Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Study of inflammatory markers and autonomic functions in development of cardiovascular disease and Diabetes Mellitus in a student population

Background-Elevated inflammatory markers such as high sensitivity Creactive protein (hs-CRP), TNF-alpha, IL-6,serum amyloid A and leukocyte count are associated with future risk of development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Similarly Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy (CAN) is also an early indicator of cardiovagal dysfunction. ObjectiveObesity is an inflammatory condition. A study was conducted to evaluate the role of inflammatory markers and autonomic function in development of cardiovascular disease and Diabetes Mellitus in an obese population. Methods and ResultsThe study was conducted on 30 obese male students and 30 non obese male in the age range of 18-24 years, from Dr D. Y. Patil University, Pune. Leukocyte count, Creactive protein (CRP) and cardiac autonomic function tests were carried out in all subjects. Results showed significant decrease in heart rate variability (HRV) in obese subjects. However, no significant difference was seen in the levels of CRP and leukocyte count in between obese and non obese subjects. Conclusion-The study showed early signs of autonomic imbalance in the obese subjects, but inflammation does not seem to play a role in this age group in the present set up.
MICROSTRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF MICRO CU PILLARS ASSEMBLIES

The desire for smaller, lighter and faster products drives the development of 2.5D/3D integration technologies that can utilize tens of thousands of connections per die. Micro copper (Cu) pillar geometries have been widely adopted because their small size and fine pitch provides high thermal conductivity, higher input/output (I/O) density and resistance to deleterious electromigration effects. In micro Cu-pillars, SnAg solder is electroplated on top of a Cu pillar. Because of the small volume of solder employed, intermetallic compounds comprise a significant fraction of the resulting solder joint, and very fine Ag3Sn precipitate morphologies can occur. Thus, the microstructure of SnAg solder/Cu pillar microstructures varies significantly from that of larger solder joints such as flip chip solder joints. Furthermore, 2.5D applications include interposers of distinctly different materials, such as Si or glass. The different properties of these materials such as coefficient of thermal expansion, affect the thermomechanical response of the package to temperature excursions and the lifetime of the package. Thus, behaviors of Cu pillar packages during Accelerated Thermal Cycling (ATC) were examined. Correlations between the shear strength and microstructure of Cu pillars were examined for different solder compositions, and for different aging times. Microstructure analysis (e.g. Ag3Sn precipitate morphology) was performed with both optical and scanning electron microscopy. The effects of thermal aging on the growth of intermetallic compounds (IMCs), the Ag3Sn precipitate morphology and on the mechanical properties of micro Cu pillar bumps were examined. The shear strength performance of micro Cu pillars with three different bump diameters (30μm, 50μm, and 100μm) was also evaluated. Results were considered in terms of variations in the precipitate morphology, and in terms of increases in the thicknesses of intermetallic layers at micro solder/substrate interfaces. ATC test results for two different interposers (Si and Glass with High CTE) will be discussed.
1 OV / 5-4 Overview of anomalous toroidal momentum transport .

Toroidal momentum transport mechanisms are reviewed and put in a broader perspective. The generation of a finite momentum flux is closely related with the breaking of symmetry along the field. The symmetry argument allows for the systematic identification of possible transport mechanisms. Those that appear to lowest order in the normalized Larmor radius (the diagonal part, Coriolis pinch, ExB shearing, particle flux, and up-down asymmetric equilibriums) are reasonably well understood. At higher order, thought to be of importance in the plasma edge, the theory is still under development.
A hybrid segmentation method using MRF and GVF snakes

In this paper a hybrid method for segmentation of 2-D medical images of human organs is proposed. To capture object's global properties the Markov random fields (MRFs) are involved. The result of the MRF segmentation is used to recalculate gradient vector flow based snake external forces in a further snake progression step. A MRF MAP solution is estimated using the MMD algorithm. To reduce the computation time, MRF estimation is restricted only to sites, where the state uncertainty is higher than some threshold value. Tests on MR slices and ultrasound images of the left ventricle of the human heart are reported.
Treatment of arthritis by macrophage depletion and immunomodulation: testing an apoptosis-mediated therapy in a humanized death receptor mouse model.

OBJECTIVE To determine the therapeutic efficacy and immunomodulatory effect of an anti-human death receptor 5 (DR5) antibody, TRA-8, in eliminating macrophage subsets in a mouse model of type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). METHODS A human/mouse-chimeric DR5-transgenic mouse, under the regulation of a mouse 3-kb promoter and a loxP-flanked STOP cassette, was generated and crossed with an ubiquitous Cre (Ubc.Cre) mouse and a lysozyme M-Cre (LysM.Cre)-transgenic mouse to achieve inducible or macrophage-specific expression. Chicken type II collagen was used to induce CIA in mice, which were then treated with an anti-human DR5 antibody, TRA-8. Clinical scores, histopathologic severity, macrophage apoptosis and depletion, and T cell subset development were evaluated. RESULTS In human/mouse DR5-transgenic Ubc.Cre mice with CIA, transgenic DR5 was most highly expressed on CD11b+ macrophages, with lower expression on CD4+ T cells. In human/mouse DR5-transgenic LysM.Cre mice, transgenic DR5 was restrictively expressed on macrophages. Both in vivo near-infrared imaging of caspase activity and TUNEL staining demonstrated that TRA-8 rapidly induced apoptosis of macrophages in inflamed synovium. Depletion of pathogenic macrophages by TRA-8 led to significantly reduced clinical scores for arthritis; decreased macrophage infiltration, synovial hyperplasia, osteoclast formation, joint destruction, cathepsin activity, and inflammatory cytokine expression in joints; reduced numbers of Th17 cells; and an increased number of Treg cells in draining lymph nodes. CONCLUSION The anti-human DR5 antibody TRA-8 was efficacious in reducing the severity of arthritis via targeted depletion of macrophages and immunomodulation. Our data provide preclinical evidence that TRA-8 is a potential novel biologic agent for rheumatoid arthritis therapy.
Microalgae: A Potential Candidate for Biodiesel

Modern way of life intimately depends on fuels that are derived from fossil resources. However, high energy prices, global warming, burgeoning population and uncontrolled urbanization are drawing considerable attention to find alternate renewable biofuels. Biodiesel derived from oleaginous microorganisms, renewable biomass, organic matter could minimize the use and reduce the dependency on fossil fuel. It is eco-friendly, non-toxic, bio-degradable, stable, reduces the level of potential or probable carcinogens and has a favourable emission profile [1]. The tantalizing ability of oleaginous microorganisms such as fungi and microalgae with 20% or more lipids in their cell mass have emerged as a potential feedstock for biodiesel production [2-4]. It reduces the overall production costs of biodiesel in the global market, which is the major reason for researchers focusing their attention on oleaginous microorganisms. Furthermore, it could aid to curtail the use of unsustainable fossil fuel, thereby reducing global warming and harmful GHGs emission [5,6].
A Recombinant Influenza A Virus Expressing anRNA-Binding-Defective NS1 Protein Induces High Levels of BetaInterferon and Is Attenuated inMice

ABSTRACT Previously we found that the amino-terminal region of the NS1 protein of influenza A virus plays a key role in preventing the induction of beta interferon (IFN-β) in virus-infected cells. This region is characterized by its ability to bind to different RNA species, including double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), a known potent inducer of IFNs. In order to investigate whether the NS1 RNA-binding activity is required for its IFN antagonist properties, we have generated a recombinant influenza A virus which expresses a mutant NS1 protein defective in dsRNA binding. For this purpose, we substituted alanines for two basic amino acids within NS1 (R38 and K41) that were previously found to be required for RNA binding. Cells infected with the resulting recombinant virus showed increased IFN-β production, demonstrating that these two amino acids play a critical role in the inhibition of IFN production by the NS1 protein during viral infection. In addition, this virus grew to lower titers than wild-type virus in MDCK cells, and it was attenuated in mice. Interestingly, passaging in MDCK cells resulted in the selection of a mutant virus containing a third mutation at amino acid residue 42 of the NS1 protein (S42G). This mutation did not result in a gain in dsRNA-binding activity by the NS1 protein, as measured by an in vitro assay. Nevertheless, the NS1 R38AK41AS42G mutant virus was able to replicate in MDCK cells to titers close to those of wild-type virus. This mutant virus had intermediate virulence in mice, between those of the wild-type and parental NS1 R38AK41A viruses. These results suggest not only that the IFN antagonist properties of the NS1 protein depend on its ability to bind dsRNA but also that they can be modulated by amino acid residues not involved in RNA binding.
R2: Over-the-air reprogramming on computational RFIDs

In recent years, Computational RFID tags (CRFIDs) have emerged as viable software-defined platform for academic research and experimentation. In addition to EPC protocol, these tags perform sensing and computation through power scavenging. However, existing CRFIDs are pre-programmed to execute a specific firmware whereas programming tools comprising wired interface and PC-based software are required to erase, modify or reprogram the tag. Such limitation demands an over-the-air (OTA) scheme which can wirelessly upgrade or reprogram the CRFID tags while following the EPC protocol. We present the design, implementation and evaluation of R2 - the first OTA reprogramming scheme for CRFID tags without requiring any modification to EPC protocol, or an upgrade to RFID reader or CRFID tag. We develop a User Interface and realize our scheme on three platforms which include both software-defined as well as chip-based CRFIDs, i.e., WISP5.1 and Optimized WISP (Opt-WISP), and Spider tag. It also includes both the FLASH and FRAM based micro-controller memories. We evaluate our scheme from three aspects: time and energy overhead for reprogramming operation itself; overall system delay to verify the compatibility of R2 with EPC protocol; success rate in line with interrogation range. We foresee our endeavour to offer viability of OTA reprogramming and upgrade for CRFID systems.
Emotional Expressions in ttention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder : Evidence or a Neural Marker and Stimulant Effects

esults: ADHD subjects showed a profile of emotion-related impairment: higher depression and anxiety, deficits in identifying threatelated emotional expressions in particular, and alterations in ERPs. There was a pronounced reduction in occipital activity during the early erceptual analysis of emotional expression (within 120 msec), followed by an exaggeration of activity associated with structural encoding 120 –220 msec) and subsequent reduction and slowing of temporal brain activity subserving context processing (300 – 400 msec). ethylphenidate normalized neural activity and produced some improvement of emotion recognition but had no impact on negative ood. Improvements in neural activity with MPH were consistent predictors of improvement in clinical features of emotional lability and yperactivity.
Research on Foggy Image Enhancement Algorithm based on Improved Dark Channel Prior

The complexity of the traditional dark primary de-fog algorithm is high, the transmittance estimation is not accurate enough, and the fog is too single, the image after the fog enhancement needs to be further improved.To solve these problems, an improved dark colors prior to fog enhancement algorithms. First, the rough transmittance is compensated, and then introduce adaptive correction propagation rate to improve the original algorithm to fog over a single case,the rough transmittance is then refined by guided filtering,finally, the contrast of the image is improved by gamma correction.Through experimental demonstration analysis,The proposed algorithm can be improved effectively fog image degradation and improve image clarity.
Image associative memory

We present a processor that, attached to a PC main board acts as an image associative memory. The main contribution is that the operation time required to recognize an object remains constant regardless of the number of stored models. The object silhouette is used as the key image feature allowing us to recognize 2D or 3D objects from a single viewpoint. The recognition method is based on a template matching operation in order to simplify the processor architecture and to achieve a 8 objects per second recognition rate. Digital but also analog techniques have been used in the processor design. Both the architecture and the processing algorithm are presented as well as results with real images.
Acceptance of enterprise blog for service industry

Purpose – The rapid growth of blogs over the Internet has gradually attracted the attention of enterprises that want to engage in business and develop their online communication channels for customer relationships. The study aims to develop and examine the determinants of enterprise blog (E‐Blog) adoption for the service industry. Organization size is used as a moderating factor to disclose its influence on the effects of the variables.Design/methodology/approach – The research model of the empirical study integrates three composites: social exchange theory, innovation diffusion theory, and organization dynamics. For the results, data are analyzed by using factor analysis to derive the actual composites and structural equation model to test the hypotheses.Findings – The main results show the following findings. First, social exchange via E‐Blog fosters enterprise reputation. Second, enterprises are doubtful whether they can build online relationships via E‐Blog with their customers and E‐Blog visitors. Th.
Lactococcin Q, a Novel Two-Peptide Bacteriocin Produced by Lactococcus lactis QU 4

ABSTRACT A bacteriocin-producing strain, Lactococcus lactis QU 4, was isolated from corn. The bacteriocin, termed lactococcin Q, showed antibacterial activity only against L. lactis strains among a wide range of gram-positive indicator strains tested. Lactococcin Q was purified by acetone precipitation, cation exchange chromatography, and reverse-phase chromatography. Lactococcin Q consisted of two peptides, α and β, whose molecular masses were determined to be 4,260.43 Da and 4,018.36 Da, respectively. Amino acid and DNA sequencing analyses revealed that lactococcin Q was a novel two-peptide bacteriocin, homologous to lactococcin G. Comparative study using chemically synthesized lactococcin Q (Qα plus Qβ) and lactococcin G (Gα plus Gβ) clarified that hybrid combinations (Qα plus Gβ and Gα plus Qβ) as well as original combinations showed antibacterial activity, although each single peptide showed no significant activity. These four pairs of lactococcin peptides acted synergistically at a 1:1 molar ratio and exhibited identical antibacterial spectra but differed in MIC. The MIC of Qα plus Gβ was 32 times higher than that of Qα plus Qβ, suggesting that the difference in β peptides was important for the intensity of antibacterial activity.
Gender Justice in Feminist Analysis of Public Policies in Argentina, Brazil and Chile

Abstract: This paper presents part of the authors’ postdoctoral research at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. It focuses on the transformation processes triggered by feminist-driven governmental actions in Brazil, Argentina and Chile over the last few years, especially during the terms of Cristina Fernández, Dilma Rousseff and Michele Bachelet. Using concepts and theoretical insights from specialized literature, we address questions about lobbying and disputes in the political arena in order to understand the impact of feminisms on public policies, and the extent to which these policies relate to the intersectional nature of discrimination (gender, race / ethnicity, class). Four major public policies areas are examined, namely economic autonomy, social facilities, health, and violence, from three analytical angles: 1) the role of women’s policy agencies in policy making processes; 2) Gender-Aware Public Policies during the mandates of female presidents in Argentina, Brasil e Chile; 3) the intersectionality of gender justice in public policy-making.
Shope fibroma virus DNA topoisomerase catalyses holliday junction resolution and hairpin formation in vitro.

The telomeres of poxviral chromosomes comprise covalently closed hairpin structures bearing mismatched bases. These hairpins are formed as concatemeric replication intermediates and are processed into mature, unit-length genomes. The structural transitions and enzymes involved in telomere resolution are poorly understood. Here we show that the type I topoisomerase of Shope fibroma virus (SFV) can promote a recombination reaction which converts cloned SFV replication intermediates into hairpin-ended molecules resembling mature poxviral telomeres. Recombinant SFV topoisomerase linearised a palindromic plasmid bearing 1.5 kb of DNA encoding the SFV concatemer junction, at a site near the centre of inverted-repeat symmetry. Most of these linear reaction products bore hairpin tips as judged by denaturing gel electrophoresis. The resolution reaction required palindromic SFV DNA sequences and was inhibited by compounds which block branch migration (MgCl2) or poxviral topoisomerases. The resolution reaction was also slow, needed substantial quantities of topoisomerase, and required that the palindrome be extruded in a cruciform configuration. DNA cleavage experiments identified a pair of suitably oriented topoisomerase recognition sites, 90 bases from the centre of the cloned SFV terminal inverted repeat, which may mark the resolution site. These data suggest a resolution scheme in which branch migration of a Holliday junction through a site occupied by covalently bound topoisomerase molecules, could lead to telomere resolution.
DC bus control of an advanced flywheel energy storage kinetic traction system for electrified railway industry

The evolution of public transportation exhibits high potential nowadays due to the consistent demand of clean transportation with low pollution rates. Therefore electrified railway systems become viable with their environmentally friendly properties. This study aims to improve the efficiency of DC power supplied railways via employing energy storage technology to maximize the overall energy efficiency. A flywheel energy storage system has been applied to store the regenerated energy during braking instead of dissipating it in the form of heat; then this stored energy can be used to compensate system disturbances and imbalance periods. A 75 kW/90 kJ squirrel cage induction machine based flywheel energy storage system is dedicated with a 600 VDC electric railway system to control the energy between the traction motor and the DC bus. The proposed control strategy is simulated using MATLAB/Simulink and simulation results have been shown. An experimentally FESS is built to support the study by experimental results.
Reputation-based Service Management and Reward Mechanisms in Distributed Cooperative Personal Environments

Personal Network (PN) is a person-centric, distributed environment of a person’s devices that provides access to personal resources and services regardless the location of the person. A Federation of Personal Networks (Fednet) is a group-oriented network of PNs. A Fednet is a pervasive and ubiquitous computing technology that enables the users to enjoy cooperation and promises exciting opportunities for different applications in various ﬁelds, such as education, healthcare, entertainment, business and emergency. Since each PN is associated with a person
The effect of frequency band on quantitative EEG measures in neonates with Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy

The effect of frequency ranges on three quantitative EEG measures as related to neurodevelopmental outcome at 12-24 months is reported here. Thirteen EEG records from term neonates with moderate hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) were analyzed. The spectral entropy, spectral edge frequency and relative power were calculated for each EEG channel. 4 separate frequency ranges were employed and their respective variations examined. Graphical and statistical analysis was carried out on the results. Statistical separation between the mean distributions of SEF, Hs and RP was not observed. The optimal frequency band is dependent on the qEEG measure in question.
PERFORMANCE AND HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF PULLETS FED VARYING LEVELS OF BAMBARANUT WASTE .

A six week study was carried out to investigate the effects of feeding varying levels of bambaranut (Voandzeia subterranean) waste based diets (BNW) on performance and haematological parameters of pullet chicks. Ninety six day old pullet chicks were randomly divided into five treatment of 18-19 birds per treatment. Each treatment was replicated two times with 9-19 birds per replicate. The five treatments T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5 were fed five diets containing 0, 13.70, 27.70, 41, 50, and 55.20% (BNW) respectively for six weeks. The experimental design was a completely randomized design (CRD). Data were subjected to a one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Treatment means were separated using Duncan’s multiple range test. Total weight gain and daily weight gain did not follow any specific trend but showed significant (P<0.05) differences. Feed conversion ratio improved steadily from T5 (10.10) to T1 (6.02) wit T1 having the best. Feed cost (Kg/N) decreased steadily from T1 (47.12) to T5 (18.92). Feed cost/Kg gain followed the same trend The performance parameters measured were live weight gain, final body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ration (FCR), cost of daily feed intake and cost of feed per kg weight gain. The blood cellular components, white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), eosinophils, neutrophils, basophil, packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin (HB) were also measured. The results showed that BNW had no adverse effect on the performance characteristic of six weeks old pullet chicks. The blood cellular components, white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), eosinophils, PCV, Haemoglobin and basophil were not significantly (P>0.05) different and were within the normal range. Only the neutrophil was significantly (P<0.05) different. Bambaranut waste can be included in diets of pullet chicks up to 41.50% (T4) for optimum performance and to reduce cost of production.