Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Consensus-Based Fault-Tolerant Total Order Multicast

While total order broadcast (or atomic broadcast) primitives have received a lot of attention, this paper concentrates on total order multicast to multiple groups in the context of asynchronous distributed systems in which processes may suffer crash failures. "Multicast to Multiple Groups" means that each message is sent to a subset of the process groups composing the system, distinct messages possibly having distinct destination groups. "Total Order" means that all message deliveries must be totally ordered. This paper investigates a consensus-based approach to solve this problem and proposes a corresponding protocol to implement this multicast primitive. This protocol is based on two underlying building blocks, namely, uniform reliable multicast and uniform consensus. Its design characteristics lie in the two following properties. The first one is a minimality property, more precisely, only the sender of a message and processes of its destination groups have to participate in the total order multicast of the message. The second property is a locality property: No execution of a consensus has to involve processes belonging to distinct groups (i.e., consensus is executed on a "per group" basis). This locality property is particularly useful when one is interested in using the total order multicast primitive in large-scale distributed systems. In addition to a correctness proof, an improvement that reduces the cost of the protocol is also suggested.
Phase II trial of the oral PARP inhibitor olaparib (AZD2281) in BRCA-deficient advanced ovarian cancer.

5500 Background: Olaparib (AZD2281; KU-0059436) is a novel, orally active PARP inhibitor that induces synthetic lethality in homozygous BRCA-deficient cells. A phase I trial identified 400 mg bd as the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) with an initial signal of efficacy in BRCA-deficient cancers (ASCO 2008; abst 5510). The primary aim of this study was to test the efficacy of olaparib in confirmed BRCA1/BRCA2 carriers with advanced chemotherapy-refractory ovarian cancer. The secondary aim was to assess the safety and tolerability profile in ovarian cancer patients with BRCA1/2 deficiency. METHODS In an international, multicenter, proof-of-concept, single-arm, phase II study, two patient (pt) sequential cohorts received continuous oral olaparib in 28-day cycles, initially at the MTD, 400 mg bd (33 pts), and subsequently at 100 mg bd (24 pts), a previously shown clinically active and PARP inhibitory dose. Eligibility criteria included confirmed genetic BRCA1/2 mutation and recurrent, measurable, incurable disease (previous chemotherapy, median 3 lines). The primary efficacy endpoint was best objective response rate (ORR; RECIST) post baseline. Change in CA125 was a secondary efficacy endpoint. All adverse events were reported using CTCAE v3. RESULTS At this interim analysis dated October 31, 2008, of 57 enrolled pts (39 BRCA1 deficient and 18 BRCA2 deficient), 33 were evaluable at 400 mg bd and 24 at 100 mg bd. The confirmed RECIST ORR was 33% at 400 mg bd and 12.5% at 100 mg bd. Clinical benefit rate (ORR and/or confirmed >50% decline in CA125) was 57.6% at 400 mg bd and 16.7% at 100 mg bd. Toxicity was mainly mild in severity, reflecting grade 1/2 nausea (44%); fatigue (35%); and anemia (14%). Grade 3 toxicity occurred infrequently, and comprised primarily nausea (7%) and leukopenia (5%). CONCLUSIONS Oral olaparib is well tolerated and highly active in advanced, chemotherapy-refractory BRCA-deficient ovarian cancer, with greater activity seen at the higher dose. Toxicity in BRCA1/2 carriers was similar to that seen in non-carriers. This study provides positive proof of the concept of the activity and tolerability of genetically defined targeted therapy with olaparib in BRCA-deficient ovarian cancers. [Table: see text].
Thioredoxin elicits a new dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase activity by interaction with the electron-transferring flavoprotein in Clostridium litoralis and Eubacterium acidaminophilum

The glycine-utilizing bacterium Clostridium litoralis contained two enzyme systems for oxidizing dihydrolipoamide. The first one was found to be a genuine dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase, present only in low amounts. This enzyme had the typical dimeric structure with a subunit molecular mass of about 53 kDa; however, it reacted with both NADP (Km 0.11 mM) and NAD (Km 0.5 mM). The reduction of pyridine nucleotides by dihydrolipoamide was the strongly preferred reaction. A second dihydrolipoamide-oxidizing enzyme system consisted of the interaction of two proteins, the previously described NADP(H)-dependent electron-transferring flavoprotein (D. Dietrichs, M. Meyer, B. Schmidt, and J. R. Andreesen, J. Bacteriol. 172:2088-2095, 1990) and a thioredoxin. This enzyme system was responsible for most of the dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase activity in cell extracts. The thioredoxin did not bind to DEAE, was heat stable, and had a molecular mass of about 15 kDa. N-terminal amino acid analysis of the first 38 amino acid residues resulted in 38% homology to Escherichia coli thioredoxin and about 76% homology to a corresponding protein isolated from the physiologically close related Eubacterium acidaminophilum. The protein of the latter organism had a molecular mass of about 14 kDa and stimulated the low dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase activity of the corresponding flavoprotein. By this interaction with NADPH-dependent flavoproteins, a new assay system for thioredoxin was established. A function of thioredoxin in glycine metabolism of some anaerobic bacteria is proposed.
Neurological Changes Induced by Stress in Streptozotocin Diabetic Rats

ABSTRACT: Previous studies from our laboratory demonstrated that chronic stress produces molecular, morphological, and ultrastructural changes in the rat hippocampus that are accompanied by cognitive deficits. Glucocorticoid impairment of glucose utilization is proposed as a causative factor involved in stress‐induced changes. Current studies have examined the neurological changes induced by stress in rats with a preexisting strain upon their homeostatic load‐namely, in streptozotocin (stz)‐diabetic rats. Administration of stz (70 mg/kg, iv) produced diabetic symptoms such as weight loss, polyuria, polydipsia, hyperglycemia, and neuroendocrine dysfunction. Morphological analysis of hippocampal neurons revealed that diabetes alone produced dendritic atrophy of CA3 pyramidal neurons, an effect potentiated by 7 days of restraint stress. Analysis of genes critical to neuronal homeostasis revealed that glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3) mRNA and protein levels were specifically increased in the hippocampus of diabetic rats, while stress had no effect upon GLUT3 expression. Insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) receptor expression was also increased in the hippocampus of diabetic rats subjected to stress. In spite of the activation of these adaptive mechanisms, diabetic rats subjected to stress also had signs of neuronal damage and oxidative damage. Collectively, these results suggest that the hippocampus of diabetic rats is extremely susceptible to additional stressful events, which in turn can lead to irreversible hippocampal damage.
The Catalytic and Lectin Domains of UDP-GalNAc:Polypeptide α-N-Acetylgalactosaminyltransferase Function in Concert to Direct Glycosylation Site Selection*

UDP-GalNAc:polypeptide α-N-Acetylgalactosaminyltransferases (ppGalNAcTs), a family (EC 2.4.1.41) of enzymes that initiate mucin-type O-glycosylation, are structurally composed of a catalytic domain and a lectin domain. Previous studies have suggested that the lectin domain modulates the glycosylation of glycopeptide substrates and may underlie the strict glycopeptide specificity of some isoforms (ppGalNAcT-7 and -10). Using a set of synthetic peptides and glycopeptides based upon the sequence of the mucin, MUC5AC, we have examined the activity and glycosylation site preference of lectin domain deletion and exchange constructs of the peptide/glycopeptide transferase ppGalNAcT-2 (hT2) and the glycopeptide transferase ppGalNAcT-10 (hT10). We demonstrate that the lectin domain of hT2 directs glycosylation site selection for glycopeptide substrates. Pre-steady-state kinetic measurements show that this effect is attributable to two mechanisms, either lectin domain-aided substrate binding or lectin domain-aided product release following glycosylation. We find that glycosylation of peptide substrates by hT10 requires binding of existing GalNAcs on the substrate to either its catalytic or lectin domain, thereby resulting in its apparent strict glycopeptide specificity. These results highlight the existence of two modes of site selection used by these ppGalNAcTs: local sequence recognition by the catalytic domain and the concerted recognition of distal sites of prior glycosylation together with local sequence binding mediated, respectively, by the lectin and catalytic domains. The latter mode may facilitate the glycosylation of serine or threonine residues, which occur in sequence contexts that would not be efficiently glycosylated by the catalytic domain alone. Local sequence recognition by the catalytic domain differs between hT2 and hT10 in that hT10 requires a pre-existing GalNAc residue while hT2 does not.
Edi Implementation: a Broader Perspective

EDI has become a popular area for academic research since the late 1980's. Yet most of the studies which have been undertaken have tended to focus either on the strategic planning and requirements elicitation for EDI, which take place before the system is implemented, or have been concerned with issues such as the integration of EDI into internal applications. In this paper we look at the implementation of EDI in a broader way, considering the implementation process in terms of both a 'change process' as well as technological diffusion  and taking into account the factors influencing that process. We suggest that a model based on this view will describe the implementation process in the real world and allow the creation of a more comprehensive picture of the events which take place during the implementation process.
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Pars Plana Vitrectomy with and without Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling for Idiopathic Retinal Membrane Removal: A Meta-Analysis

We conducted a meta-analysis of published retrospective studies and compared the effectiveness of pars plana vitrectomy with and without internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling for idiopathic epiretinal membrane (IERM). The results revealed that patients in the IERM+ILM peeling group had better BCVA after surgery within 12 months than those in IERM peeling group. But patients in the IERM peeling group showed better BCVA in the 18th month. More retrospective studies or randomized controlled trials are required to investigate and compare the long-term effect of IERM removal with and without ILM peeling.
Effect of Food Regulation on the Spanish Food Processing Industry: A Dynamic Productivity Analysis

This article develops the decomposition of the dynamic Luenberger productivity growth indicator into dynamic technical change, dynamic technical inefficiency change and dynamic scale inefficiency change in the dynamic directional distance function context using Data Envelopment Analysis. These results are used to investigate for the Spanish food processing industry the extent to which dynamic productivity growth and its components are affected by the introduction of the General Food Law in 2002 (Regulation (EC) No 178/2002). The empirical application uses panel data of Spanish meat, dairy, and oils and fats industries over the period 1996-2011. The results suggest that in the oils and fats industry the impact of food regulation on dynamic productivity growth is negative initially and then positive over the long run. In contrast, the opposite pattern is observed for the meat and dairy processing industries. The results further imply that firms in the meat processing and oils and fats industries face similar impacts of food safety regulation on dynamic technical change, dynamic inefficiency change and dynamic scale inefficiency change.
Circadian Rhythms in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background— Circadian rhythms with regard to time of symptom onset for patients with acute myocardial infarction have been observed, although their relationship to outcomes has been debated. We evaluated these rhythms in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction as a function of the 24-hour circadian cycle. Methods and Results— The relationship between onset of symptoms during the 24-hour circadian cycle and prehospital delays from symptom onset to hospital arrival, timeliness of reperfusion, and in-hospital death was assessed in 2143 patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction presenting from 2004-2008 at 1 of 3 tertiary-care healthcare ST-elevation myocardial infarction systems. There was a significant association between time of onset and the circadian cycle, with the greatest percentage (39%) of patients experiencing onset between 8 am and 3 pm (P<0.001). Time of onset was associated with prehospital delay and timeliness of reperfusion. Patients with onset from 12 am to 5:59 am had median prehospital delays of 121 minutes versus 70 minutes from 12 pm to 5:59 pm (P<0.001). Patients with onset time from 12 am to 5:59 am had median door-to-balloon times of 75 minutes versus 60 minutes from 6 am to 11:59 am (P<0.001). Using multivariable modeling to control for baseline patient characteristics, prehospital delay, and timeliness of reperfusion, there was no significant association between time of symptom onset with in-hospital death. Conclusions— Patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction exhibit significant circadian patterns in symptom onset, prehospital delay, and timeliness of reperfusion. Patients who develop symptoms from 12 am to 5:59 am present with longer prehospital delays and have longer door-to-balloon times. After multivariable adjustment, there was no significant association between circadian patterns of time of onset and in-hospital death.
Transformation Control to an Inverted Pendulum for a Mobile Robot With Wheel-Arms Using Partial Linearization and Polytopic Model Set

This paper presents a shape transformation control method of a mobile robot with wheel-arms. The proposed method aims at transformation from a four-wheeled mode for high-speed mobility to an inverted pendulum mode, which has advantages of high viewing position and small turning radius. The transformation starts with lifting up the wheel-arms to raise the center of gravity of the whole robot including the main body and arms. From such initial states, the body is lifted up and controlled to the target angle by partial linearization, while returning the arms to the initial angle. Then, the robot position is controlled by manipulating the target body angle. Unlike existing methods, we take into account the effects of the body angular velocity and the tracking error of the body angle by constructing a model set, which is composed of a single nominal model and its polytopic uncertainty for the system matrices. In order to derive the model set, we assume that the target body angle is constrained to a prescribed range. Therefore, the target body angle is manipulated using a model predictive control method, such that the closed-loop system is asymptotically stabilized, while the given constraint is satisfied, for all systems in the model set. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated in both simulations and real robot experiments.
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE AS A PAINTER

Paint is a suspension of finely divided pigment particles in a liquid composed of a binder (resin), a volatile solvent or water, and additives that impart special characteristics. The volatile components evaporate from the drying film after application, while the binder holds the pigment in the dry film, causing it to adhere to the substrate. Some high quality, hard gloss paints are referred to as enamels. The basic components of paints vary widely in terms of chemical composition, depending on the colour, the durability, and other required properties of the paint. Table 1.1 lists the main substances and classes of chemicals present in paints, to which workers may be exposed in the painting trades. Thousands of chemical compounds are used in paint products as pigments, extenders, binders, solvents, and additives. Azo pigments that contain 3,3′-dichlorobenzidine are common, although free aromatic amines are not present in significant quantities. Asbestos was used as a filler until the early 1990s. The main organic solvents used in paints are toluene, xylene, aliphatic compounds, ketones, alcohols, esters, and glycol ethers. Nowadays, solvent-based paints contain much less solvent – and less hazardous solvents – than a decade ago. In some cases the solvent content is reduced to such an extent that the amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from the paint are similar to those from water-based paints. Several hazardous chemicals (including benzene, phthalates (plasticizers), chromium, and lead oxides) have been reduced or replaced in paint in some countries, although they are still used elsewhere. The increasing use of water-based paints and powder coatings has promoted this trend. New formulations contain lower-toxicity solvents, biocides, and neutralizing agents, such as amines.
Mining in-class social networks for large-scale pedagogical analysis

Modeling the in-class student social networks is a highly desired goal in educational literature. However, due to the difficulty to collect social data, most of the conventional studies can only be conducted in a qualitative way on a small-scale of dataset obtained through questionnaires or interviews. We propose to solve the problems of data collection, social network construction and analysis with multimedia technology, in the way that we can automatically recognize the positions and identities of the students in classroom and construct the in-class social networks accordingly. With the social networks and the statistics on a large-scale dataset, we have demonstrated that the pedagogical analysis for investigating the co-learning patterns among the students can be conducted in a quantitative way, which provides the statistical clues about why prior studies reach conflicting conclusions on the relation between the students' positions in social networks and their academic performances. The experimental results have validated the effectiveness of the proposed approaches in both technical and pedagogical senses.
Survey of research activity, training needs, departmental support, and career intentions of junior academic general practitioners.

BACKGROUND Recent changes in the organization of the National Health Service have created new roles and responsibilities for academic general practice. Previous work on the constraints and opportunities of a career in academic general practice is largely anecdotal and is often based on the views of more senior members of the profession. AIM To survey the research activity, perceived level of training, support needs, and career intentions of junior academic general practitioners (GPs). METHOD A postal, validated, semistructured questionnaire was sent to the 121 eligible junior academic GPs in the academic departments of general practice in the United Kingdom and Dublin. Main outcome measures were 'research activity score', as measured by publications in peer-reviewed journals and involvement in research projects, 'training score' devised from 13 skills required for both research and teaching, and perceived level of departmental support assessed by six different support mechanisms. RESULTS Response rate was 89% (n = 108). Forty-six responders (43%) had no publications. Twenty-five responders (23%) had no principal project. Thirty-nine responders (37%) had a mentor. Research activity appeared to be dependent on sex, having a predominantly research role rather than a full-time teaching role, and a positive perception of academic training (P < 0.05). Increasing departmental 'support scores' and length of time in the department were both significantly associated with more positive perceptions of academic training (P < 0.05). Only 29 (27%) responders wanted to progress to senior positions within academic general practice. CONCLUSION Training and departmental support and guidance available to junior academics in primary care are perceived as variable and often inadequate. If academic general practice is to thrive, improved academic training is required, such as taught Master's degrees, supervised personal projects or 'apprenticeship' as a co-investigator, and improved methods of departmental support.
Neural generators of sustained activity differ for stimulus‐encoding and delay maintenance

The ability to maintain information online beyond sensory stimulation is regarded as a key contribution of working memory to goal‐directed behaviour. It is widely accepted that sustained neural activity is a key mechanism of stimulus maintenance, but it is unclear to what extent the neural generators of sustained activity change from stimulus‐encoding to maintenance. Using event‐related potentials in humans, we show that, in a delayed match‐to‐sample task, slow shifts over parieto‐occipital electrode sites had a different topography and polarity during encoding and delay maintenance of images depicting scenes. This clearly demonstrates that neural generators of sustained activity associated with stimulus‐encoding and delay maintenance differed, and that the change between these generators occurred time‐locked to the onset of the delay period. We also investigated how monetary reward incentives modulated the amplitude and topography of sustained delay activity and the ability to suppress irrelevant distracting information during the delay. Reward incentives improved maintenance performance and this was correlated with an expansion of the parieto‐occipital electrode sites that were entrained into sustained delay activity (rather than improved distractor suppression), suggesting that under the influence of reward, the parieto‐occipital regions that contributed to delay maintenance expanded in size.
Activation of omental milky spots and milky spot macrophages by intraperitoneal administration of a streptococcal preparation, OK-432.

Omental milky spots are omentum-associated lymphoid tissues that cede peritoneal macrophages and participate in the immunity of the peritoneal cavity. We studied the changing surface features of milky spots and milky spot macrophages of Wistar rats, following the i.p. administration of OK-432, a killed streptococcal preparation (1 Klinische Einheit (unit) in 5 ml of phosphate-buffered saline) by the use of scanning electron microscopy. OK-432-activated macrophages demonstrated marked surface membrane activity and migrated through the stomata of the milky spot into the peritoneal cavity. The characteristic features of activated milky spots and milky spot macrophages were noted as early as 3 h following the administration of OK-432, and continued to be observed until 7 days after the injection. By 14 days after the injection, the structural integrity of the milky spot was partially lost. The activation of milky spots and milky spot macrophages by OK-432 provides a convenient in vivo system for the monitoring and study of i.p. cellular events.