Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of profitability of inter-system handovers between IEEE 802.11b and UMTS

Internet access using relatively fast wireless local area networks (WLANs) is often perceived as a local complement to slower, but widely available access using cellular networks, e.g. GSM/GPRS or UMTS. To benefit from the advantages offered by both radio access networks, a mobile user should be able to seamlessly change the access network while moving, experiencing temporary network congestions or whenever switching to the other network seems profitable. The goal of this paper is to analyse the profitability of performing vertical handovers between IEEE 802.11b and UMTS in case of using mobile IPv4. Such research has not yet been done in detail before. The profitability of performing vertical handovers has been analysed depending on the available UMTS channel bandwidth, channel quality, number of WLAN users and generated traffic type. Several detailed simulations have been carried out using NS2 and results are presented. Based on these results, a general criterion for profitable switching between UMTS and IEEE 802.11b is proposed, analysed and verified by simulations.
Prominent neuronal-specific tub gene expression in cellular targets of tubby mice mutation.

The tubby strain of mice exhibits maturity-onset obesity and sensory deficits in vision and hearing. The mutated gene, tub , responsible for this phenotype was identified recently, but the function of the TUB protein has not been deduced from its amino acid sequence. This prompted us to undertake expression mapping studies with the hope that they might help to elucidate the biological role of the TUB protein. We report the tub gene expression pattern in embryonic, fetal and adult mice tissues as determined by northern blots and in situ hybridization, using antisense oligonucleotidic probes. In mouse embryos, tub is expressed selectively in differentiating neurons of the ensemble of central and peripheral nervous systems, starting at 9.5 days after conception. In adult mice, tub is transcribed in several major brain areas, including cerebral cortex, hippocampus, several nuclei of the hypothalamus controlling feeding behavior, in the spiral ganglion of the inner ear and in the photoreceptor cells of the retina. These structures contain potential cellular targets of the tubby mutation-induced pathogenesis. The neuronal-specific tub gene distribution allows the establishment of a genotype-phenotype correlation in the tubby mice. This correlation is reminiscent of that observed in fat/fat mice, whose phenotype, also characterized by obesity, is caused by a null mutation in the carboxypeptidase E (CPE) gene. Our observations highlight similarities between CPE, prohormone convertases, several neuropeptides and tub gene expression patterns during embryogenesis, and may narrow down the avenues to explore in order to determine ultimately the function of the TUB protein.
Modulation of pancreatic MIN6 insulin secretion and proliferation and extrapancreatic glucose absorption with Achillea santolina, Eryngium creticum and Pistacia atlantica extracts: in vitro evaluation -

Objective: The present in vitro studies aimed to investigate the pancreatic and extrapancreatic effects of crude aqueous extracts (AE) of Achillea santolina L, Eryngium creticum Lam, and Pistacia atlantica Desf utilized in Jordan diabetes ethnomedicine. Methods: Bioassays of β-cell proliferation and insulin secretion as well as glucose diffusion as possible modes of action were recruited. Results: Similar to L-alanine insulinotropic efficacy in MIN6 β-cell, glucose-stimulated Ca2+ regulated- insulin secretion was potentiated by AEs of E.creticum (0.01 mg/ml) and P.atlantica (0.01, 0.1 and 0.5 mg/ml). A.santolina AE, however, was found ineffective. Comparable to glucagon-like peptid-1-enhanced β-cell proliferation in 2-day treatment wells, a dose dependent augmentation of bromodeoxyuridine incorporation was obtained with the A.santolina AE (0.05-1 mg/ml), and E.creticum AE (0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/ml). P.atlantica concentrations lacked pancreatic proliferative capacity. While A.santolina and E.creticum AEs proved inactive, P.atlantica inhibited dose dependently overnight glucose movement in vitro, as effectively as guar gum diffusional hindrance in a simple glucose dialysis model. Conclusion: Current findings signify the in vitro diverse therapeutic antidiabetes properties of the selected medicinal plants. Future directives may assess the use of A.santolina, E.creticum and P.atlantica as new potential sources of functional foods or nutraceuticals or active leads into diabetes type 2 pharmacotherapy.
Intrinsic tendon healing requires the recycling of tendon collagen fibril segments

Dear Sir Collagen fibril segments are the discrete preformed elements used in fetal tendon development (Birk et al., 1989; Ingraham et al., 2003). Here, evidence from a rat Achilles tendon model is presented suggesting that intrinsic tendon repair uses recycled collagen fibril segments as an immediate source in reconnecting severed fibrils during tendon healing (Ehrlich et al., 2005; Ingraham et al., 2003). At day ten, one healing rat Achilles tendon, previously cut and simply repaired, and a contralateral uninjured control were examined using electron microscopy; crosssectional areas of collagen bundles were analyzed using a two-sided Wilcoxon Rank-Sum Test. Collagen bundle diameters in the healing tendon were smaller than those in the control (P50.01) when viewed at 63,000 magnification, consistent with release of collagen segments (Fig 1). DNA microarray analysis was also conducted to compare gene expression in healing versus uninjured tendons. Pro-a-1 (I) mRNA expression in healing tendon was reduced two-fold compared to uninjured tendon (P50.05), indicating decreased de novo type I collagen synthesis. Both of these findings suggest collagen recycling in tendon healing; the literature supports this. In a study of canine flexor tendons that were transected, repaired and allowed to heal over a 6 week period, no significant increase in total collagen concentration or mass at the repair site was shown. Importantly, the authors concluded that increased tensile strength during this period cannot be completely explained by increased collagen concentration or maturity (Goldfarb et al., 2001). A coordinated redistribution of tendon collagen fibril segments to span across the site of injury could explain both the observed increase in tensile strength and the unaltered total collagen mass. With electron microscopy, multiple areas along a healing tendon fibroblast were found to have D-periodic collagen fibrils, either individually or in groups, within extracellular invaginations of the fibroblast membrane (Fig 2). This strongly resembles the extracellular compartments described during tendon embryogenesis (Birk et al., 1989), further supporting a link between healing and embryonic tendon. The translucent regions of tendon surrounding the young repair site contain collagen bundles of decreased size compared to controls, suggesting collagen elements have been released. The well-accepted phases of inflammation, proliferation, and remodelling in tendon healing cannot fully explain this phenomenon nor do they wholly account for the observed decrease in type I collagen synthesis. A fourth recycling phase must also be considered. Such a process would increase early tensile strength by reconnecting fibrils on either side of the repair site with fibroblast-controlled collagen fibril segments liberated from the adjacent tendon ends. A more
Termination of human gait

This study presents a detailed description of the events that take place during termination of human gait. This study was concerned with the patterns of foot-floor contact, ground reaction forces (Fy and Fz), electromyography (EMG) activities of the four gait related muscle groups, and joint angles of the lower extremity of the body (hip, knee, and ankle angle) during the termination of human gait. The termination of human gait is defined as the transition from a steady-state gait to a quiet standing posture. The transition between these two states has been neither extensively studied nor defined. Two mechanisms appear to be involved in termination: reduction of push-off forces in the last push-off and increased braking forces in the first foot to reach terminal foot placement. There appears to be a critical region of the gait cycle where a decision is made to take another step or to stop. Poorly controlled stops were observed in some experiments, and the results could be interpreted to suggest that attempting to terminate gait within this region may result in a higher probability of a fall.
The use of vascular biomarkers and imaging studies in the early clinical development of anti‐tumour agents targeting angiogenesis

Recent findings about the pathomechanisms of tumour angiogenesis have led to new therapeutic options in the treatment of malignant tumours. During the development of anti‐angiogenic drugs, reporting ranged from healing cancer to completely ineffective drugs. In 2003 the first anti‐angiogenic drug was approved. Several anti‐angiogenic drugs are still in the clinical phase of development. In contrast to identifying the maximal tolerable dose, determination of the optimal biological dose – reaching biological activity at lower doses –has become the main target in the early development of anti‐angiogenic agents. This has been evaluated by different biomarker techniques. As a new standard in anti‐tumour treatment, a better understanding of imaging in the treatment monitoring for anti‐angiogenic agents is important. Studies of tumour angiogenesis by tissue sampling rely on invasive procedures, adequate sampling and painstaking estimation of histological microvessel density. Attempts to develop wound healing assays to correlate angiogenesis in wounds with angiogenesis in tumour have been made but are still considered invasive and correlation of healthy with malignant tissue is still of limited validity. Several soluble markers of tumour angiogenesis were detected in various malignant diseases and were evaluated for assessing their use as surrogate markers in tumour angiogenesis. Further, soluble markers were investigated for visualizing them as imaging tools. Combining both, new soluble markers and imaging techniques, developing anticancer drugs and monitoring of therapy success becomes a dynamic process in which finally the patients’ individual response can be achieved soon. Time‐consuming delays for anatomically based restaging procedures can be avoided. Characterization of soluble biomarkers as well as different imaging techniques such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography combined with or without CT are reviewed in this manuscript.
Comparison of mouse and human HOX‐4 complexes defines conserved sequences involved in the regulation of Hox‐4.4.

We have cloned and sequenced, in both mouse and human, regions of the HOX‐4 complex which contain two Abd‐B like genes, Hox‐4.4 and Hox‐4.5 (HOX4C and HOX4D in human, respectively). The high degree of conservation between the homeoprotein sequences extends to non‐coding areas, which suggests that the mechanisms of regulation have been conserved. We show that the Hox‐4.5/Hox‐4.4 intergenic region can be broadly subdivided into three domains based on DNA conservation between rodents and primates. The presence of all these domains in association with sequences located 3′ to the transcription termination site are required to mimick the spatial regulation of Hox‐4.4 in transgenic mouse embryos. Several highly conserved short sequences located in this region were studied in gel retardation assays for their binding to potential regulatory factors. One such factor is detected in embryonal carcinoma cells but absent from other differentiated cell lines. This specific binding activity is down regulated upon retinoic acid treatment.
Effect of restricting dietary protein on the progression of renal failure in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

This report compares the progression of renal failure in type-I diabetic patients fed either a low or a normal protein diet. In a prospective, randomized, controlled fashion, 47 adult patients were placed either on a 0.6 g/ kg daily protein intake (study) or a greater than 1.0 g/ kg (control) daily protein intake. Dietary phosphorus was maintained between 0.5 and 1.0 g for study patients and greater than 1.0 g for control patients. Renal function was monitored by iothalamate and creatinine clearance measurements at 3- to 6-month intervals. Patients were studied for periods up to 46 months (mean 34.7 months). Study patients had a slower deterioration of renal function with clearance decreasing at 25 to 40% the rate observed in control patients. Proteinuria was reduced by 45% in the study group when compared to the control group (2.9 g/dL vs 5.4 g/dL). The authors conclude that a protein-phosphorus-restricted diet can slow progression of renal failure in diabetic patients.
Early Evaluation of the Cray XT 5 ∗

A Cray XT5 system has recently been installed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). This system differs from the existing XT4 system at ORNL in its compute node architecture, utilizing two quad-core Opteron Barcelona processors instead of a single quad-core Opteron Budapest processor. It also differs in its sheer scale, having approximately 150,000 processor cores, almost 5 times as many as
Cystic Micronodular Thymoma. Report of a Case

Micronodular thymoma is a rare subtype of thymoma with less than 20 cases published in the English literature. These tumours have been reported with thymoma or thymic cyst. The authors describe a new case of micronodular thymoma in a 68-year-old-patient which is well documented and particular by its cystic degeneration which hasn’t been described yet. Micronodular thymoma is a rare variant of thymoma with a challenging diagnosis. Clinicians must be aware of this entity in order not to confuse it with a thymic cyst. Case Report Cystic Micronodular Thymoma. Report of a Case Mona Mlika*1,2, Adel Marghli3 and Faouzi Mezni1,2 1Department of Pathology, Abderrahman Mami Hospital, Université de Médecine, Tunis El Manar, Tunisia 2Research Unit: RU12/SP16 3Department of Thoracic Surgery, Abderrahman Mami Hospital, Tunisia *Address for Correspondence: Mona Mlika, Department of Pathology, Abderrahman Mami Hospital, Tunisia, Tel: (00216) 98 53 88 62; Fax: 0021671710780; Email: mlika.zorgati. mona@hotmail.com Submitted: 13 December 2016 Approved: 18 January 2017 Published: 20 January 2017 Copyright: 2017 Mlika et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Vacuolar cell death in plants

Vacuolar programmed cell death (PCD) is indispensable for plant development and is accompanied by a dramatic growth of lytic vacuoles, which gradually digest cytoplasmic content leading to self-clearance of dying cells. Our recent data demonstrate that vacuolar PCD critically requires autophagy and its upstream regulator, a caspase-fold protease metacaspase. Furthermore, both components lie downstream of the point of no return in the cell-death pathway. Here we consider the possibilities that i) autophagy could have both cytotoxic and cytoprotective roles in the vacuolar PCD, and ii) metacaspase could augment autophagic flux through targeting an as yet unknown autophagy repressor.
Global Culture and Computer Mediated Communication

In this chapter, we discuss how culture influences computer mediated communication (CMC). We use an Input-Process-Output (I-P-O) model as a theoretical framework to analyze relationships between culture and CMC. We describe three dimensions of cultural variability—individualism/collectivism, low vs. high context of communication, and taskvs. relationship-orientation—and describe how these dimensions influence people’s reliance on features of CMC. A review of the literature to date suggests that cultural factors do indeed shape how people use CMC. More specifically, auditory and visual cues appear to have more importance for members of collectivistic, high-context, relationship-oriented cultures than they do for members of individualistic, low-context, task-oriented cultures. However, further research is needed to clarify relationships between cultural dimensions and CMC, to understand the role of moderating variables such as gender of participants, task, and group composition, and to provide design guidelines for new tools to support intercultural communication and CMC in developing regions.
A Prospective Study of 50 Cases of Familial Parkinson’s Disease

SUMMARY: In a recent paper (Barbeau and Pourcher, 1982) we demonstrated that so-called “idiopathic” Parkinson’s disease is not a homogeneous entity, and defined the existence of a sub-group of patients with genetic parkinsonism. To investigate this last possibility, and to uncover possible metabolic clues as to the etiology of such cases, we carried out a prospective study of 50 kindreds with “familial” parkinsonism. Two control groups were similarly studied: 50 kindreds with essential tremor (neurological control group) and 50 kindreds originating from spouses of the previous patients (non neurological control group). We uncovered two main patterns of genetic transmission within the parkinsonian patients: a parkinsonism related to dominant essential tremor (34 kindreds; 10% of all Parkinsonians) and a recessive “akineto-rigid syndrome” (10 kindreds; 3–4% of all Parkinsonians). A further 4 kindreds assumed a pseudo-dominant pattern but were probably recessive. Finally 2 kindreds were obviously other entities presenting as “phenocopies” of Parkinson’s disease. Metabolically, hyperthyroidism appeared to be more frequent in essential tremor and “essential-tremor related parkinsonism” kindreds, while hypothyroidism and possibly hypoparathyroidism (post surgery) seemed more frequent in the recessive akineto-rigid syndrome kindreds.
Design and control of an air-bearing supported three degree-of-freedom fine positioner

The authors discuss design considerations and control issues of a fine-motion device which provides very high performance, precision, and speed (12-g acceleration, 0.2 mu m resolution). Coupled with a standard industrial robot and external sensing, improvements in precision up to two orders of magnitude can be achieved. Software enables it to be operated from a serial port of an IBM PC or PS/2. The moving element of the positioning head can be commanded to move over a +or-1 mm range in x and y, and rotated up to +or-1.75 degrees in theta about the z axis. The device provides variable compliance with compliance set by loop gain in a digital controller. It incorporates a novel three-degree-of-freedom motor, a pair of internal position sensors to enable controlled motion in the plane, and an air bearing to support the moving elements. <<ETX>>
Nucleotide Formation as a Determinant of 5-Fluorouracil Response in Mouse Leukemias

Survival of mice bearing different transplantable leukemias and treated with 5-fluorouracil was compared with accumulation of drug nucleotides in vitro. There was significant correlation,suggesting that cellular capacity for conversion of the drug to nucleotides is a major determinant of inherent drug sensitivity of these leukemias.
Service-orientierte Infrastrukturen und Algorithmen für praxistaugliche Sensornetzanwendungen

Ongoing progress in the fields of miniaturization and wireless communication has enabled wireless sensor networks to gain importance in the scope of monitoring and tracking phenomena. The autonomic ad-hoc networking of sensor nodes and the resultant independence from additional technical infrastructure has been used to address diverse domains including military applications, disaster management, logistics, industrial plant monitoring, medical applications and healthcare Every application scenario makes specific demands of a sensor network, resulting broad variation in terms of the number of nodes, node density, data rate, communication and movement patterns. Additionally, the functionality available on resource constrained sensor nodes varies with regards to the application scenario. For the successful development of a real-life sensor network application such preconditions must be considered, necessitating a deep understanding of the fields of distributed systems and wireless sensor networks. This work presents an infrastructure that allows the development and modification of individual sensor network applications through the application of the service-oriented paradigm. The foundation of this infrastructure is a novel service-oriented sensor node operating system, which minimizes the available functionality of the nodes. All functionality within the layers of the ISO-OSI Reference Model will be added in form of services after the deployment of the nodes using a newly developed code migration algorithm. The service configuration on the nodes can be permanently adapted to changing conditions. The infrastructure provides application developers a service repository and a graphical migration control, which facilitate the composition of various applications through a selection of services. The author presents two algorithms that were designed specifically for radio networks. Both algorithms exploit the broadcast nature of the radio medium and enable every node in the network to make decisions autonomically based on local knowledge. The first algorithm places services within a network in a self-organizing manner so that a predefined coverage of the service is fulfilled and maintained, even when the network topology changes. The second algorithm is a routing algorithm that gathers information about the network topology by only listening to the traffic on the radio channel. Based on this information, the nodes can make forwarding decisions without using special routing packets. Both algorithms are implemented as services for the new operating system and are analyzed theoretically as well as in practical deployments. In the scope of this work, the author developed a novel and robust sensor node platform to allow for a practical evaluation of the newly developed infrastructure and algorithms.
Towards flexible magnetoelectronics for robotic applications

This paper presents the technological advancements in the field of flexible magnetic sensors for robotics applications. Various magnetic devices (e.g. Hall, GMR, AMR and TMR) have been studied and their suitability for flexible application has been presented. Further, the system level integration of magnetic sensors in robotics is briefly discussed. With rapid development in flexible electronics, a robot with multi-functional conformable electronic skin will be possible in the foreseeable future. This will also open new avenues for a wide range of other applications including wearable electronics and interactive electronic-skin for robots and prosthesis.
Time-series clustering by approximate prototypes

Clustering time-series data poses problems, which do not exist in traditional clustering in Euclidean space. Specifically, cluster prototype needs to be calculated, where common solution is to use cluster medoid. In this work, we define an optimal prototype as an optimization problem and propose a local search solution to it. We experimentally compare different time-series clustering methods and find out that the proposed prototype with agglomerative clustering followed by k-means algorithm provides best clustering accuracy.