Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a neighbor-based vehicle density estimation scheme

Vehicle density is one of the main metrics used for assessing the road traffic condition. A high vehicle density usually indicates that the traffic is congested. Currently, most of the vehicle density estimation approaches are designed for the infrastructure-based traffic information systems. These approaches require detecting devices such as inductive loop detectors or traffic surveillance cameras to be installed at various locations. Consequently, they are not suitable for an emerging self-organizing vehicular traffic information system, where the vehicles have to collect and process the traffic information without relying on any fixed infrastructure. In this paper, we consider a method for estimating the vehicle density based on the number of vehicles in the vicinity of the probe vehicle and evaluate its performance.
GABA, but Not Bestrophin-1, Is Localized in Astroglial Processes in the Mouse Hippocampus and the Cerebellum

GABA is proposed to act as a gliotransmitter in the brain. Differences in GABA release from astroglia are thought to underlie differences in tonic inhibition between the cerebellum and the CA1 hippocampus. Here we used quantitative immunogold cytochemistry to localize and compare the levels of GABA in astroglia in these brain regions. We found that the density of GABA immunogold particles was similar in delicate processes of Bergman glia in the cerebellum and astrocytes in the CA1 hippocampus. The astrocytic GABA release is proposed to be mediated by, among others, the Ca2+ activated Cl– channel bestrophin-1. The bestrophin-1 antibodies did not show any significant bestrophin-1 signal in the brain of wt mice, nor in bestrophin-1 knockout mice. The bestrophin-1 signal was low both on Western blots and immunofluorescence laser scanning microscopic images. These results suggest that GABA is localized in astroglia, but in similar concentrations in the cerebellum and CA1 hippocampus, and thus cannot account for differences in tonic inhibition between these brain regions. Furthermore, our data seem to suggest that the GABA release from astroglia previously observed in the hippocampus and cerebellum occurs via mechanisms other than bestrophin-1.
PLL for Grid Synchronization of Single Phase Distributed Generation System

This paper presents the implementation of an adaptive phase locked loop (EPLL) technique for grid synchronization of single phase distributed generation system(DGS) using a low cost microcontroller. The adaptive PLL consists of a quadrature signal generator(QSG) based on a second order generalized integrator(SOGI) , Parks transform, low pass filter(LF) and frequency phase shift generator(FPG). The QSG- SOGI works as an adaptive notch filter and used for cancellation of harmonic components in the grid voltage. The QSG-SOGI and Parks Transform system is used for enhancing the performance of conventional multiplier based phase detector (PD). The required information about amplitude and phase of grid voltage is extracted from the vd and vq component of PD output. The objective of this paper is to implement the EPLL using a low cost microcontroller for accurate estimation the grid parameters like phase, frequency and voltage amplitude. The experimental results of implementation are discussed in the paper.
Pattern of medical admissions at the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba-a two year review.

OBJECTIVE A two-year retrospective evaluation of the pattern of medical admissions at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria. METHODOLOGY Case notes of all admissions and deaths in the medical wards between November 2005 and October 2007 were retrieved and reviewed. The mean, standard deviation and percentages of relevant data were derived and presented in simple descriptive statistics. RESULTS One thousand, eight hundred and sixty patients were admitted over the study period. One thousand and eight of these [1008; 54.2%], were male, while eight hundred and fifty two [850; 45.8%] were female, making a female/male ratio of 1:1.18. The patients ages ranged between fifteen and ninety years, with a mean of 51.56 +/- 18.35 years. The age range of male patients ranged from 16 to 88 years, with a mean of 55.55 +/- 17.99 years, while that of the female patients ranged from 15 to 90 years, with a mean of 57.14 +/- 13.79. The length of stay in the ward ranged from 1 to 97 days, with a mean of 10.32 +/- 10.93 days. There were 23.25 patients per bed per year and a bed occupancy rate of 65.74%. There were 240 deaths [12.90% of total admissions]. The interval between admission and death ranged between 1 and 31 days, with a mean of 7.14 +/- 6.7 days. One hundred and twenty four patients [124; 6.7%] were referred to other health facilities, while ninety six [96; 5.2%] left against medical advice.The commonest causes of admission in males was hypertension, diabetes mellitus and HIV, while in females, it was HIV, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Commonest causes of death in males were hypertension, HIV and diabetes, while in female subjects, it was HIV, hypertension and diabetes. CONCLUSION Non-communicable diseases- [hypertension, diabetes mellitus] and HIV/AIDS were the major causes of admissions and death in both genders.
Évaluation de prédictions dynamiques: quelques méthodes et applications au pronostic de la démence

L’utilisation de donnees longitudinales pour calculer des predictions individuelles de risque dites “dynamiques” gagne actuellement en popularite. Les predictions sont dites dynamiques car leur calcul est actualise au fur et a mesure que l’information sur le profil de sante des sujets evolue au cours de leur suivi. Cet article papier presente des methodes pour quantifier et comparer des capacites pronostiques pour ce type de predictions. Une evaluation basee sur les deux concepts de discrimination et de calibration est suggeree et une approche non parametrique de ponderation par l’inverse de la probabilite de censure est presentee pour l’inference. Cette approche permet de s’adapter naturellement a la presence de donnees censurees et de risques concurrents, deux situations frequentes en recherche medicale. Quelques resultats asymptotiques sont presentes. Des tests et des regions de confiance en sont derives. Une application sur des predictions du risque de demence chez les personnes âgees est discutee. Les predictions sont basees sur les mesures repetees de deux tests psychometriques et sont issues de deux modeles precedemment estimes sur les donnees de la cohorte Paquid. Leurs capacites pronostiques sont quant a elles evaluees et comparees avec les donnees externes de la cohorte des Trois-Cites. Cet article a recu le Prix du Docteur Norbert Marx 2015.
Antiviral Strategies of Chinese Herbal Medicine Against PRRSV Infection

Bioactive compounds from Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) are gradually becoming an effective alternative in the control of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) because most of the commercially available PRRSV vaccines cannot provide full protection against the genetically diverse strains isolated from farms. Besides, the incomplete attenuation procedure involved in the production of modified live vaccines (MLV) may cause them to revert to the more virulence forms. TCMs have shown some promising potentials in bridging this gap. Several investigations have revealed that herbal extracts from TCMs contain molecules with significant antiviral activities against the various stages of the life cycle of PRRSV, and they do this through different mechanisms. They either block PRRSV attachment and entry into cells or inhibits the replication of viral RNA or viral particles assembly and release or act as immunomodulators and pathogenic pathway inhibitors through cytokines regulations. Here, we summarized the various antiviral strategies employed by some TCMs against the different stages of the life cycle of PRRSV under two major classes, including direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) and indirect-acting antivirals (IAAs). We highlighted their mechanisms of action. In conclusion, we recommended that in making plans for the use of TCMs to control PRRSV, the pathway forward must be built on a real understanding of the mechanisms by which bioactive compounds exert their effects. This will provide a template that will guide the focus of collaborative studies among researchers in the areas of bioinformatics, chemistry, and proteomics. Furthermore, available data and procedures to support the efficacy, safety, and quality control levels of TCMs should be well documented without any breach of data integrity and good manufacturing practices.
EFES - Um Modelo Aplicado de Equilíbrio Geral para a Economia Brasileira: Projeções Setoriais para 1999-2004

O debate acerca das perpectivas setoriais no presente contexto da economia brasileira tem, frequentemente, carecido de um arcabouco analitico mais formal. Assim, para que a analise de politicas economicas seja baseada em teorias e dados solidos e consistentes, faz-se necessario o desenvolvimento de um arcabouco analitico para prover esta capacitacao. Desta forma, o principal objetivo deste artigo e desenvolver um modelo de equilibrio geral computavel, determinista e em tempo discreto, para o Brasil. O modelo e utilizado para projetar um cenario consistente de medio prazo para o periodo 1999-2004, baseado na combinacao de projecoes macroeconomicas derivadas de um modelo satelite de consistencia macroeconomica, projecoes de exportacoes, mudancas tecnologicas e “expert advice”. Resultados setoriais preliminares apontam para um melhor desempenho de setores relacionados ao ciclo de investimentos e produtores de bens de exportacao dinâmicos. Alem disso, verifica-se uma tendencia eem direcao a uma fraca substituicao de importacoes no periodo de analise.
Partial Purification and Characterization of a Bacteriocin Produced by Propionibacterium thoenii

A partially purified bacteriocin produced by Propionibacterium thoenii designated propionicin PLG-1 was found to be active against closely related species and exhibited a broad spectrum of activity against other microorganisms. Propionicin PLG-1 was found to be heat labile, sensitive to several proteolytic enzymes, and stable at pH 3 to 9. Propionicin PLG-1 was isolated from solid medium, partially purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, and purified further by gel filtration. Gel filtration experiments revealed that bacteriocin PLG-1 was present as two different protein aggregates with apparent molecular weights of more than 150,000 and approximately 10,000. Resolution of these protein aggregates by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed the presence of a protein common to both with an apparent molecular weight of 10,000.
Lights on Endocannabinoid-Mediated Synaptic Potentiation

The endocannabinoid (eCB) system is a lipid-based neurotransmitter complex that plays crucial roles in the neural control of learning and memory. The current model of eCB-mediated retrograde signaling is that eCBs released from postsynaptic elements travel retrogradely to presynaptic axon terminals, where they activate cannabinoid type-1 receptors (CB1Rs) and ultimately decrease neurotransmitter release on a short- or long-term scale. An increasing body of evidence has enlarged this view and shows that eCBs, besides depressing synaptic transmission, are also able to increase neurotransmitter release at multiple synapses of the brain. This indicates that eCBs act as bidirectional regulators of synaptic transmission and plasticity. Recently, studies unveiled links between the expression of eCB-mediated long-term potentiation (eCB-LTP) and learning, and between its dysregulation and several pathologies. In this review article, we first distinguish the various forms of eCB-LTP based on their mechanisms, resulting from homosynaptically or heterosynaptically-mediated processes. Next, we consider the neuromodulation of eCB-LTP, its behavioral impact on learning and memory, and finally, eCB-LTP disruptions in various pathologies and its potential as a therapeutic target in disorders such as stress coping, addiction, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and pain. Cannabis is gaining popularity as a recreational substance as well as a medicine, and multiple eCB-based drugs are under development. In this context, it is critical to understand eCB-mediated signaling in its multi-faceted complexity. Indeed, the bidirectional nature of eCB-based neuromodulation may offer an important key to interpret the functions of the eCB system and how it is impacted by cannabis and other drugs.
Myasthenia Gravis Masquerading as an Idiopathic Unilateral Facial Paralysis (Bell's Palsy)—A Very Rare and Unique Clinical Find

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an uncommon autoimmune neuromuscular junction disorder manifesting as fluctuating weakness of skeletal muscles. To add to its repertoire of mimicking a wide range of neurological disorders, the present case report is, to the best of our knowledge, the very first to describe MG masquerading as an idiopathic unilateral facial paralysis (Bell's palsy, BP). Our case report is distinct, highlights a novel clinical occurrence, offers new insights of how different neurological disorders may overlap with each other, and reminds neurologists to have a very broad and thorough comprehension for effective diagnoses and treatment plans. Several other conditions that produce facial nerve palsy identical to BP have also been discussed.
Gdf-8 Propeptide Binds to GDF-8 and Antagonizes Biological Activity by Inhibiting GDF-8 Receptor Binding

Abstract GDF-8 is a new member of the TGF-β superfamily which appears to be a negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass. Factors which regulate the biological activity of GDF-8 have not yet been identified. However, the biological activities of TGF-β superfamily members, TGF-β1,-β2 and-β3, can be inhibited by noncovalent association with TGF-β1,-β2 and β3 propeptides cleaved from the amino-termini of the TGF-β precursor proteins. In contrast, the propeptides of other TGF-β superfamily members do not appear to be inhibitory. In this investigation, we demonstrate that purified recombinant GDF-8 propeptide associates with purified recombinant GDF-8 to form a noncovalent complex, as evidenced by size exclusion chromatography and chemical crosslinking analysis. Furthermore, we show that GDF-8 propeptide inhibits the biological activity of GDF-8 assayed on A204 rhabdomyosarcoma cells transfected with a (CAGA)12 reporter construct. Finally, we demonstrate that GDF-8 propeptide inhibits specific GDF-8 binding to L6 myoblast cells. Collectively, these data identify the GDF-8 propeptide as an inhibitor of GDF-8 biological activity.
Stability and robustness of visual servoing methods

This paper presents a theoretical comparison of the stability and robustness of the two basic visual servoing methods, image-based and position-based visual servoing. A common framework for comparison based on the energy shaping plus damping injection methodology is presented. Previous stability results for the image-based method are extended to show the robustness of stability with respect to camera and target modeling, errors. Similar stability and robustness analyses are extended to the analysis of the position-based method. It is shown that both methods are locally asymptotically stable and robust with respect to camera and target modeling errors. However the stability boundary with respect to above errors has not been established.
Mechanism of YadA-mediated serum resistance of Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O3

Complement activation via the alternative pathway was analyzed with isogenic strains of Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O3 differing in plasmid content (p- or p+ strains) or selective lack of YadA expression (YadA- strain). The p+ strain was serum resistant, even after antibody-enhanced complement activation. Serum sensitivity was observed with the p- and YadA- strains but was more pronounced in the p- strain. The p+ strain deposited less C5b-9(m) complexes on its surface than the p- and YadA- strains. No size difference, however, was detected with solubilized C5b-9(m) complexes obtained from resistant and sensitive strains. At the C3 level, it became evident that surface-bound C3b was degraded faster into iC3b on the p+ strain than on the p- and YadA- strains. Our results demonstrate that YadA inhibits complement activation at the C3 and C9 level. As a result, reduced amounts of C5b-9(m) are generated on the surface of YadA-bearing bacteria. In addition, YadA seems to protect against the lytic action of those C5b-9(m) complexes whose deposition could not be prevented.
Prevention of parturient paresis by a prepartum, calcium-deficient diet.

Abstract Parturient paresis was prevented by feeding a calcium-deficient diet composed of corn silage, ground shelled corn, a dried molasses product, urea, and monosodium phosphate. The diet was palatable and met energy, protein, and phosphorus requirements but supplied only 8g of calcium daily per 450kg body weight. Twelve parturitions of cows fed this diet for about 14 days prepartum were compared to 13 parturitions of similar cows fed control diets. Initially, plasma calcium of the cows fed the calcium-deficient diet decreased, but homeostatic mechanisms returned calcium to normal within 4 days. This sensitized calcium homeostatic mechanism was sufficient to prevent parturient paresis in the 12 cows fed the calcium-deficient diet.
Procarcinogenic regulatory T cells in microbial-induced colon cancer

ABSTRACT Regulatory T cell (Treg) promote IL-17-mediated colon tumorigenesis in multiple intestinal neoplasia (Min) mice colonized with enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF). Although they retain their immunosuppressive function, mucosal Treg are instrumental to initiate ETBF-triggered IL-17 colitis by limiting the availability of IL-2 in the local microenvironment. However, the mechanisms that trigger the recruitment of the pro-carcinogenic Treg in ETBF-colonized colon remained to be elucidated.
Performance Simulations and Verification for Power/Ground Planes Connected with Ground Area-Fills on Multilayer PCBs

This paper deals with the effect of ground area-fill which affects the impedance of power distribution network (PDN) in the general desktop-PC motherboard. The outer area-fills connected to inner power/ground planes are modeled in equivalent cell-mesh structure. The unit cell is composed of circuit elements, encompassing the effect of DC and frequency dependent loss. Vector network analyzer (VNA) is employed for measurement and excellent agreement between the proposed model and simulated result has been obtained. Furthermore, the performance simulation for various arrangements of vias and area-fill is performed based on modeling method presented before. The vias connected with area-fill assess the impedance behavior of power/ground planes. According to the widely known strategy of placement of decoupling capacitor, several simulations are performed. All distributed vias at the area-fill have the same results of distributing all vias at the edge of area-fill at the view of impedance. This results support that the vias placed at the edge is more effective than the center ones in case that the noise source placed out of area-fill, this results have the same as this paper expected by performance simulation
Power Allocation for Nonregenerative Cooperative MIMO Communication under Various Levels of Channel State Information

This paper proposes various power allocation algorithms for nonregener- ative cooperative multi-input multi-output system, which have been optimised based on mutual information for different levels of channel state information (CSI) avail- able at the base station (BS) and at the relay station (RS). Fo ur different CSI settings have been studied in this paper : CSI of both the first and secon d hop channels known at the BS; CSI of the first hop channel known at the BS and CSI of t he second hop channel known at the RS; CSI of both the first and second hop cha nnels known at the RS; and only CSI of the first hop channel known at the RS. The per formance of our algorithms have been compared against some previous power allocation methods as well as brute-force power allocation for each of these setti ngs, in order to demonstrate their efficiency.
Risk, communication and trust: Towards an emotional understanding of trust

Current discussions on public trust, as well as on risk communication, have a restricted rationalistic bias in which the cognitive-reflexive aspect of trust is emphasized at the expense of its emotional aspect. This article contributes to a substantive theory of trust by exploring its emotional character. Drawing on recent discussions in science and technology studies, social psychology, and general social theory, it argues that trust is a modality of action that is relational, emotional, asymmetrical, and anticipatory. Hence, trust does not develop through information and the uptake of knowledge but through emotional involvement and sense-making. The implications of this conception of trust for public understandings of science and for risk communication are discussed.
Galactose Neuropathy: Structural Changes Evaluated by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

We examined the hypothesis that the polyol accumulation resulting from chronic galactose supplementation in the diet produces endoneurial edema that can be prevented by inhibition of aldose reductase. We explored the potential of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to quantitate and characterize the water accumulation in the sciatic nerve in this “galactose neuropathy. ” The data demonstrate a 16% increase in gravimetrically determined total water content of nerve in the galactose-fed rat after 8 mo of this diet and a 50% increase in the T1 relaxation time for nerve water as determined by NMR spectroscopy. Prolongation of the T1 relaxation time reflects increased rotation of water in a magnetic field, consistent with an extracellular site of the additional water. Simultaneous feeding of sorbinil to inhibit aldose reductase resulted in normalization of both total nerve water and of the prolongation of T1 relaxation time. These data define the NMR-spectroscopic state of endoneurial edema in the galactose-fed rat and suggest specific application to the investigation of the role of aldose reductase in human diabetic neuropathy.
Evidence of natal habitat preference induction within one habitat type

Natal habitat preference induction (NHPI) is a mechanism for habitat selection by individuals during natal dispersal. NHPI occurs in wild animal populations, and evidence suggests it may be a common, although little studied, mechanism for post-dispersal habitat selection. Most tests of NHPI examine the influence of distinct, contrasting natal habitat types on post-dispersal habitat selection. We test the hypothesis that NHPI can occur within a single habitat type, an important consideration for habitat specialists. The Mount Graham red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis) is an endangered forest obligate restricted to a single mountain primarily within mixed-conifer forest. We test for NHPI by comparing intra-individual differences in natal and settlement habitat structure and composition to expected random pairwise differences. Dispersing juveniles appear to select settlement locations that are more similar to natal areas than expected in several forest structure and composition variables that include canopy cover and live basal area. Our results provide support for NHPI as a mechanism for post-dispersal habitat selection in habitat specialists that occupy a single vegetation community type.