Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Analysis and Serovar-Specific Identification of Multiple-Banded Antigen Genes of Ureaplasma urealyticum Biovar 1

ABSTRACT Ureaplasma urealyticum is a causative agent of nongonococcal urethritis and is implicated in the pathogenesis of several other diseases. The species is divided into 14 serovars and two biovars, of which biovar 1 is most commonly isolated from clinical specimens. Reported associations between individual serovars and diseases have been difficult to confirm because of practical difficulties with serotyping. The multiple-banded antigen (MBA) is the predominant U. urealyticum antigen recognized during infections in humans and probably has a significant role in virulence. The 5′ end of the MBA gene is relatively conserved but contains biovar, and possibly serovar, specificity. The 5′ ends of the MBA genes of standard strains of U. urealyticum biovar 1, consisting of serovars 1, 3, 6, and 14, were amplified, cloned into pUC19, and sequenced to identify serovar-specific differences. The 5′ end of the MBA gene sequence of serovar 3 was identical with the previously published sequence and differed by only three bases from that of serovar 14. Significant differences between the MBA gene sequences allowed biovar 1 to be divided into two subgroups, containing serovars 3/14 and serovars 1 and 6, respectively, using primers UMS-125–UMA269 and UMS-125–UMA269′. Serovars 1 and 6 were distinguished by restriction enzyme analysis of the amplicon and/or by PCR specific for serovar 6. These methods were used to identify and type U. urealyticum in 185 (46.3%) of 400 genital specimens from women. Biovar 1 was detected in 89.2% and biovar 2 in 18.3% of positive specimens. Of 165 specimens containing U. urealyticumbiovar 1, 22.2% contained more than one serovar and 46.7, 46.1, and 25.5% contained serovars 1, 3/14, and 6, respectively. U. urealyticum was found in a significantly higher proportion of pregnant women than in sex workers and other women attending a sexually transmissible diseases clinic (P < 0.01). The methods described are relatively rapid, practicable, and specific for serotyping isolates and for direct detection and identification of individual serovars in clinical specimens containing U. urealyticum biovar 1.
Using Statistical Machine Translation Model to Improve Domain-Specific Metasearch Engines

In order to improve the recall of the domain-specific information retrieval, an efficient query expansion mechanism is proposed for the metasearch engines. This mechanism uses the statistical machine translation model to compute the relevance between general query words and domain-relevant query words and dispatches the expanded queries to component search engines. The key ingredient of translation model is the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm. The experimental results show that the proposed expansion mechanism is a desirable and efficient method to improve the domain-relevance of the pages returned by a metasearch engine.
Continuous quality control of the blood sampling procedure using a structured observation scheme

Introduction An observational study was conducted using a structured observation scheme to assess compliance with the local phlebotomy guideline, to identify necessary focus items, and to investigate whether adherence to the phlebotomy guideline improved. Materials and methods The questionnaire from the EFLM Working Group for the Preanalytical Phase was adapted to local procedures. A pilot study of three months duration was conducted. Based on this, corrective actions were implemented and a follow-up study was conducted. All phlebotomists at the Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology were observed. Three blood collections by each phlebotomist were observed at each session conducted at the phlebotomy ward and the hospital wards, respectively. Error frequencies were calculated for the phlebotomy ward and the hospital wards and for the two study phases. Results A total of 126 blood drawings by 39 phlebotomists were observed in the pilot study, while 84 blood drawings by 34 phlebotomists were observed in the follow-up study. In the pilot study, the three major error items were hand hygiene (42% error), mixing of samples (22%), and order of draw (21%). Minor significant differences were found between the two settings. After focus on the major aspects, the follow-up study showed significant improvement for all three items at both settings (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, and P = 0.01, respectively). Conclusion Continuous quality control of the phlebotomy procedure revealed a number of items not conducted in compliance with the local phlebotomy guideline. It supported significant improvements in the adherence to the recommended phlebotomy procedures and facilitated documentation of the phlebotomy quality.
Non-linear resonance modeling and system design improvements for underactuated flapping-wing vehicles

Insect-scale flying robots are currently unable to carry the power source and sensor suite required for autonomous operation. To overcome this challenge, we developed and experimentally verified a non-linear damping model of actuation-limited flapping-wing vehicles with passively rotating wing hinges. In agreement with studies on the wing dynamics of honey bees, we found that the optimal angle of the passive wing hinge in mid-stroke is about 70 ° rather than 45-50 ° as previously assumed. We further identified a narrow actuation force window in which the occurrence of a sharp resonance can be used to achieve both higher lift and efficiency. The findings from our model informed design changes to the Harvard Dual-Actuator Robobee, which resulted in a 130% increase in mean lift from ~140mg to 320mg (with a vehicle mass increase of only 5 - 8%), along with a corresponding expected payload increase of 330 - 470% (30 - 40mg to 170mg). The power consumption only increased by ~55%, making the new prototype 50% more efficient at lift production. Our model provides a greater understanding of the dynamics of this complex system, and the resulting lift and efficiency improvements are expected to bring insect-scale flying robots closer to autonomy.
Angular Radial Partitioning for Edge Image Description

A novel approach for image representation based on geometric distribution of edge pixels is presented. Object segmentation is not needed, therefore, the input image may consist of several complex objects. The edge map is divided into M × N angular radial partitions and local features are extracted for these partitions. The approach is scale and rotation invariant and also tolerates small translations and erosions. The extracted features are characterized by their compactness and fast extraction/matching time. They exhibit signiﬁcant improvement in retrieval performance using ANMRR measure. Experimental re-sults show their supremacy using an image database initiated from a movie.
Local max-cut in smoothed polynomial time

In 1988, Johnson, Papadimitriou and Yannakakis wrote that "Practically all the empirical evidence would lead us to conclude that finding locally optimal solutions is much easier than solving NP-hard problems". Since then the empirical evidence has continued to amass, but formal proofs of this phenomenon have remained elusive. A canonical (and indeed complete) example is the local max-cut problem, for which no polynomial time method is known. In a breakthrough paper, Etscheid and Röglin proved that the smoothed complexity of local max-cut is quasi-polynomial, i.e., if arbitrary bounded weights are randomly perturbed, a local maximum can be found in ϕ nO(logn) steps where ϕ is an upper bound on the random edge weight density. In this paper we prove smoothed polynomial complexity for local max-cut, thus confirming that finding local optima for max-cut is much easier than solving it.
Using a Bayesian Framework to Identify the Referents of Definite Descriptions

This paper describes a principled method for weighing evidence from various sources in order to identify the referent of a description that is not guaranteed to be correct. We adopt assumptions consistent with Gricean maxims of conversation, thereby mapping the problem into a simple Bayesian framework that allows us model the behavior of the speaker. This framework has been shown to give us the advantage of being able to systematically incorporate evidence from various knowledge that a listener may acquire during conversation. In particular, knowledge about speaker’s beliefs and knowledge about focus are shown to be easily incorporated. Guidelines for handling other kinds of evidence are also provided.
Analysis of shape features of flame and interference image in video fire detection

In this paper, the shape features of different material of flame and interference image in video fire detection were analyzed and compared. The area, perimeter, rotundity, solidity, extent, sharp corners, similarity and centroid displacement are selected as the candidate features. After analyzing and excluding area and perimeter as these candidate features, weak classifiers of six other shape features are established, and then calculate weights of each weak classifier using AdaBoost algorithm, and then sort according to the weights of weak classifiers, and then proposed the preference of choosing shape features. In this paper, shape features selection preference is introduced, which can be used as a reference for video fire detection choosing shape features.
Challenges and Solutions in Modern VLSI Placement

The VLSI placement problem is to place objects into a fixed die such that there are no overlaps among objects and some cost metric (e.g., wirelength, routability) is optimized. It is a major step in physical design that has been studied for decades. However, modern VLSI design challenges have reshaped the placement problem. A modern placer needs to handle large-scale designs with millions of objects, heterogeneous objects with very different sizes, and various complex placement constraints such as preplaced blocks and chip density. In this paper, we first introduce the major techniques employed in our placer for tackling the large-scale mixed-size designs and the aforementioned constraints, and then provide some future research directions for the modern placement problem.
A brain microvasculature endothelial cell‐specific viral vector with the potential to treat neurovascular and neurological diseases

Gene therapy critically relies on vectors that combine high transduction efficiency with a high degree of target specificity and that can be administered through a safe intravenous route. The lack of suitable vectors, especially for gene therapy of brain disorders, represents a major obstacle. Therefore, we applied an in vivo screening system of random ligand libraries displayed on adeno‐associated viral capsids to select brain‐targeted vectors for the treatment of neurovascular diseases. We identified a capsid variant showing an unprecedented degree of specificity and long‐lasting transduction efficiency for brain microvasculature endothelial cells as the primary target of selection. A therapeutic vector based on this selected viral capsid was used to markedly attenuate the severe cerebrovascular pathology of mice with incontinentia pigmenti after a single intravenous injection. Furthermore, the versatility of this selection system will make it possible to select ligands for additional in vivo targets without requiring previous identification of potential target‐specific receptors.
Enhanced marine productivity off western North America during warm climate intervals of the past 52 k.y.

Studies of the Santa Barbara Basin off the coast of California have linked changes in its bottom-water oxygen content to millennial-scale climate changes as recorded by the oxygen isotope composition of Greenland ice. Through the use of detailed records from a sediment core collected off the Magdalena Margin of Baja California, Mexico, we demonstrate that this teleconnection predominantly arose from changes in marine productivity, rather than changes in ventilation of the North Pacific, as was originally proposed.
Analysis of body surface potential maps in cardiac resynchronization therapy

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) aims at improving systolic function inpatients with heart failure. We investigated the use of body surface potential mapping (BSPM) in the understanding of the activation sequence in the myocardium during biventricular (BiV) pacing. We acquired BSPM recordings in 29 patients with an implanted BiV device during normal sinus rhythm, right ventricular (RV) pacing, left ventricular (LV) pacing and BiV pacing. We compared potential maps during BiV pacing to those during R V pacing and L V pacing by a 2-D correlation. By studying BSPM maps, we observed that 38% of our patients presented potential maps similar to those observable when pacing with a single lead. These patients may not be taking full advantage of the potential benefits of CRT.
Amygdala Regulation of Nucleus Accumbens Dopamine Output is Governed by the Prefrontal Cortex

A dynamic interaction between the prefrontal cortex (PFC), amygdala, and nucleus accumbens (NAc) may be fundamental to regulation of goal-directed behavior by affective and cognitive processes. This study demonstrates that a mechanism for this triadic relationship is an inhibitory control by prefrontal cortex on accumbal dopamine release during amygdala activation. In freely moving rats, microstimulation of basolateral amygdala at intensities that produced mild behavioral activation produced an expected rapid increase in glutamate efflux in the prefrontal cortex and the nucleus accumbens shell region of the ventral striatum. However, during the stimulation, dopamine release increased only in the prefrontal cortex, not in the nucleus accumbens. An increase in accumbal dopamine release was observed during the stimulation if glutamate activation in the prefrontal cortex was inhibited at either presynaptic or postsynaptic levels. Some behaviors expressed during the stimulation were intensified in animals in which prefrontal cortex glutamate activation was blocked. In addition, these animals continued to express stimulus-induced behaviors after the termination of stimulation, whereas normal poststimulus behaviors such as ambulation and grooming were not displayed as frequently. Considering that dopamine neurotransmission in the nucleus accumbens is thought to play an integral role in goal-directed motor behavior, these findings suggest that the prefrontal cortex influences the behavioral impact of amygdala activation via a concomitant active suppression of accumbal dopamine release. Absence of this cortical influence appears to result in an aberrant pattern of behavioral expression in response to amygdala activation, including behavioral perseveration after stimulus termination.
A survey of Internet public opinion mining

Nowadays Internet has become a major public opinion formation and diffusion platform. How to acquire the public hotspots and trends by collecting and analyzing the massive data on the Internet is an important research topic in public opinion analysis. In this paper, we firstly introduce the definition and framework of Internet public opinion mining, then focus on the comparison and analysis of key techniques used in different layers, and finally make a summary and outlook.
Modeling Fundamental Geo-Raster Operations with Array Algebra

OLAP pre-aggregation techniques have proven to enable query time responses close to real-time in business and sta- tistical applications. In raster image databases (such as for geo services), similar data structures and operations appear. However, only one particular, comparatively sim- ple pre-aggregation technique is used there, namely image pyramids. We are working on systematically carrying over results from OLAP to geo raster databases. In this paper we identify a set of fundamental geo raster operations and formulate them algebraically, using a proven array model. We argue that pre-aggregation support for a few basic query patterns is sufficient for many practical situations.
Performance Evaluation of the Location-Based Protocol DREAM for Large Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

Position-based routing protocols were recently proposed as a solution to non-scalable topology-based routing protocols for large scale mobile ad hoc networks. In these position-based routing protocols, nodes may not maintain explicit routes. Each node needs only to know its own position and the position of its one-hop neighbors to forward packets. In this paper, a performance evaluation of the position-based routing protocol DREAM for large scale ad hoc networks is presented. Several performance metrics such as the control load and the average latency are evaluated using ns2 for up to 500 nodes generated according to the realistic mobility model RealMobgen.
Vulnerabilidad corporal, coalición y la política de la calle

espanolDesde una postura feminista, el articulo aborda el tema del activismo politico a partir del tema de la vulnerabilidad corporal y la movilizacion de cuerpos en las practicas de resistencia. El enfoque que utiliza, parte del reconocimiento de la vulnerabilidad como una condicion precontractual de las relaciones humanas que senala la interdependencia social. A partir de algunos ejemplos de movilizacion social contemporaneos, resalta la importancia de reconocer la precariedad compartida y luchar en alianza contra esta, como forma de construir vidas dignas de vivir, frente al tipo de poder que desecha ciertos cuerpos y poblaciones. portuguesDesde um ponto de vista feminista, o artigo aborda o tema do ativismo politico a partir do topico da vulnerabilidade corporal e da mobilizacao de corpos nas praticas de resistencia. O enfoque que utiliza, surge do reconhecimento da vulnerabilidade como uma condicao pre-contratual das relacoes humanas que assinala a interdependencia social. A partir de alguns exemplos de mobilizacao social contemporâneos, ressalta a importância de reconhecer a precariedade compartilhada e lutar em alianca contra ela, como forma de construir vidas dignas de viver, diante do tipo de poder que descarta certos corpos e populacoes. EnglishFrom a feminist perspective, the article addresses the issue of political activism from corporeal vulnerability and the participation of individuals in practices of resistance. The approach of the article is based on the recognition of vulnerability as a pre existing condition of human relationships that reveals social interdependence. Through examples of contemporary social movements, the article highlights the importance awareness regarding the shared social scarcity, as well as the joint fight against it, as a means of constructing lives worth living in the presence of the social power that discards certain individuals and people groups.
Deterministic A-free Petri net Languages and their Application to the Supervisory Control of Discrete Event Dynamic Systems

In this paper we introduce a family of languages called Deterministic A-free Petri net languages (DPNLs) [5]. We show that the controllability of a DPNL K C* with respect to a DPNL L C C* is decidable. That is, it is possible to decide if (i) K C L, and (ii) KC, n L C K, where C = C, U C, and C, n C, = 8. We also show that this family of languages strictly includes the family of Free-labeled Petri net languages (FLPNLs), another family of languages where the controllability of one language with respect to another is decidable [9]. Essentially this paper is an extension of reference
A compact coplanar broadband rectangular slot antenna with E-shaped feeding structure for GPR applications

A coplanar rectangular slot antenna operating in the very wide frequency band from 0.27 to 3.1GHz (bandwidth over 166%) has been designed for GPR applications. The antenna, which is supposed to be positioned on the soil surface, appears particularly compact (34 £ 29cm 2 ) and exhibits a low cross-polarization in the E-plane. 3D FDTD simulations have allowed to make a detailed parametric study associated with the antenna dimensional parameters in order to optimize the radiating performances. The slot antenna has also been studied with a shield to be further integrated in a bistatic subsurface radar positioned on the soil surface. Simulated results of the link in the presence of a homogeneous soil then including buried objects met in civil engineering structures are presented and discussed. First experimental results on a sandy soil have been compared to numerical ones.
A Lightweight Key Freshness Scheme for Wireless Sensor Networks

Secret key establishment and freshness are challenging task in resource constrained wireless sensor networks (WSNs). A large number of messages are exchanged for key establishment at startup and every time a node join or leave the group to refresh keys. These operations incur huge computation and communication cost that reduces the network life time. To minimize energy consumption and improve network lifetime, this paper presents a lightweight XOR based Key Freshness Scheme (XKFS), which allows refreshing the key without inter node message transmission. A single message containing a magic word is transmitted by the group head to its member nodes and keys are refreshed using XOR and left shift operations. XKFS only requires a light weight message from a more powerful head node and thus eliminates the inter node communication cost. The performance of the XKFS is validated through simulations. Simulation results demonstrate the performance supremacy of XKFS over contemporary schemes in terms of minimizing key freshness operations and energy consumption.
The study on the principle of Kurtosis based ICA method

This paper analyzes the Kurtosis based ICA method, and presents the geometrical explanation of its principle. Through the analysis of ICA solution process, this paper also explains the reasons for the indeterminacy and probabilistic property of the ICA solution. The analytical results and conclusions can be applied to the studies of other ICA methods.
Quality-of-service-aware Scheduling in Heterogeneous Datacenters with Paragon Paragon, an Online, Scalable Datacenter Scheduler, Enables Better Cluster Utilization and Per-application Quality-of-service Guarantees by Leveraging Data Mining Techniques That Find Similarities between Known and New Appl

Efficiency is a first-class requirement and the main source of scalability concerns both for small and large systems. Achieving high efficiency is not only a matter of sensible design, but also a function of how the system is managed, which becomes essential as the hardware grows progressively heterogeneous and parallel and applications get dynamic and diverse. Architecture has traditionally been about efficient system design. As efficiency increases in importance, architecture should be about both design and management for systems of any scale. In this article, we focus on improving efficiency while guaranteeing high performance in large-scale systems. Although an increasing amount of computing now happens in public and private clouds, such as Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2; see http://aws. amazon.com/ec2) or vSphere (www.vmware. com/products/vsphere), datacenters continue to operate at utilizations in the single digits. This lessens the two main advantages of cloud computing—flexibility and cost efficiency both for cloud operators and end users—because not only are the machines underutilized, they are also operating in a non-energy-proportional region. There can be several reasons why machines are underutilized. Two of the most prominent obstacles are interference between coscheduled applications and heterogeneity in server platforms. For more information, see the “Interference and Heterogeneity” sidebar. In our paper presented at the 18th International Conference on Architectural Support for Programming Languages and Operating Systems (ASPLOS 2013), we introduced Paragon, an online and scalable Christina Delimitrou Christos Kozyrakis