Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Keyword propagation for image retrieval

In this paper, a keyword propagation framework is proposed to seamlessly combine the keyword and visual representations in image retrieval. In this framework, a set of statistical models is built based on the visual features of the user-labeled images to represent semantic concepts, and used to propagate keywords to other unlabeled images. These models are updated periodically when more images implicitly labeled by users become available through relevance feedback. In this sense, the keyword models serve the function of accumulation and memorization of knowledge learnt from user-provided relevance feedbacks. To perform relevance feedback, keyword models are combined with a visual feature-based learning scheme using support vector machines. Experimental results on a large-scale database demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework.
Automatic detection of coupling type in the UML sequence diagram

The quality of source code is an important stake for the construction of software. The source code quality facilitates the maintenance and the evolution of the program. In the object-oriented paradigm, a modular system is easy to maintain thanks to its components with strong cohesion and weak or low coupling. Weak coupling is among the key factor to reduce the cost and the deadline of the system developing and maintaining. We propose to evaluate this factor since the design of system. In this paper, the proposed approach consists in the automatic detection of coupling type in the object-oriented design level. To do this, we have elaborated rules to detect the strongest coupling type. It belongs then to the designer to do redesign for a weak coupling code. As a result, the proposed strategy detects the types of coupling within each UML sequence diagram object at the design level. To validate our strategy, we conducted a case study. Then, the results obtained are adapted in a fuzzy architecture for validation. And finally, the output of the fuzzy architecture is a fuzzy membership function of total output coupling. The results show that our approach helps designers and software developers to obtain a better quality of software product.
Patient Empowerment Programme in primary care reduced all‐cause mortality and cardiovascular diseases in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a population‐based propensity‐matched cohort study

To assess whether a structured diabetes education programme, the Patient Empowerment Programme (PEP), was associated with a lower risk of first cardiovascular disease (CVD) event and all‐cause mortality in a population‐based cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in primary care.
Treatment of slaughterhouse wastewater in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor.

The performance of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor operated at ambient temperature (20.9-25.2°C) was analysed for the treatment of slaughterhouse wastewater previously pre-treated for solid separation. The experimental work was carried out in a reactor with 15 L effective volume. Four organic loads were applied and the process performance was evaluated. The COD removal rate increased with the load rise from 4 to 15 kg COD.m(-3). d(-1). Removal efficiencies of 90% were obtained with a load of 15 kg COD.m(-3). d(-1). The entrapment of suspended solids in the sludge blanket was greater in proportion during the first two stages due to the low upflow velocities used when loads of 4 and 7 kg COD.m(-3). d(-1) were evaluated. This phenomenon did not affect the structure of the biological grains or their methanogenic activity. More than 50% of the organic nitrogen was degraded, causing a 3% increase of ammonia concentration. The concentrations of the volatile fatty acids were not high and the wastewater alkalinity was enough to prevent acidification. The yield coefficient of methane production increased with the load rise, reaching 0.266 m(3)/kg COD(removed) at 15 kg COD.m(-3). d(-1) organic load. The UASB reactor is a good option for the biological treatment of pre-treated slaughterhouse wastewater. However, additional treatment is required in order to accomplish the water quality requirements in discharges to water bodies.
Learning Time-Varying Forecast Combinations

Combining forecasts has been demonstrated as a robust solution to noisy data, structural breaks, unstable forecasters and shifting environmental dynamics. In practice, sophisticated combination methods have failed to consistently outperform the mean over multiple horizons, pools of varying forecasters and different endogenous variables. This paper addresses the challenge to “develop methods better geared to the intermittent and evolving nature of predictive relations”, noted in Stock and Watson (2001), by proposing an adaptive non-parametric “meta” approach that provides a time-varying hedge against the performance of the mean for any selected forecast combination approach. This approach arguably solves the so-called “Forecast Combination Puzzle” using a meta-algorithm that adaptively hedges weights between the mean and a specific forecast combination algorithm or pool of forecasters augmented with one or more forecast combination algorithms. Theoretical performance bounds are reported and empirical performance is evaluated on the seven country macroeconomic output and inflation dataset introduced in Stock and Watson (2001) as well as the Euro-area Survey of Professional Forecasters
Towards Fair Reputation Propagation from a Composite Service to Its Component Services

Reputation mechanism is critical for a distributed service environment. A customer can select the optimal services to compose a value-added composite service based on services’ reputation values. After executing (either successfully or unsuccessfully) a composite service, a customer gives a feedback to the composite service. Then the composite service needs to propagate perception of customer’s feedback to each of the component services. However, how to fairly distribute the customer’s perception to the component services is a challenging issue, as each of its component services may perform differently in contributing to the success or failure. In this paper, we present a QoS-aware approach for reputation propagation to address this problem. The proposed techniques enable a composite service to propagate customer’s perception to its component services based on their actual performance in the latest execution and their services reputation trends over a period of time. Experiment results show that our methodologies can effectively and fairly distribute customer’s perception from a composite service to its component services.
Rsync and Rdiff implementation on Moodle's backup and restore feature for course synchronization over the network

E-learning has been widely implemented in educations system. Most higher institutions have applied Learning Management Systems (LMSs) to manage their online courses, with Moodle as one of the most favored LMS. However on the other side creating a well designed and written course remains problematic for teachers. That's why the community encourages them to share their courses for others to reuse. The authors or teachers then will continuously revise their courses, that will make subscribers to re-download the whole course again, which will soon lead to exhaustive network usage. To cope with this issue a synchronization model of course's backup file is proposed, retrieving the differential updates only. This paper proposed the synchronization of the existing backup and restore features. The file synchronization is performed between course's backup files based on rsync algorithm. The experiment was conducted on virtual machine, local network, and public network. The result showed lower network traffic compared to the conventional sharing method just like our previous synchronization method. However unlike the previous one this method had two other additional advantages which are the flexibility to control the synchronization content and compatibility to all versions of Moodle.
Crystal structure of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5-nitroisophthalamic acid monohydrate

In the title compound, C10H10N2O6·H2O, the carboxylic acid group and the nitro group are essentially coplanar with the benzene ring [maximum deviation = 0.0264 (9) Å], while the amide group is oriented at a dihedral angle of 9.22 (5)° with respect to the benzene ring. In the crystal, classical O—H⋯O and N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and weak C—H⋯O interactions link the organic molecules and water molecules of crystallization into a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture.
Institutional Constraints, Managerial Choices, and Conflicts in Public Sector Supply Chains

ABSTRACT In this research, we compare the governance mechanisms that public sector managers and private sector managers leverage when responding to conflict in supply chain relationships. We find evidence that public sector managers are more likely than private sector managers to rely on written (formal) contract mechanisms, but that both public and private managers use relational (informal) governance mechanisms to similar extents. We also find that managers from both sectors perceive an improvement to the quality of the exchange relationship when a relational approach is emphasized in managing the conflict. Our research provides an important contribution to our understanding about the actions public managers take in dealing with supply chain conflicts and suggests potential policy alternatives to foster contracting efficiency and effectiveness.
Imaging of the Vulnerable Plaque: New Modalities

Atherosclerosis is currently considered to be an inflammatory and thus a systemic disease affecting multiple arterial beds. Recent advances in intravascular imaging have shown multiple sites of atherosclerotic changes in coronary arterial wall. Traditionally, angiography has been used to detect and characterize atherosclerotic plaque in coronary arteries, but recently it has been found that plaques that are not significantly stenotic on angiography cause acute myocardial infarction. As a result, newer imaging and diagnostic modalities are required to predict which of the atherosclerotic plaque are prone to rupture and hence distinguish “stable” and “vulnerable”plaques. Intravascular ultrasound can identify multiple plaques that are not seen on coronary angiography. Thermography has shown much promise and is based on the concept that the inflammatory plaques are associated with increased temperature and can also identify “vulnerable patients. ” Of all these newer modalities, magnetic resonance imaging has shown the most promise in identification and characterization of vulnerable plaques. In this article, we review the newer coronary artery imaging modalities and discuss the limitations of traditional coronary angiography.
Photonic Responses of Devices Based on Horizontally Aligned and Network Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and the Effect of Environmental Gas on Device Performance

Combining bottom-up with top-down method, devices based on horizontally aligned and network single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are fabricated for infrared (IR) detecting applications. Instead of thermal effect, quantum effect plays a dominant role in the sensing process. Under 0.3 mW/mm2 IR lamp illumination at 78 K in vacuum, the aligned device has a conductance increase as large as 68%, while the conductance of the network device increases 12%. Both devices perform much better than the SWCNT-polymer nanocomposites. Interestingly, at room temperature in the air, the photoresponse of the aligned device decreases compared to that in vacuum, while the network device performance boosts. We also test the devices in ambient argon, helium and nitrogen, respectively, similar results are achieved. Intertube junctions are considered to be responsible for the different behaviors. Our findings may pave a way for the design, fabrication, and packaging of low-cost and high-performance SWCNT-based IR sensors.
Reduced Glutathione Enhances Fertility of Frozen/Thawed C57BL/6 Mouse Sperm after Exposure to Methyl-Beta-Cyclodextrin1

Sperm cryopreservation is useful for the effective storage of genomic resources derived from genetically engineered mice. However, freezing the sperm of C57BL/6 mice, the most commonly used genetic background for genetically engineered mice, considerably reduces its fertility. We previously reported that methyl-beta-cyclodextrin dramatically improved the fertility of frozen/thawed C57BL/6 mouse sperm. Recently, it was reported that exposing sperm to reduced glutathione may alleviate oxidative stress in frozen/thawed mouse sperm, thereby enhancing in vitro fertilization (IVF); however, the mechanism underlying this effect is poorly understood. In the present study, we examined the combined effects of methyl-beta-cyclodextrin and reduced glutathione on the fertilization rate of IVF with frozen/thawed C57BL/6 mouse sperm and the characteristic changes in the zona pellucida induced by reduced glutathione. Adding reduced glutathione to the fertilization medium increased the fertilization rate. Methyl-beta-cyclodextrin and reduced glutathione independently increased fertilization rates, and their combination produced the strongest effect. We found that reduced glutathione increased the amount of free thiols in the zona pellucida and promoted zona pellucida enlargement. Finally, 2-cell embryos produced by IVF with the addition of reduced glutathione developed normally and produced live offspring. In summary, we have established a novel IVF method using methyl-beta-cyclodextrin during sperm preincubation and reduced glutathione during the IVF procedure to enhance fertility of frozen/thawed C57BL/6 mouse sperm.
Using event-B and Modelica to evaluate thermal management strategies in many core systems

Dynamic thermal management is an increasingly critical and complex part of the run-time management of manycore systems. Methods of controlling temperature include thread migration, dynamic voltage and frequency scaling and power gating using various strategies and combinations of each. In the PRiME project we are developing run-time management systems to sustain the scaling of many-core systems. As part of this development we are investigating the relative benefits of different thermal management strategies by co-simulating a Modellica model of the characteristics of a many-core device with a discrete Event-B model of the run-time manager. The results enable us to efficiently design more elaborate experiments on real hardware platforms in order to validate the run time management.
Conditional Estimates of Diffusion Processes for Evaluating the Positive Feedback Trading

Positive feedback trading, which buys when prices rise and sells when prices fall, has long been criticized for being destabilizing as it moves prices away from the fundamentals. Motivated by the relationship between positive feedback trading and investors cognitive bias, this paper provides a quantitative measurement of the bias based on the conditional estimates of diffusion processes. We prove the asymptotic properties of the estimates, which helps to interpret the investment behaviors that if a feedback trader finds a security perform better than his expectation, he will expect the future return to be higher, while in the long term, this bias will converge to zero. Furthermore, the observed deviations between the return forecast and its realized value lead to adaptive expectations in reality, for which we raise an exponential smoothing model as an adjustment method. In the empirical study on the stock market in China, we show the effectiveness of the ES method in bringing the biased expectation closer to the fundamental level, and suggest that the feedback traders, who are often over-optimistic about the return, are likely to suffer from downside risk and aggravate the speculative bubbles in the market.
Values and the American Manager: An Update Updated

"The direction and vitality of corporate America and its managers cannot be fully understood without knowing more about the values and visions of the men and women who manage it" is as true today as it was ten years ago when we originally reported on a nationwide survey of managers and their values. This study, involving over 1,500 managers, replicates our earlier research and reveals that certain values are enduring (such as what we look for in leaders), while other values are changing (such as how we balance personal and work demands).
Forecasting the Hospitalization Expenses of Injury Children with the ARIMA Model

Objective: Fit the forcast model that suit to the time series data of the Hospitalization Expenses of Injury Children.Method: Useing the ARIMA Model to fit in with the change of hospitalization expenses.Result: The established best model is ARIMA(0,1,1)×(0,1,1)2×(0,1,1)12.The average Hospitalization Expenses of 2005 and 2006 were forecasted by this model,and that will be 2849.7 Yuan and 3117.7 Yuan each case separately.Conclusion The model of ARIMA is applicable to fitting and forecasting the time series of child injury hospitalization expenses.The estimate result shows that if do not consider the effect of external factors,the hospitalization expenses of injury children will keep increase which following the trend of time before 2004.
Lon Protease Is Essential for Paradoxical Survival of Escherichia coli Exposed to High Concentrations of Quinolone

ABSTRACT A deficiency of the Escherichia coli Lon protease blocked paradoxical survival occurring at very high nalidixic acid concentrations. The absence of Lon also blocked a parallel increase in cell lysate viscosity likely to reflect DNA size. Thus, Lon may participate in repairing quinolone-mediated DNA lesions formed at high drug concentrations.
Characterization of virulence, colony morphotype and the glycopeptidolipid of Mycobacterium avium strain 104.

SETTING Members of the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) are responsible for mycobacterial disease in children, the aged and in immunocompromised individuals. The complex consists of different species, serovars and morphologic forms that vary in virulence. One isolate of the MAC is currently being sequenced (MAC 104) and was chosen based on its derivation from an AIDS patient and the fact that it could be genetically manipulated. OBJECTIVE MAC 104 was therefore analyzed for virulence, colony morphotype and expression of the glycopeptidolipid (GPL) responsible for serotying differences and the rough to smooth morphological switch. RESULTS The isolate was found to be virulent in the murine model of low-dose aerosol infection in that it could colonize the lung, proliferate within the tissue and disseminate to other organs. MAC 104 expressed a variety of colony morphotypes, the most prevalent of which were smooth opaque, smooth transparent and rough. All three morphotypes could persist in the lung; however, the transparent and rough morphotypes grew more rapidlyinvivo. The rough morphotype was unusual in that it expressed an atypical form of the GPL usually absent from rough morphotypes. CONCLUSION This characterization complements the genome data and confirms that MAC 104 behaves similarly to other MAC isolates.
A Fast Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography Method for Simultaneous Quantification of Mycophenolic Acid and Its Phenol- and Acyl-Glucuronides in Human Plasma

Several studies have demonstrated a close relationship between mycophenolic acid (MPA) exposure and the risk for graft rejection or side effects. Measurements of MPA and its metabolites plasma levels are therefore recommended. A new chromatographic method has been developed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) to improve both analytical throughput and sensitivity. MPA and its phenol-glucuronide and acyl-glucuronide were extracted from plasma using Isolute C2 solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridges (100 mg, 3 mL). UPLC separations were performed with a Waters BEH C18 column (50 × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) maintained at 65°C on a Waters Acquity instrument equipped with a photodiode array detector. The total UPLC run time was 3.5 minutes. The method was linear in the range of 0.1-40 μg/mL for MPA and acyl-glucuronide, and 1-400 μg/mL for phenol-glucuronide. Relative standard error and mean relative prediction error were <15% for all tested quality controls (in-house and external proficiency panels). UPLC performances are characterized by a dramatic reduction in retention times together with an improvement of the sensitivity without affecting peak resolution. Further validations have been obtained by analyzing routine and clinical trial patients' samples. Significant improvement of the analytical throughput (reduction of run time from >10 to 3.5 minutes) was obtained using UPLC for MPA analyses. This retention time reduction was accompanied by an improvement of other analytical performances such as sensitivity.
Suppression of intracranial human glioma growth after intramuscular administration of an adeno-associated viral vector expressing angiostatin.

Despite various therapeutic interventions, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most highly vascularized neoplasms in humans with poor prognosis. In this study, we show that a single i.m. injection of an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector expressing angiostatin, a potent angiogenic inhibitor, effectively suppresses human glioma growth in the brain of nude mice. Approximately 40% of the tumor-bearing mice treated with AAV-angiostatin vector survived for >10 months (the duration of the experiments). In contrast, 100% of the tumor-bearing mice in the control groups, with or without i.m. injection of a control vector AAV-GFP, died because of excessive tumor burden by 6 weeks. High levels of angiostatin produced by the AAV vector were detected in blood circulation for >250 days after the one-time vector injection. The secreted angiostatin specifically targeted neovessels in the brain tumors, as evidenced by the diminished vessel densities and increased apoptosis of tumor cells surrounding these neovessels. Our study thus demonstrates that AAV-mediated antiangiogenesis gene therapy offers efficient and sustained systemic delivery of the therapeutic product, which in turn effectively suppresses glioma growth in the brain.
Mismatch repair protein expression is an independent prognostic factor in sporadic colorectal cancer

Abstract Background. Mismatch repair (MMR) status has been reported as a prognostic and predictive factor in sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC). The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic and predictive value of MMR protein expression in the adjuvant setting. Patients and methods. The MMR status in the primary tumor was retrospectively assessed on paraffin-embedded formalin-fixed samples from 1 006 patients with sporadic CRC (488 stage II and 518 stage III) using immunohistochemical analysis (IHC) of MLH1 and MSH2 expression. The patients were included in adjuvant Nordic trials between 1991 and 1996 randomly assigned to surgery alone or surgery plus adjuvant 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy. Data was censored at 120 months after surgery. Results. One hundred fifty-seven patients (15.6%) showed a loss of MMR protein expression (139 MLH1 negative, 15 MSH2 negative and 3 MLH1 and MSH2 negative) and were classified as MMR protein negative. A normal MMR protein expression was found in 849 patients who were defined as MMR protein positive. MMR protein expression was a significant prognostic marker in the entire study group with a better overall survival (OS) among patients with MMR protein negative tumors compared to patients with MMR protein positive tumors (p=0.01). In a multivariate analysis the MMR protein expression was significantly associated with OS, (HR 0.70 [95% CI, 0.40 to 0.99]; p=0.01). The MMR status did not predict survival benefit from adjuvant 5-FU-based chemotherapy. Conclusion. This study reveals that IHC of MLH1 and MSH2 expression can yield important prognostic information but is not a predictive factor for adjuvant 5-FU-based chemotherapy in sporadic CRC.