%), pulmonary nodules (5.0%, 16.2%), significant degenerative disease of the spine (23.3%, 44.5%), extra-spinal degenerative disease (22.4%, 61.1%), hepatic steatosis (15.8%, 24.9%), liver cysts/hemangiomas (24%, 34.5%), renal cysts (16.9%, 40.6%), prostate enlargement (5.1% of males, 34.2% of males), uterine fibroids (16.3% of females, 37.9% of females). Conclusions Incidental findings were detected in almost all of the subjects. WB-MRI demonstrated that the prevalence of the vast majority of abnormalities increases with age.
Mechanical Properties of Silane and Zirconate Coupling Agent-Treated Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Fiber-Filled Acrylic-Impact Modified Poly (Vinyl Chloride) Composites

The influence of untreated and treated OPEFB content on the mechanical properties of acrylic impact-modified PVC was investigated. The formulations were first dry blended before being milled into sheets on a two-roll mill. Test specimens were then hot pressed. The modulus significantly increased while the impact and flexural strength insignificantly improved with increasing of treated OPEFB contents. The reduction in water absorption, the formation of new absorption bands and the slight number of treated fiber pulled-out proved that there was an interaction between fiber and matrix. However, this interaction was insufficient to enhance the impact and flexural strength significantly.
A Statistical Model for Predicting Yarn Evenness of Cotton Sirospun Yarns

Raw material costs constitute the majority of the yarn production costs, therefore it is critically important to select the suitable cotton blend and to know required fibre characteristics for spinning. This article is a part of a comprehensive work including the experimental research and the modeling of the physical and mechanical properties of the cotton sirospun yarns. In this paper, a model for estimating sirospun yarn evenness from cotton fibre properties was investigated. For this purpose, different cotton blends were selected from different spinning mills in Turkey and their properties were measured with AFIS (Advanced Fibre Information System). Besides some yarn production parameters were also selected as independent variable (predictor) due to their significant effect. Sirospun yarns were produced at Ege University Textile Engineering Department’s spinning mill under the same conditions. Linear multiple regression method were performed and statistical evaluation showed that generated equations for predicting yarn evenness had a large R2 and adjusted R2 values.