Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance Evaluation of LTE Random Access Procedure under Distributed Location Data Mining for Road Traffic Monitoring

The widely-used cellular system, such as LTE, has a large potential to serve vehicle-related connectivity which is one of the potential IoT market in the near future. However, the connection-oriented nature of LTE Random Access procedure remains the challenge. The RA procedure in LTE is prone to be overloaded with simultaneous access request from large number of mobile users. This overload condition is likely to happen due to synchronized location reporting for road traffic monitoring in Intelligent Transportation System (ITS). This work studies the performance of RA procedure under overload condition in term of probability of successful report delivery and average report delivery delay. Subsequently, two proposals are made to increase the performance: report time spreading and truncated binary exponential decrease backoff mechanism. The two proposals are evaluated and compared with the existing configuration of LTE RA procedure. Our simulation results show that both proposals can increase the probability of successful report delivery and obtain fairly low average report delivery delay, which is necessary for accurate location reporting and road traffic monitoring system.
Risk stratification after acute myocardial infarction by Doppler stroke distance measurement

OBJECTIVE To establish the value of Doppler stroke distance measurement as a predictor of mortality risk following acute myocardial infarction. DESIGN Follow up study. SETTING Coronary care unit of a teaching and district general hospital. SUBJECTS 378 patients (mean age 61 years) with acute myocardial infarction followed up for a mean of five years (range 2–7 years); 299 (79%) patients received thrombolysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Stroke distance (the systolic velocity integral of blood flow in the aortic arch (percentage of age predicted normal value)); presence or absence of left ventricular failure on the admission chest radiograph; the codified admission ECG; death during follow up. RESULTS Mean (SD) stroke distance was 81 (19)% and five year survival 76%. For patients with stroke distance > 100% (n = 60), 82–100% (n = 134), 63–81% (n = 122), and < 63% (n = 62), the one month mortality rates were 0%, 1.5%, 4%, and 18%, respectively; the corresponding estimates for mortality at five years were 17%, 19%, 24%, and 43%. Survival was independently related to age (p < 0.0001), stroke distance (p < 0.0001), and chest radiograph appearance (p = 0.002), but not to ECG codes (p = 0.31) or receipt of thrombolysis (p = 0.60). The areas under receiver operator characteristic plots for stroke distance measurements were 82%, 76%, 71%, and 65% for deaths within one month, six months, one year, and two years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The bedside measurement of stroke distance stratifies mortality risk after acute myocardial infarction. The predictive ability of this simple measure of left ventricular systolic function compares well with published accounts of the more complex measurement of ejection fraction.
Age of onset of mental disorders and use of mental health services: needs, opportunities and obstacles

Purpose of review. In this review, we provide an update of recent studies on the age of onset (AOO) of the major mental disorders, with a special focus on the availability and use of services providing prevention and early intervention. Recent findings. The studies reviewed here confirm previous reports on the AOO of the major mental disorders. Although the behaviour disorders and specific anxiety disorders emerge during childhood, most of the high-prevalence disorders (mood, anxiety and substance use) emerge during adolescence and early adulthood, as do the psychotic disorders. Early AOO has been shown to be associated with a longer duration of untreated illness, and poorer clinical and functional outcomes. Summary. Although the onset of most mental disorders usually occurs during the first three decades of life, effective treatment is typically not initiated until a number of years later. There is increasing evidence that intervention during the early stages of disorder may help reduce the severity and/or the persistence of the initial or primary disorder, and prevent secondary disorders. However, additional research is needed on effective interventions in early-stage cases, as well as on the long-term effects of early intervention, and for an appropriate service design for those with emerging mental disorders. This will mean not only the strengthening and re-engineering of existing systems, but is also crucial the construction of new streams of care for young people in transition to adulthood.
An event-triggered consensus time synchronization for WSNs

This paper discusses the time synchronization issue in wireless sensor networks. An event-triggered average consensus time synchronization algorithm is proposed. This algorithm uses the average time message from one node's one-hop neighbors to update the clock parameters of the node. And it achieved acceptable synchronization accuracy. We also proposed an event-trigger mechanism to reduce the communication cost of the network. Simulation verified the effectiveness of our synchronization algorithm.
Design of SRAM array using 8T cell for low power sensor network

The application of sensor networks varies from medical field to the military application. The raw data onto the sensor node is of large quantity and it is necessary to store these data bits. In this paper, design of optimized Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) array for the sensor application is implemented. SRAM cell is designed using 8T. The Half Select Condition Free Cross Point 8T SRAM is modified, using transmission gates as access transistors. By simulation, it is observed that the write-ability is enhanced and reduction in the power dissipation. Apart from the memory cell, the SRAM array has been constructed using the optimized peripheral circuits. Simulations show that reading and writing of data takes place correctly.
Improving water management efficiency by using optimization-based control strategies: the Barcelona case study

This paper describes the application of model-based predictive control (MPC) techniques to the flow management in large-scale drinking water networks including a telemetry/telecontrol system. MPC technique is used to generate flow control strategies from the sources to the consumer areas to meet future demands, optimizing performance indexes associated to operational goals such as economic cost, network safety volumes and flow control stability. The designed management strategies are applied to a real case study based on a representative model of the drinking water network of Barcelona (Spain).
Affective and behavioural reactions to positive and negative health-related social control in HIV+men

We examined associations between the receipt of positive and negative health-related social control (i.e. influence) from a primary network member, affective and behavioural reactions (i.e. behaviour change) to social control, and psychosocial well-being in a cross-sectional study of 91 HIV+ men living with HIV (MLWH). Receiving positive control was associated with more self-care behaviours, more active coping efforts, and fewer depressive symptoms. In contrast, receiving negative control was associated with fewer self-care behaviours and more depressive symptoms. Negative affective reactions to control mediated the associations between positive and negative control and depressive symptoms, and between positive control and active coping efforts. Behaviour change only mediated the association between positive control and self-care behaviours. Post-hoc analyses further revealed that men who were not at risk for clinical depression engaged in more behaviour change as a result of receiving negative control. Social control that elicits behaviour change and does not arouse negative affect is effective in promoting better self-care behaviours and psychosocial well-being in MLWH.
Développement de formulations intégrales de volume en magnétostatique

Ces dernieres annees, la Methode Integrale de Volume (MIV) a recu une attention particuliere pour lamodelisation des problemes electromagnetiques en basse frequence. Son interet principal est l’absencedu maillage de la region air, ce qui rend la methode legere et rapide. Associee aux methodes decompression matricielle la MIV devient aujourd'hui une alternative competitive a la methode deselements finis pour la modelisation de dispositifs electromagnetiques ayant un volume d'airpreponderant.Ce rapport porte sur le developpement de deux formulations integrales de volume pour la resolution deproblemes magnetostatiques avec prise en compte des materiaux non lineaires, des aimants, desbobines, des circuits magnetiques avec ou sans entrefer et des regions minces magnetiques. Lapremiere est une formulation en flux de mailles independantes basee sur l'interpolation par elements defacette. La deuxieme est une formulation en potentiel vecteur magnetique basee sur l'interpolation parelements d'arete. L'application de ces formulations permet d’une part d'obtenir des resultats precismeme en presence d’un faible maillage et d’autre part de resoudre aisement des problemes nonlineaires. Des methodes de calcul de la force magnetique globale ainsi que du flux magnetique dansles bobines ont ete egalement mises en oeuvre. Les developpements informatiques ont ete realises dansla plateforme MIPSE et ont ete valides sur des problemes academiques ainsi que sur quelquesdispositifs industriels.
An Engineered Synthetic Pathway for Discovering Nonnatural Nonribosomal Peptides in Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT Peptides that are synthesized independently of the ribosome in plants, fungi, and bacteria can have clinically relevant anticancer, antihemochromatosis, and antiviral activities, among many other. Despite their natural origin, discovering new natural products is challenging, and there is a need to expand the chemical diversity that is accessible. In this work, we created a novel, compressed synthetic pathway for the heterologous expression and diversification of nonribosomal peptides (NRPs) based on homologs of siderophore pathways from Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae. To enhance the likelihood of successful molecule production, we established a selective pressure via the iron-chelating properties of siderophores. By supplementing cells containing our synthetic pathway with different precursors that are incorporated into the pathway independently of NRP enzymes, we generated over 20 predesigned, novel, and structurally diverse NRPs. This engineering approach, where phylogenetically related genes from different organisms are integrated and supplemented with novel precursors, should enable heterologous expression and molecular diversification of NRPs. IMPORTANCE Nonribosomal peptides (NRPs) constitute a source of bioactive molecules with potential therapeutic applications. However, discovering novel NRPs by rational engineering of biosynthetic pathways remains challenging. Here, we show that a synthetic compressed pathway in which we replaced biosynthetic genes with their ancestral homologs and orthologs enabled successful heterologous NRP expression. Polyamines added exogenously were incorporated into nascent NRPs, and molecular production was pressured by growing the host under conditions that make such NRPs beneficial for survival. This multilayered approach resulted in the assembly of over 20 distinct and novel molecules. We envision this strategy being used to enable the production of NRPs from heterologous pathways. IMPORTANCE Nonribosomal peptides (NRPs) constitute a source of bioactive molecules with potential therapeutic applications. However, discovering novel NRPs by rational engineering of biosynthetic pathways remains challenging. Here, we show that a synthetic compressed pathway in which we replaced biosynthetic genes with their ancestral homologs and orthologs enabled successful heterologous NRP expression. Polyamines added exogenously were incorporated into nascent NRPs, and molecular production was pressured by growing the host under conditions that make such NRPs beneficial for survival. This multilayered approach resulted in the assembly of over 20 distinct and novel molecules. We envision this strategy being used to enable the production of NRPs from heterologous pathways.
Staging of head and neck squamous cell cancer with extended-field FDG-PET.

BACKGROUND Accurate baseline staging is necessary to appropriately treat head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. [F-18]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is valuable for locoregional staging of primary head and neck disease. The effectiveness of FDG-PET for the detection of distant metastatic or synchronous disease remains unproven. OBJECTIVE To investigate the utility of FDG-PET extended into the abdomen (extended-field FDG-PET) for wide-field staging of head and neck tumors. METHODS This is a prospective institutional study of 35 consecutive patients diagnosed with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)-defined stage II-IV squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, or larynx between September 2000 and June 2002. Thirty-three patients (94%) were eligible for analysis. All patients were routinely staged with chest radiography, liver function tests, and extended-field FDG-PET. Chest or abdominal computed tomographic scans were used as corroborative studies and were obtained only when one of the above tests indicated distant disease. RESULTS Of 33 patients, 7 (21%) had evidence of distant disease by extend-field FDG-PET-4 with metastases and 3 with synchronous primary cancers of the aerodigestive tract. [F-18]-fluorodeoxyglucose PET detected hepatic, bone, gastrointestinal, and mediastinal disease not identified by chest radiography or liver function tests. Two of the 7 patients with FDG-avid distant disease had false-negative staging by all other tests, including computed tomography. CONCLUSIONS Extended-field FDG-PET is feasible and may improve staging of primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Use of staging FDG-PET must be explicitly described in reports from centers engaged in prospective research to facilitate comparison with historical results.
(Z)-N-(2-Chlorobenzylidene)aniline N-oxide

In the title compound, C13H10ClNO, the central C—N bond has considerable double-bond character and the N—O bond indicates a formal negative charge on the O atom. The molecule is stabilized by an intramolecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bond. The geometry about the C=N bond is Z [C—C—N—O torsion angle = −4.2 (3)°] and the phenyl and benzene rings are trans-oriented around the C=N bond. The phenyl and benzene rings make a dihedral angle of 56.99 (2)°.
The value of commercial funding in health services research: the case of the APACHE III methodology.

Federal funding is insufficient to support all of the essential health services research (HSR) that the government deems worthy. Federal funds must be supplemented by private sector grants and by funds from the commercial marketplace. Commercial support is sensible because HSR has such an immediate impact on the delivery of medical care. In this context, we welcome the introduction of new funds and new mechanisms for disseminating and advancing the products of HSR. They provide an excellent opportunity to improve the practice and delivery of medicine. Our enthusiasm for these new opportunities does not ignore the complex, controversial, and still evolving responsi-
Simulation of Configurable Resource Allocation for Cloud-Based Business Processes

Cloud computing has enabled provisioning of scalable and virtualized resources to organizations in an ubiquitous and on-demand manner. Likewise, configurable process modeling has enabled organizations to reuse their existing knowledge by sharing a reference process model between different tenants that can be customized according to specific needs. Nevertheless, there are some limitations in this context, (i) it is not cost-effective to make use of real cloud infrastructure such as, Amazon EC2 for experimenting and analyzing the deployment of the best process variant, (ii) frequent changes in the configurations during experimentation using a real cloud setup involves various manual adjustments which is a time-consuming task, (iii) certain conditions prevailing in the internet-based cloud environments are beyond the control of the practitioners involved in such analysis. Thus, making use of simulation environments is one of the good alternative for testing and analyzing the best process variants with optimal resource allocation. Building upon our previous work, we propose in this paper, (i) a unified description model that allows the representation of process activities along with their possible cloud resource allocation alternatives, (ii) a methodology for simulating a configurable process along with its cloud resource consumption, and (iii) an extension of CloudSim framework in order to realize the simulation of the configurable resource allocation for the cloud-based business processes.
Signaling Pathway Downstream of GABAA Receptor in the Growth Cone

Abstract: The growth cone is responsible for axonal elongation and pathfinding by responding to various modulators for neurite growth, including neurotransmitters, although the sensor mechanisms are not fully understood. Among neurotransmitters, GABA is most likely to demonstrate activity in vivo because GABA and the GABAA receptor appear even in early stages of CNS development. We investigated the GABAA receptor‐mediated signaling pathway in the growth cone using isolated growth cones (IGCs). Both the GABAA binding site and the benzodiazepine modulatory site were enriched in the growth cone membrane. In the intact IGC, GABA induced picrotoxin‐sensitive Cl− flux (not influx but efflux) and increased the intracellular Ca2+ concentration in a picrotoxin‐ and verapamil‐sensitive manner. Protein kinase C (PKC)‐dependent phosphorylation of two proteins identified as GAP‐43 and MARCKS protein was enhanced in the intact IGC stimulated by GABA, resulting in the release of MARCKS protein and GAP‐43 from the membrane. Collectively, our results suggest the following scheme: activation of the functional GABAA receptor localized in the growth cone membrane → Cl− efflux induction through the GABAA‐associated Cl− channel → Ca2+ influx through an L‐type voltage‐sensitive Ca2+ channel → Ca2+‐dependent phosphorylation of GAP‐43 and MARCKS protein by PKC.
Tooth whitening with hydrogen/carbamide peroxides in association with a CPP-ACP paste at different proportions.

BACKGROUND Different enhanced peroxide formulations have been developed to overcome mineral loss during tooth whitening. This study investigated the impact on tooth whitening from combining a CPP-ACP paste with home peroxide agents at several proportions. METHODS Ninety bovine incisors were randomly allocated into nine groups (n = 10) and exposed to 7.5% hydrogen peroxide (HP), 16% carbamide peroxide (CP), a CPP-ACP paste (Tooth Mousse/MI Paste, GC Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) and blends of HP/CP:MI at three proportions (1:1, 2:1 and 1:2). Tooth whitening was performed for 14 days and its effectiveness was measured by a spectrophotometer utilizing the CIE L*a*b* system (ΔE, ΔL*, Δa* and Δb*). Colour readings were measured at baseline (T0), 7 days of bleaching (T7), 14 days of bleaching (T14) and 7 days after the end of bleaching (T21). Data were analysed by two-way ANOVA for paired averages followed by the Tukey's test and Pearson's correlation at 5%. RESULTS Although CP produced the greatest colour change (ΔE), all whitening protocols were considered to be effective regardless of the CPP-ACP presence. In general, greater changes in ΔE, ΔL*, Δa* and Δb* were detected at T14, with T21 exhibiting similar results to those at T7. A greater number of strong correlations with ΔE values was found for a* (11/15). CONCLUSIONS Within the limitations of this study, the results indicate that the CPP-ACP paste did not affect tooth whitening efficacy.
Low-frequency electrical dosimetry: research agenda of the IEEE International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety

This article treats unsettled issues in the use of numerical models of electrical dosimetry as applied to international limits on human exposure to low-frequency (typically < 100 kHz) electromagnetic fields and contact current. The perspective in this publication is that of Subcommittee 6 of IEEE-ICES (International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety) Technical Committee 95. The paper discusses 25 issues needing attention, fitting into three general categories: induction models; electrostimulation models; and human exposure limits. Of these, 9 were voted as ‘high priority’ by members of Subcommittee 6. The list is presented as a research agenda for refinements in numerical modeling with applications to human exposure limits. It is likely that such issues are also important in medical and electrical product safety design applications.
Divergence between two Antarctic species of the ciliate Euplotes, E. focardii and E. nobilii, in the expression of heat‐shock protein 70 genes

Most organisms oppose many environmental stresses by rapidly enhancing synthesis of the highly conserved Hsp70 family of heat‐shock proteins. Two ciliates which are endemic in Antarctic coastal seawater, Euplotes focardii and E. nobilii, and behave as psychrophile and psychrotroph micro‐organisms, respectively, revealed a divergence in the capacity to respond to thermal stress with an activation of the transcription of their hsp70 genes. In both species, these genes were shown to be represented by thousands of copies in the cell’s somatic functional nucleus (macronucleus). However, while a strong transcriptional activity of hsp70 genes was induced in E. nobilii cells transferred from 4 to 20 °C, a much smaller increase was revealed in heat‐shocked cells of E. focardii. These findings suggest a closer adaptation to the stably cold Antarctic waters in the genetic response of E. focardii to thermal stress.
Activation of mTOR signaling pathway is secondary to neuronal excitability in a mouse model of mesio‐temporal lobe epilepsy

Recent studies in animal models have suggested that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is involved in several features of mesio‐temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE), and that its inhibition could have therapeutic interests. However, it remains controversial whether mTOR activation is the cause or the consequence of MTLE. We previously showed in a mouse model of MTLE associated with hippocampal sclerosis that increased neuronal excitability and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) overexpression contribute to the development of morphological features of this form of epilepsy. Here, we addressed whether mTOR activation promotes MTLE epileptogenesis via increasing neuronal excitability and/or BDNF expression or rather mediates neuroplasticity associated with hippocampal sclerosis. In mice injected intrahippocampally with kainate (1 nmol), we showed a biphasic increase of phospho‐S6 (p‐S6) ribosomal protein expression, the downstream product of the mTOR signaling pathway, in the dispersed granule cell layer (GCL) of the dentate gyrus with a second phase lasting up to 6 months. Chronic treatment with rapamycin suppressed p‐S6 expression, granule cell dispersion and mossy fiber sprouting, but did not reduce cell loss, BDNF overexpression, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)67 expression or the development of hippocampal paroxysmal discharges. Neuronal inhibition by midazolam (2 × 10 mg/kg, i.p.) abolished the increased expression of p‐S6 in the dispersed GCL. Our data suggest that activation of the mTOR signaling pathway results from the increased neuronal excitation that develops in the GCL and may contribute to MTLE morphological changes. However, these data do not support the role of this pathway in the development of MTLE or its inhibition as a therapy for this form of epilepsy.