Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lifelong Machine Learning and Computer Reading the Web

This tutorial introduces Lifelong Machine Learning (LML) and Machine Reading. The core idea of LML is to learn continuously and accumulate the learned knowledge, and to use the knowledge to help future learning, which is perhaps the hallmark of human learning and human intelligence. By us- ing prior knowledge seamlessly and effortlessly, we humans can learn without a lot of training data, but current machine learning algorithms tend to need a huge amount of training data. LML aims to mimic this human capability. Machine Reading is a research area with the goal of building systems to read natural language text. Among different approaches employed in Machine Reading, this tutorial focuses on projects and approaches that use the idea of LML. Most current machine learning (ML) algorithms learn in isolation. They are designed to address a specific problem using a single dataset. That is, given a dataset, an ML algorithm is executed on the dataset to build a model. Although this type of isolated learning is very useful, it does not have the ability to accumulate past knowledge and to make use of the knowledge for future learning, which we believe are critical for the future of machine learning and data mining. LML aims to design and develop computational systems and algorithms with this capability, i.e., to learn as humans do in a lifelong manner. In this tutorial, we introduce this important problem and the existing LML techniques and discuss opportunities and challenges of big data for lifelong machine learning. We also want to motivate researchers and practitioners to actively explore LML as the big data provides us a golden opportunity to learn a large volume of diverse knowledge, to connect different pieces of it, and to use it to raise data mining and machine learning to a new level.
Stimulated cytokine production correlates in umbilical arterial and venous blood at delivery.

BACKGROUND Umbilical venous blood is easy to obtain after delivery, and thus has been commonly used in many studies for cytokine analysis. Our aim was to evaluate whether or not induced cytokine production differs after stimulation in umbilical artery and vein whole blood samples, using two different stimulation protocols. The effect of such stimulation on fetal and maternal blood was also evaluated. METHODS Blood samples from umbilical artery (UA) and vein (UV), and from the mother were collected from 23 women after delivery at term. Concentrations of cytokines (IL-4, IFN-gamma, IL-6 and TNF-alpha) were measured in plasma and whole blood after PMA/ConA and PMA/ionomycin stimulation. RESULTS Both in maternal and in fetal samples, cytokine concentrations in unstimulated plasma samples were lower than in stimulated samples, except for IL-4 after PMA/ConA stimulation. UA and UV showed similar, average cytokine levels after stimulation and the correlations were high (r=0.68-0.95). Cytokine concentrations were clearly higher in umbilical blood than in maternal blood after stimulation, but not in plasma. Correlations between maternal and umbilical samples after stimulation were generally low (r<0.41). IFN-gamma was not detectable in unstimulated plasma samples. The production of IL-4 and IFN-gamma was more intense after PMA/ionomycin stimulation than after PMA/ConA stimulation. INTERPRETATION OF THE RESULTS: Concentrations of the cytokines examined are similar in blood from the UA and UV. For IL-4 and IFN-gamma, the stimulant used has a significant effect on the level of cytokine expression, and interestingly, the effect is more pronounced on the fetal than on the maternal side.
A Market Equilibrium Supply Chain Model for Supporting Self-Manufacturing or Outsourcing Decisions in Prefabricated Construction

Prefabricated construction is a sustainable alternative to traditional on-site construction methods. However, many challenges still exist in the prefabricated construction process. For example, self-manufacturing or outsourcing decisions are vital to the industrial structure and organization of the prefabricated construction industry, and the company’s production and operation decision-making. This paper considers a prefabricated construction supply chain, which is composed of one upstream component manufacturing company and two downstream contractors. The large contractor can get the precast component through self-manufacturing or outsourcing, while the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) contractor can only buy components from the component manufacturer. A comprehensive game model (Cournot-Stackelberg model) under different decisions, that is, component self-manufacturing or outsourcing, was established. By solving the profit functions of different companies in the prefabricated construction supply chain, the equilibrium solutions of output, price and profit can be achieved. These solutions of equilibrium indicate the optimal decision on the production and operation, and the profit’s boundary conditions. After assuming relevant parameters, the profit levels of the companies in the supply chain are analyzed via a dynamic simulation in the changing process of prefabricated construction market size under different behavioral decisions. The conclusions are as follows: (1) the profit levels of all supply chain enterprises and the whole supply chain are increasing with an increase of market size; (2) the downstream contractors and the whole supply chain have a higher profit level under the component self-manufacturing decision, however, on the contrary, the upstream component suppliers get a higher profit level under the component outsourcing decision; (3) the equilibrium output of the SME contractor is reduced under the outsourcing decision of the large contractor, and the SME contractor is at a disadvantage in market competition, which is particularlyfull of risk when the market size is not big enough, but higher profit level can be expected as the market size increases. According to the results of the game-theoreticanalysis and the numerical simulation, managerial implications are put forward from the angles of extensive publicity, mandatory implementation, strengthening industrial chain integration, and intensifying component factory guidance to promote the development of prefabricated construction. Finally, the main problems which need to be studied further in the future are presented.
A Novel Fluorescent Probe for Retaining Galactosyltransferases

Glycosyltransferases (GTs) are a large class of carbohydrate‐active enzymes that are involved, in both pro‐ and eukaryotic organisms, in numerous important biological processes, from cellular adhesion to carcinogenesis. GTs have enormous potential as molecular targets for chemical biology and drug discovery. For the full realisation of this potential, operationally simple and generally applicable GT bioassays, especially for inhibitor screening, are indispensable tools. In order to facilitate the development of GT high‐throughput screening assays for the identification of GT inhibitors, we have developed novel, fluorescent derivatives of UDP‐galactose (UDP‐Gal) that are recognised as donor analogues by several different retaining galactosyltransferases (GalTs). We demonstrate for one of these derivatives that fluorescence emission is quenched upon specific binding to individual GalTs, and that this effect can be used as the read‐out in ligand‐displacement experiments. The novel fluorophore acts as an excellent sensor for several different enzymes and is suitable for the development of a new type of GalT bioassay, whose modular nature and operational simplicity will significantly facilitate inhibitor screening. Importantly, the structural differences between the natural donor UDP‐Gal and the new fluorescent derivatives are minimal, and the general assay principle described herein may therefore also be applicable to other GalTs and/or proteins that use nucleotides or nucleotide conjugates as their cofactor.
Amino Acids Control Mammalian Gene Transcription: Activating Transcription Factor 2 Is Essential for the Amino Acid Responsiveness of the CHOP Promoter

ABSTRACT In mammals, plasma concentration of amino acids is affected by nutritional or pathological conditions. It has been well established that nutrients, and particularly amino acids, are involved in the control of gene expression. Here we examined the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation ofCHOP (a CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein [C/EBP]-related gene) expression upon amino acid limitation. We have previously shown that regulation of CHOP mRNA expression by amino acid concentration has both transcriptional and posttranscriptional components. We report the analysis ofcis- and trans-acting elements involved in the transcriptional activation of the human CHOPgene by leucine starvation. Using a transient expression assay, we show that a cis-positive element is essential for amino acid regulation of the CHOP promoter. This sequence is the first described that can regulate a basal promoter in response to starvation for several individual amino acids and therefore can be called an amino acid response element (AARE). In addition, we show that the CHOP AARE is related to C/EBP and ATF/CRE binding sites and binds in vitro the activating transcription factor 2 (ATF-2) in starved and unstarved conditions. Using ATF-2-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts and an ATF-2-dominant negative mutant, we demonstrate that expression of this transcription factor is essential for the transcriptional activation of CHOP by leucine starvation. Altogether, these results suggest that ATF-2 may be a member of a cascade of molecular events by which the cellular concentration of amino acids can regulate mammalian gene expression.
Income, Consumption and Poverty Impact of Infrastructure Development

The paper analyzes the impact of the development of transport and trading infrastructures such as rural roads and markets, on income, consumption and poverty in Bangladesh. Household level panel data collected in two phases have been used in the analysis. The benchmark survey was carried out during December 1995 to April 1996, just before the physical implementation of the development works. The follow up survey was conducted during January to May 2000, three years after completion of the physical works. In order to capture the impact, both bivariate and multiple regression analyses have been done taking into consideration both “with-without” and “before-after” situations. The results suggest that there has been significant positive impact of the development of transport and trading networks on income, consumption and poverty alleviation. The government should expand infrastructure development projects in other areas of Bangladesh where such development works have not yet been implemented.
Predictors of attendance and barriers to cataract surgery in Kenya, Bangladesh and the Philippines

Abstract Purpose: Cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide, and is particularly common in low- and middle-income countries. Our study aims to identify the predictors for and barriers to acceptance of cataract surgery in Kenya, Bangladesh and the Philippines. Methods: Cases were individuals aged ≥50 years and with best corrected VA of <6/24 in the better eye due to cataract who were identified through population-based surveys and community-based case detection. Cases were asked why they had not attended for surgery. They were offered free cataract surgery and followed-up at one year. Non-acceptors were interviewed to identify barriers to accepting surgery. Results: Of all participants, 58.6% attended for cataract surgery in Kenya, 53.9% Bangladesh and 47.1% the Philippines. Younger age was a predictor for attendance for surgery in all three countries. In Bangladesh and Kenya, male gender and psychosocial score were predictors. At baseline “cost” and “unaware of cataract” were most frequently reported barriers to uptake of surgery in the three settings. At follow-up, “surgical services inaccessible” was one of the two most frequently reported barriers in Kenya and the Philippines while “fear” was most frequently reported in Bangladesh and the Philippines. There were no consistent predictors of the most frequently reported barriers across the different settings. Conclusions: Future services need to focus on increasing uptake among older people and women. Cost is often reported as a barrier but this may conceal more complicated underlying barriers which need to be explored through in-depth qualitative research. Implications for Rehabilitation Cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide, and is particularly common in low- and middle-income countries. Evidence suggests that even when surgical services are available, there can be a lack of demand and low utilization resulting from barriers to uptake. Older cataract patients, females and especially older females are least likely to attend for surgery. Future cataract surgical programmes should put special emphasis on targeting and increasing uptake in these groups.
[Performance evaluation of small snail control projects in Hubei Province in 2009 and 2010].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the performance of small Oncomelania snail control projects in Hubei Province in 2009 and 2010, so as to explore the best snail control project in different areas. METHODS The expense-effect, expense-efficiency and cost-utility analyses were carried out to analyze the small snail control projects with reference to the relevant schistosomiasis japonica prevention and control index system. RESULTS The coverage rate of snail control was 40.15%, the decrease rate of the snail areas was 32.86%, the unit cost for the snail control was 0.39 Yuan/m2, the cost of reducing 1% of the snail area was 67.34 ten thousand Yuan, the total benefit was 15 554.14 ten thousand Yuan, the ratio of cost to benefit was 7.03, the net benefit was 13 341.44 ten thousand Yuan, and the ratio of cost to net benefit was 6.03, and the investment ratio was 1 : 2.11 in the 183 small snail control projects. CONCLUSION There is an obvious and respectable short-period effect of the small snail control projects.
A novel region graph construction based on trapping sets for the Generalized Belief Propagation

The Belief Propagation (BP) is an inference algorithm used to estimate marginal probability distributions for any Markov Random Field (MRF). In the realm of Low-Density Parity-Check (LDPC) codes that can be represented by MRF called Tanner graphs, the BP is used as a decoding algorithm to estimate the states of bits sent through a noisy channel. Known to be optimal when the Tanner graph is a tree, the BP suffers from suboptimality when the Tanner graph has a loop-like topology. Furthermore, combinations of loops, namely the trapping sets, are particularly harmful for the decoding. To circumvent this problem were proposed other algorithms, like the Generalized Belief Propagation (GBP) that comes from statistical physics. This algorithm allows to absorb topological structures inside new nodes called regions. An advantage is that the resulting graph, the region graph, is not unique then according to its construction this region graph is a media for the GBP that can provide more accurate estimates than the BP. In this paper, we propose novel constructions of the region graph for the famous Tanner code of length N = 155 by making use of the trapping sets as basis for the regions.
Profiling MHC II immunopeptidome of blood‐stage malaria reveals that cDC1 control the functionality of parasite‐specific CD4 T cells

In malaria, CD4 Th1 and T follicular helper (TFH) cells are important for controlling parasite growth, but Th1 cells also contribute to immunopathology. Moreover, various regulatory CD4 T‐cell subsets are critical to hamper pathology. Yet the antigen‐presenting cells controlling Th functionality, as well as the antigens recognized by CD4 T cells, are largely unknown. Here, we characterize the MHC II immunopeptidome presented by DC during blood‐stage malaria in mice. We establish the immunodominance hierarchy of 14 MHC II ligands derived from conserved parasite proteins. Immunodominance is shaped differently whether blood stage is preceded or not by liver stage, but the same ETRAMP‐specific dominant response develops in both contexts. In naïve mice and at the onset of cerebral malaria, CD8α+ dendritic cells (cDC1) are superior to other DC subsets for MHC II presentation of the ETRAMP epitope. Using in vivo depletion of cDC1, we show that cDC1 promote parasite‐specific Th1 cells and inhibit the development of IL‐10+ CD4 T cells. This work profiles the P. berghei blood‐stage MHC II immunopeptidome, highlights the potency of cDC1 to present malaria antigens on MHC II, and reveals a major role for cDC1 in regulating malaria‐specific CD4 T‐cell responses.
End-to-end delay minimization in an application-aware routing for wireless sensor networks

This paper investigates the path computation in the IPv6 Routing Protocol for Low Power and Lossy Networks (RPL), but governed by a new objective function called Objective Function-Delay (OF-DELAY). This is compared to the existing one, i.e. Objective Function-Expected Number of Transmissions (OF-ETX). The idea is to minimize the end-to-end delay (latency) in the application-aware routing for wireless sensor networks. The simulation in Contiki used an 18-node topology, created as a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) in which each node has a rank. The results proved that the new approach does not optimize the energy consumption but it reduces significantly the latency, which is important for alarms.
Effect of visible light on progressive dormancy of Escherichia coli cells during the survival process in natural fresh water

Some effects of visible light on the survival of Escherichia coli in waters of the Butrón river were studied by comparing illuminated and nonilluminated systems. The following count methods were used: CFU on a selective medium (eosin-methylene blue agar), CFU on a medium of recuperation (Trypticase soy agar with yeast extract and glucose), number of metabolically active cells by reduction of 2-(p-iodophenyl)-3-(p-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyl tetrazolium chloride (INT) to INT-formazan, and total number of E. coli cells as determined by the acridine orange direct-count method. In the illuminated systems, decreases in CFU of E. coli and in the number of metabolically active cells were observed. However, no decline of the total number of E. coli cells was observed. By count methods, different stages of progressive dormancy of E. coli cells were determined to exist in illuminated systems. Culturable and recoverable cells were defined as viable cells, and metabolically active cells and morphologically intact cells were defined as somnicells. Indirect activity measurements were also done by using [14C]glucose. In illuminated systems, a decrease of glucose uptake by E. coli cells was observed throughout the experiments. The assimilated fraction of [14C]glucose decreased faster than the respired fraction in illuminated systems. The percentage of respired [14C]glucose (14CO2 production) with respect to the total glucose uptake increased throughout the experiments, and the percentage of assimilated glucose decreased. Therefore, the visible light was also responsible for an additional inhibition of biosynthetic processes.
A Khmer NER method based on conditional random fields fusing with Khmer entity characteristics constraints

In order to improve the performance of Khmer named entity recognition(NER), a NER method based on conditional random field (CRF) model fusing with Khmer entity characteristics constraints is proposed in this paper. First of all, we carried out analyses on the Khmer entity characteristics, summarized the constraint on these entity characteristics and introduced into the CRF; then solved the labeling sequence by integer linear programming integrated entity characteristic constraint and obtained a model of CRF integrated with constraints based on Khmer entity characteristics. Based on a contrastive experiment, CRF model of the constraint has a better performance than traditional CRF model when carrying out the Khmer NER.
Inequality and Social Capital: How Inequality in China’s Housing Assets Affects People’s Trust

ABSTRACT This article examines how inequality in housing assets affects general trust in society. The economic stimulus package carried out in 2008 in China to tackle the global financial crisis increased housing prices and amplified inequality among residents with various initial housing assets. We apply a difference-in-differences strategy to compare cities with various initial levels of housing asset inequality. An increase in such inequality is found to be associated with a lower level of trust. It is also found that in the Chinese context, growing fiscal inequality is further deteriorating trust. These results are most likely driven by concerns regarding social and economic status.
Molecular Characterization of Spanish Infectious Bursal Disease Virus Field Isolates

SUMMARY. Nine Spanish isolates of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) were characterized and classified after reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction of a 248-bp fragment of the VP2 gene hypervariable region and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The restriction endonucleases (REs) used were BstNI, SacI, SspI, TaqI, DraI, and StyI. Sequencing of the amplified product and further comparison of these sequences with published sequence data from other IBDV strains were also performed. Very virulent and classic strains were identified. None of the strains identified had molecular characteristics similar to that of the American variant strains. Four very virulent strains (VG-248, 5939, 6145, and 7333) were digested by the TaqI, SspI, and StyI enzymes. The sequences of these strains were closely related to other European and Japanese very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) strains. Strains VG-311, VG-262, and VG-208 were digested by the BstNI and SacI REs and were classified as classic strains. Strains VG-276 and VG-313 had unique RFLP patterns. VG-276 exhibited the SspI RE site, which has been reported as a characteristic of vvIBDV strains, whereas the VG-313 strain exhibited a SacI and StyI RE site indicative of the classic IBDV Edgar and 52–70 strains. However, nucleotide sequence analysis of the amplified hypervariable region strain VG-276 revealed a higher identity with the classic strains STC, 52/70, and 9109 IBDV strains, whereas strain VG-313 exhibited a higher identity with the vvIBDV strains.
Personalized recommendation of human resources based on preferences and personality types a collaborative filtering-based approach

In an open and competitive world, companies must be organized internally to gain external challenge. Several companies and organizations suffer from problems related to the management of knowledge and knowledge capitalization. Knowledge management has become essential to competitiveness and development for each organization, which explains the large number of research and studies conducted in the field, thus good development of knowledge management requires a good mastery of information process (Acquire, represent, manage and capitalize). Among the threats that affect the development and success of this debate in most cases: the marginalized role of each individual, the lack of appropriate and technological solutions to promote the contribution of each to the common capital information and Finally, the overload of information given to them. In this paper, after the analysis of several studies in the fields of knowledge management and social sciences, we propose a new collaborative approach for the generic company's information system which is able to develop the mind of collective participation in knowledge capital management.