Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the Antiproliferative Properties of Natural Sesquiterpenes from Artemisia asiatica and Onopordum acanthium on HL-60 Cells in Vitro

Plants and plant extracts play a crucial role in the research into novel antineoplastic agents. Four sesquiterpene lactones, artecanin (1), 3β-chloro-4α,10α-dihydroxy-1α,2α-epoxy-5α,7αH-guaia-11(13)-en-12,6α-olide (2), iso-seco-tanapartholide 3-O-methyl ether (3) and 4β,15-dihydro-3-dehydrozaluzanin C (4), were isolated from two traditionally used Asteraceae species (Onopordum acanthium and Artemisia asiatica). When tested for antiproliferative action on HL-60 leukemia cells, these compounds exhibited reasonable IC50 values in the range 3.6–13.5 μM. Treatment with the tested compounds resulted in a cell cycle disturbance characterized by increases in the G1 and G2/M populations, while there was a decrease in the S phase. Additionally, 1–3 elicited increases in the hypodiploid (subG1) population. The compounds elicited concentration-dependent chromatin condensation and disruption of the membrane integrity, as revealed by Hoechst 33258–propidium staining. Treatment for 24 h resulted in significant increases in activity of caspases-3 and -9, indicating that the tested sesquiterpenes induced the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. The proapoptotic properties of the sesquiterpene lactones were additionally demonstrated withannexin V staining. Compounds 1 and 2 increased the Bax/Bcl-2 expression and decreased the expressions of CDK1 and cyclin B2, as determined at the mRNA level by means of RT-PCR. These experimental results indicate that sesquiterpene lactones may be regarded as potential starting structures for the development of novel anticancer agents.
Lifting Techniques for Sequential Decision Making and Probabilistic Inference (Extended Abstract)

Many traditional AI algorithms fail to scale as the size of state space increases exponentially with the number of features. One way to reduce computation in such scenarios is to reduce the problem size by grouping symmetric states together and then running the algorithm on the reduced problem. The focus of this work is to exploit symmetry in problems of sequential decision making and probabilistic inference. Our recent work- ASAPUCT defines new State-Action Pair (SAP) symmetries in Markov Decision Processes. We also apply these SAP symmetries in Monte Carlo Tree Search (MCTS) framework. In probabilistic inference, we expand the notion of unconditional symmetries to contextual symmetries and apply them in Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods. In future, we plan to explore interesting links in symmetry exploitation in different problems and aim to develop a generic symmetry based framework.
The impact of an integrated micro-credit programme on women's empowerment and fertility behavior in rural Bangladesh

This study explored how participation of women in savings and credit schemes affects their contraceptive use and fertility in Bangladesh. It identifies the factors that influence the decision to join a credit or savings group. Data were obtained from a cluster sample in a panel baseline survey conducted by Save the Children (US) during 1993 and from a 1995 follow-up survey. The 1993 sample included 3 groups plus controls. The 1995 sample included the 4 1993 groups and 3 more groups. The study followed a quasi-experimental design. Latent trait analysis as a variant of factor analysis was used to represent mobility or decision-making power. Program impact was measured in a 2-stage model that controlled for selection bias. Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with program participation. Attitudes toward female education and marriage age measured empowerment. Findings indicate considerable selectivity of members. Credit group members (CGMs) were more likely to be educated with better educated husbands; cash wage workers; threatened by husbands potential for other wives; and with higher relative freedom before membership. CGMs were more likely and savings group members were less likely to be familiar with or in need of extrafamilial support. Both savings and credit members were more likely to have used contraception. CGMs with controls for selectivity had higher aspirations for their daughters education and delayed marriage. Savings groups were not significantly different from nonmembers. Contraceptive use increased in all villages.
Static structural testing of trans-tibial composite sockets

The purpose of this investigation was to quantify the structural strength of various trans-tibial composite sockets. To conduct the study, loading parameters and methods were developed that emulate the International Standards Organisation (ISO) standards for structural testing of lower limb prostheses since specific guidelines for the testing of the trans-tibial socket portion of a prosthesis have not yet been established. The experimental set-up simulated the instant of maximum loading during the late stance phase of gait. Ten trans-tibial sockets were evaluated. Five different reinforcement materials and two resin types were used to construct the sockets. A standard four hole distal attachment plate was used to connect the socket and pylon. Each sample was loaded to failure in a servo-hydraulic materials test machine at 100 N/s. None of the composites in the study met the ISO 10328 standards for level A100, loading condition II (4025 N), as required for other prosthetic componentry. All failures occurred at the site of the pyramid attachment plate. Ultimate strength and failure type were material dependent. Load point deflection was significantly different for the resin variable (p < 0.05). Statistical differences according to reinforcement material were noted in composite weight and strength-to-weight ratio (p < 0.05). The fibre volume fraction was also estimated and recorded. Reinforcement material type was the primary determinant of performance for the tested samples. Carbon reinforcements performed better than fibreglass reinforcements of similar weave type. The greatest ultimate strength and strength-to-weight ratio was observed with the unidirectional carbon reinforcement.
Exploring the Characteristics of Children with a Diagnosis of Pdd-nos

The purpose of this study was to examine the diagnostic and developmental profiles of 105 children given a PDD-NOS diagnosis. Four subgroups were formed based on the reason for the PDD-NOS diagnosis (fewer than 6 criteria, fewer than 2 social criteria, no repetitive behaviours, and other). Cognitive level, adaptive functioning, autism severity, and the number of DSMIV autism criteria were examined, but the four subgroups did not differ on any developmental or diagnostic variables. Results suggest that the PDD-NOS group is very heterogeneous. The Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) category of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) includes four specific diagnoses: Autistic Disorder (AD), Asperger syndrome (AS), Rett Disorder, and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder; all of which are characterized by impairments in reciprocal social interactions, communication, and the presence of stereotyped behaviours, interests, and activities (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2000). In addition, like other categories in the DSM-IV, there is a “not otherwise specified” diagnosis, PDD-NOS, for children who do not meet criteria for one of the specific PDD diagnoses. Considering the high prevalence rate of PDD-NOS (15/10,000; Fombonne, 2003), it is important that we gain a clearer understanding of this diagnosis, which is often confusing for parents and service providers alike. Efforts have been made to better understand PDD-NOS by comparing it to AD and AS. Buitelaar, Vander Gaag, Kiln, and Volkmar (1999) reported that PDD-NOS is a more heterogeneous category than AD. Matson, Dempsey, and Fodstad (2009) found better verbal communication and social relationships in the PDD-NOS group as compared to the AD group. Perry, Condillac, Freeman, Dunn-Geier, and Belair (2005) showed that children with PDD-NOS have significantly lower autism severity (as measured by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale, or CARS) than children with AD. Walker et al. (2004) reported that children with PDD-NOS have more delayed language than children with AS, fewer repetitive behaviours than both children with AD and AS, and fewer social difficulties than children with Asperger’s. The cognitive functioning of the PDD-NOS group was between that of the AD and AS groups. Walker et al. (2004) also identified three subgroups within their sample of 20 children with PDD-NOS: 1) children with good language functioning and many repetitive behaviours; 2) children with little or no repetitive behaviour; and 3) children who had a late age of onset, were too young, or too delayed to diagnose conclusively. © Ontario Association on Developmental Disabilities
Gain-scheduling control of a teleoperation system

This paper presents a control design framework for robust teleoperation. The teleoperation system with uncertainties is modeled as a linear parameter varying plant to employ the gain-scheduling control framework. The time-varying transmission delay, disturbances, and uncertainty of the environment are considered in the design of the control. The usual assumption that the human operator and the environment are passive is not made in this method. The control scheme employs an online estimation of the environment including disturbance and transmission time delay between master and slave. Simulation results show that position and force tracking errors are small, and the system shows stable behavior in spite of the uncertainties. A transparency analysis in the frequency domain shows that the developed control scheme guarantees perfect transparency in the low frequencies.
Analytical theory of stacked fish-net structures

This paper analyzes electromagnetic wave propagation through periodically stacked metallic fishnets from zero frequency to the first Wood's anomaly. The close relation between wave propagation through stacked fishnets and extraordinary transmission through a single fishnet is highlighted. It is shown that, for normal incidence, stacked fishnets may behave like 1D backward-wave transmission line metamaterials.
Intestinal Microbiota Signatures Associated with Inflammation History in Mice Experiencing Recurring Colitis

Acute colitis causes alterations in the intestinal microbiota, but the microbiota is thought to recover after such events. Extreme microbiota alterations are characteristic of human chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, although alterations reported in different studies are divergent and sometimes even contradictory. To better understand the impact of periodic disturbances on the intestinal microbiota and its compositional difference between acute and relapsing colitis, we investigated the beginnings of recurrent inflammation using the dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) mouse model of chemically induced colitis. Using bacterial 16S rRNA gene-targeted pyrosequencing as well as quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization, we profiled the intestinal and stool microbiota of mice over the course of three rounds of DSS-induced colitis and recovery. We found that characteristic inflammation-associated microbiota could be detected in recovery-phase mice. Successive inflammation episodes further drove the microbiota into an increasingly altered composition post-inflammation, and signatures of colitis history were detectable in the microbiota more sensitively than by pathology analysis. Bacterial indicators of murine colitis history were identified in intestinal and stool samples, with a high degree of consistency between both sample types. Stool may therefore be a promising non-invasive source of bacterial biomarkers that are highly sensitive to inflammation state and history.
Behavioral Portfolio Choice : An Analytical Treatment ∗

This paper formulates a single-period portfolio choice model under Kahneman and Tversky’s cumulative prospect theory, featuring a reference point in wealth, S-shaped utility (value) functions with loss aversion, and distortions in probability. An analytical treatment of the model is carried out. A new measure of loss aversion for large payoffs, called the loss aversion degree (LAD), is introduced. The issue of model well-posedness is brought about, of which the LAD is shown to be a critical determinant. The sensitivity of the prospective value function with respect to the stock allocation is then investigated, which demonstrates as a by-product that this function is neither concave nor convex. Optimal solutions are finally derived explicitly for the cases when the reference point is the risk-free return and when the utility function is piece-wise linear. These results are in turn employed to demonstrate that optimal risky exposures monotonically decrease as the LAD increases.
Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing a Flexible Method for Zoom Lens Calibration and Modeling Using a Planar Checkerboard

This paper presents a fl exible method for zoom lens calibration and modeling using a planar checkerboard. The method includes the following four steps. First, the principal point of the zoom-lens camera is determined by a focus-of-expansion approach. Second, the infl uences of focus changes on the principal distance are modeled by a scale parameter. Third, checkerboard images taken at varying object distances with convergent image geometry are used for camera calibration. Finally, the variations of the calibration parameters with respect to the various zoom and focus settings are modeled using polynomials. Three different types of lens are examined in this study. Experimental analyses show that high precision calibration results can be expected from the developed approach. The relative measurement accuracy (accuracy normalized with object distance) using the calibrated zoom-lens camera model ranges from 1:5 000 to 1:25 000. The developed method is of signifi cance to facilitate the use of zoom-lens camera systems in various applications such as robotic exploration , hazard monitoring, traffi c monitoring, and security surveillance.
Seasonal Stochastic Volatility and Correlation together with the Samuelson Effect in Commodity Futures Markets

We introduce a multi-factor stochastic volatility model based on the CIR/Heston volatility process that incorporates seasonality and the Samuelson effect. First, we give conditions on the seasonal term under which the corresponding volatility factor is well-defined. These conditions appear to be rather mild. Second, we calculate the joint characteristic function of two futures prices for different maturities in the proposed model. This characteristic function is analytic. Finally, we provide numerical illustrations in terms of implied volatility and correlation produced by the proposed model with five different specifications of the seasonality pattern. The model is found to be able to produce volatility smiles at the same time as a volatility term-structure that exhibits the Samuelson effect with a seasonal component. Correlation, instantaneous or implied from calendar spread option prices via a Gaussian copula, is also found to be seasonal.
Underwater Video Monitoring of Groupers and the Associated Hard-Bottom Reef Fish Assemblage of North Carolina

Groupers and their associated reef fish assemblage near Cape Fear, North Carolina, were observed using scuba and underwater stationary videography during a 7-mo period. Fifty-seven sites were visited with stationary video and diver point counts of groupers were taken at each site. Primary observations by both techniques were made on gag, Mycteroperca microlepis (Goode and Bean, 1879), and scamp, Mycteroperca phenax Jordan and Swain, 1884, while other grouper species were noted for videos only. Comparisons of gag and scamp density were made using baited and unbaited stationary camera deployments on high- and low-relief ledge habitats. Inferred minimum population sizes by location ranged from 0 to 4 gag, 0 to 13 scamp, and 0 to 2 yellowmouth, Mycteroperca interstitialis (Poey, 1860), using stationary video. Estimated densities by video camera were highest for scamp at 480 ha-1. Gag density was estimated at 145 ha-1 and yellowmouth grouper at 50 ha-1. In total, 68 fish species including groupers were recorded by video and richness by site ranged from 10 to 26 (n = 34; mean 18.9, SD 4.2). Reef fish community structure as measured by mean Bray-Curtis dissimilarity between paired sites was 0.339 (0.219 SD) indicating a substantial overlap in species composition between most sites. Given the economic importance of the snapper-grouper complex and the desire to develop non-extractive (or reduced impact) survey techniques, stationary video observations hold promise for monitoring changes in reef fish assemblages.
THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS TECHNICAL REPORT # 224 UNIFORM ASYMPTOTICS FOR S- AND MM-REGRESSION ESTIMATORS MAREK OMELKA AND MATIAS SALIBIAN-BARRERA JULY 2006 Uniform asymptotics for S- and MM-regression estimators

In this paper we find verifiable regularity conditions to ensure that Sestimators of scale and regression and MM-estimators of regression are uniformly consistent and uniformly asymptotically normally distributed over contamination neighbourhoods. Moreover, we show how to calculate the size of these neighbourhoods. In particular, we find that, for MM-estimators computed with Tukey’s family of bisquare score functions, there is a trade-off between the size of these neighbourhoods and both the breakdown point of the S-estimators and the leverage of the contamination that is allowed in the neighbourhood. These results extend previous work of Salibian-Barrera and Zamar for the location-scale model. ∗Department of Probability and Mathematical Statistics, Charles University – Research was supported by the Charles University Grant GAUK 341/2005 and by the Czech Republic Grant GAČR 201/05/H007. †Department of Statistics, The University of British Columbia – Research supported by the National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Histopathological Comparison between Bone Marrow- and Periodontium-derived Stem Cells for Bone Regeneration in Rabbit Calvaria

Background: Periodontitis is an important oral disease. Stem cell therapy has found its way in treatment of many diseases. Objective: To evaluate the regenerative potential of periodontal ligament-derived stem cells (PDLSCs) and osteoblast differentiated from PDLSC in comparison with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and pre-osteoblasts in calvarial defects. Methods: After proving the existence of surface markers by flow cytometry, BM-MSCs were differentiated into osteoblasts. 5 defects were made on rabbit calvaria. 3 of them were first covered with collagen membrane and then with BM-MSCs, PDLSCs, and pre-osteoblasts. The 4th defect was filled with collagen membrane and the 5th one was served as control. After 4 weeks, histological (quantitative) and histomorphological (qualitative) surveys were performed. Results: Both cell lineages were positive for CD-90 cell marker, which was specifically related to stem cells. Alizarin red staining was done for showing mineral material. RT-PCR set up for the expression of Cbfa1 gene, BMP4 gene, and PGLAP gene, confirmed osteoblast differentiation. The findings indicated that although PDLSCs and pre-osteoblasts could be used for bone regeneration, the rate of regeneration in BM-MSCs-treated cavities was more significant (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The obtained results are probably attributable to the effective micro-environmental signals caused by different bone types and the rate of cell maturation.
Symmetric Adiabatic Logic Circuits against Differential Power Analysis

We investigate the possibility of using adiabatic logic as a countermeasure against differential power analysis (DPA) style attacks to make use of its energy efficiency. Like other dual‐rail logics, adiabatic logic exhibits a current dependence on input data, which makes the system vulnerable to DPA. To resolve this issue, we propose a symmetric adiabatic logic in which the discharge paths are symmetric for data‐independent parasitic capacitance, and the charges are shared between the output nodes and between the internal nodes, respectively, to prevent the circuit from depending on the previous input data.
Rarity of TLR4 Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile Polymorphisms in the Korean Population

Purpose Activation of the innate immune system and chronic low-grade inflammation are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and also thought to be associated with type 2 diabetes and its complications. As a receptor for bacterial lipopolysaccharide and heat-shock proteins, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is one of the central regulators of the immune response. Recent studies have reported an association between TLR4 polymorphisms and diabetes and its complications in Caucasian populations. Materials and Methods In this study, we analyzed the association between TLR4 gene polymorphisms in patients with features of type 2 diabetes and healthy controls in Korea. Two polymorphisms of the TLR4 gene (Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile) were examined in 225 diabetic patients and 153 healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). Results No Asp299Gly or Thr399Ile mutations were detected in any of the 378 subjects. Seven subjects from each group who had slightly different SSCP patterns were selected for sequencing, but we found no TLR4 polymorphisms on Exon3. The Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile TLR4 gene polymorphisms were absent in both groups, which was similar to the results for Japanese and Chinese Han subjects. Conclusion Our data and other Asian data suggest that a racial difference can be found in the frequency of the TLR4 polymorphism.
Impact of compliance with different guidelines on physical activity during pregnancy and perceived barriers to leisure physical activity

Abstract The aims of the this prospective study were to analyse physical activity (PA) engagement during the first and second trimesters, considering the different guidelines published on PA, to document the individual characteristics associated with the accomplishment of these guidelines and to examine pregnant women’s perceived barriers to leisure PA, using a socioecological framework. A sample of 133 pregnant women in two stages – at 10–12 weeks’ gestation (T1) and 20–22 weeks’ gestation (T2) – were evaluated. PA was assessed by accelerometry during the T1 and T2 evaluation stages. Socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors and barriers to leisure PA were assessed via questionnaire. A large proportion of women (ranging from 32% to 96%) did not reach the levels of PA recommended by the guidelines. There were no significant differences between T1 and T2 with regard to compliance with PA recommendations. A decrease in PA levels from T1 to T2 was noted for all recommendations. No associations were found between participants’ characteristics and adherence to the recommendations in T1 and T2. No significant differences were found in barriers to leisure PA between T1 and T2. The most commonly reported barriers to leisure PA were intrapersonal, not health related. Our results indicate that there were no differences between trimesters regarding compliance of PA recommendations, and perceived barriers were similar in both trimesters.
A comparison between two-commutation-cell multichannel and multilevel buck-derived topologies

In the frame of the development of a very high speed synchronous drive, a DC/DC converter is studied. In this context, this paper presents the comparison between two two-commutation-cell topologies. A multichannel and a multilevel converter are formally compared in terms of output current ripple reduction and control complexity. Moreover, partial experimental validations of the theoretical results are presented.