Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A distance-aware model of 802.11 MAC layer

We present in this paper an analytical model that accounts for the positions of stations with respect to the Access Point while evaluating the performance of 802.11 MAC layer. Our model is based on the Bianchi's work where the performance of 802.11 MAC layer is computed using a discrete time Markov chain, but where all stations are implicitly assumed to be located at the same distance to the Access Point. In our model, given the position of one station, we compute its saturation throughput while conditioning on the positions of the other concurrent stations. Our model also gives the total saturation throughput of the medium. We solve the model numerically and we show that the saturation throughput of one station is strongly dependent on its own position and on the positions of the other stations. One station achieves a high throughput when it is close to the Access Point and loses when it moves away. There is some distance threshold above which the lost in the throughput is quick and important. When a station is far from the Access Point compared to the other stations, it will end up by contending for the bandwidth not used by the other stations. We believe that our model is a good tool to dimension 802.11 wireless access networks and to study their capacities and their performances.
Cancer antigens: immune recognition of self and altered self

A tacit assumption of cancer immunology has been that tumors express non-self or "foreign" antigens. The recent identification of a handful of potentially immunogenic cancer antigens shows that they are not truly foreign. Although the boundary between self and non-self is not well-defined, this first look at cancer antigens fits more with a self/altered self paradigm than with the non-self paradigm for antigens recognized in infectious diseases.
A quantitative risk assessment of multiple factors influencing HIV/AIDS transmission through unprotected sex among HIV-seropositive men

Abstract The objective of this study is to conduct a quantitative risk assessment of multiple factors influencing HIV/AIDS transmission through unprotected sexual practices among HIV-seropositive men. A knowledgebase was developed by reviewing different published sources. The data were collected from different sources including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, selected journals, and reports. The risk pathway scenario tree was developed based on a comprehensive review of published literature. The variables are organized into nine major parameter categories. Monte Carlo simulations for the quantitative risk assessment of HIV/AIDS transmission was executed with the software @Risk 4.0 (Palisade Corporation). Results show that the value for the likelihood of unprotected sex due to having less knowledge about HIV/AIDS and negative attitude toward condom use and safer sex ranged from 1.24×10−5 to 8.47×10−4 with the mean and standard deviation of 1.83×10−4 and 8.63×10−5, respectively. The likelihood of unprotected sex due to having greater anger-hostility, anxiety, less satisfied with aspects of life, and greater depressive symptoms ranged from 2.76×10−9 to 5.34×10−7 with the mean and standard deviation of 5.23×10−8 and 3.58×10−8, respectively. The findings suggest that HIV/AIDS research and intervention programs must be focused on behavior, and the broader setting within which individual risky behaviors occur.
Recognition of statistically defined signals along with unknown signals

Some practical peculiarities of methods to recognize random signal are considered for non-traditional cases when there are both signals with unknown probabilistic characteristics and statistically defined signals are given for recognition. The novelty of the present work is that it considers the signal recognition problem solving with employing methods based on different probabilistic models like auto regression processes, mixtures of standard distributions and expansions of random signals with respect to orthogonal functions. Consideration is given to results of the applied signal recognition problem solving in the field of radar and radio monitoring.
Population differentiation and nuclear gene flow in the Dominican anole (Anolis oculatus)

Allele frequency data from nuclear microsatellite loci were used to investigate patterns of nuclear gene flow and population structure in the morphologically variable Dominican anole (Anolis oculatus). All six loci used proved to be highly polymorphic, with an average of 18.8 alleles per locus. Test for Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium revealed small numbers of heterozygote deficiencies at single loci in single populations and consistent patterns of increasingly significant heterozygote deficiency in global tests across populations and loci. No significant relationship between FST and patristic distances estimated from mitochondrial DNA sequences was detected and estimates of FIS were significantly higher in females than in males, indicating that gene flow may be sex‐biased and mediated mainly by male migration. A highly significant correlation between linearized FST and loge (geographical distance) indicates that geographical proximity is a significant factor in the genetic structure of A. oculatus populations. However, levels of gene flow between morphologically differentiated parapatric populations are frequently seen to be relatively high. This supports the hypothesis of natural selection being the driving force behind the development and maintenance of morphological variation and shows that adaptive differentiation may be maintained despite the homogenizing influence of gene flow. Generally, the morphologically variable populations of A. oculatus are seen to be poor candidates for in situ speciation, but an exceptional case on the west coast of Dominica indicates that isolation resulting from vicariant events may lead to rapid differentiation at both mitochondrial and nuclear loci. This provides a possible mechanism for anole speciation on other Caribbean islands.
Biosynthesis of Long Chain Alkyl Diols and Long Chain Alkenols in Nannochloropsis spp. (Eustigmatophyceae)

Abstract We investigated potential biosynthetic pathways of long chain alkenols (LCAs), long chain alkyl diols (LCDs), and long chain hydroxy fatty acids (LCHFAs) in Nannochloropsis oceanica and Nannochloropsis gaditana, by combining culturing experiments with genomic and transcriptomic analyses. Incubation of Nannochloropsis spp. in the dark for 1 week led to significant increases in the cellular concentrations of LCAs and LCDs in both species. Consistently, 13C-labelled substrate experiments confirmed that both LCA and LCD were actively produced in the dark from C14–18 fatty acids by either condensation or elongation/hydroxylation, although no enzymatic evidence was found for the former pathway. Nannochloropsis spp. did, however, contain (i) multiple polyketide synthases (PKSs) including one type (PKS-Clade II) that might catalyze incomplete fatty acid elongations leading to the formation of 3-OH-fatty acids, (ii) 3-hydroxyacyl dehydratases (HADs), which can possibly form Δ2/Δ3 monounsaturated fatty acids, and (iii) fatty acid elongases (FAEs) that could elongate 3-OH-fatty acids and Δ2/Δ3 monounsaturated fatty acids to longer products. The enzymes responsible for reduction of the long chain fatty acids to LCDs and LCAs are, however, unclear. A putative wax ester synthase/acyl coenzyme A (acyl-CoA): diacylglycerol acyltransferase is likely to be involved in the esterification of LCAs and LCDs in the cell wall. Our data thus provide useful insights in predicting the biosynthetic pathways of LCAs and LCDs in phytoplankton suggesting a key role of FAE and PKS enzymes.
Dying and relational aftermath concerns among terminal cancer patients in China

Abstract The need to make sense of one’s mortality is of central concern for death studies. We aimed to explore the meaning of aftermath concerns in the process of preparing for death. Using a qualitative approach, we explored aftermath concerns among 25 participants with terminal cancer in China. Three aftermath concern themes were developed from the participants’ narratives: mental concerns about parents, material concerns about children, and spiritual concerns about the self. Aftermath concerns are relational because they are not about what happens within an individual, but between individuals which are manifested within the broader cultural, social, economic, and political contexts.
Advanced MMIC for Passive Millimeter and Submillimeter Wave Imaging

Passive millimeter wave imaging systems above 100GHz have traditionally relied on mixer front-ends. InP HEMT low-noise amplifiers are reported for considerably higher frequencies, including a 70nm gate cascode amplifier with gain well into the 100GHz range, and two 35nm gate amplifiers operating at ~300GHz.
Minimally invasive surgical approaches for lung cancer

ABSTRACT Introduction: Surgery is the standard of care for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but there remains on an ongoing discussion as to what is the best surgical approach. Despite only modest adoption of minimally invasive surgery (MIS), it is now the favored approach over traditional open surgery. MIS techniques like video-assisted (VATS) and robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) have been demonstrated to reduce postoperative complications and shorten the length of hospitalization. Furthermore, despite unresolved questions of the oncological equivalency of MIS approaches, recent literature suggests no differences in upstaging or survival between VATS and open surgery. Area covered: We examine the current state and future direction of MIS for lung cancer in this review. Expert opinion: The perioperative benefits of VATS may make it superior to thoracotomy. There is overall insufficient clinical and patient equipoise to support a large randomized trial comparing MIS with open surgery at this time, but this may change in the presence of compelling preliminary data. The growing use of RATS has thus far only shown equivalence to VATS at a higher cost. Further investigation is needed. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02617186.
Ownership Structure, Legal Protections and Corporate Governance

This paper surveys the issues and devises an analytical framework for policy makers and policy advisors concerned with corporate governance. The framework takes a functional approach, identifying six functions provided by a governance system. The paper highlights the possibilities and limits to governance reform through the adoption of legal protections and the use of ownership structure. I caution against excessive emphasis on legal rules themselves, demonstrating their insufficiency to provide the functions of governance. Instead, I first emphasize the importance of effective legal protections that require complementary governance institutions including political structure, the location of judicial authority, norms, and information/reputation intermediaries. Second, I draw attention to ownership structure, reviewing theoretical and empirical support for the beneficial effect of identity and concentration on the functions of corporate governance in the absence of effective legal protections. A review of the evidence from established and newly privatized firms reinforces these contentions. The paper concludes with four broad agenda items for both reformers and future research.
On relation between constraint answer set programming and satisfiability modulo theories*

Abstract Constraint answer set programming is a promising research direction that integrates answer set programming with constraint processing. It is often informally related to the field of satisfiability modulo theories. Yet, the exact formal link is obscured as the terminology and concepts used in these two research areas differ. In this paper, we connect these two research areas by uncovering the precise formal relation between them. We believe that this work will boost the cross-fertilization of the theoretical foundations and the existing solving methods in both areas. As a step in this direction, we provide a translation from constraint answer set programs with integer linear constraints to satisfiability modulo linear integer arithmetic that paves the way to utilizing modern satisfiability modulo theories solvers for computing answer sets of constraint answer set programs.
Epidemiology of Rifampin ADP-Ribosyltransferase (arr-2) and Metallo-β-Lactamase (blaIMP-4) Gene Cassettes in Class 1 Integrons in Acinetobacter Strains Isolated from Blood Cultures in 1997 to 2000

ABSTRACT We characterized two new gene cassettes in an Acinetobacter isolate: one harbored the metallo-β-lactamase (IMP-4) gene blaIMP-4, the other harbored the rifampin ADP-ribosyltransferase (ARR-2) gene arr-2, and both arrayed with the aminoglycoside acetyltransferase [AAC(6′)-Ib7] gene cassette aacA4 in two separate class 1 integrons. The epidemiology of these gene cassettes in isolates from blood cultures obtained from 1997 to 2000 was studied. Isolates bearing either the blaIMP-4 or the arr-2 gene cassette or both represented 17.5% (10 of 57) of isolates in 1997, 16.1% (10 of 62) in 1998, 2.5% (1 of 40) in 1999, and 0% (0 of 58) in 2000. These two gene cassettes, probably borne on two separate integrons, were found in at least three genomic DNA groups, with evidence of clonal dissemination in the intensive care unit during 1997 to 1998. Seventeen of the 52 Acinetobacter baumannii (genomic DNA group 2) isolates from 1997 to 2000 harbored intI1, but only one was positive for these gene cassettes, whereas 20 of the 21 intI1-positive isolates of all other genomic DNA groups were positive for either or both of them. Reduced susceptibility to imipenem and rifampin was seen only in isolates harboring the blaIMP-4 and arr-2 cassettes, respectively. The aminoglycoside phosphotransferase [APH(3′)-VIa] gene aph(3′)-VIa was detected in all 21 isolates for which the MIC of amikacin was ≥8 μg/ml, with or without aacA4, whereas aacA4 alone was found in isolates for which the MIC of amikacin was 0.5 to 2 μg/ml. Significant differences between the 17 intI1-positive and 47 intI1-negative isolates belonging to genomic DNA group 3 from 1997 to 1998 in the MICs of amikacin, gentamicin, imipenem, sulfamethoxazole, and ceftazidime were observed (Mann-Whitney test, P < 0.001 to 0.01).
Connected Speech Deficit as an Early Hallmark of CSF-defined Alzheimer's Disease and Correlation with Cerebral Hypoperfusion Pattern.

BACKGROUND Diagnosis of prodromal Alzheimer's disease (AD) still represents a burning issue and there is growing interest for detection of early and non-invasive biomarkers. Although progressive episodic memory impairment is the typical predominant feature of AD, communicative difficulties can be already present at the early stages of the disease. OBJECTIVE This study investigated narrative discourse production deficit as a hallmark of CSF- defined prodromal AD and its correlation with cerebral hypoperfusion pattern. METHOD Narrative assessment with a multilevel procedure for discourse analysis was conducted on 28 subjects with Mild Cognitive impairment (15 MCI due to AD; 13 MCI non-AD) and 28 healthy controls. The diagnostic workup included CSF AD biomarkers. Cerebral hypoperfusion pattern was identified by SPECT image processing. RESULTS The results showed that the discourse analysis of global coherence and lexical informativeness indexes allowed to identify MCI due to AD from MCI non-AD and healthy subjects. These findings allow to hypothesize that loss of narrative efficacy could be a possible early clinical hallmark of the Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, a significant correlation of global coherence and lexical informativeness reduction with the SPECT hypoperfusion was found in the dorsal aspect of the anterior part of the left inferior frontal gyrus, supporting the hypothesis that this area has a significant role in communicative efficacy and in particular in semantic selection executive control. CONCLUSION This study therefore contributes to understanding of neural networks for language processing and their involvement in prodromal Alzheimer's disease. It also suggests an easy and sensitive tool for clinical practice that can help identifying individuals with prodromal Alzheimer's disease.
The Role of Social Media in Online Weight Management: Systematic Review

Background Social media applications are promising adjuncts to online weight management interventions through facilitating education, engagement, and peer support. However, the precise impact of social media on weight management is unclear. Objective The objective of this study was to systematically describe the use and impact of social media in online weight management interventions. Methods PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched for English-language studies published through March 25, 2013. Additional studies were identified by searching bibliographies of electronically retrieved articles. Randomized controlled trials of online weight management interventions that included a social media component for individuals of all ages were selected. Studies were evaluated using 2 systematic scales to assess risk of bias and study quality. Results Of 517 citations identified, 20 studies met eligibility criteria. All study participants were adults. Because the included studies varied greatly in study design and reported outcomes, meta-analysis of interventions was not attempted. Although message boards and chat rooms were the most common social media component included, their effect on weight outcomes was not reported in most studies. Only one study measured the isolated effect of social media. It found greater engagement of participants, but no difference in weight-related outcomes. In all, 65% of studies were of high quality; 15% of studies were at low risk of bias. Conclusions Despite the widespread use of social media, few studies have quantified the effect of social media in online weight management interventions; thus, its impact is still unknown. Although social media may play a role in retaining and engaging participants, studies that are designed to measure its effect are needed to understand whether and how social media may meaningfully improve weight management.
Optimising Light Source Positions to Minimise Illumination Variation for 3D Vision

Machine vision lighting systems must be designed to evenly illuminate scenes, so that objects' appearances do not change depending on their position. This is challenging when imaging 3D scenes where the camera's field of view or depth of field are large. This paper describes a scheme to design effective lighting systems in such situations: lighting across the scene is modelled, and positions of lights are optimised to minimise variation in illumination levels. The scheme is used to design a lighting system for an agricultural robot, which reduces variation in the appearance of crops due to uneven lighting. The lighting for a compact medical imaging device is redesigned, which will result in a 53% reduction in the range of lighting levels in the scene.
Null boundary controllability of a circular elastic arch

We consider a circular arch of thickness e and curvature r−1 whose elastic deformations are described by a 2×2 system of linear partial differential equation. The system of the type y′′ + Ay = 0,y = (y1, y3) involves the tangential y1 and normal y3 component of the arch displacement. We analyze in this work the null controllability of these two components by acting on the boundary through a Dirichlet and a Neumann control simultaneously. Using the multiplier technic we show that, for any e > 0 fixed, the arch may be exactly controlled provided that the curvature be small enough. Then, we consider the numerical approximation of the controllability problem, using a C − C finite element method and analyze some experiments with respect to the curvature and the thickness of the arch. We also highlight and discuss numerically the loss of uniform controllability as the thickness e goes to zero, due to apparition of an essential spectrum for the limit operator A.
Sulforaphane prevents PC12 cells from oxidative damage via the Nrf2 pathway

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of sulforaphane (SFN) on 1-methyl-4-phenyl pyridine ion (MPP+)-induced cytotoxicity and to investigate its possible mechanisms. Methods: PC12 cell toxicity induced by MPP+ served as a cell model of Parkinson's diseases. The cell culture + experiments were divided into four groups based on the different treatments, namely, vehicle control, SFN, MPP+ and SFN pretreatment plus MPP+. Cell viability and apoptosis were examined by MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and nicotinamide quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) were detected using western blotting. Results: MPP+ reduced the survival rate of PC12 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. After 24-h treatment with 500 µmol/l MPP+, the survival rate of PC12 cells decreased to 58.2±0.03% of that in the control groups. Under the same conditions MPP+ resulted in significant apoptosis of PC12 cells (apoptosis rate: 30.4±0.6%). However, SFN pretreatment significantly attenuated the cell damage induced by MPP+. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that SFN reversed the reduction of Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 expression induced by MPP+. Conclusion: SFN may protect PC12 cells from MPP+-induced damage via activating the Nrf2-ARE (antioxidant responsive element) pathway.
Fully Current-Based Sub-Bandgap Optoelectronic Differential Ideality Factor Technique and Extraction of Subgap DOS in Amorphous Semiconductor TFTs

A sub-bandgap optoelectronic differential ideality factor technique is proposed for extraction of the intrinsic density-of-states (DOS) over the bandgap in amorphous semiconductor thin-film transistors (TFTs). In the proposed technique, the gate bias-dependent differential change in the difference of ideality factors (dAη(VGS)/dVGS) between dark and sub-bandgap photonic excitation condition is employed. With the sub-bandgap photons (hν <; Eg), the photonic excitation of electrons is confined only from the localized DOS over the bandgap. We applied the proposed technique to a-InGaZnO TFTs with W/L = 50/25 μm/μm and extracted the energy distribution of the intrinsic DOS for the localized states over the bandgap.
Omeprazole and clarithromycin with and without metronidazole for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori.

OBJECTIVES To treat previously untreated adult patients infected with Helicobacter pylori with one of two regimens in an ambulatory community setting to assess the efficacy and safety of these regimens. METHODS Sixty five adult patients with histologically confirmed H. pylori infection were randomly assigned in this open cohort study to 2 wk, low dose, twice daily treatment with omeprazole 20 mg and clarithromycin 250 mg (OC) (n = 31) or OC plus metronidazole 500 mg (OCM) (n = 34). At least 4 wk after treatment, H. pylori status was assessed by histology (four gastric biopsies, two each from antrum and body). RESULTS Triple therapy with OCM was significantly better than dual therapy with OC in intent-to-treat (82.4 vs 58.1%, p = 0.03) and per protocol analysis (93.3 vs 62.1%, p = 0.004). Although there were frequent side effects (OC 19/31 61.3%; OCM 22/34 64.7% with at least one side effect), these were generally mild, and patients were able to complete nearly all of their medications (OC 97.2%, OCM 96.7% of pills taken). The only patient withdrawn due to medication side effects was in the OC arm. CONCLUSIONS Triple therapy with OCM in a community setting eradicates H. pylori more effectively than dual therapy with OC. OCM is tolerated with high compliance despite frequent minor side effects and appears safe without the development of serious adverse events.