Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lesson learnt from decades of passive radar experiments

Thales has been working on passive radar for more than 20 years. Several demonstrators have been developed to test and demonstrate the capabilities of passive radar for air surveillance. Latest Thales demonstrators exploit Frequency Modulation (FM) radio and Digital Video Broadcasting - Terrestrial (DVB-T) opportunity transmitters. Experiments have been conducted in many different countries with a wide variety of aircrafts and flight patterns. Variety is very important since radar performances usually vary with the environment (mountains, flat lands, weather.), the kind of target (liner, ultra-light.) and its position. This aspect is even more important for passive radars which also rely on available opportunity transmitters whose characteristics are unique for each location. Those numerous experiments allow showing the good performances of passive radar in many different conditions. They also prove the robustness of the developed hardware and algorithms, since they have been run in real-time.
Urokinase, tissue-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 expression in severely stenosed and occluded vein grafts with thrombosis

Intimal hyperplasia and subsequent thrombotic occlusions limit the success of vascular reconstructive procedures. Plasminogen activation in situ may be an important factor affecting re-stenosis of the graft. Tissue specimens from eight patients with failing or failed infra-inguinal vein bypasses and three specimens from normal veins were harvested to study urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA), tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. The possible presence of thrombi was monitored by platelet and fibrin-specific stainings. In occluded grafts, platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM-1) antibody stained the thrombi but not the endothelial area, indicating the absence of endothelium. Platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa co-localized with PECAM-1 and, furthermore, GP IIb/IIIa staining was positive on the vein walls with thrombi and to some extent in the grafts without thrombi. PAI-1 and u-PA were uniformly upregulated in intimal thickening in grafts without thrombus. In organized thrombi, enhanced u-PA, t-PA and PAI-1 reactivity was detected in the ingrowing subendothelium. In non-occluded grafts with small thrombi, u-PA expression was enriched beneath microthrombi co-localizing with the graft wall injury, while PAI-1 was scattered in the (sub)endothelium. We conclude that fibrinolytic system is upregulated at sites of graft stenosis, and local proteolytic degradation of the graft wall associates with thrombus formation.
Prognostic Implications of Asymptomatic Ventricular Arrhythmias: The Framingham Heart Study

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prevalence and prognostic significance of asymptomatic complex or frequent ventricular premature beats detected during ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring. DESIGN Cohort study with a follow-up period of 4 to 6 years. SETTING Population-based. PARTICIPANTS Surviving patients of the original Framingham Heart Study cohort and offspring of original cohort members (2727 men and 3306 women). MEASUREMENTS One-hour ambulatory electrocardiography. RESULTS The age-adjusted prevalence of complex or frequent arrhythmia (more than 30 ventricular premature complexes per hour or multiform premature complexes, ventricular couplets, ventricular tachycardia, or R-on-T ventricular premature complexes) was 12% (95% Cl, 11% to 13%) in the 2425 men without clinically evident coronary heart disease and 33% (Cl, 24% to 42%) in the 302 men with coronary heart disease. The corresponding values in women (3064 without disease and 242 with disease) were 12% (Cl, 11% to 13%) and 26% (Cl, 9% to 43%). After adjusting for age and traditional risk factors for coronary heart disease in a Cox proportional hazards model, men without coronary heart disease who had complex or frequent ventricular arrhythmias were at increased risk for both all-cause mortality (relative risk, 2.30; Cl, 1.65 to 3.20) and the occurrence of myocardial infarction or death from coronary heart disease (relative risk, 2.12; Cl, 1.33 to 3.38). In men with coronary heart disease and in women with and without coronary heart disease, complex or frequent arrhythmias were not associated with an increased risk for either outcome. CONCLUSIONS In men who do not have clinically apparent coronary heart disease, the incidental detection of ventricular arrhythmias is associated with a twofold increase in the risk for all-cause mortality and myocardial infarction or death due to coronary heart disease. The preventive and therapeutic implications of these findings await further investigation.
Regulatory Mechanism of Histidine-tagged Homocitrate Synthase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In this study, rate equations that predict the regulatory kinetic behavior of homocitrate synthase were derived, and simulation of the predicted behavior was carried out over a range of values for the kinetic parameters. The data obtained allow application of the resulting expressions to enzyme systems that exhibit activation and inhibition as a result of the interaction of effectors at multiple sites in the free enzyme. Homocitrate synthase was used as an example in terms of its activation by Na+ binding to the active enzyme conformer at an allosteric site, inhibition by binding to the active site, and inhibition by lysine binding to the less active enzyme conformer.
Further Development and Validation of the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) Outcomes Instrument

Study Design. Outcome study to determine response distribution, internal consistency, and validity of a Modified SRS Outcomes Instrument (MSRSI). Objectives. Refinement and validation of the SRS Outcomes Instrument for idiopathic scoliosis. Summary of Background Data. Experience with the SRS Outcomes Instrument suggested several refinements and the need for validation. Methods. Following experience-based modification, the Modified SRS Outcomes Instrument and Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaires were administered to 35 previously surveyed postoperative idiopathic scoliosis patients. Results. Thirty (86%) patients with an average age of 25 years returned the questionnaires at an average of 10 years postoperative. Distribution of scores was acceptable. Internal consistency utilizing Cronbach’s &agr; was 0.80, 0.81, 0.77, 0.89, and 0.88 for pain, self-image/appearance, function/activity, mental health, and satisfaction with surgery, respectively. Validity, determined by Pearson correlation coefficients with comparable SF-36 domains, was 0.70 or greater for 13 of the 14 relevant domains between SF-36 and MSRSI (P < 0.001). Conclusion. The SRS Outcomes Instrument is simple and internally consistent. Based on experience, a number of modifications have been made that improve the instruments scope and internal consistency. Finally, the instrument is valid in comparison to SF-36.
Non-stationary signal analysis in water pipes monitoring

In order to develop early failure detection tools for hydro-power plants, “Electricite de France” (EDF) has equipped its high pressure pipes with sensors which monitor the pressure surge transients, the position of the intake and overpressure valves. The control valves are constructed so that the pressure will not exceed a maximum threshold called the Maximum Guaranteed Pressure (MGP). Modifications in the normal behavior of these control valves can generate high pressure surges over passing the MGP. In this paper, several methods which allow predicting the anomalies in the normal behavior of the hydro-power plant system will be presented.
Molecular characterization of a large homozygous deletion in the small cell lung cancer cell line U2020: A strategy for cloning the putative tumor suppressor gene

Homozygous deletions are instrumental in the detection and cloning of tumor suppressor genes. We report the isolation and characterization of 39 new single‐copy probes saturating a submicroscopic homozygous deletion detected in the DNA of the small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell line U2020. The probes were selected from a large collection, covering the entire length of chromosome 3 with an estimated average spacing of 100–150 kb. Based on the number of probes in the deletion and the probe density, the size of the U2020 submicroscopic deletion was estimated to be in the range of 4–7 megabases. Among the deleted loci, 17 showed conservation across species, probably representing potential coding gene sequences. By genetic and physical mapping of a large randomly chosen fraction of the deleted probes, we defined the location of the U2020 deletion within chromosome band 3p 12. Our cloning strategy is based on narrowing the region of interest by eliminating probes that retain heterozygosity in SCLC samples, thus selecting for probes in the region of common loss.
Identification of interleukin‐1 receptor‐associated kinase 1 as a critical component that induces post‐transcriptional activation of IκB‐ζ

IκB‐ζ, an essential inflammatory regulator, is specifically induced by Toll‐like receptor ligands or interleukin (IL)‐1β by post‐transcriptional activation mediated via a 165‐nucleotide element in IκB‐ζ mRNA. Here, we analyzed the Toll‐like receptor–IL‐1 receptor signaling components involved in the post‐transcriptional regulation of IκB‐ζ with mutated estrogen receptor [ER(T2)] fusion proteins. Upon 4‐hydroxytamoxifen treatment, the ER(T2) fusion proteins with IL‐1 receptor‐associated kinase (IRAK)1 and IRAK4 elicited specific activation of a reporter gene for the post‐transcriptional regulation of IκB‐ζ. The tumor necrosis factor receptor‐associated factor (TRAF)6–ER(T2) protein activated nuclear factor‐κB, but not post‐transcriptional regulation, indicating that activation of IRAK1/4, but not of TRAF6, is sufficient to activate the 165‐nucleotide element‐mediated post‐transcriptional mechanism. Interestingly, the post‐transcriptional mechanism was not activated in TRAF6‐deficient cells, indicating an essential role for TRAF6. Thus, the signaling pathway leading to nuclear factor‐κB activation and the post‐transcriptional activation bifurcates at IRAK1, suggesting a new pathway activated by IRAK1.
Structural Basis of Alternative DNA Recognition by Maf Transcription Factors

ABSTRACT Maf transcription factors constitute a family of the basic region-leucine zipper (bZip) factors and recognize unusually long DNA motifs (13 or 14 bp), termed the Maf recognition element (MARE). The MARE harbors extended GC sequences on each side of its core motif, which is similar to TRE or CRE (7 or 8 bp) recognized by the AP1 and CREB/ATF families, respectively. To ascertain the structural basis governing the acquirement of such unique DNA recognition, we determined the crystal structure of the MafG-DNA complex. Each MafG monomer consists of three helices in which the carboxyl-terminal long helix organizes one DNA-contacting element and one coiled-coil dimer formation element. To our surprise, two well-conserved residues, Arg57 and Asn61 in the basic region, play critical roles in Maf-specific DNA recognition. These two residues show unique side-chain orientations and interact directly with the extended GC bases. Maf-specific residues in the amino-terminal and basic regions appear to indirectly stabilize MARE recognition through DNA backbone phosphate interactions. This study revealed an alternative DNA recognition mechanism of the bZip factors that bestows specific target gene profiles upon Maf homodimers or Maf-containing heterodimers.
Participation in decision making regarding type of surgery and treatment-related satisfaction in North Indian women with early breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION Breast conserving surgery followed by radiotherapy is an established modality of treatment in early breast cancer patients since three decades, but yet it has not been adopted worldwide. PURPOSE The aim of this study is to investigate the factors affecting decision making regarding type of surgery and satisfaction with type of surgery in North Indian women with early breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS A questionnaire was prepared to assess the factors responsible for decision making regarding type of surgery (breast conserving surgery (BCS) versus modified radical mastectomy (MRM) and to evaluate involvement of patient in decision making regarding the type of surgery. 47 women with early breast cancer on radiotherapy or on follow-up were interviewed by the resident doctors. RESULTS Out of 47 patients, 28 underwent BCS and 19 MRM. Women undergoing BCS were younger, more literate than in those undergoing MRM. In the two arms (BCS versus MRM), decision for surgery was made by surgeon alone in 53% versus 73%, along with patient in 42% versus 6%, and only 10% women participated in decision making in each arm. Only 50% versus 30% patients had a clear understanding of the risks and benefits of both procedures in the two arms. CONCLUSION North Indian women do not independently take decision regarding any type of surgery. The reason for opting for either kind of surgery was based on surgeon's recommendation or concern about recurrence. Body image was not an issue amongst majority.
Mutual authentication method for ubiquitous service environments

This paper proposes a mutual authentication method to achieve high scalability using a simple mechanism. Communication records with a corresponding node are used as a seed to generate the secret key, so mutual authentication is executed using this generated secret key. This will reduce the number of authentication keys required for mutual authentication and processing loads per user in the entire communication network. We show the validity of this proposed method by applying an assumed ubiquitous network model.
Homer 1b Regulates the Trafficking of Group I Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors*

The molecular basis for glutamate receptor trafficking to the plasma membrane is not understood. In the present study, we demonstrate that Homer 1b (H1b), a constitutively expressed splice form of the immediate early gene product Homer (now termed Homer 1a) regulates the trafficking and surface expression of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors. H1b inhibits surface expression of the metabotropic glutamate receptor mGluR5 in heterologous cells, causing mGluR5 to be retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In contrast, mGluR5 alone or mGluR5 coexpressed with Homer 1a successfully travels through the secretory pathway to the plasma membrane. In addition, point mutations that disrupt mGluR5 binding to H1b eliminate ER retention of mGluR5, demonstrating that H1b affects metabotropic receptor localization via a direct protein-protein interaction. Electron microscopic analysis reveals that the group I metabotropic receptor mGluR1α is significantly enriched in the ER of Purkinje cells, suggesting that a similar mechanism may exist in vivo. Because H1b is found in dendritic spines of neurons, local retention of metabotropic receptors within dendritic ER provides a potential mechanism for regulating synapse-specific expression of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors.
Fatty acid oxidation in the heart.

The heart is known for its ability to produce energy from fatty acids (FA) because of its important beta-oxidation equipment, but it can also derive energy from several other substrates including glucose, pyruvate, and lactate. The cardiac ATP store is limited and can assure only a few seconds of beating. For this reason the cardiac muscle can adapt quickly to the energy demand and may shift from a 100% FA-derived energy production (after a lipid-rich food intake) or any balanced situation (e.g., diabetes, fasting, exercise). These situations are not similar for the heart in terms of oxygen requirement because ATP production from glucose is less oxygen-consuming than from FA. The regulation pathways for these shifts, which occur in physiologic as well as pathologic conditions (ischemia-reperfusion), are not yet known, although both insulin and pyruvate dehydrogenase activation are clearly involved. It becomes of strategic importance to clarify the pathways that control these shifts to influence the oxygen requirement of the heart. Excess FA oxidation is closely related to myocardial contraction disorders characterized by increased oxygen consumption for cardiac work. Such an increased oxygen cost of cardiac contraction was observed in stunned myocardium when the contribution of FA oxidation to oxygen consumption was increased. In rats, an increase in n-3 polyunsaturated FA in heart phospholipids achieved by a fish-oil diet improved the recovery of pump activity during postischemic reperfusion. This was associated with a moderation of the ischemia-induced decrease in mitochondrial palmitoylcarnitine oxidation. In isolated mitochondria at calcium concentrations close to that reported in ischemic cardiomyocytes, a futile cycle of oxygen wastage was reported, associated with energy wasting (constant AMP production). This occurs with palmitoylcarnitine as substrate but not with pyruvate or citrate. The energy wasting can be abolished by CoA-SH and other compounds, but not the oxygen wasting. Again, the calcium-induced decrease in mitochondrial ADP/O ratio was reduced by increasing the n-3 polyunsaturated FA in the mitochondrial phospholipids. These data suggest that in addition to the amount of circulating lipids, the quality of FA intake may contribute to heart energy regulation through the phospholipid composition. On the other hand, other intervention strategies can be considered. Several studies have focused on palmitoylcarnitine transferase I to achieve a reduction in beta-oxidation. In a different context, trimetazidine was suggested to exert its anti-ischemic effect on the heart by interfering with the metabolic shift, either at the pyruvate dehydrogenase level or by reducing the beta-oxidation. Further studies will be required to elucidate the complex system of heart energy regulation and the mechanism of action of potentially efficient molecules.
A texture descriptor for textile image retrieval

This paper proposes a new descriptor for textures, obtained by an Independent Components Analysis (ICA) applied to image wavelet subbands. In certain conditions, ICA refines the wavelet multiband analysis. The descriptor, consisting in the independent components (ICs) distribution parameters, serves as basis for the textile image signature in a recognition application. By using the Kullback-Liebler divergence to compare the signatures, the textile images from a 30 jacquards databasis, were recognized with average rates ranging from 89 to 94%, depending on the analysis number of levels.
Low-latency blockchain consensus

Blockchains are increasingly attractive due to their decentralization, yet inherent limitations of high latency, in the order of minutes, and attacks on consensus cap their practicality. We introduce Blinkchain, a Byzantine consensus protocol that relies on sharding and locality-preserving techniques from distributed systems to provide a bound on consensus latency, proportional to the network delay between the buyer and the seller nodes. Blinkchain selects a random pool of validators, some of which are legitimate with high probability, even when an attacker focuses its forces to crowd out legitimate validators in a small vicinity.
Advocacy Organizations in the U.S. Political Process

We examine scholarship on the role and influence of advocacy organizations in the U.S. political process. We identify common theoretical questions in the disconnected literatures on social movements, interest groups, and nonprofits, and we propose a unifying conceptual framework for examining advocacy organizations. Focusing on the post-1960s growth in advocacy organizations, we examine major organizational characteristics including organizational structures, membership and participation, resources, and interorganizational networks and coalitions. Our analysis of organizational influence focuses on five dimensions of the policy process: (a) agenda setting, (b) access to decision-making arenas, (c) achieving favorable policies, (d) monitoring and shaping implementation, and (e) shifting the long-term priorities and resources of political institutions. Finally, we identify recurrent theoretical and methodological problems, including the compartmentalization of research within disciplines, an overreliance on.
War pensions (1900-1945): changing models of psychological understanding.

BACKGROUND War pensions are used to examine different models of psychological understanding. The First World War is said to have been the first conflict for which pensions were widely granted for psychological disorders as distinct from functional, somatic syndromes. In 1939 official attitudes hardened and it is commonly stated that few pensions were awarded for post-combat syndromes. AIMS To re-evaluate the recognition of psychiatric disorders by the war pension authorities. METHOD Official statistics were compared with samples of war pension files from the Boer War and the First and Second World Wars. RESULTS Official reports tended to overestimate the number of awards. Although government figures suggested that the proportion of neurological and psychiatric pensions was higher after the Second World War, our analysis suggests that the rates may not have been significantly different. CONCLUSIONS The acceptance of psychological disorders was a response to cultural shifts, advances in psychiatric knowledge and the exigencies of war. Changing explanations were both a consequence of these forces and themselves agents of change.
AUV location detection in an enclosed environment

Normally, experiments are done in a controlled environment so that different systems under test can be isolated. The added benefit is that the sensors used are a lot more accurate under controlled conditions. In the experiments perform on underwater robot localization, this was not the case. The sonar localization equipment use perform flawlessly in open water as it was designed to do, but poorly in an indoor pool. It is believed that the sonar had too much power causing too many reflections in the enclosed space. Unfortunately the experiments are better done in a pool so as to control the elements under test. This paper is the search to improve the equipment's accuracy in an enclosed environment by attempting to reduce the power of the sonar via mechanical means.
Experimental Low-Cost Short Pulse Generators

In this paper, four low-cost pulse generator devices having sub-nanosecond transition time are presented. Some of the possible applications for these devices are also described, along with an overview of the different approaches for sub-nanosecond pulse generation. Furthermore, the architecture and principle of operation of the proposed devices are explained. In particular, the considered pulse generation techniques are based on logic gates, step-recovery diodes and transistors driven in the avalanche region. Finally, some experimental results obtained from both a real-time digital storage oscilloscope and an equivalent time sampling oscilloscope are shown, providing a time-domain characterization of the realized prototypes.
Assessing tremor reduction and quality of life following thalamic deep brain stimulation for the treatment of tremor in multiple sclerosis.

We read with interest the paper by Wishart et al . 1 on chronic deep brain stimulation (DBS) for the treatment of tremor in multiple sclerosis. We would like to highlight two important points. First, reduction in tremor should not be the ultimate goal of this surgery. It is a means to an end. The most important outcome for the …