Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel association strategies for supporting multicast in WLANs with smart antennas

Multicast is an important service in Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) as it provides an efficient means to send packets to multiple stations at the same time. Unfortunately, the transmission of multicast packets in current WLANs is bounded by the subscribing stations with the lowest data rate. A key approach to improve multicast capacity is to deploy an association control strategy that maximizes one of the following objectives: multicast throughput or number of supported users. However, past work has not consider the use of smart antennas to minimize these objectives. In fact, they only consider grouping stations according to the data rate afforded by omni directional transmission from Access Points (APs). To this end, we consider a unique association control algorithm that considers the coverage and data rates afforded by smart antennas. Unfortunately, the problem is NP-hard by a reduction from the Maximum Coverage with Group Budget (MCG) problem. We, therefore, propose four heuristics and provide an in-depth study of the best performing heuristic via simulation. Our results show that the average load of APs can be reduced by up to 36.1%, and number of satisfied users can be increased by up to 237%. The average throughput of APs can be increased by up to 57.1%.
Development of Composites for Tooth and Bone Repair

Currently used composites for tooth and bone repair share a similar composition. A major issue with dental composites is polymerisation shrinkage leading to bond damage and increased risk of bacterial microleakage. Concerns with bone composites for vertebral fracture repair (vertebroplasty) include low monomer conversion, high stiffness, and lack of antibacterial agent release. The aim of this study was to develop novel dental composites and injectable bone composites to overcome these limitations. The effects of components on various properties of the materials were also examined. The main components of experimental composites consisted of dimethacrylate monomers mixed with dental glass, mono calcium phosphate monohydrate (MCPM), tristrontium phosphate (TSrP), and polylysine (PLS). The experimental dental composites exhibited higher monomer conversion than a commercial material. The addition of MCPM with TSrP and PLS promoted hygroscopic expansion, apatite precipitation, and early polylysine release. These properties are expected to reduce bacterial microleakage. The incorporation of these additives reduced the monomer conversion and strength of the composites but these were still within an acceptable range. To produce bone composites, the dental composites were modified by replacing a light activated initiator with a chemically activated initiator and decreasing powder to liquid ratio. The pre-cured bone composites exhibited viscoelastic properties and shear- thinning behaviour which are desirable for injectable materials. The use of high molecular weight diluent monomer (polypropylene glycol dimethacrylate, PPGDMA) increased monomer conversion and shelf life of the bone composites. The addition of MCPM and PPGDMA increased strontium release, which is known to promote in vivo bone formation. The use of small glass fillers and fibres improved mechanical properties of the composites. Furthermore, the composites showed fatigue properties that compared favourably with commercially available materials. Modulus of elasticity of the experimental bone composites was, however, too high compared with that of cancellous bone. This could potentially lead to increased adjacent vertebral fracture risk. An attempt was made to decrease the modulus by raising the level of PPGDMA, phosphates, and polylysine. Increasing of PPGDMA improved monomer conversion and reduced the injection force required for the composites. Furthermore, the increase of PPGDMA and phosphates enhanced surface apatite precipitation which is known to enable in vivo bone bonding. The increase of these components also increased polylysine release. This may reduce postoperative infection, which is a life-threatening complication of vertebroplasty. Increasing PPGDMA and phosphates, however, reduced metabolic activity of mesenchymal stem cells limiting optimal levels.
What do mirror neurons mirror?

Single cell recordings in monkeys provide strong evidence for an important role of the motor system in action understanding. This evidence is backed up by data from studies of the (human) mirror neuron system using neuroimaging or TMS techniques, and behavioral experiments. Although the data acquired from single cell recordings are generally considered to be robust, several debates have shown that the interpretation of these data is far from straightforward. We will show that research based on single-cell recordings allows for unlimited content attribution to mirror neurons. We will argue that a theoretical analysis of the mirroring process, combined with behavioral and brain studies, can provide the necessary limitations. A complexity analysis of the type of processing attributed to the mirror neuron system can help formulate restrictions on what mirroring is and what cognitive functions could, in principle, be explained by a mirror mechanism. We argue that processing at higher levels of abstraction needs assistance of non-mirroring processes to such an extent that subsuming the processes needed to infer goals from actions under the label ‘mirroring’ is not warranted.
Impact of prior systemic corticosteroid use in patients admitted with community-acquired pneumonia

Background and objective: Limited information is available regarding the impact of prior outpatient use of systemic corticosteroids (SCS) in patients subsequently developing community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). We investigate the effects of prior SCS on severity of illness, microbiology and clinical outcomes for patients hospitalized with CAP. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of subjects with CAP (according to International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition codes) was conducted over a 3-year period at two tertiary teaching hospitals. Subjects were considered to be SCS users if they received oral corticosteroids prior to admission. Primary outcomes were severity of illness, microbiology and 30-day mortality. Results: Data were abstracted on 698 patients [prior SCS users, 75 (10.7%) versus prior non-SCS users 623 (89.3%)]. Prior SCS users were more likely to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. No differences were found in severity of disease at admission, microbiological etiology including opportunistic and drug-resistant pathogens and clinical outcomes, including 30-day mortality, intensive care unit admission, length of hospital stay, need for mechanical ventilation and need for vasopressors. Conclusion: Prior SCS use is not associated with increased 30-day mortality for patients hospitalized with CAP. In addition, no differences were found in either the severity of the disease at the time of presentation or in the presence of the resistant or opportunistic pathogens among groups.
A Novel SBST Generation Technique for Path-Delay Faults in Microprocessors Exploiting Gate- and RT-Level Descriptions

This paper presents an innovative approach for the generation of functional programs to test path- delay faults within microprocessors. The proposed method takes advantage of both the gate- and RT-level description of the processor. The former is used to build binary decision diagrams (BDDs) for deriving fault excitation conditions; the latter is exploited for the automatic generation of test programs able to excite and propagate fault effects, based on an evolutionary algorithm and fast RTL simulation. Experimental results on a simple microcontroller show that the proposed methodology is able to generate suitable test sets in reduced times.
Correlations Between Tumor Stroma Characters and Dynamic Enhanced MDCT Findings in Nodular Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma

Objective This study aimed to evaluate correlations between tumor stroma characters and dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomographic (CT) findings in nodular pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Methods Thirty-three patients with nodular pulmonary adenocarcinoma underwent dynamic contrast-enhancement CT scan before surgery. CT findings include wash-in, wash-out, and distribution of enhancement. The proportion of invasive and noninvasive stroma in tumor was calculated. Results Invasive and noninvasive stroma proportion in tumor was correlated positively with wash-in and wash-out enhancement, respectively. Conclusions Tumor stroma proliferation may explain the pathologic basis of CT dynamic enhancement and be a useful prognostic factor of pulmonary adenocarcinoma.
Subjective measures of well-being.

This paper deals with three questions: (1) What are ‘subjective’ measures? (2) What is ‘well-being’? and (3) Are subjective measures of well-being of use for policymaking, in particular in developing nations? The first question is answered by making a distinction between two kinds of ‘subjectivity’: subjective substance and subjective assessment. On that basis nine types of indicators are discerned, varying in degree of subjectivity. The second question is answered by discerning four kinds of well-being. Examples are presented of indicators for each of these well-being variants. It is argued that there is little sense in combining these variants in one sum-score of overall well-being, since this involves adding apples and oranges. The much-used Human Development Index is rejected on that ground. In answer to the third question a case is made for subjective measures of well-being, in particular for using ‘happy life years’ as an indicator of final policy effectiveness.
GbLN-PSO and Model-Based Particle Filter Approach for Tracking Human Movements in Large View Cases

Camera tracking systems have become a common requirement in today's society. The availability of high-quality and inexpensive video cameras and the increasing need for automated video analysis have generated a great deal of interest in numerous fields.In general, it is not easy to track human behavior in an environment with a large view. This paper aims to address four problems associated with large view in camera tracking system: 1) multiple targets in nonlinear motion; 2) relative size of the targeted object; 3) occlusion; and 4) processing time. This paper presents a new method of tracking human movements using global best local neighborhood oriented particle swarm optimization and model-based particle filter to address the above problems. The proposed method has been tested with an experimental module using several sets of video data provided by the 11th IEEE International Workshop on Performance Evaluation of Tracking and Surveillance and two other video streams of University of British Columbia (UBC) hockey and Malaysian football games. The experiment has shown that the accuracy of tracking performance has increased up to 25% compared with other reported works in the scientific literature.
Letter: Retrospective comparison of experiences with phenol and sodium hydroxide in the treatment of ingrown nail.

Phenol is generally applied for 2 minutes for the treatment of ingrown toenails. In another study, we compared phenol applications of 1, 2, and 3 minutes in different groups and followed the patients postoperatively. Materials and methods and statistical analysis were described previously. Although patients treated with 2-minute phenol applications do not have diabetes, we compared the results of our two studies in terms of complete healing time, postoperative pain and drainage, periungual tissue damage, presence of infections, and rate of recurrences.
Organic Amendments to Avocado Crops Induce Suppressiveness and Influence the Composition and Activity of Soil Microbial Communities

ABSTRACT One of the main avocado diseases in southern Spain is white root rot caused by the fungus Rosellinia necatrix Prill. The use of organic soil amendments to enhance the suppressiveness of natural soil is an inviting approach that has successfully controlled other soilborne pathogens. This study tested the suppressive capacity of different organic amendments against R. necatrix and analyzed their effects on soil microbial communities and enzymatic activities. Two-year-old avocado trees were grown in soil treated with composted organic amendments and then used for inoculation assays. All of the organic treatments reduced disease development in comparison to unamended control soil, especially yard waste (YW) and almond shells (AS). The YW had a strong effect on microbial communities in bulk soil and produced larger population levels and diversity, higher hydrolytic activity and strong changes in the bacterial community composition of bulk soil, suggesting a mechanism of general suppression. Amendment with AS induced more subtle changes in bacterial community composition and specific enzymatic activities, with the strongest effects observed in the rhizosphere. Even if the effect was not strong, the changes caused by AS in bulk soil microbiota were related to the direct inhibition of R. necatrix by this amendment, most likely being connected to specific populations able to recolonize conducive soil after pasteurization. All of the organic amendments assayed in this study were able to suppress white root rot, although their suppressiveness appears to be mediated differentially.
Hybrid sensor networks: a small world

In this paper, we investigate the use of limited infrastructure, in the form of wires, for improving the energy efficiency of a wireless sensor network. We call such a sensor network - a wireless sensor network with a limited infrastructural support - a hybrid sensor network. The wires act as short cuts to bring down the average hop count of the network, resulting in a reduced energy dissipation per node. Our results indicate that adding a few wires to a wireless sensor network can not only reduce the average energy expenditure per sensor node, but also the non-uniformity in the energy expenditure across the sensor nodes.
Reduced in vivo Ocular Surface Toxicity with Polyquad-Preserved Travoprost versus Benzalkonium-Preserved Travoprost or Latanoprost Ophthalmic Solutions

The study used a validated acute in vivo model to compare a new formulation of travoprost 0.004% ophthalmic solution (travoprost PQ), preserved with polyquaternium-1 (PQ), with commercially available formulations of benzalkonium-chloride (BAK)-preserved travoprost 0.004% ophthalmic solution (travoprost BAK) and BAK-preserved latanoprost 0.005% ophthalmic solution (latanoprost BAK). Adult male New Zealand albino rabbits (n = 36) were randomly divided into 6 groups. Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), 0.001% PQ, 0.015% BAK, travoprost PQ, travoprost BAK or latanoprost BAK were applied onto rabbit eyes as 1 drop, for 15 times at 5-min intervals. The ocular surface reactions were investigated at hour 4 and day 1 using slitlamp examination; in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) for cornea, limbus and conjunctiva/conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue, conjunctival impression cytology and standard immunohistology in cryosections for detecting CD45+ infiltrating cells and MUC-5AC-labeled cells. PBS, PQ and travoprost PQ did not induce obvious irritation by clinical observation, changes in microstructures of the whole ocular surface as measured by IVCM analysis, inflammatory infiltration or cell damage as measured by impression cytology, altered levels of goblet cell counts or numerous CD45+ cells in the cornea. In contrast, all BAK-containing products induced diffuse conjunctival hyperemia and chemosis, abnormal changes in the ocular surface microstructure, significant total ocular surface toxicity scores, damaged epithelial cells, inflammatory cell infiltration and decreased goblet cell density. Travoprost PQ did not elicit ocular surface toxicity when administered to rabbit eyes. These results suggest a greater safety advantage for the ocular surface of patients receiving chronic glaucoma treatment with PQ-preserved drugs.
Redistribution pattern of fetal liver circulation in intrauterine growth restriction

Objective. Fetal liver blood supply is an important determinant of fetal growth and adaptation. Most fetal liver blood supply is from the umbilical vein, but the portal vein contributes 14–20% and studies of low‐risk pregnancies suggest the splanchnic arteries are also involved in the homeostasis of fetal liver perfusion. Here we determine the circulatory pattern of the fetal liver in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Design. Cross‐sectional study. Population. Thirty‐one IUGR fetuses (estimated fetal weight <5th centile). Methods. Pulsatility index (PI) measurements of the umbilical, middle cerebral, splenic, hepatic, and superior mesenteric arteries were compared with a reference population and related to umbilical venous flow, umbilico‐caval pressure gradient (assessed by ductus venosus peak velocity) and venous distribution within the liver (assessed by flow velocity in the left portal vein). Results. Thirteen of 31 IUGR fetuses had umbilical artery PI > 97.5 centile and 13 showed a middle cerebral artery brain‐sparing pattern (PI Z‐score < − 2). In IUGR, umbilical venous flow was lower and less umbilical blood was distributed to the right liver lobe, while the umbilico‐caval pressure gradient was kept normal. The hepatic and splenic arteries, but not the superior mesenteric artery, had low PI compared with the reference population. Conclusions. IUGR fetuses with increased or normal umbilical artery PI maintained venous perfusion pressure to the liver while distributing less umbilical blood to the right liver lobe. They showed regional splanchnic arterial redistribution with low splenic and hepatic artery PI, implying increased portal venous flow and direct arterial contribution to hepatic perfusion, respectively.
Dorzolamide–timolol combination and retinal vessel oxygen saturation in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension

Aims: To examine whether the addition of dorzolamide to timolol monotherapy influences oxygen saturation in the human retina. Methods: Non-invasive spectrophotometric retinal oximetry was used to measure oxygen saturation in retinal vessels. Twenty patients with open-angle glaucoma (11) and ocular hypertension (9) were recruited. The patients were randomised into receiving timolol monotherapy or dorzolamide–timolol combination for an 8-month test period, followed by a second test period, before which the patients switched treatments. Oximetry measurements were performed at 2-month intervals during each period. Of the 20 patients, 13 followed the study protocol into the second test period, and 10 managed all study visits. Results: The oxygen saturation in retinal vessels was stable within the test periods. The mean arteriolar saturation was 96 (2)% (mean (SD)) during timolol monotherapy and 97 (2)% during dorzolamide–timolol combination therapy (p = 0.17, all patients pooled, n = 13). Corresponding values in venules were 66 (5)% during timolol monotherapy and 65 (6)% during dorzolamide–timolol therapy (p = 0.13). Patients who started on dorzolamide–timolol combination showed a significant reduction in arteriolar (98 (2)% to 95 (2)%, p<0.01) and venular saturation (69 (5)% to 66 (6)%, p<0.05) when changing to timolol monotherapy. Conclusion: Adding dorzolamide to timolol monotherapy has a minimal effect, but going from dorzolamide–timolol combination to timolol alone lowered arteriolar and venular oxygen saturation. The retinal oxygen saturation measurements show a high degree of stability over an extended period of time. Previous studies have suggested increased retinal and optic nerve blood flow with dorzolamide. Unchanged oxygen saturation and increased blood flow would indicate increased oxygen delivery to the retina.
Alteration of catecholamine concentrations in rat testis after methamphetamine exposure

Methamphetamine (METH) is an illicit drug that can lead to changes in catecholamines in the brain. It also has substantial effects on reproductive function. We investigated whether rat models of METH abuse could induce changes in the dopamine metabolite 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), norepinephrine (NE) and its metabolite, 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG), in testis. Four groups of rats received vehicle, acute dose (AB), escalating dose (ED) or ED with an acute high dose (ED‐binge) METH. DOPAC, NE and DHPG were determined using HPLC. DOPAC was significantly increased in the AB while NE was significantly decreased in the ED‐binge. DHPG was also significantly decreased in the ED and ED‐binge. METH induces alterations of DOPAC, NE and DHPG testicular concentrations that may result in male reproductive dysfunction.
The specific contributions of set‐shifting to freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease

Freezing of gait (FOG) in Parkinson's disease (PD) is common and the pathophysiology of FOG is poorly understood. It has been hypothesized to reflect complementary yet competing frontostriatal pathways that reduce the ability to keep different tasks (motor or cognitive) on‐line. This inability to “set‐shift” has been proposed to trigger a freezing episode. If correct, this hypothesis would predict a differential pattern of executive dysfunction with FOG being most specifically related to attentional set‐shifting. In this study, 31 patients with a range of self‐reported FOG symptom severities were administered tests of executive functioning. The results demonstrate that FOG symptoms were selectively correlated with poorer performance on tasks of set‐shifting, but not with a range of other executive tasks. This was apparent even after controlling for slowed processing speed, disease stage and depressive symptoms. The results support the recently proposed hypothesis for the pathophysiology underlying FOG in PD. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Gum arabic microcapsules as protectors of the photoinduced degradation of riboflavin in whole milk.

Microcapsules (MC) made with gum arabic (GA) as shell material without and with β-carotene (βc) as core material were prepared by the spray-drying technique. The effect of these MC on the photodegradation of riboflavin (Rf) in whole milk by fluorescent daylight lamp irradiation was evaluated at a storage temperature of 4°C. The additions of 1.37mg/mL of MC without βc (MC-GA) and with 0. 54μg/mL of βc (MC-βc-GA) decreased the apparent first-order rate constant of Rf photodegradation by approximately 26 and 30%, respectively. A systematic kinetic and mechanistic analysis of the results indicates that the global protective effect of the MC is mainly due to the combination of quenching of the electronically excited triplet state of Rf and scavenging of the photogenerated reactive oxygen species, such as singlet molecular oxygen, superoxide radical anion and hydroxyl radical. A minor contribution to the photoprotective effect can be also associated with the inner-filter effect exerted by the MC, which partially blocks the direct excitation of Rf. These results allow us to conclude that photodegradation of Rf in milk can be considerably reduced by the addition of small amounts of MC, avoiding large losses in the nutritional value of milk.