Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sequential DE enhanced by neighborhood search for Large Scale Global Optimization

In this paper, the performance of a sequential Differential Evolution (DE) enhanced by neighborhood search (SDENS) is reported on the set of benchmark functions provided for the CEC2010 Special Session on Large Scale Global Optimization. The original DENS was proposed in our previous work, which differs from existing works which are utilizing the neighborhood search in DE, such as DE with neighborhood search (NSDE) and self-adaptive DE with neighborhood search (SaNSDE). In SDENS, we focus on searching the neighbors of individuals, while the latter two algorithms (NSDE and SaNSDE) work on the adaption of the control parameters F and CR. The proposed algorithm consists of two following main steps. First, for each individual, we create two trial individuals by local and global neighborhood search strategies. Second, we select the fittest one among the current individual and the two created trial individuals as a new current individual. Additionally, sequential DE (DE with one-array) is used as a parent algorithm to accelerate the convergence speed in large scale search spaces. The simulation results for twenty benchmark functions with dimensionality of one thousand are reported.
Performance assessment of functional managers in the high-technology sector

On the basis of the responses of functional managers in the high-technology sector, this study found there are three major types of measures used for assessing service performance: financial, non-financial and subjective attributes. The types and numbers of items used for evaluating performance are dependent on their rank and area of specialisation. In addition, the assessment weights selected by managers are related to their job function and departmental characteristics. This study confirms while it may be true the performance measures used may be the same, their relevance and importance to the different types of managers are not. It is possible to have common standards for assessing service when the rank and functions are related or are mutually dependent. However, the combination of attributes and their assigned weights should be left flexible enough to maximise acceptance.
Long-term effects of a psychological group intervention on physical exercise and health: the MoVo concept.

BACKGROUND Little is known about the long-term effects of group intervention programs targeting physical exercise. This paper reports on the effectiveness of MoVo-LISA, a theory-based (MoVo-concept) standardized intervention program. Participants are taught cognitive-behavioral strategies of goal-setting, action planning, barrier management, and self-monitoring. METHODS N = 220 in-patients of an orthopedic rehabilitation clinic were assigned to the usual care group (UCG) or the intervention group (IG) (quasi-experimental design). Assessments were conducted at 5 time points. RESULTS At 12-month follow-up, level of exercise in the IG was 28.5 min/week higher than in the UCG (P = .05). Moreover, 50% of the IG was exercising for at least 60 min/week, but only 33% of the UCG (P = .01). During the 12 months after clinic discharge, patients of the IG reported the same low pain experience that they had reached at the end of the clinic stay, whereas UCG patients' pain experience slowly reincreased. CONCLUSIONS Results provide evidence that intervention programs based on the MoVo concept lead to long-term improvement in exercise behavior and health status.
On Matching Strategies for Wireless Receivers

Power matching and noise matching are well known established approaches, though they are not the only strategies for designing an optimal receiver. If the best SNR is the design goal, then obviously noise matching is the choice, while for obtaining the highest signal level, power matching has to be chosen. In fact the matching two port between the antenna and a commercial low noise amplifier (LNA) for both strategies turns out to be quite different. While for power matching all the power available from the antenna will be absorbed and amplified by the LNA, for noise matching a possibly considerable part of the available power will be reflected. The SNR at the output of the LNA will be superior in the latter case, but at the expense of a reduced signal level. But an ADC at the end of the analog part of the receiver needs a certain signal level to work properly. Therefore a compromise between the two general purpose strategies, which will be called "Sensitivity matching", may be the optimum approach.
Quantification of, Visualization of, and Compensation for Brain Shift Using Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging

OBJECTIVEModern neuronavigation systems lack spatial accuracy during ongoing surgical procedures because of increasing brain deformation, known as brain shift. Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging was used for quantitative analysis and visualization of this phenomenon. METHODSFor a total of 64 patients, we used a 0.2-T, open-configuration, magnetic resonance imaging scanner, located in an operating theater, for pre- and intraoperative imaging. The three-dimensional imaging data were aligned using rigid registration methods. The maximal displacements of the brain surface, deep tumor margin, and midline structures were measured. Brain shift was observed in two-dimensional image planes using split-screen or overlay techniques, and three-dimensional, color-coded, deformable surface-based data were computed. In selected cases, intraoperative images were transferred to the neuronavigation system to compensate for the effects of brain shift. RESULTSThe results demonstrated that there was great variability in brain shift, ranging up to 24 mm for cortical displacement and exceeding 3 mm for the deep tumor margin in 66% of all cases. Brain shift was influenced by tissue characteristics, intraoperative patient positioning, opening of the ventricular system, craniotomy size, and resected volume. Intraoperative neuronavigation updating (n = 14) compensated for brain shift, resulting in reliable navigation with high accuracy. CONCLUSIONWithout brain shift compensation, neuronavigation systems cannot be trusted at critical steps of the surgical procedure, e.g., identification of the deep tumor margin. Intraoperative imaging allows not only evaluation of and compensation for brain shift but also assessment of the quality of mathematical models that attempt to describe and compensate for brain shift.
Design of a traction motor with two-step gearbox for high-torque applications

New combination of an electrical machine and a two-step planetary gear for high torque traction applications is introduced. This kind of a machine can act as a propulsion motor for working machines such as e. q. agricultural tractor that needs to generate very high traction forces and also higher travelling speeds. The technology also suits in some road vehicle use e.g. for buses or trucks. Detailed information about the electrical machine design is provided. The machine has tooth-coils in the stator, embedded permanent magnets in the rotor and its cooling is arranged via the gear lubrication as the chamber is semi-filled with oil.
Multimodal interaction in classrooms: implementation of tangibles in integrated music and math lessons

This demo presents the multidisciplinary development of the enrichment program “Listening to Math: Kids compose with LEGO”, that aims at fostering the math and music skills of gifted primary school students. In this program LEGO bricks are used as tangible representation of music notes. The so called LEGO-Table, a tabletop computer, translates patterns made out of bricks into piano melodies. We will present the finished program, address our experiences made during the project, and we will also give some insights on the implementation and evaluation of the program. Functions of the LEGO-Table will be demonstrated interactively on a tablet.
RanGAP1 induces GTPase activity of nuclear Ras-related Ran.

The nuclear Ras-related protein Ran binds guanine nucleotide and is involved in cell cycle regulation. Models of the signal pathway predict Ran to be active as Ran.GTP at the initiation of S phase upon activation by the nucleotide exchange factor RCC1 and to be inactivated for the onset of mitosis by hydrolysis of bound GTP. Here a nuclear homodimeric 65-kDa protein, RanGAP1, is described, which we believe to be the immediate antagonist of RCC1. It was purified from HeLa cell lysates and induces GTPase activity of Ran, but not Ras, by more than 3 orders of magnitude. The Ran mutant Q69L, modeled after RasQ61L, which is unable to hydrolyze bound GTP, is insensitive to RanGAP1.
A Profile for Step Data Transmission Based on Bluetooth Low Energy

A new step count application system, called iStep, is developing by Fu Zhou EMAX Company. iStep System needs to transmit step data between the smart phone and EMAX watch with built-in pedometer in the way of low energy and reliability. Bluetooth Low Energy 4.0 (BLE 4.0) can help satisfy these requirements. However, at present there is lack of step application BLE profile. To solve this problem, the paper proposes an application profile for step data transmission based on BLE 4.0, which named BLE-Step. Taking data transmission requirements of iStep system into account, BLE-Step defines four services of Retransmission, Device, BlockNamelist and StepDataByBlock. The syntax and semantic of transmitted data in these services are depicted and the behavior descriptions of these services are defined. BLE-Step has already applied in iStep system.
Proportional differentiated services: delay differentiation and packet scheduling

The proportional differentiation model provides the network operator with the 'tuning knobs' for adjusting the per-hop quality-of-service (QoS) ratios between classes, independent of the class loads. This paper applies the proportional model in the differentiation of queueing delays, and investigates appropriate packet scheduling mechanisms. Starting from the proportional delay differentiation (PDD) model, we derive the average queueing delay in each class, show the dynamics of the class delays under the PDD constraints, and state the conditions in which the PDD model is feasible. The feasibility model of the model can be determined from the average delays that result with the strict priorities scheduler. We then focus on scheduling mechanisms that can implement the PDD model, when it is feasible to do so. The proportional average delay (PAD) scheduler meets the PDD constraints, when they are feasible, but it exhibits a pathological behavior in short timescales. The waiting time priority (WTP) scheduler, on the other hand, approximates the PDD model closely, even in the short timescales of a few packet departures, but only in heavy load conditions. PAD and WTP serve as motivation for the third scheduler, called hybrid proportional delay (HPD). HPD approximates the PDD model closely, when the model is feasible, independent of the class load distribution. Also, HPD provides predictable delay differentiation even in short timescales.
Interim estimates of the effectiveness of influenza vaccination against influenza‐associated hospitalization in children in Hong Kong, 2015–16

From 1 September 2015 through 31 January 2016, we enrolled 2068 children 6 months to 17 years of age admitted to hospital with a febrile acute respiratory infection in our test‐negative study. Information on receipt of 2015–16 northern hemisphere inactivated influenza vaccination was elicited from parents or legal guardians. Using conditional logistic regression adjusting for age and matching on calendar time, we estimated influenza vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization with influenza A or B to be 79.2% (95% confidence interval: 42.0%–92.4%). Annual influenza vaccination should be more widely used in children in Hong Kong.
Formal genesis of the outflow tracts of the heart revisited: Previous works in the light of recent observations

The formal genesis of the great arteries continues to be controversial due to the lack of consensus of septation of the developing outflow tract. In order to make it clear how the great arteries are generated, we have re‐examined our previous papers which emphasized the formation of the aorta and pulmonary trunk, concept of the aorticopulmonary septum, formation of the leaflets of semilunar valves, morphogenesis of the crista supraventricularis, programmed cell death and rotation of the outflow tract. In the present paper, we compare outcomes gained from the re‐examination of our previous papers with prevalent interpretations of the arterial trunk. We obtained conclusions as follows: (i) The elongation of the fourth and sixth aortic arch arteries, which sprout from the wall of the aortic sac at the expense of the distal truncus, contributes to the formation of the aorta and pulmonary trunk; (ii) Smooth muscle cells of the tunica media of the arterial trunks do not arise from the transformation of the myocardial cells of the truncus wall (not ‘arterialization’); (iii) Truncus swellings are divided into two parts: distal and proximal. The former contributes to the separation of the orifices of arterial trunks (‘aorticopulmonary septum’). The latter contributes to the formation of the leaflets of the semilunar valves of the aorta and pulmonary trunk; (iv) The origin of the myocardial cells of the crista supraventricularis is a wall of the conus originated from secondary/anterior heart fields; and (v) There has been no acceptable proof that rotation and counterclockwise rotation are involved.
PCR‐based gut content analysis of insect predators: using ribosomal ITS‐1 fragments from prey to estimate predation frequency

We used polymerase chain reaction to determine whether Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) DNA was present in the guts of larvae and adult males and females of the generalist predator Coleomegilla maculata De Geer (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). The predators were fed Ostrinia nubilalis egg masses and allowed to digest at either 20 °C or 27 °C for time spans ranging from 0 to 12 h. Four primer pairs, specific for O. nubilalis were developed, using a nuclear ribosomal RNA sequence including part of the 18S gene, the complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS‐1) region and part of the 5.8S gene. These primers amplified four sequences that were 492, 369, 256 and 150 base pairs long. We found a significant negative effect of time since feeding on the number of bands that could be detected. The shortest fragment was detected for the longest time after feeding (up to 12 h). We found no effect of predator weight, sex, developmental stage, or meal size on the time course over which bands of varying lengths could be detected.
Behaviour problems in young children in rural Bangladesh.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of child behaviour problems reported by parents in rural Bangladesh. METHODS A total of 4,003 children aged 2-9 years were identified during a population-based survey of 2,231 households. A predetermined sample of 499 was selected, of which health professionals saw 453 (90.8%) for structured physical and neurological examination, standardized testing of cognition and adaptive behaviour and parent report of developmental history and behaviour problems. RESULTS The prevalence of behaviour impairments was 14.6% (95% CI 11.4, 17.9). The majority involved somatic complaints, including nocturnal enuresis and pica. Problems such as aggression or restlessness were infrequently reported. Behaviour impairments were significantly associated with malnutrition (prevalence ratio 2.1, 95% CI 1.2, 3.6, p < 0.01) and cognitive, motor or seizure disabilities (prevalence ratio 1.8, 95% CI 1.1, 2.9, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence and nature of reported behaviour impairments in rural Bangladesh have implications for public health planning and delivery of health services.
Hot carrier injection effect and low frequency noise in NMOSFET processed in 65nm technology

Low frequency noise behavior and hot carrier injection (HCI) effect in 65nm NMOSFET was investigated in this paper. The number of oxide traps and interface traps induced by HCI effect and traps density near silicon oxide interface before and after HCI test were calculated by low frequency noise technology. It was observed that the change during HCI test was determined by low frequency noise technology.
An Investigation of a Video-Based Preference Assessment of Social Interactions

We examined the use of a paired-stimulus, video-based preference assessment (VPA) to identify high- and low-preference social interactions for three children with autism spectrum disorder. We conducted two VPAs with each participant: one with access to the interaction contingent on each selection and one without access. We also conducted a concurrent-operant reinforcer assessment to evaluate the accuracy of the VPAs in identifying reinforcers. For two participants, the VPAs corresponded strongly and the results of the reinforcer assessment suggest that the high-preference interaction produced more of the target response than the low-preference interaction. For the other participant, the VPAs identified different high- and low-preference interactions, and the results of the reinforcer assessment suggest that the VPA without access may have been more accurate in identifying a reinforcer.
Integrin antagonists inhibit thrombin-induced proliferation and focal adhesion formation in smooth muscle cells

Sajid, M. , R. Zhao, A. Pathak, S. S. Smyth, and G. A. Stouffer. v 3-Integrin antagonists inhibit thrombin-induced proliferation and focal adhesion formation in smooth muscle cells. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 285: C1330–C1338, 2003. First published July 23, 2003; 10.1152/ajpcell.00475. 2002. — v 3-Integrin antagonists reduced neointimal formation following vascular injury in eight different animal models. Because -thrombin contributes to neointimal formation, we examined the hypothesis that v 3-integrins influence -thrombin-induced signaling. Cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMC) expressed v 3-integrins as demonstrated by immunofluorescence microscopy and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis. Proliferative responses to -thrombin were partially inhibited by anti3-integrin monoclonal antibody F11 and by cyclic RGD peptides. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that -thrombin stimulated a rapid increase in the formation of focal adhesions as identified by vinculin staining and that this effect was partially inhibited by v 3 antagonists. 3-Integrin staining was diffuse in quiescent RASMC and did not concentrate at sites of focal adhesions following thrombin treatment. -Thrombin elicited a time-dependent increase in activation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase-1 (JNK1) and in tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). v 3-Integrin antagonists partially inhibited increases in JNK1 activity but had no effect on FAK phosphorylation. In SMC isolated from 3-integrin-deficient mice, focal adhesion formation was impaired in response to thrombin but not sphingosine-1-phosphate, a potent activator of Rho. In summary, v 3-integrins play an important role in -thrombin-induced proliferation and focal adhesion formation in RASMC.
PROVEAN web server: a tool to predict the functional effect of amino acid substitutions and indels

UNLABELLED We present a web server to predict the functional effect of single or multiple amino acid substitutions, insertions and deletions using the prediction tool PROVEAN. The server provides rapid analysis of protein variants from any organisms, and also supports high-throughput analysis for human and mouse variants at both the genomic and protein levels. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION The web server is freely available and open to all users with no login requirements at http://provean.jcvi.org. CONTACT achan@jcvi.org SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
What Can Neuroeconomics Tell Us About Economics (and Vice Versa)

Neuroeconomics is now a relatively well established discipline at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology and economics. It has its own societies, conferences, textbooks1 and graduate courses. The number of articles2 that contain the word neuroeconomicshas grown from essentially zero in 2000 to around 900 a year in 2009 and 2010. The mainstream media has found the concept of neuroeconomics fascinating, with articles regularly appearing in many major newspapers and magazines. The idea that we may be able to say something about the biological basis of economic decision making seems to be both compelling and important.
Diterpenoids from the Buds of Pinus banksiana Lamb

Three new diterpenoids, namely 7α-hydroxyabieta-8,11,13,15-tetraen-18-oic acid, 7β,15,18-trihydroxyabieta-8,11,13-triene, 13,15-dihydroxypodocarpa-8,11,13-triene, and 12 other known compounds were isolated from buds of Pinus banksiana Lamb. All these compounds, except for 7-oxodehydroabietinol, were isolated for the first time from this plant. Their structures were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic studies and comparison with published data. All isolated compounds were tested for cytotoxic and antibacterial activities. Overall, two compounds, 7-oxodehydroabietinol and 18-nor-4,15-dihydroxyabieta-8,11,13-trien-7-one, showed moderate cytotoxicity against a human lung carcinoma cell line.
Gene delivery to the heart: an updated review on vectors and methods

Keywords cardiac; gene therapy; cell therapy; heartHeart diseases cause signiﬁcant morbidity and mortality in modern society.Molecular causes for many heart diseases are nowclearly deﬁned. Genetherapyrepresents a critical next step in translating these exciting basic science break-throughs to human patients. A central issue in gene therapy is to effectivelydeliver therapeutic genetic materials to the target tissues/organs. In this regard,the heart has been considered as a highly challenging target because of thedynamic nature of the physiology and the unique anatomic location. Signiﬁcantprogress has been made over the last few years in heart gene delivery. Whatinitially started as a simple direct plasmid injection to the rodent myocardiumhas now evolved into advanced chemical and viral vectors, and also clinicallyapproachable delivery methods for whole heart transduction in large animalmodels and human patients. Despite the proof-of-principle in numerous animalmodels and encouraging data in several early stage clinical trials, unequivocal suc-cessin humanpatients remainslacking.Appa rently,novelstrategiesare needed tomeettheclinicalchallenge.Inthisregard,aclear understandingof thecurrentsta-tus of heart gene transfer will serve as a good foundation for future development.InanEducation Session of the recent Annual Meetingof American SocietyofGene and Cell Therapy, technological advances and the existing obstacles inthe ﬁeld of heart gene delivery were discussed and updated. A collectionof reviews from the speakers of this session is presented in this special issue[1–3]. Three core issues in heart gene therapy are covered. Speciﬁcally, whatkind of vehicle is appropriate to deliver a therapeutic gene to the heart? Whatare the pros and cons of various heart gene delivery methods? What genesshould we use to treat different types of heart failure? The ultimate driving forces for cardiac gene therapy are the patient needs.Compared with other commonly used modalities (such as heart transplanta-tion), there is still ample growing space regarding the development of heartgene therapy. Signiﬁcant effort is warranted to deal with concerns related toinadequate gene transfer efﬁcacy, inefﬁcient genetransfer vectors and compro-mised gene delivery methods. We hope that this collection of reviews willserve as a starting point for the younger generation of physicians and scientistswho are interested in this ﬁeld. We anticipate many pleasant surprises in thenext chapter of heart gene therapy. We ﬁrmly believe that the long-soughthealth beneﬁt of heart gene therapy will be realized in the near future.