Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficient Sensor Localization for Indoor Environments Using Classification of Link Quality Patterns

In ubiquitous sensor networks (USN), sensor node localization is normally performed with global positioning system (GPS) or radio signal strength (RSS) between a target node and reference nodes. Because GPS is not available in indoor environments, RSS-based approach is commonly used for indoor localization. However, RSS-based approach is hard to be applied to real indoor environments (e.g., home) because of signal interferences with various indoor obstacles such as walls, doors, furniture, and electric appliances. In this paper, we propose an efficient indoor localization method for Zigbee sensor nodes by classifying link quality indicator (LQI) patterns between a target node and multiple reference nodes rather than using calculation with RSS values. And we also present the results of indoor localization experiments in our ubiquitous home network test bed using the proposed localization method.
L’investimento in arte e cultura per fondare una città e generare una comunità a Gibellina. Intervista a Ludovico Corrao

L’autrice propone, in forma di intervista, un ritratto della poliedrica figura di Ludovico Corrao sotto il profilo della sua attivita urbanistica. Il generoso ingegno del Senatore Corrao, che ha guidato la costruzione della citta nuova di Gibellina a seguito del terremoto del 1968, ha concepito un progetto di citta ispirandosi all’arte e alla cultura come principi connotanti e caratterizzanti di una nuova societa. L’intervista, che vuole anche essere un omaggio alla figura di Corrao dopo la sua recente tragica scomparsa e un invito ad approfondire la conoscenza della storia e della realta attuale di Gibellina, e preceduta da un breve profilo della sua attivita politica e urbanistica.
Apoptosis of bladder transitional cell carcinoma T24 cells induced by adenovirus-mediated inducible nitric oxide synthase gene transfection.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the effects of adenovirus-mediated inducible nitric oxide synthase gene transfection on bladder transitional cell carcinoma T24 cells, and to provide novel insights and approaches to clinical therapies against bladder transitional cell carcinoma. METHODS Firstly, construct recombinant adenovirus vector pAd-iNOS of iNOS, followed by transfection of pAd-iNOS into HECK293 packaging cells. Thirdly, harvest recombinant adenovirus rAd-iNOS after amplification and purification procedures. Finally, transfect the recombinant adenovirus rAd-iNOS into human bladder carcinoma T24 cells and examine the effect of rAd-iNOS transfection on apoptosis of T24 and possible mechanism. RESULTS As shown by this study, the recombinant adenovirus rAd-iNOS was constructed successfully. The virus titer was 5.8×10(8) PFU/mL and recombinant was verified by PCR analysis. Transfection of adenovirus rAd-iNOS into T24 cells could induce secretion of high NO concentration, P53 protein expression up-regulation, as well as promotion of T24 cell apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS The transfection of human bladder carcinoma T24 cells from recombinant adenovirus rAd-iNOS was confirmed to induce intracellular iNOS over-expression, high production of NO, up-regulation of intracellular P53 expression and promotion of cell apoptosis.
Financiación y tamaño empresarial : la pequeña y mediana empresa en España

Este trabajo realiza un analisis descriptivo de la estructura financiera de las empresas espanolas en las dos ultimas decadas del siglo XX (1982-1999). Partiendo de la informacion contenida en la Central de Balances del Banco de Espana, se pone de manifiesto la importancia que tiene el tamano de las empresas a la hora de establecer su estructura financiera y los costes de la financiacion externa, entre otros aspectos.
Characterisation of proteins extracted from the surface of Salmonella Typhimurium grown under SPI‐2‐inducing conditions by LC‐ESI/MS/MS sequencing

Salmonella enterica has two pathogenicity islands encoding separate type three secretion systems (T3SS). Proteins secreted through these systems facilitate invasion and survival. After entry, Salmonella reside within a membrane bound vacuole, the Salmonella containing vacuole (SCV), where translocation of a second set of effectors by the Salmonella pathogenicity island 2 (SPI‐2) T3SS is initiated. SPI‐2 secretion in vitro can be induced by conditions that mimic the Salmonella containing vacuole. Utilising high‐throughput mass spectrometry, we mapped the surface‐attached proteome of S. Typhimurium SL1344 grown in vitro under SPI‐2‐inducing conditions and identified 108 proteins; using secretion signal prediction software, 43% of proteins identified contained a signal sequence. Of these proteins, 13 were known secreted effector proteins including SPI‐2 effector proteins SseB, SseC, SseD, SseL, PipB2 and SteC, although surprisingly five were SPI‐1 proteins, SipA, SipB, SipC, SipD and SopD, while 2 proteins SteA and SlrP are secreted by both T3SSs. This is the first in vitro study to demonstrate dual secretion of SPI‐1 and SPI‐2 proteins by S. Typhimurium and demonstrates the potential of high‐throughput LC‐ESI/MS/MS sequencing for the identification of novel proteins, providing a platform for subsequent comparative proteomic analysis, which should greatly assist understanding of the pathogenesis and inherent variation between serovars of Salmonella and ultimately help towards development of novel control strategies.
Mandibular advancement splint as short-term alternative treatment in patients with obstructive sleep apnea already effectively treated with continuous positive airway pressure.

STUDY OBJECTIVES CPAP is used as the first-line treatment for patients with severe OSA, but this machine is not always feasible to use on the long term. We performed a clinical trial to determine whether patients with OSA could use a mandibular advancement splint (MAS) as a short-term treatment alternative to CPAP. METHODS Twenty-two patients adherent with CPAP therapy were recruited to the study. Each patient used the MAS for approximately 4 months. The transition between CPAP to MAS was gradual, and patients were asked to start using MAS together with CPAP during the MAS titration until subjective improvement or maximum mandibular advancement was achieved. Sleepiness (ESS), quality of life (SAQLI), and polysomnography were recorded prior to and after MAS titration. Patients recorded CPAP or MAS usage for the following 3 months. RESULTS Seven women and 12 men with a mean age of 53.8 (± 12.1) years and mean body mass index of 28.1 (± 4.8) kg/m² completed the clinical trial. Prior to MAS, CPAP adherence was 5.8 h/night. AHI decreased significantly with MAS use compared to baseline (30.7 ± 23.1 vs 13.2 ± 11; p < 0.01). Fourteen patients (74%) had > 50% decrease in their AHI, while 2 patients had an increase in their AHI. There were no significant differences in SAQLI between MAS and CPAP treatment, while ESS decreased significantly on MAS. MAS self-reported usage was correlated with treatment efficacy (r = 0.52; p < 0.05). Seventy-five percent of the patients reported being sufficiently satisfied with MAS to continue to use it as an alternative short-term therapy. CONCLUSIONS MAS partially or completely reduced sleep disordered breathing in the majority of selected, successfully CPAP-treated severe OSA patients. Many patients can probably effectively use MAS as a short-term treatment alternative to CPAP.
Seasonal variation in results of diagnostic tests for pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction in older, clinically normal geldings.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether seasonal variations exist in endogenous plasma ACTH, plasma α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), serum cortisol, and serum insulin concentrations and in the results of a dexamethasone suppression test for older, clinically normal geldings in Alabama. DESIGN Cohort study. ANIMALS 15 healthy mixed-breed geldings (median age, 14 years). PROCEDURES Sample collection was repeated monthly for 12 months. Dexamethasone (0.04 mg/kg [0.02 mg/lb], IM) was administered and cortisol concentrations were determined at 15 and 19 hours. Radioimmunoassays were used to measure ACTH, α-MSH, cortisol, and insulin concentrations at each testing time. Hormone concentrations were compared between months via repeated-measures ANOVA and correlated with age within each month. RESULTS A significant time effect was found between months for α-MSH and insulin concentrations. Endogenous cortisol and ACTH concentrations remained within existing reference ranges. Significant correlations were detected between age and ACTH concentration for several fall and winter months and between age and insulin concentration for September. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Older horses have higher ACTH concentrations in several fall and winter months and higher insulin concentrations in September than do younger horses. Seasonally specific reference ranges are required for α-MSH and insulin concentrations, with significantly higher concentrations detected in the fall. Practitioners should be advised to submit samples only to local laboratories that can provide such reference ranges for their local geographic region.
Multiple gastric cancers in the aged with special reference to intramucosal cancers

A histopathologic study was made on 512 specimens of gastric cancer that were surgically obtained from aged patients (mean age 73 years) in the Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital. Of the 512 cases studied, 408 were gastric cancer of the glandular type (80%) and 104 were of the nonglandular type (20%). There were 75 cases of gastric cancer consisting of multiple independent cancer lesions and 71 of these were histologically diagnosed as multiple (2–5) gastric cancers composed of glandular type only. Of these 71 cases, 21 cases were multiple intramucosal cancers. These 21 cases of multiple intramucosal cancers were compared with 49 cases of single intramucosal cancers of glandular type in terms of the maximum diameter of each lesion and the location within the stomach. The results suggest that, in aged patients, there is a great possibility that collision of multuple cancer lesions may result in a single intramucosal gastric cancer measuring over 3 cm in diameter.
MEMS gyroscope control systems for direct angle measurements

This paper presents a control algorithm for vibrating gyroscopes so that they can directly measure the rotation angle without integrating the angular rate. In most gyroscope systems, the rotation angles were obtained by integrating the angular rate, thus suffer from the error accumulation problem. Only a few papers reported that they could compensate the imperfect dynamics in gyroscopes and obtain the rotation angle directly. However, they either required a calibration phase prior to the normal operation or their stability was not theoretically proven. This paper proposes a one-step control algorithm so that imperfection compensation and angle measurement can be done simultaneously. In a demonstrating case, the mechanical structure uncertainties caused 10%∼20% parameter variations in a gyroscope system; the signal are contaminated by zero-mean white noise with the PSD of 2.3×10−15(ms−1)2/Hz; the angular rate to be measured is 4sin(2π × 40t) rad/sec. The proposed algorithm can obtain the rotation angle with an accuracy less than 0.5 degree.
Statistical Dependency in Visual Scanning

A method to identify statistical dependencies in the positions of eye fixations is developed and applied to eye movement data from subjects who viewed dynamic displays of air traffic and judged future relative position of air craft. Analysis of approximately 23 000 fixations on points of interest on the display identified statistical dependencies in scanning that were independent of the physical placement of the points of interest. Identification of these dependencies is inconsistent with random-sampling-based theories used to model visual search and information seeking.
Hybrid division duplex for cognitive small cell networks

With the exponential increase in high rate traffic driven by a new generation of wireless devices, the volume of data traffic is expected to overwhelm cellular network capacity in the near future. To tackle this issue, small cell networks have been recently proposed as an efficient and cost-effective approach to provide unprecedented spectral efficiency and coverage. However, the dense and random deployment of small cells together with their decentralized operation bring several issues regarding interference pollution and network sustainability. Motivated by the flexible subchannel allocation capabilities of cognitive radio, we propose a cognitive hybrid division duplex (CHDD), in which a pair of frequency bands is used to perform frequency division duplex (FDD) on the macrocell while underlaid cognitive small cells simultaneously operate in time division duplex (TDD) on the same bands. We propose a spatial randomness-aware methodology on how to design optimal switching mechanism for cognitive TDD operation of small cells. Specifically, by using tools from stochastic geometry, we derive key performance measures in terms of success probability, network area spectral efficiency, and spatial average capacity for the proposed CHDD scheme for the case when the macro tier is in uplink mode.
Actions, Behaviors, and Characteristics of RNs Involved in Compensable Injury

Malpractice claims analysis offers valuable insight into nursing practice. A review of 16 malpractice claims involving 19 RNs identified their characteristics, actions, and behaviors that contributed to monetary compensation. Most events involved failure to perform a timely assessment and intervention. Relationships were found among nurses' characteristics and the severity of patient injury. Malpractice claims analysis affords nursing leaders the opportunity to involve RNs in correcting deficiencies that contribute to practice errors.
SALVE UNA VIDA: "DONE SANGRE"

Vivimos en un pais con un alto indice de accidentalidad, criminalidad y urgencias medicas por traumas violentos, solamente en el Valle del Cauca la principal causa de muerte en personas entre los 15 y 44 anos de edad es la violencia, por cada muerte violenta se presentan entre 8 y 10 personas que requieren de hemoderivados para salvar su vida.
Parthenogenetic activation of mouse oocytes in vitro with ethanol and benzyl alcohol.

Treatment in vitro of ovulated mouse oocytes for 5–10 min with 4.5–8.6% ethanol or 0.24–0.4% benzyl alcohol was found to induce parthenogenetic activation. Suppression of the second polar body with cytochalasin D and subsequent culture in vitro gave a high yield of parthenogenetic morulae and blastocysts (up to 85% overall). Fifty percent of transferred diploid parthenogenones implanted, 14% developed into egg cylinders, and 8% formed somites and developed as far as the forelimb-bud stage.
Virus-vector relationship between potato leafroll virus PLRV and Myzus persicae Sulzer.

KOTZAMPIGIKIS, At. , D. HRISTOVA and E. TASHEVA-TERZIEVA, 2010. Virus-vector relationship between Potato leafroll virus PLRV and Myzus persicae Sulzer. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 16: 412-421 Experiments were carried out to determine the periods of acquisition, latent period, inoculation and retention of Potato leaf roll virus when transmitted by the green peach aphid. Trials were set up with the indicators Physalis floridana L. and Datura stramonium L. , and the method DAS-ELISA was used to determine the latent carriers of the virus. It was established that after acquisition of PLRV, M. persicae remains viruliferous for its lifetime. The optimal period for acquisition of PLRV by the green peach aphid is determined to be 6 hours, and the minimal is 30 minutes. The latent period of the virus in the vector is 6 hours, whereas the optimal period for inoculation of PLRV by the green peach aphid is 120 minutes and the minimal is 30 minutes. The statistical analysis of the obtained results includes one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student-Newman-Keuls test for multiple comparisons (SNK).
The Schistosomiasis Control Initiative (SCI): rationale, development and implementation from 2002–2008

SUMMARY Schistosomiasis remains one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases in developing countries. After malaria, schistosomiasis is the most important tropical disease in terms of human morbidity with significant economic and public health consequences. Although schistosomiasis has recently attracted increased focus and funding for control, it has been estimated that less than 20% of the funding needed to control the disease in Africa is currently available. In this article the following issues are discussed: the rationale, development and objectives of the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative (SCI)-supported programmes; the management approaches followed to achieve implementation by each country; mapping, monitoring and evaluation activities with quantifiable impact of control programmes; monitoring for any potential drug resistance; and finally exit strategies within each country. The results have demonstrated that morbidity due to schistosomiasis has been reduced by the control programmes. While challenges remain, the case for the control of schistosomiasis has been strengthened by research by SCI teams and the principle that a national programme using ‘preventive chemotherapy’ can be successfully implemented in sub-Saharan Africa, whenever the resources are available. SCI and partners are now actively striving to raise further funds to expand the coverage of integrated control of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in sub-Saharan Africa.
Endoplasmic Reticulum Glucosidase II Is Required for Pathogenicity of Ustilago maydis[W]

We identified a nonpathogenic strain of Ustilago maydis by tagging mutagenesis. The affected gene, glucosidase1 (gas1), displays similarity to catalytic α-subunits of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) glucosidase II. We have shown that Gas1 localizes to the ER and complements the temperature-sensitive phenotype of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant lacking ER glucosidase II. gas1 deletion mutants were normal in growth and mating but were more sensitive to calcofluor and tunicamycin. Mutant infection hyphae displayed significant alterations in the distribution of cell wall material and were able to form appressoria and penetrate the plant surface but arrested growth in the epidermal cell layer. Electron microscopy analysis revealed that the plant–fungal interface between mutant hyphae and the plant plasma membrane was altered compared with the interface of penetrating wild-type hyphae. This may indicate that gas1 mutants provoke a plant response.
Decadal Variability of Precipitation over Western North America

Abstract Decadal (>7- yr period) variations of precipitation over western North America account for 20%–50% of the variance of annual precipitation. Spatially, the decadal variability is broken into several regional [O(1000 km)] components. These decadal variations are contributed by fluctuations in precipitation from seasons of the year that vary from region to region and that are not necessarily concentrated in the wettest season(s) alone. The precipitation variations are linked to various decadal atmospheric circulation and SST anomaly patterns where scales range from regional to global scales and that emphasize tropical or extratropical connections, depending upon which precipitation region is considered. Further, wet or dry decades are associated with changes in frequency of at least a few short-period circulation “modes” such as the Pacific–North American pattern. Precipitation fluctuations over the southwestern United States and the Saskatchewan region of western Canada are associated with extensiv.
Hybrid sort-first/sort-last rendering for dense material particle systems

This paper describes a solution designed for efficient visualization of large and dense sets of particles, typically generated by molecular dynamics simulations in materials science. This solution is based on a hybrid distributed sort-first/sort-last architecture, and meant to work on a generic commodity cluster feeding a tiled display. The package relies on VTK framework with various extensions to achieve statistical occlusion culling, smart data partitioning and GPU-accelerated rendering.
Promiscuity in post‐transcriptional control of gene expression: Drosophila sex‐lethal and its regulatory partnerships

The Drosophila RNA‐binding protein Sex‐lethal (Sxl) is a potent post‐transcriptional regulator of gene expression that controls female development. It regulates the expression of key factors involved in sex‐specific differences in morphology, behavior, and dosage compensation. Functional Sxl protein is only expressed in female flies, where it binds to U‐rich RNA motifs present in its target mRNAs to regulate their fate. Sxl is a very versatile regulator that, by shuttling between the nucleus and the cytoplasm, can regulate almost all aspects of post‐transcriptional gene expression including RNA processing, nuclear export, and translation. For these functions, Sxl employs multiple interactions to either antagonize RNA‐processing factors or to recruit various coregulators, thus allowing it to establish a female‐specific gene expression pattern. Here, we summarize the current knowledge about Sxl function and review recent mechanistic and structural studies that further our understanding of how such a seemingly ‘simple’ RNA‐binding protein can exert this plethora of different functions.
Reproducibility of retinal nerve fiber layer measurements across the glaucoma spectrum using optical coherence tomography

Purpose: The purpose was to determine intra-session and inter-session reproducibility of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements with the spectral-domain Cirrus optical coherence tomography (OCT)® (SD-OCT) in normal and glaucomatous eyes, including a subset of advanced glaucoma. Materials and Methods: RNFL measurements of 40 eyes of 40 normal subjects and 40 eyes of 40 glaucomatous patients including 14 with advanced glaucoma were obtained on the Cirrus OCT® (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA, USA) five times on 1-day (intra-session) and on five separate days (inter-session). Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation (COV), and test-retest variability (TRT) values were calculated for mean and quadrant RNFL in each group separately. Reproducibility values were correlated with age and stage of glaucoma. Results: For intra-session reproducibility, the ICC, COV, and TRT values for mean RNFL thickness in normal eyes were 0.993, 1.96%, and 4.02 µm, respectively, 0.996, 2.39%, and 3.84 µm in glaucomatous eyes, and 0.996, 2.41%, and 3.70 µm in advanced glaucoma. The corresponding inter-session values in normal eyes were 0.992, 2.16%, and 4.09 µm, 0.995, 2.62%, and 3.98 µm in glaucoma and 0.990, 2.70%, and 4.16 µm in advanced glaucoma. The mean RNFL thickness measurements were the most reproducible while the temporal quadrant had the lowest reproducibility values in all groups. There was no correlation between reproducibility and age or mean deviation on visual fields. Conclusions: Peripapillary RNFL thickness measurements using Cirrus OCT® demonstrated excellent reproducibility in normal and glaucomatous eyes, including eyes with advanced glaucoma. Mean RNFL thickness measurements appear to be the most reproducible and probably represent the best parameter to use for longitudinal follow-up.