Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Review of metaheuristics applied to heat exchanger network design

Heat exchanger networks (HENs) are a useful method of reducing the energy costs and environmental impact of industrial processes. Therefore, many papers focusing on solving HEN design problems efficiently have been published in the last years and several techniques have been proposed for their solution. The high complexity of the problem has led to an increment in the number of papers that use metaheuristics to solve it. The main reason is the capability of metaheuristics to handle complex problems in a feasible computational time. Additionally, this approach can easily take into account investment costs, and it offers more flexibility in the definition of the objective function and problem restrictions. In this paper, we review the most relevant papers that use metaheuristic techniques to resolve the HEN design problem. We also propose a method for grouping the different analyzed metaheuristics. It is based on a series of characteristics that allows the correct characterization of the different approaches.
Agricultural commodity prices and oil prices

The world market price of many commodities including US corn (maize) peaked sharply in 2008. The US Energy Policy Act (2005) led to a rapid rise in demand for corn ethanol as a partial substitute for gasoline in the United States. In this article, we report the analysis of weekly prices of corn, wheat, sugar and crude oil, together with monthly series derived from those and other weekly prices, for two consecutive seven-year periods: 1999–2005 and 2006–2012. We find strong evidence of co-integration between prices in both series but only weak evidence of causation. We conclude that the normal stimulus to production of agricultural commodities given by a price increase is sufficient to restore equilibrium in supply and demand within a period of about a year.
The existence of the glass ceiling and the impact on the participation of female executives in the Vietnamese banking sector

Dr Andries du Plessis aduplessis@unitec.ac. nz lectures in a range of postgraduate programmes and is a leading researcher in the Department of Marketing and Management at Unitec in Auckland, New Zealand. Since 2003 he has presented more than 80 conference papers at international conferences, has written 39 book chapters in 11 books as a co-author, and published a total of 54 refereed journal articles. His areas of specialisation include leadership, HRM, employment relations, strategy and change.
Multiple origins of replication in the dihydrofolate reductase amplicons of a methotrexate-resistant chinese hamster cell line

We recently showed that replication initiates in the early S period at two closely spaced zones in the 240-kilobase (kb) dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) amplicon of the methotrexate-resistant Chinese hamster ovary cell line CHOC 400. Both of these initiation loci (ori-beta and ori-gamma) have previously been cloned in a recombinant cosmid. In this study, we identified a third early-firing initiation locus (ori-alpha) in the much larger DHFR amplicon of the independently isolated methotrexate-resistant Chinese hamster cell line DC3F-A3/4K (A3/4K). We describe the molecular cloning of this newly identified locus and demonstrate by chromosomal walking that ori-alpha lies approximately 240 kb upstream from ori-beta. Using overlapping cosmid clones for more than 450 kb of DNA sequence from this region of the DHFR domain, we have monitored the replication pattern of the amplicons in synchronized A3/4K cells. These studies suggest that ori-alpha, ori-beta, and ori-gamma are the only early-firing initiation sites in this 450-kb sequence. In addition, we have been able to roughly localize the termini between ori-alpha and ori-beta and between ori-alpha and the next origin in the 5' direction. Thus, we have now isolated the equivalent of three early-firing replicons (including their origins) from a well-characterized chromosomal domain. With these tools, it should be possible to determine those properties that are shared by the origins and termini of different replicons and which are therefore likely to be functionally significant.
Parallel High-Order Envelope-Following Method for Fast Transient Analysis of Highly Oscillatory Circuits

In this paper, a parallel high-order envelope-following (EF) method is presented. The proposed method exploits the high-order and A-stable Obreshkov formula (ObF) to provide superior accuracy and speedup for the EF technique. Utilizing ObF provides accurate and faster analysis while keeping the same accuracy as the conventional low-order integration methods. In addition, a parallel method that is based on multiple-shooting (MS) techniques is used. Using MS allows partitioning and solving the sensitivity equations in parallel. It is also shown that with proper partitioning scheme, high CPU scalability can be achieved.
Metabolic reprogramming of pyruvate dehydrogenase is essential for the proliferation of glioma cells expressing mutant IDH1

ABSTRACT Mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) characterize most adult low-grade gliomas. Mutant IDH1 catalyzes production of the oncometabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG). We recently discovered that the IDH1 mutation also reprograms pyruvate metabolism in a 2-HG-dependent manner, and that reprogramming of pyruvate metabolism is essential for cell proliferation in glioma cells with mutant IDH1.
Mobilizing for Ethnic Violence? Ethno-national Political Parties and the Dynamics of Ethno-politicization

On July 12 th , 1990 the Serb Democratic Party of Bosnia-Herzegovina (SDS BiH) held its founding assembly. Less than five months later, it participated in the November 1990 elections in Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH), winning a decisive majority of the vote of ethnic Serbs. Yet, SDS BiH was not an ordinary political party. In the sixteen months that followed the elections, it initiated a series of activities that eroded the power of BiH institutions to which it had been elected. SDS BiH declared its own organs superior to those of BiH and established exclusive control in Serb-majority areas. In early 1992, it united these areas into a single Serb Republic, formed an exclusively Serb armed force, and set out to violently expand the territory that would be incorporated into the new statelet. This study seeks to advance an understanding of the role of ethno-nationalist agents in the outbreak of violent conflicts fought in the name of ethnic nations by analyzing the activities of SDS BiH on the political homogenization of Serbs in the two years leading up to the 1992 onset of violence in BiH. It incorporates the tools of discourse analysis and the recent findings in the studies of human cognition, identifying the agency of SDS BiH in the power of the Party‟s discourse to produce affective sensibilities that served its nationalist agenda. It argues that this engineering of affect was crucial for constituting the dispersed individuals of Serb ethnic background as a palpable political group, and preparing them for armed mobilization. The analysis also argues that ethno-nationalist agency can be properly understood only by considering the case-specific structural factors with which all agents interact. Toward this point, it draws contrast between the agency of SDS BiH and that of the National Movement in the Republic of Georgia, showing that ethnic structures hold a greater explanatory value in the Georgian case. Rather than departing from pre-given ethnic groups, both case studies suggest that conflict analyses should problematize the dynamic interaction between the dominant ethnonationalist agents and ethnic structures, which produce ethnic groups, ethnic interests and sides to armed conflicts.
Real value prediction of solvent accessibility from amino acid sequence

The solvent accessibility of amino acid residues has been predicted in the past by classifying them into exposure states with varying thresholds. This classification provides a wide range of values for the accessible surface area (ASA) within which a residue may fall. Thus far, no attempt has been made to predict real values of ASA from the sequence information without a priori classification into exposure states. Here, we present a new method with which to predict real value ASAs for residues, based on neighborhood information. Our real value prediction neural network could estimate the ASA for four different nonhomologous, nonredundant data sets of varying size, with 18.0–19.5% mean absolute error, defined as per residue absolute difference between the predicted and experimental values of relative ASA. Correlation between the predicted and experimental values ranged from 0.47 to 0.50. It was observed that the ASA of a residue could be predicted within a 23.7% mean absolute error, even when no information about its neighbors is included. Prediction of real values answers the issue of arbitrary choice of ASA state thresholds, and carries more information than category prediction. Prediction error for each residue type strongly correlates with the variability in its experimental ASA values. Proteins 2003;50:629–635. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison between gastrostomy feeding and self-expandable metal stent insertion for patients with esophageal cancer and dysphagia

Background Self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) insertion and percutaneous gastrostomy (PG) feeding are commonly used for patients with esophageal cancer and dysphagia. This study aimed to compare outcomes between SEMS insertion and PG feeding for them. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 308 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent fully covered SEMS insertion (stent group) or PG (gastrostomy group) for dysphagia due to tumor. Patients with other causes of dysphagia, such as radiation-induced or postoperative stricture, were excluded from the study. Clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups, including overall survival and need for additional intervention and postprocedural nutritional status. Results At baseline, the stent group (n = 169) had more stage IV patients, less cervical cancers, and received radiotherapy and esophagectomy less often than the gastrostomy group (n = 64). The Kaplan-Meier curves showed higher overall survival in the gastrostomy group than in the stent group. Multivariate analysis revealed that PG was associated with better survival compared with SEMS insertion (hazard ratio 0.541, 95% confidence interval 0.346–0.848, p = 0.007). In addition, the gastrostomy group needed additional intervention less often (3.1% vs. 21.9%, p < 0.001) and experienced less decrease in serum albumin levels (-0.15 ± 0.56 g/dL vs. -0.39 ± 0.58 g/dL, p = 0.011) than the stent group after procedure. Conclusions Our data suggested that, compared with SEMS insertion, PG is associated with better overall survival in patients with esophageal cancer and dysphagia. Stabilized nutritional status by PG may play a role in improving patient survival.
Structural classification based correlation and its application to principal component analysis for high-dimension low-sample size data

This paper proposes a structural classification based correlation and application to principal component analysis (PCA) for high-dimension low-sample size (HDLSS) data. The structural classification based correlation consists of two kinds of correlations; correlation of objects over variables and correlation of classification structures of objects over clusters. Therefore, this correlation can measure not only the similarity of objects but also the similarity of classification structures. We exploit this correlation to PCA whose target data is HDLSS data in which the number of variables is much larger than the number of objects. Since it is known that we cannot obtain correct solutions as the eigen-values of the covariance matrix of variables for HDLSS data and the result of ordinary PCA is based on eigen-values of the covariance matrix of variables, if we apply the ordinary PCA for HDLSS data, we cannot obtain the correct result. In order to solve this problem, we exploit the proposed structural classification based correlation with respect to variables. Since this correlation includes the correlation of classification structures, we can solve this problem and obtain a similarity relationship of objects in a lower dimensional space spanned by the obtained principal components. From several numerical examples, we show the effectiveness of our proposed principal component analysis using the structural classification based correlation for the HDLSS data.
Loss-of-Function Mutation of REDUCED WALL ACETYLATION2 in Arabidopsis Leads to Reduced Cell Wall Acetylation and Increased Resistance to Botrytis cinerea1[W][OA]

Nearly all polysaccharides in plant cell walls are O-acetylated, including the various pectic polysaccharides and the hemicelluloses xylan, mannan, and xyloglucan. However, the enzymes involved in the polysaccharide acetylation have not been identified. While the role of polysaccharide acetylation in vivo is unclear, it is known to reduce biofuel yield from lignocellulosic biomass by the inhibition of microorganisms used for fermentation. We have analyzed four Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) homologs of the protein Cas1p known to be involved in polysaccharide O-acetylation in Cryptococcus neoformans. Loss-of-function mutants in one of the genes, designated REDUCED WALL ACETYLATION2 (RWA2), had decreased levels of acetylated cell wall polymers. Cell wall material isolated from mutant leaves and treated with alkali released about 20% lower amounts of acetic acid when compared with the wild type. The same level of acetate deficiency was found in several pectic polymers and in xyloglucan. Thus, the rwa2 mutations affect different polymers to the same extent. There were no obvious morphological or growth differences observed between the wild type and rwa2 mutants. However, both alleles of rwa2 displayed increased tolerance toward the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea.
Impaired Somatodendritic Responses to Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase‐Activating Polypeptide (PACAP) of Supraoptic Neurones in PACAP type I ‐Receptor Deficient Mice

The role of pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP) type I receptor (PAC1 receptor) in regulating hypothalamic supraoptic neurones was investigated using PAC1 receptor‐deficient male mice (PAC1−/−). The effects of PACAP on [Ca2+]i were investigated in freshly dissociated supraoptic neurones and on the somatodendritic release of vasopressin and oxytocin, examined on intact supraoptic nuclei. In supraoptic neurones from wild‐type mice (PAC1+/+), 100 nm PACAP induced an increase in [Ca2+]i and release of vasopressin and oxytocin, whereas in heterozygous (PAC1+/−) and null‐mutant mice (PAC1−/−), PACAP was much less effective. PACAP had no effect on these two parameters when applied to isolated neurohypophysial nerve terminals of PAC1+/+ and PAC1−/− mice, and rats. In conclusion, the PAC1 receptor is solely responsible for the PACAP‐induced [Ca2+]i signalling and secretion of vasopressin and oxytocin in the somatodendritic region of supraoptic neurones.
Complement (C1q) fixing solid‐phase screening for HLA antibodies increases the availability of compatible platelet components for refractory patients

BACKGROUND: Immune refractoriness to platelet (PLT) transfusion is primarily due to HLA antibody. Patients at our institution are identified as refractory due to HLA by a Luminex‐based immunoglobulin (Ig)G–single‐antigen‐bead (SAB) assay, but in highly sensitized patients, antigen‐negative compatible donors cannot be found due to the high sensitivity of the IgG‐SAB method. We developed an assay that detects only HLA antibodies binding the first complement component (C1q). We hypothesized that the C1q‐SAB method might be more relevant than the IgG‐SAB method because the antibodies identified may activate the complement cascade causing PLT destruction.
Complete sequence analysis of two cryptic plasmids from Bifidobacterium kashiwanohense JCM 15439 (type strain) isolated from healthy infant feces.

Bifidobacterial plasmids reported so far are derived from a limited number of strains and plasmids of bifidobacterial type strains isolated from humans are unknown. We found that Bifidobacterium kashiwanohense JCM 15439 (type strain) isolated from a healthy infant contained two cryptic plasmids, designated pBBKW-1 and pBBKW-2. We determined and analyzed the complete sequences of both plasmids. pBBKW-1 (7716 bp) was predicted to replicate by a rolling-circle mechanism and encode six protein-coding genes, two of which are putative replication proteins. pBBKW-1 seems to be a cointegrate plasmid containing two copies of the plasmid pMG1 from Bifidobacterium longum. pBBKW-2 (2920 bp) was predicted to encode six protein-coding genes and be a theta-type replicating plasmid, which has been reported to be more stable than a rolling circle-type replicating plasmid frequently found in bifidobacteria. Our finding will provide new insights into safe recombinant plasmid constructions for humans.
Back to basics: using colour polymorphisms to study evolutionary processes

Here, I suggest that colour polymorphic study systems have been underutilized to answer general questions about evolutionary processes, such as morph frequency dynamics between generations and population divergence in morph frequencies. Colour polymorphisms can be used to study fundamental evolutionary processes like frequency‐dependent selection, gene flow, recombination and correlational selection for adaptive character combinations. However, many previous studies of colour polymorphism often suffer from weak connections to population genetic theory. I argue that too much focus has been directed towards noticeable visual traits (colour) at the expense of understanding the evolutionary processes shaping genetic variation and covariation associated with polymorphisms in general. There is thus no need for a specific evolutionary theory for colour polymorphisms beyond the general theory of the maintenance of polymorphisms in spatially or temporally variable environments or through positive or negative frequency‐dependent selection. I outline an integrative research programme incorporating these processes and suggest some fruitful avenues in future investigations of colour polymorphisms.
Fiscal Stabilisation in the Light of Crisis – the Cases of Lithuania and Poland

This paper is a theoretical and empirical study addressing the issues of imbalances in public finance. After several initial remarks, the authors provide an overview of literature discussing the employment of fiscal tools to stabilise the economy and threats to the state budget or public debt. Next, the EU and national fiscal regulations are described. In the subsequent parts of the study, the authors analyse the condition of public finance in the EU as well as the measures taken to restore its economic stabilisation. The empirical part of the study presents the results of a study into the condition of public finance in Lithuania and Poland. The research spans over the years 2004-2011, a period long enough to allow the authors identify the trends observed for the analysed economic phenomena. The findings are summarised in conclusion.
Bacteriophages as vehicles for gene delivery into mammalian cells: prospects and problems

Introduction: The identification of more efficient gene delivery vehicles (GDVs) is essential to fulfill the expectations of clinical gene therapy. Bacteriophages, due to their excellent safety profile, extreme stability under a variety of harsh environmental conditions and the capability for being genetically manipulated, have drawn a flurry of interest to be applied as a newly arisen category of gene delivery platforms. Areas covered: The incessant evolutionary interaction of bacteriophages with human cells has turned them into a part of our body’s natural ecosystem. However, these carriers represent several barriers to gene transduction of mammalian cells. The lack of evolvement of specialized machinery for targeted cellular internalization, endosomal, lysosomal and proteasomal escape, cytoplasmic entry, nuclear localization and intranuclear transcription poses major challenges to the expression of the phage-carried gene. In this review, we describe pros and cons of bacteriophages as GDVs, provide an insight into numerous barriers that bacteriophages face for entry into and subsequent trafficking inside mammalian cells and elaborate on the strategies used to bypass these barriers. Expert opinion: Tremendous genetic flexibility of bacteriophages to undergo numerous surface modifications through phage display technology has proven to be a turning point in the uncompromising efforts to surmount the limitations of phage-mediated gene expression. The revelatory outcomes of the studies undertaken within the recent years have been promising for phage-mediated gene delivery to move from concept to reality.
Isomers of conjugated linoleic acids are synthesized via different mechanisms in ruminal digesta and bacteria Published, JLR Papers in Press, July 20, 2007.

Digesta samples from the ovine rumen and pure ruminal bacteria were incubated with linoleic acid (LA) in deuterium oxide-containing buffer to investigate the mechanisms of the formation of conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs). Rumenic acid (RA; cis-9,trans-11-18:2), trans-9,trans-11-18:2, and trans-10,cis-12-18:2 were the major CLA intermediates formed from LA in ruminal digesta, with traces of trans-9,cis-11-18:2, cis-9,cis-11-18:2, and cis-10,cis-12-18:2. Mass spectrometry indicated an increase in the n+1 isotopomers of RA and other 9,11-CLA isomers, as a result of labeling at C-13, whereas 10,12 isomers contained minimal enrichment. In pure culture, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens and Clostridium proteoclasticum produced mostly RA with minor amounts of other 9,11 isomers, all labeled at C-13. Increasing the deuterium enrichment in water led to an isotope effect, whereby 1H was incorporated in preference to 2H. In contrast, the type strain and a ruminal isolate of Propionibacterium acnes produced trans-10,cis-12-18:2 and other 10,12 isomers that were minimally labeled. Incubations with ruminal digesta provided no support for ricinoleic acid (12-OH,cis-9-18:1) as an intermediate of RA synthesis. We conclude that geometric isomers of 10,12-CLA are synthesized by a mechanism that differs from the synthesis of 9,11 isomers, the latter possibly initiated by hydrogen abstraction on C-11 catalyzed by a radical intermediate enzyme.
The method of detecting AIS isolated information based on clustering and distance

For the growing number of Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, people have begun to apply data mining and machine learning techniques to extract valuable information from AIS data. About the AIS information, the analysis of isolated information is of great significance. They represent some position points apparently deviation from the traffic flow, which may represent the abnormal reception of AIS data or the abnormal behavior of the ships. In order to detect AIS isolated information, this paper uses the DBSCAN algorithm to cluster AIS data which can identify arbitrarily shapes firstly, the main traffic flow of data acquisition area is extracted; then provide a method to judge whether other clusters belonging to the isolated cluster, next propose an isolated point judgment method, apply the method for the noise points identified by the process of clustering, and get eventually isolated points. Finally, through the analysis of these isolated information by overlap chart and database query, the information has certain value to the analysis of the maritime traffic safety by Vessel Traffic Service (VTS)and the analysis of the abnormal behavior of ships.