Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dengue Virus Evolution under a Host-Targeted Antiviral

ABSTRACT The host-targeted antiviral drug UV-4B reduces viral replication and promotes survival in a mouse model of experimental dengue virus (DENV) infection. UV-4B is an iminosugar that inhibits the α-glucosidase family of enzymes and subsequently the folding of glycosylated proteins, both viral and host. Here, we utilized next-generation sequencing to investigate evolution of a flavivirus under selective pressure by a host-targeted antiviral in vivo. In viral populations recovered from UV-4B-treated mice, there was a significant increase in the number of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous SNPs compared to findings in viral populations from vehicle-treated mice. The strongest evidence of positive selection was in the glycosylated membrane protein, thereby providing in vivo validation of the mechanism of action of an iminosugar. In addition, mutations in glycosylated proteins were present only in drug-treated mice after a single passage. However, the bulk of the other mutations were present in both populations, indicating nonspecific selective pressure. Together with the continued control of viremia by UV-4B, these findings are consistent with the previously predicted high genetic barrier to escape mutations in host-targeted antivirals. IMPORTANCE Although hundreds of millions of people are infected with DENV every year, there is currently no approved vaccine or antiviral therapy. UV-4B has demonstrated antiviral activity against DENV and is expected to enter clinical trials soon. Therefore, it is important to understand the mechanisms of DENV resistance to UV-4B. Host-targeted antivirals are thought to have a higher genetic barrier to escape mutants than directly acting antivirals, yet there are very few published studies of viral evolution under host-targeted antivirals. No study to date has described flavivirus evolution in vivo under selective pressure by a host-based antiviral drug. We present the first in vivo study of the sequential progression of viral evolution under selective pressure by a host-targeted antiviral compound. This study bolsters support for the clinical development of UV-4B as an antiviral drug against DENV, and it provides a framework to compare how treatment with other host-targeted antiflaviviral drugs in humans and different animal models influence viral genetic diversity.
Effects of voluntary ethanol intake on the expression of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV and on CREB expression and phosphorylation in the rat nucleus accumbens

To define the molecular basis of alcohol drinking behaviors, the effects of voluntary ethanol intake on the expression of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CaM kinase IV) and on the expression and phosphorylation of cAMP in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), central amygdala, and frontal cortex of rats were investigated. Voluntary ethanol intake significantly decreased the expression of CaM kinase IV and CREB phosphorylation but not of CREB, specifically in the shell of NAc. These changes were not observed in the core of NAc, central amygdala and frontal cortex. Mianserin treatment significantly attenuated ethanol intake and antagonized the voluntary ethanol-induced reduction in expression of CaM kinase IV and CREB phosphorylation in the shell of NAc. This is the first evidence to suggest that decreased CaM kinase IV-dependent CREB phosphorylation in the shell region of NAc may play a role in the reward mechanisms of alcohol drinking.
What Differentiates Chilean Niche Software Companies: Business Knowledge and Reputation

Chilean small software companies suffer a high mortality rate. Focus groups with 20 entrepreneurs and project managers from such companies shed light on what makes niche software companies more likely to survive. The extensive knowledge allowed by specializing in a niche increases the odds of success. Consequently, a company's improved reputation lets it better negotiate contracts and improve its financial situation.
Neural Correlates of a Decision Variable Before Learning to Perform a Match/Non-Match Task

The lateral prefrontal cortex plays an important role in working memory and decision-making, although little is known about how neural correlates of these functions are shaped by learning. To understand the effect of learning on the neuronal representation of decision-making, we recorded single neurons from the lateral prefrontal cortex of monkeys before and after they were trained to judge whether two stimuli appeared at matching spatial locations. After training, and in agreement with previous studies, a population of neurons exhibited activity that was modulated depending on whether the second stimulus constituted a match or not, which had predictive ability for the monkey's choice. However, even before training, prefrontal neurons displayed modulation depending on the match or non-match status of a stimulus, with approximately equal percentages of neurons preferring a match or a non-match. The difference in firing rate and discriminability for match and non-match stimuli before training was of comparable magnitude as that after training. Changes observed after training involved an increase in the percentage of neurons exhibiting this effect, a greater proportion of neurons preferring non-match stimuli, and a greater percentage of neurons representing information about the first stimulus during the presentation of the second stimulus. Our results suggest that the neuronal activity representing some match/non-match judgments is present in the lateral prefrontal cortex even when subjects are not required to perform a comparison and before any training.
Factor graph based detection schemes for mobile terrestrial dvb systems with long ofdm blocks

Este trabajo de tesis analiza el rendimiento de la segunda generacion de la television digital terrestre en escenarios moviles, y propone un algoritmo iterativo para la deteccion de la senal basado en grafos de factores con el fin de reducir la distorsion causada por la variacion temporal del canal y permitir asi recibir la senal de errores. El detector basado en grafos de factores propuesto es evaluado sobre un esquema de comunicaciones general BICM-OFDM en condiciones de canal propios de canales de broadcasting terrestres. Los resultados de simulacion presentados muestran la eficiencia del detector propuesto en presencia de frecuencias Doppler muy altas. En una segunda parte del trabajo de investigacion, el dectetor propuesto es incorporado a un esquema turbo junto con un decodificador LDPC, dando lugar a un diseno de receptor iterativo que presenta caracteristicas de diseno apropiadas para su implementacion en sistemas OFDM con longitudes de simbolo largas. Por ultimo, se analiza la implementacion del algoritmo propuesto sobre la cadena de recepcion de DVB-T2. Se presentan dos esquemas de recepcion que explotan la diversidad temporal y frecuencial presentes en la senal afectada por canales variantes en el tiempo, consiguiendo un compromiso razonable entre rendimiento, comprejidad y latencia.
EEG signal analysis using sparse approximations

Electroencephalogram (EEG) is physiological signal generated in the brain. Electroencephalography is a method to record the electrical activity of the brain in order to detect the abnormalities of the brain. However, EEG also detects the signals which are not originated from the brain called artifacts. This paper deals with the analysis and extraction of EEG signals in sparse representation using sparse algorithms Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (OMP) and LASSO. OMP is an iterative greedy algorithm which replaces optimization problem in each step of Matching Pursuit(MP), an earlier algorithm for solving sparse approximation problems by least squares minimization. LASSO is an optimization technique which involves regression analysis concepts. Sparse approximations are used in practical applications like feature extraction, Denoising, Inpainting etc.
Sistema não invasivo de monitorização da pressão arterial

O presente trabalho visa relatar as contribuicoes no desenvolvimento de um dispositivo capaz de medir a pressao arterial em tempo real de forma nao invasiva e de baixo custo, que possa ser empregado na pratica clinica. O equipamento completo proposto contem um sistema optico formado por um emissor e receptor de luz, uma bolsa pneumatica ( cuff ), um sistema de pressurizacao externa, um transdutor de pressao, circuitos eletronico para acondicionamento de sinal vindo do receptor de luz e do transdutor de pressao, controle do compressor de ar e plataforma microcontrolada para a automacao do dispositivo e visualizacao grafica da pressao arterial. Como contribuicao especifica pode-se citar o projeto e implementacao do sistema de controle do compressor de ar de acordo do sinal obtido pelo sistema optico. A primeira etapa do projeto foi o estudo e projeto de um circuito para obter um sinal eletrico correspondente a variacao do volume sanguineo, denominado de circuito plestimografio. O sinal possui padrao periodico caracteristico, documentado na literatura cientifica [Morgan, 2010] e obtido com exito neste trabalho. O compressor deve inflar o cuff localizado no dedo do paciente. Para saber se o processo de enchimento na bolsa pneumatica estava correto, o sinal adquirido pelo circuito plestimografico deve ser praticamente constante em funcao do tempo. Neste estagio, e possivel inferir de forma adequada a pressao arterial [Bartels, 2016]. Um sistema eletronico analogico foi desenvolvido para analisar a frequencia do sinal do sistema optico. O principal componente deste sistema e um conversor frequencia - tensao. Portanto, a tensao de saida neste circuito deve ser proxima de zero no instante em que o cuff esta inflado de forma correta. A partir do resultado obtido, o programa residente da plataforma microcontrolada possui um algoritmo de controle proporcional – integral (PI) que atua no compressor para manter o cuff inflado de forma adequada. Os resultados preliminares mostraram-se satisfatorio. Foi realizado o projeto do circuito plestimografio, com a correta obtencao do sinal caracteristico do fluxo sanguineo. O sistema eletronico apresentou desempenho preciso para monitor a frequencia do sinal adquirido do circuito plestimografico. O programa residente do microcontrolador possui um algoritmo de controle PID que funciona de acordo com as especificacoes de projeto. Desta forma, conclui-se que o sistema de controle do compressor de ar funciona de forma adequada. Como trabalhos futuros pode-se citar a implementacao das demais etapas que compoem o sistema de monitoracao de pressao arterial nao invasivo e de baixo custo.
Nonlinear Dynamics of a Locally-Active Memristor

This work elucidates some aspects of the nonlinear dynamics of a thermally-activated locally-active memristor based on a micro-structure consisting of a bi-layer of Nb2O5 and Nb2Ox materials. Through application of techniques from the theory of nonlinear dynamics to an accurate and simple mathematical model for the device, we gained a deep insight into the mechanisms at the origin of the emergence of local activity in the memristor. This theoretical study sets a general constraint on the biasing arrangement for the stabilization of the negative differential resistance effect in locally active memristors and provides a theoretical justification for an unexplained phenomenon observed at HP labs. As proof-of-principle, the constraint was used to enable a memristor to induce sustained oscillations in a one port cell. The capability of the oscillatory cell to amplify infinitesimal fluctuations of energy was theoretically and experimentally proved.
Lagrangian acceleration statistics in a turbulent channel flow

Lagrangian acceleration statistics in a fully developed turbulent channel flow at $Re_\tau = 1440$ are investigated, based on tracer particle tracking in experiments and direct numerical simulations. The evolution with wall distance of the Lagrangian velocity and acceleration time scales is analyzed. Dependency between acceleration components in the near-wall region is described using cross-correlations and joint probability density functions. The strong streamwise coherent vortices typical of wall-bounded turbulent flows are shown to have a significant impact on the dynamics. This results in a strong anisotropy at small scales in the near-wall region that remains present in most of the channel. Such statistical properties may be used as constraints in building advanced Lagrangian stochastic models to predict the dispersion and mixing of chemical components for combustion or environmental studies.
The role of symmetry features in connectionist pattern recognition

An investigation has been made into symmetry features of patterns as a means by which the patterns are described, or with which they are transformed prior to classification in order to assist a pattern recognition system.There are two main points of departure from existing symmetry use in the pattern recognition domain. The first is the adoption of the theory that patterns can be categorised solely using a map of the symmetry features that exist within the static pattern. The second is the application of symmetry transforms to aid non-trivial recognition in patterns which are not intended to be perfectly symmetrical.An experiment is conducted to classify the reflectional symmetry features of digits, using the Generalised Symmetry Transform to produce the features and Probabilistic Neural Networks to perform the classification. Symmetry feature information is also used to define parameters of affine transformations to achieve improved performance in tolerance to variances in position and orientation.The results lead to an investigation of the role of asymmetry. The Generalised Symmetry Transform is modified to produce two related transforms: the Generalised Asymmetry Transform and the Generalised Asymmetry and Symmetry Transform.Finally, a new symmetry transform is proposed which separates the factors affecting the degree of symmetry in an image into three non-linear functions of corresponding pairs of pixels. These factors are: the colour intensity values; the pixel orientations; and the respective distance between the point and potential reflection plane. The strictness of symmetry, or tolerance to non-symmetrical artifacts, is defined in variable parameters which are set to suit the desired application. This new transform is called the Reflectional Symmetry Transform. The structure of its input and output match those of the Generalised Symmetry Transform, which it is intended to replace.
A Process Approach for Capability Identification and Management

Enterprises reach their goals by implementing strategies. Successful strategy implementation is affected by challenges that an enterprise has to face and overcome. Enterprises require specific capabilities in order to be able to implement strategies in an effective way and achieve desired results. The demand for a systematic capability management approach is thus growing. This paper introduces a general process for identifying, improving, and maintaining capabilities in an enterprise. This process is based on an integrated capability approach that results from a number of investigations performed over the past years. Comprised of four building blocks, the capability management process represents a flexible engineering approach for capability catalog developers and designers.
A comparison of Bayesian spatial models for disease mapping

With the advent of routine health data indexed at a fine geographical resolution, small area disease mapping studies have become an established technique in geographical epidemiology. The specific issues posed by the sparseness of the data and possibility for local spatial dependence belong to a generic class of statistical problems involving an underlying (latent) spatial process of interest corrupted by observational noise. These are naturally formulated within the framework of hierarchical models, and over the past decade, a variety of spatial models have been proposed for the latent level(s) of the hierarchy. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of the main classes of such models that have been used for disease mapping within a Bayesian estimation paradigm, and report a performance comparison between representative models in these classes, using a set of simulated data to help illustrate their respective properties. We also consider recent extensions to model the joint spatial distribution of multiple disease or health indicators. The aim is to help the reader choose an appropriate structural prior for the second level of the hierarchical model and to discuss issues of sensitivity to this choice.
Vision-based traffic surveys in urban environments

Abstract. This paper presents a state-of-the-art, vision-based vehicle detection and type classification to perform traffic surveys from a roadside closed-circuit television camera. Vehicles are detected using background subtraction based on a Gaussian mixture model that can cope with vehicles that become stationary over a significant period of time. Vehicle silhouettes are described using a combination of shape and appearance features using an intensity-based pyramid histogram of orientation gradients (HOG). Classification is performed using a support vector machine, which is trained on a small set of hand-labeled silhouette exemplars. These exemplars are identified using a model-based preclassifier that utilizes calibrated images mapped by Google Earth to provide accurately surveyed scene geometry matched to visible image landmarks. Kalman filters track the vehicles to enable classification by majority voting over several consecutive frames. The system counts vehicles and separates them into four categories: car, van, bus, and motorcycle (including bicycles). Experiments with real-world data have been undertaken to evaluate system performance and vehicle detection rates of 96.45% and classification accuracy of 95.70% have been achieved on this data.
Anatomic genomics: Systems of genes supporting the biology of systems

This essay lays the groundwork for the concept that “anatomy” in the new millennium will be a subject that is increasingly based on understanding the parallel relationships between systems of genes on chromosomes and the structures defined by these genes. The concept of Anatomic Genomics is introduced in terms of systems of genes on chromosomes, which actually mirror the biology of anatomically defined systems. A case is made for the possibility that genomes may be structured in ways that make local but not necessarily global sense. In the new millennium, systems biologists have the opportunity to be the creators and purveyors of this new anatomy. Anat Rec 259:1–2, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Broadband waveguide monopulse comparator at X-band

This paper presents Broadband Waveguide Monopulse Comparator at X-Band based on E-H plane tees (Hybrid tee). The proposed monopulse comparator Sum and Difference signals generated by using combination of four hybrid tee. The measurement results of the proposed comparator demonstrate amplitude imbalance is within 0.4 dB for Sum port and 0.42 dB for Difference Elevation port and 0.22 dB for Difference Azimuth port and phase imbalance within 3.3 degree for Sum port and 2 degree for Difference port, VSWR less than 1.17 for Sum port and less than 1.32 for Difference port, isolation between Sum and Difference port better than 35 dB at the frequency range from 8.5 GHz to 9.6 GHz. Compared to other monopulse comparator, the proposed monopulse comparator exhibits wide bandwidth and better isolation characteristics by using specially designed stepped cone matching element, incorporated in hybrid tees.
A Comparative Study of Dynamic Software Product Line Solutions for Building Self-Adaptive Systems

Modern systems need to able to self-adapt to changing user needs and system environments. Examples of systems that demand self-adaptive capabilities include mobile devices applications that should deal with environmental changes and service-oriented systems that should replace unreliable services on-the-fly. In this context, dynamic software product line (DSPL) is an engineering approach for developing self-adaptive systems based on commonalities and variabilities for a family of similar systems. However, researchers have reported that many DSPL solutions fail to meet all the system’s adaptability requirements, and in many cases, they are developed in ad hoc manner. This paper surveys various DSPL solutions, evaluates and compares their different design strategies. A two-dimension taxonomy is specified to address basic technical issues for a given DSPL proposal. The DSPL dimension classifies the different design choices for implementing variability schemes, and for creating different kinds of feature models. The Selfadaptation dimension classifies the different design choices for the adaptation requirements and for the MAPE-K control loop implementation. Practical issues and difficulties are summarized, major trends in actual DSPL proposals are identified.
Decision support in acute abdominal pain using an expert system for different knowledge bases

This paper describes a knowledge-based system for the diagnosis of acute abdominal pain, in which scores and rule sets are integrated. The system is linked to a documentation program via a medical data dictionary and allows an on-line application of knowledge modules to clinical data. Different rule sets were generated by automatic rule generation (C4.5) from a prospective database. The rule sets and two published diagnostic scores were evaluated on a test set, resulting in a diagnostic accuracy of 57% for a general knowledge module and between 44 and 88% for specific knowledge modules. The program is fully functioning and has been evaluated carefully in 14 German hospitals.
Formation stability analysis of unmanned multi-vehicles under interconnection topologies

In this paper, the overall formation stability of an unmanned multi-vehicle is mathematically presented under interconnection topologies. A novel definition of formation error is first given and followed by the proposed formation stability hypothesis. Based on this hypothesis, a unique extension–decomposition–aggregation scheme is then employed to support the stability analysis for the overall multi-vehicle formation under a mesh topology. It is proved that the overall formation control system consisting of N number of nonlinear vehicles is not only asymptotically stable, but also exponentially stable in the sense of Lyapunov within a neighbourhood of the desired formation. This technique is shown to be applicable for a mesh topology but is equally applicable for other topologies. A simulation study of the formation manoeuvre of multiple Aerosonde UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), in 3-D space, is finally carried out verifying the achieved formation stability result.
Antenatal diagnosis of placenta accreta: a review

The incidence of placenta accreta should rise steadily over the next century as the frequency of Cesarean sections and advanced maternal age, both independent risk factors, increases. Patients who are at risk should be identified before an ultrasound examination and the characteristic findings searched for. In the first trimester, these include a low‐lying sac that appears to be attached to the anterior wall of the uterus. As early as 16 weeks irregular vascular sinuses appear, which have turbulent flow within. The bladder wall may appear interrupted or have small bulges of the placenta into the bladder space. Absence of the normal echolucent space between the placenta and myometrium is not a reliable sign by itself, since this space may be absent in normal patients with an anterior placenta. Color Doppler will show that some of the placental sinuses traverse the uterine wall. Magnetic resonance imaging has not yet been shown to aid in the diagnosis, but in the future, with improvement of resolution and shortened sequences, it should be particularly useful in identifying the patients that have placenta percreta. Copyright © 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.