HUBO & QUBO and Prime Factorization

This document details the methodology and steps taken to convert Higher Order Unconstrained Binary Optimization (HUBO) models into Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) models. The focus is primarily on prime factorization problems; a critical and computationally intensive task relevant in various domains including cryptography, optimization, and number theory. The conversion from Higher-Order Binary Optimization (HUBO) to Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) models is crucial for harnessing the capabilities of advanced computing methodologies, particularly quantum computing and DYNEX neuromorphic computing. Quantum computing offers potential exponential speedups for specific problems through its intrinsic parallelism capabilities. Conversely, DYNEX neuromorphic computing enhances efficiency and accelerates the resolution of intricate, pattern-oriented tasks by simulating memristors in GPUs, employing a highly decentralized approach, via Blockchain technology. This transformation enables the exploitation of these cutting-edge computing paradigms to address complex optimization challenges effectively. Through detailed explanations, mathematical formulations, and algorithmic strategies, this document aims to provide a comprehensive guide to understanding and implementing the conversion process from HUBO to QUBO. It underscores the importance of such transformations in making prime factorization computationally feasible on both existing classical computers and emerging computing technologies

Bradykinin Type 1 Receptor – Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase: A New Axis Implicated in Diabetic Retinopathy

Compelling evidence suggests a role for the inducible nitric oxide synthase, iNOS, and the bradykinin type 1 receptor (B1R) in diabetic retinopathy, including a possible control of the expression and activity of iNOS by B1R. In diabetic retina, both iNOS and B1R contribute to inflammation, oxidative stress, and vascular dysfunction. The present study investigated whether inhibition of iNOS has any impact on inflammatory/oxidative stress markers and on the B1R-iNOS expression, distribution, and action in a model of type I diabetes. Diabetes was induced in 6-week-old Wistar rats by streptozotocin (65 mg.kg-1, i.p.). The selective iNOS inhibitor 1400W (150 μg.10 μl-1) was administered twice a day by eye-drops during the second week of diabetes. The retinae were collected 2 weeks after diabetes induction to assess the protein and gene expression of markers by Western blot and qRT-PCR, the distribution of iNOS and B1R by fluorescence immunocytochemistry, and the vascular permeability by the Evans Blue dye technique. Diabetic retinae showed enhanced expression of iNOS, B1R, carboxypeptidase M (involved in the biosynthesis of B1R agonists), IL-1β, TNF-α, vascular endothelium growth factor A (VEGF-A) and its receptor, VEGF-R2, nitrosylated proteins and increased vascular permeability. All those changes were reversed by treatment with 1400W. Moreover, the additional increase in vascular permeability in diabetic retina induced by intravitreal injection of R-838, a B1R agonist, was also prevented by 1400W. Immunofluorescence staining highlighted strong colocalization of iNOS and B1R in several layers of the diabetic retina, which was prevented by 1400W. This study suggests a critical role for iNOS and B1R in the early stage of diabetic retinopathy. B1R and iNOS appear to partake in a mutual auto-induction and amplification loop to enhance nitrogen species formation and inflammation in diabetic retina. Hence, B1R-iNOS axis deserves closer scrutiny in targeting diabetic retinopathy

A Fitted Random Sampling Scheme for Load Distribution in Grid Networks

Grid networks provide the ability to perform higher throughput computing by taking advantage of many networked computer’s resources to solve large-scale computation problems. As the popularity of the Grid networks has increased, there is a need to efficiently distribute the load among the resources accessible on the network. In this paper, we present a stochastic network system that gives a distributed load-balancing scheme by generating almost regular networks. This network system is self-organized and depends only on local information for load distribution and resource discovery. The in-degree of each node is refers to its free resources, and job assignment and resource discovery processes required for load balancing is accomplished by using fitted random sampling. Simulation results show that the generated network system provides an effective, scalable, and reliable load-balancing scheme for the distributed resources accessible on Grid networks

Composition and Properties of Camel Milk

Camel is considered as one of the most important and ecologically harmless domesticated animals in the dry region of Asia and Africa. Camels have considerable economic importance not only as a draught animal, but also for their milk and its by-products. They can produce a significant amount of milk from poor feed as compared to any other dairy species. This characteristic, in addition to the growing recognition of the economic value, and health benefits of camel milk make it a center of attention for people, particularly in arid- and semi-arid areas. Moreover, camel milk is a highly nutritious medium permissive for the growth of many diverse bacterial species. These bacterial populations are mainly grouped into pathogenic, spoilage, and technologically relevant bacteria. This chapter reviews the existing knowledge on the composition, nutritional value, health-promoting properties, and economic value of camel milk and its by-products. Furthermore, the relevant studies describing the microbiota of camel milk are included

The mitochondria-independent cytotoxic effect of nelfinavir on leukemia cells can be enhanced by sorafenib-mediated mcl-1 downregulation and mitochondrial membrane destabilization

Background: Nelfinavir is an HIV protease inhibitor that has been used for a long period of time to treat HIVinfected individuals. It has recently emerged that nelfinavir could represent a prospective new anti-cancer drug, prompting us to test the effect of nelfinavir on leukemia cells. Methods: By combining in vitro and ex vivo studies, the effect of nelfinavir on leukemia cells and non-malignant, bone marrow-derived tissue cells was analyzed. Results: At a concentration of 9 mu g/ml, nelfinavir induced death of 90% of HL60, IM9, and Jurkat cells. At the same concentration and treatment conditions, less than 10% of aspirated human bone marrow cells showed nelfinavir-induced cell damage. Nelfinavir-induced death of leukemia cells was accompanied by activation of caspases 3, 7, and 8. Despite caspase activation, the upregulation of the anti-apoptotic bcl-2 family member protein mcl-1 that resulted from nelfinavir treatment stabilized the mitochondrial membrane potential, resulting in primarily mitochondria-independent cell death. Pharmacological downregulation of mcl-1 expression by treatment with sorafenib (2 mu g/ml) significantly enhanced nelfinavir-induced apoptosis even at lower nelfinavir concentrations (5 mu g/ml), but did not have additional detrimental effects on non-malignant bone marrow cells. Conclusions: The ability of nelfinavir to induce apoptosis in leukemia cells as a single agent in a mitochondria-independent manner might suggest it could be used as a second or third line of treatment for leukemia patients for whom standard mitochondria-directed treatment strategies have failed. Combination treatment with nelfinavir and sorafenib might further enhance the efficacy of nelfinavir even on chemo-resistant leukemia cells

Rôle et mécanisme d’action du récepteur B1 des kinines dans la rétinopathie diabétique et la dégénérescence maculaire liée à l’âge

Le système kallicréine-kinines est un système peptidergique complexe impliqué dans les processus inflammatoires, le contrôle du tonus et de la perméabilité vasculaire. Les effets biologiques des kinines sont accomplis par l’intermédiaire de deux types de récepteurs couplés aux protéines G, soit le récepteur B1 (B1R) et le récepteur B2 (B2R). Alors que le B2R est un récepteur constitutif, le B1R est faiblement exprimé en situation physiologique; il est induit par le stress oxydatif, les cytokines pro-inflammatoires (interleukine-1β (IL-1β) et le facteur de nécrose tumorale-α (TNF-α)) ou par des endotoxines bactériennes à la fois au niveau systémique et local, notamment dans la rétine. Des études récentes de notre laboratoire ont montré l’implication du B1R dans la pathogenèse et la progression de la rétinopathie diabétique et de la dégénérescence maculaire liée à l’âge (DMLA). Les objectifs des travaux présentés dans cette thèse consistent à déterminer : 1) le mécanisme par lequel le B1R est impliqué dans la rétinopathie diabétique chez le rat; 2) l’implication de la iNOS en aval dans la cascade inflammatoire activée par le B1R; 3) l’expression et la localisation cellulaire du B1R dans les rétines humaines atteintes de DMLA exsudative et atrophique. Nos résultats ont permis de démontrer une implication du B1R dans la rétinopathie diabétique via l’activation de l’enzyme de synthèse du monoxyde d’azote inductible (iNOS) dans un modèle de diabète de type 1 induit par la streptozotocine (STZ) chez le rat. En plus de sa localisation généralisée dans toute la rétine, le B1R est exprimé dans la couche de l’épithélium pigmentaire qui forme la barrière hémato-rétinienne externe. Les taux d’expression (protéique et ARNm) du B1R, de la iNOS, de la carboxypeptidase M (impliquée dans la biosynthèse des agonistes B1R), de l'IL-1β, du TNF-α, du facteur de croissance de l'endothélium vasculaire A (VEGF-A) et de son récepteur, le VEGF-R2, ainsi que des protéines nitrosylées augmentent à deux semaines dans la rétine diabétique. Ces augmentations ainsi que l’hyperperméabilité vasculaire rétinienne induite par le diabète et par l’injection intravitréenne d’un agoniste du B1R (R-838) sont bloquées par un inhibiteur de la iNOS (1400W) appliqué topiquement à la surface de l’œil pendant 1 semaine (premier article). Les résultats du deuxième article montrent une augmentation significative de l'immunoréactivité du B1R dans les rétines humaines prélevées de patients atteints de DMLA exsudative. Toutefois, les changements d’immunoexpression du B1R ne sont pas significatifs dans les rétines des patients atteints de DMLA atrophique. La réactivité des cellules gliales est plus marquée dans la forme exsudative que dans la forme atrophique de DMLA. Une colocalisation du B1R est observée avec des marqueurs des cellules de Müller, des astrocytes, de la microglie, de la iNOS et de la fibrose, suggérant une implication du B1R dans le processus inflammatoire et la formation de fibrose dans la DMLA exsudative. En revanche, l’expression du B2R demeure stable dans les rétines de DMLA exsudative et atrophique par rapport aux rétines témoins; ce résultat ne supporte pas la possibilité que ce récepteur puisse être impliqué dans la DMLA chez l’humain.The kallikrein-kinins system is a peptidergic system involved in inflammatory processes, the control of the vascular tone and permeability. These effects are mediated by two G proteincoupled receptors, the Bradykinin type 1 (B1R) and type 2 (B2R) receptors. While the B2R is a constitutive receptor, B1R is almost undetectable in physiological condition; it is, however, induced by oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)) or by bacterial endotoxins at both systemic and local levels, notably in the retina. Recent studies from our laboratory supported an implication of B1R in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This thesis aims at unraveling: 1) the mechanism by which B1R is involved in diabetic retinopathy in rats; 2) the involvement of iNOS in the inflammatory cascade downstream to the B1R; and, 3) the expression and cellular localization of B1R in human retinae with exudative and atrophic AMD. Our results have shown the implication of B1R in diabetic retinopathy via the activation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in a type 1 model of diabetes induced by streptozotocin (STZ) in rats. In addition to its generalized localization throughout the retina, B1R is expressed in the retinal pigment epithelium which forms the outer blood-retinal barrier. The protein and transcript expression of inflammatory markers; iNOS, carboxypeptidase M, IL-1β, TNF-α, vascular endothelium growth factor A (VEGF-A) and its receptor, VEGF-R2, including B1R as well as nitrosylated proteins are increased in the retina of diabetic rats at 2 weeks post-STZ. These upregulations, as well as the retinal vascular hyperpermeability induced by diabetes and by the intravitreal injection of an B1R agonist (R-838) are blocked by a topical one-week treatment by eye-drop with the selective iNOS inhibitor (1400W) (first manuscript). The results of the second manuscript show significant increases in the immunoreactivity of B1R in exudative AMD retinae. Despite a slight increase, B1R immunostaining does not reach statistical significance in the retina of donors with atrophic AMD. The reactivity of glial cells is more impressive in the exudative than in the atrophic form of AMD. B1R is co-expressed with markers of Müller cells, astrocytes, microglia, iNOS and fibrosis, suggesting an involvement of B1R in the inflammatory events and the formation of fibrosis in exudative AMD. On the other hand, the expression of B2R remains stable in the retinae of exudative and atrophic AMD, supporting a secondary role of this receptor in AMD in humans

Invasive ductal carcinoma within fibroadenoma and lung metastases

Fibroadenomas are one of the most common benign tumors of the breast. Malignant transformation from fibroadenoma to cancer is rare. We present a case of an invasive ductal carcinoma within an otherwise benign fibroadenoma with lung metastasis in a 69-year-old woman

A statistical mechanics approach for an effective, scalable, and reliable distributed load balancing scheme for grid networks

The advances in computer and networking technologies over the past decades produced new type of collaborative computing environment called Grid Networks. Grid network is a parallel and distributed computing network system that possesses the ability to achieve a higher computing throughput by taking advantage of many computing resources available in the network. To achieve a scalable and reliable Grid network system, the workload needs to be efficiently distributed among the resources accessible on the network. A novel distributed algorithm based on statistical mechanics that provides an efficient load-balancing paradigm without any centralised monitoring is proposed here. The resulting load-balancer would be integrated into Grid network to increase its efficiency and resources utilisation. This distributed and scalable load-balancing framework is conducted using the biased random sampling (BRS) algorithm. In this thesis, a novel statistical mechanics approach that gives a distributed loadbalancing scheme by generating almost regular networks is proposed. The generated network system is self-organised and depends only on local information for load distribution and resource discovery. The in-degree of each node refers to its free resources, and job assignment and resource updating processes required for load balancing are accomplished by using random sampling (RS). An analytical solution for the stationary degree distributions has been derived that confirms that the edge distribution of the proposed network system is compatible with ER random networks. Therefore, the generated network system can provide an effective loadbalancing paradigm for the distributed resources accessible on large-scale network 1 systems. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that introducing a geographic awareness factor in the random walk sampling can reduce the effects of communication latency in the Grid network environment. Theoretical and simulation results prove that the proposed BRS load-balancing scheme provides an effective, scalable, and reliable distributed load-balancing scheme for the distributed resources available on Grid networks

The poetry of the Bakr tribe in their politico-tribal role from 1-132 A.H., with a detailed study of four Bakri poets.

This thesis is a study of the poetry of the Bakr tribe in their politico-tribal role from the early Islamic period up to the fall of the Umayyad dynasty in 132 A.H., with a detailed study of four prominent Bakri poets. It consists of two parts. The earlier part consists of four chapters, the first of which contains a general survey of the politico-tribal interrelationship of the main Bakrite clans on the eve of Islam, including a brief account of their religion before Islam, and the conversion of the majority to Islam shortly before the death of the Prophet. The second chapter is on the role of Bakr in the Riddah movement and their poetry in that context. Chapter III tackles the migration of Bakr throughout the period of the Islamic conquests and their settlement in the conquered lands, especially in Iraq and Khurasan where the conquerors settled in khitat designed on tribal lines thus reinforcing their tribal polarity. Subsequently great tribal blocs and alliances emerged and were among the major motive factors of the Umayyad era. This re-emergence of tribalism had a clear impact upon politics and poetry. Most of the poets devoted much of their poetry to defending their tribes and glorifying their heroic deeds. This chapter also studies briefly tribal factors in the emergence and history of the Khawarij, which was the only movement heavily dependent on the Bakr for warriors, leaders and poets. The fourth chapter examines the poetry of the Bakrites in respect to their politico-tribal role from the Great Fitnah that culminated in the killing of the third caliph, 'Uthman, to the fall of the Umayyad dynasty. Part Two consists of a foreword and four chapters devoted to a detailed study of four well-known Bakri poets. They are: Nahar b. Tawsi'ah, the most gifted Bakri poet in Khurasan, al-'Udail b. al-Farkh who was described as the poet of Bakr, Nabighat B. Shaiban, the only Bakri poet whose diwan has survived, and 'Imran b. Hittan who embraced the Kharijite beliefs and was a talented poet. He was the chief of the Sufrite sitters and their mufti