Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improvisation of differential evolution for community detection

Most of the real world networks we encounter today are complex networks and one of the important characteristics of these networks is the community structure. Identifying communities in a complex network is classified as computably hard and thus many metaheuristic approaches have been proposed in the past. In this paper we propose an improved differential evolution based algorithm which exploits the structural similarity of the network to generate a better initial population leading to a more accurate identification of communities. We have tested our algorithm on various well-known real world and artificial networks.
Living With Tics

Available treatment for chronic tic disorders (CTD) focuses on the reduction of tics but often does not directly address the psychosocial impairment associated with tics. There is empirical support for a new psychosocial intervention to reduce tics and their related impairment, but this treatment has not yet been applied to adults with CTD. With this in mind, the authors report on the case of “Jim,” a 22-year-old male with significantly impairing tic symptoms. Following 10 sessions of weekly cognitive-behaviorally oriented therapy combining habit reversal training, distress tolerance, cognitive restructuring, and problem solving, Jim exhibited marked improvement in tic severity as illustrated by a decrease in his score on the total tic score of the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale from 16 at baseline to 8 at posttreatment. Therapeutic gains were maintained at 4-month follow-up. This case study provides preliminary support for the use of a psychosocial intervention for addressing coping with CTD in young adults.
Automatic Generation of Cellular Neural Networks for Distributed Sensor Data Processing

In this paper, the main interest is the fusion and the control of data that is obtained from a set of sensors. This task requires the use of a both effective and versatile computational model. The chosen architecture is the already known for its suitability Cellular Neural Network (CNN). This specific model, adopts some significant features, such as: continuous-time dynamics, local interconnection, reliability, simple implementation, low power consumption and as far as its behavior is concerned, great flexibility. Furthermore, it is taken into consideration, that depending on the application, the corresponding network dimension may vary. In order to confront this problem, a methodology is proposed for the automatic generation of CNNs of variable dimensions. The above task is achieved by developing an algorithm, which enables the combination of the basic CNN circuit counterparts, so as to produce the desired network dimensions.
Identification of a cyclic-di-GMP-modulating response regulator that impacts biofilm formation in a model sulfate reducing bacterium

We surveyed the eight putative cyclic-di-GMP-modulating response regulators (RRs) in Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough that are predicted to function via two-component signaling. Using purified proteins, we examined cyclic-di-GMP (c-di-GMP) production or turnover in vitro of all eight proteins. The two RRs containing only GGDEF domains (DVU2067, DVU0636) demonstrated c-di-GMP production activity in vitro. Of the remaining proteins, three RRs with HD-GYP domains (DVU0722, DVUA0086, and DVU2933) were confirmed to be Mn2+-dependent phosphodiesterases (PDEs) in vitro and converted c-di-GMP to its linear form, pGpG. DVU0408, containing both c-di-GMP production (GGDEF) and degradation domains (EAL), showed c-di-GMP turnover activity in vitro also with production of pGpG. No c-di-GMP related activity could be assigned to the RR DVU0330, containing a metal-dependent phosphohydrolase HD-OD domain, or to the HD-GYP domain RR, DVU1181. Studies included examining the impact of overexpressed cyclic-di-GMP-modulating RRs in the heterologous host E. coli and led to the identification of one RR, DVU0636, with increased cellulose production. Evaluation of a transposon mutant in DVU0636 indicated that the strain was impaired in biofilm formation and demonstrated an altered carbohydrate:protein ratio relative to the D. vulgaris wild type biofilms. However, grown in liquid lactate/sulfate medium, the DVU0636 transposon mutant showed no growth impairment relative to the wild-type strain. Among the eight candidates, only the transposon disruption mutant in the DVU2067 RR presented a growth defect in liquid culture. Our results indicate that, of the two diguanylate cyclases (DGCs) that function as part of two-component signaling, DVU0636 plays an important role in biofilm formation while the function of DVU2067 has pertinence in planktonic growth.
Expansion-based Service Workflow Replanning with Limited Change

The invention relates to new synergistic mixtures which contain, as active components, the antibiotic cefsulodin sodium and a second known antibiotic selected from the group comprising the beta -lactamase inhibitors, penicillins, cephalosporins or aminoglycosides, pharmaceutical preparations containing said mixtures and a process for their manufacture, and to the use of these preparations for combating infections.
Relationship between regional cardiac hyperinnervation and ventricular arrhythmia.

BACKGROUND Sympathetic nerve activity is known to be important in ventricular arrhythmogenesis, but there is little information on the relation between the distribution of cardiac sympathetic nerves and the occurrence of spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias in humans. METHODS AND RESULTS We studied 53 native hearts of transplant recipients, 5 hearts obtained at autopsy of patients who died of noncardiac causes, and 7 ventricular tissues that had been surgically resected from the origin of ventricular tachycardia. The history was reviewed to determine the presence (group 1A) or absence (group 1B) of spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias. Immunocytochemical staining for S100 protein, neurofilament protein, tyrosine hydroxylase, and protein gene product 9.5 was performed to study the distribution and the density of sympathetic nerves. The average left ventricular ejection fraction was 0.22+/-0.07. A total of 30 patients had documented ventricular arrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia and sudden cardiac death. A regional increase in sympathetic nerves was observed around the diseased myocardium and blood vessels in all 30 hearts. The density of nerve fibers as determined morphometrically was significantly higher in group 1A patients (total nerve number 19.6+/-11.2/mm(2), total nerve length 3.3+/-3.0 mm/mm(2)) than in group 1B patients (total nerve number 13.5+/-6.1/mm(2), total nerve length 2.0+/-1.1 mm/mm(2), P<0. 05 and P<0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS There is an association between a history of spontaneous ventricular arrhythmia and an increased density of sympathetic nerves in patients with severe heart failure. These findings suggest that abnormally increased postinjury sympathetic nerve density may be in part responsible for the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death in these patients.
Research news and Comment: Trajectories From Today’s WWW to a Powerful Educational Infrastructure

Two previous Research News and Comment articles in Educational Researcher have examined the potential impact of the World Wide Web (web) in education. Owston (1997) offers a optimistic view of potential benefits of the today’s web, utilizing a framework that emphasizes: (a) making learning more accessible; (b) promoting improved learning; and (c) containing costs. Fetterman (1998) reviews the tools currently available on the web (such as search, video conferencing, and file sharing) and suggests potential uses among educational researchers. Although these articles offer valuable advice about today’s web capabilities, both authors acknowledge that the web is changing rapidly. They do not provide a sense of where the web is going, and how its trajectory of development may more fully meet educational needs. Such prospective information about emerging web technologies is important for the educational research community, and it is our intention to briefly highlight key trajectories of web development for learning communities. We recently hosted a workshop on “Tools for Learning Communities” under the auspices of the NSF-funded Center for Innovative Learning Technologies (CILT, which is pronounced like “silt”), bringing together 125 leading researchers and developers from a balanced mix of 50 institutions, including universities, nonprofit organizations, corporations and schools. For example, corporate participants included IBM Global Education, Apple Computer, Netscape, Coopers-Lybrand, NetSchools, and Electric Schoolhouse, LLC as well as many smaller firms. Academic and non-profit participants included researchers from the four CILT partner institutions, SRI International, UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt University, and Concord Consortium, as well as organizations, universities and high schools from all over North America. The innovative format of this workshop encouraged rapid information exchange, followed by brainstorming about educational issues and opportunities, and concluded with the formation of cross-institutional teams to seek joint innovation. Over the course of two days, the participants generated a wealth of ideas about the limitations of today’s web, its near-term trajectories, and
Evaluation of in vitro growth factor treatments on fibrochondrogenesis by synovial membrane cells from osteoarthritic and nonosteoarthritic joints of dogs.

OBJECTIVE To determine the in vitro effects of selected growth factors on fibrochondrogenesis by synovial membrane cells from nonosteoarthritic (normal) and osteoarthritic joints of dogs. ANIMALS 5 dogs with secondary osteoarthritis of shoulder or stifle joints and 6 dogs with normal joints. PROCEDURES Synovial membrane cells were harvested from normal and osteoarthritic joints and cultured in monolayer with or without (control) basic fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor-β1, and insulin-like growth factor-1. In the cultured cells, fibrochondrogenesis was measured by use of a real-time reverse transcriptase PCR assay to determine relative expressions of collagen I, collagen II, and aggrecan genes and of 3 genes involved in embryonic chondrogenesis: Sry-type homeobox protein-9 (SOX-9), frizzled-motif associated with bone development (Frzb), and regulator of G-protein signaling-10 (RGS-10). Tissue collagen content was measured via a hydroxyproline assay, and sulfated glycosaminoglycan content was measured via a 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue assay. Cellularity was determined via a double-stranded DNA assay. Immunohistochemical analysis for collagens I and II was also performed. RESULTS In vitro collagen synthesis was enhanced by growth factor stimulation. Although osteoarthritic-joint synoviocytes could undergo a fibrocartilage-like phenotypic shift, their production of collagenous extracellular matrix was less than that of normal-joint synoviocytes. Gene expressions of SOX-9 and RGS-10 were highest in the osteoarthritic-joint cells; Frzb expression was highest in growth factor treated cells. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Autogenous synovium may be a viable cell source for meniscal tissue engineering. Gene expressions of SOX-9 and RGS-10 may be potential future targets for in vitro enhancement of chondrogenesis.
Role of Genetic Resistance in Invasive Pneumococcal Infection: Identification and Study of Susceptibility and Resistance in Inbred Mouse Strains

ABSTRACT From a panel of nine inbred mice strains intranasally infected withStreptococcus pneumoniae type 2 strain, BALB/c mice were resistant and CBA/Ca and SJL mice were susceptible to infection. Further investigation revealed that BALB/c mice were able to prevent proliferation of pneumococci in the lungs and blood, whereas CBA/Ca mice showed no bacterial clearance. Rapidly increasing numbers of bacteria in the blood was a feature of CBA/Ca but not BALB/c mice. In the lungs, BALB/c mice recruited significantly more neutrophils than CBA/Ca mice at 12 and 24 h postinfection. Inflammatory lesions in BALB/c mice were visible much earlier than in CBA/Ca mice, and there was a greater cellular infiltration into the lung tissue of BALB/c mice at the earlier time points. Our data suggest that resistance or susceptibility to intranasal pneumococci may have an association with recruitment and/or function of neutrophils.
Fungal Iron Availability during Deep Seated Candidiasis Is Defined by a Complex Interplay Involving Systemic and Local Events

Nutritional immunity – the withholding of nutrients by the host – has long been recognised as an important factor that shapes bacterial-host interactions. However, the dynamics of nutrient availability within local host niches during fungal infection are poorly defined. We have combined laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP MS), MALDI imaging and immunohistochemistry with microtranscriptomics to examine iron homeostasis in the host and pathogen in the murine model of systemic candidiasis. Dramatic changes in the renal iron landscape occur during disease progression. The infection perturbs global iron homeostasis in the host leading to iron accumulation in the renal medulla. Paradoxically, this is accompanied by nutritional immunity in the renal cortex as iron exclusion zones emerge locally around fungal lesions. These exclusion zones correlate with immune infiltrates and haem oxygenase 1-expressing host cells. This local nutritional immunity decreases iron availability, leading to a switch in iron acquisition mechanisms within mature fungal lesions, as revealed by laser capture microdissection and qRT-PCR analyses. Therefore, a complex interplay of systemic and local events influences iron homeostasis and pathogen-host dynamics during disease progression.
Directed migration of corneal epithelial sheets in physiological electric fields.

PURPOSE To characterize the effects of small applied electric fields (EFs) (100 to 250 mV/ mm) on cultured bovine corneal epithelial cell (CEC) sheets and to determine how EFs interact with other environmental cues in directing CEC sheet migration. METHODS Primary cultures of bovine CECs were exposed to EFs in medium with or without serum, epithelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, or transforming growth factor-beta 1. Cell sheet migration was traced using an image analyzer. RESULTS Cell sheets migrated toward the cathode (negative pole). The directional migration was voltage dependent, and, at low field strength (up to 200 mV/mm), it required serum in the medium. Sheets showed no migration responses up to 200 mV/mm in serum-free medium, whereas those in medium with serum showed evident migration toward the cathode, at an average rate of approximately 15 microns/h (n = 15 approximately 20) at 150 mV/mm. When serum was present, the threshold was below 100 mV/mm, very close to the measured wound field strength (approximately 42 mV/mm). After supplementing serum-free medium with individual growth factors or with combinations of epithelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and transforming growth factor-beta 1, significant restoration of cathode-directed migration occurred at 150 mV/ mm. Lamellipodia were abundant at the leading edges of migrating sheets, extending the area of sheets covered. The extension of cell membranes toward the cathode was more prominent in cell sheets than in single cells. CONCLUSIONS The endogenous EFs generated by wounded cornea could play an important role by interacting with other environmental factors to promote changes in shape and in directed migration of CEC sheets.
Manipulating the future: predictor based feedback for velocity control in virtual environment navigation

This paper introduces a predictor based visual feedback aid for navigating through virtual environments using velocity control. The predictor indicates to the user where and how fast he or she is travelling and has a direct manipulation feel to it. Experiences using the predictor to navigate over digital terrain maps are discussed, which show it to be an aide in learning to use velocity control and in creating smooth flight paths over thinned wire frame representation of a scene for subsequent single frame animation. Measurements of performance in using the predictor to fly through a tube scene show a benefit for the less experienced users.
Research Letter: Retroinverso Mimetics of S Peptide

The S peptide from ribonuclease S was used as a model system to explore the relationship between the native peptide and its retroinverso (RI) analog. As probed by circular dichroism, the conformations of S peptide and retroinverso S peptide (RIS peptide) are each right‐handed helical conformation. The helical propensity of retro S peptide is greater than S peptide, in trifluoroethanol (TFE). In 70% TFE, the S peptide possesses greater helicity at pH 4 than at pH 7, whereas RIS peptide possesses greater helicity at pH 7 than at pH 4. The RIS peptide does not mimic the S peptide in binding to S protein. Specifically, the RIS peptide does not mimic the S peptide to effect RNase activity with S protein and it also does not inhibit the RNase activity of S peptide with S protein. The biological mimicry between the S peptide and its RIS analog depends on the conformation and relatedness of both the side chain and backbone substructures. The backbones in the S peptide and its RIS analog are reverted with respect to each other; however, the side chain patterns are predicted to be similar. Importantly, if the molecular interactions of backbone atoms of the S peptide and its binding to S protein, then the RIS analog would be unlikely to mimic this parent peptide.
A PER model of polymorphism and recursive types

A model of Reynold's polymorphic lambda calculus is provided, which also allows the recursive definition of elements and types. The techniques uses a good class of partial equivalence relations (PERs) over a certain CPO. This allows the combination of inverse-limits for recursion and intersection for polymorphism. <<ETX>>
Anxiety sensitivity and ventilator weaning: A preliminary analysis

Abstract Ventilator weaning, the restoration of independent breathing in an individual dependent on mechanically assisted ventilation, involves gradually exposing the individual to longer periods of partially supported or independent breathing. Although ventilator weaning success is importantly related to disease or injury severity, psychological factors have been implicated in weaning outcome but remain significantly understudied. We evaluated the relationship between anxiety sensitivity (AS), an individual difference variable implicated in reactivity to stressors, and weaning success and distress in 38 mechanical ventilator-dependent patients. Equivalent evaluations were conducted with trait anxiety and depression measures for comparison. Fear of the bodily sensations associated with anxious arousal (a subcomponent of AS) and depression scores were significantly correlated with the highest level of independent ventilation achieved in early weaning trials. Fear of the bodily sensations associated with anxious arousal was significantly correlated with patient reported anxiety during weaning, even after controlling for trait anxiety and depression. Implications for the clinical management of ventilator weaning are discussed.
Online query processing: a tutorial

1. MOTIVATION There has been recent interest in techniques for online query processing, which produce incrementally refining results for longrunning queries. In online aggregationqueries, incremental results are provided via estimations of the final results, along with statistical confidence intervals for the estimations. In online e umeration queries, incremental results can be provided in the form of individual rows or fields of an output relation. In both cases, these results are perceived by the user over time, and hence their improvement in quality should be maximized over time – a goal that is quite different from traditional metrics of system performance. As a corrolary to this interactive feedback, it is natural to provide users of online query processing systems with control over a system while it runs, allowing them to change their performance and query specifications based on the feedback they receive from the system. This research agenda brings together a number of threads in database research, including query processing architectures and algorithms, sampling and statistical estimation, and user interfaces for data visualization and transformation.
Influence of Acqua Lete ® (Bicarbonate Calcic Natural Mineral Water) Hydration on Blood Lactate After Exercise

Purpose: This investigation examined the effects of Acqua Lete® bicarbonate calcic mineral water ingestion on blood lactate, glucose, and serum lactate dehydrogenase. Methods: 88 amateur male athletes underwent two experimental trials with modified Wingate test: the first was carried out without hydration (Test C), the second (Test H) with hydration following this scheme: 44 subjects (Group A) hydrated by a very low mineral content water and 44 subjects (Group B) hydrated by Acqua Lete ® . Measures of body temperature, (La - ), glucose, total LDH and its isoenzyme pattern, were taken before (T0), during (T1-T5), and after exercise (T6-T7). Results: Blood lactate significantly increased after the session of exercises in both groups: after hydration and 30' of resting (T7) Group B returned a level of lactate lower than the Group A (2.2±0.2 vs 2.9±0.3mmol/L; p<0.001). In Test H, LDH activities after exercise did not change but serum LDH5 isoenzyme activity decreased by 0.9% in athletes in Group B compared to Group A (p< 0.05). Conclusions: All the athletes (Group B) hydrated pre-exercise with Acqua Lete® showed a significant decrease in blood lactate levels post-exercise and changes in LDH isoenzymatic pattern compared with athletes hydrated pre-exercise with a low mineral content water.
Bootstrapping Personalised Human Activity Recognition Models Using Online Active Learning

In Human Activity Recognition (HAR) supervised and semi-supervised training are important tools for devising parametric activity models. For the best modelling performance, typically large amounts of annotated sample data are required. Annotating often represents the bottleneck in the overall modelling process as it usually involves retrospective analysis of experimental ground truth, like video footage. These approaches typically neglect that prospective users of HAR systems are themselves key sources of ground truth for their own activities. We therefore propose an Online Active Learning framework to collect user-provided annotations and to bootstrap personalized human activity models. We evaluate our framework on existing benchmark datasets and demonstrate how it outperforms standard, more naive annotation methods. Furthermore, we enact a user study where participants provide annotations using a mobile app that implements our framework. We show that Online Active Learning is a viable method to bootstrap personalized models especially in live situations without expert supervision.
Detection and Prevention of SQL Injection Attack by Dynamic Analyzer and Testing Model

With the emergence and popularity of web application, threats related to web applications has increased to large extent. Among many other web applications threats Structured Query Language Injection Attack (SQLIA) is the dominant in its use due to its ability to access the data. Many solutions are proposed in this regard that has success in specific conditions. The proposed model is based on the dynamic analyzer model. The proposed model also has certain advantages like wide applicability, fast response time, coverage to large number of techniques of SQL Injections (SQLI) and efficient in term of resource usage.