Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dimension Reduction by Local Principal Component Analysis

Reducing or eliminating statistical redundancy between the components of high-dimensional vector data enables a lower-dimensional representation without significant loss of information. Recognizing the limitations of principal component analysis (PCA), researchers in the statistics and neural network communities have developed nonlinear extensions of PCA. This article develops a local linear approach to dimension reduction that provides accurate representations and is fast to compute. We exercise the algorithms on speech and image data, and compare performance with PCA and with neural network implementations of nonlinear PCA. We find that both nonlinear techniques can provide more accurate representations than PCA and show that the local linear techniques outperform neural network implementations.
Availability in BitTorrent Systems

In this paper, we investigate the problem of highly available, massive-scale file distribution in the Internet. To this end, we conduct a large-scale measurement study of BitTorrent, a popular class of systems that use swarms of actively downloading peers to assist each other in file distribution. The first generation of BitTorrent systems used a central tracker to enable coordination among peers, resulting in low availability due to the tracker's single point of failure. Our study analyzes the prevalence and impact of two recent trends to improve BitTorrent availability: (i) use of multiple trackers, and (ii) use of Distributed Hash Tables (DHTs), both of which also help to balance load better. The study considered more than 1,400 trackers and 24,000 DHT nodes (extracted from about 20,000 torrents) over a period of two months. We find that both trends improve availability, but for different and somewhat unexpected reasons. Our findings include: (i) multiple trackers improve availability, but the improvement largely comes from the choice of a single highly available tracker, (ii) such improvement is reduced by the presence of correlated failures, (iii) multiple trackers can significantly reduce the connectivity of the overlay formed by peers, (iv) the DHT improves information availability, but induces a higher response latency to peer queries.
An in vitro model of glucose and lipid metabolism in a multicompartmental bioreactor

The energy balance in vivo is maintained through inter‐organ cross‐talk involving several different tissues. As a first step towards recapitulating the metabolic circuitry, hepatocytes, endothelial cells and adipose tissue were connected in a multicompartmental modular bioreactor to reproduce salient aspects of glucose and lipid metabolism in vitro. We first examined how the two‐way cellular interplay between adipose tissue and endothelial cells affects glucose and lipid metabolism. The hepatocyte cell line HepG2 was then added to the system, creating a three‐way connected culture, to determine whether circulating metabolite concentrations were normalized, or whether metabolic shifts, which may arise when endothelial cells and adipose tissue are placed in connection, were corrected. The addition of hepatocytes to the system prevented the drop in the concentrations of glucose, L‐alanine and lactate, and the rise in that of free fatty acids. There was no significant change in glycerol levels in either of the connected cultures. The results show that connected cultures recapitulate complex physiological systemic processes, such as glucose and lipid metabolism, and that the HepG2 hepatocytes normalize circulating metabolites in this in vitro environment in the presence of other cell types.
Optimal static output feedback simultaneous regional pole placement

The problem of optimal simultaneous regional pole placement for a collection of linear time-invariant systems via a single static output feedback controller is considered. The cost function to be minimized is a weighted sum of quadratic performance indices of the systems. The constrained region for each system can be the intersection of several open half-planes and/or open disks. This problem cannot be solved by the linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach since it is a nonconvex optimization problem. Based on the barrier method, we instead solve an auxiliary minimization problem to obtain an approximate solution to the original constrained optimization problem. Moreover, solution algorithms are provided for finding the optimal solution. Furthermore, a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of admissible solutions to the simultaneous regional pole placement problem is derived. Finally, two examples are given for illustration.
The Value of Subtalar Arthroscopy in the Management of Intra-articular Calcaneus Fractures

A wealth of clinical and experimental data suggests, that anatomical restoration of the posterior calcaneal facet is a major predictor of outcome after intra-articular calcaneus fractures. The value of subtalar arthroscopy was examined in three clinical study groups (I–III). Materials and Methods: (I) The subtalar joint was inspected arthroscopically in 28 patients during hardware removal one year after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). This procedure was accompanied by subtalar arthrolysis in all cases. (II) Open subtalar arthroscopy was performed to evaluate the quality of reduction after ORIF of intra-articular calcaneus fractures in 59 cases. Arthroscopy was performed after seemingly exact reconstruction of the posterior facet as judged visually and fluoroscopically. (III) Arthroscopically assisted percutaneous reduction and screw fixation (PRSF) was performed in 18 patients with Sanders II fractures. Reduction was achieved with a Schanz screw introduced percutaneously into the tuberosity fragment and controlled fluoroscopically, while fine corrections were made under arthroscopic guidance. Results: (I) Clinical results after ORIF of intra-articular calcaneus fractures were highly correlated to the degree of residual incongruities and chondromalacia of the posterior facet as seen arthroscopically during hardware removal (P<0.01). (II) In 13 of 59 cases (22.0%) during ORIF despite seemingly accurate reduction, steps between 1–2 mm were detected arthroscopically in the posterior calcaneal facet and reduction was repeated subsequently in these cases. (III) Fifteen patients who underwent arthroscopically guided PRSF were re-evaluated after a minimum of one year with excellent clinical results (94.1 pts. with the AOFAS scales). No wound complications were seen. Conclusions: Subtalar arthroscopy provides a most precise and thorough view of the posterior facet of the calcaneus both in assessing the quality of initial reduction as well as evaluation during hardware removal after intra-articular calcaneus fractures. It is more precise than intra-operative fluoroscopy and less time consuming than standard Brodén views during surgery. The use of arthroscopy allows anatomical percutaneous reduction and screw fixation of Sanders II fractures. It therefore provides a useful additional tool in treating intra-articular calcaneus fractures.
An autonomous medical monitoring system: Validation on arrhythmia detection

In this paper, we present a generic platform for autonomous medical monitoring and diagnostics. We validated the platform in the context of arrhythmia detection with publicly available databases. The big advantage of this platform is its capacity to deal with various types of physiological signals. Many pre-processing steps are performed to bring the input information into a uniform state that will be explored by a machine learning algorithm. Since this block plays a crucial role in the entire processing pipeline, three different methods were evaluated for detection and classification of anomalies. The results presented in this work are validated on cardiac beats, where the highest accuracy was obtained on the classification of normal beats (94%). On the other hand, atrial fibrillation and premature ventricular contraction beats were classified with an accuracy of 78%.
Immunolocalization of Anti-Hsf1 to the Acetabular Glands of Infectious Schistosomes Suggests a Non-Transcriptional Function for This Transcriptional Activator

Schistosomiasis is a chronically debilitating disease caused by parasitic worms of the genus Schistosoma, and it is a global problem affecting over 240 million people. Little is known about the regulatory proteins and mechanisms that control schistosome host invasion, gene expression, and development. Schistosome larvae, cercariae, are transiently free-swimming organisms and infectious to man. Cercariae penetrate human host skin directly using proteases that degrade skin connective tissue. These proteases are secreted from anucleate acetabular glands that contain many proteins, including heat shock proteins. Heat shock transcription factors are strongly conserved activators that play crucial roles in the maintenance of cell homeostasis by transcriptionally regulating heat shock protein expression. In this study, we clone and characterize the schistosome Heat shock factor 1 gene (SmHSF1). We verify its ability to activate transcription using a modified yeast one-hybrid system, and we show that it can bind to the heat shock binding element (HSE) consensus DNA sequence. Our quantitative RT-PCR analysis shows that SmHSF1 is expressed throughout several life-cycle stages from sporocyst to adult worm. Interestingly, using immunohistochemistry, a polyclonal antibody raised against an Hsf1-peptide demonstrates a novel localization for this conserved, stress-modulating activator. Our analysis suggests that schistosome Heat shock factor 1 may be localized to the acetabular glands of infective cercariae.
Practical use of emergency tourniquets to stop bleeding in major limb trauma.

BACKGROUND Previously we showed that tourniquets were lifesaving devices in the current war. Few studies, however, describe their actual morbidity in combat casualties. The purpose of this study was to measure tourniquet use and complications. METHODS A prospective survey of casualties who required tourniquets was performed at a combat support hospital in Baghdad during 7 months in 2006. Patients were evaluated for tourniquet use, limb outcome, and morbidity. We identified potential morbidities from the literature and looked for them prospectively. The protocol was approved by the institutional review board. RESULTS The 232 patients had 428 tourniquets applied on 309 injured limbs. The most effective tourniquets were the Emergency Medical Tourniquet (92%) and the Combat Application Tourniquet (79%). Four patients (1.7%) sustained transient nerve palsy at the level of the tourniquet, whereas six had palsies at the wound level. No association was seen between tourniquet time and morbidity. There was no apparent association of total tourniquet time and morbidity (clots, myonecrosis, rigor, pain, palsies, renal failure, amputation, and fasciotomy). No amputations resulted solely from tourniquet use. However, six (2.6%) casualties with eight preexisting traumatic amputation injuries then had completion surgical amputations and also had tourniquets on for >2 hours. The rate of limbs with fasciotomies with tourniquet time <or=2 hours was 28% (75 of 272) and >2 hours was 36% (9 of 25, p = 0.4). CONCLUSIONS Morbidity risk was low, and there was a positive risk benefit ratio in light of the survival benefit. No limbs were lost because of tourniquet use, and tourniquet duration was not associated with increased morbidity. Education for early military tourniquet use should continue.
Genome and Phenotype Microarray Analyses of Rhodococcus sp. BCP1 and Rhodococcus opacus R7: Genetic Determinants and Metabolic Abilities with Environmental Relevance

In this paper comparative genome and phenotype microarray analyses of Rhodococcus sp. BCP1 and Rhodococcus opacus R7 were performed. Rhodococcus sp. BCP1 was selected for its ability to grow on short-chain n-alkanes and R. opacus R7 was isolated for its ability to grow on naphthalene and on o-xylene. Results of genome comparison, including BCP1, R7, along with other Rhodococcus reference strains, showed that at least 30% of the genome of each strain presented unique sequences and only 50% of the predicted proteome was shared. To associate genomic features with metabolic capabilities of BCP1 and R7 strains, hundreds of different growth conditions were tested through Phenotype Microarray, by using Biolog plates and plates manually prepared with additional xenobiotic compounds. Around one-third of the surveyed carbon sources was utilized by both strains although R7 generally showed higher metabolic activity values compared to BCP1. Moreover, R7 showed broader range of nitrogen and sulphur sources. Phenotype Microarray data were combined with genomic analysis to genetically support the metabolic features of the two strains. The genome analysis allowed to identify some gene clusters involved in the metabolism of the main tested xenobiotic compounds. Results show that R7 contains multiple genes for the degradation of a large set of aromatic and PAHs compounds, while a lower variability in terms of genes predicted to be involved in aromatic degradation was found in BCP1. This genetic feature can be related to the strong genetic pressure exerted by the two different environment from which the two strains were isolated. According to this, in the BCP1 genome the smo gene cluster involved in the short-chain n-alkanes degradation, is included in one of the unique regions and it is not conserved in the Rhodococcus strains compared in this work. Data obtained underline the great potential of these two Rhodococcus spp. strains for biodegradation and environmental decontamination processes.
Educational Approach: Application of SWOT Analysis for Assessing Entrepreneurial Goals in Senior Dental Students

The SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis is a framework used to evaluate a company’s competitive position and to develop strategic planning. In the competitive dental sector, it can aid dentists in identifying and analyzing internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats. This study focuses on senior dental students of the Department of Dentistry at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece, aiming to scrutinize their use of SWOT analysis and assess its application as a tool for evaluating entrepreneurial goals and making career decisions in dental entrepreneurship. The research sample comprises 116 senior dental students (N1) in the final undergraduate year of their dental education, with data collection accomplished through the administration of an e-questionnaire during the obligatory course of “Organization and management of dental practices” in December 2023. The data extracted from the SWOT analysis encompass internal and external factors, gender distinctions, and outcomes derived from Stepwise Binary Logistic Regression concerning predictor markers. The results from the SWOT analysis of 114 valid questionnaires (N2), revealed that participants identified communication skills (50%) and organization skills (49.10%) as their primary strengths, followed by favorable personal traits contributing to goal success (36%). Weaknesses predominantly centered around emotional and personal traits like anxiety (41.20%) and other characteristics, alongside practical challenges such as lack of initial capital (24.60%). Main opportunities included collaboration with experienced dentists (33.30%) and access to training programs (27.20%), while economic instability in Greece (77.20%) and the saturated dentist profession (26.30%) were perceived as significant threats. Gender differences were notable, with female dentists more likely to report organization skills as a strength and anxiety as a weakness. Values such as industriousness, persistence, and ethics were commonly shared, with actions focusing on training programs (57.9%) and gaining experience with experienced dentists (29.8%). Cluster analysis identified two subgroups, with one emphasizing utilizing all available options (n = 49) and the other prioritizing on gaining professional skills and experience (n = 65). Logistic regression indicated that participants valuing industriousness were less likely to explore all available options, while those recognizing personal traits were more likely to do so. The study’s outcomes highlight key predictor factors linked to a proactive orientation in career decision-making among senior dental students. These insights offer valuable implications for educational institutions and career counselors.
Suicide and 'violent' death in a six-year cohort of male probationers compared with pattern of mortality in the general population: evidence of accumulative socio-psychiatric vulnerability

The 'Health of the Nation' (Department of Health, 1992) suicide targets focus upon the mentally ill, but virtually ignore the mentally abnormal offender. Whilst forensic services deal with the severely disturbed, the majority of offenders remain in the community, despite long-standing psychosocial difficulties. This study explores the mortality rates of a six-year cohort of male probationers (1990-1995) with males in the general population. Male offenders (aged 17-54) had double the death rate, five times the 'external death' rate and nine times the suicide rate of the general population. This paper highlights the need to further improve the health-psychiatric-criminal justice collaboration.
The Effect of Good Corporate Governance (GCG) on Financial Performance with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as an Intervening Variable (Empirical Study on Primary Consumer Sub Sector Companies Listed on The IDX 2018 - 2022)

This research aims to examine the influence of Good Corporate Governance (GCG) including institutional ownership and the board of commissioners on financial performance with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as an intervening variable. This research uses financial performance as the dependent variable and Good Corporate Governance as a proxy for institutional ownership and the board of commissioners as the independent variable and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as the intervening variable. This type of research is associative research. This research uses secondary data in the form of annual financial reports originating from the Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI). The population in this research is Primary Consumer Sub-Sector Companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange 2018-2022. The sampling technique in this research used a purposive sampling method, 7 companies were obtained as research samples. The data analysis technique in this study uses the multiple linear regression analysis method and the data analysis tool in this study uses the Eviews version 12 software program. The results of the study show that GCG and CSR together have a positive effect on the company's financial performance, while the proxies for institutional ownership and the board commissioner is partially insignificant. Likewise, CSR does not have a significant impact on financial performance. In addition, the board of commissioners proxy influences financial performance through CSR as a moderation, while the institutional ownership proxy does not have a similar effect.Keywords: Good Corporate Governance, Institutional Ownership, Board of Commissioners, Corporate Social Responsibility, Financial Performance
Phylogeny of genes for secretion NTPases: Identification of the widespread tadA subfamily and development of a diagnostic key for gene classification

Macromolecular transport systems in bacteria currently are classified by function and sequence comparisons into five basic types. In this classification system, type II and type IV secretion systems both possess members of a superfamily of genes for putative NTP hydrolase (NTPase) proteins that are strikingly similar in structure, function, and sequence. These include VirB11, TrbB, TraG, GspE, PilB, PilT, and ComG1. The predicted protein product of tadA, a recently discovered gene required for tenacious adherence of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, also has significant sequence similarity to members of this superfamily and to several unclassified and uncharacterized gene products of both Archaea and Bacteria. To understand the relationship of tadA and tadA-like genes to those encoding the putative NTPases of type II/IV secretion, we used a phylogenetic approach to obtain a genealogy of 148 NTPase genes and reconstruct a scenario of gene superfamily evolution. In this phylogeny, clear distinctions can be made between type II and type IV families and their constituent subfamilies. In addition, the subgroup containing tadA constitutes a novel and extremely widespread subfamily of the family encompassing all putative NTPases of type IV secretion systems. We report diagnostic amino acid residue positions for each major monophyletic family and subfamily in the phylogenetic tree, and we propose an easy method for precisely classifying and naming putative NTPase genes based on phylogeny. This molecular key-based method can be applied to other gene superfamilies and represents a valuable tool for genome analysis.
On the causes and modes of exhumation and lateral growth of the Alps

A compilation of the apatite and zircon fission track ages of the Alpine chain points to markedly different patterns of cooling and exhumation of the Eastern Alps compared to the central and Western Alps. The site of exhumation and shortening in the Western Alps migrated outward, whereas it was more stationary in the Eastern Alps, where it created a narrower metamorphic belt. A correlation of these observations to the deep structure of the orogen suggests that north directed, lower crustal wedging induces northward propagation of the deformation and exhumation front in the middle and upper crust of the central and Western Alps. The absence of such lower crustal wedges in the Eastern Alps does not induce a similar shift of deformation but rather a long‐term localization of shortening and exhumation in one and the same area, namely, the axial zone of the orogen. A critical review of the temporal correlations between inferred changes in the erosional efficiency of the Alps and tectonic phases points to a negative correlation, and hence no erosional control on the shifts of the deformation front of the Alps. Therefore, we conclude that changes in the deep structure and rheology of the orogen, instead of changes in its erosional efficiency, exerted the prime control on the lateral growth of the Alps.
Measuring beta-galactosidase activity in bacteria: cell growth, permeabilization, and enzyme assays in 96-well arrays.

We describe a high-throughput procedure for measuring beta-galactosidase activity in bacteria. This procedure is unique because all manipulations, including bacterial growth and cell permeabilization, are performed in a 96-well format. Cells are permeabilized by chloroform/SDS treatment directly in the 96-well blocks and then transferred to 96-well microplates for standard colorimetric assay of beta-galactosidase activity as described by Miller [J. H. Miller (1972) Experiments in Molecular Genetics, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY]. Absorbance data are collected with a microplate reader and analyzed using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. The beta-galactosidase specific activity values obtained with the high-throughput procedure are identical to those obtained by the traditional single-tube method of Miller. Thus, values obtained with this procedure may be expressed as Miller units and compared directly to Miller units reported in the literature. The 96-well format for permeabilization and assay of enzyme specific activity together with the use of 12-channel and repeater pipettors enables efficient processing of hundreds of samples in an 8-h day.