Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling flow setup time for controller placement in SDN: Evaluation for dynamic flows

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) controllers are network entities that act as strategic control points in an SDN network. Controller placement studies mostly aim at optimizing network performance in terms of control latency, reliability and resilience, given network characteristics that are static. Yet dynamic traffic conditions, if not adapted by the controller placement properly, may cause high end-to-end flow setup time. For reactive controllers, the end-to-end flow setup time of a flow implies the difference between sending time at the source and receiving time at the sink of the first packet in that flow. Therefore, end-to-end flow setup time indicates the amount of time needed to set up forwarding rules in all involved switches and acts as a primary concern in terms of service establishment of network operators. In this paper, we analyze the controller placement for dynamic traffic flows based on a combined controller placement model: controller locations and switch-to-controller assignments are simultaneously optimized for minimum average flow setup time with respect to different traffic conditions inside the network. Linearization method is applied to transform the problem into a Mixed Integer Programming (MIP) problem which can be solved optimally. Two derivatives are also presented for comparison, one optimizing only controller locations and the other optimizing only switch-to-controller assignments. Our simulations cover two real network topologies and we explain the effects of the models have on the flow setup time with respect to dynamic flows. For low flow densities, the controller placement that adapts to flows could reduce the average flow setup time by about 50% compared to the static placement. However, when densities are high, the need of changing controller placement to guarantee flow setup performance is marginal.
NEOCUPROINE AND BATHOCUPROINE AS NEW REAGENTS FOR THE SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC DETERMINATION OF CERTAIN PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS

Simple, sensitive and selective spectrophotometric methods were developed for the determination of five antiulcer drugs namely, omeprazole (OMZ), lansoprazole (LNZ), pantoprazole (PNZ), rabeprazole (RBZ) and esomeprazole (EMZ) using neocuproine or bathocuproine as reagents. The reaction is based on the reduction of copper(II) to copper(I) by OMZ, LNZ, PNZ, RBZ and EMZ which subsequently reacts with neocuproine or bathocuproine in neutral medium to produce yellow or orange-red coloured complex with maximum absorbance at 460 or 480 nm, respectively. Beer\'s law was obeyed in the concentration range 0.2-4.0 μg mL -1 with a relative standard deviation ranging between 0.5-1.0 and 0.5-1.1 for the drugs with neocuproine and bathocuproine, respectively. The limits of detection were found to be 0.007-0.024 and 0.01-0.026 μg mL -1 and the limits of quantification ranged between 0.019-0.067 and 0.026-0.062 µg mL -1 with neocuproine and bathocuproine, respectively. The optimum assay conditions were investigated and the accuracy was found to be 99.3-100.5 % and 99.1-100.7 %, while the correlation coefficients ranged between 0.9830-1.0213 and 0.9896-0.9981 with neocuproine and bathocuproine, respectively. The colour developed was stable for 24 h at room temperature (~ 27 o C). The commonly encountered excipients and additives did not interfere in the determination. Results obtained by this method for the pure drugs and commercial tablets agreed well with those obtained by reported method. KEY WORDS : Neocuproine, Bathocuproine, Antiulcer drugs, Spectrophotometry Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2007 , 21(3), 315-321.
Structured Equation Model of Tuberculosis Incidence Based on Its Social Determinants and Risk Factors in Bandar Lampung, Indonesia

World Health Organization through tuberculosis (TB) control averted up to six million deaths and cured thirty-six million people in 1995-2008, but had less success in reducing TB incidence, especially in thirteen high burden countries, including Indonesia. Therefore, TB control will need to have more emphasis on the issues of social determinants, as social determinants affect TB’s incidence directly and/-or through TB’s risk factors. This study aimed to identify a significant effect of social determinants and the risk factors of TB incidence. The research setting was at twenty-seven primary health centers and one hospital that have implemented the Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) strategy in Bandar Lampung municipality, Indonesia. Respondents of this research were 238 smear-positive TB patients as case group and 238 patients without TB as control group. Research variables consisted of “social determinants”, “housing condition”, “household food security” and “health access” which were set as latent variables and measured through their indicators. Data had been collected by using questionnaire and then was analyzed with Structural Equation Modeling using SmartPLS 2.0 software. The result showed that “social determinants” through “housing condition” and “household food security” affected “TB incidence”. Moreover, “social determinants”, “housing condition” and “household food security” can be used to explain 34.1% variation of “TB incidence”. In conclusion, the knowledge can be used to support the TB control program, particularly to implement the DOTS strategy together with improving social determinants, housing condition and household food security.
Nonmedical Prescription Stimulant Use Among a Sample of College Students

Objective: To further investigate use and potential misuse of prescription stimulants (e.g., Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta) among a sample of college students and to explore the relationship between psychological variables and nonmedical stimulant use. Method: The sample consisted of 390 college students (71.6% female, 28.4% male). Participants were asked to complete five questionnaires concerning demographic information, prescription stimulant use, internal restlessness, sensation seeking, and psychological distress. Results: The study findings revealed that, regarding nonprescribed stimulants, 7.5% reported use within the past 30 days; 60% reported knowing students who misused stimulants; and 50% agreed or strongly agreed that prescription stimulants were “easy to get on this campus. ” Findings further revealed a relationship between stimulant use and degree of psychological distress and internal restlessness. Conclusions: Continued research regarding psychological variables, specific group membership (e.g., fraternity, sorority, athletics), and stimulant acquisition is suggested. Effective prevention and education efforts are needed to help address the nonmedical use of prescription stimulants on college campuses. (J. of Att. Dis. 2009; 13(3) 284-296)
Integrated spatial analysis of volunteered geographic information

Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) is becoming a pervasive form of data within geographic academic research. VGI offers a relatively new form of data, one with both potential as a sensitive way to collect information about the world, and challenges associated with unknown and heterogeneous data quality. The lack of sampling control, variable expertise in data collection and handling, and limited control over data sources are significant research challenges. In this thesis, data quality of VGI is tackled as a general composite measure based on coverage of the dataset, the evenness in the density of data, and the relative evenness in contributors to a given dataset. A metric is formulated which measures these properties for VGI point pattern data. The utility of the metric for discriminating qualitatively different types of VGI is evaluated for different forms of VGI, based on a relative comparison framework. The metric is used to optimize both the spatial grains and spatial extents of several VGI study areas. General methods are created to support the assessment of data quality of VGI datasets at several spatial scales. _______________________________________________________________________ Dr. Colin Robertson, Supervisor (Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University) _______________________________________________________________________ Dr. Rob Feick, Member (School of Planning, University of Waterloo) _______________________________________________________________________ Dr. Trisalyn Nelson, Outside Member (Department of Geography, University of Victoria) _______________________________________________________________________ Dr. Robert McLeman, External Examiner (Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University)
Electrical stimulation induced lumbar medial branch referral patterns.

STUDY DESIGN Fluoroscopically guided, minimum threshold electrical stimulation of the right first, second, third, and fourth lumbar medial branches and the fifth lumbar dorsal ramus in each of eight healthy test subjects was performed. The stimulation thresholds and referral patterns were recorded. A composite drawing of the referral patterns was created. The composite drawings were compared to documented referral patterns already published by other authors. OBJECTIVE To determine the referral patterns of the lumbar medial branches and the fifth lumbar dorsal ramus. HYPOTHESIS The lumbar medial branch referral patterns created by minimum threshold electrical stimulation may differ from those obtained after zygapophysial joint (Z-joint) injections. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Lumbar Z-joint referral patterns have been identified following provocative Z-joint injections. There are no reports of lumbar medial branch referral patterns. METHODS The right L1 through L4 medial branch of the posterior primary ramus and the right L5 dorsal ramus in each of eight healthy volunteer males (n=40), without a history of back pain, were electrically stimulated under fluoroscopic imaging. All subjects were blinded to the level of stimulation, and each individual mapped out the referral area on a human line drawing at the time of each stimulus. The referral patterns after electrical stimulation and the stimulation thresholds were recorded. These referral patterns were compared to referral patterns recorded during provocative Z-joint injections by other authors. CONCLUSION All of the subjects' mapped referral sites coincided with each other, creating a well defined composite drawing. These referral zones are different than those reported after injection of the lumbar Z-joint, which may have clinical and therapeutic implications. These referral maps may provide the clinician with additional insight when evaluating a patient with lumbar, flank, or gluteal pain of undetermined etiology.
Enhanced Disease Susceptibility1 Mediates Pathogen Resistance and Virulence Function of a Bacterial Effector in Soybean1[C][W][OPEN]

A single gene product mediates in the virulence activity of a bacterial effector. Enhanced disease susceptibility1 (EDS1) and phytoalexin deficient4 (PAD4) are well-known regulators of both basal and resistance (R) protein-mediated plant defense. We identified two EDS1-like (GmEDS1a/GmEDS1b) proteins and one PAD4-like (GmPAD4) protein that are required for resistance signaling in soybean (Glycine max). Consistent with their significant structural conservation to Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) counterparts, constitutive expression of GmEDS1 or GmPAD4 complemented the pathogen resistance defects of Arabidopsis eds1 and pad4 mutants, respectively. Interestingly, however, the GmEDS1 and GmPAD4 did not complement pathogen-inducible salicylic acid accumulation in the eds1/pad4 mutants. Furthermore, the GmEDS1a/GmEDS1b proteins were unable to complement the turnip crinkle virus coat protein-mediated activation of the Arabidopsis R protein Hypersensitive reaction to Turnip crinkle virus (HRT), even though both interacted with HRT. Silencing GmEDS1a/GmEDS1b or GmPAD4 reduced basal and pathogen-inducible salicylic acid accumulation and enhanced soybean susceptibility to virulent pathogens. The GmEDS1a/GmEDS1b and GmPAD4 genes were also required for Resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv glycinea2 (Rpg2)-mediated resistance to Pseudomonas syringae. Notably, the GmEDS1a/GmEDS1b proteins interacted with the cognate bacterial effector AvrA1 and were required for its virulence function in rpg2 plants. Together, these results show that despite significant structural similarities, conserved defense signaling components from diverse plants can differ in their functionalities. In addition, we demonstrate a role for GmEDS1 in regulating the virulence function of a bacterial effector.
Effects of Practolol and Metoprolol on QT Interval, Heart Rate and Arterial Pressure during Induction of Anaesthesia

The effects of the selective β1‐adrenergic receptor blocking agents, practolol with intrinsic sympathetic activity (ISA) and metoprolol without ISA, were studied on QT interval, heart rate, arterial pressure and cardiac arrhythmias during the induction of anaesthesia in 142 adults. In the control group, the QT interval was statistically significantly prolonged after thiopental, and the most marked prolongation occurred after suxamethonium. Neither practolol nor metoprolol alone affected the QT interval. Practolol 100 μg/kg i.v. , but not 40 or 150 μg/kg i.v. , almost completely reduced the prolongation of the QT interval after suxamethonium. In all doses of 20, 30 and 40 μg/kg i.v. metoprolol statistically significantly and dose‐dependently reduced the prolongation of the QT interval after thiopental, suxamethonium and laryngoscopy, but the prolongation of the QT interval after intubation still occurred. Practolol and metoprolol alone statistically significantly reduced heart rate, but did not prevent the increase of heart rate after thiopental. The effects on arterial pressure were minimal. Neither practolol nor metoprolol prevented the cardiovascular intubation response. Ventricular ectopic beats after intubation occurred in 20% of the patients in the control group and their incidence ranged from 20 to 27% in the groups pretreated with practolol or metoprolol 20 μg/kg. In the groups pretreated with metoprolol 30 or 40 μg/kg, ventricular ectopic beats occurred in 5% and 8%, respectively. It is concluded that the selective β1‐adrenergic receptor blocking agents practolol with ISA, and especially metoprolol without ISA, reduced the prolongation of the QT interval after suxamethonium. The results suggest that the prolongation of the QT interval after suxamethonium may be mediated by the stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system caused by suxamethonium.
More options, more considerations: how new treatment options influence clinical decision making.

Given the fact that the majority of cases of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) are incurable, the primary goal when treating these patients is to prolong overall survival (OS) and palliate symptoms, but not at the expense of quality of life (QoL). The choice of therapy should be made on an individual, patient-by patient basis, taking into account various prognostic or predictive factors (1). Patients with rapidly progressing disease or symptoms may gain the most from combination or more aggressive chemotherapy; a less toxic approach may suit those with more gradual disease progression. It is not a trivial task to achieve the correct balance between efficacy and toxicity when choosing any of the relatively protracted chemotherapeutic regimens that are currently used for MBC.
Preferences and utilization of health services by slum residents: A case study of Mathare, Nairobi

Health-seeking behaviour is a very important variable in understanding the health conditions of the urban slum dwellers. This study was conducted in the Mathare Valley slums in Nairobi. Mathare Valley was selected purposively because it is reputed as one of the largest, most well known and the most favoured of the slums due to its closeness to the city centre and industrial area and since it is one of the oldest, it is expected that the impact of the location will have an impact on the behaviour of the people. The main objective of the study was to find out the health facility preference and utilization patterns of slum residents in Mathare with the specific objectives being to: identify the health care services they prefer and utilize; establish the relationship between health facility preference and health facility utilization; determine the factors that are significantly related to the preference for and utilization of health facilities among slum residents; and finally, draw up relevant policy recommendations arising from the study. The study was guided by three theoretical models; the sociological interactionist theory, the health belief model and the social learning theory. The study was a cross-sectional social survey and it sampled 220 households. The respondents were the heads of households, male and female, single and married. Simple and systematic random sampling methods were used to draw the sample and the research instrument was an interview schedule. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Frequencies were used for univariate analysis whereas cross tabulations were used to represent bivariate relationships. The two-way chi-square, also known as test of independence was used to establish statistical independence with the
The relationship of quantitative brain magnetic resonance imaging measures to neuropathologic indexes of human immunodeficiency virus infection.

OBJECTIVE To directly examine the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities and neuropathologic changes in the brains of patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. DESIGN A total of 17 brains from patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome for which postmortem MRI scans were available were used in this study. Volumes of cortical gray matter, deep gray matter, and abnormal white matter were estimated from the MRIs of the left hemispheres of the formalin-fixed brains from patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome using quantitative morphometric techniques. Quantitative estimates of human immunodeficiency virus, gliosis, and neocortical synaptic and dendritic density were obtained from the corresponding right hemispheres. Quantification of human immunodeficiency virus and gliosis was performed on all 17 specimens, while quantification of synaptic and dendritic density was performed on 10 of the 17 specimens. SETTING All specimens were obtained from patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who underwent autopsy between 1990 and 1992 at the University of California-San Diego Medical Center and the San Diego (Calif) Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital. RESULTS No association was found between MRI volumes and gliosis, a nonspecific marker of central nervous system damage. Significant and regionally specific relationships were obtained, however, between the severity of central nervous system human immunodeficiency virus infection and the MRI volume estimates of gray matter and abnormal white matter. In addition, a significant association was observed between cortical gray matter volumes and cortical synaptic density. CONCLUSION These findings indicate that the quantitative morphometric analysis of MRIs in patients may provide sensitive in vivo markers of neuropathologic changes associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection of the brain.
The Effect of Surplus Free Cash Flow on the Relationship between the Board Structure and Earnings Quality of Companies Listed on Tehran Stock Exchange

In this study, is evaluated the effect of surplus free cash flow on the relationship between board structure and earnings quality of listed companies in Tehran Stock Exchange. This study attempts to empirically examine the role of surplus free cash flow (SFCF) as a moderator on the relationship between board structure and earnings quality. The statistical society this study consisted of all companies listed on Tehran Stock Exchange during the period 2008 to 2012 that after applying the restrictions according to of the systematic write-off method were available the number of 110 companies as statistical sample. Financial data of companies surveyed, is extracted from the existing database inclusive software and Informational sites the Tehran Stock Exchange and for data analysis is used Eviews and Excel software. In this study, from multivariate regression to test the hypotheses is applied using hybrid data method. The results show that the hypothesis of the first, third and fifth of the relationship between board structure has a significant relationship with reported earnings quality. And the second and fourth hypotheses the effect of surplus free cash flow on the relationship between board structure (board size and board independence) there is a significant relationship with the earnings quality. But in the sixth hypothesis the effect of surplus free cash flow on the board structure (independence Chairman and CEO) and earnings quality is effective, will be rejected.
Elevated plasma CD105 and vitreous VEGF levels in diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the industrialized world. Hyperglycaemia induces retinal hypoxia that upregulates a range of vasoactive factors which may lead to macular oedema and/or angiogenesis and hence potentially sight threatening retinopathy. In this study, we have focused on the association of CD105 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy by means of quantifying their expression in the plasma and vitreous of diabetic patients. CD105 levels were quantified in the plasma of 38 type I diabetic patients at various stages of retinopathy and 15 non‐diabetic controls. In an additional cohort of 11 patients with advanced proliferative retinopathy and 23 control subjects, CD105 and VEGF were measured in the vitreous. The values were expressed as median (range) and statistical analysis was carried out using the non‐parametric Mann‐Whitney U test. Plasma CD105 levels were significantly increased in diabetic patients [1.8(1.1‐2.4)ng/ml] compared with non‐diabetic controls [0.7 (0.3‐1.8) ng/ml] (p<0.01). Plasma CD105 levels were elevated in diabetic patients with all stages of retinopathy, the highest level was observed in background retinopathy [2.3 (2.1‐2.5) ng/ml] followed by proliferative retinopathy [2.1 (0.9‐2.8) ng/ml] and advanced proliferative retinopathy [1.4 (0.6‐1.8) ng/ml]. Vitreous contents of CD105 did not differ between controls and patients with advanced proliferative retinopathy, but vitreous levels of VEGF were elevated by ∼3‐ fold in patients with advanced proliferative retinopathy [7.2 (1.90‐15.60) ng/ml] compared with the control subjects [1.80 (1.10‐2.210)] (p<0.01). These observations indicate that plasma levels of CD105 and vitreous levels of VEGF are associated with diabetic retinopathy, suggesting that CD105 and the angiogenic factor VEGF may play a critical role in the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy. Further studies are required to determine whether circulating CD105 levels could serve as a surrogate marker for early stage retinopathy and for monitoring disease progression.
Development and analysis of an operator steering model for teleoperated mobile robots under constant and variable latencies

SUMMARY Latency hinders a mobile robot teleoperator's ability to perform remote tasks. However, this effect is not well modeled. This paper develops a model for teleoperator steering behavior as a PD controller based on projected lateral displacement, which was tuned to reflect user performance determined by a 31-subject user study under constant and variable latency (having mean latencies between 0 and 750 ms). Additionally, we determined that operator performance under variable latency could be mapped to the expected performance of an equivalent constant latency. We then tested additional latency distributions in simulation and demonstrated equivalent steering performance among several different latency distributions.