Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Operating System Support for Easy Development of Distributed File Systems

A number of new distributed file systems have been developed, but the development of such file systems is not a simple task because it requires the operating system kernel to be modified. We have therefore developed the CAPELA operating system, which makes distributed file systems easy to develop. CAPELA allows the users to develop a file system as an extension module separated from the kernel, and protects the kernel from erroneous extension modules by a new fail-safe mechanism, called multi-level protection. The multi-level protection can avoid unnecessary performance degradation by enabling the protection level to be changed without modifying the source code of the module. We have implemented the CAPELA operating system on the basis of NetBSD 1.2 and confirmed that the file system can run more efficiently when the protection level is lowered. keywords: multi-level protection, fail-safe mechanism, distributed file system, operating system
Selective Contrast Adjustment by Poisson Equation

Poisson Image Editing is a new technique permitting to modify the gradient vector field of an image, and then to recover an image with a gradient approaching this modified gradient field. This amounts to solve a Poisson equation, an operation which can be efficiently performed by Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). This paper describes an algorithm applying this technique, with two different variants. The first variant enhances the contrast by increasing the gradient in the dark regions of the image. This method is well adapted to images with back light or strong shadows, and reveals details in the shadows. The second variant of the same Poisson technique enhances all small gradients in the image, thus also sometimes revealing details and texture. Source Code The source code, the code documentation, and the online demo are accessible at the IPOL web page of this article 1 . In this page an implementation is available for download. Compilation and usage instruction are included in the README.txt file of the archive.
A Paradigm for Testing Cloud Parameterizations

One of the main goals of the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program is improvement of cloud and radiation parameterizations in general circulation models. This problem can be logically addressed within a three-step framework: 1) prediction of clouds from thermodynamic fields, 2) parameterization of microphysical properties of the clouds, and 3) parameterization of radiative properties of the clouds. The information derived from the parameterizations is used in a radiative transfer scheme to calculate heating rates and surface fluxes.
Exposure to the Epstein–Barr Viral Antigen Latent Membrane Protein 1 Induces Myelin-Reactive Antibodies In Vivo

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Cross-reactivity of neuronal proteins with exogenous antigens is considered one of the possible mechanisms of MS triggering. Previously, we showed that monoclonal myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific antibodies from MS patients cross-react with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1). In this study, we report that exposure of mice to LMP1 results in induction of myelin-reactive autoantibodies in vivo. We posit that chronic exposure or multiple acute exposures to viral antigen may redirect B cells from production of antiviral antibodies to antibodies, specific to myelin antigen. However, even in inbred animals, which are almost identical in terms of their genomes, such an effect is only observed in 20–50% of animals, indicating that this change occurs by chance, rather than systematically. Cross-immunoprecipitation analysis showed that only part of anti-MBP antibodies from LMP1-immunized mice might simultaneously bind LMP1. In contrast, the majority of anti-LMP1 antibodies from MBP-immunized mice bind MBP. De novo sequencing of anti-LMP1 and anti-MBP antibodies by mass spectrometry demonstrated enhanced clonal diversity in LMP1-immunized mice in comparison with MBP-immunized mice. We suggest that induction of MBP-reactive antibodies in LMP1-immunized mice may be caused by either Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) or by T cells that are primed by myelin antigens directly in CNS. Our findings help to elucidate the still enigmatic link between EBV infection and MS development, suggesting that myelin-reactive antibodies raised as a response toward EBV protein LMP1 are not truly cross-reactive but are primarily caused by epitope spreading.
Aeromonas jandaei and Aeromonas veronii dual infection of a human wound following aquatic exposure

Exudate removed from an infection that developed below the left eye of a 10-year-old male following a previously inflicted wound after aquatic exposure was cultured and revealed two different Aeromonas spp. Further characterization showed that one strain was phenotypically identical to Aeromonas veronii, while the other strain was confirmed by DNA hybridization analysis to be Aeromonas jandaei sp. nov. This is the first report of these more recently described aeromonads, thus far rarely reported from clinical disease, occurring simultaneously in a human infection.
Helping Developers Help Themselves: Automatic Decomposition of Code Review Changesets

Code Reviews, an important and popular mechanism for quality assurance, are often performed on a change set, a set of modified files that are meant to be committed to a source repository as an atomic action. Understanding a code review is more difficult when the change set consists of multiple, independent, code differences. We introduce CLUSTERCHANGES, an automatic technique for decomposing change sets and evaluate its effectiveness through both a quantitative analysis and a qualitative user study.
A method of identifying influential data in fuzzy clustering

In multivariate statistical methods, it is important to identify influential observations for a reasonable interpretation of the data structure. In this paper, we propose a method for identifying influential data in the fuzzy C-means (FCM) algorithm. To investigate such data, we consider a perturbation of the data points and evaluate the effect of a perturbation. As a perturbation, we consider two cases: one is the case in which the direction of a perturbation is specified and the other is the case in which the direction of a perturbation is not specified. By computing the change in the clustering result of FCM when given data points are slightly perturbed, we can look for data points that greatly affect the result. Also, we confirm an efficacy of the proposed method by numerical examples.
Sec12p-dependent membrane binding of the small GTP-binding protein Sar1p promotes formation of transport vesicles from the ER

Sec12p is an integral membrane protein required in vivo and in vitro for the formation of transport vesicles generated from the ER. Vesicle budding and protein transport from ER membranes containing normal levels of Sec12p is inhibited in vitro by addition of microsomes isolated from a Sec12p-overproducing strain. Inhibition is attributable to titration of a limiting cytosolic protein. This limitation is overcome by addition of a highly enriched fraction of soluble Sar1p, a small GTP-binding protein, shown previously to be essential for protein transport from the ER and whose gene has been shown to interact genetically with sec12. Furthermore, Sar1p binding to isolated membranes is enhanced at elevated levels of Sec12p. Sar1p-Sec12p interaction may regulate the initiation of vesicle budding from the ER.
Gold Nanoparticles in Single-Cell Analysis for Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering

The need for new therapeutic approaches in the treatment of challenging diseases such as cancer, which often consists of a highly heterogeneous and complex population of cells, brought up the idea of analyzing single cells. The development of novel techniques to analyze single cells has been intensively studied to fully understand specific alternations inducing abnormalities in cellular function. One of the techniques used for single cell analysis is surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in which a noble metal nanoparticle is used to enhance Raman scattering. Due to its low toxicity and biocompatibility, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are commonly preferred as SERS substrates in single cell analysis. The intracellular uptake, localization and toxicity issues of AuNPs are the critical points for interpretation of data since the obtained SERS signals originate from molecules in close vicinity to AuNPs that are taken up by the cells. In this review, the AuNP–living cell interactions, cellular uptake and toxicity of AuNPs in relation to their physicochemical properties, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering from single cells are discussed.
Context-Aware Prediction of Derivational Word-forms

Derivational morphology is a fundamental and complex characteristic of language. In this paper we propose a new task of predicting the derivational form of a given base-form lemma that is appropriate for a given context. We present an encoder-decoder style neural network to produce a derived form character-by-character, based on its corresponding character-level representation of the base form and the context. We demonstrate that our model is able to generate valid context-sensitive derivations from known base forms, but is less accurate under lexicon agnostic setting.
Body Weight-Tumor Incidence Correlations in Long-Term Rodent Carcinogenicity Studies

Associations between body weight and tumor incidence and among the incidences of selected site-specific tumors were examined for more than 4,000 male and female Fischer-344 rats and B6C3F1 mice in the National Toxicology Program historical control database. Incidences of certain site-specific tumors, most notably mammary gland and pituitary gland tumors in rats and liver tumors in mice, were shown to have a strong positive correlation with 52-wk body weight. Using individual animal data, logistic regression models were derived for predicting site-specific tumor incidence as a function of 52-wk body weight, age, and other factors. This association between body weight and tumor incidence can explain many of the decreased tumor incidences observed in National Toxicology Program carcinogenicity studies. Body weight differences between dosed and control groups can also mask carcinogenic effects for those sites sensitive to body weight changes. Thus, when designing long-term rodent carcinogenicity studies, measures should be taken to minimize potential body weight differences between dosed and control groups. There were a number of small but significant negative correlations among tumor incidences, reflecting primarily the lethality of the tumors in question. None of these correlations (nor the 2 small positive correlations found) are likely to have any impact on the interpretation of experimental results. However, the high negative correlation between pituitary gland and testis tumors in male Fischer-344 rats cannot be dismissed so easily, does not reflect tumor lethality, and is currently being studied further.
The Xanthomonas oryzae pv.◊oryzae raxP and raxQ genes encode an ATP sulphurylase and adenosine‐5′‐phosphosulphate kinase that are required for AvrXa21 avirulence activity

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) Philippine race 6 (PR6) is unable to cause bacterial blight disease on rice lines containing the rice resistance gene Xa21 but is virulent on non‐Xa21 rice lines, indicating that PR6 carries avirulence (avrXa21) determinants required for recognition by XA21. Here we show that two Xoo genes, raxP and raxQ, are required for AvrXa21 activity. raxP and raxQ, which reside in a genomic cluster of sulphur assimilation genes, encode an ATP sulphurylase and APS (adenosine‐5′‐phosphosulphate) kinase. These enzymes function together to produce activated forms of sulphate, APS and PAPS (3′‐phosphoadenosine‐5′‐phosphosulphate). Xoo PR6 strains carrying disruptions in either gene, PR6ΔraxP or PR6ΔraxQ, are unable to produce APS and PAPS and are virulent on Xa21‐containing rice lines. RaxP and RaxQ are similar to the bacterial symbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti host specificity proteins, NodP and NodQ and the Escherichia coli cysteine synthesis proteins CysD, CysN and CysC. The APS and PAPS produced by RaxP and RaxQ are used for both cysteine synthesis and sulphation of other molecules. Mutation in Xoo xcysI, a homologue of Escherichia coli cysI that is required for cysteine synthesis, blocked APS‐ or PAPS‐dependent cysteine synthesis but did not affect AvrXa21 activity, suggesting that AvrXa21 activity is related to sulphation rather than cysteine synthesis. Taken together, these results demonstrate that APS and PAPS production plays a critical role in determining avirulence of a phytopathogen and reveal a commonality between symbiotic and phytopathogenic bacteria.
Genomic profiling of short- and long-term caloric restriction effects in the liver of aging mice

We present genome-wide microarray expression analysis of 11,000 genes in an aging potentially mitotic tissue, the liver. This organ has a major impact on health and homeostasis during aging. The effects of life- and health-span-extending caloric restriction (CR) on gene expression among young and old mice and between long-term CR (LT-CR) and short-term CR (ST-CR) were examined. This experimental design allowed us to accurately distinguish the effects of aging from those of CR on gene expression. Aging was accompanied by changes in gene expression associated with increased inflammation, cellular stress, and fibrosis, and reduced capacity for apoptosis, xenobiotic metabolism, normal cell-cycling, and DNA replication. LT-CR and just 4 weeks of ST-CR reversed the majority of these changes. LT-CR produced in young mice a pattern of gene expression that is a subset of the changes found in old LT-CR mice. It is possible that the early changes in gene expression, which extend into old age, are key to the life- and health-span-extending effects of CR. Further, ST-CR substantially shifted the “normo-aging” genomic profile of old control mice toward the “slow-aging” profile associated with LT-CR. Therefore, many of the genomic effects of CR are established rapidly. Thus, expression profiling should prove useful in quickly identifying CR- mimetic drugs and treatments.
Prolonged and increasing expression of Fos related antigens in the hippocampus of adjuvant arthritic rats.

OBJECTIVE To study the influence of chronic arthritis on induction of Fos related antigens in the brain. METHODS We studied 3 different experimental rat groups: rats with adjuvant induced arthritis (AR), paraffin oil (vehicle) injected rats (VR), and normal control rats (NCR). At 2, 4, and 6 days after and 2.4, 8, 12, and 18 weeks after inoculation, sections from the hippocampus were immunostained with antibodies against c-Fos and other Fos related antigens (FRA). Immunostained neurons in CA1, CA2, CA3, and dentate gyrus were counted and their expression pattern was studied. To relate the expression of FRA to the upregulation of an opioid peptide, leucine-enkephalin (Leu-enk), double immunohistochemistry for FRA and Leu-enk was performed. RESULTS Brain samples of the NCR group exhibited very few FRA immunoreactive cells. All the 4 regions of AR and VR hippocampus had upregulated FRA expression in very early stages of arthritis induction. Hippocampus of the VR rats showed generally diminished FRA expression in later stages of arthritis. Hippocampus of the AR rats, in contrast, showed increased FRA expression in the later stages. This increased expression of FRA topographically and chronologically coincided with upregulation of Leu-enk. CONCLUSION Longterm arthritis presumably caused prolonged and increased expression of FRA. Increased expression of Leu-enk, which temporally and spatially colocalized with FRA, may represent longterm genomic changes that occur in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Mothering Through Acculturation: Reflections of Salvadorian Mothers in Canada

This paper presents findings from a qualitative study with Salvadorian mothers in Southwestern Ontario. A total of 16 mothers were interviewed. Though the paper describes their struggles in negotiating the settlement process it also highlights their resiliency, which enabled them to be emotionally available for their daughters. Immigration invariably challenged each mother’s understanding of mothering, drawing her into a reassessment of what she needed to do in order to support her daughter’s cultural transition into Canadian society.
How to Obtain Long Term Projections for Smoking Behaviour: A Case Study in the Dutch Population

A state-transition model is presented to project the prevalence rates of never, current and former smokers within the Dutch population. Changes are determined by the transition rates among these three classes: start rates, quit rates and relapse rates. Both the initial prevalence rates and transition rates are calculated from cross-sectional data using a restricted quadratic multinomial regression spline and a restricted quadratic logistic regression spline, respectively. Through a Monte Carlo experiment an uncertainty analysis was performed to assess the level of reliability of the results, while a sensitivity analysis was carried out in order to detect the input variables that mostly contribute to the output variability. The results obtained through this model show a considerable but rather slow decrease of smokers up to year 2050.
Improving value-creation ability, internal operations efficiency, & competitive advantage of firms by the adoption of a new technology: Four case-studies

The purpose of this paper is to explore how a firm's value-creation ability, internal operation efficiency and competitive advantage can be improved by adoption of a new technology. This work draws on four case-studies of public Israeli firms, traded on international courses, and operating in global markets. The firms are Comverse, Ormat Technologies, Tower Semiconductor, and Radvision. They are engaged in a wide range of activities, between various poles (consumer markets vs. institutional / industrial markets, and product vs. service). Comverse (www.comverse.com) is a leading provider of software and systems that enable multimedia network-based enhanced services. Ormat Technologies (www.Ormat.com) is a leading company providing solutions for geothermal power, recovered energy generation, and remote power. Tower Semiconductor (www.towersemi.com) manufactures integrated circuits with unique geometry and provides complementary technical services. Radvision (www.radvision.com) is a communications technology accommodator that enhances collaboration with video conferencing locally and globally. All four firms face tough competition in a dynamic environment, both nationally and internationally. It was found that firms adopting a new technology are able to improve one or more of the three necessary conditions for profit creation. Profit will be higher, the stronger the company's value-creation ability, the more efficient its internal operations, and the greater its competitive advantage.
The Lasting Effect of Sex Ratio Imbalance on Marriage and Family: Evidence from World War II in Russia

Abstract How does a shock to sex ratios affect marriage markets and fertility? I use the drastic change in sex ratios caused by World War II to identify the effects of unbalanced sex ratios on Russian women. Using unique archival data, the results indicate that male scarcity led to lower rates of marriage and fertility, higher nonmarital births, and reduced bargaining power within marriage for women most affected by war deaths. The impact of sex ratio imbalance on marriage and family persisted for years after the war's end and was likely magnified by policies that promoted nonmarital births and discouraged divorce.
Functional Specificity of Claustrum Connections in the Rat: Interhemispheric Communication between Specific Parts of Motor Cortex

Recent evidence indicates that the rat claustrum interconnects the motor cortical areas in both hemispheres. To elucidate the functional specificity of the interhemispheric connections between the claustrum and primary motor (MI) cortex, anterograde tracer injections in specific parts of MI were paired with retrograde tracer injections in homotopic sites of the opposite hemisphere. In addition to injecting the MI forepaw (Fp) region in both hemispheres, we injected the region associated with whisker retractions (Re) and the more caudal rhythmic whisking (RW) region. While the MI-Fp region has few connections with the claustrum of either hemisphere, both whisker regions project to the contralateral claustrum, with those from the MI-RW region being denser and more extensive than those originating from the MI-Re region. Retrograde tracer injections in the MI-RW region produced more labeled neurons in the ipsilateral claustrum than retrograde tracer injections in the MI-Re. Consistent with these patterns, the overlap of labeled terminals and soma in the claustrum was greatest when both tracers were injected into the MI-RW region. When retrograde tracers were injected into the claustrum, the highest density of labeled neurons in MI appeared in the contralateral RW region. Tracer injections in the claustrum also revealed hundreds of labeled neurons throughout its rostrocaudal extent, thereby establishing the presence of long-range intraclaustral connections. These results indicate that the intrinsic and extrinsic connections of the rat claustrum are structured for rapid, interhemispheric transmission of information needed for bilateral coordination of the MI regions that regulate whisker movements.
An exploration into first generation adult student adaptation to college

The purpose of this study was to further develop an understanding of the nature of the adaptation process of adult first generation students to the undergraduate college experience. This study utilized the Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (SACQ) in conjunction with personal interviews to explore whether first generation adult college students adapt differently to college than do their continuing generation peers and if there is a commonality of experience, across demographic differences, for first generation, adult college students. Fifty-five adult college freshmen were surveyed using the SACQ. From this sample, sixteen first generation volunteers were interviewed regarding their college experience. T-test analysis of the SACQ scores showed that the first generation students were not adjusting to college as well as their continuing generation peers on the overall measure to adjustment and on three of the four subscales. The personal interviews indicated that while there was variation in the first generation students’ adaptation with seven of the sixteen volunteers classified as adjusting poorly to college, three with mixed adjustment, and five with good adjustment, there were also commonalities in the students’ experience, regardless how well they were adjusting to college. Eleven meta themes emerged from the interview data, and these themes correlated with characteristics of nonpersisters as compiled by Kasworm, Polson, and Fishback (2002). This research indicated that further investigation into adult first generation college students is appropriate especially with regard to how these adults view themselves as role models. In addition, this study indicates a need for future research into the links between adult students’ first generation status and persistence problems in their college experience. AN EXPLORATION INTO FIRST GENERATION ADULT STUDENT ADAPTATION TO COLLEGE by CAROLYN SPEER SCHMIDT B.G. S. , University of Kansas, 1989 M.A., University of Iowa, 1991 ______________________________ A DISSERTATION Submitted in partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Department of Educational Leadership College of Education KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY Manhattan, Kansas 2005