Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular Engineering of Algal H2 Production

Hydrogen production by green algae has significant advantages over other photobiological systems: ATP production is not required, high theoretical efficiencies are possible, and water is used directly as the source of reductant without the need to produce biomass or to store intermediary carbon metabolites. However, algal H2 photoproduction is sensitive to O2, a coproduct of photosynthesis, and this sensitivity is a major factor currently limiting the use of algal systems for H2 production. We are investigating ways to surmount this problem, by focusing on the amino acid sequence and structure of the reversible [Fe]-hydrogenase (the enzyme that releases H2 gas). Previous studies (McTavish et al., 1995; Ghirardi et al., 1997; Seibert et al., 2001; Flynn et al., 1999; 2002) indicate that mutagenesis can be used to decrease the O2 sensitivity of the hydrogenase and thus eventually lead to a system that produces H2 under aerobic conditions. Last year, we cloned and sequenced the hydA1 [Fe]-hydrogenase gene in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. We also cloned and partially sequenced a second, unexpected hydrogenase gene, hydA2. This year, we completed the sequencing of hydA2, confirmed that it is expressed at the mRNA level and is a different gene than hydA1, and started to characterize both genes. We found that the hydA2 gene has a similar degree of homology to other [Fe]-hydrogenases as hydA1, and it contains all the motifs characteristic of these hydrogenases. We also found that hydA2 is a nuclear gene that is located on a different chromosome from hydA1. The two corresponding transcripts, hydA1 and hydA2 are induced almost equally under photoheterotrophic and photoautotrophic anaerobic conditions, and are equally inactivated by exposure to O2. In order to investigate differences in the physiological role of the two cloned algal hydrogenases, we have raised antibodies specific against each of the two enzymes. These antibodies will be used for detailed protein expression studies in the future. Finally, we did some structural modeling on the purported amino acid sequences of HydA1 and HydA2 and have identified regions of the proteins to target for future mutagenesis in order to improve their O2 tolerance.
Optimizations of a MIMO Relay Network

Relay networks have received considerable attention recently, especially when limited size and power resources impose constraints on the number of antennas within a wireless sensor network. In this context, signal processing techniques play a fundamental role, and optimality within a given relay architecture can be achieved under several design criteria. In this paper, we extend recent optimal minimum-mean-square-error (MMSE) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) designs of relay networks to the corresponding multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) scenarios, whereby the source, relays and destination comprise multiple antennas. We investigate maximum SNR solutions subject to power constraints and zero-forcing (ZF) criteria, as well as approximate MMSE equalizers with specified target SNR and power constraint at the receiver. We also maximize the transmission rate between the source and destination subject to power constraint at the receiver.
On Requirements Visualization

This paper summarizes the typical objectives and process of visualization and highlights the primary areas in which visualization systems and artifacts have been used to support requirements engineering activities to date. The paper suggests that the field has yet to realize some of the benefits that can arise from a well designed and task-oriented information visualization, falling behind other areas of software engineering in which visualization has been used to better effect. By way of an exemplar, the paper proposes the need for a way to visualize the multi-dimensional nature of requirements to help bring about a shared and rapid comprehension on the health of a project's requirements, and so support various diagnostic activities and decision making tasks during software development. It examines how new ways to 'see' the requirements could be developed, based on metaphor and mapping, provides some samples, and outlines a research agenda to explore a vision related to requirements sensing.
One-Year Volatility of Reserve Risk in a Multivariate Framework

The one-year prediction error (one-year MSEP) proposed by Merz and Wuthrich has become a market-standard approach for the assessment of reserve volatilities for Solvency II purposes. However, this approach is declined in a univariate framework. Moreover, Braun proposed a closed-formed expression of the prediction error of several run-off portfolios at the ultimate horizon by taking into account their dependency. This article proposes an analytical expression of the one-year MSEP obtained by generalizing the modeling developed by Braun to the one-year horizon with an approach similar to Merz and Wuthrich. A full mathematical demonstration of the formula has been provided in this paper. A case study is presented to assess the dependency between commercial and motor liabilities businesses based on data coming from a major international insurer.
Usability Evaluation Framework for Software Engineering Methodologies

According to software quality models published usability is an important quality attribute to measure how usable and effective/useful is the software system. Concept of usability has been applied to improve the quality of software systems, human computer interaction, software process improvement, and software process descriptions. Over the years different usability models have been proposed listing the factors, criteria and metrics to measure the usability of software systems, software processes, and software process descriptions. Since usability evaluation is a difficult task varioususability evaluation methods (UEM) have been proposed to describe different processes for systematic and effective way for usability evaluation. Concept of usability can be applied to software engineering methodologies to find how usable and useful a methodology is for software engineers or software development organizations, and it can also be used by method engineers or meta-model developers for method engineering to improve the usability of software engineering methods. Usability models and Usability evaluation methods proposed for software systems cannot be applied directly to software engineering methodologies due to difference of domains, concepts, and end users. In this work a usability evaluation framework is proposed which comprises usability factors and their description, criteria and their description to measure factors, importance and grading of criteria fulfillment, guidelines to apply the framework and overall evaluation process.
Asymptotic performance analysis of subspace adaptive algorithms introduced in the neural network literature

In the neural network literature, many algorithms have been proposed for estimating the eigenstructure of covariance matrices. We first show that many of these algorithms, when presented in a common framework, show great similitudes with the gradient-like stochastic algorithms usually encountered in the signal processing literature. We derive the asymptotic distribution of these different recursive subspace estimators. A closed-form expression of the covariances in distribution of eigenvectors and associated projection matrix estimators are given and analyzed. In particular, closed-form expressions of the mean square error of these estimators are given. It is found that these covariance matrices have a structure very similar to those describing batch estimation techniques. The accuracy of our asymptotic analysis is checked by numerical simulations, and it is found to be valid not only for a "small" step size but in a very large domain. Finally, convergence speed and deviation from orthonormality of the different algorithms are compared, and several tradeoffs are analyzed.
SEU-resistant SHA-256 design for security in satellites

Satellites currently play a fundamental role in communications and are also used in modern military operations. Given their importance, satellites should not rely their security on the uniqueness and obscurity of their systems. However, it is not trivial to implement cryptographic mechanisms due to high energy particles coming from space, which are the main cause of single event upsets (SEUs). Therefore, besides stringent constraints on area, power, energy and performance, satellites architectures must provide SEU-resistance. This research proposes and analyzes various architectures for SHA-256 hash function which are of utmost importance to ensure secure communications. Furthermore, in contrast to previous work, the proposed architectures are able to detect and correct errors. We show that a scheme employing Hamming codes to protect the main registers of SHA-256 leads to a better trade-off in terms of area, performance and power consumption, compared to the traditional triple modular redundancy (TMR). When implemented on an Altera Cyclone II FPGA, this approach demands 3657 LEs and consumes 126.18 mW of dynamic power. This can be translated to the utilization of 2.3 times as much area and 1.5 times as much power as the non-fault tolerant SHA-256 implementation. These results are crucial for supporting present and future embedded security in satellites, which demand both highly constrained and SEU-resistant designs.
Heuristic search with reachability tests for automated generation of test programs

Our research complements the current research on automated specification-based testing by proposing a scheme that combines the setup process, test execution, and test validation into a single test program for testing the behavior of object-oriented classes. The test program can be generated automatically given the desired test cases and closed algebraic specifications of the classes. The core of the test program generator is a partial-order planner which plans the sequence of instructions required in the test program. A first cut implementation of the planner has been presented by Leow et al. (2004) based on simple depth-first search. This paper presents a more efficient and effective heuristic search algorithm that performs reachability tests using the Omega calculator. Test results show that heuristic search with reachability tests significantly reduce the search time required to generate a valid sequence of instructions
Providing enhanced cellular coverage in public transportation with smart relay systems

This paper introduces a notion of coordinated and cooperative relay systems (CCRS) for providing enhanced cellular coverage in highly populated public transportation such as passenger trains, cruise ships, etc. This notion considers a closed group of relay nodes and cells thereof, deployed together for particular service area of interest, as a new interconnected-and-extended network entity of advanced cellular systems — the CCRS. The CCRS may be set up on the run and connected to donor cellular network(s) with multiple mobile wireless backhaul links in a coordinated and controlled manner. This is in order to optimize, for examples, duplexing operation in relaying, load balancing and capacity sharing, as well as mobility management of the CCRS which serves a huge number of mobile users aboard of transportation. This paper addresses challenges as well as architecture alternatives and enhancements for incorporating the CCRS into advanced cellular networks such as 3GPP LTE-A systems. This paper also shows some methods to explore notable amounts of time-space and user diversities associated with the CCRS and performance gains of the CCRS.
An Unbiased Systems Genetics Approach to Mapping Genetic Loci Modulating Susceptibility to Severe Streptococcal Sepsis

Striking individual differences in severity of group A streptococcal (GAS) sepsis have been noted, even among patients infected with the same bacterial strain. We had provided evidence that HLA class II allelic variation contributes significantly to differences in systemic disease severity by modulating host responses to streptococcal superantigens. Inasmuch as the bacteria produce additional virulence factors that participate in the pathogenesis of this complex disease, we sought to identify additional gene networks modulating GAS sepsis. Accordingly, we applied a systems genetics approach using a panel of advanced recombinant inbred mice. By analyzing disease phenotypes in the context of mice genotypes we identified a highly significant quantitative trait locus (QTL) on Chromosome 2 between 22 and 34 Mb that strongly predicts disease severity, accounting for 25%–30% of variance. This QTL harbors several polymorphic genes known to regulate immune responses to bacterial infections. We evaluated candidate genes within this QTL using multiple parameters that included linkage, gene ontology, variation in gene expression, cocitation networks, and biological relevance, and identified interleukin1 alpha and prostaglandin E synthases pathways as key networks involved in modulating GAS sepsis severity. The association of GAS sepsis with multiple pathways underscores the complexity of traits modulating GAS sepsis and provides a powerful approach for analyzing interactive traits affecting outcomes of other infectious diseases.
Research on missile formation control system

The control system of missile formation flight is described. In this paper, the missile formation flight controller and BTT intelligence missile outer-loop controller are interested. A combination of proportion and differential control of the position error is used in the designing of the missile formation flight controller to generate the control command for the single missile. The missile outer-loop controller is designed based on the total energy. Simulation demonstrate that the missile formation controller are capable of controlling the missile formation and the BTT missile controller can track the command generated by the missile formation controller exactly.
Does childhood trauma play a role in the aetiology of psychosis? A review of recent evidence

Summary There has been a resurgence of interest in the role of childhood trauma in the aetiology of psychosis. In this review, recent findings on the association between childhood trauma and a continuum of psychotic symptoms are presented. Evidence of the association between specific childhood trauma subtypes and psychotic symptoms is examined, with a brief discussion of some current hypotheses about the potential mechanisms underlying the associations that have been found. Some practice implications of these findings are also highlighted. Learning Objectives • Identify findings from recent meta-analyses on the association between childhood trauma and a range of psychotic outcomes, from non-clinical psychotic experiences to psychotic disorders • Consider which childhood traumas are the most potent in the context of psychotic outcomes • Recognise that the relationships between childhood trauma, psychotic symptoms and other psychopathology are complex, dynamic and multidimensional
Accurate rate-distortion approximation for sparse Bernoulli-Generalized Gaussian models

The objective of this paper is to study rate-distortion properties of a quantized Bernoulli-Generalized Gaussian source. Such source model has been found to be well-adapted for signals having a sparse representation in a transformed domain. We provide here accurate approximations of the entropy and the distortion functions evaluated through a p-th order error measure. These theoretical results are then validated experimentally. Finally, the benefit that can be drawn from the proposed approximations in bit allocation problems is illustrated for a wavelet-based compression scheme.
Analysis of Finite Field Spreading for Multiple-Access Channel

Finite field spreading scheme is proposed for a synchronous multiple-access channel with Gaussian noise and equal-power users. For each user, $s$ information bits are spread \emph{jointly} into a length-$sL$ vector by $L$ multiplications on GF($2^s$). Thus, each information bit is dispersed into $sL$ transmitted symbols, and the finite field despreading (FF-DES) of each bit can take advantage of $sL$ independent receiving observations. To show the performance gain of joint spreading quantitatively, an extrinsic information transfer (EXIT) function analysis of the FF-DES is given. It shows that the asymptotic slope of this EXIT function increases as $s$ increases and is in fact the absolute slope of the bit error rate (BER) curve at the low BER region. This means that by increasing the length $s$ of information bits for joint spreading, a larger absolute slope of the BER curve is achieved. For $s, L\geq 2$, the BER curve of the finite field spreading has a larger absolute slope than that of the single-user transmission with BPSK modulation.
Chitosan Coated Textiles May Improve Atopic Dermatitis Severity by Modulating Skin Staphylococcal Profile: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) patients may benefit from using textiles coated with skin microbiome–modulating compounds. Chitosan, a natural biopolymer with immunomodulatory and antimicrobial properties, has been considered potentially useful. Objective This randomized controlled trial assessed the clinical utility of chitosan-coated garment use in AD. Methods Of the 102 patients screened, 78 adult and adolescents were randomly allocated to overnight use of chitosan-coated or uncoated cotton long-sleeved pyjama tops and pants for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was change in disease severity assessed by Scoring Atopic dermatitis index (SCORAD). Other outcomes were changes in quality of life, pruritus and sleep loss, days with need for rescue medication, number of flares and controlled weeks, and adverse events. Changes in total staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus skin counts were also assessed. Comparisons were made using analysis of variance supplemented by repeated measures analysis for the primary outcome. Interaction term between time and intervention was used to compare time trends between groups. Results Chitosan group improved SCORAD from baseline in 43.8%, (95%CI: 30.9 to 55.9), P = 0.01, placebo group in 16.5% (-21.6 to 54.6); P = 0.02 with no significant differences between groups; Dermatology Quality of life Index Score significantly improved in chitosan group (P = 0.02) and a significant increase of skin Coagulase negative Staphylococci (P = 0.02) was seen. Conclusions Chitosan coated textiles may impact on disease severity by modulating skin staphylococcal profile. Moreover, a potential effect in quality of life may be considered. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01597817
Use of reduced-order observers for feedback control in large wind turbines may reduce fatigue damage from excitement of flexible modes

While full-order observers have been successfully applied in state-space blade-pitch control of large wind turbines, the use of reduced-order observers has, apparently, not been documented. Using a model of a 600kW horizontal-axis wind turbine, we demonstrate that the use of a reduced-order observer to obtain wind speed estimates for disturbance accommodation control may dampen flexible modes and lead to reduced structural fatigue in large wind turbines.
Redefining high school American literature in a diverse nation

Nancy M. Vasquez Redefining High School American Literature in a Diverse Nation 2001-2002 Dr. Donna W. Jorgensen Master of Science in Teaching The purpose of this qualitative study was to evaluate why high school students in America study American literature that includes a majority of writers of white western European descent and excludes writers of multicultural backgrounds. This study also analyzed if exposure to works by multicultural writers changes students' perceptions of what constitutes American literature. The participants included 3 classes of American literature students (N=44) and American literature teachers (N=6) in a predominantly white high school. The study included a combination of textbook contextbook nt analysis, teacher interviews, and an intervention consisting of a Latino literature unit taught to student participants. Key ideas in teacher interviews and student preand post-intervention writing responses and class discussions were categorized and analyzed for dominant themes. Conclusions found that teachers teach based heavily on textbook content that is largely by white authors and is also chronologically based. The study also showed that students exhibit attitude changes toward American literature when exposed to multicultural literature but that long-term intense intervention may be necessary for permanent changes. The implications on American literature curriculum are discussed.
Practical distributed computation of maximal exact matches in the cloud

Computation of maximal exact matches (MEMs) is an important problem in comparing genomic sequences. Optimal sequential algorithms for computing MEMs have been already introduced and integrated in a number of software tools. To cope with large data and exploit new computing paradigms like cloud computing, it is important to develop efficient and ready-to-use solutions running on distributed parallel architecture. In a previous work, we have introduced a distributed algorithm running on a computer cluster for computing the MEMs. In this paper, we extend this work in two directions: First, we introduce new variants of this algorithm; one of them has a better time complexity than the published one. These variants as we will demonstrate by experiments are faster in practice. Second, we introduce a cloud based implementation, where we automate the process of creating and configuring the cluster, submitting the jobs, and finally collecting the results and terminating the cloud machines.
Visual navigation of an indoor mobile robot based on a novel artificial landmark system

This paper presents a practical topological navigation system for indoor mobile robots, making use of a novel artificial landmark which is called MR (Mobile Robot) code. This new kind of paper-made landmarks can be easily attached on the ceilings or on the walls. Localization algorithms for the two cases are given respectively. An approaching control algorithm and an extended line tracking algorithm are also described, which a robot employs to approach its current goal. A simple topological navigation algorithm is proposed. Experiment results show the effectiveness of the method in real environment.
Cysteine Accessibility in ClC-0 Supports Conservation of the ClC Intracellular Vestibule

ClC chloride channels, which are ubiquitously expressed in mammals, have a unique double-barreled structure, in which each monomer forms its own pore. Identification of pore-lining elements is important for understanding the conduction properties and unusual gating mechanisms of these channels. Structures of prokaryotic ClC transporters do not show an open pore, and so may not accurately represent the open state of the eukaryotic ClC channels. In this study we used cysteine-scanning mutagenesis and modification (SCAM) to screen >50 residues in the intracellular vestibule of ClC-0. We identified 14 positions sensitive to the negatively charged thiol-modifying reagents sodium (2-sulfonatoethyl)methanethiosulfonate (MTSES) or sodium 4-acetamido-4'-maleimidylstilbene-2'2-disulfonic acid (AMS) and show that 11 of these alter pore properties when modified. In addition, two MTSES-sensitive residues, on different helices and in close proximity in the prokaryotic structures, can form a disulfide bond in ClC-0. When mapped onto prokaryotic structures, MTSES/AMS-sensitive residues cluster around bound chloride ions, and the correlation is even stronger in the ClC-0 homology model developed by Corry et al. (2004). These results support the hypothesis that both secondary and tertiary structures in the intracellular vestibule are conserved among ClC family members, even in regions of very low sequence similarity.