Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ponticulin is the major high affinity link between the plasma membrane and the cortical actin network in Dictyostelium

Interactions between the plasma membrane and underlying actin-based cortex have been implicated in membrane organization and stability, the control of cell shape, and various motile processes. To ascertain the function of high affinity actin-membrane associations, we have disrupted by homologous recombination the gene encoding ponticulin, the major high affinity actin-membrane link in Dictyostelium discoideum amoebae. Cells lacking detectable amounts of ponticulin message and protein also are deficient in high affinity actin-membrane binding by several criteria. First, only 10-13% as much endogenous actin cosediments through sucrose and crude plasma membranes from ponticulin- minus cells, as compared with membranes from the parental strain. Second, purified plasma membranes exhibit little or no binding or nucleation of exogenous actin in vitro. Finally, only 10-30% as much endogenous actin partitions with plasma membranes from ponticulin-minus cells after these cells are mechanically unroofed with polylysine- coated coverslips. The loss of the cell's major actin-binding membrane protein appears to be surprisingly benign under laboratory conditions. Ponticulin-minus cells grow normally in axenic culture and pinocytose FITC-dextran at the same rate as do parental cells. The rate of phagocytosis of particles by ponticulin-minus cells in growth media also is unaffected. By contrast, after initiation of development, cells lacking ponticulin aggregate faster than the parental cells. Subsequent morphogenesis proceeds asynchronously, but viable spores can form. These results indicate that ponticulin is not required for cellular translocation, but apparently plays a role in cell patterning during development.
Régulation de la surchauffe à l ’ aide d ’ un capteur de température unique et une méthode innovante de recherche de la pente maximale de la courbe

Superheating of refrigerant in the evaporator is an important aspect of safe operation of refrigeration systems. The level of superheat is typically controlled by adjusting the flow of refrigerant using an electronic expansion valve, where the superheat is calculated using measurements from a pressure and a temperature sensor. In this paper we show, through extensive testing, that the superheat or filling of the evaporator can actually be controlled using only a single temperature sensor. This can either reduce commissioning costs by lowering the necessary amount of sensors or add fault tolerance in existing systems if a sensor fails (e.g. pressure sensor). The solution is based on a novel maximum slopeseeking control method, where a perturbation signal is added to the valve opening degree, which gives additional information about the system for control purposes. Furthermore, the method does not require a model of the system and can be tuned automatically. a 2012 Elsevier Ltd and IIR. All rights reserved. Régulation de la surchauffe à l’aide d’un capteur de température unique et une méthode innovante de recherche de la pente maximale de la courbe Mots clés : systèmes frigorifiques ; évaporateur ; surchauffe ; recherche de la pente maximale de la courbe ; harmoniques ; régulation
On the Recovery of R-Trees

We consider the recoverability of traditional R-tree index structures under concurrent updating transactions, an important issue that is neglected or treated inadequately in many proposals of R-tree concurrency control. We present two solutions to ARIES-based recovery of transactions on R-trees. These assume a standard fine-grained single-version update model with physiological write-ahead logging and steal-and-no-force buffering where records with uncommitted updates by a transaction may migrate from their original page to another page due to structure modifications caused by other transactions. Both solutions guarantee that an R-tree will remain in a consistent and balanced state in the presence of any number of concurrent forward-rolling and (totally or partially) backward-rolling multiaction transactions and in the event of process failures and system crashes. One solution maintains the R-tree in a strictly consistent state in which the bounding rectangles of pages are as tight as possible, while in the other solution this requirement is relaxed. In both solutions only a small constant number of simultaneous exclusive latches (write latches) are needed, and in the solution that only maintains relaxed consistency also the number of simultaneous nonexclusive latches is similarly limited. In both solutions, deletions are handled uniformly with insertions, and a logarithmic insertion-path length is maintained under all circumstances.
Multicast routing and recovery based in data center networks

As a key part of supporting cloud computing, the performance of data center network directly determines the quality of cloud computing services. Multicast benefits data center group communication in both saving network traffic and improving application throughput. However, given data centers are experiencing an exponential increase in the amount of network traffic, multicast routing have to face the challenge of overload. In this paper, we present two algorithms: BLD (Based on Load and Distance multicast tree building), which is a novel multicast tree building algorithm for data center networks and RLPR (Reliable Lowest Prior Recover algorithm), which is an effective packet repair algorithm. The key idea of BLD is to build a multicast tree based on the load of server and distance between source and destination. This approach leverages the combination of ant colony algorithm and genetic algorithm to find the best solution, which effectively reduces the latency and improve the throughput. In RLPR, the packet loss rate of a node is estimated according to node's position, nodes with high packet loss rate are given priority to select their backup nodes. Finally, we verify the correctness and validity of algorithms through several simulations.
A Political Theory of Public Library Development

Abstract Public library development is explained differently by various theories, but existing theories are problematic. A new theory is needed to explain public library development, one that foregrounds political processes. To produce this new theory, a historical case study was conducted of a regional public library system in the United States from 1924 to 2016. Multiple data sources and mixed methods were used to identify the causes of library development in nine periods of the case. Findings indicate that public libraries develop in a cyclical way. Within each decision cycle, high responsiveness is a necessary condition for a change in development. A responsive library system adapts to and acts upon discursively-legitimated issues. High responsiveness, together with either high civil support, high legitimacy or low resistance, are causal configurations sufficient for change. This theory is significant because it is testable, it uses a new research framework and new methods, and it provides new insight into public library development.
Optimized Daugman ’ s Algorithm for Iris Localization

Iris localization is considered the most difficult part in iris identification algorithms because it defines the inner and outer boundaries of iris region used for feature analysis. Several researches were made in the subject of iris finding and segmentation. The main objective here is to remove any non-useful information, namely the pupil segment and the part outside the iris (sclera, eyelids, skin). R. Wildes used Hough transforms to detect the iris contour. Daugman proposed an integro-differential operator to find both the pupil and the iris contour. Daugman’s method is claimed to be the most efficient one. This paper proposes an implementation for Daugman's algorithm, which was found incompatible with visible light illuminated images. Then this paper proposes new algorithm for solving this problem.
RECOVERY EMOTIONS ON PERCEIVED JUSTICE

Recovery service failures can affect a greater failure if not handled properly. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of pre-recovery emotions and post-recovery in services. Data were collected using a questionnaire distributed to 216 respondents who have used the services retail market and then experienced a service failure followed by a recovery service. In this study, positive and negative emotions post-recovery are the dependent variables, while the severity of service failure, the pre-recovery emotions and perceived fairness other variables major variable. In line with this goal, eight hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling analysis with the aim to clarify the relationships between variables. The results show that the post-recovery of positive or negative emotions are influenced by the severity of the failure of the service, but the effect is mediated by the second pre-recovery emotions. Meanwhile, there is no mediating effect of perceived justice on the emotions of pre-recovery and post-recovery. This study implies that, during recovery services, service providers must simultaneously consider the positive and negative emotions. In addition, managers should also consider the depth of the severity of service failure to determine the pre-recovery emotions. Selection of the type of recovery will have an impact on the perceived fairness, so that providers have to respond better to emotional recovery.
Cell migration: from tissue culture to embryos

Cell migration is a fundamental process that occurs during embryo development. Classic studies using in vitro culture systems have been instrumental in dissecting the principles of cell motility and highlighting how cells make use of topographical features of the substrate, cell-cell contacts, and chemical and physical environmental signals to direct their locomotion. Here, we review the guidance principles of in vitro cell locomotion and examine how they control directed cell migration in vivo during development. We focus on developmental examples in which individual guidance mechanisms have been clearly dissected, and for which the interactions among guidance cues have been explored. We also discuss how the migratory behaviours elicited by guidance mechanisms generate the stereotypical patterns of migration that shape tissues in the developing embryo.
Palaeostages of the Caspian Sea as a set of regional benchmark tests for the evaluation of climate model simulations

Abstract. Oscillations of the level of the Caspian Sea (CS) primarily stem from variations in runoff from the Volga River. Therefore, changes in the level of the CS can be used to assess the ability of climate models to reproduce the water budget over the East European Plain. We compare observed or reconstructed CS level positions during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), Holocene and modern periods with the CS level positions calculated based on simulations in experiments using the CMIP5/PMIP3 protocol. The proxy dataset comprises a number of detailed maps of the CS for the main regression stages and transgression stages during the last 30 ka together with information about sea-level positions. The results show poor correspondence between the model simulations of decadal- and centennial-scale level oscillations and proxy reconstructions. We propose that such discrepancies can be caused by insufficient sensitivity of the climate models used. The modelled data could be verified based on how well the models simulated the sharp decrease of the Volga River runoff during the LGM, which caused a large decline of the CS level.
Exploiting Facial Landmarks for Emotion Recognition in the Wild

In this paper, we describe an entry to the third Emotion Recognition in the Wild Challenge, EmotiW2015. We detail the associated experiments and show that, through more accurately locating the facial landmarks, and considering only the distances between them, we can achieve a surprising level of performance. The resulting system is not only more accurate than the challenge baseline, but also much simpler.
A low-power wake-up system for underwater wireless sensor modems

Asynchronous Wake-Up physical solutions offer important advantages to develop energy efficient network polices, however these solutions need specific hardware, optimal configuration of system facilities and interconnection with a core control unit. This paper presents an acoustic-oriented system that has been specifically designed to be used within underwater modems, able to react to external acoustic stimuli with ultra-low consumption.
Wireless Vision Based Real Time Object Tracking System Using Template Matching I

In the present work the concepts of template matching through Normalized Cross Correlation (NCC) has been used to implement a robust real time object tracking system. In this implementation a wireless surveillance pinhole camera has been used to grab the video frames from the non ideal environment. Once the object has been detected it is tracked by employing an efficient Template Matching algorithm. The templates used for the matching purposes are generated dynamically. This ensures that any change in the pose of the object does not hinder the tracking procedure. To automate the tracking process the camera is mounted on a disc coupled with stepper motor, which is synchronized with a tracking algorithm. As and when the object being tracked moves out of the viewing range of the camera, the setup is automatically adjusted to move the camera so as to keep the object of about 360 degree field of view. The system is capable of handling entry and exit of an object. The performance of the proposed Object tracking system has been demonstrated in real time environment both for indoor and outdoor by including a variety of disturbances and a means to detect a loss of track.
Image-based object recognition and dexterous hand/arm motion planning using RRTs for grasping in cluttered scene

This paper describes a new approach to realize grasping of an unknown object by a dexterous hand robot among freely placed multiple unknown objects even if they are occluded each other. This technology consists of major three functions: 1) image-based 3D reconstruction and separation of multiple objects using graph-cut theory, 2) recognition of the shape, size and orientation of each object as an object with primitive shape, i.e. either of box, cylinder or sphere, 3) multigoal and multicriteria path planning for 7 DOF arm with 13 DOF dexterous hand using enhanced RRTs (rapidly exploring random trees) algorithm to cope with multiple possible grasping strategy according to the object shape and orientation.
Drivers of Productivity Trends in Cork Oak Woodlands over the Last 15 Years

Higher biodiversity leads to more productive ecosystems which, in turn, supports more biodiversity. Ongoing global changes affect ecosystem productivity and, therefore, are expected to affect productivity-biodiversity relationships. However, the magnitude of these relationships may be affected by baseline biodiversity and its lifeforms. Cork oak (Quercus suber) woodlands are a highly biodiverse Mediterranean ecosystem managed for cork extraction; as a result of this management cork oak woodlands may have both tree and shrub canopies, just tree and just shrub canopies, and just grasslands. Trees, shrubs, and grasses may respond differently to climatic variables and their combination may, therefore, affect measurements of productivity and the resulting productivity-biodiversity relationships. Here, we asked whether the relationship between productivity and climate is affected by the responses of trees, shrubs, and grasses in cork oak woodlands in Southern Portugal. To answer this question, we linked a 15-year time series of Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) derived from Landsat satellites to micrometeorological data to assess the relationship between trends in EVI and climate. Between 2000 and 2013 we observed an overall decrease in EVI. However, EVI increased over cork oaks and decreased over shrublands. EVI trends were strongly positively related to changes in relative humidity and negatively related to temperature. The intra-annual EVI cycle of grasslands and sparse cork oak woodland without understorey (savannah-like ecosystem) had higher variation than the other land-cover types. These results suggest that oaks and shrubs have different responses to changes in water availability, which can be either related to oak physiology, to oaks being either more resilient or having lagged responses to changes in climate, or to the fact that shrublands start senesce earlier than oaks. Our results also suggest that in the future EVI could improve because the rate of increase in minimum EVI is greater than the rate of decrease in maximum EVI, and that this is contingent on management of the shrub understorey as it affects the rate of decrease in maximum EVI. This will be the challenge for the persistence of cork oak woodlands, their associated biodiversity and social-ecological system.
Multiple Serum Cytokine Profiling to Identify Combinational Diagnostic Biomarkers in Attacks of Familial Mediterranean Fever

AbstractThe precise cytokine networks in the serum of individuals with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) that are associated with its pathogenesis have been unknown. Here, we attempted to identify specific biomarkers to diagnose or assess disease activity in FMF patients.We measured serum levels of 45 cytokines in 75 FMF patients and 40 age-matched controls by multisuspension cytokine array. FMF in “attack” or “remission” was classified by Japan College of Rheumatology-certified rheumatologists according to the Tel Hashomer criteria. Cytokines were ranked by their importance by a multivariate classification algorithm. We performed a logistic regression analysis to determine specific biomarkers for discriminating FMF patients in attack. To identify specific molecular networks, we performed a cluster analysis of each cytokine.Twenty-nine of the 45 cytokines were available for further analyses. Eight cytokines’ serum levels were significantly elevated in the FMF attack versus healthy control group. Nine cytokines were increased in FMF attack compared to FMF remission. Multivariate classification algorithms followed by a logistic regression analysis revealed that the combined measurement of IL-6, IL-18, and IL-17 distinguished FMF patients in attack from the controls with the highest accuracy (sensitivity 89.2%, specificity 100%, and accuracy 95.5%). Among the FMF patients, the combined measurement of IL-6, G-CSF, IL-10, and IL-12p40 discriminated febrile attack periods from remission periods with the highest accuracy (sensitivity 75.0%, specificity 87.9%, and accuracy 84.0%). Our data identified combinational diagnostic biomarkers in FMF patients based on the measurement of multiple cytokines. These findings help to improve the diagnostic performance of FMF in daily practice and extend our understanding of the activation of the inflammasome leading to enhanced cytokine networks.
A Program Behavior Study of Block Cryptography Algorithms on GPGPU

Recently many studies have been made to map cryptography algorithms onto graphics processors (GPU), and gained great performances. This paper does not focus on the performance of a specific program exploited by using all kinds of optimization methods algorithmically, but the intrinsic reason which lies in GPU architectural features for this performance improvement. Thus we present a study of several block encryption algorithms(AES, TRI-DES, RC5, TWOFISH and the chained block cipher formed by their combinations) processing on GPU using CUDA. We introduce our CUDA implementations, and investigate the program behavioral characteristics and their impacts on the performance in four aspects. We find that the number of threads used by a CUDA program can affect the overall performance fundamentally. Many block encryption algorithms can benefit from the shared memory if the capacity is large enough to hold the lookup tables. The data stored in device memory should be organized purposely to avoid performance degradation. Besides, the communication between host and device may turn out to be the bottleneck of a program. Through these analyses we hope to find out an effective way to optimize a CUDA program, as well as to reveal some desirable architectural features to support block encryption applications better.
An Audio Front End for Query-by-Humming Systems

In this paper, the problem of processing audio signals is addressed in the context of query-by-humming systems. Since singing is naturally used as input, we aim to develop a front end dedicated to the symbolic translation of voice into a sequence of pitch and duration pairs. This operation is crucial for the effectiveness of searching for music by melodic similarity. In order to identify and segment a tune, well-known signal processing techniques are applied to the singing voice. After detecting pitch, a novel postprocessing stage is proposed to adjust the intonation of the user. A global refinement is based on a relative scale estimated out of the most frequent errors made by singers. Four rules are then employed to eliminate local errors. This front end has been tested with five subjects and four short tunes, detecting some 90% of right notes. Results have been compared to other approximation methods like rounding to the nearest absolute tone/interval and an example of adaptive moving tuning, achieving respectively 74%, 80% and 44% of right estimations. A special session of tests has been conducted to verify the capability of the system in detecting vibrato/legato notes. Finally, issues about the best representation for the translated symbols are briefly discussed.
A Model for Wholesale and Retail Assessment Centres in Regulated Occupational Learning in South Africa

ABSTRACT South Africa's new occupational and vocational qualifications require assessment centres with a national footprint to conduct national summative assessments which are convenient and cost effective for learners. This new assessment process requires specialised facilities, but few current facilities can provide these. The research project proposed a model which is able to serve the needs of the quality assurance body and industry and be appropriate to the retail sector occupational qualifications. A qualitative method was used, involving a literature review and secondary data analysis; small focus groups; semi-structured interviews; and follow-up workshops to peer review the findings. The participants included industry experts, education providers and quality assurance experts. Two models were identified and considered, namely: Model A, which involves private businesses that can be accredited to become assessment centres; and Model B, which uses Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges for all national assessments. The overall finding was that Model B is more suitable.