Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effective reuse and sharing of best teaching practices

The widespread use of computer technologies in education has reshaped the roles of instructors, who are encouraged to innovate interactive forms of technology‐supported instruction that promote participation and collaboration. This in turn engenders new experiences of teaching that need to be gathered and capitalized as teaching assets to be shared among communities of instructors. Among these experiences, best teaching practices (BTPs) are instructional practices accumulated in teaching that have been proven to work well, give good results, and can therefore be recommended as a model. Identifying and sharing best practices means duplicating successes which help instructors learn from each other and deliver better quality teaching. This paper presents a knowledge management framework for acquiring, coding, sharing, and reusing BTPs. To encourage instructors’ participation, the framework is based on peer scoring of BTPs, which stimulates contribution and interaction. The framework has been implemented as a knowledge portal that allows instructors to create, store, search, and share BTPs and to receive feedback and comments from other users, providing many useful functionalities and services to users as individuals and communities. The paper presents also a real‐life case study, lessons learned from using the system within a community of instructors, and a system evaluation of the effectiveness of reusing BTPs using the reuse effort and impact metrics. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 25:163–178, 2017; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21776
Dual specificity phosphatase16 is a negative regulator of c‐Jun NH2‐terminal kinase activity in T cells

Activation of MAPK is negatively regulated by DUSP, which dephosphorylate the phosphothreonine and phosphotyrosine residues. We have identified a novel JNK‐specific DUSP, DUSP16, from murine macrophages. Its involvement in T cells has not yet been defined. In the present study, we found expression of DUSP16 in thymocytes and activated T cells but not in naive T cells. To elucidate the roles of DUSP16 in T cells, transgenic mice expressing a dominant negative form of DUSP16 specifically in T cells were generated (dnDUSP16 Tg). JNK activity was selectively augmented in the thymocytes of these dnDUSP16 Tg mice. CD4 T cells in dnDUSP16 Tg mice showed normal levels of proliferation and IL‐2 production after TCR triggering, while they produced increased IFN‐γ but reduced Th2 cytokines compared with wild type CD4 T cells. On the other hand CD8 T cells in dnDUSP16 Tg mice produced an increased amount of IL‐2, which resulted in enhanced proliferation and IFN‐γ production. These results suggest that DUSP16 is an important regulator of JNK activity and effector functions of CD4 and CD8 T cells.
Size Fractionation by Slalom Chromatography and Hydrodynamic Chromatography

Hydrodynamic chromatography, also called separation by flow, is based on the use of the parabolic flow profile occurring in open capillaries or in the pores from a column filled with non-porous particles. The hydrodynamic chromatography separation medium, if any, is much simpler than that from size exclusion chromatography (porous particles), the former technique being used in the size-fractionation of many colloids and macromolecules. The transition between hydrodynamic chromatography (obtained using low flow rates) and slalom chromatography (obtained using high flow rates) was reported in studies related with the migration behaviour of proteins, plasmid DNAs and double stranded DNAs. Slalom chromatography is mainly applied in the size-fractionation of large double stranded DNA fragments and may compete with electrophoretic techniques. In the present paper it is discussed the main patents, applications, advantages and drawbacks related to hydrodynamic chromatography and slalom chromatography, as well as some strategies that may improve the performance of these simple size-fractionation techniques.
Synthesis of Bézier Surfaces on the GPU

Bézier surfaces are one of the most useful primitives employed for high quality modeling in CAD/CAM tools and graphics software. Traditionally, the Bézier representations are usually tessellated on the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the set of generated triangles is sent to the GPU (Graphic Processing Unit). The CPUGPU bus can become a bottleneck in this approach due to the large number of triangles generated for high quality models. In this paper we present two proposals for synthesizing the Bézier models directly in the GPU. With this strategy the compact representation associated with the Bézier models is sent to the GPU where the rendering is performed. The first proposal is based on the exploitation of the vertex shader to perform the tessellation. In this case a parametric map guides the computation of the final coordinates of a set of virtual vertices. Our second proposal is based on the efficient exploitation of the geometry shader capabilities to perform the tessellation in a direct way. Tests performed show that both proposals produce high quality images and promising results for real time rendering of complex parametric models.
Mixed-valence compound-based biosensor.

A cobalt(II)hexacyanoferrate-based biosensor has been prepared simply by codeposition of an enzyme, together with the electrochemical formation of a cobalt (II)hexacyanoferrate compound electrochemically. The compound can be generated at a constant potential of -0.05 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). This compound possesses the catalytic property of reducing hydrogen peroxide to water at the operating potential of 0.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The mixed-valence compound-based biosensor possesses an unique interference-independent feature, which is important for biomedical application; this feature is attributed to the low overvoltage characteristic of cobalt (II)hexacyanoferrate. The electrochemical glucose biosensor responds to a series of glucose injections with linearity up to 5 mM (with correlation coefficient R = 0.9999) and the sensitivity of the linear portion is 733 nA/(cm2 x mM). The detection limit is 2 x 10(-6)M (S/N = 3). Both the potential-dependent electron transfer rate constant and the apparent Michaelis-Menten constant were studied in rotating disk experiments. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant, Km' calculated from the slope of the "Lineweaver-Burke" type reciprocal plot is 28 mM. A fast-response characteristic is observed in the rotating disk experiment and the 95% response time is 14.5 sec. No response was observed from the addition of either 2 x 10(-4)M galactose, acetaminophen, ascorbic acid, uric acid, cysteine, tyrosine, dopamine, or 1,4-dihydroxyquinone in the absence and/or in the presence of 5 x 10(-4)M glucose.
Une nouvelle mesure de qualité pour l'extraction de pépites de connaissances

Le probleme de l'extraction des regles d'association est un probleme majeur en fouille de donnees. De nombreuses connaissances sont representees sous la forme de regles d'association et la recherche exhaustive de ces regles est souvent tres couteuse en temps lorsque les donnees sont volumineuses et tres correlees. Nous proposons une nouvelle approche basee sur une recherche non exhaustive des regles d'association dans une base de donnees. L'algorithme propose permet (i) d'extraire les meilleures regles d'association, etant donnee une mesure de qualite, (ii) d'extraire des pepites de connaissances dans les donnees (c-a-d., des regles d'association ayant un faible support et une forte confiance).
A two-warehouse inventory model for newsvendor-type products with two ordering opportunities

Almost all the studies to date on the two-warehouse (one is an owned warehouse, denoted by OW, and the other is a rented warehouse, denoted by RW) inventory problem concentrated on the deterministic demand pattern. In practice, however, it is very common for a distributor that sells the seasonal goods with random demand to store excess inventory in rented warehouses when the storage capacity of the owned warehouse is not enough. Therefore, this paper develops a stochastic inventory model for newsvendor-type products with two warehouses and a mixture of backorders and lost sales. Unlike the exiting newsvendor models, it is assumed in the present paper that the inventory system has two ordering opportunities and is willing to place a second order to meet part of unfilled demand at the selling period only if the backordered demand exceeds a threshold quantity. The existence and the uniqueness of the solution to relevant systems are examined, and the sufficient and necessary condition of judging whether to rent RW and the solution procedure of the considered model are presented as well. At last, numerical example is implemented to illustrate the application of the model.
The detection of physical attacks against iBeacon transmitters

iBeacon is a new technology proposed by Apple using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), which helps mobile devices understand their position on a micro-local scale, and facilitates the delivery of location-based content to mobile users. According to the iBeacon protocol, iBeacon transmitters only do one-way broadcast communication, and thus it is difficult to authenticate the legitimacy of the transmitters. In this paper, we focus on detecting the physical attacks against iBeacon transmitters- iBeacon transmitters can be stolen, tampered, faked and reused, which interfere with the legitimate iBeacon transmission, reduce the quality of service and ultimately degrade the user experience. We develop a detection system based on Hidden Markov Model running on the server-side to detect the misbehaving iBeacon transmitters without more energy consuming. Our system achieves 85% detection accuracy on average for all physical attack actions; meanwhile it has a 5% false alarm rate for non-attack situations in our designated trace experiments, and 100% correct binary judgements in the random-trace experiments. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work that focuses on the iBeacon physical attack problem.
Miniaturized Gysel Power Dividers Using Lumped-Element Components

This letter presents miniaturized Gysel power dividers using lumped-element components. The characteristic impedances of all the equivalent transmission lines in these dividers are fixed to the same values based on even and odd mode analysis, thus simplifying the design procedure and miniaturizing the Gysel power dividers. The ideal divider designed at a frequency of 590 MHz exhibits power splits of −3.2 ± 0.2 dB and return losses of greater than 15 dB for the frequency range of 460 to 650 MHz. Furthermore, isolation between output ports is greater than 15 dB for the frequency range of 500 to 680 MHz. The fabricated miniaturized Gysel power divider achieves broadband characteristics and is very compact, occupying only about 15% of the area of a conventional Gysel power divider.
Buffer-Aided Relay Selection With Equal-Weight Links in Cooperative Wireless Networks

In this letter, we discuss multiple links with equal weights, in buffer size based relay selection schemes in cooperative wireless networks. A general relay selection factor is defined, which includes the weight of the link as the first metric and the link quality, or priority, as the second metric for different cases of the same weight. The Markov chain based theoretical framework is employed to evaluate the outage probability, delay and throughput of the system. The proposed scheme is evaluated for symmetric and asymmetric channel conditions. The link quality based second selection metric achieves lower outage probability, while the link priority based selection shows significant improvements in terms of delay and throughput. Theoretical results are validated through extensive Monte carlo simulations.
A20 Is Induced by Kaposi Sarcoma-associated Herpesvirus-encoded Viral FLICE Inhibitory Protein (vFLIP) K13 and Blocks K13-induced Nuclear Factor-κB in a Negative Feedback Manner*

Expression of A20, a negative regulator of the NF-κB pathway, is frequently lost in several subtypes of Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. We report that A20 is expressed in Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV)-infected primary effusion lymphoma cell lines, and its expression correlates closely with the expression of KSHV-encoded viral FLICE inhibitory protein K13. Ectopic expression of K13 induced A20 expression through NF-κB-mediated activation of A20 promoter. In turn, A20 blocked K13-induced NF-κB activity and up-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines CCL20 and IL-8 in a negative feedback fashion. Both the N-terminal deubiquitinating domain and the C-terminal zinc finger domain of A20 were involved in the inhibition of K13-induced NF-κB activity. Overexpression of A20 blocked K13-induced IκBα phosphorylation, NF-κB nuclear translocation, and cellular transformation. Consistent with the above, K13-induced IκBα phosphorylation and NF-κB transcriptional activation were enhanced in A20-deficient cells. Finally, A20 was found to interact physically with K13. Taken collectively, these results demonstrate that K13 is a key determinant of A20 expression in KSHV-infected cells, and A20 is a key negative regulator of K13-induced NF-κB activity. A20 might serve to control the inflammatory response to KSHV infection and protect KSHV-infected cells from apoptosis.
THE LONG-RUN EFFECT OF INWARD AND OUTWARD FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT ON ECONOMIC GROWTH: EVIDENCE FROM DEVELOPING ECONOMIES

In this paper, we investigate impact of inward and outward foreign direct investment on economic growth in developing economies over time period 2005-2014 annually. From 2005-2014, had inward and outward foreign direct investment had significant long-term effects on economic growth in developing countries. In this paper, we have used a different approach to examine the impact of FDI outflows and inflows on economic growth using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) on the basis of macroeconomics panel data in developing economies over time span 2005-2014 annually. Our findings are as follows: (1) there is positive and significant impact of foreign direct investment outflows and inflows on economic growth in the long run among developing economies and (2) The positive and significant effects of FDI inflows and outflows on economic growth are highly robust by applying different econometric techniques (3) From our econometric results, we infer that control variables play significant role in defining exact relationship between inward FDI, outward FDI and economic growth. The control variables should be relevant and related with the econometric model to derive accurate relationship between inward FDI, outward FDI and economic growth.
Transcytotic passage of albumin through lens epithelial cells.

PURPOSE To characterize the transcytotic passage of albumin through lens epithelial cells. METHODS N/N 1003A rabbit lens epithelial cells were grown to a confluent monolayer on porous filter supports (Transwell Corning, Inc., Corning, NY). Monolayers were exposed apically to Alexa 488-labeled albumin (Alexa 488-BSA) in the absence and presence of endocytic inhibitors (filipin; dansylcadaverine [DCV]). Transcytotic passage of albumin was monitored for 4 hours by quantitating fluorescence in the basolateral compartment. The mechanism of albumin passage was studied by labeling cell monolayers and cryosections of whole rat lenses for clathrin or caveolin. RESULTS The monolayer of cells formed a barrier to the passage of albumin, as shown by the 44% reduction in albumin passage in comparison to nonseeded membranes. Treatment with filipin or DCV reduced the passage of Alexa 488-BSA through lens epithelial cells by 73% and 66%, respectively. Confocal microscopy showed that albumin passage was predominantly transcellular and demonstrated colocalization of albumin with caveolin-1 and clathrin in lens epithelial and fiber cells. CONCLUSIONS The Transwell apparatus is an excellent system to monitor transport systems across cell monolayers. In this study, rabbit lens epithelial cells formed a confluent monolayer that acted as a barrier to the passive diffusion of albumin. The kinetics of albumin movement across the monolayer and the inhibitor pharmacology suggests that lens cells actively transport albumin from the apical to the basolateral compartment. The inhibitory profile suggests the involvement of caveolae and clathrin-coated vesicles in the transcytotic process.
Berberine Enhances the Antibacterial Activity of Selected Antibiotics against Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus Strains in Vitro

Synergistic interactions between commonly used antibiotics and natural bioactive compounds may exhibit therapeutic benefits in a clinical setting. Berberine, an isoquinoline-type alkaloid isolated from many kinds of medicinal plants, has proven efficacy against a broad spectrum of microorganisms. The aim of the presented work was to assess the antibacterial activity of berberine chloride in light of the effect exerted by common antibiotics on fourteen reference strains of Staphylococccus spp. , and to evaluate the magnitude of interactions of berberine with these antistaphylococcal antibiotics. In our study minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of berberine chloride against CoNS ranged from 16 to 512 µg/mL. The most noticeable effects were observed for S. haemolyticus ATCC 29970, S. epidermidis ATCC 12228, S. capitis subsp. capitis ATCC 35661, S. galinarium ATCC 700401, S. hominis subsp. hominis ATCC 27844, S. intermedius ATCC 29663 and S. lugdunensis ATCC 49576. The most significant synergistic effect was noticed for berberine in combination with linezolid, cefoxitin and erythromycin. The synergy between berberine and antibiotics demonstrates the potential application of compound combinations as an efficient, novel therapeutic tool for antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
Improved detection of strong nonhomogeneities for STAP via projection statistics

In this paper, a robust statistical method called projection statistics (PS) is developed into an TV-dimensional complex form required to detect strong nonhomogeneities, or TV-dimensional outlier vectors (i.e., outliers), in space-time adaptive processing (STAP) radar training data, where N is the number of degrees of freedom (DOF) associated with the STAP scenario. The PS technique does not require the estimation of a covariance matrix, as is the case with the generalized inner product (GIP) test. Rather, it uses robust estimators of location (the median) and scale (the median absolute deviation from the median (MAD)) to identify and then excise strong nonhomogeneities in STAP training data that are capable of rendering traditional nonhomogeneity detection (NHD) techniques, such as the GIP, ineffective. Shown in the results section of this paper is sample matrix inversion (SMI) STAP performance using three separate NHD techniques: 1) a power test for high power outlier snapshots, 2) a GIP test, and 3) a PS-based test. The performance when not using any form of NHD is shown for comparison. It is clear from the results that the PS NHD method provides an SMI-STAP processor the best training data selection in the multi channel airborne radar measurements (MCARM) [B.N. S Babu et al., 1996] based radar data scenario studied here, and does so across all range cells of the scenario.
daptation of AmtR-controlled gene expression by modulation of AmtR binding ctivity in Corynebacterium glutamicum ristin Hasselt

In corynebacteria, nitrogen regulation is controlled by the TetR family protein AmtR, which was extensively studied in the last years. In frame of these studies a number of AmtR binding sites were identified and characterized and it became obvious that for distinct genes the number and sequences of these sites varied significantly. In this study, the influence of numbers and alterations of AmtR binding sites were addressed by in vivo and in vitro studies. It can be concluded that in general a single highly conserved AmtR site is sufficient for stringent regulation and that non-conserved binding sites have a very lim-
Accessibility for individuals with color vision deficiency

Individuals with Color Vision Deficiency (CVD) are often unable to distinguish between colors that individuals without CVD can distinguish. Recoloring tools exist that modify the colors in an image so they are more easily distinguishable for those with CVD. These tools use models of color differentiation that rely on many assumptions about the environment and user. However, these assumptions rarely hold in real-world use cases, leading to incorrect color modification by recoloring tools. In this doctoral symposium, I will present Situation-Specific Models (SSMs) as a solution to this problem. SSMs are color differentiation models created in-situ via a calibration procedure. This calibration procedure captures the exact color differentiation abilities of the user, allowing a color differentiation model to be created that fits the user and his/her environmental situation. An SSM-based recoloring tool will be able to provide recolored images that most accurately reflect the color differentiation abilities of a particular individual in a particular environment.
Antiproliferative effects of compounds derived from plants of Northeast Brazil

Ten compounds derived from plants indigenous to Northeast Brazil were examined for antiproliferative effects on human cells in vitro. The effects of these phytochemicals on cell growth were determined by the MTT microtitre assay with 3‐day continuous drug exposure. Three human cell lines were used: CEM leukaemia, SW1573 lung tumour and CCD922 normal skin fibroblasts. Four active compounds were found with IC50 values less than 10 µg/mL in the two cancer cell lines. Oncocalyxones A and C, both 1,4‐anthracenediones from Auxemma oncocalyx (Boraginaceae), showed cytotoxicity with mean IC50 values of 0.8–2, 7–8 and 12–13 µg/mL against CEM, SW1573 and CCD922, respectively. One diterpene and one flavonoid, both from Egletes viscosa (Compositae), were also active. 12‐Acetoxy‐hawtriwaic acid lactone was cytotoxic with mean IC50 values of 6, 10 and 10 µg/mL, respectively. 4,5‐Dihydroxy‐3,3,7,8‐tetramethoxy flavone (ternatin) was only growth‐inhibitory with mean IC50 values of 2, 1 and 10 µg/mL, respectively. These four most active compounds were examined further for their effects on DNA integrity and on DNA synthesis. All but ternatin caused substantial DNA damage and marked inhibition of 5‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine incorporation within 24 h. This study demonstrated the antiproliferative activity of four novel phytochemicals, three of which are DNA‐reactive and inhibit DNA synthesis. Further studies are warranted to evaluate these compounds for antitumour potential. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.