Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unicorn: A System for Searching the Social Graph

Unicorn is an online, in-memory social graph-aware indexing system designed to search trillions of edges between tens of billions of users and entities on thousands of commodity servers. Unicorn is based on standard concepts in information retrieval, but it includes features to promote results with good social proximity. It also supports queries that require multiple round-trips to leaves in order to retrieve objects that are more than one edge away from source nodes. Unicorn is designed to answer billions of queries per day at latencies in the hundreds of milliseconds, and it serves as an infrastructural building block for Facebook's Graph Search product. In this paper, we describe the data model and query language supported by Unicorn. We also describe its evolution as it became the primary backend for Facebook's search offerings.
A Novel Mobility Management Mechanism Based on Destination Address Overwritten and ID/Locator Separation

The idea of ID/Locator separation has been suggested to solve the routing scalability and mobility problems in the Internet. Some solutions have been proposed based on this idea, such as LISP and HIP. However these solutions are either bandwidth inefficient or difficult to deploy. In this paper, we propose a novel network architecture based on the idea of ID/Locator separation, which can easily integrate efficient mobility management mechanisms besides supporting the routing scalability, and introduce a new mobility management mechanism (MILS, Mobility management based on ID/Locator Separation) based on the architecture. The proposed architecture and the mechanism have three unique features. Firstly, the mapping system is distributed to the edge network which reduces the handoff delay. Secondly, the destination address overwritten reduces the bandwidth cost to transmit the packets. Thirdly, the routing information contained in the identifier of the MN provides good compatibility with the Internet. Performance analysis results show that MILS has low signaling cost and handoff delay.
Helicobacter pylori Genotypes Associated with Gastric Histo-Pathological Damages in a Moroccan Population

H. pylori persistent infection induces chronic gastritis and is associated with peptic ulcer disease and gastric carcinoma development. The severity of these diseases is related to human’s genetic diversity, H. pylori genetic variability and environmental factors. To identify the prevalence of histo-pathological damages caused by H. pylori infection in Moroccan population, and to determine their association to H. pylori genotypes, a prospective study has been conducted during 3 years on patients attending the gastroenterology department of Hassan II University Hospital (CHU) of Fez, Morocco. A total of 801 Moroccan adults’ patients were recruited; H. pylori was diagnosed and genotyped by PCR in biopsy specimens and histological exam was performed. We found a high rate of glandular atrophy. Chronic inflammation, neutrophil activity and glandular atrophy showed statistically significant association with H. pylori infection. However, intestinal metaplasia was inversely associated to this infection and no association was observed with gastric cancer cases. A statistically significant association was found between intestinal metaplasia and vacAs1 and vac Am1 genotypes in patients aged 50 years and more but not in younger. This last genotype is also associated to gastric cancer. In this study, gastric cancer showed no significant association with H. pylori. Further studies are warranted to determine the role of other etiological agents such as Epstein-Barr virus, human papillomavirus and possibly environmental and dietetic factors in the occurrence of this pathology.
Title of Thesis : " Characterization of a Shiga-like Toxin Converting Phage from an Escherichia coli Strain Responsible for Hemorrhagic Colitis in Humans " Name of Candidate

Title of dissertation: Characterization of a Shiga-like Toxin Converting Phage Isolated from an Escherichia coli Strain Responsible for Hemorrhagic Colitis in Humans Steven Franklin Miller, B.S.; Candidate, Master of Science, 1985 Dissertation directed by: Alison D. O'Brien, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology There is a st~ong correlation between the ability of Escherichia coli to produce high levels of Shiga-like toxin in vitro and to cause hemorrhagic colitis in humans. A Shiga-like toxin-converting phage from Escherichia coli 0157:H7 strain 933 (phage 933J) and another Shiga-like toxinconverting phage from Escherichia coli 026 strain H-19 (phage H-19J) were isolated and found to be closely related by morphology, virion polypeptide composition, pattern of DNA restriction fragments, heat stability, and lysogenic immunity. However, a difference was noted between phage 933J and H-19J in the range of bacterial hosts on which these phages would plaque. The phage 933J toxin-converting genes were cloned into pBR328 and expressed in Escherichia coli HBlOl. DNA restriction mapping, subcloning, and examination of the cloned gene products by minicell analysis were used to localize the toxin-converting genes and identify them as the structural genes for Shiga-like toxin. Southern hybridization studies demonstrated that the DNA fragment containing the cloned toxin structural genes was homologous with the chromosome of Shigella.
Maximum Conditional Mutual Information Weighted Scoring for Speech Recognition

This paper describes a novel approach for extending the prototype Gaussian mixture model used in representing different classes in many recognition or classification systems and its application to large vocabulary automatic speech recognition (ASR). This is achieved by estimating weighting vectors to the log likelihood values due to different elements in the feature vector. This approach estimates the weighting vectors which maximize an estimate of the conditional mutual information between the log likelihood score and a binary random variable representing whether the log likelihood is estimated using the model of the correct label or not. It is shown in the paper that under some assumptions on the conditional probability density function (PDF) of the log likelihood score given this random variable, maximizing the differential entropy of a normalized log likelihood score is an equivalent criterion. This approach allows emphasizing different features, in the acoustic feature vector used in the system, for different hidden Markov model (HMM) states. In this paper, we apply this approach to the RT04 Arabic broadcast news speech recognition task. Compared to the baseline system, 3% relative improvement in the word error rate (WER) is obtained
Gadodiamide T1 relaxivity in brain tissue in vivo is lower than in saline

In vivo measurements of gadodiamide (Gd‐DTPA‐BMA) T1 relaxivity were performed at 4.7 T in injured and normal rat brains. Cerebral lesions were induced in nine rats by a localized freezing method. T1 maps of the lesions were generated before and after injection of Gd‐DTPA‐BMA (0.1–0.6 mmol/kg). Samples of normal and necrotic brain were collected postmortem; the wet and dry weights were determined, and Gd content was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. The in vivo relaxivity was determined by a linear fit of a plot of the change in relaxation rate following injection of the contrast agent as a function of Gd content. This analysis yielded a relaxivity in the injured brain of 2.8 sec−1 mmol−1 kg tissue water at 36°C. The water weight fraction was 0.90 ± SD 0.02 wt/wt in injured brain and 0.79 ± 0.02 in normal brain. Relaxivity measurements were also performed on solutions of Gd‐DTPA‐BMA (0.0–0.6 mmol) and albumin (0–30% wt/wt) in normal saline at room and physiologic temperatures. The relaxivity in the albumin/saline increased with increasing solids content with values of 4.0–4.9 sec−1 mmol−1kg at 21°C and 3.4–4.5 sec−1 mmol−1 kg at 37°C. The relaxivity of the tissues differed significantly from that of the saline solutions of comparable solids content, suggesting that the solids content of a tissue is not the only factor that determines in vivo relaxivity. Magn Reson Med 53:35–40, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Messages to promote physical activity: Are descriptors of required duration and intensity related to intentions to be more active?

Introduction: Mass-media campaigns such as, “Change4Life’ in the UK and “get active America” in the US, promote physical activity (PA) recommendations of at least 150 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). We investigated whether different messages used in MVPA campaigns were associated with intention to engage in more MVPA. Materials and Methods: Theory of planned behavior (TPB) constructs; subjective norms, affective attitudes, instrumental attitudes and perceived behavioral control (PBC) were applied to explain the associations between campaign messages and intentions to engage in more MVPA. Results: A total of 1412 UK adults completed an online survey on MVPA and TPB. The sample was 70% female and 93% white with 23% reporting meeting PA guidelines. Participants received one of three messages: A walking message either with or without the 150 min/week threshold (WalkT; WalkNT); a physiological description of MVPA with the 150 min/week threshold (PhysT). ANCOVA examined group differences in intention. Path analysis evaluated mediation by TPB variables. ANCOVA identified lower intentions to increase MVPA in group PhysT relative to WalkT and WalkNT (P < 0.001). PBC mediated this relationship in WalkT (β = 0.014, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.004–0.028) whereas affective attitudes mediated this relationship in WalkNT (β = 0.059, 95% CI = 0.006–0.113). Conclusions: Campaigns promoting MVPA guidelines need to choose their messages carefully. Messages which exemplified MVPA through walking were associated with higher intentions to increase MVPA than messages using a physiological description. Further, PBC was enhanced when the 150 min/week threshold was promoted alongside the walking exemplar. Future exemplars should be investigated to inform adults how to meet MVPA guidelines.
Laser cladding of Inconel 625-based composite coatings

Inconel 625-based composite coatings reinforced by WC and Cr3C2 particles have been produced via a diode laser cladding process. The effect of heat input level and morphology of the reinforcing particles on the degree of their dissolution has been established. Additionally, the influence of the morphology of the reinforcing particles on the erosive wear behaviour of the coatings was studied.
Improving flame-retardant, thermal, and mechanical properties of an epoxy using halogen-free fillers

Abstract Various nano- and micro-sized fillers can be integrated into polymers to enhance their flame-retardant performance. In this work, a diglycidyl-ether bisphenol A epoxy was used as the matrix and nanostructured silica aerogel (AG) and ammonium polyphosphate (APP) microparticles were investigated as fillers to improve the flame-retardant and thermal properties of the epoxy. The anti-flame, thermal, and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated for different volume fractions of filler particles. It was found that APP decreased the burning rate while significantly improving the thermal stability. To investigate the flame resistant properties of combined AG and APP, an optimized ratio of AG and APP was added to the epoxy, leading to a stable flame-retardant epoxy with a low thermal conductivity and improved glass transition temperature (Tg). The synergy between the AG and APP in composite samples resulted in an interesting burning behavior where sample core was relatively less deteriorated compared with the samples containing only APP or AG. This was attributed to the decrease of thermal conductivity due to the addition of AG. Lastly, samples containing APP showed the highest limiting oxygen index percentage and it was found that only small amounts of APP are required to make the epoxy flame-retardant.
Research and application of absorbable screw in orthopedics: a clinical review comparing PDLLA screw with metal screw in patients with simple medial malleolus fracture

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of absorbable screw in medial malleolus fracture and discuss its clinical application in orthopedics. Methods: A total of 129 patients with simple medial malleolus fracture were studied. Among them, 64 patients were treated with poly‐D, L‐lactic acid (PDLLA) absorbable screws, while the others were treated with metal screws. All the patients were followed up for 12‐20 months (averaged 18.4 months) and the therapeutic effect was evaluated according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society clinical rating systems. Results: In absorbable screw group, we obtained excellent and good results in 62 cases (96.88%); in steel screw group, 61 cases (93.85%) achieved excellent and good results. There was no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: In the treatment of malleolus fracture, absorbable screw can achieve the same result compared with metal screw fixation. Absorbable screw is preferred due to its advantages of safety, cleanliness and avoiding the removal procedure associated with metallic implants.
Mesh or Multiple-Tree: A Comparative Study of Live P2P Streaming Approaches

Existing approaches to P2P streaming can be divided into two general classes: (i) tree-based approaches use push-based content delivery over multiple tree-shaped overlays, and (ii) mesh-based approaches use swarming content delivery over a randomly connected mesh. Previous studies have often focused on a particular P2P streaming mechanism and no comparison between these two classes has been conducted. In this paper, we compare and contrast the performance of representative protocols from each class using simulations. We identify the similarities and differences between these two approaches. Furthermore, we separately examine the behavior of content delivery and overlay construction mechanisms for both approaches in static and dynamic scenarios. Our results indicate that the mesh-based approach consistently exhibits a superior performance over the tree-based approach. We also show that the main factors attributing in the inferior performance of the tree-based approach are (i) the static mapping of content to a particular tree, and (ii) the placement of each peer as an internal node in one tree and as a leaf in all other trees.
Recently emerging trends in polymer nanocomposites packaging materials

ABSTRACT As a result of excellent nanoparticle dispersion tendencies, polymer based nanocomposites exhibit a significantly enhanced packaging characteristics. Moreover, the feasibility of inclusion of biologically-active additives has shown great potentials of rendering enhanced functional properties to the end product. Hence, polymer nanocomposites exhibiting bio-functional propensities have revealed a broad potential for application as packaging materials in the functional food packaging industry. This is due to accruable improvements in properties such as enhancements in strength and modulus, reduced gas permeability, and increment in resistance to water. Thus, the incumbent paper discusses state of the act recently emerging trends in the preparation and characterization of polymer nanocomposites as eco-benign and biodegradable packaging materials, inaddition to their future market prospects.Emerging novelties in polymer nanocomposites packaging films. Graphical Abstract
Contextual navigation in a multimedia journal

This work presents a framework for multimedia journaling, maintaining strong relationships between the document and embedded media. This enables media archives that are robust to changes in software environments, such as changes in web-sharing services, proprietary file formats and enables portability across operating system. We develop a journaling application using an existing multimedia framework, and show the power of the paradigm with specific case studies.
Functional Relationships of the Genetic Locus Encoding the Glycosyltransferase Enzymes Involved in Expression of the Lacto-N-neotetraose Terminal Lipopolysaccharide Structure in Neisseria meningitidis*

The biosynthetic function of the lgtABE genetic locus of Neisseria meningitidis was determined by structural analysis of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from mutant strains and enzymic assay for glycosyltransferase activity. LPS was obtained from mutants generated by insertion of antibiotic resistance cassets in each of the three genes lgtA, lgtB, lgtE of the N. meningitidis immunotype L3 strain φ3 MC58. LPS from the parent strain expresses the terminal lacto-N-neotetraose structure, Galβ1→4GlcNAcβ1→3Galβ1→4Glc. Mild hydrazine treatment of the LPS afforded O-deacylated samples that were analyzed directly by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) in the negative ion mode. In conjunction with results from sugar analysis, ESI-MS revealed successive loss of the sugars Gal, GlcNAc, and Gal in lgt B, lgt A, and lgt E LPS, respectively. The structure of a sample of O- and N-deacylated LPS derived by aqueous KOH treatment of lgt B LPS was determined in detail by two-dimensional homo- and heteronuclear NMR methods. Using a synthetic β-GlcNAc acceptor and a β-lactose acceptor, the glycosyltransferase activities encoded by the lgtB and lgtA genes were unambiguously established. These data provide the first definitive evidence that the three genes encode the respective glycosyltransferases required for biosynthesis of the terminal trisaccharide moiety of the lacto-N-neotetraose structure in Neisseria LPS. From ESI-MS data, it was also determined that the Gal-deficient LPS expressed by the lgt E mutant is identical to that of the major component expressed by immunotype L3 galE-deficient strains. The galE gene which encodes for UDP-glucose-4-epimerase plays an essential role in the incorporation of Gal into meningococcal LPS.
Long-Term Effects of White-Tailed Deer Exclusion on the Invasion of Exotic Plants: A Case Study in a Mid-Atlantic Temperate Forest

Exotic plant invasions and chronic high levels of herbivory are two of the major biotic stressors impacting temperate forest ecosystems in eastern North America, and the two problems are often linked. We used a 4-ha deer exclosure maintained since 1991 to examine the influence of a generalist herbivore, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), on the abundance of four exotic invasive (Rosa multiflora, Berberis thunbergii, Rubus phoenicolasius and Microstegium vimineum) and one native (Cynoglossum virginianum) plant species, within a 25.6-ha mature temperate forest dynamics plot in Virginia, USA. We identified significant predictors of the abundance of each focal species using generalized linear models incorporating 10 environmental and landscape variables. After controlling for those predictors, we applied our models to a 4-ha deer exclusion site and a 4-ha reference site, both embedded within the larger plot, to test the role of deer on the abundance of the focal species. Slope, edge effects and soil pH were the most frequent predictors of the abundance of the focal species on the larger plot. The abundance of C. virginianum, known to be deer-dispersed, was significantly lower in the exclosure. Similar patterns were detected for B. thunbergii, R. phoenicolasius and M. vimineum, whereas R. multiflora was more abundant within the exclosure. Our results indicate that chronic high deer density facilitates increased abundances of several exotic invasive plant species, with the notable exception of R. multiflora. We infer that the invasion of many exotic plant species that are browse-tolerant to white-tailed deer could be limited by reducing deer populations.
A Fuzzy Color-Based Approach for Understanding Animated Movies Content in the Indexing Task

This paper proposes a method for detecting and analyzing the color techniques used in the animated movies. Each animated movie uses a specific color palette which makes its color distribution one major feature in analyzing the movie content. The color palette is specially tuned by the author in order to convey certain feelings or to express artistic concepts. Deriving semantic or symbolic information from the color concepts or the visual impression induced by the movie should be an ideal way of accessing its content in a content-based retrieval system. The proposed approach is carried out in two steps. The first processing step is the low-level analysis. The movie color content gets represented with several global statistical parameters computed from the movie global weighted color histogram. The second step is the symbolic representation of the movie content. The numerical parameters obtained from the first step are converted into meaningful linguistic concepts through a fuzzy system. They concern mainly the predominant hues of the movie, some of Itten's color contrasts and harmony schemes, color relationships and color richness. We use the proposed linguistic concepts to link to given animated movies according to their color techniques. In order to make the retrieval task easier, we also propose to represent color properties in a graphical manner which is similar to the color gamut representation. Several tests have been conducted on an animated movie database.
Molecular characterization and expression analysis of three novel autophagy-related genes from the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)

SUMMARY The cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is a hematophagous ectoparasite of major importance for the livestock industry. It shows a remarkable ability to survive over long periods without feeding. However, the mechanisms used to endure long-term starvation are poorly understood. It is believed that autophagy, a process of intracellular protein degradation, may play a significant role to confront adverse environmental conditions. To advance our understanding of autophagy in R. microplus, in the present study we report the molecular characterization of three autophagy-related (ATG) genes, namely, RmATG3, RmATG4 and RmATG6, as well as their expression profiles in different developmental stages and organs of the parasite. The deduced amino acid sequences derived from the characterized gene sequences were subjected to Basic Local Alignment Search Tool analysis. The testing produced significant alignments with respective ATG proteins from Haemaphysalis longicornis and Ixodes scapularis ticks. Real-time polymerase chain reaction assays revealed that RmATG4 and RmATG6 transcripts were elevated in egg and ovary tissue, when compared with larva and midgut samples, while RmATG3 expression in midgut was 2-fold higher than in egg, larva and ovary samples.
Robotic Communication Backbone

Robots with network capabilities can cooperate to establish a network backbone, providing a network service interconnecting a set of clients (humans or mobile robots). In this work, we consider the problem of autonomously deploy a team of robots to establish a wireless backbone in complex environments so that a set of clients is fully-connected. Our solution is divided into two phases. First, we calculate the Euclidean Steiner Tree with the client set as terminals. Then, we define a communicating extended finite state machine so robots can establish the backbone autonomously. We validate our algorithm with simulation and with physical robots (iCreate with ROS) in an indoor environment and demonstrate that we are able to get feasible solutions. We evaluated the establish backbone with important network metric (end to end TCP throughput).