Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance evaluation of IEEE802.16 protocol using FDD allocation scheme

WiMAX is currently one of the hottest technologies for Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) systems which propose a wireless high-speed and high performance access system, with service differentiation for distinct classes of traffic and QoS requirements. IEEE802.16 standard specifies the PHY and MAC layers for BWA system and provides the flexibility of TDD and FDD allocation schemes. However, in spite of including the possibility of QoS support, the standard does not define how to schedule different types of traffic. In this paper, we apply a modified scheme, based on a Reservation Priority Access Control (RPAC), using FDD allocation approach. The behavior of this modified reservation scheme is evaluated with the inclusion of variable priorities among stations. An analytical model to evaluate the performance of the proposed scheme is also developed. The performance of the modified scheme is compared with TDD allocation scheme. We note that FDD allocation scheme gives superior results, with respect of message waiting-time.
The impact of cocurricular community service on student learning and perceptions of poverty and homelessness

ABSTRACT Efforts to combat homelessness are hampered by perceptions involving negative stereotypes. One method to change perceptions is university-based cocurricular community service that gives students direct interactions with individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty. This qualitative study collected data with undergraduate volunteers working with individuals experiencing homelessness to determine the impact on perceptions of poverty and homelessness, knowledge, and skill development. Qualitative analyses revealed five key themes: (1) understanding homelessness/poverty, (2) understanding social welfare programs, (3) development of communication and leadership skills, (4) gaining financial literacy, and (5) self-knowledge. Results are discussed for practice, policy, and future research, including a pre/posttest design.
Regulator of G protein signalling 2 ameliorates angiotensin II‐induced hypertension in mice

Angiotensin II (Ang II) activates signalling pathways predominantly through the G‐protein‐coupled Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R). The regulator of G protein signalling 2 (RGS2) is a negative G protein regulator. We hypothesized that RGS2 deletion changes blood pressure regulation by increasing the response to Ang II. To address this issue, we infused Ang II (0.5 mg kg−1 day−1) chronically into conscious RGS2‐deleted (RGS2−/−) and wild‐type (RGS2+/+) mice, measured mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate (HR) with telemetry and assessed vasoreactivity and gene expression of AT1A, AT1B and AT2 receptors. Angiotensin II infusion increased blood pressure more in RGS2−/− than in RGS2+/+ mice, while HR was not different between the groups, indicating a resetting of the baroreceptor reflex. Urinary catecholamine excretion was similar in Ang II‐infused RGS2−/− and RGS2+/+ mice, indicating a minor role of sympathetic tone for blood pressure differences. Myogenic tone and vasoreactivity in response to Ang II, endothelin‐1 and phenylephrine were increased in isolated renal interlobar arterioles of RGS2−/− mice compared with RGS2+/+ mice. The AT1A, AT1B and AT2 receptor gene expression was not different between RGS2−/− and RGS2+/+ mice. Our findings suggest that RGS2 deletion promotes Ang II‐dependent hypertension primarily through an increase of myogenic tone and vasoreactivity, probably by sensitization of AT1 receptors.
Improved access pattern for ROB soft error rate mitigation based on 3D integration technology

With the progress of integrated circuit technology, the soft error problem has become more and more serious, which has become a real challenge for reliability design. 3D integrated technology, which is capable of stacking multi circuit layers in the vertical direction, offers the shielding effect to reduce the probability of soft errors. In this paper, we focus on reorder buffer(ROB), and conduct a fine-grained analysis of the AVF of each ROB entry. Based on the non-uniformity of AVF, the ROB is divided into two parts, which statically layout to different circuit layers in 3D chip. Based on the observation that ROB occupancy rate is low at most of the time, we propose a dynamic mapping access pattern and a migration access pattern further to reduce the soft error rate. Simulation results show that the soft error rate was reduced by 47.6%, 84.5% and 88.2% respectively, with the static layout, dynamic mapping and migration access patterns. Considering the correlation analysis on the soft error rate and the capacity of ROB, a better balance between the soft error rate reduction and the area overhead can be achieved if the capacity is 80.
Differential gene expression profiles in salicylate ototoxicity of the mouse

Conclusion. This study demonstrated differential gene expression profiles in salicylate ototoxicity with oligonucleotide microarray. This study may also provide basic information on candidate genes associated with hearing loss and/or tinnitus or recovery after salicylate-induced cochlear dysfunction. Objectives: Salicylate ototoxicity is accompanied by temporary hearing loss and tinnitus. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the gene expression profiles in the mouse cochlea with salicylate ototoxicity using DNA microarray. Materials and methods: The subject mice were injected intraperitoneally with 400 mg/kg of sodium salicylate; an approximate 30 dB threshold shift that was observed by auditory brainstem response was achieved 3 h after an injection of sodium salicylate and the hearing threshold returned to within normal range at 3 days. Differential gene expression profiles at 3 h after salicylate injection in comparison to the normal cochlea were analyzed with DNA microarray technology. Results: No ultrastructural changes in the mice cochlea were observed by TEM at 3 h after salicylate injection. Microarray revealed that 87 genes were up-regulated twofold or more in the mouse cochlea with salicylate ototoxicity in comparison to the normal cochlea. Among these genes, increased expression levels of 30 functional genes were confirmed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.
Kallikrein‐related peptidase‐4 initiates tumor–stroma interactions in prostate cancer through protease‐activated receptor‐1

In prostate cancer, the mechanism by which the stromal cells surrounding the cancer epithelium become reactive and overproduce growth factors is unclear. Furthermore, the precise process of how these stromal cells stimulate the cancer epithelium is not fully understood. We recently found that protease‐activated receptor‐1 (PAR‐1) in these reactive stromal cells is upregulated. To investigate the role of PAR‐1 in the stromal–epithelial interaction, WPMY‐1 stromal myofibroblasts were stimulated with PAR‐1 agonists including thrombin and PAR‐1 activating peptide. We show that WPMY‐1 cells have functional PAR‐1 by signaling through ERK1/2. Conditioned media (CM) from PAR‐1 agonists‐treated WPMY‐1 cells stimulate the epithelial LNCaP cells leading to ERK1/2 activation and cell proliferation. Cytokine array analysis of the CM demonstrates that PAR‐1 induces stromal cells to release numerous cytokines, of which interleukin 6 (IL‐6) is the major factor responsible for mitogenic signaling in LNCaP cells. CM further induces expression of prostate‐specific kallikrein‐related peptidase‐3 (KLK3/PSA) and KLK4 in LNCaP cells via the IL‐6 pathway. Moreover, KLK4 functions as a potent agonist of PAR‐1 by cleaving the receptor at the proper site on cell surface. KLK4 triggers transmembrane signaling and upregulates IL‐6 in WPMY‐1 cells through PAR‐1. Immunohistochemical analysis indicates that PAR‐1 is predominantly expressed in peritumoral stroma while KLK4 is produced exclusively by the epithelial cancer cells. These data provide evidence for a novel double‐paracrine mechanism whereby cancer epithelium produces KLK4 to activate PAR‐1 in the surrounding stroma, which in‐turn releases cytokines (IL‐6) that stimulate cancer cells to proliferate and increase production of KLKs.
Comparison of adverse effects between lingual and labial orthodontic treatment.

OBJECTIVE To compare adverse effects between labial and lingual orthodontic treatments through a systematic review of the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS The protocol of this systematic review (CRD42012002455) was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). An electronic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CENTRAL, SIGLE, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, and ClinicalTrial.gov for articles published between January 1980 and December 2012. Primary outcomes included pain and caries; secondary outcomes were eating difficulty, speech difficulty, oral hygiene, and treatment duration. Meta-analyses were conducted in Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 2.2. 064. RESULTS Six studies were included, two randomized controlled trials and four clinical controlled trials; of these, four were medium quality and two were low quality in terms of the risk of bias. Five of the six outcomes were evaluated in the included studies, and treatment duration was not; pain, eating difficulty, speech difficulty were statistically pooled. Meta-analysis revealed that the pooled odds ratios were 1.20 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.30-4.87) for overall pain, 32.24 (95% CI = 14.13-73.55) for pain in tongue, 0.08 (95% CI = 0.04-0.18) for pain in cheek, 0.11 (95% CI = 0.03-0.42) for pain in lip, 3.59 (95% CI = 1.85-6.99) for eating difficulty, and 8.61 (95% CI = 3.55-20.89) for speech difficulty. Sensitivity analysis showed consistent results except for eating difficulty. No publication bias was detected. CONCLUSIONS The likelihood of overall pain was similar between the two modalities. Patients who underwent lingual orthodontic treatment were more likely to suffer from pain in the tongue and less likely to suffer from pain in the cheek and lip. Lingual orthodontic treatment increased the likelihood of speech difficulty. Eating difficulty, oral hygiene, caries, and treatment duration could not be compared in this systematic review.
Measuring and Analyzing Cross-Sectional Profiles of Rotating Objects Using Light Sectioning

This paper presents the instrumentation and analysis methods for the measurement of cross-sectional profiles. The object is rotated in front of a light-sectioning system, which repeatedly measures the local geometry. A least-mean-square approximation of the local geometry by a circle is performed. The radius of the circle is used as an estimate for the radius of curvature, and the position of the upper horizontal tangent to the circle is used to estimate the position of the object. It is shown that the tangent position is a more accurate measure of position than the center of the circle. The period of revolution is determined from the aperiodic autocorrelation sequence of the eccentricity of the object. The curve corresponding to the profile of the object is a smooth Jordan curve: This fact is used to take advantage of harmonic filtering to suppress noise and perturbations and to reconstruct the curve from the measured radii of curvature. The implementation of the "curve from curvature" algorithm in Matlab is presented. Diameter deviations of the curve are analyzed by simulating a caliper measurement. The periodicity of the curvature is used as a measure to firmly detect curves of constant width. A least-square approximation of curves of constant width using elliptical Fourier descriptors is presented. All methods are demonstrated with real data from industrial measurements.
Coordinate Functional Regulation between Microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase-1 (mPGES-1) and Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor γ (PPARγ) in the Conversion of White-to-brown Adipocytes*

Background: Microsomal prostaglandin E (PGE) synthase-1 (mPGES-1) is an inducible enzyme with unknown properties in adipose homeostasis. Results: mPGES-1 is necessary for pre-adipocyte differentiation into beige/brite adipocytes through functional interaction with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ). Conclusion: A coordinate interaction between mPGES-1 and PPARγ is required for white-to-brown fat conversion. Significance: Increases in the number of beige cells in fat exerts beneficial metabolic actions. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a ligand-activated nuclear receptor and a master regulator of adipogenesis. Microsomal prostaglandin E (PGE) synthase-1 (mPGES-1) is an inducible enzyme that couples with cyclooxygenase-2 for the biosynthesis of PGE2. In this study we demonstrate the existence of a coordinate functional interaction between PPARγ and mPGES-1 in controlling the process of pre-adipocyte differentiation in white adipose tissue (WAT). Adipocyte-specific PPARγ knock-out mice carrying an aP2 promoter-driven Cre recombinase transgene showed a blunted response to the adipogenic effects of a high fat diet. Pre-adipocytes from these knock-out mice showed loss of PPARγ and were resistant to rosiglitazone-induced WAT differentiation. In parallel, WAT from these mice showed increased expression of uncoupling protein 1, a mitochondrial enzyme that dissipates chemical energy as heat. Adipose tissue from mice lacking PPARγ also showed mPGES-1 up-regulation and increased PGE2 levels. In turn, PGE2 suppressed PPARγ expression and blocked rosiglitazone-induced pre-adipocyte differentiation toward white adipocytes while directly elevating uncoupling protein 1 expression and pre-adipocyte differentiation into mature beige/brite adipocytes. Consistently, pharmacological mPGES-1 inhibition directed pre-adipocyte differentiation toward white adipocytes while suppressing differentiation into beige/brite adipocytes. This browning effect was reproduced in knockdown experiments using a siRNA directed against mPGES-1. The effects of PGE2 on pre-adipocyte differentiation were not seen in mice lacking PPARγ in adipose tissue and were not mirrored by other eicosanoids (i.e. leukotriene B4). Taken together, these findings identify PGE2 as a key regulator of white-to-brown adipogenesis and suggest the existence of a coordinate regulation of adipogenesis between PPARγ and mPGES-1.
Evaluating Government Programs for Enhancing the Welfare of the Youth Towards Entrepreneurship

The Bureau of Labor and Employment Survey data on youth employment reveal that the Filipino youth are predominant in entrepreneurial activities in the country. The youth is defined by the Youth in Nation Building Act of 1994 (RA 8044) as individuals between the age of 15 and 30 years old. Unfortunately, the youth also experience the highest level of unemployment, where 49 percent of the unemployed belong to the age bracket of 15 to 24 years old. To immediately address this problem of youth unemployment, the government encourages the youth to go to into business. Two of the programs of the government, specifically that of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), aimed at reducing the number of unemployed as well as addressing the education for employment needs of the youth are the Youth EducationYouth Employability (YE-YE) Project and Youth Entrepreneurship Support (YES) Project. Applying the propensity score matching (PSM) method on the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) data, the study focused on assessing the impact of government programs—such as the YE-YE and YES projects—in improving the welfare of the Filipino youth. Results show that the youth who availed of one or two of the entrepreneurial programs received higher incomes and wages of around three thousand pesos and two thousand pesos per year, respectively. Despite this favorable results, however, only a small proportion of the youth avail of government-sponsored training and education programs. Hence, there is a need to promote the entrepreneurial programs among the youth and to monitor their progress and continually support their efforts in sustaining entrepreneurial endeavors.
Characterization of nerve growth factor-dependent herpes simplex virus latency in neurons in vitro

Primary sympathetic neuronal cultures were maintained for up to 5 weeks after inoculation with herpes simplex virus (HSV) without evidence of viral infection. Treatment with acyclovir for the first 7 days after viral inoculation prevented lytic infections in 100% of the cultures and resulted in viral latency in 100% of the cultures; reactivation occurred as the result of nerve growth factor (NGF) deprivation. Treatment of the cultures with several different inhibitors of viral DNA polymerase (acyclovir, aphidicolin, and phosphonoacetic acid) for 7 days after viral inoculation did not prevent the establishment of latency, which suggests that viral DNA replication was not required. During the latent phase of the infection, viral antigens were not detected with HSV-specific immunohistochemistry. However, 24 h after NGF deprivation, viral antigens were detected in essentially all of the neurons, indicating that the majority of neurons harbored latent HSV. The establishment of latency was not strain or type specific since latency was established with HSV type 2 and four strains of HSV type 1 and reactivation occurred in response to NGF deprivation.
Modulation of Monocrotaline-Induced Cor Pulmonale by Grape Juice

The study was designed to test whether the ingestion grape juice (GJ) could modulate monocrotaline (MCT)-induced Cor pulmonale resulting from antioxidant properties. Three-week-old male Wistar rats received GJ (10 mL/kg/day) by gavage for 6 weeks. A single injection of MCT (60 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally) was administered at the end of the third week. Animals were divided in four groups: control, MCT, GJ, and GJ + MCT. MCT promoted a significant increase in right ventricle (36%) and lung (70%) weight to body weight ratio. There was an increase in the right systolic (38%) as well as in the end diastolic (70%) ventricular pressures. MCT caused a significant decrease in lung endothelial nitric oxide synthase (20%) but increase in lipid peroxidation (13%) and catalase (43%). MCT-induced decrease in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase and increase in the right ventricular end diastolic pressure were prevented by GJ, whereas right systolic ventricular pressure and lung weight to body weight ratio were corrected only partially. MCT-induced increase in heart and right ventricle to body weight ratios was not changed by GJ. GJ blunted MCT-induced increase in lipid peroxidation but had no effect on the changes in catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. GJ appears to offer some protection against MCT-induced Cor pulmonale and right ventricle function changes.
Cytotoxic T-Cell-Mediated Response againstYersinia pseudotuberculosis in HLA-B27 Transgenic Rat

ABSTRACT Yersinia-induced reactive arthritis is highly associated with HLA-B27, the role of which in defense against the triggering bacteria remains unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the capacity of rats transgenic for HLA-B27 to mount a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response against Y. pseudotuberculosis and to determine the influence of the HLA-B27 transgene on this response. Rats transgenic for HLA-B*2705 and human β2-microglobulin of the 21-4L line, which do not spontaneously develop disease, and nontransgenic syngeneic Lewis (LEW) rats were infected with Y. pseudotuberculosis. Lymph node cells were restimulated in vitro, and the presence of for Y. pseudotuberculosis-specific CTLs against infected targets was determined. Infection of 21-4L rats triggered a CD8+ T cell-mediated cytotoxic response specific for Y. pseudotuberculosis. Analysis of this response demonstrated restriction by an endogenous major histocompatibility complex molecule. However, no restriction by HLA-B27 was detected. In addition, kinetics studies revealed a weaker anti-Yersinia CTL response in 21-4L rats than in nontransgenic LEW rats, and the level of cytotoxicity against 21-4L lymphoblast targets sensitized with Y. pseudotuberculosis was lower than that against nontransgenic LEW targets. We conclude that HLA-B27 transgenic rats mount a CTL response against Y. pseudotuberculosis that is not restricted by HLA-B27. Yet, HLA-B27 exerts a negative effect on the level of this response, which could contribute to impaired defense againstYersinia.
Using Twitter Data to Gain Insights into E-cigarette Marketing and Locations of Use: An Infoveillance Study

Background Marketing and use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and other electronic nicotine delivery devices have increased exponentially in recent years fueled, in part, by marketing and word-of-mouth communications via social media platforms, such as Twitter. Objective This study examines Twitter posts about e-cigarettes between 2008 and 2013 to gain insights into (1) marketing trends for selling and promoting e-cigarettes and (2) locations where people use e-cigarettes. Methods We used keywords to gather tweets about e-cigarettes between July 1, 2008 and February 28, 2013. A randomly selected subset of tweets was manually coded as advertising (eg, marketing, advertising, sales, promotion) or nonadvertising (eg, individual users, consumers), and classification algorithms were trained to code the remaining data into these 2 categories. A combination of manual coding and natural language processing methods was used to indicate locations where people used e-cigarettes. Additional metadata were used to generate insights about users who tweeted most frequently about e-cigarettes. Results We identified approximately 1.7 million tweets about e-cigarettes between 2008 and 2013, with the majority of these tweets being advertising (93.43%, 1,559,508/1,669,123). Tweets about e-cigarettes increased more than tenfold between 2009 and 2010, suggesting a rapid increase in the popularity of e-cigarettes and marketing efforts. The Twitter handles tweeting most frequently about e-cigarettes were a mixture of e-cigarette brands, affiliate marketers, and resellers of e-cigarette products. Of the 471 e-cigarette tweets mentioning a specific place, most mentioned e-cigarette use in class (39.1%, 184/471) followed by home/room/bed (12.5%, 59/471), school (12.1%, 57/471), in public (8.7%, 41/471), the bathroom (5.7%, 27/471), and at work (4.5%, 21/471). Conclusions Twitter is being used to promote e-cigarettes by different types of entities and the online marketplace is more diverse than offline product offerings and advertising strategies. E-cigarettes are also being used in public places, such as schools, underscoring the need for education and enforcement of policies banning e-cigarette use in public places. Twitter data can provide new insights on e-cigarettes to help inform future research, regulations, surveillance, and enforcement efforts.