Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NFaaS: named function as a service

In the past, the Information-centric networking (ICN) community has focused on issues mainly pertaining to traditional content delivery (e.g., routing and forwarding scalability, congestion control and in-network caching). However, to keep up with future Internet architectural trends the wider area of future Internet paradigms, there is a pressing need to support edge/fog computing environments, where cloud functionality is available more proximate to where the data is generated and needs processing. With this goal in mind, we propose Named Function as a Service (NFaaS), a framework that extends the Named Data Networking architecture to support in-network function execution. In contrast to existing works, NFaaSbuilds on very lightweight VMs and allows for dynamic execution of custom code. Functions can be downloaded and run by any node in the network. Functions can move between nodes according to user demand, making resolution of moving functions a first-class challenge. NFaaSincludes a Kernel Store component, which is responsible not only for storing functions, but also for making decisions on which functions to run locally. NFaaSincludes a routing protocol and a number of forwarding strategies to deploy and dynamically migrate functions within the network. We validate our design through extensive simulations, which show that delay-sensitive functions are deployed closer to the edge, while less delay-sensitive ones closer to the core.
Corneal abrasion and alkali burn secondary to automobile air bag inflation

A 59-year-old woman self presented to the emergency department with a painful right eye following a motor vehicle accident. She had reduced visual acuity and the eye had an alkaline pH with complete corneal uptake of fluorescein. Diagnosis of corneal abrasion and alkali burn to her right eye secondary to inflation of a driver’s automobile airbag was made. The eye was irrigated with normal saline. Such injuries, although rare, can easily be identified within the emergency department by the history of exposure, evidence of facial injuries or burns, and an alkaline pH in the inferior cul-de-sac of the eye. Early detection and management with ophthalmology review is therefore imperative to prevent irreversible visual impairment.
For a National Social Science Policy

I am extremely happy that our conference is taking place at Gorakhpur relating to a far-flung region of our country and its problems. You will be happy to learn that we have decided unanimously to hold our next annual conference at Jammu, another region that has long been under social and political turmoil. In these decisions lies our identity of being a truly Indian Sociological Society, relating with any part of our country and its concerns. I have been trailing Professor Yogendra Singh in the past one month, first at Kashi Vidyapith, Varanasi, and now at Gorakhpur. Each time he precedes me in his address and makes it difficult for me to do my bit, for he anticipates much of the ground that I wish to cover! He has provided a realistic, comprehensive and very perceptive perspective to the theme of the conference from which, I hope, the deliberations in the symposia will greatly benefit. Let me now share with you my own views and thoughts on this very important issue.
Identification of Catalytic and Substrate-binding Site Residues in Bacillus cereus ATCC7064 Oligo-1,6-glucosidase

Three active site residues (Asp199, Glu255, Asp329) and two substrate-binding site residues (His103, His328) of oligo-1,6-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.10) from Bacillus cereus ATCC7064 were identified by site-directed mutagenesis. These residues were deduced from the X-ray crystallographic analysis and the comparison of the primary structure of the oligo-1,6-glucosidase with those of Saccharomyces carlsbergensis α-glucosidase, Aspergillus oryzae α-amylase and pig pancreatic α-amylase which act on α-1,4-glucosidic linkages. The distances between these putative residues of B. cereus oligo-1,6-glucosidase calculated from the X-ray analysis data closely resemble those of A. oryzae α-amylase and pig pancreatic α-amylase. A single mutation of Asp199→Asn, Glu255→Gln, or Asp329→Asn resulted in drastic reduction in activity, confirming that three residues are crucial for the reaction process of α-1,6-glucosidic bond cleavage. Thus, it is identified that the basic mechanism of oligo-1,6-glucosidase for the hydrolysis of α-1,6-glucosidic linkage is essentially the same as those of other amylolytic enzymes belonging to Family 13 (α-amylase family). On the other hand, mutations of histidine residues His103 and His328 resulted in pronounced dissimilarity in catalytic function. The mutation His328→Asn caused the essential loss in activity, while the mutation His103→Asn yielded a mutant enzyme that retained 59% of the κ0/Km of that for the wild-type enzyme. Since mutants of other α-amylases acting on α-1,4-glucosidic bond linkage lost most of their activity by the site-directed mutagenesis at their equivalent residues to His103 and His328, the retaining of activity by Hisl03→Asn mutation in B. cereus oligo-1,6-glucosidase revealed the distinguished role of His103 for the hydrolysis of α-1,6-glucosidic bond linkage.
Awareness of Ecological Economics as a Model for Promoting Sustainable Construction

Construction industry is a major consumer of natural resources and this has a significant impact on the environment and socio-economic development of society. The result of this impact includes deforestation; climate change, air, water and land pollution; and the like. Ecological economics (EE) models are tools for assessing and understanding these issues with a view to enhancing green buildings and sustainable construction in general. As part of a continuous study, this research therefore examines the level of awareness of the concept of EE by construction professionals in a quest to adopting the principle of sustainable development. Data were collected through questionnaires administered on relevant and experienced construction professionals such as construction project managers, architects, engineers, quantity surveyors and construction managers. EE as an aid would help in mitigating construction impacts on the environment, thereby enhancing sustainability but it is barely practised in the construction industry. This is as a result of the fact that construction professionals have little or no knowledge of its existence in the local industry. Most professionals with knowledge of the concept in the study area obtained the information on sustainability through the media and short courses . The basic influencing factors are related to professionals' levels of education, the economic development of the country and knowledge of the environment. Introducing EE through communicating new ideas to stakeholders (through environmental campaigns, conferences, and the like) as well as incentivising ideas for change relating to greener construction will assist in overcoming the barriers to the adoption of EE in the construction industry. Professionals also need to keep abreast of current sustainable practices, their benefits, challenges, barriers as well as the methods of overcoming these barriers in their quest for delivering sustainable projects.
Trust builders as open Innovation intermediaries

The concept of innovation intermediaries has gained relevance in the innovation management literature due to the role they play in supporting innovation processes. This paper focuses on the concept of ‘trust builders’. These are defined as volunteers that cooperate with firms, facilitating their interaction with other stakeholders in developing innovation projects. The role of ‘trust builders’ is analyzed from the impact they have on the territory, promoting initiatives that influence and improve local competitiveness through joint activities. The research is based on a case study conducted in Durango County, Spain. It aims to explore the impact of trust builders’ activity in the increased willingness of cooperation and coopetition in the territory. Our results suggest that trust builders constitute an interesting mechanism to promote new products, processes, and technological and market opportunities through knowledge sharing.
Power market: effects of the imperfect competition

In the current technological and economic frame the market of the electrical power [JANE05] is defined in the practice as a prototype of Natural Monopoly in spite of the attempts of intervention put into practice in Spain. The attempt of promotion (Board 2001/77/CE of the European Parliament and of the Advice, of September 27, 2001) of the electricity generated from renewable sources of energy in the domestic market of the electricity is defined as one of the policy ones of intervention faced to compensate the imperfection of the competition across the support to the establishment of new companies that act on monopolistic markets across the authorization of subsidies and/or financial and fiscal facility. The present document tackles the definition of the most significant aspects of the market of the electrical energy from the perspective of the same one as a natural monopoly and the quantification in relative terms of the loss of social well-being in environments of imperfection of the competition and mistakes of the market. The proposed conclusions define a critical stage with the current state of design of strategic and operative plans and an inefficient politics of innovation and development.
Cardiovascular Pathways: Socioeconomic Status and Stress Effects on Hypertension and Cardiovascular Function

Abstract: In westernized societies there is a consistent and continuous gradient between the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (including both coronary heart disease and stroke) with SES, such that people from lower SES have more disease. Several studies have examined the roles of the major cardiovascular risk factors for explaining this gradient. There is a strong SES gradient for smoking, which parallels the gradient in disease, but the gradients for hypertension and cholesterol are weak or absent. Central obesity and physical inactivity may also be contributory factors. In the United States there is a strong association between SES and race, and it is suggested that the higher prevalence of hypertension and cardiovascular disease in blacks may be attributed to psychosocial factors, including those related to SES. The possible pathways by which SES affects cardiovascular disease include effects of chronic stress mediated by the brain, differences in lifestyles and behavior patterns, and access to health care. At the present time, the second of these is the strongest candidate; the effects of stress have been little studied.
Cervical cancer in the human papillomavirus vaccination era

Purpose of reviewTo evaluate the potential changes in the epidemiology of cervical cancer based on recently emerged information from mass vaccination programs beyond clinical trials. Recent findingsLimited sensitivity and unequal access to screening have resulted in an imbalance in distribution of the burden of cervical cancer between developed and developing countries, between metropolitan and rural areas in developed countries, and among women from different ethnic groups. In screened populations, there is a relative increase in incidence of cervical cancer in young and elderly women, and an increased proportion of adenocarcinoma. A high coverage of the target population has been achieved in human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programs in many countries. After 3 years of mass vaccination of adolescent girls, surveillance data in Australia confirmed a significant reduction in high-grade abnormalities for girls aged 18 years and below. SummaryHPV vaccination is more feasible than cytology screening for universal implementation across geographic sectors and demographic groups within individual countries and over the world. The high vaccine efficacy should significantly reduce the total burden and unequal distribution of invasive cervical cancer, including adenocarcinoma hitherto observed. These epidemiological changes provoke consideration for appropriate modifications of the current screening program.
Prognostic relevance of serum‐markers in relation to histopathology, stage and initial symptoms in advanced low‐grade non‐Hodgkin lymphomas

The prognostic relevance of 4 different serum markers (deoxythymidine kinase = S‐TK, lactic dehydrogenase = S‐LDH, S‐Haptoglobin and S‐Orosomucoid) in relation to histopathology according to the Kiel classification, stage and presence or absence of initial symptoms were investigated in 168 consecutive cases of low‐grade non‐Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL). All serum markers, as well as the other three parameters, gave prognostic information. Univariate analysis yielded a high predictive value (p<0.0002) for both S‐TK and S‐LDH. The best information regarding the probability of survival was, however, obtained from the presence or absence of symptoms from lymphoma manifestations other than those caused by a strictly local tumor mass. Since S‐TK and S‐LDH correlated well with each other, only the better of them, S‐TK, gave information additional to initial symptoms in a multivariate test.
Complications and management of long-term central venous access catheters and ports

Purpose Although prolonged venous access devices (PVADs) are used in case prolonged intravenous therapy is required, implantation and use of these devices is associated with complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate perioperative and long-term complications associated with PVADs and the management of these complications. Methods A retrospective review was undertaken of 225 PVADs implanted in 217 patients from February 1993 to June 2004. This included 144 single-lumen port infusion systems, 49 single-lumen Hickman® catheters and 32 double-lumen Groshong® catheters. The PVADs were inserted using either the percutaneous Seldinger method (n=183) or cutdown access to the subclavian vein (n=42). Indications for placement were as follows: chemotherapy in 66.2% of patients, drug-infusion treatment in 31.6% of patients and total parenteral nutrition in 2.2% of patients. Results Perioperative complications occurred in 13 patients (5.7%): catheter malposition in seven patients (3.1%), pneumothorax in three patients (1.3%), hemorrhage in two patients (0.9%) and catheter embolization in one patient (0.4%). Long-term complications appeared in 15 patients (6.6%): infection in five patients (2.2%), thrombosis in three patients (1.3%), extravasation in three patients (1.3%), and catheter fracture in four patients (1.8%). The fractured fragments were removed by the Amplatz® snare device. In 10 patients (4.4%) only were PVADs removed prior to completion of the intended therapy. Indications for removal were catheter infection in five patients (2.2%) and catheter fracture in five patients (2.2%). Conclusions PVAD implantation is associated with some risk of serious perioperative and long-term complications. Care of the catheter and the patient should be maintained with the proper and immediate evaluation of the perioperative and long-term complications.
On the mechanism of barium induced diastolic depolarisation in isolated ventricular myocytes.

Barium can induce spontaneous activity in cardiac non-pacemaker cells. The mechanism of barium induced diastolic depolarisation was studied in isolated ventricular myocytes, using a microelectrode technique. Barium (0.05-0.2 mmol.litre-1) decreased resting potential and caused the membrane potential at the end of the action potential to undershoot the diminished resting value temporarily, thereby inducing diastolic depolarisation. Resting membrane resistance was increased by Ba but at the end of phase 3 repolarisation the resistance temporarily decreased below its steady state diastolic value. In presence of Ba, hyperpolarisation abolished or reversed diastolic depolarisation. At the end of phase 3 repolarisation, membrane resistance was decreased, whether diastolic depolarisation was present, absent or reversed. A high [K]o (15.4 mmol.litre-1) decreased Ba effects on action potential, membrane resistance and diastolic depolarisation. Caesium decreased the Ba induced diastolic depolarisation and the associated increase in membrane resistance, but had little effect on spontaneous activity at depolarised levels. Barium induced an oscillatory potential, with increased membrane resistance. Noradrenaline plus low [Ba]o, and high [Ba]o alone (1-5 mmol.litre-1), can induce spontaneous activity. Thus, in myocardial cells barium induces diastolic depolarisation at polarised levels by a voltage and time dependent block of potassium conductance, which is modulated by action potential voltage changes. However, as [Ba]o is increased, spontaneous activity at a depolarised level may be related to the decay of potassium currents and to oscillatory potentials.
Pellucid marginal degeneration treated by lamellar and penetrating keratoplasty.

Pellucid marginal degeneration (PMD) is characterized by noninflammatory, inferior peripheral corneal thinning, progressing to a narrow band (1 to 2 mm) of corneal ectasia 1 to 2 mm above the inferior corneal limbus. 1 The degree of thinning is usually severe, resulting in up to 80% stromal loss, but the overlying corneal epithelium remains intact. The final condition consists of corneal topographic abnormalities characterized by a flattened vertical meridian. 1 The inferior corneal ectasia may be so steep as to offset the central vertical flattening, resulting in a paradoxical "with-the-rule" astigmatism. 1 A number of surgical procedures for visual rehabilitation of patients with PMD have been described. These include thermocauterization, total lamellar keratoplasty, crescentic lamellar keratoplasty, eccentric penetrating keratoplasty, 1 crescentic resection, 2 and even crescentic penetrating keratoplasty. 3 Report of a Case. —A 37-year-old woman with a diagnosis of bilateral keratoconus, more advanced in her left eye, has been
Chlamydia and its effect on reproduction.

Epididymitis in the male and salpingitis in the female may cause permanent functional damage to the reproductive tract, resulting in infertility. Agents with proven connection to post-infection infertility are Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. In men, infertility after chlamydia-associated epididymitis is uncommon, whereas in women sequelae after salpingitis--including chlamydia-associated disease--are the most common cause of acquired infertility. In a prospectively followed cohort of women who all sought pregnancy after one episode of laparoscopically verified acute salpingitis, 79/1025 (7.8%) were infertile because of post-salpingitic tubal occlusion, compared with 4/448 control women (0.9%). Important factors in post-salpingitic infertility were: number of episodes [relative risk (RR) after none, 1, 2, and 3 or more episodes were 1.0, 5.2, 11.3, and 19.8, respectively, amounting to a total infertility rate after salpingitis of 15%]; in women with only one episode, the severity of infection (mild, moderate, and severe; RR, 1.0, 1.8, and 5.6, respectively) and delayed care (less than 3 days and 3 or more days; RR, 1.0 and 3.0, respectively); use of contraceptives (non-contraceptors, pill users, IUD users, and 'other'; RR, 1.0, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.8, respectively); and non-chlamydial and chlamydial infection (RR, 1.0 and 1.7, respectively). Observations in infertile women suggest that an equally large number of women may have post-infectious tubal infertility also after asymptomatic salpingitis; in the majority of cases with serologic evidence of a passed genital chlamydial infection. Recently, a hypothesis has been presented that antigen-antibody reactions to chlamydial heat-shock proteins might be an important factor for the morphological tissue damage and scarring leading to impaired fertility. Post-pelvic inflammatory disease associated with sexually transmitted disease infertility is acquired and, hence, preventable.
Optimization of Time Domain Windowing and Guardband Size for Cellular OFDM Systems

OFDM signals have sidelobes in the spectrum, causing interference to the neighboring frequency channels in a cellular system. The sidelobes can be suppressed by raised cosine (RC) windowing in time domain, while the inter-cell interference can be suppressed by reserving a guardband between neighboring frequency channels. A higher roll-off factor (ROF) of the RC window leads to better sidelobe suppression and allows a smaller guardband size, increasing the spectral efficiency. However, higher ROF implies longer symbol duration and reduced data rate. Therefore, there exist a tradeoff between the ROF and the guardband size. In this paper, a joint optimization technique for the ROF and guardband size is presented, which maximizes the data rate.
Informal Institutions in Autocracies: Analytical Perspectives and the Case of the Chinese Communist Party

Analyses of the shape and functioning of systems of political rule need to address informal institutions, which exist alongside and can relate to formal institutions in various ways. In this paper, I first discuss some analytical foundations of the study of such institutions. I then suggest that a focus on political regimes - understood as the configuration of formal and informal institutions shaping and reflecting the access to and the exercise of political power - can be particularly useful for analysing the shape and functioning of autocracies. Finally, I use such a regime focus to study the Chinese Communist Party and its leadership succession process, which is characterised by increasing institutionalisation and complementary as well as substitutive relations between formal and informal institutions.
Molecular adaptation strategies to high temperature and thermal denaturation mechanism of the D‐trehalose/D‐maltose‐binding protein from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus litoralis

The D‐trehalose/D‐maltose‐binding protein (TMBP), a monomeric protein of 48 kDa, is one component of the trehalose and maltose uptake system. In the hyperthermophilic archaeon T. litoralis this is mediated by a protein‐dependent ATP‐binding cassette system transporter. The gene coding for a thermostable TMBP from the archaeon T. litoralis has been cloned, and the recombinant protein has been expressed in E. coli. The recombinant TMBP has been purified to homogeneity and characterized. It exhibits the same functional and structural properties as the native one. In fact, it is highly thermostable and binds both trehalose and maltose with high affinity. In this work we used differential scanning calorimetry studies together with a detailed analysis, at the molecular level, of the three‐dimensional protein structure to shed light on the basis of the high thermostability exhibited by the recombinant TMBP from the archaeon T. litoralis. The obtained data suggest that the presence of trehalose does not change the overall mechanism of the denaturation of this protein but it selectively modifies the stability of the TMBP structural domains. Proteins 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.