Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rapid detection of salmonellae by immunoassays with titanous hydroxide as the solid phase

Radioimmunometric and enzyme-immunometric assays were developed for the detection of salmonellae in pure and mixed cultures as well as in 59 food samples. The performances of titanous hydroxide suspension and microtiter plates as the solid phase for the immobilization of microorganisms were compared in these immunoassays. Detection of populations of salmonella cells in pure culture, diluted with saline, was 4- to 10-fold more sensitive with the microtiter plates. However, with mixed culture of salmonella and other enterobacterial species, the detection sensitivity with titanous hydroxide was 100- to 160-fold more sensitive than with microtiter plates. Good correlation existed between results of a standard cultural method for the detection of salmonellae in foods and those obtained from radioimmunometric and enzyme-immunometric assays utilizing titanous hydroxide. However, a high incidence of false-positive and false-negative results with food samples occurred with the enzyme-immunometric assay utilizing microtiter plates. The results provided strong evidence for the merits of substituting titanous hydroxide for microtiter plates as the solid phase for the immobilization of salmonellae for their detection by immunoassays. The immunoassays were rapid and enabled the analysis of a large number of selective enrichment cultures of food samples for salmonellae within 8 h.
Discriminative metric learning for video-based kinship verification

In this paper, we investigate the problem of video-based kinship verification using discriminative metric learning. While several attempts have been made on facial kinship verification from still images, to our knowledge, the problem of video-based kinship verification has not been formally addressed in the literature. In this paper, we make the two contributions to video-based kinship verification. On one hand, we present a new video face dataset called Kinship Face Videos in the Wild (KFVW) which were captured in wild conditions for the video-based kinship verification study, as well as the standard benchmark. On the other hand, we employ two widely used metric learning methods for video-based kinship verification. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the efficacy of our proposed dataset and the effectiveness of existing metric learning methods.
Practical implementation of a dependently typed functional programming language

Types express a program's meaning, and checking types ensures that a program has the intended meaning. In a dependently typed programming language types are predicated on values, leading to the possibility of expressing invariants of a program's behaviour in its type. Dependent types allow us to give more detailed meanings to programs, and hence be more confident of their correctness. This thesis considers the practical implementation of a dependently typed programming language, using the Epigram notation defined by McBride and McKinna. Epigram is a high level notation for dependently typed functional programming elaborating to a core type theory based on Lu๙s UTT, using Dybjer's inductive families and elimination rules to implement pattern matching. This gives us a rich framework for reasoning about programs. However, a naive implementation introduces several run-time overheads since the type system blurs the distinction between types and values; these overheads include the duplication of values, and the storage of redundant information and explicit proofs. A practical implementation of any programming language should be as efficient as possible; in this thesis we see how the apparent efficiency problems of dependently typed programming can be overcome and that in many cases the richer type information allows us to apply optimisations which are not directly available in traditional languages. I introduce three storage optimisations on inductive families; forcing, detagging and collapsing. I further introduce a compilation scheme from the core type theory to G-machine code, including a pattern matching compiler for elimination rules and a compilation scheme for efficient run-time implementation of Peano's natural numbers. We also see some low level optimisations for removal of identity functions, unused arguments and impossible case branches. As a result, we see that a dependent type theory is an effective base on which to build a feasible programming language.
The influence of house dust mite sublingual immunotherapy on the TSLP‐OX40L signaling pathway in patients with allergic rhinitis

This study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with house dust mite (HDM) extract and to examine T helper 2 (Th2)‐type immune responses mediated by the thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP‐OX40L) signaling pathway in patients with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis (AR) after 12‐month HDM SLIT.
Augmentation of Teaching Tools: Outsourcing the HSD Computing for SPSS Application.

The widely-used Tukey's HSD index is not produced in the current version of SPSS (i.e., PASW Statistics, version 18), and a computer program named “HSD Calculator” has been chosen to amend this problem. In comparison to hand calculation, this program application does not require table checking, which eliminates potential concern on the size of a Studentized range table that might not cover various degrees of freedom. Since the software can be downloaded with no charge, this approach demonstrated a simple and practical solution for the SPSS-based HSD computing.
Physiological approaches to determining gut endogenous amino acid flows in the mammal.

Endogenous nitrogen and amino acid losses are associated with the digestion process. Different methods can be used to distinguish between gut endogenous and exogenous amino acid flows. These methods include feeding N-free diets, the regression approach, the use of enzyme hydrolysed proteins coupled with ultrafiltration and the use of markers (e.g., homoarginine, enzyme hydrolysed casein, 15N-labelled protein, 15N-leucine). All of the methods described have their limitations, but they have allowed major advances to be made in the measurement and understanding of endogenous amino acid secretion, reabsorption, flow and excretion.
Cell death, clearance and inflammation: molecular crossroads and gene polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible loss of vision and decrease in quality of life in the elderly. A large number of molecular crossroads between cell death, phagocytosis and inflammation have been described in AMD. The different forms of cell death - apoptosis, anoikis, autophagy, necrosis, necroptosis and pyroptosis, have all been studied under different circumstances in the retina and in AMD pathology. Much less is known about the clearance of these dying cells by non- professional (living retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells) and professional (macrophages and dendritic cells) phagocytes. The molecular synapse between the dying cells and the phagocytes is far from complete in relevance to AMD. Gene polymorphism of the phagocytic bridging molecules and those involved in inflammation and angiogenesis further complicate the lock-and-key theory in the clearance of dying cells in AMD. The present review gives an overview of the different risk factors, cell death types and clearance mechanisms in the retina, and their implications to inflammation and angiogenesis in AMD. A correlation of the genetic factors affecting AMD to those of other neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, Huntington and Parkinson's) is also attempted here.
IdeaGraph: A Graph-Based Algorithm of Mining Latent Information for Human Cognition

Knowledge discovery in texts (KDT) has been widely applied for business data analysis, but it only reveals a common pattern based on large amounts of data. Since 2000, chance discovery (CD) as an extension of KDT has been proposed to detect rare but significant events or situations regarded as chance candidates for human decision making. Key Graph is a useful and important algorithm as well as a tool in CD for mining and visualizing these chances. However, a scenario graph visualized by Key Graph is machine-oriented, causing a bottleneck of human cognition. Traditional knowledge discovery also runs into the similar problem. In this paper, we propose a human-oriented algorithm called IdeaGraph which can generate a rich scenario graph for human's perception, comprehension and even innovation. IdeaGraph not only works on discovering more rare and significant chances, but also focuses on uncovering latent relationships among chances for gaining richer and deeper human insights. Our experiment has validated the advantages of IdeaGraph by comparing with Key Graph.
System Identification and LMI Based Robust PID Control of a Two-Link Flexible Manipulator

This paper presents investigations into the development of a linear matrix inequalities (LMI) based robust PID control of a nonlinear Two-Link Flexible Manipulator (TLFM) incorporating payload. A set of linear models of a TLFM is obtained by using system identification method in which the linear model represents the operating ranges of the dynamic system. Thus, the LMI constraints permit to robustly guarantee a certain perturbation rejection level and a region of pole location. To study the effectiveness of the controller, initially a PID control is developed for TLFM with varying payloads. The performances of the controllers are assessed in terms of the input tracking controller capability of the system as compared to the response with PID control. Moreover, the robustness of the LMI based robust PID control schemes is discussed. Finally, a comparative assessment of the control strategies is presented.
Nonlinear control of a bidirectional power converter for connecting batteries in DC microgrids

This paper is focused on the control of a dc-dc bidirectional power converter for interfacing batteries in dc microgrids. A control design based on input/output feedback linearization technique is developed to perform as a voltage source operating in droop control mode. Contrary to the classical small-signal modeling, which is the most used for control design, the approach developed here allows to obtain a partial linearization large-signal model of the system equations. The linearization is performed by feedback some of the nonlinear terms. Simulation results are presented to evaluate the performance and robustness of the proposed control strategy.
Identification of a new OmpA‐like protein in Neisseria gonorrhoeae involved in the binding to human epithelial cells and in vivo colonization

Outer membrane protein As (OmpAs) are highly conserved proteins within the Enterobacteriaceae family. OmpA contributes to the maintenance of structural membrane integrity and invasion into mammalian cells. In Escherichia coli K1 OmpA also contributes to serum resistance and is involved in the virulence of the bacterium. Here we describe the identification of an OmpA‐like protein in Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng‐OmpA). We show that the gonococcal OmpA‐like protein, similarly to E. coli OmpA, plays a significant role in the adhesion and invasion into human cervical carcinoma and endometrial cells and is required for entry into macrophages and intracellular survival. Furthermore, the isogenic knockout ompA mutant demonstrates reduced recovery in a mouse model of infection when compared with the wild‐type strain, suggesting that Ng‐OmpA plays an important role in the in vivo colonization. All together, these data suggest that the newly identified surface exposed protein Ng‐OmpA represents a novel virulence factor of gonococcus.
Locally Delivered Growth Factor Enhances the Angiogenic Efficacy of Adipose‐Derived Stromal Cells Transplanted to Ischemic Limbs

Ischemia is a potentially fatal medical event that is associated with as many as 30% of all deaths. Stem cell therapy offers significant therapeutic promise, but poor survival following transplantation to ischemic tissue limits its efficacy. Here we demonstrate that nanosphere‐mediated growth factor delivery can enhance the survival of transplanted human adipose‐derived stromal cells (hADSCs) and secretion of human angiogenic growth factors per cell, and substantially improve therapeutic efficacy of hADSCs. In vitro, in hypoxic (1% oxygen) and serum‐deprived conditions that simulate in vivo ischemia, fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF2) significantly reduced hADSC apoptosis and enhanced angiogenic growth factor secretion. In vivo, hADSCs delivered intramuscularly into ischemic hind limbs in combination with FGF2 resulted in significant improvements in limb survival and blood perfusion, as well as survival of the transplanted hADSCs and secretion of human angiogenic growth factors (i.e., vascular endothelial growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, and FGF2). Interestingly, the majority of transplanted hADSCs were localized adjacent to the microvessels rather than being incorporated into them, suggesting that their major contribution to angiogenesis might be to increase paracrine secretion of angiogenic growth factors. This study demonstrates the potential of hADSCs in combination with growth factors for use in the treatment of ischemia. STEM CELLS 2009;27:1976–1986
Detecting Changes in Time Series Data using Volatility Filters

This work develops techniques for the sequential detection and location estimation of transient changes in the volatility (standard deviation) of time series data. In particular, we introduce a class of change detection algorithms based on the windowed volatility filter. The first method detects changes by employing a convex combination of two such filters with differing window sizes, such that the adaptively updated convex weight parameter is then used as an indicator for the detection of instantaneous power changes. Moreover, the proposed adaptive filtering based method is readily extended to the multivariate case by using recent advances in distributed adaptive filters, thereby using cooperation between the data channels for more effective detection of change points. Furthermore, this work also develops a novel change point location estimator based on the differenced output of the volatility filter. Finally, the performance of the proposed methods were evaluated on both synthetic and real world data.
Social Accountability Process of Islamic Boarding School: Case Study of Sidogiri Pasuruan Islamic Boarding School

This research aims to know the process of social aspects influenced the importance of accountability in an organization of Islamic religious education that is don't give priority to profits in its operational activities, in Indonesia is often referred to as boarding schools. In order to further deepen the social accountability of the process, then the researchers used a qualitative research method with approach case studies boarding school Sidogiri Pasuruan. As for the analysis tools used are interactive analysis. As noted, there are more and more accountability role played in ancient civilizations and pre-modern societies. Therefore, at this time, the case for tracing the genealogy of accountability as a follow up said is best seen as a presumption that requires further examination. One of them is about the accountability of boarding schools which is rich in religious values and culture as a form of the spread of Islam. The dynamic life of boarding schools has been proven with the involvement of active participation in providing service to the community and many aspects of life that always accompany it. Interestingly, in terms of financial resources, the pesantren depends not only on the parents of the students, but also other sources of funding. The existence of this mandate, then boarding schools are definitely required to conduct financial accountability. These principles are very in line with the principles of Islamic law. It is closely related to surat Al-Baqarah verse 282 and 283 goals for the benefit of the people, i.e. If there is a transaction then write so that measurements obtained in a fair manner, not preferential treatment and is not reduced (ash-Syu'ara v. 181-184). Can be said to forbid these forms of transactions contrary to the Shariah.
High cytokine levels in perforated acute otitis media exudates containing live bacteria

Abstract Acute otitis media (AOM) is an inflammatory response to microbes in the middle ear, sometimes associated with rupture of the tympanic membrane. Human leukocytes produce different patterns of inflammatory mediators in vitro when stimulated with Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, respectively. Here, we investigated the cytokine and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) responses in middle ear fluids (MEFs) from children with spontaneously perforated AOM, and related the mediator levels to the presence of pathogens detected by culture (live) or PCR (live or dead). Furthermore, the in vivo cytokine pattern was compared with that induced in leukocytes stimulated by dead bacteria in vitro. MEFs with culturable pathogenic bacteria contained more interleukin (IL)-1β (median: 110 μg/L vs. <7.5 μg/L), tumour necrosis factor (TNF) (6.3 μg/L vs. <2.5 μg/L), IL-8 (410 μg/L vs. 38 μg/L) and IL-10 (0.48 μg/L vs. <0.30 μg/L) than culture-negative fluids, irrespective of PCR findings. IL-6 and PGE2 were equally abundant (69–110 μg/L) in effusions with live, dead or undetectable bacteria. Cytokine levels were unrelated to bacterial species and to the presence or absence of virus. Similar levels of TNF and IL-6 as found in the MEFs were obtained by in vitro stimulation of leukocytes, whereas 11 times more IL-1β and 3.5 times more IL-8 were produced in vivo, and 22 times more IL-10 was produced in vitro. Vigorous production of proinflammatory cytokines accompanies AOM with membrane rupture, regardless of the causative agent, but the production seems to cease rapidly once the bacteria are killed and fragmented. IL-6 and PGE2, however, remain after bacterial disintegration, and may play a role in the resolution phase.
Identification of a Single Amino Acid Required for APOBEC3 Antiretroviral Cytidine Deaminase Activity

ABSTRACT During studies of APOBEC3 (A3) anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (anti-HIV-1) mechanisms, we identified a single cysteine at position 320 (C320) that disrupts A3DE activity. This residue is located in the recently identified DNA binding domain in A3G. Replacing C320 with a corresponding tyrosine from A3F (Y307) increased A3DE antiviral activity more than 20-fold. Conversely, replacing A3F Y307 with a cysteine or inserting a similar cysteine into A3B or A3G disrupted the anti-HIV activity of A3. Further investigation uncovered that C320 significantly reduces A3DE catalytic activity.
Mechanism of Ion Transport across Membranes

The high resolution structures now available for mitochondrial ATPase (1) and mammalian and bacterial cytochrome c oxidases (2, 3) have raised hopes that the long sought description of the proton translocation mechanism in transmembrane pumps might be near. According to the simplest version of the alternating access hypothesis (reviewed in Refs. 4–6), such transport is based on the energy-dependent cycling through two protein conformations in which the access of a single ion binding site changes from one membrane side to the other. It has been difficult to put this idea to a test because most proton pumps are large or multisubunit proteins in which the site of ion translocation is at some distance from the chemical reactions that drive it, and the chemical reactions are themselves complex. If there is a general mechanism in proton pumps, clues to it are more likely to come from a simpler system. Recent progress with bacteriorhodopsin, a small retinal protein in which the thermal reisomerization of photoisomerized retinal drives the proton transport, has yielded a step-by-step mechanism for the translocation cycle. The principles and perhaps some of the details in this mechanism, described briefly below, may prove to apply to other ion pumps. They seem relevant also to signal receptors (7).
Reservation schemes for IaaS cloud broker: a time‐multiplexing way for different rental time

Infrastructure‐as‐a‐Service cloud providers always charge users in 2 ways: on‐demand billing and reservation billing with different discounts. On‐demand billing is more flexible for short‐term use but with higher cost, while reservation billing is much cheaper for long renting period but may cause inefficiency because of underutilized capacity. As middle agent, cloud broker always tries to reserve a large number of virtual machine (VM) instances from cloud providers to meet the requirement of all users, while making high profit through reducing its cost by leveraging long‐term reservations and time‐multiplexing of instances. Different from existing work, we believe that the rental time of each user's request should be served consecutively in one VM instance, rather than partitioned into different VM instances by cloud broker to enhance time‐multiplexing ratio. In this paper, we first try to smooth users' unordered and time‐overlapping requests using demand graph, based on which we propose two reservation algorithms for cloud broker, one for off‐line and the other for online. We also consider cloud broker with multiple service providers, finding that much more cost can be saved by leveraging the various reservation discounts of those providers. Extensive simulations have been done on the traces from real cloud platforms. Experiment results show that the broker cost can be substantially saved using our off‐line and online algorithms.
Aged garlic extract inhibits CD36 expression in human macrophages via modulation of the PPARγ pathway

Expression of CD36 scavenger receptors on macrophages is involved in oxidized low‐density lipoprotein uptake and foam cell formation during atherosclerotic lesion development. We examined the effects of aged garlic extract (AGE), a garlic preparation enriched in water‐soluble cysteinyl moieties that increases cellular total thiols and glutathione concentrations, on CD36 expression in human monocytes/macrophages (THP‐1 cells and primary human monocytes). Compared to control, AGE (1–5 mg/mL) dose‐dependently and significantly suppressed CD36 expression up to by 61.8 ± 7.4% in THP‐1‐derived macrophages and up to 50.5 ± 7.1% in primary human macrophages, respectively. Furthermore, AGE prevented induction of CD36 expression by the peroxisome proliferator activator receptor (PPAR) γ agonist troglitazone, and decreased binding of nuclear proteins to a PPARγ response element. AGE showed a stronger inhibitory effect on CD36 expression in THP‐1 cells during simultaneous incubation with phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) compared to cells that had been pre‐incubated with PMA. Furthermore, AGE decreased CD11b expression in a dose‐dependent manner. These data indicate that AGE inhibits CD36 expression by modulating the PPARγ pathway in human macrophages and monocytes differentiation into macrophages, and suggests that the extract could be useful for the prevention of atherosclerotic lesions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of pH, concentration and temperature on copper and zinc hydroxide formation/precipitation in solution

Understanding the effect of temperature on the speciation of multivalent metals in solution is essential for many applications in industry. The results of the present Cu(II) and Zn(II) solutions speciation studies in tandem with thermodynamic calculations have shown that Cu2+ or Zn2+ ions proliferate in acidic solutions whilst in alkaline medium, solid Cu(OH)2 or Zn(OH)2 colloidal particles form. The extent of metal hydroxide precipitation accentuates with increasing Cu(II) and Zn(II) concentrations or temperature in the manner predicted by thermodynamic modelling. More solid Cu(OH)2 and Zn(OH)2 is formed and precipitates with increased temperature. The influence of temperature and concentration on the hydrolysis of Cu(II) and Zn(II) species, specific adsorption of the hydrolysis products and surface nucleation onto silica particles are shown to have a striking impact on the zeta potential at high pH.