Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PoliticAlly: Finding political friends on twitter

Twitter is fast becoming the most popular platform for spread of information in general and pertaining to political views in particular. Like any other social networking site, Twitter is a medium to socialize with people and particularly in political space, it is pertinent to gauge the public opinion from time to time. One of the key requirements is to find people with similar political opinions in order to consolidate and find new political friends (online sepoys). In this work, our objective is to assist political parties in addressing this issue through a recommendation system which recommends new people to an already registered party worker based on participation of this worker on Twitter in the trending hashtags. Our proposed system is based on a new metric that we call relatedness between any two users on twitter. This metric is derived from analysis of two sources namely link and content of the tweets. The link source is characterized by participation of party worker on Twitter in form of @Mentions and @RT (retweet) that he/she posts in trending hashtags. The content source is characterized by the words appearing in the tweets posted by party worker combined with the hashtags present in them. We construct a directed weighted graph and use the proposed relatedness metric as weight of edges in the graph, whereas the users are considered as nodes of the graph. A well known WalkTrap community detection algorithm is then used to identify clusters of people with similar views based on which recommendation is done. A prototype system called PoliticAlly is developed which provides a simple web interface for party workers to use and get friend recommendations.
Constitutive soxR Mutations Contribute to Multiple-Antibiotic Resistance in Clinical Escherichia coli Isolates

ABSTRACT The soxRS regulon of Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica is induced by redox-cycling compounds or nitric oxide and provides resistance to superoxide-generating agents, macrophage-generated nitric oxide, antibiotics, and organic solvents. We have previously shown that constitutive expression of soxRS can contribute to quinolone resistance in clinically relevant S. enterica. In this work, we have carried out an analysis of the mechanism of constitutive soxS expression and its role in antibiotic resistance in E. coli clinical isolates. We show that constitutive soxS expression in three out of six strains was caused by single point mutations in the soxR gene. The mutant SoxR proteins contributed to the multiple-antibiotic resistance phenotypes of the clinical strains and were sufficient to confer multiple-antibiotic resistance in a fresh genetic background. In the other three clinical isolates, we observed, for the first time, that elevated soxS expression was not due to mutations in soxR. The mechanism of such increased soxS expression remains unclear. The same E. coli clinical isolates harbored polymorphic soxR and soxS DNA sequences, also seen for the first time.
Multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) of Bradyrhizobium strains: revealing high diversity of tropical diazotrophic symbiotic bacteria

Symbiotic association of several genera of bacteria collectively called as rhizobia and plants belonging to the family Leguminosae (=Fabaceae) results in the process of biological nitrogen fixation, playing a key role in global N cycling, and also bringing relevant contributions to the agriculture. Bradyrhizobium is considered as the ancestral of all nitrogen-fixing rhizobial species, probably originated in the tropics. The genus encompasses a variety of diverse bacteria, but the diversity captured in the analysis of the 16S rRNA is often low. In this study, we analyzed twelve Bradyrhizobium strains selected from previous studies performed by our group for showing high genetic diversity in relation to the described species. In addition to the 16S rRNA, five housekeeping genes (recA, atpD, glnII, gyrB and rpoB) were analyzed in the MLSA (multilocus sequence analysis) approach. Analysis of each gene and of the concatenated housekeeping genes captured a considerably higher level of genetic diversity, with indication of putative new species. The results highlight the high genetic variability associated with Bradyrhizobium microsymbionts of a variety of legumes. In addition, the MLSA approach has proved to represent a rapid and reliable method to be employed in phylogenetic and taxonomic studies, speeding the identification of the still poorly known diversity of nitrogen-fixing rhizobia in the tropics.
Investigation into the Use of Satellite Data in Aiding Characterization of Particulate Air Quality in the Atlanta, Georgia Metropolitan Area

ABSTRACT Poor air quality episodes occur often in metropolitan Atlanta, GA. The primary focus of this research is to assess the capability of satellites as a tool in characterizing air quality in Atlanta. Results indicate that intracity PM2.5 (particulate matter ≤2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter) concentrations show similar patterns as other U.S. urban areas, with the highest concentrations occurring within the city. PM2.5 and MODIS (Moderate Resolution ImagingSpectroradiometer) aerosol optical depth (AOD) have higher values in the summer than spring, yet MODIS AOD doubles in the summer unlike PM2.5. Most (80%) of the Ozone Monitoring Instrument aerosol index (AI) is below 0.5 with little differences between spring and summer. Using this value as a constraint of the carbonaceous aerosol signal in the urban area, aerosol transport events such as wildfire smoke associated with higher positive AI values can be identified. The results indicate that MODIS AOD is well correlated with PM2.5 on a yearly and seasonal basis with correlation coefficients as high as 0.8 for Terra and 0.7 for Aqua. A possible alternative view of the PM2.5 and AOD relationship is seen through the use of AOD thresholds. These probabilistic thresholds provide a means to describe the air quality index (AQI) through the use of multiyear AOD records for a specific area. The National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) are used to classify the AOD into different AQI codes and probabilistically determine thresholds of AOD that represent most of a specific AQI category. For example, 80% of cases of moderate AQI days have AOD values between 0.5 and 0.6. The development of AOD thresholds provides a useful tool for evaluating air quality from the use of satellites in regions where there are sparse ground-based measurements of PM2.5. IMPLICATIONS Satellite aerosol products can be used successfully as a tool for characterizing air quality on an urban scale. Statistical analysis of multiyear satellite data can yield a useful and easily understandable way of describing air quality through satellite-derived AQI. In areas without many monitoring sites of PM2.5, this approach could be useful to those air quality forecasters. Additionally, the use of satellite data thresholds could increase satellite utility beyond that of qualifying events for exclusion using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Exceptional Event Rule in determination of attainment of the NAAQS.
Seasonal infectious disease epidemiology

Seasonal change in the incidence of infectious diseases is a common phenomenon in both temperate and tropical climates. However, the mechanisms responsible for seasonal disease incidence, and the epidemiological consequences of seasonality, are poorly understood with rare exception. Standard epidemiological theory and concepts such as the basic reproductive number R0 no longer apply, and the implications for interventions that themselves may be periodic, such as pulse vaccination, have not been formally examined. This paper examines the causes and consequences of seasonality, and in so doing derives several new results concerning vaccination strategy and the interpretation of disease outbreak data. It begins with a brief review of published scientific studies in support of different causes of seasonality in infectious diseases of humans, identifying four principal mechanisms and their association with different routes of transmission. It then describes the consequences of seasonality for R0, disease outbreaks, endemic dynamics and persistence. Finally, a mathematical analysis of routine and pulse vaccination programmes for seasonal infections is presented. The synthesis of seasonal infectious disease epidemiology attempted by this paper highlights the need for further empirical and theoretical work.
A French adaptation of the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale.

The factor structure of a French adaptation of the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (PDS-F) based on the original scale by Foa, Cashman, Jaycox, and Perry (1997) was examined in 287 community members. Confirmatory factor analysis evaluated three models: the three symptom clusters of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM–IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994), the 4-factor King, Leskin, King, and Weathers (1998) model and the 4-factor Simms, Watson, and Doebbelling (2002) model. The data’s fit to the DSM–IV model was unacceptable. Both 4-factor models demonstrated a good fit; however, the Simms et al. (2002) model with intrusions, avoidance, dysphoria, and hyperarousal factors showed the best fit. Scores calculated for the Simms et al. (2002) factors showed good reliability and validity. The study also examined lifetime stressful event reporting and PTSD severity. “Stressful” events not traditionally defined as “traumatic” (e.g., death of a loved one) were frequently endorsed as the respondent’s most stressful event (i.e., index event) and corresponded to a possible PTSD diagnosis. Furthermore, PTSD severity was associated with negative emotional appraisals of the index event (DSM–IV criterion A2 for PTSD) and lifetime cumulative stressful event intensity whereas PTSD severity was not associated with the degree of physical harm of the index event (criterion A1). Lifetime stressful experiences are discussed in light of evidence supporting a dysphoria component in PTSD.
Microbial communities in sediment from Zostera marina patches, but not the Z. marina leaf or root microbiomes, vary in relation to distance from patch edge

Background Zostera marina (also known as eelgrass) is a foundation species in coastal and marine ecosystems worldwide and is a model for studies of seagrasses (a paraphyletic group in the order Alismatales) that include all the known fully submerged marine angiosperms. In recent years, there has been a growing appreciation of the potential importance of the microbial communities (i.e., microbiomes) associated with various plant species. Here we report a study of variation in Z. marina microbiomes from a field site in Bodega Bay, CA. Methods We characterized and then compared the microbial communities of root, leaf and sediment samples (using 16S ribosomal RNA gene PCR and sequencing) and associated environmental parameters from the inside, edge and outside of a single subtidal Z. marina patch. Multiple comparative approaches were used to examine associations between microbiome features (e.g., diversity, taxonomic composition) and environmental parameters and to compare sample types and sites. Results Microbial communities differed significantly between sample types (root, leaf and sediment) and in sediments from different sites (inside, edge, outside). Carbon:Nitrogen ratio and eelgrass density were both significantly correlated to sediment community composition. Enrichment of certain taxonomic groups in each sample type was detected and analyzed in regard to possible functional implications (especially regarding sulfur metabolism). Discussion Our results are mostly consistent with prior work on seagrass associated microbiomes with a few differences and additional findings. From a functional point of view, the most significant finding is that many of the taxa that differ significantly between sample types and sites are closely related to ones commonly associated with various aspects of sulfur and nitrogen metabolism. Though not a traditional model organism, we believe that Z. marina can become a model for studies of marine plant-microbiome interactions.
A Study of Qualitative and Missing Information in Wastewater Treatment Plants

The correct control and prediction of Wastewater Treatment Plants poses an important goal in order to avoid breaking the environmental balance and to always keep the system in stable operating conditions. In this respect, it is known that quail. t:ative information-coming from microscopic examinations and subjective remarks-has a deep influence on the activated sludge process, especially in the total amount of effluent suspended solids (TSS), one of the measures of overall plant performance. The strong interrelation between variables, their heterogeneity, and the very high amount of missing information make the use of traditional techniques difficult, or even impossi-¯ ble~ Despite this problems, and through the use of :several. soft cbmputing methods-rough set the-0vy and artificial neural ¯ networks, mainly-acceptable prediction models are found that show ~he interplay between variables and give insight :t~o the.dynamics of the process. ¯ INTRODUCTION Dirty water is both "the world's greatest killer and its biggest single pollution problem (Lean and Hinrichsen 1994). The large amount of wastewater generated in industrialized societies is one of the main environmental pollution aspects that must be seriously considered. New Directives and Regulations have guaranteed the appearance of specific plants to treat these wastew-aters, being activated sludge :the system most extensively used in Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP). In an activated sludge process, the wastewater (mainly organic matter, suspended solids and nutrients) goes into an aerated tank where it is mixed with biological floc particles. After enough contact time, this mixture is discharged to a settler that separates the suspended biomass fl'om the treated water. Most of the biomass is recirculated to the aeration tank again, while a little amount is ])urged daily (WEF 1996). Activated sludge is a clear example of an environmen-ta.l process which is really difficult to understand, and thus difficult to be correctly operated and controlled. The inflow is variable (both in quantity and in quality); not only there is a living catalyst (the microorganisms) but also a population that varies¯over time, both in quantity and in the relative number of species; the knowledge of the process is scarce; there are few. and unreliable on-line analyzers; and most of the data related to the process is subjective and cannot be numerically quantified. Most of the problems of poor activated sludge effluent quality result from the inability of the secondary settler to efficiently remove the suspended biomass from the treated water. When the biomass is strongly colonised by …
Two approaches to casual interaction over computer and video networks

We describe two systems ~hat use interactive computer-coutrolled video for shared awareness and casual communication. Polyscope lets users monitor a large number of video sources simultaneously. Observers are provided with a wiudow containing a collection of franle-grabbed bitmap images or animations. These images can be used to access additional video services, such as videophone. Vr-ooms is a follow-on system, which employs a strong spatial metaphor. Users can enter and leave virtual rooms. Once in a virtual room, users can see and be seen by all the other occupants, and have easy access to other video, audio, and text-based communication tools.
Measuring Z 2 topological invariants in optical lattices using interferometry

We propose an interferometric method to measure Z2 topological invariants of time-reversal invariant topological insulators realized with optical lattices in two and three dimensions. We suggest two schemes which both rely on a combination of Bloch oscillations with Ramsey interferometry and can be implemented using standard tools of atomic physics. In contrast to topological Zak phase and Chern number, defined for individual 1D and 2D Bloch bands, the formulation of the Z2 invariant involves at least two Bloch bands related by time- reversal symmetry which one has keep track of in measurements. In one of our schemes this can be achieved by the measurement of Wilson loops, which are non-Abelian generalizations of Zak phases. The winding of their eigenvalues is related to the Z2 invariant. We thereby demonstrate that Wilson loops are not just theoretical concepts but can be measured experimentally. For the second scheme we introduce a generalization of time-reversal polarization which is continuous throughout the Brillouin zone. We show that its winding over half the Brillouin zone yields the Z2 invariant. To measure this winding, our protocol only requires Bloch oscillations within a single band, supplemented by coherent transitions to a second band which can be realized by lattice-shaking.
On parallel composition of zero-knowledge proofs with black-box quantum simulators

Let L be a language decided by a constant-round quantum Arthur-Merlin (QAM) proto-col with negligible soundness error and all but possibly the last message being classical.We prove that if this protocol is zero knowledge with a black-box, quantum simulatorS, then L ∈ BQP. Our result also applies to any language having a three-round quan-tum interactive proof (QIP), with all but possibly the last message being classical, withnegligible soundness error and a black-box quantum simulator. These results in particular make it unlikely that certain protocols can be composed inparallel in order to reduce soundness error, while maintaining zero knowledge with ablack-box quantum simulator. They generalize analogous classical results of Goldreichand Krawczyk (1990). Our proof goes via a reduction to quantum black-box search. We show that the exis-tence of a black-box quantum simulator for such protocols when L ∉ BQP would implyan impossibly-good quantum search algorithm.
Qualitative Relational Mapping for Mobile Robots with Minimal Sensing

This paper presents a novel method for autonomous robotic navigation and mapping of large-scale spaces with minimal sensing. The proposed algorithm constructs a graph-based map that encodes the relative location of landmarks in the environment. Uncertainty in these locations is captured by imposing qualitative constraints on the relationships between landmarks observed by the robot. These relationships are represented in terms of the relative geometrical layout of landmark triplets. A novel measurement method based on camera imagery is presented that extends previous work from the field of qualitative spatial reasoning. Measurements are fused into the map using a deterministic approach based on iterative graph updates. The generation of these maps does not depend on estimates of robot egomotion, and it is consequently suitable for high-slip environments. Algorithm performance is evaluated using Monte Carlo simulations, and results are presented for an experiment using data gathered in the Jet Propulsion L.
Electronic Communications of the EASST Volume 1 ( 2006 ) Proceedings of the Third International Workshop on Graph Based Tools ( GraBaTs 2006 ) The ParMol Package for Frequent Subgraph Mining

Mining for frequent subgraphs in a graph database has become a popular topic in the last years. Algorithms to solve this problem are us d in chemoinformatics to find common molecular fragments in a database of mol ecules represented as two-dimensional graphs. However, the search process in a rbitrary graph structures includes costly graph and subgraph isomorphism tests . In our ParMol package we have implemented four of the most popular frequent subgra ph miners using a common infrastructure: MoFa, gSpan, FFSM, and Gaston. Besi des the pure reimplementation, we have added additional functionality to some of the algorithms like parallel search, mining directed graphs, and mining in one big graph instead of a graph database. Also a 2D-visualizer for molecules has bee n integrated.
Hybrid wavelet support vector classification of temporal bone abnormalities

Support vector machine (SVM) is a machine-learning algorithm, which learns to perform the classification task through a supervised learning procedure, based on pre-classified data examples. SVM uses kernel mapping to map the non-linear data in input space to a high-dimensional feature space where the data is linearly separable. A hybrid wavelet kernel construction for support vector machine is introduced in this paper. Construction of an admissible support vector (SV) kernel using multidimensional sinc wavelet is presented. The hybrid kernels are proved to be Mercer kernel. The hybrid kernels thus constructed are used for the automated detection of temporal bone abnormalities. From high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) images features are extracted and fed to the learning machine for classification. Hybrid kernels provide better classification of the signal points in the mapped feature space. The experimental results indicate promising generalization performance with the hybrid kernels.
A Stable Blunt Costophrenic Angle in Healthy Subjects, Associated withDysanapsis and Airflow Limitation

Objective: A blunt costophrenic (CP) angle in chest radiographs is known as a sign of pleural effusion, but is also observed in pulmonary emphysema. However, healthy young adult subjects with a blunt CP angle were often encountered in company annual medical examinations. The goal of the study was to evaluate radiographic measurements, spirometry, and cough symptoms in such subjects with a stable blunt CP angle obtained in a company medical check to clarify the underlining condition. Methods: Radiographic measurements were made for the diameter of the main bronchus (MB), the tracheal width (TR), and the lung area (LA) estimated from the product of the height of the right lung and internal chest diameter in posteroanterior chest radiographs. The MB/LA and TR/LA ratios were calculated as markers of dysanapsis. An interview was performed to obtain information on cough symptoms. Results: The MB/LA and TR/LA ratios were both significantly lower in subjects with a blunt CP angle than in controls without blunt CP angles. Spirometry in the subjects with blunt CP angles indicated that 57.2% of parameters, including FEF25-75%, FEF75%, FEF50%, PEF, and FEV1/FVC, were subnormal and 84.1% of the subjects had a concave maximal expiratory flow-volume curve. These spirometric findings suggest the presence of airflow limitation involving the small airways. In correlation analyses, the MB/LA ratio was significantly associated with FEF25-75%/FVC, PEF, and FEF50%; and the TR/LA ratio was positively correlated with FEF25-75%/FVC and FEF50%. In interviews, 62% of subjects with a blunt CP angles stated that they had experienced cough symptoms in recent years or in the past. Conclusion: A stable blunt CP angle is associated with dysanapsis and airflow limitation. These changes may explain the high rate of cough among subjects with a stable blunt CP angle.