Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Double-receptor-targeting multifunctional iron oxide nanoparticles drug delivery system for the treatment and imaging of prostate cancer

As an alternative therapeutic treatment to reduce or eliminate the current side effects associated with advanced prostate cancer (PCa) chemotherapy, a multifunctional double-receptor-targeting iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone receptor [LHRH-R] peptide- and urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor [uPAR] peptide-targeted iron oxide nanoparticles, LHRH-AE105-IONPs) drug delivery system was developed. Two tumor-targeting peptides guided this double-receptor-targeting nanoscale drug delivery system. These peptides targeted the LHRH-R and the uPAR on PCa cells. Dynamic light scattering showed an increase in the hydrodynamic size of the LHRH-AE105-IONPs in comparison to the non-targeted iron oxide nanoparticles (NT-IONPs). Surface analysis showed that there was a decrease in the zeta potential values for drug-loaded LHRH-AE105-IONPs compared to the NT-IONPs. Prussian blue staining demonstrated that the LHRH-AE105-IONPs were internalized efficiently by the human PCa cell line, PC-3. In vitro, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results confirmed the preferential binding and accumulation of LHRH-AE105-IONPs in PC-3 cells compared to normal prostate epithelial cells (RC77N/E). The results also showed that LHRH-AE105-IONPs significantly maintained T2 MRI contrast effects and reduced T2 values upon internalization by PC-3 cells. These paclitaxel-loaded double-receptor-targeting IONPs also showed an approximately twofold reduction in PC-3 cell viability compared to NT-IONPs.
Hardware Accelerated Wavelet Transformations

Wavelets and related multiscale representations are important means for edge detection and processing as well as for segmentation and registration. Due to the computational complexity of these approaches no interactive visualization of the extraction process is possible nowadays. By using the hardware of modern graphics Workstations for accelerating wavelet decomposition and reconstruction we realize a first important step for removing lags in the visualization cycle.
An Automatic Way of Generating Incoherent Terminologies with Parameters

The minimal incoherence preserving sub-terminologies (Mips) is defined for identifying the axioms responsible for the unsatisfiable concepts in incoherent ontology. While a great many performance evaluations have been proposed in the past, what remains to be investigated is whether we have effective reasoners to solve the Mips problems, in which case a particular reasoner will be more efficiency than others. After analyzing the structural complexity of terminology, we develop a Mips Benchmark (MipsBM) to evaluate the performances of reasoners by defining six complexity metrics based on concept dependency networks model. Evaluation experiments show that the proposed metrics can effectively reflect the complexity of benchmark data. Not only can the benchmark help the users to determine which reasoner is likely to perform best in their applications, but also help the developers to improve the performances and qualities of their reasoners.
Performance of Transmit Antenna Selection Physical Layer Security Schemes

We analyze the physical layer (PHY) security of a communication scheme consisting of a multiple antenna transmitter with a single radio frequency (RF) chain using transmit antenna selection (TAS) and a single antenna receiver, in the presence of a sophisticated multiple antenna eavesdropper. We develop closed-form expressions for the analysis of the secrecy outage probability, and we show that the PHY security can be considerably enhanced when multiple antennas are available at the legitimate transmitter. Moreover, a single RF chain multiple antenna transmitter reduces cost, complexity, size and power consumption at the expense of a slight loss in performance with respect to a multiple RF chain transmitter.
Heterogeneity-Aware Task Allocation in Mobile Ad Hoc Cloud

Mobile Ad Hoc Cloud (MAC) enables the use of a multitude of proximate resource-rich mobile devices to provide computational services in the vicinity. However, inattention to mobile device resources and operational heterogeneity-measuring parameters, such as CPU speed, number of cores, and workload, when allocating task in MAC, causes inefficient resource utilization that prolongs task execution time and consumes large amounts of energy. Task execution is remarkably degraded, because the longer execution time and high energy consumption impede the optimum use of MAC. This paper aims to minimize execution time and energy consumption by proposing heterogeneity-aware task allocation solutions for MAC-based compute-intensive tasks. Results of the proposed solutions reveal that incorporation of the heterogeneity-measuring parameters guarantees a shorter execution time and reduces the energy consumption of the compute-intensive tasks in MAC. A system model is developed to validate the proposed solutions’ empirical results. In comparison with random-based task allocation, the proposed five solutions based on CPU speed, number of core, workload, CPU speed and workload, and CPU speed, core, and workload reduce execution time up to 56.72%, 53.12%, 56.97%, 61.23%, and 71.55%, respectively. In addition, these heterogeneity-aware task allocation solutions save energy up to 69.78%, 69.06%, 68.25%, 67.26%, and 57.33%, respectively. For this reason, the proposed solutions significantly improve tasks’ execution performance, which can increase the optimum use of MAC.
Family-directed approach to brain injury (FAB) model: a preliminary framework to guide family-directed intervention for individuals with brain injury

Abstract Purpose: This article proposes a theoretical framework to help professionals include family as active members in brain injury rehabilitation. A trend towards greater family involvement has lead to the development of family-collaboration models. However, current models appear to focus on information sharing rather than increasing the capability of family members. This article introduces a family-directed approach to brain injury model, which provides a theoretical framework for supporting family as facilitators of change. Methods: Family-collaboration models and literature regarding family experiences following brain injury and support needs are reviewed to identify the driving forces behind family engagement in rehabilitation, including effective professional–family relationships, and important factors in the delivery of education underpinned by evidence-based practices. Results: The family-directed approach to brain injury model is based on principles of hope, family expertise, education/skill building, and family-directed intervention. Conclusions: The family-directed approach to brain injury model provides a theoretical framework for educating and training family members as facilitators in the management process: promoting competence rather than dependency on service systems. Guiding recommendations encourage professionals to reflect on the importance of their therapeutic relationships and their capacity to positively impact rehabilitation outcomes beyond the technical aspects of health care and treatment. Implications for Rehabilitation Training family members as facilitators in the rehabilitation process is suggested to reduce dependency on the service system, address families’ unmet support needs, and to optimize rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with brain injury. The family-directed approach to brain injury model is proposed to guide the increased involvement of family as active members in the rehabilitation team and to define potential active ingredients in this process.
Immunocytochemical analysis of intermediate filaments in embryonic heart cells with monoclonal antibodies to desmin

Monoclonal antibodies ( McAbs ) have been generated against a preparation of intermediate filament proteins (IFP) from adult chicken gizzard. Two antibodies, D3 and D76 , have been characterized in detail. They bind specifically to desmin but recognize different epitopes. In the adult chicken, both McAbs produced equivalent immunofluorescent staining patterns, reacting in frozen sections with all forms of muscle tissue, including vascular smooth muscle, but with no other tissue types. In isolated skeletal myofibrils and in longitudinal frozen sections of cardiac and skeletal muscle, desmin was detected with both McAbs at the Z-band and in longitudinally-oriented filament bundles between myofibrils. In contrast to these results in the adult, the intermediate filaments (IF) of embryonic cardiac myocytes in primary cultures were decorated only with McAb D3, whereas McAb D76 was completely unreactive with these cells. Similarly, frozen sections through the heart at early stages of embryonic chick development (Hamburger-Hamilton stages 17-18) revealed regions of myocytes, identified by double immunofluorescence with myosin-specific McAbs , that were unstained with McAb D76 even though similar regions were stained by McAb D3. That McAb D76 reacted with desmin in all adult cardiac myocytes but not with all embryonic heart cells indicates that embryonic and adult cardiac IF are immunologically distinct and implies a conversion in IF immunoreactivity during cardiac development.
Detection of Interleaved OFDMA Uplink Signals in the Presence of Residual Frequency Offset Using the SAGE Algorithm

In this paper, we propose an iterative detection scheme in the presence of residual frequency offsets (RFOs) using the space-alternating generalized expectation-maximization algorithm for an orthogonal-frequency-division-multiple-access uplink system. In the proposed scheme, the expectation step intends to remove intercarrier interference (ICI) due to the RFOs of simultaneous users in the received signals. Then, the maximization step is utilized to estimate the required parameters for each user (i.e., RFO, data symbols, and channel state information) employing the ICI-cancelled signals. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme achieves almost ideal bit-error-rate performance as long as the magnitude of the normalized RFO value is within 0.2
DART : A non-technical model description

The DART Model of the Kiel Institute for World Economics (IfW) is a recursive dynamic computable general equilibrium model of the world economy, covering multiple sectors and regions. It is designed for the analysis of international climate policies. At present, the most important applications are the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol either trough unilateral action or through emissions trading and the European emissions trading scheme. DART is used to assess and analyze the allocative and distributional impacts of the most recent agreements and developments.
Dodecagonal circularly polarized patch antenna for RFID applications

A compact design of a single feed circularly polarized microstrip antenna for RFID applications is proposed. This structure fabricated on FR4 substrate offers an area reduction of 10%, minimum axial ratio of 0.5 dB, axial ratio bandwidth of 116 MHz ( 5%) with a broadside radiation characteristic in the entire band and a gain of 4.9 dBi, 10dB impedance bandwidth of 5.4% (130MHz) at a resonant frequency of 2.4168 GHz. The structure is suitable for RFID reader antenna applications.
Etosha Dreams: an historical account of the Hai//om predicament

In 1954 several hundred Hai//om San were evicted from their homes in Etosha National Park in the former South West Africa. As a result they joined the legions of landless generational farm-labourers who sustained an uneconomic and heavily subsidised white-owned commercial agricultural sector. This paper explores the predicament of this community vis-à-vis land rights in post-apartheid Namibia. It draws on recent historical research to contextualise Hai//om demands for land, and discusses the emergence of history as a dominant paradigm for the articulation of contemporary Hai//om identity. Likewise it explores the Hai//om's invocation of history to justify their demands for greater parity in land access. In doing so, it queries the usefulness of invoking an indigenous rights model as a justification for Hai//om land claims.
Computational intelligence methods for rule-based data understanding

In many applications, black-box prediction is not satisfactory, and understanding the data is of critical importance. Typically, approaches useful for understanding of data involve logical rules, evaluate similarity to prototypes, or are based on visualization or graphical methods. This paper is focused on the extraction and use of logical rules for data understanding. All aspects of rule generation, optimization, and application are described, including the problem of finding good symbolic descriptors for continuous data, tradeoffs between accuracy and simplicity at the rule-extraction stage, and tradeoffs between rejection and error level at the rule optimization stage. Stability of rule-based description, calculation of probabilities from rules, and other related issues are also discussed. Major approaches to extraction of logical rules based on neural networks, decision trees, machine learning, and statistical methods are introduced. Optimization and application issues for sets of logical rules are described. Applications of such methods to benchmark and real-life problems are reported and illustrated with simple logical rules for many datasets. Challenges and new directions for research are outlined.
Residual Effects of Compost and Fertilizer Applications on Nutrients in Runoff

The application of compost or fertilizer at rates that exceed crop nutrient requirements can result in phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) accumulation in soil. This study was conducted to determine the influence of soil P and N contents on the concentrations and total amounts of P and N transported in runoff. Composted beef cattle feedlot manure or inorganic fertilizer were added from 1992 to 1995 to a Sharpsburg silty clay loam soil at rates sufficient to meet P or N requirements for corn and incorporated following application. After four years of corn production following the last compost application, P concentration, EC, and pH of the surface soils on the N-based compost treatments were significantly greater than the check plots. Simulated rainfall was applied to the experimental site in 2000. Concentrations and total amounts of P and N in runoff were similar on the compost and inorganic fertilizer plots. The application of corn residue at a rate of 6 Mg ha -1 did not significantly affect the nutrient concentration of runoff or total nutrient transport when compared to a no-residue condition for a study site with a slope varying from 0.15% to 2.70%. On an adjoining field, compost or inorganic fertilizer were applied at rates in excess of crop P and N requirements to increase soil test P levels. For Bray and Kurtz No. 1 soil test P levels ranging from 42 to 267 mg kg -1 and water-soluble soil test P values varying from 5 to 61 mg kg -1 , the dissolved P (DP) concentration of runoff did not correlate well with soil test P. Thus, factors other than soil test P appear to influence P loss in runoff for the bare soil used in this investigation.
Identification of a nonsense mutation at amino acid 584–Arginine of platelet glycoprotein IIb in patients with type I Glanzmann thrombasthenia

Using Southern blot, the restriction digests of genomic DNAs in 11 patients with Glanzmann thrombasthenia from 10 unrelated kindreds were probed with a full‐length GPIIb cDNA. An addiitonal 2.3 kb Taq I fragment and two 1.65 kb and 0.65 kb fragments with reduced band intensity were found in the genes of two affected siblings from a family originating from the city of Huang Yan in the Zhejiang province. The Taq I digest of the abnormal gene was further probed with three portions of GPIIb cDNA, revealing that the heterozygous mutation was present in the region around exons 15‐17 of the GPIIb gene. Two primers for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were then designed, and a 394 bp PCR product was generated and sequenced, indicating that a stop codon (TGA) was substituted for an Arg codon (CGA) at amino acid position 584 of GPIIb, and resulted in a premature termination of translation and production of a shortened protein. The Western blot analysis showed that GPIIIa at the platelet surface was apparently deficient, it may be ascribed to the rapid turn‐over of GPIIIa uncomplexed with the truncated GPIIb. The abnormal 2.3 kb Taq I fragment was used as a specific genetic marker to detect the carrier status of the patient family. The abnormal allele was proved to be derived from the mother, the two affected siblings are double heterozygotes, and one clinically unaffected daughter has also inherited this defective allele, while the father carries another recessive abnormal allele unidentified.
Maximum a Posteriori Probability Estimation for Online Surveillance Video Synopsis

To reduce human efforts in browsing long surveillance videos, synopsis videos are proposed. Traditional synopsis video generation applying optimization on video tubes is very time consuming and infeasible for real-time online generation. This dilemma significantly reduces the feasibility of synopsis video generation in practical situations. To solve this problem, the synopsis video generation problem is formulated as a maximum a posteriori probability (MAP) estimation problem in this paper, where the positions and appearing frames of video objects are chronologically rearranged in real time without the need to know their complete trajectories. Moreover, a synopsis table is employed with MAP estimation to decide the temporal locations of the incoming foreground objects in the synopsis video without needing an optimization procedure. As a result, the computational complexity of the proposed video synopsis generation method can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, as it does not require prescreening the entire video, this approach can be applied on online streaming videos.
An architecture for online chunk learning and planning in complex navigation and manipulation tasks

When a robot is brought into a new environment, it has a very limited knowledge of what surrounds it and what it can do. Either to navigate in the world, or to interact with humans, the robot must be able to learn complex states, using input information from sensors. For navigation task, visual information are commonly used for localisation. Other signals are usually employed: ultrasounds, lasers and path integration are as many data that can be taken into account. For human-robot interactions the proprioceptive information, like the values of the articulations and the grip state, are additional degrees in the system that can to be enrolled in the analysis. All those signals have different dynamics, and the system must manage all those differences. To do so, a solution is to introduce different learning levels. An architecture able to create complex multimodal contexts, to recognise them and to use them afterwords in higher level strategies would give the capacity to resolve such situations. In this paper, a model has been introduced for complex categorisation problems, patterning and chunk learning. It is used in a complex architecture to create multimodal states for a cognitive map and to resolve ambiguities. Tests were performed in both a simulated navigation task and in a complex arm manipulation and localisation experiment.
How to set the fractional power control compensation factor in LTE ?

The uplink power control procedure in Long Term Evolution (LTE) cellular networks is made of an open-loop part and a closed loop part. In this paper, we focus on the former and study the compensation factor of the related Fractional Power Control (FPC) scheme. In particular, we propose a first analytical approach in order to derive approximate equations for the Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR) at a given distance of the eNode-B, the average SINR, and the average cell spectral efficiency. This method avoids extensive and time-consuming simulations. From derived expressions, we are able to find the optimal compensation factor, and to study the impact of various network and environment parameters on the system performance.
Single-Chain HLA-A2 MHC Trimers That Incorporate an Immundominant Peptide Elicit Protective T Cell Immunity against Lethal West Nile Virus Infection

The generation of a robust CD8+ T cell response is an ongoing challenge for the development of DNA vaccines. One problem encountered with classical DNA plasmid immunization is that peptides produced are noncovalently and transiently associated with MHC class I molecules and thus may not durably stimulate CD8+ T cell responses. To address this and enhance the expression and presentation of the antigenic peptide/MHC complexes, we generated single-chain trimers (SCTs) composed of a single polypeptide chain with a linear composition of antigenic peptide, β2-microglobulin, and H chain connected by flexible linkers. In this study, we test whether the preassembled nature of the SCT makes them effective for eliciting protective CD8+ T cell responses against pathogens. A DNA plasmid was constructed encoding an SCT incorporating the human MHC class I molecule HLA-A2 and the immunodominant peptide SVG9 derived from the envelope protein of West Nile virus (WNV). HLA-A2 transgenic mice vaccinated with the DNA encoding the SVG9/HLA-A2 SCT generated a robust epitope-specific CD8+ T cell response and showed enhanced survival rate and lower viral burden in the brain after lethal WNV challenge. Inclusion of a CD4+ Th cell epitope within the SCT did not increase the frequency of SVG9-specific CD8+ T cells, but did enhance protection against WNV challenge. Overall, these findings demonstrate that the SCT platform can induce protective CD8+ T cell responses against lethal virus infection and may be paired with immunogens that elicit robust neutralizing Ab responses to generate vaccines that optimally activate all facets of adaptive immunity.
Eect of Correlated LGN Firing Rates on Predictions for Monocular Eye Closure vs Monocular Retinal Inactivation

Monocular deprivation experiments can be used to distinguish between different ideas concerning properties of cortical synaptic plasticity. Monocular deprivation by lid suture causes a rapid disconnection of the deprived eye connected to cortical neurons whereas total inactivation of the deprived eye produces much less of an ocular dominance shift. In order to understand these results one needs to know how lid suture and retinal inactivation affect neurons in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), that provide the cortical input. Recent experimental results by Linden et al. (2009) show that monocular lid suture and monocular inactivation do not change the mean firing rates of LGN neurons but that lid suture reduces correlations between adjacent neurons whereas monocular inactivation leads to correlated firing. These, somewhat surprising, results contradict assumptions that have been made to explain the outcomes of different monocular deprivation protocols. Based on these experimental results we modify our assumptions about inputs to cortex during different deprivation protocols and show their implications when combined with different cortical plasticity rules. Using theoretical analysis, random matrix theory, and simulations we show that high levels of correlations reduce the ocular dominance shift in learning rules that depend on homosynaptic depression (i.e. Bienenstock Cooper and Munro (BCM) type rules), consistent with experimental results, but have the opposite effect in rules that depend on heterosynaptic depression (i.e. Hebbian/Principal Component Analysis (PCA) type rules).