Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cache Policy Performance for Information-Centric Networking under a Hop-Number-Based Metric Framework

Information-Centric Networking (ICN) is gaining increasingly momentum, as an important direction of the future Internet architecture research. To study the impact of various cache policies on the overall performance of ICN network, we formulate the in-network caching problem of ICN into Mixed-Integer Linear Programming problem. Via analyzing the properties of the optimal cache assignment, we explore the impacts of the frequency and distance factors on cache policy performance. Furthermore, we design a novel cache policy named Least Benefit (LB), which takes into account the distance factor besides frequency. Through extensive simulations, we compare the performance of a variety of cache policies under various scenarios and configurations. It is found that LB outperforms a series of cache policies in terms of average hop number to get content.
Using respirometric techniques and fluorescent in situ hybridization to evaluate the heterotrophic active biomass in activated sludge

The separation and accurate quantification of active biomass components in activated sludge is of paramount importance in models, used for the management and design of waste water (WW) treatment plants. Accurate estimates of microbial population concentrations and the direct, in situ determination of kinetic parameters could improve the calibration and validation of existing models of biological nutrient removal activated sludge systems. The aim of this study was to obtain correlations between heterotrophic active biomass (ZBH) concentrations predicted by mathematical models and quantitative information obtained by Fluorescent in situ hybridizations (FISH). Respirometric batch test were applied to mixed liquors drawn from a well‐defined parent anoxic/aerobic activated sludge system to quantify the ZBH concentrations. Similarly fluorescent labeled, 16S rRNA‐targeted oligonucleotide probes specific for ammonia and nitrite oxidizers were used in combination with DAPI staining to validate the ZBH active biomass component in activate sludge respirometric batch tests. For the direct enumeration and simultaneous in situ analysis of the distribution of nitrifying bacteria, in situ hybridization with oligonucleotide probes were used. Probes (NSO 1225, NSR 1156, and NIT3) were used to target the nitrifiers and the universal probe (EUB MIX) was used to target all Eubacteria. Deducting the lithoautotrophic population from the total bacteria population revealed the ZBH population. A conversion factor of 8.49 × 10−11 mg VSS/cell was applied to express the ZBH in terms of COD concentration. ZBH values obtained by molecular probing correlated closely with values obtained from the modified batch test. However, the trend of consistently poor correspondence of measured and theoretical concentrations were evident. Therefore, the focus of this study was to investigate alternative technology, such as FISH to validate or replace kinetic parameters which are invariably incorporated into models. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;98: 561–568. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Differences in disease expression between primary ciliary dyskinesia and cystic fibrosis with and without pancreatic insufficiency.

BACKGROUND Impaired mucociliary clearance causes pulmonary disease in primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) and contributes to cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease. Although the sinopulmonary disease is similar, morbidity and mortality are different. Both patients with PCD and patients with CF with pancreatic sufficiency (CF-PS) show no nutrient malabsorption and are diagnosed at a later age compared with patients with CF with pancreatic insufficiency (CF-PI). METHODS Clinical status, microbiology, FEV1, and high-resolution CT (HRCT) scans presented as total Brody score (CT-TBS) were compared for patients with PCD, CF-PI, and CF-PS, all treated at the same medical center, by the same team, and by a similar routine follow-up. RESULTS One hundred sixty-four patients, 34 with PCD, 88 with CF-PI, and 42 with CF-PS were enrolled. PCD was diagnosed at a similar age as CF-PS but significantly later than CF-PI. Mean FEV1 % predicted was similar for the three groups. The rate of FEV1 change with age in PCD was similar to CF-PS but significantly lower than in CF-PI. Severity of structural lung disease (CT-TBS) was similar for PCD and CF-PS and significantly higher in CF-PI. No correlation between TBS or Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection and FEV1 in PCD was seen, whereas a negative correlation with FEV1 was observed for both CF groups. CONCLUSIONS Although in our study PCD was similar to CF-PS, the lack of correlation between FEV1 and age, CT-TBS, and P aeruginosa infection in PCD suggests that impaired mucociliary clearance is not the only cause for inducing pulmonary damage in these diseases. Furthermore, a comparison of disease characteristics for PCD and CF should distinguish between CF-PI and CF-PS as different entities.
A 5‐HT4‐receptor activation‐induced neural plasticity enhances in vivo reconstructs of enteric nerve circuit insult

Background It was recently reported that some 5‐HT4‐receptor agonists increased neuronal numbers and length of neurites in enteric neurons developing in vitro from immunoselected neural crest‐derived precursors. We aimed to explore a novel approach in vivo to reconstruct the enteric neural circuitry that mediates a fundamental distal gut reflex.
Impact of histologic chorioamnionitis on pulmonary hypertension and respiratory outcomes in preterm infants

We aimed to evaluate the association between the presence of histologic chorioamnionitis (HC) and development of pulmonary hypertension (PH) during neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay. Data of preterm infants born at 32 weeks of gestation or less were reviewed. The development of PH and other respiratory outcomes were compared according to the presence of HC. Potential risk factors associated with the development of PH during NICU stay were used for multivariable logistic regression analysis. A total of 188 infants were enrolled: 72 in the HC group and 116 in the no HC group. The HC group infants were born at a significantly shorter gestational age and lower birthweight, with a greater proportion presenting preterm premature rupture of membrane (pPROM) > 18 h before delivery. More infants in the HC group developed pneumothorax (P = 0.008), and moderate and severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD; P = 0.001 and P = 0.006, respectively). PH in the HC group was significantly more frequent compared to the no HC group (25.0% versus 8.6%, P = 0.002). Based on a multivariable logistic regression analysis, birthweight (P = 0.009, odds ratio [OR] = 0.997, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.995–0.999), the presence of HC (P = 0.047, OR = 2.799, 95% CI = 1.014–7.731), and duration of invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) > 14 days (P = 0.015, OR = 8.036, 95% CI = 1.051–43.030) were significant factors. The presence of HC and prolonged invasive MV in infants with lower birthweight possibly synergistically act against preterm pulmonary outcomes and leads to the development of PH. Verification of this result and further investigation to establish effective strategies to prevent or ameliorate these adverse outcomes are needed.
Polarity Effect in DC Breakdown Voltage Characteristics of Pressurized Carbon Dioxide up to Supercritical Conditions

This paper deals with the effect of the polarity and gap geometry on DC breakdown voltage characteristics of a point-to-plane gap in supercritical carbon dioxide (SC CO2) that is required to design a plasma reactor. In the experiments, the gap width d and the curvature radius of the point tip r were changed in the range of 80 to 300 mum and 50 to 170 mum respectively, and the CO2 state was controlled within the gas, liquid, and SC phases. The experimental results showed that a remarkable polarity effect appeared under certain gap conditions. As a result, it was found that negative polarity and a higher stressed electrode are desired conditions for the dc plasma reactor since an active corona supplying rich chemical radicals appears in SC CO2 under such conditions.
False alarm probability estimation for Compressive Sensing radar

In this paper false alarm probability (FAP) estimation of a radar using Compressive Sensing (CS) in the frequency domain is investigated. Compressive Sensing is a recently proposed technique which allows reconstruction of sparse signal from sub-Nyquist rate measurements. The estimation of the FAP is based on an empirical model derived from simulations of the probability density function (pdf) of the noise samples reconstructed using the basis pursuit denoising (BPDN) algorithm. During simulations noise levels were assumed to be known; in practice noise or clutter power is not known a priori, and must be estimated from the radar data. As in radar applications it is desirable to have a Constant False Alarm Rate (CFAR), the aim here is to understand the statistical behavior of noise after CS reconstruction for designing CFAR radar detection schemes.
Cataract Surgery in Childhood Uveitis

Children with chronic anterior uveitis develop cataract in approximately 40% to 60% of cases during the course of the disease. Cataract is more common in the pediatric population than in adult. In a recent study based on a cohort of 148 children with uveitis, cataract could be predicted to occur at a rate of 0.16 events per patient-year of follow-up. An increased risk for development of cataract is noted in chronic course of uveitis, fibrin formation, long-term and high-dose corticosteroid treatment, and after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Surgical treatment of cataract remains a challenging issue for ophthalmologists, and surgeons vary greatly in their recommendations. Surgery was previously performed without intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Lensectomy/vitrectomy, phacoemulsification through a limbal incision, followed by anterior or PPV and finally standard phacoemulsification techniques associated with posterior capsulorhexis, anterior vitrectomy, and IOL implantation in some cases, represent the 3 main technical procedures. Pediatric cataract surgery and aphakia correction have changed dramatically in recent years. However, even without uveitis, secondary ocular inflammation occurs in children. Acute intraocular inflammation, posterior synechiae, glaucoma, and macular edema seem to be major postoperative complications. Secondary cataract occurs in 18% of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis ( JIA)-associated uveitis after a follow-up period of 1 year. Children with JIA seem to be at greater risk of ocular complications than
Increased Density of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Coreceptors CCR5 and CXCR4 on the Surfaces of CD4+ T Cells and Monocytes of Patients with Schistosoma mansoni Infection

ABSTRACT Distribution of chemokine receptors CCR5 and CXCR4, which are also coreceptors for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 invasion of cells, was measured on the surfaces of CD4+ T cells and monocytes in peripheral blood samples from a group of Kenyan car washers. Patients with active schistosomiasis displayed higher cell surface densities of these receptors than did cured schistosomiasis patients.
Field Application of the H9M2e Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Differentiation of H9N2 Avian Influenza Virus-Infected Chickens from Vaccinated Chickens

ABSTRACT Vaccination for control of H9N2 low-pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) in chickens began in 2007 in South Korea where the H9N2 virus is prevalent. Recently, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using the extracellular domain of the M2 protein (M2e ELISA) was developed as another strategy to differentiate between vaccinated and infected chickens. Here, an ELISA using the extracellular domain of the M2 protein of H9N2 LPAI virus (H9M2e ELISA) was applied to differentiate infected from vaccinated chickens using the H9N2 LPAI virus M2 peptide. The specificity and sensitivity of the optimized H9M2e ELISA were 96.1% and 83.8% (the absorbance of the sample to the absorbance for the positive control [S/P ratio] ≥ 0.6), respectively, with the cutoff value (S/P ratio = 0.6), and the criterion of avian influenza (AI) infection in a chicken house was established as >20% reactivity of anti-M2e antibody per house with this cutoff value. After infection in naïve chickens and once-vaccinated chickens with a hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay titer of 9.25 ± 0.75 log2 units, the sera from infected chickens were confirmed as AI infected when the chickens were 1 week old in both groups, and AI infection lasted for 24 weeks and 9 weeks in naïve and once-vaccinated chickens, respectively, although in twice-vaccinated chickens with a higher HI titer of 11.17 ± 0.37 log2 units, anti-M2e antibody in infected sera did not reach a level indicating AI infection. In field application, anti-M2e antibody produced in infected chickens after vaccination or in reinfected chickens could be identified as AI infection, although HI test could not distinguish infected from vaccinated sera. These results indicate the utility of H9M2e ELISA as a surveillance tool in control of H9N2 LPAI infections.
Gémellité et reconnaissance automatique du locuteur

Cet article presente un systeme d'identification du locuteur applique a un corpus de jumeaux. Deux experiences sont effectuees en utilisant la plateforme AMIRAL d'identification du locuteur du Laboratoire d'Informatique d'Avignon. Le but de la premiere experience est d'identifier une paire de jumeaux parmi le corpus. La seconde experience est une tâche classique de verification du locuteur. Les resultats prouvent qu'un systeme automatique peut globalement identifier les jumeaux avec des performances acceptables (85 % de bonne identification). En outre, le systeme peut aussi distinguer le locuteur cible du son jumeau. Pour l'experience de verification, nous obtenons 6% de fausse acceptation (F.A.) pour 0% de faux rejet et 53% de faux rejet pour 0% de fausse acceptation. Comme la quantite disponible de donnees est extremement limitee, des resultats doivent etre interpretes avec prudence.
Cuticle Micromorphology of Pinus krempfii Lecomte (Pinaceae) and Additional Species from Southeast Asia1

Cuticle micromorphology of the unusual Vietnamese pine, Pinus krempfii Lecomte, and three additional endemic southeast Asian species of Pinus L. (Pinaceae) is characterized for the first time. Taxa studied include (1) P. krempfii, typically placed in its own subgenus Ducampopinus (Chevalier) Ferré ex Little & Critchfield; (2) the endemic Vietnamese species Pinus dalatensis Ferré and (3) the southeast Asian species Pinus kwantungensis Chun ex Tsiang, both of subgenus Strobus; and (4) the widespread Asian species Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon of subgenus Pinus. The current and previous studies demonstrate that the genus Pinus and its subgenera are delimited by unique combinations of cuticular characters, although some of these characters may occur individually in other conifers. Cuticular micromorphology supports taxonomic assignment of P. krempfii to subgenus Strobus rather than to its own subgenus, a result that is also indicated by other anatomical studies and recent molecular studies. Sectional affinities of P. krempfii are usually with Parrya, subsection Krempfianae. An alternative classification of P. krempfii with subsection Gerardianae can be supported by micromorphological characters including broad cuticular bridges between stomata, details of the intercellular flanges of the epidermal cells, and usually an amphistomatic stomatal distribution. Features of other Asian species studied are consistent with their taxonomic assignments. The study demonstrates the utility of cuticle micromorphology to taxonomic delimitation within the family Pinaceae.
Food storage material silver nanoparticles interfere with DNA replication fidelity and bind with DNA

Nanosilver is increasingly used in the food industry and biomedical applications. A lot of studies have been done to investigate the potential toxicity of nanosilver. But information on whether or how nanosilver particles bring changes in genetic materials remains scant. In this study, the replication fidelity of the rpsL gene was quantified when nanosilver particles were present in polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) or cell cultures of E. coli transformed with the wild-type rpsL gene. Three types of nanosilver (silver nanopowder, SN; silver–copper nanopowder, SCN; and colloidal silver, CS) were tested. The results showed that the replication fidelity of the rpsL gene was differentially compromised by all three kinds of nanosilver particle compared with that without nanosilver. This assay could be expanded and applied to any other materials to preliminarily assess their potential long-term toxicity as a food additive or biomedical reagent. Moreover, we found that nanosilver materials bind with genomic DNA under atomic force microscopy, and this might be an explanation for the compromised DNA replication fidelity.
Near‐infrared spectroscopic monitoring of biomass, glucose, ethanol and protein content in a high cell density baker's yeast fed‐batch bioprocess

The use of at‐line NIRS to monitor a high cell density fed‐batch baker's yeast bioprocess was investigated. Quantification of the key analytes (biomass, ethanol and glucose) and the product quality indicator (percentage protein content) was studied. Biomass was quantitatively modelled using whole matrix samples (as was percentage protein content). The dominance of the whole matrix spectrum by biomass, and its associated light scattering effects, were overcome by use of filtrate samples and adapted (semi‐synthetic) filtrate samples, which allowed successful ethanol and glucose modelling, respectively. Calibrations were rigorously challenged via external validation with large sample sets relative to the calibration sample size, ensuring model robustness and potential practical utility. The standard errors of calibration for biomass, glucose, ethanol and total intracellular protein were (g/l) 1.79, 0.19, 0.79 and 0.91, respectively, comparable to those of the primary assays. The calibration strategies necessary to generate quantitative models for this range of analytes in such a complex high cell density bioprocess fluid are discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genetic Polymorphisms of Foxp3 in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective. The aim of the study was to identify 2 polymorphic variants in the promoter region of the Foxp3 gene and their possible association with susceptibility to and severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The association between genetic factors and pathogenesis suggests that T cells take part in the induction of RA. The CD4+CD25highFoxp3+ subset of regulatory T cells plays an essential role in preventing autoimmunity and maintaining immune homeostasis. Methods. Patients with RA (n = 274) and healthy individuals (n = 295) were examined for −3279 C/A and −924 A/G Foxp3 gene polymorphisms by the polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment-length polymorphism method. Serum Foxp3 levels in patients with RA and controls were measured with ELISA. Results. Foxp3 −3279 A and −924 G alleles were associated with significantly elevated risk of RA in the population tested (p = 0.003 and p = 0.004, respectively) compared to the wild-type alleles. Overall, −3279 C/A and −924 A/G Foxp3 gene polymorphisms were in indistinct linkage disequilibrium with D′ = 0.481 and r2 = 0.225. From 4 possible haplotypes, frequencies of 2 (AG and CA) showed significant differences between both examined groups (respectively, p < 0.001 and p = 0.007). After appropriate adjustment of Bonferroni correction for multiple testing, the genotype-phenotype analysis showed no significant correlation of the Foxp3 −3279 C/A and −924 A/G polymorphisms with the disease activity, joint damage, laboratory variables, and extraarticular manifestation in patients with RA. Serum Foxp3 level was significantly higher in patients than in controls (p < 0.0001). Conclusion. Current findings indicated that the Foxp3 genetic polymorphism and the Foxp3 protein level may be associated with susceptibility to RA in the Polish population.
Preillness non dietary factors and habits in inflammatory bowel disease.

AIM Environmental as well as genetic factors play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases. The effects of smoking and diet have been demonstrated. Other factors have not been extensively investigated. PATIENTS Preillness non dietary habits and factors were studied in 88 patients with recent onset of inflammatory bowel diseases (55 with ulcerative colitis and 33 with Crohn's disease) and in matched 76 population and 68 clinic controls. RESULTS No significant differences were found in relation to education, housing, birth weight, breast feeding in infancy and current weight. The current body mass index was significantly lower in patients as compared to clinic controls (p < 0.05). More patients had low levels of physical activity during the preillness period as compared to controls (p < 0.001 vs clinic controls), while more controls engaged in moderate (p < 0.05) or high levels of physical activity in the corresponding periods. Patients spent fewer hours in strenuous physical activity as compared to controls (NS). Patients slept fewer hours per day (p < 0.05 vs clinic controls). More patients than controls experienced stressful life events during the year prior to onset of symptoms (p < 0.05 for patients with Crohn's disease against both controls and all patients vs population controls). CONCLUSIONS Other environmental factors besides smoking and diet may affect the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease.
Recent advances and future prospects for the use of acute phase proteins as markers of disease in animals

SUMMARY Acute phase proteins such as haptoglobin, serum amyloid A and C-reactive protein are plasma proteins which increase in concentration following infection, inflammation or trauma. Investigations over the last decade have shown that the quantification of their concentration in plasma or serum can provide valuable diagnostic information in the detection, prognosis and monitoring of disease. Species differences in the acute phase protein response profile mean that each species should be examined individually and that immunoassays for the proteins should be carefully validated before use. Acute phase protein analysis is becoming a common procedure in clinical and experimental investigations of infectious disease in farm and companion animals. Assessment of the concentration of major and moderate acute phase proteins provides a means to estimate the combined effect of the proinflammatory cytokine stimulation of systemic functions. In the future, measurement of these proteins could have further applications in the identification of diseased animals at slaughter and for monitoring the presence of sub-clinical disease leading to poor growth rates on farms. These applications will be facilitated by current developments in diagnostic biotechnology. Future prospects for investigation of the acute phase proteins in companion animals include assessment of the affects of the acute phase response on the pharmacokinetics of veterinary drugs and on association between sub-clinical levels of the proteins and chronic diseases.