Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Note---A Single Server Queue with Constant Service Time and Restricted Accessibility

A queuing system has restricted accessibility if not every customer is admitted to the system. In this paper a single server queuing system is studied, where the arriving customers are rejected if their waiting plus service times would exceed a fixed amount K. The arrivals follow a Poisson process. In this case an equation for the stationary waiting time distribution is given. The explicit solution of this equation is obtained, when the service time is assumed to be constant. For this model the queue length distribution is also easily derived. It is observed that the queue with finite waiting room is a special case of this model.
How smooth is a dolphin? The ridged skin of odontocetes

Dolphin skin has long been an inspiration for research on drag reduction mechanisms due to the presence of skin ridges that could reduce fluid resistance. We gathered in vivo three-dimensional surface data on the skin from five species of odontocetes to quantitatively examine skin texture, including the presence and size of ridges. We used these data to calculate k+ values, which relate surface geometry to changes in boundary layer flow. Our results showed that while ridge size differs among species, odontocete skin was surprisingly smooth compared to the skin of other swimmers (average roughness = 5.3 µm). In addition, the presence of ridges was variable among individuals of the same species. We predict that odontocete skin ridges do not alter boundary layer flows at cruising swimming speeds. By combining k+ values and morphological data, our work provides evidence that skin ridges are unlikely to be an adaptation for drag reduction and that odontocete skin is exceptionally smooth compared to other pelagic swimmers.
The Lateralization of Speech-Brain Coupling Is Differentially Modulated by Intrinsic Auditory and Top-Down Mechanisms

The lateralization of neuronal processing underpinning hearing, speech, language, and music is widely studied, vigorously debated, and still not understood in a satisfactory manner. One set of hypotheses focuses on the temporal structure of perceptual experience and links auditory cortex asymmetries to underlying differences in neural populations with differential temporal sensitivity (e.g., ideas advanced by Zatorre et al. (2002) and Poeppel (2003). The Asymmetric Sampling in Time theory (AST) (Poeppel, 2003), builds on cytoarchitectonic differences between auditory cortices and predicts that modulation frequencies within the range of, roughly, the syllable rate, are more accurately tracked by the right hemisphere. To date, this conjecture is reasonably well supported, since – while there is some heterogeneity in the reported findings – the predicted asymmetrical entrainment has been observed in various experimental protocols. Here, we show that under specific processing demands, the rightward dominance disappears. We propose an enriched and modified version of the asymmetric sampling hypothesis in the context of speech. Recent work (Rimmele et al., 2018b) proposes two different mechanisms to underlie the auditory tracking of the speech envelope: one derived from the intrinsic oscillatory properties of auditory regions; the other induced by top-down signals coming from other non-auditory regions of the brain. We propose that under non-speech listening conditions, the intrinsic auditory mechanism dominates and thus, in line with AST, entrainment is rightward lateralized, as is widely observed. However, (i) depending on individual brain structural/functional differences, and/or (ii) in the context of specific speech listening conditions, the relative weight of the top-down mechanism can increase. In this scenario, the typically observed auditory sampling asymmetry (and its rightward dominance) diminishes or vanishes.
Tomato locule number and fruit size controlled by natural alleles of lc and fas

Abstract Improving yield by increasing the size of produce is an important selection criterion during the domestication of fruit and vegetable crops. Genes controlling meristem organization and organ formation work in concert to regulate the size of reproductive organs. In tomato, lc and fas control locule number, which often leads to enlarged fruits compared to the wild progenitors. LC is encoded by the tomato ortholog of WUSCHEL (WUS), whereas FAS is encoded by the tomato ortholog of CLAVATA3 (CLV3). The critical role of the WUS‐CLV3 feedback loop in meristem organization has been demonstrated in several plant species. We show that mutant alleles for both loci in tomato led to an expansion of the SlWUS expression domain in young floral buds 2–3 days after initiation. Single and double mutant alleles of lc and fas maintain higher SlWUS expression during the development of the carpel primordia in the floral bud. This augmentation and altered spatial expression of SlWUS provided a mechanistic basis for the formation of multilocular and large fruits. Our results indicated that lc and fas are gain‐of‐function and partially loss‐of‐function alleles, respectively, while both mutations positively affect the size of tomato floral meristems. In addition, expression profiling showed that lc and fas affected the expression of several genes in biological processes including those involved in meristem/flower development, patterning, microtubule binding activity, and sterol biosynthesis. Several differentially expressed genes co‐expressed with SlWUS have been identified, and they are enriched for functions in meristem regulation. Our results provide new insights into the transcriptional regulation of genes that modulate meristem maintenance and floral organ determinacy in tomato.
The Bu Shen Yi Sui Formula Promotes Axonal Regeneration via Regulating the Neurotrophic Factor BDNF/TrkB and the Downstream PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway

Axonal damage is recognized as an important pathological feature in the chronic progressive neurological disorder multiple sclerosis (MS). Promoting axonal regeneration is a critical strategy for the treatment of MS. Our clinical and experimental studies have shown that the Bu Shen Yi Sui formula (BSYS) promotes axonal regeneration in MS and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS, but the exact mechanism has not been thoroughly elucidated to date. In this study, we investigated the effects of BSYS and its two decomposed formulas—the Bu Shen formula (BS) and the Hua Tan Huo Xue formula (HTHX)—on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/TrkB and related signaling pathways to explore the mechanism by which axonal regeneration is promoted in vitro and in vivo. Damaged SH-SY5Y cells incubated with low serum were treated with BSYS-, BS-, and HTHX-containing serum, and EAE mice induced by the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)35–55 peptide were treated with BSYS. The results showed that the BSYS-containing serum markedly increased cell viability and increased the levels of growth associated protein (GAP)-43, phosphorylated (p)-cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB), BDNF, TrkB, and p-PI3K. The BS and HTHX treatments also induced the protein expression of GAP-43 and p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in the cells. Furthermore, the effects of BSYS on cell viability, GAP-43, p-CREB, and neurite outgrowth were clearly inhibited by LY294002, a specific antagonist of the PI3K signaling pathways. The addition of U0126 and U73122, antagonists of the ERK and PLCγ pathway, respectively, significantly inhibited cell viability and GAP-43 protein expression. Moreover, BSYS treatment significantly increased the expression of the 68-, 160-, and 200-kDa neuroﬁlaments (NFs) of proteins and the BDNF, TrkB, PI3K, and Akt mRNA and proteins in the brain or spinal cord of mice at different stages. These results indicated that BSYS promotes nerve regeneration, and its mechanism is mainly related to the upregulation of the BDNF/TrkB and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. BS and HTHX also promoted nerve regeneration, and this effect involved the ERK pathway.
A sub-1-V 15-ppm/°C CMOS bandgap voltage reference without requiring low threshold voltage device

A sub-1-V CMOS bandgap voltage reference requiring no low threshold voltage device is introduced in this paper. In a CMOS technology with V/sub thn/ /spl ap/ |V/sub thp/| /spl ap/ 0.9 V at 0/spl deg/C, the minimum supply voltage of the proposed voltage reference is 0.98 V, and the maximum supply current is 18 /spl mu/A. A temperature coefficient of 15 ppm//spl deg/C from 0/spl deg/C to 100/spl deg/C is recorded after trimming. The active area of the circuit is about 0.24 mm/sup 2/.
New Frontiers in Anxiety Research: The Translational Potential of the Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis

After decades of being overshadowed by the amygdala, new perspectives suggest that a tiny basal forebrain region known as the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) may hold key insights into understanding and treating anxiety disorders. Converging research indicates that the amygdala and BNST play complementary but distinct functional roles during threat processing, with the BNST specializing in the detection of a potential threat to maintain hypervigilance and anxiety, while the amygdala responds to the perceived presence of an aversive stimulus (i.e., fear). Therefore, given that human anxiety is largely driven by future-oriented hypothetical threats that may never occur, studies involving the BNST stand at the forefront of essential future research with the potential to bring about profound insights for understanding and treating anxiety disorders. In this article, we present a narrative review on the BNST, summarizing its roles in anxiety and the stress response and highlighting the most recent advances in the clinical realm. Furthermore, we discuss oversights in the current state of anxiety research and identify avenues for future exploration.
Fecal and Mucosal Microbiota Profiling in Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

An imbalance in the bacterial species resulting in the loss of intestinal homeostasis has been described in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In this prospective study, we investigated whether IBD and IBS patients exhibit specific changes in richness and distribution of fecal and mucosal-associated microbiota. Additionally, we assessed potential 16S rRNA gene amplicons biomarkers for IBD, IBS, and controls (CTRLs) by comparison of taxonomic composition. The relative abundance of bacteria, at phylum and genus/species levels, and the bacterial diversity were determined through 16S rRNA sequence-based fecal and mucosal microbiota analysis. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) was used for biomarker discovery associated to IBD and IBS as compared to CTRLs. In fecal and mucosal samples, the microbiota richness was characterized by a microbial diversity reduction, going from CTRLs to IBS to IBD. β-diversity analysis showed a clear separation between IBD and CTRLs and between IBD and IBS with no significant separation between IBS and CTRLs. β-diversity showed a clear separation between mucosa and stool samples in all the groups. In IBD, there was no difference between inflamed and not inflamed mucosa. Based upon the LEfSe data, the Anaerostipes and Ruminococcaceae were identified as the most differentially abundant bacterial taxa in CTRLs. Erysipelotrichi was identified as potential biomarker for IBS, while Gammaproteobacteria, Enterococcus, and Enterococcaceae for IBD. This study provides an overview of the alterations of microbiota and may aid in identifying potential 16S rRNA gene amplicons mucosal biomarkers for IBD and IBS.
Introducing delay sensitivity into the proportional fair algorithm for CDMA downlink scheduling

The paper is concerned with CDMA base stations needing forward link scheduling algorithms that not only maximize total throughput given certain constraints regarding fairness, but that also take into account the special delay requirements of real time data. We show that the proportional fair algorithm, which was originally designed to maintain fairness while still exploiting channel variations in a fading environment, can be modified in a simple manner so as to ensure the successful delivery of real time data without giving up the gains due to channel diversity.
Knowledge of sexually transmitted infections and risky behaviours: a survey among high school and university students

Summary Introduction STIs are a serious public health problem. Worldwide, 500 million people a year acquire a STI, and young are the most affected. Methods This study was conducted administering an anonymous questionnaire to 1228 Sicilian students of high school and university. Results The students had variable understanding of STIs and their complications. The results demonstrate an extreme variability in the knowledge of STIs. Multiple linear regression showed that sexual health knowledge was associated with age and sexual orientation. Conclusions Our results show that knowledge of STIs is poor and inadequate. This finding can put students at risk of STIs.
Activation of the DR3-TL1A Axis in Donor Mice Leads to Regulatory T Cell Expansion and Activation With Reduction in Graft-Versus-Host Disease

Death receptor 3 (DR3) is a tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member (TNFRSF25), which is minimally expressed on resting conventional T cells (though readily inducible upon cell activation), yet highly expressed on resting FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg). We recently demonstrated that activation of DR3 with an agonistic antibody (4C12) leads to selective expansion and activation of Treg in healthy mice and suppression of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in recipient mice when donor mice are treated. However, given the long antibody half-life and concomitant safety concerns, along with the lack of a humanized agonistic antibody to DR3, both human and murine fusion proteins incorporating the natural DR3 ligand TL1A (TL1A-Ig) have been developed. Herein, we show that DR3 activation with 4C12 or with TL1A-Ig, with or without the addition of low dose IL-2 to the treatment regimen, led to a significant expansion of murine Treg in spleen, lymph nodes, and peripheral blood. Bioluminescent imaging revealed peak Treg expansion around day 7–8, with return to near baseline after 2–3 weeks. In addition to expansion, all DR3 agonist treatment regimens led to increased activation of Tregs, with significant upregulation of the activation markers ICOS, KLRG-1, PD-1, and CD103, and the proliferation marker Ki-67. The near absence of activated Treg populations in control treated spleens was also detected on tSNE analysis of flow cytometry data. Subtly different patterns of splenic Treg activation by the different DR3 agonists were noted in both tSNE analysis of flow cytometry data and RNA-sequencing analysis. However, upregulation of gene transcripts which play important roles in cell proliferation, trafficking, activation, and effector function were observed regardless of the DR3 agonist treatment regimen used. In the major MHC-mismatch model of hematopoietic cell transplantation, DR3 agonist-mediated expansion and activation of Tregs in donor mice led to a significant improvement in GVHD in recipient mice. These data provide important preclinical information regarding the outcome of DR3 activation with an agonistic antibody or natural ligand and provide insight into the therapeutic use of this approach to reduce GVHD in recipients and improve outcomes of hematopoietic cell transplantation.
Respiratory Metabolism and Antioxidant Response in Chinese Mitten Crab Eriocheir sinensis During Air Exposure and Subsequent Reimmersion

Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis, often suffers from severe air exposure stress during transportation and culture; high mortality occurs due to desiccation. In this study, the effects of air exposure stress (0, 2, 4, 8, and 16 h) and reimmersion (2, 6, 12 h) on respiratory metabolism and antioxidant responses in Chinese mitten crabs were studied under laboratory conditions. The results showed that air exposure and reimmersion had a significant impact on the oxygen consumption rate (OCR), ammonia excretion rate (AER), oxygen to nitrogen ratio (O:N), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Significant interaction between air exposure and reimmersion was observed for OCR, AER, O:N, SOD, CAT, SDH, and LDH in Chinese mitten crab. During the air exposure stage, SOD, CAT, and LDH activities in the gills and hepatopancreas first increased and then decreased as air exposure time increased. All of these parameters were significantly higher in the 4-h air exposure group than those in the control group. All the parameters were significantly lower in the 16-h air exposure group than those in the control group, except LDH in the hepatopancreas. However, SDH activity gradually decreased with increased air exposure time, and all the air exposure groups were markedly lower than those in the control group in the gills. During the reimmersion stage, OCR, AER, and O:N restored to normal levels after 12-h reimmersion, except in the 16-h air exposure group, where OCR and O:N were significantly higher than those in the control group and AER was significantly lower than that in the control group. The LDH activity in all groups restored to normal levels after 12-h reimmersion. The SDH, SOD, and CAT activities of the 2- and 4-h air-exposed groups returned to normal levels after 12-h reimmersion; however, these three parameters were still significantly higher in the 16-h air-exposed group than in the control group in the gills and hepatopancreas. Overall, Chinese mitten crabs reduce aerobic respiration and increase anaerobic respiration capacity during desiccation. Under air exposure stress, Chinese mitten crabs change their energy utilization mode to meet their energy demands and adjust their respiratory metabolism and antioxidant enzymes activities to adapt to adverse environments.
Blind equalizers with simulated annealing optimization for digital communication systems

New batch-type methods and their recursive extensions are introduced for blind equalization of digital communication channels. Based on the underlying cost function of the existing Bussgang and cumulantfitting algorithms, simulated annealing (SA) optimization is successfully employed to identify and equalize the communication channels. Many of the existing blind equalization algorithms utilize a stochastic gradient approach to minimize non-linear cost functions. Owing to the multimodal nature of these functions, the gradient algorithms might converge to the wrong solution. In contrast, the proposed methods are based on a global optimization algorithm. the SA algorithm tends to avoid the local minima encountered. The feasibility and convergence behaviour of the proposed algorithms are examined by means of computer simulations. Computational complexity issues in the implementation of the algorithms are discussed.
Reduced Lateralization of Attention in Action Video Game Players

There is increasing evidence that action video game players (AVGPs) possess superior performance in various tasks, especially those measuring attentional abilities. The current study aimed to examine the lateralization of attentional components in AVGPs. Twenty-nine AVGPs and twenty-six non-AVG players (NAVGPs) were recruited based on their frequency and intensity of playing action video games in the last 6 months. A lateralized attentional network test was used to measure the lateralization of attentional components in the two groups. The results showed that AVGPs exhibited comparable performance in the left and right hemispheres for reorienting and executive components. However, NAVGPs exhibited a significant difference between the two hemispheres for the two components. The findings indicate that AVG playing is closely associated with reduced lateralization of attentional networks.
Differential Analysis of Psychopathological Impact of Cyberbullying in University Students

The new technologies (NT) and Internet are now a part of our lives and they are even changing the way in which we relate to each other, in both a positive and a negative sense, especially among young people. One of the negative aspects is their use to harass others, a phenomenon known as Cyberbullying. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of cyberbullying, the characteristics of victims and aggressors in a sample of university students, and to analyze the relationships between the use of Internet and the presence of psychopathological symptomatology, as well as the differences in the psychopathological dimensions in relation to the intensity of the cyberbullying, cyberaggression and gender. The participants were 1108 university students selected using a randomized cluster sample. The results demonstrate the presence of cyberbullying in our participants. No differences were found with respect to gender in the frequency of being a victim; but differences were found in this respect in the case of the aggressors, as well as there being different symptomatology profiles in males and females and according to the intensity of the aggression. The results are discussed in relation to the differences according to gender, as well as the need to carry out longitudinal studies and to design prevention and intervention programs for university campuses that are sensitive to the differences between males and females.
DNA-PK as an Emerging Therapeutic Target in Cancer

The DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) plays an instrumental role in the overall survival and proliferation of cells. As a member of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related kinase (PIKK) family, DNA-PK is best known as a mediator of the cellular response to DNA damage. In this context, DNA-PK has emerged as an intriguing therapeutic target in the treatment of a variety of cancers, especially when used in conjunction with genotoxic chemotherapy or ionizing radiation. Beyond the DNA damage response, DNA-PK activity is necessary for multiple cellular functions, including the regulation of transcription, progression of the cell cycle, and in the maintenance of telomeres. Here, we review what is currently known about DNA-PK regarding its structure and established roles in DNA repair. We also discuss its lesser-known functions, the pharmacotherapies inhibiting its function in DNA repair, and its potential as a therapeutic target in a broader context.
Characterization and Prediction of Performance Interference on Mediated Passthrough GPUs for Interference-aware Scheduler

Sharing GPUs in the cloud is cost effective and can facilitate the adoption of hardware accelerator enabled cloud. But sharing causes interference between co-located VMs and leads to performance degradation. In this paper, we proposed an interference-aware VM scheduler at the cluster level with the goal of minimizing interference. NVIDIA vGPU provides sharing capability and high performance, but it has unique performance characteristics, which have not been studied thoroughly before. Our study reveals several key observations. We leverage our observations to construct models based on machine learning techniques to predict interference between co-located VMs on the same GPU. We proposed a system architecture leveraging our models to schedule VMs to minimize the interference. The experiments show that our observations improves the model accuracy (by 15% ̃ 40%) and the scheduler reduces application run-time overhead by 24.2% in simulated scenarios.