Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Buffer Management Policies for DTN Applications with Different QoS Requirements

Delay and Disruption Tolerant Networks (DTNs) have been proposed for challenging environments where the instability or lack of end-to-end paths is the rule rather than the exception. In this context, the principle of store-carry-and forward is used to sustain data sessions under intermittent connectivity, and data replication to increase the probability of on-time delivery. However, these techniques create the need for efficient scheduling and buffer management techniques, as the data load is generally larger than the amount of the available resources (i.e. bandwidth per communication opportunity, and buffer storage). A number of recent schemes have been proposed to make forwarding decisions that improve or even optimize the usage of these resources, in one way or another. Nevertheless, the majority of these schemes consider application sessions (and thus data messages) of equal importance. Furthermore, the few proposals that consider different traffic classes, do so in a somewhat "ad-hoc" manner, failing to provide real QoS guarantees. To this end, in this paper we formulate the problem of maximizing the network performance, in a limited resource network, subject to constraints corresponding to distinct QoS requirements (e.g., delivery probability) for each application class. Based on this formulation, we propose a distributed algorithm which: (i) guarantees that the individual QoS constraints are satisfied, when this is feasible given the amount of available resources, and (ii) allocates any remaining resources optimally, so as to maximize the desired performance metric. Simulation results, based on synthetic and realistic mobility scenarios, support our theoretical claims and further show that our policy outperforms other existing QoS prioritization schemes.
Evaluation of the accuracy of three electronic apex locators using glass tubules.

AIM To evaluate the accuracy of three different electronic apex locators (EALs) using glass tubules. METHODOLOGY Forty-eight glass tubules with different diameters and an agar model were used to mimic root canals. A size 15 stainless steel K-file was used as the measuring electrode. The Root ZX, Propex and Neosono Ultima EZ were used to measure the tubule length with tubules dry, or filled with 0.9% NaCl, 3% H(2)O(2), 2.5% NaOCl or 17% EDTA. The distance between the real length (RL) and measured length (ML) of the tubules was recorded. The range of RL +/- 0.5 mm and RL +/- 1 mm was used to evaluate the accuracy of the EALs. Results were subject to correlation analysis and Friedman's test. RESULTS In dry tubules, the accuracy of Root ZX was 75-91.7% for RL +/- 0.5 mm and 100% for RL +/- 1 mm, whilst the measurements of the other two EALs were all within the RL +/- 0.5 mm. No influence from the increase in tubule diameter on the accuracy of all three EALs was observed in dry tubules. In tubules filled with electrolyte, the accuracy of the Root ZX decreased as tubule diameter increased (R(d) > 0, P < 0.05). The RL-ML distance recorded by Propex was inversely related to the tubule diameter (R(d) < 0, P < 0.05). The accuracy of Propex was 75-100% for RL +/- 0.5 mm and 100% for RL +/- 0.5 mm when the tubule diameter was not more than 0.80 mm, but decreased in tubules with diameter over 0.80 mm and filled with 2.5% NaOCl or 17% EDTA. Nearly, all the measurements (except for six tubules) using Neosono Ultima EZ were within 1 mm shorter than RL despite the contents in tubules and the increase of tubule diameter. CONCLUSIONS The accuracy of the Root ZX decreased as the tubule diameter increased when tubules were filled with electrolytes. The electrolytes in the tubules decreased the accuracy of Propex when the tubule diameter was large. The electrolytes in tubules and tubule diameter had no influence on the accuracy of Neosono Ultima EZ. The Propex and Neosono Ultima EZ were more accurate than the Root ZX under various conditions in this laboratory study.
Evaluation of safety and pharmacokinetics of vancomycin after intraosseous regional limb perfusion and comparison of results with those obtained after intravenous regional limb perfusion in horses.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical effects and pharmacokinetics of vancomycin in plasma and synovial fluid after intraosseous regional limb perfusion (IORLP) in horses and to compare results with those obtained after IV regional limb perfusion (IVRLP). ANIMALS 6 horses. PROCEDURES 1 forelimb of each horse received vancomycin hydrochloride (300 mg in 60 mL of saline [0.9% NaCl] solution) via IORLP; the contralateral limb received 60 mL of saline solution (control). Solutions were injected into the medullary cavity of the distal portion of the third metacarpal bone. Synovial fluid from the metacarpophalangeal (MTCP) and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints and blood were collected prior to perfusion and 15, 30, 45, 65, and 90 minutes after beginning IORLP, and synovial fluid from the MTCP joint only and blood were collected 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours after beginning IORLP. Plasma urea and creatinine concentrations and clinical appearance of the MTCP joint region and infusion sites were determined daily for 7 days. Results were compared with those of a separate IVRLP study. RESULTS Clinical complications were not observed after IORLP. Mean vancomycin concentration in the MTCP joint was 4 microg/mL for 24 hours after IORLP. Compared with IORLP, higher vancomycin concentrations were detected in the DIP joint after IVRLP. Compared with IVRLP, higher vancomycin concentrations were detected in the MTCP joint for a longer duration after IORLP. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE IORLP with 300 mg of vancomycin in a 0.5% solution was safe and may be clinically useful in horses. Intravenous and intraosseous routes may be better indicated for infectious processes in the DIP and MTCP joints, respectively.
Exploring young children's attributions through entertainment robots

Children have "animistic intuitions" that they use to attribute intelligence, biology, and intentions. Robotic animals take on similar form and motion as real animals, and can exhibit intelligent behaviors. Two studies explore whether children apply animistic intuitions to robotic animals, and whether these attributes vary by the child's age and the robots' behaviors and appearance. A total of ninety-three children 3- to 5-years old participated in one of two experiments. Results show that 3-year-olds attribute a range of animistic properties to robots, whereas older children reduce their animistic attributions towards robotic dogs in piecemeal fashion according to specific questions and perceptual attributes.
The detection and management of proximal deep venous thrombosis in patients with acute acetabular fractures: a follow-up report.

OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy of a thromboprophylaxis protocol that included deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis (subcutaneous heparin), preoperative screening with magnetic resonance venography (MRV), and therapeutic management (vena caval interruption preoperatively, therapeutic heparin anticoagulation postoperatively) when indicated. DESIGN Prospective, consecutive. SETTING Tertiary referral, teaching hospital in New York City. PATIENTS One hundred one patients with acutely displaced acetabular fractures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Preoperative MRV was performed to assess vascular structures. Patients with proximal DVT received vena caval filter interruption preoperatively and therapeutic warfarin postoperatively. Patients without proximal DVT received only subcutaneous heparin preoperatively and low-dose warfarin postoperatively. RESULTS Forty-nine asymptomatic thrombi were identified in thirty-four of 101 patients (34 percent). Location of thrombi were in the popliteal vein in four of forty-nine patients (8 percent), superficial femoral vein in eight of forty-nine (16 percent), common femoral vein in thirteen of forty-nine (27 percent), external iliac vein in six of forty-nine (12 percent), internal iliac vein in fourteen of forty-nine (29 percent), and common iliac vein in four of forty-nine (8 percent). Thrombi were isolated to the injured extremity in twenty-six of thirty-four patients (76 percent), bilateral in four of thirty-four (12 percent), and isolated to the uninjured extremity in four of thirty-four (12 percent). Twenty-six of the thirty-four patients with proximal thrombi received preoperative vena caval filters. As a result of this protocol, only one patient (1 percent) developed a nonfatal pulmonary embolism. CONCLUSION MRV is a sensitive screening examination that allows the placement of inferior vena caval filters based on documented proximal thrombosis. We anticipate that preoperative DVT screening with MRV will significantly decrease the incidence of fatal pulmonary embolism in this high-risk population.
The informational role of thin options markets: Empirical evidence from the Spanish case

This study investigates the informational role of thin options markets, specifically the Spanish options market. Firstly, we examine the effect of options markets by analysing stock market reaction to earnings news, conditional on the availability of options markets. Secondly, we examine options trading activity before the release of earnings news (including the announcement period). The results show that the impact on prices before the earnings release is significantly bigger when options trading is available. Moreover, the dissemination of earnings news is associated with significant unusual activity in the options market due to informed trading, especially when the earnings surprise is highly good.
The Prevalence, Detection, and Epidemiological Correlates of Peripheral Vascular Disease: A Comparison of Diabetic and Non‐diabetic Subjects in an English Community

A cross‐sectional study was performed to investigate the distribution, methods of detection, and potential risk factors for peripheral vascular disease in a diabetic population with comparison to an age and sex matched non‐diabetic group. The population came from a geographically defined area consisting of 10 general practices (total list size 97 034) and covered rural and urban districts of East Dorset. Peripheral vascular disease was defined as an ankle/brachial Doppler pressure ratio of 0.9 or less. Of the diabetic subjects reviewed, 864 were classified as having Type 2 diabetes and 213 Type 1 diabetes. The prevalence of peripheral vascular disease in Type 1 diabetes was 8.7% (95% CI 4.9–12.5) and in Type 2 diabetes 23.5% (95% CI 20.5–26.5), which after adjusting for age was not significantly different (odds ratio 1.5, 95% CI 0.8–2.7, p = 0.18). There was no difference in the frequency of symptomatic peripheral vascular disease or the site of occlusion between diabetic and non‐diabetic subjects with peripheral vascular disease. Age, cerebrovascular disease, coronary artery disease, glucose, body mass index, and cholesterol in Type 2 diabetes and age and proteinuria in Type 1 diabetes were significant predictors of peripheral vascular disease. In the non‐diabetic group, age and cigarettes smoked were significant variables. These findings suggest that clinical features of peripheral vascular disease in diabetic and non‐diabetic subjects are similar but risk determinants may be different.
Lesion patterns and etiology of ischemia in the anterior inferior cerebellar artery territory involvement: a clinical – diffusion weighted – MRI study

The topography and mechanism of stroke in the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) territory are delineated before, but the detailed clinical spectrum of lesions involving AICA territory was not studied by diffusion weighted imaging (DWI). We reviewed 1350 patients with posterior circulation ischemic stroke in our registry. We included patients if the diagnosis of AICA territory involvement was confirmed, and DWI, and magnetic resonance angiography were obtained in the 3 days of symptoms onset. The potential feeding arteries of the AICA territory were evaluated on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a three‐dimensional rotating cineoangiographic method. There were 23 consecutive patients with lesion involving AICA territory, six with isolated lesion in the AICA territory, six with posterior inferior cerebellar artery, 11 with multiple posterior circulation infarcts (MPCIs). The clinical feature of isolated AICA infarct was vertigo, tinnitus, dysmetria, ataxia, facial weakness, facial sensory deficits, lateral gaze palsy, and sensory‐motor deficits in patients with pontine involvement. Patients with largest lesion extending to the anterior and inferolateral cerebellum showed mixed symptomatology of the lateral medullary (Wallenberg's syndrome) and AICA territory involvement. Patients with MPCIs presented various clinical pictures with consciousness disturbances and diverse clinical signs because of involvement of different anatomical structures. Large‐artery atherosclerotic disease in the vertebrobasilar system was the main cause of stroke in 12 (52%) patients, cardioembolism (CE) in one (4%), and coexisting large‐artery disease and a source of CE in four (17%). The main cause of stroke was atheromatous vertebrobasilar artery disease either in the distal vertebral or proximal basilar artery. The outcome was usually good except those with multiple lesions. The new MRI techniques and clinical correlations allow better definition of the diverse topographical and etiological spectrum of AICA territory involvement and associated infarcts which was previously based on pathological and conventional MRI studies.
Activation of the Protein Kinase Akt/PKB by the Formation of E-cadherin-mediated Cell-Cell Junctions

E-cadherins are surface adhesion molecules localized at the level of adherens junctions, which play a major role in cell adhesiveness by mediating calcium-dependent homophylic interactions at sites of cell-cell contacts. Recently, E-cadherins have been also implicated in a number of biological processes, including cell growth and differentiation, cell recognition, and sorting during developmental morphogenesis, as well as in aggregation-dependent cell survival. As phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase and Akt play a critical role in survival pathways in response to both growth factors and extracellular stimuli, these observations prompted us to explore whether E-cadherins could affect intracellular molecules regulating the activity of the PI 3-kinase/Akt signaling cascade. Using Madin-Darby canine kidney cells as a model system, we show here that engagement of E-cadherins in homophylic calcium-dependent cell-cell interactions results in a rapid PI 3-kinase-dependent activation of Akt and the subsequent translocation of Akt to the nucleus. Moreover, we demonstrate that the activation of PI 3-kinase in response to cell-cell contact formation involves the phosphorylation of PI 3-kinase in tyrosine residues, and the concomitant recruitment of PI 3-kinase to E-cadherin-containing protein complexes. These findings indicate that E-cadherins can initiate outside-in signal transducing pathways that regulate the activity of PI 3-kinase and Akt, thus providing a novel molecular mechanism whereby the interaction among neighboring cells and their adhesion status may ultimately control the fate of epithelial cells.
The male reproductive system and its susceptibility to endocrine disrupting chemicals

Summary. In the past years, there has been increased interest in assessing the relationship between impaired male fertility and environmental factors. Human male fertility is a complex process and therefore a great variety of sites may be affected by exogenous noxae. Lifestyle factors as well as various environmental and occupational agents may impair male fertility. Many studies have been published reporting on reproductive dysfunctions in male animals and humans. Especially environmental pollutants with endocrine activity are discussed as a possible cause of this detrimental development. Evidence from animal experiments show that substances with oestrogenic and antiandrogenic properties may cause hypospadia, cryptorchidism, reduction of sperm density and an increase of testicular tumours. Many adverse effects on animal male fertility have been documented for phthalates and some chlorinated hydrocarbons such as polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins. For other chemicals such as bisphenol A and nonylphenols animal data are conflicting. Environmental pollutants may mediate their effects by receptor binding, modulation of hormone‐regulated mechanisms or direct toxic effects. Data on environmental chemicals and human male fertility are scarce, and risk assessment is mostly based on the results of animal studies. However, there are indications that exposure to endocrine active chemicals during early development may alter hormone responsiveness in adulthood. Furthermore, some of the chemicals are found in fluids that are associated with human reproduction, such as follicular fluid, seminal fluid and cervical mucus. Recent studies suggest a correlation between pesticide exposure and standard semen parameters as well as in vitro fertilization rates.
Heterosis and yield potentialities of promising maize hybrids suitable for Terai and inner Terai environments of Nepal

Heterosis has made a dramatic impact on the developing of breeding methods and high yields in many field crops during the 20th century. In general, heterosis is greatest in cross pollinated compared to self pollinated crops and thus widely exploited for hybrid cultivar development. Standard heterosis is one of the most important parameters in commercialization of maize hybrids. A new hybrid must be superior to the standard hybrids in terms of grain yield and other economic traits. We have analyzed four coordinated varietal trials of hybrids, 3 of which were conducted at NMRP, Rampur and another was tested at NMRP, Rampur and at ARS, Belachapi, Janakpur from 2006 to 2008 in order to determine the standard heterosis of the promising hybrids. The objective of this study was to evaluate hybrids under different production domains and to select superior hybrids for commercialization. Standard heterosis was calculated based on the best check hybrids and Indian commercial hybrids. The hybrids showed significant differences for grain yields and days to silking in all the trials. Standard heterosis of the tested hybrids ranged from - 39.4 to 47.8%. Most of the hybrids showed positive standard heterosis for grain yield. Hybrids namely; RML- 4/NML-2, RML-6/RML-8, NML-1/RML-8 in 2006 and RML-57/RL-174, NML-1/RML-6 and RL-197/NML-2 in 2008 had more than15% standard heterosis for grain yield evaluated at NMRP, Rampur. Hybrid between RML- 4/NML-2 had only shown positive standard heterosis in 2007 at NMRP, Rampur. RML-4/NML-2, NML-1/RL-17 and RL-111/RL-189 were superior hybrids, which had >15% standard heterosis across NMRP, Rampur and at ARS, Belachapi, Janakpur in 2008. Seed production aspect of these selected hybrids should be studied to develop a complete package of practices for F1 hybrid seed production. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3126/ajn.v1i0. 7544 Agronomy Journal of Nepal (Agron JN) Vol. 1: 2010 pp.67-73
Spatiotemporal, Kinematic, and Kinetic Effects of a Peroneal Nerve Stimulator Versus an Ankle Foot Orthosis in Hemiparetic Gait

Background. The relative effect of a transcutaneous peroneal nerve stimulator (tPNS) and an ankle foot orthosis (AFO) on spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic parameters of hemiparetic gait has not been well described. Objective. To compare the relative neuroprosthetic effect of a tPNS with the orthotic effect of an AFO using quantitative gait analysis (QGA). Design. In all, 12 stroke survivors underwent QGA under 3 device conditions: (1) no device (ND), (2) AFO, and (3) tPNS. A series of repeated-measures analyses of variance (rmANOVAs) were performed with dorsiflexion status (presence or absence of volitional dorsiflexion) as a covariate to compare selected spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic parameters for each device condition. Post hoc pairwise comparisons and/or subset analysis by dorsiflexion status were performed for significant effect. Results. Stride length was improved with both the AFO (P = .035) and the tPNS (P = .029) relative to ND. Those with absent dorsiflexion had longer stride length with the tPNS relative to ND (P = .034) and a higher walking velocity with a tPNS relative to the AFO (P = .015). There was no device effect on dorsiflexion angle at initial contact; however, a significant Device × Dorsiflexion status interaction effect favored the AFO relative to ND (P = .025) in those with dorsiflexion present. Conclusion. This study suggests that level of motor impairment may influence the relative effects of the tPNS and AFO devices in chronic hemiparetic gait; however, the small sample size limits generalizability. Future studies are necessary to determine if motor impairment level should be considered in the clinical prescription of these devices.
The effect of age upon liver volume and apparent liver blood flow in healthy man

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of aging upon liver volume and apparent liver blood flow in healthy man. Sixty‐five subjects between 24 and 91 years of age were recruited. Liver volume was quantitated by a gray scale B ultrasound scan method. Apparent liver blood flow was determined from the plasma clearance of indocyanine green, based on an assumption of no change in hepatic extraction of the dye with age.
Timely fracture-healing requires optimization of axial fixation stability.

BACKGROUND Bone-healing is known to be sensitive to the mechanical stability of fixation. However, the influence on healing of the individual components of fixation stiffness remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the initial in vitro fixation stiffness and the strength and stiffness of the callus after nine weeks. We hypothesized that axial stiffness would determine the healing outcome. METHODS A standardized midshaft osteotomy of the right tibia was performed on Merino-mix sheep and was stabilized with either one of four monolateral external fixators or one of two tibial nails inserted without reaming. The in vitro stiffness of fixation was determined in six loading conditions (axial compression, torsion, as well as bending and shear in the anteroposterior and mediolateral planes) on ovine tibial specimens. Stiffness was calculated by relating displacements of the fracture fragments, determined by means of attached optical markers, and the loads applied by a materials testing machine. Torsional testing until failure of the explanted tibiae was performed with use of a standard materials testing machine after nine weeks of healing to determine the failure moment and the torsional stiffness of the healed tibia. RESULTS External fixation in sheep generally resulted in higher fixation stiffness than did conventional unreamed tibial nailing. The use of angle-stable locking screws in tibial nailing resulted in fixation stiffness comparable with that of external fixation. The highest torsional moment to failure was observed for the external fixator with moderate axial stiffness and high shear stiffness. The fixator with the highest axial stability did not result in the highest failure moment. Low axial stability in combination with low shear stability resulted in the lowest failure moment. CONCLUSIONS In this study, a clear relationship between the stability of fixation and the mechanical strength of the healing tibia was seen. Moderate levels of axial stability were associated with the highest callus strength and stiffness.