Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EFFECTS OF SODIUM FERULATE ON HUMAN OSTEOARTHRITIC CHONDROCYTES AND OSTEOARTHRITIS IN RATS

1 Oxidation, inflammation and apoptosis are involved in the aetiology and pathology of osteoarthritis (OA). Sodium ferulate (SF) has been demonstrated to have anti‐oxidant, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐apoptotic actions in cardiovascular, hepatic and diabetic disorders. These findings suggest that SF may have beneficial effects on OA. Therefore, present study investigated the effects of SF in an in vivo rat OA model, as well as in vitro in human OA chondrocytes. 2 Rats were divided into the following groups: (i) an untreated control group; (ii) papain‐induced OA; (iii) OA rats treated with 0.1 or 0.5% SF; and (iv) normal rats injected with 0.5% SF intra‐articularly. Human chondrocytes from OA patients were cultured before being stimulated with 2 ng/mL interleukin‐1β and subsequently treated with SF (125, 250 and 500 µmol/L). The effects of SF were evaluated both in vivo and in vitro. 3 In OA rats, SF treatment dose‐dependently reversed pathological changes in OA cartilage, decreased BAX‐immunopositive chondrocytes and increased Bcl‐2‐immunopositive chondrocytes. Both in vivo and in vitro analyses demonstrated a significant decrease in matrix metalloproteinase‐1 and an increase in tissue‐specific inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐1. In vitro, SF enhanced chondrocyte proliferation and decreased nitric oxide production and apoptosis. 4 The results demonstrate that SF dose‐dependently suppresses pathological processes in both in vitro and in vivo OA models. Thus, SF could be a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of OA.
Real‐time 2D visualization of metabolic activities in zebrafish embryos using a microfluidic technology

Non‐invasive and real‐time visualization of metabolic activities in living small model organisms such as embryos and larvae of zebrafish has not yet been attempted largely due to profound analytical limitations of existing technologies. Historically, our capacity to examine oxygen gradients surrounding eggs and embryos has been severely limited, so much so that to date, most of the articles characterizing in situ oxygen gradients have described predominantly mathematical simulations. These drawbacks can, however, be experimentally addressed by an emerging field of microfluidic Lab‐on‐a‐Chip (LOC) technologies combined with sophisticated optoelectronic sensors. In this work, we outline a proof‐of‐concept approach utilizing microfluidic living embryo array system to enable in situ Fluorescence Ratiometric Imaging (FRIM) on developing zebrafish embryos. The FRIM is an innovative method for kinetic quantification of the temporal patterns of aqueous oxygen gradients at a very fine scale based on signals coming from an optical sensor referred to as a sensor foil. We envisage that future integration of microfluidic chip‐based technologies with FRIM represents a noteworthy direction to miniaturize and revolutionize research on metabolism and physiology in vivo. © 2015 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Home Foreclosures and Community Crime: Causal or Spurious Association?

More than 6.4 million U.S. properties entered foreclosure between 2007 and 2009. Among the dire consequences of foreclosure is a possible increase in crime. Foreclosures and the subsequent property vacancies and residential turnover may affect community crime rates by increasing opportunities for property crime and by undermining informal social control among community residents. Yet aggregate crime rates continue to decline despite the foreclosure crisis. This study examines the implications of rising foreclosure rates on community crime using crime and foreclosure data from the city of Chicago between 2002 and 2009. Dynamic panel-data models of crime reveal that the association between foreclosure and both property and violent crime is spurious. After accounting for simultaneity and time-variant and time-invariant community characteristics, the rise of recent home foreclosures has no independent effect on community crime rates. Rather, crime and foreclosures are explained by a common set of factors.
A High Throughput Reader Scheduling Algorithm for Large RFID Systems in Smart Environments

Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) plays a vital role in smart computing applications. Due to the limited communication range of individual RFID readers, large RFID systems deployed in real applications usually contain multiple readers. Existing reader scheduling algorithms either disallow adjacent readers to simultaneously work in order to avoid collisions among them, or simply activate all the readers to work together to exploit the parallel working of readers to increase identification throughput. In this paper, we propose a reader scheduling algorithm that tolerates collisions among readers but selects an optimal set of readers that can maximize tag identification throughput to work in parallel. The proposed algorithm thus achieves much higher tag identification throughput than existing solutions. Experiment results in a small testbed containing three readers show that, compared with the state-of-the-art solution, the proposed algorithm enhances tag identification throughput by 40%. Results from extensive simulation experiments further demonstrate that the proposed algorithm performs much better than existing solutions in large RFID systems. For example, the proposed algorithm achieves 132% higher identification throughput than previous best solution in systems containing more than one hundred readers when the readers are randomly deployed, meanwhile achieves much smaller identification delay.
A net-structure tactile sensor covering freeform surface with reduced wiring

A tactile sensor is developed with the aim of covering a robotpsilas entire structure, while reducing wiring requirement and ensuring high-speed response. There are only 4 signal wires from the sensor. The sensor response time is nearly constant (within 1 ms) regardless of the number of detection elements, their placements or sensor areas. In this paper, the principles behind the operation of this sensor and the results of experiments using the sensor are described.
Observer-based robust fuzzy control of nonlinear discrete systems with parametric uncertainties

This paper addresses the robust fuzzy control problem for nonlinear systems in the presence of parametric uncertainties and the state variables unavailable for measurement. The Tagaki-Sugeno (T-S) discrete fuzzy model system with parametric uncertainties is adopted for modeling the nonlinear system and establishing a fuzzy observer. Sufficient conditions are derived for robust stabilization in the sense of Lyapunov asymptotic stability and are formulated in the format of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs).
Characterization of NPY Y2 receptor protein expression in the mouse brain. II. Coexistence with NPY, the Y1 receptor, and other neurotransmitter‐related molecules

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is widely expressed in the brain and its biological effects are mediated through a variety of receptors. We examined, using immunohistochemistry, expression of the Y2 receptor (R) protein in the adult mouse brain and its association with NPY and the Y1R, as well as a range of additional neurotransmitters and signaling‐related molecules, which previously have not been defined. Our main focus was on the hippocampal formation (HiFo), amygdaloid complex, and hypothalamus, considering the known functions of NPY and the wide expression of NPY, Y1R, and Y2R in these regions. Y2R‐like immunoreactivity (‐LI) was distributed in nerve fibers/terminal endings throughout the brain axis, without apparent colocalization with NPY or the Y1R. Occasional coexistence between NPY‐ and Y1R‐LI was found in the HiFo. Following colchicine treatment, Y2R‐LI accumulated in cell bodies that coexpressed γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) in a population of cells in the amygdaloid complex and lateral septal nucleus, but not in the HiFo. Instead, Y2R‐positive nerve terminals appeared to surround GABA‐immunoreactive (ir) cells in the HiFo and other neuronal populations, e.g., NPY‐ir cells in HiFo and tyrosine hydroxylase‐ir cells in the hypothalamus. In the HiFo, Y2R‐ir mossy fibers coexpressed GABA, glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 and calbindin, and Y2R‐LI was found in the same fibers that contained the presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptor 2, but not together with any of the three vesicular glutamate transporters. Our findings provide further support that Y2R is mostly presynaptic, and that Y2Rs thus have a modulatory role in mediating presynaptic neurotransmitter release. J. Comp. Neurol. 519:1219–1257, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Towards the Group Formation through Social Norms

This paper examines the decentralized formation of groups within a multiagent normative society. In our case, a group is defined based on the set of social norms used by its members: all the agents using the same set of norms belong to the same social group. In this paper we explore different mechanisms that allow agents to recognize the others as members of a certain social group. Considering as the basic mechanism the one that makes agents interact with other agents without considering the previous interactions and with no communication, three new algorithms have been developed and tested to improve the efficiency of the basic one. These algorithms are: (1) the whitelisting algorithm, which works as a recomender of trusted neighbours; (2) the blacklisting algorithm, whose basic functioning is based on defaming the non-related agents inside a certain social group; and (3) the labelling algorithm, which basically publishes information of the interactions with different agents allowing the rest to access that information. Simulation results are shown, confirming that these algorithms improve the efficiency of the basic one. Finally, we present and discuss some of the weak points of the algorithms presented as well as future improvements.
Body size and weight as predisposing factors in varicocele

Objective. The literature regarding the constitutional type of children and adolescents with varicocele is inconsistent. The aim of this investigation was to examine a possible influence of weight, height and body mass index (BMI) on the formation of varicoceles during childhood and adolescence. Material and methods. In a retrospective data analysis, 193 Caucasian children and adolescents aged 9–19 years (mean age 14.7 years) with left-sided varicocele grade 2–3 were studied. The weight, height and BMI of the subjects were compared with the age-correlated normal values currently accepted in Germany. Additionally, the familial disposition for varicocele and the occurrence of relevant concurrent diseases were considered. Results. In the group of patients examined, the mean percentiles of weight (57th) and height (58th) were significantly above and the mean BMI percentile (42th) was significantly below the age-correlated 50th percentile for the normal population (p=0.019, 0.005 and 0.002). In our case material, 12.2% of all brothers of the patients had varicoceles. Conclusions. The results of this investigation suggest a correlation between physical appearance and the formation of a varicocele during childhood or adolescence. We were able to demonstrate that patients with varicocele were heavier and taller than an age-correlated normal population, but had a distinctly lower BMI. Further studies are needed to verify whether this rather athletic habitus, together with the postulated difference in muscle:fat ratio, represents an important etiologic factor for varicocele formation.
A NOVEL SLOTTED ALLOCATION MECHANISM TO PROVIDE QOS FOR EDCF PROTOCOL

The IEEE 802.11e EDCF mechanism cannot guarantee the QOS of highpriority traffic as the bandwidth consumption of the low-priority traffic increases. Also, in the presence of high priority traffic dampen link utilization of low priority traffic. To overcome these problems, we propose the Novel mechanism in our research that extends IEEE 802.11e EDCF by introducing a Super Slot and Virtual Collision. Compared to EDCF, our proposed approach has EDCF has two advantages: (a) Higher priority traffic achieves Quality of service regardless of the amount of low priority traffic, and (b) Low priority traffic obtains a higher throughput in the presence of same amount of high priority traffic.
Household Savings in South Africa: An Econometric Analysis

This paper examines the determinants of household savings in South Africa by utilizing time series data from the South African Reserve Bank. The household savings model is estimated by using the cointegrating vector autoregressive (CVAR) framework. To check robustness on the cointegration results, we employ generalized impulse response function (GIRF) analysis and variance decomposition. The findings show that all the variables have unit roots and cointegration emphasizes the presence of a long run equilibrium relationship. The results indicate that household savings is mainly influenced by a high level of household debt. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2013. v4n13p519
GA tuned LQR and PID controller for aircraft pitch control

In this paper linear quadratic Regulator (LQR) and Proportional integral derivative (PID) controllers are designed for pitch control system of an aircraft. Genetic Algorithm (GA) is used for tuning the parameter LQR and PID controllers. The controller design begins with the appropriate mathematical model to account the longitudinal motion of an aircraft. Simulation is done within the MATLAB and results for the pitch angle response of an aircraft are represented in step's response. LQR and PID controllers are associated with their parameters which can either be tuned manually or by optimized methods like genetic algorithms to get better control and enhancement in the performance. GA is the powerful tool in the field of global optimization to various problems. Here genetic algorithm is successfully applied for Pitch control of an aircraft using MATLAB simulation for tuning of LQR and PID controllers and thus optimized parameters values for the LQR and PID controllers are derived.
Secure and Trustable Hierarchical Routing for Large Scale Wireless Sensor Networks

Secure data transmission and energy efficiency is one of the most prominent issues for wireless sensor networks (WSNs). In this paper, we present a secure and trustable hierarchical routing (STHR) scheme based on active detection model for large scale WSNs. The main objective of this paper is that it evaluates the nodal trust very quickly and avoids black holes through number of active detection routes. The energy in non-hotspot is fully utilized by the detection routes to achieve secure data transmission and energy efficiency in the cluster based WSNs. Because the cluster head plays an important role, we propose a priority based cluster head selection algorithm in which an appropriate cluster head is selected based on the highest trust and energy. This scheme also prevents the cluster head to become a compromised node. The analysis shows that our approach improves data route success probability by avoiding potential attack and also optimize network lifetime when compared to traditional methods.
On the Undecidability of Partial Polymorphic Type Reconstruction

We prove that partial type reconstruction for the pure polymorphic lambda-calculus is undecidable by a reduction from the second-order unification problem, extending a previous result by H. -J. Boehm. We show further that partial type reconstruction remains undecidable even in a very small predicative fragment of the polymorphic lambda-calculus, which implies undecidability of partial type reconstruction for lambda^ML as introduced by Harper, Mitchell, and Moggi.
Formal methods for modelling and validation of biological models

L’objectif de cette these est la modelisation et l’etude de systemes biologiques par l’intermediaire de methodes formelles. Les systemes biologiques demontrent des comportements continus mais sont aussi susceptibles de montrer des changements abrupts dans leur dynamiques. Les equations differentielles ordinaires, ainsi que les systemes dynamiques hybrides, sont deux formalismes mathematiques utilises pour modeliser clairement de tels comportements. Un point critique de la modelisation de systemes biologiques est la recherche des valeurs des parametres du modele afin de reproduire de maniere precise un ensemble de donnees experimentales. Si aucun jeu de parametres valides n’est trouve, il est necessaire de reviser le modele. Une possibilite est alors de remplacer un parametre, ou un ensemble de parametres, definissant un processus biologique par une fonctiondependante du temps.Dans le cadre de cette these, nous exposons tout d’abord une methode pour la revision de modeles hybrides. Pour cela, nous proposons une approche gloutonne appliquee a une methode de controle optimal utilisant les mesures d’occupations etla relaxation convexe. Ensuite, nous etudions comment analyser les proprietes dynamiques d’un modele a temps discret en utilisant la simulation ensembliste. Dans cet objectif, nous proposons deux methodes basees sur deux outils mathematiques.La premiere methode, qui se repose sur les polynomes de Bernstein, est une extension aux systemes dynamiques hybrides, de l’outil de calcul ensembliste Sapo [1]. La seconde methode utilise les representations de Krivine-Stengle [2] pour permettre l’analyse d’atteignaiblite de systemes dynamiques polynomiaux. Enfin, nous proposons aussi une methodologie pour generer des systemes dynamiques hybrides modelisant des protocoles biologiques experimentaux. Les methodes precedemment proposees sont appliquees sur divers etudes biologiques. Nous etudions tout d’abord un modele de la production d’hemoglobinedurant la differentiation des erythrocytes dans la moelle [3]. Pour permettre la construction de ce modele, nous avons dans un premier temps genere un ensemble de jeux de parametres valides a l’aide d’une methode de type Monte-Carlo. Dans un second temps, nous avons applique la methode de revision de modele afin de reproduire plus precisement les donnees experimentales [4]. Nous proposons aussi un modele preliminaire des effets a faibles doses du Cadmium sur la reponse du metabolisme a differentes etapes de la vie d’un rat. Enfin, nous appliquons les techniques d’analyse ensembliste pour la validation d’hypotheses sur un modele d’homeostasie du fer [6] dans le cas ou des parametres varient dans de larges intervalles.Dans cette these, nous montrons aussi que le protocole associe a l’etude de la production d’hemoglobine, ainsi que le protocole etudiant l’integration du Cadmium durant la vie d’un rat, peuvent etre formalises comme des systemes dynamiques hybrides, et servent ainsi de preuves de concepts pour notre methode de modelisation de protocoles experimentaux
Inhibition of Survivin Is Associated with Zoledronic Acid-induced Apoptosis of Prostate Cancer Cells.

BACKGROUND/AIM Evidence suggests that zoledronic acid (ZA) exerts direct antitumor effects on cancer cells but the underlying mechanisms of these actions are unknown. This study investigated the possible involvement of survivin in the antiproliferative effects of ZA in prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazol)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) dye reduction assay was used to assess cell viability and acridine orange/ethidium bromide double staining to analyze cell death. Human Apoptosis Array evaluated the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. Survivin protein was measured by western blot technique and miR-203 levels were quantified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS ZA induced inhibition of cell proliferation and apoptosis activation, with down-regulation of survivin protein. A negative regulation at gene expression level may be hypothesized because we observed a significant decrease of survivin mRNA level and an increase of miR-203 expression after ZA exposure. CONCLUSION This study provides evidence that ZA may directly inhibit cancer cell proliferation, identifying survivin as one of its downstream targets.
Effects of Temperature on Mortality of Larval Stable Fly (Diptera: Muscidae) Caused by Five Isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis

ABSTRACT We examined the effects of temperature on mortality of larval stable fly [Stomoxys calcitrans (L.)] caused by Bacillus thuringiensis tolworthi 4L3, B. t. darmastedensis 4M1, B. t. thompsoni 401, B. t. thuringiensis HD2, and B. t. kurstaki HD945. At moderate doses, mortality caused by all isolates ranged from 87 to 99% at 15°C and declined to 29–63% as temperature increased to 30°C. A similar pattern was seen when a higher dose was used, except that the reduction in mortality at warmer temperatures was not as great as was seen with the moderate doses. Insecticidal activity of each isolate against first-instar larvae was reduced by only 5–15% after 5 d in the medium. Mortality of second- and third-instar larvae ranged from 2 to 21%, suggesting the isolates were less effective against larger larvae.
An assessment of the geographical approach to health inequality

New interest is being shown in the geographical approach to health inequality at both the research and the service provider level. The scientific and methodological basis of this approach does not take into consideration the social structure and the history of the locations/communities under investigation. The analysis of geographical differences must be verified and consideration given to possible variations in internal health inequalities between entities compared. Our approach to health inequalities is based on the theory that social health inequalities are essentially the final product of living conditions and lifestyle taking account of individual and collective history.
Salmonella intervention strategies at the farm

Introduction: It is often difficult to ascertain how Salmonella issues in poultry begin and what measures should be implemented to prevent them. Chickens may become colonized through both vertical (from parent stock) and horizontal (environmental) means. This purpose of this article is to detail how Salmonella colonize poultry and to explain effective measures for preventing or controlling colonization.
Food Outlet Accessibility and Fruit and Vegetable Consumption

Purpose. To examine if spatial access to healthy and unhealthy outlets comprising the local food environment was associated with fruit and vegetable consumption. Design. Cross-sectional. Setting. Population-based sample residing in Hawaii. Subjects. Three hundred and eighty-four adults (36% Asian-American, 33% non-Hispanic white, 31% other/mixed race). Measures. A spatial model of the local food environment was constructed using radial buffers extending from participants' place of residence. Fruit and vegetable intake was estimated using the National Cancer Institute Fruit and Vegetable All-Day Screener. Analysis. Mean intakes of fruits and vegetables were compared for spatial access to total, healthy, and unhealthy food outlets at distances of . 5 to 3.5 km. Multiple linear regression was used to estimate differences in fruit and vegetable intake for residing further from a food outlet or for residing in an area with a greater number of food outlets. Results. Residing in an area with a greater density of total or healthy food outlets was associated with a higher mean intake of fruits and vegetables (p < .05) at . 5 km. No differences in mean intakes were detected for distances beyond . 5 km or for regression models. Conclusion. Findings suggest that greater spatial accessibility to food outlets comprising the local food environment in Hawaii may not be meaningfully associated with fruit and vegetable consumption; however, associations were detected for the smallest spatial scale examined, warranting further investigation.