Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prioritizing Climate Change Adaptations in Canadian Arctic Communities. Sustainability 2015, 7, 9268-9292

Arctic regions are experiencing the most rapid climate change globally and adaptation has been identified as a priority across scales. Anticipatory planning to adapt to the impacts of climate change usually follows a number of steps: assess current and future vulnerability, identify potential adaptations, prioritize options, implement prioritized options, and monitor and evaluate implementation . While most of these steps are well documented, there has been limited examination of the process of adaptation prioritization in Arctic communities. In this paper, we build upon existing tools and propose a framework for prioritizing adaptation options and guiding decision-making for implementation in Arctic regions. Using four adaptation performance criteria (timescale, equity, sustainability and total costs) to evaluate options through a multi-criteria decision analysis coupled with a network centric approach, our Adaptation Prioritization Framework promotes a participatory approach for adaptation prioritization and planning. We illustrate application of the framework using a hypothetical example from the territory of Nunavut in the Canadian Arctic.
Cellular interactions in tissue factor expression by blood monocytes

&NA; Tissue factor (TF) is the cellular receptor for factor VIIa. In complex with TF, factor VIIa initiates coagulation by activation of factor IX and factor X. TF is normally not in contact with blood, but is expressed on extravascular cells which forms a haemostatic envelope ready to activate coagulation when vascular integrity is disrupted. However, under pathological conditions monocytes, but probably not endothelial cells, are stimulated to express TF activity on the surface of the cells and may thereby trigger activation of blood coagulation. For several years we have observed some individuals (high responders) with a very high response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as judged by induction of TF activity in their monocytes in whole blood. This phenomenon has been shown to be mediated by a P‐selectin dependent interaction between granulocytes, platelets and monocytes where the release of platelet factor 4 (PF4) plays an important role. It is concluded that cellular interactions play a central role in the expression of TF activity in circulating monocytes.
Pax6-dependent Shroom3 expression regulates apical constriction during lens placode invagination

Embryonic development requires a complex series of relative cellular movements and shape changes that are generally referred to as morphogenesis. Although some of the mechanisms underlying morphogenesis have been identified, the process is still poorly understood. Here, we address mechanisms of epithelial morphogenesis using the vertebrate lens as a model system. We show that the apical constriction of lens epithelial cells that accompanies invagination of the lens placode is dependent on Shroom3, a molecule previously associated with apical constriction during morphogenesis of the neural plate. We show that Shroom3 is required for the apical localization of F-actin and myosin II, both crucial components of the contractile complexes required for apical constriction, and for the apical localization of Vasp, a Mena family protein with F-actin anti-capping function that is also required for morphogenesis. Finally, we show that the expression of Shroom3 is dependent on the crucial lens-induction transcription factor Pax6. This provides a previously missing link between lens-induction pathways and the morphogenesis machinery and partly explains the absence of lens morphogenesis in Pax6-deficient mutants.
Navigation of multi-robot formation in unstructured environment using dynamical virtual structures

In this paper, the control problem for a group of mobile robots keeping a geometric formation is considered. The proposed architecture of control allows to each robot to avoid obstacles and to rejoin the desired formation. To not complicate the control of such a system, it is proposed to divide the overall complex task into two basic tasks: attraction to a dynamical target, and obstacle avoidance. Thus, a desired geometric shape is defined and each robot has to track one node of this mobile shape. Each robot has to be autonomously able to avoid disturbing obstacles and to rejoin the formation in a reactive manner. Moreover, it chooses the optimal avoidance side thanks to limit-cycle method in order to reach as rapidly as possible its virtual target. The proposed control architecture is implemented in a distributed manner. In addition, this architecture uses the same control law (Lyapunov stable) for the two elementary tasks, and the switching from one task to another occurs only by changing the set-points. Experimental results validate the proposed control architecture.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Flagellin and Alginate Elicit Very Distinct Gene Expression Patterns in Airway Epithelial Cells: Implications for Cystic Fibrosis Disease1

Infection with the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa remains a major health concern. Two P. aeruginosa phenotypes relevant in human disease include motility and mucoidy. Motility is characterized by the presence of flagella and is essential in the establishment of acute infections, while mucoidy, defined by the production of the exopolysaccharide alginate, is critical in the development of chronic infections, such as the infections seen in cystic fibrosis patients. Indeed, chronic infection of the lung by mucoid P. aeruginosa is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis patients. We have used Calu-3 human airway epithelial cells to investigate global responses to infection with motile and mucoid P. aeruginosa. The response of airway epithelial cells to exposure to P. aeruginosa motile strains is characterized by a specific increase in gene expression in pathways controlling inflammation and host defense. By contrast, the response of airway epithelia to the stimuli presented by mucoid P. aeruginosa is not proinflammatory and, hence, may not be conducive to the effective elimination of the pathogen. The pattern of gene expression directed by flagellin, but not alginate, includes innate host defense genes, proinflammatory cytokines, and chemokines. By contrast, infection with alginate-producing P. aeruginosa results in an overall attenuation of host responses and an antiapoptotic effect.
Research on driving simulation system for special heavy vehicle

The model of driving simulation system for special heavy vehicle based on virtual reality is built. The principle of system is: dynamic driving simulation software process the operating signal sent by driver, to figure out the signals of virtual scene, movement, and sound according to kinemics and dynamics model, then output them to projector and cylinder, 6-DOF Stewart mechanisms and sound player separately. This information of vision, movement perceive and hearing is feedback to driver to realize real-time interaction between driver and simulation system. Based on principle of every module, driving simulation system for special heavy vehicle is developed. The system scene and Stewart mechanisms control experiments show that the system model principle is reasonable and the system is similar to real vehicle closely.
Effect of Different Tumbling Marination Methods and Time on the Water Status and Protein Properties of Prepared Pork Chops

The combined effect of tumbling marination methods (vacuum continuous tumbling marination, CT; vacuum intermittent tumbling marination, IT) and effective tumbling time (4, 6, 8, and 10 h) on the water status and protein properties of prepared pork chops was investigated. Results showed that regardless of tumbling time, CT method significantly decreased the muscle fiber diameter (MD) and significantly increased the total moisture content, product yield, salt soluble proteins (SSP) solubility, immobilized water component (p<0.05) compared with IT method. With the effective tumbling time increased from 4 h to 10 h, the fat content and the MD were significantly decreased (p<0.05), whereas the SSP solubility of prepared pork chops increased firstly and then decreased. Besides, an interactive effect between CT method and effective tumbling time was also observed for the chemical composition and proportion of immobilized water (p<0.05). These results demonstrated that CT method of 8 h was the most beneficial for improving the muscle structure and water distribution status, increasing the water-binding capacity and accelerating the marinade efficiency of pork chops; and thus, it should be chosen as the most optimal treatment method for the processing production of prepared pork chops.
Independent and Interactive Influences of the APOE Genotype and Beta-Amyloid Burden on Cognitive Function in Mild Cognitive Impairment

This study aimed to investigate the independent and interactive influences of apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 and beta-amyloid (Aβ) on multiple cognitive domains in a large group of cognitively normal (CN) individuals and patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Participants were included if clinical and cognitive assessments, amyloid imaging, and APOE genotype were all available from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database (CN = 324, MCI = 502, AD = 182). Individuals with one or two copies of ε4 were designated as APOE ε4 carriers (ε4+); individuals with no ε4 were designated as APOE ε4 non-carriers (ε4−). Based on mean florbetapir standard uptake value ratios, participants were classified as Aβ burden-positive (Aβ+) or Aβ burden-negative (Aβ−). In MCI, APOE ε4 effects were predominantly observed on frontal executive function, with ε4+ participants exhibiting poorer performances; Aβ positivity had no influence on this effect. Aβ effects were observed on global cognition, memory, and visuospatial ability, with Aβ+ participants exhibiting poorer performances. Measures of frontal executive function were not influenced by Aβ. Interactive effects of APOE ε4+ and Aβ were observed on global cognition and verbal recognition memory. Aβ, not APOE ε4+, influenced clinical severity and functional status. The influences of APOE ε4+ and Aβ on cognitive function were minimal in CN and AD. In conclusion, we provide further evidence of both independent and interactive influences of APOE ε4+ and Aβ on cognitive function in MCI, with APOE ε4+ and Aβ showing dissociable effects on executive and non-executive functions, respectively.
Essays on applications of directed search

This dissertation contributes to the economics literature by demonstrating the relative ease with which we can use the directed search model to shed some light on the behavior of heterogeneous agents whose decisions depend on expected outcomes in two-sided frictional markets. The three chapters in this dissertation answer questions related to selection into frictional labor and marriage markets.
Comparison of two live Bacillus species as feed additives for improving in vitro fermentation of cereal straws.

This study was performed in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement to explore and compare the effects of inclusion of two live Bacillus additives (B. licheniformis and B. subtilis) at four doses (0, 0.25 × 10(7), 0.50 × 10(7) and 0.75 × 10(7) colony-forming units (cfu)) on in vitro gas production kinetics, fiber degradation, methane production and ruminal fermentation characteristics of maize stover and rice straw by mixed rumen microorganisms in dairy cows. The pH, concentrations of ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and isovalerate were increased (P < 0.05), while the methane (CH4) production, ratio of acetate to propionate, and total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) concentration were decreased (P < 0.05) by the supplementation of B. licheniformis compared with that of B. subtilis. Adding B. licheniformis and B. subtilis raised (P < 0.05) or numerically raised the maximum gas production, while decreasing (P < 0.05) or numerically lowering pH and concentrations of most volatile fatty acids. The addition of B. licheniformis increased (P < 0.05) the NH3-N concentration but reduced CH4 production and ratio of acetate to propionate (P < 0.05), while the NH3 -N concentration was decreased (P < 0.05), and the CH4 production and ratio of acetate to propionate were increased by that of B. subtilis compared to the control. Results obtained in this research suggest that B. licheniformis would be preferred as a live Bacillus additive in comparison with B. subtilis, and its optimal dose should be 0.25 × 10(7) cfu/500 mg substrates.
An Improved Instrument for Real-Time Measurement of Blood Flow Velocity in Microvessels

A new approach for the measurement of red blood cell velocity at the level of microcirculation has been developed and characterized. The new real-time and automated measurement system is based on the dual-slit methodology, and blood flow information is extracted from images and transduced into two analog photometric signals and then processed using a hybrid analog-digital system that performs the cross correlation of the signals in real time. The characterization of the system consists of a calibration with a known velocity target, yielding to the hyperbolic calibration curve velocity versus delay and the determination of the velocity detectable range from 0.3 to 120 mm/s. A theoretical study of the measurement uncertainty and parametric studies were carried out to test the system robustness to changes of parameters and to determine the optimal configuration that is applicable to various experimental conditions. The system was further tested in in vivo experiments in the rat cremaster preparation in different types of vessels and flow velocities to verify the consistency of the results, as compared with those from conventional measuring systems. In addition, the dynamic behavior of the system and its response to changes in the measured velocity were studied through a continuous velocity record that was obtained during an experimental procedure.
Finding Social Points of Interest from Georeferenced and Oriented Online Photographs

Points of interest are an important requirement for location-based services, yet they are editorially curated and maintained, either professionally or through community. Beyond the laborious manual annotation task, further complications arise as points of interest may appear, relocate, or disappear over time, and may be relevant only to specific communities. To assist, complement, or even replace manual annotation, we propose a novel method for the automatic localization of points of interest depicted in photos taken by people across the world. Our technique exploits the geographic coordinates and the compass direction supplied by modern cameras, while accounting for possible measurement errors due to the variability in accuracy of the sensors that produced them. We statistically demonstrate that our method significantly outperforms techniques from the research literature on the task of estimating the geographic coordinates and geographic footprints of points of interest in various cities, even when photos are involved in the estimation process that do not show the point of interest at all.
An evaluation framework for supply chains based on corporate culture compatibility

To date research focused on the role corporate culture plays when planning a supply chain management system (SCMS) has been limited. Although many executives have recognize the importance of corporate culture (e.g., Hollingsworth, 1988), research however, has only begun to review the role corporate culture plays on planning information systems to avoid cultural conflicts (Leidner & Kayworth, 2006). Therefore, without a sound understanding of the corporate culture compatibility that influence organization behaviour it will be difficult to successfully plan SCMS initiatives. The purpose of this research is to develop an initial framework based upon the SCMS planning and culture literature to identify the needs for cultural compatibility that impact planning of SCMSs. The fundamental premise of this research is that the literature supports the view that an organization must establish a corporate culture understanding to achieve an effective performance and competitive advantage inside the organization (Chan, Shaffer, Snape, 2004) and within the boundaries of a supply chain (Mentzer et al., 2001) prior to successfully planning SCMSs. The role of corporate culture can become especially critical at the boundary-spanning level of the organization, where organizations systems interface with other members of the supply chain. Accordingly, when supply chain’s organizations collaborate under cultural compatibility environment, the SCMS is more likely to be executed in a uniform and effective manner (Mentzer et al., 2001). Nevertheless, recent frameworks of SCM planning ignore the role corporate culture plays to achieve an effective collaborative performance. In the next section we give a short review of supply chain planning and management philosophy. This is followed by a theoretical investigation of the problem by reviewing the limitation in the current supply chain models. We then outline the significance of corporate culture compatibility to improve supply chain planning and achieve the ultimate SCM performance. This outline proposes the need for a new framework that is defined in the followed section. Finally, an agent-based simulation model concerning a three-level supply chain is described. This developed model integrates the proposed framework of cultural learning to evaluate the SCM performance. The results are, then discussed and significant outcomes are outlined.
Modulation of ErbB2 Blockade in ErbB2-Positive Cancers: The Role of ErbB2 Mutations and PHLDA1

We set out to study the key effectors of resistance and sensitivity to ErbB2 tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as lapatinib in ErbB2-positive breast and lung cancers. A cell-based in vitro site-directed mutagenesis lapatinib resistance model identified several mutations, including the gatekeeper ErbB2 mutation ErbB2-T798I, as mediating resistance. ErbB2-T798I engineered cell models indeed show resistance to lapatinib but remain sensitive to the irreversible EGFR/ErbB2 inhibitor, PD168393, suggestive of potential alternative treatment strategies to overcome resistance. Gene expression profiling studies identified a select group of downstream targets regulated by ErbB2 signaling and define PHLDA1 as an immediately downregulated gene upon oncogenic ErbB2 signaling inhibition. We find significant down-regulation of PHLDA1 in primary breast cancer and PHLDA1 is statistically significantly less expressed in ErbB2 negative compared with ErbB2 positive tumors consistent with its regulation by ErbB2. Lastly, PHLDA1 overexpression blocks AKT signaling, inhibits cell growth and enhances lapatinib sensitivity further supporting an important negative growth regulator function. Our findings suggest that PHLDA1 might have key inhibitory functions in ErbB2 driven lung and breast cancer cells and a better understanding of its functions might point at novel therapeutic options. In summary, our studies define novel ways of modulating sensitivity and resistance to ErbB2 inhibition in ErbB2-dependent cancers.
Usage and Distribution for Commercial Purposes Requires Written Permission. Confocal Cornea Microscopy Detects Involvement of Corneal Nerve Fibers in a Patient with Light-chain Amyloid Neuropathy Caused by Multiple Myeloma: a Case Report

Changes in the subbasal corneal plexus detected by confocal cornea microscopy (CCM) have been described for various types of neuropathy. An involvement of these nerves within light-chain (AL) amyloid neuropathy (a rare cause of polyneuropathy) has never been shown. Here, we report on a case of a patient suffering from neuropathy caused by AL amyloidosis and underlying multiple myeloma. Small-fiber damage was detected by CCM. Amyloidosis is a rare cause of polyneuropathy. There is a distinction between hereditary and acquired forms. A frequent reason for acquired forms is hematologic diseases such as
Optimizing Software Transactional Memory Replication via Speculation

Software Transactional Memories (STMs) are emerging as a potentially disruptive programming paradigm. Due to scalability and fault-tolerance requirements, Distributed STMs (DSTMs) are receiving more attention. Database management systems and STMs share the same key abstraction: atomic transactions. However, database and memory transactions have very distinct characteristics. Database replication protocols do not provide proper performance when applied to STMs. This work studies existing techniques to maintain the consistency of the STM replicated data, identifies limitations on those techniques, and proposes the architecture for building a novel replication protocol for STMs, that aims to overcome the limitations of current techniques by taking advantage of available computational resources to perform speculative operations. We end with an evaluation methodology for the future protocol implementation.
Direct Variance Design - A Multiobjective Control Theory

This paper offers a theory for designing linear state feedback controllers to directly accommodate variance constraints imposed on the system states. Such controllers guarantee an "average" closed-loop response to gaussian input disturbances. The method provides a mechanism for directly assigning all variance values (the diagonal elements of the covariance matrix) to the closed-loop system. The theory may be viewed as offering direct access to a new set of design variables; the state variances.
Prism Adaptation and Perceptual Skill Learning Deficits in Early-Stage Parkinson's Disease

Background: Skill learning deficits in Parkinson's disease (PD) at an early stage are not well known, and findings in behavioral studies with mirror reading and prism adaptation tasks are mixed. Moreover, skill learning over several days in PD patients has not been studied. Methods: A total of 12 nondemented early-stage PD patients and 12 age-matched normal control subjects participated in this study. The Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R) was applied to all subjects to assess declarative memory. The mirror reading task of horizontally presented kana letters and the reversed vision task using a prism were performed throughout 3 consecutive days. Results: For the mirror reading skill, the early-stage PD patients showed significantly increased mirror reading time on days 2 and 3. For the prism adaptation, the PD patients performed significantly more slowly in reversed vision than the normal controls, specifically at blocks 1 and 2, over 3 days. The WMS-R subscores did not show a significant correlation with the reaction times in reversed vision or with the mirror reading times. Conclusions: Using two tasks with different modalities, the present study revealed visuomotor adaptation deficits and acquisition/retention deficits, especially in the later phase of perceptual skill learning, in early-stage PD patients.
Controlling Cardea: Fast Policy Search in a High Dimensional Space

The essential dynamics algorithm is a novel policy search algorithm for learning in a class of stochastic Markov decision processes (MDPs) with continuous state and action spaces. We apply it to the control of a 5 degree of freedom robot arm atop a Segway base. Movement of the arm causes the base to translate and tilt, which in turn aects the movement of the arm. The state space has 14 dimensions, and the action space 5 dimensions, twice the dimensionality of typical policy search applications. Despite the highly non-linear dynamics, the algorithm is able to control the robot through a wide range. What’s more, this is accomplished using very little domain knowledge and no knowledge of dynamics.