Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anpassbare RE Werkzeuge - Eine Fallstudie

Kurzfassung Die Anpassung von Anforderungswerkzeugen an den Projektkontext ist im Regelfall durch die Anpassungsfahigkeiten des jeweiligen Werkzeuges stark eingeschrankt. In diesem Beitrag stellen wir einen generativen Ansatz zur Anpassung von Anforderungswerkzeugen vor und demonstrieren den Ansatz im Rahmen einer Fallstudie. Unser Ansatz ermoglicht die einfache, zielgerichtete und weitreichende Anpassung an die Anwendungssituation.
Diffusion Tensor MR Imaging and Fiber Tractography: Technical Considerations

SUMMARY:This second article of the 2-part review builds on the theoretic background provided by the first article to cover the major technical factors that affect image quality in diffusion imaging, including the acquisition sequence, magnet field strength, gradient amplitude, and slew rate as well as multichannel radio-frequency coils and parallel imaging. The sources of many common diffusion image artifacts are also explored in detail. The emphasis is on optimizing these technical factors for state-of-the-art diffusion-weighted imaging and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) based on the best available evidence in the literature. An overview of current methods for quantitative analysis of DTI data and fiber tractography in clinical research is also provided.
Pentoxifylline decreases allodynia and hyperalgesia in a rat model of neuropathic pain

Background and the purpose of the study Pentoxifylline (PTX) is a non-specific cytokite pain in several animal models and humans. However, long-term therapeutic effects of PTX on neuropathic pain in a rat model of chronic constriction injury (CCI) are not completely clear. This study was conducted to examine the effect of long-term administration of PTX on neuropathic pain in rats. Methods Neuropathic pain was induced by sciatic nerve ligation using of CCI model in rats. Rats were randomly assigned into sham, CCI-saline treated, and CCI-PTX treated (30 or 60 mg/kg ip) groups. PTX or saline administered at 30 min before CCI and daily for 14 days post-CCI. At the days of 3, 7, 11 and 14 following CCI, by using standard methods effects of thermal hyperalgesia, thermal and mechanical allodynia in all groups were examined using the standard methods. Results The CCI-saline treated group showed a significant increase in mechanical and thermal allodynia, and thermal hyperalgesia as compared with the sham group in the tested days. Administration of the higher dose of PTX (60 mg/kg/day), but not the lower dose (30 mg/kg/day) significantly reduced mechanical and thermal allodynia, as compared with the CCI–saline treated group on days of 3, 7, 11 and 14 (all P values<0.001). Also, both doses of PTX significantly reduced thermal hyperalgesia as compared with the CCI-saline treated group on these days (all P values<0.001). Conclusion Results of this study show that chronic administration of PTX reduces the neuropathic pain in a rat model of CCI. Thus, this drug may have a therapeutic application in the treatment and management of neuropathic pain in humans.
Ambient Air Pollution Exaggerates Adipose Inflammation and Insulin Resistance in a Mouse Model of Diet-Induced Obesity

Background— There is a strong link between urbanization and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Although a multitude of mechanisms have been proposed, there are no studies evaluating the impact of ambient air pollutants and the propensity to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus. We hypothesized that exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (<2.5 &mgr;m; PM2.5) exaggerates diet-induced insulin resistance, adipose inflammation, and visceral adiposity. Methods and Results— Male C57BL/6 mice were fed high-fat chow for 10 weeks and randomly assigned to concentrated ambient PM2.5 or filtered air (n=14 per group) for 24 weeks. PM2.5-exposed C57BL/6 mice exhibited marked whole-body insulin resistance, systemic inflammation, and an increase in visceral adiposity. PM2.5 exposure induced signaling abnormalities characteristic of insulin resistance, including decreased Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation in the endothelium and increased protein kinase C expression. These abnormalilties were associated with abnormalities in vascular relaxation to insulin and acetylcholine. PM2.5 increased adipose tissue macrophages (F4/80+ cells) in visceral fat expressing higher levels of tumor necrosis factor-α/interleukin-6 and lower interleukin-10/N-acetyl-galactosamine specific lectin 1. To test the impact of PM2.5 in eliciting direct monocyte infiltration into fat, we rendered FVBN mice expressing yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) under control of a monocyte-specific promoter (c-fms, c-fmsYFP) diabetic over 10 weeks and then exposed these mice to PM2.5 or saline intratracheally. PM2.5 induced YFP cell accumulation in visceral fat and potentiated YFP cell adhesion in the microcirculation. Conclusion— PM2.5 exposure exaggerates insulin resistance and visceral inflammation/adiposity. These findings provide a new link between air pollution and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Photoinactivation of bacterial strains involved in periodontal diseases sensitized by porphycene–polylysine conjugates

Selected bacterial strains that are responsible for period-ontal diseases are efficiently inactivated by visible light irradiation in the presence of porphycene–polylysine conjugates. Repeated photosensitization of surviving cells does not induce the selection of resistant bacterial strains and does not modify their sensitivity to antibiotic treatment.
Pioglitazone Lowers Serum Retinol Binding Protein 4 by Suppressing its Expression in Adipose Tissue of Obese Rats

Background/Aims: Pioglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ activator, is clinically used to treat insulin resistance. However, the underlying mechanism of pioglitazone's action remains unclear. We investigated whether, and how, pioglitazone modulates serum level of retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4), an adipocytokine associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Methods: Insulin sensitivity was determined by oral glucose tolerance test, and RBP4 expression was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Results: Pioglitazone treatment significantly decreased serum RBP4 levels in obese rats, which was correlated with reduced body weight and increased insulin sensitivity. Moreover, pioglitazone greatly decreased RBP4 mRNA and protein levels in adipose tissue but not in the liver. Consistently, pioglitazone treatment significantly reduced RBP4 protein expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes but not in HepG2 cells. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that pioglitazone inhibits the level of serum RPB4 by suppressing RBP4 expression in adipose tissue of obese rats, suggesting that inhibiting RBP4 expression in adipocytes may provide a mechanism by which pioglitazone improves insulin sensitivity in insulin-resistant subjects.
The Evolution of Computerised Notational Analysis Through the Example of Racket Sports

By analysing past and current work in racket sports, it was found that notational analysis of sport could be systematically analysed by using these delimitations. The development of analysis and technology in the analysis of racket sports The technological developments in notational analysis have inevitably lagged those in the applied computing technology environment. Application of feedback in racket sports The main applied areas of objective feedback were found to be: Tactical evaluation, Technical evaluation, Movement analysis, Databases and modelling, Performance profiling The definition of profiles is much less a matter of guesswork because of methodological advances. Reliability The methods of measuring and calculating the reliability of non-parametric data has grown with research over the last few years. Areas of Research and Support More research in modelling in performance analysis is vital as we extend our knowledge and databases into those exciting areas of prediction. It is clear from these analyses of the on-going research and development work in racket sports, that the working notational analyst must have a broad set of skills and be prepared to maintain and extend those skills just as the research in this area develops the knowledge base.
Implementación en tiempo real para el seguimiento en secuencias de vídeo - Implementation in real time tracking in video sequences

En el presente trabajo se implementa un seguidor en secuencias de video. La implementacion trabaja en tiempo real. El seguidor, esta basado en el algoritmo de SURF (Speed Up Robust Feature), debido a la robustez que presenta a los cambios de luminosidad y a las posibles transformaciones geometricas de una imagen, como lo son: el escalamiento, cizallamiento, rotacion, translacion. El objetivo central de este trabajo es obtener un seguidor en tiempo real, que no necesite del objeto de interes un aprendizaje o estudio previo y por ende se pueda generalizar lo que se quieres seguir. Es decir, poder tomar cualquier objeto de una escena cualquiera. El proceso se inicia una vez se obtiene la muestra del objeto a seguir. Posteriormente se generan los puntos de interes mediante el algoritmo de SURF, tanto del objeto de muestras como de la secuencia de video. Asi mismo mediante vecinos cercanos se busca la correspondencia entre los puntos generados de la muestra y de la secuencia de videos que mejor correspondan, finalmente mediante el algoritmo de RANSAC se toman un conjunto de puntos, para buscar la homografia de la figura que mejor se adapte al objeto de interes, finalmente se demarca el objeto de interes con los mejores parametros homograficos encontrados, todo esto en tiempo real. Abstract: In this paper a tracker is implemented in video sequences. The implementation works in real time. The tracker is based on the algorithm of SURF (Speed Up Robust Feature) due to the robustness Presenting the light changes and the possible geometric transformations of an image, such as : scaling , shearing , rotation, translation. The main objective of this work is to obtain a real-time tracker that does not need the object of interest prior learning or study and therefore can generalize what you want to follow. I mean, to take anything of any scene . The process begins once the sample is obtained subject to follow. Then the points of interest are generated by the SURF algorithm, both the object and the sample video sequence . Also by neighbors correspondence between sample points generated and the sequence of videos that best match finally by RANSAC algorithm seeks a set of points are taken to find the homography of the figure that best suits the object of interest, finally the object of interest is demarcated with the best parameters found homographs , all in real time. Keywords: Tracking, SURF, geometric transformations , RANSAC , nearest neighbors, key point.
Consumer food choices: the role of price and pricing strategies

Abstract Objective To study differences in the role of price and value in food choice between low-income and higher-income consumers and to study the perception of consumers about pricing strategies that are of relevance during grocery shopping. Design A cross-sectional study was conducted using structured, written questionnaires. Food choice motives as well as price perceptions and opinion on pricing strategies were measured. Setting The study was carried out in point-of-purchase settings, i.e. supermarkets, fast-food restaurants and sports canteens. Subjects Adults (n 159) visiting a point-of-purchase setting were included. Results Price is an important factor in food choice, especially for low-income consumers. Low-income consumers were significantly more conscious of value and price than higher-income consumers. The most attractive strategies, according to the consumers, were discounting healthy food more often and applying a lower VAT (Value Added Tax) rate on healthy food. Low-income consumers differ in their preferences for pricing strategies. Conclusions Since price is more important for low-income consumers we recommend mainly focusing on their preferences and needs.
Linear convergence rate for distributed optimization with the alternating direction method of multipliers

Consider the problem of distributed optimization where a network of N agents cooperate to solve a minimization problem of the form inf<sub>x</sub> Σ<sub>n=1</sub><sup>N</sup> f<sub>n</sub>(x) where function fn is convex and known only by agent n. The Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM) has shown to be particularly efficient to solve this kind of problem. In this paper, we assume that there exists a unique minimum x<sub>*</sub> and that the functions f<sub>n</sub> are twice differentiable at x<sub>*</sub> and verify Σ<sub>n=1</sub><sup>N</sup> ∇<sup>2</sup>f<sub>n</sub>(x<sub>*</sub>) > 0 where the inequality is taken in the positive definite ordering. Under these assumptions, we prove the linear convergence of the distributed ADMM to the consensus over x<sub>*</sub> and derive a tight convergence rate. Finally, we give examples where one can derive the ADMM hyper-parameter ρ corresponding to the optimal rate.
Principle of Projection of Virtual Height Line and Its Application

The scene map building is the key of robot navigation. This paper proposes the principle of projection of virtual height line (PVHL) and its application in the scene map building. At first partition the scene scope uniformly into grids. Then introduce virtual height lines (VHLs) which do not exist in the scene. Each VHL is projected into left image and right image, and two projection lines are generated. Each projection line has a point of intersection with the scene, which is the only visible point and has the maximum similarity metric. The height of the point is that of the corresponding scene. Finding the height of the scene is converted to prove whether the point of intersection has the maximum similarity metric or not. Apply the principle of PVHL to build the 2D and 3D scene map. The experiments to build 2D map and 3D map are performed and the results show the proposed principle is feasible and effective.
Noninvasive brain-computer interface enables communication after brainstem stroke

An individual “locked-in” by a brainstem stroke was able to communicate using noninvasive brain-computer interface technology. Communicating with a Locked-in Patient “Locked-in” syndrome describes a patient who is awake, or conscious, but can’t communicate verbally; some patients even lack the ability to convey thoughts and emotions by movement, whether it be with a hand, a headshake, or the eyes. To help these patients communicate, Sellers et al. used a brain-computer interface (BCI) that relies on spelling. Over the course of a year, the authors tested their BCI in one patient locked-in as a result of a brainstem stroke. The patient would focus on a computer screen with either different choices—Yes, No, Pass, and End—or letters to spell out a desired word. When his desired choice would flash, a concurrent deflection in the brain signal, called the P300 event-related potential, would occur and be recognized by the computer. After calibration of the BCI, the patient was able to freely spell words and relay messages to his wife, such as “Thank you for all of your hard work. ” Although this message took 45 min to complete, without such technology communication between the patient and his family would be nearly impossible. The case study by Sellers et al. was in one locked-in patient, and future studies will be needed to determine accuracy and broad applicability. Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) provide communication that is independent of muscle control, and can be especially important for individuals with severe neuromuscular disease who cannot use standard communication pathways or other assistive technology. It has previously been shown that people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can successfully use BCI after all other means of independent communication have failed. The BCI literature has asserted that brainstem stroke survivors can also benefit from BCI use. This study used a P300-based event-related potential spelling system. This case study demonstrates that an individual locked-in owing to brainstem stroke was able to use a noninvasive BCI to communicate volitional messages. Over a period of 13 months, the participant was able to successfully operate the system during 40 of 62 recording sessions. He was able to accurately spell words provided by the experimenter and to initiate dialogues with his family. The results broadly suggest that, regardless of the precipitating event, BCI use may be of benefit to those with locked-in syndrome.
Simulation Of Energy-Aware Backbone Networks

An optimization of the energy consumption in network systems has been recently an important research issue. The main challenge is to design, develop and test novel technologies, integrated control strategies and mechanisms for network equipment enabling energy saving by adapting network capacities and resources to current traffic loads and user requirements, while ensuring end-toend Quality of Service. In general, the idea is to develop low power devices or nano-processors, concentrate network traffic on a minimal subset of network components, and modulate network devices using dynamic voltage and frequency scaling methods. Various power adapting technologies for network devices are described in literature. We developed a framework for a backbone network management which leads to the minimization of the energy consumption by this network. The concept is based on activity control of the network equipment. The framework is presented in (Niewiadomska-Szynkiewicz et al., 2012b). In this paper we describe the design, performance and potential applications of the software environment for energy efficient backbone network optimization and simulation. This system was used to illustrate the performance of our control framework for energy-aware IP networks.
Mining High-Throughput Screening Data of Combinatorial Libraries: Development of a Filter to Distinguish Hits from Nonhits

Kohonen neural networks generate projections of large data sets defined in high-dimensional space. The resulting self-organizing maps can be used in many applications in the drug discovery process, such as to analyze combinatorial libraries for their similarity or diversity and to select descriptors for structure-activity relationships. The ability to investigate thousands of compounds in parallel also allows one to conduct a study based on single-dose experiments of high-throughput screening campaigns, which are known to have a greater uncertainty than IC50 or Ki values. This is demonstrated here for a data set of 5513 compounds from one combinatorial library. Furthermore, a method was developed that uses self-organizing maps not only as an indicator of structure-activity relationships, but as the basis of a classification system allowing predictive modeling of combinatorial libraries.
An 8.2 Gb/s-to-10.3 Gb/s Full-Rate Linear Referenceless CDR Without Frequency Detector in 0.18 μm CMOS

An 8.2 Gb/s-to-10.3 Gb/s full-rate referenceless CDR in 0.18 μm CMOS is presented. By realizing an asymmetric phase detector transfer curve, the linear CDR's “single-sided” capture range increases, which allows the Hogge phase detector itself to function as a frequency detector, thus eliminating the need for the reference clock and the separate frequency detector in conventional dual-loop CDRs. Robust frequency and phase acquisition is demonstrated. Furthermore, a new phase adjustment mode is added to further improve the jitter tolerance performance. The measurement results show that with a 10.3 Gb/s 2 31-1 PRBS input, the random jitter at the output data is 0.336 ps rms, and the out-of-band jitter tolerance is 0.34 UI p-p.
Migratory pathways and selective aggregation of the lateral reticular neurons in the rat embryo: A horseradish peroxidase in vitro study, with special reference to migration patterns of the precerebellar nuclei

The migration and ultimate domain invasion of postmitotic lateral reticular nucleus (LRN) neurons were followed in embryonic day 15–20 (E15‐E20)rat embryos, by using a horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in vitro axonal tracing method. All of the LRN axons elongate and neuronal somata migrate via the subpial or marginal migratory stream (mms), circumnavigating the ventrolateral aspect of the medulla at the glial endfeet level. They reach the ventral midline at E16, bypass it, and begin to settle in their final territory at E17. At E18 the LRN anlage is fully formed, and at E19‐E20 its cells have finished their migration and are rapidly differentiating. Comparison of these sequential steps with their counterparts in the development of the inferior olive (ION) and external cuneatus (ECN) brings to light the essential role of the neuroepithelial cells of the interolivary commissure (the “floor plate”). This zone is likely to act as (1) a chemoattractant for the growth cones of the LRN, ION, and ECN, and (2) a decision‐making center, which instructs the somata of these neurons to cross the midline or not, ultimately governing the crossed or uncrossed pattern of their projection to their common target, the cerebellum. Finally, the ontogeny of the LRN and ECN provides a most surprising example, even unique in the central nervous system, of long‐distance, neurophilic migration that conveys neuronal cell bodies contralaterally to the side on which they proliferate.
Protein and Vesicle Trafficking , Cytoskeleton The human NBCe 1-A mutant R 881 C , associated with proximal renal tubular acidosis , retains function but is mistargeted in polarized renal epithelia

Toye, Ashley M. , Mark D. Parker, Christopher M. Daly, Jing Lu, Leila V. Virkki, Marc F. Pelletier, and Walter F. Boron. The human NBCe1-A mutant R881C, associated with proximal renal tubular acidosis, retains function but is mistargeted in polarized renal epithelia. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 291: C788–C801, 2006. First published May 17, 2006; doi:10.1152/ajpcell.00094. 2006. —The human electrogenic renal Na-HCO3 cotransporter (NBCe1-A; SLC4A4) is localized to the basolateral membrane of proximal tubule cells. Mutations in the SLC4A4 gene cause an autosomal recessive proximal renal tubular acidosis (pRTA), a disease characterized by impaired ability of the proximal tubule to reabsorb HCO3 from the glomerular filtrate. Other symptoms can include mental retardation and ocular abnormalities. Recently, a novel homozygous missense mutant (R881C) of NBCe1-A was reported from a patient with a severe pRTA phenotype. The mutant protein was described as having a lower than normal activity when expressed in Xenopus oocytes, despite having normal Na affinity. However, without trafficking data, it is impossible to determine the molecular basis for the phenotype. In the present study, we expressed wild-type NBCe1-A (WT) and mutant NBCe1-A (R881C), tagged at the COOH terminus with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). This approach permitted semiquantification of surface expression in individual Xenopus oocytes before assay by two-electrode voltage clamp or measurements of intracellular pH. These data show that the mutation reduces the surface expression rather than the activity of the individual protein molecules. Confocal microscopy on polarized mammalian epithelial kidney cells [Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK)I] expressing nontagged WT or R881C demonstrates that WT is expressed at the basolateral membrane of these cells, whereas R881C is retained in the endoplasmic reticulum. In summary, the pathophysiology of pRTA caused by the R881C mutation is likely due to a deficit of NBCe1-A at the proximal tubule basolateral membrane, rather than a defect in the transport activity of individual molecules.