Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Achieving faster failure detection in OSPF networks

A network running OSPF takes several tens of seconds to recover from a failure, using the current default parameter settings. The main component of this delay is the time required to detect a failure using the hello protocol. Reducing the value of the hellointerval can speed up the failure detection time. However, too small a value of the hellointerval can result in an increase in network congestion, potentially causing multiple consecutive hellos to be lost. This can lead to a false breakdown of adjacencies between routers. Such false alarms not only disrupt network traffic by causing unnecessary routing changes, but also increase the processing load on the routers, which may potentially lead to routing instability. In this paper, we investigate the following question - what is the optimal value for the hellointerval that will lead to fast failure detection in the network, while keeping occurrences of false alarms within acceptable limits? We examine the impact of both network congestion and the network topology on the optimal value for the hellointerval. Additionally, we investigate the effectiveness of faster failure detection in achieving fast failure recovery in OSPF networks.
Media Effects and the Active Elite Audience

This article explores the impact of communications on investor behaviour and trading patterns in the London Stock Exchange (LSE). The significance of the work is two-fold. First, for many observers, the wild trading patterns that regularly occur in stock markets suggest the presence of ‘strong’ media effects in action; a finding in conflict with mainstream audience research. Second, the audience investigated is an elite one that most ‘actively’ consumes its media and is rarely observed in studies of media effects. The research thus attempts to identify in what ways the media are implicated in stock market movements and, at the same time, how exactly this active, elite audience makes use of its media. The empirical material presented here is primarily that gained from interviews with elite fund managers at the London Stock Exchange, Europe’s largest financial centre.
A systematic review of Web engineering research

This paper uses a systematic literature review as means of investigating the rigor of claims arising from Web engineering research. Rigor is measured using criteria combined from software engineering research. We reviewed 173 papers and results have shown that only 5% would be considered rigorous methodologically. In addition to presenting our results, we also provide suggestions for improvement of Web engineering research based on lessons learnt by the software engineering community.
Lower mantle composition and temperature from mineral physics and thermodynamic modelling

SUMMARY A generalized inverse method is applied to infer the radial lower mantle composition and temperature profile from seismological models of density and bulk sound velocity. The computations are performed for a five-component system, MgO‐FeO‐CaO‐Al2O3‐SiO2 and three phases: (Mg,Fe,Al)(Si,Al)O3 perovskite, (Mg,Fe)O magnesiowustite, and CaSiO3 perovskite. A detailed review of the elasticity data set used to compute the elastic properties of mineral assemblages is given. We consider three different a priori compositional models—pyrolite, chondritic and a model based on cosmic abundances of elements—as a priori knowledge for the inversions in order to investigate the sensitivity of any given best-fit solution to the assumed initial composition. Consistent features in all inversions, independent of the a priori model, are a total iron content of X Fe � 0.10 ± 0.06 and a subadiabatic temperature gradient over most of the lower mantle depth range. A peculiar correlated behaviour of the two most sensitive parameters (iron content and temperature) is found below the 660 km discontinuity: over the depth range from 660 km down to 1300 km. Significantly, we find that the bulk composition inferred from any given inversion is strongly dependent on the choice of a priori model. Equally satisfactory fits to the lower mantle bulk sound velocity and density profiles can be obtained using any of the a priori models. However, the thermal structure associated with these compositional models differs significantly. Pyrolite yields a relatively cool geotherm (T 660 � 1800 K and X Pv � 0.64), while perovskite-rich models such as chondritic or cosmic models yield hot geotherms (T 660 � 2500 K and X Pv � 0.84 for the latter), but all of the geotherms are subadiabatic. The results of inversions are virtually unaffected by the partitioning of iron between perovskite and magnesiowustite. Out of the five oxide components considered in our models, the bulk Al2O3 and CaO contents of the mineral assemblages are least well constrained from our inversions. Our results show that a major shortcoming of lower mantle compositional and thermal models based on inversions of bulk sound velocity and density is the strong dependence of the final solution on the a priori model. That is, a wide variety of best-fit compositional and thermal models can be obtained, all of which provide satisfactory fits to global average seismic models. It is, in fact, this non-uniqueness that dominates the resulting a posteriori uncertainties and prevents a clear discrimination between different compositional models. Independent constraints on the thermal structure or on the shear properties of lower mantle assemblages are needed to infer lower mantle composition with a higher degree of certainty.
Trends- A tool for recognition of emotions in neuropsychiatric disorders

Defects in social cognition which includes Facial Emotion Recognition Deficits [FERD] have been consistently demonstrated in most neuropsychiatric disorders. Influences of culture, age & sex on emotional expression and perception necessitates that a tool standardized in the Indian population be developed to study these deficits in Indian patients. Four experienced and trained actors (one young male, one young female, one older male and one older female) emoted six basic emotions, namely happy, sad, fear, anger, surprise and disgust at two different intensities [i.e. high and low] along with neutral facial expressions. 52 still images and 28 video clips were obtained. These images were then validated by 51 students from various mental health disciplines and five qualified psychiatrists. On statistical analysis the tool was found to have good inter­rater agreement and internal consistency. TRENDS is a tool validated for use in the Indian population, which captures the full range and nature of emotional expressions akin to real life situations and can be utilized for future behavioral and functional imaging studies in Indian patients. Such research can give useful insights into the neurobiological basis of neuropsychiatric disorders and has important implications for improving socio-occupational functioning.
Homosexuality among people with a mild intellectual disability: an explorative study on the lived experiences of homosexual people in the Netherlands with a mild intellectual disability.

BACKGROUND Empirical research on homosexuality among people with an intellectual disability (ID) is limited and, to date, very little is known regarding the personal experiences of gay and lesbian people with an ID. This study set out to answer the question: What are the lived experiences of a specific cohort of homosexual people with an intellectual disability living in the Netherlands? METHOD To answer this question, a qualitative study was performed in which 21 people with a mild ID were interviewed via semi-structured interviews. In this study, 19 participants were men and two were women (average age = 40.5 years). RESULTS Participants reported positive and negative experiences, and talked about their gay or lesbian identity. Almost half of the participants (n = 10) reported that they had experienced sexual abuse including partner violence (n = 6). Additionally, they indicated that there was a lack of support for homosexual people with an ID. CONCLUSION Specific problems impact the lives of homosexual people with ID, namely the high prevalence of negative sexual experiences, the lack of support, training and sex education, and their search for a suitable partner.
Optimal Phase Transitions in Compressed Sensing

Compressed sensing deals with efficient recovery of analog signals from linear encodings. This paper presents a statistical study of compressed sensing by modeling the input signal as an i.i. d. process with known distribution. Three classes of encoders are considered, namely optimal nonlinear, optimal linear, and random linear encoders. Focusing on optimal decoders, we investigate the fundamental tradeoff between measurement rate and reconstruction fidelity gauged by error probability and noise sensitivity in the absence and presence of measurement noise, respectively. The optimal phase-transition threshold is determined as a functional of the input distribution and compared to suboptimal thresholds achieved by popular reconstruction algorithms. In particular, we show that Gaussian sensing matrices incur no penalty on the phase-transition threshold with respect to optimal nonlinear encoding. Our results also provide a rigorous justification of previous results based on replica heuristics in the weak-noise regime.
Identification of an Endogenous Ligand Bound to a Native Orphan Nuclear Receptor

Orphan nuclear receptors have been instrumental in identifying novel signaling pathways and therapeutic targets. However, identification of ligands for these receptors has often been based on random compound screens or other biased approaches. As a result, it remains unclear in many cases if the reported ligands are the true endogenous ligands, – i.e., the ligand that is bound to the receptor in an unperturbed in vivo setting. Technical limitations have limited our ability to identify ligands based on this rigorous definition. The orphan receptor hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 α (HNF4α) is a key regulator of many metabolic pathways and linked to several diseases including diabetes, atherosclerosis, hemophilia and cancer. Here we utilize an affinity isolation/mass-spectrometry (AIMS) approach to demonstrate that HNF4α is selectively occupied by linoleic acid (LA, C18:2ω6) in mammalian cells and in the liver of fed mice. Receptor occupancy is dramatically reduced in the fasted state and in a receptor carrying a mutation derived from patients with Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young 1 (MODY1). Interestingly, however, ligand occupancy does not appear to have a significant effect on HNF4α transcriptional activity, as evidenced by genome-wide expression profiling in cells derived from human colon. We also use AIMS to show that LA binding is reversible in intact cells, indicating that HNF4α could be a viable drug target. This study establishes a general method to identify true endogenous ligands for nuclear receptors (and other lipid binding proteins), independent of transcriptional function, and to track in vivo receptor occupancy under physiologically relevant conditions.
The Structure of the Haemophilus influenzae HMW1 Pro-piece Reveals a Structural Domain Essential for Bacterial Two-partner Secretion*

In pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria, many virulence factors are secreted via the two-partner secretion pathway, which consists of an exoprotein called TpsA and a cognate outer membrane translocator called TpsB. The HMW1 and HMW2 adhesins are major virulence factors in nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae and are prototype two-partner secretion pathway exoproteins. A key step in the delivery of HMW1 and HMW2 to the bacterial surface involves targeting to the HMW1B and HMW2B outer membrane translocators by an N-terminal region called the secretion domain. Here we present the crystal structure at 1.92Å of the HMW1 pro-piece (HMW1-PP), a region that contains the HMW1 secretion domain and is cleaved and released during HMW1 secretion. Structural analysis of HMW1-PP revealed a right-handed β-helix fold containing 12 complete parallel coils and one large extra-helical domain. Comparison of HMW1-PP and the Bordetella pertussis FHA secretion domain (Fha30) reveals limited amino acid homology but shared structural features, suggesting that diverse TpsA proteins have a common structural domain required for targeting to cognate TpsB proteins. Further comparison of HMW1-PP and Fha30 structures may provide insights into the keen specificity of TpsA-TpsB interactions.
Diet influences salinity preference of an estuarine fish, the killifish Fundulus heteroclitus

SUMMARY Understanding the interplay among the external environment, physiology and adaptive behaviour is crucial for understanding how animals survive in their natural environments. The external environment can have wide ranging effects on the physiology of animals, while behaviour determines which environments are encountered. Here, we identified changes in the behavioural selection of external salinity in Fundulus heteroclitus, an estuarine teleost, as a consequence of digesting a meal. Fish that consumed high levels of dietary calcium exhibited a higher preferred salinity compared with unfed fish, an effect that was exaggerated by elevated dietary sodium chloride. The mean swimming speed (calculated as a proxy of activity level) was not affected by consuming a diet of any type. Constraining fish to water of 22 p.p.t. salinity during the digestion of a meal did not alter the amount of calcium that was absorbed across the intestine. However, when denied the capacity to increase their surrounding salinity, the compromised ability to excrete calcium to the water resulted in significantly elevated plasma calcium levels, a potentially hazardous physiological consequence. This study is the first to show that fish behaviourally exploit their surroundings to enhance their ionoregulation during digestion, and to pinpoint the novel role of dietary calcium and sodium in shaping this behaviour. We conclude that in order to resolve physiological disturbances in ion balance created by digestion, fish actively sense and select the environment they inhabit. Ultimately, this may result in transient diet-dependent alteration of the ecological niches occupied by fishes, with broad implications for both physiology and ecology.
Population Dynamics: The Roles of Natural Change and Migration in Producing the Ethnic Mosaic

This paper builds on an emerging literature that focuses on processes of population change as a means of understanding geographies of ethnicity. It argues that persistent assumptions of segregation being the result of divisive separation of ethnic groups are mistaken. The paper takes a demographic approach, presenting analyses of original estimates of natural change and net migration for eight ethnic groups in Britain over the period 1991–2001, at national and district levels. Major results are the greater significance of natural change than migration for minority ethnic population change, and the accordance of population dynamics with theories of counter-urbanisation and dispersal from areas of minority ethnic concentration. The importance of natural change is illustrated through the presentation of its effects on the index of isolation. The paper concludes that ethnic group population change in Britain can to a large extent be explained by benign and unexceptional demographic processes and ethnically undifferentiated migration patterns.
Effects of fluticasone propionate in COPD patients with bronchial hyperresponsiveness

Background: Treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with inhaled corticosteroids does not appear to be as effective as similar treatment of asthma. It seems that only certain subgroups of patients with COPD benefit from steroid treatment. A study was undertaken to examine whether inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP) had an effect on lung function and on indices of inflammation in a subgroup of COPD patients with bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR). Methods: Twenty three patients with COPD were studied. Patients had to be persistent current smokers between 40 and 70 years of age. Non-specific BHR was defined as a PC20 for histamine of ≤8 mg/ml. Patients received either 2 × 500 μg FP or placebo for 6 months. Expiratory volumes were measured at monthly visits, BHR was determined at the start of the study and after 3 and 6 months, and bronchial biopsy specimens were taken at the start and after 6 months of treatment. Biopsy specimens from asymptomatic smokers served as controls. Results: In contrast to asthma, indices of BHR were not significantly influenced by treatment with FP. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) showed a steep decline in the placebo group but remained stable in patients treated with FP. FEV1/FVC, and maximal expiratory flows at 50% and 25% FVC (MEF50, MEF25) were significantly increased in the FP treated patients compared with the placebo group. Biopsy specimens were analysed for the presence of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, MBP+, CD15+, CD68+, CD1a, and tryptase cells. FP treatment resulted in marginal reductions in these indices of inflammation. Conclusion: In patients with COPD and BHR, FP has a positive effect on indices of lung function compared with placebo. Bronchial inflammation analysed in bronchial biopsy specimens is only marginally reduced.
A modular product multi-platform configuration model

The product platform strategy has emerged as one of the important enablers of mass customisation where common components used across different product variants are maximised to decrease design, manufacturing and assembly cost. The Modular Product Multi-Platform (MPMP) model is introduced to co-design optimal product platforms along with the best number and combinations of corresponding product family members. The model obtains optimal solutions without using meta-heuristic techniques for large sets of products and components. It captures the different relations between the modular elements of a dynamic platform without a priori knowledge of the number of the changeable platforms and families. A large family of touch screen tablets is used to illustrate the application and advantages of the newly developed dynamic product platform design model. The model uses both assembly and disassembly to customise platforms into product variants which increases the commonality between modular products. Comparison between the MPMP model and the closest model in the literature shows that MPMP model is more efficient (36.6–74.3% faster) and more accurate as it can deal with zero demand products. The model computation time is affected more by number of product components than the number of products.
Hepatogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells from peritoneal adipose tissue

Backgrounds/Aims It has been reported that functional hepatogenic differentiation has the possibility to occur in subcutaneous adipose tissue-derived stem cells. However, no studies have investigated whether the adipose tissue-driven stem cells present in various body parts differ according to hepatogenic differentiations. In this study, stem cells were separated from body visceral fat and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue, and cultured, and then hepatogenic differentiation was induced. We aim to investigate the possibilities and aspects of hepatogenic differentiations within the two types of fat cells. Methods Omental fat tissues were obtained as visceral fat and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissues were obtained from patients who had suction-assisted lipectomy. Stem cells were separated from the obtained fat tissues, and then, hepatogenic differentiation was carried out by utilizing 2-step differentiation protocols. Results After the differentiation, two types of cultured cells that showed the similar neuron-like shapes were changed to cuboidal shapes and included several binucleated cells which could be characteristics of mature hepatocytes. We confirmed that hepatocyte specific genes and proteins such as albumin and CYP3A4 were being expressed. By utilizing the ELISA test, we were able to observe that the albumin was secreted into the culture fluids in both cells. After completing the differentiation, we observed the presence of the hepatocyte specific properties by confirming glycogen storage within the cells and the ICG reagent uptake. Conclusions We confirmed that hepatogenic differentiation was possible to occur in the omental fat as well as subcutaneous adipose tissue.
Statistics from Statisticians: Comment on Caine, Centa, Doroff, Horowitz, and Weisenbaker, TS, October 1978.

We read the recent article, "Statistics From Whom? " in Teaching Sociology (Caine et al., 1978) with interest since our university (Eastern New Mexico University) had recently examined the same question-who should teach the introductory course in statistics? Caine et al. answered the question, through argument, that an introductory statistics course should be taught within the department of sociology by a sociologist with a statistics specialty. Their perspective is that each academic area is unique and thus requires their "own" statistics course. Before responding directly to the principal question-who would teach the introductory course in statistics? -we digress briefly to consider two related questions: At any university where a department of statistics exists and statistically trained specialists also exist within other departments, what statistics courses should be taught and who should teach them? We feel that the statistics department should teach service courses stressing techniques that are used in many areas of application (and,
Spontaneous Regression of a Large Symptomatic Calcified Central Thoracic Disc Herniation: A Case Report with a Review of the Literature

The thoracic spine is the least common region to present with a disc herniation in comparison to cervical and lumbar regions. Majority of thoracic disc herniations (THDs) are asymptomatic and detected incidentally on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The incidence of asymptomatic TDH varies from 11-13% [2]. They are classified as small (≤10%), medium (11-20%), large (21-40%), or giant (≥41%) based on the extent of canal compromise on advanced imaging studies (i.e. CT and MRI) [1,3]. Thoracic disc herniations (TDHs) are rare and most commonly affect the thoraco-lumbar junction, with the T11-T12 disc being the most frequently herniated due to the greater spinal mobility and weakness of the posterior longitudinal ligament [4]. Up to 75% of thoracic disc herniations occur below the T8 vertebra, and herniation of the upper thoracic spine is very rare. A large proportion of TDHs are asymptomatic and little is known regarding the natural history of symptomatic TDHs. They affect older individuals most commonly, and a history of a precipitating event or trauma is often absent in at least half to two-thirds of the affected individuals [5]. The symptoms are secondary to chronic spinal cord compression with the calcification of an extruded fragment suggestive of co-existent degenerative changes. Younger individuals may present with a soft disc herniation and a history of acute trauma or a precipitating event that is responsive to non-operative management. Patients with a TDH may present with axial back pain, radiculopathy, and/or myelopathy with a neuro deficit. Males are more commonly affected than females, and surgery is the treatment of choice for large symptomatic calcified central TDHs [6]. The discectomy of TDHs constitutes 0.15-4% of all disc surgical procedures and the intra-operative localization of the correct surgical level is challenging [7]. A spontaneous regression of a large symptomatic calcified central TDH is rare and no case report exists to this day to the best of our knowledge in English literature. We hereby report one such case of a spontaneous resorption of a large symptomatic calcified central T7-T8 TDH in a 46 year old gentleman with relevant MRI and CT image illustrations. A review of the relevant literature with some of the proposed theories explaining such a spontaneous regressive phenomenon is also discussed.