Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevención de la anafilaxia con antígenos del anisakis simplex en un modelo animal

La anafilaxia es una reaccion alergica aguda, grave y potencialmente mortal cuya incidencia va en aumento en los ultimos anos en los paises industrializados. Debido a su gravedad, no es posible investigar los mecanismos subyacentes en el hombre. Sin embargo, los modelos murinos han supuesto un gran avance en el conocimiento de esta patologia gracias a la similitud del sistema inmunologico y los sintomas anafilacticos entre el hombre y el raton. El cacahuete es un importante alergeno alimentario capaz de inducir reacciones graves debido a que sus proteinas son capaces de resistir la digestion gastrica y sus epitopos son capaces de unirse a los linfocitos B y T y de activar la senalizacion de las celulas dendriticas y el complemento, induciendo una respuesta alergica tipo Th2. Existen distintas cepas de raton que han sido utilizadas para los estudios de las enfermedades alergicas cuya respuesta ha demostrado ser diferente segun la cepa empleada. Entre ellas, destacan la cepa BALB/c y la cepa C3H/HeOuJ, cuyos fenotipos alergicos han permitido avanzar en el conocimiento de estas patologias. Sin embargo, hay pocos estudios que comparen las cepas entre si. Hasta la fecha, no se han realizado estudios comparativos en estas cepas en un modelo de anafilaxia sistemica inducida por la administracion de cacahuete por via intraperitoneal (i.p.) como el que se describe a continuacion por lo que este trabajo se inicio con la seleccion de la cepa a utilizar. Los parasitos son animales invertebrados capaces de provocar enfermedades en el hombre de forma cronica. Para sobrevivir en el huesped, evolutivamente, han desarrollado mecanismos que les permitan suprimir las respuestas efectoras de este. Ademas, el huesped requiere de esta modulacion para evitar respuestas inmunes daninas para el individuo por lo que esta habilidad se ha ensayado en la terapeutica alergologica.
Nonlinear Observer for Attitude, Position, and Velocity: Theory and Experiments

Strapdown inertial navigation is a method of estimating position, velocity, and attitude (PVA) by integrating accelerometer and rate gyro measurements in a dead-reckoning fashion. Inertial navigation systems (INSs) can be highly accurate in the short term, but errors accumulate over time, leading to poor long-term accuracy. For this reason, INSs are often aided by absolute reference information, obtained regularly or intermittently from other sources, to help correct the INS estimates and determine sources of error, such as sensor bias (see, e.g., [4,6]). CONTENTS
Early life conditions influence fledging success and subsequent local recruitment rates in a declining migratory songbird, the Whinchat Saxicola rubetra

Abstract Life history traits and environmental conditions influence reproductive success in animals, and consequences of these can influence subsequent survival and recruitment into breeding populations. Understanding influences on demographic rates is required to determine the causes of decline. Migratory species experience spatially and temporally variable conditions across their annual cycle, making identifying where the factors influencing demographic rates operate challenging. Here, we use the Whinchat Saxicola rubetra as a model declining long‐distance migrant bird. We analyse 10 years of data from 247 nesting attempts and 2519 post‐fledging observations of 1193 uniquely marked nestlings to examine the influence of life history traits, habitat characteristics and weather on survival of young from the nestling stage to local recruitment into the natal population. We detected potential silver spoon effects where conditions during the breeding stage influence subsequent apparent local recruitment rates, with higher recruitment for fledglings from larger broods, and recruitment rate negatively related to rainfall that chicks experienced in‐nest. Additionally, extreme temperatures experienced pre‐ and post‐fledging increased fledging success and recruitment rate. However, we could not determine whether this was driven by temperature influencing mortality during the post‐fledging period or later in the annual cycle. Brood size declined with hatching date. In‐nest survival increased with brood size and was highest at local temperature extremes. Furthermore, nest survival was highest at nests surrounded with 40%–60% vegetation cover of Bracken Pteridium aquilinum within 50 m of the nest. Our results show that breeding phenology and environmental factors may influence fledging success and recruitment in songbird populations, with conditions experienced during the nestling stage influencing local recruitment rates in Whinchats (i.e. silver spoon effect). Recruitment rates are key drivers of songbird population dynamics. Our results help identify some of the likely breeding season mechanisms that could be important population drivers.
E-shaped Aperture Coupled Microstrip Patch Array Antenna for High Speed Downlink Applications in Small Satellites

—For high speed downlinking of payload data from small satellites, a new 4×4 aperture coupled microstrip patch array antenna has been presented. The antenna is designed for the Ku band and a peak gain of 18.0 dBi is achieved within the impedance bandwidth from 11.75 GHz to 12.75 GHz. Wide bandwidth is achieved as the patch elements are excited through E-shaped slots having asymmetric side lengths and widths. Each square patch element of the array with truncated corners and appropriately placed slots generates right hand circularly polarized (RHCP) radiation with very high cross-polarization discrimination. A corporate feed network consisting of T-junctions and quarter-wave impedance transformers is developed to feed the array elements from a single coaxial port of 50 Ω . To improve the radiation from the patches and wave-guiding in the feed network, two types of Rogers substrates with different dielectric constant and thickness are considered. Our proposed microstrip patch array antenna of size 7.8 cm × 6.4 cm × 0.3 cm can perform efficiently with a downlink data rate as high as 4.6 Gbps for small satellites.
A study on phased-array-feeds for paraboloidal reflector antennas

This thesis presents a general study on the use and applications of paraboloidal re ectors utilizing a dense phased array feed (PAF), in the underlying context for use with a receiving Earth station antenna for satellite communication. A theoretical treatment of fundamental concepts useful in the understanding and analysis of PAF system is given, including illustrative examples regarding focal eld distribution sampling with an array antenna. The important topic of embedded element patterns, which plays a vital role in including mutual coupling e ects in the analysis, is discussed in some detail. A versatile linear numerical framework is created using accurate full-wave simulations and linear microwave-network equations, and combined into a convenient simulation model which can be used to perform various parameter studies on PAF systems. The model allows e ects such as various front-end LNA parameters, and beamforming techniques to be investigated. The possibility of including passive array elements, or combining active elements, can also to be investigated. The simulation model is applied to an example 15-element dipole PAF, and and a discussion is given on various results regarding beamsteering, optimal beamforming, and receiver noise matching. The possibility of utilizing passive elements along with mutual coupling to reduce array receiver costs is investigated. It is found that more array elements are not always better, given the fact that element contributions to overall system noise outweigh their contribution to gain. Finally, a detailed investigation is carried out on the various trade-o e ects between di erent array con gurations and system noise in the context of scanning in a single angular plane. A valuable result is obtained showing identical system SNR performance for arrays using either 9or 45 elements. ii Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za
Identification and control of dynamic systems using neural networks

The aim of this thesis is to contribute in solving problems related to the on-line identification and control of unknown dynamic systems using feedforward neural networks. In this sense, this thesis presents new on-line learning algorithms for feedforward neural networks based upon the theory of variable structure system design, along with mathematical proofs regarding the convergence of solutions given by the algorithms; the boundedness of these solutions; and robustness features of the algorithms with respect to external perturbations affecting the neural networks' signals. In the thesis, the problems of on-line identification of the forward transfer operator, and the inverse transfer operator of unknown dynamic systems are also analysed, and neural networks-based identification schemes are proposed. These identification schemes are tested by computer simulations on linear and nonlinear unknown plants using both continuous-time and discrete-time versions of the proposed learning algorithms. The thesis reports about the direct inverse dynamics control problems using neural networks, and contributes towards solving these problems by proposing a direct inverse dynamics neural network-based control scheme with on-line learning capabilities of the inverse dynamics of the plant, and the addition of a feedback path that enables the resulting control scheme to exhibit robustness characteristics with respect to external disturbances affecting the output of the system. Computer simulation results on the performance of the mentioned control scheme in controlling linear and nonlinear plants are also included. The thesis also formulates a neural network-based internal model control scheme with on-line estimation capabilities of the forward transfer operator and the inverse transfer operator of unknown dynamic systems. The performance of this internal model control scheme is tested by computer simulations using a stable open-loop unknown plant with output signal corrupted by white noise. Finally, the thesis proposes a neural network-based adaptive control scheme where identification and control are simultaneously carried out.
Modeling surface topography of state-of-the-art x-ray mirrors as a result of stochastic polishing process: recent developments

Recently, an original method for the statistical modeling of surface topography of state-of-the-art mirrors for usage in xray optical systems at light source facilities and for astronomical telescopes [Opt. Eng. 51(4), 046501, 2012; ibid. 53(8), 084102 (2014); and ibid. 55(7), 074106 (2016)] has been developed. In modeling, the mirror surface topography is considered to be a result of a stationary uniform stochastic polishing process and the best fit time-invariant linear filter (TILF) that optimally parameterizes, with limited number of parameters, the polishing process is determined. The TILF model allows the surface slope profile of an optic with a newly desired specification to be reliably forecast before fabrication. With the forecast data, representative numerical evaluations of expected performance of the prospective mirrors in optical systems under development become possible [Opt. Eng., 54(2), 025108 (2015)]. Here, we suggest and demonstrate an analytical approach for accounting the imperfections of the used metrology instruments, which are described by the instrumental point spread function, in the TILF modeling. The efficacy of the approach is demonstrated with numerical simulations for correction of measurements performed with an autocollimator based surface slope profiler. Besides solving this major metrological problem, the results of the present work open an avenue for developing analytical and computational tools for stitching data in the statistical domain, obtained using multiple metrology instruments measuring significantly different bandwidths of spatial wavelengths.
Entwicklung einer Call-Graph-Transformation von Soot zu Neo4j

Zusammenfassung. Call-Graphen sind spezielle, gerichtete Graphen und ein effektives Instrument für Untersuchungen des Quellcodes. Sie beschreiben die internen Beziehungen zwischen verschiedenen Methoden und bilden somit die Basis für verschiedene Programmanalysen. In dieser Ausarbeitung liegt das Hauptaugenmerk auf der automatisierten Erstellung von Call-Graphen für Programme in Java. Die Konstruktion des Graphen wird dabei mit Hilfe des Frameworks Soot durchgeführt. Um den erstellten Graphen genauer inspizieren zu können, werden die ermittelten, temporären Daten anschließend in die Graphdatenbank Neo4j übertragen und persistent gespeichert.
Endovascular brachytherapy with iodine-125 seed strand for extensive portal vein tumor thrombus in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of endovascular brachytherapy with iodine-125 (I-125) seed strand for the treatment of extensive portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Methods A total of 40 HCC patients complicated by extensive PVTT who received I-125 seed strand implantation from January 2015 to December 2022 in our center were analyzed retrospectively. Endpoints included technical success rate, concurrent therapies, overall survival time, and complications. Multivariate and subgroup analyses were conducted for overall survival. Results The successful rate of operation was 100%, and there was no operation-related death. A total of 37 patients received single I-125 seed strand implantation, and three patients received double I-125 seed strand implantation. A total of 23 patients received a concurrent therapy: transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with systematic treatment (n = 6), TACE alone (n = 10), and systematic treatment alone (n = 9). At a median follow-up of 3.5 (interquartile range (IQR), 2~8.5) months, the median overall survival (OS) of all patients was 92 days (95% confidence interval (CI): 77~108). In the subgroup analysis, the median OS was 128 days (95% CI: 101~155 days) in the I-125 seed strand implantation plus systematic treatment group and was longer than that (75 days (95% CI: 36~114) of the I-125 seed strand alone group (p = 0.037). Multivariate analysis revealed that no systematic treatment was an independent risk factor affecting the prognosis in this study. Six patients died of upper gastrointestinal bleeding: four patients in the I-125 seed strand alone group and two patients in the combination of I-125 seed strand with systematic treatment group. Conclusions The study shows that endovascular brachytherapy with I-125 seed strand implantation is a safe and effective treatment method for extensive PVTT in HCC patients. The combination of I-125 seed strand implantation and systematic treatment can prolong the survival time.
A Study of Digital Image Watermarking for JPEG and PNG Images using Discrete Wavelet Transform

Objectives: To emphasis on digital image watermarking techniques and its applications using Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT). Methods: We propose two watermarking algorithms for embedding and extraction process and use two images as cover image and watermark image of same format as input image. We have considered two image formats JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) and PNG (Portable Network Graphics) of different resolutions for analyzing the performance of the proposed algorithm. Findings: The proposed research work is compared with the existing works on the basis of compression percentage, MSE (Mean Square Error), PSNR (Peak Signal to Noise Ratio) and Normalized Correlation (NC) values and the result has been carried out using DWT in Matlab 7.12. All the existing watermarking techniques referred in this paper have some limitations at somewhere. The PSNR values of all the existing research works is not more than 50 dB for the entire traditional image processing images. But in this proposed research work, the PSNR value is more than 66 dB for all the twenty test images we have taken. Higher the PSNR value means the quality of the watermark image is better. If the PSNR value is good then the MSE value will automatically be good because one is inversely proportional to other. Improvements: In the previous research works, common values of PSNR were between 30 dB to 50 dB. If the PSNR value of the watermark image is more than 50 dB then it will be tough to detect the difference between the cover image and the watermark image by the common Human Visibility System (HVS). The NC value 1 means that the correlation between the extracted watermark image and the original watermark image is almost similar in a particular point.
The Role of Genetics and Epigenetic Regulation in the Pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is progressive disease characterised by cartilage degradation, subchondral bone remodelling and inflammation of the synovium. The disease is associated with obesity, mechanical load and age. However, multiple pro-inflammatory immune mediators regulate the expression of metalloproteinases, which take part in cartilage degradation. Furthermore, genetic factors also contribute to OA susceptibility. Recent studies have highlighted that epigenetic mechanisms may regulate the expression of OA-associated genes. This review aims to present the mechanisms of OA pathogenesis and summarise current evidence regarding the role of genetics and epigenetics in this process.
Phytochemical, in vitro Antimicrobial, Proximate, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant and Anti-hyperglycemic Activities of Root Extracts of Combretum platypterum (Welw)

Aim: This work was to determine the phytochemical, proximate, in vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hyperglycemic activities of root extracts of Combretum platypterum. Methods: Roots of C. platypterum were cold extracted with methanol, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane. The extracts were subjected to proximate, phytochemical analyses, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hyperglycemic assays. Results: The result of proximate analysis revealed that the roots contained 73.90+0.10% carbohydrates, the mean % of fibre and ash contents were >7.00, whereas the average protein and moisture contents were >4.00. The result of qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed that alkaloids, saponins, tannins, phenolic compounds and carbohydrates were present in the three extracts, whereas steroids were sparingly present only in n-hexane extract. The result of antimicrobial screening indicated that B. subtilis, S. aureus, E. coli, C. albicans and S. typhi were susceptible to the inhibitions of the three extracts in concentration-dependent manner, whereas only the n-hexane extract showed a dose-dependent inhibition against P. aeruginosa. Methanol and ethyl acetate extracts showed good anti-inflammatory as well as antioxidant activity. The inhibition of α-amylase was greater with n-hexane extract. Conclusion: the extracts showed good antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic activities and can be a potential antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-hyperglycemic agent.
Recommendations for Developing Immersive Virtual Reality Serious Game for Autism: Insights From a Systematic Literature Review

The use of serious games for the treatment of people with autism is currently considered a promising approach due to its positive effects on promoting learning through playful and motivating experiences. In recent years, increased research has focused on serious games utilizing Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) technologies, such as large-scale projection-based systems and head-mounted displays. The high level of immersion provided by IVR has been found to benefit learning outcomes, as it reduces environmental distractions and helps individuals focus on learning tasks while also addressing social anxiety. Researchers have conducted significant work in this field over the past decade, yielding promising results. However, the development of these learning interventions comes with methodological challenges and issues, especially in how to conduct the development process and design IVR-based serious games for the learning of people with autism. Based on these premises, this systematic review thoroughly analyzes the literature on developing IVR-based serious games for individuals with autism, discussing inherent shortcomings and reflecting on them. Then, twenty IVR-based serious games for people with autism developed between 2009 and mid-2021 are selected and analyzed, focusing on the people engaged in the development process, the design methodology adopted, and the serious game design framework employed. From this analysis, a set of recommendations are proposed to support anyone interested in developing IVR-based serious games for people with autism. In addition, the gaps left unsolved in the autism literature are highlighted, upon which a research agenda is grounded.
Remotely sensed and surface measurement- derived mass-conserving inversion of daily NOx emissions and inferred combustion technologies in energy-rich northern China

Abstract. This work presents a new model-free inversion estimation framework (MFIEF) using daily TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) NO2 columns and observed fluxes from the continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS) to quantify 3 years of daily scale emissions of NOx at 0.05∘×0.05∘ over Shanxi Province, a major world-wide energy-producing and energy-consuming region. The NOx emissions, day-to-day variability, and uncertainty on a climatological basis are computed to be 1.86, 1.03, and 1.05 Tg yr−1 respectively. The highest emissions are concentrated in the lower Fen River valley, which accounts for 25 % of the area, 53 % of the NOx emissions, and 72 % of CEMS sources. Two major forcing factors (10th to 90th percentile) are horizontal transport distance per day (63–508 km) and lifetime of NOx (7.1–18.1 h). Both of these values are consistent with NOx emissions to both the surface layer and the free troposphere. The third forcing factor, the ratio of NOx/NO2, on a pixel-to-pixel basis, is demonstrated to correlate with the combustion temperature and energy efficiency of large energy consuming sources. Specifically, thermal power plants, cement, and iron and steel companies have a relatively high NOx/NO2 ratio, while coking, industrial boilers, and aluminum oxide factories show a relatively lower ratio. Variance maximization is applied to daily TROPOMI NO2 columns, which facilitates identification of three orthogonal and statistically significant modes of variability, and successfully attributes them both spatially and temporally to (a) this work's computed emissions, (b) remotely sensed TROPOMI ultraviolet aerosol index (UVAI), and (c) computed transport based on TROPOMI NO2.