Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using Virtual And Augmented Reality With Brainwaves

This article describes the development of a noninvasive experiment based automated navigation in virtual environments VR and AR. In operation , the User has a tailored simulation environment based on the integration of hardware and software for navigation of the motor , consisting of a wheelchair adapted with Google Glass in conjunction with an Urban Virtual Environment using 3D techniques Reality Training virtual and Augmented . In this process consists in training the EEG signal processing in preparation for navigation in VR environment or physical drive wheel chair mode. This paper presents an experiment of brain waves with VR / AR, demonstrated a project of data acquisition, signal processing EEG evaluation of interfaces and translate into actions. Resumo. Este artigo descreve o desenvolvimento de um experimento nãoinvasivo baseado de navegação automatizada em ambientes virtuais de RV e RA. Em funcionamento, o usuário, tem um ambiente de simulação adaptado baseado na integração de hardware e software, para treinamento da navegação motora, composta de uma cadeira de rodas adaptada com o Google Glass em conjunto com um Ambiente Virtual Urbano em 3D utilizando técnicas de Realidade Virtual e Aumentada. Neste processo, consiste no treinamento do processamento de sinal EEG como preparação, para navegabilidade no Ambiente de RV ou modo acionamento físico da cadeira rodas. Neste trabalho apresenta um experimento de Ondas cerebrais com RV/RA demonstrado um projeto de aquisição de dados, processamento do sinal EEG, avaliação sobre as interfaces e as traduzir em ações.
Occlusion boundary detection based on mid-level figure/ground assignment features

In this paper, we propose a novel method to detect boundaries and estimate figure/ground assignments simultaneously. The proposed approach is based on the observation that the mid-level feature expression for boundary detection can represent local shape of boundaries with high accuracy and high speed [1]. We use figure/ground information to enhance the mid-level features for occlusion boundaries, and propose an algorithm to integrate these mid-level features efficiently. In our global optimization process, efficient and accurate estimation is achieved by superpixel-based combinatorial optimization. Superpixel segmentation is used to reduce the boundary candidates while integrating neighboring classification responses reduces computation time and improves the accuracy of figure/ground assignment. Experiments show that the proposal can detect occlusion boundaries 10 times faster and conduct figure/ground assignment 7.1% more accurately than the current state-of-the-art alternative.
Low Injection Base Current Model for SiGe HBT in E-B Depletion Region

Low injection profile of base current is of great importance while considering power-efficient system design. The base current in SiGe HBT at low VBEis higher than Si-BJT base current. This shows the adverse side of using the otherwise superior heterojunction SiGe-HBT over Si-BJT. This paper presents a physical model of low-injection base current and discusses the way this model can be used to estimate defect density in SiGe device.
Polarized secretion of lysosomal enzymes: co-distribution of cation- independent mannose-6-phosphate receptors and lysosomal enzymes along the osteoclast exocytic pathway

The osteoclast is a polarized cell which secretes large amounts of newly synthesized lysosomal enzymes into an apical extracellular lacuna where bone resorption takes place. Using immunocytochemical techniques, we have localized the cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate (Man6P) receptor and lysosomal enzymes in this cell type in order to determine the expression and distribution of this receptor and its ligands. The results demonstrate that the osteoclast expresses large amounts of immunoreactive cation-independent Man6P receptors, despite the fact that most of the lysosomal enzymes it synthesizes are secreted. The lysosomal enzymes and the receptors are co-distributed along the exocytic pathway, i.e., the endoplasmic reticulum, including the perinuclear envelope, the Golgi stacks as well as numerous small transport vesicles that appear to fuse with the ruffled border membrane. Within the Golgi complex, the receptors and lysosomal enzymes were found distributed in two predominant patterns; (a) in all the cisternae, from cis to trans, or (b) predominantly in cis- and trans- Golgi cisternae, with the middle Golgi cisternae being unstained or depleted in antigen. This pattern suggests that enzymes and receptors traverse the Golgi from cis to trans and preferentially accumulate in cis- and in trans-cisternae. This study therefore suggests that, in the osteoclast, Man6P receptors are involved in the vectorial transport and targeting of newly synthesized lysosomal enzymes, presumably via a constitutive pathway, to the apical membrane where they are secreted into the bone-resorbing compartment. This mechanism could insure polarized secretion of lysosomal enzymes into the bone-resorbing lacuna.
Heat shock protein 90 targeting therapy: state of the art and future perspective

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is an ATP-dependent molecular chaperone that plays a role in stabilizing and activating more than 200 client proteins. It is required for the stability and function of numerous oncogenic signaling proteins that determine the hallmarks of cancer. Since the initial discovery of the first Hsp90 inhibitor in the 1970s, multiple phase II and III clinical trials of several Hsp90 inhibitors have been undertaken. This review provides an overview of the current status on clinical trials of Hsp90 inhibitors and future perspectives on novel anticancer strategies using Hsp90 inhibitors.
Designing with Concrete For Enhancing Everyday Interactions

Concrete is a composite material that has mostly been used for buildings and road surfaces since early human history. It is also applied to contemporary product design, as it has rather interesting aesthetic properties. In this late-breaking work, we present a series of small-scale explorations of concrete: first in which we exploited its hydroscopicity to create an ephemeral and dynamic display, and second, where we conducted a tangible interface design to showcase the material's unique surface textures. By applying craft-based methodology to this project, we investigated the ways in which fabricating this material with digital technologies provides innovations within the HCI community. Most importantly, we attempted to discover fabrication techniques that facilitate artistic experiences and interactions with concrete without sacrificing its existing properties.
Structural basis of functional mimicry between carbohydrate and peptide ligands of con A.

Crystallographic studies have shown independent binding sites for sugar and peptide ligands of concanavalin A, although they were considered functional mimics based on biochemical experiments. The topological correlation of 12-residue peptide with different carbohydrate ligands of concanavalin A showed similarity between trimannose and the YPY region of the peptide establishing structural mimicry. Molecular docking of trimannose and the YPY motif on the reciprocal binding sites revealed equivalent interactions and energetics implying that the peptide-binding sites may constitute additional sugar-binding subsites of concanavalin A. The binding of a mannose-rich neoglycoprotein with significantly higher affinity compared with that of the methyl alpha-d-mannopyranoside is consistent with this interpretation.
The agr Locus Regulates Virulence and Colonization Genes in Clostridium difficile 027

ABSTRACT The transcriptional regulator AgrA, a member of the LytTR family of proteins, plays a key role in controlling gene expression in some Gram-positive pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. AgrA is encoded by the agrACDB global regulatory locus, and orthologues are found within the genome of most Clostridium difficile isolates, including the epidemic lineage 027/BI/NAP1. Comparative RNA sequencing of the wild type and otherwise isogenic agrA null mutant derivatives of C. difficile R20291 revealed a network of approximately 75 differentially regulated transcripts at late exponential growth phase, including many genes associated with flagellar assembly and function, such as the major structural subunit, FliC. Other differentially regulated genes include several involved in bis-(3′-5′)-cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP) synthesis and toxin A expression. C. difficile 027 R20291 agrA mutant derivatives were poorly flagellated and exhibited reduced levels of colonization and relapses in the murine infection model. Thus, the agr locus likely plays a contributory role in the fitness and virulence potential of C. difficile strains in the 027/BI/NAP1 lineage.
Constructing New and Better Evaluation Measures for Machine Learning

Evaluation measures play an important role in machine learning because they are used not only to compare different learning algorithms, but also often as goals to optimize in constructing learning models. Both formal and empirical work has been published in comparing evaluation measures. In this paper, we propose a general approach to construct new measures based on the existing ones, and we prove that the new measures are consistent with, and finer than, the existing ones. We also show that the new measure is more correlated to RMS (Root Mean Square error) with artificial datasets. Finally, we demonstrate experimentally that the greedy-search based algorithm (such as artificial neural networks) trained with the new and finer measure usually can achieve better prediction performance. This provides a general approach to improve the predictive performance of existing learning algorithms based on greedy search.
Emergence of cancer stem cells in hepatocellular carcinoma

Liver cancer represents the second most deadly human malignancy. The major histological subtype called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) arises by chronic inflammation‐triggered regenerative responses of normally quiescent hepatocytes and progenitors, respectively. Such regenerative stress accelerates the accumulation of genetic and epigenetic changes (Yamashita & Wang, ), while detailed mechanisms remain uncertain. In this issue of The EMBO Journal, Nikolaou et al present a novel HCC model that facilitates both isolation and molecular characterization of self‐renewing, HCC‐propagating cancer stem cells that could instruct future interventions (Nikolaou et al, ).
A Scalable and Quick-Response Software Defined Vehicular Network Assisted by Mobile Edge Computing

Connected vehicles provide advanced transformations and attractive business opportunities in the automotive industry. Presently, IEEE 802.11p and evolving 5G are the mainstream radio access technologies in the vehicular industry, but neither of them can meet all requirements of vehicle communication. In order to provide low-latency and high-reliability communication, an SDN-enabled network architecture assisted by MEC, which integrates different types of access technologies, is proposed. MEC technology with its on-premises feature can decrease data transmission time and enhance quality of user experience in latency-sensitive applications. Therefore, MEC plays as important a role in the proposed architecture as SDN technology. The proposed architecture was validated by a practical use case, and the obtained results have shown that it meets application- specific requirements and maintains good scalability and responsiveness.
Risks to Early Childhood Health and Development in the Postconflict Transition of Northern Uganda

Research from numerous fields of science has documented the critical importance of nurturing environments in shaping young children's future health and development. We studied the environments of early childhood (birth to 3 years) during postconflict, postdisplacement transition in northern Uganda. The aim was to better understand perceived needs and risks in order to recommend targeted policy and interventions. Methods. Applied ethnography (interview, focus group discussion, case study, observational methods, document review) in 3 sites over 1 year. Results. Transition was a prolonged and deeply challenging phase for families. Young children were exposed to a myriad of risk factors. Participants recognized risks as potential barriers to positive long-term life outcomes for children and society but circumstances generally rendered them unable to make substantive changes. Conclusions. Support structures were inadequate to protect the health and development of children during the transitional period placing infants and young children at risk. Specific policy and practice guidelines are required that focus on protecting hard-to-reach, vulnerable, children during what can be prolonged and extremely difficult periods of transition.
Ascites Increases Expression/Function of Multidrug Resistance Proteins in Ovarian Cancer Cells

Chemotherapy resistance is the major reason for the failure of ovarian cancer treatment. One mechanism behind chemo-resistance involves the upregulation of multidrug resistance (MDR) genes (ABC transporters) that effectively transport (efflux) drugs out of the tumor cells. As a common symptom in stage III/IV ovarian cancer patients, ascites is associated with cancer progression. However, whether ascites drives multidrug resistance in ovarian cancer cells awaits elucidation. Here, we demonstrate that when cultured with ascites derived from ovarian cancer-bearing mice, a murine ovarian cancer cell line became less sensitive to paclitaxel, a first line chemotherapeutic agent for ovarian cancer patients. Moreover, incubation of murine ovarian cancer cells in vitro with ascites drives efflux function in these cells. Functional studies show ascites-driven efflux is suppressible by specific inhibitors of either of two ABC transporters [Multidrug Related Protein (MRP1); Breast Cancer Related Protein (BCRP)]. To demonstrate relevance of our findings to ovarian cancer patients, we studied relative efflux in human ovarian cancer cells obtained from either patient ascites or from primary tumor. Immortalized cell lines developed from human ascites show increased susceptibility to efflux inhibitors (MRP1, BCRP) compared to a cell line derived from a primary ovarian cancer, suggesting an association between ascites and efflux function in human ovarian cancer. Efflux in ascites-derived human ovarian cancer cells is associated with increased expression of ABC transporters compared to that in primary tumor-derived human ovarian cancer cells. Collectively, our findings identify a novel activity for ascites in promoting ovarian cancer multidrug resistance.
Stimulation by Bradykinin of Afferent Vagal C‐Fibers with Chemosensitive Endings in the Heart and Aorta of the Dog

Bradykinin applied directly to the epicardium evokes a reflex increase in blood pressure by stimulating sympathetic afferent nerve endings in the heart, but injected into the coronary artery it evokes vagally mediated reflex decreases in heart rate and blood pressure. The afferents initiating these latter depressor effects have not been identified. We have attempted to determine which vagal sensory nerve endings in the heart are stimulated by bradykinin. In anesthetized dogs, we recorded impulses from afferent vagal fibers with endings in the heart and aorta and injected bradykinin (0.3-1.0 /ig/kg) into the left atrium. Neither Anor C-fiber mechanoreceptors nor aortic body chemoreceptors were stimulated directly by bradykinin, any changes in firing of a trial or ventricular mechanoreceptors, or of aortic baroreceptors or chemoreceptors, being secondary to the cardiovascular effects of bradykinin. However, 16 of 20 irregularly discharging vagal C-fibers with chemosensitive endings in the left ventricle, left atrium, and aorta were stimulated by bradykinin; firing increased from 0.2 ± 0.1 to 7.8 ± 1.4 (mean ± SE) impulses/sec and usually remained above control for about 30 seconds. These chemosensitive endings were not stimulated by ventilating the lungs with 5% O2 in N2, but they were stimulated by injecting capsaicin or phenyl diguanide into the left atrium. Four chemosensitive endings in the ventricular epicardium were also stimulated by dripping bradykinin (1 pg/ml) onto the heart. We suggest that these chemosensitive vagal C-fibers are responsible for the reflex decreases in heart rate and blood pressure elicited by bradykinin. Circ Res 46: 476-484, 1980
Rumination and specificity of autobiographical memory in dysphoria

Low autobiographical memory specificity has been a commonly recurring phenomenon in depression. Difficulty in remembering specific details in autobiographical memory tests has been related to rumination, although the nature of this relation is not clear yet. In the present study, we evaluated differences in overgeneral memory patterns between dysphoric (n=65) and nondysphoric participants (n=74) using a free-recall method that may be more suitable for detecting overgeneral memory patterns than previously used methods. Furthermore, this study examined whether a specific maladaptive component of rumination (i.e., brooding response style) is particularly related to autobiographical memory patterns in depression. Our results showed that dysphoric participants reported less positive specific memories, and more extended and categoric memories than nondysphoric individuals. Furthermore, correlation analyses showed that the maladaptive component of rumination (i.e., brooding), but not the adaptive component of rumination (i.e., reflection), was specifically associated to the reduced autobiographical memory specificity found in dysphoric participants.
Innovation spillover effect in semiconductor industry

The contribution of external intellectual property development by other firms to firms' internal innovation and productivity improvement is defined as “spillover effect”. While some criticize that the intellectual property right protections on patents hinder the spillover effect, others propose that the compulsory patent disclosure or patent licensing enforces innovation spillovers. This paper thus provides the empirical evidence of patent and R&D spillover effect on productivity to resolve the controversy. The findings support that the spillover effect derived from other companies' innovative activities can enhance firm process or product innovation, thereby improving firm performance. Since technology learning from intra-industry R&D activities or patent development is swiftly facilitated for IC firms involved either in process innovation or in product innovation. R&D spillover effects in these firms appear evidently stronger. In contrast, because the IC firms rely more on patent licensing to develop core technology innovation, the patent spillover effect even is obvious as well.
Subpathotypes of Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) Exist as Defined by their Syndromes and Virulence Traits

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) strains cause different types of systemic extraintestinal infections in poultry, collectively termed colibacillosis, which can cause significant economic losses in the poultry industry. To date, there have been no descriptions of genes or characteristics that allow for the classification of avian strains pathotypes responsible for causing specific diseases in their hosts. In this study we aimed to characterize avian E. coli strains representing 4 groups, including one of commensal strains (AFEC – Avian Fecal Escherichia coli) and 3 groups of APEC strains, where each group is responsible for causing a different disease syndrome in their respective hosts (septicemia, omphalitis and swollen head syndrome). We chose to examine several biological characteristics of these strains including: adhesion to eukaryotic cells, pathogenicity levels according to the lethal dose (50%) assay, phylogenetic group and virulence gene profiles. The comparison of strains based on these genotypic and phenotypic traits, using multivariate statisticals tools and complex networks, allowed us to infer information about the population structure of the studied groups. Our results indicate that APEC strains do not constitute a unique homogeneous group, but rather a structured set of subgroups, where each one is associated with a specific infectious syndrome which can possibly be used to define pathotypes or subpathotypes within APEC strains. These results offer new possibilities with which to study the genes responsible for various pathogenetic processes within APEC strains, and for vaccine development. It may be important to consider these subgroups when developing a vaccine in an effort for obtain cross protection, which has not yet been successfully accomplished when working with APEC strains.
Designing Clustering Methods for Ontology Building - The Mo'K Workbench

This paper describes Mo'K, a configurable workbench that supports the development of conceptual clustering methods for ontology building. Mo'K is intended to assist ontology developers in the exploratory process of defining the most suitable learning methods for a given task. To do so, it provides facilities for evaluation, comparison, characterization and elaboration of conceptual clustering methods. Also, the model underlying Mo'K permits a fine-grained definition of similarity measures and class construction operators, easing the tasks of method instantiation and configuration. This paper presents some experimental results that illustrate the suitability of the model to help characterize and assess the performance of different methods that learn semantic classes from parsed corpora.
Maternal Serum Levels of VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and E-selectin in Preeclampsia

Endothelial dysfunction is thought to be a central pathogenic feature in preeclampsia on the basis of elevated adhesion molecules. The aim of the present study was to compare the levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and E-selectin (sE-selectin) in sera of normal and preeclamptic pregnancies. We studied the serum levels of sVCAM-1, sICAM-1 and sE-selectin in normal pregnant women (n=63), mild preeclampsia (n=33) and severe preeclampsia (n=82). Concentrations of soluble adhesion molecules were determined with enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Serum concentrations of sVCAM-1 were significantly higher in both mild (p=0.004) and severe preeclampsia (p=0.000) than normal pregnancy. There were also significant differences in sVCAM-1 levels between mild and severe preeclampsia (p=0.002). sICAM-1 levels of severe preeclampsia were statistically different from those of normal pregnancy (p=0.038). Levels of sE-selectin were elevated in both mild (p=0.011) and severe preeclampsia (p=0.000) compared to normal pregnancy, but no statistical difference between the mild and severe preeclampsia (p=0.345). These results suggest that all three soluble adhesion molecules are increased in severe preeclampsia, and sVCAM-1 among them may be useful in predicting the severity of preeclampsia.