Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Methods to improve TCP throughput in wireless networks with high delay variability [3G network example]

Highly variable round-trip times (RTTs) in wireless networks can induce spurious timeouts, thus unnecessarily degrading throughput for the transmission control protocol (TCP). In this paper, we propose and study two effective ways to improve TCP throughput in wireless networks. The first technique is to select a retransmission timeout (RTO) threshold higher than that in the de facto standard. Simulation reveals that the proposed method reduces timeouts and provides a relative throughput gain up to 13.7%, based on RTT measurements in a commercial 3G network and in a simulated network environment. The second technique is an appropriate use of selective repeat (SR) and go-back-N (GBN) as retransmission policies upon packet timeout. We find that when RTTs have reasonable temporal correlation and packets can arrive out-of-order at the receiver, GBN can improve throughput over the SR policy. Specifically, based on the RTT measurements in the 3G network, our results show that GBN provides a 12% throughput gain over the SR policy.
The clinical heterogeneity of coenzyme Q10 deficiency results from genotypic differences in the Coq9 gene

Primary coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) deficiency is due to mutations in genes involved in CoQ biosynthesis. The disease has been associated with five major phenotypes, but a genotype–phenotype correlation is unclear. Here, we compare two mouse models with a genetic modification in Coq9 gene (Coq9Q95X and Coq9R239X), and their responses to 2,4‐dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,4‐diHB). Coq9R239X mice manifest severe widespread CoQ deficiency associated with fatal encephalomyopathy and respond to 2,4‐diHB increasing CoQ levels. In contrast, Coq9Q95X mice exhibit mild CoQ deficiency manifesting with reduction in CI+III activity and mitochondrial respiration in skeletal muscle, and late‐onset mild mitochondrial myopathy, which does not respond to 2,4‐diHB. We show that these differences are due to the levels of COQ biosynthetic proteins, suggesting that the presence of a truncated version of COQ9 protein in Coq9R239X mice destabilizes the CoQ multiprotein complex. Our study points out the importance of the multiprotein complex for CoQ biosynthesis in mammals, which may provide new insights to understand the genotype–phenotype heterogeneity associated with human CoQ deficiency and may have a potential impact on the treatment of this mitochondrial disorder.
The Distributed Spanning Tree Structure

Search algorithms are a key issue to share resources in large distributed systems as peer networks. Several distributed interconnection structures and algorithms have already been studied in this context. With expanding ring algorithms, the efficiency of searches depends on the topology used to send query requests and the dynamics of the structure. In this paper, we present an interconnection structure that limits the number of messages needed for search queries. This structure, called distributed spanning tree (DST), defines each node as the root of a spanning tree. So, it behaves as a tree for the number of messages but it balances the load generated by the requests among computers, and thus, it avoids to overload the root node. This structure is scalable because it needs only a logarithmic memory space per computer to be maintained. A formal and practical description of the structure is presented and we describe traversal algorithms. Simulations show that DST based searches behave better than randomly generated graphs and trees as it generates less messages to query all computers while avoiding the tree bottlenecks.
Nocturnal continuous positive airway pressure decreases daytime sympathetic traffic in obstructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have high levels of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA). We tested the hypothesis that long-term continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment will decrease MSNA in OSA patients. METHODS AND RESULTS We measured blood pressure, heart rate, and MSNA in 11 normotensive, otherwise healthy patients with OSA who were treated with CPAP. The measurements were obtained at baseline and after 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year of CPAP treatment. These measurements were compared with those recorded in 9 otherwise healthy OSA patients who were not treated with CPAP for 1 year. In both untreated and treated patients, blood pressure and heart rate did not change over time. MSNA was similar during repeated measurements in the untreated group. By contrast, MSNA decreased significantly over time in patients treated with CPAP. This decrease was evident after both 6 months and 1 year of CPAP treatment (P=0.02 for both). CONCLUSIONS CPAP treatment decreases muscle sympathetic traffic in patients with OSA. This effect of CPAP is evident only after an extended duration of therapy.
Spectrum of mutations in biopsy-proven CADASIL: implications for diagnostic strategies.

BACKGROUND Mutations in the NOTCH3 gene are the cause of cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), which is an important cause of stroke in young adults. Mutations are typically located within epidermal growth factor-like repeat domains in the extracellular part of the Notch3 receptor. Identification of the mutation is critical for genetic counseling and testing of relatives at risk. OBJECTIVES To identify the spectrum of NOTCH3 mutations in CADASIL and to discuss the implications for diagnostic strategies. DESIGN Screening for NOTCH3 mutations was performed in 125 unrelated German CADASIL patients with biopsy-proven disease by direct sequencing of exons coding for epidermal growth factor-like repeats. Results were compared with those of previously published studies. RESULTS We detected 54 distinct mutations (117 missense mutations and 3 in-frame deletions) in 120 (96.0%) of the 125 patients. Of the mutations, 58.3% were located in exon 4 and 85.8% in exons 2 through 6. In 5 patients (4.0%), no mutation was identified. CONCLUSIONS Almost 90% of mutations could be detected within a few exons (exons 2-6). Thus, genetic testing should initially be focused on these exons, with some variation depending on the population in whom it is being performed. Yet, genetic testing for CADASIL is associated with a nameable proportion of false-negative results. Cases with a high index of clinical suspicion should be investigated by skin biopsy if genetic testing is negative.
Preliminary isolation and in vitro antiyeast activity of active fraction from crude extract of Gracilaria changii

Objective: To isolate the active fraction from crude extract of Gracilaria changii and to determine its in vitro antifungal activity. Materials and Methods: The active fraction was isolated from the crude extract of G. changii by various purification procedures such as column chromatography, thin layer chromatography, bioauthograph etc. The in vitro antifungal activity (Candida albicans) of the active fraction (1.00, 0.50, and 0.25 mg/ml) was studied by disc diffusion method and the effect of the active fraction on the morphology of yeast was done by scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies. Results: An active fraction with remarkable antifungal activity was separated from the crude extract. The active fraction was effective as a fungicide against C. albicans and showed a dose-dependent antifungal activity. A Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) study confirmed the fungicidal effect of G. changii active fraction on C. albicans, by changing the normal morphology of C. albicans. Conclusion: From G. changii crude extract, an active fraction with remarkable in vitro antifungal activity has been isolated.
Semi-interactive tracing of persons in real-life surveillance data

To increase public safety, more and more surveillance cameras have been placed over the years. To deal with the resulting information overload many methods have been deployed, focusing either on real-time crime detection or post-incident investigation. In this paper we concentrate on post-incident investigation i.e. crime reconstruction using video data. For a complete crime reconstruction, the location of all persons of interest should be known before and during the incident. To do so, we follow persons within the field of view of a single camera (tracking) and between different cameras (tracing). We present a semi-interactive approach to post-incident investigation. This method is specifically capable of tracking and tracing persons of interest. Our system supports the analytical reasoning process of the investigator with automatic analysis, visualization methods, and interaction processing. We show that the automatic tracing method significantly speeds up tracing of persons with clear visual characteristics. Tracing of persons without obvious characteristics is an inherently difficult task, but we show that intelligent use of interactive methods greatly improves the tracing performance of our system.
Resource usage and gene circuit performance characterization in a cell-free ‘breadboard’

The many successes of synthetic biology have come in a manner largely different from those in other engineering disciplines; in particular, without well-characterized and simplified prototyping environments to play a role analogous to wind-tunnels in aerodynamics and breadboards in electrical engineering. However, as the complexity of synthetic circuits increases, the benefits—in cost savings and design cycle time—of a more traditional engineering approach can be significant. We have recently developed an in vitro ‘breadboard’ prototyping platform based on E. coli cell extract that allows biocircuits to operate in an environment considerably simpler than but functionally similar to in vivo. The simplicity of the cell-free transcription-translation breadboard makes it a promising tool for rapid biocircuit design and testing, as well as for probing the fundamentals of gene circuit functions that are normally masked by cellular complexity. In this work we characterize the cell-free breadboard using real-time and simultaneous measurements of transcriptional and translational activities of a small set of reporter genes and a transcriptional activation cascade. We determine the effects of promoter strength, gene and nucleoside triphosphate concentrations on biocircuits properties, and we isolate contributions of the essential components—core RNA polymerase, housekeeping sigma factor, and ribosomes—to overall performance. Importantly, we show how limits on essential resources, particularly those involved in translation steps, manifest themselves in the form of reduced expression in the presence of orthogonal genes as load processes.
Ribosomal protein S14 silencing inhibits growth of acute myeloid leukemia transformed from myelodysplastic syndromes via activating p53

Abstract Objectives Ribosomal protein S14 (RPS14) plays a key role in erythropoiesis and causes p53 activation in 5q- syndrome. However, the oncogenic potential of RPS14 is not understood in leukemia and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Here, we investigated the changes of proliferation and apoptosis of SKM-1, an acute myeloid leukemia (MDS/AML) cell line transformed from MDS, and explored the role of RPS14 in them. Methods SKM-1 cells were transfected with recombined lentiviral vector shRPS14. Reverse-transcribed polymerase chain reaction and western blot assay were carried to detect the expression of RPS14 and p53. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected through flow cytometry. Results When compared with negative control, the proliferation rate of SKM-1 cells transfected with RPS14 hairpin siRNA dropped by 30%. Transfected SKM-1 cells presented with activation of p53. Transfection also arrested cells in G0/G1 phase and induced apoptosis, indicating that RPS14 is involved in the pathophysiology of MDS/AML. Discussion These findings indicate that partial silencing of RPS14 inhibits the proliferation of MDS/AML cells, and RPS14 may negatively regulate p53 activation in MDS/AML cells.
Plasma 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels and Risk of Incident Hypertension

Hydroxylation of 25(OH)D to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and signaling through the vitamin D receptor occur in various tissues not traditionally involved in calcium homeostasis. Laboratory studies indicate that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D suppresses renin expression and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation; clinical studies demonstrate an inverse association between ultraviolet radiation, a surrogate marker for vitamin D synthesis, and blood pressure. We prospectively studied the independent association between measured plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and risk of incident hypertension and also the association between predicted plasma 25(OH)D levels and risk of incident hypertension. Two prospective cohort studies including 613 men from the Health Professionals’ Follow-Up Study and 1198 women from the Nurses’ Health Study with measured 25(OH)D levels were followed for 4 to 8 years. In addition, 2 prospective cohort studies including 38 388 men and 77 531 women with predicted 25(OH)D levels were followed for 16 to 18 years. During 4 years of follow-up, the multivariable relative risk of incident hypertension among men whose measured plasma 25(OH)D levels were <15 ng/mL (ie, vitamin D deficiency) compared with those whose levels were ≥30 ng/mL was 6.13 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00 to 37.8). Among women, the same comparison yielded a relative risk of 2.67 (95% CI: 1.05 to 6.79). The pooled relative risk combining men and women with measured 25(OH)D levels using the random-effects model was 3.18 (95% CI: 1.39 to 7.29). Using predicted 25(OH)D levels in the larger cohorts, the multivariable relative risks comparing the lowest to highest deciles were 2.31 (95% CI: 2.03 to 2.63) in men and 1.57 (95% CI: 1.44 to 1.72) in women. Plasma 25(OH)D levels are inversely associated with risk of incident hypertension.
Lithography challenges for 2.5D interposer manufacturing

In recent years, 2.5D packaging has quickly turned from a buzzword into an Advanced Packaging reality. Not dissimilar to the Multi-Chip-Modules (MCMs) of the past, 2.5D packages utilizing high density interposers with favorable electrical characteristics can be a cost efficient and high performance alternative to significantly more complex 3D or SOC integration schemes. Dictated by the trend towards ever thinner, smaller and higher integrated and more capable devices, high density interposer technology is required to enable 2.5D packages. Patterning of these kinds of substrates, regardless if manufactured on silicon, glass or other suitable materials requires relatively advanced lithography systems. Simple contact or proximity exposure is no longer up to the task. This paper specifically lists the various patterning / lithography challenges which are being encountered when manufacturing high density 2.5D interposers. Typical backend lithography requirements regarding minimum resolution, overlay, maximum sidewall angle capability in relatively thick resist and depth of focus are established and discussed. In addition, the application-specific lithography challenges such as a large exposure field size, IR backside alignment capability for TSV (Through-Silicon-Via) or TSG (Through-Glass-Via) definitions and warped wafer or substrate handling are being reviewed and characterized. As with all back-end processes, interposer manufacturing must be extremely cost efficient and high yielding. A middle ground between costly front-end processes and more robust, faster and lower cost back-end processes has to be found. This paper also discusses potential cost reduction via economy of scale. A lithography cost analysis for glass interposer manufacturing on large panels is being offered.
Rapid Assessment of Hydrologic Performance of Low Impact Development Practices under Design Storms

Low impact development (LID) practices are often applied to compensate for surface imperviousness caused by urban development. These practices can mitigate flood risk by reducing runoff volume and peak flow and by delaying the time to peak flow. To select a suitable LID practice type and its surface area during the preliminary design process, it is necessary to rapidly estimate the hydrologic performance of various LID designs under design storms. This study provides a method and a toolbox for rapid assessment of the hydrologic performance of various LID practices, which can be useful to developers for establishment of preliminary LID designs. The hydrologic performance of three common types of LID practices (i.e., green roofs, bioretention cells, and infiltration trenches) under various design storms is first simulated using the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM). The results are then presented as performance curves on a unit storage basis. Look‐up tables are further developed to assist the comparison and selection of the LID alternatives for various hydrologic performance targets. To facilitate SWMM modeling, a MATLAB toolbox is developed to automate the process of input modification, model simulation, result extraction, and postprocessing. Finally, the sensitivity of the look‐up curves to design storm types and design specifications of bioretention cells is also analyzed, and the assumptions used in the development of these look‐up curves are validated.
Water and local development in Huamantanga: a pathway interpretation of opportunities and risks of the Law of Compensation and Reward Mechanisms for Ecosystem Services in Peru

Peru is one of the first countries in the world to introduce a specific law for the promotion and regulation of Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES). This ‘Law on Compensation and Reward Mechanisms for Ecosystem Services’ (MRSE-Law) mainly aims to protect and restore ecosystems that provide critical services to the Peruvian population, including hydrological services for year round water provisioning. Since many of the water-related services are produced and affected by poor communities in the uplands of critical watersheds, the PES-arrangements under the MRSE-Law are also held to contribute to reduce poverty and exclusion of and within these communities. Through a case-study of an innovative water management initiative in the village of Huamantanga, which could potentially benefit from the new mechanisms under the MRSE-Law, this paper adopts a pathways perspective to study the risks and opportunities of a water-related PES-arrangement in line with the MRSE-Law. It shows how such an arrangement is inevitably articulated with and embedded within the on-going power-laden institutional bricolage that generates the currently dominant ‘alfalfa-cattle market pathway’, which tends to undermine peasant community control and increases privatization and social differentiation. This raises concerns about the ultimate impact of the proposed MRSE-project, which might end up dispossessing poorer local farmers from their access to the mountain pastures without providing adequate alternatives. However, the participatory and peasant-community based features of the incubating process and the flexible MRSE-legal provisions provide some opportunities to counterbalance this emerging risk.
Dynamically Adjusting the Request Zone in GeoAODV Protocol

Geographical AODV (GeoAODV) Rotate is a variation of a regular GeoAODV scheme that aims to reduce the control message overhead introduced by ad-hoc on-demand distance vector (AODV) routing protocol. GeoAODV reduces the route discovery overhead by searching only a portion of the network that is likely to contain the desired node. The search area is computed based on the nodes’ location coordinates obtained via the Global Positioning System (GPS). GeoAODV Rotate improves the performance of regular GeoAODV by dynamically adjusting the search area during the route discovery process. The paper also discusses the results of a comprehensive simulation study, conducted using OPNET Modeler version 16.0 software package, which compares the performance of GeoAODV Rotate against the AODV, regular GeoAODV, and two variations of Location-Aided Routing (LAR) protocol.
Utilizing an Ecological Framework to Enhance Counselors’ Understanding of the U.S. Opioid Epidemic

This conceptual article provides a counselor-oriented overview of the origins and consequences of the current opioid epidemic in the United States. After a thorough review of Bronfenbrenner’s ecological perspective on human development, this article presents a case conceptualization model aimed at providing counselors with a tool and strategy to better understand how systemic complexities impact opioid-dependent clients and their communities. A detailed composite case study is used to demonstrate the influence of multiple ecological variables on a specific client. Individual, micro-, meso-, exo-, macro-, and chronosystem stimuli are explored, and the role of advocacy as inherent in systemic conceptualization and treatment planning is discussed.
The intergenerational transmission of fertility in contemporary Denmark: The effects of number of siblings (full and half), birth order, and whether male or female

Using the Danish Fertility Database, we investigate intergenerational fertility transmission, including the relationship between the number of children born to those aged 25 and 26 years in 1994 and the number of their full sibs and half-sibs. We find that the fertility behaviour of parents and their children is positively correlated, and that half-sibs and full sibs have broadly similar effects. We do not find, in this complete national population, the strong birth order effects reported in some earlier studies. Nor do we find evidence of a weakening of intergenerational fertility transmission over time, perhaps because the greater flexibility of lifestyles in this post-transitional phase provides the extended social space within which intergenerational continuities can manifest themselves. We show that members of large families are over-represented in subsequent generations - that they have far more kin than those from smaller families - and that intergenerational continuities in fertility behaviour play a substantial role in keeping fertility higher than it would be in the absence of such transmission.
Some new representations of the multilevel inverter voltage space vector in the complex plane

The paper proposes some new expressions in several coordinate systems (oblique-angled 60- and 120-degree coordinates, barycentric and affine coordinates on triangles) for the voltage space vector of the multilevel voltage source inverter. The offered space vector representations can be useful for the real time digital signal processor control of converters, some of them lead to the algorithmic simplifications.
Variable power and rate allocation using simple CQI for multiuser OFDMA-CDM systems

This paper presents variable power and rate allocation (PRA) for a multiuser orthogonal frequency division multiple access code division multiplexing (OFDMA-CDM) system which exploits both orthogonality among users and symbol-level diversity. To predict the link performance, we analyze the postprocessing SNR as the transmit power (TP) varies when the minimum mean square error combiner (MMSEC) is employed. It is shown from analysis that the MMSEC SNR is nonlinear in TP, but is bounded by the harmonic and the arithmetic means of the subcarrier SNRs. From the observation, we propose two variable PRA methods using a simple channel quality indication and a required TP estimation method. Simulation results show that the proposed methods not only guarantee the target performance but also increase the throughput at the same or slightly increased feedback overhead compared with the fixed TP allocation case.