Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of a data warehouse performance using association rules technique

The data warehouse holds information management and turns it into meaningful management information, from which, very interesting patterns can be discovered by applying knowledge discovery process. As the update of the Data Warehouse is not too frequent, it is possible to improve query performance while storing the data retrieved by them in a cache. However, the most powerful systems have a small capacity to store the entire database in memory cache. The caching chunks technique is designed to keep in cache the query results in the form of chunks of values, instead of storing them in large tables. In this paper, we propose a new technique for caching multidimensional queries based on association rules. Using this technique will allow all users to enjoy the benefits of Data Warehousing in the best manner, and also to improve performance and also increase the use of the system while reducing the response time. The technique is build using an architecture comprising a data warehouse, a memory cache on the server and a one on each user's machine, in which the association rules and query results are stored. These results are kept in the form of chunks to enjoy all the advantages of the technique of fragmentation into chunks. This approach has been implemented and tested over a real huge data followed by displaying the results and analyzes.
A UML statecharts semantics with message-passing

We give a formal semantics for one of the main UML diagram types for dynamical system behavior: statechart diagrams. This is the first semantics which explicitly models message-passing between different diagrams. It therefore lays a first foundation for executable UML modeling, allowing whole systems of UML specifications (rather than single diagrams) to be simulated.
How to design a system in which modules can be changed on the fly

In a system made up of many modules, each managing its own peculiar types of data structures, it is often necessary to update one of the modules so as to provide new features or an improvement in the internal organization. If the interface to the module is unchanged or merely augmented the programs which interact with the module need not be changed. If the system can be brought to an orderly halt and if the module does not manage permanent data structures, it will merely be necessary to recompile the modified module, relink the system, stop the old system, and install the new one. If the module does manage permanent data structures which must be modified and the system is one which is expected to continue operation throughout the change, the problem is more difficult, but it can be solved. This paper discusses a solution.
Compositionality results for cardiac cell dynamics

By appealing to the small-gain theorem of one of the authors (Girard), we show that the 13-variable sodium-channel component of the 67-variable IMW cardiac-cell model (Iyer-Mazhari-Winslow) can be replaced by an approximately bi-similar, 2-variable HH-type (Hodgkin-Huxley) abstraction. We show that this substitution of (approximately) equals for equals is safe in the sense that the approximation error between sodium-channel models is not amplified by the feedback-loop context in which it is placed. To prove this feedback-compositionality result, we exhibit quadratic-polynomial, exponentially decaying bisimulation functions between the IMW and HH-type sodium channels, and also for the IMW-based context in which these sodium-channel models are placed. These functions allow us to quantify the overall error introduced by the sodium-channel abstraction and subsequent substitution in the IMW model. To automate computation of the bisimulation functions, we employ the SOSTOOLS optimization toolbox. Our experimental results validate our analytical findings. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first application of δ-bisimilar, feedback-assisting, compositional reasoning in biological systems.
MDE: Differential evolution with merit-based mutation strategy

Currently Differential Evolution (DE) is arguably the most powerful and widely used stochastic population-based real-parameter optimization algorithm. There have been variant DE-based algorithms in the literature since its introduction in 1995. This paper proposes a novel merit-based mutation strategy for DE (MDE); it is based on the performance of each individual in the past and current generations to improve the solution accuracy. MDE is compared with three commonly used mutation strategies on 28 standard numerical benchmark functions introduced in the IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation (CEC-2013) special session on real parameter optimization. Experimental results confirm that MDE outperforms the classical DE mutation strategies for most of the test problems in terms of convergence speed and solution accuracy.
Study on moisture vapor transmission characteristics of woven fabrics from cotton-acrylic bulked yarns

The fabrics made from bulked yarn are commonly used in functional clothing. It is very important to understand the moisture vapor transmission characteristics through these fabrics. The present paper deals with a detailed study to understand the phenomenon of moisture vapor transmission through bulked fabrics, which may affect the heat stress and the performance of wearer. Cotton-acrylic bulked yarns of different linear densities, proportion of shrinkable acrylic fiber, and twist levels have been developed as per the three-variable three-level factorial design technique proposed by Box and Behnken. The interaction effects of these variables on the moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of fabrics have been studied. The influence of these three variables on the MVTR at different time intervals was also studied in details. The response surface equations for all the microclimate parameters have been derived and the surface and contour plots were obtained to analyze the interactive effect of all the variables on microclimate parameters. It has been observed that the initial rate of moisture vapor transmission is very high, but it reduces significantly with time. The increase in the proportion of shrinkable acrylic fibers results in the increase in MVTR. The MVTR reduces initially and then increases with the increase in level of yarn twist. The trend is different at 40 min time interval, where the MVTR remains almost constant for fabrics with coarser yarns, but it increases for fabrics with finer yarns.
CFOA-based quadrature oscillator employing grounded capacitors

This paper presents a novel voltage-mode quadrature sinusoidal oscillator employing current-feedback operational amplifier (CFOA) as an active building block. The proposed circuit employs two CFOAs with the minimum number of passive elements, namely two resistors and two grounded capacitors. The use of only grounded capacitors makes the proposed circuit ideal for integrated circuit implementation. The proposed circuit offers the advantages of orthogonal control of the condition of oscillation and frequency of oscillation, availability of two quadrature voltage outputs and low active and passive sensitivity performances. Experimental results are included.
Diurnal Pattern of Tear Osmolarity and Its Relationship to Corneal Thickness and Deswelling

Purpose: To identify the diurnal variations of tear osmolarity (TO) and its relationship with central corneal thickness (CCT) and corneal deswelling over a 14-hour period. Methods: TO and CCT were measured using the TearLab Osmometer and Bioptigen spectral domain optical coherence tomography, respectively, on 38 healthy neophytes (mean age, 21.5 ± 2.2 years). TO and CCT were measured at bedtime (baseline), upon awakening, 20 minutes, 40 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, and 8 hours after awakening. Deswelling rate was estimated and expressed as percent recovery per hour (PRPH). Mixed-effect linear regression models describe the relationships among TO, CCT, and PRPH. Results: The tear film upon wakening (264 ± 14 mOsm/L) was hypoosmotic compared with baseline (297 ± 15 mOsm/L, P < 0.001). TO (in mOsm/L) at 20 minutes, 40 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, and 8 hours were 287 ± 10, 292 ± 16, 293 ± 12, 292 ± 10, 289 ± 10, and 286 ± 10, respectively. CCT (mean ± SD) at baseline was 552.2 ± 35.9 µm and increased to 572.0 ± 38.7 µm after sleep. CCT returned to baseline thickness 4 hours after awakening (P < 0.000) and remained stable throughout the day. A small but statistically significant association was found between higher TO and lower CCT (P < 0.0001) and between lower baseline TO and higher PRPH (faster deswelling; P < 0.0001). Conclusions: The diurnal pattern of TO has been established. The association of TO with corneal thickness and deswelling suggests that the tear film tonicity may be partly responsible for corneal hydration control; however, the effect may not be of clinical significance in a normal study cohort.
Characterization of Nanocrystalline Titania Thin Film Deposited by Spray Pyrolysis Technique

Nanocrystalline titania (TiO2) thin ﬁlms prepared by spray pyrolysis deposition on to the heated glass in a temperature range of TS = 350 ÷ 450oC. Analysis of optical transmission spectral of films reveals an optical band gap of about 3.2÷3.4 eV and the transmittance above 80% for TiO2 films with thickness of 0.8÷1.6 µm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis demonstrates that the ﬁlms are found of anatase phase in crystal structure. The AFM photographs show the nano-size of the constituents. The crystallize size and crystalline of the samples is discussed with respect to the film thickness and deposition temperature.
The PIN family of proteins in potato and their putative role in tuberization

The PIN family of trans-membrane proteins mediates auxin efflux throughout the plant and during various phases of plant development. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the PIN family comprised of 8 members, divided into “short” and “long” PINs according to the length of the hydrophilic domain of the protein. Based on sequence homology using the recently published potato genome sequence (Solanum tuberosum group Phureja) we identified ten annotated potato StPIN genes. Mining the publicly available gene expression data, we constructed a catalog tissue specificity of StPIN gene expression, focusing on the process of tuberization. A total of four StPIN genes exhibited increased expression 4 days after tuber induction, prior to the onset of stolon swelling. For two PIN genes, StPIN4 and StPIN2, promoter sequences were cloned and fused to the GUS reporter protein to study tissue specificity in more detail. StPIN4 promoter driven GUS staining was detected in the flower stigma, in the flower style, below the ovary and petals, in the root tips, in the vascular tissue of the stolons and in the tuber parenchyma cells. StPIN2 promoter driven GUS staining was detected in flower buds, in the vascular tissue of the swelling stolons and in the storage parenchyma of the growing tubers. Based on our results, we postulate a role for the StPINs in redistributing auxin in the swelling stolon during early events in tuber development.
Microorganisms Resistant to Free-Living Amoebae

SUMMARY Free-living amoebae feed on bacteria, fungi, and algae. However, some microorganisms have evolved to become resistant to these protists. These amoeba-resistant microorganisms include established pathogens, such as Cryptococcus neoformans, Legionella spp. , Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Mycobacterium avium, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Francisella tularensis, and emerging pathogens, such as Bosea spp. , Simkania negevensis, Parachlamydia acanthamoebae, and Legionella-like amoebal pathogens. Some of these amoeba-resistant bacteria (ARB) are lytic for their amoebal host, while others are considered endosymbionts, since a stable host-parasite ratio is maintained. Free-living amoebae represent an important reservoir of ARB and may, while encysted, protect the internalized bacteria from chlorine and other biocides. Free-living amoebae may act as a Trojan horse, bringing hidden ARB within the human “Troy,” and may produce vesicles filled with ARB, increasing their transmission potential. Free-living amoebae may also play a role in the selection of virulence traits and in adaptation to survival in macrophages. Thus, intra-amoebal growth was found to enhance virulence, and similar mechanisms seem to be implicated in the survival of ARB in response to both amoebae and macrophages. Moreover, free-living amoebae represent a useful tool for the culture of some intracellular bacteria and new bacterial species that might be potential emerging pathogens.
Measurement of Adhesive Forces between Individual Staphylococcus aureus MSCRAMMs and Protein-Coated Surfaces by Use of Optical Tweezers

ABSTRACT The force required to rupture bonds between individual Staphylococcus aureus MSCRAMMs and surfaces coated with extracellular matrix molecules has been quantified by using optical tweezers. The observed binding forces between fibrinogen or fibronectin and S. aureus MSCRAMMs occurred as an approximate integer multiple of 20 or 25 pN, respectively.
Identification of differentially methylated regions using streptavidin bisulfite ligand methylation enrichment (SuBLiME), a new method to enrich for methylated DNA prior to deep bisulfite genomic sequencing

We have developed a method that enriches for methylated cytosines by capturing the fraction of bisulfite-treated DNA with unconverted cytosines. The method, called streptavidin bisulfite ligand methylation enrichment (SuBLiME), involves the specific labeling (using a biotin-labeled nucleotide ligand) of methylated cytosines in bisulfite-converted DNA. This step is then followed by affinity capture, using streptavidin-coupled magnetic beads. SuBLiME is highly adaptable and can be combined with deep sequencing library generation and/or genomic complexity-reduction. In this pilot study, we enriched methylated DNA from Csp6I-cut complexity-reduced genomes of colorectal cancer cell lines (HCT-116, HT-29 and SW-480) and normal blood leukocytes with the aim of discovering colorectal cancer biomarkers. Enriched libraries were sequenced with SOLiD-3 technology. In pairwise comparisons, we scored a total of 1,769 gene loci and 33 miRNA loci as differentially methylated between the cell lines and leukocytes. Of these, 516 loci were differently methylated in at least two promoter-proximal CpG sites over two discrete Csp6I fragments. Identified methylated gene loci were associated with anatomical development, differentiation and cell signaling. The data correlated with good agreement to a number of published colorectal cancer DNA methylation biomarkers and genomic data sets. SuBLiME is effective in the enrichment of methylated nucleic acid and in the detection of known and novel biomarkers.
Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of a Catheterization Laboratory–Only Eptifibatide Dosing Strategy in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background—Eptifibatide, a small-molecule glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor, is conventionally administered as a bolus plus infusion. A growing number of clinicians are using a strategy of catheterization laboratory–only eptifibatide (an off-label use) as procedural pharmacotherapy for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention although the comparative effectiveness of this approach is unknown. Methods and Results—We compared the in-hospital outcome of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention across 47 hospitals and treated with eptifibatide bolus plus infusion with those treated with a catheterization laboratory–only regimen. We used optimal matching to link the use of catheterization laboratory–only eptifibatide with clinical outcomes, including mortality, myocardial infarction, bleeding, and need for transfusion. Of the 84 678 percutaneous coronary interventions performed during 2010 to 2011, and meeting our inclusion criteria, eptifibatide was administered to 21 296 patients. Of these, a catheterization laboratory–only regimen was used in 4511 patients, whereas 16 785 patients were treated with bolus plus infusion. In the optimally matched analysis, compared with bolus plus infusion, a catheterization laboratory–only regimen was associated with a reduction in bleeding (optimally matched adjusted odds ratio, 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.58–0.93; P=0.014) and need for transfusion (optimally matched adjusted odds ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.52–0.92; P=0.012), with no difference in mortality or myocardial infarction. Conclusions—A catheterization laboratory–only eptifibatide regimen is commonly used in clinical practice and is associated with a significant reduction in bleeding complications in patients undergoing contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention.
SoK: Eternal War in Memory

Memory corruption bugs in software written in low-level languages like C or C++ are one of the oldest problems in computer security. The lack of safety in these languages allows attackers to alter the program's behavior or take full control over it by hijacking its control flow. This problem has existed for more than 30 years and a vast number of potential solutions have been proposed, yet memory corruption attacks continue to pose a serious threat. Real world exploits show that all currently deployed protections can be defeated. This paper sheds light on the primary reasons for this by describing attacks that succeed on today's systems. We systematize the current knowledge about various protection techniques by setting up a general model for memory corruption attacks. Using this model we show what policies can stop which attacks. The model identifies weaknesses of currently deployed techniques, as well as other proposed protections enforcing stricter policies. We analyze the reasons why protection mechanisms implementing stricter polices are not deployed. To achieve wide adoption, protection mechanisms must support a multitude of features and must satisfy a host of requirements. Especially important is performance, as experience shows that only solutions whose overhead is in reasonable bounds get deployed. A comparison of different enforceable policies helps designers of new protection mechanisms in finding the balance between effectiveness (security) and efficiency. We identify some open research problems, and provide suggestions on improving the adoption of newer techniques.
Seroprevalence and disease burden of acute hepatitis A in adult population in South Korea

Background Adult seroprevalence of HAV is decreasing in developed countries including South Korea, due to general sanitation improvement. Although hepatitis A vaccination was introduced in South Korea more than 20 years ago, recent infection rates have not decreased. In this study, we investigate the seroprevalence of anti-HAV IgG, and estimate the national disease burden of acute hepatitis A in adult population. Methods Seroprevalence data were collected from health promotion center of Korea University Guro Hospital, in Seoul, Korea from 2010 to 2014. Data from adults (≥20-years) being tested for anti-HAV IgG were included. In addition, epidemiological and clinical data of patients diagnosed with acute hepatitis A from 2009 to 2013, were collected from Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS) and the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database. Data were stratified and compared by age groups. Results A total of 11,177 subjects were tested for anti-HAV IgG from 2010 to 2014. Age-related seroprevalence showed relatively low seropositivity in young adults. Incidence of acute hepatitis A was highest in 2009 and lowest in 2013. When categorized by age group, adults in their 20s and 30s had more HAV infections and related-admissions than older adults. However, ICU admission rate and average insurance-covered cost was high in older adults. Conclusion The anti-HAV IgG seropositivity in Korean younger adult population was low while the incidence of acute hepatitis A was high, especially in the 20–39 aged. However, a substantial number of older adults were infected, and required more intensive procedures and incurred higher insurance-covered medical costs.
Information retrieval for children based on the aggregated search paradigm

This report presents research to develop information services for children by expanding and adapting current Information retrieval technologies according to the search characteristics and needs of children. Concretely, we will employ the aggregated search paradigm as theoretical framework. The objective is to develop approaches that identify the most appropriate information types and sources given a child's information request and to present this information to ease and improve his/her search experience.
The Study of Existential State of Protein in Protein/Montmorillonite Complexes

The existential state of protein in complexes directly affects the performance and applications of the composite materials. The interlayer space changes of montmorillonite in the protein / montmorillonite (MMT) composite were identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD). And the interaction between protein and MMT were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR) and UV/vis spectrophotometry. The loading amount of bovine serum albumin (BSA) onto MMT was calculated from the TG data. The types of adsorption isotherm of BSA onto montmorillonite were analyzed. From the above analysis, it can be concluded that the structure of proteins in the montmorillonite interlayers has been changed, and the hydrogen bond and Van der Waals force between the BSA molecules and montmorillonite crystal layers are intensified. The α-helix content of BSA molecules reduces while random coil increases. The protein shows a state of being squashed.
Novel adaptive saturation scheme for photovoltaic inverters with ancillary service capability

The insertion of grid connected photovoltaic (PV) in the power systems have occurred mainly at low and medium voltage. Besides, due to solar irradiance variation, these converters have excess capacity that can be used to provide ancillary services to the main grid. Therefore, this work is focused on the analysis of how PV inverters can perform ancillary services, supporting the grid. Control strategies for reactive power injection and harmonic current compensation are explored. Furthermore, the inverter current saturation for PV inverters is described. The current saturation plays an important role, once high currents can damage the inverter or reduce its lifetime. It is presented a novel adaptive saturation scheme for photovoltaic inverters with ancillary service capability. A Case study for single-phase PV inverters is presented, considering low and high irradiance level scenarios. The simulation results shown the effectiveness of the adaptive current saturation scheme, depicted in this work, for PV inverters.
Interactive Shadow Removal and Ground Truth for Variable Scene Categories

We present an interactive, robust and high quality method for fast shadow removal. To perform detection we use an on-the-fly learning approach guided by two rough user inputs for the pixels of the shadow and the lit area. From this we derive a fusion image that magnifies shadow boundary intensity change due to illumination variation. After detection, we perform shadow removal by registering the penumbra to a normalised frame which allows us to efficiently estimate non-uniform shadow illumination changes, resulting in accurate and robust removal. We also present the first reliable, validated and multi-scene category ground truth for shadow removal algorithms which overcomes limitations in existing data sets -- such as inconsistencies between shadow and shadow-free images and limited variations of shadows. Using our data, we perform the most thorough comparison of state of the art shadow removal methods to date. Our algorithm outperforms the state of the art, and we supply our P-code and evaluation data and scripts to encourage future open comparisons.