Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quasi‐harmonic method for studying very low frequency modes in proteins

A quasi‐harmonic approximation is described for studying very low frequency vibrations and flexible paths in proteins. The force constants of the empirical potential function are quadratic approximations to the potentials of mean force; they are evaluated from a molecular dynamics simulation of a protein based on a detailed anharmonic potential. The method is used to identify very low frequency (∼1 cm−1) normal modes for the protein pancreatic trypsin inhibitor. A simplified model for the protein is used, for which each residue is represented by a single interaction center. The quasi‐harmonic force constants of the virtual internal coordinates are evaluated and the normal‐mode frequencies and eigenvectors are obtained. Conformations corresponding to distortions along selected low‐frequency modes are analyzed.
Tracking of constant-linear-velocity spiral trajectories by approximate internal model control

We report an Approximate Internal Model Control (AIMC) method for tracking of the reference signals by which a constant-linear-velocity (CLV) spiral scan pattern is generated. In contrast to the constant-angular-velocity (CAV) spiral pattern, the instantaneous frequency of the CLV sinusoidal references considerably varies over the scan period. In addition, the reference amplitude is a nonlinear function of time, making the tracking of a CLV spiral reference a more challenging control objective. Considerable improvement in the tracking performance of the proposed time-varying controller is demonstrated compared to a recently developed LQG method for spiral trajectories. Experimental implementation on a MEMS nanopositioner further illustrates applicability of the proposed control approach.
Finding optimal policies in the (S - 1, S ) lost sales inventory model with multiple demand classes

This paper examines the algorithms proposed in the literature for finding good critical level policies in the (S-1,S) lost sales inventory model with multiple demand classes. Our main result is that we establish guaranteed optimality for two of these algorithms. This result is extended to different resupply assumptions, such as a single server queue. As a corollary, we provide an alternative proof of the optimality of critical level policies among the class of all policies.
Robot Control Using Anticipatory Brain Potentials

Recently Biomedical Engineering showed advances in using brain potentials for control of physical devices, in particular, robots. This paper is focused on controlling robots using anticipatory brain potentials. An oscillatory brain potential generated in the CNV Flip-Flop Paradigm is used to trigger sequence of robot behaviors. Experimental illustration is given in which two robotic arms, driven by a brain expectancy potential oscillation, cooperatively solve the well known problem of Towers of Hanoi.
Compact substrate integrated waveguide Wilkinson power dividers

Two half-mode SIW Wilkinson power dividers are investigated in this paper. The presented compact half-mode SIW power dividers benefit from the excellent shielded transmission characteristics of the SIW in the power splitting branch, unlike the previously published HMSIW Wilkinson power divider. Two structures with waveguide and microstrip line feeds were simulated. The simulations of the half-mode power divider with microstrip launchers demonstrate similar results to those achieved with the all-waveguide half-mode SIW structure. A prototype was fabricated to investigate the half-mode power divider with microstrip feed lines. Measurement results demonstrate improved isolation characteristics in comparison with the previously published literature on all SIW “Y” branch power dividers. A passband of 4.2GHz, or 40% bandwidth centered at 10.5GHz, was measured. The measured input return loss was less than 10dB, and the measured isolation was greater than 10dB over the entire operating bandwidth. The maximum isolation was found to be over 40dB at 12.4GHz.
Using Personal Communication Technologies for Commercial Communications: A Cross-Country Investigation of Email and SMS

The widespread use of personal communication technologies PCTs for commercial message dissemination necessitates understanding that PCTs might lead to better commercial performance in different situations. Building primarily on apparatgeist and social construction theories, this research proposes that consumer responses to PCT-disseminated commercial messages are jointly influenced by the PCT i.e., technology that carries general symbolic meanings about its nature and purpose its “spirit”, and the context culture i.e., the cultural milieu in which it is used. We began with focus groups' assessments of two commonly utilized PCTs---email and short message service---which revealed their comparative symbolic meanings in terms of intimacy or formality of communication---to be in line with extant literature. Then, in a commercial setting where retailers leverage PCTs to disseminate product discount coupons, we examined the difference between two distinct environments that differed in their context-cultural dimensions their cultural milieus of social interaction and communication---i.e., China an environment of high context-cultural dimension and Switzerland an environment of low context-cultural dimension. To do so, we first validated the context-cultural differences through a survey study 1 and conducted two matching field experiments in the two countries involving more than one thousand consumers study 2. Results support our propositions, demonstrating favorable commercial performance for SMS use in the high context-cultural environment and for email use in the low context-cultural environment. Follow-up surveys study 3 corroborated the results and provided deeper insights into how both PCTs' general meanings and pertinent values in the cultural milieus we studied led to consumer responses. Besides presenting empirical evidence to inform the selection of appropriate PCTs for commercial communications, this research contributes to the theoretical development of apparatgeist and social construction theories via its joint examination of technologies and consumers' environments.
Towards Services - Inclusive Innovation Policy in t he New Member States

The evidence so far suggests that the new EU Member States (NMS) are only slowly beginning to understand the opportunities provided by innovation in services even though the services sector accounts f or the dominant share in their economies. Most of the NMS lag substantially behind the EU15 in innovation activity in services, with consequent implications for their overall competitiveness. The obstacles to innovation in services in the NMS are both supply a nd demand driven. The aim of the article is to explore how does the economic policy in the NMS address the gaps in innovation in services, having in mind that the innovation in services depends to a larger extent o n organisational than technological changes. Through the Europeanisation of the innovation policy the NMS have in the last decade introduced a broad range of innovation support measures and instruments that were sector neutral, although they have often impli citly favoured technological innovation in the manufacturing companies. Drawing on the service innovation policy mapping in Slovenia, the article explores the main deficiencies of present innovation support measures that do not encourage innovation in services. We propose some basic guidelines for conceptualizing t he policy mechanisms towards enhancing innovation in service sectors and service function that could be
A Novel Shortest Path Method Based on Heuristic Algorithm

Classic Dijdstra algorithm and heuristic strategy were discussed. A dynamic direction restricted searching algorithm is presented, based on the Dijkstra algorithm for computing shortest path from one node to another node in road net. In comparison with classic Dijdstra algorithm, the searching algorithm, combined with human searching thought and flexible handle, could change restricted area dynamically and save computation time. The efficiency of computing shortest path was improved by this algorithm only and better effects were given when this algorithm was combined with other algorithms. The results of comparative experiments show that the dynamic direction restricted searching algorithm led to almost a saving ratio of 50 %, in terms of both number of nodes selected and computation times.
A multi-agent protocol for service level agreement negotiation in cloud federations

The emergence of complex cloud services and the growing number of QoS metrics entail the need of automation to transform business requirements into QoS constraints. Furthermore, in the emergent context of Cloud Federations providers need to share knowledge to improve interoperability when negotiating SLA Service Level Agreements. Intelligent software agents are capable of supporting activities related to SLA negotiation, as well as sharing knowledge into large-scale distributed environments. Since they are usually provided with different ontologies, understanding the meaning of the messages requires the availability of common, global ontologies among customers and providers. In order to deal with this issue, we discuss a multi-agent SLA negotiation protocol which does not need a common global agent ontology. The protocol takes into account different concerns related to the understanding of semantic and technical terms, and the knowledge about the agent abilities on semantic and technical terms are shared among the Cloud Federation.
Inducing heat shock protein 70 expression provides a robust anti-thrombotic effect with minimal bleeding risk

Summary Antithrombotic medications target coagulation factors. Their use is associated with an increased bleeding risk. Safer drugs are needed. The heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) exhibits antithrombotic properties that do not influence bleeding. By using murine models, we aimed to test the hypothesis that overexpressing Hsp70 with CM-695, a first in class dual inhibitor of HDAC6 and phosphodiesterase 9, protects against thrombosis while leaves bleeding tendency unaltered. CM-695 was used to induce Hsp70 overexpression. Hsp70 overexpressing mice were submitted to three thrombosis-triggering procedures. The ferric chloride carotid artery model was used to compare the antithrombotic role of CM-695 and rivaroxaban, a direct oral anticoagulant. The mouse tail transection model was used to compare the bleeding tendency upon CM-695 or rivaroxaban administration. Intraperitoneal (i. p.) 20 mg/kg CM-695 increased Hsp70 expression markedly in the murine aortic tissue. This treatment delayed thrombosis in the collagen/epinephrine [p=0.04 (Log-Rank test), n=10], Rose Bengal/laser [median vessel occlusion time (OT): 58.6 vs 39.0 minutes (min) in the control group (CG), p=0.008, n≥10] and ferric chloride (OT: 14.7 vs 9.2 min in the CG, p=0.032, n≥10) models. I.p. 80 mg/kg CM-695 (n≥9) and intravenous 3 mg/kg rivaroxaban (n≥8) significantly delayed thrombosis. CM-695 did not induce bleeding [median bleeding time (BT): 8.5 vs 7.5 min in the CG, n≥10]. However, BT was dramatically increased by rivaroxaban (30.0 vs 13.7 min in the CG, p=0.001, n=10). In conclusion, CM-695 is a new antithrombotic small molecule devoid of bleeding risk that may be envisioned as a useful clinical tool.
Market Intelligence Dissemination across Functional Boundaries

The authors extend previous research by examining antecedents and consequences of the market intelligence dissemination process across functional boundaries. Their study, involving 788 nonmarketing managers in high-tech equipment manufacturing companies, suggests that both dissemination frequency and formality have nonlinear effects on perceived intelligence quality. In addition, they find evidence of a mere formality effect; that is, intelligence received through formal channels appears to be used more than that obtained through informal channels. The authors also find that the frequency with which market intelligence is disseminated is related to interfunctional distance, joint customer visits, senders’ positional power, a receiver's organizational commitment, and trust in a sender. Additionally they find the formality of the dissemination process is shaped by interfunctional distance, receivers’ trust in senders, and structural flux. Interestingly, the effects of internal environmental volatility (i.e., structural flux) appear to be different from those of external environmental volatility (i.e., market dynamism). For example, structural flux is found to affect dissemination formality, but not frequency, whereas the opposite is true for market dynamism.
Automated segmentation of serous pigment epithelium detachment in SD-OCT images

Pigment epithelium detachment (PED) is an important clinical manifestation of multiple chorio-retinal disease processes, which can cause the loss of central vision. A 3-D method is proposed to automatically segment serous PED in SD-OCT images. The proposed method consists of five steps: first, a curvature anisotropic diffusion filter is applied to remove speckle noise. Second, the graph search method is applied for abnormal retinal layer segmentation associated with retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) deformation. During this process, Bruch’s membrane, which doesn’t show in the SD-OCT images, is estimated with the convex hull algorithm. Third, the foreground and background seeds are automatically obtained from retinal layer segmentation result. Fourth, the serous PED is segmented based on the graph cut method. Finally, a post-processing step is applied to remove false positive regions based on mathematical morphology. The proposed method was tested on 20 SD-OCT volumes from 20 patients diagnosed with serous PED. The average true positive volume fraction (TPVF), false positive volume fraction (FPVF), dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and positive predictive value (PPV) are 97.19%, 0.03%, 96.34% and 95.59%, respectively. Linear regression analysis shows a strong correlation (r = 0.975) comparing the segmented PED volumes with the ground truth labeled by an ophthalmology expert. The proposed method can provide clinicians with accurate quantitative information, including shape, size and position of the PED regions, which can assist diagnose and treatment.
Challenges in Language, Culture, and Modality: Translating English Measures Into American Sign Language

Background: Few health-related questionnaires have been translated into American Sign Language (ASL), precluding Deaf adults from full participation in health-related research. Objectives: To translate self-report measures (written English) into sign language and to evaluate the equivalence of the ASL versions to the original English versions of the measures. Methods: A descriptive-comparative design with a derived etic (outsider) perspective was used to evaluate equivalency between the English version of the Self-Rated Abilities for Health Practices (SRAHP) and an ASL version. Both versions were administered to 24 bilingual (English and ASL) adults. Analysis included correlation between total scores and comparison of internal consistency of both versions; psychometric properties of the signed SRAHP were computed for 105 Deaf adults who participated in a study of the Deaf Heart Health Intervention (DHHI). Results: The correlation between total scores on ASL and English versions was . 92, item-to-total correlations ranged from . 08 to . 80 on the English version and from . 33 to . 80 on the ASL version. Cronbach's alpha was . 91 for the English version and . 90 for the ASL version. Mean scores on the ASL version were significantly lower for the all-Deaf DHHI sample (n = 105) than for the bilingual subjects (n = 24) although internal consistency remained high (Cronbach's alpha of .93 and item-to-total correlation of .38-.74) for the new ASL version. Discussion: The use of an adapted translation model resulted in a sound ASL version of a health-related measure. Results support use of the derived etic strategy for translating measures from their original language into new languages. The approach is also appropriate for changing modalities from written form to other modalities, such as the visual-manual modality of ASL.
Adoption of Novel Consumer Durable Goods in Less Developed Countries

AbstractThis is an empirical study which investigates the impact of three socioeconomic factors (i.e., education, occupation, and income) and four attitudes (i.e., activism, low community stratification, mass media participation, and consumer modernism) on the acquisition of novel technological consumer durable goods. Path analysis is used to test the significance of these variables on innovativeness (i.e., the adoption of novel consumer durable goods). The findings support four of the seven hypotheses, namely, that the impact of socioeconomic factors such as education, occupation, and income in developing countries are expected to be positively related to innovativeness; and that consumer modernism in developing countries is positively related to innovativeness. The findings do not support hypotheses concerning the relationships of activism, low community stratification, and mass media participation to innovativeness. A discussion of findings is given and implications for marketing practitioners, marketi.
18F-FDG kinetics in locally advanced breast cancer: correlation with tumor blood flow and changes in response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

UNLABELLED The aim of this study was to characterize the biologic response of locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) to chemotherapy using (15)O-water-derived blood flow measurements and (18)F-FDG-derived glucose metabolism rate parameters. METHODS Thirty-five LABC patients underwent PET with (15)O-water and (18)F-FDG before neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 2 mo after the initiation of treatment. Kinetic analysis for (15)O-water was performed using a single tissue compartment model to calculate blood flow; a 2-tissue compartment model was used to estimate (18)F-FDG rate parameters K(1), k(2), k(3), and the flux constant, K(i). Correlations and ratios between blood flow and (18)F-FDG rate parameters were calculated and compared with pathologic tumor response. RESULTS Although blood flow and (18)F-FDG transport (K(1)) were correlated before chemotherapy, there was relatively poor correlation between blood flow and the phosphorylation constant (k(3)) or the overall (18)F-FDG flux (K(i)). Blood flow and (18)F-FDG flux were more closely matched after chemotherapy, with changes in k(3) accounting for the increased correlation. These findings were consistent with a decline in both the K(i)/flow and k(3)/flow ratios with therapy. The ratio of (18)F-FDG flux to transport (K(i)/K(1)) after 2 mo of chemotherapy was predictive of ultimate response. CONCLUSION The pattern of tumor glucose metabolism in LABC, as reflected by analysis of (18)F-FDG rate parameters, changes after therapy, even in patients with modest clinical responses. This may indicate a change in tumor "metabolic phenotype" in response to treatment. A low ratio of glucose metabolism (reflected by K(i)) to glucose delivery (reflected by K(1) and blood flow) after therapy is associated with a favorable response. Further work is needed to understand the tumor biology underlying these findings.
Artificial neural networks for predicting 3D protein shapes from amino acid sequences

Research has shown that the functionalities of proteins are largely influenced by their three dimensional (3D) shapes. This observation is especially relevant in drug design, where the knowledge of the 3D structure of a protein enables pharmacologists to select the best binding proteins when aiming to moderate functions. However, a relatively small number of 3D shapes are known. In contrast, amino acid sequences may be acquired through very efficient automated, high throughput experimental methods and the amino acid sequences of a vast number of proteins have therefore been identified. It follows that it is important to address this knowledge gap. To this end, this paper introduces an approach to predict the 3D shapes of proteins, utilizing feed-forward artificial neural networks. Our novel solution allows one to learn the representations of the 3D shape associated with a protein by starting directly from its amino acid sequence descriptors. Once a neural network is trained, our search engine enables one to retrieve the closest known 3D shape associated with an unknown, so-called query protein. We evaluate the performance of our approach against the Protein Data Bank (PDB), by considering proteins from a diverse set of families. Our results indicate that our system is able to accurately find the most similar protein structures for a wide variety of protein 3D shapes and diverse protein family sizes.
Listeria monocytogenes Mutants with Altered Growth Phenotypes at Refrigeration Temperature and High Salt Concentrations

ABSTRACT Listeria monocytogenes can survive and grow in refrigerated temperatures and high-salt environments. In an effort to better understand the associated mechanisms, a library of ∼ 5,200 transposon mutants of LS411, a food isolate from the Jalisco cheese outbreak, were screened for their ability to grow in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth at 5°C or in the presence of 7% NaCl and two mutants with altered growth profiles were identified. The LS522 mutant has a transposon insertion between secA2 and iap and showed a significant reduction in growth in BHI broth at 5°C and in the presence of 7% NaCl. Reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) revealed a substantial reduction in the expression of iap. Additionally, a hypothetical gene (met), containing a putative S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferase domain, downstream of iap had downregulated expression. In-frame deletion mutants of iap and met were created in LS411. The LS560 (LS411 Δiap) mutant showed reduced growth at 5°C and in the presence of 7% salt, confirming its role in cold and salt growth attenuation. Surprisingly, the LS655 (LS411 Δmet) mutant showed slightly increased growth during refrigeration, though no alteration was seen in salt growth relative to the wild-type strain. The LS527 mutant, containing an insertion 36 bp upstream of the gbu operon, showed reduced expression of the gbu transcript by RT-qPCR and also showed growth reduction at 5°C and in the presence of 7% salt. This attenuation was severely exacerbated when the mutant was grown under the combined stresses. Analysis of the gbu operon deletion mutant showed decreased growth in 7% salt and refrigeration, supporting the previously characterized role for this gene in cold and salt adaptation. These studies indicate the potential for an intricate relationship between environmental stress regulation and virulence in L. monocytogenes.