Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A TCP socket buffer auto-tuning daemon

Depending on the bandwidth and round trip time of a network path, certain network connections may need different socket buffers than others. However, most TCP implementations use default socket buffer size for all the connections. This leads to a wastage of kernel memory for low bandwidth, long round trip time network paths and inefficiency for long fat W. Rechard Stevens (1994) network paths. To tackle this problem, we implement a TCP socket buffer auto-tuning daemon. It will periodically tune the socket buffer size of each connection to an optimal value according to the network status of each connection, without the intervention of user or change of network application. The tuning daemon can run on different machines and communicate with each other, send tuning request to the remote daemon and exchange the tuning information. Experiment results are presented to show that this daemon can improve the throughput for network application.
Responding to Terror: An Empirical Analysis of U.S. Military Activity, Public Opinion, and Transnational Terrorism

Abstract This article explores the relationship between U.S. military activity and transnational terrorism. We employ a vector autoregressive model to assess the impact and persistence of terrorism on military activity, measured by changes in military expenditures, within the context of a dynamic system. The results indicate terrorism granger causes military expenditures, and the accompanying impulse response function demonstrates the effect of terrorism on military expenditures persists 3 years pending an initial 1-year lag in impact, on average. We argue that public opinion may act as an intervening variable between terrorism and military activity and find evidence to support this claim.
Targeting MUC1-C suppresses polycomb repressive complex 1 in multiple myeloma

The polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) includes the BMI1, RING1 and RING2 proteins. BMI1 is required for survival of multiple myeloma (MM) cells. The MUC1-C oncoprotein is aberrantly expressed by MM cells, activates MYC and is also necessary for MM cell survival. The present studies show that targeting MUC1-C with (i) stable and inducible silencing and CRISPR/Cas9 editing and (ii) the pharmacologic inhibitor GO-203, which blocks MUC1-C function, downregulates BMI1, RING1 and RING2 expression. The results demonstrate that MUC1-C drives BMI1 transcription by a MYC-dependent mechanism. MUC1-C thus promotes MYC occupancy on the BMI1 promoter and thereby activates BMI1 expression. We also show that the MUC1-C→MYC pathway induces RING2 expression. Moreover, in contrast to BMI1 and RING2, we found that MUC1-C drives RING1 by an NF-κB p65-dependent mechanism. Targeting MUC1-C and thereby the suppression of these key PRC1 proteins was associated with downregulation of the PRC1 E3 ligase activity as evidenced by decreases in ubiquitylation of histone H2A. Targeting MUC1-C also resulted in activation of the PRC1-repressed tumor suppressor genes, PTEN, CDNK2A and BIM. These findings identify a heretofore unrecognized role for MUC1-C in the epigenetic regulation of MM cells.
A double-blind trial of bupropion versus desipramine for bipolar depression.

BACKGROUND Although treatment of bipolar depression is a frequent clinical problem, double-blind studies of the treatment of bipolar depression are scarce. Some case series and uncontrolled data suggest antidepressants may differ in their propensity to induce mania or their efficacy for bipolar depression. METHOD The authors conducted a prospective double-blind trial to assess efficacy and rate of treatment-emergent mood elevation in depressed bipolar patients when bupropion or desipramine was added to an ongoing therapeutic regimen of lithium or an anticonvulsant. Results were assessed after 8 weeks of acute treatment and during maintenance treatment up to 1 year. RESULTS No difference was found for acute efficacy between the two drugs. Mania/hypomania was observed in 5 of 10 desipramine-treated patients, but only 1 of 9 bupropion-treated patients. The occurrence of hypomania or mania was correlated with treatment group (Kendall's tau correlation = 0.42; Z = -2.5, p < .012). CONCLUSION These pilot findings suggest that bupropion is less likely to induce mood elevation than desipramine. For treatment of bipolar depression, bupropion and desipramine appear to have similar antidepressant efficacy.
Information Flow Control for Secure Cloud Computing

There is major demand to introduce cloud computing in many organizations today. The reason is cloud’s sharing infrastructure, multi-tenancy and huge storage facilities ensures increase in computing efficiency, flexibility, generality and cost effectiveness. But with this, organizations want that the computing platform should be secured and should satisfy all the important rules and regulations. So security is the key point for the success of cloud computing. It is examined that cloud computing is less satisfactory in providing security due to its heterogeneity. In this paper a solution named - Decentralized Information Flow Control (DIFC) is defined to solve the problem of security specifically of Software as a Service (SaaS) level. DIFC is a Mandatory Access Control method which is able to provide better security and integrity than is provided by other approaches available today. DIFC enforce general policies by using proper labeling and checking methods. DIFC gives a way to control and monitor the flow of data continuously according to the policy. Hence we believe that DIFC is a powerful tool to enhance SaaS cloud security and to help cloud providers to satisfy rules and regulations and audit this compliance with easy in future.
Evaluation of hydroxylamine oxidoreductase as a functional and phylogenetic marker to differentiate Nitrosomonas spp.

Nitrosomonas genus belongs to beta‐subclass of Proteobacteria and encompasses closely related species. Sequence independent techniques like single strand confirmation polymorphism (SSCP) was attempted in the present study to resolve AOB using ammonia monooxygenase (amoA) and hydroxylamine oxidoreductase (hao) gene fragments, unique to AOB. Variation in hydroxylamine oxidoreductase (HAO) enzyme zymogram of isolates observed in the study was also explored as an additional sequence independent method to substantiate the observations. Nitrosomonas europaea (standard strain) and 12 isolates, obtained by enriching environmental samples, were differentiated into six and four groups by SSCP analyses of amoA and hao gene fragments, respectively, whereas they could be resolved into six distinct groups through activity staining of HAO enzyme. amoA gene fragment was therefore found to be better than hao gene fragment in resolving the studied AOB based on richness and evenness with Simpson's index of diversity – 0.85. However, the ensembled use of these molecular methods (SSCP of amoA and hao gene fragments) and HAO enzyme zymogram in fingerprinting AOB provide better resolution and evenness, contributing significantly in AOB diversity studies. Grouping of AOB isolates by hao gene SSCP analysis followed almost the same pattern as that by 16S rRNA gene based sequence analysis, hence it is suitable as a phylogenetic marker.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and Office of Rare Diseases (National Institutes of Health) workshop recommendations and review.

OBJECTIVE Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare life-threatening cardiomyopathy of unknown cause that occurs in the peripartum period in previously healthy women. In April 1997, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the Office of Rare Diseases of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) convened a Workshop on Peripartum Cardiomyopathy to foster a systematic review of information and to develop recommendations for research and education. PARTICIPANTS Fourteen workshop participants were selected by NHLBI staff and represented cardiovascular medicine, obstetrics, immunology, and pathology. A representative subgroup of 8 participants and NHLBI staff formed the writing group for this article and updated the literature on which the conclusions were based. The workshop was an open meeting, consistent with NIH policy. EVIDENCE Data presented at the workshop were augmented by a MEDLINE search for English-language articles published from 1966 to July 1999, using the terms peripartum cardiomyopathy, cardiomyopathy, and pregnancy. Articles on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of PPCM were included. RECOMMENDATION PROCESS: After discussion of data presented, workshop participants agreed on a standardized definition of PPCM, a general clinical approach, and the need for a registry to provide an infrastructure for future research. CONCLUSIONS Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare lethal disease about which little is known. Diagnosis is confined to a narrow period and requires echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Symptomatic patients should receive standard therapy for heart failure, managed by a multidisciplinary team. If subsequent pregnancies occur, they should be managed in collaboration with a high-risk perinatal center. Systematic data collection is required to answer important questions about incidence, treatment, and prognosis.
Hopped-frequency waveform design for optimal detection in spectral congested environment

In this paper, we suggest the hopper-frequency (HopF) waveform for cognitive probing in spectral congested environment. Similar with stepped-frequency (SF) waveform, HopF waveform is very easy for implementation and processing. Besides, it also has the necessary degree of freedom (DOF) to achieve high spectrum efficiency and to suppress range sidelobes, thanks to its very flexible carriers. In this paper, echo of HopF waveform is analyzed and the associated signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) gain and correlation output under different filtering schemes are deduced under assumption that the interference spectrum is known. The cognition of HopF waveform is then achieved by optimizing the range correlation sidelobes with SNR constraint. Design examples and simulated processing results are reported to validate the proposed approach and illustrate how the HopF waveforms work in spectral congested environment.
Grassland Bird and Butterfly Responses to Sericea Lespedeza Control via Late-Season Grazing Pressure

Abstract. Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) is a high-tannin, late-season invasive forb species that reduces biodiversity in tallgrass prairie ecosystems. The largest tallgrass prairie remnant exists in the Flint Hills of Kansas and Oklahoma, where the most common grazing management practice involves prescribed fire in early spring followed by intensive stocking with yearling beef cattle from April to July. Sericea has continued to spread under this management regime. From 2013 to 2016, in Kansas Flint Hills tallgrass prairie, we tested the effects of using spring burning with early-season steer grazing, followed by late-season sheep grazing (Steer+Sheep) compared to spring burning followed by steer grazing only (Steer) on sericea vigor, grassland birds, and pollinators. Density and nest success of Grasshopper Sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum) and Eastern Meadowlarks (Sturnella magna) were not negatively affected by Steer+Sheep relative to Steer treatments, whereas there was evidence of a negative effect in these same metrics for Dickcissels (Spiza americana). Abundance of butterflies and their nectar sources were similar between treatments but abundance of grassland specialist butterfly species was low, overall. Comprehensively, Steer+Sheep effectively controls the spread of sericea but may not create habitat for all tallgrass prairie wildlife species.
Regional influence on module design quality: Qualification testing failure rate results from six regional labs of TUV rheinland around the world

Qualification testing of photovoltaic modules, according to IEC 61215 or IEC 61646 standard, is generally considered as a minimum requirement for reliability. Between 2011 and 2013, there was an immense price pressure on PV module manufacturers; this price pressure has steered many manufacturers to cutting corners with poor quality materials or introducing unqualified materials. These changes in the module design and materials could increase the warranty claim rate and shatter the traditional minimal recall history of PV modules. This paper analyzes the influence of these material changes on the crystalline silicon module design quality from two perspectives: Design variation between regions; Design evolution over 16 years. The analysis presented in this paper is based on the test results obtained on several thousands of modules in the six regional labs of TÜV Rheinland around the world.
A longitudinal study of electronic cigarette use among a population-based sample of adult smokers: association with smoking cessation and motivation to quit.

AIMS Increasingly popular electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) may be the most promising development yet to end cigarette smoking. However, there is sparse evidence that their use promotes cessation. We investigated whether e-cigarette use increases smoking cessation and/or has a deleterious effect on quitting smoking and motivation to quit. METHODS Representative samples of adults in 2 US metropolitan areas were surveyed in 2011/2012 about their use of novel tobacco products. In 2014, follow-up interviews were conducted with 695 of the 1,374 baseline cigarette smokers who had agreed to be re-contacted (retention rate: 51%). The follow-up interview assessed their smoking status and history of electronic cigarette usage. Respondents were categorized as intensive users (used e-cigarettes daily for at least 1 month), intermittent users (used regularly, but not daily for more than 1 month), and non-users/triers (used e-cigarettes at most once or twice). RESULTS At follow-up, 23% were intensive users, 29% intermittent users, 18% had used once or twice, and 30% had not tried e-cigarettes. Logistic regression controlling for demographics and tobacco dependence indicated that intensive users of e-cigarettes were 6 times more likely than non-users/triers to report that they quit smoking (OR: 6.07, 95% CI = 1.11, 33.2). No such relationship was seen for intermittent users. There was a negative association between intermittent e-cigarette use and 1 of 2 indicators of motivation to quit at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Daily use of electronic cigarettes for at least 1 month is strongly associated with quitting smoking at follow-up. Further investigation of the underlying reasons for intensive versus intermittent use will help shed light on the mechanisms underlying the associations between e-cigarette use, motivation to quit, and smoking cessation.
Hippocampal transverse relaxation times in patients with Alzheimer disease.

PURPOSE To determine whether hippocampal relaxation times in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging differ between patients with probable Alzheimer disease and elderly control subjects with normal cognition. MATERIALS AND METHODS MR imaging relaxation times were measured in the head and body of the right and left hippocampi in 123 subjects: 62 patients with Alzheimer disease (44 women, 18 men; age range, 65-89 years) and 61 elderly control subjects without cognitive impairment (39 women, 22 men; age range, 65-89 years). Hippocampal relaxation times were correlated with clinical status (patient vs control subject), age, sex, laterality (right vs left), and location within the hippocampus (body vs head). The hippocampal T2 value was correlated with the severity of disease in the patients. RESULTS No statistically significant difference in the relaxation times was found between the two clinical groups for the analysis of the right versus left hippocampi and the hippocampal head versus body. In both patients and control subjects, no correlation was found between T2 measurements and age or sex. Twenty-seven patients had a clinical dementia rating (CDR) score of 0.5 (very mild dementia), 21 patients had a CDR score of 1.0 (mild dementia), and eight patients had a CDR score of 2.0 (moderate dementia). The CDR score was not available in six patients. No statistically significant association between T2 values and severity of disease was observed. CONCLUSION MR relaxation time measurements in the hippocampus are not useful for the detection of Alzheimer disease.
Stimulatory effect of insulin on tubular sodium reabsorption in normotensive subjects with a positive family history of hypertension.

BACKGROUND Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia has been suggested as a pathogenetic mechanism in hypertension. METHODS In this investigation the renal response to insulin was studied in normotensive subjects with a positive family history of hypertension in two generations (n = 14), in one weight-matched (n = 11) and one lean (n = 13) control group. During hyperinsulinaemia (euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp technique) we determined renal haemodynamics (clearances of 51Cr-EDTA and PAH) and urinary sodium excretion. Lithium clearance was used to estimate the segmental tubular reabsorption of sodium. RESULTS In subjects with a positive family history of hypertension, hyperinsulinaemia did not influence renal plasma flow (RPF) or glomerular filtration rate (GFR) but urinary sodium excretion decreased by 50%. Estimated proximal tubular sodium reabsorption was unaffected by insulin while estimated distal fractional sodium reabsorption increased, P < 0.01. At the end of the clamp a low-dose infusion of angiotensin II (0.1 ng/kg per min) was superimposed. GFR and RPF then decreased significantly concomitant with urinary excretion of sodium. In control subjects hyperinsulinaemia caused an unchanged GFR in both groups, increased RPF in the lean control group and 15-25% reduction in sodium excretion. No alteration was seen in estimated proximal tubular sodium reabsorption, but estimated distal tubular sodium reabsorption increased (P < 0.05) in the lean control group. Angiotensin II elicited a further increase in distal fractional tubular sodium reabsorption in both groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION In normotensive subjects with a positive family history of hypertension, in contrast to control subjects without such history, hyperinsulinaemia caused a marked decrease in urinary sodium excretion in presence of unchanged RPF and GFR indicating a renal tubular effect of insulin located at distal site of the renal tubules. Angiotensin II caused further sodium retention, probably due to an effect on renal haemodynamics.
Wireless and Pyroelectric Sensory Fusion System for Indoor Human/Robot Localization and Monitoring

An indoor localization and monitoring system for robots and people is an important issue in robotics research. Although several monitoring systems are currently under development by previous investigators, these issues remain significant difficulties. For instance, the pyroelectric IR (PIR) system provides less accurate information of human location and is restricted when there are multiple targets. Furthermore, the RF localization system is constrained by its limited accuracy. In this study, we propose an indoor localization and monitoring system based on a wireless and PIR (WPIR) sensory fusion system. We develop a sensor-network-based localization method called the WPIR inference algorithm. This algorithm determines the fused position from both the PIR localization system and RF signal localization system, which utilize the received signal strength propagation model. We have developed and experimentally demonstrated a WPIR sensory fusion system, which can be successfully applied in localizing multiple targets based on two robots and two people in this study. With an accurate localization mechanism for the indoor environment, the provision of appropriate services for people can be realized.
Plastic micropump with ferrofluidic actuation

We present the realization and characterization of a new type of plastic micropump based on the magnetic actuation of a magnetic liquid. The pump consists of two serial check-valves that convert the periodic motion of a ferrofluidic plug into a pulsed quasi-continuous flow. The ferrofluid is actuated by the mechanical motion of an external NdFeB permanent magnet. The water-based ferrofluid is synthesized in-house using a coprecipitation method and has a saturation magnetization of 32 mT. The micropump consists of various layers of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), which are microstructured by powder blasting or by standard mechanical micromachining techniques, and are assembled in a single plastic structure using a monomer gluing solution. Two soft silicone membranes are integrated in the microfluidic structure to form two check-valves. Water has been successfully pumped at flow rates of up to 30 /spl mu/L/min and pumping is achieved at backpressures of up to 25 mbar.
The Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway Is Required for the Development of Leukemia Stem Cells in AML

A Pathway to Leukemia Leukemia is initiated and maintained by a small number of self-renewing cells called leukemia stem cells (LSCs), which share properties with hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), the self-renewing cells that produce healthy blood cells. Wang et al. (p. 1650) studied mouse models of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), a disease that is often refractory to existing therapies. Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was required for efficient oncogene-mediated conversion of HSCs into LSCs. This pathway is among the most well studied signaling pathways in cell biology, setting the stage for testing of β-catenin signaling antagonists in preclinical models of AML. The self-renewing cells that drive the growth of leukemia arise, in part, through activation of a well-known cell signaling pathway. Leukemia stem cells (LSCs) are capable of limitless self-renewal and are responsible for the maintenance of leukemia. Because selective eradication of LSCs could offer substantial therapeutic benefit, there is interest in identifying the signaling pathways that control their development. We studied LSCs in mouse models of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) induced either by coexpression of the Hoxa9 and Meis1a oncogenes or by the fusion oncoprotein MLL-AF9. We show that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is required for self-renewal of LSCs that are derived from either hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) or more differentiated granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (GMP). Because the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is normally active in HSCs but not in GMP, these results suggest that reactivation of β-catenin signaling is required for the transformation of progenitor cells by certain oncogenes. β-catenin is not absolutely required for self-renewal of adult HSCs; thus, targeting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway may represent a new therapeutic opportunity in AML.