Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Application of SQuaRE and Generalized Nets for extended validation of CE systems

The need to develop robust, quality software architectures is more critical than ever today due to the significant complexity, size and interoperability requirements typical of modern systems. Rather than wait until the architecture, design and potentially implementation phases have been completed, this paper proposes that evaluation and testing methods should be applied during the architectural phase itself, and should be rooted in standard methodologies and processes, then complementary checked through the usage of Generalized Networks (GN) theory by a simulation platform. To guarantee the quality of the architecture the ISO/IEC CD 2504n of the SQuaRE series of standards (which describes a process for evaluating the quality of software products and also describing the requirements for the components of an architecture), are adopted as a reference methodology. (GN) is a tool for Discrete Event Simulation (DES), which is equally well suited for modelling simple and large, complex systems. For a complete assessment of quality, GNs seems to be a proper complement for the validations of the dynamics of the interoperable system, after tested by the quality procedure of SQuaRE. With these, a complete system can be validated through visualization, specification, simulation, analysis, development, and report-out of the test and evaluation procedures that is applied to the architecture and its components. By applying these quality assessment techniques earlier in the software development lifecycle, it is predicted that churn of both code and the architecture itself can be reduced. This would deliver improvements in the quality, reliability, consistency and indeed sustainability of the architecture and its implementations, compared when just either SQuaRE or GNs are used separately.
CMOS Delay and Power Model Equations for Simultaneous Transistor and Interconnect Wire Analysis and Optimization

Efficient, generalized delay and power equations are proposed for large scale CMOS circuit analysis and optimization achieved by transistor and interconnect wire minimization. The proposed model equations are used to analyze the entire power-delay trade-off with less complexity and faster computation time. New equations can be adopted to perform the optimization of transistor and interconnect wire size concurrently. A single stage CMOS circuit and a clock generation block fabricated in 0.48 um CMOS process are given as experimental examples.
Relationship between Stock Prices and Exchange Rates: Evidence from Bangladesh

In this paper we have investigated the interactions between stock prices and exchange rates in the emerging economy of Bangladesh. We have considered monthly nominal exchange rates of US dollar, euro, Japanese yen, pound sterling and monthly values of Dhaka Stock Exchange General Index for period of June 2003 to March 2008 to conduct the study. Empirical result shows that exchange rates and stock prices data series are non stationary and integrated of order one. Then we have applied Johansen procedure to test for the possibility of a cointegrating relationship. Result shows that there is no cointegrating relationship between stock prices and exchange rates. Finally Granger causality test shows that stock prices Granger cause exchange rates of US dollar and Japanese yen but there is no way causal relationship between stock prices and exchange rates of euro and pound sterling.
Genetics and the Pathophysiology of Obesity

Obesity is a complex disease that involves interactions between environmental and genetic factors. Obesity results from an imbalance between food intake and energy expenditure over several years. The genetic approach both in animal models and in humans has allowed immense progress in the understanding of body weight regulation. Monogenic forms of obesity in humans have been characterized and result from mutations in genes involved in the central pathways of food intake regulation. However, these cases are extremely rare and generally obesity must be considered as a complex polygenic disease involving interactions between multiple genes and the environment. Numerous studies, including studies in children, have tried to identify “susceptibility” genes. At present, the results are not conclusive inasmuch as they are highly variable between studies and because the relative risk associating a specific gene allele and obesity remains low. Thus, it seems highly premature to genotype obese patients on a large scale for predictive testing. When specific pharmacological treatments based on recent discoveries become available, however, genetic testing could help discriminate between the subtypes of obesity that may respond differentially to treatment.
Sequence and organization of the mitochondrial genome of the Chagas disease vector, Triatoma dimidiata

The 17 019 bp mitochondrial genome of Triatoma dimidiata is composed of thirteen protein coding sequences, twenty‐two tRNAs, small and large ribosomal units, and a control region. The gene order and orientation are identical to that of Drosophila yakuba. The nucleotide composition is biased toward adenine and thymine (69.5% A + T). The 2.1 kb putative control region, known as the A + T rich region in most insects, has an A + T bias of 66%, but contains a 400 bp sequence that is 77.5% A + T and two other distinct regions: (1) one with a lower A + T bias (60.1%) and (2) a region of eight tandem repeat units.
Statistical Applications in Genetics and Molecular Biology Pattern Classification of Phylogeny Signals

In this paper we propose the minimum entropy clustering (MEC) method for clustering genes based on their phylogenetic signals. This entropy based method will cluster two genes together when their concatenation can decrease the entropy. An integral feature of MEC is that it chooses the number of clusters automatically, which is a major advantage over the other methods. Our simulation results show that this method is quite successful in clustering genes with a common phylogeny.
Chromatin immunoselection defines a TAL‐1 target gene

Despite the major functions of the basic helix–loop–helix transcription factor TAL‐1 in hematopoiesis and T‐cell leukemogenesis, no TAL‐1 target gene has been identified. Using immunoprecipitation of genomic fragments bound to TAL‐1 in the chromatin of murine erythro‐leukemia (MEL) cells, we found that 10% of the immunoselected fragments contained a CAGATG or a CAGGTG E‐box, followed by a GATA site. We studied one of these fragments containing two E‐boxes, CAGATG and CAGGTC, followed by a GATA motif, and showed that TAL‐1 binds to the CAGGTG E‐box with an affinity modulated by the CAGATG or the GATA site, and that the CAGGTG–GATA motif exhibits positive transcriptional activity in MEL but not in HeLa cells. This immunoselected sequence is located within an intron of a new gene co‐expressed with TAL‐1 in endothelial and erythroid cells, but not expressed in fibroblasts or adult liver where no TAL‐1 mRNA was detected. Finally, in vitro differentiation of embryonic stem cells towards the erythro/megakaryocytic pathways showed that the TAL‐1 target gene expression followed TAL‐1 and GATA‐1 expression. These results establish that TAL‐1 is likely to activate its target genes through a complex that binds an E‐box–GATA motif and define the first gene regulated by TAL‐1.
Some evidence on policy makers' motives, macroeconomic performance and output-inflation trade-offs

This paper presents the results of an empirical study of the relationship between macroeconomic performance and policy makers' preferences for real output growth and inflation based on quarterly data from 16 countries. The empirical results indicate that a lower priority to inflation and a higher real output growth target lead to higher inflation and a less favourable real output-inflation trade-off, without affecting real output growth.
ORGANIZATIONAL CLIMATE AND JOB SATISFACTION AMONG ACADEMIC STAFF IN SOME SELECTED PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

This study attempts to establish the relationships that exist between the different variables of organizational climate and job satisfaction among academic staff in some selected private Universities in South-West Nigeria. It also sets to ascertain if those related factors in organizational climate can cause satisfaction among academics thereby impacting on their academic excellence; and to determine if there are differences in the way senior academics and junior academics perceive the existing organizational climate. A total of 384 copies of questionnaires were administered to selected five (5) private Universities in the South-West Zone of Nigeria but a total of 293 questionnaires were returned fully and appropriately filled. The study made use of both descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequencies, means, and standard deviation, including Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, Multiple Regression and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to obtain results. The results indicate that there is a significant positive relationship between organizational climate and job satisfaction among academics in Southwest Nigeria at F= 453.524, df= 292, significant at 0.000 and at a correlation of 0.671, also significant at 0.01 level (2-tailed) . That the climates of an organization and job satisfaction vary together. Not only that, in the overall analysis that was done on the perception in the way junior and senior academics experience their organizational climate, it was found that there is a significant difference in the way both the senior and junior academics experience their organizational climate at F= 430.768. Further study research was recommended in comparative study on private and public University academics to view their perception of organizational climate in relation to their job satisfaction.
Factors affecting food choice and attitude of choosing food items among adolescents in South India

BACKGROUND: The teenage is a period of acceptance for much negative health behaviour including choice of food, vegetable and fruit consumption, etc. Several dietary behaviour have been linked with childhood obesity, including increased number of meals eaten outside the home, larger portion sizes of meals at restaurants and fast-food takeaways, and increased consumption of snacks and soft drinks. The ideations formed during the mid-adolescence lead to adoption of either favorable or unfavorable dietary pattern. METHODS: A purposive and convenient sampling using a validated food-choice questionnaire was administered to assess and examine the various food choices, food fads among school going adolescents (n=564) in Pondicherry and Trichy, South India. RESULTS: Almost all of them have 3 divided meals in a given day, with an option for snack once. Three fourth (74%) of the children were already deciding on what food they consume with two third of them not consuming any fruits in the previous one week of the study. CONCLUSION: Adolescents prefer to take their own decisions regarding choice of food items, which is a major factor in utilizing the theory of planned behaviour is formulating various health promotion events regarding healthy eating and livelihood. The society should utilize the socializing events to evolve interest in healthy food habits among adolescents. This study further demonstrates the importance to study the existing pattern of dietary intake to determine the food preferences, beliefs and food fads of adolescent school children, so as to plan an appropriate nutrition education package for schools in India.
Catheter- and Antibiotic-Related Complications of Ambulatory Intravenous Antibiotic Therapy for Chronic Refractory Rhinosinusitis

Background Chronic rhinosinusitis has several features of a prolonged bacterial infection including positive bacterial cultures and abnormal computed tomography findings such as mucosal thickening and hyperostotic bone. Recent studies have suggested that chronic rhinosinusitis may be treated successfully by outpatient parenteral antibiotic treatment (OPAT). In this setting, antibiotics are administered through a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC). This study evaluates complications arising from OPAT for chronic rhinosinusitis. Methods A chart review was performed of 177 patients who underwent OPAT for chronic rhinosinusitis. Results PICC line–related infections (4/177, 2%)) included line thrombosis in three patients and septicemia in one patient. In the three patients with line thrombosis, the PICC lines were removed and replaced, allowing for completion of the antibiotic course. Antibiotic complications (29/177, 16%) included four patients with transient neutropenia and one patient with elevated liver function tests. Of the four patients with neutropenia, only one required a change in antibiotics. The patient with elevated liver function tests did not require a change in antibiotics. Minor complications from antimicrobial treatment such as rash, itchiness, flushing, and diarrhea were reported by 25 patients, 9 of these patients required a change in antibiotics. There were no permanent complications or deaths in this study. Conclusion Intravenous antimicrobial treatment administered through a PICC line in an outpatient setting is well-tolerated for chronic rhinosinusitis. Although PICC line and antibioticrelated complications are relatively infrequent, the physician should be aware of these complications and consider them in selecting patients for OPAT.
Induction of epithelial–mesenchymal transition and loss of podoplanin expression are associated with progression of lymph node metastases in human papillomavirus‐related oropharyngeal carcinoma

To examine human papillomavirus (HPV) status, the expression of podoplanin and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and lymphatic vessel counts (LVC) in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) tissues, and to evaluate whether these factors were associated with survival and nodal status.
Influence of Acute High Glucose on Protein Abundance Changes in Murine Glomerular Mesangial Cells

The effects of acute exposure to high glucose levels as experienced by glomerular mesangial cells in postprandial conditions and states such as in prediabetes were investigated using proteomic methods. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry methods were used to identify protein expression patterns in immortalized rat mesangial cells altered by 2 h high glucose (HG) growth conditions as compared to isoosmotic/normal glucose control (NG⁎) conditions. Unique protein expression changes at 2 h HG treatment were measured for 51 protein spots. These proteins could be broadly grouped into two categories: (1) proteins involved in cell survival/cell signaling and (2) proteins involved in stress response. Immunoblot experiments for a protein belonging to both categories, prohibitin (PHB), supported a trend for increased total expression as well as significant increases in an acidic PHB isoform. Additional studies confirmed the regulation of proteasomal subunit alpha-type 2 and the endoplasmic reticulum chaperone and oxidoreductase PDI (protein disulfide isomerase), suggesting altered ER protein folding capacity and proteasomal function in response to acute HG. We conclude that short term high glucose induces subtle changes in protein abundances suggesting posttranslational modifications and regulation of pathways involved in proteostasis.
Conformational Flexibility in Crystal Structures of Human 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type I Provide Insights into Glucocorticoid Interconversion and Enzyme Regulation*

Human 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I (11β-HSD1) is an ER-localized membrane protein that catalyzes the interconversion of cortisone and cortisol. In adipose tissue, excessive cortisol production through 11β-HSD1 activity has been implicated in the pathogenesis of type II diabetes and obesity. We report here biophysical, kinetic, mutagenesis, and structural data on two ternary complexes of 11β-HSD1. The combined results reveal flexible active site interactions relevant to glucocorticoid recognition and demonstrate how four 11β-HSD1 C termini converge to form an as yet uncharacterized tetramerization motif. A C-terminal Pro-Cys motif is localized at the center of the tetramer and forms reversible enzyme disulfides that alter enzyme activity. Conformational flexibility at the tetramerization interface is coupled to structural changes at the enzyme active site suggesting how the central Pro-Cys motif may regulate enzyme activity. Together, the crystallographic and biophysical data provide a structural framework for understanding 11β-HSD1 activities and will ultimately facilitate the development of specific inhibitors.
Der Rückgang der Langzeitarbeitslosigkeit in Deutschland: Ein Erfolg der Hartz-Reformen oder konjunktureller Effekt

High and persistent unemployment has been a major problem in Germany for decades. This article presents the theoretical reasons as well as individual and macroeconomic consequences of long-term unemployment. The so called Hartz Reforms aimed at reducing unemployment by reducing inflows and easing the transition from unemployment into employment. We describe the development of stocks and flows on the German labour market in the course of the business cycle between 1998 and 2009. Furthermore, we estimate an empirical matching function to detect the effects of the reforms and the business cycle on aggregate outflows from unemployment into employment. We apply the three stage least squares estimator (3SLS) to our system of equations as we include matching functions for long-term as well as short-term unemployed. For the sake of clarity and intuitive understanding, we model the reforms as time dummy variables and control for a trend that otherwise could also capture reform and other time effects. To learn about the business cycle effects we additionally compare the determinants of matching in two economic expansions by means of an Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition. Our results show that matching efficiency has improved for the long-term unemployed especially after the first two waves Hartz I/II and Hartz III. Thus, the reforms contributed to the observed reduction in long-term unemployment. However, there is no evidence that matches responded more strongly to the economic expansion after the reforms.
A new technique to compute control actions to prevent voltage collapse using optimization techniques and sensitivity analysis

In this paper the problem of voltage collapse is studied under the system operator's point of view, who should take the correct actions to avoid voltage collapse phenomena. Voltage collapse occurs when the network is under heavy load conditions and the SO has to decide which parameters, among those under his control, to use to move the collapse point away from the current operation point. This paper presents the optimization model used to compute the loading margin to voltage collapse and the corresponding sensitivities with respect to some typical control parameters. A method to assist the SO is presented based on the construction of a list with the most effective control parameters and its expected effect
Appointed Public Volunteer Boards

Public participation is essential to a functioning democracy, as rule by the people presumes that citizens will take some responsibility for a properly functioning society. This article reports on a 2006 survey of citizen participation in appointed public volunteer boards, a widely used but rarely studied mechanism for citizen involvement in local government administration. The survey, which covered a 10-county area surrounding Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, revealed that 75% of municipalities use appointed volunteer boards as part of their governance structure. Our findings that management capacity affects board use, that empty seats often go unfilled, that board members usually get no training or orientation, and that few boards reflect the diversity of local communities suggest that this mechanism for citizen involvement must be improved and better understood to benefit local leaders and their communities.
Thermotolerant Coliforms Are Not a Good Surrogate for Campylobacter spp. in Environmental Water

ABSTRACT This study aimed to assess the importance of quantitatively detecting Campylobacter spp. in environmental surface water. The prevalence and the quantity of Campylobacter spp. , thermotolerant coliforms, and Escherichia coli in 2,471 samples collected weekly, over a 2-year period, from 13 rivers and 12 streams in the Eastern Townships, Québec, Canada, were determined. Overall, 1,071 (43%), 1,481 (60%), and 1,463 (59%) samples were positive for Campylobacter spp. , thermotolerant coliforms, and E. coli, respectively. There were weak correlations between the weekly distributions of Campylobacter spp. and thermotolerant coliforms (Spearman's ρ coefficient = 0.27; P = 0.008) and between the quantitative levels of the two classes of organisms (Kendall tau-b correlation coefficient = 0.233; P < 0.0001). Well water samples from the Eastern Townships were also tested. Five (10%) of 53 samples from private surface wells were positive for Campylobacter jejuni, of which only 2 were positive for thermotolerant coliforms. These findings suggest that microbial monitoring of raw water by using only fecal indicator organisms is not sufficient for assessing the occurrence or the load of thermophilic Campylobacter spp. Insights into the role of environmental water as sources for sporadic Campylobacter infection will require genus-specific monitoring techniques.
With Economic Integration Comes Financial Contagion? Evidence from China

China's economy has maintained a rapid growth rate over the past two decades; however, its stock market has exhibited a very different level of performance during financial crises. In this paper, we try to explain this phenomenon and answer two important questions: Is there financial contagion in China? Can economic integration aggravate financial contagion? We construct a composite index of economic integration by reviewing the incremental reform and opening-up process in China's financial markets. We utilize a dynamic conditional correlation model to capture the correlations between stock returns of China and those of other important markets around the world. The empirical results provide positive evidence for the aforementioned two questions.
Mathematical modeling of the capillary‐like pattern generated by adrenomedullin‐treated human vascular endothelial cells in vitro

A recently proposed approach was used to model the self‐organization into capillary‐like structures of human vascular endothelial cells cultured on Matrigel. The model combines a Cellular Potts Model, considering cell adhesion, cytoskeletal rearrangement and chemotaxis, and a Partial Differential Equation model describing the release and the diffusion of a chemoattractant. The results were compared with the data from real in vitro experiments to establish the capability of the model to accurately reproduce both the spontaneous self‐assembly of unstimulated cells and their self‐organization in the presence of the pro‐angiogenic factor adrenomedullin. The results showed that the model can accurately reproduce the self‐assembly of unstimulated cells, but it failed in reproducing the adrenomedullin‐induced self‐organization of the cells. The extension of the model to include cell proliferation led to a good match between simulated and experimental patterns in both cases with predicted proliferation rates in agreement with the data of cell proliferation experiments. Developmental Dynamics 238:1951–1963, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.