Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of Toll-Like Receptor 2 in Glomerular Endothelial Cells and Promotion of Diabetic Nephropathy by Porphyromonas gingivalis Lipopolysaccharide

The toll-like receptor (TLR) has been suggested as a candidate cause for diabetic nephropathy. Recently, we have reported the TLR4 expression in diabetic mouse glomerular endothelium. The study here investigates the effects of the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) which is a ligand for TLR2 and TLR4 in diabetic nephropathy. In laser-scanning microscopy of glomeruli of streptozotocin- and a high fat diet feed-induced type I and type II diabetic mice, TLR2 localized on the glomerular endothelium and proximal tubule epithelium. The TLR2 mRNA was detected in diabetic mouse glomeruli by in situ hybridization and in real-time PCR of the renal cortex, the TLR2 mRNA amounts were larger in diabetic mice than in non-diabetic mice. All diabetic mice subjected to repeated LPS administrations died within the survival period of all of the diabetic mice not administered LPS and of all of the non-diabetic LPS-administered mice. The LPS administration promoted the production of urinary protein, the accumulation of type I collagen in the glomeruli, and the increases in IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β in the renal cortex of the glomeruli of the diabetic mice. It is thought that blood TLR ligands like Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS induce the glomerular endothelium to produce cytokines which aid glomerulosclerosis. Periodontitis may promote diabetic nephropathy.
Expression and clinical significance of complement C3, complement C4b1 and apolipoprotein E in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PC) remains a devastating disease with a five-year survival rate of <5%. The difficulty in making an early diagnosis and the frequent occurrence of metastasis are important reasons for this poor prognosis. In China, the incidence of PC has been increasing steadily. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify effective markers in the early and advanced stages of PC. The expression levels of complement C3, complement C4b1 and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) in the various stages of PC were assessed by immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and western blotting. Additionally, the statistical significance of the results was analyzed. The expression levels of complement C3, complement C4b1 and apoE were higher in PC compared with normal pancreatic tissues. No correlations were observed between complement C3 and tumor TNM staging or lymph node metastasis. However, complement C4b1 and apoE were markedly correlated with tumor TNM staging and lymph node metastasis. Complement C3 may be used as a marker for the diagnosis of early-stage PC, while complement C4b1 and apoE are closely correlated with tumor development, reflecting the biological behavior of PC, and thus may be used as diagnostic markers of advanced PC.
Application of Ant Colony Clustering Algorithm in Discrimination the Origin of Longjing Tea

The existence of fake tea from non-origin impacts on the credibility and sales of the origin Longjing tea seriously. In order to weaken this impact, we proposed a technology using ant colony clustering algorithm in discrimination the origin of Longjing tea. Then acquired and analyzed the characteristics of the origin tea comprehensively, the 16 parameters of the images and spectra from each sample were collected, 180 samples from different origins were grouped respectively. At last we made use of colony clustering algorithm to classify the samples automatically. It was found that model based on the ant colony clustering algorithm had the best performance with accuracy of 92.2%. The result shows the method used in the identification of the origin of Longjing tea is possible.
A successive mean splitting algorithm for contrast enhancement and dynamic range reduction

This paper presents a successive mean splitting algorithm for both contrast enhancement and dynamic range reduction of digital images. The proposed algorithm is an extension to the recently published successive mean quantization transform (SMQT) for contrast enhancement. We explore the conditions under which the proposed algorithm is "optimal". We also discuss the relationship between the proposed algorithm and the moment preserving quantization (MPQ) algorithms, especially the absolute moment block truncation coding (AMBTC). We observe that AMBTC can be regarded as a special case of the proposed algorithm. Therefore, the proposed algorithm also has the moment preserving property.
The Nowadays ICT Teacher ’ Challenges From Kidlink to Web Generation

A short historical discussion of the Internet access’ influence into the students’ thinking, pointing projects devoted to use of ICT in education, together with the pressure of technological evolution for a change of educational system. The local situation regarding the ICT use in Romanian schools are analysed based on some recent Romanian e-groups teacher postings, and authors own papers as well. The main intention of the paper being to prove the urgent need of a real and well developed reform of the Romanian educational system, based especially on a major change of the teacher’ training.
DFMC: Decentralized fault management mechanism for cluster based wireless sensor networks

Energy is one of the most constraining factors in wireless sensor networks and node failures due to crash and energy exhaustion are commonplace. In order to avoid degradation of service due to faults, it is necessary for the WSN to be able to detect faults early and initiate recovery actions. In this paper, we propose a decentralized method for fault detection and recovery in clustered wireless sensor network namely DFMC which is energy efficient and can improve the throughput of network. Simulation results show that the performance of proposed algorithm is more efficient than CMATO.
A combined approach to strengthen children’s scientific thinking: direct instruction on scientific reasoning and training of teacher’s verbal support

ABSTRACT Inquiry-based lessons have been demonstrated to improve children’s scientific thinking (i.e. reasoning abilities and domain-specific knowledge). Although empirical evidence shows that inquiry-based learning requires instruction, research comes from two approaches that have not been bridged yet: direct instruction of scientific reasoning and teacher training of verbal support. We investigated how these two types of instruction separately or combined strengthened children’s scientific thinking by comparing four conditions: baseline, direct instruction, verbal support, and a combined approach. Effectiveness of an inquiry-based lesson series on scientific reasoning abilities, vocabulary, and domain-specific knowledge (near and far transfer) were studied among 301 fourth graders. Results showed that both approaches strengthened different components of scientific reasoning abilities, and that a combination of instructions was most effective for scientific reasoning abilities, vocabulary, and domain-specific knowledge. Domain-specific knowledge acquisition was strengthened only when both instructions were provided. It can thus be concluded that each type of instruction has unique contributions to children’s science learning and that these instructions complement each other. Our study thus showed that inquiry-based lesson series when preceded by direct instruction of scientific reasoning and scaffolded with verbal support are most effective.
Urinary isothiocyanate levels, brassica, and human breast cancer.

Brassica vegetable consumption (e.g., Chinese cabbage) provides isothiocyanates (ITC) and other glucosinolate derivatives capable of inducing Phase II enzymes [e.g., glutathione S-transferases (GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1) and NADPH quinine oxidoreductase] and apoptosis, altering steroid hormone metabolism, regulating estrogen receptor response, and stabilizing cellular proliferation. Asian populations consuming large amounts of Brassica have a lower breast cancer incidence compared with Western populations; however, the association between Brassica consumption and breast cancer risk is uncertain. It is difficult to estimate glucosinolate exposure and degradation in humans, possibly limiting epidemiological investigations of Brassica and cancer associations. We conducted a case control investigation of breast cancer in Shanghai, China, using urinary ITC levels as a biological measure of glucosinolate intake and degradation in populations with habitual Brassica intake. A representative subgroup of 337 cases providing presurgery, fasting, and first-morning urine specimens was one-to-one matched (age, menopausal status, date of urine collection, and day of laboratory assay) to population controls. Urinary ITC levels were inversely associated with breast cancer [odds ratio (OR) (Quartile 1) = 1 (ref); OR(Q2) = 0.9, 95% confidence interval (0.6, 1.4); OR(Q3) = 0.7, (0.5, 1.1); OR(Q4) = 0.5, (0.3, 0.8), adjusted for age, menopausal status, soy protein, fibroadenoma history, family breast cancer, physical activity, waist-to-hip ratio, body mass index, age at menarche, and parity in conditional logistic model]. This protective association persisted within post and premenopausal women. In contrast, total Brassica intake estimated from a food frequency questionnaire was not associated with breast cancer. Trends in the association between urinary ITC and breast cancer were more consistent with homozygous deletion of GSTM1 or GSTT1, the AAgenotype of GSTP1 (A313G), or with the C allele of NADPH quinine oxidoreductase (C609T), although interactions were not statistically significant. In conclusion, greater Brassica vegetable consumption, as measured by the urinary ITC biomarker, was associated with significantly reduced breast cancer risk among Chinese women.
StAR: Ad-Hoc Wireless Networking for Autonomous Multi-Robot Coordination

In this paper we describe preliminary results from a collaborative effort between UCSC's Internetworking Research Group (i-NRG) and ITAM's Robotics Lab focusing on enabling multiple, autonomous robots to collaborate in carrying out special-operation type tasks such as disaster recovery and emergency response. To this end, we have been developing a distributed, multi-robot architecture with distributed vision and wireless ad hoc networking capabilities. We present results from initial experimentation while discussing future work. Index Terms—Ad-Hoc, Wireless, Networking, Multi-Robot, Autonomous
Modeling Axisymmetric Flow and Transport

Unmodified versions of common computer programs such as MODFLOW, MT3DMS, and SEAWAT that use Cartesian geometry can accurately simulate axially symmetric ground water flow and solute transport. Axisymmetric flow and transport are simulated by adjusting several input parameters to account for the increase in flow area with radial distance from the injection or extraction well. Logarithmic weighting of interblock transmissivity, a standard option in MODFLOW, can be used for axisymmetric models to represent the linear change in hydraulic conductance within a single finite‐difference cell. Results from three test problems (ground water extraction, an aquifer push‐pull test, and upconing of saline water into an extraction well) show good agreement with analytical solutions or with results from other numerical models designed specifically to simulate the axisymmetric geometry. Axisymmetric models are not commonly used but can offer an efficient alternative to full three‐dimensional models, provided the assumption of axial symmetry can be justified. For the upconing problem, the axisymmetric model was more than 1000 times faster than an equivalent three‐dimensional model. Computational gains with the axisymmetric models may be useful for quickly determining appropriate levels of grid resolution for three‐dimensional models and for estimating aquifer parameters from field tests.
Programming metasystems with active objects

The widespread diffusion of metasystems and grid environments makes it necessary to employ programming models able to well exploit a high, variable number of distributed heterogeneous resources. Many software frameworks designed for Grid computing do not address this problem. They only allow the use of existing programming libraries based on explicit message-passing communication models, often not suitable to manage the variability of a Grid. In this paper we present the customization of a component-based middleware for metacomputing, HiMM (Hierarchical Metacomputer Middleware), in order to support distributed programming based on the Active Object model provided by ProActive. This way a meta-system can be efficiently and transparently programmed by unifying the asynchronousremote method invocation model and the reflection provided by meta-objects.
On the memory required to compute functions of streaming data

We consider the problem of computing functions of data streams while employing limited memory in a standard information-theoretic framework. A streaming system with memory constraint has to observe a collection of sources X1,X2,…,Xm sequentially, store synopses of the sources in memory, and compute a function of the sources based on the synopses. We establish a correspondence between this problem and a functional source coding problem in cascade/line networks. For the general functional source coding problem in cascade networks, we derive inner and outer bounds, and for distributions satisfying certain properties, we characterize the achievable rate-region exactly for the computation of any function. As a result of the correspondence we established, this result also characterizes the minimum amount of memory required to compute the function in a streaming system. We briefly discuss the implications of this result for the problem of distinct value computation.
Simulating Human Ratings on Word Concreteness

Psychological measures of concreteness of words are generally estimated by having humans provide ratings of words on a concreteness scale. Due to the limits of this technique, concreteness ratings in current word databases (e.g., MRC) are incomplete due to the limited size of the word samples. In this study, we use available linguistic databases to formulate a computational model to simulate human ratings on word concreteness. The computational model includes Lexical Type, Latent Semantic Analysis Dimensions, Hypernymy Levels, Word Frequency and Word Length. Our results indicate that the model accounts for 64% variance of human ratings.
A Network of FitzHugh-Nagumo Oscillators for Object Segmentation

This paper adresses the problem of modeling object segmentation in the visual cortex using oscillations. The proposed architecture is based on a network of locally connected FitzHugh-Nagumo oscillators which receive graded external input. We show the suitability of such a network to encode the stimulus since the amplitude of oscillations increases monotonically as a function of the input in the neighborhood of a bifurcation, while the frequency remains nearly constant. However, due to the diffusive effects of the Laplacian connectivity, the oscillators tend to be in phase even when they represent different objects. Therefore a desynchronization mechanism, which represents spatial information about the objects, is added. The overall dynamics are described and simulation results on real images are shown.
Tissue engineered nerve constructs:where do we stand?

Driven by enormous clinical need, interest in peripheral nerve regeneration has become a prime focus of research and area of growth within the field of tissue engineering. While using autologous donor nerves for bridging peripheral defects remains today's gold standard, it remains associated with high donor site morbidity and lack of full recovery. This dictates research towards the development of biomimetic constructs as alternatives. Based on current concepts, this review summarizes various approaches including different extracellular martices, scaffolds, and growth factors that have been shown to promote migration and proliferation of Schwann cells. Since neither of these concepts in isolation is enough, although each is gaining increased interest to promote nerve regeneration, various combinations will need to be identified to strike a harmonious balance. Additional factors that must be incorporated into tissue engineered nerve constructs are also unknown and warrant further research efforts. It seems that future directions may allow us to determine the “missing link”.
AN EXAMINATION OF THE EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATES ON AUSTRALIA'S INBOUND TOURISM GROWTH: A MULTIVARIATE CONDITIONAL VOLATILITY APPROACH

The appreciation of the Australian dollar has been a concern as Australia has become less competitive compared to neighbouring countries. This paper investigates to what extent exchange rates could adversely affect Australia's inbound tourism and whether volatility in exchange rates could increase the uncertainty in international tourist arrivals to Australia. The study is based on nine countries of origin, namely China, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, the UK and the USA for the period January 1991 to January 2011. It uses multivariate conditional volatility regressions to model the time-varying conditional variances of international tourism growth and exchange rates. Empirical findings show that tourists from Malaysia and New Zealand are relatively more sensitive to currency shocks than the others. Nevertheless, tourists' memories of the shocks could diminish in the long-run, suggesting that the sudden appreciation of the Australian dollar will not have long-term negative impacts on Australia's inbound tourism.
Shifting from a Computer Game to a Physical Game: A Case Study of ePet

This paper presents the patterns about shifting a computer game to a physical game which is usually the pervasive and social computing based on wireless sensor networks (WSN), RFID, GPS and other mobile devices. These shift patterns, focused on the aspects that most computer games highlight and guidelines for transforming these aspects into physical forms, help people design and implement new physical games from the existing and mature computer game models. Then ePet, a novel physical game developed on WSNs, is described as a case study to illustrate the application of the shift patterns.
Semantics Discovery via Human Computation Games

The effective acquisition of semantic metadata is crucial for many present day applications. Games with a purpose address this issue by transforming computational problems into computer games. The authors present a novel approach to metadata acquisition via Little Search Game LSG-a competitive web search game, whose purpose is the creation of a term relationship network. From a player perspective, the goal is to reduce the number of search results returned for a given search term by adding negative search terms to a query. The authors describe specific aspects of the game's design, including player motivation and anti-cheating issues. The authors have performed a series of experiments with Little Search Game, acquired real-world player input, gathered qualitative feedback from the players, constructed and evaluated term relationship network from the game logs and examined the types of created relationships.
A Study of the Use of Nonacademic Factors in Holistic Undergraduate Admissions Reviews

ABSTRACT How colleges make admissions decisions at four-year institutions is facing high levels of scrutiny. Students, families, and policymakers are asking how offices of admissions decide to admit students. Increasing numbers of institutions are becoming test optional and/or using holistic admissions schemes, but little is known about how decisions are made. This exploratory study employs three modes of research to examine the use of nonacademic factors in admissions. The methodological approaches include: a qualitative meta-analysis of empirical and models of classificatory frameworks for assessing nonacademic factors in admissions, 19 qualitative interviews at 10 public and private institutions across a range of selectivity, and the analysis of relevant survey data from over 300 admissions professionals. Results indicate academic factors including grades, test scores, and rigor of courses were the most important considerations for admissions. The second most important were contextual: the use of student, family, and school background characteristics. The final set of factors used were nonacademic; the most commonly used were measures of student performance and attitudinal factors. Institutional selectivity and public or private control also had an impact on the relative importance of these factors.
ZMP-based Biped Running Enhanced by Toe Springs

We discuss a ZMP-based running pattern generation for a biped robot equipped with toe springs. Our biped robot HRP-2LT has twelve active DoFs for its legs and two passive DoFs for its toes. The trajectory of the center of mass is designed to realize the specified running motion and the foot trajectories are determined to get proper spring action at lift off phases. They are interpreted into joint angles by using the resolved momentum control. By the simulation and the preliminary experiment, it is shown that the toe springs are effectively used for running and hopping.
Integrated Tourist Navigation System

Tourist navigation systems have used digital maps to provide users with location and route information for a long time. However, without detailed 3D building models, users may miss important turns at some intersections and have problems to find their target buildings. With the advent of Google Earth and Microsoft Virtual Earth, 3D models of buildings in major cities worldwide can be conveniently created and shared. In this paper, we present two methods, i.e., overlay-style blending and Escher-style blending, to seamlessly integrate 2D maps and 3D buildings into a tourist navigation system. We also provide useful visual cues indicating occluded roads and buildings. Our solutions can be applied to other navigation systems such as interactive city guide maps.
Ascorbic Acid Improves the Developmental Competence of Porcine Oocytes After Parthenogenetic Activation and Somatic Cell Nuclear Transplantation

Abstract In this study, a dose-response assessment was performed to understand the relation between supplementation of media with L-ascorbic acid or vitamin C and porcine oocyte maturation and the in vitro development of parthenotes (PA) and handmade cloned (HMC) embryos. Various concentrations (0, 25, 50 and 100 µg/ml) of vitamin C supplemented in in vitro maturation (IVM) and culture (IVC) media were tested. None of these vitamin C additions affected nuclear maturation of oocytes, yet supplementation at 50 µg/ml led to significantly increased intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS). When cultured in IVM- and/or IVC-supplemented media, the group supplemented with 50 µg/ml of vitamin C showed improved cleavage rates, blastocyst rates and total cell numbers per blastocyst (P<0.05) compared with other groups (control, 25 µg/ml and 100 µg/ml). In contrast, supplementation with 50 µg/ml vitamin C decreased (P<0.05) the apoptosis index as compared with the groups supplemented with 100 µg/ml. In addition, even with a lower blastocyst rate to start with (37.6 vs. 50.3%, P<0.05), supplementation of HMC embryos with vitamin C ameliorated their blastocyst quality to the extent of PA embryos as indicated by their total cell numbers (61.2 vs. 59.1). Taken together, an optimized concentration of vitamin C supplementation in the medium not only improves blastocyst rates and total cell numbers but also reduces apoptotic indices, whereas overdosages compromise various aspects of the development of parthenotes and cloned porcine embryos.