Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A reconfigurable protocol setting to improve TCP over wireless

Wireless access to the Internet requires that information integrity be preserved while transmitting data over the radio channel. Automatic repeat request (ARQ) schemes and transport control protocol (TCP) are often used as error-control techniques at the link layer and at the transport layer, respectively. In this paper, we study the interactions between an ARQ protocol and TCP when the last hop of the connection path is wireless. Link layer retransmissions are used to hide losses over the wireless link to TCP and to avoid that TCP interprets these losses as signs of network congestion. By adapting the protocol parameter setting at the link and transport layers to the time-varying characteristics of the wireless channel, we obtain a reliable communication link in spite of disadvantageous radio channel conditions. The number of retransmissions of the ARQ scheme and the TCP segment size can be set to proper values that, given certain propagation conditions, enable the desired quality of service (QoS) at the transport layer. In order to derive the protocol parameter setting fulfilling the QoS requirements, we develop detailed models of the ARQ protocol and TCP by using standard Markovian techniques. Through these models, the impact of the link layer functions on the TCP performance is evaluated in the presence of different wireless environments.
UBM-based real-time speaker segmentation for broadcasting news

This paper addresses the problem of real-time speaker change detection in broadcast news, in which no prior knowledge on speakers is assumed. Our speaker segmentation is a "coarse to refine" process, which consists of two stages: pre-segmentation and refinement. In the pre-segmentation stage, a new approach based on Gaussian mixture model-universal background model (GMM-UBM) is proposed to categorize feature vectors into three sets, i.e. reliable speaker-related set, doubtful speaker-related set and unreliable speaker-related set, in order to enhance the effect of the reliable speaker-related feature vectors. Then potential speaker change boundaries are detected based on a novel distance measure. In the refinement stage, incremental speaker adaptation (ISA), which is suitable for real-time requirement, is proposed to obtain considerably precise speaker models so that the potential speaker change boundaries can be confirmed and refined. Experimental results demonstrate that our approach yields satisfactory performance.
The connexin gene family in mammals

Abstract Unannotated mammalian genome databases (dog, cow, opossum) were searched for candidate connexin genes, using sequences from annotated genomes (man, mouse). All 18 ‘multi-species’connexin genes, i.e., orthologs of connexin26, 29/31.3 (duplicated in opossum), 30, 30.2/31.9, 30.3, 31, 31.1, 32, 36, 37, 39/40.1, 40, 43, 45, 44/46, 47, 50, and 57/62, were found in dog, cow and opossum. Connexin25 and 58 have been considered specific for man, but evident orthologs of connexin25 were found in dog, cow and opossum, and orthologs of connexin58 were found in dog and cow. Moreover, a connexin43-like sequence (approx. 80% identical to connexin43) was found in man, chimpanzee, dog and cow. In the three former species, the sequences were located on the X chromosome. In man, chimpanzee and cow, there were stop codons in all reading frames; these sequences are therefore judged as pseudogenes, called here Cx43pX. In the dog, the sequence contained an open reading frame for a protein of 35.7 kDa (connexin35.7). We suggest that these sequences are orthologs of connexin33, previously considered as a rodent-specific connexin gene. Thus, connexin25, 33 and 58 are not species-specific genes. However, the opossum may possess a candidate, connexin39.2, without obvious orthologs in other mammals. Furthermore, pseudogenes of primate connexin31.3 and opossum connexin35 (one of the two orthologs of primate connexin31.3) were detected. These results suggest that the structure of the mammalian connexin gene family should be revised, especially with regard to the so-called ‘species-specific’connexins.
Identification of three complementation units in the gerA spore germination locus of Bacillus subtilis

The gerA locus, mutations in which affect the germination response of spores to L-alanine and related amino acids, is contained within a 6-kilobase region of DNA cloned in phage and plasmid vectors. Fragments from this region, subcloned in the shuttle vector pHV33, were introduced into Bacillus subtilis, and their ability to complement chromosomal gerA mutations in a recE4 background was examined. Although the plasmids were somewhat unstable, it was possible to score complementation within spore-containing colonies on nutrient agar by their ability to reduce 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride in an overlay. These studies have assigned the 10 gerA mutations tested to three complementation groups. An analysis of Tn1000 insertions into the cloned DNA of two relatively stable plasmids that together encompass the entire gerA region has identified more precisely the location and extent of the complementation units; recombination studies and in vitro mutagenesis were used to further delineate the extents of two of the units. The evidence suggests that the three complementation units are adjacent and that they are probably capable of separate transcription.
An Algorithm for Solving Dynamic Capacitated Plant Location Problems with Discrete Expansion Sizes

In the Dynamic Capacitated Plant Location Problem DCPLP the task is to find a time schedule and sizes for installing facilities at plant locations to minimize the discounted cost of capital expenditures over the planning horizon. The costs include setup costs for establishing facilities, volume dependent operational costs, and transportation costs for distributing demand from facilities to customers. We consider a class of the DCPLP in which the available facilities have finite capacities and the number of facility types is relatively small so that the expansion sizes cannot be modeled by continuous variables. The DCPLP is formulated as a combinatorial optimization problem that allows consideration of more than one fatality type and finds the optimum mix of facilities in each location. We describe an optimization algorithm for solving the DCPLP based on the Lagrangian relaxation technique. Algorithms for converting infeasible optimal solutions of the Lagrangian to a feasible solution of the DCPLP are presented. The procedure has been tested on both randomly generated and real-life based problems. Computational results indicate that the algorithm produces solutions within 3% of the lower bounds for a wide range of input data.
Genotyping by Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis Reveals Persistence and Recurrence of Infection with Streptococcus anginosus Group Organisms

ABSTRACT Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus constellatus, and Streptococcus intermedius, commonly referred to as the Streptococcus anginosus group (SAG), are commensal organisms known for their propensity to cause purulent infections which are difficult to eradicate. In this study, we determined the genetic similarities between SAG isolates consecutively recovered from single patients to assess the duration of infection or colonization. A total of 97 SAG isolates recovered from 30 patients were included; 65 (67.0%) of the isolates were abscess related. The isolates were identified by the 16S rRNA reverse line blot hybridization assay as S. anginosus (n = 34), S. constellatus (n = 55), and S. intermedius (n = 8). Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis of the SAG isolates produced discriminatory and reproducible patterns. Consecutive SAG isolates with identical AFLP types were found in 27 of 30 (90.0%) patients, and consecutive isolates with only a single AFLP type were demonstrated in 21 (70.0%) patients. The median delay between the times of recovery of the first and last isolates of identical AFLP types from each patient was 36 days, and this delay extended for more than 1 year in patients with both colonizing and abscess-related SAG isolates. In six bacteremic patients, paired blood and nonblood SAG isolates showed identical AFLP types.
Need for cognition moderates paranormal beliefs and magical ideation in inconsistent-handers

ABSTRACT A growing literature suggests that degree of handedness predicts gullibility and magical ideation. Inconsistent-handers (people who use their non-dominant hand for at least one common manual activity) report more magical ideation and are more gullible. The current study tested whether this effect is moderated by need for cognition. One hundred eighteen university students completed questionnaires assessing handedness, self-reported paranormal beliefs, and self-reported need for cognition. Handedness (Inconsistent vs. Consistent Right) and Need for Cognition (High vs. Low) were treated as categorical predictors. Both paranormal beliefs and magical ideation served as dependent variable’s in separate analyses. Neither set of tests yielded main effects for handedness or need for cognition. However, there were a significant handedness by need for cognition interactions. Post-hoc comparisons revealed that low, but not high, need for cognition inconsistent-handers reported relatively elevated levels of paranormal belief and magical ideation. A secondary set of tests treating the predictor variables as continuous instead of categorical obtained the same overall pattern.
Different benefit of bispectal index (BIS™) in desflurane and propofol anesthesia

Background: Bispectal index (BIS™) monitoring may reduce drug usage and hasten recovery in propofol and inhalation anesthesia. The faster emergence profile of desflurane may reduce the effect of BIS monitoring on recovery from desflurane compared with propofol. This study compared hypnotic drug usage, recovery, patient satisfaction and incidence of inadequate sedation in BIS monitored and nonmonitored women anesthetized with desflurane or propofol.
An approach to constructing reversible multi-qubit benchmarks with provably minimal implementations

This paper reports on a method of the construction of new difficult benchmarks for reversible logic synthesis. It is shown how to extrapolate 3- and 4-variable reversible functions implemented by gate count minimal circuits having regular structure. In this way sequences of reversible functions of an arbitrary number of variables have been constructed for which we have built minimal circuits implementing them. For two example sequences of functions we applied the synthesis tool Revkit trying different synthesis algorithms. The outcome shows a large gap between the circuits synthesized by the tool and the ones proved minimal by construction.
The Nature and Causes of Unintended Events Reported at 10 Internal Medicine Departments

Objective This study aimed to examine the nature and causes of unintended events (UEs) at internal medicine departments (IMD). Methods An observational study was conducted at 10 IMDs in 8 Dutch hospitals. The study period per participating department was 5 to 14 weeks. During this period, staff were asked to report all UEs concerning patient safety. To identify underlying root causes, experienced researchers analyzed the reports using a standardized root cause analysis method called PRISMA medical. Results Hospital staff reported 625 UEs. Medication-related UEs were the most reported events (42%). Of all reported UEs, 12% involved the collaboration between the IMD and other departments within the hospital. On the basis of the 625 UEs, 920 root causes were identified. The mean (SD) number of root causes per incident was 1.47 (0.68). Human root causes were related to 83.2% of the UEs, organizational root causes were related to 15.7%, technical root causes were related to 7%, and other root causes were related to 8.6% of the UEs. More than half of the reported UEs reached the patient (62%), with suboptimal care as the most frequently occurring consequence (44.7%). Physical injury occurred in 10.3% of the UEs. Conclusions Hospital staff reporting UEs seems to be a good method for gaining insight into the types of UEs that occur at hospital departments. Although many UEs had human causes, identifying technical and organizational causes is important for the development of successful improvement strategies considering their contribution to human error. Important targets for these strategies are the medication process and collaboration within the hospital.
Reverse Monte Carlo study of spherical sample under non-periodic boundary conditions: the structure of Ru nanoparticles based on x-ray diffraction data

A new method to fit experimental diffraction data with non-periodic structure models for spherical particles was implemented in the reverse Monte Carlo simulation code. The method was tested on x-ray diffraction data for ruthenium (Ru) nanoparticles approximately 5.6 nm in diameter. It was found that the atomic ordering in the ruthenium nanoparticles is quite distorted, barely resembling the hexagonal structure of bulk Ru. The average coordination number for the bulk decreased from 12 to 11.25. A similar lack of structural order has been observed with other nanoparticles (e.g. Petkov et al 2008 J. Phys. Chem. C 112 8907–11) indicating that atomic disorder is a widespread feature of nanoparticles less than 10 nm in diameter.
FLORA: a framework for decomposing software architecture to introduce local recovery

The decomposition of software architecture into modular units is usually driven by the required quality concerns. In this paper we focus on the impact of local recovery concern on the decomposition of the software system. For achieving local recovery, the system needs to be decomposed into separate units that can be recovered in isolation. However, it appears that this required decomposition for recovery is usually not aligned with the decomposition based on functional concerns. Moreover, introducing local recovery to a software system, while preserving the existing decomposition, is not trivial and requires substantial development and maintenance effort. To reduce this effort we propose a framework that supports the decomposition and implementation of software architecture for local recovery. The framework provides reusable abstractions for defining recoverable units and the necessary coordination and communication protocols for recovery. We discuss our experiences in the application and evaluation of the framework for introducing local recovery to the open‐source media player called MPlayer. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The pharmacokinetics of caudal ropivacaine 0.2% in children

This study evaluates the pharmacokinetics of ropivacaine in children after caudal epidural injection. Twenty male children undergoing inguinal hernia repair were enrolled after ethics committee approval and informed parental consent, and were grouped according to age (10 ‘infants’ aged less than 1 year and 10 ‘toddlers’ aged 1–5 years). After induction of general anaesthesia, caudal epidural injection using ropivacaine 0.2% 1 ml.kg−1 was performed. Plasma concentrations of ropivacaine in the first 2 h after injection were determined by reversed‐phase high‐pressure liquid chromatography. Caudal blockade with ropivacaine 2 mg.ml−1 resulted in mean (SD) peak plasma concentrations of 0.73 [0.27]µg. ml−1 in infants and 0.49 [0.21]µg. ml−1 in toddlers (p < 0.01). Maximum plasma concentrations occurred after a median [range] period of 60 [15–90] min and 52.5 [30–120] min in infants and toddlers, respectively. Two infants (weighing 3.8 and 5.0 kg) showed the highest individual maximum plasma concentrations: 1.31 and 1.11 µg. ml−1. No clinical signs of local anaesthetic toxicity were observed. The results of the present investigation suggest that, from a pharmacokinetic point of view, caudal blockade using ropivacaine 0.2% 1 ml.kg−1 can be regarded as a safe technique in children, i.e. in infants as well as in toddlers.
Christopher Trenholm Barbara Devaney Kenneth Fortson Melissa Clark Lisa Quay Justin Wheeler Impacts of Abstinence Education on Teen Sexual Activity , Risk of Pregnancy , and Risk of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

This paper examines the impacts of four abstinence-only education programs on adolescent sexual activity and risks of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Based on an experimental design, the impact analysis uses survey data collected in 2005 and early 2006 from more than 2,000 teens who had been randomly assigned to either a program group that was eligible to participate in one of the four programs or a control group that was not. The findings show no significant impact on teen sexual activity, no differences in rates of unprotected sex, and some impacts on knowledge of STDs and perceived effectiveness of condoms and birth control pills. © 2008 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
The New European Directive on in vitro Diagnostics

Abstract The Directive on in vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices (IVDD 98/79/EC) was officially adopted by the European Union (EU) on December 7, 1998. The IVDD aims to supplement the legal framework of the European Community, which governs the conditions for the placing on the market of medical devices, by extending the already implemented legislation to the category of in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDs). They consist of those devices, including reagents and reagent products, calibrator materials or instruments, as well as specimen receptacles, intended by the manufacturer for the in vitro analysis of specimens derived from the human body. This directive has introduced at the European level common regulatory requirements across Europe for the safety, quality and performance of in vitro diagnostics (IVDs), incorporating them into medical device legislation. It harmonizes the conformity assessment procedures to be applied by manufacturers before they place IVDs on the market. For certain products expressly specified in the directive, of which the most important are used for the evaluation of the safety of blood supply and patient testing, the manufacturer will have to take into account in their performance evaluation the so-called "Common Technical Specifications" (CTS). These are needed to establish the performance characteristics of the IVDs in evaluation and have the same status as harmonized standards. In the meantime, the IVD directive has been transposed into national law in all EU countries. During a transitional period ending in December 2003, manufacturers will have the option of following pre-existing national regulatory processes or taking their IVDs through the new procedures as specified in the directive. Following this, starting from 7th December 2003, adherence to the directive regulations will become mandatory, and only IVDs bearing the "Communautés Européennes (CE) mark" can then be sold in the EU. Clin Chem Lab Med 2003; 41(10): 12891298
On Outage of WPC System With Relay Selection Over Nakagami- $m$ Fading Channels

This paper considers a dual-hop wireless powered cooperative system with multiple relays, which consists of a source (S), a destination (D), and multiple relay candidates. These relay candidates can harvest energy from the interference signals to transfer the decoded data to D. Two classic relay selection schemes, i.e., the optimal source-relay link (OSRL) and optimal source-relay-destination link (OSRDL) schemes, are considered to choose a best relay to aid the transmission between S and D under the conditional decode-and-forward (DF) scheme. The closed-form expressions of the outage probability for the two considered relay selection schemes have been derived and verified over independent Nakagami-$m$ fading channels.
Effects of salt addition on the microencapsulation of proteins using W/O/W double emulsion technique

The influence of co-encapsulation of stabilizing additives together with BSA on microsphere characteristics using the modified water-in-oil-in-water emulsion solvent evaporation (W/O/W) method was investigated. For this purpose, poly(L-lactide) microspheres containing bovine serun albumin (BSA) were prepared. The morphology, porosity, specific surface area, particle size, encapsulation efficiency and kinetics of drug release of protein loaded microspheres were analysed in relation to the influence of co-encapsulated stabilizing additives such as electrolytes. High salt concentrations in the internal (W1) aqueous phase, often necessary to stabilize protein or antigen solutions, led to an increase in particle size, particle size distribution, porosity and specific surface area. Bulk density and encapsulation efficiency decreased. The release profile was characterized by a high initial burst due to the highly porous structure. Addition of salt to the external or continuous water phase (W2), however, stabilized the encapsulation process and, therefore, resulted in improved microsphere characteristics as a dense morphology, a reduced initial burst release, a drastically increased bulk density and encapsulation efficiency. Analysis of the specific surface area (BET) showed that the addition of salt to W2, regardless of the salt concentration in the W1 phase, decreased the surface area of the microspheres approximately 23-fold. Microsphere properties were influenced by salts additions through the osmotic pressure gradients between the two aqueous phases and the water flux during microsphere formation. Release profiles and encapsulation efficiencies correlated well with the porosity and the surface area of microspheres. Furthermore, the influence of a low molecular weight drug and different time-points of salt addition to W2 on microsphere characteristics were studied by encapsulation of acid orange 63 (AO63), confirming the results obtained with BSA. This study suggests that modification of the external water phase by adding salts is a simple and efficient method to encapsulate stabilized protein solution, with high encapsulation efficiency and good microsphere characteristics.
Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a review for clinicians

Abstract Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the lower airways of COPD patients, bacterial infection is a common phenomenon and Haemophilus influenzae is the most commonly identified bacteria. Haemophilus influenzae is divided into typeable and nontypeable (NTHi) strains based on the presence or absence of a polysaccharide capsule. While NTHi is a common commensal in the human nasopharynx, it is associated with considerable inflammation when it is present in the lower airways of COPD patients, resulting in morbidity due to worsening symptoms and increased frequency of COPD exacerbations. Treatment of lower airway NTHi infection with antibiotics, though successful in the short term, does not offer long-term protection against reinfection, nor does it change the course of the disease. Hence, there has been much interest in the development of an effective NTHi vaccine. This review will summarize the current literature concerning the role of NTHi infections in COPD patients and the consequences of using prophylactic antibiotics in patients with COPD. There is particular focus on the rationale, findings of clinical studies and possible future directions of NTHi vaccines in patients with COPD.