Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SIP over IP VPN : Performance Analysis

With rapid growth in use of multimedia applications, including IP Telephony (also known as Voice over IP), the demand for security and privacy of communications has significantly increased. Given the fact that IP Telephony utilizes public IP infrastructure, deployment of IP VPN is one approach to protect traffic of interest. However, VPN is presumed to have a negative impact on VOIP performance due to additional packet overheads, authentication, integrity check, encryption, and extra CPU processing involved in the process. In this paper we simulate behavior of a SIP-based VOIP connection running over an IP VPN tunnel. OPNET IT GURU is used as the simulation tool. Few studies examined role of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters such as call signaling and employed VPN protocols, but the role of parameters’ arising from network environment, including design issues, were neglected. Bearing this in mind, this research considers several possible scenarios. It compares performance of VOIP calls based on end-to-end delay, delay variation and call setup time for different network configuration (with and without VPN). VPN itself didn’t show any negative impact on end-to-end delay. However, combination of network design and VPN show an impact on end-to-end delay.
Structure‐Function Analysis of the Human Ferroportin Iron Exporter (SLC40A1): Effect of Hemochromatosis Type 4 Disease Mutations and Identification of Critical Residues

Ferroportin (SLC40A1) is the only known iron exporter in mammals and is considered a key coordinator of the iron balance between intracellular and systemic iron homeostasis. However, the structural organization of ferroportin in the lipid bilayer remains controversial and very little is known about the mechanism underlying iron egress. In the present study, we have developed an approach based on comparative modeling, which has led to the construction of a model of the three‐dimensional (3D) structure of ferroportin by homology to the crystal structure of a Major Facilitator Superfamily member (EmrD). This model predicts atomic details for the organization of ferroportin transmembrane helices and is in agreement with our current understanding of the ferroportin function and its interaction with hepcidin. Using in vitro experiments, we demonstrate that this model can be used to identify novel critical amino acids. In particular, we show that the tryptophan residue 42 (p.Trp42), which is localized within the extracellular end of the ferroportin pore, is likely involved in both the iron export function and in the mechanism of inhibition by hepcidin. Thus, our 3D model provides a new perspective for understanding the molecular basis of ferroportin functions and dysfunctions.
Study of Thyroid AutoAntibodies in Patients with Bronchial Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis

Background: Authors of a few reports have stated that autoimmunity increases the frequency of Grave’s disease in some patients with allergic rhinitis. Also, seasonal allergic rhinitis has been reported to be more frequent in Grave’s disease but rare in painless thyroiditis. However, little is known about the relation between thyroid disease and allergic diseases. Aim of Our Work: Our aim was to study the coexistence of thyroid auto-antibodies in patients with bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis. Methods: Forty patients with allergic diseases (20 patients with bronchial asthma [BA] and 20 patients with allergic rhinitis [AR]) and 20 3 healthy control subjects were included in the study. We measured the free triiodothyronine (FT ), free thyroxin 4 (FT ) by radioimmunoassay (RIA), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH); thyroid auto-antibodies (antithyroid peroxidase [anti-TPO] and anti-thyroglobulin [anti-TG]) by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA); the complete blood picture; allergic skin tests; and peak expiratory flow rate measured by spirometry. Results: Thyroid auto-antibodies levels were higher in patients with BA and AR compared to healthy subjects 3 4 (P < 0.05). However, thyroid function test results (FT , FT , and TSH) did not significantly differ between patients and controls. Also, thyroid auto-antibodies levels did not significantly differ between patients with BA and those with AR (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Thyroid auto-immunity was associated with allergic disease but was not reflected in changed thyroid biochemical profiles.
Pathological Studies on Liver affections in Saudi Arabia Camels

In the present investigation, 500 liver of One humped slaughtered camel at abattoirs in Saudi Arabia were examined. Out of these examined liver, 75 livers showed different hepatic lesions with an incidence of 15%. According to the microscopic findings, these hepatic lesions were classified into acute hepatitis observed in three cases, suppurative hepatitis in four cases, six cases of parasitic hepatitis were diagnosed. granulomatous hepatitis observed in two cases. Different types of hepatic cirrhosis were diagnosed in 24 cases of the total hepatic lesions, the hepatic cirrhosis represented by portal cirrhosis, biliary cirrhosis, central cirrhosis and glissonian cirrhosis, degenerative changes in the form of fatty, hydropic and vacuolar degenerations were recorded in 29 cases, chronic venous congestion in three liver, two hepatic neoplasms including metastatic lymphosarcoma and hemangioma together with osteolipomatous metaplasia were
Seasonality of birth of patients with childhood diabetes in Britain

Indirect evidence suggests that early environment is important in the causation of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.1 Viral infection is thought to be the most likely trigger. Although biochemical and immunological abnormalities develop several years before the clinical onset of insulin dependent diabetes, the age at which exposure to infection might induce the disease is unclear. The high prevalence of diabetes mellitus in patients with the congenital rubella syndrome shows that the process may be initiated in utero.1 As most viral infections are seasonal, the pattern of dates of birth of people with diabetes should differ from that of the general population if a significant proportion of cases was caused by intrauterine or perinatal viral infection. We therefore examined seasonality of birth in three large independent populations …
Prediction of axillary lymph node involvement of women with invasive breast carcinoma

The increasing use of systemic therapy for women with lymph node negative breast carcinoma and earlier stage of disease at mammographic detection raises questions regarding the need for routine axillary lymph node dissection. Predictive modeling for lymph node involvement may be one way to reduce the need for axillary lymph node dissection and its morbidity.
The Epidemiology of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Oman: Results from the Oman-RACE study.

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiology and coronary risk factors of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Oman. METHODS Data were collected through a prospective, multinational, multicentre survey of consecutive patients, hospitalised over a 5-month period in 2007 with a diagnosis of ACS, in Yemen and five Arabian Gulf countries (Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates). Here we present data of Omani patients aged ≥20 years who received a provisional diagnosis of ACS and were consequently admitted to 14 different hospitals. RESULTS There where 1,340 confirmed ACS episodes in 748 men and 592 women (median age 61 years). The overall crude incidence rate of ACS was 338.9 per 100,000 person-years (P-Y). The age-standardised rate (ASR) of ACS was 779 and 674 per 100,000 P-Y for men and women, respectively. The ASR male-to-female rate ratio was highest in the ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) group (2.26, 95% confidence interval ([CI], 1.63 to 3.15) followed by the non-STEMI (NSTEMI) group (1.68, 95% CI 1.28 to 2.21) and unstable angina (0.79, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.99). Unstable angina accounted for 55%, STEMI for 26% and NSTEMI for 19% of ACS cases. Among the coronary risk factors, there was a high prevalence of hypertension (68%), diabetes mellitus (DM) (36%), hyperlipidaemia (63%), and overweight/obesity (65%), with a relatively low rate of current tobacco use (11%). CONCLUSION Our study confirms a high incidence of ACS in Omanis and supports the notion that the cardiovascular disease epidemic is also sweeping developing countries.
Prenatal growth in the albino rat: effects of number, intrauterine position and resorptions.

Data from 103 litters of albino rats were analyzed for the effects of the number of fetuses in the litter and in each uterine horn, resorptions, and intra-uterine position on variations in fetal weight. The right uterine horn tended to contain more fetuses than the left. There appeared to be systemic control over both the number of fetuses in the litter and their distribution between the horns. The number of fetuses per litter and the number per horn had separate and different effects on fetal weight. The number of fetuses in the horn was a more important determinant of fetal weight than was the number in the litter. Fetal weight was higher and the effect of the number of fetuses in the horn was stronger in horns with early resorptions than in horns without resorptions. Resorptions had no effect on the weight of adjacent fetuses or on fetal weight variation in the horn which suggests that resorptions influence fetal growth systemically rather than locally. Fetal mortality was highest in the lower one-third of the uterine horn and lowest in the upper one-third. Fetal weight variation increased as the number of fetuses per horn increased and as mean fetal weight decreased. Intrauterine position was a significant determinant of fetal weight. The heaviest fetuses occupied the middle of the uterine horn while the lightest fetuses were at either end. The importance of these findings in prenatal growth and teratologic studies is discussed.
Differing Neisseria gonorrhoeae Bacterial Loads in the Pharynx and Rectum in Men Who Have Sex with Men: Implications for Gonococcal Detection, Transmission, and Control

ABSTRACT The bacterial loads for gonococcal infections of the pharynx and rectum were determined among men with male sexual partners. The median bacterial load for rectal infections (18,960 copies/swab) was significantly higher than the load for pharyngeal infections (2,100 copies/swab; P = 0.001). Bacterial loads among men with symptomatic proctitis were strikingly high (median, 278,000 copies/swab).
Direct and Indirect Evidence of Size-Selective Grazing on Pelagic Bacteria by Freshwater Nanoflagellates

Size-selective grazing of three heterotrophic nanoflagellates (with cell sizes of 21, 44, and 66 μm3) isolated from Lake Arlington, Texas was examined by using a natural mixture of fluorescence labelled lake bacteria. Sizes of ingested bacteria in food vacuoles were directly measured. Larger bacterial cells were ingested at a frequency much higher than that at which they occurred in the assemblage, indicating preferential flagellate grazing on the larger size classes within the lake bacterioplankton. Water samples were collected biweekly from June through September, 1989, fractionated by filtration, and incubated for 40 h at in situ temperatures. The average bacterial size was always larger in water which was passed through 1-μm-pore-size filters (1-μm-filtered water) (which was predator free) than in 5-μm-filtered water (which contained flagellates only) or in unfiltered water (in which all bacterivores were present). The increase of bacterial-cell size in 1-μm-filtered water was caused by a shift in the size structure of the bacterioplankton population. Larger cells became more abundant in the absence of flagellate grazing.
The m=1 amplituhedron and cyclic hyperplane arrangements

The (tree) amplituhedron A(n,k,m) is the image in the Grassmannian Gr(k,k+m) of the totally nonnegative part of Gr(k,n), under a (map induced by a) linear map which is totally positive. It was introduced by Arkani-Hamed and Trnka in 2013 in order to give a geometric basis for the computation of scattering amplitudes in N=4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory. When k+m=n, the amplituhedron is isomorphic to the totally nonnegative Grassmannian, and when k=1, the amplituhedron is a cyclic polytope. While the case m=4 is most relevant to physics, the amplituhedron is an interesting mathematical object for any m. In this paper we study it in the case m=1. We start by taking an orthogonal point of view and define a related "B-amplituhedron" B(n,k,m), which we show is isomorphic to A(n,k,m). We use this reformulation to describe the amplituhedron in terms of sign variation. We then give a cell decomposition of the amplituhedron A(n,k,1) using the images of a collection of distinguished cells of the totally nonnegative Grassmannian. We also show that A(n,k,1) can be identified with the complex of bounded faces of a cyclic hyperplane arrangement, and describe how its cells fit together. We deduce that A(n,k,1) is homeomorphic to a ball.
Calcium signaling and biotic defense responses in plants

Calcium (Ca2+) acts as an important second messenger in plant cells. Cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration in plant cells changes rapidly and dynamically in response to various endogenous or environmental cues. Elevation in calcium concentration in plant cells is an essential early event during plant defense responses. Alterations in the Ca2+ concentration are sensed by Ca2+-binding proteins, including calmodulin, calcium-dependent protein kinases and calcineurin B-like proteins, which relay or decode the encoded Ca2+ signals into specific cellular and physiological responses in order to survive challenges by pathogens. Genetic and functional studies have revealed that Ca2+ signaling plays both positive and negative roles in regulating the establishment of defense responses. Furthermore, recent studies revealed that actions of Ca2+-mediated signaling could be regulated by other cell signaling systems such as the ubiquitin-proteasome system to mount precise and prompt plant defense responses.
Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation produces effects on brain activity: Study on the modifications of the long latency somatosensory evoked potentials

Long‐latency somatosensory evoked potentials (LL‐SEP) provide information on the function of somatosensory cortical structures. Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is indicated in the treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction. Aim of this study was to evaluate LL‐SEP in patients with overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) treated by means of PTNS.
Drotrecogin alpha (activated) in neonatal septic shock

A 12-d-old neonate suffering from group B streptococcal septic shock was treated with 24 μg/kg/h recombinant human activated protein C [rhAPC, drotrecogin alpha (activated)] for 96 h. The protein C activity increased from 5% to 53% after rhAPC infusion. The patient recovered within 14 d without any adverse effects.
SME Performance: relating outcomes to objectives

Before we can adequately assess SME performance we need to clearly understand the owners key objectives/goals. The aim of this study, therefore, was to develop a parsimonious scale to measure the objectives of SME owner-operators. Our results, using both qualitative and quantitative analysis, indicate that SME owner-operator objectives cannot be satisfactorily proxied by economic factors alone but can be appropriately assessed using four multi-item factors (extrinsic rewards; time flexibility; family; and staff relations) and three single-item measures (customer relations; independence; and intrinsic rewards).
Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterase (PDE) Inhibitors: Novel Therapeutic Agents for Progressive Renal Disease

Cyclic nucleotides are recognized as critical mediators of many renal functions, including solute transport, regulation of vascular tone, proliferation of parenchymal cells, and inflammation. Although most studies have linked elevated cAMP levels to activation of protein kinase A, cAMP can also directly activate cyclic nucleotide gated ion channels and can signal through activation of GTP exchange factors. Cyclic AMP signaling is highly compartmentalized through plasma membrane localization of adenylyl cyclase and expression of scaffolding proteins that anchor protein kinase A to specific intracellular locations. Cyclic nucleotide levels are largely regulated through catabolic processes directed by phosphodiesterases (PDEs). The PDE superfamily is large and complex, with over 60 distinct isoforms that preferentially hydrolyze cAMP, cGMP, or both. PDEs contribute to compartmentalized cyclic nucleotide signaling. The unique cell- and tissue-specific distribution of PDEs has prompted the development of highly specific PDE inhibitors to treat a variety of inflammatory conditions. In experimental systems, PDE inhibitors have been employed to demonstrate functional compartmentalization of cyclic nucleotide signaling in the kidney. For example, mitogenesis in glomerular mesangial cells and normal tubular epithelial cells is negatively regulated by an intracellular pool of cAMP that is metabolized by PDE3, but not by other PDEs. In Madin-Darby canine kidney cells, an in vitro model of polycystic kidney disease, an intracellular pool of cAMP directed by PDE3 stimulates mitogenesis. In mesangial cells, an intracellular pool of cAMP directed by PDE4 inhibits reactive oxygen species and expression of the potent proin-flammatory cytokine monocyte chemoattractant protein 1. An intracellular pool of cGMP directed by PDE5 regulates solute transport. PDE5 inhibitors ameliorate renal injury in a chronic renal disease model. In this overview, we highlight recent studies to define relationships between PDE expression and renal function and to provide evidence that PDE inhibitors may be effective agents in treating chronic renal disease.
Introduction Very long-term outcomes of minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

the effectiveness of minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is long-term outcome. In this study, patients in whom more than 5 years had elapsed since they had undergone minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal SCC were identified, and the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate were evaluated as the long-term outcomes. Methods: The stage, histology, perioperative complications, recurrence, and survival data were carefully reviewed in 49 patients who underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal SCC between January 2008 and January 2010. Results: Postoperative 30-day complications were observed in 12 (24.5%) patients. There was no postoperative 30-day mortality. Recurrence was observed in 26 patients (53.1%): of these, 9 (18.4%) developed local recurrence and 14 (28.6%) distant metastasis. Three patients (6.1%) had both local and distant metastases. During the study period, there were 22 (44.9%) deaths, of which 20 were due to cancer and 2 were due to other causes. The patient 5-year OS and DFS rates were 58 and 45%, respectively. Conclusion: Minimally invasive esophagectomy for the treatment of esophageal SCC is as feasible and safe as open esophagectomy in terms of both very longand short-term outcomes.
Undiagnosed hypertension and hypercholesterolemia among uninsured and insured adults in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Uninsured adults are much less likely than insured adults to receive routine checkups or preventive services, including screening for hypertension and hypercholesterolemia.1 To obtain nationally representative estimates of undiagnosed hypertension and hypercholesterolemia by insurance status, we analyzed the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). 2,3
[Lack of usefulness of ABCD score in the early risk of recurrent stroke in transient ischemic attack patients].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Recently a clinical score (ABCD) to identify individuals at high seven-day risk of stroke after transient ischemic attack (TIA) was proposed. The aim of this study was to test this clinical model. PATIENTS AND METHOD We validated the ABCD score (age > or = 65 years = 1; hypertension = 1; unilateral weakness = 2, speech disturbance without weakness = 1, duration of symptoms in minutes > or = 60 = 2; 10-59 = 1; < 10 = 0) in 325 consecutive TIA patients. Clinical data, symptoms duration, CT scan, and ultrasonographic (carotid and transcranial) findings were collected. Seven-day risk of stroke was recorded. RESULTS A total of 16 (4.9%) patients had a stroke recurrence within the first seven days after symptoms onset. Six out of 16 (37.5%) strokes occurred in 115 (35.4%) patients with a score of 5 or greater, while the 7-day risk was 4.8% (95% CI 2.04-7.56) in 210 (63.5%) patients with a score less than 5. In cox proportional hazards multivariate analyses only large-artery occlusive disease remained an independent predictor of stroke recurrence [hazard ratio = 5.66 (95% CI 2.06-15.57; p = 0.001)]. CONCLUSIONS Clinical data are not enough to identify patients at higher risk. The combination of clinical, radiological and vascular information may improve the predictive accuracy of stroke recurrence risk. The routine use of combined carotid/transcranial ultrasound testing performed early will be useful for identifying high risk individuals in order to plan urgent aggressive prevention therapies.
Performance of Quasi-logarithmic Quantizer for Discrete Input Signal

In this paper, performance of quasi-logarithmic quantizer, designed for correlated discrete input signal is analyzed. Quantizer design is done for Laplacian source due to its both hardware and software significance, whereas experiments are done by processing test wideband speech signal sampled at 16 [kHz]. The quantizer is exploited as a second stage of two-stage quantization system, where the first step is used for continuous signal sampling, while the second stage provides additional data compression. The main goal is to provide improved design by discussing theoretical performance of two quantization models. As the traditional models for performance estimation provide estimation of average performance, we have decided to propose a novel model for performance estimation and to analyze performance in details for each random input signal variance. Finally, the experimental results have shown excellent matching with theoretical results. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.5755/j01.itc. 46.3. 16197
Micromachine-enabled capture and isolation of cancer cells in complex media.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are the primary entities responsible for spawning cancer metastasis. Detection of CTCs provides an indicator for the clinical diagnosis and prognosis of various types of cancers. Several approaches, based primarily on flowing the sample through antibody-coated magnetic-beads[1] or microchip[2,3] surfaces have been described for isolating and counting CTCs. However, these approaches require extensive sample preparation and/or complex surface microstructures to detect the extremely low abundance of CTCs in blood. [3,4] In this study we describe a immunomicromachine-based approach for an in-vitro isolation of cancer cells that holds promise for direct CTC detection without sample pre-processing.