Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recommender Systems For E-learning: TowardsNon-intrusive Web Mining

Recommender systems are software agents that recommend options to users. They are becoming very popular in e-commerce applications to recommend the online purchase of some products. These agents can be very useful in an e-learning environment to recommend actions, resources or simply links to follow. However, most approaches to develop these intelligent agents are based on data explicitly collected from users to build profiles such as rankings, opinions and the like. This can be considered intrusive and a distraction by online learners. In this chapter we discuss methods to build recommender systems for e-learning that are non-intrusive and true to the choices of users.
Natural Deuterium Distribution in Branched‐Chain Medium‐Length Fatty Acids is Nonstatistical: A Site‐Specific Study by Quantitative 2H NMR Spectroscopy of the Fatty Acids of Capsaicinoids

Quantitative 2H NMR spectroscopy has been used to determine the natural abundance site‐specific 2H isotopic content of 6,7‐dihydrocapsaicin (1) and capsaicin (2). Prior to analysis, the fatty acyl moieties were released as methyl 8‐methylnonanoate (3) and methyl E‐8‐methylnon‐6‐enoate (4), respectively. A marked and similar nonstatisitical isotopic distribution of 2H is observed for both fatty acids. Notably, it can be seen that: 1) the isobutyl portion of 3 is more impoverished in 2H than the methylenic portion; 2) the isobutyl portion of 4 is more impoverished than that of 3; 3) an alternating pattern occurs in the (2H/1H)i between the C3 to C7 positions; and 4) the ethylenic hydrogens at C6 and C7 of 4 are, respectively, impoverished and unchanged relative to these positions in 3. These observations are compatible with the proposed biosynthetic origins of the different parts of 1 and 2, and with the view that 1 is a proximal precursor of 2. Furthermore, it can be suggested that, firstly, the hydrogen atoms at C3 to C7 originate alternatively from the substrate and from the environment and, secondly, that the Δ6‐E desaturation is introduced by a mechanism closely mimicking that of the Z desaturation of higher plants.
Virtual Space and Place: Theory and Test

Little is known about how individuals come to relate to settings in virtual worlds (VWs), which are defined as digital environments in which individuals, groups, and even organizations interact in virtual (that is to say, nonphysical) spaces. This research develops a theory of virtual space and place (VSP), specifically relating this to the setting of Second Life (SL), a prominent social virtual world. We explore how three-dimensional space, as perceived by users, is able to provide them with an interactive experience with virtual objects, as well as with other VW denizens. To test our theory, we build interactive work tools in SL that are designed to reflect various degrees of motion range and to influence presence. The three information technology tools are evaluated by 150 business professionals who are either familiar or unfamiliar with SL. Implications for practice and directions for future research are discussed.
FLEXOR: A modular wireless network tool for WBAN systems

This paper presents the FLEXOR platform, a modular tool for prototype Wearable Body Area Network (WBAN) applications. This platform is intended to reduce costs, effort and complexity of a WBAN project. The platform is set to a star topology, and allows the configuration of active modules, independent sampling times and ID assignation to each node through a Graphic User Interface (GUI). Finally, a study case of a WBAN for temperature monitoring of drug storage room, implemented by the FLEXOR platform is presented.
Anemia and Periodontitis: An Enigma?

Introduction: Periodontitis is a chronic infectious as well as inflammatory condition that has been vastly associated with various systemic conditions. There has been a lot of conflicting data regarding the relationship between anemia and periodontitis. The objective of the present study is to investigate the relationship between anemia and periodontal disease. Materials And Methods: A total of sixty subjects were taken from both sexes (age group 35–65 years; mean age 46 years) were included into three groups : group I – Healthy, group IIGingivitis, group IIIPeriodontitis ; 20 subjects in each group. Periodontal parameters and orthopantamographs were taken for all the groups and then 5 mL venous blood samples were sent for heamatological investigations. Inter-group and intra-group comparisons were performed for all the assessed parameters. Results: Comparison of hematocrit values using paired sample test showed that in Periodontitis and Healthy group ;Hematocrit values (Hb%,MCHC%) was lower in periodontitis compared to healthy (p= 0.039, 0.015) . Comparing the Periodontitis and Gingivitis group results showed Hematocrit values (MCHC%) was significantly lower (p=0.001) in periodontitis compared to gingivitis . Gingivitis and Healthy group values did not show any statistical significant difference except for ESR (p=0.010) values that were higher in gingivitis group . MCH and RBC values showed no statistical difference among the three groups.Comparing the Pearsons correlation values showed that in the Gingivitis group :Negative corelation between GI vs Hb % and GI vs RBC was seen. In the periodontitis Group :Negative correlation between CAL vs Hb% was noted. Conclusion: The present study provides evidence that periodontits like other chronic infections , may tend towards anemia. For a more coherent picture on this topic further investigations with larger sample sizes should be conducted. Total no. of words : 2377 Total no. of references :23 Total no. of tables : 7 Total no. of graphs: 7
Variational non rigid registration with bregman divergences

In this paper, we propose a new energy functional that generalizes the variational method for non-rigid image registration. Our new functional uses the Bregman divergence as a similarity measure. The registration method presented by Fisher and Modersitzki in [5] is an special case in our approach. We show that the variational registration method can be applied to arbitrary Bregman divergences. This result is relevant because these divergences include a large number of useful similarity functions, such as the square of the Euclidean distance, the divergence KL, Logistic loss, the Mahalanobis distance, Itakura-Saito divergence and the Generalized I-divergence. The Euler-Lagrange and the flow equations for the proposed functional were deduced and used to minimize it. Our experiments show that the new functional can determine the deformation field for the images registration obtained from different scans or modalities. The image registration under the Bregman divergences performed better than when using the Euclidean distance as the similarity measure.
Reconfigurable Channel Selection Technique for Cognitive Radio Network With Heterogeneous Primary Bands

Recently, the Federal Communications Commission has mandated the use of a database to observe the spectral opportunity at a given place over time along with the use of spectrum sensing. It is arduous to obtain the database for spectral opportunity for all places, and since spectral opportunities rapidly vary with location, a new paradigm to obtain the spectral opportunity needs to be determined. We propose a method to obtain the spectral opportunity at a given location for specific channels, such as television (TV) and frequency-modulated (FM) bands, which follow deterministic time usage pattern. Since these channels have a periodic deterministic time usage pattern for every 24 h, learning the spectral opportunities and utilizing these for consequent time periods have better efficiency than other proposed schemes. Once the spectral opportunity is known and if we have multiple channels from which to select, then a decision on the selection of a channel is made. The spectrum decision is done to satisfy the constraints imposed by a user. Since, with our proposed method, the spectral opportunity is known ahead of time, better spectrum decisions can be made. To this end, we propose three different channel selection techniques with different constraints applied. The first channel selection technique provides the selection of channels with a minimum number of channel switching and, thus, reduces the jitters, switching delays, and packet losses. This channel selection technique is appurtenant to real-time applications such as voice over Internet Protocol. The second channel selection technique provides the selection of channels that maximizes the overall throughput of the system and is particularly useful for bandwidth-intensive applications such as BitTorrent. The third channel selection technique provides a compromised value between minimal channel switching and maximal throughput, thus providing a control over the bandwidth demand and real-time requirement. A comparison of these channel selection techniques is done with three other studies to demonstrate the competency in terms of a number of channel switching and throughput obtained in the system.
The role of stress in the association between low self-esteem, perfectionism, and worry, and eating disorders.

OBJECTIVE Several theorists have hypothesized that stressful situations may trigger abnormal eating and even eating disorders in predisposed people. The purpose of the current study was to assess whether a stressful situation would reveal an association between perfectionism, low self-esteem, worry, and body mass index (BMI) and measures of eating disorder symptoms in female high school students. METHOD A sample of 145 female high school students completed the Eating Disorder Inventory, the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, the Penn State Worry Questionnaire, and the Self Liking and Competence Scale three times--on an average school day, on the day of an examination, and on the day the subjects received the results of that examination. Linear regression analysis was performed to verify whether the dimensions of perfectionism were associated with the measures of eating disorders. RESULTS Low self-esteem, worry, and parental criticism (a dimension of perfectionism) were associated with the measures of eating disorders only during the stressful situation, whereas concern over mistakes (another dimension of perfectionism) was associated in both stressful and nonstressful situations. DISCUSSION The results suggest that in nonclinical female individuals, stress might bring out a previously absent association between some psychological predisposing factors for eating disorders and an actual desire or plan to lose weight. Such a finding suggests that stress may stimulate behaviors related to eating disorders in a predisposed personality.
The Drosophila Toucan protein is a new mitotic microtubule‐associated protein required for spindle microtubule stability

Mitotic spindle dynamics are highly dependent on proteins that interact with microtubules to influence their organization or stability. Here, we show that the Drosophila Toucan protein interacts directly with microtubules. Its localization to the microtubule network when it is expressed in mammalian cells and its direct interaction with microtubules in vitro are dependent on its central basic domain. Moreover, Toc expression in mammalian cells strongly protects microtubules from depolymerization. By using in vivo inducible RNAi in syncytial embryos, we generated a dose‐sensitive loss of function of toucan, demonstrating that this technique is an efficient method for inactivating a maternal transcript. This enabled us to accurately characterize several new mitotic defects from the early to the late phases of mitosis, depending on Toucan depletion level. Toucan is required for metaphase spindle formation and centrosome anchoring to the poles. Then, during anaphase, Toc depletion affects kinetochore microtubules and therefore chromosome segregation. Toc is also necessary for central spindle formation by the interpolar microtubules. In contrast, astral microtubules are not disturbed by Toc depletion. Taken together, our results show that Toucan is a microtubule‐associated protein specifically required for the stability of spindle microtubules throughout mitosis.
Early Female Puberty: A Review of Research on Etiology and Implications.

The age of female puberty appears to have decreased in the United States and western countries as child health and nutrition have improved and obesity has become more prevalent. Also, environmental contaminants, particularly endocrine disruptors, may also play a role in lowering the age of puberty. Puberty at an early age increases the risk of stress, poor school performance, teen pregnancy, eating disorders, substance abuse, and a variety of health issues which may appear later in life including breast cancer and heart disease. Articles for this literature review were located using a computerized search of the databases Health Reference Center, Medline, PsycINFO, and ScienceDirect from 2000 to 2008. Also, reference lists from key published research were reviewed for relevant publications. Risk factors related to early puberty include genetics, race, maternal weight gain, premature or low birth weight, fatherlessness, environmental contaminants, obesity, and race. Maintenance or achievement of healthy weight, regular exercise, and a fi ber-rich diet may delay the onset of early puberty. As the number of girls entering premature puberty increases, there are numerous risks, both physical and emotional. Health educators need to explore ways to help reduce the incidence and prevalence of obesity and address other modifi able risk factors.
THE PdBI ARCSECOND WHIRLPOOL SURVEY (PAWS): ENVIRONMENTAL DEPENDENCE OF GIANT MOLECULAR CLOUD PROPERTIES IN M51

Using data from the PdBI Arcsecond Whirlpool Survey (PAWS), we have generated the largest extragalactic giant molecular cloud (GMC) catalog to date, containing 1507 individual objects. GMCs in the inner M51 disk account for only 54% of the total 12CO(1–0) luminosity of the survey, but on average they exhibit physical properties similar to Galactic GMCs. We do not find a strong correlation between the GMC size and velocity dispersion, and a simple virial analysis suggests that ∼30% of GMCs in M51 are unbound. We have analyzed the GMC properties within seven dynamically motivated galactic environments, finding that GMCs in the spiral arms and in the central region are brighter and have higher velocity dispersions than inter-arm clouds. Globally, the GMC mass distribution does not follow a simple power-law shape. Instead, we find that the shape of the mass distribution varies with galactic environment: the distribution is steeper in inter-arm region than in the spiral arms, and exhibits a sharp truncation at high masses for the nuclear bar region. We propose that the observed environmental variations in the GMC properties and mass distributions are a consequence of the combined action of large-scale dynamical processes and feedback from high-mass star formation. We describe some challenges of using existing GMC identification techniques for decomposing the 12CO(1–0) emission in molecule-rich environments, such as M51's inner disk.
Crescents in diabetic glomerulopathy. Incidence and clinical significance.

Crescents, defined as any proliferative or fibrous space occupying reaction of the parietal layer of Bowman's capsule, occur as a regular and integral feature of the glomerular changes of diabetes mellitus. The frequency of crescents and adhesions to the capsule increases with increasing total severity of diabetic glomerular and vascular disease in glomeruli with mild-moderate diffuse glomerulosclerosis (GS), severe diffuse GS, and nodular GA. The high frequency (greater than 90 per cent) of crescents and adhesions in glomeruli with exudative lesions is unrelated to over-all severity of diabetic renal disease. The 8.73 per cent of glomeruli with exudative lesions had 45 per cent of the total crescents observed. The mechanism of crescent formation in diabetes is probably similar to the proposed pathogenesis of crescents in other renal diseases. The underlying injury in the glomerular capillaries in diabetes is mainly the "exudative lesion. " The percentage of diabetic glomeruli with crescents correlated better with blood urea nitrogen and creatinine that did the percentage of end stage glomeruli (a measure of severity of vascular disease), the percentage of diabetic glomeruli with severe diffuse GS, the percentage of diabetic glomeruli with nodular GS, or the percentage of diabetic glomeruli with exudative lesions. The percentage of diabetic glomeruli with crescents correlated better with severity of vascular disease than did any of the other diabetic glomerular changes. No correlation existed between incidence of crescents and "capsular drops. "
Edinburgh Visual Gait Score for Use in Cerebral Palsy

Complex gait analysis systems are not generally available worldwide, and no simple system of assessing gait by observation has been validated specifically for use in patients with cerebral palsy. The authors have developed a visual gait analysis score for use in cerebral palsy. Videotaped sequences of patients were recorded before and after surgery as part of a three-dimensional gait study using a Vicon (Oxford, U.K.) gait analysis system. The score demonstrated good intraobserver and interobserver reliability. The numeric values of the score elements correlated well with the measurements obtained from instrumented gait analysis for the same patients, and the score was able to detect postoperative change.
Identification de nouveaux mécanismes de régulation temporelle des origines de réplication dans les cellules humaines

La duplication de l'ADN au cours de la phase S est initiee a partir de l'activation de plusieurs dizaines de milliers d'origines de replication. La mise en place des origines a lieu au cours de la phase G1 sous la forme de complexe de pre-replication (pre-RC) et leur activation est orchestree par un programme spatio-temporel. La regulation spatiale determine les origines qui seront activees et la regulation temporelle, ou timing de replication, determine le moment de leur activation. En effet, toutes ces origines ne sont pas activees en meme temps durant la phase S : certaines origines seront activees en debut de phase S, d'autre en milieu, ou d'autre a la fin. Ce programme est etabli en tout debut de phase G1, au " point de decision du timing ". C'est un programme tres robuste qui signe l'identite d'une cellule, son etat de differenciation et le type cellulaire a laquelle elle appartient. Il a aussi ete montre qu'il est altere dans des situations pathologiques, en particulier le cancer, sans qu'on ne comprenne tres bien les raisons mecanistiques. De maniere generale, les mecanismes moleculaires qui regulent le timing de replication sont meconnus. Le premier volet de ma these a permis l'identification d'un nouveau regulateur du timing de replication : il s'agit de l'ADN polymerase specialisee Theta. Recrutee a la chromatine tres tot en phase G1, elle interagit avec des composants du pre-RC, et regule le recrutement des helicases replicatives a la chromatine. Enfin, sa depletion ou sa surexpression entraine une modification du timing de replication a l'echelle du genome. Dans la deuxieme partie de ma these, j'ai explore les mecanismes qui regulent ce programme temporel d'activation des origines suite a un stress replicatif. J'ai identifie un mecanisme de regulation transgenerationnel inedit : la modification du timing de replication de domaines chromosomiques ayant subi un stress replicatif au cycle cellulaire precedent. Des cellules-filles issues d'une cellule ayant subi des problemes de replication dans des domaines fragiles (riches en AT, et donc potentiellement structures, et pauvres en origines) presentent un timing plus precoce de l'activation des origines au niveau de ces domaines. Ce nouveau processus biologique d'adaptation est particulierement interessant dans un contexte tumoral de haut stress replicatif chronique car ce pourrait etre un moyen pour la cellule tumorale de survivre a son propre stress replicatif mais aussi aux therapies antitumorales qui sont nombreuses a cibler la replication de l'ADN.
Sustainable supply management as a purchasing capability : A power and dependence perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to use the relative power and total interdependence concepts as an intervening theoretical lens to explain why and how sustainable supply management (SSM) initiatives by manufacturing firms differ across the Kraljic matrix according to purchasing capability. Design/methodology/approach – Tested hypotheses by subjecting survey data from 338 manufacturers on buyer-supplier relationships in Europe and North America to regression analysis. Findings – Shows three situations where relative power and total interdependence determine the effectiveness of purchasing capabilities. First, sustainability programs impact supplier compliance in all Kraljic categories but bottleneck items. Second, there are significant trade-offs between lower cost and higher social and environmental supplier compliance for noncritical components. Third, strategic alignment of sustainability objectives between corporate and supply function levels only leads to improved financial performance for stra.
PML‐RARα PCR positivity in the bone marrow of patients with APL precedes haematological relapse by 2–3 months

Summary. We report the results of serial tests in three patients with hyperleucocytotic AML M3 by haematological methods, coagulation assays and PCR analyses following treatment with ATRA and chemotherapy. All three patients became PCR negative in bone marrow and peripheral blood (sensitivity level 1 in 105 cells) after one cycle of ATRA+chemotherapy. However, they relapsed haematologically 6–9 months after achieving complete haematological remission. The haematological relapse was precded by PCR positivity in the bone marrow by 3 months. Platelet counts decreased already during CHR, but dropped below normal levels only at the time of relapse. Coagulation parameters were not helpful for early prediction of relapse. Our results demonstrate that PCR analysis in the bone marrow is the best way to monitor patients with APL. However, in hyperleucocytotic patients, PCR negativity does not seem to indicate long‐term remission.
Chronic rhinoviral infection in lung transplant recipients.

RATIONALE Lung transplant recipients are particularly at risk of complications from rhinovirus, the most frequent respiratory virus circulating in the community. OBJECTIVES To determine whether lung transplant recipients can be chronically infected by rhinovirus and the potential clinical impact. METHODS We first identified an index case, in which rhinovirus was isolated repeatedly, and conducted detailed molecular analysis to determine whether this was related to a unique strain or to re-infection episodes. Transbronchial biopsies were used to assess the presence of rhinovirus in the lung parenchyma. The incidence of chronic rhinoviral infections and potential clinical impact was assessed prospectively in a cohort of 68 lung transplant recipients during 19 mo by screening of bronchoalveolar lavages. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS We describe 3 lung transplant recipients with graft dysfunctions in whom rhinovirus was identified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in upper and lower respiratory specimens over a 12-mo period. In two cases, rhinovirus was repeatedly isolated in culture. The persistence of a unique strain in each case was confirmed by sequence analysis of the 5'NCR and VP1 gene. In the index case, rhinovirus was detected in the lower respiratory parenchyma. In the cohort of lung transplant recipients, rhinoviral infections were documented in bronchoalveolar lavage specimens of 10 recipients, and 2 presented with a persistent infection. CONCLUSIONS Rhinoviral infection can be persistent in lung transplant recipients with graft dysfunction, and the virus can be detected in the lung parenchyma. Given the potential clinical impact, chronic rhinoviral infection needs to be considered in lung transplant recipients.