Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
WSExpress: A QoS-aware Search Engine for Web Services

Web services are becoming prevalent nowadays. Finding desired Web services is becoming an emergent and challenging research problem. In this paper, we present WSExpress (Web Service Express), a novel Web service search engine to expressively find expected Web services. WSExpress ranks the publicly available Web services not only by functional similarities to users’ queries, but also by nonfunctional QoS characteristics of Web services. WSExpress provides three searching styles, which can adapt to the scenario of finding an appropriate Web service and the scenario of automatically replacing a failed Web service with a suitable one. WSExpress is implemented by Java language and large-scale experiments employing real-world Web services are conducted. Totally 3,738 Web services (15,811 operations) from 69 countries are involved in our experiments. The experimental results show that our search engine can find Web services with the desired functional and non-functional requirements. Extensive experimental studies are also conducted on a well known benchmark dataset consisting of 1,000 Web service operations to show the recall and precision performance of our search engine.
Grounded Theory and Organizational Research

Grounded theory is an inductive, theory discovery methodology that allows the researcher to develop a theoretical account of the general features of a topic while simultaneously grounding the account in empirical observations or data (Glaser & Strauss, 1967). This article explicates the utility of a grounded theory approach to research on work organizations. Following a general introduction to the grounded theory method, the authors'review of the organizational literature using grounded theory illustrates the variety of issues and topics studied through this approach. The authors describe and explain specific strategies for conducting grounded theory research in and on organizations, including note taking and note writing, concept discovery, and concept definition and preliminary elaboration of theory. Throughout the article emphasis is placed on grounded theory's ability to facilitate understanding and to identify desirable improvements in work contexts.
High and low affinity binding sites for basic fibroblast growth factor on cultured cells: Absence of a role for low affinity binding in the stimulation of plasminogen activator production by bovine capillary endothelial cells

Scatchard analysis of binding of 125l‐basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) to baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells revealed the presence of two binding sites: a high affinity site with KD of 20 pM and 80,000 sites per cell and a low affinity site with KD of about 2 nM and 600,000 sites per cell. The binding to the two sites could be separated by first washing the cells with 2 M NaCl at pH 7.5 which released the low affinity binding and then extracting the cells with 0.5% Triton X‐100 to recover the 125l‐basic FGF bound to high affinity sites. The binding to the high affinity site was acid sensitive, suggesting that it represented binding to the receptor. Binding to the low affinity site could be competed strongly by heparin and less strongly by heparan sulfate but not by chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, or keratan sulfate. Treatment of BHK cells with heparinase abolished 62% of the low affinity binding, suggesting that the low affinity binding represented binding to cell‐associated, heparin‐like molecules. A variety of other cell types, including bovine capillary endothelial (BCE) cells, also demonstrated both low and high affinity binding sites. To test whether the low affinity binding might play a role in the basic FGF stimulation of plasminogen activator (PA) production by BCE cells, heparin was added to BCE cultures at concentrations which totally blocked binding of 125l‐basic FGF to the low affinity sites. Addition of the heparin did not diminish the increased PA production induced by basic FGF. This suggests that the low affinity binding has no direct role in the stimulation of PA production in BCE cells.
The nearest cool white dwarf (d ~ 4 pc), the coolest M-type subdwarf (sdM9.5), and other high proper motion discoveries

We report the discovery of seven high proper motion stars with proper motions between about 0.7 and 2.2 arcsec/yr, all at relatively low Galactic latitudes (13 ◦ < |b| < 35 ◦ ) and located in the southern sky. They were detected in a high proper motion search using multi-epoch positions in the optical SuperCOSMOS Sky Surveys and in the near-infrared sky surveys 2MASS and DENIS. Classification spectroscopy carried out for six of the objects reveals them to represent three differ- ent classes of cool objects in the solar neighbourhood: M dwarfs, M subdwarfs and cool white dwarfs. The star with the largest proper motion, SSSPM J1138-7722, is classified as a very nearby (d ∼ 8 pc) M 5.5 dwarf with Galactic thin disk kinematics. A second star with ∼ 2a rcsec/yr proper motion, SSSPM J1358-3938, is still lacking spectroscopic confirmation but can be classified from photometry as a thick disk ∼M 3.5 dwarf. Three objects turn out to be cool subdwarf members of the Galactic thick disk or halo, including the first sdM9.5 object, SSSPM J1013-1356, which represents the currently coolest known M subdwarf, another ultra-cool subdwarf, SSSPM J1930-4311, of spectral type sdM7.0 as well as an earlier type (sdM1.5) star. The latter, SSSPM J1530-8146, has an extremely large space velocity with clear halo kinematics (helio- centric (U,V,W) = (−534 ± 78, −239 ± 74, +188 ± 23) km s −1 ). Two objects show featureless spectra classifying them as cool white dwarfs with Teff < 4500 K. One of them, SSSPM J1549-3544, is an extremely nearby (d ∼ 4 pc) thin disk object, the other one, SSSPM J1148-7458, has thick disk kinematics. SSSPM J1549-3544 is likely to be the nearest cool white dwarf and may be even the nearest isolated white dwarf, i.e. closer than van Maanen 2.
Risperidone in the treatment of first-episode psychotic patients: a double-blind multicenter study. Risperidone Working Group.

An international, multicenter, double-blind study was conducted in 183 patients with a first psychotic episode (provisional schizophreniform disorder or schizophrenia; DSM-III-R) treated with flexible doses of risperidone or haloperidol for 6 weeks. At endpoint, 63 percent of risperidone-treated patients and 56 percent of haloperidol-treated patients were clinically improved (> or = 50% reduction in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total scores). Risperidone was better tolerated than haloperidol: the severity of extrapyramidal symptoms was significantly lower in the risperidone-treated patients; significantly fewer risperidone-treated patients required antiparkinsonian medication; and significantly fewer discontinued treatment because of adverse events. A post hoc analysis revealed that low doses of these antipsychotics were efficacious in some patients. Furthermore, the severity of extrapyramidal symptoms and the use of antiparkinsonian medications were significantly lower in patients receiving low doses (maximum, < or = 6 mg/day) than high doses (maximum, > 6 mg/day) of risperidone or haloperidol. These findings are consistent with the suggestion that patients with a first psychotic episode may require low doses of antipsychotic medications. Studies designed specifically to compare low and high doses of antipsychotics are warranted to help optimize treatment for these patients.
COMPARISON AND OPTIMIZATION OF DISPERSION, AND LOSSES OF PLANAR WAVEGUIDES ON BENZOCYCLOBUTENE (BCB) AT THZ FREQUENCIES: COPLANAR WAVEGUIDE (CPW), MICROSTRIP, STRIPLINE AND SLOTLINE

This paper proposes an investigation in the terahertz (THz) frequency range of the dispersion and an individual quantitative treatment of the losses of the most classical microwave waveguides (coplanar, slotline, microstrip and stripline) numerically led in three dimensions (3D). An original strategy has been used to quantify radiation losses associated with leaky modes. A very low THz permittivity polymer (benzocyclobutene (BCB)) was used as a very convenient substrate to be easily grafted as a THz environment of integrated passive or/and active devices. Direct comparisons of the losses and the dispersion have been performed following two criteria: a constant characteristic impedance Zc flxed at 100› and a constant efiective width Wefi flxed at 30"m. The best waveguides are microstrip (fiT = 2:52dB/mm for Zc = 100› and for W=H = 35=50"m (with W the strip width and H the substrate height) and fiT = 2:29dB/mm for Wefi = 30"m at 1THz with H = 30"m) and stripline (with quasi-null radiation losses and the best quality factor QT = 63 for Zc = 100›). The large dispersion and radiation losses of the slotline (SL) can be reduced with a thick BCB encapsulation to enhance the THz signal. The coplanar waveguide (CPW) remains in a medium position. Besides the parasitic mode (SL) and low QT problems due to mainly ohmic losses, its major advantage is its planar geometry allowing to an easy circuit integration with THz sources, ampliflers and detectors based on semiconductor. Consequently, these THz studies on BCB microwave standard waveguides open to various perspectives to carry out a broad panel of integrated THz circuits.
QoE-based LTE downlink scheduler for VoIP

Emerging multimedia services are spreading significantly thanks to the availability of high speed wireless networks. Network operators are facing the challenges to accommodate these services (e.g. Skype, interactive gaming, and other multimedia applications) with high user satisfaction. This paper presents a Quality of Experience (QoE) driven approach to allocate the radio resources in Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless networks, in order to get higher user satisfaction. The main objective is to enhance the user experience while using the multimedia services such as VoIP, by jointly considering the user QoE and available wireless radio resources in the LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network. Specifically, we propose a new downlink scheduling algorithm known as “QoE Scheme” for multimedia VoIP service in LTE-A networks. The main advantage of the proposed QoE Scheme is its measurement of user satisfaction and its feedback mechanism to the scheduler at evolving NodeB (eNodeB) in order to make the scheduling decision.
PDK1 regulates B cell differentiation and homeostasis

Significance Phosphatidyl inositol-3 kinase (PI3K) activity is central to B lymphocyte survival, growth, and differentiation. Recent clinical studies also indicate that inhibiting the activity of the PI3Kδ isoform will be effective in treating human B cell malignancies. Here we focus on the B cell-specific role of the Ser/Thr kinase phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1), a pivotal downstream effector of PI3K signaling that is required for the activation of most members of the AGC kinase family (e.g., Akt, S6K, RSK, PKC). Using conditional gene-targeting approaches, we show that the B cell receptor and a subset of cytokine receptors require PDK1 for B cell generation in the bone marrow as well as for mature B cell survival and activation. Successful B cell differentiation and prevention of cell transformation depends on balanced and fine-tuned activation of cellular signaling pathways. The phosphatidyl inositol-3 kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway has emerged as a major regulator of B lymphocyte homeostasis and function. Phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1) is the pivotal node in the PI3K pathway, regulating the stability and activity of downstream AGC kinases (including Akt, RSK, S6K, SGK, and PKC). Although the importance of PI3K activity in B cell differentiation is well documented, the role of PDK1 and other downstream effectors is underexplored. Here we used inducible and stage-specific gene targeting approaches to elucidate the role of PDK1 in early and peripheral B cell differentiation. PDK1 ablation enhanced cell cycle entry and apoptosis of IL-7–dependent pro-B cells, blocking Ig synthesis and B cell maturation. PDK1 also was essential for the survival and activation of peripheral B cells via regulation of PKC and Akt-dependent downstream effectors, such as GSK3α/β and Foxo1. We found that PDK1 deletion strongly impaired B cell receptor (BCR) signaling, but IL-4 costimulation was sufficient to restore BCR-induced proliferation. IL-4 also normalized PKCβ activation and hexokinase II expression in BCR-stimulated cells, suggesting that this signaling pathway can act independent of PDK1 to support B cell growth. In summary, our results demonstrate that PDK1 is indispensable for B cell survival, proliferation, and growth regulation.
The relationship between maternal confidence and mother–infant behaviors in premature infants

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between maternal confidence in mothers of premature infants, maternal behaviors and skills, and infant temperament. The relationship between certain prenatal and background variables and maternal confidence also was assessed. The sample consisted of 49 mother--infant pairs from low socioeconomic backgrounds who were followed for 8 months. Maternal behaviors were assessed in the neonatal intensive care unit and during 4- and 8-month follow-up visits at home. Infant temperament was assessed using the Bates Infant Characteristics Questionnaire. The results revealed that maternal confidence was related to education, income, and parity as well as the presence and severity of intraventricular bleed. There was no relationship between observed maternal behaviors and skills and perceived confidence by mothers. Maternal confidence was related to infant temperament ratings.
A Distributed Algorithm for Least Constraining Slot Allocation in MPLS Optical TDM Networks

In this paper, we propose a distributed approach for the least constraining slot allocation scheme in all-optical TDM networks (LC) that was introduced in a previous work. The driving force behind our proposal is the employment of the LC scheme in a GMPLS context. After describing the basic data model and messaging parameters, we focus on defining an efficient LC resource status update scheme, which is essential to achieve compatibility with GMPLS' periodic link state update standards. Basically, we reduce the rate of resource status updates from once per call to once per few calls, and measure the impact on network performance.
YcdY Protein of Escherichia coli, an Atypical Member of the TorD Chaperone Family

ABSTRACT The TorD family of specific chaperones is divided into four subfamilies dedicated to molybdoenzyme biogenesis and a fifth one, exemplified by YcdY of Escherichia coli, for which no defined partner has been identified so far. We propose that YcdY is the chaperone of YcdX, a zinc protein involved in the swarming motility process of E. coli, since YcdY interacts with YcdX and increases its activity in vitro.
Ur: statically-typed metaprogramming with type-level record computation

Dependent types provide a strong foundation for specifying and verifying rich properties of programs through type-checking. The earliest implementations combined dependency, which allows types to mention program variables; with type-level computation, which facilitates expressive specifications that compute with recursive functions over types. While many recent applications of dependent types omit the latter facility, we argue in this paper that it deserves more attention, even when implemented without dependency. In particular, the ability to use functional programs as specifications enables statically-typed metaprogramming: programs write programs, and static type-checking guarantees that the generating process never produces invalid code. Since our focus is on generic validity properties rather than full correctness verification, it is possible to engineer type inference systems that are very effective in narrow domains. As a demonstration, we present Ur, a programming language designed to facilitate metaprogramming with first-class records and names. On top of Ur, we implement Ur/Web, a special standard library that enables the development of modern Web applications. Ad-hoc code generation is already in wide use in the popular Web application frameworks, and we show how that generation may be tamed using types, without forcing metaprogram authors to write proofs or forcing metaprogram users to write any fancy types.
Direct costs related to rheumatoid arthritis: the patient perspective

Objective: To determine rheumatoid arthritis related out of pocket expenditure (OOPE) in Germany and to disaggregate the total OOPE into contributing cost domains. Methods: Data for the cost analysis were drawn from a multicentre randomised controlled prospective trial to assess the effectiveness of clinical quality management in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Both payer sources and patient cost questionnaires were used to generate health care utilisation data. All cost domains of a recently published matrix were reviewed and potential sources of OOPE were determined. Health care utilisation data were developed throughout 2001. Co-payment regulations as per January 2004 were applied in order to indicate the most recent level of OOPE in Germany. Data were analysed in both physical and monetary units using descriptive statistics. Results: In all, 136 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were included. Mean total OOPE per patient and year was €417.20 (SEM 38.8, median 271.2). OOPE accounted for 15.3% of the total direct costs of rheumatoid arthritis. Total OOPE were further subdivided into cost domains: “non-physician service utilisation”’ (€194.40 per patient and year; SEM 24.2), “medication” (€99.00; 6.1), “transportation” (€56.20; 17.4), “visits to physicians” (€38.40; 0.6), “hospital facilities” (€24.00; 5.6), and “devices and aids” (€5.10; 0.8). Conclusions: Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with substantial OOPE, imposing a considerable economic burden for patients. OOPE contribute significantly to the total health care expenditure in rheumatoid arthritis. The patient perspective has to be taken into account when calculating the overall direct costs of rheumatoid arthritis from a societal point of view.
Discovering Learning Objects Usability Characteristics

Metadata is the key to describe Learning Objects. Through them, we can search and reuse these resources. However, there are pedagogical and usability characteristics that metadata do not normally contain. Sources of additional information such as activity log registers in repositories can help to specify such attributes. Data mining techniques allow identifying Learning Objects usability characteristics. This paper presents the results of applying a knowledge extraction methodology to Learning Objects through the use of four data sources: metadata, pedagogical quality evaluations, user’s profiles, and log files from Learning Objects management systems.
Patch‐based Texture Interpolation

In this paper, we present a novel exemplar‐based technique for the interpolation between two textures that combines patch‐based and statistical approaches. Motivated by the notion of texture as a largely local phenomenon, we warp and blend small image neighborhoods prior to patch‐based texture synthesis. In addition, interpolating and enforcing characteristic image statistics faithfully handles high frequency detail. We are able to create both intermediate textures as well as continuous transitions. In contrast to previous techniques computing a global morphing transformation on the entire input exemplar images, our localized and patch‐based approach allows us to successfully interpolate between textures with considerable differences in feature topology for which no smooth global warping field exists.
Carbohydrate fractions of legumes: uses in human nutrition and potential for health

Starch and fibre can be extracted, using wet or dry processes, from a variety of grain legumes and used as ingredients for food. a-Galactosides can be isolated during wet processes from the soluble extract. Starch isolates or concentrates are mostly produced from peas, whereas dietary fibre fractions from peas and soyabean are commercially available. The physico-chemical characteristics of fibre fractions very much depend on their origin, outer fibres being very cellulosic whereas inner fibres contain a majority of pectic substances. Inner fibres are often used as texturing agents whereas outer fibres find their main uses in bakery and extruded products, where they can be introduced to increase the fibre content of the food. Most investigations on impacts on health have been performed on soyabean fibres. When positive observations were made on lipaemia, glucose tolerance or faecal excretion, they were unfortunately often obtained after non-realistic daily doses of fibres. Legume starches contain a higher amount of amylose than most cereal or tuber starches. This confers these starches a lower bioavailability than that of most starches, when raw or retrograded. Their low glycaemic index can be considered as beneficial for health and especially for the prevention of diseases related to insulin resistance. When partly retrograded, these starches can provide significant amount of butyrate to the colonic epithelium and may help in colon cancer prevention. a-Galactosides are usually considered as responsible for flatus but their apparent prebiotic effects may be an opportunity to valorize these oligosaccharides.
Human Papillomavirus Type-Specific Prevalence in the Cervical Cancer Screening Population of Czech Women

Background Infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV)types has been recognized as a causal factor for the development of cervical cancer and a number of other malignancies. Today, vaccines against HPV, highly effective in the prevention of persistent infection and precancerous lesions, are available for the routine clinical practice. Objectives The data on the prevalence and type-specific HPV distribution in the population of each country are crucial for the surveillance of HPV type-specific prevalence at the onset of vaccination against HPV. Methods Women attending a preventive gynecological examination who had no history of abnormal cytological finding and/or surgery for cervical lesions were enrolled. All samples were tested for the presence of HPV by High-Risk Hybrid Capture 2 (HR HC2) and by a modified PCR-reverse line blot assay with broad spectrum primers (BS-RLB). Results Cervical smears of 1393 women were analyzed. In 6.5% of women, atypical cytological findings were detected. Altogether, 28.3% (394/1393) of women were positive for any HPV type by BS-RLB, 18.2% (254/1393) by HR HC2, and 22.3% (310/1393) by BS-RLB for HR HPV types. In women with atypical findings the prevalence for HR and any HPV types were significantly higher than in women with normal cytological findings. Overall, 36 different HPV types were detected, with HPV 16 being the most prevalent (4.8%). HPV positivity decreased with age; the highest prevalence was 31.5% in the age group 21-25 years. Conclusions Our study subjects represent the real screening population. HPV prevalence in this population in the Czech Republic is higher than in other countries of Eastern Europe. Also the spectrum of the most prevalent HPV types differs from those reported by others but HPV 16 is, concordantly, the most prevalent type. Country-specific HPV type-specific prevalences provide baseline information which will enable to measure the impact of HPV vaccination in the future.