Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Density‐focused Support Vector Data Description Method

In novelty detection, support vector data description (SVDD) is a one‐class classification technique that constructs a boundary to differentiate novel from normal patterns. However, boundaries constructed by SVDD do not consider the density of the data. Data points located in low density regions are more likely to be novel patterns because they are remote from their neighbors. This study presents a density‐focused SVDD (DFSVDD), for which its boundary considers both shape and the dense region of the data. Two distance measures, the kernel distance and the density distance, are combined to construct the DFSVDD boundary. The kernel distance can be obtained by solving a quadratic optimization, while support vectors are used to obtain the density distance. A simulation study was conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed DFSVDD and was then compared with the traditional SVDD. The proposed method performed better than SVDD in terms of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What are the Most Important Risk Factors for a Patient’s Developing Intraoperative Hypothermia?

Anesthesiologists attempt to maintain perioperative normothermia for surgical patients. We surveyed clinical anesthesiologists and physician researchers and asked them to prioritize risk factors for a patient to develop intraoperative hypothermia. The questionnaire included 41 factors associated with changes in patient temperature identified during a computerized literature search. We asked respondents to estimate the relative importance of each risk factor on a 10-point scale. The survey was mailed to two groups: 1) 180 anesthesiologists (n = 84 respondents) randomly selected from the 1999 American Society of Anesthesiologists Members Directory and to 2) 24 physician researchers (n = 12 respondents) in thermoregulation. Researchers rated the following to be the most important risk factors for hypothermia (in sequence): neonates, a low ambient operating room temperature, burn injuries, general anesthesia with neuraxial anesthesia, geriatric patients, low temperature of the patient before induction, a thin body type, and large blood loss. The results for the clinician group were similar, because the median differences between the groups’ results were two or fewer units for all items. The risk factors identified to be most important can now be further evaluated in clinical trials to develop a multivariate predictive tool for calculating a patient’s a priori risk for developing hypothermia.
Ethyl ent-15α-[(2-nitrobenzyloxy)methyl]-16-oxobeyeran-20-oate

In the title compound, C30H41NO6, the three six-membered rings adopt chair conformations and the stereochemistry of the A/B and B/C ring junctions are trans. The five-membered ring D adopts an envelope conformation, with the methylene C atom as the flap. The title compound was synthesized via esterification, Tollens reaction, 1,5-hydride shift from the natural tetracyclic diterpenoid isosteviol
Constraints on Large Extra Dimensions

Recently, new theories have been developed to solve the hierarchy problem (i.e. why gravity is so much weaker than electromagnetism). These theories use a higher dimensional spacetime. We review the theoretical framework of these scenarios, their implications in shortrange gravity and collider experiments, and finally their cosmological and astrophysical effects. We also place constraints on large extra dimensions by using presented experimental data.
From Unity to Wholeness

Abstract Everyday experience presents us with a world of ordinary objects, but philosophers struggle to devise a useful principle of composition that even comes close to generating just those composites we perceive the world to contain. This paper presents such a principle as a first step toward defending “object dispositionalism” as a theory of material objects. According to object dispositionalism, a plurality composes a whole just when it has the disposition to cause us to perceive a unity in the region it occupies and because it possesses features that in combination realize that disposition. Sections “Object dispositionalism” and “Object dispositionalism’s color counterpart” introduce object dispositionalism and argue it satisfies plausible desiderata for a theory of material objects extant views do not. Relying on cognitive psychologists’ research on object perception, sections “The disposition to what? ” through “The general mechanism” explicate the manifestation and basis of the causal power object dispositionalists propose is present wherever composition occurs. Sections “Why object perception researchers are realists” and “When we disagree” describe the perceivers with and conditions in which that causal power manifests and argues object-perception variation doesn’t undermine object dispositionalism’s status as a realist view.
VStorm: Video Traffic Management By Distributed Data Stream Processing Systems

Recent published work shows that Quality of Experience (QoE) has become one of the major concerns in the area of large-scale multimedia Internet services. Due to the significant increase of video traffic and continuously growing need of video quality experience, we need new management platforms for multimedia traffic. Recent studies propose a variety of solutions that address this challenge. However, due to the complexity of algorithms, these solutions require large amount of computational resources. On the other hand, we have also witnessed the emergence of large-scale distributed stream processing systems. These systems provide real-time results for nearly all types of data streams and computation in a massive scale. In this project, we explore the possibility of deploying distributed data stream processing (DSP) systems in a large-scale multimedia network with dynamically changing Internet resource. In this paper, we use a popular distributed stream processing system, Apache Storm to implement multiple frameworks proposed by recent published work. Simulation results on our frameworks show that implementing complex stream control strategy in DSPs can be efficient and flexible.
Propriétés de spin des états évanescents et effet tunnel dans les semi-conducteurs

On trouve sur la plateforme de theses en ligne Tel le resume suivant : On etudie les proprietes de spin des etats evanescents d'un semi-conducteur depourvu de centre d'inversion. La topologie particuliere des bandes evanescentes qui resulte de l'interaction spin-orbite est a l'origine d'un l'effet tunnel anormal. La nature meme du processus tunnel devient tres dependante de l'orientation cristallographique de la barriere. Deux cas typiques sont analyses : tunneling sous incidence oblique sur une barriere orientee selon la direction [001] et tunneling sous incidence normale au travers d'une barriere orientee dans la direction [110]. Dans le premier cas, un processus tunnel quasi-classique peut etre restaure de facon assez subtile et des effets de filtres a spin sont mis en evidence. Dans le second cas, la situation est particulierement originale. La notion de courant de probabilite, qui joue un role central, est reexaminee et les conditions de discontinuite aux interface de la derivee de la fonction d'onde sont etablies. Selon cette direction ou la levee de degenerescence de spin de la bande de conduction est maximum, il n'y a curieusement aucun filtrage de spin mais l'onde transmise subit un dephasage dont le signe depend de l'orientation du spin. On predit des effets de precession de spin autour d'un champ effectif complexe regnant dans la barriere. Ces resultats permettent de concevoir, par ingenierie spin-orbite d'heterostructures, des dispositifs tunnel resonnant capables de manipuler le spin.
Applications Based on PMU Technology for Improved Power System Utilization

Traditional security assessment approach - based on SCADA data and off-line studies conducted long in advance of real time operations - are becoming increasingly unreliable for real time operations. New technologies, which rely on accurate, high-resolution, real-time monitoring of actual system conditions using phasor measurement technologies, are needed to support the real-time operations. The purpose of these tools and systems is to monitor, assess, enable, automatically take the necessary control action to prevent or mitigate problems in real time. The proposed applications of phasor measurements will provide the real-time operating staff with previously unavailable yet greatly needed tools to avoid voltage and dynamic instability, and monitor generator response to abnormal significant system frequency excursions. The objective of this paper is to point-out benefits of using PMUs for selected real-time applications and present ongoing pilot projects and experience worldwide, and to give short and long term roadmap for future acts.
Influence of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) on Dimethoate Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is an ancient fruit of great medical interest and rich source of antioxidants. Pesticides as dimethoate play a crucial role in the occurrence many diseases in plants, animal and human. Therefore the ability of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) to alleviate hepatotoxicity induced by organophosphate pesticide dimethoate was investigated. Albino male rats were divided randomly into 4 groups and kept at 7 animals per group in an environmentally controlled condition for 6 weeks. The first group was served as a control group (basal diet), the second group fed on basal diet supplemented with 5% freeze dried pomegranate seeds, the third group fed on 20 ppm dimethoate contaminated diet and the last group fed on dimethoate contaminated diet supplemented with 5% freeze dried pomegranate seeds. The results revealed that administration of dimethoate caused high significant increased in liver functions: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities as well as lipid peroxide (malonaldhyde, MDA); on the other hand high significant decreased on glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), albumin and total protein were observed. However addition of 5% freeze dried pomegranate seeds significantly improved all previously mentioned parameters. These results indicate the dimethoate induced hepatotoxicity and highlight the protective effect of pomegranate seeds as a potential protective agent against dimethoate induced hepatotoxicity. This may be attributed to the powerful antioxidants (polyphenols, total phenols, and total flavonoids) which present in high levels in pomegranate as well as improving the immunity by activation of antioxidant enzymes GSH and GPx. Keywords—Pomegranate, organophosphate pesticides, dimethoate, liver toxicity, free radicals, antioxidants.
Dental erosion amongst 13- and 14-year-old Brazilian schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVES To assess the prevalence of dental erosion in a sample of 13- and 14-year-old Brazilian schoolchildren and to assess the relationship of dental erosion and socio-demographic characteristics. METHODS A convenience sample of 458 children (190 boys and 268 girls) from 14 schools in Três Corações, south east Brazil, was examined. Socio-demographic data were collected by self-completion questionnaires. RESULTS Dental erosion was observed in 34.1% of subjects, involving enamel only and showing a symmetrical distribution. The palatal surfaces of the upper incisors were the most commonly affected surfaces. Erosion experience was higher in boys; pupils from Government funded schools; those resident in rural areas and those from the high economic class, but none of these were statistically significant. CONCLUSION These data are the first to show that in a cohort of 13-14-year old Brazilian schoolchildren, approximately one third of those examined showed mild erosion, requiring clinical preventive counselling. No statistically significant association was observed between erosion, gender and socioeconomic factors.
Sonic hedgehog signaling pathway in normal and adenomatous pituitary

This work investigates for the first time the expression and the role of Sonic hedgehog signaling pathway in adult pituitary and in pituitary tumors. Shh is a signaling protein, important in regulating patterning and proliferation in the embryo and the adult. It has a crucial role in pituitary development and Shh deficient mice do not even have a rudimentary Rathke's pouch (the development structure that gives rise to anterior pituitary). This study reveals the presence of an active Shh pathway in the post-developmental pituitary gland, with major impacts on hormone secretion and cell proliferation. After embryonic development, Shh continues to be expressed in the normal adult pituitary, being mainly co-localized in corticotrophs. These cells express also the receptor Ptc2 and the Shh induced transcription factor Gli1, being so Shh-producing and Shh-responsive cells. Shh acts in an autocrine way inside corticotrophs, inducing a major stimulation of ACTH secretion in the normal rat pituitary and in the AtT-20 cell line. The Shh induced ACTH secretion effect is synergistic with CRH. Shh stimulation increases CRH-R1 levels, up-regulating so the response of corticotrophs to CRH. At the same time, Gli1 is not only activated by Shh, but also by CRH and PKA. Gli1 itself activates POMC-transcription and acts in parallel upstream to CREB and AP-1. A major increase in Shh protein levels is seen as a result of CRH stimulation. All these results put in evidence a multiple cross-talk between these two important pathways acting at different levels to insure the final ACTH stimulation. Other types of hormone-secreting adenohypophysial cells possess one of Shh receptors (Ptc1 or Ptc2) and the transcription factor Gli1, so they have an active Shh pathway. Shh produced in the corticotrophs is a signaling protein, so it diffuses and acts also in distance. Shh increases GH secretion from the rat pituitary somatotrophs and from the GH3 cell line, while the effect on Prolactin is not statistically significant. The Sonic hedgehog pathway is downregulated in pituitary adenomas. Screening of 55 pituitary tumors reveals that they have a significantly reduced expression of Shh and Gli1. Although Shh in the normal pituitary is secreted by corticotroph cells, all the Cushing tumors screened had no Shh expression at all. Cell culture experiments performed in the AtT-20 corticotroph cell line in vitro show that Shh reduces cell proliferation by 50% and this effect is partially reducible by Cyclopamine. So Shh maintains the low proliferative capacity of corticotrophs in the normal pituitary gland and its loss may be one of the factors leading to tumor progression. It is concluded that Shh is produced in the anterior pituitary gland, is a major stimulant of ACTH and GH secretion, acts synergistically with CRH, opposes corticotroph cell proliferation and is downregulated in pituitary adenomas.
Integrated Receiver Including Both Receiver Channel and TDC for a Pulsed Time-of-Flight Laser Rangefinder With cm-Level Accuracy

An integrated receiver that includes both the time-to-digital converter (TDC) and the receiver channel and is intended for a pulsed time-of-flight laser rangefinder with a measurement range of approximately 10 m has been designed and fabricated in a standard 0.13 mum CMOS process. The receiver operates by detecting the current pulse of an optical detector and producing a stop timing mark for the TDC by means of a leading edge timing discriminator. The TDC is used to measure the actual time interval between the start and stop pulses and the slew-rate of the stop pulse, to compensate for a walk error produced in the discriminator. The single-shot precision of the whole receiver is 250 ps for a minimum detectable signal, and its accuracy and power consumption are plusmn 37 ps with compensation within a dynamic range of at least 1:10,000 and less than 45 mW, respectively. The size of the die is 1300 mum times1300 mum including pads.
Synthesis of Conformal Phased Arrays With Embedded Element Pattern Decomposition

A novel embedded element pattern decomposition method is proposed to synthesize conformal phased antenna arrays. This method decomposes the embedded element patterns as a product of a characteristic matrix and a Vandermonde structured matrix. This Vandermonde matrix is composed of modes in the modal space at the sampling angles. Because the fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm can be used in the Vandermonde structure, the computational cost can be reduced tremendously. In addition to its computational efficiency, the proposed method is also applicable to the synthesis of a pattern with any mainlobe direction and optimized polarization. A modified particle swarm optimization (PSO) method is applied to optimize the weights of the modes. This method is demonstrated through a simulation of a 9-element conformal array. The results show the advantages of the new method in achieving a low peak side lobe, accurate mainlobe scanning, and low cross-polarization.
Quantitative analysis of the submandibular gland using computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the normal variation in size of the submandibular gland from computed tomographic (CT) scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS CT was performed parallel to the Frankfurt horizontal (FH) and mandibular (MP) planes in 130 subjects (64 men and 66 women) with healthy submandibular glands, six patients with sialoadenitis and four with masseteric hypertrophy. RESULTS The mean (s.d.) maximum cross-sectional area (MCSA) of the submandibular glands for FH was 324 (89) mm2 and for MP 364(101) mm2. There was a high correlation between individuals' right and left glands. There was no significant difference in the mean MCSA between the right and left, which varied by less than 10%. The mean (s.d.) volume of the gland was 8072 (2574) mm3. With a high correlation with mean MCSA in both scanning planes, the mean MCSA may be an indicator of the volume of the gland. MCSA increased significantly with body height, weight and body mass index, but decreased with age. The MCSA of the affected side in patients with sialoadenitis and masseteric hypertrophy was larger than both that of the normal side and the predicted values. CONCLUSION MCSA is a useful indicator of gland volume, and differences of greater than 10% between the two sides may be used in the diagnosis of submandibular gland disease.
Multiple reaction monitoring for robust quantitative proteomic analysis of cellular signaling networks

Although recent developments in MS have enabled the identification and quantification of hundreds of phosphorylation sites from a given biological sample, phosphoproteome analysis by MS has been plagued by inconsistent reproducibility arising from automated selection of precursor ions for fragmentation, identification, and quantification. To address this challenge, we have developed a new MS-based strategy, based on multiple reaction monitoring of stable isotope-labeled peptides, that enables highly reproducible quantification of hundreds of nodes (phosphorylation sites) within a signaling network and across multiple conditions simultaneously. We have applied this strategy to quantify temporal phosphorylation profiles of 222 tyrosine phosphorylated peptides across seven time points following EGF treatment, including 31 tyrosine phosphorylation sites not previously known to be regulated by EGF stimulation. With this approach, 88% of the signaling nodes were reproducibly quantified in four analyses, as compared with only 34% by typical information-dependent analysis. As a result of the improved reproducibility, full temporal phosphorylation profiles were generated for an additional 104 signaling nodes with the multiple reaction monitoring strategy, an 88% increase in our coverage of the signaling network. This method is broadly applicable to multiple signaling networks and to a variety of samples, including quantitative analysis of signaling networks in clinical samples. Using this approach, it should now be possible to routinely monitor the phosphorylation status of hundreds of nodes across multiple biological conditions.
Thermal Energy Harvesting Wireless Sensor Node in Aluminum Core PCB Technology

This paper reports the design of a self-powered telemetric wireless sensor node for temperature measurement. The device is realized with a conventional off-the-shelf thermoelectric generator as a power source. It is sandwiched between two aluminum core printed circuit boards (PCBs). One board is exposed to the heat source and has the role of a heat collector, whereas another one with the mounted low profile heatsink acts as a heat spreader. Electronic components of the node are placed on the inner surfaces of the boards. Implemented step-up circuitry is accommodated to achieve stabile cold boot of the node at a low temperature difference between its hot side and ambient (less than 15 °C), even when it is in thermally inefficient position. Operational autonomy of the node in the absence of the heat source is extended by 30% comparing with the common step-up circuitry implementation. The aluminum core PCBs provide node simplicity and compactness, with small overall dimensions.
Kinetic-based trapping by intervening sequence variants of the active sites of protein-disulfide isomerase identifies platelet protein substrates

Thiol isomerases such as protein-disulfide isomerase (PDI) direct disulfide rearrangements required for proper folding of nascent proteins synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum. Identifying PDI substrates is challenging because PDI catalyzes conformational changes that cannot be easily monitored (e.g. compared with proteolytic cleavage or amino acid phosphorylation); PDI has multiple substrates; and it can catalyze either oxidation, reduction, or isomerization of substrates. Kinetic-based substrate trapping wherein the active site motif CGHC is modified to CGHA to stabilize a PDI-substrate intermediate is effective in identifying some substrates. A limitation of this approach, however, is that it captures only substrates that are reduced by PDI, whereas many substrates are oxidized by PDI. By manipulating the highly conserved -GH- residues in the CGHC active site of PDI, we created PDI variants with a slowed reaction rate toward substrates. The prolonged intermediate state allowed us to identify protein substrates that have biased affinities for either oxidation or reduction by PDI. Because extracellular PDI is critical for thrombus formation but its extracellular substrates are not known, we evaluated the ability of these bidirectional trapping PDI variants to trap proteins released from platelets and on the platelet surface. Trapped proteins were identified by mass spectroscopy. Of the trapped substrate proteins identified by mass spectroscopy, five proteins, cathepsin G, glutaredoxin-1, thioredoxin, GP1b, and fibrinogen, showed a bias for oxidation, whereas annexin V, heparanase, ERp57, kallekrein-14, serpin B6, tetranectin, and collagen VI showed a bias for reduction. These bidirectional trapping variants will enable more comprehensive identification of thiol isomerase substrates and better elucidation of their cellular functions.