Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive seamless association handoff for guaranteeing real-time traffic in WiMAX mobile networks

The IEEE 802.16e standard is proposed for mobile nodes to access high data rate and long transmission radius in WiMAX. For supporting contention-free-based initial ranging and early performing the initial ranging during handoff, IEEE 802.16e specifies the association handoff mechanism in the MAC layer. However, an MS is difficult to determine the scan duration in the association handoff mechanism because it may lose the transmission opportunity or the response status of the received ranging response (RNG-RSP) message. Although the MS can set a longer scan duration to complete the initial ranging procedure for the association handoff, a long duration significantly degrades the QoS parameters of delay and delay jitter of real-time service flows. This paper thus proposes an efficient adaptive load-balancing association handoff approach (namely ALA) that consists of two phases: 1) the Adaptive Association Handoff phase (AAH) and 2) the Predictive-direction-based load balancing phase (PDLB), to overcome above mentioned problems. AAH proposes an adaptive re-association to reduce lost synchronizations, and thus improve the grade of service. PDLB adopts a prediction scheme to accurately predict the moving direction of mobile nodes, and thus achieve the reduction of the number of candidate target BSs in order to minimize the handoff delay and to balance traffic loads. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed ALA approach obviously outperforms the IEEE 802.16e protocol and other approaches in average handoff delay, number of handoffs, dropping probability, grade of service, network utilization, and number of lost synchronizations.
BDCA-2, BDCA-3, and BDCA-4: Three Markers for Distinct Subsets of Dendritic Cells in Human Peripheral Blood

We have generated a panel of mAbs that identify three presumably novel human dendritic cell Ags: BDCA-2, BDCA-3, and BDCA-4. In blood, BDCA-2 and BDCA-4 are expressed on CD11c− CD123bright plasmacytoid dendritic cells, whereas BDCA-3 is expressed on small population of CD11c+ CD123− dendritic cells. All three Ags are not detectable on a third blood dendritic cell population, which is CD1c+ CD11cbright CD123dim, or on any other cells in blood. BDCA-4 is also expressed on monocyte-derived and CD34+ cell-derived dendritic cells. Expression of all three Ags dramatically changes once blood dendritic cells undergo in vitro maturation. BDCA-2 is completely down-regulated on plasmacytoid CD11c− CD123bright dendritic cells, expression of BDCA-3 is up-regulated on both plasmacytoid CD11c− CD123bright dendritic cells and CD1c+ CD11cbright CD123dim dendritic cells, and expression of BDCA-4 is up-regulated on CD1c+ CD11cbright CD123dim dendritic cells. BDCA-2 is rapidly internalized at 37°C after mAb labeling. The three presumably novel Ags serve as specific markers for the respective subpopulations of blood dendritic cells in fresh blood and will be of great value for their further analysis and to evaluate their therapeutic potential.
Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases Enable Efficient Plant Genome Engineering1[W][OA]

The ability to precisely engineer plant genomes offers much potential for advancing basic and applied plant biology. Here, we describe methods for the targeted modification of plant genomes using transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs). Methods were optimized using tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) protoplasts and TALENs targeting the acetolactate synthase (ALS) gene. Optimal TALEN scaffolds were identified using a protoplast-based single-strand annealing assay in which TALEN cleavage creates a functional yellow fluorescent protein gene, enabling quantification of TALEN activity by flow cytometry. Single-strand annealing activity data for TALENs with different scaffolds correlated highly with their activity at endogenous targets, as measured by high-throughput DNA sequencing of polymerase chain reaction products encompassing the TALEN recognition sites. TALENs introduced targeted mutations in ALS in 30% of transformed cells, and the frequencies of targeted gene insertion approximated 14%. These efficiencies made it possible to recover genome modifications without selection or enrichment regimes: 32% of tobacco calli generated from protoplasts transformed with TALEN-encoding constructs had TALEN-induced mutations in ALS, and of 16 calli characterized in detail, all had mutations in one allele each of the duplicate ALS genes (SurA and SurB). In calli derived from cells treated with a TALEN and a 322-bp donor molecule differing by 6 bp from the ALS coding sequence, 4% showed evidence of targeted gene replacement. The optimized reagents implemented in plant protoplasts should be useful for targeted modification of cells from diverse plant species and using a variety of means for reagent delivery.
The effect of an education program on the incidence of central venous catheter-associated bloodstream infection in a medical ICU.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether an education initiative could decrease the rate of catheter-associated bloodstream infection. DESIGN Preintervention and postintervention observational study. SETTING The 19-bed medical ICU in a 1,400-bed university-affiliated urban teaching hospital. PATIENTS Between January 2000 and December 2003, all patients admitted to the medical ICU were surveyed prospectively for the development of catheter-associated bloodstream infection. INTERVENTION A mandatory education program directed toward ICU nurses and physicians was developed by a multidisciplinary task force to highlight correct practices for the prevention of catheter-associated bloodstream infection. The program consisted of a 10-page self-study module on risk factors and practice modifications involved in catheter-related bloodstream infections and in-services at scheduled staff meetings. Each participant was required to complete a pretest before reviewing the study module and an identical test after completion of the study module. Fact sheets and posters reinforcing the information in the study module were also posted throughout the ICU. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Seventy-four episodes of catheter-associated bloodstream infection occurred in 7,879 catheter-days (9.4 per 1,000 catheter-days) in the 24 months before the introduction of the education program. Following implementation of the intervention, the rate of catheter-associated bloodstream infection decreased to 41 episodes in 7,455 catheter days (5.5 per 1,000 catheter-days) [p = 0.019]. The estimated cost savings secondary to the decreased rate of catheter-associated bloodstream infection for the 24 months following introduction of the education program was between $103,600 and $1,573,000. CONCLUSIONS An intervention focused on the education of health-care providers on the prevention of catheter-associated bloodstream infections may lead to a dramatic decrease in the incidence of primary bloodstream infections. Education programs may lead to a substantial decrease in medical-care costs and patient morbidity attributed to central venous catheterization when implemented as part of mandatory training.
Field trial of rhesus rotavirus or human-rhesus rotavirus reassortant vaccine of VP7 serotype 3 or 1 specificity in infants. The Elmwood, Panorama, and Westfall Pediatric Groups.

Orally administered live rhesus monkey rotavirus vaccine (RRV, VP7 serotype 3) and human-rhesus reassortant rotavirus vaccine (DxRRV, VP7 serotype 1) were evaluated in a placebo-controlled field trial of 223 infants 2-4 months old. Both vaccines were mildly reactogenic but were generally well tolerated in the 10 days after vaccination. RRV and DxRRV were immunogenic, inducing serum antibody responses in 78% and 71% of the vaccines, respectively. Efficacy of RRV vaccine was 66% (P = .01) and of DxRRV vaccine 77% (P = .002) against rotavirus-associated illness in the first season after vaccination. Efficacy of RRV vaccine against rotavirus-associated illness over three rotavirus seasons was 51.2% (P = .045) and of DxRRV vaccine was 67.3% (P = .006). RRV vaccine provided heterotypic protection of 58.5% (P = .041) and DxRRV vaccine provided homotypic protection of 72.8% (P = .005) over three seasons against the predominant serotype 1 rotavirus.
Too young to be secure: Analysis of UEFI threats and vulnerabilities

Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) is a software interface between an operating system and platform firmware designed to replace a traditional BIOS. In general, UEFI has many technical advantages over BIOS (pre-OS environment, boot and run-time services, CPU-independent drivers etc.) including also powerful security mechanisms (e.g. secure boot, update, etc.). They are aimed to provide platform integrity, be root of trust of security architecture, control all stages of boot process until it pass control to authenticated OS kernel. From the other side UEFI technology is the focus of many new potential threats and exploits and presents new vulnerabilities that must be managed. The main goal of this research is to provide analysis of the UEFI security issues, find the point and source of the security problems and classify them. The paper describes the architectural and implementation troubles of UEFI which lead to threats, vulnerabilities and attacks. It also includes extensive review of the previous research activities in this area and the results of our own experiments. As the result of the work some recommendation about how to make this young technology more safe and secure are provided.
Activity of selected rostral and caudal hyoid muscles in clinically normal horses during strenuous exercise.

OBJECTIVE To determine the phase and quantitate the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the genioglossus, geniohyoideus, hyoepiglotticus, omohyoideus, sternohyoideus, sternothyroideus, and thyrohyoideus muscles of clinically normal horses during strenuous exercise. ANIMALS 7 clinically normal adult horses (2 Thoroughbreds and 5 Standardbreds). PROCEDURES Bipolar electrodes were surgically implanted in the aforementioned muscles, and horses were subjected to an incremental exercise test on a high-speed treadmill. The EMG, heart rate, respiratory rate, and static pharyngeal airway pressures were measured during exercise. The EMG was measured as mean electrical activity (MEA). The MEA values for maximal exercise intensity (13 or 14 m/s) were expressed as a percentage of the MEA measured at an exercise intensity of 6 m/s. RESULTS MEA was detected during expiration in the genioglossus, geniohyoideus, sternohyoideus, and thyrohyoideus muscles and during inspiration in the hyoepiglotticus and sternothyroideus muscles. Intensity of the MEA increased significantly with exercise intensity in the genioglossus, geniohyoideus, and hyoepiglotticus muscles. Intensity of the MEA increased significantly in relation to expiratory pharyngeal pressure in the geniohyoideus and hyoepiglotticus muscles. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Once exercise intensity reached 6 m/s, no quantifiable additional increase in muscular activity was detected in the omohyoideus, sternohyoideus, sternothyroideus, and thyrohyoideus muscles. However, muscles that may affect the diameter of the oropharynx (genioglossus and geniohyoideus muscles) or rima glottis (hyoepiglotticus muscle) had activity correlated with the intensity of exercise or expiratory pharyngeal pressures. Activity of the muscles affecting the geometry of the oropharynx may be important in the pathophysiologic processes associated with nasopharyngeal patency.
Immunohistochemical distribution of c‐erbB‐2 in infiltrating and in situ breast cancer

An immunohistochemical study of c‐erbB‐2 expression was performed on invasive and in situ breast cancer. Strong membrane staining was seen in 16% of the infiltrating ductal carcinomas and 44% of the in situ lesions. c‐erbB‐2 was over‐expressed in ductal rather than lobular tumours. Our results indicate that a small sub‐group of breast carcinomas are associated with over‐expression of this oncogene which may define an important subgroup of in situ and infiltrating ductal carcinomas.
Class II HDACs and Neuronal Regeneration

The vastly more superior regenerative capacity of the axons of peripheral nerves over central nervous system (CNS) neurons has been partly attributed to the former's intrinsic capacity to initiate and sustain the functionality of a new growth cone. Growth cone generation involves a myriad of processes that centers around the organization of microtubule bundles. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) modulate a wide range of key neuronal processes such as neural progenitor differentiation, learning and memory, neuronal death, and degeneration. HDAC inhibitors have been shown to be beneficial in attenuating neuronal death and promoting neurite outgrowth and axonal regeneration. Recent advances have provided insights on how manipulating HDAC activities, particularly the type II HDACs 5 and 6, which deacetylate tubulin, may benefit axonal regeneration. These advances are discussed herein. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 1225–1233, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Roughness Estimation of Multimode Rectangular Optical Waveguide Based on the Scattering Loss Difference Between SMFW and MMFW Structures

Based on the scattering loss difference between the single-mode-fiber-optical-waveguide (SMFW) and multimode-fiber-optical-waveguide (MMFW) structures, a method to estimate the roughness of multimode rectangular optical waveguide (ROW) is proposed. Based on the analysis of the mode coupling characteristics of the SMFW structure and the MMFW structure, the coupling efficiency of higher order mode of the ROW for the MMFW structure is larger than that of the SMFW structure. However, it is reversed for the lower order mode. By further analyzing the mode scattering loss coefficients of ROW induced by roughness, it is found that the total scattering loss for the SMFW structure is less than that for the MMFW structure, which can be used to estimate the roughness. The experimental results show that the roughness is 248.67 nm when the waveguide length is 75 mm and the scattering loss difference is 0.31dB. As the roughness is 275.37 nm by the 3-D optical profiler, this implies that the method is effective. Compared to the conventional methods, the method has many advantages, such as convenience, high efficiency, and ability for large measurement area.
Preparticipation cardiovascular screening for US collegiate student-athletes.

CONTEXT Sudden death in young competitive athletes due to unsuspected cardiovascular disease has heightened interest in preparticipation screening. OBJECTIVE To assess screening practices for detecting potentially lethal cardiovascular diseases in college-aged student-athletes. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A total of 1110 National Collegiate Athletic Association member colleges and universities were surveyed between 1995 and 1997, with 879 (79%) responding to the questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Information on the administration and scope of the preparticipation screening process was obtained from the team physician or athletic director; preparticipation screening forms were evaluated for content and compared with 12 items recommended by the 1996 American Heart Association (AHA) consensus panel screening guidelines. RESULTS Preparticipation screening was a requirement at 855 (97%) of 879 schools, was performed on campus at 713 schools (81 %), and was required annually by 446 schools (51 %). Team physicians were responsible for examinations at 603 (85%) of 713 schools with on-campus screening, although 135 of these schools (19%) also approved nurse practitioners and 244 schools (34%) allowed athletic trainers to perform examinations. Of the history and physical examination screening forms analyzed from 625 institutions, only 163 schools (26%) had forms that contained at least 9 of the recommended 12 AHA screening guidelines and were judged to be adequate, whereas 150 (24%) contained 4 or fewer of these parameters and were considered to be inadequate. Smaller Division III schools were more likely than larger Division I schools to have inadequate screening forms (30% vs 14%; P<.001). Relevant items that were omitted from more than 40% of the screening forms included history of exertional chest pain, dyspnea, or fatigue; familial heart disease or premature sudden death; and physical stigmata or family history of Marfan syndrome. CONCLUSION The preparticipation screening process used by many US colleges and universities may have limited potential to detect (or raise the suspicion of) cardiovascular abnormalities capable of causing sudden death in competitive student-athletes.
Severe hypophosphatemic osteomalacia secondary to fanconi syndrome due to adefovir: a case report.

OBJECTIVE Generalized proximal, type 2, renal tubular acidosis, also known as Fanconi syndrome, is a generalized dysfunction of the proximal renal tubule characterized by impaired reabsorption and increased urinary loss of phosphate and other solutes, such as uric acid, glucose, amino acids, and bicarbonate. Chronic hypophosphatemia is the second most common cause of osteomalacia after vitamin D deficiency in adult patients and can have a heterogeneous presentation, ranging from mild symptoms such as muscle weakness and skeletal pain to more severe presentation, such as disabling myopathy, severe bone and joint pain, difficulty walking, and even bone fractures. METHODS This report describes a case of severe hypophosphatemic osteomalacia with multiple fragility fractures induced by adefovir, which was worsened and confounded by a previous treatment with zoledronic acid and required prolonged intravenous potassium phosphate administration. RESULTS We highlight the limited diagnostic value of dual X-ray absorptiometry and bone scintigraphy in this challenging diagnosis. Bone metabolism should always be assessed in patients treated with adefovir for early detection of osteomalacia due to Fanconi syndrome. CONCLUSION Although rare, this condition may be life-threatening and mimic other bone metabolic disorders that are treated with drugs that may further impair phosphate balance.
A linear programming approach

Yhe analysis of the innovation of financial instruments and practices is not nearly as well-developed as its counterpart in the real sector. The theoretical and empirical studies on product and process innovation by Mansfield (l 968), Nelson and Winter (1973), Schmookler (1966), and Schumpeter (1939) are well-known. This paper is concerned with the microeconomics of financial innovation. Drawing on the work of Silber (1975) which outlines the forces that induce financial institutions to create new instruments or adopt new practices, an empirical test of the theory of financial innovation is carried out within the context of a linear programming model of commercial bank behavior. Innovation has been given very specific and somewhat more general meanings. Schumpeter (1939) related the term to the implementation of a new process or method that alters the production possibilities of a firm. Mansfield (1968), Scherer (1973), and Schmookler (1966), include both new processes and new products in their analyses. The financial innovations discussed below fall largely into the new product category. There also has been considerable interdisciplinary work by behavioral scientists and economists on the characteristics of the innovative firm, including studies by Cyert and March (1963), Becker and Stafford (1967), and Knight (1967). Nelson and Winter (1973) have carried that analysis one step further, towards an 'evolutionary theory' of innovation. Their approach stresses an incremental search process that is triggered by a firm's rate of return falling below target levels. Our approach in the financial sector parallels, with appropriate modifications, the Nelson-Winter analysis in the real sector. One final word of introduction concerns the definition of financial innovation. When dealing with innovation in the real sector it is possible to lihait the scope by an objective criterion: an innovation is a new product or process that qualifies for
Human naive CD4 T cells produce interleukin‐4 at priming and acquire a Th2 phenotype upon repetitive stimulations in neutral conditions

The maturation of naive CD4 T cells into interleukin (IL)‐4‐producing effectors was shown to require the presence of IL‐4 at priming, the cellular origin of which remains unclear. We demonstrate here that naive T cells themselves release IL‐4 at very low levels that are nevertheless sufficient to promote their development into Th2‐like cells. This conclusion is based on three observations: (1) highly purified human naive CD4T cells, of neonatal or adult origin, develop into Th2 effectors upon repetitive cycles of stimulation with anti‐CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) cross‐linked to CD32‐B7 transfected L fibroblasts followed by IL‐2 expansion; (2) IL‐4 protein is readily detectable in the concentrated supernatant fluids of priming cultures performed in the presence of anti‐IL‐4 receptor mAb; and (3) addition of anti‐IL‐4 or anti‐IL‐4 receptor mAb at priming markedly inhibits the acquisition of IL‐4‐ and IL‐5‐producing capacity while enhancing that of interferon‐γ.
Seasonal Variation in Essential Oil Compositions and Antioxidant Properties of Acorus calamus L. Accessions

Background: Acorus calamus (Sweet flag) is a known herbal drug commonly used in traditional medicine. Our aim was to perform seasonal and altitudinal phytochemical screening to assess the antioxidant activity of the essential oils in the rhizome and leaves of A. calamus from three different altitudes. Methods: Phytochemical screening was performed using GC/MS analysis and in vitro antioxidant assay was done by different methods. Results: The essential oils mainly contained α-asarone, β-asarone (35.3–90.6%), and Z-isoelemicin (1.7–7.3%) as the major constituents, besides linalool, Z-methyl isoeugenol, shyobunone, kessane, etc. All the oils exhibited vast molecular diversity in terms of quantitative ingredients. All essential oils were studied for their antioxidant activity by different methods, including their effect on the DPPH radical-scavenging activity, reducing power, and chelating properties of Fe2+. The oils isolated in all the different seasons exhibited antioxidant activity as a function of concentration, with IC50 values ranging from 475.48 ± 0.08 to 11.72 ± 0.03 compared to standards. Conclusion: From the results obtained it can be inferred that the herb may be a good source of bioactive compounds and can work as an antioxidant to prevent oxidative deterioration in food. The data provide a basis for its in-situ investigation for judicious exploitation.