Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Response of cattle persistently infected with bovine virus diarrhoea virus to bovine leukosis virus

Six cattle persistently infected with bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) and seronegative, and two control, virus negative seropositive cattle were inoculated with lymphocytes infected with bovine leukosis virus (BLV). The two controls produced a normal immune response to BLV, developing antibodies at four and five weeks after inoculation. Two of the six cattle persistently infected with BVDV developed a strong antibody response by six weeks after inoculation with BLV. Four developed a depressed response to BLV, characterised in three by a 'hooking' reaction in the immunodiffusion test which persisted in successive bleedings but was interspersed occasionally by a weak positive reaction. In one of these animals, a series of 'hooking' reactions was followed by a number of negative results. The fourth animal remained serologically negative until 16 weeks after inoculation when a 'hooking' reaction was observed followed by a series of negative results. BLV was isolated from all the cattle persistently infected with BVDV at 42 or 58 weeks after inoculation regardless of whether the serum samples gave negative, 'hooking', weak positive or positive reactions in the immunodiffusion test. BLV was consistently isolated from the nasal secretions of a steer which was BVDV negative but seropositive. The possibility of decreased immune responsiveness to BLV in animals persistently infected with BVDV should be considered when formulating regulations governing the testing of animals for freedom from BLV.
Ictal affective symptoms in temporal lobe epilepsy are related to gender and age

Purpose: We systematically analyzed the video‐recorded and patient‐reported, as well as positive and negative ictal affective symptoms (IAS) in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Our aim was to assess (1) frequency, (2) gender effect, (3) lateralizing significance, (4) localizing value, and (5) prognostic significance in epilepsy surgery of IAS in patients with video‐registered seizures.
Record reduction based on attribute oriented generalization

Record reduction is very important in the research and application of KDD. The aim of record reduction is to keep less record count and more information amount. Ratio of record reduction (RRR) and information amount based on semantic proximity (IABSP) are presented as measures. Record reduction is analyzed from two aspects of rules and measures in order to ensure the correction and effectiveness of results. In this paper, record reduction is materialized as record reduction based on attribute oriented generalization (RRBAOG). A new AOG method based on partition, prune and optimization strategies is presented in order to improve the execution efficiency of RRBAOG. Two algorithms of RRBAOG, from bottom to top (FBTT) and from top to bottom (FTTB) are also given. The efficiency of algorithms is analyzed by experiments.
The Reorder of Things: The University and Its Pedagogies of Minority Difference

In The Reorder of Things: The University and Its Pedagogies of Minority Difference, Roderick A. Ferguson asserts, “[H]ow we read, write, [and] design a minority difference culture has everything to do with the kind of minority communities that we imagine and institutionalize and might become the very question of our own reinvigorated interdisciplinary life” (230). His latest work expands our understanding of the ways contemporary regimes of power incorporate, reconfigure, and manage modes of difference. Ferguson brings together literary, critical, and historical analysis and engages a “critique of relations” that theorizes how minority cultural forms and practices express “complex relationships between institutionality and textuality in the post-civil rights movement” (17). Focusing on the impact of the student movements of the 1960s and 1970s that resulted in the institutionalization of interdisciplinary fields such as ethnic studies and women’s and gender studies, the book considers how power normalizes difference. Ferguson analyzes narratives produced during the institutional transformations of the 1960s and 1970s and contemporary literary texts that represent the social upheavals of that period. In so doing, he traces a critical genealogy of oppositional and disidentificatory practices during the post-Civil Rights era and considers how student movements created opportunities for systems of power to develop policies of absorption regulating minority difference. Ferguson begins with Jacques Derrida’s notion of institutions and the archive in order to illustrate how the university, as a representative of the state and an adaptive archival power, has incorporated rather than repudiated difference so as to refine its practices of exclusion and regulation. For example, as Ferguson argues in Chapter Two, the Lumumba-Zapata movement (1969-72) at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) responded to dominant institutions that defined minorities as subjects that could be integrated, included, and conditioned to achieve upward mobility through participation. This
Responses of In vitro-Grown Plantlets (Vitis vinifera) to Grapevine leafroll-Associated Virus-3 and PEG-Induced Drought Stress

Stresses caused by viral diseases and drought have long threatened sustainable production of grapevine. These two stresses frequently occur simultaneously in many of grapevine growing regions of the world. We studied responses of in vitro-grown plantlets (Vitis vinifera) to Grapevine leafroll associated virus-3 (GLRaV-3) and PEG-induced drought stress. Results showed that stress induced by either virus infection or drought had negative effects on vegetative growth, caused significant decreases and increases in total soluble protein and free proline, respectively, induced obvious cell membrane damage and cell death, and markedly increased accumulations of O2·- and H2O2. Co-stress by virus and drought had much severer effects than single stress on the said parameters. Virus infection alone did not cause significant alternations in activities of POD, ROS, and SOD, and contents of MDA, which, however, markedly increased in the plantlets when grown under single drought stress and co-stress by the virus and drought. Levels of ABA increased, while those of IAA decreased in the plantlets stressed by virus infection or drought. Simultaneous stresses by the virus and drought had co-effects on the levels of ABA and IAA. Up-regulation of expressions of ABA biosynthesis genes and down-regulation of expressions of IAA biosynthesis genes were responsible for the alternations of ABA and IAA levels induced by either the virus infection or drought stress and co-stress by them. Experimental strategies established in the present study using in vitro system facilitate investigations on ‘pure’ biotic and abiotic stress on plants. The results obtained here provide new insights into adverse effects of stress induced by virus and drought, in single and particularly their combination, on plants, and allow us to re-orientate agricultural managements toward sustainable development of the agriculture.
Tree Block Coordinate Descent for MAP in Graphical Models

A number of linear programming relaxations have been proposed for finding most likely settings of the variables (MAP) in large probabilistic models. The relaxations are often succinctly expressed in the dual and reduce to dierent types of reparameterizations of the original model. The dual objectives are typically solved by performing local block coordinate descent steps. In this work, we show how to perform block coordinate descent on spanning trees of the graphical model. We also show how all of the earlier dual algorithms are related to each other, giving transformations from one type of reparameterization to another while maintaining monotonicity relative to a common objective function. Finally, we quantify when the MAP solution can and cannot be decoded directly from the dual LP relaxation.
Second language learning strategies and factors affecting their use: a qualitative study of the experiences of missionaries in Nepal

In the past 20 years identifying the effective second language learning strategies of language learners is a topic that has received considerable attention in the field of second language acquisition. More recently, research has focused on the factors that affect strategy use. Attention has been focused in these areas largely because effective strategy use and the factors affecting strategy use are said to contribute to the language learner's success in language learning. This thesis investigates the use of second language learning strategies in a naturalistic learning context, that of missionaries in Nepal. It attempts to understand how 'success' or communicative competence is achieved for these missionaries of the United Mission to Nepal (UMN). In order to do this it explores the language learning experiences of both 'successful'and 'less successful' language learners of UMN, particularly concentrating on strategies related to oral communication. More importantly though, it is concerned with examining the influence of various factors on the strategies used by these language learners in the informal learning environment (i.e. 'real-life'situations).
Improved MHP Analysis

May-Happen-in-Parallel (MHP) analysis is becoming the backbone of many of the parallel analyses and optimizations. In this paper, we present new approaches to do MHP analysis for X10-like languages that support async-finish-atomic parallelism. We present a fast incremental MHP algorithm to derive all the statements that may run in parallel with a given statement. We also extend the MHP algorithm of Agarwal et al. (answers if two given X10 statements may run in parallel, and under what condition) to improve the computational complexity, without compromising on the precision.
Advances in understanding and treating dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa

Epidermolysis bullosa is a group of inherited disorders that can be both systemic and life-threatening. Standard treatments for the most severe forms of this disorder, typically limited to palliative care, are ineffective in reducing the morbidity and mortality due to complications of the disease. Emerging therapies—such as the use of allogeneic cellular therapy, gene therapy, and protein therapy—have all shown promise, but it is likely that several approaches will need to be combined to realize a cure. For recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, each particular therapeutic approach has added to our understanding of type VII collagen (C7) function and the basic biology surrounding the disease. The efficacy of these therapies and the mechanisms by which they function also give us insight into developing future strategies for treating this and other extracellular matrix disorders.
Cardinality Estimation Done Right: Index-Based Join Sampling

After four decades of research, today’s database systems still suffer from poor query execution plans. Bad plans are usually caused by poor cardinality estimates, which have been called the “Achilles Heel” of modern query optimizers. In this work we propose index-based join sampling , a novel cardinality estimation technique for main-memory databases that relies on sampling and existing index structures to obtain accurate estimates. Results on a real-world data set show that this approach signiﬁcantly improves estimation as well as overall plan quality. The additional sampling effort is quite low and can be conﬁgured to match the desired application proﬁle. The technique can be easily integrated into most systems.
Evaluation of the RC4 Algorithm for Data Encryption

Analysis of the effect of different parameters of the RC4 encryption algorithm where examined. Some experimental work was performed to illustrate the performance of this algorithm based on changing some of these parameters. The execution time as a function of the encryption key length and the file size was examined; this has been stated as complexity and security. Various data types were analyzed and the role of the data type was also emphasized. The results have been analyzed and interpreted as mathematical equations showing the relationship between the examined data and hence can be used to predict any future performance of the algorithm under different conditions. The order of the polynomial to approximate the execution time was justified.
Patient and tumor characteristics and BRAF and KRAS mutations in colon cancer, NCCTG/Alliance N0147.

BACKGROUND KRAS and BRAF (V600E) mutations are important predictive and prognostic markers, respectively, in colon cancer, but little is known about patient and clinical factors associated with them. METHODS Two thousand three hundred twenty-six of 3397 patients in the N0147 phase III adjuvant trial for stage III colon cancer completed a patient questionnaire. Primary tumors were assessed for KRAS and BRAF (V600E) mutations and defective mismatch repair (dMMR) status. Logistic regression models and categorical data analysis were used to identify associations of patient and tumor characteristics with mutation status. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS KRAS (35%) and BRAF (V600E) (14%) mutations were nearly mutually exclusive. KRAS mutations were more likely to be present in patients without a family history of colon cancer and never smokers. Tumors with KRAS mutations were less likely to have dMMR (odds ratio [OR] = 0.21; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.15 to 0.31; P < .001) and high-grade histology (OR = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.59 to 0.92; P < .001) but were more often right-sided. Among KRAS-mutated tumors, those with a Gly13Asp mutation tended to have dMMR and high-grade histology. Tumors with BRAF (V600E) mutations were more likely to be seen in patients who were aged 70 years or older (OR = 3.33; 95% CI = 2.50 to 4.42; P < .001) and current or former smokers (OR = 1.64; 95% CI = 1.26 to 2.14; P < .001) but less likely in non-whites and men. Tumors with BRAF (V600E) mutations were more likely to be right-sided and to have four or more positive lymph nodes, high-grade histology, and dMMR. CONCLUSIONS Specific patient and tumor characteristics are associated with KRAS and BRAF (V600E) mutations.
Task-Based FMM for Multicore Architectures

Fast multipole methods (FMM) are a fundamental operation for the simulation of many physical problems. The high-performance design of such methods usually requires to carefully tune the algorithm for both the targeted physics and the hardware. In this paper, we propose a new approach that achieves high performance across architectures. Our method consists of expressing the FMM algorithm as a task flow and employing a state-of-the-art runtime system, StarPU, to process the tasks on the different computing units. We carefully design the task flow, the mathematical operators, their implementations, and scheduling schemes. Potentials and forces on 200 million particles are computed in 42.3 seconds on a homogeneous 160-core SGI Altix UV 100 and good scalability is shown.
A novel accelerometer based on contact resistance of integrated carbon nanotubes

A novel accelerometer based on electrical contact resistance change between two sets of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is presented. After the micro structures are fabricated by silicon bulk micromachining, the CNTs are synthesized from each of the facing surfaces of proof-mass and fixed electrode. When the motion of the proof-mass is generated from incoming acceleration, effective contact area between two sets of CNT bundles changes, resulting in a change of electrical contact resistance. This CNTs-based accelerometer achieves both high sensitivity and wide bandwidth. Two different sensing modes are experimentally verified and compared: the approach mode where the incoming acceleration pushes the proof-mass to the fixed electrode and the separation mode where the acceleration pulls away the proof-mass from the fixed electrode. In each case, the sensitivities are 7.62 mV/g/V and 17.23 mV/g/V, respectively. It is confirmed that the contact resistance remained nearly constant after 14.4 million cycles of operation under 400 Hz sinusoidal acceleration with the magnitude of −10 g ∼ +10 g.
Socioeconomic stratification and multidimensional health trajectories: evidence of convergence in later old age.

OBJECTIVES This research sought to examine socioeconomic stratification in the joint trajectories of physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning among older Americans and how it differs by age groups. METHODS We used data from a nationally representative sample of 9,237 Americans age 65 or older from the Health and Retirement Study, who were observed biennially from 1998 to 2010. Joint trajectories of physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning were characterized using a group-based mixture model. We then applied multinomial logistic regression analysis to evaluate their linkages with socioeconomic status and how the linkages differ by age groups. RESULTS We identified four distinct patterns of joint changes in physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning over time. Accounting for 29.3%, 23.5%, 24.5%, and 22.6% of the older Americans, respectively, these trajectory patterns characterized groups of individuals experiencing minimal to severe levels of impairment and deterioration. Lower education, income, and net worth were associated with trajectories featuring greater impairment or more rapid deterioration in these functional dimensions. Disparities based on education, however, attenuated in later old age, whereas health benefits associated with higher income and higher net worth persisted into advanced age. DISCUSSION Distinct patterns of joint trajectories of physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning exist in old age. There were significant socioeconomic differences in the joint trajectories, with education-based inequality in health converging in later old age. Further research identifying strategies to alleviate the disproportionate burden of poor multidimensional health trajectories in lower socioeconomic groups is important.
Resource allocation using metaheuristic search

This research is focused on solving problems in the area of software project management using metaheuristic search algorithms and as such is research in the field of search based software engineering. The main aim of this research is to evaluate the performance of different metaheuristic search techniques in resource allocation and scheduling problems that would be typical of software development projects. This paper reports a set of experiments which evaluate the performance of three algorithms, namely simulated annealing, tabu search and genetic algorithms. The experimental results indicate that all of the metaheuristics search techniques can be used to solve problems in resource allocation and scheduling within a software project. Finally, a comparative analysis suggests that overall the genetic algorithm had performed better than simulated annealing and tabu search.
A new competitive fluorescence immunoassay for detection of Listeria monocytogenes

A new competitive immunoassay has been designed using a specific monoclonal antibody labeled with a fluorophore. A specific and highly conserved peptide of 11 amino acids from the protein p60 of L. monocytogenes has been synthesised and used for the production of a monoclonal anti-p60. This antibody was used in the conception of a detection test able to detect 1 CFU of L. monocytogenes after only 18 hours of incubation with a minimum of manipulation. The test is based on a competition principle between the recombinant p60 protein and the p60 from L. monocytogenes present in the sample. A column containing a sepharose matrix was used to immobilize the recombinant p60 protein and the labeled monoclonal antibody, which is captured by the p60 from the sample when added to the column. An increase of the fluorescence signal of the eluate means a positive result. No cross-reactivity was observed with non-pathogenic Listeria species and each serotype of L. monocytogenes can be detected whereas some other immunological methods show cross-reactivity and false negative.
Cytotoxic T Cells in the Lungs of Mice Infected with an Influenza A Virus

Cytotoxic T cells are present in the lungs and the bronchoalveolar washings of mice infected intravenously (i.v.) or intranasally (i.n.) with live influenza A/WSN virus. After i.v. injection, cytotoxic T cell activity in both spleens and lungs reaches a peak at 6 days when the level of infectious virus recovered from the lungs falls sharply and the mice do not die. If a lethal dose of virus is given intranasally, very high levels of virus appear rapidly in the lungs, and the development of lung consolidation follows slightly behind the appearance of cytotoxic T cells there When a non‐lethal dose of virus is given intranasally, lower levels of virus are found in the lung and the appearance of cytotoxic T cells is delayed. These results suggest that the cytotoxic T cells play a protective role if the level of virus in the lungs does not reach very high levels. After injection of antithymocyte serum, the subsequent level of cytotoxic T cell activity in the lungs was greatly reduced, suggesting that the T cells recovered in lungs had at an earlier stage been circulating cells. However, splenectomized mice develop high levels of cytotoxic T cell activity, after intranasal infection of mice, indicating that the spleen did not contribute substantially to the T cells recovered in the lungs.
Molecular Characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in Wild Rodents of Southwestern Iran Using 18s rRNA Gene Nested-PCR-RFLP and Sequencing Techniques

Background. Rodents could act as reservoir for Cryptosporidium spp. specially C. parvum, a zoonotic agent responsible for human infections. Since there is no information about Cryptosporidium infection in rodents of Ahvaz city, southwest of Iran, hence, this survey was performed to determine the prevalence and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in this region. Materials and Methods. One hundred rodents were trapped from different regions of Ahvaz city. Intestine contents and fecal specimens of rodents were studied using both microscopy examination to identify oocyst and nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique for 18s rRNA gene detection. Eventually restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method using SspI and VspI restriction enzymes was carried out to genotype the species and then obtained results were sequenced. Results. Three out of 100 samples were diagnosed as positive and overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was 3% using both modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining under light microscope and nested-PCR (830 bp) methods. Afterwards, PCR-RFLP was performed on positive samples and C. parvum pattern was identified. Finally PCR-RFLP findings were sequenced and presence of C. parvum was confirmed again. Conclusions. Our study showed rodents could be potential reservoir for C. parvum. So an integrated program for control and combat with them should be adopted and continued.