Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Taming Near Repeat Calculation for Crime Analysis via Cohesive Subgraph Computing

Near repeat (NR) is a well known phenomenon in crime analysis assuming that crime events exhibit cor- relations within a given time and space frame. Traditional NR calculation generates 2 event pairs if 2 events happened within a given space and time limit. When the number of events is large, however, NR calculation is time consuming and how these pairs are organized are not yet explored. In this paper, we designed a new approach to calculate clusters of NR events efficiently. To begin with, R-tree is utilized to index crime events, a single event is represented by a vertex whereas edges are constructed by range querying the vertex in R-tree, and a graph is formed. Cohesive subgraph approaches are applied to identify the event chains. k-clique, k-truss, k- core plus DBSCAN algorithms are implemented in sequence with respect to their varied range of ability to find cohesive subgraphs. Real world crime data in Chicago, New York and Washington DC are utilized to conduct experiments. The experiment confirmed that near repeat is a solid effect in real big crime data by conducting Mapreduce empowered knox tests. The performance of 4 different algorithms are validated, while the quality of the algorithms are gauged by the distribution of number of cohesive subgraphs and their clustering coefficients. The proposed framework is the first to process the real crime data of million record scale, and is the first to detect NR events with size of more than 2.
Di-tert-butyl 2,2′-[9H-fluorene-9,9-diylbis(p-phenyleneoxy)]diacetate

In the title molecule, C37H38O6, the non-fused C atom belonging to the five-membered ring of the fluorene system is connected to two p-phenylene rings, the rings opening up the Caryl–C—Caryl angle to 113.1 (1)°. The four-atom –O–CH2–C(=O)–O– chain between the p-phenylene ring and the tert-butyl group assumes a more regular W-shaped conformation for one substituent [O—C—C—C torsion angle = 171.9 (2)°] but a less regular W-shaped conformation for the other [torsion angle = 147.4 (2)°].
Piecewise-continuous observers for linear systems with sampled and delayed output

The paper presents a new class of state observers for linear systems with sampled and delayed output measurements. These observers are derived using the theory of a particular class of hybrid systems called piecewise-continuous systems, and can be easily implemented. The performances of the piecewise-continuous observers are compared with the performances of state observers designed using the Lyapunov–Krasovskii techniques. A piecewise-continuous observer is designed and implemented to an experimental visual servoing platform.
A Conditional Approach to Hedge Fund Risk

This article applies a two-step conditional Bayesian approach to hedge fund risk. First, a mixture of two normal distributions is estimated for a core asset; one distribution being identified as linked to a “quiet” regime and the other to a “hectic” regime. The conditional probabilities of each regime are then inferred and a mixture of distributions is deduced for peripheral assets. The core asset is alternatively chosen as the S&P index or the Baa/Treasuries yield spread whereas the peripheral assets are chosen to be the major hedge funds strategies over the period 1990–2004. This methodology has several advantages given specific features of hedge funds returns, notably non-linear exposure to standard assets returns and short sample history. Significant changes in the distribution (mean and standard deviation) of hedge fund returns are identified across regimes. Results are less clear-cut for the correlation with standard assets, as modifications can be imputed to a certain extent to a form of selection bias. An application of this methodology to stress tests on hedge funds portfolios is presented.
Requirements and Analysis of Media Security Management Protocols

This documents describes requirements for a protocol to negotiate security context for SIP-signaled SRTP media. In addition to the natural security requirements, this negotiation protocol must interoperate well with SIP in certain ways. A number of proposals have been published and a summary of these proposals is in the appendix of this document.
Modelling the impact of vaccination on tuberculosis in badgers

SUMMARY Tuberculosis (TB) in livestock, caused by Mycobacterium bovis, persists in many countries. In the UK and Ireland, efforts to control TB through culling of badgers (Meles meles), the principal wildlife host, have failed and there is significant interest in vaccination of badgers as an alternative or complementary strategy. Using a simulation model, we show that where TB is self-contained within the badger population and there are no external sources of infection, limited-duration vaccination at a high level of efficacy can reduce or even eradicate TB from the badger population. However, where sources of external infection persist, benefits in TB reduction in badgers can only be achieved by ongoing, annual vaccination. Vaccination is likely to be most effective as part of an integrated disease management strategy incorporating a number of different approaches across the entire host community.
Prevention and Management of Post–Lumbar Puncture Headache in Pediatric Oncology Patients

Pediatric oncology patients are at risk for developing a headache after they undergo a lumbar puncture for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. These headaches are likely due to leakage of cerebrospinal fluid at the puncture site. While usually mild and self-limited, some headaches may be persistent and severe, adding to the distress of these young patients. In the past 10 years, refinements in lumbar needle size and shape as well as procedural techniques have reduced the tissue trauma that predisposes patients to headache. A number of interventions, such as bed rest, hydration, caffeine administration, and epidural blood patching, have been suggested to prevent and relieve the headaches that follow lumbar punctures. This article outlines the pathophysiology and incidence of headaches related to lumbar punctures in the pediatric oncology setting and reviews the evidence from research trials to suggest which interventions clinicians should adopt into their practice to minimize this complication of lumbar punctures.
Towards Understanding the Evolution of the WWW Conference

The World Wide Web conference is a well-established and mature venue with an already long history. Over the years it has been attracting papers reporting many important research achievements centered around the Web. In this work we aim at understanding the evolution of WWW conference series by detecting crucial years and important topics. We propose a simple yet novel approach based on tracking the classification errors of the conference papers according to their predicted publication years.
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Nef-induced down-modulation of CD4 is due to rapid internalization and degradation of surface CD4

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Nef is a myristylated protein with a relative molecular mass of 27 kDa, is localized to the cytoplasmic surfaces of cellular membranes, and has been reported to down-modulate CD4 in human T cells. To understand the mechanism of HIV-1 Nef-mediated down-modulation of cell surface CD4, we expressed Nef protein in human T-cell line VB. Expression of HIV-1 Nef protein down-modulated surface CD4 molecules. In pulse-chase experiments, CD4 molecules in Nef-expressing cells were synthesized at normal levels. However, the bulk of newly synthesized CD4 protein was degraded with a half-life of approximately 6 h, compared with the 24-h half-life in control cells. This Nef-induced acceleration of CD4 turnover was inhibited by lysosomotropic agents NH4Cl and chloroquine as well as by the protease inhibitor leupeptin. Surface CD4 biotinylation experiments demonstrated that CD4 molecules in Nef-expressing T cells are transported to the plasma membrane with normal kinetics but are then rapidly internalized. Therefore, HIV-1 Nef-induced down-modulation of CD4 is due to rapid internalization of surface CD4 and subsequent degradation by an acid-dependent process, potentially lysosomal. Additionally, in a Nef-expressing cell, we find accelerated dissociation of the T-cell tyrosine kinase p56lck and CD4 but only after the complex reaches the plasma membrane. This implies that HIV-1 Nef protein might play a role in triggering a series of T-cell activation-like events, which contribute to p56lck dissociation and internalization of surface CD4 molecules.
Functional Analysis of Promoter CPG-Methylation using a CpG-Free Luciferase Reporter Vector

Methylation of CpG-dinucleotides within proximal promoters is often associated with transcriptional silencing. Methylation-dependent repression is well established for hypermethylated CpG-island promoters that are characterized by a high density of CpG residues. The effect of CpG DNA methylation on CpG-poor promoters is less well characterized, probably due to the lack of convenient assay systems to test promoter activities in vitro. In this report, we describe a novel luciferase reporter vector, pCpGL, which completely lacks CpG dinucleotides and can be used to study the effect of promoter DNA methylation in transfection assays. Whereas a traditional reporter vector that contains a large number of backbone CpG residues significantly represses a CpG-free promoter when methylated, our new reporter vector is only repressed due to the presence of functionally important, methylated CpG residues. The pCpGL vector provides a useful tool to study the effects of CpG-methylation on CpG-rich and CpG-poor promoters.
Resonance analysis and suppression of system with multiple grid-connected inverters

The resonances of grid-connected system with multiple inverters would enlarge harmonics which bring challenges to the performance of inverters and power quality of the grid. The impedance model of the system is established and the resonant mechanism and characteristics is analyzed. From the analysis result, a global resonance suppression strategy based on virtual admittance is proposed which only reshapes the grid impedance around the resonance point, and it has little influence on fundamental wave control. The capacity of the harmonic suppression unit is decreased while the suppression effect is assured. The simulation results verified the correctness of theoretical analysis and the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Effects of deworming during pregnancy on maternal and perinatal outcomes in Entebbe, Uganda: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Helminth infections during pregnancy may be associated with adverse outcomes, including maternal anemia, low birth weight, and perinatal mortality. Deworming during pregnancy has therefore been strongly advocated, but its benefits have not been rigorously evaluated. METHODS In Entebbe, Uganda, 2507 pregnant women were recruited to a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigating albendazole and praziquantel in a 2 x 2 factorial design [ISRCTN32849447]. Hematinics and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine for presumptive treatment of malaria were provided routinely. Maternal and perinatal outcomes were recorded. Analyses were by intention to treat. RESULTS At enrollment, 68% of women had helminths, 45% had hookworm, 18% had Schistosoma mansoni infection; 40% were anemic (hemoglobin level, <11.2 g/dL). At delivery, 35% were anaemic; there was no overall effect of albendazole (odds ratio [OR], 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79-1.15) or praziquantel (OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.83-1.21) on maternal anemia, but there was a suggestion of benefit of albendazole among women with moderate to heavy hookworm (OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.21-0.98; P=.15 for interaction). There was no effect of either anthelminthic treatment on mean birth weight (difference in mean associated with albendazole: -0.00 kg; 95% CI, -0.05 to 0.04 kg; difference in mean associated with praziquantel: -0.01 kg; 95% CI, -0.05 to 0.04 kg) or on proportion of low birth weight. Anthelminthic use during pregnancy showed no effect on perinatal mortality or congenital anomalies. CONCLUSIONS In our study area, where helminth prevalence was high but infection intensity was low, there was no overall effect of anthelminthic use during pregnancy on maternal anemia, birth weight, perinatal mortality, or congenital anomalies. The possible benefit of albendazole against anemia in pregnant women with heavy hookworm infection warrants further investigation.
Extrachromosomal Circular DNA in Eukaryotes: Possible Involvement in the Plasticity of Tandem Repeats

Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) is ubiquitous in eukaryotic organisms, and has been noted for more than 3 decades. eccDNA occurs in normal tissues and in cultured cells, is heterogeneous in size, consists of chromosomal sequences and reflects plasticity of the genome. Two-dimensional (2D) gel electrophoresis has been adapted for the detection and characterization of eccDNA. It shows that most eccDNA consists of chromosomal tandem repeats, both coding genes and satellite DNA and is organized as circular multimers of the repeating sequence. 2D gels were unable to detect dispersed repeats within the population of eccDNA. eccDNA, organized as circular multimers, can be formed de novo in Xenopus egg extracts, in the absence of DNA replication. These findings support a mechanism for the formation of eccDNA that involves intra-chromosomal homologous recombination between tandem repeats and looping-out. Furthermore, eccDNA appears to undergo extrachromosomal replication via a rolling circle mechanism. Hence, the formation of eccDNA from arrays of tandem repeats may cause deletions, and the possible re-integration of rolling-circle replication products could expand these arrays. This review summarizes recent experimental data which characterizes eccDNA in several organisms using 2D gel electrophoresis, and discusses its possible implications on the dynamics of chromosomal tandem repeats.
Therapy with a Selective Cannabinoid Receptor Type 2 Agonist Limits Albuminuria and Renal Injury in Mice with Type 2 Diabetic Nephropathy

Background/Aims: A critical involvement of the endocannabinoid/cannabinoid receptor system in diabetes and its complications has been recognized. Experimental evidence suggested that activation of the cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2), which is expressed in the kidney by podocytes and inflammatory cells, had a protective role in early streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes in mice. No experimental evidence is so far available on the effects of CB2 agonists in type 2 diabetes. In this study, we investigated the effects of a CB2 agonist given at a phase of overt disease on renal functional and structural changes in BTBR ob/ob mice, a model of type 2 diabetic nephropathy. Methods: BTBR ob/ob mice received, from 10 to 21 weeks of age, vehicle, the selective CB2 agonist HU910, or lisinopril used as standard therapy for comparison. BTBR wild-type mice served as controls. Results: Treatment with CB2 agonist reduced progressive albuminuria of BTBR ob/ob mice to a similar extent as ACE inhibitor. The antiproteinuric effect of CB2 agonist was associated with the amelioration of the defective nephrin expression in podocytes of diabetic mice. CB2 agonist limited mesangial matrix expansion, fibronectin accumulation and sclerosis. Glomerular infiltration of Mac-2-positive monocytes/machrophages was attenuated by CB2 agonist, at least in part due to the drug's ability to reduce MCP-1 chemotactic signals. Renoprotective effects of CB2 were similar to those achieved by ACE inhibitor. Conclusion: These results suggest that CB2 agonism is a potential option to be added to the available therapeutic armamentarium for type 2 diabetic nephropathy.
RGD Inclusion in the Hexon Monomer Provides Adenovirus Type 5-Based Vectors with a Fiber Knob-Independent Pathway for Infection

ABSTRACT Hypervariable region 5 (HVR5) is a hydrophilic, serotypically nonconserved loop of the hexon monomer which extrudes from the adenovirus (Ad) capsid. We have replaced the HVR5 sequence of Ad5 with that of heterologous peptides and studied their effects on virus viability and peptide accessibility. A poliovirus model epitope was first inserted in a series of nine “isogenic” viruses that differed in their flanking spacers. Whereas virus productivity was not profoundly altered by any of these modifications, immunoprecipitation experiments under nondenaturing conditions demonstrated that epitope recognition by its cognate monoclonal antibody (C3 MAb) was strongly linker dependent and correlated perfectly with the ability of C3 MAb to inhibit transgene delivery and expression. An αv-specific ligand (DCRGDCF) was then inserted in a suitable linker context to investigate whether hexon-modified capsids would enhance the transduction of cells displaying limiting amounts of the virus attachment receptors. Interestingly, although hexon has never been implicated in Ad entry, the modified virus significantly increased the transduction of human vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro. Competition experiments with 293 cells saturated with recombinant knob further indicated that the hexon-modified virus could use an additional, knob-independent pathway for entry. We concluded that genetic engineering of the Ad5 hexon monomer constitutes a novel and feasible approach to equip the virus with additional targeting ligands.
Characterization of cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in drug oxidations in mouse intestinal microsomes

1. Cytochrome P450 (P450, CYP) enzymes involved in drug oxidations in mouse intestines were characterized for their role in the first-pass metabolism of xenobiotics. 2. Preparation of mouse intestinal microsomes using a buffer containing glycerol and protease inhibitors including (p-amidinophenyl) methanesulphonyl fluoride, EDTA, soybean trypsin inhibitor, aprotinin, bestatin and leupeptine gave the highest testosterone 6β-hydroxylase activity among several preparation buffers tested in this study. Testosterone 6β-hydroxylase activity catalysed by mouse intestinal microsomes subjected to freezing and thawing was lower than that catalysed by unfrozen intestinal microsomes. 3. Low but significant catalytic activities of nifedipine oxidation, midazolam 1′ - and 4-hydroxylation, chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation, bufuralol 1′ - and 6-hydroxylations and tolbutamide methylhydroxylation were observed in mouse intestinal microsomes. Testosterone 6β-hydroxylation, chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation, and bufuralol 1′ - and 6-hydroxylations were inhibited by ketoconazole, diethyldithiocarbamate and quinine respectively. 4. Immunoblot analysis using anti-rat CYP3A antibodies demonstrated two immunoreactive bands showing similar migration in mouse intestinal and hepatic microsomes, although studies using anti-CYP1A, anti-CYP2C, anti-CYP2D and anti-CYP2E1 antibodies did not detect any band in mouse intestinal microsomes. 5. The results suggest that mouse intestinal microsomes should be prepared with glycerol and several protease inhibitors and that Cyp3a enzymes probably play an important role in drug oxidations catalysed by mouse intestine.
Prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders in dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease

Results: Depressive disorders were diagnosed in 84 (78.5%) patients, including: a major depressive episode in 31 (29%), dysthymia in 30 (28%), and an episode of depression with melancholic features in 23 (21.5%). Only 23 (21.5%) patients met no criteria for a mental disorder on the M.I. N.I. There were statistically significant differences among mean BDI scores in the following groups: depression with melancholic features (M=20.9, SD=9), a major depressive episode (M=18.08, SD=8), dysthymia (M=13.75, SD=6), and no depressive disorder (M=3.8, SD=3). There were statistically significant moderate correlations between the intensity of depressive symptoms and acceptance of illness (r=0.5; p<0.001).
Managing multi-vendors in software production through international outsourcing: A conceptual perspective

If successful, various important benefits can be achieved by using multi-vendors in software production through international outsourcing. However, the undertaking is complex and risky. There are numerous studies on IT outsourcing in general, but there is a significant lack of studies dealing with managing multi-vendors in producing software through international outsourcing. This study has been undertaken to fill in this void. It has focussed on the reasons for using international outsourcing and multi-vendors, success and risk factors, the vendor selection process, and the management of multi-vendors relationship. It develops an all-encompassing model that deals with the selection and management of multi-vendors in software production through international outsourcing. The results of this study show that there are various risks involved in international outsourcing by using multi-vendors. The use of multi-vendors in particular needs to be considered carefully. This study also identifies key success factors for managing multi-vendors in software production. The implications of the findings are discussed for both practice and research.
Compact Onboard Single-Phase EV Battery Charger With Novel Low-Frequency Ripple Compensator and Optimum Filter Design

This paper proposes a novel double-grid-frequency-ripple-reducing technique for electric vehicle (EV) battery charger applications. In 1-φ EV battery chargers, due to double-frequency ripple, it is not possible to control the current using a single-power-stage approach. Hence, a two-stage approach is used. However, a bulky inductor and a capacitor are required to control the current, which adds to the system's weight and cost. The single-stage charging system described in this paper can charge the battery with almost ripple-free current without using a bulky electrolytic capacitor. At the same time, it can maintain high power factor (PF) and low total harmonic distortion on the input ac side. The proposed ripple compensation solution is realized by an innovative combination of boost and zeta converters connected in series with the battery charger, which reduces the filter capacitor value considerably. This facilitates the use of a film capacitor, which has a much longer life compared with an electrolytic capacitor. Similarly, the value of the filter inductor used in series with the battery is reduced significantly. Battery ripple current is not increased in the process; therefore, the battery life remains unaffected. Representative analytical, simulation, and experimental results are presented.