Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of a Shared Resource MIMD Computer Organization

In computer architecture investigations a major interest is in the analysis of organizations which explore parallelism, and therefore, may have multiple instruction and multiple data streams (MIMD). In this paper, a MIMD structure with one shared resource is analyzed for both synchronous and asynchronous request arrivals. Although the analysis is somewhat restricted, it appears that a similar approach can be used to extend the model to more general MIMD cases. Results presented for one particular set of parameters indicate that an optimum resource replication is possible such that an optimum cost performance is achieved.
A novel recombinant fusion toxin targeting HER‐2/NEU–over‐expressing cells and containing human tumor necrosis factor

Over‐expression of the proto‐oncogene HER2/neu in breast cancer and certain other tumors appears to be a central mechanism that may be partly responsible for cellular progression of the neoplastic phenotype. Transfection of mammalian cells and over‐expression of HER2/neu appears to result in reduced sensitivity to the cytotoxic effects of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and reduced sensitivity to immune effector killing. The single‐chain recombinant antibody sFv23 recognizes the cell‐surface domain of HER2/neu. The cDNA for this antibody was fused to the cDNA encoding human TNF, and this sFv23/TNF fusion construct was cloned into a plasmid for expression in Escherichia coli. The fusion protein was expressed and purified by ion‐exchange chromatography. SDS‐PAGE demonstrated a single band at the expected m.w. (43 kDa). Western analysis confirmed the presence of both the antibody component and the TNF component in the final fusion product. The fusion construct was tested for TNF activity against L‐929 cells and found to have biological activity similar to that of authentic TNF (SA 420 nM). The scFv23/TNF construct bound to SKBR‐3 (HER2‐positive) but not to A‐375 human melanoma (HER2‐negative) cells. Cytotoxicity studies against log‐phase human breast carcinoma cells (SKBR‐3‐HP) over‐expressing HER2/neu demonstrate that the sFv23/TNF fusion construct was 1,000‐fold more active than free TNF. Tumor cells expressing higher levels of HER2/neu (SKBR‐3‐LP) were relatively resistant to both the fusion construct and native TNF. These studies suggest that fusion constructs targeting the HER2/neu surface domain and containing TNF are more effective cytotoxic agents in vitro than native TNF and may be effective against tumor cells expressing intermediate, but not high, levels of HER2/neu. Int. J. Cancer 88:267–273, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Atomic structure of the 75 MDa extremophile Sulfolobus turreted icosahedral virus determined by CryoEM and X-ray crystallography

Sulfolobus turreted icosahedral virus (STIV) was isolated in acidic hot springs where it infects the archeon Sulfolobus solfataricus. We determined the STIV structure using near-atomic resolution electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography allowing tracing of structural polypeptide chains and visualization of transmembrane proteins embedded in the viral membrane. We propose that the vertex complexes orchestrate virion assembly by coordinating interactions of the membrane and various protein components involved. STIV shares the same coat subunit and penton base protein folds as some eukaryotic and bacterial viruses, suggesting that they derive from a common ancestor predating the divergence of the three kingdoms of life. One architectural motif (β-jelly roll fold) forms virtually the entire capsid (distributed in three different gene products), indicating that a single ancestral protein module may have been at the origin of its evolution.
In vitro human skin permeation and cutaneous metabolism of catechins from green tea extract and green tea extract–loaded chitosan microparticles

Catechins are major antioxidants in green tea (Camellia sinensis or Camellia assamica), but because they do not permeate the skin well, the application of green tea in cosmetic products has so far been limited. This study aims to evaluate the cutaneous absorption of catechins from an extract of green tea and from a green tea extract–loaded chitosan microparticle. The catechin skin metabolism was also examined. The results suggest that chitosan microparticles significantly improve the ability of catechins to permeate skin. The cutaneous metabolism of the catechins significantly affected their permeation profiles. Epicatechin (EC) and epigallocatechin (EGC) penetrated the skin more than epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and epicatechin gallate (ECG). The galloyl groups in EGCG and ECG were enzymatically hydrolysed to EGC and EC, respectively. Dehydroxylation of catechins was also observed. Chitosan microparticles effectively prevented enzymatic changes of the catechins; therefore, chitosan microparticles are here found to be the promising carriers for enhancing the skin permeation.
Review: Immunity mechanisms in crustaceans

Crustacean aquaculture represents a major industry in tropical developing countries. As a result of high culture densities and increasing extension of aquaculture farms, the presence of diseases has also increased, inducing economic losses. Invertebrates, which lack adaptive immune systems, have developed defense systems that respond against antigens on the surface of potential pathogens. The defense mechanisms of crustaceans depend completely on the innate immune system that is activated when pathogen-associated molecular patterns are recognized by soluble or by cell surface host proteins, such as lectins, antimicrobial, clotting, and pattern recognition proteins, which, in turn, activate cellular or humoral effector mechanisms to destroy invading pathogens. This work is aimed at presenting the main characteristics of the crustacean proteins that participate in immune defense by specific recognition of carbohydrate containing molecules, i.e. glycans, glycolipids, glycoproteins, peptidoglycans, or lipopolysaccharides from Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, viruses, or fungi. We review some basic aspects of crustacean effector defense processes, like agglutination, encapsulation, phagocytosis, clottable proteins, and bactericidal activity, induced by these carbohydrate-driven recognition patterns.
Playing Prosocial Video Games Increases the Accessibility of Prosocial Thoughts

ABSTRACT Past research has provided abundant evidence that playing violent video games increases aggressive tendencies. In contrast, evidence on possible positive effects of video game exposure on prosocial tendencies has been relatively sparse. The present research tested and found support for the hypothesis that exposure to prosocial video games increases the accessibility of prosocial thoughts. These results provide support to the predictive validity of the General Learning Model (Buckley & Anderson, 2006) for the effects of exposure to prosocial media on social tendencies. Thus, depending on the content of the video game, playing video games can harm but may also benefit social relations.
Coarse-to-Fine Particle Filter by Implicit Motion Estimation for 3D Head Tracking on Mobile Devices

Due to the widely spread mobile devices over the years, a low cost implementation of an efficient head tracking system is becoming more useful for a wide range of applications. In this paper, we make an attempt to solving real-time 3D head tracking problem on mobile devices by enhancing the fitness of the dynamics. In our method, the particles are generated by implicit motion estimation between two particles rather than the explicit motion estimation using corresponding point matching between consecutive two frames. This generation is applied iteratively using coarse-to fine strategy in order to handle a large motion using a small number of particle. This reduces the computational cost while preserving the performance. We evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm by empirical experiments. Finally, we demonstrate our method on a recent mobile phone.
An analysis of movement patterns between zones using taxi GPS data

The discovery of zones and people's movement patterns supports a better understanding of modern cities and enables a more comprehensive strategy for urban planning. This article proposes a modified method based on previous research to simultaneously discover people's zones and movement patterns, called movement patterns between functional zones (MPFZ). The method attempts to take full advantage of taxi GPS data to identify MPFZs by merging the movement traces satisfying the merging conditions. Considering movement directions, movement numbers and the adjacent constraints that consist of spatial relationship and attribute features, the merging conditions limit the movement traces to be merged. The new MPFZs are discovered by an iteration process and are measured by the following three evaluation indices: v‐value, a‐value and c‐value, which represent coverage, accuracy and their trade‐off. Using a real‐world taxi dataset of Beijing, 24 new MPFZs are discovered, which have higher v‐, a‐ and c‐values than the unmerged MPFZs. The results of the real‐world dataset experiment show that the proposed approach is effective and efficient. The proposed method can also be applied to other types of transportation data and regions by adjusting the dataset utilized and controlling the iteration process.
Medicare system gives Canadian industries competitive advantage, observers say.

T his winter, when General Motors announced that it would be shutting down 21 of its North American plants over the next 4 years, it warned that Canada would have to "share the pain" of impending job losses. That pain will extend not only to 74 000 Canadian and American workers targeted for layoff but also to untold thousands of others in the US and Canada who provide the auto industry with goods and services. One thing these unemployed Canadians will not have to share with their US counterparts, however, is the loss or erosion of health care insurance benefits. In Canada these are a social entitlement. In the US they are a privilege of employment. If the Canadians play their cards right, they might even stave off some plant closures by letting GM know that national health insurance allows lower labour costs than exist south of the border. Ontario Premier Bob Rae is already aware the fight against closures will be tough. "Every plant in the province has to convince the company [whose headquarters is in Detroit] that it can
Adaptive Blocker Rejection Continuous-Time $\Sigma \Delta $ ADC for Mobile WiMAX Applications

An adaptive blocker-rejection wideband continuous-time (CT) sigma-delta (SigmaDelta) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is presented. An integrated blocker detector reconfigures the ADC loop architecture to avoid overloading in the presence of strong interferers, improving receiver channel selectivity and sensitivity without increasing its dynamic range (DR) requirements. The adaptive operation relaxes receiver baseband channel filtering requirements for a worldwide inter-operability for microwave access (WiMAX, IEEE 802.16e) receiver. The ADC achieves 71 dB of dynamic range (DR), 65 dB of peak SNDR and 68 dB of peak SNR over a 10 MHz signal bandwidth, consuming 18 mW from a 1.2 V supply. The ADC system reconfigures the loop filter topology within 51 mus, improving receiver selectivity without any transient impact on BER. In the blocker suppression mode, the ADC can withstand 30 dBc blocker at the adjacent channel, achieving - 22 dB error vector magnitude (EVM) with a 24 Mb/s 16-QAM signal. The IC is fabricated on a 130 nm 8-level metal, metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor, CMOS technology, occupying 1.5 times 0.9 mm2 silicon area.
Vertical viewing angle enhancement for the 360  degree integral-floating display using an anamorphic optic system.

We propose a 360 degree integral-floating display with an enhanced vertical viewing angle. The system projects two-dimensional elemental image arrays via a high-speed digital micromirror device projector and reconstructs them into 3D perspectives with a lens array. Double floating lenses relate initial 3D perspectives to the center of a vertically curved convex mirror. The anamorphic optic system tailors the initial 3D perspectives horizontally and vertically disperse light rays more widely. By the proposed method, the entire 3D image provides both monocular and binocular depth cues, a full-parallax demonstration with high-angular ray density and an enhanced vertical viewing angle.
Multi-Resolution, Semantic Objects, and Context for Road Extraction

This paper presents a multi-resolution approach for automatic extraction of roads from digital aerial imagery. Roads are modeled as a network of intersections and links between the intersections. For different context regions, i.e., rural, forest, and urban areas, the model describes relations between background objects, e.g., buildings or trees, and road objects, e.g., road-parts, road-segments, road-links, and intersections. The segmentation of the image into context regions is done by texture analysis. The approach to detect roads is based on the extraction of edges in a high resolution image and the extraction of lines in an image of reduced resolution. Using both resolution levels and explicit knowledge about roads, hypotheses for roadsides are generated. The roadsides are used to construct quadrilaterals representing road-parts and polygons representing intersections. Neighboring road-parts are chained to road-segments. Road-links, i.e., the roads between two intersections, are built by grouping of road-segments and closing of gaps between road-segments. For the road-segments markings give highly reliable evidence. Road-links are constructed using knowledge about context.
Ermittlung der Empfindlichkeit des Quantitativen Ultraschalls der Phalangen für das Monitoring von kindlichen Wachstumsstörungen im Vergleich mit Röntgenbildern der linken Hand

29 Kinder mit Wachstumsstorungen (19w, 10m) wurden nach Quantitativen Ultraschallmessungen (QUS) von Angelow et al. (2005) 2 bis 3,4 Jahre spater erneut untersucht und das Knochenalter (KA) nach Greulich/Pyle und Tanner/Whitehouse bestimmt. Es wurden biometrische (Grose, Gewicht, BMI) und knochenmorphologische Parameter (Phalanxlange PL und -durchmesser PD, Kortikalisdicke KD und -querschnittsflache KF) der proximalen Phalanx II bis V erhoben. Alle Variablen wurden als jahrliche Anderung (JA) berechnet und Regressionsanalysen zugefuhrt. Prazisionsfehler: AD-SoS=9,6m/s, BTT=0,04µs, KAGP=0,57 Jahre, KATW=0,54 Jahre. Die JA des QUS korrelierten vor allem mit dem KAGP, sowie im Falle der BTT mit der Grose, PL, KD und KF. Unter Berucksichtigung des Least Signifikant Change (LSC) ausgedruckt in Jahren KAGP (AD-SoS 8 Monate, BTT 9 Monate) konnte der QUS in der Verlaufskontrolle Verwendung finden, jedoch mit additiver Rontgendiagnostik bei pathologischen bzw. nicht signifikanten Ergebnissen.
Distribution and localization of pro‐brain‐derived neurotrophic factor‐like immunoreactivity in the peripheral and central nervous system of the adult rat

The precursors for neurotrophins are proteolytically cleaved to form biologically active mature molecules which activate their receptors p75NTR and trks. A recent study showed that the precursor for nerve growth factor (NGF) can bind to p75NTR with a high affinity and induces apoptosis of neurons in vitro. Mutation in Val66Met of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) results in reduction in hippocampal function in learning and in the dysfunction of intracellular BDNF sorting and secretion. To examine the functions of pro‐neurotrophins in vivo, it is essential to know where they are expressed in the nervous system. In the present study, we have raised and characterized rabbit polyclonal antibodies against a peptide coding for the precursor region of the BDNF gene. The antibody specifically recognizes the precursor for BDNF by western blot. With the affinity purified precursor antibody, we have mapped the distribution and localization of the precursor for BDNF. The results showed that, like mature BDNF, pro‐BDNF is localized to nerve terminals in the superficial layers of dorsal horn, trigeminal nuclei, nuclei tractus solitarius, amygdaloid complex, hippocampus, hypothalamus and some peripheral tissues. These results suggest that pro‐BDNF, like mature BDNF, is anterogradely transported to nerve terminals and may have important functions in synaptic transmission in the spinal cord and brain.
The time course of in vivo recovery of transverse strain in high-stress tendons following exercise

Objective To evaluate the time course of the recovery of transverse strain in the Achilles and patellar tendon following a bout of resistance exercise. Methods Seventeen healthy adults underwent sonographic examination of the right patellar (n=9) and Achilles (n=8) tendons immediately prior to and following 90 repetitions of weight-bearing quadriceps and gastrocnemius-resistance exercise performed against an effective resistance of 175% and 250% body weight, respectively. Sagittal tendon thickness was determined 20 mm from the enthesis and transverse strain, as defined by the stretch ratio, was repeatedly monitored over a 24 h recovery period. Results Resistance exercise resulted in an immediate decrease in Achilles (t7=10.6, p<0.01) and patellar (t8=8.9, p<0.01) tendon thickness, resulting in an average transverse stretch ratio of 0.86±0.04 and 0.82±0.05, which was not significantly different between tendons. The magnitude of the immediate transverse strain response, however, was reduced with advancing age (r=0.63, p<0.01). Recovery in transverse strain was prolonged compared with the duration of loading and exponential in nature. The average primary recovery time was not significantly different between the Achilles (6.5±3.2 h) and patellar (7.1±3.2 h) tendons. Body weight accounted for 62% and 64% of the variation in recovery time, respectively. Conclusions Despite structural and biochemical differences between the Achilles and patellar tendon, the mechanisms underlying transverse creep recovery in vivo appear similar and are highly time dependent. These novel findings have important implications concerning the time required for the mechanical recovery of high-stress tendons following an acute bout of exercise.
An intelligent robotic framework for automated assembly

Recent applications of robots for industrial automation have shown significant improvement in manufacturing processes in terms of reducing labor participation, enhancing flexibility, efficiency and quality of the products. However, most applications are limited to point-to-point and noninteractive operations in which the availability of a highly structured setup is a prerequisite. This prompts the vast emergency of researches on intelligent robotics that are aimed to improve the adaptability, flexibility and dexterity so as to enhance the intelligence of industrial robots. This paper investigates the designs of intelligent robotic systems and discusses the proposed criteria required to achieve an intelligent robotic system. A proposed conceptual framework for robotic assembly is then presented that contains two main parts, namely, a robotic state recognizer and a control strategy generator. In addition to these two components, the integration of compliant motion control into the framework will be described. An example of using the proposed framework to develop a robotic assembly system is given.
NIVEL DE NOMOFOBIA EN ESTUDIANTES DE MEDICINA DE PARAGUAY, AÑO 2015

Introduccion: E l termino “nomofobia” se refiere al miedo o incertidumbre que se manifiesta al no tener a mano o funcionando el telefono movil. Objetivos: Determinar el nivel de nomofobia en estudiantes de Medicina del Paraguay, teniendo en cuenta el sexo, el grupo etario y el rendimiento academico. Metodologia: Diseno descriptivo de corte transversal. La muestra de tipo no probabilistico por conveniencia. Se utilizaron 234 encuestas de caracter anonimo y voluntario. Los datos fueron analizados utilizando el paquete estadistico SPSS 15. Resultados: El 43,6% representa un nivel de nomofobia leve; el 40,6%, moderado y el 15,8%, severo. Conclusion: Se encontro una alta prevalencia de nomofobia en estudiantes de Medicina de Paraguay. Palabras Claves : Nomofobia, estudiante de medicina, Paraguay, celular
Ischemic Preconditioning Upregulates Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor mRNA Expression and Neovascularization via Nuclear Translocation of Protein Kinase C &egr; in the Rat Ischemic Myocardium

Ischemic preconditioning (IP) exerts cardioprotection through protein kinase C (PKC) activation, whereas myocardial ischemia enhances vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA expression. However, the IP effect or the involvement of PKC on the VEGF expression is unknown in myocardial infarction. We investigated whether IP enhances VEGF gene expression and angiogenesis through PKC activation in the in vivo myocardial infarction model. Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned into the following 3 groups: the sham group; the IP group, which underwent 3 cycles of 3 minutes of ischemia and 5 minutes of reperfusion (IP procedure); and the non-IP group. The latter 2 groups were subsequently subjected to left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion. To examine the involvement of PKC, the PKC inhibitor chelerythrine (5 mg/kg) or bisindolylmaleimide (1 mg/kg) was injected intravenously before the IP procedures. PKC&egr; was translocated to the nucleus after 10 minutes of ischemia after the IP procedure but was not translocated in the non-IP and the sham groups. VEGF mRNA expression 3 hours after infarction was significantly higher in the IP group than in the non-IP and the sham groups. Capillary density in the infarction was significantly higher, whereas the infarct size was smaller in the IP group than in the non-IP group at 3 days of infarction. Chelerythrine but not bisindolylmaleimide blocked all of the IP effects on the nuclear translocation of PKC&egr;, enhancement of VEGF mRNA expression and angiogenesis, and infarct size limitation. These results show that IP may enhance VEGF gene expression and angiogenesis through nuclear translocation of PKC&egr; in the infarcted myocardium.
Combined Decoding and Flexible Transform Designs for Effective H.264/AVC Decoders

This paper proposes combined decoding architecture and high-throughput flexible transform design to effectively decode the residual data for H.264/AVC decoders. The inverse quantization (IQ) procedure is combined with context-based adaptive variable length coding (CAVL) decoder to efficiently achieve the simplification. Besides, the flexible transform architecture is also proposed for effective computation of all transforms needed in H.264/AVC decoders. Since all the transforms are realized in the same architecture, the flexible transform design with the throughput of 8 pixels/sec needs fewer logic gate counts. Simulation results show that the implemented gate count is 18.6k and the maximum operating frequency is 125 MHz. For real-time requirements, this proposed design achieves 4VGA (1280times960)@30 frames/sec in the worst case.