Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Cerebellum in the Ouroboros Model, the “Interpolator Hypothesis”

The Ouroboros Model offers a novel cognitive architecture with an algorithmic backbone of iterative and self- referential processing. All memory content is organized into meaningful pieces of data, chunks and schemata, which are laid down as a kind of snapshots of all activations at a relevant point in time. This entails a grainy structure of memory content. Whereas a core process of "consumption" analysis can naturally be defined taking advantage of this parcellation, it necessitates interpolation for fine nuances, especially for the representation of intermediate values during transients. It is hypothesized that, in the vertebrate brain, essential interpolation functionality is provided by the cerebellum. Findings concerning movement control as well as the involvement of the cerebellum in more abstract, cognitive, tasks can be interpreted as reflecting a function of the cerebellum as a co-processor, i.e., a general interpolator, boosting representations in cerebral cortex areas, which are reciprocally connected with cerebellar cortex areas. In this paper, it is sketched how the new "interpolator hypothesis" can explain manifold observations while embracing previous theories of the function of the cerebellum.
A Cloud Eco-System: Reactive Demand Control and Dynamic Pricing Methodology

Resources are limited in capacity. In the meanwhile, over-provisioning of resources resulted in server low utilization could be costly to cloud providers. The underlying reasons of the low utilization are multiple-folds, such as uneven application fit where the application cannot fully utilize the resources allocated or the uncertainty in demand forecasts that is introduced by the dramatically varied demand of the cloud resource between peak and non-peak periods. While many research works are devoted to optimize the resource allocation techniques in the effort of achieving higher server utilization, how to control resource demand so the correct level of resource provisioning can be determined has become the next research question. In this thesis, we introduce a pricing methodology with dynamic pricing that intended to induce desired demand pattern and enhances the revenue of a cloud provider. The proposed pricing methodology encourages cloud tenants, whose requested Virtual Machines (VMs) can be allocated easily, to use more cloud service by offering them lower prices and discouraging cloud tenants, whose requested VMs are difficult to allocate, from using cloud service by charging them higher prices. We study our pricing methodology with a combinatorial optimization algorithm, the Knapsack Algorithm and show that the overall revenue is enhanced through evaluations. Then, to achieve fairness among users, we further perform a case study of our pricing methodology with a multi-resource allocation fairness algorithm, the Heterogeneous Dominant Resource Fairness (DRFH) algorithm. Trace-driven simulation results show that the proposed pricing methodology with DRFH can increase the overall revenue by up to 11.60%. Furthermore, we propose a novel cloud federation system that is cognitive to the dynamic prices as a decision making assistant tool for our pricing methodology. The cloud federation system automatically selects and migrates user tasks to a cloud system that is charging at a more affordable rate. We discuss the architectural framework and platform design, provide a mathematical formulation and investigate a total service cost minimization approach with privacy constraints. Sim-
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitory potential of Echinosystic acid relevance to Cardiovascular diseases: An in silico study

Plants have been used in treating cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and are recognized for their ability to produce secondary metabolites. Secondary metabolites obtained from different plants have been the starting material for designing different drugs. Echinosystic acid, a pentacyclic triterpene was isolated and identified from the fruits of Gleditsia sinensis Lam. Echinosystic acid has significant cardioprotective effects. Different phytochemicals have been found to be cardioprotective and paved the path towards development of cardioprotective formulations. In the present study we have analyzed the inhibitory potential of Echinosystic acid, on the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) - the enzyme responsible for various cardiovascular diseases.The study revealed that Echinosystic acidhave high ACE inhibiting potential as compared to other known ACE inhibitors.
A clinical study on the expression of PTEN in renal cell carcinoma in children

The expression pattern of tumor suppressor gene phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten/phosphatidylinositol3-kinase/protein kinase B (PTEN/PI3K/AKT) cell signaling pathway in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were investigated in children. A total of 5 cases of RCC (observation group) in children and 10 cases of benign kidney tumor (control group) diagnosed by pathological examinations were included to obtain tumor samples. Expression of PTEN mRNA was detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The protein expression of PTEN, PI3K and AKT was detected by western blotting; relationships between the expression level of PTEN mRNA and the clinical features of RCC were analyzed. It turned out that expression level of PTEN mRNA in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group. The protein expression levels of PTEN, PI3K and AKT were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). The expression level of PTEN mRNA decreased with the increased clinical stage of RCC (P<0.05), and was not related to sex, age and maximum tumor diameter (P>0.05). The results showed that downregulation of the tumor suppressor gene PTEN expression and the inhibition of PTEN/PI3K/AKT cell signaling pathway may be involved in the occurrence and development of RCC in children.
Can Mexico Set Up in the Aerospace and the Software and IT Global Value Chains as a High-Value-Added Player?

This study is an effort to identify the process by which firms venture into GVCs and the obstacles faced by firms once they have been immersed in it. We have focused on two particular GVCs: the aerospace GVC and the software and IT services GVC. Through the case studies, we analyzed the nature of inter-firm linkages and how they affected the potential of scaling up by local suppliers in the value-added chain, the particular role of firms in the value chain in Mexico and the achievements and limitations of governmental policies as tools to facilitate the entrance of MNCs' subsidiaries and to create the conditions for the entrance and scaling up of local firms in the value chain. We found that geopolitical factors were important, in particular NAFTA, but these advantages are only part of explanation for the insertion of Mexican industry in both GVCs. In our opinion, this could not have happened without an effort of public policy at different levels to attain this goal on the part of the Mexican government. Nevertheless, there is a notorious unbalance between efforts to secure investment from foreign firms and certification and long-term financing initiatives. In our view, the latter has not been properly addressed and it is a major problem for the scaling up of local firms in the value chain.
Determinants of capital structure: static trade-off theory vs. pecking-order theory : evidence from Dutch listed firms

The main aim of this paper is to analyze whether the static trade-off theory or the pecking-order theory prevails in capital structure decisions made by Dutch listed firms. The analysis is done by making use of firm-specific determinants that are widely known in the field of capital structure. Evidence in line with research on Dutch firms has been found by making use of a literature review and an OLS-regression. Moreover, this paper finds that the pecking-order theory in capital structure decisions prevail while there is moderate support for the static trade-off theory.
IN-SITU STRENGTH ASSESSMENT OF CONCRETE

A full scale seven-storey insitu advanced reinforced concrete building frame was constructed in the Building Research Establishment’s Cardington laboratory encompassing a range of different concrete mixes and construction techniques. This provided an opportunity to use insitu non-destructive test methods, namely the Lok and CAPO tests, on a systematic basis during the construction of the building. They were used in conjunction with both standard and temperature-matched cube specimens to assess their practicality and their individual capabilities under field conditions. Results have been analysed and presented to enable comparisons of the performance of the individual test methods employed.
Manipulation of Olfactory Signaling and Mate Choice for Conservation Breeding: a Case Study of Harvest Mice

Abstract: Mate choice by females can introduce difficulties to captive breeding programs because there may be a conflict between the conservation manager's choice of mate (based on random allocation or maximizing heterogeneity) and the females' own preferences, often resulting in incompatibility and aggression. Similar effects are caused by inappropriate social contexts at the time of pairing. We manipulated the social experience of male and female harvest mice (Micromys minutus) to investigate whether we could enhance compatibility between randomly allocated mates by altering female preferences. In one experiment, we used a choice test to identify female preferences between two males and then varied the competitive context of unpreferred males by transferring competitor's scent marks into their cages. The manipulation caused them to increase their investment in a form of olfactory signaling (scent marking), which female rodents use as an indicator of male quality when choosing mates. The manipulation increased their attractiveness relative to the initially preferred male when the choice test was repeated. In a second experiment, we tested the effect of females' familiarity with the odor of males by transfer of male scent marks to female cages. Females preferred familiar males in choice tests and were less aggressive toward them when pairs were introduced than females paired with unfamiliar males. This kind of approach can influence mate choice, and transferring scent marks between cages or collections is an effective and practical behavioral means of improving success in conservation breeding programs.
Assessing Students' and Teachers' Sense of the School as a Caring Community.

AUTHOR Roberts, William; And Others TITLE Assessing Students' and Teachers' Sense of the School as a Caring Community. SPONS AGENCY John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Chicago, IL. ; Pew Charitable Trusts, Philadelphia, PA. ; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (DHHS/PHS), Rockville, MD. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. ; William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Palo Alto, Calif. PUB DATE Apr 95 NOTE 36p. ; Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association (San Francisco, CA, April 18-22, 1995). PUB TYPE Reports Research/Technical (143) Speeches/Conference Papers (150)
Description of Kimunpsocus takumai n. gen. & n. sp. from Hokkaido, Japan (Psocodea: 'Psocoptera': Psocidae: Ptyctini)

YOSHIZAWA, K. , Description of Kimunpsocus takumai n. gen. & n. sp. from Hokkaido, Japan (Psocodea: ‘Psocoptera’: Psocidae: Ptyctini). Ins. matsum. n. s. 65: A new genus and species of the tribe Ptyctini, Kimunpsocus takumai, was described based on the specimens collected in Hokkaido, Japan. Morphologically, Kimunpsocus is apparently a member of the tribe Ptyctini and is similar to Loensia in the forewing markings and venation. However, independence of this new genus was supported morphologically and molecularly. Author’s address. Systematic Entomology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8589, Japan. E-mail: psocid@res.agr. hokudai.ac. jp.
Autonomic Goal-Driven Deployment in Heterogeneous Computing Environments

We see a growing interest in computing applications that should rely on heterogeneous computing environments, like Internet of Things (IoT). Such applications are intended to execute in a broad range of devices with different available computing resources. In order to handle some kind of heterogeneity, such as two possible types of graphical processors in a desktop computer, we can use simple approaches as a script at deployment-time that chooses the right software library to be copied to a folder. These simple approaches are centralized and created at design-time. They require one specialist or team to control the entire space of variability. However, such approaches are not scalable to highly heterogeneous environments. In highly dynamic and heterogeneous environment it is hard to predict the computing environment at design-time, implying likely undecidability on the correct configuration for each environment at design-time. In our work, we propose GoalD: a method that allows autonomous deployment of systems by reflecting about the goals of the system and its computing environment. By autonomous deployment, we mean that the system can find the correct set of components, for the target computing environment, without human intervention. We evaluate our approach on the filling station advisor case study where an application advises a driver where to refuel/recharge its vehicle. We design the application with variability at requirements, architecture, and deployment, which can allow the designed application be executed in different devices. For scenarios with different environments, it was possible to plan the deployment autonomously. Additionally, the scalability of the algorithm that plan the deployment was evaluated in a simulated environment. Results show that using the approach it is possible to autonomously plan the deployment of a system with thousands of components in few seconds.
On Uniqueness of Strong Solution of Stochastic Systems

A kind of the well-known matrix Riccati equations which arise in certain stochastic optimal problems is investigated. With the aid of the operator spectrum and the generalized Lyapunov equation approach, we give a sufficient condition for existence and uniqueness of the strong solution related to the critical mean square stabilization of stochastic linear controlled systems, which proves Conjecture 10 in (Zhang et al. (2008)) to a large extent. In addition, we get some properties of the strong solution. At last, we give a kind of stochastic system which has only a strong solution by an example.
Cloning and expression of a small heat shock protein gene CaHSP 24 from pepper under abiotic stress

The sequence of a small heat shock protein (sHSP) gene CaHSP24 was obtained by homology-based candidate gene method and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The cDNA sequence of this gene is 920 bp in size (GenBank: HM132040) and contains an open reading frame (ORF) of 636 bp, which was predicted to encode a protein with 211 amino acid residues. The phylogenetic tree showed that CaHSP24 was quite similar to mitochondrial sHSPs from other plants but was distantly related to sHSPs of pepper cytoplasm and chloroplast. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that CaHSP24 was hardly detectable at 32°C, but accumulated markedly at 40°C. The gene was expressed 0.5 h after exposure to heat stress and the expression reached a peak in 1.5 h; the expression level in heat-resistant cultivar B35 was higher than that in heat-sensitive cultivar B6. The gene was also expressed weakly under salinity, heavy metal, low temperature and oxidative stresses; the expression levels under these conditions were remarkably lower than those under heat stress. Cell viability experiments showed that the heterologous expression of CaHSP24 could enhance the viability of Escherichia coli under heat stress. To sum up, CaHSP24 may play an important role for response to heat stress condition.
Proteomic Analysis of Goat Milk

The advancement of electrophoresis and chromatography, along with technological developments in mass spectrometry, has widened the potential application of proteomics to study milk from smaller ruminants. The aim of this chapter is to provide an in-depth overview of the development and progress of proteomics applications in goat milk. After examining various proteomic approaches that are currently applied to this field, we nar - row our focus on proteomic investigations of mastitis in goat milk. A summary of protein modulation in goat milk during experimentally-induced endotoxin mastitis is discussed. Because the molecular function of proteins is disrupted during disease due to changes in post-translational modifications, we also review the phosphorylation of caseins, which are the predominant phosphoproteins in milk, and discuss the implications of casein modifications during mastitis. These results offer new insights into the changes of protein expression in goat milk during infection.
Two-phase MRI brain tumor segmentation using random forests and level set methods

Magnetic resonance images (MRI) in various modalities contain valuable information usable in medical diagnosis. Accurate delimitation of the brain tumor and its internal tissue structures is very important for the evaluation of disease progression, for studying the effects of a chosen treatment strategy and for surgical planning as well. At the same time early detection of brain tumors and the determination of their nature have long been desirable in preventive medicine. The goal of this study is to develop an intelligent software tool for quick detection and accurate segmentation of brain tumors from MR images. In this paper we describe the developed two-staged image segmentation framework. The first stage is a voxelwise classifier based on random forest (RF) algorithm. The second acquires the accurate boundaries by evolving active contours based on the level set method (LSM). The intelligent combination of two powerful segmentation algorithms ensures performances that cannot be achieved by either of these methods alone. In our work we used the MRI database created for the BraTS ’14-‘16 challenges, considered a gold standard in brain tumor segmentation. The segmentation results are compared with the winning state of the art methods presented at the Brain Tumor Segmentation Grand Challenge and Workshop (BratsTS).
Development and validation of the discriminating method of prasugrel dissolution in tablets using ultraviolet detection

Current study develops and validates a dissolution test for Prasugrel hydrochloride 10 mg in coated tablets. After sink condition, filters and drug stability were evaluated, the discriminatory dissolution conditions were achieved with a USP apparatus 1 (basket) at 50 rpm stirring speed and 900 mL of 0.01 M HCl as dissolution medium. The UV spectrometric method at 220 nm was performed and validated for the determination of Prasugrel. The parameters specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision and robustness were evaluated according to international protocols. UV method and dissolution test proposed in current analysis may be applied for quality control of coated tablets containing Prasugrel since there is no official monograph for this drug.
An Automated Signature Generation Method for Zero-day Polymorphic Worms Based on C4.5 Algorithm

Polymorphic worms are considered as the most critical threats to the Internet security, and the difficulty lies in changing their payloads in every infection attempt to avoid the security systems. In this paper, we propose an accurate signature generation system for zero-day polymorphic worms. We have designed a novel double-honeynet system, which is able to detect zero-day polymorphic worms that have not been seen before. To generate signatures for polymorphic worms, we have two steps. The first step is the polymorphic worms sample collection, which is done by the double-honeynet system. The second step is the signature generation for the collected samples, which is done by a decision tree algorithm (C4.5 algorithm). The main goal for this system is to get accurate signatures for Zero-day polymorphic worm. KeywordsHoneynet; Polymorphic; Worms; Machine Learning;
Use of macroinvertebrate assemblage to assess the ecological integrity of Nyando Wetlands, Kenya

This study aimed to investigate changes in macroinvertebrate assemblage within Nyando wetlands and developed an index of biotic integrity for monitoring human disturbances. Triplicate macroinvertebrate samples were collected monthly for seven months using a scoop net. They were sorted live, counted and identified to genus level. Water samples for nutrients were collected and analyzed using standard methods. Physico-chemical parameters were taken in situ using electronic meters. Macroinvertebrates were analyzed for richness, diversity, dominance and abundance. Abundance was correlated with physico-chemical parameters. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to test spatial differences in macroinvertebrate community. Metrics for index of biotic integrity were chosen, tested, and a 5, 3, 1 scoring criteria was used. A total of 45 genera were identified and Kruskal-Wallis test analysis revealed significant spatial differences in macroinvertebrate abundance. Repeated measures ANOVA showed significant spatio-temporal differences. Tolerant macroinvertebrates were abundant at the disturbed sites whereas intolerant taxa showed a strong negative correlation with nutrient levels. Sites with higher disturbance recorded a total index score far below the reference site score. The results indicated that macroinvertebrates in Nyando wetlands can be used to monitor its ecological integrity. The IBI developed should be used to protect the lake from eutrophication.
Phytochemical Evaluation and Antioxidant Activity of Glycosmis mauritiana (lam.) Tanaka Leaf Extract

Medicinal plants can provide biologically active molecules and lead structures for the development of modified derivatives with enhanced activity and or reduced toxicity. Ensuring the safety, efficacy and quality of traditional medicine is a priority in as much as it must be respected, preserved and promoted as a branch of medicine. In plants, the medicinal value of the secondary metabolites is due to the presence of chemical substances that produce a definite physiological action on the human body. Research into the isolated plant constituents is of great importance for the development of bioactive substances from ethnic medicine. With the emergence of latest technologies and enhanced knowledge about the isolated plant constituents, characterization and analytical tools, lot of compounds are efficiently isolated from potential plants and have been of great contribution to the drug discovery from ethnic plants. The present investigation is aimed at investigating the phytochemical evaluation, quantification and antioxidant studies of a medicinal plant Glycosmis mauritiana. The phytochemical quantification was done for phenolics, tannins and flavanoids. The antioxidant screening was done by FRAP assay and DPPH free radical scavenging assay, using five different solvent extracts. Significant antioxidant activity of ethanolic extracts was recorded in Glycosmis mauritiana which can be used as a potent source of natural antioxidant.