Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bacterial Foraging Optimization ( BFO ) based Traveling Salesman Problem ( TSP ) for Data Collection in Mobile Sinks

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) designed with set of sensor nodes used to collect the information from the network environment and send the data to mobile sink. One of the main tasks of wireless sensor network is collecting the data in mobile sink. Existing works presented for data collection in mobile sink, it supports only single hop transfer of data from sensor nodes. In [13] presented energyconstrained mule traveling salesman problem (EM-TSP) for data gathering, routing and energy consumption of the wireless sensor network. To enhance the efficiency of data collection in WSN, plan to introduce mobile elements endures large data latency but with the use of TSP it can be lessened. So, in this paper, the initiation of a Bacterial Foraging Optimization (BFO) based Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) for data collection in mobile sinks. This technique initially constructs an optimal tour path through TSP. The generated Hamiltonian paths are divided into multiple loops by means of BFO algorithm, where the fitness function is calculated considering average delay of each loop. Multiple loops are formed such that total delay is minimized. Further, the process of data gathering is enhanced by combining multiple aggregation tasks together to conserve more energy and increases the life time of the network. Simulation evaluation is conducted to estimate the performance of the proposed BFO based TSP for data collection in WSN in terms of delay, delivery rate and energy consumption. Evaluation report shows that the proposed BFOTSP consumes 15-20% less in energy for data collection in WSN. Keywords-WSN, data collection, mobile sink, Bacterial Foraging optimization, Traveling salesman problem, energy consumption
The endless race between Trypanosoma cruzi and host immunity: lessons for and beyond Chagas disease

Infection with the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, is characterised by a variable clinical course – from symptomless cases to severe chronic disease with cardiac and/or gastrointestinal involvement. The variability in disease outcome has been attributed to host responses as well as parasite heterogeneity. In this article, we review studies indicating the importance of immune responses as key determinants of host resistance to T. cruzi infection and the pathogenesis of Chagas disease. Particular attention is given to recent studies defining the role of cognate innate immune receptors and immunodominant CD8+ T cells that recognise parasite components – both crucial for host–parasite interaction and disease outcome. In light of these studies we speculate about parasite strategies that induce a strong and long-lasting T-cell-mediated immunity but at the same time allow persistence of the parasite in the vertebrate host. We also discuss what we have learned from these studies for increasing our understanding of Chagas pathogenesis and for the design of new strategies to prevent the development of Chagas disease. Finally, we highlight recent studies employing a genetically engineered attenuated T. cruzi strain as a vaccine shuttle that elicits potent T cell responses specific to a tumour antigen and protective immunity against a syngeneic melanoma cell line.
Virtual Cities: 3D Urban Modeling from Low Resolution LiDAR Data

City-scale 3D models represent an important component in the analysis of urban design, and the analysis of urban systems such as energy and transportation systems. Using manual methods to build large-scale 3D models is a time-consuming and an expensive process. Thus, advancing 3D modeling automation literature can greatly contribute to and complement smart-city initiatives. In this paper, we demonstratean efficient and fully-automatic 3D modeling pipeline that utilizes low resolution noisy LiDAR dataset to create city-scale 3D model.
LES PUNAISES DE LIT, RETOUR VERS LE FUTUR

Des le milieu des annees 1990, tant les professionnels de la sante que les specialistes de la gestion parasitaire (ou gestionnaires de parasites) ont note une augmentation des plaintes liees a la presence des punaises de lit dans les grandes villes a travers le monde (Hwang et al., 2005; Ter Poorten and Prose, 2005). Des infestations de punaises ont notamment ete signalees dans des maisons, des immeubles a logements, des hotels, des motels, des etablissements de soins, des refuges pour sans-abri et des residences pour etudiants et pour personnes âgees (Ter Poorten and Prose, 2005).
Cloning of the mouse and human solute carrier 22a3 (Slc22a3/SLC22A3) identifies a conserved cluster of three organic cation transporters on mouse chromosome 17 and human 6q26-q27.

Here we report the isolation of the mouse and human solute carrier genes Slc22a3/SLC22A3. Slc22a3 is specifically expressed in placenta, but the levels of expression decline toward the end of gestation. A BAC contig spanning the mouse Slc22a3 gene was constructed, and Slc22a3 was mapped between the Igf2r and Plg genes in close association with two additional members of the Slc22a gene family, mouse Slc22a1 and Slc22a2. A partial cDNA sequence of the human SLC22A3 gene was reconstituted from sequenced EST clones. SLC22A3 is expressed in first-trimester and term placenta, but also in skeletal muscle, prostate, aorta, liver, fetal lung, salivary gland, and adrenal gland. Using a somatic cell hybrid panel and a human YAC clone, SLC22A3 was mapped to the syntenic region on human chromosome 6q26-q27, between the IGF2R and APO(a)-like genes. SLC22A1 and SLC22A2 localized to the same locus, demonstrating the conservation of the close physical linkage of these three organic cation transporter genes in mouse and human.
Self-healing alginate–gelatin biohydrogels based on dynamic covalent chemistry: elucidation of key parameters

In this work, gelatin was crosslinked with oxidized alginate in the presence of borax yielding a hybrid biohydrogel system with the ability to self-repair upon mechanical damage. A judicious balance between concentration, stoichiometric ratio of the two biopolymers and gelatin source was found necessary to achieve optimal self-healing properties of these biohydrogels. The pH was found to have a major influence on the reconstruction of the damaged hydrogel interface, confirming that the dynamic Schiff base linkages between the amine groups of gelatin and the aldehyde groups of oxidized alginate play a fundamental role on the healing process of the hybrid gels.
Shape-Constrained Estimation Using Nonnegative Splines

We consider the problem of nonparametric estimation of unknown smooth functions in the presence of restrictions on the shape of the estimator and on its support using polynomial splines. We provide a general computational framework that treats these estimation problems in a unified manner, without the limitations of the existing methods. Applications of our approach include computing optimal spline estimators for regression, density estimation, and arrival rate estimation problems in the presence of various shape constraints. Our approach can also handle multiple simultaneous shape constraints. The approach is based on a characterization of nonnegative polynomials that leads to semidefinite programming (SDP) and second-order cone programming (SOCP) formulations of the problems. These formulations extend and generalize a number of previous approaches in the literature, including those with piecewise linear and B-spline estimators. We also consider a simpler approach in which nonnegative splines are approximated by splines whose pieces are polynomials with nonnegative coefficients in a nonnegative basis. A condition is presented to test whether a given nonnegative basis gives rise to a spline cone that is dense in the space of nonnegative continuous functions. The optimization models formulated in the article are solvable with minimal running time using off-the-shelf software. We provide numerical illustrations for density estimation and regression problems. These examples show that the proposed approach requires minimal computational time, and that the estimators obtained using our approach often match and frequently outperform kernel methods and spline smoothing without shape constraints. Supplementary materials for this article are provided online.
Systemic delivery of transthyretin siRNA mediated by lactosylated dendrimer/α-cyclodextrin conjugates into hepatocyte for familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy therapy

RNA interference (RNAi) is a sequence-specific gene-silencing mechanism triggered by double-stranded RNA and powerful tools for a gene function study and RNAi therapy. Although siRNAs offer several advantages as potential new drugs to treat various diseases, the efficient delivery system of siRNAs in vivo remains a crucial challenge for achieving the desired RNAi effect in clinical development. In particular, when considering the siRNA therapeutics for familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) caused by the deposition of variant transthyretin (TTR) in various organs, hepatocyte-selective siRNA delivery is desired because TTR is predominantly synthesized by hepatocytes. In this study, to reveal the potential use of lactosylated dendrimer (G3)/α-cyclodextrin conjugate (Lac-α-CDE (G3)) as novel hepatocyte-selective siRNA carriers in order to treat FAP, we evaluated the RNAi effect of siRNA complex with Lac-α-CDE (G3) both in vitro and in vivo.
Green IT: an Empirical Study regarding Organizational Actions and Impacts on Environmental Performance

Environmental sustainability has become increasingly important to business as a response to rapid depletion of natural resources. IT specifically represents a meaningful part of environmental issues which society has faced lately. In this sense, Green IT/S emerges as a way of combining available resources and sustainable and economic policies, thus generating benefits for the environment and for business. So, this research aims at investigating the organizational actions that stimulate the implementation of Green IT and its subsequent impacts on environmental performance. We empirically tested our hypotheses based on survey data gathered from 327 IT users and managers of 83 Brazilian companies. The results indicate that Green IT sourcing, Green IT policy and Green IT monitoring have a significant and positive effect on Green IT implementation practices, standing out Green IT sourcing as the main predictor. Still, the relationship between Green IT adoption and Environmental performance is also positive and significant, meaning that improvements in Green IT implementation are associated to improvements in environmental performance – considering the environmental impact provided by IT, the efficiency of the IT operations and the environmental awareness of the employees.
Immunization with E Plus NS1-2a Enhanced Protection against Dengue Virus Serotype 2 in Mice

Dengue virus (DENV), the causative agent of dengue fever (DF), is one of the most important mosquito-borne viruses that can infect humans. Although much effort has been made on prevention and control of dengue, there are currently no anti-viral drugs or worldwide approved vaccines yet. In this study, we immunized six-week-old Balb/c mice with DNA vaccine candidates E and NS1-2a of DENV serotype 2 or the combination of them (E+NS1-2a) via an electroporation (EP)-assisted intramuscular gene delivery system and evaluated the immune response and protection. The highest specific antibody titres and cytokine levels secreted by splenocytes as well as the highest survival rate were observed in the E+NS1-2a group, followed by E group and NS1-2a group. Our data suggested that the combination of E and NS1-2a delivered by EP may be a superior preventive strategy against DENV.
The Demands for Environmental Regulation and for Trade in the Presence of Private Mitigation

We study the nature of individual demands for environmental regulation and for trade openness in the general equilibrium of a small open economy where the environment is an input to production. Differences in the ability of individuals to afford private mitigation of the adverse consequences of pollution is a central feature of the analysis. Private mitigation leads to an endogenous, unequal distribution of the health-related consequences of pollution across income groups in a manner consistent with epidemiologic studies, in contrast to much of the literature which assumes equal health effects for all. We show that when private mitigation is possible at a cost, trade polarizes the interests of rich and poor with respect to the stringency of regulation. Moreover, even though trade has the potential to benefit everyone, the poor may oppose trade openness because of a concern that laxer environmental regulation will then be imposed in the interest of the rich. We explain why heterogeneity in the intensity of preferences, and not just in their direction, is likely to play a role in the determination of collective choices with respect to the regulation of the environment and of trade. We conclude by drawing out the implications of the analysis for the study of the political economy of the environment-trade-welfare nexus.
Web Usage Mining for Building an Adaptive e-Learning Site: A Case Study

Recent trends in adaptive e-learning, incorporate the use of data mining techniques, to deliver learning according to learners' requirements. In this paper, web usage mining is realized as a case study on an Indian e-learning site. The objective of this paper is the analysis of the web log data of an eLearning system and the deduction of useful conclusions. The web mining process consists of data collection, preprocessing, applying data mining techniques, followed by pattern analysis. It would help in identifying those interaction sequences which are most or least frequent and to explore how to reorganize placement of content and assessments on the basis of usage and learner assessment data, thereby making an e-learning site adaptive to deliver tailored e-content, as required by the learner.
Comparing χ 2 tests for separability Interval estimation for the difference between a pair of differences between two proportions , and related tests

This paper describes a series of novel statistical meta-tests for comparing experimental runs for significant difference, for conditions where experiments are carried out using Binomial or multinomial contingency statistics (χ, z, log-likelihood tests, etc.). The new tests permit us to evaluate whether experiments have failed to replicate on new data; whether a particular data source or subcorpus obtains a significantly different result than another; or whether changing experimental parameters obtains a stronger effect. Recognising when an experiment obtains a significantly different result and when it does not is an issue frequently overlooked in research publication. Papers are frequently published citing ‘p values’ or test scores suggesting a ‘stronger effect’, substituting for sound statistical reasoning. This paper sets out a series of tests which together illustrate the correct approach to this question, namely, to compute confidence intervals for differences between effect sizes and distributions. The meta-tests presented are derived mathematically from the χ test and the Wilson score interval, and cover both ‘goodness of fit’ and pairwise ‘homogeneity’ tests. Meta-tests for comparing tests with one degree of freedom (‘2 × 1’ and ‘2 × 2’ tests) are generalised to those of arbitrary size (‘r × 1’ and ‘r × c’). Finally, we compare our approach with a competing approach offered by Zar (1999), which, while straightforward to calculate, turns out to be both less powerful and less robust.
Mobile learning with a mobile game: design and motivational effects

Abstract Mobile technologies offer the opportunity to embed learning in a natural environment. This paper describes the design of the MobileGame prototype, exploring the opportunities to support learning through an orientation game in a university setting. The paper first introduces the scenario and then describes the general architecture of the prototype. The main part of the paper focuses on the evaluation of design issues and the effects observed in two trials. Design issues include: Supporting work on the move poses difficult interface questions, the accuracy of current outdoor, and indoor positioning systems is still problematic and the game requires near real-time response time. The evaluation of the effects shows that features such as ‘map-navigation’ and ‘hunting and hiding’ lead to excitement and fun. The participants immerse into a mixed reality that augments both physical and social space. The game success is based on the motivating design of the game itself. The paper concludes with open issues for future research, especially with the need to thoroughly evaluate the learning benefits.
Pigmentation of the Fungiform Papillae of the Tongue in a Child Secondary to Iron Deficiency Anaemia: An Uncommon Occurrence and Association

Diagnosis of pigmented lesions of the mouth and oral mucosal tissues is challenging. Even though epidemiology may be of some help in orientating the clinician and even though some lesions can be diagnosed on clinical grounds alone, the definitive diagnosis requires histopathological examination. We report a case of pigmented fungiform papillae on the tongue secondary to iron deficiency anaemia. After extensive literature search we found very few cases of pigmented fungiform papillae on the tongue due to iron deficiency anaemia in paediatric population. Hence here we report a 12-year-old male presented with patchy pigmented areas on his tongue of 4 years duration. We gave iron plus folic acid tablets for 6 months with complete disappearance of the lesions.
, Klaus Sartor and Werner Hemispheric Stroke Role of CT Angiography in Patient Selection for Thrombolytic Therapy in Acute

Background and Purpose —It has been shown that thrombolytic therapy can improve clinical outcome in a subgroup of patients with acute cerebral ischemia. This subgroup was characterized by certain clinical and imaging findings (eg, moderate to severe neurological deficit for less than 3 to 6 hours, occlusion of the middle cerebral artery, lack of extended infarct signs on CT, and efficient leptomeningeal collaterals). Although not part of published prospective randomized rtPA trials, information about the status of the brain vessels would be helpful in the selection of patients who may benefit the most. Our purpose was to determine the feasibility of CT angiography (CTA) in patients with acute hemispheric ischemia and to evaluate its relevance for thrombolytic therapy. Methods—CTA was performed in 40 consecutive patients (11 women and 29 men; age range, 19 to 80 years) with moderate or severe symptoms (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of $8) acute hemispheric ischemia. CTA findings were compared with Doppler ultrasonography (US; n 522) and intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA; n57). Twenty patients received thrombolytic therapy, the remaining patients received intravenous heparin. Results—Images and 3-dimensional reconstructions of diagnostic quality could be obtained in all patients. Thirty-four patients had a vessel occlusion. The extent of leptomeningeal collaterals correlated significantly with the outcome after thrombolytic therapy ( rs50.46,P,0.05). The evaluation of diagnostic accuracy showed a high agreement with US (22 of 22) and DSA (6 of 7). Conclusions—CTA can provide important information for the initiation of therapy in patients with acute hemispheric ischemia. Identification of patients with autolyzed thrombi, occlusion of the internal carotid artery bifurcation, and poor leptomeningeal collaterals is feasible with the use of CTA. These patients may have little potential for benefit from thrombolytic therapy. (Stroke. 1998;29:935-938.)
Atomoxetine treatment in adults with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder and comorbid social anxiety disorder

Background: To evaluate the effect of atomoxetine (ATX) on attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and comorbid social anxiety disorder in adults. Methods: Randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, conducted in adults with ADHD and social anxiety disorder. Patients received 40–100 mg ATX (n=224) or placebo (n=218) for 14 weeks following a 2‐week placebo lead‐in period. Efficacy measures included the Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale: Investigator‐Rated: Screening Version (CAARS:Inv:SV), Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), Clinical Global Impression‐Overall‐Severity (CGI‐O‐S), State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Social Adjustment Scale‐Self Report (SAS), and Adult ADHD Quality of Life Scale‐29 (AAQoL). Safety and tolerability were also assessed. Results: ATX mean change (−8.7±10.0) from baseline (29.6±10.4) on CAARS:Inv:SV Total ADHD Symptoms score was significantly greater than placebo mean change (−5.6±10.2) from baseline (31.2±9.4; P<.001). ATX mean change (−22.9±25.3) from baseline (85.3±23.6) on LSAS Total score was significant compared to placebo mean change (−14.4±20.3) from baseline (82.1±21.3; P<.001). The visit‐wise analysis revealed greater improvement on the CAARS:Inv:SV Total ADHD Symptoms score and LSAS Total score for ATX at every time point throughout the study (P values ≤.012). Mean changes in CGI‐O‐S, STAI‐Trait Anxiety scores, and AAQoL Total score were significantly greater for ATX compared to placebo. Mean change for both groups on STAI‐State Anxiety scores was comparable. Improvement on SAS for ATX compared to placebo was not significant. Rates of insomnia, nausea, dry mouth, and dizziness were higher with ATX than with placebo. Discontinuation rates due to treatment‐emergent adverse events were similar between groups. Conclusions: ATX monotherapy effectively improved symptoms of ADHD and comorbid social anxiety disorder in adults and was well tolerated. Depression and Anxiety, 2009. Published 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Endosomal Targeting of MEK2 Requires RAF, MEK Kinase Activity and Clathrin‐Dependent Endocytosis

To study spatiotemporal regulation of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK1/2) signaling cascade in living cells, a HeLa cell line in which MAPK kinase of ERK kinase (MEK) 2 (MAPK kinase) was knocked down by RNA interference and replaced with the green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐tagged MEK2 was generated. In these cells, MEK2–GFP was stably expressed at a level similar to that of the endogenous MEK2 in the parental cells. Upon activation of the EGF receptor (EGFR), a pool of MEK2–GFP was found initially translocated to the plasma membrane and then accumulated in a subset of early and late endosomes. However, activated MEK was detected only at the plasma membrane and not in endosomes. Surprisingly, MEK2–GFP endosomes did not contain active EGFR, suggesting that endosomal MEK2–GFP was separated from the upstream signaling complexes. Knockdown of clathrin by small interfering RNA (siRNA) abolished MEK2 recruitment to endosomes but resulted in increased activation of ERK without affecting the activity of MEK2–GFP. The accumulation of MEK2–GFP in endosomes was also blocked by siRNA depletion of RAF kinases and by the MEK1/2 inhibitor, UO126. We propose that the recruitment of MEK2 to endosomes can be a part of the negative feedback regulation of the EGFR–MAPK signaling pathway by endocytosis.
Censored quantile regression with varying coefficients

We propose a varying-coefficient quantile regression model for survival data subject to random censoring. Motivated by the work of Yang (1999), quantile- based moments are constructed using covariate-weighted empirical cumulative haz- ard functions. We estimate regression parameters based on the generalized method of moments. The proposed estimators are shown to be consistent and asymptoti- cally normal. We examine the proposed method with finite sample sizes through simulation studies, and illustrate it with a Richter's syndrome study.