Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Schizosaccharomyces pombe expression systems.

Analysis of a variety of problems in yeast relies on ectopic expression of the protein of interest under control of a heterologous promoter. In the fission yeast S.pombe, there are relatively few expression plasmids and most reports of their activity have not been comparative. It is thus difficult to determine the comparability of experiments carried out using different expression vectors. When new promoters are characterised, it is likewise difficult to determine their activity relative to those previously identified. In order to better assess relative promoter strengths, I have compared the activity of several inducible and constitutive expression systems in fission yeast by using a betagalactosidase reporter gene. This allows a more informed choice of appropriate expression systems for analysis of gene function in S.pombe. Four regulatable and two constitutive promoters were compared. Three regulated promoters were derived from the powerful rural promoter, first described by Maundrell (1) and subsequently attenuated with mutations in the TATA box by Basi et al. (2). The other regulated system was constructed from the tetracycline-inducible system described by Faryar and Gatz (3). The two constitutive promoters were the previously described vectors pARTl (containing the adh promoter; .(4) and pSMl (containing the SV40 promoter; 5). The expression vector REP3, containing the thiamine-inducible nmtl promoter (1), and its derivatives REP41 and REP81 (2), which have lower levels of activity due to mutation, all contain an ATG within their polylinker. This was destroyed by insertion of a Xho linker; these derivatives are called REP3X (full strength nmtl), REP41X (slightly weaker; nmtl*) and REP81X (much
Arterial Stiffness and Pulse Wave Reflection in Young Adult Heterozygous Sickle Cell Carriers

Objective: Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and aortic augmentation index (AI) are indicators of arterial stiffness. Pulse wave reflection and arterial stiffness are related to cardiovascular events and sickle cell disease. However, the effect of these parameters on the heterozygous sickle cell trait (HbAS) is unknown. The aim of this study is to evaluate the arterial stiffness and wave reflection in young adult heterozygous sickle cell carriers. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 40 volunteers (20 HbAS cases, 20 hemoglobin AA [HbAA] cases) aged between 18 and 40 years. AI and PWV values were measured by arteriography. Results: Aortic blood pressure, aortic AI, and brachial AI values were significantly higher in HbAS cases compared to the control group (HbAA) (p=0.033, 0.011, and 0.011, respectively). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between aortic pulse wave velocity and mean arterial pressure, age, aortic AI, brachial AI, weight, and low-density lipoprotein levels (p=0.000, 0.017, 0.000, 0.000, 0.034, and 0.05, respectively) in the whole study population. Aortic AI and age were also significantly correlated (p=0.026). In addition, a positive correlation between aortic PWV and systolic blood pressure and a positive correlation between aortic AI and mean arterial pressure (p=0.027 and 0.009, respectively) were found in HbAS individuals. Our study reveals that mean arterial pressure and heart rate are independent determinants for the aortic AI. Mean arterial pressure and age are independent determinants for aortic PWV. Conclusion: Arterial stiffness measurement is an easy, cheap, and reliable method in the early diagnosis of cardiovascular disease in heterozygous sickle cell carriers. These results may depend on the amount of hemoglobin S in red blood cells. Further studies are required to investigate the blood pressure changes and its effects on arterial stiffness in order to explain the vascular aging mechanism in the HbAS trait population. Conflict of interest:None declared.
A reverse transcriptase-related protein mediates phage resistance and polymerizes untemplated DNA in vitro

Reverse transcriptases (RTs) are RNA-dependent DNA polymerases that usually function in the replication of selfish DNAs such as retrotransposons and retroviruses. Here, we have biochemically characterized a RT-related protein, AbiK, which is required for abortive phage infection in the Gram-positive bacterium Lactococcus lactis. In vitro, AbiK does not exhibit the properties expected for an RT, but polymerizes long DNAs of ‘random’ sequence, analogous to a terminal transferase. Moreover, the polymerized DNAs appear to be covalently attached to the AbiK protein, presumably because an amino acid serves as a primer. Mutagenesis experiments indicate that the polymerase activity resides in the RT motifs and is essential for phage resistance in vivo. These results establish a novel biochemical property and a non-replicative biological role for a polymerase.
Scalable Authoritative OWL Reasoning for the Web

In this article the authors discuss the challenges of performing reasoning on large scale RDF datasets from the Web. Using ter-Horstâ€™s pD* fragment of OWL as a base, the authors compose a rule-based framework for application to web data: they argue their decisions using observations of undesirable examples taken directly from the Web. The authors further temper their OWL fragment through consideration of â€œauthoritative sourcesâ€ which counter-acts an observed behaviour which they term â€œontology hijackingâ€ : new ontologies published on the Web re-defining the semantics of existing entities resident in other ontologies. They then present their system for performing rule-based forward-chaining reasoning which they call SAOR: Scalable Authoritative OWL Reasoner. Based upon observed characteristics of web data and reasoning in general, they design their system to scale: the system is based upon a separation of terminological data from assertional data and comprises of a lightweight in-memory index, on-disk sorts and file-scans. The authors evaluate their methods on a dataset in the order of a hundred million statements collected from real-world Web sources and present scale-up experiments on a dataset in the order of a billion statements collected from the Web.
Performance-driven Synthesis Of Asynchronous Controllers

We examine the implications of a new hazard-free combinational logic synthesis method, which generates multiplexor trees from binary decision diagrams (BDDs)—representations of logic functions factored recursively with respect to input variables—on extended burst-mode asynchronous synthesis. First, the use of the BDD-based synthesis reduces the constraints on state minimization and assignment, which reduces the number of additional state variables required in many cases. Second, in cases where conditional signals are sampled, it eliminates the need for state variable changes preceding output changes, which reduces overall input to output latency. Third, selection variables can easily be ordered to minimize the latency on a user-specified path, which is important for optimizing the performance of systems that use asynchronous components. We present extensive evaluations showing that, with only minimal optimization, the BBD-based synthesis gives comparable results in area with our previous exact two-level synthesis method. We also give a detailed example of the specified path optimization.
Early exposure to bio-contaminants and asthma up to 10 years of age: results of the HITEA study

Inverse associations have been found between exposure to bio-contaminants and asthma and allergies. The aim of this study was to prospectively assess whether early exposure to bio-contaminants in dust is associated with asthma and allergy later in childhood among children from (sub)-urban areas. In subsets of three European birth cohorts (PIAMA: n=553; INMA: n=481; and LISAplus: n=395), endotoxin, (1,3,)-β-d-glucan and extracellular polysaccharide were measured in dust from living rooms shortly after birth. Current asthma at 6 years and 10 years of age and ever asthma up to 10 years of age were assessed by parental questionnaires. Specific IgE levels at 8 years (PIAMA) and 10 years (LISAplus) were available. Adjusted, cohort-specific logistic regression analyses were performed. Higher endotoxin concentrations were positively associated with current asthma at 6 years of age in PIAMA (adjusted OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.07–3.58), but were inversely related with ever asthma up to 10 years of age in INMA (adjusted OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.16–0.94). No associations with asthma were found for LISAplus. No associations were observed with atopic sensitisation in all cohorts. All associations with (1,3)-β-d-glucan and extracellular polysaccharide were statistically nonsignificant. The suggested immunological mechanisms of early exposure to bio-contaminants with regards to asthma and allergy might be different for children growing up in (sub)-urban environments. Immunological mechanisms of early exposure to bio-contaminants might be different in children from urban environments http://ow.ly/AeRi4
The Relationship between Physical Fitness Factors and Academic Skills among Officer Aircrew

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between physical fitness and academic skills among a group of 110 aircrew flight officers. The study compared Air Force flight officers’ physical fitness scores to academic skills. Prior research suggests a person’s physical fitness levels are directly related to academic skills; however, current research has not addressed a military aviation population. This study used regression analysis to examine the relationship between physical fitness scores as tested by the Air Force physical fitness test (predictor instrument) and academic skills as tested by the Wechsler Fundamentals: Academic Skills Numerical Operations Sub-Test (criterion instrument). The participant population for the study was aircrew flight officers, age range 22 to 40. Recruitment occurred at flying units using a hard copy letter provided for all potential recruits. This study is significant in that it explored the relationships between physical fitness and academic skills in an understudied population of young to middle aged adults. The study results could serve as a decision tool for policy on Air Force physical fitness education programs and the allotment of time for physical fitness during duty hours. Overall, the analysis showed no detectible predictive relationship between physical fitness and academic skills in the officer aircrew sample. A ceiling effect of the measurement instruments given the high achievements in the study sample is a possible explanation. Future studies are recommended with larger sample sizes and broader population demographics.
On canonical representations of convex polyhedra

Every convex polyhedron in the Euclidean space $R^d$ admits both H-representation and V-representation. When working with convex polyhedra, in particular large-scale ones in high dimensions, it is useful to have a canonical representation that is minimal and unique up to some elementary operations. Such a representation allows one to compare two H-polyhedra or two V-polyhedra efficiently. In this paper, we define such representations that are simple and can be computed in polynomial time. The key ingredients are redundancy removal for linear inequality systems and affine transformations of polyhedra.
Toward Practical Dynamic Software Updating

Software systems are imperfect, so software updates are a fact of life. While typical software updates require stopping and restarting the program in question, many systems cannot afford to halt service, or would prefer not to. In this paper we argue that dynamic software updating (DSU), in which programs are updated while they run, provides superior flexibility when compared to standard alternatives. The challenge is in making DSU safe and easy to use; we argue that automated analyses are the key. We describe a prototype DSU implementation for C programs, and report our experience with some well-known open-source server programs (Apache, OpenSSH, vsftpd). For these programs, safe updates derived from standard releases were easy to generate, and performance was virtually unaffected by updateability.
Exploiting a scene calibration mechanism for depth estimation

The problem of depth estimation from one or more image(s) is most frequently discussed in computer vision using binocular cues, motion parallax or monocular cues. In this paper, we exploited a scene calibration mechanism for estimating depth from a single image, with emphasis on motorways. The approach incorporates linear perspective depth cue to restore distance information of vehicle(s) from a given image. Based upon the assumption that linear perspective is available in ample amount in structured environments, proposed approach computes 1D projective transformation across ground plane which maps imaged distances to the corresponding real-world distances. Once the homography matrix for 1D projective transformation is available, it can be applied to any point to compute its straight line distance from the reference point. Experimental results show that the proposed approach is computationally efficient and delivers desirably accurate depth estimates; thus, it has been applied to identify over-speedings.
Field studies in offshoring and process standardization

Although business services outsourcing has grown dramatically in size and scope over the last decade, firms continue to encounter difficulties in managing and delivering services. An important choice for service providers is whether to use a standardized set of processes for service delivery across delivery centers. The standardization of processes through the implementation of frameworks such as the CMMI, TQM and ISO 9000 has become an established practice among manufacturing and software development firms. However, the role of process standardization in the delivery of business services such as accounting, procurement, and human resources has not been examined to a significant extent. In this doctoral dissertation, I examine a process improvement framework that is designed specifically for outsourcing service providers: the eSourcing Capability Model for Service Providers, or eSCM-SP (Hyder et al, 2004a, 2004b). I have collected detailed archival data from an offshore delivery center of a large IT and business services firm that has implemented and received certification in the eSCM-SP. I examine the implementation of this model, and its implications for internal service delivery performance, in two empirical studies. It is challenging for global service providers to effectively deliver services to their customers. Process improvement frameworks promise consistent performance, better quality, and less rework. However, implementing such frameworks can be both difficult and costly. Organizations may choose to structure process improvement projects using multiple implementations to facilitate knowledge transfer within and across units. Further, while a variety of knowledge transfer mechanisms are available it is an open question as to whether such mechanisms actually improve implementation performance and whether these effects differ in initial and repeated implementations. In this study, I examine the implementation of process improvement frameworks from the perspective of knowledge transfer. Drawing upon Argote and Ingram's (2000) typology, I theorize that the use of tool-, team-, and task-based mechanisms to transfer process knowledge will lead to higher implementation performance, particularly in repeated implementations. However, I also hypothesize that these beneficial effects will be weakened by the extent to which the process knowledge transferred must be customized in these implementations. I evaluate my theoretical model using data collected in a field study of multiple implementations of a process improvement framework in two units of an offshore delivery center for a large IT and business services provider. The findings suggest that, for processes that do not require customization in repeated implementations, team-based mechanisms are as effective in the …
Variability-selected QSO candidates in OGLE-II Galactic bulge fields

We present 97 QSO candidates in 48 Galactic bulge fields of the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment II (OGLE-II) covering ∼11 deg 2 , which are selected via their variability. We extend light curves of variable objects which were detected in a 3-yr baseline in the OGLE-II variable star catalogue to fourth year. We search for objects that are faint (16 < I 0 < 18.5) and slowly variable over 4 yr in this catalogue by using the variogram/structure function. Finding the QSOs in such stellar-crowded and high extinction fields is challenging, but should be useful for the astrometric reference frame. Spectroscopic follow-up observations are required to confirm these QSO candidates. Follow-up observations are being prepared for four of these fields (BUL-SC1, 2, 32 and 45). Follow-up observations for other fields are strongly encouraged. The complete list and light curves of all 97 candidates are available in electronic format at http://www.astro. princeton.edu/ sumi/QSO-OGLEII/.
The effectiveness of school-wide positive behavior programs in Georgia middle schools

Kristy Arnold. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SCHOOL-WIDE POSITIVE BEH AVIOR PROGRAMS IN GEORGIA MIDDLE SCHOOLS. (under the direction of Dr. Ackerman) School of Education, Liberty University, February, 2012. Discipline issues and inappropriate student behavior in the classroom are issues tha t administrators and teachers throughout the country deal with on a daily basis and often lead to a loss of instructional time. This causal comparative study examine d school-wide discipline programs and compared the behavior of students in schools using school-wide positive behavior management systems to the behavior of students in schools that do not implement school-wide programs based on the numbers of office referrals at ea ch level of behavior. Three middle schools in one northwest county in Georgia were compared based on the presence of School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS). The Findings suggest that middle schools utilizing this universal discipline approach had significantly fewer serious, or level three behavior problems than non SWPBIS schools. Descriptors: School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS), discipline referrals, reinforcements, discipline levels
Is the Association Between Sweet and Bitter Perception due to Genetic Variation?

Perceived intensities of sweetness and bitterness are correlated with one another and each is influenced by genetics. The extent to which these correlations share common genetic variation, however, remains unclear. In a mainly adolescent sample (n = 1901, mean age 16.2 years), including 243 monozygotic (MZ) and 452 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs, we estimated the covariance among the perceived intensities of 4 bitter compounds (6-n-propylthiouracil [PROP], sucrose octa-acetate, quinine, caffeine) and 4 sweeteners (the weighted mean ratings of glucose, fructose, neohesperidine dihydrochalcone, aspartame) with multivariate genetic modeling. The sweetness factor was moderately correlated with sucrose octa-acetate, quinine, and caffeine (rp = 0.35-0.40). This was mainly due to a shared genetic factor (rg = 0.46-0.51) that accounted for 17-37% of the variance in the 3 bitter compounds' ratings and 8% of the variance in general sweetness ratings. In contrast, an association between sweetness and PROP only became evident after adjusting for the TAS2R38 diplotype (rp increased from 0.18 to 0.32) with the PROP genetic factor accounting for 6% of variance in sweetness. These genetic associations were not inflated by scale use bias, as the cross-trait correlations for both MZ and DZ twins were weak. There was also little evidence for mediation by cognition or behavioral factors. This suggests an overlap of genetic variance between perceptions of sweetness and bitterness from a variety of stimuli, which includes PROP when considering the TAS2R38 diplotype. The most likely sources of shared variation are within genes encoding post-receptor transduction mechanisms common to the various taste G protein-coupled receptors.
Design and Implementation of the MaxStream Federated Stream Processing Architecture

{ming-chien.shan, ying.yan, gene.zhang}@sap.comAbstract—Despite the availability of several commercial datastream processing engines (SPEs), it remains hard to develop andmaintain streaming applications. A major difﬁculty is the lackof standards, and the wide (and changing) variety of applicationrequirements. Consequently, existing SPEs vary widely in dataand query models, APIs, functionality, and optimization capa-bilities. This has led to some organizations using multiple SPEs,based on their application needs. Furthermore, management ofstored data and streaming data are still mostly separate concerns,although applications increasingly require integrated access toboth. In the MaxStream project, our goal is to design andbuild a federated stream processing architecture that seamlesslyintegrates multiple autonomous and heterogeneous SPEs withtraditional databases, and hence facilitates the incorporation ofnew functionality and requirements. In this paper, we describe thedesign and implementation of the MaxStream architecture, anddemonstrate its feasibility and performance on two benchmarks:the Linear Road Stream Data Management Benchmark and theSAP Sales and Distribution Benchmark.
Efficient Broadcast Algorithms To Reduce number of transmission Based on Probability Scheme

Two main approaches to broadcast packets in wireless ad hoc networks are static and dynamic. In the static approach, algorithms determine the status (forwarding/nonforwarding) of each node proactively based on local topology information and a globally known priority function. In the dynamic approach, local algorithms determine the status of each node based on local topology information and broadcast state information. Using the dynamic approach that local broadcast algorithms can achieve a constant approximation factor to the optimum solution when position information is available. We design a local broadcast algorithm in which the status of each node is decided "on-the-fly" and prove that the algorithm can achieve both full delivery and a constant heuristic to the optimum solution without using position information. In this paper we improve the transmission via probability scheme through reduce the number of transmission.
On galaxy cluster sizes and temperatures

We show that the distribution of the sizes and temperatures of clusters can be used to constrain cosmological models. The size–temperature (ST) distribution predicted in a flat Gaussian cluster-abundance-normalized model agrees well with the fairly tight ST relation observed. A larger power-spectrum amplitude σ8 would give rise to a larger scatter about the ST relation as would a larger value of Ω0 and/or long non-Gaussian high-density tails in the probability density function. For Gaussian initial conditions, the ST distribution suggests a constraint The ST relation is expected to get tighter at high redshifts. In the process, we derive a simple formula for the halo formation–redshift distribution for non-Gaussian models. We also suggest that the discrepancy between the naive zero-redshift ST relation and that observed may be owing, at least in part, to the fact that lower-mass clusters form over a wider range of redshifts. An Appendix derives an equation for the formation–redshift distribution of haloes.