Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Tight Approximation for Co-flow Scheduling for Minimizing Total Weighted Completion Time

Co-flows model a modern scheduling setting that is commonly found in a variety of applications in distributed and cloud computing. In co-flow scheduling, there are $m$ input ports and $m$ output ports. Each co-flow $j \in J$ can be represented by a bipartite graph between the input and output ports, where each edge $(i,o)$ with demand $d_{i,o}^j$ means that $d_{i,o}^j$ units of packets must be delivered from port $i$ to port $o$. To complete co-flow $j$, we must satisfy all of its demands. Due to capacity constraints, a port can only transmit (or receive) one unit of data in unit time. A feasible schedule at each time $t$ must therefore be a bipartite matching. We consider co-flow scheduling and seek to optimize the popular objective of total weighted completion time. Our main result is a $(2+\epsilon)$-approximation for this problem, which is essentially tight, as the problem is hard to approximate within a factor of $(2 - \epsilon)$. This improves upon the previous best known 4-approximation. Further, our result holds even when jobs have release times without any loss in the approximation guarantee. The key idea of our approach is to construct a continuous-time schedule using a configuration linear program and interpret each job's completion time therein as the job's deadline. The continuous-time schedule serves as a witness schedule meeting the discovered deadlines, which allows us to reduce the problem to a deadline-constrained scheduling problem.
The Gaussian Data Assumption Leads to the Largest Cramér-Rao Bound [Lecture Notes]

The Gaussian data assumption is sometimes criticized as being unrealistic in certain applications. While this is a valid criticism, it is also true that the Gaussian assumption is a natural choice when nothing is known about the exact data distribution. The argument typically used to motivate this choice relies on the fact that the Gaussian distribution leads to the largest Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) in quite a general class of data distributions and for a significant set of parameter estimation problems. Consequently, the Gaussian CRB (i.e., the CRB that holds under the Gaussian assumption) is the worst-case one (over the distribution class), and therefore any optimal design based on attaining or minimizing it, including the parameter estimation operation itself, can be inter preted as being min-max optimal. In this lecture note, we provide a simple and yet quite general proof of the aforesaid fact that the Gaussian assump tion yields the largest CRB. This fact, which is sometimes considered to be a "folk theorem," is possibly known to many (see the cited works); however finding a proof of it in the literature, of comparable generality to that presented here, has eluded us.
Effects of cocaine and related drugs in nonhuman primates. III. Self-administration by squirrel monkeys.

The self-administration of cocaine was compared with that of bupropion, 1-(2-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)methoxy]ethyl]-4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazine, mazindol, methylphenidate and nomifensine, drugs that displace [3H]cocaine from its binding sites and have monoamine uptake inhibiting effects in common with those of cocaine. Squirrel monkeys responded under a second-order fixed-interval schedule of consequent i.v. drug injection, and dose-effect curves were established by determining stable rates of responding maintained by saline and a range of doses of each drug. Cocaine (0.01-0.56 mg/kg/injection), bupropion (0.1-3.0 mg/kg/injection), 1-(2-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)methoxy]ethyl)-4-(3- phenylpropyl)piperazine-(0.03-1.0 mg/kg/injection), methylphenidate (0.01-0.3 mg/kg/injection) and nomifensine (0.01-0.3 mg/kg) maintained comparable rates and patterns of responding in all subjects, whereas mazindol (0.03-0.3 mg/kg) maintained self-administration behavior in only half the monkeys studied. The present results in conjunction with those of previous studies in squirrel monkeys reveal a close correspondence between the relative potencies of cocaine and related drugs for maintaining i.v. self-administration and for increasing rates of schedule-controlled responding, suggesting that the reinforcing and psychomotor-stimulant effects of the drugs are mediated similarly. The potency relations observed in the present study also agree generally with those observed for displacement of specifically bound [3H]cocaine in monkey caudate-putamen suggesting that the reinforcing effects of cocaine involve its actions at specific recognition sites in brain.
Unraveling ferulate role in suberin and periderm biology by reverse genetics

Plant cell walls are dramatically affected by suberin deposition, becoming an impermeable barrier to water and pathogens. Suberin is a complex layered heteropolymer that comprises both a poly(aliphatic) and a poly(aromatic) lignin-like domain. Current structural models for suberin attribute the crosslinking of aliphatic and aromatic domains within the typical lamellar ultrastructure of the polymer to esterified ferulate. BAHD feruloyl transferases involved in suberin biosynthesis have been recently characterized in Arabidopsis and potato (Solanum tuberosum). In defective mutants, suberin, even lacks most of the esterified ferulate, but maintains the typical lamellar ultrastructure. However, suberized tissues display increased water permeability, in spite of exhibiting a similar lipid load to wild type. Therefore, the role of ferulate in suberin needs to be reconsidered. Moreover, silencing the feruloyl transferase in potato turns the typical smooth skin of cv. Desirée into a rough scabbed skin distinctive of Russet varieties and impairs the normal skin maturation that confers resistance to skinning. Concomitantly to these changes, the skin of silenced potatoes shows an altered profile of soluble phenolics with the emergence of conjugated polyamines.
2 Inputs — 2 outputs hysteresis model for piezoelectric actuators

Piezoelectrics devices are often employed in tasks, as micropositioning, vibration compensation, where an accurate modeling would improve the device performance. Modeling of macroscopic behavior is usually tackled by using 1-input 1-output operators (displacement vs electric field or voltage vs stress), while it is well known that piezos are smart materials and the 4 variables are all coupled. Therefore, a 2-inputs 2-outputs hysteresis model would provide benefit. In this paper, a recently 2-inputs 2-outputs model proposed for magnetostriction is extended to piezoelectric behavior. The model can be developed by using a modified simple play operators superposition and the concept of hysteresis potential. Comparison with experiments on a piezoelectric actuator confirms that such an approach is able to reproduce the macroscopic behavior with sufficient accuracy.
Virological and immunological outcome of treatment interruption in HIV-1-infected subjects vaccinated with MVA-B

The most relevant endpoint in therapeutic HIV vaccination is the assessment of time to viral rebound or duration of sustained control of low-level viremia upon cART treatment cessation. Structured treatment interruptions (STI) are however not without risk to the patient and reliable predictors of viral rebound/control after therapeutic HIV-1 vaccination are urgently needed to ensure patient safety and guide therapeutic vaccine development. Here, we integrated immunological and virological parameters together with viral rebound dynamics after STI in a phase I therapeutic vaccine trial of a polyvalent MVA-B vaccine candidate to define predictors of viral control. Clinical parameters, proviral DNA, host HLA genetics and measures of humoral and cellular immunity were evaluated. A sieve effect analysis was conducted comparing pre-treatment viral sequences to breakthrough viruses after STI. Our results show that a reduced proviral HIV-1 DNA at study entry was independently associated with two virological parameters, delayed HIV-1 RNA rebound (p = 0.029) and lower peak viremia after treatment cessation (p = 0.019). Reduced peak viremia was also positively correlated with a decreased number of HLA class I allele associated polymorphisms in Gag sequences in the rebounding virus population (p = 0.012). Our findings suggest that proviral DNA levels and the number of HLA-associated Gag polymorphisms may have an impact on the clinical outcome of STI. Incorporation of these parameters in future therapeutic vaccine trials may guide refined immunogen design and help conduct safer STI approaches.
Study on the influence of temperature, storage time and packaging type on di-n-butylphthalate and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate release into packed meals

Ready-to-eat meals packed in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and aluminium dishes, supplied to patients in two hospitals in the Campania region (Italy), were studied to evaluate the probable migration of di-n-butylphthalate (DBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) from the packaging into the food. The influence of temperature, storage time and type of package on the migration process was considered, analysing the meals according to three time ranges, before the packaging (T 0) and after 60 min (T 1) and 120 min (T 2) from packaging during the storage in thermostatic delivery carts. At T 0 in the meals sampled before packaging in PET dishes, mean levels of DBP and DEHP were 0.023 ± 0.002 µg/g and 0.069 ± 0.041 µg/g, respectively; the DBP level increased 230% and that of DEHP increased 208% by time T 0 versus T 2. In the meals sampled before packaging (T 0) in aluminium dishes, the mean levels of DBP and DEHP were 0.030 ± 0.001 µg/g and 0.057 ± 0.015 µg/g, respectively. The significant increase in contaminant levels over storage times for meals packed in PET dishes demonstrates that from packages made of plastic materials the migration of phthalic acid esters into foods is possible. In meals packed in PET dishes, the highest DBP and DEHP increases were observed in the T 0 to T 1 range, which represented the time interval over which meals were kept hot, and mainly in the first ones, where the highest temperatures have been recorded.
Neonatal Ethanol Exposure Causes Behavioral Deficits in Young Mice

BACKGROUND Fetal ethanol (EtOH) exposure can damage the developing central nervous system and lead to cognitive and behavioral deficits, known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). EtOH exposure to mouse pups during early neonatal development was used as a model of EtOH exposure that overlaps the human third-trimester "brain growth spurt"-a model that has been widely used to study FASD in rats. METHODS C57BL/6 male and female mice were exposed to EtOH (4 g/kg/d) on postnatal days (PD) 4 to 10 by oral intubation. Intubated and nontreated controls were also included. Behavioral testing of the offspring, including open field, elevated plus maze, and Morris water maze, was performed on PD 20 to 45. RESULTS EtOH exposure during PD 4 to 10 resulted in hyperactivity and deficits in learning and memory in young mice with no apparent sex differences. CONCLUSIONS Based on these data, this neonatal intubation mouse model may be useful for future mechanistic and genetic studies of FASD and for screening of novel therapeutic agents.
Evaluation of Rapid ATB Staph for 5-hour antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Staphylococcus aureus. Groupement pour le Dépistage, L'Etude et la Prévention des Infections Hospitalières-Groep ter Opsporing, Studie en Preventie van Infecties in de Ziekenhuizen

The accuracy of Rapid ATB Staph (bioMérieux, La Balme-Les Grottes, France) for detection of oxacillin resistance and for detection susceptibility to 11 other antimicrobial agents in 553 and 519 Staphylococcus aureus isolates, respectively, was evaluated by comparing results with those produced by oxacillin agar screen and agar dilution methods, respectively. Further characterization of isolates with discrepant results for oxacillin testing was done by PCR detection of the nuc and mecA genes. By oxacillin agar screening, there were 307 oxacillin-resistant and 246 oxacillin-susceptible isolates. Rapid ATB results were obtained in 5 h for 515 (93.2%) of the isolates tested. Rapid ATB showed 97.0% sensitivity for detection of oxacillin resistance, confirmed by the presence of the mecA gene. After repeat testing of isolates flagged by the ATB software as possible errors, sensitivity increased to 99% for oxacillin-resistant isolates. Essential agreement with agar dilution testing for susceptibility to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, gentamicin, erythromycin, clindamycin, and ciprofloxacin, as estimated by Youden's J statistic, was > 0.90. Subpopulations of isolates with significantly increased MICs of amikacin, rifampin, and minocycline, indicating borderline susceptibility, were detected by Rapid ATB and categorized as resistant. Rapid ATB Staph showed adequate accuracy for detection within 5 h of the oxacillin- and multiple-drug-resistant S. aureus isolates currently prevalent in Belgium.
Guide for Resin and Linker Selection in Solid‐Phase Peptide Synthesis

For both novice and experienced practitioners of solid‐phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), the vast selection of commercially available linkers and resins has become something of a babel. The purpose of this unit is to clarify the situation, which is best understood by distillation to first principles, through an appreciation of chemical trends and consequences, as well as practical considerations. The most commonly used linkers and resins are presented and described in detail, along with a description of their development and common applications. Key protocols are provided so that the user may prepare appropriate linker‐functionalized resins for the majority of peptide synthesis applications.
Anthrax Lethal Toxin Inhibits Translation of Hypoxia-inducible Factor 1α and Causes Decreased Tolerance to Hypoxic Stress*

Background: Hypoxia is proposed as a mediator of anthrax lethal factor (LT)-induced pathology. Results: LT inhibits hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) translation and causes increased cellular toxicity in response to hypoxic stress. Conclusion: LT reduces HIF-1α translation, dysregulating host responses to hypoxia. Significance: Inhibition of HIF-1α translation is a novel mechanism underlying LT-induced pathology. Hypoxia is considered to be a contributor to the pathology associated with administration of anthrax lethal toxin (LT). However, we report here that serum lactate levels in LT-treated mice are reduced, a finding inconsistent with the anaerobic metabolism expected to occur during hypoxia. Reduced lactate levels are also observed in the culture supernatants of LT-treated cells. LT inhibits the accumulation of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, a subunit of HIF-1, the master regulator directing cellular responses to hypoxia. The toxin has no effect on the transcription or protein turnover of HIF-1α, but instead it acts to inhibit HIF-1α translation. LT treatment diminishes phosphorylation of eIF4B, eIF4E, and rpS6, critical components of the intracellular machinery required for HIF-1α translation. Moreover, blockade of MKK1/2-ERK1/2, but not p38 or JNK signaling, lowers HIF-1α protein levels in both normoxic and hypoxic conditions, consistent with a role for MKK1 and MKK2 as the major targets of LT responsible for the inhibition of HIF-1α translation. The physiological importance of the LT-induced translation blockade is demonstrated by the finding that LT treatment decreases the survival of hepatocyte cell lines grown in hypoxic conditions, an effect that is overcome by preinduction of HIF-1α. Taken together, these data support a role for LT in dysregulating HIF-1α and thereby disrupting homeostatic responses to hypoxia, an environmental characteristic of certain tissues at baseline and/or during disseminated infection with Bacillus anthracis.
Reversed Na+/Ca2+ Exchange Contributes to Ca2+ Influx and Respiratory Burst in Microglia

Phagocytosis and the ensuing NADPH-mediated respiratory burst are important aspects of microglial activation that require calcium ion (Ca2+) influx. However, the specific Ca2+ entry pathway(s) that regulates this mechanism remains unclear, with the best candidates being surface membrane Ca2+-permeable ion channels or Na+/Ca2+ exchangers. In order to address this issue, we used quantitative real-time RT-PCR to assess mRNA expression of the Na+/Ca2+ exchangers, Slc8a1-3/NCX1-3, before and after phagocytosis by rat microglia. All three Na+/Ca2+ exchangers were expressed, with mRNA levels of NCX1 > NCX3 > NCX2, and were unaltered during the one hour phagocytosis period. We then carried out a biophysical characterization of Na+/Ca2+ exchanger activity in these cells. To investigate conditions under which Na+/Ca2+ exchange was functional, we used a combination of perforated patch-clamp analysis, fluorescence imaging of a Ca2+ indicator (Fura-2) and a Na+ indicator (SBFI), and manipulations of membrane potential and intracellular and extracellular ions. Then, we used a pharmacological toolbox to compare the contribution of Na+/Ca2+ exchange with candidate Ca2+-permeable channels, to the NADPH-mediated respiratory burst that was triggered by phagocytosis. We find that inhibiting the reversed mode of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger with KB-R7943, dose dependently reduced the phagocytosis-stimulated respiratory burst; whereas, blockers of store-operated Ca2+ channels or L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels had no effect. These results provide evidence that Na+/Ca2+ exchangers are potential therapeutic targets for reducing the bystander damage that often results from microglia activation in the damaged CNS.
Seizure‐onset patterns in focal cortical dysplasia and neurodevelopmental tumors: Relationship with surgical prognosis and neuropathologic subtypes

The study of intracerebral electroencephalography (EEG) seizure‐onset patterns is crucial to accurately define the epileptogenic zone and guide successful surgical resection. It also raises important pathophysiologic issues concerning mechanisms of seizure generation. Until now, several seizure‐onset patterns have been described using distinct recording methods (subdural, depth electrode), mostly in temporal lobe epilepsies or with heterogeneous neocortical lesions.
Soft real-time aspects for service-oriented architectures

In today's businesses we can see the trend that service-oriented architectures (SOA) represent the main paradigm for IT infrastructures. In this setting, a software offers its functionality as an electronic service to other software in a network. In order to realise more complex tasks or business processes that are comprised of individual services, compositions of these are formed. For specific application cases such as the time-dependent trading of goods or the IT-based management of natural disasters, service compositions are anticipated to provide soft real-time characteristics. Soft real-time characteristics for service compositions involve the QoS-based trading of services as well as a real-time conforming trading process that is capable of optimising the QoS in predictable and feasible amount of time. This paper discusses the two aspects and introduce two heuristics for the QoS-aware trading that show feasible computational efforts. Based on a software simulation, the performance of these algorithms is discussed
Calibration of FI‐ISK, an Invasiveness Screening Tool for Nonnative Freshwater Invertebrates

The Freshwater Invertebrate Invasiveness Scoring Kit (FI‐ISK) is proposed as a screening tool for identifying potentially invasive freshwater invertebrates. FI‐ISK was adapted from the Fish Invasiveness Scoring Kit (FISK) of Copp, Garthwaite, and Gozlan, which is an adapted form of the Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) of Pheloung, Williams, and Halloy. Initial assessments using FI‐ISK, which include confidence (certainty/uncertainty) rankings by the assessor to each response, were calibrated to determine the most appropriate score thresholds for classifying nonnative species into low‐, medium‐, and high‐risk categories, using both the original medium‐to‐high risk threshold scores for the WRA (i.e., ≥6) and for FISK (i.e., ≥19). Patterns of the assessor's confidence, when making the responses during the FI‐ISK assessments, were also examined. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, FI‐ISK was shown to distinguish accurately (and with statistical confidence) between potentially invasive and noninvasive species of nonnative crayfish (Decapoda: Astacidae, Cambaridae, Parastacidae), with the statistically appropriate threshold score for high‐risk species scores being ≥16. FI‐ISK represents a useful and viable tool to aid decision‐ and policymakers in assessing and classifying freshwater invertebrates according to their potential invasiveness.
Design and characterization of bio-implantable antennas

Research on bio-implantable monitoring and/or medication delivery systems has experienced a large increase in interest in the last few years. Indeed, recent advances in technology have allowed for the miniaturization of such systems, making them small enough to be routinely implanted in patients. One key aspect of bio-implants is the telemetry, allowing for the wireless communication between the implant and an external base station. The antenna is a critical component of this communication system, as its size is set by physical factors (wavelength, data rate, etc.) rather than by the technology used. Designing antennas small enough to fit into miniature implants is thus a challenge, not very dissimilar to the design of miniature antennas for handhelds. In this contribution, we will first analyze the particularities of antenna design for implants, propose some design rules and finally dwell on the specific care to be taken when characterizing such antennas through measurements. All points will be illustrated by different examples.
Platelet degranulation and glycoprotein IIbIIIa opening are not related to bleeding phenotype in severe haemophilia A patients

Summary Recently we reported data suggesting that platelets could compensate for the bleeding phenotype in severe haemophilia A (HA). The aim of this study was to confirm these results in a larger population with a detailed characterisation of clinical phenotype. Patients with diagnostic severe HA (FVIII:C <1%) were scored for clinical phenotype by integrating data on age at first joint bleed, joint damage, bleeding frequency and FVIII consumption. Phenotype was defined as onset of joint bleeding-score + arthropathy-score + joint bleeding-score + (2* treatment intensity-score). After a washout period of three days, blood was collected for measurement of basal level of platelet activation, platelet reactivity, endothelial cell activation and presence of procoagulant phospholipids in plasma. Thirty-three patients with severe HA were included, 13 patients with a mild, 12 patients with an average and eight patients with a severe clinical phenotype. No relevant differences in basal level of platelet activation, platelet reactivity, endothelial cell activation and procoagulant phospholipids between all three groups were observed. The mean annual FVIII consumption per kg did not correlate with the platelet P-selectin expression and glycoprotein (GP)IIbIIIa activation on platelets. In conclusion, variability in clinical phenotype in patients with diagnostic severe HA is not related to platelet activation or reactivity, measured as platelet degranulation and platelet GPIIbIIIa opening.
Polymorphism in Plasmodium vivax MSA1 gene – the result of intragenic recombinations?

SUMMARY The diversity in a 925 bp portion of the Plasmodium vivax MSA1 gene in isolates from the Philippines, China, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea was investigated. A total of 74 base pair changes was found in the amplified fragment from 18 isolates. Most of these changes were single or double base pair substitutions. In several regions, these point changes were tightly linked with one set always present or always absent in the different isolates. Seven such blocks were identified. These blocks were present in different combinations in the different isolates indicating that extensive intragenic recombination has occurred.