Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance of Active Queue Management Over Multiple Congested Links

Recent studies have shown that a non-negligible number of packets face multiple congested links on Internet paths. We investigate the impact of multiple congested links on Active Queue Management (AQM) techniques. We present the results of an ns-2 evaluation study of various AQM techniques that, in contrast to previous studies of AQM, uses a complex network topology including up to 3 congested links, reverse path traffic, and realistic round-trip times. We look at the effects of multiple congested links on the throughput of long-lived FTP flows and HTTP response times of web traffic. We found that overall, performance degrades as congested links are added, but our main conclusions hold regardless of the number of congested links. In our experiments we found that drop-tail queuing provides the best performance for long-lived flows, but is the worst performer for HTTP traffic. Adaptive Random Early Detection (ARED) provides the worst FTP performance, with short queues at the cost of high packet loss. Both the Proportional Integral controller (PI) and Random Exponential Marking (REM) provide reasonable FTP throughput, low HTTP response times, and very low packet loss.
Phase I trial of docetaxel with filgrastim support in pediatric patients with refractory solid tumors: a collaborative Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute and Children's Cancer Group trial.

Neutropenia is the dose-limiting toxicity of docetaxel in children. This Phase I trial was designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose, the dose-limiting toxicities, and the incidence and severity of other toxicities of docetaxel with filgrastim (G-CSF) support in children with refractory solid tumors. Docetaxel was administered as an i.v. infusion for 1 h every 21 days with a starting dose of 150 mg/m2 and an escalation to 185 mg/m2 and 235 mg/m2 in subsequent patient cohorts. G-CSF (5 microg/kg/day) was administered s.c. , starting 48 h after docetaxel and continuing until the post-nadir neutrophil count reached 10,000/microl. Seventeen patients received 27 courses of docetaxel with G-CSF support. Generalized erythematous desquamating skin rash and myalgias were dose-limiting at 235 mg/m2. Localized and generalized rashes were seen at all of the three dose levels. Neutropenia (median nadir, 95/1microl) occurred at all of the dose levels but was brief in duration and not dose-limiting. Thrombocytopenia was minimal (median platelet count nadir, 139,000/microl), and the severity of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia did not seem to be related to the docetaxel dose. Other docetaxel-related toxicities included hemorrhage (associated with mucositis), sepsis, hypersensitivity reaction, transient elevation of liver enzymes, stomatitis, back pain, asthenia, and neuropathy. One minor response was observed in a patient with colon cancer. The maximum tolerated dose of docetaxel with G-CSF support in children is 185 mg/m2, which is 50% higher than the maximum tolerated dose of docetaxel alone in children and 85 % higher than the recommended adult dose.
Markers for hepatitis A, B and C in methadone maintained patients: an unexpectedly high co-infection with silent hepatitis B.

AIMS To determine the prevalence of hepatitis A, B and C viruses in patients attending a methadone maintenance clinic in New York City. DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING The Adult Services Clinic of Weill Cornell Medical College, an urban hospital-affiliated methadone program. PARTICIPANTS Former heroin addicted adults (n = 103) on methadone maintenance therapy. MEASUREMENTS Markers for hepatitis A virus [HAV immunoglobulin M (IgM) and imunoglobulin G (IgG)], hepatitis B [hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) and hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb)] and hepatitis C virus (HCVAb). Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and quantitative HCV RNA were also obtained. Qualitative detection of HBV DNA and HCV genotype were obtained in a subset of subjects. FINDINGS More than 40% of subjects had markers for all three viruses. HCVAb was the most prevalent (83.5%), followed by HBcAb (65.0%), HAV IgG (46.1%) and HBsAb (41.1%). Hepatitis C RNA was detected in 70.6% of HCVAb positive subjects. While no subject had HBsAg, HBV DNA was detected in 26.4% of subjects who underwent this measure; all (n = 20) had HBcAb as their only HBV marker. The presence of HBV DNA did not influence ALT. Subjects with HCV RNA had higher ALTs than those without HCV RNA. CONCLUSIONS Most methadone-maintained subjects had at least one marker for viral hepatitis, with 41.8% having markers for HAV, HBV and HCV. A quarter of subjects had silent HBV infection, defined as the presence of HBV DNA in the absence of HBsAg. These subjects should be considered infectious and pose a public health risk.
Investigating the Mediating Effect of the Accuracy of Information in the Relationship between IT and the Quality of Healthcare in Hospitals

The safety and quality of healthcare is of great concern in the United States. Hospital administrators, healthcare providers, and healthcare delivery systems all strive to provide safe and quality care for patients in complex environments. Many have suggested that information technology (IT) may reduce medical errors and increase the quality of healthcare in healthcare organizations. This study investigates how clinical IT may improve the quality of healthcare through its effect on the perceived accuracy of information for clinical decision making available to nurses in hospitals. The study found evidence that IT does positively affect the perceived accuracy of information that, in turn, affects the quality of healthcare in hospitals. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Nebivolol in High‐Risk, Obese African Americans With Stage 1 Hypertension: Effects on Blood Pressure, Vascular Compliance, and Endothelial Function

The authors sought to determine whether nebivolol treatment results in changes in blood pressure (BP), nitric oxide bioavailability, and vascular function in obese African Americans with recently diagnosed stage 1 hypertension. Forty‐three obese, hypertensive African Americans (mean BP: systolic, 148.8±14.3 mm Hg; diastolic, 90.4±8.2 mm Hg) were treated with nebivolol (5–10 mg/d) for 8 weeks. Primary outcomes were change in systolic and diastolic BP and efficacy in reaching normotensive BP. Mean systolic BP decreased by 9.2±14 mm Hg (P<.005) and diastolic BP decreased 6.8±9 mm Hg (P<.005) with 8 weeks of therapy. Significant improvements were seen in arterial compliance with nebivolol treatment as measured by aortic augmentation index (P<.005) and time to wave reflection (P=.013). Nebivolol treatment improved endothelial function as measured by flow‐mediated dilation (P<.005). Levels of erythrocyte cellular superoxide dismutase increased with nebivolol, indirectly suggesting increased bioavailability of nitric oxide (P<.005). Monotherapy with nebivolol in obese, hypertensive African Americans results in significant systolic and diastolic BP reduction by mechanisms that include improved vascular function and compliance.
Elimination and degradation of glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide in patients with end-stage renal disease.

CONTEXT The affect of the kidneys in elimination and degradation of intact incretin hormones and their truncated metabolites is unclear. OBJECTIVE To evaluate elimination and degradation of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in patients with dialysis-dependent kidney failure. SETTING AND DESIGN Twelve non-diabetic patients treated with chronic hemodialysis and 12 control subjects were examined in a double-blind, randomized, matched observational study at the Department of Nephrology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Over 4 separate study days, synthetic human GIP or GLP-1 was infused with or without concurrent inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 using sitagliptin or placebo. Plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, glucagon, and intact and total forms of GLP-1 or GIP were measured repeatedly. Plasma half-life (T1/2), metabolic clearance rate (MCR), area under curve, and volume of distribution for intact and metabolite levels of GLP-1 and GIP were calculated. RESULTS Fasting concentrations of intact GLP-1 and GIP were increased in dialysis patients (P < .001) whereas fasting levels of GLP-1 and GIP metabolites did not differ between groups (P > .738). MCRs of intact GLP-1 and GIP, and the GLP-1 metabolite were reduced in dialysis patients on the placebo day (P < .009), and T1/2 of intact and metabolite forms of GLP-1 and GIP were comparable between groups (P > .121). CONCLUSIONS Unexpectedly, degradation and elimination of the intact and metabolite forms of GLP-1 and GIP seemed preserved, although reduced, in patients with dialysis-dependent kidney failure.
Histology of selected tissues of the leopard seal and implications for functional adaptations to an aquatic lifestyle

The microscopic anatomy of the cardio‐respiratory system, digestive system, kidney, lymphatic system and integument was investigated in the leopard seal, Hydrurga leptonyx, by examining histological sections of tissues collected from leopard seals in Antarctica and New South Wales, Australia. The majority of the tissues had similar histological features to those described in terrestrial mammals and other pinniped species, particularly phocid seals. Differences noted included readily identifiable Purkinje cells within the endocardium, muscular rather than cartilaginous reinforcement of the smaller airways, a single capillary layer within the alveolar septa, limited and variable keratinization of the oesophageal epithelium, few lymphoid follicles within the lamina propria of the gastrointestinal tract, and an absence of a sporta perimedullaris musculosa described in the kidney of cetaceans and some pinniped species. Adaptations of the lung, spleen and integument, similar to those described in other pinnipeds, including reinforcement of the pulmonary terminal airways, prominent pulmonary interlobular septa, ample smooth muscle in the capsule and trabeculae of the spleen, increased thickness of the epidermis, well‐developed dermal sebaceous glands, and a thick blubber layer, appear to confer upon the leopard seal advantages related to its aquatic lifestyle.
Extracurricular Activities and Academic Achievement: A Literature Review

1 Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, P.O. Box 9656, Southern University Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70813, U.S.A 2 Office of the Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs, Southern University Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70813-9723, U.S.A. 3 International Center for Information Technology and Development, College of Business, P.O. Box 9723, Southern University Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70813-9723, U.S.A. 4 International Center for Information Technology and Development, College of Business, P.O. Box 9723, Southern University Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70813-9723, U.S.A. 5 Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, P.O. Box 9656, Southern University Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70813, U.S.A
Effects of verb familiarity on finiteness marking in children with specific language impairment.

PURPOSE Children with specific language impairment (SLI) have known deficits in the verb lexicon and finiteness marking. This study investigated a potential relationship between these 2 variables in children with SLI and 2 control groups considering predictions from 2 different theoretical perspectives, morphosyntactic versus morphophonological. METHOD Children with SLI, age-equivalent, and language-equivalent (LE) control children (n=59) completed an experimental sentence imitation task that generated estimates of children's finiteness accuracy under 2 levels of verb familiarity--familiar real verbs versus unfamiliar real verbs--in clausal sites marked for finiteness. Imitations were coded and analyzed for overall accuracy as well as finiteness marking and verb root imitation accuracy. RESULTS Statistical comparisons revealed that children with SLI did not differ from LE children and were less accurate than age-equivalent children on all dependent variables: overall imitation, finiteness marking imitation, and verb root imitation accuracy. A significant Group×Condition interaction for finiteness marking revealed lower levels of accuracy on unfamiliar verbs for the SLI and LE groups only. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate a relationship between verb familiarity and finiteness marking in children with SLI and younger controls and help clarify the roles of morphosyntax, verb lexicon, and morphophonology.
A Predictive Model of Customer Monetary Spending Based on Geometric Purchase Time and Lognormal Monetary Model

The monetary amount of customers' purchases and interpurchase time are two related and important variables in the realm of business marketing. Yet most research has formulated them independently in prediction models. This paper proposes a prediction model of customer monetary spending using information on interpurchase time. Unlike previous research, we consider interpurchase time according to geometric distribution. Moreover, our monetary prediction model combines interpurchase time and an underlying (basic unit) monetary amount which is assumed as log normal distribution. This study collects empirical data to validate the proposed model and estimate its parameters. We also compare our results with those of interpurchase time following exponential distribution. The results show that our proposed model performances better at monetary forecasting than the exponential model does.
Mutation of luxS Affects Biofilm Formation in Streptococcus mutans

ABSTRACT Quorum sensing is a bacterial mechanism for regulating gene expression in response to changes in population density. Many bacteria are capable of acyl-homoserine lactone-based or peptide-based intraspecies quorum sensing and luxS-dependent interspecies quorum sensing. While there is good evidence about the involvement of intraspecies quorum sensing in bacterial biofilm, little is known about the role of luxS in biofilm formation. In this study, we report for the first time that luxS-dependent quorum sensing is involved in biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans. S. mutans is a major cariogenic bacterium in the multispecies bacterial biofilm commonly known as dental plaque. An ortholog of luxS for S. mutans was identified using the data available in the S. mutans genome project (http://www.genome.ou.edu/smutans.html ). Using an assay developed for the detection of the LuxS-associated quorum sensing signal autoinducer 2 (AI-2), it was demonstrated that this ortholog was able to complement the luxS negative phenotype of Escherichia coli DH5α. It was also shown that AI-2 is indeed produced by S. mutans. AI-2 production is maximal during mid- to late-log growth in batch culture. Mutant strains devoid of the luxS gene were constructed and found to be defective in producing the AI-2 signal. There are also marked phenotypic differences between the wild type and the luxS mutants. Microscopic analysis of in vitro-grown biofilm structure revealed that the luxS mutant biofilms adopted a much more granular appearance, rather than the relatively smooth, confluent layer normally seen in the wild type. These results suggest that LuxS-dependent signal may play an important role in biofilm formation of S. mutans.
Identification and characterization of a Ca2+‐sensitive interaction of the vanilloid receptor TRPV1 with tubulin

The vanilloid receptor TRPV1 plays a well‐established functional role in the detection of a range of chemical and thermal noxious stimuli, such as those associated with tissue inflammation and the resulting pain. TRPV1 activation results in membrane depolarization, but may also trigger intracellular Ca2+‐signalling events. In a proteomic screen for proteins associated with the C‐terminal sequence of TRPV1, we identified β‐tubulin as a specific TRPV1‐interacting protein. We demonstrate that the TRPV1 C‐terminal tail is capable of binding tubulin dimers, as well as of binding polymerized microtubules. The interaction is Ca2+‐sensitive, and affects microtubule properties, such as microtubule sensitivity towards low temperatures and nocodazole. Our data thus provide compelling evidence for the interaction of TRPV1 with the cytoskeleton. The Ca2+‐sensitivity of this interaction suggests that the microtubule cytoskeleton at the cell membrane may be a downstream effector of TRPV1 activation.
Recovery from Radiation-Induced Delay of Cleavage in Gametes of Arbacia punctulata

A decrease in delay of cleavage, when irradiated sperm fom Arbacia punctulata were allowed to “recover” inside eggs, occurred when cell division was interrupted by the removal of oxygen soon after fertilization. The recovery mechanisms in irradiated eggs of this species before and after fertilization have been compared and appear to differ.
Adaptive measurement of vigilance decrement.

This paper describes a computer-baserd monitoring task which is adaptive, or self-adjusting, with the size of the signal stimulus (compared to a fixed non-signal stimulus) being mediated by the detection score of the subject, so as to maintain a constant detection rate. Data are presented which indicate that in order to maintain a fixed detection criterion over a 48-min vigil, the adaptive variable (separation distance of a pair of dots presented simultaneously) behaved in a manner consistent with the usual measures of vigilance decrement. Several adaptive strategies are discussed
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1Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas, Nevada; 2Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Scott & White Memorial Hospital, Temple, Texas, USA Correspondence: Dr Raman C Mahabir, 2401 South 31st Street, c/o Division of Plastic Surgery, Scott & White Memorial Hospital, Temple, Texas 76508, USA. Telephone 254-724-2321, fax 254-724-0315, e-mail rmahabir@swmail.sw. org Soft-tissue sarcomas represent a group of anatomically and histologically diverse tumours. These tumours are relatively rare, accounting for approximately 1% of all adult malignancies (1,2). According to the American Cancer Society, the number of new cases of soft-tissue tumours in the United States was more than 11,000 in 2012 (3), with only an estimated 15% of these occurring in the upper extremity (4). Due to the scarcity of these tumours, few hand surgeons are well versed in their diagnosis and treatment. A certain degree of suspicion must be entertained because the clinical presentation of these tumours as a painless mass can mimic infection, ganglion or lipoma (5). Unfortunately, misdiagnosis can lead to inappropriate management or delay in treatment, with grave consequences including major amputation or death. We present a review of the current literature and a sample case of a distal extremity sarcoma presenting as a chronic inflammatory mass.
cGAS is activated by DNA in a length‐dependent manner

Cytosolic DNA stimulates innate immune responses, including type I interferons (IFN), which have antiviral and immunomodulatory activities. Cyclic GMP‐AMP synthase (cGAS) recognizes cytoplasmic DNA and signals via STING to induce IFN production. Despite the importance of DNA in innate immunity, the nature of the DNA that stimulates IFN production is not well described. Using low DNA concentrations, we show that dsDNA induces IFN in a length‐dependent manner. This is observed over a wide length‐span of DNA, ranging from the minimal stimulatory length to several kilobases, and is fully dependent on cGAS irrespective of DNA length. Importantly, in vitro studies reveal that long DNA activates recombinant human cGAS more efficiently than short DNA, showing that length‐dependent DNA recognition is an intrinsic property of cGAS independent of accessory proteins. Collectively, this work identifies long DNA as the molecular entity stimulating the cGAS pathway upon cytosolic DNA challenge such as viral infections.
Quantitative analysis of financial market infrastructures: further perspectives on financial stability

This simulator seminar book includes twelve chapters dealing with various aspects of quantitative analysis of financial market infrastructures. The topics include, among others, systemic risks, participant behavior, and new monitoring methods of various payment systems. The methodologies vary from payment system simulations to other types of quantitative analysis based e.g. on artificial neural networks as well as GARCH models. These studies have been presented in the Bank of Finland’s simulator seminars during 2012–2014.
Dominant expression of mRNA for prostaglandin D synthase in leptomeninges, choroid plexus, and oligodendrocytes of the adult rat brain.

Glutathione-independent prostaglandin D synthase [prostaglandin-H2 D-isomerase; (5Z,13E)-(15S)-9 alpha,11 alpha-epidioxy-15-hydroxyprosta-5,13-dienoate D-isomerase, EC 5.3. 99.2] is an enzyme responsible for biosynthesis of prostaglandin D2 in the central nervous system. In situ hybridization with antisense RNA for the enzyme indicated that mRNA for the enzyme was predominantly expressed in the leptomeninges, choroid plexus, and oligodendrocytes of the adult rat brain. The findings agree with those obtained by immunohistochemical staining with antibodies against the enzyme. It was further revealed that prostaglandin D synthase activity was considerably greater in the isolated leptomeninges (14.2 nmol per min per mg of protein) and choroid plexus (7.0 nmol per min per mg of protein) than the activity in the whole brain (2.0 nmol per min per mg of protein). These results, taken together, indicate that the enzyme is mainly synthesized and located in the leptomeninges, choroid plexus, and oligodendrocytes in the brain.
IgG4-related Sclerosing Cholangitis With and Without Hepatic Inflammatory Pseudotumor, and Sclerosing Pancreatitis-associated Sclerosing Cholangitis: Do They Belong to a Spectrum of Sclerosing Pancreatitis?

Sclerosing cholangitis (SC) is a heterogeneous disease entity. Different etiologies such as choledocholithiasis, biliary tumor, or pericholangitis can manifest as SC. Hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor (IP) is rarely associated with SC (sclerosing cholangitis associated with hepatic inflammatory pseudotumor; SC-hepatic IP), but sclerosing pancreatitis (SP) is not infrequently associated with bile duct lesions (sclerosing pancreatitis-associated sclerosing cholangitis; SP-SC). In this study, we compared the histologic changes of hepatic hilar and extrahepatic bile duct lesions of SC (7 cases), SC-hepatic IP (5 cases), SP-SC (5 cases), and typical primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) (5 cases). Histologically, all SP-SC cases showed extensive and dense fibrosis with marked lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, many eosinophils, and obliterative phlebitis. Four cases of SC showed bile duct lesions similar to those of SP-SC, whereas other three cases of SC showed milder lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, scant eosinophilic cell infiltration, and no obliterative phlebitis. All SC-hepatic IP cases showed bile duct lesions identical to those of SP-SC. Immunohistochemically, many IgG4-positive plasma cells were found in the bile duct lesions of all SP-SC cases, 4 SC cases with marked lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, and all SC-hepatic IP cases. By contrast, IgG4-positive plasma cells were scarce or hardly found in the remaining 3 SC cases and all PSC cases. In conclusion, 4 SC cases and all SC-hepatic IP cases showed bile duct lesions identical to those of SP-SC, suggesting that these three conditions may be a single disease entity. Their pathogenesis may be similar or closely related to that of SP, and in that respect they may represent an IgG4-related biliary disease. They may respond to steroid therapy as SP does.