Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intelligent Energy Data Warehouse: What Challenges?

The RIDER -Réseau et Inter connectivité Des Energies classiques et Renouvelables (Network and Inter-Connectivity of Classical and Renewable Energies) project gathers a pool of university laboratories, national and international companies to design intelligent energy management platforms. We present here our contribution on designing data warehouse architectural models for massive and heterogeneous data, to be integrated in a multi-building intelligent energy management platform. Although a lot of work has been done on the subject, present tools and techniques still do not cover all the challenges we face when confronted to real time energy-related data management. This paper presents an overview of the related research work on data streams, data warehousing and ETL (Extract Transform Load) processes. ETL data exceptions will be our main point of focus. This critical subject has been rather left aside in research works so far.
Zelda is differentially required for chromatin accessibility, transcription factor binding, and gene expression in the early Drosophila embryo

The transition from a specified germ cell to a population of pluripotent cells occurs rapidly following fertilization. During this developmental transition, the zygotic genome is largely transcriptionally quiescent and undergoes significant chromatin remodeling. In Drosophila, the DNA-binding protein Zelda (also known as Vielfaltig) is required for this transition and for transcriptional activation of the zygotic genome. Open chromatin is associated with Zelda-bound loci, as well as more generally with regions of active transcription. Nonetheless, the extent to which Zelda influences chromatin accessibility across the genome is largely unknown. Here we used formaldehyde-assisted isolation of regulatory elements to determine the role of Zelda in regulating regions of open chromatin in the early embryo. We demonstrate that Zelda is essential for hundreds of regions of open chromatin. This Zelda-mediated chromatin accessibility facilitates transcription-factor recruitment and early gene expression. Thus, Zelda possesses some key characteristics of a pioneer factor. Unexpectedly, chromatin at a large subset of Zelda-bound regions remains open even in the absence of Zelda. The GAGA factor-binding motif and embryonic GAGA factor binding are specifically enriched in these regions. We propose that both Zelda and GAGA factor function to specify sites of open chromatin and together facilitate the remodeling of the early embryonic genome.
Molecular Perspectives for mu/delta Opioid Receptor Heteromers as Distinct, Functional Receptors

Opioid receptors are the sites of action for morphine and the other opioid drugs. Abundant evidence now demonstrates that different opioid receptor types can physically associate to form heteromers. Understandings of the nature, behavior, and role of these opioid receptor heteromers are developing. Owing to their constituent monomers’ involvement in analgesia, mu/delta opioid receptor (M/DOR) heteromers have been a particular focus of attention. There is now considerable evidence demonstrating M/DOR to be an extant and physiologically relevant receptor species. Participating in the cellular environment as a distinct receptor type, M/DOR availability is complexly regulated and M/DOR exhibits unique pharmacology from that of other opioid receptors (ORs), including its constituents. M/DOR appears to have a range of actions that vary in a ligand- (or ligands-) dependent manner. These actions can meaningfully affect the clinical effects of opioid drugs: strategies targeting M/DOR may be therapeutically useful. This review presents and discusses developments in these understandings with a focus on the molecular nature and activity of M/DOR in the context of therapeutic potentials.
Microwave imaging system to provide portable-low-powered medical facility for the detection of intracranial hemorrhage

A microwave head imaging prototype to detect intracranial hemorrhage is presented. The prototype system comprises of a compact ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna, custom-made transceiver and an image processing unit. The system is experimentally tested on a realistic three-dimensional (3D) printed human head phantom. A confocal image processing algorithm based on delay and sum approach is used to rapidly map the scanned layer of the head phantom. The low-cost, fast application, prompt detection and portability features of the proposed model make it a strong candidate to be used by the first response paramedics.
Structure-Based Search for New Inhibitors of Cholinesterases

Cholinesterases are important biological targets responsible for regulation of cholinergic transmission, and their inhibitors are used for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. To design new cholinesterase inhibitors, of different structure-based design strategies was followed, including the modification of compounds from a previously developed library and a fragment-based design approach. This led to the selection of heterodimeric structures as potential inhibitors. Synthesis and biological evaluation of selected candidates confirmed that the designed compounds were acetylcholinesterase inhibitors with IC50 values in the mid-nanomolar to low micromolar range, and some of them were also butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors.
TONGUES: rapid development of a speech-to-speech translation system

We carried out a one-year project to build a portable speech-to-speech translation system in a new language that could run on a small portable computer. Croatian was chosen as the target language. The resulting system was tested with real users on a trip to Croatia in the spring of 2001. We describe its basic components, the methods we used to build them, initial evaluation results, and related significant observations. This work was done in conjunction with the US Army Chaplain School; chaplains are often the only personnel in a position to communicate with local people over non-military issues such as medical supplies, refugees, etc. This paper thus reports on a realistic instance of rapidly deploying and field-testing a speech-to-speech translator using current technology.
Effect of current crowding on the ideality factor in MQW InGaN/GaN LEDs on sapphire substrates

To date, the reason for high ideality factor, β, in GaN-based LEDs grown on sapphire substrate is not fully understood and explained. It is believed that β-factor exceeding 2.0 originates from the trap-assisted tunneling and charge carrier leakage inside the active MQW LED region or is due to additional junctions available in the LED circuit. In this research, we demonstrate that β values higher than those predicted by the classical theory may be related to the current crowding effect that is difficult to avoid in LEDs grown on the insulating substrates. By analyzing theoretical model and testing commercial lateral blue LEDs with two different p-electrode pattern, we show that β -factor could increase from 2.0 (current spreading geometry) up to 3.5 (current crowding geometry). This modification of β-factor occurs in the intermediate range of current (10 μA - 10 mA, the space charge region dominates in LED performance) and therefore could be erroneously treated as the change of carrier transport mechanism and charge carrier recombination nature. At higher current (series resistance dominates) even insignificant increase of β-factor makes the current value of efficiency rollover to decrease (from 35 mA to 15 mA) and the efficiency droop to increase by 10%.
Effects of phosphoramidon on endothelin-1 and big endothelin-1 production in human aortic endothelial cells.

Using cultured human aortic endothelial cells, we examined the effects of phosphoramidon, an endothelin converting enzyme (ECE) inhibitor, on the release of endogenous endothelin-1 (ET-1) and big endothelin-1 (big ET-1), and on the generation of ET-1 from exogenously applied big ET-1. Phosphoramidon, at concentrations of 10(-6) to 2 x 10(-4) M, caused a biphasic alteration of the ET-1 release, i.e., at lower concentrations of the drug, there were slight but unexpected increases of the release, whereas higher concentrations led to a decrease which is due to the drug-induced inhibition of ECE. The former effect appears to be based on the inhibition of ET-1 degradation by neutral endopeptidase 24.11 (NEP), since kelatorphan, a specific NEP inhibitor, produced a similar increasing effect on ET-1 release. Phosphoramidon enhanced the big ET-1 release from the cells in a concentration-dependent manner. When high concentrations of phosphoramidon were added, there was a dramatic increase in the release of big ET-1, which cannot be explained only by the drug-induced inhibition of ECE. This increase in big ET-1 release appeared to be partly due to a transient stimulation of the expression of prepro ET-1 mRNA. The amount of ET-1 generated from exogenously applied big ET-1 was markedly decreased by phosphoramidon in a concentration-dependent manner. In a similar fashion, phosphoramidon markedly inhibited ECE activity of the membrane fraction of cultured cells. Thus, ET-1 generation from exogenously applied big ET-1 reflects the functional phosphoramidon-sensitive ECE activities in human aortic endothelial cells. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Basic Apoptotic Mechanisms of Lead Toxicity in Human Leukemia (Hl-60) Cells

Lead exposure represents a medical and public health emergency, especially in children consuming high amounts of lead-contaminated flake paints. It may also cause hematological effects to people of all ages. Recent studies in our laboratory have indicated that apoptosis may be associated with the lead-induced oxidative stress and DNA damage. However, the mechanisms underlying its effect on lymphocytes are still largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the apoptotic mechanisms of lead nitrate [Pb(NO3)2] using HL-60 cells as a test model. HL-60 cells were treated with different concentrations of Pb(NO3)2 for 24 h prior to cell viability assay and flow cytometry assessment. The results obtained from the trypan blue exclusion test indicated that at very low concentration, Pb(NO3)2 has no effect on the viability of HL-60 cells. A significant (p < 0.05) decrease in cell viability was observed when exposed to high level of Pb(NO3)2. Data generated from the flow cytometric assessment indicated that Pb(NO3)2 exposure significantly (p < 0.05) increased the proportion of annexin V positive cells (apoptotic cells) compared to the control. Pb(NO3)2 induced apoptosis of HL-60 cells was associated with the activation of caspase-3. In summary, these studies demonstrated that Pb(NO3)2 represents an apoptosis-inducing agent in HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells and its apoptotic mechanism functions, at least in part via, induction of phosphatidylserine externalization and caspase-3 activation.
Direct Quantitation of the Numbers of Individual Penicillin-Binding Proteins per Cell in Staphylococcus aureus

ABSTRACT The penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) are a set of enzymes that participate in bacterial peptidoglycan assembly. The absolute numbers of each PBP were determined by direct measurement and have been reported for two Staphylococcus aureus strains, RN4220 (methicillin-sensitive S. aureus) and RN450M (methicillin-resistant S. aureus). From the specific activity of the labeled penicillin and the absolute number of disintegrations per minute, and from the number of CFU per milliliter calculated from proteins and optical density, a determination of the number of PBPs per cell was made. These numbers ranged from approximately 150 to 825 PBPs/cell and represent the first direct determination of absolute numbers of PBPs in S. aureus.
Molecular and Cellular Pathobiology Cancer Cells Cue the P53 Response of Cancer-associated Fibroblasts to Cisplatin

Current understanding of the p53 response is based mainly upon in vitro studies of homogeneous cell populations. However, there is little information on whether the same principles operate within heterogeneous tumor tissues that are comprised of cancer cells and other cell types, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF). Using ex-vivo tissue cultures, we investigated p53 status and responses to cisplatin in tumor cells and CAFs from tissue specimens isolated from 32 lung cancer patients. By comparing cultivated tissue slices with the corresponding tumor tissues fixed immediately after surgery, we found that morphology, proliferation, and p53 staining pattern were preserved during cultivation. Unexpectedly, when CAFs were analyzed, p53 accumulation and induction of p21 was observed only in tumors with constitutively low p53 protein and accumulation upon cisplatin treatment. In contrast, in tumors with no p53 accumulation in cancer cells there was also no p53 accumulation or p21 induction in adjacent CAFs. Furthermore, induction of cisplatin-induced apoptosis in CAFs was selectively observed in tumors characterized by a parallel induction of cancer cell death. Our findings reveal an interdependence of the p53 response in cancer cells and adjacent CAFs within tumor tissues, arguing that cancer cells control the response of their microenvironment to DNA damage.
The role of US in finding intussusception and alternative diagnosis: a report of 100 pediatric cases

Background The clinical diagnosis of intussusception remains challenging, because many children with intussusception may present with non-specific signs and symptoms, which overlap with other conditions. Therefore imaging, in particular ultrasonography (US), plays a significant role in the management of these patients. Purpose To evaluate how US can contribute to the diagnosis in clinically suspected intussusception and finding alternative diagnosis. Material and Methods We retrospectively reviewed reports of US examinations and medical records of 100 patients (51 boys, 49 girls; mean age, 23.0 ± 12.1 months) who underwent abdominal US for clinically suspected intussusception. Each US study was assessed for the presence or absence of intussusception and for a possible alternative diagnosis in cases interpreted as negative for intussusception. Results Thirty-seven patients had US findings consistent with intussusception, which was confirmed by air enema. In seven patients, US studies were normal. Alternative diagnoses were identified by US for each of the remaining 56 patients, including ileocolitis (n = 20), terminal ileitis (n = 18), mesenteric lymphadenitis (n = 13), choledochal cyst (n = 1), accessory spleen torsion (n = 1), small bowel ileus (n = 1), midgut volvulus with bowel ischemia (n = 1), and hydronephrosis (n = 1). Conclusion With the high sensitivity and specificity of this study we conclude that US is valuable in detecting intussusception and finding the alternative diagnosis.
A method of load volatility auto-identification and its application in demand side management

Knowing the characteristics of customers' electrical load volatility can help to understand their usage behavior preferences, which is very useful to the utilities' business such as demand side management. This paper presents a new self-adaptive method to auto-identify the volatility characters of customer's time series electricity load pattern. The method can successfully recognize the main fluctuations of a load pattern and effectively filter out the random small turbulences which cannot represent the load volatility. The simulation results show that this method is effective and can dramatically improve the performance of customer electricity consumption behavior analysis. Finally the application of this method in demand side management is proposed.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Translating cellular cross talk into therapeutics

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common inherited heart disease with serious adverse outcomes, including heart failure, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. The discovery that mutations in sarcomere protein genes cause HCM has enabled the development of mouse models that recapitulate clinical manifestations of disease. Studies in these models have provided unexpected insights into the biophysical and biochemical properties of mutated contractile proteins and may help to improve clinical diagnosis and management of patients with HCM.
Metabolic Signatures of Extreme Longevity in Northern Italian Centenarians Reveal a Complex Remodeling of Lipids, Amino Acids, and Gut Microbiota Metabolism

The aging phenotype in humans has been thoroughly studied but a detailed metabolic profiling capable of shading light on the underpinning biological processes of longevity is still missing. Here using a combined metabonomics approach compromising holistic 1H-NMR profiling and targeted MS approaches, we report for the first time the metabolic phenotype of longevity in a well characterized human aging cohort compromising mostly female centenarians, elderly, and young individuals. With increasing age, targeted MS profiling of blood serum displayed a marked decrease in tryptophan concentration, while an unique alteration of specific glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids are seen in the longevity phenotype. We hypothesized that the overall lipidome changes specific to longevity putatively reflect centenarians' unique capacity to adapt/respond to the accumulating oxidative and chronic inflammatory conditions characteristic of their extreme aging phenotype. Our data in centenarians support promotion of cellular detoxification mechanisms through specific modulation of the arachidonic acid metabolic cascade as we underpinned increased concentration of 8,9-EpETrE, suggesting enhanced cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme activity. Such effective mechanism might result in the activation of an anti-oxidative response, as displayed by decreased circulating levels of 9-HODE and 9-oxoODE, markers of lipid peroxidation and oxidative products of linoleic acid. Lastly, we also revealed that the longevity process deeply affects the structure and composition of the human gut microbiota as shown by the increased extrection of phenylacetylglutamine (PAG) and p-cresol sulfate (PCS) in urine of centenarians. Together, our novel approach in this representative Italian longevity cohort support the hypothesis that a complex remodeling of lipid, amino acid metabolism, and of gut microbiota functionality are key regulatory processes marking exceptional longevity in humans.
Migrating neural crest cells in the trunk of the avian embryo are multipotent.

Trunk neural crest cells migrate extensively and give rise to diverse cell types, including cells of the sensory and autonomic nervous systems. Previously, we demonstrated that many premigratory trunk neural crest cells give rise to descendants with distinct phenotypes in multiple neural crest derivatives. The results are consistent with the idea that neural crest cells are multipotent prior to their emigration from the neural tube and become restricted in phenotype after leaving the neural tube either during their migration or at their sites of localization. Here, we test the developmental potential of migrating trunk neural crest cells by microinjecting a vital dye, lysinated rhodamine dextran (LRD), into individual cells as they migrate through the somite. By two days after injection, the LRD-labelled clones contained from 2 to 67 cells, which were distributed unilaterally in all embryos. Most clones were confined to a single segment, though a few contributed to sympathetic ganglia over two segments. A majority of the clones gave rise to cells in multiple neural crest derivatives. Individual migrating neural crest cells gave rise to both sensory and sympathetic neurons (neurofilament-positive), as well as cells with the morphological characteristics of Schwann cells, and other non-neuronal cells (both neurofilament-negative). Even those clones contributing to only one neural crest derivative often contained both neurofilament-positive and neurofilament-negative cells. Our data demonstrate that migrating trunk neural crest cells can be multipotent, giving rise to cells in multiple neural crest derivatives, and contributing to both neuronal and non-neuronal elements within a given derivative. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Non-data-aided timing synchronization for cooperative MIMO OFDM systems

In cooperative multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems, signals transmitted from cooperating terminals arrive at the receiver on distinct timing due to diverse propagation delays. Therefore, timing synchronization is even more challenging in cooperative MIMO systems than in centralized MIMO configurations. Up to the present, various training sequence designs, along with synchronization algorithms, have been proposed. Among these data-aided approaches, a timing synchronization scheme utilizing unequal period synchronization patterns (UPSPs) was proposed. In this paper, from a non-data-aided perspective, we propose a generalized interleaved carrier assignment scheme that makes the resultant random OFDM data symbols themselves become UPSP-like, and develop a blind timing synchronization scheme accordingly. Simulation results show that the proposed non-data-aided approach with majority vote refinement (MVR) can achieve better performance than the original UPSP-based approach.
Detection of Human Rights Violations in Images: Can Convolutional Neural Networks Help?

After setting the performance benchmarks for image, video, speech and audio processing, deep convolutional networks have been core to the greatest advances in image recognition tasks in recent times. This raises the question of whether there are any benefit in targeting these remarkable deep architectures with the unattempted task of recognising human rights violations through digital images. Under this perspective, we introduce a new, well-sampled human rights-centric dataset called Human Rights Understanding (HRUN). We conduct a rigorous evaluation on a common ground by combining this dataset with different state-of-the-art deep convolutional architectures in order to achieve recognition of human rights violations. Experimental results on the HRUN dataset have shown that the best performing CNN architectures can achieve up to 88.10\% mean average precision. Additionally, our experiments demonstrate that increasing the size of the training samples is crucial for achieving an improvement on mean average precision principally when utilising very deep networks.
Improved Learning in U.S. History and Decision Competence with Decision-Focused Curriculum

Decision making is rarely taught in high school, even though improved decision skills could benefit young people facing life-shaping decisions. While decision competence has been shown to correlate with better life outcomes, few interventions designed to improve decision skills have been evaluated with rigorous quantitative measures. A randomized study showed that integrating decision making into U.S. history instruction improved students’ history knowledge and decision-making competence, compared to traditional history instruction. Thus, integrating decision training enhanced academic performance and improved an important, general life skill associated with improved life outcomes.
Analysis of dynamic location management for PCS networks

Location management is a key issue in personal communication service (PCS) networks. Performance analysis plays important roles in the implementation of location management methods and system design in PCS networks. Existing PCS networks have the home location registers (HLRs) and visitor location registers (VLRs) architecture for location management. Some interesting dynamic location management methods are proposed to improve the system performance of PCS networks. However, the existing performance analysis of the dynamic location management methods are too simple and not available for PCS networks with real HLR/VLR architecture. One of the reasons is the complexity and difficulty of the problem. In this paper, we challenge the problem and successfully establish a new analytical model available for the analysis of the important dynamic movement-based location management method for PCS networks.