Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Track-before-Detect Using Swerling 0, 1, and 3 Target Models for Small Manoeuvring Maritime Targets

Real-radar data containing a small manoeuvring boat in sea clutter is processed using a finite difference (FD) implementation of continuous-discrete filtering with a four-dimensional constant velocity model. Measurement data is modelled assuming a Rayleigh sea clutter model with embedded Swerling 0, 1, or 3 target signal models. The results are examined to obtain a qualitative understanding of the effects of using the different target models. The Swerling 0 model is observed to exhibit a heightened sensitivity to changes in measured signal strength and provides enhanced detection of the maritime target examined at the cost of more peaked or multimodal posterior density in comparison with Swerling 1 and 3 targets.
Smad6/Smurf1 overexpression in cartilage delays chondrocyte hypertrophy and causes dwarfism with osteopenia

Biochemical experiments have shown that Smad6 and Smad ubiquitin regulatory factor 1 (Smurf1) block the signal transduction of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). However, their in vivo functions are largely unknown. Here, we generated transgenic mice overexpressing Smad6 in chondrocytes. Smad6 transgenic mice showed postnatal dwarfism with osteopenia and inhibition of Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation in chondrocytes. Endochondral ossification during development in these mice was associated with almost normal chondrocyte proliferation, significantly delayed chondrocyte hypertrophy, and thin trabecular bone. The reduced population of hypertrophic chondrocytes after birth seemed to be related to impaired bone growth and formation. Organ culture of cartilage rudiments showed that chondrocyte hypertrophy induced by BMP2 was inhibited in cartilage prepared from Smad6 transgenic mice. We then generated transgenic mice overexpressing Smurf1 in chondrocytes. Abnormalities were undetectable in Smurf1 transgenic mice. Mating Smad6 and Smurf1 transgenic mice produced double-transgenic pups with more delayed endochondral ossification than Smad6 transgenic mice. These results provided evidence that Smurf1 supports Smad6 function in vivo.
P53 Gene Mutation Increases Progastrin Dependent Colonic Proliferation and Colon Cancer Formation in Mice

ABSTRACT Transgenic mice overexpressing human progastrin (hGAS) show colonic crypt hyper-proliferation and elevated susceptibility to colon carcinogenesis. We aimed to investigate effects of p53 mutation on colon carcinogenesis in hGAS mice. We show that introducing a p53 gene mutation further increases progastrin dependent BrdU labeling and results in markedly elevated number of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and colonic tumors. We demonstrate that hGAS/Lgr5-GFP mice have higher number of Lgr5+ colonic stem cells per crypt when compared to Lgr5-GFP mice indicating that progastrin changes crypt biology through increased stem cell numbers and additional p53 mutation leads to more aggressive phenotype in this murine colon cancer model.
Impact of refactoring on quality code evaluation

Code smells are characteristics of the software that may indicate a code or design problem that can make software hard to understand, to evolve and maintain. Detecting code smells in the code and consequently applying the right refactoring steps, when necessary, is very important for improving the quality of the code. In this paper, according to well known metrics proposed to evaluate the code and design quality of a system, we analyze the impact of refactoring, applied to remove code smells, on the quality evaluation of the system.
CONCRETE DETERIORATION BY DEICING SALTS: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Concrete with dolomite coarse aggregate was obtained by coring existing Iowa highways. The concretes were of two types, those which were very durable under highway conditions and those which were low durability. Samples were experimentally deteriorated using wet/dry, freeze/thaw, and continuous soak conditions in solutions of magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, sodium chloride, magnesium acetate, magnesium nitrate, and distilled water in order to determine relative deterioration activities. Magnesium chloride was most destructive. Calcium chloride was next, and sodium chloride was relatively benign. Magnesium acetate produced severe crumbling and moderate fracturing, and magnesium nitrate caused moderately severe deterioration by crumbling and discoloration.
Novel Identified HLA-A*0201-Restricted Hantaan Virus Glycoprotein Cytotoxic T-Cell Epitopes Could Effectively Induce Protective Responses in HLA-A2.1/Kb Transgenic Mice May Associate with the Severity of Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome

Hantaan virus (HTNV) infections can cause severe hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in humans, which is associated with high fatality rates. Cytotoxic T cell (CTL) responses contribute to virus elimination; however, to date, HLA class I allele-restricted HTNV glycoprotein (GP) epitopes recognized by CTLs have not been reported, limiting our understanding of CTL responses against HTNV infection in humans. In this study, 34 HTNV GP nine-mer epitopes that may bind to HLA-A*0201 molecules were predicted using the BIMAS and SYFPEITHI database. Seven of the epitopes were demonstrated to bind to HLA-A*0201 molecules with high affinity via the T2 cell binding assay and were successfully used to synthesize peptide/HLA-A*0201 tetramers. The results of tetramer staining showed that the frequencies of each epitope-specific CTL were higher in patients with milder HFRS, which indicated that the epitopes may induce protective CTL responses after HTNV infection. IFN-γ-enzyme-linked immunospot analysis further confirmed the immunoreactivity of epitopes by eliciting epitope-specific IFN-γ-producing CTL responses. In an HTNV challenge trial, significant inhibition of HTNV replication characterized by lower levels of antigens and RNA loads was observed in major target organs (liver, spleen, and kidneys) of HLA-A2.1/Kb transgenic mice pre-vaccinated with nonapeptides VV9 (aa8–aa16, VMASLVWPV), SL9 (aa996–aa1004, SLTECPTFL) and LL9 (aa358–aa366, LIWTGMIDL). Importantly, LL9 exhibited the best ability to induce protective CTL responses and showed a prominent effect on the kidneys, potentially preventing kidney injury after HTNV infection. Taken together, our results highlight that HTNV GP-derived HLA-A*0201-restricted epitopes could elicit protective CTL responses against the virus, and that epitope LL9 functions as an immunodominant protective epitope that may advance the design of safe and effective CTL-based HTNV peptide vaccines for humans.
Biofeedback game design: using direct and indirect physiological control to enhance game interaction

Prior work on physiological game interaction has focused on dynamically adapting games using physiological sensors. In this paper, we propose a classification of direct and indirect physiological sensor input to augment traditional game control. To find out which sensors work best for which game mechanics, we conducted a mixed-methods study using different sensor mappings. Our results show participants have a preference for direct physiological control in games. This has two major design implications for physiologically controlled games: (1) Direct physiological sensors should be mapped intuitively to reflect an action in the virtual world; (2) Indirect physiological input is best used as a dramatic device in games to influence features altering the game world.
Evaluation of Prototype Automotive Head-Up Display Interface: Testing Driver's Focusing Ability through a VR Simulation

Contemporary automotive, navigation and infotainment requirements have evolved the traditional dashboard into a complex device that can often distract the driver. Head-Up Displays (HUDs) have recently attracted the attention in the field of automotive research, promoting the reduction of driver's reaction time and to improve spatial awareness. The aptitude of the proposed HUD interface lies within the driver's focusing ability to the HUD interface and the actual traffic. This paper analyses the performance behaviour through user-tests using different focal levels for the projection of a full-windshield HUD interface. For this purpose, a VR driving simulator has been developed to test the different depths of field configurations of a HUD while driving in various weather and traffic conditions with and without the HUD. Our simulation results reveal the users' preferences regarding the focal point of the superimposed interface and present a comparative evaluation of the different focal levels and their impact on drivers' behaviour and performance.
Practice Parameter: Neuroprotective strategies and alternative therapies for Parkinson disease (an evidence-based review): Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology

CRD summary This review evaluated neuroprotective and non-standard therapies for patients with Parkinson disease. The authors concluded that disease progression does not appear to be increased by levadopa and no strategy provided neuroprotection. Although the authors' conclusions appear to be supported by the review, inadequate reporting of review methods and study details make it difficult to confirm the reliability of the conclusions.
Value generation in e‐government from service‐based IT integration

Purpose – Understanding how value is actually generated in e‐government projects is one of the most challenging, and relevant, issues in e‐government research. This paper aims to investigate the contribution of service‐based information technology (IT) integration for generating value in the public sector, proposing a theoretical framework based on the theory of IT conversion effectiveness.Design/methodology/approach – The paper illustrates this novel approach to electronic government evaluation with an exploratory case study of a service‐based IT integration project developed by the City of Genoa, showing how and why IT integration can substantially contribute to value generation in the public sector.Findings – Contrarily to what one would expect according to the original theory of IT conversion effectiveness, value generation may happen even with no substantial growth in the pre‐existing IT asset portfolio. In fact, what is truly important is not only the availability of IT assets (policy output), but a.
Charting the tractability frontier of certain conjunctive query answering

An uncertain database is defined as a relational database in which primary keys need not be satisfied. A repair (or possible world) of such database is obtained by selecting a maximal number of tuples without ever selecting two distinct tuples with the same primary key value. For a Boolean query q, the decision problem CERTAINTY(q) takes as input an uncertain database db and asks whether q is satisfied by every repair of db. Our main focus is on acyclic Boolean conjunctive queries without self-join. Previous work has introduced the notion of (directed) attack graph of such queries, and has proved that CERTAINTY(q) is first-order expressible if and only if the attack graph of q is acyclic. The current paper investigates the boundary between tractability and intractability of CERTAINTY(q). We first classify cycles in attack graphs as either weak or strong, and then prove among others the following. If the attack graph of a query q contains a strong cycle, then CERTAINTY(q) is coNP-complete. If the attack graph of q contains no strong cycle and every weak cycle is terminal (i.e., no edge leads from a vertex in the cycle to a vertex outside the cycle), then CERTAINTY(q) is in P. We then partially address the only remaining open case, i.e., when the attack graph contains some nonterminal cycle and no strong cycle. Finally, we establish a relationship between the complexities of CERTAINTY(q) and evaluating q on probabilistic databases.
APIO-EE-9 is a novel Aurora A and B antagonist that suppresses esophageal cancer growth in a PDX mouse model

Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the most aggressive malignancies of the upper aerodigestive tract. Over the past three decades, with advances in surgical techniques and treatment, the prognosis of esophageal cancer has only slowly improved. Thus identifying novel molecular targets and developing therapeutic agents are critical. Aurora kinases play a crucial role in mitosis and selective inhibitors might provide an effective therapeutic treatment for cancer. However, the role of Aurora kinases in EC is still inadequately studied. Here, we identified a novel compound, referred to as APIO-EE-9, which inhibits growth and colony formation and induces apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells. Using computer modeling, we found that APIO-EE-9 interacted with both Aurora A and B in the ATP-binding pocket. APIO-EE-9 inhibited both Aurora A and B kinase activities in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with APIO-EE-9 substantially reduced the downstream Aurora kinase phosphorylation of histone H3 (Ser10), resulting in formation of multiple nuclei and centrosomes. Additionally, esophageal cancer cells expressing shAurora A or shAurora B kinase exhibited a dramatic reduction in proliferation and colony formation. Injection of these cells as xenografts in mice reduced tumor formation compared to wildtype cells. Importantly, APIO-EE-9 significantly decreased the size of esophageal patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumors implanted in SCID mice. These results demonstrated that APIO-EE-9 is a specific Aurora kinase inhibitor that could be developed as a therapeutic agent against esophageal cancer.
Effects of task load and cognitive abilities on performance and subjective mental workload in a tracking task

The aim of this study was to determine the effects that the level of general intelligence and the aptitude profile of individuals have on performance and subjective assessments of the mental workload involved in carrying out a tracking task. Although all authors acknowledge that mental workload depends both on the characteristics of the task and the ability of individuals to perform it, little research into the real influence of these individual difference factors has been carried out. The subjects’ performance and mental workload when carrying out a tracking task with different levels of difficulty were measured. Both simple effects and those relating to the interaction of the two task complexity factors were shown to have significant effects on performance and subjective mental load. Spatial aptitude was shown to have the greatest mediating effect, particularly on mental workload. Surprisingly, the subjects with the greatest ability reported higher mental workload assessments than those less able, irrespective of the instrument used to measure the workload. Finally, the subjects with greater ability achieved higher levels of performance than those less able, particularly in the more difficult tracking task.
Physical illness in looked-after children: a cross-sectional study

Objective To compare the reported point prevalence of chronic physical illness among children looked after by local authorities with those living in their own homes. Design Cross-sectional study, using questionnaire data from a national survey. Setting The UK. Participants Random samples of children aged 5–15 years. Children looked after were selected from Department of Health databases, stratified according to placement type. The child benefit register was the sampling frame for children in their own homes, weighted to match the child population demographic and compensate for response variability. Main outcome Carer-reported prevalence of 10 physical illnesses. Results Data were collected on 1253 looked-after children and 10 438 children in their own homes. There were lower rates of asthma, eczema and hay fever reported among looked-after children compared with children at home (ORs, adjusted for age, gender and ethnicity, were 0.63, 0.61 and 0.36, respectively). Epilepsy, cystic fibrosis and cerebral palsy were more commonly reported in looked-after children (adjusted ORs 4.13, 4.2 and 7.26, respectively). There was no difference in the proportions of children in the two groups reporting glue ear, diabetes mellitus, spina bifida or cancer. Conclusions Looked-after children have an increased prevalence of some physical illnesses. The results also suggest that there may be significant unmet need, with health professionals and carers failing to identify other illnesses. The lower reported prevalence of atopic conditions may reflect a truly lower occurrence of such diseases in looked-after children; this requires further work to explore.
Local and Systemic Changes in Squash Gene Expression in Response to Silverleaf Whitefly Feeding

Squash genes (SLW1 and SLW3) induced systemically after silverleaf whitefly feeding were identified. Differences in the local and systemic expression of SLW1 and SLW3 after feeding by the closely related silverleaf and sweetpotato whiteflies were observed. Temporal and spatial studies showed that SLW1 and SLW3 were induced when second, third, and fourth nymphal instars were feeding. Although only barely detected after wounding and bacterial infection, SLW1 and SLW3 RNAs were abundant during water-deficit stress. Treatments with wound/defense signal molecules showed that SLW1 RNAs accumulated in response to methyl jasmonate and ethylene, whereas SLW3 was not regulated by known wound/defense signals, suggesting utilization of a novel mechanism for defense signal transduction. SLW1 RNAs accumulated during floral and fruit development, whereas SLW3 RNAs were not detected during vegetative or reproductive development. The potential roles of SLW1, an M20b peptidase–like protein, and SLW3, a β-glucosidase–like protein, in defense and the leaf-silvering disorder are discussed.
Individual versus Organizational Computer Security and Privacy Concerns in Journalism

Abstract A free and open press is a critical piece of the civil-society infrastructure that supports both established and emerging democracies. However, as the professional activities of reporting and publishing are increasingly conducted by digital means, computer security and privacy risks threaten free and independent journalism around the globe. Through interviews with 15 practicing journalists and 14 organizational stakeholders (supervising editors and technologists), we reveal the distinct - and sometimes conflicting-computer security concerns and priorities of different stakeholder groups within journalistic institutions, as well as unique issues in journalism compared to other types of organizations. As these concerns have not been deeply studied by those designing computer security practices or technologies that may benefit journalism, this research offers insight into some of the practical and cultural constraints that can limit the computer security and privacy practices of the journalism community as a whole. Based on these findings, we suggest paths for future research and development that can bridge these gaps through new tools and practices.
Role of Glucocorticoids in Tuning Hindbrain Stress Integration

The nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) is a critical integrative site for coordination of autonomic and endocrine stress responses. Stress-excitatory signals from the NTS are communicated by both catecholaminergic [norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E)] and noncatecholaminergic [e.g., glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)] neurons. Recent studies suggest that outputs of the NE/E and GLP-1 neurons of the NTS are selectively engaged during acute stress. This study was designed to test mechanisms of chronic stress integration in the paraventricular nucleus, focusing on the role of glucocorticoids. Our data indicate that chronic variable stress (CVS) causes downregulation of preproglucagon (GLP-1 precursor) mRNA in the NTS and reduction of GLP-1 innervation to the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. Glucocorticoids were necessary for preproglucagon (PPG) reduction in CVS animals and were sufficient to lower PPG mRNA in otherwise unstressed animals. The data are consistent with a glucocorticoid-mediated withdrawal of GLP-1 in key stress circuits. In contrast, expression of tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA, the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine synthesis, was increased by stress in a glucocorticoid-independent manner. These suggest differential roles of ascending catecholamine and GLP-1 systems in chronic stress, with withdrawal of GLP-1 involved in stress adaptation and enhanced NE/E capacity responsible for facilitation of responses to novel stress experiences.
Semi-dense Piecewise Planar Stereo Reconstruction Using SymStereo and PEARL

We propose an algorithm for two-frame stereo reconstruction that generates an accurate semi-dense piecewise planar model of the 3D scene. First, we use the SymStereo framework [1], [2] for obtaining a semi-dense stereo reconstruction, which exploits symmetry cues for estimating depth along virtual cut planes. Next, the energy-based multi-model fitting algorithm PEARL [3] is applied for estimating the plane models, and labeling the lines of intersection between the virtual and epipolar planes. This procedure involves three steps: (i) generate an initial set of plane hypotheses by extracting line cuts from each virtual cut plane, (ii) inlier classification, and (iii) a plane model refinement step. We provide experiments of our approach on a variety of challenging indoor and outdoor stereo pairs. The results show that we successfully detect and reconstruct the planar surfaces contained in the scene, as well as are able to obtain plausible piecewise planar descriptions of non-planar objects. In contrast to existing approaches, the accuracy of our plane hypotheses are not limited by an initial 3D reconstruction, but are iteratively refined after each plane labeling.
Similar mortality with general or regional anesthesia in elderly hip fracture patients

Background and purpose — There is continuing confusion among practitioners with regard to the optimal choice of anesthetic type for repair of hip fractures. We investigated whether type of anesthetic was associated with short-term mortality after hip fracture surgery. Patients and methods — We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with surgically treated hip fractures, performed between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2012. Exposure of interest was anesthesia type (general, spinal/neuroaxial, and mixed). Endpoints were 30-, 90-, and 365-day post-surgery mortality. Multivariable conditional logistic regression models were used and odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are reported. Results — Of the 7,585 participants, 5,412 (71%) were women and the median age was 80 (IQR: 72–85) years old. Of the total cohort, 4,257 (56%) received general anesthesia, 3,059 (40%) received spinal/neuroaxial, and 269 (4%) received mixed anesthesia. Overall, the incidence of 30-, 90-, and 365-day mortality was 4% (n = 307), 8% (n = 583), and 15% (n = 1,126), respectively. When compared with general anesthesia, the 365-day odds of mortality was marginally lower in patients with spinal/neuroaxial anesthesia (OR = 0.84, CI: 0.70–1.0), but it was similar in patients with mixed anesthesia (OR = 1.3, CI: 0.70–2.3). No other statistically significant differences were observed. Interpretation — Regarding mortality, this study does not support specific recommendations regarding the type of anesthetic in surgery of fractured hips.