Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A flexible UWB Transmitter for breast cancer detection imaging systems

This paper presents a flexible architecture for an integrated Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Transmitter capable of generating pulses suited for breast cancer detection imaging systems. A flexible design allows the generation of a large variety of UWB signals fully compatible with the ones used in real experiments in recent state-of-the-art. Flexibility and high degree of programmability of the mixed-signal system allow also to compensate for non-ideal effects of building blocks through a digital calibration. It is also shown how not only internal non-idealities are accounted for but also how channel and antenna responses can be compensated for through a digital pre-emphasis of UWB pulses. The circuit is designed on a 130nm CMOS technology and simulated at transistor-level. Simulations showed 2% maximum NRMSE pulse error with respect to ideal Gaussian and Modulated and Modified Hermite Polynomial (MMHP) Matlab templates.
Genetic heterogeneity of neuroblastoma studied by comparative genomic hybridization

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analysis was performed on 36 neuroblastomas of both low and high stage of disease. This study significantly increases the number of neuroblastoma tumors studied by CGH. Analysis of larger series of tumors is particularly important in view of the different clinical subgroups that are recognized for this tumor. The present data and a comparison with all published CGH data on neuroblastoma provide further insights into the genetic heterogeneity of neuroblastoma. Stage 1, 2, and 4S tumors showed predominantly whole chromosome gains and losses. A similar pattern of whole chromosome imbalances, although less frequent, was observed in stage 3 and 4 tumors, in addition to partial chromosome gains and losses. An increase in chromosome 17 or 17q copy number was observed in 81% of tumors. The most frequent losses, either through partial or whole chromosome underrepresentation, were observed for 1p (25%), 3p (25%), 4p (14%), 9p (19%), 11q (28%), and 14q (31%). The presence of 3p, 11q or 14q deletions defines a genetic subset of neuroblastomas and contributes to the further genetic characterization of stage 3 and 4 tumors without MYCN amplification (MNA) and 1p deletion. The present study also provides additional evidence for a possible role of genes at 11q13 in neuroblastoma. In a few cases, 1p deletion or MNA detected by FISH or Southern blotting was not found by CGH, indicating that the use of a second, independent technique for evaluation of these genetic parameters is recommended. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 23:141–152, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cholesterol Depletion Results in Site-specific Increases in Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Phosphorylation due to Membrane Level Effects

In A431 cells, depletion of cholesterol with methyl-β-cyclodextrin induced an increase in both basal and epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated EGF receptor phosphorylation. This increase in phosphorylation was site-specific, with significant increases occurring at Tyr845, Tyr992, and Tyr1173, but only minor changes at Tyr1045 and Tyr1068. The elevated level of receptor phosphorylation was associated with an increase in the intrinsic kinase activity of the EGF receptor kinase, possibly as a result of the cyclodextrin-induced enhancement of the phosphorylation of Tyr845, a site in the kinase activation loop known to be phosphorylated by pp60src. Cholesterol and its enantiomer (ent-cholesterol) were used to investigate the molecular basis for the modulation of EGF receptor function by cholesterol. Natural cholesterol (nat-cholesterol) was oxidized substantially more rapidly than ent-cholesterol by cholesterol oxidase, a protein that contains a specific binding site for the sterol. By contrast, the ability of nat- and ent-cholesterol to interact with sphingomyelins and phosphatidylcholine and to induce lipid condensation in a monolayer system was the same. These data suggest that, whereas cholesterol-protein interactions may be sensitive to the absolute configuration of the sterol, sterol-lipid interactions are not. nat- and ent-cholesterol were tested for their ability to physically reconstitute lipid rafts following depletion of cholesterol. nat- and ent-cholesterol reversed to the same extent the enhanced phosphorylation of the EGF receptor that occurred following removal of cholesterol. Furthermore, the enantiomers showed similar abilities to reconstitute lipid rafts in cyclodextrin-treated cells. These data suggest that cholesterol most likely affects EGF receptor function because of its physical effects on membrane properties, not through direct enantioselective interactions with the receptor.
Optimality principles in stiffness control: The VSA kick

The importance of Variable Stiffness Actuators (VSA) in safety and performance of robots has been extensively discussed in the last decade. It has also been shown recently that a VSA brings performance advantages with respect to common actuators. For instance, the solution of the optimal control problem of maximizing the speed of a VSA for impact maximization at a given position with free final time is achieved by applying a control policy that synchronizes stiffness changes with link speed and acceleration. This problem can be regarded as the formalization of the performance of a soccer player's free kick.
Unemployment Hysteresis in Transition Countries: Evidence Using Stationarity Panel Tests with Breaks

The authors test hysteresis versus the natural rate hypothesis in unemployment using panel data for transition countries covering the period 1991:1-2003:11. The advantages of the stationarity tests applied is that they exploit the cross-section variations of the series and, additionally, allow for a different number of endogenous breakpoints in the unemployment series. They do not impose independence on the panel members, so that the critical values are simulated based on their specific panel sizes and time periods. The findings stress the importance of accounting for exogenous shocks in the series and give support to the shifting natural-rate hypothesis of unemployment for all the countries analyzed. Copyright © 2008 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2008 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Charge redistribution under dynamic actuation of ionic polymer-metal composites

In this paper, one-dimensional charge redistribution of IPMC material under dynamic electric potentials is studied. An analytical solution of normalized charge density is obtained to account for the charge movement under applied electric potentials. This solution is applicable for both static and dynamic electric potentials applied to IPMC material. Based on this solution, the thicknesses of boundary layers under dynamic potentials can be calculated. The obtained solutions are useful for further understanding and modeling of the mechanism of IPMC sensing and actuation.
Evolution of the plasma proteome of divers before and after a single SCUBA dive

Decompression sickness (DCS) is a poorly understood and complex systemic disease caused by inadequate desaturation following a reduction of ambient pressure. A previous proteomic study of ours showed that DCS occurrence but not diving was associated with changes in the plasma proteome in rats, including a dramatic decrease of abundance of the tetrameric form of Transthyretin (TTR). The present study aims to assess the impact on the human blood proteome of a dive inducing significant decompression stress but without inducing DCS symptoms.
PERFORMANCE MODELS FOR DEEP IN SITU RECYCLED, BITUMEN STABILISED PAVEMENTS UNDER ACCELERATED TRAFFIC

Described is research to assess the use of foamed bitumen and bituminous emulsion treated materials with deep in situ recycling. Heavy Vehicle Simulator and laboratory test results on these materials are discussed. The HVS data are used to develop preliminary structural design models for effective fatigue and permanent deformation, and to determine damage factors.
A Scheduling Algorithm for Supporting Multimedia Traffic in IEEE 802.11e Wireless Home Networks

In this paper, we proposed a smart scheduling algorithm (S2A) for supporting multimedia traffic in IEEE 802.11e HCCA. Based on the accurate traffic prediction, S2A allocates transmission opportunity (TXOP) for each flow efficiently, and computes optimal service interval (SI). Preliminary evaluations showed that the predictions on the next VBR frame size and its expected arrival time at AP are very accurate. Thus, we expect that S2A can fully utilize the actual traffic characteristics for the efficient TXOP allocation and SI computation.
Relationship between liver lipid and liver dry matter in slaughtered ruminants

Lipids in liver wet and dry matter, liver moist and dry matter and their relationships were investigated based on species, sex and age in cows, buffaloes, sheep and goats. Mean percentage of lipids in liver wet and dry matter and liver dry matter in cows were 3.60%, 1.10%, 29.70%, and for buffaloes were 5.30%, 1.55%, 29.20%, sheep 3.00%, 0.83%, 27.90%, and goats 2.910%, 1.55% and 28.40%, respectively. The highest and lowest percentage of lipids in liver wet and dry matter was observed in buffaloes and sheep, and for the liver dry matter was recorded in cows and sheep, respectively. Analyses showed significant differences in liver parameters among ruminants (p < 0.01). Gender, except for goats, did not affect the animals' liver parameters. In overall 15.00% of buffaloes and 3.50% of cows showed over 10.00% lipids in liver, while none of small ruminants appeared to have over 6.00% lipids in liver. There was no correlation between liver lipid and liver dry matter. In conclusion mean percentage of lipid in liver dry matter in small ruminants was less than large ruminants. Liver dry matter was high in cows and low in sheep. Mean differences in liver parameters was significant, while the age and sex of the animals were not. Liver lipidosis in buffaloes seems greater than in cows, and in small ruminants it was negligible. No correlation was expected between liver parameters. Finally, on the basis of liver dry matter, the liver in ruminants ranked from cows to buffaloes, goats and sheep.
Oligonucleotide Microarrays Rapid Mapping of Zebrafish Mutations With SNPs and Material

License Commons Creative . http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ described at as a Creative Commons License (Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License), ). After six months, it is available under http://genome.cshlp. org/site/misc/terms.xhtml for the first six months after the full-issue publication date (see This article is distributed exclusively by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
Semi Adaptive Appearance Models for lip tracking

Many object tracking methods based on Adaptive Appearance Models (online learning methods) have been developed in recent years. One problem that can be found with these methods is how to learn variations in object appearance without errors in the image sequence. This paper introduces a novel method, in which a solution to remove learning errors by using an offline learning is proposed; in addition, our method can be thought of as a generalization of Active Appearance Models, in which the shape model is built manually and object appearance are modeled sequentially in video sequences. Experimental results on lip tracking show that our proposed tracker is functioning accurately.
Bilingual Sentence Alignment Based on Punctuation Marks

We present a new approach to aligning English and Chinese sentences in parallel corpora based solely on punctuations. Although the length based approach produces high accuracy rates of sentence alignment for clean parallel corpora written in two Western languages such as French-English and German-English, it does not fair as well for parallel corpora that are noisy or written in two distant languages such as Chinese-English. It is possible to use cognates on top of length-based approach to increase alignment accuracy. However, cognates do not exist between two distant languages, therefore limiting the applicability of cognate-based approach. In this paper, we examine the feasibility of using punctuations for high accuracy sentence alignment. We have experimented with an implementation of the proposed method on the parallel corpus of Chinese-English Sinorama Magazine Corpus with satisfactory results. We also demonstrated that the method was applicable to other language pairs such as English-Japanese with minimal additional effort.
Rhythmic Sonic Feedback for Speed Skating by Real-Time Movement Synchronization

A unique problem associated with the movements of a speed skating athlete inspired this practical work, looking into the question of using interactive auditory feedback to improve sporting movements and sporting movement acquisition. Presented here is a method for synchronizing the periodic movements of a subject against the movements of a model and sonifying that synchronization data in real-time. The sonic feedback is designed to convey information related to how the movements of a subject match against those of a model. A simple, inexpensive sensor system is created to capture speed skating movements and facilitate the sonification. The effectiveness of the system is demonstrated with two case studies. The first case study involves an experienced skater who had developed a significant anomaly in his technique, who uses this system to become aware of and correct his undesired movements. The second case study involves a new and inexperienced speed skating athlete who accelerates the acquisition of speed skating skills by listening and reacting to the relationship between his movements and those of a skilled speed skating athlete. While speed skating is used to demonstrate this sonic feedback technique, the algorithms can be applied to any repetitive movements.
IKOMA at TAC2011: A Method for Recognizing Textual Entailment using Lexical-level and Sentence Structure-level features

This paper describes the Recognizing Textual Entailment (RTE) system that our teams developed for TAC 2011. Our system combines the entailment score calculated by lexicallevel matching with the machine-learningbased filtering mechanism using various features obtained from lexical-level, chunk-level and predicate argument structure-level information. In the filtering mechanism, we try to discard the T-H pairs that have high entailment score and are actually not entailment. That is, for filtering false positive T-H pairs caused by our lexical-level manner, we use additional information like features from word chunks and predicate-argument structures.
A Molecular Theory of Filler Reinforcement Based upon the Conception of Internal Deformation (A Rough Approximation of the Internal Deformation)

Abstract A molecular theory is presented in this paper which gives a method of analysis for the mechanical properties of filler-reinforced elastomers, based upon the concept of the internal deformation and the statistical theory of rubberlike elasticity. By using a suitable model and a few new concepts a proper analysis for such a heterogeneous system is obtained. From the theory the internal mechanism of filler reinforcement is understood. It is made clear that reinforcement consists of three effects: the volume effect, the surface effect, and the cavitation effect. From the theory, formulae for the tension, swelling tension, Young's moduli, local stress distribution, strain birefreingence, condition for swelling equilibrium, and so on are derived. It has long been recognized that rubbery substances and plastic materials are reinforced by incorporation of suitable powdery substances (reinforcing fillers) which improve their mechanical properties such as elastic modulus, hardness, stiffness, resilience, s.
FPGA implementation of vedic floating point multiplier

Most of the scientific operation involve floating point computations. It is necessary to implement faster multipliers occupying less area and consuming less power. Multipliers play a critical role in any digital design. Even though various multiplication algorithms have been in use, the performance of Vedic multipliers has not drawn a wider attention. Vedic mathematics involves application of 16 sutras or algorithms. One among these, the Urdhva tiryakbhyam sutra for multiplication has been considered in this work. An IEEE-754 based Vedic multiplier has been developed to carry out both single precision and double precision format floating point operations and its performance has been compared with Booth and Karatsuba based floating point multipliers. Xilinx FPGA has been made use of while implementing these algorithms and a resource utilization and timing performance based comparison has also been made.
Self-assembly behavior of polystyrene/methacrylic acid (P(St-MAA)) colloidal microspheres on polyester fabrics by gravitational sedimentation

The structural color on polyester fabric based on photonic crystal structure was fabricated by self-assembly of monodisperse P(St-MAA) colloidal microspheres via gravitational sedimentation. The elaborate self-assembly process of the colloidal microspheres on polyester fabric surface was investigated, and the interface morphology between the photonic crystals and polyester fabric surface was characterized by FESEM. The results showed that the photonic crystal structure on polyester fabrics was in a packed face-centric-cubic arrangement, and formed via a disorder-to-order transition during crystallization stage, along with a series of varying structural colors. The self-assembly process firstly occurred in the gaps of fibers, then in the fiber surface, and eventually formed the photonic crystal structure with long-range order on polyester fabrics. It is assumed that the fibers and fabrics with smoother and flatter surfaces promote the self-assembly of colloidal microspheres to construct a photonic crystal structure.
Comparison of conventional, rotary, and ultrasonic preparation, different final irrigation regimens, and 2 sealers in primary molar root canal therapy.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to compare the shaping effectiveness rotary nickel-titanium (Profile .04 ISO), ultrasonic (K-Type/Satelec), and stainless-steel hand file (K-file/Maillefer) instrumentation and to assess tubular penetration of 2 gutta percha sealers (AH Plus and Sealite-Ultra) following 4 different final irrigation regimens in primary molar roots. METHODS Distal roots of extracted human primary second molars were prepared with 1 of the 3 instrumentation techniques. Direct digital radiographs were obtained on a custom-made platform before and after instrumentations. The amount of dentin removal, canal transportation, centering of preparation, changes in root curvature and working length, and zip formation were evaluated using image analysis. RESULTS While no significant differences were found between the 3 preparation techniques in regards to dentin removal (P > .05), ultrasonic instrumentation significantly increased the incidence of zip formation (P < .05) and decreased working length (P < .05). Following final irrigation with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCL), 10% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), 17% EDTA, or distilled water (control), tubular penetration of the tested sealers were investigated under scanning electron microscope. Use of AH Plus after 17% EDTA irrigation exhibited the best tubular penetration. CONCLUSIONS Root canal preparation with Profile . 04 ISO nickel titanium instruments can be a viable alternative to manual instrumentation in primary teeth. When used as a gutta percha sealer, AH Plus exhibits good tubular penetration when 17% EDTA is used for final flush.
Gelatin-Hydroxyapatite Cryogels with Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 and Transforming Growth Factor Beta-1 for Calvarial Defects

Over recent years, several tissue engineering techniques are used for bone regeneration. In this study gelatin-hydroxyapatite (Gelatin-HA) cryogel scaffolds were used with/without bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta 1) to heal critical sized bone defects. Release of growth factors from the cryogels were performed up to 28 days in vitro. Moreover, in vivo study were performed by 6 groups and results were evaluated by micro computerized tomography (mu-CT) and histology on 2 months and 4 months after surgery. Gene expression studies were also performed on 2 weeks and 4 weeks after surgery. Collagen type I (Col I), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OSC) gene expression levels were analyzed. According to histology and mu-CT results, there was a significant bone healing in the BMP-2 containing gelatin-HA cryogel group (Group I) as compared to other groups except autograft applied group (Group IV). Moreover, significant increases were observed for Col I, ALP and OSC in Group I and Group IV. However there was no significant increase in the group of BMP-2 and TGF-beta 1 applied together (Group II). The results reveal that combination of gelatin-HA cryogels with BMP-2 is a promising candidate for healing in critical sized craniofacial bone defects. (Less)
Sustainability of terrestrial carbon sequestration: A case study in Duke Forest with inversion approach

A sound understanding of the sustainability of terrestrial carbon (C) sequestration is critical for the success of any policies geared toward stabilizing atmospheric greenhouse concentrations. This includes the Kyoto Protocol and/or other greenhouse strategies implemented by individual countries. However, the sustainability of C sinks and pools has not been carefully studied with either empirical or theoretical approaches. This study was intended to develop a conceptual framework to define the sustainability based on C influx and residence time (τ). The latter τ quantifies the capacity for C storage in various plant and soil pools. We estimated τ via inverse analysis of multiple data sets from a Free‐Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) experiment in Duke Forest, North Carolina, United States. This study suggested that estimated residence times at elevated CO2 decreased for plant C pools and increased for litter and soil pools in comparison to those at ambient CO2. The ensemble of the residence times from all the pools at elevated CO2, however, was well correlated with that at ambient CO2. We then used the estimated residence times, combined with C influx, to simulate C sequestration rates in response to a gradual increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration (Ca). The simulated C sequestration rate gradually increased from 69 g m−2 yr−1 in 2000 when Ca was 378 ppm to 201 g m−2 yr−1 in 2100 when Ca was at 710 ppm. Thus, the current evidence from both experimental observations and inverse analysis suggested that C sequestration in the forest ecosystem was likely to increase gradually as Ca gradually increases. The model projection of the C sequestration will improve as more data on long‐term processes become available in coming years. In addition, such a modeled increase in terrestrial C sequestration is too small to balance the anthropogenic C emission.
Brain Reserve Regulators in Alzheimer’s Disease

Brain reserve refers to the ability of the brain to tolerate pathological changes such as those seen in AD before manifesting clinical signs and symptoms [1-3]. Neurotrophic factors (NTFs), most notably Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and its receptor Tyrosine kinase B (TrkB), regulate synaptic plasticity and functional efficiency in adulthood [4-6] and thus may influence brain reserve. BDNF/TrkB signaling affects memory formation and retention [7,8], determines neurite length [9,10], and governs regeneration upon neuronal injury [11,12] by modifying neuronal cytoskeleton. Abnormalities in the neuronal cytoskeleton are well documented in AD. However, how these abnormalities affect AD progression remains unclear. In Drosophila, neurodegeneration stems directly from mutations in alpha and beta subunits of the actin capping protein (CP), demonstrating that a mutation in a gene encoding an actin cytoskeleton regulator can lead to demise of neurons [13]. Further, a causative role for actin cytoskeleton abnormalities in neurotoxicity has been documented in a Drosophila tauopathy model [14].