Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prediction of genetic risk of complex diseases by supervised learning

The majority of important medical disorders (f.i. susceptibility to cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, Crohn’s disease) are said to be complex. This means that these diseases are influenced by multiple, often interacting environmental and genetic risk factors. The fact that individuals di↵er in terms of exposure to environmental as well as genetic factors explains the observed inter-individual variation in disease outcome (i.e. phenotype). The proportion of the phenotypic variance that is due to genetic factors (heritability) typically ranges from less than 10 to over 60 % for the traits of interest. The identification of genes influencing susceptibility to complex traits reveals novel targets for drug development, and allows for the implementation of strategies towards personalized medicine.
A Feature Based Approach for Sentiment Analysis by Using Support Vector Machine

In this modern era of globalization, e-commerce has become one of the most convenient ways to shop. Every day people buy many products through online and post their reviews about the product which they have used. These reviews play a vital role in determining how far a product has been placed in consumers' psyche. So that the manufacturer can modify the features of the product as required and on the other hand these will also help the new consumers to decide on whether to buy the product or not. However, it would be a tedious task to manually extract overall opinion out of enormous unstructured data. This problem can be addressed by an automated system called 'Sentiment Analysis and Opinion Mining' that can analyze and extract the users' perception in the whole reviews. In our work we have developed an overall process of 'Aspect or Feature based Sentiment Analysis' by using a classifier called Support Vector Machine (SVM) in a novel approach. It is proved to be one of the most effective ways to analyze and extract the overall users' view about the particular feature and whole product as well.
Activity and Export of Engineered Nisin-(1-22) Analogs

The pentacyclic peptide antibiotic nisin, produced by Lactococcus lactis is ubiquitously applied as a food preservative. We previously demonstrated that the truncated nisin-(1-22) has only 10-fold lower activity than nisin. Here we aimed at further developing this tricyclic nisin analog to reach activity comparable to that of nisin. Our data demonstrate that: (1) ring A has a large mutational freedom; (2) the composition of residues 20–22 strongly affects production levels of nisin-(1-22); (3) a positively charged C-terminus of nisin-(1-22) significantly enhances its antimicrobial activity; (4) nisin-(1-22) inhibits in vitro growth of a target strain using different dynamics than nisin.
Structures for SNR scalable speech coding

SNR scalable speech coding is desirable for a number of network multimedia applications, but relatively few SNR-scalable speech coders exist for operation at rates below 16 kb/s. We investigate several SNR scalable source coding structures and define the new concepts of dependent and independent SNR scalability, where independent SNR scalable coders depend on the core layer coder only through the core layer output. Independent SNR scalable structures offer the possibility of providing bit rate scalable functionality to existing nonscalable coders and standards. We show that the MPEG-4 scalable coders are examples of dependent SNR scalable coders, and we introduce a new independent SNR scalable coder called CELPTree, which has the additional advantage of being low delay. We compare the performance of the MPEG-4 coders and CELPTree for both clean and noisy speech, and we examine the effects of frequency-weighted distortion measures in the enhancement layers of SNR scalable speech coders.
Interacting with a Sensor Network

We develop distributed algorithms for sensor networks that respond by directing a target (robot or human) through a region. The sensor network models the event levels sensed across a geographical area, adapts to changes, and guides a moving object incrementally across the network. We describe a device we call a Flashlight for interacting with the sensor field. This interaction includes collecting navigation information from the sensors in the local neighborhood, activating and deactivating specified areas of the sensor network, and detecting events in the sensor network. We report on hardware experiments using a physical sensor network consisting of Mote sensors.
Unsupervised graph-based patterns extraction for emotion classification

Traditional classifiers require extracting high dimensional feature representations, which become computationally expensive to process and can misrepresent or deteriorate the accuracy of a classifier. By utilizing a more representative list of extracted patterns, we can improve the precision and recall of a classification task. In this paper, we propose an unsupervised graph-based approach for bootstrapping Twitter-specific emotion-bearing patterns. Due to its novel bootstrapping process, the full system is also adaptable to different domains and classification problems. Furthermore, we explore how emotion-bearing patterns can help boost an emotion classification task. The experimented results demonstrate that the extracted patterns are effective in identifying emotions for English, Spanish and French Twitter streams.
Leaky Waveguide for Train-to-Wayside Communication-Based Train Control

In guided urban automated transportation systems, the maintenance of a high-quality broadband train-to-wayside communication at all locations along the track poses a major problem. Several techniques are currently used. However, to achieve sufficient rates, a communication frequency range of 2-6 GHz is widely in use. At these frequencies, the natural propagation in tunnels usually works efficiently, but the communication through a leaky waveguide that is continuously laid along the track has several advantages. Over the required communication ranges of several hundred meters, between stations, such waveguides provide low longitudinal attenuation and remain of reasonable size. They also provide predictable communication ranges that could offer significant advantages over the natural propagation approach. This paper will theoretically and experimentally describe such a technical solution. Using ray-optical modeling of the radio propagation in a railway-type tunnel, the radiation characteristics of such a system will be evaluated. At the same operating frequencies, it will be compared with a conventional base solution using antennas separated a few hundred meters apart. An example of a recently operational implemented system will be presented.
Work Motivation, Institutions, and Performance

Many economically important contracts are incomplete. This holds in particular for the employment relationship. Very often the labor contract just stipulates a wage payment and leaves out many details that actually determine performance (see, e.g., Baker, Jensen, and Murphy (1988)). Under conditions of incompletely specified obligations and only weak or absent explicit performance incentives the issue of motivation arises.
Pedestrians: creating agent behaviors through statistical analysis of observation data

Creating a complex virtual environment with human inhabitants that behave as we would expect real humans to behave is a difficult and time consuming task. Time must be spent to construct the environment, to create human figures, to create animations for the agents' actions, and to create controls for the agents' behaviors, such as scripts, plans, and decision-makers. Often work done for one virtual environment must be completely replicated for another. The creation of robust, procedural actions that can be ported from one simulation to another would ease the creation of new virtual environments. As walking is useful in many different virtual environments, the creation of natural looking walking is important. In this paper we present a system for producing more natural looking walking by incorporating actions for the upper body. We aim to provide a tool that authors of virtual environments can use to add realism to their characters without effort.
The decoupling of a harmonic-drive-spring system for position and torque control on two different axes

The motivation of this paper is to implement a control algorithm to control the angular position of one axis and the torque on another axis in a harmonic drive system. Obviously, two independently operated actuators on any two axes form an essential part of the setup. One of the motors is coupled through a spring-damper element to the corresponding shaft. The paper summarizes the most important properties of harmonic drives. It gives the torque equations of the harmonic-drive-spring system and also presents a minimal state-space realization for controller synthesis. The decoupling of the multivariable system by state feedback with symbolic calculations is achieved.
Inhibition of Cell Division Induced by External Guide Sequences (EGS Technology) Targeting ftsZ

EGS (external guide sequence) technology is a promising approach to designing new antibiotics. EGSs are short antisense oligoribonucleotides that induce RNase P-mediated cleavage of a target RNA by forming a precursor tRNA-like complex. The ftsZ mRNA secondary structure was modeled and EGSs complementary to two regions with high probability of being suitable targets were designed. In vitro reactions showed that EGSs targeting these regions bound ftsZ mRNA and elicited RNase P-mediated cleavage of ftsZ mRNA. A recombinant plasmid, pEGSb1, coding for an EGS that targets region “b” under the control of the T7 promoter was generated. Upon introduction of this plasmid into Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)(pLysS) the transformant strain formed filaments when expression of the EGS was induced. Concomitantly, E. coli harboring pEGSb1 showed a modest but significant inhibition of growth when synthesis of the EGSb1 was induced. Our results indicate that EGS technology could be a viable strategy to generate new antimicrobials targeting ftsZ.
Cerebral metabolism following traumatic brain injury: new discoveries with implications for treatment

Because it is the product of glycolysis and main substrate for mitochondrial respiration, lactate is the central metabolic intermediate in cerebral energy substrate delivery. Our recent studies on healthy controls and patients following traumatic brain injury (TBI) using [6,6-2H2]glucose and [3-13C]lactate, along with cerebral blood flow (CBF) and arterial-venous (jugular bulb) difference measurements for oxygen, metabolite levels, isotopic enrichments and 13CO2 show a massive and previously unrecognized mobilization of lactate from corporeal (muscle, skin, and other) glycogen reserves in TBI patients who were studied 5.7 ± 2.2 days after injury at which time brain oxygen consumption and glucose uptake (CMRO2 and CMRgluc, respectively) were depressed. By tracking the incorporation of the 13C from lactate tracer we found that gluconeogenesis (GNG) from lactate accounted for 67.1 ± 6.9%, of whole-body glucose appearance rate (Ra) in TBI, which was compared to 15.2 ± 2.8% (mean ± SD, respectively) in healthy, well-nourished controls. Standard of care treatment of TBI patients in state-of-the-art facilities by talented and dedicated heath care professionals reveals presence of a catabolic Body Energy State (BES). Results are interpreted to mean that additional nutritive support is required to fuel the body and brain following TBI. Use of a diagnostic to monitor BES to provide health care professionals with actionable data in providing nutritive formulations to fuel the body and brain and achieve exquisite glycemic control are discussed. In particular, the advantages of using inorganic and organic lactate salts, esters and other compounds are examined. To date, several investigations on brain-injured patients with intact hepatic and renal functions show that compared to dextrose + insulin treatment, exogenous lactate infusion results in normal glycemia.
ospC Diversity in Borrelia burgdorferi

The outer surface protein C (ospC) locus of the Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, is at least an order of magnitude more variable than other genes in the species. This variation is classified into 22 ospC major groups, 15 of which are found in the northeastern United States. The frequency distributions of ospC within populations suggest that this locus is under balancing selection. In multiple-niche polymorphism, a type of balancing selection, diversity within a population can be maintained when the environment is heterogeneous and no one genotype has the highest fitness in all environments. Genetically different individuals within vertebrate species and different vertebrate species constitute diverse environments for B. burgdorferi. We examined four important host species of B. burgdorferi and found that the strains that infected each species had different sets of ospC major groups. We found no variation among conspecific hosts in the ospC major groups of their infecting strains. These results suggest multiple niches create balancing selection at the ospC locus.
Designing and evaluating a self-management support system for renal transplant patients: the first step

Motivation -- Thanks to the mobile measurement and tele-care technology, it becomes possible to build self-management support systems for renal transplant patients. This project aims to provide (1) a trusted and accepted self-management support systems for renal transplant patients, (2) guidelines for building a virtual coach for supporting feedback in the self-management support system for chronic disease self-management, and (3) an overview of the human factors that should be taken into account in self-management support system development processes. Research approach -- A situated Cognitive Engineering method guides the development of a requirement baseline and its design rationale of the self-management support system, including a virtual coach, for renal transplant patients. Via focus group sessions, mock-ups and rapid prototypes, (parts of) the requirements and rationale will be generated, tested and refined in relatively short iterative cycles. Furthermore, about 50 patients will use a basic version of the system to examine (1) the influence of human factors on self-management and self-management support needs, (2) the impact of a self-management support system on the behavior of chronically ill patients, and (3) the doctors' acceptance of the system. Findings -- So far the first prototype was designed and evaluated; major issues and users' values were extracted.
Evolutionary algorithm - based solutions to Maximum Lifetime Coverage problem in wireless sensor networks

The paper analyzes three recently proposed algorithms, which differ not only in the method of finding solution to the Maximum Lifetime Coverage problem, but also in approaches to formulation of the problem. In order to compare the algorithms: (1) they were adapted to the common assumptions such as the same scenario of WSN work and the same characteristics, i.e. a size of target field, a number of sensors N, a sensing range Rs were used, (2) special sensor network simulator was implemented. Evaluation of lifetime was made according to introduced metrics: minT(q) and maxT(q). The paper presents the results of an experimental study. Based on the results of experiments, conclusions about the validity of the assumptions of algorithms, quality of solutions and possible improvements are drawn.
Spermine Acts as a Negative Regulator of Macrophage Differentiation in Human Myeloid Leukemia Cells

The role of putrescine, spermidine and spermine in phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced macrophage differentiation was examined in human HL-60 and U-937 myeloid leukemia cells. Unlike other polyamines, spermine affected this differentiation by acting as a negative regulator. This negative regulation was established by showing that the PMA-induced macrophage phenotype, but not PMA-associated replication arrest, was abrogated (a) by replenishing the PMA-evoked decrease in cellular spermine levels with this polyamine from an exogenous source and (b) by blocking PMA-induced expression of the polyamine catabolic enzyme N1-spermidine/spermine acetyltransferase (SSAT) with antisense oligonucleotides in the presence of low substrate level. The PMA-evoked reduction in cellular spermine appears to result from an increase in the activity of SSAT and a decrease in the activity of ornithine decarboxylase, the polyamine biosynthetic enzyme. To a degree, these changes are due to corresponding changes in the expression of the genes that code for these enzymes. When cell differentiation is initiated, SSAT expression is increased after PMA-evoked activation of protein kinase C-β. The present studies raise the possibility that agents able to reduce spermine levels in patients’ myeloid leukemia cells may enhance the activity of differentiation therapy drugs for this type of leukemia.
Internet Addiction by Using the Smartphone-Relationships between Internet Addiction, Frequency of Smartphone Use and the State of Mind of Male and Female Students

Objective: In recent years, the use of Smartphones got a lot of attention due to their possible physiological, psychological and behavioral effects. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationships between Smartphone use, Internet addiction and level of interest of users by assessing differences in frequency of Smartphone use in three different situations (boredom, passive activity and active activity) among male and female students.
Hash First, Argue Later: Adaptive Verifiable Computations on Outsourced Data

Proof systems for verifiable computation (VC) have the potential to make cloud outsourcing more trustworthy. Recent schemes enable a verifier with limited resources to delegate large computations and verify their outcome based on succinct arguments: verification complexity is linear in the size of the inputs and outputs (not the size of the computation). However, cloud computing also often involves large amounts of data, which may exceed the local storage and I/O capabilities of the verifier, and thus limit the use of VC. In this paper, we investigate multi-relation hash & prove schemes for verifiable computations that operate on succinct data hashes. Hence, the verifier delegates both storage and computation to an untrusted worker. She uploads data and keeps hashes; exchanges hashes with other parties; verifies arguments that consume and produce hashes; and selectively downloads the actual data she needs to access. Existing instantiations that fit our definition either target restricted classes of computations or employ relatively inefficient techniques. Instead, we propose efficient constructions that lift classes of existing arguments schemes for fixed relations to multi-relation hash & prove schemes. Our schemes (1) rely on hash algorithms that run linearly in the size of the input; (2) enable constant-time verification of arguments on hashed inputs; (3) incur minimal overhead for the prover. Their main benefit is to amortize the linear cost for the verifier across all relations with shared I/O. Concretely, compared to solutions that can be obtained from prior work, our new hash & prove constructions yield a 1,400x speed-up for provers. We also explain how to further reduce the linear verification costs by partially outsourcing the hash computation itself, obtaining a 480x speed-up when applied to existing VC schemes, even on single-relation executions.
A Phase I trial of the farnesyl transferase inhibitor SCH66336: evidence for biological and clinical activity.

Farnesyl protein transferase (FT), an enzyme that catalyzes the first step in the posttranslational modification of ras and a number of other polypeptides, has emerged as an important target for the development of anticancer agents. SCH66336 is one of the first FT inhibitors to undergo clinical testing. We report a Phase I trial to assess the maximum tolerated dose, toxicities, and biological effectiveness of SCH66336 in inhibiting FT in vivo. Twenty patients with solid tumors received 92 courses of escalating SCH66336 doses given orally twice a day (b.i.d.) for 7 days out of every 3 weeks. Gastrointestinal toxicity (nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea) and fatigue were dose-limiting at 400 mg of SCH66336 b.i. d. Moderate reversible renal insufficiency, secondary to dehydration from gastrointestinal toxicity, was also seen. Inhibition of prelamin A farnesylation in buccal mucosa cells of patients treated with SCH66336 was demonstrated, confirming that SCH66336 inhibits protein farnesylation in vivo. One partial response was observed in a patient with previously treated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, who remained on study for 14 months. This study not only establishes the dose for future testing on this schedule (350 mg b.i.d.) but also provides the first evidence of successful inhibition of FT in the clinical setting and the first hint of clinical activity for this class of agents.
A new congestion control scheme: slow start and search (Tri-S)

Recently there have been many measures proposed to tackle the problem of congestion in computer networks. In this paper, we first analyze some of the measures and then present a new scheme in which the optimal operating point is obtained by evaluation of throughput gradient and resource sharing is adjusted only at the beginning and the end of a connection. Simulation results show that the scheme converges to an optimal operating point quickly and fairly.
Blended Learning in the Vocational Education and Training System in Tanzania: Understanding Vocational Educators’ Perceptions

In a constructivist world of teaching and learning, opportunities to acquire and develop the knowledge and practical skills necessary to design, establish, and deploy blended learning in vocational education and training (VET) programs delivery is a labour-market-driven. The paper examines VET educator’s pleas about the need for the design, adoption and deployment of blended learning in VET programs delivery in Tanzania. A single case study design with an in-depth interview and focus group discussion was conducted with 15 VET educators in three VET colleges in both Morogoro and Dar es Salaam regions. Snowball and purposive sampling were used to obtain sample respondents. For the data analysis, content analysis was employed to condense data obtained from interviews and focus group discussion. It was found that continuous professional development, institutional arrangements, and support should be provided online to facilitate the design, adoption and use of blended learning in VET. We recommend that locally designed blended learning should be relevant to the environment of both students and teachers. In reality, the interplay between blended learning, imparting knowledge and practical skills remain the key focus of future research.