Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of receiver cheating on the stability of ALM tree

Application layer multicast (ALM) is an effective supplement to IP multicast, but it has the potential trouble of trust on end systems. For instance, multicast receivers may cheat in order to obtain a better position in the multicast tree. Receiver cheating may transform the multicast tree, and lead to its instability. We establish the cheating model of ALM receivers and analyze the stability of ALM tree when receiver cheating occurs. Simulation results show that receiver cheating has considerably negative effects on the stability of ALM tree. This discovery brings forward an issue in ALM study, that is, we should take receiver cheating into consideration to maintain a stable ALM tree when designing ALM protocols
Improved Ultrasound-Mediated Molecular Imaging of Previously Ischemic Mouse Myocardium Using Dual-Targeted Microbubbles and Constant Infusion

Molecularly targeted ultrasound contrast agents have been shown to identify previously-ischemic regions of the myocardium by targeting cell adhesion molecules that are displayed on activated endothelial surfaces in response to ischemia/reperfusion injury. An improved method for targeted microbubble (MB) delivery using constant infusion and dual targeted microbubbles is presented to enable better characterization of microbubble interaction with activated endothelium. Ten male C57BL/6 mice underwent 15-minute Left Anterior Descending (LAD) coronary occlusion followed by 2-hour reperfusion. Immediately after the 2-hour reperfusion, mouse hearts were imaged with a Sequoia scanner and 15L8 transducer. All mice received three of five MB preparations in random order: Sialyl Lewis X MB (MB<sub>X</sub>), anti-P-Selectin (MB<sub>P</sub>), anti-VCAM MB (MB<sub>V</sub>), Sialyl Lewis X + anti-VCAM MB (MB<sub>D</sub>), and isotype control MB (MB<sub>I</sub>). Subsequently, mouse hearts were excised and stained with TTC & Phthalo blue dyes to assess infarct size and area at risk, respectively. Video data indicated that the binding of targeted MB to ischemic regions was significantly higher for MB<sub>D</sub>, MB<sub>X</sub>, MB<sub>P</sub>, and MB<sub>V</sub>, compared to MB<sub>I</sub> (p<;0.05). Furthermore, normalized intensity for MB<sub>D</sub> was higher than both MB<sub>X</sub> and MB<sub>V</sub> (p<;0.05). Using Phthalo blue dye as the gold standard, receiver operating curve analysis demonstrated accurate detection of both ischemic and non-ischemic regions using MB<sub>D</sub> (AUC = 0.90), MB<sub>X</sub> (AUC = 0.89), MB<sub>P</sub> (AUC = 0.87), and MB<sub>V</sub> (AUC = 0.97).
Adaptive kernel design in the generalized marginals domain for time-frequency analysis

A signal-adaptive kernel designed in the generalized marginals(GM) domain is introduced. This new kernel exploits the mechanism by which the cross-terms are created in the GM domain. It is shown that the cross-terms are created by a simple squaring process and the region of support for the cross terms is a subset of the region of support of the auto-terms. The generalized marginals of the Wigner distribution (WD) are always positive and real. The generalized marginals of all distributions which have a radially Gaussian kernel in the ambiguity domain are positive. This positivity is exploited for applying information measures in the construction of the adaptive kernel. The cross-term suppression is done in the GM domain and the time-frequency distribution is constructed using the filtered back-projection method. Moyal's formula is utilized to calculate the GM as the projections of the signal on linear chirps. <<ETX>>
Association of antiretroviral therapy with fibrinogen levels in HIV-infection

Background:HIV infection is associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease, but the contribution of inflammation versus antiretroviral drugs is not well understood. Fibrinogen is an inflammatory factor associated with atherosclerosis. Methods:A total of 1131 HIV-infected patients and 281 controls [from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, a population-based study of cardiovascular risk assessment] in the Study of Fat Redistribution and Metabolic Change in HIV infection (FRAM) had plasma fibrinogen levels measured. Multivariable linear regression identified factors associated with fibrinogen. Results:HIV-infected patients had higher levels of fibrinogen compared with controls (males: 25 mg/dl higher, P = 0.006; females: 21 mg/dl higher, P = 0.39). Among HIV-infected persons, median levels of fibrinogen were 11% higher in patients currently using any protease inhibitor (PI) compared with those not using a PI (P < 0.0001). The strongest univariate associations were with the individual PIs, ritonavir and indinavir. Patients taking indinavir boosted with ritonavir had median fibrinogen levels 8% higher than those on indinavir alone (P = 0.049). Lower levels of fibrinogen were seen in those HIV-infected patients currently using any nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) compared to those not using an NNRTI (nevirapine −14.4%, P < 0.0001; efavirenz −7%, P = 0.0002). The associations of ritonavir, indinavir, efavirenz and nevirapine with fibrinogen levels persisted after multivariable analysis and were independent of other antiretroviral use. Conclusion:Protease inhibitor use is associated with elevated fibrinogen levels which may contribute to increased risk of atherosclerosis in HIV-infected patients. Conversely, NNRTI use is associated with lower fibrinogen levels which may decrease risk of atherosclerosis.
Regulation of CLV 3 Expression by Two Homeobox Genes in Arabidopsis 1

The ability of meristems to continuously produce new organs depends on the activity of their stem cell populations, which are located at the meristem tip. In Arabidopsis, the size of the stem cell domain is regulated by two antagonistic activities. The WUS (WUSCHEL) gene, encoding a homeodomain protein, promotes the formation and maintenance of stem cells. These stem cells express CLV3 (CLAVATA3), and signaling of CLV3 through the CLV1/CLV2 receptor complex restricts WUS activity. Homeostasis of the stem cell population may be achieved through feedback regulation, whereby changes in stem cell number result in corresponding changes in CLV3 expression levels, and adjustment of WUS expression via the CLV signal transduction pathway. We have analyzed whether expression of CLV3 is controlled by the activity of WUS or another homeobox gene, STM (SHOOT MERISTEMLESS), which is required for stem cell maintenance. We found that expression of CLV3 depends on WUS function only in the embryonic shoot meristem. At later developmental stages, WUS promotes the level of CLV3 expression, together with STM. Within a meristem, competence to respond to WUS activity by expressing CLV3 is restricted to the meristem apex.
Follicular stromal cells and lymphocyte homing to follicles

Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs), the best defined stromal cell subset within lymphoid follicles, play a critical role in presenting intact antigen to B lymphocytes. The discovery that many follicular stromal cells make B-lymphocyte chemoattractant (BLC), a CXC chemokine that attracts CXCR5+ cells, provides a basis for understanding how motile B cells come into contact with stationary FDCs. Here we review our work on BLC and discuss properties of BLC-expressing follicular stromal cells. We also review the properties of primary follicle and germinal center FDCs and suggest a model of FDC development that incorporates information about BLC expression. Finally, we consider how antigen recognition causes T and B lymphocytes to undergo changes in chemokine responsiveness that may help direct their movements into, or out of, lymphoid follicles.
Design and implementation of multicore support for a highly reliable self-repairing μ-kernel OS

As computers basically have adopted multicore processors, operating systems (OSs) support for these systems have to follow up. Since the impact of the consequences of multi-core failures affect software systems, most schedulers instead of exploiting the on-chip-based communications between cores on one die, they distribute tasks over multiple dies to reduce recovery time in case of single die failure. The full exploitation of multicore features within a die is best met by developing a highly reliable, fault-tolerant OS. MINIX3 is a highly reliable, self-repairing multiserver microkernel OS, but it doesn't support multicore architectures. This paper presents a proposed design and implementation of modifications to MINIX3 to support multicore architectures. Also, the paper presents the results of the experiments that have been conducted to evaluate the modified MINIX3 considering three issues: reliability, the performance of the multicore port, and contention on the locking scheme.
An Iterative Shrinkage Deconvolution for Angular Superresolution Imaging in Forward-Looking Scanning Radar

The aim of angular super-resolution is to surpass the real-beam resolution. In this paper, a method for forward-looking scanning radar angular super-resolution imaging through a deconvolution method is proposed, which incorporates the prior information of the target’s scattering characteristics. We first mathematically formulate the angular super-resolution problem of forward-looking scanning radar as a maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimation task based on the forward model, and convert it to an equivalent unconstrained optimization problem by applying the log-transforms to the posterior probability, which guarantees the solution converges to a global optimum of an associated MAP problem and it is easy to implement. We then implement the unconstrained optimization task in convex optimization framework using an iterative shrinkage method, and the computational complexity of the proposed algorithm is also discussed. Since the anti log-likelihood of the noise distribution and the prior knowledge of the scene are utilized, the proposed method is able to achieve angular super-resolution imaging in forward-looking scanning radar effectively. Numerical simulations and experimental results based on real data are presented to verify that the proposed deconvolution algorithm has better performance in preserving angular super-resolution accuracy and suppressing the noise amplification.
Saturated Core Fault Current Limiters in a Live Grid

With two recent successful installations in a U.K. live grid, the saturated core fault current limiter (SCFCL) has become one of the leading candidates for commercial fault current limiting devices. In this work, we review the concept developed at Bar-Ilan University, which was later adapted by GridON, for a novel compact SCFCL. This SCFCL utilizes a superposition of a closed dc magnetic circuit and an open ac magnetic circuit to overcome the intrinsic problem of transformer coupling found in traditional SCFCL designs. It also allows the use of a single magnetic core for a full ac current cycle limiting. In addition, the relatively short path for the dc magnetic circuit supports copper coils as an alternative to superconducting bias coils, allowing easier market penetration. The performances of the SFCL devices installed in live grids are described.
Inhibition of NF-κB improves the stress resistance and myogenic differentiation of MDSPCs isolated from naturally aged mice

A decline in the regenerative capacity of adult stem cells with aging is well documented. As a result of this decline, the efficacy of autologous stem cell therapies is likely to decline with increasing donor age. In these cases, strategies to restore the function of aged stem cells would have clinical utility. Globally, the transcription factor NF-κB is up-regulated in aged tissues. Given the negative role that NF-κB plays in myogenesis, we investigated whether the age-related decline in the function of muscle-derived stem/progenitor cells (MDSPCs) could be improved by inhibition of NF-κB. Herein, we demonstrate that pharmacologic or genetic inhibition of NF-κB activation increases myogenic differentiation and improves resistance to oxidative stress. Our results suggest that MDSPC “aging” may be reversible, and that pharmacologic targeting of pathways such as NF-κB may enhance the efficacy of cell-based therapies.
Reliability of the Sanders Classification Versus the Risser Stage; Avoid Misinterpretation.

To the Editor: I was interested to read the paper by Vira et al published in the Jun 2017 issue of the J Pediatr Orthop. Estimation of skeletal maturity, classically performed using Risser sign, plays a crucial role in the treatment of AIS. Recent data, however, has shown the simplified TannerWhitehouse (Sanders) classification, based on an anterior posterior (AP) hand radiographs, to correlate more closely to the rapid growth phase and thus curve progression. The aim of the author was to assess reliability of the Sanders and Risser classifications among clinicians at different levels of training.1 Twenty AP scoliosis radiographs and 20 AP hand radiographs were randomized and distributed to 11 graders. The graders consisted of 3 orthopaedic residents, 3 spine fellows, 3 spine surgeons, and 1 radiologist. They reported that for all graders the average k coefficient for the interobserver and intraobserver reliability of the Sanders classification was 0.54 and 0.62, respectively, and 0.46 and 0.49 for the Risser classification. With respect to spine attending alone, the average k coefficient for the interobserver and intraobserver reliability of Sanders classification was 0.72 and 0.77, respectively, and 0.46 and 0.67 for the Risser classification. However, using k is not the most appropriate test to assess reliability for qualitative outcomes. Two important weaknesses of k value to assess agreement are as follow: It depends upon the prevalence in each category, which means it can be possible to have different k value having the same percentage for both concordant and discordant cells. Table 1 shows that in both (a) and (b) situations the prevalence of concordant cells are 90% and discordant cells are 10%; however, we get different k value (0.44 and 0.80), respectively. k value also depends upon the number of categories.2–5 Therefore, to get an unbiased result, using weighted k in such situations can be suggested as an appropriate statistical test. It has been recently demonstrated that the linearly weighted k is a weighted average of the k coefficients of the embedded 2 by 2 agreement matrices, while the quadratically weighted k is insensitive to the agreement matrices that are row or column reflection symmetric. A rank-1 matrix decomposition approach to the weighting schemes can demonstrate these phenomena in a concise manner.4 They concluded that the Sanders classification is a reliable and reproducible system and should be in the armamentarium of surgeons who treat adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Such conclusion should be supported by the above mentioned statistical issue; otherwise, misinterpretation can easily lead to mismanagement of the patients.
Anal sex and HIV transmission in women.

Since research findings have shown that receptive anal sex among gay men is associated with an increased risk of HIV infection the authors investigated whether anal sex is a risk factor for HIV infection in women. The study involved a group of 145 female prostitutes recruited between August 1996 and March 1997 from truck stops along South Africas main national road halfway between Durban and Johannesburg. The women were of mean age 24 years had been involved in prostitution for an average of 3 years and had an average of 20 clients/week. 62 (42.8%) of the women had anal sex with their clients. The prevalence of HIV infection in those women was 61.3% vs. 42.7% in women who did not have anal sex. Anal sex was associated with a higher risk of HIV infection in a multiple regression model controlling for age condom use the number of clients/week and duration of sex work. Stratifying for those variables found that anal sex was consistently associated with a higher risk of HIV infection. A microbicidal gel containing nonoxynol-9 is being studied for its efficacy in preventing HIV infection in women. More research is needed to determine the pathogenesis leading to the elevated risk of contracting HIV through anal sex.
Numerical Congruency Effect in the Sentence-Picture Verification Task

In two experiments, we showed that irrelevant numerical information influenced the speed of sentence-picture verification. Participants were asked to verify whether the concept mentioned in a sentence matched the object presented in a subsequent picture. Concurrently, the number word attached to the concept in the sentence and the quantity of objects presented in the picture were manipulated (numerical congruency). The number of objects varied from one to four. In Experiment 1, participants read statements such as three dogs. In Experiment 2, they read sentences such as three dogs were wandering in the street. In both experiments, the verification speed revealed the interaction between response and numerical congruency. The verification times for concept-object match were faster when there was also numerical congruence (compared with incongruence) between the number word and quantity. On the other hand, there was no difference between numerical congruence and incongruence when the concept and object mismatched. The results are interpreted as evidence for the symbol grounding of number words in perceptual representation of small quantities, that is, quantities falling in the subitization range.
Comparing Non-Hierarchical Governance in Action: The Open Method of Co-Ordination in Pensions and Information Society

Non-hierarchical modes of governance, such as the ‘open method of co-ordination’ (OMC), require particular prerequisites to operate effectively. This article points to three essential components of any regime, then assesses their operation in two ‘real’ OMCs, pensions and information society. Given the finding of defective regimes, this article argues that the observed patterns are not surprising given the high demands that non-hierarchical governance places on participants. In addition, the context of the politics of the EU suggests that non-hierarchical governance is inappropriate as a means of inducing policy reform.
[Attalea butyracea palms adjacent to housing as a source of infestation by Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)].

INTRODUCTION The presence of Rhodnius prolixus in palms on the eastern plains area of Colombia provide a high risk for infection with Trypanosoma cruzi. Intensive surveillance of the palm tree habitat are necessary to confirm the presence of bugs and provide evidence that this habitat is a source of house infestations. OBJECTIVE The infestation by R. prolixus in the palm, Attalea butyracea, was investigated near homes for assessment of risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS Palms were examined for Rhodnius bugs adjacent to rural housing in the eastern plains provinces of Casanare and Arauca, Colombia. Bait traps were used as well as an active search by the investigators and a community watch program to collect intradomiciliary triatomine bugs. Collected species were identified by morphological criteria,and natural T.cruzi infections in the triatomine bugs were detected by the PCR technique. RESULTS In 111 of 172 (64.5%) palms (A. butyracea) inspected, 529 nymphs and adults of R. prolixus and 5 nymphs of Eratyrus mucronatus were collected. The A. butyracea were located within 500 m of housing. In the same period, 132 R. prolixus and specimens of the triatomine species Psammolestes arthuri,Cavernicola pilosa, Triatoma maculata, Panstrongylus geniculatus were collected inside houses. Twenty nymphs of E. mucronatus were found in a pile of bricks on the porch of a home. Natural infection of T. cruzi was detected in 28.8% of R. prolixus from palm trees and 30.0% inside houses. CONCLUSIONS A new epidemiological scenario of transmission of Chagas disease was revealed, characterized by high rates of infestation of R. prolixus in palms near houses with frequent intrusion into houses. In designing measures to prevent Chagas disease, the association of palm trees, triatomine bugs and housing proximity is a significant consideration.
Proposta de uma Arquitetura para o Gerenciamento de Regras de Negócio em LPS com Base na MDA

Are upheld in the SPL domain all business rules that define semantics links between entities for its completeness. By any change in business needs implies to keep of these rules up-to-date and is necessary to fix several application code to realize manually the necessary repair, making it a hard work for developers. The purpose of this works to create a new boarding to support software products in front of constant changes of business rules in this scenario, with thought at the reference architecture to manage them. Resumo. Fazem parte do dominio de um uma LPS todas as regras de negocio que definem os lacos semânticos entre entidades para a sua completude. Qualquer mudanca nos requisitos de negocio implica na manutencao dessas regras e e preciso percorrer todo o codigo para realizar as mudancas necessarias manualmente, tornando esse trabalho arduo para os desenvolvedores. A proposta deste trabalho e criar uma nova forma de manter produtos de software frente as trocas constantes de regras de negocio neste cenario, com o suporte de uma arquitetura para gerencia-las. 1. Introducao Ha tempos, pessoas envolvidas com a fabricacao de software vem criando consciencia de que para a satisfacao dos clientes, e necessario construir produtos com qualidade. Porem nao basta ter uma boa qualidade, se nao for economicamente viavel [Travassos et al, 2002]. A engenharia de dominio, bem como, outras tecnicas visa a reutilizacao e esta entre as tecnicas mais relevantes para que se possa construir um software em menor tempo, maior confiabilidade e tendo como consequencia um menor custo. A Arquitetura Orientada a Modelos ou MDA (Model-Driven Architecture) [OMG, 2009] e uma abordagem de desenvolvimento de software dirigido por modelos (MDD ou Model-Driven Development) [Braganca e Machado, 2007] que utiliza modelos em diferentes niveis de abstracao visando separar a arquitetura conceitual do sistema do seu modelo especifico de plataforma. A definicao de mecanismos de transformacao permite a traducao dos modelos em codigo de linguagem de alto nivel que, por sua vez, sao compilados para geracao do codigo executavel da aplicacao, facilitando o reuso e a manutencao das aplicacoes. Tais vantagens tem propiciado a crescente adocao da MDA como framework de desenvolvimento em diversos dominios de aplicacao nos ultimos anos.
Frontiers in nano-architectured carbon–metal oxide electrodes for supercapacitance energy storage: a review

Supercapacitor (SC) is an energy storage technology that bridges the gap between conventional capacitors and rechargeable batteries. Emerging nano-architectured carbon–metal oxide composites are promising for electrode designs for supercapacitors due to their unique strategy utilizing electrochemical double-layer capacitance (EDLC) and pseudo-capacitance together in single cell to optimize the energy storage ability and electrochemical stability. In recent years, technologies of integrating different metal oxide into single-walled/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and carbon nanofiber (CNF) and/or carbon fiber paper (CFP) have been reported with the focus of the nano-architecture electrodes. This paper provides a review of the frontiers with respect to incorporation of metal oxides into the carbon nanomaterials for capacitive energy storage improvements. Several key performance parameters in terms of specific capacitance, energy density, power density and cyclic stability along with the challenges and design trends are discussed and summarized.