Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
3-D Analysis for the Torque of Permanent Magnet Coupler

This paper first presents a 3-D analysis model for calculating the torque transmitted between the permanent radial magnet couplers based on the Coulombian model. Then, a 3-D finite-element analysis model is constructed to analyze the spatial distributions of the magnetic field and end effect of the axial length of the magnet coupler. Besides, the parametric studies of the magnet coupler are taken using the two 3-D models, respectively, and the simulation results obtained are analyzed and compared. Finally, two kinds of real applied magnet couplers are tested to compare with the results with the 3-D analysis model. It is concluded that the 3-D analytical model of the torque of the radial magnet couplers is viable and could be used for the design of magnet couplers.
Fission yeast Clp 1 p phosphatase affects G 2 / M transition and mitotic exit through Cdc 25 p inactivation

The Cdc14 family of phosphatases specifically reverses proline-directed phosphorylation events. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Cdc14p promotes Cdk1p inactivation at mitotic exit by reversing Cdk1p-dependent phosphorylations. Cdk1p is a proline-directed kinase whose activity is required in all eukaryotes for the transit into mitosis. At mitotic commitment, Cdk1p participates in its own regulation by activating the mitotic inducing phosphatase, Cdc25p, and inhibiting the opposing kinase, Wee1p. We have investigated the ability of Schizosaccharomyces pombe Clp1p, a Cdc14p homolog, to disrupt this autoamplification loop. We show here that Clp1p is required to dephosphorylate, destabilize, and inactivate Cdc25p at the end of mitosis. Clp1p promotes recognition of Cdc25p by the anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome, an E3 ubiquitin ligase. Failure to inactivate and destabilize Cdc25p in late mitosis delays progression through anaphase, interferes with septation initiation network signaling, and additionally advances the commitment to mitotic entry in the next cycle. This may be a widely conserved mechanism whereby Cdc14 proteins contribute to Cdk1p inactivation. The EMBO Journal (2004) 23, 919–929. doi:10.1038/ sj.emboj. 7600103; Published online 12 February 2004 Subject Categories: cell cycle; genome stability & dynamics
Canonical Correlation Analysis and Prediction of Perceived Rhythmic Prominences and Pitch Tones in Speech

Speech prosody encodes information about language and communicative intent as well as speaker identity and state. Consequently, a host of speech technologies could benefit from increased understanding of prosodic phenomena and corresponding acoustics. A recently developed comprehensive prosodic transcription system called RaP (Rhythm-and-Pitch) annotates both perceived rhythmic prominences and pitch tones in speech. Using RaP-annotated speech corpora, the present work analyzes relationships between perceived prosodic events and acoustic features including syllable duration and novel measures of intensity and fundamental frequency. Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) reveals two dominant prosodic dimensions relating the acoustic features and RaP annotations. The first captures perceived prosodic emphasis of syllables indicated by strong metrical beats and significant pitch variability (i.e. presence of either high or low pitch tones). Acoustically, this dimension is described most by syllable duration followed by the mean intensity and fundamental frequency measures. The second CCA dimension then primarily discriminates pitch tone level (high versus low), indicated mainly by the mean fundamental frequency measure. Finally, within a leave-one-out cross-validation framework, RaP prosodic events are well-predicted from acoustic features (AUC between 0.78 and 0.84). Future work will exploit automated RaP labelling in contexts ranging from language learning to neurological disorder recognition.
In vivo assessment of regional microvascular albumin leakage during E. coli septic shock in the baboon model.

Changes in regional microvascular albumin flux during septic shock were studied noninvasively by scintigraphy in the baboon model. Use was made of an i.v. injection of 99mTc-labelled baboon serum albumin. Count ratios of lung to cardiac, liver to cardiac, and abdominal to cardiac regions were measured every 2 hr for 6 hr in control and septic shock baboons, and compared. Increased ratios obtained during shock pointed to an increase in extravascular albumin. Linear regression lines fitted to these count ratios provided regional albumin leak indices. These indices demonstrated statistically significant increases (P less than 0.05) during septic shock for the abdominal region during the 6-hr study, and for all regions, but especially the abdomen, when data were calculated over 4 hr. Increasing ratios and leak indices correlated with postmortem data and changes in neutrophil and platelet behaviour previously established during shock.
Fibronectin-mediated binding of group A streptococci to human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Human plasma was shown to promote the attachment of an avirulent strain of Streptococcus pyogenes to human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Removal of the fibronectin by absorption of the plasma with agarose-immobilized gelatin abolished the attachment-promoting activity. The activity of the absorbed plasma was restored with purified human serum fibronectin. The fibronectin was found to promote the attachment of three M protein-negative, but not of three M protein-positive, strains of streptococci. Radiolabeled fibronectin was shown to bind in various degrees to all strains of S. pyogenes tested. Thus, in the absence of streptococci surface M protein, fibronectin promotes the association of group A streptococci with human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
RSS-INS integration for cooperative indoor positioning

Location estimation based on received signal strength (RSS) is an increasingly popular method of low-cost positioning. However, the low accuracy afforded by RSS centric systems dramatically limits suitable applications. Herein we discuss a positioning system utilizing cooperative strategies and integration of RSS observables with inertial navigation system (INS) sensors such as those commonly found in mobile devices, e.g. smart phones, tablets, etc. We analyze the theoretical bounds of the system using the Bayesian Cramer-Rao bound (BCRB). Simulation results and theoretical analysis illustrate that significant improvement in positional accuracy over typical RSS methods can be achieved.
Geometry-Based Stochastic Modeling for Non-Stationary High-Speed Train MIMO Channels

In this paper, a non-stationary geometry-based stochastic model (GBSM) for high-speed train (HST) MIMO channels is proposed. The proposed model employs geometry-based elliptical scattering model, where the received signal is a superposition of line-of-sight (LOS) and single- bounced rays. The time-varying reference system is introduced to more accurately characterize the non-stationarity of HST MIMO channels caused by the high speed factor. Based on the proposed model, the 2D space cross- correlation function (CCF) and the temporal autocorrelation function (ACF) are derived, simulated under both of isotropic and non-isotropic scattering conditions, and discussed in detail.
Drill Wear Monitoring through Current Signature Analysis using Wavelet Packet Transform and Artificial Neural Network

In automated manufacturing systems, tool wear monitoring plays an important role in ensuring the dimensional accuracy of the workpiece and automatic cutting process without any failure. It is, therefore, very essential to develop simple, reliable, process condition independent and cost effective online tool wear monitoring system. In this work, an attempt has been made to develop a drill tool wear monitoring system which fulfills most of the above essential requirements. A cost effective Hall-effect current sensor, which does not interfere with the process, has been used for acquiring motor current signature during drilling under different cutting conditions. A more advanced signal processing technique, wavelet packet transform has been implemented on the acquired current signature to extract features which are more sensitive to drill wear and less sensitive to the process conditions. A multilayer neural network model has been developed to correlate the extracted features with drill wear. Experimental results show that the proposed drill wear monitoring system can successfully predict the drill wear with acceptable accuracy.
The Cutoff Amplitude of Transcranial Motor Evoked Potentials for Transient Postoperative Motor Deficits in Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumor Surgery

Study Design. Retrospective clinical study of intraoperative transcranial motor evoked potential (TcMEP) amplitudes and postoperative motor deficits (PMDs). Objective. To determine the quantifiable cutoff amplitude of TcMEP for predicting transient PMDs in intramedullary spinal cord tumor (IMSCT) surgery. Summary of Background Data. The “presence or absence” criterion is reliable and widely used the alarm criterion for preventing permanent PMDs in IMSCT surgery. However, we wanted to prevent PMDs even if it is transient. The cutoff amplitude for transient PMDs should be identified. Methods. We conducted a retrospective study to identify the cutoff amplitude for predicting transient PMDs in IMSCT surgery. Thirty-seven patients were included in the study. We examined intraoperative electrophysiological changes and perioperative motor status in these patients. Receiver operating characteristic analyses were performed to identify the cutoff amplitudes for predicting transient PMDs in IMSCT surgery. The incidence of PMDs and cutoff TcMEP amplitude in cervical and thoracic lesions were compared. Results. Thirteen cases demonstrated transient PMDs. Among 280 monitorable muscles in 37 cases, 51 muscles in 13 patients showed PMDs. Through receiver operating characteristic analysis, the relative and the absolute cutoff amplitudes at the intraoperative point of deterioration were identified to be 12% residual of baseline amplitude and 3.2 &mgr;V, respectively. Sensitivity/specificity for those cutoff points are 86%/74% and 88%/78%, respectively. The incidence of PMD was significantly higher, and the cutoff amplitude was lower in the thoracic lesions than in the cervical lesions. Conclusion. We determined the cutoff TcMEP amplitude for predicting transient PMDs in IMSCT surgery. The cutoff amplitude for the cervical lesions was higher than that for the thoracic lesions. The results suggest the need for setting different alarm criteria in different level of spine. Level of Evidence: 3
A building-integrated eolic system for the exploitation of wind energy in urban areas

Renewable energy exploitation in the urbanized areas has been receiving an increased attention over recent years because the proximity to electricity users makes it possible to obtain better global efficiency and to save territory. In this work a new wind energy system that uses the roof of the building in combination with a centripetal turbine is presented. This - could be considered as an amplifier of the wind speed that should allow the wind turbine to work under both lower and higher velocities than the conventional aerogenerators and therefore to increase its delivered power output. Considering the local wind climate of the area of interest, in this work, firstly, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model is used to simulate the flow into the eolic system. Then, a laboratory-scale prototype has been made in order to test the potentialities of the proposed system for fulfillment of energy demands.
Temporal requirements of insulin/IGF-1 signaling for proteotoxicity protection

Toxic protein aggregation (proteotoxicity) is a unifying feature in the development of late‐onset human neurodegenerative disorders. Reduction of insulin/IGF‐1 signaling (IIS), a prominent lifespan, developmental and reproductive regulatory pathway, protects worms from proteotoxicity associated with the aggregation of the Alzheimer’s disease‐linked Aβ peptide. We utilized transgenic nematodes that express human Aβ and found that late life IIS reduction efficiently protects from Aβ toxicity without affecting development, reproduction or lifespan. To alleviate proteotoxic stress in the animal, the IIS requires heat shock factor (HSF)‐1 to modulate a protein disaggregase, while DAF‐16 regulates a presumptive active aggregase, raising the question of how these opposing activities could be co‐regulated. One possibility is that HSF‐1 and DAF‐16 have distinct temporal requirements for protection from proteotoxicity. Using a conditional RNAi approach, we found an early requirement for HSF‐1 that is distinct from the adult functions of DAF‐16 for protection from proteotoxicity. Our data also indicate that late life IIS reduction can protect from proteotoxicity when it can no longer promote longevity, strengthening the prospect that IIS reduction might be a promising strategy for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders caused by proteotoxicity.
Mutations in and Expression of the Tumor Suppressor Gene p53 in Egg-Type Chickens Infected With Subgroup J Avian Leukosis Virus

To investigate the molecular mechanisms of the oncogenic effects of avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J), we examined mutations in and the expression of p53 in the myelocytomas distributed in the liver, spleen, trachea, and bone marrow, as well as in fibrosarcomas in the abdominal cavity and hemangiomas in skin from chickens that were naturally or experimentally infected with ALV-J. Two types of mutations in the p53 gene were detected in myelocytomas of both the experimentally infected and the naturally infected chickens and included point mutations and deletions. Two of the point mutations have not been reported previously. Partial complementary DNA clones with a 122-bp deletion in the p53 gene ORF and a 15-bp deletion in the C-terminus were identified in the myelocytomas. In addition, moderate expression of the mutant p53 protein was detected in the myelocytomas that were distributed in the liver, trachea, spleen, and bone marrow. Mutant p53 protein was not detected in the subcutaneous hemangiomas or in the abdominal fibrosarcomas associated with natural and experimental ALV-J infection, respectively. These results identify mutations associated with abnormal expression of p53 in ALV-J–associated myelocytomas, suggesting a role in tumorigenesis.
Optimizing agent coupling strengths in a network dynamics with inter-agent delays for achieving fast consensus

A linear time-invariant consensus network dynamics with homogeneous inter-agent delays is studied in terms of rate of convergence in agents' states, with respect to inter-agent coupling strengths as parameters. Such convergence rate can be accurately obtained only by measuring the settling time of agents' states from simulations since the estimation of settling time cannot be always reliably done using the rightmost eigenvalues. In particular, this study presents how coupling strength and convergence speed are related for a given delay in a fully connected graph. While we know that agents' states will reach consensus faster with larger inter-agent coupling strengths as long as the delay in the network is sufficiently small, we show here that this is not always the case with larger time delays. We find out that the convergence rate, specifically the settling time of the agents, is influenced by the ratio of inter-agent delay τ to the delay margin of the entire network τ*, not just τ itself and regardless of agents' coupling strengths being weak or strong. Moreover, when the coupling strengths are homogeneous, we demonstrate that the coupling strength vs. time delay τ can be strategically tuned to achieve the fastest consensus reach in the network. This tuning can also be empirically formulated based on the data obtained from carefully designed simulation studies.
Respiratory burst activity in brain macrophages: a flow cytometric study on cultured rat microglia

A new flow cytometric method for the investigation of the respiratory burst of macrophages/ microglia isolated from neonatal rat brain has been established. Respiratory burst activity was measured quantitatively in single viable cells by the intracellular oxidation of non‐fluorescent dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR) to fluorescent rhodamine 123. Cultured microglia exhibited high spontaneous respiratory burst activity already before stimulation. After maximal stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate, DHR oxidation rose by 40–95%. The respiratory burst activity in resident or inflammatory, i.e. thioglycolate elicited, peritoneal macrophages was significantly lower than in cultured brain macrophages suggesting a high potential of microglia for oxidative tissue destruction.
Clustering and dynamics of cytochrome bd‐I complexes in the Escherichia coli plasma membrane in vivo

The cytochrome bd‐I complex of Escherichia coli is a respiratory terminal oxidase and an integral component of the cytoplasmic membrane. As with other respiratory components, the organization and dynamics of this complex in living membranes is unknown. We set out to visualize the distribution and dynamics of this complex in vivo. By exchanging cydB for cydB–gfpgcn4 on the E. coli chromosome, we produced a strain (YTL01) that expresses functional GFP‐tagged cytochrome bd‐I terminal oxidase complexes under wild‐type genetic control. We imaged live YTL01 cells using video‐rate epifluorescence and total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy in combination with fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) and saw mobile spots of GFP fluorescence in plasma membranes. Numbers of GFP molecules per spot were quantified by step‐wise photobleaching giving a broad distribution with a mean of ∼76, indicating that cytochrome bd‐I is concentrated in mobile patches in the E. coli plasma membrane. We hypothesize that respiration occurs in mobile membrane patches which we call ‘respirazones’.
Reduced final height and indications for insulin resistance in 20 year olds born small for gestational age: regional cohort study

Abstract Objective: To investigate whether the association between low birth weight and increased risk of developing impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridaemia, and hypertension in middle age is apparent by the age of 20 in people born small for gestational age. Design: Regional cohort study. Setting: Maternity registry, Haguenau, France. Subjects: 236 full term singleton babies born small for gestational age (birth weight or length, or both, below third centile) during 1971-8 and 281 with normal birth weight (between 25th and 75th centile). All subjects were contacted and evaluated at a mean (SD) age of 20.6 (2.1) years. Main outcome measures: Adult height; concentrations of glucose, insulin, and proinsulin during an oral glucose tolerance test; lipid and fibrinogen concentrations; and blood pressure. Results: After sex and target height were adjusted for, subjects who had been born small for gestational age were significantly shorter at age 20 than those with a normal birth weight (men 4.5 cm shorter (95% confidence interval 6.0 to 3.0 cm); women 3.94 cm shorter (5.2 to 2.7 cm). After sex and body mass index were adjusted for, mean plasma glucose concentration 30 minutes after a glucose load, fasting insulin concentration (in women), and insulin and proinsulin concentrations 30 and 120 minutes after a glucose load were significantly higher in subjects who had been born small for gestational age than in those with a normal birth weight. Mean lipid and fibrinogen concentrations and blood pressure were not different between the two groups. Conclusions: Intrauterine growth retardation has long term consequences such as reduced final height. Raised insulin and proinsulin concentrations are present in young adults born small for gestational age and could be markers of early changes in insulin sensitivity. Key messages An inverse relation between birth weight and increased risk of developing impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridaemia, and hypertension (syndrome X) in middle age has been reported In this study reduced final height and raised serum insulin and proinsulin concentrations during oral glucose tolerance testing were found in young adults born small for gestational age compared with young adults with an appropriate birth weight for gestational age Reduced fetal growth was not associated with impaired glucose tolerance, higher blood pressure, or abnormalities in lipid and fibrinogen concentrations Further longitudinal studies are required to examine the risk of developing the other elements of syndrome X later in life
Measure Valued Directional Sparsity for Parabolic Optimal Control Problems

A directional sparsity framework allowing for measure valued controls in the spatial direction is proposed for parabolic optimal control problems. It allows for controls which are localized in space, where the spatial support is independent of time. Well-posedness of the optimal control problems is established and the optimality system is derived. It is used to establish structural properties of the minimizer. An a priori error analysis for finite element discretization is obtained, and numerical results illustrate the effects of the proposed cost functional and the convergence results.
Interleukin‐1α induced release of interleukin‐8 by human bronchial epithelial cells in vitro: assessing mechanisms and possible treatment options

Survival after lung transplantation is hampered by chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD). Persistently elevated BAL‐neutrophilia is observed in some patients despite treatment with azithromycin, which may be induced by IL‐1α. Our aim is to establish an in vitro model, assess mechanistic pathways and test different therapeutic strategies of IL‐1α‐induced release of IL‐8 by human bronchial epithelial cells. Bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) were stimulated with IL‐1α with or without azithromycin or dexamethasone. IL‐8 protein was analyzed in cell supernatant. Different MAP kinases (p38, JNK, ERK1/2, Iκβ) and targets known to be involved in tumor formation (PI3K, Akt) were investigated. Finally, different treatment options were tested for their potential inhibitory effect. IL‐1α induced IL‐8 in bronchial epithelial cells, which was dose‐dependently inhibited by dexamethasone but not by azithromycin. IL‐1α induced p38 and Akt phosphorylation, but activation of these MAPK was not inhibited by dexamethasone. JNK, ERK1/2, Iκβ and PI3K were not activated. None of the tested drugs reduced the IL‐1α induced IL‐8 production. We established an in vitro model wherein steroids inhibit the IL‐1α‐induced IL‐8 production, while azithromycin was ineffective. Despite using this simple in vitro model, we could not identify a new treatment option for azithromycin‐resistant airway neutrophilia.