Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A cross-comparison between TCP and AQM algorithms: Which is the best couple for congestion control?

Current Internet traffic is carried mainly by the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), and the performance of the Internet depends strongly on how well TCP works. Detecting and mitigating the congestion is one of the main tasks of this protocol, in fact, different TCP versions are defined by their congestion control algorithm. Also, Active Queue Management (AQM) algorithms share the same goal of congestion mitigation with TCP, in particular, the most effective congestion control occurs when AQM and TCP work together. This paper presents a brief survey and a cross-comparison of the latest and most important TCP and AQM variants, then provides an evaluation of a different kind of performance (multiple Round-Trip Time, long delay, different congestion level, etc.) on the ns-3 network simulator over various types of environments. In a shared bottleneck, the choice of the TCP-AQM couple to adopt is crucial; we show that the results are not univocal, the “golden couple” depends on the performance that we want to boost and on the environment that we have to deal with.
Expression of Herpes Simplex Virus ICP0 Inhibits the Induction of Interferon-Stimulated Genes by Viral Infection

ABSTRACT The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) mutant d109 does not express any of the immediate-early (IE) proteins and persists in cells for a prolonged length of time. As has been shown by Nicholl et al. (J. Gen. Virol. 81:2215-2218, 2000) and Mossman et al. (J. Virol. 75:750-758, 2001) using other mutants defective for IE gene expression, infection with d109 induced the expression of a number of interferon-stimulated genes. Induction of these genes was significantly greater at multiplicities of infection (MOI) of 10 PFU/cell or greater, and the resulting antiviral effect was only seen at MOIs greater than 10 PFU/cell. Using mutants defective for sets of IE genes established that the lack of ICP0 expression was necessary for high levels of interferon-stimulated gene expression in HEL cells. The induction of interferon-stimulated genes by d109 could also be inhibited by infection with an E1−:E3−:E4− adenovirus expressing levels of ICP0 that are comparable to those expressed within the first hour of wild-type virus infection. Lastly, the addition of the proteasome inhibitor MG132 to cells infected with a mutant that expresses ICP0, d106, also resulted in the induction of interferon-stimulated genes. Thus, ICP0 may function through the proteasome very early in HSV infection to inhibit a cellular antiviral response induced by the virion.
Feasibility of routine individual donation testing for West Nile virus RNA during epidemic season using the investigational Roche cobas TaqScreen West Nile virus test and cobas s 201 system prototype

BACKGROUND: Minipool (MP) screening for West Nile virus (WNV) RNA may fail to detect presumptive viremic donations (PVDs) detectable by individual donation screening (IDS). Most blood centers switch collection regions to IDS when PVD detection by MP screening reaches a certain frequency. Use of IDS for all donations during WNV season was assessed during a clinical trial of the Roche cobas TaqScreen WNV test. Also evaluated was whether PVD detection reliably identifies regions that should be targeted for IDS.
Real-time observation of the transition from transcription initiation to elongation of the RNA polymerase

The transition from initiation to elongation of the RNA polymerase (RNAP) is an important stage of transcription that often limits the production of the full-length RNA. Little is known about the RNAP transition kinetics and the steps that dictate the transition rate, because of the challenge in monitoring subpopulations of the transient and heterogeneous transcribing complexes in rapid and real time. Here, we have dissected the complete transcription initiation pathway of T7 RNAP by using kinetic modeling of RNA synthesis and by determining the initiation (IC) to elongation (EC) transition kinetics at each RNA polymerization step using single-molecule and stopped-flow FRET methods. We show that the conversion of IC to EC in T7 RNAP consensus promoter occurs only after 8- to 12-nt synthesis, and the 12-nt synthesis represents a critical juncture in the transcriptional initiation pathway when EC formation is most efficient. We show that the slow steps of transcription initiation, including DNA scrunching/RNAP–promoter rotational changes during 5- to 8-nt synthesis, not the major conformational changes, dictate the overall rate of EC formation in T7 RNAP and represent key steps that regulate the synthesis of full-length RNA.
Adaptation to square‐wave gratings: inhibition between spatial frequency channels in the human visual system

1. The observation that the detection threshold for a square‐wave grating depends only on that of its fundamental was confirmed by showing that adapting to the fundamental spatial frequency caused elevation of the square‐wave threshold, to the same extent as the fundamental threshold was elevated by the same adapting pattern. Adapting to the third harmonic frequency had no effect on the square‐wave threshold.
Elderly suicide attempters with depression are often diagnosed only after the attempt

No previous study has comprehensively investigated the pattern of health care contacts among elderly subjects attempting suicide. The present study compared elderly suicide attempters with younger attempters, before and after attempted suicide, in terms of health care contacts, clinical diagnoses of mental disorders, and characteristics predicting lack of treatment contact after the index attempt.
How Long Are Patients Willing to Wait in the Emergency Department Before Leaving Without Being Seen?

Introduction: Our goal was to evaluate patients’ threshold for waiting in an emergency department (ED) waiting room before leaving without being seen (LWBS). We analyzed whether willingness to wait was influenced by perceived illness severity, age, race, triage acuity level, or insurance status. Methods: We conducted this survey-based study from March to July 2010 at an urban academic medical center. After triage, patients were given a multiple-choice questionnaire, designed to ascertain how long they would wait for medical care. We collected data including age, gender, race, insurance status, and triage acuity level. We looked at the association between willingness to wait and these variables, using stratified analysis and logistic regression. Results: Of the 375 patients who were approached, 340 (91%) participated. One hundred seventy-one (51%) were willing to wait up to 2 hours before leaving, 58 (17%) would wait 2 to 8 hours, and 110 (32%) would wait indefinitely. No association was found between willingness to wait and race, gender, insurance status, or perceived symptom severity. Patients willing to wait >2 hours tended to be older than 25, have higher acuity, and prefer the study site ED. Conclusion: Many patients have a defined, limited period that they are willing to wait for emergency care. In our study, 50% of patients were willing to wait up to 2 hours before leaving the ED without being seen. This result suggests that efforts to reduce the percentage of patients who LWBS must factor in time limits.
T-Cell Responses to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis-Specific Antigen ESAT-6 in Brazilian Tuberculosis Patients

ABSTRACT The Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific ESAT-6 antigen induces highly potent T-cell responses and production of gamma interferon (IFN-γ), which play a critical role in protective cell-mediated immunity against tuberculosis (TB). In the present study, IFN-γ secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in response to M. tuberculosis ESAT-6 in Brazilian TB patients was investigated in relation to clinical disease types, such as pleurisy and cavitary pulmonary TB. Leprosy patients, patients with pulmonary diseases other than TB, and healthy donors were assayed as control groups. Sixty percent of the TB patients indeed recognized M. tuberculosis ESAT-6, as did 50% of the leprosy patients and 60% of the non-TB controls. Nevertheless, the levels of IFN-γ in response to the antigen ESAT, but not to antigen 85B (Ag85B) and purified protein derivative (PPD), were significantly lower in controls than in patients with treated TB or pleural or cavitary TB. Moreover, according to Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccination status, only 59% of the vaccinated TB patients responded to ESAT in vitro, whereas 100% of them responded to PPD. Both CD4 and CD8 T cells were able to release IFN-γ in response to ESAT. The present data demonstrate the specificity of ESAT-6 of M. tuberculosis and its ability to discriminate TB patients from controls, including leprosy patients. However, to obtain specificity, it is necessary to include quantitative IFN-γ production in response to the antigen as well, and this might limit the use of ESAT-6-based immunodiagnosis of M. tuberculosis infection in an area of TB endemicity.
Effect of Midbrain Stimulations on Thermoregulatory Vasomotor Responses in Rats

1 Efferent projections eliciting vasodilatation when the preoptic area is warmed were investigated by monitoring tail vasomotor responses of ketamine‐anaesthetized rats when brain areas were stimulated electrically (0.2 mA, 200 μs, 0 Hz) or with the excitatory amino acid D,L‐homocysteic acid (1 mM, 0.3 μM). 2 Both stimulations elicited vasodilatation when applied within a region extending from the most caudal part of the lateral hypothalamus to the ventrolateral periaqueductal grey matter (PAG) and the reticular formation ventrolateral to the PAG. 3 Vasodilatation elicited by preoptic warming was suppressed when either stimulation was applied within the rostral part of the ventral tegmental area (VTA). 4 Sustained vasodilatation was elicited by knife cuts caudal to the VTA, and vasodilatation elicited by preoptic warming was suppressed by cuts either rostral to the VTA or in the region including the PAG and the reticular formation ventrolateral to it. 5 These results, together with the results of earlier physiological and histological studies, suggest that warm‐sensitive neurones in the preoptic area send excitatory signals to vasodilatative neurones in the caudal part of the lateral hypothalamus, ventrolateral PAG and reticular formation, and send inhibitory signals to vasoconstrictive neurones in the rostral part of the VTA.
Contribution of phosphatidylserine to Rho1- and Pkc1-related repolarization of the actin cytoskeleton under stressed conditions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

ABSTRACT The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae undergoes polarized cell growth, which is established in association with actin polarization. Rho1, one of the Rho-type GTPases in S. cerevisiae, is crucial for maintaining polarized cell growth and actin polarization and controlling the downstream signaling pathway, the Pkc1-Mpk1 MAP kinase cascade, through a physical interaction with Pkc1, the sole protein kinase C in this yeast. The Pkc1-Mpk1 MAP kinase cascade is important for the repolarization of actin under heat shock-stressed conditions. We recently reported that phosphatidylserine (PS), a membrane phospholipid component, played a pivotal role in the physical interaction between Rho1 and Pkc1 as well as the activation of the Pkc1-Mpk1 MAP kinase cascade. However, it currently remains unclear whether PS is involved in actin polarization by regulating the physical interaction between Rho1 and Pkc1. We herein demonstrated that the C1 domain of Pkc1, which is responsible for the interaction with Rho1, was crucial for Rho1-regulated actin polarization. We also found that actin repolarization under heat shock-stressed conditions was impaired in a mutant defective in CHO1 encoding PS synthase. These results suggest that PS contributes to actin polarization in which Rho1 and Pkc1 play a crucial role.
Sperm dysfunction in the Rb(6.16)‐ and Rb(6.15)‐bearing mice revisited: Involvement of Hyalp1 and Hyal5

Earlier we showed that Sperm adhesion molecule1 (Spam1), the best studied sperm hyaluronidase, is involved in the sperm dysfunction associated with Robertsonian translocations (Rb). The dysfunction results in reduced fertility in mice homozygous for the Rb(6.16) or the Rb(6.15) translocation and transmission ratio distortion (TRD) in heterozygous males. This conclusion was based on the finding that Spam1 in the Rbs harbors multiple point mutations and a genomic alteration at the locus [in the case of Rb(6.16)]; and is accompanied by reduced steady‐state levels of the RNA and protein. Here we show that closely linked family members in the hyaluronidase gene cluster on mouse chromosome 6, Hyalp1 and Hyal5, also harbor point mutations in these Rbs, leading to nonconservative substitutions in both the encoded proteins. To test if Spam1 by itself is capable of producing TRD we analyzed the transmission of wild‐type and null alleles of the gene in the progeny of carriers and show that there is no significant TRD. This lack of TRD in null carriers argues for only a contributory role of Spam1 in the TRD seen in the Rb‐bearing mice, and supports the involvement of Hyalp1 and/or Hyal5 in the sperm dysfunction and the resulting TRD. It is proposed that the clustering of point mutations in all three genes results from the cumulative effect of spontaneous mutations that do not disperse in the population due to suppression of recombination that occurs at Rb junctions. Mol. Reprod. Dev. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Absorption and pharmacokinetics of grapefruit flavanones in beagles

The present study evaluated the pharmacokinetics of three different grapefruit flavanone forms in dog plasma and demonstrated their absorption after an oral intake of a grapefruit extract; pharmacokinetic parameters of these forms were also determined. Ten healthy beagles were administered 70 mg citrus flavonoids as a grapefruit extract contained in capsules, while two additional dogs were used as controls and given an excipient. The grapefruit flavanone naringin, along with its metabolites naringenin and naringenin glucuronide, was detected in dog plasma. Blood samples were collected between 0 and 24 h after administration of the extract. Naringin reached its maximun plasma concentration at around 80 min, whereas naringenin and naringenin glucuronide reached their maximun plasma concentrations at around 20 and 30 min, respectively. Maximum plasma concentrations of naringin, naringenin and naringenin glucuronide (medians and ranges) were 0·24 (0·05–2·08), 0·021 (0·001–0·3) and 0·09 (0·034–0·12) μmol/l, respectively. The areas under the curves were 23·16 l (14·04–70·62) min × μmol/for nariningin, 1·78 (0·09–4·95) min × μmol/l for naringenin and 22·5 (2·74–99·23) min × μmol/l for naringenin glucuronide. The median and range values for mean residence time were 3·3 (1·5–9·3), 2·8 (0·8–11·2) and 8·0 (2·3–13·1) h for naringin, naringenin and naringenin glucuronide, respectively. The results of the present study demonstrate the absorption of grapefruit flavanones via the presence of their metabolites in plasma, thus making an important contribution to the field since the biological activities ascribed to these compounds rely on their specific forms of absorption.
Murine Cardiac Catheterizations and Hemodynamics: On the issue of Parallel Conductance

Catheter-based measurements are extensively used nowadays in animal models to quantify global left ventricular (LV) cardiac function and hemodynamics. Conductance catheter measurements yield estimates of LV volumes. Such estimates, however, are confounded by the catheter's nonhomogeneous emission field and the contribution to the total conductance of surrounding tissue or blood conductance values (other than LV blood), a term often known as parallel conductance. In practice, in most studies, volume estimates are based on the assumptions that the catheter's electric field is homogeneous and that parallel conductance is constant, despite prior results showing that these assumptions are incorrect. This study challenges the assumption for spatial homogeneity of electric field excitation of miniature catheters and investigated the electric field distribution of miniature catheters in the murine heart, based on cardiac model-driven (geometric, lump component) simulations and noninvasive imaging, at both systolic and diastolic cardiac phases. Results confirm the nonuniform catheter emission field, confined spatially within the LV cavity and myocardium, falling to 10% of its peak value at the ring electrode surface, within 1.1-2.0 mm, given a relative tissue permittivity of 33 615. Additionally, <;1% of power leaks were observed into surrounding cavities or organs at end-diastole. Temporally varying parallel conductance effects are also confirmed, becoming more prominent at end-systole.
Herpes Simplex Virus Glycoproteins gB and gD Function in a Redundant Fashion To Promote Secondary Envelopment

ABSTRACT Egress of herpes simplex virus (HSV) and other herpesviruses from cells involves extensive modification of cellular membranes and sequential envelopment and deenvelopment steps. HSV glycoproteins are important in these processes, and frequently two or more glycoproteins can largely suffice in any step. Capsids in the nucleus undergo primary envelopment at the inner nuclear membrane (INM), and then enveloped virus particles undergo deenvelopment by fusing with the outer nuclear membrane (ONM). Capsids delivered into the cytoplasm then undergo secondary envelopment, involving trans-Golgi network (TGN) membranes. The deenvelopment step involves HSV glycoproteins gB and gH/gL acting in a redundant fashion. This fusion has features common to the fusion that occurs between the virion envelope and cellular membranes when HSV enters cells, a process requiring gB, gD, and gH/gL. Whether HSV gD also participates (in a redundant fashion with gB or gH/gL) in deenvelopment has not been characterized. Secondary envelopment in the cytoplasm is known to involve HSV gD and gE/gI, also acting in a redundant fashion. Whether gB might also contribute to secondary envelopment, collaborating with gD and gE/gI, is also not clear. To address these questions, we constructed an HSV double mutant lacking gB and gD. The HSV gB−/gD− mutant exhibited no substantial defects in nuclear egress. In contrast, secondary envelopment was markedly reduced, and there were numerous unenveloped capsids that accumulated in the cytoplasm, as well as increased numbers of partially enveloped capsids and morphologically aberrant enveloped particles with thicker, oblong tegument layers. These defects were different from those observed with HSV gD−/gE−/gI− mutants, which accumulated capsids in large, aggregated masses in the cytoplasm. Our results suggest that HSV gB functions in secondary envelopment, apparently acting downstream of gE/gI.
Perioperative complications: the first 140 polypropylene pubovaginal slings.

PURPOSE Two widely used tensionless mid urethral slings currently available are the SPARC polypropylene sling (American Medical Systems, Minneapolis, Minnesota) and the TVT (tensionless vaginal tape, Ethicon, New Brunswick, New Jersey). As with the TVT system, the SPARC has been suggested as an outpatient procedure. We present the early complications of our first 140 slings, based on which we recommend that observation of all patients overnight following the SPARC sling be considered. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the charts of the first 140 patients who received the SPARC polypropylene pubovaginal sling at our institution to evaluate for early complications requiring intervention. Because we wished to evaluate for occult bleeding, we checked the hematocrit on postoperative day 1 in the last 57 patients regardless of blood loss in the operating room. RESULTS A total of 6 patients required intervention in the early postoperative period, including transfusion in 4 immediately postoperatively for retropubic bleeding. One patient had presented with pelvic pain and vaginal bleeding 1 week postoperatively and was found to have a large retropubic hematoma that required percutaneous drainage. The final patient was discharged home on postoperative day 1 in stable condition but presented on postoperative day 4 with drainage from a suprapubic incision. She had a perforation through a loop of small bowel that required resection of a short segment of the bowel and removal of the sling. The mean decrease in hematocrit from preoperative to postoperative day 1 was 7.1% (range 1% to 14%) despite a mean intraoperative blood loss in this group of 170 cc (range less than 50 to 700). CONCLUSIONS We recommend caution with any patient who receives a sling that requires passage of needles through the retropubic space, which can result in occult retropubic bleeding, and dilation of the tract. While visceral injury is exceedingly rare, it must be discussed as a possible risk of the surgery. We continue to advocate SPARC as an excellent sling option but we caution surgeons of the potential complications and urge careful postoperative monitoring. We recommend that SPARC not routinely be considered as an outpatient procedure.
Review article: control of gall‐bladder motor function

Muscular contraction of the gall‐bladder is the primary determinant of bile delivery into the duodenum. Where bile goes following its secretion by the liver depends upon a co‐ordinated series of pressure interrelations between the hepatic secretory pressure at the entrance to the biliary system, a low pressure conduit, and the pressure differences between the gall‐bladder, cystic duct and sphincter of Oddi. During fasting, the relatively higher tone in the sphincter of Oddi fosters the entry of bile into the gall‐bladder. The gall‐bladder accommodates this influx without an increase in intravesicular pressure through its compliance or distensibility, which consists of active muscle relaxation and passive fibroelastic components. The concentrating function of the gall‐bladder keeps the volume small. Once about every 120 min during the interdigestive period, gall‐bladder emptying occurs coincident with intense duodenal contractions, all part of the migratory myoelectric complex. This helps maintain the enterohepatic circulation of bile salts. Motilin, which mediates these events during fasting, acts by stimulating intrinsic cholinergic nerves. Cholecystokinin is the major determinant of gall‐bladder emptying with eating. Cholecystokinin acts through pre‐ganglionic cholinergic nerves, to initiate gall‐bladder contraction. Agonists like cholecystokinin and acetylcholine cause contraction of gall‐bladder smooth muscle through signal transduction, which increases intracellular calcium levels and so initiates the contractile machinery. Cholecystokinin also acts on the sphincter of Oddi via pre‐ganglionic cholinergic nerves to release vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and nitric oxide, and so lower tone. These events are co‐ordinated with motility and secretory events in the upper gastrointestinal tract, delivering bile at appropriate times into the duodenum.