Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
KINECT applications for the physical rehabilitation

This report presents the results of KINECT applications used in physical rehabilitation tests. Aoyama Gakuin and Kitasato universities collaborated on this project, which is supported by SCOPE. The applications, following standard tests, are for the timed “Up & Go Test”, the timed “10-Meter Walk Test” and for a Joint “Range of Motion” Measurement”; test results are given. The implementation, evaluation and advantages of a proposed “Real-time ROM Measurement” are also given. The proposed KINECT application will be useful for enhancement of KINECT technical capabilities and for further advancements in medical care.
Real-Time Replication Control for Distributed Database Systems: Algorithms and Their Performance

Schedulers for distributed real-time database systems must satisfy timing constraints of transactions and preserve data consistency. This paper presents a replication control algorithm, which integrates real-time scheduling and replication control. The algorithm adopts a majority consensus scheme for replication control and employs epsilon-serializability, a correctness criterion which is less stringent than conventional one-copy serializability. The performance of the algorithm is evaluated and compared with that of a real-time token-based
MOSAIC+: tools to assist virtual restoration

In many cases, virtual restoration is the only way to have an idea of the original appearance of an artwork. In particular, in the archeological field, it is useful to both assist and guide the operator in physical reconstruction, and to provide to the final visitor a complete vision of the artwork even though the original is damaged or lacks some parts. In this work, we propose a set of tools useful in two different restoration steps. The first one helps the expert to carry out reconstruction of fragmented artifacts in an easier and more effective way. The second provides a view of the artifact after virtually eliminating a craquelure.
Adaptive Wavelet Wiener Filtering of ECG Signals

In this study, we focused on the reduction of broadband myopotentials (EMG) in ECG signals using the wavelet Wiener filtering with noise-free signal estimation. We used the dyadic stationary wavelet transform (SWT) in the Wiener filter as well as in estimating the noise-free signal. Our goal was to find a suitable filter bank and to choose other parameters of the Wiener filter with respect to the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) obtained. Testing was performed on artificially noised signals from the standard CSE database sampled at 500 Hz. When creating an artificial interference, we started from the generated white Gaussian noise, whose power spectrum was modified according to a model of the power spectrum of an EMG signal. To improve the filtering performance, we used adaptive setting parameters of filtering according to the level of interference in the input signal. We were able to increase the average SNR of the whole test database by about 10.6 dB. The proposed algorithm provides better results than the classic wavelet Wiener filter.
The use of a reference tissue arterial input function with low-temporal-resolution DCE-MRI data

Pharmacokinetic modeling is a promising quantitative analysis technique for cancer diagnosis. However, diagnostic dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) of the breast is commonly performed with low temporal resolution. This limits its clinical utility. We investigated for a range of temporal resolutions whether pharmacokinetic parameter estimation is impacted by the use of data-derived arterial input functions (AIFs), obtained via analysis of dynamic data from a reference tissue, as opposed to the use of a standard AIF, often obtained from the literature. We hypothesized that the first method allows the use of data at lower temporal resolutions than the second method. Test data were obtained by downsampling high-temporal-resolution rodent data via a k-space-based strategy. To fit the basic Tofts model, either the data-derived or the standard AIF was used. The resulting estimates of Ktrans and ve were compared with the standard estimates obtained by using the original data. The deviations in Ktrans and ve, introduced when lowering temporal resolution, were more modest using data-derived AIFs compared with using a standard AIF. Specifically, lowering the resolution from 5 to 60 s, the respective changes in Ktrans were 2% (non-significant) and 18% (significant). Extracting the AIF from a reference tissue enables accurate pharmacokinetic parameter estimation for low-temporal-resolution data.
Robustness of Offline Signature Verification Based on Gray Level Features

Several papers have recently appeared in the literature which propose pseudo-dynamic features for automatic static handwritten signature verification based on the use of gray level values from signature stroke pixels. Good results have been obtained using rotation invariant uniform local binary patterns LBP8,1riu2 plus LBP16,2riu2 and statistical measures from gray level co-occurrence matrices (GLCM) with MCYT and GPDS offline signature corpuses. In these studies the corpuses contain signatures written on a uniform white “nondistorting” background, however the gray level distribution of signature strokes changes when it is written on a complex background, such as a check or an invoice. The aim of this paper is to measure gray level features robustness when it is distorted by a complex background and also to propose more stable features. A set of different checks and invoices with varying background complexity is blended with the MCYT and GPDS signatures. The blending model is based on multiplication. The signature models are trained with genuine signatures on white background and tested with other genuine and forgeries mixed with different backgrounds. Results show that a basic version of local binary patterns (LBP) or local derivative and directional patterns are more robust than rotation invariant uniform LBP or GLCM features to the gray level distortion when using a support vector machine with histogram oriented kernels as a classifier.
EVALUATION OF ACUTE AND SUBCHRONIC TOXICITY OF LAGENARIA SICERARIA AERIAL PARTS

Lagenaria siceraria is traditionally being used in many countries in the treatment of various diseases including diabetes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety of the methanol extract of L. siceraria aerial parts (MELS) through acute and subchronic toxicity study in mice. For acute toxicity study 5002000 mg/kg MELS were administered orally and obvious toxic symptoms and mortality was studied upto 72 h. In subchronic study, effect of multiple weekly dosing of 400 mg/kg (one-fifth of the maximum tolerated dose) of MELS was investigated in mice for six weeks and the evaluation was done by the studies of hematological parameters, biochemical estimations of hepatorenal parameters, antioxidant status, and histological observations of the tissue. The extract was found to be well tolerated upto 2g/kg in acute toxicity study. In subchronic toxicity study it showed no significant alteration on any of the parameters, however an improvement in the lipid profile was observed in the treated group of animals. Hence the results suggest that methanol extract of L.siceraria aerial parts is quite safe and can be used in the treatment of the chronic diseases like diabetes without any toxicity. INTRODUCTION: Nature has been a source of medicinal agents from the ancient times and medicinal plants, especially have formed the basis of the wide variety of traditional medicines used in various countries worldwide. Present estimates indicate that about eighty percent of the world’s population relies on traditional medicine for health care delivery 1, . The exclusive use of herbal drugs for the management of variety of ailments continues due to easy access, better compatibility and for economic reasons. Studies of medicinal plants using scientific approaches showed that various biological components of medicinal plants exhibit a variety of properties and can be used to treat various ailments. However, a number of studies have reported the toxic effects of herbal medicines 3, . Hence a systemic scientific study of a medicinal plant should include a thorough toxicity study before the recommendation for its use in the treatment of any disease or disorder. Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standley, commonly known as bottle-gourd (in English), belongs to cucurbitaceae family. It is a climbing or trailing herb, with bottle or dumb-bell shaped fruits. Both of its aerial parts and fruits are commonly consumed as vegetable. The plant is widely available in India, China, European countries, Brazil and Hawaiian island and traditionally is used as medicine for its cardiotonic, general tonic, and diuretic properties . Further, antihepatotoxic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, antihyperglycemic, immunomodulatory and antioxidant activities of its fruit extract have been evaluated . Lagenaria siceraria fruits are good source of vitamin B complex,
Hedonistic homeostatic dysregulation in patients with Parkinson's disease on dopamine replacement therapies

Hedonistic homeostatic dysregulation is a neuropsychological behavioural disorder associated with substance misuse and addiction. The disorder has been recognised as a consequence of dopamine replacement therapy (DRT) in 15 patients with Parkinson's disease. The syndrome typically develops in male patients with early onset Parkinson's disease, and can occur with orally and subcutaneously administered DRT. These patients take increasing quantities of their DRT, despite increasingly severe drug induced dyskinesias, and may develop a cyclical mood disorder with hypomania or manic psychosis. There is impairment of social and occupational functioning. Tolerance develops to mood elevating effects of DRT and a negative affective withdrawal state occurs if the drugs are withdrawn or doses decreased. The clinical features and guidelines for managing this syndrome are discussed. A set of diagnostic criteria for further investigating this condition is proposed.
CFD Model for Emulsification of Slag into the Steel

A CFD model based on water model experiments has been created to simulate slag entrainment and droplet formation. Multiphase Volume of Fluid (VOF) method is used to track the interface between slag and steel and User Defined File (UDF) code is applied to track separate droplets. Four oil–water systems and three slag–metal systems were simulated. The main objective of this research was to obtain droplet diameter distributions and the average droplet diameter in several different cases. With slag–metal cases the main interest was the effect of interfacial tension to droplet formation. With oil–water systems we studied the effect oil layer width and oil viscosity. The obtained droplet diameter distributions show that the dominant droplet size is 2–3 mm in every oil–water systems. In slag–metal systems the dominant size varies between 1–2 mm and 2–3 mm. The simulations show also that the average droplet size in all cases is 2.78–3.63 mm. The results were compared to the studies available in the literature.
Space-time travel blogging using a mobile phone

Whilst location based services have long been envisioned as an important element of future mobile user experiences, they have only recently become realizable for the average phone user. This is due to the emergence of: flat rate date tariffs on mobile networks; low cost Bluetooth GPS units and a large user base of phones capable of installing and running applications. In this paper we discuss the design, implementation, and results of a six month open user trial of a space-time photo travel blogging service called LocoBlog. The user experiences, over 1100 photographs from 14 countries, show that such a service is practical, affordable and seen as a new and exciting way of not only recording and sharing travel experiences but also general activities within their daily lives.
Assessment of liver function in thioacetamide‐induced rat acute liver injury using an empirical mathematical model and dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI with Gd‐EOB‐DTPA

To evaluate thioacetamide (TAA)‐induced acute liver injury in rats using an empirical mathematical model (EMM) and dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE‐MRI) with gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd‐EOB‐DTPA).
Revenue Management Through Dynamic Cross Selling in Call Centers

This paper models the cross‐selling problem of a call center as a dynamic service rate control problem. The question of when and to whom to cross sell is explored using this model. The analysis shows that, under the optimal policies, cross‐selling targets may be a function of the operational system state. Sufficient conditions are established for the existence of preferred calls, i.e., calls that will always generate a cross‐sell attempt. These provide guidelines in segment formation for marketing managers, and lead to a static heuristic policy. Numerical analysis establishes the value of different types of information, and different types of automation available for cross selling. Increased staffing for the same call volume is shown to have a positive and increasing return on revenue generation via cross selling, suggesting the need to staff for lower loads in call centers that aim to be revenue generators. The proposed heuristic leads to near optimal performance in a wide range of settings.
Poliovirus RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase (3Dpol)

We have constructed a structural model for poliovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (3Dpol) in complex with a primer-template (sym/sub) and ATP. Residues found in conserved structural motifs A (Asp-238) and B (Asn-297) are involved in nucleotide selection. Asp-238 appears to couple binding of nucleotides with the correct sugar configuration to catalytic efficiency at the active site of the enzyme. Asn-297 is involved in selection of ribonucleoside triphosphates over 2′-dNTPs, a role mediated most likely via a hydrogen bond between the side chain of this residue and the 2′-OH of the ribonucleoside triphosphate. Substitutions at position 238 or 297 of 3Dpolproduced derivatives exhibiting a range of catalytic efficiencies when assayed in vitro for poly(rU) polymerase activity or sym/sub elongation activity. A direct correlation existed between activity on sym/sub and biological phenotypes; a 2.5-fold reduction in polymerase elongation rate produced virus with a temperature-sensitive growth phenotype. These data permit us to propose a detailed, structural model for nucleotide selection by 3Dpol, confirm the biological relevance of the sym/sub system, and provide additional evidence for kinetic coupling between RNA synthesis and subsequent steps in the virus life cycle.
On the Architectures in Decentralized Supervisory Control

In this paper, we clarify the notion of architecture in decentralized control, in order to investigate the realizability problem: given a discrete-event system, a desired behavior and an architecture for a decentralized control, can the desired behavior be achieved by decentralized controllers in accordance with the given architecture? We consider the problem for any mu-calculus definable behavior and for classic architectures from the literature. The method consists in compiling in a single formula both the desired behavior and the architecture. Applications of this approach are a single synthesis algorithm of decentralized controllers (with full observation) for the whole considered family of architectures, and the development of a convenient mathematical framework for a theory of decentralized control architectures.
A Programmable Implantable Microstimulator SoC With Wireless Telemetry: Application in Closed-Loop Endocardial Stimulation for Cardiac Pacemaker

A low-power, wireless, and implantable microstimulator system on chip with smart powering management, immediate neural signal acquisition, and wireless rechargeable system is proposed. A system controller with parity checking handles the adjustable stimulus parameters for the stimulated objective. In the current paper, the rat's intra-cardiac electrogram is employed as the stimulated model in the animal study, and it is sensed by a low-voltage and low-power monitoring analog front end. The power management unit, which includes a rectifier, battery charging and detection, and a regulator, is used for the power control of the internal circuits. The stimulation data and required clock are extracted by a phase-locked-loop-based phase shift keying demodulator from an inductive AC signal. The full chip, which consumes 48 μW only, is fabricated in a TSMC 0.35 μm 2P4M standard CMOS process to perform the monitoring and pacing functions with inductively powered communication in the in vivo study.
Effect of Graphene Oxide on Structure and Properties of Impact-Modified Polyamide 6

ABSTRACT Modification of polymer blends with nanofillers is an efficient way to improve material parameters. This work deals with application of neat and stearylamine-modified graphene oxide in the polyamide 6/elastomer system using different mixing protocols. Combination of ethene–propene elastomer and graphene oxide leads to a polyamide material with increased strength, stiffness, and toughness. The reason is synergistic effect of the core–shell structure (nanofiller localized at interface) on mechanical properties. The structure-directing effect of graphene oxide is comparable with that of nanoclay. The mechanism of affecting dynamic phase behavior is different as a consequence of graphene oxide nature and interactions with polymer components. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Inhibitor and 14,15-Epoxyeicosatrienoic Acid-Facilitated Long-Term Potentiation through cAMP and CaMKII in the Hippocampus

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are derived from arachidonic acid and metabolized by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). The role of EETs in synaptic function in the central nervous system is still largely unknown. We found that pharmacological inhibition of sEH to stabilize endogenous EETs and exogenous 14,15-EET significantly increased the field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) response in the CA1 area of the hippocampus, while additionally enhancing high-frequency stimulation- (HFS-) induced long-term potentiation (LTP) and forskolin- (FSK-) induced LTP. sEH inhibitor (sEHI) N-[1-(oxopropyl)-4-piperidinyl]-N'-[4-(trifluoromethoxy) phenyl)-urea (TPPU) and exogenous 14,15-EET increased HFS-LTP, which could be blocked by an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit NR2B antagonist. TPPU- or 14,15-EET-facilitated FSK-mediated LTP can be potentiated by an A1 adenosine receptor antagonist and a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, but is prevented by a cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) inhibitor. sEHI and 14,15-EET upregulated the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) and Ca2+/calmodulin- (CaM-) dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). Phosphorylation of synaptic receptors NR2B and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor subunit GluR1 was increased by TPPU and 14,15-EET administration. These results indicated that EETs increased NMDAR- and FSK-mediated synaptic potentiation via the AC-cAMP-PKA signaling cascade and upregulated the ERKs and CaMKII, resulting in increased phosphorylation of NR2B and GluR1 in the hippocampus.
A Generalized Memory Polynomial Model for Digital Predistortion of RF Power Amplifiers

Conventional radio-frequency (RF) power amplifiers operating with wideband signals, such as wideband code-division multiple access (WCDMA) in the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) must be backed off considerably from their peak power level in order to control out-of-band spurious emissions, also known as "spectral regrowth. " Adapting these amplifiers to wideband operation therefore entails larger size and higher cost than would otherwise be required for the same power output. An alternative solution, which is gaining widespread popularity, is to employ digital baseband predistortion ahead of the amplifier to compensate for the nonlinearity effects, hence allowing it to run closer to its maximum output power while maintaining low spectral regrowth. Recent improvements to the technique have included memory effects in the predistortion model, which are essential as the bandwidth increases. In this paper, we relate the general Volterra representation to the classical Wiener, Hammerstein, Wiener-Hammerstein, and parallel Wiener structures, and go on to describe some state-of-the-art predistortion models based on memory polynomials. We then propose a new generalized memory polynomial that achieves the best performance to date, as demonstrated herein with experimental results obtained from a testbed using an actual 30-W, 2-GHz power amplifier
Cofilin-1 Inactivation Leads to Proteinuria – Studies in Zebrafish, Mice and Humans

Background Podocytes are highly specialized epithelial cells on the visceral side of the glomerulus. Their interdigitating primary and secondary foot processes contain an actin based contractile apparatus that can adjust to changes in the glomerular perfusion pressure. Thus, the dynamic regulation of actin bundles in the foot processes is critical for maintenance of a well functioning glomerular filtration barrier. Since the actin binding protein, cofilin-1, plays a significant role in the regulation of actin dynamics, we examined its role in podocytes to determine the impact of cofilin-1 dysfunction on glomerular filtration. Methods and Findings We evaluated zebrafish pronephros function by dextran clearance and structure by TEM in cofilin-1 morphant and mutant zebrafish and we found that cofilin-1 deficiency led to foot process effacement and proteinuria. In vitro studies in murine and human podocytes revealed that PMA stimulation induced activation of cofilin-1, whereas treatment with TGF-β resulted in cofilin-1 inactivation. Silencing of cofilin-1 led to an accumulation of F-actin fibers and significantly decreased podocyte migration ability. When we analyzed normal and diseased murine and human glomerular tissues to determine cofilin-1 localization and activity in podocytes, we found that in normal kidney tissues unphosphorylated, active cofilin-1 was distributed throughout the cell. However, in glomerular diseases that affect podocytes, cofilin-1 was inactivated by phosphorylation and observed in the nucleus. Conclusions Based on these in vitro and in vivo studies we concluded cofilin-1 is an essential regulator for actin filament recycling that is required for the dynamic nature of podocyte foot processes. Therefore, we describe a novel pathomechanism of proteinuria development.
Seed Coating Increases Seed Moisture Uptake and Restricts Embryonic Oxygen Availability in Germinating Cereal Seeds

Seed coating is a technology to improve germination and homogenize stand establishment. Although coating often results in lower germination rates, seeds that do germinate grow more vigorously and show strongly reduced respiratory losses during reserve mobilization. We hypothesize that the higher mobilization efficiency is due to a shift in the enzymatic cleavage of sucrose from invertase to sucrose synthase in the embryonic tissue caused by a reduced oxygen availability induced by oversaturation with water caused by the coating during early germination. We investigated the effect of coating on barley, rye, and wheat seed imbibition during the first 30 h after seeds were placed in moisture. We profiled oxygen in the embryos and measured sucrose and acid invertase levels as imbibition progressed. We found that seeds within coatings absorbed significantly more moisture than uncoated seeds. Coating resulted in near anoxic oxygen concentrations in the developing embryonic tissues in all three species. In barley, sucrose was not cleaved via the invertase pathway, despite the fact that invertase activity in coated seeds was increased. In rye and wheat, invertase activities were significantly lower in embryos from coated seeds without significantly changing the sugar composition.