Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Making a difference: implementing the eprints mandate at QUT

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the impact of a university‐wide deposit mandate on the self‐archiving practices of academics and to show how a mandate can make a positive difference.Design/methodology/approach – The paper explains the genesis of the eprints mandate at QUT and outlines the response of the academics to the endorsement of the policy. The implementation of the mandate is then examined in detail, including discussion and evaluation of specific implementation strategies and practices.Findings – The experience of Queensland University of Technology suggests that a university‐wide eprints mandate definitely increases the rate of self‐archiving. Cultural and organisation change takes time, even with a mandate. Advocacy initiatives and implementation strategies have to be aligned with current skills and needs of the researchers. For a self‐deposit system to be successful, the barriers need to be as low as possible.Originality/value – Institutional repository administrators should.
Review and prospects of recycling methods for waste printed circuit boards

As the amount of waste printed circuit boards (PCBs) increases dramatically, methods to recycle them become increasingly important not only for economic reasons but also for environmental ones. PCB recycling methods include mechanical, pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical and biometallurgical processes. By comparing the different technologies available for PCB recycling, we aim to discover the limitations of different recycling methods, ways to overcome these limitations, and potential combinations of these methods so as to realize more economically sound and environmentally friendly recycling of PCBs.
Transceiver design for single-cell and multi-cell downlink multiuser MIMO systems

This thesis designs linear transmitters and receivers (i.e., transceivers) for the downlink multiuser multiple input multiple output (MIMO) uncoordinated and coordinated base station (BS) systems. The transmitters and receivers are designed by assuming perfect and imperfect channel state information (CSI) at the BSs and mobile stations (MSs). Different signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR), mean square error (MSE) and rate-based design criteria are considered. These design criteria are formulated by considering total BS, per BS antenna, per user, per symbol or a combination of per BS antenna and per user (symbol) power constraints. Centralized and distributed algorithms are proposed to examine the design criteria. For the total BS power constrained robust transceiver design problems, we propose uplink-downlink duality based solutions. These duality are established just by transforming the power allocation matrices (which are diagonal) from uplink to downlink channel and vice-versa. And for the more generalized power constrained robust transceiver design problems, we pro- pose new MSE downlink-interference duality based solutions. The new MSE downlink-interference duality are established by formulating the noise covariance matrices of the interference channels as ﬁxed point and marginally stable (convergent) discrete time switched systems for weighted sum rate/MSE and rate/SINR/MSE-based problems, respectively. We have shown that the weighted sum rate maximization problem can be equivalently formulated as weighted sum MSE minimization problem with additional optimization variables and constraints. We also develop distributed transceiver design algorithms to solve weighted sum rate and MSE optimization problems for coordinated BS systems. The distributed transceiver design algorithms employ modiﬁed matrix fractional minimization and Lagrangian dual decomposition methods.
Inférence statistique sur le processus de Mino

Le sujet de cette these concerne l’inference statistique sur le processus de Mino que nous definissons comme un processus auto-excite de memoire 1 dont l’intensite est de forme particuliere. Nous donnons tout d’abord une description generale des processus auto-excites et des methodes possibles pour estimer les parametres de l’intensite de ces processus. Puis, nous considerons le cas particulier d’un processus auto-excite de memoire 1 que l’on rencontre en traitement du signal et que nous avons denomme : processus de Mino. Nous montrons que ce processus est un processus de renouvellement dont les interarrivees ont une distribution particuliere que nous etudions en details. Nous envisageons alors le probleme de l’estimation des parametres de l’intensite du processus de Mino en utilisant la methode du maximum de vraisemblance. Nous resolvons les equations de vraisemblance en utilisant l’algorithme de Newton-Raphson. La methode est appliquee a des donnees simulees. La convergence de l’algorithme de Newton-Raphson est demontree, de meme que l’existence et l’unicite des estimateurs. Nous terminons par la construction d’un test d’hypotheses qui permet de detecter si un processus ponctuel est auto-excite ou non
Streptococcus pneumoniae Causes Experimental Meningitis following Intranasal and Otitis Media Infections via a Nonhematogenous Route

ABSTRACT Using two different animal models of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection, we have demonstrated that this organism is able to spread to the central nervous system and cause meningitis by bypassing the bloodstream. Following respiratory tract infection induced via intranasal inoculation, bacteria were rapidly found in the bloodstream and brains in the majority of infected mice. A similar pattern of dissemination occurred following otitis media infection via transbullar injection of gerbils. However, a small percentage of animals infected by either route showed no bacteria in the blood and yet did have significant numbers of bacteria in brain tissue. Subsequent experiments using a galU mutant of S. pneumoniae, which is impaired in its ability to disseminate to the bloodstream following infection, showed that this organism is able to spread to the brain and cerebrospinal fluid. These results demonstrate that, unlike many bacterial pathogens that cause meningitis, S. pneumoniae is able to do so independent of bloodstream involvement upon different routes of infection. This may address the difficulty in treating human infections caused by this organism.
Goat milk fatty acid composition in the Peninsula of Baja California, Mexico

Objective. The objective of the study was to determine the composition of fatty acids in milk of Creole goats in an extensive production system in an arid region of the peninsula of Baja California and compare it to two seasons of the year (rainy and dry). Materials and methods. Sampling was conducted during the dry season (June) and after the rainy season (December) in the municipality of Comondu in Baja California Sur. The extensive production system used involved releasing goats to roam freely in the rangeland to graze for food, and no additional food or supplements were provided. Results. The most abundant fatty acids were saturated fatty acids (66.3 and 70.9% in the rainy and dry reasons, respectively). The most abundant of these were palmitic, myristic, and stearic acid in both seasons. Monounsaturated fatty acids (15-20%) were the most numerous in terms of isomers, but mostly in low concentrations. The largest average constituent of polyunsaturated fatty acids (5- 6%) was linoleic acid (3%) and alpha-linolenic acid (1.2%) in both seasons. Branched, fatty acid concentrations were highly variable; the only stable constituents were C15:0 iso (1.5%) and C16:0 anti-iso, with 0.7% of total fatty acids. Conclusions. The seasons in this extensive production system significantly effected the composition of most monounsaturated and branched fatty acids in goat milk; however, saturated and polyunsaturated showed only a few compositional changes in abundance of fatty acids. Moreover, season effects were not significant on the total fatty acid content, except for branched fatty acids and omega-3.
Effect of addition of ripe bananas on some physico-chemical properties of maize ‘extract’

Flour mixes obtained by the addition of banana pulp in various proportions (0–50%) to maize ‘extracts’ were evaluated for some quality characteristics. All the mixes had significantly lower values of crude protein, fat and water-holding capacity. Gelation, however, significantly increased the water-holding capacity in all cases. The ash content, titratable acidity and total sugars increased tremendously with an increase in the level of banana substitution. While both Adam's consistency values and equilibrium moisture content decreased with an increase in the level of banana substitution, the syneresis values did not show any consistent pattern. The consistently low moisture content and the results of the moisture sorption isotherms suggest a good storage stability of all the mixes, especially when kept under conditions of water activity of 0.30 and below, and their possible suitability for baked products.
The Prediction of the Man-Hour in Aircraft Assembly Based on Support Vector Machine Particle Swarm Optimization

As the representative of manufacturing industry, aircraft assembly lacks of effective method to forecast man-hour. The forecasting accuracy of existing methods is universally pretty low. On the basis of full analysis of aircraft assembly's feature, this study proposes a forecasting model based on support vector machine (SVM), which is optimized by particle swarm optimization. It can carry out quantitative prediction of the process' man-hour during aircraft's assembly. Firstly, we decompose aircraft's assembly work by the concept of work breakdown structure. Further, the process parameters related to man-hour were listed and we made necessary correlation analysis of these historical data. Parameters with high contribution are then used as input of forecasting model. A new forecasting model utilizing SVM is proposed, which carries out the process as the minimum research granularity. Its performance is compared with back propagation neural network. The process of automatic drilling & riveting is adopted as an example in order to present and validate the model. Experimental results reflect that SVM has high forecast precision and good fitness, so that it is suitable for small sample prediction. Through the optimization, it can effectively predict man-hour of assembly work in a short time while maintaining sufficient accuracy.
IgG4-related disease in Italy: clinical features and outcomes of a large cohort of patients

Objectives: To describe the clinical features, treatment response, and follow-up of a large cohort of Italian patients with immunoglobulin (Ig)G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) referred to a single tertiary care centre. Method: Clinical, laboratory, histological, and imaging features were retrospectively reviewed. IgG4-RD was classified as ‘definite’ or ‘possible’ according to international consensus guidelines and comprehensive diagnostic criteria for IgG4-RD. Disease activity was assessed by means of the IgG4-RD Responder Index (IgG4-RD RI). Results: Forty-one patients (15 females, 26 males) were included in this study: 26 with ‘definite’ IgG4-RD and 15 with ‘possible’ IgG4-RD. The median age at diagnosis was 62 years. The median follow-up was 36 months (IQR 24–51). A history of atopy was present in 30% of patients. The pancreas, retroperitoneum, and major salivary glands were the most frequently involved organs. Serum IgG4 levels were elevated in 68% of cases. Thirty-six patients were initially treated with glucocorticoids (GCs) to induce remission. IgG4-RD RI decreased from a median of 7.8 at baseline to 2.9 after 1 month of therapy. Relapse occurred in 19/41 patients (46%) and required additional immunosuppressive drugs to maintain long-term remission. Multiple flares occurred in a minority of patients. A single case of orbital pseudotumour did not respond to medical therapy and underwent surgical debulking. Conclusions: IgG4-RD is an elusive inflammatory disease to be considered in the differential diagnosis of isolated or multiple tumefactive lesions. Long-term disease control can be achieved with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs in the majority of cases.
The epstein‐barr virus: Host balance in acute infectious mononucleosis patients receiving acyclovir anti‐viral therapy

This report describes the first of 2 investigations studying mechanisms of Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) persistence in the infected host; specifically, we wish to determine the extent to which virus carriage within the B‐cell system is dependent upon continued replication of the virus in permissive oropharyngeal epithelium. Levels of EBV infection at these 2 sites have been monitored in 21 acute infectious mononucleosis (IM) patients before, during and after treatment with high doses of acyclovir (ACV). Twelve patients received oral ACV for 10 days and 9 patients received i.v. ACV for 5 days before the 10‐day oral course; all were followed prospectively for 28 days. Infectious EBV, detectable at high initial levels in the patients' throat washings, disappeared almost completely during ACV treatment, then returned again to high levels post treatment. In contrast, levels of virus‐infected B cells in the blood showed no reduction linked to the period of ACV treatment nor any increase with resumption of EBV shedding. During IM, therefore, maintenance of high levels of virus carriage within the B‐cell pool is not dependent upon the continual recruitment of newly infected B cells. This might reflect an inability of the immune T‐cell response in acute IM patients to prevent continued expansion of the existing EBV‐infected B‐cell pool. Alternatively, it raises the possibility that EBV carriage in B cells in vivo is maintained through a virus: cell interaction which is not sensitive to virus‐specific T‐cell surveillance.
Herpes simplex virus induces intracellular redistribution of E2F4 and accumulation of E2F pocket protein complexes.

Accumulation of E2F-p107 and E2F-pRB DNA binding complexes occurred after herpes simplex virus infection of U2-OS cells. Accumulation of E2F-p107 also occurred by 4 h p.i. in C33 cells. This corresponded to a time when host DNA synthesis was reduced by 50%, and lagged by >/=1 h, the onset of viral DNA synthesis. To determine the basis for increased nuclear E2F complexes, we investigated the effects of virus infection on the intracellular distribution of the E2F-dependent DNA binding complexes and their protein constituents. Western blot analyses of whole cell extracts revealed that amounts of E2F4, E2F1, DP1, and p107 remained unchanged after infection of C33 cells. Analysis of cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions, however, revealed that cytoplasmic E2F4 decreased and nuclear E2F4 increased. This correlated with a loss of cytoplasmic E2F DNA-binding activity and a corresponding increase in nuclear DNA-binding activity. Concomitant with its redistribution, the apparent molecular weight of total and p107-associated E2F4 increased, at least partially as a result of protein phosphorylation. Increased nuclear E2F-pRB in U2-OS cells was accompanied by the conversion of pRB from a hyper- to a hypophosphorylated state. Infection of U2-OS cells with viral mutants indicated that viral protein IE ICP4 was necessary for the decrease in cytoplasmic E2F-p107, and that viral protein DE ICP8 was required for nuclear accumulation of p107-E2F. In contrast, ICP8 was not required for accumulation of E2F-pRB. These results indicate that the increase in E2F-p107 may be explained by the redistribution and modification of E2F4 and the increase in E2F-pRB by modification of pRB.
Entry of adenovirus 2 into HeLa cells

Adenovirus 2 (Ad2) uncoating was analyzed as the destabilization of virions which renders the parental genome sensitive to DNase treatment. This event demonstrated a strong temperature dependence, and an Arrhenius plot of initial uncoating rates revealed an inflection point at around 16 degrees C. Activation energies of 331 kJ/mol below and 88 kJ/mol above this temperature were obtained for the uncoating process. Penetration of Ad2 through the plasma membrane was completely inhibited by sodium azide, whereas uncoating was only slightly influenced. This indicated that uncoating had already taken place at the outside of the plasma membrane. Incubations of Ad2 with isolated plasma membranes and cell homogenates showed that intact and metabolizing cells were required for uncoating. We further suggest, based on the inhibitory patterns of EDTA, EGTA, dansylcadaverine, and dithiothreitol, that this destabilization of virions follows upon reorganization in the plasma membrane. In the electron microscope the involvement of coated vesicles was shown for the initial uptake of virions, possibly followed by the engagement of acidic vesicles as judged from the effects of lysosomotropic agents on gene expression. The vectorial transport of virions from the plasma membrane to the nucleus was not affected by reagents interfering with the cytoskeletal system. Consequently, we propose that Ad2 virions are internalized by adsorptive endocytosis.
Cloning of high molecular weight gluten subunit promoter and study on its function in wheat

The aim of this work was to study the cloning and characterization of HMW-GS 1Dx2 promoter from Triticum aestivum. A 1050 bp partial promoter fragment including a putative TATA box and 5' encoding sequence of the gene was cloned by amplifying the upstream sequences using the nest-PCR with appropriate primers. The analysis of the promoter sequence against the PLACE (Plant cis-acting Regulatory DNA Elements) database showed the presence of certain putative endosperm-specific regulatory cis-elements in the sequence along with the TATA and CAAT boxes. The histochemical method detected the transient expressions of GUS in the seeds of wheat. The results showed that HMW-GS 1Dx2 promoter had the endosperm-specific transcription activity in the wheat seeds.
Scalability Analysis of mRMR for Microarray Data

Lately, derived from the Big Data problem, researchers in Machine Learning became also interested not only in accuracy, but also in scalability. Although scalability of learning methods is a trending issue, scalability of feature selection methods has not received the same amount of attention. In this research, an attempt to study scalability of both Feature Selection and Machine Learning on microarray datasets will be done. For this sake, the minimum redundancy maximum relevance (mRMR) filter method has been chosen, since it claims to be very adequate for this type of datasets. Three synthetic databases which reflect the problematics of microarray will be evaluated with new measures, based not only in an accurate selection but also in execution time. The results obtained are presented and discussed.
Use of Ontologies to Support the Situation Room Metaphor as an Auction Engine for Corporate Information and Knowledge Exchange

In this paper, we present a methodology for modelling corporate interactions using the concept of the situation room as a supporting paradigm. Such an approach enables a way to model interactions of a rather idiosyncratic nature, in this instance a closed corporate auction market that is concerned with the exchange and valuation of intangible goods, namely information per se. Work presented in this paper forms part of a wider research in defining a methodological framework for Situation Room Analysis (SRA), and its deployment for complex auctions systems study. Using this approach we propose the use of ontologies as a powerful means to support the implementation of multi‐party collaboration and decision‐making activities that build on the paradigm of a Situation Room (SR). The approach is characterized as top‐down in that the SR paradigm is conceptualized through three related models: the Situation Room Model (SRM), the Information Management Model (IMM) and the Situation Analysis Model (SAM). The ontolog.
Clouds in the perturbed climate system : their relationship to energy balance, atmospheric dynamics, and precipitation

More than half the globe is covered by visible clouds. Clouds control major parts of the Earth's energy balance, influencing both incoming shortwave solar radiation and outgoing longwave thermal radiation. Latent heating and cooling related to cloud processes modify atmospheric circulation, and, by modulating sea surface temperatures, clouds affect the oceanic circulation. Clouds are also an essential component of the global water cycle, on which all terrestrial life depends. Yet clouds constitute the most poorly quantified, least understood, and most puzzling aspect of atmospheric science, and thus the largest source of uncertainty in the prediction of climate change. Because clouds are influenced by climate change, and because complex, unidentified feedback systems are involved, science is faced with many unanswered questions. This volume begins by indentifying and describing the baffling nature of clouds. It explores the boundaries of current knowledge on the spatial/temporal variability of clouds and cloud-related aerosols as well as the factors that control clouds, and examines the extent and nature of anthropogenic perturbations. Particular emphasis is given to the connections of clouds to climate through radiation, dynamics, precipitation, and chemistry, and to the difficulties in understanding the obvious but elusive fact that clouds must be affected by climate change. Utilizing the insights of this unique gathering of experts, the book offers recommendations to improve the current state of knowledge and direct future research in fields ranging from chemistry and theoretical physics to climate modeling and remote satellite sensing.
INTERFACIAL COMPATIBILITY OF POLYMER-BASED STRUCTURES IN ELECTRONICS

Interfacial compatibility of dissimilar materials was investigated to achieve a better understanding of interfacial adhesion in metal/polymer/metal systems. Surface modifications of polymers were applied to improve the adhesion. The modified surfaces were characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle measurements accompanied by surface free energy evaluations. The pull-off test was employed to assess the interfacial adhesion strength. Further, to determine the controlling adhesion mechanism, the fracture surfaces exposed in the pull-off test were examined by microscopy. To achieve modification of certain bulk properties of one of the evaluated polymers (SU8 epoxy resin), new star-shaped oligomers were synthesised and reactively blended with it. Oligomers were characterised by H and C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Films of the blends were spin coated on a silicon wafer for characterisation of the refractive index and a novel non-destructive method was developed to measure selected thermal properties of the films. The information concerning interfacial compatibility obtained in this work is of great practical as well as theoretical importance.
POETIC TEXT PROCESSING

L'A. presente un modele de traitement du texte poetique en prenant en compte la question du traitement specifique au contexte et au genre. Ce modele integre des positions theoriques issues des etudes litteraires et des preuves empiriques issues de la recherche sur la lecture, de l'etude empirique de la litterature, de la linguistique et de la psychologie cognitive. Il possede trois composants de base : un composant pour la categorisation du texte poetique, un composant de construction pour la generation d'une representation interne du texte poetique et un composant de production pour l'elaboration d'une interpretation litteraire ecrite
A modified Burg algorithm for maximum entropy spectral analysis

It is indicated that the error associated with the Burg frequency estimator for a truncated real sinusoid in noise can be reduced on using a simple window function in the computation of the coefficient a<inf>mm</inf>in the mth-order prediction-error filter (1, a<inf>m1</inf>,., a<inf>mm</inf>).