Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gaussian process based state estimation for a gyroscope-free IMU

A gyroscope-free inertial measurement unit (GF-IMU) utilizes only accelerometers to determine the relative movement of a body. We consider the problem of merging the individual accelerometer measurements using an Unscented Kalman filter (UKF) to estimate the body motion. Conventionally, this is realized by a parametric observation model, which gives the expected sensor measurements. In this paper, we replace this model by a Gaussian process (GP). GPs are a state-of-the-art non-parametric Bayesian regression framework. Thereby, the measurements are determined based on a sampled set of training data. No physical principles of the system must be described. In addition, we apply sparse GPs using pseudo-inputs to reduce computation time, while the estimation accuracy remains nearly constant. As a result, the filter cycle time decreases by a factor of 1.92. We present accuracy measurements obtained on a 3D rotation table and compare the results to estimates generated with a parametric model.
Laser-Induced Fluorescence Emission (L.I.F.E.): searching for Mars organics with a UV-enhanced PanCam.

The European Space Agency will launch the ExoMars mission in 2016 with a primary goal of surveying the martian subsurface for evidence of organic material. We have recently investigated the utility of including either a 365 nm light-emitting diode or a 375 nm laser light source in the ExoMars rover panoramic camera (PanCam). Such a modification would make it feasible to monitor rover drill cuttings optically for the fluorescence signatures of aromatic organic molecules and map the distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as a function of depth to the 2 m limit of the ExoMars drill. The technique described requires no sample preparation, does not consume irreplaceable resources, and would allow mission control to prioritize deployment of organic detection experiments that require sample destruction, expenditure of non-replaceable consumables, or both. We report here for the first time laser-induced fluorescence emission (L.I.F.E.) imaging detection limits for anthracene, pyrene, and perylene targets doped onto a Mars analog granular peridotite with a 375 nm Nichia laser diode in optically uncorrected wide-angle mode. Data were collected via the Beagle 2 PanCam backup filter wheel fitted with original blue (440 nm), green (530 nm), and red (670 nm) filters. All three PAH species can be detected with the PanCam green (530 nm) filter. Detection limits in the green band for signal-to-noise ratios (S/N) > 10 are 49 parts per million (ppm) for anthracene, 145 ppm for pyrene, and 20 ppm for perylene. The anthracene detection limit improves to 7 ppm with use of the PanCam blue filter. We discuss soil-dependent detection limit constraints; use of UV excitation with other rover cameras, which provides higher spatial resolution; and the advantages of focused and wide-angle laser modes. Finally, we discuss application of L.I. F.E. techniques at multiple wavelengths for exploration of Mars analog extreme environments on Earth, including Icelandic hydrothermally altered basalts and the ice-covered lakes and glaciers of Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica.
Endocrine Function of the Postmenopausal Ovary

The overies of postmenopausal women are smaller than those of premenopausal women and consist primarily of stromal cells. These cells have receptors for, and respond to, gonadotropins and secrete testosterone and lesser amounts of other androgens and estrogens. The ovaries of some postmenopausal women contain P-450 aromatase and secrete estradiol. There is little evidence that inhibins A or B are secreted by postmenopausal ovaries.
Novel Tissue Level Effects of the Staphylococcus aureus Enterotoxin Gene Cluster Are Essential for Infective Endocarditis

Background Superantigens are indispensable virulence factors for Staphylococcus aureus in disease causation. Superantigens stimulate massive immune cell activation, leading to toxic shock syndrome (TSS) and contributing to other illnesses. However, superantigens differ in their capacities to induce body-wide effects. For many, their production, at least as tested in vitro, is not high enough to reach the circulation, or the proteins are not efficient in crossing epithelial and endothelial barriers, thus remaining within tissues or localized on mucosal surfaces where they exert only local effects. In this study, we address the role of TSS toxin-1 (TSST-1) and most importantly the enterotoxin gene cluster (egc) in infective endocarditis and sepsis, gaining insights into the body-wide versus local effects of superantigens. Methods We examined S. aureus TSST-1 gene (tstH) and egc deletion strains in the rabbit model of infective endocarditis and sepsis. Importantly, we also assessed the ability of commercial human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) plus vancomycin to alter the course of infective endocarditis and sepsis. Results TSST-1 contributed to infective endocarditis vegetations and lethal sepsis, while superantigens of the egc, a cluster with uncharacterized functions in S. aureus infections, promoted vegetation formation in infective endocarditis. IVIG plus vancomycin prevented lethality and stroke development in infective endocarditis and sepsis. Conclusions Our studies support the local tissue effects of egc superantigens for establishment and progression of infective endocarditis providing evidence for their role in life-threatening illnesses. In contrast, TSST-1 contributes to both infective endocarditis and lethal sepsis. IVIG may be a useful adjunct therapy for infective endocarditis and sepsis.
The Effect of Sodium Intake on Renal Prostaglandin Production 1

Abstract The effect of chronic alterations in dietary sodium intake on renal arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism was studied in male Wistar rats who were maintained for 14 days on a diet consisting of sodium-deficient food and either deionized water (low salt intake, LSI), 1% saline (normal salt intake, NSI), or 2% saline (high salt intake, HSI). 24 h Urinary Sodium (UNaV) and plasma renin activity (PRA) measurements were shown to validate the dietary protocol. Microsomal preparations from the cortices and medullae were incubated with radiolabeled exogenous AA, and endogenous urinary prostaglandin (PG) levels were assayed by RIA to quantify renal PG synthesis. Cortical PGF2a and PGE2 synthesis was found to be the greatest following LSI. In contrast, medullary PGF2a was shown to be the least following LSI and to increase with increased sodium intake. Likewise, urinary PGF2a levels significantly increased with increasing sodium intake. Changes in urinary PGE2 levels showed the same trend as PGF2a but did not achieve statistical significance. These data show that dietary sodium differentially affects renal cortical and medullary PG synthesis and may reflect physiological differences in the regulation of cyclooxygenase in these zones. These data further suggest that the major source of urinary PGs is the renal medulla since the relationship of urinary levels to sodium intake mimics that described for the synthesis of PGs by the medullary tissue.
Late Reconstruction of the Complex Orbital Fractures With Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing Technique

Background: To construct three-dimensional (3D) imaging and computer generated models of complex orbital fractures, and develop a Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacture (CAD/CAM) system to help improve the surgical planning of complex orbital fracture and promote its outcome. Methods: A prospective study was carried out on 17 patients with unilateral complex orbital fractures from Mar 2003 to Mar 2006 at the Shanghai ninth people's hospital. The utilization of a CAD/CAM technique based on Helical computer tomography data, with stereolithographical (SLA) modelling as intermediate step, enabled surgeons to plan for the surgical progress of osteotomy, movement, reposition, fixation and material implanting. Orbital volume was calculated pre and post-operatively. Orbital fracture reconstruction and globe repositioning was performed and followed up 3-9 months post-treatment. Ocular function and aesthetic deformities such as enophthalmos, diplopia and extraocular motility problems were accessed. The data was processed with SAS 6.17 statistical software. Results: 17 patients with complex orbital fractures underwent successful orbital fracture reconstruction surgery. The deformities of orbit, medial canthus, nose, zygomata, maxillary and frontal bone were well corrected. The volume of reconstructed orbit was approximately symmetrical with respect to the contralateral orbit. Enophthalmos was corrected and diplopia, extraocular movement were improved. Conclusions: CAD/CAM system enables the surgeon to predict reconstructive surgical steps before the operation, and can help to improve the outcome of surgery. This technique may be proved as one of the most useful clinical tools for orbital surgery.
Silencing of c‐myc Expression in Tumor Cells by siRNA

Suppression of c‐myc protooncogene expression in KB‐3‐1 cells by siRNA was investigated. The siRNA duplex targeted to the exon 3 of c‐myc mRNA was prepared by in vitro transcription with T7 RNA polymerase on short dsDNA‐templates. It was found that incubation of KB‐3‐1 cells in the presence of 75 nM siRNA results in decrease of the c‐myc mRNA level down to 5% of the level in the control cells and significant decline of KB‐3‐1 cell proliferation rate. Using 200 nM siRNA four‐fold decrease of KB‐3‐1 cells proliferation rate was observed and this effect was stable at least 96 h after transfection.
Guerre des prix ou instrumentalisation de l'incertitude sur les prix: quelle stratégie pour un fournisseur dominant sur le marché gazier européen ?

L’objectif de cet article est donc de tenter d’apprecier quelle strategie pourrait etre mise en place par un fournisseur (ou un groupe de gros fournisseurs) dominant de l’UE durant la phase de transition dans laquelle se trouve le marche gazier europeen, afin de conserver (augmenter ? ) ses parts de marche et maximiser ses revenus. Il s’agit d’explorer les possibilites d’actions strategiques sur le long terme autres que celles consistant a defendre les volumes au travers d’une guerre des prix. En particulier, on tentera de definir si la societe gaziere russe, Gazprom, acteur important du marche gazier de l'UE serait en mesure de mettre en œuvre une strategie visant instrumentaliser l'incertitude sur les prix a l'image de celle menee par l'Arabie saoudite sur le marche petrolier international
Minimum/maximum phase decomposition of signals inspired by the auditory periphery

We propose a signal decomposition approach based on our interpretation of the functioning of the auditory periphery. Analogous to previously proposed auditory models, a parallel-bank of M filters forms the front-end of our model. However, each filter output is further decomposed into a minimum-phase (MinP) and a maximum-phase (MaxP) component. These components are analytic signals with special envelope-phase relationships. Once the filter output is decomposed into MinP/MaxP components we compute the instantaneous frequencies of these components. Finally, we sift through the instantaneous frequencies of all the MinP components and retain only those filter outputs that are entirely MaxP. It appears that a handful of instantaneous frequency tracks of MaxP components are sufficient to represent vowel sounds.
Z-Source Inverter: Topology Improvements Review

One of the most promising power electronics converter topologies is the Z-source inverter (ZSI). The ZSI is an emerging topology for power electronics dc-ac converters with interesting properties such as buck-boost characteristics and single-stage conversion. A two-port network, composed of two capacitors and two inductors connected in an X shape, is employed to provide an impedance source (Z-source) network, coupling the inverter main circuit to the dc input source. The ZSI advantageously uses the shoot-through (ST) state to boost the input voltage, which improves the inverter reliability and enlarges its application fields. In comparison with other power electronics converters, it provides an attractive single stage dc-ac conversion with buck-boost capability with reduced cost, reduced volume, and higher efficiency due to a lower component number. For emerging power-generation technologies, such as fuel cells, photovoltaic (PV) arrays, and wind turbines, and new power electronic applications such as electric and hybrid vehicles, the ZSI is a very promising and competitive topology [1]-[4].
SURGICAL PROCEDURE AND POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT OF A PERINEAL URETHROSTOMY IN A CHIMPANZEE (PAN TROGLODYTES)

Abstract A chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) with traumatic loss of the distal penis developed a gradually enlarging ventral urethral swelling and progressive dysuria. Endoscopy identified a urethral diverticulum, and endoscopic resection of the diverticulum wall was performed. Postoperative infection caused extensive necrosis of the penis, which necessitated a perineal urethrostomy. Complications of the urethrostomy included urethral obstruction from recurrent urethral stricture. The stricture was managed by regular dilatation using urethral bougies. Because of considerable postoperative swelling, catheterization was required to allow micturition following both the diverticular resection and polyp debulking. A shortened catheter sutured to the skin was tolerated for up to 10 days. Four yr after the urethrostomy, the animal is healthy and asymptomatic with endoscopic examinations performed at 12 mo intervals. This case demonstrates that with appropriate aftercare, perineal urethrostomy is an effective technique in the treatment of chronic distal urethral obstruction in the chimpanzee and probably other primate species.
Contralateral Breast Cancer: Factors Associated with Stage and Size at Presentation

Abstract: Few reports have evaluated factors associated with the stage at presentation of contralateral breast cancer and whether contralateral cancer presentation has changed in recent years, during which increased screening and enhanced adjuvant therapy of the initial tumor has been introduced. Patients with initial cancers staged 0–IIIB diagnosed between 1980 and 1999 who subsequently developed contralateral breast cancer were evaluated for stage, primary tumor size and histologic features, patient age and year of diagnosis, synchronous or metachronous presentation, and time from initial tumor to diagnosis of contralateral breast cancer. Tumor presentation was compared with contemporaneously diagnosed unilateral breast cancer patients. A total of 171 patients were diagnosed with contralateral breast cancer; 161 cases if lobular carcinoma in situ for either the initial or the contralateral tumor were excluded. Contralateral tumors were of significantly smaller size and of earlier stage than initial tumors. Contralateral cancers demonstrated earlier stage distributions with more recent year of diagnosis; initial tumors in contralateral patients did not. Earlier stage at presentation of contralateral tumors was associated in a multivariate model with more recent year of contralateral tumor diagnosis and earlier stage at presentation of the initial tumor; contralateral tumor size was associated with the size of the initial tumor. More recently diagnosed contralateral breast cancers are presenting with earlier stages of disease. The stages of initial tumors in these patients have not undergone such an improvement. Initial tumor size and stage is strongly associated with contralateral breast cancer size and stage; this association is independent of the year of diagnosis. Increased compliance with screening might be expected to improve both initial tumor stage and tumor size presentations in contralateral tumor patients, as well as the presentation of contralateral cancers.
Model Predictive Control of an AFE Rectifier With Dynamic References

In this paper, a finite control set model predictive controller for closed-loop control of an active front-end rectifier is presented. The proposed method operates in discrete time and does not require additional modulators. The key novelty of the control algorithm presented lies in the way dynamic references are handled. The control strategy is capable of providing suitable references for the source active power and the rectified voltage, without requiring additional control loops. Experimental results show that fast and accurate tracking of dynamic dc voltage and reactive power references can be achieved, while respecting the restrictions on maximum power levels of the rectifier.
Vascular Signal Transduction and Atherosclerosis

Hormones, growth factors, neurotransmitters, and other agonists bind to specific receptors on cell plasma membrane. Receptor occupancy initiates the formation of second messenger molecules including adenosine 3‘,5‘-monophosphate (CAMP), guanosine 3‘,5’-monophosphate (cGMP), and other recently discovered messenger molecules, diacylglycerol, and inositolphosphates formed by hydrolysis of phosphoinositides. ’ *‘ Second messengers control a number of cellular events including metabolism, secretion, shape change, and cellular growth. ’*3 At present, cellular manifestations of human atherosclerosis are relatively well known. The progression of atherosclerotic plaque takes place in vascular intima; media and adventitia are not involved. It is known that in aging human vascular endothelium becomes morphologically heterogeneous; clusters of giant and small endothelial cells have been d e ~ c r i b e d . ~ . ~ Recently, using computer analysis of sudanophylic areas in human aorta, the zones with high and low probability of atherosclerosis were The study of morphologic heterogeneity of endothelial lining in these regions demonstrated that in the areas of high probability of atherosclerosis (ages 30-70 years) heterogeneous clasterized endothelium is met 2.7 times more frequently than in unaffected areas, and in the age group of 20-27 years this clusterization is found exclusively in these region^. ^ Thickening of vascular wall in the region of atherosclerotic plaque is caused by local increase in the volume of extracellular matrix* synthesized by modified smooth muscle cells (SMC). Statistically reliable increase in the proportion of modified SMC was demonstrated in atherosclerotic plaque leading to a drop in the number of SMC of contractile phenotype. ’ The important cellular event in the development of atherosclerotic plaque is the appearance of macrophageand smooth muscle cell-derived foam cells in intima. ’ Thus, it is evident that the formation of human atherosclerotic plaque is accompanied by essential changes in morphology, functions, and cellular composition of intimal layer including endothelial cells. Therefore, it is logical to study the involvement of the second messenger systems in these events. This paper describes the results of the study of signal transduction systems and second messengers in intimal cells of human aorta in athero-
Regulation of aging and innate immunity in C. elegans

The free‐living soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a versatile model for the study of the genetic regulation of aging and of host–pathogen interactions. Many genes affecting multiple processes, such as neuroendocrine signalling, nutritional sensing and mitochondrial functions, have been shown to play important roles in determining the lifespan of C. elegans. The DAF‐2‐mediated insulin signalling pathway is the major pathway that regulates aging in this nematode and this role appears universal; neuroendrocrine signalling also affects aging in Drosophila and mice. Recent studies have shown that the innate immune function in C. elegans is modulated by signalling from the TGF‐beta‐like, the p38 MAPK and the DAF‐2 insulin pathways. The requirement for the DAF‐2 pathway in modulating aging and immunity suggests that these processes may be linked at the molecular level. It is well known that as humans age, immunosenescence occurs in which there is a general degradation of immune efficiency. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in this process remain unclear. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms that modulate aging and immune response and attempt to suggest molecular links between these two processes.
How "Sociotechnical" is our IS Research? An Assessment and Possible Ways Forward

This paper seeks to offer an assessment regarding the extent to which we, as IS academics, have been faithful to sociotechnical paradigm, often considered as a fundamental guiding frame for the discipline. As a first step, the paper identifies eight ways in which the technical and the social are featured in the IS literature. Having done so, the paper provides a critical commentary on whether, and in what sense, we have been true to the sociotechnical framework. Finally, the paper offers some ideas for the IS community to reflect on regarding how to move forward with respect to sociotechnical framing of IS research.
The burden and determinants of self-reported acute gastrointestinal illness in an Indigenous Batwa Pygmy population in southwestern Uganda

SUMMARY Acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI) is an important public health priority worldwide. Few studies have captured the burden of AGI in developing countries, and even fewer have focused on Indigenous populations. This study aimed to estimate the incidence and determinants of AGI within a Batwa Pygmy Indigenous population in southwestern Uganda. A retrospective cross-sectional survey was conducted in January 2013 via a census of 10 Batwa communities (n = 583 participants). The AGI case definition included any self-reported symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting in the past 2 weeks. The 14-day prevalence of AGI was 6·17% [95% confidence interval (CI) 4·2–8·1], corresponding to an annual incidence rate of 1·66 (95% CI 1·1–2·2) episodes of AGI per person-year. AGI prevalence was greatest in children aged <3 years (11·3%). A multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression model controlling for clustering at the community level indicated that exposure to goats [odds ratio (OR) 2·6, 95% CI 1·0–6·8], being a child aged <3 years (OR 4·8, 95% CI 1·2–18·9), and being a child, adolescent or senior Batwa in the higher median of wealth (OR 7·0, 95% CI 3·9–9·2) were significantly associated with having AGI. This research represents the first Indigenous community-census level study of AGI in Uganda, and highlights the substantial burden of AGI within this population.
Power Efficient Algorithm for Energy Harvesting in Sensor Networks

This paper proposes a new power efficient protocol named PEGASIS. The basic principle of this protocol is for the nodes to communicate their sensed data to their neighbors and the randomly chosen nodes will take turns in communicating to the BS. It assumes that the BS is fixed at a far distance from the sensor nodes. The sensor nodes are homogeneous and energy constraint with uniform energy. All the nodes maintain a complete database about the location of all other nodes. This makes the protocol robust to failures. Analyze the MAE, which is defined as the mean of the absolute difference between the maximum and the estimated fusion node in each round.