Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
1-Factorizations of Pseudorandom Graphs

A 1-factorization of a graph G is a collection of edge-disjoint perfect matchings whose union is E(G). A trivial necessary condition for G to admit a 1-factorization is that |V(G)| is even and G is regular; the converse is easily seen to be false. In this paper, we consider the problem of finding 1-factorizations of regular, pseudorandom graphs. Specifically, we prove that for any ε > 0, an (n, d,λ)-graph G (that is, a d-regular graph on n vertices whose second largest eigenvalue in absolute value is at most λ) admits a 1-factorization provided that n is even, C_0 ≤ d ≤ n-1 (where C_0=C_0(ε) is a constant depending only on ε), and λ ≤ d^1-ε. In particular, since (as is well known) a typical random d-regular graph G_n, d is such a graph, we obtain the existence of a 1-factorization in a typical G_n, d for all C_0 ≤ d ≤ n-1, thereby extending to all possible values of d results obtained by Janson, and independently by Molloy, Robalewska, Robinson, and Wormald for fixed d. Moreover, we also obtain a lower bound for the number of distinct 1-factorizations of such graphs G which is off by a factor of 2 in the base of the exponent from the known upper bound. This lower bound is better by a factor of 2^nd/2 than the previously best known lower bounds, even in the simplest case where G is the complete graph. Our proofs are probabilistic and can be easily turned into polynomial time (randomized) algorithms.
The Usage Behaviors, Motivations and Gratifications of Using User-Generated Media: The Case Study of Taiwan’s YouTube

Video sharing websites have become an indispensable online service to Internet users. We aim to investigate the relationships between motivations of using video-sharing websites, online reputation management, innovation orientation, and video-sharing website usage behaviors, and how these factors affect gratification obtained from video-sharing website usage. This study employs focus group interviews and online questionnaire surveys. The research findings reveal that the higher the interpersonal media related motivations, such as participating or sharing, the higher the level of involvement of video-sharing website usage behaviors is. However, the mass media related motivations, such as browsing or consuming, are irrelevant to the level of usage involvement. The earlier users adopt video-sharing websites, the higher level of usage involvement is. The more value video-sharing websites’ users put for video sites’ performance perception, the lower level of usage involvement is; on the contrary, the more value video-sharing websites’ users put for impression management, the higher level of usage involvement is. Taken as a whole, the higher level of usage involvement, the higher level of gratifications acquired from using user-generated video-sharing websites is. This paper establishes a comprehensive behavior model of video-sharing websites, which is helpful both for online media research and business practice. It is worthy of noting that the findings are based on survey data from a single country, and may impact this paper’s external validity.
Asymmetric volatility spillovers between stock market and real activity: Evidence from the UK and the US

This paper examines the short-run dynamic relationships between stock market and real activity, within a country, for the UK and the US. The Cross Correlation Function testing procedure is applied to test for causality in mean and in variance between the stock market and the real economic sector. Besides variance causation, volatility spillover effects are examined through the multivariate specification form of the Exponential GARCH model. There is evidence of significant reciprocal volatility spillovers between the two sectors within a country, implying stronger interdependencies in the UK rather than in the US and asymmetric behavior only in the case of the UK.
Design of An Electronic Narrator on Assistant Robot for Blind People

Many personal service robot is developed to help blind people in daily life, such as room cleaning, for navigating, object finding, reading and other activities. In this context, the present work focuses the development of an image-to-speech application for the blind. The project is called Design of An Electronic Narrator on Assistant Robot for Blind People, and the final purpose is the design of an electronic narrator application on personal service robot that helps to narrate a text on a book, magazine, a sheet of paper etc to a blind person. To achieve that, a Raspberry pi board, a light sensor, OpenCV computer vision library, Tesseract OCR (Optical Character Recognition) library, eSpeak Text-to-Speech Synthesizer (TTS) library are integrated, which is enables the blind person to hear a narration from text on a book, magazine, a sheet etc.
Empowering Disabled Users through the Sematic Web: The concept coding framework an application of the semantic web

The World Wide Web offers many services from typical textual web content to shopping, banking and educational services, for example, virtual learning environments. These technologies are inherently complex to use, but in their very nature offer many benefits to the disabled person. The traversal of the web relies upon the cognitive skills of the user. You need to know what you want to do. You need to understand what the site is allowing you to do, and you need to be able to complete the task by interacting with the website. The emergence of the semantic web offers the potential to reduce the cognitive burden of understanding what the site can do and how to complete a task, whilst also offering new solutions to typical accessibility issues. In this paper, we aim to present how the semantic web can be used to enhance accessibility. Firstly we’ll give some examples of what is currently possible. Secondly we’ll motivate some research initiatives to enhance user independence for the disabled person, particularly those that use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems and/or are Learning Impaired.
Identification of risk genes associated with myocardial infarction based on the recursive feature elimination algorithm and support vector machine classifier

The aim of the present study was to identify risk genes in myocardial infarction. Microarray data GSE34198, containing data from the peripheral blood of 49 myocardial infarction samples and 48 corresponding control samples, were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The DEGs were used to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of patient samples, from which the feature genes were identified using the neighboring score method. The recursive feature elimination (RFE) algorithm was employed to select the risk genes among feature genes, which were subsequently applied to perform a support vector machine (SVM) classifier to identify the specific signature in myocardial infarction samples. Another dataset, GSE61144, was also downloaded to verify the efficacy of the classifier. A total of 724 downregulated and 483 upregulated DEGs were screened in patient samples compared with control samples in the GSE34198 dataset. The PPI network of myocardial infarction was comprised of 1,083 nodes (genes) and 46,363 lines (connections). Using the neighborhood scoring method, the top 100 feature genes in myocardial infarction samples were identified as the disease feature genes, which distinguish the myocardial infarction samples from the control samples. The RFE algorithm screened 15 risk genes, which were employed to construct a SVM classifier with an average precision of 88% to the patient sample following visualization by a confusion matrix. The predictive precision of the classifier on another microarray dataset, GSE61144, was 0.92, with an average true positive of 0.9278 and an average false positive of 0.2361. A-kinase-anchoring protein 12 (AKAP12) and glycine receptor α2 (GLRA2) were two risk genes in the SVM classifier. Therefore, AKAP12 and GLRA2 exert potential roles in the development of myocardial infarction, potentially by influencing cardiac contractility and protecting against ischemia-reperfusion injury, which may provide clues in developing potential diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets for myocardial infarction.
Exploiting Nonnegative Matrix Factorization with Mixed Group Sparsity Constraint to Separate Speech Signal from Single-channel Mixture with Unknown Ambient Noise

This paper focuses on solving a challenging speech enhancement problem: improving the desired speech from a single-channel audio signal containing high-level unspeciﬁed noise (possibly environmental noise, music, other sounds, etc.). Using source separation technique, we investigate a solution combining nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) with mixed group sparsity constraint that allows exploiting generic noise spectral model to guide the separation process. The experiment performed on a set of benchmarked audio signals with different types of real-world noise shows that the proposed algorithm yields better quantitative results in term of the signal-to-distortion ratio than the previously published algorithms.
Multisite aggregation of p53 and implications for drug rescue

Significance Destabilized mutants of the tumor suppressor p53 are inactivated by self-aggregation in a substantial number of tumors and may also coaggregate with and inactivate WT p53 and family members. We found in vitro that self-aggregation proceeded via a network of multiple aggregation-prone sites in p53, and inhibition of an individual site did not inhibit aggregation. Nevertheless, peptides designed to be complementary to various aggregation sequences and inhibit their polymerization can specifically kill cancer cells and be potential anticancer drugs. We found that those peptides can also function by p53-independent routes in cancer cell cultures, implying further therapeutic targets. Protein aggregation is involved in many diseases. Often, a unique aggregation-prone sequence polymerizes to form regular fibrils. Many oncogenic mutants of the tumor suppressor p53 rapidly aggregate but form amorphous fibrils. A peptide surrounding Ile254 is proposed to be the aggregation-driving sequence in cells. We identified several different aggregating sites from limited proteolysis of harvested aggregates and effects of mutations on kinetics and products of aggregation. We present a model whereby the amorphous nature of the aggregates results from multisite branching of polymerization after slow unfolding of the protein, which may be a common feature of aggregation of large proteins. Greatly lowering the aggregation propensity of any one single site, including the site of Ile254, by mutation did not inhibit aggregation in vitro because aggregation could still occur via the other sites. Inhibition of an individual site is, accordingly, potentially unable to prevent aggregation in vivo. However, cancer cells are specifically killed by peptides designed to inhibit the Ile254 sequence and further aggregation-driving sequences that we have found. Consistent with our proposed mechanism of aggregation, we found that such peptides did not inhibit aggregation of mutant p53 in vitro. The cytotoxicity was not eliminated by knockdown of p53 in 2D cancer cell cultures. The peptides caused rapid cell death, much faster than usually expected for p53-mediated transcription-dependent apoptosis. There may also be non-p53 targets for those peptides in cancer cells, such as p63, or the peptides may alter other interactions of partly denatured p53 with receptors.
Counteract Coefficient of Thermal Expansion Mismatch in Cryogenic

Composite feedlines with metal liners have the potential to reduce weight/cost while providing the same level of permeation resistance and material compatibility of all-metal feedlines carrying cryogenic propellants in spacecraft. The major technical challenges are the large difference in Coefficient of Thermal Expansion between the liner and the composite, and the manufacturing method required to make a very thin liner with the required strength and dimensional tolerance. This study investigates the use of autofrettage (compressive preload) to counteract Coefficient of Thermal Expansion when pre-pressurization procedures cannot be used to solve this problem. Promising materials (aluminum 2219, Inconel 718, nickel, nickel alloy) and manufacturing techniques (chemical milling, electroplating) are evaluated to determine the best liner candidates. Robust, autofrettaged feedlines with a low Coefficient of Thermal Expansion liner (Inconel 718 or nickel alloy) are shown to successfully counteract mismatch at LOX temperature. A new concept, autofrettage by temperature, is introduced for high Coefficient of Thermal Expansion materials (aluminum and pure nickel) where pressure cannot be used to add compressive preload. https://ntrs.nasa. gov/search.jsp? R=20020022179 2018-04-08T18:20:29+00:00Z
Classical clinical signs in rats experimemtally infected with Trypanosoma brucei

Objective: To investigate clinical signs in Trypanosoma brucei infection in albino rats. Methods: Fourteen rats grouped into 2 with 7 rats in each group were used to determine classical clinical manifestation of Trypanosoma brucei infection in rats. Group A rats were uninfected control and Group B rats were infected with Trypanosoma brucei. Results: Parasitaemia was recorded in Group B by (3.86±0.34) d and the peak of parasitaemia was observed at Day 5 post infection. Classical signs observed included squint eyes, raised whiskers, lethargy, no weight loss, pyrexia, isolation from the other rats, and starry hair coat. Conclusions: These signs could be diagnostic or aid in diagnosis of Trypanosoma brucei infection in rats.
Pile-dwellings at Ljubljansko barje

Since 1875, with short interruptions, interdisciplinary research of pile-dwellings has been carried out at the Ljubljansko barje. During the last decade and a half these have mostly been done under the leadership of a research group from the Institute of archaeology of ZRC SAZU and in cooperation with the Dendrochronological laboratory of the Department of Wood Science and Technology of the Biotechnical faculty of the University of Ljubljana. This article presents the most important results. We discuss the precise, through dendrochronology and radiocarbon dating supported chronology of pile-dwellings, supported also by archaeological finds. We debate the settlement dynamics, time-spans of pile-dwellings, pile-dwelling settlement ground plans etc. We put emphasis on environmental studies and pile-dwellers economy. We discover that pile-dwellers were skilled metallurgists from at least the second quarter of the 4th millennium on. We discuss the presence of craftsmen-specialists. During field research internationally significant finds have been discovered which testify to the high level of pile-dwellers’ technological development.
Natural hybrid zone of Aconitum species in the Western Carpathians: Linnaean taxonomy and ISSR fingerprinting

sis) of the populations and individuals in two allopatric and four sympatric populations. We determined 309 individuals (OTUs) to species, subspecies and nothospecies using the Linnaean system of classification, and then genetically fingerprinted 39 randomly chosen OTUs. Comparison of the Nei and Li distances obtained from ISSR and morphological matrices using the Mantel test indicated a significant correlation (n = 39, r = 0.53, P = 0.001). Genetic analysis (NEWHYBRIDS) pointed to 7 OTUs as being later-generation hybrids (B1 introgessants) in the sympatric area. Five of them belong to A. variegatum, indicating cryptic introgression, and two belong to A. ×pawlowskii. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NDMS) showed gene flow between A. lasiocarpum and A. ×pawlowskii. Allopatric, morphologically pure A. lasiocarpum and A. variegatum populations differed significantly in their ISSR profiles (Fischer's R×C test, P < 0.0001). Expected heterozygosity (Hj) was significantly (p=0.05) lower in allopatric (0.1261–0.1268) than in sympatric populations (0.1348–0.1509), indicating a genetic melting pot in sympatry. The results support the existence of a natural interspecific hybrid swarm zone in the sympatric area of occurrence of Aconitum, and the taxonomic circumscription of the nothospecies within the Linnaean taxonomic system.
Interactive comment on “ Inverse modelling of European CH 4 emissions during 2006 – 2012 using different inverse models and reassessed atmospheric observations ” by Peter Bergamaschi

I do not find these arguments convincing. The arguments, as presented, are inconclusive at best. The region where we would expect the largest wetland emissions is Northern Europe, however in this region the inversions consistently point to a reduced seasonal cycle compared to WETCHIMP. The EU-28 seasonal cycle in WETCHIMP is 10 Tg/yr which is roughly the same as the top-down seasonal cycle in their inver-
Ecology, Virulence, and Phylogeny of Blastulidium paedophthorum, a Widespread Brood Parasite of Daphnia spp

ABSTRACT Parasitism is now recognized as a major factor impacting the ecology and evolution of plankton, including Daphnia. Parasites that attack the developing embryos of daphniids, known as brood parasites, were first described in the early 1900s but have received relatively little study. Here, we link previous morphological descriptions of the oomycete brood parasite Blastulidium paedophthorum with information on its phylogenetic placement, ecology, and virulence. Based on the morphology and phylogenetic relationship with other members of the Leptomitales, we show that a brood parasite observed in daphniids in the Midwestern United States is B. paedophthorum. We used morphology, DNA sequences, and laboratory infection experiments to show that B. paedophthorum is a multihost parasite that can be transmitted between species and genera. A field survey of six hosts in 15 lakes revealed that B. paedophthorum is common in all six host taxa (present on 38.3% of our host species-lake-sampling date combinations; the maximum infection prevalences were 8.7% of the population and 20% of the asexual adult female population). Although B. paedophthorum was observed in all 15 lakes, presence and infection prevalence varied among lakes. Infection with B. paedophthorum did not reduce host life span but significantly impacted host fecundity. Theory predicts that parasites that affect host fecundity without affecting host life span should have the strongest impact on host population dynamics. Based on its virulence and commonness in natural populations and on the central role of daphniids in freshwater food webs, we predict that B. paedophthorum will influence daphniid ecology and evolution, as well as the larger food web.
Adenosine Receptors: New Targets to Protect Against Tissue Damage in Inflammatory Bowel Symptoms

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disease in which, typically, alterations in intestinal motility and visceral hypersensitivity appear to exist, apparently without any organic alteration (Thompson, 1991). Several pathogenic factors responsible for IBS have been suggested. It seems that there are cell factors, which give reason to believe that there is a low-grade intestinal inflammation in this pathology (Ortiz-Lucas et al., 2010). Several cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin 1, and interleukin 6, contribute to the pathogenesis (Ardizzone and Bianchi Porro, 2005; Pizarro et al., 2006). Macrophages are the major producers of TNFα, and, interestingly, they are also highly responsive to TNFα. TNFα has been shown to play a pivotal role in activating the cytokine cascade in many inflammatory diseases and it has been proposed as a therapeutic target for a number of diseases. Consequently, recent strategies for the treatment of intestinal inflammation have primarily targeted the immunopathogenic processes that mediate intestinal inflammation at the cytokine level (Bamias et al., 2003; Sandborm and Targan, 2002). At present, pharmacotherapy represents the mainstay of inflammatory bowel disease management (Stein and Hanauer, 1999). Some anti-inflammatory or immuno-modulating drugs, including salicylates and methotrexate, are able to decrease intracellular adenosine 5 -triphosphate concentrations and raise extracellular adenosine levels. It has been proposed that such properties can significantly contribute to the drugs’ pharmacological actions in inflammatory diseases (Cronstein et al., 1999). Several lines of evidence suggest that adenosine regulates immunity and inflammation (Amann and Peskar, 2002; Montesinos et al., 2007). The wide distribution of adenosine receptors (AR) as well as enzymes for purine metabolism in different gut regions suggests a complex role for this mediator in the regulation of gastrointestinal functions (Antonioli et al., 2008). Adenosine binds to four different types of G protein-coupled cell surface receptors referred to as A1R, A2AR, A2BR, and A3R, each having a unique pharmacological profile, tissue distribution and signalling pathway (Jacobson and Gao, 2006). All known ARs
Data Quality and Sparsity Issues in Collaborative Filtering on Web Logs

In this paper, we present our experience in applying collaborative filtering to real-life corporate data in the light of data quality and sparsity. The q uality of collaborative filtering recommendations is highly dependent on the qu ality of the data used to identify users’ preferences. To understand the influ nce that highly sparse server-side collected data has on the accuracy of collabo rative filtering, we ran a series of experiments in which we used publicly available datas ets and, on the other hand, a real-life corporate dataset that does not fit th e profile of ideal data for collaborative filtering. We have also experimentally compar ed two standard distance measures (Pearson correlation and Cosine similarity) used by k-Nearest Neighbor classifier, showing that depending on the dataset one outperforms the other but no consistent difference can be claimed.
Should You Disclose a Data Breach via Social Media? Evidence from US Listed Companies

Data breaches represent one of the main concerns for executives across all sectors. Data breaches open a period of crisis for the affected firm and require them to disclose complex information to a variety of stakeholders in a timely and proper manner. This paper investigates the relationship between social media disclosure of a data breach and its cost, as proxied by the response of the affected firm’s stock price. Using an event study methodology on a sample of 32 data breaches from 29 US publicly-traded firms from 2011 to 2014, we find that social media disclosure exacerbates the negative stock price’s response to the announcement. However, such a negative association is contingent on firm’s visibility on traditional media with social media disclosure having a beneficial effect for low-visibility companies.
Production time minimization strategies in a flexible manufacturing environment - a tabu search approach

In this paper is proposed a computational model (“Modelo de Seleção de Partes e Escalonamento” – MSPE) to generate a scheduling of parts in a Flexible Manufacturing System environment, considering due dates, production turns and machine tools with magazine constraints. The problems considered are the Part Selection Problem and the Scheduling Problem. The scheduling objectives are the minimization of switching tools time, stop instants total time and the parts tardiness. The optimization police are defined according to Objective Function’s weights values.