Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sequential sampling strategy for the modeling of parameterized microwave and RF components

Accurate modeling of parameterized microwave and RF components often requires a large number of full-wave electromagnetic simulations. In order to reduce the overall simulation cost, a sequential sampling algorithm is proposed that selects a sparse set of data samples which characterize the overall response of the system. The resulting data samples can be fed into existing modeling techniques. The effectiveness of the approach is illustrated by a parameterized H-shaped microwave antenna.
Susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma associated with null genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1.

AIM:In order to study the association between the null genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1 and the genetic susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS:The genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1 of 63 cases of HCC and 88 controls were detected with the multiple PCR technique.RESULTS:The frequency of GSTM1 null genotype was 57.1% among the cases, and 42.0% among the controls, the difference being statistically significant (X(2) = 3.35, P = 0.067), but X(2) value approaching the significance level. The odds ratio was 1.84 (95% CI = 0.91-3.37). The frequency of GSTT1 non-null genotype was 87.3% among the cases and 62.5% among the controls, the difference being statistically significant (X(2) = 11.42, P = 0.0007274). The odds ratio was 4.13 (95% CI = 1.64-10.70). According to the cross analysis, the GSTT1 non null genotype was more closely associated with HCC than GSTM1 null genotype, and these two factors play an approximate additive interaction in the occurrence of HCC.CONCLUSION:The persons with GSTM1 null genotype and GSTT1 non-null genotype have the increased risk to HCC.
A Total Unimodularity Based Branch-and-Bound Method for Integer Programming

We consider a novel solution method for integer programming problems with a 0-plusmn1 constraint matrix, which include set covering problem (SCP) and satisfiability problem (SAT) as special cases. Specifically, a branching rule is designed to actively make a satisfaction of total unimodularity (TU), thus speeding up the convergence of the search process in the branch-and-bound method. This TU-based branch-and-bound method is tested for a family of random 3-SAT problems and is compared with the IP solver of ILOG CPLEX. Computational experience shows that this new solution scheme is efficient
Attenuation of Canine Cerebral Vasospasm after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage by Protein Kinase C Inhibitors despite Augmented Phosphorylation of Myosin Light Chain

The purpose of the present study is to assess the roles of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms, especially PKCδ and α, and 20-kD myosin light chain (MLC20) phosphorylation in the mechanism of cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We had shown that those PKC isoforms are involved in the development of cerebral vasospasm. Using PKC isoform-specific inhibitors in a ‘two- hemorrhage’ canine model, we examined changes in the development of cerebral vasospasm, translocation of PKC isoforms and MLC20 phosphorylation level in canine basilar arteries. A PKC inhibitor (5 µM rottlerin for PKCδ or chelerythrine for PKCα) was injected into the cisterna magna on day 4 before the second hemorrhage. The treatment was continued daily until day 7. Rottlerin inhibited the initial phase of vasospasm and PKCδ translocation, but did not significantly inhibit PKCα translocation. Chelerythrine inhibited cerebral vasospasm, and the translocation of both PKCδ and α throughout the entire course of the study. Although cerebral vasospasm after SAH was inhibited by each PKC inhibitor, the MLC20 phosphorylation level remained elevated as in the untreated hemorrhage-control study. We conclude that cerebral vasospasm following SAH depends on PKCδ and α, while the enhancement of MLC20 phosphorylation contributes little to this form of vasospasm.
Modeling and representing materials in the wild

Our everyday life brings us in contact with a rich range of materials that contribute to both the utility and aesthetics of our environment. Human beings are very good at using subtle distinctions in appearance to distinguish between materials (e.g., silk vs. cotton, laminate vs. granite). Capturing these visually important, yet subtle, distinctions is critical for applications in many domains: in virtual and augmented reality fueled by the advent of devices like Google Glass, in virtual prototyping for industrial design, in ecommerce and retail, in textile design and prototyping, in interior design and remodeling, and in games and movies. Understanding how humans perceive materials can drive better graphics and vision algorithms for material recognition and understanding, and material reproduction. As a first step towards achieving this goal, it is useful to collect information about the vast range of materials that we encounter in our daily lives. We introduce two new crowdsourced databases of material annotations to drive better material-driven exploration. OpenSurfaces is a rich, labeled database consisting of thousands of examples of surfaces segmented from consumer photographs of interiors, and annotated with material parameters, texture information, and contextual information. IIW (Intrinsic Images in theWild) is a database of pairwise material annotations of points in images that is useful for decomposing images in the wild into material and lighting layers. Together these databases can drive various material-based applications like surface retexturing, intrinsic image decomposition, intelligent material-based image browsing, and material design.
Epothilones induce human colon cancer SW620 cell apoptosis via the tubulin polymerization–independent activation of the nuclear factor-κB/IκB kinase signal pathway

Molecular mechanisms underlying epothilone-induced apoptotic cell death were investigated in SW620 human colon cancer cells. Treatment with epothilone B and D at different concentrations (1–100 nmol/L) dose-dependently inhibited cell growth and caused cell cycle arrest at G2-M, which was followed by apoptosis. Consistent with this induction of apoptotic cell death, epothilone B and D enhanced the constitutional activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) via IκB degradation through IκB kinase (IKKα and IKKβ) activation, and this resulted in p50 and p65 translocation to the nucleus. Moreover, cells treated with sodium salicylic acid, an IKK inhibitor, or transiently transfected with mutant IKKα and β did not show epothilone-induced cell growth inhibition or p50 translocation, although p65 was still translocated to the nucleus. Treatment with epothilone B and D also enhanced β-tubulin polymerization and the formation of p50/β-tubulin complex. However, β-tubulin polymerization was not inhibited in the cells treated by sodium salicylic acid or transiently transfected with mutant IKKα and β. Moreover, epothilone B and D increased the expressions of NF-κB–dependent apoptotic cell death regulatory genes, i.e., Bax, p53, and the active form of caspase-3, but reduced Bcl-2 expression, and these actions were partially reversed by salicylic acid. In addition, caspase-3 inhibitor reduced epothilone B–induced cell death and NF-κB activation. These findings suggest that the activation of NF-κB/IKK signals plays an important role in the epothilone-induced apoptotic cell death of SW620 colon cancer cells in a tubulin polymerization–independent manner. [Mol Cancer Ther 2007;6(10):2786–97]
Phosphorylation-dependent migration of retinoblastoma protein into the nucleolus triggered by binding to nucleophosmin/B23.

Underphosphorylated retinoblastoma (Rb) protein inhibits progression around the cell cycle by binding to transcription factors like E2F; subsequent hyperphosphorylation of Rb protein releases E2F from the complex so that it can then drive the cell into S phase. We immunolocalized Rb protein in human cells during the cell cycle. Rb protein translocated into nucleoli after DNA replication completed, and the nucleolar Rb was shown to be in the hyperphosphorylated form by immunoblotting. This form, but not its underphosphorylated counterpart, interacted with the nucleolar protein nucleophosmin/B23. The two formed a salt-resistant complex in vitro, and the two could be immunoprecipitated together from nucleolar extracts. These results suggest that hyperphosphorylated Rb protein is imported into nucleoli late in S or G2 phase with nucleophosmin/B23. Analysis of the nucleolar location of Rb protein using various deletion mutants tagged with the green fluorescent protein implicated pocket A of Rb protein as the region responsible for nucleolar targeting; this region also interacted with nucleophosmin/B23. Nucleolar translocation of Rb mutant was inhibited by introducing nucleophosmin/B23 antisense oligomer. These results suggest that nucleolar translocation of Rb protein is promoted by the binding with nucleophosmin/B23 via the pocket A region.
Investigating the use of nonattenuation corrected PET images for the attenuation correction of PET data.

PURPOSE The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of using the nonattenuated PET images (PET-NAC) as a means for the AC of PET data. METHODS A three-step iterative segmentation process is proposed. In step 1, a patient's body contour is segmented from the PET-NAC using an active contour algorithm. Voxels inside the contour are then assigned a value of 0.096 cm(-1) to represent the attenuation coefficient of soft tissue at 511 keV. This segmented attenuation map is then used to correct for attenuation the raw PET data and the resulting PET images are used as the input to Step 2 of the process. In step 2, the lung region is segmented using an optimal thresholding approach and the corresponding voxels are assigned a value of 0.024 cm(-1) representing the attenuation coefficients of lung tissue at 511 keV. The updated attenuation map is then used for a second time to correct for attenuation the raw PET data, and the resulting PET images are used as the input to step 3. The purpose of Step 3 is to delineate parts of the heart and liver in the lung contour using a region growing approach since these parts were unavoidably excluded in the lung contour in step 2. These parts are then corrected by using a value of 0.096 cm(-1) in the attenuation map. Finally the attenuation coefficients of the bed are included based on CT images to eliminate the impact of the couch on the accuracy of AC. The final attenuation map is then used to AC the raw PET data and generates the final PET image, which we name iterative AC PET (PET-IAC). To assess the proposed segmentation approach, a phantom and 14 patients (with a total of 55 lesions including bone) were scanned on a GE Discovery-RX PET∕CT scanner. PET-IAC images were generated using the proposed process and compared to those of CT-AC PET (PET-CTAC). Visual inspection, lesion SUV, and voxel by voxel histograms between PET-IAC and PET-CTAC for phantom and patient studies were performed to assess the accuracy of image quantification. RESULTS Visual inspection showed a small difference in lung parenchyma between the PET-IAC and PET-CTAC. Tumor SUV based on PET-IAC were on average different by 3%±9% (6%±7%) compared to the SUVs from the PET-CTAC in the phantom (patient) studies. For bone lesions only, the average difference was 3%±6%. The histogram comparing PET-CTAC and PET-IAC resulted in an average regression line of y=(1.08±0.07)x+(0.00007±0.0013), with R2=0.978±0.0057. CONCLUSIONS Preliminary results suggest that PET-NAC for the AC of PET images is feasible. Such an approach can potentially be used for dedicated PET or PET∕MR hybrid systems while minimizing scan time or potential image artifacts, respectively.
Assessment of Changes in Hemodynamics and Intrathoracic Fluid Using Electrical Cardiometry During Autologous Blood Harvest.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of autologous blood harvest (ABH)-induced volume shifts using electrical cardiometry (EC) in patients with pulmonary artery hypertension secondary to left heart disease. DESIGN Prospective, randomized, controlled trial. SETTING A tertiary care hospital. PARTICIPANTS The study comprised 50 patients scheduled to undergo heart valve replacement. INTERVENTIONS Patients were divided randomly into 2 experimental groups that were distinguished by whether ABH was performed. Blood volume extracted in the test group was replaced simultaneously with 1:1 colloid (Tetraspan; B Braun Melsungen, Melsungen, Germany). Hemodynamic, respiratory, and EC-derived parameters were recorded at predefined set points (T1 [post-induction/pre-ABH] and T2 [20 minutes post-ABH]). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Withdrawal of 15% of blood volume in the ABH group caused significant reductions in thoracic fluid content (TFC) (-10.1% [-15.0% to -6.1%]); right atrial pressure (-23% [-26.6% to -17.6%]); mean arterial pressure (-12.6% [-22.2% to -3.8%]); airway pressures: (peak -6.2% [-11.7% to -2.8%] and mean -15.4% [-25.0% to -8.3%]); and oxygenation index (-10.34% [-16.4% to -4.8%]). Linear regression analysis showed good correlation between the percentage change in TFC after ABH and the percentage of change in right atrial pressure, stroke volume variation, autologous blood extracted, peak and mean airway pressures, and oxygen index. CONCLUSIONS In addition to its proven role in blood conservation, therapeutic benefits derived from ABH include decongestion of volume-loaded patients, decrease in TFC, and improved gas exchange. EC tracks beat-to-beat fluid and hemodynamic fluctuations during ABH and helps in the execution of an early patient-specific, goal-directed therapy, allowing for its safe implementation in patients with pulmonary hypertension secondary to left heart disease.
A fast Fourier transform (FFT) based sonar signal processor

The design for a convolution processor is presented, which employs a single highly parallel implementation of the FFT algorithm. This processor is eminently suited for real-time matched filtering of linear FM (LFM) signals encountered in sonar systems. Computer simulations have shown that this processor, which uses fixed point arithmetic and modest word sizes can efficiently handle signals with multiple targets and relatively large doppler shifts. The parallel architecture provides a throughput rate sufficient for computing both forward and inverse transforms in the one processor. This retains for the system the flexibility for frequency domain adaptive beamforming, attractive in many sonar applications.
Estimating regression models with unknown break‐points

This paper deals with fitting piecewise terms in regression models where one or more break‐points are true parameters of the model. For estimation, a simple linearization technique is called for, taking advantage of the linear formulation of the problem. As a result, the method is suitable for any regression model with linear predictor and so current software can be used; threshold modelling as function of explanatory variables is also allowed. Differences between the other procedures available are shown and relative merits discussed. Simulations and two examples are presented to illustrate the method. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Non-adherence to statin therapy: a major challenge for preventive cardiology

Background: Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. In the last twenty years, effective lipid-lowering therapies, particularly statins, have become widely available to prevent and reverse the progression of disease. However, there is a significant gap between expected and actual benefits; this may be attributed to poor adherence to statin therapy. Objective: To define the extent, causes (including psychological aspects), consequences and management of non-adherence to statins. Methods: Literature using PubMed and Medline up to and including 30 July 2009. Results: Adherence to statin therapy is suboptimal in both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Causes vary, and include patient factors (e.g., comorbidities, financial constraints, psychological issues), practitioner factors (e.g., poor knowledge of adherence, time constraints, poor communication skills and patient–doctor working alliance) and system factors (e.g., medication costs, lack of clinical monitoring, drug side effects). Non-adherence is associated with adverse health outcomes and increased costs of healthcare. A framework, based on a multidisciplinary approach, for addressing non-adherence, including managing the statin-intolerant patient, is presented. Conclusions: Non-adherence to statins is a significant issue for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Increased awareness of the causes and solutions for overcoming non-adherence, including safer prescribing, improvement in physician–patient alliance and reduction in drug costs, will enhance the cost-effectiveness of the use of statins and significantly improve patient care and outcomes.
The effect of body mass and physical activity on the development of guinea pig osteoarthrosis

We quantitatively evaluated the morphological and biochemical effects of body mass and physical activity on spontaneously developing guinea pig osteoarthrosis (OA). 6-month-old male guinea pigs were allocated to 3 groups: controls (C) living under standard laboratory conditions with food ad libitum; mobilized animals (M) allowed unrestricted motion in large rooms with food ad libitum; and a diet group (D) weight-matched with the M-group. At 9- and 12-months of age they were killed and the left proximal tibia was processed for quantitative histology and the right tibial articular cartilage for analyses of glycosaminoglycan (GAG). OA mostly occurred on the medial condyleos central part not covered by the meniscus. The thinnest cartilage was found in 12-month-old M-animals (M12), which had 60% of the central cartilage surface affected by lesions that extended down to the mineralized cartilage. C12 had 25% exposed mineralized cartilage and D12, 2%. Subchondral bone density followed the loading patterns N the highest in M12 and lowest in D12. M12 had the lowest cartilage GAG concentrations. Load appears to be a key external factor in guinea pig OA. An increase in physical activity may be chondroprotective in the early phase, but harmful when fibrillations eventually have developed. This is underscored by the extensive OA changes in M12, although these animals weighed about the same as D12 (which had the least extensive OA). Therefore, a reduction in body mass seems to retard the progression of OA in animals, which are mainly subjected to a static load (C12 and D12), but not sufficiently in animals with a more dynamic load (M12). Changes in morphological patterns are paralleled by changes in GAG concentration, which probably reflect the metabolic capacity of the cartilage.
Cardiac cushions modulate action potential phenotype during heart development

The extracellular matrix plays an important role in cardiac function. Its role in the generation and modulation of electrical activity in the early stages of heart development has not been studied extensively. Our study demonstrates that the extracellular matrix in cardiac cushions can alter the action potential phenotype by direct contact with cardiomyocytes from different regions of the heart. We also demonstrate that fibronectin, an important and abundant component of the cardiac extracellular matrix, partially mimics the effects of the cushion tissue in altering the changes in action potential. Fibronectin increases ICa2+ and acutely increases cytosolic calcium. These findings suggest that the composition of the cardiac extracellular matrix during development plays an important role in defining patterns of electrical activity in the developing heart. Developmental Dynamics 238:611–623, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Trading Agent Framework Using Plain Strategies & Machine Learning

O mundo das mercados de apostas desportivas (trading) esta em constante crescimento e com isso as pessoas estao a tentar melhorar os resultados do seu trading usando agentes automaticos de trading. Em analogia com os mercados financeiros, as operacoes de compra e venda sao substituidas por apostas a favor e contra (Back and Lay respetivamente). Esta tese descreve uma framework para ser usada no desenvolvimento de agentes automaticos de trading nos mercados da Betfair, utilizando uma interface de programacao escrita em Java. A Betfair processa mais de cinco milhoes de transacoes diarias (como fazer uma aposta) que representa mais do que todas as trocas feitas nas bolsas de acoes Europeias combinadas. A Betfair esta disponivel 24 horas por dia, 7 dias por semana. Neste trabalho foram desenvolvidos dois agentes de trading, DealerAgent e HorseLayAgent, de acordo com a framework supra mencionada.Os agentes mencionados atuam nos mercados "Para Ganhar" em corridas de cavalos do Reino Unido. Usam estrategias planas em conjunto com metodos de machine learning para melhorar os seus resultados de lucro/perda. Os agentes desenvolvidos foram submetidos a testes de viabilidade usando dados dos mercados "Para Ganhar" de corridas de cavalos do mercado de apostas Betfair, de Janeiro, Fevereiro e Maco de 2014.
An optimal feedforward design for complete PMD compensation up to the second order

As an extension to a previous paper, this paper describes the optimization of a second-order, feedforward polarization-mode dispersion (PMD) compensation scheme by reducing its degrees of freedom (DOF) by two. The new design is optimal in the sense that the number of DOF used is the same as the minimal number of DOF required. Also derived is a set of constraint equations that govern the choice of various system parameters.
Architectural exploration of optical and electrical interconnects in MPSoC

MPSoC interconnect architectures require new design evolution to absorb the high data rate of the future processor evolutions and to absorb the complex data flow of the next application generations. This paper details an interconnect architectural exploration in an MPSoC environment using a multimedia application: a medical imaging. This exploration take into account two opposite interconnect technologies, optical and electrical. Depending on the application and MPSoC architecture, either electrical or optical interconnect can bring significant performance in terms of hit cache ratio and processing time.
Performance Enhancement of Colpitts Oscillators by Parasitic Cancellation

The performance of conventional common-collector Colpitts oscillators is limited at higher frequencies due to the parasitic base-collector capacitance Cbe and the base-emitter capacitance Cbe. Due to the Miller effect, the parasitic capacitance Cbe significantly reduces the negative resistance. A large collector inductor further reduces the negative resistance. This paper presents a solution based on parasitic cancellation to increase the negative resistance and improve the isolation between the RF output and the resonator. It is also shown that the technique allows designers to make a tradeoff between higher negative resistance and lower power consumption.