Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robust Spatio-temporal Tensor Recovery for Internet Traffic Data

The traffic volumes between a set of Origins and Destinations (OD) pairs within a network become increasingly critical for network operations management, planning, provisioning and traffic engineering. However, in practice it is challenging to reliably measure traffic in the whole network. For example, because of flaws in the measurement systems and attacks launched in a network, missing data and outliers are unavoidable. It is thus important to recover the missing entries and identify errors from the partial direct measurements. Existing recovery methods cannot sufficiently capture the multi-dimensional and spatial-temporal features of traffic data, which lead to perform poorly for network traffic data estimation. Their recovery accuracy tends to be significantly worse in the presence of both high data loss rate and gross corruptions. To address this problem, we propose a novel robust spatio-temporal tensor recovery (STTR) method to deal with missing data and outliers. First, by taking advantage of the structure in all dimensions of the traffic data, we organize the traffic data as a multi-way array (i.e., tensor). Second, by taking into account network traffic spatiotemporal characteristic, we incorporate domain knowledge about the structure of the underlying traffic data for missing values recovery and outlier removal. The proposed STTR is evaluated on real-world traffic trace data. Experimental results demonstrate that our STTR can achieve significantly better performance compared with the state-of-the-art recovery methods.
Beta‐2‐glycoprotein I expression on monocytes is increased in anti‐phospholipid antibody syndrome and correlates with tissue factor expression

It is well known that monocytes may play an active role in thrombogenesis, since they may express on their surface tissue factor, the major initiator of the clotting cascade. The results of this investigation demonstrate beta‐2‐glycoprotein I (β2‐GPI) mRNA expression by human peripheral blood monocytes, indicating that these cells synthesize β2‐GPI. In addition, we show β2‐GPI expression on cell surface of these cells by flow cytometric analysis, and the presence of this protein in cell lysate by Western blot. Interestingly, β2‐GPI expression on monocytes is significantly increased in patients with anti‐phospholipid syndrome (APS) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as against healthy blood donors and correlates with tissue factor expression on monocytes. These findings support the view that monocytes are able to synthesize β2‐GPI and suggest that patients with APS may have increased β2‐GPI exposure on cell surface, which leads to persistently high monocyte tissue factor expression and consequently to a prothrombotic diathesis.
Improved plane wave imaging with retrospective transmit focusing and weighting based post filtering

The new application of ultrasonic imaging to transient elastography has triggered the emergence of high frame-rate imaging. Using plane wave excitation (PWE), a single insonification is sufficient to form an image; thus PWE is one of the methods for achieving high frame-rate imaging. However, due to the lack of transmit focusing, the signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR), contrast, and spatial resolution of the resultant images are lower compared with those using conventional focused transmission. To solve this problem, we propose a filter-based retrospective transmit focusing technique combined with weighting based post filtering - filter-derived coherence-index weighting (FRF+FCI weighting) for plane wave imaging. A 2-D filter is designed and applied to beamformed baseband data to retrieve transmit focusing. Then a filter-derived coherence index (FCI) at each imaging point is used as a weighting factor to further improve the filter-retrieved focusing quality. Here FCI is a coherence measure of the filter-coefficient-weighted baseband data in the sliding filter kernel. Due to the sidelobe-suppression nature of the designed 2-D filter, FCIs are low at sidelobes; thus FCI weighting can further suppress the sidelobe contribution in the filtered baseband data. It is demonstrated that our proposed FRF+FCI weighting technique can improve plane wave imaging quality - reducing the sidelobes, and improving the SNR and spatial resolution while being capable of retaining the high frame rate. In addition, the proposed method is inherently less susceptible to motion artifacts (because being applied over ultrafast plane wave imaging) and phase aberration (because the overall wavefront of the transmit plane wave mitigates the phase aberration on transmit).
MLV‐10A1 retrovirus pseudotype efficiently transduces primary human CD4+ T lymphocytes

Previously, we showed that retroviral vectors pseudotyped with the envelope of the amphotropic murine leukemia virus 10A1 (MLV‐10A1) more efficiently transduce primary human CD8+ T lymphocytes when compared with other A‐MLV, gibbon ape leukemia virus (GaLV) and feline endogenous retrovirus (RD114) vector pseudotypes. For the success of several gene therapeutic approaches (ADA, HIV) it is important to effectively transduce primary human CD4+ T lymphocytes.
Investigation of association of mycobacteria with inflammatory bowel disease by nucleic acid hybridization

We used DNA-DNA hybridization to characterize a mycobacterial isolate, strain Linda, that was obtained from a patient with Crohn's disease and that has been reported to cause ileitis in experimental animals. We also investigated the association of this mycobacterium with Crohn's disease. Our results identified Mycobacterium strain Linda as a strain of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, the etiologic agent of Johne's disease, a disease of ruminants that has some superficial resemblance to Crohn's disease. Sequences that hybridized with strain Linda DNA probes were detected in DNA extracted from human intestinal tissues from patients with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and noninflammatory bowel disease. These hybridizing DNA sequences were more prevalent in the muscle layers than in the intestinal mucosa, making it unlikely that they represented DNA from bacterial contaminants in the intestinal lumen. Measurement of the melting temperatures of the DNA-DNA hybrids formed between strain Linda probes and tissue DNAs indicated that the related sequences detected were of mycobacterial origin but were not identical to each other or to strain Linda DNA. These results do not support the proposed specific relationship between Mycobacterium strain Linda and Crohn's disease. The possible etiologic role of mycobacteria in Crohn's disease is discussed.
Structure–function relationship of assimilatory nitrite reductases from the leaf and root of tobacco based on high‐resolution structures

Tobacco expresses four isomers of assimilatory nitrite reductase (aNiR), leaf‐type (Nii1 and Nii3), and root‐type (Nii2 and Nii4). The high‐resolution crystal structures of Nii3 and Nii4, determined at 1.25 and 2.3 Å resolutions, respectively, revealed that both proteins had very similar structures. The Nii3 structure provided detailed geometries for the [4Fe–4S] cluster and the siroheme prosthetic groups. We have generated two types of Nii3 variants: one set focuses on residue Met175 (Nii3‐M175G, Nii3‐M175E, and Nii3‐M175K), a residue that is located on the substrate entrance pathway; the second set targets residue Gln448 (Nii3‐Q448K), a residue near the prosthetic groups. Comparison of the structures and kinetics of the Nii3 wild‐type (Nii3‐WT) and the Met175 variants showed that the hydrophobic side‐chain of Met175 facilitated enzyme efficiency (kcat/Km). The Nii4‐WT has Lys449 at the equivalent position of Gln448 in Nii3‐WT. The enzyme activity assay revealed that the turnover number (kcat) and Michaelis constant (Km) of Nii4‐WT were lower than those of Nii3‐WT. However, the kcat/Km of Nii4‐WT was about 1.4 times higher than that of Nii3‐WT. A comparison of the kinetics of the Nii3‐Q448K and Nii4‐K449Q variants revealed that the change in kcat/Km was brought about by the difference in Residue 448 (defined as Gln448 in Nii3 and Lys449 in Nii4). By combining detailed crystal structures with enzyme kinetics, we have proposed that Nii3 is the low‐affinity and Nii4 is the high‐affinity aNiR.
Arabidopsis CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON3 Regulates Postembryonic Shoot Meristem and Organ Boundary Formation[W]

Overall shoot architecture in higher plants is highly dependent on the activity of embryonic and axillary shoot meristems, which are produced from the basal adaxial boundaries of cotyledons and leaves, respectively. In Arabidopsis thaliana, redundant functions of the CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON genes CUC1, CUC2, and CUC3 regulate embryonic shoot meristem formation and cotyledon boundary specification. Their functional importance and relationship in postembryonic development, however, is poorly understood. Here, we performed extensive analyses of the embryonic and postembryonic functions of the three CUC genes using multiple combinations of newly isolated mutant alleles. We found significant roles of CUC2 and CUC3, but not CUC1, in axillary meristem formation and boundary specification of various postembryonic shoot organs, such as leaves, stems, and pedicels. In embryogenesis, all three genes make significant contributions, although CUC3 appears to possess, at least partially, a distinct function from that of CUC1 and CUC2. The function of CUC3 and CUC2 overlaps that of LATERAL SUPPRESSOR, which was previously shown to be required for axillary meristem formation. Our results reveal that redundant but partially distinct functions of CUC1, CUC2, and CUC3 are responsible for shoot organ boundary and meristem formation throughout the life cycle in Arabidopsis.
Lipoprotein lipase gene Hind III polymorphism was associated with hemorrhagic stroke.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relevance between lipoprotein lipase (LPL) Hind III gene polymorphism and cerebral hemorrhage. METHODS A case-control study was performed utilizing PCR-RFLP method and sequencing of amplified products to detect LPL Hind III gene polymorphism in 350 cases of hemorrhagic stroke (HS group) and 350 healthy subjects (control group). Blood lipids and glucose levels were also recorded for each attendant. RESULTS In HS group, T and G allele frequencies were 90.8% and 9.2%, respectively; while those in the control group were 82.3% and 17.7%. In HS group, detection rate of the G allele frequency and GG genotype were significantly lower than those in the control group. In addition, TG, LDL-C, fasting blood glucose , systolic blood pressure , diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher in HS group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with TG+GG genotype, TT genotype population show significantly higher triglycerides concentration (P<0.05). With adjustment for hypertension, high blood sugar, and age -related factors, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that LPL Hind III G allele could be a protective factor (OR = 0.392, 95% CI: 0.191~0.805, P = 0.011). CONCLUSION LPL Hind III gene polymorphism was relevant to hemorrhagic stroke. LPL Hind III G mutant allele could be a protective factor in the pathogenesis of cerebral hemorrhage.
Electrically induced and voluntary activation of physiologic muscle pump: a comparison between spinal cord-injured and able-bodied individuals

Objective: To evaluate the central haemodynamic responses during position changes from supine to sitting and during 30 min of standing between able-bodied and spinal cord-injured subjects. Also to assess the effects of the physiologic muscle pump in both groups during 30 min of standing. Design: A repeated measure design. Both groups were tested on two different days under two conditions of 30 min of stationary standing and 30 min of dynamic standing (voluntary activation of the lower leg muscles in able-bodied and FES-induced activation of these muscles in spinal cord injured). The order of testing was random. Setting: Rehabilitation hospital. Subjects: Fifteen healthy able-bodied and 14 healthy spinal cord-injured subjects. Main outcome measured: Stroke volume, cardiac output, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and total peripheral resistance during supine–pre sitting, sitting–pre standing and during 30 min of standing. Results: Significant reductions (p< 0.05) in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure were found when spinal cord-injured subjects moved from sitting to standing during stationary standing; these values were maintained during dynamic standing. These values were maintained during both standing sessions in able-bodied subjects. During 30 min of stationary standing, there were significant reductions in stroke volume, cardiac output in both able-bodied and spinal cord-injured while their total peripheral resistance increased (p< 0.05). During 30 min of dynamic standing, both groups maintained their haemodynamics at pre-standing values with the exception of significant reduction in stroke volume at 30 min of standing. Conclusion: FES-induced activation of the physiologic muscle pump during change in position from sitting to standing prevented orthostatic hypotension in spinal cord-injured subjects. During standing it had equal or even greater effect on improving blood circulation when compared with voluntary activation in able-bodied subjects. The use of FES during standing and tilting in spinal cord-injured individuals may prevent orthostatic hypotension and circulatory hypokinesis and improve tolerance to tilting and standing.
ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF CANCER PREVENTION STRATEGIES AMONG STAFF OF FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES IN NORTH-CENTRAL ZONE, NIGERIA

A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA, IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN HEALTH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN KINETICS AND HEALTH EDUCATION FACULTY OF EDUCATION AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA
Climatic Conditions and Internal Armed Conflict : An Empirical Study

While climatic conditions are believed to have some influence on triggering conflicts, the existing empirical results on the nature and statistical significance of their explanatory role are not conclusive. We construct a dataset for a sample of 139 countries which records the occurrence of an armed conflict, the annual average temperature and precipitation levels as well as the relevant socio-economic, demographic and geographic measures over the 19612011 period. Using this dataset and controlling for the effect of relevant non-climate variables, our regression analyses support the significant explanatory role of climatic factors. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that climate warming is instrumental in raising the probability of onset of internal armed conflicts and suggest that, along with regulating population size and promoting political stability, controlling climate change is one of the most effective factors for inducing peace by way of curtailing the onset of armed conflicts.
Diagnostic value of measuring serum CA 15-3, TPA, and TPS in women with breast cancer.

INVESTIGATION The concentrations of CA 15-3, TPA, and TPS were determined in the serum of 90 women with breast cancer MATERIAL/METHODS Serum CA 15-3 levels were determined by Abbott immunofluorescent tests, TPA concentration using the Byk-Roland immunoluminometric method, and TPS by the BEKI Diagnostics immunoenzymatic method. RESULTS In the diagnosis of breast cancer, the TPA test had the greatest diagnostic sensitivity. A strong correlation was found between the percentages of women with positive levels of all three markers and advanced stages of breast cancer. A longitudinal evaluation of 42 women who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy showed clinical regression of the tumor and a statistically significant reduction in the concentrations of these markers CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that determining the serum levels of CA 15-3, TPA, and TPS may be used to establish the stage of disease and it provides useful guidance both in deciding whether to treat surgically and in estimating the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer.
Living in fast‐flowing water: Morphology of the gastromyzophorous tadpole of the bufonid Rhinella quechua (R. veraguensis group)

We describe the bufonid gastromyzophorous tadpoles of Rhinella quechua from montane forest streams in Bolivia. Specimens were cleared and stained, and the external morphology, buccopharyngeal structures, and the musculoskeletal system were studied. These tadpoles show a combination of some traits common in Rhinella larvae (e.g., emarginate oral disc with large ventral gap in the marginal papillae, labial tooth row formula 2/3, prenarial ridge, two infralabial papillae, quadratoorbital commissure present, larval otic process absent, mm. mandibulolabialis superior, interhyoideus posterior, and diaphragmatopraecordialis absent, m. subarcualis rectus I composed of three slips), some traits apparently exclusive for the described species of the R. veraguensis group (e.g., second anterior labial tooth row complete, lingual papillae absent, adrostral cartilages present), and some traits that are shared with other gastromyzophorous tadpoles (e.g., enlarged oral disc, short and wide articular process of the palatoquadrate, several muscles inserting on the abdominal sucker). In the context of the substantial taxonomic and nomenclatural changes that the former genus Bufo has undergone, and despite the conspicuous morphological differences related to the presence of an abdominal sucker, the larval morphology of R. quechua supports including it in the genus Rhinella and placing it close to species of the R. veraguensis assemblage. J. Morphol. , 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A clinical method for identifying scapular dyskinesis, part 2: validity.

CONTEXT Although clinical methods for detecting scapular dyskinesis have been described, evidence supporting the validity of these methods is lacking. OBJECTIVE To determine the validity of the scapular dyskinesis test, a visually based method of identifying abnormal scapular motion. A secondary purpose was to explore the relationship between scapular dyskinesis and shoulder symptoms. DESIGN Validation study comparing 3-dimensional measures of scapular motion among participants clinically judged as having either normal motion or scapular dyskinesis. SETTING University athletic training facilities. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS A sample of 142 collegiate athletes (National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and Division III) participating in sports requiring overhead use of the arm was rated, and 66 of these underwent 3-dimensional testing. INTERVENTION(S) Volunteers were viewed by 2 raters while performing weighted shoulder flexion and abduction. The right and left sides were rated independently as normal, subtle dyskinesis, or obvious dyskinesis using the scapular dyskinesis test. Symptoms were assessed using the Penn Shoulder Score. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Athletes judged as having either normal motion or obvious dyskinesis underwent 3-dimensional electromagnetic kinematic testing while performing the same movements. The kinematic data from both groups were compared via multifactor analysis of variance with post hoc testing using the least significant difference procedure. The relationship between symptoms and scapular dyskinesis was evaluated by odds ratios. RESULTS Differences were found between the normal and obvious dyskinesis groups. Participants with obvious dyskinesis showed less scapular upward rotation (P < .001), less clavicular elevation (P < .001), and greater clavicular protraction (P = .044). The presence of shoulder symptoms was not different between the normal and obvious dyskinesis volunteers (odds ratio = 0.79, 95% confidence interval = 0.33, 1.89). CONCLUSIONS Shoulders visually judged as having dyskinesis showed distinct alterations in 3-dimensional scapular motion. However, the presence of scapular dyskinesis was not related to shoulder symptoms in athletes engaged in overhead sports.
The prevalence and abundance of helminth parasites in stray dogs from the city of Queretaro in central Mexico

Abstract The prevalence of helminth species in stray dogs, from the capital city of the state of Queretaro, was evaluated. A total of 378 dogs were captured and examined for the presence of helminths from January to December 2008. The results showed that 275 (72.8%) of examined dogs were infected with one or more helminth species. Single infections were observed in 139 (50.5%) of infected dogs and 136 (49.5%) harboured mixed infections. Out of the 378 dogs examined, 208 (55.2%) presented nematodes and 182 (48.1%) cestodes. The prevalences (confidence interval) and mean intensities of infection ( ± SD) of nematodes and cestodes encountered were: Ancylostoma caninum 42.9% (37.9–47.8) and 22.1 ( ± 34.3); Toxocara canis 15.1% (11.8–19.0) and 8.3 ( ± 15.0); Spirocerca lupi 4.5% (2.7–7.1) and 3.9 ( ± 4.8); Toxascaris leonina 2.3% (1.1–4.5) and 4.8 ( ± 3.5); Physaloptera praeputialis 1.9% (0.8–3.8) and 9.7 ( ± 14.9); Dirofilaria immitis 1.3% (0.4–3.1) and 5.6 ( ± 2.1); Oslerus osleri 0.3% (0.0–1.6) and 5 ( ± 0.0); Dipylidium caninum 44.9% (40.0–50.0) and 18.1 ( ± 27.7); Taenia spp. 6.9% (4.7–9.9) and 6.9 ( ± 7.1). There were no significant differences in prevalences observed either between female (68.5%) and male (76.8%) or between young (70.6%) and adult (74.2%) animals. No differences were observed in the ANOVA test for the mean intensity of infection of any of the parasites (P>0.05).
Relationship of thresholds of physical performance to nutritional status in older hospitalized male cardiac patients

Nutrition is the focus of a new treatment target in older hospitalized cardiac patients. However, little is known about the differences in nutritional status in relation to physical performance in these inpatients. We determined the differences in physical performance based on the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) and physical performance cut‐off values according to the GNRI in older male cardiac inpatients.
Exchange Rate Pass-Through into Import Prices of Croatia

Abstract The main goal of this paper is to examine the influence of macro factors and the degree of the exchange rate pass-through (ERPT) on aggregate and disaggregate import prices of the industrial sectors in the short- and long-run. The study is based on a model used by Campa and Goldberg (2002) and Campa et al. (2005). The ERPT is determined by applying the single equation and the cointegration approach (autoregressive distributed lag model [ARDL]), vector decomposition, and data over the period from 2002Q1 to 2016Q4. In the long-run, the ERPT is complete for the aggregate import and for the industrial sector beverages and tobacco. In the short-run, the ERPT is incomplete for the aggregate import and for majority of industrial sectors. Further, we have discovered that the degree of the ERPT is higher with heterogeneous products than with homogeneous products. Due to the inaccessibility of data for micro factors, we were not able to determine their effect on import prices. The results of our research can help economic policymakers to create adequate measures in the field of economic policies that will improve the competitiveness of the economy. Finally, this paper identified the effect of the volatility degree of the ERPT on the disaggregate import prices of industrial sectors that has not been sufficiently explored so far.