Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Chronic Renal Failure on Liver Drug Transporters

Chronic renal failure (CRF) is associated with a decrease in liver drug metabolism, particularly mediated by the cytochrome P450. CRF also impedes intestinal drug transporters [mainly P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance protein (MRP)]. However, very few studies have evaluated the effects of CRF on liver drug transport. The present study aimed to investigate the repercussions of CRF on liver drug transporters involved in hepatic uptake [organic anion transporting polypeptide (Oatp) 2] and in drug extrusion (P-gp and MRP2). Two groups of rats were studied: control and CRF. Oatp2, P-gp, and MRP2 protein expressions and mRNA levels, as well as some of their metabolic activity, were assessed. The effects of CRF serum on drug transporters were also evaluated in cultured hepatocytes. Compared with control, creatinine clearance was reduced by 70% (p < 0.01) in rats with CRF. Protein expression and mRNA levels of P-gp were increased by 25 and 40% (p < 0.01), respectively, in liver from rats with CRF. MRP2 protein expression was identical in both groups, whereas its mRNA levels were increased by 35% (p < 0.01) in CRF rats. Finally, Oatp2 protein expression was reduced by 35%, whereas its mRNA levels remained unchanged. Similar results were obtained when hepatocytes were incubated with uremic serum. In conclusion, CRF is associated with a decrease in liver transporters involved in drug absorption and an increase in those involved in drug extrusion. Uremic mediators appear to be responsible for these modifications.
Neural networks for quaternion-valued function approximation

In the paper a new structure of a Multi-Layer Perceptron, able to deal with quaternion-valued signals, is proposed. A learning algorithm for the proposed Quaternion MLP (QMLP) is also derived. Such a neural network allows one to interpolate functions of a quaternion variable with a smaller number of connections with respect to the corresponding real valued MLP. <<ETX>>
A Fair and Scalable Approach for Differentiated Services Networks

In order to achieve a Quality of Service (QoS) capable of satisfying different user requirements, Differentiated Services (DiffServ) have been introduced as a scalable and viable solution in today’s Internet. Mapping the packet treatment into a small number of Per Hop Behaviors (PHBs) clearly improves the scalability but it comes at the cost of loosing some fairness between flows multiplexed into the same aggregated traffic. In this paper, a scalable approach for a fair and smaller ‘granularity’ in user differentiation is presented. The proposed architecture is evaluated and analyzed via simulations considering both simplified and more realistic traffic scenarios. Some comparison with other architectures employing traffic control is also provided.
Iterative source coded modulation: turbo error concealment by iterative demodulation

In this paper we propose to combine the exploitation of residual source redundancy and iterative demodulation of multilevel modulations in a turbo-like process to improve error concealment for the source codec parameters. The developed system, denoted as iterative source coded modulation (ISCM), uses the bandwidth efficiently since no channel code increases the transmitted bit rate. Thus, ISCM is suitable for communication systems without channel coding, but it can be enhanced by a channel code to resemble a multiple turbo code. Furthermore, without a complex channel decoder ISCM requires relatively low computational complexity. Nonetheless, simulations demonstrate considerable performance gains by ISCM with few iterations and small interleaver sizes. Additionally, measures are derived to ensure a correct relation between the unequal error protection in multilevel modulation and the different significance of bits of source codec parameters.
A differential evolution tuned optimal guidance law

The optimal guidance law (OGL) is based on the assumptions of linear kinematical model of missile guidance and unconstrained control in a linear quadratic regulator formulation. These are strong assumptions that are rarely satisfied in practice; the kinematics of the missile-target engagement is highly nonlinear, and infinite lateral acceleration -which is the control -is a physical impossibility. As a consequence, the application of OGL to the actual nonlinear model shows a large miss distance except for a limited range where the linearity assumption is valid and the control needed is not so large as to hit the constraint boundary. This paper proposes a novel improvisation of the OGL using differential evolution (DE) that compensates the effects of these assumptions and increases the range of validity of OGL. Treating the missile-target kinematics as a black box in which nothing is known except the input and the output, the output is optimized for variations in input using DE. The nominal values of the input variables used for the OGL are used to seed the initial population of trial solutions.
Ultimate Codes: Near-Optimal MDS Array Codes for RAID -6

As modern storage systems have grown in size and complexity, RAID-6 is poised to replace RAID-5 as the dominant form of RAID architectures due to its ability to protect against double disk failures. Many excellent erasure codes specially designed for RAID-6 have emerged in recent years. However, all of them have limitations. In this paper, we present a class of near perfect erasure codes for RAID-6, called the Ultimate codes. These codes encode, update and decode either optimally or nearly optimally, regardless of what the code length is. This implies that utilizing these codes we can build highly efficient and scalable RAID-6 systems. The performance analysis shows that the Ultimate codes outperform all the existing representative RAID-6 codes in encoding and decoding. Because of these unique advantages of the Ultimate codes, we anticipate them to become a preferred choice of the RAID-6 implementers.
New class of constant data length retrieval algorithms for video servers with VBR streams

We consider the problem of data retrieval from disk storage in video server where the video data are read in constant size blocks. Retrieval algorithms of this type are referred to as constant data length (CDL) retrieval algorithms. We recently introduced a new retrieval algorithm called GCDL that generalizes the CDL retrieval algorithm: GCDL reads for a video stream i during k (DOT) mi, k (epsilon) , consecutive disk rounds a constant size block from the disk, which may results in a large read-ahead requiring a large amount of buffer. In this paper, we propose two new retrieval algorithms called static and dynamic GCDLb that minimize the number of reads during consecutive disk rounds while still maintaining continuous delivery to the client. COmpared to GCDL, we show that GCDLb requires less buffer per client and can admit more clients.
Set-membership identification of Hammerstein-Wiener systems

Set-membership identification of Hammerstein-Wiener models is addressed in the paper. First, it is shown that computation of tight parameter bounds requires the solutions to a number of nonconvex constrained polynomial optimization problems where the number of decision variables increases with the length of the experimental data sequence. Then, a suitable convex relaxation procedure is presented to significantly reduce the computational burden of the identification problem. A detailed discussion of the identification algorithm properties is reported. Finally, a simulated example is used to show the effectiveness and the computational tractability of the proposed approach.
Long‐term changes in lower tropospheric baseline ozone concentrations: Comparing chemistry‐climate models and observations at northern midlatitudes

Two recent papers have quantified long‐term ozone (O3) changes observed at northern midlatitude sites that are believed to represent baseline (here understood as representative of continental to hemispheric scales) conditions. Three chemistry‐climate models (NCAR CAM‐chem, GFDL‐CM3, and GISS‐E2‐R) have calculated retrospective tropospheric O3 concentrations as part of the Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate Model Intercomparison Project and Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 model intercomparisons. We present an approach for quantitative comparisons of model results with measurements for seasonally averaged O3 concentrations. There is considerable qualitative agreement between the measurements and the models, but there are also substantial and consistent quantitative disagreements. Most notably, models (1) overestimate absolute O3 mixing ratios, on average by ~5 to 17 ppbv in the year 2000, (2) capture only ~50% of O3 changes observed over the past five to six decades, and little of observed seasonal differences, and (3) capture ~25 to 45% of the rate of change of the long‐term changes. These disagreements are significant enough to indicate that only limited confidence can be placed on estimates of present‐day radiative forcing of tropospheric O3 derived from modeled historic concentration changes and on predicted future O3 concentrations. Evidently our understanding of tropospheric O3, or the incorporation of chemistry and transport processes into current chemical climate models, is incomplete. Modeled O3 trends approximately parallel estimated trends in anthropogenic emissions of NOx, an important O3 precursor, while measured O3 changes increase more rapidly than these emission estimates.
Ligand- and Heterodimer-Directed Signaling of the CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor

Seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent the single largest family of cell surface receptors. Signaling through these receptors is controlled by changes in the conformation of the receptor from inactive to active conformations, which in turn lead to the activation of multiple downstream signaling pathways. To facilitate greater diversity in signaling responses, many of these receptors are capable of adopting several distinct active conformations, in which each couples preferentially to its own set of downstream signaling partners. Because these unique signaling responses result from specific receptor active conformations, GPCR signaling may be directed toward these selective responses through either strength-of-signal effects resulting from partial agonism or through biased agonism and functional selectivity, resulting from the selective stabilization of one active conformation over the others. This review uses the CB1 cannabinoid receptor as a specific example to highlight the contribution of two important aspects of GPCR function—orthosteric ligand binding and receptor heterodimerization—toward directed GPCR signaling.
Performance specification of software components

Component-based software engineering is concerned with predictability in both functional and performance behavior, though most formal techniques have typically focused their attention on the former. Reasoning about the (functional or performance) behavior of a component-based system must be compositional in order to be scalable. Compositional performance reasoning demands that components include performance specifications, in addition to descriptions of functional behavior. Unfortunately, as explained in this paper, classical techniques and notations for performance analysis are either unsuitable or unnatural to capture performance behaviors of generic software components. They fail to work in the presence of parameterization and layering. The paper introduces elements of a compositional approach to performance analysis using a detailed example. It explains that performance specification problems are so basic that there are unresolved research issues to be tackled even for the simplest reusable components. These issues must be tackled by any practical proposal for sound performance reasoning. Only then will software developers be able to engineer new systems by choosing and assembling components that best fit their performance (time and space) requirements.
Lattice integrable systems of Haldane-Shastry type.

We present a new lattice integrable system in one dimension of the Haldane-Shastry type. It consists of spins positioned at the static equilibrium positions of particles in a corresponding classical Calogero system and interacting through an exchange term with strength inversely proportional to the square of their distance. We achieve this by viewing the Haldane-Shastry system as a high-interaction limit of the Sutherland system of particles with internal degrees of freedom and identifying the same limit in a corresponding Calogero system. The commuting integrals of motion of this system are found using the exchange operator formalism.
Helicobacter pylori Infection and Risk of Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Background. Recent evidence showed that Helicobacter pylori seropositivity is a risk factor for gastric and several other cancers. However, evidence on H. pylori infection and risk of lung cancer has been controversial, with a limited number of underpowered studies. We therefore examined the association between H. pylori infection and risk of lung cancer. Methods. A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed, EMBASE (until October 2012) for studies investigating an association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and risk of lung cancer. Pooled odds ratio (OR) was calculated using random-effects model. Subgroup and sensitivity analysis were also done. Results. A total of seven studies (6 case-control and 1 cohort study) were included for the analysis. There was a significant heterogeneity among the studies, but no publication bias was observed. We found that H. pylori infection was associated with significantly increased risk of lung cancer (pooled OR, 2.29 (95% CI, 1.34–3.91) P = 0.01). Conclusions. Our meta-analysis suggests a significant increased risk of lung cancer in patients with H. pylori infection. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and to identify the underlying biological mechanisms.
Agriculture drought hazard risk assessment in China

It is unusual inadequate precipitation that is the main factor leading to agriculture drought. The degree of precipitation deficit, the occurrence frequency and the duration are the main aspects for the quantitative calculation of drought hazard. China is a vast country with the complex and various types of landforms, and is affected by the significant monsoon climate, as result the farming activities are significant different over the country. In order to find out the comprehensively spatial differentiation of agricultural drought in a large area, this paper established a three-dimensional assessment model “I-P-L” for agriculture drought risk, where I,P,L means drought intensity, frequency, and length of duration respectively and drought is defined as the negative precipitation anomaly. daily data (from 1960 to 2009)of 535 meteorological stations in the recent 50 years was chosen for the drought risk calculation according to the water demand during the crop growing season, and the GIS technology was introduced into the risk mapping. The results showed that the Northwest, most of Inner Mongolia and Huang-Huai-Hai regions were of the high drought risk, while Tibet plateau and Sichuan Basin was lower. The agriculture hazard pattern has better tally with the drought centers got by many scholars, and can reflect the spatial differentiation of drought hazard. This paper can provide a scientific approach for the comprehensive hazards risk assessment and visual expression. This also can offer scientific proof to carry out risk evaluation and spatial, temporal pattern analysis on agricultural drought.
Spin-induced Galaxy Alignments and Their Implications for Weak-Lensing Measurements

Large-scale correlations in the orientations of galaxies can result from alignments in their angular momentum vectors. These alignments arise from the tidal torques exerted on neighboring protogalaxies by the smoothly varying shear field. We compute the predicted amplitude of such ellipticity correlations using the Zeldovich approximation for a realistic distribution of galaxy shapes. Weak gravitational lensing can also induce ellipticity correlations, since the images of neighboring galaxies will be distorted coherently. On comparing these two effects that induce shape correlations, we find that for current weak-lensing surveys with a median redshift of zm = 1, the intrinsic signal is of the order of 1%-10% of the measured signal. However, for shallower surveys with zm ≤ 0.3, the intrinsic correlations dominate over the lensing signal. The distortions induced by lensing are curl-free, whereas those resulting from intrinsic alignments are not. This difference can be used to disentangle these two sources of ellipticity correlations.
Understanding Wisconsin legislators' use of social media

UNDERSTANDING WISCONSIN LEGISLATORS’ USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA by Christian T. Moran The University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee, 2013 Under the Supervision of Professor David Pritchard This thesis used quantitative and qualitative methods to examine the use of social media by legislative offices of the Wisconsin State Assembly. A survey of legislators and their staff documented the extent to which each office uses Facebook or Twitter. In addition, multivariate analysis of the survey data provided an understanding of which kinds of legislators are more likely to use Facebook or Twitter. There were three important findings. First, most Wisconsin legislators whose offices use Facebook or Twitter do not seem to be doing so to reach the news media. Second, overall, the characteristics of a Wisconsin legislator are stronger predictors on the use of Facebook or Twitter by a legislative office than the characteristics of a legislator’s district. Third, constituent access to broadband is a significant predictor of whether a legislative office in the Wisconsin State Assembly uses Facebook.
Comparison of Maximal Upward Planar Subgraph Computation Algorithms

A digraph G = (V, E) is upward planar if it has a planar drawing with all edges pointing upward. A subgraph G̃ of a digraph G with an upward planar drawing is called a maximal upward planar subgraph of G if the addition of any edge in G\G to G̃ causes non-upward planarity. Binucci et al. showed that finding even the maximum upward planar subgraph of an embedded digraph Gφ is NP-Complete [1]. In this paper, we compare different algorithms to find maximal upward planar subgraph of an embedded digraph. We also use a large test suite of embedded digraphs to gain a deeper understanding of upward planarity and see how the different heuristics perform in practice.
Structural Breaks and Model Selection With Marginal Likelihoods

We consider AR processes with a possible break (regime shifts) at an unknown break point m. We derive the conjugate Bayesian analysis for informative and non-informative priors and allow also for heteroskedasticity in the regimes. Using the model selection approach of Chib (1995) we derive the marginal likelihood for all models with unknown lag length. The approach is also extended for the break point model of VAR processes which is formulated as a multivariate normal-Wishart models. We demonstrate the model selection ability of our approach by a simulated example and for Swiss macroeconomic time series involving GNP and consumption.
Designing Community Atmosphere Barometers

The World of learning is undergoing radical changes. Increasingly Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) support new temporal and spatial learning configurations. Traditional face-toface learning situations offer a variety of ways for people to provide informal feedback contributing to the establishment and maintenance of a community atmosphere. ICT supported distance education presents a challenge for the establishment of community. This paper explores the design criteria for mechanisms compensating for the loss of informal feedback in a real-life distance educational setting by codifying and visualising the community atmosphere. This is accomplished by two case studies each designing, implementing and evaluating a web-based community atmosphere barometer. The results indicate the importance of providing ICT support with sufficient flexibility allowing the community to engage in collective processes of sensemaking when jointly expressing the atmosphere.
Steady-state optimal insulin infusion for hyperglycemic ICU patients

Close control of blood glucose levels significantly reduces vascular complications in diabetes, as well as having beneficial effect for cardiac and other critical care patients. Recent studies have shown that tight regulation of blood glucose level in intensive care unit patients can reduce mortality by as much as 45%. This paper presents an optimal insulin infusion algorithm to tightly regulate blood glucose for ICU and other critical care patients when the glucose input is known. Results show an ideal, flat blood glucose response when subjected to a typical ICU glucose input as well as for a far more extreme case.
Draft Genome Sequence of Halostagnicola sp. A56, an Extremely Halophilic Archaeon Isolated from the Andaman Islands

ABSTRACT The first draft genome of Halostagnicola sp. A56, isolated from the Andaman Islands is reported here. The A56 genome comprises 3,178,490 bp in 26 contigs with a G+C content of 60.8%. The genome annotation revealed that A56 could have potential applications for the production of polyhydroxyalkanoate or bioplastics.
Analysis of T cell hybridomas. II. Comparisons among three distinct types of monoclonal suppressor factors

Five hybridoma T cell lines were prepared by fusion of Ts3 cells with the BW 5147 thymoma. The culture supernatants from these T cell hybrids contained a factor, TsF3, which specifically suppressed 4-hydroxy-3- nitrophenyl acetyl hapten (NP(-hapten cutaneous sensitivity responses. The properties of this new series of hybridoma factors was compared with those of two previously characterized types of NP-specific suppressor factors (TsF1 and TsF2). TsF3 activity was only observed if the factor was administered during the effector phases of the immune response. TsF3 bears I-J and C57BL anti-NP antibody idiotypic determinants and has binding specificity for the NP hapten. Furthermore, TsF3 does not suppress H-2 (I-J)-incompatible mice. In addition to this H-2 restriction, the monoclonal TsF3 factors also demonstrated an Igh genetic restriction. Finally, the TsF3 factors could be distinguished by their ability to suppress cyclophosphamide- treated recipients.
The 2003 shell event in η Carinae

Near-infrared, JHKL, photometry of η Car is reported covering the period 2000-2004. This includes the 2003 shell event which was the subject of an international multiwavelength campaign. The fading that accompanied this event was similar to, although slightly deeper than, that which accompanied the previous one. The period between these events is 2023 ± 3 d and they are strictly periodic. Their cause, as well as that of the quasi-periodic variations and secular brightening, are discussed. It seems possible that all three types of variability are consequences of the binary nature of the star.