Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role Oriented Adaptive Design

Software systems are becoming inexorably more open, distributed, pervasive, mobile and connected. This thesis addresses the problem of how to build adaptive software systems. These systems need to reliably achieve system-level goals in volatile environments, where the system itself may be built from components of uncertain behaviour, and where the requirements for the software system may be changing. This thesis adopts the systemtheoretic concept of ontogenic adaptation from biology, and applies it to software architecture. Ontogenic adaptation is the ability of an individual system to maintain its organisational integrity by reconfiguring and regulating itself. A number of approaches to adaptive software architecture have been recently proposed that, to varying degrees, enable limited adaptive behaviour and reconfiguration, but none possess all the properties needed for ontogenic adaptation. We introduce a meta-model and framework called Role Oriented Adaptive Design (ROAD) that is consistent with the concept of maintaining organisational integrity through ontogenic adaptation. The ROAD meta-model defines software applications as networks of functional roles which are executed by players (objects, components, services, agents, people, or rolecomposites). These flexible organisational structures are adaptive because the relationships (contracts) between roles, and the bindings between roles and players, can be regulated and reconfigured at run-time. Such flexible organisational role-structures are encapsulated into composites each with its own organiser. Because self-managed composites are themselves role-players, these composites can be distributed and recursively composed. The organisers of the composites form a management system over which requirements and performance data pass. Rather than being monolithic constructions, ROAD software applications are dynamic, self-managed compositions of loosely-coupled, and potentially, distributed entities. The concepts in the ROAD meta-model have been implemented in a programming framework which can be extended by the application programmer to create adaptive applications. Central to this framework are dynamic contracts. These contracts define the role structure, control interactions between the role instances, and measure the performance of those interactions. Adaptivity is achieved by monitoring and manipulating these contracts, along with the role-player bindings. Contracts have been implemented using the mechanism of “association aspects”. The applicability of the ROAD framework to the domain of Service-Oriented Computing is demonstrated. The framework is further evaluated in terms of its ability to express the concept of ontogenic adaptation and also in terms of the overhead its runtime infrastructure imposes on interactions.
Social Media for Collaborative Learning and Engagement: Adoption Framework in Higher Education Institutions in Malaysia

This paper addresses collaborative learning and engagement via intention towards social media use that have been tackled by some researches in terms of its impacts on students’ academic performance. However, only a few of such studies have been carried out in the area of collaborative and engagement use of social media for enhancing researchers’/students’ performance. The present study attempts to determine the way social media can be utilized to enhance researchers’ performance via collaborative and engagement by applying the theory of technology acceptance model (TAM) along with constructivism theory. According to the results, collaborative learning and engagement positively and significantly impact perceived ease of use (PE), perceived usefulness (PU), and intention to use social media (IU) through the social media use in the context of Universiti Teknologi, Malaysia. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015. v6n3s1p246
N‐Acetylglucosamine kinase and N‐acetylglucosamine 6‐phosphate deacetylase in normal human erythrocytes and Plasmodium falciparum

The major pathways of glucose metabolism in the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, have now been elucidated, and the structures and properties of parasite‐specific enzymes are presently being investigated. Little is known, however, about the enzymes catalysing monosaccharide interconversions in the parasite. In the present investigation we have examined the pathway of N‐acetylglucosamine catabolism which, in higher organisms, involves the following reaction sequence: N‐acetylglucosamine → N‐acetylglucosamine 6‐phosphate → glucosamine 6‐phosphate → fructose 6‐phosphate. Assay of the specific kinase (E.C. 2.7.1.59) catalysing the phosphorylation of the sugar showed that the enzyme is present in Plasmodium extracts as well as in normal human erythrocytes; specific activities of 7.2 and 5.3 nmol/h/mg protein were measured for the parasite and erythrocyte extracts, respectively. n‐Acetylglucosamine 6‐phosphate deacetylase (E.C. 3.5.1.25), catalysing the second reaction, was also detected in both normal and Plasmodium‐infected erythrocytes. At 75% parasitaemia, the deacetylase activity was close to 3 times higher than that of normal control cells. The erythrocyte deacetylase was purified approximately 16 000‐fold by chromatography on DE52 cellulose, chromatofocusing, and size exclusion chromatography. Attempts to purify the parasite enzyme by the same procedures were unsuccessful due to loss of activity. A partially purified erythrocyte deacetylase preparation (eluted from DE52 cellulose) had a pH optimum of 7.5, a pI of 6.0, as indicated by chromatofocusing, and a Km of 29 μM. In conjunction with previous investigations, the present study indicated that all three enzymes required for N‐acetylglucosamine utilization are present in Plasmodium parasites as well as in normal erythrocytes.
Erythromycin and early enteral nutrition in mechanically ventilated patients*

ObjectiveTo determine whether erythromycin facilitates early enteral nutrition in mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients. DesignProspective, randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blind trial. SettingGeneral intensive care unit in a university-affiliated general hospital. PatientsForty consecutive critically ill patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation and early nasogastric feeding. InterventionsPatients were assigned randomly to intravenous erythromycin (250 mg/6 hrs; n = 20) or a placebo (intravenous 5% dextrose, 50 mL/6 hrs; n = 20) for 5 days. The first erythromycin or 5% dextrose injection was given at 8 am on the day after intubation. One hour later, a daily 18-hr enteral nutrition regimen via a 14-Fr gastric tube was started. Residual gastric volume was aspirated and measured every day at 9 am, 3 pm, 9 pm, and 3 am. Enteral nutrition was discontinued if residual gastric volume exceeded 250 mL or the patient vomited. Measurements and Main ResultsOn the first day, residual gastric volume was smaller in the erythromycin than in the placebo group (3 pm, 15 ± 7 mL vs. 52 ± 14 mL, p < .05; 9 pm, 29 ± 15 mL vs. 100 ± 20 mL, p < .001; 3 am, 11 ± 4 mL vs. 54 ± 13 mL, p < .05). With erythromycin, residual gastric volume at 9 pm was smaller on the second day (33 ± 11 mL vs. 83 ± 19 mL, p < .01) and residual gastric volume at 3 pm was smaller on the third day (39 ± 15 mL vs. 88 ± 19 mL, p < .05) than with placebo. On the fourth and fifth days, the differences in residual gastric volume were not significant. Enteral nutrition was discontinued before the end of the 5-day period in seven of the 20 erythromycin patients and 14 of the 20 placebo patients (p < .001). ConclusionIn critically ill patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation, erythromycin promotes gastric emptying and improves the chances of successful early enteral nutrition.
Paying a Price: Culture, Trust, and Negotiation Consequences

Three studies contrasting Indian and American negotiators tested hypotheses derived from theory proposing why there are cultural differences in trust and how cultural differences in trust influence negotiation strategy. Study 1 (a survey) documented that Indian negotiators trust their counterparts less than American negotiators. Study 2 (a negotiation simulation) linked American and Indian negotiators' self-reported trust and strategy to their insight and joint gains. Study 3 replicated and extended Study 2 using independently coded negotiation strategy data, allowing for stronger causal inference. Overall, the strategy associated with Indian negotiators' reluctance to extend interpersonal (as opposed to institutional) trust produced relatively poor outcomes. Our data support an expanded theoretical model of negotiation, linking culture to trust, strategies, and outcomes.
Evaluation of Efficacy and Nonrepellency of Indoxacarb and Fipronil-Treated Soil at Various Concentrations and Thicknesses Against Two Subterranean Termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Abstract The efficacy and nonrepellency of indoxacarb (150 SC, 150 g [AI]/liter) and fipronil (Termidor SC, 9.1% [AI]) against field-collected eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), and the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, were evaluated for mortality and penetration into treated soil in laboratory glass tube bioassays. Both insecticides were tested at five concentrations (0, 1, 10, 50, and 100 ppm) and two thicknesses (20 and 50 mm) of treated soil. Indoxacarb caused significantly greater mortality than controls at all treatment thicknesses of ≥10 ppm, but not at 1 ppm. Concentration and treatment thickness of indoxacarb significantly affected termite mortality. Eastern subterranean termites were significantly more susceptible to indoxacarb than Formosan subterranean termites, but there were no intercolony differences in either species. Termites completely penetrated through all treatment thickness of indoxacarb-treated soil at all concentrations, except one of the six Formosan subterranean termite replicates of 50 mm at 50 ppm, when all termites were killed before tunneling through the treated soil. Fipronil resulted in significantly faster and greater termite mortality than indoxacarb at corresponding concentrations. Concentration and treatment thickness of fipronil also significantly affected termite mortality. There was no intercolony difference in susceptibility to either insecticide in either termite. Both termite species completely penetrated 20-mm treatments of all tested fipronil concentrations, as well as 50-mm soil treated with fipronil at ≤10 ppm. At 50 and 100 ppm fipronil, termites tunneled only a mean of 87 ± 0.21 and 47 ± 0.18% deep into 50-mm treated soil, respectively, before death. Both insecticides demonstrated a delayed mode of activity and nonrepellency against the two termite species.
Toxicity of manufactured zinc oxide nanoparticles in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Information describing the possible impacts of manufactured nanoparticles on human health and ecological receptors is limited. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential toxicological effects of manufactured zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO‐NPs; 1.5 nm) compared to aqueous zinc chloride (ZnCl2) in the free‐living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Toxicity of both types of Zn was investigated using the ecologically relevant endpoints of lethality, behavior, reproduction, and transgene expression in a mtl‐2::GFP (gene encoding green fluorescence protein fused onto the metallothionein‐2 gene promoter) transgenic strain of C. elegans. Zinc oxide nanoparticles showed no significant difference from ZnCl2 regarding either lethality or reproduction in C. elegans, as indicated by their median lethal concentrations (LC50s; p = 0.29, n = 3) and median effective concentrations (EC50s; Z = 0.835, p = 0.797). Also, no significant difference was found in EC50s for behavioral change between ZnO‐NPs (635 mg Zn/L; 95% confidence interval [CI], 477–844 mg Zn/L) and ZnCl2 (546 mg Zn/L; 95% CI, 447–666 mg Zn/L) (Z = 0.907, p = 0.834). Zinc oxide nanoparticles induced transgene expression in the mtl‐2::GFP transgenic C. elegans in a manner similar to that of ZnCl2, suggesting that intracellular biotransformation of the nanoparticles might have occurred or the nanoparticles have dissolved to Zn2+ to enact toxicity. These findings demonstrate that manufactured ZnO‐NPs have toxicity to the nematode C. elegans similar to that of aqueous ZnCl2.
Biodiversity of Lactobacillus helveticus bacteriophages isolated from cheese whey starters

Twenty-one Lactobacillus helveticus bacteriophages, 18 isolated from different cheese whey starters and three from CNRZ collection, were phenotypically and genetically characterised. A biodiversity between phages was evidenced both by host range and molecular (RAPD-PCR) typing. A more detailed characterisation of six phages showed similar structural protein profiles and a relevant genetic biodiversity, as shown by restriction enzyme analysis of total DNA. Latent period, burst time and burst size data evidenced that phages were active and virulent. Overall, data highlighted the biodiversity of Lb. helveticus phages isolated from cheese whey starters, which were confirmed to be one of the most common phage contamination source in dairy factories. More research is required to further unravel the ecological role of Lb. helveticus phages and to evaluate their impact on the dairy fermentation processes where whey starter cultures are used.
Appendectomy in Australian twins.

Letters to the Editor et al. (1990) on the genetics of acute appendicitis. Family studies such as this can overestimate heritability if family environment is a significant covariate of disease, unless some measure of this is included in the analysis. We felt it might be useful to present appendectomy data from the Australian NH&MRC Twin Registry (ATR), as the classical twin study allows one to estimate the effects of shared environment. In 1980, all 5,967 pairs of twins over the age of 18 years registered with the ATR (a population-based volunteer registry) were surveyed by mailed questionnaire for a past history of a number of diseases and operations. A total of 3,808 complete pairs returned the questionnaire, a 65% pairwise response rate. In one item, twins were asked to indicate whether they had previously undergone appendectomy and at what age the procedure was performed. Zygosity of twins was determined by response to twO questionnaire items (Kas-riel and Eaves 1976) and, in ambiguous cases, by the examination of photographs sent in by the twins. Approximately 21% of all respondents had under: gone appendectomy (see table 1), excluding 96 cases where the procedure was performed in the same year as a cholecystectomy or hysterectomy (procedures during which a prophylactic appendectomy is often performed). Females were more likely to report appendec-tomy than were males, a finding noted in other studies (Phlanz 1978). Mean age at time of operation was 19.5 years for females and 20.0 years for males (difference not significant). The rate of reponed childhood appen-dectomy (i.e., before 18 years of age) increased mono-tonically from 9% of those born 1955-68 to 15% of those born 1925-34, falling off in earlier-born cohortS. Overall, MZ female twin pairs were significantly more concordant than were DZ female twins, but MZ and DZ same-sex male pairs showed no such difference in concordance (see table 2). We then performed path analysis under the assumptions of the multifactorial threshold model (as applied to twins) implemented using the weighted least squares (WLS) option in LISREL 7.16 (Heath et a1. 1989; Joreskog and Sorbom 1989). The path models tested contained an additive genetic component nt (G), a shared environmental component (C), a unique environmental component (E). and the age of the twins. There was no significant evidence for het-erogeneity of causes in the sexes (homogeneity ~d = 0.05, P = .99), and a model comprising an additive genetic and shared …
THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF TAURINE AGAINST DIAZINON OXIDATIVE STRESS IN RATS

Diazinon (DZN) is one of the most widely used organophosphates in agriculture. The objective of this study was to investigate the propensity of subacute exposure of diazinon to induce oxidative stress, changes in biochemical parameters and enzyme activities in the liver and kidney of male rats and to explore its possible attenuation by taurine. The protective effects of taurine (50 mg/kg body weight, B.W.) given 30 min before and after administration of diazinon were investigated. The results demonstrated that the oral administration of 10 mg/kg diazinon significantly caused elevation in lipid peroxidation (LPO) level in liver and kidney when compared to control groups. Levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were found to be decreased, while glutathione reductase (GSH-Rd) remained unchanged in rat’s l iver and kidney treated with diazinon. Taurine treatment to diazinon intoxicated rats decreased LPO level and normalized GSH, SOD, CAT, GST and GSH-Px activities. Also pre-treatment with taurine ameliorated the increase in enzymatic activit ies of aminotransferases (AST and ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinine and urea levels in plasma caused by diazinon intoxication. In conclusion, taurine significantly reduces diazinon-induced oxidative stress in rat’s l iver and kidney and the protective effect of the pre-treatment with taurine is better than the post-treatment, suggested a significant contribution of its antioxidant property to these beneficial effects.
Motor Dynamics of Task Switching

The traditional view of cognitive-motor control posits an executive module that sends instructions to motor cortex before each movement. In contrast, newer work suggests that manual movements in task switching are determined through the competition of multiple simultaneously active motor representations. The streaming x,y coordinates of participants’ computer mouse movements were recorded as they switched between conflicting or compatible sorting tasks. Through analysis of the mouse-movement trajectories, we evaluate these theoretical perspectives. Although switching from the more difficult to the less difficult or vice versa resulted in comparable overall response time cost, the movement associated with these two types of task-switches exhibited quite different motor dynamics. Results are interpreted within a dynamical systems perspective on cognitive control, in which graded motor representations compete with one another during reaching movements after a
Natural larval Echinococcus multilocularis infection in a Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus, captured indoors in Hokkaido, Japan

Natural infection with larval Echinococcus multilocularis was recognized in one of eight Norway rats, Rattus norvegicus, caught indoors in 2009 in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, northern Japan. Cystic lesions were found in the right median and lateral lobes of the liver, with numerous alveolar cysts in the periphery of the lesions. Protoscolices were formed within large cysts. The laminated layers of the cysts were positive for PAS staining. Nested PCR using the primers specific for Taenia mitochondrial 12S rDNA yielded a 250-bp product, and the sequence of the PCR product matched that of E. multilocularis isolates from Hokkaido and Germany. This is the third natural alveolar hydatidosis in R. norvegicus in Japan.
HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS HIV-Infected Individuals Receiving Effective Antiviral Therapy for Extended Periods of Time Continually Replenish Their Viral Reservoir

REVIEWER COMMENTS. Most of the published information on the HES has focused on adult patients. This report compares a pediatric case report of HES and a review of published pediatric cases of this condition to adult patients with this syndrome. This is an insightful clinical report that should be useful in the overall workup of pediatric patients who present with dramatic eosinophilia ( 1500/mm3) for 6 months’ duration without other known causes of eosinophilia and who have evidence of organ involvement that might be attributable to HES.
Comparative Study of Microtubule-associated Protein-2 and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Proteins during Neural Induction of Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

Background: In recent years, adipose tissue, due to the stem cells contained within, has found a new special place in laboratory and clinical applications. These adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have the same characteristics of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Although bone marrow (BM) is not easily accessible and its procurements may be painful, most patients possess excess fat which can be obtained by less invasive methods; this makes adipose tissue ubiquitous, available and an ideal large-scale source for research on clinical applications. Methods: BMSCs and ADSCs were harvested from three healthy human and were characterized using flow-cytometry. After they were treated for neurosphere formation using basic fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, B 27; terminal differentiation was performed. In this study, we used immunocytochemistry, real time-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting techniques for detection and comparison of Nestin, microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) markers in human ADSCs and BMSCs. Results: Under appropriate conditions ADSCs can differentiate into neuron-like cells and express neural markers the same as BMSCs, also the expression of GFAP marker in differentiated cells derived from ADSCs was significantly lower than the cells derived from BMSCs (P < 0.05). While the expression of MAP-2 marker in both groups was the same. Conclusions: However, due to its advantages and according to our results based on the expression levels of GFAP and MAP-2, adipose tissue rather than BM could represent a more appropriate stem cell source for investigating the application of these cells in understanding the pathophysiology and in treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
A comprehensive system for dosimetric commissioning and Monte Carlo validation for the small animal radiation research platform

Our group has constructed the small animal radiation research platform (SARRP) for delivering focal, kilo-voltage radiation to targets in small animals under robotic control using cone-beam CT guidance. The present work was undertaken to support the SARRP's treatment planning capabilities. We have devised a comprehensive system for characterizing the radiation dosimetry in water for the SARRP and have developed a Monte Carlo dose engine with the intent of reproducing these measured results. We find that the SARRP provides sufficient therapeutic dose rates ranging from 102 to 228 cGy min−1 at 1 cm depth for the available set of high-precision beams ranging from 0.5 to 5 mm in size. In terms of depth–dose, the mean of the absolute percentage differences between the Monte Carlo calculations and measurement is 3.4% over the full range of sampled depths spanning 0.5–7.2 cm for the 3 and 5 mm beams. The measured and computed profiles for these beams agree well overall; of note, good agreement is observed in the profile tails. Especially for the smallest 0.5 and 1 mm beams, including a more realistic description of the effective x-ray source into the Monte Carlo model may be important.