Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hepcidin as a Biomarker of Impaired Renal Function in Rat Models for Chronic Allograft Nephropathy

Background To explore the use of hepcidin as a marker of impaired renal function in a rat model for chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN). Material/Methods Twenty-four models were developed and 20 models were included in this study, using Fisher (F344) rats (donors) and Lewis rats (recipients). Renal function tests were performed preoperatively and postoperatively. Hepcidin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and erythropoietin levels in serum and urine were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). To observe pathological changes in the kidneys, 10 rats each were sacrificed at 2 months and 4 months after surgery. Results After transplantation, the serum hepcidin and IL-6 levels increased, while urine hepcidin levels decreased. Erythropoietin levels showed a similar trend; all P<0.05. Serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen significantly increased post-operatively, with SCr positively correlating with serum hepcidin. Serum hepcidin positively correlated with IL-6 and negatively correlated with EPO. Histopathological results were consistent with CAN, after transplantation. Conclusions Hepcidin may be considered as a potential marker of impaired renal function.
Multi-Frequency Target Detection Techniques for DVB-T Based Passive Radar Sensors

This paper investigates the possibility to improve target detection capability in a DVB-T- based passive radar sensor by jointly exploiting multiple digital television channels broadcast by the same transmitter of opportunity. Based on the remarkable results obtained by such a multi-frequency approach using other signals of opportunity (i.e., FM radio broadcast transmissions), we propose appropriate modifications to the previously devised signal processing techniques for them to be effective in the newly considered scenarios. The resulting processing schemes are extensively applied against experimental DVB-T-based passive radar data pertaining to different surveillance applications. The obtained results clearly show the effectiveness of the proposed multi-frequency approaches and demonstrate their suitability for application in the considered scenarios.
Reducing Web latency with hierarchical cache-based prefetching

Proxy caches have become a central mechanism for reducing the latency of Web document retrieval. While caching alone reduces latency for previously requested documents, Web document prefetching could mask latency for previously unseen, but correctly predicted requests. We describe a prefetching algorithm suitable for use in a network of hierarchical Web caches; this algorithm observes requests to a cache and its ancestors, and initiates prefetching for predicted future requests if prefetching is likely to reduce the overall latency seen by the cache's clients. We introduce a novel cost-benefit model that allows us to judge the value of any cached or prefetched document, which we use to state a formal prefetching policy. Extensive simulations were run to judge the improvements offered by prefetching, and our approach is quantitatively compared to the method currently in use.
First Eocene bat from Australia

ABSTRACT Remains of a bat, Australonycteris clarkae, gen. et sp. nov., are reported from freshwater clays radiometrically dated at 54.6 million years old in southeastern Queensland, Australia. It is the oldest bat yet recorded for the Southern Hemisphere and one of the world's oldest. Previously, the earliest records for bats came from the Northern Hemisphere and were of Sparnacian age in Europe, Wasatchian in North America, and late early Eocene in North Africa. The North American Wyonycteris chalix, originally described as a latest Paleocene bat and as such the world's oldest, is re-examined. Its lack of key bat synapomorphies and overall morphology do not support the claim that it is a bat. Early bats probably entered Australia via Asia rather than South America, although their appearance in Australia predates the final breakup of Gondwana. The Australian fossils described here (a lower molar, upper premolar, edentulous dentary fragment, and part of a periotic) may corroborate the hypothesis that moder.
MAS measurements of the latitudinal distribution of water vapor and ozone in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere

We present measurements of the latitudinal variation of nighttime O3 and H2O in the mesosphere and (for O3) lower thermosphere obtained with the Millimeter-wave Atmospheric Sounder (MAS) instrument during the ATLAS 2 mission (8–15 April 1993). These are the first such measurements that have ever been reported. They indicate an O3 mixing ratio minimum at mid-latitudes in the upper mesosphere, with maxima in the tropics and at high latitudes. The H2O retrievals indicate H2O mixing ratios decreasing toward the poles in both hemispheres in the upper mesosphere. We also present measurements of the diurnal variation of O3 at southern mid-latitudes, at higher vertical resolution than has ever been reported previously. The results are generally consistent with previous measurements and modeling studies.
Bacterial lipopolysaccharide increases prostaglandin production by rat astrocytes via inducible cyclo-oxygenase: evidence for the involvement of nuclear factor kappaB.

This study was set to investigate the mechanisms through which bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulates prostaglandin (PG) production in rat astrocytes. Primary cultures of rat hypothalamic astrocytes were established. Cells were treated with LPS alone or LPS plus antagonists of various pathways, and the subsequent changes in cyclo-oxygenase (COX) activity were monitored by measuring a COX end product, PGE2, released into the incubation medium. It was found that (i) LPS produced a concentration-dependent increase in PGE2 release from astrocytes. The potency of LPS was significantly increased by the addition of serum into the incubation medium; (ii) after 24 h of incubation, inducible COX (COX-2) accounts for most of the LPS-stimulated PG production, as the latter was markedly reduced by dexamethasone and the specific COX-2 inhibitor NS 398; and (iii) nuclear factor kappaB appears to play a role in the activation of COX-2 induced by LPS, since certain inhibitors of this transcription factor were able to antagonize, at least in part, the effects of LPS on PGE2 release.
Resource Allocation Policy of Primary Users in Proactively-Optimization Cognitive Radio Networks

Cognitive radio (CR) as one of the most promising technologies to solve the problem of exhausting of spectrum resource, draws a lot of attention recently. However, for the highly intelligent wireless devices in the future, the assumption "CR devices introduce no interference to the primary users (PUs)" in traditional CR systems may do not exist anymore, due to that the devices are always trying to maximize their own reward, without considering the interference to the others. In this paper, the concept of proactively-optimization CR network is introduced to deal with this problem by enforcing ``punishment'' or ``penalty'' to illegal CR transmissions. Under the framework of proactively-optimization CR networks, with the reward function defined in this paper, the spectrum resource allocation decision making problem of primary users is modeled as a Markov decision process (MDP), and an optimal resource allocation scheme with the objective of maximizing the PU's reward is proposed. Furthermore, extensive simulation results show that the proposed scheme improves the reward significantly compared to the existing scheme.
Feature-Adaptive Frequency Domain Method to Representing 3D Medical Images

This paper proposes a novel variational dimension frequency domain method for feature-adaptive mesh Representation. The eigen functions given by the eigen decomposition of the Laplace-Beltrami operator are used to define Fourier like function basis to project the actual geometry of the mesh into the spectral space because of their geometry aware and orthogonal. But, low-pass filters based on Fourier-like methods cannot preserve the geometry feature very well. This paper propose an anisotrpic viewpoint to shove the problems. We extend 2D Fourier to 3D geometry model using eigen decomposition with respect to a geometry aware Laplace-Beltrami operator of mesh, extracting the 3D Fourier represent or, and use the analogous Fourier-like representers to represent mesh geometry. We give every vertices a geometry feature descriptor, defining feature-adaptive function bases with local supports, executing anisotropic spectral encoding to reconstruct geometry. As a result, the frequency localization of geometry feature is improved, and geometry shape will be preserved better. Moreover, the algorithm can get rid of various of noise in arbitrary mesh surfaces, and prevent the model from shrinking absolutely.
Cellular effects of extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields

Purpose: The major areas of research that have characterised investigation of the impact of extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields on living systems in the past 50 years are discussed. In particular, selected studies examining the role of these fields in cancer, their effects on immune and nerve cells, and the positive influence of these ELF fields on bone and nerve cells, wound healing and ischemia/reperfusion injury are explored. Conclusions: The literature indicates that there is still no general agreement on the exact biological detrimental effects of ELF fields, on the physical mechanisms that may be behind these effects or on the extent to which these effects may be harmful to humans. Nonetheless, the majority of the in vitro experimental results indicate that ELF fields induce numerous types of changes in cells. Whether or not the perturbations observed at the cellular level can be directly extrapolated to negative effects in humans is still unknown. However, the myriad of effects that ELF fields have on biological systems should not be ignored when evaluating risk to humans from these fields and, consequently, in passing appropriate legislation to safeguard both the general public and professionally-exposed workers. With regard to the positive effects of these fields, the possibility of testing further their efficacy in therapeutic protocols should also not be overlooked.
Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 and cyclin D1 compose a positive feedback loop contributing to tumor growth in gastric cancer

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways regulate multiple cellular functions and are highly active in many types of human cancers. Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is an upstream MAPK involved in apoptosis, inflammation, and carcinogenesis. This study investigated the role of ASK1 in the development of gastric cancer. In human gastric cancer specimens, we observed increased ASK1 expression, compared to nontumor epithelium. Using a chemically induced murine gastric tumorigenesis model, we observed increased tumor ASK1 expression, and ASK1 knockout mice had both fewer and smaller tumors than wild-type (WT) mice. ASK1 siRNA inhibited cell proliferation through the accumulation of cells in G1 phase of the cell cycle, and reduced cyclin D1 expression in gastric cancer cells, whereas these effects were uncommon in other cancer cells. ASK1 overexpression induced the transcription of cyclin D1, through AP-1 activation, and ASK1 levels were regulated by cyclin D1, via the Rb–E2F pathway. Exogenous ASK1 induced cyclin D1 expression, followed by elevated expression of endogenous ASK1. These results indicate an autoregulatory mechanism of ASK1 in the development of gastric cancer. Targeting this positive feedback loop, ASK1 may present a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer.
The solar dynamo

In this article I review the fundamentals of solar–dynamo theory. I describe both historical and contemporary observations of the solar magnetic field before outlining why it is believed that the solar field is maintained by a hydromagnetic dynamo. Having explained the basic dynamo process and applications of the theory to the Sun, I shall conclude by speculating on future directions for the theory.
Motion Correction Algorithms May Create Spurious Brain Activations in the Absence of Subject Motion

This paper describes several experiments that prove that standard motion correction methods may induce spurious activations in some motion-free fMRI studies. This artifact stems from the fact that activated areas behave like biasing outliers for the difference of square-based measures usually driving such registration methods. This effect is demonstrated first using a motion-free simulated time series including artificial activation-like signal changes. Several additional simulations explore the influence of activation amplitude and extent. The effect is finally highlighted on an actual time series obtained from a 3-T magnet. All the experiments are performed using four different realignment methods, which allows us to show that the problem may be overcome by methods based on a robust similarity measure like mutual information.
A multi-layer architecture for wireless sensor network virtualization

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have become pervasive and are used for a plethora of applications and services. They are usually deployed with specific applications and services; thereby precluding their re-use when other applications and services are contemplated. This can inevitably lead to the proliferation of redundant WSN deployments. Virtualization is a technology that can aid in tackling this issue. It enables the sharing of resources/infrastructures by multiple independent entities. This position paper proposes a novel multi-layer architecture for WSN virtualization and identifies the research challenges. Related work is also discussed. We illustrate the potential of the architecture by applying it to a scenario in which WSNs are shared for fire monitoring.
Heuristic Relay Node Selection Algorithm for One-Hop Overlay Routing

This paper reviews the characteristics of overlay networks and defines effective relay nodes that can improve the performance of interactive real-time applications. A heuristic relay node selection algorithm for overlay routing is proposed. The algorithm can find effective relay nodes for end-to-end links in an overlay network, and is scalable and robust due to its decentralization and randomization. Based on the simulation results, the algorithm is able to maintain a good performance when 40% end nodes in an overlay network encounter failures.
OCAL D ISTANCE ’ S N EIGHBOURING Q UANTIFICATION

Mobility is one of the basic features that define an ad hoc network, an asset that leaves the field free for the nodes to move. The most important aspect of this kind of network turns into a great disadvantage when it comes to commercial applications, take as an example: the automotive networks that allow communication between a groups of vehicles. The ad hoc on-demand distance vector (AODV) routing protocol, designed for mobile ad hoc networks, has two main functions. First, it enables route establishment between a source and a destination node by initiating a route discovery process. Second, it maintains the active routes, which means finding alternative routes in a case of a link failure and deleting routes when they are no longer desired. In a highly mobile network those are demanding tasks to be performed efficiently and accurately. In this paper, we focused in the first point to enhance the local decision of each node in the network by the quantification of the mobility of their neighbours. Quantification is made around RSSI algorithm a well known distance estimation method.
Journal of Graph Algorithms and Applications the Simultaneous Representation Problem for Chordal, Comparability and Permutation Graphs

We introduce a notion of simultaneity for any class of graphs with an intersection representation (interval graphs, chordal graphs, etc.) and for comparability graphs, which are represented by transitive orientations. Let G 1 and G 2 be graphs from such a class C, sharing some vertices I and the corresponding induced edges. Then G 1 and G 2 are said to be simultaneous C graphs if there exist representations R 1 and R 2 of G 1 and G 2 that are the same on the shared subgraph. Simultaneous representation problems arise in any situation where two related graphs should be represented consistently. A main instance is for temporal relationships, where an old graph and a new graph share some common parts. Pairs of related graphs arise in many other situations. For example, two social networks that share some members; two schedules that share some events, overlap graphs of DNA fragments of two similar organisms, circuit graphs of two adjacent layers on a computer chip, etc. For comparability graphs and any intersection graph class, we show that the simultaneous representation problem for the graph class is equivalent to a graph augmentation problem: given graphs G 1 and G 2 , sharing vertices I and the corresponding induced edges, do there exist edges E ⊆ V (G 1) − I × V (G 2) − I such that the graph G 1 ∪ G 2 ∪ E belongs to the graph class. This equivalence implies that the simultaneous representation problem is closely related to some well-studied classes in the literature, namely, sandwich graphs and probe graphs. We give efficient algorithms for solving the simultaneous representation problem for chordal graphs, comparability graphs and permutation graphs. Further, our algorithms for comparability and permutation graphs solve a more general version of the problem when there are multiple graphs, any two of which share the same common graph. This version of the problem also generalizes probe graphs. Finally, we show that the general version of the problem is NP-hard for chordal graphs.
A Design of Cloaking Region using Dummy for Privacy Information Protection on Location-Based Services

The setting algorithm of cloaking region using dummy which is proposed in this paper solves the problem which counts the building with duplication that exists in several cells of Privacy Grid by adding the building grouping item to the index structure of the existing Privacy Grid, and by increasing K value after searching the contiguous cells in the comer of each building, the exposure problem of private location information due to the minimum cloaking region setting of the existing GBC is solved. In addition, this paper reduces the searching time of K value by setting smaller cloaking region than Privacy Grid and GBC with dummy K before expanding cloaking region and strengthens the location information protection of users using dummy K.
An Approach to Use Cluster-Wide Free Memory in Virtual Environment

Memory and I/O intensive applications always use a huge amount of memory and the performance decreases quickly when memory pressure arises. With the development of high performance network and widely used in cluster, the latency of remote memory access is much less than that of disk operation. In this paper, we present an approach to let the VM (Virtual Machine) use cluster-wide free memory, which can overcome the limitation of physical memory by exploiting low-latency access to the memory of other nodes in cluster. This approach can reduce the execution time for memory and I/O intensive applications significantly by utilizing cluster-wide memory and increase the whole cluster utilization.
Prospective Evaluation of a Method for Estimating Ascending Aortic Pressure From the Radial Artery Pressure Waveform

Pressure wave reflection in the upper limb causes amplification of the arterial pulse so that radial systolic and pulse pressures are greater than in the ascending aorta. Wave transmission properties in the upper limbs (in contrast to the descending aorta and lower limbs) change little with age, disease, and drug therapy in adult humans. Such consistency has led to use of a generalized transfer function to synthesize the ascending aortic pressure pulse from the radial pulse. Validity of this approach was tested for estimation of aortic systolic, diastolic, pulse, and mean pressures from the radial pressure waveform. Ascending aortic and radial pressure waveforms were recorded simultaneously at cardiac surgery, before initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass, with matched, fluid-filled manometer systems in 62 patients under control conditions and during nitroglycerin infusion. Aortic pressure pulse waves, generated from the radial pulse, showed agreement with the measured aortic pulse waves with respect to systolic, diastolic, pulse, and mean pressures, with mean differences <1 mm Hg. Control differences in Bland-Altman plots for mean±SD in mm Hg were systolic, 0.0±4.4; diastolic, 0.6±1.7; pulse, −0.7±4.2; and mean pressure, −0.5±2.0. For nitroglycerin infusion, differences respectively were systolic, −0.2±4.3; diastolic, 0.6±1.7; pulse, −0.8±4.1; and mean pressure, −0.4±1.8. Differences were within specified limits of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation SP10 criteria. In contrast, differences between recorded radial and aortic systolic and pulse pressures were well outside the criteria (respectively, 15.7±8.4 and 16.3±8.5 for control and 14.5±7.3 and 15.1±7.3 mm Hg for nitroglycerin). Use of a generalized transfer function to synthesize radial artery pressure waveforms can provide substantially equivalent values of aortic systolic, pulse, mean, and diastolic pressures.
Energy efficient transmission scheduling for delay constrained wireless networks

In this paper, we address the problem of energy efficient packet scheduling in a wireless environment. We consider a wireless transmitter which is limited by its finite battery resource. Our objective is to design a transmission schedule that maximizes battery lifetime subject to some delay constraints. To achieve this, we exploit two previously unconnected ideas: (i) channel coding can be used to conserve energy by transmitting at reduced power levels over longer durations; (ii) electro-chemical mechanisms in batteries allow them to recover energy during idle periods. While the first idea favors extending transmission durations, the second idea requires the transmitter to be idle to allow for recovery. In other words, bursty packet transmissions interspersed with idle periods extend battery life. Therefore, a strategy which is based entirely on either one or the other idea is not optimal. We provide a framework to merge the two ideas. We consider two kinds of delay constraints, one a deadline constraint and the other an average delay constraint and show that energy aware scheduling strategies for both these scenarios can result in significant energy savings.
Using Shannon's recursivity to summarize forest structural diversity

One of the goals of research in forest ecology is the development of simple indices as “proxies” in order to assess biological complexity in forests (e.g., structural and compositional diversity in forest stands). Many indices have been proposed to quantify forest stand diversity, but a general agreement on their use is yet not reached. Information theory and indices based on it are well-developed tools in ecological research and can respond to these requirements. In this short note, the recent literature on forest structural assessment is briefly summarized; then, one of the main properties of Shannon's entropy, namely the “recursivity”, is proposed as a useful way for combining forest stand structure and species diversity into a single index.