Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structural Basis for the Inhibition of a Phospholipase A2-Like Toxin by Caffeic and Aristolochic Acids

One of the main challenges in toxicology today is to develop therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of snake venom injuries that are not efficiently neutralized by conventional serum therapy. Venom phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) and PLA2-like proteins play a fundamental role in skeletal muscle necrosis, which can result in permanent sequelae and disability. This leads to economic and social problems, especially in developing countries. In this work, we performed structural and functional studies with Piratoxin-I, a Lys49-PLA2 from Bothropspirajai venom, complexed with two compounds present in several plants used in folk medicine against snakebites. These ligands partially neutralized the myotoxic activity of PrTX-I towards binding on the two independent sites of interaction between Lys49-PLA2 and muscle membrane. Our results corroborate the previously proposed mechanism of action of PLA2s-like and provide insights for the design of structure-based inhibitors that could prevent the permanent injuries caused by these proteins in snakebite victims.
Optimizing OLAP Cubes Construction by Improving Data Placement on Multi-nodes Clusters

The increasing volumes of relational data let us find an alternative to cope with them. The Hadoop framework - which is an open source project based on the MapReduce paradigm - is a popular choice for big data analytics. However, the performance gained from Hadoop's features is currently limited by its default block placement policy, which does not take any data characteristics into account. Indeed, the efficiency of many operations can be improved by a careful data placement, including indexing, grouping, aggregation and joins. In this paper we propose a data warehouse placement policy to improve query gain performances on multi nodes clusters, especially Hadoop clusters. We investigate the performance gain for OLAP cube construction query with and without data organization. And this, by varying the number of nodes and data warehouse size. It has been found that, the proposed data placement policy has lowered global execution time for building OLAP data cubes up to 20 percent compared to default data placement.
Design of Security Detection Module of Underlying IPv6 Network in Differential Computer System

According to the underlying IPv6 network of the differential computer system, there are differences in the computer system network, and the security detection has the blind zone. The difference of the underlying IPv6 network in the computer system is analyzed comprehensively. On the basis of this, an improved underlying IPv6 network security detection module design method is proposed for the multi computer system. The detailed module design plan is obtained. In the network security detection system, the new technologies such as receiving thread domain, object forwarding domain and file buffer are taken into consideration. It can solve the security detection difficult problem caused by the IPv6 network differences in underlying computer system. Experimental results show that this system can detect the security problem in differential computer system quickly and accurately. The data packet forwarding success rate has been increased from 77% to 90%, and the acquisition success rate of abnormal data packet in terminal increases from 67% to 88%. It shows good application value in security detection of differential computer system.
Hardy Space Method for Exterior Maxwell Problems Lothar Nannen (joint Work With

A relevant difference between (9) and least squares formulations is that the former can be used to prove k-explicit stability bounds on u, while the seconds requires these bounds to be well-posed. We note that, using an appropriate operator T : V → V , any well-posed formulation in the form (2) can be translated in a sign-definite one: aT (u, v) := a(u, T v) = F (Tv) =: FT (v). However, the operator T is often not explicit or its approximation by a Galerkin scheme requires some strict assumptions on the discretisation (see [2]).
The Kalman-EM Contour Tracker

Many active-contour trackers include separate modules for feature detection, pose/shape refinement, and Kalman filtering. While this design is convenient for the programmer, it is not statistically optimal, because (a) feature detection leads to information loss and (b) the pose/shape refinement module makes no use of prior information from the filtering module. The tracker introduced in this paper employs the Bayesian EM algorithm for pose refinement: applying the EM algorithm to active contours eliminates the need for a separate feature-detection stage, while the Bayesian form of the EM algorithm provides a natural way to incorporate a prior estimate (from the filtering stage) into the pose refinement stage. Performance comparisons show that the Bayesian EM Contour algorithm is faster and more robust than modular contour trackers. The advantage of the Bayesian EM Contour algorithm over particle filtering is demonstrated by the much smaller number of function evaluations needed to achieve comparable tracking performance.
Parallelizing Boosting and Bagging

Bagging and boosting are two general techniques for building predictors based on small samples from a dataset. We show that boosting can be parallelized, and then present performance results for parallelized bagging and boosting using OC1 decision trees and two standard datasets. The main results are that sample sizes limit achievable accuracy, regardless of computational time spent; that parallel boosting is more accurate than parallel bagging; and (unexpectedly) that parallel boosting is also cheaper than parallel bagging (at least over OC1). Abstract: Bagging and boosting are two general techniques for building predictors based on small samples from a dataset. We show that boosting can be parallelized, and then present performance results for parallelized bagging and boosting using OC1 decision trees and two standard datasets. The main results are that sample sizes limit achievable accuracy, regardless of computational time spent; that parallel boosting is more accurate than parallel bagging; and (unexpectedly) that parallel boosting is also cheaper than parallel bagging (at least over OC1).
Full system for translational studies of personalized medicine with free-moving mice

A full remotely powered system for metabolism monitoring of free-moving mice is presented here. The fully implantable sensing platform hosts two ASICs, one off-the-shelf micro-controller, four biosensors, two other sensors, a coil to receive power, and an antenna to transmit data. Proper enzymes ensure specificity for animal metabolites while Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes ensure the due sensitivity. The remote powering is indeed provided by inductive coils located under the floor of the mouse' cage. Two different approaches where investigated to ensure freedom of movement to the animal. The application to studies for personalized medicine is demonstrated by showing continuous monitoring of both glucose and paracetamol.
Determination of Growth Stage-Specific Crop Coefficients (Kc) of Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.) under Salt Stress

Crop coefficients (Kc) are important for the development of irrigation schedules, but few studies on Kc focus on saline soils. To propose the growth-stage-specific Kc values for sunflowers in saline soils, a two-year micro-plot experiment was conducted in Yichang Experimental Station, Hetao Irrigation District. Four salinity levels including non-salinized (ECe = 3.4–4.1 dS·m–1), low (ECe = 5.5–8.2 dS·m–1), moderate (ECe = 12.1–14.5 dS·m–1), and high (ECe = 18.3–18.5 dS·m–1) levels were arranged in 12 micro-plots. Based on the soil moisture observations, Vensim software was used to establish and develop a physically-based water flow in the soil-plant system (WFSP) model. Observations in 2012 were used to calibrate the WFSP model and acceptable accuracy was obtained, especially for soil moisture simulation below 5 cm (R2 > 0.6). The locally-based Kc values (LKc) of sunflowers in saline soils were presented according to the WFSP calibration results. To be specific, LKc for initial stages (Kc1) could be expressed as a function of soil salinity (R2 = 0.86), while R2 of LKc for rapid growth (Kc2), middle (Kc3), and mature (Kc4) stages were 0.659, 1.156, and 0.324, respectively. The proposed LKc values were also evaluated by observations in 2013 and the R2 for initial, rapid growth, middle, and mature stages were 0.66, 0.68, 0.56 and 0.58, respectively. It is expected that the LKc would be of great value in irrigation management and provide precise water application values for salt-affected regions.
On Information Embedding When Watermarks and Covertexts Are Correlated

A new digital watermarking scenario is studied, where a watermark M correlated with a covertext S is to be transmitted by embedding M into S. The configuration of this scenario is different from that treated in existing digital watermarking works, where watermarks are assumed independent of covertexts. Assume that the pair (M, S) is drawn from an independently and identically distributed sequence. A necessary and sufficient condition is derived under which the watermark M can be recovered with high probability at the end of a watermark decoder after the watermarked signal is disturbed by a fixed memoryless attack channel pY|X(y|x). Specifically, it is shown that in the case of public watermarking where the covertext S is not accessible to the watermark decoder, M can be recovered with high probability if and only if H(M) les maxp(x,u|m,s):Ed(S,X)lesD[I(U);M,S) - I(U; M, S) + I(M;U,Y)], where the maximum is taken over all auxiliary random variables U and X jointly distributed with M and S and satisfying Ed(S, X) les D. In particular, the result implies that the Shannon separation theorem can not be extended to this scenario, that is, it is still possible to transmit M reliably even when H(M) is strictly greater than the watermarking capacity. A similar result is also established for combined source coding and Gel'fand Pinsker channel coding
Analysis of slip‐weakening frictional laws with static restrengthening and their implications on the scaling, asymmetry, and mode of dynamic rupture on homogeneous and bimaterial interfaces

Dynamic simulations of homogeneous, heterogeneous and bimaterial fault rupture using modified slip-weakening frictional laws with static restrengthening are presented giving rise to both crack-like and pulse-like rupture. We demonstrate that pulse-like rupture is possible by making a modification of classical slip-weakening friction to include static restrengthening. We employ various slip-weakening frictional laws to examine their effect on the resulting earthquake rupture speed, size and mode. More complex rupture characteristics were produced with more strongly slip-weakening frictional laws, and the degree of slip-weakening had to be finely tuned to reproduce realistic earthquake rupture characteristics. Rupture propagation on a fault is controlled by the constitutive properties of the fault. We provide benchmark tests of our method against other reported solutions in the literature. We demonstrate the applicability of our elastoplastic fault model for modeling dynamic rupture and wave propagation in fault systems, and the rich array of dynamic properties produced by our elastoplastic finite element fault model. These are governed by a number of model parameters including: the spatial heterogeneity and material contrast across the fault, the fault strength, and not least of all the frictional law employed. Asymmetric bilateral fault rupture was produced for the bimaterial case, where the degree of material contrast influenced the rupture speed in the different propagation directions.
The quality of parent–teacher relationships in inclusive preschools

ABSTRACT The parent–teacher relationship is one of the main elements of effective preschool inclusion affecting children, parent and teacher outcomes; therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between parents (mothers) and teachers in inclusive preschool classrooms. The data were collected from 44 mother–teacher dyads that have children with (CWD) and without disabilities (CWOD) using the Quality of Parent-Teacher Relationship Scale in the Kindergarten-Parent and Teacher Form. The results showed that the teachers’ perception on the quality of their relationships with the mothers of the CWD and CWOD did not differ significantly. Nevertheless, the mothers of CWD total score and communication scores were lower than the other group of mothers’ scores. There was also significant correlation between mother and teacher total and factor scores indicating the congruence in their belief about the quality of their relationships.
Pathways of organic carbon utilization in small lakes: Results from a whole‐lake 13C addition and coupled model

In many small aquatic ecosystems, watershed loading of organic C exceeds autochthonous primary production. Although this allochthonous organic C has long been thought of as refractory, multiple lines of evidence indicate that substantial portions are respired in the receiving aquatic ecosystem. To what extent does this terrestrial C support secondary production of invertebrates and fish? Do current models adequately trace the pathways of allochthonous and autochthonous C through the food web? We evaluated the roles of allochthonous and autochthonous organic C by manipulating 13C content of dissolved inorganic C in a small, softwater, humic lake, thereby labeling autochthonous primary production for about 20 d. To ensure rapid and sufficient uptake of inorganic 13C, we enriched the lake with modest amounts of N and P. We constructed a carbon flow model based on the ambient and manipulated levels of 13C in C compartments in the lake, along with information on key rate processes. Despite the short nature of this experiment, several results emerged. (1) Fractionation of photosynthetically assimilated 13C‐CO2 by phytoplankton (ɛ) is lower (~6‰) than physiologic models would estimate (~20‰). (2) Bacteria respire, but do not assimilate, a large amount of terrestrially derived dissolved organic C (DOC) and pass little of this C to higher trophic levels. (3) The oxidation of terrestrial DOC is the major source of dissolved inorganic C in the lake. (4) Zooplankton production, a major food of young‐of‐year fishes, is predominantly derived from current autochthonous carbon sources under the conditions of this experiment.
Undiagnosed Depression in Spanish-Speaking Latinas Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence

Depression causes impairment worldwide and disproportionately affects women, Latinos, and those who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV). This study assessed the prevalence of depressive symptoms among 96 Latinas exposed to IPV. While 85% of women reported clinical-level depression symptoms, only 11% had ever received a diagnosis of depression. Results indicate that greater income, injury, and depression symptoms significantly differentiated women who were diagnosed with depression from those with self-reported clinical-level depression symptoms. Undiagnosed depression is a major public health problem for low-income Latinas exposed to IPV and thus calls for the assessment of this disorder among those with limited access to care.
The Nondeterministic Complexity of a Finite Automaton

We deene the nondeterministic complexity of a nite automaton and show that there exist, for any integer p 1, automata which need (k 1=p) nondeterministic transitions to spell words of length k. This leads to a subdivision of the family of recognizable M-subsets of a free monoid into a hierarchy whose members are indexed by polynomials, where M denotes the Min{Plus semiring.
Efficient Security Monitoring with the Core Debug Interface in an Embedded Processor

For decades, various concepts in security monitoring have been proposed. In principle, they all in common in regard to the monitoring of the execution behavior of a program (e.g., control-flow or dataflow) running on the machine to find symptoms of attacks. Among the proposed monitoring schemes, software-based ones are known for their adaptability on the commercial products, but there have been concerns that they may suffer from nonnegligible runtime overhead. On the other hand, hardware-based solutions are recognized for their high performance. However, most of them have an inherent problem in that they usually mandate drastic changes to the internal processor architecture. More recent ones have strived to minimize such modifications by employing external hardware security monitors in the system. However, these approaches intrinsically suffer from the overhead caused by communication between the host and the external monitor. Our solution also relies on external hardware for security monitoring, but unlike the others, ours tackles the communication overhead by using the core debug interface (CDI), which is readily available in most commercial processors for debugging. We build our system simply by plugging our monitoring hardware into the processor via CDI, precluding the need for altering the processor internals. To validate the effectiveness of our approach, we implement two well-known monitoring techniques on our proposed framework: dynamic information flow tracking and branch regulation. The experimental results on our FPGA prototype show that our external hardware monitors efficiently perform monitoring tasks with negligible performance overhead, mainly with thanks to the support of CDI, which helps us reduce communication costs substantially.
Value added by Spirulina platensis in two different diets on growth performance, gut microbiota, and meat quality of Japanese quails

Aim: The growth promoting effect of the blue-green filamentous alga Spirulina platensis (SP) was observed on meat type Japanese quail with antibiotic growth promoter alternative and immune enhancing power. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 180 Japanese quail chicks for 4 weeks to find out the effect of diet type (vegetarian protein diet [VPD] and fish meal protein diet [FMPD])- Spirulina dose interaction (1 or 2 g/kg diet) on growth performance, gut microbiota, and sensory meat quality of growing Japanese quails (1-5 weeks old). Results: Data revealed improvement (p<0.05) of weight gain, feed conversion ratio and European efficiency index due to 1, 2 g (SP)/kg VPD, and 2 g (SP)/kg FMPD, respectively. There was a significant decrease of ileum mean pH value by 1 g (SP)/kg VPD. Concerning gut microbiota, there was a trend toward an increase in Lactobacilli count in both 1; 2 g (SP)/kg VPD and 2 g (SP)/kg FMPD. It was concluded that 1 or 2 g (SP)/kg vegetarian diet may enhance parameters of performance without obvious effect on both meat quality and gut microbiota. Moreover, 1 and/or 2 g (SP) may not be invited to share fish meal based diet for growing Japanese quails. Conclusion: Using of SP will support the profitable production of Japanese quails fed vegetable protein diet.
Wearable sensing analysis : identifying alcohol drinking from daily physiological data

In practical psychology research, questionnaires and interviews with examinees are commonly used. Besides, it usually lasts for several days which could be costing and time consuming. Previous work in our lab provided a smartphone-client and server based distributed system which does not need participants to go to the clinic doing any paperwork nor any invasive blood or medical-electronic based tests, so that saving time and money for better researching purposes. The system called mAAS and started to collect precious data from our recruits. Improvements that I made to the system are presented in this thesis. Also, a new data analysis pipeline is built and evaluated. Modern wearable technology is integrated without extra burdensome equipment in our system. We got large numbers of detailed physiological information about participants in their real life. Data preprocessing is applied to get cleaned data. Features about ECG and RIP are extracted afterwards. As a result, involving machine learning methods, we can deal with classification on these features and give out good performance on understanding and analyzing tasks. In this thesis work, alcohol drinking activities are identified from daily physiological data through the pipeline as presented.
Lower SNR sound event recognition using noisy training sample

Sound event recognition becomes a basic task in some applications. However, in low SNR condition, the accuracy rate is easily affected by the acoustic scene. To address the problem, this paper proposes a framework consisting of empirical mode decomposition (EMD), gray level co-occurrence matrix combined with higher-order singular value decomposition (GLCM-HOSVD), and random forests (RF). We use a voting method based on the first to sixth intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) which is generated from EMD, to detect the endpoint of sound events and estimate the SNR. GLCM-HOSVD is proposed to extract features from audio data. During classifier training, the sound samples mixed by environmental sound and sound events are used to train RF. The experiment proves that the proposed method has the ability to recognize low SNR sound events in acoustic scenes. The result shows that the accuracy rate is higher than 78% even in 5dB acoustic scene.
Mayaro virus and dengue virus 1 and 4 natural infection in culicids from Cuiabá, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil

This study aimed to verify the diversity of Culicidae species and their frequency of infection with flaviviruses and alphaviruses in Cuiabá, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Mosquitoes were captured with Nasci aspirators and hand net in 200 census tracts, identified alive at species level and pooled in one-20 (11,090 mosquitoes, 14 species). Female pools (n = 610) were subjected to multiplex seminested-reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for 11 flavivirus and five alphavirus. Positive pools were tested by single RT-PCR followed by nucleotide sequencing, by RT-PCR for E1 gene [Mayaro virus (MAYV)] and by inoculation in Vero cells (MAYV) or C6/36 cells (flaviviruses). One/171 Aedes aegypti was positive for dengue virus (DENV)-1, 12/403 Culex quinquefasciatus, and four/171Ae. aegypti for MAYV, which was isolated from two pools containing two nonengorged females of Ae. aegypti and two ofCx. quinquefasciatus. DENV-4 was detected in 58/171 pools of Ae. aegytpi, 105/403 Cx. quinquefasciatus, two/five Psorophora sp. , two/11 Psorophora varipes/Psorophora albigenu, one/one Sabethes chloropterus, two/five Culex bidens/Culex interfor, and one/one Aedes sp. DENV-4 was isolated from two pools containing three and 16 nonengorged Cx. quinquefasciatus females. Phylogenetic analysis revealed MAYV belongs to genotype L, clustering with human samples of the virus previously identified in the city. Cuiabá has biodiversity and ecosystem favourable for vector proliferation, representing a risk for arbovirus outbreaks.
MailRank : Global Attack-Resistant Whitelists for Spam Detection

Current approaches for spam detection suffer from a high maintenance effort, either for bootstrapping, or for adapting the system to new strategies of spammers. This paper proposes MailRank, a system that builds a global whitelist from the email contacts of all MailRank users and updates it automatically based on their email activities. To counter attacks from spammers (i.e., putting themselves on the global whitelist), the email contacts of all MailRank users are aggregated into a single email network, which is then used to compute a rank for each email address. MailRank is shown to perform well even for rather sparse networks, where only a small set of peers actually participate in the ranking of email addresses. Furthermore, it is highly resistant against spammer attacks.