Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extensible Query Processing in an Object-Oriented Database

In this thesis we address the problem of providing efficient processing of queries in the extensible environment induced by object-oriented databases. We define a framework for query processing in an object-oriented database and develop designs for major components of this framework. The framework encompasses an object-oriented data model, an algebra to query over that model, transformation rules for the algebra, an internal representation for queries expressed in the algebra, a cost model for analyzing query expressions, and an architecture for an extensible query optimizer. The major contributions of this thesis are an algebra and transformation rules, a representation, and an architecture for extensible query optimization. We show how these components fit into the framework and interact with each other. The EQUAL query algebra presented in this thesis is the first query algebra for object-oriented database systems to be completely consistent with data abstraction, and one of the few to propose operations for the creation and manipulation of objects with identity. We present transformation rules for this algebra, and a theory of equivalence for query expressions involving object-building operations. We also define an internal representation for query expressions that is annotated with information that can be used during query optimization, and can be extended to represent new operations and annotations. We present Epoq, a novel approach to extensible query optimization. An Epoq optimizer integrates diverse strategies for controlling the optimization of a query and adapts to the addition of new strategies for control. We give a formal basis for this approach and specify an architecture that embodies the approach. We define the control problem for extensible query optimization and present a solution to this problem that is based on planning the optimization process. The planning-based control can combine the optimization strategies in different ways depending on the characteristics of the query being processed. The architecture and control are illustrated with an extensive example optimizer that integates optimization strategies described in the literature with strategies developed specifically for EQUAL.
Microbiota signalling through MyD88 is necessary for a systemic neutrophilic inflammatory response

In the present study, we have found that intestinal flora strongly influence peritoneal neutrophilic inflammatory responses to diverse stimuli, including pathogen‐derived particles like zymosan and sterile irritant particles like crystals. When germ‐free and flora‐deficient (antibiotic‐treated) mice are challenged with zymosan intraperitoneally, neutrophils are markedly impaired in their ability to extravasate from blood into the peritoneum. In contrast, in these animals, neutrophils can extravasate in response to an intraperitoneal injection of the chemokine, macrophage inflammatory protein 2. Neutrophil recruitment upon inflammatory challenge requires stimulation by microbiota through a myeloid differentiation primary response gene (88) (MyD88) ‐dependent pathway. MyD88 signalling is crucial during the development of the immune system but depending upon the ligand it may be dispensable at the time of the actual inflammatory challenge. Furthermore, pre‐treatment of flora‐deficient mice with a purified MyD88‐pathway agonist is sufficient to restore neutrophil migration. In summary, this study provides insight into the role of gut microbiota in influencing acute inflammation at sites outside the gastrointestinal tract.
Online and onsite training for family caregivers of people with dementia: results from a pilot study

day practice. A FAB cutoff score of 12/18 proved very sensitive for diagnosis of bvFTLD. This condition has been noted to be overrepresented in referrals from psychiatry clinics to neurology-led cognitive clinics (Larner 2007a), suggesting difficulty in identifying bvFTLD amongst the casemix of primary psychiatric disorders (Rosness et al., 2008). FAB may therefore merit a place as a situation-specific clinical assessment when a diagnosis of bvFTLD is being considered. These findings may be of particular relevance because other screening tests for FTD such as the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Verbal Fluency-Language/Orientation-Memory subscore have proved insensitive because of failure to detect bvFTLD cases (e.g. Larner 2007b). Hence, individuals with suspected bvFTLD may be administered the FAB, with those who score <12/18 being subjected to further investigation and/or onward referral to try to confirm the diagnosis.
The Proximal Promoter Region of the Zebrafish gsdf Gene Is Sufficient to Mimic the Spatio-Temporal Expression Pattern of the Endogenous Gene in Sertoli and Granulosa Cells1

ABSTRACT The gonadal soma-derived factor (GSDF) is a new member of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) superfamily that regulates the proliferation of the primordial germ cells (PGC) in developing embryos and spermatogonia in juvenile male trout. The gsdf transcripts are expressed in the somatic cells supporting germ cell development. In zebrafish, we show that GSDF is encoded by a single copy gene that generates polymorphic transcripts and proteins. We determined that gsdf gene expression occurs before gonadal differentiation and is restricted to the gonads. Gene expression is maintained in adult granulosa cells and Sertoli cells but decreases in the cells that are in contact with meiotic and postmeiotic germ cells. Using zebrafish transgenic lines, we demonstrate that the 2-kb proximal promoter region of the gsdf gene targets high levels of transgene expression in the Sertoli and granulosa cells, and is sufficient to mimic the temporal expression pattern of the endogenous gsdf gene from 16 days postfertilization onward. We identified within the first 500 bp evolutionarily conserved DNA motifs that may be involved in Sertoli and granulosa cell-specific expression. However, the 2-kb proximal promoter region failed to drive efficient expression of the transgene in the gonads in four transgenic medaka lines. We propose that the proximal promoter region can be used to target candidate gene deregulation in zebrafish granulosa and Sertoli cells. Furthermore, the green fluorescent protein-expressing zebrafish lines produced in the present study are new valuable models for cell lineage tracing during sex differentiation and gametogenesis.
On dynamical decoupling of kinematically redundant manipulators

The kinematically decoupled joint space decomposition is proposed as a general coordinate transformation between the joint space and the task space of kinematically redundant manipulators. The method can describe the kinematic, force, and dynamic redundancy in a unified way using a minimal number of systematic motion variables. Based on the method, a set of equivalent dynamical models of redundant manipulators is constructed and its characteristics are studied focusing on the dynamical decoupling between the task and the null motion dynamics.
A Low-Cost, High-Throughput Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis System for Genotyping with Microsatellite DNA Markers

Microsatellite DNA markers are widely used in genetic research. Their use, however, can be costly and throughput is sometimes limited. The objective of this paper is to introduce a simple, low-cost, high-throughput system that detects amplification products from microsatellite markers by nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This system is capable of separating DNA fragments that differ by as little as two base pairs. The electrophoresis unit holds two vertical 100-sample gels allowing standards and samples from a 96-well plate to be analyzed on a single gel. DNA samples are stained during electrophoresis by ethildium bromide in the running buffer. In addition, one of the gel plates is UV-transparent so that gels can be photographed immediately after electrophoresis without disassembling the get-plate sandwich. Electrophoresis runs are generally less than two hours. The cost per gel, excluding PCR cost, is currently estimated at about $2.60, or less than $0.03 per data point. This system has been used successfully with soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) microsatellite markers and could be a valuable tool for researchers employing markers in other species.
Rhythm analysis of teacher's speech in classroom

In this paper, we propose a novel method for classroom teaching evaluation by combining with speech analysis. The real time voice signals are transformed into discrete digital signals through hardwares, and we can access and deal with them in MATLAB. During the procedures, a lot of experiments and simulations have been made. The enrichment of rhythm, tone fluctuation and passion are judged by setting some evaluation criteria, and a preliminary conclusion about the teaching effects is provided.
Disentangling the influence of abiotic variables and a non‐native predator on freshwater community structure

Cause-and-effect interpretations of the apparent impacts of biological invasions are confounded by the coincident occurrence of non-native species and changes to abiotic factors. Native community structure and function can vary greatly in space and time, owing to abiotic variables that could potentially be affected by non-native species. Here, we sought to determine the relative importance of abiotic variables and an invasive predatory fish, the Eurasian round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), on local macroinvertebrate assemblages and benthic algal production in the St. Lawrence River. We used structural equation modeling to evaluate the strength of interaction pathways between hypothesized biotic and abiotic factors driving trophic cascades. Our results indicate that biotic interactions with the round goby drive changes in the abundances of native grazers and non-native dreissenid mussels in the St. Lawrence River. However, the directionality of these effects contradicts previous studies of round goby impacts that emphasized top-down control. We found positive correlations between round goby density and prey (dreissenid and grazer) densities, suggesting complex interactions between round gobies and benthic communities, including strong bottom-up forces. Together with previous studies, our results suggest that, although the interactions between round gobies and benthic communities remain strong, the direction of these interactions varies over space and time. Our results highlight the importance of disentangling the respective roles of biotic interactions and abiotic factors, in order to properly assess the impacts of non-native species as well as the spatiotemporal variability of such impacts.
New Constructions of Identity-based Broadcast Encryption without Random Oracles

The main challenge in building efficient broadcast systems is to encrypt messages with short ciphertexts. In this paper, we present a new construction based on the identity. Our construction contains the desirable features, such as constant size ciphertexts and private keys, short public keys and not fixing the total number of possible users in the setup. In addition, the proposed scheme achieves the full security which is stronger than the selective-identity security. Furthermore we show that the proof of security does not rely on the random oracles. To the best our knowledge, it is the first efficient scheme that is full security and achieves constant size ciphertexts and private keys which solve the trade-off between the ciphertext size and the private key size.
The impact of software capability maturity model on knowledge management and organisational learning: empirical findings and useful insights

This paper, using qualitative and quantitative data relative to the software process improvement initiative in which the Italian branch of a multinational software company was engaged from January 1997 to May 2001, investigates the impact of Capability Maturity Model (CMM) certification on organisational learning. A knowledge management perspective is adopted to explain the software development process increase in productivity. Data suggest that CMM can effectively support and address knowledge management and learning within a software organisation. Disciplined methods and practices are expected to result in better control over the software development process, and organisations using a well-structured process model such as the CMM can use the process infrastructure it provides for organisational learning.
Fibroblast nemosis arrests growth and induces differentiation of human leukemia cells

Interactive signaling between cancer cells and stroma plays an important role in determining tumor development. We recently found tumor cell‐derived factors to induce fibroblast clustering, and that the high amounts of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) produced by these cell–cell contact‐activated fibroblasts enhanced the invasiveness of c‐Met‐expressing cancer cells. We now observed that leukemia cells lacking c‐Met respond to this novel type of fibroblast activation, nemosis, with growth arrest and differentiation to a dendritic cell‐like phenotype. This effect was counteracted by introduction of c‐Met expression into these cells. Moreover, those leukemia cell lines harboring properly processed c‐Met showed no effect in response to nemosis. We propose this effect to be mediated by nemosis‐derived cytokine signals, and present the potential candidates induced in the nemotic fibroblasts: interleukins‐1, ‐6, ‐8, ‐11, leukemia inhibitory factor and granulocyte‐macrophage‐colony‐stimulating factor. Our results emphasize the role of activated stromal fibroblasts in controlling progression of certain hematologic malignancies in a c‐Met expression‐dependent manner. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diurnal Cycle of Summer Precipitation over Subtropical East Asia in CAM5

The simulations of summertime diurnal cycle of precipitation and low-level winds by the Community Atmosphere Model, version 5, are evaluated over subtropical East Asia. The evaluation reveals the physical cause of the observed diurnal rainfall variation in East Asia and points to the source of model strengths and weaknesses. Two model versions with horizontal resolutions of 2.88 and 0.58 are used. The models can reproduce the diurnal phase of large-scale winds over East Asia, with an enhanced lowlevel southwesterly in early morning. Correspondingly, models successfully simulated the diurnal variation of stratiform rainfall with a maximum in early morning. However, the simulated convective rainfall occurs at local noontime, earlier than observations and with larger amplitude (normalized by the daily mean). As a result, models simulated a weaker diurnal cycle in total rainfall over the western plain of China due to an out-of-phase cancellation between convective and stratiform rainfalls and a noontime maximum of total rainfall over the eastern plain of China. Over the East China Sea, models simulated the early-morning maximum of convective precipitation and, together with the correct phase of the stratiform rainfall, they captured the diurnal cycle of total precipitation. The superposition of the stratiform and convective rainfalls also explains the observed diurnal cycle in total rainfall in East Asia. Relative to the coarse-resolution model, the high-resolution model simulated slight improvement in diurnal rainfall amplitudes, due to the larger amplitude of stratiform rainfall. The two models, however, suffer from the same major biases in rainfall diurnal cycles due to the convection parameterization.
Some Factors in Effective Communication

To determine the number of dimensions needed to account for behaviour in an instrumental communication task, verbal descriptions of 40 Munsell colour chips were elicited from four subjects. Later these same subjects tried to identify the chips on the basis of the descriptions. Every subject served both as speaker and listener for every other subject, including himself. Coombs' non-metric multi-dimensional scaling technique was used to analyse the 16 speaker-listener pairs, rank ordered for effectiveness of communication and two, possibly three, dimensions were found: (1) listening skill ; (2) skill in describing colours, both for self and other listeners ; and (3) response similarity with other subjects, as measured either by the degree of lexical similarity in the composition of verbal descriptions or by the degree of overlap of choices made in the identification of colour chips. These results were interpreted as evidence against the existence of a generalized uni-dimensional communication skill.
Structure‐Aware Mesh Decimation

We present a novel approach for the decimation of triangle surface meshes. Our algorithm takes as input a triangle surface mesh and a set of planar proxies detected in a pre‐processing analysis step, and structured via an adjacency graph. It then performs greedy mesh decimation through a series of edge collapse, designed to approximate the local mesh geometry as well as the geometry and structure of proxies. Such structure‐preserving approach is well suited to planar abstraction, i.e. extreme decimation approximating well the planar parts while filtering out the others. Our experiments on a variety of inputs illustrate the potential of our approach in terms of improved accuracy and preservation of structure.
Supercurrent and the Adler-Bardeen theorem in coupled supersymmetric Yang-Mills theories.

We construct the supercurrent and a supersymmetric current which satisfies the Adler-Bardeen theorem in supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory coupled to non-self-interacting chiral matter. Using the formulation recently developed by Grisaru, Milewski, and Zanon, supersymmetry and gauge invariance are maintained with supersymmetric background-field theory and regularization by dimensional reduction. We verify the finiteness of the supercurrent to one loop, and the Adler-Bardeen theorem to two loops by explicit calculations in the minimal-subtraction scheme. We then demonstrate the subtraction-scheme independence of the one-loop Adler-Bardeen anomaly and prove the existence of a subtraction scheme in which the Adler-Bardeen theorem is satisfied to all orders in perturbation theory.
Laminin overrides the inhibitory effects of peripheral nervous system and central nervous system myelin‐derived inhibitors of neurite growth

Axon growth inhibitory proteins associated with central nervous system (CNS) myelin are responsible in part for the absence of long distance axon regeneration in the adult mammalian CNS. We have recently reported that myelin‐associated glycoprotein (MAG), which is also present in peripheral nerves, is a potent inhibitor of neurite growth. This was surprising given the robust regenerative capacity of peripheral nerves. We now provide evidence that myelin purified from peripheral nerve also has neurite growth inhibitory activity. However, this activity can be masked by laminin, which is a constituent of the Schwann cell basal lamina. We also report that laminin, which is largely absent from the normal adult mammalian CNS, when added to purified CNS myelin, can override the neurite growth inhibitory activity in CNS myelin. These results have important implications for the development of strategies to foster axon regeneration in the adult mammalian CNS where multiple growth inhibitors exist. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Corrections to “Broadband Near-Infrared Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detector With Efficiency Over 50%”

We report a broadband superconducting nanowire single-photon detector for the near-infrared waveband. The optical absorptance in this band is enhanced by utilizing a reflective aluminum mirror and a SiO2 layer as an optical cavity. A broadband system detection efficiency (SDE) over 50% from 950 to 1600 nm with a low dark count rate of 10 Hz is realized by coupling a HI 1060 FLEX single-mode fiber. The SDEs reaches 78.3%, 70.9%, and 57.7% at the wavelengths of 1064, 1310, and 1550 nm, respectively. A system timing resolution (jitter) of 83 ps at 1550 nm is obtained. The detector may be useful for broadband applications such as earth observation, environment monitoring, and biomedicine.
Thermomechanical modelling and force analysis of friction stir welding by the finite element method

Abstract Friction stir welding (FSW) is a solid-state jointing technology, in which the butted plates are heated, plasticized and jointed locally by the plunged probe and shoulder moving along the joint line. The residual stresses due to the thermomechanical performance of the material and the constraint of the welded plates by the fixture are one of main concerns for this process. A prediction of the clamping force applied on the plates during FSW is expected to be helpful in controlling the residual stresses and weld quality. Furthermore, the prediction of the force history in FSW will be beneficial to understand the mechanics of the process and to provide valid models for controlling the process, especially in the case of robotic FSW. In this paper, a three-dimensional model based on a finite element method is proposed to study the thermal history and stress distribution in the weld and, subsequently, to compute mechanical forces in the longitudinal, lateral and vertical directions. The proposed model includes a coupled thermomechanical modelling. The parametric investigation of the effects of the tool rotational and longitudinal speed on the longitudinal, lateral and vertical forces is also conducted in order to compute the appropriate clamping force applied on the plates. Measurements by the load cells in the longitudinal, lateral and vertical directions are presented and reveal a reasonable agreement between the experimental results and the numerical calculations.
A late complication with the cardioSEAL ASD occluder device and need for surgical revision

A late complication of the CardioSEAL atrial septal defect (ASD) occluder is reported. Although left atrial umbrella was completely epithelialized and occluded ASD without residual defect, the right atrial umbrella protruded toward the center of right atrium after 18 months. We believe this may be associated with the structural abnormality of the device. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;54:335–338. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Back pain prevalence in US industry and estimates of lost workdays.

OBJECTIVES Back pain is the most common reason for filing workers' compensation claims and often causes lost workdays. Data from the 1988 National Health Interview Survey were analyzed to identify high-risk industries and to estimate the prevalence of work-related back pain and number of workdays lost. METHODS Analyses included 30074 respondents who worked during the 12 months before the interview. A case patient was defined as a respondent who had back pain every day for a week or more during that period. RESULTS The prevalence of lost-workday back pain was 4.6%, and individuals with work-related cases lost 101.8 million workdays owing to back pain. Male and female case patients lost about the same number of workdays. Industries in high-risk categories were also identified for future research and intervention, including those seldom studied. CONCLUSIONS This study provides statistically reliable national estimates of the prevalence of back pain among workers and the enormous effect of this condition on American industry in terms of lost workdays.