Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Body-obstructed fading characteristics of an in-ward 2.45 GHz biomedical telecommand link

The increasing use of short-range radio links for applications such as ward or home based physiological monitoring creates the need for a better knowledge and understanding of the indoor propagation environment. The work presented concerns a body-worn, cross-band UHF transponder used for physiological signaling within single-room environments. A modified image-based ray-tracing algorithm is used to calculate the fading characteristics for a link under the worst case condition, when the direct path between the source and chest-mounted receiver is obstructed by the body itself. The approach adopted utilizes a FDTD-generated radiation pattern of a realistic adult-male body model, incorporating the directional gains into the three-dimensional indoor ray-tracing algorithm. A description of the biomedical transponder is followed by details of the computational technique; path loss and small area fading results are then presented for a 76 m/sup 2/ area representing a hospital ward. The cumulative distribution function (CDF) results were found to be characteristically bi-modal and this novel feature is investigated in more detail.
Immunization for homogeneous networks with community structure

It is proved that community structure has great impact on epidemic spreading of BA networks which are highly sensitive to the targeted immunization of a small fraction of the most connected nodes. To find effective control strategies to fight the epidemic propagation in homogeneous networks with community structure, a model of pseudo-random network is presented with adjustable community structure and constant average degree. A novel immunization strategy is proposed which aims at immunizing the nodes with highest betweenness. Then the epidemic propagation with different spreading rate and different immunization fraction is investigated in this model. Simulations show that the new strategy can reduce the epidemic propagation velocity especially in the higher modularity networks. And the more the nodes are immunized the more efficient our strategy is.
A case study of collaboration with multi-robots and its effect on children's interaction

Learning how to carry out collaborative tasks is critical to the development of a student's capacity for social interaction. In this study, a multi-robot system was designed for students. In three different scenarios, students controlled robots in order to move dice; we then examined their collaborative strategies and their behavioral interactions. The following three scenarios were used: three students to three robots, three students to two robots, and two students to three robots. The experimental samples comprised sixth-grade students in elementary schools, 16 groups in total, and each group comprised three students. The results revealed three collaborative strategies for solving problems that emerged from the three scenarios: (1) independent-control (like cooperation), (2) mutual-control (like collaboration), and (3) coordinator-directed (like collaboration with coordinator). This study also found that students completed a task better with the least required time when they adopted the mutual-control strategy. In addition, coordination in the mutual-control and coordinator-directed strategies was generally regarded as helpful to task completion. With respect to behavioral interactions, students understood the importance of coordination yet still recognized that the skill of negotiation had to be learned. Our results suggest that the mutual-control and coordinator-directed collaborative strategy increased the frequency of task related interactions. Because collaboration inevitably entails conflicts, we should guide students not only in preventing these conflicts but also in learning how to cope with conflict and communicate and coordinate with others. By working together, learners had to figure out how to reduce conflicts, which was both a benefit to the completion of their collaborative tasks and an important skill for their socialization.
Examination of the Effect of Array Weighting Function on Radar Target Detectability

A methodology is described to assess the detectability of targets by an airborne fire control radar (FCR) operating in a medium pulse-repetition frequency (PRF) mode in the presence of strong ground clutter as a function of the transmitting and receiving antenna array weighting functions and proportion of failed array elements. It describes the radar, antenna, and clutter modelling processes and the method by which target detectability is quantified. The detectability of targets in clutter is described using a detectability map, which provides a useful means of comparing target detectability as clutter conditions change. It concludes that the best target detectability is to be achieved using those weighting functions on transmit and receive which result in the lowest average sidelobe levels but that the margins between the more highly tapered weighting functions were small. Furthermore, it concludes that target detectability degrades as the proportion of failed elements increases. A failure of 5% of the elements gave modest, though meaningful, degradations in target detectability and would therefore form a suitable upper limit.
Fault Detection and Localization Method for Modular Multilevel Converters

The modular multilevel converter (MMC) is attractive for medium- or high-power applications because of the advantages of its high modularity, availability, and high power quality. However, reliability is one of the most important issues for MMCs which are made of large number of power electronic submodules (SMs). This paper proposed an effective fault detection and localization method for MMCs. An MMC fault can be detected by comparing the measured state variables and the estimated state variables with a Kalman filter. The fault localization is based on the failure characteristics of the SM in the MMC. The proposed method can be implemented with less computational intensity and complexity, even in case that multiple SM faults occur in a short time interval. The proposed method is not only implemented in simulations with professional tool PSCAD/EMTDC, but also verified with a down-scale MMC prototype controlled by a real-time digital signal controller in the laboratory. The results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Expression of STRA8 is conserved in therian mammals but expression of CYP26B1 differs between marsupials and mice

Abstract The first sign of mammalian germ cell sexual differentiation is the initiation of meiosis in females and of mitotic arrest in males. In the mouse, retinoic acid induces ovarian Stra8 expression and entry of germ cells into meiosis. In developing mouse testes, cytochrome P450 family 26, subfamily b, polypeptide 1 (CYP26B1) produced by the Sertoli cells degrades retinoic acid, preventing Stimulated by Retinoic Acid Gene 8 (Stra8), expression and inhibiting meiosis. However, in developing humans, there is no evidence that CYP26B1 acts a meiosis-inhibiting factor. We therefore examined aspects of the retinoic acid/STRA8/CYP26B1 pathway during gonadal development in the tammar wallaby, a marsupial, to understand whether retinoic acid stimulation of STRA8 and CYP26B1 degradation of retinoic acid was conserved between widely divergent mammals. In tammar ovaries, as in human ovaries and unlike the pattern in mice, CYP26B1 expression was not downregulated before the onset of meiosis. Exposure of pre-meiotic tammar ovaries to exogenous retinoic acid in vitro upregulated STRA8 expression compared to controls. We conclude that retinoic acid and STRA8 are conserved factors that control the initiation of meiosis amongst mammals but the role of CYP26B1 as a meiosis-inhibiting factor may be specific to rodents. The identity of the marsupial meiosis-inhibiting factor remains unknown. Summary Sentence This comparative study using a marsupial species suggests that the roles of retinoic acid and STRA8 but not CYP26B1 in controlling the initiation of meiosis are conserved between different mammals.
Safety and tolerability of tenofovir vaginal gel in abstinent and sexually active HIV-infected and uninfected women

Objectives:To establish the highest practical dose and frequency (HPDF) of 0.3% or 1% tenofovir vaginal gel applied once or twice daily by sexually abstinent HIV-uninfected women, and to evaluate the safety, tolerability and systemic pharmacokinetics of the HPDF in abstinent and sexually active HIV-negative and HIV-infected women. Methods:Eighty-four women, enrolled in sequential cohorts, used the study product for 14 consecutive intermenstrual days. Safety laboratory assessments and pelvic examinations were carried out during five study visits, with colposcopy at enrollment and on day 14. Samples for pharmacokinetics were collected before and after the initial tenofovir gel use and at day 13. Results:The 1% tenofovir gel used twice daily was as well tolerated as other regimens used by the 48 HIV-negative sexually abstinent women, establishing the HPDF. Although 92% of the women reported at least one adverse event, the majority were mild (87%) and involved the genitourinary tract (70%). One possibly product-related severe adverse event involving lower abdominal cramping was reported by a sexually abstinent woman who used 0.3% gel twice daily. Serum tenofovir levels were low but detectable in 14 of the 25 women. No new HIV RNA resistance mutations were detected after 2 weeks of tenofovir gel in the 24 HIV-infected participants. No significant systemic toxicity was detected. Conclusion:A 2-week course of 1% tenofovir vaginal gel used twice daily was well tolerated in sexually abstinent and sexually active HIV-negative and HIV-positive women. Systemic tenofovir absorption occurred. Expanded safety and effectiveness testing is warranted.
Preoperative MRI predicts outcome of temporal lobectomy

we used actuarial methods to study outcome after temporal lobectomy in 135 consecutive patients classified into subgroups according to preoperative MRI findings. Sixty months after surgery, 69% of patients with foreign tissue lesions, 50% with hippocampal sclerosis, and 21% with normal MRIs had no postoperative seizures. An eventual seizure-free state of 2 years or more, whether the patient was seizure-free since surgery or not, was achieved by 80% of patients with foreign tissue lesions, 62% of those with hippocampal sclerosis, and 36% of those with normal MRIs. Outcome was worse in those with normal MRIs than in the other two groups. Early postoperative seizures with later remission (the “mming down” phenomenon) occurred in all groups. Late seizure recurrence was present only in the hippocampal sclerosis group. These data show that preoperative MRI is a useful predictor of outcome and that actuarial analysis provides insight into different longitudinal patterns of outcome in MRI subgroups. This information can now be used in preoperative counseling.
Study on the Si-Ge Nanowire MOSFETs with the Core-Shell Structure

This paper investigates the transport properties of the silicon-germanium nanowire MOSFETs with core-shell structure by using a finite element numerical method for electronic structure, energy level, and channel current computation. Coupled Poisson's equation to Schrodinger's equation for electrostatics calculation and electron structure to current transport equation for channel current computation, the electronic structure, quantized energy levels, relevant wave functions and charge distribution are solved selfconsistently for the core-shell structure MOSFETs. Furthermore, based on these findings, the transistor performances, including the capacitance characteristics and drain current, are also predicted.
Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors Masking as Ewing Sarcoma/Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors

Malignant peripheral nerve tumors, a small subset of soft tissue sarcomas, provide a unique diagnostic challenge. Although they may arise from peripheral nerves or from cells associated with nerve sheaths, malignant peripheral nerve tumors often present with diverse immunohistochemical features similar to those of other tumors. These features make MPNSTs difficult to diagnose and classify. We present a case of a 26-year-old female presenting with a rapidly growing soft tissue mass. The mass was excised and immunohistological staining suggested a Ewing’s sarcoma/Primitive neuroectodermal tumor. Confirmational studies did not confirm this diagnosis and upon further review, the diagnosis was changed to a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. We reviewed this case in the setting of the reported literature concerning MPNSTs with focus on the epidemiologic, diagnostic, and immunohistologic features that distinguish this tumor from other similar malignancies.
A Practical GrabCut Color Image Segmentation Based on Bayes Classification and Simple Linear Iterative Clustering

In order to solve the segmentation degradation phenomenon when the number of super pixels is low, we propose a novel color image segmentation algorithm based on GrabCut. The method integrates Bayes classification with simple linear iterative clustering (SLIC) and then use the GrabCut method to obtain the segmentation. The SLIC is applied to cluster the features of a color image and integrated it into the GrabCut framework to overcome the problem of the image segmentation deterioration when the number of super pixels is low. In addition, we extend the Gaussian mixture model (GMM) to SLIC features and GMM based on SLIC is constructed to describe the energy function. The color clustering can be suitably integrated into the GrabCut framework and fused with the color feature to achieve more superior image segmentation performance than the original GrabCut method. For easier implementation and more efficient computation, the Bayes classification is chosen for reconstruction of the simplified graph cut model instead of the original graph cut based on the SLIC model. The min-cut algorithm technique served as the division measure in the simplified image space for more discriminating power. A classification strategy is presented, to effectively adjust the energy function so that the Bayes classification and SLIC features are efficiently integrated to achieve more robust segmentation performance. Finally, boundary optimization is proposed to dramatically reduce the boundary roughness of the GrabCut algorithm with satisfactory segmentation accuracy. As a practical application, the superior performance of our proposed method was demonstrated through a large number of comparative tests.
Mesures de protection du tube digestif au cours de thermodestructions de tumeurs hépatiques malignes primitives et secondaires : étude rétrospective de 53 procédures consécutives

OJECTIFS : Les objectifs de notre etude etaient d'evaluer la tolerance et l'efficacite des mesures de protection du tube digestif par interposition d'air ambiant ou d'un ballon lors de thermodestructions hepatiques de tumeurs malignes primitives ou secondaires. MATERIEL ET METHODES : Etude mono centrique retrospective, menee du mois d'octobre 2004 au mois de juin 2013. Nous avons revu les dossiers des patients ayant eu une thermodestruction hepatique par radiofrequence ou micro-ondes, de tumeurs malignes primitives ou secondaires, et inclus dans l'etude ceux ayant eu une isolation du tube digestif par interposition d'air ambiant ou de ballon. L'algorithme decisionnel concernant les choix de realiser ou non une mesure de protection digestive et de la protection elle-meme a ete constant sur la periode d'etude. Nous avons analyse l'efficacite de ces techniques d'isolation digestive, ainsi que les complications et l'efficacite des thermodestructions tumorales en termes de recidives locales, de recidives a distance et de survie globale. RESULTATS : 784 procedures de thermodestructions hepatiques ont ete realisees, durant la periode d'etude. 53 procedures consecutives avec isolation digestive par ballon (n=21) ou avec de l'air ambiant (n=32) ont constitue notre groupe d'etude et concernaient 42 patients (24 hommes et 18 femmes, âge moyen de 65,5±9,9 ans) et 53 tumeurs mesurant 25 mm en moyenne ±11,8. Le succes technique etait de 81,2% et 100% respectivement avec l'utilisation d'air ambiant ou de ballon. Les echecs techniques avec l'air ambiant etaient observes dans 4% et 50% des cas selon que les patients avaient ou non des antecedents chirurgicaux abdominaux (p= 0,003). Un total de 21,5% de complications etait note, avec 7,8% de complications majeures dont une perforation d'un appendice retro caecal et sous hepatique. Deux complications mineures a type de brulure le long de l'aiguille servant a l'injection d'air ont ete pour la premiere fois rapportees. Au cours d'un suivi evolutif moyen de 17,6 mois, une recidive tumorale locale etait observee pour 20,0% des patients ayant un carcinome hepatocellulaire et 30,7% des patients porteurs de metastases. CONCLUSION : Cette serie constitue la plus importante serie evaluant la tolerance et l'efficacite d'une isolation digestive par mise en place d'air ambiant ou d'un ballon au cours d'une thermodestruction hepatique tumorale. Elle confirme l'efficacite de ces mesures d'isolation digestive. Elle valide ainsi l'utilisation de notre algorithme decisionnel les concernant, en proposant de plus une preference pour l'interposition au ballon pour les patients n'ayant pas eu d'antecedent de chirurgie digestive et une attention particuliere au chauffage accidentel de l'aiguille utilisee pour l'interposition a l'air ambiant.
Downregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor and induction of tumor dormancy by 15‐lipoxygenase‐2 in prostate cancer

The enzyme 15‐lipoxygenase‐2 (15‐LOX‐2) utilizes arachidonic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, to synthesize 15(S)‐hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid. Abundantly expressed in normal prostate epithelium but frequently suppressed in the cancerous tissues, 15‐LOX‐2 has been suggested as a functional suppressor of prostate cancer, but the mechanism(s) involved remains unknown. To study the functional role of 15‐LOX‐2 in prostate cancer, we expressed 15‐LOX‐2 as a fusion protein with GFP in DU145 and PC‐3 cells and found that 15‐LOX‐2 increased cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase. When injected into athymic nu/nu mice, prostate cancer cells with 15‐LOX‐2 expression could still form palpable tumors without significant changes in tumorigenicity. But, the tumors with 15‐LOX‐2 expression grew significantly slower than those derived from vector controls and were kept dormant for a long period of time. Histological evaluation revealed an increase in cell death in tumors derived from prostate cancer cells with 15‐LOX‐2 expression, while in vitro cell culture conditions, no such increase in apoptosis was observed. Further studies found that the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF‐A) was significantly reduced in prostate cancer cells with 15‐LOX‐2 expression restored. Our studies suggest that 15‐LOX‐2 suppresses VEGF gene expression and sustains tumor dormancy in prostate cancer. Loss of 15‐LOX‐2 functionalities, therefore, represents a key step for prostate cancer cells to exit from dormancy and embark on malignant progression in vivo. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Ustilago maydis Cys2His2‐type zinc finger transcription factor Mzr1 regulates fungal gene expression during the biotrophic growth stage

The smut fungus Ustilago maydis establishes a biotrophic relationship with its host plant maize to progress through sexual development. Here, we report the identification and characterization of the Cys2His2‐type zinc finger protein Mzr1 that functions as a transcriptional activator during host colonization. Expression of the U. maydis mig2 cluster genes is tightly linked to this phase. Upon conditional overexpression, Mzr1 confers induction of a subset of mig2 genes during vegetative growth and this requires the same promoter elements that confer inducible expression in planta. Furthermore, expression of the mig2‐4 and mig2‐5 genes during biotrophic growth is strongly reduced in cells deleted in mzr1. DNA‐array analysis led to the identification of additional Mzr1‐induced genes. Some of these genes show a mig2‐like plant‐specific expression pattern and Mzr1 is responsible for their high‐level expression during pathogenesis. Mzr1 function requires the b‐dependently regulated Cys2His2‐type cell cycle regulator Biz1, indicating that two stage‐specific regulators mediate gene expression during host colonization. In spite of a role as transcriptional activator during biotrophic growth, mzr1 is not essential for pathogenesis; however, conditional overexpression interfered with proliferation during vegetative growth and mating ability, caused a cell separation defect, and triggered filamentous growth. We discuss the implications of these findings.
Inbreeding Avoidance through Kin Recognition: Choosy Females Boost Male Dispersal

Inbreeding avoidance is predicted to induce sex biases in dispersal. But which sex should disperse? In polygynous species, females pay higher costs to inbreeding and thus might be expected to disperse more, but empirical evidence consistently reveals male biases. Here, we show that theoretical expectations change drastically if females are allowed to avoid inbreeding via kin recognition. At high inbreeding loads, females should prefer immigrants over residents, thereby boosting male dispersal. At lower inbreeding loads, by contrast, inclusive fitness benefits should induce females to prefer relatives, thereby promoting male philopatry. This result points to disruptive effects of sexual selection. The inbreeding load that females are ready to accept is surprisingly high. In absence of search costs, females should prefer related partners as long as \documentclass{aastex} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{bm} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{pifont} \usepackage{stmaryrd} \usepackage{textcomp} \usepackage{portland,xspace} \usepackage{amsmath,amsxtra} \usepackage[OT2,OT1]{fontenc} \newcommand\cyr{ \renewcommand\rmdefault{wncyr} \renewcommand\sfdefault{wncyss} \renewcommand\encodingdefault{OT2} \normalfont \selectfont} \DeclareTextFontCommand{\textcyr}{\cyr} \pagestyle{empty} \DeclareMathSizes{10}{9}{7}{6} \begin{document} \landscape $$\delta < r/( 1+r) $$ \end{document} , where r is relatedness and δ is the fecundity loss relative to an outbred mating. This amounts to fitness losses up to one‐fifth for a half‐sib mating and one‐third for a full‐sib mating, which lie in the upper range of inbreeding depression values currently reported in natural populations. The observation of active inbreeding avoidance in a polygynous species thus suggests that inbreeding depression exceeds this threshold in the species under scrutiny or that inbred matings at least partly forfeit other mating opportunities for males. Our model also shows that female choosiness should decline rapidly with search costs, stemming from, for example, reproductive delays. Species under strong time constraints on reproduction should thus be tolerant of inbreeding.