Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Routing Time-Constrained Traffic in Wireless Sensor Networks

Several routing protocols have been proposed for wireless sensor networks in recent years. Almost all of these routing protocols considered energy efficiency as the ultimate objective since energy is a very scarce resource for sensor nodes. However, many new challenges have been posed with the increasing interest in applications that demand certain end-to-end performance guarantees. Such applications necessitated both energy and QoS aware routing protocols for wireless sensor networks. In this paper, we propose an energy-aware routing algorithm for sensor networks, which can provide soft real-time guarantees for data delivery. The proposed algorithm finds a least-cost and delay-constrained path for each real-time data source in terms of a link cost that captures nodes’ energy reserve, transmission energy and error rate. The delay guarantees are achieved through the use of Weighted Fair Queuing (WFQ) packet scheduling discipline along with leaky bucket constrained data sources. Such employment of WFQ at each node provides a service differentiation between two different classes of traffic, namely real-time and non-real-time traffic and divides the outgoing link capacity among such classes accordingly. Simulation results have demonstrated the effectiveness of our approach for popular performance metrics.
Enhancement of recombinant human EPO production and sialylation in chinese hamster ovary cells through Bombyx mori 30Kc19 gene expression

Productivity and sialylation are two important factors for the production of recombinant glycoproteins in mammalian cell culture. In our previous study, we found that silkworm hemolymph increased the sialylation of recombinant secreted human placental alkaline phosphatase in the insect cells, promoted the transfer of sialic acids onto the glycoprotein oligosaccharides in an in vitro asialofetuin sialylation system, and enhanced recombinant protein production in the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. These beneficial effects were mainly due to the 30K proteins, which consist of five isoforms. Among the 30K proteins, 30Kc19 was determined to be the major component. In this study, the 30Kc19 gene was introduced into a CHO cell line producing recombinant human erythropoietin, and its effects on productivity and sialylation were investigated. The transient expression of 30Kc19 significantly improved the production and sialylation of EPO. A stable cell line containing 30Kc19 was also established to investigate the effect of 30Kc19 gene expression. The stable expression of 30Kc19 increased the production and sialylation by 102.6% and 87.1%, respectively. The enhanced productivity from 30Kc19 expression is believed to occur because the 30Kc19 protein suppresses the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and consequently improves the generation of intracellular ATP. In addition, the positive effect of 30Kc19 expression on sialylation is believed to be due to its ability to maintain sialyltransferase activity. In conclusion, 30Kc19 expression is a novel approach to improve the production and sialylation of recombinant glycoproteins in CHO cells. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2011; 108:1634–1642. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Glioblastoma stem-like cells secrete the pro-angiogenic VEGF-A factor in extracellular vesicles

ABSTRACT Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are mortifying brain tumours that contain a subpopulation of tumour cells with stem-like properties, termed glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs). GSCs largely contribute to tumour initiation, propagation and resistance to current anti-cancer therapies. GSCs are situated in perivascular niches, closely associated with brain microvascular endothelial cells, thereby involved in bidirectional molecular and cellular interactions. Moreover, extracellular vesicles are suspected to carry essential information that can adapt the microenvironment to the tumour’s needs, including tumour-induced angiogenesis. In GBM, extracellular vesicles produced by differentiated tumour cells and GSCs were demonstrated to disseminate locally and at distance. Here, we report that the pro-angiogenic pro-permeability factor VEGF-A is carried in extracellular vesicles secreted from ex vivo cultured patient-derived GSCs. Of note, extracellular vesicle-derived VEGF-A contributes to the in vitro elevation of permeability and angiogenic potential in human brain endothelial cells. Indeed, VEGF-A silencing in GSCs compromised in vitro extracellular vesicle-mediated increase in permeability and angiogenesis. From a clinical standpoint, extracellular vesicles isolated from circulating blood of GBM patients present higher levels of VEGF-A, as compared to healthy donors. Overall, our results suggest that extracellular vesicle-harboured VEGF-A targets brain endothelial cells and might impact their ability to form new vessels. Thus, tumour-released EV cargo might emerge as an instrumental part of the tumour-induced angiogenesis and vascular permeability modus operandi in GBM.
Measurement-based value alignment and reasoning about organizational goals and strategies : studies with the ICT industry

Software and ICT companies fail due less to technological factors than socioorganizational factors, among which the most common is unrealistic goals and objectives. The socioorganizational factors are present in companies and organizations of all sizes. Organizations need to know whether their goals and strategies are working and whether the strategies are effectively providing a reasonable return on investment for the effort that is being applied, i.e. to understand how valuable they are for the organization. In addition, organizations need to recognize what the risks are in achieving those goals and evaluate their probability. And, when goals are set properly then they have directive and energizing functions, they tend to utilize available resources better and serve as activators of cognitive processes and knowledge sharing cycles. In this dissertation the GQM+Strategies approach was used. The approach was designed to help organizations to align goal-driven measurement schemes, i.e. GQM, with organizational goal hierarchy. The extensions developed in this dissertation (i.e., the solution proposed here) evolve the GQM+Strategies approach by providing an organization with capabilities to: (1) apply the work of value-based software engineering to directly address the return on investment (ROI) of their goals and strategies via evaluation of the costs and benefits of the goals and strategies chosen, (2) calculate a set of earned value metrics that allows organizations to effectively monitor the implementation of the organizational goals and strategies, (3) identify the risks associated with not achieving various sub-goals in a grid by analyzing goal risk exposures and acceptable risk levels, and (4) assess the threats of risky goals on other goals in the grid via evaluation of goal dependencies using the formal goal-strategies-goals models. The GQM+Strategies approach was piloted in four different organizations involving more than 60 participants. The feedback from the participants was used to identify the research questions posed in this dissertation. The research approach (solution development process) adopted the design science framework and utilized analytical and empirical paradigms in different phases of the solution development. The analytical paradigms were used for solution development and evaluation, while empirical paradigms where used for evaluating certain aspects of the solution.
Poling-assisted bleaching of soda-lime float glasses containing silver nanoparticles with a decreasing filling factor across the depth

The recently discovered poling-assisted bleaching of glass with embedded silver nanoparticles has renewed the interest in thermal poling as a simple, reliable, and low-cost technique for controlling locally the surface-plasmon-resonant optical properties of metal-doped nanocomposite glasses. In the present study, the emphasis is put on the influence of the volume filling factor of metallic clusters on poling-assisted bleaching. Soda-lime silicate glass samples containing spherical silver nanoparticles with a decreasing filling factor across the depth were subject to thermal poling experiments with various poling temperatures, voltages, and times. Optical extinction spectra were measured from ultraviolet to near-infrared ranges and the surface-plasmon-resonant extinction due to silver nanoparticles (around 410nm) was modeled by the Maxwell Garnett [Philos. Trans. R. Soc. London, Ser. A 203, 385 (1904); 205, 237 (1906)] effective medium theory which was adapted in order to take into account the filling fact.
Acute Hematological and Inflammatory Responses to High-intensity Exercise Tests: Impact of Duration and Mode of Exercise

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the hematological and inflammatory responses to 4 maximal high-intensity protocols, considering energy expenditure in each test. 9 healthy volunteers performed 4 high-intensity exercise tests of short [Wingate (WANT); Repeated-sprints (RSA)] and long durations [Continuous VO2 test (VCONT); intermittent VO2 test (VINT)] in a cycle-ergometer, until exhaustion. Hematological parameters and IL-6, IL-10 and creatine kinase (CK) levels were determined before (PRE), POST, 30 min, 1, 2, 12 and 24 h after the end of the protocols. Additionally, energy expenditure was determined. Leucocytes, erythrocytes and lymphocytes increased at POST and returned to PRE values at 30 min for all protocols. Lymphocytes had a second decreased at 2 h and granulocytes increased at 2 h when compared to PRE. Both variables returned to PRE values between 12–24 h into recovery. The magnitude of response for IL-6 was greater in VINT and for IL-10 in VCONT. There was no association of energy expenditure within each exercise protocol with the pattern of IL-6, IL-10 and CK responses to the exercise protocols. The present finding support that similar responses after continuous or intermittent acute protocols are observed when exercises are performed to volitional failure, regardless of the duration and mode of exercise.
Experience-Based, Body-Anchored Qualitative Research Interviewing

Two theoretical constructs that lay the foundation for experience-based, body-anchored interviewing are presented: the first-person perspective and the concept of meaning. These theoretical concepts are concretized, first, by means of a methodological framework for experience-based, body-anchored interviewing, and second, by an interview guide that explores a research participant’s personal experience with mindfulness meditation. An excerpt from an interview is discussed to illustrate the advantages of this interview form, namely its value as a methodological instrument for qualitative research in areas such as traditional and holistic medicine, Western alternative and complementary medicine, nursing, psychotherapy, coaching, physiotherapy, movement arts, and physical education.
Copper-catalyzed asymmetric addition of olefin-derived nucleophiles to ketones

Olefins enlisted to attack ketones The reaction of C=O groups in ketones with organometallic compounds is a common method to form carbon-carbon bonds. One drawback to this approach, however, is that the organometallics, such as magnesium-derived Grignard reagents, are difficult to handle and susceptible to side reactions. Yang et al. present an alternative method, whereby a copper catalyst activates stable olefins (C=C double bonds) to attack ketones at room temperature. An added silane functions as a reducing agent, and a chiral phosphine ligand renders the reaction highly enantioselective. Science, this issue p. 144 A copper catalyst enlists olefins in place of more sensitive organometallic reagents to form carbon–carbon bonds. Enantioenriched alcohols found in an array of bioactive natural products and pharmaceutical agents are often synthesized by asymmetric nucleophilic addition to carbonyls. However, this approach generally shows limited functional-group compatibility, requiring the use of preformed organometallic reagents in conjunction with a stoichiometric or substoichiometric amount of chiral controller to deliver optically active alcohols. Herein we report a copper-catalyzed strategy for the stereoselective nucleophilic addition of propargylic and other alkyl groups to ketones, using easily accessible (poly)unsaturated hydrocarbons as latent carbanion equivalents. Our method features the catalytic generation of highly enantioenriched organocopper intermediates and their subsequent diastereoselective addition to ketones, allowing for the effective construction of highly substituted stereochemical dyads with excellent stereocontrol. Moreover, this process is general, scalable, and occurs at ambient temperature.
Sustainable Procurement Strategies for Competitive Advantage: An Empirical Study

Procurement has a key role in sustainability as policies and practices need to extend beyond organisations’ boundaries incorporating their whole supply chains. There is, however, a paucity of empirical research on sustainable forms of procurement initiatives currently being implemented in the UK construction sector to improve competitiveness - which is the core driver of this paper. In order to achieve this aim, a mixed research methodological approach was adopted to collect and analyse data. The findings are in the main, based on quantitative data obtained from 53 completed postal questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with 17 professionals from 12 UK construction organisations. As revealed by this study, sustainable procurement is becoming increasingly important in the UK construction sector. The paper concludes that the process of integrating sustainable procurement initiatives into existing business models is often a complex issue. Therefore, it is recommended that there is an urgent need to explore the drivers and impediments associated with the successful integration of sustainable procurement initiatives into existing construction business models. It is also suggested that there is a need for cross-sector collaboration to capture and share best and worst practices relating to sustainable procurement strategies.
Permanent magnet synchronous generator offshore wind farms connected to a single power converter

The paper deals with permanent magnet synchronous generators based wind farms connected to a single power HVDC-VSC converter. A control scheme is proposed and validated by means of simulations. The proposed control scheme needs only current and voltage measurements in the wind farm transformer and seeks the maximum power generation using a variable frequency offshore grid, provided by the HVDC-VSC. The work includes an evaluation of the power generated by variable and constant frequency offshore wind farms. Results show that a significant power increase of more than 20 % can be obtained by applying the appropriate variable frequency in a certain wind farm. The case study considers a wind farm composed of four wind turbines based on permanent magnet synchronous generators.
Immuno-based detection of Shiga toxin-producing pathogenic Escherichia coli in food – A review on current approaches and potential strategies for optimization

Abstract Certain pathogenic Escherichia coli known as Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing E. coli (STEC) are a public health threat to the consumer, and are problematic for the food industry. Food products containing STEC are deemed unfit for human consumption, and STEC illnesses can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a disease affecting the kidneys in susceptible individuals. Optimizing detection methods in foods have been focused on more prompt and accurate analysis. This review addresses the role and applications of immuno-based assays for STEC detection in food systems. Immunoassay antibody capture systems and flow cytometry platforms have been implemented into several food-based detection systems. By applying antibodies that will interact with target microorganisms, immunoassays can be used to directly detect and quantify pathogens. Immuno-based protocols could potentially be further implemented into the food industry, limit the duration of the detection process and increase accuracy.
ASSET-LIABILITY MANAGEMENT IN THE FARM CREDIT SYSTEM

Interest rate volatility, funding costs, and balance sheet management have long been important concerns for financial intermediaries. Asset/liability management concentrates on addressing and controlling these issues. One of the most important areas for control is that of the net interest margin or spread. Control of the net interest margin is key to profit maximization for any financial institution. Currently, Farm Credit Services of Northeast Kansas, PCA maximizes profit by obtaining funds through the Farm Credit System, pricing those funds at higher rates to borrowers, and controlling other costs. Funds within the Farm Credit System are generated by the sale of Federal Farm Credit bonds which are priced on the national market. District associations receive these funds and then price them to local associations like Farm Credit Services of Northeast Kansas.
Understanding Service Customers

This article describes an exploratory study, based on 259 interviews, examining whether it is meaningful to segment customers by the relative importance they place on the interpersonal and noninterpersonal aspects of service quality, and if so, whether the segments differ in their perceptions of overall service quality. The study shows that customers can have different priorities in terms of interpersonal and noninterpersonal quality, and this can influence their perceptions of service quality. For practitioners, this could provide a useful means of segmenting customers; for researchers, it raises an important issue in the interpretation of service quality research.
ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATION OF THE INVASION PROCESS OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM PARVUM IN SEVERE COMBINED IMMUNODEFICIENCY MICE

Cryptosporidium parvum mainly invades the intestinal epithelium and causes watery diarrhea in humans and calves. However, the invasion process has not yet been clarified. In the present study, the invasion process of C. parvum in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice was examined. Infected mice were necropsied; the ilea were double-fixed routinely and observed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. In addition, the microvillus membrane was observed by ruthenium red staining. Scanning electron micrographs showed elongation of the microvilli at the periphery of the parasite. The microvilli were shown to be along the surface of the parasite in higher magnification. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed that the invading parasites were located among microvilli. Parasites existed in the parasitophorous vacuole formed by the microvillus membrane. The parasite pellicle attached to the host cell membrane at the bottom of the parasite, and then the pellicle and host cell membrane became unclear. Subsequently, the pellicle became complicated and formed a feeder organelle. In addition, invasion of the parasite was not observed in either a microvillus or the cytoplasm of the host cell. Therefore, C. parvum invades among microvilli, is covered with membranes derived from numerous microvilli, and develops within the host cell.
Strategic Sizing of Energy Storage Facilities in Electricity Markets

This paper proposes a model to determine the optimal size of an energy storage facility from a strategic investor's perspective. This investor seeks to maximize its profit through making strategic planning, i.e., storage sizing, and strategic operational, i.e., offering and bidding, decisions. We consider the uncertainties associated with rival generators' offering strategies and future load levels in the proposed model. The strategic investment decisions include the sizes of charging device, discharging device, and energy reservoir. The proposed model is a stochastic bi-level optimization problem; the planning and operation decisions are made in the upper-level, and market clearing is modeled in the lower-level under different operating scenarios. To make the proposed model computationally tractable, an iterative solution technique based on Benders' decomposition is implemented. This provides a master problem and a set of subproblems for each scenario. Each subproblem is recast as an mathematical programs with equilibrium constraints. Numerical results based on real-life market data from Alberta's electricity market are provided.
Toxic effects of three selected malaysian timbers plant extracts against subterranean termites

The toxic effects of selected Malaysian timbers (Madhuca utilis, Anisoptera laevis and Endospermum malaccense) heartwood extracts were studied with the aim to determine and understanding the function of wood extracts as a natural protection against termite. The results show that no-choice experiments revealed toxic properties of all investigated extracts by the contact against Coptotermes gestroi and Coptotermes curvignathus. However, high termite mortality was only achieved with Madhuca utilis extracts and methanol solvents.
Multiwalled carbon nanotubes for stray light suppression in space flight instruments

Observations of the Earth are extremely challenging; its large angular extent floods scientific instruments with high flux within and adjacent to the desired field of view. This bright light diffracts from instrument structures, rattles around and invariably contaminates measurements. Astrophysical observations also are impacted by stray light that obscures very dim objects and degrades signal to noise in spectroscopic measurements. Stray light is controlled by utilizing low reflectance structural surface treatments and by using baffles and stops to limit this background noise. In 2007 GSFC researchers discovered that Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) are exceptionally good absorbers, with potential to provide order-of-magnitude improvement over current surface treatments and a resulting factor of 10,000 reduction in stray light when applied to an entire optical train. Development of this technology will provide numerous benefits including: a. ) simplification of instrument stray light controls to achieve equivalent performance, b. ) increasing observational efficiencies by recovering currently unusable scenes in high contrast regions, and c. ) enabling low-noise observations that are beyond current capabilities. Our objective was to develop and apply MWCNTs to instrument components to realize these benefits. We have addressed the technical challenges to advance the technology by tuning the MWCNT geometry using a variety of methods to provide a factor of 10 improvement over current surface treatments used in space flight hardware. Techniques are being developed to apply the optimized geometry to typical instrument components such as spiders, baffles and tubes. Application of the nanostructures to alternate materials (or by contact transfer) is also being investigated. In addition, candidate geometries have been tested and optimized for robustness to survive integration, testing, launch and operations associated with space flight hardware. The benefits of this technology extend to space science where observations of extremely dim objects require suppression of stray light.