Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimization methodology for designing 2-CPAs exploiting pattern diversity in clustered MIMO channels

Arrays designed for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication systems must provide good performance in terms of information theoretic and microwave theoretic performance measures for a large number of channel scenarios. Consequently, the general MIMO array design problem is challenging. This paper proposes a novel optimization methodology for designing circular patch arrays (CPAs), under a clustered MIMO channel model assumption. Based on the ergodic capacity, it is found that the single-cluster scenario can approximate CPA performance in clustered channels, reducing the number of channel scenarios that need to be considered. Using a new definition of channel spatial correlation that allows for pattern diversity, metrics are derived for evaluating average and outage capacity performance of CPAs, which can be expressed as a function of only the antenna parameters. With this expression, an optimization is formulated and solved numerically for optimizing the parameters of a 2-CPA on a capacity based objective function and microwave theory performance constraints. An example design is given corresponding to a 2-CPA in the 2.4 GHz unlicensed frequency band.
Compositional Distributional Semantics Models in Chunk-based Smoothed Tree Kernels

The field of compositional distributional semantics has proposed very interesting and reliable models for accounting the distributional meaning of simple phrases. These models however tend to disregard the syntactic structures when they are applied to larger sentences. In this paper we propose the chunk-based smoothed tree kernels (CSTKs) as a way to exploit the syntactic structures as well as the reliability of these compositional models for simple phrases. We experiment with the recognizing textual entailment datasets. Our experiments show that our CSTKs perform better than basic compositional distributional semantic models (CDSMs) recursively applied at the sentence level, and also better than syntactic tree kernels.
Implementation and evaluation of a gesture-based input method in robotic surgery

The introduction of robotic master-slave systems for minimally invasive surgery has created new opportunities in assisting surgeons with partial or fully autonomous functions. While autonomy is an ongoing field of research, the question of how the growing number of offered features can be triggered in a time-saving manner at the master console is not well investigated. We have implemented a gesture-based user interface, whereas the haptic input devices that are commonly used to control the surgical instruments, are used to trigger actions. Intuitive and customizable gestures are learned by the system once, linked to a certain command, and recalled during operation as the gesture is presented by the surgeon. Experimental user studies with 24 participants have been conducted to evaluate the efficiency, accuracy and user experience of this input method compared to a traditional menu. The results have shown the potential of gesture-based input, especially in terms of time savings and enhanced user experience.
Activated Invariant NKT Cells Control Central Nervous System Autoimmunity in a Mechanism That Involves Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells

Invariant NKT (iNKT) cells are a subset of T lymphocytes that recognize glycolipid Ags presented by the MHC class I–related protein CD1d. Activation of iNKT cells with glycolipid Ags, such as the marine sponge–derived reagent α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer), results in the rapid production of a variety of cytokines and activation of many other immune cell types. These immunomodulatory properties of iNKT cells have been exploited for the development of immunotherapies against a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, but mechanisms by which activated iNKT cells confer disease protection have remained incompletely understood. In this study, we demonstrate that glycolipid-activated iNKT cells cooperate with myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in protecting mice against the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice, an animal model for multiple sclerosis. We show that α-GalCer induced the expansion and immunosuppressive activities of MDSCs in the spleen of mice induced for development of EAE. Disease protection in these animals also correlated with recruitment of MDSCs to the CNS. Depletion of MDSCs abrogated the protective effects of α-GalCer against EAE and, conversely, adoptive transfer of MDSCs from α-GalCer-treated mice ameliorated passive EAE induced in recipient animals. The cytokines GM-CSF, IL-4, and IFN-γ, produced by activated iNKT cells, and inducible NO synthase, arginase-1, and IL-10 produced by MDSCs, contributed to these effects. Our findings have revealed cooperative immunosuppressive interactions between iNKT cells and MDSCs that might be exploited for the development of improved immunotherapies for multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
A male poecillid's sexually dimorphic body plan, behavior, and nervous system.

Here we review the literature of a male poecillid's sexually dimorphic body plan, behavior, and nervous system, including work dating from the mid 1800s to the mid 1990s as well as work in press or in preparation for publication. Rosa-Molinar described the remodeling of the sexually dimorphic anal fin appendicular support, confirmed earlier claims about the development of the male and female secondary sex characteristics in the Western Mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis and provided for the first time direct embryonic evidence suggesting that remodeling of the sexually dimorphic anal fin appendicular support is biphasic. The first process begins in embryos and proceeds similarly in immature males and females; the second process occurs only in males and results in the anterior transposition of the anal fin and its appendicular support to the level of vertebra 11 [Rosa-Molinar E, Hendricks SE, Rodriguez-Sierra JF, Fritzsch B. 1994. Development of the anal fin appendicular support in the western mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis (Baird and Girard, 1854): a reinvestigation and reinterpretation. Acta Anat 151:20-35. ] and the formation of a gonopodium used for internal fertilization. Studies using high-speed video cameras confirmed and extended Peden's and others' observations of copulatory behavior. The cameras showed that circumduction is a complex movement combining in a very fast sequence abduction, extension and pronation, S-start-type fast-start (defined as torque-thrust), and adduction movements. Recent work on the nervous system demonstrated dye-coupling between motor neurons and interneurons via gap junctions, suggesting an attractive substrate for the rapid motions involved in poecillid copulatory reflexes.
The Cardiovascular Risk Profile of Adolescents with Insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Cardiovascular risk factors including blood pressure, lipoprotein concentrations, physical activity, and diet were assessed in 149 diabetic adolescents and 45 nondiabetic siblings. All diabetic subjects had had insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) for a minimum of 2 yr and were currently attending the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Diabetes Clinic. For both boys and girls, cardiovascular risk profiles were mildly disturbed among diabetic subjects compared with nondiabetic siblings. These disturbances included higher systolic (P = 0.002) and diastolic (P = 0.024) blood pressures and higher HDL3 cholesterol concentrations. The diabetic girls showed higher total cholesterol concentrations during adolescence in contrast to the usual fall seen in nondiabetic adolescents (and evidenced in the siblings studied). In addition, the diabetic girls' mean pulse rate was 12 bpm higher than that of the sibling girls, a finding not seen in the boys. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that neither glycemic control (worse in diabetic girls), diet, nor physical activity were important explanatory variables for any of the lipoprotein or blood pressure measures. These results suggest that the cardiovascular risk profile of diabetic girls may be relatively more disturbed than that of diabetic boys. This difference could not be explained by the slightly higher glycosylated hemoglobin levels in the girls. The loss of the sex differential in the risk for cardiovascular disease experienced by adults with IDDM may partly relate to these adolescent risk factor differences.
Liposomal Aloe vera trans-emulgel drug delivery of naproxen and nimesulide: A study

Introduction: The present aim of this study was to formulate naproxen and nimesulide liposomal formulation for incorporation in Aloe vera transemulgel and to carry out in vitro and in vivo evaluation of the formulation. Material and Methods: A. vera gel was prepared and used as a gel base for formulation. Carbopol 934 is used as a gelling agent and Methyl paraben was used as a preservative for the formulation of the gel. Liposomes was formulated by using hydration method. The formulated naproxen and nimesulide liposomal formulation using A. vera trans-emul gel were evaluated for in vitro studies such as drug release, permeation study, and drug content and entrapment efficiency. Paw edema method in Wistar rats induced by carrageenan is used to study in vivo anti-inflammatory action. Result: From the in vitro studies such permeability drug release naproxen 65% (69.6), Nimesulide 65% (61.1), and commercial Nimsulide gel (60.82) at 240 min. In vivo data shows that formulated liposomal transemulgel formulation are superior in their efficacy compared to commercial and A. vera gel. The results are compared with the commercial formulations. Conclusion: From our results, it is concluded that the A. vera trans emul gel using nimesulide and naproxen liposomal formulation is stable and prepared gel base is effective for formulation with high drug release and drug content compared with commercial formulation with significant anti-inflammatory effect.
Intramuscular cell transplantation as a potential treatment of myopathies: clinical and preclinical relevant data

Introduction: Myopathies produce deficits in skeletal muscle function and, in some cases, literally progressive loss of skeletal muscles. The transplantation of cells able to differentiate into myofibers is an experimental strategy for the potential treatment of some of these diseases. Areas covered: Among the two routes used to deliver cells to skeletal muscles, that is intramuscular and intravascular, this paper focuses on the intramuscular route due to our expertise and because it is the most used in animal experiments and the only tested so far in humans. Given the absence of recent reviews about clinical observations and the profusion based on mouse results, this review prioritizes observations made in humans and non-human primates. The review provides a vision of cell transplantation in myology centered on what can be learned from clinical trials and from preclinical studies in non-human primates and leading mouse studies. Expert opinion: Experiments on myogenic cell transplantation in mice are essential to quickly identify potential treatments, but studies showing the possibility to scale up the methods in large mammals are indispensable to determine their applicability in humans and to design clinical protocols.
Spiral-CT-based assessment of tracheal stenoses using 3-D-skeletonization

Demonstration of a technique for three-dimensional (3-D) assessment of tracheal-stenoses, regarding site, length and degree, based on spiral computed tomography (S-CT). S-CT scanning and automated segmentation of the laryngo-tracheal tract (LTT) was followed by the extraction of the LTT medial axis using a skeletonization algorithm. Orthogonal to the medial axis the LTT 3-D cross-sectional profile was computed and presented as line charts, where degree and length was obtained. Values for both parameters were compared between 36 patients and 18 normal controls separately. Accuracy and precision was derived from 17 phantom studies. Average degree and length of tracheal stenoses was found to be 60.5% and 4.32 cm in patients compared with minor caliber changes of 8.8% and 2.31 cm in normal controls (p /spl Lt/ 0.0001). For the phantoms an excellent correlation between the true and computed 3-D cross-sectional profile was found (p /spl Lt/ 0.005) and an accuracy for length and degree measurements of 2.14 mm and 2.53% respectively could be determined. The corresponding figures for the precision were found to be 0.92 mm and 2.56%. LTT 3-D cross-sectional profiles permit objective, accurate and precise assessment of LTT caliber changes. Minor LTT caliber changes can be observed even in normals and, in case of an otherwise normal S-CT study, can be regarded as artifacts.
Certification of Compact Low-Stretch Routing Schemes

On the one hand, the correctness of routing protocols in networks is an issue of utmost importance for guaranteeing the delivery of messages from any source to any target. On the other hand, a large collection of routing schemes have been proposed during the last two decades, with the objective of transmitting messages along short routes, while keeping the routing tables small. Regrettably, all these schemes share the property that an adversary may modify the content of the routing tables with the objective of, e.g., blocking the delivery of messages between some pairs of nodes, without being detected by any node. In this paper, we present a simple certification mechanism which enables the nodes to locally detect any alteration of their routing tables. In particular, we show how to locally verify the stretch 3 routing scheme by Thorup and Zwick [SPAA 2001] by adding certificates of ~O(sqrt(n)) bits at each node in n-node networks, that is, by keeping the memory size of the same order of magnitude as the original routing tables. We also propose a new name-independent routing scheme using routing tables of size ~O(sqrt(n)) bits. This new routing scheme can be locally verified using certificates on ~O(sqrt(n)) bits. Its stretch is 3 if using handshaking, and 5 otherwise.
Evaluation of a patient self-directed mealtime insulin titration algorithm: a US payer perspective

Abstract Objective To model the potential economic impact of implementing the AUTONOMY once daily (Q1D) patient self-titration mealtime insulin dosing algorithm vs standard of care (SOC) among a population of patients with Type 2 diabetes living in the US. Methods Three validated models were used in this analysis: The Treatment Transitions Model (TTM) was used to generate the primary results, while both the Archimedes (AM) and IMS Core Diabetes Models (IMS) were used to test the veracity of the primary results produced by TTM. Models used data from a ‘real world’ representative sample of patients (2012 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) that matched the characteristics of US patients enrolled in the randomized controlled trial ‘AUTONOMY’ cohort. The base-case time horizon was 10 years. Results The modeling results from TTM demonstrated that total costs in the base-case were reduced by $1732, with savings predicted to occur as early as year 1. Results from the three models were consistent, showing a reduction in total costs for all sensitivity analyses. Limitations Data from short-term clinical trials were used to develop long-term projections. The nature of such extrapolation leads to increased uncertainty. Conclusion The results from all three models indicate that the AUTONOMY Q1D algorithm has the potential to abate total costs as early as the first year.
Mean-Square $H_\infty $ Consensus Control for a Class of Nonlinear Time-Varying Stochastic Multiagent Systems: The Finite-Horizon Case

This paper deals with the consensus control problem for a class of nonlinear discrete time-varying stochastic multiagent systems (MASs) over a finite horizon via static output feedback. The measurement output available for the controller is not only from the individual agent itself but also from its neighboring ones according to the given topology. The nonlinearities described by statistical means can encompass several classes of well-studied nonlinearities in the literature. A new index of mean-square consensus performance, which quantifies the deviation level from the state of individual agent to the average value of all agents’ states, is proposed to reflect the transient consensus behavior of the MAS. The purpose of the addressed problem is to design a time-varying output feedback controller such that: 1) the ${H}_{\infty }$ consensus performance defined over a given finite horizon is guaranteed with respect to the additive noises and 2) at each time step, the mean-square consensus performance satisfies the prespecified upper bound constraint. By using a set of recursive matrix inequalities, sufficient conditions are derived for the existence of the desired control scheme for achieving both $H_{\infty }$ and mean-square consensus performance requirements. Finally, a simulation example is utilized to illustrate the usefulness of the proposed control protocol.
On the bandwidth availability of multistage interconnection networks

In this paper, we develop a model that describes the behaviour of a multistage interconnection network (MIN) interconnecting processors and memory modules, when faults exist among the functional units (the processors, memory modules, switching elements and links). Based on this model, we compare the performability of various MIN systems that employ extra stages, or multiple disjoint copies of MINs vertically stacked. <<ETX>>
Role of Translocation in the Activation and Function of Protein Kinase B*

We have investigated the role of subcellular localization in the regulation of protein kinase B (PKB) activation. The myristoylation/palmitylation motif from the Lck tyrosine kinase was attached to the N terminus of protein kinase B to alter its subcellular location. Myristoylated/palmitylated (m/p)-PKBα was associated with the plasma membrane of transfected cells, whereas the wild-type kinase was mostly cytosolic. The activity of m/p-PKBα was 60-fold higher compared with the unstimulated wild-type enzyme, and could not be stimulated further by growth factors or phosphatase inhibitors.In vivo 32P labeling and mutagenesis demonstrated that m/p-PKBα activity was due to phosphorylation on Thr308 and Ser473, that are normally induced on PKB following stimulation of the cells with insulin or insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). A dominant negative form of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-K) did not affect m/p-PKBα activity. The pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of m/p-PKBα was not required for its activation or phosphorylation on Thr308 and Ser473, suggesting that this domain may serve as a membrane-targeting module. Consistent with this view, PKBα was translocated to the plasma membrane within minutes after stimulation with IGF-1. This translocation required the PH domain and was sensitive to wortmannin. Our results indicate that PI3-K activity is required for translocation of PKB to the plasma membrane, where its activation occurs through phosphorylation of the same sites that are induced by insulin or IGF-1. Following activation the kinase detached from the membrane and translocated to the nucleus.
Ethanol consumption increases blood pressure and alters the responsiveness of the mesenteric vasculature in rats

Chronic ethanol consumption and hypertension are related. In the current study we investigated whether changes in reactivity of the mesenteric arterial bed could account for the increased blood pressure associated with chronic ethanol intake. Changes in reactivity to phenylephrine and acetylcholine were investigated in the perfused mesenteric bed from rats treated with ethanol for 2 or 6 weeks and their age‐matched controls. Mild hypertension was observed in chronically ethanol‐treated rats. Treatment of rats for 6 weeks induced an increase in the contractile response of endothelium‐intact mesenteric bed to phenylephrine, but not denuded rat mesenteric bed. The phenylephrine‐induced increase in perfusion pressure was not altered after 2 weeks' treatment with ethanol. Moreover, acetylcholine‐induced endothelium‐dependent relaxation was reduced by ethanol treatment for 6 weeks, but not 2 weeks. Pre‐treatment with indometacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, reduced the maximum effect induced by phenylephrine (Emax) in endothelium‐intact mesenteric bed from both control and ethanol‐treated rats. No differences in the Emax values for phenylephrine were observed between groups in the presence of indometacin. l‐NNA, a nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) inhibitor, increased the Emax for phenylephrine in endothelium‐intact mesenteric bed from control rats but not from ethanol‐treated rats. Levels of endothelial NOS (eNOS) mRNA were not altered by chronic ethanol consumption. However, chronic ethanol intake strongly reduced eNOS protein levels in the mesenteric bed. This study shows that chronic ethanol consumption increases blood pressure and alters the reactivity of the mesenteric bed. Moreover, the increased vascular response to phenylephrine observed in the mesenteric bed is maintained by two mechanisms: an increased release of endothelial‐derived vasoconstrictor prostanoids and a reduced modulatory action of endothelial NO, which seems to be associated with reduced post‐transcriptional expression of eNOS.
Incidence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in U.S. coastal waters and oysters

Oyster and seawater samples were collected seasonally from May 1984 through April 1985 from shellfish-growing areas in Washington, California, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, Virginia, and Rhode Island which had been designated as approved or prohibited by the National Shellfish Sanitation Program. Fecal coliforms counts, aerobic plate counts, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus densities were determined for the samples. Mean V. parahaemolyticus density was more than 100 times greater in oysters than in water, whereas density of fecal coliforms was approximately 10 times higher in oysters. Seasonal and geographical distributions of V. parahaemolyticus were related to water temperature, with highest densities in samples collected in the spring and the summer along the Gulf coast. The synthetic DNA probe for thermostable direct hemolysin hybridized with 2 of 50 isolates, 1 of which was positive by the Kanagawa test.
Multiple Reductive-Dehalogenase-Homologous Genes Are Simultaneously Transcribed during Dechlorination by Dehalococcoides-Containing Cultures

ABSTRACT Degenerate primers were used to amplify 14 distinct reductive-dehalogenase-homologous (RDH) genes from the Dehalococcoides-containing mixed culture KB1. Most of the corresponding predicted proteins were highly similar (97 to >99% amino acid identity) to previously reported Dehalococcoides reductive dehalogenases. To examine the differential transcription of these RDH genes, KB1 was split into five subcultures amended with either trichloroethene, cis-1,2-dichloroethene, vinyl chloride, 1,2-dichlorethane, or no chlorinated electron acceptor. Total RNA was extracted following the onset of reductive dechlorination, and RDH transcripts were reverse transcribed and amplified using degenerate primers. The results indicate that the transcription of RDH genes requires the presence of a chlorinated electron acceptor, and for all treatments, multiple RDH genes were simultaneously transcribed, with transcripts of two of the genes being present under all four electron-accepting conditions. Two of the transcribed sequences were highly similar to reported vinyl chloride reductase genes, namely, vcrA from Dehalococcoides sp. strain VS and bvcA from Dehalococcoides sp. strain BAV1. These findings suggest that multiple RDH genes are induced by a single chlorinated substrate and that multiple reductive dehalogenases contribute to chloroethene degradation in KB1.