Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coding Delay Analysis of Dense and Chunked Network Codes over Line Networks

In this paper, we analyze the coding delay and the average coding delay of random linear network codes (a.k.a. dense codes) and chunked codes (CC), which are an attractive alternative to dense codes due to their lower complexity, over line networks with Bernoulli losses and deterministic regular or Poisson transmissions. Our results, which include upper bounds on the delay and the average delay, are (i) for dense codes, in some cases more general, and in some other cases tighter, than the existing bounds, and provide a more clear picture of the speed of convergence of dense codes to the (min-cut) capacity of line networks; and (ii) the first of their kind for CC over networks with such probabilistic traffics. In particular, these results demonstrate that a stand-alone CC or a precoded CC provide a better tradeoff between the computational complexity and the convergence speed to the network capacity over the probabilistic traffics compared to arbitrary deterministic traffics which have previously been studied in the literature.
A New Hetero-material Stepped Gate (HSG) SOI LDMOS for RF Power Amplifier Applications

In this paper, we propose a new hetero-material stepped gate (HSG) SOI LDMOS in which the gate is divided into three sections - an n+ gate sandwiched between two p+ gates and the gate oxide thickness increases from source to drain. This new device structure improves the inversion layer charge density in the channel, results in uniform electric field distribution in the drift region and reduces the gate to drain capacitance. Using two-dimensional simulation, the HSG LDMOS is designed and compared with the conventional LDMOS. We demonstrate that the proposed device exhibits 28% improvement in breakdown voltage, 32% reduction in on-resistance, 13% improvement in transconductance, 9% reduction in gate to drain charge and 38% reduction in switching delay. HSG LDMOS may be effectively deployed in RF power amplifier applications.
A Combination of TsHARP and Thin Plate Spline Interpolation for Spatial Sharpening of Thermal Imagery

There have been many studies and much attention paid to spatial sharpening for thermal imagery. Among them, TsHARP, based on the good correlation between vegetation index and land surface temperature (LST), is regarded as a standard technique because of its operational simplicity and effectiveness. However, as LST is affected by other factors (e.g., soil moisture) in the areas with low vegetation cover, these areas cannot be well sharpened by TsHARP. Thin plate spline (TPS) is another popular downscaling technique for surface data. It has been shown to be accurate and robust for different datasets; however, it has not yet been attempted in thermal sharpening. This paper proposes to combine the TsHARP and TPS methods to enhance the advantages of each. The spatially explicit errors of these two methods were firstly estimated in theory, and then the results of TPS and TsHARP were combined with the estimation of their errors. The experiments performed across various landscapes and data showed that the proposed combined method performs more robustly and accurately than TsHARP.
Distributions of amenorrhoea and anovulation

Most statistics of postpartum amenorrhea are based on retrospective rather than prospective reporting and except when short (averaging less than 6 months) exhibit bimodality negative skewness and gross heaping on multiples of 6 months. The 2 best prospective series 1 representing moderately long and the other very long postpartum amenorrhea exhibit modest degrees of bimodality and negative skewness. Bimodality is plausibly explained in terms of sample heterogeneity that is a combination of lengths of amenorrhea of successful lactators which might be expected to be unimodal with the brief amenorrhea of nonlactators and of mother experiencing early infant deaths and sometimes of respondents experiencing pregnancy losses or confusing postpartum bleeding for genuine onset of menstruation. To cope with the problems of bimodality and heaping on multiples of 6 months Lesthaeghe and Page have used an ingenious logit regression amenorrhea approach. Logit-fitted curves exhibit positive skewness when the retrospective amenorrhea series is short or very long and negative skewness when the series is of intermediate length. For retrospective series averaging between 6 and 9 months the negative skewness is especially marked with a 2nd mode several months later than the mean. A key issue is whether this feature reflects a real phenomenon related to extreme sample heterogeneity or is an artifact of partially surpressed heaping. Hitherto in the construction of family building models postpartum anovulation has been conventionally represented by Barretts modified Pascal distribution. It is shown than when amenorrhea series are long averaging over a year this distribution generates excessive variances. A generalization of Barretts curve the negative binomial yields control over the variance as well as the mean but also unimodal positively skewed curves of amenorrhea that grossly underestimate the left tail of the distribution. A mixed geometric-negative binomial distribution is proposed which ensures bimodality avoids the deficit of short length and produces a much more moderate degree of positive skewness for series of intermediate length. The present analysis makes clear that considerably more prospective data are needed to prove decisively that the degree of bimodality depends primarily on sample heterogeneity; or to decide whether the strong negative skewness found in some logit-fitted curves is artifactual or real. Correspondingly more prospective data including information about the timing of infant deaths are a prerequisite to exploring how well mixed distributions can simulate bimodal distributions of amenorrhea. (Authors)
The effect of primaquine on gametocyte development and clearance in the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine in South sumatra, Western indonesia: an open-label, randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Artemisinin-based combination therapy is very effective in clearing asexual stages of malaria and reduces gametocytemia, but may not affect mature gametocytes. Primaquine is the only commercially available drug that eliminates mature gametocytes. METHODS We conducted a 2-arm, open-label, randomized, controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of single-dose primaquine (0.75 mg/kg) following treatment with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHP) on Plasmodium falciparum gametocytemia, in Indonesia. Patients aged ≥5 years with uncomplicated falciparum malaria, normal glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme levels, and hemoglobin levels ≥8 g/dL were assigned by computerized-generating sequence to a standard 3-day course of DHP alone (n = 178) or DHP combined with a single dose of primaquine on day 3 (n = 171). Patients were seen on days 1, 2, 3, and 7 and then weekly for 42 days to assess the presence of gametocytes and asexual parasites by microscopy. Survival analysis was stratified by the presence of gametocytes on day 3. RESULTS DHP prevented development of gametocytes in 277 patients without gametocytes on day 3. In the gametocytemic patients (n = 72), primaquine was associated with faster gametocyte clearance (hazard ratio = 2.42 [95% confidence interval, 1.39-4.19], P = .002) and reduced gametocyte densities (P = .018). The day 42 cure rate of asexual stages in the DHP + primaquine and DHP-only arms were: polymerase chain reaction (PCR) unadjusted, 98.7% vs 99.4%, respectively; PCR adjusted, 100% for both. Primaquine was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS Addition of single-dose 0.75 mg/kg primaquine shortens the infectivity period of DHP-treated patients and should be considered in low-transmission regions that aim to control and ultimately eliminate falciparum malaria. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT01392014.
A Synthetic HIV-1 Subtype C Backbone Generates Comparable PR and RT Resistance Profiles to a Subtype B Backbone in a Recombinant Virus Assay

In order to determine phenotypic protease and reverse transcriptase inhibitor-associated resistance in HIV subtype C virus, we have synthetically constructed an HIV-1 subtype C (HIV-1-C) viral backbone for use in a recombinant virus assay. The in silico designed viral genome was divided into 4 fragments, which were chemically synthesized and joined together by conventional subcloning. Subsequently, gag-protease-reverse-transcriptase (GPRT) fragments from 8 HIV-1 subtype C-infected patient samples were RT-PCR-amplified and cloned into the HIV-1-C backbone (deleted for GPRT) using In-Fusion reagents. Recombinant viruses (1 to 5 per patient sample) were produced in MT4-eGFP cells where cyto-pathogenic effect (CPE), p24 and Viral Load (VL) were monitored. The resulting HIV-1-C recombinant virus stocks (RVS) were added to MT4-eGFP cells in the presence of serial dilutions of antiretroviral drugs (PI, NNRTI, NRTI) to determine the fold-change in IC50 compared to the IC50 of wild-type HIV-1 virus. Additionally, viral RNA was extracted from the HIV-1-C RVS and the amplified GPRT products were used to generate recombinant virus in a subtype B backbone. Phenotypic resistance profiles in a subtype B and subtype C backbone were compared. The following observations were made: i) functional, infectious HIV-1 subtype C viruses were generated, confirmed by VL and p24 measurements; ii) their rate of infection was slower than viruses generated in the subtype B backbone; iii) they did not produce clear CPE in MT4 cells; and iv) drug resistance profiles generated in both backbones were very similar, including re-sensitizing effects like M184V on AZT.
Understanding Users’ Preference to Engage in YouTubers

The YouTubers are the new vocations to make money. People like to access the videos to relax or learn from the special YouTuber. Despite the growth and commercial potential of virtual worlds, relatively little is known about what users’ motivations to favor specific YouTubers. This paper offered and empirically tested a conceptual model to fill this gap. Given the system characteristics (mobility, reachability, compatibility, convenience) and YouTuber specific characteristics (escapism and post popularity) integrated extrinsic and intrinsic motivation as their preference determinants. Using PROCESS on a survey of 349 users of YouTube. The results confirmed the role of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation as preference determinants and showed the two system and two YouTuber specific characteristics as motivational basis. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
The pleiotropic effects of extract containing rhizobial Nod factors on pea growth and yield

Rhizobial lipochitooligosacharides (Nod factors) influence the development of legume roots, including growth stimulation, nodule induction and root hair curling. However, their effect on the green parts of plants is less known, therefore we evaluated seed and foliar application of an extract containing Nod factors on pea growth and yield. Pea plants were examined from emergence to full maturity, including growth dynamics and morphological (nodule number and weight, the quantity and surface area of leaves) or physiological (photosynthesis and transpiration intensity, chlorophyll and nitrogen content) parameters. The foliar application Nod factor extract, or seed dressing followed by foliar application, resulted in the best outcomes. The number and weight of root nodules, the chlorophyll content in leaves, and the intensity of net photosynthesis were all elevated. As a consequence of Nod factor treatment, the dynamics of dry mass accumulation of pea organs were improved and the pod number was increased. A significant increase in pea yield was observed after Nod factor application. Increase of nodule and pod numbers and improved growth of roots appear to be amongst the beneficial effects of Nod factor extract on the activation of secondary plant meristems.
Interleukin lf Induces the Formation of Nitric Oxide by /-cells Purified from Rodent Islets of Langerhans Evidence for the #-cell as a Source and Site of Action of Nitric Oxide

Introduction Nitric oxide has recently been implicated as the effector molecule that mediates IL-1(3-induced inhibition of glucose-stimu-lated insulin secretion and (3-cell specific destruction. The pancreatic islet represents a heterogeneous cell population containing both endocrine cells ((3-linsulin], a-[glucagonJ, -y-Isomatostatini, and PP-[polypeptideI secreting cells) and nonendocrine cells (fibroblast, macrophage, endothelial, and den-dritic cells). The purpose ofthis investigation was to determine if the (3-cell, which is selectively destroyed during insulin-de-pendent diabetes mellitus, is both a source of IL-1ft-induced nitric oxide production and also a site of action of this free radical. Pretreatment of (3-cells, purified by FACSO with IL-1ft results in a 40% inhibition of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion that is prevented by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA). IL-1,8 induces the formation of nitric oxide by purified 83-cells as evidenced by the accumulation of cGMP, which is blocked by NMMA. IL-1ft also induces the accumulation of cGMP by the insulinoma cell line Rin-m5F, and both NMMA as well as the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide prevent this cGMP accumulation. appear to be intracellular targets of nitric oxide. IL-1,@ induces the formation of an iron-dinitrosyl complex by Rin-m5F cells indicating that nitric oxide mediates the destruction of iron-sulfur clusters of iron containing enzymes. This is further demonstrated by IL-lf-induced inhibition of glucose oxidation by purified (3-cells, mitochondrial aconitase activity of dispersed islet cells, and mitochondrial aconitase activity of Rin-m5F cells, all of which are prevented by NMMA. IL-1(3 does not appear to affect FACS®-purified a-cell metabolic activity or intracellular cGMP levels, suggesting that IL-1,8 does not exert any effect on a-cells. These results demonstrate that the islet (3-cell is a source of IL-1ft-induced nitric oxide production, and that,8-cell mitochondrial iron-sul-fur containing enzymes are one site of action of nitric oxide. (J. Clin. Invest. 1992.90:2384-2391.)
Dimension Coupling: Optimal Active Learning of Halfspaces via Query Synthesis

In this paper, we consider the problem of actively learning a linear classifier through query synthesis where the learner can construct artificial queries in order to estimate the true decision boundaries. This problem has recently gained a lot of interest in automated science and adversarial reverse engineering for which only heuristic algorithms are known. In such applications, queries can be constructed de novo to elicit information (e.g., automated science) or to evade detection with minimal cost (e.g., adversarial reverse engineering). We develop a general framework, called dimension coupling (DC), that 1) reduces a d-dimensional learning problem to d-1 low-dimensional sub-problems, 2) solves each sub-problem efficiently, and 3) appropriately aggregates the results and outputs a linear classifier. We consider the three most common scenarios in the literature: idealized noise-free, independent noise realizations, and agnostic settings. We show that the DC framework avoids the curse of dimensionality: its computational complexity in all three cases scales linearly with the dimension. Moreover, in the noiseless and noisy cases, we show that the query complexity of DC is near optimal (within a constant factor of the optimum algorithm). We also develop an agnostic variant of DC for which we provide strong theoretical guarantees. To further support our theoretical analysis, we compare the performance of DC with the existing work in all three settings. We observe that DC consistently outperforms the prior arts in terms of query complexity while often running orders of magnitude faster.
Radar Coincidence Imaging with Stochastic Frequency Modulated Array

In radar sensing and imaging, the azimuth resolution is a main concern, which is limited by the antenna aperture, and as a result the targets within the beam cannot be distinguished. By enhancing the diversity of radiation, radar can obtain additional information for resolution. In this paper, a high-resolution staring imaging technique named radar coincidence imaging (RCI) is investigated. Originated from the classical optical coincidence imaging, the RCI captures super-resolution in azimuth, which breaks through the Rayleigh resolution limitation of antenna array by modulating the wavefront of transmissions. The spatial resolution of RCI is defined by the spatial correlation function of the stochastic radiation field. A scheme of RCI with a stochastic frequency modulated array using frequency-hopping waveforms is proposed, while the imaging model is established. Three image reconstruction algorithms, i.e. the pseudo-inverse algorithm, Tikhonov regularization method, and sparse reconstruction algorithm, are investigated and compared with respect to targets of different complexity. Performance analysis of these reconstruction methods in the presence of noise is presented by the relative imaging error. Finally, a typical RCI system based on the digital transmitter/receiver array is established. Outfield experiment results verify the effectiveness of the RCI.
CLASP2-dependent microtubule capture at the neuromuscular junction membrane requires LL5β and actin for focal delivery of acetylcholine receptor vesicles

A novel mechanism is described for the agrin-mediated focal delivery of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) to the postsynaptic membrane of the neuromuscular junction. Microtubule capture mediated by CLASP2 and its interaction partner, LL5β, and an intact subsynaptic actin cytoskeleton are both required for focal AChR transport to the synaptic membrane.
Optimal allocation of file servers in a local network environment

A globally optimal allocation for files in a local network environment is presented. The principal concern is the delays due to contention at the file servers; storage space is assumed to be adequate. A queuing network model is used to represent the file servers and the workstations. The workloads generated by the workstations are statistically identical. The model assumes that the communications medium is lightly loaded. In this case there is very little queuing, so that a message transmission requires an approximately constant average delay which can be included in the local processing time of the workstation. Under these assumptions the model can be applied to any of the various LAN technologies. It is shown that all the files of each workstation should be placed on one file server, with the workstations divided as equally as possible among the file servers.
Complementary Patterns of Direct Amygdala and Hippocampal Projections to the Macaque Prefrontal Cortex

The projections from the amygdala and hippocampus (including subiculum and presubiculum) to prefrontal cortex were compared using anterograde tracers injected into macaque monkeys (Macaca fascicularis, Macaca mulatta). Almost all prefrontal areas were found to receive some amygdala inputs. These connections, which predominantly arose from the intermediate and magnocellular basal nucleus, were particularly dense in parts of the medial and orbital prefrontal cortex. Contralateral inputs were not, however, observed. The hippocampal projections to prefrontal areas were far more restricted, being confined to the ipsilateral medial and orbital prefrontal cortex (within areas 11, 13, 14, 24a, 32, and 25). These hippocampal projections principally arose from the subiculum, with the fornix providing the sole route. Thus, while the lateral prefrontal cortex essentially receives only amygdala inputs, the orbital prefrontal cortex receives both amygdala and hippocampal inputs, though these typically target different areas. Only in medial prefrontal cortex do direct inputs from both structures terminate in common sites. But, even when convergence occurs within an area, the projections predominantly terminate in different lamina (hippocampal inputs to layer III and amygdala inputs to layers I, II, and VI). The resulting segregation of prefrontal inputs could enable the parallel processing of different information types in prefrontal cortex.
Calcium Signals Are Affected by Ciprofloxacin as a Consequence of Reduction of Mitochondrial DNA Content in Jurkat Cells

ABSTRACT The effects of ciprofloxacin on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content, oxygen consumption, mitochondrial membrane potential, cellular ATP formation, and capacitative Ca2+ entry into Jurkat cells were investigated. In cells incubated for several days with 25 μg/ml ciprofloxacin, a 60% reduction of mtDNA content, inhibition of the respiratory chain, and a significant decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential were observed. These changes led to a decrease in the calcium buffering capacity of mitochondria which, in turn, resulted in a gradual inhibition of the capacitative Ca2+ entry. On days 4, 7, and 11 of incubation with ciprofloxacin, the initial rates of Ca2+ entry were reduced by 33%, 50%, and 50%, respectively. Ciprofloxacin caused a transient decrease in the cellular capability for ATP formation. In cells incubated for 15 min with glucose, pyruvate, and glutamine as exogenous fuel, ciprofloxacin reduced ATP content by 16% and 35% on days 4 and 7, respectively, of incubation with the drug. However, on day 11 of incubation with ciprofloxacin, a recovery of cellular ATP formation was observed. In conclusion, long-term exposure of Jurkat cells to ciprofloxacin at a concentration of 25 μg/ml seriously affects cellular energy metabolism and calcium homeostasis.
Optimizing and parallelizing ranked enumeration

Lawler-Murty's procedure is a general tool for designing algorithms for enumeration problems (i.e., problems that involve the production of a large set of answers in ranked order), which naturally arise in database management. Lawler-Murty's procedure is used in a variety of modern database applications; particularly in those related to keyword search over structured data. Essentially, this procedure enumerates by invoking a series of instances of an optimization problem (i.e., finding the best solution); solving the optimization problem is the only part that depends on the specific task at hand. The topic of optimizing and parallelizing Lawler-Murty's procedure is investigated. Naive parallelism can be carried out by concurrently solving independent instances of the optimization problem. This can be improved by printing the next answer, in the enumeration order, as soon as none of the concurrent instances can produce a better answer. However, this approach alone suffers from poor utilization of available threads. That leads to the idea of freezing an instance of the optimization problem. Interestingly, not only is freezing beneficial to the parallel execution of Lawler-Murty's, it also substantially reduces the running time of the serial execution. Additional improvements of the freezing technique are then developed to further enhance the utilization of threads, and they result in a significant overall speedup. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated on keyword search over data graphs, wherein an extensive experimental study is described.