Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trickle: Rate Limiting YouTube Video Streaming

YouTube traffic is bursty. These bursts trigger packet losses and stress router queues, causing TCP's congestion-control algorithm to kick in. In this paper, we introduce Trickle, a server-side mechanism that uses TCP to rate limit YouTube video streaming. Trickle paces the video stream by placing an upper bound on TCP's congestion window as a function of the streaming rate and the round-trip time. We evaluated Trickle on YouTube production data centers in Europe and India and analyzed its impact on losses, bandwidth, RTT, and video buffer under-run events. The results show that Trickle reduces the average TCP loss rate by up to 43% and the average RTT by up to 28% while maintaining the streaming rate requested by the application.
Purification and subunit structure of deoxyribonucleic acid-dependent ribonucleic acid polymerase I from the mouse myeloma, MOPC 315.

DNA-dependent RNA polymerase I was purified from the mouse myeloma, MOPC 315. The enzyme was solubilized from purified nucleoli and subjected to chromatography on CM-Sephadex, DEAE-Sephadex, and phosphocellulose ion exchange resins and to sedimentation in sucrose gradients. These procedures yielded a chromatographically homogeneous enzyme which was purified almost lO,OOO-fold with respect to whole cell extracts and which had a specific activity similar to those reported for other homogeneous eukaryotic RNA polymerases. Sucrose gradient sedimentation analysis suggested an enzyme molecular weight of 400,000 to 500,000. polymerase I molecules. the regulation of rRNA RNA polymerase I.
Aerobic exercise and not a diet supplemented with jussara açaí (Euterpe edulis Martius) alters hepatic oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers in ApoE-deficient mice

The pulp of jussara açaí (Euterpe edulis Martius) fruit is rich in anthocyanins that exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects similar to those exerted by aerobic exercise. In the present study, we investigated the effects of jussara açaí fruit pulp consumption, either alone or in combination with aerobic exercise, on the hepatic oxidative and inflammatory status of ApoE-deficient (ApoE − / − ) mice. Male mice were divided into four groups (control (C), control plus açaí, exercise plus açaí (EXA) and exercise (EX)) and fed the AIN-93M diet or the AIN-93M diet formulated to contain 2 % freeze-dried açaí pulp. Mice in the EX and EXA groups were subjected to a progressive running programme (5 d/week, 60 min/d, 16 m/min) for 12 weeks. Mice that were made to exercise exhibited reduced (40·85 %; P< 0·05) hepatic superoxide dismutase activity when compared with the C mice, independent of the açaí diet. Mice in the EX group exhibited a lower (42 %; P< 0·05) mRNA expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in the liver compared with the C mice. Mice in the EXA and EX groups had lower percentages of hepatic lipid droplets (70 % and 56 %, respectively; P< 0·05) when compared with the C mice. Mice in the EX group had smaller (58 %; P< 0·05) area of lesions in the aorta when compared with the C mice. Serum lipid profile was not affected (P>0·05). In conclusion, aerobic exercise training rather than açaí fruit pulp consumption or a combination of both enhances the hepatic oxidative and inflammatory status of ApoE − / − mice.
Genetic control of encoding strategy in a food-sensing neural circuit

Neuroendocrine circuits encode environmental information via changes in gene expression and other biochemical activities to regulate physiological responses. Previously, we showed that daf-7 TGFβ and tph-1 tryptophan hydroxylase expression in specific neurons encode food abundance to modulate lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans, and uncovered cross- and self-regulation among these genes (Entchev et al., 2015). Here, we now extend these findings by showing that these interactions between daf-7 and tph-1 regulate redundancy and synergy among neurons in food encoding through coordinated control of circuit-level signal and noise properties. Our analysis further shows that daf-7 and tph-1 contribute to most of the food-responsiveness in the modulation of lifespan. We applied a computational model to capture the general coding features of this system. This model agrees with our previous genetic analysis and highlights the consequences of redundancy and synergy during information transmission, suggesting a rationale for the regulation of these information processing features. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.24040. 001
Adaptive recursive Bayesian estimation using expectation maximization for respiratory motion correction in Nuclear Medicine

A method to correct for irregular, non stationary respiratory motion is required to improve quantitative and qualitative accuracy of Nuclear Medicine Images. Solutions to date rely on temporally regular respiratory motion with static models learnt from training data. An adaptive approach with dynamic parameter learning of motion models is required. To this avail we cast respiratory motion estimation as a Hidden Markov model. An expectation maximization based Kalman smoother algorithm is utilized to infer hidden states of motion from observations of the patient's chest motion alone. The framework is validated using a computational anthropomorphic phantom (XCAT) with seven respiratory cycles with varying amplitude and frequency. A PET study is simulated with four 16mm lung lesions to assess the effectiveness of the approach. Preliminary tests are also performed on dynamic MRI data of a single volunteer. The likelihood of dynamical model fitting is monitored for individual respiratory cycles. Optimal estimates of previously unseen motion are made using the Kalman smoother. The proposed method can correct for respiratory motion to the order of 1.5mm. A thirty percent increase in mean uptake value for the corrected tumors in the simulated PET study was observed.
The Effect of the Visual Context in the Recognition of Symbolic Gestures

BACKGROUND To investigate, by means of fMRI, the influence of the visual environment in the process of symbolic gesture recognition. Emblems are semiotic gestures that use movements or hand postures to symbolically encode and communicate meaning, independently of language. They often require contextual information to be correctly understood. Until now, observation of symbolic gestures was studied against a blank background where the meaning and intentionality of the gesture was not fulfilled. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Normal subjects were scanned while observing short videos of an individual performing symbolic gesture with or without the corresponding visual context and the context scenes without gestures. The comparison between gestures regardless of the context demonstrated increased activity in the inferior frontal gyrus, the superior parietal cortex and the temporoparietal junction in the right hemisphere and the precuneus and posterior cingulate bilaterally, while the comparison between context and gestures alone did not recruit any of these regions. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE These areas seem to be crucial for the inference of intentions in symbolic gestures observed in their natural context and represent an interrelated network formed by components of the putative human neuron mirror system as well as the mentalizing system.
Low-Density Cut Based Tree Decomposition for Large-Scale SVM Problems

The current trend of growth of information reveals that it is inevitable that large-scale learning problems become the norm. In this paper, we propose and analyze a novel Low-density Cut based tree Decomposition method for large-scale SVM problems, called LCD-SVM. The basic idea here is divide and conquer: use a decision tree to decompose the data space and train SVMs on the decomposed regions. Specifically, we demonstrate the application of low density separation principle to devise a splitting criterion for rapidly generating a high-quality tree, thus maximizing the benefits of SVMs training. Extensive experiments on 14 real-world datasets show that our approach can provide a significant improvement in training time over state-of-the-art methods while keeps comparable test accuracy with other methods, especially for very large-scale datasets.
Novel Hardware Architecture for Implementing the Inner Loop of the SHA-2 Algorithms

Cryptographic algorithms are used to enable security services that are the core of modern communication systems. In particular, Hash functions algorithms are widely used to provide services of data integrity and authentication. These algorithms are based on performing a number of complex operations on the input data, thus it is important to count with novel designs that can be efficiently mapped to hardware architectures. Hash functions perform internal operations in an iterative fashion, which open the possibility of exploring several implementation strategies. In the paper, two different schemes to improve the performance of the hardware implementation of the SHA-2 family of algorithms are proposed. The main focus of the proposed schemes is to reduce the critical path by reordering the operations required at each iteration of the algorithm. Implementation results on an FPGA device show an improvement on the performance on the SHA-256 algorithm when compared against similar previously proposed approaches.
Design of a novel cost effective cascaded H-Bridge multilevel inverter topology

In this paper, a cost effective novel cascaded H-Bridge multilevel inverter topology is proposed. This topology is based on a cascaded connection of single-phase novel H-bridge converters with less number of components. When compared with the conventional multilevel converters, the number of DC voltage sources, switching devices, installation area, and converter cost is significantly reduced. For the calculation of the magnitudes of the required dc voltage sources, an algorithm is proposed. The structure of the proposed topology is optimized in order to utilize a minimum number of switches and dc voltage sources, and result in more number of output voltage steps. The operation and performance of the proposed multilevel converter with nearest voltage control technique is verified by simulation and then these results are compared with the other topologies.
Cutting Edge: High Molecular Weight Hyaluronan Promotes the Suppressive Effects of CD4+CD25+ Regulatory T Cells1

Hyaluronan is a glycosaminoglycan present in the extracellular matrix. When hyaluronan is degraded during infection and injury, low m.w. forms are generated whose interactions influence inflammation and angiogenesis. Intact high m.w. hyaluronan, conversely, conveys anti-inflammatory signals. We demonstrate that high m.w. hyaluronan enhances human CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell functional suppression of responder cell proliferation, whereas low m.w. hyaluronan does not. High m.w. hyaluronan also up-regulates the transcription factor FOXP3 on CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells. These effects are only seen with activated CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and are associated with the expression of CD44 isomers that more highly bind high m.w. hyaluronan. At higher concentrations, high m.w. hyaluronan also has direct suppressive effects on T cells. We propose that the state of HA in the matrix environment provides contextual cues to CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and T cells, thereby providing a link between the innate inflammatory network and the regulation of adaptive immune responses.
Surfactant Protein D Binds to Coxiella burnetii and Results in a Decrease in Interactions with Murine Alveolar Macrophages

Coxiella burnetii is a Gram-negative, obligate intracellular bacterium and the causative agent of Q fever. Infections are usually acquired after inhalation of contaminated particles, where C. burnetii infects its cellular target cells, alveolar macrophages. Respiratory pathogens encounter the C-type lectin surfactant protein D (SP-D) during the course of natural infection. SP-D is a component of the innate immune response in the lungs and other mucosal surfaces. Many Gram-negative pulmonary pathogens interact with SP-D, which can cause aggregation, bactericidal effects and aid in bacterial clearance. Here we show that SP-D binds to C. burnetii in a calcium-dependent manner with no detectable bacterial aggregation or bactericidal effects. Since SP-D interactions with bacteria often alter macrophage interactions, it was determined that SP-D treatment resulted in a significant decrease in C. burnetii interactions to a mouse alveolar macrophage model cell line MH-S indicating SP-D causes a significant decrease in phagocytosis. The ability of SP-D to modulate macrophage activation by C. burnetii was tested and it was determined that SP-D does not alter the correlates measured for macrophage activation. Taken together these studies support those demonstrating limited activation of alveolar macrophages with C. burnetii and demonstrate interactions with SP-D participate in reduction of phagocyte attachment and phagocytosis.
Development of non-uniform breast phantom and its microwave imaging for tumor detection by CP-MCT

Phantom model of the breast which has actual shape and size has been developed for evaluation of microwave imaging by Chirp Pulse Microwave Computed Tomography (CP-MCT). This phantom model will also be successfully used for hyperthermia experiments using microwaves. This phantom model is consisted of four kinds of tissue mimicking materials, that is, the skin-, breast fat-, muscle-, and tumor-simulators. The principal ingredients of the phantom are water, liquid paraffin, super stuff (TX-150), sugar, and salt. It is easy to simulate permittivity of the real breasts in addition to the shape and size. This is the advantage of this non-homogeneous phantom. CP-MCT is a modality for microwave imaging of a human body using chirp pulse microwaves to extract the component which transmits the straight path between two antennas. Possibility of tumor detection by CP-MCT has been demonstrated by using the higher frequency model of CP-MCT and the non-homogeneous breast phantom.
Two-handed direct manipulation on the responsive workbench

We have built a system that allows users to naturally manipulate virtual 3D models with both hands on the Responsive Workbench, a tabletop VR device. Our design is largely based upon Guiard’s observations of how humans distribute work between the two hands in the real world. We show how to apply these principles for the workbench environment and describe many issues encountered during the design. We ﬁrst develop a framework for two-handed interaction and then explore a variety of two-handed 3D tools and interactive techniques. Related issues include how constraints are implemented and controlled by the two hands and how transitions between one-handed and two-handed tasks occur seemlessly. In-formal observations of the system in practice show that users can perform navigation and manipulation tasks easily and with little training using the two-handed environment. One of our interesting ﬁndings was that users often performed two-handed manipulations by combining two otherwise independent one-handed tools in a synergistic fashion. In these cases, we did not program two-handed behaviors explicitly into the system; instead they emerged naturally.
Reliability Analysis for Manual Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Measurements

Study Design. Manual radiographic measurement analysis. Objectives. To determine the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of numerous radiographic process measures used in the assessment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Summary of Background Data. Analysis of scoliosis requires a thorough radiographic evaluation to completely assess the deformity. Numerous radiographic process measures have been studied extensively and used for outcomes assessment and thus become the de facto standard of care. However, many of these measures have not been evaluated to determine the reliability and reproducibility. Validation of radiographic process measures is necessary to compare these measures with patient-focused outcome measures, as well as to permit valid comparison of different surgical techniques. Methods. Thirty complete sets of long-cassette scoliosis radiographs (anteroposterior [AP], lateral and side-bending preoperative and AP, and lateral postoperative) were analyzed by three independent experienced observers on two separate occasions. Coronal image measures included the coronal Cobb angles, side-bending Cobb, apical vertebral translation, coronal balance, T1 tilt, lowest instrumented vertebrae (LIV) tilt, angulation of the disc below the LIV, apical vertebral rotation (Nash-Moe),and Risser sign; sagittal measures included T2–T5, T5–T12, T2–T12, T10–L2, T12–S1, and sagittal balance. Intraobserver and interobserver reliability for each measure was then assessed. Results. The vast majority of the radiographic process measures assessed demonstrated good to excellent or excellent intraobserver and interobserver reliability. However, the angulation of the disc below the LIV demonstrated only fair interobserver reliability for postoperative measurements (rho = 0.59). Likewise, Risser grade measurements reflected good intraobserver (0.81–0.99) but only fair interobserver reliability (0.60–0.70). Apical vertebral rotation assessed by the technique of Nash and Moe produced good intraobserver reliability before surgery (0.74–0.85) but only fair reliability after surgery (0.50–0.85). The interobserver reliability for apical Nash-Moe rotation was fair to poor (0.53–0.59). For T2–T5 regional kyphosis, intraobserver (0.22–0.83) and interobserver (0.33–0.47) reliability was generally poor. Overall, the reliability of postoperative measurements tended to be decreased relative to preoperative values, likely due to instrumentation overlying radiographic landmarks. Conclusions. Most of the radiographic process measures evaluated in this study demonstrated good or excellent reliability. The reliability of measuring the angulation of the disc below the LIV, the apical Nash-Moe rotation, and Risser grading was decreased relative to other measures. The reliability of measuring T2–T5 regional kyphosis was disappointing and poor. With regards to the other 13 measures assessed, our findings support the use of these process measures obtained by experienced deformity surgeons via manual measurement for routine clinical and academic purposes.
Large-Scale Discovery and Characterization of Protein Regulatory Motifs in Eukaryotes

The increasing ability to generate large-scale, quantitative proteomic data has brought with it the challenge of analyzing such data to discover the sequence elements that underlie systems-level protein behavior. Here we show that short, linear protein motifs can be efficiently recovered from proteome-scale datasets such as sub-cellular localization, molecular function, half-life, and protein abundance data using an information theoretic approach. Using this approach, we have identified many known protein motifs, such as phosphorylation sites and localization signals, and discovered a large number of candidate elements. We estimate that ∼80% of these are novel predictions in that they do not match a known motif in both sequence and biological context, suggesting that post-translational regulation of protein behavior is still largely unexplored. These predicted motifs, many of which display preferential association with specific biological pathways and non-random positioning in the linear protein sequence, provide focused hypotheses for experimental validation.
Career aspirations, goal orientation, and classroom anxiety

This survey study conducted with student volunteers (Males = 519; Females = 904) from six different secondary schools in Thailand investigated the relationship between physics and biology classroom anxiety, motivational goal orientation, and career aspirations. Results of multiple discriminant analyses showed gender differences in the factors that influence the students' aspirations. Notably, there was an additive effect of multiple goal orientations, biology and physics classroom anxiety and parental education on the aspirations of female students for high earning science, math, and engineering related careers. Use of socio-cognitive and role socialization theories led to an interpretation of data that highlights the significance of cultural beliefs about gender on males' and females' perceptions of their own abilities in decision making for careers.
Knowledge and attitudes of Latin American gynecologists regarding unplanned pregnancy and use of combined oral contraceptives

Background Unintended pregnancy is a public health problem and unmet medical need worldwide. It is estimated that in the year 2012, almost 213 million pregnancies occurred, and the global pregnancy rate decreased only slightly from 2008 to 2012. It was also estimated that 85 million pregnancies (40% of all pregnancies) were unintended and that 38% ended in an unintended birth. Objectives To assess knowledge and attitudes of Latin American (LA) obstetricians and gynecologists (OBGYNs) regarding unintended pregnancies and aspects of combined oral contraceptive (COC) use. Methods A survey was conducted during a scientific meeting about contraception in 2014, in which OBGYNs from 12 LA countries who provide attention in contraception were invited to respond to a multiple-choice questionnaire to assess their knowledge and attitudes regarding unplanned pregnancy and some aspects regarding COC use. Results A total of 210 OBGYNs participated in the study. Their knowledge regarding COC failure was low. The participants reported they believed that their patients habitually forgot to take a pill and that their patients did not know what to do in these situations. They were aware of the benefits of COC use; however, they were less prone to prescribe COCs for the purpose of protecting against ovarian and endometrial cancer, and one-quarter of them had doubts about the association between COC use and cancer risk. Conclusion The interviewed LA OBGYNs showed some flaws in terms of knowledge of COC failure rates and the non-contraceptive benefits and risks of COCs. To adequately counsel their patients regarding COC intake, OBGYNs must be updated regarding all aspects of COC use.
Computational experience with a SDP‐based algorithm for maximum cut with limited unbalance

In the Maximum Cut with Limited Unbalance problem, we want to partition the vertices of a weighted graph into two sets of sizes differing at most by a given threshold B, so that the sum of the weights of the crossing edges is maximum. This problem has been introduced in (Galbiati and Maffioli, Theor Comput Sci 385 (2007), 78–87) where polynomial time randomized approximation algorithms are proposed and their performance guarantees are analyzed in the case of non‐negative integer weights. In this article, we present extensive computational experience with these algorithms on a large number of different graphs. We then extend the analysis of these algorithms to integer weights not restricted in sign, and continue the computational testing. It turns out that the approximation ratios obtained are always substantially better than those guaranteed by the theoretical analysis. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS 2010
Direction-of-arrival estimation based on joint diagonalization of matrices in different direct-to-reverberation ratios

Direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation is very important in many applications. The MUltiple SIgnal Classification (MUSIC) algorithm is one of the well-known methods of DOA estimation. However, in a real environment with reverberation, MUSIC's estimation accuracy is degraded. In this paper, we propose an improved MUSIC algorithm by using joint diagonalization of the covariance matrices of two different direct-to-reverberation ratio (DRR) periods corresponding to higher and lower DRR periods in a short time. In addition, we also introduce a method for detecting different DRR periods by using peak-hold processing for our proposed method. Computer simulations verified that the proposed method improves the accuracy of the azimuth in DOA estimation compared with the conventional method for both simulated and actual impulse responses.