Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MPI_Reduce algorithm for OpenFlow-enabled network

The MPI reduction operation such as MPI_Reduce and MPI_Allreduce are frequently used and time-consuming operations. The performance enhancement of these operations can substantially speed up large-scale parallel applications. In this paper, a greedy based MPI_Reduce algorithm called Greedy Shortest Binomial Tree (GSBT) is proposed. This proposed algorithm leverages SDN technology and OpenFlow network to speed up MPI reduction operations. This is accomplished using network topology information from the OpenFlow controller to reduce overall hops in message transmission. The implementation of the proposed algorithm by modifying MPI library and OpenFlow controller is presented. The proposed GSBT algorithm has been evaluated in a real test-bed to compare with the traditional approaches used in both MPICH and Open MPI. The result shows that GSBT algorithm is faster than standard algorithms 30.48-66.35% for Open MPI and faster 50.77-82.89% for MPICH when message size between 2 KB - 24 KB.
Haptic feedback design for a virtual button along force-displacement curves

In this paper, we present a haptic feedback method for a virtual button based on the force-displacement curves of a physical button. The original feature of the proposed method is that it provides haptic feedback, not only for the "click" sensation but also for the moving sensation before and after transition points in a force-displacement curve. The haptic feedback is by vibrotactile stimulations only and does not require a force feedback mechanism. We conducted user experiments to show that the resultant haptic feedback is realistic and distinctive. Participants were able to distinguish among six different virtual buttons, with 94.1% accuracy even in a noisy environment. In addition, participants were able to associate four virtual buttons with their physical counterparts, with a correct answer rate of 79.2%.
Efficacy of Column Scatter Plots for Presenting Retinitis Pigmentosa Phenotypes in a Japanese Cohort

Purpose We evaluated the efficacy of column scatter plots to describe genotype–phenotype correlations in a Japanese cohort with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Methods Clinical records of 121 patients with RP with identified causative mutations were reviewed. Visual acuity, central and peripheral visual fields, electroretinography (ERG), lens status, and measurements of optical coherence tomography were evaluated according to causative genes using column scatter plots. Values for three common genes (EYS, USH2A, and RHO) were compared statistically. Results All patients with PDE6B, PRPH2, and RPGR mutations, those 55 years old or younger with RP1L1 and USH2A mutations, and those 45 years old or younger with EYS and RHO mutations retained visual acuity of at least 0.1. All patients with RPGR mutations showed at least −20 dB mean deviation. Goldmann perimeter measures of 4/6 patients with RHO mutations showed remaining peripheral visual fields. Dark-adapted 0.01 and 3.0 ERGs were extinguished for most genes. Half of the patients with RHO RP maintained cone responses in light-adapted 3.0 and 3.0 flicker ERG. All patients with PRPH2, those 55 years old or younger with USH2A and RP1L1, and those 45 years old or younger with PDE6B and EYS mutations maintained subfoveal ellipsoid zones. No differences were identified between EYS and USH2A or RHO and USH2A. Conclusions Column scatter plots enabled comparisons of the associated severities and illustration of the ophthalmological measurements for every RP causative gene. Translational Relevance Analysis of mutations in specific genes may be helpful for determining visual prognoses in the clinical setting.
Deformation and Fracture Behavior of PP/Ash Composites

In the present work, the deformation and fracture behavior of PP/ash composites with different ash content was investigated. The effect of a silane coupling agent was also analyzed. From uniaxial tensile tests, an increase in the stiffness with ash content was found as a result of the incorporation of the stiffer filler within the PP matrix. On the other hand, a decrease in tensile strength and strain at break with filler loading was observed. This result was attributed to the increased number of debonded large particles with filler content, which subsequently led to the formation of critical-size flaws. On the other side, the composites displayed higher values of fracture parameters than the matrix as a result of the development of a particle induced toughening mechanism. However, fracture properties were also found to decrease with ash content. This could be attributed to the increase in the number of critical-size flaws that induced premature failure. The incorporation of a silane coupling agent in the formulations led to composites with slightly improved tensile and fracture properties. This was probably due to improved interaction between PP and ash in the first case and a better dispersion of ash particles in the matrix and/or changes in the crystallization behavior of PP, in the latter case.
P21 Activated Kinase-1 (Pak1) Promotes Prostate Tumor Growth and Microinvasion via Inhibition of Transforming Growth Factor β Expression and Enhanced Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 Secretion*

Background: The significance of Pak1 in prostate cancer remains unclear. Results: Pak1 knockdown impaired prostate tumor growth via increased expression of TGFβ and reduced secretion of MMP9. Conclusions: We demonstrated that Pak1 is a more potent mediator of prostate cancer cell migration and tumor growth than Pak6, the predominant isoform in the prostate. Significance: A novel role of Pak1 in prostate cancer is identified. P21-activated kinases (Paks) are major effectors downstream of the small Rho family of GTPases. Among the six isoforms, Pak1 is the most ubiquitous and the best characterized member. Previous studies have shown that inhibition of Pak6, which is predominantly present in the prostate compared with other tissues, inhibits prostate tumor growth in vivo. Even though Pak1 has been identified in normal prostatic epithelial cells and cancer cells, its specific role in the development of prostate cancer remains unclear. We report here that highly invasive prostate cancer cells express significantly higher levels of Pak1 protein compared with non-invasive prostate cancer cells. Furthermore, prostate tumor tissues and prostate cancer metastasized to lungs showed a higher expression of Pak1 compared with normal tissues. Interestingly, Pak6 protein expression levels did not change with the invasive/metastatic potential of the cancer cells or tumors. Although inhibition of Pak1, and not Pak6, resulted in impaired PC3 cell migration, the effects of Pak1 knockdown on transendothelial migration (microinvasion), tumor growth, and tumor angiogenesis was higher compared with Pak6 knockdown. Finally, gene array data revealed reduced expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 with the ablation of either Pak1 or Pak6 gene expression in PC3 cells, whereas protein levels of TGFβ was elevated significantly with specific modulation of Pak1 activity or ablation of the Pak1 gene. Our observations suggest that although some level of functional redundancy exists between Pak1 and Pak6 in prostate cancer cells, targeting Pak1 is a potential option for the management of prostate tumor growth, microinvasion, and metastasis.
Relative Hypoglycemia and Hyperinsulinemia in Mice with Heterozygous Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL) Deficiency

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) provides tissues with fatty acids, which have complex effects on glucose utilization and insulin secretion. To determine if LPL has direct effects on glucose metabolism, we studied mice with heterozygous LPL deficiency (LPL+/−). LPL+/− mice had mean fasting glucose values that were up to 39 mg/dl lower than LPL+/+ littermates. Despite having lower glucose levels, LPL+/− mice had fasting insulin levels that were twice those of +/+ mice. Hyperinsulinemic clamp experiments showed no effect of genotype on basal or insulin-stimulated glucose utilization. LPL message was detected in mouse islets, INS-1 cells (a rat insulinoma cell line), and human islets. LPL enzyme activity was detected in the media from both mouse and human islets incubated in vitro. In mice, +/− islets expressed half the enzyme activity of +/+ islets. Islets isolated from +/+ mice secreted less insulin in vitro than +/− and −/− islets, suggesting that LPL suppresses insulin secretion. To test this notion directly, LPL enzyme activity was manipulated in INS-1 cells. INS-1 cells treated with an adeno-associated virus expressing human LPL had more LPL enzyme activity and secreted less insulin than adeno-associated virus-β-galactosidase-treated cells. INS-1 cells transfected with an antisense LPL oligonucleotide had less LPL enzyme activity and secreted more insulin than cells transfected with a control oligonucleotide. These data suggest that islet LPL is a novel regulator of insulin secretion. They further suggest that genetically determined levels of LPL play a role in establishing glucose levels in mice.
Prasugrel, a Platelet P2Y12 Receptor Antagonist, Improves Abnormal Gait in a Novel Murine Model of Thrombotic Hindlimb Ischemia

Background The efficacy of P2Y12 inhibition for the prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) has been established. However, the therapeutic effects on ischemic limb complications are less clear. Accordingly, we aimed to develop a novel murine model of thrombotic hindlimb ischemia to reflect that found in patients with PAD exhibiting ischemic limb symptoms. We further investigated the effects of P2Y12 deficiency and P2Y12 inhibition by prasugrel in this model. Methods and Results Thrombus formation induced by application of ferric chloride to the femoral artery resulted in a significant reduction in blood flow in the injured limb. In gait analysis using the CatWalk system, moderate difficulties in grounding and weight bearing of the ischemic limb, including reduction of maximum contact area and stance phase duration and increasing in swing phase duration in the ischemic limb, were observed in this model. Blood flow reduction and gait abnormalities gradually recovered over 21 days to levels present before arterial injury. Compared to wild‐type (WT) mice, significant increases in blood flow and improvement in gait were observed in P2Y12‐deficient mice. In addition, daily oral administration of prasugrel (3 mg/kg per day) to WT mice resulted in significant inhibition of blood flow reduction and gait abnormalities to levels found in P2Y12 deficient mice. Conclusions Acute femoral artery thrombosis resulted in hindlimb ischemia and moderate gait abnormalities in mice. In addition, the present study suggests a possible role of P2Y12 in the complications with thrombotic limb ischemia.
An adaptive statistical time-frequency method for detection of broken bars and bearing faults in motors using stator current

It is well known that motor current is a nonstationary signal, the properties of which vary with respect to the time-varying normal operating conditions of the motor. As a result, Fourier analysis makes it difficult to recognize fault conditions from the normal operating conditions of the motor. Time-frequency analysis, on the other hand, unambiguously represents the motor current which makes signal properties related to fault detection more evident in the transform domain. In this paper, the authors present an adaptive, statistical, time-frequency method for the detection of broken bars and bearing faults. Due to the time-varying normal operating conditions of the motor and the effect of motor geometry on the current, they employ a training-based approach in which the algorithm is trained to recognize the normal operating modes of the motor before the actual testing starts. During the training stage, features which are relevant to fault detection are estimated using the torque and mechanical speed estimation. These features are then statistically analyzed and segmented into normal operating modes of the motor. For each mode, a representative and a threshold are computed and stored in a database to be used as a baseline during the testing stage. In the testing stage, the distance of the test features to the mode representatives are computed and compared with the thresholds. If it is larger than all the thresholds, the measurement is tagged as a potential fault signal. In the postprocessing stage, the testing is repeated for multiple measurements to improve the accuracy of the detection. The experimental results from their study suggest that the proposed method provides a powerful and a general approach to the motor-current-based fault detection.
Foxe3 haploinsufficiency in mice: a model for Peters' anomaly.

PURPOSE To evaluate the importance in anterior segment dysgenesis of genetic variation in Foxe3, a gene encoding a forkhead transcription factor specifically expressed in the lens. METHODS The phenotype of mice heterozygous for a mutation in the DNA-binding domain of Foxe3 was examined from histologic sections, and DNA binding by the encoded protein was investigated by gel-shift assay. FOXE3 from human patients with Peters' anomaly was PCR amplified and sequenced. RESULTS The dysgenetic lens (dyl) allele of Foxe3 was found to encode a protein unable to bind DNA. Approximately 40% of mice heterozygous for Foxe3(dyl) have corneal and lenticular defects. The phenotype is variable but typically consists of the equivalent of Peters' anomaly in humans, with central corneal opacity, keratolenticular adhesion, and, in some cases, anterior polar cataract. In a small cohort (n = 13) of patients with Peters' anomaly, shown to be normal in the PAX6 locus, one individual was found to be heterozygous for a nonconservative missense mutation in FOXE3. The mutation, which does not occur in 116 chromosomes from a control population, substitutes leucine for arginine 90 at a highly conserved position in the forkhead domain. CONCLUSIONS Haploinsufficiency of Foxe3 in a mouse model causes anterior segment dysgenesis similar to Peters' anomaly. Although causality could not be shown in the human case, the presence of a rare, nonconservative substitution in FOXE3 of a patient with Peters' anomaly is interesting, in light of the phenotypic similarities with the mutant mice.
Changing Nursing Student Attitudes to Consumer Participation in Mental Health Services: A Survey Study of Traditional and Lived Experience-led Education

Mental health policy emphasises the importance of consumer participation in mental health services. To align education with policy and orient future healthcare services to active consumer involvement, the potential of academics with a lived experience of mental illness to impact on student attitudes towards consumer participation needs to be examined. A cohort comparative study was undertaken comparing attitudinal change between undergraduate nursing students undertaking two different mental health courses, one nurse-led (n = 61) and one lived experience-led. Attitudes were measured through the Mental Health Consumer Participation Questionnaire. Within-cohort change was assessed via dependent sample t-tests, and degree of change was observed in each cohort, by comparing effect sizes. For the nurse-led course, attitudes on consumer involvement t (60) = –1.79, p < 0.005 (95% CI: –2.84, –0.74) and consumer as staff t (60) = –4.12, p < 0.005 (95% CI: –3.34, –1.16), positively changed with effect size r of 0.40 and 0.47, respectively. For the lived experience-led course, attitudes on consumer capacity t (109) = –3.63, p < 0.005 (95% CI: –0.48, –1.41) and consumer as staff, t (109) = –5.63, p < 0.005 (95% CI: –0.97, –0.46), positively changed, effect size r of 0.33 and 0.47, respectively. Mental health nursing education has a positive and selective influence on attitudes to consumer participation. Lived experience-led education was more beneficial in changing attitudes to consumer capacity and both types of education had similar positive effects on attitudes to consumers as staff.
Gene Expression Regulation by Upstream Open Reading Frames and Human Disease

Upstream open reading frames (uORFs) are major gene expression regulatory elements. In many eukaryotic mRNAs, one or more uORFs precede the initiation codon of the main coding region. Indeed, several studies have revealed that almost half of human transcripts present uORFs. Very interesting examples have shown that these uORFs can impact gene expression of the downstream main ORF by triggering mRNA decay or by regulating translation. Also, evidence from recent genetic and bioinformatic studies implicates disturbed uORF-mediated translational control in the etiology of many human diseases, including malignancies, metabolic or neurologic disorders, and inherited syndromes. In this review, we will briefly present the mechanisms through which uORFs regulate gene expression and how they can impact on the organism's response to different cell stress conditions. Then, we will emphasize the importance of these structures by illustrating, with specific examples, how disturbed uORF-mediated translational control can be involved in the etiology of human diseases, giving special importance to genotype-phenotype correlations. Identifying and studying more cases of uORF-altering mutations will help us to understand and establish genotype-phenotype associations, leading to advancements in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of many human disorders.
Assessment of maximum voluntary bite force in adults with normal occlusion and different types of malocclusions.

AIM Maximum voluntary bite force (MVBF) was assessed in adults with class I normal occlusion and compared with different malocclusions. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred and ten subjects in the age group of 17 to 25 years were classified into various groups. Thirty subjects with class I normal occlusion (Group A), 20 subjects with Angle's class I malocclusion (Group B), 20 subjects with skeletal class II malocclusion (Group C), 20 subjects with hypodivergent facial morphology (Group D) and 20 subjects with hyperdivergent facial morphology (Group E). MVBF was measured with a bite force meter at the first premolar and first molar region bilaterally. The values were recorded and statistically analyzed. RESULTS Mean MVBF value in each of the groups in the molar and first premolar region were found to be 601.83N ± 60.80, 392N ± 31.43 (group A), 592.60N ± 37.66, 378.90N ± 23.00 (group B), 586.60N ± 49.26, 377N ± 29.38 (group C), 771.50N ± 27.24, 500.60N ± 18.25 (group D), 283.85N ± 26.41, 283.85N ± 26.41 (group E). Student paired t-test was done to analyze the difference between two groups and considered as significant at a p-value of < 0.05. Significant difference was found between group A and D and group A and E with a p-value of <0.0001. No significant difference was observed between group A and group B (p = 0.5481 and 0.1148) and group A and group C (p = 0.3551 and 0.0949). ANOVA showed that there was a significant difference among groups A, D and E. No significant difference was found among groups A, B and C. Males had a higher value than females. CONCLUSION Sagittal morphology does not significantly affect the MVBF value whereas there is a significant correlation with vertical morphology. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Assessment of maximum voluntary bite force (MVBF) is a chairside procedure to evaluate masticatory muscle activity based on which treatment planning and mechanics can be known.
Genetic Variants in Platelet Factor 4 Modulate Inflammatory and Platelet Activation Biomarkers

Background—African Americans suffer from higher prevalence and severity of atherosclerosis compared with whites, highlighting racial and ethnic disparities in cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have pointed to the role of vascular inflammation and platelet activation in the formation of atherosclerotic lesions. Methods and Results—We explored the role of genetic variation in 4 chemokine/chemokine receptor genes (CX3CR1, CX3CL1, CXCR3, and PF4) on systemic inflammation and platelet activation serum biomarkers (fractalkine, platelet P-selectin, platelet factor 4 [PF4], and tumor necrosis factor-&agr;). In total, 110 single nucleotide polymorphisms were tested among 1042 African Americans and 763 whites. The strongest association with serum PF4 levels was observed for rs168449, which was significant in both racial groups (P value: African Americans=0.0017, whites=0.014, combined=1.2 × 10−4), and remained significant after permutation-based multiple corrections (Pc value: combined=0.0013). After accounting for the effect of rs168449, we identified another significant single nucleotide polymorphism (rs1435520), suggesting a second independent signal regulating serum PF4 levels (conditional P value: African Americans=0.02, whites=0.02). Together, these single nucleotide polymorphisms explained 0.98% and 1.23% of serum PF4 variance in African Americans and whites, respectively. Additionally, in African Americans, we found an additional PF4 variant (rs8180167), uncorrelated with rs168449 and rs1435520, associated with serum tumor necrosis factor-&agr; levels (P=0.008, Pc=0.048). Conclusions—Our study highlights the importance of PF4 variants in the regulation of platelet activation (PF4) and systemic inflammation (tumor necrosis factor-&agr;) serum biomarkers.
Development Time of Culex Mosquitoes in Stormwater Management Structures in California

ABSTRACT A widely recommended strategy to minimize mosquito production in structural stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) is to ensure they hold captured water for no more than 72 h. However, this standard may be overly conservative for many mosquito species found in urban environments and may impede or prevent the capacity of BMPs to fulfill more stringent water quality standards in environmentally sensitive areas. Egg-to-pupa development of Culex tarsalis, Cx. pipiens, and Cx. quinquefasciatus were examined during July, August, and September 2006 in stormwater management basins and in water collected from these basins in 3 climatically distinct regions of California: the Lake Tahoe Basin, Sacramento Valley, and Los Angeles Basin. The observed minimum times to pupal development were 6 days for Cx. tarsalis and Cx. quinquefasciatus and 8 days for Cx. pipiens. Multiple linear regression models were used to estimate minimum predicted development times under optimal conditions for each region. The results suggest that water residence times of up to 96 h will not significantly increase the potential for Culex mosquito production in stormwater BMPs in the 3 regions included in this study.