Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sequence Diversities of Serine-Aspartate Repeat Genes among Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Different Hosts Presumably by Horizontal Gene Transfer

Background Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is recognized as one of the major forces for bacterial genome evolution. Many clinically important bacteria may acquire virulence factors and antibiotic resistance through HGT. The comparative genomic analysis has become an important tool for identifying HGT in emerging pathogens. In this study, the Serine-Aspartate Repeat (Sdr) family has been compared among different sources of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) to discover sequence diversities within their genomes. Methodology/Principal Findings Four sdr genes were analyzed for 21 different S. aureus strains and 218 mastitis-associated S. aureus isolates from Canada. Comparative genomic analyses revealed that S. aureus strains from bovine mastitis (RF122 and mastitis isolates in this study), ovine mastitis (ED133), pig (ST398), chicken (ED98), and human methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) (TCH130, MRSA252, Mu3, Mu50, N315, 04-02981, JH1 and JH9) were highly associated with one another, presumably due to HGT. In addition, several types of insertion and deletion were found in sdr genes of many isolates. A new insertion sequence was found in mastitis isolates, which was presumably responsible for the HGT of sdrC gene among different strains. Moreover, the sdr genes could be used to type S. aureus. Regional difference of sdr genes distribution was also indicated among the tested S. aureus isolates. Finally, certain associations were found between sdr genes and subclinical or clinical mastitis isolates. Conclusions Certain sdr gene sequences were shared in S. aureus strains and isolates from different species presumably due to HGT. Our results also suggest that the distributional assay of virulence factors should detect the full sequences or full functional regions of these factors. The traditional assay using short conserved regions may not be accurate or credible. These findings have important implications with regard to animal husbandry practices that may inadvertently enhance the contact of human and animal bacterial pathogens.
Cost-Effective Deadbeat Current Control for Wind-Energy Inverter Application With $LCL$ Filter

This paper proposes appropriate analytical expressions for a deadbeat control system to be implemented in the output inductor-capacitor-inductor (LCL) filter of a grid-connected inverter. Unlike in a conventional analysis, the proposed control algorithm with a settling time of three sampling periods is derived from the system transfer function in the discretized time domain instead of the Laplace s-domain. Furthermore, when introducing the deadbeat control, the independent control of the integrated active power and that of the reactive power are also made possible. The experimental results of the proposed deadbeat control system indicate that the feedbacks from both grid and inverter currents have similarly high capabilities in attenuating switching frequency components and damping resonance. Such proficiency is brought about because the remaining two undetected control variables of the LCL filter are taken as estimates in the DSP when introduced to the state observer. However, feedback from the grid currents can be seen to significantly reduce the total harmonic distortion of the actual grid currents themselves.
Protective immunity against ocular herpes infection and disease induced by highly immunogenic self-adjuvanting glycoprotein D lipopeptide vaccines.

PURPOSE An important phase in the development of an ocular herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) subunit vaccine is the identification of an efficient, safe, and adjuvant-free antigen delivery system capable of inducing and sustaining long-term memory T-cell protective immunity. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that immunization with self-adjuvanting lipopeptide bearing HSV-1 glycoprotein D (gD) T-cell epitopes would elicit long-term HSV-specific T cells and decrease infection, disease, or both in a ocular herpes mouse model. METHODS Five immunodominant CD4(+) T-cell peptide epitopes (gD(1-29), gD(49-82), gD(146-179), gD(228-257), and gD(332-358)), recently identified from HSV-1 gD, were covalently linked to a palmitic acid moiety (lipopeptides) and delivered subcutaneously in adjuvant-free saline. The primary and memory T cells induced by these molecularly defined lipopeptides and their protective efficacy were assessed, in terms of virus replication in the eye, ocular disease, and survival. RESULTS Three gD lipopeptides, that drive dendritic cell maturation in vitro, induced long-term, virus-specific, IFN-gamma-producing CD4(+) Th(1) responses, associated with a reduction in ocular herpes infection and disease. Immunization with a cocktail of these three highly immunogenic Th(1) lipopeptides increased survival, lowered the peak of ocular virus titer, and cleared the ocular disease. CONCLUSIONS Vaccination with a mixture self-adjuvanting lipopeptides containing novel HSV-1 immunodominant gD T-cell epitopes protected mice from ocular herpes infection and disease. The strength of protective immunity induced by these lipopeptides together with their safety provide a molecularly defined vaccine formulation that could combat ocular herpes infection and disease in humans.
Signal subspace fitting method based on the conjugate gradient

A new signal subspace fitting method based on the conjugate gradient is proposed. The new method builds the signal subspace estimator from the residual vectors of the conjugate gradient (CG) method. The initial vector of CG method is set to be depended on the incident angle of signals. Then subspace fitting method is used based on the estimated signal subspace and DOA is obtained from the best estimator. The location function of the proposed method only involves one dimensional search which means much less computation than the conventional signal subspace fitting algorithm. Simulations show that the proposed method perform less than classic weighted signal subspace fitting (WSSF) method, but offers improvements in estimation performance while compared with MUSIC and ESPRIT algorithms.
Are flies kind to kin? The role of intra- and inter-sexual relatedness in mediating reproductive conflict

As individual success often comes at the expense of others, interactions between the members of a species are frequently antagonistic, especially in the context of reproduction. In theory, this conflict may be reduced in magnitude when kin interact, as cooperative behaviour between relatives can result in increased inclusive fitness. Recent tests of the potential role of cooperative behaviour between brothers in Drosophila melanogaster have proved to be both exciting and controversial. We set out to replicate these experiments, which have profound implications for the study of kin selection and sexual conflict, and to expand upon them by also examining the potential role of kinship between males and females in reproductive interactions. While we did observe reduced fighting and courtship effort between competing brothers, contrary to previous studies we did not detect any fitness benefit to females as a result of the modification of male antagonistic behaviours. Furthermore, we did not observe any differential treatment of females by their brothers, as would be expected if the intensity of sexual conflict was mediated by kin selection. In the light of these results, we propose an alternative explanation for observed differences in male–male conflict and provide preliminary empirical support for this hypothesis.
Transfer Learning In Mir: Sharing Learned Latent Representations For Music Audio Classification And Similarity

This paper discusses the concept of transfer learning and its potential applications to MIR tasks such as music audio classification and similarity. In a traditional supervised machine learning setting, a system can only use labeled data from a single dataset to solve a given task. The labels associated with the dataset define the nature of the task to solve. A key advantage of transfer learning is in leveraging knowledge from related tasks to improve performance on a given target task. One way to transfer knowledge is to learn a shared latent representation across related tasks. This method has shown to be beneficial in many domains of machine learning, but has yet to be explored in MIR. Many MIR datasets for audio classification present a semantic overlap in their labels. Furthermore, these datasets often contain relatively few songs. Thus, there is a strong case for exploring methods to share knowledge between these datasets towards a more general and robust understanding of high level musical concepts such as genre and similarity. Our results show that shared representations can improve classification accuracy. We also show how transfer learning can improve performance for music similarity.
Learning Attribute Representations for Remote Sensing Ship Category Classification

Object category classification in remote sensing applications usually relies on exemplar-based training. The latter is achieved by modeling the intricate relationships between visual features and their corresponding object categories. However, these models might fail when applied to fine-grained object classification problems especially when training examples are scarce and when objects exhibit complex visual appearances and strong variability. In this paper, we introduce a framework dedicated to object category classification in the context of scarce datasets. Our method builds discriminative mid-level image representations (also referred to as attributes) by learning a nonlinear mapping between the input image features and the attribute space. Moreover, we also enforce these learned attributes to be highly discriminative and easy to predict. We compare our proposed framework to existing attribute and related dictionary-based methods and apply it to two challenging tasks with scarce datasets: binary ship classification on synthetic aperture radar images and multiclass ship category recognition on optical images. These experiments show that our proposed framework is indeed highly effective and generalizes well despite the scarcity of training data.
Complexity and Whole-System Change Programmes

Objective There has been growing interest in applying complexity theory to health care systems, both in policy and academic research discourses. However, its application often lacks rigour - authors discuss the properties of complex systems, state that they apply to health care and draw conclusions anchored around the idea of ‘whole system change’. This paper explores the use of whole systems change in a programme to improve the delivery of unscheduled health care in Scotland. Methods Qualitative case-studies of five health boards in Scotland reflecting different demographics, initial performance data and progress towards meeting programme targets. Results The programme's collaborative approach was successful in moving to a culture of mutual understanding and greater awareness of the interdependencies between different functions within the hospitals. There was whole system working at the acute hospital level, leading to improved patient flows. But despite recognizing the need for whole system change overall, it proved hard to address relationships with stakeholders influencing wider out-of-hospital patient flows. This was exacerbated by the structure of the programme, which was designed much more around acute patient flows. Conclusions The programme worked well to improve performance by focusing on interdependencies within a large part of the acute care subsystem but did not have the same impact at the overall health care system level. This has important implications for the design of policy and associated programmes which seek to effect whole system reform, or at least are realistic about the magnitude of change they can achieve.
A novel beamspace algorithm for direction of arrival based on compressive sensing

In this paper, the narrowband direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation problem is studied in compressive sensing (CS) perspective. A novel approach to DOA estimation in beamspace for a uniform linear array is proposed. A compression perception model is established making use of the spatial sparsity. Then compressive received data is mapped from element-space to beamspace. The MIP statistics property is analyzed to ensure the proposed method possessing better reconstruction property. Simulation results demonstrate that, compared to the Multiple Signal Classification (MUSIC) algorithms and beamspace MUSIC algorithm, the novel method possesses higher resolution and better estimate performance; compared to element-space Dantzig Selector reconstruction algorithm, the proposed method owns higher distinguish probability and lightens computational burden in the condition of low SNR scenario.
Ownership of Collaborative Works in the Cloud

Increased usage of cloud storage and other networking technologies in knowledge management KM systems leave companies vulnerable to loss of proprietary rights as intellectual property law struggles to keep up with these advances. This paper reviews the current legal environment surrounding cloud and collaborative KM, discusses the implications for KM, and makes recommendations for how gaps between legal protection for intellectual property and KM can be overcome/corrected. Additionally, the paper explores how aware KM personnel are of this risk and proposes a further study using the who owns it game.
On the Performance of Probabilistic Flooding in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

This paper investigates using extensive simulations the effects of a number of important system parameters in a typical MANETs, including node speed, pause time, traffic load, and node density on the performance of probabilistic flooding. The results reveal that most of these parameters have a critical impact on the reachability and the number of saved rebroadcast messages achieved by probabilistic flooding, prompting the need for dynamically adjusting nodal retransmission probabilities depending on the current state of the network
Effects of Residual Stresses Caused by Different Types of Loading on Silent Chain Strength

Engagement and disengagement of a chain with sprocket teeth results in fatigue loading, particularly when one of the sprockets is small, and the chordal action contributes to problem. Silent chain link plates are subjected to varying tension and, thus, must be designed to prevent tensile fatigue failure. In this study, increasing the strength of a silent without changing link plate shape by residual stresses shape was investigated. The most convenient residual stresses obtained with different loading types were determined with the finite element method. As a result of this study, it was observed that the strength of silent chain links can be increased by residual stresses.
A robust adaptive blind multichannel identification algorithm for acoustic applications

We propose a robust adaptive blind multichannel identification algorithm in the frequency domain. It utilizes the fast Fourier transform (FFT) to reduce computational complexity when the channel impulse response (IR) is long. Moreover, the Newton-LMS algorithm is obtained in the frequency domain with small computational load to improve the convergence speed. The advantage of the proposed method is its robustness to input noise, especially when the channel IR is long, e.g., the room acoustic IR with a length up to hundreds or thousands taps. The conventional methods cannot obtain an estimate with acceptable accuracy and low computational load. The situation becomes worse when the input signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is low. Simulation results show that the proposed method is suitable for estimating long multichannel IRs in practical environments.
A one-quadrant discrete-time cellular neural network CMOS chip for pixel-level snakes

This paper introduces a CMOS on-chip implementation intended for pixel-level snakes (PLS). The resultant architecture follows the SIMD paradigm. The B/W processing is executed on a discrete-time cellular neural network (DTCNN) array with a one-quadrant (1Q) model. The gray-scale processing is also run locally on a dedicated hardware. Electrical simulations on a proof-of-concept chip with a resolution of 9/spl times/9 pixels in a 0.18 micrometre CMOS technology process (ST Microelectronics) give some estimation of the figures of merit expected with the future chip measurements.
Chronic medial and lateral epicondylitis: a comparison of pain, disability, and function.

OBJECTIVES To investigate pain, disability, and muscle function of the arm in medial epicondylitis and to compare the results with those in chronic lateral epicondylitis. DESIGN Cross-sectional, case-control study. SETTING University hospital clinic admitting chronic hand patients. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-five patients with chronic unilateral medial epicondylitis and 25 age- and gender-matched patients with chronic unilateral lateral epicondylitis. INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Pain drawing (PD) and a pain questionnaire with 7 items of pain and disability on visual analog scale (VAS). Dolorimeter measurements of pressure pain thresholds (PPT) on 3 defined cubital points. The isometric grip strength and isokinetic performance of wrist and forearm at a radial velocity of 90 degrees/s. RESULTS Patients with medial epicondylitis had significantly less pain under strain (6.7 vs 7.9cm on VAS, P =.03) and a smaller PD (1.9 vs 2.5, P =.02) than patients with lateral epicondylitis. The PPTs of medial epicondyles were 54% (P =.0000) lower in medial epicondylitis. In lateral epicondylitis, all 3 cubital points showed significant decreases in PPTs. The isometric grip strength (mean and maximal) decreased by 6.2% and 3.6%, compared with the patients' healthy arms (P =.03,.16) and by 11.4% and 8.9% (P =.008,.02), respectively, compared with the expected value; in lateral epicondylitis, the grip strength decreased by 11.8% and 10.6% (P =.005,.01) and by 15% and 14% (P =.003,.007), respectively, when compared with the expected grip strength. Peak torque and produced work in wrist flexion were significantly reduced by 13% and 17% (P =.005,.0001), respectively, in both diseases. In lateral epicondylitis, supination and pronation were also reduced by 10% and 15% (P =.03). CONCLUSIONS In chronic medial epicondylitis, muscle function and pain measures showed a lesser impaired function of the arm than in chronic lateral epicondylitis. The results may be useful in rehabilitation and treatment of epicondylitis.
A Circle-Based Data Dissemination Algorithm for Wireless Sensor Networks with Mobile Sink

The topic of reducing energy dissipation and prolonging network lifetime in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) has attracted much attention of researchers. A primary obstacle is the hot spot issue which means data forwarding load for nodes near sink is too much and they usually die early. In this paper, we propose circle-based data dissemination (CBDD) algorithm which utilizes mobile sink to relieve hot spot phenomenon. We assume sensor nodes are symmetrically deployed in a circle sensor field and sink moves around the circle. The sink sends a query message to a specific node for sensed data, which begins a data gathering process. All the nodes belong to different layers according to the distance to sink and the queried nodes communicate with sink layer by layer. Simulation results prove that our algorithm achieves better balance between energy dissipation and network lifetime compared with conventional approaches with static sink.
Frequency Control Design for Offshore Wind Farm Grid With LCC-HVDC Link Connection

This paper considers the formal design for the grid frequency control in an offshore wind farm connected with line-commutated converter high voltage dc (HVDC) link. The control paradigm is based on using the grid frequency control to regulate the HVDC rectifier firing angle or dc-link current and hence control the power flow in the system. The dynamic behaviors of the system are verified by comparing the response from derived transfer functions and PSCAD simulations; hence the grid frequency controllers are designed. The control system performance has been validated by simulations of normal operation and fault regimes. The work provides a good basis for wider research investigation into wind farm operation.
A note on reliable full-duplex transmission over half-duplex links

A simple procedure for achieving reliable full-duplex transmission over half-duplex links is proposed. The scheme is compared with another of the same type, which has recently been described in the literature. Finally, some comments are made on another group of related transmission procedures which have been shown to be unreliable under some circumstances.
Cost-Effectiveness of Recombinant Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator Within 3 Hours of Acute Ischemic Stroke: Current Evidence

Background and Purpose— Despite the availability of results from multiple newer clinical trials and changing healthcare costs, the cost-effectiveness of recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (r-tPA) for treatment of acute ischemic stroke within 0 to 3 hours of symptom onset was last evaluated in 1998 for the United States Using current evidence, we evaluate the long-term cost-effectiveness of r-tPA administered 0 to 3 hours after acute ischemic stroke onset versus no r-tPA. Methods— A disease-based decision model to project lifetime outcomes of patients after acute ischemic stroke by r-tPA treatment status from the US payer perspective was developed. Model inputs were derived from a recent meta-analysis of r-tPA trials, cohort studies, and health state preference studies. Cost data, inflated to 2013 dollars, were based on drug wholesale acquisition cost and the literature. To compare r-tPA to no r-tPA, we calculated incremental total direct costs, incremental quality-adjusted life years, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. We performed 1-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses to evaluate uncertainty in the results. Results— r-tPA resulted in a gain of 0.39 quality-adjusted life years (95% confidence range, 0.16–0.66) on average per patient and a lifetime cost-saving of $25 000 (95% confidence range, −$42 500 to −$11 000) compared with no r-tPA. In probabilistic sensitivity analyses, r-tPA was dominant compared with no r-tPA in ≈100% of simulations. The model was sensitive to inputs for r-tPA efficacy, healthcare costs for disabled patients, mortality rates for disabled and nondisabled patients, and quality of life estimates. Conclusions— Our analysis supports earlier economic evaluations that r-tPA is a cost-effective method to treat stroke. Appropriate use of r-tPA should be prioritized nationally.
Controlling a multi-joint arm actuated by pneumatic muscles with quasi-DDP optimal control

Pneumatic actuators have inherent compliance and hence they are very interesting for applications involving interaction with environment or human. But controlling such kind of actuators is not trivial. The paper presents an implementation of iterative Linear Quadratic regulator (iLQR) based optimal control framework to control an anthropomorphic arm with each joint actuated by an agonist-antagonistic pair of Mckibben artificial muscles. The method is applied to positioning tasks and generation of explosive movements by maximizing the link speed. It is then compared to traditional control strategies to justify that optimal control is effective in controlling the position in highly non-linear pneumatic systems. Also the importance of varying compliance is highlighted by repeating the tasks at different compliance level. The algorithm validation is reported here by several simulations and hardware experiments in which the shoulder and elbow flexion are controlled simultaneously.