Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Opportunistic channel allocation decision making in cognitive radio communications

The global spread of wireless devices with mobile Internet access and the increasing demand of multimedia‐based applications are fueling the need for wireless broadband networks. IEEE 802.16 and 802.20 are standards for a broadband wireless access with promising cognitive radio features to support mobile Internet access. However, because of the fast changing radio environment and the demand for dynamic spectrum allocation mechanisms, these standards must continuously readjust different radio parameters. The cognitive radio makes decisions based on its built‐in inference engine, which also in time can adapt itself to different situations through the process of learning from experience. In this paper we present an automated opportunistic decision making and learning process for cognitive radio based on uncertainty reasoning algorithms. This novel approach is well suited in fast changing wireless environments with vague, incomplete, and heterogeneous information. Theory and simulations prove that decision making and learning of the cognitive radio based on the proposed approach cope with the changes in the radio environment. In this work we use fuzzy logic for the learning and decision making of the cognitive radio. Simulation also show that our approach provides accurate and precise decisions on allocating spectrum to mobile Internet users even in fast varying radio conditions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fast grasping of unknown objects through automatic determination of the required number of mobile robots

In this paper, we present a strategy for fast grasping of unknown objects by mobile robots through automatic determination of the number of robots. An object handling system consisting of a Gripper robot and a Lifter robot is designed. The Gripper robot moves around an unknown object to acquire partial shape information for determination of grasping points. The object is transported if it can be lifted by the Gripper robot. Otherwise, if all grasping trials fail, a Lifter robot is used. In order to maximize use of the Gripper robot’s payload, the detected grasping points that apply the largest force to the gripper are selected for the Gripper robot when the object is grasped by two mobile robots. The object is measured using odometry and scanned data acquired while the Gripper robot moves around the object. Then, the contact point for calculating the insert position for the Lifter robot can be acquired quickly. Finally, a strategy for fast grasping of known objects by considering the transition between stable states is used to realize grasping of unknown objects. The proposed approach is tested in experiments, which find that a wide variety of objects can be grasped quickly with one or two mobile robots.
Melatonin inhibits endothelial nitric oxide production in vitro

Abstract: Endothelial cell function is a major player on the regulation of both vascular tonus and permeability. Activation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) by bradykinin is one physiological pathway for the well‐known vascular relaxation mediated by endothelial‐derived nitric oxide (NO). In this study we investigated if melatonin, which is known to modulate endothelial cell function and NO production in other tissues, is able to impair bradykinin‐induced NO production in vitro. Rat microvascular endothelial cells were incubated with fluorescent dyes to detect either NO or Ca2+. In addition, cGMP levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay. We found that while bradykinin (1–100 nm) increased both cytosolic Ca2+ and NO production, melatonin (1 nm) abolished this NO production but not cytosolic Ca2+ elevation. N‐acetylserotonin (0.1 and 1 nm) had the same effect, while the selective agonist for MT3 receptors (5‐MCA‐NAT, 1 nm) had no effect. Moreover, nonselective and MT2‐selective antagonists did not alter the effect of melatonin, suggesting that it is not mediated by MT melatonin receptors. A possible direct inhibition of calmodulin was also discarded as melatonin did not mimic the effect of calmidazolium on cytosolic Ca2+. Melatonin also abolished cGMP production induced by 1 μm bradykinin, indicating that the NO downstream effect is impaired. Thus, here we show that melatonin reduces NO production induced by bradykinin by a mechanism upstream to the interaction of Ca2+–calmodulin with NOS. Moreover, this effect might be the basis of the diurnal variation in endothelial cell function.
Synchronized Whole Cell Oscillations in Mitochondrial Metabolism Triggered by a Local Release of Reactive Oxygen Species in Cardiac Myocytes*

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and/or Ca2+ overload can trigger depolarization of mitochondrial inner membrane potential (ΔΨm) and cell injury. Little is known about how loss of ΔΨm in a small number of mitochondria might influence the overall function of the cell. Here we employ the narrow focal excitation volume of the two-photon microscope to examine the effect of local mitochondrial depolarization in guinea pig ventricular myocytes. Remarkably, a single local laser flash triggered synchronized and self-sustained oscillations in ΔΨm, NADH, and ROS after a delay of ∼40s, in more than 70% of the mitochondrial population. Oscillations were initiated only after a specific threshold level of mitochondrially produced ROS was exceeded, and did not involve the classical permeability transition pore or intracellular Ca2+ overload. The synchronized transitions were abolished by several respiratory inhibitors or a superoxide dismutase mimetic. Anion channel inhibitors potentiated matrix ROS accumulation in the flashed region, but blocked propagation to the rest of the myocyte, suggesting that an inner membrane, superoxide-permeable, anion channel opens in response to free radicals. The transitions in mitochondrial energetics were tightly coupled to activation of sarcolemmal KATP currents, causing oscillations in action potential duration, and thus might contribute to catastrophic arrhythmias during ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Impaired bone formation and increased osteoclastogenesis in mice lacking chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 5 (Ccl5)

Chemokines play crucial roles in the recruitment of specific hematopoietic cell types, and some of them have been suggested to be involved in the regulation of bone remodeling. Because we have previously observed that chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 2 (Ccl2) and Ccl5 are direct target genes of noncanonical Wnt signaling in osteoblasts, we analyzed the skeletal phenotypes of Ccl2‐deficient and Ccl5‐deficient mice. In line with previous studies, Ccl2‐deficient mice display a moderate reduction of osteoclastogenesis at the age of 6 months. In contrast, 6‐month‐old Ccl5‐deficient mice display osteopenia associated with decreased bone formation and increased osteoclastogenesis. Moreover, unlike in wild‐type and Ccl2‐deficient mice, large areas of their trabecular and endocortical bone surfaces are not covered by osteoblasts or bone‐lining cells, and this is associated with a severe reduction of endosteal bone formation. Although this phenotype diminishes with age, it is important that we could further identify a reduced number of osteal macrophages in 6‐month‐old Ccl5‐deficient mice, because this cell type has previously been reported to promote endosteal bone formation. Because Ccl5‐deficient mice also display increased osteoclastogenesis, we finally addressed the question of whether osteal macrophages could differentiate into osteoclasts and/or secrete inhibitors of osteoclastogenesis. For that purpose we isolated these cells by CD11b affinity purification from calvarial cultures and characterized them ex vivo. Here we found that they are unable to differentiate into osteoblasts or osteoclasts, but that their conditioned medium mediates an antiosteoclastogenic effect, possibly caused by interleukin‐18 (IL‐18), an inhibitor of osteoclastogenesis expressed by osteal macrophages. Taken together, our data provide in vivo evidence supporting the previously suggested role of Ccl5 in bone remodeling. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, Ccl5‐deficient mice represent the first model with a spontaneous partial deficiency of osteal macrophages, a recently identified cell type, whose impact on bone remodeling is just beginning to be understood. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Evaluation of Mechanical Properties and Marginal Fit of Crowns Fabricated Using Commercially Pure Titanium and FUS-Invest

This study investigated the mechanical properties and single crown accuracy of the tailor-made Fourth University Stomatology investment (FUS-invest) for casting titanium. Background. Current investment for casting titanium is not optimal for obtaining high-quality castings, and the commercially available titanium investment is costly. Methods. Titanium specimens were cast using the tailor-made FUS-invest. The mechanical properties were tested using a universal testing machine. Fractured castings were characterized by energy-dispersive spectroscopy. 19 titanium crowns were produced using FUS-invest and another 19 by Symbion. The accuracy of crowns was evaluated. Results. The mechanical properties of the titanium cast by FUS-invest were elastic modulus 125.6 ± 8.8 GPa, yield strength 567.5 ± 11.1 MPa, tensile strength 671.2 ± 15.6 MPa, and elongation 4.6 ± 0.2%. For marginal fit, no significant difference (P > 0.05) was found at four marker points of each group. For internal fit, no significant difference (P > 0.05) was found between two groups, whereas significant difference (P < 0.01) was found at different mark point of each group. Conclusions. The mechanical properties of titanium casted using FUS-invest fulfilled the ISO 9693 criteria. The marginal and internal fit of the titanium crowns using either the FUS-invest or Symbion were similar.
Linajes de Trypanosoma cruzi en pacientes con enfermedad de Chagas y coinfección por VIH

Introduccion. Las poblaciones naturales de T. cruzi han sido clasificadas en seis linajes filogeneticos o unidades de tipificacion discreta: T. cruzi I, IIa, IIb, IIc, IId y IIe, que pueden jugar un rol en el tropismo tisular y patogenesis de la enfermedad de Chagas. El impacto de la infeccion por VIH en la diversidad genetica de T. cruzi en pacientes coinfectados es un campo poco explorado en parasitologia. Objetivo. Caracterizar linajes de poblaciones parasitarias naturales en muestras clinicas de pacientes coinfectados por T. cruzi y VIH. Materiales y Metodos. Se analizaron muestras de sangre y/o lesiones de 25 pacientes residentes en Argentina: 8 pediatricos nacidos de 7 madres coinfectadas, 3 adultos con Chagas indeterminado y VIH y 7 con encefalitis chagasica por SIDA. El diagnostico molecular y seguimiento de tratamiento etiologico se realizo por PCR hacia secuencias del minicirculo y/o satelite. Los linajes de T. cruzi fueron identificados por PCR para fragmentos de genes para miniexon y ARN ribosomal 24s. La diversidad infra-linaje fue caracterizada por polimorfismo de fragmentos de restriccion de las regiones variables del minicirculo. Resultados. De las 7 madres coinfectadas, 2 transmitieron tanto VIH como T. cruzi a sus hijos y 4 solo transmitieron T. cruzi. El otro caso fue una mujer embarazada que al entrar en coma por presentar un cuadro de Chagas cerebral fue tratada con Benznidazol y no transmitio ni Chagas ni VIH a su hija. En los casos tratados se observo la negativizacion de la PCR. La mayoria de las poblaciones parasitarias sanguineas fueron T. cruzi IId, con perfiles de minicirculos particulares de cada paciente, excepto en pares madre-nino infectados, en que resultaron identicas. Se hallaron poblaciones mixtas con T. cruzi I-IId. En pacientes con reactivacion chagasica se encontro tropismo diferencial de T. cruzi IIb y T. cruzi I en lesiones. En estos pacientes los perfiles de minicirculos mostraron patrones complejos sugiriendo poblaciones policlonales. Conclusiones. La elevada proporcion de muestras PCR positivas es indicativa de cargas parasitarias mas elevadas que en poblacion chagasica sin VIH. Esta exacerbacion estaria tambien implicada en la alta tasa de transmision vertical. La prevalencia de linaje IId en sangre periferica concuerda con lo hallado en poblacion chagasica en la region. La asociacion de linajes infrecuentes en lesiones asociadas a encefalitis chagasica sugiere tropismo diferencial. El analisis directo de linajes parasitarios en muestras clinicas permitio detectar una mayor prevalencia de infecciones mixtas que la detectada a partir de aislamientos en cultivo.
Hypertonicity: Pathophysiologic Concept and Experimental Studies

Disturbances in tonicity (effective osmolarity) are the major clinical disorders affecting cell volume. Cell shrinking secondary to hypertonicity causes severe clinical manifestations and even death. Quantitative management of hypertonic disorders is based on formulas computing the volume of hypotonic fluids required to correct a given level of hypertonicity. These formulas have limitations. The major limitation of the predictive formulas is that they represent closed system calculations and have been tested in anuric animals. Consequently, the formulas do not account for ongoing fluid losses during development or treatment of the hypertonic disorders. In addition, early comparisons of serum osmolality changes predicted by these formulas and observed in animals infused with hypertonic solutions clearly demonstrated that hypertonicity creates new intracellular solutes causing rises in serum osmolality higher than those predicted by the formulas. The mechanisms and types of intracellular solutes generated by hypertonicity and the effects of the solutes have been studied extensively in recent times. The solutes accumulated intracellularly in hypertonic states have potentially major adverse effects on the outcomes of treatment of these states. When hypertonicity was produced by the infusion of hypertonic sodium chloride solutions, the predicted and observed changes in serum sodium concentration were equal. This finding justifies the use of the predictive formulas in the management of hypernatremic states.
Subcellular localization of M. tuberculosis in vivo and effect of the adaptive immunity

1. Chattpadhyay A, Jafurulla M. A novel mechanism for an old drug: amphotericin B in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2011;416:7–12. 2. Ordóñez-Gutierrez L, Espada-Fernández R, DeaAyuela MA, Torrado JJ, Bolás-Fernandez F, Alunda JM. In vitro effect of new formulations of amphotericin B on amastigote and promastigote forms of Leishmania infantum. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2007;30:325–329.
Importancia del control higiénico de las superficies alimentarias mediante técnicas rápidas y tradicionales para evitar y/o minimizar las contaminaciones cruzadas

A pesar de que todavia no existe un documento legal que exija el control microbiologico de superficies, en la mayoria de ambientes del sector alimentario, cada vez mas, el sector alimentario es consciente de la importancia que tiene verificar el plan de limpieza y desinfeccion. Asi, los programas de limpieza y desinfeccion se disenan con el objetivo de reducir, y en algunos casos, eliminar la carga bacteriana y restos de materia organica e inorganica de las superficies alimentarias. De esta forma, se pretende minimizar el riesgo de contaminacion cruzada para garantizar un producto seguro y de calidad. Actualmente, un factor a considerar en el diseno del plan de higienizacion es la eliminacion de unas estructuras denominadas biofilms, las cuales, no se habian tenido en consideracion hasta que no se han desarrollado sistemas que permiten realizar su deteccion. Tanto es asi que en los ultimos anos ha ido creciendo el interes en la investigacion, desarrollo y/o mejora de tecnicas rapidas, fiables y sencillas para evaluar la contaminacion de superficies. Sin embargo, el conocimiento acerca de su validez en el uso industrial practico es todavia escaso. Este trabajo describe y compara tecnicas tradicionales y rapidas para evaluar la contaminacion microbiologica en superficies y la formacion de biofilms en condiciones experimentales, especialmente este estudio se ha llevado a cabo con microorganismos alterantes y patogenos como L. monocytogenes y posteriormente y con la experiencia adquirida, se ha llevado a cabo un estudio de monitorizacion y establecimiento de limites criticos en una industria alimentaria. Ademas, el trabajo destaca la importancia de aislar los microorganismos del ambiente industrial y las posibilidades y perspectivas de futuro para utilizar las tecnicas descritas en el ambiente industrial como herramientas de verificacion de la limpieza y control de superficies. Por otra parte, este trabajo recoge la experiencia adquirida durante tres meses en el extranjero en la cual se evaluo la eficacia distintas sustancias antimicrobianas sobre piel de animales para su posible implantacion dentro de los metodos de descontaminacion de canales que se estan regulados en Estados Unidos de America.
Rezente Entwicklungen der österreichischen Direktinvestitionstätigkeit

2010 zeichnete sich eine leichte Erholung der weltweit getatigten Direktinvestitionen ab. Der Wert des Zustroms von passiven Direktinvestitionen nach Osterreich – ein Grosteil davon ging auf reinvestierte Gewinne zuruck – lag mit 2,9 Mrd. € im Jahr 2010 jedoch unter dem Vorjahreswert. Im ersten Halbjahr 2011 wurden allerdings bereits wieder 8,6 Mrd. € an Direktinvestitionen in Osterreich getatigt. Aktivseitig wurden 2010 6,3 Mrd. € im Ausland investiert. Der Bestand an osterreichischen Direktinvestitionen im Ausland betrug 2009 113,3 Mrd. € (+6%). 2010 rechnet die OeNB mit einem DI-Bestand von 128,7 Mrd. € (+13,6%). Noch starker als das Volumen ist 2009 die Anzahl der osterreichischen Direktinvestoren im Ausland gestiegen. Eine Verlangsamung der Dynamik ist jedoch bei den anteilsgewichteten Beschaftigten in den Direktinvestitionsunternehmen im Ausland zu erkennen. Passivseitig kam es 2009 sogar zu einem Ruckgang der Beschaftigtenzahlen, obwohl der Bestand an auslandischen Direktinvestitionen in Osterreich 2009 wieder deutlich anstieg (+12,6%). Auch fur 2010 wird mit einem weiteren Bestandszuwachs (+3,7% bzw. 124,3 Mrd. €) gerechnet. Die regionale Verteilung der osterreichischen Direktinvestitionsbestande im Ausland ist weiterhin durch eine starke Konzentration auf die Region Mittel- und Osteuropa charakterisiert, wenn auch mit sinkender Bedeutung. 2009 kam es zu einem weiteren, deutlichen Ruckgang der Eigenkapitalrentabilitat des Direktinvestitionsbestandes in den MOEL 21. Die Bedeutung passiver Direktinvestitionen zeigt sich, indem fast ein Drittel des Umsatzes aller osterreichischer Unternehmen im marktwirtschaftlich bestimmten Bereich von auslandskontrollierten Unternehmen erwirtschaftet wird. Innerhalb der F&E-Ausgaben entfallt mehr als die Halfte der Ausgaben in Osterreich auf auslandskontrollierte Unternehmen. Die Dominanz des deutschen Nachbarn als wichtigster passiver Direktinvestor halt auch 2009/2010 an, jedoch kam es auch zuletzt erneut zu leichten Anteilsverlusten. 2009 konnte fast die Halfte aller auslandischen Direktinvestitionsbestande in Osterreich (58,8 Mrd. €) Holdinggesellschaften zugerechnet werden. Von den 113 Mrd. € aktiven Direktinvestitionen Osterreichs wurden gute 40% von auslandisch kontrollierten Investoren getatigt. Der Anteil des Warenexports aller international verflochtener Unternehmen in Osterreich am gesamten osterreichischen Warenexport betrug 2009 fast 40%, dieser ist jedoch in den letzten 3 Jahren gesunken.
Hourly variation in fine particle exposure is associated with transiently increased risk of ST segment depression

Objectives: To evaluate whether hourly changes in fine particle (PM2.5, diameter<2.5 µm) exposure or outdoor particle concentrations are associated with rapid ischaemic responses. Methods: 41 non-smoking elderly people with coronary heart disease were followed up with biweekly clinic visits in Helsinki, Finland. The occurrence of ST segment depressions >0.1 mV was recorded during submaximal exercise tests. Hourly variations in personal PM2.5 exposure and outdoor levels of PM2.5 and ultrafine particles (<0.1 µm) were recorded for 24 h before a clinic visit. Associations between particulate air pollution and ST segment depressions were evaluated using logistic regression. Results: Both personal and outdoor PM2.5 concentrations, but not outdoor ultrafine particle counts, were associated with ST segment depressions. The odds ratio (per 10 µg/m3) for personal PM2.5 concentration during the hour preceding a clinic visit was 3.26 (95% CI 1.07 to 9.99) and for 4 h average outdoor PM2.5 it was 2.47 (95% CI 1.05 to 5.85). Conclusions: Even very short-term elevations in fine particle exposure might increase the risk of myocardial ischaemia. The precise mechanism is still unknown but could involve changes in autonomic nervous control of the heart.
Modélisation individuelle spatialement explicite de la dynamique d'un peuplement de forêt dense tropicale humide (dispositif de Paracou - Guyane française)

Un simulateur de la dynamique forestiere, base sur un modele d'arbre dependant des distances, est elabore, calibre et evalue a partir des donnees accumulees sur le dispositif sylvicole experimental de Paracou en Guyane francaise. Il met en oeuvre des arbres, localises au sein d'un peuplement et dotes de regles de vie decrites par des sous-modeles de croissance, de mortalite et de recrutement en fonction d'un pas de temps de trois ans. Le modele de croissance est derive d'un type « potentiel x reducteur » adapte aux specifites de la foret dense tropicale humide de Guyane. Il predit l'accroissement d'un arbre en fonction de son diametre a l'instant t et de son environnement immediat decrit par deux indices de competition : l'un rend compte de la pression subie par l'arbre en debut de periode de croissance et l'autre de l'evolution de cette pression dans un passe proche. La prise en compte de quinze groupes d'especes, homogenes du point de vue de la croissance, ameliore considerablement son efficacite. Quatre modeles de mortalite predisent la mort sur pied et la mort par chablis primaire, secondaire ou complexe d'un arbre, et un modele de recrutement permet de gerer l'apparition de nouveaux individus sur des placeaux de 100m2 en fonction de la place disponible dans le peuplement. Le simulateur, programme en langage SmallTalk-80 selon la technique des systemes multi-agents, est dote d'une interface conviviale permettant a l'utilisateur : (i) de suivre l'evolution virtuelle dans le temps d'un peuplement et de chacun des individus qui le constituent par le biais de cartes et de graphiques ; (ii) de realiser a tout moment une gamme tres variee d'interventions de maniere a tester des scenarios sylvicoles. Les differents essais realises montrent que le peuplement que nous avons genere presente un comportement satisfaisant quelle que soit l'intensite des perturbations imposees, mais que sa reactivite est faible au regard d'un modele matriciel calibre a partir des memes donnees. Nous proposons differentes voies d'amelioration et soulignons l'interet que peut presenter ce type de modele pour la communaute scientifique et, a plus long terme, le gestionnaire forestier.