Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SOSIMPLE: A Serverless, Standards-based, P2P SIP Communication System

Voice over IP (VoIP) and instant messaging (IM) systems to date have either followed a client-server model or have required the use of clients that do not follow any VoIP or IM standard. We present SOSIMPLE - a fully decentralized, P2P, standards-based approach to communications. By building on the existing SIP/SIMPLE infrastructure for VoIP and IM, we support reuse of clients, network infrastructure, and open-source protocol stacks designed using current standards. By avoiding traditional centralized architectures, SOSIMPLE addresses corporate privacy concerns, eliminates dependency on constant Internet connectivity, and supports ad hoc groups. SOSIMPLE implements a DHT overlay based on Chord (Stoicha et al., 2001) using SIP messages, replicating location information for reliability. The DHT is used only for lookups, with actual communication passing directly between clients. We discuss important issues for security and authentication, as well as adaptations of conventional P2P routing for the social networks typical of personal communications. We are testing a prototype implementation of SOSIMPLE and anticipate a public release in the near future
Essential Biological Processes of an Emerging Pathogen: DNA Replication, Transcription, and Cell Division in Acinetobacter spp

SUMMARY Within the last 15 years, members of the bacterial genus Acinetobacter have risen from relative obscurity to be among the most important sources of hospital-acquired infections. The driving force for this has been the remarkable ability of these organisms to acquire antibiotic resistance determinants, with some strains now showing resistance to every antibiotic in clinical use. There is an urgent need for new antibacterial compounds to combat the threat imposed by Acinetobacter spp. and other intractable bacterial pathogens. The essential processes of chromosomal DNA replication, transcription, and cell division are attractive targets for the rational design of antimicrobial drugs. The goal of this review is to examine the wealth of genome sequence and gene knockout data now available for Acinetobacter spp. , highlighting those aspects of essential systems that are most suitable as drug targets. Acinetobacter spp. show several key differences from other pathogenic gammaproteobacteria, particularly in global stress response pathways. The involvement of these pathways in short- and long-term antibiotic survival suggests that Acinetobacter spp. cope with antibiotic-induced stress differently from other microorganisms.
Using regional climate models to simulate extreme rainfall events in the Western Cape, South Africa

This study evaluates the capability of regional climate models (RCMs) in simulating extreme rainfall events over Southern Africa, and in reproducing the characteristics of widespread extreme rainfall events (WERE) in the Western Cape (South Africa). We obtained simulation datasets of nine RCMs from the Co‐ordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) and compared them with observation datasets from the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) and Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) as well as with the reanalysis dataset (ERAINT) that forced the simulations. A self‐organising map was used to classify the WEREs into 12 nodes. The contribution of each RCM to each node was compared with the contributions of GPCP, TRMM and ERAINT. Using ERAINT dataset, we analysed the synoptic‐scale atmospheric condition associated with each node.
Soil-Borne Microbial Functional Structure across Different Land Uses

Land use change alters the structure and composition of microbial communities. However, the links between environmental factors and microbial functions are not well understood. Here we interrogated the functional structure of soil microbial communities across different land uses. In a multivariate regression tree analysis of soil physicochemical properties and genes detected by functional microarrays, the main factor that explained the different microbial community functional structures was C : N ratio. C : N ratio showed a significant positive correlation with clay and soil pH. Fields with low C : N ratio had an overrepresentation of genes for carbon degradation, carbon fixation, metal reductase, and organic remediation categories, while fields with high C : N ratio had an overrepresentation of genes encoding dissimilatory sulfate reductase, methane oxidation, nitrification, and nitrogen fixation. The most abundant genes related to carbon degradation comprised bacterial and fungal cellulases; bacterial and fungal chitinases; fungal laccases; and bacterial, fungal, and oomycete polygalacturonases. The high number of genes related to organic remediation was probably driven by high phosphate content, while the high number of genes for nitrification was probably explained by high total nitrogen content. The functional gene diversity found in different soils did not group the sites accordingly to land management. Rather, the soil factors, C : N ratio, phosphate, and total N, were the main factors driving the differences in functional genes across the fields examined.
Blind image restoration via recursive filtering using deterministic constraints

Classical linear image restoration techniques assume that the linear shift invariant blur, also known as the point-spread function (PSF), is known prior to restoration. In many practical situations, however, the PSF is unknown and the problem of image restoration involves the simultaneous identification of the true image and PSF from the degraded observation. Such a process is referred to as blind deconvolution. This paper presents a novel blind deconvolution method for image restoration. The method is flexible for incorporating different constraints on the true image. An example of the method is given for situations in which the imaged scene consists of a finite support object against a uniformly grey background. The only information required are the nonnegativity of the true image and the support size of the original object. For situations in which the exact object support is unknown, a novel support-finding algorithm is proposed.
On the universality of the Jordan center for estimating the rumor source in a social network

We consider the problem of finding the source of a rumor spreading in a social network. We assume that our knowledge of the rumor spreading is limited to the graph topology of the underlying social network and which nodes recently posted the rumor, but not the rates of rumor spreading nor the rumor spreading model. we are interested in finding a source estimator that is applicable to various spreading models, including the Susceptible-Infected (SI), Susceptible-Infected-Recovered (SIR) and Susceptible-Infected-Recovered-Infected (SIRI) models. We show that under all three considered rumor spreading models and with mild technical assumptions, the Jordan center is an optimal rumor source estimator under the most likely infection path criterion. This conclusion applies for a wide range of spreading parameters where nodes may have different infection, recovery and reinfection rates. Since the Jordan center does not depend on the infection, recovery and reinfection rates, it can be regarded as a universal source estimator. Simulation results on various general synthetic networks and real world networks suggest that the Jordan center consistently outperform the distance, closeness, and betweenness centrality based heuristics, even if the network is not a tree.
Computation of admissible marking sets in weighted state machines by dynamic programming

In this paper we aim to characterize the admissible marking set in partially controllable Petri nets with weighted arcs. We consider a special subclass of generalized Petri nets called weighted state machines (WSMs) that have state-machine topology with weighted arcs. Such subclass of nets can be used to model systems of practical interest characterized by operations executed in batches. We propose a dynamic programming method to compute the admissible marking set of an elementary GMEC for a net in this subclass. Such a result can be used to design an online control logic to ensure that the current marking is always covered by some maximal admissible markings and is always admissible.
An Angstrom Scale Interaction between Plasma Membrane ATP-Gated P2X2 and α4β2 Nicotinic Channels Measured with Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer and Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy

Structurally distinct nicotinic and P2X channels interact functionally, such that coactivation results in cross-inhibition of one or both channel types. It is hypothesized, but not yet proven, that nicotinic and P2X channels interact at the plasma membrane. Here, we show that plasma membrane α4β2 nicotinic and P2X2 channels form a molecular scale partnership and also influence each other when coactivated, resulting in nonadditive cross-inhibitory responses. Total internal reflection fluorescence and fluorescence resonance energy transfer microscopy between fluorescently labeled P2X2 and α4β2 nicotinic channels demonstrated close spatial arrangement of the channels in human embryonic kidney cells and in hippocampal neuron membranes. The data suggest that P2X2 and α4β2 channels may form a dimer, with the channels ∼80 Å apart. The measurements also show that P2X2 subunits interact specifically and robustly with the β2 subunits in α4β2 channels. The data provide direct evidence for the close spatial apposition of full-length P2X2 and α4β2 channels within 100 nm of the plasma membrane of living cells.
Trends in Surgical and Management Outcomes in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Izumo City, Japan, between 1980–1989 and 1990–1998

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this community-based study was to evaluate temporal changes in surgical and management outcomes in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Methods: The subjects were 358 patients with aneurysmal SAH who were treated during the 19-year period from 1980 to 1998 in Izumo City, Japan. We compared data during the 9-year period 1990–1998 (period B; 188 patients) with those during the 10-year period 1980–1989 (period A; 170 patients). Results: The proportion of patients 80 years of age or older or those with World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grade V increased significantly (period A, 5 and 25%; period B, 18 and 35%, respectively). The operability rate did not change for patients 69 years of age or younger, whereas it increased significantly for those 70–79 years of age (period A, 48%; period B, 72%). The 6-month and 2-year case fatality rates in surgically treated patients decreased significantly (period A, 12 and 20%; period B, 2 and 8%, respectively), whereas they were virtually unchanged for overall management (period A, 41 and 46%; period B, 38 and 42%, respectively). In patients who underwent surgery, the incidence of permanent symptomatic vasospasm decreased from 21% during period A to 11% during period B, and there was no death from vasospasm in the later period. However, no significant difference was found in the functional outcome between the two periods, regardless of whether surgery was performed. The most important determinants of 6-month and 2-year survival rates were grade on admission, rebleeding and the site of the ruptured aneurysms. Age was also a significant predictor of the 6-month case fatality rate. Conclusions: For patients with SAH who underwent surgery, there were trends towards decreases in the case fatality rate and in the incidence of permanent symptomatic vasospasm. Nevertheless, the overall management outcome was still unsatisfactory, mainly because of increasing numbers of very elderly and/or high-risk patients.
The evolving face of human immunodeficiency virus-related progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy: Defining a consensus terminology

There is a need for consistent definition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), especially following the profound disease changes that have resulted from the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). According to the criteria used for diagnosis, PML cases should be either referred to as “histology-confirmed,” with evidence of JC virus (JCV) infection in brain, “laboratory-confirmed,” with detection of JCV DNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), or “possible,” in the presence of typical clinical and radiological picture, but no demonstration of JCV infection. Disease outcome should be defined by the evidence or lack of evidence of disease activity, rather than using survival or other variables. Disease activity should be based on clinical (scored neurological examination), radiological (magnetic resonance imaging), and virological (JCV DNA levels in CSF) indicators, to be assessed regularly, e.g., every 3 months until evidence of disease arrest or death. Furthermore, parallel assessments of other HIV-associated manifestations, including CD4+ cell counts and viral load, are required. A standard patient classification would be helpful for clinical management of PML patients, for their inclusion in clinical studies, and also will increase our current knowledge of PML and its evolution in relation with HAART.
Alcohol Consumption at Any Level Increases Risk of Injury Caused by Others: Data from the Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health

Background Alcohol use is a well-known risk factor for injury. However, information is needed about alcohol drinking patterns and the risk of injury among older adults in low- and middle-income countries as this population grows. We aimed to examine the influence of drinking patterns on the burden of injury and investigate factors associated with different types of injury in older populations in six emerging economies. Methods Data from more than 37,0 adults aged 50 years and older were included from the Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health (SAGE) Wave 1 conducted in six emerging economies, namely, China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa. We investigated past-year reported injuries from falls, traffic accidents, and being hit or stabbed. Alcohol drinking patterns were measured as lifetime abstinence, ever but not past- week use, and gender-specific past-week low-risk and high-risk use. We stratified by gender and used logistic regression models to observe the association between alcohol drinking pattern and risk of injury by controlling for other factors. Results During the year prior to interview, 627 (2.2%) subjects reported bodily injury resulting from a car accident, 1,156 (4.2%) from a fall, and 339 (.9%) from being hit or stabbed during the past year. For women, only being a high-risk drinker increased the risk of being hit or stabbed, whereas for men, all levels of drinking were associated with an increased risk of being hit or stabbed. We observed a higher risk of being hit or stabbed from past-week high-risk drinking among women (odds ratio [OR] = 6.09, P < 0.01) than among men (OR = 3.57, P < 0.01). We observed no association between alcohol drinking pattern and injury due to car accidents for either women or men. Conclusions The risk of experiencing injury due to violence increased with level of alcohol exposure of the victim. The increase in alcohol use in emerging economies calls for further study into the consequences of alcohol use and for public health initiatives to reduce the risk of violence in older adult populations, with special attention to the experience of older adult women.
Provable isomorphisms and domain equations in models of typed languages

The interest in isomorphisms in models for typed langurges mainly arisees from work done in the study d denotational semantics. This work has led to the notion d solving domain equrtiont as a tool for giving mrthematicd meanin to common amstructs in computer sciena, e.g. recursive definitions d data typea.In this p8per we investigrte the question of which domain equations must hold in all models of a paradigmatic functional language, the typed lambda calculus, and of second order (polymorphic) extensions d it.
Tropical Pacific decadal variability and ENSO amplitude modulation in a CGCM

[1] Connections between decadal changes in the tropical Pacific mean state and El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) decadal modulation are examined using three runs of a coupled general circulation model (CGCM). The differences between the three simulations, i.e., a standard coupled model (one AGCM is coupled to a single OGCM) and two interactive ensemble models (six or twelve AGCMs are coupled to a single OGCM), are confined to the amplitude of internal atmospheric variability. All three simulations have the same tropical Pacific basin scale SST mode that dominates the low-frequency variability, which is identified by the first EOF mode. This low-frequency mode is largely independent of the simulated ENSO and is neither a residual of the decadal ENSO modulation nor does it produce any low-frequency modulation of ENSO. The analysis presented here suggests that this low-frequency mode is stochastically driven by atmosphere noise. There are, however, low-frequency changes in the tropical Pacific mean state that are connected to ENSO decadal modulation. The mean state associated with ENSO amplitude has different structures in the SST and wind stress anomalies than does the dominant tropical Pacific mean state identified by the first EOF. The tropical Pacific mean state that is unambiguously associated with ENSO decadal modulation, which is remarkably similar to the second EOF SST mode in two interactive ensemble models, but is difficult to detect in a standard coupled model simulation. These results argue that there is a component of ENSO variability that cannot be explained by a linear, damped and stochastically forced process.
The IOC relative energy deficiency in sport clinical assessment tool (RED-S CAT)

In April 2014, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) published a Consensus Statement in the British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM) entitled “Beyond the Female Athlete Triad – Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)”. To assist sports medicine professionals working in clinical sports medicine with the practical screening and management of the RED-S athlete, the IOC authors have developed a Clinical Assessment Tool – the RED-S CAT . It is well known that the utility of scientific knowledge is limited at a practical level and that implementing effective interventions in the real life sport setting are challenging. As in all areas of medicine, there is now attention in sports medicine to the growing field of knowledge …
Application of Thermally Responsive Elastin-like Polypeptide Fused to a Lactoferrin-derived Peptide for Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

A well characterized, peptide derivative of bovine lactoferrin, L12, has been shown to possess anticancer properties in multiple cell lines. However, adverse side effects in normal tissues and poor plasma kinetics that hinder the clinical effectiveness of current chemotherapeutics also deter the potential for effective delivery of this L12 peptide. To overcome these limitations, we have developed an Elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) carrier that has the potential to thermally target therapeutic peptides and chemotherapeutics to a tumor site. The coding sequence of ELP was modified with the L12 peptide at the C-terminus and a membrane transduction domain derived from the HIV-1 Tat protein at the N-terminus (Tat-ELP-L12). The thermally responsive Tat-ELP1-L12 is soluble in aqueous solutions at 37°C but aggregates near 41°C, which makes Tat-ELP1-L12 ideal for targeting to solid tumors on application of focused hyperthermia. We observed that under hyperthermia conditions at 42°C, Tat-ELP1-L12 mediated cytotoxicity in MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells was enhanced by nearly thirty-fold. We investigated the mechanisms of cell death and found evidence of mitochondrial membrane depolarization and caspase activation, which are characteristic of apoptosis, as well as, increased membrane permeability, as shown by LDH release. These results suggest that Tat-ELP1-L12 possesses cytotoxic properties to cancer cells in vitro and may have the potential to provide an effective vehicle to thermally target solid tumors.
Nucleotide sequence and host La protein interactions of rabies virus leader RNA

Rabies virus leader RNA was detected in infected BHK-21 cell extracts by hybridization to end-labeled genomic RNA. Similar to the leader RNA of vesicular stomatitis virus, the leader RNA of rabies virus was also found to be associated with the La protein by specific immunoprecipitation with antisera from lupus patients. The 3' end of the genomic RNA of rabies virus was sequenced, and the size and termination site of leader RNA were determined. In addition, extension of the sequence into the nucleocapsid gene of rabies virus showed an open reading frame for at least 37 amino acid residues. Sequence relationships between rabies virus and vesicular stomatitis virus leader genes and the possible involvement of the La protein in rhabdovirus biology are discussed.
Does Level of Care, Sex, Age, or Choice of Drug Influence Adherence to Treatment With Antipsychotics?

Abstract Rates of nonadherence during treatment with antipsychotics have been found to vary in a wide range from 20% to 90%. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of inpatient versus outpatient status on the adherence to treatment with olanzapine and clozapine. In the period from 1999 to 2007, olanzapine and clozapine were the 2 most frequently analyzed antipsychotics at the Department of Clinical Pharmacology at St. Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway, with more than 24,000 and more than 18,000 samples, respectively. In total, 111 patients on olanzapine and 95 patients on clozapine had provided samples in both the inpatient and outpatient settings and were included in the study. The primary outcome variable was the serum concentration-to-dose ratio (C/D ratio), that is, the serum drug concentration per milligram of drug given. For olanzapine, the C/D ratio in the outpatient setting was 10.7% lower than in the inpatient setting (P = 0.013). No such difference was found for clozapine. The difference in the olanzapine group was exclusively attributed to a lower outpatient ratio in females. For clozapine, no sex influence was found. No effect of age on the C/D ratios was found either for olanzapine or for clozapine. The lower C/D ratio in females using olanzapine in the outpatient setting might imply that they, in contrast to males, are less adherent to their medication when outside hospital. For clozapine, there were no indications of differences in adherence between inpatients and outpatients.
Learning Equivariant Functions with Matrix Valued Kernels-Theory and Applications Internal Report 1 / 06

This paper presents a new class of matrix valued kernels, which are ideally suited to learn vector valued equivariant functions. Matrix valued kernels are a natural generalization of the common notion of a kernel. We set the theoretical foundations of so called equivariant matrix valued kernels. We work out several properties of equivariant kernels, we give an interpretation of their behavior and show relations to scalar kernels. Further we translate the notion of (ir)reducibility of group representations into the framework of matrix valued kernels. Finally we give two exemplary applications. We design a non-linear rotation and translation equivariant filter for 2D-images and propose an invariant object detector based on the generalized Hough transform.