Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bank of Kalman Filters in Closed-Loop for Robust Localization Using Unsynchronized Beacons

Indoor localization based on time difference of arrival has been recently a promising field of study. We consider the previously unsolved problem of locating a moving target receiver by using unsynchronized stationary beacons, showing an error in the range of centimetres in a real environment. The received line-of-sight signals have to be detected and their times of arrival have to be assigned to a beacon. In order to do this, the estimated positions and the velocities of the target are fused with the received symbols and timestamps in a bank of Kalman filters. The system is automatically calibrated by estimating the time offsets between the senders, their positions and the initial receiver position. The variables of the scenario are estimated in two steps, a calibration phase, where the variables of the scenario are estimated with local optimization algorithms and a tracking phase, where the continuous movement of the target is tracked using an unscented Kalman filter and a particle filter. Real life experiments show that the local optimization algorithms are capable of initializing the system, while the Kalman filters in closed-loop are able to track the target with an error of 0.065m at high velocity (up to 1.8 m/s).
Oxidative Stress in Cystic Fibrosis: Dietary and Metabolic Factors

Objective: To examine oxidative stress in CF by measuring 8-iso-PGF2α and antioxidant defenses, in relation to dietary intake, immune function and clinical status. Methods: We measured total plasma concentrations of 8-iso-PGF2α and dietary antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C, β-carotene), erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities (glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase), lung function and dietary intake in 21 CF subjects and 21 healthy age- and gender-matched controls. Results: Total plasma 8-iso-PGF2α concentration (median [quartile 1–quartile 3]) was significantly higher in CF subjects compared to controls (214 pg/mL (155–331) vs. 135 pg/mL (101–168), p=0.001). Neutrophil, monocyte and total white cell counts were elevated in the CF group and these correlated with 8-iso-PGF2α concentration. Despite similar dietary intake, lower plasma antioxidant concentrations were observed in the CF group (vitamin E, p < 0.001, vitamin C, p=0.004, β-carotene, p=0.001). 8-iso-PGF2α correlated negatively with plasma vitamin E, C and β-carotene concentrations. Conclusion: Oxidative stress is increased in CF patients, despite normal dietary antioxidant intake. The immune response appears to be a key factor causing oxidative stress. Antioxidant intervention aimed at reducing oxidative stress in CF needs to be assessed.
Convergences in the Modular and Areal Organization of the Forebrain of Mammals: Implications for the Reconstruction of Forebrain Evolution

Early efforts to reconstruct the course of the evolution of the human brain relied on comparing the brains of a few related mammals with brains at successively higher levels of complexity. This Clark or ladder of levels approach is now seen as having limited usefulness in that species are not easily assigned to levels, and extant mammals are now recognized as mosaics of primitive and derived features. In addition, direction of change does not necessarily proceed from simple to complex, small to large, or diffuse to differentiated. A modern cladistic approach reconstructs the brains of ancestors by identifying brain characters within and across phylogenetic groups (clades), and uses parsimony or likelihood to infer direction of change and distinguish ancestral features from independently evolved convergences. Unfortunately, an idealized cladistic approach is often difficult to realize because characters may be hard to identify and validate, key species may be unavailable for study, and broadly based comparative studies can be costly, poorly funded, and labor intensive. Thus, many investigators pursue a truncated approach that is superficially Clark-like but conceptually cladistic. A truncated approach that relies on the extensive study of a few species may compensate for weaknesses by including niche-matched species that offer the opportunity to estimate the likelihood of similar brain features evolving as convergent adaptations. Because inferences about the brains of the primate ancestor are often made from the brains of tree shrews, we compare the brains of squirrel-like tree shrews with the brains of diurnal squirrels, and suggest that many of the primate-like features of the visual system of tree shrews arose independently of those in primates.
In Defense of a Contextualized Suppositional Account of Conditional Credence

Conditional credence is an important concept in many areas of philosophy. However, little consensus has been achieved regarding to its semantics and ontology. In this thesis I shall sketch a contextualist suppositional account of conditional credence by drawing insights from two seemingly disjoint debates: the foundational debate on the relationship between conditional and unconditional probabilities, and the semantic debate on the relationship between conditional probability and probabilities of conditionals. I argue that, for a given pair of propositions A and B, the conditional credence one ought to have for B given that A P(B|A) may depend on contextual parameters like the way in which we mentally represent the extensions of as well as the stochastic relationships between A and B.
Definite streptococcus bovis endocarditis: characteristics in 20 patients.

OBJECTIVE To determine the specific characteristics of Streptococcus bovis infective endocarditis (IE) by reviewing our own experience of S. bovis IE. METHODS Twenty episodes of definite S. bovis IE were reviewed in 20 patients hospitalized from 1980 to 1996. RESULTS The mean age was 62 +/- 14 years, and 14 (70%) patients had no known predisposing cardiac condition. The principal antimicrobials used were penicillin G (N = 10) and amoxycillin (N = 8). Surgery was required in four (20%) patients. Neurologic complications occurred in eight (40%) patients, after initiation of therapy in six (75%) (mean time: 14 days). An unfavorable outcome was observed in four of 20 patients and tended to be more frequent in patients who had had neurologic complications (P = 0.10). Colonic tumors were present in 11 of 16 (69%) patients. CONCLUSIONS Advanced age, occurrence of IE on presumably normal valves, high rate of neurologic complications, associated gastrointestinal diseases and low mortality rate during initial follow-up are characteristic features of S. bovis IE observed in this study.
Engaging Students in Authentic Microbiology Research in an Introductory Biology Laboratory Course is Correlated with Gains in Student Understanding of the Nature of Authentic Research and Critical Thinking†

Recent recommendations for biology education highlight the role of authentic research experiences early in undergraduate education as a means of increasing the number and quality of biology majors. These experiences will inform students on the nature of science, increase their confidence in doing science, as well as foster critical thinking skills, an area that has been lacking despite it being one of the desired outcomes at undergraduate institutions and with future employers. With these things in mind, we have developed an introductory biology laboratory course where students design and execute an authentic microbiology research project. Students in this course are assimilated into the community of researchers by engaging in scholarly activities such as participating in inquiry, reading scientific literature, and communicating findings in written and oral formats. After three iterations of a semester-long laboratory course, we found that students who took the course showed a significant increase in their understanding of the nature of authentic research and their level of critical thinking skills.
Iliofemoral venous stenoses: effectiveness of treatment with metallic endovascular stents.

PURPOSE To assess effectiveness of metallic endovascular stents in treatment of venous stenoses and occlusions. MATERIALS AND METHODS Stents were placed intravenously in 56 patients (59 stenoses or occlusions) over a 6-year period. Stent sites included the inferior vena cava (n = 10) and common iliac (n = 31), external iliac (n = 46), common femoral (n = 27), and superficial femoral veins (n = 4). Indications for stent placement included stenoses from pelvic malignancy and its treatment; trauma, surgery, or pregnancy; and idiopathic stenoses. Patients underwent anticoagulation therapy for 3-6 months after stent placement. Follow-up was performed with duplex ultrasound. RESULTS With use of life-table analysis, overall primary and secondary 1-year patency rates were 50% and 81%, respectively. Primary and secondary 4-year patency rates were and 50% and 75%, respectively. Five patients died of primary disease progression within 6 months after stent placement. Major complications occurred in 6.8% of cases. One-year secondary patency rates were statistically significantly lower (P = .05) for patients with malignant disease, although primary patency rates were comparable. Overall sustained decrease in symptoms (P < .0001) was observed 1 year later. CONCLUSION Endovascular stent placement is a nonsurgical alternative for reestablishment of venous flow and sustained relief of symptoms in patients with malignant or benign pelvic venous disease.
Evaluation of canine serum for the presence of antiretinal autoantibodies in sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome.

OBJECTIVE To determine the presence of serum antiretinal antibodies in sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS) affected dogs and the size of the antigen to which these antibodies bind via the use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot immunoassays. ANIMALS STUDIED Serum was collected from 13 dogs affected by SARDS and five dogs with normal ocular examinations. PROCEDURES All serum samples were subjected to ELISA with saline-soluble canine retinal tissue and Western blot analyses with SDS solubilized normal canine retinal tissue as the antigen. Antirecoverin (23 kDa) and antiheat shock cognate (65 kDa) antibodies were used as positive controls for both procedures. Affinity-purified goat antidog IgG and IgM labeled with horseradish peroxidase were used for all clinical samples and goat antirabbit IgG was used as the secondary antibody for the positive controls. RESULTS ELISA demonstrated antibody reaction with all samples. Western blot immunoassays identified multiple bands in all canine serum samples, as well as in negative controls. Approximate sizes of the bands were 25 and 50 kDa, corresponding to IgG light and heavy chains, respectively. CONCLUSION No antiretinal autoantibodies were identified in the serum of dogs affected by SARDS as compared to normal canine patients.
Mutations in the Parainfluenza Virus 5 Fusion Protein Reveal Domains Important for Fusion Triggering and Metastability

ABSTRACT Paramyxovirus membrane glycoproteins F (fusion protein) and HN, H, or G (attachment protein) are critical for virus entry, which occurs through fusion of viral and cellular envelopes. The F protein folds into a homotrimeric, metastable prefusion form that can be triggered by the attachment protein to undergo a series of structural rearrangements, ultimately folding into a stable postfusion form. In paramyxovirus-infected cells, the F protein is activated in the Golgi apparatus by cleavage adjacent to a hydrophobic fusion peptide that inserts into the target membrane, eventually bringing the membranes together by F refolding. However, it is not clear how the attachment protein, known as HN in parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5), interacts with F and triggers F to initiate fusion. To understand the roles of various F protein domains in fusion triggering and metastability, single point mutations were introduced into the PIV5 F protein. By extensive study of F protein cleavage activation, surface expression, and energetics of fusion triggering, we found a role for an immunoglobulin-like (Ig-like) domain, where multiple hydrophobic residues on the PIV5 F protein may mediate F-HN interactions. Additionally, destabilizing mutations of PIV5 F that resulted in HN trigger-independent mutant F proteins were identified in a region along the border of F trimer subunits. The positions of the potential HN-interacting region and the region important for F stability in the lower part of the PIV5 F prefusion structure provide clues to the receptor-binding initiated, HN-mediated F trigger.
TRIM22 confers poor prognosis and promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition through regulation of AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling in non-small cell lung cancer

Expression pattern and biological roles of TRIM22 remains unknown in most human cancers. The present study aims to discover its clinical significance and function in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Immunohistochemistry was used to examine TRIM22 expression in 126 cases of NSCLC specimens. TRIM22 protein was upregulated in 70/126 (55.6%) non-small cell lung cancer tissues compared with normal lung tissue. TRIM22 overexpression was associated with advanced TNM stage, positive nodal metastasis and poor prognosis. Plasmid and siRNA transfection were performed in lung cancer cell lines. TRIM22 overexpression promoted proliferation, colony formation and invasion in A549 cells. While its depletion exhibited the opposite effects in H1299 cell line. TRIM22 overexpression promoted cell cycle progression through regulation of cyclin D1, cyclin E and p27. TRIM22 also changed the expression of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers including E-cadherin N-cadherin, Vimentin and Snail. Furthermore, TRIM22 activated PI3K/AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin oncogenic signaling pathways. Treatment with PI3K inhibitor LY294002 and β-catenin siRNA blocked the effects of TRIM22 on EMT in TRIM22-overexpressing cells. In conclusion,TRIM22 serves as an important oncoprotein and a promoter of cell proliferation and invasion through AKT/ GSK3β/β-catenin induced EMT in NSCLC.
Complete sequencing of an IncX3 plasmid carrying blaNDM-5 allele reveals an early stage in the dissemination of the blaNDM gene

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to perform molecular characterisation of the blaNDM plasmids and to understand the mechanism of its spread among pathogenic bacteria. Materials and Methods: Seventy-six non-repetitive carbapenem-resistant isolates which were collected during Nov 2011 to April 2013 from four hospitals in Chennai were analyzed for the presence of the blaNDM gene by PCR. Further, the genetic context of the blaNDM gene was analyzed by PCR specific to ISAba125 and bleMBL gene. One of the blaNDM plasmid was completely sequenced in the Illumina HiSeq platform. Results: Twenty-three isolates consisting of 8 Escherichia coli, 8 Klebsiella pneumoniae, 3 Klebsiella oxytoca, 3 Acinetobacter baumanii and 1 Pseudomonas aeruginosa were found to carry the blaNDM gene. In 18 isolates the blaNDM gene was associated with a bleMBL gene and the ISAba125 element. The complete sequencing of pNDM-MGR194 revealed an IncX3 replication type plasmid, with a length of 46,253 bp, an average GC content of 47% and 59 putative ORFs. The iteron region contained the blaNDM5 gene and the bleMBL , trpF and dsbC genes downstream and an IS5 inserted within the ISAba125 element upstream. Conclusion: This is the first report where the blaNDM gene insertion in a plasmid is not accompanied by other resistance gene determinants. These observations suggest that the IncX3 plasmid pNDM-MGR194 is an early stage in the dissemination of the blaNDM .
1-Sulfooxymethylpyrene is an electrophilic mutagen and ultimate carcinogen of 1-methyl- and 1-hydroxymethylpyrene.

1-Hydroxymethylpyrene and 1-sulfooxymethylpyrene were tested for complete carcinogenic activity by repeated s.c. injection in groups of 12 female Sprague-Dawley rats, respectively. A dose of 0.2 mumol of either 1-sulfooxymethylpyrene or 1-hydroxymethylpyrene was administered every other weekday for 20 doses (i.e., total dose 4 mumol) to each of 12 rats, beginning at 30 days of age. Once a week the rats were weighed then palpated for the appearance of tumors. Tumor-bearing rats were sacrificed 20-50 days after the appearance of first palpable tumor. By 52 weeks, 1-sulfooxymethylpyrene had induced sarcomas at the site of injection in 58% of the rats with an average induction time of 33 weeks. By contrast, 20, 0.2 mumol doses of 1-hydroxymethylpyrene failed to induce tumors at the site of injection in a group of 12 rats. Similarly, neither of the two control groups produced tumors. The present experiment, together with previous data, strongly supports the hypothesis that 1-sulfooxymethylpyrene is either itself an ultimate carcinogen or a direct precursor of an ultimate carcinogen, the highly reactive benzylic carbonium ion, which reacts with DNA to form aralkyl-DNA adducts in a chain of events leading to malignant growth.
Relationship between antibody to hepatitis B core antigen and retroviral infections in blood from volunteer donors

Background: The value of the test for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti‐HBc) as a surrogate screening assay in the time before sensitive, virus‐specific screening tests were available has been well established. There is significant debate, however about the residual value of anti‐HBc screening after the implementation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐, human T‐lymphotrophic virus (HTLV)‐, and hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐specific assays and, in particular, about its utility as a lifestyle marker to identify persons at risk for retrovirus infections.
The Effects of Physical Activity and Physical Fitness on Children's Achievement and Cognitive Outcomes

Abstract It is common knowledge that physical activity leads to numerous health and psychological benefits. However, the relationship between children's physical activity and academic achievement has been debated in the literature. Some studies have found strong, positive relationships between physical activity and cognitive outcomes, while other studies have reported small, negative associations. This study was a comprehensive, quantitative synthesis of the literature, using a total of 59 studies from 1947 to 2009 for analysis. Results indicated a significant and positive effect of physical activity on children's achievement and cognitive outcomes, with aerobic exercise having the greatest effect. A number of moderator variables were also found to play a significant role in this relationship. Findings are discussed in light of improving children's academic performance and changing school-based policy.
E-cadherin expression in surgically-resected non-small cell lung cancers--a clinicopathological study.

BACKGROUND E-Cadherin is a subclass of the cadherin family that plays a major role in the maintenance of intercellular junctions in normal epithelium. Decreased expression of E-cadherin might be closely related to invasiveness and dedifferentiation in human cancers. This study is aimed at investigating the clinicopathological significance of E-cadherin expression and its impact on the prognosis in surgically resected non-small-cell lung cancer patients. METHODS Using immunohistochemical staining, the expression of E-cadherin was studied in 207 surgically resected lung cancer specimens from January 1990 through December 1994. The clinicopathological data and survival status were recorded and analysed against the E-cadherin expression level in each tumor. RESULTS E-cadherin expression was detected in 122 of the 207 lung tumors (59.0%), and the expression was significantly lower in tumors with poor differentiation (p < 0.001), in tumors with vascular invasion (p < 0.05), and in tumors with direct invasion into surrounding structures (p < 0.01). There was no correlation between E-cadherin expression, and tumor stage and regional lymph-node metastasis. There was no significant difference in survival rate between higher (> 40%) and lower (< 40%) E-cadherin expression groups; however, in tumors 3 cm or less, a significant difference was found between higher and lower E-cadherin expressions (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Underexpression of E-cadherin is associated with poor differentiation and invasiveness in NSCLC. In patients with small NSCLC (< or = 3 cm), higher E-cadherin expression (> 40%) significantly had a favorable prognosis.
An inducible cytoplasmic factor (AU-B) binds selectively to AUUUA multimers in the 3' untranslated region of lymphokine mRNA

Considerable evidence suggests that the metabolism of lymphokine mRNAs can be selectively regulated within the cytoplasm. However, little is known about the mechanism(s) that cells use to discriminate lymphokine mRNAs from other mRNAs within the cytoplasm. In this study we report a sequence-specific cytoplasmic factor (AU-B) that binds specifically to AUUUA multimers present in the 3' untranslated region of lymphokine mRNAs. AU-B does not bind to monomeric AUUUA motifs nor to other AU-rich sequences present in the 3' untranslated region of c-myc mRNA. AU-B RNA-binding activity is not present in quiescent T cells but is rapidly induced by stimulation of the T-cell receptor/CD3 complex. Induction of AU-B RNA-binding activity requires new RNA and protein synthesis. Stabilization of lymphokine mRNA induced by costimulation with phorbol myristate acetate correlates inversely with binding by AU-B. Together, these data suggest that AU-B is a cytoplasmic regulator of lymphokine mRNA metabolism.
Leadership styles in nursing management: preferred and perceived.

AIM The aim was to explore nursing leadership regarding what nurse managers and subordinates see as important and to explore subordinates' opinions of their nurse manager's performance in reality. Background The manager's style can be fundamental for subordinates' acceptance of change and in motivating them to achieve stated visions and goals and high quality of care. METHODS Nurse managers (n=77) and 10 of each included nurse manager's subordinates received a questionnaire to assess 'preferred' leadership behaviour in three dimensions: change, production and employee/relation orientations. The same questionnaire was used to assess subordinates' opinions of their manager's leadership behaviour. RESULTS There are statistically significant differences in opinions of preferred leadership between managers and subordinates, especially related to production and relation orientation. The subordinates' perception of real leadership behaviour has lower mean values than their preferred leadership behaviour in all three dimensions. CONCLUSIONS Subordinates prefer managers with more clearly expressed leadership behaviour than managers themselves prefer and demonstrate.