Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Channel Aware MAC Protocol in an ALOHA Network with Selfish Users

We consider a game theoretic model incorporating channel state information into slotted ALOHA in a fading environment. Each user sets a threshold for her channel gain and sends a packet only when the channel gain is higher than the threshold at a given slot. This threshold is decided to maximize the net benefit of a user, utility minus power consumption. The asymptotic behaviors of the total throughput at a symmetric Nash equilibrium point are studied for fading and non-fading environments in a homogeneous system. It is shown that the total throughput in a fading environment increases as the number of users increases, while the total throughput in the simple classical slotted ALOHA decreases when users are sensitive enough to power consumption. Convergence to the symmetric Nash equilibrium is also studied.
The Role of SV40 in Malignant Mesothelioma and Other Human Malignancies

SV40 is a DNA tumor virus thrust upon human populations primarily as a contaminant in various vaccine preparations. Some estimates suggest that millions of people are currently infected with the virus. The virus causes primary brain tumors, bone tumors, lymphomas, and mesotheliomas when injected into some rodent models. It has also been detected in a similar spectrum of human tumors. However, epidemiological studies have failed to conclusively demonstrate a higher incidence of disease in affected populations. To date, over 60 reports from 49 different laboratories have shown SV40 sequences in tissues from human cancer patients. Six studies, however, have failed to detect evidence of virus in similar tissues. Some have suggested that SV40 may act as a cocarcinogen with asbestos to cause mesothelioma formation, or that it may be responsible for the 10–20% of mesotheliomas with no reported history of asbestos exposure. This report briefly covers the historical evidence for SV40 carcinogenesis and then covers experiments now underway to better understand the role of SV40 in human mesotheliomas.
Interactive Formation Control in Complex Environments

The degrees of freedom of a crowd is much higher than that provided by a standard user input device. Typically, crowd-control systems require multiple passes to design crowd movements by specifying waypoints, and then defining character trajectories and crowd formation. Such multi-pass control would spoil the responsiveness and excitement of real-time control systems. In this paper, we propose a single-pass algorithm to control a crowd in complex environments. We observe that low-level details in crowd movement are related to interactions between characters and the environment, such as diverging/merging at cross points, or climbing over obstacles. Therefore, we simplify the problem by representing the crowd with a deformable mesh, and allow the user, via multitouch input, to specify high-level movements and formations that are important for context delivery. To help prevent congestion, our system dynamically reassigns characters in the formation by employing a mass transport solver to minimize their overall movement. The solver uses a cost function to evaluate the impact from the environment, including obstacles and areas affecting movement speed. Experimental results show realistic crowd movement created with minimal high-level user inputs. Our algorithm is particularly useful for real-time applications including strategy games and interactive animation creation.
Coexistence of neuroblastoma and ganglioneuroma in a girl with a hemizygous deletion of chromosome 11q14.1–23.3

Constitutional 11q interstitial deletion syndrome presents with congenital anomalies including microcephaly with craniostenosis, minor dysmorphic features, vitreoretinopathy, and renal anomalies. This syndrome is occasionally associated with neuroblastoma (NB) as a life‐threatening complication, which is important for clinical care. Although the corresponding locus to NB has been predicted to exist in 11q22–23 by previous deletion studies related to NB, the causative haploinsufficient genes have not yet been identified. We herein reported for the first time the simultaneous coexistence of adrenal NB and abdominal prevertebral ganglioneuroma in a 6‐year‐old girl with a constitutional hemizygous 11q14.1–23.3 deletion. Of the 11 haploinsufficient genes predicted with an in silico database, we focused on NCAM1 and CADM1 as the genes accountable for NB and ganglioneuroma. The deletion range, especially the 11q22.3 involvement, needs to be determined in 11q deletion cases in order to predict susceptibility to peripheral nerve tumors involving NB and ganglioneuroma. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lipopolysaccharide-responder and nonresponder C3H mouse strains are equally susceptible to an induced Escherichia coli urinary tract infection

Host defense against bacterial urinary tract infections (UTI) includes both inflammatory and immune responses to infecting bacteria. The cellular events leading up to local inflammation are thought to be under genetic control and initiated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli. It has been previously reported that mice which lack functional Lps genes are more susceptible to induced E. coli UTI than mice with normal mitogenic responses to LPS. In contrast to these findings, data in this report demonstrate that LPS-responder and nonresponder C3H mouse strains are equally susceptible to E. coli UTI. When C3H/OuJ (Lps(n)/Lps(n)) and C3H/HeJ (Lps(d)/Lps(d)) were intravesically inoculated with equal numbers of uropathogenic E. coli organisms, neither strain was able to effectively resolve the induced UTI. The inability of C3H/OuJ mice to combat the infection was not due to an impaired response to LPS, nor could defect in the local inflammatory response be identified. The results indicate that factors other than LPS responsiveness are also important in determining hose resistance to UTI.
Hierarchical analyses of genetic differentiation in a hybrid zone of Sorex araneus (Insectivora: Soricidae)

Microsatellites are used to unravel the fine‐scale genetic structure of a hybrid zone between chromosome races Valais and Cordon of the common shrew (Sorex araneus) located in the French Alps. A total of 269 individuals collected between 1992 and 1995 was typed for seven microsatellite loci. A modified version of the classical multiple correspondence analysis is carried out. This analysis clearly shows the dichotomy between the two races. Several approaches are used to study genetic structuring. Gene flow is clearly reduced between these chromosome races and is estimated at one migrant every two generations using R‐statistics and one migrant per generation using F‐statistics. Hierarchical F‐ and R‐statistics are compared and their efficiency to detect inter‐ and intraracial patterns of divergence is discussed. Within‐race genetic structuring is significant, but remains weak. FST displays similar values on both sides of the hybrid zone, although no environmental barriers are found on the Cordon side, whereas the Valais side is divided by several mountain rivers. We introduce the exact G‐test to microsatellite data which proved to be a powerful test to detect genetic differentiation within as well as among races. The genetic background of karyotypic hybrids was compared with the genetic background of pure parental forms using a CRT–MCA. Our results indicate that, without knowledge of the karyotypes, we would not have been able to distinguish these hybrids from karyotypically pure samples.
A Multidimensional Approach to Individual Differences in Empathy

The development of a multidimensional individual difference measure of empathy is described. The final version of the instrument consists of four seven-item subscales, each of which taps a separate aspect of the global concept "empathy. " One scale, the perspective-taking scale, contains items which assess spontaneous attempts to adopt the perspectives of other people and see things from their point of view. Items on the fantasy scale measure the tendency to identify with characters in movies, novels, plays and other fictional situations. The other two subscales explicitly tap respondents' chronic emotional reactions to the negative experiences of others. The empathic concern scale inquires about respondents' feelings of warmth, compassion, and concern for others, while the personal distress scale measures the personal feelings of anxiety and discomfort that result from observing another's negative experience. The factor structure underlying these scales is the same for both sexes, and emerged in two independent samples. Test-retest and internal reliabilities of all four scales were substantial. The pattern of sex differences and the intercorrelations of these four scales are discussed in terms of recent theoretical treatments of the development of empathy (Hoffman, 1976). It is concluded that the new measure has considerable potential for investigations of the multidimensional nature of empathy.
Columbian sharp‐tailed grouse nesting ecology: wind energy and habitat

The rapid pace of wind‐energy development has increased stakeholder concerns regarding the potential effects on wildlife. Locations targeted for wind‐energy development frequently overlap prairie grouse and greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) habitats. Research suggests that anthropogenic developments may have negative effects on these species. There is, however, no information published regarding the effect of wind‐energy development on Columbian sharp‐tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus), a subspecies that has twice been petitioned for Endangered Species Act protection. To address this need, from 2014 to 2015 we studied Columbian sharp‐tailed grouse nesting ecology across restored grasslands in eastern Idaho, USA, where a 215‐turbine wind‐energy complex had been developed. We monitored 147 nests from 135 females captured at leks 0.1–13.8 km from wind turbines. We used an information‐theoretic approach to evaluate the influence of wind‐energy infrastructure and habitat characteristics on nest‐site selection and daily nest survival. We did not detect any influence of wind‐energy infrastructure on nest‐site selection or nest survival. Nest‐site selection and daily nest survival were influenced by vegetation structure and composition measured at 2 spatial scales. Females selected nest sites with more restored grassland containing >30% forb cover within the nesting core‐use area (i.e., 60 ha around the nest) and exhibited a functional response to the availability of that land cover type. Daily nest survival was best predicted by visual obstruction at the nest site and the amount of restored grassland containing >30% forb cover within the nesting core‐use area. We recommend wildlife managers continue to implement management practices that will provide bunchgrass‐ dominated grasslands with >30% forb cover in restored grasslands (e.g., Conservation Reserve Program fields) within Columbian sharp‐tailed grouse range. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
[Levels of HMGB1 in induced sputum from patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

OBJECTIVE To explore the relationship between the sputum levels of high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) and airway inflammation in bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. METHODS A total of 57 patients with persistent asthma [per Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines], 30 patients with stable COPD [stratified by Global Initiative for COPD (GOLD) status] and 20 control subjects were recruited. After completing an asthma control questionnaire, spirometry was performed before sputum induction. The ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV(1))/predictive value (FEV(1)%Pre) and neutrophil differential count in induced sputum were recorded. The concentrations of HMGB1 in the supernatant of sputum were measured by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). RESULTS The sputum concentrations of HMGB1 in the asthmatics and COPD patients were significantly higher than those of the control subjects [(291 ± 55) and (511 ± 39) vs (61 ± 5) ng/L, all P < 0.01]. And they were significantly negatively correlated with FEV(1)%Pre in all subjects. The levels of HMGB1 in induced sputum of COPD patients were significantly higher than those of asthmatics and healthy controls (P < 0.01). No significant difference existed in the levels of HMGB1 between patients with eosinophilic and noneosinophilic asthma [(290 ± 55) vs (292 ± 54) ng/L, P > 0.05]. The HMGB1 levels with COPD stage II and stage III were significantly higher than those with stage I [(526 ± 29) and (541 ± 29) vs (471 ± 18) ng/L]. The differences of sputum neutrophil percentage were statistically significant in mild, moderate and severe asthma [(27 ± 2)%, (36 ± 4)%, (49 ± 4)%]. And the sputum levels of HMGB1 were significantly higher in the patients with moderate and severe asthma [(312 ± 14) vs (347 ± 11) ng/L]. And the levels of HMGB1 in asthmatic and COPD patients were positively correlated with neutrophil percentage. According to the multivariate analysis, neutrophil percentage and FEV(1)%Pre were independent predictors of sputum HMGB1, but not smoking, age, gender and eosinophilic percentage. CONCLUSION HMGB1 may contribute to airway inflammation through its higher expression in bronchial asthma and COPD patients.
The effect of investigator gender on lateral tympanic membrane temperature

The measurement of tympanic membrane temperature (TMT) using hand-held infrared devices is common in both clinical and experimental research. However, the role that measurement context has on TMT has been overlooked. In the present investigation 94 women and men had their right and left TMT measured by either a male or female investigator. Regardless of participant's gender, when measured by a female investigator the right TMT was significantly lower than the left TMT. When measured by a male investigator, both male and female participants had similar right and left TMT. These lateral TMT results correspond with neuropsychological theories regarding threat appraisal.
Reduced Expression of the Insulin Receptor in Mouse Insulinoma (MIN6) Cells Reveals Multiple Roles of Insulin Signaling in Gene Expression, Proliferation, Insulin Content, and Secretion*

The role of insulin signaling in pancreatic β cells has become increasingly apparent. Stably transformed insulinoma cell lines (MIN6) were created with small interfering RNA resulting in the reduction of insulin receptor (IR) expression up to 80% (insulin receptor knockdown, IRKDΔ80). Functionally perturbed IR signaling was confirmed with the absence of insulin-stimulated insulin receptor substrate 1 tyrosine phosphorylation. Additionally, Akt phosphorylation was reduced and responded poorly to glucose stimulation. Gene expression profiling revealed that reduced IR expression was associated with alterations in expression of >1,500 genes with diverse functions. IRKD cells exhibited low rate of proliferation due to delay in transition from G0/G1 to S phase, whereas susceptibility to apoptosis did not differ from that of control cells. Insulin content was reduced in proportion to the reduction of IR. IRKD cells maintained glucose responsiveness as measured by NAD(P)H generation, whereas Ca2+ responses and insulin secretion were enhanced. IRKDΔ80 and control cells were treated with glucose (25 mm) or insulin (100 nm) for 45 min, and gene expression profiles were assessed. Transcriptional activation of several hundred early response genes common to both glucose and insulin stimulation was observed in control cells. In IRKDΔ80 cells, insulin failed to activate any genes as anticipated. Importantly, glucose stimulation of gene expression in IRKDΔ80 cells showed that most genes previously activated by glucose were no longer activated, suggesting a major autocrine/paracrine effect of insulin on glucose-regulated gene expression. On the other hand, there were a number of glucose-regulated genes in the IRKDΔ80 cells that were not previously observed in control cells, suggesting a feedback regulation of insulin signaling on glucose-regulated gene expression. These results demonstrate important roles of the insulin receptor in islet β cell gene expression and function and may serve to elucidate molecular defects in animal models with diminished β cell insulin signaling.
Onset of action of intranasal budesonide (Rhinocort aqua) in seasonal allergic rhinitis studied in a controlled exposure model.

BACKGROUND Intranasal budesonide aqueous nasal spray (BANS) is recognized as an efficacious treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), but the time to onset of action is not known. OBJECTIVE The primary objective was to evaluate the time at which the onset of action of BANS in the symptomatic relief of seasonal allergic rhinitis becomes evident within 12 hours after a single dose in a controlled ragweed pollen exposure setting. METHODS The study was of a double-blind, randomized, parallel-group design, testing BANS (64 microgram and 256 microgram) and placebo on ragweed-sensitive subjects with symptoms for at least 1 year by using a controlled pollen challenge system (Environmental Exposure Unit). The efficacy variables were the combined nasal score (the sum of blocked nose, runny nose, and sneezing-itchy nose), individual nasal symptoms, overall evaluation of treatment efficacy reported by participants on diaries, and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF). RESULTS A total of 217 participants were treated with BANS or placebo. At 7 to 12 hours, BANS was better than placebo in reducing combined nasal and blocked nose symptoms. For PNIF, the time to onset of action was shortest for 256 microgram of BANS relative to placebo (3 hours, P =.003). BANS 64 microgram was better than placebo in reducing the individual scores of blocked nose, runny nose, and sneezing-itchy nose from 3 to 5 hours after administration. Treatment efficacy was higher for those receiving BANS compared with placebo starting at 5 hours. All treatments were well tolerated, and no specific adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS The onset of action of intranasal BANS was 7 hours according to combined nasal and blocked nose symptom scores. Evidence of earlier response was observed at 3 hours for runny nose and PNIF.
Verbal instructional sets to normalise the temporal and spatial gait variables in Parkinson’s disease

Gait in Parkinson’s disease is characterised by slowed velocity; shuffling, small steps; and absent arm swing. Drug therapy intervention is beneficial in improving mobility, though with prolonged use its effects may diminish. The purpose of this study was to examine whether Parkinsonian patients could improve their gait patterns in response to five instructional sets: natural walking; walking while deliberately swinging the arms; walking with large steps; fast walking; and walking while counting aloud. Eight subjects with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease and eight age matched control subjects were tested using motion analysis. The findings indicated that parkinsonian patients followed the instructions which immediately altered a series of single walking variables. Simultaneously, automatically activated changes occurred in other gait variables producing more normal gait. The instructional set is a strategy which can aid normalisation of Parkinsonian gait although its benefits may depend on the stage of disease progression and the degree of attention to the instructions.
Oral prostaglandin (PGE2) therapy for chronic viral hepatitis B and C

The cytoprotective effects of prostaglandins have been utilized in the prevention of hepatitis B virus reactivation after liver transplantation. This pilot study evaluated the effects of oral prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in chronic viral hepatitis B and C. Twenty patients with chronic hepatitis B and 20 patients with chronic hepatitis C received 4mgday–1 PGE2 for 6 months. The lymphocyte antiviral enzyme 2’,5’‐oligoadenylate synthetase (2’,5’‐OAS) and peripheral blood monocyte procoagulant activity (PCA) were measured before, during and after the treatment. Three of 20 hepatitis B and five of 20 hepatitis C patients withdrew from the study. Eight of 17 hepatitis B patients responded: in seven of these eight patients, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels normalized; loss of viral replication was sustained in all eight patients; and seroconversion from hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg) to hepatitis Be antibody (HBeAb) positivity occurred in seven patients over the 48‐week duration of this study. In 14 of the 15 hepatitis C patients, hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA remained detectable and the serum ALT levels remained elevated. 2’,5’‐OAS levels and PCA values did not correlate with other markers of response to PGE2 therapy in either chronic hepatitis B or C. In summary, PGE2 was associated with sustained loss of viral replication in 47% of chronic hepatitis B patients; no beneficial effects were apparent in chronic hepatitis C.
Effect of Apoptotic Cell Recognition on Macrophage Polarization and Mycobacterial Persistence

ABSTRACT Intracellular Mycobacterium leprae infection modifies host macrophage programming, creating a protective niche for bacterial survival. The milieu regulating cellular apoptosis in the tissue plays an important role in defining susceptible and/or resistant phenotypes. A higher density of apoptotic cells has been demonstrated in paucibacillary leprosy lesions than in multibacillary ones. However, the effect of apoptotic cell removal on M. leprae-stimulated cells has yet to be fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated whether apoptotic cell removal (efferocytosis) induces different phenotypes in proinflammatory (Mϕ1) and anti-inflammatory (Mϕ2) macrophages in the presence of M. leprae. We stimulated Mϕ1 and Mϕ2 cells with M. leprae in the presence or absence of apoptotic cells and subsequently evaluated the M. leprae uptake, cell phenotype, and cytokine pattern in the supernatants. In the presence of M. leprae and apoptotic cells, Mϕ1 macrophages changed their phenotype to resemble the Mϕ2 phenotype, displaying increased CD163 and SRA-I expression as well as higher phagocytic capacity. Efferocytosis increased M. leprae survival in Mϕ1 cells, accompanied by reduced interleukin-15 (IL-15) and IL-6 levels and increased transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and IL-10 secretion. Mϕ1 cells primed with M. leprae in the presence of apoptotic cells induced the secretion of Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 in autologous T cells compared with cultures stimulated with M. leprae or apoptotic cells alone. Efferocytosis did not alter the Mϕ2 cell phenotype or cytokine secretion profile, except for TGF-β. Based on these data, we suggest that, in paucibacillary leprosy patients, efferocytosis contributes to mycobacterial persistence by increasing the Mϕ2 population and sustaining the infection.
ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF ALOCALSTRAIN OF PROBIOTIC BACTERIAL ACTOBACILLUS PLANTARUM AND STUDIED THE TOLERANCE ABILITY FOR DIFFERENT LEVELS OF pH

Lactobacillus plantarum IRQ12 was isolated from local pickle producing from Cucumis sativus submerged in 5% salt solution for one week far from sun light, selective media was used for isolation and activation process which was MRS broth and MRS agar, biochemical tests like catalase, nitrate reducing, productive gas, citrate consumption, produced ammonia from arginine, produced indole from tryptophan, fluid gelatin, ability of growth in 15, 45 °C, carbohydrates fermentation test, were carried out. DNA of bacteria was extracted by DNA extraction kit, identification by 16S rDNA gene. the local strain tolerance ability was investigated for different levels of pH 4, 3, 2 and 1.5 for 0, 1, 2 and 3 hours, log cfu/ml at pH 4 after 3 hours of treatment was 7.83 and at pH 3 the log cfu/ml decrease to 6.8 after 3 hours of treatment. The log cfu/ml was decreased to 5.76 and 5.05 at pH 2 and 1.5 respectively after 3 hours of treatment.