Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High dose cotinine may induce neural tube defects in a chick embryo model.

AIM Nicotine is a well-known agent among 4000 chemicals in cigarettes. About 70 to 80% of nicotine is converted to cotinine, a major metabolite. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of cotinine on neural tube development in a chick embryo model. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixty fertile, specific pathogen free eggs were divided into 6 groups for this study. In the first group, a fixed cotinine concentration for each egg was calculated just to simulate the concentration of a smoker's blood level. A second experimental group was designed at a higher cotinine concentration. Embryos that succeeded to reach Hamburger-Hamilton stage 12 from each group were then embedded into paraffin for permanent sections. These two groups were compared with eggs subjected to vehicle (standard alcohol and ten times more alcohol concentration) and control groups (saline and sham groups). RESULTS Embryos of the cotinine (regular dose), vehicle and control groups were normal, but embryos subjected to higher cotinine concentrations were malformed at the cranial part of the thoracic neural tube. CONCLUSION Association of cotinine with neural tube defects was demonstrated in the present study. Cigarette smoking may induce hazardous effects on neural tube development.
Effects of anonymity, pre-employment integrity and antisocial behavior on self-reported cyber crime engagement: an exploratory study

A key issue facing today’s society is the increase in cyber crimes. Cyber crimes pose threats to nations, organizations and individuals across the globe. Much of the research in cyber crime has risen from computer science-centric programs and little experimental research has been performed on the psychology of cyber crime. This has caused a knowledge gap in the study of cyber crime. To this end, this dissertation focuses on understanding psychological concepts related to cyber crime. Through an experimental design, participants were randomly assigned to three groups with varying degrees of anonymity. After each treatment, participants were asked to self-report their cyber crime engagement, antisocial behavior and pre-employment integrity. Results indicated that the anonymity manipulation had a main effect on self-reported cyber crime engagement. The results also showed that there is a statistically significant positive relationship between self-reported antisocial behaviors and cyber crime engagement, and a statistically significant negative relationship between self-reported cyber crime engagement and pre-employment integrity. Suggestions for future research are also discussed.
Targeted disruption of hsf1 leads to lack of thermotolerance and defines tissue‐specific regulation for stress‐inducible Hsp molecular chaperones

The rapid synthesis of heat shock proteins (Hsps) in cells subjected to environmental challenge is controlled by heat shock transcription factor‐1 (Hsf1). Regulation of Hsps by Hsf1 is highly complex and, in the whole organism, remains largely unexplored. In this study, we have used mouse embryo fibroblasts and bone marrow progenitor cells from hsf1−/− mice as well as hsp70.3‐lacZ knock‐in mice bred on the hsf1deficient genetic background (hsf1−/−‐hsp70.3+/−‐lacZ), to further elucidate the function of Hsf1 and its participation as a transcriptional activator of Hsp70 synthesis under normal or heat‐induced stress conditions in vitro and in vivo. The results revealed that heat‐induced Hsp70 expression in mouse tissue is entirely controlled by Hsf1, whereas its activity is not required for tissue‐specific constitutive Hsp70 expression. We further demonstrate that Hsf1 is critical for maintaining cellular integrity after heat stress and that cells from hsf1−/− mice lack the ability to develop thermotolerance. This deficiency is explained by the elimination of stress‐inducible Hsp70 and Hsp25 response in the absence of Hsf1 activity, leading to a lack of Hsp‐mediated inhibition of apoptotic cell death via both caspase‐dependent and caspase‐independent pathways. The pivotal role of the Hsf1 transactivator in regulating rapid synthesis of Hsps as a critical cellular defense mechanism against environmental stress‐induced damage is underlined. J. Cell. Biochem. 86: 376–393, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Mixed Encryption Algorithm Used in Internet of Things Security Transmission System

Internet of things has be broadly applied for home, industry, and many other applications. For these applications, secure information transmission becomes a critical issue to ensure the system safety. Hybrid encryption technique is a new cryptographic paradigm and it can be applied to the Internet of Things. It provides the benefit of the symmetric key and asymmetric key performance. It enables strong security and low computational complexity. In this paper, we proposed a mixed encryption algorithm to provide information integrity, confidentiality, non-repudiation on the data transmission for Internet of Things. We demonstrate the security efficiency with the comparison with traditional encryption algorithms.
Resource allocation in OFDMA networks based on interior point methods

This paper studies a joint optimization problem of sub-carrier assignment and power allocation in orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) wireless networks. A major challenge in solving the optimization problem is non-convexity caused by the combinatorial nature of sub-carrier assignment problem and-or non-convex objective functions. To address the combinatorial complexity, we formulate the resource allocation problem as an optimization problem with continuous variables. We propose a novel approach based on a penalty function method and an interior point method (PM-IPM) to solve the problem. In specific, using a two-step implementation, the penalty method is applied first to convert the non-convex feasible region to a convex one. Then, the interior point method is deployed to solve the problem which is non-convex only in the objective function. To evaluate the performance of PM-IPM, we apply a genetic algorithm (GA) that achieves near optimal solutions of the problem by iterative searching. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Non-convexity of utility-based resource allocation in OFDMA wireless networks is treated in this paper. A penalty function method and an interior point method (PM-IPM) are proposed to solve the resource allocation optimization problem. The performance of PM-IPM is compared by a genetic algorithm one.
Capacity scaling in MIMO Wireless systems under correlated fading

Previous studies have shown that single-user systems employing n-element antenna arrays at both the transmitter and the receiver can achieve a capacity proportional to n, assuming independent Rayleigh fading between antenna pairs. We explore the capacity of dual-antenna-array systems under correlated fading via theoretical analysis and ray-tracing simulations. We derive and compare expressions for the asymptotic growth rate of capacity with n antennas for both independent and correlated fading cases; the latter is derived under some assumptions about the scaling of the fading correlation structure. In both cases, the theoretic capacity growth is linear in n but the growth rate is 10-20% smaller in the presence of correlated fading. We analyze our assumption of separable transmit/receive correlations via simulations based on a ray-tracing propagation model. Results show that empirical capacities converge to the limit capacity predicted from our asymptotic theory even at moderate n = 16. We present results for both the cases when the transmitter does and does not know the channel realization.
Humanoid robot push-recovery strategy based on CMP criterion and angular momentum regulation

We propose a push-recovery strategy to stabilize the robot under unmodelled, large external forces. The strategy integrates Center-Of-Gravity (COG) angular momentum regulator, COG state estimator, and stepping control, which online modifies the trajectories of the COG and the swing leg. Using the centroidal-moment-pivot criterion, the COG angular momentum regulator controls the dynamics of the COG as an impedance system through the feedback of COG state estimator based on Kalman filter. The stepping control, on the other hand, selects the appropriate balancing reaction in anticipation of the potential consequences of the external disturbances on the robot. In simulations and experiments, we show the proposed push-recovery strategy can effectively save the robot from falling down and walk more smoothly.
The vav oncogene antagonises EGFR signalling and regulates adherens junction dynamics during Drosophila eye development

Organ shaping and patterning depends on the coordinated regulation of multiple processes. The Drosophila compound eye provides an excellent model to study the coordination of cell fate and cell positioning during morphogenesis. Here, we find that loss of vav oncogene function during eye development is associated with a disorganised retina characterised by the presence of additional cells of all types. We demonstrate that these defects result from two distinct roles of Vav. First, and in contrast to its well-established role as a positive effector of the EGF receptor (EGFR), we show that readouts of the EGFR pathway are upregulated in vav mutant larval eye disc and pupal retina, indicating that Vav antagonises EGFR signalling during eye development. Accordingly, decreasing EGFR signalling in vav mutant eyes restores retinal organisation and rescues most vav mutant phenotypes. Second, using live imaging in the pupal retina, we observe that vav mutant cells do not form stable adherens junctions, causing various defects, such as recruitment of extra primary pigment cells. In agreement with this role in junction dynamics, we observe that these phenotypes can be exacerbated by lowering DE-Cadherin or Cindr levels. Taken together, our findings establish that Vav acts at multiple times during eye development to prevent excessive cell recruitment by limiting EGFR signalling and by regulating junction dynamics to ensure the correct patterning and morphogenesis of the Drosophila eye. SUMMARY: Vav limits EGFR signalling to prevent excessive cell recruitment and regulates junction dynamics to ensure correct development of the fly eye, revealing novel functions for this proto-oncogene.
Host Modulation by a Parasite: How Leishmania infantum Modifies the Intestinal Environment of Lutzomyia longipalpis to Favor Its Development

Some reports have described the interference of Leishmania on sand flies physiology, and such behavior most likely evolved to favor the development and transmission of the parasite. Most of these studies showed that Leishmania could modulate the level of proteases in the midgut after an infective blood meal, and decreased proteolytic activity is indeed beneficial for the development of promastigotes in the gut of sand flies. In the present study, we performed a detailed investigation of the intestinal pH in Lutzomyia longipalpis females naturally infected with Leishmania infantum and investigated the production of trypsin by these insects using different approaches. Our results allowed us to propose a mechanism by which these parasites interfere with the physiology of L. longipalpis to decrease the production of proteolytic enzymes. According to our hypothesis L. infantum promastigotes indirectly interfere with the production of trypsin by modulating the mechanism that controls the intestinal pH via the action of a yet non-identified substance released by promastigote forms inside the midgut. This substance is not an acid, whose action would be restrict on to release H+ to the medium, but is a substance that is able to interfere with midgut physiology through a mechanism involving pH control. According to our hypothesis, as the pH decreases, the proteolytic enzymes efficiency is also reduced, leading to a decline in the supply of amino acids to the enterocytes: this decline reduces the stimulus for protease production because it is regulated by the supply of amino acids, thus leading to a delay in digestion.
Endothelin-converting enzyme-1 regulates endosomal sorting of calcitonin receptor-like receptor and β-arrestins

Although cell surface metalloendopeptidases degrade neuropeptides in the extracellular fluid to terminate signaling, the function of peptidases in endosomes is unclear. We report that isoforms of endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1a–d) are present in early endosomes, where they degrade neuropeptides and regulate post-endocytic sorting of receptors. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) co-internalizes with calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR), receptor activity-modifying protein 1 (RAMP1), β-arrestin2, and ECE-1 to early endosomes, where ECE-1 degrades CGRP. CGRP degradation promotes CLR/RAMP1 recycling and β-arrestin2 redistribution to the cytosol. ECE-1 inhibition or knockdown traps CLR/RAMP1 and β-arrestin2 in endosomes and inhibits CLR/RAMP1 recycling and resensitization, whereas ECE-1 overexpression has the opposite effect. ECE-1 does not regulate either the resensitization of receptors for peptides that are not ECE-1 substrates (e.g., angiotensin II), or the recycling of the bradykinin B2 receptor, which transiently interacts with β-arrestins. We propose a mechanism by which endosomal ECE-1 degrades neuropeptides in endosomes to disrupt the peptide/receptor/β-arrestin complex, freeing internalized receptors from β-arrestins and promoting recycling and resensitization.
Evolution of an e-learning environment based on desktop computer to ubiquitous computing: GUI design issues

Using the new wireless technologies, mobile devices with small displays (handhelds, personal digital assistants, mobile phones) are present in many environments. We are interested in the effective use of such mobile computing devices for supporting collaborative learning. We want to show its application in a study case: the teaching of Domotics. To reach this goal, we analyze the tasks, which are susceptible of improvement through mobile computing. We will take as starting point a collaborative e-learning environment of domotical design, based on the desktop metaphor, and called Domosim-TPC. We pretend to adapt this tool to the characteristics of mobile devices. This evolution is based in a task-based analysis. In this paper we describe some learned lessons in the semi-automatic generation of users interfaces for a PDA-type devices. This generation process is carried out starting from the user interface for desktop devices.
MicroRNA-409-3p Functions as a Tumor Suppressor in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma by Targeting c-Met

Background/Aims: Dysregulation of microRNAs is correlated with tumor development. The aim of this study is to investigate the clinicopathologic and prognostic significance of microRNA (miR)-409-3p and its tumor suppressor roles in lung adenocarcinoma (LAD). Methods: Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect miR-409-3p expression in LAD tissues and corresponding noncancerous tissues. Additionally, the correlations of miR-409-3p expression with clinicopathologic factors and prognosis of patients were statistically analyzed. Next, we investigated whether miR-409-3p could function as a tumor suppressor in LAD cells via regulation of Akt signaling by targeting receptor tyrosine kinase (c-Met). Results: MiR-409-3p was significantly downregulated in LAD tissues compared with corresponding noncancerous tissues. Low miR-409-3p expression was observed to be significantly correlated with poorer tumor differentiation, advanced pTNM stage and higher incidence of lymph node metastasis. Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that miR-409-3p expression was an independent prognostic factor for LAD patients. Functional analyses indicated that miR-409-3p could inhibit growth, induce apoptosis, reduce migration and invasion in LAD cells via inactivation of Akt signaling by targeting c-Met. Conclusions: MiR-409-3p was an independent prognostic factor and functioned as a tumor suppressor in LAD via regulation of Akt signaling by targeting c-Met.
Modelling selective visual attention for autonomous virtual characters

Autonomous virtual characters (AVCs) are becoming more prevalent both for real‐time interaction and also as digital actors in film and TV production. AVCs require believable virtual human animations, accompanied by natural attention generation, and thus the software that controls the AVCs needs to model when and how to interact with the objects and other characters that exist in the virtual environment. This paper models automatic attention behaviour using a saliency model that generates plausible targets for combined gaze and head motions. The model was compared with the default behaviour of the Second Life (SL) system in an object observation scenario while it was compared with real actors' behaviour in a conversation scenario. Results from a study run within the SL system demonstrate a promising attention model that is not just believable and realistic but also adaptable to varying task, without any prior knowledge of the virtual scene. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fast Construction of Near Optimal Probing Strategies

Probing is a common operation employed to reduce the position uncertainty of objects. This thesis demonstrates a technique for constructing provably near optimal probing strategies for precisely localizing polygonal parts. This problem is shown to be dual to the well studied grasping problem of computing optimal nger placements as de ned by Mishra et al. [18] and others [11, 17]. A useful quality metric of any given probing strategy can easily be computed from simple geometric constructions in the displacement space of the polygon. The approach will always nd a minimal set of probes that is guaranteed to be near optimal for constraining the position of the polygon. The size of the resulting set of probes is within O(1) of the optimal number of probes and can be computed in O(n log n) time whereas the exact optimal solution is in NP-hard [8]. The result of this work is a probing strategy useful in practice for re ning part poses.
Performance analysis of permenant magnet claw pole machine for integrated starter-generator

Due to the integrated starter generator replacing both starter motor and generator of an conventional vehicles in a single electric machine, it emissions benefits of hybrid electric vehicles propulsion. In this paper, a new permanent magnet claw pole machine applied to integrated starter generator system is proposed. The structure characteristics and operation principle are introduced, then according to the equivalent magnetic circuit model, the performance calculation model is built and simulation of operation characteristics is finished. Moreover, the 3D magnetic field calculated by finite element method, the back electromagnetic force, no load air gap flux density and self inductance is obtain. The results of simulation and magnetic calculation verify feasibility of the PM claw pole machine, which is suitable to integrated starter generator system.
Distributed Path Consensus Algorithm

Path planning methods based on discrete graph searches are highly effective in dealing with large-scale environments, arbitrarily shaped obstacles, frequent map updates and complex cost functions. When it comes to planning for teams of coupled agents however, typical graph searchbased planning techniques quickly become infeasible due to the exponential growth of the dimensionality of the joint state-space. In this paper, we study the problem of path planning for teams of agents coupled with timeparameterized constraints on the distances from each other, the problem that often arises in planning for multi-agent robotic systems with limited communication range. We first pose this problem as searching N (the number of agents) graphs for cost-minimal paths that satisfy the distance constraints. We then show how the solution to this problem path consensus can be achieved in distributed fashion. Our theoretical analysis gives the conditions under which the algorithm converges to an optimal solution. Our experimental analysis shows that the algorithm converges fast for teams of up to six agents navigating cluttered environments.
A fuzzy logic-based communication medium selection for QoS preservation in vehicular networks

Enabling vehicles to connect to the best available communication medium in a heterogeneous network is of high importance to preserve good quality of service (QoS), however a hard task to handle. The ISO-CALM (Communications Access for Land Mobiles) offers the possibility to manage multiple communication interfaces with a promising architecture, but without any specific implementation. Several techniques were proposed to handle the network choice, however, they didn't stick to an open standard and in some cases many important metrics are not considered. We consider in this paper to develop a fuzzy-based framework to select the best communication medium in a heterogeneous vehicular network. The proposed mechanism is based on fuzzy inference systems and considers several features that affect the decision process, which are available from the network such as received signal strength (RSSI), network density, vehicle speed and service cost. The use of fuzzy-logic is motivated by its capability to treat linguistic parameters in a lightweight manner which makes it able to deal with `ping-pong' problem by reducing the number of vertical handoffs and easy to integrate in real resources-constrained equipments.
On using likelihood-adjusted proposals in particle filtering: local importance sampling

An unsatisfactory property of particle filters is that they may become inefficient when the observation noise is low. In this paper we consider a simple-to-implement particle filter, called 'LIS-based particle filter', whose aim is to overcome the above mentioned weakness. LIS-based particle filters sample the particles in a two-stage process that uses information of the most recent observation, too. Experiments with the standard bearings-only tracking problem indicate that the proposed new particle filter method is indeed a viable alternative to other methods.
Whole body vibration: a new therapeutic approach to improve muscle function in cystic fibrosis?

Disease progression in cystic fibrosis (CF) leads to muscle wasting and loss of muscle function. The aim of this prospective pilot study was to evaluate the effects of whole body vibration (WBV) on muscle function in adult patients with CF. Ten patients (three males; seven females) of the CF Center Cologne, Germany, have completed the 3-month study (age: 24–47 years; forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) 17–109% predicted (49±29) and body mass index (BMI) 16.6–24.4 kg/m2 (19.3±2.5). WBV was provided by a vibration platform (Galileo 2000). The patients were standing in an upright position receiving vertical vibration of frequencies between 20 and 25 Hz. The vibration exercise evokes muscle contractions via stretch reflexes improving muscular activity. The training schedule consisted of three 3-min sessions twice a day, 5 days per week for 3 months. Every 4 weeks the following tests were carried out: FEV1, forced vital capacity (FVC), BMI, chair-rising test (CRT), one-leg and two-leg jump test as well as maximal isometric grip force. The study has been approved by the local ethics committee. After 3 months of WBV all parameters in the CRT significantly improved: chair-rising time (P=0.03), maximal force (P=0.02), maximal power (P=0.01) as well as velocity (P=0.02). The peak jump force (P=0.02) and velocity (P=0.01) of the two-leg jump significantly improved. Parameters in the one-leg jump as well as maximal isometric grip force showed no significant improvement. Weight and BMI showed a slightly positive trend whereas FEV1 and FVC did not significantly change. Any change in mechanographic parameters did not correlate with FEV1 or FVC in this study. These results demonstrate that WBV can improve muscle function in CF patients.