Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CloudSurf: A platform for monitoring public-cloud networks

Despite customers increasingly depend on cloud systems, that are not advertised with any information about either the design or the performance figures of the network infrastructures that support them. In this paper, we introduce CloudSurf, an open-source platform we have designed, implemented, and recently publicly released [5]. CloudSurf allows to monitor public-cloud networking infrastructures from the customer viewpoint throughnon-cooperative approaches, i.e. without relying on information restricted to the cloud provider or to entities playing a privileged role with respect to the provision of cloud services. After having identified a set of desirable features, we discuss the design of the platform, also showing its effectiveness through a set of use cases. Thanks to CloudSurf it is possible to go beyond the coarse information about public-cloud network performance today available. The information collected by CloudSurf can guide customers in performing cloud-services configuration, thus allowing them to improve cloud-network performance, to understand its variability, and to reduce costs.
Georges Teissier (1900–1972) and the Modern Synthesis in France

This Perspectives is devoted to the ideas of the French zoologist Georges Teissier about the mechanisms of evolution and the relations between micro- and macroevolution. Working in an almost universally neo-Lamarckian context in France, Teissier was one of the very few Darwinians there at the time of the evolutionary synthesis. The general atmosphere of French zoology during the 1920s and the 1930s will first be recalled, to understand the specific conditions in which Teissier became a zoologist. After a brief overview of his joint work with Philippe L’Héritier on the experimental genetics of Drosophila, this article describes the ways Teissier, during the 1950s, conceptualized the mechanisms that could allow for macroevolutionary transitions.
Diet pH, and Viscosity Affect Development and Survival of Screwworm Larvae (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

ABSTRACT The effects of dietary pH and viscosity on larval development of the New World screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), were studied in the laboratory using a gel-based and a cellulose fiber-based media. The mean initial pH of the standard gelled diet was lower (6.5 ± 0.3) than that of the standard cellulose fiber-based diet (6.8 ± 0.6). As larval development progressed, these values decreased to below 6.0 possibly due to the accumulation of acidic metabolic waste. Diets formulated with higher initial pH (7.5) produced a slightly larger and greater number of pupae compared with those for untreated standard diets. The diets with lower than normal initial pH (4.0) produced significantly smaller and lower numbers of pupae compared with those produced by the untreated standard diets. The effects of viscosity were studied using the cellulose fiber-based diet at six different initial viscosity levels ranging from 2,000 to 7,000 cP. The viscosity level of the diet increased as the larval development progressed due to gradual loss of moisture from the diet. The diet viscosity levels of 4,000 and 5,000 cP proved superior for larval development showing significantly higher yield and larger pupae compared with those obtained from diets with initial viscosities of 2,000–3,000 or 6,000–7,000 cP. The cellulose fiber-based diet used for mass rearing should be formulated to an initial viscosity reading of 4,000–5,000 cP for optimal larval growth and development. Adoption of a diet formulated to provide a higher initial pH such as 7.5 may produce better quality insects.
A community study of lower urinary tract symptoms in older men in Sydney, Australia.

BACKGROUND The aim of the present paper was to determine the prevalence, bother attributable to and self-reported management of uncomplicated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men aged 40-80 years in Sydney, Australia. METHODS A total of 340 randomly selected men aged 40-80 years (65% response rate) participated in a community-based study (computer-assisted telephone survey). RESULTS Lower urinary tract symptoms are common: 54% of men needed to wake up at least once at night to urinate; 47% indicated they had terminal dribbling 'sometimes' or 'frequently'; 30% experienced urgency although few (4%) had urge incontinence; 21% experienced hesitancy; and 19% could retain urine in their bladder during the day for no more than 2 hours. Urinary symptoms correlated poorly with self-rated bother and there was no increase in age-specific prevalence of bothersome symptoms with increasing age. Only 37 (26%) men inconvenienced by urinary symptoms had seen a general practitioner (GP) about these symptoms in the last 5 years: of these, two-thirds had been referred to a urologist and half of these received surgical treatment. Independent predictors of attending a GP were increasing age (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 12.3; P = 0.0015); place of birth outside Australia (AOR = 3.8; P = 0.0036) and anxiety about prostate cancer (AOR = 2.6; P = 0.0318), but not the degree of worry due to urinary symptoms. CONCLUSION Lower urinary tract symptoms are common in men, but their experiences of bother correlate weakly with symptoms and do not appear to influence referral and treatment. Public and professional campaigns might increase wider understanding of the benefits of surgery for bothersome symptoms, not symptoms per se.
Partitioning the Relative Contributions of Inorganic Plant Composition and Soil Characteristics to the Quality of Helichrysum italicum subsp. italicum (Roth) G. Don fil. Essential Oil

Composition of Helichrysum italicum subsp. italicum essential oil showed chemical variability according to vegetation cycle, environment, and geographic origins. In the present work, 48 individuals of this plant at different development stages and the corresponding root soils were sampled: i) 28 volatile components were identified and measured in essential oil by using GC and GC/MS; ii) ten elements from plants and soils have been estimated using colorimetry in continuous flux, flame atomic absorption spectrometry, or emission spectrometry (FAAS/FAES); iii) texture and acidity (real and potential) of soil samples were also reported. Relationships between the essential‐oil composition, the inorganic plant composition, and the soil characteristics (inorganic composition, texture, and acidity) have been established using multivariate analysis such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and partial Redundancy Analysis (RDA). This study demonstrates a high level of intraspecific differences in oil composition due to environmental factors and, more particularly, soil characteristics.
Proliferation rate of rabbit corneal epithelium during overnight rigid contact lens wear.

PURPOSE To examine cell proliferation of the normal corneal epithelium and during extended rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lens wear. METHODS Twenty-three New Zealand White rabbits were fitted unilaterally with either a low oxygen transmissible (Dk/t) or hyper-Dk/t RGP lens, with the other eye serving as a control. The rabbits were injected with 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) 24-hours later and killed at three time points: 1, 3, and 7 days after injection. Corneas were processed for immunocytochemistry, and sequential digital images were taken from the superior limbus to the central epithelium with an epifluorescence microscope. The total number of BrdU-labeled cell pairs was quantified. RESULTS The limbus in normal corneas was significantly less populated with BrdU-labeled cells than the central and peripheral epithelium (P < 0.05). The peripheral epithelium adjacent to the limbus was marked by a peak of labeled cells (P < 0.05). Both types of RGP lenses produced an increase in BrdU labeling in the limbus and a dramatic decrease in the central epithelium (80% for low Dk/t, 37% for hyper Dk/t). At day 3 and 7 after BrdU injection, the low-Dk/t lens continued to show decreased BrdU labeling centrally, whereas the limbus remained increased. Hyper-Dk/t lens wear however, showed persistent limbal elevation but equivalent numbers of BrdU-labeled cells centrally at days 3 and 7, compared with control corneas. Keratocytes unexpectedly showed BrdU labeling during RGP lens wear. CONCLUSIONS Limbus, peripheral, and central epithelium were characterized by different proliferation rates in the normal rabbit cornea. RGP lens wear significantly altered the homeostatic proliferation pattern of the epithelium with the low-Dk/t lens having the most dramatic effect. RGP contact lens wear appears to stimulate proliferation of keratocytes.
Nonproportional Response and Energy Resolution of Pure SrI$_{2}$ and SrI$_{2}$:5%Eu Scintillators

Nonproportional response of the scintillation yield of un-doped SrI2 and SrI2:5o/oEu was studied using highly monochromatic synchrotron irradiation ranging from 10.5 to 100 keV. Measurements were performed at 80 K and 295 K for SrI , and at 80 K, 295 K, 450 K, and 600 K for SrI2:5o/oEu. By making a dense data sampling around the iodine K-edge and using the recently developed K-dip spectroscopy method, the K-shell photoelectron response curves were reconstructed down to 500 eV. Proportionalities of X-ray response and K-shell photoelectron response of both crystals reveal temperature dependence. Energy resolution of the X-ray photopeak was analyzed as a function of temperature and deposited energy. Energy resolution improves with better proportionality.
Septal flash predicts cardiac resynchronization therapy response in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation.

AIMS Patients with heart failure (HF) as well as atrial fibrillation (AF) have suboptimal response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Identification of mechanical abnormalities, amenable to correction with CRT, might improve the selection of candidates and CRT efficiency. We evaluated whether abnormal septal motion, assessed by the presence of septal flash (SF) is related to CRT response in patients with AF. METHODS AND RESULTS Ninety-four CRT patients with AF were included. Echocardiography was performed in all subjects at baseline and at 12-month follow-up. Abnormal septal motion was defined by the presence of SF (early septal inward/outward motion within the isovolumic contraction period/QRS duration). Response to CRT was defined as a reduction (>15%) of the end-systolic volume of the left ventricle (LV). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the predictors of CRT response. The mean age was 69 ± 8 years, 79% were males, and 59% of patients responded to CRT. Cardiovascular death was 14.4% and all-cause mortality was 16.5% during follow-up. Patients with SF at baseline that was acutely corrected by CRT were significantly more likely to respond than patients without SF. Baseline SF was an independent predictor of CRT response (OR 5.24; 95% CI 1.95-14.11). CONCLUSION Abnormal septal motion, assessed by the presence of SF, is a mechanism amenable to CRT correction. Its correction is associated with a higher likelihood of CRT response in HF patients with long-standing AF. This could improve the selection of candidates to CRT in a subgroup with particularly poor response and long-term prognosis.
Math Fluency Is Etiologically Distinct From Untimed Math Performance, Decoding Fluency, and Untimed Reading Performance

The authors examined whether math fluency was independent from untimed math and from reading using 314 pairs of school-aged twins drawn from the Western Reserve Reading and Math Projects. Twins were assessed through a 90-min home visit at approximately age 10 and were reassessed in their homes approximately 1 year later. Results suggested that the shared environment and genetics influenced the covariance among math fluency, untimed math measures, and reading measures. However, roughly two thirds of the variance in math fluency was independent from untimed math measures and reading, including reading fluency. The majority of this independent variance was the result of genetic factors that were longitudinally stable across two measurement occasions. These results suggest that math fluency, although related to other math measures, may also be a genetically distinct dimension of mathematics performance.
Hepatic Capsular Enhancement: Is it a Hallmark for the Diagnosis of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome?

Introduction Hepatic capsular enhancement on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) is regarded as a typical finding of the Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome. Nevertheless, similar hepatic capsular enhancement may occur in peritoneal carcinomatosis. Clinical picture A 67-year-old man presented with diffuse abdominal pain. CT showed hepatic capsular enhancement and a mass in the sigmoid colon. Treatment As the patient was inoperable, supportive care was provided. Outcome He was transferred to a regional hospital for hospice care. Conclusion When we see a patient with hepatic capsular enhancement on contrast-enhanced CT, we should seek other causes of perihepatitis, in addition to the Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome.
Prediction of hospital length of stay.

Uncertainty in length of patient hospital stay is a major deterrent to effective scheduling for admission of elective patients. Various methods are presented for reducing this uncertainty, including use of diagnostic information, physicians' estimates, and nurses' discharge prediction. It is concluded that physicians' estimates prior to admission, revised by additional estimates after admission, are a useful tool for reducing the uncertainty in length of stay and permitting effective scheduling and manpower allocation.
Quantitative Whole-Cell Proteome Analysis of Pseudorabies Virus-Infected Cells

ABSTRACT A quantitative proteome study using the stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture technique was performed on bovine kidney cells after infection with the alphaherpesvirus pseudorabies virus (PrV), the etiological agent of Aujeszky's disease. To enhance yields of proteins to be identified, raw extracts were fractionated by affinity solid-phase extraction with a combination of a cibacron blue F3G-A and a heparin matrix and with a phosphoprotein-specific matrix. After two-dimensional gel electrophoresis in different pH ranges between pH 3 and pH 10, 2,600 proteins representing 565 genes were identified by mass spectrometry and screened for virus-induced changes in relative protein levels. Four hours after infection, significant quantitative variations were found for constituents of the nuclear lamina, representatives of the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins, proteins involved in membrane trafficking and intracellular transport, a ribosomal protein, and heat shock protein 27. Several proteins were present in multiple charge variants that were differentially affected by infection with PrV. As a common pattern for all these proteins, a mass shift in favor of the more acidic isoforms was observed, suggesting the involvement of viral or cellular kinases.
Potential for Hepatitis C Virus Resistance to Nitazoxanide or Tizoxanide

ABSTRACT Nitazoxanide and its primary metabolite, tizoxanide, inhibit hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication in HCV replicon systems. To study the potential for resistance, we subjected Huh7 cells harboring HCV replicons to serial passage in 250 μM G418 and increasing concentrations of nitazoxanide or tizoxanide. Passage of the replicon-containing cell lines in either compound resulted in increases in the 50% effective concentrations (EC50s) (7- to 13-fold), EC90s (14- to 36-fold), and 50% cytotoxic concentrations (2- to 4-fold) of both compounds. Serial passage in either compound did not alter the susceptibility of HCV replicons to ribavirin or 2′-C-methylcytidine. Interestingly, serial passage in nitazoxanide or tizoxanide resulted in increased sensitivity to alpha interferon 2b: EC50s and EC90s were reduced three- and eightfold, respectively. Replicons isolated from these cell lines had no greater ability to confer tizoxanide resistance, or increased susceptibility to alpha interferon, than replicons isolated from the parental cell line that had not previously been exposed to nitazoxanide or tizoxanide. These findings are indicative of a cell-mediated activity differing from that of other anti-HCV drugs but complementary with interferon and are consistent with the enhanced response rates observed clinically when nitazoxanide is combined with pegylated interferon therapy. Finally, unlike data for other compounds in advanced clinical development for HCV, these data are consistent with resistance in HCV replicon-containing cell lines conferred by changes in the host and not by mutations in the virus.
Investigation of phase transition of natural ZnS minerals by high resolution electron microscopy : discussion

Several years ago, following studies of ZnS minerals from Pribram, Czechoslovakia, Thomaston Dam, Connecticut and Austinville, Virginia (Fleet, 1976; 1977a; 1977b), I concluded that in natural (low temperature) assemblages; (1) complete transformation of 2H wurtzite to ideal 3C sphalerite appears to involve two distinct steps, a continuous transformation to intermediate disordered {00.1} layer sequences followed by a final discontinuous transformation; and, (2) in marked contrast, solidstate transformation in ideal 3C sphalerite is essentially limited to the formation of deformation twins ({l I l} twin plane). Thel recent observations of Akizuki (1981) on Pribram, zone I ZnS (Fleet, 1977b) and Hosokura mine sphalerite tend to support these conclusions: the sampled areas of Pribram ZnS investigated by Akizuki consist only of disordered 2H and 3C sequences, and Hosokura mine sphalerite appears to be in the same structural state as Thomaston Dam sphalerite. However, Akizuki claims 'that the stacking sequences resolved in his high resolution transmission electron microscopy (nnrer\l) study preclude the continuous transformation tnechanism (layer transposition) I had proposed for disordered wurtzite. Stacking disorder (stacking faults) in layered structures can arise through: (l) crystal growth; (2) deformation; and (3) layer transposition. Deformation takes place through crystal slip of the close-packed layers. In contrast, layer transposition (or layer displacement, Pandey, 1981) involves lateral diffusion or migration of individual atoms or of groups of atoms. My original use of the term "isolated edge dislocations" in connection with this process is misleading and henceforth I shall use more widely accepted terminology. Block-faulted structures may be produced by both crystal growth and deformation and, conceivably, periodic and randomly faulted structures may be produced by crystal growth, deformation or layer transposition. Therefore some ambiguity in the assignment of stacking fault origin is to be expected, especially when the process giving rise to the stacking faults does not cause deformation of crystal boundaries. Both deformation and layer transposition appear to be feasible transformation mechanisms for ZnS. It should be ernphasized that both processes require a higher activation energy for transformation of the 3C structure and
Expression of KLF4 is a predictive marker for survival in pediatric Burkitt lymphoma

Abstract Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is expressed in a variety of tissues with diverse physiological functions and activities. KLF4 can also function as a tumor suppressor or an oncogene, depending on the cellular context. Its role in hematological malignancies is controversial. This study examined the expression levels of KLF4 by immunohistochemistry in 73 pediatric non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) in a tissue microarray and also on several B-NHL cell lines. Elevated levels of KLF4 expression were detected in 66% of lymphoma cases and were more frequent in the Burkitt lymphoma (p = 0.05) subtype. There was a significant predictive power for outcome with low KLF4 expression, predicting a favorable overall survival compared to high levels. Multivariate analyses confirmed the association of KLF4 expression with unfavorable overall survival (p < 0.005). These findings were consistent with analyses in existing NHL microarray datasets. The present findings revealed that KLF4 is overexpressed in Burkitt pediatric lymphoma and is a potential biomarker for inferior overall survival.
Membrane Cholesterol Content Modulates ClC-2 Gating and Sensitivity to Oxidative Stress*

ClC-2 is a broadly expressed member of the voltage-gated ClC chloride channel family. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of the membrane lipid environment in ClC-2 function, and in particular the effect of cholesterol and ClC-2 distribution in membrane microdomains. Detergent-resistant and detergent-soluble microdomains (DSM) were isolated from stably transfected HEK293 cells by a discontinuous OptiPrep gradient. ClC-2 was found concentrated in detergent-insoluble membranes in basal conditions and relocalized to DSM upon cholesterol depletion by methyl-β-cyclodextrin. As assessed by patch clamp recordings, relocalization was accompanied by acceleration of the activation kinetics of the channel. A similar distribution and activation pattern were obtained when cells were treated with the oxidant tert-butyl hydroperoxide and after ATP depletion. In both cases activation was prevented by cholesterol enrichment of cells. We conclude that the cholesterol environment regulates ClC-2 activity, and we provide evidence that the increase in ClC-2 activity in response to acute oxidative or metabolic stress involves relocalization of this channel to DSM.
Hemorrhage into Craniopharyngioma as a Differential Diagnosis of Pituitary Apoplexy: A Case Report and Literature Review

Hemorrhage occurring in craniopharyngioma, with clinical presentation similar to pituitary apoplexy, is a very rare event; with only 20 cases reported. Hyponatremia, hemiplegia and upper motor neuron facial palsy occurring in such a situation is still rarer. We report the case of a 60-year-old lady who presented with right hemiplegia, diminished vision, right upper motor neuron facial palsy and hyponatremia. Computed tomography showed a hypodense lesion in the sellar and supra-sellar region with hemorrhage extending to left basal ganglia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a T2-hyperintense lesion with peripheral contrast enhancement in the sellar and suprasellar regions. The pre-operative diagnosis was pituitary macroadenoma with hemorrhage. The relatively avascular tumor was excised sub totally by craniotomy. Histopathological examination of the specimen revealed adamantinomatous type of craniopharyngioma. Literature review was based on 17 publications and a total of 20 patients. Their clinical features, locations of the tumor and histological types are tabulated. Keywords: Craniopharyngioma, Pituitary apoplexy, Hyponatremia, Adamantinomatous
Identification and subcellular location of talin in various cell types and tissues by means of [125I]vinculin overlay, immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry.

In the present study, we have examined the cellular and subcellular distribution of talin in several tissues of the chicken. By immunocytochemistry, Western Blot analysis and [125I]vinculin overlay, talin was demonstrated in most of the main tissues and cell types of the body. Corresponding to the property of talin to bind to the fibronectin receptor, talin was found to be confined to the site of the plasma membrane that abuts the extracellular matrix in various types of mesenchymal and epithelial cells. In the central nervous system talin was almost exclusively confined to cells of the connective tissue, i.e., blood vessels and the connective tissue sheaths. No evidence was obtained for the association of talin with any type of intercellular junction. In nonadhering cells such as circulating platelets and leukocytes, talin displayed a diffuse distribution throughout the cytoplasm. These findings suggest a general role for talin in certain aspects of cellular adhesion to the extracellular matrix.