Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Augmented and Virtual Reality : the First Wave of 5 G Killer Apps

A TRANSFORMATIVE SHIFT SUPPORTED BY THE INTRODUCTION OF 5G The synergistic relationship between upcoming technologies in the connectivity and computing space often leads to a revolution across markets. With applications and use cases morphing to take full advantage of new technologies, such as 5G, cloud, and edge computing, the industry is investigating new business opportunities, otherwise not possible before the introduction of these technologies.
Review: Antinucleosome Antibodies: A Critical Reflection on Their Specificities and Diagnostic Impact

There is growing interest in testing for antibodies to nucleosomes as a diagnostic tool. In this critical review, we will discuss whether antibodies against nucleosomes are meaningful (or just meaningless) in a diagnostic context in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and related disorders. In fact, the term antinucleosome antibodies may embrace all types of antibodies that can bind nucleosomes, some of which occur at a higher frequency than others, indicating that the control of tolerance to components of nucleosomes varies considerably. Central problems to resolve derive from the following major questions: What do antibodies against nucleosomes recognize: histones, histone variants, modified histones, nonhistone proteins, different double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) structures, or diverse conformational determinants unique to the complex structure in chromatin? How will we be able to identify autoantibodies to these molecules and structures using analytical assays? In our opinion, this is not possible. Here, we present examples of the diversity of nucleosome-reactive antibodies and conclude that it is principally an irresolvable task to define these antibodies as “nucleosome specific” in a unifying and meaningful way. Considering the diversity of antinucleosome antibody reactivities, the current practice of testing for antibodies against nucleosomes and to confer the results to diagnosis or disease severity is highly questionable.
Compact tapered slot antenna for wideband applications

In this paper, a compact exponentially tapered slot antenna (ETSA) with invert-L slots edge (ILSE) structure is presented. The proposed antenna is composed of a step-shaped transition from microstrip to slotline for feeding arrangement and a tapered patch with invert-L slots edge as radiation element. Compared to the conventional ETSA version, the proposed design skill of introducing ILSE at ground patch has the capability to extend the impedance bandwidth to lower band and improve the radiation characteristics at lower frequency bands.
On the reputation of communities of web services

Web services communities are virtual clusters that agglomerate Web services with the same functionality. However, selecting the best community to deal with is challenging to both users and providers. Reputation has been widely used for evaluating and ranking candidates. In this paper, we introduce a reputation-based Web services community architecture and define some of the performance metrics that are needed to assess the reputation of a Web service community as perceived by the users and providers.
EFFECTS OF FINANCIAL STRUCTURE ON PERFORMANCE OF LISTED INVESTMENT FIRMS IN KENYA

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of financial structure on performance of listed investment firms in Kenya. In this study the independent variables included; shareholders capital and long term debt while dependent variable was firm’s performance. This study was underpinned by financial structure relevance theories; these include the Capital Asset Pricing Theory (CAPM) which is useful in estimating the cost of equity for firms and evaluating the performance of managed portfolio. Trade-off theory which asserts that optimal capital structure is based on a trade-off between the tax benefits of debt and the costs of financial distress. The study employed descriptive research design with secondary data from the financial statements of 3 investment firms which was retrieved from the securities exchanges hand books for the period 2006-2016. Data was analysed using trends, descriptive statistics, correlations and multiple regressions with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. The study finding revealed that long term debt and ordinary share capital had a significant positive relationship with ROA. Long term debt was found to be positively and significantly related to ROE of listed investment firms. The study concluded that the financial structure of the firm is a key component that affects the performance. Therefore, firms must strike a balance between debt financing and equity financing in order to maximize the returns. The study further concluded that long term debt is a proper mode of financial leverage as compared to short term debt since it is less riskier to finance using long term debts and finally there was a strong positive relationship between the study variables as shown by 0.695 ROA and 0.726 ROE implying that increase in financial structure leads to improvement in performance. The study recommended that investment as well as other listed firms should manage their short term debts through improving their working capital management practices. This is because high-growth firms might have more options for future investment than low-growth firms since highly leveraged firms are more likely to pass up profitable investment opportunities, because such an investment will effectively transfer wealth from the firm's owners to its debt holders. Key Words: Ordinary Share Capital, Long Term Debt, Finance Financial Performance
C37. Updating multicore processor simulator to support dynamic design in fetch stage

During the early design space exploration phase of the microprocessor design process, a variety of enhancements and design options are evaluated by analyzing the performance model of the microprocessor. Current multicore processor is based on complex designs, integrating different components on a single chip, such as hardware threads, processor cores, memory hierarchy or interconnection networks. The permanent need to enhance the performance of multicore motivates the development of dynamic design, using historical data of previous runs to predict new value of architecture parameter. Some basic notions multicore processors architectures are affected by the problem of long-latency instructions stalling the processor pipeline. In this paper, the simulation multicore tool, multi2sim is adapted to cope with multicore processor dynamic design by adding dynamic feature in the policy of thread selection in fetch stage.
Platelet concentrates for bone regeneration: Current evidence and future challenges

Abstract Activated platelet concentrates are autologous blood preparations containing supraphysiological concentration of platelets. Platelet concentrates are commonly used for bone regeneration purposes based on the fact that growth factors released from activated platelets alpha granules have osteoinductive effects on bone cells. Although most preclinical and clinical studies show that platelet concentrates improve the outcomes of bone regeneration procedures, some studies reported conflicting results and even negative effects on bone healing. Several confounding parameters have been suggested as possible reasons for such inconsistencies (i.e. preparation and activation methods). However, heterogeneity in clinical studies makes drawing evidence-based conclusions difficult. On the other hand, recent findings show that the constituents of platelets dense granules (i.e. serotonin, ATP, Ca2+) have potential inhibitory effects on bone metabolism. Accordingly, we suggest that a partial explanation for the conflicting results could be the potential negative effects that dense granules may have on bone healing.
Effects of Bevacizumab on Bcl-2 Expression and Apoptosis in Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells under Oxidative Stress

Purpose To evaluate the effects of bevacizumab on expression of B-cell leukemia/lymphoma (Bcl)-2 and apoptosis in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells under oxidative stress conditions. Methods RPE cells were treated with H2O2 (0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 µM) and bevacizumab at or above the doses normally used in clinical practice (0, 0.33, 0.67, 1.33, and 2.67 mg/mL). Cell apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry with annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate. The expression of Bcl-2 mRNA was determined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results Under low oxidative stress conditions (H2O2 100 µM), cell apoptosis was not significantly different at any concentration of bevacizumab, but Bcl-2 mRNA expression decreased with increasing concentration of bevacizumab (0.33, 0.67, 1.33, and 2.67 mg/mL). Under moderate oxidative stress conditions (H2O2 200 µM), Bcl-2 mRNA expression decreased with increasing concentration of bevacizumab (0.33, 0.67, 1.33, and 2.67 mg/mL), but cell apoptosis increased only at 2.67 mg/mL of bevacizumab. Under high oxidative stress (300 µM) conditions, cell apoptosis increased at high concentrations of bevacizumab (1.33 and 2.67 mg/mL), but it did not correlate with Bcl-2 expression. Conclusions Withdrawal of vascular endothelial growth factor can lead to RPE cell apoptosis and influences the expression of anti-apoptotic genes such as Bcl-2 under oxidative stress conditions. Since oxidative stress levels of each patient are unknown, repeated injections of intravitreal bevacizumab, as in eyes with age-related macular degeneration, might influence RPE cell survival.
Fowl cholera: gel diffusion precipitin test for serotyping Pasteruella multocida from avian species.

SUMMARY Heat-stable antigens extracted with formalinized saline were used in the gel diffusion precipitin test to group Pasteurella multocida associated with fowl cholera into 5 serotypes. Of 258 field isolants tested, 33 were type 1, 157 were type 3, 28 were type 4, 4 were type 5, and 4 were type 6; 27 isolants reacted with type 3 antiserum and to a lesser extent with type 4 antiserum, and 5 isolants did not react with any antisera. Bacterins prepared with P. multocida serotypes 1, 3, and 4 induced good immunity in chickens and turkeys against organisms of the same serotype. A bacterin prepared with serotype 4 culture induced as good immunity against a serotype 5 challenge-exposure culture as was induced with the homologous bacterin. The serological behavior of the heat-stable antigens was compared by gel diffusion and immunoelectrophoresis with partially purified lipopolysaccharide-protein complex (endotoxin) that had induced specific immunity in turkeys. Lines of identity were observed in the gel diffusion test, but a slight difference was observed with immunoelectrophoresis. The heat-stable antigen was demonstrated in the serum of a turkey with acute fowl cholera and in the blood of turkeys that died of the acute disease.
A comprehensive method for calculating patient effective dose and other dosimetric quantities from CT DICOM images.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this article is to present a method for the calculation of effective dose using the DICOM header information of CT images. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using specialized software, the DICOM data were automatically extracted into a spreadsheet containing embedded functions for calculating effective dose. These data were used to calculate the dose-length product (DLP) fraction that corresponds to each image, and the respective effective dose was obtained by multiplying the image DLP by a conversion coefficient that was automatically selected depending on the CT scanner, the tube potential, and the anatomic position to which each image corresponded. The total effective dose was calculated as the sum of effective doses of all images plus the contribution of overscan. The conversion coefficient tables were derived using dosimetry calculator software for both the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) 60 and ICRP 103 organ-weighting schemes. This method was applied for 90 chest, abdomen-pelvis, and chest-abdomen-pelvis examinations performed in three different MDCT scanners. RESULTS The DLP values calculated with this method were in good agreement with those calculated by the CT scanners' software. The effective dose values calculated using the ICRP 103 conversion coefficient compared with those calculated using the ICRP 60 conversion coefficient were roughly equal for the chest-abdomen-pelvis examinations, smaller for the abdomen-pelvis examinations, and larger for the chest examinations. The applicability of this method for estimating organ doses was also explored. CONCLUSION With this method, all patient dose-related quantities, such as the DLP, effective dose, and individual organ doses, can be calculated.
Macrophage polarization phenotype regulates adiponectin receptor expression and adiponectin anti‐inflammatory response

Adiponectin (APN), a pleiotropic adipokine that exerts anti‐inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antiatherogenic effects through its receptors (AdipoRs), AdipoR1 and AdipoR2, is an important therapeutic target. Factors regulating AdipoR expression in monocyte/macrophages are poorly understood, and the significance of polarized macrophage activation in controlling AdipoR expression and the APN‐mediated inflammatory response has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the macrophage polarization phenotype controls the AdipoR expression and APN‐mediated inflammatory response. With the use of mouse bone marrow and peritoneal macrophages, we demonstrate that classical activation (M1) of macrophages suppressed (40‐60% of control) AdipoR expression, whereas alternative activation (M2) preserved it Remarkably, the macrophage polarization phenotypes produced contrasting inflammatory responses to APN (EC50 5 μg/ml). In M1 macrophages, APN induced proinflammatory cytokines, TNF‐α, IL‐6, and IL‐12 (>10‐fold of control) and AdipoR levels. In contrast, in M2 macrophages, APN induced the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10 without altering AdipoR expression. Furthermore, M1 macrophages adapt to a cytokine environment by reversing AdipoR expression. APN induced AdipoR mRNA and protein expression by up‐regulating liver X receptor‐α (LXRα) in macrophages. These results provide the first evidence that macrophage polarization is a key determinant regulating AdipoR expression and differential APN‐mediated macrophage inflammatory responses, which can profoundly influence their pathogenic role in inflammatory and metabolic disorders. —van Stijn, C. M. W. , Kim, J., Lusis, A. J., Barish, G. D. , Tangirala, R. K. Macrophage polarization phenotype regulates adiponectin receptor expression and adiponectin anti‐inflammatory response. FASEB J. 29, 636‐649 (2015). www.fasebj. org
Decoding auditory attention to instruments in polyphonic music using single-trial EEG classification

Objective. Polyphonic music (music consisting of several instruments playing in parallel) is an intuitive way of embedding multiple information streams. The different instruments in a musical piece form concurrent information streams that seamlessly integrate into a coherent and hedonistically appealing entity. Here, we explore polyphonic music as a novel stimulation approach for use in a brain–computer interface. Approach. In a multi-streamed oddball experiment, we had participants shift selective attention to one out of three different instruments in music audio clips. Each instrument formed an oddball stream with its own specific standard stimuli (a repetitive musical pattern) and oddballs (deviating musical pattern). Main results. Contrasting attended versus unattended instruments, ERP analysis shows subject- and instrument-specific responses including P300 and early auditory components. The attended instrument can be classified offline with a mean accuracy of 91% across 11 participants. Significance. This is a proof of concept that attention paid to a particular instrument in polyphonic music can be inferred from ongoing EEG, a finding that is potentially relevant for both brain–computer interface and music research.
Using packet interarrival times for Internet traffic classification

There are several techniques for classifying internet traffic, i.e. associating a flow of packets to the application that generated it. Among these techniques, Shallow Packet Inspection makes a decision by considering only the outermost packet header and other statistical characteristics of the packet process and, therefore, is well suited to perform classification of obfuscated or encrypted traffic. In particular, the packet arrival process is an interesting feature for traffic classification because cannot be easily obfuscated or manipulated. In this paper, we propose a novel technique using the measured burstiness of the packet sources over different time scales to distinguish among different internet applications. The effectiveness of this technique is experimentally evaluated with both synthetic data and real traffic traces. Synthetic traffic traces make it possible to give an estimation of the classification error rate that the algorithm can achieve, while experiments with real traffic data show that the most common Internet applications are identified with an error rate similar to the more intrusive Deep Packet Inspection.
Clinical Significance of Tear Menisci in Dry Eye

Purpose: To determine the relationships among tear menisci variables and clinical tests used in the diagnosis of dry eye patients. Methods: Dry eye patients (n=50; age, 35.2 years) and healthy subjects (n=48; age, 33.3 years) were recruited. Upper and lower tear menisci were imaged noninvasively by optical coherence tomography (OCT) immediately after normal and delayed blinking in both eyes. Tear meniscus heights, areas, and radius of curvatures were obtained by custom software. Tear film break-up time was measured by fluorescein (fluorescein film tear break-up time, FTBUT) and tearscope (noninvasive tear film break-up time), ocular surface vital staining was evaluated with fluorescein (FS), and secretion was measured by Schirmer I test without and with anesthesia. Results: In dry eye patients, all lower tear meniscus variables during normal blinking were correlated with all clinical tests except Schirmer I test without anesthesia. Upper tear meniscus variables were correlated with FTBUT and Schirmer I test with anesthesia. During delayed blinking, upper and lower tear menisci variables were correlated with Schirmer I test without anesthesia and FS; however, there were no correlations between menisci variables and FTBUT or Schirmer I test with anesthesia. In healthy subjects, only lower meniscus variables were correlated with Schirmer I test with anesthesia during normal blinking. During delayed blinking, the lower meniscus variables were correlated with only the Schirmer I test without anesthesia. Conclusions: Lower tear menisci were correlated more strongly with the clinical tests than were upper menisci. The tear menisci were associated with the basic tear secretion during normal blinking. Delayed blinking may affect reflex tearing levels.
The Czech National Bank Communication:GARCH analysis of 3M PRIBOR rate and Czech 10Y government bonds

This thesis analyzes the effect of the Czech National Bank’s (CNB) communication on the interest rate volatility (PRIBOR reference rate). Starting with the literature survey about the central bank communication in the world, I focus on the literature that concerns the CNB. To model the CNB’s communication, I use the GARCH(1,1), EGARCH(1,1) and TGARCH(1,1) models. I have created a unique data set containing the dummy variables for the CNB communication. The results are as follows: (a) the CNB’s communication tends to decrease the volatility, (b) timing of the communication has a key role as the comments closer to the meeting have bigger calming effect, and that (c) there is no clear effect concerning the comments of the Bank Board members in the media. JEL Classification E43, E44, E52, E58
Diffusion of peroxynitrite across erythrocyte membranes.

Peroxynitrite anion (ONOO-) is a reactive species of increasingly recognized biological relevance that contributes to oxidative tissue damage. At present, however, there is limited knowledge about the mechanisms of peroxynitrite diffusion through biological compartments. In this work we have studied the diffusion of peroxynitrite across erythrocyte membranes. In solution, peroxynitrite rapidly reacts with oxyhemoglobin to yield methemoglobin, with k2 = (10.4 +/- 0.3) x 10(3) M-1.s-1 at pH 7.4 and 25 degrees C. Addition of peroxynitrite to intact erythrocytes caused oxidation of intracellular oxyhemoglobin to methemoglobin. Oxidation yields in red blood cells at pH 7.0 were approximately 40% of those obtained in solution, which results mostly from competition of other cytosolic components for peroxynitrite. Indeed, rather small differences were observed between oxidation yields in lysates compared with intact erythrocytes, in particular at acidic and neutral pH values, indicating that membrane was not precluding peroxynitrite diffusion. Incubation of erythrocytes at pH 7.0 with 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS), a specific inhibitor of anion exchange, resulted in up to 50% inhibition of oxyhemoglobin oxidation by peroxynitrite. More protection by DIDS was achieved at alkaline pH, while no effect was observed at pH 5.5, where 95% of peroxynitrite is in the acidic form, ONOOH (pKa = 6.8). In addition, peroxynitrite caused nitration of intracellular hemoglobin, in a process that was enhanced in thiol-depleted erythrocytes. Our results indicate that peroxynitrite is able to cross the erythrocyte membrane by two different mechanisms: in the anionic form through the DIDS-inhibitable anion channel, and in the protonated form by passive diffusion.
Metallochaperone Atox1 Transfers Copper to the NH2-terminal Domain of the Wilson's Disease Protein and Regulates Its Catalytic Activity*

Copper is essential for the growth and development of mammalian cells. The key role in the intracellular distribution of copper belongs to the recently discovered family of metallochaperones and to copper-transporting P-type ATPases. The mutations in the ATPase ATP7B, the Wilson's disease protein (WNDP), lead to intracellular accumulation of copper and severe hepatic and neurological abnormalities. Several of these mutations were shown to disrupt the protein-protein interactions between WNDP and the metallochaperone Atox1, suggesting that these interactions are important for normal copper homeostasis. To understand the functional consequences of the Atox1-WNDP interaction at the molecular level, we produced recombinant Atox1 and characterized its effects on WNDP. We demonstrate that Atox1 transfers copper to the purified amino-terminal domain of WNDP (N-WNDP) in a dose-dependent and saturable manner. A maximum of six copper atoms can be transferred to N-WNDP by the chaperone. Furthermore, the incubation of copper Atox1 with the full-length WNDP leads to the stimulation of the WNDP catalytic activity, providing strong evidence for the direct effect of Atox1 on the function of this transporter. Our data also suggest that Atox1 can regulate the copper occupancy of WNDP. The incubation with apo-Atox1 results in the removal of copper from the metalated N-WNDP and apparent down-regulation of WNDP activity. Interestingly, at least one copper atom remains tightly bound to N-WNDP even in the presence of excess apo-Atox1. We suggest that this incomplete reversibility reflects the functional non-equivalency of the metal-binding sites in WNDP and speculate about the intracellular consequences of the reversible Atox1-mediated copper transfer.