Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhanced border gateway protocol in NS- 2 by adding the hot potato functionality based on real network

The rapid growth of the Internet has made the issue of ensuring reliability and redundancy a big challenge. Studies of these issues using Traffic Engineering and simulation have been extensively done. There has been substantial interest from researchers in the development and contribution of modules in NS-2. Most studies have not taken into account real traffic parameters in their simulation models. Also, there is no comprehensive model consisting of Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) and Hot Potato (HP) routing in the NS-2 network simulator based on real networks. In this paper, Integrated Model is introduced consisting of HP algorithm and BGP integrated into the NS-2 network simulator. The integrated model is then used to simulate the infrastructure of a real production network using actual captured traffic data parameters. The network is modeled with a baseline topology where 5 main nodes were connected together, with redundant links for some nodes. The simulations were repeated for link failures. HP helps in improving the node which experiences a link failure to select shorter distance route to egress router. In the case of a link failure, HP switching time between the links is 0.05 seconds. The integrated model performance was evaluated by comparing trace file before and after link failure or by adding nodes (up to 32). The parameters used for comparison are the packets loss, delay and throughput. The integrated model error percentage obtained for packets loss is 0.025%, delay 0.013% and throughput 0.003%.
Planning the world's most inclusive PD project

Inclusivity is central to Participatory Design (PD) practice, but despite significant efforts in IDC and beyond, it is still hard to achieve during PD, because of a series of barriers (e.g. access to users, language). Such barriers increase especially when it comes to ensuring and supporting the participation of children with varying or complex needs, or when prospective participants are geographically distributed. This workshop aims to create the basis of a distributed PD (DPD) protocol to provide practical advice in overcoming the challenges of ensuring inclusivity for children with varying or complex needs around the world. The protocol will build on the participants' prior experience and on a live PD design session with children and adults, and be guided by discussions around approaches to address a specific design problem while maximising inclusivity across geographical boundaries and research contexts. It is intended to become a springboard for the world's most inclusive Distributed PD project.
Standardizing Single-Frame Phase Singularity Identification Algorithms and Parameters in Phase Mapping During Human Atrial Fibrillation

Purpose Recent investigations failed to reproduce the positive rotor-guided ablation outcomes shown by initial studies for treating persistent atrial fibrillation (persAF). Phase singularity (PS) is an important feature for AF driver detection, but algorithms for automated PS identification differ. We aim to investigate the performance of four different techniques for automated PS detection. Methods 2048-channel virtual electrogram (VEGM) and electrocardiogram signals were collected for 30 s from 10 patients undergoing persAF ablation. QRST-subtraction was performed and VEGMs were processed using sinusoidal wavelet reconstruction. The phase was obtained using Hilbert transform. PSs were detected using four algorithms: (1) 2D image processing based and neighbor-indexing algorithm; (2) 3D neighbor-indexing algorithm; (3) 2D kernel convolutional algorithm estimating topological charge; (4) topological charge estimation on 3D mesh. PS annotations were compared using the structural similarity index (SSIM) and Pearson’s correlation coefficient (CORR). Optimized parameters to improve detection accuracy were found for all four algorithms using Fβ score and 10-fold cross-validation compared with manual annotation. Local clustering with density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) was proposed to improve algorithms 3 and 4. Results The PS density maps created by each algorithm with default parameters were poorly correlated. Phase gradient threshold and search radius (or kernels) were shown to affect PS detections. The processing times for the algorithms were significantly different (p < 0.0001). The Fβ scores for algorithms 1, 2, 3, 3 + DBSCAN, 4 and 4 + DBSCAN were 0.547, 0.645, 0.742, 0.828, 0.656, and 0.831. Algorithm 4 + DBSCAN achieved the best classification performance with acceptable processing time (2.0 ± 0.3 s). Conclusion AF driver identification is dependent on the PS detection algorithms and their parameters, which could explain some of the inconsistencies in rotor-guided ablation outcomes in different studies. For 3D triangulated meshes, algorithm 4 + DBSCAN with optimal parameters was the best solution for real-time, automated PS detection due to accuracy and speed. Similarly, algorithm 3 + DBSCAN with optimal parameters is preferred for uniform 2D meshes. Such algorithms – and parameters – should be preferred in future clinical studies for identifying AF drivers and minimizing methodological heterogeneities. This would facilitate comparisons in rotor-guided ablation outcomes in future works.
Does the Excellent Enactment of Highest Strengths Reveal Virtues?

Two studies examined the assumption that character strengths enable virtues and facilitate the good life. Study 1 validated a “layperson’s excellent enactment of highest strengths paradigm”. This paradigm states that more appropriate assignments of character strengths to virtues are obtained when based on descriptions of highest character strengths enacted in an excellent way, than when based on lowest character strengths, or typical enactments. A sample of N = 230 German-speaking participants provided descriptions of situations in which they enacted their highest and lowest strengths excellently and typically and rated these situations on the degree of the six core virtues, strength expression, fulfillment, and intellectual and moral quality. Behavior examples of highest strengths excellently enacted were rated higher and with higher differentiation in the dependent variables than typical enactments or lowest strengths, thus confirming the paradigm. In Study 2, we applied the paradigm: A second sample of N = 113 German-speaking participants rated a selected subset of strengths–behaviors of layperson’s excellent enactment of highest strengths collected in Study 1 in regard to their degree of the six core virtues. Results confirmed previous convergent and discrepant findings with the theoretical VIA classification. We can conclude that the excellent enactment of highest strengths does indeed reveal virtues. Future studies should use the paradigm and examine culturally diverse samples with different methods for further examining the VIA classification.
Dietary Administration of the Bacillus subtilis Enhances Immune Responses and Disease Resistance in Chickens

Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) has a variety of proposed beneficial effects for chickens, including growth promotion and disease prevention. In this study, chickens were fed a diet containing B. subtilis for 21 days and growth performance, intestinal morphology, intestinal microbiota, immune responses, and disease resistance were investigated. After 21 days of feeding, chickens fed a diet containing B. subtilis had higher body weights. The concentrations of serum immunoglobulins IgA and IgM were significantly increased by B. subtilis in the diet. Moreover, chickens fed with B. subtilis had greater villus height (VH), shallower crypt depth (CD), and a higher VH/CD ratio in the jejunum than chickens fed a standard control diet. Diet with B. subtilis can balance intestinal microbiota, facilitate an increase in beneficial bacteria, and inhibit the pathogenic bacteria after 21 days of feeding. After an Escherichia coli (E. coli) challenge, the survival rate of chickens fed with B. subtilis was 66.67%, which was significantly higher than the controls. The E. coli contents in spleens and lungs from chickens fed a diet with B. subtilis were lower than those in controls. In addition, B. subtilis can trigger the toll-like receptor 4 and cause induction of proinflammatory cytokine (Il1β, Il6, and Il8) production to develop innate immune responses in chickens. In conclusion, diets containing B. subtilis can improve growth performance, serum immunoglobulin levels, the intestinal villus-crypt system, intestinal homeostasis, immune responses, and disease resistance against E. coli in chickens.
Rapid mineralization of the endocrine‐disrupting chemical 4‐nonylphenol in soil

The persistence of the xenoestrogenic compound 4‐nonylphenol in agricultural, noncultivated temperate, and Arctic soils was assessed in laboratory microcosm incubations. At 30°C, [ring‐U‐14C]4‐nonylphenol was rapidly mineralized without a lag in six soils tested. A sandy loam agricultural soil was chosen for more detailed study. The 4‐nonylphenol mineralization did not occur in autoclaved soil. The response of 4‐nonylphenol mineralization to variation in temperature and moisture content was consistent with an aerobic biological mechanism of degradation. Mineralization of [ring‐U‐14C]4‐nonylphenol was rapid in the concentration range of 1 to 250 mg/kg soil. Sludge solids did not inhibit 4‐nonylphenol mineralization, although sewage sludge at high concentrations was inhibitory, apparently because of high biological oxygen demand. Gas chromatographic‐mass spectrometric analyses of extracts prepared from soil incubated with commercial nonylphenol indicated that all detectable isomers were degraded. In summary, these results indicate that microorganisms that can metabolize 4‐nonylphenol are found in a wide variety of soils, including two originating from the Canadian Far North, which presumably have not been exposed anthropogenically to this chemical. We conclude that 4‐nonylphenol should be generally biodegradable in well‐aerated arable soils.
Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Tumors: From Mechanisms to Antigen Specificity and Microenvironmental Regulation

Among the various immunological and non-immunological tumor-promoting activities of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), their immunosuppressive capacity remains a key hallmark. Effort in the past decade has provided us with a clearer view of the suppressive nature of MDSCs. More suppressive pathways have been identified, and their recognized targets have been expanded from T cells and natural killer (NK) cells to other immune cells. These novel mechanisms and targets afford MDSCs versatility in suppressing both innate and adaptive immunity. On the other hand, a better understanding of the regulation of their development and function has been unveiled. This intricate regulatory network, consisting of tumor cells, stromal cells, soluble mediators, and hostile physical conditions, reveals bi-directional crosstalk between MDSCs and the tumor microenvironment. In this article, we will review available information on how MDSCs exert their immunosuppressive function and how they are regulated in the tumor milieu. As MDSCs are a well-established obstacle to anti-tumor immunity, new insights in the potential synergistic combination of MDSC-targeted therapy and immunotherapy will be discussed.
A Simple and Non-destructive Method for Chlorophyll Quantification of Chlamydomonas Cultures Using Digital Image Analysis

Growing interest in the use of microalgae as a sustainable feedstock to support a green, circular, bio-economy has led to intensive research and development initiatives aimed at increasing algal biomass production covering a wide range of scales. At the heart of this lies a common need for rapid and accurate methods to measure algal biomass concentrations. Surrogate analytical techniques based on chlorophyll content use solvent extraction methods for chlorophyll quantification, but these methods are destructive, time consuming and require careful disposal of the resultant solvent waste. Alternative non-destructive methods based on chlorophyll fluorescence require expensive equipment and are less suitable for multiple sampling of small cultures which need to be maintained under axenic growth conditions. A simple, inexpensive and non-destructive method to estimate chlorophyll concentration of microalgal cultures in situ from digital photographs using the RGB color model is presented. Green pixel intensity and chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll concentration, measured by conventional means, follow a strong linear relationship (R2 = 0.985–0.988). In addition, the resulting standard curve was robust enough to accurately estimate chlorophyll concentration despite changes in sample volume, pH and low concentrations of bacterial contamination. In contrast, use of the same standard curve during nitrogen deprivation (causing the accumulation of neutral lipids) or in the presence of high quantities of bacterial contamination led to significant errors in chlorophyll estimation. The low requirement for equipment (i.e., a simple digital camera, available on smartphones) and widely available standard software for measuring pixel intensity make this method suitable for both laboratory and field-based work, particularly in situations where sample, qualified personnel and/or equipment is limited. By following the methods described here it should be possible to produce a standard curve for chlorophyll analysis in a wide range of testing conditions including different microalga cultures, culture vessel and photographic set up in any particular laboratory.
Resolving the effect of climate change on fish populations

This paper develops a framework for the study of climate on fish populations based on first principles of physiology, ecology, and available observations. Environmental variables and oceanographic features that are relevant to fish and that are likely to be affected by climate change are reviewed. Working hypotheses are derived from the differences in the expected response of different species groups. A review of published data on Northeast Atlantic fish species representing different biogeographic affinities, habitats, and body size lends support to the hypothesis that global warming results in a shift in abundance and distribution (in patterns of occurrence with latitude and depth) of fish species. Pelagic species exhibit clear changes in seasonal migration patterns related to climateinduced changes in zooplankton productivity. Lusitanian species have increased in recent decades (sprat, anchovy, and horse mackerel), especially at the northern limit of their distribution areas, while Boreal species decreased at the southern limit of their distribution range (cod and plaice), but increased at the northern limit (cod). Although the underlying mechanisms remain uncertain, available evidence suggests climate-related changes in recruitment success to be the key process, stemming from either higher production or survival in the pelagic egg or larval stage, or owing to changes in the quality/quantity of nursery habitats.
Evaluation of Aluminum Tolerance and Nutrient Uptake of 50 Centipedegrass Accessions and Cultivars

Centipedegrass [Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hackl is a native grass of China, and information on soil adaptation ranges, including acid soils, among centipedegrass cultivars is limited. Therefore, objectives of this study were 1) to conduct a preliminary evaluation of relative aluminum tolerance of 48 centipedegrass accessions plus a cultivar, TifBlair, and a common centipedegrass under aluminum (Al) stress (0 and 1500 μM Al) by using a solution culture method; and 2) to determine Al effects on nutrient uptake between resistant-group and sensitive-group accessions among the 50 accessions and cultivars. Differences were found among accessions and cultivars, and the CV of relative root weight, relative shoot weight, and relative total weight were 39.9%, 32.9%, and 33.6%, respectively. After growing 28 days in an acid subsoil, the resistant-group accessions showed much better growth than the sensitive-group accessions. The Al concentrations in roots and shoots of the two groups of accessions were increased under Al treatment, but most absorbed Al remained in roots with greater Al absorption among the sensitive group compared with the resistant group. The concentrations of phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and potassium (K) in the two groups were reduced under Al stress with reductions of 59.3%, 54.8%, 47.9%, and 41.3% in shoots and reductions of 8.70%, 52.5%, 43.2%, and 34.4% in roots, respectively. Under Al stress, differences in P, Mg, and Ca concentrations were found between the two groups; however, differences were not found for K. The resistant-group accessions maintained higher concentrations of Mg and Ca than the sensitive group.
Contributions a l'indexation et a la reconnaissance des manuscrits Syriaques

CETTE THESE EST DEDIEE A L'EXPLORATION INFORMATIQUE DE MANUSCRITS SYRIAQUES, C'EST LA PREMIERE ETUDE DE CE TYPE MISE EN ŒUVRE. LE SYRIAQUE EST UNE LANGUE QUI S'EST DEVELOPPE A L'EST DU BASSIN MEDITERRANEEN, IL Y A PLUS DE VINGT SIECLES ET QUI AUJOURD'HUI EST ENCORE PRATIQUEE. LA PRESENTATION DE L'HISTOIRE DU DEVELOPPEMENT DE CETTE LANGUE FAIT L'OBJECT DU PREMIER CHAPITRE. LE SYRIAQUE S'ECRIT DE DROITE A GAUCHE, AVEC UN ASPECT TRES SINGULIER, UN PENCHE D'UN ANGLE D'ENVIRON 45° QUI REND LES ALGORITHMES DE TRAITEMENT ET D'ANALYSE DE DOCUMENTS DEVELOPPES POUR LES AUTRES ECRITURES INOPERANTS. DANS LE SECOND CHAPITRE, APRES NOUS ETRE INTERESSES A LA DESCRIPTION ET L'EXTRACTION DES STRUCTURES DES DOCUMENTS, NOUS AVONS ELABORE UNE METHODE DE SEGMENTATION DES MOTS QUI PREND EN COMPTE CE PENCHE; ELLE NOUS CONDUIT A UNE TRENTAINE DE FORMES STABLES QUI SONT DES LETTRES INDIVIDUELLES VERTICALES ET DES "N-GRAMMES" CONSTITUES PAR DES LETTRES PENCHEES. DANS LA DEUXIEME PARTIE DE LA THESE, NOUS NOUS SOMMES INTERESSES AU CONTENU DES DOCUMENTS POUR DES FINS D'INDEXATION. NOUS AVONS DEVELOPPE UNE METHODE DE REPERAGE DE MOTS QUI PERMET DE RETROUVER, DANS IN DOCUMENT, TOUTES LES OCCURRENCES D'UN MOT SELON PLUSIEUS MODES DE REQUETES (WORD SPOTTING, WORD RETRIEVAL). ELLE REPOSE SUR UNE SIMILARITE DE FORME EVALUEE A PARTIR D'UNE ANALYSE TRES FINE DE L'ORIENTATION DU TRACE DE L'ECRITURE. LE DERNIER CHAPITRE EST UNE PREMIERE CONTRIBUTION A LA TRANSCRIPTION ASSISTEE DES MANUSCRITS SYRIAQUES QUI REPOSE SUR LA SEGMENTATION DES MOTS DECRITE CI-DESSUS. NOUS MONTRONS QUE LA TRANSCRIPTION, QUI S'APPUIE SUR L'INTERACTION, EST EN RUPTURE AVES LES TRADITIONNELLES DEMARCHES DE RECONNAISSANCE PAR O. C. R.
CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOLOGICAL FUNCTION OF INTERACTION BETWEEN TLR4 AND PLIC-1

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are key innate immune receptors that recognize non-self pathogens and trigger host responses. Activation of these receptors results in the release of antimicrobial peptides, inflammatory cytokines, and co stimulatory molecules that initiate adaptive immunity for infections with gram-negative bacteria, lipopolysaccharide is the main source of inflammation, and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is crucial in mediating its effects. TLR4 is expressed on cardiomyocytes, macrophages, airway epithelia, endothelial, smooth-muscle cells and in small amounts in most other tissue. But, uncontrolled activation of TLR signaling molecules may cause auto immune diseases, sepsis, and tissue damage so the activation of TLR4 should be under control. Ubiquitin¨Cdependent receptor degradation as well as stabilization was recently suggested as a novel regulatory mechanism in controlling several TLR activations. We have recently found that an ubiquitin-like protein named protein linking integrin associated protein to cytoskeleton 1 (PLIC-1) interacts with the cytoplasmic domain of TLR4. The interaction between TLR4 and PLIC-1 was verified by western blot and immunoprecipitation. Further mapping of the interacting domain was done and we observed that the N terminal fragment of PLIC-1 is interacting with TLR4. PLIC-1 has been reported to stabilize proteins by interfering with proteosomal degradation. Consistent with this finding, we observed that over expression of PLIC-1 accumulated ubiquitinated TLR4. By flow cytometric analysis we observed that over expression of PLIC-1 is stabilizing TLR4. Reporter studies show that PLIC-1 inhibits the TRIF-dependent IFN-¦Â pathway. When endogenous PLIC-1 was knocked down by RNAi, the activation of TRIF-dependent IFN-¦Â luc was further increased. The same effect was observed in J774 mouse macrophages. Taken together our results suggest that PLIC-1 is a negative regulator of TLR pathway. This knowledge may be applied in immunotherapy as a means to modulate TLR activation in diseases such as septic shock, thus provides benefit for public health.
Social Cognition Capacities as Predictors of Outcome in Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT)

Background Mentalization-based treatment (MBT) is an evidence-based treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD). Differences in treatment outcomes related to specific capacity of social cognition need further attention. This study aimed to investigate social cognition as a predictor of outcome. Method The study included 31 BPD patients who completed a test of social cognition (Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition, MASC) before outpatient MBT. The MASC-scores indicated a person’s theory of mind (ToM) and different error-types. During treatment repeated self-reports of alliance and clinical outcomes (symptoms, interpersonal problems, social functioning) were applied. Longitudinal analyses were based on Linear Mixed Models (n = 24). Results The most frequent error-type was excessive ToM (hypermentalizing). Higher levels of excessive ToM were associated with greater improvement of alliance over time and good clinical outcomes. Insufficient ToM errors and low levels of accurate cognitive ToM responses were both associated with poorer improvement over time. The subgroup with frequent insufficient ToM errors had a larger total number of ToM errors. Insufficient ToM errors were associated with more childhood trauma, comorbid avoidant PD traits and/or PTSD, extensive prior treatment, and/or treatment irregularity. Conclusion This study demonstrates considerable variation of social cognitive capacity among BPD patients and good outcomes for patients with mainly ToM errors of hypermentalizing. It also indicates that poorly responding patients may represent a cohort with more complex problems of social cognition and insufficient mentalizing.