Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antibacterial activities of gallic acid and gallic acid methyl ester on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Dried pomegranate peels were powdered and extracted by maceration in ethanol for 2 days at room temperature. The total ethanolic extracts were then successively partitioned to three parts to extract in a Soxhlet extractor with methyl acetate, -hexane and dichloromethane. The dried extracts were used to determine their antibacterial activity against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA and MSSA). All the peel extracts exhibited marked antibacterial activity. The antibacterial activity of methyl acetate extract inhibited the growth of all tested isolates, while dichloromethane extracts had no antimicrobial activity. Gallic acid (3,4,5 trihydroxybenzoic acid) is a naturally occurring polyphenol comprising the major hydrolytic product of tannic acid. Gallic acid (GA) and gallic acid methyl ester have been identified in pomegranate peels by the use of Nuclear magnetic resonance NMR ( 1 H, 13 C NMR). The ethanolic methyl acetate extract of pomegranate peels contained 100 and 10 mg/1g of GA and gallic acid methyl ester respectively. The overall results showed that the pure compounds of pomegranate peel extracts (Gallic acid (GA) and gallic acid methyl ester) have antibacterial activity.Minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of Gallic acid and gallic acid methyl ester were demonstrated.
Ghost story. II. The midpoint ghost vertex

We construct the ghost number 9 three strings vertex for OSFT in the natural normal ordering. We find two versions, one with a ghost insertion at z = i and a twist-conjugate one with insertion at z = - i. For this reason we call them midpoint vertices. We show that the relevant Neumann matrices commute among themselves and with the matrix G representing the operator K1. We analyze the spectrum of the latter and find that beside a continuous spectrum there is a (so far ignored) discrete one. We are able to write spectral formulas for all the Neumann matrices involved and clarify the important role of the integration contour over the continuous spectrum. We then pass to examine the (ghost) wedge states. We compute the discrete and continuous eigenvalues of the corresponding Neumann matrices and show that they satisfy the appropriate recursion relations. Using these results we show that the formulas for our vertices correctly define the star product in that, starting from the data of two ghost number 0 wedge states, they allow us to reconstruct a ghost number 3 state which is the expected wedge state with the ghost insertion at the midpoint, according to the star recursion relation. © SISSA 2009.
ShareBoost: Efficient multiclass learning with feature sharing

Multiclass prediction is the problem of classifying an object into a relevant target class. We consider the problem of learning a multiclass predictor that uses only few features, and in particular, the number of used features should increase sub-linearly with the number of possible classes. This implies that features should be shared by several classes. We describe and analyze the ShareBoost algorithm for learning a multiclass predictor that uses few shared features. We prove that Share-Boost efficiently finds a predictor that uses few shared features (if such a predictor exists) and that it has a small generalization error. We also describe how to use ShareBoost for learning a non-linear predictor that has a fast evaluation time. In a series of experiments with natural data sets we demonstrate the benefits of Share-Boost and evaluate its success relatively to other state-of-the-art approaches.
Characteristics and relationship of periodontal disease with juvenile idiopathic and rheumatoid arthritis

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most prevalent chronic inflammatory disease of the joints. It is correlated with periodontal disease due to similar factors that exist in both diseases. The present study assessed the relationship of periodontal disease with RA and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 30 RA and 30 JIA patients along with similar number of matched controls were selected among patients referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Periodontal parameters including pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), O’Leary and Bay plaque index (PI) and bleeding on probing (BOP) were determined in cases and controls. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, number of painful and inflamed joints and severity of disease were evaluated in RA and JIA patients. Mann-Whitney U-test nonparametric, Spearman and Pearson's correlation coefficients, and Chi-square tests were used as statistical analysis (α = 0.05). Results: PD (4.17 vs. 3.6 mm; P < 0.0001), CAL (4.89 vs. 4.18 mm; P < 0.002), percentage of sites with PD >4 mm (58.83% vs. 44.33%; P < 0.002), percentage of sites with CAL >3 mm (74.13% vs. 64.4%; P < 0.001), percentage of sites with BOP (9.67% vs. 6.87%; P < 0.0001) and PI index (85.73% vs. 80.63%; P < 0.0001) were significantly higher in RA patients than controls. In this group, direct and significant correlations were found between serologic findings, disease severity and number of painful and inflamed joints with periodontal factors. In JIA patients, no significant relationships were found between JIA findings and periodontal parameters. Conclusion: Considering the limitations of this study, there was a relationship between RA and periodontal disease. Severity of periodontal disease increases in patients with RA, while no increased risk of periodontal disease or its severity was observed among JIA patients.
I Strain Localization in Ductile Single Crystals

This paper is concerned with an analysis of strain localization in ductile crystals deforming by single slip. The plastic flow is modelled as rate-insensitive and localization, viewed as a bifurcation from a homogeneous deformation mode to one which is concentrated in a narrow "shear band", is found to be possible only when the plastic hardening modulus for the slip system has fallen to a certain critical value, h , where h is sensitive to the cr ' cr precise form of the constitutive law governing incremental shear. We develop the general form of this constitutive law, incorporating within it the possibility of deviations from the Schmid rule of a critical resolved shear stress, and we show that h may in fact be positive when there are deviations from the Schmid rule. It is suggested that micromechanical processes such as "cross-slip" in crystals provide specific cases for which stresses other than the Schmid stress may influence plastic response and, further, there is an experimental association of localization with the onset of large amounts of cross-slip. Thus we give the specific form of h for a constitutive model that corresponds to the non-Schmid effects in cross-slip, and we develop a dislocation model of the process from which we estimate the magnitude of the parameters involved. The work supports the notion that localization can occur with positive strainhardening, h > 0 , and the often invoked notions of the attainment of an ideally plastic or strain softening state for localization may be unnecessary.
Investigation on Fatigue Life Behaviour of Sustainable Bio-Based Fibre Metal Laminate

Fibre-Metal Laminate (FML) is a hybrid structure which offers various advantages over conventional material. It had been used in automotive and aircraft sector since many years ago due to its lightweight and low cost properties. Previous study had shown FML had excellent fatigue crack resistance characteristic compared to metallic alloy. This study shows the effects of different composition of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fibre on the fatigue life behaviour, hardness properties and mass of FML. FML was manufactured based on randomly oriented short OPEFB fibre and annealed aluminium alloy 6061. The FML panels were formed by bonding aluminium layers to composite by using the hot press compression moulding method with picture frame mould. Static test was conducted prior to fatigue test at quasi-static manner. The fatigue life of monolithic aluminium was investigated and set as a benchmark. The fatigue test was conducted at load levels of 80 to 95% of ultimate tensile strength using Universal Testing Machine. Results suggest that FML with 30% fibre loading had the highest fatigue resistance compared to other fibre composition. The mass of FML had been identified less than aluminium up to 30%. The hardness strength increases with increase fibre composition for composite while the hardness strength is relatively constant for FML.
Central Contributions to Contractions Evoked by Tetanic Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation

Tetanic electrical stimulation applied over human muscle or peripheral nerve generates contractions by depolarizing motor axons beneath the stimulating electrodes. However, the simultaneous depolarization of sensory axons can also contribute to the contractions by the synaptic recruitment of spinal motoneurons. Maximizing this central contribution may be beneficial for reducing muscle atrophy or restoring movement for persons with movement disorders.
A Survey of Provably Secure Searchable Encryption

We survey the notion of provably secure searchable encryption (SE) by giving a complete and comprehensive overview of the two main SE techniques: searchable symmetric encryption (SSE) and public key encryption with keyword search (PEKS). Since the pioneering work of Song, Wagner, and Perrig (IEEE S&P '00), the field of provably secure SE has expanded to the point where we felt that taking stock would provide benefit to the community. The survey has been written primarily for the nonspecialist who has a basic information security background. Thus, we sacrifice full details and proofs of individual constructions in favor of an overview of the underlying key techniques. We categorize and compare the different SE schemes in terms of their security, efficiency, and functionality. For the experienced researcher, we point out connections between the many approaches to SE and identify open research problems. Two major conclusions can be drawn from our work. While the so-called IND-CKA2 security notion becomes prevalent in the literature and efficient (sublinear) SE schemes meeting this notion exist in the symmetric setting, achieving this strong form of security efficiently in the asymmetric setting remains an open problem. We observe that in multirecipient SE schemes, regardless of their efficiency drawbacks, there is a noticeable lack of query expressiveness that hinders deployment in practice.
Structural aspect of decomposition of metastable γ-Mn-Cu alloys

AbstractThe analysis of neutron diffraction experiments on a special ‘null-matrix’ γ-Mn-Cu alloy, together with improved data on the variation of cell dimensions of γ-Mn-Cu alloys with composition, has provided information on the decomposition of the metastable γ-Mn-Cu phase. The decomposition behaviour of these alloys has been explained recently in terms of a metastable miscibility gap. The present findings are in accordance with this suggestion, although it is apparent that α-phase precipitation can occur at lower temperatures and after shorter anneal times than was previously thought. The initial phase separation occurs in such a way that the manganese-deficient and manganese-rich components have the same cell dimensions, and in the manganese-rich component the cubic to tetragonal cell distortion appears to be suppressed in the initial stages of the segregation.w
Experimental Helicobacter pylori Infection Induces Antral Gastritis and Gastric Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue in Guinea Pigs

ABSTRACT Humans infected with Helicobacter pylori have abnormally low levels of the antioxidant vitamin C, which protects against the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines, in gastric juice. Guinea pigs, like humans and nonhuman primates, have a dietary requirement for vitamin C. As such, these species have gastrointestinal vitamin C transport systems not found in other animals. We have developed and characterized a guinea pig model of chronic gastricH. pylori infection with the rodent-adapted Sydney strain of H. pylori. At 4 weeks postinfection, five of six animals of the infected group and zero of two animals of the control group were positive for H. pylori as determined by culture or PCR. At 15 weeks, six of six animals of the infected group and zero of two animals of the control group were positive. H. pylori-specific seroconversion was observed among infected animals. There were no histologic abnormalities in the gastric antra or fundi of control guinea pigs. In contrast, there was multifocal, mild to moderate lymphohistiocytic antral gastritis and formation of antral lymphoid follicles in H. pylori-infected animals. The lesion distribution in the gastric antra paralleled that observed in H. pylori-infected humans. The H. pylori-infected guinea pig should prove useful in modeling the interaction of helicobacter and vitamin C in gastric carcinogenesis.
Holomorphic symplectic geometry and orbifold singularities

Let G be a finite group acting on a symplectic complex vector space V. Assume that the quotient V/G has a holomorphic symplectic resolution. We prove that G is generated by "symplectic reflectionsd"', i.e. symplectomorphisms with fixed space of codimension 2 in V. Symplectic resolutions are always semismall. A crepant resolution of V/G is always symplectic. We give a symplectic version of Nakamura conjectures.
Moving from a plan driven culture to agile development

Plan driven cultures are characterized by a strong belief in the plannability and predictability of software development projects. The SEI-CMM, software process improvement initiatives, and software metrics programs are some of the hallmarks of this school of thought. The more recent trend towards agile development places the emphasis on constantly adapting to a project's changing goals rather than on detailed upfront planning. The majority of reports from pracitioners of agile development are positive and confirm the advantages of this approach. However, moving from a plan driven culture to agile development is not easy. Making the transition requires changes to many established practices and may even touch core values held by stakeholders. Areas affected are requirements and change management, user involvement, willingness to take on responsibility, contract management, and the ability to live with many uncertainties. This talk looks at what it takes to make the transition and presents lessons learned from organizations and projects which have successfully completed the switch to agile development.
A Measurement Study of Peer-to-Peer File Sharing Systems

The popularity of peer-to-peer multimedia ﬁle sharing applications such as Gnutella and Napster has created a ﬂurry of recent research activity into peer-to-peer architectures. We believe that the proper evaluation of a peer-to-peer system must take into account the characteristics of the peers that choose to participate. Surprisingly, however, few of the peer-to-peer architectures currently being developed are evaluated with respect to such considerations. We believe that this is, in part, due to a lack of information about the characteristics of hosts that choose to participate in the currently popular peer-to-peer systems. In this paper, we remedy this situation by performing a detailed measurement study of the two most popular peer-to-peer ﬁle sharing systems, namely Napster and Gnutella. In particular, our measurement study seeks to precisely characterize the population of end-user hosts that participate in these two systems. This characterization includes the bottleneck bandwidths between these hosts and the Internet at large, IP-level latencies to send packets to these hosts, how often hosts connect and disconnect from the system, how many ﬁles hosts share and download, the degree of cooperation between the hosts, and several correlations between these characteristics. Our measurements show that there is signiﬁcant heterogeneity and lack of cooperation across peers participating in these systems.
Comparing the accuracy of density forecasts from competing GARCH models

In this paper we introduce an analyzing procedure using the Kullback-Leibler information criteria (KLIC) as a statistical tool to evaluate and compare the predictive abilities of possibly misspecified density forecast models. The main advantage of this statistical tool is that we use the censored likelihood functions to compute the tail minimum of the KLIC, to compare the performance of a density forecast models in the tails. Use of KLIC is practically attractive as well as convenient, given its equivalent of the widely used LR test. We include an illustrative simulation to compare a set of distributions, including symmetric and asymmetric distribution, and a family of GARCH volatility models. Our results on simulated data show that the choice of the conditional distribution appears to be a more dominant factor in determining the adequacy and accuracy (quality) of density forecasts than the choice of volatility model.
Visualization of Latent Fingermark Corrosion of Brass, Climatic Influence in a Comparison Between the U.K. and Iraq

Abstract: Through a comparison of fingermark sweat corrosion of α phase brass in both the U.K. and Iraq, we show how samples from Iraq have improved fingermark corrosion over U.K. samples that require no additional enhancement prior to visualization. Over 50% of Iraqi samples produced fingermark corrosion with full ridge detail compared with 0% from the U.K. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of the fingermark corrosion products showed that Iraqi samples exhibit more dezincification with the Zn:Cu ratio averaging 1:1.82 compared with 1:3.07 for U.K. samples. Auger spectroscopy showed the presence of both zinc oxide and copper (I) oxide. No copper (II) was observed on the surface of the corroded brass. Opportunities to exploit the optical properties of these thin film oxides to enhance the visualization of fingermark corrosion are considered, and the potential to use fingermark corrosion of metal as a means of visualizing fingerprints in war zones is discussed.
When does it pay off to prime for defense? A modeling analysis

Summary Plants can prepare for future herbivore attack through a process called priming. Primed plants respond more strongly and/or faster to insect attack succeeding the priming event than nonprimed plants, while the energetic costs of priming are relatively low. To better understand the evolution of priming, we developed a simulation model, partly parameterized for Brassica nigra plants, to explore how the fitness benefits of priming change when plants are grown in different biotic environments. Model simulations showed that herbivore dynamics (arrival probability, arrival time, and feeding rate) affect the optimal duration, the optimal investment and the fitness benefits of priming. Competition for light increases the indirect costs of priming, but may also result in a larger payoff when the nonprimed plant experiences substantial leaf losses. This modeling approach identified some important knowledge gaps: herbivore arrival rates on individual plants are rarely reported but they shape the optimal duration of priming, and it would pay off if the likelihood, severity and timing of the attack could be discerned from the priming cue, but it is unknown if plants can do so. In addition, the model generated some testable predictions, for example that the sensitivity to the priming cue decreases with plant age.
Time‐Course Of Changes In Hepatic Lipid Peroxidation And Glutathione Metabolism In Rats With Carbon Tetrachloride‐Induced Cirrhosis

1. The aims of the present study were to assess: (i) the temporal relationships between hepatic lipid peroxidation, changes in the glutathione detoxification system and the onset/development of cirrhosis in CCl4‐treated rats; and (ii) the effects of oral zinc administration on these parameters.
Factor Intensity, Product Switching, and Productivity: Evidence from Chinese Exporters

Using Chinese manufacturing firm data over the period of 1998-2007, we find that firms become less capital-intensive after exporting, compared to similar non-exporting firms. To rationalize this finding that contrasts with existing evidence for most countries, we develop a variant of the multi-product model of Bernard, Redding, and Schott (2010) to consider products with varying capital intensity. In the model, firms in a labor-abundant country specialize in their core competency by allocating more resources to produce labor-intensive products after exporting. Consistent with the model predictions, we find evidence that the ex-ante more productive firms experience a smaller decline in capital intensity after exporting, but firms that experience a sharper decline in capital intensity after exporting have a larger increase in measured total factor productivity. Using transaction-level data, we confirm that Chinese exporters add new products that are less capital-intensive than their existing product portfolios and drop those that are more capital-intensive over time.
An efficient dynamic schedule for layered belief-propagation decoding of LDPC codes

An efficient dynamic schedule for layered belief-propagation (LBP) decoding of low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes is presented, in which the check nodes connecting to a variable node with maximum relative message residual are chosen in each dynamic decoding iteration, and then LBP is performed for these check nodes. In this schedule we combined the features of lazy schedule and node-wise residual belief propagation (NWRBP) together while keeping the extra computational complexity very low. Simulation results show that the new schedule speeds up the convergence rate and greatly improves error performance at medium to high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) when compared to the standard LBP decoding algorithm.
The effect of cross rolling on the microstructure of ferrous and non-ferrous metals and alloys

A.B. Naizabekov, S.N. Lezhnev, Rudny Industrial Institute, Rudny, Kazakhstan; H. Dyja, T. Bajor, Czestochowa University of Technology, Czestochowa, Poland; K. Tsay, Institute of Nuclear Physics of the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaty, Kazakhstan; A. Arbuz, N.Gusseynov, R. Nemkaeva Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan The cross rolling is the one of most perspective method of refinement microstructure metals by severe plastic deformation method. This method gives ability to get the long length billets. However, deformation and trajectories of the metal is very heterogeneous across the section of the rolled piece. This paper presents the finite element method (FEM) simulation of hot cross rolling and experimental study of the effect of the cross rolling on a different threeroll mills on the microstructure of ordinary structural alloy steel, stainless steel and technical copper in different zones of the bar. Analysis showed significant structure refinement in all cases. The best result was achieved on the stainless steel, and shown the formation of equal-axis ultra-fine-grain structure on the bar periphery.