Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ECAWSN: eliminating compromised node with the help of auxiliary nodes in wireless sensor network

Network without security becomes a threat to integrity and authentication. Sensor network consists of cheap, tiny devices which can be incarcerated to provide erroneous data to the concerned authority. Hence integrity and authentication becomes a foremost concern. This paper utilises both preventive and detection measures to cope with different kinds of attacks in the network layer. In this paper, pairwise key is being generated utilising auxiliary nodes. The paper enhances security of the network against Sybil attack, Sinkhole attack and Wormhole attack.
A novel hTERT promoter–driven E1A therapeutic for ovarian cancer

Currently, an effective gene therapy strategy, which not only retains cancer-specific expression but also limits toxicity, has yet to be developed for ovarian cancer. Mounting reports over the years have shown that human telomerase activity is significantly elevated in cancer cells compared with normal cells. In this study, we evaluated the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT; T) promoter and showed that it can direct target gene expression preferentially in ovarian cancer cells. However, its promoter (T) activity is much lower than that of cytomegalovirus (CMV), a commonly used nonspecific promoter. To overcome this problem, we have integrated the T promoter into our recently developed VP16-Gal4-WPRE integrated systemic amplifier (VISA) system and dramatically enhanced transgene expression. In addition, to further develop this cancer-specific promoter gene expression system into an applicable therapeutic vector, we expressed E1A (an adenoviral type 5 transcription factor that possesses anticancer properties) through this novel VISA platform. We showed that the T-VISA system specifically targeted the expression of E1A to ovarian cancer cells at a level greater than or comparable with the commonly used CMV promoter, yet remained nearly silent in normal cells, thus making this a suitable gene therapy construct. By using this cancer-specific promoter that limits target gene expression in normal cells/tissues, potential toxicity induced by the CMV promoter would be prevented. More importantly, we showed significant antitumor activity with much less toxicity in animal models through i.v. delivery of T-VISA-E1A:liposomal nanoparticles, suggesting a promising role of T-VISA-E1A for ovarian cancer treatment under a gene therapy setting. [Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(8):2375–82]
Semi-supervised Learning for Real-world Object Recognition using Adversarial Autoencoders SUDHANSHU MITTAL

For many real-world applications, labeled data can be costly to obtain. Semi-supervised learning methods make use of substantially available unlabeled data along with few labeled samples. Most of the latest work on semi-supervised learning for image classification show performance on standard machine learning datasets like MNIST, SVHN, etc. In this work, we propose a convolutional adversarial autoencoder architecture for real-world data. We demonstrate the application of this architecture for semi-supervised object recognition. We show that our approach can learn from limited labeled data and outperform fully-supervised CNN baseline method by about 4% on real-world datasets. We also achieve competitive performance on the MNIST dataset compared to state-of-the-art semi-supervised learning techniques. To spur research in this direction, we compiled two real-world datasets: Internet (WIS) dataset and Real-world (RW) dataset which consists of more than 20K labeled samples each, comprising of small household objects belonging to ten classes. We also show a possible application of this method for online learning in robotics.
THERAPEUTIC VACCINATION FOR CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM REPAIR

1 Vaccination against infectious agents has been heralded as a triumph in modern medicine and, more recently, cancer vaccines have risen in prominence. The present review looks towards the use of vaccine therapy to attenuate damage after injury to the central nervous system (CNS). 2 Significant debility is associated with brain injury, most commonly occurring as a result of physical trauma or stroke. This end result reflects the inability of neurons and axons to regenerate following injury to the CNS. This unconducive environment is due, in large part, to the presence of myelin and oligodendrocyte‐related inhibitors of neurite outgrowth. 3 We review how a vaccine‐based approach has been variably used to circumvent this issue and promote axonal regeneration and repair following traumatic injury and other neurodegenerative disorders. In addition, emerging evidence suggests that the immune response to injury in the CNS may be manipulated so as to reduce cellular damage. Vaccine‐directed approaches using this concept are also outlined.
Distributed Frequency Estimation Over Sensor Network

Frequency estimation is a common problem in a variety of applications. In recent years, adaptive notch filtering methods have been widely adopted for solving frequency estimation problems. For frequency estimation performed by a single node, the sampling time may not be long enough, the sampling rate may not be high enough, and the noise effect may be serious. In such situations, most existing algorithms for frequency estimation can not produce accurate enough results. Here, we propose using wireless sensor networks for sampling data distributedly, and using distributed notch filtering method for dealing with this problem. In particular, we propose two distributed algorithms over sensor network, a least mean square-based distributed notch filtering (dNF) algorithm and a total least square-based dNF algorithm. The communication cost of the new proposed algorithms is low, as each node exchanges only with its neighbors the estimates other than the original data. The proposed algorithms are applied to both synthetic and real examples. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the new proposed algorithms.
DECONVOLUTION OF CONFOCAL MICROSCOPY IMAGES USING PROXIMAL ITERATION AND SPARSE REPRESENTATIONS

We propose a deconvolution algorithm for images blurred and degraded by a Poisson noise. The algorithm uses a fast proximal backward-forward splitting iteration. This iteration minimizes an energy which combines a non-linear data fidelity term, adapted to Poisson noise, and a nonsmooth sparsity-promoting regularization (e.g 1-norm) over the image representation coefficients in some dictionary of transforms (e.g. wavelets, curvelets). Our results on simulated microscopy images of neurons and cells are confronted to some state-of-the-art algorithms. They show that our approach is very competitive, and as expected, the importance of the non-linearity due to Poisson noise is more salient at low and medium intensities. Finally an experiment on real fluorescent confocal microscopy data is reported.
Comparison of the local and systemic effects of sepsis in predicting survival

Progress in the study of sepsis has been hampered by the lack of a suitable system for grading its severity. Systems suggested for scoring sepsis have been based either on its systemic effects (APACHE II) or on a mixture of local and systemic variables (sepsis score). The APACHE II and sepsis scores were applied to patients with intra‐abdominal sepsis of more than 3 days' duration, to determine if local or systemic factors were more important in predicting survival. Of 45 patients studied, 14 died. The sepsis score for non‐survivors (median 21·5, range 11–32) was significantly higher than for survivors (median 14, range 10–26, P<0·05). There was overlap between the two groups, such that an individual score had no predictive value. The local component of the sepsis score was not significantly increased in non‐survivors (P<0·05), but the systemic component was (P<0·05). The APACHE II score for non‐survivors (median 24, range 15–38) was significantly higher than for survivors (median 12, range 3–21), and correctly identified 13 of the 14 fatalities. Both the systemic and non‐systemic components (age and chronic disease) were significantly higher among the latter. The APACHE II was more effective than the sepsis score in predicting survival. We conclude that any system used for scoring sepsis should be based on systemic rather than local effects. At present the APACHE II score is preferred.
Expression of Stem Cell Markers, CD133 and CD44, in Pediatric Solid Tumors: A Study Using Tissue Microarray

Based on the cancer stem cell (CSC) concept model, a small population of cells with unique self-renewal properties and malignant potential exists in tumors. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of CSC markers, CD133 and CD44, in a series of pediatric tumors. The association between expression of these markers and tumor characteristics was then analyzed. In Wilms tumors (WT), a significant positive correlation was found between expression of CD133 and the National Wilms Tumor Stage (NWTS) (p = 0.047). In neuroblastomas (NB), expression of CD133 was positively correlated with the International Neuroblastoma Staging System (INSS) (p-value = 0.012), indicating that the rate of CD133 positivity increased with the stage of these tumors. CD133, as a putative stem cell marker, is associated with more advanced stages of Wilms and NB tumors; therefore, this molecule can be a potential clinical prognostic marker in children suffering from NB or Wilms tumor.
Optimized Voting Scheme for Efficient Vanishing Point Detection in General Road Images

Next generation automobile industries are aiming for development of vision-based driver assistance system and driver-less vehicle system. In the context of this application, a major challenge lies in the identification of efficient road region segmentation from captured image frames. Recent research work suggests that use of a global feature like vanishing point makes the road detection algorithm more robust and general for all types of roads. The goal of this research work is the reduction of computational complexity involved with voting process for identification of vanishing point. This paper presents an efficient and optimized voter selection strategy to identify vanishing point in general road images. The major outcome of this algorithm is the reduction in computational complexity as well as improvement in efficiency of vanishing point detection algorithm for all types of road images. The key attributes of the methodology are dominant orientation selection, voter selection based on voter location and modified voting scheme, combining dominant orientation and distance based soft voting process. Results of a number of qualitative and quantitative experiments clearly demonstrate the efficiency of proposed algorithm.
EFFECTS OF HOST AND SPATIAL FACTORS ON A HAEMOPROTEID COMMUNITY IN MOURNING DOVES FROM WESTERN TEXAS

Two species of hematozoa, Haemoproteus columbae and H. sacharovi, were observed on thin blood smears from populations of mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) in the Rolling Plains (RP, a semiarid dryland farming and grazing area) and Southern High Plains (SHP, an intensively cultivated and irrigated agricultural region with playa lakes) of western Texas (USA). Prevalences of H. columbae and H. sacharovi were 91 and 18% in doves from the RP (n = 44 doves examined) and 81 and 36% in those from the SHP (n = 84), respectively. Although the prevalences of these species were not significantly different between the RP and SHP, the prevalence of H. sacharovi was significantly greater in juvenile versus adult doves from both localities. Mixed infections of both haemoproteid species occurred in 11 and 24% of the doves from the RP and SHP, respectively. The frequency distributions of the relative density values (numbers of parasites/2,000 erythrocytes counted) of H. columbae and H. sacharovi were overdispersed in hosts from both localities. Relative densities of H. columbae were significantly higher in mourning doves from the RP versus the SHP; likewise those of H. sacharovi were significantly greater in juvenile versus adult doves and between localities. Observed differences in prevalence and relative density of the two species in the haemoproteid community across spatial and host variables may reflect differences in vector transmission and in the physiological and immunological status of the host. This study emphasizes the importance of using adequately quantified density data versus only prevalence data when examining microparasite communities at the component community level.
Open Peer Commentary

In vitro and in vivo oxidative stress associated with Alzheimer's amyloid ␤-peptide (1– 42) Abstract The amyloid ␤-peptide (A␤)-associated free radical oxidative stress model for neuronal death in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain predicts that neuronal protein oxidation is a consequence of A␤-associated free radicals [8]. In this study we have used both in vitro and in vivo models of ␤-amyloid (A␤) toxicity to detect free radical induced oxidative stress by the measure of protein carbonyl levels. These model systems employed cultured hippocampal neurons exposed to exogenous synthetic A␤(1– 42) and transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) animals expressing A␤(1– 42). We also investigated the importance of the A␤(1– 42) Met 35 residue for free radical formation in peptide solution and for peptide-induced protein oxidation and neuronal toxicity in these model systems. A␤(1– 42) in solution yielded an EPR spectrum, suggesting that free radicals are associated with this peptide; however, neither the reverse [A␤(42–1)] nor methionine-substituted peptide [A␤(1– 42)Met 35 Nle] gave significant EPR spectra, suggesting the importance of the methionine residue in free radical formation. A␤(1– 42) addition to cultured hippocampal neurons led to both neurotoxicity (30.1% cell death, p Ͻ 0.001) and increased protein oxidation (158% of controls, p Ͻ 0.001), and both of those effects were not observed with reverse or Met 35 Nle substituted peptides. C. elegans transgenic animals expressing human A␤(1– 42) also had significantly increased in vivo protein carbonyls (176% of control animals, p Ͻ 0.001), consistent with our model. In contrast, transgenic animals with a Met 35 cys substitution in A␤(1– 42) showed no increased protein carbonyls in vivo, in support of the hypothesis that methionine is important in A␤-associated free radical oxidative stress. These results are discussed with reference to the A␤-associated free radical oxidative stress model of neurotoxicity in AD brain.
Relationship of hepatocellular carcinoma to soya food consumption: A cohort‐based, case‐control study in Japan

To determine if the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is reduced by consumption of soya foods, we conducted a case‐control study within a cohort of Japanese A‐bomb survivors. We compared the prediagnosis consumption of isoflavone‐rich miso soup and tofu to HCC risk, adjusting for hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viral infections, the major HCC risk factors in this population. The study included 176 pathologist‐confirmed cases of HCC diagnosed in 1964–1988 and 560 controls who died of diseases other than liver cancer. We examined dietary information collected at least 2 years before diagnosis or death and tissue‐based measures of viral hepatitis. Using logistic regression, crude ORs were 0.5 (95% CI 0.29–0.95) and 0.5 (95% CI 0.20–0.99) for high vs. low miso soup and tofu intake, respectively. Adjusting for year of birth, sex, HBV, HCV and other factors, the OR for miso soup was unchanged at 0.5 (95% CI 0.14–1.55), and miso results were similar when ORs were recalculated separately for earlier and later birth cohorts to assess consistency of results. The adjusted OR for tofu was 0.9 (95% CI 0.20–3.51). We also found a statistically significant (p < 0.0001) interaction between sex and HCV, with risk of HCC being substantially higher for women. We conclude that consumption of miso soup and other soya foods may reduce HCC risk. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
5-GHz Oscillator Array With Reduced Flicker Up-Conversion in 0.13-$muhboxm$CMOS

Voltage supply scaling in CMOS processes requires lower inductance and higher capacitance in conventional LC oscillators. Forcing several LC oscillators to run in phase is a valuable means of achieving the wanted phase noise with practical values of inductances and capacitances. However, in-phase oscillator arrays suffer from the up-conversion of transistors' flicker noise, in the presence of oscillator mismatches. A multitank oscillator topology is proposed, which has superior tolerance to mismatches and removes this mechanism of noise degradation. In order to assess such topology, an 802.11 a-compliant VCO with four coupled oscillators has been designed in a 0.13-mum CMOS technology. A phase noise better than -120 dBc/Hz at 1-MHz offset has been achieved along the 4.7-5.9-GHz tuning range
Shared Decision Making and the Use of Screening Mammography in Women Younger Than 50 Years of Age

Current breast cancer screening guidelines promote the use of shared decision making for women younger than 50 years of age, yet their effect on mammography utilization is largely unknown. This study aimed to examine the effect of two elements of shared decision making on the use of mammogram screening: patient-perceived choice and patient–provider communication. Data were obtained from HINTS 4, a nationally representative survey of the U.S. population, administered from 2011 to 2013. Choice was measured with the question “Has a doctor ever told you that you could choose whether or not to have a mammogram? ” Communication was measured using a 7-item scale (range: 7–28; higher scores denote better communication). Binary logistic regression models assessed the effect of patient choice and communication on ever having a mammogram using weighted sample data. The sample included 1,085 women younger than 50 years of age: 31% of women perceived having a choice to undergo mammography. The mean patient–provider communication score was 22.8. Those who thought they were given a choice regarding mammography were more likely to have a mammogram relative to those who did not think a choice was given by the provider. Patient–provider communication had no significant association with mammography utilization. Patient perceived choice, but not patient-provider communication, is positively associated with mammography utilization in women younger than 50 years of age.
Possessive Objects and Paralyzing Moods

This article focuses on unique being states of mental and physical paralysis among schizophrenic patients. These paralyzing moods derive from continuous extractive introjections, in which anything alive in the patient is sucked out, as it were, by an internalized possessive object. Continuous extractive introjections early in life constitute attacks on authentic expression of the child’s subjectivity, and prevent the development of his idiom and the unthought known. A clinical vignette is presented to illustrate certain movements both in a progressive direction (i.e., in psychoanalytic treatment) and in a retrogressive direction (in the formation of the original psychotic pathology).
Statistical image reconstruction for transmission tomography using relaxed ordered subset algorithms

Statistical reconstruction methods offer possibilities for improving image quality as compared to analytical methods, but current reconstruction times prohibit routine clinical applications in x-ray computed tomography (CT). To reduce reconstruction times, we have applied (under) relaxation to ordered subset algorithms. This enables us to use subsets consisting of only single projection angle, effectively increasing the number of image updates within an entire iteration. A second advantage of applying relaxation is that it can help improve convergence by removing the limit cycle behaviour of ordered subset algorithms, which normally do not converge to an optimal solution but rather a suboptimal limit cycle consisting of as many points as there are subsets. Relaxation suppresses the limit cycle behaviour by decreasing the stepsize for approaching the solution. A simulation study for a 2D mathematical phantom and three different ordered subset algorithms shows that all three algorithms benefit from relaxation: equal noise-to-resolution trade-off can be achieved using fewer iterations than the conventional algorithms, while a lower minimal normalized mean square error (NMSE) clearly indicates a better convergence. Two different schemes for setting the relaxation parameter are studied, and both schemes yield approximately the same minimal NMSE.
The effects of sedation on the digital plethysmogram

Sedation in the presence of trouble may be described as a state of consciousness in which anxiety is absent and the critical sense is present. The preservation of the critical sense distinguishes sedation from euphoria in which the ability to appraise intelligently a difficult situation is either diminished or lost. The distortion of the intellect by psychotropic and addictive drugs is not sedation, nor is it analgesia. Neither anxiety nor sedation can as yet be measured. At the present time many drugs are being used more or less arbitrarily in surgical patients to produce what is loosely described as pre-operative sedation. The effects of these drugs, short of narcosis and stupor, are assessed mainly by their ability to induce what appears to be an anxiety-free state as judged by the patient’s appearance and comments, neither of which can be regarded as a source of reliable information. The relative advantages and disadvantages of the various drugs are determined to a large extent by their unwanted effects on the respiratory, gastro-intestinal and other functions that are open to direct measurement. The problems of the study of sedation, apart from those dictated by pathological expediency, are: 1 To provide objective evidence of the presence of anxiety. 2 To show whether the evidence is modified by drug therapy. There is reason to believe that anxiety in healthy subjects may be revealed by plethysmography. Digital plethysmography in man and in animals has shown that anxiety, pain, cold and mental concentration cause peripheral vasoconstriction and a considerable reduction in the blood flow in the finger, whereas mental tranquillity in comfortable surroundings produces vasodilatation with an increased blood flow in the finger1~2~3~4~5. It was observed that changes in the calibre of the digital blood vessels in response to emotional stimuli cause a wide range of alterations in the blood flow in the finger with comparatively little changes in the pulse rate or the blood
An improved Totem-pole bridgeless power factor corrector with complementary driving signals

An improved Totem-pole bridgeless boost rectifier with low conduction losses and zero diode reverse-recovery is proposed for power-factor correction (PFC). Compared to the traditional totem-pole bridgeless boost rectifier, the proposed boost rectifier reduces the conduction losses by using complementary PWM driving and eliminate the diode reverse-recovery problems by an additional Silicon Carbide diode. Zero-current turn-off of the output diodes is guaranteed because of the zero reverse-recovery characteristic of Silicon Carbide diode. The proposed boost rectifier can work in continuous current mode (CCM) which is suitable for medium and high application. Experimental results for a 430W prototype are also discussed to show the performance of the proposed rectifier.