Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cell Death-Associated Molecular-Pattern Molecules: Inflammatory Signaling and Control

Apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis are different cellular death programs characterized in organs and tissues as consequence of microbes infection, cell stress, injury, and chemotherapeutics exposure. Dying and death cells release a variety of self-proteins and bioactive chemicals originated from cytosol, nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria. These endogenous factors are named cell death-associated molecular-pattern (CDAMP), damage-associated molecular-pattern (DAMP) molecules, and alarmins. Some of them cooperate or act as important initial or delayed inflammatory mediators upon binding to diverse membrane and cytosolic receptors coupled to signaling pathways for the activation of the inflammasome platforms and NF-κB multiprotein complexes. Current studies show that the nonprotein thiols and thiol-regulating enzymes as well as highly diffusible prooxidant reactive oxygen and nitrogen species released together in extracellular inflammatory milieu play essential role in controlling pro- and anti-inflammatory activities of CDAMP/DAMP and alarmins. Here, we provide an overview of these emerging concepts and mechanisms of triggering and maintenance of tissue inflammation under massive death of cells.
The Political Economy of Fiscal Adjustments

FISCAL DISCIPLINE is currently the main macroeconomic problem faced by industrial and developing countries. Following the fiscal profligacy of the 1970s and early 1980s, deficit reduction has dominated the political economy debate during the past few years. The United States, after experiencing mounting deficits in the early and mid-1980s, has recently achieved a balanced budget. In Latin America, several countries show a marked improvement in their budget balances since the "lost decade" of the 1980s, although it remains to be seen how permanent these adjustments are. ' In Europe, inflation is stable and low, and most countries joining the European Monetary Union (EMU) have easily satisfied the convergence criterion on inflation, but achieving the fiscal targets has proved a more difficult task.2 Deficit reduction policies
File recipe compression in data deduplication systems

Data deduplication systems discover and exploit redundancies between different data blocks. The most common approach divides data into chunks and identifies redundancies via fingerprints. The file content can be rebuilt by combining the chunk fingerprints which are stored sequentially in a file recipe. The corresponding file recipe data can occupy a significant fraction of the total disk space, especially if the deduplication ratio is very high. We propose a combination of efficient and scalable compression schemes to shrink the file recipes' size. A trace-based simulation shows that these methods can compress file recipes by up to 93%.
Retinal Blood Flow in Type 1 Diabetic Patients With No or Mild Diabetic Retinopathy During Euglycemic Clamp

OBJECTIVE To compare total retinal blood flow in diabetic patients with no or mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy and healthy control subjects and to investigate in patients whether there is a difference between retinal blood flow before morning insulin and under normoglycemic conditions using a glucose clamp. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Twenty patients with type 1 diabetes with no or mild diabetic retinopathy were included in this open parallel-group study, and 20 healthy age- and sex-matched subjects were included as control subjects. Retinal blood flow was assessed by combining velocity measurements using laser Doppler velocimetry and diameter measurements using a commercially available dynamic vessel analyzer. Measurements were performed before and during a euglycemic clamp. RESULTS Total retinal blood flow was higher in diabetic patients (53 ± 16 μl/min) than in healthy subjects (43 ± 16 μl/min; P = 0.034 between groups). When plasma glucose in diabetic patients was reduced from 9.3 ± 1.7 to 5.3 ± 0.5 mmol/l (P < 0.001) retinal blood flow decreased to 49 ± 15 μl/min (P = 0.0003 vs. baseline). Total retinal blood flow during the glucose clamp was not significantly different from blood flow in normal control subjects (P = 0.161). CONCLUSIONS Type 1 diabetic patients with no or only mild diabetic retinopathy have increased retinal blood flow before their morning insulin dosage. Blood flow is reduced toward normal during euglycemic conditions. Retinal blood flow may fluctuate significantly with fluctuating plasma glucose levels, which may contribute to the microvascular changes seen in diabetic retinopathy.
Forming Bus Driver Schedules using Constraint Programming

This paper considers the use of constraint programming for solving general set partitioning problems. We then investigate the application of constraint programming to bus scheduling. The bus driver scheduling problem can be represented as a set partitioning problem with side constraints. Our approach takes advantage of the structure of these real world set partitioning problems in formulating the problem as a constraint satisfaction problem, and uses the relaxed linear programming (LP) solution to the problem as a variable and value ordering guide.
New constructions of SSPDs and their applications

We present a new optimal construction of semi-separated pair decomposition (SSPD) for a set of n points in IRd. In the new construction each point participates in a few pairs, and it extends easily to spaces with low doubling dimension. This is the first optimal construction with these properties. As an application of the new construction, for a fixed t > 1, we present a new construction of a t-spanner with O(n) edges and maximum degree O(log2 n) that has a separator of size O(n1-1/d).
DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF A 1 – 40GHZ ULTRA-WIDEBAND ANTIPODAL VIVALDI ANTENNA AUTHOR: JAMES FISHER To be Presented at the German Radar Symposium GRS 2000, Berlin, Germany

This paper describes an antipodal Vivaldi antenna with a new flare shape combining two separate exponential curves. This antenna is characterised and shown to have superior performance over a conventional single exponential curve Vivaldi antenna. The paper concludes that it is possible to build antipodal Vivaldi antennas capable of operating from 1 40GHz using a flare shape that combines a steepgradient high frequency section and shallow-gradient low frequency section. INTRODUCTION The Vivaldi is a tapered slot antenna characterised by an exponential flare shape. The flare radiates at different points along its length for different frequencies, determined by the flare width. The conventional flare design has theoretically unlimited bandwidth. In practice, the bandwidth is hard-limited by the physical dimensions of the antenna. The width at the start of the flare defines the upper frequency and the width at the mouth of the flare defines the lower frequency. The Vivaldi antenna is usually constructed on PCB and a number of variations exist. The traditional form of Vivaldi antenna is fed from a slotline. To feed the slotline of the Vivaldi antenna from a stripline or microstrip circuit a transition is required. Such transitions can take a number of forms, but typically include quarter-wavelength sections. These limit overall antenna performance to a few octaves because of the frequency dependent nature of the transition. The antipodal version of the Vivaldi antenna overcomes the problem of the bandwidth limiting transition [1]. This uses a tapered microstrip to symmetric double-sided stripline transition. A development of the antipodal Vivaldi is the balanced antipodal Vivaldi [2], [3]. This uses a stripline to balanced slotline transition. The aim of this work was to produce an ultrawideband Vivaldi antenna that was lightweight, compact and conformal, with approximately constant gain characteristics from 1 40GHz. To achieve the lightweight, compact design, it was decided to use the balanced antipodal Vivaldi fed directly from a KType stripline launcher. This enabled the design to be simple with no need for associated microstrip circuitry. The experimental results described in this paper are for the complete antenna and therefore take into account the effects of the connector to stripline transition. THE VIVALDI EXPONENTIAL FLARE The shape of the conventional Vivaldi exponential flare is defined by the equation
Treatment with high-dose simvastatin reduces secretion of apolipoprotein B-lipoproteins in patients with diabetic dyslipidemia Published, JLR Papers in Press, September 14, 2005. DOI 10.1194/jlr.M500335-JLR200

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) are effective lipid-altering drugs for the treatment of dyslipidemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design trial to determine the effects of simvastatin, 80 mg/day, on plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels and on the metabolism of apolipoprotein B (apoB) in VLDL, intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL), and LDL and of triglycerides (TGs) in VLDL. Simvastatin therapy decreased TG, cholesterol, and apoB significantly in VLDL, IDL, and LDL. These effects were associated with reduced production of LDL-apoB, mainly as a result of reduced secretion of apoB-lipoproteins directly into the LDL density range. Statin therapy also reduced hepatic production of VLDL-TG. There were no effects of simvastatin on the fractional catabolic rates of VLDL-apoB or -TG or LDL-apoB. The basis for decreased VLDL-TG secretion during simvastatin treatment is not clear, but recent studies suggest that statins may activate peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα). Activation of PPARα could lead to increased hepatic oxidation of fatty acids and less synthesis of TG for VLDL assembly.
Comment: Cultural Identities in Multilocal Spaces: Bringing in Multiplicity

ABSTRACT The comment emphasizes upon the trinity of identity, space and connections or relations, referring to the contributions of the special issue. This perspective is used to ask for a concept of culture capturing the relationality of the social. Following the relational approach, any social actor has many identities while moving permanently between many social figurations, as e.g. network theory (White 2008) as a theory of the betweeness points out. Accordingly, a conceptualization of multiplicity of identities is a necessary component of theoretical approaches that catch up with these insights in a general emphasis on multiplicity (e.g. of space). What becomes visible is, that to grasp the multiplicity, fluidity and dynamics as well as the interdependency of identities and spaces (multilocal or else), their relationality must be focused upon. This challenges older disparities like local-global as well. In that sense, relationality is the key to bring identities, spaces and cultures together and integrate them into one concept that is capable of describing and analysing such different experiences represented in this volume.
Admittance‐based pressure–volume loops versus gold standard cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in a porcine model of myocardial infarction

A novel admittance‐based pressure–volume system (AS) has recently been developed and introduced. Thus far, the new technique has been validated predominantly in small animals. In large animals it has only been compared to three‐dimensional echocardiography (3DE) where the AS showed to overestimate left ventricular (LV) volumes. To fully determine the accuracy of this device, we compared the AS with gold standard cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) in a porcine model of chronic myocardial infarction (MI). Fourteen pigs were subjected to 90 min closed chest balloon occlusion of the left anterior descending artery. After 8 weeks of follow up, pigs were consecutively subjected to LV volume measurements by the AS, CMRI, and 3DE under general anesthesia. The AS overestimated end diastolic volume (EDV; +20.9 ± 30.6 mL, P = 0.024) and end systolic volume (ESV; +17.7 ± 29.4 mL, P = 0.042) but not ejection fraction (EF; +2.46 ± 6.16%, P = NS) compared to CMRI. Good correlations of EDV (R = 0.626, P = 0.017) and EF (R = 0.704, P = 0.005) between the AS and CMRI were observed. EF measured by the AS and 3DE also correlated significantly (R = 0.624, P = 0.030). After subjection of pigs to MI, the AS very moderately overestimates LV volumes and shows accurate measurements for EF compared to CMRI. This makes the AS a useful tool to determine cardiac function and dynamic changes in large animal models of cardiac disease.
Voice Based Control for Humanoid Teleoperation

Voice can be a powerful tool for use in humanoid teleoperation because it is the fundamental means of human communication. This paper puts forward a teleoperation system to control humanoid robot BHR-02 using voice. Through this method manipulation is convenient and simple without extra effort for hands or eyes, and without extra learning time. This teleoperation system also gives a friendly and human-based operation interface. Experiments are conducted to confirm the effectiveness of novel teleoperation technique.
Fluctuation analysis with cell deaths

The classical Luria-Delbr\"uck model for fluctuation analysis is extended to the case where cells can either divide or die at the end of their generation time. This leads to a family of probability distributions generalizing the Luria-Delbr\"uck family, and depending on three parameters: the expected number of mutations, the relative fitness of normal cells compared to mutants, and the death probability of mutants. The probabilistic treatment is similar to that of the classical case; simulation and computing algorithms are provided. The estimation problem is discussed: if the death probability is known, the two other parameters can be reliably estimated. If the death probability is unknown, the model can be identified only for large samples.
When Does the Devil Make Work? An Empirical Study of the Impact of Workload on Worker Productivity

We analyze a large, detailed operational data set from a restaurant chain to shed new light on how workload defined as the number of tables or diners that a server simultaneously handles affects servers' performance measured as sales and meal duration. We use an exogenous shock---the implementation of labor scheduling software---and time-lagged instrumental variables to disentangle the endogeneity between demand and supply in this setting. We show that servers strive to maximize sales and speed efforts simultaneously, depending on the relative values of sales and speed. As a result, we find that, when the overall workload is small, servers expend more and more sales efforts with the increase in workload at a cost of slower service speed. However, above a certain workload threshold, servers start to reduce their sales efforts and work more promptly with the further rise in workload. In the focal restaurant chain, we find that this saturation point is currently not reached and, counterintuitively, the chain can reduce the staffing level and achieve both significantly higher sales an estimated 3% increase and lower labor costs an estimated 17% decrease. This paper was accepted by Noah Gans, special issue on business analytics.
Using Languaging In ESL Vocabulary Acquisition The Insights of ESL Learners and Practitioner

This study aims to instil a sense of awareness particularly to English practitioners to realize the importance of vocabulary teaching in assisting learners to acquire vocabulary. Their awareness is important as they are the ones who deal with learners and the curriculum. Hence, besides knowing the strategies to teach literacy skills, they should also know and use the strategies in teaching vocabulary. One of the strategies is using languaging which in a way encourages learners to work cooperatively. The main objective of this study is to find out the ESL learners’ perceptions about languaging as a process of acquiring vocabulary; to find out the ESL practitioners’ perceptions about using languaging in the classroom; the specific research questions explored in this study are: What are the ESL learners’ perceptions about acquiring vocabulary through languaging? What are the ESL practitioners’ perceptions about using languaging in the classroom?
Cell therapy: a new hope for treatment of cerebral palsy ?

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most frequent neurological disorder associated with perinatal injury of the developing brain. The beneficial impact of stem cells (neural stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and embryonic stem cells) is mediated through soluble trophic factors and other cytokines that enable the body to re-establish homeostasis after pathologic and traumatic insults, inflammation, and tissue infarction or degeneration. There is currently no effective therapy for CP. Recently there have been notable advances in the application of cell therapy in neurological disorders. This review provides recent data on the prevention and cell therapy in CP.
Model Predictive Direct Power Control for Active Power Decoupled Single-Phase Quasi-Z -Source Inverter

The active power filter (APF) that consists of a half-bridge leg and an ac capacitor is integrated in the single-phase quasi-Z-source inverter (qZSI) in this paper to avoid the second harmonic power flowing into the dc side. The capacitor of APF buffers the second harmonic power of the load, and the ac capacitor allows highly pulsating ac voltage, so that the capacitances of both dc and ac sides can be small. A model predictive direct power control (DPC) is further proposed to achieve the purpose of this new topology through predicting the capacitor voltage of APF at each sampling period and ensuring the APF power to track the second harmonic power of single-phase qZSI. Simulation and experimental results verify the model predictive DPC for the APF-integrated single-phase qZSI.
Time and Frequency Synchronization for OFDMA Uplink System using the SAGE Algorithm

In this letter, we propose an iterative time and frequency synchronization scheme for orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) uplink system using the space-alternating generalized expectation-maximization (SAGE) algorithm. In the proposed scheme, the expectation step of the SAGE algorithm is intended to remove the multiple-access interference (MAI) caused by the other asynchronous users. Then, the maximization step is utilized in the timing and frequency offset estimation of each asynchronous user using the MAI-canceled signals. Simulation results present that the proposed scheme shows performance enhancement in the presence of multiple asynchronous users
Role of Endothelin and Isoprostanes in Slow Pressor Responses to Angiotensin II

We tested the hypothesis that angiotensin II (Ang II)–induced stimulations of endothelin (ET) and isoprostanes are implicated in the slow pressor responses to Ang II. We infused either vehicle (group 1) or Ang II (groups 2 to 4) intravenously at 5 ng/kg per minute via osmotic pumps for 15 days into Sprague-Dawley rats. Groups 3 and 4 received 30 mg/kg per day of either losartan (Ang II type 1 receptor blocker) or bosentan (ETA and ETB receptor blocker) in their drinking water. We measured systolic blood pressure (SBP) every 3 days during the infusion. Plasma levels of Ang II, ET, isoprostanes, and urinary nitrites were determined at 15 days. Vehicle infusion did not change SBP (from 138±13 to 136±2 mm Hg at day 15). Circulating Ang II, ET, and isoprostane levels were 35±9, 39±3, and 111±10 pg/mL, respectively, whereas urinary nitrites were 2.3±0.4 &mgr;g/d. Ang II increased SBP (from 133±10 to 158±8 mm Hg), plasma Ang II (179±77 pg/mL), and isoprostanes (156±19 pg/mL) without altering ET levels (38±5 pg/mL) or urinary nitrites (1.8±0.5 &mgr;g/d). Losartan prevented Ang II–induced increases in SBP and isoprostanes (SBP went from 137±5 to 120±4 mm Hg; isoprostanes were 115±15 pg/mL) while increasing urinary nitrite levels (5.2±1.1 &mgr;g/d). Losartan did not alter Ang II (141±57 pg/mL) or ET (40±4 pg/mL) levels. Bosentan also blocked Ang II–induced hypertension (from 135±4 to 139±3 mm Hg) but did not decrease isoprostanes (146±14 pg/mL). Ang II (63±11 pg/mL), ET levels (46±2 pg/mL), and urinary nitrites (2.8±0.4 &mgr;g/d) were not altered. In conclusion, our results suggest that low-dose Ang II increases isoprostanes via its Ang II type 1 receptor and causes an ET-dependent hypertension, without altering circulating ET levels.
C Library for Simulated Evolution of Biological Networks

Simulated evolution of biological networks can be used to generate functional networks as well as investigate hypotheses regarding natural evolution. A handful of studies have shown how simulated evolution can be used for studying the functional space spanned by biochemical networks, studying natural evolution, or designing new synthetic networks. If there was a method for easily performing such studies, it can allow the community to further experiment with simulated evolution and explore all of its uses. As a result, we have developed a library written in the C language that performs all the basic functions needed to carry out simulated evolution of biological networks. The library comes with a generic genetic algorithm as well as genetic algorithms for specifically evolving genetic networks, protein networks, or mass-action networks. The library also comes with functions for simulating these networks. A user needs to specify a desired function. A GUI is provided for users to become oriented with all the options available in the library. The library is free and open source under the BSD lisence and can be obtained at evolvenetworks.sourceforge. net. It can be built on all major platforms. The code can be most conveniently compiled using cross-platform make (CMake).
A comprehensive survey for sentiment analysis tasks using machine learning techniques

Sentiment analysis is one of the most popular research topics in last years. There are lots of data on web which require analysis in order for them to become useful. Many researchers have focused on making sense of these data. Therefore, sentiment analysis concept is proposed. Sentiment analysis methods try to emerge any opinions, feelings, and subjectivity behind the text. Machine learning algorithms and vocabulary based methods are used to perform sentiment analysis. In this research, (i) recently studied researches on machine learning based sentiment analysis are investigated to give background; (ii) they are classified according to their tasks on extracting information; (iii) the encountered and potential challenges on this research topic are revisited and discussed.
Foetal and placental metabolisms: their interrelationship and impact upon maternal metabolism

In summary, foetal and placental metabolisms have certain characteristics which appear to bridge species differences. The consumption of carbohydrate and amino acids by the foetal lamb is adequate to meet the energy, C and N requirements of the foetus both for oxidated metabolism and for growth. Techniques to study foetal or maternal metabolism or both under conditions of a biological steady state, comparatively free of stress, are now readily available in several large mammals and are becoming so for small mammals. This should permit comparative physiologic studies in animals differing widely in diet and in body size. Hopefully, such studies will clarify those characteristics of foetal metabolism which are unique to a species and those which are common to all foetuses.