Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sequencing and Interleaving in Routine Action Production

We analysed the sequence of steps enacted during the performance of routine action tasks in the context of the 2 × 3 test. This test requires enactment of three routine tasks, each performed twice. Data from 35 healthy controls and 16 closed head injury patients were analysed to derive ‘modal routes’ through the ‘sandwich’, ‘toast’, and ‘present’ tasks, along with transition probabilities for the steps in the modal routes. Also investigated were the amount, of interleaving and a potential structural constraint on interleaving. The results indicate that serial order production is more flexible than some might predict, and that the patients and controls were more similar than dissimilar on the measures taken. The first result argues against script architectures that are overly rigid. The second implies that the vulnerability to sequence and other errors in this patient group is not due to defects in script memories or serial order programming.
Diet, Serum Fatty Acids and Atopic Diseases in Childhood

BACKGROUND The reasons behind the reported increase in the occurrence of childhood atopic sensitization rates are unclear. We wanted to evaluate the association between dietary fats, serum fatty acids, and the occurrence and development of atopic diseases. METHODS From a longitudinal database of a population-based sample, 231 sex- and age-matched pairs in 1980 and 154 pairs in 1986 were chosen, between whom we compared the dietary data, serum fatty acid composition, and occurrence of atopic diseases. The same variables were also compared between those who developed atopic disease later and those who did not during the 9-year follow-up. RESULTS Examination of the dietary data in 1980 for those who had developed atopic disease compared with those who had remained healthy showed that the atopic children had used less butter before the expression of atopy. According to the cross-sectional data, the children with atopic disease consumed more margarine (mean 8.6 vs 7.3 [P = 0.04]), and less butter (mean 9.4 vs 11.6 g/1000 kcal [P = 0.002]), than the nonatopic children in 1980. Differences supporting these dietary findings were similarly found in the serum fatty acid data. CONCLUSION The diet of the atopic children differed from that of the nonatopic children in the consumption of polyunsaturated fat.
An Appraisal Model Based on a Synthetic Feature Selection Approach for Students' Academic Achievement

Obtaining necessary information (and even extracting hidden messages) from existing big data, and then transforming them into knowledge, is an important skill. Data mining technology has received increased attention in various fields in recent years because it can be used to find historical patterns and employ machine learning to aid in decision-making. When we find unexpected rules or patterns from the data, they are likely to be of high value. This paper proposes a synthetic feature selection approach (SFSA), which is combined with a support vector machine (SVM) to extract patterns and find the key features that influence students’ academic achievement. For verifying the proposed model, two databases, namely, “Student Profile” and “Tutorship Record”, were collected from an elementary school in Taiwan, and were concatenated into an integrated dataset based on students’ names as a research dataset. The results indicate the following: (1) the accuracy of the proposed feature selection approach is better than that of the Minimum-Redundancy-Maximum-Relevance (mRMR) approach; (2) the proposed model is better than the listing methods when the six least influential features have been deleted; and (3) the proposed model can enhance the accuracy and facilitate the interpretation of the pattern from a hybrid-type dataset of students’ academic achievement.
Comparison of Laser versus Surface-Touch Registration for Image-Guided Sinus Surgery

Background Use of image-guidance systems has become more popular in endoscopic sinus surgery. The laser registration technique has been used previously; however, a less expensive surface-touch registration technique recently has been developed. We compared the accuracy and speed of laser and surface-touch registration techniques. Methods Localization accuracy after laser and surface-touch registration was examined after 15 endoscopic sinonasal procedures between July and September 2004. Compared anatomic locations included the nasofrontal angle, nasolabial angle, posterior maxillary wall, skull base, and posterior vomer. For each localization point, the degree of error (in millimeters) was measured in superior–inferior (SI), anterior–posterior (AP), and right-left (RL) dimensions. The length of time for each registration procedure was recorded for both techniques. Results Laser registration was significantly faster (mean, 20 seconds) than surface-touch registration (mean, 20 seconds versus 63 seconds, respectively; p < 0.05). Laser registration was accurate within 0.3 mm in the SI direction, 0.4 mm in the AP direction, and 0.4 mm in the RL direction. Surface-touch registration was accurate within 0.3 mm in the SI direction, 0.4 mm in the AP direction, and 0.3 mm in the RL direction. There was no significant difference between techniques for any anatomic point. In 97.7% of all points, accuracy was within 2 mm or less for both the laser and surface-touch registration. Conclusion Surface-touch registration is significantly slower than laser registration but has virtually no difference in accuracy. Both techniques compare very favorably to the accuracy of other systems reported in the literature.
Cloning, Characterization, and Molecular Application of a Beta-Agarase Gene from Vibrio sp. Strain V134

ABSTRACT V134, a marine isolate of the Vibrio genus, was found to produce a new beta-agarase of the GH16 family. The relevant agarase gene agaV was cloned from V134 and conditionally expressed in Escherichia coli. Enzyme activity analysis revealed that the optimum temperature and pH for the purified recombinant agarase were around 40°C and 7.0. AgaV was demonstrated to be useful in two aspects: first, as an agarolytic enzyme, the purified recombinant AgaV could be employed in the recovery of DNA from agarose gels; second, as a secretion protein, AgaV was explored at the genetic level and used as a reporter in the construction of a secretion signal trap which proved to be a simple and efficient molecular tool for the selection of genes encoding secretion proteins from both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
The influence of performance objectives on the implementation of lean manufacturing practices: An analysis based on strategic groups

Abstract This paper explores how the choices about, and implementation of, lean production practices are influenced by performance goals prioritized by firms in the context of operations strategy. We analyzed a set of 56 companies (divided into four strategic groups) in the auto parts industry in the cities of Campinas and Jundiaí areas (Brazil). These groups of firms that adopt similar strategic orientations were used to investigate the relationship between the implementation of lean manufacturing practices and the choice of performance objectives. The results suggest that taking into consideration strategic groups can improve the understanding of how performance objectives define lean manufacturing practices adopted by manufacturing companies.
An Empirical Investigation of the Factors Affecting Data Warehousing Success

The IT implementation literature suggests that various implementation factors play critical roles in the success of an information system; however, there is little empirical research about the implementation of data warehousing projects. Data warehousing has unique characteristics that may impact the importance of factors that apply to it. In this study, a cross-sectional survey investigated a model of data warehousing success. Data warehousing managers and data suppliers from 111 organizations completed paired mail questionnaires on implementation factors and the success of the warehouse. The results from a Partial Least Squares analysis of the data identified significant relationships between the system quality and data quality factors and perceived net benefits. It was found that management support and resources help to address organizational issues that arise during warehouse implementations; resources, user participation, and highly-skilled project team members increase the likelihood that warehousing projects will finish on-time, on-budget, with the right functionality; and diverse, unstandardized source systems and poor development technology will increase the technical issues that project teams must overcome. The implementation's success with organizational and project issues, in turn, influence the system quality of the data warehouse; however, data quality is best explained by factors not included in the research model.
Downlink Scheduling with AMC and FCS in WCDMA Networks

This paper is concerned with the throughput and fairness analysis in a downlink WCDMA network with adaptive modulation and coding (AMC) and fast cell selection (FCS). The downlink scheduling schemes investigated include (i) the Round Robin scheme, (ii) the maximum carrier-to-interference ratio (C/I) scheme, and (iii) the proportional fair scheme. The channel model is assumed to include path loss, lognormal shadowing and fast Rayleigh fading. By using a form analogous to Shannon's channel capacity equation, a logrithmic relation between the instantaneous data rate and the C/I with AMC is first established. Using generalized Bernoulli trial, FCS is then examined in detail. Finally, the throughput and fairness expressions for the abovementioned downlink scheduling schemes with FCS are derived.
Biodistribution of liposome‐entrapped human gamma‐globulin

The present study was aimed at the preparation and performance evaluation of Intacglobin®‐loaded liposomes for selective drug presentation to the lungs. Egg phosphatidylcholine‐ and cholesterol‐based liposomes (1:1 and 1:0.25 mol/mol) were prepared by a dehydration–rehydration procedure. A tissue distribution study after single intranasal administration of 0.5 µCi 125I‐Intacglobin®‐loaded liposomes was conducted in Balb/c mice. The efficiencies of drug entrapment (30%) and the average diameters did not differ significantly between the two liposome formulations. However, liposomes composed of an increased cholesterol amount showed a lower in vitro drug release rate. The airway penetration efficiency of the liposomal formulation was determined by the cumulative percentage of the dose reaching the lungs (AUC) and its sojourn time therein, and were 1.7‐ and 2.2‐times higher compared with the plain 125I‐ Intacglobin® solution‐based formulation, respectively. A significantly greater (p<0.001) drug localization index after 24 h was found at the lungs in comparison with the other tissues (p<0.01), although similar values were detected between groups following administration of either liposomes or control solutions, despite the formulations attributes. In conclusion, it is suggested that longer Intacglobin exposure at the pulmonary region is observed after administration of the liposomal formulation. The results open future perspectives in assessing local passive immunization for the treatment of respiratory infectious diseases. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study on reusable machining control model of wire-electrode cutting numerical control system

Along with the development of computer technology, software systems have been applied in machine manufacturing widely. Wire-electrode cutting numerical control system is an important branch of them. Nowadays, the lower development efficiency has become the obstacle to progress. Obviously, machining control is the main task of wire-electrode cutting numerical control system. It has its own especial machining characteristics compared with other numerical control systems. In this paper, author put forward applying software reuse technology and domain engineering theory to establishing the reusable model of machining control. The model can offer valid instruction for the development of machining control system. To begin with, the development efficiency can be enhanced markedly. Moreover, the architecture, technology documents and software components can be reused in the same domain next time. In the end, machining control task can be accomplished well in terms of the model.
Quantum Dot Superluminescent Diodes for Optical Coherence Tomography: Skin Imaging

We present a high-power (18 mW continuous wave exiting a single-mode fiber and 35 mW exiting the facet), broadband (85 nm full-width at half-maximum) quantum dot-based superluminescent diode, and apply it to a time-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) setup. First, we test its performance with increasing optical feedback. Then we demonstrate its imaging properties on tissue-engineered (TE) skin and in vivo skin. OCT allows the tracking of epidermal development in TE skin, while the higher power source allows better sensitivity and depth penetration for imaging of in vivo skin layers.
biodiversity: Novel methanopterin-linked C1 transfer genes deduced from the Sargasso Sea metagenome

provides access, scholarly publishing to University of California and delivers a dynamic research platform to scholars Abstract: The recently generated database of microbial genes from an oligotrophic environment populated by a calculated 1,800 of major phylotypes (the Sargasso Sea metagenome) presents a great source for expanding local databases of genes indicative of a specific function. In this paper we analyze the Sargasso Sea metagenome in terms of the presence of methanopterin-linked C1 transfer genes that are signature for methylotrophy. We conclude that more than 10 phylotypes possessing genes of interest are present in this environment, and a few of these are relatively abundant species. The sequences representative of the major phylotypes do not appear to belong to any known microbial group capable of methanopterin-linked C1 transfer. Instead, they separate from all known sequences on phylogenetic trees, pointing towards their affiliation with a novel microbial phylum. These data imply a broader distribution of methanopterin-linked functions in the microbial world than previously known. Abstract The recently generated database of microbial genes from an oligotrophic environment populated by a calculated 1,800 of major phylotypes (the Sargasso Sea metagenome) presents a great source for expanding local databases of genes indicative of a specific function. In this paper we analyze the Sargasso Sea metagenome in terms of the presence of methanopterin-linked C 1 transfer genes that are signature for methylotrophy. We conclude that more than 10 phylotypes possessing genes of interest are present in this environment, and a few of these are relatively abundant species. The sequences representative of the major phylotypes do not appear to belong to any known microbial group capable of methanopterin-linked C 1 transfer. Instead, they separate from all known sequences on phylogenetic trees, pointing towards their affiliation with a novel microbial phylum. These data imply a broader distribution of methanopterin-linked functions in the microbial world than previously known.
Halobacterial S 9 Operon Contains Two Genes Encoding Proteins Homologous to Subunits Shared by Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases I , II , and III

Synthesis of mRNA in eukaryotes typically requires RNA polymerase II as well as several gene-specific and general transcription factors. Since many of the players in this process are becoming better defined genetically and biochemically, the conserved nature of these proteins is becoming increasingly apparent. A major component of the eukaryotic transcriptional apparatus is the multisubunit enzyme RNA polymerase II. Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA polymerase II has been extensively studied. The yeast enzyme consists of 12 subunits, RPB1 to RPB12, whose genes have been cloned, sequenced, and characterized elsewhere (1, 4, 9, 12, 17-23). Five of the 12 total S. cerevisiae subunits, RPB5, RPB6, RPB8, RPB10, and RPB12 (AlOa), are referred to as the common subunits since they are identical in RNA polymerases I, II, and III. Several eukaryotic RNA polymerase II subunit genes from other organisms have been isolated and sequenced as well. In general, the level of similarity between yeast RNA polymerase II subunits and their respective eukaryotic counterparts is about 60 to 70%. A comparable level of sequence similarity is seen among eukaryotic RNA polymerase II general transcription factors. Eukaryotic RNA polymerase II subunit sequences have revealed that not only are subunits similar from one species to the next, but some are also closely related to prokaryotic RNA polymerase subunits (24). The two largest RNA polymerase II subunits are clearly related to I' and P. In addition, the yeast RPB3 subunit is related to the bacterial RNA polymerase a subunit. Therefore, the RPB1, RPB2, and RPB3 subunits are sometimes referred to as the eukaryotic core. S. cerevisiae RNA polymerase II does not appear to have a subunit that is closely related to any members in the bacterial cf subunit family. One subunit, RPB4, has an acidic region similar to a segment of the bacterial U70 subunit (22). Since RPB4 and other eukaryotic transcription factors have regions related to conserved subdomains of U70, a-like functions appear to be dispersed among several different eukaryotic proteins (7). Archaebacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase has a subunit architecture and complexity comparable to those of eukaryotic RNA polymerase II. In addition, subunit genes which have been isolated and sequenced revealed that the proteins they encode are more related to eukaryotic RNA polymerase subunits than to those in eubacteria. Archaebacterial RNA polymerase subunits with similarities to RPB1, RPB2, RPB3, and RPB5 have been identified elsewhere (8, 11,
Large‐scale identification of Legionella pneumophila Dot/Icm substrates that modulate host cell vesicle trafficking pathways

The bacterial pathogen Legionella pneumophila replicates in a specialized vacuole within host cells. Establishment of the replication vacuole depends on the Dot/Icm translocation system that delivers a large number of protein substrates into the host cell. The functions of most substrates are unknown. Here, we analysed a defined set of 127 confirmed or candidate Dot/Icm substrates for their effect on host cell processes using yeast as a model system. Expression of 79 candidates caused significant yeast growth defects, indicating that these proteins impact essential host cell pathways. Notably, a group of 21 candidates interfered with the trafficking of secretory proteins to the yeast vacuole. Three candidates that caused yeast secretory defects (SetA, Ceg19 and Ceg9) were investigated further. These proteins impinged upon vesicle trafficking at distinct stages and had signals that allowed translocation into host cells by the Dot/Icm system. Ectopically produced SetA, Ceg19 and Ceg9 localized to secretory organelles in mammalian cells, consistent with a role for these proteins in modulating host cell vesicle trafficking. Interestingly, the ability of SetA to cause yeast phenotypes was dependent upon a functional glycosyltransferase domain. We hypothesize that SetA may glycosylate a component of the host cell vesicle trafficking machinery during L. pneumophila infection.
Adaptive Determination of Filter Scales for Edge Detection

The authors suggest a regularization method for determining scales for edge detection adaptively for each site in the image plane. Specifically, they extend the optimal filter concept of T. Poggio et al. (1984) and the scale-space concept of A. Witkin (1983) to an adaptive scale parameter. To avoid an ill-posed feature synthesis problem, the scheme automatically finds optimal scales adaptively for each pixel before detecting final edge maps. The authors introduce an energy function defined as a functional over continuous scale space. Natural constraints for edge detection are incorporated into the energy function. To obtain a set of optimal scales that can minimize the energy function, a parallel relaxation algorithm is introduced. Experiments for synthetic and natural scenes show the advantages of the algorithm. In particular, it is shown that this system can detect both step and diffuse edges while drastically filtering out the random noise. >
GATA and FOG 2 transcription factors differentially regulate the promoter for Kv 4 . 2 K + channel gene in cardiac myocytes and PC 12 cells

Objective: Kv4.2 subunits are major components of transient outward K channels in cardiac myocytes and somatodendritic A-type channels in neurons. To identify molecular mechanisms underlying transcriptional regulation of Kv4.2 gene, we have isolated and characterized the promoter for the rat Kv4.2 gene. Methods: PCR-based amplification of cDNA end (5VRACE) and RNase protection assays were used to determine transcription start sites. Transient transfection of Kv4.2 promoter-luciferase reporter constructs into neonatal cardiac myocytes and PC12 cells was employed to measure activity of the Kv4.2 promoter. Cotransfection of expression vectors for the transcription factors, GATA and/or FOG2, was performed to determine the effects of these transcription factors on the Kv4.2 promoter. Results: Transcription of the gene initiates at 552 bp upstream from the translation initiation site in the brain and heart. Deletion analysis revealed that the f 200-bp fragment encompassing this start site drives significant transcription in neonatal cardiac myocytes and PC12 cells. The transcription factors GATA4 and 6 differentially enhance activity of the minimum promoter in the two cell types: GATA4 produces a larger increase than GATA6 in cardiac myocytes, whereas the latter results in a more substantial enhancement in PC12 cells. Furthermore, the coregulator of GATA, FOG2, markedly suppresses the GATA-induced increase in myocytes, but enhances it in PC12 cells. The use of GATA mutants that are incapable of forming complexes with FOG2 indicates that the formation of GATA–FOG complexes is required for the FOG2-induced suppression in myocytes, but not for the FOG2-mediated enhancement in PC12 cells. Conclusion: These results indicate that GATA and FOG2 transcription factors use distinct mechanisms to control the expression of Kv4.2 gene in cardiac myocytes and PC12 cells. The lack of a GATA-binding consensus sequence in the Kv4.2 minimum promoter suggests that these transcription factors indirectly influence the channel gene transcription. D 2003 European Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis on the Steel Frame with Semi-rigid Connections

In practice most connections of steel frames actually show semi-rigid deformation behavior that can contribute substantially to overall displacements of the structure and to the distribution of member forces. So it is very necessary that studying the behavior of these steel frames with semi-rigid connections. Considering connective, geometrical, and material nonlinear, the stiffness-matrixes equations were proposed and analysis program of steel fram considering semi-rigid conncetion, geometrical nonlinearity and material nonlinearity has been compiled in Fortran in this paper. Use this program a two-dimensional nonlinear finite element program for steel frame with semi-rigid connection was complied successfully. After the internal force and the horizontal displacement of semi-rigid connection steel frame were calculated, its bearing capacity was discussed and the analysis results were compared with the steel structure design code ones, it was used as the collapse characteristic after structural ultimate strength had lost and the appearing orders of plastic hinges and it was reasonably suggested for the design of semi-rigid connection steel frame. At last, some conclusions about effect of joint stiffness on the side sways of the vertices and on the internal force of the vertices in steel frame were obtained in this paper.