Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Zebrafish Embryos and Larvae as Alternative Animal Models for Toxicity Testing

Prerequisite to any biological laboratory assay employing living animals is consideration about its necessity, feasibility, ethics and the potential harm caused during an experiment. The imperative of these thoughts has led to the formulation of the 3R-principle, which today is a pivotal scientific standard of animal experimentation worldwide. The rising amount of laboratory investigations utilizing living animals throughout the last decades, either for regulatory concerns or for basic science, demands the development of alternative methods in accordance with 3R to help reduce experiments in mammals. This demand has resulted in investigation of additional vertebrate species displaying favourable biological properties. One prominent species among these is the zebrafish (Danio rerio), as these small laboratory ray-finned fish are well established in science today and feature outstanding biological characteristics. In this review, we highlight the advantages and general prerequisites of zebrafish embryos and larvae before free-feeding stages for toxicological testing, with a particular focus on cardio-, neuro, hepato- and nephrotoxicity. Furthermore, we discuss toxicokinetics, current advances in utilizing zebrafish for organ toxicity testing and highlight how advanced laboratory methods (such as automation, advanced imaging and genetic techniques) can refine future toxicological studies in this species.
Correlation of fabrication tolerances with the performance of guided-mode-resonance micro-optical components

Large-scale fabrication of micro-optical Guided-Mode-Resonance (GMR) components using VLSI techniques is desirable, due to the planar system integration capabilities it enables, especially with laser resonator technology. However, GMR performance is dependent on within-wafer as well as wafer-to-wafer lithographic process variability, and pattern transfer fidelity of the final component in the substrate. The fabrication of lithographs below the g-line stepper resolution limit is addressed using multiple patterning. We report results from computational simulations, fabrication and optical reflectance measurements of GMR mirrors and filters (designed to perform around the wavelength of 1550nm), with correlations to lithographic parameter variability, such as photoresist exposure range and etch depth. The dependence of the GMR resonance peak wavelength, peak bandwidth are analyzed as a function of photolithographic fabrication tolerances and process window.
Shoe-floor interactions during human slip and fall: Modeling and experiments

Shoe-floor interactions such as friction force and deformation/local slip distributions are among the critical factors to determine the risk for potential slip and fall. In this paper, we present modeling, analysis, and experiments to understand the slip and force distributions between the shoe sole and floor surface during the normal gait and the slip and fall gait. The computational results for the slip and friction force distribution are based on the spring-beam networks model. The experiments are conducted with several new sensing techniques. The in-situ contour footprint is accurately measured by a set of laser line generators and image processing algorithms. The force distributions are obtained by combining two types of force sensor measurements: implanted conductive rubber-based force sensor arrays in the shoe sole and six degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) insole force/torque sensors. We demonstrate the sensing system development through extensive experiments. Finally, the new sensing system and modeling framework confirm that the use of required coefficient of friction and the deformation measurements can real-time predict the slip occurrence.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Comparative Intraocular Pressure Study among Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Patients

Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the major health issues in the world. Its microvascular complications contribute to ocular complications including increased intraocular pressure (IOP) which is a risk factor of glaucoma. Identification of factors responsible for glaucoma is a mainstay in the early detection and prevention of blindness. Aim and Objectives: The objective of the study was to compare IOP among diabetic and non-diabetic patients and to assess the correlation between age and IOP. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was performed on 104 participants. Patients were divided into two groups based on diabetes (case, n = 52) and non-diabetes (control, n = 52). The detailed history and routine clinical investigations were performed. Three consecutive readings of IOP of the left and right eye were recorded separately using Goldmann applanation tonometer. Wilcox sign-rank test and Spearman-correlation test was used to find the difference between the IOP and correlation between age and IOP, respectively. Results: A significantly higher IOP was observed in diabetic patients than non-diabetic patients. (0.0001). There was no sex difference in IOP was observed in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Age of the patient was not correlated with IOP (r = –0.02197219, P = 0.824). Conclusion: Diabetic patients are prone to higher IOP; therefore, diabetic patients should be regularly assessed for IOP for diagnosis glaucoma.
Modular Design and Option Value: The Impact of System Architecture on Developer Productivity

How do system design decisions affect the ability of the system to adapt to uncertain future demands? While a variety of studies explore the link between a system’s design and its technical performance (e.g., the number of defects experienced in future) few empirical studies provide robust quantitative data on how design decisions create (or destroy) value through their impact on a systems ability to adapt to future needs. Despite strong theoretical and descriptive evidence that modular (i.e., loosely-coupled) systems are easier to adapt than tightly-coupled systems, the lack of empirical confirmation of the size and direction of such differences represents a serious gap in our knowledge with respect to how modular designs create “option” value. We address this gap by analyzing the relationship between design decisions and developer productivity for a large, successful commercial software system. Our analysis relies upon measuring the level of coupling of 14,000 components in the system, and using these m.
Privacy-Preserving and Fault-Tolerant Aggregation of Time-Series Data With a Semi-Trusted Authority

Time-series data aggregation in Internet of Things applications is a useful operation, where the time-series data is sensed by a group of users, and gathered by the aggregator for real-time analysis. However, some security and privacy challenges still affect the collection and aggregation process. Although existing privacy-preserving solutions achieve strong privacy guarantees, they introduce a fully trusted TA that is difficult to realize in the real world. Besides, they cannot be directly applied in time-series data aggregation scenarios due to unacceptable efficiency. In this article, we propose a privacy-preserving time-series data aggregation scheme with a semi-trusted authority. Moreover, our scheme also supports arbitrary aggregate functions and fault tolerance to enhance the reliability and scalability of data aggregation. Security analysis demonstrates that our proposed scheme achieves <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$(n-k)$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-source anonymity even if <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$k(k\leq (n-2))$ </tex-math></inline-formula> data providers collude with the cloud server. We also conduct thorough experiments based on a simulated data aggregation scenario to show the high computation and communication efficiency of our scheme.
Junctionless 6T SRAM cell

The design of a 6T SRAM cell with 20 nm junctionless (JL) MOSFETs is reported. It is shown that a 6T SRAM cell designed with JL MOSFETs achieves a high static noise margin (SNM) of 185 mV, retention noise or hold margin (RNM) of 381 mV and writability current (IWR) of 33 µA along with a low leakage current (ILEAK) of 2 pA at a supply voltage (VDD) of 0.9 V for cell and pull-up ratios of 1. Results offer a new opportunity to design future SRAM cells with nanoscale JL MOSFETs.
Mechanical Analysis of the Jumping Motion of a Spherical Robot

The obstacle surmounting capability of traditional spherical mobile robot is limited, especially when the spherical mobile robot comes across vertical barrier. In this paper we design a new kind of spherical mobile robot with two-mass-one-spring mechanism based on tradition spherical mobile robot. This spherical robot could not only move agility and move with the zero turning radius like traditional spherical mobile robot but also jump in three-dimensional space. In this paper we build the mathematical model of robot jumping with friction. Numeric simulations are carried out for the model using Matlab and ADAMS, we get the similar curve. These simulation results verify the validity of the mechanics model. At last we design an experimental facility, verify the model of robot jumping by experiment. Our work will be the base of model machine designing.
MODELS AND METHODOLOGIES FOR REALISTIC PROPAGATION SIMULATION FOR URBAN MESH NETWORKS

Abstract : By providing connectivity to mobile users, mesh networks are poised to become a major extension of the Internet. More than 300 cities and towns have plans to deploy mesh networks, and several dozen cities have already deployed these networks. These mesh networks are meant to enhance city and emergency services communication as well as to provide city-wide, low-cost, ubiquitous Internet access for residents and visitors. Such networks promise to bring dramatic changes to data accessibility and hence have a major impact on society. Simulation is the integral step in the validation of mesh networking protocols. However, currently, most simulations use the trivial disk propagation model (i.e., the signal propagates exactly R meters and no further) or a highly idealized propagation model such as the free-space or the two-ray model. Due to the presence of buildings, propagation in urban environments is far more complicated than the propagation presented by these simple models. Consequently, channel variability, which is a key aspect of wireless networking, is not well modeled in todays simulations. The result is that many insights gained from the simplistic environment do not necessarily hold in the urban environment, casting doubt on the applicability of the conclusions drawn from these simulations. While the reasons that realistic propagation models are typically not included into network simulations is not well documented, it seems that one of the main reasons include the belief that propagation modeling is computationally intractable and that propagation cannot be realistically modeled due to small-scale fading and delay spread. This dissertation focuses on developing models for realistic propagation simulation and the implications of these models on simulation of urban mesh networks. The dissertation also provides measurements and models for time-varying nature of propagation and characterization of the effect of interference on packet success probability.
Receiver antenna scan rate requirements needed to implement pulse chasing in a bistatic radar receiver

Pulse chasing is a technique implemented by a bistatic or multistatic radar system that allows rapid and efficient search of a desired volume of space whereby the receiving antenna is made to follow or "chase" the transmitted pulse as it travels radially outward from the transmitter antenna. An expression for receiver antenna scan rate requirements is derived that corrects an error in the prior literature. The results give significantly reduced scan rates in the forward scatter region near the baseline showing that pulse chasing is more easily implemented using conventional analog beamformer phased array technology than was suggested by prior work.
High sensitive and efficient photorefractive tunable optical wavelength filter with applied external field

We develop a tunable optical wavelength filter with PR (photorefractive) materials applied the external field for achieving higher sensitivity and efficiency. In the past, the diffraction efficiency of the PR tunable filters with transmission gratings has been much lower than other conventional wavelength filters, such as the array wavelength gratings filter, the thin film filter, and the fiber Bragg gratings filter. By applying the external field to PR materials, we can obtain the refractive index modulation depth of 13 times larger than that without applied field, specifically in lithium niobate with the acceptor density of ~1022 [1/m3] and the voltage of 10 [kV/cm]. Our PR tunable filter provides reconfigurable wavelength routing of the signal beam since the various diffraction gratings can be immediately induced and multiplexed by changing incident conditions of two coherent writing beams viewpoint in comparing experimental results to numerical simulations, and can be rewritten dynamically through the PR effect. These advantages allow us to achieve more flexible optical net work based on the wavelength division multiplexing technique. In this work, we calculate the relationship between the diffraction efficiency and the magnitude of the applied external field by solving coupled wave equations in the case of lithium niobate, respectively.
Unidirectional excitation of UV surface plasmons by asymmetric nano-slit cavity assisted with a nano-grating

Ultraviolet surface plasmon polaritons (UV SPPs) have important and extensive potential applications in SPPs nanolithography, SERS, LEDs, solar cells, photocatalysis, and so on. Recently, more and more attention has been paid to extend plasmonic properties from the visible and near-IR band into the ultraviolet range. However, the low efficiency to generate UV plasma is an enormous challenge and unidirectional excitation of SPPs is considered as a reliable way to solve the problem. Here we theoretically propose a structure with an asymmetric nano-slit cavity that serves as an efficient unidirectional coupler for deep UV plasmons, especially for the wavelength of 248nm, which is a typical light source used in the SPPs nanolithography. The theoretical results based on FDTD algorithm show that by optimally designing the asymmetric nano-slit cavity the extinction ratio can reach 16.8 dB and can be further increased to 28.0 dB when assisted by a nano grating. Additionally the direction of the proposed unidirectional excitation is controllable by adjusting the length of nano-slit cavity.
Reliability-Based Dynamic Maintenance Threshold for Failure Prevention of Continuously Monitored Degrading Systems

Machine failures in manufacturing systems interrupt production operations and cause production loss. The conventional methods for failure prevention are to perform preventive maintenance before failure occurs. In these methods, a fixed maintenance threshold (FMT) is obtained using the lifetime distribution of each machine. This threshold can then be used to trigger maintenance work-orders. A problem with the conventional technique is that it does not consider the updated state of the system, which continues to change before and after maintenance. Therefore, unnecessarily high costs can be incurred due to unexpected equipment failure (lack of maintenance) or excessive maintenance. In this paper, a reliability-based dynamic maintenance threshold (DMT) is calculated based on the updated equipment status. The benefits of the DMT are demonstrated in a numerical case study on a drilling process. The results illustrate that the maintenance policy using the DMT can reduce unscheduled downtime, increase equipment availability, and utilize the equipment remaining useful life more effectively than a conventional FMT-based maintenance policy.
Constrained spectral clustering-based methodology for intentional controlled islanding of large-scale power systems

Intentional controlled islanding is an effective corrective approach to minimise the impact of cascading outages leading to large-area blackouts. This study proposes a novel methodology, based on `constrained spectral clustering', that is computationally very efficient and determines an islanding solution with minimal power flow disruption, while ensuring that each island contains only coherent generators. The proposed methodology also enables operators to constrain any branch, which must not be disconnected, to be excluded from the islanding solution. The methodology is tested using the dynamic models of the IEEE 39- and IEEE 118-bus test systems. Time-domain simulation results for different contingencies are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology to minimise the impact of cascading outages leading to large-area blackouts. In addition, a realistically sized system (a reduced model of the Great Britain network with 815 buses) is used to evaluate the efficiency and accuracy of the methodology in large-scale networks. These simulations demonstrate that the author's methodology is more efficient, in a factor of approximately 10, and more accurate than another existing approach for minimal power flow disruption.
SPP1 is a Prognostic Related Biomarker and Correlated with Tumor-Infiltrating Immune Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background: Secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) functions as a tumor promoter in varies tumors, but little is known whether it is an actual player on driving immune infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: In this study, we identified the expression of SPP1 by Oncomine, GEPIA and TIMER databases, and assessed SPP1 immumohistochemical staining analysis by The HPA database. We evaluated the clinical outcomes between SPP1 expression and hepatocellular carcinoma patients via Kaplan-Meier Plotter. We also tested the relationship between SPP1 and critical oncogenes by TIMER and GEPIA databases. Then we explored immune infiltration analyses using TIMER and TISIDB datasets. In addition, we performed functional enrichment analyses with Metascape and GeneMANIA databases. Results: We found that SPP1 overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and high SPP1 expression was correlated with shorter OS and PFS survivals in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. SPP1 expression is positive correlation with critical oncogenes related stemness associated genes, cell cycle and proliferation, therapeutic resistance, metastasis, and tumor angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Importantly, SPP1 expression was positively correlated with infiltrating levels of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. Furthermore, SPP1 expression showed strong correlations with diverse immune hallmark sets in hepatocellular carcinoma. Notably, functional enrichment analysis suggested that SPP1 strong related with immune response. Conclusions: These findings imply that SPP1 is correlated with prognosis and immune cell infiltrating, offering a new potential immunotherapeutic target in hepatocellular carcinoma.
Atmospheric Pressure and Snowball Earth Deglaciation

When a large amount of CO2 is added to the atmosphere, both the mixing ratio and the surface pressure increase. This causes the troposphere to expand in two directions. The greenhouse effect from the increased mixing ratio causes the tropopause pressure to decrease, so the troposphere expands upward. The increased surface pressure causes the troposphere to expand downward. The first effect is radiative and well known, while the second is nonradiative and unexplored. Here, a method is presented to compare the effect of tropospheric expansion in each direction on the surface temperature of a Snowball Earth. A series of models, from a gray model to a spectral model with realistic Snowball parameters, are used to illustrate this concept. It is shown that near the deglaciation threshold, most of the increase in surface temperature that follows an increase in CO2 is due to the nonradiative downward tropospheric expansion at the surface, not the radiative upward expansion at the tropopause. The increased atmospheric mass due to the CO2, entirely apart from its radiative effect, causes an additional increase in surface temperature and therefore aids Snowball deglaciation.
Therapeutic patient education with art therapy: effectiveness among obese patients

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of art therapy in a 2-week in-hospital therapeutic patient education (TPE) program for obese patients. Methods: One hundred seventy obese patients were studied before the TPE program and 6 weeks later. Patients were randomized in two groups: Group 1 without art therapy (N = 74, body-mass index (BMI) = 37.5 ± 7.8 kg/m2 ) and Group 2 with art therapy (N = 96, BMI = 39.3 ± 7.6 kg/m2 ). Group 2 subjects received five structured sessions of manual and standardized art therapy during the 2-week in-hospital TPE program. Results: A significant weight loss (p Art therapy contributes into the development of creative potential during and following a 2-week TPE program for obese patients. Art-therapy should be proposed in combination with therapeutic patient education for obese patients.
The Methyltransferase Smyd1 Mediates LPS-Triggered Up-Regulation of IL-6 in Endothelial Cells

The lysine methyltransferase Smyd1 with its characteristic catalytic SET-domain is highly enriched in the embryonic heart and skeletal muscles, participating in cardiomyogenesis, sarcomere assembly and chromatin remodeling. Recently, significant Smyd1 levels were discovered in endothelial cells (ECs) that responded to inflammatory cytokines. Based on these biochemical properties, we hypothesized that Smyd1 is involved in inflammation-triggered signaling in ECs and therefore, investigated its role within the LPS-induced signaling cascade. Human endothelial cells (HUVECs and EA.hy926 cells) responded to LPS stimulation with higher intrinsic Smyd1 expression. By transfection with expression vectors containing gene inserts encoding either intact Smyd1, a catalytically inactive Smyd1-mutant or Smyd1-specific siRNAs, we show that Smyd1 contributes to LPS-triggered expression and secretion of IL-6 in EA.hy926 cells. Further molecular analysis revealed this process to be based on two signaling pathways: Smyd1 increased the activity of NF-κB and promoted the trimethylation of lysine-4 of histone-3 (H3K4me3) within the IL-6 promoter, as shown by ChIP-RT-qPCR combined with IL-6-promoter-driven luciferase reporter gene assays. In summary, our experimental analysis revealed that LPS-binding to ECs leads to the up-regulation of Smyd1 expression to transduce the signal for IL-6 up-regulation via activation of the established NF-κB pathway as well as via epigenetic trimethylation of H3K4.
INNOVACIÓN ABIERTA: DESAFÍOS ORGANIZACIONALES DE ESTE MODELO DE GESTIÓN DE LA INNOVACIÓN PARA LAS EMPRESAS

The aim of this work is to offer a reflection and analysis of the main problems that rai- ses at organizational level the open innovation. Drawing from two conceptual key elements of the organizational design, coordination and incentives, we use them to frame the main chal- lenges that stem from the implementation of an open innovation model. Coordination problems arise as a result of the cooperation with other agents. Within this field we raise two problems, problems of networking and problems of divergent objectives. Incentives problems arise as a result of the difficulties in the creation a value capture of innovations. Within this field we raise four problems, problems of left ideas inside the firm, problems o information revelation, problems of team production and problems of technology exploitation.