Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance Evaluation of H.264 protocol in Ad hoc Networks

Wireless mobile ad hoc network data transmission between multiple senders and receivers is becoming increasingly important in nowadays networks. There are many applications for sending data from a single source to multiple destinations (e.g. broadcasting) or from multiple senders to multiple receivers (e.g. teleconference). A wireless Mobile Ad hoc Network (MANET) or a multi-hop network is a collection of wireless mobile hosts forming nodes that arbitrarily and randomly change their locations. No centralized administration or infrastructure is supported, and each host communicates via radio packets. Nodes are responsible for establishing and maintaining connections between themselves. Such dynamic topology of MANET leads to several unique design issues that do not exist in other wireless networks. Video transport over ad hoc networks is more challenging than that over other wireless networks. The wireless links in an ad hoc network are not error resilient and can go down frequently because of node mobility, interference, channel fading, and the lack of infrastructure. Moreover, typical video applications may need a higher bandwidth and higher reliability connection than that provided by a single link in current or emerging wireless networks. On the other hand, it is possible to establish multiple paths between a source and a destination. Transporting video over wireless networks is further constrained by: delay limits, power issues and quality of service (QoS) parameters. All of these points should be handled carefully in video transport services. The goal of this research is to calculate the maximum distance, or number of hops, that can be supported in an ad hoc network while maintaining the delay constraints and reasonable quality of service (QoS). In this paper, we will evaluate the performance of H.264 protocol using two routing protocols, mainly: the Neigbhor-Aware Clusterhead (NAC) and the Dynamic Source Routing (DSR) protocols. The simulation results show that it is feasible to have video over ad hoc within an average distance of 6 hops utilizing an average of 5.5 Mbps, however the performance varies from one protocol to another.
An Energy Combiner for a Multi-Input Energy-Harvesting System

An energy combiner for delivering electrical energy harvested simultaneously from individual energy harvesters (EHs) to a single energy storage device such as a battery is presented. It is designed as a modular architecture to be handled as a subsystem and supports an arbitrary number of EHs, which can be connected to the energy combiner in a hot-pluggable form. With the adaptive connection flows of a novel control algorithm, the energy harvested from each EH can be transmitted to an energy storage device without interfering with each other. An evaluation system is implemented, including the energy combiner circuit fabricated in a 0.13-μm CMOS process. The experimental results show that the energy combiner, with a low power consumption of 1.55 μW, achieves a maximum energy-combining efficiency of up to 95% for three input sources.
Genetic pathway of major depressive disorder in shortening telomeric length

Context Shortened telomeric length has been associated with aging and monoamine oxidase A gene activity. The pathways of genetic activity and mental disorder in shortening telomeric length, however, remain unclear. Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the possible pathways of the monoamine oxidase A promoter, ApoE polymorphisms and telomeric length in major depressive disorder. Methods This study enrolled 253 unrelated patients with major depression in southern Taiwan, and was carried out between March 2001 and September 2004. In addition, 411 controls were randomly selected from the general population in southern Taiwan. Results Hierarchical regression showed that the influence of the monoamine oxidase A promoter and ApoE2 polymorphisms was not statistically significant to telomeric length, when additionally adjusting for major depressive disorder. A final robust structural equation model showed that aging and major depressive disorder both have a statistically significant shortening effect on telomeric length. Moreover, sex, the Apoϵ2 allele, and the monoamine oxidase A promoter polymorphism have indirect effects on telomeric length. Conclusion Major depressive disorder is a mediating factor between the monoamine oxidase A promoter polymorphism and telomeric length.
Canopy insect herbivores in the Azorean Laurisilva forests: key host plant species in a highly generalist insect community

This article explores patterns of insect herbivore distribution in the canopy of the Laurisilva forests on seven islands in the Azores archipelago. To our knowledge, this is one of the first extensive study of this type in tree or shrub canopies of oceanic island ecosystems. One of the most frequently debated characteristics of such ecosystems is the likely prevalence of vague, ill-defined niches due to taxonomic disharmony, which may have implications for insect-plant interactions. For instance, an increase in ecological opportunities for generalist species is expected due to the lack of predator groups and reduced selection for chemical defence in host plants. The following two questions were addressed: 1) Are specialists species rare, and insect herbivore species randomly distributed among host plant species in the Azores? 2) Are the variances in insect herbivore species composition, frequency and richness explained by host plants or by regional island effects? We expect a proportional distribution of herbivore species between host plants, influenced by host frequency and distinct island effects; otherwise, deviation from expectation might suggest habitat preference for specific host tree crowns. Canopy beating tray samples were performed on seven islands, comprising 50 transects with 1 to 3 plant species each (10 replicates per species), giving 1320 samples from ten host species trees or shrubs in total. From a total of 129 insect herbivore species, a greater number of herbivore species was found on Juniperus brevifolia (s =65) and Erica azoricu (s = 53). However, the number of herbivore species per individual tree crown was higher for E. azorica than for any other host, on all islands, despite the fact that it was only the fourth more abundant plant. In addition, higher insect species richness and greater insect abundance were found on the trees of Santa Maria Island, the oldest in the archipelago. Insect species composition was strongly influenced by the presence of E. azorica, which was the only host plant with a characteristic fauna across the archipelago, whereas the fauna of other plant crowns was grouped by islands. The great insect occurrence on E. azorica reflects strong habitat fidelity, but only four species were clearly specialists. Our findings indicate a broadly generalist fauna. The simplicity of Azorean Laurisilva contributed to the understanding of insect-plant mechanisms in canopy forest habitats.
Activation and relocalization of caspase 3 during the apoptotic cascade of human mesothelioma cells

Apoptosis plays an important role in cancer biology. We investigated the expression of caspases 3 and 8 in malignant mesothelioma and malignant mesothelioma cell lines and putative changes in their ultrastructural expression prior and after exposure to epirubicin. Further studies were conducted to compare these changes to the localization and expression of the bcl‐2 group of proteins bcl‐X, bax and mcl‐1, and Fas – Fas ligand in the same cells. In the histological samples, caspase 3 and 8 immunoreactivity was seen in 27/37 (73%) and 16/37 (43%) of the mesotheliomas. The immunostaining was cytoplasmic diffuse, granular, and occasionally nuclear. All six mesothelioma cell lines expressed caspases 3 and 8 by immunoblotting. After exposure to epirubicin the extent of apoptosis was increased in all cell lines investigated, being weakest in the most resistant M38K cell line. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed immunogold labeling for caspases 3 and 8 in the mitochondria with the accumulation of caspase 3 in the apoptotic bodies, while the mitochondrial localization of the bcl‐2 proteins appeared to be very stable. Fas receptor could be detected by flow cytometry, whereas the most resistant cell line (M38K) lacked Fas ligand when assessed by RT‐PCR. These results suggest the importance of caspase 3 during the apoptotic process of mesothelioma cells and indicate that epirubicin‐induced apoptosis is independent of the mitochondrial pathway.
Increased Capacity Using CDMA for Mobile Satellite Communication

The performance of a spread-spectrum CDMA (code-division multiple access) system in a mobile satellite environment is analyzed. Comparisons to single-channel-per-carrier FDMA systems are presented which show that the CDMA approach provides greater capacity. Results from computer simulations, laboratory tests, and field tests of a prototype modem are also presented. The tests results show excellent performance of the modem in the mobile environment and also the feasibility of the spread-spectrum approach to satellite mobile communications. >
Temporal changes of cerebral metabolites and striatal lesions in acute 3‐nitropropionic acid intoxication in the rat

To investigate the mechanisms of neuronal death in neurodegeneration, in vivo localized proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐MRS) and diffusion‐weighted MRI (DWI) were used to evaluate temporal changes in rat striata after administration of 3‐nitropropionic acid. It was found that N‐acetylaspartate (NAA) reduction, with nearly simultaneous evidence of striatal lesions in DWI, was preceded by a significant and progressive increase of acetate. Shortly before the NAA levels decreased to the lowest point, acetate levels peaked and began to gradually decline toward the control levels. These results suggest that acetate increase may arise from fatty acid degradation, inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase and possible NAA hydrolysis. The elevated acetate may provide a source of acetyl group for membrane repair during excitotoxic brain injury. Magn Reson Med 44:29–34, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Game of Morra

The Imperial Ottoman Museum has recently acquired a very valuable and interesting gold ring (Fig. 1) which was found in 1894 or 1895 in a tomb at Lampsacus. The Museum authorities subsequently undertook further excavations in the necropolis of which this tomb formed part, and it is a matter for great regret that no detailed report of the results was drawn up; we are therefore forced to content ourselves with the somewhat meagre information given by the late Baltazzi-Bey to M. Salomon Reinach, according to which the necropolis yielded fragments of red-figured pottery and specimens of silver autonomous coins of Lampsacus. Both these details are of importance in fixing the date of the ring; for on the one hand silver coins of this class belong almost exclusively to the fourth century, and on the other, the manufacture of painted vases was not continued after that date. When we add that the evidence of coins and inscriptions proves that this was the most flourishing period in the history of Lampsacus, we have strong a priori reason for assigning the ring to this century, while a consideration of the style of the intaglio may help us to fix the date within narrower limits.
Modelling and programming stream-based distributed computing based on the meta-pipeline approach

Caravela is a computing platform that has been designed in academia to implement distributed stream-based computing based on the flow-model. This paper is focused on the new meta-pipeline execution mechanism, which allows to set up a pipeline of flow-models to be executed in parallel but with data streams flowing in sequence along them. A model and programming tools are presented to develop the proposed meta-pipeline in the Caravela platform. These tools are important, namely to tackle the deadlock problem that can occur due to uninitialised input data streams. A new efficient algorithm is also proposed to identify off-line the uninitialised edges in a ‘pipeline graph’. Moreover, optimisation techniques are also proposed to reduce the computation time and the amount of memory required to implement the proposed algorithm, and a graphical user interface (GUI) was implemented to facilitate the programming of applications with the meta-pipeline approach. The experimental results presented in this paper show the practical interest of the meta-pipeline approach for stream-based computing and the effectiveness of both the proposed algorithm and the developed GUI for programming the Caravela platform.
Reversal of Human Cytomegalovirus Major Immediate-Early Enhancer/Promoter Silencing in Quiescently Infected Cells via the Cyclic AMP Signaling Pathway

ABSTRACT The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) major immediate-early (MIE) enhancer contains five functional cyclic AMP (cAMP) response elements (CRE). Because the CRE in their native context do not contribute appreciably to MIE enhancer/promoter activity in lytically infected human fibroblasts and NTera2 (NT2)-derived neurons, we postulated that they might have a role in MIE enhancer/promoter reactivation in quiescently infected cells. Here, we show that stimulation of the cAMP signaling pathway by treatment with forskolin (FSK), an adenylyl cyclase activator, greatly alleviates MIE enhancer/promoter silencing in quiescently infected NT2 neuronal precursors. The effect is immediate, independent of de novo protein synthesis, associated with the phosphorylation of ATF-1 serine 63 and CREB serine 133, dependent on protein kinase A (PKA) and the enhancer's CRE, and linked to viral-lytic-cycle advancement. Coupling of FSK treatment with the inhibition of either histone deacetylases or protein synthesis synergistically activates MIE gene expression in a manner suggesting that MIE enhancer/promoter silencing is optimally relieved by an interplay of multiple regulatory mechanisms. In contrast, MIE enhancer/promoter silence is not overcome by stimulation of the gamma interferon (IFN-γ) signaling pathway, despite the enhancer having two IFN-γ-activated-site-like elements. We conclude that stimulation of the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway drives CRE-dependent MIE enhancer/promoter activation in quiescently infected cells, thus exposing a potential mode of regulation in HCMV reactivation.
Exaggerated TSH responses to TRH in depressed patients with "normal" baseline TSH.

BACKGROUND Subclinical hypothyroidism (elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH] with normal thyroid hormone levels) can present with depression. This may be confirmed by an exaggerated TSH response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on the TRH stimulation test (TRH-ST). The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of exaggerated TRH-ST results in a sample of depressed patients with "high-normal" screening TSH levels. METHOD Depressed patients with TSH levels of 3.00-5.50 mIU/L underwent a TRH-ST. After baseline TSH was drawn, TRH 400 micrograms was injected intravenously, and TSH samples were drawn at +20 min, +30 min, and +40 min postinjection. A rise in TSH after TRH (peak value minus baseline) of > 25 mIU/L represented an exaggerated TSH response. RESULTS Twenty-three (38%) of 60 patients had an exaggerated TSH response to TRH. The 38% prevalence is significantly (Chi 2 = 59.65, df = 1, p < .001) greater than the 6% prevalence of positive TRH-ST results reported in the euthyroid general population. The prevalence of positive TRH-ST results was not attributable to differential patterns of psychotropic or thyroid hormone treatment. Unexpected observations were a lack of correlation in TSH levels week to week (r = .17, N.S.) and a lack of correlation between screening TSH value and subsequent TRH-ST results (r = .28, N.S.). CONCLUSION Subtle thyroid underfunction may be contributing to depression in some patients with TSH in the upper half of the range usually considered normal. If so, then the TRH-ST may be more sensitive in identifying this than measurement of TSH alone.
Identification of a novel, tissue-specific calpain htra-3; a human homologue of the Caenorhabditis elegans sex determination gene.

We cloned a novel human gene encoding a tissue-specific calpain, termed htra-3, which is highly homologous to the tra-3 sex determination gene of Caenorhabditis elegans. The predicted htra-3 polypeptide had similarity to the calpain large subunits in domain organization throughout domains I to III, but the sequences of domain IV lacked calcium-binding motifs. Northern blot analysis revealed high expression in the colon, small intestine and testis. Radiation hybrid mapping localized the htra-3 gene to chromosome 11q14 (2.53cR apart from WI-3895). Western blot analysis demonstrated that the approximately 73-kDa htra-3 protein was transiently expressed in COS-7 cells. These observations, together with the genetic information in C.elegans, suggest a unique function for htra-3 protein.
Serum levels of interleukin-6 in contacts of active pulmonary tuberculosis Níveis séricos de interleucina-6 em contatos de tuberculose pulmonar ativa

Introduction: It is estimated that over two billion individuals are infected by Mycobacterium tuberculosis worldwide. Interleukin-6 (IL6) is an important cytokine whose serum levels are commonly high in active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). IL-6 screening in contacts of patients with TB may be useful to monitor the progress of the infectious process and to infer the risk of progression to active disease. Objective: To evaluate the serum levels of interleukin-6 in contacts of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis and to compare them with two other groups: a) patients affected by active pulmonary tuberculosis; b) non-contacts of tuberculosis. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 15 contacts of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis, selected according to the protocol recommended by the Ministry of Health. The serum levels of interleukin-6 were measured by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The same test was also applied in the two comparison groups: 38 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (confirmed by clinical examination, X-rays of the chest and baciloscopy) and 63 non-contacts (healthy blood donors). Results: In the contact group, the median IL-6 concentration was 1.7 pg/ ml (0.96-4.8 pg/ml). For those affected by active pulmonary tuberculosis and non-contact individuals, these values corresponded to 4.3 pg/ml (0.5-24 pg/ml) and 0.5 pg/ml (0-2.8 pg/ml), respectively (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Contacts of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis had significantly higher IL-6 serum levels (3.4 times higher) in relation to non-contact individuals, but on a lower level (2.5 times lower) when compared to those affected by active disease.
An Analysis of the Last 1000 Years Human Diet on Tutuila (American Samoa) Using Carbon and Nitrogen Stable Isotope Data

This paper reports the first set of isotopic data relating to human diet from the Samoan Archipelago. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope data measured on bone collagen were used to assess dietary patterns of prehistoric communities on Tutuila Island, American Samoa. We examined 14 human bones from three sites dated to three distinct periods: ~1,000 years ago (N = 5); -500 years ago (N = 8) and -150 years ago (N = 1). The isotopie data suggest that the human diet on Tutuila over the last 1,000 years was composed mainly of terrestrial resources with some consumption of coastal reef products. These data suggest a possible dietary change over time, with a higher dependence on marine resources in the earlier period shifting to a more terrestrial diet in the later period. Several possibilities for this dietary shift are suggested including: change in community specialization; marine resource depression; disintensification of marine procurement; intensification of horticultural production; and cultural or social changes in resource allocation.
Stray voltage and developmental, reproductive and other toxicology problems in dogs, cats and cows: a discussion.

Ten years ago, after 3 y of investigations, attempts to determine the cause(s) of reproductive and developmental problems at a dog kennel in Allegan County, MI were suspended. This kennel had lost more than 120 litters of Shetland Sheepdogs (Shelties) over the preceding 12 y; many of the puppies that died were deformed as were several that survived. Similar effects occurred in Persian cats, although on a smaller scale, and later in German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers. Such problems began after drilling a deeper water well and the building of a new kennel of concrete and metal fencing in 1969. Prior to that time the kennel owner had successfully bred and raised at least 15 litters/y of mostly Shelties in an old wooden chicken coop. Health problems in the kennel owner prevented her from breeding dogs in the late 1980's. She gradually resumed a more regular breeding schedule in 1989, initially with some success. However, in 1992 reproductive problems returned. Female dogs ceased cycling or had abnormal "unbreedable" seasons. Sperm checks revealed a lack of sperm in four males. Concurrently, neither the Persian nor mongrel female cats in the kennel showed signs of cycling. Two dairy farmers in Allegan County, who reportedly had similar health, reproductive and management concerns in cows, were contacted. Tests performed at these dairy farms had revealed the presence of what has commonly been called stray voltage. Equipment brought by the farmers to the kennel revealed the presence of AC and DC currents on the premises, which was later confirmed by a Staff Engineer of the Michigan Public Service Commission (PSC). Such current was detected even when the electrical power to the premises was shut off. For example, 2.45 volts AC and -0.150 volts DC were detected at the well head, with variable amounts detected at various locations in the kennel. The current was not constant, with transients (spikes) frequently detected. Similar problems were evident in Van Buren County at a recently constructed kennel about 15 miles south of the kennel in Allegan County. Shortly after moving to the property, health problems not previously experienced by the breeder began cropping up in the dogs. Experts from the power company, the PSC, and 2 independent consultants have taken a variety of measurements on the property. The tests confirmed the presence of stray voltage (AC and DC) with periodic voltage spikes, as well as electromagnetic fields and electric fields. None of the extensive tests have proven the property owner to be at fault. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Ca2+ bridges the C2 membrane‐binding domain of protein kinase Cα directly to phosphatidylserine

The C2 domain acts as a membrane‐targeting module in a diverse group of proteins including classical protein kinase Cs (PKCs), where it plays an essential role in activation via calcium‐dependent interactions with phosphatidylserine. The three‐dimensional structures of the Ca2+‐bound forms of the PKCα‐C2 domain both in the absence and presence of 1,2‐dicaproyl‐sn‐phosphatidyl‐L‐serine have now been determined by X‐ray crystallography at 2.4 and 2.6 Å resolution, respectively. In the structure of the C2 ternary complex, the glycerophosphoserine moiety of the phospholipid adopts a quasi‐cyclic conformation, with the phosphoryl group directly coordinated to one of the Ca2+ ions. Specific recognition of the phosphatidylserine is reinforced by additional hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions with protein residues in the vicinity of the Ca2+ binding region. The central feature of the PKCα‐C2 domain structure is an eight‐stranded, anti‐parallel β‐barrel with a molecular topology and organization of the Ca2+ binding region closely related to that found in PKCβ‐C2, although only two Ca2+ ions have been located bound to the PKCα‐C2 domain. The structural information provided by these results suggests a membrane binding mechanism of the PKCα‐C2 domain in which calcium ions directly mediate the phosphatidylserine recognition while the calcium binding region 3 might penetrate into the phospholipid bilayer.