Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CALRETICULIN DOWNREGULATION IS ASSOCIATED WITH FGF-2-INDUCED ANGIOGENESIS THROUGH CALCINEURIN PATHWAY IN ISCHEMIC MYOCARDIUM

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) plays an integral role in therapeutic angiogenesis associated with myocardial infarct healing. Calcium (Ca2+) is one of the most universal important signaling molecules that affect cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Calreticulin (CRT), a 46-kd Ca2+-binding chaperone found mainly in the endoplasmic reticulum, plays an important role in regulating calcium homeostasis. The role of CRT in FGF-2-induced angiogenesis and its signaling pathways in ischemic myocardium are not clear. For this study, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry were used to analyze CRT's differential expression in myocardial microvascular endothelial cells treated with or without FGF-2. Western blotting analysis was used to detect the expression of CRT and calcineurin (CaN) in sham-operated, FGF-2-, or saline intramyocardially injected myocardium. It is found that FGF-2 induced angiogenesis after sustained ischemia with downregulation of CRT expression and upregulation of CaN expression in myocardium. The CRT expression was negatively correlated to angiogenesis. Furthermore, overexpression of CRT or inhibition of CaN with cyclosporine A abolishes FGF-2-induced microvascular endothelial cells proliferation and CaN expression. The results indicate that intramyocardial administration of FGF-2 decreases myocardial CRT expression in parallel with myocardial angiogenesis in ischemic myocardium. The study further indicates that Ca2+/CaN signaling pathway may be involved in CRT-related angiogenesis.Abbreviations - 2-DE-two-dimensional gel electrophoresis; CRT-calreticulin; CaN-calcineurin; ER-endoplasmic reticulum; FGF-2-fibroblast growth factor 2; HR-heart rate; MALDI-MS-matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry; MECs-microvascular endothelial cells; SMCs-smooth muscle cells; TTC-triphenyltetrazolium chloride
Handling the complexity of BGP: via characterization, testing and configuration management

Even today, given the widespread usage and critical importance of the Internet, its basic routing protocols such as the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) are poorly understood. This is in part an artifact of the complex interactions that arise from a distributed system that is administered locally to achieve a global task: reachability. In another part it has its origin in the fact that inter-domain routing policies of autonomous systems (ASes) often undergo constant adjustments for reasons of traffic engineering and/or to address specific customer wishes, an error prone approach. In this thesis we address these problems in multiple ways: The problem of policy configurations by developing a system that allows us to manage the overall routing architecture rather than each individual router. With this we raise the abstraction level from individual BGP configuration statements to an AS-wide routing policy. The richness of policy expressions leads to complex interactions and dynamics that can be observed throughout the Internet. We present a methodology that helps operators to detect problematic routing conditions, and we discuss how to identify that AS which is responsible for an instability. While we find that some of todays routing issues are stemming from protocol interactions, others are coming from router software/hardware problems that should have been detected in a test-lab before deployment in the operational network. We describe a BGP workload generator that can help in a wide variety of equipment testing. We illustrate the capabilities of the tool by showing how complex tests can be instantiated, without of losing the test engineer in the intricacies of the test setup.
An adaptive predictive controller based-on ARX-DIPLS model

An adaptivelpredictive control method based on ARX-DIPLS model is proposed to deal with the problem associates with model mismatch. The ARX-DIPLS modeling method makes use of the partial least squares to build the latent variable space, where an explicit dynamic inner model is given and kept consistent with the outer model at the same time. Therefore, collinearity between input and output can be eliminated and reliability of predictive model is guaranteed. Based on the inner model, an adaptive predictive controller with online updating of inner and outer model parameters is designed for achieving satisfactory control performance in the presence of plant-model mismatch. Simulating studies with the quadruple tank process verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.
The Open University ’ s repository of research publications and other research outputs A dynamic analysis of why learners develop a preference for autonomous learners in computer-mediated communication

A large number of studies in CMC have assessed how social interaction, processes and learning outcomes are intertwined. The present research explores how the degree of self-determination of learners, that is the motivational orientation of a learner, influences the communication and interaction patterns in an online PBL environment. Given the complexity of CMC, we expected that autonomous learners would be more willing to contribute to cognitive discourse. In time, we expected that control-oriented learners would develop a preferential attachment to contribute to discourse from autonomous learners. Data was gathered from 37 autonomous and 39 control-oriented learners who posted 1669 messages. Using a dynamic multi-method approach of content analysis of cognitive and social discourse, social network analysis, and measures of academic motivation, we find some preliminary evidence that motivational orientation influences communication and social interaction patterns amongst learners. From the beginning, most control-oriented learners develop a preference to connect to and communicate with autonomous learners, although a separate team-analysis indicates that group dynamics also influence how learners develop
The DIST-Hand , an Anthropomorphic , Fully Sensorized Dexterous Gripper

This paper describes the features of the DIST-Hand dexterous gripper. The DIST-Hand is a mechanism constituted by fingers with 16 degrees of freedom and with a high degree of dexterity, designed for experiments in the area of grasping control, and Tele-manipulation. The current version of the gripper lightweight and can be easily installed on a various existing robots. Moreover we present solutions concerning the control of a device oriented to the fine manipulation and the development of a novel prototype of an integrated force and tactile sensor based on conductive rubber.
Iterative group detection and decoding for large MIMO systems

Recently, a variety of reduced complexity soft-in soft-output detection algorithms have been introduced for iterative detection and decoding (IDD) systems. However, it is still challenging to implement soft-in soft-output detectors for MIMO systems due to heavy burden in computational complexity. In this paper, we propose a soft detection algorithm for MIMO systems which performs close to the full dimensional joint detection, yet offers significant complexity reduction over the existing detectors. The proposed algorithm, referred to as soft-input soft-output successive group (SSG) detector, detects a subset of symbols (called a symbol group) successively using a deliberately designed preprocessing to suppress the inter-group interference. In fact, the proposed preprocessor mitigates the effect of the interfering symbol groups successively using a priori information of the undetected groups and a posteriori information of the detected groups. Simulation results on realistic MIMO systems demonstrate that the proposed SSG detector achieves considerable complexity reduction over the conventional approaches with negligible performance loss.
Enhancement of the peripheral sensitivity to growth hormone in adults with GH deficiency.

OBJECTIVE Adults with severe GH deficiency (GHD) need recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) replacement to restore body composition, structure functions and metabolic abnormalities. The optimal rhGH dose for replacement has been progressively reduced to avoid side effects. The aim of the present study was to define the minimal rhGH dose able to increase both IGF-I and IGF binding protein (BP)-3 levels in GHD and to verify the possible change in GH sensitivity. DESIGN AND PATIENTS To this goal, we studied the effect of 4-day treatment with 3 rhGH doses (1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 microg/kg/day) on IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels in 25 panhypopituitary adults with severe GHD (12 males and 13 females, age: 44.5+/-3.0 years, body mass index (BMI): 27.0+/-0.9 kg/m(2)) and 21 normal young adult volunteers (NV, 12 males and 9 females, age: 30.5+/-2.0 years, BMI: 20.8+/-0.5 kg/m(2)). RESULTS Basal IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels in GHD were lower (P<0.001) than in NV. In NV the 1.25 microg/kg dose of rhGH did not modify IGF-I levels. The dose of 2.5 microg/kg rhGH significantly increased IGF-I levels in men (P<0.001) but not in women, while the 5.0 microg/kg dose increased IGF-I levels in both sexes (P<0.001). IGFBP-3 levels were not modified by any of the administered rhGH doses. In GHD patients, all rhGH doses increased IGF-I levels 12 h after both the first (P<0.01) and the fourth rhGH dose (P<0.001). At the end of treatment percentage increases in IGF-I were higher (P<0.001) in GHD patients than in NV. In contrast with NV, in GHD patients the IGF-I response to short-term stimulation with rhGH was independent of gender. Moreover, GHD patients showed increases in IGFBP-3 after the fourth administration of both 2.5 and 5.0 microg/kg rhGH. CONCLUSION The results of the present study demonstrate that the minimal rhGH dose able to increase IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels in GHD patients is lower than in normal subjects, at least after a very short treatment. This evidence suggests an enhanced peripheral GH sensitivity in GH deprivation.
An Exploratory Study of “Quantitative Linguistic Feedback”

A child’s early language environment is critical to his or her life-course trajectory. Quantitative linguistic feedback utilizes the Language ENvironment Analysis (LENA) technology as a tool to analyze verbal interactions and reinforce behavior change. This exploratory pilot study evaluates the feasibility and efficacy of a novel behavior-change strategy, quantitative linguistic feedback, to influence adult linguistic behavior and, as a result, a child’s early language environment. Baseline LENA outcome measures (i.e., adult word count [AWC] and conversational turn count [CTC]) were obtained from a diverse sample of 17 nonparental caregivers and their typically developing children (charges) ages 10 to 40 months. Caregivers participated in a one-time educational intervention focusing on enriching a child’s home language environment, interpreting feedback from the baseline LENA recordings, and setting language goals for the following session. Post-intervention, six additional LENA recordings were obtained weekly to measure linguistic behavior. Caregivers showed a significant and prolonged increase from mean baseline to mean postintervention AWC and CTC as measured by LENA–AWC: mean difference = 395 words per hour, 31.6% increase, t = 3.29, p < . 01; CTC: mean difference = 14 turns per hour, 24.9% increase, t = 3.54, p < . 01. Preliminary results indicate that a one-time educational intervention combined with quantitative linguistic feedback may have a positive effect on caregiver language output, thus enhancing the child’s language environment. This study represents an initial step in the development and evaluation of a novel behavior-change strategy. We propose that quantitative linguistic feedback will add significantly to the arsenal of clinical and research tools used to evaluate and enrich a child’s early language environment.
Scaling Soft Processor Systems

As FPGA-based systems including soft-processors become increasingly common we are motivated to better understand the best way to scale the performance of such systems. In this paper we explore the organization of processors and caches connected to a single off-chip memory channel, for workloads composed of many independent threads. In particular we design and evaluate real FPGA-based processor, multithreaded processor, and multiprocessor systems on EEMBC benchmarks - investigating different approaches to scaling caches, processors, and thread contexts to maximize throughput while minimizing area. Our main finding is that while a single multithreaded processor offers improved performance over a single-threaded processor, multiprocessors composed of single-threaded processors scale better than those composed of multithreaded processors.
Selecting an Optimal Measurement Model and Detecting Differential Item Functioning Using Bayesian Confirmatory Factor Analysis

I investigated the sampling behavior of DIC and WAIC in the context of selecting an optimal measurement model in Bayesian SEM, as well as the utility of highly constrained parameter estimates in detecting differential item functioning (DIF). I assessed the relative efficiency of WAIC compared to DIC, evaluated analytical WAIC SEs by calculating relative bias, and reported how often WAIC and DIC indicated a preference for each invariance model. I compared the power and Type I error rates for DIF detection across conditions, and assessed the quality of estimates by calculating bias and 95% CI coverage rates for key parameters. Results indicate that although WAIC has less sampling variability than DIC, their model preferences are similar. Both WAIC and DIC have greater power to detect that invariance constraints are untenable than AIC in using maximum likelihood (ML) estimation. In tests of null hypotheses that DIF parameters are zero, Bayesian credible intervals and ML modification indices have similar power, but Bayesian credible intervals have much lower Type I error rates.
Visual Feedback Dominates the Sense of Agency for Brain-Machine Actions

Recent advances in neuroscience and engineering have led to the development of technologies that permit the control of external devices through real-time decoding of brain activity (brain-machine interfaces; BMI). Though the feeling of controlling bodily movements (sense of agency; SOA) has been well studied and a number of well-defined sensorimotor and cognitive mechanisms have been put forth, very little is known about the SOA for BMI-actions. Using an on-line BMI, and verifying that our subjects achieved a reasonable level of control, we sought to describe the SOA for BMI-mediated actions. Our results demonstrate that discrepancies between decoded neural activity and its resultant real-time sensory feedback are associated with a decrease in the SOA, similar to SOA mechanisms proposed for bodily actions. However, if the feedback discrepancy serves to correct a poorly controlled BMI-action, then the SOA can be high and can increase with increasing discrepancy, demonstrating the dominance of visual feedback on the SOA. Taken together, our results suggest that bodily and BMI-actions rely on common mechanisms of sensorimotor integration for agency judgments, but that visual feedback dominates the SOA in the absence of overt bodily movements or proprioceptive feedback, however erroneous the visual feedback may be.
Automatic transcription and pitch analysis of the British Library World & Traditional Music Collection

Samer Abdallah, Aquiles Alencar-Brayner, Emmanouil Benetos, Stephen Cottrell Jason Dykes, Nicolas Gold, Alexander Kachkaev, Mahendra Mahey, Dan Tidhar, Adam Tovell, Tillman Weyde, Daniel Wolff 1 Department of Computer Science, University College London, 2 The British Library, 3 Department of Computer Science, City University London, 4 Department of Music, City University London 5 Centre for Digital Music, Queen Mary University of London dml-owner@city.ac.uk http://dml.city.ac.uk
Technologies for Personal and Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Knowledge Management

The great majority of the Knowledge Management (KM) and search tools on the market are server-based enterprise systems. As such, they are often designed top-down, centralised, inflexible and slow to respond to change. There has been numerous articles published on the role of IT and KM systems in organisations but there is a lack of research into KM tools for individuals and server-less KM tools/systems. By adopting a bottom-up approach, this research focusses on tools that assist the Individual Knowledge Worker (IKW) who, in today’s competitive knowledge-based society, has a constant need to capture, categorise and locate/distribute knowledge on multiple devices and with multiple parties. Furthermore, knowledge sharing between IKWs often extend across organisational boundaries. As a result, personal KM tools have very different characteristics to the enterprise KM tools mentioned above. At the group level, the impact of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) computing on Knowledge Management has been specifically identified as file sharing, distributed content networks, collaboration, and search. Potential applications for P2PKM systems include, among others, E-Learning in higher and distance education, real time collaborations and battle simulations in defence, collaborative product development, business process automation, and E-business payment systems. By including key findings from earlier work recently completed by the author and others on the landscape of enterprise KM systems, this paper presents a holistic view of the (commercial) KM technologies at three key levels of focusses – individual, group and organisational. This paper concludes with critical issues and the impact of PKM and P2PKM technologies on enterprise computing.
Effects of intraduodenal protein on appetite, energy intake, and antropyloroduodenal motility in healthy older compared with young men in a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND Protein-rich supplements are used widely for the prevention and management of undernutrition in older people. The use of protein supplements in older people could, however, be counterproductive by reducing appetite and overall energy intake. OBJECTIVE The objective was to determine whether aging influences the effects of protein loads, administered directly into the small intestine, on energy intake, antropyloroduodenal motility, and appetite. DESIGN Intraduodenal infusions (240 mL, 60 min) of saline (0 kcal, control) and protein (hydrolyzed whey) loads of 30, 90, and 180 kcal were followed by an ad libitum buffet meal in 10 young (19-29 y) and 10 healthy older (68-81 y) men. Suppression of energy intake (kcal) at the meal by protein infusion compared with control was calculated. RESULTS In young subjects, a dose-responsive suppression (±SEM) of energy intake was found at the buffet meal by protein (suppression at 30 kcal: 7 ± 8%, P = 0.189; 90 kcal: 17 ± 8%, P = 0.054; 180 kcal: 33 ± 7%, P = 0.002), whereas suppression was observed only after the 180-kcal load in older subjects (30 kcal: 7 ± 4% increase, P = 0.126; 90 kcal: 6 ± 7% increase, P = 0.291; 180 kcal: 17 ± 6% suppression, P = 0.016). Suppression of energy intake by protein was less in older than in young subjects (P < 0.005). In young subjects, total energy intake (meal + infusion) on the 180-kcal protein-infusion day was lower than that on the control day (P = 0.041), whereas in older subjects it was greater on the 30-kcal (P = 0.033) and 90-kcal (P = 0.016) infusion days. Energy intake was inversely related to isolated pyloric pressure waves (r = -0.32, P = 0.013) and positively related to antral (r = 0.30, P = 0.021) and duodenal (r = 0.35, P = 0.006) pressure waves. Suppression of energy intake by protein was inversely related to the change in isolated pyloric pressure waves (r = -0.35, P = 0.027) and positively related to duodenal pressure waves (r = 0.32, P = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS Intraduodenal protein suppresses appetite and energy intake less in healthy older than in young adults. In older subjects, intraduodenal protein at low doses increased overall energy intake, which supports the use of protein supplements in undernourished older people. This trial was registered at www.anzctr. org.au as 12612000906853.
Der Open-access-publikationsserver Der Zbw – Leibniz-informationszentrum Wirtschaft the Open Access Publication Server of the Zbw – Leibniz Information Centre for Economics Does Capital Regulation Matter for Bank Behaviour? Evidence for German Savings Banks Does Capital Regulation Matter for Bank Be

Terms of use: The ZBW grants you, the user, the non-exclusive right to use the selected work free of charge, territorially unrestricted and within the time limit of the term of the property rights according to the terms specified at → http://www.econstor. eu/dspace/Nutzungsbedingungen By the first use of the selected work the user agrees and declares to comply with these terms of use. Discussion Papers represent the authors' personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Deutsche Bundesbank or its staff. Abstract The aim of this paper is to assess how German savings banks adjust capital and risk under capital regulation. We estimate a modified version of the model developed by Shrieves and Dahl (1992). This paper contributes to the literature in three ways. First, we test the capital buffer theory (Marcus 1984, Milne and Whalley 2002). Second, we use dynamic panel data techniques that explicitly take unobserved heterogeneity into account. And third, we provide new evidence for non-US banks by using a new dataset of supervisory data collected by the Deutsche Bundesbank. We find evidence that the coordination of capital and risk adjustments depends on the amount of capital the bank holds in excess of the regulatory minimum (the " capital buffer "). Banks with low capital buffers try to rebuild an appropriate capital buffer by raising capital while simultaneously lowering risk. In contrast, banks with high capital buffers try to maintain their capital buffer by increasing risk when capital increases. These findings support the capital buffer theory. Economic theory provides contradictory results about banks' reaction to minimum capital requirements. The empirical literature has mainly tested the moral hazard theory, building on a model developed by Shrieves and Dahl (1992). The discussion paper " Does capital regulation matter for bank behaviour " focuses on an alternative theory, the capital buffer theory (Marcus 1984, Milne and Whalley 2002). The capital buffer is the excess capital a bank holds above the minimum capital requirement. The capital buffer theory implicates that banks with low capital buffers attempt to rebuild an appropriate capital buffer and banks with high capital buffers attempt to maintain their capital buffer. We derive testable hypotheses for the capital buffer theory based on the model of Shrieves and Dahl and provide empirical evidence for German savings banks and cooperative banks. Our findings support the capital buffer theory. The most important results are: 1. The coordination of capital …
Using location based encryption to improve the security of data access in cloud computing

Cloud computing is a new approach in the field of information technology and development of computer technologies based on the World Wide Web. One of the most important challenges in this area is the security of cloud computing. On the other hand the security of access to critical and confidential information in banks, institutions and etc is extremely essential. Sometimes even with the enormous costs, it is not fully guaranteed and it is compromised by the attackers. In this paper by providing a novel method, we improve the security of data access in cloud computing for a company or any other specific locations using the location-based encryption.