Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Kukoamine B promotes TLR4-independent lipopolysaccharide uptake in murine hepatocytes

Free bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is generally removed from the bloodstream through hepatic uptake via TLR4, the LPS pattern recognition receptor, but mechanisms for internalization and clearance of conjugated LPS are less clear. Kukoamine B (KB) is a novel cationic alkaloid that interferes with LPS binding to TLR4. In this study, KB accelerated blood clearance of LPS. KB also enhanced LPS distribution in the hepatic tissues of C57 BL/6 mice, along with LPS uptake in primary hepatocytes and HepG2 cells. By contrast, KB inhibited LPS internalization in Kupffer and RAW 264.7 cells. Loss of TLR4 did not affect LPS uptake into KB-treated hepatocytes. We also detected selective upregulation of the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) upon KB treatment, and ASGPR colocalized with KB in cultured hepatocytes. Molecular docking showed that KB bound to ASGPR in a manner similar to GalNAc, a known ASGPR agonist. GalNAc dose-dependently reduced KB internalization, suggesting it competes with KB for ASGPR binding, and ASGPR knockdown also impaired LPS uptake into hepatocytes. Finally, while KB enhanced LPS uptake, it was protective against LPS-induced inflammation and hepatocyte injury. Our study provides a new mechanism for conjugated LPS hepatic uptake induced by the LPS neutralizer KB and mediated by membrane ASGPR binding.
Multiobjective optimal design of wireless power transfer devices using a Genetic Algorithm and accurate analytical formulae

In this work, the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA) is employed for the multiobjective optimal design of Resonant Inductive Power Transfer (RIPT) devices. A thorough review of the literature has been performed in order to propose accurate analytical formulae for computing the lumped parameters of the system equivalent circuit. A particular attention is paid on the representation of the skin and proximity effects, and on the consideration of any relative position between the coils. The tool permits to observe design trends by comparing optimal individuals in the Pareto front, and is illustrated on an electric vehicle battery charging application. In that case, a design able to transfer 3 kW at 60 kHz, with 93.53 % efficiency through 25 cm air with a fixed radial space footprint of 25 cm, and capable to support a lateral misalignment of 10 cm, was obtained.
Binary Systems Formed by Lead Bromide with (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs and Tl)Br: a DTA and Diffractometric Study

The phase diagrams of the systems PbBr2 + MeBr (Me = L i , Na, K, Rb, Cs, Tl) have been measured by visual and DTA methods. The structures and the thermal characteristics of the intermediate compounds have been pointed out by X-ray diffractometric technique and by DTA-calorimetric measurements, respectively. Moreover, the thermodynamic behaviour of these systems has been discussed
Predictive value of chemotherapy-related high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) elevation in patients with colorectal cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy: an exploratory analysis of 851 cases

Background The phenomenon of chemotherapy-related lipid alterations has been reported based on a small number of patients and varies among different cancers. However, little is known about these alterations in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Results Patients in cohort 1, but not in cohort 2, exhibited significantly increased cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C, and ApoA-I levels, and decreased LDL-C and ApoB levels after adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients with chemotherapy-related HDL-C elevation exhibited better 3-year DFS (84.5% vs. 73%, P = 0.001) and 7-year OS (82% vs. 70%, P = 0.002) than those without. Similarly, the 3-year DFS (83.3% vs. 77.6%, P = 0.008) and 7-year OS (81% vs. 74.6%, P = 0.040) were superior in chemotherapy-related ApoA-I elevation patients. However, only HDL-C elevation remained an independent prognostic value in the multivariate Cox model. Methods Eight hundred fifty-one CRC patients with curative-intent resection were retrospectively analyzed. Six hundred sixty-seven receiving fluoropyrimidine-based adjuvant chemotherapy for more than 3 months were enrolled in cohort 1. The lipid alterations before and after chemotherapy were studied. Simultaneously, 184 patients not treated with chemotherapy (cohort 2) were included as a control for the comparisons of lipids alterations within 1 month after resection and at half-year follow-up. Furthermore, these significant alterations were investigated with respect to the prognostic value of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). An internal validation was performed. Conclusion We observed significant changes in the levels of various lipids in CRC patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Furthermore, chemotherapy-related HDL-C elevation was determined to be an independent prognostic indicator for superior DFS and OS.
The Haar+ Tree: A Refined Synopsis Data Structure

We introduce the Haar+ tree: a refined, wavelet-inspired data structure for synopsis construction. The advantages of this structure are twofold: First, it achieves higher synopsis quality at the task of summarizing data sets with sharp discontinuities than state-of-the-art histogram and Haar wavelet techniques. Second, thanks to its search space delimitation capacity, Haar+ synopsis construction operates in time linear to the size of the data set for any monotonic distributive error metric. Through experimentation, we demonstrate the superiority of Haar+ synopses over histogram and Haar wavelet methods in both construction time and achieved quality for representative error metrics.
Privacy by typing in the π-calculus

In this paper we propose a formal framework for studying privacy in information systems. The proposal follows a two-axes schema where the first axis considers privacy as a taxonomy of rights and the second axis involves the ways an information system stores and manipulates information. We develop a correspondence between the above schema and an associated model of computation. In particular, we propose the \Pcalc, a calculus based on the $\pi$-calculus with groups extended with constructs for reasoning about private data. The privacy requirements of an information system are captured via a privacy policy language. The correspondence between the privacy model and the \Pcalc semantics is established using a type system for the calculus and a satisfiability definition between types and privacy policies. We deploy a type preservation theorem to show that a system respects a policy and it is safe if the typing of the system satisfies the policy. We illustrate our methodology via analysis of two use cases: a privacy-aware scheme for electronic traffic pricing and a privacy-preserving technique for speed-limit enforcement.
TUIO: A Protocol for Table-Top Tangible User Interfaces

In this article we present Tuio, a simple yet versatile protocol designed specifically to meet the requirements of table-top tangible user interfaces. Inspired by the idea of interconnecting various existing table interfaces such as the reacTable* , being developed in Barcelona and the tDesk from Bielefeld, this protocol defines common properties of controller objects on the table surface as well as of finger and hand gestures performed by the user. Currently this protocol has been implemented within a fiducial marker-based computer vision engine developed for the reacTable* project. This fast and robust computer vision engine is based on the original d-touch concept, which is also included as an alternative to the newer fiducial tracking engine. The computer vision framework has been implemented on various standard platforms and can be extended with additional sensor components. We are currently working on the tracking of finger-tips for gestural control within the table interface. The Tuio protocol has been implemented using OpenSound Control [4] and is therefore usable on any platform supporting this protocol. At the moment we have working implementations for Java, C++, PureData, Max/MSP, SuperCollider and Flash.
Heart Rate Assessment Immediately after Birth

Background: Heart rate assessment immediately after birth in newborn infants is critical to the correct guidance of resuscitation efforts. There are disagreements as to the best method to measure heart rate. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess different methods of heart rate assessment in newborn infants at birth to determine the fastest and most accurate method. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE and Google Scholar were systematically searched using the following terms: ‘infant', ‘heart rate', ‘monitoring', ‘delivery room', ‘resuscitation', ‘stethoscope', ‘auscultation', ‘palpation', ‘pulse oximetry', ‘electrocardiogram', ‘Doppler ultrasound', ‘photoplethysmography' and ‘wearable sensors'. Results: Eighteen studies were identified that described various methods of heart rate assessment in newborn infants immediately after birth. Studies examining auscultation, palpation, pulse oximetry, electrocardiography and Doppler ultrasound as ways to measure heart rate were included. Heart rate measurements by pulse oximetry are superior to auscultation and palpation, but there is contradictory evidence about its accuracy depending on whether the sensor is connected to the infant or the oximeter first. Several studies indicate that electrocardiogram provides a reliable heart rate faster than pulse oximetry. Doppler ultrasound shows potential for clinical use, however future evidence is needed to support this conclusion. Conclusion: Heart rate assessment is important and there are many measurement methods. The accuracy of routinely applied methods varies, with palpation and auscultation being the least accurate and electrocardiogram being the most accurate. More research is needed on Doppler ultrasound before its clinical use.
Facilitating Treebank Annotation Using a Statistical Parser

Corpora of phrase-structure-annotated text, or treebanks, are useful for supervised training of statistical models for natural language processing, as well as for corpus linguistics. Their primary drawback, however, is that they are very time-consuming to produce. To alleviate this problem, the standard approach is to make two passes over the text: first, parse the text automatically, then correct the parser output by hand.
Powering the Isolated Side of Your Half-Bridge

The half-bridge topology is widely used in power converters and motor drives. This is largely due to the half-bridge’s ability to provide efficient synchronous control of a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal over the bus voltage. However, between the controller and the power devices, gate drivers are often required to obtain faster switching times and provide isolation for either safety and/or functional purposes. For systems with bus voltages that are above the maximum power switch gate to source voltage limits, the gate drives must be supplied with voltages other than the system bus.
LANDSCAPE CORRELATES OF BREEDING BIRD RICHNESS AdROSS THE UNITED STATES MID-ATLANTIC REGION

Using a new set of landscape indicator data generated by the U.S.EPA, and a comprehensive brccdii bird database ftdm the National Bmcding Bird Survq, we evahmted associations be+ twetn breeding bird richness and landscape chamctcristics across the entire mid-Atlantic region of the United States. We cvahuted how those relationships varied among different groupings (guilds) of bids based on functional, structural, and compositional aspects of individual species dcmographics, Foreat edge was by f&r the most important landscape attribute a&&g the richness of the lumped spccialii and generalist guilds; specialist speoica richness was negatively associated with forest edge and generalist richness was positively associated with forest edge. Landscape variables (llcators) cxplalncd a greater proportion of q&a&t speciea richness than the generalist guild (460/0and3I%,~~v~y). Ihelowet~in~mayranact~racale~b~~of opcnhabilatdzatgoundetectedbyfheLanQatsattllite,o~hsbitatscreotbdbyrords(theareas timwhich breedingbkd~arcobtaiaed),nndthelumpingofawidevarietyofEpaciesintothe generalist category. A fix&r breakdown of speeiea into 16 guilds showed considerable variation in the response of breodhg bii to landscape cxxxlitions; forest obligate species had the strongest association With landscape inditirs mcasumd in this study (55% of the total variation explained) andforcstgcneFalistsandopengcoundnesttrrthclowest(l~ofthetatalvariationexplainad). Thc variable response of guild species richness to landscape pattern suggests that one must consider species’ demographics when assessing the consdqucnecs of landscape change on breeding bii. ,i ,. r I
On the feasibility of attribute-based encryption for WLAN access control

User authentication at Wi-Fi Access Points (APs) is becoming an important issue. Wi-Fi APs are indeed ubiquitous, but existing authentication methods such as WPA/WPA2 static pre-shared secret key (PSK), or 802.1X-based online authentication services (e.g., RADIUS servers/proxies) have their theoretical or practical limitations. In a previous work, we proposed WI-FAB, a new authentication mechanism which neither requires online backend access control infrastructure, nor relies on a static pre-shared secret key. In this paper, we extend WI-FAB by removing the need for having a central authority for user authentication and credential issuing. Our main contribution is twofold: (i) adopting decentralized multi-authority CP-ABE, we support the users who have authentication/authorization credentials from multiple authorities. We decouple the user credentials issuing from the management of the WPA2-PSK, so that neither the credential issuing authority can track the users, nor the AP can access the real identity of the users. Considering an extensive attack model, we show that the proposed approach is secure and preserves the privacy of the users. (ii) We provide a real-world implementation of the proposed approach on off-the-shelf embedded hardware to demonstrate its feasibility and efficiency.
Enhancement of aligning accuracy on zooming camera for augmented reality

This paper addresses the problem of the zooming effect of camera on focal length estimation for augmented reality applications. Our proposed method allows us to merge virtual objects properly into a real scene captured with varying focal length. Virtual objects appearing in the augmented scene need to be merged into the real scene taken with different camera pose (related to rotation and translation parameters) and camera zoom (related to focal length parameter). The system will then calculate appropriate transformation using a template of the marker that is already built in the database. Several tests have been done in comparison between current AR toolkit and our system. The simulation results show that our system is able to achieve more accurate alignment without degenerate motion problem.
Revisiting concepts of thermal physiology: Predicting responses of mammals to climate change

The accuracy of predictive models (also known as mechanistic or causal models) of animal responses to climate change depends on properly incorporating the principles of heat transfer and thermoregulation into those models. Regrettably, proper incorporation of these principles is not always evident. We have revisited the relevant principles of thermal physiology and analysed how they have been applied in predictive models of large mammals, which are particularly vulnerable, to climate change. We considered dry heat exchange, evaporative heat transfer, the thermoneutral zone and homeothermy, and we examined the roles of size and shape in the thermal physiology of large mammals. We report on the following misconceptions in influential predictive models: underestimation of the role of radiant heat transfer, misassignment of the role and misunderstanding of the sustainability of evaporative cooling, misinterpretation of the thermoneutral zone as a zone of thermal tolerance or as a zone of sustainable energetics, confusion of upper critical temperature and critical thermal maximum, overestimation of the metabolic energy cost of evaporative cooling, failure to appreciate that the current advantages of size and shape will become disadvantageous as climate change advances, misassumptions about skin temperature and, lastly, misconceptions about the relationship between body core temperature and its variability with body mass in large mammals. Not all misconceptions invalidate the models, but we believe that preventing inappropriate assumptions from propagating will improve model accuracy, especially as models progress beyond their current typically static format to include genetic and epigenetic adaptation that can result in phenotypic plasticity.
Distributed value functions for multi-robot exploration

This paper addresses the problem of exploring an unknown area with a team of autonomous robots using decentralized decision making techniques. The localization aspect is not considered and it is assumed the robots share their positions and have access to a map updated with all explored areas. A key problem is then the coordination of decentralized decision processes: each individual robot must choose appropriate exploration goals so that the team simultaneously explores different locations of the environment. We formalize this problem as a Decentralized Markov Decision Process (Dec-MDP) solved as a set of individual MDPs, where interactions between MDPs are considered in a distributed value function. Thus each robot computes locally a strategy that minimizes the interactions between the robots and maximizes the space coverage of the team. Our technique has been implemented and evaluated in real-world and simulated experiments.
A Priori Analysis of Flamelet-Based Modeling for a Dual-Mode Scramjet Combustor

An a priori investigation of the applicability of flamelet-based combustion models to dual-mode scramjet combustion was performed utilizing Reynolds-averaged simulations (RAS). For this purpose, the HIFiRE Direct Connect Rig (HDCR) flowpath, fueled with a JP-7 fuel surrogate and operating in dual- and scram-mode was considered. The chemistry of the JP-7 fuel surrogate was modeled using a 22 species, 18-step chemical reaction mechanism. Simulation results were compared to experimentally-obtained, time-averaged, wall pressure measurements to validate the RAS solutions. The analysis of the dual-mode operation of this flowpath showed regions of predominately non-premixed, high-Damkohler number, combustion. Regions of premixed combustion were also present but associated with only a small fraction of the total heat-release in the flow. This is in contrast to the scram-mode operation, where a comparable amount of heat is released from non-premixed and premixed combustion modes. Representative flamelet boundary conditions were estimated by analyzing probability density functions for temperature and pressure for pure fuel and oxidizer conditions. The results of the present study reveal the potential for a flamelet model to accurately model the combustion processes in the HDCR and likely other high-speed flowpaths of engineering interest.
Data-Driven Source Separation Based on Simplex Analysis

Blind source separation (BSS) is addressed, using a novel data-driven approach, based on a well-established probabilistic model. The proposed method is specifically designed for separation of multichannel audio mixtures. The algorithm relies on spectral decomposition of the correlation matrix between different time frames. The probabilistic model implies that the column space of the correlation matrix is spanned by the probabilities of the various speakers across time. The number of speakers is recovered by the eigenvalue decay, and the eigenvectors form a simplex of the speakers' probabilities. Time frames dominated by each of the speakers are identified exploiting convex geometry tools on the recovered simplex. The mixing acoustic channels are estimated utilizing the identified sets of frames, and a linear umixing is performed to extract the individual speakers. The derived simplexes are visually demonstrated for mixtures of 2, 3 and 4 speakers. We also conduct a comprehensive experimental study, showing high separation capabilities in various reverberation conditions.
Advanced Signal Processing Techniqes to Study Normal and Epileptic EEG

EEG monitoring has an important milestone provide valuable information of those candidates who suffer from epilepsy.In this paper human normal and epileptic Electroencephalogram signals are analyzed with popular and efficient signal processing techniques like Fourier and Wavelet transform. The delta, theta, alpha, beta and gamma sub bands of EEG are obtained and studied for detection of seizure and epilepsy. The extracted feature is then applied to ANN for classification of the EEG signals.
A Role for SKN-1/Nrf in Pathogen Resistance and Immunosenescence in Caenorhabditis elegans

A proper immune response ensures survival in a hostile environment and promotes longevity. Recent evidence indicates that innate immunity, beyond antimicrobial effectors, also relies on host-defensive mechanisms. The Caenorhabditis elegans transcription factor SKN-1 regulates xenobiotic and oxidative stress responses and contributes to longevity, however, its role in immune defense is unknown. Here we show that SKN-1 is required for C. elegans pathogen resistance against both Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram-positive Enterococcus faecalis bacteria. Exposure to P. aeruginosa leads to SKN-1 accumulation in intestinal nuclei and transcriptional activation of two SKN-1 target genes, gcs-1 and gst-4. Both the Toll/IL-1 Receptor domain protein TIR-1 and the p38 MAPK PMK-1 are required for SKN-1 activation by PA14 exposure. We demonstrate an early onset of immunosenescence with a concomitant age-dependent decline in SKN-1-dependent target gene activation, and a requirement of SKN-1 to enhance pathogen resistance in response to longevity-promoting interventions, such as reduced insulin/IGF-like signaling and preconditioning H2O2 treatment. Finally, we find that wdr-23(RNAi)-mediated constitutive SKN-1 activation results in excessive transcription of target genes, confers oxidative stress tolerance, but impairs pathogen resistance. Our findings identify SKN-1 as a novel regulator of innate immunity, suggests its involvement in immunosenescence and provide an important crosstalk between pathogenic stress signaling and the xenobiotic/oxidative stress response.
Characterisation of gene expression related to milk fat synthesis in the mammary tissue of lactating yaks

This research communication describes the profile of gene expression related to the synthesis of yak milk as determined via quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Significant up-regulation during lactation were observed in genes related to fatty acid (FA) uptake from blood (LPL, CD36), intracellular FA transport (FABP3), intracellular FA activation of long- and short-chain FAs (ACSS1, ACSS2, ACSL1), de novo synthesis (ACACA), desaturation (SCD), triacyglycerol (TAG) synthesis (AGPAT6, GPAM, LPIN1), lipid droplet formation (PLIN2, BTN1A1, XDH), ketone body utilisation (BDH1, OXCT1), and transcription regulation (THRSP, PPARGC1A). In particular, intracellular de novo FA synthesis (ACSS2, ACACA, and FABP3) and TAG synthesis (GPAM, AGPAT6, and LPIN1), whose regulation might be orchestrated as part of the gene network under the control of SERBF1 in the milk fat synthesis process, were more activated compared to levels in dairy cows. However, the genes involved in lipid droplet formation (PLIN2, XDH, and BTN1A1) were expressed at lower levels compared to those in dairy cows, where these genes are mainly controlled by the PPARG regulator.