Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Activated Microglia Induce Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Produce Glial Cell-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Protect Neurons Against Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation Injury

In this study, we investigated interactions among microglia (MG), bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and neurons in cerebral ischemia and the potential mechanisms using an in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) model. Rat BMSCs were incubated with conditioned medium (CM) from in vitro cultures of OGD-activated rat MG and murine BV2 MG cells. Effects of glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) on rat neuron viability, apoptosis, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were analyzed in this model. OGD-activated MG promoted GDNF production by BMSCs (P < 0.01). Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), but not interleukin-6 (IL6) or interleukin 1β (IL1β), promoted GDNF production by BMSCs (P < 0.001). GDNF or CM pre-treated BMSCs elevated neuronal viability and suppressed apoptosis (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); these effects were inhibited by the RET antibody. GDNF activated MEK/ERK and phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling but not JNK/c-JUN. Furthermore, GDNF upregulated B cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) and heat shock 60 kDa protein 1 (HSP60) levels, suppressed LDH leakage, and promoted MMP. Thus, activated MG produce TNFα to stimulate GDNF production by BMSCs, which prevents and repairs OGD-induced neuronal injury, possibly via regulating MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling. These findings will facilitate the prevention and treatment of neuronal injury by cerebral ischemia.
Modified LC-tank ESD protection design for 60-GHz RF applications

Nanoscale CMOS technologies, which were sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD), have been widely used to implement radio-frequency (RF) integrated circuits. Against ESD damages, ESD protection design must be included in RF circuits. A novel modified LC-tank ESD protection design was presented in this work. Such ESD protection circuit had been designed for 60-GHz RF applications and verified in a 65-nm CMOS process. The modified LC-tank can lower the power loss and reduce the layout area under the required human-body-model (HBM) ESD robustness, as compared with the traditional designs. With the better performances, the modified LC-tank ESD protection design was very suitable for RF ESD protection.
The use of reminiscence in the prevention and treatment of depression in older people living in care homes

With a growing older population, and depression affecting a considerable proportion of care home residents, it is imperative that effective methods of treating depression in this population are found. Systematic reviews of research into reminiscence as a treatment for depression have produced contradictory results, partly due to the lack of a standardised approach to reminiscence in the original studies. A literature review was therefore carried out to answer the question: ‘What factors influence the effectiveness of reminiscence approaches in treating and preventing depression in residents of care homes for older people? ’ Six electronic databases were searched using the terms ‘Reminiscence AND Depression’. After inclusion and exclusion criteria had been applied, a total of ten papers were critically appraised. Two of these were subsequently excluded due to serious weaknesses in methodology, leaving eight papers for analysis and synthesis. From these eight papers, five key themes were discerned, leading to insights into factors which assist and limit the effectiveness of reminiscence. These include the social aspects of reminiscence, together with opportunities for self-expression, sharing of emotions, and developing trusting relationships with group leaders. Reminiscence was found to be a particularly useful activity for care home residents because of combining a number of different benefits in one activity. However, a cautionary note is sounded about reminiscence work being undertaken by untrained staff who may have little appreciation of the dangers of reminiscing for some clients.
Dualisation of the D=7 Heterotic String

The dualisation and the first-order formulation of the D=7 abelian Yang-Mills supergravity which is the low energy effective limit of the D=7 fully Higssed heterotic string is discussed. The non-linear coset formulation of the scalars is enlarged to include the entire bosonic sector by introducing dual fields and by constructing the Lie superalgebra which generates the dualized coset element.
Meta-Path Graphical Lasso for Learning Heterogeneous Connectivities

Sparse inverse covariance estimation has attracted lots of research interests since it can recover the structure of the underlying Gaussian graphical model. This is a useful tool to demonstrate the connections among objects (nodes). Previous works on sparse inverse covariance estimation mainly focus on learning one single type of connections from the observed activities with a lasso, group lasso or tree-structure penalty. However, in many real-world applications, the observed activities on the nodes can be related to multiple types of connections. In this paper, we consider the problem of learning heterogeneous connectivities from the observed activities by incorporating meta paths extracted from a heterogeneous information network (HIN), an information network with multiple types of nodes and links, into the conventional graphical lasso framework. We aim at extracting the strongest type of relation between any pairs of entities and ignoring other minor relations. Specially, we introduce two novel kinds of constraints: meta path constraints and exclusive constraints, which ensure the unique type of relation among a pair of objects. This problem is highly challenging due to the non-convex optimization. We proposed a method based upon the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) to efficiently solve the problem. The conducted experiments on both synthetic and real-world datasets illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
SFAC, a tool for program comprehension by specialization

This paper describes a tool for facilitating the comprehension of general programs using automatic specialization. The goal of this approach was to assist in the maintenance of old programs, which have become very complex due to numerous extensions. This paper explains why this approach was chosen, how the tool's architecture was set up, and how the correctness of the specialization has been proved. Then, it discusses the results obtained by using this tool, and the future evolutions. <<ETX>>
Energy aware computing in cooperative wireless networks

In this work the idea of cooperation is applied to wireless communication systems. It is generally accepted that energy consumption is a significant design constraint for mobile handheld systems. Wc propose a novel method of cooperative task computing by distributing tasks among terminals over the unreliable wireless link. Principles of multi-processor energy aware task scheduling are used exploiting performance scalable technologies such as dynamic voltage scaling (DVS). We introduce a novel mechanism referred to as D/sup 2/VS and here it is shown by means of simulation that savings of 40% can be achieved.
Circuit models for mode conversion in clock signal distribution

Clock signal paths are often routed near other signal strips over a ground plane. These situations generate configurations of strips involving coupled microstrip sections interacting with non coupled microstrip sections, and generating transitions between coupled and uncoupled microstrip sections that heavily modify the propagations of both clock and information signals. These transitions usually cause a degradation of the signal integrity. The transitions generated by typical configurations of strips are: a microstrip-coupled microstrip tee and a coupled microstrip-microstrip cross. In this paper, rigorous circuit models for these transitions are presented and applied to the prediction of the behavior of a clock distribution near a signal path. The models presented are multimodal: they split the contribution of even (common) and odd (differential) signals (modes) into different ports, and allow the analysis of circuits that present different responses to either mode. The good agreement between circuit simulation and measurements validates the models
Experimental Verification of Scan-Architecture-Based Evaluation Technique of SET and SEU Soft-Error Rates at Each Flip-Flop in Logic VLSI Systems

Irradiation test results demonstrate the validity of a scan FF technology for separately evaluating SET and SEU soft error rates (SERs) in logic VLSI systems. The SET and SEU soft errors mean the upset caused by latching an SET pulse that originates in combinational logic cell blocks and the upset caused by a direct ion hit to the FF, respectively. A test chip is fabricated using a 0.2-mum fully-depleted silicon-on-insulator standard cell library and irradiated under an LET of 40 MeV-cm2/mg. The SET and SEU soft error rates are successfully measured by the scan FFs on the test chip. A theoretical SET SER estimation from measured SET-pulse widths is also experimentally validated.
Construction of Semantic Associative Network Based on Topic Maps

It is extremely important that the semantic relation between the information resources for organizing and hunting for information. Many semantic connections are lost between online information resources and off-line information resources. Topic map is a discipline-specific form of concept map, which is generally a representation of concepts about the information and relationship rather than of knowledge itself. In this paper, we use the semantic relationship between information resources based on topic maps to connect the digital information resources into a World-Wide-Web of semantic links.
Bootstrapping Semantic Role Labelers from Parallel Data

We present an approach which uses the similarity in semantic structure of bilingual parallel sentences to bootstrap a pair of semantic role labeling (SRL) models. The setting is similar to co-training, except for the intermediate model required to convert the SRL structure between the two annotation schemes used for different languages. Our approach can facilitate the construction of SRL models for resource-poor languages, while preserving the annotation schemes designed for the target language and making use of the limited resources available for it. We evaluate the model on four language pairs, English vs German, Spanish, Czech and Chinese. Consistent improvements are observed over the self-training baseline.
DNA Optical Detection Based on Porous Silicon Technology: from Biosensors to Biochips

A photochemical functionalization process which passivates the porous silicon surface of optical biosensors has been optimized as a function of the thickness and the porosity of the devices. The surface modification has been characterized by contact angle measurements. Fluorescence measurements have been used to investigate the stability of the DNA single strands bound to the nanostructured material. A dose-response curve for an optical label-free biosensor in the 6-80 mM range has been realized.
Authors’ response

We read with interest the recent article of Papanikolaou et al describing a possible inherited form of Salzmann’s nodular corneal degeneration and would like to draw their attention to the findings of AuwHaedrich et al. They describe a German family with nodular corneal deposits in the anterior layers of the cornea with features similar to that seen in Salzmann’s degeneration. DNA sequencing revealed that all affected individuals had a heterozygous missense mutation in TGFBI, a gene that is known to be the genetic basis of many other corneal dystrophies. We think it is possible that both families have the same condition (rather than a novel inherited form of Salzmann’s) and we recommend screening the TGFBI gene to determine the family genotype.
Resource management in power-controlled cellular wireless systems

The efficient management of wireless resource is essential to the success of wireless systems. While power control is traditionally considered as a means to counteract the detrimental effects of channel fading, it is also a flexible mechanism to provide Quality of Service to individual users, and can be used as a platform for radio resource management. In this paper, we review the developments of distributed power control and related resource management problems in cellular wireless systems. We highlight the feasibility issue in a power-controlled system, which enables us to push the system toward high efficiency, and prevent the system from collapsing at the same time. Considering the unique features of multimedia traffic to be supported in future wireless systems, we also review power and rate control schemes proposed for wireless data, and present a framework for utility-based power control as a possible candidate for distributed power control of multimedia wireless systems. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Myocardial Fibrosis Quantified by Extracellular Volume Is Associated With Subsequent Hospitalization for Heart Failure, Death, or Both Across the Spectrum of Ejection Fraction and Heart Failure Stage

Background Myocardial fibrosis (MF) in noninfarcted myocardium may be an interstitial disease pathway that confers vulnerability to hospitalization for heart failure, death, or both across the spectrum of heart failure and ejection fraction. Hospitalization for heart failure is an epidemic that is difficult to predict and prevent and requires potential therapeutic targets associated with outcomes. Method and Results We quantified MF with cardiovascular magnetic resonance extracellular volume fraction (ECV) measures in 1172 consecutive patients without amyloidosis or hypertrophic or stress cardiomyopathy and assessed associations with outcomes using Cox regression. ECV ranged from 16.6% to 47.8%. Over a median of 1.7 years, 111 patients experienced events after cardiovascular magnetic resonance, 55 had hospitalization for heart failure events, and there were 74 deaths. ECV was more strongly associated with outcomes than “nonischemic” MF observed with late gadolinium enhancement, thus ECV quantified MF in multivariable models. Adjusting for age, sex, renal function, myocardial infarction size, ejection fraction, hospitalization status, and heart failure stage, higher ECV was associated with hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio 1.77; 95% CI 1.32 to 2.36 for every 5% increase in ECV), death (hazard ratio 1.87 95% CI 1.45 to 2.40) or both (hazard ratio 1.85, 95% CI 1.50 to 2.27). ECV improved classification of persons at risk and improved model discrimination for outcomes (eg, hospitalization for heart failure: continuous net reclassification improvement 0.33, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.66; P=0.02; 0.16, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.33; P=0.02; integrated discrimination improvement 0.037, 95% CI 0.008 to 0.073; P<0.01). Conclusion MF measured by ECV is associated with hospitalization for heart failure, death, or both. MF may represent a principal phenotype of cardiac vulnerability that improves risk stratification. Because MF can be reversible, cells and enzymes regulating collagen could be potential therapeutic targets.
Lower-Extremity Muscle Activity, Kinematics, and Dynamic Postural Control in Individuals With Patellofemoral Pain.

CONTEXT Altered lower-extremity muscle activity has been associated with lower-extremity kinematics in individuals with patellofemoral pain (PFP). However, few studies have examined these relationships, and the results are inconsistent. OBJECTIVE To compare the lower-extremity muscle activity, kinematics, pain level, and reach distance during the anterior reach of the star excursion balance test (SEBT) between participants with PFP and healthy individuals (control [CON] group). DESIGN Case control. SETTING Research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-eight (PFP = 14 and CON = 14) participants volunteered. INTERVENTION Each participant performed 3 maximal voluntary isometric contractions of the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius (GMED), adductor longus (AL), and vastus medialis, and 5 anterior reaches of the SEBT. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Three-dimensional joint kinematics of the hip and knee at the time of touchdown of the SEBT and integrated electromyography of each muscle were recorded during the descent phase of the SEBT. Coactivation ratios between the GMED and AL were calculated (GMED/AL). Pain level was assessed at the baseline and during performance of the SEBT, using a visual analog scale. RESULTS Participants with PFP demonstrated decreased GMED/AL coactivation ratio (P = .01) and shorter reach distance (P = .01) during anterior reach of the SEBT compared with the CON group. Participants with PFP demonstrated higher pain levels at baseline (P = .03) and during test performance (P < .001) compared with the CON group and increased pain level during the test performance compared with the baseline (P < .001). No other significant differences were observed. CONCLUSIONS There were alterations in muscle activity during SEBT performance, suggesting that overactivity of AL relative to GMED is a unique neural recruitment pattern in those with PFP. However, hip and knee joint kinematics did not seem to contribute to deficits in the anterior reach distance, suggesting a need for continued assessment of these deficiencies.
Matrix Converter Protection for More Electric Aircraft Applications

This paper explains the concept of a matrix converter, its features, advantages - disadvantages and emergency / failure modes which require some sort of protection. The paper discusses existing protection strategies and introduce a more robust approach. Two target applications are used to explain the limitations of existing protection strategies. The first a 25 kVA matrix converter-permanent magnet synchronous machine based aircraft actuator and the second, a 100 kVA permanent magnet synchronous machine drive. The robust clamping arrangement fitted to the two target applications are then discussed and results presented for continued operation under different failure modes
Diffusion of hydrogen in Nb1-yVy alloys.

A model is proposed for interstitial diffusion in a disordered alloy. Diffusion is described in terms of single-jump processes with an activation energy and a prefactor depending on the chemical and physical structure of the initial and final sites. Site-dependent activation energies, prefactors, selective blocking factors, and attractive interstitial-interstitial interactions are taken into account. Using the site energies and the density-of-sites function as measured by Feenstra et al., we calculate for the first time the temperature and concentration dependence of the diffusion coefficient for hydrogen in the complete Nb/sub 1-//sub y/V/sub y/ alloy system without any further fit parameter. The agreement between calculated and experimental activation energies is excellent by taking the same saddle-point energy as for pure Nb and V over the complete Nb/sub 1-//sub y/V/sub y/ alloy system. By combining data extracted from pressure-composition isotherms with diffusion data, it is possible to obtain information on the density of sites, the site energies, and the saddle-point energies of a complete binary alloy system.
Directional Selection at the pfmdr1, pfcrt, pfubp1, and pfap2mu Loci of Plasmodium falciparum in Kenyan Children Treated With ACT

Background The efficacy of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) for Plasmodium falciparum malaria may be threatened by parasites with reduced responsiveness to artemisinins. Among 298 ACT-treated children from Mbita, Kenya, submicroscopic persistence of P. falciparum on day 3 posttreatment was associated with subsequent microscopically detected parasitemia at days 28 or 42. Methods DNA sequences of resistance-associated parasite loci pfcrt, pfmdr1, pfubp1, and pfap2mu were determined in the Mbita cohort before treatment, on days 2 and 3 after initiation of treatment, and on the day of treatment failure. Results Parasites surviving ACT on day 2 or day 3 posttreatment were significantly more likely than the baseline population to carry the wild-type haplotypes of pfcrt (CVMNK at codons 72–76; P < .001) and pfmdr1 (NFD at codons 86, 184, 1246; P < .001). In contrast, variant alleles of the novel candidate resistance genes pfap2mu (S160N/T; P = .006) and pfubp-1 (E1528D; P < .001) were significantly more prevalent posttreatment. No genetic similarities were found to artemisinin-tolerant parasites recently described in Cambodia. Conclusions Among treated children in western Kenya, certain P. falciparum genotypes defined at pfcrt, pfmdr1, pfap2mu, and pfubp1 more often survive ACT at the submicroscopic level, and contribute to onward transmission and subsequent patent recrudescence.
Transcriptional Control of Complement Activation in an Exercise Model of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Complement activation resulting in significant increases of C4a split product may be a marker of postexertional malaise in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). This study focused on identification of the transcriptional control that may contribute to the increased C4a in CFS subjects after exercise. We used quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction to evaluate differential expression of genes in the classical and lectin pathways in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Calibrated expression values were normalized to the internal reference gene peptidylpropyl isomerase B (PPIB), the external reference gene ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit (rbcL), or the geometric mean (GM) of the genes ribosomal protein, large, P0 (RPLP0) and phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1). All nine genes tested, except mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2), were expressed in PBMCs. At 1 hour postexercise, C4, mannan-binding lectin serine protease 2 (MASP2) and ficolin 1 (FCN1) transcripts were detected at higher levels (≥2-fold) in at least 50% (4 of 8) of CFS subjects and were detected in 88% (7 of 8) CFS subjects when subjects with overexpression of either C4 or MASP2were combined. Only an increase in the MASP2 transcript was statistically significant (PPIB, P = 0.001; GM, P = 0.047; rbcL, P = 0.045). This result may be due to the significant but transient downregulation of MASP2 in control subjects (PPIB, P = 0.023; rbcL, P = 0.027). By 6 hours postexercise, MASP2 expression was similar in both groups. In conclusion, lectin pathway responded to exercise differentially in CFS than in control subjects. MASP2 down-regulation may act as an antiinflammatory acute-phase response in healthy subjects, whereas its elevated level may account for increased C4a and inflammation-mediated postexertional malaise in CFS subjects.
AIS Electronic

Technological innovations such as high frequency trading systems (HFT) and algorithmic trading systems have changed financial markets. We discuss technological and economic aspects of HFT and find that HFT have a major impact on all aspects of the internal market structure of exchanges. We use market quality measures on a unique dataset provided by NASDAQ in order to analyze the contribution of HFT to market quality. The empirical results are discussed in the context of external and internal factors of market quality. Our results indicate considerable differences in trading strategies: HFT engage in market making strategies and provide liquidity when it is expensive and demand liquidity when it is cheap. Their trades are more informed than non-HFT trades for stocks with a high market capitalization and therefore make prices more informative, but less informed across the entire sample.