Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Indoor Localization Techniques Based on Wireless Sensor Networks

Indoor localization is one of the most important problems in intelligent service robots, and home and office automation. For mobile robot navigation usually vision-based image processing techniques and dead-reckoning techniques based on inertial navigation systems have been used. These traditional technologies however have revealed many problems in actual applications. Vision-based image processing requires landmarks that should be sequentially processed via image detection, feature extraction and scene matching techniques. In actual applications it is hard to extract feature from environment and process data in a real-time on the mobile robot platform. Performance of inertial navigation systems highly depends on the specifications of gyroscope and accelerometer mounted on the robot platform. Measurements from these types of equipment contain various types of random and bias noises. Furthermore since measurement error is usually accumulated, the performance of dead-reckoning system is substantially degraded as time passes. Thus, it is seen that the traditional navigation techniques such as vision and inertial navigation systems are not trustworthy in actual applications. Recently, with the progress of wireless communication techniques, sensor network-based localization schemes have been actively researched. It is shown that localization techniques on the base of wireless sensor networks are able to overcome many weak points of traditional navigation systems. Wireless sensor network-based localization techniques particularly appear to be beneficial for indoor applications. The main motivation of this chapter is thus to provide a comprehensive overview on state-of-the-art wireless localization networks and a recent progress in this field. Indoor localization problems are considered much more difficult than outdoor localization problems because GPS signals are not available within buildings or nearby huge structure. Since there are lots of signal interference and signal reflection inside the building, it is even hard to range the signal propagation length using wireless RF signals. Typically in indoor localization, problems of tens-of-meters-long distance or less than ten meters distance are primarily concerns. Thus, if wireless communication signals are contaminated by interference and/or path loss, then the estimated range may include lots of errors. Thus indoor localization is much tougher than outdoor localization. Note that the measurement
Profound Chemopreventative Effects of a Hydrogen Sulfide-Releasing NSAID in the APCMin/+ Mouse Model of Intestinal Tumorigenesis

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been shown to reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal cancers, but the propensity of these drugs to cause ulcers and bleeding limits their use. H2S has been shown to be a powerful cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory substance in the digestive system. This study explored the possibility that a H2S-releasing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (ATB-346) would be effective in a murine model of hereditary intestinal cancer (APCMin+ mouse) and investigated potential mechanisms of action via transcriptomics analysis. Daily treatment with ATB-346 was significantly more effective at preventing intestinal polyp formation than naproxen. Significant beneficial effects were seen with a treatment period of only 3–7 days, and reversal of existing polyps was observed in the colon. ATB-346, but not naproxen, significantly decreased expression of intestinal cancer-associated signaling molecules (cMyc, β-catenin). Transcriptomic analysis identified 20 genes that were up-regulated in APCMin+ mice, 18 of which were reduced to wild-type levels by one week of treatment with ATB-346. ATB-346 is a novel, gastrointestinal-sparing anti-inflammatory drug that potently and rapidly prevents and reverses the development of pre-cancerous lesions in a mouse model of hereditary intestinal tumorigenesis. These effects may be related to the combined effects of suppression of cyclooxygenase and release of H2S, and correction of most of the APCMin+-associated alterations in the transcriptome. ATB-346 may represent a promising agent for chemoprevention of tumorigenesis in the GI tract and elsewhere.
Structure property relationships in polyethylene/montmorillonite nanodielectrics

The influence of a montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay, functionalized with dimethyl-di(hydrogenated tallow) quaternary amine, on structural evolution and electrical characteristics of a designed polyethylene system has been studied. Samples were prepared by mixing a polyethylene/MMT masterbatch into a matrix system containing 10% high density polyethylene and 90% low density polyethylene using an extruder; X-ray diffraction results suggest good dispersion and exfoliation, as no basal peak was observed. The introduction of this MMT system was found to result in little disruption of the polymer crystallization process and analysis of the crystallization kinetics of the matrix polymer suggests that it interacts only weakly with the incorporated MMT. This is in sharp contrast to our previous studies of a differently functionalized MMT system. Electrically, this combination of highly dispersed MMT within a weakly interacting polymer matrix results in a significant enhancement in short-term breakdown strength. However, this is accompanied by a massive increase in dielectric loss.
Effects of variation in wool fiber curvature and yarn hairiness on sensorial assessment of knitted fabrics

Previous investigations have shown that prickle discomfort sensations of wool fabrics are primarily determined by the mean fiber diameter of the wool. It is also known that differences in wool fiber curvature (crimp) affect softness of handle of greasy wool and of wool textiles. In a replicated experiment, we investigated if wearers could detect the effect of using 17 µm superfine wool of low (74°/mm) or high (114°/mm) fiber curvature, and when the wools were blended with 17 µm cashmere (fiber curvature 49°/mm) in differing proportions, on four comfort sensations. Eight single jersey knitted fabrics were assessed under a controlled protocol using forearm sleeves made of the test fabric and a control fabric. Data (37 sensorial assessments of high curvature wool fabrics; 38 sensorial assessments of low curvature wool fabrics) were analyzed using linear mixed model analysis (restricted maximum likelihood), which included fixed effects for wool type and blend ratio and a random effect for participant. The use of a control sleeve fabric reduced variance due to participant effects by providing an anchor for each sensation over time. Wool fiber curvature affected participant assessment of breathability, comfort, feel after exercise (damp/dry) and skin feel (prickly/soft), with preferred values associated with high curvature (crimp) superfine wool. Increasing the proportion of cashmere in fabrics increased skin feel (better assessed softness). Skin feel was strongly associated with the evaluation of the fabrics by the Wool ComfortMeter and with increasing hairiness of yarns.
Effect of Inotropic Stimulation on the Negative Force‐Frequency Relationship in the Failing Human Heart

BackgroundIn severe human heart failure, an increase in frequency of stimulation is accompanied by a reduced force of contraction in vivo and in vitro. The present study was aimed to investigate whether inotropic stimulation influences the inverse force-frequency relationship in failing human myocardium. Methods and ResultsThe effects of the cAMP-independent positive inotropic agents ouabain (0.01μmol/L) and BDF 9148 (0.1 μmol/L) as well as the 3-adrenoceptor agonist isoprenaline (0.01 μmol/L and 0.1 μmol/L) on the force-frequency relationship in electrically driven papillary muscle strips from nonfailing (brain death, n=5) and terminally failing (NYHA class IV, heart transplants, dilated cardiomyopathy, n=22) human myocardium were studied. For comparison, we examined the effect of elevation of the extracellular Ca2 concentration (3.2 mmol/L and 6.2 mmol/L). In nonfailing myocardium, force of contraction, peak rate of tension rise, and peak rate of tension decay increased, whereas time to peak tension and time to half relaxation decreased following an increase of stimulation frequency. In NYHA class IV, force of contraction gradually declined followed by changes of other parameters of isometric contraction. Moderate stimulation of contractility by isoprenaline (0.01μmol/L) partly reversed the negative force-frequency relationship in NYHA class IV and preserved the positive force-frequency relationship in nonfailing myocardium. The addition of ouabain and BDF 9148 together restored completely the force-frequency relationship in NYHA class IV. In contrast, high concentrations of isoprenaline (0.1 μmol/L) and an elevation of the extracellular Ca2 concentration enhanced the decline in force of contraction in the presence of higher stimulation frequencies. ConclusionsIt is concluded that functionally important changes occur in the intracellular Ca2 handling, leading to the negative force-frequency relationship in terminally failing human myocardium. Interestingly, the negative force-frequency relationship can be restored by agents producing positive inotropic effects by elevation of the intracellular Na+ concentration. These findings suggest that hitherto unknown changes in the intracellular ionic homeostasis occur in the failing human heart. Even though increasing [Ca2“J1 in failing heart cells may be detrimental, increasing [Na+], may be beneficial through a mechanism independent of an increase in [Ca2+J1.
Loss of Weight in Obese Older Adults: A Biomarker of Impending Expansion of Multimorbidity?

To determine whether weight loss in older adults may be a marker of impending burden of multimorbidity regardless of initial weight, testing the hypotheses that obesity but not overweight in elderly adults is associated with greater number of diseases than normal weight and that obese older adults who lose weight over time have the greatest burden of multimorbidity.
Oxidative metabolism enhances the cytotoxic and genotoxic properties of the soy isoflavone daidzein.

SCOPE Oxidative metabolism of daidzein (DAI) might result in the formation of hydroxylated metabolites. Here, we address the question whether these metabolites differ in their biological activity from the parent isoflavone, exemplified for the epidermal growth factor receptor and topoisomerase II, potentially resulting in an enhanced toxic profile. METHODS AND RESULTS In contrast to DAI, 6-hydroxydaidzein (6-HO-DAI) and 8-hydroxydaidzein (8-HO-DAI) were found to inhibit the tyrosine kinase activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor in an ELISA-based test system, but showed no effects within cells. Further, the oxidative metabolites suppressed the catalytic activity of topoisomerase II in the decatenation assay. In the in vivo complexes of enzyme to DNA (ICE) bioassay, 6-HO-DAI and 8-HO-DAI did not affect the level of covalent topoisomerase II-DNA intermediates within HT29 cells, thus arguing for a catalytic inhibition of topoisomerase II rather than poisoning activity. In contrast to DAI, 6-HO-DAI and 8-HO-DAI significantly increased the rate of DNA strand breaks in HT29 cells after 24-h incubation and caused a cell cycle delay in S-phase. Differences were also observed between the oxidative metabolites, with only 6-HO-DAI inducing apoptosis but not 8-HO-DAI. CONCLUSION These data indicate that oxidative metabolism of DAI generates metabolites with genotoxic properties where interference with topoisomerase II might play a role.
Lead-free piezoelectric ceramic transducer in the donor-doped K1/2Na1/2NbO3 solid solution system

Lead-based piezoelectric ceramics are suitable materials for noninvasive applications of ultrasound in medicine. However, the embedded therapeutic and diagnostic procedures require the use of lead-free piezoelectric materials as active elements in transducers. With this goal in mind, we investigated the substitution of Ba2+ cations in a lead-free piezoelectric system of K1/2Na1/2NbO3-LiTaO3-LiSbO3 (KNN-LT-LS) with perovskite structure. The Ba2+ was added to the system as an A-site dopant in the range of 0-2 mol% in increments of 0.5 mol%. The addition of Ba2+ improved the piezoelectric charge coefficient, d33, and longitudinal coupling coefficient, k33. The composition with 1 mol% Ba2+ had 36% and 58% higher d33 and k33, respectively, than the undoped composition. It appeared that the addition of Ba+2 induced "soft" characteristics in this lead-free piezoelectric system. This was verified by the increase of remnant polarization along with the decline of coercive field. The Ba2+ behaved as a grain growth inhibitor and caused a drastic reduction in polarization level (~60%) when the grain size became smaller than ~1.5 mum. Incorporation of Ba2+ up to 1.5 mol% increased the bulk resistivity of the KNN-LT-LS system and then reduced it drastically at higher dopant concentrations. The electron-hole compensation model fit well with the results obtained in this study and verified the A-site substitution of donor-doped barium. KNN-LT-LS ceramics with 0 mol% and 1 mol% Ba2+ were used to fabricate single-element ultrasonic transducers resonating at 5.5 MHz. The -6 dB fractional bandwidth and -20 dB pulse length of the probe made of doped ceramic were 50% and 1.68 mus, respectively. This indicated that this system could be considered as a candidate for invasive and/or embedded medical ultrasound applications.
Differential expression of CD133 based on microsatellite instability status in human colorectal cancer

The association between the types of genomic instability and cancer stem cell (CSC) has not been elucidated. We aimed to investigate the expressions of CSC markers with respect to microsatellite instability (MSI) status in human colorectal cancer (CRC). Immunostainings for CD133, CD44, and CD166, and K‐ras mutation analysis were performed on 50 MSI‐high (MSI‐H), and 50 microsatellite stable (MSS) CRC tissues. In 11 MSS and MSI‐H CRC cell lines, CD133 expression and DNA methylation statuses of the CD133 promoter were determined. The proportion of CD133 positive cells and the ability of colosphere formation were compared between HCT116 cells and HCT116 + Chr3 cells (hMLH1‐restored HCT116 cells). Immunohistochemistry for CSC markers revealed that high CD133 expression was more frequent in MSS cancers than in MSI‐H (P < 0.001, 74.0% vs. 28.0%, respectively), and related with short disease‐free survival. Neither CD44 nor CD166 expression differed significantly with respect to MSI status. K‐ras mutation showed no association with expressions of CD133, CD44, or CD166. CD133 expression was relatively high in the MSS cell lines compared to those in MSI‐H, and showed a reverse correlation with DNA methylation of the CD133 promoter. hMLH1‐restored HCT116 cells increased proportions of CD133 positive cells and colosphere forming ability, compared to those in HCT116 cells. In conclusion, high levels of CD133 expression were observed more frequently in MSS CRC than in MSI‐H, suggesting that differential expression of colon CSC markers may be linked to tumor characteristics dependent on MSI status. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the Optimal Number of Cooperative Base Stations in Network MIMO Systems

We consider a multi-cell, frequency-selective fading, uplink channel (network MIMO) where K user terminals (UTs) communicate simultaneously with B cooperative base stations (BSs). Although the potential benefit of multi-cell cooperation grows with B, the overhead related to the acquisition of channel state information (CSI) will rapidly dominate the uplink resource. Thus, there exists a non-trivial tradeoff between the performance gains of network MIMO and the related overhead in channel estimation for a finite coherence time. Using a close approximation of the net ergodic achievable rate based on recent results from random matrix theory, we study this tradeoff by taking some realistic aspects into account such as unreliable backhaul links and different path losses between the UTs and BSs. We determine the optimal training length, the optimal number of cooperative BSs and the optimal number of sub-carriers to be used for an extended version of the circular Wyner model where each UT can communicate with B BSs. Our results provide some insight into practical limitations as well as realistic dimensions of network MIMO systems.
System identification and linear time-invariant modeling of an insect-sized flapping-wing micro air vehicle

Flapping-wing robots typically include numerous nonlinear elements, such as nonlinear geometric and aerodynamic components. For an insect-sized flapping-wing micro air vehicle (FWMAV), we show that a linearized model is sufficient to predict system behavior with reasonable accuracy over a large operating range, not just locally around the linearization state. The theoretical model is verified against an identified model from a prototype robotic fly and implications for vehicle design are discussed.
Genome of the Rusty Millipede, Trigoniulus corallinus, Illuminates Diplopod, Myriapod, and Arthropod Evolution

The increasing availability of genomic information from the Arthropoda continues to revolutionize our understanding of the biology of this most diverse animal phylum. However, our sampling of arthropod diversity remains uneven, and key clade such as the Myriapoda are severely underrepresented. Here we present the genome of the cosmopolitanly distributed Rusty Millipede Trigoniulus corallinus, which represents the first diplopod genome to be published, and the second example from the Myriapoda as a whole. This genomic resource contains the majority of core eukaryotic genes (94.3%), and key transcription factor classes that were thought to be lost in the Ecdysozoa. Mitochondrial genome and gene family (transcription factor, Dscam, circadian clock-driving protein, odorant receptor cassette, bioactive compound, and cuticular protein) analyses were also carried out to shed light on their states in the Diplopoda and Myriapoda. The ready availability of T. corallinus recommends it as a new model for evolutionary developmental biology, and the data set described here will be of widespread utility in investigating myriapod and arthropod genomics and evolution.
Targeted BikDD Expression Kills Androgen-Dependent and Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Cells

Targeted gene therapy is a promising approach for treating prostate cancer after the discovery of prostate cancer–specific promoters such as prostate-specific antigen, rat probasin, and human glandular kallikrein. However, these promoters are androgen dependent, and after castration or androgen ablation therapy, they become much less active or sometimes inactive. Importantly, the disease will inevitably progress from androgen-dependent (ADPC) to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), at which treatments fail and high mortality ensues. Therefore, it is critical to develop a targeted gene therapy strategy that is effective in both ADPC and CRPC to eradicate recurrent prostate tumors. The human telomerase reverse transcriptase-VP16-Gal4-WPRE integrated systemic amplifier composite (T-VISA) vector we previously developed, which targets transgene expression in ovarian and breast cancer, is also active in prostate cancer. To further improve its effectiveness based on androgen response in ADPC progression, the ARR2 element (two copies of androgen response region from rat probasin promoter) was incorporated into T-VISA to produce AT-VISA. Under androgen analog (R1881) stimulation, the activity of AT-VISA was increased to a level greater than or comparable to the cytomegalovirus promoter in ADPC and CRPC cells, respectively. Importantly, AT-VISA demonstrated little or no expression in normal cells. Systemic administration of AT-VISA-BikDD encapsulated in liposomes repressed prostate tumor growth and prolonged mouse survival in orthotopic animal models as well as in the transgenic adenocarcinoma mouse prostate model, indicating that AT-VISA-BikDD has therapeutic potential to treat ADPC and CRPC safely and effectively in preclinical setting. Mol Cancer Ther; 13(7); 1813–25. ©2014 AACR.
Inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase alters microRNA expression and reverses epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

Acquired chemoresistance and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) are hallmarks of cancer progression and of increasing clinical relevance. We investigated the role of miRNA and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in the progression of breast cancer to a drug-resistant and mesenchymal phenotype. We demonstrate that acquired death receptor resistance results in increased hormone-independent tumorigenesis compared to hormone-sensitive parental cells. Utilizing global miRNA gene expression profiling, we identified miRNA alterations associated with the development of death receptor resistance and EMT progression. We further investigated the role of p38 MAPK in this process, showing dose-dependent inactivation of p38 by its inhibitor RWJ67657 and decreased downstream ATF and NF-κB signaling. Pharmacological inhibition of p38 also decreased chemoresistant cancer tumor growth in xenograft animal models. Interestingly, inhibition of p38 partially reversed the EMT changes found in this cell system, as illustrated by decreased gene expression of the EMT markers Twist, Snail, Slug and ZEB and protein and mRNA levels of Twist, a known EMT promoter, concomitant with decreased N-cadherin protein. RWJ67657 treatment also altered the expression of several miRNAs known to promote therapeutic resistance, including miR-200, miR-303, miR-302, miR-199 and miR-328. Taken together, our results demonstrate the roles of multiple microRNAs and p38 signaling in the progression of cancer and demonstrate the therapeutic potential of targeting the p38 MAPK pathway for reversing EMT in an advanced tumor phenotype.
OpenStack: Toward an Open-source Solution for Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is a quite new concept for which the resources are virtualized, dynamically extended and provided as a service on the Internet. In this paper, we present a comparative study between some of the IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) commonly used to select the best suited one for deployment and research development in the field of cloud computing. The aim is to provide the computer industry with the opportunity to build a hosting architecture, massively scalable which is completely open source, while overcoming the constraints and the use of proprietary technologies. Then, we present the solution OpenStack retained by the comparative study. We discuss in detail its functional and architectural system. We finish by a discussion of the motivation of our choice of the IaaS solution. General Terms:
Pre-game hydration status, sweat loss, and fluid intake in elite Brazilian young male soccer players during competition

Abstract In this study, we assessed the pre-game hydration status and fluid balance of elite young soccer players competing in a match played in the heat (temperature 31.0 ± 2.0°C, relative humidity 48.0 ± 5.0%) for an official Brazilian soccer competition. Fluid intake was measured during the match, as were urine specific gravity and body mass before and after the game to estimate hydration status. Data were obtained from 15 male players (age 17.0 ± 0.6 years, height 1.78 ± 0.06 m, mass 65.3 ± 3.8 kg); however, data are only analysed for 10 players who completed the full game. The mean (±s) sweat loss of players amounted to 2.24 ± 0.63 L, and mean fluid intake was 1.12 ± 0.39 L. Pre-game urine specific gravity was 1.021 ± 0.004, ranging from 1.010 to 1.025. There was no significant correlation between sweat loss and fluid intake (r = 0.504, P = 0.137) or between urine specific gravity and fluid intake (r = −0.276, P = 0.440). We conclude that young, native tropical soccer players started the match hypohydrated and replaced about 50% of the sweat lost. Thus, effective strategies to improve fluid replacement are needed for players competing in the heat.