Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes of the hepatic proteome in murine models for toxically induced fibrogenesis and sclerosing cholangitis

We investigated the changes in the hepatic proteome in murine models for toxic‐induced fibrogenesis and sclerosing cholangitis. A comprehensive comparison of protein changes observed is made and the mechanistical basis of the expression changes is discussed. Hepatic fibrosis was induced by repetitive intraperitoneal CCl4 treatment of BALB/c mice or developed spontaneously in BALB/c‐ATP‐binding cassette, subfamily B, member 4 (Abcb4) knock out mice. Fibrosis was verified by a morphometric score and assessment of hydroxyproline content of liver tissue, respectively. The innovative difference in‐gel electrophoresis (DIGE) technique was used to analyse protein expression levels of the mouse proteome. Results were confirmed by Western blotting and real‐time RT‐PCR. In CCl4‐induced fibrosis 20 out of 40 and in BALB/c‐Abcb4−/− mice 8 out of 28 differentially expressed proteins were identified utilizing DIGE. Only two proteins, selenium‐binding protein (Sbp2) and carbonic anhydrase 3, have been unidirectionally expressed (i.e. down‐regulated) in both models. Relevant differences in the pathogenesis of toxically induced liver fibrosis and sclerosing cholangitis exist. The only novel protein with regard to liver fibrosis depicting a unidirectional expression pattern in both animal models was Sbp2. An explicit protein function could not be clarified yet.
Diffusion-Weighted MR Imaging of Upper Abdomen: Comparison of Breath-Hold, Free-Breathing, and Respiratory-Triggered Techniques

slice inhomogeneity of ADC in the spleen. Results: RT-DWI showed better liver contour compared to BH-DWI (p <0.001) or FBDWI (p = 0.001). As for the quality of the vascular landmarks, BH-DWI was inferior to FB-DWI (p = 0.025) and RT-DWI (p < 0.001). FB-DWI had the poorest result (p <0.001) for inter-slice discontinuity compared to the other techniques. FB-DWI showed significantly larger inter-slice differences between the highest and the lowest ADCs in the spleen compared with those of RT-DWI (p < 0.001). Intra-slice homogeneity was significantly better in RT-DWI and FB-DWI than in BH-DWI (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Compared with BH or FB techniques, RT-DWI appears to result in the best imaging by providing better anatomic detail without skipping continuous slices, in addition to more homogeneous ADCs.
H∞ performance optimization for networked control systems with multiple sensors and actuators

This paper is concerned with the problem of H∞ performance optimization for NCSs with multiple sensors and actuators. The controller, sensors, and actuators employ a periodic time sequencing scheme for message transmissions, and the switched controller gains will introduce less conservatism than the common controller gain based method. By choosing appropriate Lyapunov function, sufficient conditions guaranteeing the H∞ performance of the considered system are presented, and a new switched controller design method is also proposed. The merit of the proposed optimization method lies in its less conservatism, which is achieved by adopting periodic time sequencing scheme for controller and proposing new switched controller design method. The results are also extended to NCSs with norm-bounded parameter uncertainties. The simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the periodic time sequencing scheme for sensors, actuators and controller.
Fault localization algorithm in computer networks by employing a genetic algorithm

Abstract Fault localization is an important part in communication networks. Faults are unwanted and unavoidable in communication systems, and hence, their quick detection and localization is essential for sustaining the health of the network. This paper proposes an end-to-end approach that uses passive measurements for fault localization in communication networks. We formulate the fault localisation issue as an optimisation problem and then employ the genetic algorithm technique to solve it. Extensive simulation results show that although our algorithm needs to test only a small set of network components to localise all faults, it can infer the faulty nodes in at least 97% of cases. This simulation shows that the proposed algorithm, called genetic algorithm-based fault localisation is superior to the other approaches to localise all faults in a network.
Estimation of numbers of malaria clones in blood samples

Methods are derived for estimating the mean number of clones of the haploid malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum from samples of blood of infected hosts which have been tested for the presence of alleles at marker loci. For example, at a locus with three alleles the sample might contain only A1 or A1 and A2, or A1, A2 and A3, with multiple allele classes being more common at high infection rates. Assuming either a Poisson or negative binomial distribution of numbers of infections per host, formulae are derived for the frequency of different classes of blood samples, and maximum likelihood methods are used to estimate the mean number of clones and allele frequencies. Two data sets, each on two loci, are analysed. One data set was from the same locality in Tanzania from which oocysts of the parasite in mosquito vectors were tested for clonality (i. e. diploid unions of gametes from the same clone) using genetic markers. Good agreement was obtained between the observed clonality in oocysts and that expected from the number of infections per host (mean approximately three).
The analysis and application of artificial neural networks for early warning systems in hydrology and the environment

iii Abstract Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) have been comprehensively researched, both from a computer scientific perspective and with regard to their use for predictive modelling in a wide variety of applications including hydrology and the environment. Yet their adoption for live, real-time systems remains on the whole sporadic and experimental. A plausible hypothesis is that this may be at least in part due to their treatment heretofore as “black boxes” that implicitly contain something that is unknown, or even unknowable. It is understandable that many of those responsible for delivering Early Warning Systems (EWS) might not wish to take the risk of implementing solutions perceived as containing unknown elements, despite the computational advantages that ANNs offer. This thesis therefore builds on existing efforts to open the box and develop tools and techniques that visualise, analyse and use ANN weights and biases especially from the viewpoint of neural pathways from inputs to outputs of feedforward networks. In so doing, it aims to demonstrate novel approaches to self-improving predictive model construction for both regression and classification problems. This includes Neural Pathway Strength Feature Selection (NPSFS), which uses ensembles of ANNs trained on differing subsets of data and analysis of the learnt weights to infer degrees of relevance of the input features and so build simplified models with reduced input feature sets. Case studies are carried out for prediction of flooding at multiple nodes in urban drainage networks located in three urban catchments in the UK, which demonstrate rapid, accurate prediction of flooding both for regression and classification. Predictive skill is shown to reduce beyond the time of concentration of each sewer node, when actual rainfall is used as input to the models. Further case studies model and predict statutory bacteria count exceedances for bathing water quality compliance at 5 beaches in Southwest England. An illustrative case study using a forest fires dataset from the UCI machine learning repository is also included. Results from these model ensembles generally exhibit improved performance, when compared with single ANN models. Also ensembles with reduced input feature sets, using NPSFS,
Performance comparison of time synchronization algorithms for OFDM underwater communication system

This paper is about time synchronization algorithms for Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) system based on the features of underwater acoustic (UWA) channel. The three time synchronization algorithms are analyzed at the first place. Then on the basis of computer simulation, the performance of the three algorithms are compared and tested in the actual lab pool. Latter experimental results shows LFM chirp signals as synchronization symbol are more suitable for OFDM underwater communication system.
Protective Effect of Gum Arabic Supplementation for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and its Complications

Gum arabic (Acacia senegal) is a well known soluble dietary fiber and is regarded as the safest dietary fiber by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This study examined the effect of Gum arabic supplementation on human subjects with type-2 diabetes mellitus and its complications by routine hematological and biochemical examinations. A clinical trial was conducted in forty participants with a daily supplement of gum arabic (10g/day), in a powdered form for a period of 16 weeks in a healthy subjects, pre-diabetics , patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and patients with diabetic nephropathy. The results obtained from all groups showed significant decrease in fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAc1), followed by significant decrease in total protein and uric acid concentration in the blood. Renal function was also improved after Gum arabic supplementation which was clear in all groups with significant decrease in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentration in diabetics and diabetic nephropathy patients. All groups recorded overall health improvement. Thus, findings from the study revealed that Gum arabic supplementation had effects on type-2 diabetes mellitus patients and improved the prognosis of the disease.
Multi-modal function optimization problem for evolutionary algorithm

In this paper, a new algorithm for solving multimodal function optimization problems - two-level subspace evolutionary algorithm is proposed. In the first level, the improved GT algorithm is used to do global recombination search so that the whole population can be separated into several niches according to the position of solutions; then, in the second level, the niche evolutionary strategy is used for local search in the subspaces gotten in the first level till solutions of the problem are found. The new algorithm has been tested on some hard problems and some good results are obtained.
Autophagy: Detection, regulation and its role in cancer and therapy response

Abstract Purpose: Macroautophagy is a catabolic pathway that degrades cellular components through the lysosomal machinery. Cytoplasmic components are sequestered in double-membrane autophagosomes. They fuse with lysosomes where their cargo is delivered for degradation and recycling. Autophagy acts as a survival mechanism under stress by producing energy and as an intracellular quality management system by clearing damaged organelles like mitochondria and proteins. In this review, the regulation and the role of autophagy in cancer and therapy response are discussed. Furthermore, we will summarize methods for detecting autophagy in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: During the early and late stages of cancer development, the role of autophagy differs. In the very early stages of carcinogenesis, autophagy has an important function by reducing cancer initiating genetic instability and aberrant protein aggregates as well as promoting anti-cancer immune response. In established malignant tumors autophagy confers resistance against metabolic stress caused by nutrient deprivation and the rapid proliferation of carcinoma cells. This function of autophagy is also important for radiation and chemotherapy resistance in cancer. Our laboratory has found that Neuropilin-2-induced autophagy is a potent mediator of therapy resistance in different cancer types. Autophagy not only promotes the survival of tumor cells, but also leads to autophagic cell death. During dysfunctional apoptosis this form of cell death mainly sensitizes cancer cells for therapy such as ionizing radiation. Therefore, the functions of autophagy during cancer progression and therapy are two-sided and further research is needed to understand these in more detail.
Compensating for anterograde amnesia: A new training method that capitalizes on emerging smartphone technologies

Abstract Following a neuropathological event, individuals left with moderate-to-severe memory impairment are unable to reliably form new memories. The most common challenges involve the capacity to perform a task in the future and to consciously recall a recent event. Disruption of these memory processes leaves the individual trapped in the present, unable to stay on track, and alienated from ongoing events. Memory research has demonstrated that implicit memory is often preserved despite severe explicit memory impairment and that preserved memory systems can provide avenues for acquiring new skills and knowledge. A within-subject single-case A1-B1-A2-B2 experimental design was used to introduce an established theory-driven training program of technology use for individuals with moderate-to-severe memory impairment. We describe its application to enabling RR, an individual with memory impairment postcolloid cyst removal, to independently support her memory using a commercial smartphone. RR showed successful outcome on both objective and qualitative measures of memory functioning. Moreover, she demonstrated consistent and creative generalization of acquired smartphone skills across a broad range of real-life memory-demanding circumstances. Our findings suggest that individuals with moderate-to-severe memory impairment are able to capitalize on emerging commercial technology to support their memory. (JINS, 2009, 15, 629–638.)
The effect of interdian and diurnal variation on oxygen uptake kinetics during treadmill running

The aim of this study was to examine the variability of the oxygen uptake ( V O 2 ) kinetic response during moderate- and high-intensity treadmill exercise within the same day (at 06:00, 12:00 and 18:00 h) and across days (on five occasions). Nine participants (age 25 - 8 years, mass 70.2 - 4.7 kg, V O 2max 4137 - 697 ml · min -1 ; mean - s ) took part in the study. Six of the participants performed replicate 'square-wave' rest-to-exercise transitions of 6 min duration at running speeds calculated to require 80% V O 2 at the ventilatory threshold (moderate-intensity exercise) and 50% of the difference between V O 2 at the ventilatory threshold and V O 2max (50% j ; high-intensity exercise) on 5 different days. Although the amplitudes of the V O 2 response were relatively constant (coefficient of variation ~6%) from day to day, the time-based parameters were more variable (coefficient of variation ~15 to 30%). All nine participants performed replicate square-waves for each time of day. There was no diurnal effect on the time-based parameters of V O 2 kinetics during either moderate- or high-intensity exercise. However, for high-intensity exercise, the amplitude of the primary component was significantly lower during the 12:00 h trial (2859 - 142 ml · min -1 vs 2955 - 135 ml · min -1 at 06:00 h and 2937 - 137 ml · min -1 at 18:00 h; P ≪ 0.05), but this effect was eliminated when expressed relative to body mass. The results of this study indicate that the amplitudes of the V O 2 kinetic responses to moderate- and high-intensity treadmill exercise are similar within and across test days. The time-based parameters, however, are more variable from day to day and multiple transitions are, therefore, recommended to increase confidence in the data.
Improvement in health status following cough-suppression physiotherapy for patients with chronic cough

Cough-suppression physiotherapy is a novel self-help therapy for chronic cough. We evaluated the effectiveness of cough physiotherapy in a pilot prospective observational study. We assessed cough-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) with the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) and subjectively reported cough frequency and sleep disturbance in 23 patients with chronic cough refractory to medical therapy, before and after outpatient-based cough-suppression physiotherapy. Cough-suppression physiotherapy consisted of education, counselling, cough control, breathing retraining, and vocal hygiene. There was a significant improvement in cough-specific HRQOL after cough physiotherapy; mean (standard error of mean [SEM]) LCQ total score before 12.4 (0.9) versus after 15.1 (0.9); 95% confidence interval of difference −4.1 to −1.3; p < 0.001. The improvement in cough-specific HRQOL was greater than the LCQ minimal clinically important difference of 1.3. A significant improvement was seen in all LCQ domains: physical (p = 0.001), psychological (p < 0.001) and social (p < 0.04). There was a significant reduction in cough frequency scores (p = 0.002) and sleep disturbance scores (p = 0.02). Our findings suggest cough-suppression physiotherapy may lead to a clinically significant improvement in cough-specific HRQOL in patients with chronic cough.
Effects of exercise training started within 2 weeks after acute myocardial infarction on myocardial perfusion and left ventricular function: a gated SPECT imaging study

Background: Several studies suggested that exercise training might improve myocardial perfusion by inducing coronary vascular adaptations or enhancing collateralization. However, these findings were obtained in patients with chronic coronary artery disease using thallium-201 myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. We evaluated whether a long-term exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) started early (9 ± 3 days) after ST elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) improves myocardial perfusion and left ventricular (LV) function, evaluated by gated single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. Design: Randomized controlled study. Methods: Fifty patients with recent STEMI were randomized into two groups: 24 enrolled in a 6-month exercise-based CR programme (group T) and 26 discharged with generic instructions for maintaining physical activity and correct lifestyle (group C). All patients underwent cardiopulmonary exercise test and gated SPECT within 3 weeks after STEMI and at 6-month follow up. Results: At follow up, group T showed a significant reduction of stress-induced ischaemia (p < 0.01) and an improvement in resting and post-stress wall motion (both p < 0.005) and resting (p < 0.05) and post-stress wall thickness (p < 0.005) score indexes. At follow up, group T showed an improvement in peak oxygen consumption (p < 0.0001), O2 pulse (p < 0.05), and in the slope of increase in ventilation over carbon dioxide output (p < 0.001). No changes in myocardial perfusion parameters, LV function, and cardiopulmonary indexes were observed in group C at follow up. Conclusions: Six months of exercise training early after STEMI reduces stress-induced ischaemia and improves LV wall motion and thickness. Exercise-induced changes in myocardial perfusion and function were associated with the absence of unfavourable LV remodelling and with the improvement of cardiovascular functional capacity.
Some ARQ protocols with finite receiver buffer

Some new schemes for communication systems using error-detecting codes are described. These schemes use hybrid strategies for the retransmission of the codewords detected in error, and combine the advantages of the go-back-N and selective protocols. The memory, introduced at the receiver side, enhances their performance with respect to the classical schemes. The results show that the protocols described provide a net improvement with respect to other similar schemes. >
THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF INTERSECTIONS IN COMPLETE GRAPHS.

* This research is sponsored by the U.S. Air Force under Project RAND-contract no. AF 49(638)-700 monitored by the Directorate of Development Planning, Deputy Chief of Staff, Research and Development, Hq USAF. Views or conclusions contained in this Memorandum should not be interpreted as representing the official opinion or policy of the U.S. Air Force. 1 Leonard, A. , and T. Mullikin, "Integral equations with difference kernels on finite intervals," The RAND Corporation, RM-3942-PR, June 1964. 2 Muskhelishvili, N. I. , Singular Integral Equations (Groningen: Noordhoff, 1953). 3Mullikin, T. W. , "Chandrasekhar's Xand Y-functions for homogeneous atmospheres," The RAND Corporation, RM-3376-JPL, 1962 (to appear in Trans. Amer. Math. Soc.). 4 Leonard, A. , and T. W. Mullikin, J. Math. Phys., 5, 399 (1964).
Alveolar bone height of primary and first permanent molars in healthy seven- to nine-year-old children.

The purpose of the study was to establish baseline values of the alveolar bone height of the primary molars and first permanent molars in sample of healthy U.S. seven- to nine-year-old children. Direct measurements of the distance from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) to the alveolar crest (AC) on 223 pairs of bitewing radiographs from 223 subjects were made using a digimatic caliper under standardized conditions. The distance from the CEJ to the AC had medians from 0.58 mm to 1.39 mm (range 0.0 to 4.44 mm) for the primary molars and from 0.00 mm to 0.64 mm (range -1.35 to 2.15 mm) for the mesial aspect of the permanent molars. There were no statistically significant differences in the distance from CEJ to AC between teeth on the right and left sides of the mouth. The distances from CEJ to AC were always greater in the maxilla than in the mandible for similar primary molar sites, but only true for the mesial aspect of the permanent first molar at age nine. As a tooth is positioned more anteriorly in the mouth, the distance from CEJ to AC was greater. On the whole, males had greater distances than females and eight-year-olds had larger distances than seven- or nine-year-olds. Differences were observed in the measured distances for the different age and sex-groups and may be attributable to variations in eruption and exfoliation patterns. The distance was significantly greater in areas of interproximal restorations and open contacts, and there was a tendency for the distances to be greater in areas of interproximal caries.
Analysis of buck-converters for efficiency enhancements in power amplifiers for wireless communication

An analysis procedure is presented allowing the systematic optimisation of buck-converters, which are required for the efficiency enhancement of power amplifiers in back off mode. All relevant parasitics are included. Based on this model the performance of the envelope following and tracking approaches are investigated for common communication standards such as GSM, UMTS and WLAN. Efficiency enhancements of above 100% are shown.