Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Efficient Discontinuous Galerkin Finite Element Method for Highly Accurate Solution of Maxwell Equations

A discontinuous Galerkin finite element method (DG-FEM) with a highly accurate time integration scheme for solving Maxwell equations is presented. The new time integration scheme is in the form of traditional predictor-corrector algorithms, PE(CE)m, but it uses coefficients that are obtained using a numerical scheme with fully controllable accuracy. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed DG-FEM uses larger time steps than DG-FEM with classical PE(CE)m schemes when high accuracy, which could be obtained using high-order spatial discretization, is required.
ILLUMINATION INVARIANT STEREO MATCHING BASED ON NORMALIZED MUTUAL INFORMATION AND CENSUS METHODS

Stereo matching aims at finding corresponding pixels from two or more images where distance information is computed by triangulation. Due to different illuminations, intensities are not reliable to be used to search for corresponding pixels. In this paper, we propose a novel local matching method which is capable of dealing with illumination variations between cameras. This new method can distinguish pixels in the same window but with different disparities allowing for larger window to be used. Moreover, a more precise matching cost function is used to find the correspondence. The proposed method is compared with five other local stereo methods and is proven to be more robust and effective under various illumination conditions.
Use of ICT and Student Learning in Higher Education: Challenges and Responses

The use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Higher Education (HE) and the capabilities of the internet have added value to university teaching and learning. It has also tested the resolve of universities to maximise the benefits of technology integration amidst increasing class sizes, student expectations, cultural diversity and mobility of students. Understanding how students learn and devising appropriate student centred instruction and learning are considered essential to the successful implementation of ICT and allied technologies in teaching and learning. Supported by the findings of an empirical study conducted in an Australian university on student learning orientations and perceptions of course delivery, this article discusses the challenges faced by universities in the integration of technology in teaching for better learning outcomes. The study indicates that technology and learning contexts have a profound influence on student learning orientations of deep or surface learning and students seem to have mixed feelings about the impact of technology in teaching and learning. Use of ICT and Student Learning in Higher Education: Challenges and Responses
Deterministic clustering with data nets

We consider the K-clustering problem with the ‘ 2 distortion measure, also known as the problem of optimal flxed-rate vector quantizer design. We provide a deterministic approximation algorithm which works for all dimensions d and which, given a data set of size n, computes in time poly(K)(d=") O(d) nloglog n+(d=") O(Kd) a solution of distortion at most 1+" times optimal. The key tool is construction of a new kind of representation called a "data net". A variety of applications of this object are discussed.
Species‐specific engagement of human nucleotide oligomerization domain 2 (NOD)2 and Toll‐like receptor (TLR) signalling upon intracellular bacterial infection: role of Crohn's associated NOD2 gene variants

Recognition of bacterial peptidoglycan‐derived muramyl‐dipeptide (MDP) by nucleotide oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) induces crucial innate immune responses. Most bacteria carry the N‐acetylated form of MDP (A‐MDP) in their cell membranes, whereas N‐glycolyl MDP (G‐MDP) is typical for mycobacteria. Experimental murine studies have reported G‐MDP to have a greater NOD2‐stimulating capacity than A‐MDP. As NOD2 polymorphisms are associated with Crohn's disease (CD), a link has been suggested between mycobacterial infections and CD. Thus, the aim was to investigate if NOD2 responses are dependent upon type of MDP and further to determine the role of NOD2 gene variants for the bacterial recognition in CD. The response pattern to A‐MDP, G‐MDP, Mycobacterium segmatis (expressing mainly G‐MDP) and M. segmatisΔnamH (expressing A‐MDP), Listeria monocytogenes (LM) (an A‐MDP‐containing bacteria) and M. avium paratuberculosis (MAP) (a G‐MDP‐containing bacteria associated with CD) was investigated in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). A‐MDP and M. segmatisΔnamH induced significantly higher tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α protein levels in healthy wild‐type NOD2 PBMCs compared with G‐MDP and M. segmatis. NOD2 mutations resulted in a low tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α protein secretion following stimulation with LM. Contrary to this, TNF‐α levels were unchanged upon MAP stimulation regardless of NOD2 genotype and MAP solely activated NOD2‐ and Toll‐like receptor (TLRs)‐pathway with an enhanced production of interleukin (IL)‐1β and IL‐10. In conclusion, the results indicate that CD‐associated NOD2 deficiencies might affect the response towards a broader array of commensal and pathogenic bacteria expressing A‐MDP, whereas they attenuate the role of mycobacteria in the pathogenesis of CD.
Scalene and sternocleidomastoid activation during normoxic and hypoxic incremental inspiratory loading

The purpose of this study was to examine scalene (SA) and sternocleidomastoid (SM) activation during normoxic (norm‐ITL; FIO2 = 21%) and hypoxic (hyp‐ITL; FIO2 = 15%) incremental inspiratory threshold loading (ITL). Thirteen healthy participants (33 ± 4 years, 9 female) performed two ITL tests breathing randomly assigned gas mixtures through an inspiratory loading device where the load was increased every two minutes until task failure. SA and SM root mean square (RMS) electromyography (EMG) were calculated and expressed as a percentage of maximum (RMS%max) to reflect muscle activation intensity. Myoelectric manifestations of fatigue were characterized as decreased SA or SM EMG median frequency during maximum inspiratory pressure maneuvers before and after ITL. Dyspnea was recorded at baseline and task failure. Ventilatory parameters and mouth pressure (Pm) were recorded throughout the ITL. SA,RMS%max and SM,RMS%max increased in association with ITL load (p ≤ .01 for both). SA,RMS%max was similar between norm‐ITL and hyp‐ITL (p = .17), whereas SM,RMS%max was greater during the latter (p = .001). Neither SA nor SM had a decrease in EMG median frequency after ITL (p = .75 and 0.69 respectively). Pm increased in association with ITL load (p < .001) and tended to be higher during hyp‐ITL compared to norm‐ITL (p = .05). Dyspnea was similar during both conditions (p > .05). There was a trend for higher tidal volumes during hyp‐ITL compared to norm‐ITL (p = .10). Minute ventilation was similar between both conditions (p = .23). RMS,%max of the SA and SM increased linearly with increasing ITL. The presence of hypoxia only increased SM activation. Neither SA nor SM presented myoelectric manifestations of fatigue during both conditions.
Giant Cell Tumor of the Proximal Tibia: MR and CT Appearance

The magnetic resonance (MR) appearance of four cases of giant cell tumor (GCT) of the proximal tibia are described and the MR grading of these tumors is compared with CT and conventional radiography. Magnetic resonance showed the lesions to be well defined with respect to adjacent marrow and cortical bone. Homogeneous intermediate signal intensity or low signal within the tumors was seen on T1-weighted images. T2-weighted images showed mixed signal intensity with small “bright patches” of increased signal intensity in all four cases. No fluid levels were identified. Magnetic resonance was superior to CT and plain radiography in radiologic grading of the tumors. Computed tomography was superior in determining if cortical invasion was present. Intraarticular tumor extension was more accurately detected by MR and arthrotomography than CT. An MR manifestation of GCT of the proximal tibia is described which may be a common appearance of this tumor by this modality. Magnetic resonance is the procedure of choice in the radiologic grading of GCT.
Nematode communities in three types of grassland in the Slovak Republic

SummaryNematode communities were studied and compared in three different types of grassland throughout the Slovak Republic: new meadow (established during last 3 years), permanent meadow and permanent pasture. A total of 85 nematode species from 64 genera were found. The identified nematode species belonged mainly to the orders Tylenchida (31), Dorylaimida (22), and Rhabditida (12). The most abundant species were Helicotylenchus digonicus, Rhabditis spp. , Filenchus filiformis and Enchodelus macrodorus in new meadows, H. digonicus and E. macrodorus in permanent meadows and H. digonicus and Aporcelaimellus obtusicaudatus in permanent pastures. Plant parasitic nematodes were dominant in all investigated types of grassland, followed by bacterial feeders in new meadows and omnivores in permanent meadows and pastures. Maturity index (MI) and B/F depended with the age of grassland and thus with succession from newly established meadows to permanent meadows and permanent pastures. Nematode communities were more similar in permanent meadows and pastures than in new meadows and were also influenced by geographic condition.
ERK 1 / 2 signaling dominates over RhoA signaling in regulating early changes in RNA expression induced by endothelin-1 in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes

Background: Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy is associated with changes in gene expression. Extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) and RhoA [activated by hypertrophic agonists (e.g. endothelin-1)] regulate gene expression and are implicated in the response, but their relative significance in regulating the cardiomyocyte transcriptome is unknown. Our aim was to establish the significance of ERK1/2 and/or RhoA in the early cardiomyocyte transcriptomic response to endothelin-1. Methods/Principal Findings: Cardiomyocytes were exposed to endothelin-1 (1 h) with/without PD184352 (to inhibit ERK1/ 2) or C3 transferase (C3T, to inhibit RhoA). RNA expression was analyzed using microarrays and qPCR. ERK1/2 signaling positively regulated ,65% of the early gene expression response to ET-1 with a small (,2%) negative effect, whereas RhoA signaling positively regulated ,10% of the early gene expression response to ET-1 with a greater (,14%) negative contribution. Of RNAs non-responsive to endothelin-1, 66 or 448 were regulated by PD184352 or C3T, respectively, indicating that RhoA had a more significant effect on baseline RNA expression. mRNAs upregulated by endothelin-1 encoded a number of receptor ligands (e.g. Ereg, Areg, Hbegf) and transcription factors (e.g. Abra/Srf) that potentially propagate the response. Conclusions/Significance: ERK1/2 dominates over RhoA in the early transcriptomic response to endothelin-1. RhoA plays a major role in maintaining baseline RNA expression but, with upregulation of Abra/Srf by endothelin-1, RhoA may regulate changes in RNA expression over longer times. Our data identify ERK1/2 as a more significant node than RhoA in regulating the early stages of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Citation: Marshall AK, Barrett OPT, Cullingford TE, Shanmugasundram A, Sugden PH, et al. (2010) ERK1/2 Signaling Dominates Over RhoA Signaling in Regulating Early Changes in RNA Expression Induced by Endothelin-1 in Neonatal Rat Cardiomyocytes. PLoS ONE 5(4): e10027. doi:10.1371/journal.pone. 0010027 Editor: Dong-Yan Jin, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Received January 8, 2010; Accepted March 11, 2010; Published April 2, 2010 Copyright: 2010 Marshall et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Funding: A.K. M. , O.P.T.B and T.E. C. were supported by grants from the British Heart Foundation (FS/07/005, PG/07/074/23445, PG/07/018/22411). The work was also supported by the Fondation Leducq. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. * E-mail: a.clerk@imperial.ac. uk
Extensive mutagenesis of a transcriptional activation domain identifies single hydrophobic and acidic amino acids important for activation in vivo

C1 is a transcriptional activator of genes encoding biosynthetic enzymes of the maize anthocyanin pigment pathway. C1 has an amino terminus homologous to Myb DNA-binding domains and an acidic carboxyl terminus that is a transcriptional activation domain in maize and yeast cells. To identify amino acids critical for transcriptional activation, an extensive random mutagenesis of the C1 carboxyl terminus was done. The C1 activation domain is remarkably tolerant of amino acid substitutions, as changes at 34 residues had little or no effect on transcriptional activity. These changes include introduction of helix-incompatible amino acids throughout the C1 activation domain and alteration of most single acidic amino acids, suggesting that a previously postulated amphipathic alpha-helix is not required for activation. Substitutions at two positions revealed amino acids important for transcriptional activation. Replacement of leucine 253 with a proline or glutamine resulted in approximately 10% of wild-type transcriptional activation. Leucine 253 is in a region of C1 in which several hydrophobic residues align with residues important for transcriptional activation by the herpes simplex virus VP16 protein. However, changes at all other hydrophobic residues in C1 indicate that none are critical for C1 transcriptional activation. The other important amino acid in C1 is aspartate 262, as a change to valine resulted in only 24% of wild-type transcriptional activation. Comparison of our C1 results with those from VP16 reveal substantial differences in which amino acids are required for transcriptional activation in vivo by these two acidic activation domains.
Reducing voltage rating and cost of vehicle power systems with a new transient voltage suppression technology

Power electronics plays a critical role in modern vehicle systems. The voltage rating of vehicle power electronics is predominantly determined by the transient immunity requirement, which considerably exceeds the maximum operating voltages of the 14 V and 28 V vehicle power systems, and imposes a large cost penalty. In contrast, the emerging 42 V systems require a much improved bus voltage regulation to maintain system affordability. We discuss the feasibility of reducing the DC breakdown voltage requirement and subsequently the cost of various vehicle power systems by employing a new class of semiconductor transient voltage suppressors, termed MOSTVS. The MOSTVS, combining power MOSFET and polysilicon thin-film technologies, provides a much more accurately controlled clamping voltage than conventional Zener diodes and MOVs over a wide range of current and temperature. The MOSTVS can be used in the conventional alternator/rectifier/regulator configuration or the more advanced drivetrain motor/generator configuration. It is estimated that the cost of power semiconductor transistors and filter capacitors can be reduced by up to 70% if the voltage rating of the 14 V automotive system is reduced from 50 to 30 V. Similar benefits can also be achieved in the 28 V and 42 V systems.
Soccer highlights detection and recognition using HMMs

In this paper we report on our experience in the detection and recognition of soccer highlights in videos using hidden Markov models. A first approach relies on camera motion only, whereas a second one also includes information regarding the location of players on the playing field. While the former approach requires less information, the latter has proven to be more precise. Our experimental evaluation yields interesting results.
The Survey of the Buckling Effect of Laminated Plate under the Thermal Load using Complex Finite Strip Method

This article considers the positional buckling of composite thick plates under thermal loading . For this purpose , the complex finite strip method is used . In analysis of complex finite strip, harmonic complex function in longitudinal direction , cubic functions in transversal direction and parabola distribution of transverse shear strain in thickness of thick plate based on higherorder shear deformation theory are used . In given examples , the effect of angles of stratification , number of layers , dimensions ratio and length – to – thick ratio across critical temperature are considered. Keywords—Thermal buckling , Thick plate , Complex finite strip , Higher – order shear deformation theory.
Interstit ial Lung Disease in the Connective Tissue Diseases

The connective tissue diseases (CTDs) are a group of inflammatory, immune-mediated disorders in which a failure of self-tolerance leads to autoimmunity and subsequent tissue injury. Involvement of the respiratory system, particularly interstitial lung disease (ILD), is common and is an important contributor to morbidity and mortality. The CTDs in which ILD is most commonly observed include rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic sclerosis/ scleroderma (SSc), polymyositis (PM)/dermatomyositis (DM), Sjögren syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). When clinically apparent, CTD-associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD) most often presents with the gradual onset of cough and dyspnea, although rarely itmay presentwith fulminant respiratory failure. ILD may be the first manifestation of systemic rheumatic disease in a previously healthy patient. Before making a diagnosis of ILD, other causes of parenchymal abnormalities, such as drug toxicity oropportunistic infection,mustbe ruled out. Among patients with known CTD, subclinical
Mechanism of cyclosporin-induced tolerance to primarily vascularized allografts in miniature swine. Effect of administration of exogenous IL-2.

Indefinite tolerance to kidney allografts across a two-haplotype class I disparity can be induced in miniature swine in 100% of cases by a short course of cyclosporin A (CyA). Without CyA, all recipients reject kidney allografts within 2 wk. These animals therefore provide a unique opportunity to study the mechanisms of induction and maintenance of tolerance in a large animal model. Previous studies of cellular and humoral immunity suggested that a T cell help deficit at the time of the first exposure of the host's immune system to alloantigens was involved in tolerance induction. We have now studied the effect of exogenous T cell help in the form of an IL-2 infusion during both the induction and maintenance phases of tolerance. Lymphoid infiltrates were seen in class I mismatched renal allografts by day 8 in all animals whether treated with CyA or not. Administration of i.v. IL-2 on postoperative days 8, 9, and 10 to animals receiving the full CyA tolerizing regimen led to acute rejection in four of four animals. These rejecting animals showed induction of IL-2R expression on graft infiltrating cells in the kidney, suggesting that the infiltrates present before IL-2 administration were capable of causing rejection once T cell help was provided. Treatment with IL-2 did not abrogate long-term tolerance. Thus, limitation of T cell help at the time of first exposure to Ag in this model appears to be required to prevent rejection during the time required for active tolerance to develop. Once established, this tolerance does not appear to require continuous limitation of T cell help to be maintained, suggesting loss, inactivation, or suppression of the cells capable of causing rejection.
CD 4 ligation excludes the Carma 1-Bcl 10-MALT 1 complex from GM 1-positive membrane rafts in CD 3 / CD 28 activated T cells

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. CD4 ligation excludes the Carma1-Bcl10-MALT1 complex from GM1-positive membrane rafts in CD3/CD28 activated T cells. Maxime Rigo, Myriam Chentouf, André Pèlegrin, Thierry Chardès
Two chiral coordination polymers: preparation and X-ray structures of mono(4-sulfo-L-phenylalanine)(diaqua) zinc(II) and copper(II) complexes.

Hydrothermal treatment of 4-sulfo-l-phenylalanine (H2SPA) with Zn(OH)2 and Cu(OH)2 affords two novel 1-D chiral coordination polymers [Zn(SPA)(H2O)2]n (1) and [Cu(SPA)(H2O)2]n (2) as chiral supramolecular aggregates through strong hydrogen bonding of the sulfonate group. 1 also displays a strong second harmonic generation (SHG) response.
Essential amino acids and glutamine regulate induction of mitochondrial elongation during autophagy

Regulated changes in mitochondrial morphology and ultrastructure regulate several cellular processes, including apoptosis and, as we recently described, autophagy. Elongated mitochondria are spared from autophagic degradation and possess more cristae, where activity of the ATP synthase is increased, maintaining ATP levels in periods of nutrient depletion. Ultimately, mitochondrial elongation is crucial for cell survival during macroautophagy. Whether elongation is a widespread response to the lack of all nutrients, or if mitochondria respond differently to the presence of different ones is unclear. Here we show that mitochondrial shape responds differently to nutrients: elongation is inhibited when cells are starved in the presence of amino acids but not of glucose. Interestingly, starvation-induced mitochondrial elongation is a reversible process, but replenishment of amino acids is not sufficient to recover mitochondrial morphology after starvation. Intricate control pathways are likely to be in place to connect shape of the organelle with different energetic sources.
PCV chemotherapy for recurrent glioblastoma

The authors administered procarbazine, 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU, lomustine), and vincristine (PCV) to 86 patients with recurrent glioblastoma. There were three partial responses, but no complete responses. Median progression-free survival was 17.1 weeks and progression-free survival at 6 months was 38.4%. World Health Organization grade III/IV hematologic toxicity was common (25.6%), but nonhematologic toxicity was mild.
Serial In-network Processing for Large Stationary Wireless Sensor Networks

In wireless sensor networks, a serial processing algorithm browses nodes one by one and can perform different tasks such as: creating a schedule among nodes, querying or gathering data from nodes, supplying nodes with data, etc. Apart from the fact that serial algorithms totally avoid collisions, numerous recent works have confirmed that these algorithms reduce communications and considerably save energy and time in large-dense networks. Yet, due to the path construction complexity, the proposed algorithms are not optimal and their performances can be further enhanced. To do so, in the present paper, we propose a new serial processing algorithm that, in most of the cases, approximates the optimal number of hops (i.e., it requires n - 1 communications to traverse a network of n nodes). The extensive OMNeT++ simulations confirm the outperformance and efficiency of the proposal in terms of scalability and energy/time consumption.