Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low-cost 3D mobile mapping system by 6 DOF localization using smartphone embedded sensors

To realize auto-driving vehicles transporting to anywhere in a country, a map containing the whole regions is necessary. In order to generate and update the big size map, number of mapping systems is an important matter. To introduce a large number of mapping systems, the costs of a system must be small. This paper describes a low-cost mobile mapping system employing a smartphone for positioning. Although the positioning function of smartphones is accurate enough to detect a self-position for pedestrian navigation, however, the accuracy is not enough to generate maps that contain obstacles for auto-driving. To gain accuracy of the positioning employing a smartphone, this paper uses a bundle adjustment that improves positioning results by fusing multiple sensor data. From experimental results, the proposed low-cost mapping system can generate an accurate map for auto-driving use.
Motivation mechanisms for participation in human-driven semantic content creation

In the last few years, semantic technologies are continuously maturing and many applications are adopted in various field. To take a step towards overcoming the knowledge acquisition bottleneck, the challenge of generating semantic content persists. It usually requires the involvement of humans, thus motivations and incentives mechanisms that might foster human participation in the semantic content creation should be analysed. We review motivation structures of different successful communities (online communities, social web communities, open source software communities), analyse motivation mechanisms for incentivising semantic content creation, and provide some useful insights for the design of semantic annotation tools which would embed incentives mechanisms.
HEPATOCYTE‐STIMULATING FACTOR: A MONOCYTE‐DERIVED ACUTE‐PHASE REGULATORY PROTEIN

Peripheral subcutaneous infections undergo a well-defined sequence of clinically noticeable changes known collectively as acute inflammation. For example, following infection, changes in vascular permeability give rise within hours to the rapid biphasic influx of polymorphonuclear leukocytes followed by monocytes into the injured site. Eight to 10 hours after the initial infection, serum levels of specific acute-phase responsive plasma proteins (i.e., a, antitrypsin, fibrinogen, a? macroglobulin, a, acid glycoprotein, C3) increase. While numerous studies reported during the past century have explored the roles of leukocytes in bacterial killing, little is known about hepatocyte stimulation during the acute phase response. The factor(s) responsible for this stimulation, their mechanism(s) of action, site(s) of origin, and the regulation of their own production following infection have, until recently, remained a most difficult and controversial subject for lack of a suitable experimental model system. Studies initiated by Hornburger,' using leukocytes obtained from a turpentine-induced abscess, demonstrated the ability of these leukocytes to secrete soluble factors, which, when injected back into dogs, caused an increase in serum fibrinogen levels. This same protocol, with minor changes, was closely followed by subsequent investigators during the 1960s and '70s. Taken together, these studies all demonstrated that symptoms mimicking those found during the acute inflammatory response (i.e., increased hepatic amino acid flux, increased hepatic protein synthesis, fever, and decreased serum iron and zinc levels) could be passively conferred upon experimental animals by factor( s) secreted from whole leukocyte preparations.2-6 Thus, while these studies provided no definitive data to any of the aforementioned questions regarding hepatocyte stimulation, they succeeded in fostering the notion that leukocytes found at the site of an infection are capable of releasing modulating factors in addition to their bactericidal activity. We have been particularly interested in identifying and characterizing those leukocyte-derived factors responsible for regulating the synthesis of hepatic acute-phase responsive plasma proteins. Initial studies in our laboratory demonstrated the feasibility of using cultured fetal hepatocytes as a bioassay for hepatocyte-stimulating factor (HSF) . In these studies, the rate of fibrinogen secretion (as measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA) was found to be dependent on HSF concentration.7 More recently, we have developed a quantitative HSF bioassay (using cultured adult hepatocytes) that can be used to determine the specific activity (i.e., units/mg protein) of any
Mitochondrial Nucleoid: Shield and Switch of the Mitochondrial Genome

Mitochondria preserve very complex and distinctively unique machinery to maintain and express the content of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Similar to chromosomes, mtDNA is packaged into discrete mtDNA-protein complexes referred to as a nucleoid. In addition to its role as a mtDNA shield, over 50 nucleoid-associated proteins play roles in mtDNA maintenance and gene expression through either temporary or permanent association with mtDNA or other nucleoid-associated proteins. The number of mtDNA(s) contained within a single nucleoid is a fundamental question but remains a somewhat controversial issue. Disturbance in nucleoid components and mutations in mtDNA were identified as significant in various diseases, including carcinogenesis. Significant interest in the nucleoid structure and its regulation has been stimulated in relation to mitochondrial diseases, which encompass diseases in multicellular organisms and are associated with accumulation of numerous mutations in mtDNA. In this review, mitochondrial nucleoid structure, nucleoid-associated proteins, and their regulatory roles in mitochondrial metabolism are briefly addressed to provide an overview of the emerging research field involving mitochondrial biology.
Breast Cancer Cells Interact with Osteoblasts to Support Osteoclast Formation1.

Breast cancers commonly cause osteolytic metastases in bone, a process that is dependent upon osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. Recently the osteoclast differentiation factor (ODF), better termed RANKL (receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand), expressed by osteoblasts has been cloned as well as its cognate signaling receptor, receptor activator of NFkappaB (RANK), and a secreted decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG) that limits RANKL's biological action. We determined that the breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and T47D as well as primary breast cancers do not express RANKL but express OPG and RANK. MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and T47D cells did not act as surrogate osteoblasts to support osteoclast formation in coculture experiments, a result consistent with the fact that they do not express RANKL. When MCF-7 cells overexpressing PTH-related protein (PTHrP) were added to cocultures of murine osteoblasts and hematopoietic cells, osteoclast formation resulted without the addition of any osteotropic agents; cocultures with MCF-7 or MCF-7 cells transfected with pcDNAIneo required exogenous agents for osteoclast formation. When MCF-7 cells overexpressing PTHrP were cultured with murine osteoblasts, osteoblastic RANKL messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were enhanced and osteoblastic OPG mRNA levels diminished; MCF-7 parental cells had no effect on RANKL or OPG mRNA levels when cultured with osteoblastic cells. Using a murine model of breast cancer metastasis to bone, we established that MCF-7 cells that overexpress PTHrP caused significantly more bone metastases, which were associated with increased osteoclast formation, elevated plasma PTHrP concentrations and hypercalcaemia compared with parental or empty vector controls.
The Role of Inflammation in Development and Therapy of Malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant Mesothelioma (MM) is an asbestos related malignancy with a poor prognosis and limited therapeutic approaches. The pathogenesis of MM has been linked to asbestos induced inflammation. Asbestos exposure results in reactive oxygen species generation, infiltration of inflammatory cells and prolonged release of multiple cytokines, oxidants and growth factors. The role of inflammation in MM has led to the evaluation of inflammatory profiles as prognostic and therapeutic markers. Additionally, inflammatory pathways are under investigation for potential therapeutic interventions. In this review, we discuss the role of inflammation in MM pathogenesis, inflammatory markers with potential clinical impact for MM and clinical trials that target inflammatory pathways and responses for treatment of MM. Ultimately, MM remains a difficult to treat cancer that requires multimodality therapy.
Near-Infrared Spectroscopy of Low-Albedo Surfaces of the Solar System: Search for the Spectral Signature of Dark Material

Abstract We obtained I–J–H–K band spectroscopy of 18 low-albedo objects of the Solar System using the University of Hawaii 88-in. telescope equipped with the near-infrared spectrograph KSPEC. Most of our targets were selected from among the population of the Cybele, Hilda, and Trojan groups of asteroids, based on their low albedos and the relatively steep slopes of their reflection spectra at visible wavelengths. The outer jovian satellite Himalia and the Apollo object 3200 Phaethon were also observed. None of the spectra show absorptions similar to those found in the spectrum of 5145 Pholus, which remains the only asteroid-like object whose H–K band reflection spectrum contains a few broad absorptions due to organics. The near-infrared slope and the (1.0- to 2.2-μm) infrared color-index have been derived for each surface. This sample of primitive objects of the Solar System can be interpreted in terms of cometary-like objects that have undergone different degrees of aging.
Temperature-Based Physical Unclonable Function for Secret Key Generation

Because the PUF taps into the random variation during an IC fabrication process, the secret is extremely difficult to predict or extract and thus in terms of five following characteristics they are more powerful than RFIDs: 1) Unpredictability 2) Resiliency against reverse engineering 3) Stability against voltage variations 4) stability against imperfection of arbiters 5) Resiliency against digital emulation.
Smart AMI based demand-response management in a micro-grid environment

Reliable operation of the electrical grid requires balancing between generation and energy demand at any time instant. Increasing penetration of intermittent sources of alternative generation compromises reliability and introduces significant price volatility. As a solution, demand response strategies have been studied to provide the necessary demand-side flexibility for utility to absorb some volatility. In this paper, a demand-response management (DRM) system is proposed, where a service provider finds a mutual optimal solution for the utility and the customers in a microgrid setting. This could be used by a service provider interacting with the respective customers and utility under the existence of some DRM agreements. In this study, a micro-grid consisting of a smart neighbourhood of twelve customers is taken as experimental case study and an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is implemented. Based on the formulation of an optimization problem which exploits price-responsive demand flexibility and the AMI infrastructure, a win-win-win strategy is presented. By shaping load patterns according to market pricing, the proposed method led to higher cost savings for the flexible customers and the utility, with consistent profit margins achieved by the service provider. Results for a range of typical scenarios are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed demand-response management framework.
Induction of bladder lesion by terephthalic acid and its mechanism.

OBJECTIVE To provide more information for rational evaluation of potential risks of terephthalic acid (TPA), we studied the effects of TPA on rats' bladders in 90 days after TPA exposure. METHODS Sprague Dawley rats were subdivided into five groups, ingesting 0%, 0.04%, 0.2%, 1%, and 5% TPA respectively for a sub-chronic feeding study lasting for 90 days. Urine, serum and samples of brain, liver, lung, kidney, bladder, etc. were collected and analyzed. RESULTS TPA ingesting decreased the value of urinary pH, and increased the contents of Ca2+, Zn2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+ in urine. The volume of 24 h urine was significantly increased in male rats in the 1% and 5% TPA groups. Urinary white sediment was found in both sexes, and its formation in male rats seemed more susceptible than that in female rats. Alpha 2u-globulin (AUG) in serum and urine of male rats was markedly increased in a dose-dependent manner. Fifteen cases of hyperplasia (simple or atypical) were determined in the 5% TPA ingesting group, 14/52 in male rats and 1/23 in female rats. Among them 3 male rats had no stone or calculus. Those with either bladder stones or hyperplasia were accompanied with urinary white sediments. CONCLUSION White sediment accompanied with elevated urine AUG is the basis of TPA induced urolith formation, and is also associated with TPA induced bladder epithelial cell proliferation. It can act as an early biomarker for the potential toxic effect of TPA.
The real problem with male condoms is nonuse.

Male latex condoms are considered to be the most effective method in reducing the risk of sexually transmitted disease (STD) and HIV transmission if properly used during sexual intercourse. Several studies were documented citing the effectiveness of latex condoms. Although one study reported condom failure due to breakage and slippage, this does not put the user at risk of STD/HIV transmission, because such mechanical failure occurs before intercourse or during removal (nonclinical breakage and slippage). Most importantly, condom users who report more frequent condom breakage and slippage can be counseled to develop skills to avoid behaviors that may place them at increased risk. Aside from condom breakage and slippage, a possible explanation for the observed failure of condoms to protect against STD/HIV transmission is the respondent's behavior of not providing valid information about their consistency in use. Based on the studies conducted on STD/HIV transmission, a frequently listed cause of condom failure was the type of condom being used during sexual intercourse and the user's failure to properly use the condom.
JNK modulates the effect of caspases and NF‐κB in the TNF‐α‐induced down‐regulation of Na+/K+ATPase in HepG2 cells

An inhibition of the Na+/K+ATPase was previously shown to accompany and potentiate apoptosis in different experimental models. Since TNF‐α is known to be a pro and anti‐apoptotic cytokine, this work was undertaken to study the effect of TNF‐α on the Na+/K+ATPase in HepG2 cells and to determine the signaling pathway involved. Cells were incubated for 1 h with TNF‐α in presence and absence of PDTC, SP600125 and FK009, respective inhibitors of NF‐KB, c‐JNK, and caspases. The activity of the pump was assayed by measuring the ouabain‐inhibitable release of inorganic phosphate, and changes in its expression were monitored by western blot analysis. TNF‐α decreased significantly the activity and protein expression of the Na+/K+ATPase. NF‐κB and caspases were found to be the main effectors of the cytokine, mediating respectively down‐regulation and up‐regulation of the pump. Their activity was however modulated at 1 h by c‐JNK, which stimulated the caspases and inhibited NF‐κB, resulting in a net inhibition of the ATPase, and probably favoring the apoptotic pathway. J. Cell. Physiol. 216: 615–620, 2008, © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Software Security Lecture Notes Lecture 1 : How software breaks ( native )

In order to understand how to build secure software, one must rst understand the ways in which software can be broken. The main focus during the rst lecture is native code. We discuss software defects in native code which often lead to crashes, some of which potentially open up opportunities to gain unauthorized access to a computer system. As an example of such a defect, we discuss old school bu er over ow attacks, which pose such a signi cant risk that certain operating system-level countermeasures have become widespread. Such countermeasures, however, constitute only a last line of defense against would-be intruders. We also discuss fuzzing, a software testing technique suitable for detecting input related software defects in native code.
Specialising Software for Different Downstream Applications Using Genetic Improvement and Code Transplantation

Genetic improvement uses automated search to find improved versions of existing software. Genetic improvement has previously been concerned with improving a system with respect to all possible usage scenarios. In this paper, we show how genetic improvement can also be used to achieve specialisation to a specific set of usage scenarios. We use genetic improvement to evolve faster versions of a C++ program, a Boolean satisfiability solver called MiniSAT, specialising it for three different applications, each with their own characteristics. Our specialised solvers achieve between 4 and 36 percent execution time improvement, which is commensurate with efficiency gains achievable using human expert optimisation for the general solver. We also use genetic improvement to evolve faster versions of an image processing tool called ImageMagick, utilising code from GraphicsMagick, another image processing tool which was forked from it. We specialise the format conversion functionality to greyscale images and colour images only. Our specialised versions achieve up to 3 percent execution time improvement.
Retention Profile of Selenium (IV) from Aqueous Media Containing Bromide Ions Employing Polyurethane Foams

A simple and accurate method for the quantitative retention of traces of selenium (IV) from aqueous media was developed employing polyurethane foams (PUFs). The dependences of selenium (IV) uptake by the unloaded and tributyl phosphate (TBP) plasticized PUFs on pH, salt effect, nature and concentration of surfactant, etc. was critically studied. The sorption data have followed Langmuir, and Dubinin - Radushkevich (D-R) type sorption isotherms. Thus, "a dual-mode" sorption mechanism involving both absorption related to "solvent extraction" and an added component for "surface adsorption" may be simultaneously present. The sorption and recovery percentage of selenium (IV) from fresh and natural water by the proposed loaded and unloaded foam columns were quantitatively achieved. The method was applied for the retention and recovery of selenium (IV) species spiked to fresh water employing PUFs packed columns.
Pulse Compression Sidelobe Reduction by Minimization of L/sub p/-Norms

Most modern radar systems make extensive use of pulse compression techniques. This paper presents a technique for the design of mismatched receive finite impulse response (FIR) filters based on the minimization of Lp -norms of the sidelobes. The goal of the minimization process is to reduce the range sidelobe levels of the convolution of the transmit pulse and the receive filter. A closed-form solution is derived for the least-squares case (which is equivalent to the L2-norm) and an expression for the optimization of the higher order norms is developed. The solutions for the higher order norms have to be obtained by means of iterative numerical methods. The effect of using receive filters which are longer than the transmit pulses is also investigated. Results are presented for linear FM transmit waveforms having time-bandwidth products ranging from 10 to 100 in combination with selected values of the norm order ranging from 2 to 200. Receive filter lengths up to three times the transmit pulse lengths are investigated. Results are presented which highlight the tradeoffs between sidelobe level, mismatch loss and mainlobe width. The effect of Doppler shift on the sidelobe response of these receive filters is also investigated.
The perceived performance, barriers and solutions for the good preventive care of elderly people in Israel.

BACKGROUND Many elderly people, who experience functional and cognitive deterioration, visit their family physician or general practitioner (GP) who is well placed to administer preventive care; however, this provision is often suboptimal. AIM To examine barriers to preventive care among the elderly and examine self-perceived skills and knowledge among Israeli physicians. DESIGN Quantitative and qualitative research methods involving focus groups were used. SETTING Two Israeli primary care preferred provider organisations. METHODS Eighty-five physicians participated in 12 focus group discussions on preventive medicine for the elderly. The discussions were analysed using Atlas. ti software. Before each discussion, the physicians answered a self-report questionnaire which addressed his or her perceived skills in these areas. RESULTS Family physicians felt less skilled in identifying cognitive deterioration, detecting signs of depression or treating urinary incontinence than in dealing with visual decline, and reported fewer skills than geriatricians. Most of the GPs felt that preventive medicine in the elderly was worthwhile but that they lacked the time and skills to undertake this task. Proposed solutions included the need for educational and training programmes, protected time, incentives and the involvement of nurses. CONCLUSION Although the issue of 'lack of time' is usually considered a major barrier to successful implementation of preventive care, lack of family physician knowledge and skills, and organisational barriers should also be addressed.
Pubertal administration of antiserum against nerve growth factor regresses renal vascular remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats

To investigate the role of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the development of hypertensive renal vascular remodeling, antiserum against NGF (anti‐NGF) or vehicle was injected at 3 weeks of age in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) rats (n = 9 for each treatment in each strain). Flow‐pressure (F‐P) and pressure‐glomerular filtration rate (P‐GFR) relationships at vasodilated perfused kidneys were determined at 10 weeks of age. In the vehicle rats, blood pressure, renal noradrenaline content, the gradient of F‐P (minimal vascular resistance at pre‐ and post‐glomerular vasculature) and the X‐intercept of P‐GFR (preglomerular : postglomerular vascular resistance ratio) were greater in SHR than in WKY rats, although the gradient of P‐GFR (glomerular filtration capacity) did not differ significantly between the strains. Blood pressure and renal noradrenaline content were lower in SHR receiving anti‐NGF than in SHR receiving vehicle, although such difference was not observed in WKY rats. The gradient of F‐P was less but the gradient of P‐GFR was greater in SHR receiving anti‐NGF compared with SHR receiving vehicle, although the similar differences did not occur in WKY rats. Blood pressure and renal noradrenaline content remained greater in SHR treated with anti‐NGF compared with WKY rats treated with vehicle; however, the gradient of F‐P did not differ significantly between them. Contrary, anti‐NGF did not affect the X‐intercept of P‐GFR in either strain. In conclusion, NGF could contribute to the genesis of renal vascular remodeling, at least in part, through modification of renal sympathetic activity and blood pressure in SHR.