Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of RTS/CTS on performance of wireless multihop ad hoc networks using IEEE 802.11 protocol

There has been a growing interest in multihop wireless ad hoc networks in recent years. Previous studies have shown that, when using the IEEE 802.11 DCF protocol in a wireless ad hoc network, the maximum end-to-end good put is achieved when all nodes are within transmission range of each other. The main reason is that the channel spatial reuse factor gained from the multihop network does not match the increase in additional transmission hops that a packet needs to travel in a multihop network. For a multihop network, its MAC frame delivery capacity is approximately fixed at a value dependent on its spatial reuse factor. If the offered load increases, less capacity will be spent on delivering packets that eventually reach their destinations and hence resulting in lower end-to-end goodput. The throughput and the mean frame delay will be varied for different RTS/CTS threshold values and the numbers of station. We will show that the system throughput of the multihop network is in general lower than that of a single-hop network whether the RTS/CTS mechanism is used or not.
The Impact of Temperature on Outdoor Industrial Sensornet Applications

Wireless sensor networks are being considered for use in industrial process and control environments. Unlike traditional deployment scenarios for sensor networks, in which energy preservation is the main design principle, industrial environments stress worker safety and uninterrupted production. To fulfill these requirements, sensor networks must be able to provide performance guarantees for radio communication. In this paper, we consider as a case study the deployment of a sensornet in an oil refinery in Portugal, where sensor nodes are deployed outdoors and might experience high temperature fluctuations. We investigate how the variations of ambient temperature influence data delivery performance and link quality in low-power radio communications. We also study the impact that specific implementation requirements, such as the ATEX fire-safety regulations, can have on the design of the overall network. Our experiments show that temperature directly affects the communication between sensor nodes, and that significantly less transmission power is required at low temperatures. We further illustrate that it is possible to save up to 16% energy during nights and cold periods of the year, while still ensuring reliable communication among sensor nodes. In view of these experimental results, we elaborate on how the temperature influences both the design and the deployment of wireless sensor networks in industrial environments.
Semantic Relatedness Using Salient Semantic Analysis

This paper introduces a novel method for measuring semantic relatedness using semantic profiles constructed from salient encyclopedic features. The model is built on the notion that the meaning of a word can be characterized by the salient concepts found in its immediate context. In addition to being computationally efficient, the new model has superior performance and remarkable consistency when compared to both knowledge-based and corpus-based state-of-the-art semantic relatedness models.
Particle-in-Cell Simulation of a Spatial-Harmonic Magnetron With a Cold Secondary Emission Cathode

A 16-vane millimeter-wave spatial-harmonic magnetron (SHM) with a cold secondary emission cathode is examined by the use of a 3-D particle-in-cell (PIC) code embedded in CST Particle Studio. Simulations of the SHM are performed without artificial RF priming and without assuming restrictive assumptions on the mode of operation or on the number of harmonics to be considered. Thus, in our simulations, the electromagnetic oscillations grow naturally from noise. Time-evolved space-charge simulations and gradual formation of a single-frequency RF oscillation are presented. Examination of space-charge profiles at saturation time reveals the presence of two different space-charge distributions that depend on the amount of primary emission current. This current is employed to model a bombarding current, which is used to initialize the cold cathode. It is shown that a small primary emission density results in nonperiodic distribution of space charge at saturation time, which is in accordance with the previously reported space-charge distribution in SHMs. The simulated current, power, and efficiency indicate good correlation with the experimental results.
Characterising modes of university engagement with wider society: A literature review and survey of best practice

This literature review seeks to understand university engagement, and place it in a context from which useful lessons for becoming egaged can be drawn. We use a very wide definition of the term 'engagement' in this report, to refer to all the relationships and connections which universities have with the wider society, including businesses, government, the voluntary and community sector and other societal actors.
The clinical significance of c-Kit mutations in metastatic oral mucosal melanoma in China

c-Kit mutations are frequently detected in mucosal melanomas, but their clinical significance in metastatic oral mucosal melanomas (OMM) remains unclear. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical and pathological features of metastatic OMMs with c-Kit mutations and the efficiency of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib in treating metastatic OMMs. We found thatresidual primary lesion and neck lymph nodes could act as independent prognostic factors in metastatic OMM patients. c-Kit mutations were detected in 22 out of 139 (15.8%) metastatic OMM patients. Under chemotherapy, the overall survival (OS) of c-Kit mutant patients was significantly shorter than that of wild-type patients. The Ki67 expression was significantly higher in c-Kit mutant patients than in wild-type patients. In distant metastatic OMM patients with c-Kit mutations, the treatment with c-Kit inhibitor resulted in a better OS. In conclusion, residual primary lesion, cervical lymph nodes and c-Kit mutations act as adverse prognostic factors of metastatic OMMs. The Kit inhibitor imatinib could benefit metastatic OMM patients with c-Kit mutations.
The Influence of Body Mass on Physical Fitness Test Performance in Male Firefighter Applicants

Objective: The influence of body mass on test performance was investigated in 414 male firefighter applicants who completed a maximal treadmill test and five task-simulation tests while dressed in fire protective ensemble. Methods: Subjects were assigned to six mass categories from less than 70 kg to more than 110 kg, in 10 kg increments (n = 69 in each). Results: Treadmill performance was lower (P < 0.05) in the two heaviest groups. Charged hose advance time was slower in the two lightest groups. The lightest group had slower times for weighted sled pull, forcible entry, and victim rescue tests. The heaviest group was slower on the ladder climb test. Conclusion: Lighter subjects had a small advantage in endurance-oriented tests while higher mass appeared to improve performance slightly in strength-oriented tests. However, mass explained only 4% to 19% of the variance in performance.
Effects of Airway Exposure to Nanoparticles on Lung Inflammation Induced by Bacterial Endotoxin in Mice

Background Although adverse health effects of particulate matter with a diameter of < 100 nm (nanoparticles) have been proposed, molecular and/or experimental evidence for their facilitation of lung inflammation in vivo is not fully defined. Objective In the present study we investigated the effects of nanoparticles on lung inflammation related to bacterial endotoxin [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)] in mice. Results We intratracheally administered vehicle, two sizes (14 nm, 56 nm) of carbon black nanoparticles (4 mg/kg), LPS (2.5 mg/kg), or LPS plus nanoparticles and evaluated parameters for lung inflammation and coagulation. Nanoparticles alone induced slight lung inflammation and significant pulmonary edema compared with vehicle. Fourteen-nanometer nanoparticles intensively aggravated LPS-elicited lung inflammation and pulmonary edema that was concomitant with the enhanced lung expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α), macrophage chemoattractant protein-1, MIP-2, and keratinocyte chemoattractant in overall trend, whereas 56-nm nanoparticles did not show apparent effects. Immunoreactivity for 8-hydroxyguanosine, a marker for oxidative stress, was more intense in the lungs from the LPS + 14-nm nanoparticle group than in those from the LPS group. Circulatory fibrinogen levels were higher in the LPS + plus 14-nm nanoparticle group than in the LPS group. Conclusions Taken together, evidence indicates that nanoparticles can aggravate lung inflammation related to bacterial endotoxin, which is more prominent with smaller particles. The enhancement may be mediated, at least partly, via the increased local expression of proinflammatory cytokines and via the oxidative stress. Furthermore, nanoparticles can promote coagulatory disturbance accompanied by lung inflammation.
Novel Plasmid-Mediated 16S rRNA Methylase, RmtC, Found in a Proteus mirabilis Isolate Demonstrating Extraordinary High-Level Resistance against Various Aminoglycosides

ABSTRACT Proteus mirabilis ARS68, which demonstrated a very high level of resistance to various aminoglycosides, was isolated in 2003 from an inpatient in Japan. The aminoglycoside resistance of this strain could not be transferred to recipient strains Escherichia coli CSH-2 and E. coli HB101 by a general conjugation experiment, but E. coli DH5α was successfully transformed by electroporation with the plasmid of the parent strain, ARS68, and acquired an unusually high degree of resistance against aminoglycosides. Cloning and sequencing analyses revealed that the presence of a novel 16S rRNA methylase gene, designated rmtC, was responsible for resistance in strain ARS68 and its transformant. The G+C content of rmtC was 41.1%, and the deduced amino acid sequences of the newly identified 16S rRNA methylase, RmtC, shared a relatively low level of identity (≤29%) to other plasmid-mediated 16S rRNA methylases, RmtA, RmtB, and ArmA, which have also been identified in pathogenic gram-negative bacilli. Also, RmtC shared a low level of identity (≤28%) with the other 16S rRNA methylases found in aminoglycoside-producing actinomycetes. The purified histidine-tagged RmtC clearly showed methyltransferase activity against E. coli 16S rRNA in vitro. rmtC was located downstream of an ISEcp1-like element containing tnpA. Several plasmid-mediated 16S rRNA methylases have been identified in pathogenic gram-negative bacilli belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae, and some of them are dispersing worldwide. The acceleration of aminoglycoside resistance among gram-negative bacilli by producing plasmid-mediated 16S rRNA methylases, such as RmtC, RmtB, and RmtA, may indeed become an actual clinical hazard in the near future.
Soul Dust: The Magic of Consciousness

Invitation ix Prelude Chapter 1: Coming-to Explained 3 Part One Chapter 2: Being "Like Something" 27 Chapter 3: Sentition 42 Chapter 4: Looping the Loop 53 Part Two Chapter 5: So What? 69 Chapter 6: Being There 80 Chapter 7: The Enchanted World 104 Chapter 8: So That Is Who I Am! 125 Chapter 9: Being Number One 140 Part Three Chapter 10: Entering the Soul Niche 155 Chapter 11: Dangerous Territory 165 Chapter 12: Cheating Death 177 Envoi 203 Acknowledgments 215 Notes 217 Index 239
Novel RUNX2 Mutations in Chinese Individuals with Cleidocranial Dysplasia

Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is an inherited autosomal-dominant skeletal disease caused by heterozygous mutations in the osteoblast-specific transcription factor, RUNX2. We performed mutation analysis of RUNX2 on four unrelated Chinese individuals with CCD. Three novel distinct mutations were detected in the coding region of RUNX2: two missense and one frameshift. These mutations were exclusively clustered within the Runt domain. One missense mutation converts threonine to isoleucine at codon 200 (T200I). The other one substitutes leucine for arginine at codon 225 (R225L), which affects many family members. The frame-shift mutation (214fs) in exon3 leads to the introduction of a translational stop codon at codon 221, resulting in a truncated RUNX2 protein. The reporter gene assays revealed that all the mutants exhibited significantly reduced transactivation activities on the osteocalcin promoter. Our results provide new genetic evidence that mutations involved in RUNX2 contribute to CCD. Abbreviations: AML3, gene encoding acute myeloid leukemia protein 3; bp, base pair; CBFA1, gene encoding core-binding factor 1; CBFβ, gene encoding core-binding factor β; CCD, cleidocranial dysplasia; NLS, nuclear localization signal; OSE2, osteoblast-specific cis-acting element 2; PEBP2A, gene encoding polyoma enhancer binding protein 2A; PST, proline/serine/ threonine-rich domain; Q/A, glutamine-alanine repeat domain; Runt, Runt Homology Domain; RUNX2, the mammalian runt-related genes 2; RUNX2, Runt-related protein 2.
Fate of Selenate and Selenite Metabolized byRhodobacter sphaeroides

ABSTRACT Cultures of a purple nonsulfur bacterium, Rhodobacter sphaeroides, amended with ∼1 or ∼100 ppm selenate or selenite, were grown phototrophically to stationary phase. Analyses of culture headspace, separated cells, and filtered culture supernatant were carried out using gas chromatography, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy-mass spectrometry, respectively. While selenium-amended cultures showed much higher amounts of SeO32− bioconversion than did analogous selenate experiments (94% uptake for SeO32− as compared to 9.6% for SeO42−-amended cultures from 100-ppm solutions), the chemical forms of selenium in the microbial cells were not very different except at exposure to high concentrations of selenite. Volatilization accounted for only a very small portion of the accumulated selenium; most was present in organic forms and the red elemental form.
Post traumatic stress disorder among motor vehicle accident survivors attending the orthopaedic and trauma clinic at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi.

OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence rate of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and associated risk factors among motor vehicle accident (MVA) survivors attending the orthopaedic and trauma clinic at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi. DESIGN A cross-sectional study. SETTING Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi. SUBJECTS One hundred and ninety seven adult males and sixty seven female patients. METHOD The 264 patients were interviewed using a questionnaire to collect the socio-demographic data, the Self Rating Questionnaire (SRQ) and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Diagnosis was made using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV). RESULTS The mean age was 34.63+/-12.71 years (range 18-65). Overall, the prevalence rate of PTSD was 13.3%. None of the cases had been previously diagnosed as having PTSD. Females had a higher rate of 17.9% (n = 67), compared to the males 11.7% (n=197). The majority of those with PTSD (42.9%) were young, 20 - 29 years. Other risk factors were having post-primary education (62.9%), experiencing the first motor vehicle accident (14.1%), previous psychiatric illness, and other medical illnesses. The type of accident, role/status and immediate reactions to the accident were not significant. CONCLUSIONS PTSD following motor vehicle accidents is common. Although the MVA survivors do develop significant rates of PTSD, it is not easy to identify those at risk but some of the parameters documented in this study may help. A multi disciplinary approach is therefore essential in the management of the RTA survivors at the orthopaedic and trauma clinics if their physical and psychological needs are to be adequately addressed
Gender and aggressive behavior: a meta-analytic review of the social psychological literature.

In our meta-analytic review of sex differences in aggressive behavior reported in the social psychological literature we found that although men were somewhat more aggressive than women on the average, sex differences were inconsistent across studies. The magnitude of the sex differences was significantly related to various attributes of the studies. In particular, the tendency for men to aggress more than women was more pronounced for aggression that produces pain or physical injury than for aggression that produces psychological or social harm. In addition, sex differences in aggressive behavior were larger to the extent that women, more than men, perceived that enacting a behavior would produce harm to the target, guilt and anxiety in oneself, as well as danger to oneself. Our interpretation oftbese results emphasizes that aggression sex differences are a function of perceived consequences of aggression that are learned as aspects of gender roles and other social roles.
Cynicism in the Indian I.T. Organizations: An Exploration of the Employees` Perspectives

Cynicism is described as a mind-set characterized by hopelessness, disappointment, and disillusionment, and is also associated with scorn, disgust, and suspicion. This strong negative attitude has infiltrated Indian I.T organizations, and is believed to be responsible for unfavorable organizational consequences, even though, hardly any studies have explored the causes and concerns of employee cynicism about their organizations in the Indian context. The present research centers around two qualitative case studies through in-depth interviews with seventy two participants undertaken in western India to investigate the causes and concerns of employee cynicism towards employer organization. Findings of the study indicate that workplace perceptions significantly influence organizational cynicism, which is largely influenced by poor leadership, organizational politics, decisive culture, accessibility of benefits and un-met expectations. As these findings have important organizational implications, I recommend for further studies on cynicism in the future.
Abnormal intrinsic functional hubs in alcohol dependence: evidence from a voxelwise degree centrality analysis

Objective To explore the abnormal intrinsic functional hubs in alcohol dependence using voxelwise degree centrality analysis approach, and their relationships with clinical features. Materials and methods Twenty-four male alcohol dependence subjects free of medicine (mean age, 50.21±9.62 years) and 24 age- and education-matched male healthy controls (mean age, 50.29±8.92 years) were recruited. The alcohol use disorders identification test and the severity of alcohol dependence questionnaire (SADQ) were administered to assess the severity of alcohol craving. Voxelwise degree centrality approach was used to assess the abnormal intrinsic functional hubs features in alcohol dependence. Simple linear regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationships between the clinical features and abnormal intrinsic functional hubs. Results Compared with healthy controls, alcohol dependence subjects exhibited significantly different degree centrality values in widespread left lateralization brain areas, including higher degree centrality values in the left precentral gyrus (BA 6), right hippocampus (BA 35, 36), and left orbitofrontal cortex (BA 11) and lower degree centrality values in the left cerebellum posterior lobe, bilateral secondary visual network (BA 18), and left precuneus (BA 7, 19). SADQ revealed a negative linear correlation with the degree centrality value in the left precentral gyrus (R2=0.296, P=0.006). Conclusion The specific abnormal intrinsic functional hubs appear to be disrupted by alcohol intoxication, which implicates at least three principal neural systems: including cerebellar, executive control, and visual cortex, which may further affect the normal motor behavior such as an explicit type of impaired driving behavior. These findings expand our understanding of the functional characteristics of alcohol dependence and may provide a new insight into the understanding of the dysfunction and pathophysiology of alcohol dependence.
The novel protein C9orf116 promotes rat liver cell line BRL-3A proliferation

Our previous study has proved that the chromosome 9 open reading frame 116 (C9orf116) (NM_001106564.1) was significantly up-regulated in the proliferation phase of liver regeneration. To study its possible physiological function, we analyzed the effect of C9orf116 on BRL-3A cells via over-expression and interference technique. MTT results showed that the cell viability of the interference group was significantly lower than the control group at 48h after transfection (P<0.05), whereas it was significantly higher in the over-expression group (P<0.05). The flow cytometry results showed that C9orf116 knockdown or over-expression had little effect on BRL-3A cell apoptosis. However, the number of cells in division phase (G2/M) was significantly reduced in the interference group (P<0.05), but significantly increased in the over-expression group (P<0.01). Furthermore, the expressions of cell proliferation-related genes CCNA2, CCND1 and MYC both at mRNA and protein levels were down-regulated in the interference group and up-regulated in the over-expression group. Therefore, we concluded that C9orf116 may promote cell proliferation by modulating cell cycle transition and the expression of key genes CCNA2, CCND1 and MYC in BRL-3A cells.
Activation and solubilization of the retinal cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase by limited proteolysis. Role of the C-terminal domain of the beta-subunit.

The cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE) of vertebrate retinal rod outer segments (ROS) is a peripheral enzyme activated in vivo by transducin. In vitro artificial activation can be achieved using trypsin. This was described as resulting from degradation of the inhibitory gamma subunit (2 copies/PDE molecule), leaving intact the alpha beta catalytic core. It was, however, observed that trypsin could induce the release of PDE (or solubilization) from the ROS membranes before its activation [Wensel, T. G. & Stryer, L. (1986) Proteins Struct. Funct. Genet. 1, 90-99]. Studying the time course of this solubilization, we were able to purify a trypsin-solubilized PDE still completely inhibited (i.e. with its two gamma subunits bound). The tryptic solubilization of PDE is therefore complete before any functional degradation of the gamma subunits occurs. It was recently suggested that this solubilization could coincide with the cleavage of a C-terminal fragment of the alpha subunit, which can be labeled by methylation of a terminal cysteine residue [Ong, O. C. , Ota, I. M. , Clarke, S. & Fung, B. K. K. (1989) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 86, 9238-9242]. We present the following evidence indicating that the C-terminus of the PDE beta subunit is mainly responsible for PDE anchorage to the ROS membrane. (a) The trypsin-solubilized PDE alpha beta gamma 2 has intact blocked N-termini. (b) It is still methylated on PDE alpha. (c) The C-terminus of PDE beta can also be labeled by methylation and its tryptic cleavage coincides well with the PDE solubilization. (d) Sequential cleavage of the alpha and beta polypeptides can also be detected by high-resolution gel electrophoresis: the first cleavage appears on the beta subunit and is completed when cleavage of the alpha subunit begins. The time course for cleavage of the gamma subunits appears to be slower than for the beta subunit and comparable to that of the alpha subunit. Upon longer trypsinization, a 70-kDa polypeptide appears which seems to be a degradation product of PDE beta. Gel-filtration analysis, however, shows that this 70-kDa fragment does not dissociate from the catalytic core.