Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular Variations Related to the Regional Differences in Periosteal Growth at the Mandibular Ramus

Periosteal growth at human mandibular ramus is characterized by bone apposition at the posterior border and resorption at the anterior border. Molecular control of this regional variation is unclear. This study examined the expression of several molecules involved in bone apposition/resorption at these regions in vivo and in vitro. By using growing pigs as a model, the periosteal growth was assessed at the mandibular ramus by vital staining and histological observations. In parallel, periosteal tissues were harvested and pulverized for RNA and protein extraction. Periosteal cells were also isolated, expanded in osteogenic media, and subjected to a single dose of dynamic tensile strain (0, 5, or 10% magnitude at 0.5 Hz) to examine their responses to mechanical loading. Real‐time RT‐PCR and Western blot analyses were used to examine mRNA and protein expression from periosteal tissues and cultured cells. Histological observation confirmed an anterior‐resorption/posterior‐apposition pattern in the pig mandibular ramus. Both in vivo tissue and in vitro cells demonstrated greater mRNA expression of receptor activator of NF‐κB ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) ratio and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) at the anterior region, while OPG expression at the anterior region was lower than the posterior region. In response to the application of a single dose of dynamic tensile strain, cultured periosteal cells appeared to change the expression profile of osteogenic markers but not that of RANKL/OPG and BMP2. These findings suggest that the unique regional variation of periosteal activity at the mandibular ramus is regulated by a differential expression of RANKL/OPG ratio (likely through differential induction of OPG) and BMP2. Anat Rec, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential usage of two in-frame translational start codons regulates subcellular localization of Arabidopsis thaliana THI1

Arabidopsis thaliana THI1 is encoded by a single nuclear gene and directed simultaneously to mitochondria and chloroplasts from a single major transcript. In vitro transcription/translation experiments revealed the presence of two translational products by the differential usage of two in-frame translational start codons. The coupling site-specific mutations on the THI1 encoding sequence with green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene fusions showed that translation initiation at the first AUG directs translocation of THI1 to chloroplasts. However, when translation starts from the second AUG, THI1 is addressed to mitochondria. Analysis of the translation efficiency of thi1 mRNA revealed that the best context for translation initiation is to use the first AUG. In addition, a suboptimal context in the vicinity of the second AUG initiation codon, next to a stable stem-and-loop structure that is likely to slow translation, has been noted. The fact that translation preferentially occurs in the first AUG of this protein suggests a high requirement for TH1 in chloroplasts. Although the frequency of upstream AUG translation is higher, according to the first AUG rule, initiation at the second AUG deviates significantly from Kozak's consensus. It suggests leaky ribosomal scanning, reinitiation or the internal entry of ribosomes to assure mitochondrial protein import.
Similarity Learning for Provably Accurate Sparse Linear Classification

In recent years, the crucial importance of metrics in machine learning algorithms has led to an increasing interest for optimizing distance and similarity functions. Most of the state of the art focus on learning Mahalanobis distances (requiring to fulfill a constraint of positive semi-definiteness) for use in a local k-NN algorithm. However, no theoretical link is established between the learned metrics and their performance in classification. In this paper, we make use of the formal framework of (e, γ, τ)-good similarities introduced by Balcan et al. to design an algorithm for learning a non PSD linear similarity optimized in a nonlinear feature space, which is then used to build a global linear classifier. We show that our approach has uniform stability and derive a generalization bound on the classification error. Experiments performed on various datasets confirm the effectiveness of our approach compared to state-of-the-art methods and provide evidence that (i) it is fast, (ii) robust to overfitting and (iii) produces very sparse classifiers.
Evaluation of Semiinsulating Annealed InP:Ta for Radiation Detectors

InP crystals were grown by the Czochralski technique. They were purified by inclusion of Ta into the growth melt and then converted to the semiinsulating state by annealing. Various annealing regimes were examined to find the optimum material for radiation detectors. Temperature dependent Hall measurements were carried over the range from 300 to 430 K and the activation energy of the impurity responsible for the semiinsulating state was determined from the slope of a straight line plot to be 0.75 eV from the conduction band edge. This energy is different from the activation energy, 0.65 eV, of Fe2+ in InP which was observed for annealed InP grown with an admixture of Fe. An InP wafer selected for fabrication of prototype particle detectors was lapped and chemomechanically polished on the both sides to a final thickness of 0.25 mm. The detectors themselves were fabricated by deposition of circular metal electrodes of 1 mm diameter on both sides of the wafer, using vacuum evaporation of Ni/Ge/Au. The performance of these particle detectors was characterised by pulse-height spectra obtained with alpha particles emitted from 241Am. The maximum of the spectral line measured at 300 K corresponded to an 85% charge collection efficiency when 100 V voltage was applied
Very Slow EEG Fluctuations Predict the Dynamics of Stimulus Detection and Oscillation Amplitudes in Humans

Our ability to perceive weak signals is correlated among consecutive trials and fluctuates slowly over time. Although this “streaking effect” has been known for decades, the underlying neural network phenomena have remained largely unidentified. We examined the dynamics of human behavioral performance and its correlation with infraslow (0.01–0.1 Hz) fluctuations in ongoing brain activity. Full-band electroencephalography revealed prominent infraslow fluctuations during the execution of a somatosensory detection task. Similar fluctuations were predominant also in the dynamics of behavioral performance. The subjects' ability to detect the sensory stimuli was strongly correlated with the phase, but not with the amplitude of the infraslow EEG fluctuations. These data thus reveal a direct electrophysiological correlate for the slow fluctuations in human psychophysical performance. We then examined the correlation between the phase of infraslow EEG fluctuations and the amplitude of 1–40 Hz neuronal oscillations in six frequency bands. Like the behavioral performance, the amplitudes in these frequency bands were robustly correlated with the phase of the infraslow fluctuations. These data hence suggest that the infraslow fluctuations reflect the excitability dynamics of cortical networks. We conclude that ongoing 0.01–0.1 Hz EEG fluctuations are prominent and functionally significant during execution of cognitive tasks.
Advanced motions for hexapods

Advanced motions, which utilize footholds on walls, offer considerably more opportunities for hexapods in accessing confined environment. However, there has been no research on the practical application of such motions on a hexapod. These motions are kinematically viable for the standard hexapod design with three degrees of freedom per leg but the joint requirements have yet to be identified. This article presents the motion analysis for two forms of advanced motion, wall walking and chimney walking, to study the joint requirement for executing such motions. The analysis has been verified through a series of experiments demonstrating that a hexapod with a standard design is capable of executing advanced motions.
Working well with a disability: health promotion as a means to employment.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to test the utility of the Working Well with a Disability health-promotion program with vocational rehabilitation (VR) clients. Health-promotion interventions have been shown to reduce limitation from secondary conditions, which can be a significant barrier to labor force participation among people with disabilities. The state and federal VR system represents a potential access point for delivery of health-promotion activities. RESEARCH METHOD/DESIGN A total of 297 VR clients participated in a randomized trial of the Working Well health promotion program. Control and intervention participants provided baseline and four waves of quarterly follow-up data. Data were analyzed with repeated-measures ANOVA. RESULTS Intervention-group participants who attended over half of the Working Well sessions reported significantly lower rates of limitation from secondary conditions over the 1-year study span, F(1, 124) = 4.11, p = . 004. Control-group participants also experienced significantly lower rates of limitation, but pre- to postdifferences were less dramatic, F(1, 308) = 4.19, p = . 006. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS Overall, health data indicated that the Working Well program may be particularly helpful to VR clients with higher rates of secondary health conditions and may represent one strategy for overcoming barriers to employment.
A Promising but Challenging Strategy for Cancer Treatment: Disruption of Myc-Max Heterodimerization

c-Myc (Myc) is oncoprotein and nuclear transcription factor which plays a crucial role in several central cellular processes, involving cell proliferation, transformation, inhibition of differentiation and apoptosis. These functions result from the transcriptional activity of Myc. To be a functional form, Myc protein binds to the Max which recruits the E-box. Dysregulated over-expression of Myc is observed in many human malignancies including breast cancer, small-cell lung cancer, osteosarcomas, glioblastomas, and myeloid leukemias. Therefore, inhibition of the Myc-Max dimerization is a promising strategy for anticancer therapy. In this review, we summarize the Myc-Max disruption by small molecules targeting the oncogene. These information will contribute to the research and development of Myc-targeted smallmolecule drugs.
Content Adaptation Issues in the Future Internet

Future Media Internet is envisaged to provide the means to share and distribute (advanced) multimedia content and services with superior quality and striking flexibility, in a trusted and personalized way, improving citizens' quality of life, working conditions, edutainment and safety. Based on work that has taken place in projects ICT SEA and ICT OPTIMIX, and the Media Delivery Platforms Cluster of projects, we try to provide the challenges and the way ahead in the area of content adaptation.
Towards predicting biomechanical consequences of jaw reconstruction

We are developing dynamic computer models of surgical jaw reconstructions in order to determine the effect of altered musculoskeletal structure on the biomechanics of mastication. We aim to predict post-reconstruction deficits in jaw motion and force production. To support these research goals we have extended our biomechanics simulation toolkit, ArtiSynth [1], with new methods relevant to surgical planning. The principle features of ArtiSynth include simulation of constrained rigid-bodies, volume-preserving finite-element methods for deformable bodies, contact between bodies, and muscle models. We are adding model editing capabilities and muscle activation optimization to facilitate progress on post-surgical simulation. Our software and research directions are focused on upper-airway and cranio-facial anatomy, however the toolset and methodology are applicable to other musculoskeletal systems.
Prevalence and unmet need for diabetes care across the care continuum in a national sample of South African adults: Evidence from the SANHANES-1, 2011-2012

South Africa faces an epidemic of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), yet national surveillance is limited due to the lack of recent data. We used data from the first comprehensive national survey on NCDs—the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1 (2011–2012))—to evaluate the prevalence of and health system response to diabetes through a diabetes care cascade. We defined diabetes as a Hemoglobin A1c equal to or above 6.5% or currently on treatment for diabetes. We constructed a diabetes care cascade by categorizing the population with diabetes into those who were unscreened, screened but undiagnosed, diagnosed but untreated, treated but uncontrolled, and treated and controlled. We then used multivariable logistic regression models to explore factors associated with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes. The age-standardized prevalence of diabetes in South Africans aged 15+ was 10.1%. Prevalence rates were higher among the non-white population and among women. Among individuals with diabetes, a total of 45.4% were unscreened, 14.7% were screened but undiagnosed, 2.3% were diagnosed but untreated, 18.1% were treated but uncontrolled, and 19.4% were treated and controlled, suggesting that 80.6% of the diabetic population had unmet need for care. The diabetes care cascade revealed significant losses from lack of screening, between screening and diagnosis, and between treatment and control. These results point to significant unmet need for diabetes care in South Africa. Additionally, this analysis provides a benchmark for evaluating efforts to manage the rising burden of diabetes in South Africa.
Sharpening Sparse Regularizers

Non-convex penalties outperform the convex ℓ-norm, but generally sacrifice the cost function convexity. As a middle ground, we propose a framework to design non-convex penalties that induce sparsity more effectively than the ℓ-norm, but without sacrificing the cost function convexity. The non-smooth non-convex regularizers are constructed by subtracting from the non-smooth convex penalty its smoothed version. We propose a generalized infimal convolution smoothing smoothing technique to obtain the smoothed version. We call the proposed framework sharpening sparse regularizers (SSR) to imply its advantages compared to convex and non-convex regularizers. The SSR framework is applicable to any sparsity regularized ill-posed linear inverse problem. Furthermore, it recovers and generalizes several non-convex penalties in the literature as special cases. The SSR-RLS problem can be formulated as a saddle point problem, and solved by a scalable generalized primal-dual algorithm. The effectiveness of the SSR framework is demonstrated by numerical experiments.
Requirements trade-offs analysis in the absence of quantitative measures: a heuristic method

Simultaneously satisfying multiple interacting and possibly conflicting software requirements is challenging. Quantitative cost-benefit analysis of alternative solutions is often hard or biased, and early decisions based on numerical estimates of requirements satisfaction are thus unreliable. We propose a trade-off analysis method that assists decision making in the absence of numerical data. We structure the requirements trade-off problem in terms of a goal model containing alternative design solutions and decision criteria. We propose a trade-off analysis algorithm that takes pair-wise comparisons of alternatives and determines the best solution among alternatives. The optimum alternative is decided by using a heuristic method, which may need to consult with domain experts. We take advantage of the Even Swaps method [1] to incorporate stakeholders' preferences into the decision analysis. The algorithm is implemented in a prototype tool and evaluated in an industrial case study.
Concatenated codes

Concatenation is a method of building long codes out of shorter ones; it attempts to meet the problem of decoding complexity by breaking the required computation into manageable segments. We present theoretical and computational results bearing on the efficiency and complexity of concatenated codes; the major theoretical results are the following: 1. Concatenation of an arbitrarily large number of codes can yield a probability of error that decreases exponentially with the over-all block length, while the decoding complexity increases only algebraically; and 2. Concatenation of a finite number of codes yields an error exponent that is inferior to that attainable with a single stage, but is nonzero at all rates below capacity. Computations support these theoretical results, and also give insight into the relationship between modulation and coding. This approach illuminates the special power and usefulness of the class of ReedSolomon codes. We give an original presentation of their structure and properties, from which we derive the properties of all BCH codes; we determine their weight distribution, and consider in detail the implementation of their decoding algorithm, which we have extended to correct both erasures and errors and have otherwise improved. We show that on a particularly suitable channel, RS codes can achieve the performance specified by the coding theorem. Finally, we present a generalization of the use of erasures in minimum-distance decoding, and discuss the appropriate decoding techniques, which constitute an interesting hybrid between decoding and detection.
Transmission of realistic sensation: Development of a virtual dome

By using virtual reality technology, a communication system with realistic sensation can be implemented. This enables the user to see live images of a remote place without losing his/her sense of orientation. The most important element of this system is a buffering mechanism to overcome the time-delay problem which is harmful when trying to generate the realistic sensations of a remote place. Also, by adding 3D cues to the virtual dome (although not so accurate) 3-D sensation can be sufficiently synthesized. <<ETX>>
Multiple-nodding oscillations of a driven inverted pendulum

It has long been known that a simple rigid pendulum can be stabilized against small disturbances in its upside-down state by rapid vertical oscillations of its pivot. Over part of the parameter range for which this happens we find that there is a second, quite different way in which the pendulum can avoid falling over, namely by getting trapped in a limit cycle oscillation about the upward vertical. Each upside-down oscillation of this kind has a distinctive 'multiplenodding' character.
The Value of Roles in Modeling Business Processes

Rapid business changes require companies to make rapid changes in business processes and ultimately in BPS systems. These changes can be done rapidly if business modelers understand the base roles of business processes and relationships between these roles. In this paper we present an alternative to the traditional business processes modeling approaches. In our approach we make explicit roles present in business processes. This facilitates business process reengineering and improves the alignment between business and supporting systems.
GaN-On-Diamond HEMT Technology With TAVG = 176°C at PDC,max = 56 W/mm Measured by Transient Thermoreflectance Imaging

Record DC power has been demonstrated in AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors fabricated using a substrate replacement process in which a thick diamond substrate is grown by chemical vapor deposition following removal of the original Si substrate. Crucial to the process is a ~30 nm thick SiN interlayer that has been optimized for thermal resistance. The reductions obtained in self-heating have been quantified by transient thermoreflectance imaging and interpreted using 3D numerical simulation. With a DC power dissipation level of 56 W/mm, the measured average and maximum temperatures in the gate-drain access region were 176 °C and 205 °C, respectively.
Sigh improves gas exchange and respiratory mechanics in children undergoing pressure support after major surgery.

BACKGROUND Children undergoing major surgery can develop lung de-recruitment and gas exchange impairment in the postoperative period. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of periodic sigh breaths (Sighs) during pressure support ventilation (PSV) on gas exchange and respiratory pattern in children after major surgery. METHODS Twenty children were enrolled and received PSV alone and with Sighs in a randomized order. Sighs were administered once per minute by adding to baseline pressure support a pressure controlled breath set at 30 cm H2O of peak airway pressure. At the end of each study period air flow, pressure traces, and compliance of respiratory system, together with hemodynamic parameters and venous and arterial blood gas tensions, were recorded. RESULTS PaO2/FiO2 improved from baseline to Sigh group (312.6 ± 137.4 vs. 394.2 ± 127.0; P<0.01) and PaCO2 decreased from baseline to Sigh group (39.3 ± 3.3 vs. 34.3 ± 4.6 mmHg; P<0.001), without any change in minute expiratory volume. Indexed to body weight compliance of respiratory system improved from baseline to Sigh group (0.85 ± 0.35 vs. 1.01 ± 0.30 mL/kg/cm H2O; P<0.01). There were no significant differences between the two groups for the hemodynamic parameters. CONCLUSION The addition of one Sigh per minute during PSV in the post-operative period of children that underwent major surgery improved gas exchange and decreased respiratory drive without producing major short-term complications. Further long-term studies are necessary to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Sigh in pediatric patients.
Population reinforcement accelerates subadult recruitment rates in an endangered freshwater turtle

Wildlife diversity and abundance are declining globally and population reinforcement with captive‐reared animals is a common intervention used to prevent extinctions. Released captive‐reared individuals may undergo an acclimation period before their behavior and success is comparable to wild‐reared individuals because they lack experience with predators, complex habitats and variable environmental conditions. Quantifying post‐release acclimation effects on fitness and behavior is important for maximizing the success of reintroduction programs and for predicting the number of captive‐reared animals required for release. Endangered Blanding's turtles Emydoidea blandingii exhibit low recruitment and may benefit from population reinforcement with captive‐reared, ‘headstarted’ individuals (headstarts). We used 6 years of data to compare survival, growth, habitat use and movement ecology between wild‐hatched juvenile turtles and headstarts reared from eggs rescued from injured females. We found strong evidence of an acclimation effect in headstarts, with lower movement, growth, and survival during the first one to two years post‐release. Following this acclimation period, headstarts had movement, growth and survival similar to wild‐hatched juveniles. Habitat use did not differ between headstarts and wild‐hatched juveniles. We hypothesize that the acclimation period occurred because headstarts were introduced directly into the wild (i.e. ‘hard release’) and that providing additional support before or after release may improve the success of headstarts. Headstarts had a monthly survival probability of 0.89 in the first year post‐release, and 0.98 after the first year post‐release. We estimated that headstarts at our sites have approximately three times higher probability of surviving to 10 years of age, compared to wild‐hatched individuals at other sites. Our results highlight that headstarts should be released into habitat individually rather than in clusters, and highlight the need to investigate whether post‐release mortality of captive‐reared animals could be mitigated by increased acclimation to wild conditions, for example through prerelease periods in outdoor pens.