Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combining Cooperative Relaying and Analog Network Coding to Improve Network Connectivity and Capacity in Vehicular Networks

Vehicular networks are a promising field in wireless networks enabling connection vehicles among themselves or between a vehicle and an infrastructure. These networks aim to offer several potential applications ranging from road safety applications and driver assistance to infotainment. However, these networks have limited coverage and capacity. Among the options that may help overcome these limitations, we can quote cooperative communications and analog network coding (ANC). The idea of this paper is to combine these two concepts in order to improve the vehicular network connectivity and capacity. The proposed solution is divided into three stages. The first stage aims at identifying the coding and relaying opportunities. The second stage uses a distributed scheme to select the Best Vehicular Relay among potential candidates when relaying is required, while the last stage performs our joint relaying and coding strategy on the received signals. In order to validate our approach, numerical analysis is performed to evaluate the performances in terms of raw Bit Error Rate (BER) and throughput. This confirmed our expectation showing that cooperative relaying achieves better performance than the direct transmission in terms of raw BER but decreases the throughput. However, by deploying analog network coding on the Best Vehicular Relay, the throughput is improved considerably at the price of a slight deterioration of the raw BER.
In situ embedding and vertical sectioning for electron microscopy of tissue cultures grown on plastic petri dishes.

Cell cultures, grown on Falcon polystyrene Petri dishes, can be open-face embedded in situ with Araldite and then vertically sectioned for electron microscopy without first separating the embedding resin from the culture dish. The polystyrene dish has cutting properties sufficiently similar to Araldite so that the different plastics adhere firmly to each other during sectioning. Both 1–1.5 μ and 60–100 nm sections are easily obtained. This technique permits ultrastructural studies of cells cultured in vitro while keeping intact the cell-substratum interface.
Social environment and sexual risk-taking among gay and transgender African American youth

More prevention effort is required as the HIV epidemic increases among gay and transgender African American youth. Using ecological systems theory and an integrative model of behaviour change, this study examines the sexual behaviour of gay and transgender African American young people as embedded within the unique social and structural environments affecting this population. Also examined is the important role played by mobile technology in the social and sexual lives of individuals. Seven focus groups were conducted with 54 African American young adults in a northeastern US city. The findings provide a rich examination of the social and sexual lives of gay and transgender African American youth, focusing on the social environment and the impact of the environment on sexual-risk behaviour.
Roles of Endothelial Oxidases in Endothelium-derived Hyperpolarizing Factor Responses in Mice

The endothelium synthesizes and releases several vasodilator substances, including prostacyclin, nitric oxide (NO), and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). We have demonstrated that endothelium-derived hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an EDHF in animals and humans and that superoxide anions derived from endothelial nitric oxide synthases (NOSs) system are an important precursor for EDHF/H2O2 in mice. There are several intracellular sources of superoxide anions other than NOSs, including NAD(P)H oxidase, xanthine oxidase, lipoxygenase, and mitochondrial electron transport chain. In this study, we examined the possible role of endothelial oxidases other than NOSs in the EDHF-mediated responses. In angiotensin II-infused mice, both EDHF-mediated relaxations and hyperpolarizations to acetylcholine were significantly reduced, nitric oxide-mediated relaxations were rather enhanced, and vascular smooth muscle responses were preserved. Antihypertensive treatment normalized blood pressure but failed to improve EDHF-mediated responses in those mice. Acute inhibition of endothelial oxidases other than NOSs, including NAD(P)H oxidase, xanthine oxidase, lipoxygenase, or mitochondrial electron transport chain, had no inhibitory effects on EDHF-mediated responses. Furthermore, in p47phox-knockout mice, EDHF-mediated responses were unaltered. These results suggest that endothelial oxidases other than NOSs are not involved in EDHF/H2O2 responses in mice, suggesting a specific link between endothelial NOSs system and EDHF responses under physiological conditions.
Prevalence and Outcome of Cytomegalovirus-associated Pneumonia in Relation to Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Aim: To investigate the antemortem prevalence and outcome of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-associated pneumonia in African children. Methods: A total of 202 children (median age, 3.2 months; 124 human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]-infected, 62%; 87 severely malnourished, 43%) sequentially hospitalized for severe pneumonia were prospectively investigated. In addition to routine microbiologic investigations, respiratory tract secretions and blood were submitted for CMV culture and qualitative and quantitative CMV polymerase chain reaction. Results: CMV-associated pneumonia was common (28%, 47/169) and more prevalent in HIV-infected than uninfected children (36% vs. 15%; odds ratio [OR], 3.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.3–7.4). CMV-associated pneumonia was more common than Pneumocystis pneumonia (27%) and other viral-associated pneumonia (19%) in HIV-infected children. In-hospital mortality was 25% (51/202) with increased mortality in HIV-infected compared with uninfected children (43/124 [35%] vs. 8/76 [11%]; OR, 4.5; 1.9–11.8). Increased mortality occurred in HIV-infected children with CMV-associated pneumonia (OR, 2.5; 1.04–6.5) but this association was not evident after adjusting for CD4 <15% (adjusted OR, 1.78; 0.6–4.6). Conclusions: CMV-associated pneumonia is common and associated with a poor outcome in children with advanced HIV disease. Improved diagnostic testing and increased access to antiviral therapy might improve the outcome of HIV-infected children with CMV-associated pneumonia.
Effect of Temperature on Life History of Cirrospilus vittatus (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), an Ectoparasitoid of Phyllocnistis citrella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae)

Abstract Cirrospilus vittatus is a generalist parasitoid detected on the invading Phyllocnistis citrella 1 yr after the introduction of this pest into Spain in 1993. In this study, the influence of temperature on parasitoid development, survival, and some selected life history parameters was determined. Development times shortened as the temperature increased from 15 to 30°C, but increased between 30 and 35°C. Larval development times varied the greatest over the range of temperatures, whereas egg development varied the least. The estimated upper and lower development thresholds were 38.2 and 8.2°C, respectively, and the maximal developmental rate (8.75 d−1) occurred at 31.5°C. The thermal constant was 275.1 ± 4.6 degree-days. Cirrospilus vittatus appeared to be a synovigenic species. Mean fecundity at 25°C was 39.17 eggs per female, and the oviposition rate fluctuated around five eggs per day. Superparasitism was quite common (42.8%), but fertility was high (85.6%). Immature C. vittatus survival was 58.1%. From these results, an intrinsic rate of increase of 0.126 females per female per day was estimated. Although under typical Mediterranean climatic conditions, development of C. vittatus could continue throughout the year, its reproductive fitness at 25°C is lower than other leafminer parasitoids attacking P. citrella in Spain. These results could account for the progressive displacement observed in field populations occurring between C. vittatus and the predominant indigenous parasitoids of P. citrella, Cirrospilus sp. near lyncus.
Stimulated release of lactate in freely moving rats is dependent on the uptake of glutamate.

1. Physiological stimulation of neuronal activity induces an increase in extracellular lactate. Experiments were designed to determine the role of the reuptake of neuronally released glutamate in lactate delivery to the extracellular compartment. 2. In vivo microdialysis was used in freely moving rats. The lactate concentration in striatal dialysate was assayed using an enzyme‐based on‐line assay at 1 min intervals. Drugs were given locally through the dialysis probe. 3. The extracellular concentration of lactate, determined using the zero net flux method, was 346 +/‐ 21 microM. 4. Induced grooming caused a maximal increase in lactate concentration in striatal dialysate of 58 +/‐ 10%. 5. Administration of 100 microM glutamate caused a transient increase in dialysate lactate concentration of 72 +/‐ 17%. 6. A 20 min infusion of the glutamate uptake blockers beta‐D,L‐threohydroxyaspartate (THA) or pirrolidine‐2‐4‐dicarboxylate (PDC) produced an increase in basal lactate, which was sustained in response to THA and transient in response to PDC. 7. Grooming induced during the infusion of PDC produced no significant increase in lactate. 8. Grooming induced after the infusion of the glutamate uptake blockers gave rise to a reduced increase in lactate. 9. These results support the hypothesis that stimulated release of lactate is dependent on the uptake of glutamate.
A 1-year, randomized, placebo-controlled study of donepezil in patients with mild to moderate AD

Objective: To evaluate the long-term clinical efficacy and safety of donepezil versus placebo over 1 year in patients with mild to moderate AD. Methods: Patients (n = 286; mean age, 72.5 years) with possible or probable AD from five Northern European countries were randomized to receive either donepezil (n = 142; 5 mg/day for 28 days, followed by 10 mg/day) or placebo (n = 144) for 1 year. Results: The study was completed by 66.9% of the donepezil- and 67.4% of the placebo-treated patients. The benefit of donepezil over placebo was demonstrated by the Gottfries-Bråne-Steen (a global assessment for rating dementia symptoms) total score at weeks 24, 36, and 52 (p < 0.05) and at the study end point (week 52, last observation carried forward; p = 0.054). Advantages of donepezil over placebo were also observed in cognition and activities of daily living (ADL) assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination at weeks 24, 36, and 52, and the end point (p < 0.02) and by the Progressive Deterioration Scale at week 52 and the end point (p < 0.05). Adverse events (AE) were recorded for 81.7% of donepezil- and 75.7% of placebo-treated patients, with 7% of donepezil- and 6.3% of placebo-treated patients discontinuing because of AE. Treatment response to donepezil was not predicted by APOE genotype or sex in this population. Conclusion: As the first 1-year, multinational, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of a cholinesterase inhibitor in AD, these data support donepezil as a well tolerated and effective long-term treatment for patients with AD, with benefits over placebo on global assessment, cognition, and ADL.
Enhancing Hope Among Early Female Survivors of Childhood Cancer via the Internet: A Feasibility Study

The purpose of this research was to establish the feasibility of delivering the Hope Intervention Program (HIP) using a Web-based design among 6 female survivors of childhood cancer. The HIP is an 8-week program to foster and promote hope. Each session of the HIP has specific focus, goals, and activities that offer opportunities for participants to share and discuss issues of importance to them. The HIP was delivered online with the use of educational software that included Web cameras and voice and text chat capabilities. Feasibility was evaluated by examining how easily and effectively the software and hardware technology could be used to deliver the HIP and if meaningful dialogue and interactions among the study participants and the nurse interventionist could occur online. The evaluation of this study suggested that using a Web-based approach was effective in the delivery of the intervention, as evidenced by participants' evaluation of the program and their descriptive comments that reflect that the online sessions promoted intimate, meaningful human-to-human interactions to foster hope and build a trusting relationship among and between group members. The results of this study suggest that Web-based psychosocial nursing interventions for survivors of childhood survivors are feasible for nurse researchers to conduct.
Hyperthermic pretreatment decreases microvascular protein leakage and attenuates hypotension in anaphylactic shock in rats.

Systemic anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction and its pathologic conditions, such as edema, bronchospasm, and hypotension, have been attributed to release of vasoactive mediators. Heat shock protein (HSP) is known to play a protective role in living cells under various stresses. In these studies, we investigated the protective role of heat shock response in anaphylactic shock, focusing on changes of blood pressure (BP) and vascular permeability. Adult sensitized rats were injected intravenously with Evans blue (EB) and challenged with bovine serum albumin (BSA). The rats were treated with whole-body hyperthermia at 41.5 +/- 0.5 degrees for 15 min 24 h before BSA challenge. Vascular protein leakage in tissues was analyzed with the EB technique. The results showed that BSA challenge induced EB extravasation in all sensitized rats. EB values (EB/tissue; microg/g) in heart and lung (112.3 +/- 41 and 244.4 +/- 90.6; mean +/- SD; n = 6) in the nonheated rats were significantly higher than those (33.4 +/- 23.3 and 103.4 +/- 63.9; n = 9) in the heated rats (P < 0.05). The results showed that BSA challenge caused BP to fall drastically in the sensitized rats. BP in the heated rats was significantly higher than BP in the nonheated rats from 4 to 15 min during anaphylactic shock (P < 0.001). Inducible HSP72 appeared overexpressed in heart, lung, and liver tissue in the heated rats tested by Western immunoblotting. The results indicate that reduction of increased protein leakage and attenuation of hypotension may result from induction of HSP by whole-body hyperthermia.
Acute Gastroenteritis in Children Attending Day‐Care Centres with Special Reference to Rotavirus Infections

Acute gastroenteritis (GE) among 214 children (aged 6 months – 7 years) attending day‐care centres (DDCs) in the Copenhagen County was studied during a 12‐month period. A total of 197 cases of GE was observed in 109 children (i.e. 51% of the participants). The aetiology was as follows: rotavirus (n=48) (24%), pathogenic bacteria (n=11) (6%), Giardia lamblia (n=3) (2%), while the aetiology of 68% remains unknown. The pathogenic bacteria included Yersinia enterocolitica, thermophilic Campylobacter, Clostridium difficile (±toxin) and enteropathogenic E. coli. In 4% of the GE the infections were multiple and Cryptosporidium was seen in one of these cases. The rate of GE declined with age from 1.35 GE per child per year (age group 1.0– <2.0 years) to 0.36 (6.0 – <8.0 years). Serum sampled at the start of the study period showed that the frequency of detectable rotavirus IgG increased with age from 48% in the 6 months – <1.0 year group to 96% in the 4.0 – <7.0 year group. The highest rates of rotavirus GE occurred from January to April (i.e. the rotavirus season). Moreover, rotavirus GE was almost absent after the age of 4. Hence, the rates of rotavirus GE per rotavirus season per child were 0.80 (age group 6 months–<1.0 year), 0.32 (1.0–<2.0), 0.14 (2.0–<3.0), 0.16 (3.0–<4.0), 0.06 (4.0–<5.0) and 0.04 (5.0–<6.0). Only 2 out of the 48 rotavirus GE were reinfections. The 32 children with asymptomatic rotavirus infections and those with rotavirus GE showed a similar distribution of age and season. A cross‐sectional study of the prevalence of rotavirus excretion during the rotavirus season revealed only a single true asymptomatic excretor.
On the Role of FOX Transcription Factors in Adipocyte Differentiation and Insulin-stimulated Glucose Uptake*

In this study, we explore the effects of several FOX and mutant FOX transcription factors on adipocyte determination, differentiation, and metabolism. In addition to Foxc2 and Foxo1, we report that Foxf2, Foxp1, and Foxa1 are other members of the Fox family that show regulated expression during adipogenesis. Although enforced expression of FOXC2 inhibits adipogenesis, Foxf2 slightly enhances the rate of differentiation. Constitutively active FOXC2-VP16 inhibits adipogenesis through multiple mechanisms. FOXC2-VP16 impairs the transient induction of C/EBPβ during adipogenesis and induces expression of the transcriptional repressor Hey1 as well as the activator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, Wnt10b. The constitutive transcriptional repressor, FOXC2-Eng, enhances adipogenesis of preadipocytes and multipotent mesenchymal precursors and determines NIH-3T3 and C2C12 cells to the adipocyte lineage. Although PPARγ ligand or C/EBPα are not necessary for stimulation of adipogenesis by FOXC2-Eng, at least low levels of PPARγ protein are absolutely required. Finally, expression of FOXC2-Eng in adipocytes increases insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, further expanding the profound and pleiotropic effects of FOX transcription factors on adipocyte biology.
Comparison of Manual Therapy Techniques with Therapeutic Exercise in the Treatment of Shoulder Impingement: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Clinical Trial

Abstract The purpose of this double-blind, randomized controlled pilot study was to compare the effectiveness of four physical therapy interventions in the treatment of primary shoulder impingement syndrome: 1) supervised exercise only, 2) supervised exercise with glenohumeral mobilizations, 3) supervised exercise with a mobilization-with-movement (MWM) technique, or 4) a control group receiving only physician advice. Thirty-three subjects diagnosed with primary shoulder impingement were randomly assigned to one of these four groups. Main outcome measures included 24-hour pain (VAS), pain with the Neer and Hawkins-Kennedy tests, shoulder active range of motion (AROM), and shoulder function (SPADI). Repeated-measures analyses indicated significant decreases in pain, improved function, and increases in AROM. Univariate analyses on the percentage of change from pre- to post-treatment for each dependent variable found no statistically significant differences (P<0.05) between the four groups. Although not significant, the MWM and mobilization groups had a higher percentage of change from pre- to post-treatment on all three pain measures (VAS, Neer, Hawkins-Kennedy). The three intervention groups had a higher percentage of change on the SPADI. The MWM group had the highest percentage of change in AROM, and the mobilization group had the lowest. This pilot study suggests that performing glenohumeral mobilizations and MWM in combination with a supervised exercise program may result in a greater decrease in pain and improved function although studies with larger samples and discriminant sampling methods are needed.
Responses of human fetal mesenchymal stem cells to various poly(e-caprolactone) films: A comparison study

Poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) films have been applied for vascular tissue engineering. However, few studies studied the effects of fabrication process of PCL film on vascular cell proliferation. In this study, we used different processing methods, incorporating stretching, to fabricate various PCL films. Thickness of films before and after stretch and proliferation ability of human fetal mesenchymal stem cells (hfMSCs) on these films were investigated. Our results showed that stretching significantly reduces the thickness of solvent cast, heat press and cast stretch films (0.22×, 0.59×, 0.60×, p &#60; 0.001, p &#60; 0.01, p &#60; 0.05) while increasing the thickness of electrospun fibrous film (1.27×). Heat-press PCL film maintains good stiffness after stretching. Cell testing results showed that fabrication method and stretching both affect the proliferation ability of hfMSCs. Heat-press PCL film after stretching, compared with other films, has moderate ability to allow hfMSCs proliferation. Using collagen coating as positive control, stretched heat-press PCL film shows comparable ability to allow hfMSCs adhesion and proliferation. In addition, earlier passage hfMSCs possess larger proliferation ability on stretched heat-press PCL film than later passage cells (1.34× – 1.58×, p &#60; 0.01, p &#60; 0.001). In conclusion, heat-press PCL film after stretching reduces the material usage and possesses good ability to allow hfMSCs adhesion and proliferation. Therefore, it could be a promising substrate for vascular tissue engineering applications.
Mapping of the Neisseria meningitidis NadA Cell-Binding Site: Relevance of Predicted α-Helices in the NH2-Terminal and Dimeric Coiled-Coil Regions

ABSTRACT NadA is a trimeric autotransporter protein of Neisseria meningitidis belonging to the group of oligomeric coiled-coil adhesins. It is implicated in the colonization of the human upper respiratory tract by hypervirulent serogroup B N. meningitidis strains and is part of a multiantigen anti-serogroup B vaccine. Structure prediction indicates that NadA is made by a COOH-terminal membrane anchor (also necessary for autotranslocation to the bacterial surface), an intermediate elongated coiled-coil-rich stalk, and an NH2-terminal region involved in cell interaction. Electron microscopy analysis and structure prediction suggest that the apical region of NadA forms a compact and globular domain. Deletion studies proved that the NH2-terminal sequence (residues 24 to 87) is necessary for cell adhesion. In this study, to better define the NadA cell binding site, we exploited (i) a panel of NadA mutants lacking sequences along the coiled-coil stalk and (ii) several oligoclonal rabbit antibodies, and their relative Fab fragments, directed to linear epitopes distributed along the NadA ectodomain. We identified two critical regions for the NadA-cell receptor interaction with Chang cells: the NH2 globular head domain and the NH2 dimeric intrachain coiled-coil α-helices stemming from the stalk. This raises the importance of different modules within the predicted NadA structure. The identification of linear epitopes involved in receptor binding that are able to induce interfering antibodies reinforces the importance of NadA as a vaccine antigen.
Infrared image system for microelectronic devices: Auto focus and image correlation techniques

An infrared (IR) microscope camera system is used to measure the temperature distribution of power devices. In general, a microscope camera system contains a fixed lens; this means the whole camera has to be moved to detect focus images. During the heating up or cooling down process the thermo-mechanical expansion influences the measurement results. For the calibration, a pixel-by-pixel registration of individual images is required. The issues concerning finding the focus image and guarantee a pixel-by-pixel overlap in the image sequence are solved by the proposed auto focus and the image correlation algorithm. To detect the focus position and corresponding focus image, passive focusing is used, where a focus curve is recorded. The gradient operator is used to compute the focus value. Image registration is applied to compute the distortion between the images and guarantee a pixel-by-pixel overlap. In our case, the most significant parameter is the displacement, hence a simple image correlation algorithm is implemented.