Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Smart wireless sensor network management based on software-defined networking

In this position paper, we propose the use of software-defined networking (SDN) in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) for smart management. We argue that smart management using SDN promises a solution to some of inherent problems in WSN management. Furthermore, we propose a generic architecture for a base station in a software-defined wireless sensor network. We also propose a general framework for a software-defined wireless sensor network where the controller is implemented at the base station. We then raise some important questions that need to be investigated in future research in software-defined wireless sensor networks.
A discussion of the actual status of process control in theory and practice: a personal view from German process industry

Abstract The contribution aims at stimulating a dialogue between academia and industry: from an application point of view, the authors observe in the field of process control an ongoing drift between theory and practice. As engineers, the authors are concerned that this drift weakens the position of process control as a whole. Hence, a thorough analysis and a following discussion are at need. In order to contribute to the aforementioned dialogue, first the state of the art of process control in the Western European chemical industry is reported by displaying the results of a Western-European-wide survey. Thereafter, a discussion of the actual context of industrial applications of process control is led. Finally, the contribution is concluded in view of opening the field for the dialogue in need by some remarks fostering the future of process control as a whole.
Ensemble-learning Approaches for Network Security and Anomaly Detection

The application of machine learning models to network security and anomaly detection problems has largely increased in the last decade; however, there is still no clear best-practice or silver bullet approach to address these problems in a general context. While deep-learning is today a major breakthrough in other domains, it is difficult to say which is the best model or category of models to address the detection of anomalous events in operational networks. We present a potential solution to fill this gap, exploring the application of ensemble learning models to network security and anomaly detection. We investigate different ensemble-learning approaches to enhance the detection of attacks and anomalies in network measurements, following a particularly promising model known as the Super Learner. The Super Learner performs asymptotically as well as the best possible weighted combination of the base learners, providing a very powerful approach to tackle multiple problems with the same technique. We test the proposed solution for two different problems, using the well-known MAWILab dataset for detection of network attacks, and a semi-synthetic dataset for detection of traffic anomalies in operational cellular networks. Results confirm that the Super Learner provides better results than any of the single models, opening the door for a generalization of a best-practice technique for these specific domains.
Dual-Task Training Reduces Impact of Cognitive Task on Postural Sway

Postural sway increases when a cognitive task is performed concurrently with a postural task. The author examined the hypothesis that following dual-task training, a concurrent cognitive task would not amplify postural sway. Participants (N = 18) were assigned to no-training, single-task training, or dual-task training groups. Single-task training consisted of 3 sessions in which the postural task, quiet standing on a compliant surface, and the cognitive task, counting backward by 3s, were practiced separately. Dual-task training consisted of 3 sessions of concurrent practice of the cognitive and postural tasks. After training, performance of a concurrent cognitive task increased postural sway in the no-training and single-task training groups but not in the dual-task training group. Results suggest that dual-task practice improves dual-task performance.
The impact of young motherhood on Education, Employment and Marriage

The poor socio-economic outcomes of women who have their first child when young are well documented. However, the policy implications of this association depend upon the causal mechanisms that underlie it. Recent studies in the US and UK have used miscarriage as an instrument to identify the direct causal impact of young childbearing – with US research suggesting that early child-bearing may even have a beneficial impact upon mother’s outcomes. This paper uses this method to examine this issue for a new Australian panel of young women. No evidence is found for an adverse impact of young childbirth on education, labour market, income or location. Instead these outcomes follow the patterns that might be expected on the basis of selection effects. On the other hand, young motherhood does have an impact on partnering outcomes. Being a young mother reduces the likelihood of being legally married (instead of defacto partnered) when aged in the late 20s. Also, having a child in the early rather than late 20s leads to a greater likelihood of being a lone parent at around age 30.
Fission Yeast Rad 26 Is a Regulatory Subunit of the Rad 3 Checkpoint Kinase

Fission yeast Rad3 is a member of a family of phosphoinositide 3-kinase -related kinases required for the maintenance of genomic stability in all eukaryotic cells. In fission yeast, Rad3 regulates the cell cycle arrest and recovery activities associated with the G2/M checkpoint. We have developed an assay that directly measures Rad3 kinase activity in cells expressing physiological levels of the protein. Using the assay, we demonstrate directly that Rad3 kinase activity is stimulated by checkpoint signals. Of the five other G2/M checkpoint proteins (Hus1, Rad1, Rad9, Rad17, and Rad26), only Rad26 was required for Rad3 kinase activity. Because Rad26 has previously been shown to interact constitutively with Rad3, our results demonstrate that Rad26 is a regulatory subunit, and Rad3 is the catalytic subunit, of the Rad3/Rad26 kinase complex. Analysis of Rad26/Rad3 kinase activation in rad26.T12, a mutant that is proficient for cell cycle arrest, but defective in recovery, suggests that these two responses to checkpoint signals require quantitatively different levels of kinase activity from the Rad3/Rad26 complex.
The Pathogenesis of Ocular Lesions of Infectious Canine Hepatitis: II. Experimental Ocular Hypersensitivity Produced by the Virus

The pathogenesis of the ocular lesions that occur during convalescence from infectious canine hepatitis was studied in susceptible dogs by passive sensitization, reverse-passive sensitization, and by intraocular inoculation with virus-antibody precipitate suspensions. By these methods it was demonstrated that iridocyclitis and corneal opacification could be produced. These lesions resembled those that occur naturally in this disease. It was concluded that the natural ocular lesions that follow infectious canine hepatitis are a consequence of Arthus-type hypersensitivity reactions.
The relative efficacy of neoadjuvant endocrine therapy vs chemotherapy in postmenopausal women with ER- positive breast cancer.

519 Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) or hormonal therapy (HT) is being used increasingly to downstage locally advanced and large operable breast cancer. Following this treatment, inoperable breast cancer often becomes fully resectable, and tumors requiring mastectomy may be successfully removed by breast-conserving surgery (BCS). Patient selection is important to optimize neoadjuvant therapy (NAT), especially in elderly postmenopausal women with co-morbid conditions. METHODS Between March 1998 and March 2003, 121 postmenopausal (PM) women with ER(+) and/or PgR(+) breast cancer (BC) T2N1-2, T3N0-1, T4N0M0 assigned NAT with either CT Dox 60 mg/m2 + Pac 200 mg/m2, every 3 weeks, 4 cycles, n=62 patients (pts), or HT with aromatase inhibitors, anastrazole 1 mg, n = 30 pts, 3 months). The primary endpoint was to compare overall objective response (OR) determined by clinical (palpation) and mammogr. Secondary endpoint was the number of pts who qualified for BCS + radiotherapy (50 Gy for 25 fractions). RESULTS Table 1. [Figure: see text] OR rate (clinical and mammogr.) was statistically similar ( p > 0.05 ) in the CT and anastrazole groups. Tendency to more BCS took place in the anastrozol arm that in the CT arm ( 37.9 % vs 20.6 % p=0.054). Local recurrence rate were similar for pts receiving CT or HT (3,2 % and 3,4%, at 34 months median follow up ). In CT arm the most frequent grade III/IV toxicity was alopecia ( 79.3 5 ), neutropenia ( 43.1 %), cardiotoxicity (6.8 %), diarrhea (1.7%). HT was well tolerated. The most commonly adverse events were hot flushes (23.3%), vaginal discharge (6.6%), musculosskeletal disorders (1.7%). CONCLUSIONS NAHT with aromatase inhibitors (anastrazole) is a reasonable alternative to CT for PM women with ER and/or PgR - positive cancer in clinical situation where the low toxicity of the regimen is considered an advantage, for example, for women over 70. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Effects of space flight on Xenopus laevis larval development.

Fifty-three fertilized Xenopus laevis embryos at early tail bud stage were launched into orbit aboard a Biocosmos satellite and remained in microgravity for 11.5 days. During this period, the embryos hatched and continued to develop as free-living larvae. Forty-eight individuals survived the mission. Upon recovery these tadpoles had smaller heads/bodies and proportionately longer tails than ground controls. Almost all the flight animals had caudal lordosis and consequently swam in backward somersaults. Compared to ground-based controls, their notochords were significantly larger in cross-sectional area and were deformed. Caudal muscle fibers were less dense and involuted in a fashion indicative of degeneration. In contrast, cranial muscles associated with buccal pumping did not differ between the flight and control animals. Upon landing, the flight larvae were found to be negatively buoyant and lay on the bottom when they were not swimming. They had significantly smaller lungs than controls, suggesting that they had failed to inflate their lungs in microgravity. Additionally, the branchial baskets, gill filters and thymuses all showed signs of retarded development or degeneration. The caudal deformity that we observed in the flight X. laevis has been independently observed in three other space flight experiments where embryos were launched then hatched in space. In contrast, Xenopus larvae from another orbital experiment that were raised from fertilization through hatching in space did not exhibit any caudal abnormalities. These divergent results suggest that either features of the launch itself (i.e., high acceleration and vibration) or an abrupt decrease in gravity during the tail bud stage detrimentally affects musculoskeletal development in anurans.
Effect of Pioglitazone Therapy on Myocardial and Hepatic Steatosis in Insulin-Treated Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

High levels of myocardial and hepatic triglyceride are common in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Monotherapy with thiazolidinedione agents reduces hepatic steatosis by up to 50% in patients with type 2 diabetes. It is not known if treatment with a thiazolidinedione added to insulin has a similar beneficial antisteatotic effect. The aim of our study was to determine whether the addition of pioglitazone to insulin treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes has antisteatotic action in the heart and the liver. Thirty-two patients were randomized to 6 months of treatment with insulin or insulin plus pioglitazone. In addition to blood tests, we evaluated myocardial and hepatic triglyceride content, as well as subcutaneous and visceral fat mass at the L2 level, by magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging, respectively. Despite weight and subcutaneous fat mass gain, hemoglobin A1c was significantly reduced by both treatments. Myocardial and hepatic triglyceride contents were reduced by the treatment with pioglitazone plus insulin (p = .02 and .03, respectively) but not by the treatment with insulin. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart function remained unchanged in both groups. The addition of pioglitazone to insulin therapy reduced myocardial and hepatic steatosis, consistent with the reported ability of the thiazolidinedione agents to redistribute fat from nonadipose to subcutaneous adipose depots.
The role of percutaneous nephrostomy in malignant ureteric obstruction.

OBJECTIVES Uraemia as a result of malignant ureteric obstruction is a recognised event in those with advanced malignancy, usually of pelvic origin, which, if left untreated, is quickly a terminal event. Palliative decompression of the obstructed urinary system, either by percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN), ureteric stent or a combination of both is a recognised method of improving renal function, with presumed low morbidity. The aims of the study were to assess whether PCN placement in malignant ureteric obstruction provided any additional survival benefit or patient morbidity. PATIENTS AND METHODS The case notes of 32 patients with a mean age of 68.1 years (16 male, 16 female) who underwent PCN drainage for malignant ureteric obstruction were retrospectively analysed. Data on the site of primary malignancy, mode of presentation, improvement in renal function, median survival, conversion to internal ureteric stents and intervention-related complications were collected for analysis. RESULTS The median survival following PCN insertion was 87 days and was unrelated to the patient's age and renal function. Those patients with primary underlying gynaecological malignancies appeared to survive almost 4 times as long as those with underlying primary bladder cancer. Renal function took a mean of 16.8 days to reach a nadir. Almost 79% of patients were able to be discharged from hospital--each patient, however, being re-admitted back to hospital on average 1.6 times prior to their death through PCN or internal ureteric stent related events. Retrospective "useful quality of life" was seen in less than half of the patient cohort. CONCLUSIONS In the presence of malignant ureteric obstruction, palliative percutaneous urinary diversion may be performed and is effective in improving renal function. However, long-term survival is limited and should, therefore, be performed only when the views and wishes of the patient and carers are taken into account and if there is a definitive treatment plan available for the patient as quality of life can be suboptimal.
Effect of Electric Boundary Conditions on Morphotropic Pb(Zr, Ti)O3 Piezoelectrics

A phenomenological free energy function which we developed earlier is used to calculate the effect of electric boundary conditions upon the relative stability points, and the rhombohedral (R3m)-tetragonal (P4mm) degeneracy required for the morphotropy at Zr:Ti ratio approximately equal to 1:1. The free energy–composition phase diagram under applied dc fields is discussed in terms of the morphotropic phase boundary behavior.
Diagnostic and prognostic guidelines for the vegwive and minimally conscious states

Many individuals who sustain severe brain injury experience prolonged or permanent disorders of consciousness. While these disorders may appear homogeneous, important distinctions exist in prognosis and clinical management. Studies suggest, however, that the incidence of diagnostic inaccuracy is high in both acute care and rehabilitation settings. In this paper, we review consensus-based diagnostic and prognostic criteria for the vegetative and minimally conscious states. We also discuss recent developments and future directions for research in this area.
Hyponatremia in the Acute Stage After Traumatic Cervical Spinal Cord Injury: Clinical and Neuroanatomic Evidence for Autonomic Dysfunction

Study Design. Retrospective cohort study supplemented by analysis of postmortem spinal cord tissue. Objectives. This study examines the frequency of hyponatremia in early stage (2 weeks) after cervical spinal cord injury (SCI), and the relationship between integrity of key autonomic pathways and hyponatremia. Summary of Background Data. Interruption of key circuits in the spinal cord can induce autonomic dysfunction with disordered metabolic and physiologic homeostasis. Given that hyponatremia may be a common electrolyte disorder during the acute stage post-SCI, we hypothesized that disconnection of descending sympathetic renal spinal cord tracts may be associated with hyponatremia after SCI. Methods. Consecutive individuals with cervical spine trauma were included in our cohort of patients, which was divided into a SCI group and a control group (patients with spine trauma without SCI). Also, postmortem spinal cord sections from individuals with cervical, motor complete SCI, and control cases without CNS trauma were evaluated regarding the extent of axonal preservation within the descending vasomotor pathways, the descending renal sympathetic pathways (DRSPs), the corticospinal tracts, and the dorsal columns. Results. There were 21 SCI individuals (6 women, 15 men; ages, 17–83 years; mean, 57.1) and 12 patients in the control spine trauma group who did not have SCI (4 women, 8 men; ages 18–90 years; mean, 45.9). Patients had either motor complete (7/21) or motor incomplete (14/21) tetraplegia. Hyponatremia occurred in 85.7% after SCI, which was significantly more frequent than the control group. Postmortem analysis included 5 control cases and 6 SCI individuals of whom 3 developed hyponatremia. The number of preserved axons within the DRSPs from normonatremic SCI patients was significantly lower than the number of axons within DRSPs from hyponatremic SCI patients, but development of hyponatremia was not associated with the integrity of the descending vasomotor pathways. Hyponatremic SCI individuals also showed greater evidence of neurogenic hypotension than normonatremic SCI individuals. Conclusion. Hyponatremia is common in the early stage post-SCI. Our results also suggest that hyponatremia is associated with the integrity of descending renal sympathetic circuits which mediate the renin-angiotensin response to neural injury, in the setting of neurogenic hypotension with cardiovascular dysfunction.
Antimicrobial Resistance and Characterization of Helicobacter pylori Strains Isolated from Mexican Adults with Clinical Outcome

Abstract Eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection in Mexico is of great importance due to the elevated seroprevalence, however, there is yet very little information about antibiotic resistance rates in H. pylori isolates in our country. We analyzed susceptibility to three antimicrobials used in therapy of 49 H. pylori strains isolated from patients with active chronic gastritis, active chronic gastritis with lymphoid follicles, intestinal metaplasia and gastric cancer. All isolated strains were susceptible to amoxicillin, 28 (58%) were resistant to metronidazole and 2 (4%) were resistant to both clarithromycin and metronidazole. Sequence analysis of the 23S rRNA of the two clarithromycin-resistant strains showed the A2142G mutation in one and A2143G and T2182C mutations in the other. Metronidazole resistance was associated with cagA negative strains with a frequency of 82% (9/11). No significant correlation was found between vacA s/m alleles and metronidazole resistance.
Breast cancer risk assessment using the Gail model: a Turkish study.

PURPOSE This study was conducted to determine risk of developing of breast cancer among Turkish women. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using a descriptive and cross-sectional approach, data were collected from 231 women. Breast cancer risk was calculated using the National Cancer Institute's on-line verson of called as the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool or the Gail Risk Assesment Tool. RESULTS The average age of women was 45.0±8.06 years. It was revealed that 6.1% of participants reported having first degree relatives who had had breast cancer, with only four women having more than one first-degree relative affected (1.7%). The mean five-year breast cancer risk for all women was 0.88±0.91%, and 7.4% of women had a five-year breast cancer risk >1.66% in this study. Mean lifetime breast cancer risk up to age 90 years was 9.3±5.2%. CONCLUSIONS The breast cancer risk assessment tool can help in the clinical management of patient seeking advice concerning screening and prevention. Healthcare providers in Turkey can use this approach to estimate an individual's probability of developing breast cancer.
Point Mutation in the Group B Streptococcal pbp 2 x Gene Conferring Decreased Susceptibility to Beta-Lactam Antibiotics Running title : First step pbp 2 x mutation in GBS

Beta-lactam antibiotics (BLAs) are first-line agents against group B streptococci (GBS). A clonal set of 4 independent invasive GBS with elevated MICs to BLAs were identified that shared a pbp2x mutation (Q557E) corresponding to a resistance-conferring pneumococcal mutation. BLA-sensitivity was restored through allelic replacement or complementation with the wild-type pbp2x.
Assembly of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus RNA Packaging Signal into Virus-Like Particles Is Nucleocapsid Dependent

ABSTRACT The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) was recently identified as the etiology of SARS. The virus particle consists of four structural proteins: spike (S), small envelope (E), membrane (M), and nucleocapsid (N). Recognition of a specific sequence, termed the packaging signal (PS), by a virus N protein is often the first step in the assembly of viral RNA, but the molecular mechanisms involved in the assembly of SARS-CoV RNA are not clear. In this study, Vero E6 cells were cotransfected with plasmids encoding the four structural proteins of SARS-CoV. This generated virus-like particles (VLPs) of SARS-CoV that can be partially purified on a discontinuous sucrose gradient from the culture medium. The VLPs bearing all four of the structural proteins have a density of about 1.132 g/cm3. Western blot analysis of the culture medium from transfection experiments revealed that both E and M expressed alone could be released in sedimentable particles and that E and M proteins are likely to form VLPs when they are coexpressed. To examine the assembly of the viral genomic RNA, a plasmid representing the GFP-PS580 cDNA fragment encompassing the viral genomic RNA from nucleotides 19715 to 20294 inserted into the 3′ noncoding region of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene was constructed and applied to the cotransfection experiments with the four structural proteins. The SARS-CoV VLPs thus produced were designated VLP(GFP-PS580). Expression of GFP was detected in Vero E6 cells infected with the VLP(GFP-PS580), indicating that GFP-PS580 RNA can be assembled into the VLPs. Nevertheless, when Vero E6 cells were infected with VLPs produced in the absence of the viral N protein, no green fluorescence was visualized. These results indicate that N protein has an essential role in the packaging of SARS-CoV RNA. A filter binding assay and competition analysis further demonstrated that the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of the SARS-CoV N protein each contain a binding activity specific to the viral RNA. Deletions that presumably disrupt the structure of the N-terminal domain diminished its RNA-binding activity. The GFP-PS-containing SARS-CoV VLPs are powerful tools for investigating the tissue tropism and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV.