Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integrating Qualitative Features Selection for Semantic Image Classification with Support Vector Machine

Semantic image classification is an active problem in multimedia image retrieval. Many researchers have attempted to improve semantic models by using high-level concept based on keyword annotation. The retrieval process of such approaches is done by keyword searching. The model is rather rudimentary and it does not specific enough for representing the meaning of images. In this paper, we present a technique of the semantic image classification by using integrating qualitative feature selection. The structural skeleton is used to extract the object components and image meaning. The feature selection methods are introduced to select the essential features from existing features. The experimental results indicate that our proposed approach offers significant performance improvements in the interpretation of semantic image classification, compare with other features, with the maximum of 93.8%
Breakage-fusion-bridge Cycles and Large Insertions Contribute to the Rapid Evolution of Accessory Chromosomes in a Fungal Pathogen

Chromosomal rearrangements are a major driver of eukaryotic genome evolution, affecting speciation, pathogenicity and cancer progression. Changes in chromosome structure are often initiated by mis-repair of double-strand breaks in the DNA. Mis-repair is particularly likely when telomeres are lost or when dispersed repeats misalign during crossing-over. Fungi carry highly polymorphic chromosomal complements showing substantial variation in chromosome length and number. The mechanisms driving chromosome polymorphism in fungi are poorly understood. We aimed to identify mechanisms of chromosomal rearrangements in the fungal wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici. We combined population genomic resequencing and chromosomal segment PCR assays with electrophoretic karyotyping and resequencing of parents and offspring from experimental crosses to show that this pathogen harbors a highly diverse complement of accessory chromosomes that exhibits strong global geographic differentiation in numbers and lengths of chromosomes. Homologous chromosomes carried highly differentiated gene contents due to numerous insertions and deletions. The largest accessory chromosome recently doubled in length through insertions totaling 380 kb. Based on comparative genomics, we identified the precise breakpoint locations of these insertions. Nondisjunction during meiosis led to chromosome losses in progeny of three different crosses. We showed that a new accessory chromosome emerged in two viable offspring through a fusion between sister chromatids. Such chromosome fusion is likely to initiate a breakage-fusion-bridge (BFB) cycle that can rapidly degenerate chromosomal structure. We suggest that the accessory chromosomes of Z. tritici originated mainly from ancient core chromosomes through a degeneration process that included BFB cycles, nondisjunction and mutational decay of duplicated sequences. The rapidly evolving accessory chromosome complement may serve as a cradle for adaptive evolution in this and other fungal pathogens.
Independent minimum length programs to translate between given strings

A string p is called a program to compute y given x if U(p, x)=y, where U denotes universal programming language. Kolmogorov complexity K(y|z) of y relative to x is defined as minimum length of a program to compute y given x. Let K(x) denote K(x|empty string) (Kolmogorov complexity of x) and let I(x: y)=K(x)+K(y)-K() (the amount of mutual information in x, y). In the present paper we answer in negative the following question posed previously: Is it true that for any strings x, y there are independent minimum length programs p, q to translate between x, y, that is, is it true that for any x, y there are p, q such that U(p, x)=y, U(q, y)=x, the length of p is K(y|z), the length of q is K(z|y), and I(p:q)=O (where the last three equalities hold up to an additive O(log(K(x|y)+K(y|z))) term)?
Unstable genetic determinant of A-factor biosynthesis in streptomycin-producing organisms: cloning and characterization

We cloned a DNA fragment directing synthesis of A-factor from the total cellular DNA of streptomycin-producing Streptomyces bikiniensis on the plasmid vector pIJ385 . Introduction of the recombinant plasmid ( pAFB1 ) into A-factor-deficient S. bikiniensis and Streptomyces griseus mutants led to A-factor production in the host cells, as a result of which streptomycin production, streptomycin resistance, and spore formation of these mutants were simultaneously restored. The plasmid pAFB1 also complemented both afsA and afsB mutations of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2). These results indicated that the cloned DNA fragment contained the genetic determinant of A-factor biosynthesis. The cloned fragment, when carried on a multicopy vector plasmid, induced production of a large amount of A-factor in several Streptomyces hosts. In Southern blot DNA/DNA hybridization analyses with a trimmed 5-kilobase fragment containing the intact A-factor determinant as probe, total cellular DNA from A-factor-deficient mutants gave no positive hybridization. The DNA blot experiment also showed a wide distribution of sequences homologous to the S. bikiniensis A-factor determinant among most, but not all, A-factor-producing actinomycetes with a varying extent of homology and the absence of these sequences from most A-factor nonproducers .
Syncytial Mutations Do Not Impair the Specificity of Entry and Spread of a Glycoprotein D Receptor-Retargeted Herpes Simplex Virus

ABSTRACT Membrane fusion, which is the key process for both initial cell entry and subsequent lateral spread of herpes simplex virus (HSV), requires the four envelope glycoproteins gB, gD, gH, and gL. Syncytial mutations, predominantly mapped to the gB and gK genes, confer hyperfusogenicity on HSV and cause multinucleated giant cells, termed syncytia. Here we asked whether interaction of gD with a cognate entry receptor remains indispensable for initiating membrane fusion of syncytial strains. To address this question, we took advantage of mutant viruses whose viral entry into cells relies on the uniquely specific interaction of an engineered gD with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). We introduced selected syncytial mutations into gB and/or gK of the EGFR-retargeted HSV and found that these mutations, especially when combined, enabled formation of extensive syncytia by human cancer cell lines that express the target receptor; these syncytia were substantially larger than the plaques formed by the parental retargeted HSV strain. We assessed the EGFR dependence of entry and spread separately by using direct entry and infectious center assays, respectively, and we found that the syncytial mutations did not override the receptor specificity of the retargeted viruses at either stage. We discuss the implications of these results for the development of more effective targeted oncolytic HSV vectors. IMPORTANCE Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is investigated not only as a human pathogen but also as a promising agent for oncolytic virotherapy. We previously showed that both the initial entry and subsequent lateral spread of HSV can be retargeted to cells expressing tumor-associated antigens by single-chain antibodies fused to a receptor-binding-deficient envelope glycoprotein D (gD). Here we introduced syncytial mutations into the gB and/or gK gene of gD-retargeted HSVs to determine whether viral tropism remained dependent on the interaction of gD with the target receptor. Entry and spread profiles of the recombinant viruses indicated that gD retargeting does not abolish the hyperfusogenic activity of syncytial mutations and that these mutations do not eliminate the dependence of HSV entry and spread on a specific gD-receptor interaction. These observations suggest that syncytial mutations may be valuable for increasing the tumor-specific spreading of retargeted oncolytic HSV vectors.
Nonsmooth nonlinearities and temporal integration of Richards' equation

Richards' equation is a model for ow in the unsaturated zone. Adaptive implicit methods for temporal integration of Richards' equation have been used with considerable success. The nonlinearities in the van Geneuchten and Mualem formulae that are often used to close the system can be nonsmooth and even non-Lipschitz. This lack of smoothness means that the traditional analysis of adaptive temporal integration may not apply. In this paper we describe the mathematical issue and report on computational experiments that show how a basic one-step adaptive temporal integration method seems to behave properly. The motivation for this work is the ADaptive Hydrology model, a production code being developed by the US Army Engineer and Research Development Center. ADH simulates three dimensional groundwater and surface water ow using unstructured, adaptive nite elements in space and implicit temporal integration.
Does Loss Rate Really Matter? An Experimental Study on Time Synchronization Protocol in Wireless Sensor Networks

In wireless sensor networks, there are many link quality measurement metrics such as RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator), LQI (Link Quality Indicator) and PRR (Packet Reception Rate), which can be used under different channel quality and application scenarios. As in time synchronization, channel quality would be essential to the clock synchronization. The broadcast nature of time synchronization algorithm makes channel quality measurement complex. Moreover, the measurement on channel quality would be costly. We make an experimental study on time synchronization in wireless sensor network. Firstly, we use the RSSI and PRR with different packet lengths, secondly, we find that, the PRR would be accurate but costly, and the RSSI is not accurate enough for time synchronization algorithm evaluation. In the end, we propose a channel clustering and categorization mechanism in dealing with the channel measurement difficulties. And we find that, in dealing with the lossy links, the compensation model for synchronization errors is more important than reliable transmissions. Also, the proposed measurement would be helpful to the time synchronization algorithm, especially the FTSP (Flooding Time Synchronize Protocol).
The Usefulness of Reconstructed 3D Images in Surgical Planning for Cochlear Implantation in a Malformed Ear with an Abnormal Course of the Facial Nerve

Objectives It is not unusual for a cochlear implantation (CI) candidate to have some type of ear malformation, in particular an abnormal course of the facial nerve (FN). In this study, we attempted to reconstruct a three-dimensional (3D) image of temporal bone structures with malformation using computed tomography (CT) imaging and examined its usefulness in the surgical planning of CI in a malformed ear. Methods We prepared 3D images for 6 separate CI cases before surgery. First, we manually colored preoperative CT images using Photoshop CS Extended. We then converted the colored CT images to 3D images using Delta Viewer, free-ware for Macintosh. Before surgery, we discussed any problems anticipated based on the 3D images and plans for surgery with those who would be performing the CI. Results Case 1: The subject was a 3-year-old boy with malformed ossicles, semicircular canal (SC) hypoplasia, internal auditory canal stenosis, and an abnormal course of the FN. 3D image indicated that the stapes were absent, and the FN was more anteriorly displaced, so that it was difficult to perform cochleostomy. The surgical findings were similar to those depicted on the 3D image, so we could insert an electrode based on the preoperative image simulation without complications. Case 2: The subject was a 7-year-old boy with malformed stapes, atresia of the round window, cochlear and SC aplasia, and an abnormal course of the FN with bifurcation. CI was performed with no problems, in the same manner as in Case 1. Conclusion We were able to successfully depict the structures of the inner ear, ossicles, and FN as 3D images, which are very easy to understand visually and intuitively. These 3D images of the malformed ear are useful in preoperative image simulation and in surgical planning for those performing a CI procedure.
Commodity Relations and the Forces of Production: The Theft and Defence of Intellectual Property

In 1993, the info-media companies, Philips and Sony brought their new digital audio recording systems (Digital Compact Cassette and the Mini Disc respectively) onto the market. Since both systems can make perfect digital copies of Compact Discs, this will dramatically affect the profitability of the pre-recorded music industry, which is a repeat of what occurred when audio cassettes were first introduced in the 1960s. The inability to enforce restrictions on copyright or patent infringement is considered a global problem by many firms in the so-called “sunrise industries”. This article situates the problem by presenting and analysing the commodity relations of the pre-recorded music industry within the framework of Marxist methodology. The methodology provides for unique insights into this problem for the capitalist mode of production and points to the possibilities for further research. A secondary, but methodologically important purpose of the article is to widen the potential for Marxist analysis itself by extending attention on the commodity relations-consumption component of the circuit of capital, an area given meager attention by Marxists in the past.
Psychological Distress and Drug Use Patterns of Young Adult Ecstasy Users: A Complementary Analysis of Australian Datasets

We examine psychological distress (PD) in young adult Ecstasy users in relation to age of initiation and frequency of use of Ecstasy, cannabis, alcohol, and tobacco. Using two Australian community samples, we assess whether different sampling methods produce comparable estimates of these associations. The Natural History Study of Drug Use (NHSDU; N = 339) in 2009 used population sampling and the 2009 Ecstasy and Related Drug Reporting System (EDRS; N = 359) used purposive sampling. Participants, aged 19–23 years, were recurrent Ecstasy users. PD was assessed using Kessler 10 in the EDRS and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale in the NHSDU. In both samples, PD was associated with daily tobacco use and early drug initiation, but not frequent Ecstasy use. One-third smoke tobacco daily. Study limitations and implications are noted.
lockjaw encodes a zebrafish tfap2a required for early neural crest development

The neural crest is a uniquely vertebrate cell type that gives rise to much of the craniofacial skeleton, pigment cells and peripheral nervous system, yet its specification and diversification during embryogenesis are poorly understood. Zebrafish homozygous for the lockjaw (low) mutation show defects in all of these derivatives and we show that low (allelic with montblanc) encodes a zebrafish tfap2a, one of a small family of transcription factors implicated in epidermal and neural crest development. A point mutation in low truncates the DNA binding and dimerization domains of tfap2a, causing a loss of function. Consistent with this, injection of antisense morpholino oligonucleotides directed against splice sites in tfap2a into wild-type embryos produces a phenotype identical to low. Analysis of early ectodermal markers revealed that neural crest specification and migration are disrupted in low mutant embryos. TUNEL labeling of dying cells in mutants revealed a transient period of apoptosis in crest cells prior to and during their migration. In the cranial neural crest, gene expression in the mandibular arch is unaffected in low mutants, in contrast to the hyoid arch, which shows severe reductions in dlx2 and hoxa2 expression. Mosaic analysis, using cell transplantation, demonstrated that neural crest defects in low are cell autonomous and secondarily cause disruptions in surrounding mesoderm. These studies demonstrate that low is required for early steps in neural crest development and suggest that tfap2a is essential for the survival of a subset of neural crest derivatives.
Collaborative Localization in Wireless Sensor Networks via Pattern Recognition in Radio Irregularity Using Omnidirectional Antennas

In recent years, various received signal strength (RSS)-based localization estimation approaches for wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have been proposed. RSS-based localization is regarded as a low-cost solution for many location-aware applications in WSNs. In previous studies, the radiation patterns of all sensor nodes are assumed to be spherical, which is an oversimplification of the radio propagation model in practical applications. In this study, we present an RSS-based cooperative localization method that estimates unknown coordinates of sensor nodes in a network. Arrangement of two external low-cost omnidirectional dipole antennas is developed by using the distance-power gradient model. A modified robust regression is also proposed to determine the relative azimuth and distance between a sensor node and a fixed reference node. In addition, a cooperative localization scheme that incorporates estimations from multiple fixed reference nodes is presented to improve the accuracy of the localization. The proposed method is tested via computer-based analysis and field test. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed low-cost method is a useful solution for localizing sensor nodes in unknown or changing environments.
'Place to work' index: A study of workplace attributes

The last 25 years has seen a substantial evolution in business practices and work environments. Complex and intersecting facets of commerce have compelled the employer and employee relationship to engage in increasing levels of symbiotic mutualism. To address this progression, the study of employee behavior and the workplace has sprouted promising areas of research in a variety of disciplines including Environment and Behavior (EB). EB has developed into a far reaching examination of the human experience as it relates to the physical and/or perceived environment, including the workplace. Through the examination of existing workplace characteristics of Fortune 500, 100 Best Places to Work companies, and survey research this study examines the relationship between employee and environment in the context of highly profitable, employee-centric organizations. The research aims to consolidate multiple workplace characteristics in order to identify overarching workplace themes. A survey instrument was constructed to measure employees’ level of agreement with regard to specific workplace attributes, and as a result of the study, a ‘Place to Work’ Index was developed.
A Thread Speed Control Scheme for Real-Time Microprocessors

Real-time execution of applications is one of key requirements for Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) that integrate computational and physical elements for our social infrastructure, such as robotics, transportation, and consumer appliances. In such real-time systems, a task must be executed so as not to violate given time constraints. Moreover, it is desirable that the execution time of the task is predictable precisely. When Out-of-Order (OoO) execution is adopted for real-time systems to enhance the performance, it is much difficult to predict execution time because of the feature of OoO execution. In order to deal with this problem, various schemes were proposed such as IPC control mechanism of Responsive Multithreaded (RMT) Processor. RMT Processor is a real-time microprocessor adopting simultaneous multithreading (SMT) architecture with OoO execution. Its IPC control mechanism which tries to adjust the number of instruction commits to meet a given target IPC. The IPC control scheme can be implemented not only on RMT Processor but also on various processors and can improve the predictability of execution time. However, if an error between target and actual IPCs is observed, it cannot cancel the error in the next control window, which is used in the control mechanism. Since such uncorrected errors are accumulated in the successive control window, the predictability of the execution time is degraded gradually. To overcome this problem, in this paper, we propose a thread speed control scheme for real-time microprocessors. This scheme is based on the IPC control mechanism on RMT Processor. Our proposed thread speed control scheme calculates an error between reference and actual IPCs, then it dynamically updates the reference IPC of the next control window in order to cancel the past errors. Our proposed scheme is designed and implemented on RMT Processor. The simulation results show that the error is reduced to 2.60 ~ 10^5 % in case that four threads are executed simultaneously.
KIN17 encodes an RNA-binding protein and is expressed during mouse spermatogenesis

Genotoxic agents deform DNA structure thus eliciting a complex genetic response allowing recovery and cell survival. The Kin17 gene is up-regulated during this response. This gene encodes a conserved nuclear protein that shares a DNA-binding domain with the bacterial RecA protein. The KIN17 protein binds DNA and displays enhanced expression levels in proliferating cultured cells, suggesting a role in nuclear metabolism. We investigated this by studying the expression profile of KIN17 protein during mouse spermatogenesis. As expected, the expression level of Kin17 is higher in proliferating than in differentiated cells. KIN17 is selectively extracted from this tissue by detergents and a fraction was tightly associated with the nuclear matrix. Germinal cells ubiquitously express Kin17 and the protein is located mainly in the nucleus except in elongated spermatids where cytoplasmic staining is also observed. Sertoli and germ cells that are no longer mitotically active express KIN17, suggesting a general role in all testicular cell types. In adult testis a significant proportion of KIN17 co-purifies with polyadenylated RNA. KIN17 directly binds RNA, preferentially poly(G) and poly(U) homopolymers. These results together with the identification of KIN17 as a component of the human spliceosome indicate that this protein may participate in RNA processing.