Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association between two single base polymorphisms of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 gene and inflammatory bowel disease

Aim: The present study evaluated the association between G241R and K469E polymorphisms of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 gene and inflammatory bowel disease in Iranian population. Background: Inflammatory bowel disease including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. There are two single base polymorphisms of intercellular adhesion molecule 1gene, G241R and K469E, reported to be associated with inflammatory disorders. Patients and methods: In this case-control study, 156 inflammatory bowel disease patients (110 ulcerative colitis and 46 Crohn’s disease patients) and 131 healthy controls were enrolled. Two polymorphisms of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 gene, including G241R and K469E, were assessed by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: The E469 allele of K469E polymorphism was significantly more frequent in Crohn’s disease patients compared to controls (P< 0.05, OR= 1.83; 95% CI: 1.13 to 2.96). The mutant homozygote genotype of K469E polymorphism (E/E) was also significantly more frequent in Crohn’s disease patients compared to controls (P< 0.05, OR= 4.23; 95% CI: 1.42 to 12.59). No difference was observed in the frequency of K469E polymorphism among ulcerative colitis patients compared to controls. There were no significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies of G241R polymorphism among ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease patients compared to control subjects. Conclusion: According to our findings, K469E polymorphism of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 gene may probably participate in the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease in Iran.
Arbitrage and Growth Rate for Riskless Investments in a Stationary Economy

A sequential investment is a vector of payments over time, (a0, a1, . ,an), where a payment is made to or by the investor according as ai is positive or negative. Given a collection of such investments it may be possible to assemble a portfolio from which an investor can get “something for nothing,” meaning that without investing any money of his own he can receive a positive return after some finite number of time periods. Cantor and Lipmann (1995) have given a simple necessary and sufficient condition for a set of investments to have this property. We present a short proof of this result. If arbitrage is not possible, our result leads to a simple derivation of the expression for the long–run growth rate of the set of investments in terms of its “internal rate of return. ”
Automatic Transcription of Simple Polyphonic Music: Robust Front End Processing

It is only very recently that systems have been developed that transcribe polyphonic music with more than two voices in even limited generality. Two of these systems [Kashino et al.1995, Martin 1996] have been built within a blackboard framework, integrating front ends based on sinusoidal analysis with musical knowledge. These and other systems to date rely on instrument models for detecting octaves. Recent results have shown that an autocorrelation-based front end may make bottom-up detection of octaves possible, thereby improving system performance as well as reducing the distance between transcription models and human audition. This report outlines the blackboard approach to automatic transcription and presents a new system based on the log-lag correlogram of [Ellis 1996]. Preliminary results are presented, outlining the bottom-up detection of octaves and transcription of simple polyphonic music.
Real-Time Area Coverage and Target Localization Using Receding-Horizon Ergodic Exploration

Although a number of solutions exist for the problems of coverage, search, and target localization—commonly addressed separately—whether there exists a unified strategy that addresses these objectives in a coherent manner without being application specific remains a largely open research question. In this paper, we develop a receding-horizon ergodic control approach, based on hybrid systems theory, that has the potential to fill this gap. The nonlinear model-predictive control algorithm plans real-time motions that optimally improve ergodicity with respect to a distribution defined by the expected information density across the sensing domain. We establish a theoretical framework for global stability guarantees with respect to a distribution. Moreover, the approach is distributable across multiple agents so that each agent can independently compute its own control while sharing statistics of its coverage across a communication network. We demonstrate the method in both simulation and in experiment in the context of target localization, illustrating that the algorithm is independent of the number of targets being tracked and can be run in real time on computationally limited hardware platforms.
Toxicogenomic analysis of the pulmonary toxic effects of hexanal in F344 rat

Hexanal is a major component of indoor air pollutants and is a kind of aldehydes; it has adverse effects on human health. We performed an in vivo inhalation study and transcriptomic analysis to determine the mode of toxic actions in response to hexanal. Fischer 344 rats of both sexes were exposed by inhalation to hexanal aerosol for 4 h day−1, 5 days week−1 for 4 weeks at 0, 600, 1000, and 1500 ppm. Throughout our microarray‐based genome‐wide expression analysis, we identified 56 differentially expressed genes in three doses of hexanal; among these genes, 11 genes showed dose‐dependent expression patterns (10 downregulated and 1 upregulated, 1.5‐fold, p < 0.05). Through a comparative toxicogenomics database (CTD) analysis of 11 genes, we determined that five genes (CCL12, DDIT4, KLF2, CEBPD, and ADH6) are linked to diverse disease categories such as cancer, respiratory tract disease, and immune system disease. These diseases were previously known for being induced by volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Our data demonstrated that the hexanal‐induced dose‐dependent altered genes could be valuable quantitative biomarkers to predict hexanal exposure and to perform relative risk assessments, including pulmonary toxicity. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 382–396, 2017.
Synthetic LPETG-Containing Peptide Incorporation in the Staphylococcus aureus Cell-Wall in a Sortase A- and Growth Phase-Dependent Manner

The majority of Staphylococcus aureus virulence- and colonization-associated surface proteins contain a pentapeptide recognition motif (LPXTG). This motif can be recognized and cleaved by sortase A (SrtA) which is a membrane-bound transpeptidase. After cleavage these proteins are covalently incorporated into the peptidoglycan. Therefore, SrtA plays a key role in S. aureus virulence. We aimed to generate a substrate mimicking this SrtA recognition motif for several purposes: to incorporate this substrate into the S. aureus cell-wall in a SrtA-dependent manner, to characterize this incorporation and to determine the effect of substrate incorporation on the incorporation of native SrtA-dependent cell-surface-associated proteins. We synthesized substrate containing the specific LPXTG motif, LPETG. As a negative control we used a scrambled version of this substrate, EGTLP and a S. aureus srtA knockout strain. Both substrates contained a fluorescence label for detection by FACScan and fluorescence microscope. A spreading assay and a competitive Luminex assay were used to determine the effect of substrate treatment on native LPXTG containing proteins deposition in the bacterial cell-wall. We demonstrate a SrtA-dependent covalent incorporation of the LPETG-containing substrate in wild type S. aureus strains and several other Gram-positive bacterial species. LPETG-containing substrate incorporation in S. aureus was growth phase-dependent and peaked at the stationary phase. This incorporation negatively correlated with srtA mRNA expression. Exogenous addition of the artificial substrate did not result in a decreased expression of native SrtA substrates (e.g. clumping factor A/B and protein A) nor induced a srtA knockout phenotype.
Stability analysis of coupled torsional vibration and pressure in oilwell drillstring system

ABSTRACT To address security issues in oilwell drillstring system, the drilling operation handling which is in generally not autonomous but ensured by an operator may be drill bit destructive or fatal for the machine. To control of stick-slip phenomenon, the drillstring control at the right speed taking only the drillstring vibration is not sufficient as the mud dynamics and the pressure change around the drill pipes cannot be neglected. A coupled torsional vibration and pressure model is presented, and the well-posedness problem is addressed. As a Partial Differential Equation-Ordinary Differential Equation (PDE-ODE) coupled system, and in order to maintain a non destructive downhole pressure, we investigate the control stability with and without the damping term in the wave PDE. In terms of, the torsional variable, the downhole pressure, and the annulus pressure, the coupled system equilibrium is shown to be exponentially stable.
A 10 MHz mixed-signal CPM controlled DC-DC converter IC with novel gate swing circuit and instantaneous efficiency optimization

This paper introduces a mixed-signal peak current-programmed mode controlled 10 MHz dc-dc converter integrated circuit (IC) for low-power applications. The IC combines segmented power transistors, gate drivers and the main functional blocks of a multi-mode controller. Based on the information about the peak transistor current, obtained from the voltage loop, the controller instantaneously changes the number of segments, gate drive voltage, or switches to pulse-frequency modulation, such that for each operating point efficiency is optimized. To obtain reliable operation at such a high switching frequency and achieve efficiency optimization novel architecture of gate swing circuit is combined with modifications of known designs of other functional blocks. Experimental verification of a 0.6 W buck converter IC, fabricated in a 0.13 µm process, demonstrate the peak efficiency of an 83%, near time-optimal dynamic response, and up to a 20% efficiency improvement due to the action of the efficiency optimization controller.
Chapter 9 MINING TEXT STREAMS

The large amount of text data which are continuously produced over time in a variety of large scale applications such as social networks results in massive streams of data. Typically massive text streams are created by very large scale interactions of individuals, or by structured creations of particular kinds of content by dedicated organizations. An example in the latter category would be the massive text streams created by news-wire services. Such text streams provide unprecedented challenges to data mining algorithms from an efficiency perspective. In this chapter, we review text stream mining algorithms for a wide variety of problems in data mining such as clustering, classification and topic modeling. We also discuss a number of future challenges in this area of
Fast Hierarchical Goal Schema Recognition

We present our work on using statistical, corpus-based machine learning techniques to simultaneously recognize an agent's current goal schemas at various levels of a hierarchical plan. Our recognizer is based on a novel type of graphical model, a Cascading Hidden Markov Model, which allows the algorithm to do exact inference and make predictions at each level of the hierarchy in time quadratic to the number of possible goal schemas. We also report results of our recognizer's performance on a plan corpus.
Development of Secondary-fuel Injection Technology for Energy Reduction in Iron Ore Sintering Process

JFE Steel Corporation developed the hydrogen-based gas fuel injection technology for sintering machines to improve sinter quality without increasing coke breeze ratio. With the technology, it is possible to extend the temperature zone between 1200°C and 1400°C by injecting the gaseous fuel from the top surface of the sintering machine as a partial substitute for coke breeze. Theoretical and experimental studies were carried out to verify the effect of the gaseous-fuel injection technology on pore structure in the sinter cake with the X-ray CT scanner and sintering pot test.It is important to hold the temperature between 1200°C and 1400°C in order to produce high strength and high reducibility sinter. The liquid phase ratio can be increased with extending the proper temperature zone by applying the gaseous fuel injection technology. The increase in liquid phase ratio promotes the combination of pores (1–5 mm) and sinter strength is improved. At the same time, the pores over 5 mm growth are promoted and the permeability is improved in the sintering bed. Moreover, the low-temperature sintering process depresses the iron ore self-densification. Micro pores under 1 μm remain in unmelted ores and improve sinter reducibility. As a result, the technology enables to improve the pore structure in the sinter cake and sinter quality.The technology was put into commercial operation at Keihin No. 1 sinter plant in January 2009 and stable operation has continued up to the present. As a result, the energy efficiency in the sintering process is greatly improved, and it has been achieved to reduce CO2 emissions by a maximum of approximately 60000 t/year at Keihin No. 1 sinter plant.
Event-Related Potentials for Post-Error and Post-Conflict Slowing

In a reaction time task, people typically slow down following an error or conflict, each called post-error slowing (PES) and post-conflict slowing (PCS). Despite many studies of the cognitive mechanisms, the neural responses of PES and PCS continue to be debated. In this study, we combined high-density array EEG and a stop-signal task to examine event-related potentials of PES and PCS in sixteen young adult participants. The results showed that the amplitude of N2 is greater during PES but not PCS. In contrast, the peak latency of N2 is longer for PCS but not PES. Furthermore, error-positivity (Pe) but not error-related negativity (ERN) was greater in the stop error trials preceding PES than non-PES trials, suggesting that PES is related to participants' awareness of the error. Together, these findings extend earlier work of cognitive control by specifying the neural correlates of PES and PCS in the stop signal task.
A learning concept for behavior prediction at intersections

The idea presented in this paper is an online learning approach for behavior prediction of other road participants at an intersection. Learning traffic situations online has the advantage that it is possible to react to changes in driving behavior due to changes in the environment. If visual obstruction occurs because of changes in the environment, e.g. a growing corn field, the behavior of drivers changes. In contrast to pre-trained models an online learning concept is able to react to these changes in driving behavior. In this contribution Case-Based Reasoning, a concept which adapts human reasoning and thinking to a system, is used. The functionality of the concept is shown by predicting the maneuver of an approaching vehicle at an intersection. The presented concept is able to predict if a vehicle turns in front of the ego-vehicle or stops and give the ego-vehicle right of way.
Measuring moonlight: An overview of the spatial properties, lunar coverage, selenolocation, and related Level 1B products of the Moon Mineralogy Mapper

[1] The Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3), a high-resolution, high-precision imaging spectrometer, flew on board India's Chandrayaan-1 Mission from October 2008 through August 2009. This paper describes some of the spatial sampling aspects of the instrument, the planned mission, and the mission as flown. We also outline the content and context of the resulting Level 1B spatial products that form part of the M3 archive. While designed and planned to operate for 2 years in a 100 km lunar orbit, M3 was able to meet its lunar coverage requirements despite the shortened mission; an increase of the orbit altitude to 200 km; and several relevant problems with spacecraft attitude, timing, and ephemeris. The unexpected spacecraft issues required us to invent a novel two-step approach for selenolocation. Leveraging newly available Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter-Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) topography and an improved spacecraft ephemeris, we have created a method that permits us to bootstrap spacecraft attitude estimates from the image data themselves. This process performs a nonlinear optimization to honor a set of data-derived image-to-image tie points and image-to-LOLA control points. Error analysis of the final results suggests we have converged to a selenolocation result that has image-to-image root-mean-square (RMS) errors less than 200 m and image-to-LOLA RMS errors less than 450 m, despite using data-derived spacecraft attitude results. The Level 1B products include the lunar coordinates resulting from this inversion process and 10 relevant observational geometry parameters that fully characterize the ray tracing geometry on a pixel-by-pixel basis.
Wearable Textile Strain Sensors

: This paper provides a review of wearable textile strain sensors that can measure the deformation of the body surface according to the movements of the wearer. In previous studies, the requirements of textile strain sensors, materials and fabrication methods, as well as the principle of the strain sensing according to sensor structures were understood; furthermore, the factors that affect the sensing performance were critically reviewed and application studies were examined. Textile strain sensors should be able to show piezoresistive effects with consistent resistance-extension in response to the extensional deformations that are repeated when they are worn. Textile strain sensors with piezore-sistivity are typically made using conductive yarn knit structures or carbon-based fillers or conducting polymer filler composite materials. For the accuracy and reliability of textile strain sensors, fabrication technologies that would minimize deformation hysteresis should be developed and processes to complement and analyze sensing results based on accurate understanding of the sensors’ resistance-strain behavior are necessary. Since light-weighted, flexible, and highly elastic textile strain sensors can be worn by users without any inconvenience so that to enable the users to continuously collect data related to body movements, textile strain sensors are expected to become the core of human interface technologies with a wide range of applications in diverse areas.
The Isolated and Perfused Brain of the Guinea‐pig In Vitro

We describe here an isolated and perfused in vitro adult guinea‐pig whole brain preparation which is an extension of the previously described in vitro brainstem–cerebellum preparation, Viability was tested by the analysis of trans‐synaptic responses along the visual pathways following the electrical stimulation of the optic nerve or the optic radiations. The evoked field potentials were recorded in the dorsal lateral geniculate, the superior colliculus and the visual cortex. The distribution of extracellular currents was studied using current source density analysis, in order to determine the amplitude, time course and spatial organization of the synaptic activity at these sites. The study indicates that field potentials were very similar to those described in vivo. These data demonstrate the survival of a complex adult sensory system in vitro and suggest that this preparation can be used for the analysis of multisynaptic circuits in the mammalian brain.
The effects of discontinuing cinacalcet at the time of kidney transplantation

Background. The calcimimetic, cinacalcet, is approved for treating secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis. Biochemical profiles and clinical outcomes in patients discontinuing cinacalcet at kidney transplantation have not been previously described. Methods. We performed a retrospective observational study evaluating post-transplant biochemical profiles and clinical outcomes in patients who had enrolled in phase 2 or 3 randomized, placebo-controlled studies of cinacalcet before receiving a kidney transplant. Results. The study included 28 former cinacalcet and 10 former placebo patients. Post-kidney transplant, there were no obvious differences between the two groups in levels of serum intact parathyroid hormone, calcium or phosphorus. One patient in each group underwent post-transplant parathyroidectomy. Kidney transplant failure was apparent in one former cinacalcet-treated patient (4%) and three former placebo patients (30%). The duration of hospitalization (mean ± standard error) immediately post-transplant in these two groups was 2.3 ± 0.3 and 3.4 ± 0.8 weeks, respectively. Conclusions. Using cinacalcet to treat SHPT in patients with CKD awaiting kidney transplantation does not appear to modify SHPT-related post-transplant biochemical profiles, or clinical outcomes, compared with placebo.
Quantitative determination of propranolol by ultraviolet HPLC in human plasma

Many previous published methods for the quantitative determination of propranolol (PRN) in human plasma have poor recoveries and were not validated according to the FDA guideline. The aim of this study is to develop a simple HPLC method for detecting PRN in human plasma and to validate it so that it can be applied to a clinical study. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a mixture of a mobile phase consisting of 160 ml water, 180 ml methanol, 70 ml acetonitrile, 2.5 ml acetic acid, and 125 µl triethylamine (v/v). The pH of the whole mixture was adjusted to 3.4. A flow rate of 0.5 ml/min was employed throughout with a 15 µl injection volume. Detection was done using a UV detector at 291 nm. The validated method was linear for concentrations ranging from 15–180 ng/ ml with a good separation and specificity for both PRN and its internal standard, oxprenolol (OXP), with excellent recoveries, precision, and accuracies. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 1 and 10 ng/ml, respectively. The stability studies demonstrated that PRN is stable in the autosampler vials and also up to 3.5 months. To the authors’ knowledge, the recovery, that ranged between 97.9–102.7%, is the highest among all previously reported methods that used HPLC with UV detection. The developed and validated method for PRN analysis is excellen,t and applicable to a clinical study.
Live in Vitro Monitoring of Stem Cell Labeling Process by Spio Nanoparticles using Advanced Microscopic Techniques

Cell imaging and in vivo monitoring of stem cell therapy are nowadays progressive medical areas in which SPION (Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles) have found an irreplaceable role as magnetic markers of cells in MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). Thus, magnetically labeled stem cells can be monitored noninvasively and help in treatment after transplantation. But, in vitro interactions between nanomaterials and stem cells and stem cells behavior after SPIO labeling has not been clarified yet. Therefore, scientists are looking for the appropriate type of SPIO nanoparticles, ideal labeling procedure and suitable methods for characterization and observation of the cells behavior after labeling by SPIO nanoparticles. In this study, we introduce not only a process of cell membrane uptake of SPIO, cell viability, proliferation and morphology after SPIO labeling but also unique properties such as live visualization of cells division and redistribution of SPIO nanoparticles during the process of cell mitosis. In addition, we are able to establish frequency of mitosis and specific cell growth rate by using time-lapse scale microscopy. Moreover, initial endosome formation and a fate of nanoparticles entrapped in endosomes we observed newly by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM).