Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
InFEP — Lightweight virtualization of distributed control on white-box networking hardware

Recent developments in networking hardware and software-defined networking have enabled full distribution of network control to reduce control latency and increase reliability. However, both, hardware and software of current white-box networking hardware are highly heterogeneous, which limits the deployment and operation of switch-local control applications. Furthermore, switch-local control raises yet unconsidered security concerns. In this paper, we present our concept of in-forward-element processing, which leverages the open access to the control plane of white-box networking hardware to deploy control logic directly onto switches. We combine local control applications with lightweight virtualization to cope with networking hardware heterogeneity and to achieve required isolation properties and ease of management. Beyond distributed network control, we show this scheme is also beneficial for implementing switch-local virtual network functions (NFV), processing packets. Highlighting the practicability of the concepts, we provide an overview of the current white-box networking hardware and software landscape and their compatibility with lightweight virtualization technologies. To this end, we perform an empirical evaluation of NOS-virtualization combinations on such hardware and compare the results with respect to incurring virtualization overhead.
An Extended Relevance Model for Session Search

The session search task aims at best serving the user's information need given her previous search behavior during the session. We propose an extended relevance model that captures the user's dynamic information need in the session. Our relevance modelling approach is directly driven by the user's query reformulation (change) decisions and the estimate of how much the user's search behavior affects such decisions. Overall, we demonstrate that, the proposed approach significantly boosts session search performance.
Nonvasomotor Influence of Sodium Nitroprusside on Arteriolar Remote Response to Methacholine

Vascular communication functions to facilitate blood distribution within tissues and can be demonstrated as conducted vasomotor responses. This study was designed to determine if local application of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) would affect arteriolar function at remote sites. In the cheek pouch of anesthetized hamsters, local application of SNP and nifedipine caused arteriolar dilation only at the site of application (7.1 ± 0.5 and 7.4 ± 0.6 µm), but not at remote sites. The application of SNP enhanced subsequent remote, nitric oxide (NO)-independent dilation in response to methacholine, which was applied at a site upstream from the SNP application site (6.7 ± 0.7 versus 4.5 ± 0.7 µm for methacholine alone). This potentiating effect was also observed following application of 3-morpholinosydnonimine, but not following nifedipine. This nonvasomotor influence of SNP was not affected by Nω-nitro-L-arginine (L-NA), tetrodotoxin (TTX), Gap 27 peptide or halothane. Attenuated local dilation in response to methacholine by L-NA could be partially recovered following downstream application of SNP, suggesting that SNP-induced potentiation was associated with enhanced vasodilatory signals at the methacholine application site. Thus, our results suggest that SNP induces nonvasomotor signals in arterioles to affect the network distribution of blood flow. Intrinsic NO, TTX-sensitive Na+ channels and gap junctional communication do not seem to play a major role in the conduction of the nonvasomotor signals.
Volume fluctuations in the residual limbs of lower limb amputees.

This study evaluated residual limb volume fluctuations of new and mature amputees in order to better plan for definitive limb prostheses. A measurement system based on a water displacement technique was used to measure cross-sectional area profiles of lower extremity amputation residual limbs. Reliable data were obtained for 32 of the 49 subjects participating in this study. Residual limb shrinkage cannot be characterized by any single pattern and therefore the date for fitting of a final prosthesis cannot be predicted precisely from regular volume measurements. Every amputee studied demonstrated an increase in body weight. Changes in residual limb volume early postoperatively were dictated by interaction of shrinkage and opposite effect of weight gain . Mature amputation limbs were observed to fluctuate in volume, and these fluctuations tended to correspond to body weight changes. For 3 general patterns of volume change observed early postoperatively, the best estimate of time to fit a final prosthesis appears to be about 150 days postamputation.
miR-130 Suppresses Adipogenesis by Inhibiting Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ Expression

ABSTRACT Adipose tissue development is tightly regulated by altering gene expression. MicroRNAs are strong posttranscriptional regulators of mammalian differentiation. We hypothesized that microRNAs might influence human adipogenesis by targeting specific adipogenic factors. We identified microRNAs that showed varying abundance during the differentiation of human preadipocytes into adipocytes. Among them, miR-130 strongly affected adipocyte differentiation, as overexpressing miR-130 impaired adipogenesis and reducing miR-130 enhanced adipogenesis. A key effector of miR-130 actions was the protein peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), a major regulator of adipogenesis. Interestingly, miR-130 potently repressed PPARγ expression by targeting both the PPARγ mRNA coding and 3′ untranslated regions. Adipose tissue from obese women contained significantly lower miR-130 and higher PPARγ mRNA levels than that from nonobese women. Our findings reveal that miR-130 reduces adipogenesis by repressing PPARγ biosynthesis and suggest that perturbations in this regulation is linked to human obesity.
Optimization of satellite access lower layers for the transport of IP datagrams

This paper presents a novel solution optimizing satellite access lower layers and system performances called variable size packets (VSPs) designed for the transport of Internet protocol (IP) datagrams or any packet type from the network layers characterized by a highly variable size. VSP objective is to maximize the efficiency of layers 1 and 2 through a joint optimization of access and transport mechanisms mainly for satellite systems addressing residential or corporate terminals market through a multiple-access scheme. It is particularly attractive for the return link of next-generation satellite systems to be IP-based, as a possible evolution of the digital video broadcast-return channel via satellite (DVB-RCS) standard. The VSP solution relies on the definition of multiple encapsulation sizes, and is associated to a waveform and an access adapted to variable size packets' transport. It uses the traffic's variable size nature to increase encapsulation efficiency, coding, and spectral efficiency performances, and system flexibility. It is well adapted to systems using an adaptive waveform leading to system capacity's increase and better performances. This paper describes the VSP principle, advantages and possible high-level system tradeoffs. It then focuses on one critical issue, the coding, and presents a suitable coding scheme's choice with regards to performances and implementation complexity.
Effect of acetyl-L-carnitine treatment on the levels of levocarnitine and its derivatives in streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

The effect of diabetes induced by streptozotocin and that of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) hydrochloride (CAS 5080-50-2) treatment on the homeostasis of the levocarnitine (L-carnitine) moiety was investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats. The diabetic status was ascertained by measuring blood glucose. L-carnitine (LC), total acid soluble L-carnitine (TC) and ALC were measured in serum, tissues and urine by radioenzymatic methods. Short-chain L-carnitine esters (SCLCE) were obtained by subtracting LC from TC. Serum concentration of L-carnitine moiety was decreased in diabetic when compared to normal rats; whereas ALC oral treatment (50 and 150 mg/kg p.o. for 4 weeks) in diabetic rats increased, dose-dependently, all the components of L-carnitine moiety, SCLCE and ALC being completely restored. In the liver of diabetic rats all the analytes proved to be higher than in normal rats, mainly LC and TC. A similar trend was observed in skeletal muscle, at least with LC and TC, whereas SCLCE and ALC were not affected. The treatment with ALC increased the liver concentration of all the analytes in a dose-related way whereas in skeletal muscle only LC and TC showed an increase with the highest dose of ALC. Myocardium and kidneys showed a decrease of all the analytes in diabetes; the treatment with ALC normalized the situation in kidneys, in a dose-related way, but not in the myocardium. Urinary excretion and renal clearance of L-carnitine moiety increased in diabetes; an additional dose-related increase was observed with the ALC treatment.
Correlation between PTPN11 gene mutations and congenital heart defects in Noonan and LEOPARD syndromes

Noonan syndrome (MIM 163950), an autosomal dominant disorder with an estimated prevalence of 1/1000–2500 at birth, is characterised by short stature, facial anomalies, pterygium colli, and congenital heart disease.1,2 Although pulmonary valve stenosis with dysplastic leaflets, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and atrial septal defects (ASD) are the most common congenital heart defects in Noonan syndrome,3 a broad spectrum of cardiac phenotypes has been recognised.2–6 About half the affected individuals have PTPN11 gene mutations.7–9 This gene, which maps to chromosome 12q22-qter,10 encodes for the human SH2 domain containing protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHP2). 11 PTPN11 gene mutations have also been detected in multiple lentigines/LEOPARD syndrome (multiple lentigines, ECG conduction abnormalities, ocular hypertelorism, pulmonary stenosis, abnormal genitalia, retardation of growth and sensorineural deafness; ML/LS, MIM 151100),12,13 in Noonan-like/multiple giant cell lesion syndrome (MIM 163955),8 in two families presumably affected by cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome (CFCS, MIM 115150),14 but not in sporadic CFCS.15 The clinical and genetic heterogeneity of these disorders suggests a possible relation between different PTPN11 gene mutations and distinct clinical features. A genotype–phenotype correlation study in Noonan syndrome found an association between pulmonary stenosis and PTPN11 mutations.8 Our aim in this study was to screen a large cohort of patients with Noonan syndrome and ML/LS in order to expand the genotype–phenotype correlation analysis, with particular emphasis on cardiac diseases. ### Key points
Effect of ethinylestradiol/cyproterone acetate on endothelial function in young non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a pilot study

Background. Combined oral contraceptives are used in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women for the treatment of hyperandrogenism and menstrual cycle disturbances. Aim. To assess the effect of ethinylestradiol and cyproterone acetate (EE/CA) on endothelial function in young, non-obese PCOS women in a pilot study. Methods. Thirteen young, non-obese PCOS women (20.9 ± 3.7 years, 23.0 ± 4.0 kg/m2) received 35 mcg EE & 2 mg CA for 6 months. Fourteen age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy women served as controls. Endothelial function assessed by brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), indices of hyperandrogenism, and insulin resistance were studied at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Results. FMD was impaired in PCOS compared to control women (4.67 ± 2.38% vs. 10.12 ± 3.19%, p < 0.001), but increased significantly following EE/CA (9.99 ± 2.11%, p < 0.001 vs. baseline), reaching normal values (p = NS vs. controls). EE/CA also significantly decreased hyperandrogenism indices and increased total and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides (p < 0.05 vs. baseline). The only independent predictor of treatment-induced FMD improvement in PCOS women was the decrease in free androgen index. Conclusions. Treatment with combination of estrogens and antiandrogens reverses endothelial dysfunction in young, non-obese PCOS women mainly via improving hyperandrogenism. Further research is needed to investigate whether this treatment may also reduce cardiovascular risk in these women.
Cerebral perfusion maps from dynamic contrast MRI data utilizing Rician statistics

Bolus tracking of contrast agent with MRI is a well established technique for measurement of local cerebral hemodynamic parameters flow, volume and mean transit time. When performed on a voxel-by-voxel basis, it allows development of hemodynamic parameter maps useful for assessment of ischemic damage following stroke and tumor characterization in cancer. The analysis of the acquired dynamic data requires the use of deconvolution to reconstruct the residue function (R) of the contrast agent. Measurement of the tissue time course and the arterial input function are obtained by T2 or T2∗ weighted sequences. Reconstruction of R provides estimates of flow, volume and mean transit time. The raw MRI scan signal intensity is well approximated by Rician statistics. The standard approach to estimation involves logarithmic transformation and least squares deconvolution. At low signal to noise ratio this approach is not efficient and as an alternative this work adopts an iterative re-weighted non-linear least squares (IRWNLLS) algorithm to incorporate Rician statistics, impose constraints on the residue function and optimize for tracer arrival delay. The algorithm is implemented on a voxel-by-voxel basis and cerebral maps for the hemodynamic parameters flow, volume and mean transit time are presented. In addition, an automatic segmentation technique which takes into account both spatial and temporal variation is presented. This segmentation technique is shape driven, choosing only voxels that correlate highly with a well-known arterial input function template.
Clinical significance of type V(I) pit pattern subclassification in determining the depth of invasion of colorectal neoplasms.

AIM To clarify whether subclassification of the type V(I) pit pattern on the basis of magnifying colonoscopy findings is useful in determining the type and depth of invasion of colorectal neoplasms. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 272 colorectal neoplasms (117 dysplasias and 155 submucosal invasive carcinomas; 228 patients) with a type V pit pattern [type V(I), n = 202; type V(N), n = 70 (Kudo and Tsuruta classification system)]. We divided lesions with a type V(I) pit pattern into two subclasses, mildly irregular lesions and severely irregular lesions, according to the prominent and detailed magnifying colonoscopy findings. We examined the relation between these two subclasses and histology/invasion depth. RESULTS One hundred and four lesions (51.5%) were judged to be mildly irregular, and 98 lesions (48.5%) were judged to be severely irregular. Ninety-seven (93.3%) mildly irregular lesions showed dysplasias or submucosal invasion of less than 1000 microm (SM < 1000 microm). Fifty-five (56.1%) severely irregular lesions showed submucosal invasion equal to or deeper than 1000 microm (SM > or = 1000 microm). Mild irregularity was found significantly more often in dysplasias or lesions with SM < 1000 microm than in lesions with SM > or = 1000 microm (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Subclassification of the type V(I) pit pattern is useful for identifying dysplasias or lesions with SM < 1000 microm.
In vivo opioid receptor heteromerization: where do we stand?

Opioid receptors are highly homologous GPCRs that modulate brain function at all levels of neural integration, including autonomous, sensory, emotional and cognitive processing. Opioid receptors functionally interact in vivo, but the underlying mechanisms involving direct receptor–receptor interactions, affecting signalling pathways or engaging different neuronal circuits, remain unsolved. Heteromer formation through direct physical interaction between two opioid receptors or between an opioid receptor and a non‐opioid one has been postulated and can be characterized by specific ligand binding, receptor signalling and trafficking properties. However, despite numerous studies in heterologous systems, evidence for physical proximity in vivo is only available for a limited number of opioid heteromers, and their physiopathological implication remains largely unknown mostly due to the lack of appropriate tools. Nonetheless, data collected so far using endogenous receptors point to a crucial role for opioid heteromers as a molecular entity that could underlie human pathologies such as alcoholism, acute or chronic pain as well as psychiatric disorders. Opioid heteromers therefore stand as new therapeutic targets for the drug discovery field.
The atlA Operon of Streptococcus mutans: Role in Autolysin Maturation and Cell Surface Biogenesis

ABSTRACT The Smu0630 protein (AtlA) was recently shown to be involved in cell separation, biofilm formation, and autolysis. Here, transcriptional studies revealed that atlA is part of a multigene operon under the control of at least three promoters. The morphology and biofilm-forming capacity of a nonpolar altA mutant could be restored to that of the wild-type strain by adding purified AtlA protein to the medium. A series of truncated derivatives of AtlA revealed that full activity required the C terminus and repeat regions. AtlA was cell associated and readily extractable from with sodium dodecyl sulfate. Of particular interest, the surface protein profile of AtlA-deficient strains was dramatically altered compared to the wild-type strain, as was the nature of the association of the multifunctional adhesin P1 with the cell wall. In addition, AtlA-deficient strains failed to develop competence as effectively as the parental strain. Mutation of thmA, which can be cotranscribed with atlA and encodes a putative pore-forming protein, resulted in a phenotype very similar to that of the AtlA-deficient strain. ThmA was also shown to be required for efficient processing of AtlA to its mature form, and treatment of the thmA mutant strain with full-length AtlA protein did not restore normal cell separation and biofilm formation. The effects of mutating other genes in the operon on cell division, biofilm formation, or AtlA biogenesis were not as profound. This study reveals that AtlA is a surface-associated protein that plays a critical role in the network connecting cell surface biogenesis, biofilm formation, genetic competence, and autolysis.
Feedback tracking control schemes for a class of underactuated vehicles in SE(3)

A trajectory tracking control scheme for a class of underactuated vehicles is presented here. The underactuated vehicle is modeled as a rigid body to which control thrust is applied along a single body-fixed axis and control torque can be applied along all three body-fixed coordinate axes. The combined rotational and translational motion of the rigid body is underactuated with the degree of underactuation two. Such an actuation scheme is reflective of a wide range of vehicles such as vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, fixed-wing aircraft, and quadcopter uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). For this class of underactuated vehicles, the proposed controller gives exponential stabilization of the position tracking error. Additionally, the component of the angular velocity parallel to the thrust direction, is regulated to be zero under the proposed control scheme. The other two components of the angular velocity track desired profiles that lead to exponential stabilization of the desired position trajectory; this angular velocity tracking control scheme is finite time stable. The combination of these schemes leads to guaranteed exponential stability of the overall feedback control scheme. A set of numerical simulation results that illustrate the performance of the overall feedback tracking control scheme is provided.
Procyanidins and inflammation: Molecular targets and health implications

The inflammatory response has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases. Thus, the modulation of the inflammatory response by the consumption of bioactive food compounds, such as procyanidins, is a powerful tool to promote health. Procyanidin‐mediated anti‐inflammatory molecular mechanisms include, among others, the modulation of the arachidonic acid pathway, the inhibition of the gene transcription, protein expression and enzymatic activity of eicosanoid generating enzymes, the production and secretion of inflammatory mediators (such as cytokines and nitric oxide), the inhibition of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway activation, and the modulation of the nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) pathway. The NF‐κB pathway can be regulated by procyanidins at several levels. During early events in NF‐κB signaling, procyanidins modulate Iκκ activity, and the cytoplasmic retention of p65:p50 NF‐κB by the inhibition of IκB phosphorylation and proteasomal degradation, while at late stages, they affect the nuclear translocation of pro/anti‐inflammatory NF‐κB homo/hetero dimers and their subsequent binding to the promoter regions of target genes. To identify and understand the value of procyanidins in the modulation of the inflammatory response, the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti‐inflammatory activities and prohomeostatic effects of procyanidins need to be investigated further. © 2012 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.
Resumption of follicular waves in beef cows is not associated with periparturient changes in follicle-stimulating hormone heterogeneity despite major changes in steroid and luteinizing hormone concentrations.

To test the hypothesis that emergence of follicle waves postpartum is associated with a change in circulating FSH isoform distribution, 10 Limousin-cross suckler cows were blood sampled daily from 5 wk prepartum until first ovulation postpartum for FSH, LH, estradiol (E2), and progesterone assay. Follicular growth was monitored daily by ultrasonography from Days 5 to 10 postpartum until first ovulation. Distributions of circulating FSH isoforms were characterized (n = 4 per group) by chromatofocusing at 1) 18-33 days prepartum, 2) 3-5 days prepartum, 3) the first postpartum FSH rise responsible for emergence of the first follicle wave, and 4) the FSH rise that stimulated the ovulatory follicle wave. The interval to detection of the first postpartum dominant follicle (DF) was 9.6 +/- 0.58 days. The number of DF before first ovulation was 2.1 +/- 0.18, and first ovulation occurred at 28.6 +/- 1.54 days postpartum. Serum E2 concentrations were higher (p = 0.0001) in cows during the 5-wk period prepartum (53.8 +/- 6.29 pg/ml) than in the postpartum period up to first ovulation (1.5 +/- 0.15 pg/ml). In late pregnancy, there was an absence of recurrent FSH rises and LH concentrations were decreased (p < 0.0001) compared with those in the postpartum period. The emergence of each follicle wave postpartum was preceded by a 2- to 4-day rise in FSH concentrations. The pattern of FSH isoform distribution did not differ (p > or = 0.75) between the pre- and postpartum periods.