Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Study of the Sequential Constraint-Handling Technique for Evolutionary Optimization With Application to Structural Problems

Engineering design problems are most frequently charac-terized by constraints that make them hard to solve and time-consuming. When evolutionary algorithms are used to solve these problems, constraints are often handled with the generic weighted sum method or with techniques specific to the prob-lem at hand. Most commonly, all constraints are evaluated at each generation, and it is also necessary to fine-tune different parameters in order to receive good results, which requires in-depth knowledge of the algorithm. The sequential constraint-handling techniques seem to be a promising alternative, be-cause they do not require all constraints to be evaluated at each iteration and they are easy to implement. They neverthe-less require the user to determine the ordering in which those constraints shall be evaluated. Therefore two heuristics that allow finding a satisfying constraint sequence have been developed. Two sequential constraint-handling techniques using the heuristics have been tested against the weighted sum technique with the ten-bar structure benchmark. They both performed better than the weighted sum technique and can therefore be easy to implement, and powerful alternatives for solving engineering design problems.
The Utility of Whole Genome Amplification for Typing Compromised Forensic Samples

ABSTRACT: Biological evidence has become invaluable in the crime laboratory; however, it may exist in limited quantity and/or quality. Given this, the ability to amplify total DNA obtained from evidence, in an unbiased manner, would be highly advantageous. Methods for whole genome amplification (WGA) have the potential to fulfill this role, resulting in a virtually unlimited supply of DNA. In the research presented, two WGA methods, improved primer extension preamplification and multiple displacement amplification (MDA), were tested using commercial kits. Control DNA, artificially degraded DNA, and DNA from fresh blood, aged blood, hair shafts, and aged bones underwent WGA, followed by short tandem repeat and mitochondrial DNA analysis. The methods did amplify DNA, but performed poorly on forensically relevant samples; the maximum amplicon size was reduced, and MDA often resulted in extraneous bands following polymerase chain reaction. Taken together, WGA appears to be of limited forensic utility unless the samples are of a very high quality.
University of Groningen Artistic Stereo Imaging by Edge Preserving Smoothing

Stereo imaging is an important area of image and video processing, with exploding progress in the last decades. An open issue in this field is the understanding of the conditions under which the straightforward application of a given image processing operator to both the left and right image of a stereo pair preserves the stereoscopic perception. In this paper, we explore this problem with application to artistic imaging and we prove that, unlike other methods, artistic operators based on edge preserving smoothing have this desirable property. We also present a novel multiresolution artistic operator, purposely designed for stereo images, which enhances the perception of three-dimensionality by means of a depth driven local scale control.
Henipavirus Pathogenesis in Human Respiratory Epithelial Cells

ABSTRACT Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV) are deadly zoonotic viruses for which no vaccines or therapeutics are licensed for human use. Henipavirus infection causes severe respiratory illness and encephalitis. Although the exact route of transmission in human is unknown, epidemiological studies and in vivo studies suggest that the respiratory tract is important for virus replication. However, the target cells in the respiratory tract are unknown, as are the mechanisms by which henipaviruses can cause disease. In this study, we characterized henipavirus pathogenesis using primary cells derived from the human respiratory tract. The growth kinetics of NiV-Malaysia, NiV-Bangladesh, and HeV were determined in bronchial/tracheal epithelial cells (NHBE) and small airway epithelial cells (SAEC). In addition, host responses to infection were assessed by gene expression analysis and immunoassays. Viruses replicated efficiently in both cell types and induced large syncytia. The host response to henipavirus infection in NHBE and SAEC highlighted a difference in the inflammatory response between HeV and NiV strains as well as intrinsic differences in the ability to mount an inflammatory response between NHBE and SAEC. These responses were highest during HeV infection in SAEC, as characterized by the levels of key cytokines (interleukin 6 [IL-6], IL-8, IL-1α, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 [MCP-1], and colony-stimulating factors) responsible for immune cell recruitment. Finally, we identified virus strain-dependent variability in type I interferon antagonism in NHBE and SAEC: NiV-Malaysia counteracted this pathway more efficiently than NiV-Bangladesh and HeV. These results provide crucial new information in the understanding of henipavirus pathogenesis in the human respiratory tract at an early stage of infection.
A Joint Analysis of Asthma Affection Status and IgE Levels in Multiple Data Sets Collected for Asthma

We present a joint linkage analysis of eight data sets collected for asthma. Three of the data sets are full genome scans, while the remaining five concentrate on a 40‐cM region on chromosome 5. We perform the analysis using one qualitative and one quantitative phenotype: asthma status and IgE level. Considering all data sets simultaneously, we do not find evidence for linkage to asthma affection status beyond the level expected to occur by chance twice per genome scan. In contrast, we observe significant linkage to IgE level on chromosome 6. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Build an education resources allocation planning model of school with integrating Information Technology

The most important core competences of school education resources allocation is the teaching activities of integrating information technology into instruction. This paper explores integrating information technology into instruction how to build an education resources allocation planning model using De Novo programming for case study. We expect building an efficient planning model of integrating information technology into instruction for school education resources allocation, and using De Novo programming for achieving aspired/desired level base on education resources allocation of school. How we can be in the set budget for accomplishing the resources allocation with minimum cost. In empirical case we find if the resource limitation is loosen, and De Novo programming and resources allocation project management are implemented, the optimal resource allocation of integrating information technology into instruction will be achieved and the cost of school management can be reduced.
Genome Sequences of Six Paenibacillus larvae Siphoviridae Phages

ABSTRACT Six sequenced and annotated genomes of Paenibacillus larvae phages isolated from the combs of American foulbrood-diseased beehives are 37 to 45 kbp and have approximately 42% G+C content and 60 to 74 protein-coding genes. Phage Lily is most divergent from Diva, Rani, Redbud, Shelly, and Sitara.
Development of Stroke Care in Ghana

The burden of stroke in the developing world is huge and growing. In Ghana, located in West Africa, stroke is in the top five causes of death. Disability resulting from stroke creates many challenges to healthcare staff, patients, their families and the wider society. Health professionals from the South West of England, ridge Hospital Accra and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital Accra formed an international health partnership to share knowledge of stroke management and service development to support the improvement of stroke care in Ghana.
Nonuniform Compressive Sensing for Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper, we consider the problem of using wireless sensor networks (WSNs) to measure the temporal-spatial profile of some physical phenomena. We base our work on two observations. First, most physical phenomena are compressible in some transform domain basis. Second, most WSNs have some form of heterogeneity. Given these two observations, we propose a nonuniform compressive sensing method to improve the performance of WSNs by exploiting both compressibility and heterogeneity. We apply our proposed method to real WSN data sets. We find that our method can provide a more accurate temporal-spatial profile for a given energy budget compared with other sampling methods.
Interconnect modeling

This part of the tutorial will examine the operation and idiosyncrasies of emerging deep submicron CMOS devices and materials appearing in future high speed logic products. These novel structures include ultra-thin and fully depleted silicon-on-insulator devices, double-gated transistors, strained silicon, and crystal re-oriented MOSFETs. Molecular computing technologies, such as carbon nano-tubes, and new materials which extend scaling, such as high-k dielectrics, will also be explored. Circuit design issues, soft error vulnerabilities, defect mechanisms and required device model accommodations will also be discussed.
Array shape calibration using sources in unknown locations-Part I: Far-field sources

This paper deals with source localization using a two-dimensional array of sensors whose locations are not known precisely. If only a single source is observed, uncertainties in sensor location increase errors in source bearing and range by an amount which is independent of signal-to-noise ratio and which can easily dominate over-all localization accuracy. Major performance gains could therefore result from successful calibration of array geometry. The paper derives Cramer-Rao bounds on calibration and source location accuracies achievable with far-field sources whose bearings are not initially known. The sources are assumed to radiate Gaussian noise and to be spectrally disjoint of each other. When the location of one sensor and the direction to a second sensor is known, three noncollinear sources are sufficient to calibrate sensor positions with errors which decrease to zero as calibrating source strength or time-bandwidth products tend to infinity. The sole exception to this statement is a nominally linear array for which such calibration is not possible. When one sensor location is known but no directional reference is available, three noncollinear sources can determine array shape, but there remains a residual error in angular orientation which is irremovable by the calibration procedure. When no sensor locations are known a priori, one adds to the residual error in rotation a translational component. In the far field, the latter should be unimportant. In addition to the asymptotic results, Cramer-Rao bounds are computed for finite signal-to-noise ratios and observation times. One finds that calibration permits significant reductions in localization errors for parameter values well within the practical range.
fgf1 is required for normal differentiation of erythrocytes in zebrafish primitive hematopoiesis

Hematopoiesis in vertebrate development involves an embryonic, primitive wave and a later, definitive wave in which embryonic blood cells are replaced with adult blood cells. We here show that zebrafish fgf1 is involved in vivo in primitive hematopoiesis. Fibroblast growth factor‐1 (FGF1) morpholino knockdown leads to abnormal accumulation of blood cells in the posterior intermediate cell mass at 32 hr postfertilization. Expression of the erythroid markers gata1 and ika, normally diminishing in differentiating erythrocytes at this stage, is maintained at abnormally high levels in primitive blood cells. The onset of erythrocyte differentiation as assessed by o‐dianisidine staining is severely delayed. Most fgf1 morphants later recover to wild‐type appearance, and primitive erythrocytes eventually differentiate. Zebrafish fgf1 is syntenic to human FGF1, which maps to a critically deleted region in human del(5q) syndrome posing an increased risk of leukemia to patients. As its knockdown in zebrafish changes expression of gata1, a gene involved in hematopoietic stem cell decisions, FGF1 should be considered to play a role in the pathogenesis of del(5q) syndrome. Developmental Dynamics 236:633–643, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Plasma Concentrations of Thyroid Hormone and Growth Hormone in Lohmann Male Broilers Fed on Different Dietary Energy and Protein Levels

2 Abstract: An experiment on Lohmann male broilers was conducted to evaluate the effect of different energy and protein levels on broiler performance and plasma concentrations of growth hormone (GH), thyroxine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3). 600 day-old broilers were fed on either 2800(low-energy) or 3200(high-energy) Kcal ME/Kg diets with different protein levels during three periods of starter, grower and finisher. Blood samples were collected at the end of each period from wing vein. Plasma levels were assayed for GH, T4 and T3 by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Body weight (BW) and feed conversion rate (FCR) were also measured at the end of each period. FCR and mean concentrations of plasma GH and T3 increased in broilers fed on low-energy diets compared with those fed on high-energy diets during different periods, but BW and mean concentrations of plasma T4 decreased in the three periods in birds fed on low-energy diets compared with those fed on high-energy diets. Birds fed on different protein levels showed significant differences with respect to BW, FCR and mean concentrations of plasma for GH, T3 and T4 during starter, grower and finisher periods. At the two energy levels and all periods, FCR and mean concentrations of plasma GH and T3 were decreased in broilers fed on high-protein diets compared with those fed on low-protein diets. However, higher BW and plasma T4 concentration s were observed in broilers fed on high-protein diets compared with those fed on low-protein diets. The results of this experiment demonstrate that low-energy intake could increase FCR and mean plasma concentrations of GH and T3 but could decrease BW an d mean plasma concentrations of T4. Different protein levels during starter, grower and finisher periods in broilers may change the plasma concentrations of GH, T4 and T3 but nearly similar protein levels were not changed (P>0.05) those hormones.
Therapeutic developments in peroxisome biogenesis disorders

Clinically, peroxisome biogenesis disorders (PBDs) are a group of lethal diseases with a continuum of severity of clinical symptoms ranging from the most severe form, Zellweger syndrome, to the milder forms, infantile Refsum disease and rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata. PBDs are characterised by a number of biochemical abnormalities including impaired degradation of peroxide, very long chain fatty acids, pipecolic acid, phytanic acid and xenobiotics and impaired synthesis of plasmalogens, bile acids, cholesterol and docosahexaenoic acid. Treatment of PBD patients as a group is problematic since a number of patients, especially those with Zellweger syndrome, have significant neocortical alterations in the brain at birth so that full recovery would be impossible even with postnatal therapy. To date, treatment of PBD patients has generally involved only supportive care and symptomatic therapy. However, the fact that some of the milder PBD patients live into the second decade has prompted research into possible treatments for these patients. A number of experimental therapies have been evaluated to determine whether or not correction of biochemical abnormalities through dietary supplementation and/or modification is of clinical benefit to PBD patients. Another approach has been pharmacological induction of peroxisomes in PBD patients to improve overall peroxisomal biochemical function. Well known rodent peroxisomal proliferators were found not to induce human peroxisomes. Recently, our laboratory demonstrated that sodium 4-phenylbutyrate induces peroxisome proliferation and improves biochemical function (very long chain fatty acid β-oxidation rates and very long chain fatty acid and plasmalogens levels) in fibroblast cell lines from patients with milder PBD phenotypes. Dietary supplementation and/or modification and pharmacological induction of peroxisomes as treatment strategies for PBD patients will be the subject of this review.
Coaxial Waveguide Based Left-Handed Transmission Line

In this letter, a new realization of left-handed transmission line (LHTL) is presented; the proposed structure is realized by periodically loading the coaxial waveguide with gaps in the inner conductor and wires between the inner and outer conductors, the gaps and wires act as series capacitors and shunt inductors. The dispersion characteristic of this new LHTL is analyzed by means of high frequency structure simulator (HFSS) eigenmode simulation and microwave network theory, which exhibits LH behavior over a 60% bandwidth. A backward wave behavior is unambiguously demonstrated from HFSS driven modal simulation. The phase front is observed to be in the opposite direction with respect to the energy one for a finite nine-unit cell prototype.
Pedicled anterolateral thigh flap for complex trochanteric pressure sore reconstruction.

1. McGregor IA, Jackson IT. The groin flap. Br J Plast Surg. 1972;25:3–16. 2. Arner M, Möller K. Morbidity of the pedicled groin flap: A retrospective study of 44 cases. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg. 1994;28:143–146. 3. Buchman SJ, Eglseder WA Jr, Robertson BC. Pedicled groin flaps for upper-extremity reconstruction in the elderly: A report of 4 cases. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2002;83:850–854. 4. Chuang DC, Colony LH, Chen HC, Wei FC. Groin flap design and versatility. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1989;84:100–107. 5. Li YY, Wang JL, Lu Y, Huang J. Resurfacing deep wound of upper extremities with pedicled groin flaps. Burns 2000;26: 283–288. 6. Chuang DC, Jeng SF, Chen HT, Chen HC, Wei FC. Experience of 73 free groin flaps. Br J Plast Surg. 1992;45:81–85. 7. Daniel RK, Taylor GI. Distant transfer of an island flap by microvascular anastomoses: A clinical technique. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1973;52:111–117. 8. Hough M, Fenn C, Kay SP. The use of free groin flaps in children. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2004;113:1161–1166. 9. Hsu WM, Chao WN, Yang C, et al. Evolution of the free groin flap: The superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2007;119:1491–1498. 10. Rasheed T, Hill C, Riaz M. Innovations in flap design: Modified groin flap for closure of multiple finger defects. Burns 2000;26:186–189.
Human bronchial epithelial cells modulate collagen gel contraction by fibroblasts

TADASHI MIO,1 XIANG-DER LIU,2 YUICHI ADACHI,3 ILJA STRIZ,4 C. MAGNUS SKÖLD,2 DEBRA J. ROMBERGER,2 JOHN R. SPURZEM,2 MARY G. ILLIG,2 RON ERTL,2 AND STEPHEN I. RENNARD2 1Pulmonary Medicine, Chest Disease Research Institute, Kyoto University, Kyoto 601; 3Department of Pediatrics, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Toyama 930-01, Japan; 2Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5300; and 4Department of Immunology, Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 140 00 Prague 4, Czech Republic
Variable resolution reconstruction for cartesian data acquired with nonconstant sampling density in phase‐encoding direction

The variable‐kernel extent technique is applied for providing local high‐resolution images from k‐space data sampled on a Cartesian sampling grid with gradually decreasing sampling density in the phase‐encoding direction. The approach is based on a variable spatial resolution reconstruction technique providing gradually decreasing resolution in the phase‐encoding direction with increasing distance to the image center, while preserving full spatial resolution in a narrow slab centered in spatial domain. Reconstruction is performed by a variable convolution kernel gridding technique. The convolution kernel width is chosen proportional to the k‐space sampling spacing to utilize the respective apodization in the image for reduction of the aliasing artifacts. Application of this technique to carotid artery wall imaging shows the potential of the technique for a significant reduction of image acquisition time without sacrificing image quality in the region of the carotid arteries. Magn Reson Med 59:661–666, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Permeability of the Blood Brain Barrier for 125I-Albumin-Bound Bilirubin in Newborn Piglets

ABSTRACT: Permeability of the blood brain barrier (BBB) for bilirubin and 125I-albumin was studied in 2-d- and 2-wk-old piglets. 125I-albumin was given by bolus at the beginning of each study. Hyperbilirubinemia was produced by an initial bolus infusion of bilirubin and sustained at a plasma bilirubin:albumin molar ratio of approximately 1.0 by continuous infusion of bilirubin for 3 h. During the study period, arterial pH and blood gas tensions, serum osmolarity, and mean arterial blood pressure were within the physiologic range for age in both groups. Serum albumin and serum total and unbound bilirubin concentrations were higher in the 2-wk-old piglets. Brain bilirubin concentrations and permeability ( P · S product) of the BBB for bilirubin were higher in the 2-d-old than in the 2-wk-old piglets, but the values of P · S for albumin were not different between the two groups. In 2-d-old piglets, regional brain bilirubin concentrations and permeability of the BBB were higher in subcortical regions (cerebellum and brainstem) than in the cerebral cortex. Regional brain albumin concentrations and BBB permeability to albumin in 2-d-old piglets were higher only in the cerebellum. In all regions, the bilirubin:albumin molar ratio was higher in the brain tissues than in the blood. In 2-wk-old piglets, the brain concentrations and P · S products for bilirubin were lower and the regional differences were less marked than for 2-d-old animals. We conclude that in 2-d-old piglets the blood brain barrier is more permeable to bilirubin than to albumin, that brainstem and cerebellum are more permeable to bilirubin than cortical regions, and that by 2 wk the permeability of the BBB to bilirubin decreases while permeability to albumin remains unchanged.
Comparison of interior and surface PM machines equipped with fractional-slot concentrated windings for hybrid traction applications

Electric drive systems, which include electric machines and power electronics, are a key enabling technology for advanced vehicle propulsion systems that reduce the petroleum dependence of the ground transportation sector. To have significant effect, electric drive technologies must be economical in terms of cost, weight, and size while meeting performance and reliability expectations. This paper will provide details of the design, analysis and testing of two permanent magnet (PM) machines that were developed to meet the FreedomCar 2020 specifications. The first machine is an Interior PM (IPM) machine and the second machine is a surface PM (SPM) machine. Both machines are equipped with fractional-slot concentrated windings (FSCW). The goal of the paper is to provide a quantitative assessment of how achievable this set of specifications is as well as a comparison with the state of the art. The paper will also quantitatively highlight the tradeoffs between IPM and SPM FSCW machines especially in the context of traction applications.