Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic reconfiguration in HaRTES switched ethernet networks

The ability of reconfiguring a system during runtime is essential for dynamic real-time applications in which resource usage is traded online for quality of service. The HaRTES switch, which is a modified Ethernet switch, holds this ability for the network resource, and at the same time it provides hard real-time support for both periodic and sporadic traffic. Although the HaRTES switch technologically caters this ability, a protocol to actually perform the dynamic reconfiguration is missing in multi-hop HaRTES networks. In this paper we introduce such a protocol that is compatible with the traffic scheduling method used in the architecture. We prove the correctness of the protocol using a model checking technique. Moreover, we conduct a set of simulation experiments to show the performance of the protocol and we also show that the reconfiguration process is terminated within a bounded time.
Use of Positive Blood Cultures for Direct Identification and Susceptibility Testing with the Vitek 2 System

ABSTRACT In order to further decrease the time lapse between initial inoculation of blood culture media and the reporting of results of identification and antimicrobial susceptibility tests for microorganisms causing bacteremia, we performed a prospective study in which specially processed fluid from positive blood culture bottles from Bactec 9240 (Becton Dickinson, Cockeysville, Md.) containing aerobic media were directly inoculated into Vitek 2 system cards (bio-Mérieux, France). Organism identification and susceptibility results were compared with those obtained from cards inoculated with a standardized bacterial suspension obtained following subculture to agar; 100 consecutive positive monomicrobic blood cultures, consisting of 50 gram-negative rods and 50 gram-positive cocci, were included in the study. For gram-negative organisms, 31 of the 50 (62%) showed complete agreement with the standard method for species identification, while none of the 50 gram-positive cocci were correctly identified by the direct method. For gram-negative rods, there were 50% categorical agreements between the direct and standard methods for all drugs tested. The very major error rate was 2.4%, and the major error rate was 0.6%. The overall error rate for gram-negatives was 6.6%. Complete agreement in clinical categories of all antimicrobial agents evaluated was obtained for 19 of 50 (38%) gram-positive cocci evaluated; the overall error rate was 8.4%, with 2.8% minor errors, 2.4% major errors, and 3.2% very major errors. These findings suggest that the Vitek 2 cards inoculated directly from positive Bactec 9240 bottles do not provide acceptable bacterial identification or susceptibility testing in comparison with corresponding cards tested by a standard method.
Characterization and role of Helix contactin‐related proteins in cultured Helix pomatia neurons

We report on the structural and functional properties of the Helix contactin‐related proteins (HCRPs), a family of closely related glycoproteins previously identified in the nervous system of the land snail Helix pomatia through antibodies against the mouse F3/contactin glycoprotein. We focus on HCRP1 and HCRP2, soluble FNIII domains‐containing proteins of 90 and 45 kD bearing consensus motifs for both N‐ and O‐glycosylation. Using the anti‐HCRPs serum, we find secreted HCRPs in Helix nervous tissue isotonic extracts and in culture medium conditioned by Helix ganglia. In addition, we demonstrate expression of HCRPs on neuronal soma and on neurite extensions. Functionally, in Helix neurons, the antisense HCRP2 mRNA counteracts neurite elongation, and the recombinant HCRP2 protein exerts a strong positive effect on neurite growth when used as substrate. These data point to HCRPs as novel neurite growth‐promoting molecules expressed in invertebrate nervous tissue. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A novel combination of Class I fumarase enzymes and a metabolite (alpha-ketoglutarate) signal the DNA damage response in E. coli

Class-II fumarases (Fumarate Hydratase, FH) are dual targeted enzymes, occurring in the mitochondria and cytosol of all eukaryotes. They are essential components in the DNA damage response and more specifically in protecting cells from DNA double strand breaks. Similarly, the Gram-positive Bacterium Bacillus subtilis Class-II fumarase, in addition to its role in the TCA cycle, also participates in the DDR. Escherichia coli, harbors three fumarase genes; Class-I fumA and fumB and Class-II fumC. Notably, Class-I, show no sequence similarity to Class-II and are of different evolutionary origin. Strikingly, here we show that E. coli fumarase functions are distributed between Class-I fumarases which participate in the DDR, and the Class-II fumarase which participate in respiration. In E. coli, we discover that the signaling molecule, alpha-ketoglutarate (α- KG), has a novel function in E. coli, complementing DNA damage sensitivity of fum null mutants. Excitingly, we identify the E. coli DNA repair enzyme AlkB, is a target of this α- KG signaling. In addition to α-KG, fumarate is shown here to affect DNA damage repair on two different levels, first by directly inhibiting the DNA damage repair enzyme AlkB demethylase activity both in vitro and in vivo (countering α-KG). The second is a more global effect on transcription, as fum null mutants exhibit a decrease in transcription of key DNA damage repair genes. Together these results show evolutionary adaptable metabolic signaling of the DDR in which fumarases and different metabolites are recruited regardless of the evolutionary Class preforming the function. Significance Statement Class-II fumarases have been shown to participate in cellular respiration and the DNA damage response. Here we show, for the first time, that in the model prokaryote, Escherichia coli, which harbors both Class-I and Class-II fumarases, it is the Class-I fumarases that participate in DNA damage repair by a mechanism which is different than those described for other fumarases. Strikingly, this mechanism employs a novel signaling molecule, alpha-ketoglutarate (α-KG), and its target is the DNA damage repair enzyme AlkB. In addition, we show that fumarase precursor metabolites, fumarate and succinate, can inhibit the α-KG-dependent DNA damage repair enzyme, AlkB, both in vitro and in vivo. This study provides a new perspective on the function and evolution of metabolic signaling.
Robust Covariance Matrix Estimation for Radar Space-Time Adaptive Processing (STAP)

Estimating the disturbance or clutter covariance is a centrally important problem in radar space time adaptive processing (STAP). The disturbance covariance matrix should be inferred from training sample observations in practice. Large number of homogeneous training samples are generally not available because of difficulty of guaranteeing target free disturbance observation, practical limitations imposed by the spatio-temporal nonstationarity, and system considerations. In this dissertation, we look to address the aforementioned challenges by exploiting physically inspired constraints into ML estimation. While adding constraints is beneficial to achieve satisfactory performance in the practical regime of limited training, it leads to a challenging problem. We focus on breaking this classical trade-off between computational tractability and desirable performance measures, particularly in training starved regimes. In particular, we exploit both the structure of the disturbance covariance and importantly the knowledge of the clutter rank to yield a new rank constrained maximum likelihood (RCML) estimator. In addition, we derive a new covariance estimator for STAP that jointly considers a Toeplitz structure and a rank constraint on the clutter component. Finally, we address the problem of working with inexact physical radar parameters under a practical radar environment. We propose a robust covariance estimation method via an expected likelihood (EL) approach. We analyze covariance estimation algorithms under three different cases of imperfect constraints: 1) only rank constraint, 2) both rank and noise power constraint, and 3) condition number constraint. For each case, we formulate estimation of the constraint as an optimization problem with the EL criterion and formally derive and prove a significant analytical result such as uniqueness of the solution.
Quantification of plasminogen activator activity associated with herpesvirus-transformed cells.

Herpesvirus-transformed cell lines were examined for plasminogen activator (PA) activity using a quantitative assay. Previous results of cold fibrin overlay assays indicated that herpesvirus-transformed hamster cell lines produce fibrinolytic activity. Quantification of this activity involved the use of an 125I-fibrin lysis assay in which medium previously incubated with transformed or normal cells was tested for its ability to lyse 125I-fibrin polymers. This assay indicated an enhanced production of plasminogen-dependent fibrinolytic activity by transformed hamster cells compared to hamster embryo fibroblasts. The kinetics of secretion failed to reveal a significant difference in plasminogen activator activity in cells transformed by either herpes simplex virus types 1 or 2 (HSV-1 or HSV-2); however, transformed cells exhibited a significant increase in activity over non-transformed cells. Further characterization of PA activity associated with cells transformed by HSV-1 or HSV-2 has revealed that the protease is secreted and can function extracellularly. Extracellular PA activity produced by HSV-transformed cells is detected more efficiently than the cell-associated enzyme. Extracellular PA can be induced in two different species of cells by infection with partially inactivated HSV-2. Lytic infection of human embryo lung cells by HSV-2 strain 333 did not enhance activity, but infection of these cells with virus inactivated by u.v. irradiation resulted in increased PA levels from the cells. Increased enzyme levels were also detected in hamster embryo fibroblasts infected with partially inactivated virus. Further investigation of this enzyme function may determine whether increased levels of protease will indicate oncogenic transformation in vitro by herpesviruses.
Academy of Scientific Research and Technology 27 th National Radio Science Conference Faculty of Electronic Engineering , Menoufia Univ . , Menouf , Egypt 16-18 March 2010 The Influence of Pre-processing and Gene Rank Aggregation on Microarray Data Analysis

Preprocessing of microarray data might influence the precision of any further calculations based on these raw data. Important procedures should be considered, concerning preprocessing microarray data. This involves background correction, normalization, and detection of faulty spots from microarray data prior to analysis. In this study various methods for normalization and background correction were applied to a set of twenty samples presenting thyroid papillary cancer tissues versus patient-matched adjacent non-tumor thyroid tissues, in a trial to stand over the impact of preprocessing on the analysis results. To assess our results, we employed classification techniques to analyze the data after being preprocessed. This emphasizes the impact of preprocessing microarray data on gene expression analysis. Another challenge is to combine lists coming from different sources and platforms, for example different microarray chips, which may or may not be directly comparable otherwise. This is one of the major strengths of rank-based aggregation. Work is under way in this study to use genetic algorithm in the context of meta-analysis of several microarray cancer studies on liver where the goal is to determine the combined set of genes indicative of the cancer status. Genetic algorithm is applied to a set of sixty one samples presenting hepatitis C, another set of ten normal liver tissue samples, and a set of twenty seven liver cancer (primary tumor), in an attempt to predict biomarkers for progression towards hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) in hepatitis C virus patients.
Decay estimates for four dimensional Schrödinger, Klein-Gordon and wave equations with obstructions at zero energy

We investigate dispersive estimates for the Schr\"odinger operator $H=-\Delta +V$ with $V$ is a real-valued decaying potential when there are zero energy resonances and eigenvalues in four spatial dimensions. If there is a zero energy obstruction, we establish the low-energy expansion $$ e^{itH}\chi(H) P_{ac}(H)=O(1/(\log t)) A_0+ O(1/t)A_1+O((t\log t)^{-1})A_2+ O(t^{-1}(\log t)^{-2})A_3. $$ Here $A_0,A_1:L^1(\mathbb R^n)\to L^\infty (\mathbb R^n)$, while $A_2,A_3$ are operators between logarithmically weighted spaces, with $A_0,A_1,A_2$ finite rank operators, further the operators are independent of time. We show that similar expansions are valid for the solution operators to Klein-Gordon and wave equations. Finally, we show that under certain orthogonality conditions, if there is a zero energy eigenvalue one can recover the $|t|^{-2}$ bound as an operator from $L^1\to L^\infty$. Hence, recovering the same dispersive bound as the free evolution in spite of the zero energy eigenvalue.
Reconfigurable antennas based on stub-loaded substrate-integrated circuits

A family of reconfigurable antennas based on stub-loaded substrate-integrated circuits, including a microstrip patch, a substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) cavity and their variations is presented. The paper summarizes the reconfiguration concept proposed in recent papers and extend its applicability to further substrate-integrated geometries. In addition, the analysis, optimization and results of various reconfigurable antennas are revised with further discussions. The results demonstrate that the stub-loaded configuration provides a simple and effective solution to design reconfigurable antennas, especially in terms of convenient bias network and quasi-analytical the optimization of the desired frequency tuning-range.
Recombinant Escherichia coli Strain Produces a ZZ Domain Displaying Biopolyester Granules Suitable for Immunoglobulin G Purification

ABSTRACT The immunoglobulin G (IgG) binding ZZ domain of protein A from Staphylococcus aureus was fused to the N terminus of the polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase from Cupriavidus necator. The fusion protein was confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry and mediated formation of ZZ domain-displaying PHA granules in recombinant Escherichia coli. The IgG binding capacity of isolated granules was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and could be enhanced by the overproduction of the ZZ-PHA synthase. ZZ-PHA granules enabled efficient purification of IgG from human serum.
Characterization of flip-chip interconnect for mm-wave system in package applications

This paper describes a systematic approach to characterize flip-chip solder bump interconnects to accurately design mm-wave on-chip devices and matching circuits for on-package components. Variety of on-chip test structures are fabricated and measured from DC to 67 GHz by GSG probes landed on bare and bumped pads. Combination of two double-delay based de-embeding methods are used to calculate the transmission lines (TLs) and interconnect characteristics. Furthermore, scattering parameter of bare pads and bump pads are accurately extracted from measurement results without lumped element assumption.
A brief intervention utilising visual feedback reduces pain and enhances tactile acuity in CLBP patients.

BACKGROUND Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a serious health problem in industrialised countries and the efficacy of current treatment options is unsatisfying. OBJECTIVE The present study examines the effects of a combined intervention that utilizes visual feedback, motion and sensory discrimination training in CLBP patients. METHODS Thirty patients of an outpatient orthopaedic rehabilitation unit were randomly assigned to either feedback or control group. In addition to standard treatment, patients of the feedback group received 6 feedback sessions where they watched the image of their back during a brief 2-point discrimination training and, after that, while they were tilting their pelvis up and down on the left and right side using their lumbar musculus multifidus solely. The control group received 6 sessions consisting of 2 units of physiotherapy, relaxation training and movement training (walking) each. RESULTS A significant effect on self-reported pain and sensory discrimination threshold could be found for the feedback intervention, while, as expected, other pain related variables, like pain anxiety, pain vigilance, depression and cognitive appraisal of pain remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS These findings imply that very simple feedback interventions without major technical requirements could be a valuable supplement to standard treatment in CLBP.
Is the current definition for diabetes relevant to mortality risk from all causes and cardiovascular and noncardiovascular diseases?

OBJECTIVE To assess the relation between fasting plasma glucose (FPG) or 2-h plasma glucose (2hPG) and mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and non-CVD and to determine whether the relationship is graded or threshold. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Diabetes Epidemiology: Collaborative Analysis Of Diagnostic Criteria in Europe (DECODE) is a collaborative prospective study of 22 cohorts in Europe with baseline glucose measurements for 29714 subjects aged 30-89 years who were followed-up for 11 years (329050 person-years). Hazard ratio (HR) for death was estimated using Cox regression analysis. RESULTS High glucose concentrations as well as very low glucose levels were associated with increased risk of death. Compared with an FPG of 4.50-6.09 mmol/l, the multivariate-adjusted HR (95% CI) for FPG <4.50 mmol/l was 1.2 (1.0-1.4) for all-cause, 1.3 (1.0-1.8) for CVD, and 1.1 (0.9-1.4) for non-CVD mortality; the corresponding HRs for diabetes (FPG >or=7.0 mmol/l) were 1.6 (1.4-1.8), 1.6 (1.3-1.9), and 1.6 (1.4-1.9), respectively. For a 2hPG of 3.01-4.50 mmol/l, as compared with a 2hPG of 4.51-5.50 mmol/l, the HRs were 1.1 (1.0-1.2), 1.1 (0.9-1.3), and 1.1 (1.0-1.3), respectively; the corresponding HRs for diabetes (2hPG >or=11.1 mmol/l) were 2.0 (1.7-2.3), 1.9 (1.5-2.4), and 2.1 (1.7-2.5), respectively. The HR for previously undetected diabetes defined by 2hPG was not significantly different from that for known diabetes, which was significantly higher than that for undetected diabetes based on FPG. Subjects with a 2hPG of 10.01-11.09 mmol/l had mortality risks similar to those diabetic subjects defined by an FPG >or=7.0 mmol/l. CONCLUSIONS The relation between mortality and glucose was J shaped rather than showing threshold effect at high glucose levels, except for CVD mortality and 2hPG, where the relation was graded and increasing.
Polypropylene Handbook

ous additives, such as antioxidants and deactivators intended to passivate copper and other metals. The largest single section (14 pages) of this booklet is devoted to test methods for determining oxygen absorption, thermal and oxidative stability, sludge content, and acid number. Standards adopted by various organization are featured, including Standards Australia, ASTM, IEC, the Institute of Petroleum, and ISO. On the whole this monograph could serve as a useful introduction to the evaluation of transformer oils.
Soft iterative multisensor multiuser detection in coded dispersive CDMA wireless channels

A soft iterative multisensor array receiver for coded multiuser wideband code-division multiple-access wireless uplink channels is proposed, such channels are typically both frequency- and time-selective. A new equivalent discrete-time synchronous representation is used to model asynchronous multiuser dispersive channels that employ, in general, random spreading. The proposed scheme suppresses multiuser interference over a wide range of user signal powers, by iteratively exchanging soft information between a minimum mean-square-error (MMSE) multiuser demodulator and a bank of single-user decoders, feeding back the outputs of the latter to aid in soft multiuser multisensor MMSE-RAKE demodulation and subtractive interference cancellation, in the second and subsequent iterations. It displays near-far resistance since it behaves like a successive interference subtracter across iterations. The array responses are obtained via a multipass estimation scheme that uses both (temporal) pilot symbols and soft estimates fed back from the decoders to effectively provide multisymbol pilot signals and thence successively refined estimates with increasing iterations, while seeking neither to rely on the array geometry nor to estimate the directions from which users' signals arrive at the receiver. Simulation studies indicate that this scheme performs close to the single-user case with a two-sensor receiver array, and perfect channel state information, after four iterations; alternatively, it allows significantly increased user capacity compared with conventional receivers, and suffers only a modest loss with estimated array responses.
Effect of Alveolar Ridge Preservation after Tooth Extraction

Alveolar ridge preservation strategies are indicated to minimize the loss of ridge volume that typically follows tooth extraction. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the effect that socket filling with a bone grafting material has on the prevention of postextraction alveolar ridge volume loss as compared with tooth extraction alone in nonmolar teeth. Five electronic databases were searched to identify randomized clinical trials that fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Literature screening and article selection were conducted by 3 independent reviewers, while data extraction was performed by 2 independent reviewers. Outcome measures were mean horizontal ridge changes (buccolingual) and vertical ridge changes (midbuccal, midlingual, mesial, and distal). The influence of several variables of interest (i.e., flap elevation, membrane usage, and type of bone substitute employed) on the outcomes of ridge preservation therapy was explored via subgroup analyses. We found that alveolar ridge preservation is effective in limiting physiologic ridge reduction as compared with tooth extraction alone. The clinical magnitude of the effect was 1.89 mm (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.41, 2.36; p < .001) in terms of buccolingual width, 2.07 mm (95% CI: 1.03, 3.12; p < .001) for midbuccal height, 1.18 mm (95% CI: 0.17, 2.19; p = .022) for midlingual height, 0.48 mm (95% CI: 0.18, 0.79; p = .002) for mesial height, and 0.24 mm (95% CI: –0.05, 0.53; p = .102) for distal height changes. Subgroup analyses revealed that flap elevation, the usage of a membrane, and the application of a xenograft or an allograft are associated with superior outcomes, particularly on midbuccal and midlingual height preservation.