Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experimental evaluation of software reliability growth models

An experimental evaluation is presented of SRGMs (software reliability growth models). The experimental data sets were collected from compiler construction projects completed by five university students. The SRGMs studied are the exponential model, the hyperexponential model, and S-shaped models. It is shown that the S-shaped models are superior to the exponential model in both the accuracy of estimation and the goodness of fit (as determined by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test). It is also shown that it is possible to estimate accurately residual faults from a subset of the test results. An estimation method is proposed for the hyperexponential model. It is based on the observation that the start time for testing is different for different program modules. It is shown that this method improves the goodness of fit significantly. <<ETX>>
Superparasitism as an adaptive strategy for insect parasitoids.

of limited size, and so confine their offspring to a fixed amount of food. In contrast a predator's offspring can always hope to find more prey items when the present meal is insufficient to complete development. Therefore, the foraging behavior of parasitoids is under even stronger natural selection than that of predators. Parasitoid search­ ing and host selection behavior is thus an ideal subject to test theories based on natural selection. In this paper we review theory and empirical evidence concerning an important aspect of host selection: parasitoid behavior in relation to parasitized hosts. Most parasitoids are able to recognize hosts parasitized by conspecifics or by themselves (an ability referred to as "host discrimination") and to reject such hosts, but they often lay a second clutch of eggs in or on them (an act called "superparasitism "). Long considered the result of mistakes made by imperfect animals, superparasitism is now recog­ nized as adaptive in a number of situations. Theory predicts when parasitoids should avoid superparasitism and when not. In this paper we review the evidence that both superparasitism and its avoidance can be adaptive. We briefly discuss interspecific superparasitism (often called "multiparasitism ") and the importance of superparasitism for population stability.
Correlational and Predictive Attributes of Demographic Factors and Their Relationship to Hispanic Participation in Texas Extension Programs

In keeping with its mission, Extension education continues to change its programs to meet the needs of a changing society. Once a rural, agrarian state with the bulk of the population concentrated in the eastern portion of the state, Texas has changed significantly in the last century. By 2030, trends suggest a population that is 63% ethnic minority and is poorer, less educated, and less equipped to compete globally. Growth patterns suggest increases in demand for owned housing, health care, personal care costs, and reduced demand for traditional educational services. The future of Texas is one of increased use of welfare and human service programs, lower per capita tax revenues, and increased government costs (Murdock et. al, 1997).
Selective Labeling of Proteins by Using Protein Farnesyltransferase

The challenging task of identifying and studying protein function has been greatly aided by labeling proteins with reporter groups. Here, we present a strategy that utilizes an enzyme that labels a four‐residue sequence appended onto the C terminus of a protein, with an alkyne‐containing substrate. By using a bio‐orthogonal cycloaddition reaction, a fluorophore that carried an azide moiety was then covalently coupled to the alkyne appended on the protein. FRET was used to calculate a Förster (R) distance of 40 Å between the eGFP chromophore and the newly appended Texas Red fluorophore. This experimental value is in good agreement with the predicted R value determined by using molecular modeling. The small recognition tag, the high specificity of the enzyme, and the orthogonal nature of the derivatization reaction will make this approach highly useful in protein chemistry.
Westerdijkin A, a new hydroxyphenylacetic acid derivative from deep sea fungus Aspergillus westerdijkiae SCSIO 05233

A new methyl 2-(4-((2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-en-1-yl)oxy)phenyl) acetate 1, together with five known compounds 2–6, was isolated from the culture of the deep sea-derived fungus Aspergillus westerdijkiae SCSIO 05233. The new structure was determined by NMR (1H and 13C NMR, HSQC, HMBC and MS) and optical rotation analysis. Compound 5 displayed weak inhibitory activities towards K562 and promyelocytic HL-60 with IC50 values of 25.8 and 44.9 μM, and compound 6 showed strong antifouling activity with EC50 value 8.81 μg/mL.
Diurnal and nocturnal diuresis and natriuresis in obstructive sleep apnea. Effects of nasal continuous positive airway pressure therapy.

Excessive nocturnal diuresis and natriuresis have been reported in patients with sleep apnea. The mechanisms responsible for these alternations in nocturnal renal function have not been clearly identified. To gain further insight into this matter, we studied 12 patients (one woman) with a mean +/- SD age of 50 +/- 9 yr and body mass index of 36.9 +/- 8.6 kg/m2. Polysomnography showed in all a sleep apnea syndrome with an apnea-hyponea index (AHI) of 81.3 +/- 41.7. Treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) resulted in an AHI of 19.4 +/- 13.7 and in normalization of sleep characteristics. Diurnal renal function was normal in all subjects. Although untreated, patients showed an abolition of the well-known decrease in diuresis and natriuresis during the night (diurnal and nocturnal diuresis 56.3 +/- 26.8 and 77.2 +/- 33.4 ml/h, respectively, p = NS; diurnal and nocturnal fractional urinary Na+ excretion 0.42 +/- 0.09 and 0.70 +/- 0.55 ml/100 ml glomerular filtration [GF], respectively, p = NS). Results of nocturnal studies under nCPAP therapy showed a significant decrease in diuresis and natriuresis (nocturnal diuresis before and under nCPAP, respectively: 90.4 +/- 27.3 and 70.6 +/- 25.1 ml/h, p less than 0.02; nocturnal fractional urinary sodium excretion before and under nCPAP, respectively: 0.76 +/- 0.53 and 0.44 +/- 0.37 ml/100 ml GF, p less than 0.03). Morning blood levels of renin, aldosterone, antidiuretic hormone, epinephrine, and atrial natriuretic factor showed no significant difference before and under nCPAP, whereas norepinephrine significantly decreased from 309.5 +/- 104.2 before to 230.4 +/- 88.4 pg/ml under nCPAP (p less than 0.02). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Dynamics of steroid hormone receptor action.

The steroid hormones-estrogens, progestins, androgens, glucocorticoids, and mineralocorticoids-are chemically quite simple molecules, yet their biological activities are exquisitely specific. Their diverse effects include metabolic, morphological, and behavioral changes. At least part of their hormonal specificity resides in the fact that different tissues contain proteins that selectively bind only certain classes of active steroids; hence, the tissue "selects" the hormone with which it will interact by possessing high affinity binding proteins, or "receptors," for a particular class of steroid hormones. Here I review recent information on (a) the multihormonal regulation of steroid hormone receptors and steroid hormone action in selected tissues and (b) the temporal and quantitative relationships between hormone receptor binding and the stimulation of biological responses in target tis­ sues. I discuss only briefly some recent advances in the biochemistry of steroid hormone receptors since several excellent reviews have covered the state of knowledge through 1976 (15, 41, 55, 114). In view of my own interests and because this review serves as a prelude to reports on the reproductive system, I emphasize . receptors for the sex steroid hormones, in particular the estrogen receptor.
Interaction of Bovine Growth Hormone with Buffalo Adipose Tissue and Identification of Signaling Molecules in Its Action

Results on localization of growth hormone receptor (GHR), interaction of growth hormone (GH) with receptor in buffalo adipose tissue and identification of activated signaling molecules in the action of GH are presented. Bovine GH (bGH) was labeled with fluorescein or biotin. Fluorescein-labelled bGH was used for localization of GHRs in buffalo adipocytes. The receptors were present on the cell surface. The affinity of binding of GH to its receptor was determined by designing an experiment in which buffalo adipose tissue explants, biotinylated GH and streptavidin-peroxidase conjugate were employed. The affinity constant was calculated to be 2×10 8 M -1 . The receptor density on adipose tissue was found to be 1 femto mole per mg of tissue. Signalling molecules generated in the action of GH were tentatively identified by employing Western blot and enhanced chemiluminescence techniques using anti-phosphotyrosine antibody. Based on molecular weights of proteins reactive to anti-phosphotyrosine antibody, three signaling molecules viz. insulin receptor substrate, Janus activated kinase (Jak) and mitogen activated protein were tentatively identified. These signaling molecules appeared in a time (incubation time of explants with growth hormone) dependent way. The activation of Jak2 was confirmed by employing anti-Jak2 antibody in a Western blot. The activation of Jak2 occurred during 5 min incubation of buffalo adipose tissue explants with GH and incubation for an additional period, viz. 30 min. or 60 min., resulted in a drastic reduction in activation. The results suggest that Jak2 activation is an early event in the action of GH in buffalo adipose tissue.
Cloning, overexpression, and characterization of a novel alkali‐thermostable xylanase from Geobacillus sp. WBI

An endo‐β‐1,4‐xylanase gene xynA of a thermophilic Geobacillus sp. WBI from “hot” compost was isolated by PCR amplification. The gene encoding 407 residues were overexpressed in E. coli and purified by Ni‐NTA chromatography. The purified enzyme (47 kDa) had a broad pH optimum of 6.0 to 9.0, and was active between 50 and 90 °C. The enzyme retained 100% of its activity when incubated at 65 °C for 1 h under alkaline condition (pH 10.0) and retained 75% activity at pH 11.0. The Km and Vmax of the enzyme were 0.9 mg ml−1 and 0.8 µmol ml−1 min−1, respectively. In molecular dynamics simulation at 338 K (65 °C), the enzyme was found to be stable. At an elevated temperature (450 K) specific α‐helix and β‐turns of the proteins were most denatured. The denaturation was less in WBI compared with its highest homolog G. stearothermophilus T‐6 xylanase with difference of six residues. The results predict that these regions are responsible for the improved thermostability observed over related enzymes. The present work encourages further experimental demonstration to understand how these regions contribute thermostability to WBI xylanase. The study noted that WBI produces a xylanase with unique characteristics, specifically alkali‐thermostability.
Involvement of thermophilic archaea in the biocorrosion of oil pipelines.

Two thermophilic archaea, strain PK and strain MG, were isolated from a culture enriched at 80°C from the inner surface material of a hot oil pipeline. Strain PK could ferment complex organic nitrogen sources (e.g. yeast extract, peptone, tryptone) and was able to reduce elemental sulfur (S°), Fe(3+) and Mn(4+) . Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the organism belonged to the order Thermococcales. Incubations of this strain with elemental iron (Fe°) resulted in the abiotic formation of ferrous iron and the accumulation of volatile fatty acids during yeast extract fermentation. The other isolate, strain MG, was a H(2) :CO(2) -utilizing methanogen, phylogenetically affiliated with the genus Methanothermobacter family. Co-cultures of the strains grew as aggregates that produced CH(4) without exogenous H(2) amendment. The co-culture produced the same suite but greater concentrations of fatty acids from yeast extract than did strain PK alone. Thus, the physiological characteristics of organisms both alone and in combination could conceivably contribute to pipeline corrosion. The Thermococcus strain PK could reduce elemental sulfur to sulfide, produce fatty acids and reduce ferric iron. The hydrogenotrophic methanogen strain MG enhanced fatty acid production by fermentative organisms but could not couple the dissolution Fe° with the consumption of water-derived H(2) like other methanogens.
Modeling and parameter extraction technique for high-voltage MOS device

This paper presents a novel technique for modeling HV MOS devices accurately with the BSIM3v3 SPICE model. We assign different meanings from the original BSlM3v3 to three parameters. The simulated I-V characteristics using the extracted parameters match the measured results well, and the physical mechanism of HV MOS devices is clarified based on device simulations. Since our method does not change any model equations of BSIM3v3, it can be applied to any SPICE simulator on which the BSIM3v3 model runs.
Targeted expression of tetanus neurotoxin interferes with behavioral responses to sensory input in Drosophila.

Targeted inactivation of neurons by expression of toxic gene products is a useful tool to assign behavioral functions to specific neurons or brain structures. Of a variety of toxic gene products tested, tetanus neurotoxin light chain (TNT) has the least severe side effects and can completely block chemical synapses. By using the GAL4 system to drive TNT expression in a subset of chemo- and mechanosensory neurons, we detected walking and flight defects consistent with blocking of relevant sensory information. We also found, for the first time, an olfactory behavioral phenotype associated with blocking of a specific subset of antennal chemoreceptors. Similar behavioral experiments with GAL4 lines expressing in different subsets of antennal chemoreceptors should contribute to an understanding of olfactory coding in Drosophila. To increase the utility of the GAL4 system for such purposes, we have designed an inducible system that allows us to circumvent lethality caused by TNT expression during early development.
Antioxidant effects of tetrahydro‐β‐carboline derivatives identified in aged garlic extract

1,2,3,4‐Tetrahydro‐β‐carboline derivatives (THβCs) are formed through Pictet‐Spengler chemical condensation between tryptophan and aldehydes during food production, storage and processing. In the present study, in order to identify the antioxidants in aged garlic extract (AGE), we fractionated it and identified four THβCs; 1‐methyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐β‐carboline‐3‐carboxylic acids (MTCC) and 1‐methyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐β‐carboline‐1,3‐dicarboxylic acid (MTCdiC) in both diastereoisomers using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC‐MS). Interestingly, these compounds were not detected in raw garlic, but the contents increased during the natural aging process of garlic. In in vitro assay systems, all of these compounds have shown strong hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities. (1S, 3S)‐MTCdiC was found to be stronger than the common antioxidant, ascorbic acid. MTCC and MTCdiC inhibited AAPH‐induced lipid peroxidation. Both MTCdiCs also inhibited LPS‐induced nitrite production from murine macrophages at 10‐100 μM. Our data suggest that these compounds are potent antioxidants in AGE, and thus may be useful for prevention of disorders associated with oxidative stress.
Current Minimizing Torque Control of the IPMSM Using Ferrari’s Method

For the torque control of an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM), it is necessary to determine a current command set that minimizes the magnitude of the current vector. This is known as the maximum torque per ampere. In the field-weakening region, current minimizing solutions are found at the intersection with the voltage limits. However, the optimal problem yields fourth-order polynomials (quartic equations), and no attempt has been made to solve these quartic equations online for torque control. Instead, premade lookup tables are widely used. These lookup tables tend to be huge because it is necessary to create separate tables on the basis of the dc-link voltage and motor temperature. In this study, we utilize Ferrari's method, which gives the solution to a quartic equation, for the torque control. Further, a recursive method is also considered to incorporate the inductance change from the core saturation. A simulation and some experiments were performed using an electric vehicle motor, which demonstrated the validity of the proposed method.
Permeability characteristics of the human small intestine.

Relatively little information is available concerning the membrane structure of the mucosal cells of the small intestine. Hdber and Hober (1) and Schanker, Tocco, Brodie, and Hogben (2, 3) studied the absorption of a variety of substances in rats and found that absorption rate increased as lipid solubility increased. From this it has been deduced that mucosal cell membranes are lipoid in nature and that lipid-soluble substances are absorbed by dissolving in the cell membrane. However, it has been known for many years that small molecules, although lipid insoluble, can also be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. This has led to the hypothesis that, although essentially lipoidal, cell membranes are interspersed with water-filled pores, through which small molecules can diffuse. Hbber and Hdber (1) tested this hypothesis in the small intestine of the rat by correlating the absorption rate of nonlipid-soluble substances with their molecular size. Their results support the thesis that these molecules are absorbed by diffusion through water-filled pores, since small molecules were absorbed more rapidly than larger ones, and beyond a certain size (molecular weight about 180, which corresponds to a molecular radius of about 4 A) no penetration occurred. Lindemann and Solomon's studies (4) are in close agreement, since they experimentally determined, by an independent method, the pore radius of the luminal surface of the rat jejunal cells
7 Characterization of visual stimuli using the standard display model

Visual psychophysics advances by experiments that measure how sensations and perceptions arise from carefully controlled visual stimuli. Progress depends in large part on the type of display technology that is available to generate stimuli. In this chapter, we first describe the strengths and limitations of the display technologies that are currently used to study human vision. We then describe a standard display model that guides the calibration and characterization of visual stimuli on these displays (Brainard et al., 2002; Post, 1992). We illustrate how to use the standard display model to specify the spatial–spectral radiance of any stimulus rendered on a calibrated display. This model can be used by engineers to assess the trade-offs in display design and by scientists to specify stimuli so that others can replicate experimental measurements and develop computational models that begin with a physically accurate description of the experimental stimulus. 7.2 DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES FOR VISION SCIENCE
Comparison of the Radial Forearm Flap and the Thinned Anterolateral Thigh Cutaneous Flap for Reconstruction of Tongue Defects: An Evaluation of Donor-Site Morbidity

The radial forearm flap is commonly used for reconstruction of tongue defects following tumor extirpation. This flap is easy to harvest and offers thin tissue with large-caliber vessels. However, its use leaves behind a conspicuous aesthetic deformity in the forearm and requires the sacrifice of a major artery of that limb, the radial artery. The anterolateral thigh cutaneous flap has found clinical applications in the reconstruction of soft-tissue defects requiring thin tissue. More recently, in a thinned form, the anterolateral thigh flap has been used for reconstructing defects of the tongue with functional results equivalent to that of the radial forearm flap. For the reconstruction of tongue defects, these two flaps could provide similar soft-tissue coverage, but they seem to result in different donor-site appearances. The donor site is closed primarily, leaving only a linear scar that is inconspicuous with normal clothing, and no functional deficit is left behind in the thigh. Thus, for the supply of flaps for tongue defects, a comparison between the radial forearm flap and the anterolateral thigh flap donor sites is provided in this study. Between December of 2000 and August of 2002, 41 patients who underwent reconstruction of defects of the tongue using either a radial forearm flap or an anterolateral thigh flap were evaluated. The focus was on the evaluation of the functional and aesthetic outcome of the donor site after harvesting these flaps for the purpose of reconstructing either total or partial tongue defects. Finally, a comparison was performed between the donor sites of the two flaps. The disadvantages of the radial forearm flap include the conspicuous unattractive scar in the forearm region, pain, numbness, and the sacrifice of a major artery of the limb. In some patients, the donor-site scar of the forearm acted as a social stigma, preventing these patients from leading a normal life. In contrast, the anterolateral thigh cutaneous flap, after thinning, achieved the same results in reconstructing defects of the tongue without the associated donor-site morbidity. Most importantly, the donor site in the thigh could be closed primarily in almost all patients without any functional deficit. The thinned anterolateral thigh cutaneous flap is a viable substitute for the radial forearm flap when reconstructing defects of the tongue. The results achieved are similar to those of the radial forearm flap, and the donor-site morbidity is significantly decreased.
Progress on ‘pico’ air vehicles

As the characteristic size of a flying robot decreases, the challenges for successful flight revert to basic questions of fabrication, actuation, fluid mechanics, stabilization, and power, whereas such questions have in general been answered for larger aircraft. When developing a flying robot on the scale of a common housefly, all hardware must be developed from scratch as there is nothing ‘off-the-shelf’ which can be used for mechanisms, sensors, or computation that would satisfy the extreme mass and power limitations. This technology void also applies to techniques available for fabrication and assembly of the aeromechanical components: the scale and complexity of the mechanical features requires new ways to design and prototype at scales between macro and microeletromechanical systems, but with rich topologies and material choices one would expect when designing human-scale vehicles. With these challenges in mind, we present progress in the essential technologies for insect-scale robots, or ‘pico’ air vehicles.