Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
AC / DC TCP : Virtual Congestion Control Enforcement for the Datacenter Networks

The authors propose and develop Administrator Control over Datacenter TCP (AC/DC) to allow network administrators to control tenant TCP stacks without making modifications to virtual machines (VMs) or datacenter hardware. AC/DC places per-flow congestion control at the virtual switch (vSwitch) on top of which multiple tenants run. Individual tenants can use their own congestion control algorithms, but control is ultimately determined by the algorithm running on the vSwitch. Flows are altered at the vSwitch to support different parameters required to use AC/DC’s chosen congestion control algorithm for that flow. For example, if a flow is to be controlled using DCTCP, an ECN field will be added to packets in the flow and used by the receiving vSwitch. By adding and removing fields from flows, AC/DC uses its own congestion control algorithms to determine network congestion. In order to enforce congestion-based rate limiting, AC/DC vSwitch’s modify the RWND advertised to sending tenants. The authors implemented AC/DC on a physical testbed of 17 IBM servers configured in various topologies to determine its ability to reduce packet delays, achieve high throughput, fairly allocate bandwidth, and quickly respond to flow churn. Through their evaluations, the authors find AC/DC to achieve packet delays and network throughput comparable to a cluster with each server individually running DCTCP. Further, the authors show that AC/DC adds less than one percent computational overhead to vSwitches.
Optimal Weights of Certain Branches of an Arbitrary Connected Network for Fastest Distributed Consensus Averaging Problem

Solving fastest distributed consensus averaging problem over networks with different topologies has been an active area of research for a number of years. The main purpose of distributed consensus averaging is to compute the average of the initial values, via a distributed algorithm, in which the nodes only communicate with their neighbors. In the previous works full knowledge about the network's topology was required for finding optimal weights and convergence rate of network, but here in this work for the first time the optimal weights are determined analytically for the edges of certain types of branches, namely path branch, lollipop branch, semi-complete Branch and Ladder branch independent of the rest of network. The solution procedure consists of stratification of associated connectivity graph of branch and Semidefinite Programming (SDP), particularly solving the slackness conditions, where the optimal weights are obtained by inductive comparing of the characteristic polynomials initiated by slackness conditions. Several Examples and numerical simulations are provided to confirm the validity of the obtained results.
A Different View on Privacy Protection In Ubiquitous Applications

privacy is a growing concern in the digital world these day, solutions to protect privacy are presented in numerous ways. When trying to protect the users privacy on the web and in ubiquitous computing applications, the problem of privacy violation is consistently regarded as a problem that can be divided in several sub-problems. This paper gives a short overview of a few important solutions of these sub- problems. Then it takes a different view on protecting privacy and instead of dividing the problem into sub-problems, it presents an approach which is more time-oriented.
Review paper on design of 3D scanner

Nowadays 3D acquisition devices (3D scanner) allows us to build accurate structures, And objects of 3D models in low-cost with less time consumption. We can construct digital 3-dimensional models by the data that we have collected. Here we use Hardware and Software assembly for digitizing the different properties wiz. Shape and color of large objects. The developments of 3D laser scanning techniques are to be introduced in this paper. By the application of 3D laser scanning techniques in land reclamation which boosts the work efficiency and can be useful tool for structure digitizing are to be introduced in this paper. By the application of 3D laser scanning techniques in land reclamation which boosts the work efficiency and can be useful tool for structure digitizing.
Naturally Occurring Surface Antigen Variants of Hepatitis B Virus in Tunisian Patients

In Tunisia, the prevalence of naturally occurring surface (S) gene variants of hepatitis B virus (HBV) has not been determined. In the present study, the prevalence of these variants was examined in terms of the clinical and viral state in a series of 99 Tunisian patients with HBV infection. The S genes were amplified and directly sequenced. Genotype D was predominant (98%), 40.4% isolates belonged to subgenotypes D7 and 1 to subgenotype D2. The most common subtype was ayw2 (95.9%). In total, 60.6% of the studied strains harbored S mutations. Several novel mutation patterns were detected. Interestingly, the presence of S mutations was significantly correlated with the D7 subgenotype, low HBV DNA and advancing age (≥35 years), and tended to be higher in liver cirrhosis than in chronic infection. The global prevalence of the major hydrophilic region variants was 12.1%, with substitution S143L/T as the most frequent (4%). Only 33.9% of S substitutions produced amino acid changes in the polymerase gene. In conclusion, a high prevalence of naturally occurring HBsAg variants was observed among Tunisian HBV carriers. Natural viral variability in a geographical region and duration of infection are among the major factors associated with the occurrence of S mutations.
A Novel Microstrip Antenna With Composite Patch Structure for Reduction of In-Band RCS

A novel kind of composite patch antenna is proposed, in which the mushroom-like electromagnetic band-gap (EBG) structure is integrated onto the conventional patch. Due to the high impedance property of the EBG structure, the scattering fields from EBG structure and the rest of antenna can be out of phase and cancel each other. The composite patch antenna exhibits a natural low in-band radar cross section (RCS) property and keeps the compact planar size as the conventional patch antenna. When radiating, the composite patch as a whole acts as the radiating part of the antenna; while scattering, the composite patch antenna can significantly reduce the in-band RCS within the main scattering beam direction, and the maximum reduction can reach 8 dBsm when plane wave is impinging from normal direction.
A Four-Session Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Based Intervention for Depressive Symptoms Delivered by Masters Degree Level Psychology Students: A Preliminary Study

Background: Depressive symptoms are one of the main reasons for seeking psychological help. Shorter interventions using briefly trained therapists could offer a solution to the ever-rising need for early and easily applicable psychological treatments. Aims: The current study examines the effectiveness of a four-session Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) based treatment for self-reported depressive symptoms administered by Masters level psychology students. Method: This paper reports the effectiveness of a brief intervention compared to a waiting list control (WLC) group. Participants were randomized into two groups: ACT (n = 28) and waiting list (n = 29). Long-term effects were examined using a 6-month follow-up. Results: The treatment group's level of depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory) decreased by an average of 47%, compared to an average decrease of 4% in the WLC group. Changes in psychological well-being in the ACT group were better throughout, and treatment outcomes were maintained after 6 months. The posttreatment “between-group” and follow-up “with-in group” effect sizes (Cohen's d) were large to medium for depressive symptoms and psychological flexibility. Conclusions: The results support the brief ACT-based intervention for sub-clinical depressive symptoms when treatment was conducted by briefly trained psychology students. It also contributes to the growing body of evidence on brief ACT-based treatments and inexperienced therapists.
Fuhrmann syndrome: two Brazilian cases

We describe two unrelated boys with bilateral fibula aplasia, poly- and oligodactyly, and bowed tibiae in two non-consanguineous Brazilian families. These cases are similar to those reported by Fuhrman et al. [(1980). Skeletal Dysplasias. New York: Alan R. Liss Inc. pp. 519–524].
Activin A and bone metastasis

Activin A, is a multifunctional cytokine of the transforming growth factor‐β superfamily of growth factors. This molecule has been shown to be implicated in the regulation of a broad range of important biological functions including bone remodelling. Therefore, a deregulation in the activin signalling pathway may result in disturbances of normal bone metabolism and, eventually, in the onset of severe pathological conditions associated with an altered bone resorption. These observations support the concept that Act A might also be implicated in the pathogenesis of bone metastasis. This review provides insight into the most recent advances in understanding the role of this growth factor in the pathogenesis of bone metastasis, and discusses the implications related to the biomedical applications of these findings. J. Cell. Physiol. 225: 302–309, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Age-related gene expression in luminal epithelial cells is driven by a microenvironment made from myoepithelial cells

Luminal epithelial cells in the breast gradually alter gene and protein expression with age, appearing to lose lineage-specificity by acquiring myoepithelial-like characteristics. We hypothesize that the luminal lineage is particularly sensitive to microenvironment changes, and age-related microenvironment changes cause altered luminal cell phenotypes. To evaluate the effects of different microenvironments on the fidelity of epigenetically regulated luminal and myoepithelial gene expression, we generated a set of lineage-specific probes for genes that are controlled through DNA methylation. Culturing primary luminal cells under conditions that favor myoepithelial propogation led to their reprogramming at the level of gene methylation, and to a more myoepithelial-like expression profile. Primary luminal cells’ lineage-specific gene expression could be maintained when they were cultured as bilayers with primary myoepithelial cells. Isogenic stromal fibroblast co-cultures were unable to maintain the luminal phenotype. Mixed-age luminal-myoepithelial bilayers revealed that luminal cells adopt transcription and methylation patterns consistent with the chronological age of the myoepithelial cells. We provide evidence that the luminal epithelial phenotype is exquisitely sensitive to microenvironment conditions, and that states of aging are cell non-autonomously communicated through microenvironment cues over at least one cell diameter.
Reliability and construct validity of the compatible MRI scoring system for evaluation of haemophilic knees and ankles of haemophilic children. Expert MRI working group of the international prophylaxis study group

Summary. We tested the reliability and construct validity of the Compatible magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scale for the evaluation of haemophilic knees and ankles and compared the diagnostic performance of MRI and plain film radiographs. Sagittal and coronal gradient‐echo 1.5‐T MR images of knees (n = 22) and ankles (n = 23) were obtained from boys (age range 4–16 years; mean 11 years) in two centres (Toronto, n = 26; Europe, n = 19). The MR images were independently read by four blinded radiologists on two occasions. Number of previous joint bleedings and laboratory level of severity of haemophilia were the reference standards for imaging assessment. Both components of the MRI scale demonstrated high inter‐ and intrareader intraclass correlation coefficients (progressive (P) scale, 0.91 and 0.94; additive (A) scale, 0.81 and 0.92 respectively). The correlation between the osteochondral domain of the MRI scale and patient's age was moderate. Otherwise, correlations between A‐ and P‐scales and clinical laboratory measurements were weak. The areas under the curve (AUCs) used for discrimination of disease severity were similar for the A‐ and P‐scales (AUCs used for mild disease, A‐scale, 0.72 ± 0.07; P‐scale, 0.69 ± 0.08; P = 0.23; AUCs for severe disease, A‐scale, 0.93 ± 0.05; P‐scale, 0.87 ± 0.08; P = 0.05). No differences were noted between the AUCs of the MRI and radiographic scales used for discrimination of late osteoarticular changes; MRI scales performed better for discrimination of early changes. In conclusion, both MRI scales demonstrated excellent reliability, poor convergent validity, and moderate and excellent validity for discrimination of mild and severe diseases respectively. Compared with radiographic scores, the MRI scales performed better for discrimination of early osteoarticular changes.
Automatic registration of pelvic computed tomography data and magnetic resonance scans including a full circle method for quantitative accuracy evaluation.

The purpose of this study is to develop a method for registration of CT and MR scans of the pelvis with minimal user interaction and to obtain a means for objective quantification of the registration accuracy of clinical data without markers. CT scans were registered with proton density MR scans using chamfer matching on automatically segmented bone. A fixed threshold was used to segment CT, while morphological filters were used to segment MR. The method was tested with transverse and coronal MR scans of 18 patients and sagittal MR scans of 8 patients. The registration accuracy was estimated by comparing (triangulating) registrations of a single CT scan with MR in different orientations in a "full circle. " For example, CT is first matched on transverse MR, next transverse MR is matched independently on coronal MR, and finally coronal MR is matched independently on CT. The product of the three transformations is the identity if all matching steps are perfect. Deviations from identity occur both due to random errors and due to some types of systematic errors. MR was registered on MR (to close the "circle") by minimization of rms voxel value differences. CT-MR registration takes about 1 min, including user interaction. The random error for CT-MR registration with transverse or coronal MR was 0.5 mm in translation and 0.4 degree in rotation (standard deviation) for each axis. A systematic registration error of about 1 mm was demonstrated along the MR frequency encoding direction, which is attributed to the chemical shift. In conclusion, the presented algorithm efficiently and accurately registers pelvic CT and MR scans on bone. The "full circle" method provides an estimate of the registration accuracy on clinical data.
Hierarchical Analysis of Bioactive Matched Molecular Pairs, Encoded Chemical Transformations, and Associated Substructures

The matched molecular pair (MMP) concept has become popular to assess molecular property changes resulting from small chemical modifications and study structure‐activity relationships (SARs). In this study, we further extend MMP analysis by introducing an MMP‐based hierarchical analysis scheme. Specifically, we report a large‐scale analysis of MMPs derived from bioactive compounds following a defined “MMP‐transformation‐substructure” hierarchy. This makes it also possible to categorize transformations and corresponding substructures on the basis of activity information. MMPs were systematically generated for compounds active against current pharmaceutical targets and stepwise decomposed into transformations and substructures. Surprisingly, most chemical transformations were only associated with single MMPs. Hence, the structural context of transformations was unexpectedly narrow. In addition, nearly half of all substructures were found to exclusively form single‐target transformations. Taken together, the results of our analysis provide a detailed view of MMP‐transformation‐substructure hierarchy and further increase the knowledge base of the MMP approach.
Amlodipine releases nitric oxide from canine coronary microvessels: an unexpected mechanism of action of a calcium channel-blocking agent.

BACKGROUND Recent studies suggest that amlodipine may reduce mortality in patients with heart failure, especially those with dilated cardiomyopathy. In general, drugs that release NO, such as organic nitrates and ACE inhibitors, have been shown to be of substantial benefit in the treatment of heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS We hypothesized that a portion of the beneficial actions of amlodipine may involve the release or action of NO. Coronary microvessels were isolated from the heart of normal dogs and incubated with increasing doses of the calcium channel blockers nifedipine, diltiazem, and amlodipine or the ACE inhibitors enalaprilat and ramiprilat. Neither nifedipine nor diltiazem increased nitrite production at any dose studied. In marked contrast, amlodipine caused a dose-dependent increase in nitrite production from 74+/-5 to 130+/-8 pmol/mg (by 85+/-21%,10(-5) mol/L, P<. 05) that was similar in magnitude to that of either of the ACE inhibitors. Amlodipine also increased nitrite production in large coronary arteries and in aorta. N(omega)-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, HOE-140, and dichloroisocoumarin essentially abolished the increase in nitrite production, indicating that (1) nitrite production reflected NO formation, (2) nitrite production was dependent on stimulation of the kinin2 receptor, and (3) nitrite production is most likely secondary to the formation of local kinins. CONCLUSIONS Thus, unlike nifedipine and diltiazem, amlodipine releases NO from blood vessels.
Thin Superficial Circumflex Iliac Artery Perforator Flap and Supermicrosurgery Technique for Face Reconstruction

Abstract Distant free flaps have become a routine option for reconstruction of large, complicated facial soft tissue defects. The challenge is to find a flap that is pliable to provide good contour and function. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the use of superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flaps for facial defects. From November 2010 to June 2013, facial reconstruction was performed on 6 patients (age range, 15–79 years). The harvesting technique was modified to elevate above the deep fat, and the pedicles were taken above or just below the deep fascia. The mean size of the flap was 75.6 cm2, with a thickness of 7 mm; the mean pedicle length was 4.9 cm; and the mean artery caliber was 0.7 mm. The supermicrosurgery technique was used successfully in all 6 cases. Donor sites were all closed primarily. The mean follow-up was 16.7 months. All flaps survived without flap loss, and the donor sites healed without complications including lymphorrhea. The patients were satisfied with contour and function after reconstruction. The result of these 6 cases suggested that the SCIP flap can be a reliable flap for moderate-sized to large defects in the face. The use of new instrumentation and supermicrosurgical techniques allows use of the SCIP flap reliably while providing patients with a good contour, function, and minimal donor site morbidity.
Viewing socio-a ff ective stimuli increases connectivity within an extended default mode network

Empathy is an essential ability for prosocial behavior. Previous imaging studies identified a number of brain regions implicated in affective and cognitive aspects of empathy. In this study, we investigated the neural correlates of empathy from a network perspective using graph theory and beta-series correlations. Two independent data sets were acquired using the same paradigm that elicited empathic responses to socioaffective stimuli. One data set was used to define the network nodes and modular structure, the other data set was used to investigate the effects of emotional versus neutral stimuli on network connectivity. Emotional relative to neutral stimuli increased connectivity between 74 nodes belonging to different networks. Most of these nodes belonged to an extended default mode network (eDMN). The other nodes belonged to a cognitive control network or visual networks. Within the eDMN, posterior STG/TPJ regions were identified as provincial hubs. The eDMN also showed stronger connectivity to the cognitive control network encompassing lateral PFC regions. Connector hubs between the two networks were posterior cingulate cortex and ventrolateral PFC. This stresses the advantage of a network approach as regions similarly modulated by task conditions can be dissociated into distinct networks and regions crucial for network integration can be identified.
Does Ambient Temperature Affect Foodborne Disease?

Background: Foodborne illness is a significant public health issue in most countries, including Australia. We examined the association between temperature and salmonellosis notifications, and compared these associations for 5 Australian cities. Methods: Log-linear models describing monthly salmonellosis notifications in terms of calendar time and monthly average temperatures were fitted over the period 1991 to 2001 for each city. We used a negative binomial chance model to accommodate overdispersion in the counts. Results: The long-term trend showed an increase in salmonellosis notifications in each of the 5 cities. There was a positive association between monthly salmonellosis notifications and mean monthly temperature of the previous month in every city. Seasonal patterns in salmonellosis notifications were fully explained by changes in temperature. Discussion: The strength of the association, the consistency across 5 cities, and a plausible biologic pathway suggest that higher ambient temperatures are a cause of higher salmonellosis notifications. The lag of 1 month suggests that temperature might be more influential earlier in the production process rather than at the food preparation stage. This knowledge can help to guide policy on food preparation and distribution. It also suggests a basis for an early warning system for increased risk from salmonellosis, and raises yet another possible health problem with global warming.
Maggot Therapy for Elephantiasis Nostras Verrucosa Reveals New Applications and New Complications

Elephantiasis nostras verrucosa (ENV) is a rare dermatologic condition caused by chronic nonfilarial lymphedema. The treatment for ENV is challenging and based solely on case reports. We report novel therapy for ENV with maggot debridement therapy (MDT), an effective wound therapy that has gained popularity with the rise of antimicrobial resistance. MDT, in combination with tangential surgical debridement, was effective in the treatment of ENV. In nature, sheep infested with more than 16 000 blow fly larvae exhibit ammonia toxicity. Although hyperammonemia as a side effect of maggot therapy has been theorized, its existence has not been described in human studies until this case. This patient exhibited hyperammonemia during maggot therapy; with alterations in serum ammonia reflecting changes in larval population. Maggot therapy should be considered for the treatment of ENV. Hyperammonemia with maggot therapy exists, and clinicians who employ this treatment should be aware of this potential adverse effect.
Moyamoya disease

These diagnostic criteria of the moyamoya disease, stated by the Research Committee on Spontaneous Occlusion of the Circle of Willis (moyamoya disease) in Japan, are well established and generally accepted as the definition of this rare entity. On the contrary to the diagnosis of definitive moyamoya disease, there is some confusion in the terminology and understanding of quasimoyamoya disease; moyamoya disease in association with various disease entities, such as atherosclerosis, autoimmune diseases, Down syndrome, etc. Although the clinical management is not affected by these semantic distinctions, terminological confusion may interfere with the international collaboration of the clinical investigation of these rare conditions .