Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial fading correlation for semicircular scattering: Angular spread and spatial frequency approximations

Spatial frequency approximation (SFA) of spatial fading correlation (SFC) is addressed for the case that the exact infinite summation of Bessel functions is inconvenient or infeasible. The angular spread is derived for semicircular scattering, especially characterized by uniform, Gaussian, Laplacian, and von Mises distributions. The semicircular scattering on the range (−1over2π, 1over2π] happens, e.g., when the antenna is placed on the wall. In the usual SFA of the SFC, a characteristic function is involved with the infinite integration range due to a small angular spread and a near broadside nominal angle. In this paper, we propose a new SFA of the SFC with a finite integration range. Considering the Laplacian angular distribution, numerical examples illustrate that for a moderate angular spread, the new SFA yields higher accuracy in computing the SFC than the conventional SFA. For the von Mises distribution, the new SFA is able to approximate the SFC, while the ordinary SFA provides discrete solutions, which are unreliable to the SFC approximation.
Myocardial metabolism of triacylglycerol‐rich lipoproteins in type 2 diabetes

Cardiac utilisation of very‐low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL) and chylomicrons (CM) was investigated in the ZDF rat model of type 2 diabetes, in order to define the role of triacylglycerol (TAG) metabolism in the development of contractile dysfunction. Hearts from obese diabetic and lean littermate control rats were perfused with VLDL and CM from diabetic and control rats. Metabolic fate of the lipoprotein TAG and contractile function were examined. Myocardial utilisation of both VLDL‐ and CM‐TAG was increased in the diabetic state. Diabetic hearts oxidised diabetic lipoprotein‐TAG to a greater extent than control lipoproteins; glucose oxidation was decreased. There was no difference in lipoprotein‐TAG assimilation into diabetic heart lipids; diabetic lipoproteins were, however, a poor substrate for control heart tissue lipid accumulation. Although the proportion of exogenous lipid incorporated into tissue TAG was increased in diabetic hearts perfused with control lipoproteins, this effect was not seen in diabetic hearts perfused with diabetic lipoproteins. Myocardial heparin‐releasable lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity was moderately increased in the diabetic state, and diabetic lipoproteins increased tissue‐residual LPL activity. Cardiac hydraulic work was decreased only in diabetic hearts perfused with diabetic CM. Compositional analysis of diabetic variant lipoproteins indicated changes in size and apoprotein content. Alterations in cardiac TAG‐rich lipoprotein metabolism in type 2 diabetes are due to changes in both the diabetic myocardium and the diabetic lipoprotein particle; decreased contractile function is not related to cardiac lipid accumulation from TAG‐rich lipoproteins but may be associated with changes in TAG‐fatty acid oxidation.
Condensed [ Ru 4 Sn 6 ] Units in the Stannides LnRu 4 Sn 6 ( Ln = La , Pr , Nd , Sm , Gd )-Synthesis , Structure , and Chemical Bonding

für Naturforschung in cooperation with the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Dieses Werk wurde im Jahr 2013 vom Verlag Zeitschrift für Naturforschung in Zusammenarbeit mit der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V. digitalisiert und unter folgender Lizenz veröffentlicht: Creative Commons Namensnennung 4.0 Lizenz. Condensed [Ru4Sn6] Units in the Stannides LnRu4Sn6 (Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd) Synthesis, Structure, and Chemical Bonding
Case-based task decomposition with incomplete domain descriptions

Hierarchical task network (HTN) task decomposition is a planning paradigm that accomplishes high-level tasks by decomposing them into simpler tasks during problem solving. Over the years, there has been a recurrent interest on HTN planning for a variety of reasons, including its relation with models for cognitive reasoning, runtime efficiency, and a number of real-world domains that are amenable to be modeled in a hierarchical fashion. An obstacle that hinders the use of HTN planning techniques in a wide range of applications is the need for a complete domain description. In case-based reasoning (CBR), previous problem-solving episodes are reused to solve new problems. A number of research efforts have been conducted for combining CBR and planning in the past. Some of the research resulted in domain-independent CBR systems for planning but required a complete domain description; others did not require a domain description but resulted in domain-specific problem solving. In this dissertation, a novel approach for hierarchical task decomposition with incomplete domain descriptions is presented. This approach utilizes domain-independent case adaptation to enable using generalized cases as the main source of task decomposition knowledge. To achieve desired planning performance, a preference-guided case refinement is integrated with a case retrieval criterion and a case reuse algorithm that take advantage of the refinement. The implemented DInCaD (Dbomain Independent Case-based task Dbecomposition) system is the first case-based reasoning system that performs domain independent hierarchical task decomposition with incomplete domain descriptions. In addition, semantics are defined and proven for analyzing the properties of the presented approach, providing a complementary to the theoretical foundation of case-based reasoning research. Several metrics for evaluating case-based planning systems are studied and adapted to measure the planning performance of the implemented system.
Le test de précipitation en milieu réduit : une alternative au test d’Emmel dans le dépistage de l’hémoglobinose S

Les hemoglobinopathies sont definies par la presence d’anomalies qualitatives et/ou quantitatives touchant les chaines de globine. Les anomalies qualitatives sont de loin les plus frequemment observees avec en tete la drepanocytose. L’objectif de ce travail etait, de montrer l’efficacite du test de precipitation en milieu reduit (TPMR) par rapport au test d’Emmel (TE) dans le diagnostic de l’hemoglobinose S. Ainsi, sur les prelevements sanguins de 415 sujets, sans distinction de sexe, nous avons realise en triple aveugle le test d’Emmel, le test de precipitation en milieu reduit et l’electrophorese de l’hemoglobine sur gel d’agarose a pH = 6,0 ± 0,2 comme technique de reference. L’hemoglobinose S a ete retrouvee a 23,4% a l’electrophorese de l’hemoglobine dans notre echantillon. Le TPMR avait les caracteristiques suivantes : sensibilite (98%), specificite (100%), valeur predictive positive (100%), valeur predictive negative (99,40%) et indice de Youden (0,99). Le TE avait une sensibilite de 92,80%, une specificite de 98,70%, une valeur predictive positive de 95,70%, une valeur predictive negative de 98%, et un indice de Youden de 0,92. Le TPMR peut remplacer le TE dans les laboratoires ou l’electrophorese de l’hemoglobine n’est pas realisable. © 2010 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved. Mots cles : Hemoglobinopathie, Technique, Electrophorese de l’hemoglobine, TPMR, TE.
Algal toxicity of nitrobenzenes: Combined effect analysis as a pharmacological probe for similar modes of interaction

An analysis regarding the effects of the mixture toxicity of different nitrobenzenes on the reproduction of the green alga Scenedesmus vacuolatus was undertaken using the concepts of concentration addition and response addition. Using lipophilicity‐based quantitative structure‐activity relationship (QSAR) modeling for nitrobenzenes, the assumption is held that mononitrobenzenes may exert narcotic effects as a common type of action, whereas dinitrobenzenes show a somewhat greater toxicity. From the literature, QSARs based on quantum chemical parameters suggest that some mononitrobenzenes may be effective through additional other modes of action. The toxicity of a mixture of 14 nitrobenzenes clearly exceeds the predicted combined effects, as expected for the sum of toxic units from a uniform narcotic mode of action. Moreover, the observed combined effect is smaller than that predicted from similarly acting compounds calculated on the basis of the parameterized dose‐response functions using concentration addition. Further modeling of the combined effect, joining the models of concentration addition for components with anticipated similar modes of action and of response addition for those with independent action, led us to propose that not all nitrobenzenes follow the same mode of action. This idea is in line with the hypothesis derived from quantum chemical QSAR considerations. Most interestingly, the methodology introduced here uses combined effect analysis as a pharmacological probe to test for similarity in the mode of action of mixture components.
Differing contributions of the first and second pharyngeal arches to tympanic membrane formation in the mouse and chick

We have proposed that independent origins of the tympanic membrane (TM), consisting of the external auditory meatus (EAM) and first pharyngeal pouch, are linked with distinctive middle ear structures in terms of dorsal-ventral patterning of the pharyngeal arches during amniote evolution. However, previous studies have suggested that the first pharyngeal arch (PA1) is crucial for TM formation in both mouse and chick. In this study, we compare TM formation along the anterior-posterior axis in these animals using Hoxa2 expression as a marker of the second pharyngeal arch (PA2). In chick, the EAM begins to invaginate at the surface ectoderm of PA2, not at the first pharyngeal cleft, and the entire TM forms in PA2. Chick-quail chimera that have lost PA2 and duplicated PA1 suggest that TM formation is achieved by developmental interaction between a portion of the EAM and the columella auris in PA2, and that PA1 also contributes to formation of the remaining part of the EAM. By contrast, in mouse, TM formation is highly associated with an interdependent relationship between the EAM and tympanic ring in PA1. Summary: Comparison of tissue interactions during tympanic membrane development in mouse and chick indicates similarities and differences in the developmental mechanisms and evolution of middle ear morphology in mammals and diapsids.
Quality of life outcomes associated with treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) facial lipoatrophy

Facial lipoatrophy (FLA), characterized by a decrease in facial volume, has a high prevalence in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection treated with long‐term highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The social stigmatization that results from such changes in facial appearance has led some HIV patients to discontinue HAART. The use of fillers is one method of restoring facial volume. A critical outcome of treatment concerns the patient's quality of life (QoL). Although many studies have assessed patient satisfaction, as well as the social and psychological outcomes associated with the correction of HIV FLA, fewer studies have assessed QoL. We reviewed treatment options for HIV FLA with a specific focus on QoL outcomes. Our analysis revealed that the following treatments were associated with improvements in QoL: poly‐l‐lactic acid; calcium hydroxylapatite; hyaluronic acid; polyacrylamide gel; polyalkylamide gel; polymethylmethacrylate; silicone oil; and autologous fat transfer. The treatment of HIV FLA with these agents appears to improve QoL as assessed by various QoL instruments. Additional studies are required to identify a unifying QoL instrument to effectively assess longitudinal QoL outcomes and to compare treatment modalities.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Doripenem in Critically Ill Patients with Sepsis in a Malaysian Intensive Care Unit

ABSTRACT Doripenem has been recently introduced in Malaysia and is used for severe infections in the intensive care unit. However, limited data currently exist to guide optimal dosing in this scenario. We aimed to describe the population pharmacokinetics of doripenem in Malaysian critically ill patients with sepsis and use Monte Carlo dosing simulations to develop clinically relevant dosing guidelines for these patients. In this pharmacokinetic study, 12 critically ill adult patients with sepsis receiving 500 mg of doripenem every 8 h as a 1-hour infusion were enrolled. Serial blood samples were collected on 2 different days, and population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using a nonlinear mixed-effects modeling approach. A two-compartment linear model with between-subject and between-occasion variability on clearance was adequate in describing the data. The typical volume of distribution and clearance of doripenem in this cohort were 0.47 liters/kg and 0.14 liters/kg/h, respectively. Doripenem clearance was significantly influenced by patients' creatinine clearance (CLCR), such that a 30-ml/min increase in the estimated CLCR would increase doripenem CL by 52%. Monte Carlo dosing simulations suggested that, for pathogens with a MIC of 8 mg/liter, a dose of 1,000 mg every 8 h as a 4-h infusion is optimal for patients with a CLCR of 30 to 100 ml/min, while a dose of 2,000 mg every 8 h as a 4-h infusion is best for patients manifesting a CLCR of >100 ml/min. Findings from this study suggest that, for doripenem usage in Malaysian critically ill patients, an alternative dosing approach may be meritorious, particularly when multidrug resistance pathogens are involved.
Small Molecule Inhibitors That Selectively Block Dengue Virus Methyltransferase*

Crystal structure analysis of Flavivirus methyltransferases uncovered a flavivirus-conserved cavity located next to the binding site for its cofactor, S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM). Chemical derivatization of S-adenosyl-homocysteine (SAH), the product inhibitor of the methylation reaction, with substituents that extend into the identified cavity, generated inhibitors that showed improved and selective activity against dengue virus methyltransferase (MTase), but not related human enzymes. Crystal structure of dengue virus MTase with a bound SAH derivative revealed that its N6-substituent bound in this cavity and induced conformation changes in residues lining the pocket. These findings demonstrate that one of the major hurdles for the development of methyltransferase-based therapeutics, namely selectivity for disease-related methyltransferases, can be overcome.
The Recalibration Effect of Time Perception Using a Virtual Environment

It has been demonstrated that recalibrations of audio-visual asynchrony are likely to occur in sensory processing rather than in the higher domains of cognition in the brain. The aim of the present study was to investigate recalibration of time perception to judge auditory and visual input simultaneity using a virtual environment (VE). A virtual corridor built for this experiment has depth of field, and includes six light sources (light-emitting diodes, LEDs) affixed on a computer monitor, which appear to be situated at different distances. Subjects in the VE were presented with both the flashes of LEDs and associated bursts of white noise with random stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA). Even though the auditory and visual stimuli were presented from the same distance on the display device, the subjects showed different time recalibration effects (TREs) depending on subjects' tendencies of immersion in VE. The results suggest that the differences in the TREs can be explained by subject-specific tendencies such as absorption to stimuli, which can construct subjective reality in top-down processing. Future research on neural substrates of recalibration for simultaneity will contribute toward understanding of how the brain creates the representation of spatiotemporal coherence.
“The False Promise of Group Harmony”: The Centrality of Challenging Practices in Teachers’ Professional Development

This article discusses an action research study of a week-long Summer Teachers Institute which immersed teachers in the study of Jewish historical and cultural texts. We investigate how this kind of cultural immersion created opportunities for transformative learning – the kind of learning that would not merely be the application of “new lessons,” but that would also help teachers reconceptualize their teaching practices regarding Jewish religion and culture. Our findings suggest that text study practices of challenging – in tandem with practices of supporting and voicing – were central in constructing a “relational learning community. ” Such a community was a necessary condition for transformative learning.
A new simple modeling and analysis of custom power controllers

This paper addresses the mainly issue of modeling and analysis of custom power controllers, a new generation of power electronics-based equipment aimed at enhancing there liability and quality of power flows in low-voltage distribution networks The well-developed graphic facilities available in an industry standard power system package, namely MATLAB/SIMULINKMTDC, are used to conduct all aspects of model implementation and to carry out extensive simulation studies. Graphics-based models suitable for electromagnetic transient studies are presented for the following three custom power controllers: the distribution static compensator (D-STATCOM),the dynamic voltage restorer (DVR), and the solid-state transfer switch (SSTS).
Lipreading from color video

We have designed and implemented a lipreading system that recognizes isolated words using only color video of human lips (without acoustic data). The system performs video recognition using "snakes" to extract visual features of geometric space, Karhunen-Loeve transform (KLT) to extract principal components in the color eigenspace, and hidden Markov models (HMM's) to recognize the combined visual features sequences. With the visual information alone, we were able to achieve 94% accuracy for ten isolated words.
Glycosaminoglycan Glycomics Using Mass Spectrometry*

The fact that sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are necessary for the functioning of all animal physiological systems drives the need to understand their biology. This understanding is limited, however, by the heterogeneous nature of GAG chains and their dynamic spatial and temporal expression patterns. GAGs have a regulated structure overlaid by heterogeneity but lack the detail necessary to build structure/function relationships. In order to provide this information, we need glycomics platforms that are sensitive, robust, high throughput, and information rich. This review summarizes progress on mass-spectrometry-based GAG glycomics methods. The areas covered include disaccharide analysis, oligosaccharide profiling, and tandem mass spectrometric sequencing.
Methylation of histone H3K23 blocks DNA damage in pericentric heterochromatin during meiosis

Despite the well-established role of heterochromatin in protecting chromosomal integrity during meiosis and mitosis, the contribution and extent of heterochromatic histone posttranslational modifications (PTMs) remain poorly defined. Here, we gained novel functional insight about heterochromatic PTMs by analyzing histone H3 purified from the heterochromatic germline micronucleus of the model organism Tetrahymena thermophila. Mass spectrometric sequencing of micronuclear H3 identified H3K23 trimethylation (H3K23me3), a previously uncharacterized PTM. H3K23me3 became particularly enriched during meiotic leptotene and zygotene in germline chromatin of Tetrahymena and C. elegans. Loss of H3K23me3 in Tetrahymena through deletion of the methyltransferase Ezl3p caused mislocalization of meiosis-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) to heterochromatin, and a decrease in progeny viability. These results show that an evolutionarily conserved developmental pathway regulates H3K23me3 during meiosis, and our studies in Tetrahymena suggest this pathway may function to protect heterochromatin from DSBs. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.02996. 001
Increased inducible nitric oxide synthase in lung carcinoma of smokers

Cigarette smoking is well known to play an important role in the development of lung cancer. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) can either promote or inhibit cell proliferation and growth, which makes its role in the development of malignant tumors controversial. The relation between cigarette smoking and iNOS in human lung cancer is unknown.
Sleep stage classification by combination of actigraphic and heart rate signals

This paper presents the performance of sleep stage classification by combination of actigraphic and heart rate signals. We studied 40,643 epochs (length 3 min) of polysomnographic data in 289 subjects. Body movement indices derived from actigraphic data and autonomic functional indices from heart rate variability were useful for discriminating between non-REM sleep and waking/REM sleep at 76.9% sensitivity and 74.5% specificity and between REM sleep and waking at 77.2% sensitivity and 72.3% specificity.
A Novel Approach for Efficient Usage of Intrusion Detection System in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) are self-configuring infrastructureless dynamic wireless networks in which the nodes are resource constrained. Intrusion detection systems (IDSs) are used in MANETs to monitor activities to detect any intrusion in the otherwise vulnerable network. In this paper, we present efficient schemes for analyzing and optimizing the time duration for which the IDSs need to remain active in a MANET. A probabilistic model is proposed, which makes use of cooperation between IDSs among neighborhood nodes to reduce their individual active time. Typically, an IDS has to run all the time on every node to oversee network behavior. This can turn out to be a costly overhead for a battery-powered mobile device in terms of power and computational resources. Hence, in this work, our aim is to reduce the duration of active time of the IDSs without compromising their effectiveness. To validate our proposed approach, we model the interactions between IDSs as a multiplayer cooperative game in which the players have partially cooperative and partially conflicting goals. We theoretically analyze this game and support it with simulation results.
Tackling Speaking Mode Varieties in EMG-Based Speech Recognition

An electromyographic (EMG) silent speech recognizer is a system that recognizes speech by capturing the electric potentials of the human articulatory muscles, thus enabling the user to communicate silently. After having established a baseline EMG-based continuous speech recognizer, in this paper, we investigate speaking mode variations, i.e., discrepancies between audible and silent speech that deteriorate recognition accuracy. We introduce multimode systems that allow seamless switching between audible and silent speech, investigate different measures which quantify speaking mode differences, and present the spectral mapping algorithm, which improves the word error rate (WER) on silent speech by up to 14.3% relative. Our best average silent speech WER is 34.7%, and our best WER on audibly spoken speech is 16.8%.