Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nonviral gene delivery: What we know and what is next

Gene delivery using nonviral approaches has been extensively studied as a basic tool for intracellular gene transfer and gene therapy. In the past, the primary focus has been on application of physical, chemical, and biological principles to development of a safe and efficient method that delivers a transgene into target cells for appropriate expression. This review summarizes the current status of the most commonly used nonviral methods, with an emphasis on their mechanism of action for gene delivery, and their advantages and limitations for gene therapy applications. The technical aspects of each delivery system are also reviewed, with a focus on how to achieve optimal delivery efficiency. A brief discussion of future development and further improvement of the current systems is intended to stimulate new ideas and encourage rapid advancement in this new and promising field.
On the Use of Tied-Mixture Distributions

Tied-mixture (or semi-continuous) distributions are an important tool for acoustic modeling, used in many high-performance speech recognition systems today. This paper provides a survey of the work in this area, outlining the different options available for tied mixture modeling, introducing algorithms for reducing training time, and providing experimental results assessing the trade-offs for speaker-independent recognition on the Resource Management task. Additionally, we describe an extension of tied mixtures to segment-level distributions.
Treatment of Recurrent Tension Headache: A Meta‐Analytic Review

The primary aim of this study was to investigate which treatment, patient, and study characteristics are related to treatment outcome in tension headache. Literature on the subject was obtained by searching for articles published in English through CD-rom Compact Cambridge and PSYCHLIT (1970\3–1993) on the subjects of headache and tension or muscle contraction in combination with therapy or treatment. Inclusion criteria were prospective design, tension headache, five subjects per condition; pre-and posttreatment scores available, subjects older than 16 years. Each article was independently reviewed and its data encoded by the two authors. Finally, 78 articles with 175 treated and nontreated conditions (total of 2,866 patients) were selected for this study. Meta-analysis revealed that cognitive therapy, relaxation, or electromyelographic (EMG) biofeedback alone or in combination with relaxation were superior to no treatment and to pseudo/placebo therapy. Pharmacological and other therapies were better than no treatment. However, restricting the analyses to studies using a headache diary, the results of pharmacological therapy were comparable to those of placebo therapy. Moreover, a better treatment outcome was found in studies with a relatively short duration of headache complaints (r= −0.31) and with a relatively younger patient sample (r= −0.36). No relationship between treatment outcome and other treatment characteristics (duration, transfer of treatment), patient characteristics (gender, method of patient recruitment), and study characteristics (internal validity of the study, criteria for diagnosing tension headache, number of patients, drop-outs) was found. These findings suggest that treatment outcome may be affected more by patient characteristics than by treatment characteristics. Finally, some practical and research implications of these findings are discussed.
TECHNICAL ISSUES IN MODELLING THE EUROPEAN TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM (ETCS) USING COLOURED PETRI NETS AND THE DESIGN/CPN TOOLS

At the Institute of Control and Automation Engineering Design/CPN has been used to model the European Control System (ETCS) within a project for the Deutsche Bahn AG (German railways). This paper reports of experiences in modelling this complex, distributed automation system using Coloured Petri Nets and the Design/CPN tools. We will concentrate on some technical issues. However, for motivation we will give a brief overview of the application and will describe the modelling paradigms that we applied. The process of European harmonization is still in progress, which also concerns the railway companies. Each European railway company has one or more train control systems, which are mostly incompatible. So every train which shall run through diierent countries has to be equipped with several systems or the train traction units and drivers have to be changed at every border. As a consequence, the rst solution requires a complex system on-board, which leads to high installation and maintenance costs. The second one is a time consuming solution, which leads to increased operational costs. Thus, it is important to deene a train control system which is standard for all countries and provides a uniform and language-independent signalling information for the man-machine-interface (MMI). Frosig95] Moreover, the increase of new developed trains' maximum speed demands a communication-based train control system, because at a travelling speed of more than 160 km/h the trackside
Estimating Potential Incidence of MERS-CoV Associated with Hajj Pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, 2014

Between March and June 2014 the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) had a large outbreak of MERS-CoV, renewing fears of a major outbreak during the Hajj this October. Using KSA Ministry of Health data, the MERS-CoV Scenario and Modeling Working Group forecast incidence under three scenarios. In the expected incidence scenario, we estimate 6.2 (95% Prediction Interval [PI]: 1–17) pilgrims will develop MERS-CoV symptoms during the Hajj, and 4.0 (95% PI: 0–12) foreign pilgrims will be infected but return home before developing symptoms. In the most pessimistic scenario, 47.6 (95% PI: 32–66) cases will develop symptoms during the Hajj, and 29.0 (95% PI: 17–43) will be infected but return home asymptomatic. Large numbers of MERS-CoV cases are unlikely to occur during the 2014 Hajj even under pessimistic assumptions, but careful monitoring is still needed to detect possible mass infection events and minimize introductions into other countries.
Mathematical Morphology and Eikonal Equations on Graphs for Nonlocal Image and Data Processing

Mathematical morphology (MM) offers a wide range of operators to address various image processing problems. These operators can be defined in terms of algebraic (discrete) sets or as partial differential equations (PDEs). In this paper, we introduce a novel formulation of MM formalized as a framework of partial difference equations (PdEs) over weighted graphs of arbitrary topology. Then, we present and analyze a new family of morphological operators defined on weighted graphs. The proposed framework recovers local algebraic and PDEs-based formulations of MM. It also introduces nonlocal configurations for morphological image processing and extends PDEs-based methods to process any discrete data that can be described by a graph such as high dimensional data defined on irregular domains. Moreover, based on same ideas, we propose an adaptation of the eikonal equation on weighted graphs. Our formulation of the eikonal leads to novel applications of this equation such as nonlocal image segmentation and weighted distances or data clustering.
Sampling and Filtering in Photovoltaic System Performance Monitoring

The performance of photovoltaic systems must be monitored accurately to ensure profitable long-term operation. The most important signals to be measured—irradiance and temperature, as well as power, current and voltage on both DC and AC sides of the system—contain rapid fluctuations that are not observable by typical monitoring systems. Nevertheless these fluctuations can affect the accuracy of the data that are stored. This report closely examines the main signals in one operating PV system, which were recorded at 2000 samples per second. It analyzes the characteristics and causes of the rapid fluctuations that are found, such as line-frequency harmonics, perturbations from anti-islanding detection, MPPT searching action and others. The operation of PV monitoring systems is then simulated using a wide range of sampling intervals, archive intervals and filtering options to assess how these factors influence data accuracy. Finally several potential sources of error are discussed with real-world examples.
A FPGA pairing implementation using the Residue Number System

Recently, a lot of progresses have been made in software implementations of pairings at the 128-bit security level in large characteristic. In this work, we obtain analogous progresses for hardware implementations. For this, we use the RNS representation of numbers which is especially well suited for pairing computation in a hardware context. A FPGA implementation is proposed, based on an adaptation of Guillermin’s architecture which computes a pairing in 1.07 ms. It is 2 times faster than all previous hardware implementations (including ASIC and small characteristic implementations) and almost as fast as best software implementations.
Inhaled corticosteroids in stable COPD patients: do they have effects on cells and molecular mediators of airway inflammation?

STUDY OBJECTIVE To investigate possible changes in cells and molecular mediators of airway inflammation following inhaled steroid treatment of stable COPD patients. DESIGN Six-week open preliminary prospective study. SETTING A university respiratory disease clinic. PATIENTS : Stable COPD patients with mild disease. INTERVENTION Six-week treatment with inhaled beclomethasone (1.5 mg die). MEASUREMENTS The levels of interleukin (IL)-8, myeloperoxidase, eosinophilic cationic protein and tryptase, and cell numbers in bronchial lavage specimens were determined, and the symptom score, the endoscopic bronchitis index, and functional parameters were recorded. RESULTS After treatment there were significant reductions in the lavage levels of IL-8 ([mean +/- SEM] 1,603.4 +/- 331.2 vs 1,119.2 +/- 265.3 pg/mL, respectively; p = 0. 01) and myeloperoxidase (1,614.5 +/- 682.3 vs 511.2 +/- 144.2 microg/L, respectively; p = 0.05), in cell numbers (250.6 +/- 27.7 vs 186.3 +/- 11.5 cells x 10(3)/mL, respectively; p = 0.04), neutrophil proportion (59.7 +/- 14.3% vs 31.5 +/- 10.1%; p = 0.01), symptom score (4.5 +/- 0.6 vs 1.4 +/- 0.5; p = 0.01), and bronchitis index (8.5 +/- 0.8 vs 5.5 +/- 0.7; p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS In stable patients with COPD, inhaled steroid treatment may induce changes on some cellular and molecular parameters of airway inflammation.
The left-right axis in the mouse: from origin to morphology

The past decade or so has seen rapid progress in our understanding of how left-right (LR) asymmetry is generated in vertebrate embryos. However, many important questions about this process remain unanswered. Although a leftward flow of extra-embryonic fluid in the node cavity (nodal flow) is likely to be the symmetry-breaking event, at least in the mouse embryo, it is not yet known how this flow functions or how the asymmetric signal generated in the node is transferred to the lateral plate. The final step in left-right patterning– translation of the asymmetric signal into morphology – is also little understood.
A 1.8 V 2 Gb NAND flash memory for mass storage applications

A 1.8 V 2 Gb NAND flash memory is fabricated in a 90 nm process resulting in a 141 mm/sup 2/ die and a 0.044 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ effective cell. To achieve the high level of integration, critical layers are patterned with KF photolithography and phase-shift masks with proximity correction.
Immunizing the SAODV protocol against routing information disclosure

Secure routing protocols presents one of the most important challenges of Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs). This is due to their special characteristics such as shared wireless medium, stringent resource constraints and highly dynamic network topology. This paper presents a solution to the problem of routing information disclosure and traffic analysis in a new way that doesn't require exchanging a group secret key between one-hop neighbors. In addition, the proposed solution maintains the routing data integrity and node authentication features. Furthermore, the solution provides a new method for securing neighborhood discovery (ND) using PKI.
Coupling Loss Time Constant Calculation of Cable-in-Conduit Conductor Considering Electromagnetic Load Cycle

On the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor superconducting fusion device, the Nb3Sn composite strands have been applied to cable-in-conduit conductor to meet the impact of the magnet field about 12 T. The strain of the Nb3Sn-based conductor main due to Lorentz forces leads to the change of coupling loss time constant. However, the effect exploration of contact properties considering electromagnetic load cycle on coupling loss time constant is insufficient. In order to calculate coupling loss accurately and quickly, a new calculation model of coupling loss time constant was presented in this paper, which is expressed in three parameters, i.e., cabling sequence ratio, contact resistance, and void fraction with electromagnetic force cycle. In this model, not only cabling sequence ratio was established, but also contact resistance and void fraction considering strain resulted from electromagnetic load cycle were obtained. Compared with numerical calculation using Gandalf and traditional method, the error of coupling loss calculated with the combination of cabling sequence ratio, contact resistance, and void fraction under electromagnetic load cycle is smaller, which is closer to the engineering measured value.
Interactions Between Emotion Regulation and Mental

Reappraisal and suppression are among the most commonly studied emotion regulation strategies and refer to the cognitive reframing of emotional events (reappraisal), and the behavioral inhibition of emotional reactions (suppression). This selective review examines relationships between trait- expressions of these two emotion regulation styles and psychopathology as well as links with mental health. Findings generally suggest a beneficial role of reappraisal and a maladaptive role of suppression. However, exaggerations of emotion regulation-mental health links are possible as both are subject to reporting biases. Ideally, self-reported emotion regulation styles should be assessed together with behavioral and physiological measures of emotional responding and actual emotion regulation success, to delineate their link to mental health.
A new semantic model with applications in a multimedia database system

When people realized that relational databases fall short in supporting advanced applications including multimedia data management due to the limited modeling power of the relational data model, researchers went ahead with devising semantic, object‐oriented data models in the 1980s (until early 1990s). While the later commercial development of database systems has led to the so‐called object‐relational databases since late 1990s, such a marriage of the two does not actually solve the problems encountered by multimedia data management. In this paper, we present a new semantic multimedia database model based on an extension to the traditional ANSI/SPARC three‐level architecture, attempting to cater for the unique requirements of multimedia data management. Various facilities of this semantic multimedia database model are described and discussed. A number of applications have been developed based on this new model, and in this paper we shall describe some of these including recipe modeling and graph mining for retrieval. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increased SPARC expression in primary angle closure glaucoma iris

Purpose SPARC (secreted protein, acidic, and rich in cysteine) is involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) organization. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of SPARC in iris tissue from primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) eyes. Methods Iris tissue was obtained from peripheral iridectomies performed during trabeculectomy surgery in nine PACG and 16 primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) eyes at the Singapore National Eye Centre. Three non-glaucoma control iris specimens were obtained from patients who underwent Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) procedure. SPARC and collagen I expression were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The histological distribution of collagen I and III in the iris stroma was determined using picrosirius red polarization. Density of the iris stromal vasculature was also calculated. Results The mean age was 68.9±10.9 years and 65.7±12.2 years in POAG and PACG groups, respectively. The PACG iris expressed SPARC 13.6-fold more and collagen I 5.2 fold more compared to non-glaucoma control iris. The PACG iris also demonstrated 3.3 fold higher SPARC and 2.0 fold higher collagen I expression relative to the POAG iris. The density of collagen I was greater in PACG eyes than in POAG and control eyes (p<0.001). The mean density of iris stromal blood vessels per micron square area was similar in all three groups. Conclusions SPARC was significantly increased in the PACG iris. The data suggest that SPARC could play a role in the development of PACG by influencing the biomechanical properties of the iris through a change in ECM organization.
Frequency-dependent variation in mimetic fidelity in an intraspecific mimicry system

Contemporary theory predicts that the degree of mimetic similarity of mimics towards their model should increase as the mimic/model ratio increases. Thus, when the mimic/model ratio is high, then the mimic has to resemble the model very closely to still gain protection from the signal receiver. To date, empirical evidence of this effect is limited to a single example where mimicry occurs between species. Here, for the first time, we test whether mimetic fidelity varies with mimic/model ratios in an intraspecific mimicry system, in which signal receivers are the same species as the mimics and models. To this end, we studied a polymorphic damselfly with a single male phenotype and two female morphs, in which one morph resembles the male phenotype while the other does not. Phenotypic similarity of males to both female morphs was quantified using morphometric data for multiple populations with varying mimic/model ratios repeated over a 3 year period. Our results demonstrate that male-like females were overall closer in size to males than the other female morph. Furthermore, the extent of morphological similarity between male-like females and males, measured as Mahalanobis distances, was frequency-dependent in the direction predicted. Hence, this study provides direct quantitative support for the prediction that the mimetic similarity of mimics to their models increases as the mimic/model ratio increases. We suggest that the phenomenon may be widespread in a range of mimicry systems.
T cell self-reactivity forms a cytokine milieu for spontaneous development of IL-17+ Th cells that cause autoimmune arthritis

This report shows that highly self-reactive T cells produced in mice as a result of genetically altered thymic T cell selection spontaneously differentiate into interleukin (IL)-17–secreting CD4+ helper T (Th) cells (Th17 cells), which mediate an autoimmune arthritis that clinically and immunologically resembles rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The thymus-produced self-reactive T cells, which become activated in the periphery via recognition of major histocompatibility complex/self-peptide complexes, stimulate antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to secrete IL-6. APC-derived IL-6, together with T cell–derived IL-6, drives naive self-reactive T cells to differentiate into arthritogenic Th17 cells. Deficiency of either IL-17 or IL-6 completely inhibits arthritis development, whereas interferon (IFN)-γ deficiency exacerbates it. The generation, differentiation, and persistence of arthritogenic Th17 cells per se are, however, insufficient for producing overt autoimmune arthritis. Yet overt disease is precipitated by further expansion and activation of autoimmune Th17 cells, for example, via IFN-γ deficiency, homeostatic proliferation, or stimulation of innate immunity by microbial products. Thus, a genetically determined T cell self-reactivity forms a cytokine milieu that facilitates preferential differentiation of self-reactive T cells into Th17 cells. Extrinsic or intrinsic stimuli further expand these cells, thereby triggering autoimmune disease. Intervention in these events at cellular and molecular levels is useful to treat and prevent autoimmune disease, in particular RA.
Face Tracking and Pose Representation

We describe a dynamic face tracking system based on an integrated motion-based object tracking and model-based face detection framework. The motion-based tracker focuses attention for the face detector whilst the latter aids the tracking process. The system produces segmented face sequences from complex scenes with poor viewing conditions in surveillance applications. We also investigate a Gabor wavelet transform as a representation scheme for capturing head rotations in depth. Principal components analysis was used to visualise the mani-folds described by pose changes. Qualitative results are given.
A Practical Tennis Serve Test: Measurement of Skill under Simulated Game Conditions

Abstract The Avery-Richardson Tennis Service Test was constructed to maximize the practical relationship between skills tests and playing situations. The test incorporates the game-like criteria of two balls per trial, service attempts to both right and left service courts, and comparable credit for flat, slice, and spin serves. In addition, norms were established for both college males and females at beginning and intermediate skill levels in tennis. Construct validity was established for the service test. There was a significant difference [F (1, 306) = 30.18, p < . 00001] between beginning males and intermediate males, as well as a significant difference [F (1, 334) = 48.39, p < . 00001] between beginning and intermediate females. To determine reliability, 93 males and 59 females were given the test on two separate occasions. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were calculated with resulting reliability estimates which ranged from . 64 to . 80 for the groups studied.
Revisión de la literatura médica sobre el manejo de las depresiones resistentes/refractarias al tratamiento

Neuro-modulation techniques include ECT, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), deep brain stimulation (DBS), and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). ECT remains a first line option for the treatment of DRT with response rates ranging from 50% to 89%. Finally, the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in the management of the DRT could be a useful alternative when practiced in conjunction with any of the pharmacological strategies. However, further studies are needed to recommend it as first line treatment.
Gentamicin PMMA Beads and Other Local Antibiotic Carriers in Two-Stage Revision of Total Knee Infection: A Review

Abstract Local antibiotic carriers are available as resorbable carriers (e.g. gentam-icin-loaded collagen) and non resorbable carriers, mostly gentamicin-loaded bone cement in the form of beads or spacers. The release of the antibiotic may differ largely, depending on the properties of the carrier. In the use of spacers the release may remain too low, resulting in subinhibitory gentamicin concentrations. Revision of late deep infection of a knee prosthesis includes extraction, debridement and the use of local and systemic antibiotics. Reimplantation can be performed if healing is appropriate and the bone stock reaches. Otherwise arthrodesis is necessary.
Data In P 2 P Systems

The term peer-to-peer refers to a class of systems and applications that employ distributed resources to perform a critical function in a decentralized manner. The main challenge in P2P computing is to design and implement a robust and scalable distributed system composed of inexpensive, individually unreliable computers in unrelated administrative domains. In this paper we discuss about the goals, characteristics and data sharing problems that may exist in P2P systems. Then we are doing a case study of ORION, a file sharing system in MANET P2P systems.