Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Omnivory in Bees: Elevated Trophic Positions among All Major Bee Families

As pollen and nectar foragers, bees have long been considered strictly herbivorous. Their pollen provisions, however, are host to abundant microbial communities, which feed on the pollen before and/or while it is consumed by bee larvae. In the process, microbes convert pollen into a complex of plant and microbial components. Since microbes are analogous to metazoan consumers within trophic hierarchies, the pollen-eating microbes are, functionally, herbivores. When bee larvae consume a microbe-rich pollen complex, they ingest proteins from plant and microbial sources and thus should register as omnivores on the trophic “ladder. ” We tested this hypothesis by examining the isotopic compositions of amino acids extracted from native bees collected in North America over multiple years. We measured bee trophic position across the six major bee families. Our findings indicate that bee trophic identity was consistently and significantly higher than that of strict herbivores, providing the first evidence that omnivory is ubiquitous among bee fauna. Such omnivory suggests that pollen-borne microbes represent an important protein source for larval bees, which introduces new questions as to the link between floral fungicide residues and bee development.
Yeast Rad7-Rad16 Complex, Specific for the Nucleotide Excision Repair of the Nontranscribed DNA Strand, Is an ATP-dependent DNA Damage Sensor*

In eukaryotes, nucleotide excision repair of ultraviolet light-damaged DNA is a highly intricate process that requires a large number of evolutionarily conserved protein factors. Genetic studies in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae have indicated a specific role of the RAD7 and RAD16genes in the repair of transcriptionally inactive DNA. Here we show that the RAD7- and RAD16-encoded products exist as a complex of 1:1 stoichiometry, exhibiting an apparent dissociation constant (K d ) of <4 × 10−10 m. The Rad7-Rad16 complex has been purified to near homogeneity in this study and is shown to bind, in an ATP-dependent manner and with high specificity, to DNA damaged by ultraviolet light. Importantly, inclusion of the Rad7-Rad16 complex in the in vitro nucleotide excision repair system that consists entirely of purified components results in a marked stimulation of damage specific incision. Thus, Rad7-Rad16 complex is the ATP-dependent DNA damage sensor that specifically functions with the ensemble of nucleotide excision repair factor (NEF) 1, NEF2, NEF3, and replication protein A in the repair of transcriptionally inactive DNA. We name this novel complex of Rad7 and Rad16 proteins NEF4.
Non-rigid point matching: algorithms, extensions and applications

Non-Rigid Point Matching: Algorithms, Extensions and Applications Haili Chui Yale University 2001 A new algorithm has been developed in this thesis for the non-rigid point matching problem. Designed as an integrated framework, the algorithm jointly estimates a one-to-one correspondence and a non-rigid transformation between two sets of points. The resulting algorithm is called “robust point matching (RPM) algorithm” because of its capability to tolerate noise and to reject possible outliers existed within the data points. The algorithm is built upon the heuristic of “fuzzy correspondence”, which allows for multiple partial correspondences between points. With the help of the deterministic annealing technique, this new heuristic enables the algorithm to overcome many local minima that can be encountered in the matching process. Devised as a general point matching framework, the algorithm can be easily extended to accommodate different speci£c requirements in many registration applications. Firstly, the modular design of the transformation module enables convenient incorporation of different non-rigid splines. Secondly, the point matching algorithm can be easily extended into a symmetric joint clustering-matching framework. It will be shown that by introducing a super point-set, the joint cluster-matching extension can be applied to estimate an average shape point-set from multiple point shape sets. The algorithm is applied to the registration of 3D brain anatomical structures. We proposed in this work a joint feature registration framework, which is mainly based on the joint clustering-matching extension of the robust point matching. The proposed framework provides an effective and uni£ed way to utilize spatial relationship existed between different brain structural features to improve the brain anatomical registration/normalization. For the £rst time, a carefully designed synthetic study is carried out to investigate and compare different anatomical features’ abilities to achieve such an registration/normalization. Other applications of the robust non-rigid point matching algorithm, such as key-frame animation and human face matching, will also be demonstrated in this work. Non-Rigid Point Matching: Algorithms, Extensions and Applications A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Yale University in Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Haili Chui Dissertation Director: Anand Rangarajan January 2001 c © 2001 by Haili Chui ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Designing Network Monitoring Schemes Based on Segment Routing

Network monitoring is important to guarantee the reliable end-to-end communications. Segment routing can be used to reduce network monitoring cost. The associated minimum cycle cover problem is to find a set of cycles such that (a) all cycles pass through a given monitor/source node, (b) each link in the network belongs to at least one cycle, (c) each cycle has a segment list no bigger than a given threshold K, and (d) the cycle cover length is minimized. To the best of our knowledge, SCMon is the first network monitoring scheme based on segment routing. But instead of directly minimizing the cycle cover length, SCMon focuses on reducing the number of cycles required. In this paper, four new algorithms, denoted by A, B, C and D, are proposed to solve the minimum cycle cover problem. Among them, algorithm A is a simple extension of SCMon by focusing on reducing the cycle cover length. Algorithm B adopts a new notion of symmetric cycles. Algorithm C enhances B by using a new path metric for constructing cycles. Algorithm D enhances C with a parallel cycle construction process. We show that all four algorithms outperform SCMon and when K is large, algorithms B, C and D can always find optimal solutions.
THERAPEUTIC SUGGESTIONS IN OCCULT CHRONIC HYPERTRANSAMINASEMIA

Less than 25% of asymptomatic adults have elevated levels of transaminases on a first evaluation, one third of these patients have normal values on a retest. From those who have elevated ALT on retest, some prove to suffer from an acute liver disease (with normal ALT in less than 6 months), and the others represent the category of chronic (more than 6 months) elevation of transaminases. The etiology of chronic hypertransaminasemia can be elucidated in 90% of the cases, due to liver disease with occult/ atypical evolution, or extra-hepatic causes of chronic elevation of transaminases. The 10% left represent the category of unexplained (obscure cause) elevation of transaminases. The occult/atypical evolution liver diseases are represented by chronic viral hepatitis (HBV, HCV), alcohol consumption, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), congestion liver, drugs and liver toxic substances, autoimmune hepatitis, Wilson's disease, α1 antitrypsin deficiency, parasitic diseases. The extra-hepatic causes that can determinate chronic elevations of transaminases are haemolysis, soft muscle diseases (polymyositis), occult celiac sprue, suprarenal insufficiency, thyroid pathology. There still remains 10% of the patients in witch the etiology can not be explained. Usually these patients are kept under surveillance, periodic reevaluation, and undergo a second liver biopsy; witch may reveal nonspecific lesions, NASH, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis. There are cases in witch on the surveillance period it was observed a spontaneous normalization of transaminases. Chronic hypertransaminasemia is quite frequent, and has a high addressability to the physician from patients with this type of pathology, being for most of them a discovery by chance on a routine blood check. It is also important to have a clear diagnosis to start the specific treatment for those patients who can benefit out of it as soon as possible.
Avaliação da Disponibilidade de Espaços Verdes Públicos no Contexto Urbano e a Sua Relação com a Perceção dos Residentes. Um Estudo para a Cidade de Bragança, Portugal

Los espacios verdes publicos urbanos (EVPU) son elementos fundamentales en la ciudad. Este estudio sobre Braganca (Portugal), tuvo como objetivo la evaluacion de la oferta de EVPU y de las actitudes y percepciones de los residentes. De la aplicacion de los indicadores resulta que esta ciudad presenta una oferta desigual, con un deficit de oferta en los barrios de expansion urbana. La lectura de las percepciones y actitudes demuestra que gran parte de los encuestados hacia uso de los EVPU, con actitudes diferenciadas, entre las que se destaca: las visitas a EVPU de mayor dimension y en desplazamientos peatonales cortos. La lectura cualitativa fue positiva, sin embargo, hay diferencias en la percepcion de calidad por barrios corroborada por la aplicacion de los indicadores.
EnergyNet: Energy-based Adaptive Structural Learning of Artificial Neural Network Architectures

We present E NERGY N ET , a new framework for analyzing and building artificial neural network architectures. Our approach adaptively learns the structure of the networks in an unsupervised manner. The methodology is based upon the theoretical guarantees of the energy function of restricted Boltzmann machines (RBM) of infinite number of nodes. We present experimental results to show that the final network adapts to the complexity of a given problem.
A Zero-Voltage-Switching, Physically Flexible Multilevel GaN DC–DC Converter

Improving the power density of a power converter has many benefits for systems integration. Aspects such as thermal management, weight, conformation to mounting locations, and the footprint of the converter all become critical factors as systems continue to scale down in size. The flying capacitor multilevel converter topology is of interest because it has characteristics which contribute to high power density. This paper presents a quasi-square-wave zero-voltage switching (ZVS) multilevel dc–dc converter. ZVS greatly reduces switching losses and enables high-frequency operation of the converter. A hardware prototype is implemented, built on a flexible polyimide substrate circuit board. Experimental results show a peak system efficiency above 98.1%, an effective switching frequency of up to 3 MHz, and a power output of 250 W.
Effects of Curved Periacetabular Osteotomy on the Stress Fields of the Pubic Rami and Ischium: A Finite Element Model Analysis

Background: Postoperative pubic or ischial stress fracture may be a complication after curved periacetabular osteotomy (CPO). The discontinuity of the superior pubic rami is a risk factor for this complication. We investigated the stress field differences in standing and sitting positions after CPO. Methods: We used finite element analysis to assess the effects of inferior pubic rami and ischial fractures with or without discontinuity of superior pubic rami. We used the “union model”, obtained from a bony union at the osteotomy site of the superior pubic rami from 38-year-old woman who had undergone CPO for left hip dysplasia. We deleted the bony union region and created a discontinuity in the superior pubic rami equal to the non-union, creating the “discontinuity model”. We compared the stress field and stress value in the simulated standing and half weight-bearing positions on the operative side, one-legged standing position on the non-operative side, and the sitting position. Findings: In 4 cases, the inferior rami experienced the highest stress. Stress values in the discontinuity model were higher than those in the union model: 1.7 times in the case of one-legged standing on the operative side, 2.4 times in the case of half weight-bearing on the operative side, 3.8 times in the case of one-legged standing on the non-operative side, and 2.0 times in the sitting position, respectively. Interpretation: We recommend patients delay weight bearing on the operative side, avoid the sitting position as long as possible, and sit down slowly to prevent inferior pubic rami and ischial fractures after CPO.
Mobile wireless sensor networks coverage maximization by firefly algorithm

Wireless sensor networks have many applications and accordingly represent an active research area. Coverage maximization of the area of interest by sensors that have limited sensing radius is an important hard optimization problem. Since sensors are initially often deployed randomly one way of solving maximal coverage problem is by using mobile sensors that move to optimal positions. Since power in sensor nodes is limited, minimization of the sensor nodes movement is secondary optimization goal. In this paper we propose use of recent swarm intelligence algorithm, firefly algorithm, for optimization of that hard multiobjective problem. We tested our approach on standard benchmark data and compared results with other techniques from literature. Our proposed approach was better considering all quality measures: coverage, energy consumption, robustness and convergence speed.
Inflammatory cancer of the breast: Analysis of 114 cases

One hundred and fourteen cases of inflammatory breast cancer were reviewed. Actuarial survival curves, independent of the stage and type of treatment, showed a median survival of less than 15 months. As regards the three different subgroups of 80, 14, and 20 women, N0–1–2M0, N3M0, and NxM1 respectively, the actuarial survival curves showed figures of median survival that decreased from 14 to 4 months, according to the extent of the disease. Survival rates for the subgroups of patients treated by radical mastectomy, radical mastectomy followed by radiotherapy, and radiotherapy alone were not significantly different. Neither the more sophisticated therapeutic approaches intended to modify the hormonal medium of the patients, nor the combined chemotherapy plus radiotherapy, proved to be successful. Inflammatory breast cancer should be considered a systemic disease; consequently, in spite of discouraging results, only a systemic therapeutic approach, consisting of aggressive combination chemotherapy and perhaps immunostimulation, seems worthwhile.
Mass spectrometry for the evaluation of cardiovascular diseases based on proteomics and lipidomics

Summary The identification and quantification of proteins and lipids is of major importance for the diagnosis, prognosis and understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in disease development. Owing to its selectivity and sensitivity, mass spectrometry has become a key technique in analytical platforms for proteomic and lipidomic investigations. Using this technique, many strategies have been developed based on unbiased or targeted approaches to highlight or monitor molecules of interest from biomatrices. Although these approaches have largely been employed in cancer research, this type of investigation has been met by a growing interest in the field of cardiovascular disorders, potentially leading to the discovery of novel biomarkers and the development of new therapies. In this paper, we will review the different mass spectrometry- based proteomic and lipidomic strategies applied in cardiovascular diseases, especially atherosclerosis. Particular attention will be given to recent developments and the role of bioinformatics in data treatment. This review will be of broad interest to the medical community by providing a tutorial of how mass spectrometric strategies can support clinical trials.
Distribution and specificity of mutations induced by neocarzinostatin in the lacI gene of Escherichia coli

Although neocarzinostatin (NCS) attacks DNA almost exclusively at adenine and thymine residues in vitro, exposure of Escherichia coli to this antitumor drug resulted in a high frequency of mutations at guanine:cytosine base pairs in the lacI gene. Thus, NCS-induced base substitution mutations do not appear to result from the major DNA lesions that have been biochemically characterized. The overall distribution of nonsense mutations produced by NCS was distinctly nonrandom, consisting in part of a few "hotspots" and a large number of "coldspots. " The existence of these coldspots implies that untargeted mutagenesis does not make a significant contribution to the mutations induced by this SOS-dependent mutagen.
Cumulative Beam Breakup due to Resistive-Wall Wake

The cumulative beam breakup problem excited by the resistive-wall wake is formulated. An approximate analytic method of finding the asymptotic behavior for the transverse bunch displacement is developed and solved. Comparison between the asymptotic analytical expression and the direct numerical solution is presented. Good agreement is found. The criterion of using the asymptotic analytical expression is discussed.
Identification de termes flous et génériques dans la documentation technique : expérimentation avec l’analyse distributionnelle automatique

Cette etude se place dans le cadre du developpement des ressources linguistiques utilisees par un systeme de verification automatique de documentations techniques comme les specifications. Notre objectif est d'etendre semi-automatiquement des classes de termes intrinsequement flous ainsi que des termes generiques afin d'ameliorer le systeme de detection de passages ambigus reconnus comme des facteurs de risque. Nous mesurons et comparons l'efficacite de methodes d'analyse distributionnelle automatiques en comparant les resultats obtenus sur des corpus de taille et de degre de specialisation variables pour une liste reduite de termes amorces. Nous montrons que si un corpus de taille trop reduite est inutilisable, son extension automatique par des documents similaires donne des resultats complementaires a ceux que produit l'analyse distributionnelle sur de gros corpus generiques.
Building footprint extraction from digital surface models using neural networks

Two-dimensional building footprints are a basis for many applications: from cartography to three-dimensional building models generation. Although, many methodologies have been proposed for building footprint extraction, this topic remains an open research area. Neural networks are able to model the complex relationships between the multivariate input vector and the target vector. Based on these abilities we propose a methodology using neural networks and Markov Random Fields (MRF) for automatic building footprint extraction from normalized Digital Surface Model (nDSM) and satellite images within urban areas. The proposed approach has mainly two steps. In the first step, the unary terms are learned for the MRF energy function by a four-layer neural network. The neural network is learned on a large set of patches consisting of both nDSM and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Then prediction is performed to calculate the unary terms that are used in the MRF. In the second step, the energy function is minimized using a maxflow algorithm, which leads to a binary building mask. The building extraction results are compared with available ground truth. The comparison illustrates the efficiency of the proposed algorithm which can extract approximately 80% of buildings from nDSM with high accuracy.
The emergence of dieting among female adolescents: age, body mass index, and seasonal effects.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this brief report is to document the emergence of dieting in adolescent girls across a 2-year period, and to establish whether the changes in dieting status were related to the girls' age, body mass index, or to seasonal effects. METHOD As part of a large-scale longitudinal study concerned with adolescent health and well-being, 478 girls, initially aged 12 to 16 years old, completed Strong and Huon's (Eating Disorders 5:97-104, 1997) dieting status measure on four separate occasions across a 2-year period. RESULTS A total of 273 girls (57.1%) identified themselves as nondieters when we first visited their school. Of those, approximately 20% indicated that they had begun to diet on one of the subsequent testing occasions. The emergence of dieting was observed to occur more in the 13- and 14-year-olds than in any other age group. Higher body mass index was not associated with the initiation of dieting as some underweight, and even very underweight girls, began to diet. DISCUSSION The emergence of dieting occurs in early adolescence and might be triggered by concerns about changes in body shape.
A yeast two-hybrid study on self-association of the ORF2 protein of hepatitis E virus.

Hepatitis E virus is a human RNA virus containing three open reading frames. Of these, ORF2 encodes the major capsid protein (pORF2) and may possess regulatory functions, in addition to a structural one. In this study, we have shown using the yeast two-hybrid system and in vitro immobilization experiments that full-length pORF2 is capable of self-association, thus forming a homodimer. Using mutational analysis we have studied dimerization of various truncated versions of the ORF2 capsid protein using the yeast two-hybrid system and supported our findings with in vitro immobilization experiments. Deletions of pORF2 reveal a loss of the dimerization potential for all deletions except an N-terminal 127-amino-acid deletion. Our studies suggest that the dimerization property of pORF2 may not be amino-acid sequence dependent but instead a complex formation of a specific tertiary structure that imparts pORF2 its property to self-associate.
The Bateman approach towards achieving economic and financial requirements for feasibility studies

Bateman, like other engineering contractors, carries out or participates in many studies of potential projects in the Minerals Industry. This paper aims to explain the contracting approach to feasibility studies as practiced by Bateman, particularly where this differs from a traditional mining company approach. A brief descriptionption is provided of the usual phases of a project and the types of estimate needed to proceed from one phase to the next. Possible organizational structures involving different forms of association between owner, contractor and consultants are then outlined. The bulk of the paper then demonstrates that the cost estimates prepared stem directly from the mining plan, metallurgical process design and engineering design philosophy. The steps to be followed in order to prepare a credible estimate which accurately reflects the design constraints are descriptionbed. The importance and the methodology of carrying out value engineering and of preparing contingency estimates based on a thorough risk analysis exercise are then discussed. Financial modelling techniques are descriptionbed briefly. The paper concludes with short summary case studies of two recent investigations of potential projects in Africa.