Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quad-Byte Transformation using Zero-frequency Bytes

Byte pair encoding (BPE) algorithm was suggested by P. Gage is to achieve data compression. It encodes all instances of most frequent byte-pair using zero- frequency byte in the source data. This process is repeated for maximum m possible number of passes until no further compression is possible, either because there are no more frequently occurring byte pairs or there are no more unused zero-frequency bytes to represent pairs. The proposed quad- byte transformation algorithm encodes 4-byte integers instead of byte pairs. Proposed QBT-Z (Quad-Byte Transformation using Zero-frequency bytes) is applied on data blocks of a file. Implementation of block-wise QBT-Z with varying number of passes is experimented with various test files. The aim is to minimize the compression time and achieve better compression rate. QBT-Z with m passes transforms only one quad-byte at a time using unused zero-frequency byte and the process is repeated maximum m possible number of times. With k-pass QBT-Z, k<<m, it transforms half of the possible most-frequent quad bytes in each pass except the last. In the last pass, it transforms all remaining possible quad-bytes. Algorithm is tested on 18 files of various types with a total size of nearly 40MB. Overall transformation rate (compression rate using transformation) is 17.04%, 18.91%, 19.25%, 19.31% and 22.75% using QBT-Z with 1, 2, 3, 4 and m passes respectively. It shows that transformation with large number passes increases reduction in transformed file size. Total transformation time taken by k-pass QBT-Z with 1, 2, 3 and 4 passes is only 7.629, 12.183, 16.091 and 20.994 seconds respectively; which is significantly small as compared to 268.434 seconds taken by m-pass QBT-Z. As the number of passes increases, compression is better with increased execution time. Reverse transformation is too fast, hardly taking 2 to 4 seconds.
Multi-Level Cluster-Based Hierarchical Protocol for Ad Hoc Mobile Networks

In this paper, we purpose a new routing protocol based on applications of hierarchical routing protocols, named as ldquoMulti-Level Cluster-based Hierarchical Protocolrdquo (MLCP) for large-scale mobile ad hoc networks. Our approach organizes nodes into different levels of clusters. MLCP maintains a hierarchical topology, where elected cluster-heads at lower level do not participate to next cluster-head election. Each member of high level cluster come from one lower level cluster. The goal of level clustering is to optimize the path length and scale well for the large networks. We compare the performance existing and proposed schemes via simulation.
Evaluation of a hierarchical partitioned particle filter with action primitives

We introduce the Hierarchical Partitioned Particle Filter (HPPF) designed specifically for articulated human tracking. The HPPF is motivated by the hierarchical dependency between the human body parameters and the partial independence between certain of those parameters. The tracking is model based and follows the analysis by synthesis principle. The limited information of the video sequence is balanced by prior knowledge of the structure of the human body and a motion model. This is based on action primitives, a sequence of consecutive poses, each predicting in a stochastic manner the next pose. Tracker performance is evaluated on the HumanEva-II dataset for different motion model parameters, number of camera views and particles.
In Vitro Studies with Recombinant Plasmodium falciparum Apical Membrane Antigen 1 (AMA1): Production and Activity of an AMA1 Vaccine and Generation of a Multiallelic Response

ABSTRACT Apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) is regarded as a leading malaria blood-stage vaccine candidate. While the overall structure of AMA1 is conserved in Plasmodium spp. , numerous AMA1 allelic variants of P. falciparum have been described. The effect of AMA1 allelic diversity on the ability of a recombinant AMA1 vaccine to protect against human infection by different P. falciparum strains is unknown. We characterize two allelic forms of AMA1 that were both produced in Pichia pastoris at a sufficient economy of scale to be usable for clinical vaccine studies. Both proteins were used to immunize rabbits, singly and in combination, in order to evaluate their immunogenicity and the ability of elicited antibodies to block the growth of different P. falciparum clones. Both antigens, when used alone, elicited high homologous anti-AMA1 titers, with reduced strain cross-reactivity. Similarly, sera from rabbits immunized with a single antigen were capable of blocking the growth of homologous parasite strains at levels theoretically sufficient to clear parasite infections. However, heterologous inhibition was significantly reduced, providing experimental evidence that AMA1 allelic diversity is a result of immune pressure. Encouragingly, rabbits immunized with a combination of both antigens exhibited titers and levels of parasite inhibition as good as those of the single-antigen-immunized rabbits for each of the homologous parasite lines, and consequently exhibited a broadening of allelic diversity coverage.
Analyzing a Korean blogosphere: a social network analysis perspective

Due to their popularity and widespread use, blogs have become an important medium through which to communicate and exchange information on the World Wide Web. The advent of the blogosphere may provide opportunities for establishing a new business model that investigates social relationships. In Korea, there are many blogospheres that appear to maintain different characteristics from foreign blogospheres on the Internet. Consequently, it is inappropriate to apply analysis methods used for the foreign blogosphere directly to Korean blogospheres. To establish successful business policies in Korean blogospheres, the characteristics of Korean blogospheres and the behavioral patterns of bloggers should be understood. In this paper, we analyze the characteristics of the Korean blog network, wherein each blogger forms a node and scraps by bloggers as edges. First, we demonstrate that the Korean blog network is also a scale-free network, like the World Wide Web. Second, we compare the Bow-tie structure of the Korean blog network with that of the World Wide Web. We expect that these analysis results will be helpful in developing effective algorithms and in establishing new business models targeted at the Korean blogosphere.
Incoherent electron-phonon scattering in octanethiols

We investigate the influence of molecular vibrations on the tunneling of electrons through an octane-thiolate sandwiched between two gold contacts. The coherent and incoherent tunneling currents are computed using the non-equilibrium Green's functions formalism. Both the system Hamiltonian and the electron-phonon interaction are obtained from first-principles DFT calculations, including a microscopic treatment of the gold contacts. This method allows to study explicitly the influence of each individual vibrational mode and show a detailed analysis of the power dissipated in the molecular wire.
A novel 2-row Indian LP character segmentation algorithm based on a Hybrid approach

A Hybrid approach involving new thresholding method for binarizing the LP plate area with the background combined with a Centre Weighted Median Filter-CWMF noise pre-processing algorithm to get a clear Indian LP area to be passed on to the new zone character segmentation algorithm to get a near perfect segmented LP characters output. The thresholding algorithm initially uses a minimum threshold to locate the plate area with the background and calculates an optimum threshold value by minimizing the variance within the LP plate area while maximizing the variance between the plate area and its background. The new zone segmentation algorithm enables multiple rows Indian License Plate segmentation.
A simple machine in a complex environment: A Petri net approach

This paper is about a modelling approach on top of the Petri net formalism. We consider a system architecture that separates the machine from the environment in which it is deployed, and address this architecture within the Petri net framework. We consider that the basic functioning of many machines can be captured in a Petri net model, while the environment where the machine is deployed is often complex and difficult to model within Petri net. We handle the environment influence on the choice of operations by the so-called external agents, and propose a way to model their respective goals. We support our work with theoretical analyses model, and also a simple graphical model building language. We then illustrate the method using a case study inspired from the well drilling industry.
Huntingtin-Associated Protein 1 Interacts with Breakpoint Cluster Region Protein to Regulate Neuronal Differentiation

Alterations in microtubule-dependent trafficking and certain signaling pathways in neuronal cells represent critical pathogenesis in neurodegenerative diseases. Huntingtin (Htt)-associated protein-1 (Hap1) is a brain-enriched protein and plays a key role in the trafficking of neuronal surviving and differentiating cargos. Lack of Hap1 reduces signaling through tropomyosin-related kinases including extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), resulting in inhibition of neurite outgrowth, hypothalamic dysfunction and postnatal lethality in mice. To examine how Hap1 is involved in microtubule-dependent trafficking and neuronal differentiation, we performed a proteomic analysis using taxol-precipitated microtubules from Hap1-null and wild-type mouse brains. Breakpoint cluster region protein (Bcr), a Rho GTPase regulator, was identified as a Hap1-interacting partner. Bcr was co-immunoprecipitated with Hap1 from transfected neuro-2a cells and co-localized with Hap1A isoform more in the differentiated than in the nondifferentiated cells. The Bcr downstream effectors, namely ERK and p38, were significantly less activated in Hap1-null than in wild-type mouse hypothalamus. In conclusion, Hap1 interacts with Bcr on microtubules to regulate neuronal differentiation.
The implications of sexuality education in Florida 1990-2007

xiii CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION 1 Purpose of Study 3 Hypotheses 4 Research Questions 4 Conceptual Framework: Implications of Sexual Education Policies and Outcomes 5 Significance of the Study 8 Adolescent Pregnancy, Teen Birth Rates, Unintended Pregnancy, Contraceptives Use, and Abortions among Florida Adolescents 9 Sexually Transmitted Diseases 10 Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) 11 Summary of Significance of the Study 12 Florida Adoption of Abstinence Only-Until-Marriage Program and Current Focus 12 Definitions 13 Sexuality Education Programs 13 Maternal and Child Health Services Title V Block Grant 15 Title X Family Planning Program 15 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 17 Introduction 17 Background 17 A History of Policy Related to Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education 17 Title V and Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Program 19 Title X Funds for Family Planning 20 Policies about Contraceptive, Abortion, and Sexuality Education Services in Florida 21 Florida Legislative Bills Related to Sexuality Education 23 Background Summary 23 Research 23 Sexuality Education 23 Sexuality Education in Florida 26 High Risk Sexual Behaviors in Adolescents 27 Teen Pregnancy and Teen Birth Outcomes 30 Unintended Pregnancies, Sexuality, and Use of Contraceptives 33 Sexually Transmitted Diseases 35 Research Summary 37 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY 38
Face recognition based on neural network ensemble and feature fusion

In this paper, a fusion of multiple features method based on integrated neural network was proposed. Firstly, KPCA algorithm was used to extract the overall recognition features. Then, the KICA algorithm was used to extract the local features. Finally, the BP and PNN neural network were used to recognize the result of the both algorithms. The method solved the interference caused by the external factors and got high correct rate of classification.
Suppressing Posttranslational Gluconoylation of Heterologous Proteins by Metabolic Engineering of Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT Minimization of chemical modifications during the production of proteins for pharmaceutical and medical applications is of fundamental and practical importance. The gluconoylation of heterologously expressed protein which is observed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) constitutes one such undesired posttranslational modification. We postulated that formation of gluconoylated/phosphogluconoylated products of heterologous proteins is caused by the accumulation of 6-phosphogluconolactone due to the absence of phosphogluconolactonase (PGL) in the pentose phosphate pathway. The results obtained demonstrate that overexpression of a heterologous PGL in BL21(DE3) suppresses the formation of the gluconoylated adducts in the therapeutic proteins studied. When this E. coli strain was grown in high-cell-density fed-batch cultures with an extra copy of the pgl gene, we found that the biomass yield and specific productivity of a heterologous 18-kDa protein increased simultaneously by 50 and 60%, respectively. The higher level of PGL expression allowed E. coli strain BL21(DE3) to satisfy the extra demand for precursors, as well as the energy requirements, in order to replicate plasmid DNA and express heterologous genes, as metabolic flux analysis showed by the higher precursor and NADPH fluxes through the oxidative branch of the pentose phosphate shunt. This work shows that E. coli strain BL21(DE3) can be used as a host to produce three different proteins, a heterodimer of liver X receptors, elongin C, and an 18-kDa protein. This is the first report describing a novel and general strategy for suppressing this nonenzymatic modification by metabolic pathway engineering.
Deposition and decomposition of periodical cicadas (Homoptera: Cicadidae: Magicicada) in woodland aquatic ecosystems

Abstract Many freshwater ecosystems receive allochthonous resource subsidies from adjacent terrestrial environments. In eastern North American forests, geographic broods of periodical cicadas emerge every 13 to 17 y to breed, and local abundances can sometimes be >300 individuals/m2. Most individuals avoid predation, senesce after breeding, and become a resource pulse for forest ecosystems; some cicada carcasses enter freshwater ecosystems where they represent a detrital resource pulse. Here, we present a 2-part study in which we examined the deposition of cicada detritus into woodland ponds and low-order streams in southwestern Ohio during the emergence of Brood X periodical cicadas. We compared the deposition of nutrients associated with periodical cicada detritus and terrestrial leaf litter into small woodland ponds and low-order streams. We used a laboratory experiment to compare patterns of decomposition and nutrient release of adult periodical cicada carcasses and sycamore leaf litter. Input of periodical cicada detritus to woodland streams and ponds was a function of local cicada emergence densities. Organic C loading to woodland aquatic ecosystems from cicada detritus was substantially less than that from terrestrial leaf litter; however, the higher mass-specific N and P content of cicada material made cicada detritus a relatively important nutrient input. N and P deposited in cicada detritus represented 0.2 to 61% of the N and 0.3 to 50% of the P deposited into woodland aquatic ecosystems via terrestrial leaf litter. Decomposition experiments indicated that cicada detritus was of much higher quality than was sycamore leaf litter; female and male cicada carcasses lost mass at significantly faster rates than sycamore leaves (female k = −0.05/d, male k = −0.04/d, sycamore leaf k = −0.002/d). Release rates of C, N, and P from cicada carcasses were 4, 39, and 150× greater, respectively, than release rates from sycamore leaves. Our study indicates that periodical cicada detritus can represent a substantial allochthonous resource pulse to forested aquatic ecosystems and that cicada detritus is of substantially higher quality than is terrestrial leaf litter. These results suggest that deposition and decomposition of periodical cicada detritus can affect the productivity and dynamics of woodland aquatic ecosystems and that the role of animal-derived resource pulses to ecosystems requires further exploration.
Augmented Reality Assisted Sinus Surgery

In this paper, we propose an augmented reality (AR) assisted sinus surgery system, in which the surgical outcome is improved by providing a new way of visualization which embeds virtual environments into the real scene. Such an AR assisted system, with a preoperative CT scan registered and displayed throughout the surgery, would provide the surgeon visibility of the nearby structures surrounding the endoscopes and the tip of the surgical tool. It would help a surgeon to navigate the instrument to the targeted site while avoiding any possible damage to other delicate tissues. It is especially valuable in revised surgery when the normal landmarks may not be present. For these reasons, the proposed system can make a much safer surgery for the patient. Keywords—Augmented Reality, Sinus surgery
Learning to Summarize using Coherence

The focus of our paper is to attempt to define a generative probabilistic topic model for text summarization that aims at extracting a small subset of sentences from the corpus with respect to some given query. We theorize that in addition to a bag of words, a document can also be viewed in a different manner. Words in a sentence always carry syntactic and semantic information and often such information (for e.g., the grammatical and semantic role (GSR) of a word like subject, object, noun and verb concepts etc.) is carried across adjacent sentences to enhance coherence in different parts of a document. We define a topic model that models documents by factoring in the GSR transitions for coherence and for a particular query, we rank sentences by a product of thematical salience and coherence through GSR transitions.
Applying the Negative Selection Algorithm for Merger and Acquisition Target Identification Theory and Case Study

In this paper, we propose a new methodology based on the Negative Selection Algorithm that belongs to the field of Computational Intelligence (specifically, Artificial Immune Systems - AIS) to identify takeover targets. Although considerable research based on customary statistical techniques and some contemporary Computational Intelligence techniques have been devoted to identify takeover targets, most of the existing studies are based upon multiple previous mergers and acquisitions. Contrary to previous research, the novelty of this proposal lies in the methodology's ability to suggest takeover targets for novice firms that are at the beginning of their merger and acquisition spree. We first discuss the theoretical perspective and then provide a case study with details for practical implementation, both capitalizing from unique generalization capabilities of AIS algorithms.
PG-2, a Potent AMP against Pathogenic Microbial Strains, from Potato (Solanum tuberosum L cv. Gogu Valley) Tubers Not Cytotoxic against Human Cells

In an earlier study, we isolated potamin-1 (PT-1), a 5.6-kDa trypsin-chymotrypsin protease inhibitor, from the tubers of a potato strain (Solanum tuberosum L cv. Gogu Valley). We established that PT-1 strongly inhibits pathogenic microbial strains, but not human bacterial strains, and that its sequence shows 62% homology with a serine protease inhibitor. In the present study, we isolated an antifungal and antibacterial peptide with no cytotoxicity from tubers of the same potato strain. The peptide (peptide-G2, PG-2) was isolated using salt-extraction, ultrafiltration and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS) showed the protein to have a molecular mass of 3228.5 Da, while automated Edman degradation showed the N-terminal sequence of PG-2 to be LVKDNPLDISPKQVQALCTDLVIRCMCCC-. PG-2 exhibited antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans, a human pathogenic yeast strain, and Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis, a plant late blight strain. PG-2 also showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, but did not lyse human red blood cells and was thermostable. Overall, these results suggest PG-2 may be a good candidate to serve as a natural antimicrobial agent, agricultural pesticide and/or food additive.
’ s repository of research publications and other research outputs Using the semantic web to navigate conceptual spaces : an application for the philosophical domain Conference Item

The semantic web offers new possibilities in the eLearning area, which are dependent at least on two factors: the increasing availability of resources on the web and the semantic power of their meta-descriptions. This paper looks at this second issue, and tries to determine the general framework and the important features of the metadata for a specific domain, philosophy. Thanks to an adequate conceptualization, in fact, it is possible to recollect resources and compose them into a novel narrative, in order to provide specific learning services.
Dynamics and control of a gravity-assisted underactuated robot arm for assembly operations inside an aircraft wing-box

We propose a novel concept for the actuation of a hyper-articulated robot arm for assembly operations inside an aircraft wing-box. Traditional electromechanical actuators powering individual joints are unsuitable for our purpose, because of limited space and large payload requirements. We propose an underactuated system which uses a single actuator at the base for the deployment of a multi d.o. f. serial linkage structure. Our proposed system exploits gravitational and gyroscopic torques in the system dynamics to rapidly deploy the system. There are no general techniques for the control of such underactuated systems. We develop and compare two approaches for determining the input required for a desired output trajectory and verify the results through simulation and experiments
Choosing the Stick or the Carrot? Endogenous Institutional Choice in Social Dilemma Situations

We analyse an experimental public goods game in which group members can endogenously determine whether they want to supplement a standard voluntary contribution mechanism with the possibility of rewarding or punishing other group members. We find a large and positive effect of endogenous institutional choice on the level of cooperation in comparison to exogenously implemented institutions. This suggests that democratic participation rights enhance cooperation in groups. With endogenous choice, groups typically vote for the reward option, even though punishment is actually more effective in sustaining high levels of cooperation. Our results are evaluated against the predictions of social preference models.
The European Carbon Market in the Financial Turmoil: Some Empirics in Early Phase II

We estimate an Error-Correction Model by using dynamic OLS to investigate carbon price drivers in early Phase II. The futures contract negotiated from January to December 2008 on the European Climate Exchange is the focus of our analysis. We consider the allowance price as explained by oil prices, the switching price and the Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50. The long-term cointegration analysis shows that oil was the main driver of carbon prices in 2008. Technological variables, although statistically significant, had almost no impact on the endogenous variable. The financial index has not been a statistically significant regressor. We find an adjustment speed of 8% in the cointegrating equation. The short-term estimates show a two-tier relationship. Before the financial and economic turmoil, energy inputs were the drivers of carbon prices more than financial assets. After the oil crisis, carbon markets have become sensitive to equity pricing. Brent prices have halved their impact on permit prices. This kind of "equity paradox" in CO2 price drivers represents a new finding in carbon market pricing.